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Chapter 2

Renesmee:

Jake was still howling with laughter as we walked in the door, denying having any clue what I was talking about. That's just fine. Next time when we wrestled, I was not taking it easy. He'd see just how firm I could bite. Just how fast I could run. Jacob was in for it.

"What are you grinning about, you little snot?" Paul asked with a mouthful of food. "Look at her, Jake! She's scheming something." I punched Paul in the knee. Hard. "Ow!"

"I told you not to call me that, Paul!" I said in an explanation.

"Jake, do something. That's the third time today," the wussy whined. He limped for a second and flopped on the couch with his plate of food. Esme had made steak and potatoes. It made me nervous to watch the slob eat on the pretty, white couch with his greasy food. He already smeared dirt off his yucky feet on the now flawed, white carpet. Esme had to bleach it constantly. Paul really got under my skin.

"And that's the third time today you've called her a snot." Jake muttered as he walked behind the sofa and gave him a solid smack on the head. "Next time you call her that, I'm gonna punch you, and it'll break something." He threatened. I heard Daddy chuckle in the kitchen. Most of the pack was watching TV and lounged around the living room pigging out. I heard Alice upstairs with Rose going over a new design for the basement. She wanted to turn it into a universal room for the wolves. Grandpa Carlisle was in his study with Jaz talking about the most recent political issues. I walked in the kitchen. Emmett was sitting on the counter, Esme was icing a cake, and Momma and Daddy were sitting at the table. Everyone called out greetings.

"How was tag with Jake?" Daddy asked as I crawled in his lap.

"It was fun! I think he's been letting me win though," I pouted.

"And I understand that you plan to set that straight," Daddy smirked.

"Oh of course."

"Ness has always got a plan..." Uncle Emmett teased. He slipped off the counter and mock punched Jake in the shoulder. "I'm bored. Wanna go pick on Rose?"

"Not now, I'm busy!" She hollered down the stairs. Em's shoulders dropped and he sighed. We all laughed.

"Guess what, baby?" Momma asked me. She went on, "When I went out today I got another picture developed for your locket!" She bent down to snatch a tiny envelope from her purse. She smiled as she leaned in front of me to open my locket to put a second picture in it. I beamed back at her. She kissed me on the nose. "You like it?"

I examined it. On one side was the same old picture of me looking as a two year old with Momma and Daddy on each side. On the other, now held a picture from just a week ago of Jake holding me in front of the river. Jake was in his usual ensemble, consisting of cut off shorts and nothing else. His hair short, still tan as ever, I was tiny compared to him. He reached almost seven foot while I was barely five. Luckily, I was growing a few inches a day here recently. His massive frame held petite me in a soft pink, summer dress and sandals. The trees were a beautiful green with white roses in season growing around the river. "I love it, Momma! Thank you!" I wrapped my arms around her neck.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." She hugged me. "I'm glad you like it."

"Yeah, that's a good lookin' pair right there," Jake smirked. Daddy rolled his eyes; Momma just kept on smiling. Just then, Jake stuck a big finger in the icing on the side of Grandma Esme's cake. She had stepped into the living room so Jake thought he could sneak a lick. She awarded him a simple flick on the head and tusked him for still be so immature. I couldn't help but smile. He winked back at me and stole another finger full. "Jacob Black!" Grandma yelled. We both giggled.

The clock struck five, dinging obnoxiously so it would be noticed. The houses atmosphere and activities changed at that time every evening. Everyone became serious, with the exception of a couple wolves and Emmett. We all gravitated to the back yard, where we would begin with tactile, battle training. Momma always went first. Over the last couple years she had tried to attain every technique possible to become a dynamic fighter. First, those with extra abilities would work on projecting or perfecting their skill. Mom had pretty much mastered hers. She could project a "bubble" as she put it, around multiple persons for long periods of time and not even have to concentrate. She said she almost always had one around each of us unconsciously. She claimed to enjoy feeling our light. I worked and worked to development mine. I could project through any part of my body if I really, really concentrated. My palm was still the strongest. I worked to use my skill as a weapon. Creating a thought full of mass vibrations, as if someone exploded something in your head, that left someone disoriented or confused. I was getting better at it.

Our family had formed a circle, including the wolves in human form. Momma stood in the middle with Uncle Jasper across from her.

