The Bug Queen

Sisters By Fate - Sakura

Sakura arrived at the house, opening the door to a buzz of excitement.  She was back in the village for her best friend's wedding!

"Sakura!"

Except it wasn't Ino calling. It was Auntie Izumi. She had champagne in one hand and a big smile on her face when she hugged her.

"Thanks for coming early!"

"Ino's my best friend, I wouldn't miss it."

Izumi took her by the hand.

"Come on! The Bride is in here!"

She led Sakura to the master bedroom, where Ino was in a while yukata with her hair done, sipping champagne with a few other women that Sakura didn't know. They were all very beautiful, and all very excited.  Ino squealed with delight at Sakura's arrival.

"Ah! You're here!

She hugged her tightly.

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks!"

Ino crawled back to her spot on the bed, motioning for her to join them. The women who were there were all about her age, maybe a little older, and all appeared to be married.

"Sakura, this is Natsuki, Kaomi, and Akia. They're all married to Shino's cousins. This is my best friend Sakura."

All three women were very well put together. And that was before they had even started getting ready.

"It's nice to meet you all."

"You too!"

Natsuki was in a dark blue yukata, laying against the pillows, sipping wine. She whined playfully.

"When do we see your dress? What time is it?"

Ino laughed.

"You're so impatient! But I'm getting impatient, too."

Akia handed Sakura a glass of champagne. She thanked her, Kaomi rolled her eyes at Natsuki.

"Auntie Ayami will be here with it soon. Relax."

Natsuki grinned.

"Did she get lost, Mom?"

Izumi laughed.

"Now stop. We have two hours before the wedding. We're not breaking our tradition for some impatient girls."

"Tradition?"

Kaomi smiled.

"The Bride doesn't get to see the dress. Auntie Ayami is a dressmaker, and the dresses are always amazing. Mine had amazing gold trim with delicate art designs. It was like a fairy tale dress."

"Mine had the night sky. It was breathtaking."

"I just hope mine fits. I've gained a few pounds."

Izumi laughed.

"It'll be perfect, Dear. Besides, you look much healthier with those extra pounds, Ino Dear."

"Yeah, I wish my weight would go straight to my hips and chest like you!"

"Besides, I'm sure Shino doesn't mind having a few extra pounds of you to love. He's been trying to put weight on you since last summer!"

Natsuki reached out and tickled her belly playfully, making her laugh.

"It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was getting IV infusions still. Sakura saved my life."

Sakura felt herself blush. Kaomi put an arm around her.

"Aww! Well, we're thankful that you kept her going until we could get to her! We love her!"

Natsuki put her arms around Ino, her silver white hair cascading over her shoulder. Suddenly, Sakura understood where Ino had been over the past year, and it was more than just living in Shino's house. She was gaining more than a husband; she was gaining a whole family. She had found a sisterhood.

"So how many cousins are there?"

Akia smiled.

"Let's see, Izumi has three boys, Ayami has two boys, Hanaka and Kaede, god rest their souls, each had two boys, and Torune was killed in the war. So nine boys, but now eight."

"All boys?"

"The Aburmaes only have boys. We're all Aburames by marriage."

"But we're sisters by fate. Those sweet men need us."

"They're so tender-hearted."

The front door opened, and everyone got excited. A woman came in, carrying a large garment bag.

"It's here!"

She hung it up as Kaomi jumped off the bed, racing to help the other one. Izumi sipped her wine, grinning as Ayami hung the bag up in front of the bed.

"It's some of my best work!"

Ino got to her knees on the bed, her eyes full of wonder.

"Close your eyes!"

Natsuki put her hands over Ino's eyes. And Sakura watched them pull the most gorgeous dress out. It was like a field of embroidered wildflowers.

"Wow!  Open your eyes!"

Natsuki removed her hands and Ino burst into tears as she scrambled off the bed.

"Oh my god! It's beautiful!"

She ran trembling fingers over the embroidered wildflowers on the train before practically falling into Auntie Ayami, hugging her.

"Auntie..."

She was sobbing. Ayami was kissing her forehead, leaving red lipstick.

"I'm glad you like it! I wanted to honor both the Yamanakas and you. Your family's symbol is among the flowers at the top, and the Aburame symbol is at the bottom."

"It's incredible! I love it! Thank you!"

"Anything for you, Dear! Welcome to the family!"

Ino wiped her eyes, crying still.

"I get to marry Shino in this dress. I get to marry my soulmate... I wish it was time already!"