A/N - Hey guys! So first off, I'd like to say that... this chapter is about EIGHT THOUSAND WORDS LONG! Yes! This is a HUGE chapter! The LONGEST I wrote in probably YEARS.

Why did I make it so long?! The reason is... as much as I make these type of chapters, I REALLY wanted to write about Nia's mental health. So for years, we were ALL wondering WHY Nia cared and was SO insecure about her appearance. After some deep research, I've come to find out, that in my opinion... Nia suffers from a mental health condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder... or BDD.

Here's the definition of it:

These are the symptoms that DEFINITELY pertain to Nia.

So yes... Nia DOES have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. We finally figured out what was wrong with her.

Anyway, guys, the theme song for this chapter is "Unstable" by Justin Bieber. I think it's damn near PERFECT for NaruNia.

If you wanna listen to it, here it is.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

PLEASE remember to leave some comments and vote! This took me a really long time to write and would appreciate the love. Enjoy ❤️

🌹🌹🌹

BONUS CHAPTER #41: Broken In Pieces 💔

"Naruto... are you sure... you're okay?" Nia asked as she wrapped gauze around the blond's arm.

"Ah, don't worry about me! I'm just glad you're okay, ya know!" The blond grinned.

"But it's my fault your arm is injured! Cause.., you used it to shield me from getting hit with kunai!"

"And if it came down to it, I'd gladly protect you again."

Nia's heart skipped a beat. Her face reddened momentarily before she lowered her head, a shadow casted over her eyes.

"But... why?" She mumbled. "You always go so far for me. You always go out of your way to protect me. Someone who's completely..."

"Curly Brow," Naruto placed his hand on her's. "I... care about you. I know it's hard for you to believe that, but I really wanna keep you safe. I don't wanna see you hurt in any way, shape, or form."

"You... truly are... something special... Uzumaki."

"Hm?" Naruto looked at Nia.

The girl's face was red.

"I... I really care about you... too," She said.

"Eh?"

"I... I mean like... you're a very important person to me..." Nia clarified.

Naruto reddened slightly.

Nia's blush deepened at the sight of his expression.

"I mean... y-you don't have to look so surprised! I-I've always felt this way! I've... always wanted to stay by your side a-and take care of you!"

"Sweet Curly Brow..." Naruto smiled.

Nia's heart thudded hard.

'I love him,' She thought. 'I truly love him...'

She then lowered her eyes.

But the thing is... he's... in love with another girl. He... doesn't like me... nor... could he ever probably like me... He's... too good... too amazing... for someone like me.

Nia clenched her pants.

But still... despite that... I... still care about him... I... still wanna be with him. I... still wanna win his heart... so bad.

"Curly Brow?" Naruto's voice broke Nia out of her thoughts.

She looked at him.

"You... okay?" The blond asked. "It looks like you're distressed."

"Naruto?"

"Hm?"

"Do you... still love Sakura? Is she... truly the girl whom your heart belongs to?" Nia's eyes were puppy dog like.

"Sakura's... the girl I've had feelings for since I was a kid, ya know."

Nia's heart broke.

"O-Oh..." She croaked. "I see..."

She then turned in her chair, tears rushing in her eyes.

"There's... one thing though," Naruto spoke.

Nia didn't say anything as she fought back crying.

"Curly Brow... there's this... gnawing feeling in my heart... in my soul... when... I'm... with you..." The blond confessed.

Nia's eyes widened. Immediately, she turned back in her seat to see Naruto looking down at his lap.

"I... I don't know how to explain..." He said. "It's such an intense feeling when I'm around you or talking with you or laughing with you or even just spending any time together with you. The way I feel toward you... it's so... strong... so powerful... so... there's no words to describe it. I just absolutely love being with you, Curly Brow. I swear it..."

"Oh Naruto..."

"My heart... it just feels strange when you're with me. My soul... is so at ease with you. My spirit, my mind, just everything... feels so right, ya know."

"Haaah... I truly love you, Naruto..." Nia sighed dreamily.

"Hm?!" Naruto reddened as a look of surprise was on his face.

Realizing what she accidentally muttered out loud, steam pushed out of Nia's super red face and she threw her arms in the air.

"KYAAA! WAIT! I... I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!"

"I... know what you meant, sweet Curly Brow... don't worry about it. We're... really good friends, after all, right?"

"I... I mean..."

Nia's face continued to stay red.

"Naruto?" She called.

"Yeah?"

"I... really... want to be in your arms..." Nia admitted, although very shyly.

"In... my arms?" Naruto reddened deeper.

"Yes," Nia was embarrassed.

"Curly Brow..."

"Naruto... please don't just stare at me like that..." Nia's heart skipped a beat.

"But you're acting so..."

"So what?"

"Curly Brow... do you... have a crush on me... or something?"

"Kya!" Steam exploded out of Nia's face again. "N-NARUTO!"

"Tch," Naruto chuckled. "Why'd I even bother asking? A girl as cute as you liking a guy like me? No way."

"Huh?" Nia blinked.

"I feel such a tugging on my heart for you, but... it seems you don't get that same feeling for me..."

"Wait! Uzumaki-"

"You're too sweet for me. Too good."

Nia flushed in the face.

"Uzumaki, don't say that... that's not true. You're the one who's always been too good for me. What're you saying?"

