It was a new record since the whole werewolf and vampire rivalry had been made known to me of times I had visited La Push consecutively. Also it marked the first time I was walking with Edward by my side. That's probably why I was so jumpy and was visualizing hundreds of eyes staring at us from the trees. I was just imagining them, wasn't I?

Jacob's property seemed far too quiet compared to the day before. Had coming and seeing Rachel asleep on the Black's roof happened only yesterday? It felt like so long ago. This morning there was no she-wolf lazing on the roof. There was no movement at all. It was so quiet, even I could hear the murmurs of what sounded like an argument inside. It was a bit unnerving considering that they had to know we were there. Jacob was always bragging about how he can smell a vampire a mile away. What, he could smell them at a distance but not when they were knocking on his door?

As soon as that thought hit me, the screen door to the little house swung open and a bright eyed and bushy-tailed Rachel was bounding towards us.

"Bella! Edward!" she squealed gleefully as she met us. She was wearing another of Jacob's shirts and a pair of khaki shorts. No shoes, of course. None of that struck me as odd. What was odd was the fresh white bandage that stuck out like a sore thumb against the dark tone of Rachel's forearm. It was the wrap around type, a form I was very well accustomed with. A bandage I knew only used to stop rapid blood loss. It clearly covered her forearm, but I couldn't tell if it wound farther up because of her gigantic sleeves.

"Rachel! What happened?!" I gasped as I grazed my fingers along the binding. She seemed surprised that I had noticed and examined it herself, like it was something she had forgotten was there. Her smile was mischievous but embarrassed as she started to unwind the dressing.

"Oh, Leah nipped me at the meeting last night. It's really nothing." She flicked her wrist and the rest of the white cloth fell to the ground. Four pink indentions couldn't make themselves anymore obvious on her than the white bandage. They were still healing, which made the damaged tissue seem that much more serious.

I had watched Jacob slice his hand open in my kitchen, an injury that would have warranted him a trip to the hospital for stitches, and heal in a matter of milliseconds and act like it was nothing.

"Does nothing usually merit a bandage for a werewolf?" Edward asked for me. Rachel rolled her eyes and stretched her back.

"Jacob's just being careful. You know, cuz' I'm so fragile." she made a disgusted noise at that. "I've had worse injuries play-fighting with my little brother, and he's a normal human. He's just making sure I'm alright." Brother?

"You have siblings?" I asked, eager to attack the tidbit of information. Rachel shifted her weight and a disgruntled look appeared on her face. It looked like she had hoped I hadn't caught it. It vanished behind a smile.

"Yeah, more than I can handle. Anyways, I was so embarrassed that Leah tagged me, but I had been to worried about Sam's reaction to my suggestion to even think about her."

"You were the one who asked Sam to let Edward come down here to watch out for me?" I gaped. I don't think any of the other wolves would have even dared to think about such an idea. And here was Rachel, here barely three days and she was already asking to break treaties and rules that had been in effect since before we were born!

Rachel's eyes became wary as she stared at me gaping at her. She looked like she was backed into a corner, or a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar. She shifted all her weight to one foot and started twiddling her fingers like a guilty little girl.

"It's to apologize for going behind your back and telling Edward about Leah's problem. He had said that you wouldn't be able to come back up here." she added in her defense. "So, I told him I'd try to get Sam to let, at least, Edward up here to calm his fear. You know, so he doesn't have to worry."

My heart softened. Rachel was actually worried that I might be mad at her. Her head was downcast and she was looking up at me through her dark lashes.

"Do you forgive me?" she whispered, holding her breath. I left Edward's side and wrapped my arms around her very tall shoulders. I had to stand on my toes just to get my arms around her. Her body tightened in complete surprise. Her body was as hard as a rock and so tense it felt like I was embracing a tree. A hot-blooded tree.

I started wondering if it was a mistake to react so quickly. I had no idea about how Rachel was brought up. What if hugging was to her like a bloodied cut meant to the Cullens; a sign to allow instincts to take over. I slowly withdrew my arms and took a step back. I kept my eyes on the ground, fearing what I might see if I looked into those blue eyes that had looked so delicate moments before.

