Hi all! Now I know you probably want to shoot me because I haven't updated in like what 3 months?! Well in my defense, work and time crunches haven't been good to me. But I finally found some time to finish this so I hope you enjoy this current installent.

Oh! And just let you know, there's some risque material, swearing and drinking in this. But hey, these are vampires we're talking about here. They're not underage, they just happen to look it. So please, this was ment to amuse and entertain, not offend. So if it does, let me know so I can re-write it and make it less so, ok.

And one more thing, just to clearify things for future chapters. Like Stephenie Meyer's books, all vampires will be able to function in daylight. But in my story, they'll be able to eat, drink and sleep. Because hey, I don't care if you are undead, you gotta have some downtime sometime. Though they don't really need to in my story, it's a matter of lifestyle choice.

Ok, enough prattling. Thanks for listening:D!!!


The sun had finally gone down and left the world in shadows of blue and grey fed now with bright artificial light, but then again, Tokyo never really slept in the first place.

Looking out the tinted window watching the world go by in a veritable blur. My fingers unconsciously drummed out the steady beat of a song against my knee along with the chorus in my head. I had new music video coming out soon and I'd been a bit distracted of late. And that in turn ment "The Red Brake" was getting antsy, not good.

I glanced at Gackt, who wouldn't let anyone else drive or even get near the keys of one of his more precious "babies,"or the "Heavy Metal Girlfriends" as I call them to Gackt, Hyde and Juu's endless amusement. So had gotten roped into being a glorified chauffer on this little "outing" between my estranged family and I by default. He was now my trusty wing-man wasn't really so bad for me, I got to see a few of my favorite things.

Leather + tight + Gackt = Happy me. Yummy!

The frantic herd of butterflies that had set up breeding rights in my stomach when Gackt and I became more than friends. They were currently were one collective ball of warmth that seemed content to wiggle contently in the deepest recesses of my abdomen and spread it to the farthest reaches of my body.

My fiancée, always sensitive to my moods stole a quick glance at me from the side of his Gucci shades. Almost as if he could read my thoughts, a slight upturn of the lips, that looked no more than a twitch if you didn't really know him. His fingers finally finishing their inches long trek across the seat lacing with my own, as the...ahem, twitch morphed into a seductive little smirk. Our passengers blissfully unaware of the school children style romantic-antics, taking place under their very noses. It felt like Christmas in my hand. I almost grew ears and a tail then and there as certain thoughts made me almost purr kittenishly with contentment. Me-wow!

Damn! I should just tie a bulletin board with big, red hearts tacked onto it over my fat head. Or better yet, like that part in Winnie-the-Pooh where he uses Christopher Robin's Red balloon to get to the beehive under the pretense that he's a raincloud. Only picture mine as heart-shaped and substitute the bees for Gackt and it couldn't be anymore obvious. I mean if you could hear me, the first verse would probably be going something like this.

"I'm just a little J-Rocker,

hovering over My Honey's tree."

Well braking out into song, skewering childhood classics and coming dangerously close to infringing upon powerful copyright laws at the drop of the proverbial tophat. Yep, I officially have it BAD!!!

"Bella, where are we going exactly?" Rose asked, leaning over the back of the seat curiously. Which was a first in itself for her, come to think of it I was getting a lot of that lately where she was concerned.

Thus the second most painful thorn in my side effectively popped my "happy-balloon," which then dropped me face-first into a mud puddle, before ruining my great hair day by drenching my head.

I really wanted to kill something at that point, or use it as a scratching post. Whichever inflicted the most damage. I was just grateful Edward was far too preoccupied with his usual silent brooding in the opposite direction. And he still couldn't read my mind or things could have been a whole lot worse.

I had almost forgotten that I had promised Ami and Yumi that I'd meet with them that night. It was a good thing that they had called to remind me. Carlise and Esme had opted for a quiet evening at the 'special' restaurant that Gackt and I had recommended, it was one of our favorites and catered to not only humans. But "unique" clientele as well. They had wanted to give all us 'kids' the options of going out and amusing ourselves with the fast and furious Tokyo night life, which was no joke to say the least.

Ami and Yumi hadn't objected to a few more tag-alongs in leau of the slumber party idea going bust. I think that they were just in awe of the fact there were more vampires for them to pal around with. Or play with depending on their mood, that and what we felt like letting them get away with. Even Gackt didn't object to going out for a change.

He probably just wanted to keep Edward as far from me as mortally possible. Like Mr. Emotionally-Unstable could sway me now, as if. It was nothing if not cute, and I just let him go right on thinking that I needed saving. Either way, my inner Princess had latched onto the valid excuse of "Damsel-in-Distress" mode, then bounced back quickly ensuing to have a Mardi Grads with it, complete with Disney characters. I'm fairly surprised my outside wasn't happy-dancing right along with my inner. Though I think it was that little bit of hard-won common sense I still possessed in the wake of Alice's own little potty-dance in public the day before, I decided to listen and retain my dignity for the moment.

Because nothing is harder to take seriously than a person whose trying to be so, and is making you crack up instead. Especially for the little bit of psycho-emotional warfare, I had in mind.

"Portal to Hell." I stated, bluntly.

The ensuing silence seemed to stretch into eternity, which was almost too big for our Taurus. "Wha--the fudge?" Emmett was the first to speak, but it came out more like the squeaking of a mouse. He wiggled a finger around in his ear where it came out with a satisfactory little 'pop'. " I must still be jetlagged, I thought you said..."

"Portal to Hell? I did. Although it's more often then not affectionately known as Hades, by the locals." I commented lazily, to preoccupied with other things to notice.

I chanced a half-lidded glance at them via the rearview mirror, watching the resulting fidgets and uneasy looks towards a now stiff Edward. As they subtly tried to keep from squirming like raw meat on a fishing hook currently dangling over piranha-infested waters. Especially were my ex-boyfriend was concerned. I can't say I didn't not relish the show, just a little. It was kinda funny actually, vampires afraid for the sanctity of their "immortal" souls. I would have laughed outloud, if it hadn't been so moronic. That and Emmett's cursing vocabulary that had all the articulance of a three year old. Well they do say some women like men who can make them laugh, even though I'd yet to see even an upturned side of a lip crack the porcelain mask that Rosalie calls a face.

