SAROX

"Say, how about I take you down to La Push?" Jacob asked us while his mouth was stuffed with food.

I was eating the whole time, my mouth was too food-absorbed to respond, but my ears paid attention to their conversation the whole way. PJ just had been served with another plate of giant hamburger; steaks, greens and gourmet. I wondered how big his stomach could be, it was something to get used to.

"Where did you say?" Max asked.

"La Push: it's the werewolf reservation. The Cullens here aren't allowed to go there."

"Why not?" Marlene asked curiously.

There was still so much we didn't know about the vampires and the werewolves.

"Because Carlisle made a treaty with them a long time ago," Esme explained. "We're not allowed to cross on over to their land or bite humans regardless the reasons."

Some of the discussion we had with Carlisle resurfaced pulled me into confusion. At the same time, a memory that Renesmee had implanted resurfaced. Her mother, Bella, gave birth to her two months before today; she was still human then, and only became a vampire right afterwards. I didn't see it in a picture: she had placed a completely different type of memory into my head. One that could only be brought up by a mental trigger. I opened my mouth...

"But Bella turned two months ago," Marlene said, taking my line.

"Yeah, only because Jacob made the exception possible," Emmett remarked with a chuckle. "It was hard to pull it off, though."

Alice took a step forward.

"In order to save Bella and Nessie, Edward had to ask for Jacob's permission to let her become one of us, " she explained. "His great grandfather was the wolf chief who made the treaty, so he had the right."

"Edward transformed her right after she gave birth to Nessie," Jasper set into the conversation. "It nearly killed her."

Jacob swallowed the last of his food and then stood up from his seat. "I think I'd better leave now and fill Sam in on what happened today," he changed the subject, and handed the plate to Esme. "Thanks for the meal."

"You're welcome anytime, Jacob," she replied with a smile.

Jacob turned back to us.

"So, are we going?"

"We?" I repeated the word. He said the word like we were of the same species.

"Trust me, it wasn't my idea. I'm not supposed to tell you anything about us, but Carlisle thought since you guys know about their kind, there's no reason why we shouldn't let you know about ours, too. And Seth's eager to meet you again. In human form, no less."

I thought back to the two large wolves (other than Jacob) that we met in the forest earlier. One of them must have been Seth.

"I think it's best if you leave," I heard Rosalie murmur behind us. "This dog here is reeking our house, as are the rest of you."

That did it. I felt the fire steam up to my throat.

"Hey, if you don't like the smell of us, why don't you just get outta here and go far away?" I asked fiercely. Those words would have left any woman wounded, but Rosalie just glared at me in anger. She approached, but then Edward appeared in a flash and pulled her arm, restraining her. Bella was already standing at the door with Renesmee in her arms.

"You should give some respect to our house guests, Rosalie," he said calmly. "Carlisle takes great fondness in them. But if you don't like their smell, why don't you go track down Irina with Jasper?"

Edward released her arm. She gave me an uncomfortable, angry glare, but decided to step back. The fire in my chest lowered as she did.

Marlene placed a hand over mine, her face was smooth and calm. She was probably worried that I would start an unwanted fight with Rosalie, and was gonna try to interfere before it all went out of control. Edward's interference gave her some peace of mind.

I was ready to flip at Rosalie for her insult, but I realized that if my confrontation had caused pain to Marlene, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I took a quick decision.

"So, ready to go?" I tried to change the atmosphere. Marlene smiled at me, and I knew it was working.

"Yeah!" Max replied as he rose. "I'm getting tired of all the sitting."

"Do you think we can have some more down in La Push?" PJ wondered.

His mouth was stuffed with food.

"We can prob'ly get some more at Emily's place," Jacob answered with a chuckle.

PJ swallowed the last food on his plate and then gave it to Max, who handed it over to Esme.

"Thank you so much for the treat. It was wonderful," he commented.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Cullen," Marlene said politely.

"Why, you're welcome," she replied, and added. "And please, call me Esme."

Jacob turned to the door, where he wished good night to Bella and Nessie.

We all said our good nights to the family and left with Jacob.

"Sure you don't need a light or something?" Jacob asked as he guided us through the pitch black forest. It was much easier to see through the thick, unfamiliar woods during the day, when the sun lit over the sky and forced away the shadows. Darkness had now wrapped around the mountains and the skies, leaving only behind a clear moonshine over us. Jacob didn't seem to have much problem, though. He had senses beyond ours.

"Thanks, but I think we have something better," I answered.