"Um, of course you're forgiven, Rachel. You were just trying to keep me safe. It's no problem." I dared, and I looked into her face.

Shock was spread across Rachel's angelic demeanor. Her body was still frozen in the hold I had held on her even though I was now a few steps away. She didn't look upset or like she was about to lose control, just surprised that I had given her a hug at all.

"It's called a 'hug', Rachel. Don't have a cow." Jacob walked up behind her and wrapped her in a side embrace while rubbing away the sleep from his eyes. He looked like he had a really late night, making this early morning commotion too much for him to cope with. His hair was tousled and his pants (he wasn't wearing a shirt), were wrinkled beyond the point of ironing.

"Tough night, Jake?" I asked, staring at his ruffled form. He blinked at me and smiled.

"Yeah, it happens when I try to sleep with my eyes open." I knew what he meant. I would keep my eyes open if I had offered a suggestion that went against all the rules of my new family.

Rachel took a deep breath and her stiff form limped in Jacob's grip. Her smile was back, countering the apology in her eyes.

"I know what a hug is, Jake. I was just expecting her to slap me, not give me a hug and tell me I'm forgiven." I blinked in surprise. How much strength did Rachel assume I had?

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Bella's had enough experience with punching werewolves to know not to." Jacob laughed, finally starting to wake up. The sun was breaking its light right across his smile, warming me instantly till I couldn't help but smile too.

"Ha ha." I forced as I wrapped a relaxed hand around Edward's waist. He had been far too quiet, so I looked up at his face. His gaze was no where in particular, but contemplating.

"So, what do you guys want to do today?" I asked, hoping to distract Edward more than anything.

"Well-" Rachel bit her lip and looked up at Jacob hopefully. Jacob didn't say an open response to Rachel's asking glance, but nodded slowly as he yawned a big puppy yawn. Rachel smiled and looked towards us with mischievous eyes.

"No way." was Edward's response to the proposal I hadn't even heard yet.

"Oh, come on. It'll be fun with more people. And it's not like last time when she did it by herself." Rachel retorted as she pulled away from Jacob. She took three steps towards us, put her hands on her hips and challenged Edward with her eyes. Edward lightly released me from my own embrace, his eyes burning with decisiveness and the air that left no room for compromise.

He walked gracefully to Rachel, leaving only inches between them and glared up at her. I hadn't realized that Rachel was actually taller than Edward. Not by much, but at least a few inches.

"There will be so many of us there that nothing will happen to her." Rachel assured.

"Can you guarantee that your brothers won't get their fur in a bunch when they see me there?" Edward snarled. Rachel smiled, two bright dimples revealing the childishness in her face I had missed when we had first met. She nodded.

"Yup. If any of them do try anything, I'll be there to throw them off the cliff. You have nothing to worry. Unless-" Rachel's face became dangerous and teasing.

"Is the big, bad, cold, vampire afraid of a little water and a few pups." I choked on the oxygen going down when Rachel pinched Edward's cheek like she was talking to a child. She was treading on dangerous ground and I hoped that this peace in La Push wasn't about to be destroyed.

Thankfully, Edward smiled devilishly, his crooked smile caressing the worry out of my heart. He flicked her hand away and laughed when she didn't back away from his touch. It was on.

"Alright. You keep the pups under control and we'll come." Edward held out his hand. It was shaking slightly with the control he exerted over every finger. Every nerve.

"Deal." Rachel confirmed as she thrust her hand into Edward's without hesitation. They stared at each other, each trying to ignore the pain the other was trying so hard to inflict into their hand. Other than a twitch in the corner of Rachel's eye, the slight and brief decline of the corner of Edward's smirk, and the changing colors of the flesh of their fingers, the battle would have gone unknown. You know, if not for the sounds of bones popping that made me think of boulders colliding with each other.

"Alright, then it's settled." Jacob intervened. Rachel glanced at him, before returning her eyes to Edward with a cocked eyebrow. Edward considered, an eyebrow of his own raised. At the same time, the two of them let go. Something told me I didn't even have to be a mind reader to understand what they had agreed to, but I wished I knew what we would be doing.

