Permission To Seek

Chapter 45 Convergent Evolution

Naruto toiled over the hot stove, the small apartment he once occupied replaced for a slightly bigger studio apartment, and now had a few additional amenities he never enjoyed before. A large kitchen that compared to his previous apartment the five by five half kitchen felt huge. He was cooking, lemon grilled fish stuffed with a wild rice a mixed vegetables medley and his favorite Ramon. Although now he prepared his own noodles from scratch mixing hi-fiber substitutes for the flower.

Nothing compared to his favorite Ramon shop but after traveling with Eros-Seine for so long he grew tired of the restaurants foods and Jiraiya complaining when he purchase instant packages. So his resolve, learn how to cook a descent meal that will satisfy him and make the pervert shut up. He diced the last of his vegetables wondering if subconsciously he had learned to do this for more than the frog Hermit. ‘Maybe I wanted to be more.’ Adding the pasta to the boiling water and stirring it for a few minutes the knock he knew would be on time echoed in the unfamiliar rooms.

Flipping the locks quickly and pulling open the door, in his haste to get back to his boiling water, “Hey Shino, just make yourself comfortable, I got something on the stove.” He called retreating before the Chuunin had entered the apartment.

Shino stepped in, his eyes sweeping the room as he closed and locked the door. The apartment on the top floor shaped in a long rectangle; little furniture decorated the small space, containing just used mismatched however well care for pieces, that more than likely came with the space. Many of the walls possessed ninja memorabilia, one wall contained a narrow bookcase full of scrolls neatly stacked in bundles with additional books on ninja techniques. Shino stepped around the small apartment, bigger than the last one but he instantly found nothing out of place. The aroma of food drew him to the open kitchen with a small dining table close by.

“What are you preparing?” The scent of grilled fish and ginger peeked his previously non-existent appetite.

Naruto lifted the cooled Ramon out of the sink pouring it in a large measuring bowel. “Just have a seat and I will serve you.” He grinned nervous to have the big ninja eating his cooking. “Can you take that stuff off, or did you get it sewed in place?” He chastised since Shino had not removed his heavy coat.

“Yes, I..” Shino swallow the lump that wedged in his throat his shaded frames locked on the site before him. Naruto wore an apron over a black tank top tee shirt hugging his newly obtained muscles and dark quarter length pants to match. Naruto’s pants fitting loosely around his lean hips, although the cut of the pants followed his shape nicely ‘casually sexy’. Shino made a groan of agreement removing his coat and hanging it on a rack behind the entry door. He decided not to remove his shades as he hung his forehead protector and removed his shoes.

Naruto turned setting two large bowels of Ramon mixed with his personal broth and vegetables on the table as the Chuunin returned to the Kitchen area pulling up the sleeves of his long black shirt. Naruto’s mouth hung open for several moments as he got his first unobstructed view of his sixteen-year-old friend. Shino standing six feet three inches tall, every inch of his one hundred and fifty pound frame laced with tight muscles. Every movement caused the physique to display his growth over the last three years in vivid color. Shino’s three quarter length dark pants fitting him snugly around the waist then loose in the thigh and calf, he looked like a pin up Naruto had seen in a magazine that the Hermit wrote blurbs for occasionally, ‘casually sexy’. Naruto thought as he watched the bug guy saunter toward him around the table, seeing the mouth move but not taking in a word.

“Naruto are you ok.” He had stared so intently that he did not notice Shino addressing him.

Shaking his head to pull his eyes away from the guy in front of him he tried to grin as if nothing happen. “Oh I.. I’m sorry I just got a lot on my mind.” He could not think of anything but the way the shirt clung to Shino’s upper torso, and the soft folds in the material as it gathered slightly near his abs; however each shift of the Chuunin caused enough to press against the thin fabric to make it evident nothing but lean body lurked underneath.

Shino shifted his gazed locked oh the enamored blond ninja, his self-esteem taking another powerful leap. He moved in closer to the blue eyes, his face blatantly looking him from head to foot. “You look wonderful.” Shino confirmed, Naruto face flushed darker than he had ever seen it, outside bed. “I was just asking if you would like some assistance with dinner preparation. I actually was not expecting this you should not have troubled your self.” Naruto had taken several nervous steps away from the Chuunin edging to the kitchen with Shino in his shadow.

