["tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis"- the times are changing, and we change in them]


Gaara,

I'm glad that things are starting to level out for you. From everything you've told me, you've been working really hard. I have confidence that the others will recognize that it due time.

Things here are… about the same as always. I wish I could tell you about some of my missions. The craziest things always seem to happen, no matter how much I try to avoid it! Shikamaru says hello, by the way. (I think he wants to try sending Temari a letter, but he's too nervous.)

I'm… not as good with words as I would like to think, but I just have to get this out— thank you so much, for everything. Just having you in my life, having one sane person to talk to, is completely amazing. My life feels like a walking disaster sometimes, and I could never properly explain how much I appreciate your calmness.

You're really amazing, you know that?

—with best wishes, Tadashi.

(|||)

"C'mon, what's it like?" Kiba asked, poking him in the ribs to try and get his attention. After years of dealing with Hana, Tadashi knew that it was meant in a friendly way, but he still pushed the boy away with a scowl. He really didn't feel like dealing with this again. First with his father, then Hana— when she hadn't gotten the answers she wanted, she must have sent her brother after him. She would've had more luck sending Shino, honestly.

"Shouldn't I be saying that to you? I mean, our soulmates are brothers." And wasn't that a weird sentence.

Kiba rolled his eyes, and by his feet, Akamaru gave an enthusiastic bark. "Yeah, but our situations are way different. Like, no offense, but Gaara isn't quite what a person would expect for their soulmate."

"Oh, like Kankūro is so great," Tadashi snapped, feeling himself flush with embarrassment. Okay, Gaara had... issues, but he was working on it! And Tadashi had a lot of respect for a person who could recognize those faults in himself and work to fix it. "That gaudy face-paint is real charming."

"The face-paint is endearing!" Kiba protested, and this time he was the one blushing.

"Look, I know you mean well," Tadashi said, his anger abruptly fading and leaving only a deep sense of exhaustion in it's wake. "Everyone means well. They've all got questions, and I don't know the answers. So, just trust that I can take care of myself, okay?"

Kiba tilted his head, studying him intently. Then, he shrugged. "Alright. That's fair. Just... know that we'll be here if you need us, okay? And by us, I mean Hana."

Now, that made Tadashi laugh. "Sounds about right."

(|||)

Gaara,

Hey, I know that you can do this. You're strong, and you've worked so hard. The council will recognize all of it, I'm sure.

You've had a tough time in the past, that's true. There's nothing that can be done to deny that— you can't change the past. But you're a different person now. All you have to do is prove that to them. Just know that no matter what happens, I'll still support you. I'm on your side. You've more than proven that you deserve my loyalty.

—good luck, Tadashi

(|||)

"I just don't know what to do anymore!" Ino complained, laying her head on the counter with a groan.

Tadashi glanced over from where he was mixing the batter, trying not to laugh. He knew that she wouldn't appreciate that.

"Have you tried outright telling her that you're flirting?"

"Yes!" she said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "She always thinks I'm joking! She's pushed me so far into the friend zone that it isn't even funny! She doesn't take me seriously when I ask her to go out with me, when I ask her to dinner, anything!"

"Well, that's your main problem right there," Tadashi pointed out. "You're her friend. And you have been for years. Even though you're soulmates, she's probably never even considered anything more. Or maybe she has, and she truly is afraid that you're joking. You have a bit of a flirty personality, Ino, especially with the people you're closest to."

Ino's shoulders slumped, acknowledging Tadashi's point with a sigh.

"I just… I don't know how to make myself anymore clear," she confessed softly, and Tadashi felt his chest swell with sympathy at the truly distressed look on her face. "Sakura is… She's everything. She always has been. How do you explain that to someone?"

Tadashi thought for a few minutes, slowing his movements with a contemplative look.

"I can't really say for certain," he said slowly. "I'm only just beginning to figure that out for myself. I've never…"

Not in this life, not before. He'd never had the time or patience for love, never trusted anyone enough to dedicate his entire self to them. He wanted to— he did, but he wasn't sure how. It was Tadashi's hope now, that with Gaara, he could finally give someone that trust. Not, not romantically or anything. Just… Shit. He wasn't sure what he'd meant.

It wasn't because they were soulmates, or because some crackpot deity had decided to shove the two of them together. It was because Gaara was so determined, so hard-working, so undeniably kind. Neither of them were the best at expressing their feelings, but they actually tried. And that meant so much. Tadashi knew, intellectually, that if their soulmate marks hadn't pushed them together they might never have had the chance to properly meet, but he liked to think that they would have become friends anyway.

This wasn't about love. It was about trust.

"What do you admire about Sakura?" Tadashi asked, getting himself back on track. They were talking about Ino's problems right now, not his. "What is it about her that made you fall in love?"

"God, do I have to pick just one thing?" Ino laughed, the sound a bit more hysterical than she probably realized. "The way she smiles when she answers a question correctly, the way she loves people so deeply, that amazing left hook— I could keep going forever. She's badass and wonderful and I'm so damn lucky that she's my best friend, but… Is it wrong, to want more?"

