A/N: Now, with this chapter, I think we're finally getting somewhere. I decided to include Angela in on part of the knowing, but not all of the knowing, if you, eh, know what I mean. ;) And Jacob Black and his posse make an appearance in this chapter. Had to look up stuff about the Quileute people and the legends from Twilight. Though apparently in real legends, the Quileute claim to be descended from wolves, the information given in the books is totally fiction. And for people out there familiar with Native American legends and legends from other cultures, bear with me a bit. To create the background for this story, I've twisted different threads together to create an over all picture. This done with the thought in mind that legends, like Norse myths, Native American legends, greek myths, etc, they only give that groups particular view on things, and in case with this story, creatures. I've made some creatures in this story... more cultural than they are depicted in myths... Just thought I should toss that out now.

And also, didn't think this would get out this week due to vacation, but I managed to bang it out. A little short, but I ended where I wanted to end it.

The Trickster

Posted: May 15, 2015

Chapter 10

Bella pulled into the school parking lot the next day and had to fight back feeling smug as she spotted the crowd surrounding the flag pole and a couple of the guys trying to get their junk down. She saw Angela making a beeline for her truck and hopped in the passenger side door. "Do you have anything to do with this?" She hissed, gesturing towards the jockstraps on the flagpole.

"Now Angie, you know that freezing underwear is more my style," Bella replied, tutting at her friend.

"You pulling any kind of prank is your style," Angela replied, rolling her eyes.

Bella discretely checked the parking lot and was relieved that none of the Cullens were at school yet. She had arrived early enough to check out the responses to her late night activities before someone managed to take them down. "Alright, yes, I might have had something to do with but if you ever say, or even think that I had something to do with it, I'm coming after you next," the brunette said, glaring at her friend.

"Yeah yeah, I just wish you would tell me before you do some of this stuff. I always liked seeing you use your m-"

"Don't say that word," Bella hissed, covering the other girl's mouth. "You were really good never mentioning that word after I slipped up when I was younger."

"I haven't told anyone, don't worry. I don't even think about it really, just sometimes I would love to play a good prank on someone," Angela sighed.

Bella snorted and got out of her truck. "Don't need any special skills for that, just gotta be extra sneaky," she said, linking arms with her friend.

"And relax my opinion on breaking and entering."

"I don't break and enter," Bella denied, shocked. "My father is the chief of police, who do you take me for, an amateur? I do not break and enter, I merely enter."

Angela giggled and the two entered the school building. The other girl was quiet for a moment before she turned to look at Bella. "You never really explained that when we were little, not really anyway. I never really thought of asking though, but now I kinda want an explanation," she said, staring Bella full in the eyes.

Bella sighed and scrubbed her face with her hands. "I know I do," the brunette said finally. "And I will tell you, both you and Jessica actually, since you deserve to know if you're planning on coming pranking with me, but before I tell either of you, I should probably tell Leah first. She deserves to know first since we're…"

"Dating?" Angela suggested.

"Yeah, that," Bella sighed. "I was thinking about talking to her this weekend when I see her after our day at the beach on Saturday."

"Another date already, man you move fast."

"Definitely giving up on Ben then?"

"Oh yes, he just can't take a hint and man up and ask me on a date. I ask him out, and he treats it like a friend thing and brings Eric along as well."

"Wait, he brings Eric with him?" Bella asked. "You don't think…"

Angela stared at Bella for another minute before turning and walking to her locker. "I really need to get my gaydar re-examined," she muttered.

Bella chuckled and followed after her. "It might not be what you think, they could just be good friends?"

"Either way, there's no point now, I'll just give up dating for a while. Or maybe give dating a female a try, since you seem to like it so much."

"I have a friend coming to visit me in a week or two if you want to try," Bella suggested, thinking it would be the funniest thing to see two of her best friends going on a date.

"I will keep it in consideration." Bella stifled back a victorious grin and the two girls grabbed their books for their first few classes. "So did you do anything else?" Angela whispered to Bella as they sat down in class.

The brunette merely shrugged and winked at her friend. "Let's just say that gym class will be interesting today," she replied before staring out the window. She observed the sun streaming down from the sky with some disappointment, knowing that it would keep the Cullens from attending school. To bad, Bella thought regretfully, I feel like some of them would have 'appreciated' the prank.

