If you all want to know here's what Tenten's pup's names mean:

Kaori-Strong

Negi-Onion

Hime-Princess

If you want to know the meanings of other names just ask! Enjoy! Sorry for a tiny bit of foul language in there. Just couldn't help myself.

Nine: The Skilled She-Wolf

SHIKA POV

It had now been another two months. Everyday was normal except for the average attacks from Kaori. Temari's constant cravings of certain foods always had me out hunting. Today I was out on patrol with Neji and Lee.

"So, are you nervous about Temari having her pups today?" asked Lee. I scratched the ground anxiously. "Shikamaru?"

"Huh, what?" I asked absentmindedly. Lee and Neji looked at me curiously.

"Are you nervous about Temari having her pups?" asked Lee again. I looked up at the sky as I was struggling to keep my cool.

"No," I said as I continued walking. It made me anxious that I was out here leading a patrol when I could be at Temari's side. By now we had reached the Akatsuki border. From far away on our side of the border we could see the pack stirring and having a meeting. I stared at the group. An odd pack of wolves the Akatsuki were. We continued on back to the pack. Neji and Lee were trying to keep up with me.

"Shikamaru, slow down, is the forest on fire?" asked Lee as he panted with the effort. Neji said nothing as he tried to keep up. I ignored Lee's constant complaints as I kept running. We eventually entered the clearing. Sakura's pups were playing with the others. Naruto and Hinata seemed to be asleep. Tenten was chatting with Kiba across from the clearing. Sakura was nowhere in sight. I padded over to my den and sat near the entrance.

I barely noticed when I started pawing the ground anxiously. Neji came towards me and sat down next to me.

"You seem to be somewhat on edge," said Neji as he watched his pups. I looked back at him.

"Why would you say that?" I asked absentmindedly.

"Just a feeling," replied Neji as he closed his eyes. He opened his eyes and peered sideways at me. "Would you please stop that fidgeting? You'll dig a crater into the ground." I immediately stopped and stared straight ahead. I stared at the pups in the clearing. One day my offspring would be playing along with the rest of the pups.

"You know I was nervous when Tenten had her pups," replied Neji as he stared at his mate. My ears twitched at Neji's words.

"You don't say," I said trying to stray away from my stressfulness. Neji looked up at the sky. The winter had not gone yet. There were still puddles on the ground and a little chill in the air. Neji stood.

"I guess I'll see you later Shikamaru." I nodded as Neji walked towards his den. I decided to hunt for food. I managed to catch a rabbit, but I knew this wasn't enough for Temari so I walked off to find something else. My ears twitched at the faint noises of the forest. I passed the border near the Akatsuki. I stared at the forest beyond the border.

Maybe if I just go across for a second to see what they're planning… I padded across the border and continued into the trees. The forest was the same as usual but there were fewer trees here. I walked still not knowing what would be ahead. I could smell their scent markings everywhere. I walked in further when I suddenly caught a scent that made me gag. I started to feel dizzy, but I struggled to keep my balance. I heard voices coming so I quickly hid in the bushes. Three dogs passed by.

"Itachi, I can't take anymore of these foul twoleg's smog!" growled a blonde dog with floppy ears. A pure black wolf growled irritably.

"Stop complaining! It's not the end of the world," he growled. The blonde dog sat down as he scratched his ear with his paw.

"Why can't we just hurry up and leave?" complained the blonde dog. The other wolf was Blade Temari's brother.

"Deidara don't complain too much about the humans. We are the ones who infiltrated their territory," said Blade as he sat down also. Deidara glared at Blade.

"But the humans," he said with disgust, "Built their waste fortresses to kill us! They pollute the air with their foul stench," he snarled at Blade. Blade looked away from Deidara not knowing how to respond. "Those Uzumaki Pack bastards have all the clean land."

"Pein will lead us to take over Uzumaki Pack and create the Akatsuki Clan," said the black wolf. I growled quietly trying to suppress my anger.

They were planning to take over our land! I had to report this to Naruto! Suddenly Blade's ears twitched.

"What was that?" he said as he turned his head towards me. I clenched my teeth not daring to breathe. Suddenly there was a larger noise a loud barking and snarling. Had someone started a fight?

"What's that noise?" said Deidara as he stood immediately. The black wolf's eyes narrowed.

"Let's head back," he said as he turned around to leave. Deidara followed reluctantly behind him. Blade looked back at me before leaving with the others. I cautiously walked out of the bushes. The sounds of a fight were not too far away. Suddenly I heard more distinct yelling.

"Who the heck are you?!" barked an unknown voice. I froze at the unknown dog's voice. I reluctantly followed the voices. I climbed a tall hill and reached the top. At the bottom I could see five dogs that had cornered a she wolf against a brick wall. All the dogs seemed to be hunting dogs all wearing collars. The she wolf had a purple coat with brown paws, and a brown chest. She stared at the dogs challengingly with her playful looking brown eyes.

"Maybe we'll let you go if you give us that beautiful necklace you have there," growled one of the dogs. The she wolf looked at the dog incredulously.

She suddenly grinned. "Over my dead body," she snarled. The dog lost his patience and lunged at the she wolf. She easily dodged the dog's attack. "Too slow," she said as she clamped her teeth down on the dog's neck and snapped it easily.

"You bitch!" barked the other dog as he charged at the she wolf. She jumped and used the dog's head to flip over him. "What the-?!" The she wolf grinned.

"Too fast for you," said the she wolf as she stared at the dumbfounded dog. Another dog proceeded to snap at the she wolf's next. She grabbed the wolf's scruff and threw him into the brick wall knocking him unconscious. I could just crouch and watch in astonishment. Another one of the dogs came from behind her and bit her tail. She winced in pain as the dog clamped his teeth down. She turned and used her teeth to rip the dog's neck out.

The last two dogs stared at the she wolf in fear as she licked the blood from her lips.

"Boo," she barked. The dogs instantly ran away. "What a bunch of cowards." I could only watch in awe. Suddenly I heard a loud growling sound behind me.

"Who are you?! State your business!" barked a voice. I slowly turned my head. There was a white wolf standing over me with black paws and a black muzzle. He also had a scar on his left eye which was blood red.

OMG! Cliffhanger! Don't worry peoples I'll try to update faster next time! Forgive me! Good day to you and review!