Finally deciding to take pity upon their situation, I continued pretending that nothing unusual had happened. "It's one of the most popular nightclubs in Tokyo, as well as the biggest and most upscale." I explained, casually making a show of checking my unsmudged eyeliner.

"It's got a pretty exclusive guest list unless you're with a regular or an A-list yourself, you've got as much chance as a snowball in it's namesake of getting in. Which is what makes it so much fun." I grinned happily at the thought.

"Then enlighten us pray tell, why are we even going there if it's so picky about people?" Edward piped up, rather rudely.

I felt myself bristle at the comment, but was surprised when Gackt (who hadn't strung two words together throughout the whole trip) leapt into battle verbal guns ablaze ahead of me.

"If you'd bothered to even think about it, you'd have realized by now you're not only going with Bella and I. But Ami and Yumi are going to meet us there too." He spat bitterly in English, gripping the steering wheel not only making his pale skin even whiter.

"Together we're more than enough to get you in without question. If you cared about Bella in the slightest, it'd become apparent that she's really sticking her neck out for you all. This place is her favorite hangout, the place she and her friends go to have fun. She wants to share it with you, but you gaijincan't even be slightest bit grateful. No wonder she leapt at the chance to leave America, if this is the way she was treated."

Thanks to all the extensive martial arts training that his father had made him go through throughout his childhood. It was amazing the self-restraint he showed by not bending the metal of the frame, nor it being warped by the sheer heat of his anger. We all watched on in amazement as Gackt and Edward both caught each other's bleeding eyes rather than watching the crowded highway. I don't know what worried me more that, or the unspoken threat of malice hanging in the air.

When Gackt is in his right mind he's really an excellent driver, obeying posted speed limits in populated areas, going slow when the light turns yellow....Although for a vampire, our senses are so hyperactive, it'd have to be nothing short of a miracle if we did hit something or someone beside the occasional windshield bug.

However, I was still as jittery as a plate of jello in an earthquake.

"Bella's told me about you, and your little idiot-synchronies." He retorted. I think all of us; even normally stoic Jasper shared a collective wince at the loaded barb. "Tell me Edward-san, would you have even come, if she had told you from the start?"

Up to that point, I'd had enough. I came to enjoy my evening, not play referee in a potentionally hazardous-to-my-immortal health confrontation in an even more enclosed space. Between of all people my fiancée and ex-boyfriend.

"That's enough, you two." I snapped, breaking the tension like a cheap, taut elastic band. "I got my fill of this back at home."

I rounded around pointing at the first offender. "Edward, you didn't have to come. If you've changed your mind, I have no problem with that. I'll even get a taxi, rickshaw, boat or any paying mode of transportation you prefer to ferry you to wherever your heart desires, even to the dark side of Pluto if it'll get you out of my hair that much quicker. But for the meantime, shut your pie-hole before my foot goes so far up your backside, I do it for you. And mind you, it'd not only be one pair of shoes I wouldn't mind losing. But I wear mostly heels, so you decide."

I was half-way into the backseat and over Rosalie and Emmett's laps. Even Rose was inching discreetly away from the power that I'm sure was coming off me like little lightening bolts. Everyone, (except Gackt being he was used to it by now) looked on in horrified fascination. Like you know when you see a car wreck, you know you shouldn't look but you can't help but be morbidly fascinated by it. They knew me back when I was still in my 'timid' stage and wouldn't have raised my voice even to repeat myself.

"And you," I rounded on Gackt, my voice still had an edge, but it was considerably lighter tones than I had used with Edward. "Thank you for the thought. But this isn't the Feudal Era, I can defend my own honor, oh Mighty Kenshin-dono. Now let's just try to get through this little disaster masquerading as a road-trip, and get to our destination in one piece. Agreed? Any objections?"

The weight of the unspoken power I put behind those words. I felt rather than heard the nods and accessions of agreement, when I finally plopped back down in my seat. Gackt focused on the road opting for his customary silence instead. Along with the million questions that lay unanswered on other still tongues, ah well, there would be more than enough time for all that and more.

Honestly, Gackt had had a point. If I had still been following Edward's leash, the name itself would have caused me to think twice about it and miss out entirely. But being in show business long enough, I had realized you can't sell anything without an appealing gimmick.

I mean think about it, in this day and age, people were always saying the world is going to hell in a hand basket. It just confirmed, someone somewhere, was either really business savvy or just more in touch with a sicker sense of cosmic humor than the rest of the general population. I'd go with the latter. However, I had to respect Ami and Yumi's choice; it was familiar territory/neutral ground after all for us at least. Sometimes it's better just to humor the two. My life had already become hell and then some in the past two days. What was one more visit between old friends?


"There you are! What took you guys so long?" Ami's impatient voice fumed, as soon as we got to the meeting point at the back of the building. It was one of her rare moods, but I swear I could almost see thin wisps of smoke coming out her ears. As I watched in fascination her nostrils seemed to flare as she made a little noise like a frustrated horse.

"Sorry, ran into some minor delays. How did you get here so quickly?" I asked, honestly curious. Tokyo driving wasn't for the road-rage prone, faint of heart and low in patience, even at the best of times.

Yumi crossed her arms and rolled her eyes sarcastically. "That's why you leave early, Bell-Bell-chan."

I smiled back just as sarcastically, showing a full view of pointed teeth. "Depends on your definitionof early." After the day I'd had, I was enjoying this unexpected opportunity to tease Yumi.

If she caught any hint of the wide field I'd left open for interpretation, she didn't show it. Only quirked a brow and continued as if I'd said nothing. "But anyway, now that everybody's here." I saw her do a quick head count just to double check, then pumping her fist in the air enthuastically. "Its time to party!"

We all said nothing more after that, to tell the truth. I was happy just to let Ami and Yumi take the lead for once, they were having a field day with this whole thing. What more can I say, like kids in a candy store at Christmas?! I think everybody else was just half-and-half, half scared of me and half interested at what they might see. Interesting turn of events, ne? Their world had been pretty much limited to the Western part of North America, if they wanted mental stimulation. Easy as shooting fish in a barrel with an Uzi, and was more than happy to tip it to share some of the wealth. I might not have gotten that High School reunion, but this was the next best thing.

Alice's jaw dropped to the ground as the awe-inspiring sight finally came into focus (and the line that came with it).

