M I S T A K E N

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

Second chapter today. Enjoy!

20) prepare for battle)

"Ari," Came a voice slurred with sleep. "Wake up!"

I groaned and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Jacob was fully dressed; if one called cut off jeans fully dressed. He laughed at the sight of my hair, knotted and sticking up in different directions.

Sniffing angrily, I rolled out of bed and staggered to the bathroom. I showered and got dressed and hurried to make the bed. Jacob pushed me out of his room as I tried to fluff the pillows in vain. "Lost cause," He mumbled.

"Morning you two!"

Jacob and I turned to glare at the source of the unnaturally cheery voice, also known as Billy. We released an identical growl of agitation. Billy shrunk into his chair. "When did you go to sleep?"

"When the sun came up," I yawned, pulling out the carton of orange juice. Jacob handed me a glass halfway filled with water. His eyes betrayed his blank face. He was right; I didn't have to dilute the juice I had no more doctor-parents to make me health conscious.

But once I started breaking old habits, what else would I have left? I was already starting to forget their voices. If their pictures weren't on the news every night – I'd probably start to forget what they looked like. How much more of them could I stand to lose? I had to cling to every memory. I wasn't healed enough to start making new ones.

I took the glass from him and gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks."

I made breakfast. Most of it, anyway. After breaking five eggs with my clumsy, sleepy fingers, Jacob had announced that Pillsbury biscuits weren't out of the question. When we finished eating, Jacob and I stumbled to the door, probably no more coordinated than a couple of drunks.

"Are you going to drive to Sam's?" Billy asked as I laughed at Jacob. He balanced his keys on his nose, standing on one foot.

"Yes, sir!" Jacob saluted and his keys fell. He bent to pick them up without placing down his other foot. He lost his balance and grabbed my arm. The two of us fell, laughing loudly.

"Good luck with that," I heard Billy mumbled before we left. I bounced in the passenger's seat as Jacob drove. Occasionally I had to poke him to keep him from falling asleep. I soon fell asleep myself, my cheek resting against the window. I woke when Jacob yanked open the door. I fell out, grunting as I hit the ground.

"Sorry, Ari," Jacob lifted me up and dusted me off.

"Forget about it," I murmured. I waved at Sam, who waved back. He stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest.

"What?" Jacob asked, letting out a massive yawn – big even for him. "We had a late patrol."

Sam's eyes were narrowed as he beckoned us closer. We shuffled over until we were right in front of him; our heads bowed like guilty toddlers awaiting punishment.

"The Cullens called while you were asleep," Sam sighed. "The psychic saw the Volturi. They're going to strike in a few hours."

Suddenly, I was awake. "Are they going to help us fight?"

"No," Sam narrowed his eyes. "I spoke with Carlisle. He said he, Jasper, and Emmett would stay while the others took Bella somewhere safe. Carlisle's staying in case someone is injured and needs a doctor – that's all he can do."

Jacob looked at me, then shook his head. "I don't want you to fight, Ari."

"I have to!" I protested. "They murdered my family."

My glare was met tenfold. "What if they kill you?"

His voice was so soft that I thought I had imagined his words. Jacob took my face in his hands, his eyes begging me to understand. I did understand. I understood that I was supposed to be the only one for him – the only one he could possibly ever want or need. He'd lost Bella, and he didn't want to lose me, too. I was his hope. Hope for a life filled with love. If I died he'd lose it all.

"Just yell 'watch out' every now and again and I'll do fine," I smiled bravely. "Iwill be fine." I wished I could believe my words.

Jacob sighed in defeat.

"Get some sleep," Sam commanded. "You need to be alert when they come."

"What if we sleep through it?"

"I'll send Seth to get you. Later," He waved and disappeared into his house. I squinted as the door shut in my face.

"He's rude," I mumbled.

Jacob put his arm around my shoulder and directed me to the car. "Yeah, just a little bit."

Billy was amazed to see the Rabbit in one piece when we returned. Jacob and I hadn't even been able to reach the living room. As soon as we came in, we hit the floor.

"Guys," Someone hissed what seemed like five minutes after my eyes closed. "Time to go."

I pressed my face against Jacob's shoulder, feeling my nose scream in protest. My face was burning. I squinted at the form in front of me. "Seth…?" I rubbed my eyes. "What are you-? Oh."

Seth made a face. "Aw, aren't you two cute? C'mon." He helped me up. We had to drag Jacob to his feet. We dropped him twice.

"God! Stoppit, I'm awake." His eyes met mine and then he sighed. "I wish you left me sleeping."

I wondered what he had been dreaming about, but didn't have time to ask as Seth forced us out the door. "You and Leah are a lot alike," I mused as we started through the forest, ready to battle.

----------------------------------------------------

We met in the clearing. Sam's voice was emotionless. "Get ready to phase, everyone." All the guys proceeded to take off belts and unzip pants. I turned away, grabbing Jacob's hand. I pulled him to the farthest edge of the clearing where no one would be able to see us. I stood before a tree wide enough to hide my front. I tugged off my shirt and glanced over my shoulder. Jacob's eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of my bra. He cleared his throat.

"If this is some 'I'm going to die, let me do this now' thing…"

"Jeez! No." I turned; making sure my back was facing him. "I need your help – while you're human. Just unhook this so I can take it off and hide my clothes somewhere." I felt him shift nervously behind me. "Can you handle it?"

I heard him mutter something that sounded like: "Leah's here, why couldn't you ask her?" I soon felt a sigh on my skin as he brushed away my hair.

"This little clasp, right?"

"Yeah, Jacob. Don't concentrate too hard," I teased, fueled by fear and nervousness. I could die. This could be the last time I saw him as a human. "It's not surgery."

I felt his hesitant fingers on my shoulder, a light warmth upon me. He stepped closed to me, resting his chin on my head. My breath became caught in my throat as I felt my bra straps loosen and slide off my shoulder. Jacob leaned forward. Breathing on my neck he said, "there you go, mutt." He laughed softly, his knuckles brushing against my lower back.

"Thanks," I murmured, taking my shirt from the branch it hung on and vanishing into the trees. I could feel my muscles bulking, my arms becoming more hairy, and my hearing sharpening. Soon I had become a wolf.

Soon, I would avenge my family's death, or die trying.

Gah! Um… I've written a really rough version of the next chapter. It needs major detail added, so I may be able to get it up, may not. Anywho, please tell me what you think! Four or five more chapters until Mistaken comes to a close!