Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Reading Totems ❯ Chapter 21 ( Chapter 21 )

Author's Pre-ramble: I'm alive! And posting from my new location! Thank you to everyone who continues to send me love through reviews, emails, and IMs: otakutron, DragonTamer94, TheForsakenOne, tasuki001, Dwarfwarrior, ghostreader14, TheRavenQuoth, sotobell, interestingstuff, mousetrap, DemanFox, Simply Me. It's definitely kept me going. Now that I'm all settled in, I'll be able to start back up with my writing and my adoring public. I did feel bad last chapter for killing off Tami-chan, but I'm glad all of the feedback I've received was positive. And now, back to our favorite couple…

 

Title: Reading Totems

By: GrizzlyTeddyBear

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and this makes me sad. I do own Paige Stone, my OC! All information regarding animal totems was taken from the books Dancing The Wheel by Sun Bear and Animal Speak by Ted Andrews.

Main Pairings: ShinoxOC, NaruxHina, SasuxSaku

Rating: M for mentioned adult themes

Warning: AU, Post-series start time. Rookie 9 is 23-24 years old. Fic mentions pagan religions, if you can't handle it, don't read! Also is OC-centric. Hold your pants, all will be revealed as the story progresses. I like to take my time.

 

Chapter Summary: A lightening of the mood with steamy moments on a couch and moments out with friends.

 

***Chapter 21***

 

The first business Paige wanted to take care of when she and Shino arrived back at his house was a shower. Shino gave her the courtesy of a tour of the entire house so she would be able to find whatever she needed…including a shower. The house was rather large for just one person: two bedrooms—one converted into a small office; two bathrooms—one just off the master bedroom and one for guests; kitchen; dining room; and living room complete with entertainment center. The décor overall was hues of browns and greens. Paige noticed insect themed items placed throughout the house. When she had been there previously she had had too much on her mind to properly take in all that was to the house. When they arrived in the master bedroom at the back of the house she asked, “Are you sure you don't mind me invading?”

 

“You are not invading. Tousan and I invited you to stay,” was the reply given with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Alright, I get it. I have to work on accepting favors and gifts from others. But I still want to say `thank you'. It does mean a lot to me that you give me a place to live.” She gave him a brief kiss which turned into a smirk. “I need a shower. There wouldn't happen to be clothes here that I could wear. I don't think I'm quite ready to walk around naked.”

 

“Plan B it is then.” Shino deadpanned. He then took her hand and guided her to his closet.

 

Paige rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. “Yes. Plan B for getting me naked: old-fashioned patience and perseverance combined with a little romance and…” She stopped talking when Shino opened his closet to reveal two sets of clothing—one obviously his and the other for her…unless he liked wearing peasant skirts and handkerchiefs. “If I didn't know that you were such a sweetheart, I think I would be creeped out by your ability to pay attention to detail and getting everything done so quickly…although I guess that goes with being shinobi. Or you have gremlins.”

 

“Maybe I like buying things for beautiful women,” he smirked.

 

She blushed, but wanted to play along. “Well, I hope all of the others are jealous because I'm the one that gets you all to myself now.”

 

“I know some jealous men, too.” He wrapped his arms around her and looked down into her eyes.

 

Paige enjoyed the embrace for a few moments, reveling in the sense of warmth and security it gave her. “I still need a shower though.” She made a show over sniffing Shino. “You need one too. Maybe it'll make a few more people jealous once they see us clean and nice smelling?”

 

He chuckled and pulled away from the embrace. “Go shower. I'll put your bags in the office. You can put them where you like later.”

 

Giving him a nod with a smile, she leaned up and gave him another kiss before picking a skirt and tank top from the closet to wear for the day and walking into the bathroom for her shower. The hot water helped her relax from everything in the morning. After she was dressed, she realized she didn't know where used towels went. Paige also wanted to let Shino know he could use the shower if he hadn't already used the guest bathroom for himself. She located him in the office writing at the desk, walls on either side lined with books on insects and plants. Not wanting to disturb him she called out softly to him, “Hey. Shower's available. And I don't know where to put the used towel.”

 

“Laundry room is next to the guest bathroom.” He didn't turn around to answer her, but continued to hunch over writing in a notebook. “I'll shower when I'm done here.”

 

Having deposited the towel in a pile of other towels, she returned to the office to go through her medicine bag to retrieve all of her notebooks, sort through them, and place them on an empty shelf. It wasn't a big deal that he was busy. After all, she understood that he had other duties besides catering to her needs. She decided to settle down with her own notebook on the seat built into the window next to the desk and record everything that had happened. It caused her to tear up a few times, but she decided not to fight the sadness. After she had finished writing, she just let her mind wander and think over the events. A hand landed on her leg, startling her from her thoughts and bringing her attention to Shino.