Edward crouched down in front of me, signaling for me to get on his back. Okay, so wherever we were going, it would require getting there at a super natural speed. Or those in my group just weren't patient enough to get there on human feet. I sighed grudgingly before I climbed onto Edward's back and held on tight.

"Meet you there." Rachel said securely. I saw her exchange a playful smile with Jacob with a laugh. I couldn't feel my face as I watched their exchange. Jacob was laughing at something that only they knew. It was too hard for me to gulp and my head was fuzzy. Maybe that was why I didn't see them suddenly run into the forest.

"You okay?" Edward asked before he took off after them. The sound of his steady steps and the spray of greens that flashed past my eyes calmed my body enough to where I could answer a feeble, "yes," and ask myself, "What was that all about?"

"Where are we going?" I asked as Edward made his agile way through the forest floor I would most certainly trip on if I had been walking. Why did it feel like we were inclining?

"It's a surprise. Or at least that's what Rachel says." I scrunched my face and didn't ask any further. I waited for the 'surprise'.

"Ah, we're here." Edward finally said as we came to a stop. He helped me down and I was able to get my bearings of the place that I remembered all too well. I was instantly glad I hadn't decided to dress up for this visit and was proud of my choice of grubby shorts and a t-shirt.

We were on one of the cliffs that surrounded La Push. A flood of memories rushed to me from a time that felt like eons ago. A time when I had almost accidentally committed suicide and started a whole stream of incidents that had nearly ended the Cullens. I gulped.

Rachel came up next to me and pulled me into the rare early morning sunlight that bounced off my skin like a reflector. Rachel shook her head, amused at how I almost glowed.

"You really need to get a tan, Bella." she laughed as I took a better look around. This wasn't the same cliff! It was a lot higher than the one I had flung myself off of to get my Edward fix almost half a year ago. The sun was peaking its face over the horizon, but just enough to where it could warm my face. Just having sunlight changed the whole outlook of what I had seen in my adrenalin-crazed stage of my life. The water wasn't as murky, but a clearer blue-green as it hit against the rocks. Rocks. I hadn't been able to see them so clearly when the sun had been blocked by storm clouds. Another thing was very different from last time.

"Bella, nice to see ya, but did you have to bring your hubby along?" I turned at the sarcastic tone I knew to belong to Paul. He was shaking, but he was under control. An oddity for Paul. With another look around I could see that Embry, Quil, Jared, and to my surprise Seth were all watching either me or Edward in either swim trunks or just pants. None of them were wearing shirts except for an irritated looking Paul.

"Now that we're all here-" Paul growled as he pulled his shirt over his head. "-we can get this party started." Cheers of agreement rang and echoed off the cliff, only to be swallowed up by the roaring waves. Rachel's voice was heard above them all as she reached to take off her shirt.

Jacob was there to stop her. His hand was gripping the bottom of her shirt before she could pull it over her head. They were both frozen, Rachel glaring at Jacob and Jacob looking anywhere but at Rachel's face.

"Rachel-" he murmured, a slight blush creeping across his face. Rachel rolled her eyes, obvious aggravated.

"Chill, Love. After my first experience with you reserved pups, I learned my lesson." she lifted the shirt to reveal a spaghetti-strapped black tank top underneath that was a size too short.

"Emily let me borrow this so you wouldn't die of embarrassment." Her eyes were daring Jacob to keep holding on to the shirt. He didn't follow it, and quickly let go as Rachel peeled the shirt off, facing me. I thought I caught her murmur, "Immature little-" but I couldn't be sure.

Rachel came out of the shirt and found my stare of confusion. She made an amused noise with her teeth before walking over to me.

"We went cliff diving yesterday after you left." she confided.

"I didn't know that there was a dress code to go swimming." Rachel said absently I felt a blush spread across my face as I looked around the group of full grown boys around us. All of them had a look of embarrassment in each of their eyes.

"You mean, you-" I started, appalled and shocked.

