I know this came out a little late, but as hard as it is to believe… I do have a life… no really I do. In between helping my sister move, working, college getting a new job, and getting ready for a week vacation, I have I found finding time for anything else minimal.

So all I ask is to bare with me.

Oh yes good news… next chapter, your choice, Friday the 20th, or Monday the 30th. Reason being, I am going to be out on Lake Roosevelt in a house boat, (so no phone lines, only cell phones), from Aug 21st - Aug 27th. So you guys decide this week, which day you want the chapter.

Thank you guys for reviewing, the only light in this hectic week. I swear they get longer and longer.

Rayne StarDust, Blood River, keikabee, Raepan, BlueFrost, blackrosebunny451, I want to read!, jypsee, Chibi Pyro Duo, Serenity Moon2, Lady Tristana Rouge, Raye-chan, Sunshine Fia, Kagero, Aeden Hale, GambitGirl2008, Melissa, Flame Ivy Moon, Concrete Tenshi.

I do have an Important Question to ask all of you. How many of you would be discouraged in reading a story that involves a 17 year old girl and about a 30 year old guy getting together?

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Chapter thirteen:

Nobility

The young man stared at the phone incredulously. What the hell, he thought in annoyance. Bringing the phone back to his ear, he decided to give the caller a piece of his mind. "Why do I have baby-sit?"

His eyes narrowed as he listened to the calm reply. "No! its Z's turn to do the shitty job. I did the last one!" he countered in his own defense. "Yes, that was me," he argued with the other person.

Grunting, he switched lanes and passing the slow volts wagon, on the long strip of highway.

"Oh come on," he whined, changing tactics. "I don't want to baby-sit. Yes it is baby sitting, only I'm not getting paid!"

His left eye twitched with annoyance. "They're what?" he asked. Turning on his blinker, he merged into the other lane.

Looking ahead, his squinted his eyes to stare at the setting sun. "Shit, I hate it when you're right," he said sourly. Rolling his eyes at the comment thrown back at him, he sighed.

"Fine, fine, whatever."

He noticed the three women up ahead. Turning on his blinker, he whizzed passed them, hit the brakes, and pulled over. "Yea, I'll take care of it."

With a snap, he shut off his phone and tossed it into the glove box. Glancing back through his rearview mirror, he scowled. Why do I always get the shitty jobs, he thought bitterly.

----

Serena squealed, when the old beat up truck pulled over for her. Running ahead, she ran to the passenger side and peered in through the open window. She eyed the stranger who sat behind the steering wheel.

He was looking at her as well, a cocky smile on his handsome face. He appeared young, with soft skin stretched over a perfectly sculptured face. There was something about his stare and the face that he looked so good, that set her off.

Pushing the thought out of her mind, she flashed the older man a brilliant smile. "Are you heading North," she asked finally, her eyes locking with his dark blue ones.

The young man nodded, his blonde curls falling over his forehead to fall into his eyes. "That I am miss. Need a lift," he asked.

Serena sighed with relief. "Really," she asked, and pulled the door open. "You don't mind?"

The young man shook his head, "Not at all. The girls with you," he asked once she climbed in. Serena nodded, "yea. Again thanks."

The stranger shrugged. "it's not a problem," he said matter of fact. Blue and Cheza climbed into the bench seat beside her, with Blue sitting near the door, which she slammed shut.

Feeling her face flushed, Serena turned to the man. "Sorry, I'm Serena, this is Cheza and Blue, my friends."

The young man quirked a smile. "The names, uh, Ja- Jason." Grinning, she replied, "its nice to meet you Jason."

He nodded in reply, while shifting gears and pulled back out onto the road.

----

They drove for most of the night. Finally stopping at an inn around eleven. Jason had offered to pay for their rooms, since Serena had lost her money. He had also offered to drive them to the nearest city once morning came.

So they spent the night at some inn she had never heard of. And ate breakfast the next morning in the small restaurant next door.

Around eight, they all climbed back into the truck and started off again, heading North.

"So where are you three heading anyway," the young man asked at last. Serena wasn't surprised by the question. She had been expecting it. What only surprised her, was how long he had waited to ask. "Visiting a friend," she explained. She didn't plan on lying to him, but she didn't plan on giving him details either.

"Kiba?" Cheza suddenly asked, her voice sounding soft and hesitant.

The surprise on Jason's face was clear as day. Suspiciously, Serene wondered if it was because of the name, or that this was the first time he had heard the girl speak since picking them up. She had a feeling it was because of the former.

