Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Reading Totems ❯ Chapter 20 ( Chapter 20 )

Author's pre-ramble: Yes! I'm still alive!! My move is this weekend. I am mostly packed. The original plan was post from my new location…but I'm bored right now and have decided to post early. Thank you to otakutron, DragonTamer94, TheForsakenOne, tasuki001, Dwarfwarrior, ghostreader14, TheRavenQuoth, sotobell, interestingstuff, mousetrap, and DemanFox for your kind reviews, questions, and comforting words!

 

Everyone have a grip on their pants? `Cause here's where I turn your world upside-down!!

 

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: The meaning of the raven's visit to Paige's dreams is revealed. She is told to find someone who knows some of what is going on and struggles to find them before its too late.

 

***Chapter 20***

 

They arrived in a small puff of smoke in a living room that Paige didn't recognize. Hands grabbed her shoulders a little roughly, forcing her to look up into Shino's worried face. It was clearly visible since in their effort to get to safety as quickly as possible, neither had bothered dressing properly.

 

“My father's house. He'll keep you safe.” As he was speaking, Shibi entered the room looking like he was used to unannounced visits in the early hours of the morning. Shino turned to his father, “Paige's building is no longer secure.”

 

Shibi gave curt nod, “She'll be safe with me.”

 

Shino turned back to Paige, “Stay safe. I have to go back to help with evacuations. Do you know what we should be looking for?”

 

She shook her head, “No. Just that a lot of people are going to die…” Her eyes widened, and she grasped his arms almost desperately. “Tamiko…Shino, try to find her! Please!”

 

“I will do what I can.” He gave her a bone crushing hug. “I have to go.”

 

Paige nodded. “I'll see what I can figure out from the ravens. You stay safe, too. Come back alive.”

 

Shino nodded and gave a small smile of encouragement to her. Taking a step back, he vanished from her sight in another swirl of smoke.

 

Turning to face Shibi, she announced, “I need to borrow you floor to work with my medicine wheel. I'm going to try…” An explosion interrupted her explanation of what she was going to do. The sound was loud enough to rattle the floors of the house. She ran to the window to view a large plume of smoke and the glowing red of a large fire. “Shino,” she breathed. The sight was horrible enough to shake Paige. There was no longer an apartment building. Several of the surrounding buildings also looked to have taken some damage. A large hand landed on her shoulder, startling her from gazing out of the window.

 

“He is unharmed.” The clan leader of the Aburame stated.

 

Searching his face she asked, “How can you be sure?”

 

“I have my own kikaichu looking after him. He is my only son.” He guided Paige away from the window. “You have your own work to do. How can I help?”

 

With effort, she threw herself into the task at hand. She set down her bags in the middle of the floor and began to set up her medicine wheel. “I need space to work with the medicine wheel. I need to ask the ravens for any messages or anything else they would be willing to give us. I'm pretty sure I was the target. We need information about who set this up and why to see if it has any connection with Danzo.” After she had arranged her belongings for the medicine wheel she continued, “Whatever happens, don't touch me. It jars me back into the physical too rapidly.” She lay down next to the medicine wheel. It was a pretty safe bet that with all of the recently dead, the ravens would be over-run with messages. It was safer to start lying down instead of fainting. With an apology to the spirits for her lack of cleansing and offering, she let herself open the connection with ravens wide and let anything and everything come in. Paige would sort it all out later.

 

***

 

“Kaasan! Tousan! Where are you!?!”

 

“Have you seen my son?! Please help me find…”

 

“Where am I!?”

 

“Nooo!!”

 

Paige struggled through the swarm of ravens. They swirled with all of the souls needing to cross over.

 

“My arm! My arm!”

 

“Help me! Can anyone hear me!?”

 

With all of the recently dead, there had to be one with information for her. She had to focus more, damn it! There was a danger in losing herself among all of the souls crossing over. Focus and determination were going to be what got her through. With a sudden inspiration, she concentrated more on her connection with her grizzly bear totem. The effect was almost immediate. Courage and determination came to her, allowing her to calm her frantic mind and focus.

 

“Paige!”

 

Hearing her name called out was unusual. Looking around to see who would call out to her in her own vision with such a panicked tone, she spotted the soul of an elderly woman being carried by a raven. She whispered into the swarm. “Brothers, I beg of you to let me speak with her before she crosses over.”

 

The woman suddenly appeared before her, being held by the largest raven she had ever seen. “Paige! You have to find Tamiko! They took her! They took my granddaughter! They killed me in front of her! Please!”

