This is chapter 14 peoples! I'm trying to update faster for you guys if you haven't noticed...anyway here's chapter 14, enjoy!
Chapter 14: Hope
RECAP:
"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.
"It's been a long time, Shika," growled the she wolf staring at me.
"Mom?" I croaked.
NOW:
Shika POV
"Put away your weapons," growled the she wolf who I thought was my mother. The sandy wolf placed the sharp object in his mouth on the ground and the other wolves did the same. It was only then did I realize what the sandy wolf intended to kill me with, a stalagmite which was sharpened to a point. "What are you doing here my charming son?" Obviously she didn't mean what she said about me being charming.
"I came here to see you," I growled, suddenly realizing that my mother was the alpha. A far off memory came into my mind. I remembered my pack splitting into two separate packs and me leaving my mother to find my own pack. I figured she moved the pack months after I'd left.
"You can get up now," said my mother as if I was waiting for her permission. I stood in front of my mother. Her fur was a mix of brown, mahogany, and white. I could see Anko and Aniko out of the corner of my eye. My mother turned to the sandy wolf.
"Hiro, escort them to our cave," commanded the she wolf. My ears pricked at the name Hiro. He was the former beta of Suna Pack that Matsuri mentioned in her story. Hiro nodded and padded up a rocky slope. I followed him with Anko and her daughter trailing behind. I could imagine myself explaining my situation to my mother. I hope she accepts...I thought as we approached the mountains.
Sasuke POV
I could smell a faint trace of blood on the breeze and I know who's exactly it was, Shikamaru. Sari could smell the scent too and her fur bristled.
"I can smell my pack," growled Sari suddenly.
"Is their scent mixed with Shikamaru's?" growled Sasuke. Sari nodded sniffing the air again.
"This way!" growled Sari running off in another direction. I bounded after her. My paws scraped against the hardening ground.
We're getting close to the mountains.I started to run faster matching Sari's speed. Shikamaru was close and I could smell other wolves with him. Suddenly Sari stopped at a rocky hill and then she crouched. I crouched with her and saw Shikamaru padding away with wolves that looked like they'd rolled in mud and sand. They all held pointy objects in their mouths. There was a she wolf speaking with Shikamaru. He had a slightly puzzled expression. "Let's go," I growled as I scraped the ground with my claws.
"Not yet. We can't just barge in, my pack is very alert and won't hesitate to attack," explained Sari. I snarled knowing she was probably right. All we could do is wait and hope that Shikamaru would convince the pack leader to help Uzumaki Pack.
Shika POV
I was sitting in a cave alone with Hiro and my mother. I was beginning to form my story in my head.
"Why are you here?" growled Hiro still sounding hostile.
"My pack is in trouble and we want to make an alliance with yours," I replied simply. My mother said nothing, but stared at me intently.
"What makes you think we'll make an alliance with you?" snarled Hiro.
"Because the Akatsuki want to start a war," I said hoping it was a strong excuse. Hiro started to bristle at the mentioning of the Akatsuki. "If they attack us they'll bring the war to your pack."
"I will speak to your Alpha," growled my mother suddenly.
She'd made up her mind. I sighed inwardly. Hiro stood.
"I will come with you," Hiro growled.
"No, you must look after the pack while I'm gone," replied my mother gazing at her pack mate.
"Excuse me for asking, but are you from Suna Pack?" I dared to ask Hiro. He turned his gaze on me.
"I was until the humans slaughtered them all," snarled Hiro. "Why do you want to know?"
"Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro are alive," I growled. Hiro looked at me as though I'd grown two heads.
"What?" he said skeptically. "How do you know?"
"They live in Uzumaki Pack and Temari is my mate."
Hiro looked at his alpha as if he was pleading with her to allow him to go. My mother nodded and looked to me.
"How did you find out about this pack?" she asked curiosity clear in her voice.
"Matsuri and Sari were hunting on our territory."
Amusement glinted in my mother's eyes. "Those two…always getting into trouble." Suddenly I heard a series of barking outside.
"Sari! Where have you been?" barked a worried voice. My ears pricked as I heard the she wolf's name. We all padded outside and sure enough there was Sari and Sasuke standing in the clearing, the pack crowded around them. My mother let out a loud bark which hurt my ears. The pack immediately parted to let us pass. Everyone was silent.
