Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Reading Totems ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Author's pre-ramble: Tah Dah! The council meeting! `Yay!' to all my obsessive reviewers who have been stalking my story and faithfully giving me feedback: otakutron, DragonTamer94, TheForsakenOne, tasuki001, Dwarfwarrior, ghostreader14, TheRavenQuoth, sotobell. And if you are a one-time reviewer…gimme some more lovin'! Reviews make the authoress' world go `round.

 

Title: Reading Totems

By: GrizzlyTeddyBear

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and this makes me sad. I do own Paige Stone, my OC!

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 faces the council and gives them a demonstration of her abilities. However, her new totem of the raven has other plans. What is behind the mysterious emotion she feels from the elders?

 

***Chapter 13***

 

Having a meeting in the morning was both a good thing and a bad thing. Paige was happy about having the meeting so early because it would get everything over and done with. She was unhappy about the meeting being so early because it meant she would hardly get any sleep because she would be too nervous. She tossed and turned and tossed some more, but decent sleep wouldn't come. She eventually gave up at 5:00AM and started cross-referencing her notebooks again. She also started to talk to Scarab, the female kikiachu beetle Shino left behind to keep an eye on her. “You're not going to tell him everything that goes on, are you Scarab? Because that might be boring.”

 

Scarab cleaned her antennae in response.

 

“And you aren't coming in the shower with me, are you? Although it might be fun to give that report to Shino, I don't know how much I'd like second hand voyeurism.”

 

Scarab stopped cleaning at this statement for a moment, crawled from Paige's shoulder to her elbow, and then resumed her cleaning.

 

“I'm going nuts…aren't I?” She sighed and watched as Scarab crawled back up to her shoulder. “I guess I didn't realize how much him just being there was such a comfort.” Leaning back to stretch she gave another louder sigh. “I'm hopeless. It's always the tall, dark and mysterious types that I fall for…not that I've ever actually acted on any of those feelings before now. I'm pretty sure he has feelings for me too, but what about everything else that goes with it…his family…him being a ninja…and my lack of, well, everything. You tell him, Scarab, that we need to spend time together to figure some of this out. It's probably going to get complicated.”

 

Scarab didn't appear to agree or disagree, but did appear concerned with the time when she flew over to Paige's clock and landed on the glowing numbers which proudly announced it was 7:00AM.

 

“I guess it's time to start getting ready.” She got up and walked to her bathroom. “Scarab, you are staying on the other side of the room or something…no peeking and telling Shino that I'm just too cute.” Laughing at herself for talking to an insect, she set about showering, eating breakfast, and packing her bag of medicine wheel objects and notebooks.

 

In choosing her outfit for the day, she figured it wouldn't hurt to play up looking innocent. She was aiming for impressions and sadly clothing made impressions on people. Paige chose to wear all white to the meeting with the council and instead of a tank top with her peasant skirt; a plain white shirt was in order. She wasn't sure how her tattoos would go over, so she decided covering them would best. Realizing something rather important, she decided to have one last conversation with Scarab. “Ok. The object is to make the council think I haven't been asking for political favors. So that means you can't be visible, Scarab. I don't know what kind of political weight an Aburame has, but I'd rather play it safe. You have to be under the clothes somewhere at all times.” Surprisingly, Scarab crawled to the edge of her white shirt, and calmly went under the sleeve.

 

All too soon, there was a knock on her front door. `This must be my escort to the meeting,' she thought to herself. Walking over to the door, she sensed three totems on the other side—dolphin, lizard, and peacock. The lizard and peacock felt different though. Puzzled, she opened the door to reveal Iruka, what looked like Mini-Gai, and someone with eyes like Hinata. Remembering what Sakura had told her about Gai having a student eerily like him, and what Kakashi had said during the meeting at the bar, she made a few quick educated guesses. “Hello Iruka, how are you this morning.”

 

“I'm fine Paige, I don't believe you've met these two, but I'm here to vouch for them. They're names are…”

 

She interrupted and spoke to Lee, “You must be Gai's student, Rock Lee. Sakura has told me a little about you.”

 

Lee struck a pose and proclaimed, “I, Rock Lee, will protect you, Paige Stone, while en route to your council meeting or I will run 1000 laps around Konoha!”