I looked over my shoulders to PJ, and then to Marlene. We lifted our weapons high up over our heads and called in unison:

"Fire!"

Powerful sparks suddenly exploded on top of our weapons and resulted in flames, but they had no damage on the weapons. Jacob stared at our enchanted torches in a mesmerized expression.

"Impressive," he commented, his eyes locked on the flames. "Are those some sort of enchanted flame?"

"Yeah," Marlene answered his question. "I guess you could say that."

A minute later, he removed the shock from the flames, turned his back to us and began to guide us through the dark woods. Something in my heart told me that his senses would have brought him through the forest without much problem. But now that he needed to look after us, he had to restrain the desire to turn into a wolf and run away from us.

I decided to ask a few questions to keep the walk pleasant.

"So, you've known Bella and the others for a long time?"

His back was still facing us.

"Bella is my best friend. We've been friends since we were little. She wasn't living in Forks then, she was living with her mom. After her mom remarried, she moved to her father to let her mom spend more time with the guy. Quite a noble act, if you ask me."

"And the Cullens?" PJ asked.

He was always more fascinated with the supernatural and mystic, so I wasn't surprised to hear him ask.

"Well, I've heard stories from our tribe ever since I was born. Said that my great grandfather met the Cullens a long time ago. He was the chief of the Quileute tribe then, so after they claimed to be different from others of their kind, my great grandfather made the treaty with them to secure our land's safety. I always thought they were just silly old horror stories, until I started phasing ten months ago."

"Yeah, that's the part I'm most curious about: What's your tribe's story? I mean, how did you become werewolves?" PJ asked in fascination.

"Well, it sorta started a long time ago with one of our ancestors called "Taha Aki", one of our great chiefs. You see, they used to practice the arts of spirit travel. And one day, some guy used the opportunity to possess Taha Aki's body and destroyed his own. Taha Aki's spirit found a wolf to help him warn his people, but that backfired badly. So he took over the wolf's body and turned into a wolfman and stopped the guy permanently."

He halted to a stop and looked over his shoulders. His grin was pleasant, but there was something in his eyes. I couldn't see through all the darkness, even though I had the torch to support me.

"Um, I don't think marshmallows like you can take in whatever the story's coming to," he said mockingly, then turned away and started walking again. "So anyway, that's the legend of the Quileute tribe. Taha Aki became a werewolf that way, and the genes passed on to us."

I found the story uncomfortable.

"So, you've been a werewolf since you were born?" Max asked.

"Well, not exactly. We only start phasing when a vampire moves to town, or somewhere near our reservation; pretty much become the protectors of La Push. Once we come of age, the fever sets in."

I frowned. I realized it was a story thing that Jacob had gone through. To become something he'd never asked to be; to bear a burden more important than he had imagined.

"Is there any way for you to stop?" I asked, trying to maintain as blank as possible to hide my sympathy.

He chuckled.

"That would be a bit difficult," he said.

There was silence (minus the wind and walking).

"Is Bella the reason you're so friendly with the Cullens?" Marlene asked.

"Part of it. The other reason was Nessie."

"Bella and Edward's daughter?" PJ murmured.

"Yeah." There was something in his voice. "I'm bound to her, and they love her as well. That eventually got us through the issues."

"Bound to her?" Max repeated the words in question.

"It's a wolf thing called 'imprinting', Max," I explained as soon as another unseen memory popped into my head. "Jacob and those with the same genes find their soulmates that way. Their destinies become intertwined. It's a really rare thing and doesn't happen to many of them."

He nodded in agreement. Suddenly, he stopped and raised one arm to halt us. A minute later, he turned to us with a grin spread across his face. "Let's meet my pack."

He began to head toward a different direction, and we followed.

"It wouldn't be wise to wander in an unfamiliar forest without a guide," I thought to myself.

Not long after we left our path, footsteps started approaching in the darkness, and then four people joined us. Three boys and one girl, most of them half-naked, wearing only shorts and shoes. The girl wore a top around her torso. They were all russet skinned and black haired. I guessed two of them were the wolves we met in the forest earlier, and that made it feel awkward to be near them.

"Hello," a younger boy greeted as he approached us, waving. "I'm Seth Clearwater; the tall wolf you met earlier."

Marlene and I chuckled as we waved back.

Jacob introduced us to the other three. "That's Embry, and Quil, and Leah: Seth's older sister."

"Hiya," Max greeted.

One of the boys took a step forward - Embry or Quil, I presumed - and waved at us friendly.

"Embry Call," he introduced himself.

