Sorry for the long wait peoples! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 13: A Familiar Face

Sasuke POV

I yawned as I opened my eyes. I felt something like thorns sticking into my sides. Lifting my head I realized where I was. I began to remember the events of last night. Sari and I found a patch of thorn bushes to sleep in. It wasn't the most comfortable place, but it was somewhere the Akatsuki would never think to look in.

"Sari?" I growled looking around. The she wolf had disappeared from her spot. After stretching I slipped away from our hiding place. The sky was bright and blue as if everything seemed fine, but everything wasn't fine. We were seperated from Shikamaru and who knows where he is now.

I heard the bushes next to me rustle loudly. "Who's there?!" I snarled.

"Its just me," said a familiar voice. Sari walked out of the bushes holding a rabbit in her mouth. She laid the rabbit at my paws. "I got this for you."

"Thanks," I said dryly. I ate quickly before we set off again.

"Do you think we'll find Shika?" Sari asked.

"If we follow the river I'm sure we'll find him," I replied as I checked the air for any unfamiliar scents. The river had finally gotten calmer. Sari and I crossed the river without effort. Once we reached the other side I immediately smelled a different scent than the Akatsuki.

"That's the scent of my pack." Sari looked at me hopefully as if she thought Shikamaru would be waiting for us.

Shika POV

"Hey, Shika!"

Without warning water was splashed into my face. I sputtered shaking the water from my face. Aniko giggled from where she was standing in the water. I crouched playfully and pounced at her. She yelped loudly as I sent a shower of water over her. I heard a sharp bark from the shore.

"Come on you two!" barked Anko. "We have to find this pack you've been talking to us about!" Aniko and I trudged out of the river and shook our fur out.

"So, do you think you know where this pack is?" I asked curiously.

"I've seen the pack before. They call themselves Mountain Pack because they live close to the mountains," explained Anko.

"Then we just head towards the mountains," I growled enthusiastically. I'd started feeling better after a long rest and I was ready to leave. I looked back at the river.

"Don't worry. I'm sure your friends are safe and going the same way we are," Anko echoed my thoughts.

"Let's go!" barked Aniko. We began to make our way towards the mountains. I hadn't noticed before, but there was an unfamiliar scent in the air. There were also the scents of the mountains ahead. The dirt under our paws suddenly got harder and rockier.

"We must be close," growled Anko. Pretty soon we were on bare land with nothing, but small bushes for cover. Suddenly I heard paws pounding on the rocky ground. "Oh no..." Anko looked worried.

Before I could ask what was wrong something knocked me to the ground. Now I was looking up at a wolf who held something sharp in his mouth and he had it aimed for my throat!

Sasuke POV

"What is your pack like Sari?" I asked feeling bored. Sari and I had been walking for a long time. Now we'd taken a rest under the shade of a tree.

"Well, we live in these big caves in the mountains and if you're not careful you'll get lost. Our pack leader is very demanding and strong. We've also learned to use these sharp rocks called stalagmites as weapons," explained Sari.

"What are stalagmites?"

"They're these rocks formed by water dripping in the caves. We break them from the cave floor and sharpen them."

"I'd hate to run into your pack," I growled. "They sound dangerous."

"Believe me, my pack will be a great help to yours. I'm sure that my pack leader will consider being friends," said Sari. "What is your pack like?"

"Well, I haven't been there long, but it is a nice pack. We live in a clearing surrounded by trees and bushes. A while back Naruto would let anyone join him. He made friends with everyone he met including me. Once I had to leave my family..."

"Why?" growled Sari listening intently.

"I had to get stronger for them, so I could protect them. Naruto understood why I had to go, but I told him to tell my mate nothing. It was for the best."

"It seems like you've had a hard life." Sari yawned and lay her head on her paws. Her breathing got slower and I realized she had fallen asleep.

I guess I should get some rest too...

Shika POV

"Who are you?!" barked the wolf who was standing over me. The wolf had sandy fur and scars covering his body. "State your business!"

"I-I've come to see your alpha," I growled quietly. "I'm from Uzumaki Pack. My name is Nara Shikamaru..."

"Nara?" growled the wolf skeptically. He stepped off of me. "Yoshino! This wolf claims to be a Nara!"

My ears pricked. I'd heard that name once before. I could hear paw steps coming towards us. Then a familiar sweet scent hit me. A familiar face stared back at mine.

"Its been a long time, Shika," growled the she wolf staring at me.

"Mom?" I croaked.

Yay! More cliffhangers! Don't worry I will try not to take so long next time! Review please! :3