 

`Peacock indeed,' Paige thought, `He's just as bad as Gai was!' Turning her attention to the other newcomer, she continued aloud, “I'm going to guess you are Hyuga Neji, but may I ask you a question?”

 

Tilting his head to the side, he answered, “Yes.”

 

“How are you and Hinata related? I noticed you share the same eyes.”

 

“Cousins from different branches of the Hyuga clan. She is of the main family and I am of the branch family.”

 

She felt slight tones of resentment behind the words, but decided not to press it. Family problems would have to be worked out another day. Instead she said, “Thank you for telling me.” To both of the newcomers she stated, “Please call me Paige.” And looking once again at Iruka she added, “I'm ready to go. Let's get this over with.”

 

Iruka gave a chuckle, “Nervous?”

 

“Like you wouldn't believe.” She looked at the ground while playing with the edge of her shirt.

 

A hand landed on her shoulder and she looked up into Iruka's eyes, “You'll be fine. We're all here to make sure of that.”

 

She smiled, “I know, but I hate playing politics. Too many opportunities to say something and then have your own words used against you. It's a brain-twisting, double-talking endurance trial that I can live without.”

 

Neji smirked, “You've done this before.”

 

“Something similar…and I hated every moment of it, but let's get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner it ends.” And with that the group of four made their walk to Hokage Tower and the council meeting. Lee was quiet during the journey, which took her slightly by surprise, but she vowed to herself to stop judging Gai and Lee by their wacky poses. Paige felt butterflies in her stomach multiply as they walked closer. To keep her anxiety down, she started to think of her meditations over the past week. This eventually led to thoughts of Shino and how she wished he was there. She must have given a rather loud sigh or some outside sign of her feelings because Neji spoke up next.

 

“What is wrong?” He turned what she figured were the Hyuga clan's eyes on her.

 

“Nothing really. Naruto, Kiba, and Shino are on a mission…I just wouldn't have minded a few extra friends in the crowd if I could've gotten away with it.”

 

Guessing some of her true feelings, his reply shocked her. “They will all return safely.”

 

She smiled in reply. They walked into Hokage Tower and through its winding hallways in silence. Paige began to mentally prepare herself for the meeting by tapping into her spiritual connection and calling on her totem of the grizzly bear. She felt the immediate sensations of safety, comfort, courage, and protection that came from her connection with her totem. It wasn't an answer from Mudjekeewis the Spirit Keeper, but that was ok. (It was actually shocking the Spirit Keeper had graced her with his presence as often as he had.) When they arrived at the door leading into the meeting room, she was more calm and relaxed. Iruka's voice disrupted the silence, “This is my stop. Only jounin get to go in. I'll see you when you leave the meeting, Paige.” He smiled and waved as he walked back from where the group had just come from.

 

Paige noted his choice of words…whether or not the meeting was over, he would see her when she decided to leave the meeting. It looked like Shikamaru's plans were in action. Turning back to her remaining escorts, she nodded. “Alright, I'm ready.” Neji and Lee each held one door open, and Paige walked through with her head held high into a room which held more ninjas than she ever thought would be in once place, and more ninjas than she thought would ever be interested in her. It was intimidating. Feeling the wave of emotions and totems trying to make themselves known, she closed her connection to the spiritual slightly in order to concentrate more on the meeting.

 

She walked to the center of the room, bowed in respect to the council, and waited for instructions. It was a little awkward with her bag of medicine wheel items dangling while she held the bow. Directly in front of her were who she assumed were the three elders due to…well, they looked old. Tsunade sat behind and slightly above them. Behind Tsunade and slightly to the left was Jiraiya. To Paige's right and left sides, she was going to assume were the heads of the clans of Konohagakure, noting Sasuke sat with them. She recognized some physical similarities the other clan leaders held with some of her recently made friends, and made mental notes of this. Lining the back wall which held the door she had recently walked through, were the jounin of Konoha. Tsunade broke the silence which seemed to have stretched for a long period of time while Paige held her bow. “Rise. Welcome to the Council of Konohagakure.”

 

She decided formality was definitely called for in this situation. “Thank you, Hokage-sama. It is an honor to stand before the council.” After saying this, Paige finally ended her bow and straightened to look Tsunade in the eye.

 

“You, Paige Stone, were brought here, before the council, because of your unique abilities and your status as a civilian who wishes to become a resident of Konoha. You have already been given medical clearance. Do you have any questions before the meeting begins?” It was one of the elders who said this…one of the two men. Paige needed to fix not knowing the names of people.