Sweat dampened his forehead as he attempted to compose himself taking deep steadying breaths, before he could respond his guest step next to him near the sink washing his hands offering Naruto a quick smile while he scrubbed.

“No Shino I got everything already prepared, and it’s really no trouble. I had a chance to work some magic in this kitchen after all.” He grinned nervously trying to avoid the penetrating glare.

Shino smirked, seeing Naruto flustered in his presence felt encouraging, he definitely would serve desert. “Perhaps I will have a chance to work magic in this kitchen as well.” He grinned flashing perfect teeth at the blushing face.

Naruto seemed to miss the implication “Wow you can cook too; I guess I should have known you are an interesting man.” He cheesed again the blush deepening in his face as Shino raised an eyebrow.

‘Is he really that innocent? I think he should have caught on to that.’ “You are intriguing Naruto, I will help you serve desert this I insist.” Naruto began to twitch slightly noticing the too smug smile on the dark shaded face Shino wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. “Most of the dishes I can prepare Kimimaro taught to me; however I learned a lot just like you are determined to have a decent meal, at home.” He leaned against the sink while he spoke, crossing his arms over his chest following Naruto with his eyes.

Naruto put the last items on the table breathing a deep sigh, hoping it passed inspection. “Well let’s dig in.” he turned to address Shino thinking he still was against the sink, only to find the tall ninja placing a large cool hand on his back as he stood close enough for his body to press against the trembling blond. “Uhmm..” the red deepened in his cheeks as he tried to think what to say, Shino reaching into the Ramon mixture and pulling out a slice of snow peas, easing it to his mouth slowly, while the hand on his back rubbed down.

Naruto found his eyes transfixed on the two long fingers holding the morsel as it eased between the thin lips, they puckered while he chewed, his head beginning to nod. “This is delicious, Naruto.” The dark shades turning between him and the table.

“Can I see your eyes?” Naruto whisper then bit his tongue; wondering why he would ask second-guessing himself. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked it’s no big deal I …” he stops talking as Shino slowly removed the frames with out question.

“I looked forward to your asking.” The baritone voice whispered as if someone would over hear the conversation. His violet eyes dazzlingly shinning at the wide blue eyes. Shino eyes turning up at the corner while a seductive smile spread across his mouth, he leans closer to Naruto; the blond frozen by some unseen force.

“I have longed to see you with my uncovered eyes, Uzumaki.” He inched closer to steal a kiss, for now the wonderful smelling food forgotten.

Naruto felt the air tighten around him images of his beaten and bruised friend flicker across his mind. Naruto sidestep the taller ninja, scratching the back of his head and smiling nervously. For the first time thinking that inviting Shino to his home may be a bad idea, unfortunately with the sad memories flooded all the good, his body reacting.

“Uhemm” he stuttered nervously “Can we just eat, I’m starved.” Naruto glanced at the clock then the table wondering how quickly he could get Shino to leave.

The violet eyes stared at him unwavering as Naruto sat on the opposite side of the small table and began loading the plates. Shino felt all the correct vibes emulating from the golden haired ninja but Naruto was fighting against those emotions, he desired to rebuild his bond with the young man.

“Thank you Uzumaki, this is a very good meal you’ve prepared.” Shino stared at the generous plate of food Naruto passed him much more than he would ever take for himself in a serving. Ready to question the volumes of food, he glanced at Narutos equally loaded plate the blond shoveling food in his mouth rapidly.

“Huh Uzumaki, it is better to savor your food, or should I be worried about the flavor.” Shino smirked at him as the blond gulped his mouthful in his haste to respond, then blushed from the criticism.

“It taste fine, go ahead eat up.” He continued at a slower pace his eyes glancing at Shino every few seconds. Shino took great pains to enjoy his meal deciding not to return the over size portions. He works methodically between each dish, the flavor and texture perfect. Pleasantly surprised he consumed the entire mountain of food without feeling he over extended himself. ‘I guess I was hungrier than I thought.’ Shino leaned back in his chair watching Naruto cleaning his third oversized plate.