Angela sat impatiently through classes waiting for gym class to start that afternoon. Bella hadn't helped, just glanced at Tyler and Mike before smirking and snickering. The girl found out why that afternoon as the two boys danced around the gym scratching themselves in awkward places not knowing why they were itching. "This is beautiful," she croaked out, tears of laughter streaming down her face. "You put itching powder in their gym clothes?"

Bella just hummed and a little giggle escaped at the end. "Couldn't help it," she sighed with a shrugged. "They were asking for it."

Angela turned and took another look at Tyler and Mike scratching their balls before bursting out laughing along with the rest of their classmates. "We're really going to have to cause some mischief at some point," Angela chuckled as the gym coach yelled at the two boys to cut it out and report to the principal's office immediately.

"Oh definitely."

"Scoot over loser," Jessica demanded as she opened the passenger side door of Bella's car, looking at Angela. "We're going to be beach today."

Angela just rolled her eyes and scooted closer to Bella who was snickering in the driver's seat. "Someone watched Mean Girls last night," Angela huffed, glaring at the other girl.

"Sometimes that movie just speaks to me," Jessica sighed, settling into her seat with her bag. "Who all is coming to the beach? We all know that bitch Lauren isn't going to be showing her face anytime soon, not until the swelling goes down from her nose job."

"Mike and Tyler were going to come, but apparently they both have a bad rash from some itching powder in their gym shorts," Bella said innocently. "Eric and Ben said they'd meet us down there with some other people, and they packed stuff for a cookout later."

"I heard about the itching powder with Mike and Tyler, my mom told me. Apparently they were in the hospital waiting room, still scratching themselves, which just exasperated their rash. The itching powder would've washed off in the showers after gym class, but they didn't stop scratching so that made it worse," Jessica snickered.

"Ah, the prank that keeps on giving," Angela sighed, chuckling a little at the thought of the two boys continuously scratching their junk in the hospital waiting office.

"Yes, I heard about that too," Jessica said, shooting a glare at Bella as the other girl drove down the road. Bella studiously ignored the look and kept her eyes on the street in front of her. "What I want to know is if a certain tall, dark and utterly gorgeous woman going to meet us at the beach?" Jessica asked, trying to get Bella to talk.

"No, Leah's not coming," Bella replied finally, shooting Jessica a glance. "She's basically exiled from the reservation remember? Never setting foot down there again, but she did tell me to have a good time. Maybe next time we go to a beach, we can go to one away from the reservation?"

"Oh summer definitely," Jessica giggled gleefully. "I would love to see Leah in a bikini…"

"Hey!" Bella bit out, reaching over Angela to whack the girl.

"Yeah, yeah, yours, I know," she waved off, hitting back. "But I can still look right?"

"Just keep your fantasies to yourself!"

"Don't drag me into your disagreements," Angela protested, putting her hands up and waving between the other two, hitting them both.

"Relax Angie, we're done," Bella said, putting her hand back on the steering wheel.

The three carried on idle conversation for the rest of the ride down until Bella crossed over the border to La Push and headed towards the beach. There was already a group of kids from school hanging out around a few small fires built in the sand when Bella stopped her truck. The girls spotted several of their friends and headed over towards Eric, Ben and several others they knew. Bella spotted some of the native kids walking down the beach towards them and blanched when she recognized them. "Oh great," she muttered, turning away from them to look at Jessica and Angela.

"What?" Angela asked, looking behind her. "Do you know those kids?"

"Unfortunately I do. The other two's names escape me, but the middle one is Jacob Black. His father, Billy Black, is the chief of the tribe down here and was one of my dad's closest friends. I would often be dragged down here when I was younger, and played with his daughters, Rebecca and Rachel. They're several years older than me, so eventually got tired of playing with a little 'kid' and so I was left with Jake and those two ding-a-lings."

"Why does it sound like you don't like them?" Jessica questioned.

"They're nice enough, a few years younger than us so extremely immature, but the problem is that Jake has a really big crush on me. I could tell even when we were younger," Bella replied.

"That's adorable," Jessica cooed with a giggle, also glancing back behind the brunette. "Don't look now, but Casanova has spotted you and he and his friends are headed this way."

"Yo, Bella," a voice called behind her, causing her to groan and she turned around with a forced smile on her face.