"You only think that cause of literally just how you look. You think that in order for men to notice a woman, she has to be banging hot! You think just because some people think you're ugly, automatically means you don't deserve love from anyone - including guys you find cute, but I say... that's that's complete BULL CRAP! You deserve love just as much as anyone else. It doesn't matter how you look! There's SOMEONE for EVERYONE, ya know!"

"Oh Naruto..." Nia breathed.

"..." Naruto didn't say anything.

"Naruto... remember... when I told you I could tell you were hurting... cause Sakura doesn't feel the same way for you?"

"What about it?"

"Well... what if I told you... there's another girl... who... may not be as pretty or fit as Sakura... but whom that loves you with everything she has and wants to stay by your side and support you till the end of time?"

"Hm?" Naruto looked at Nia then chuckled, although sadly. "Don't be ridiculous, Curly Brow. Did you forget? I'm... a jinchuuriki. I have a beast inside me that wants nothing but to kill. Girls don't-"

"But there's a girl who DOESN'T care that you're a jinchuuriki! Who doesn't care if you have a beast inside you! There's a girl who loves you with ALL her heart and who ACCEPTS YOU for EVERYTHING you are, flaws and all!"

"But there's no girl who really sees past the fact I'm a jinchuuriki except-" Naruto's eyes widened at the realization of something.

He locked eyes with Nia.

"You..." He mumbled.

Nia blushed, but bravely continued to gaze into her crush's eyes.

Naruto's eyes shook a bit.

"Curly Brow..." He turned to her.

"Oh Naruto..."

The blond stared a while longer at the girl, then just as quickly, pulled her into a hug.

"CURLY BROW!" He hollered.

"OH NARUTO!"

"It's true... please tell me it's true! You're... in love with me?!"

"I... I kept trying to tell you, Uzumaki... yes... I am," Nia confessed.

"N-No way..." Naruto started to tear up.

"Oh Naruto..."

"So then..." Naruto cupped her face. "You wouldn't mind... if I kissed you?"

"No... I would love that," Nia smiled.

Naruto blushed heavily, tears rushing down his face.

"You accept me... you really accept me! Even though I'm like this... even though I'm a jinchuuriki!"

With that, he crashed his lips into Nia's.

"Curly Brow... Curly Brow..." He mumbled as he made out with her.

Suddenly though, a loud voice called his name... and... he woke up.

"Huh? What the heck? Pervy Sage?" The blond groggily sat up in bed as he saw his master standing in front of his bed.

"You poor thing..." Jiraiya stared at his student. "You're just helplessly in love with that girl, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"Curly Brow... Curly Brow..." Jiraiya imitated Naruto. "That's all you said in your sleep the whole night."

"GAH!" Naruto reddened.

"Naruto, seriously..." Jiraiya sat on the edge of the bed. "When are you gonna realize you're deeply in love with Nia? Tell her how you feel already... This whole denial thing you got going on can't keep happening."

Naruto looked down.

"I... dreamt of Curly Brow.,. having feelings for me. Serious, actual feelings..."

"Hm?"

"In the dream... she told me she loves me and accepts me for everything I am... including my flaws. That,.. she doesn't care if I'm a jinchuuriki..."

"Oh?"

Naruto's bangs casted a shadow over his eyes as a blush ran across the bridge of his nose.

"I... I truly do... care about her," He mumbled. "Curly Brow... I really care about her..."

"Yeah?" Jiraiya raised a brow.

"I just... don't know what it is, Pervy Sage. Something about her just really..."

"Really what?"

"Tugs at me. Tugs at my heart. Tugs at my soul. Tugs at my whole being. Being with her, talking to her, laughing with her, hell, even crying with her... everything is just... so special to me. I feel like... it's just so hard to explain. I wanna say peaceful, but it's an even more powerful feeling than that when I'm with Curly Brow. It's like... she's just... for me, or gah! For me?! What the hell am I even saying?!" Naruto ruffled his hair. "I'm feeling all giddy just cause she told me she likes me and we kissed a couple times! What the hell is wrong with me, ya know?!"

Jiraiya smiled.

"Damn, I need to get it together," Naruto smacked his face. "I'm trying so hard not to grin so much! Damn it, I'm just so happy! So happy she likes me! So happy we kissed! So happy that she... acknowledges me the way she does! I don't know what the hell is wrong with me! Why am I so happy and relieved, I could melt into the ground?! Pervy Sage, help! Tell me what's wrong!"

"Nothing is wrong, Naruto... I think you're starting to finally understand that what you're feeling... is love."

"Gah!" The blond blushed.

"Yeah... you just admitted to feeling a certain warmth... a greater feeling than peace when you're around Nia. Having her by your side makes you feel incredible, it makes you feel protective, it even fills you with such warmth and love. When she's happy, you're happy and when she's hurt, you're hurt. She encourages you and believes in you and her praise makes you feel on top of the world. She accepts you for everything you are even though you're such a messy, imperfect person. She appreciates you and respects you, never treating you like the villagers once did while you were growing up. She stays by your side through thick and thin, forgives you when you act up, and overall loves you exactly for who you are, not what you are," Jiraiya explained. "And for all those reasons, you're in love with her, right?"

"Woah... how'd you know all that?" Naruto blinked.

