Hi peoples! I finally finished chapter seven! It's been a while. I've just came back from watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! OMG! It almost made me cry and it scared the crap out of me, but then again maybe I'm just a wimp. Enjoy the story!

Seven: The Lone Wolf

RECAP (in case you don't remember. If you do then go down to the # # #):

"Um, what is it?" asked Temari. Sakura leaned next to Temari's ear and whispered. Temari grimaced as she heard Sakura's words. "I-I…what?!" Suddenly the two she-wolves heard a bark from the forest. Shikamaru walked into the clearing with the pups. Temari walked up to him and noticed the scar on his muzzle. "What happened Shika?" Akio ran to Sakura.

"We were attacked by a member of the Akatsuki," said Hakuro. Shikamaru looked at his mate sadly and then looked down.

"What is Shika?" asked Temari as she licked his wound.

"The member who attacked us was your brother…"

# # #

NOW

"W-What? Are you sure?" asked Temari. Shikamaru nodded.

"I was sure by you're description of him in your story," said Shikamaru looking Temari in the eyes.

"What did he say?" asked Temari looking down. Shikamaru looked at her painfully.

"H-He said his name was Blade of the Akatsuki, but I was positive it was him." Suddenly she looked at him furiously.

"Then how can that wolf be Kankuro if he didn't say so?!" barked Temari angrily. "My brother would never join the Akatsuki! Not Kankuro!"

"Temari, I-." Shikamaru was cut off when Temari growled furiously and stalked back to their den. Sakura walked up to Shikamaru.

"Don't worry Shika. She's just going through some changes," replied Sakura as she walked back to her den, her pups followed behind her. Shikamaru stood there looking confused and shook his head. Suddenly he heard a rustle and an orange wolf walked into the clearing.

"Naruto? Where have you been?" asked Shikamaru. Naruto looked at Shikamaru.

"I've just been hunting is all. How is everything here?" asked Naruto.

"Everything is fine. Tenten has had her pups and I have reason to believe Temari's brother has joined the Akatsuki," explained Shikamaru. Naruto looked slightly shocked at Shikamaru's news.

"Don't worry too much about Temari's brother…just look after her," said Naruto padding to his den. The sky was now painted in pink and orange. Shikamaru left again to fetch some food for Temari. He'd managed to catch a rabbit that was still looking for food for itself. He walked back to the pack and entered his den. Temari was laying at the back looking deep in thought.

"Temari…I, um brought some food for you," said Shikamaru as he slipped inside. He laid the rabbit next to her and lay down beside her. Temari hesitated to look at Shikamaru. Shikamaru laid his head on his paws.

"T-Thank you," said Temari quietly as she bit into the rabbit. Shikamaru said nothing as he lay beside Temari. Suddenly there was a low growling sound. Shikamaru blushed deeply. "You didn't eat?"

"Uh, well…I wasn't really thinking about it at the time," replied Shikamaru. Temari pushed the rabbit toward Shikamaru.

"Here, I'm not hungry right now," said Temari yawning. "I have something to tell you…I'm pregnant." Shikamaru ears twitched as he lifted his head quickly.

"Y-You're w-what?"

"I'm pregnant," repeated Temari. Shikamaru looked surprised at Temari's news. Shikamaru's tail began to wag.

Why am I so happy? I guess that just comes to being a father. Temari yawned once more. Her breathing slowed and became a snore. Shikamaru began eating his dinner.

SHIKA POV

I stretched my front legs as I slowly woke up. Temari was still asleep beside me. I licked her ears before walking outside. The clearing was the same. Everyone seemed to be asleep. Accept Naruto was walking into the forest. I followed him into the forest. Suddenly I stepped on a twig. Naruto's ears twitched as the weak twig snapped. Naruto bared his teeth.

"Who goes there?!" barked Naruto as he turned around. I slowly walked from behind a tree.

"I am sorry if I have interrupted you," I said. Naruto calmed down and looked at me seriously.

"It's alright Nara. How is everyone?" asked Naruto as he sat down.

"Everyone is asleep, but Temari is pregnant."

"I guess you'll carry out her duties then," said Naruto. I hesitated to ask him where he was going.

"Naruto…you haven't gone hunting all this time have you?" I asked Naruto. Naruto grinned.

"I was wondering if you'd figure it out Nara. No, I haven't…I've been recruiting lone wolves to spy on the Akatsuki. I have frequently been taking trips to check their progress," informed Naruto. I nodded understandingly.

"Alright, but please be careful and don't forget about your pups and Hinata," I replied as I walked back to the pack. Naruto turned his back to me as he padded deeper into the forest. I suddenly had a sinking feeling Naruto's plan would fail. I shook it off as I entered the clearing. There seemed to be more activity in the clearing as I got back. There seemed to be a lot of pups in the clearing playing tag.

