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Pups and Tykes	By : fusedtwilight Category: Twilight Series > Slash Views: 4681 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
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Pups and Tykes
Chapter 30

Fusedtwilight: Thanks to purpleranger for betaing. This chapter we continue the story of Taha Aki and Utlapa. Last chapt Utlapa learned the secret the elders have kept from the tribe. This chapter he finally makes his move and La Push will never be the same.

Also a word of warning there will be a slight lemon in this chapter, if you do not like lemons then skip it.

Utlapa P.O.V

I made my way home, angry, let down and defeated. My world crushed. By my friend and chief and by the elders I have served my whole life. Protector? What protector? My purpose in life was a joke in poor taste. What was the purpose of me protecting my people when they would be conquered one day in the future?

I was in no rush too get to the village, in fact with each step I took the resentment grew and grew until my heart felt like it weighed a ton. I was so lost in my own thoughts I did not see Hot and Toum approach me, their faces grim and serious.

“Utlapa Taha Aki wishes to see you. He is not happy.”

I said nothing; I followed them back to the village unprotesting. They kept on glancing at me whether it was the look on my face or they were nervous I neither knew nor cared. As we reached the village people watched and whispered and some even pointed. I ignored them; they escorted me to Aki's hut. He was waiting for us inside with the elders and the other spirit warriors.

Hot and Toum stood on either side of me like body guards, making sure I didn't run. I was not going to run. I knew they knew what I did. I knew I was in more trouble then ever. But I did not care. I stared into their faces, all of them Aki and the elders. My eyes cleared of the lies; I saw them for what they were, liars and traitors.

“Utlapa we know what you did,” Aki said, “In order to see the future we must separate ourselves from our flesh, a form of spirit walking. Imagine my surprise when I was patrolling the spirit realm and I sensed you're spirit leave. At first I thought you had died, so in spirit form I rushed to see what happened. I found you're body and the scrolls and the other items you used. I rushed back and found the scrolls missing from the shaman's hut. Do you realize what you have done?”

“What I have done? What about what you have done. I saw what is to come, how can you sit here and do nothing?” I demanded.

“Jakopala, Hot, Belnopa, Toum leave,” Aki said.

They all left without a word, only Yut remained. He must have known the truth as well. “So you knew?” I asked Yut. Then I turned to the elders. “You all knew yet you do nothing?”

“Utlapa this knowledge has been known to us since Taha Loki was alive. It was why he forbid the art in the first place,” one of the elders said.

“Why? You know what is coming? You know what will happen.”

“But not for a long time,” Yut said, “Hundreds of years will pass before the white men will come.”

“Then we should use that time to prepare, to warn the other chiefs of the other tribes so when they come we will be prepared.”

“Then why aren't we doing something about it? Why aren't we uniting so we can fight them when they come?”

“Because the paths we would have to take, the things we would have to do to prepare would lead us down a dark path. My father found ways that would prepare us, that would give us a chance to win. He saw us become more brutal, he saw us become more bloodthirsty, he saw us turn into something he did not recognize and he wept,” Aki said.

“Why shouldn't we use our power? We have used it before,” I said.

“That was different. This is not another tribe, this is a nation. Hundreds of thousands of people with weapons we cannot even begin to fathom.”

“We have the power to control the elements, what weapon is greater then that, we can slaughter them before they even reach our land.”

“That’s the point Utlapa. Our magic is meant to protect, not kill.”

“But we are protecting, protecting our people from invaders,” I argued.

“You don't understand, in order to protect our people we would have to become ruthless and merciless. We would loose our connection with the land; we would become the very thing we fear. War is a terrible thing; it turns us into something ugly. My father saw that if we tried to prepare ourselves for these white men we would start down a path we could not return from.”

“But what are we to do? Do nothing and wait for these monsters to come? I saw what they will do, what they will do to us, how many tribes will be destroyed? And what will the survivors be?”

“Alive.”

“Alive?”

“Yes. We will fight, we will lose but in the end we will endure. Though our pain will be immense we will survive and in time the white men will become more civilized and one day will realize the atrocities they have committed and will attempt to make up for it, the children of our children will be taught our ways and the ways of the white men. Go to their schools, merry their women and even become great leaders and inventors and we will find respect for one another.”

“No! It can not be like that, we must prepare, and we must all stand as a united front against them. How can you all bear to know our tribe and land will be invaded and do nothing?” I demanded.

“It has weighed heavily on our hearts,” Yut said.

“And why wasn't let in on this little bit of info and you Yut?” I asked.

“Because I was there when Taha Loki forbade the use of future magic as were the other elders. We also thought since Taha Loki had foreseen-”

“Foreseen Taha Aki killing me,” I said.

“Utlapa please. Do you think I want to do nothing? Do you think I enjoy knowing that one day some great foe will conquer us, and all the peoples will go through such suffering? No. But I do nothing because I know to fight them require too much killing intent, to much blood lust that in the end we would be the conquerors. We would use our power to invade foreign lands. It is a tough decision, but if the choice is to be conquered and maintain our nature and spirit, or fight back and turn into something dark and twisted...then I would rather us stay true to ourselves.”

“But we must fight!”

“And so we shall, all the tribes will. But not with our magic,” Yut said.

“But if we don't use our powers we will use, I saw the weapons they posses, the disease they will bring.”

“They will come, we will fight, some tribes will die but we will remember them in our hearts and songs, the rest of us will endure, we will remember our ways and pass it on to our children, that is all that can be done,” Aki said.

“No. I reject that path. I will not let some tribe from another land come here and steal our land and kill our people. This is our land, they have no right. I will go to the chiefs and persuade them to prepare,” I said.

“How? By forming the great nation you so dream of Utlapa?” one of the elders asked.

“This is not about me or my dreams; this is about the future of our civilization, of our very way of life. This is to big a decision for you to keep from the people. You should tell them and let their voices be heard.”

Aki shook his head. “No, if the people knew they would be filled with fear. Fear is one of the great evils of the world.”

“I can not stay silent about this, I took oaths and promises to protect my people from danger.”

“You also took oaths to obey you're chief and the elders,” Yut said.

“You are the danger; your inability to act threatens not just us Quileutes but all the tribes of the land. I will tell all the people, I will not allow us to be taken over no matter how far in the future it will be!”

“Utlapa please do not do this, you do not understand the sacrifice we would have to make, what we would become,” Aki said.

“If we must become monsters to fight monsters so be it, the children of my children will not share their land with white men. I renounce all ties and loyalties to this tribe, I am no longer a spirit warrior, I no longer protect La Push, now I protect the land from all threats even you.”

“Then you leave us no choice,” Aki said sadly.

I knew what he was about to do and I acted first. I let my power out. Soon the hut was thick with it. Some of the elders paled and began too break out in a sweat as my power filled the room. But Aki let loose his power. It was like to great roaring flames hitting one another.

“Utlapa do not do this,” he pleaded.

“Why not? I can not sit by and do nothing Aki, I just can not. I will not raise my son knowing that he will raise his children to wait for a slaughter.”

I saw some of the elders look surprised when I said I had a son. They still had no idea after all these years.

“So what will you do?”

“First I will kill the elders for the crime they have committed.”

“You wouldn't dare!” Molak shouted. He pointed a finger at us; I saw the nasty claw marks on his arm from his encounter with Barely the bear spirit shining on his skin. “Kill us and the spirit warriors will fall upon you like wolves. Where would you go then Utlapa? Who would have you?”

“You're sister would.” I grinned when his face turned red. “I have had the pleasure of her company many times these last three years, she is so virile and fertile I barely had to touch her to make her pregnant with my son.”

“You're son?”

“Yes, my son Utlupa, whom I made an oath to protect. Everything I do now I do for him, I do for the children he will have and their children and their children's children.”

“Enough Utlapa, if you wish to kill the elders you will have to go through me,” Aki said.

He stood before me and the elders in his full glory. His power so great our powers collided and swirled in this hut. I knew all the sensitive’s miles away would sense it. I heard shouting and the spirit warriors came running in but stopped when they saw what was going on.

Me and Aki, facing each other in mystical combat. A scenario no one thought possible. This was not sparring, this was not training, and this was a full fledged fight between two spirit warriors.

“You cannot beat me Utlapa, we both know I am stronger then you,” Aki said. His face was hard and unreadable, but I could see the conflict in his eyes, the pain this was causing him. I admit it hurt me to do this to. I loved Aki, he was like a brother to me.

How many times have we looked out for one another? How many times did he motivate me when we were younger when I felt like giving up? How many times did we hunt together? How many times did we find ourselves back too back against foes? Now here we our treating one another like the enemy it broke my heart to do this, but it had to be done.