"Okay, Bella. Try to pull your shield so tight around me that you can close it off, so that there's no blanket of cover stretching back to you. That way if we're in a battle, the enemy can't get under your cover of protection." Uncle Jaz explained.

"Alright," was all Momma said. She closed her eyes tightly. She seemed to be exerting an extreme force. Her forehead creased with her effort. After several tense seconds, she huffed a tired breath and needed a break. Next was me. I stepped into the circle smiling. I zoomed ten feet to stand in front of Uncle Jasper with a hand on my hip.

Eyebrows raised he said, "Okay, Nessie, I'm going to run at you. Try to place your palm out to strike me and project a thought of combustion like we've talked about, alright darlin'?"

"Oky doky, I'll do my best." I got in a ready stance with one foot in face in a lunge and both hands braced in front of me. I strenuously conjured up the thought of tremendous vibrations, like a bewildering echo to stun someone. As Uncle Jasper flew towards me, I whipped my right hand out just in time to smack him in the cheek. He stumbled backwards for a fraction of second, in which I sprung on him and held both palms to his face to project the same baffling thought. For the smallest increment of a second, his eyes unfocused as he yelped, then Daddy swiftly scooped me off of him.

"Renesmee!" Dad scolded. "That was too much!" He must have heard my thoughts of remorse and confusion. "I know, sweetie, I know. You didn't know what you were doing. Jaz, are you okay?" Uncle Jasper was already back on his feet, looking rather excited.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Ness, that was amazing! When both your palms are projecting and you're focused, it's incredibly effective. I couldn't function. If we could get you to the point where you could project that much force without even touching someone, you'd be lethal. Edward, think of the possibilities…" Everyone in the circle was bursting with excitement. Jacob came and swung me up in a bear hug.

"You were freakin' awesome, Nessie!" Jake gushed almost smug. Mom was absolutely glowing. She looked like she'd blow up with satisfaction. Dad and Jasper were in complete theory mode. They spoke nonstop for nearly twenty minutes on the best practicing strategy to expand my abilities. I was bored. Jacob looked intrigued though. Aunt Alice and Jaz mentally brawled a couple times. Then Daddy and Aunt Alice went, just like every other summer day.

After that, we worked on physical fighting techniques. Jasper went over different tactics every day. He'd pair us up and have us mock fight. Momma and Alice were the most fun to watch. Alice was a blur in a fight, always a second faster than her attacker. Momma was cunning. She'd make hasty decisions, and then change her mind again. Mom was also skilled. Aunt Alice had more experience, but Momma practiced a ton. It usually came down to a draw. I loved to watch them go at it. I usually paired with Esme. I was still exceptionally strong, but not as physically powerful as a full vampire. Still, I worked hard to be an improved fighter. I knew my family was an extraordinary coven. We had several gifted members and all of them could fight too. Not to mention the fact we were allied to a vast wolf pack. I wanted to grow up to be an asset to our coven, not a liability.

After fighting, we'd disperse and go about our usual ways. I was to report to Grandpa Carlisle's study for a brief history lesson. It wasn't always Carlisle who'd teach the old stories to me. Sometime it was Daddy, Momma, or Jacob. Jasper taught me all about newborns once. I got the feeling he was sugar-coating it though. I got the same feeling whenever Daddy would teach me about something too. The only one who really told it to me straight was Jacob. He was my favorite to listen to. He was patient with my questions and really got into the old tale he was explaining. Even if Jake wasn't the one teaching me, he still sat in and listened. I learned about all my family members' pasts, the history of vampires, the wolves' history, and all about the Volturi.

Volturi stories fascinated me. I had dreams about the long haired, onion skinned Aro all the time. The way he eyed me in the baseball clearing that day was something I thought about every day of my life. I found it odd that my family only talked about the Volturi strictly in the past sense. In their stories or in conversations (at least in front of me) it was always about what the Volturi did. It was never about what they're doing. The Volturi in present was a complete mystery to me. I often wondered if our ceaseless training was in anticipation for a real battle one day. As if they would return with another motive to destroy our family. I couldn't imagine why. I asked what we were training for one day, and all mom said was to be better prepared if we were ever challenged again. She answered in a way that let me know not to ask anymore about it, so I let the subject drop.