"Oh my God Bells, this place is going to be packed! I don't want to wait in line all night!" She whined dramatically.

I bit the inside of my cheek fighting back a harsh sigh, again reminding myself that I had to be patient with Alice. When you don't physically age as others do, the emotional is as about as aged as you get and even that's usually debatable depending upon the circumstances. It was just hard to get used to the fact that after being around so many people for so long who were actually on or around about the same maturity level as I was. That again having to digress with the Alice's emotional immaturity which had equaled that of a petulant preschooler for almost a century, was my own bitter coated pill to swallow. Not to mention it was the size of a beach ball to boot.

Still, I did. The actress in me even mustered enough will-power to smile indulgently at her and exclaimed. "Beautiful people don't wait in line, silly girl. Come on!"

With one hand on Alice and Rosalie surprisingly unresisting (maybe from surprise at my at least in her p.o.v. forwardness) caught in the grasp of the other we scooted along ahead of the others. Yumi and Ami's inner radar sniffed that something dramatic was coming up followed in hot pursuit not to far away. Unashamedly leaving the guys to take up the rear.

Up in this part of the crowd, things had calmed down a bit and one could actually hear themselves think again. Which I guess would be a good thing if you were the kind of person who was enamored with the sound of your own voice. Anyway, up closer to the VIP door are stricter rules and more restrictions (at least if you're behind the rope), like no cameras or cell phones. A rule I personally like its dang near impossible trying to blink flash-bulb spots out of your pupils if they're all meshed into your line of sight like a conveyer belt.

Why do you think Yumi has the issues with people, I mentioned earlier? And I'll let you in on a little secret, it's usually the reason people in my position wear sunglasses most of the time too.

Plus for some reason, it's quieter up here, nobody really like to draw attention to themselves, placement at this door is a coveted thing like a food-chain. One toe out of line, and security will throw you out on your ass quicker than you can pull a brass band out of your butt playing Dixieland all the way.

That's another thing up here, if you're not prestigiously named or rich, you have to be freakishly good-looking. Speaking of, many variations of the male gender some pleasing to the eye, others not so much on the other side of the velvet rope stared, whooped and catcalled at us in passing. I reveled in the attention because most of directed at me. I don't know that Rosalie was thinking about all this, or if she even realized what was going on. Until this one guy suddenly leaned out in front of us and let out a shrill whistle, a bold move that caught even my normally passive interest. I stopped out little group and eyed him openly, giving him the once over slowly, up and down.

He wasn't really bad looking, a short haired blonde with big green eyes, and a rather nice smile if you could get past the obvious veneers. He was hardly dressed for clubbing, though the clothes were nice. Also brand-name. Still, he couldn't have stuck out more like a bandaged sore thumb. In his salmon colored Le Tigre button down shirt, khaki chinos and new tan loafers. Well in his defense, he wasn't completely hopeless. Because he had a somewhat decent brown leather jacket thrown over the whole fashion disaster-in-the-making, even if it was a couple sizes too big.

I suspect he had a more coordinated older brother who would be realizing that he was missing a vital piece of his dating wardrobe in the near future. And wouldn't be too happy that the sleeves of the dry clean only garment were rolled-up either. A fact this butt-head was trying to hide in his pockets as much as possible. Probably some lame attempt to look hip, in his own warped little world at least.

Even if his style was one of cultivated downtown sophistication that was more at home on Fifth Avenue than downtown Tokyo, Japan. Honestly, he looked like he had crawled fresh out of a Bel-Air Country Club.

And it just screamed one word...Virgin!

"Why don't you come home with me tonight baby, I'll give you the ride of your life." He asked me point-blank in the eye, accompanied by what I'm sure he thought was a suggestive eyebrow wiggle. He probably thought himself a worldly connesouir; I thought he was a complete idiot.

Somewhere in the great divine, I don't know whose idea it was. But either way, I was silently giving a big tip-off of my hat in way of thanks. For this was just the pick-me-up I needed. I just love it when these little wanna-be prettyboys worm their way out of the woodwork, it makes it all the more fun to mess with their heads.

Where once, such a blatant comment would have had me inventing an entirely new shade of red. Now I laughed, genuinely and honestly bemused by the guy's forwardness. Judging by the vacant look on his face, he obviously didn't know just who I was, or he would have probably been the one who was blushing among other things. Or pissing his Old Navy pants the most likely bet.

Though again, I have to give the little crap-head credit where it's due. Not many people have the backbone to hit on a celebrity so openly not unless they were trying to impress friends, settle a Double-Dog-Dare, or were just plain drunk. Especially if the person's significant other was just as famous, notoriously overprotective. And also just happened to be a stone's throw behind them at the time with an equally protective ex-boyfriend of the party-of-the-first-part.

I couldn't help myself; well...actually it really just came to life and ran out all on its own. Because I let out such a derisive bark of laughter there. I still don't know if it was from how ridiculous the statement was or what I thought up to knock the little crap-for-brains down a peg or two off his pedestal.

"Little boy, you couldn't handle this," I purred silkily in unaccented English. Quickly pulling my companions to myself until I was self-sandwiched inbetween both a wide-eyed Alice at the front and a gaping Rose at the back. "Besides, you're not our type."

If I wasn't before I was totally going to be on Rosalie's "To Maim" list now.

But the stunned looks on both his and the little peons with him lurking on the fringes of the still noisy part of the crowd. Once ready to jump in with lame pick-up lines of their own to cover the slack (aka: Rosalie and Alice), now looking away pretending that they weren't with him at the unexpected turn of events.

Then it was my turn to be surprised, because there was a bunch of high-pitched shrieks at the down further at the edge of the line, both female and male. Right where we'd left the guys, more and more people began to turn their heads in that direction, a few heads were even showing in interest in following two smaller mobile figures in the middle. My ever-present human partners-in-crime who were hovering just behind us, also having seen and enjoyed pretty much the whole thing.


Rose was angry. No, she passed angry a while ago. And she was more than her normally merely bitchy; she scowled far too much to be classified as merely irritable. No, there was but one word to accurately describe how she was probably feeling at the moment.

Pissed.

Her now dark, liquid gold gaze rolling toward me, with all the intensity of a heat-seeking missile.

No, scratch that from the record. Rose was absolutely livid.