 

“If the council would indulge me in introducing themselves, I would be most honored.” Paige sketched another quick bow of just her head, not knowing if she was being presumptuous or not. She also planned on finally paying attention to the totems and emotions which were coming through as each council member was introduced…cataloging each of them with the proper face and name in her mind. She opened her connection with the spiritual wider. Her totem of ravens immediately tried to make itself known, but she concentrated on the faces before her.

 

The woman elder smiled at Paige. “Of course, dear.” The introductions began. “I am Utatane Koharu, elder of the village. My fellow elders are Mitokado Homura and Danzo.” Koharu pointed to the men to her left and right respectively. She bowed again after the introductions were made. Paige sensed the golden eagle, symbol of wisdom and farsightedness, as the collective totem of the elders, but there was something else at the back of her mind…an unfamiliar emotion that refused naming for now.

 

Tsunade waved for the head of the clans to introduce themselves next. Paige did her best to not let the familiarity of the clan names show on her face. She really had no idea the friends she kept making were in line with such political influence. Slowly, down one side of the room, and then down the other, the heads of clan's introduced themselves. She made mental notes of each of their totems and any emotions she sensed from them.

 

“Aburame Shibi.” Paige struggled to not blink in shock. Apparently Aburames carried a lot of political influence. She did not know exactly how Shino was related to Shibi, but they carried the same totem of beetle. They also shared the same fashion sense with high collared shirts that obscured the view of the bottom half of his face and dark sun-glasses. Paige figured it was a family thing. She was also pretty sure Shibi knew of Scarab because of the family bond with kikaichu. Things would definitely get complicated if that was let out.

 

“Akimichi Choza.” Like Choji, Choza held no totem. However, she sensed generally friendly and inquisitive emotions from the Akimichi. Also like Choji, he was enjoying a snack in the middle of a meeting.

 

“Hyuga Hiashi.” Another lizard totem, but this one was by far the most powerful she had ever sensed. Once again her totem of ravens attempted to take her attention away from the faces in front of her, and she was forced to ask it to wait.

 

“Inuzuka Tsume.” Another dog totem like Kiba. Paige noted the red facial markings also seemed to be a family affair. A large dog missing one ear and wearing an eye patch sat at her feet.

 

“Nara Shikaku.” Another deer totem like Shikamaru.

 

“Uchiha Sasuke.” He gave a slight smile to her as he introduced himself. Paige returned the slight smile with a nod of her head.

 

“Yamanaka Inoichi.” Like Ino, Inoichi held the totem of bees. Paige sensed that he was less influenced by the fertility and more influenced by the `honey of life' philosophy of the bee totem.

 

Tsunade then motioned for the jounin to introduce themselves. Paige turned around in order to be able to place names with faces. She was slightly surprised to see that she recognized many of them, but that made it easier to know their totems. She also noticed Sakura wasn't among them.

 

“Hatake Kakashi.” Like Sasuke, he gave Paige a smile as he introduced himself, and she smiled back with a nod of her head.

 

“Maito Gai.”

 

“Morino Ibiki.” She found him intimidating. His gaze was piercing and Paige fought the urge to shiver under the weight of it. Ibiki's totem was one of the owl, seeker of the truth and wisdom, but sometimes the owl brought the darker side of the truth also, that people do not wish to see. Paige sensed that Ibiki knew and understood the darker side truth could have.

 

“Hyuga Neji.”

 

“Rock Lee.”

 

“Shiranui Genma.”

 

“Shizune.” Waboose also walked with this one. Paige wondered if Shizune was another student of Tsunade.

 

“Yuhi Kurenai.” Ravens followed her. Paige fought the urge to immediately ask the ravens for their messages from the dead, but decided to approach Kurenai privately later.

 

“Mitarashi Anko.” She felt her eyes widen slightly. She couldn't help it. Snakes. Anko had the totem of snakes. Paige felt there was a connection with Orochimaru, but was unsure of what it was. Anko's snakes were different. As a symbol of resurrection and rebirth, the snake is a two sided totem. Orochimaru's snakes held the destruction portion of rebirth, while Anko's snakes held those of healing and change. She felt other knowledge come to her from the snake totem. Sasuke had been influenced by the snake in his past. It felt of Orochimaru's snakes…ones of destruction. She was glad that he was no longer under such influence. Paige now understood more of his reactions to her reading of his thunderbird totem. Paige turned to face the elders and Tsunade once more.

