a/N: let's see how long inspiration lasts....

btw does anyone else have problems with the document manager tool, first when my documents get uploaded words are lost, then when i try to edit them, the changes don't get saved....it's frustrating!!!

II. Resemblance

Bella had attended many tribal ceremonies before, but never one with such grandeur and opulence as this one. They had been preparing for this evening for years. Planning had finally stopped a week ago. And with the Cullens arrival, as Sue had pointed out all that had been left to do was wait. She scanned the room, everyone was here. They had to be close to a hundred, plus the newcomers.

Jacob had explained her that the coven had grown, they used to be only five according to the records they kept, now there was seven of them, three women and four men. Fact that had pleased the elders greatly, because that meant more shape shifters. And to top things, they dicovered the two newest members had special powers. The ability the werewolves had to hear each other's thoughts was not precisely developed from their genetics, but it was the influence of one of the Cullen men on a previous generation. He could read the minds, so the shape shifters had mirrored his power into their forms in a mechanism of self defense. They were practically delighted with the two new abilities their warrior would acquire, they were especially thrilled with the little seer. Jake had told her all about it, what a valuable asset for the pack were the future telling skills of the vampire girl.

But what had shocked Bella more than their powers, was their looks. She had only seen pictures of vampire in the sacred books Jake had showed her, she had never seen one up close and personal first time Bella saw them she was taken by how beautiful they were. The elegance and grace that each of them possesed was disturbing at times. Bella had not been formally introduced to any of them, actually this was the second time she saw them all together in one room. The Cullens rarely left their chambers, except for two of the women, the blonde who dazzled every single male that came across her and the little one with the short raven coloured hair.

Bella caugth the gaze of one bronze haired Cullen, but was forced to look away when the flames of the fire turned from blue to a bright red. Silence reigned the room. The doors of the great hall opened. And the weight of Becca's words downed on her as she watched Jake walk into the room holding Rachel's arm tightly and sitting on the side of the great hall. Seth and Leah were trailing behind them, with Quil right after them. Everyone rose from their seats, even the Cullens, when the elders made their entrance. They sat at the center of the great hall, with Billy Black on the middle, Joshua Uley at his right, and Harry Clearwater at his left, next to Old Quil. It was during these kind of events when the doubts assaulted her. Maybe they were right and she was being naïve believing Jake could turn away from all this grandeur to be with her.

Jake and her were childhood friends. They grew up together and eventually ended up romantically involved. Like Leah had done today, she had willingly gave herself to him, in a proclaimed act of love six months ago. But the imposing greatness of this whole act made her feel quite insignificant. Jacob looked dashing. Although standing from where she was, they all did except her. On one side the quiletes, from not so little Seth to Sam, all beautiful, lean, graceful, perfect features chiseled on russet colored skin. On the other side, the Cullens to whom words couldn't even do justice. And in between the rest of them, simple and insignificant little humans.

The ceremony seemed endless. The legends were just the introduction to the mesmerizing rituals that had to be performed. Rachel had explained her that this wasn't only for Sam's departure and pending transformation, but the welcoming of a new era for their people. When it was finally over, Sam was granted a place next to his father instead of his usual one at the side with Jacob and the rest of them. It appeared he was now part of the council too.

To avoid thinking about her and Jacob's future,Bella had taken upon herself examining Leah's demeanor during the ceremony. Too soon, it would be Jacob's departure celebration the one she was attending,and she couldn't think about that right now. Leah proved to be the distraction she needed, although painful as well to observe. Leah he had kept her eyes closed in concentration for most of it. And when it was finally over, Bella without any supernatural abilities could notice the tears flowing freely down her cheeks

With the ceremony finished, each of the families took their turn congratulating Sam and declaring their best wishes to the young man. And just a few feet away his girlfriend was receiving words of comfort from her friends and her brother. Bella excused herself and joined the little crowd that had gathered around Leah. Rachel was whispering encouraging words, meanwhile Rebecca only shook her head, clearly disapproving of the lack of control of their friend.