 

“Paige?”

 

Wiping at the tears that had fallen down her cheeks she apologized with a watery smile. “Sorry. Just finished up writing everything that happened from this morning.” She looked down into her lap. “I know you understand.”

 

He moved to join her on the window seat. “I do.”

 

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she wanted to change the subject. “What were you working on?”

 

“Personal journal.”

 

That surprised her, but not after she thought about it. “I guess I can see you keeping a journal. And I'm going to take the leap of logic that nothing classified goes into it.” Tilting her head back to meet his black eyes, she teased him, “You better keep it well hidden. Otherwise I'll read it and find out all of your mushy feelings towards me.”

 

Laying a gentle kiss on the side of her neck as he stood up, he whispered, “You don't have to read to find that out. I'm waiting until you're ready to show you exactly how I feel about you.” And with that comment, he calmly walked out of the office to shower; leaving Paige to blush and stare into space with her mind imagining all of the possible things she would like Shino to show her. When he walked back out of the shower to find her still occupying the window seat, he gave her a smile that reached his expressive eyes and said, “Come on.”

 

Getting up to follow him into the living room at a little distance behind him, she still felt like she resembled a tomato. `He just had to go and say something like that, although I do like the teasing. But what the heck do I say in response to it?' she mused to herself. She was surprised again when he turned around with a slight frown on his features.

 

“I've made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said something like that after everything you've been through this morning.”

 

Paige wondered how to phrase her answer without sounding like an idiot. “It's ok. I'm uncomfortable, but…” She bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling as she felt her blush actually darken. “…I liked it.” Shifting her gaze to the floor she continued, “I just…don't know how to respond. I mean…now I have these images in my head…” Covering her embarrassment with her hands over her face, she apologized, “I'm sorry. I'm being silly. I'm flattered really…” Another set of hands began to remove hers from her face to reveal a smirking Shino.

 

“Blushing is a good response.” He pulled her over to the couch where they arranged themselves so she was half-sprawled on top of him, her head resting against his chest and him stroking her hair. “I'm still sorry. You are beautiful, and sometimes I have to remind myself not to push, to go slow.”

 

She traced her hand along his arm, idly playing a kind of `connect the dots' with the holes for the kikaichu. “Don't apologize. I told you I would tell you if I felt rushed.” She shifted so she could look into his eyes. She was now pinned against the back of the couch by his body. “And I don't think there's anything wrong with lightening the mood every now and then even after everything that happened this morning.” The hand which had been tracing patterns on his arm, now moved to tangle in his hair. “If I can find happy moments after a tragedy, I want to grab onto them and never let them go. It's why I try to make others smile, why I make jokes…to give everyone else a little bit of happiness for the day. Don't be sorry for giving me a small piece of happiness.”

 

“So beautiful…” he whispered as he repositioned them so she lay more fully on top of him, legs slightly tangled. “So strong…” A hand tangled in her hair while the other positioned itself on her back, underneath her shirt, to trace the lines of her tattoos.

 

Arching into the touch, she gave a small shiver. Her tattoos were always sensitive to the touch.

 

“May I?” he questioned.

 

Not quite understand what she was agreeing to, but wanting more and trusting Shino, she said, “Yes.” Paige was pulled into a passionate kiss. With Shino firmly holding her against his mouth and plundering her with his tongue, she struggled to keep pace. It was as if he wanted to devour her. For all of the savageness of the kiss, his other hand kept making gentle teasing strokes along the lines of her tattoos. The combined sensations of firm and gentle made Paige groan. All she could do in response was hold onto his hair in a desperate grip and grind herself against him, making him moan his appreciation for the friction into the kiss. The need for air forced them apart.

 

“Paige?”

 

“Hm?” She was floating in the sensations of warmth and arousal he had stirred in her. Why was he trying to make her think?

 

“Sit up for a moment.”

 

Her arms weren't quite up to obeying commands, but he assisted her so that she was now straddling his waist. She noticed the evidence of his equal state of arousal. He then proceeded to sit up himself and remove the tank-top styled undershirt he had put on after his shower. She now had a clear view of the defined muscles of the upper body in front of her. Reaching out to trace along the lines of muscle on his chest, she frowned slightly in confusion. “Why?”

 

“I want you to be comfortable, I thought this might help.”

 

“It's definitely distracting…” She continued to trace her way down to his stomach, outlining his abdominal muscles one by one, watching them twitch under her finger. It looked like he was slightly ticklish. “It's like a Christmas present. Under all those layers of Aburame clothing is a handsome guy, just for me.” Hands cupped her face and she was suddenly met with passion-filled black orbs.