“I know I can not beat you Taha Aki, you are stronger then me, but I have a son, how can I look him in the eye knowing the future he will build for his descendents will be destroyed? I can not do it.”

“Don't make me do this,” he said.

I said nothing, this was a game, to see who could with stand who's aura the longest. I would kill the elders, I had to. They were a threat, they had betrayed us all. “Do not make me kill you Utlapa.”

“You would kill me? Your own brother?” I asked.

“I will protect the tribe.”

“As will I. Please, think of Pitichu and Utlupa, do not make me kill you and leave a child fatherless.”

His power grew and I knew he would kill me. To protect the elders he would have no choice. He was the chief first and the chief protects his people. It was pointless to fight him, he was stronger than me. Always had been, always would be. Plus he was right; I could not leave Pitichu and Utlupa. Not now, not during these times.

I swallowed my pride, my rage and resentment for Aki grew. Here I was trying to save lives, to protect our people and yet I was the bad guy. I wanted to stop the invaders but I was the bad guy. I knelled and lowered my power. Jakopala and Hot grabbed my shoulders.

“Kill him!” Molak said.

“No, he has spent his entire life protecting La Push, he will be banished,” Aki said.

“Taha Aki do not let your past with him cloud you're judgment. He is too powerful to allow to let go,” one of the elders said.

I looked him in the eye and saw his. He knew they were right, he knew he should kill me; I had turned on the elders, tried to kill them, and attacked him. He was the chief, he had responsibilities, but he was also my friend and he could not do it.

“No, he will be oathed and banished. Bring the shaman, go to his hut and gather his things, I want him gone within the hour.”
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Alberta Canada
Here and now
Jake P.O.V

I pulled back from the past; my head was exploding with images.
I shot up clutching my head in pain, the memories were flashing in my head. The memories I gained when I let the old chiefs in my head to fight Max which had been floating beneath my mind like flotsam and jetsam had for some reason begun to float to the surface so many images, so many feelings all Taha Aki's.

Memories of him and Utlapa playing as children, nights camping in the woods, battles against enemies fought. Then the day Utlapa was banished, only I saw it from Taha Aki's point of view. I felt the turmoil he felt, felt the pain at losing his friend.

“Jake what’s wrong?” Leah asked.

“Memories, in my head, burning me.”

I felt cold hands on my face and I opened my eyes. Aristide was looking me in the eyes. “Focus Jacob, focus on Nessie, think of her, feel your link too her.”

I concentrated and focused on Nessie. I could feel her, beyond the pain the surge of memories was bringing me. I felt her peace and calm. I focused on that, it was my raft in this sea of inner turmoil. The pain went down a little but my mind was still seething with so many memories, not Just Taha Aki's but many other chiefs now, I remembered the day my people met the Cullen's and made the treaty, I remember the day when we first met the pale faces, I remember so many things, things that were not mine to remember.

“Akakios to me,” Aristide said.

Akakios appeared suddenly. Before I could blink they moved. Poking and prodding me with their fingers. I jumped at the feel of their fingers hard as rocks poking me everywhere. “Hey! Stop tha- oww stop that!” I said as Aristide gave me a real hard jab in the shoulder.

“Hmm, I was afraid of this. It seems our little trips down memory lane are rousing the memories from their dormancy.”

“What?” I asked.

“Remember when you shared you're body with your ancestors to tap into the old magics and hold their spirits in you?” Aristide asked.

“Yeah, how do you know abou-” he tapped his head. “Oh yeah right.”

“Well this is one of the side affects they were talking about.”

“You had dozens of spirits in you wolf boy,” Akakios said, “It was more then just a possession where a spirit takes over the body; you allowed them in and shared you're body with them. The memories they left behind are a result, all that spirit juice packed into you your lucky all you had was a coma. Your brain could have liquidated and run out your nose and ears.”

“Shit. So that’s how you killed Max?” Quil asked.

“That was most impressive, calling down the lightning and all,” Jasper said.

“The spirits are gone but they left behind their memories,” Aristide said.

“That was why you're mind shut down; it couldn't cope with all the new info swirling around. It has been mostly dormant but our little trips down memory lane have been waking them up, this last screening woke up some old memories.”

“He didn't want to banish him, he loved him like a brother it killed him to do it but it was either that or banishment,” I said recalling Taha Aki's feelings.

“Man the stories always made him out to be a bad guy, but he wasn't evil was he?” Quil asked.

“Not evil. He loved his people and having a son and someone too love changed him, made him more willing too bend the rules for them,” Ekion said.

He looked sad. I recalled how he had met Utlapa himself in the void. It was odd, in the void he seemed so normal, he had a sense of sanity even when his brothers had this one lacked. Even now as I watch him he is in the void, wondering alone that great infinite whiteness beyond time and space.

“That’s right you met him,” Leah said.

“I meet everyone; I meet them at each crossroad. I am outside looking in, always have been always will be.”

“How did he get there?” Carlisle asked.

“He has always been there, always has been always will be,” Aristide said.

“Well duh he has been there for like four thousand years right?” Quil asked.

“Hard to say, its one of those chicken egg questions. How do you judge time in a place where there is no time?” Akakios asked. “Right now Ekion is seeing how the world is created and sees how it will die. He see's the beginning and the end and everything in between, but do not mistake this for omniscience. Even vampires can't know everything.”

“Do these memories have anything to do with Jake's new powers?” Leah asked.

“Duh,” Akakios said.

“Yep,” Aristides said, “This was bound to happen, what with Jake being the Canis Lupus supreme.”

“Okay what the hell does that mean? Max said it was some kind of rare shifter that only pops up once every generation,” Leah said.

“Max was right. For every shifter group whether they be wolf, panther, eagle, horse or any kind of animal there is a dominant or an alpha Someone whose authority is unquestionable. Now alpha's are more common, not everyone can be one, it takes a strong will to bend others to your own But in every group there is a supreme alpha, a being more powerful then alpha's. So powerful that even a single flippant remark may be taken as an order. For wolves such beings are called Canis lupus supreme.”

Akakios spoke next. “The last one to be born in your tribe was Taha Aki himself. Supremes have strong spiritual powers and command every shifter of their species regardless if they are in their pack or not.”

“So what I could order the Makah wolves and they would obey me?” I asked.

“Now he gets it.” Akakios smiled.

“This is great! We could just have Jake go to Makah and tell them to back the fuck down and stop trying to open the Nexus!” Quil said excitedly.

“Sure, but you forget the Makah elders would be unaffected by it and the other shifter groups wouldn't have to obey either.”

“Oh.”

“Still it could be useful,” Leah said.

“I don't like it, it's too much like what Max could do,” Embry said.

“Why didn't I have such power before?” I asked.

“Supreme alphas don't come into their power until early adult hood. You are what eighteen right Jacob?” Aristide asked.

“Yeah.”

The brothers shared a look. “A little early, usually not till the twenty-first year right brother?”

“Right, but the spirits presence in him could have asseverated the process a little.”

“Feeling better Jacob?” Aristide asked.

“Yes, the memories are still there, I can feel them.”

“Try not to think about them. I believe they will unravel more and more over time. Soon all the secrets of you're tribe since the time of Taha Aki that were lost will be yours.”

“He is afraid of something I can sense it,” Jasper said.

I shot him a look, I did not want to tell them what I was worried about.

“What’s wrong man? You afraid about the power?” Embry asked.

I sighed. “A little, I mean now I have to watch what I say around you guys, what if I slip? What if I get one of you hurt? What if it corrupts me? What if I become another Max?”

“You are nothing like that monster Jacob,” Leah growled. “Max was a monster beyond words and got what he deserved. You are the most kind and caring person I know, you would never take away someone’s will or make them do the things Max made Sam and the others do.”

“Thanks Leah.” I smiled at her.

“You also fear you will lose yourself to the memories? That they will change you into something else?” Aristide asked.

I shot him a glare.

“Yes, I am afraid. These are not my thoughts and feelings, these are not my memories. I see the faces of people who lived generations before me, friends, and family. Who I never met, who were precious to someone else and I realize they are dead and gone and I feel like crying. What if these memories start to change me into someone else? How long before I cease to be Jacob Black and become someone else?”

Aristide looked thoughtful. “Your will is still your own, whatever it is that makes you fear this change, what ever it is that makes you is still your own. When we became vampires and our connection turned telepathic my brothers and I feared becoming a singular entity with five bodies. Over time we did begin to act more in-sync with one another Began to pick up certain traits. But in the end we remained us, I was still Aristide, the calm, thoughtful older brother. Akakios was still the sharp tongued, short tempered, foul mouthed middle brother.”

“Dick,” Akakios muttered.

