This is a special FF that was inspired by the TikToks about having a soulmate (you probably know what I mean, and if not, it's explained in the FF). I wrote it because I am turning 16 today and since I can't celebrate because of the shitty coronavirus, I wanted to make at least people who like this pairing too and are reading this happy. Leave a comment if you enjoyed it or if there is anything I could do better. And now, enjoy : D

"3…2…1…HAPPY BIRTHDAY INO!", everyone shouted at me like crazy but I was happy because I finally turned 16 and all my friends were here.

"Here Ino, we hope you like it!", Choji said and handed me an envelope. I opened it and found a gift card for the BBQ shop.

"Thanks, I will go there with you two"

"I knew it!", Choji was very happy, I guess that was his reason he gave me this present, because he knew I would only go with them to the BBQ shop.

"H-Here is our gift", Hinata said and handed over the box. It was the gift from her, Kiba and Shino. I opened it and it was a very cute pillow that was shaped as a cloud. "It's because you said you couldn't sleep well the last few weeks", Kiba added

"Thank you guys, it's so cute!"

"Next is ours!", Lee said with a lot of anticipation.

"Happy Birthday", TenTen said and gave me their bag. It was filled with protein shakes and there was even a small dumbbell. Then I noticed the envelope and opened it. It had a spa gift card for two, I guess this was TenTen and Neji's gift and the rest, well you can imagine.

"Thank you so much", I embraced TenTen and Neji when Lee joined our group hugging.

"And the best thing comes last!", Naruto said

"Happy Birthday Ino!", Sakura said and gave me a bigger box than the one Hinata gave me. I pulled the purple rubber band and opened the top of the box. A photo album was revealed to me. Everything was handmade, and every picture had a small note on it. Photos from our time in kindergarten until our freshman year. I was so happy that I started crying.

"It's from the three of us"

"No it's not, Sasuke didn't do shit, he didn't even pay money for the photos!", Naruto protested until Sakura slammed her elbow in his stomach. Sasuke didn't say anything, he wasn't even looking at me nor was he saying happy birthday. To be honest, that kinda hurt but I guess it's just who he is.

"Say Ino, what does your wrist say?", Kiba asked curiously

"I won't tell you, you are just going to prank me every time if I tell you, just like you did with Sakura"

"That's right, it's better if you don't tell anyone otherwise you don't know when someone's making fun of you or not, like I didn't know that Naruto wasn't making fun.", Sakura interposed

"You slapped me that time because you wouldn't believe me"

"Sorry haha"

That's right, all of them already found their soulmate, but what was I supposed to do, I just turned 16 so I didn't really have a chance to find mine. I still remember when my mom told me all about it. When you turn 16, from that day on, the first words your soulmate tells you appear on your wrist. I first thought this was some fairy tale she was telling me but then all of my friends had their soulmates first words on their wrist. And since then, I am the only single person in our friend group. Sakura and Naruto were soulmates, just like Neji and TenTen, Kiba and Hinata, Shikamaru and a girl from our neighbor class, Choji and a girl from the freshman class and Lee and some girl from a different school. I wonder if Sasuke already found his soulmate, he turned 16 exactly 2 months ago but he hasn't talked about it ever since. However, I have to find my soulmate as soon as possible, I always dreamt of a high school romance and I am already in my sophomore year, so I have to hurry up.

"Well then, let's eat the cake!", I cut the cake and we celebrated until the sun was rising again. Everyone went back home and I went to bed because I was still very tired. later that day I planned on looking for my soulmate which made me very excited already. One last time before closing my eyes I remembered to look at my wrist to know what it says.

´Can you shut up about this bullshit?´

Huh? What is that supposed to…before I could waste any other thought about it, I fell asleep.

My alarm clock woke me up 5 hours later at 10 a.m. and I felt encouraged to go and find my soulmate. Some people might think it's stupid to look for their soulmate, but with all the luck I have, there is no way he would ever come into my life by chance. I walked through the park at first but since there weren't any people I decided to go to the town. I was totally in my own thoughts when a boy ran into me.

"Can you…"

My eyes widened and I look at him full of expectations

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I am sorry, what were you saying just now?"

"Can you watch where you are going?"

My expectations just exploded in the air like a balloon when you put a needle in it. What the hell was his problem? He was the one who ran into me! Calm down Ino, it's still your birthday, don't let any dork ruin it! Yeah, that's right, I am still on my mission! I was walking through the streets when a good-looking man lost some apples that were rolling around.

