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Reading Totems	By : GrizzlyTeddyBear Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1242 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Author�s pre-ramble:�
OK, last chapter I got lots of lovely reviews and emails!� Thank you!!�
I got compliments on Paige�s �Kenny� moment with pulling Shino�s hood
over her head and pulling the draw strings�it wasn�t exactly an active
allusion, but it works!� I like that I
made drinking tea sexy�^_^ but that�s my bias.�
I also got a question asking if I�m going to write a chapter or two from
Shino�s POV�and I�ve toyed with the idea.�
I like the consistency of keeping to one POV and I don�t know if I could
crawl into Shino�s head as effectively as I�d like to�but the idea has crossed
my mind.

My reviewers, old and new:� HumanInfiltrator, OX King, Lady Slave,
kodama, MsMina, eva24, Alaskantiger, Darksteel1992, Pan12398, wildkit,
Navygirl19999, Paintedbutterfly, Valla, Jess, Kilrath Sluzath, jewel, kimahrigirl,
Incarnadyne Tears, CasaHouse, Onitsu Blackfeather, alexa ebonscathe, jadedkatrina,
Ian Sarver

And now to the plot weaving�

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:� Paige
wakes up to find someone had kept their word and made her breakfast.� A visit to the academy answers some
questions, but raises more.� �nice
jacket.

***Chapter 18***

Paige woke up gradually.�
She didn�t want to wake-up at all.�
A day in bed sounded divine.� The
smell of breakfast was calling to her stomach, but it was definitely
comfortable in her bed, snuggling up to whatever it was that was snuggling
back.� Cracking a bleary eye open, she
decided to see just what she was snuggling with.� A smile came to her face as she opened her
other eye to take in the sight of just who she had just discovered enjoyed
snuggling in bed.� �Good morning.�� Paige yawned just as her stomach growled.

Shino�s black orbs looked down at her, seeming to hold their
own smile.� �Good morning.��

�Thank you for staying.��
Reluctant to get out of bed and out of his arms, she nuzzled into his
chest to prolong the embrace.�

His arms squeezed her briefly.� �How did you sleep?�

Paige snorted into his chest.� �Like a rock.�
You are an official cure of insomnia and bad dreams.�� She looked up into his eyes again.� �How did you sleep?� Or did you sleep?�

�I slept when my watch was over.�

She nodded.� Shino had
kept his word and kept watch over her until she fell asleep.� Giving in to another yawn the smell of food
invaded her nose again.� �What smells so
good?�

�Hinata and Kiba made breakfast before they left this
morning.�

This caused her to pause.�
�They left?� What time is it?� How long have I been asleep and holding you
hostage for?�

Shino chuckled and answered her questions one at a time.� �They left after they made breakfast at
8:00AM.� It�s 10:23AM right now.� And if this is a hostage situation then the
negotiators will have some trouble getting me away from you.�� He leaned down and captured her lips in a
chaste kiss.

There was that Shino humor again.� Paige smiled.�
�Well, I don�t know.� I might be
willing to negotiate you away for some breakfast.�

He gave a deep throated laugh at that.� �Come on.�
Breakfast.�� He helped her out of
bed and into the small dining area.�
Several times he gave her questioning looks as she staggered even when
he tried to guide her.� �Not a morning
person?�� Shino asked as he went into the
kitchen.

�Only after a shower and food.�� She replied when a plateful of food appeared
before her.� �Glasses help too, but I
usually put them on after I shower.�� She
grabbed chopsticks and began to eat when Shino sat down beside her with his own
plate.� �Somehow clear vision when the
brain is still foggy just makes me more confused and bumbling.�� Something had just occurred to her.� �You didn�t put your sunglasses back on.�

Shino smiled, �No, I didn�t.�

She smiled in return.

