Ta-Da! Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 15: Reunion
Temari POV
I yawned as I felt my pups tumbling over me.
"Sit still!" I growled at them. They immediately ceased their playing. "If you want to play do it outside of the den."
"Really?" Yumi and Tamaki looked at me with bright eyes.
"Yes, please…I need to rest," I grumbled irritably. The two pups had been up half of the night and kept me awake. I heard their paw steps leading out of the den as I rested my head on my paws. Then I realized I would never get back to sleep so I stretched and padded outside of the den. I spotted Tamaki and Yumi talking to Kaori. Hm…maybe Kaori can tell them more about Shika.I saw Gaara padding over to me.
"Hi, sis," said Gaara as he sat next to me. "You look tired."
"No, I'm okay. I just hope Shika gets back soon so I can get some sleep," I growled almost half to myself. Gaara looked at me worriedly.
"I'm sure they'll be back soon," replied Gaara. I nodded as I watched my pups play with the others.
"I hope you're right." I felt like Shika was missing out on raising our pups. Suddenly a loud bark sounded from on top of the boulder of Naruto's den. Everyone walked out of their dens and into the clearing to listen in on the meeting.
"I have great news for everyone," barked Naruto. "Shikamaru and Sasuke will be coming back soon. I've heard from other wolves that they are heading back. I will begin our alliance with this new pack. This will make us stronger if the Akatsuki are to attack. Temari, I assume you can take up beta duties?"
I nodded. "Yes, Naruto." I guess now I shouldn't be so worried…
"That is all I have to say. Continue with your business." Naruto jumped from his boulder and slipped inside his den.
"Are you sure you are ready to take on being beta again?" asked Gaara with a worried expression. I pushed Gaara playfully with my paw.
"Don't look so worried! I'll be fine, alright?" I said with optimism. Gaara nodded, but he didn't look convinced. I walked towards Matsuri who was chatting with Kiba. Maybe I should take Matsuri on the first patrol? I thought.
Shika POV
We were now in the heart of Akatsuki territory and the scent was overwhelming.
I can barely scent the Uzumaki border line.I growled in my head suddenly getting frustrated. Hiro was now prying for information.
"Where is Kankuro if he is not within your pack?" asked Hiro curiously. I sighed. This was a touchy subject I didn't want to bring up, but I had to tell Hiro about his remaining pack members.
"He was lost to Temari and Gaara years ago, but it turns out he's lost his memory of both of them. Kankuro thinks he is part of the Akatsuki now and goes by Blade. I'm sorry to tell you this," I explained shortly.
Hiro looked thoughtful for a moment. "I always thought Kankuro had a weak mind."
"Don't let Temari hear you say that," I growled amusedly. Hiro's eyes glimmered in amusement as well.
"Temari was also known for her temper," Hiro said sounding older than he was. I scented an Akatsuki wolf and it was close.
"Akatsuki scent," I growled as the fur along my spine bristled. I heard my mother pad up beside me.
"You're not afraid are you?" she growled in my ear. "Its just one wolf."
"Of course not," I snarled scraping my claws against the ground. I heard the paw steps getting louder as they came closer. A young wolf, probably no more than a few years old, ran out of the bushes. He stared at us for a brief minute and then his eyes widened.
"Y-you're Uzumaki's wolves," he stammered. It was in that small second that Hiro sprang and jumped on the young wolf pinning him to the ground. He let out a frightened yelp. "D-Don't kill me!"
I walked forward. "Keep him down, Hiro." Hiro nodded as I stared into the young wolf's eyes. "You…who are you?"
"I-I'm Koji son of Pein," he whimpered pathetically. I heard Sasuke snarl behind me.
"We should kill him now," Sasuke hissed. Koji whimpered again in fear.
"Wait a moment," I said feeling Sasuke's anger. "Maybe he can provide us information." Koji's eyes grew defiant.
"You'll never get anything out of me!" Koji barked. Hiro bit down on Koji's neck silencing him.
I snarled in Koji's face, "If you want to live you'll give us what we want." Koji struggled under Hiro's weight.
