For years Sakura has watched as all of her friends met their soulmates, one by one. She knows that one day it'll be her turn, but she can't help but feel impatient with how long she has to wait. It almost seems unfair that she has to wait until she's in her twenties when some of her friends met their soulmates when they were children.

But now, the date inked into her skin has finally arrived.

About Time

Having long given up any hope of sleep for the night, Sakura paced laps around her apartment. Part of her wished she'd taken Hinata up on her offer of a girls' night with Tenten and Ino, but she knew she wouldn't have been able to give them the attention they deserved. Hell, if her shishou hadn't trained her to focus on healing regardless of what was going on around her, she wasn't sure she would have been able to heal her patients during her shift at the hospital earlier if she was being honest with herself.

Standing with her back to the floor-length mirror her blonde friend had given her as a housewarming present, Sakura twisted her head as much as she was able to look at the tattoo on her back. Just as it had the last dozen or so times she'd checked over the past 72 hours, there at the edge of her left shoulder blade was the same date that had been etched into her skin for the last twenty years.

I can't believe tomorrow is the day.

Sakura resumed her march and on what felt like her hundredth lap through the kitchen, she heard a knock on the front door. Looking over at the clock hanging by the fridge, she was startled to find it was already after midnight. Halting her steps, she knew it was silly but she couldn't help wondering if this was it. If she was finally about to meet her other half.

Before heading over to answer the door, she looked down at herself and swore. She was currently wearing one of her oldest sets of pajamas - black sweat pants and a maroon tank top. It was by far her most comfortable set, but it was clearly well worn. She knew what would be happening today, she should have worn something cute just in case!

Just as the person on the other side of the door started knocking again, Sakura opened the door and was both disappointed and relieved to see Ino waiting on her doorstep.

"Ino, what are you doing here?"

"Look Sakura, I know you said you didn't want to hang out with anyone tonight, but I just wanted to stop by for a bit."

Ino paused and looked Sakura up and down, her lip curling up in distaste.

"Tch. Move over, I'm coming in."

Sakura stepped to the side and closed the door as Ino slipped in and took her boots off before walking further into her home. She watched as her friend strode into the kitchen and set about preparing tea for the two of them. Deciding it would be better to stay out of Ino's way, Sakura sat on the couch.

"Good thing you have me to look out for you, you look like shit forehead."

Sakura rolled her eyes and laughed off the comment, knowing Ino spoke the truth. She really should have at least taken a shower when she got home from her shift earlier that evening. Instead she'd gone for a long walk through the village and only went home when she felt too tired to take another step. She laid down on top of her bed for an hour before abandoning the idea of sleep and resuming her walking indoors.

After Ino walked over and carefully set a tray with two full cups of tea on the coffee table, the young women sipped their tea in silence for a few minutes, Sakura tensed up as Ino sighed and set her cup back down.

"I can hear you thinking from over here, Sakura-"

"Ino, I'm fine.. Really! I just had a stressful shift today, that's all."

Raising her eyebrow, Ino opened her mouth to continue but Sakura cut her off again.

"I promise, I'm fine and I'll shower in a few minutes. Go home and get some sleep, I know you'll be training again with Ibiki tomorrow."

Ino shut her mouth and stared at her for another minute and Sakura prayed that her friend would believe her. She wasn't sure she could handle her friend mother-henning her at the moment.

"Alright. Before I go though, I'm picking out different pajamas and an outfit for later. I can't let my best friend meet the love of her life looking like that."

Sakura nodded her consent as Ino got up and put their cups in the sink, then headed over to her bedroom. Not wanting to sit around with her thoughts, Sakura washed the dishes in the sink while she listened to Ino going through her closet.

Ino stood in the doorway as Sakura finished drying the last of the dishes. Sakura followed her into the room and nearly rolled her eyes at the clothes she saw laying on her bed. Ino giggled and raised her eyebrows suggestively at Sakura.

"Come on, I know you've been saving yourself for whoever they are. I'm sure you're ready to jump them the moment you meet them!"

Blushing profusely, Sakura tried to punch her friend in the arm but Ino knew after years of friendship and rivalry when to step just out of reach.

"Ino, I absolutely will NOT sleep in that! What if Genma or any of the other guys stop by for healing? And that dress you picked out seems a bit much for just walking around the village in."

Ino huffed and put the thong away and traded it for a pair of red silk shorts to match the low cut silky red tank top, while also grabbing a cream colored cardigan to go with the sage green dress she'd picked out earlier.

"There. And if you won't wear the heels, then wear those flats that Hinata gave you."

Sakura sighed and walked over to the bed, running her hands over the pajamas. Maybe the comfortable material would help her to get some sleep. And perhaps it would be nice to dress up a bit whenever she went out.