Pressing her back against the back of the bench seat, she pretend to be looking out the window. But in fact, she was watching the man's face.

"Yes Cheza, we're going to see Kiba," she answered. Her eyes narrowed when the young man's eyes widen a fraction while he stared out the window. His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white.

It wasn't much longer, till Jason turned the blinker on and pulled over into a gas station. "I think it would be best to fuel up, never know when we might run out," he said, while pushing his door open.

"Any of you want something to eat?" he asked. Serena shrugged. "Sure, some chips sound good."

Jason nodded, while he fished for his wallet. "Hey Blue," he called. "Could you get me my phone, its in the glove box. I think I'll call my friend who lives in the city a few miles from here. See if he minds if I stop at his place for the night," he babbled, nervousness having him say more than was needed.

Blue handed him his phone and he gave her a soft thanks, before he slammed the door shut and walked off. Inconspicuously, Serena glanced at the gas indicator. They still had a half of a tank left.

----

He hit the automatic redial and waited as it rang. The phone he pressed to his ear rang four times, before someone picked up.

"There is some serious shit going on here!" he started off. "No don't tell me to relax," he shouted in return to the calm reply.

How the man could be so calm in serious situations always set him off in a bad mood. And he was already in a foul mood to begin with.

"Guess where I'm headed," he said, while walking through the small convenient store. "I'm at some 7/11 store, in the middle of nowhere, heading North," he said, while grabbing an arm full of chips, a variety since he hadn't been given a preference.

"They're heading North, searching for a friend," he said, his voice becoming more annoyed as he talked. "I'm driving North, with three chicks," he said, his voice going low. "One of them being a wolf!" he exclaimed in a hiss. He was lucky that it was only him and the clerk in the store.

"You're wondering what friend," he asked incredulously. "Hell, I thought you knew everything?" he replied with a sneer.

He dropped the bags onto the counter before heading to the back of the store. He grabbed a carton of chocolate milk, and two bottles of mineral water. "Well what I want to know, is how the hell does she know Kiba?"

Pausing, he kept to the corner, to keep from being overheard. Looking up, he glanced out the large front window to see his truck.

All was a counted for.

"Yea, old wolf boy. It appears that's they're friend," he said in a sickening sweet voice.

Briefly, he glanced over at the counter. The clerk was to busy reading her novel to notice him having a conversation on his phone. "You want me to what?" he shouted, not caring who heard him. "Are you out of your mind?"

He shook his head and sighed. "Fine, whatever," he said as he approached the counter. Snapping the phone shut, he looked at the clerk. "I believe I'm ready."

----

Serena looked up, when Jason opened the driver side door and handed her the large paper bag. "Treats and drinks," he said with a smile.

He climbed into his seat and shut the door. "Can you put this back," he asked, handing Blue the phone. She complied and put it back into the glove box.

He started the truck and pulled back out onto the road. As they started North again, Serena wondered what had happened, since he hadn't even bothered to fuel up.

That had been the reason they had stopped, unless there had something else he wanted to do.

She glanced over at the glove box. I wonder who he called, she thought with suspicion.

Three hours later, they reached a city, in which Jason pulled over to fuel up, for real this time. While he got out and conversed with another driver on the other side, Serena went for the glove box.

"Serena what are you doing," Blue asked.

Taking the phone, she stared at all the keys, before hitting redial. "I don't trust him," she said as a way to explain herself.

Pressing the phone to her ear, she listened as the phone rang four times. On the fifth ring, someone picked up. The other person, who sounded distinctly male, greeted with a soft hello. She kept quiet, her brows drawn together.

Why did that voice sound familiar?

Again the man said hello, but his voice gave no hint if he was irritated or upset.

Then suddenly the man sighed and he said her name. The fact that he knew it was her was a shock, but also was the fact that she suddenly knew who she was talking to. This was the man from Jagara's aircraft.

The man who had told her to visit her mother and had helped her escape. The jumbled information in her mind clicked together. "Kunzite," she said, more than asked.

The man on the other end chuckled and she knew then that she was right. Now all she needed to know was why Jason was calling him. "What the hell is going on," she asked, her anger rising suddenly.

She was getting sick and tired of these sort of games. "How do you know Jason," she asked. But as soon as she had said the words, she felt stupid. Why shouldn't he not know Jason? she thought in annoyance. Hadn't her mother told her about being protected her whole life?

