"Are you dating Jacob?" Paul asks me curiously. "If you are, then you're robbing the cradle."

"Eat your damn hot dog, Paul."

We all laugh. It has been a long time that I've felt so much at ease. I suppose if the girls weren't dead, we'd be hanging out just like this. We'd be having a bonfire, like now, and having hot dogs or something of the sort. I shake my head and dismiss my depressing thoughts. I had been invited to stay and hang out, which was nice of them to ask me. I intend to have some fun and not bring the vibe down.

According to Jacob, Quil finally turned into a werewolf. A stray vampire had been running around in the area and that set him off. So really, he says, this meeting is technically a tribal council. This is Quil's first time to learn that the stories are true. Also, since I'm the Child of Fate, I'm allowed to sit in on this thing as well (there's no mention on the fact that I had figured it out. Sheesh. I'm privileged). The Clearwater kids are first-timers as well, along with this girl, named Kim. Kim is Jared's imprint. Jacob promised to explain the imprint to me later, although I have a bit of an idea of what it might entail. I'm not the type to steal one's thunder. I only do that when an enemy is about to brag about something.

The entire pack is here. Sam and Emily, Paul, Embry, Quil, Jared and his imprint are all here. Kim seems to be a bit shy but she seems to be a nice girl. When I look at Jared look at her, my instincts tell me that this is what imprinting is. The total adoration he holds in his eyes for her is amazing. To the ordinary person, they wouldn't see anything special about Kim but to Jared, she's the world. I sigh before I look at the older members of the council. Quil's grandfather, Harry Clearwater and Billy are also here. As if he sensed my thoughts, Jacob says:

"You're going to hear the first story of the spirit warriors."

The atmosphere suddenly changes and everyone is sitting up straighter. Billy launches into the story of how they came to be, beginning with Kaheleha, the first great Spirit Chief in Quileute history. He wasn't the first spirit warrior, though, but no one remembered who discovered the magic in their had lead a spirit army against a large tribe, who had stolen the Quileute's land, and chased them off in a myriad of ways.

Then came the story of Taha Aki, the last spirit chief. He was renowned for his wisdom and for being one who preferred peace. Of course, there's always one in the group that's discontented (isn't that always the case?). Utlapa had been one of Taha Aki's strongest warriors but always one who wanted more. He wanted to use the magic to gain more land and enslave other people. According to Billy, when the warriors became their spirit selves, they knew each others thoughts and that's how Taha Aki discovered his warrior's treachery. Utlapa became an outcast.

This story sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it, pet?

The story reminds me of the Black Moon clan. They were a group of rebels convinced by a demon, called Wiseman, that Crystal Tokyo was an abomination. The citizens of Crystal Tokyo had been given immortality through the power of the Silver Crystal, thus creating the Black Moon Clan. Wiseman led them to attack the future Crystal Tokyo before going into the 20th century. Small Lady had gone to the 20th century in search for the Silver Crystal to help her mother, the now current Neo-Queen Serenity, and so did Wiseman. He went to the past to obtain the Silver Crystal and to kill Small Lady. Revenge was the motive.

Small Lady...

"Taha Aki called upon the wolf to destroy Utlapa but killed a young man protecting the false chief..." Billy continued.

So that's where the wolf came from.

Taha Aki wanted a body after wandering the world without his own body for so long. The wolf accepted his spirit and the two became one. As a wolf, he returned to his village and warriors were called upon to chase him away. However, he didn't attack them and retreated slowly, trying to communicate with them with his eyes...just like Jacob had tried to that day in the meadow. Thankfully, the warriors seemed to have realized this. One decided to defy the false chief and tried to communicate with the wolf by leaving his body. He discovered his true chief and welcomed him home.

"Utlapa killed the warrior for disobeying him."

Taha Aki was enraged. He became one with the wolf again and that was when he became a man again. Warriors of the tribe recognized him. Utlapa tried to run but Taha Aki set things right by crushing the thief and working with his people once again.

"Holy crow." I say.

"Yeah." Jake says. "Entrenched in history, that's for sure."

"Thanks for inviting me tonight. I think I understand things more, now."

"And thank you for being here for me."

I give my friend a big hug before I head home.

"Cliff diving, alright!" I exclaim.

I have my familiar two-piece, lavender bathing suit on beneath a pair of shorts. Jake liked it before so I know he'll appreciate it now. I have my power stick, as usual, along with a change of clothes on me. Today should be a pretty fun day! I get into my truck and head off for First Beach in La Push. The weather is pretty mild today so I put my window down and let the wind flow inside the cab.

Ah...

It had been stormy earlier today, but it seemed to have cleared up. However, despite how soft the air feels, there's an undercurrent of foreboding. Something major is going to happen. Even Circe senses it. She's getting kind of restless and wants to get out of her cage.

I don't like this at all.

I make it to the cliffs in one piece but the boys haven't arrived yet. We plan on jumping from the top. So while I'm waiting, I decide to practice some martial arts. I take a few minutes to warm up and stretch my legs before I take position. I start out with a few basic punches and kicks before I mix things up. I don't pick up on the stray youma that suddenly runs by me...

"Sakura!"

Damn. It sliced me.

I cough up blood before I fall over the cliff.