They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, every
so often commenting on the food.� Paige
was actually slightly startled by Shino�s question.� �What do you want to do today?�

She had to give it some thought.� It would probably be around 12:00PM when they
would finally be ready, so she couldn�t pick an all day activity.� �Can we go visit the academy?� I�m sure Naruto gave Iruka all of the juicy
details, but I�d still like to drop by and say hi to him in person.�

Shino gave a nod.� �I
have some questions for him about your training.� I had asked Hinata about the medical implications
after you went to bed, and she suggested talking with him.�� He paused for a moment.� �Anything else?�

�I�ve officially been here a week, and I�ve spent most of it
in our clearing.� I have no idea what
else there is to do in Konoha.� Do you
have any suggestions?�

�A first date.�

Paige giggled slightly.�
�I can go for a date.� We�ve been
going backwards though.� Marriage
declarations, first kiss, you spending the night, and then the first date�� She trailed off as his hand turned her head
to face him.

�Complaints or regrets?��
His eyes had gone serious.

�None.�� To emphasize
her point, she leaned in and gave him a kiss that she hoped was as toe curling
and soul searing as the ones he had given her.�
When she finally relented, she asked, �Do you have complaints or
regrets?�

Shino shook his head no with a dazed look on his face, but
then turned serious again.� �I regret not
being able to do more to erase your past hurts.�� He ran the back of his hand down her cheek.

Paige gave him a small smile as she closed her eyes and
leaned into the contact.� �You do more
than you think by just being here.�� She
gave him another kiss, this one brief.�
�Come on, we need to get ready for the day.�

He smiled and nodded.�
�You shower, I�ve got dishes.�

***

Paige was still wearing his jacket, and Shino hadn�t asked
her for it back.� He only smiled when she
walked out of the bedroom with it as an addition to her usual outfit. �They made their way through the streets of
Konoha to the Ninja
Academy walking
hand-in-hand.� They endured their fair
share of odd looks and stares, but the other looks�knowing and
understanding�outnumbered the bad.

�Visitors check in at the office.�� Shino announced once they had entered the
academy.

Paige nodded.� �Makes
sense.�� She figured she would let Shino
do the talking and walking and she would follow his lead. �He held the door to the office open for
her.� This gave her a small pause.� She wasn�t used to chivalry.

�Shino-sama!� It�s so
good to see you again!� To what does the
academy own the pleasure of your visit?��
The secretary looked to be an older woman, but from the enthusiastic
greeting she gave Shino, Paige was guessing she hadn�t lost any of those
uncanny abilities school staff seemed to have at catching kids in the act.

�We�re here to visit Iruka-sensei.��

�We?�� The secretary
gave one of those knowing looks to Paige with a scarcely hidden smile.� �And who is this lovely young lady?�

�Nori-san, please meet Paige Stone.�� Shino gave the formal introduction.

Paige found herself blushing at the formality and the now
very visible smile Nori-san was giving both of them now.� She sketched a light bow.� �Pleased to meet you Nori-san.�

�Just Nori, darling, just Nori.� Shino-sama always makes me feel so old with
his formality.�� She waved her hand in a
dismissive gesture.� �The students have
recess right now, so you can probably find Iruka in his classroom without
worrying about interrupting lessons.�

�Thank you, Nori-san,� Shino continued with his formality.� �We�ll go visit him now.��

Again, he held the door open for Paige, but this time she
smiled in thanks at him.� However, it
turned into another blush as she heard Nori�s parting words.

�His jacket looks good on you, darling!�

Paige shook her head and resigned herself to resembling a tomato
for the next few minutes.� They wound
through a few hallways and then entered the door to a slightly startled Iruka.

The academy teacher was interrupted in grading some papers. ��Paige!�
Shino!�� He quickly rose from
behind his desk and walked to meet the couple halfway.� �I didn�t expect a visit.�

Paige gave the teacher a hug.� �I haven�t seen you since yesterday morning.� I didn�t want you to rely on just Naruto�s
word that I�m cleared to stay in Konoha.��
She stepped back and Shino stepped forward to give Iruka a handshake.� �Plus Shino has a few questions since I�ll be
attempting to be athletic and learning some taijutsu soon.�

Shino gave a nod.

