An earlier update for you as an apology for yesterday's late update.

Chapter 33

To pop the question

She went to the bookstore early that morning to see Yuki. Predictably the blonde had become little more than a flurry of tears and hugs. Yuki had given her the most thorough questioning of her life, asking for every single detail to be described to her. It was hours later that she finally managed to escape her friend and joined her parent's again that morning. Her father had taken the day off and Kaito even skipped school to see her.

Shino had been absent for these visits. As they were much more about Sachi reuniting with her family neither of them thought it necessary for him to be there. This suited Shino just fine as he had other business to attend to.

It took nearly a week for Sachi to feel comfortable enough to sleep in her own room again. This was hastened by her desire to stop feeling like she was mooching off of Shino and his family. Though they had insisted she should stay as long as she liked she knew she couldn't stay there forever. Six nights in Shino's room and she couldn't feed off the Aburame's kindness without feeling worse about herself. So that evening she had packed up her few things that had made a home in Shino's room -not much more than a few clothes, a comb, and a toothbrush- and left with assurances that she was incredibly grateful and would see them again soon.

The first night in her own room went smoother than she had expected. Only a bit of nervousness and a few deep breaths before sleep overtook her.

She finally returned Kai-san's amber necklace to her neck. Before she was captured she took it off every night just before bed. But it made her feel better knowing that Kai-san was so close to her heart and she chose to keep it on always.

When the following morning came she was relieved to know that she made it through a night without Shino and that no nightmares or anxiety kept her up.

"Glad to have you back, Sachi," Noriko said over breakfast with a quick kiss to the crown of her daughter's head. They were enjoying a rather late and quiet breakfast as her father and brother were back to work and school.

Hearing the mail being delivered, Sachi rose from the table with a fresh bite of toast and retrieved it. She handed it to her mother. Noriko flicked through several bills before stopping at a hand written letter.

"Something for you, Sachi." She plucked the letter from the pile and examined it closer. "From a 'Kimiko Mazuka'."

"Kimiko?" Sachi questioned in surprise. "Read it to me, please?"

Noriko tore open the letter and began to read aloud.

Dear Sachi,

I really hope this letter reaches you, since I really only know your first name and that you are from Konoha.

I'm doing very well. My mother insisted on me seeing a therapist and I'm understanding what I went through a little better. It's difficult when I believe one thing but they tell me another.

I'm keeping my baby because it is just that, it's my baby! To me, it doesn't matter who the baby's father is or how he came to be. He's still my baby. (Yes, it's a boy!) My family is slowly accepting my decision.

I've been looking at baby names like crazy. I found out yours means "girl child of bliss" and it was because of that I wanted to name my son "Anando" after you because it also means "bliss".

Thank you for everything you did. I understand now that I wasn't entirely myself when we met. You saved me.

Please let me know how you are feeling. And send my thanks to the shinobi that saved us.

-Kimiko Mazuka

"That was one of the kidnapped girls?" Noriko asked.

"The first and only other one. She had been there a while," Sachi answered with a tone of melancholy. "She wasn't a bad person, just in a bad situation. I'm glad she's doing well."

"Do you want to write a letter back now?"

"I will later after I think about it first. I have to get ready."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was the day of Naruto and Hinata's wedding. Konoha's hero and the Hyuuga heiress were to be wed which meant there was little else to talk about in the village. All those that had warranted an invitation were dressed in their best and this was no exception for the Aburame heir. He had forgone his usual layers for more formal attire that left him far too exposed for his liking. Though he was planning to take Sachi as his companion for the event, it came to no surprise that she had received her own invitation. He rapped his knuckles on the door of the Hara home and was met with the warm, smiling face of Noriko.

"My goodness! Don't you look handsome, Shino-kun."

"Thank you, Noriko-san. Is Sachi-chan ready?"

"She's up in her room," she said with a jerk of her head at the stairs. "You can go up and get her."

Shino nodded and ascended the stairs. His dress shoes tapped louder on the steps than his usual footwear. He was sure she would hear him approaching. He turned to the left and nudged the cracked door open. Sachi was already dressed in a formal yukata and sat on her bed, toying nervously with her the sunglasses in her hands.

"Sachi-chan?" he asked with concern. She didn't even notice him until he called her name.

"Oh," she intoned with surprise. "Is it time to go?"

"We have a few minutes." He crossed the room and sat next to her. "Is something bothering you?"

"Well, yes and no. I was actually going to ask you a favor."

"Yes?"

