A/N: Okay so this is my first fanfic that i have ever given to the public. My friend Raven, another fanfic writer has asked me to publish this for you. So here i give you Hunting Dusk. My version of New Moon but from Edward's perspective. Please be kind while reading. I promise it will do well...maybe. Enjoy. I own nothing. These characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, I borrow them for this.

Hunting Dusk

Chapter One: Birthday

I sat in the wooden rocker and watched her peacefully, reveling at the fact that she was still mine, no matter how miraculously. Even though she had almost gotten killed because of me, I had promised her. I had told her that I would be here for her, so long as it was best. So instead of ruining the moment I stared at her beautiful face. She was smiling, so I knew she was dreaming of me. Suddenly I heard someone outside. Alice.

Edward, come on, you shouldn't be there. She thought. I sighed and got up. I climbed out the window with one last glance at Bella's sleeping form. Then I fell from the window and stood in front of Alice.

"What is it Alice?" I asked, irate. I really did enjoy watching Bella.

She laughed quietly. "Give it a rest, Edward. You'll see her in a few hours. Now come, we need to finish her present."

I smiled and ran home. As I raced through the blurring greens, I thought of Bella's stern warning to me just a few weeks ago. We were sitting on her couch one-day after school, and the casual conversation turned towards her birthday. She then ordered me to promise not to do anything for her birthday. No presents, no parties. Even if I was the one who promised, it never stopped Alice from breaking into her party plans. Alice was relentless and would stop at nothing, so I helped her with the small detail of the perfect gift.

I walked casually through the front door when I reached our large house in the meadow. Alice walked in behind me. We both headed to her computer.

"Okay," Alice said; opening up the file labeled Bella's present. "Is that everything you wanted on the disk?"

I scanned the list and saw that the two most important compositions were right at the top. "Yes, it's all there and I think she'll enjoy it."

She nodded. I watched as she tweaked the arrangement so Bella's lullaby and Esme's song were the first two on the CD. A few minutes later she produced a silver disk. I handed her a clear jewel case. Alice quickly wrapped it in silver paper. I looked out the window; the sun had just risen.

"Get dressed," she ordered.

I rolled my eyes, but I moved to the staircase. I stopped when Esme walked down.

"Where were you?" she asked. It was natural; I hadn't been at Bella's in a while.

"Dreaming," I laughed.

Esme smiled and touched my shoulder as I walked past her. Her thoughts were focused on how happy I have been. She was excited that this might get further. I sighed, I couldn't ruin Bella's future like that. I still needed to become strong enough to leave. I shook my head and walked slowly up the stairs, lost in thought. My room was on the third floor, and so I moved faster. In my mind, I knew that the sooner I arrived the sooner I'd get to see Bella. As soon as I had fresh clothes on, I went back downstairs. Alice, I could hear, was already in my Volvo. I sighed and headed to the garage.

"So impatient," I muttered climbing in.

Alice rolled her eyes but otherwise ignored me. I drove quickly down the serpentine lane. The ride was quick and quiet. I parked in the usual spot and stepped out of my car. Shutting the door, I leaned up against the driver's side. Alice joined me, and so we waited. In a matter of minutes, Bella's truck was heard chugging sluggishly down the street. When she first pulled in her brow was creased in despair, but her eyes found me, and something else took place. Her eyes shifted from me to Alice and then her eyes narrowed in anger. She had spotted the gift. Bella climbed out of her truck and slammed the door in obvious irritation. She walked towards us slowly. Alice peeled away from the car and moved to greet Bella.

"Happy birthday, Bella!" Alice chirped.

"Shh!" Bella looked around the lot nervously. I smiled slightly as I read the fear of attention flash across her face.

They started to walk towards me. "Do you want to open your present now or later?" Alice asked, overly eager.

"No presents," Bella insisted in a whisper.

Alice grimaced. "Okay…later, then." She changed the subject before Bella protest more. "Did you like the scrapbook your mom sent you? And the camera from Charlie?"

Bella sighed. "Yeah. They're great," she mumbled.

"I think it's a nice idea," Alice protested. "You're only a senior once. Might as well document the experience."

"How many times have you been a senior?" Bella retorted.

Alice's eyes narrowed. "That's different."

They had finally reached me. Bella's beauty and scent hit me at the same time. So I was slightly staggered as I reached for her warm hand. She placed her hand in mine instantly. I was still curious as to how I deserved her. But I tended to forget sad trivial notes like that when I was with her. I squeezed her hand gently. I stared into her warm brown eyes, and she stared back. Her heart stuttered as she looked at me. I smiled at her. I reached my free hand to her lips. I traced the shape of her soft lips carefully.

"So, as discussed, I am not allowed to wish you happy birthday, is that correct?" I said, still staring into her deep eyes.

"Yes. That is correct," she replied stubbornly.

"Just checking." I removed my hand from her lips and ran it through my hair. "You might have changed your mind. Most people seem to enjoy things like birthdays and gifts."

