The Twilight Series belongs to S. Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.

AN: One tiny thing later in this chapter there will be a conversation in italics and quotes - anytime you see that it means the words are being spoken in Quileute. Also there's a slight repeat of some events from the last chapter which I hate doing but it's necessary. After all, Paul and Quil did run to save the day.

Paul and Quil didn't know what to think of the scene they came across when they finally made it to the woods behind the Clearwater's house. Leah's wolf prowled in front of Seth's and they were able to catch snippets of her insults. The strange thing was Seth didn't seem to be affected by her comments or even the memories she was throwing his way. It had only been hours ago when Seth had taken exception to Jared and Sam's thoughts; granted Leah wasn't quite as graphic, but still his inaction was odd.

When Seth finally charged at her they watched as she deftly avoided him. They continue to charge and parry at each other. Her smaller size made her quick and nimble and it wasn't long before they could see that Seth was tiring. Assuming the fight would be over soon, they hung back and watched instead of intervening.

Had enough? She taunted her brother.

'No' he answered back in Quileute. His word caused Leah to pause and they watched in horror as Seth made his move. Seth's jaws came perilously close to Leah's neck and they both tried to rush forward to her aid.

Somehow she managed to roll away from him and thrust her legs out, pushing him away from her. Within seconds she was back on her feet, facing him off. Paul and Quil were frozen in place; halfway between where they had first stopped to observe the fight and where it was occurring. They hadn't heard an order but they just couldn't move any closer. An invisible shield surrounded the Clearwater siblings keeping them from venturing near.

Should we call someone? Quil asked. His thoughts centered on how much trouble they would be in if Leah or Seth were injured.

What good would it do? It's not like any of them could go near her—hell, we can't even get any closer to them.

They listened in amazement as both Leah and Seth spoke in Quileute to each other. Neither of them understanding what was being said.

I didn't know they were fluent, Quil mentioned, as he tilted his head to the side in confusion.

Paul thought about it for a moment, trying to remember if Leah had ever mentioned it in school, but he came up blank.

I don't remember…he replied, attempted to shrug. I guess it makes sense…Harry being an elder and all. They probably didn't have a choice.

Paul rested back on his haunches before deciding to lie down. He swung his head over to Quil.

You might as well get comfortable. No sense standing around looking like a pair of dumbasses.

Hey—I'm not the dumbass who suggested this fool's errand. Blame that on Embry, he retorted back before copying Paul's posture.

They watched the fight with a jaded gaze. While they sizes were dissimilar, they seemed to be equally matched in technique and skill. Just another thing that didn't make sense considering one of them had phased only this morning and the other only yesterday. In fact, they fought with each other better than even Sam or Jacob who were the two best fighters in the pack.

Sam had earned the title because he was the oldest. He had been around the longest and while he didn't have any one to spar with at first; those few weeks while he was stuck in wolf form running around the Californian wilderness, he had to learn to be a wolf. It didn't matter that he was a man trapped in the wolf's body—Mother Nature had him in the middle of the pecking order.

And Jacob, well, it seemed that his lineage made things come easier to him. When he first phased, within hours he was back in his human form. He had only busted out of his clothes twice that Paul could remember.

Three, Quil added, interrupting Paul's recollections.

Fine, three, Paul corrected his memory.

Whatever.

So, it hadn't been surprising that Jacob was nearly the largest wolf in the pack and also the strongest. He was a force to be reckoned with. It was strange that Sam hadn't made Jacob beta; especially after Sam and Jared's fallout. The two of them were always at each other's throats. They hadn't gotten into a physical fight yet, but it was something that lingered on the horizon. The threat of it poisoning the pack as they tried to maintain some sense of allegiance and closeness; without even speaking about it—their instincts told them how they were stronger together than apart.

Holy crap! Quil swore.

How the hell did she manage to do that? Paul asked in disbelief.

Leah's jaws were locked around Seth's massive neck. Her body put pressure on his larger one slowly lowering him to the ground. It was possible that he could shake her off, if he wanted to, but he didn't. Instead they gawked as she worried his neck a bit more and he sunk down further.

Seth's body pressed firmly against the forest floor and the tiniest glimmer of satisfaction radiated in Leah's eyes. Letting go, she calmly walked away from him and lay down to face him. Their bodies positioned as mirrors of each other.

Do you think they're done?

I think so, Paul answered. He stood up and tried to venture closer again, but it seemed that whatever had prevented them from getting near was still there.

So what do now? Should we go back and let them know they're not fighting anymore? Do we wait?

Quil rattled question after question off, quickly irritating Paul. Shut up, Quil. Do I look like I have any more answers than you? Like I said earlier—lay your ass down and get comfy. There's no point in going anywhere until we talk to them and find out what the fuck that was all about.

Even as Quil asked his questions and Paul reproved him—there wasn't a single sound in the pack mind except for them. Though as Paul looked closer, he realized that Leah and Seth were having a conversation; not only had something blocked him and Quil from venturing closer—it also blocked them for listening in.

'What do you suggest then, daughter?'

'Why do you ask questions to which you already have the answer? The girl must understand what her role is. It would be best for her to meet you so that she can then help her brother.'

'And this can be done?'

'Yes, this time she didn't want me to take over—she resisted it. I pushed forward though, knowing what needed to be done. Can you feel the boy?'

'Yes.'

'Then let her do what she must and she will get the boy from the void.'

'The void?'

'It's the only way she can describe what happens when she chooses to no longer make the decisions and I am in control. It is when they are there that their memories are locked away.'

'Then do what must be done. I will follow your wisdom on this.'