"Kid, you might not believe it... but I've gotten to know you like the back of my hand. Watching how your relationship with Nia evolved over the past couple or few months, I could tell just how close you two were getting and the feelings between you both that was developing. Anyone could tell you two were falling for eachother... the only ones who couldn't see that was you and Nia."

"Ehhh?! Really?!" Naruto blushed.

"Of course... it was so obvious, I wanted to pull my hair out. I kept trying to tell you Nia was in love with you, but you didn't believe me. You just insisted you two were friends."

"Man..."

"Naruto... Nia... she's REALLY in love with you," Jiraiya said.

"Hm?" Naruto stared blankly.

"She... used to tell me... how all she ever wanted... was for you to accept her. For you to talk to her. For you to spend time with her. For you to give her a chance. For you to... love her. Just like you, she yearned for you to love her despite the thing others hated her for. Just like you, she wanted-"

"Yeah, I know... she's already told me, too," Naruto placed his hand on his chest. "Damn, it just feels like my heart's beating out of my chest. I'm just so in love with her... everything she is... everything she-"

A sudden knock came on the front door.

"I wonder who that could be?" Jiraiya gave a knowing smile as he looked out the peep hole. "Well, would you look at that. It's your precious Curly Br-"

"CURLY BROW'S HERE?!" Naruto stood and ran to the door, pushing Jiraiya out the way. "MOVE!"

He then excitedly opened the door.

"CURLY BROW!" He grinned. "WHAT BRINGS YOU TO MY APARTMENT, YA KNOW?!"

"Oh Naruto..." The girl was blushing. "I... I just... was thinking of our kiss..."

"No way! Me too! I haven't gotten it out of my head."

"I... really want to be held aga- Kya!" Nia yelped when Naruto embraced her.

"Sweet Curly Brow... Sweet Curly Brow!" Naruto nuzzled his cheek against her's as hearts floated out of his head.

"Oh Naruto..." Nia nearly melted into a puddle.

"I love you! I love you, ya know!"

"I love you, too! I love you, too, Uzumaki!"

"Curly Brow..." Naruto cupped her cheek. "I really... want to kiss you again."

"U-Uzumaki..." Nia heavily blushed.

With that, Naruto closed his eyes and leaned downward, planting his lips onto Nia's. At his doorstep, the two made out. The kiss was rather sloppy but they greatly enjoyed the other's affection. Naruto wrapped his arm around Nia's waist and pulled her closer. Nia gripped Naruto's jacket, trying to get as much of him as she could.

"Dang... do you two need me to step out?" Jiraiya sweat dropped as this went on.

He decided to give them time alone and left.

Naruto ignored him and started kissing down Nia's neck, next licking and sucking on it.

"Oh Naruto~" Nia moaned.

"Come here~" Naruto grabbed her wrist and led her to his bedroom. Once inside, he slammed her into the wall, running his hands all over Nia's body while continuing to make out with her.

As this went on, Nia started to feel like everything was just too much. Eventually, she got Naruto to stop.

"Curly Brow, what's wrong? Why're you stopping me?" Naruto was concerned.

"I just... can't do this..." She said.

"Do what?"

"Have... sex."

"?"

"Naruto... I love you and all, but the reality is... you haven't fully committed to me. You're even still struggling to get over Saku-"

"I'm over her! I'm over he-"

"Don't lie, Uzumaki."

"Curly Brow..."

"Honestly... I'm just not one of those girl who could or would sleep with just anyone. In order for me to have sex, I have to be seriously in love with a guy and have him be fully committed to me to the point of marriage. Anything less than that... I don't wanna have sex and give my vulnerability to any man. I just wanna sleep with one man my entire lifetime. The man... I marry... the man... I love."

"But-"

"If you don't want to respect that or feel you can't handle what I want... then maybe... this whole thing between us... is pointless to pursue," Nia said, almost sadly.

Naruto shook his head.

"No... our bond is special! I can't let it go, ya know!"

"Then... in order for anyone to be with me... they have to wait for me... when it comes to sex."

"..." Naruto said nothing.

Nia sighed.

"If you care more about sex than our bond, then you're just not the right man for m-"

"I'll do it," Naruto spoke.

"Hm?" Nia's eyes widened.

"I said..." Naruto grabbed her hand and held it between their chests. "I'll wait for you... for how ever long you need me to."

Nia blushed.

"N-Naruto..."

"Curly Brow... while I do... wanna make love to you as soon as possible, my need for sex... is NOT more important or special than our bond... our feelings for one another."

Nia gawked at the blond.

"You... mean the world to me. I don't want you to leave me... I don't want to leave you... just cause you wanna wait to have sex. I want to stay by your side, protect you, and love you. You're way too important and special to me," Naruto said.

"Oh Naruto..." Nia's blush deepened as tears surfaced in her eyes. "Y-You... think... I'm worth waiting for?"

Naruto squeezed her hand.

"Definitely..." He smiled.

Hearing this, Nia hugged him.

"Oh Naruto... you're too amazing... I love you so much. I want us to work out."

"I want you... in my life... Curly Brow," Naruto closed his eyes and blushed, hugging her back.

"I can't even begin to explain my feelings for you..." Nia was red. "It's just so intense... so overwhelming..."

"That's... how I feel towards you. My feelings just flood out of me for you."

"Oh Naruto..."

"Curly Brow..."

"I seriously wanna be with you..."

"I want us to work, too... I swear..."

"Naruto?" Nia called.