She looked up to find Ino staring at her again with an inscrutable expression on her face. Her friend quickly hugged her before backing away towards the door.

"I'm serious, forehead; if you need me, just come and find me. You know how much of a wreck I was leading up to meeting Sai."

Finding herself unable to speak, Sakura simply nodded and walked her friend to the front door and gave her another hug as she left.

Several hours later, Sakura forced herself out of bed when her alarm went off. She didn't bother with showering once she remembered she'd promised Lee she would spar with him the next time she had the day off from working at the hospital. After brushing her teeth and throwing her hair up in a messy bun, she dressed in her scarlet qipao and black leggings..

Locking her front door and taking the roof tops across the village, Sakura was grateful to find it felt nice outside. The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon, promising yet another warm spring day.

When she arrived at the training ground Team Gai usually trained at, she was unsurprised to see Lee and Gai already at it. From the looks of things, the men were in the middle of one of their competitions again and had been at it for well over an hour.

Jumping down from the tree she'd been perched in, Sakura grinned at the two men and yelled, "Hey, mind if I interrupt? I have the day off and thought I would stop by."

Lee stood upright immediately and grinned back at her. "Not at all, my blossom! I have been looking forward to training with you again! Please, let us spar!"

After an intense spar that nearly left her breathless, Sakura and Lee lay panting on the ground as Gai shouted with joy about being powered by the springtime of youth. She'd improved in her taijutsu since the last time they sparred, but she'd only managed to land a few hits on Lee while he'd landed so many hits and kicks she would have been barely moving for the rest of the week afterwards if she hadn't been able to heal herself. She'd have to find more time to train with him and Gai.

Looking at her watch and finding it was already midmorning, she said goodbye to the two men and took her time walking back home. She decided to stick to the ground this time and passed through the civilian market.

Vendors all over were hawking their fresh produce and other goods, and many civilians were shouting back attempting to haggle with them. Sakura smiled and thought about her own parents and the stall they ran when she was a child. Before Mebuki and Kizashi Haruno died during the Konoha Crush, they'd owned a very successful Dango stand.

Unfortunately they'd been in the market when the attack had begun, and refused to evacuate until they'd been sure everyone else had cleared the area. Thanks to their efforts, many families were saved, but unfortunately they'd been killed by an Oto-nin before Konoha shinobi had been able to reach the area.

It had been a long ten years without her parents, and she still missed them very much, but she was grateful she could finally think about them without needing to take the rest of the day off to recover.

Sakura continued on, and soon found herself standing in front of her door. She stepped inside and after taking her boots off, she walked over to her bedroom and started peeling off her sweaty clothes. Pausing to take a look at herself in the full length mirror Ino had given her as a housewarming gift when she'd moved in after her parents' funeral, Sakura sighed as she twisted herself around and critically analyzed her body. She wasn't as curvy as some of her friends, but she'd filled out over the years and had toned up once she got serious with her apprenticeship.

Not bothering with flipping the light switch since some rays of sunshine were beaming through the small window in the bathroom, she turned the shower on and waited until the water was near scalding prior to getting in. Sakura hummed with satisfaction as the hot water hit her back.

Not waiting for the caked on dirt to rinse off on its own, she grabbed a cloth and scrubbed her arms and legs and watched the brown water flow down the drain. After she'd sufficiently cleaned herself, she lowered the temperature of the water before starting her usual hair care routine. The scent of strawberries filled the air and Sakura rubbed the shampoo all through her hair and massaged her scalp for a minute, then rinsed it away under the luke-warm water.

Once she was thoroughly cleansed, Sakura stepped out of the shower and wrapped a juniper towel around herself heading to her closet. The outfit Ino had picked out last night was hanging up front and center where Sakura couldn't ignore it. As she reached out to pull it off of the hanger, she heard pounding on her door.

What is it now? If it's Ino again, I swear -

Sakura's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the muffled sound of Naruto's shouts.

"Come on, Sakura-chan. Let's go get some lunch. My treat!"

Sakura threw on the dress and cardigan, and opened the door smiling at the teammate that had become like a brother to her over the years.

"Alright, just let me finish getting ready. Then we can go wherever you want."

Naruto cheered and plopped himself down on one of her chairs while she went back in the bathroom and got ready.

Looking herself over in the mirror, she had to admit to herself that Ino had picked out the perfect outfit for her. The dress complemented her hair and body, while the cardigan matched and was sure to keep her warm if the wind got to be a bit much without making her look any paler than she already was.

When she walked out to the small living room, Naruto looked up and gave her a dazzling smile and thumbs up.

"Good idea, Sakura-chan! Your soulmate will know for sure who you are the second they see you!"

Sakura laughed and pulled him out of the chair before dragging him outside.

"Thanks Naruto. Let's go, I'm starving."

