Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Reading Totems ❯ Chapter 26 ( Chapter 26 )

Author's pre-ramble: Ooookay…looks like I have a few Gaara fans out there. You're wait is over! Here is my rendition of Gaara! I figured he's mellowed out some over the years. A big thank you to my reviewers! (otakutron, DragonTamer94, TheForsakenOne, tasuki001, Dwarfwarrior, ghostreader14, TheRavenQuoth, sotobell, interestingstuff, mousetrap, DemanFox, Simply Me, jadedkatrina, Alexeihowe)

 

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: Eventual 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: Sandstorms are not fun to travel in, and neither is meeting a Tanuki totem that wants its message heard. Dinner doesn't go as planned either…

 

***Chapter 26***

 

Adjusting the straps on the pack she had insisted on carrying in order to appease her own sense of not wanting to feel doted on, Paige laughed at the irony of the breeze that had suddenly turned gale force and was currently whipping sand into places she knew were going to chafe horribly. She had been complaining about the lack of air movement. She decided she should start heeding that old saying of `be careful what you wish for' next time she was feeling a little sweaty.

 

The delegation from Konoha had emerged from the forest and entered into true desert terrain just yesterday. Shino had surprised her by remembering to get her a pair of prescription sun-glasses similar to his own…she had actually forgotten about her little comment. Paige grinned goofily when she spotted her reflection after putting on the sun-glasses and noticed that she and Shino were sporting the same look.

 

The next gust of wind nearly knocked her over. Hands steadied her again. It seemed like every gust needed Shino to keep her standing up. “Are we making any progress?!” she shouted above the wind and through the fabric she had tugged across face to protect against more sand getting in places she didn't want it to. “I feel like I'm walking backwards!”

 

“Tsunade-sama sent runners ahead to notify the Kazekage of the sandstorm,” Shino shouted into her ear through the fabric across his own face. “Until help comes we need to keep moving so we aren't buried!”

 

“That's not…” The wind suddenly stopped. “…comforting!!” Paige shouted the last word into the sudden silent stillness. Taking a look around, she took in the giant dome covering the delegation, causing the need for torches and flashlights. “Is this the help we wanted?”

 

“Yes,” he held on to her arm and guided her towards the Hokage's personal entourage. “As personal guests of the Godaime, we should be there to receive Gaara.”

 

“Who's Gaara?” she asked. “Did he do this?” Paige was still looking up in awe when Tanuki slammed into her with enough force to trip her up. Shino again, kept her face from unceremoniously meeting the sand. When she looked up, she was greeted with the sight of Tsunade, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke smiling at her entrance. Collectively they turned around, and Paige heard Tsunade announce them.

 

“Gaara-san, let me introduce you to the reason for all of the extra security…Miss Paige Stone.”

 

Paige took that as her cue and stepped forward sketching a polite bow.

 

The Godaime continued the introduction. “Paige, I present Sabaku no Gaara, the Kazekage of Sunagakure.”

 

She finished the bow and looked at Gaara, red hair, pale turquoise eyes curiously outlined in black, a brooding demeanor…Tanuki, along with Ravens and the totem of Turtle, leader of the earth clan hit her. “Oh…my…” Paige Stone was flailing again…loss of balance physically reflected in loss of balance spiritually. Breathing deeply, she attempted to sort through the numerous messages from the Ravens while trying to decipher the Turtle and the Tanuki.

 

“Are you alright, Paige?”

 

The question came from Naruto and caused her to turn in his direction. New information came with taking Naruto into account. Still feeling unbalanced spiritually, Paige asked the wrong question first. “Has the Fox succeeded in teaching the Tanuki to smile, laugh, and play? He needs light to balance the dark of his childhood…the dark of his family.” Looking down, she noticed sand swirling around her feet. Shino tugged her back slightly and moved to stand in front of her. Naruto stepped in front of the couple.

 

“Gaara, she's safe. This is…her gift...the reason she is hunted…like we were.”

 

Paige heard him with half an ear; she was still looking at the sand. “Controller of sand…Earth Turtle…need for grounding and purpose in life. Ravens…much death, couldn't find purpose through death. Tanuki, still needed to learn laughter and joy…learning from the Fox…” She paused momentarily. “Ravens tell of great loss…Tanuki removed, but cannot be taken away from the spirit.”

 

“Stop,” commanded the Kazekage softly.

 

“Easier…said than…done, Kazekage-sama,” answered Paige. She hadn't felt this out of balance since her experience with the ravens during the council meeting. “Your totems are…powerful and want to be heard.”

 

Shino turned his head whispered, “You can handle this Paige.”

 

“I'm used to the forest for centering myself. Desert life is harder to connect to.” She attempted to concentrated on her breathing. “Bears don't live in deserts.”

