Chapter 1: That Battle Feeling

Her nerves were shot to hell. The day had come, and she could not decide if she was more excited or frightened about the battle that lay ahead of her and her pack. They were built for this, they were trained for this, they were ready for the fight. The question remained if they were ready for the losses that may occur during the sure to be chaotic battle.

Of course all her "brothers" were confident that they would be able to handle themselves, especially the ones that had actually killed before. Even if they were told these leeches were different, he was confident that the resident leeches, the Cullen's, had prepared them as best they could, so it put the pack at ease. They all awaited the coming action with excited anticipation.

Maybe it was because she was female, or maybe it was because her actual brother would be participating, but she was less confident, and couldn't help but worry. It didn't help that a strange feeling had taken root inside of her, not necessarily a bad one, but it was a feeling, and it was enough to keep her on her guard. That feeling was heightened today, and that didn't help matters. She needed to stay focused, she needed to help her brothers defend their lands.

"Leah, Sam says it's time," her little brother Seth called from the kitchen, his excitement evident in his voice.

"This isn't a game you know," Leah snapped at him as she came out of her room and headed out the still open front door. Seth's smile disappeared as he followed right behind her.

"I was taught what you were taught, I know this isn't a game," He said defensively.

Leah knew that Seth understood the significance of today, she was just on edge, as was usual these days. They always attributed her bitchiness to the whole Sam/Emily fiasco, and that was always part of it, always at the back of her mind, maybe not as buried as she wished it to be sometimes. There was more to it than that, and of course she used her pain of the former to mask anything else she might be feeling. Today though, it was the battle.

"I just wish I had a bigger part to play, at least you get a chance at killing those leeches," Seth said quietly as they neared the tree line. Once under cover they both turned their backs to each other and started to undress, preparing to phase.

"Every part in this is important Seth, every part. We have to keep the humans safe, even Bella," She said in reassurance, still not sure how she felt about Seth being on his own up there in the mountains. She would have much rather have him with her, so she could watch over him. Sam however, thought it best that he wasn't there, knowing that in the heat of battle they would both be more focused apart.

"Thanks Leah," Seth said before phasing and running off into the forest to rendezvous with Jacob.

"Be safe," Leah whispered, turning to watch her brother go, before giving herself over to the wolf inside her.

Suddenly it was like she was standing in the middle of a crowded room, all boys, all trying to talk over one another, all of them talking about the battle. She still wasn't used to the fact that she could hear all their thoughts, everyone's privacy including hers gone out the nearest window. It hadn't been this bad in the beginning, or perhaps the better word was not so crowded. The pack was huge now, and with almost everyone phased for the fight it was hard to keep everyone's thoughts straight. Hearing thoughts was always a bad thing... hearing his thoughts at least.

Leah pushed all thoughts of Sam to the back of her mind yet again as she met up with Quil near the treaty line, from there they turned and headed north toward the clearing and the rest of the pack.

You still have that feeling? Quil's thoughts were directed at Leah, and up until this point she hadn't realize she had let that thought slip into pack territory.

We were on patrol together, your mind tends to wander when you are running, He explained.

Yes, I still have the feeling, Leah thought angrily, not really like being reminded that she had some strange reason to worry about today. She, everyone, needed to keep their head in the game.

Seth will be fine, it's not like he's alone up there. The chocolate wolf kept trying to make her feel better, but he was just making it worse. The fact that Seth was with one of the Cullen's didn't really make Leah feel better, despite Sam's constant reassurances.

Leah didn't answer Quil directly, but he knew from her thoughts that she was not happy. He wasn't surprised when she picked up the pace, easily out distancing him. She was the faster, and he didn't even try to keep up with the silver she wolf.

Everything is set, remember what we were taught, and do not harm the Cullen's. They are not our enemy here. Fight well, protect our lands. The thoughts of the Alpha blocked the rest out as he offered those final words of encouragement. Leah and Quil were the last to arrive, apart from Jacob who seemed to be glued to Bella at the moment, the image she was getting from Seth was enough to make her gag.

The clearing was only a few hundred yards away and by the smell of it the Cullen's were already in place, that didn't do much to help her gag reflex. Sam shot her a look, he didn't approve of her thoughts, and she flashed him a bit of her pain and he swiftly looked away, his own thoughts swirling. Feelings of hurt, anger and guilt, all foggy as he tried to conceal them.

Leah, cool it with the guilt tripping, we need to keep our head in the game. Jacob thoughts worked their way to her as he ran toward them.

Oh don't even start to lecture me about keeping my head in the game, yours was far from in the game just a moment ago. She snapped back, and instantly regretted it when her words made Jacob think triumphantly of his shared kiss with Bella, it made Leah growl low in her throat and the others look around awkwardly as they felt what he felt. Gross Jacob, just gross... now I don't just get to imagine what it would be like to kiss that leech lover, now I know.

Pay back's a bitch Leah. Jacob sneered as the huge russet wolf in question finally made his appearance, no apology on his wolfish face or his mind. She growled in his direction, taking a step forward.

Enough! The voice of the Alpha rang true. They are coming. Let's move.

That shut them up, and all seven wolves faced the direction of the clearing, hearing the first sounds of battle as the Cullen's made contact with the first wave of the newborn army. They could hear the sounds of passage as the second group rushed toward them, trying to flank the Cullen group.

They followed their Alpha to intercept them, and it wasn't long before they caught up. Leah was the first to take one down as he started to turn toward the mountain range. It was clear that he had caught the scent of the one they were sent here to hunt, Bella. It was satisfying the way that her jaws ripped him apart so easily, Leah's first kill, hopefully the first of many.

The other leeches turned around to defend their backs and it was obvious they were not expecting what they found coming toward them. A wall of gigantic wolves, that met them head on. The pack seemed to move as one unstoppable force as they clashed with the newborn vampires.

The battle had begun.

Authors Note:

This is my first attempt at writing fan fiction, so please be nice. I don't mind criticism as long as it's constructive. Reviews would be loved. Second chapter coming soon, thanks for reading. =)

Disclaimer: Twilight and Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.