 

She didn't want to reach out to the woman, not knowing what touching the dead would do, but she needed this woman calm. She echoed Shino's parting words to her. “I'll do what I can. Please, tell me why they took her. Can you tell me who they are?”

 

“It was too dark…I couldn't see. I only know they were surprised and angry…kept talking about their leader not being pleased unless you were captured or killed. They burst into our apartment, grabbed her, killed me, and then I was watching them use her to lead shinobi away from the explosives and then kill them. After that I was here.” The woman's eyes became pleading, “Please, I know you can help her! She must be so scared to be left alone again.”

 

“I'll do what I can,” she repeated. Paige turned to the raven carrying the soul, “Thank you brother. I apologize for disrupting your duties.” She was not expecting a reply.

 

“It is an honor to serve the one who serves Wakan Tanka. Ask us, and we will give what is within our power.” The raven then gave a strangely regal bow and flew off to let the woman cross over.

 

***

 

With a sharp intake of breath, she was back to being on the floor in Shibi's living room. A hand appeared in front of her and she let it help her into a sitting position. Holding her head in her hands to try and gather her courage for what she needed to do, she slowly turned to Shibi. “I need your help. And Shino's not going to like it.”

 

“I said I would keep you safe.”

 

She met his determined gaze with one of her own. “I need to go back to the building to try and find someone who has information. She was used as a hostage. She might be able to help us find the identities of those responsible for this.” She was surprised when she was helped up by Shibi.

 

He gave her a lop-sided grin that Paige recognized Shino possessed as well. “I said I would keep you safe. I never said anything about keeping you here. You have your own duties to Konoha.” He shifted his gourd, turned his back to her, and crouched slightly. “Get on my back. We have to run there since I don't know the damaged area well enough to manage a teleportation jutsu anymore.”

 

Climbing onto his back she squeezed his shoulders, “Thank you.”

 

Shibi gave a small nod and then took off in a sprint that startled Paige with its speed and agility. He ran through the streets making them into a blur, seeing obstacles and taking to the rooftops to avoid them with an ease and grace that made Paige briefly wonder what shinobi were made of.

 

She then turned her attention to the quickly approaching scene of fire and chaos that used to be her apartment building. Calling on her grizzly bear totem to draw more courage to beat back the waves of terror that seeing the scale of destruction was causing, Paige gave a small prayer to the dead for a safe journey and then leapt off of Shibi's back when they arrived. The fire was threatening to rage out of control and spread to the buildings already demolished by the force of the blast. Shinobi were running into and out of all of the buildings, regardless of fire, to try and rescue any survivors. Seeing a face she recognized along the perimeter containing lookers-on, she ran towards them and began calling out. “Hinata! Hinata!”

 

“Paige! Thank the kami you're alright. But you shouldn't be here. Shino said he took you to safety.”

 

“I'm where I need to be.” She grabbed onto Hinata. “I need your help. There was someone in the building who knows who did this. Her name is Tamiko, a student of Iruka's. She's a six year old little girl with bright red hair and deep blue eyes. She was used as a hostage. Her grandmother told me to help her before she crossed-over.” She tried to explain, but didn't know if she was making any sense.

 

“I'll see what I can find with my Byakugan.” Hinata was pure determination now.

 

“Thank you.” Scanning the area for any other familiar faces, she spotted Genma and ran towards him…and the raging fire. “Genma! Coyote-san!”

 

“Paige! Are you crazy! They were probably after you. Get out of here!” He shouted above the roar of the flames.

 

“No! I have a job here as well! I need to find a little girl named Tamiko. She's a student of Iruka's, six years old, red hair, blue eyes. She was a hostage and could have information about who did this! She's still alive!” Paige felt as if the fire she was watching was the fire of her own resolve.

 

“There's no one left alive here! Get out of here in case they come back!”

 

“Paige!” The shout caused her to turn around, and she spotted Shibi running towards her. “Hinata could not find anything with her Byakugan, but she spoke with the other medics. A girl fitting Tamiko's description was taken to the hospital. She was badly injured.”

 

“Take me there.” Turning back to Genma, she added, “If you want any more women in your future, Coyote-san, you keep your ass in one piece!” Without waiting for any reply, she climbed back on to Shibi's back, and they took off towards the hospital.

 

When they arrived, he set her down just outside of the doors and grabbed her arm to prevent her from rushing in. “Let me find out where she is for you. It will be difficult for you to ask.”