“I wonder what I would look like if I ate like you.” Shino asked, Naruto frowned, before he could retort the violet eyes ninja stood taking with him several empty dishes to the kitchen.

Naruto blanched, he did not want Shino cleaning his dishes. “Shino I will do this.” Shoving his last mouthful of Ramon in his mouth, he gathered the remaining dishes taking them to the kitchen. Shino already had soapy dishwater in the sink, Naruto eased in his dirty dishes he could hear the first faint sounds of the Kikai, standing so close to this man. “I don’t want you to do my dishes Shino, so just have a seat or something and we can talk.” He kept his eyes purposely away from the olive profile.

“I will dry them while you wash, we can talk in that manner right?” he compromised; Naruto did not seem too interested in the idea. “Uzumaki it is the least I can do since you prepared this perfect meal. I am impressed with your cooking and you.”

The blushed returned to his face instantly, a blue eye turning to look at Shino. Wondering if they could really be together, since the feelings he had when close to this young man were not like any he ever felt. He nodded not trusting his voice to speak yet as he took over washing. Shino close at his side rinsing and then drying each dish carefully both in silence only casting each other a nervous glance hoping the other would start a conversation.

Shino glanced at his blond comrade Naruto much more uncomfortable than he would have wanted. “Naruto, you needn’t worry about that Fox, I have had a conversation with it and we have come to an understanding.”

The loud clunk of a plate hitting the bottom of the sink echoed in the small apartment. “What, do you mean?” He stared fixedly at the violet eye profile.

Carefully placing the cup he dried in the cabinet Shino gave Naruto his undivided attention. “Do you remember on the mountain side when you forced your chakra into me?” Naruto nodded mutely his bright eyes darkening as the full ordeal returned. “Well, you gave me too much.” The blue eyes looked away, staring instead at the diminished dish suds in the sink, reaching for the last dish under the water. “It is ok Naruto it was a long time ago.” Shino tried to ease the dark shadow that crossed over his comrade’s face.

“It doesn’t matter how long ago it happen.” Naruto groaned his voice thick with bitterness. “I nearly killed you, I will not forget that...” he looked deliberately away, trying to shield his face. His voice horse as he spoke again, “I am really sorry about that, it’s my fault.” Finally turning back to the empty sink his eyes dry but his face deeply flushed. “I will never let that happen again, that is why I trained with the Frog Hermit, so I can control this dam Fox.” He hands gripped the sink counter until his knuckles were white from the strain.

Shino place a large hand over them, Naruto flinched, before he could pull his hand away the larger hand closed over his holding him. “Naruto.” Shino said softly until Naruto gazed in his direction. “I do not fear that Fox, and you have shown me you can control the red chakra very well today. I do not underestimate you in the least; it is thanks to you I have become stronger than I could have on my own.”

“What are you talking about?” He tugged at his hand trying to free it as Shino shifted so he faced the shorter ninja, slowly easing closer to him while Naruto eased back.

Shino paused as Naruto backed into the small refrigerator; he took a stance to block the blue-eyed ninja from getting pass him easily, releasing his hand. “Well, that incident nearly killed all of my Kikai.” Naruto face shadowed again he looked away. “The circumstances are grim, but I had to face them and so have you. Please do not punish yourself for the ordeal any longer, I do not blame you, Naruto look at me.” His voice softened on the end Naruto finally turning to face him, the blue eyes over bright.

“How can you say that?” He gasped as the Chuunin leaned into him his eyes flames of desire.

Placing an arm on one side of the counter while the other reached to caress the whiskered cheek Shino whispered in a sultry voice. “I still have the same feelings for you, they have never changed. I carried this deep affection everyday of the three years, you were away from me.” Naruto flinched as the cool fingers danced over his fiery skin, feeling drawn into those eyes. “I don’t fully understand but I met that Fox inside you and I told it you belong to me. You need to know this, from the moment I woke hundreds of miles away from my home, my Tenshi I connected the reasons you created those false words, you are in love with me and you never had feeling for Uchiha.” He leaned in brushing his lips over the trembling mouth.