Forget what I said about Rose never cracking, because she was so red I was positive it had to be extremely painful. So much so, that the vast airspace around us seemed several degrees cooler by comparison. She shot me with a look that could have easily blown a sizable hole in Kevlar.

And like one of her precious cars on a drag strip, I got a front row seat to her going from zero to raging, hormonal bitch in two seconds flat.

"I can't believe you just told that guy we were lesbians!" She roared childishly, looking like she could have ripped me a new one as bloodily as possible if not in the presence of so many potentional human witnesses.

Not hardly in the mood to go kowtowing down to her now punctured/deflated ego. "Relax. He's a tourist. It'll give Mr. Mama's Boy something to fantasize about when he goes back to his shared over-priced hotel room that completely reeks of B.O., littered with dirty clothes and take-out cartons."

I shrugged offhandedly at an afterthought. "Where he'll wake up in an awkward yoga-like position tomorrow hungover, cranky and ultimately alone as he started. Plus, that's only if one of his so-called friends decide not to sleep where they literally crash from exhaustion after a failed desperate attempt to look cool, anyway."

She seethed like boiling tea kettle, hissing like a snake, though in a surprisingly ladylike way. "Allow me to borrow an earlier response from Edward; Go. To. Hell."

I unabashedly smirked at that, she was losing her touch. "You are definitely in need of a night out if you're sinking that low. While we're on the subject anyway, you're coming with me." I exclaimed cheerfully.

That apparently tore it, or rather me into itty-bitty unidentifiable pieces if Rose had any say about it. And she sure thought so, the almost lunged at me or my jugular if you wanna get technical. Despite the witnesses, as fun as baiting Rose was. I had no desire for a riot-in-the-making, or to be hauled off to either jail or a government 'establishment' to be chopped liver under the glass of a microscope at the end of it all.

I coolly held a hand out like a traffic cop, she halted in mid-pounce her hostile gaze was so hot it almost burned me. It traveled upward with sudden interest in the direction my other hand's pointer finger indicated, towards the large marquee boldly flashing above our heads with both Japanese characters and italic letters for emphasis.

Portal To Hell

I was instantly forgiven.

Maybe because as prissy as Rosalie ultimately was, even she could appreciate a good subtlety. Even if it was directed at her. Plus, I just think she really wanted to get in, it was an exotic free-date card with her hubby, all expenses paid. Hint, hint...and killing me would have been counterproductive so I apparently qualified to be officially forgiven, momentarily at any rate.

I could hear Ami and Yumi come up trying to stiffile their snickers, lest they tempt anew the mountain which houses Rosalie's volcano temper. Apparently, their opinion of her was about as high on the bar as mine was. In a change of pace, I ended up dragging Alice by a limp hand, who up to that point had been so stunned at what happened earlier, had literally been shocked speechless. The shrill screams and fangirl squees and such got closer, as we were joined by the guys. It all seemed to happen in slow motion, as I turned just in time to see Gackt and Edward, talking and giving the little 'prettyboy' their version of the evil eye on both sides for daring to breathe wrong in my direction.

Apparently that tag-team was all the sensory overload his limited brain capacity could stand, I saw the guy whip around give me a look so astonished. I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if his eyes popped right out of his skull and rolled around like marbles on the pavement. All right before he keeled over backward into a dead faint amid the high-pitched feminine shrieks of the outraged Ko-gals he landed on. Probably for distracting them from their futile fantasy-isque attempts at trying to seduce my fiancée on the red carpet.

I hate to say it, but I told ya so.

The guys finally caught up to us, as amusing as that 'united-front' was it was a temporary truce for a common worthy cause, at least in Man-Land. Anyway, I finally (and happily) relinquished Alice to Jasper and Gackt put his arm protectively about me once more, much to the annoyance of Edward. We all went through a covered VIP entrance and delivered past the sights of that long line of wanna-be's, nightly hopefuls and paparazzi laughingly masquerading as "subtle observers"- as if the word even existed in their vocabulary- that stretched around the block.

Portal to Hell was located back toward the main entrance of the Entertainment District. It was easily one of the largest establishments in the small slice of real estate known as Electric City in Tokyo. It consisted of one entire building which was rare, because usually it would have taken up one floor with business' in the floors above. Everyone else's eyes were collectively the size of fine china plates as they followed me through the door. Thankfully Jasper was keeping one hand on his wife though so as not to lose the dazed woman though the packed crowd. Which having him preoccupied was very good indeed, the last thing I needed was to let Jasper loose in this chaos.

Before we went in fully, I stole a glance at the bronze statue that stood on the top of the becolomned and arched doorway. It was a woman with her eyes blindfolded as she balanced a set of scales in her hands, one on each side. Blind Justice. That was the message it conveyed, one that never ceased to amuse me. It made me want to laugh outloud. Why on earth would blind justice be needed upon entering hell? If a person was sent there in the first place, wasn't it already clear what sort of person he or she had been when they were alive?

Money was actually collected on the inside, but we were just waved along by the bouncers without even bothering to check anybody's I.D.'s. They knew us from past times, and had been instructed long ago to let us and our parties come and go as we pleased. We were allowed access to more exclusive parts of the club. What we didn't pay in a cover charge would make up for in drinks and word-of-mouth publicity among our celebrity friends. Single individuals could lay down thousands of dollars in one night that could easily pay the rent on the building for months afterward.

Is it any wonder why rich people are welcomed wherever they freaking feel like?

A narrow waterfall fountain gushed gently out of the wall before becoming a stream of water encased in Plexiglas under the floor where you'd then walk on it blocked the way to the inner hall, where the supposed 'real' fun was. The Styx River. It hadn't really been hard to figure out the contended meaning the first time we'd come here. There was no need to ask for the name of the LARGE stuffed, three-headed dog that stood beside it. 'Cerberus,' the relentless guard dog of the Gates of the Underworld in Greek legend. I'd never met the designer, but it seemed that whosoever he or she was, the inspiration consisted of nothing more than stringing a few random myths and ideas together.

We deviated off the normal 'beaten' path and up the familiar shadowy staircase nearby. It was roped off by purple velvet and flanked by courteous white-gloved security guards. As we made our way there I looked over my shoulder to check how everyone was doing. I wasn't disappointed, Emmett had found the

Quotes that were inscribed upon the stones layering the path under our feet. And while trying to discern them, he had managed to pique everyone else's interest in them (except Edward, but then again what else was new).