"Hey-" Rachel growled defensively. "-you try growing up with a pack litter, most of them boys, that lose control of their emotions enough to go through a year's supply of clothes in a few weeks and have to walk back to camp for a fresh set, and in a pack that doesn't want to stop and pick up clothes every time you accidentally lose your temper. Not to mention most of the adults in your family find human clothes as a restraint. Modesty flies out the window at about eight years old. And besides,-" Rachel crossed her arms over her chest. "-I had underwear on when Jacob stopped me. It's no less than what normal people wear to the beach. Sheesh." Rachel snarled as she turned and walked behind me.

"You're going to have to come into the light sometime, Edward." she called. I turned. Edward was still hidden in the shadows of the trees, his golden eyes sparkling with anticipation and concern. They flew towards me. I waited as he slowly walked into the light.

He had taken off his shirt and shoes and was left in his black pants. His perfect body glittered like diamonds in the sunlight, making every perfect inch shimmer and sparkle. My mouth dropped in awe while I heard some growls and snarls behind me. Tension was snapping the air in half. I caught Rachel stiffen at the sounds but glanced at her just as a smile touched her tightened lips.

"And I thought Bella was albino." she laughed. She turned and walked over towards the cliff. "Don't be chicken Edward. You're not going to melt." With the new challenge lightening the atmosphere, Edward smiled and walked towards a still baffled-by-his-beauty me.

He wrapped a cold arm around me and pulled me close. His icy skin was sending chills down my spine, making me dread the water even more. Even though it was already turning out to be a hot morning, I wasn't looking forward to the shock that my body was going to have when my body touched the rampant chaos of waves and rocks below.

"I'm not chicken. I just didn't want to blind you." Edward retorted.

"Oh don't worry about that-" Rachel smiled as she put her hair in a ponytail. "-I'm only just seeing bright and neon colors after looking at your brilliance." She bowed sarcastically before turning her back to us to look over the cliffs.

I couldn't help staring. Even though I knew it was completely rude and hurtful towards Rachel, I couldn't tear my horrified eyes from her back. The flesh not covered by her low-backed tank top was covered in scars. Scratches, teeth marks, wounds that looked like they had been there forever and wounds that looked like they were still healing made me sick to my stomach as Rachel laughed at a joke Embry had told. The shrill sound was able to wake me out of my trance, and I shut my eyes to keep away from the temptation to look again. I felt Edward shake me gently, trying to ask me what was wrong, but I wasn't ready yet.

It was a warm hand shaking my shoulder that made my eyes snap open. Rachel was crouched down next to me, her eyes understanding as they stared down into me and the obvious pain and pity in my face. She blew a stray strand of hair out of her face and smiled.

"They're not nearly as bad as they look." she whispered sadly. "Most of them were from me being careless during training exercises. So don't look at me like that okay? I don't like it." I wiped the tears from my eyes and the pity for this girl from my heart and looked back at her. She saw the instant change and smiled from ear to ear.

"That's better." she laughed as she turned to face the boys who were trying to figure out who would test out the temperature of the water. Edward squeezed my shoulder before he rose and walked to the edge next to a cross-armed Jacob. They spoke in whispered tones, obviously to keep me out of the loop because all the other wolves seemed to hear. As the conversation continued, it seemed that it was rising in intensity as both of their eyebrows were pulled down as they went back and forth. I strained to hear, but still couldn't catch what they were saying, but wish I knew why they looked like they were about to go to blows. I got even more nervous when the other wolves stopped arguing to listen to their argument. Some of their forms started shaking while inhuman growls rippled from their chests. This was getting bad really quick.

And then they both weren't on the cliff anymore. I looked around, wondering if they had run off until two loud plunges were heard hitting the icy water. My eyes flew to the cliff as I jumped from my seat. Had they thrown each other off? If so, were they going to fight in the water? Would the other wolves jump in to help Jacob? My heart was beating a thousand beats a second until I finally noticed the crouching figure that had all eyes on her.

Rachel was frozen in her bent over pose, her hands still outstretched as when she had shoved both Edward and Jacob off the edge. When had she even left my side!! She took a deep breath, stood, and looked over the cliffs.