"Hm?"

"I... can't stop yearning for you..."

"Huh?"

"I think about you all the time... I dream of you constantly... I just... can't get over you. I don't mean to sound creepy or obsessed, but literally... I never loved a single person more than you. I just can't... for some reason. It would have to take an incredibly, extra super EXTRAORDINARY person for me to get over you. You just have my heart... seriously."

"Curly Brow..."

Nia tightened her hold on him.

"I just... don't wanna let you go. You're such an incredible person and it's like... my heart BREAKS when I think... I can never have you. I can never hold you. I can never talk to you. I can never laugh with you. I can never cry with you. I can never... be here with you."

"Then maybe... you should hold onto me tighter... forever and always..."

"I really.., want to. I don't... want to be in a world without you. It's torture!"

"Sweet Curly Brow..."

"You brighten my world... you bring so much color into it. When I'm not with you... it really feels like a piece of my soul is missing... torn to pieces... and it hurts... so bad... SO DAMN BAD!" Nia croaked.

"I hear you... I hear you..." Naruto whispered lovingly.

"I just want to BE WITH YOU... HOLD YOU... LOVE YOU... KISS YOU... MAKE LOVE WITH YOU... LAUGH WITH YOU... CRY WITH YOU... SUPPORT YOU... JUST DO LITERALLY EVERYTHING WITH YOU! I SWEAR I DO! I DON'T WANT TO BE WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU! IT KILLS ME ON EVERYTHING I LOVE!"

Naruto smiled then kissed Nia's forehead.

"I appreciate that... seriously, I do... but Curly Brow... can I ask you a serious question?"

Nia nodded.

"If... for some reason we couldn't be together... wouldn't... you allow another man to... be with you?"

Immediately, tears surfaced in Nia's eyes.

"Don't... say that..." There was a lump in her throat. "I hate... thinking about that."

"But you... would... wouldn't you? I mean... you wouldn't wanna be single for the rest of your life for me... would you?"

"Naruto... I... don't want to be with anyone else. I don't want some random guy breaking my heart just cause I can't be with you! I don't want anyone... I don't even know if... I have the ability to love someone else."

Naruto made a small smile, though sympathetically.

"But if we couldn't be together... wouldn't you just be lonely for the rest of your life? Wouldn't... you want love from someone?" He asked.

"Naruto... all my life, men have hated me. All my life, men have laughed at me. All my life, men have rejected me... not a single man has ever... wanted me. Why should I be with any man if no one can even love me for who I am? Why should I be with any man if all they do is reject and make fun of me for how I look? Why should I be with any man who can't value me for more than how I look?! I don't want to be with them! They're garbage! They don't deserve to have someone as loving as me! I've tried my damned HARDEST to be noticed by them, but... it was always a complete failure... that's why... I'd rather... love you... even... if loving you meant... I had to be alone... for the rest of my life. At least... you don't hurt me..."

With that, tears rushed down Nia's face.

"Curly Brow..." Naruto breathed.

"To be honest... I... only want you. I know... I sound crazy, but... no one makes me feel the way you do. No one makes me feel... happy, relieved, and peaceful... except for you. I love the way I feel when I hear you, when I listen to you talk, see how you treat others, see how strong you are, see your face, see you laugh, see you... do or say just about anything. You give me such a special feeling in my heart... that literally no man on this earth has been able to do. All... I've ever felt from other men... was pain. They made me hate myself. They made me even want to kill myself.... But you... you made me want to live... you made me want to keep going... you made me... care about myself... and for that... I love you... I love you so damn much, Uzumaki..."

"Oh Curly Brow..."

"That's why... if we couldn't ever be together in this world... if... no other man ever came to love me for who I am completely... I'd... want to live the rest of my days, waiting to die, so... I can a-atleast... see you in heaven... and be with you there... for eternity," Nia started sobbing.

"Curly Brow... you really..."

"I... I know... I'm out of my mind... aren't I? I already know what you wanna say..."

"D-Don't... cry..." Naruto mumbled.

Nia only continued to sob.

"You... can't help... the way you feel... so don't cry," Naruto comforted her. "It's not your fault... you fell so deeply... especially with everything that's happened in your life, ya know. You have every right to feel the way you do towards other guys... they treated you horribly... rejected you... broke your heart... and tore your soul to pieces... I can get... why you feel so strongly toward me, and no... I don't think you're some creep or some super obsessed weirdo. You're... everything I need in my life. A woman like you... who loves me as much as you do... that's... all I've wanted all my life..."

"Oh Naruto..." Nia kept crying. "All I ever wanted was to be loved and accepted by someone special. To be loved and accepted for who I am... not what I look like... To be the ONLY woman in a man's heart, but... that... has never happened to me with other guys. I... don't even think it's possible anymore... I don't... believe in true love when it comes to them. It always seems... my love is the only real, serious thing and not theirs for me. I always love the hardest, the most, the deepest..."

"Curly Brow..." Naruto breathed.

"Hm?"

"What if... there was another guy... who accepted you for everything you are, loved you, treated you right, and whom you were even... attracted to?"

"..."

"I..." Nia mumbled.

"Hm?"

"I... want it to be us..." She answered.

"!"

"I shouldn't have to be with anyone else. You're the man I'm deeply in love with. You're the man whose soul I really care for. You're the man... who I fell for because of who they are as a person! I really-"

"But just what if we couldn't be together for some reason and another guy came into your life? Someone... who was an ideal match for you?"

