Here we go!

I walked into the Throne Room and saw Aro, Marcus and Caius sitting regally in their respective places. Keeping my eyes forward, I stalked towards them at a moderate pace; quickly for a human, but slow for a vampire. As I neared my former Masters I slowed even more, eventually coming to a complete stop and bowing neatly. Aro stood when I straightened, Marcus and Caius remained seated. As usual, Marcus looked entirely bored, but Caius focused his gaze on me with an almost disturbing intensity.

"Bella," Aro came forward a few steps. "It is such a pleasure to see you. I hope you are enjoying your stay." His eyes betrayed the hope with which he spoke, and I could almost see his desire for my return to the Guard.

I kept my eyes blank as I smiled tightly at him, bowing my head slightly. "I always enjoy my stays, Master. I even miss my past here." I told him honestly, my voice and features emotionless. "Just a few days ago I assisted in training, do you remember?"

Aro laughed and came down the steps that lead to his and his brothers' thrones. "Of course I do, Bella. Poor Demitri was having trouble with his trainees." He took my arm and led me out of the room, sending a quick wave to Marcus and Caius to let them continue whatever conversation they were having. They did, using voices so quiet even I could not discern what they spoke of.

"So, Bella," Aro spoke to me again. I kept my eyes forward, listening to him but watching the castle move as we walked forward. "We seem to have a small problem in South Africa."

I raised my eyebrows, still inspecting our surroundings. I flicked my hair back and out of my eyes. I had used my shape shifting ability to change it back to the way it had been before I'd cut it and dyed it blue and black. It was now long and brown, curling naturally down my back. "I don't believe that's any of my business, Aro." I was, after all, no longer a part of the Guard and had no business dealing with their affairs.

Aro laughed politely. "I always miss your bluntness when you leave us, Bella dear. Not even Jane has ever been so forward with me." He told me. I felt cold at the thought of Jane, but I did not tell Aro. I waited patiently to finish what he'd wanted to say about South Africa. He did not disappoint. "Anyway, I'd hoped you'd consider going with the Guard, to survey Jane. It is, after all, her first outing as General and she might require assistance from someone who has gone on several…excursions."

I stopped walking. "Aro, Jane would be horribly insulted that you don't trust her in this kind of situation." I told his disdainfully. He almost looked remorseful, looking at me hopefully.

"Perhaps, if you chose to go, you could explain to Jane that I only want the best, and you have more experience than she does." He suggested. It didn't seem as though he would back out of this.

Suddenly, as though a light bulb had turned on in my head, I knew what to do. Jane clearly felt I was here to take my spot back as General of the Gifted. Perhaps I should put her paranoia to use and see if I truly wanted my spot back.


A PoV

I was going through my clothes when my vision went blank, and another picture crept in, like in old photographs, fading in through the black.

The first, unmistakable figure faded in, long hair flowing down her back as she walked beside a group of shadows. Her eyes were black as night and she stalked forward, her face set and determined.

That picture faded out again, making room for the new one that fought its way through the black. There was the same figure again. She faced the other way this time, standing face to face with a much shorter person. This person's eyes glowed red against the sepia-like background of the image. Her hair was tied tight to the back of her head.

They were clearly not in accord. The shorter of the two glared up at her long-haired opponent, while the other looked down her nose, distain on her face.

That faded away again, leaving me in the dark one last time before the final image flooded in. This time the first girl stood at the head of the large party of shadows, a dark robe flowing out behind her and her chin lifted arrogantly. She looked natural at the head of the powerful group.

The last picture left me, leaving me in the black before I recovered my vision. I was met with the faces of Jasper and Carlisle, and I could feel the presence of the rest of my family at my back. I stood, leaning into Jasper supportive arm, and turned to face my family.

Everyone looked worried, except for Edward. His face was a mask of horror, his eyes blank. His hands had run through his hair a few times, worsening its usual disarray.

"Well, Alice?" Carlisle asked nervously. I told them the three images, describing each little detail so that there could be no mistake.

"But we can change it," Esme said. "The future is never set in stone. If there's anything we've learned in the past, that's it." Her determination was comforting, but the solidity of the vision had been as close to absolute as it had ever been.

"I don't think we can avoid it," I said quietly. I disliked voicing uncertainty when I myself felt sure of the outcome, but I knew that Edward, and the rest of the family, needed as much comfort as possible. "Bella is going to become part of the Guard again."

Well? What did you think?

Please please please review!

Cheyenne and Kalina, (two of my reviewers 3), I will get you guys in the next chapter. I didn't need any of the Guard in this one.

If there's anyone else who'd like in the Guard, let me know! :)

~~Luvyas!