A/N: Whoops! I said I wouldn't do this until my other two stories were complete, but here we go again. I wanted to write a longhaired Jacob set in the old days and this is just an idea I've been thinking of. I'm not sure where it's going and I guess it will be a kind of drabble series, as the chapters will be short. I will update as and when I get the chance, and the urge to write more. But I'd love to know what you think. I'm afraid I don't know about American history and the Native Americans to make this truly authentic, and I will therefore use words I feel may have fit with the time. Saying that, I have no date of when this is set, so you can decide. I hope any words I do use do not cause anyone offense. That is certainly not my intention. This is purely a piece of my imagination. This is not Beta'd so I apologize in advance for any errors.

All recognizable characters belonging to, Stephanie Meyer. This is AU, AH, OOC. Rated M (To be on the safe side, in later chapters)

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They ran giggling towards the house, holding hands. Then quickly and quietly, they ducked under the big window. Bella let out another giggle, and Jacob shushed her gently putting his finger to her lips - which only made her want to laugh more - but she managed to hold it in, and quietly looked at her friend.

"Really, Charles, it's highly inappropriate for a girl of Isabella's age to be running around with a... with a... savage!" They could hear her voice getting higher as she was getting more agitated.

Bella looked at her friend. She was shocked and embarrassed by what her aunt had said, and knew, that like her, Jacob could hear every word.

Jacob rolled his eyes. Times had moved on. His people were more accepted now and many folk could see that they were peaceful and hardworking, but there was always a few who still referred to them as savages or redskins – a few ignorant people who just couldn't get past their differences. Bella's aunt, Esme, just so happened to be one of those ignorant people.

"Now, now, Esme, Jacob it not a savage, he and his kin are good, hardworking, decent folk and I know that boy wouldn't harm a hair on Bella's head."

"Oh really, Charles, he also happens to be a young man for goodness sake, and I for one haven't failed to notice the way he looks at her. It makes me shudder to think what they could be doing out in those woods all day!"

Bella shifted uncomfortably as she watched Jacob. What had seemed like a bit of harmless eavesdropping had suddenly become a little embarrassing. She could feel the rising heat in her cheeks and knew she was blushing. Looking at Jacob, she was sure she could see his cheeks also turning a shade of pink under his russet skin. She quickly looked down at their hands as Jacob caught her eye.

She knew full well what her aunt was referring to, but was shocked that anyone could think they would be doing such things. Her, and, Jacob?

"Esme, really, you're reading far too much into it. They are friends, have been for years and they're just children."

"No, Charles, Isabella is fourteen now, and how old is the boy? At least fifteen, I'd say. They are certainly not children, and if Isabella is to find a good suitor she will need to be educated in how to act, and behave, like a lady. How, do you think she'll do that, without the help of a woman? You know it's what her dear mother would have wanted. God rest her soul." Bella rolled her eyes at the ridiculous forced sob her aunt made. "Now… we have discussed this over the years, Charles. She is to come and live with me in Seattle for four years. I will have her tutored and when she returns to you she will be transformed."

"No...!" Bella could feel her eyes prickling with tears, as Jacob gently covered her mouth with his hand.

"Shush Bells, it'll be okay, you'll see." He whispered, as he leaned forward and hugged her.

She threw her arms around his neck. Of course she knew this would happen one day. They'd often heard her mean aunt, Esme, talk about taking her away, but now, it was really going to happen. How could she spend four years away from Jacob, her father, the ranch, and the wonderful beaches of La Push?

She sobbed quietly into Jacob's shoulder, as she gently stroked his long black hair. It was a habit of hers when she was upset. He would hug her, and she would stroke his hair while he gently patted her back, whispering soothing words - often in his native tongue - to comfort her.

"I don't want to go Jake. I want to stay here, with you and dad. Let's hide, let's go someplace she can't find us." She sobbed looking up at him.

"Hey, come on Bells, you know they'd find us… and then what? They'd never let me near you again. She'd say I took you against your will, like in the old days. She'd say lots of bad stuff to shame me and my people, and who do you think the townsfolk would believe, eh? Not me, that's for sure. You have to stay, Bells, and do what she wants." He whispered gently.

"I hate her Jake, I really hate her!" She sagged against him, crying a little louder.

"Ah, come on, Bells, you're too good to hate anyone. Don't let her bring hate into your heart... think of the good things only. The things that will bring you joy. When you are away from here, think of my words." He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes, as he wiped the tears from her cheeks with a grubby finger. "When you are sad and your heart is aching, think of the deer we watched in the wood; the eagle soaring in the sky. When you feel a breeze on your face, remember when we ran against the wind. The rain on your face, will be like the spray from the sea when we stood on the cliff top. If you see a painting, think, of the color of the trees, and the smell of the grass. You must stay strong, like the warrior going into battle, and remember these things." He slowly rested his forehead against hers. "With your heart full of memories, there will be no room for hate; no room for sadness. Four summers Bella, that's all. Then you'll come back to me, and your dad, back to where you belong..." Then gently bringing his lips to her forehead, he spoke so quietly, "These, Bella Swan, are my words to you."

Bella pulled back and ran her fingers down Jacob's face. Then brushing them through his hair, she whispered. "I will try to be brave like the warrior. I will think of your words when my heart is sad and aching. But when my heart is in a dark place, I will also remember your long raven hair; I will see your dark tan skin, and then I will think of your beautiful smile. These things will lift my heart from its dark place, and bring it back to my warm, happy place. These memories will bring my heart back here, to my best friend. These, Jacob Black, are my words to you."