“And Ekion was still Ekion...sadly. I can not say you won’t change Jacob, but in the end your will is all yours and no amount of memories can change that.”

“I never wanted this, I never wanted this power or this responsibility,” I said.

“We never get what we want and we always get what we never desired. That is the way of things.”

“We must get back to the story,” Ekion said urgently, “We are almost done, please we must finish.”

“But the memories, what if they return?” I asked.

“Then you'll have to suck it up, lets go,” Akakios said pushing me forward back to the waiting circle.

I sat back in a circle and held hands and we all joined hands. Once again my mind was sent back into the far, far past.
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La Push
Then and there

Utlapa P.O.V

I held my bag tightly as I walked through the woods; my escorts had stopped following me once we reached the boundary line. I wanted to tell my brothers the truth, I wanted to tell them of the future, but Aki had me bound by oaths. Like Pitichu I could not tell no one what I have learned, I was cursed to forever know of what was to come but tell no one.

Rage and bitterness coursed through my veins. I hated the elders, but most of all I hated Aki. Hated him so much if I had the chance I would kill him. He was a fool, he was too soft to be the chief, and a chief is someone who should be able to make the tough decisions. So what if we must turn a little dark, our way of life was at stake.

I drew close to Pitichu's hut, it was cold and the sky was cloudy. The children were outside playing. The girls were braiding their hair and the boys were wrestling, I saw Utlupa laughing as his brothers fought. He was so happy, so ignorant. I envied my son that. Not knowing what the future had in store for him.

He saw me approaching and his face lit up. “Da, Da!”

He began too run too me, he was still young and tripped, but he smiled and got back up and ran into my arms. I lifted him up close and hugged him. He kissed me on the cheek. “I miss you Da. We play?”

I wanted to cry, I wanted to sob such a sweet boy. But I did not cry, that would make him worry, so I just hugged him tight. “So how long are you going too be here this time?”

I looked and saw Kon and some of his brothers had walked up to me. His brothers smiled at me, in the three years I have been with Pitichu I have become a bit of a role model for her sons. I taught them how to hunt, showed them how to fish, how to make tools. They already knew how to do these things but I helped them refine their talents.

I taught them some magic tricks, never how to spirit walk, but little tricks to help them in life. I admit I have become attached to her children, they were not mine but I still cared for them all. The girls waved at me as did the other children still playing. Only Kon still glared at me. Only Kon still did not like me. It was to be expected. Since he was born he had been the man of the family, then I come along and it was only natural for him to be threatened.

“Permanently,” I said, “I will be living here from now on.”

“Really?” Utlupa asked excitedly.

“Really,” I smiled at him.

“Yay!” he threw his arms around my neck and hugged me.

Kon just stared at me, I could not tell if he was happy or angry that I was going to be here more often but I have a feeling it is not so happy. “Why? They kick you out?”

“None of your concern,” I growled. I was not in the mood to deal with his attitude. “Where is your mother?”

His brothers looked uneasy. They looked at the ground and shuffled their feet. Kon just smiled. “In her hut, she has company.”

I knew what he meant by company. I glared at the hut. We had our affairs, she slept with the men who visited her and I had bed a few women from La Push. When we got the chance we shared her bed but I had to make it look like I was still a bachelor and she was a wild creature with powerful lusts.

But now that I am going to live here I think I am going to have to put a stop to that. I will be the only one to share her bed No one else. I kissed Utlupa on the head and put him on the ground. “Stay here I must talk with your mother,” I said too him.

“Ma, ma said stay away,” Utlupa said.

I patted him on the head and walked toward the hut. I stopped out side and was about to know when the flap opened and of all the people to step out was Belnopa. He froze as he saw me and paled a little bit. He had been pulling his breechcloth back onto place; his skin was flushed and glistened with sweat. I could smell Pitichu on him and sex.

Come too think of it I did not see him at the tribe when I had been banished. I had figured he was out patrolling and had missed what happened. I was a little surprised to see him here with her, he did have a wife after all.

“Utlapa? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing; you are supposed to be patrolling Belnopa not fucking around. This is a derelict of your duty and an obvious breech of your marriage vows.” I was no longer his superior, nor even his kinsmen but he still needed to be chastised.

“I know. It’s just, my wife and I have been fighting a lot and things have been stressful what with the other tribes fighting and the late night patrols. She tells me I don't spend enough time with our children and I try to make time but I am so tired from work and she has been refusing me in bed and I just needed to blow off some steam,” he blushed at his choice of words, “I came to Pitichu hoping to get advice from her about women and well...one thing led to another and-”

I cut him off. “How long?” I asked.

“Four weeks, I come every so often and ask her what to do with my wife. I bring her gifts and she tells me what to do then we fuck.”

“Has her advice been helping you?”

“Yes. Yes it has. I am going to take my wife out to the cliffs tonight.” he smiled.

“And I hope you will cease to see Pitichu, surely with your wife taking you back in her bed and no longer feuding with you, you would have no more reason to come here.”

“Right, no reason.” I knew from the look in his eyes that he planned on visiting again whether or not he and his wife settled their issues. I did not blame him; Pitichu was both smart, beautiful and had a large sexual appetite. She knew and did things many women back in the tribe found disgusting or shameful.

“Please do not tell the others,” he begged.

I sighed. “Fear not, I will tell no one. I could not even if I wanted to I have been banished from La Push.”

His eyes widened. “What? Why?”

I wanted to tell him the truth. But the magics kept me silent. “You'll find out soon, return home, you will be do back soon.”

He nodded and left. I walked into the hut. Pitichu lay on a blanket. Putting her cloths back on. She looked up at me and her face fell. “You know, I can see it in your eyes.”

I walked forward and fell to my knees. I leaned my head on her chest and wept. She ran her hands through my hair and whispered sweet things to me. I told her what happened, told her I was now like her, banished.

“Oh I am so sorry. I know how much they mean to you.”

“All these years, all those times my father beat me to train me to protect the tribe. All those times I believed in the elders and was their champion, doing what ever they ordered me and they knew, he knew and they did nothing.”

“When I was still Ta’longa apprentice I stole the scrolls, I was curious, I wanted to know why it had been forbidden. I was so naive. They caught me and took me to the elders.”

“I know, I saw it. Tell me when you were there did you see a child with white skin and red eyes called Ekion?” I asked.

She frowned. “No, just me.”

“What are we to do Pitichu? Are we to spend the rest of our lives in banishment, knowing what is to come? Unable to tell anyone? How do you do it? How do you live knowing all the children you have will have children and one day many generations from now your descendants will face such evil?”

“I have hope because I know that with all the children I birth my blood will survive. Many will die, but some will survive and thrive.”

“Thrive? You sound like Aki. I saw the future, how can they call that thriving?” I asked, bitterness rolling off of every fiber of my being. “I will not allow this to happen, this is a travesty. I have to do something.”

“What my love? The elders have bound us under oaths that we can not break.”

I paused. I fought down the unease growing in the pit of my stomach. I was surprised when a plan began to form in my head, a plan so dark, twisted and disturbing I should have been ashamed to even think it. But there was no shame, just cold hard certainty and steely resolve.

“Utlapa, I know you have an idea. Tell me, I will help you.”

“Pitichu...if you could change the future would you do it? No matter how evil it may seem.”

She said nothing at first. “If it meant I could save lives and protect my family I don't think anything would be a bad idea or to evil for me to do. What do you plan?”

I told her my idea.

She stared at me with wide eyes. “Utlapa that has never been done before even I would not dare such a thing!”

I gently stroked her cheek. “I know, but it may be the only way my love.” I kissed her cheek softly.

“If you want to do this, then I will support you any way I can.” she kissed me back. “Behind every strong man there is a strong woman. If you go ahead with this I will help.”

I kissed her. “The time will come when I will ask you to make more sacrifices. Can you do that as well?”

“For you? I would do anything.”

“Then let us have what time we have left, for next time you see me, I may be very different.”

We made love. It was sweet and tender. Like it would be our last time together, because in a way it would be the last time we would be together. She fell asleep after we finished, I silently left not wanting to disturb her. The children were still playing as I was leaving. I said goodbye to Utlupa. “Son, I want you to know I love you, I would do anything to keep you safe, you know this right?”

He nodded.

“I just want you to know how much I love you and how proud I am of you, I know one day you will grow up and be a mighty warrior like me.” I kissed his forehead and hugged him grimly.

“Will you come back?” he asked. His face was sad, like he knew.

“Of course, nothing can keep me from my son.” I smiled and ruffled his hair. I headed for the woods. I kept looking back; Utlupa was watching me, looking like he wanted to cry. He must sense deep down something bad was about to happen. Wasn't surprising he had such a powerful sense given his parents powers.