 

“Thank you.” Paige was now sensing totems from areas of the room which she could see no one standing it. She recognized the totems. They were beetle, fox with frog, and dog. Unthinking, she smiled. She knew the mission Shino, Naruto, and Kiba had been sent on. Tsunade probably made them start a day early to confuse Paige. They were the ANBU assigned to the council meeting. She also understood how Shino would be there for her if she needed him. She was sensing his totem directly above her! Naruto and Kiba stood in opposite corners of the room—Naruto by the Hokage and Kiba by the jounin.

 

The council did not appear to know the reason why she smiled though, because Tsunade took control of the meeting once more. “The council wishes a demonstration of your abilities.”

 

“Do you wish readings?” she asked.

 

Tsunade nodded.

 

“There are some whom I have already given readings. I offer the choice they tell their own stories if they so wish it.”

 

In response to this Sasuke and Kakashi stepped forward to tell their story of how they met Paige and the totem readings she gave them. They included her knowledge and reading of Naruto's fox spirit. Paige felt the butterflies try to return to her stomach with the emotions of the council turned from curiosity to shock and alarm. She called on her totem of the grizzly bear and the calming effect it had on her. Sasuke also included his report of his observations with his Sharingan. Paige thought quickly about the Hyuga clan and got Sasuke's attention that she wished to interrupt him. Once she gained Sasuke's attention, she looked toward Hiashi and said, “Hyuga-sama, I understand your clan has the Byakugan. You may also look with your other eyes during the demonstration if you so wish it. I'm sure the council would be interested in your observations as well.”

 

Hiashi nodded in reply. His face did not betray anything, but she was sensing curiosity from him.

 

Turning back to Sasuke, she motioned she was done. Sasuke nodded, but he did not continue. Instead he turned back to Tsunade who said, “You may conduct your readings as you see fit.”

 

Paige nodded and finally removed her bag of medicine items. However, she paused. Deciding to take a gamble and show the council some of her stubborn side, she spoke, “There are three which I refuse to read.” She was hit with a wave of emotions ranging from outrage to amusement. She knew the amusement was from Shino. He alone probably knew the most of what the council was in for.

 

“Name them.” It was the first time Danzo had spoke, and she again sensed an emotion from the elders…from him that was reluctant to be named. More ravens also followed this emotion. Once more they vied for her attention and she asked them to wait.

 

“I cannot,” was her simple reply.

 

“You would refuse the council?” was Danzo indignant response. He thought she was simply being insubordinate.

 

“It is not a question of insubordination. Am I correct in my knowledge that revealing the identity of ANBU is strictly forbidden?” Paige tried to fight the smirk on her face….she really did, but she failed miserably when the look of shock plastered itself on nearly every face in the meeting room. Two emotions besides the shock made it through to her. Amusement from Shino. And the now named and unbridled RAGE from Danzo. It was staggering…no wonder ravens followed him. He had probably killed many in his rage.

 

It was the other elder who seemed to regain composure first, Mitokado. “You see through genjutsu?”

 

She shook her head, “No. I can sense their totems, and those are known to me.”

 

“What are their totems?” inquired one of the heads of the clans. Paige was reluctant to turn to face them to discover which clan head it was. She was keeping an eye on Danzo.

 

“To reveal their totems might also reveal their identities.” Pausing for a moment, she offered, “I can tell you their locations in the room, but nothing more.” There was a murmur throughout the room. It was the sense of anticipation which gave her some hope that things may go well for this part of the meeting at least.

 

“You may proceed,” replied Danzo. However, he said this as though it left a sour taste in his mouth.

 

Paige decided against just announcing the locations. She had a habit of liking to be dramatic. She first pointed straight above her. Looking up, she could now see Shino in his ANBU uniform…and wishing she could see under the uniform. A somehow gravity defying black hooded cloak. Mask covering his face. Sword strapped to his back. Reigning in her thoughts she then pointed to the corner behind the Hokage opposite of the one Jiraiya occupied. Naruto in his ANBU uniform appeared. Lastly, she pointed to Kiba's position without turning her body, and by the murmurs which followed, she guessed he revealed himself also. Deciding to sketch a small bow of respect Paige decided to continue with being a little forceful with the council. “I can begin by explaining my medicine wheel now, if the council desires.”

