A/N - Hiii guuuys 😁 I'm back with another chapter. This one follows after my most recent chapter. Chapter 5 of my original story on my other account should be out soon and hopefully I'll get to writing the next chapter for my sequel. In terms of the fanart contest, I've decided to push it back to June 15th since people were saying they'd like to have more time.

Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this read. Please remember to check out my original story that's based off this story that I made for and dedicated to you guys, comment, and vote and see you at the end!

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Chapter xx: Nia's Decision

"So that's just it? You two are splitting?" Jiraiya glanced at Naruto and Nia as their argument was finally reaching a conclusion.

Nia kept her eyes to the ground, unable to shake off feeling rejected by the blonde. Meanwhile, Naruto just glared harshly at her, feeling that she had been apathetic of their friendship and never truly cared for it in the first place. He felt frustrated and betrayed by her.

"I don't have anything more to say to you, Curly Brow," He shook his head and turned away; walking further and further away from her. "Don't go crying when this guy breaks your heart, ya know. Goodbye."

In response to this, Nia picked up her eyes and watched him stray from her. She could feel her heart tear, but she wouldn't do anything to make up with him - she just couldn't. She needed to let her logic lead her instead of her heart.

Why go for the guy who just keeps her in the friend zone over the guy who wishes to give her more than that? She liked the blonde, but felt it was smarter for her to just leave with the prince.

"Wait Nia, you can't just leave," Jiraiya tried to get her to stay, watching as she too turned around and walked away in the opposite direction of the genin.

The man was left in a desperate situation. Believing there was no way to convince Nia, he went to Naruto's side.

"Kid, you gotta do something. We can't just let her leave - she's a missing nin for goodness sake. If found, she could receive lifelong imprisonment from her village or get executed."

"Didn't you hear her, Pervy Sage? She wants to leave and will accept any consequences from her doing so."

"Yeah, but-"

"As long as she understands that, whatever happens next is on her. I've done all that I can with her and if she wants to stop talking to me then-"

"Nia!" Jiraiya ditched the blonde and attempted to speak with the girl instead.

Nia stopped and gave him a chance to speak.

"Nia, this immaturity going on between you and Naruto needs to stop. You're a missing nin and I can't just sit back and let you leave. If you're found, bad things can happen to you."

"I understand that and I apologize for the drama between him and I, but... I just... I just can't leave with you guys. I appreciate everything you've both done for me though. Forgive me for the trouble I caused since our meeting. It was nice getting to know you two. Goodbye," The kunoichi bowed before once more continuing on her way.

"There's nothing wrong with being just friends with Naruto, you know..."

"..."

She had no comment to that.

Upon reaching Akihiko's side, the brown-haired man confidently snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him yet causing the girl to feel rather uncomfortable.

"I'm pleased she's finally opened her eyes. I can give her everything she could ever ask for," He told everyone, but especially Naruto. "Such a selfish desire for one to try and keep her around when he thinks she's ugly and unwilling to give her anything more than mere friendship."

Akihiko received no reaction as Naruto then kicked up into the tree branches, disappearing from sight.

"Oh for goodness sake," Jiraiya groaned. "Nia, you're being immature, don't you think? Just because Naruto may like Sakura doesn't mean you gotta drop your friendship with him."

"But except, I never said I would. I told him if he wants to continue being my friend, he can visit me at the Hidden Steam. It's not my fault he took that as I wanna throw away our friendship."

The man sighed then looked at Akihiko.

"I'm sorry, but do you mind if I speak with her for a moment?"

"Yes, I do actually. Miss Nia and I must be on our way now, thank you very much."

"Nia, please..." Jiraiya turned his attention back on the girl.

With a sigh, Nia excused herself, much to the annoyance of Akihiko.

"I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know why he's throwing such a fit. He likes Sakura, so why is he trying to keep me around?" The girl spoke once her and the sannin distanced themselves from the prince.

"Didn't you two get close during this little journey of ours?"

"Well ya, but... he only wants to be friends - which is something I just... can't do, at least in the sense of going to his village as opposed to leaving with Akihiko and having Naruto just visit me or something."

"Didn't you notice how hurt he seemed over your decision?" Jiraiya questioned.

The girl once more lowered her eyes.

"I find it selfish he wants to bring me to his village and deliberately keep me in the friend zone forever when I can go off with someone who'll give me the very thing I desire. He's a good guy and all, but I don't have to tolerate the friend zone if I don't want to - I'm leaving."

"Nia..."

"No, Jiraiya-sensei; I'm done," Nia made clear. "I care about Naruto, but I can't stand being around him when he thinks I'm ugly. I don't want to deal with that and I don't like how it makes me feel. If I stay with him, I'll just keep having this false hope that he'll like me back. I just think it's stupid to leave with him over someone who thinks I'm beautiful and wants to give me the world. How is it that you guys can't understand that?"

"I do agree, but still..."

"There is no "but still...", that's crazy that he thinks I'll choose a blossoming friendship with someone who thinks I'm ugly over a blossoming romance with someone who thinks I'm beautiful - I gotta be retarded to leave with him, no offense."