They say you should never look back, its supposed too help give certainty that your mission will succeed. But when you are unsure success is even possible you want to look and see what drives you forward. Steeling myself for what I was about to do I used my power and began the hunt.
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Taha Aki P.O.V

I walked alone in the woods, heading for my hiding spot.

It was the day after the incident with Utlapa and the village was positively buzzing with gossip. Everyone knew the once proud and mighty Utlapa had attempted to kill the elders and had been banished. When they asked why we had to come up with a story. The story was that when Utlapa had spirit walked I had seen he planned to use his power to force the other tribes to obey us.

My heart is heavy now at the loss of my friend my fathers dying words repeating over and over in my head.

“My son, as much as it pains me too say this, do not trust Utlapa, he will betray you. He will turn on you and begin down a dark path. Should he ever show signs of turning from the path do not hesitate to strike him down, or else he will bring such evil to our village.”

Those were his final words. Should I have killed him? Yes. He is strong, smart, clever, and a spirit warrior, he knows us because he was one of us, he knows our strengths and weaknesses and I fear with Pitichu's assistance he could make life for us very difficult.

But I can not forget he was also my brother, we may not share blood, but to kill him would be like ripping off my own arm. Not even Vakatel’s sweet embrace could make me forget. The meeting had gone no where, the chiefs had argued and threatened and I had done my best to negotiate them all.

Now I needed solitude. I was travailing to my secret spot where I leave my body when I spirit walk. No one knew of this place. None of the spirit warriors, none of the elders, not even my beloved Vakatel knew. It was my sacred place, where I could forget about all duties and responsibilities and enjoy the peace and quiet only solitude may bring.

A part of me missed Utlapa already. He was my opposite in so many ways. He was always so serious and by the rules. You would think someone like him and someone like me who was aloof and easy going would not get alone.

Another part of me envied him in a way. The war was no longer his responsibility, hell he no longer had any responsibility any more. All he had was Pitichu and their son to worry about. I wish he didn't know what the future held, and then I would think he would be in pure bliss. How tempted I was too just grab Vakatel and run away somewhere far, far away and live alone with her.

But I was the chief and I had my responsibilities and I would not shirk them.

Finding the tree I was looking for I smiled. It was one of the largest on our land; I could sense how old it was, centuries. It had been a mere sapling when Kahaleha was a boy. It was thick too thick and hollow. This tree had been hollowed out by my great grandfather. It had been a place where he hid himself when he spirit walked and as a place for meditation and to commune with the earth.

The entrance was hidden by a moss covered boulder that blended in with the trunk of the tree. I did a quick scan to make sure I was alone. Then I brought out a candle and lit it. Then I asked the boulder to move. It was too heavy to move with physical force. You had to ask the rock to move, something you could only do if you knew how to communicate with the earth.

Walking inside I asked the boulder to move back in place. It did and soon I was enveloped in darkness. I sat down and laid the candle on the ground. Fishing some herbs out I burned them with the fire from the candle and inhaled the smoke to help me meditate.

I could feel my mind begin too fuzz as my senses both natural and supernatural sharpened. I could feel the thrum of life in this age old tree. I know it had many more years to go before it finally died. I could feel the bugs in the bark, knew how many birds had made nests in its branches.

Taking a deep breath I released my spirit from my flesh and I passed into the spirit world. The best way to describe your spirit leaving your body is like dying. You feel yourself, your identity, your very being bleed out. There is always a moment of fear for all us spirit warriors. A moment where we actually think we are dying and by instinct try and return to our flesh. Even now after all these years I still felt in myself, some primal part scream in fear.

But I had been taught to resist that part and ignore it and continue on. The spirit world is much like ours. Like a thin blanket overlapping our world. Every thing is more colorful and vivid more sharp and defined. In this world you can see all the spirits of the earth. You see the mortals and the animals housed in flesh, blood and bone.

You could always speak with the trees, the rocks, the animals but never the people. I never understood why. Some people we could communicate with. You always knew who they were because they glowed more brightly then others. That was because they had strong spiritual powers. But just because they had strong spiritual energy doesn't mean they can see you, some had an affinity for seeing spirits some didn't.

There were even some trees, rocks and even animals that had strong spiritual powers. Animals could tap into their power a little the rocks and trees didn't, they had no need to.

Walking out of the trees I lifted my arms into the air and let the wind carry me and I began to patrol my land. Had I been more attentive, had I been smarter, had I heeded my father’s words I could have saved so many people suffering.
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Utlapa P.OV

I have been stalking Aki for little over a day now. It wasn't too hard with my eagle vision. I was able to watch him from miles away. It was tricky when he met with the chiefs; I had to be careful no one sensed my presence.

I knew when Aki left the village by himself it was time. I knew Aki liked to patrol alone, even I did not know where he went when he did. I respected his need for privacy until now.

I watched as he had the boulder move itself from the giant tree a clever camouflage. I waited for his spirit to leave before I dare approach it. I felt his spirit leave. I waited a few moments then I acted quickly.

I inspected the rock and tree for any enchantments that Aki may have left. I was surprised when I detected nothing. Aki, always so careless, I had always warned him of that and now it would be me who would take advantage of his carelessness. A part of me was sad he had not put some protection up, but a greater part was happy.

I asked the boulder to move and it did. I stepped inside not bothering to close the entrance. Aki's body was leaning against the bark as he sat the smell of burning herbs made me gag. My eyes watered but I did not know if it was from the herbs or seeing his body. He looked as if he was sleeping.

I knelled before him. “I know you cannot hear me. But before I do this I just want you to know I am sorry. If there was another way I would do it. I promise you I will take care of Vakatel and the tribe, things may be hard for them for a while but I will do my best. I won't ask for your forgiveness, but I won't apologize either. Let’s face it Aki, you were always too soft, life handed everything on a silver platter for you, power, love, respect. The tribe needs someone who has had to fight for what he has, someone who knows how hard life really is, someone who knows we must do what ever it takes to survive.”

I took a deep breath and disengaged myself from my body. I entered the spirit world; I saw my body and Aki's, both were hollow. Empty, waiting for something to give them meaning and purpose. The second I entered the spirit world I knew where Aki was. He was all the way on the other side of La Push. Then he sensed me and paused, I knew he was upset about what had happened with me, I knew he regretted it.

I wonder if it was my own regret that caught his attention.

In an instant he knew where I was and what I was about to do, horror filled his mind.

“Utlapa no don't!” he shouted.

“I am sorry Aki, you were right, you are stronger then me, but I am cleverer. Good bye old friend, take what ever comfort knowing that I will help lead our people into a bright future, but you will get all the credit while I am forgotten.”

He was running with the wind, trying to get here in time. But he would be too late. I stepped forward and entered his body. It was not like entering my body. It was like trying on a pair of cloths that was to big for you. Of course his body was too big for me, he was of the Taha's, and his body was designed to hold his vast power.

I was finally able to grasp just how powerful Aki truly was So much room in this body for so much power. How could a man wield such power? He must see us as insects in comparison to himself.

I opened my eyes, his eyes. I took a moment to take in my surroundings; I brought up my hands and wiggled my fingers. I felt so...odd. It was unnerving. I felt wrong which was for obvious reasons. I looked at my body, it had fallen to the side, I examined myself or rather my old body.

It was unnerving to view myself, but what I was about to do is even more unnerving. With shaking hands (shaking because I was still trying to get used to them or shaky because of what I was about to do) I grabbed the knife from my body’s belt I gripped it firmly and grabbed the hair of my old body and pulled my head back exposing the throat.

I paused; it was not too late to stop. I could undo what I have done, go back to my body and be gone before Aki returned. But then I remembered Utlupa's smiling face, and my resolve became as sharp and steely as the blade in my hand. Slitting my body’s throat blood gushed out and sprayed me a bit with my own blood, my old blood. I should have done it at a different angle to avoid the blood splatter. I watched as blood issued forth from my throat, I expected myself to wake up and clutch my throat, but my body did nothing.

I waited until my old body’s heart stopped beating and I sighed. I clutched my throat, the sigh sounded foreign and strange. It was not my own sigh after all.

Grabbing Aki's belongings I moved out from the tree, trying too avoid all the blood which wasn't easy, I accidentally smeared some more on my arms and legs. I closed the boulder behind me. Not exactly the way I intended to be buried but it would do. I still clutched the blade in my hand, so hard and tight Ak....my knuckles were white.