"It... shouldn't have to be that way. I wish I could be with YOU! I want to be with YOU!"

"CURLY BROW, JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION, DAMMIT!"

"OKAY! YES! YES! I WOULD BE WITH THIS RANDOM ASS OTHER MAN YOU SPEAK OF!" Nia yelled. "B-But... like I said... I don't... know how to love another man anymore. I'm just... too broken... too hurt... If we couldn't be together, I don't see some random dude, who fits your criteria, that would want to be with me in that way. I just... don't see me finding love... with other guys. It seems... impossible. But yes... if we couldn't be together, and another guy, who was my ideal match, loved me, accepted me for who I am, valued me for more than how I look, and treated me right... I would... be with him. I would love him."

"Good..." Naruto smiled.

"But..." Nia croaked.

"Hm?"

"I... would be heartbroken... because... it... should've been... you and I. I should've been able to have you. I should've been able to hold you. I should've been able to hold your hand. I should've been able to laugh with you. I should've been able to cry with you. I should've been able... to be with you, but it would be like... we're in two different worlds... impossible to make those things possible.. and because of that... that's the worst pain of all pains in my heart. The fact... that it would be... impossible for me... to reach you."

"I see... and I'm sorry to ask, but what... would you do... if I was... to reject you?"

Nia's heart broke at the thought of that possibility.

"I would... pretend like everything was fine, but once I'm alone... in my room... I'd cry. I'd cry and cry my eyes out. I'd tell myself that you rejecting me was to be expected. That of course a guy like you would never wanna date a girl like me. That... it's just like how everything goes with other guys. That... I'm just not lovable. And it's NOT that I would hurt myself in any way, but I'd... give up on ever finding love. On ever believing I could be loved romantically."

"But why? Wouldn't that just mean... I'm not good enough for you? That I'm not-"

"You know damn well you're good enough. It's always me who's not good enough. That's why I get rejected. Because I'm not enough for anyone. It's obvious. Listen, the reason I would give up on love if you were to reject me is for two simple reasons..."

Naruto only gave a sad look.

"The first reason is because... you're as kind and accepting as it gets. You care for people because of who they are, not because of what they are or how they may look. If I'm so monstrous looking that I can't even win over someone as pure hearted as you, then... what should that tell you? Second, I'd give up on love because... my love for you is as pure, real, and as genuine as it gets. My love is so deep that I could die from it... you rejecting me, despite you knowing how deep my love runs... would literally tell me... no matter how much I care for someone, it doesn't matter cause at the end of the day, the only thing that'll ever matter about myself... is how I look."

"But that's... not right. Just because if I was to reject you, doesn't mean no one else can ever love you. I mean-"

"Stop..." Nia mumbled. "No... more."

"But-"

"I don't... want to be with anyone else. I... told you. I'm tired of getting my heart broken. I'm tired of believing in love when it comes to other guys. They constantly and consistently show me that... they can't love me... the way I need to be loved. I've waited... and waited... and waited... for someone to just accept me. To just care about me. To just... love me. I've waited for someone to value me for more than how I look. I've waited forever, but... when it comes to them... all I'll ever be... is ugly. Not worth it. Not worth waiting for. Not worth loving. Tell me... why should I keep holding onto hope... when... all I'm ever met with... is pure rejection?"

"Curly Brow..." Naruto gave a look of concern.

Nia lowered her head, her bangs casted a dark shadow over her face.

"If... you want to reject me... go ahead. I understand that I can't force you to love me. I understand that I'm not entitled to your love. If you're not attracted to me, I can't do anything about that. I can't force you to suddenly find me gorgeous. Besides, you like girls... like Sakura. The pretty, in shape girls. I'm... nothing like her or those type of girls..."

"!"

Another tear slipped out of Nia's eye.

"It's not... always about how you look though," Naruto suddenly spoke. "Dammit, you piss me off so much. I'll admit, looks get you through the door, but... it doesn't keep you inside. It takes... more than just looks to... keep a relationship going. I'm tired of you thinking just cause you're supposedly not the best looking, means it's impossible for anyone to like you. There's still guys out here... who care more about who a woman is than how she looks, ya know."

"Naruto, don't lie to me. Everyone knows that in order for a relationship to happen, you need to be physically attracted to someone. A relationship can't even hope to form if you aren't into someone physically. That's the harsh truth of it all!"

"But just cause someone doesn't find you attractive at first doesn't mean they can't find you attractive later on, dammit!"

"Hm?"

"Curly Brow... don't you know that attraction can build over time?" Naruto questioned.

Nia stayed silent.

"Getting to know someone... can change their view of you," The blond clarified. "Maybe, originally, they didn't think you were cute... but after they spent time with you, laughed with you, cried with you, vented with you, experienced things with you... they started to find... who you are as a person... was attractive and in return... their original view on your physical appearance changed and they... started to become physically attracted to you."

"..."

"Curly Brow... I know what I'm talking about."

"..." Nia still didn't say anything.

"Curly Brow."

"..."

"Curly Brow!"

"..."

"CURLY BROW!" Naruto yelled.

"WHAT, NARUTO?!" Nia screamed back.

"STOP IGNORING ME!"

"I'M NOT IGNORING YOU!"