Sakura watched Naruto bow as Ayame brought over another steaming bowl, and then quickly looked away when he turned and grinned at her. The happiness she'd initially felt in the presence of her friend had faded and now it felt as if the ramen in her gut was churning. She set her chopsticks down and held her hands in her lap.

Naruto.. He'd met Hinata before they'd even been placed on Team 7, during their first year at the academy. Ino and Sai had met shortly after he'd replaced Sasuke so many years ago. But.. What if she was like Kakashi? He had been lucky enough to be part of a triad, something so rare it was practically unheard of. But then Rin had died by his hand, and Obito had nearly single-handedly been the cause of the fourth war. Granted, he'd switched sides and helped them in the end, but.. She couldn't imagine how Kakashi felt every time he looked at himself in the mirror and saw those dates on his neck.

She jolted when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Sakura-chan. It's going to be alright."

Taking a deep breath, Sakura looked up to find bright blue eyes staring at her with concern. She timidly smiled back at Naruto and his responding grin was nearly blinding.

"Come on, let's get out of here."

Naruto dropped more than enough money on the table to cover their meal and dragged Sakura off the stool she sat on and out of the little restaurant. They walked aimlessly, and Naruto chattered away while Sakura mostly listened as the sky darkened and stars slowly started lighting up the night sky. She tried to discreetly look around for anyone she hadn't previously seen, but from the knowing grin she saw on Naruto's face a few times, she knew she wasn't fooling him.

As they rounded a corner in the civilian district, a chunin dropped down in front of the pair and held out a scroll. "Sakura Haruno, the Hokage requires your presence."

Sakura sighed as she nodded her assent, and she and Naruto stood still for a moment after the young woman left. Naruto gave her a bone crushing hug and murmured words of comfort before backing away.

"Ehh, I should probably head home anyways. I think Hinata said something about having Neji and Tenten over for drinks tonight whenever they gets back from their mission. They're probably back if Granny is summoning you."

Sakura chuckled, "Alright, thanks for lunch, Naruto. I'll be sure to stop by soon so you and Hinata can meet my soulmate."

Groaning and turning towards the direction where she knew the Hokage tower to be, Sakura knew better than to keep Tsunade waiting for long. Sakura thanked herself for slipping on a pair of compression shorts under her dress earlier, and jumped onto the nearest rooftop and ran as fast as her legs could carry her to her ever-impatient mentor.

Arriving at the Hokage tower, Sakura landed on the ground and desperately took one final look around hoping that maybe this would be it, only to be disappointed that the only other people she saw nearby were shinobi she was already familiar with after her many years as Tsunade's apprentice.

Dragging her feet through the long hallways and staircases, Sakura glumly took in her surroundings in each new space before she was finally in front of the doors to her Shishou's office. She couldn't help but sigh as she spotted the same two familiar Anbu standing guard.

She wasn't sure of the exact time, but Sakura knew she was likely going to spend the rest of the night in Tsunade's office. Barring a sudden invasion from another village, it didn't seem likely at this point that she was actually going to meet her soulmate today. She'd never heard of anyone's dates being wrong, but she supposed she'd probably inherited her mentor's luck and was about to be the first to prove the fates weren't always right.

Not bothering with knocking, Sakura let herself in and spotted Tsunade sitting behind the mountain of scrolls and papers completely blocking her desk from view. Looking up from the scroll she was currently reading, Tsunade raised a brow and motioned for Sakura to come closer.

As Sakura approached her desk, Tsunade opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of sake she'd managed to keep hidden from Shizune, and two small glasses. After pouring each of them a drink, the women both drank. Declining a refill, Sakura watched as her Shishou knocked back three more before temporarily putting the bottle down and looking at her protégé.

"Well? I didn't give you the day off for nothing. Who is it and how the hell have you two not met before today?"

Sakura frowned and held her glass out, and her mentor refilled both of their glasses in response.

"That bad, huh?"

Feeling the burn of alcohol in her throat, Sakura shook her head.

"No, it's not that.. I.. I think the date is wrong, shishou. I went out several times like you suggested, and Naruto and I just walked all around the village for hours. I didn't even see anyone that looked unfamiliar. And now-"

Sakura looked over at the clock on the wall and willed herself to stay calm before continuing.

"And now it's already after 10:00, and I'm here, and you wouldn't call for me this late if you didn't need me . So now I don't know when or how I'll even get the chance to meet my soulmate."

Instead of the scowl she expected in response to her words, her mentor smirked at her with a knowing glint in her eyes. Utterly confused, Sakura stopped talking and waited for her shishou to speak.

"I have a mission for you."

Sakura raised an eyebrow but kept silent, waiting for her to continue. She hadn't been sent on a mission since she'd taken over as director of the hospital two years ago. Much to her and Tsunade's fury, the newly reformed council deemed her too valuable an asset, and she had been barred from missions for quite some time ever since.