"Jake," Bella greeted. "Good to see you again."

The younger boy smiled and stepped closer to Bella, closer than comfortable, but he didn't notice the older brunette inching away. "Good to see you Bella, haven't seen you since you moved back, since Charlie doesn't come down to the house anymore," Jake said, a slight pout on his face. Bella didn't appreciate the look in his eyes when he looked at her, and tried to shut it down, immediately.

"Mhm, well, you know, school, friends, girlfriend, all of it keeps me pretty busy," Bella replied nonchalantly, inwardly smirking when Jake's face fell when she mentioned girlfriend.

"G-girlfriend?" Jacob gasped out while the other two guys with him burst out laughing.

"Yes, girlfriend," Bella replied, before looking at the two behind him. "Sorry, I don't remember your names."

"Quil Ateara the IV," the first one said, sticking his hand out. "And, I must say, it's mighty fine to see you again, and if I can see some of that hot girl on girl action, especially if it's one of the very attractive ladies with you."

"Ease off there bud," the other boy told him, pulling him back from the three other girls. "I'm Embry Call, it's good to see you again Bella."

"Right, I remember you two," Bella nodded before turning her attention to Quil. "If I remember right, you like to strip out of all of your clothes and run the beach stark naked."

"Have to let the ladies know the entire package," Quil said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Now, if neither of these ladies is your girlfriend, you must introduce them."

"I'm Jessica, and you're too young for me," Jessica introduced herself, laughing and the saddened look on Quil's face.

"Way to cut to the chase," Angela rolled her eyes and Bella giggled. "I'm Angela, and you're also too young for me."

"Directly shut down, I can respect that," Quil sighed. "While I'm sad you ladies are depriving yourselves of all that is me, I can respect that and move on to those more willing."

"Who's your girlfriend?" Jake blurted out, drawing attention back to himself. The other five turned and looked at the other boy, who was looking at Bella intently.

"Leah Clearwater," Bella replied, watching their reactions closely.

"Leah Clearwater, Harry Clearwater's daughter?" Embry asked. "Heard she got banned from the reservation."

"Bella, she's obviously not a good influence," Jake said, a chiding tone to his voice. "That's what my dad said, I mean, why else would she be banned from the reservation?"

"Maybe you should ask you dad that, and stay out of my relationship," the brunette said, glaring at the younger boy.

Jake gulped at the look on Bella's face and Quil and Embry stepped away from their friend in fear that the glare would be directed towards them. "Ri-right," he stuttered out, blinking.

Bella's face relaxed and she smiled at the three younger teenagers. "Then we're good, if you guys want to stay and hangout, I don't think that'll be a problem. Maybe some of the other girls here will take you up on your offer Quil," Bella said, winking at the boy. "Maybe even a few of the guys."

"That's cold Bella," Quil replied as Embry laughed and Jake seemed lost in thought. "Ice cold."

The group hung out for the rest of the day. Quil and Embry floated between the various groups that were there, flirting with the girls while Jake stuck near Bella and her friends, pouting slightly in the background. "I don't know about you girls, but I'm glad that Mike, Tyler and Lauren didn't show up," Jessica sighed in relief. "Might've been forced to help Lauren with her nose job."

"Also glad the Cullens decided not to come along," Angela agreed. "Knowing Alice, she probably would've come down here and tried to wedge her way into Bella's good graces again."

"Mhm, Alice is cutely annoying, kind of like a Chinese crested terrier, or Chihuahua or something," Bella agreed. "Oh, looks like David brought marshmallows." She pointed to one of the boys on the football team who was pulling out a giant bag of marshmallows and sticks to roast them over the fire.

"Word," Jessica said, jumping from her seat and running over.

"Don't eat all the marshmallows Jess," Angela called, running after her.

"Make some for me guys," Bella called after the two, choosing instead to remain seated.

She sat quietly for a minute before Jake moved to sit next to her. "I heard Angela and Jessica mentioned something about the Cullens?" He asked, still trying to move closer to her.

"Yeah, they were told about the day at the beach, but had a camping trip from what I hear," Bella replied, slightly moving away from the younger boy.

"They wouldn't come down here, part of an old legend my dad told me when I was younger, just scary stories really."

He wouldn't just tell me would he? Bella thought. He can't be that stupid… Or he might. "Legends?"