"I don't know about that blossoming friendship thing... it looked more to me you two were starting to like one another in a romantic sort of way."

Nia shook her head.

"Naruto thinks I'm ugly. I don't want to hang around him for that very reason - end of story," She then turned back, heading toward Akihiko. "Again, thanks for helping me improve my ninjutsu. I'll keep practicing and if you ever write that sequel to that novel of yours, I'll be sure to purchase and read it. Goodbye, Jiraiya-sensei."

With that, Nia left, once more accompanying Akihiko as he quickly called upon his summoning horse, helping the girl onto it first before hopping on it behind her and pulling her back to his chest, wrapping his arms around her affectionately.

"Try and not be upset about what that peasant has done to you... you have every right to leave him and feel the way that you do," He reassured her after noticing the mood she was in. "You look stunning. You're absolutely beautiful to me, my love."

"Y-You're very kind," The kunoichi gave a small smile, though her heart was still hurting. "Thank you for seeing me as that. That makes me overwhelmed with joy."

Somehow, it actually didn't really help. Her mind only stayed on the genin who mutually had enough of the drama going on between the two. She was sure... he hated her... and that was fine, but though that was okay, she couldn't help but to feel miserable over it.

Within the next couple hours of her traveling with the prince on his horse, her heartache only grew more and more. The guy was giving her the affection and praise she craved for, but... it just wasn't enough and it didn't feel right.

It was becoming apparent to her with every second passing that she only liked his attention, but not him. He wasn't whom she desired and it made her feel terrible. She wanted to like him, but she couldn't. He was handsome, kind, found her attractive, and was even rich, but somehow... she just didn't feel a spark with him as they would talk.

"Haaah," Nia sighed, now sitting atop a tree branch, throwing pebbles into the lake below yet ahead of her.

"You don't care about our friendship?!" Naruto's voice echoed through her mind as the girl lowered her eyes, guilt stabbing her in the heart.

'I treated him like garbage from the moment I met him to even this day...' She thought, leaning against the tree bark and letting out another sad sigh. 'I didn't deserve his kindness... and yet there I was developing feelings while simultaneously claiming I didn't want or need his company, but got it anyway... I was such trash...'

"Miss Nia?" Akihiko interrupted her thoughts, standing just below where she was sitting.

"Hm?" She looked down at him with a soft smile.

"We shall rest here for the night and continue on our journey tomorrow."

"Oh uh, sure," The girl nodded to that, completely turning her attention back to where it was, incidentally causing the prince to feel a sense of jealousy.

He figured she was once again thinking of the blonde ninja... which was true.

Haah... I feel terrible. The longer I'm here with Akihiko, the more I miss Naruto. He might've not liked me... but he was still extremely kind to me. But still...

Her eyes shifted downward to the green-eyed prince who was now about to lay down on the grass.

Akihiko is the one who shows genuine interest in me... and he's very nice too, it's just... there's something about him that just doesn't draw me to him and I don't know what it is. He's kind, he's handsome, he's down to earth... the guy is loaded and is royalty, but still... I can't get over Naruto.

"Miss Nia, why don't you join me down here?" Akihiko patted next to him as Nia hesitated.

"N-No, I'm sorry. I'd like to stay up here for a little while longer if you don't mind."

This instantly drew a heavy sigh from him as he just laid down, growing increasingly frustrated with the girl.

This further deepened the guilt she had already been feeling.

'What am I doing?!' She mentally slapped herself. 'Get your shit together. He's the only guy in the world who thinks you're gorgeous. Quit thinking about Naruto - he thinks you're trash.'

Meanwhile, the crackling of fire kept Naruto awoke as his mind replayed over what had just occurred with Nia while he sat near the firewood across from Jiraiya.

Since their split, he hadn't talked nor paid much attention to anyone or anything.

"Why don't you just admit that it hurts...?" Jiraiya broke the silence between them. "And that you like her?"

Naruto slowly raised his eyes to meet with the older man's.

"I don't, aright? Get off my back about it already."

"You look really depr-"

"I'm not sad about anything!" The blonde raised his voice and flopped down to his sleeping bag, getting under the covers and aggressively facing his back toward his master. "Curly Brow can do what the hell she wants! I don't even like her! I like Sakura, ya know!"

"She likes you though..."

"Clearly she doesn't if she left with Aki-trash."

Jiraiya responded. "I mean... you can't really blame her for leaving. After all, you just said you don't like her... Let her be with someone who appreciates her."

The genin rolled his eyes.

"Would you quit trying to start something with me?! I don't care that she's gone!"

"All right, Naruto..." The sanin heavily sighed.

The moon would soon pass by as the sun began to take it's place. All night Nia had no rest. Her mind wouldn't get off the blonde no matter how hard she tried.

'I want to love Akihiko... I want to love the only guy in the world who thinks I'm beautiful no matter what, but... I just... I want Naruto's approval. I want him to acknowledge me and I just can't let it go! I care about him more even though I shouldn't. I wanna be by his side, but..."

There was the all too familiar sting in her heart.

Sakura is... who he loves.

"Miss Nia, good morning," The sound of Akihiko's voice once more alerted her to his presence. "How was your sleep?"

