It wasn't an ability that I had asked for, it was one that I considered to be more of a burden than a blessing. Playing cupid for the random people around me wasn't exactly how I envisioned my life going, really it wasn't. No one asked me to, and I guess it was fun at first, but now it was just getting old and tiring. Depressing even. But I suppose before I explain that, I should start from the beginning.

I had this ability since I was born, the ability to see the strands of fate connecting those who were destined to be together. A love-sight, if you will. At first I had figured the 'threads' that I was seeing, was normal. Something that everyone else around me could also see, but I soon found out that no one else had this ability, and I was very interested in finding out what those threads meant.

I spent the earlier years of my life trying to understand the connections, I grew up without parents, maybe if I had had them I would have understood my ability earlier on in life, but nonetheless I'd never forget the first time I finally grasped the meaning behind the threads.

I was walking through the park, on my way back home from school, it was a rainy day, and the park was fairly empty save for two people standing under a tree having a heated discussion. I only heard bits and pieces of it, and I had scurried past them trying not to listen to their fight at all. That is, until I noticed the same strands connecting them that I had noticed in a few other people before. Interest peaked, I stopped nearby and observed them, hoping that once and for all I'd finally figure out what these stupid threads meant, or if I was really just insane.

The girl turned to walk away, but the boy stopped her, grabbing her and pulling her body closer to his. She resisted and then he started to talk. I strained my ear to hear what was being said over the loud pattering of the rain falling to ground all around me.

"I'm sorry I said that, I…" The boy stopped, a weird look in his eyes as he pondered what to say next. The girl pulled her arm away from him and opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off, before she could utter a word. "I love you Akira, I love you and I need you, I don't know what I would do without you." The boy finished, looking down at his feet, not sure how the girl in front of him would take the confession. I leaned closer trying to analyze the expression on the girl's face as she processed the words her male companion had just thrust upon her.

What happened next, I really had not expected, with the way the conversation had been going I banked on the girl slapping him and running away, really I did. But instead a serene smile spread onto her face, and she closed the space between them, pulling the boy into a hard kiss, I wanted to walk away from their intimate moment, but I was too entranced to pull my eyes away. The girl pulled back and cupped his cheeks leaning her forehead against his, "I love you too." And that was when everything made sense. I realized the strands that I saw running between two people connecting them, were the threads of fate, binding you to the one you love the most, your soulmate.

After testing my theory, and finding it to be true, I had taken it upon myself to connect the people around me, help them find their soulmate earlier on in life. The romantic aspect of it all sucking me in instantly. I was a sucker for a happy ending, and when I realized I could be the one creating that happy ending I was even more inclined to become involved.

I told very few people the truth about my ability, not only because it sounded far-fetched and slightly neurotic, but also because when someone isn't particularly fond of the person they are destined to be with, things could get a bit tricky.

I groaned, leaning back against the cold chair in the corner of the coffee shop, rubbing my fingers together to create warmth while I waited for Sakura to come. I glanced at my phone and grimaced, she was 20 minutes late. I was about to get up and leave when the pink haired girl stormed through the door of the establishment, eyes wild until they landed on me, and she ran to the chair, panting heavily.

"Thank god you're still here," she said, relief seeping into her tone, she pulled out the chair across from me and took a moment to catch her breath before speaking again. I watched her with curious eyes. "I'm so sorry I'm late Naruto, I got caught up with Ino, we lost track of time," she admitted sheepishly. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Tch, I was just about to leave Sakura, you're lucky I'm so nice," I commented, a smirk playing at my lips when she narrowed her emerald eyes at me. "So," I started, repressing a sigh as I leaned forward towards her, "why did you call me here?" I interrogated. I had a feeling I already knew what she wanted, but I just wanted her to tell me anyways.

Sakura averted her gaze to the table, and pink tint fell over her cheeks, "I," she started, before biting down on her lip, I stared shamelessly, I wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss her, but I knew I shouldn't, knew I couldn't. She wasn't connected to me, and I knew there was no point in wasting time on a relationship that would end once she found the person she was actually meant to be with. And of course that's what she was here to ask me about, to find just that person.

I knew that it would happen eventually, I knew that her asking for that favor was inevitable when I had finally decided to tell her about my ability. I had confessed when were 17, about to graduate and head off to university, and I knew that eventually Sakura was going to ask me to help her. Being 23 now, it was as good a time as any.

"I was hoping that you could help me Naruto," she finally voiced, finding her resolve and meeting my gaze. I quirked up an eyebrow, silently asking her to elaborate, though I didn't really need to. She leaned back in her chair, and sighed. "Please help me find my soulmate."

Now it was my turn to sigh. I followed suit and reclined in my chair. I suppressed the strong urge I had to roll my eyes. "Look it's not that simple," I started, running a tan hand over my face, exasperated. "Your soulmate could be literally anywhere in the world, it isn't always within your own town. I can't interfere if I don't know where they are, and I'm sorry Sakura, but I've never seen a thread binding you to anyone." She pouted at my words, sinking down further into her chair.

"But what about Ino and Sai," she suddenly challenged, referring to when I had played a part in connecting our two friends right before we all graduated. I ran a hand through my hair and looked out the window, it seemed that she wasn't going to give up.

"I'm not saying that your soulmate isn't in Konoha, I'm just warning you that I can't promise you anything. I will try though Sakura, believe it," I said, a small smile creeping onto my face. I was mentally vowing that this was going to be the last person I would help though. It was depressing you know? Seeing everyone around me find who they belonged to and helping them have prospering relationships when I couldn't even do the same for myself.

She shot me an award winning smile, one that could make anyone's heart skip a beat and leaned over to hug me. "You're the best Naruto thank you!" I hugged her back and my chest ached painfully, why couldn't we have been connected?

She pulled back and her smile grew wider. "I think I know who I'm destined to be with though," she said in a low voice. I raised an eyebrow. This, I wasn't expecting.

"There is a guy in my Psychology class, I believe it could be him, I just need you to confirm it." She said, a glint in her eyes as she thought of this mysterious boy. "Do I know him?" I questioned. We attended the same university after all.

She looked at me thoughtfully, then continued, "He hasn't lived here very long, he did when he was younger, but his parents died and he moved away with his brother," she said, sadness coloring her tone as she thought about her supposed soulmate's misfortunes.

"Hmm," I hummed. "What's his name?" I questioned once more.

"Uchiha Sasuke." She answered.