 

“Beetles can live in deserts.”

 

Shino was trying to comfort her. She nodded and closed her eyes, trying to center herself through her emotional bond with Shino and not solely relying on her personal totems. It was different, but it helped.

 

Paige felt Gaara walked towards her. “I do not wish to harm her, ” He was presumably speaking with Naruto and Shino who were still wary.

 

Gaara's eyes appeared strange and pupil-less when she opened her eyes and met his gaze.

 

Naruto shifted slightly and then stood to the side.

 

Shino relaxed his stance, but did not move away from Paige.

 

“His name was Shukaku. What else do you know?” he questioned.

 

“Too much, Kazekage-sama,” was her reply, “about you and many others.” Paige stepped away slightly to kneel and rummage through her pack. She pulled out her notebook and a pen. After writing a single word on an empty page, she tore it out, folded it over once, and handed it Gaara. “I believe he was the uncle who raised you.”

 

His eyes hardened when his eyes took in the writing on the piece of paper handed to him. “Yes, he was.” Gaara turned his gaze to Tsunade. “I see why she would be sought after.” He then turned to Temari. “You should have warned me.”

 

Before Temari could defend herself, another interrupted her. “You're in trouble now, Sis!” he chuckled. “But I think it was worth the look on Gaara's face!”

 

Paige looked at the strangely dressed man with facial markings who had just spoken. “Black panther…unbridled expression of baser instincts and emotions. You are…sometimes hard to reign in. You use stealth to your advantage in battle, attacking from behind while remaining unseen.” Looking at the black out fit which included a kind of hat that looked like it had cat ears on it; she wasn't too surprised by the totem. It definitely suited him. The designs on his face though…those hinted at something else about black panthers. “You need to keep mostly covered…extra sensitive skin, especially your face.” She couldn't help the giggle. “It must surprise the ones you bring home. Panthers are creatures of the feminine energies…very sensual.” The man she had named the totem of black panther just stood in shocked silence, staring at Paige.

 

Temari joined the moment with her own small laughter. “And you should see your face Kankuro.” She looked at Gaara. “Tsunade surprised me. We both wanted to have a little fun. Paige agreed to it.”

 

When attention returned to her, Paige bowed again. “I apologize for any insult I have caused.” Straightening, she was glad Shino was still near to assist her in keeping her balance. He of all people probably understood how much she was fighting to keep control. The non-native terrain combined with the onslaught she was still experiencing from Gaara's ravens were causing her to blurt out a bit more than she would like. When she felt Shino slide his arms around her, she relaxed into the embrace and concentrated more on trying to center herself through him. She listened to the cadence of his voice as he spoke, while taking in the surprised gaze of Kankuro and slight widening of the eyes of Gaara.

 

“Gaara, Paige requires space to rest and meditate. She is not as collected as she would have you believe.”

 

The Kazekage gave a slight nod. “You have arrived ahead of schedule. Rooms will be arranged for all to refresh themselves before the formal dinner begins tonight at 8:00PM.” The dome of sand slowly receded, revealing the sun and strange structures which looked like they had been constructed from sand. “Welcome to Suna.”

 

Looking around in unabashed shock, Paige gawked. “How…” She allowed herself to be steered by Shino since he seemed to be content to make sure they arrived at their rooms while she just stared.

 

“Gaara can move sand even with people on…or in it,” explained Kankuro. He had stayed back to walk beside them. And he was currently making no attempt to the hide fact that he was scrutinizing the couple.

 

“That's…handy,” she responded.

 

“Hey Shino,” Kankuro grinned, causing the lines on his face to contort with the expression. “When you're not busy with your girlfriend, we should spar. I want a rematch from when we saw each other at the last Chunin Exams. And I don't remember a lady hanging on you then.”

 

Shino smirked at Kankuro and tightened his grip on Paige slightly. “A lot can change in 6 months.

 

Feelings of rivalry and intrigue radiated from the sand shinobi with the totem of black panther. Paige wanted to dispel some of the strong emotions by volunteering some information. “I came under the protection of Konoha shinobi a little over 3 months ago.” It was enigmatic enough that it didn't reveal that she arrived in their world a little over 3 months ago. “Shino and I met shortly after.”

 

“Paige?” questioned Shino.

 

She tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “I'm feeling a little better now. Having other things to concentrate on helps.” She looked down a blushed slightly, thankful for the cloth that covered much of her face. “The contact also helps. It's different, trying to ground and center through your totem instead of my usual methods.”