"Leah everything will be okay" Rachel was being soothing. Using a tissue to clean her face from the flowing tears. "He loves you, in a few days you will be here to welcome him back. And he will imprint."

"She's right" Bella said squeezing her shoulder affectionately. Rebecca interrupted them, and pushed her twin sister aside. Embry was standing uncomfortable trying to avoid looking at any of them. And Quil was pretty much the same.

"Pull yourself together Leah, you're better than this" Rebecca,always harsh, nothing like the man standing beside her. Embry was shy and very quiet, soft spoken. Bella couldn't picture what it must have been for him growing up under the label of bastard. Being part of all but not to a full extent . It was probably worse than being an outsider like herself.

"Becca please" Bella heard from behind at the same time a pair of arms encircled her waist. Bella discretely placed her hands over his, a sense of despair appearing out of nowhere.

"Just…give me a minute"Leah said between sobs, breaking the wall they had made around her and exiting the hall. Bella looked at Rachel knowingly and they both followed their friend. Too flustered about the whole thing, Bella didn't look where she was going and would've fallen from the stairs if it had not been for the pair of cold arms that caught her.

"Are you okay?"the enchanting voice asked her.

"Bella!!!" Rachel exclaimed reaching for her friend. "Thank you Edward"

"You should be more careful, a fall like the one you were about to experience could turn out to be fatal"Bella looked into the topaz eyes of this white angel. And when she finally regained sense, she concluded she was being held by a Cullen. The sensation could not be described, supernatural seemed about right.

Helping her to steady herself, Bella looked up to Edward, and simply asked "Edward?"

"Silly me" Rachel babbled "Bella this is Edward Cullen"

"Edward this is my brother's girlfriend Bella Swan" Pleasantries and polite words were exchanged between both, but when Edward finally released her the feeling of despair that had appeared in her earlier, increased. There was something about Edward Cullen that was simply off. Not giving her a chance to ponder on him anymore, Rachel dragged her along the castle in search of Leah.

When they finally found Leah she was sitting near the fountain, sobbing and uttering incoherent words. Rachel and Bella only sat at her side, one rubbing her back, the other holding her hand. And both secretely praying for the evening to be over.

"What's on your mind Bells?" Jacob asks as they lay together on his bed. Bella is relieved to be finally in his arms, she depends on the safety and security Jake provides. Before they were lovers, he was her best friend, and if anything would happen to them, she at least hopes he'll stay in her life in some way.

"Leah.."she hesitates "and Sam"

"It was really hard to watch Leah break like that"Jacob says after a moment "Sue was really hard on her tonight, she shouldn't have forced her back into the great hall. I bet she regrets it. Sam phasing at the middle of dinner certainly killed the evening"

"At least the Cullens were there"Bella whispers, the image of Sam morphing into a giant wolf, his clothes ripping was completely terryfying. Just remembering his howl, brought goosebumps to her skin. No one was injured, at least not physically. Except for Leah who had passed out almost at the same time.

"Do you think that will be us in a couple of months?" The possibility of weeks pops into her mind, but she doesn't dare to even consider it. She's already afraid of Jake's answer to her question.

"Of course not"Jacob instantly replies. He kisses her forehead and sighs "Today only confirms what I've been thinking of lately."

"What?"Her voice is really low a feeble whisper.

"I swore myself to you for the rest of eternity, didn't I?"His tone is playful, but heavy at the same time. "I will do whatever I need to keep my word."

"Jake..what about your family, and your obligations?"

"It doesn't matter, you know I have never wanted this burden. If I have to choose between the pack or you. I will always" He lifts her face to meet his until their noses are touching "Always. Choose you"

"Becca says they'll never let you, she said..."but Jacob cuts her off, craddling in her arms, as the sobs escape her lips.