 

As they walk in through the main entrance, Paige understood. It was a different kind of chaos, but chaos nonetheless. Nurses and medics ran back and forth tending to wounded. The main desk was swamped with too many people wanting to know about the status of loved ones. She turned to Shibi, “Go for it.”

 

Instead of a reply he sent out a small swarm of kikaichu which spread out in different directions, including the front desk. After a few moments he announced, “She was moved up to surgery on the second floor.” He looked down at her, “Her injuries do not look good.”

 

Looking back up into his serious face, she replied, “Stairs or elevator?”

 

“Stairs,” he turned to lead the way and Paige trailed after him. They must have made an odd scene. Their clothes slightly stained by the smoke, Paige still wearing Shino's jacket over her sleep clothes, and Shibi wearing the Aburame clan high collared, long tailed shirt with sun-glasses.

 

They arrived at the proper surgery room on the second floor and were met by a frantic Iruka. “Paige! Thank kami you're alright.” He gripped her in a bone-crushing hug. “It's Tamiko…she's…” He pulled back and looked at her in the eyes, “I'm here until they find her Obaasan.”

 

Giving him a look of sincere apology and sympathy, she told him what she knew he didn't want to hear. “Her Obaasan has crossed-over.” She led him back to a small row of seats near the surgery room and sat next to him. “It was actually her grandmother that sent me to look for her. Tamiko was used as a hostage and probably knows something about the people who did this.”

 

“She called out your name—said you were in danger.”

 

Nodding she confirmed his suspicions. “I was the target.”

 

Following that statement, Sakura emerged from the surgery room with a grave look on her face. Spotting Paige, she gave a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. “I'm glad to see you safe, Paige.” She turned to Iruka and shook her head, “I'm sorry. The damage to her chakra network is too severe.”

 

Paige grabbed Iruka's hand as she stood up and addressed Sakura. “Can we see her to say our good-byes?”

 

“Yes. But I don't know how long she will stay conscious.”

 

“That doesn't matter. Please find Tsunade-sama. Tamiko has information about what happened. I'm going to get it from her.” Seeing the concerned looks on the faces of Iruka and Sakura, she added, “I'm not going to hurt her. Just talk with her.” Paige turned to Shibi, “You can come in, or not. It's up to you.”

 

“I promised to keep you safe. I will stand guard inside.”

 

With that announcement, Paige walked through the doors and walked over to a large bed containing the small form of Tamiko. She could only see her face above the covers. A face badly burned, with much of the beautiful red hair gone and what was left was turned to a deep burgundy color by a combination of scorching heat and blood. Her eyes were closed and her brows were pinched. Cautiously moving to the side of the bed, she reached out her hand to rest next to one covered with a sheet. “Tami-chan.”

 

Blue eyes opened to look at the ceiling.

 

“Tami-chan. It's Paige and Iruka-sensei,” she called softly. “We've come to say hi.”

 

“Paige? Safe?”

 

“Yeah, sweetie, I'm safe.” She moved into Tamiko's field of vision so she wouldn't have to turn her head.

 

“Iruka-sensei?”

 

“Hi, Tami-chan. Paige has some questions for you. You need to try and answer them, ok?” Iruka walked to stand at the opposite side of the bed from Paige.

 

“Ok.” Her brows furrowed further. “They hurt Obaachan.”

 

“I know,” comforted Paige, “But I know that you'll see her soon. She sent me to find you and make sure you were safe.”

 

“Bad men.”

 

“The worst kind,” agreed Paige. “I have my first question for you. Are you ready?” At a small nod, she continued, “I want to know if you see any birds in the room.” She opened her connection with ravens as she asked. She also felt some confusion coming from Iruka.

 

“Yes.” Raven.

 

She was actually hoping for this. The dying are closer to the spiritual realm and often see things that the living do not. “Great. He is a raven and he's here to help you. I want you to know that he is a very special friend of mine. Not many people can see him. And because you can see him, you are extra special.”

 

“Another friend?”

 

“Yup. He's a special friend because he helps people find each other. He can help you find your Kaasan, Tousan, and Obaasan. He can also help the pain go away.” Paige reached out and lightly stroked the burnt hair. “But you need to tell him everything that happened tonight. You need to tell him everything you can remember about the bad men. What they looked like, what they said…everything. If you tell him all of that. He will take you to see your family again.”

 

“Hurts to talk.”

 

“I'm sorry, Tami-chan.” She thought for a moment. “If you close your eyes, can you still see my raven friend?”