The wind began too pick up, I knew he was here, I could feel his presence and with ears trained to hear more then sound I could hear him shrieking at me. “I know you are here Aki. I am sorry. I hate for this to have happened to you, you deserve better than this. But think of it as your penance for your betrayal, for your father’s betrayal, for the elder’s betrayal that will soon reap what they have sown. I will take care of them, I will redeem you, I will redeem us all and in the future they will speak how Taha Aki paved the way for his people and conquered the pale faces. I will do the hard work, but you my friend will get the glory. I love you Aki.”

I rubbed my throat, trying to get used to the new voice, Aki's voice.

I left the tree; I had someone I had to visit first. The entire time I could hear Aki shrieking wordless at me. I walked back to Pitichu's hut, I found we were alone. I walked into the hut and she was waiting for me. She said nothing, nor did she react. “So you were successful?”

I nodded. “Where are the children?”

“They wanted too go and explore the forests. I sent Barely with them too keep an eye on them.”

“You sent a bloodthirsty bear spirit too watch you're children?”

“He's not murderess, he is like the family pet. Much better then any silly old dog any day.”

I walked closer and she sat on her knees. She trailed her hands over my chest. Her fingers glided over my nipples which turned hard at her touch. “Amazing, I had heard stories of such a thing, I never thought it would be possible.” She looked at the dried blood on her fingers which had already caked. “Yours?” she asked.

“Yes, it was mine.”

She cocked her head too the side. “Your voice is odd. Not his or yours, you need too work on that before you go back. We need to go over many things before you return.”

“I should go back now.”

“First we need too go over the plans, besides your spirit is still trying to adjust to its new body, you're aura is odd. If the shaman or any of the spirit warriors see you they will know something is wrong.”

She had a point. “I will tell them I was patrolling when I met Utlapa on the spirit world.”

“Good, separate yourself from your old life, you are not Utlapa, you are Taha Aki.”

I continued. “He slit his throat in front of me and I ran too him and tried too help. I felt his spirit leave and I entered the spirit realm to ask why he did this, I read his mind and was so moved by what I saw, that he was willing to sacrifice himself to show me that we need to prepare for the pale faces.”

“Explains the blood and gives you motive for deciding too change things in La Push.”

“Oh there will be changes, many changes. One of my first acts as chief is to lift the banishment Taha Loki and the elders placed on you.”

“What? Why? The elders will not allow that.”

“I will say since many of your children are Quileute and since you had his child I will say we owe it to him too bring you back. Also I will need your help Pitichu. You will be a valuable ally in the war I will soon rage with the other tribes; also I will need your help on the inside. I know some of the elders seemed to agree with me when I made my speech before I saw the future but I know they will not agree with every thing I do. I need you not only on the council but as bait for them and the other spirit warriors.”

“Bait?”

“You know. I need you to seduce them, manipulate them, use any spell or potion even your own body to keep them on our side. I wish I need not ask this of you but it is necessary.”

“Shouldn't be too hard Belnopa is already sharing my bed shouldn't be to hard to get the others in as well. If that doesn't work I know spells and potions that will help but some of the elders won't be so easily tempted or bespelled.”

“Then they can be replaced.”

“Assassinations?”

“Yes. Those we can not bring over we shall silence and replace with those loyal to us.”

“You really have thought of everything my love,” she smiled.

“I hate to ask this of you, but I can not do this alone.”

“I told you I would stand by you, I told you I would do anything for you, I meant it.” she smiled slyly. “Besides I think I will enjoy seducing the spirit warriors and elders.”

I growled low in my throat and pushed her on the ground. I laid on top of her and kissed her roughly. “Don't seem so eager about it.”

I pulled myself out off my breechcloth, I pulled her skirt up, delighted to find she wore no under garments. I pushed into her warm wet core. Her face scrunched up in pain, Aki was thicker then me and I had forgotten I was in his body.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, give me a moment. Utlupa will be devastated you know.”

“I know, but once I get him and you back in the tribe I will make things better.”

“Good, now let’s fuck. Making love to a man possessing the body of another man is both a new experience and highly arousing.”

She grabbed my ass and pushed me in deeper; I grinned and kissed her deeply. I began to thrust in and out of her, she felt tighter then before but that was because I was using a bigger prick.

Everything was as it should, I was the chief, I would bring all the tribes under my rule, I would stop the fighting and bring order to chaos, and I would prepare my people for the pale faces. It was the dawn of a new age. Things were about to change for the better.

We made love again and for the first time. It was not my body that brought her pleasure, it was not my hands that felt her flesh, it was not my mouth that kissed her breasts, and it was not my manhood that shot its seed into her fertile womb. But it was my name she cried out when she came to orgasm.

It would not be my voice that gave orders, it would not be my face or my eyes the people would see when they looked at me, but it would be my will that will shape the future of the land.
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Taha Aki P.O.V

I watched in rage as Utlapa and Pitichu defiled my body with their love making. Unable to watch any more I left them and flew on the winds. I had been separated from my body for to long. I was in such agony. I could not move on to the higher realms of the spirit world for I am not dead. But I no longer have a body so I can not interact with the physical world.

Utlapa had out smarted me, I had gone back to the tree and found Utlapa's body, he had slit his own throat so to keep me from having a body. Damn him! He had no idea what he was doing, he had no idea what he would do to our people.

I should have killed him; I should have done so many things. Q'wati hear my prayers, please help me save my people from the dark path Utlapa would lead them down.
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And so it came to pass that Utlapa took control of Taha Aki’s body and with his lover Pitichu by his side took control of La Push.

The Quileute stories say Utlapa only posed as Taha Aki for weeks, but this is not true, they had forgotten how truly long Utlapa ruled For it was not weeks, it was years, ten years to be exact and in those ten years much had changed.

When he finally returned to La Push no one even suspected Utlapa had taken control of Taha Aki. For Utlapa knew Taha Aki better then anyone in the village and knew how to talk, walk and behave like Taha Aki.

The villagers were alarmed too see their beloved chief covered in blood. He told them the lie; how he encountered Utlapa, how before his very eyes Utlapa slit his throat and in the spirit world Taha Aki saw how desperate his friend was to show him they must prepare for a war.

“War with who?” they asked.

“White devils from a land beyond ours,” Utlapa told them.

The elders were shocked their chief told the age long secret. But with Taha Aki's voice Utlapa was able to convince them. “Utlapa was right, I regret he had to give his life for me to see this but it is true. We must honor our fallen brother’s wish and prepare for the future. First we shall begin by bringing the other tribes under heel. It is only under our leadership they can prosper, after all have we not prospered all these years? We should share our way of life with others so they too can prosper.”

The elders had many meetings and finally they decided yes in favor of Taha Aki’s plan. The Hoh, the Quinault and the Makah's were the first to join the Quileutes, soon one by one the other tribes fell under Utlapa's control. With the magic of La Push and the Resources of the Makah, Hoh and Quinault no one could stop Utlapa.

He had much help, for a day after he returned he allowed Pitichu to return to the tribe much to the elders’ protests. “She was Utlapa's mate and bore him a son, we owe him this,” Utlapa said through Taha Aki’s lips. “Plus she would be a valuable tool in our war with the tribes; she knows magic from many clans and can help keep the blood shed to a minim.”

The elders begrudgingly agreed and soon Pitichu with her children returned to La Push. Immediately Pitichu went to work, seducing the Spirit warriors and returning to her old ways. Soon Jakapola, Belnopa, Toum and Hot were under her thrall and from them she had many children. When the village shaman protested Pitichu’s presence saying she was corrupting the village the shaman met a mysterious death. After the shaman’s death Pitichu was made the new shaman of the tribe since she had the most experience.

Utlapa still slept with her as well, in fact he bred children with her as well in Taha Aki's body, and he also took many wives, some from La Push, and some from the other tribes. He had more than eight which was as much as the chief was allowed. He had many children as a result.

It broke poor Vakatel’s heart when he did this. “You said you would have no more wives, you said I was all you needed!” she cried too Utlapa thinking he was Taha Aki.

“I love you Vakatel, you are my mate.” he lied. “But I am the chief, I am the last of the Taha's, my blood must continue on. You can not have children so I must take more wives to compensate.”

“But you have more then eight wives; you even had children with Pitichu! No man needs so many sons and daughters!” she raged.

“I have too much work to do in my life time; I need someone to carry on my legacy. Since you are unable to help me I have to turn too other options.”

Vakatel would not reply, his words cut her too deep.

As for Poor Taha Aki, he remained in the spirit world. Unable to do anything but watch as his once best friend used his body to wreak havoc. None of the spirit warriors had spirit traveled since Utlapa as Taha Aki made the law of no more spirit traveling. He told them of a vision he had where using the spirit walking power would lead to disaster, Pitichu helped affirm these beliefs by showing false weaving of the future.