"The Daimyo's only son has fallen critically ill. I don't think I need to explain why it is of the utmost importance that no one finds out that the Daimyo's sole heir is near death.. Since I can't leave the village, and Shizune is away on her honeymoon.. That leaves you as the only one suitable for this task. Of course, the council agreed once I told them how much the village would be paid if the mission is a success." Tsunade snorted and handed the mission scroll to Sakura before going on.

"We agreed that it would be best to send as few shinobi as necessary to draw as little attention as possible. So rather than the typical four man squad, you will only be accompanied by the commander of Anbu. I believe you two have already met. He has already been briefed and is making his preparations as we speak. As I haven't personally assessed the boy's health, I'd say prepare to potentially be out of the village for a few weeks. You have an hour until you need to meet up with your partner at the gates."

Sakura nodded as she stood up, "I won't let you down, Shishou."

Tsunade scoffed, "Damn right you won't."

Before Sakura could move away from the large desk, Tsunade reached forward and held her hand for a moment.

"Don't worry, Sakura. These things have a way of working out. You'll see."

Not wanting to waste time, Sakura had left through the window ignoring her shishou's amused protests and made it back to her apartment in record time. She grabbed her pack from her closet and crammed in a few extra changes of clothes before stopping in the kitchen and quickly devouring one of the bentos she'd prepped for the upcoming week.

Satisfied that she was ready, Sakura left a note on her fridge in case anyone came by looking for her while she was gone. She looked at the time and saw that there was still an hour left til midnight and twenty minutes until she had to be at the gates, but decided to set out anyways.

Locking her door for what would probably be the last time for a couple weeks, Sakura took a deep breath before taking to the rooftops again. She was unlikely to run into anyone at this hour, but she didn't want to take any chances. Last she knew, Ibiki was still head of Anbu, and she absolutely did not want to keep him waiting.

Minutes later Sakura arrived at the gates and looked herself over one last time while she waited for her partner to show up. She had foregone the jounin blues and scrubs she typically alternated between, and had worn a burgundy qipao and black compression shorts.

Squads full of familiar Anbu came and went, and still Sakura waited for her partner. It had to be well over an hour since she'd been dismissed from Tsunade's office, and she was starting to get irritated.

Feeling restless, Sakura looked up at the sky and slowly walked around in circles. There was a full moon that night and luckily for her, there were only a few clouds in sight. She hoped the weather would stay nice until they reached the daimyo's estate.

After five minutes Sakura grew even more impatient. She looked down from the night sky and huffed another sigh as she scanned her surroundings again only to see the same two guards at the outpost. Sitting down on the ground, Sakura leaned back against the village wall and tried to locate the constellations she vaguely recalled Shikamaru pointing out to her the numerous times they'd left the hokage tower late at night. It had been a pleasant surprise to discover the young man was just as passionate about watching the sky at night as he was during the day.

Just as she located her favorite constellation, a cloud blocked her view. Sakura swore, closing her eyes and lowering her head onto her knees. Where was her partner? Whenever he finally showed up, he wouldn't need to worry about conserving his energy for their mission. Like any good squad mate would do, she'd be drop kicking his ass all the way to the daimyo's estate for making her wait this long.

She started rubbing her temples when finally she felt a presence in front of her. Not looking up she growled, "It's about damn time. If that's you Ibiki, you better be ready. You know we don't have any time to lose."

Hearing an unfamiliar, sheepish laugh, Sakura's eyes snapped open and she looked up to find not Ibiki; but a tall, lean man with messy brown hair spiking up in every direction standing in front of her rubbing the back of his head.

As he stepped closer she noticed a light blush on his face. Without breaking her gaze the man held his hand out to Sakura, and helped her up from the ground. They stared at each other for a minute unknowingly still holding each others hands.

Finally Sakura remembered herself and where they currently were, and gently pulled her hand away. The man cleared his throat before speaking.

"Sorry I'm late. My name is Tenzo. You see, I thought I'd be meeting up with the hokage's other student for my mission as was the case in the past, and I uh, had something scheduled that I didn't want to miss prior to leaving the village. Though it seems my misunderstanding caused me to nearly miss it anyways.."

Sakura continued staring as the man - Tenzo, started rolling up his left sleeve. When his bicep was exposed, he twisted his arm more towards the streetlamp and Sakura gasped as she saw the date etched into his skin matched the one on her shoulder blade. She reached up and delicately ran a finger over the date before turning around and exposing her left shoulder.

Not even five seconds passed before Tenzo turned her back around to face him. Sakura pulled him in for a hug and whispered, "It's about time you finally showed up."

Tenzo laughed and held her hand again when they pulled apart, only letting go when they reached the Daimyo's estate nearly half a day later.