 

Obediently, Tamiko closed her eyes. “Yes.”

 

“Then you're in for a treat!” Paige leaned to whisper into her ear. “All you have to do is imagine yourself talking to him. Alright, Tami-chan? I want you to do that for me now. Try really hard not to forget anything. After you're done you'll be with your family, where the bad men and bullies can't hurt you anymore.” She leaned back to close her own eyes and feel her connection with her ravens. Silently asking the ravens for the information from Tamiko, she watched and listened as the message was relayed. When she felt Tamiko's head roll into the hand that was stroking her burnt hair, Paige sent up a small prayer that her journey to the other side was a swift reunion with her family. Standing back up, she opened her eyes to look at the tear stained face of Iruka with tears in her own eyes. “She's crossed-over. She loved you very much. You were a hero in her eyes.”

 

Iruka walked over to her and gave her another hug. “You gave her peace. It was beautiful.”

 

Paige finally gave in to her own emotions and hugged the teacher back. She cried into his vest, “I just hope its enough.”

 

“Paige,” Shibi softly called from the doors. “Tsunade-sama is here. Shino is here also.”

 

She pulled away from Iruka and walked towards Shibi and the doors leading out of the surgery room. She didn't want to reach out with her gifts to judge his mood. “If he's angry with us, then you get to walk out first to run interference.”

 

“He'll understand, Paige.”

 

“Right.” She wiped away the tears on her face with the sleeve of Shino's jacket. “Let's do this.” She motioned for Shibi to walk out first anyway. Paige wanted something between her and any stares she would receive when exiting the room of a now dead little girl. Iruka brushed past her to go over and talk with the others in the hallway. Glancing around the hall to locate Tsunade, she noted the forms of Shino talking with Sakura…Naruto and Ibiki were standing next to the Hokage. She gave a small shake of her head over to Sakura, knowing she would understand. Paige couldn't meet the gaze of Shino. Going over to him would mean she would feel safe enough to break down, and she needed to keep it together just a little bit longer. She walked over to Tsunade, “I have information, Hokage-sama.”

 

“The girl?” questioned Ibiki.

 

Paige figured he wanted to question her himself, but that was impossible for him. “With her family now…she's crossed-over, but she told a raven what she knew about who did this.” Paige paused to collect her thoughts. “She was used as a hostage to distract some shinobi from the explosive tags planted around the building and then she watched them kill the shinobi, like she had watched them kill her Obaasan. Because of the darkness she couldn't see much, but she did see their clothing: high-collared, black cloaks with large red clouds on them and straw hats obscuring most of their faces.” Paige watched the shocked expression on Tsunade's and Naruto's faces. “They didn't identify themselves at Akatsuki, but I'm aware of the…similarities in appearances. They did specifically mention me as the target of their operation. I was supposed to be kidnapped, but security was too tight for them. They opted for the next best thing, killing me.” Her voiced started to waver. “They…they tossed her back…into the building…just before…”

 

Strong arms encircled her and pressed her against an orange and black torso. Naruto's voice interrupted her thoughts of Tamiko. “It wasn't your fault.”

 

Anger was quick to displace self-blame and grief. She struggled out of the embrace. “Don't patronize me, Naruto! We both know that if I hadn't been in that building, if I couldn't do what it is that I do, that a lot more people would be alive right now!” she shouted. Paige didn't care who heard the outburst, but felt the anger dissipate some. She whispered, “I only knew some of what was happening because of a vision in my sleep. Tamiko didn't have that luxury.” She turned to Tsunade, “How many dead?”

 

The Hokage's eyes softened, “It wasn't your fault, Paige. I made the decision to keep you in that building because of everything you had to go through. I felt familiar surroundings would do you some good. No one thought anyone would go through such extreme measures, or we would have attempted to prepare for them. Losses are part of living in a shinobi village. You will have to come to terms with that if you are to stay here.”

 

Paige nodded, but asked her question again anyway, “How many dead?” A voice behind her answered and caused her to turn around.

 

“Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and I were able to get 10 to safety. Including you and me, there are 12 survivors and 164 dead.” Shino voice was soft and calming.

 

“If Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji are safe, who were the shinobi Tamiko saw?” Paige wondered aloud.

 

Taking a few steps closer to Paige he answered. “Back-up called in to help with the evacuation.” He reached out slowly and cautiously to lay a hand against her cheek. “I'm glad you're safe. Genma told me you were here. Tousan just told me how you got your information.”

