Hello! So, I start this chapter a bit different and begin with Gaston instead of Belle (I wasn't sure what I could do for her at the moment, so that's why I decided to start with Gaston instead). Like I've said before, I'm writing it as it flows (it's not planned). So, let's see where this goes together, huh? I hope you guys like it!

Thank you to all who leave reviews!

Gaston

The burly man in the elegant red leather captain's coat left the tavern located in the heart of the village, with very few thoughts in his head and a mission to accomplish. His heart was set and his mind was rather focused on the task at hand as he made his way to the fountain where LeFou stood with a magnificent black steed. The horse pawed at the ground in anticipation when he noticed Gaston making his way toward him, with a holstered gun attached to his belt.

Gaston approached the horse and placed his hands on the horse's face, "This is a special hunting outing we are making today old friend."

LeFou held the reins as Gaston mounted the tall horse, then handed them up to Gaston so that he may have control over the powerful beast. The clock tower struck 1:30 and chimed. "Well, it's hero time!" Gaston kicked the sides of his horse, causing the animal to begin trotting where ever he should be directed to go.

Gaston directed the horse towards the entrance to the village, then pushed the powerful animal to run as swiftly as possible to close in on the immense forest as quickly as he possibly could. I mean, why waste time? I've been chasing Belle long enough, I deserve a reward for my patience! That reward being Belle, herself!

Within minutes, they reached the edge of the forest, causing Gaston to pull on the reins to slow the animal down. He didn't want to miss any signs of his intended "prey", after all. It didn't take long for him to spot her footprints on the forest floor. "I've got you now, Belle!" Gaston said more to himself, than to anyone or anything else. He urged his horse on slowly, so that he could follow Belle's trail more easily.

"What the..." Gaston was suddenly at a loss for words when he came upon the little distraction Belle devised for him. This will take a while to figure out... Damn!

The burly man dismounted his horse in an attempt to get a better look at the mass gathering of footprints, which are rather difficult to distinguish and read, even from the ground level. He'd have to take his time and carefully examine the prints to best determine which direction Belle truly took off in, for there were several trails that went in various directions. Some tracks seemed to come in towards the gathering of footprints, while others seemed to leave.

Dammit! If only she hadn't taken that mirror from me! I could've had her by now!

About twenty minutes later, Gaston finally figured out which set of tracks to follow and mounted his horse once more to follow them. "So, she thought a little trick like that could stop me from finding her, huh? Well, she'd better be prepared now! I'm even more determined to find her! And when I do, we'll go straight to the church to get married!" Gaston's horse merely neighed in response.

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!" Gaston grumbled and slapped his hand to his face. Again he dismounted his horse as he approached yet another mass gathering of footprints left by none other than Belle. I guess she really wanted to slow me down... No matter though, I shall find her in due time!

It was another twenty minutes before Gaston mounted his horse once more to follow a set of tracks he had determined to be the correct ones to follow.

It seems to me that she may have headed toward the center of the forest, where the trees get rather dense... Of course, she'd do that... My horse won't be able to maneuver there, so I'll have to tie him to a tree whilst I continue on foot. Cute, how she thinks she'll be able to escape from me. Hasn't she learned yet? I don't stop until I get whatever it is I want, and right now, I want her!

Gaston pushed his horse on, ignoring any other mass gatherings of footprints he stumbled upon, and continued on in the direction he knew the densest part of the forest would be. Once he arrived, he dismounted from his horse and secured the reins to a tree. From now on, he'd continue his search on foot. The only downside is that traveling on foot is much slower than on horseback. Oh, she still thinks she can beat me at my own game, huh?

He continued to trudge through the dense forest, his boots crunching fallen leaves and twigs with each step. Suddenly, he felt like he wasn't alone anymore. "Come out, come out, wherever you are, Belle! I know you're around here somewhere! Come on, Belle, why don't you just go ahead and end this silly little game of yours! I told you I'd find you, Belle. I've won, Belle! C'mon out now..."

Belle

Sitting alone in the forest had gotten rather boring, considering she hadn't brought a book to read, since she didn't want to get distracted. So, Belle spent her time thinking instead. She thought about Beast and his servants, she thought about her father, and she thought about various "what ifs?" But some of those thoughts allowed worry to plague her mind, so she'd try distracting herself with inventive thoughts instead.

A cracking twig brought her out of her thoughts suddenly, causing her to become incredibly still and quite in an attempt to listen. A voice rang out that caused Belle's heart to drop... Gaston...

Maurice

The old man hadn't dared look at the mirror yet since Gaston left, both the desires to know and to not know tugging at him at the same time. He wanted to make sure Belle was alright, but he also feared to know if that hunter in red had found his daughter or not. He hoped with all his might that Belle could hold onto her desire for freedom and adventure, and that she could outlast that man's equally strong desire to possess her for himself.

The old man feared the lengths that Gaston seemed willing to go to in order to obtain Belle. What kind of life would that man give her? He didn't dare think about that. Instead, he focused on Belle's intelligence and stubbornness that could easily fuel her victory in this game of hers.

"Show me Belle." Maurice gasped at what he saw... Belle sitting behind some rather large trees in the densest part of the forest, and Gaston just on the other side, seemingly unaware of exactly how close to Belle he actually was as he called out to her. "No... Belle!"