Iruka gave a raised eyebrow.�
�Attempting to be athletic?�� He
leaned back against the chalkboard and crossed his arms.� �I think with your life in danger, you need
to do more than just attempt, Paige.�

She gave a sigh.� �I
know.� I know.� But I haven�t exactly had a regular exercise
program in years, and add in all of the joint injuries I�ve had in my life, and
it gets a little rough to get started again.��
She stepped closer to Shino and took his hand in her own.� �I have faith in my sensei over here.� He�ll make
up a regimen that�ll be good for me.�

Iruka grinned.� �Nice
jacket.�� He turned more serious as he
gave his full attention to Shino.� �What
questions do you have?�

Shino and Iruka chatted about developing a general exercise
program that included taijutsu while Paige wandered around the classroom,
occasionally answering questions one of them directed at her about her ability
or inability to do something.� Sadness.�
Loneliness.� She stopped in
front of one of the large classroom windows and saw a little girl, no more than
6 years old, with long red hair sitting alone on one of the swings on the
playground.� She looked like she was
crying.� Why was she all alone?� Paige found herself wanting to brighten up
the girl�s day.� �Iruka?� she called out.� �Is this student one of yours?�� She felt Shino and Iruka walk over to stand next
to her and look at who she was referring too.

The teacher nodded.�
�Her name is Tamiko.�

She frowned.� �She�s
sad and lonely.�

A loud sigh escaped from Iruka which made Paige turn to look
at him.� �She gets picked on a lot by the
other students.� As a teacher I can only
stop what I see.� I know it�s not
enough.�

�What do they pick on her for?�

�For not having a mom and dad.� She lost her parents on a mission about a
year ago and she now lives with her grandmother.�

A hand landed on Paige�s shoulder�it was Shino�s.� She turned to look up at his face when he gave
a slight squeeze on her shoulder.� He
raised an eyebrow as he said, �Day off.�

She gave him a small smile.�
�Kids can be horrible.�� She
turned to look out the window again.� �I
just want to put a smile on her face for the rest of her day.�� She didn�t turn her head when she asked, �Do
you mind Iruka?� I�ll have her back to
you by the end of recess and we�ll stay on the grounds.�

A chuckle was her response.�
�I�ve seen that look too many times on shinobi to know better than to
say no.� Go on.�

She turned back to Shino.�
�Want to see what I used to do for a living?� Schizophrenics and six year olds can be on
about the same level.�� She grabbed his
hand again as she lead him out of the classroom, but then let him take the lead
again since he was the one who knew how to get to the playground.� The two of them stopped at the swing-set
Tamiko was using.� Ravens.� Paige carefully took
a seat on the swing next to Tamiko while Shino stood a little ways off, leaning
against one of the support poles.� Tamiko
looked like she had been crying for a while.�
Her eyes were red and puffy, and Paige could see the lines tears had
made on her face.� It was a scene that
broke her heart a little, but Paige was hoping she could fix that.� �Hi!�
My name is Paige.�

Tamiko looked up, but didn�t reply.

Paige was now looking into sad eyes that were the deepest
blue she�d ever seen.� �I�m a friend of
Iruka-sensei.�� She pointed over to the
window to where Iruka gave Tamiko a small wave.�
�He said I could come and talk to you.�
Is that ok with you?� You can tell
me to go away if you want.�� She added
the last sentence when it looked like Tamiko was considering her offer.� Giving small children choices usually made
them feel better.

�Yes,� was the soft reply.

�What�s your name?�

�Iruka-sensei calls me Tami-chan.�� She wiped at her face where her tears had
been.

�It�s very nice to meet such a pretty young lady,
Tami-chan.�� Paige gave her the biggest
smile she could, hoping to encourage Tamiko to talk more.