"Rebecca is bitter"Jacob huffs "She doesn't have any idea about anything. As soon as I phase I will decline the right to be Alpha. I don't want it. I know my dad and the rest of the elders have these crazy futures planned...But it's my life, and I want you in it. I'll do anything it takes to keep it that way. Besides that will leave them no choice but to leave Leah and Sam finally be. He will be a better leader than I could ever be. It's not in me to lead them..."

"You are great Jake"Bella quietly whispers. She feels guilty and selfish after hearing his resolution- "And I know I have asked you to never leave me, but..."

"And I never will. End of discussion" A ghost smile appears on Bella's face, and she drifts off to sleep. Jake waits for her breathing to become steady, and once the smile is on her angelic face, and her lips part to whisper his name. He kisses her one last time softly on her forehead, before putting his clothes and leaving to his dormitory.

The news of Sam's succesful phasing were quickly spread by the elders. They were all beaming, it had only took him a couple of hours to change back, and he had done it all by himself. However, he was still isolated, and Leah was not allowed to have any kind of contact with him. It was ordered by her own father. The werewolves were very volatile at first, and Leah would be running a great risk if she came near him. Bella, had tried making Leah feel better, but nothing she or Rachel did, brought her out of her misery. A week had almost gone by and she had taken it upon herself to spend every single day in bed.

Her mother was not speaking to her, but Seth was getting worried. Even Rebecca had softened up a bit after visiting Leah, there were bags under her eyes, she was definitely pulling off the whole hurting for love look, and damsel in distress. And Rebecca was certainly not a softie. Bella had been thinking about a way to help her, and it was until Friday morning that a light bulb went off in her head.

"Jake!!"Bella squealed jumping up and down. Training was over for the young men, and they were only waiting for the shift. Tonight it was Jared and Paul's commencement, well but Paul wouldn't actually be there, he had phased out of the blue last night, and had joined Sam. Apparently he was having a lot of trouble phasing back. Jacob had found it funny, Paul was always known to have quite a temper. Gave the council no chance to bid him farewell.

"What's wrong hun?"Jacob asked her. Jake was spending almost each spare second with Bella, according to him, he kept him happy, and calmed. He didn't need to lose his temper or accelarate the changing, he had yet to talk to his father about giving up his birthright.

"You could take Leah to see Sam"Jacob looked at her as if she was crazy or joking but the smile was wipped off his face, when he finally noticed Bella was serious."You have acces, and you know where they're keeeping him, and ..."

"Are you insane?"

"No, Jake please. Leah would do this for me if it was us."Bella refrained from speaking any louder, afraid they might hear them. However all her protests and insisting whines were ignored. They ended fighting about it, Jacob claiming Bella was wrong. That they were nothing like Leah and Sam, and he couldn't understand why she insisted on making comparison. Bella was truly offended by this, and told him he was just plain stupid if he couldn't see the resemblance.

She was walking back to the catle furious tears spilling in her eyes, when she crashed against a wall. Or so she thought at first. The sunlight was shadowed by a man's shadow. The shadow cast ver her face started to have a shape and she was met with a pair of golden eyes.

"Edward" He smiled at her and helped her get up.

"Are you okay?"The vampire asked, and she nodded, trying to dust off her dress. "Thank you, I didn't see where I was going."

"I hope I'm not being too forward about this, but I couldn't help and listen to you and Jacob"Edward said lowering his gaze to search for acknowledgment on Bella's face. Bella frowned and sighed and collapsed on the bench that was near by. Edward not sure if she was opening a invitation so he could join her stood a bit awkwardly, for a vampire that is, in front of her,

"I could help you,I know where they are keeping Sam and Paul" Edward said "My brothers and I are helping.." And that was new, Bella had no idea, vampires were involved in the werewolf training. However any kind of fear she subconsciusly could've had of this creature dissappeared with his offer.

Anything to help her friend.

"Edward....thank you"Leah finally said it, it was not a kind statement, and a human would've probably being offended at her tone, it sounded sarcastic,almost mocking. But Edward could read her mind and was aware how difficult it was for Leah. She was probably the most prejudiced human she had met here.