Hinata was setting foot out of her den. Neji was asleep under a tree. Gaara was watching the pups or was he playing with them as well? Lee was trying to chew on a piece of bark. That guy was always weird to me. Kiba seemed to be rubbing his back in the snow. Sakura was still asleep in her den. I decided to sit next to Choji who was sitting on top of the rock Naruto gave the speeches from.

"Good morning Choji," I said as cheerfully as I could. Choji sighed.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Choji as he looked down at the pups. "I hear you're going to be a dad," said Choji elbowing me.

"Well, um yeah. Hey, Choji do you have any pups?" I asked. Choji nodded.

"Yeah, but they are too small to be playing outside," replied Choji. I got up and decided to lead the patrol out today. I managed to recruit Lee, Gaara, and Kiba. We left the pack as we traveled deeper into the woods. Lee was annoying as usual. Nothing unusual happened until we reached the Akatsuki border. Across from where we were was a black wolf. He had a scar over his chest and his neck; he had a white underbelly and white paws.

"No, it can't be…," I growled intensely. I was stupid enough to walk onto the border of the Akatsuki. "Hey you, what are you doing on Akatsuki territory?!" I barked. The wolf looked at me.

"If it isn't Shikamaru Nara… what brings you here?" asked the black wolf. I growled.

"Sasuke Uchiha? I have joined Uzumaki pack!" I barked angrily. The others looked on in confusion. Sasuke looked surprised. "Are you Sakura's mate?" Sasuke glared at me with those blood red eyes.

"So, what if I am?!" growled Sasuke as he took a step towards me. I snarled.

"Sakura needs you Sasuke!" I barked. "Why did you leave her?" Sasuke looked down at his paws.

"Because I needed to get stronger for her," he said quietly. My ears twitched at his answer.

"Why can't you accept that those pups need you?" I snarled. Sasuke shook his head.

"That pack is useless to me. I am a loner…I don't need anyone," growled Sasuke. I lunged at him.

"Shut up!" I howled. Sasuke had improved in his attacks and dodged me. He grabbed my neck with his jaws and threw me to the ground. He pinned me ready to end it all.

"You talk too much," snarled Sasuke. Suddenly Sasuke froze and another wolf threw him off of me. Naruto stood over me growling furiously. Sasuke looked at Naruto dazed.

"Sasuke have you forgotten why you left?!" barked Naruto. Sasuke looked down shamefully. "You left so you could protect the ones you love! What happened to that goal?!" barked Naruto as he walked up to Sasuke. Naruto looked pretty tall compared to Sasuke. Sasuke looked at Naruto bravely.

"I have to go," said Sasuke.

"Where to? You have no pack," said Naruto calmly. Sasuke scraped the ground. Naruto sneered. "Are you coming with us or not?" Sasuke stared at Naruto skeptical.

"Y-You're giving me a choice?" asked Sasuke still skeptical. Naruto nodded.

"There is no need for violence and I know forcing you wouldn't be right," said Naruto boldly. Sasuke stood there dumbfounded. "Just remember that Sakura and her pups are waiting for you." Naruto turned his back on Sasuke and the patrol left Akatsuki territory. "Shikamaru how did you know that wolf?"

"He and I fought over Temari months ago," I replied. Naruto nodded. Suddenly we both heard paw steps from behind us. Naruto and I turned around. A black wolf ran towards us. "Is that Sasuke?" The wolf caught up with us.

"So, you decided to come after all?" asked Naruto. Sasuke padded past us.

"Let's go."

As usual Temari and Sakura were chatting at her den. They sat watching all the pups still playing.

"So, Sakura what is it like?" asked Temari. Sakura tilted her head in confusion.

"What is it like?" she asked.

"What is it like to have pups," answered Temari. Sakura looked up at the morning sky.

"Well, I guess it's sort of like taking care of a patient," replied Sakura. Temari still didn't understand. "The pups are helpless and need someone to take care of them someone to look up to. It makes you proud to see them hunting and fighting like any other wolf." Temari nodded. Temari heard the morning patrol coming back.

"Who's he?" asked Temari eying the new wolf in the back. Sakura immediately stood up.

"Sasuke…," Sakura whispered. Sasuke's ears twitched and he looked in Sakura's direction. Sakura ran up to Sasuke and licked his nose. "You came back." Sasuke touched noses with her.

"I'm glad I did," said Sasuke. Temari stared at the two wolves.

"Hm, I just had a feeling that Sasuke was her mate," said Temari as she looked around for Shikamaru.

"Hey Temari, how are you?" asked Shikamaru as he padded up to Temari.

"I'm fine," said Temari as Shikamaru sat down beside her. There was an awkward silence before Temari spoke. "I just wanted to say…I'm sorry about yesterday."

"It's okay. It is your job to defend your brothers," admitted Shikamaru as he stretched. Temari nuzzled Shikamaru.

"You're too easy to forgive," said Temari leaning on Shikamaru.

"I guess I'm like that…"

I am typing this next chapter as you read this so I'll try to update and type faster! Sorry if letting Sasuke back in was a bit fast, but I just wanted him back! *Hugs Sasuke* I'll update real soon I promise!