"Can you…"

NOW! THAT'S HIM I AM SURE!

"…help me pick these up?"

Are you serious? Is this some kind of prank? I was so angry that I smashed an apple with my foot and walked away. I heard the men talking something about me but I didn't care since he wasn't my soulmate. I decided to go back home because I still had to celebrate with my family. They surprised me with a cute dog from a rescue shelter. He is small, black with some white stripes and has curly hair. I called him Smiley because he made me smile every time I looked at him holding his head tilt. I was so happy that I spent the whole day playing with him. In the evening, I was sitting on my balcony with him on my lap, watching the sunset. The streets were empty but there was a person walking up the road. I looked closer and noticed that it was Sasuke. Maybe he is going to his girlfriend? I wonder if he has one…WAIT! Why am I thinking that? I don't care if he has a girlfriend, he didn't even give me a birthday present! But he seemed kinda…lost? He was looking at the houses, even at mine until he noticed me. I gave him a weird look (don't ask me why) and he walked away.

"What a weirdo, right Smiley?"

He barked and started licking my face. I went back inside and gave him some of the food my parents bought. After a while of watching Netflix I felt tired. Who would have thought that chasing after a person you don't know would be so tiring? Weird, right? I set up my alarm clock at 6 a.m. so I wouldn't be too late for school.

To be honest, I was kinda happy to be back at school after the long summer vacation. Maybe I would find my soulmate here!

I was sitting on my table with my friends in our home class talking about the latest gossip. I noticed a boy walking towards me and Sakura elbowed me. He was in my English class and he was one of the quieter people, but he was always nice.

"Can you…"

Woah, that's him! He is my soulmate! Here it goes!

"…uhm tell me what our homework for English class was? I didn't do it"

My expression on my face must have been the worst ever possible because I heard my friends laughing at me in the background.

"S-Sure"

I never felt more humiliated in my whole life. After the boy walked away, I turned to look at my friends who were still laughing.

"I get it ok, it was SO funny"

"You should have seen your face hahaha", Naruto laughed

"Hilarious!", Kiba explained

"Shut up everyone, I get it!", I was so angry at them that I went to the bathroom. Don't get me wrong, I didn't cry, I am not a person that cries because of things like that. I just felt stupid for thinking everyone that starts their sentence with ´Can you´ is my soulmate. That's right, it wouldn't even make any sense. The sentence on my wrist says ´Can you shut up about this bullshit´ which sounds more like the person who would say it is angry at me for some reason. Maybe it's someone who knows me? Argh, this is so complicated, why doesn't it just say their name? Like ´this person is your soulmate, go look for him´ or something like that? That would make it so much easier! While I was worrying about finding my soulmate, the bathroom door suddenly swung open. It was Sakura who entered and looked at me confused.

"You ok?"

"No, I am not because I can't find my goddamn soulmate! It's not fair, you all have your soulmates but I am still single!"

"You just turned 16 Ino, why are you so impatient? Besides, Sasuke still hasn't found his soulmate either and he is not making such a drama"

So he hasn't found her? Gosh, I don't want to end up like him still looking for my soulmate 2 months after I finally turned 16!

"But I am impatient! I don't want to be single my whole life just so my freaking soulmate shows up when I am 100 and half dead!"

"I think you are exaggerating right now"

"I don't care!"

"Listen Ino, none of us were looking so hard for our soulmate like you are. Believe me, he will come at the right moment. Just wait a little more"

"Ok fine, I will wait, but not more than a week!"

"I think you didn't get what I was trying to say. However, let's go back, the next lesson is about to start and I will make sure that the others stop laughing"

"Thanks, Sakura"

"No problem, you are my best friend"

We both headed back to class and thanks to Sakura the others really stopped laughing. Before we left the class, I took a look at Sasuke to see what his wrist says but he was reading a book so there was no chance I could see what it said. Just to let you know, I wore my long-sleeve uniform so no one would see what my wrist said either.

I was happy when I finally returned back home but the rest of the day was pretty boring and most of the time I just played with my phone or with my dog.