The other boy approached to Embry's side: by now I knew his name was probably Quil.

"Quil Ateara! Nice to meet you."

"I'm Sarox, this is Marlene, Max, and PJ," I introduced us like a representative. I didn't know where that role came from, it merely appeared from somewhere deep inside my head, like a caged dog waiting to come out.

"I'm taking them over to Emily's and thought I'd let you meet them before we get there," Jacob explained to his pack, and then turned to us. "The ones you met today, guys, are the Clearwater siblings - Leah and Seth."

"Oh, hiya," Max waved.

Seth waved back, but Leah looked away, she didn't look happy with our encounter. One minute passed, and she turned back to Jacob.

"I'm hungry, I'm going out on a hunt."

"Okay," he murmured in a frown.

With that, she turned around and darted into the dark forest, leaving the rest of us.

I met Marlene's eyes, confused by Leah's disgruntle and the dazzlingly beautiful eyes in my view. I shook my head to break the contact.

"So, shall we go?" Jacob asked us. "It's getting really late, we're gonna miss dinner at Emily's if we don't go now."

He turned back to his group.

"Care to join me?"

Quil and Embry shared looks, then turned to Jacob.

"Sure," they said in unison, and then turned to Seth.

"Why not?" he answered, a large grin spread across his face.

We turned to the previous path again and walked through the big forest.

About forty minutes later, we made our way out of the woods and came to a large wooden house with lights brightening the insides. As soon as we left the forest behind us, Seth sprinted to the front door and shouted.

"Hey, don't eat all the food! We got new guests here!"

Ten seconds later, a huge, muscular man appear at the door.

"Seth," he said as he opened. "How've you been, buddy?"

Their hands clapped in high-five style as soon as they approached each other close enough. Quil, Embry and Jacob approached as they greeted the muscular man.

"Jacob."

"Sam," he greeted in a low, calm tone. I noticed there was something behind his voice, but couldn't quite decipher it. He pointed to us. "They're the new guests. Hope Emily's made enough food for them too."

He nodded. "Yeah, of course."

"Yay!" Max exclaimed enthusiastically at his answer. Apparently, he had burnt some calories during the walk, his stomach would probably start grumbling soon if he couldn't satisfy it with more food soon.

Sam glared at us for a moment, his eyes focused on PJ and Max. I guessed they had never encountered any creature from Disney Town for the residents to look at the two boys in such awkwardness. A minute passed, and he turned back to Jacob. "Are those the kids Seth told us about?"

He nodded. "They caught us in wolf forms and tried to attack me."

"Funny thing was," he looked over his shoulder at me. "One of them actually managed to knock me off my paws, despite my being stronger and bigger than him."

Sam turned to me in shock. Embarrassing. I shrugged at the thought.

"Fascinating," he murmured.

Jacob took a deep breath and stretched his shoulders. "Anyway, got anything left to eat? Thought I could offer them something."

"Sure," Sam spoke as he turned back to him and then to us again. "Come on in."

"Yay!" Max and PJ shouted excitedly, in unison.

As they ran past Sam and Jacob into the house, I noticed that Sam's eyes were locked on them, as if he'd just found a chest of gold and wanted to take the treasure into his hands.

"Come on in," Jacob called to us and gestured into the living room.

I met Marlene's eyes for a moment, and then we walked toward the house together. As soon as we were inside, Sam shut the door behind us. Everyone was gathered around a table, chattering and staring bewildered at Max and PJ, who were the only ones standing around the table rather than sitting. Embry, Quil, and Seth had already taken seats with four unfamiliar faces. Three of the unfamiliar boys wore tight shorts, but showed a bare chest. The last one had a tight sleeveless T-shirt on his torso.

"Where did the dogs come from?" the one with the T-shirt said mockingly.

"Hey, pay a little more respect to our guests, boys!" a girl shouted.

I looked to the left around the corner, and caught sight of a black haired woman who was making food. The right side of her face was destroyed by three long scars on her right side, stretching from eye down to chin. The right side of her lip would forever have a frowning expression. When she looked up at us, her left half-face displayed a pure, beautiful feature. A smile was wearing her left face, but the right side was forever a frown. I looked to Marlene. She gave me a frown, her eyes sympathetic for the woman.

"Who are they?" the woman asked, her eyes focused on Max and PJ.

"They're Max Goof and Pete Junior," Jacob introduced them, then turned to us. "This is Marlene and Sarox."

She turned to us, her left lip glowering. "Hi, I'm Emily Young."