 

“I want to touch more of you. Will you let me?”

 

There was no hesitation in her voice. “I trust you.”

 

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he reminded as he slowly lowered her back to rest on the couch, taking a moment to make sure her skirt covered her, somewhat. He placed himself between her legs, making sure his erection rested against her. Paige gave out a small noise of encouragement and wrapped her arms around his neck. Slowly he lowered himself so that he was staring directly into her eyes, his forearms supporting his weight to either side of her head. “Are you ok?”

 

“Yeah…” she breathed. “I think I'm flying.” Looking up at Shino, she wondered at the emotion showing in his eyes.

 

He gave a small chuckled. “Flying comes later…” Shino leaned in to give her a lingering kiss that trailed down the side of her neck. “…when you're ready. For now…” His tongue caressed the sensitive pulse point below her ear. “…I just want to touch you.” He sat back up…and touch her, he did.

 

Paige felt his hands move along every inch of her upper body. Touching…stroking…and caressing…leaving a trail of fire behind them. They first made their way across her body over her tank top. When his hand reached the hem of her shirt and his eyes gave her a questioning glance, she gave a small nod of assent. The hands then slipped under her shirt, slowly moving the hem higher…resting just below her breasts, though they continued higher, even after letting the shirt keep her cleavage covered. Fingers gently traced the contours they found under the shirt and teased at her sensitive nipples. Paige couldn't help her reaction. She threw her head back and arched into to the touch, giving out a moan of unabashed pleasure. It never felt this good when she pleasured herself, and he hadn't even gone below her waistline! She wasn't sure if she called out his name, but she was suddenly aware of those hands caressing her face, tangling in her hair again, and lips and tongue giving her mouth pleasure. Opening eyes she hadn't realized she had closed when the kiss ended, she looked into Shino's eyes and gave him a dreamy smile. “Hi.”

 

Shino returned her smile. “Are you ok?”

 

For the second time, Paige couldn't help her reaction. Her smile turned into a grin and she started to laugh. “You do that to me and ask me if I'm ok?” Pulling him down for a brief kiss, she finally answered his question. “I'm great. I'm wonderful.” She blushed. “I'm wondering about encores in the near future. I'm wondering what the heck you did. Touching never felt so good.”

 

“Chakra control isn't just for medics. Although I have to be careful with the kikaichu since they normally follow where I direct my chakra.”

 

She thought on this for a moment. “Don't hold them back then. They're a part of you, and I want every part of you.”

 

“Next time maybe.” He helped her back up and leaned back, and in one fluid motion Paige was once more sprawled on top of him. “We should stop for now.”

 

Giving a sigh, she reluctantly agreed. “I guess so.” She went back to tracing patterns on his arm. “You probably could have gotten me to agree to anything after that.” She was slightly embarrassed, but wanted Shino to know he hadn't pushed too far. “You probably know, but I really enjoyed it. I think…I think with you its ok. I'm not afraid as long as its you. You didn't push. I think…I think it would have been ok if it had gone further, but I like that you stopped, too. I mean…I think I would want to take things slow anyway…” She trailed off as she realized she was babbling. Arms twined around her and gave her a gentle squeeze, letting her know she had gotten her point across.

 

After a while, growling stomachs let them both know they had skipped breakfast and it was time for lunch. After eating they resumed their positions on the couch and watched some TV for a few hours, Paige eventually fell asleep due to their early morning wake-up.

 

Their quiet day was disrupted.

 

Dog and a knock on the door awakened and alerted Paige to the presence of Kiba. She looked at Shino. “You grab your shirt and sun-glasses while I get the door?”

 

Shino nodded and grabbing his previously discarded undershirt, walked to the bedroom to change.

 

Opening the door, Paige greeted who she knew was there. “Hi Kiba!”

 

“Paige. It's good to see you safe.” He gave her a small hug.

 

“Come in, Shino will be out in a minute.” She stepped to the side to let him pass and closed the door behind him.

 

“What do you guys do that he has to run into the bedroom when people knock on the door?” he teased.

 

She blushed, “Watch TV.”

 

“Uh huh.” He crossed his arms and gave her a knowing look. “And that is why I smell arousal?”

 

A shocked look crossed her face. “How can you… Not that we…”

 

“Kiba, what brings you to our home?” Shino asked as he walked in from the hall donning one of his high-collared shirts and sun-glasses.

 

Her head whipped around so fast she was sure she had given herself a spinal cord injury. Did she hear him correctly? Had he called it `our home'? She gave him a small smile and turned back to Kiba.