'That is all I ask,' she stated before letting her hold on Leah go.

As Leah returned to consciousness—though that wasn't even a good way to describe it; this time she had been more aware. She knew that her wolf fought Seth's and she felt the triumph of success shimmer through their shared body.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and dispel the coppery tang of blood which lingered in the air. The scent bothered, making her stomach turn. She released her breath in a huff before lifting her head to gaze curiously at the wolf lying across from her.

'What is your name?' his deep voice asked, breaking into her thoughts.

'Le…Leah Clearwater,' she stated tentatively. Her brows pulled together in confusion as she realized he had spoken the question in Quileute. She knew a smattering of words and phrases—it was sad to think how close their language was to becoming a dead one. No longer was it commonly spoken, even the language courses had been changed from mandatory to selective.

'Hmm…that's an interesting name. How did you come to have that name?'

'Umm, my parents,' she said with a roll of her eyes.

He chuckled softly at her before continuing, 'My daughter was right—you may be just what is needed. I understand that your parents gave you your name. My question was whether it had a special meaning.'

'No, I don't think so. It means weary—that's the literal translation of it. How can I be talking to you in Quileute?'

'How have our people turned into wolves and protected the tribe?'

'So basically, don't ask questions—just accept certain things as facts?'

'No, not completely. Right now we need to focus on the questions that matter. Like your brother. My daughter believes that you can bring the boy back from the void and will be able to help guide him to his destiny.'

'His destiny?'

'Yes, it has been many years since I last spoke to my daughter. Had I not acted rashly, the pack would have been hers. It was her right as the eldest…'

Leah's mind was whirling, her thoughts coming and going so fast she could barely keep track of them. She was a wolf. This spirit inside her brother was a wolf. A wolf with a daughter—who should have inherited the right to the pack, but there was only one other female wolf that she could think of—Sopiya. And if his daughter was Sopiya then he could only be…Taha Aki.

She gaped at him. Her mouth hung open. This wasn't possible. Obviously during the scuffle with her brother, she managed to get a blow to her head. There was no way that the common ancestor of the current pack was in front of her.

'Anything is possible. While I would like to take the time to explain everything; there are things that we must do. The old man who I spoke to earlier will be able to help you, but two of the pack watches. For now we've been able to keep them out of our minds—though it makes them suspicious.'

She turned her head and caught sight of two wolves. She wasn't quite sure who they were. But she guessed they had to be Paul and Quil as they were the only two who could be in her presence at the moment.

'What do I need to do?'

'First you must get your brother back, but he must come back in his wolf form. It will help him remember. Then talk to the old man—he may be able to give you some answers or perhaps he needs to ask you the right questions. The imprint on the pale one is not right. You must find out how it occurred in order to free him from it.'

'How do I bring Seth back?'

'Listen to what your heart tells you.'

She knew he wasn't going to answer any more of her questions. So she put her mind to work thinking of how she could get Seth. She remembered how Jared had used anger to make her phase, humor to keep her in control, and lastly, love to help her change back.

Getting up from her spot, she walked over to Seth's wolf form. His scent was familiar and comfortable to her. Instantly she recognized him as family. Reaching a paw upwards, she stroked her paw down his fore leg and whined softly.

Seth? It's Leah. I need you. I promise everything's going to be okay. I'm sorry for earlier—for what I said and did. I needed you to remember. Please…

She walked around him, nudging him with her nose. Bumping into his shoulders and side; anything she could think of to get him to acknowledge her. She had nearly given up when she heard the quiet whisper of his voice.

Leah…I don't understand.

Seth, everything's will be alright, she replied. She walked as quickly as she could around him, so she could look at his face. Her movements steady but rapid. She didn't want to scare him.

Hey little brother, she greeted him, dropping down to sit on her haunches.

He leaned forward in curiosity and sniffed at her neck. Leah? His voice was filled with disbelief. What is this? Why can't I wake up?

Cause it's not a dream. See…she began before showing him the view that she had. That's you. And this is me… It was a bit harder but she was able to push into his mind so she could get the view he had of her.

But…but…how…why…mom? Dad?

Yes, they know. There's an entire pack—Sam, Jared, Paul, Embry, Jake, and Quil. Well, and us too. We're the newest.

The stories?

They're all true. How about we have either Paul or Quil tell you about those and I'll run and get us some clothes?

She realized the moment her wolf had released the block which had kept them from sharing their thoughts with the pack. It shimmered through her body. A shocking change as they went from relative silence to the chaos of Paul and Quil's thoughts.

What happened to our clothes?

We lose them during the change, she explained.

Honestly, Paul how much longer do we have to sit here? Can't we just go back and say things are fine?

Paul snorted, Yeah, right. They might not be able to go near her, but you think that'd stop them from checking things out. I doubt it. They'd send Old Quil over and we'd be stuck doing double patrols.

Whatever. I wish they'd hurry up. I've got a date with Claire tonight.

Date? Paul asked, laughing. I've seen Claire's idea of a date. I doubt she'd care if you were late—as long as you 'come'.

Leah cleared her throat. Please don't poison my baby brother's brain with the disgusting crap that floats around in your heads. I'm going to run inside and get some clothes for us. Think you have time to catch him up on the way things work? And wait to discuss the rest until later, okay? I promised Old Quil we'd stop by.

She ran toward the back door of their house and prayed she had led her brother in far enough that when she phased back, none of them would see her. She hoped they understood the meaning behind what she said. Seth needed to be human for them to speak with Old Quil and the less he remembered about imprinting at this time was the best. Plus she wanted to explain things to him first.

FF_8756144_30 01/26/13 12:21PM