She took a large breath and let it out slowly. "I was thinking of going to the wedding without my glasses and I was hoping you wouldn't mind doing the same to help me through it?"

She heard the sound of plastic clicking twice and she realized he had already taken his sunglasses off.

"Of course I will."

She sighed in relief and set her glasses on the bedside table. Leaving them at home would be best to avoid the temptation of hiding behind them. When they descended the stairs Noriko began gushing.

"Oh, aren't you just the cutest couple I have ever seen!?" she squealed through a dazzling smile. "Wait! Wait right there I'll get my camera." She rushed to the hall closet.

"Kaachan, today isn't about us," Sachi said.

"I know," Noriko said already returning with camera in hand. "I know, dear. But you both look so adorable I need documentation of this moment. Now, smile."

The moment the flash sounded Sachi wrinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue to tease her mother.

"Sachi," Noriko said. Her voice was colored in the warning tone of a perturbed mother.

"Fine," she said with a satisfied smile.

"Act like you two like each other."

"We do," Sachi defended vehemently.

"I know dear, but act like it for once."

Noriko sent a meaningful glance at Shino and he understood. He was not the type to enjoy public displays of affection. The most that he and Sachi showed their relationship to others was her hold on his arm. If it hadn't been for Sachi's blindness and the occasional need for guidance he imagined they may not touch in public at all.

Noriko wanted a picture displaying them as a proper couple and Noriko was likely to get her way at some point. Giving in at the first opportunity seemed easier than denying the tenacious woman.

Shino imagined he was alone with Sachi and pulled her back to his chest, holding her there gently with his arms around her waist. She was slightly flustered but soon relaxed happily. Just before the camera flash, he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, forever capturing the adorable look of reverent surprise on her unhidden face. Her cheeks blazed as they separated and Shino knew he needed to get a copy of that photo and perhaps destroy all other copies to keep it to himself.

Noriko was more than happy with the photo. She waved them off happily, shouting at them that they would be late if they didn't hurry.

They enjoyed the walk to the wedding in silence. Sachi held her folded cane under her arm. With her chakra sense developed she was able to make her way around town without it most of the time. But hours on end of using it to it's full extent would leave her chakra supply depleted and she would have to resort to her cane. After her seeing eye insects, she had seen her cane as a secondary and less accurate device. After all, a cane could only tell her what was on the ground and couldn't alert her to anything hanging down such as a tree branch. But now that she didn't have an insect to help her she had gone back to using her cane.

Thankfully anytime she was with Shino he would provide an arm and lead her around rather than letting her deplete her chakra and she was grateful for that. It felt much less like relying on him and more like simply holding onto her boyfriend.

As they neared the wedding, Sachi's grip on his arm tightened. He brushed his hand against hers, calling attention to him rather than her worrisome thoughts. He knew her mind was preoccupied with her eyes and he hoped the first day she went out in public without her sunglasses would go well.

The wedding went wonderfully. The ceremony was beautiful, Hinata was a vision and Naruto didn't even try to hide his tears as he wiped them from his face.

Shino mentioned such details under his breath to the woman at his side.

When the happy couple was finally wed everyone moved to the reception area for food, drink, and dancing.

"So, is Naruto-kun actually a good dancer?" Sachi asked sometime later when it came time for the bride and groom's first dance together.

Shino watched his friends slowly rotating and swaying, each with a smile that told volumes of their feelings for the other.

"He is doing well. Hinata-chan is pleased."

"Well, it is her wedding day. I would hope she would be pleased."

Others began to join on the dance floor, couples gathering to begin their own dances now that the music had changed.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked.

"Oh, well," she began with unease, "I don't really know how. I've never actually danced formally before. I don't even know what it's like."

"There is a first time for everything," he said lifting her hand into his. "Would you like to try?" She gave a sheepish smile and agreed. He led her to the dance floor where they joined the motions of swaying bodies. They placed their hands accordingly and he began to navigate them through the steps.

He suspected it was thanks to her chakra that she could sense where he was about to move them and she was able to respond in kind, for she moved gracefully along with him very well for being a beginner.

"I didn't know you knew how to dance," she commented.

"There are several skills I possess that I rarely use."

He was struck with a rare smile in this moment as he led her across the floor where she exhibited a grace that even an expert would have been jealous of. She was very open to new experiences and was delighted to learn another skill that he was willing to teach. Seeing her smile at her excitement and pleasure at learning to dance made his heart beat harder and his kikai shift to echo his growing anticipation.

