Just to let you know, this started out as an original story, but I'm turning it into a fanfic to motivate me to finish and publish it one day. (It's my dream.) So constructive criticism is appreciated!

P.S. I do NOT own these Sailor Moon characters!

Wolf Wind

Ch. 1

Serenity's clawed paws padded against the earthen floor in rapid percussion. Her breaths came out as heavy pants, her wolven muscles straining from the excursion. Her head hurt; it felt too light. She wasn't getting enough oxygen to her brain. That wasn't what currently plagued her mind, though. It was Diamond. He was after her—in strong pursuit. Serenity had gotten the head start, and refused to stop for anything. Food would wait. She had already lived without it for so long she figured a few more days couldn't hurt her any.

While running she squeezed her eyes shut tightly at the pain in her abdomen and ignored her screaming limbs. She knew she was faster than Diamond. He wouldn't be able to catch her any time soon. She was too quick. The remainders of what was left of their pack were too few. There had been eight of them only a week before, but with old lady Luna dying because of the vile males in her pack, and with the death of Sammy…

Little Sammy—Serenity thought he would live. She took extra care that he was fed properly. Hell, she joined the hunters too, even though it was supposed to be a male's hunt. Not any longer, not when too many lives counted on what little food they could find. Serenity was the best—but it hadn't always been that way. Her pack used to be strong and plentiful. Now she was stronger than even Diamond, the Alpha male of her pack. Sure he was stronger than the other males, but he wasn't stronger than she was. He couldn't out-run her. He couldn't bounce her, or spin her around while drawing circles around her. He wasn't strong enough; he wasn't fast enough.

He was pathetic.

That was why she never allowed him to mate her, or mark her.

And now, with the dwindling of her small, defeated pack, Serenity was the only female left.

And she was a White Wolf.

White Wolves were not thought of as nice, open creatures. While other packs mixed and inter-bred, White Wolves stood close together. They believed their bloodlines were too pure to mix with a black, or a red, or moon forbid, a brown.

Serenity had always held an open mind about such a topic. Perhaps it was because she had watched as her perfect pack went down in flames as Totori took over as Alpha, and then her father, and lastly Diamond not two years previous from her life today. Her father had just begun to get things under control, when he was attacked. Things had finally begun to look better, and then all strands of hope dwindled away—along with the pack—when Diamond became leader.

Serenity would never forgive him.

She wouldn't doubt if he had killed her father! She certainly wouldn't be surprised…

When Serenity's older brother disappeared one day, she thought her world had shattered. But after the death of her father and her little brother Sammy, with his bloated stomach, she could no longer handle the strain. She had to leave. She needed to get help. So didn't want to be a part of the pack she once knew. She refused. She only hoped the first pack she stumbled upon would accept her.

No matter what, it wasn't going to be easy.

Serenity slowed her gait slightly when a trickling sound penetrated her senses.

Water.

She made her way to the stream and inhaled deep gulps of cool, clear water, coughing and sputtering more than anything. She had been on the run for three days, and needed to force herself to drink as slowly as possible—which was still rather rushed—in order to swallow the pure water down. Her whole wolf's form was shaking. The sun was just beginning to sink under the horizon. Twilight would soon be upon her. The position of the sun wouldn't keep Serenity safe though, no matter where she was located in the forest. Her fur was too flawless; too white. Any predator would be able to spot her before she spotted it, even during Moonshine. Diamond was most likely bringing the whole pack with him in search for her, also. Hopefully the other males would slow him down. He wouldn't allow her to leave him; she was too valuable. Somehow he believed she belonged to him. She would never allow this, of course. His mark would never mar her flesh. She would never sink so low as to be claimed as his mate.

He didn't deserve her.

Once again, although her muscles and heart screamed in protest, Serenity set off at a mind-blowing pace. If there was a stream here, perhaps there was a river, or waterfall. If so, there would also be many animals. Serenity silently asked the Moon Goddess to deliver her, and guide her. She asked for there to be other wolf-kin close by. By the mind-boggling amounts of new smells, she added another plea to her request.