The week passed very fast that I didn't even notice that it was already Saturday and I didn't have to go to school. But to be honest, I didn't know that school could be so tiring right after summer holidays. The teachers didn't spare us with homework. But because I forgot yesterday that there was no school tomorrow, I already finished all of my homework. The only problem now was, that I was so bored that I'd rather do my homework again. I decided to call Sakura and ask her if we could meet in the mall to go shopping. I really enjoyed the time and I forgot about all my worries. Until…

"Oh! Hey Sakura, what are you doing here?", Naruto asked. Next to him was Sasuke who, like always, didn't say a word. Naruto and Sakura started talking while I was just standing there awkwardly not saying anything at all. I decided to take out my phone and respond to all the text messages my mom sent me. Of course some idiot ran into me again.

"What the hell, you again? What is your problem?", I asked the boy that ran the last time into me.

"Can you shut up…"

Wait don't tell me he really is my soulmate. I looked at him expectantly.

"with your goddamn lies? YOU were the one who ran into me AGAIN!"

It's not him. Thank god. I seriously need to stop getting my hopes so high every time. In all the frustration I looked down.

"Fuck off", I told him

"What did you just say?"

"I SAID FUCK OF BEFORE I…"

"Ok calm down Ino, we are not here to fight some strangers", the boy had luck that Sakura pulled me away from him, otherwise that would have been his last words. "Let's go to the next shop, it was nice meeting you two. See ya", Sakura kept pulling me until we reached Starbucks where she bought me a cup of coffee to ´calm down´ like she said. She came back with a trenta cup (which is for the ones who don't know, the biggest cup there) of vanilla bean macchiato.

"So, what happened?", she started

"I don't know what you mean", of course I knew what she meant, I just didn't feel like talking about it

"Why did you want to hit the boy and who is he?"

"I don't know who he is, I just know that he ran into me before. On my birthday to be exact!"

"I see. But you looked very upset"

"It's because of this stupid soulmate thing!"

"Oh, so now it's stupid?"

"No, that's not what I was trying to say. It just makes me nervous every time someone starts their sentence like the words on my wrist"

"Can I know what it says?"

"If you promise to not tell Naruto or any of the others"

"I wouldn't, I know how annoying it is when someone pranks you the whole time with this"

"Ok", I pulled up my sleeve and showed her. Sakuras reaction could have been mine if I wasn't too tired on my birthday when I first read it.

"It sounds…"

"Aggressive? Angry? Bad? I can't decide"

"Come on, it's not that bad!"

"Yes, it is! It sounds like the person is fighting with me, and someone like THAT is supposed to be MY soulmate?"

"INO!", Sakura grabbed me by my shoulders and continued. "Can you stop being so negative about it? You've been waiting for this for so long and now you sound like giving up after a week! I told you it will take some time. You don't know who this person might be, there is a possibility that you meet this person in 10 years, don't talk about it like you've been searching for him your whole life! I am sure you will meet him soon but if you keep being so impatient and negative nothing will happen!"

"I guess you are right. I am sorry for my behavior"

"Let's forget about it and enjoy the rest of the day"

"Yeah you are right. Want some ice cream?"

"Sure"

It was very much fun spending my day with my best friend and let's be honest: spending money is always fun. Well, at least until you arrive at home and realize how much money you spent and that you won't be going shopping for a while. But for me, it was total worthy. I felt so much better and I had some new dresses to wear, in case I meet my soulmate obviously.

Before I went to bed, Smiley started scratching my door. I opened it and let him choose a place to sleep on my bed. His fur was very soft and his body was warm that it made me fall asleep right away.

Weeks passed and I stopped looking for my soulmate. I kinda forgot about it to be honest, but I am happy Sakura told me to stop being so impatient. The trees were losing their last leaves and it started to get colder day by day. I decided to go for a walk with Smiley before it get's too cold and the streets are full with salt. Today was the 23rd of November, exactly 2 months passed since my birthday. I wasn't thinking about it all too much but I am still worried about my future. I kept wondering if I already knew the person or not, if he is more like a shy person or outgoing or if he…

My thoughts were interrupted when I passed by a large lake. It wasn't frozen yet because the temperatures were still pleasurable. But it wasn't the lake that caught my attention, it was Sasuke who was sitting there all by himself trying to make the stones he threw fly on the surface. I totally forgot that I haven't talked to him for quite a long time. I guess it was because I finally realized that I won't have a chance with him. And yes, I once was in love with him, but I moved on! Well, if you can say that ignoring him is a way to move on. I don't know why but my feet dragged me closer and closer to him but thank god my phone rang in the right moment. It was Sakura so I picked up the phone.