"You're all Nobles," she accused, not listening to the man on the other end. Cursing herself, she snapped the phone shut. She dragged herself to the driver's side of the truck and shoved the door open. Climbing out, she said to the others, "Lets go."

She didn't bother to look back, before she started walking. "Serena," Jason called, abandoning the gas tank to go after her.

Whirling around, she pointed her finger at him. "You ass whole!" she shouted, ignoring the curious stares she was receiving. "You're one of them," she hissed.

At his raised eyebrows, she added, "I called Kunzite, he says hi." Turning on her heels, she started walking towards the road, with Cheza and Blue right behind her.

She stopped suddenly to look back at him. "Jason, or whoever you are, tell your boss that I want to be left alone. Go back to wherever it is you came from. I'm sick and tired of all of you!"

Seething, she raised her voice even more, "I will not have you, or the freaky chick in the armor running my life! Or Cheza's life, for that matter. So back the hell off!" She turned again, just in time to see the city bus.

Before Jason could act, she flagged the driver and climbing on, with Blue and Cheza.

The bus pulled away, before he could even reach the bus stop.

----

Serena sat down next to a young man, since most of the other seats were full. Cheza had to sit next to a kid listening to loud music blaring through his headphones. And Blue was seated next to an elderly woman with dark glasses over her eyes.

Smiling at the man next to her, she greeted with a tired, "hi." She looked away to stare out ahead of her, suddenly feeling quite drain.

"Car break down?"

Startled from her thoughts, Serena glanced over at the young man next to her. "Excuse me," she asked.

He flashed her a smile. "Well I ride this bus every day, and you're new. So I thought maybe your car broke down."

She frowned, thinking over the stranger's explanation. A second passed, before she shook her head negatively. "No, actually my friends and I are new around here," she said in a way to explain herself. "I'm Serena," she introduced herself, holding out her hand. The young man smiled and took her hand. "I'm Amara," he said to introduce himself, while shaking her hand.

Serena eyed the stranger with a slight frown. Her eyes widened slightly and a flushed burned her cheeks. "Oh my god," she said aloud, even though she had meant to say it to herself.

Amara chuckled. "Something wrong?"

Serena covered her cheeks to hide her embarrassment. "I-I assumed. Because of your appearance I assumed you were a- a man…" her face turned several more shades of red.

The person next to her quirked her lips into a smile. "You should never assume anything. You can only make an ass out of you and me," she said.

Laughing, Serena shook her head. "I've never heard that one before," she said with a smile. She looked at the older woman next to her. She hadn't realized until then how much this woman, looked like Jason. Which might have been why she had first though her, a man.

Amara was dressed casually in a pair of khakis and a red t-shirt. She had short wheat blond hair, cut in the same manner Jason had, with a slight curl. Blue eyes stared at her, with a cockiness she had seen in Jason when she had first met him. The resemblance between the two was almost uncanny.

Sitting back in her seat, Serena contemplated over this little bit of information. Was it possible that she had managed to run into another Noble and so soon?

Glancing at the other woman next to her, she frowned. How many could there be? So far she knew of only seven Nobles, that not including herself, since she was only half.

As if sensing her thoughts, Amara sighed languidly. "You know, you should lighten up, Serena. I mean I'm impressed with the way you handled my little brother, since he so deserved that…" she joked, her voice light.

Serena stiffened though, even if the other woman's voice sounded reassuring. Amara blatantly ignored her sudden uneasy form. "Yes I am a Noble, just like my brother Jadeite," she answered the unasked question, smoothly. "And before you go ape shit on me as well, I think I would like to explain myself."

Another noble, Serena thought incredulously. Another one!

"My bothers and I don't work for Jagara, Oakum, or even Darcia," Amara explained. "Kunzite, my oldest brother was good friends with you father.

"They grew up together, and Kunzite took it upon himself to take care of you and your mother after Tsuki died."

Tears filled her eyes, threatening to fall, as she listened to Amara speak. Why couldn't these people just leave her alone?

"I'm not here to take you back, or send you anywhere. Jadeite, or as you know him Jason and I were sent to look after you.

"Kunzite asked us, to watch over you, until we are no longer needed," she said finally. It was the most reassuring thing she had said so far. "Is that alright with you," she finally asked, her lips twitching as if she wanted to add some kind of sarcastic remark, but held it back.

Serena swallowed passed the large lump that had formed in her throat. "Its all right, if you just tell me one thing."