"I never ment for things to be like this..."

"I thought it'd be good for him, I didn't think...."

"I wanted what's best for him, honest!"

The good intentions that paved the road to Hell. I had to admit it was a rather creative thought. And kinda appropriate given the current situation, don't ya think? Considering life in general the past few days.

They were pointing and whispering to both themselves and each other, and while I snuggled closer to Gackt's side. I lazily caught Edward's eye again just before I moved forward, and he was giving the both of us the (mostly Gackt) such a look of venom and disgust. I said nothing, only proceeded to look ahead once again. Listening to Ami and Yumi join the Cullens and Hales conversation chattering animatedly like jackdaws back and forth over the decor.

As we emerged from the dimly lit darkness, I raised my head to get a better look at the other decorations. My interest had always been piqued, the murals on the walls told stories gathered from various sources from Chinese and Greek Mythology, well-known common History and even Dante's Inferno featured prominently in a few places. One panel showed a baby Achilles held by his mother at the heel while she dipped him into the Styx River. Another revealed Aristotle reigning over other virtuous pagans in Limbo, the first level of hell. Those there included famed philosophers and heroes like Socrates, Plato and Julius Caesar.

Coincidently, the first floor downstairs was pretty much the generic 'public' area. It has a bar of its own, a dance floor with a DJ box as well as a stage for booking local bands and such. Of course you have to understand; it's usually so packed with noisy, drunken people that I'm sure that at least four or five different safety and fire codes are being broken at any one given time.

The last time I'd been down there was after this incredible Battle of the Bands rave one night. However a guy (who I think was stoned) was being hauled between two of his buddies out of the club. He somehow got close enough to me, and kept asking me if I was his "Mommy?!" I wasn't amused, and I haven't been down there sense. Can you blame me?

At the top of the second flight of stairs is a large opulent western style room devoid of all the cheesy downstairs gimmicks and lit entirely by warm, dim lights. A second more extravagant bar area was off to the right with a few people sitting at it completely wrapped up in their own quiet conversations. Ones that included a daytime soap opera starlet, two balding salary men and a senior geisha with her little sister in casual dress flicking a special seasonal themed business card at the former. (Who I also noticed were sporting a matching pair of underage stamps.) Like that seemed to matter to the sophisticated lady delicately sipping at a high-ball.

The noise downstairs was reduced to a dull rumble that faded into background noise, one that was easily broken by the sharp staccato clatter of pool balls hitting each other and darts thunking on cork boards. I counted the familiar eight familiar tables in the vast space, separated by a partition to offer the illusion of privacy. Each alcove had a low table and a comfortable booth with it to provide breaks from the nearby games. Only three of the tables were currently in use, though one group looked more inclined to talk than shoot.

All in all, a comfortable place to rest and relax. Such well-rounded facilities, was it any wonder that this was one of my favorite places to be? They've thought of everything even that name had it right.

The Elysian Fields.

We all claimed a booth closest to the pool tables, Jasper and Emmett's natural competiveness devoid of their natural video games honed in on the next best thing. And sort of discreetly swayed our decision, I must have let my mask of passivity slip a bit from the amusement. Because Ami, who hates quiet in any way shape or form with a passion jumped right in trying to drum up some noise of any kind.

"I'm surprised that you managed to find the place," Ami asked Jasper innocently at her elbow. "Did Bella give you directions?"

"Nope, we carpooled." I broke in, seeing as how Jasper didn't have a clue how to answer. "What with gas at over five dollars a gallon, even for rockstars that's steep. Even with rentals, the majority of us aren't driving anymore than we have too." I shrugged airily, several heads nodded in complete agreement.

"Speaking of gas...do you all want to get a pizza? I mean Bella-chan does, and Gackt-teme too, sometimes. But do youall even eathuman food? It'd be a shame for you to miss out either way. Because the pepperoni here is the best this side of Harijuku." Ami broke in, grinning way-too-innocently for her own good.

"Funny." Gackt replied sarcastically, placing a newly lit cigarette inbetween his pale, perfect lips.

I narrowed my eyes with a warning glint at the poorly thought out ice-braker. "Nothing like a little fart humor to make the night a resounding success. Classy Ami," I joked sourly, I definitely wasn't in the mood for her trademark crudeness right then.

Yumi elbowed her tactless and maybe soon-to-be ex-best-friend in the gut. "I'm going to the bar, my treat. Any takers?"

I swear her teeth almost 'pinged' the smile she gave was so radiant, she reminded me of a cheesy toothpaste commercial. Where the actors look like they have their smiles screwed on with a hydraulic wrench. A round of orders popped forth almost immediately, from rum and cokes to wine coolers. Personally, I agreed. Especially if I was going have to deal with Ami's lame ass attempts at what she called humor, and Edward trying to bore pinholes in Gackt's skull all night. The times honored liquid courage, alcohol sounded like a fantastic idea. And free booze, even better. I didn't want to get hammered too early in the evening, so I rattled off with a less dangerous Amaretto Sour (to start).

And speaking of smart asses, my eyes snapped over and were on Edward, taking in that dark look. He had changed since the last time I had seen him. He seemed quieter, and more toned down, if that was possible. However after meeting Gackt he was completely dark and reserved. I held back an involuntary shudder; the sooner we got that cement mixer off his shoulder the better.


"And then I was like, what the hell?" Emmett and Yumi let out another bark of laughter at the animated story Ami was telling. They were at complete ease with both him and Jasper, who would also talk occasionally, but it was her who was mainly left with the job of making any kind of conversation whatsoever.

Not that she was having any kind of trouble, mind you. It's a pleasant surprise to know when the pair are pried away from their spouses how well they actually behave. Nobody was flirting in any sense of the word; it was just really a bunch of new friends getting to know each other. To tell the truth, I was a little apprehensive about letting Jasper loose among the general populace. But for once I was happy to have my fears be completely unfounded.

The significant others in question however, didn't even notice. In fact, they weren't even paying any sort of viable attention to their husband's new playmates (forgive me, for how weird that sounds).

"Aaaannd...Hell yeah! She sinks it!" Shrieked Alice joyfully, on the other side of me.

Much to the dismay of the other customers in the room, judging by how many irritated looks were shot our way.