Taha Aki could have used his power to cause a storm to hit La Push, he could have had the earth quake and swallow the whole village, he could have summoned the water from the beach to drawn them all but he could not hurt his own people.

How sad, a man with so much power and he could not even stop Utlapa from stealing his body. He could not decide what was worse the pain of not having a body, or the pain of watching his people fall into Utlapa’s clutches. He watched as he took more wives then a chief should be allowed, watched as poor Vakatel had her heart broken as each new wife bore Utlapa a new son or daughter. He watched as his friends and fellow spirit warriors fell pray too Pitichu’s lusts and bred a new generation of spirit warriors.

Pitichu’s children now numbered in the dozens each and every one possessed tremendous spiritual power, a fact Utlapa was going to capitalize on. For all her children were to be trained to be spirit warriors. Although the art of using spirit travailing was forbidden, there were other ways of using magic as a weapon and Pitichu was an expert in magical warfare.

You would think Utlapa’s plan was going smoothly. With all that power he could truly lead his people into the golden age he so dreamed. But like the old saying goes, power corrupts, and behind every great man there is a tired woman.
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Pitichu P.O.V

I opened my eyes and stretched. Last night had been amazing as usual. Me, Utlapa and many of his wives had us a nice little orgy with Utlapa. Everyone was still sleeping. I wish I could say I was satisfied....but I was not.

It was not the sex; I had no problem in that area, if Utlapa had no time for me any male or female would be glad to have me. It was the plan. The plan me and Utlapa made ten years ago. I wish everything was going exactly as planned, however it was not.

Was he conquering one tribe after another? Yes. Was he bringing order too chaos? Yes. Was he preparing future generations? Yes. But something had gone wrong a long time ago. I had done my part, after we killed the shaman death at the hands of a wild bear in the woods (or rather at the hands of barely) I became the tribes new shaman. I did all the ceremonies, the rituals, everything a normal shaman did and more.

I instantly went too work, using spells and potions too make the elders more susceptible to Utlapa’s will. I did not have to work too much on them; many of them were already susceptible to Utlapa’s view. Many of them were happy Taha Aki had changed his mind; it had only been Taha Aki’s word and wisdom that prevented them from going down this path.

A few could not be swayed and they met fatal accidents and were soon replaced with those more supportive of Utlapa's plan. We had to keep a few of them alive; if every elder who opposed us died it would draw suspicion. One of those elders was my brother Molak. We had to have someone oppose us; we had to have some political rival.

I am proud to say I needed not magic nor potion to bring the spirit warriors under my heel. Belnopa I had already ensnared. Soon Hot, Toum, even Jakopala who’s pants I once made catch fire graced my bed and my body. To Toum I gave twins a boy a girl, then four more boys later on, too Belnopa I gave three sons and a daughter, to Hot two daughters and a son and to Jakopala I gave five sons and three daughters. There were many more children I birthed, some from men in the village. Some had graced my bed before my banishment, others were new to me.

Others I birthed when Utlapa took me with him when he visited the other tribes. I even had children with Utlapa in Taha Aki’s body. It was no secret in the tribe I was sleeping with the spirit warriors or Utlapa (posing as Taha Aki) it was one of those things no one spoke out loud. Only those to old or those to young had escaped my clutches. Only Yut, the eldest and senior member of the spirit warriors had not slept with me, I had tried believe me but he was beyond my lusts. Yut was one of the people who opposed us. We dare not kill him; he had too much influence in the village.

So many children in such a small amount of time my ability too breed so many children is more then a biological talent, it’s a gift. My womb is like a fertile garden a single seed is all I need and I will bear plenty of ripe fruit.

These are the words my grandmother taught me. When I was young I was playing in the woods. Mother was nearby washing our cloths in the stream. I remember dancing in a patch of sunlight when I clutched my belly. It felt like something sharp was tearing my insides. A few seconds later blood dripped from my privates and dripped to the ground.

I called out to my mother in fear, I thought I was dying, she came rushing over asking what was wrong, I told her where the blood came from and she sighed. She looked at me in part relief that I was okay and part pride that her little girl was growing up, she explained what was happening to me was natural a coming of age for a girl into women hood. The words died in her throat when she saw a most wondrous sight.
The spot on the ground where my blood spilled had sprouted a small patch of flowers. The blood had soaked into the earth and these flowers had sprouted in response A sign surely, but of what? Mother took me back home, first she washed the flood from me, she told me to tell no one of what happened. My father hated the fact I had magic, this new ability was sure to not please me.

A few days later we went to my mother’s people the Hoh. Mother had been the most beautiful in the tribe which was why she was chosen as a peace offering between the Quileutes and the Hoh. I always liked the Hoh. They were nicer too me then the Quileutes. My grandmother was a wise woman, not exactly a shaman, but she knew lots of magic and was greatly respected for her wisdom. So respected she had a place on the council of elders.

We told her what happened and she smiled knowingly. She said I was a green woman. A green woman was a girl who was chosen by the earth to represent the life and fertility of the earth. She said my blood could grow plants in a matter of minutes and my womb could give life to any man’s seed.

My grandmother told me it was a responsibility; she told me I was meant to bring life to the world. But I don't think she meant like this. This power was part of the reason why men were so easily enamored with me. It was all instinct that primal part of their heads sensed what I was. A fertile garden waiting too be planted.

I quietly made my way out of the hut and made my way to my own. The village men were already at work. Many bowed their heads in respect. Others looked at me with a small leer, or a knowing smile. Some of the women bowed to me in respect to, like the men a few smiled at me, remembering our nights together fondly. Others glared at me, hate and loathing clear in their eyes.

I had not slept with every man and woman in the village more then half by far.

My hut was surrounded by three other huts for my children. The newborns and babies I kept with me in the main hut which was the biggest. I had so many children now I could not hope too keep them all under one roof. The rest of my children lived in the other huts, one was for the youngest, which was closest too my hut, one for the children just entering their tender years, and the last was where the eldest of my children lived. The eldest hut was not as big as mine but close.

Many of them were outside already doing chores, preparing breakfast. I never thought I would have so many children. It just goes too show the power I wield. Many of them came running over too greet me. Among them was Utlupa, my little Utlupa. He was no longer little. He was thirteen now. It pained me too look at him, he looked so much like Utlapa. He had his father’s silky hair which I missed so much.

“Welcome home mother, me and the other boys caught a big deer last night,” he said.

“Did you share with your brothers and sisters?” I asked. He nodded. I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Good boy.”

He had been so devastated when we told him Utlapa was dead. I had wanted to tell him the truth so bad at first but I kept silent. He like many others thought that Utlapa was a hero, a hero who sacrificed his own life too show Taha Aki the error of his ways, whose noble sacrifice paved the way for the future. If only they knew. Utlapa had taken Utlupa under his wing; he spent a lot of time with Utlupa growing up. No one questioned this. They thought Taha Aki was looking after his friend’s son. Utlupa was close too Taha Aki, thought of him as a father. Of course this was because Taha Aki was really his father Utlapa.

I looked up at the fire where my eldest child Kon was. He was cooking meat and fish. He glared at me and went back to cooking, he no longer greeted me any more, no longer hugged me. A gap had formed between me and my baby boy. A mother should have no favorites amongst her children; a mother should love her children all equally. I love them all, I would gladly give my life too keep them safe, but of all my children two have a special place in my heart.

Kon and Utlupa. Kon was my first born child, it had been him and me for so long and he had spent the majority of his life helping me take care of the children, doing choirs around the house, hard work, a man’s work. My sweet Kon had not been born a boy or a baby; he had been born a man. The moment he was born he had to grow up fast, we were banished, and no tribe would have us. He had to learn quick had to live alone as did I. But together we made it. But since we came back Kon and I had grown apart. He did not approve of my lusts no more. Before he understood, me selling my body helped bring food and furs from the men who graced my bed. But now when we were back in the tribe and living very well?

He also knew something was off about Taha Aki. He had no clue as to the truth, but he knew something was going on and he knew I knew. My sweet boy, he knew me so well. He knew what we were doing was wrong, but he kept his silence, literally, he hardly every talked to me any more. It hurt. I wanted to bridge this gap.

Another reason for us drifting apart was he did not approve of me letting Taha Aki use his brothers and sisters as spirit warriors. Yes, I let Utlapa use my own sons and daughters for an army. All my children had more then enough spiritual power to be a spirit warrior. As the tribes shaman I helped train them to use their powers. Usually La Push had six or seven spirit warriors, but with the war we are waging with the tribes to the far south and east we needed them.

Kon was the leader of the spirit warriors. At least until Baki, Utlapa’s first born son came of age. I had conceived Baki the day Utlapa wore Taha Aki’s body for the first time. I had three more sons with Utlapa as Taha Aki. Utlapa kept all his children and wives with him in his hut. They had built a new hut too hold all the children and wives he now had.