Amara frowned, lines forming above her brow. "And what is that," she asked almost a little too sharply.

"What is your real name."

Amara nearly laughed at the question. So it appeares the girl has had her fill of lies. Without any hesitation, she answered truthfully, "Haruka, you can call me Haruka."

----

They had been traveling for nearly two days now, the bus leading them nearly a direct path towards North. But even with the lack of sleep, or comfort, Serena's attention wasn't shot. Movement from the corner of her eye, caught her eye. Turning her head, Serena frowned, when Cheza suddenly stood. Her brows furrowed together, when the girl started to move towards the front of the bus.

Instinctively, Serena reached up and jerked on the cord to stop the bus. Even before the bus could pull over, Serena was climbing to her feet. She moved after Cheza, catching the girl by the arm.

"Cheza," she asked, her face filled with concern. "What's wrong?" The bus came to a complete stop on the side of the road, near an old natty looking fast food restaurant.

The girl turned towards her, her red eyes suddenly filled with an emotion, Serena had only seen happen once before. "Kiba," Serena asked, alarm filling her. "Is- is it Kiba?"

A small shake of her head, had Serena sagging with relief against the seat behind her. Her grip on the other girl loosened and Cheza pulled free. The small girl reached the door and slipped outside, using the few steps to reach the sidewalk.

With Blue and Haruka behind her, Serena followed the flower maiden. The girl was walking passed the seedy looking restaurant.

Reluctantly, Serena tagged behind the other girl, following her around the corner. To her displeasure, the bus pulled back out into traffic. I swear if this is some fluke, she thought to herself in irritation. She was unwilling to finish her thoughts.

But then, she didn't have to.

There was a small back alley which was all that separated the restaurant and the building behind it. And even that was sadly put. The narrow road could hardly fit four people all at once.

"Cheza," Serena began, her irritation showing slightly in her voice. Her day had already been rotten and going on a wild goose chase was not on her priority list.

Before she could continue, a low growl had her pulling herself short. Blue took action, pushing Cheza back into Serena and stood before them protectively. Growling the older woman eyed the shadows near the three dumpsters.

Paling, Serena glanced over at Haruka who was standing calmly next to her. Dutifully, Blue sniffed at the air and then snorted. Worried, Serena asked, "What, what do you smell?"

The older woman shook her head. "Nothing," she answered simply. "The garbage is overpowering my sense of smell."

Serena sighed, her eyes darting towards the dumpsters. Her lips formed a thin line, as she eyed the dark shadows. Releasing the frown, she caught her bottom lip between her teeth and worried it. Her eyes then fell to the girl she held tightly to her.

Wait a minute, she thought.

"Cheza," she started, her voice not even hinting to the fear she felt. "What's over there?" Serena pointed to the shadows even though she stared at the other girl.

"Wolves," came the simple answer.

But how?

"How do you know?" Serena asked, her curiosity evident in her voice. The girl didn't answer, not that Serena had expected her to.

Sighing, she let the other girl go, before she moved to stand next to Blue. Shoving aside the swarm of fear she felt and the fact that she had to repeatedly wipe her hands on her clothes to keep them dry. Licking her dry lips, she called out, "Hello…"

She waited a beat, listening carefully. "It's okay," she tried, hoping to ease them out of their hiding place. "We want to help you."

Serena wasn't all that surprised when she heard a dignified snort come from the dumpster. Blue next to her, growled low in her throat. Frowning, the small blonde reached up to keep her friend from doing anything rash.

"She said she wanted to help us," came a soft voice. Another snort, this one sounding angrier than the last one.

Serena fisted her hands at her sides and slowly, being careful, she took several steps towards the dumpster. "If you're hurt," she said, her voice sounding calm, something she didn't feel. "I can help you."

Staring at the edge of the dumpster, she waited for whoever was there to make the next move. She was startled, to say the least, when a long snout peered out. Then slowly the rest of the head appeared and then a neck and shoulders.

Tantalizingly, the small sleek bluish black wolf emerged from the shadows. It was clearly young and clearly feminine. Dark eyes, nearly black in color regarded her wearily.

Heart pounding, Serena slowly dropped to her knees. "Wow," she whispered, sounding breathless. The wolf was gorgeous. Her fur was perfectly trimmed, with the tail long and shaggy. The ears were flat against her head, even as she inched forward.

The wolf paused a foot away from her, unwilling to take the last step. Her head was bent low, but her lips didn't curl back into a snarl when Serena reached out to pet her.