I saw Rosalie and Gackt give almost twin irritated sigh as Alice continued to celebrate what was shaping up to be Team Cullen's third straight pool win in a row. I knew they knew it was only a game...but if there was one trait the pair shared, it was an extremedislike for losing. Though considering Gackt's dislike rivaled the size of Jupiter, I was actually surprised at how well he was taking it. He could be cursing up a bloody blue streak at the moment. Especially because Edward was eating this up feeling the need to celebrate each and every shot he and Alice got in. In a parallel universe this whole thing could have ended up a guys vs. gals, because I didn't want to play. So now I was keeping score instead.

Besides who knew somebody so flaky, had a hidden talent or insane luck for putting little numbered balls in holes.

In short, they would have rather dropped dead a thousand-times over, than be on the same team. And instead I got to keep score and watch my ex make a fool of my current. Normally, if he'd been a good sport about it and not made a big deal of it. I wouldn't have done what I did next, and actually felt guilty for thinking it, maybe. But two more Sours, a couple of Fruit Punch wine coolers and nursing a Vodka Chaser will maroon and drown out anybody's moral fiber. I contemplated the dark, amber liquid before deciding with myself.

On the pretense of going over to the bar to get a refill, I motioned to catch Yumi's attention. As she was the only one equipped for what I had in mind, I remember thinking it was stupid for such cool weather. But was rethinking it perfect for what I had in mind. Not to mention had expressed somewhat a passing compliment for Edward. Watching everyone carefully, I conversed my idea with her in quiet, hushed Japanese.

"You owe me SO HUGE for this, Bell-Bell." She hissed grumpily, in an equally quiet tone.

I smiled impishly, handing her another Kiwi-Lime daiquiri (that I had bought for her). "I know."

I arched a brow and surveyed the pool table just as Edward sent another ball into one of the side pockets. "I hate to tell you this, honey, but the count is two solids to four stripes, excluding the eight ball for both sides. And Edward has got the last few shots lined up perfectly. Nothing short of a tsunami is going to make him miss. So...rather than let "Team Awesome" (as Alice had unceremoniously dubbed she and Edward's team to the happiness of his bemused ego) continue this and have to hear about it for the rest of my eternal life. Besides it's just one little favor, which unlike Ami, you know I'm good for it. And you get full bragging rights for cleverness and originally, and your Gackt-teme will be more than happy."

That seemed to sway her a little, more than a little. She rolled her eyes, but saw my point unconsciously straightening her sweater and hair. She spared the unsuspecting sucker a glance. "So true. Well, better get this over with before somebody sees me."

Nodding once, then with a more believable smile plastered on her face went back over to join our group. Ami, Jasper and Emmett had joined the others and were watching that game with more than a passing interest. Emmett even winced in sympathy a couple of times on his wife's and my fiancée's behalf, such a sweetie.

When I heard Yumi say with a mocking innocence that could have rivaled Ami theatricality on her best day.

"Oops, our table is a mess! It looks like somebody sloshed booze all over it. Better clean that up before it ruins the finish."

Rosalie and Gackt watched her stroll casually over to the table, not that I could blame them. I'd want to look anywhere but in front of them too. I joined her off to the side with a helpful towel, both of them were really curious as to what we were up to now. Keeping her back to the pool table, Yumi bent over and began cleaning up the mess she's had the spontaneous urge to suddenly take care of.

Not even ten seconds later, a solid white ball went flying over the edge of the table and rolling under the edge of the cushioned bench against the wall.


"You have got to be kidding me! You freaking scratched?!" Alice shouted enraged, as Edward pulled his face off the pool table from where it had taken a nose dive. He was probably still seeing stars, and I'm not talking about the ones on Yumi's underwear.

Operation: Panty Flash.

Status: Opposing side winning streak terminated! Mission complete success!

Yeah, I know it's bordering on the level of an April Fool's prank, and I owed Yumi HUGE for this, but as I've said before some things in life are worth what you sow and reap. That and Thank Heaven Yumi is such a glutton-for-punishment trooper at clubbing in mini-skirts despite the zero degree weather.

I happily got on all fours and proceeded to dig the ball out from under the table. Before promptly and smugly smiling, I handed it to an astonished Edward. "Something wrong?" I purred silkily, I'm sure my eyes were glittering wickedly in the dim light.

It was then he seemed to come the stunning realization that I, Isabella Swan and Yumi Yoshimura, had purposely flashed him in order to make him miss the shot.

All he could do is gape at me and Yumi while we silently laughed at him, giving each other a small underhanded high-five. Man, I was so glad Esme and Carlise opted out for so many reason, too many to name. And everyone else except Gackt and Rose remained oblivious as to why he dropped the ball like it was a live hot coal. Edward dug the heels of his hands fiercely into his eyes, like he was trying to gouge out all the really wrong images that I'm certain were trying to engrave themselves onto his brain.

Rose flashed me a small, somewhat surprised smile gratitude, while Gackt planted a sweet kiss on my cheek. I was on such a high, I took his pool cue from him

"Break out the rack, I feel up for another game, how about guys vs. gals this time?" I chirped happily and unrepentant.


This time around everything went better and I was actually beginning to loosen up and enjoy myself. We'd decided upon doubles and Rosalie and I were paired up against Jasper and Emmett. Everyone else had decided to take a breather and were watching in a companionable silence, making 'oohs' and 'aahs' upon an appropriate hit or miss.

Even Gackt and Edward seemed to be mellowing out because they weren't at each other's throats. And it wasn't from the free-flowing booze from the open bar either.

Now it wasn't really about winning as it was so much as having fun with friends, and in the lightened up atmosphere. I found myself once again backed into a corner with Alice, metaphorically speaking of course. I'll give the girl credit though she has this superb inner radar not only to find the perfect pair of shoes in a packed after Christmas sale. But also the perfect time to lay an ambush when someone's verbal guns are down.

Unfortunately playing nice and letting somebody else have a turn meant that she had time to resurrect one of her stupid games, this time it was Twenty Questions. Oh joy!

"Man Bells, all the things you've done, seen the people you've known and met." Alice lamented, clutching her stick in mock angish. She chewed on her lip in that way of hers I'd long ago come to know as her way of silently voicing frustration. Probably thinking of all the stuff she'd missed over the years. "I wish you'd called, why didn't you?"