Today Carlisle was telling me all about how Jane and Alec (Members of the Volturi) were changed. I remembered Jane's baby face from the one time I'd seen her and Alec's obvious frustration that Momma had such a powerful shield. Aro had changed them during a ritual in which their home town had been trying to burn them alive for being "witch twins". I was intrigued. I listened closely and asked several questions. He skillfully dodged a few of them. He had a lot of practice with that. He told me about how they felt bonded to Aro because he had saved them. He also explained that Jane was cruel with the amount of power she possessed.

When my history lesson was over, me and Jake went downstairs. Most of the pack had left for the evening. Jake was the soul leader of both packs now. Sam had stopped phasing when Emily got pregnant. Seth and Quil were the only two who hadn't left the house yet. Quil was stretched out along the white couch while Seth's massive body was on the slender love seat. They were both cracking up at whatever MTV show they had on.

"Come on now, you know the drill." Jake hollered as we walked down the stairs. We watched a TV show or movie together almost every night. My parents thought it was good exposure for me on the rest of the world.

"Awh come on man, we don't have this channel back on the Rez," Seth whined. He was watching a show called Teen Wolf. I giggled at that and scooted Quil's big legs off the end of the couch so I could sit.

"Nope, this is me and Nessie's thing, you know that. Now give me the remote."

"Okayyy," Seth gave it up. Quil stood up and stretched. He looked at the clock on the wall and smiled. Claire must be getting back from her day out with her mom soon.

"Jake, I'm headed back to the Rez. Clair Bear'll be home in twenty minutes. Do I have patrol tonight?"

"Nah, Jared, Collin, and Embry do," Jake told him taking his spot on the couch next to me. Quil nodded and skipped out saying bye to each of us. He called out a thank you to Esme, and we heard him phase and take off. "So what'll it be, Ness? A comedy, romance, action?" He looked hopeful for the last one, but I knew he'd act happy with whatever I chose. Still, I wanted him to enjoy it too.

"Hmm…how bout' action?" I suggested with a smile. He ruffled my hair and grinned. We watched some movie with a secret agent in it trying to still some super important document. It held Jakes interest, but I was tired and fell asleep a lot. He filled me in without complaint when I dosed off or was too drowsy to pay attention. I lay across one side of the couch and rested my head on his shoulder. Seth must have left and I hadn't noticed because when I looked over he was gone.

I must have fallen sound asleep because the next thing I felt was my soft bed around me. There were three different lovable kisses on my cheek and three wishes for sweet dreams. I rolled over and found sleep once again. I dreamed of Jake, Dad, and I all running through the forest like we had a million times. I had pretty flowers in my hair that knotted in my long, curly locks as it napped out behind me at my speed. I'd look to the right in the thick green walls I ran through and see a russet, brown wolf peek through the brush at me. I'd look to my left and see my Dad. Fast as light, occasionally be visible between the green fortifications. Then I looked in front of me. Running across my path in a cloak dark as pitch, every few seconds I'd catch a glimpse of Jane's beautiful, baby face. With every stride she got closer to me. I looked back to my right and left for Daddy and Jacob, but I couldn't see them anymore, not even a glimpse. I stopped running, frightened. I could still hear her running, but she didn't cross my path again. The sound of her advancement got louder, closer. Then I was trapped to the ground shrieking in agony.

I sat up in my bed breathing hard. I grabbed my forehead frustrated with myself for obsessing over such monstrous vampires. Mom and Dad both came into to check on me. I told them I was all right and wanted more sleep. They took a few minutes to convince, but finally kissed me and went back to their room. I tried extremely hard to block out the dream so Daddy wouldn't realize what effect the story had on me and not let me hear anymore about the Volturi. While focusing on doing that, I drifted back off to a dreamless sleep.

The next day Aunt Alice was taking me to Port Angeles. My Jacob was coming of course. I wanted Momma and Daddy to go too, but they were going to see Grandpa Charlie and Sue for the day, and I was more in the mood for some shopping. I would still see them tonight. I hadn't seen Charlie in a couple days; I really missed Grandpa.

Aunt Rose was brushing out my hair and pinning it half up. She picked out some patterned leggings with a matching sweater dress and boots. I looked at myself in the mirror in my small pink room in our cottage. I smiled.