"YEAH, YOU ARE!"

"NO, I'M N-"

"LISTEN! I'M TIRED OF YOU BEING SO NEGATIVE AND DEPRESSING! NO ONE WANTS TO DEAL WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THIS, YA KNOW!"

"THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF MY FACE AND LEAVE ME ALONE?!"

"DAMMIT! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?! TO REASSURE YOU?!" Naruto spat.

"IF I BOTHER YOU SO MUCH THEN-"

"I'M JUST TIRED OF YOU ACTING LIKE THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS LOOKS! HONESTLY, ITS SO ANNOYING!"

"IF ITS SO ANNOYING, THEN STOP TALKING TO ME!"

"YOU'RE MY FRIEND! I DON'T WANT TO STOP TALKING TO YOU!"

"THEN WHY CAN'T YOU JUST UNDERSTAND THAT I'M SUPER SAD AND JUST NEED SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO ME VENT!"

"BECAUSE THIS IS ALWAYS THE PROBLEM WITH YOU!"

"OF COURSE IT IS! I GO THROUGH HELL LOOKING THE WAY I DO! HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO ACT WHEN PEOPLE ARE TREATING ME LIKE SHIT, UZUMAKI?! SMILE AND THROW A PARTY?!"

"HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH! SHOW THAT YOU'RE MORE THAN THEIR TRASH OPINIONS!"

"I'M NOT-" Nia then lowered her voice. "I'm not... strong enough... to handle this."

"!"

"I'm... not like you. I'm not strong. I'm not able to hold my head up high when I'm being crapped on. I'm not able to get everyone's laughter out of my head. I'm not able to dismiss insults. I'm not able... to care about myself. I'm not able... to love myself properly. To think... I'm worthy. I... have very low self esteem. I... have so many insecurities. I... am so depressed, I'm... so weak. I'm... exhausted... so tired. I... keep trying... over and over... but just anytime I hear someone laughing at me... or insulting me... I... die.... inside. I drown. I'm mentally and emotionally dead. I'm... dead inside. Empty..."

"I don't know... if this is some kind of major form of depression... or if you're filled with severe anxiety... or if... you have some other kind of mental illness that makes you think you're some kind of monster, but..." Naruto lowered his head, his bangs casted a shadow over his eyes. "I still... feel... the same way."

"Hm?" Nia raised a brow.

"About... you. I still... care about you... I still... like you... no... love you," Naruto confessed.

Nia stared at him in shock.

"I know... it sounds crazy to you," The blond had a small smile. "Maybe it's true... that other guys would run for the hills knowing you're really sad and depressed and going through a really hard time, but this sounds even crazier for me to say this, but... having you always coming to me to vent and cry in my arms... makes me feel... so close to you. So... unbelievably happy. So... relieved... that you feel you can come to me."

"Naruto..."

"You... make my heart literally melt into the ground," The genin was red, a squirmy smile on his face, and hearts dancing out of his head. "You're literally so... perfect for me... I can't wait to hold you in my arms and show you how I feel toward you. You're absolutely beautiful..."

"Kya!" Steam pushed out of Nia's bloody red face. "N-Naruto!"

"SERIOUSLY! I FREAKING LOVE YOU! I'M DAMN OBSESSED, YA KNOW! YOUR LOVE FOR ME IS PURE AS HELL!"

Nia's heart exploded into tiny versions of itself and she covered her hands over her face.

"Oh Naruto... you don't really mean that, do you?"

"Eh?" Naruto tilted his head. "Of course I mean it!"

"Kya!"

"Sweet Curly Brow..."

"Yes?"

"Stay... with me. I'll protect you... and accept you... and love you... just... as you are... okay?"

"Yes..." Nia smiled and cuddled more into the genin.

Naruto kissed the top of her head.

"Naruto?"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry..." Nia apologized.

"Huh? About what?"

"About the way I was acting and about... Sakura. About... how she never came to realize what an amazing man you are. I know how badly it hurts when... your feelings aren't returned... even when you care about them with your entire heart. It hurts... it hurts so bad..."

Naruto just listened.

"I just... understand that even though you felt the way you did for her, that... you deserve better," Nia said. "You deserve someone who treats you like a king. Someone... who doesn't chase after your best friend. Someone... who thinks... you're absolutely incredible in every sense of the word. Someone... who doesn't verbally or physically abuses you. Someone... who cherishes you. Someone... who loves you with all their soul and heart."

"..."

"That's why..." Nia tightened her hold on him. "Even though I'm not as pretty or as fit as Sakura... I... really wanna treat you like a king and spoil you with love. I'm not someone who would chase after your best friend nor notice anyone other than you. I'm someone... who does think you're incredible in every sense of the word. I'm someone... who won't verbally or physically abuse you. I'm someone... who cherishes you. I'm someone... who loves you with all my soul and heart."

"Curly Brow..." Naruto softly breathed.

"I will stay by your side and keep you in my heart forever!" Nia gazed Naruto in his blue orbs.

Naruto returned the gaze, his expression soft and his face red. Nia kept her eyes locked for a little while, but the more Naruto stayed quiet and stared at her the way he was, Nia's face became red and shyly, she looked away.

'He's just... staring at me... all googly eyed.. and won't say anything... ' She thought.

"Curly Brow..." He finally spoke in a gentle tone.

"?" She again made eye contact with the blond.