I almost let out an unladylike snort at that, raising my eyebrow under the pretense of thinking. What made Alice think that just because she knew me it entitled her to tag along and share my life? Suddenly I was really glad I hadn't let her know about the Geisha and Maiko at the bar. I was positive that stupid camera phone that I despised was hiding somewhere on her person tonight.

I shrugged, quickly thinking up a believable answer she'd buy. "I wasn't trying to leave anybody out of the loop. But things just kept happening, months turned into years and you tend to lose track of time easily when you have so much of it."

A couple of heads nodded in silent agreement, then surprisingly Edward, who up until then hadn't said a word. Obviously still smarting from the clever defeat at Yumi and I's sneaky hands. He hadn't been playing at the time and seemed content to watch the game (or me depending on where you were angled). Off subject I will say this, my team was doing much better than the previous one and leave it at that.

"I agree with Alice, you've come a long way Bella." He said in that gentle, deceptive voice of his.

The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood at complete attention, I don't know what he was playing at. But I had an image like a siren on the sea, he was just waiting to lure me to my doom.

"Do you remember when you couldn't carry a tune in high school? You would go out of your way just hide in the back during choir practice and then you'd bury your face so far in the music book nobody would know you were there. It was like everybody else was singing to you instead…'and do you remember that night I sang you to sleep?'"

I merely nodded and politely chuckled with fondness at the school memory but that's where the line was drawn. He didn't say the last part but it, but the look he gave me somehow made me remember. It was a little embarrassing. I could tell a part of him was trying to make me remember things I hadn't thought about in years trying to make me feel in the same emotional context that I no longer thought of it in.

I wisely didn't comment on it, in fact I decided to pay it about as much mind as one would to swatting a particularly annoying buzzing insect. Instead channeling all my energy into making a neat and classic eight ball in the side pocket with a satisfying flourish.

"You were so afraid of your own shadow, we had to keep you from stumbling all the time." He insisted with a smile.

"But that's sure not the case now." Rose broke in casually, leaning over the table, calculating up her next move. "That 'video' offer of yours stuck in my head and since our hotel has some kick ass internet hook-up and I went poking around on YouTube last night after everything was…uh, 'cleaned up'."

I noticed a light blush fine as a miniature rose petal, dusting Alice's cheeks and Jasper give an almost imperceptible shudder behind his pool cue. I almost chuckled at that slip-up, I could only imagine the horror. I was gone long before that, only staying long enough to watch get Alice chewed out was enough fun for me.

"Not just the music, the choreography, the costumes and even the sets. Some of that stuff was nothing short of spectacular!" Rose added breathlessly, effortlessly sinking her next shot.

Edward who had instead had opted to staring at me again, and had only heard half the conversation. The latter part to be more precise, when he suddenly commented rather untactfully.

"That stuff you were watching last night? Sure, those 'tinkly little melodies' were somewhat cute. Honestly, I thought it was Britney Spears trying to pull off another lame hair stunt, only this time it was ripping off Christina Aguilera's brunette look."

Ami and Yumi who were standing next to me both whipped around with wide, surprised eyes at the sound of wood snapping to find me casually leaning the pieces of my broken cue stick against the wall. I heard Emmett swallow and mutter a shocked expletive under his breath at my unexpected feat of strength. Something along the lines of, 'Little sis got very, very strong.' Ami patted his shoulder reassuringly. In normal circumstances it was humorous to see the looks on people's faces when I demonstrated an amount of physical prowess that would normally be beyond someone as slender as I was.

An awkward silence descended inbetween all of us, complete with the dramatic insertion of chirping crickets. (Well, it was actually the squeaking of the nearby cappuccino maker behind the bar. But let's not get literal in a technical sense.) It would have been just the kind of unexpected comical interlude that Ami and Yumi would have usually have made some kind of crack at. But I was far too livid myself, and they were certainally respectful of my moods.

"So that's what you think of me and my music?" I ground out between clenched, pointed teeth. That you could have probably heard grinding in Hokaiddo. "We'll see about that."

As I quickly exited the room, I heard Gackt growl fiercely in passing. "Why the hell did you have to piss her off?"


I ran down those staircases like the very Devil himself was in residence and chasing at my Ralph Laurien heels all the way. All the while, I was more than mad, more than truly angry even. It was one thing to answer Alice's assine questions. But this, this was so beyond anything I had ever thought that Edward was capable of. And it was another thing to question my talent, I didn't really care about that. You usually have people testing your worth from day one in the entertainment industry. It's one of the many prices you pay for success.

However to blatantly say, that I couldn't survive on my own. But that I couldn't think for myself, that I had to be coddled like a newborn. After all I'd done, all I'd worked and strived for. For me, that was the greatest insult somebody in my position could receive. Honestly, when I'd first started out. Yes, I won't lie in my early days there were people who wanted to shamelessly advertise the fact that I, a nobody gaijin, knew some of the hottest stars in Aisa. They wanted to do the name dropping thing and have me ride somebody else's coattails to success.

But that was one thing I'd drawn the line at, in bold, red paint. Hell, I would have climbed up on the Tokyo Tower and hung it up in bold neon if I'd had too. After living the life I had in Forks, I didn't want to be handed anything, by anybody! And you can quote me on that. No matter how big a name they were in the industry, I wanted to do it myself. I cried blood, sweat and tears, and then finally dust when I had no more moisture to shed. I worked, sacrificed and toiled long to make everything I ever had now meaningful. Not just for the fact, I wanted to earn it myself. But when I looked into the mirror, I wanted for the first time in my life to see somebody worthwhile.

I wanted people to see and be proud of me, not for somebody else wanted me to be.

Especially Gackt.

I'd come to find that his opinion ment more to me than anything else. Above all, I wanted him to be proud of me as I was of him. As he put me above himself time and again, I wanted to do the same for him.

And to have that asshole come and question my sanity, when his own life was a skewered as it was.

It was nothing short of another breach of the front lines in the declaration of all-out war he'd started!!! Only this time he was prancing around on my terf.

I squinted in the dim, smoky club as I thought I heard somebody I knew over the too-loud techno music and cacophony that came from fitting too many people in a small space. I had struggle not to use too much of my enraged strength, as I pushed and twisted at awkward angles in order to get through the masses. The only other time I could recall ever seeing this many people in place recently, was that blow-out sale Alice had dragged me to. Even that couldn't really compare to the tightly packed people jostling for better spots. Never in my life had I gotten or given so many elbows to the chest or had to literally push someone's back just to get through.