Nia couldn't look him in the eye: She didn't feel anything for him... and she hated it. It was terrible, but she just knew it was true... she felt she liked him, but really it was only cause he continuously praised and acknowledged her. He called her beautiful for the first time and made her feel something special. She hated herself for the epiphany but there was nothing she could do.

On the other hand, her heart lingered to Naruto. He hated her - she was sure of it... but she couldn't let it go. Maybe he never wanted to see her again... but the feeling wasn't mutual. Perhaps he didn't love her... but she still yearned for him... and it hurt her, but there was no stopping the way she felt.

"Akihiko, I'm sorry..." The guilt finally ate away at her as tears surfaced to her eyes.

"Miss Nia, what's wrong?" The prince sat beside her atop a hill.

"I just... I feel terrible for what I've done."

Hearing this, Akihiko lowered his eyes to the ground, already knowing what she meant by that. Observing that made her stomach twist in knots.

"I want to love you!" She blurted out. "I want to love you but my heart won't let me! I'm a damn idiot but I can't help myself! All day everyday I sought for Naruto's approval! I sought for his affections and his love! Even if he hates me... Even if he loves another girl, I still love him!"

Confessing this, Nia also lowered her eyes to the ground, extremely ashamed of everything that she felt.

"..."

"I... I always mistreated him due to my past experiences... I always have an emotional outburst with him and I... I just can't take the guilt eating away at me. He was nice to me when I didn't deserve it and he even tried to understand me despite my abrasive and dismissive personality toward him. All he wanted was to help me see the bright side of things and I pushed him away..."

"But he is in love with that of another woman, is he not?" The older man tried to remind her.

Nia slowly nodded her head, knowing that truth all too well.

"It's like you said earlier, my queen - It doesn't make sense for you to run back into the arms of a man who doesn't want you... Who doesn't love you.'

"I just feel so wrong though... I can't get him out of my mind and here you are loving me with your heart. Akihiko, it's just not fair to you for me to be thinking of another guy and wanting to be with him. I don't deserve you at all."

"The same could be said to you in regards to that peasant. He doesn't deserve you for as long as he's thinking of that other woman while you're seeking to have him return your affections..."

Nia wanted to rebuttal his statement, but found herself tongue-tied. It wasn't like the guy was lying. Naruto did like Sakura - he told her plenty of times.

"Now please, forget about that insensitive young punk and let's be on our way," Akihiko once more summoned his horse and reached his hand toward Nia. "Come now."

Hesitantly, she did so. He did have a point after all, but still...

"..." The girl wouldn't move forward despite now standing.

Her action made the prince frown.

"Miss Nia," He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Don't you... feel tired of me? I mean, I just admitted to being in love with someone else..."

"You will forget about him the longer we stay in one another's company. Do not fret about it, my dear."

"Yeah, but that's the thing..." The girl rested her hand on her heart. "I can't just forget about him like that! It's impossible!"

Akihiko had no words.

"Listen, I know I saved you... I know... you've been kind to me and that we've built this sort of friendship, but... even so..."

Blood filled her cheeks as her heart skipped a beat.

"The more time I spend away from Naruto, the more I start to realize that I... that I just can't stop wanting to be around him. I feel like there's just something about him that makes me wanna stay with him. I don't care if he doesn't like me - I still love him!"

Akihiko closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You won't light up about this, will you?"

Nia stood her ground, albeit, rather shamefully. Her lips didn't and wouldn't move. Maybe she was crazy for what she made her final decision, but there was just no fighting what her heart wanted.

"I'd... like to go back to him... if you don't mind?"

"I do mind actually," Exclaimed the prince.

The kunoichi pulled in her lips, crossed an arm under her bosom and rested her hand across her forehead. with her head hung low.

How was it that she always got herself in these situations?

"Do you love him, Miss Nia? Do you really love him."

Nia wished she could just hold in her tongue, that she could just stay mute and not reveal anything.

"I do," The truth slipped through her lips anyway. 'I do wanna be with him... Akihiko."

Rightfully so, Akihiko rolled his eyes and placed his hands firmly on his waist, shaking his head as he done so. The man looked like he was about ready to snap. Nia knew she deserved the consequences of what she had done.

It wasn't like she intended to lead him on - she truly didn't. Nia was... confused with herself. She thought she could move on from Naruto, but even though she spent extra time speaking and getting on friendlier terms with the prince, the girl wasn't hooked on him.

She pondered if he was the type of guy to go ballistic upon rejection - the type to harm her for the mistake she had made.

That's when Akihiko took one step too close.

----

A/N - That's the end of that guys. There's another part to this obviously so see you then. And reminder, like I said, my fanfiction isn't a priority so updates won't be coming in so fast like they used to. The fanart contest has been extended to June 15th since there are people who are in need of more time with their submissions.

Please check out my original story: Date To Be Different

It is sorta based on this fanfic but I just changed names obviously to avoid going to jail lmao

Please comment and vote and have a great day ❣️

QOTD:

1. Fave Part?

2. Are there any other of you guys who would like to enter the fanart contest?

3. If you could ship Nia with any other Naruto character besides Naruto lmao, who would it be and why?