Tamiko�s face took on a puzzled expression.� �I know you.�
You live in my building.�
Obaa-chan says you�re a nice lady, because you have so many friends that
visit you.� But she always knows who�s
nice.�� She looked saddened again.� �I don�t.�

Paige saw her opening.�
�Is that why you�re all by yourself out here?� Was someone mean to you, Tami-chan?�

�Bullies,� Tamiko gave a small sniffle and started playing
with the sand under the swing set with her foot.� �They made fun of me because Kaasan and
Tousan died.� They say it�s my fault.� They say I have cooties that make people near
me die.�

Making a face, Paige said, �Well, that�s just mean!��

�Obaa-chan says that they�re lying.�

�I think you�re Obaa-chan is very smart.� And you know what?� I want to be your friend.� Would you like that?�� She looked over her shoulder at Shino to see
if he was paying attention.�

His stance had softened and he took a few steps to stand across
from the swings Paige and Tamiko occupied and then crouched down.� �Hi,� he said to Tamiko.

Paige gave him a smile and turned back to the little girl
now looking curiously at both of them.�
�His name is Shino and I think he would like to be your friend too.�

He nodded in ascent.�

�He�s Aburame Shino?��
Tamiko now had an awed look on her face.�
�People say mean things about his clan all the time.�

A smile broke out over Paige�s face.� This little girl was one smart cookie.� No doubt that her Obaa-chan had her hands
full.� �Yeah, but he didn�t listen to
them and now he has lots of friends.�

Shino gave an encouraging nod.

Paige continued, �I know it�s hard to ignore them, but
you�re Obaa-chan is right.� Those bullies
are lying.� They definitely don�t know
how cool you are!� And since we live in
the same building, that means if you want, you can ask your Obaa-chan if it�s
ok for you to come visit me.� I bet we�d
have lots of fun.�

The smile was almost blinding.� �OK!�
I�ll ask Obaa-chan.�� Tamiko then
got a quizzical look, �You�re jacket is really big.�

�Yup.� It�s because
it�s not mine.� I�m borrowing it from
someone,� Paige replied.

Tamiko nodded her head, but then her eyes widened as she
pointed at Shino.� �Is it his jacket?�

She gave a small laugh. ��Yup.�

The look of shock turned to one of curiosity.� �Obaa-chan says people share things when they
like each other.� Do you like Shino?�

Paige laughed again, definitely one smart cookie.� �Yup.�
And I�m pretty sure he likes me back.�

Shino shifted closer to her and placed an arm around her
waist�it was a little awkward with her on the swing.� ��He
nodded at Tamiko.� �I like her a lot.�

Tamiko�s face then went from curious to disgusted.� �Does that mean you kiss?� Obaa-chan says kisses are nice, but I think
they�re yucky.�

Before either Paige or Shino could reply to that.�
Iruka came out to collect the students for their afternoon lessons.� Tamiko looked between her two new
friends.� Paige saw a look of hesitation
on her face and made a guess at what she was thinking.� She held out her arms to the little girl and
was nearly knocked over when Tamiko ran into them.� �Don�t forget to ask you�re Obaa-chan.� But you can�t come over tonight.� I have other things to do tonight.�

�Ok.�� She turned to
Shino and decided to give him a hug before running off towards Iruka with a
huge smile on her face.

Paige chuckled at the slightly shocked expression on Shino�s
face.� �You were great with her.�

He turned to her and gave her a smile.� �You too.��
He then helped her off the swing and they walked over to give their
good-byes to Iruka.

As they walked off of the academy grounds, Paige shared what
she didn�t want Tamiko to know.� �She had
ravens following her.�

Shino�s attention snapped to her face.� �Her parents?�

�I think so, but they didn�t share any messages with me.� They were just�there.�

�Day off,� was the gentle reminder as he slipped his hand
into hers and gave it a slight squeeze.

�First date,� was her reply as she squeezed back.�

She let him take the lead since Shino was the one with the
grand plans.� Paige noticed they seemed
to be walking towards the Hokage
Monument, but had no real
idea of where they were going.�

Another Aburame also had plans, it seemed.�

Shino nudged Paige and tilited his head to let her know that
Shibi had spotted them and was making his way towards them.�

�So do we run and hide?� Paige asked.� She was definitely a little nervous.� Even though she knew Shibi had snuck out of
the council meeting to tell her about the marriage plans, that she and Shino
spending a lot of time together, and even said the Aburame would be honored to
have her as part of the clan�she just didn�t know what to do with parents ever
since her own had tossed her out of the house.