"Yeah, did you know the Quileute are descended from wolves?"

"Wolves? So should I start patting you on top of the head and telling you to go fetch my marshmallows?" Bella teased, but inwardly she was rolling her eyes at Jake's stupidity.

"No," Jake replied, rolling his eyes. "It goes back to our ancient chief, Taha Aki. A usurper Utlapa stole Taha Aki's body while he was on a spirit walk and took his place, taking control of the tribe. He merged his spirit with the body of a great wolf and defeated Utlapa, transforming back into a man. Since then, the Quileute people have been known for being descended from wolves."

"That's nice, but what does that have to do with the Cullens?"

"That's from another legend, the legend of the Cold Ones. I don't remember the particulars of that legend, but many other warriors, Taha Aki's descendents, became spirit wolves, and encountered a few beings known as Cold Ones. The Third Wife of Taha Aki sacrificed herself to protect her people from the Cold One and thus the Quileute people became enemies of the Cold Ones due to the destruction caused by them. Years ago, the old chief, my grandfather Ephraim Black, made a deal with the leader of the Cold Ones, who was different from the legend," Jacob shrugged. "Dad always told me that the Cullens were related to the Cold Ones and part of the deal was that they wouldn't come down here."

"Sounds fascinating," Bella murmured, her mind whirling. Already knew this stuff, but how can I use Jacob's idiocy for my own purposes. The brunette turned her attention back to Jessica and Angela as they had sticks loaded with marshmallows roasting over the fire. She noted that Embry and Quil, as well as Jacob, were exhibiting the signs of phasing into wolves, signs that her father told her about. They were very subtle signs, and could be discounted to puberty if Bella hadn't been looking for them. She could see the muscles forming under their skin, and noticed the slight difference in temperature. They were younger than the current wolves, so it would take them longer to turn unless constantly bombarded with the scent of vampires.

The day wore on and afternoon gave way to evening. Bella glanced at her phone and saw that if she wanted to meet Leah at the bookstore, she would have to leave pretty soon. "Angie, Jess, I have to go, you guys want a ride?" She called, looking at the other two.

"Yes, right, we need to go," Jessica said, grabbing one, two more marshmallows and stuffing them in her mouth before walking over to Bella. "I don't want to have to ride back with any of these guys. I saw some of them drinking beer earlier and I don't trust them not to be buzzed while driving."

"I'll let my Dad know to post some deputies on the road down here just in case," Bella agreed.

"Good plan, Angie let's go," Jess called, hopping into the seat and scooting next to Bella.

Angela broke away from the conversation she was locked in with Eric and Ben and hopped into the truck as well. "They are so hot for each other, it would be cute if it wasn't sad that they clearly don't notice," she sighed, leaning back slightly in her seat.

"You just noticed that?" Jessica questioned, "I had them pegged a few months ago. They keep dancing around it though, so it might never happen."

"You knew and you didn't tell me?" Angela asked, outraged. "I've had a crush on Ben for a while now, and you just-"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down," Jessica said. "You had a crush on Ben? I didn't know that. Wow, you are really good at hiding that stuff."

"I don't think Ben noticed Angela," Bella told her. "You're good."

"But still, that other people noticed that Ben and Eric liked each other, but I didn't is pretty sad," Angela sighed. "Ben and Eric are some of my best friends, and I didn't notice."

"To be fair, I don't think many people noticed," Jessica defended. "The only reason I noticed is because I walked in on them having a conversation one day in the newspaper room. They didn't see me, but they were really close and slightly touchy with each other. I put two and two together, and backed out of the room when I reached four. How did you notice Bella?"

"Speculation really, I didn't know, just observed," Bella replied.

"Well, as I said earlier, I give up, might follow Bella's lead and try dating girls for a while."

"Oh, I said that too," Jessica said. "Though I'm going for someone older. Older women are mature, attractive, experienced, I don't see a downside to this."

"Your outlook on dating is odd, but also refreshing," Angela said, eying her friend warily.

Bella dropped the two off at Jessica's house, Angela and Jess agreeing to have a sleepover later, and cover for her if she wanted to spend the night with Leah. The brunette turned a red color, and told them that her dad trusted her and Leah not to do anything so it wouldn't be a problem. "Lucky bitch," Jessica muttered as she slid out of the seat and ushered Angela into the house.