"You hungry? I'm making beef here. These boys have such big stomachs, I'm not even sure if I'll make enough for them."

"Sure, great," Marlene answered, her frown turned to smile. "Uh, why don't I help you out? I can cook too."

She half-smiled at us.

"Well, in that case, why don't you help me make some pancakes? I got the eggs ready."

Marlene left my side and goes around into the counter. Emily handed her a bowl of eggs, and she began to work. Sam joined the boys at the table. Jacob came to my front and pointed his thumb over his shoulder to the table.

"C'mon," he said, and then traced one arm around my shoulder and pushed me forward.

Sam and Jacob leaned on the counter while I went around to Max and PJ's side, hoping to help them ease up the awkward glances. It helped.

"So, I heard you knocked Jacob off his ground today," one of the unfamiliar boys said in a teasing tone. "I would've liked to see it for myself. I'm Jared, by the way."

He offered his hand. I hesitated, but shook it off and accepted. While we shook, I felt the horrifying heat burn my skin. It wasn't strong enough to burn through my hand, but it was still uncomfortable. It was fire.

He noticed my uncomfortable feeling. "What? I burn you?"

The other boys looked teasingly at us. As soon as Jared released my hand, I pulled it behind my back. The other boys burst into laughter, like seeing a clown trip on a banana skin and fall into a pool of water. It may have sounded fun to them, but it sure made my chest feel highly uncomfortable, like a massive water was going to run up to my throat and make me vomit.

"Hey," the clothed boy said, distracting me. "I'm Paul. Would like to see how you knock over a wolf sometime."

Two other boys waved at us. The boy on the left side had curled black hair; the other one's head was shaved, his mustache made him seem older than his real age. The clear features on their faces and young cheekbones, however, exposed that they were mildly younger than me.

"I'm Brady," the shaved boy introduced himself.

"And I'm Collin."

I looked over to the counter to Marlene, she grinned cheerfully at me. I smiled back.

After dinner, the boys headed for home, except Jacob and Sam.

"So, we'll see you tomorrow, right?" Seth asked as soon as I followed him outside with Marlene to see him off.

Seth had been the most curious about us, he kept asking questions about our homes and our families during dinner, we managed to reveal enough to satisfy his curiosity and keep our stories as much to ourselves as possible.

I thought for a second. "Sure, we'll be sticking for a while anyway."

"Excellent." There was enthusiasm in his voice. "Well, good night, then. Oh, and by the way, Marlene, you make amazing pancakes. Would like to try'em again tomorrow."

"Sure," Marlene promised.

We wished each other good night and he ran into the woods.

As soon as I found myself alone with Marlene, we stepped down the stairs and sat down. My eyes turned to hers. They glittered like clear moonshine. Perfectly flawless diamonds.

I released a sigh. "Peace at last."

She chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked curiously.

"You've been a little anxious during dinner," she replied lightly.

I was too busy thinking of ways to answer the boys' questions that I had little time to notice Marlene's awareness of my anxiety. Too troubled by curiosity to notice anything else.

"It's just so hard to come up with answers good enough to keep the truth behind our origins. My voice was like trembling when I spoke, you probably noticed that."

She looked down on the ground, and then up again. "You don't like it, do you?"

I knew what she meant. "It does feel abnormal for me to hide things from friends. I know we've only just met them, but it still doesn't make me feel good to lie."

She didn't say anything for a moment, then turned to me with a cheerful smile. "You know, friends don't have to tell each other everything. What matters is how you trust each other. How your hearts become one."

I recognized that sentence. "Spoke to my father, haven't you?"

She chuckled, her smile remained on her face. "Uncle Sora is right about that, you know. The hearts of those you connect with lightens your own heart. I'm sure our new friends feel the same way. And right now, I can tell there are some hearts that're gonna need your help to enlighten them, too."

It took me a moment, but I finally understood. The Cullens' were still unsolved, this Irina had run off without any direction. I was fairly told that Alice could only see the future once her subjects make a decision, and even when we left the house she was still unable to see anything. I didn't understand what had caused her such agony, I wasn't told of that by Bella. But she did tell me that she saw her with Renesmee and Jacob in wolf form. Perhaps, one of those two upset her. Jacob was the strongest subject of suspicion. He was standing right next to Renesmee, who would only look like a little vampire to Irina. Maybe that was the reason. I wasn't gonna make any confirmation tonight. I would wait and hear the Cullens' assumptions in the morning. Hopefully Rosalie would not be repulsed by my smell then.