"Hey-" she called to her two victims. "-now you both know that it's safe enough for Bella to jump off of. As long as one of you idiots are with her. After you cool down, you can come back up, okay?"

With that, the air was filled with laughter from the wolves still on the cliff. Embry gave Rachel a high five before Quil came up behind her and picked her up, swinging her around like a rag doll. She laughed and kicked like a kid and he put her down. She staggered like she was dizzy but quickly made her way back to my side.

"Hope you're not bored. Things are going to get interesting when those two get back up here." she snickered. I couldn't help the sinking feeling in my gut as I thought about that.

"Won't they be mad?" I asked. Rachel sighed and scratched her head.

"No doubt. They're already plotting my demise. They'll probably tag-team me and throw me off next." A loud splash signaled that the other boys were getting restless and taking Rachel's lead and throwing their brother's off the edge. Rachel laughed.

I couldn't help my eyes trailing to a bright pink scar on her shoulder. The wound looked like it hadn't fully healed yet, a deep gash that looked like it had been made with a blade. I couldn't see how far it went in, but I could tell it must have caused her a lot of pain. I couldn't look away fast enough to hide my stare from Rachel's gaze.

"My last alpha gave me that one." she murmured, tracing the long track of the scar. "When he found me with a family of vampires. He gave me this one-" she turned to where her other shoulder was right next to me, revealing three ragged stripes trailing down her spine. "-when I told him I was leaving the pack." I tore my eyes away and looked down at the sand.

Rachel touched my shoulder cautiously, still unsure of how much of her strength a human could take. I forced myself to meet her eyes that reflected the light of the sun like water. Her smile was sad and reserved but her eyes were open and clear.

"Believe it or not, Bella, but the majority of my scars were caused by family members."

"F-family members." I gaped. Rachel nodded sadly as she pulled her knees into her chest.

"How could anyone do that to someone they love?" I murmured to myself. Rachel had heard. Her jaw tightened and her eyes were squinting at something.

"Trust me when I tell you this pack is a lot tamer than the pack I grew up in."

"How so? Other than-" I grazed one of the scars on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch so violently that I had to pull away. Rachel paused to regain control with her eyes closed, took a deep breath and began.

"My pack didn't like the idea of living like humans. We were taught that if you could become a wolf, you would act like a wolf. That includes personal life and politics of a typical wolf pack. But when you mix a wolf's lifestyle with human ambition, things get corrupted." She paused, probably wondering if she should be telling me this.

"Instead of being born into your position, once you became a wolf in the pack you would have to fight for rank if you planned to survive. I was second in command from about the first week I changed."

"Second in command? When you were so young?!" Rachel laughed at my question. She pointed to her head.

"It's not that hard when wolves are used to being able to hear what moves your about to make and suddenly can't hear you at all. That's why our wars last so long. Unless one wolf is just significantly stronger than the other, a fight can go on for days at a time, nonstop."

"Wars?" all of this information was new to me. There were battles between werewolves? What caused them? How had they been able to keep them secret for so long?

Rachel looked overwhelmed by my questions, but just smiled.

"Yes, wars. Wars over territory, position, mergers. Pretty much anything that can start a fight has started a werewolf war in the past. I've lived through two wars myself, fighting in one of them.

"Most vampires don't even know of the werewolf wars. It's because they are usually held so far north or so far south that they never get wind of it. We like being discreet with our fights. That's how we've avoided bounty hunters for so long. Uh, people who know of our existence that kill us for the fun of it." she answered the question that was on my lips.

"Wars, fights for ranks, wolf-bindings-"

"What's th-"

"I'll get to if you let me." Rachel laughed at my eagerness. It was light but it had a dark edge to it that made it seem painful for Rachel. Too forced. I wrapped my arms around myself and waited.

"Wolf binding was a way for the alpha to keep the population under control when we had a pup-boom. It kept werewolves in their human skin and kept them from being able to transform into their wolf form."

"How'd they do that?" Rachel's grip around her legs tightened. Her eyebrows fell down over her eyes as she stared at nothing. Her eyes were swimming and her jaw was tight, the muscles of her mouth clenched and taut through her skin.

