Quick Note:I don't have time for the 'reply' part of this chapter.However,include or re-include you're question or whatever and I'll try my best to awnser it.Well,if that's it.Here's the 4th chapter!

As Rose approached the Statue Of Liberty,she could seem to make out Jake and the other reddish object better and better.But just as she was coming upon them within 20 or so feet.She realized with horrfied-widened eyes,that the firey bird-like creature was swooping her way and was almost ready to launch an attack when Jake got between them and,facing the Phoenix,held out his claws.Telling it an a very gentle and regardful tone,

"Hey,it's okay...it's okay,"he began slowly and then said with a little more persuasion,"If you want to stay here,that's alright.But please don't attack us.We just want to help you.Umm...was that okay?"

Jake turned to his Grandfather who looked from the Phoenix to Jake then,sneaking a slightly suspicious but knowing glance at Rose,he turned his head to Brookland Bridge and nodded.Showing that he knew that he both trusted Jake to keep the Phoenix out of harms way and sort out whatever differences he had with Rose.But,as he began to leave,a feeling in his stomach told him that it might be more then him or Jake barginned for.The three of them watched as he started back for the shop.

"Come on,girl."Jake finally told the Phoenix under his breath,leading the impaitent-looking large bird up to the top of the Statue so she could rest.She was a beautiful blend of golden,yellow-ish feathers,with flame-licking red and orange embers emitting from her wings,head and tail.But the most astounding thing was her deep,mystic cerulean eyes.

"Um..."Rose followed them up to where Jake and the Phoenix landed next to each other almost near the torch,"It's...um...could we?Um...Jake?"

But he still didn't awnser her for quite sometime,as he watched the Phoenix create some kind of flaming nest and seat herself comfortabley in the center of it.She made sure that Rose was back far enough,before she lowered her head and closed her dazzling aquatic eyes.After that,Jake snapped his head around at her and almost bared his teeth as he said,

"Don't tell me,"he began to her gruffly,"You came all the way here to apologize.Or no wait!Better yet,you're here to try to kick my butt and slay me like old times and then once that's out of the way.No one will stand in you're way of poaching the possible last Phoenix ever!"

His words sunk deeply into her,although what he was saying was to of been considered.She didn't blame him for that,but she had no intention of hurting anyone.However,she would have liked to become an honory member of clan and she still didn't see what was wrong with poaching Magical Creatures.They weren't even suppose to be real,just fairy tales.If they were like animals,that'd be one thing.But Jake was a living thing,part human in fact.And they had been getting close at one point.She was just so confused at this point of what to do,she just had told talk to him.

"Can't we just talk?"She began to ask him stiffly,her head bowed down so he wouldn't see the choked tears starting to sting her eyes,"Please,"she took in some deep breaths,as she shallowed back a sob,"Just talk to me."

That was when Jake really saw that she was just trying to get everything sorted out and he almost sympthazied with her and he almost reached out to touch her shoulder.But,he drew his claw back.She had been out to pretty much do away with him at one time,however,he did feel that maybe he should at least give her a chance to explain herself.

"Alright,Rose..."Jake sighed wearily,morphing back to normal and sitting on a bench a few feet from her,"Sit down and tell me what you have to."

Reluctantly,she walked over and took a seat beside him.At first,they completely avioded eye-contact with each other and focused more on the Phoenix.But gradually,Rose started reveiling things to Jake.Things,Jake had no idea about.She started out slow,then sped up a little more,

"It all started when I was 6,"she started to say,but grew a little more reserved and unwilling,then she turned to look at him and he turned to look at her,"My parents died in a car crash.That's when my Uncle,who just happened to live in New york 5,000 miles or more from our home in Montana.He took me in,but only then did he explain to me my destiney..."

Her words fell into an eerie silence,one that was precarious but thoughtful.It all seemed to seep into Jake after awhile,the crash,her Uncle taking her in,her destiney to slay a Dragon.Some time had passed and they had resumed gazing at the Phoenix with quiet admiration.But also to mainly keep thier minds busy with rushing thoughts and different oppions.

"So you had no choice,"Jake exclaimed suddenly,ahead of his own or Roses's thoughts,he then turned to look at her once more,"He said that it was you're destiney and that nothing could have changed it,right?"

Rose was flabbergasted,"How did you know that!"she shot to her feet and her started to just stare at him,"How did you know I couldn't change it if I could...?How Jake?I've never told anyone else that!"

"It's not hard to figure out,"Jake also got to his feet and started to walk to the edge of Statue,"Because Rose..."he turned to look directly in her eyes and smile boldly,"I can't change it either.And you know why,because I was born with this duty and this privlage.Sure,it's not always what it's all cracked up to be...but,"he turned back to the city,"I wouldn't change it."

"But you don't understand..."She began fretfully and then paused to look out with him,finally she sighed and tried to explain,"Ever since that say I've been taught that Magical creatures...all of them are just-"

"Just what?"Jake said casually,but then frowned,"Just worth nothing but a few quick bucks and maybe even a trophey or two?Is that it,Huntsgirl?"

"Don't call me that!"Rose spat at him bitterly in her typical Huntsgirl tone,but she was so tooken back,that she nearly stumbled back intoa slumbering Phoenix,"Oh,gosh."she whispered,frightened,"Why is this me?"

"Look,"Jake told her gentley,putting an arm on her shoulder,"I think you just need some lessons on what Magical Creatures are really like.You know,not from a Hunt-clan-POV?It would really help you get to know them and...me better.That is,"he paused to look into her eyes seriously and say forwardly,"If you're willing to try and change some?"

"I want to..."she began to say softly,her eyes glistening againist therising mid-day sun signaling noon,"But what if I can't Jake.After all,it's my destiney to be a Huntsmaster and take over my Uncle's place."

"Well,my destiney may be written in stone..."Jake told her with a creeping grin,as he jumped up to stand on the very tip of the edge,then he whirled around to Rose as he ascended his Dragon wings,"But that doesn't mean one of us can't try and do just that,"he then changed into his full Dragon form and letting himself take over,flamed Rose's board and held out one claw for her to grab on to,"Do you trust me enough to fly with me?"

Rose was so moved by Jake's abilitey to try and help her out,even after all she had done and/or tried doing.That she soon found herself gripping Jake's claw,as they took off to the main part of the city.But not before he grabbedwhat appeared to be some sort of blue bottle from behind his ear and biting off the cork,he threw a large gust of it at the Statue.

"What's that for?"Rose questioned him curiously.

"Magicblock,it'll keep all unwanted visitors away from the Phoenix for one hour."He explained breifly,before they descended off to the city,Jake then turned to add with a grin,"And besides,it's only 3 days till Thanksgiving.So technically,people are taking this time to getfrom wherever they are to wherever they need to go.So no one will even be trying to get to the Statue of Liberty right now."

So off they went,unaware that they were being watched by someone only at the base of the Statue.Just waiting for Jake to mess up.

Well,I didn't reveal 'all' the details of Rose's past.And there's a lot more to come very,very soon.By the way,if I don't update to about next week,then please don't be too surprised with,uh,matters not concernig you.Sorry,but that's the way the dice rolls.More soon!

LP