And it seemed she picked up on it.

"If you are uncomfortable we can stop," she said as her smile faded and her happy glow was replaced with a worried look.

"No, I am enjoying dancing with you." It was not a lie, seeing her happy and knowing he caused it would make even an undesirable activity enjoyable.

"Then maybe you should quit thinking so much and enjoy the moment."

He admitted she was right and did as she asked. He found that quieting his mind was rather easy when he was permitted a rare view of her eyes. Not that he would comment now that she was so at ease but it seemed her worries were unnecessary. Not one person had commented negatively on her eyes. Few even seemed to notice them among the throng of wedding guests.

The song and therefore their dancing had ended without fanfare. They meandered their way through the crowd to the happy couple to bestow their congratulations. The newlyweds thanked them and Naruto turned to address Sachi.

"You must be one of Hinata-chan's cousins right? It's nice to meet you."

Sachi grew confused and Shino quietly groaned out his frustrations with the blond. With such a lack of observational skills, it was a wonder he had lived so long in his chosen profession. Thankfully Hinata saved the situation.

"Naruto-kun, I'm sure you remember Sachi-chan."

Naruto let out an exaggerated sound of surprise and gaped at Sachi.

"But- But- Sachi-chan?" he said haltingly as he pointed at her in confusion. "Your eyes..."

Sachi's eyebrows lowered and her eyes closed in mortification. She should have known better.

"I thought you were a Hyuuga!" Naruto shouted.

The pain building in Sachi's heart eased and she opened her eyes again, tentatively. Naruto -can't-hold-anything-back, sticks-his-foot-in-his-mouth-Naruto didn't think her eyes were creepy?

"But that must mean..." Naruto began. His gaze and finger shifting to Shino, who he had just taken real notice of since the two couples began to converse. He was shocked into a brief few seconds of silence. When he recovered his finger jammed closer to Shino's face. "You're not wearing your glasses!" he shouted.

With a squeeze from Hinata, Naruto seemed to remember himself and he calmed down.

"Well, we hope you enjoyed everything," Naruto said sheepishly.

"Everything was great. Congratulations again," Sachi said.

They parted to let the happy couple receive more guests with well wishes.

"They are so adorable together," Sachi cooed softly.

"Undoubtedly their marriage will be a long and happy one," he agreed.

As the festivities began to wind down they left in favor of slowly strolling the streets of Konoha.

"It is not yet night. Would you like to take a walk to the pond?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

They journeyed to the pond musing over the finer details of the wedding. When they arrived they sat cuddled together side by side with their backs against a tree.

"This pond holds many memories," Shino said, resting his head on hers as she rest hers on his shoulder.

"Yeah, I guess it does. You taught me a lot about chakra here and this is where you gave me Kai-chan."

"It is where I hope you will accept the next."

Sachi hummed. "Maybe someday."

A single female kikai flew from him to her hand. "Perhaps today," he said.

"Shino-kun," she began in a softly scathing tone, "you know I can't accept this. Your clan elders would have a fit."

"Not if their conditions are met."

"Conditions?" Sachi repeated quietly to herself. The conditions for accepting another kikai were...

She started and turned the full attention of her chakra to him. Did he mean...?

"Shino-kun?" she questioned with surprise.

"I am not one for elaborate speeches or fanciful words but I believe this speaks for itself."

She could barely breathe as he pulled out a small box. She ran her fingers over it in his hands. The ring was made with one large oval stone surrounded by two smaller circular ones. She thought it must have been lovely but what mattered was what the ring meant and how her heart began to beat faster realizing what Shino was asking her.

"Sachi-chan, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Shino-kun, yes! A million times, yes!"

She wiped at the tears collecting at her eyes as he placed the ring on her finger. And their kiss was long and sweet before she turned her attention to the insect upon her hand.

"What will you name this one?" he asked as she fed it her chakra for the first time.

"Well, she is definitely a special one since she was used for your proposal. Her name should be something special."

"She is a direct descendant of Kai-san."

"Really?" she asked with surprise. "Then I think I will call her Kai-sama. I think she deserves the respect."

When Sachi returned home that night and after her mother had cooed over their engagement, she found the words flowed much easier in her letter to Kimiko. Noriko penned a warm and heartfelt letter for Sachi, one that eagerly asked Kimiko to continue to write to her. Feeling it was important, Sachi signed the letter with her own hand and sealed the letter to her inadvertent friend.

Not long until the story is over and then I will get working on a bonus chapter.