Wow, I just realized something. My chapters are really short. And sometimes I reread them, and some spelling and grammar errors unnerve me, because I always reread my chapters before posting. Wow, I'm absent-minded. And time goes by so fast, I don't realize it's been weeks since I reposted. I apologize. You'll just have to wait, I guess. I'll try to repost faster.

Oh yeah, and I'm messing with the storyline. It's too hard to go exactly. I just thought I'd warn you. Though maybe I've said this before...?

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It was bitterly cold. Biting. Bella wrapped herself tighter in her scratchy wool jacket. She thought it was ugly and lumpy and extremely uncomfortable, but it was the warmest thing she could find in the house. And she really didn't care if anyone saw. If Edward was there, she might have dressed up...

Kachina watched with shielded curiosity as Bella, just outside Newton's Sporting Goods store, abruptly slowed in her walking to clutch her stomach in what seemed to be pain. Cramps, perhaps? No, she knew that look.

Heartbreak.

Bella entered the store, fighting to gain control of herself once more. After lugging that horrid jacket off, she set herself up at the same register as last time.

What a strange creature. She still had the faint scent of vampire...

But something more.

She still smelled of wolf. Even more overpowering than before. It nearly drowned out her vampire smell.

This was so confusing. She had enough on her mind as it was. She hadn't heard from the new wolf pack in days, after their little meeting. Perhaps they didn't really want her to interfere with their business. But they seemed to be popping up everywhere--she couldn't keep herself away from her ancestral land, and now, even at work, there was a trace of them.

Kachina sighed and sat on the uncomfortable cashier stool provided by Newton's Sporting Goods. She wanted to leave. Not just this boring store, but this place, too. So badly. They didn't need her. They didn't want her. She was probably in the way, anyway.

But she couldn't force herself to go.

Because, well...even if they didn't need her...

She needed them.

Suddenly, the store's front entrance opened with the tinkle of a bell. Kachina tiredly gazed up from where she'd been staring with dead eyes at the floor.

Crap. She really just couldn't get a break, could she?

In walked Jacob Black, whom Kachina had only seen and heard from at a distance, during her many scouts around the La Push reservation. But, seeing him close up...

Kachina couldn't breathe. Her heart nearly stopped. She clutched her stomach in pain and bang her head softly on the corner of the counter.

Why, oh why did he have to look so much like Hania?

He walked up to Bella's counter, making it a point not to give Kachina any of his attention. Kachina was angry at this, but glad, too. Not only would she not have to face this kid, but doing such a thing as Jake had just done was not in Hania's nature. Maybe the more she got to know Jacob--though she honestly didn't know if she wanted to learn about him--the more he'd probably less resemble Hania. And that was extremely important.

They started to chat. Kachina, though she knew this really wasn't the greatest of times, couldn't restrain herself from listening in.

"...and come down to La Push with me," Jake said earnestly.

Bella glared. "Are you still with that Uley kid?"

"Bella, I told you! I can't help it!"

"Then I'm not going."

Hmm. This was an interesting development. Kachina banged her head once again on the counter, realizing just how weird it was that she was looking at this situation as if it were a drama on TV.

"Why not? Sam won't be there! None of them will! Just you and me, working on the Rabbit! I promise!"

Bella ground her teeth. "But what if Sam came and asked you to do something for him?"

Jake looked away. "I guess I'd have to do it..."

"Exactly. You're like an obedient little puppy with a master who manipulates you."

Kachina couldn't help but grin at that.

"Listen, Bella," Jake pleaded. "I already asked him to do the best he could to leave me out of anything right now. He agreed..." He trailed off.

"For now," Bella finished her sentence.

"Well, it's better than nothing, right?"

"I don't want to go! Either you leave that stupid bunch of idiotic boys or I won't come anymore!"

Jacob was silent. Kachina looked up from the counter to catch Jake and Bella staring at each other menacingly. Jake's hands were shaking.

"Bella, I'm trying to ask you nicely," Jake growled.

"And I'm nicely replying with a no," Bella said curtly.

"You don't understand a thing!"

"Then tell me what's going on!"

"I can't!"

Bella called out then. "Security..."

"You don't have security here, Bella. We're in Forks, for crying out loud."

"Mike can be quite a formidable enemy."

"I could squash him in an instant."

"You do, and I'll never go to La Push ever again."

Jake was suddenly storming from the store, leaving Bella bewildered at his insane speed. Mike came running to assist Bella--probably in the hopes of getting to "show off" to her--but she politely waved him away. He left, sulking.

Kachina sat solemnly on her stool, staring at Bella's back. After about ten minutes, Bella turned and stared back at her.

Kachina's gaze was unwavering.

"What do you want?" Bella snapped.

Kachina shrugged her shoulders. "You got into a fight with my cousin."

"So?"

Kachina shrugged once more.

Bella made a guttural noise that sounded like disgust. "That's it. I'm outta here. Tell Mike I'm off early."

Kachina watched her unblinkingly as she stomped out of the store, assaulting the door on her way out. Her engine then roared to life, speeding out as fast as such an old machine can speed out.

Mike came running. "The hell is going on?"

Kachina sighed. "I dunno," she answered, standing. "Mike, there hasn't been a customer in an hour. Close up the shop. You've lost your second cashier for the day."

Mike gaped. "But...but..."

"Don't worry, you won't lose any business. I need to return Bella's coat." She glided gracefully over to Bella's ugly jacket that she'd left in her hurry, wondering if it was really worth it to chase after Bella.

Eh. She had nothing better to do.

Leaving Mike in a frenzy, she exited the store and headed for the trees.