The domestic arrangement was every wife and child got too share a few days and nights with Taha Aki. When Taha Aki wished too have sex they would banish the children too the next hut and the wives that did not wish too partake would join the children. He had many wives, all of them young. The youngest being sixteen. All of them had given him children, except for one.

Vakatel, Taha Aki’s first wife and true love. I cannot begin too imagine the hurt and bitterness she goes through seeing Utlapa as Taha Aki having so many wives and children. Too share her home with so many women knowing they were sleeping with her husband and giving him kids.

Utlupa was my other favorite because he was mine and Utlapa’s. Sure I had many more children with Utlapa while he possessed Taha Aki but Utlupa was conceived before Utlapa changed. I want too say He was still motivated by love, but now in the last decade a new drive eclipsed the old Greed. All the power from being Taha Aki, all the respect and praise he got as he brought the land too order and conquered land after land. Power corrupts, this was true.

In his path to better the world Utlapa had slowly begun to become corrupted. He became greedy taking more wives then necessary, he no longer worked with the other men to hunt or work, he preferred to spend his time figuring out battle strategies or fucking one of his wives.

The sound of shouting disturbed our family meal. Me and many of the older boys ran to see what the commotion was. It came from Utlapa’s hut, we rushed over too see what had happened. One of the warriors was dead on the ground, his throat torn out, a blood covered Utlapa behind a group of men, and for one wild moment I thought he had killed the warrior.

“What happened?” I asked.

One of the village women turned to me, I could see the disdain in her eyes but she answered. “A wolf came and tried to attack Taha Aki, the warrior threw himself in front of our chief and sacrificed himself, the warriors forced it away.”

A wolf huh? Normally we do not kill wolves; they are our cousins and are sacred to us. But for quit sometime the animals of the land have behaved strangely. I knew why. Taha Aki. After ten years the poor bastard still was trying to warn his people of danger. He has been causing the animals to act very strange.

I looked to Utlapa, a few cuts a claw marks here and there, otherwise he was okay, and his eyes told a different story. They were full of anger and fear. He knew what caused the wolf to enter the village and attack him. “Pitichu to me!” He called.

His wives crowded around him, wiping the blood from his body and tending his wounds. He batted them away and turned to the hut. I followed him. “Leave us,” I told the others.

Toum spoke up. “What about the warrior? Isn't Taha Aki going too say something? He sacrificed his life for him he should say something.”

“Your chief is hurt. The man is dead, see to it he gets a proper burial.” I closed the cover leaving me and Utlapa alone. I instantly went to work, inspecting his wounds, nothing to deep. I got a bowl of water and a rag and began to dab at the wounds. “What happened?”

“We were waking up and I left to go talk with the elders about getting a firmer grip on the tribes. The wolf was waiting for me the second I took a step out it pounced, some of my wives went for help. The warrior got here first, if he had not thrown himself in front of me I would have had my throat ripped out.”

“Taha Aki is relentless,” I said.

“Aki needs too move on!” Utlapa growled. “I won; I have his body, his wife, his tribe. I have everything he had and more. I have you at my side, I have sons and daughters to carry out my legacy when I die of age, I have an army of spirit warriors, I have brought the Makah, the Hoh, the Quinault, the Kathlamet, the Nez Perce, the Couer d'alene and many more under my control. They treat me like I am their chief, how many of them send their daughters to appease me? How many send us food and fur and weapons? How many sing of the great Taha Aki? How many speak of me in hushed whispers? How many of them love me and follow my every word, how many dream of the empire I will build that will last for all eternity?”

“How many innocent people have you killed to get here though? Not just our tribe but in the others?”

“It had to be done.”

“Entire families? Men, women and children?”

“I had to make sure to leave no one to rise up against me. What I am doing has never been done before Pitichu. Soon we will leave the land and build out empire to other lands.”

“What?”

“I have decided why wait for the pale faces to come too us? We will go to them and conquer them before they can conquer us. We will do onto them as they would have done unto us.” he smiled and it made the blood in my veins go cold.

“Utlapa that is not the plan, we were just supposed to unite all the tribes so when the pale faces come we can send them back. Not go conquering them.”

“Not just them Pitichu, I saw how big the world is, so many tribes exist, all fighting one another, waging a pointless and bloody war. The world is a mess and I will be the one who beings it into blessed order and there will be only one tribe. Ours.”

“Utlapa please, there is no way you could live long enough too do that.”

He grinned. “Why do you think I am having so many children?”

“You can't expect too have such a large amount of children and expect them all too work together. There can be only one chief and they will fight each other over it and your empire will crumble.”

“I know. Which is why I will never die.”

“You speak nonsense, every one dies.”

“Really? What if I found a new body too inhabit?”

You can not be serious.”

“Oh I am. I am deadly serious. Think of it, right before I die I have one of my sons chosen as heir. Then in a ritual we remove his soul from his body and I take over.”

“That is monstrous!”

“No, it is brilliant. I will train a specific and chosen son too love me so much he would be willing too help me live forever. The rules no longer apply too us Pitichu. Together we can live for ever, we need not die.”

“Your own children, how could you do that?”

“They are not mine, they are Aki’s.”

“Even if I agreed what about Taha Aki? He is still out there and I doubt he will let you do such a thing.”

“Then find a way too banish him. You’re the shaman, do your job. Don't be so glum my love, we will be the immortal rulers of a never ending empire.” he patted my hand.

After I finished patching him up we walked to the village. I left him at the elders hut, I told him I could not make it to today's meeting, I had other duties to perform. I walked back to my hut and found Yut of all people waiting for me. “Come too finally see what all the talk is about?” I asked with a smile. There was no feeling behind the smile. I was feeling rather cold.

Yut looked at me, his expression humorless. “Why didn't Taha Aki help bury the body of the warrior?”

“He was wounded.”

“Bah, mere scratches. He showed disrespect too the warrior by disregarding him in such a way.”

“Don't worry, he will be there when they bury the warrior and he'll say something nice. Now shouldn't you be at the meeting?”

He glared at me. “Pitichu, I knew you're mother. She was a good woman, honest and caring. I admit I feel some shame for not trying to talk to you're father about his treatment of her. But I do not think she would approve of what you are doing, neither would you're father.”

“Is there a point to this?” I asked.

“The point? Your mother was unhappy because she wanted something she could not have. Your father’s love. Their marriage was arranged and your father resented her for that.”

“Your telling me shit I already know,” I growled.

“All I am saying is don't repeat your mother’s mistakes. Do not desire things you can not have.”

“To want things we cannot have is desire, to want things which are in abundance is greed. I have everything I want or need old man.”

“Really? Because you have the same look in your eyes your mother had, unhappiness.”

He left me then and went to the village. I walked into my hut. All my girls were inside the young and the old. Some of the old ones were talking about boys. Hearing them speak of such things made me feel old. I looked damn fine for my age, but my soul felt ancient.

For the past decade I did everything Utlapa wanted, I made him weapons too help him fight other tribes, I made potions too poison his enemies or too cloud the minds of others so they would obey him, I used my body too seduce the spirit warriors and with the power of my fertile womb bred him a small army of spirit warriors, even offering my own children too help him in his quest.

I have done things that once I would have thought beneath me. I thought I could handle it, for him, for the man I love. But now it was all starting too wear me down. I was beginning to realize that sometime ago my Utlapa had changed for the worse. My power of foresight has shown me this. I have weaved such things, horrible things, terrible things, true things. Utlapa had strayed from the path. He would have his empire, but it would be an empire of darkness.

I looked at my daughters, all of them, the young and the old. Everything I had done I had done for them. So they could find fine husbands and have children all their own, I did all this so that my descendents would not be hunted by the pale faces. My girls, they are so beautiful, each one looked like a younger version of me with their fathers looks mixed in. I talked with them, gossiped with them, listened as they talked about boy's they had their eyes on. Many of my girls were spirit warriors. Once it was forbidden but Utlapa had changed that law years ago.

Did they realize what they would have to do? That they would be sent too fight in a war they had no idea what they were fighting for? That they would have to kill and be killed.

Now Utlapa has come up with this horrible idea too continuously switch bodies too live forever. Sure, the children he sired with Taha Aki’s body were not his, but he still had a hand in creating them, they still loved him and called him father.

I realized I had made a mistake, so long ago. My love and inability too see where his choices would lead have led to not only the downfall of the man I love but my family and all the tribes of the land, hell maybe even the world. The realization hit me like lightning and a small sob escaped my lips.

“Mother? What is wrong?” one of my daughters asked.