I finally broke free of the crowd, very nearly stumbling as I collided with the first step to the DJ station. I regained my bearings and climbed the narrow stairs quickly, eager to get out of the chaos below and to where I could get my plan into motion.

The look on the guy's place was priceless as I told him what I wanted, and slipped him several thousand yen for his trouble for my unusual request. I helped myself to a microphone from a box in the back of the booth, one with a long cord, but had a manual battery operated button in the hand piece.

I got down into the bar area again and climbed onto it, much to the astonishment of the bartenders, but I ignored them.

More and more people started to notice me, and more importantly knew who I was. And they began to almost overwhelm the place. Until the music came on, obviously the DJ had passed on a message to the tech crew. Because some multicolored spotlights whipped from the unoccupied stage to my general direction, shining off my already sparkly skin bathing me in an almost ethereal light

I noticed a guy off to my left wearing a hat that looked like a Phantom of the Opera fedora. I settled my feet in their high heels a moment, and then, like lighting, I made a tremendous high kick, higher than I'm sure I'd ever made before. The sole of my foot flashed within a hair of his nose, and hit the brim of the fedora, knocking it entirely and cleanly off his head. High up into the air it soared, until it came to rest in my grasp where I promptly placed it on my own head.

The crowd went berserk! I said, I'd gotten rowdy at the Moulin Rouge, and I'd come away with a few sharp little cabaret tricks to prove it.

So, Edward didn't think I could handle myself in the real world. Well actions spoke louder than words, and he was going to get proof, up close and personal!!!

--

There's only two types of people in the world,

The ones that entertain and those who observe.

Well baby, I'm a put on a show kind of girl.

Don't like the backseat, gotta be first.

--

I'm like a ringleader, I call shots

I'm like a fire cracker,

I make it hot when I put on a show.

--

I know I said that being in a club is a sensory overload to an untrained or fledging vampire. That's very true. But the right combination, in the right circumstances can produce an effect that even the most addictive drug can't hope to produce.

--

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer; the dance floor is my stage.

Better be ready, hope you feel the same.

--

And there under the hot lights, with the swell of the music and rhythm pulsing though my body, the truth of the words scorching themselves in my ears. Even the reek of human bodies, stale beer, runny perfume and cigarette smoke all added a unique combination that I could practically taste on my tongue. That only served to fuel my adrenaline rush higher as I sang.

--

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus.

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do.

--

I seemed to be outside my body observing myself enthrall the crowd, cracking the still attached though useless microphone cord like a whip over the crowd's heads every so often. Keeping it in sensuous motion, like the coils of a deadly serpent wound about my arm, poised to strike at any moment. Once it busted a large floresent light bulb raining a shower of sparks down like a starry rain, far from making anyone mad. They ate every bit of it up. As I shimmied and swayed, nimbly weaved in and out of grasping hands and grabby fingers with relative ease, making my way off the bar. Then across the dance floor, they followed heeding my Pied Piper song. Until finally, I made it to the stage, and a long stream of bouncers formed a living barrier between me and the flood that had followed.

--

There's only two types of guys out there

One's that can hang with me and ones that are scared.

So baby, you'd better come prepared

I run a tight ship, so beware!

--

That part was you can bet was about Edward and Gackt, and I'll bet you know in what context too.

But I must have looked like the cat who not only chugged a gallon of cream, but 'liberated' the canary too. As I held hands with crying Lolita's, rocked on with strong Ko-gals, openly flirted with beautiful men and so much more.

And as the song's last stanza faded I found the same (now elated) guy in the crowd once again at my feet, while giving him a peck on the cheek in thanks. I caught the approving eye of my fiancée, unnoticed at the end of the crowd from the staircase. I knew for at fact that the answer was, absolutely nothing.

I literally had people at my feet and the world at my fingertips, and I'd done it all on my own.

What paltry thing could Edward offer me that could possibly compare to this ecstasy?

The looks of my family told me all I needed to know as well. The last strained images of the old Bella died and were laid to rest in their eyes as surely as the last notes of my song upon the ears of the masses at my feet.

Only Edward hung back, though all I had done had been for his benefit. I could see that still rebellious spark of fire in his smoldering eyes. As I looked into the crystal gaze of my beloved next to him, turned ice blue by colored contacts. But no less lovely, I blew him a kiss, which he playfully pretended to catch and planted upon his soft lips. I exited the stage knowing some things were definitely worth fighting for, and I was prepared to do so with every fiber of my heart, soul and everything.


Notes:

Ok, Ko-Gal: Think Momo from 'Peach Girl'. They're girls who tan themselves to the point of being orange, bleach or dye their hair blonde and slather themselves with enough make-up that rivals laquered warpaint. It's a really popular fad in Japan in some areas, personally I don't understand it. But to each their own, and I'm not gonna judge.

Gaijin: It quite literally means outsider or foreigner. Its the usual name for Americans in Japan.

Tokyo Tower is a major radio tower and it looks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and just as much a tourist must see/landmark only its red and white and has a giant digital clock somewhere on it.

Electric City is real and I think its in Tokyo, anyway it's like the Japanese version of the Vegas Strip only its a little smaller and as far as I know, there's no casinos. It gets its name from all the electric signs and such that advertise in the area.

Now I know its not about Japan or even real for that matter, but I have to say it. "Portal to Hell". This is just a plot device that makes fun of Edward's insecurites about being a vampire and I'm sorry if it seems mean. But I can't resist poking fun at it sometimes.

Lolita: Comes in several different styles (Aristocrat, Sweet and Gothic, etc.) and many different brands it was said to have been invented by: Mana. I think it started while he was still in Malice Mizer.

Since 2007 Gackt has played the role of Kenshin Usaegi in a historical daytime drama, which I'm sorry I don't know the name for. But I can tell you the role was based on an actual leader of Japan who lived about 500 years ago. That's what Bella is making referance too.

The Elysian Fields: In Greek Myth that was the place where exclusively heroes went after they died, it was supposedly the most pleasant place in the underworld. Picture an endless meadow in summer, that is the best description I can give.

And lastly; I don't own it but I had to include it. The lyrics are Britney Spears new new song 'Circus' from the album of the same name. I couldn't help it, it was too perfect and had to include it.