Bella took a deep breath and made her way to Port Angeles, mentally preparing herself for the conversation she was going to have with Leah later that night. She pulled up in front of the bookstore Leah worked at. It was one of the nicer bookstores in town with a coffee bar installed as well, catering towards college students and bibliophiles alike. The brunette knew that there were a few more bookstores in town, including one that specialized in local Native American legends, which she might put to good use later. She got out of her truck and walked to the door, seeing Leah behind the desk as she opened the door.

"Hey," Leah greeted, spotting her younger girlfriend. "Just give me 15 minutes and I can lock up. The last person just left, but I can't lock up until 8."

"That's fine, I can look around while you finish up, maybe even make myself some coffee?" Bella asked, pointing to the espresso bar that had already closed for the night.

"If you know how to run those machines, knock yourself out," Leah said. "Just wash up whatever you use."

"You want me to make you something?" Bella asked, pulling out the coffee grounds and vanilla to start mixing the drink.

"Just make me the same as what you're making," Leah called, closing out the daily receipts and numbers of people that came in the store.

Bella brewed the espresso and minutes later had two iced caramel macchiatos and was cleaning up the machine and putting away the ingredients. Leah took a sip of the drink and moaned in amazement at the flavor. "I did a stint at Starbucks for a while," Bella replied to Leah's unasked question. "Didn't much enjoy the flavor of the coffee, but it was adequate. And I learned how to use different machines and make the drinks, especially how to alter the ratio of ingredients to get the best flavor."

"Well if this drink is any indication of your skill, you're a pretty fantastic barista," Leah praised, sipping at her drink.

The brunette blushed, not sure why praise for something as insignificant as how well she makes a cup of coffee sent tingles across her skin. "So what did you have in mind for dinner?" Bella asked, sipping her own drink in an attempt to calm herself down.

"There's a Chinese place just down from here that's open late," Leah said. "Thought we could pick up some take out and head back to my place. I feel like I need to tell you something…"

"That sounds great," Bella said, relieved. "I actually wanted to talk to you as well." At Leah's slightly alarmed look, Bella hastily added, "Nothing bad, I don't think so at least, but something you should still know."

"Alright, well, I'm done here, so you want to head out? You can give me a ride back to my apartment after we pick up the food," Leah suggested. Bella walked out the door and Leah turned off the lights and locked the front door before lacing her fingers together with Bella's and pulled her towards the Chinese place. They grabbed two boxes of their favorite dishes and walked back to Bella's truck.

Bella parked in her usual parking space outside of Leah's apartment and the two made their way into the building. They sat down on the floor in front of the coffee table, and Leah turned on some music on the TV. The two ate in relative silence, asking questions about each other's day, both seemingly coming to the conclusion to save the other discussion until later.

"So," Leah started as she set down her box and chopsticks. "Since we're dating now, I've thought about it and I want to tell you something, something I wanted to tell you the first date…"

"Leah wait," Bella interrupted, guilt eating away at her if she let Leah tell her without first telling her that she already knows. "You don't have to-"

"But I want to," Leah protested, but her complaints were waved away.

"You don't have to tell me because I already know."

"You know?" Leah asked, "What do you know?"

Bella sighed and took a deep breath. "I know that you're a shapeshifter, I know that you're a wolf."

Leah was shocked, stunned. "You, you know?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Other than the fact that Jacob Black told me the legends this afternoon?" Bella replied, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. "I've always known though, so really all it did was confirm what I already knew."

"How, how did you know? How could you know?" Leah demanded.

"That, that has to do with what I wanted to tell you," Bella said hesitantly. "I didn't know I was going to tell you, tell anyone really, but with what is developing between us… I told you I desire honesty in a relationship, and honesty works both ways."

"Just tell me," Leah said quietly as she turned to face Bella, placing a comforting hand on her leg while the younger girl stared down at her lap.

"I'm, I'm not exactly human myself," the brunette murmured.

"What?"

"I'm a kitsune," she said, turning to meet Leah's eyes. "I'm a fox spirit."

Mhm, how do y'all think Leah will react? I know of course, but you guys don't. Speculation is entertaining. And the introduction of a love-crushed Jacob, Bella shut him down, but will he really take the hint?

Review please!