Spirit of the Wolf

I don't own anything, this was just a dream I had and thought I'd write it down... Enjoy

Chapter One

'Cai POV

I used to be happy. I mean, I can still be happy, but I don't get the same joy out of things I once did. I used to love dance and music, but they only seem to remind me of what I've lost. When I was four, a drunk driver sideswiped the car my mom and baby twin brothers were riding in. They were on their way to pick my father and I up from the airport after a visit to my grandparents. I wanted to show Grandmother my dance routine and she had a gift for me.

After the accident, Dad left his job as an Archeology Professor, sold the house and we moved to Montana with my Grandparents. For the next fourteen years, I was raised on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. My father and his parents were Blackfoot and my mother was Irish.

Slowly, I became used to it just being the four of us. Then, after about six years, the two of us; Grandfather had a massive heart attack the summer I turned ten and Grandmother died of heartache. She and Grandfather had been together their whole lives.

After their deaths, I stopped dancing. My flute no longer sang, and neither did I. I turned my attentions to other vices: Horseback riding, archery, tracking, and hand-to-hand combat. My father never commented on my lack of dance or music. Instead, he pushed me even harder to my other goals. He never missed a competition or a Pow Wow.

Just after my graduation from high school, the other kids on the Rez and I had a bonfire. Ours was one of the larger ranches on the Rez, so the annual party was held at the back of the property, by the hot and cold springs on the border of Glacier National Park. Dad and I were setting up with my cousins the last time we spoke.

"Hey, Dad… Did you remember the Coke?"

"Hmm. What did you say, 'Cai?" My father poked his head out from underneath my Jeep. It was a gift for graduation and he had taken it upon himself to change the oil, "Sorry Sweetie, I got caught up with the Jeep."

"Dad," I said exasperated, "The Jeep has a name. Don't worry, Caledonia… He didn't mean it."

I looked over at my dad and cousins, Cody and Micah, and glared. They were laughing at my Jeep! I picked up the sponge in the bucket I was holding and threw it. I could not contain my glee at the look on my father's face. I had managed to hit him square on the forehead. I was so busy laughing, I didn't notice Coty and Micah coming in on either side of me. Grabbing hold of either arm, they held me still while my father dumped the rest of the water over my head.

"Hey!" I cried. I tore myself away and grabbed the water hose. Turning it on full blast, I aimed it towards my family. Their cries of outrage summoned the rest of the partygoers and a water fight ensued. Needless to say, not much setting up was done and I had to change after my dad and uncle Adam tossed me into a water trough.

Climbing out, I glared at my father and said, "How did my asking a simple question turn into a full fledged water fight? Go get my Coke…"

Wrapping me up in his arms, he placed a kiss on my head and said, "I love you and I am so proud of you."

Laughing, I kissed him back and replied, "Okay, Uriah. Now go get my Coke. Grab some Dr. Pepper while you're at it."

"Okay, Your Majesty. By the Raven, you act more like a Chief's daughter everyday. And it's Dad to you."

I shook my head as I watched him drive away in my Jeep. Turning, I went back to the house and changed into the blue and silver summer dress I chose for the party. With my dark hair flowing down my back, I walked out onto the porch and called to my uncle Ethan, "Hey, Chief Ethan… Where are those sons of yours? I need help bringing the food to the tables."

"Coty, Micah, help your cousin. Don't worry, Princess, we'll have this all set up before the rest of your guests arrive. So, where did my baby brother go?"

Walking over to him, he enfolded me into a hug as I replied, "He forgot my soda. I… What are you laughing at?"

"He didn't forget your soda. He hid it in the barn."

I shook my head and asked, "Why didn't he say anything. I sent him to town for nothing."

Before I could walk away and help my cousins, my uncle replied, "He had to go to town anyway. I can't tell you anymore than that, but he has a gift for you. Act surprised." He ruffled my hair as he walked over to Coty, helping him with the cooler full of soda.

Three hours after setting up, the party was in full swing. Coty, Micah and I were making the rounds. As the Chief's sons, Coty and Micah were required to mingle with the crowd. As their cousin, I was required to partake in this little ritual.

"'Cai, great party. Sorry I couldn't help set up." I turned and looked at Alex. Alex Waters was the son of one of the Tribal Leaders. His father was the Tribal Sheriff, and his mother was the local doctor. We were great friends when we were little, but hormones and puberty got in the way.

"Hey Alex. Having fun?"

"Yeah-" he started but was cut off by the arrival of Coty and Micah.

Micah slung his arm around me and said, "Come on baby girl. It's time for the campfire stories. See you there, Alex."

I looked at my cousins and said, "We can't start yet. My dad isn't here."

"What do you mean? He left almost three hours ago."

Before I could say anything, Alex ran over with uncle Ethan in tow. "'Cai, you need to come to the house. Coty, Micah, you better come too."

Looking at my cousins, I followed my uncle and childhood friend to the house. Entering, I saw Alex's parents standing in the front room. I waited for my uncle to speak.

"Sheriff, Doctor… What are you doing here? Has there been an accident?"

Sheriff Drake Waters looked at his wife, looked at me and answered, "Yes… 'Cai, can we speak to you in private?"

I shook my head and stepped in front of my cousins, "No, what you have to tell me you can tell my family. I'm going to tell them anyway, this will just save time."

Lydia, Drake's wife stepped forward and said, "Sweetheart, there's been an accident. A drunk driver ran your dad's car off the road. Honey, he didn't make it."

Shaking my head, I backed up into my uncle's arms. The air around me became thicker as though I were under water. The voices around me were no longer intelligible. Grasping for Coty's hand, I turned to him and said, "It's all my fault… If I hadn't told him to go get that stupid soda-" My sentence cut off with a harsh sob. My uncle and cousins merged as one to create a cocoon. Holding me close, they let me pour out my anguish.

Pulling away, I turned to the couple standing before me and said, "You are lying. My father is fine. He's going to be home soon and you are going to tell him what you just told me." I stepped back and cried, "You know how my mother died. Why would you come here and tell me this?"

Drake stepped forward, grasped my forearms and replied, "N'Cai, your father was in an accident. He was killed. I'm sorry little one, but he's gone…"

"NO!" I cried. Pulling away from him, I ran through the house and towards the woods. I ignored the voices calling for me and took a path only my father and I knew about. I ran until the air left my lungs in deep, heart wrenching gasps.

Stopping, I settled myself against the base of a Great Oak. The majestic being always brought me comfort. As I let my mind and body surrender to exhaustion, my last thoughts were of my father. My gaze went heavenwards, watching the clouds roll over the sky. As the thunder rolled, I curled into a ball and felt the rain fall. I closed my eyes, lulled to sleep by the ensuing storm around me.

Okay, I hope you all enjoyed the fun... Please review...