Naruto had a small, sincere smile on his face.

"I... really... love you," He told her, almost in a lovingly whisper.

"Naruto..." Nia's eyes widened slightly and her face burned, her heart skipping beats in her chest.

"You're just... an amazing, wonderful person... I truly... adore you, ya know."

Nia looked down and smiled to herself.

"Curly Brow..." Naruto cupped her chin and made her once more look at him.

He could feel just how hot the girl's face was.

She... really loves me... so much...

"Stay with me..." He told her. "By my side... let me protect you... let me be there for you... let me cherish you... let me... love you, and you... do the same for me."

"Yes... I will..." Nia ran her hand down his chest. "I promise..."

Hearing this, Naruto rested his hand on Nia's cheek and leaned forward, closed his eyes, and planted his lips onto her's in a sweet, tender kiss.

Thank you... Curly Brow...

'Naruto...' A tear fell from Nia's eye as she kissed the blond back.

Naruto then held her after they parted lips.

Nia was still red as he squeezed her closer to him.

"I'm sorry... if I seemed insensitive toward you..." Naruto apologized.

"You... wasn't insensitive. Your frustration over my issues... is completely understandable. It was me... who was being annoying... who was causing us to argue. Not you... so don't blame yourself," Nia told him.

"Curly Brow... I just want us... to stay together... to always be here for one another. To work through our issues."

"I want that, too. I swear I do, Uzumaki. I just... don't know... how to cope. You're right about me being hella annoying when I cry about the same old, same old. You're right about me needing to keep my head up high. The thing is... I literally... feel like I can't take it. I don't mean like I'm gonna slit my throat or jump off a cliff, but just that... everything is just TOO MUCH for me. It's too stressful and the crazy thing is, I have NO ROOM to talk, you have it WAY worse than me yet I'm acting like I'm the one who's finna die and I absolutely HATE myself for that. My problems are an ANT compared to what you've gone through. I mean... I'm absolutely RIDICULOUS and need to shut the HELL UP! There's other people who's been through WAY WORSE than me."

"Even if that's true, that doesn't make your problems any less of an issue. I mean, what you're going through really damaged you mentally and emotionally. You're one of the most HURT people I've ever known. You're REALLY sad."

Nia lowered her eyes.

"I wouldn't be a good friend if I ditched you because you're depressed," Naruto shared. "I'm not the type to run away when things get difficult. I'm there for my friends no matter what. There's no color in your world. I just-"

"You're wrong. There is color. I told you already."

"Hm?"

"You... silly. You brought color in my world."

"?"

"When my world was broken in pieces, you were my peace of mind."

"Curly Brow..."

"Dang it! I need to stop talking! I sound SO crazy and obsessed! It's no wonder why I'm the butt of everyone's jokes! I sound like I've lost my mind!"

"!"

"Sometimes... it does feel like I've lost my mind. Sometimes... I feel like I've given into the craziness... the obsessiveness... but... you're the only person... who stops me from literally going bat shit crazy over my life. If it weren't for you, I mean, I would've gave into my sorrow and killed myself a long time ago, but literally... seeing how you are, resonating with you, taking comfort in you just... puts me in a state of peace... even if it's just briefly."

"Ya know... not every wound is the kind that bleeds..." Naruto breathed. "The worst wound a person can receive... is a wound to the heart... the soul..."

"!"

"I... never know when my mind's gonna turn on me. Sometimes, I think... I overthink. And I start to feel anxiety. There were times... I couldn't even breathe."

"Yeah..."

"But... you never once abandoned me," Nia said. "I tried to scare you... scare... you away. I showed you the door... but you adored me anyway. Like I said earlier... when I was broken in pieces... you were my peace of mind."

Naruto smiled.

"Honestly, I think you were the thing I didn't get wrong. You loved me... when I was unstable. You never judged me... when I was unable to love myself. Through everything, you've been my rock and I'm so happy to have gotten to know you. Seriously... just know you have a aura about you that could put millions upon millions at ease... at peace. That... could make them feel like they can keep going.. even for a day or two longer. That... makes people not give up on their lives. You truly are... an inspirational, lovable, caring, handsome, strong minded person. You're absolutely incredible. I swear it."

Hearing this, Naruto reddened immensely.

"Ah, stop! You praise me way too much, ya know! I'm not amazing at all."

"On everything I love, you help save people from ending their lives... including me. You'd better know damn well you're a true hero."

"Curly Brow, c'mon! Stop already."

"Naruto's a hero! Naruto's a herooooo!" Nia sang.

"Dammit! You're making me blush! Cut it out already, ya know!"

"I love Naruto! I loooooooooove Naruto Uzumaki! He's the most amaaaaazing man I've ever gotten to know. My hero! My hero! My herrrrrooooo!"

"I said stop!" Naruto was grinning.

"NARUTO UZUMAKI IS THE GREAAAAAATESSST! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IN LOVE WITH HIM! HE'S AN AAAAAAAAANGEL!"

"GYA! SWEET CURLY BROW!" Naruto embraced the girl, nuzzling his cheeks against her's. "COME HERE, BEAUTIFUL!"

"OH NARUTO!" Nia gushed.

"I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU, LITTLE CURLY BROW!"

"I LOVE YOU TOO, UZUMAKI!"

"SWEET CURLY BROW!"

"UZUMAKI!"