Make sure they will not tear my throat out before listening to me and giving me a chance.

The forest was becoming less dense. Serenity nearly stopped altogether before continuing at a sedate pace, trying to calm her over-worked heart. She concentrated on smell and sounds alone. She could hear little yips of a few cubs. From the sound of it, there weren't many. There were so many different wolf odors that she was positive the rest of the pack made up for it, though. Everything seemed so calm here, cheerful and playful even. More cheerful than where her territory had been. As far as happiness went, she didn't have much to compare it with.

A tensed hush washed over the rather large pack as if a tidal wave had come and covered up all sound. Serenity stiffened. She should have known better. They could probably smell her. They knew she didn't belong; that she wasn't one of them. Now they would be wary of her. She wouldn't know what to expect, and neither would they.

A slight breeze picked up as Serenity turned into her human form. Long silver tresses tumbled down her back in waves, her stormy blue eyes shrinking slightly to accommodate her new face of flawless, pale skin. Sleek ivory fur covered her human essentials, yet left her midriff bare. Her long, sinewy legs showed off feminine muscle, which enabled her to run for days in wolf or human form. All of these things were supposed to give Serenity confidence as she walked into unknown territory.

Instead, it heightened her desire to flee.

She had to remain strong. Her mind had been set three days prior. It was too late to back out now. She wouldn't allow herself to second-guess her rationality.

Serenity allowed herself to take a deep breath before entering the clearing. She knew the only way not to seem threatening was to stay in human form. It was a respectful omega thing to do while facing those higher and possibly stronger than she. If they threatened her or intimidated her in the slightest though—she was out of there!

When Serenity slowly strode forward on two legs, she couldn't help the stunned expression that crossed her face. This place was amazing! The clearing was large, but not overly so. It was… comforting, in a sense. Three little pups were running around in wolf form, chasing each other and tackling one another to the ground. The brown one reminded her painfully of her little brother. A little way from the pups laid a lounging black wolf that seemed to have taken a short nap and dosed in a serene sleep. Then there was a river that wound its way into the forest along the side of the mountain, where Serenity could barely make out the entrance of a cave with her human eyes. There was a small hill, located in the clearing just past the edge of the river on her right that seemed to evolve into a plateau. More than half the pack was stretched up there, lying in the last rays of the sun before Moonshine. Serenity shuddered involuntarily at the thought of the rushing river. It looked as if the only way to get into the cave was through the river, and Serenity had some bad experiences with rushing water.

Gazing around the clearing once more, Serenity noticed a few of the pack in their skin, preparing the Last Meal before they turned in for the night. To the left across from the river was an open field of grass for the pups to play in. A few birds had been chirping a moment ago, and all seemed right in the world. Serenity was surprised no one seemed to notice her frozen state on the outskirts of what was clearly their territory.

Then she realized she was downwind, and it would have been nearly impossible for any of them—the humans especially—to sniff her out. Her brow furrowed. Why had the pack seemed so tense to her before, then? They looked perfectly at ease now. The pups were still rolling around not too far from her, and the humans seemed perfectly at ease…

She could have smacked herself black and blue at that moment. What she wouldn't do to be in wolf form right now. She would be able to realize the reason behind it all. Of course the pups wouldn't be upset, their noses still weren't very strong yet. They also weren't aware of the dangers around them. The humans couldn't smell the danger any better than she could while in this form! It was the other, older pack members that seemed ill at ease somehow.

A sable wolf glanced over at her from the precipice he currently claimed as his, cobalt blue eyes staring at her intently while narrowing a bit. He rose and stalked down the edge of the plateau, other wolves tense and rising behind him. He was large in size, but so were the two males following him. On the sable's right was a grizzly looking red wolf with a heated brown gaze. To the left was… a white wolf?! Were there many more white wolves in this mixed clan? Did this mean the pack might actually accept her if they didn't think she would threaten the pack in any way?

