Alright! I'm back! If you haven't noticed yet this is a very short chapter. Originally I was going to include a short synopsis of the wedding and add it together for an average sized chapter but I changed my mind. : ) Instead I will have this short chapter and the next will be a much longer, detailed account of the wedding, etc. I hope everyone likes it and looks forward to the next segment!

Btw, sorry it took so long to finish. I actually wrote and entirely different chapter and was going to head in a different direction with intentions of changing my previously set ending for the story which would have, again, lengthened it. However, after seeing how I was going to have to the story to be able to achieve the different ending, I, again, changed my mind. In the end I am going to stick to my originally planned ending.

Enjoy!!

Chapter Thirty Five

Over the next three days Ria's life consisted of five things. First, she had her daily visit from Gaara in the morning before he went to his tower for paperwork.

A little later in the morning Tsubame and Hana appeared to help her plan the wedding. They were working as her wedding planners, doing the things Ria herself couldn't do until she was out of bed. She'd wanted a simple, small service between the cliffs just before sunset. However, the idea had quickly evolved into a much more elaborate affair on top of the cliffs to acclimate more people. Apparently the entire village must be able to attend the Kazekage's wedding ceremony.

Around lunch time Yuki tended to drop by and join her, usually smuggling in a sweet or piece of fruit for her.

Toward dusk Kaho arrived to visit and go over the plans and details of her wedding kimono. When she'd first pitched her idea to Kaho about a simple white kimono with a black or blue obi the younger girl had immediately thrown the idea out the window stating simply that the Kazekage couldn't have a 'simple' bride. So her simple, elegant design had been tossed out the window much in the way her plans for the ceremony itself had.

In the evening Gaara visited her again and tended to stay with her until she slept and usually arrived the next day before she'd awakened. Needless to say the last few days had been a pampering time for her.

On her fourth conscious day in the hospital she was given a surprise. Shino arrived just as Yuki was leaving, the silver-haired man giving him an odd glance as he left. Ria unconsciously gripped the sheets as she gave him a wan smile, "Good afternoon Shino-kun."

The teenager nodded briefly before closing the door and walking towards her. He bypassed her bed and bee-lined for the window. Ria watched him curiously willing to patiently wait for him to start the conversation he'd obviously come for.

About five minutes after entering her room Ria focused her gaze on him again as he cleared his throat. "We've received word from our Hokage that we will be able to stay in the village for the wedding ceremony." He glanced towards her, "If that is okay with you that we join?"

Ria nodded a wide, happy smile on her face, "I would love for all of you to be at my wedding Shino-kun."

He nodded again, his face turning again towards the window. "Do you… remember anything… from the travel with us? From Earth Country?" he asked suddenly.

Ria tilted her head skeptically, trying to see where he was going with this, "Some things. Not a lot because I was sincerely unconscious for most of it."

They were silent again for a long few minutes before Shino spoke again, "We've been traveling around the village since we arrived, just getting to know the citizens of Suna."

Ria felt her mouth part in a smile. In recent years she'd been able to get to know the people of Suna very well through her work, the donations and functionality between it and the village more intricate now than ever before making it impossible not to interact with the village on a personal level, and also through the few events held annually in Suna that she had attended with Gaara. "We have a very… spirited… people."

He took a breath and she could see his shoulders lift beneath his jacket as he did so, still staring out the window at the falling sun. "I would… like to retract my statement from before."

Ria blinked, her mind flashing back to the night at the campfire when Shino had disclosed he didn't trust her. Why would he change his mind? I've hardly seen him since that night.

"After traveling with you over the country and now seeing how you live and the people who surround you I think I understand more about you now." Shino replied quietly, his voice echoing in the silent room.

Ria blinked with surprise, "I don't understand. What do you mean Shino?"

He turned to her partially, "I've heard the stories of how you arrived here in Suna eleven years ago." His head tilted partially to the side, "I must admit I am still curious about that but it can wait for another day."

Ria gave him a small smile. The only things she stayed closed-mouthed about were her arrival in Suna and where she originated from. Even today when she thought of telling Gaara her throat closed with an intense fear of rejection. If Shino were to ask her directly that moment she still would tell him only what was necessary nothing more and if possible, less.

He continued when he noticed she wasn't going to volunteer the information, "Your people think very highly of you. Apparently you're in textiles?" At her nod he continued, "They say your company very much supports the village and that the livelihood of the average family had heightened considerably."

Ria lifted a hand modestly, "The company is owned by my good friend Mizuki Kaho. She very much employs the assets and its beneficiaries. I, personally, have very little to do with that aspect of the company."

He nodded briefly, "Its odd that you're village knows you so well," he added throwing her off.

"What?" Ria frowned in puzzlement at him, "I don't get it. What do you mean?" Ria saw his forehead crease in what she had the suspicion was either wide smile or a mocking facial expression.

"I was told several times that you wouldn't take any praise from your work," he admitted, turning to her fully, "Although I also heard much about Mizuki-sama there was still more said about you in particular." He raised a finger at her when she opened her mouth to argue again, "And while some of that, granted, is from being involved so intimately with the Kazekage much of it is also praise from surviving your own trials."

Ria closed her mouth, her argument diffused by his statement.

He bowed partially to her, shocking her a moment later. "I apologize for my insensitive words that evening. While I was suspicious I should have waited to gain more information before starting any accusations. Again, I apologize."

Ria blinked at him, "Please don't bow to me Shino," she started, forgetting her speaking manners for a moment, "Please. Stand up." When he did she fluttered her hands nervously at him, laughing lightly, "Lets not be formal Shino. It makes me nervous!"

Shino nodded shortly before biding her goodnight and striding to the door, his errand complete.

"Shino?" Ria called hesitantly, her eyes on the sheets over her legs.

She heard him pause and closed her eyes, "Thank you."

It was silent for a moment before the door slid open and he departed, the door sliding shut behind him.