 

Tsunade smirked and motioned with her hand.

 

Paige took it as a sign to continue and proceeded to set up her medicine wheel. She then gave the council a brief explanation of the wheel, much like she had with Shino before his reading. Again, she paused and looked to the council for permission. “I would like to record these readings with the council's approval. Sometimes messages are revealed over the course of several days and they are unclear unless records are kept. I will hand them over at the conclusion of the meeting if you wish to look them over.” She got out a fresh notebook as she was saying this. Paige wasn't about to hand them over all of her notes! She waited while the elders talked this over. Eventually they nodded making sure she understood she was handing them over. She sunk into her ritual with the medicine wheel. Paige then turned to the elders, intending to give them, the clan heads, and jounin readings, one by one. When she came to Sasuke, she hesitated slightly and bowed once more. “I apologize, Uchiha-sama,” Sasuke's eyes widened at the formality she used, “I feel it is necessary to tell of my deeper understanding of your thunderbird through the influence snakes had over you in the past.”

 

Sasuke nodded with understanding in his eyes. Paige was grateful for his understanding. She was worried about bringing up old wounds. The rest of the council had not been so calm. There was an eruption of murmurs and whispers. She could make out a few statements of “cursed-seal” and “Orochimaru” and “She's a liability.”

 

Paige winced at that last statement, but she couldn't help some people's opinions. Instead she proceeded to tell the council of the snakes which had influence on Sasuke. Deciding on breaking her previous plan she continued with the theme of snakes. “Uchiha-sama is not the only one in this room influenced by snakes.” She turned towards the back of the room. “Anko-san, you have also had snakes in your life, although you now use their ability of rebirth to bring healing to the previous destructive forces they held over your life.”

 

The jounin she was reading just looked back at Paige with wide eyes and clenched fists.

 

Paige played a hunch of something she thought the medicine wheel was attempting to tell her about Anko. She softened her stance and eyes, took a small steps forward with her hands out to her sides in a calming gesture. “Orochimaru can only hurt you in your dreams if you give him that power. The snakes you carry are your own now. Do not think of him when you use them. Think of those you wish to protect.”

 

Anko and the rest of the jounin looked dumb-founded…including Kakashi and Ibiki.

 

Paige slowly turned around when she noticed the utter silence of the rest of the room. She addressed the silent room. “My gift is that of knowledge, but also a gift of healing of the spirit. It is the path Wakan Tanka has set me upon. It is the path that has lead me to Konoha.” Paige relaxed further into her connection with the spiritual…her connection with her totems…the grizzly bear…her new connection with ravens…

 

Indulging in the connection with the ravens was a mistake. Suddenly the room swayed beneath her. Falling to one knee, she felt a flash of Concern before noticing the presence beside her. Turning her head to her right, she recognized the beetle totem of Shino. He was crouched next to her. “Too many ravens…too many deaths…so many messages ungiven,” was all she could say hoarsely with gasping breathe and unfocused eyes. She was losing control. Mudjekeewis told her to use caution, and she should have heeded his warning better.

 

Shino nodded and helped Paige into a sitting position. He appeared to hesitate as to what to do next.

 

Paige was also torn. She wanted comfort, but she couldn't ask for it now. It was dangerous that Shino was showing her this much favor over his orders to protect the council. “Notebook,” she managed to get out while trying not to be overwhelmed by the ravens. She was holding her head in her hands now, as if that would keep the ravens out.

 

He nodded and retrieved her notebook and a pen for her. Shino was a tense coil of worry. Paige understood his worry.

 

She hadn't had a chance to write in the notebook yet, but that was ok. She needed a way to tell Tsunade about Danzo's rage and his ravens…she had a sense there was something deeper there. Such a strong emotion was definitely dangerous in someone of such power. After writing the message down, ripping out the page, and folding it over, she again managed to speak, “Medical…Tsunade.”

 

Another pair of feet appeared next to Paige. Looking up she recognized Jiraiya. He remembered from yesterday. “You should have asked her medical questions first.” He turned to the jounin in the back of the room. “Take her home…I'll send for Haruno at the hospital. The council has seen enough. They will decide now.”

 

Shino looked at her from behind his mask, and she felt what she could only describe as a question of permission from him.