"Simple, the Alpha would simply command that they never change back into a wolf again." she whispered in a tone that made me believe it was anything but simple.

Before I could ask further, Rachel's face became surprisingly relaxed, if not a little roguish. I couldn't get a word out before I felt cold moisture trickle on the back of my arm. I looked up to see a drenched Edward and Jacob, glaring down at Rachel and me.

"Well, wasn't that just as much fun as I told you it would be, Edward? How's the water?" Rachel asked, her brilliant carefree smile laid on her lips as she tried hard to suppress a laugh.

The boys' eyes were smoldering as they stared down at Rachel, but there was something in the air around them that kept me from worrying for Rachel's safety. They glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes before glancing down at her. Both wore impish smiles that warned me they were about to pull something.

"It was really fun. As for the water-" Jacob suddenly picked up Rachel by her arms and Edward grabbed her ankles. Rachel laughed her protest at the men who had her captive and wiggled in their grips, but was unable to break free as they hauled her to the cliff. I couldn't help laughing along with her.

"On the count of three." Edward sneered. They swung Rachel back and swung her. Her body was hovering in the air, no ground beneath her.

"Come on, you guys. Can't you take a joke."

"One." Edward started as her body came back towards solid ground. Rachel whimpered a giggle as her body was thrust forward again.

"Now, seriously. You wouldn't throw me off a cliff would you?"

"Two." Jacob continued, his smile radiating his enjoyment of seeing his imprint in such a predicament.

"Hey, I mean it. Put me down." Rachel glowered. The boys set their feet as her body came back the last time.

"Three!" both of them yelled as they heaved Rachel towards the air like a sling shot. They released and Rachel was hovering over the air. Instead of thrashing around, Rachel righted herself in the split second where she seemed to hover in mid air.

"I'm coming for you when I come back." she murmured as she disappeared beneath the cliff. I ran to the cliff to watch her dissent. She was now in the perfect position for one of the most graceful swan dives I'd ever seen as her body plunged through the water. She didn't even make a sound.

I turned in time to see the other boys jump in after their sister and Jacob give Edward a high five. Their proud smiles warmed my heart and made me realize something. Rachel had seen that coming, but hadn't tried to escape from their 'plot'. Had she planned that whole thing to stop the fighting? The idea that she had planned Edward and Jacob to get along through their desire to get back at her struck me as brilliant.

"Hey, Bella. You want to go for a jump?" Jacob asked me. He shook his soaked hair, spraying me with an icy mist.

"Uh-" if I had been asked half a year ago, I would have been all for it. But I was in my right mind now and the thought of jumping off a tall cliff with sharp rocks and icy water at the bottom didn't seem too appealing.

"What if I go with you?" Edward soothed as he touched my face with a clammy hand. "Nothing bad will happen and I'll keep you safe."

It might have just been my imagination, but I thought I sensed Jacob tighten next to me. He was holding his breath and when I looked at his face, his careless smile wasn't there. It hurt me to see him like that.

"How about all three of us?" I asked, glancing at Jacob out of the corner of my eye. He exhaled and he seemed to relax a little bit at the idea. All his tension rubbed off on Edward, though he was better able to hide it behind my favorite crooked smile. It hurt me, but I couldn't find myself recalling my idea.

"Whatever you want." Edward cooed as he took my right hand in his icy and gentle grip. Jacob's smile brightened as he took my left hand in his hot and firm palm. It was like I was between two polar opposites as I walked to the very edge, both keeping my jelly legs steady as my stomach fell into my toes.

We got into the position we would be in when we jumped and I did something I shouldn't have. I looked down. Yup, this cliff was significantly higher than the last one I jumped off of. I could hardly see the werewolves already in the water. It seemed to have grown since I watched Rachel dive into the dark depths below. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

"You don't have to." Edward stated, obviously aware of the change in my heart rate.

"She can handle it." Jacob stated with a smile to me.

"Let's just get it over with." I whispered through chattering lips.

"Ready? On three." Edward called from what seemed like miles away. I heard his voice call each number slowly, but my head was buzzing with the sounds of the water hitting the boulders below. Lost in the shrieks of the seabirds flying around us. I felt like I wasn't in my body anymore, but staring down at myself staring at the water.