“What makes you think it wasn’t true?” Naruto breathed into the soft lips dusting over his reflectively lifting his chin and trembling as Shino eased closer so their lips rested on one another.

Shino smiled his eyes closed halfway, he could feel Naruto quake under him and see the passion in his bright eyes. “You fooled me so well, but I will teach you that you are not the only hero in our story.” Pressing his lips gentle at first Naruto released a gasping shudder opening his mouth for more which Shino claimed hungrily dipping into the blonds mouth as he pressed his body against him, releasing his own groan of ecstasy.

‘What am I doing? I do not want things the way they were. Why am I enjoying this? What is happening to me? I must stop before I go too far!’ Naruto’s mind plagued him with dozens of questions as his body gripped tightly around the Chuunin’s back, pulling him tighter into an embrace. His mouth dived deeper demanding more from his large friend and quaking violently when he finally pulled up releasing the contact.

Shino moved across Naruto’s jaw kissing his way down to the tight skin on his neck and then gently nipping at the skin between kisses. “You are trembling, and your kiss is more passionate than before.” He smiled as Naruto sucked in a shuddering breath his hand gripping firmly around his back.

“Please stop Shino.” His heart beat rapidly in his throat, breathing hard to bring it under control. He forced his own hands down, gripping them in fist to keep from grabbing Shino again. The violet eyes lifted up from his neck still too close to him, Naruto wanted to put some distance between them so he could think. “Can you please?” He placed a hand on the broad chest to ease him back, instantly regretting the contact as he felt the rapid beat.

Clasping his hand over Naruto’s Shino held that hand over his heart while he eased back a little; not nearly, enough for Naruto to escape the corner and slip pass him. “Naruto if you tell me you never have or will love me I will leave and not trouble you again. However know this; I will always love only you.” He took another step back, Naruto trying to pull his hand free from his grasp.

The blue eyes looked away from him still breathing hard finding it difficult to get his thoughts to make sense. ‘Why am I fighting this? What do I really want?’ Looking deliberately in the empty sink, “I don’t want things the way they were before.” He looked back in the violet eyes as Shino released his hand and took another step back. “We are not kids and we need to think seriously about our actions before moving into a situation we are not prepared to deal with.” He paused as the violet eyes darkened. “Shino I never want to hurt you like that again. This demon does not want me to find happiness, which is why I believe it attacked you. It is too dangerous I won’t put your life at risk, who knows when it will come forward again and this time finish the job.” His eyes flamed with determination, wanting this man to understand why he is so worried.

Shino stared at his most important person, finally realizing the love he sought from this man already is in full bloom. It brought tears to his eyes that he did not let fall; he smiled at his own lack of foresight. “So you feel for me the same, I too do not want a relationship as we shared before; I desire so much more Naruto.”

Naruto clenched his jaw, scowling at the stubbornness. “Are you hearing what I am saying Shino, we can’t …”

“It is time I explain the reason you need not worry about me defeating that Nine-Tails Demon chakra.” He raised his voice cutting off Naruto mid sentence, the blue eyes blazing at him as he fell silent. Shino leaned against the sink considering the simplest way to explain. “After the ordeal on the mountain, my Kikai were devastated, many of the adults I should say juveniles and young died.” Pausing as he reflected back on his recovery and realization of the extent of damage. “It was difficult for me to except, but I had no choice; after my recovery I began to train and advance other areas of ninja techniques. I needed to give my Kikai a chance to grow and multiply once again. You see, Naruto the chakra devastated the viable population however many pupa and eggs survived as well as enough juveniles to support the newly growing young and queen with astounding results.” A smile stretched across the thin lips as Naruto eyes widened in surprise.

“What happen?”