“Nothing, just a hiccup.” I stood up. “I think I will go out in the woods and meditate. Take care of your brothers and sisters while I am away.” I nodded too where the youngest of my children slept. Some were babies, some were just learning too walk and talk, but it was nap time for all.

“We will mother, maybe you should take someone with you, and the animals have been wilder lately and after that wolf attacked Taha Aki.”

“I will be fine, barely will be with me.” I kissed every one of them and gave them a hug. Then I walked over too my babies and kissed them gently so not too wake them from their slumber.

I walked out many of the older boy's were about, playing with their brothers, doing choirs, talking with one another about the wolf incident or about girls in the tribe they fancied. I had named them all, I knew each and everyone of them and I knew who each of their fathers were. They all waved at me or hugged me or kissed me as I passed. I kissed and hugged them back, for they were my sons and I loved them.

They all knew of my indiscretions with their fathers, they all knew they were not the result of love but of lust, if any of them had any resentment towards me they did not show it. Their fathers visited every once in a while, or they would go visit their fathers. I was happy for this, happy some of my children could know their fathers, could hunt with them, learn from them.

I found Kon by himself, watching all his brothers, like a farmer watching his sheep. I walked up to him. “Kon I need a rabbit, fetch me one would you?”

He said nothing. He went and grabbed one of the rabbits he and his brothers caught for dinner tonight, it was still alive but not for long. “Thank you Kon.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I know you are mad at me, I know things have gone down hill for us. But I promise I will make everything better.”

He said nothing just looked at me, studying me. Trying to figure out what I was up too. “I am going out to the woods too fast, I will be back soon.”

I turned too walk away but he stopped me. “You shouldn't' go alone,” he said.

I smiled. “Barely will be with me. I will be fine, be good and look after your brothers and sisters.”

“Don't I always?”

Once I gathered my things I left. I called barely too me and together we walked alone in the woods. Once we were far enough in and I was sure I would not be seen I brought out the herbs I needed. First I burned the herbs and fanned out the smoke, the herbs would help attract good spirits. Then I brought out my knife and grabbed the rabbit from its basket. It was tricky trying to get it in the right position, it struggled, but I brought down the knife onto its stomach and blood gushed out. I used the blood to form a small circle around me.

Saying the words the life of the rabbit gave power to the circle, protecting me from spirits. I tossed the rabbit aside and turned to barely. I could see spirits. Better then most can. I had seen Taha Aki many times around the village, a look of sorrow and rage always graced his features.

“Find him old friend, bring him to me,” I said.

Barely nodded and went too seek Taha Aki. I sat in the circle, and waited. Praying too Q'wati that Taha Aki would be willing too parlay with me too save his tribe. I have done many things in my life, some I take pride in, some I am ashamed of. What I do now I am sure will haunt me all my life, but I cannot sit and do nothing, not any more. I promised Utlapa I would help his dream come true, I did not promise I will help his nightmares come true.
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Taha Aki P.O.V

It has been ten years, ten bastard years since I lost my body too Utlapa. I have watched as he used my body and voice to corrupt my people. I watched in pain as my sweet Vakatel had towatch as many woman joined our family, as each of them bore my children. Children I did not sire, with wives I did not marry.

I watched as those who opposed Utlapa were secretly killed and replaced by those more loyal to him. I watched as my brother spirit warriors were seduced by Pitichu who bore them children as a result of they're affairs.

I watched as he went from tribe too tribe and brought them under his heel, watched as he planned too spread to the other tribes to the farthest reaches of the land. All I could do was watch. I tried using the fauna of the land but there was only so much they could do.

I tried to use that wolf to kill Utlapa, but instead an innocent man died. All these years I suffered heart and soul. I suffered too watch my people no longer look at me (or rather my body) with love but fear. They were not dumb, they knew it was obvious those elders did not die of natural causes, but they dare not speak these thoughts out loud.

And the agony of not having a body, of being nothing but a wondering spirit with no flesh. What was worse was Utlapa had not only corrupted the tribe but himself as well, he no longer fought for honor and glory, and he fought for pride and greed. Now just as I predicted the tribe was going down a dark path, a path that would transmute them into something monstrous. Utlapa was motivated by lust for power and dominion, not the love he once had for the tribe.

I cried, cried for my failures, cried for my people, cried for my wife, cried for my friends, my family and the fallen warrior who scarified his own life too save a false leader. Whose life was cut short because of me?

I was so lost in my sorrow I almost didn't see the bear. Almost, I knew who it was, Barely, Pitichu's spirit. He never paid any attention too me before, but now he walked right too me. “My mistress wishes too speak with you,” he said.

I saw into his mind, I knew he spoke the truth. “Why would she wish too see me? Does she want too rub my shame and defeat in my face?”

He growled with a sound like thunder. “She wishes too speak with you Quileute; you are in no position to deny her.”

He had a point. I nodded and followed him too Pitichu, it did not take long. I found her sitting. I could see the magic of the circle she had drawn, protecting her. The smoke of the spirits called too me, pulling me close, they use this herb too draw good spirits.

She opened her eyes when she sensed us. “Hello Taha Aki, it has been a long time,” she said.

I wanted too strangle her, I wanted that damn circle too be broken so I could show her just how I hate her for what she has done, how she corrupted my friends and brothers, using them for her foul lusts and breeding a new generation of spirit warriors for her and Utlapa too corrupt and use, for killing so many innocent people.

“I know you are angry Taha Aki, you have every right too be. But I need you're help, as you need mine.” she slumped forward and her spirit self walked out. She shined brightly, that was not a surprise. Her spirit power was great after all. But there was something off about her, she seemed sad, regretful.

She opened her mind too me and I saw why. I saw Utlapa’s crazy new plan, I saw in her eyes how he had become a mad man obsessed with power and living forever. I saw how he shed blood and it ran through his fingers like sand. All this I knew, but I saw it from her eyes, I saw her thoughts and feelings on it. I saw she wanted too help me stop Utlapa no matter the coast.

Then she shut her mind from me. “You expect me too trust you? After all these years, after everything you have done? How do I know this isn't another trap? How do I know you do not plan too banish me?” I asked.

“You saw my mind.”

“Yes, I saw your regret but I saw you still love Utlapa. How do I know your love for him is still not strong enough too make you turn on me?”

She sighed. She went back into her body and I thought she was going too leave. She broke the circle, breaking its protective power. Then too my surprise she left her body again too join me on the spirit world. “There, now if you wish you can take my body as Utlapa did too you. It would be easy for you too get close enough too him now. When he is sleeping you can slit his throat, or put poison in his drink.”

“Mistress no!” Barely said.

“It is okay Barely.” she opened her mind too me and I saw the regret and sincerity in her. “I would not stop you; you may have my body if you wish.”

“Why? After all these years?”

“Because he is no longer the man I loved. Power has made him into a monster. I thought he was strong enough too resist the temptation of evil, I thought if anyone could unite the tribes and make an empire it was him. But I was wrong, he could unite the tribes but they will not be the golden kingdom he so sought, they will just become monsters like him. Love once motivated his actions, but somewhere he lost his path. I thought love motivated me, but that is a lie, it was not just love.”

“It was hate,” I said, “You had so much hate for us and that blinded you too the consequences of you're actions.”

She glared at me. “Yes, I did it for anger as well as love, I wanted the tribe too suffer, I wanted too spite them for how they treated me as I child, I wanted them too recognize me for the power I was, I wanted them too hurt as I have hurt for all those years. Are you happy, I am just a bitter vindictive bitch who wanted too spite the people who hurt her as a child, there are you happy?”

“It will take more then satisfaction at you're suffering too make me happy Pitichu.”

“Spare me, I did not come here too have a chat, I am here too make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I help you stop Utlapa, I help you bring order back too the tribes and in return I ask immunity for my children?”

“Immunity?”

“I will take what ever punishment you see fit, even if it means death. I do not dodge guilt Taha Aki, I did wrong and I will take responsibility for my actions. But my children, all my children knew nothing of what I have done, I ask they be spared you're wrath. My sins are my own not theirs. That is all I ask.”

“I never thought too hurt you're children for your crimes Pitichu help me stop Utlapa and I swear on the blood of my ancestors I will not harm you're children for your sins.”

Magic rose in the air. I said the promise, the spirits heard it. If I break it I will be foresworn and their will be terrible repercussions. Even spirits must keep their word.

“Very well then, we must get to work then. If we are to stop Utlapa then there is only one way.”

“How?”

“We must find the white wolf.”

Fusedtwilight: Next chapter ends the story. What secrets are still to be revealed, we find out how the past will clash with the present and the Quileute's learn the past can come back to bite you hard. Please review.
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