Steam floated around me and I hummed happily as my soft music played around me. The hot water felt like heaven on my skin, and I sank lower in the water.

Moral of the story: I loved Jay's hot tub.

For some reason, I had the amazing idea to pack a bathing suit. It was pretty blue gray bikini, with a pretty netting which tied around the back of my neck. I had my hair pulled back from my face with a gray bandana.

A sip from my soda with a bendy straw, and I was living the high life.

Why didn't I come on more missions with them?

A sudden sound woke me from my wonder-filed daze. The door slammed open and shuffled across the floor met my ears.

A sigh escaped my lips and I spun around to peek my head out the hot tub room.

The ninja had flopped down on the floor, beaten.

I stood, quickly drying off with a towel and going over to them. Up close, I could see blood stains and cuts and horrible bruises on all of them.

"Oh. My. God. What happened?" I gasped before rushing to grab the first aid kit and then back to my friends.

Lloyd, who was the least injured, piped up after a moment of silence. "We... underestimated the powers of the other masters."

"Well no kidding." I grumbled and rubbed my face with a hand.

"You first." I tapped Kai's shoulder, and with a grumble, he sat up.

"I'm fine, Y/N-" he started before I cut him off and sat in front of him.

"Obviously, you're not. So shut up, I'm helping you. Tell me what hurts."

Another grumble, but he agreed. I tended to his wounds, long cuts and black bruises. Meanwhile, the other boys had dozed off on the floor next to him. I grabbed an ice pack and held it to his head as I helped him back up.

A make shift bed for Kai, and he was out in an instant. I rolled my eyes and threw a blanket over him.

Lloyd and Jay I tended to without any particular issues. Of course Jay was whining over practically nothing, but he still got fixed up. They were next to Kai, and soon they were asleep too.

And of course, Cole. My heart drummed in my chest as I got a wet washcloth for him to clean him up.

"I like your bathing suit."

My legs stiffened beneath me, and I swayed, about to fall over. I totally forgot I hadn't changed.

I cleared my clogged throat and spoke, my voice shaky. "Uh, thanks." Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. I had never been unhappy with my body, so I wore bikinis because I believe I was beautiful.

For some reason, I was beginning to doubt that.

I wrung out the rag and then came back to Cole. Sitting before him, I glanced him over and winced. He seemed to be in the worst condition. Poor thing.

He had a horrible bruise forming on the side of his face, and I gently caressed his face with a soft hand. He winced and I was quick to apologize.

I applied ointment as gently as I could, all the while he was avoiding my gaze.

He didn't bring up last night.

Well, neither did I.

I wrapped the huge cut on his arm, and he writhed in pain. "I'm sorry I'm sorry!" I muttered and pulled back.

"I don't want to hurt you." I protested as I skunk back.

"It's okay, I'm tough." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"Who are you, Kai?" I huffed and returned to fixing him up.

It took me twice as long as it did the others, because he was so beaten up. My eyebrows knitted together as I worked, his injuries practically hurting me. "What... happened to you?" I whispered, so lost at what could cause this.

It made me angry. If someone had done this to him, I wanted to do the same to them. This boy was so sweet and kind and he in no way deserved this. Grumbling under my breath, I finished up.

I didn't bother to move back, only clenched my fists in anger.

A hand gently held my chin, pulling my face up to meet gorgeous brown eyes.

I sucked a breath in as I looked into his eyes. A gentle, soft, kind look was woven into his brown irises. I leaned into his hand, closing my own eyes.

I wish he knew.

I wish he understood what he did to me.
I wish he could understand how I began to love him.

I wish he could understand how I wanted him more than anything.

His thumb traced the line of my jaw, a soft touch.

I pulled away and stared at my hands. In a swift movement, I was back on my feet rinsing out the bloody rag in my hand. I heard movement from behind and I prepared for him to do something.

But instead, he spoke. "Y/N..?"

I nodded and spun to face him, leaning my back against the cool countertop.

He had pulled the sleeves of his ninja gi over his hands, letting his fingers fiddle with the seam.

"What if... what if I wanted to.." he trailed off, loosing his voice. I didn't pipe in, allowing him to talk.

"What if I wanted to... to love you?" He squeezed out quickly and I was caught off guard.

"How 'what if' is this question?" I inquired in return, voice barely more than a whisper.

"What if it's not a what if?"

I took a jagged breath in and then back out. A lump formed in my chest and I looked up to meet his eyes. "You tell me."

A step closer, as if he was asking permission.

I answered with my own step.

I looked up to him, faces inches away from each other.

He held my waist.

I held my breath.

He pulled me closer.

I couldn't pull my eyes away.

A gentle hand on my jaw, and he blinked one last time before I nodded.

Do it.

His lips met mine and my world burst into full color around me. I felt as if I could grow wings and fly to the moon and back. I cupped his face in my small hands, beautiful, and mine.

I closed my eyes as I broke and fell into his shoulder as his arms wrapped tighter around me.

"You're mine?" I questioned, wanting this answer more than anything.

"Yours. Forever." He whispered and kissed the top of my head.

Forever.