Serenity slowly walked toward them, her nerves going haywire since they hadn't donned their skin yet. When they were about sixty steps away the three males finally shifted into their human counterparts, much to Serenity's great relief.

She noticed the Alpha of the pack right away. He had a strong, broad chest with firm muscles. His mouth was sensual, but stern. His eyes never wavered from her being, nor smiled with acceptance. His unruly black hair slightly fell into his eyes, giving him an even more dangerous expression. He was at least a good head taller than Serenity!

To his right was a strong, burly man with wavy dark hair the color of mixed leaves in the autumn that was almost as long as Serenity's. Instead of making him look feminine, the length of his hair only added to his masculinity. He followed his leader from two paces behind almost lazily, but his attitude showed otherwise. He was powerful, and his sharp brown eyes saw everything at once. Serenity briefly wondered what his eyes would look like if they softened.

What she saw next blew all the air right out of her lungs. The man to the alpha's left had straight white hair and silver-blue eyes. His face was an emotionless mask, his muscle almost enough to rival both men before him. It was his eyes that captured her the most. Even though they seemed empty and hid everything from view Serenity would never forget those eyes! She remembered him when he was shorter, his muscle of less strength, and his face a tad bit more sincere. She remembered him in her pup days. She couldn't believe it. Fury and excitement blinded her. He was here! It was he! After all this time!

And he knew nothing.

"Kunzite?"

Serenity could barely believe her eyes. Oh, if only she was in wolf form, she would be able to smell him and make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. How long had it been since he had left their pack? Five years?

She froze, looking like a lost pup that had stumbled upon a predator while looking for its mother. "Kunzite, is it really you?" Escalation and hope had spread over her face, but quickly fled at Kunzite's silence. His silver-blue eyes met hers stare for stare, yet he said nothing. He wouldn't blink, wouldn't even grin or smirk at her. Serenity gulped and her brows knit into a frown.

"Kunzite, answer me!" She yelled it desperately, angry tears filling her eyes.

Finally, after a look from the ebony-haired man ahead of him, he opened his mouth to speak. "Are you with them?"

His gruff, emotionless voice chilled her bones as his eyes hardened like steel. It was then that she noticed both she and them had stopped walking and were about fifteen paces away now. Serenity's brows lowered even further as she clenched her teeth and fists. Here was her older brother, after years of separation, and he didn't even ask or know about their father and little brother's deaths, or the shattered pack that no longer deserved to live. Here was her white-haired brother, who looked taller, stronger, and his straight hair had grown slightly, but for all of that he appeared the same as he had left her, but his attitude toward her had changed drastically.

Serenity growled and took a step backward. "What's happened to you? You're not the brother I remember."

He raised an eyebrow, something he had done since he was ten, but this time there was no amusement or jesting in his eyes, only stoic calmness. "Perhaps, then, I am not your brother."

Serenity blinked back tears of fury, well aware that every eye of the pack was on them. Was this supposed to be her welcoming committee? She didn't feel very welcome. She had half a mind to tell her so-called brother off, and enlighten him with the struggles she had gone through while he had been gone. She decided against it. The other wolves would be on her in an instant if they thought her too hostile, and Serenity didn't need his sympathy!

Serenity bowed her head in defeat, debating whether to turn back and go home, or keep searching for some other pack that might be a little more accepting. She raised her head defiantly after a few moments of silence and gazed straight into the leader's sapphire eyes, ignoring her 'brother' completely.

"I am sorry to have troubled you," she stated snippily, jutting out her sharp chin. "I was looking for a place to stay, another pack where I would be accepted as Sister, but I have a feeling I won't be finding it here." Her gaze flicked dangerously to Kunzite's, "For I have no brother." She had stressed the last word with a hidden meaning, allowing Kunzite to think whatever he wanted of her last statement. She saw his eyes widen almost briefly, as his tensed muscles seemed to deflate on their own. His head tilted to the side a hair as he gazed searchingly into her eyes for the dreaded answer he might find.