 

Paige felt new tears threatening. She grabbed the hand on her cheek. “I want…I want to honor the dead for their sacrifice. Will you help me?”

 

Shino nodded. “What do you need?”

 

She thought for a moment. Honoring the dead wasn't a prescribed ritual, but something that should be unique to the dead and their situation. “I need ashes from the site, some local soil, my medicine wheel bag, and help getting to the top of Hokage Monument again.” She turned back to the Hokage. “Can we go?”

 

“Go,” was the reply.

 

Indulging in the comfort of a familiar embrace, she clung to Shino after the dismissal from Tusnade. “Take me somewhere. I don't care where,” she spoke into his chest. She felt hands run through her hair one more time before a puff of smoke revealed her to be back in Shibi's living room.

 

“Collect your things for your bag. I'll get some ashes and soil for you. I'll be back.”

 

She nodded and Shino left.

 

“Paige.” It was Shibi. “You are welcome to stay with the Aburame.”

 

“I'd be putting your entire clan in danger. Shino is probably already a target because we've been pretty visible.”

 

Shibi walked up to her and rested his hand on her shoulder once more. “As a clan we're unique in our abilities of espionage and counter-espionage with the kikaichu. We'll be able to keep you safe.”

 

She bit her lip, “Then why try to send me to the Aburame in the first place?”

 

“Danzo was not actually part of that decision process. It was the other elders who were eager to marry you off.”

 

“So that was purely internal politics.” She glanced up at the ceiling, charity always made her feel anxious to repay people. And she had had to accept a lot of it lately. She knelt down to begin to pack her items. “I…don't have anything. Other than what you see on your floor. I'll need to replace all of my clothing and other personal items.”

 

Beetle. Shino. “It's being taken care of.”

 

He held out two containers as he asked, “Ready to go?”

 

Placing her bag over her shoulder she nodded. “Let's go.”

 

***

 

The ritual was rather simple. Paige arranged her medicine wheel items and motioned for Shino to join her if he wished. He sat down next to her, placing the two containers of ashes and soil next to the medicine wheel with the other items. She began the ritual by smudging herself and Shino and using a short chant to help with cleansing. Paige then used some of Shino's and her hair combined with tobacco for the offering to the six directions—lighting the small bundle with some of her matches. After the offering had burned away, she combined those ashes, with those Shino had collected. Asking him to hold the container of soil, she poured the combined ashes and mixed them with the dirt. Grabbing a handful of the mixture she told Shino, “Take some, too. The ashes from the offering are the pieces of us that the dead take with them when they leave our lives. The soil is a symbol of them returning to Mother Earth. We're going to release it into the wind so they can be carried to Wakan Tanka and know peace.” They walked over to the edge. With both of them taking handfuls and releasing them into the wind, Paige began another chant about the hoop of life, with all living things coming from and returning to Wakan Tanka. The wind on top of Hokage Monument carried the mixture out and over the edge of the precipice. Once all of the mixture had been given to the wind, Paige led Shino back to the medicine wheel where she asked the spirits for forgiveness and guidance. Love and Encouragement were her answers. She turned to Shino after finishing her meditation. “They don't blame me, but it doesn't erase everything that happened. I don't want something like this to happen again.”

 

From his position sitting next to her, he gently pulled her against him in a half-embrace. “We will all do what we can.” He gently guided her to look into his face. “I would like it if you lived with me, but we can furnish your own place within the complex if you would prefer.” He laid a kiss on her forehead. “I do not want to push.”

 

She sighed into the kiss. “I'd like knowing you were there. It would make me feel safer.”

 

“I've asked my father to buy some new clothes for you. I'll ask your new things to be brought to my house.”

 

Paige gave into a smile, “Were you peeking at my sizes when I wasn't looking?” She wanted to lighten the mood, and succeeded when Shino blushed slightly, but her next question changed the mood again. “When can I start my training? If it was Akatsuki, I want to be prepared.”

 

“Tomorrow.” Shino helped her pack her items for the trip to his house. “You have done enough today.

 

“If it was Akatsuki…do you have any idea what they would want with me? I know they wanted the tailed-beasts in the past, but I don't have any abilities with them.” She stood up and found herself pulled against a well muscled torso dotted with holes. They still hadn't dressed properly for the day.

 

“I do not know. But we will both let Tsunade-sama worry about that. Want to go home?”

 

“Home sounds great.”

 

***

 

Author's post-ramble: Don't hurt me for killing off Tami-chan!! And I promise I do stop torturing Paige's character in the near future… Please leave me some feedback!