Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I am simply a fan writing a fanfiction for pleasure and no monetary gain will come of me writing this.

I frowned behind my mask as I sat in the steaming hot water. Even at a spa it seems the memories of my painful past come to haunt me.

The thoughts of growing up without a family. The thoughts of having all of my friends die. Those alone are hell but the worst part of it is fear.

There's the fear of losing the three people who have become close to me. The three people who are the closest to a family I'll ever have.

It was for the fear of becoming attached to people that would end up dying on me that I had never taken a team of genin before but for some reason these three found their way in to what though was a cold and dead heart.

First of all there was Naruto. Loud, impulsive, hyper Naruto who always had some kind of joke to make me smile when things went to hell. Time hasn't changed him much at all. He's gotten taller and a bit more mature but he's still the funny man.

Next my mind wandered over to Sakura. The boy crazy girl who had a one track mind that only ever thought about one person all the time. It's amazing how four years can change a person from that in to the force she is now.

I think of those two and I feel the joys that I think a father would feel knowing his children lived out their dreams. It hurts so much to think of the third member of my team.

Sasuke who had been the strongest out of them. The one who could give me a run for my money fresh out of the academy. The one who showed so much potential only to be exploited by some sick bastard with a desire for power.

I opened my eyes and felt tears in them. I also noticed I had company. I looked to see Iruka sitting in the water next to me.

"Hello," I said, trying to keep my thoughts out of my voice.

"Something on your mind," he asked me?

I debated a lie but realized that this was Iruka I was talking to. No reason to lie to him. if anything I would benefit from telling him the truth.

I gave a nod and said "I'm thinking about all the things that I've lost over the years."

He met my uncovered eye and said "I have an idea of what you mean. It's not easy to grow up in a ninja village. Especially when you parents were ninja as well."

I scooted over closer to him and said "It's so hard to put your heart in to anything when you've lost so much though. Especially when everyone looks at you to be their support. There's been so many times I nearly fell apart but had to keep myself together."

I felt his arm go around my shoulder and looked over at him. His eyes looked slightly sad but he had a smile smile on his face. He spoke so softly I almost missed the words.

"Some times when you put your heart out for people to see you get hurt and others you find what you need. I am right now."

I thought about his words for a second before I realized what he meant. I put an arm around him and said "It's always nice to find someone who loves you. I did for quite some time but we didn't exactly have the best circumstances to our meeting."

He gave a nod and said "I got over that though. They may be soldiers under your command but you still take good care of them. What happened to Sasuke wasn't your fault. I think he would of left no matter what."

I gave a nod and said "But I know that I have people who love me and that gives me the strength to go on."

I felt his hand move closer to my head and he looked at me with a questioning look on his face. "May I," he asked?

I gave a nod and lowered my mask. I saw him smile wider and I laughed. "Now you see why I wear this thing. I would be mobbed if I didn't."

He laughed and kissed me softly on the lips. When he pulled away I smiled at him. He smiled back and said "Love is a wonderful thing to find isn't it?" I gave a nod and pulled my mask back on.