Serenity didn't let him search her for too long though. She had always been easy to read. She turned on her heel and headed back toward the ease and safety of the forest. She noticed the pups on her left as she walked by them once more, staring at them forlornly. She noticed only two were playing now. The third one must have gone to his mother. Serenity liked the comfortable peacefulness this pack had to offer. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant for her. Perhaps the river was an omen, forewarning her away. Everything else had been so perfect though.

And then there was her brother. She didn't know what she had expected from him. Was it welcoming, open arms? A large smile as he admitted he was wrong to have left his family and had been searching for her and the pack since? No. He left for a reason, and would have been sure his choice wasn't a mistake. How could he have simply up and left? What had been going on inside his head all those years ago? What was he thinking now?

As Serenity pondered about her brother she saw the stray brown pup to her right, chasing a little blue butterfly. He was prancing along the edge of the clearing, leaping into the air and coming out empty-handed. He didn't give up though, even though it was a struggle. He was going in the opposite direction, and Serenity had to strain her neck to watch him as a small smile found its way upon her face. He and Sammy would have been fast friends, although Sammy preferred to chase the yellow butterflies.

Upon realizing she had stopped walking and was most likely making the pack wary about her antics, Serenity hurried on her way toward the forest's edge, remembering the three strong men who had trained eyes on her—all of whom would tear her apart if they thought even a pup was not safe in her presence. She didn't want to cause any suspicions. As she neared the edge of the clearing her senses started picking up on something. Her slow gait slowed even further as the hairs at the back of her neck went on end. She would have bet all her wolf teeth that if she had been in wolf form her hackles would have been up. Something wasn't right, and she didn't like this feeling.

Finally coming to a stop, Serenity shifted uneasily from foot to foot. She scanned the area surrounding her, looking for any slight give-away or warning of danger. She glanced over her shoulder at the three men and noticed they were still in human form as well, and had not moved since. A foreboding feeling washed over her. They wouldn't be able to smell an enemy or hear one approaching either since they were still in human form. She knew she was supposed to stay in human form until she was out of their territory, but what if it couldn't be helped?

It couldn'tbe Diamond, yet! He was so slow! He would have stopped for food and water! The other males would have slowed him down even more! There's no wayhe could have already caught up to her!

Could he have?

Serenity backed up a step, her eyes trying to deeply penetrate the dark forest in front of her. She glanced to the left, and then the right. She could have sworn she saw something move on her right. She gazed steadily in front of her, backing up half a step once more. She quickly cast her gaze to the left. Did that bush just move? Then the right; she could feel something hidden there, behind that bush or tree. She leaned forward a little, trying to see more clearly.

Damn my stupid human eyes! Come out here if you know what's good for you!

Serenity nearly shouted her thoughts out loud, but thought better of it.

As she continued gazing to her right she saw something grayish-brown leap at her from the corner of her left eye. Serenity gasped, eyes widening, as she tried to maneuver herself out of harm's way. She twisted her body impossibly while leaping backwards as her gaze met the yellow eyes of a hyena. Pain erupted from her left shoulder as the hyena's claws raked her bare flesh there, barely missing the target which would have ended Serenity's life if a short nip was followed.

Serenity cried out as she hit the ground, but managed to change into her wolf form before rolling out of her predator's strike zone. She crouched, eying the hyena as growls raked her furred form, her white fuzzy ears flattened against her skull as she eyed her enemy. It took her a moment to realize more hyenas had erupted from the brush and all of the pack had already turned into their fiercer forms. Each wolf eyed their prey with ruthless eyes, growls and howls emitting from deep within their chests and released into the clear-blue sky above.

They had been surrounded.

Do you like it? Is it too anti-climactic? Let me know with a review!!! Thank you!!!

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