 

“You guys have rooms within the Kazekage's estate since you are guests of the Godaime. Follow me.” Kankuro was oddly respectful, in contrast to his previous teasing of his siblings and Shino, when he opened the door for the couple. “Feel free to skip the formal dinner if you're not up to it, Paige. I'll tell Gaara something for you.”

 

“Thank you, but I'll try my best to be at the dinner.”

 

After Shino had closed the door, he removed their packs, and led Paige through the sitting room and bedroom to the bathroom of their suite. He then turned on the shower, and began removing his clothing.

 

“Shino…What are you planning?” Paige was mesmerized by the free strip-tease.

 

“You said having other things to concentrate on helps.”

 

“Uh huh.” She watched his naked form advance on her and he then began to remove her own clothing.

 

“And you also said contact helps.” Shino gently pushed Paige into the shower after opening the curtain for her. He paused to let the kikaichu exit his body before following himself.

 

“Uh huh.” Paige was standing dumbly underneath the spray of water washing the sand of the journey from her body.

 

“I'm planning on distracting you,” he picked up the soap, “with contact.”

 

Paige enjoyed the planned `distraction' in the shower…on the bathroom floor…on the bed...and she hoped she could be distracted in other places in the suite. As cliché as it sounded, she was `basking in the afterglow' lying on the bed wrapped in a giant bathrobe when a knock was heard at the door in the sitting room.

 

Wearing his own bathrobe, Shino got up from his position next to her—running his hands through her hair—to answer the door. When he returned, he said, “Dinner is in an hour's time. Are you feeling up to it?”

 

She gave a lazy smile. “I think your distraction helped a lot. I would like to go.” Sitting up she added a last statement to ease the concern she felt from Shino. “I promise to let you know if I need to leave dinner early.” Paige scratched her head. “What does one wear to a `formal' dinner of shinobi? …besides weapons.”

 

“In Konoha it calls for kimono. In Suna the dress code is more relaxed due to the climate.”

 

Holding up a shirt she spotted in the back of her closet when she was packing, she asked with a grin, “So is this too little…or too much?”

 

Shino blushed slightly. “I would like it if you wore that shirt.”

 

“Now I know you're taste in clothes for me.” Giggling, Paige decided `shirt' was a loose term. It was a shade of blue that matched some of the lines in her tattoos. And it would show off her tattoos too, since it was lacking a back. Instead, the `shirt' possessed two sets of ties: one to go around the back of her neck to secure the top half of the piece of fabric and another that came around the sides just below her bust line and tie in the back. With the blue piece of cloth secured, Paige deliberated slightly until deciding on being eclectic with a black skirt and red handkerchief. Each color complimented her tattoos which Shino had obviously intended to be the center of attention with the shirt. Strangely enough it wasn't the shirt that bothered her, but not wearing Shino's jacket.

 

He had noticed her dilemma. “Wear the jacket.”

 

She gave a sheepish grin. “I'll take it off once we arrive and are seated.”

 

Offering her his arm, the couple walked out the door towards the dining room.

 

***

 

“Shino! I see Paige is as lovely as she is gifted,” sweet talked Kankuro. He turned to address just her. “Glad you could make it. Let me know if you need anything.”

 

After considering the offer, she nodded. “If you would be nice enough to ensure I have something other than alcohol to drink, I'd appreciate it.”

 

The Suna shinobi raised a colored eyebrow. “Don't drink?”

 

She turned a questioning gaze to Shino, silently asking him about Kankuro.

 

“He is safe,” stated Shino. “We came to an understanding after our first battle at our first Chunin Exams.”

 

“I think I'd like to hear that story some time,” decided Paige. She was getting the impression the two shared a similar rivalry to that of Sasuke and Naruto. Turning her attention to Kankuro, she finally answered his question. “I can't afford the loss of control…tonight especially. I rarely drink anyway though.”

 

“Gaara may not say it, but he's sorry for putting you…off balance before.” Kankuro looked straight ahead as he lead the couple to the receiving line leading up to the mentioned Kazekage. “And he's not upset with you either.” He gave a grin which the facial markings turned into a smirk. “Naruto talked to him more after you left.”

 

Her mood soured slightly at that. She wasn't necessarily mad at Naruto, but she liked knowing who knew how much about her. It helped her to figure out people's emotional reactions. The facial expression she wore must have given away something because she felt Shino give her arm a light squeeze. She turned and gave him a slight smile just before Kankuro re-introduced the couple to the Kazekage.

 

“Gaara. As you can see, Paige and Shino will be joining us for dinner.”

 

They both bowed with a polite, “Kazekage-sama,” between the two of them.

 

“I hope you enjoy our hospitality,” replied Gaara.

