M I S T A K E N

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters.

I was waiting until I got a few reviews before posting this chapter. Haha, I love Aki but…if he died there'd be so much more angst with Ari! I mean – it has potential… ((cackles)) Anyway, here's the next chapter. Yes, typos suck. I'm really sorry. Maybe when I reach chapter fifteen, or chapter twenty, I'll go back and revise all the chapters so far. Or maybe I'll just wait until I have writers' block ((I can feel it coming up, it's just a matter of time)) this may be my last update of the year. Enjoy--!

14) sacred ) JPOV )

The static-filled moan was one of grief. It was nothing but total and absolute pain.

"What was that?" Billy asked, worried by the sound coming from the receiver.

"They attacked," I grabbed my rope and hurried into the bathroom. "Dad, you have to call Sam and tell him the Volturi attacked Ari at her house. She left her address on the fridge."

"Jacob, maybe you should-"

I was already gone. I ran as fast as my legs could possibly allow, hoping I'd be able to save her. I had made a promise to her. How could I keep my word if she were dead?

She can't take them by herself, I thought. She'd be lucky to get away from one.

"I think I've imprinted on you, too."

"A kiss and you'll always be with me."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Flashes of the moments I had spent with her kept coming back. She was a good friend. She could be a better friend, a closer companion. But I had to save her, first. She had to live.

Jacob, we're on our way. You're covered, right?

Yeah. I was running though back yards and weaving through trees. I stopped when I reached her house, changing quickly on her porch before kicking down the back door and running in. I could already hear the ambulances from the street behind me. I'd have five minutes, if even that long. The mixing smells of the bloodsuckers, the blood, and the fear made me stagger.

"Ari!" I bellowed as I made my way to the stairs. I saw a pool of blood on the floor below the banister. I looked up and saw a dark arm dangling, a few fingers missing. I shuddered.

"Jacob!" She cried. "Aki's… Oh, where's Baba and Mom? Jacob – I can't tell if he's breathing. He stopped shaking."

I hurried up the stairs to her. She was in the hallway; blood made the hardwood floor slick beneath my feet. I bent down beside her and her brother. They shared the same nose, so I figured it was a dominant family trait, considering Aki was truly her cousin. I couldn't tear my eyes from his pained face. His lips moved slightly.

"Mom…"

Ari gripped his remaining hand tightly. "Is Mom home? What about Baba?"

"Ari, we have to go. You have to leave him here, okay?"

She didn't answer me, holding her brother's head against her chest. I had to get her away. I couldn't leave her here while her family died around her.

There was nothing more I could do. I stood and wandered down the hall. I found a bathroom and washed my hands. The bloodsuckers were gone – they're scent was stale, maybe twenty minutes old, maybe more. I went into the room that smelt of Ari the strongest. Had I been here under other circumstances, I'd have noticed the details of her room. I grabbed her book bag from the floor and proceeded to shove in clothes. I put the rolled up toiletry bag that was on her dresser in the bag as well. My eye caught sight of her wolf and I took it, figuring it would provide some sort of comfort – now that her life as she knew it was destroyed.

"Gotta go," I mumbled as I walked past the site of her dying brother. I knew she wasn't going to come silently, so I grabbed her wrist and made her follow me. We hurried down the stairs and went out the back door. I could hear car doors slamming as the paramedics parked in the driveway. I led her outside onto the lawn. She was shaking, clenching her fist and biting her lip. I didn't know what to do. I felt horrible that her brother was probably dead, but she was alive. It was my main priority to keep her that way.

I stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before finally reacting. I seized her waist and pulled her to my chest, kissing her tear stained cheeks. She was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. It was as if I was staring at her through chaste eyes, eyes that had never witnessed the magnificent colors of a sunset, or the pale grace of a rainbow. My sight existed only for her, only to see her dark face whether it held an expression of anger, misery, content, or betrayal. No matter what, I would try to appease her anyway possible. It was a virgin devotion, something that had never been felt for anyone before. It was terrifyingly strong.

It was nothing like I had felt for Bella. It was bigger than I was, more powerful than love itself. It was life. A life that only held meaning if she were living it.

"Ari, I'm so sorry." There was nothing I could say to make her feel better, nothing I could do to prove her family would survive this vicious attack, and it made me feel horrible.

"He's going to die, isn't he? You don't have to lie. You don't have to make me think he's going to live unless you're absolutely sure a miracle could happen and he'd be okay."

I wanted to tell her that the miracle had already happened. The miracle was that she was living right now. She looked up at me with such sad eyes that I felt as if I had walked into the most unfortunate place in existence. I nodded, unable to say the words "he's going to die". All I could do was hold her tighter as she shook. "They smelt me. They thought Aki was…"

"We have to go back," I said softly. "To La Push."

She didn't protest but her shaking increased. I stood back as I watched her explode out of her clothes. She waited for me as I changed, then grabbed her bag, carrying the strap between her teeth. I could feel the terrible ache of her heart as she gazed upon the tragic scene. It was as if my heart was hers. It was as if I felt the physical pain of her anguish.

We'll make them pay for what they did to you, I vowed

Ari didn't say anything as we returned to La Push. I could see Aki dying; I could feel the sensation of his blood on my fingers. I felt guilty for every mean joke, every instance I had told him I hated him. Ari recalled the scene that had happened between them. She was about ten and he was twelve. He had done something to make her upset and she had told him she had wished he'd never been adopted.

I couldn't do anything to rid myself of her feelings. I was relieved when we finally returned, letting out a long sigh when I became human again. Billy had gone to his room so we wouldn't have to deal with any awkward explanations. I sat down on the couch. Ari on the other hand jumped up, her body vibrating violently.

"I should be with him! He's my family. What would my parents think? Why did I even let you bring me here?"

I grabbed her arm and pulled her close to me. She struggled but eventually stilled, sobbing softly. She rested her cheek against my shoulder, easily fitting into my embrace. She fell asleep in a few moments.

"Jacob?"

I looked up to see that Sam had let himself in. I looked down at Ari and he nodded, understanding shone in his eyes.

"Later, then."

I watched her dimples, set deep in her cheeks whenever she smiled. I watched her fingers, laced through mine – an attempt to ease her subconscious into a pleasant dream – deep red and deep brown, rich colors like clay and earth. Compatible. I watched her eyes when they snapped open; a hypnotic black-brown hidden deep within black curled up eyelashes. She settled back down, resting her head against my chest when she realized she was safe. I memorized her breathing, holding my breath until she exhaled without being aware of it.

"Family is sacred to you," I whispered to my sleeping devotion. "It is to me, too, but I can't let you do something stupid and get hurt." I had been reluctant, but now I was submitting. Ari was something sacred, something to be treasured. I knew she'd feel an intolerable rage and want for revenge, and I'd have to protect her from herself. I'd have to protect her from everything, because she was sacred to me.

Gah! Done. Yay. Yay. Yay. Yay. Yay. ((sighs)) Ummm…next chapter needs to be planned out. I think I've found a way for Ari to actually meet the Cullens. I'm not sure if she's going to meet Bella, though. Leave your thoughts abou that in a review… Actually, I have two ways for her to meet them. Hmm. What should happen next chapter? I may be away New Year's Eve and New Year's day, so – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Last update of the year, everyone! Please enjoy and drop a review. ((cheers because she got more than thirty before the New Year)). Make some good resolutions!

--Blessed.