"Three." I was suddenly back as Edward and Jacob pulled me off the edge and every organ in my body flew into my chest. It felt like I was flying, but then gravity ripped that delusion away with a sweet sensation pulling me down. I felt the adrenalin rise into my throat, urging me to scream and yell. I let it take over and heard my exhilarated voice ring in the air as the wind blew my hair upward while everything else was pulled down.

"Hold your breath." Edward yelled through the air and I forced the rampaging wind down my throat just in time to feel the icy water cover me. It wasn't as cold as I had feared. It was actually a comfortable temperature in the heat of the day. It was energizing me as I sank deeper and deeper into the current. It was so awesome!

Suddenly a strong, cold hand started pulling me back towards the surface. I broke through and filled my lungs with oxygen.

"That was amazing!!" I yelled. Rachel's laughter came from behind me. Her face was lit up with her smile as she tapped the water towards me, splashing my face.

"Oh yea?" I challenged, and with my arm not gripped by Edward I splashed her back. Jacob and Edward both helped me in my battle, Rachel out numbered three to one. It didn't help her when Paul decided to go for another jump and made her his target. She barely dodged out of the way, but he grabbed her ankles and pulled her under the water.

We played that way for hours, not noticing when the clouds gathered and sprinkled us with rain as we fought. I couldn't help moments when I would stare at Rachel, her scars barely visible above the water. My mind would warp, trying desperately to understand what kind of world could honestly want to hurt this fun and gentle person. Her eyes would always meet mine and she'd splash me, ensuing another match that brought me back to reality.

When we finally did get out, my fingers and toes resembled prunes and my hair was sticky and gross with bits of seaweed clinging to their strands. Rachel got out of the water and shook violently all over. When she stopped she was bone dry.

"How do you do that?" I asked before I could catch myself. Rachel laughed.

"Practice and a few brothers who are permanently stuck in their fur. It helps in the arctic." she stated as she threw her too big t-shirt over her shoulder.

"What should we do now?" Seth asked, shaking his head in almost the same manner as Rachel but not nearly as effective.

"Eat!" rang three or four voices at the same time. I snickered as I wrapped my arms around myself to warm them. Rachel threw her shirt to me and I welcomed it. I needed help to get into it, it was so big. I got lost and confused the arms as the head hole. Luckily Edward found pity on me between his laughing and helped me put it on correctly. It hung down to my knees and the 'short' sleeves almost went down to my wrists.

"Yup, Jacob's clothes are a little big on me too." Rachel said with a sigh.

"Only a little?" I gaped as I held the shirt out around me.

"Hey, I'm a growing boy." Jacob stated proudly.

"Helloooo," Seth said, tossing his arms out to get the attention back to his original question.

"Rachel already agreed to tell us her stories today. Why don't we do that after we eat?" Embry suggested.

"Rachel's legends?" I asked.

"Yeah. Rachel's pack is pretty old and has carried on legends about why we can morph and stuff for centuries. Why don't you and Edward come?" Seth asked.

I loved Seth. He was such a cool kid. Ever since he and Edward took down Victoria, they had become living proof that vampires and werewolves could be friends if they wanted to be. The first of his kind in his pack.

I looked towards Edward who had a vacant look on his face. He shrugged in a way that told me, "It's up to you.".

"Okay, but let's eat first." I begged as my stomach growled for emphasis. Jacob took Rachel's hand and led the way back to camp as Edward took mine. While conversations circled around us, I couldn't pull my eyes from the werewolf couple in front of us.

Nicolette- Woohoo. Another long chapter. Now, I'm going to ask again. PLEASE REVIEW! For those of you who do review, thank you so much. Your input is greatly appreciated. Please Review. I don't know how else to ask. Hope you like this chapter.

P.s. Before anyone writes to me and tells me that I'm a freak because of the way I wrote up Rachel not caring about wearing clothes and such, please know that it is significant later and I'm using it to show how wild her old life used to be (if you didn't get that already) Thanks a lot! -