Bah, I didn't particularly like the way this chapter was written nor the style of it, but I've been neglecting this story lately and I needed a way to get back into the storyline and into writing again so I just did something more speech-based etc. Maybe you'll like it though. I did enjoy writing Neji and Shikamaru's part however. I was never good with fight scenes so apologies. I THEREFORE DUB THIS CHAPTER AS FILLER.

bolded italics = flashbacks.

Day 5

A chilly darkness blanketed the cold and dusty streets of plague district, its shadowy cover broken by rows of flickering lights and cluttered stretches of fluorescent signs. Somewhere near the apartment district, shots were being fired and returned with equal measure. The atmosphere was tense, Squad 7 being enveloped by a biotic barrier. Bullets were able to fire out, but not in. Each bullet was propelled off the barrier and back at the shooters, The Blood Pack and Vorcha, but that didn't slow any of them down. Sasuke, who was holding the barrier was growing tired, each bullet that hit weakening his resolve, making him flinch and convulse his body forward slightly.

But he didn't let that show. Uchiha's didn't let their pain show, a valuable lesson taught to him by his father.

...Well, at least he liked to think he didn't. He was in fact, being thoroughly watched by the Krogan of their team; who was perfectly aware of Sasuke's growing tiredness. Being a leader of a clan meant he had to learn and assess when his clan members were growing tired - he couldn't just throw them into a fight when they were half asleep.

"Why the hell didn't anyone tell me that the Blood Pack were here? You do realise these guys have been after me for years right!" Complained the Asari. "If they capture and torture me for information it's all on your heads when I give it away! No way I'm going to be turned into a petree dish for this universes sake."

"As an informant, I would have expected you to know the Blood Packs whereabouts, Captain." Replied Neji coyly as he ducked behind the crates they were using as cover to reload his weapon. His cousin Hinata, was left behind for this mission to support and pilot the ship until they recruited a more permanent pilot.

Sasuke growled, "If you weren't such an exceptional beauty; I would have made your body combust Hyuuga!"

His only reply was a simple smirk before the Hyuuga stood and started to shoot over the crates once more with Sakura by his side. Sasuke's silence was short lived however when he was joined by none other than the brute.

"You're growing tired Sasuke." Naruto stated. "I've seen and remembered this many times before, someone growing weaker by the second."

"Oh, how lovely, advice from a dumb brute who can remember people growing tired and 'weak' but not..." Sasuke grew quiet.

"Please, call me Naruto."

"You know, I've never had a Krogan before."

"Who would have thought you'd be so sensitive here?"

"Argh, fuck it!" The raven roared. He quickly pulled his arms toward his chest before extending them, making the barrier around them explode and send their enemies flying to the walls, some being buried beneath the concrete rubble upon impact.

"Holy shit! Why didn't you do that in the first place?" Sakura yelled with the amazement clear in her voice. Upon meeting her, Sasuke already deemed her as an adrenaline junkie who lived by the motto 'Anything a man can do, I can do better!'

"Because of this." Sasuke simply explained, before his eyes went hazy and he collapsed to his side into Naruto's arms, showing what 'this' was. Naruto simply looked down at the Raven within his arms before muttering a simple 'I told you so.'

"Fuck off you dumb brute."

"I hate to interrupt and move you Captain, but we really should get a move on and find Dr. Nara. Especially before reinforcements come." The Hyuuga chimed in.

Naruto understood and helped Sasuke to his feet and let the Asari lean on him as support before guiding him and the rest of the squad towards the entrance of the clinic. The walk only took about five minutes and they didn't find any more trouble along the way. The clinic was bustling with mainly turians and batarians who were affected by the plague, so it wasn't difficult to find the Nara who stood out like a green beacon being the only Salarian there. He seemed to be injecting a yellow-like fluid into the arm of a patient.

Naruto approached the Salarian and went straight to introducing himself, "Dr. Nara, I am Uzumaki Naruto and this here on my arm is Captain Sas-."

"I know who you all are, Captain." Shikamaru quickly interrupted. "It would be stupid of me not to be informed of my future squad members wouldn't it? 14% of people die because of miscommunication between team mates during combat. Which means 86% live. And well, I like those chances."

"Uhh... yeah, right." Sasuke mumbled nonchalantly.

"So after my father called to tell me that I have been selected for a very important mission I went out of my way to learn about you all. The only thing I didn't know was your appearance, but you're here now aren't you?" Shikamaru continued.

"Uzumaki Naruto, leader of Clan Uzumaki, age 353 which means you have already passed your pubescent stage. You're well-respected and liked between your fellow clansmen, and others outside of it, even receiving high expectations from Councillor Tsunade. Oh, and how cute, you have yet to settle down with a mate which is rare for a Krogan your age. Despite that you have a high rate of breeding requests[*] from other colonies." Naruto blushed.

"Sasuke Uchiha, ruler of Omega, age 349 which means you are almost entering your matron stage[**], a 'heat' stage if you will. Hmm, I wish your future children the best of luck."

"You what?" Sasuke exclaimed. No way he was going to be the type to settle down and start a family.

"You were also once a respected researcher, before all of it got to your head of course. You have now been banned from ever stepping into Asari territory again after the failed attempted of stealing valuable information and artefacts from The Beacon. And that was all the information I could find unfortunately, but I expected nothing less from an informant." Shikamaru smirked.

"Sakura Haruno, age 98, a gruntling practically. You've been remarked as reckless, dangerous, loud and someone who finds it difficult to stay in a team, mainly because of your past male squad members. You're now under retired military leader Councillor Kakashi's wing. I am very looking forward to working with you."

"And finally, Hinata Hyuuga. Age 24, human. You're the daughter of Councillor Hiashi and considered next in line to the well-known Hyuuga Research Facility. Your cousin Neji Hyuuga is also joining us on this mission but unfortunately I don't see him around."

Neji's and Shikamaru's eyes lingered onto each other for an uncomfortable time while the rest of the squad stared at them into disbelief.

"Actually," Neji coughed into his hand, "My name is Neji Hyuuga, not Hinata Hyuuga, my age is 26 and I am the nephew of Councillor Hiashi and am NOT even remotely considered next in line to the extremely known Hyuuga Research Facility. My cousin Hinata is also joining us on this mission but unfortunately had to be left behind to support the ship until we find a more permanent pilot. My favourite artist is Vincent Van Gogh, I like cats because they are quiet and demand little attention, I enjoy the work of Cary Grant and Marlon Brando and long walks on the beach. Oh... and you talk way too much."

Shikamaru eyes widened and was flabbergasted, before, slowly, a blush creeped onto his face and he averted his eyes away downwards.

"Would you like to know anything else Dr. Nara? Or can I call you Shikamaru now since we're all getting cosy."

"N-No thank you." Shikamaru stuttered beneath his breath.

"Very well. Now please, let us escort you safely back to the ship and let you get settled down in the techs lab that the Normandy provides, specially made just for you." Neji said, guiding the Nara by the shoulder while the others still stared at them in disbelief.

...

"...You are entering your fertility stage?"

"Shaddap! You get requests to breed!"

[*] = It's basically what it sounds. People request for him to breed. Because Naruto is a badass and everyone wants his DNA.

[**] = The Matron stage of life begins around the age of 350. This period is marked by a desire to settle in one area and raise children. While each stage of life is marked by strong biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life choices. For example, Matrons who would rather work than build a family. So Sasuke doesn't necessarily have to have children but he'll still go through the heat stages.

Shikamaru is a cutie. I kinda wanted to make him like Mordin when it came to speaking a lot. Hope you enjoyed this crap chapter! iseriouslyhope