 

“Grounding first, home later.”

 

He nodded, and carefully made to pick up her up in his arms. Supporting her by placing one arm underneath her legs and the other around her back under her arms, he walked over to Gai, and handed her off. Patience…permission?

 

Paige understood. She turned to Gai, who was ready to leave and walking towards the door, “Wait…He wants us to wait.” She looked back at Shino and nodded, giving him permission to pack her medicine bag items. As Shino was packing Paige began to lose her battle of fighting the overwhelming messages of the ravens. “Kurenai…”

 

The red eyed jounin appeared next to her. “You've done enough, Paige.” She started to walk back to her original position.

 

Paige couldn't stop it though. She grabbed Kurenai's arm and started talking. “Ravens listen when you visit the dead and talk to stones to tell the smoking man you still love him…” Kurenai's attention snapped back to her at that. “He still loves you too…and your son.”

 

Her red eyes softened and she squeezed Paige's arm. “Thank you.”

 

Paige smiled. More messages passed her lips. Her knowledge of Orochimaru once more came through, the Yondaime's love of Konoha, the sadness of the Uchiha massacre, the pain of the division of the Hyuga clan, the greed of Akatsuki… Another hand squeezed her arm and she looked back at Shino who was now wearing her bag. She felt him silently ask for permission again, and she nodded.

 

He motioned to Gai to hand her back to him.

 

Gai hesitated…he must have wanted to follow Shikamaru's plan. He also must have been a little unnerved at Paige's ramblings.

 

She looked up at Gai, and struggled to speak past the ravens. “He understands best. Trust him.”

 

Gai hesitated a second longer, but gently handed Paige back over to Shino while the council was watching the whole exchange.

 

Paige sighed and relaxed into Shino, still whispering messages from ravens, but not knowing what she said any longer.

 

He gave her a light squeeze, before taking a window out of the meeting room.

 

Paige had a vague sense of wind in her face and jumping, but only knew she somehow ended up in their clearing. Being out of the meeting room helped a little and stopped the uncontrolled messages, but she still needed to recenter herself. “Sit in a tree?” she asked.

 

Shino nodded and leapt up into one of the trees, carefully sitting on a branch large enough for the two of them. He moved his sword to lean his back against the truck of the tree, but didn't let go of Paige.

 

That was fine with her. She adjusted herself a little in his embrace and tried to bury her head in his chest. She felt the hard armor underneath his black cloak. She wished she could use his ANBU armor or his beetle totem's armor to protect her. “I'm sorry.” Her feet were now dangling off the tree branch on one side while Shino held onto her by her waist.

 

His response was to run his fingers through her hair in a comforting gesture. “Grounding.”

 

She nodded. Paige began to concentrate on her connection with the tree. Feeling how it was connected with both the earth through its roots and Wakan Tanka by its leaves reaching high into the sky. She felt warmth and comfort through her connection with the spiritual and relaxed more into Shino's embrace.

 

After several moments of grounding with the tree she felt her own emotions catch up to her. She had been experiencing the emotions of the dead through her messages from the ravens; her own emotions now wanted the attention they deserved. She began to let them out, the only way she knew how. Paige started shaking in Shino's arms. She tried to burrow further into his armor in a vain attempt to not have him see her like this. His arms tightened further around her waist and he tucked her head underneath his masked chin. As sobs racked Paige's body, Shino attempted to calm her by talking in soft, soothing tones. She didn't understand the words, but listened to the muffled rumbling of his voice through his chest. Paige concentrated on the low rumblings of his voice and her shuddering slowly began to subside. Shino continued to talk in soothing tones to her. And soon…emotionally drained…she fell asleep in his arms in the tree.

 

***

 

Author's post-ramble: So…what do ya think? And if you're wondering why Danzo…is `why not?' a viable answer? Very little is known about him besides his unapologetic previous selling of secrets to Orochimaru in the past. Oh yeah, anyone who honestly saw where I was going with Shino leaving mysterious and then reappearing, raise your hand…cause I wanna know how well I'm keeping my readers on their toes! I'm trying hard to not be a cookie-cutter fic that is made up of over-used Naruto plot devises although I know I have some of them mixed in here. I'm hoping next chapter succeeds in surprising you guys too…whee! *authoress jumps up and down clapping hands* This is too much fun for me!