 

It appeared he had noticed the phrasing also, his smirk growing slightly, before he answered the question. “A bunch of us are going out to the bar tonight to unwind from all the chaos. We wanted to know if you two wanted to come along.” He snickered. “And I want to see you with a coaster on your forehead again, Paige.”

 

Giving it some thought, she looked over at Shino. “Well, if I'm surrounded by ninja, I guess security won't be an issue. I'm up for it. Are you?”

 

He gave a nod.

 

She smirked at him. “So who's paying?”

 

“Kiba.”

 

“Great!” She walked past a sputtering Kiba and a smiling Shino, calling over her shoulder, “I want to get your jacket, and then we can go.” When she emerged wearing Shino's jacket instead of handing it over to Shino, she received a raised eyebrow from Kiba and another knowing look. During their walk to the bar she looked up at Shino, “If you really want your jacket back, I'll give it up.” She got a slight squeeze from the hand holding her own.

 

“I like it on you.”

 

Smiling up at him she announced, “Then I'm officially never giving it back to you.”

 

“You guys are gag-worthy,” Kiba commented.

 

When they arrived at the bar and located the table containing everyone, Paige noticed the difference in members from when she last visited the bar for the planning session before the council meeting as she and Shino took seats next to each other. Naruto sat with Hinata. Sasuke sat with Saskura. Ino sat with Shikamaru. Choji, Lee, and Kiba appeared to be going solo for the night. And Neji sat with a woman Paige didn't recognize.

 

Neji stood to make an introduction. “Paige, you haven't met my wife, Tenten. She teaches at the academy with Iruka.”

 

“Nice to meet you Tenten.”

 

“Likewise,” smiled the teacher, “I think I saw you and Shino visiting the academy yesterday.”

 

Her mood darkened slightly, remembering Tamiko, “Yeah. We stopped by to say hi and talk to Iruka. I met a little girl who lived in my old building…”

 

“You don't have to talk about it, Paige,” Sakura interrupted. “Tonight's about relaxing and enjoying yourself.”

 

“Yeah, have a drink!” chimed in Ino. Next to her Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

 

“Where are the other jounin?” questioned Paige.

 

“Gai-sensei and the others were sent out to investigate what Tsunade-sama pieced together with the new intelligence you provided,” volunteered Lee.

 

“Alrighty then.” Looking around the table she noticed many of them were carefully avoiding her gaze after another mention of the explosion of her old apartment building. “I'll get weepy every once in a while like everyone else, but I'm not made of glass. The demolition this morning is obviously the hot topic of the day, so it's going to come up in conversation. Just don't do the whole `hushed whispers and fervent glances' thing in my direction.” She looked around the table again. “I'm sure we've all made some sort of peace with it since this morning. Now is fun time. Anyone order anything yet?” It was the cue for everyone else to start talking around the table.

 

Shino placed an arm on the back of her chair.

 

“Hey Paige!” Naruto called out.

 

“What Kit?” she answered.

 

His grin turned into an evil smirk. “Ero-sennin told me about an interesting scene he saw on top of Hokage Monument yesterday. Something about a couple looking pretty steamy?”

 

“Um…” She looked to switch topics before everyone noticed her blush and Naruto's smirk. “Hinata! I didn't get a chance to thank you and Kiba for breakfast the other morning. It was very thoughtful of you.”

 

Hinata had a small blush of her own. “Your welcome. We wanted to do something for you since you make Shino-kun so happy.”

 

“Oh…” she shifted her chair slightly closer to Shino. Hinata's comments hadn't done anything to help her blushing problem.

 

“I have something else for you, too.” Hinata shifted in her seat, got something from a pocket, and threw it over the table.

 

Paige managed to catch it one handed then wondered why Hinata had given it to her. “Medical bindings?”

 

“For when you start your training,” explained Hinata, although the explanation meant nothing to Paige.

 

“I'm going to get injured?” she asked.

 

Kiba laughed out loud. “It's to keep the girls at bay while you jump around.”

 

Understanding finally came, “The girls…”

 

His smirk grew as he continued his explanation. “Hinata noticed how you don't wear anything under your shirts.”

 

Crossing her arms over her chest she spoke without thinking through all of what came out of her mouth, “I'm still young. They're still perky. I can get away with it. I haven't had any complaints…” The silence of the table greeted her. It looked like everyone had heard that. Why do people all stop talking at once the minute the most embarrassing thing comes out of your mouth? Paige calmly zipped up the jacket, pulled up the hood, and drew the strings to hide her absolute mortification.

 

***

 

Author's post-ramble: Reviews, emails, and IMs are wanted! Up next! The training! How will poor unathletic Paige fair?