"I wouldn't say it's wrong," Tadashi said mildly, pouring the batter into a pan. "But I also don't think that I'm the one you really need to say all of this to. Sakura cares for you, Ino— that much has always been clear. There could be many reasons for her behavior, and I doubt that I could ever interpret them as well as you. If I may give one piece of advice?"

"Please," Ino nodded, biting her lip.

"Stop thinking of her as your soulmate. Just think of her as Sakura, as the girl that you love. Perhaps those words of explanation will come clearer to you, then."

That's what he had been doing with Gaara, at least. Affection came easier when he wasn't worrying about the social and political ramifications of being soulmates with such a powerful shinobi. Even if they were allies now.

Ino tilted her head to the side slightly, a bit of a curious expression on her face. "Hm… I've never really considered that. Well, I suppose it's a better idea than all of my previous attempts."

"Glad I was able to help," Tadashi chuckled. "Now, are you gonna help me finish this cake or what?"

Though she whined, Ino grudgingly assisted him. Tadashi wasn't sure why she was complaining— she had been the one to come over and demand that he make a cake in the first place.

But, oh well. He didn't really mind.

(|||)

Gaara,

Wow, Kazekage? I knew you could do it! I bet the ceremony will be amazing. I wish that I could go. Well, regardless— don't stress too much. It's a difficult job, but I know that you can handle it. You've worked too hard to give up now!

Seriously though… I'm so proud of you. You deserve this, more than anyone else I know. And I know that you care about your village, and that you'd do anything to keep them safe. They're lucky to have you. Just don't forget about me when you become rich and famous, okay?

—I'm rooting for you, Tadashi.

(|||)

"Hinata?" Tadashi said, a bit bewildered at the girl's sudden appearance. "Did I miss a mission assignment?"

He'd been working with Hinata quite often lately. Her talent had only grown as she had gotten older, and it was nice to have someone at his back— who could not only assist in tracking, but also pull his ass out of the fire if need be.

"O-oh, no," she shook her head, reaching up to tuck a long strand of hair behind her ear. She must have just come from training— her hair was starting to come out of it's typical braid. "I was j-just, hoping that I could talk to you?"

"Of course, just give me a moment." Tadashi shifted the grocery bag to his other hand, pulling the door to his home open. He was almost twenty now, far past the age when he would have left home in his previous life, but things were different here. His father even preferred it— it meant that there was someone to watch over the house when he was gone on long missions.

They stepped inside, and Hinata hovered anxiously as Tadashi put the groceries away.

"Go on, sit down."

After she had obeyed, he finished in just a moment and sat down across from her.

"So, what's up?"

"You have met your soulmate, correct?" Hinata went right into it, bulldozing through any hesitation that she might have felt.

"Uh, yes," Tadashi nodded, eyes drawn to the black band around his wrist. It wasn't quite as irritating as he'd thought it would be— less restricting. "Why?"

"What did it feel like?" she asked quietly. "When you knew that they were approaching, how did it feel?"

Tadashi leaned back in his chair, considering this carefully. He wasn't sure why people kept coming to him for advice— he rarely ever knew what he was talking about. In this, especially. What was he supposed to say? He hadn't even noticed that his compass was slowing down until way after the fact. And somehow, he didn't think that would really help answer Hinata's question.

"It… itched," he said finally, trying to remember the sensation. "I didn't notice until it was pretty late, but my wrist was bothering me for a while. And then once I got close enough to him, it started burning, and that's when my compass changed."

"Oh..." Hinata stared down at her hands, something unreadable in her expression.

"Now," he said firmly, unwilling to let her try and squirm away as she often tried. "What is this all about?"

Her shoulders slumped.

"During the chunin exams, I… I think I felt my soulmate!" It all came out in a rush, as if she'd been holding back a tidal wave of regret for all this time. And no wonder— the chunin exams had been years ago! "I felt the same sensations that you described, but I never got close enough for my compass to turn. I tried to go out and find them, but no matter where I went they always seemed to be two steps ahead! I… I think they might've been avoiding me."

Tadashi said nothing, merely keeping his gaze fixed on her face to show that she held his attention. Hinata didn't need him to try and explain anything to her right now— she just needed him to listen.

"And now, it's been years. And all I can wonder is if I lost my chance. What if I spend the rest of my life chasing after them and nothing ever comes of it? What if I never meet them at all?"

Her miserable expression made his heart ache, but there was nothing he could do. He had no words to console her, and no longer had a bullshit excuse to pull out. When Hinata began to silently cry, he did the only thing he could. Tadashi walked over to the fridge, and pulled out the last slice of cake.

She hugged him, later, and he couldn't help but feel that he didn't deserve it.

This whole soulmate thing… was far more complicated than he had ever given it credit for. Was it really all about true love? Or did fate truly intend to have tragedy as one of the requirements?

(|||)

Tadashi,

I am ever grateful for your support. Your encouragement over these past few years has pushed me to continue trying, even when the villagers shied away from me. Things aren't perfect, but I'm satisfied with what I have accomplished.

I understand why you can't come to the ceremony, and I look forward to your next visit. Perhaps this time, I will manage to talk you into trying some salted tongues? Ha. Don't worry. After the look on your face last time I suggested it, I wouldn't force that on you again.

—yours, Gaara