"No problem" Edward's reply was smooth. Bella smiled at her friend and squeezed her hand tightly. They were almost there,they had probably walked for almost an hour, the castles light were past behind them. An oil lamp that illuminated two yards around them was all they had. They heard a howl, and Leah unvoluntarily flinched. A full blown torando must have ben going on her mind. For her this was it.

They walked for several minutes more, until Edward who was in front of them halted. And raised his arms to stop.

"Sam"he said in a serene voice. Leah peeked behind Edward to see a pair of eyes looking back at her. She wanted to reach for him "Sam.." and her body must have alerted Edward who took a step back, forcing Bella and Leah to do the same.. The invisible wolf's teeth were bared, and Bella gasped.

"Yes, but she needs to see you" Edward said, it appeared he was having a silent conversation with Sam. "No, just Bella."

"Saam"Leah's voice was more loud and she actually tried to move past Edward's body.

"Leah"Edward warned her restraining the young girl completely "Phase, and I will watch out for Paul.."The wolf growled but turned its back on them,

"Saam"this time it was a desperate cry, and she was collapsing to the ground, Bella with her.

"Leah, Sam's coming, okay?" But she didn't seem to hear him. Bella turned to Edward, and mouthed a thank you. When Sam's human figure reached the light of the lamp, Edward nudged Bella. She was hesitant at first, but figured they needed to be alone, so she accepted the hand that Edward was offering. A little voice in her mind told her what she was doing was wrong, but she couldn't fathom why.

They didn't go very far. Bella could perfectly hear Leah's sobs and how they muffled when Sam kissed her. Curiosity got the best of her and she couldn't help asking Edward if he had imprinted.

"No"was his short answer "But he loves, he truly loves her. Not that it would matter if he imprinted"

"Have you witnessed imprinting before?"Bella asked fearfully

"Yes, last time. Jacob's grandfather"Edward says before she asks who, and that shuts Bella up. Suddenly she wants to go home, she regrets coming and asking. Not that it would matter....She buries her face on her hands. Aware that it probably makes no difference to him, that can listen to her patheticness,

"Why are you crying?"the questions confuses her, and she tries to clean the tears and control her voice before answering.

"Why you ask, when you already know" her usually sweet voice comes out asperous. Edward laughs softly, and Bella is more unnerved byt this. Edward who quickly realizes his mistake, apologizes earnestly, and reveals not only the immunity her mind has but the intriguing feeling it causes on him.

Bella blushes involuntarily, and tries to focus all her attention on the other couple. Trying to distract herself from the velvety voice that keep asking questions about her. She gives up when the first moan reaches her ear. Leah has taken upon herself to show how much she loves Sam. They won't surrender, they are willing to fight for their love. Maybe they'll make it. Their love certainly seems unstoppable. And Bella now more than ever, would like to see the uncanny resemblance she has constantly preached their love and hers hold. However she fails miserably.

Maybe Jacob is right.

Maybe they're nothing like Leah and Sam.

Sam unlike Jacob will never turn his back on his people.

But most of all she can't picture Leah ever feeling attracted to a vampire.

a/N: LOVED THE REVIEWS. THANK YOU GIRLS!!! Specially to Lenaii, if I ever run out of reviewers. believe me that for your sake and mine I'll keep writting this crazy story.

I know some of you want a 3MIAM update, hang in there, im trying, is just school's crazy and well I'm a bit afraid of posting next chapter, i have rewritted it like 3 times now, and I'm still not happy so... it might take a bit more time. Keep your finger crossed cuz so will I, and i'll really try to update this weekend.

now back to this story, this is blackwater!!! yey!!! but many things have to happen,crazy things.....im glad you guys liked it, and hopefully i wont dissapoint. im not sticking to just leah and jake's story, you'll get snippets of other character stories though.

don't know when i'll update this again, but it won't take too long, i promise....

XD