Alice laughed, slightly peeved at Bella's nonchalance. "Of course you'll enjoy it. Everyone is supposed to be nice to you today and give you your way, Bella. What's the worst that could happen?"

Bella sighed and answered Alice's rhetorical question. "Getting older," she whispered.

My smile froze on my face. Of all the things she would want on her birthday, she wants eternal damnation. Alice noticed my freeze and she didn't like it. Of all my family members, Alice was the most eager for Bella to become one of us. She still held the vision of her and Bella as immortal friends.

"Eighteen isn't very old," Alice said lightly. "Don't women usually wait till they're twenty-nine to get upset over birthdays?"

"It's older than Edward," Bella pointed out.

I sighed. I honestly was starting to understand her better. I had guessed right about what she was thinking. And she obviously had the word impasse flashing in her mind. The memory of that conversation in the Phoenix hospital was trying to surface but I paid closer attention to Alice and Bella.

Honestly, Edward…

"Technically," Alice said. "Just by one little year, though."

Bella's lip pouted out slightly. She was quiet for a long while. Probably thinking of a way to get what she wanted. I was going to have to hold strong against Alice, and the selfish inside that wanted to give her what she wanted. Bella would without a doubt trick it out of me. But I was already formulating a plan. One way I could use her selflessness against her. Prove how much everyone needs her, alive and mortal. That was another reason. I didn't want to break her pure soul. Before I could plan more Alice continued.

"What time will you be at the house?"

Bella's head tilted to the side. "I didn't know I had plans to be there."

You've got to be kidding me. "Oh, be fair, Bella!" Alice complained. "You aren't going to ruin all our fun like that, are you?"

"I thought my birthday was about what I want," Bella countered.

I smiled, and decided it was time I intervened. "I'll get her from Charlie's right after school," I promised.

"I have to work," Bella protested resentfully. She must have thought I'd take her side. Or maybe she thought I wouldn't have broken the promise. Even though I truly didn't.

A huge grin flashed across Alice's face. "You don't, actually. I already spoke to Mrs. Newton about it. She's trading your shifts. She said to tell you 'Happy Birthday.'"

"I–I still can't come over," Bella scrambled, looking for some kind of excuse. "I, well, I haven't watched Romeo and Juliet yet for English."

Alice snorted. "You have Romeo and Juliet memorized."

"B-but Mr. Berty said we needed to see it performed to fully appreciate it – that's how Shakespeare intended it to be presented," she stuttered. Her lies amused me. Probably because they were never really any good.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"You've already seen the movie." Alice's accusation was matter-of-factly.

"But not the nineteen-sixties version. Mr. Berty said it was the best." Bella continued with her lie, well half lie.

Alice's thoughts and expression lost their smug tone. She glared at Bella. This is ridiculous. She complained internally. "This can be easy, or this can be hard, Bella, but one way or the other–"

I cut her off, and countered her thoughts of forced attendance. "Relax, Alice. If Bella wants to watch the movie, then she can. It's her birthday."

Bella's smiled smugly now. "So there."

I tried to keep the smile off my face as I continued my counter for Alice. "I'll bring her over around seven. That will give you more time to set up."

Thank you! She chanted in her head. She laughed, and Bella's face fell slightly. "Sounds good," Alice giggled. "See you tonight, Bella! It'll be fun, you'll see." She smiled widely, exposing all her teeth.

We watched Alice head to class. Bella began to protest. "Edward, please–"

I placed my finger lightly on her warm lips. "Let's discuss this later," I reasoned. "We're going to be late for class."

She didn't argue anymore. We walked to English and took our seats in the back of the room. A small smile lit her face as she sat next to me. That triggered my long earned frustration towards her strange silence. I tried, hopelessly, for the thousandth time, to hear her thoughts. But still, nothing. As I concentrated, Mike's ignorant thoughts burned me.

How can she still be with him? He can't possibly be that, good. And the way he kisses her…his thoughts trailed off into a shudder as he thought of me kissing Bella the other day at lunch.

I bit back a smile. I had only kissed her to annoy him. Lunch was awkward for Bella, and it was probably easier when Alice and I were gone on those sunny days that held us barred into secrecy. She was always torn. I had no problem with the company. Except for when Mike and Jessica start up with their arrogance towards Bella. Angela Weber and Ben Cheney were the best for Bella, in my eyes. They were peaceful and full of love, for each other and Bella. Maybe she too could have that, if I weren't around. I shook my head, casting aside the thought.

I looked at Bella again. She was so beautiful, even more so than when she sleeps. Her wide eyes framed by a thick, black fringe of lashes glanced between Mr. Berty and my face. Her face was flushed the most intoxicating red with her harmless fury. She was mad that I had allowed Alice to throw a party that I was making her go to. I wished I could have said, let's do what you want. I would follow Bella wherever she went. I tried to pay attention to class but I could only focus on Bella.

So that was the first chapter. I am working as fast as I can. If ya'll wanna check out more of my work just click on over to . it is my website of magical wonders where my own characters bend to my will. Muah ha ha ha... :)