 

Paige decided he looked rather stiff in his formality. Something had to be done about that. She gave him a smile. “I understand Naruto has evened the level of knowledge we have about each other.” Hesitating only to give Kankuro a questioning glance…she moved in swiftly towards Gaara…giving him a brief hug along with a brief message. “It's thoughtful of you to have your own brother watch over me.” She stepped back and watched the multitude of minute facial expressions wage war on the Kazekage's face. It didn't look like he had expected the hug or the insight into security. “I understand these two wish to resume their rivalry. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have for me while they beat the crap out of each other for entertainment.”

 

“You've confused everyone enough for the day,” teased Shino. “Kankuro, show us to our seats for dinner.”

 

When they arrived at the table, Paige made good on her promise. Turning her back to all seated at the table, she allowed Shino to assist the removal of her jacket and place it on the back of her chair. Silently she reveled in the stifled gasps and the emotions of shock and surprise from those seated. He then held out the seat for her. Paige blushed slightly, not used to that particular move from Shino. Once seated, she surveyed the table setting and was pleased to find water waiting for her. She decided on a `wait and see' method of approaching dinner, copying the movements of Shino, figuring he would know the proper etiquette.

 

***

 

It was one hour and an appetizer course later that fatigue started to set in for Paige Stone. Her attention wandered more frequently, either just staring off into space, or listening to ravens whispering messages to her about Gaara. It was getting more difficult to carry a conversation. She was exhausted physically and spiritually. The trials of the day were making her sleepy. Paige stared at her shaking hand trying to not let the food get shaken loose from the chopsticks for the third time. When the food fell again, she let out a sigh, placed the chopsticks on the plate of the barely touched main course, and calmly put her shaking hands in her lap and out of view. Evidently someone had noticed her struggle.

 

Shino's hand reached under the table to grasp her hands. “We could leave.”

 

“I don't suppose you'd take `I'm fine' for an answer?” she inquired.

 

“No.”

 

Paige took a chance and looked around the table. She caught a few sideways glances from others, including their appointed guard, Kankuro.

 

The Suna ninja with the cat hat turned his full attention to both Paige and Shino with an eyebrow raised in question.

 

Biting her lip, she gave a slight shake of her head to Kankuro, before turning to Shino. “I want to try to stay. I think I'm having issues mostly because I'm tired. I really do feel better than earlier…not as overwhelmed.” She laughed slightly at herself. “It's my shaking hands that I'm annoyed with. But I hear eating and drinking are overrated this season.”

 

“Paige…” Whatever else Shino was about to say was interrupted by another voice that demanded attention.

 

“Is the food not to your liking, Paige?” asked Gaara.

 

She sighed again. So much for saving face. It looked like their little chat had drawn attention of the entire table now! When the Kazekage talked, you listen. Deciding the truth was better than insulting the cook, she answered. “What I have eaten so far has been wonderful Kazekage-sama. I'm just having a little difficulty with dinner escaping from me.” She picked up her chopsticks and held them out for all to see. Her hands shook so much that they clattered the two wooden sticks together to some unknown rhythm.

 

A pair of recognizable hands gently removed the chopsticks from her weak grasp. “Paige.”

 

If she had been paying attention, she might have noticed the smile in his tone of voice, or the slightly smaller amount of food on her plate…but she didn't. So when she turned her head, she was completely taken by surprise and forced to open her mouth when food was shoved in front of her. Paige sat there for a few seconds, blinking and processing just what to do with a mouth full of food.

 

“Chew,” informed Shino with a smug look on his face.

 

Right. Chew. That's what one does with a mouthful of food. Not being able to decide if she was angry or embarrassed, Paige settled on following the instructions and chewed her food. When she turned to look at the rest of the table again, the reactions were varying. Some were shocked, others were confused, but most were trying hard not to laugh at the situation. She looked at the pink-haired kunoichi sitting near the Hokage. “Sakura, is there a cure for wounded pride and a bruised ego?”

 

The medic's eyes danced with laughter. “Just good company.”

 

“I already have that.” She was interrupted again by her name being called softly.

 

“Paige.”

 

Almost expecting more food, but not necessarily expecting the same trick twice, Paige Stone found herself suddenly with a mouth full of food again. This time she did laugh, covering her mouth to make sure the food stayed in. After regaining some of her composure, she slapped Shino lightly on the arm. “I didn't know there was a `stealth feeding' jutsu for stubborn girlfriends.”

 

Shino didn't answer, but held more food out for her.

 

The rest of the dinner passed with laughter and Paige getting a little help with eating all of the courses of the meal. After the dinner, Shino and Paige enjoyed sleeping after their stressful day. Tomorrow they would see what other information their new location would reveal to Paige.

 

***

 

Author's post-ramble: Well? Comments? Criticisms? Questions? Next chapter has another little surprise and some more Gaara!