�He likes you.� Shino replied.� He spared her a smile of encouragement.� �He knew before the council meeting.�

�You told him?� she looked up at him in surprise now.� Shino seemed like a private guy, but maybe it
was different within his clan.� He did
keep saying it was small.

�After you gave me a reading.��

Paige digested this information.� Shino told his father after she gave him a
reading�after she had passed out and he brought her home.�� He had told her yesterday that was the day
he had decided to open up to her.� As
heir to a clan it made sense that his personal life wasn�t that personal.� The rest of the clan would have to be told
who he intended to date.� Paige rethought
that one aloud, �Your entire clan knows about me�about us.�

�Yes.�� He stopped
them for a moment and placing his hands around her, turned her towards him.� �Is that ok?�

�I guess so.�� She
thought more about it.� Shibi had known where she lived.� He was supportive of them.� He could have told Shino to find another
girl.� �Are you sure your clan likes me,
too?�� She paused, thinking on how to
phrase her next sentence.� �I�m...out of
practice with families.�

Shino gave her a hug.�
It was the most public affection he displayed so far.� Sure there was the one in the Hokage�s
office, but that was when he had found out what kind of dangers she would be
putting herself in and he was surrounded by people who knew him.� Paige knew this hug was more special, because
the private Aburame was showing emotions in front of strangers.

�Shino.� Paige,� came
the interruption.� �Are you feeling
better today?�� Shibi had arrived while
they were hugging and tactfully didn�t comment on it.

Shino didn�t give up his grip on her to allow her to jump
back when she heard Shibi�s voice.� �Tousan.��

�Aburame-sama,� she gave a polite bow.� �Yes, I�m feeling much better today.� Things have been�quieter.�

Shibi waved off the formalities.� �From your stunt at the council meeting, you
should call me Tousan, too.�

Paige blinked.� She
opened her mouth to try to respond to that
statement, and realized she had no clue what to say.� She couldn�t call him dad, even if Shino declared their eventual marriage if things
worked out.� Biting her lip, she turned
to Shino to see how he was reacting to that.

He looked down at her confused face.� �He�s teasing.�

�Oh.�� She looked at
Shibi, feeling a little embarrassed about not understanding the teasing.� Paige decided to try and make up for it with
a little teasing of her own.� �How about
we settle for Shibi-san for now, and we�ll hold weekly meetings to see if we
need to update it?��

Shibi visibly smirked over the top of his high collared
shirt.� �Sounds good.�� He turned to Shino, �Taking her up top?�

�Yes.�

Shibi took the few steps to close the distance between
himself and Shino and Paige.� He laid one
hand on each of their shoulders.� Looking
down at Paige he gave a visible smile.�
�You�re in for a treat.�� He then
turned to Shino again.� �Keep her
safe.� The clan is behind you.�

�Thank you.�� He
raised the hand not currently holding on to Paige and rested it on top of
Shibi�s hand on his shoulder.

Paige watched the oddly tender moment, but it was brief.� With one last look over the two of them, and
the parting comment of, �Nice jacket,� Shibi took his leave.

***

**authoress whistles**�
^_^� What??� You wanted a post-ramble??� Alrighty, I promise everything had a point in
this chapter!!� And the next couple of
chapters make me feel dirty�some in a good way�hehe�and some in a not so good
way�also hehe�� I�m a damned sucker for
build-up!� Anyone lost those pants that I
keep telling you to hold on to??�

On a more personal note, my life is about to get both more
and less complicated�I�m going to be moving in the next couple of weeks.� I�ll try to stick to that weekly updates
promise I keep making!� And anyone who really wants to know what the heck is
going on with me can email me and I�ll tell you.� I just don�t wanna bother the people that
don�t wanna know with posting the whole sob story here.�
- 17
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Reading Totems