"Very pretty, Ness," Momma said as she walked in. She knelt in front of me and adjusted my sweater just right. "You have a good day with Alice and Jake, we'll see ya tonight," She kissed me on my nose like always and grinned.

"Okay, Momma. You have a good day too!" Daddy blew me a kiss from the door way, and I blew him one back with two hands.

"I love you, Renesmee." Daddy chuckled.

"I love you!" My parents said goodbye and left. I turned to Rose and placed a palm on her cheek. I wanted to know what she'd be up to today.

"Oh just the usual, hanging out with Emmett." She picked me up and grabbed my purse. We arrived back at the main house in time to see Jacob walk out of the trees freshly phased with a black, duffle bag. His face lit up when he saw me. I'm sure mine did as well. I jumped out of Aunt Rose's arms and ran for Jacob's, I sprang and his arms reached out to catch me at just the right time. He spun in a circle as we both laughed.

"Good morning, Ness!" How'd ya sleep?" He asked with a sweet smile.

"Good." I lied. I looked down at his pack tattoo and traced it with my figure. I always told my Jacob everything, but for some reason I didn't want to tell him about my brutal nightmare. I didn't want him to worry. He raised an eyebrow and pulled my face up to his by my chin. He studied my face for a second and I did my best to smile, but just thinking about my dream had my heart rate speeding up. I squirmed in his hold and he smiled.

"You wanna tell me about your bad dream, honey?" When I didn't answer, he finally released my chin. He hugged me close as he walked us in the house soothing me the whole way.

"I'm fine Jacob. I'm ready for a good day of shopping!" I did my best to sound upbeat and put the dream out of my head. He sat me down in front of Alice who was standing at the stairs.

"That's my girl!" Alice chirped. She smiled and leaned down to me. "Ready for our girls' day plus one wolf?" She rolled an eye up to Jake who didn't take his eyes off me. He looked like he was contemplating something serious. I nodded and gave her a swift peck on the nose.

"I'm always ready for one of those days." I looked to Jacob who returned my grin. He went upstairs to change into something appropriate for a day in boutiques and malls. Rose strung my sling purse over my shoulder and wished me a good day. In twenty minutes we were in Alice's yellow Porsche on the way to a small shop Alice and I liked to get vintage bags at.

"I like the purple one," Jacob said as I held up and modeled two different clutches to go with my new sequined dress Alice had just picked out. It was for my birthday party in a few days. Every four months I got an Actual Age Update from Carlisle, and it was insisted that we have a party for every one of them. Needless to say, we had lots of parties.

"I do too!" I put the white, silky clutch back and held onto the purple, sparkly one. I left Jake sitting on a round seat, and went across the aisle to show Alice. She was holding a pair of elaborate earrings. They were a little much for me I thought. I looked back at Jake to gesture to the earrings and make a motion like gagging myself. He rolled his eyes and laughed. In that exact moment everything seemed to slow down and several things happened at once.

Jake cut off mid laugh and his expression became horrified. I heard Alice behind me suck in a breath and the heavy earrings clang to the floor. I turned to see her face whiter than bone. Jakes heavy heart beat was flying and I felt his body heat suddenly right behind me. His strong arms encircled me like a cage. Alice's eyes were somewhere far, far away. When they finally refocused her head snapped to me in a blur. Her eyes met mine for a fraction of second. The desolate look in them made my stomach turn to ice and my blood feel cold. Then her head snapped to Jake.

"We need to leave. Now." Was all she said in a voice that sounded dead. I dropped the clutch and we hurried out the door. Jake rubbed soothing circles on my back the whole way, but it didn't help. He crawled in the back seat with me. Jacob held me, but he looked almost as scared as me. He tried his best to hide it, as did Alice. She made up some lie about Jasper urgently needing her and she's sorry she'd overreacted. She smiled at me in the rearview mirror, but it didn't touch her eyes. Her eyes were still dead and terrified. I nuzzled into Jacob's side suddenly feeling exhausted. Something horrible was coming. Whatever we had been training for was happening, and I didn't feel ready. I closed my eyes tight and tried extremely hard not to think. Somewhere in that strenuous task I found myself back in the deep woods of Forks, dreaming the same disturbing dream as the night before.

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