"Shika!" barked Sari happily. Sasuke looked briefly relieved, but immediately composed himself.
"I have decided to make an alliance with these wolves' pack," barked my mother loudly to her pack. Murmurs rose from the pack as they heard this news.
"Who will lead the pack while you are gone?" barked one wolf. My mother looked at Sari.
"She will," she answered. The pack stopped murmuring altogether. Sari looked at her leader with a disbelieving gaze.
"M-me?" mumbled Sari looking at her paws.
"Yes, you have proved your loyalty to this pack many times. It is time you got the respect you deserved," replied my mother. Hiro nodded approvingly. "Do you accept?"
Sari looked up at her leader and stood straighter. "Yes."
"Then we will set out. Come Shikamaru," growled my mother as she padded ahead. "I expect to find my pack the same as when I left, Sari. Take good care of it." Sari nodded. Sasuke followed us as we walked into the dense forest again.
"I just got here," Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto POV
Shikamaru was gone for a considerable amount of days. The sun was already setting. I was beginning to worry if they'd made it at all to the pack. I could see Temari from across the clearing her pups playing around her feet. What if Shikamaru didn't come back in time for his pups to bond with him?I saw Matsuri coming to chat with Temari. She'd gotten an interest in Temari's pups. I leaped off of my perch on the large boulder and padded up to Temari.
"Good afternoon, Naruto," she said spotting me. I nodded curtly to her.
"Where does your pack live, Matsuri?" I asked looking at the brown she wolf. Matsuri looked thoughtful for a moment.
"We live near the mountains," growled Matsuri gesturing to the gray hills in the distance. It looked very far, but what troubled me more was the fact it was far into Akatsuki territory. Temari's concern was shown in her eyes. Matsuri caught Temari's worried gaze. "They'll be fine. I promise, our pack leader is very kind," she reassured.
Temari looked at her hopefully, but I could see the worry in her eyes still.
"Do you really take care of the whole pack, Naruto?" piped one of Temari's pups. It was a young female pup who had a ring of green fur around her neck.
"I do, but I have a little help," I replied to the little pup. She stared at me with big eyes.
"Really?" the little pup looked at her mother next to her as if she was looking to her for answers.
"See, even a pack leader has to have help sometimes," said Temari nuzzling the little pup.
"What's our dad like?" asked the male pup who resembled Shikamaru.
"Lazy," mumbled Temari under her breath.
"Well, he's very brave and kind," I replied amusingly. "In fact he's on a mission to keep you safe."
The male pup wagged his stubby tail as if he was pleased to have a father like Shikamaru.
"When is daddy coming back?" whined the female pup to her mother.
"He'll come back soon," replied Temari, her gaze was turned to the mountain again. It was starting to get dark as the sun disappeared. "It's time for you two to go to sleep."
"Aw, I want to hear more about dad!" whined the male pup. Temari grabbed him up by the scruff.
"You'll hear more about him tomorrow, Tamaki," she growled. Temari nodded to me and slipped inside her den followed by the female pup and Matsuri. I walked back to my den and found Hinata curled around our sleeping pups. I lay next to her.
"I'm going to look for them," I said suddenly. Hinata looked up at me immediately.
"What?" she growled sounding worried. I licked her comfortingly.
"I'll be fine. Believe it," I growled looking her in the eyes. The amusement showed in her eyes as she heard my old catch phrase. I stood and padded out of the den. I looked around to make sure no wolf saw me leaving. I padded into the forest sniffing the air for new scents. I was about to turn back when I heard a howl. A white figure was padding across the Akatsuki border. My fur bristled, but then I realized it was my old friend Kakashi.
"Naruto, I've been meaning to speak with you," growled Kakashi.
"What news do you have for me?" I asked curiously.
"I found Anko and Aniko crossing the river from the mountains and told me to tell you that Shikamaru is coming back," Kakashi explained. I was suddenly filled with hope again.
"Thank you for telling me," I said feeling grateful. Kakashi nodded before padding back over to the border. I turned and walked back towards my pack. I had to get a good rest before Shikamaru would be back.
That's it! I hope you liked the chapter! Thank god spring break is here so I could type this. I look forward to reviews!