"Hey Sakura what's up? Huh, really? But she just turned 16 how did she find her soulmate already and I haven't? Yeah, I know but…no I am not but I am getting impatient! I just want to find my soulmate already and life my happy ever after life!", I just noticed that she already hung up and I talked to myself so I put my phone back into my pocket.

"Can you shut up about this bullshit?", a voice near me said. It was Sasuke and for some reason he made me furious with saying that.

"Just because you don't believe in love doesn't mean that other don't believe in it too", I shouted at him. Weird to think about it that I haven't talked to him for months and now that we talk, the first thing we do is fighting.

He turned his attention now towards me, "What did you just say?"

"I said that just because you don't believe in love doesn't mean that other don't believe in it too, are you deaf or something?"

I didn't know what his problem was because he only stared at me for a moment. Then suddenly he rose his right hand to look at it. And that is when it hit me like a truck. My eyes widened, my eyebrows furred and I finally looked at my own wrist.

"You are joking right? Sakura told you what's written on my wrist, right? There is no way that we…that YOU are my soulmate"

"I am not joking and Sakura didn't tell me anything! Besides you were also saying exactly what was written on my wrist"

"No, no, no, this is just a nightmare, I will wake up from it soon and then…", and suddenly, I collapsed.

The next thing I could remember was waking up in a living room, which was obviously not mine, I mean I would never choose such a non-fitting color as green for the walls. I didn't know where I was but it's not like I cared at that time.

"It was all just a bad dream, thank god"

"No, it wasn't", the voice next to me, who I somehow didn't notice at that time, said

"Ahh, what are you doing here? Did you kidnap me? I am not going to let you do anything with me", it was Sasuke who scared me so much.

"I live here. I didn't kidnap you and I am definitely not going to do anything to you"

"Then why am I here?"

"You don't remember?"

"Obviously not"

"You collapsed after you found out that…"

"Nah, don't say it. Just forget all of this ever happened ok?", I stood up from the bed and looked at him serious. "From now on, we both will have to live with the fact that we will die alone but hey, maybe it sounds worse than it is. You are a loner anyways so I guess it won't be so hard for you. Goodbye, have a nice life."

I felt like I was sprinting to the door but like in every anime, of course Sasuke held me by my wrist. Damn my short feet!

"What the hell are you talking?"

"I am just saying what's the best for the both of us, what's your problem?"

"Weren't you the one talking about this soulmate thing the whole time?"

"Yeah, and weren't you the one saying what bullshit this all is? What changed your mind so quickly?"

"You"

I looked at him in confusion, what the hell was he trying to say?

"W-What do you me…"

"Weren't you the one who had a crush on me for years?", he was obviously trying to avoid my question.

"I think what you are talking about was this stupid rumor"

"I don't think it was just a rumor, I notice when someone stares at me, you know"

"Pfff! Even if, that was a long time ago"

"Then why did you stare at me in class 2 months ago?"

"Do you really think I can remember when I was staring at whom? You are ridiculous Sasuke"

"You are the ridiculous one here. Talking about your dreamlife for months and then giving it all up in seconds, isn't that some kind of pathetic?"

"What the hell are you trying to tell me? I am very impatient and if you don't want to tell me straight away, I am going home because I am not playing your stupid games!"

"Are you the only thing you are thinking of?"

"What?"

"The only thing you are saying is ´I´. Have you ever thought about someone else?"

"I have, idiot!", I tried pulling my hand away from him in order to finally leave but his grip tightened and before I could move he also had my other wrist in his hands. His face got closer to mine, my cheeks started to burn and I felt something weird in my stomach.

"W-What?", I asked while looking to the side. Milliseconds later I felt his lips pressed on mine. I hesitated at first, seriously, who wouldn't in my situation? But then I remembered what the weird feeling in my stomach was. I felt it every time I had the chance to speak to Sasuke back then when I was still in love with him.

That's it, I never stopped loving him, did I? I needed the full proof so I returned the kiss just when he was about to pull away. The feeling that was sent from my lips to my stomach and then to my heart confirmed my supposition. Yeah, I still loved Sasuke and I know why he is my soulmate. His grip on my wrists loosened and we parted.

"I still don't know what you are talking about", I said teasingly. I wanted to hear it from him now that he already showed me.

He smiled slightly, "I love you, and I want you to stay by my side as my soulmate"

I smiled back at him, "I love you too, I never stopped loving you. And I would also…love to be with you", I said while looking to the side.