Shino glanced out the window over the sink a coy smirk on his face. “Like you Naruto, I am more than what people presume and I will eventually show them all.” He turned his violet eyes back to his love, stepping closer to the golden haired ninja. “The survivors assumed the red chakra is another poison that I have come in contact with, thus they evolved to defend against the toxic substance as part of a permanent message to each new generation.” He lifted his fingers to stroke Naruto surprised face. “It is why my Kikai could restrain you earlier with out the adverse affects of before.”

Naruto shook his head in disbelief, even as he realized that Shino was correct, the Kikai trap in the forest held him and drained his strength even though he was releasing a good amount of red chakra. “It doesn’t make sense, how can they defend against chakra, its pure energy.” He trembled as the cool fingers stroked his cheeks lightly, the ninja moving steadily closer again.

“All chakra is energy, white, blue or your red; they did not really defend against it, I should say they have evolved to absorb it like any other chakra and not suffer the ill effects.” Naruto eyes flashed with understanding then closed slightly the longing returning. “In other words, Tenshi I will not loose you to that *Cute Fox*, you are mine and you needn’t worry about a confrontation again, it will not go its way.” He brushed his lips over Naruto enjoying the pulsing heat from both their bodies.

The full lips pushed into the kiss, giving into the warmth surrounding him as the still worried voice spoke from his heart. “What about the population, you said it was devastated, I don’t want you at a disadvantage?” Naruto breathed into their kiss as his arms snaked slowly around Shino’s waist pulling him closer.

“Uhmm” Shino moaned with a smile easing back a few inches from the full mouth. “I know you are not underestimating me Uzumaki. My Kikai have a defense for rapid colony depletion, it took just under a year to rebuild the swarm with the new genetic code. I will tell you I am very happy with this new addition, they have become far more devastating now that they can mimic your chakra as well.” He moved down Naruto’s neck kissing and nipping his love.

“Shino I don’t get it what do you mean mimic?” He pulled at the back of Shino’s shirt lifting it out of the waist of his pants. Then began running his fingers on the bare skin beneath.

The tan fingers gripping into his back squeezing in a manner that welcomed the bug lord to go further he pulled Naruto’s tee shirt over his head tossing it over his shoulder hissing an explanation between kiss. (1)“*Convergent Evolution*, Tenshi.”

“Huh, what?” Naruto pulled the black shirt over Shino’s head tossing it to the side and running his fingers over the tight chest muscles gasping as their bodies pressed together their mouths bouncing up and down on each other.

Shino pulled at the buttons on Naruto’s pants pulling him from the refrigerator and backing him down the hall, he felt the waist of his own pants come loose as Naruto forced him against a wall next to the bath grinding their hips together.

Shino wrapped his arms around the shorter blond-ninja while his pants inched down his thighs. “*It is the process in which organisms,*” He pushed his tongue deeper in Naruto’s mouth his head beginning to swim from their contact, then. “*Not monophyletic, independently evolve similar traits.*” He pushed down Naruto’s pants and boxers; both breathing hard as their bare erections bumped and rubbed together. “*This is as a result of adaptation to the ecological niches or similar environments.*”

“What does that mean in English?” Naruto groaned as Shino nipped at his neck again, the spiraling sensation making him giddy for more from this ninja. The Kikai hummed a tune he never heard before it filled him with nostalgia, he pulled Shino from the wall and pushed open the bathroom door backing him to the shower.

Shino paused, moving back to stare in the passion filled blue eyes, caressing his face softly. “It doesn’t matter Tenshi, I love you.” He leaned down kissing Naruto’s mouth slowly enjoying the feel and sensations flowing through both of them.

Naruto wrapped his arms around the taller ninja, dropping any pretense of uncertainty; he wanted to get close to this man. He eased back from their kiss his head swimming with the erotic connection. “Shino I’m afraid, but I know I want a bond with you.” The blue eyes shimmered with deeper lights as he leaned up kissing around the thin lips.

The warmth filling his heart pressed behind his eyes until it forced its way out. He blinked to clear it away, pulling Naruto into a tighter hold, “Please allow me to wash your hair, my love.” Then he leaned down kissing the full lips.

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Thanks for reading, still going
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution<--This is important to wrapping up my plot at the end, *hehe* Hope you guys enjoy..more lemons soon, first some darkness..