Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series or any of its characters *sniffles*

Wolf Moon Ch.6

As Itachi watched Temari mount her steed he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed but quickly tried to shake that feeling off. He watched her from behind a small grove of trees as she guided her horse to where they had previously been. He studied her expression closely and was amused by the same look of disappointment that he had felt a few moments earlier. Itachi was also amused and relieved at the fact that she didn't seem to notice his tracks. As Temari began to steer her stead homeward bound Itachi slowly slinked after her careful to stay silent and in the shadows. As he stalked her, Itachi began to review their first encounter over in his mind. He inwardly smiled to himself as he recalled how her heart beat picked up every time he drew near, her pheromones that called to him, the way she tried to fight the blush that had begun to paint her cheeks, her spunky spirit, and the feisty spark in her alluring eyes. Not too much later Itachi watched as Temari rode out of the forest path and down to her village where he could see a crowd of people waiting expectedly. After watching her for a few moments longer Itachi turned and ran for something had suddenly dawned on him. When Itachi returned to their temporary campsite he saw a flash of silver glinting up to him from the ground. After quickly morphing back into his human form, Itachi walked up to the shining object and picked up Temari's dagger from the ground. Itachi had a feeling that once Temari realizes its absence would come back for it , and with a feeling of unfamiliar happiness and anticipation Itachi chuckled and began to formulate a plan in his head on how to get even closer to his target.

On the trail back to her village Temari felt dazed by what had just happened between she and Itachi. He's a stranger! I probably won't ever see him again, and that's fine by me. Temari lied to herself and she felt annoyed by the fact that she did want to see him at least one last time. As Temari drew nearer to her village she couldn't help but feel that she was being followed but every time she looked around and behind her she saw nothing and internally chided herself for being so paranoid. When Temari reached her village she had to internally suppress a groan of irritation as she saw her brothers and Sasuke saddling up their horses. Wow I'm not that late and they are already organizing a search and rescue party. Temari thought to herself as she watched her bothers tense faces relax when they landed on her and immediately began to unsaddle their horses. Temari felt a headache coming on from the oncoming interrogation that she suspected her brothers were going to put her through. Temari placed her hand on her head and winced as she felt the cut sting beneath her hand. Oh no if they see this they will be become even more paranoid and over protective! Hopefully my bangs cover it enough. Temari though to herself as she halted Midnight and dismounted in front of her family and friend.

"You're late." Kankuro said trying to hide his irritation.

"I know, I'm sorry." Temari said through clenched teeth for she hated being treated like a little kid.

"We were worried." Gaara said calmly.

"Really, I couldn't tell." Temari replied cheekily.

"Why were you so late?" Kankuro demanded questioningly as he felt his temper getting the best of him.

"I stopped to see Nana." Temari answered irritated.

"I'm glad you are home." Sasuke interrupted trying to break the tension that had begun to stir in the air around them. Temari turned to face him with a genuine smile before replying

"I'm glad to be home as well, now if you don't mind I'm going to give these new swords to Tsunade and tell her that I'm back." As she turned toward the direction Tsunade's office a breeze gently moved her bangs to reveal the cut.

"Temari, what's that on your forehead?" Gaara demanded

Oh crap so much for that. Temari thought to herself as she looked at her brother "I had a clumsy moment and yeah." she replied lamely.

"I know for a FACT that you are not clumsy, so how did you get that cut? Come on out with it!" Kankuro said frustrated with how Temari was behaving.

Now Temari seeing no other way out of this "discussion" decided to do something that she hated, she acted like a damsel in distress and looked at her brother with a pained expression took a step toward them and pretended like she was going to faint.

"Oww my head, it hurts so much Gaara." Temari said pained while making sure she looked pathetic.

Gaara immediately lunged forward to support her "Kankuro lets take her home, let her rest, get her wound looked at and then we'll discuss this topic farther." Gaara said worriedly to which Kankuro nodded his head in agreement.

"You go and take Temari home; I'll check in with Lady Tsunade and put Midnight away." Kankuro said as he took Midnight's reins from Temari and began walking towards Tsunade's office.

As Temari was being led towards home she caught Sasuke's worried eyes, winked and smiled smugly at him. To which Sasuke's worried expression turned into one of amusement.

Later that evening after a long rest of the day of being worried over by her brothers Temari started to get ready for bed and as she felt her empty dagger holster Temari felt her eyes widen as a sure of panic spread through her veins. Frantically she searched everywhere only to realize that she left it in the forest by accident. Temari felt annoyed with herself for getting so distracted and knew that she wouldn't be able to rest until the dagger was back with her and she knew that if her brothers found out her dagger was gone then they would begin the interrogation process once more. So with an internal deep sigh Temari cautiously left her room to make sure her brothers were fast asleep. Once she confirmed that they were Temari grabbed her red cloak and silently slipped outside. Temari grabbed Midnight and began to cautiously make her way to the forest path, yet as she was about to leave the village she heard a familiar voice reach her ears

"And where do you think you are going?" it asked as Temari turned to face Sasuke.

"Out" Temari replied noncommittally trying to hide the look of surprise on her face.

"You know you aren't supposed to be leaving the village unaccompanied." Sasuke said smugly

"I know, but I left something and I need to get it and slip back into the house before my brothers wake up, find me gone and then have a cow, a chicken, and then the whole rest of the damn barn." Temari said with a sense of stern playfulness.

Sasuke smiled at her playfully "Alright, alright, but at least let me come with you." Sasuke said insistently.

"Nah, that's okay. I know where I left it and it would be faster if I just rode there got it and then came back. Plus if my brothers do find me gone I'll need you to cover for me. I also happen to know that you are on night patrol and can't leave." Temari replied.

Sasuke sighed in mock defeat before playfully saying "Fine, you got me. But hurry back and this time; try not to get yourself injured again."

To this Temari mounted Midnight looked at Sasuke, stuck her tongue out at him and galloped away into that darkness of the forest.

A/N: Hi Everyone! ^-^ I am soooooo sorry that I haven't updated in ages! School has kept me busy along with some family emergencies. Anyways as always I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter! I appreciate all the support that I have been given by my readers and reviewers! ^-^ Remember reviews are greatly appreciated, just please no flames!

-Midnight Oracle