Leaning into the touch, the wolf seemed to purr in content, when the blonde scratched her behind the ears. Cupping the wolf's face, Serena smiled. "You're beautiful," she said softly, meaning it.

Suddenly, another nose shot out from behind the dumpster. Serena had only noticed it when it sniffed at the air.

Slowly a second wolf moved out into the alley. This wolf was as dark as the first. But she was clearly much older. She was as slender as the one before Serena, but her coat was thicker and longer. The course fur was raven black and the eyes that stared at her hotly, were violet in color.

"Well hello," Serena said with a smile. This new wolf was as gorgeous as the first.

To the blonde's amazement, a third wolf appeared. It was another female, older than the other two. Her hair was thin and long, her tail shaggy like the others. Her coat was black, but there was a hint of something else mixed along the raven strands. Cool garnet stone shone in the light, staring up at her as if they held a secret only she knew.

As the older wolf moved forward, Serena caught the distinct limp, as she favored her front left leg.

"The blood of a wolf," Haruka said without explanation. Frowning, Serena turned to look at the older woman. "Excuse me," she asked.

The taller blonde smirked. "That was how Cheza knew they were here. The blood of a wolf effects her. When that wolf there was hurt, Cheza knew."

Serena nodded and turned to look back at the injured wolf. "Haruka," she said, her voice sounding eerily calm. "Do you have any money?"

With a shrug, Haruka replied, "some… why do you ask?" Standing, the younger blonde turned towards her friends. "Lets rent a motel room for the night. I want to take a look at her leg," she said, indicating to the injured wolf.

The corner of Haruka's mouth twitched, as if she wanted to smile. "Some things will never change," she said in a way to explain her amusement. The older women then turned and walked off, her hands stuffed into her pant's pocket.

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Rayne StarDust: Chibi Usa, you know I'm not sure… I was thinking about giving her a liter, considering he's a wolf and all… but I donno…

keikabee: yes she is…

Raepan: How could I burn Tuna helper, well if you knew me, you would know why right away… see I have this problem. If a show I like is on TV, everything else gets wiped from my mind. So as I made Dinner, Are You Afraid of the Dark came on… so in conclusion I forgot I was making dinner. I would sooo love to be able to cook, but I just don't have any gumption for it. You are sooooooooo lucky. A crock pot??? Eh… Oh how mean!!!! you're going to tempt me with Chocolate chip cookies just like BlueFrost did. L it's a cruel world… I guess I'll put you done on the list for Friday…

BlueFrost: I hate to say this, but no her mom does not show up. As for finding Kiba… well another Full Moon is just around the corner… kick the bucket, nope not yet…

I want to read!: Hmmm, maybe it was the site, I don't know what I could do, since I have no way to contact you…

Chibi Pyro Duo: Yea, I realize that.. Blue I have a hard time understanding her character. I think that might be why she's there, but not there… she kind of comes and goes in the plot. Well lets hope the boys have their father's good looks…

Raye-chan: Yea I know making Irene like this was risky… considering everyone makes her into a loving mother who is willing to help a stranger… But I decided that her losing the man she loved hardened her a bit… yes she's still loving, still nice to strangers, but she's protective. Losing Tsuki made her value what she had left a lot more than necessary. Hey cool, yea Wolf Rain is awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

Sunshine Fia: Like I said before… a Full Moon is coming so it would only be right to have another rendezvous right? Actually its not long now when she runs into those two, and its not going to be pretty. Actually I plan to put up my story Amorous, (Sere/Tsume) up very soon.

Kagero: Okay I've read your review a few times, and I totally understand where you're getting at. I started this story with no plot really in mind, as I wrote it, a lot formed. By then it was way too late to even think about putting in Sailor Moon. To do so now would ruin the story. And also, I think I need more practice with this crossover before I multitask with it…

Concrete Tenshi: Well I would have had her fly the plane, but I think that would have ruined Serena's character. Really? Kunzite was a surprise? Wow, I didn't think I was that good at being sneaky. I thought the whole phone calls would give it away. Well Serena doesn't even know she's pregnant, so she might have a hard time telling him… I just figured Cheza would know since she's sort of linked with the wolves. I have a question, one that has been bothering me. Cheza's her name, right? I mean its hard for me to tell because my DVD is in Subtitles, so they aren't always correct. So Cheza isn't like another word for Flower Maiden, right? I've been wondering about this for some time now. Also I have one more question for you. Tsume… to you, how old does he look?