"Then, would you like to be my girlfriend too?"

I was shocked which made me look back at him. I didn't expect him to be so quick with his decision. Maybe it wasn't the first time he thought of asking me that. I calmed down until I teasingly said:

"I thought I already gave you my answer?"

We started laughing again and we also spent the whole day together eating an ice and watching the sunset. But I couldn't stop thinking of this one question I wanted to ask him. It took all of my courage to finally ask him.

"So since when exactly…", I started while taking another bite from my ice creams cone making Sasuke wait until I finished my question. "…do you like me?"

"I never said I do"

I elbowed him for this stupid statement. I knew he was playing.

"Ow, just kidding moron. Hm let me think for about 5…"

"5 years?"

"…days."

And again, he received an elbow for his stupidity.

"Ok, ok, I am going to stop joking around. For a year, since our freshman year started and we talked for the first time. And you?"

I knew the answer for this question will be very embarrassing. What I meant before with ´I once had a crush on Sasuke´ was completely understated, I was totally in love with him since middle school. But in my freshman year it wasn't some stupid teenager love. I was happy when he was and back then it didn't matter to me if it was because of me or someone else.

"sich im tem", I answered knowing it was inaudible.

"What? I didn't understand you"

I turned my head in the other direction and repeated myself with a shorter answer, "middle school"

"Nice joke, now tell me the truth"

I looked at him angry, what joke? This wasn't a stupid joke, although I wish it was.

"Oh, that was not a…joke?"

"No, it wasn't!"

"Calm down, I was just fooling around. I know it wasn't a joke. Believe it or not, I noticed it back then already"

This situation is not getting any better. I didn't respond because I felt too ashamed.

"Huh, your face is totally red", he said and started patting my head until I looked at him. He then took my face in his hands and planted a small kiss on my lips before he hugged me until my face was completely buried in his chest. I really enjoyed the moment; it was total worth the wait.

After a few minutes I felt my stomach, and no, it was not because of Sasuke but because I was still hungry.

"Ne, Sasuke, I am still hungry. Let's go to this new pancake place"

"Sure"

We were walking hand in hand towards the pancake place and I couldn't wait anymore. But right before we were able to enter, a familiar voice behind us appeared.

"Hey Sasuke!", Naruto said and we turned around to look at them

"Ino? What are you…", Sakura stopped talking, probably because she was looking down at our hands.

"Oh, I totally forgot to tell you, I found my soulmate!"

"Is this a joke right now?", Naruto didn't seem to believe me so Sasuke had to confirm it

"No, it's not a joke"

"Ahhh, this makes me so happy. See, I told you to be patient Ino!"

"Yeah, you were right. What are you two doing right now?"

"Nothing special, why?"

"Would you like to join our dinner here?", I pointed at the pancake sign and believe me, I have never seen a happier Naruto than right now

"Yes, let's go Sakura! Please?"

"Ok, let's go"

It was so much fun having a double date with our best friends but the best part of it was, when Naruto said that he could put 6 pancakes in his mouth and nearly chocked on them. After the dinner, Naruto and Sakura said goodbye to us and me and Sasuke kept walking around the town until we reached the lake where I saw him before

"Let's sit down there", I pointed at the small dock at the lake.

Sasuke didn't respond so I took it as a yes and pulled him down to the dock. We sat down but I decided to rather lay down to watch the stars. The heaven was clear and thousands of stars were shining bright.

"Thanks", I said

"For what?"

"The whole day. It was so much fun! This is exactly what I've been dreaming of the whole time"

Through the darkness, I could see a small smile forming on Sasukes lips. I sat back up with my eyes still focused on the heaven.

"I've learned something today. Love isn't something you should be looking for. It's like a small puppy that is hiding under a bed because it is scared of you trying so hard to get him out. You are trying to force him to come to you but he won't. And this is where you have to be patient, because forcing love won't make anyone fall in love with you. You have to build up trust, kindness and openness. Only then, love will come to you too."

"That was very well said"

I turned my face to look at Sasuke who was also looking at me. It was very silent until he sat back up. His lips immediately captured mine and we let the time pass in all the silence we spent together.

As I said, it's for my birthday and I hope the end isn't too cringe. I haven't read through it so please don't mind the mistakes, I will do it as soon as I have time. I hope you liked it, a review would be nice if that's the case : D