"SWEET CURLY BROW!"

"UZUMA- huh?" Nia became startled when she felt her shoulder get wet. "Naruto?"

She looked over her shoulder to see that the blond was crying his eyes out.

"!"

"Keh... Keh..." Naruto sobbed.

"Naruto... why... are... you crying?"

"Because... I... keh... d-don't know what I did... to deserve someone... keh... w-who loves me as much as y-you do... keh..."

"Naruto..."

"I'm so... keh... I'm so happy... I'm so relieved... I'm so... keh... overwhelmed."

Hearing the croaking in his voice, Nia's eyes watered also. She felt a special type of happiness in her heart.

"KYAAAA! IT JUST DRIVES ME CRAZY!" She suddenly screamed.

"Huh?" Naruto looked at her, his face completely in tears.

"HOW THE HELL DID I GET SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO EVEN LOOK MY WAY?! AHHHHHHHKHHLHNKKKB! I'M THE LUCKIEST GIRL ON THE PLANET!"

"..."

"I MEAN, SERIOUSLY?! DON'T YOU THINK I'M JUST SOME INSANELY CRAZY, SUPER OBSESSED WEIRDO?! WHY AREN'T YOU CREEPED OUT BY ME?! WHY ARE YOU STILL BEING NICE TO ME?! WHY ARE YOU STILL TALKING TO ME?! WHY AREN'T YOU AVOIDING ME FOR GOD'S SAKE?! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"

"Avoid you? S-Stop talking to you? Keh... are you crazy? Why would I do that?! This is EXACTLY the kind of love and acknowledgment I've been craving from someone ALL MY LIFE, ya know!"

"So then.. since you've SEEN me at my ABSOLUTE WORST, LOOK my ABSOLUTE WORST, and BE at my ABSOLUTE WORST, d-do you still... accept me... for who I am?" Nia was scared to ask.

Naruto sniffled and attempted to wipe his tears.

"Curly Brow..." He then spoke. "Have you seen me transform into the Nine-Tails and destroy everything in sight?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me get really angry?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me have a mental breakdown?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me mess up really bad?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me be a slob?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me be really obnoxious and loud?"

"Yes."

"Have you seen me at my absolute worst? Look my absolute worst? Be at my absolute worst?" Naruto questioned.

"Yes, yes, and yes," Nia answered.

"And did you still love and accept me despite all my flaws and imperfections?"

"Absolutely. I love and accept you for EVERYTHING you are."

"So then... what do you think my answer to your question is?"

"Well... my flaws... are horrible. They're... really-"

"I don't care. I've seen just about every side of you... and... I still... love... and accept you... for everything you are, too... okay?"

Hearing this, Nia blushed heavily. Her heart raced wildly.

"O-Oh Naruto..." She melted into a puddle.

"You're like me! Just want to be loved and accepted for who you are! I'll give you that, ya know!"

"Who in the hell gave birth to the angel that is you...?" Nia dreamily sighed.

"Eh?"

"N-Naruto... does this mean you don't think I'm a insanely crazy, super obsessed weirdo?"

"Err... about that..."

Tears surfaced in Nia's eyes.

"Oh, I knew it!" She started crying. "You really do think I am!"

"GYAH! CURLY BROW, WAIT! I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"

"But I can just tell by how you're acting!"

"Okay, okay, sure, you can be a bit much at times, but I think this just means you're very passionate and genuine and wear your heart on your sleeve. I don't think you're crazy or super obsessed. I think when you have feelings, you just feel very STRONGLY about the person you care about, which... you should be, I think," Naruto gave a sheepish grin. "It's actually very... cute, ya know. Especially the squealing you do over me. You make me feel absolutely incredible."

Nia smiled to herself.

I... make him feel incredible...

"Curly Brow?"

"Hm?"

"Do you... feel better now?"

"Yes... venting to you always makes my stress go away... I wouldn't know what I would do if... I couldn't talk to you about my concerns and frustration. I know... I can be incredibly difficult, but you literally save me from having a mental breakdown when you even just listen to me each and every time, so again... thank you."

"You're welcome..."

"I... I can't wait for our date..." Nia blushed.

"Me neither," Naruto went to lay on his bed. "Curly Brow... come here."

"Hm?"

"Cuddle with me..."

"Kya! Again?! Really?"

"Yes, little Curly Brow..."

"Okay!" Nia chirped.

Immediately, Nia got into bed with the blond. Naruto wrapped his arm around her and Nia rested her head on his chest. They had cuddled numerous times before, but since Nia somehow got Naruto to like her back, this tasted like sweet victory to her.

''I've been blessed... by the ninja heavens...' She smiled dreamily to herself.

There, they held onto one another for as long as they could.

———

A/N - WHEW! Lord have MERCY that was a HUGE chapter! Took me DAYS to write.

Like I said, I really wanted to write it, because writing about chapters concerning Nia's mental health is very important to me, as many chapters as there are of it. I just like to write them cause there are some readers of mine who feel like Nia does and when Naruto reassures her of herself and beauty, it makes them feel as though he's reassuring them as well , which in turn, make them happy, which makes me feel great!

Anyway, please remember to leave some comments, vote, and have a great rest of your day ❤️

QOTD:

1. Fave Part?

2. Fave Line?

3. How well do you think the song "Unstable" by Justin Bieber fits with NaruNia?