"M-My dad wants to enslave humans, he thinks that wolves should reclaim their place as leaders. We'll kill anyone who gets in the way…," Koji growled at me. "That is all I know." Sasuke stepped forward and snarled.
"If you tell your pack about our little talk I'll kill you myself," Sasuke threatened. Koji grinned.
"I won't have to tell them…your scent will be here," Koji snarled at us. Hiro sank his teeth in his neck again and Koji let out a painful yelp.
"Don't get cocky!" I snapped. I signaled Hiro to let go of Koji's neck. As soon as he was released Koji ran off.
"Coward!" howled Sasuke his fur still bristling. I flicked my tail so the others could continue to follow me. We were finally near the border line that divided the Akatsuki territory from Uzumaki territory. I saw a familiar patrol standing at the border line waiting for us.
Temari POV
"Can we come on your patrol mom?" asked Tamaki and Yumi in unison. I'd recruited Matsuri, Tenten, and Gaara to come on the patrol with me.
"Maybe we should let them come," Matsuri growled to me. I sighed.
"Alright…but you need to behave," I barked at them. The two pups nodded and followed us into the forest. Yumi jumped at the sound of a loud caw of a crow.
"Wh-what was that?" she yelped.
"It's just a crow silly!" Tamaki yipped. "Remember Keiji told us about them." Yumi glared at him, but said nothing. We finally came to the Akatsuki border to refresh our scent markers. The wind suddenly shifted and I smelled a familiar scent. I looked across the border and saw a group of wolves walking towards us.
"Shika?" I growled remembering his scent. Tamaki and Yumi spotted the wolves.
"Are they Akatsuki?" growled Gaara his fur bristling. Tamaki growled.
"I'll fight em' all!" he barked showing his small teeth. I shook my head.
"No, Shikamaru and Sasuke are back," I replied. The group of wolves finally reached us.
"Hey, Shika!" barked Tenten. "Long time no see."
I walked up and licked Shika's muzzle. He seemed puzzled at my gesture. Then I pushed him with my paw. "What took you so long?"
"Nice to see you too," he growled nuzzling me. I looked back at my pups.
"Come on you two. Don't you want to meet your father?" I asked beckoning them forward. Tamaki and Yumi walked over cautiously. Shika crouched to look at his pups.
"Hey, you've grown so much," he growled. "Have you been looking after your sister, Tamaki?"
"Hey! I don't need looking after!" growled Yumi looking defiant, but happy to see her father. Tamaki eyed Shika carefully.
"You look just like me!" Tamaki barked happily wagging his small tail. "Where'd you get this scar on your side?"
"Probably fighting an Akatsuki wolf," replied Tenten.
Tamaki's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
Shika nodded. Yumi looked at the wolves behind Shika.
"Who're they?" she asked.
"This is your grandmother," Shika growled looking at the she wolf. The she wolf immediately nipped at Shika's ear.
"You dare to call me a grandma?!" she snapped her eyes blazing with anger.
"Erm…sorry," he muttered looking embarrassed.
"She's kinda scary," whispered Tamaki to his sister. Shika's mother looked down at them.
"Just call me Yoshi-san," she said to them. "This is Hiro my beta he's from your mother's old pack."
"Hiro? I thought you were dead. Its so good to see you again," Gaara said happily wagging his tail.
"I did also, but now I know that you're alive," replied Hiro.
"Whoa! Where'd you get all your scars Hiro-sama?" growled Tamaki in astonishment. Hiro looked happy at Tamaki's comment.
"Too many fights I can't remember," Hiro replied warmly. Tamaki looked back Shika.
"Can you tell us more about your mission?" Tamaki asked excitedly.
Sasuke stepped forward. "We should really get back," he growled walking past us. Tamaki and Yumi looked at Sasuke.
"What's his problem?" growled Yumi irritably. I couldn't answer them, Sasuke was always serious.
"He's just got things on his mind," Shika replied to Yumi. I looked at Shika relieved to have him back.
How was it??? Yes I will try updating faster for you guys since there's only two months of school left. Bye!