Note: You guys are in luck; my imagination has been in overdrive recently, so here I am again with another update. Some of you may be disappointed with this chapter, I hope not though, but don't worry, the plot kicks up a gear after this chapter, and I'm gonna' have to up the rating after this chapter, purely for any possible killing etc. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this story soon, say within the next five-ish chapters. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Bowing to the spectators as another roar erupted through the crowds, she left for the changing rooms. Walking past the stands, she was affronted with an angered Caius, who noticing her last minute, sneered with disgust.

"It seems that Aro is desperate to destroy the Volturi honour" he managed before turning away quickly, his cloak billowing behind him as he exited with haste.

Unable to hide her joy, a wide grin broke across her features as she stared after the retreating royal. A soft weight rested on her shoulder, glancing up she was greeted with a pleased and overly smug Demitri.

"You did well" her ex-teacher praised.

Assessing his words, she smiled in response still unsure about why he had let her win so easily.

"Demitri..." she started as she followed him to the changing rooms.

Halting, he spoke without facing her, "Aro wanted me to tell you that you are to report to Marcus straight after you change. There is to be a celebration party of a sort for your becoming a guard."

"Me?"

"We haven't had anyone join our ranks for quite some time and it is in Aro's nature to only want to celebrate such an occasion" he answered, looking back over his shoulder as he grinned at her confused expression.

"But.."

"Bella" he said moving towards her. "Don't worry, Aro has sent everything that you'll need to your room and from what I hear, you're most likely to be Marcus's guard."

Immediately her body relaxed somewhat at his reassuring words, noting this, another smile crept across the handsome face of the Volturi tracker. Moving away, he continued on towards the changing rooms, leaving a dazed Bella behind.

Unsure of what had happened, and uncertain if she even wanted to contemplate it, Bella chose to go to her room instead and collect her things later; the only thing in the changing room that she needed was her spare scabbard that she had left.

Clambering up the many stone steps, she finally reached her room. Sighing, she wished to spend the rest of her night alone in peace but knew that such thoughts were futile, she was a Volturi guard now, her time was now theirs.

Locking the door behind her, she wore a bemused expression. A black laced bodice with a velvet skirt lay on her bed. Moving towards it, she picked up the note that accompanied it, smirking slightly as she saw the matching shoes.

~#~#~#~

Firstly allow me to congratulate you on your stunning performance,

it makes me proud to know that you shall be serving

the Volturi.

And as such an occasion rarely occurs, I have decided to throw a party, a ball if you prefer in your honour.

Notice the dress and the accessories I had Jane leave for you.

Laughing at the thought of Jane even trying to tend to her, Bella continued reading, sure that if she had seen the Volturi's face she would be curled up on the face from sheer amusement.

It is to be a grand occasion and so I expect you to attend

looking presentable.

Although I believe that this shall be no hardship for you.

~ Aro.

~#~#~#~

Shrugging, she glanced at the beautiful fabric before gently running her fingers across the soft material. One dressed she set to work fixing her hair into an elegant design. Satisfied she tentatively risked the full length mirror. Not bad, she mused. The dress itself finished a few inches above her knees and had a corset like top. Trust Aro to have such eccentric taste, she thought. Contemplating make-up, she was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Door's open" she called as she slipped on her heels.

"Bella?"

"Demitri, hey" she greeted as she remained focused on her shoes.

"You look... beautiful."

Her eyes immediately shot up, as the compliment registered in her mind, she knew that if she could blush she would be a violent shade of beetroot by now.

"But I'm not wearing make-up" she finally responded, as her attention switched to gaining her balance on in her shoes. Aro sent me bloody stilts, not heels, she groaned silently.

"You don't need any" he answered softly. "Aro sent this for you as well; he said it's a welcoming gift."

Drawing out a dark blue box from his pocket, Demitri opened it revealing the contents to rather shocked Bella.

"It's amazing! But it looks so expensive."

"You're part of the volturi know, remember that" he rejoined in a pleased tone. "Here, turned around."

Facing the mirror, she watched as Demitri draped the elegant pearls around her neck, before closing the clasp. Reaching gently with the tips of her fingers she stroked the jewellery.

Stepping back Demitri continued to smile inwardly as he watched the scene.

"I'm here to take escort you my lady" he announced some time after, his voice filled with playful laughter as he bowed mockingly.

Hitting him on the arm, she joined in with his laughter as they left for the celebrations.

###

The night passed with ease for Bella, her previous anxiety now far from her mind as she mingled with everyone, still remaining on Demitri's arm.

The loud chatter of the vast hall suddenly silenced as Aro took to the stage.

"We are here today to celebrate something that we haven't had for quite some time. I dare say perhaps not for four centuries. The Volturi welcomes our newest addition, Miss Isabella Swan."

Applause now echoed through the hall, before being swiftly replaced with Aro's voice.

"The feast shall begin shortly but for now I would like to see some dancing" Aro announced before a classical tune filled the air.

Vampires glanced at each other, shrugging as they took their partners to the centre of the room. They moved in such a way that if Aro hadn't stated that it was a dance; Bella would've mistaken it for something completely different. The creatures that were dancing, didn't remind her of vampires, although they moved natural grace, there was something altogether enchanting about how they travelled across the floor.

"Care to dance?" a voice softly whispered into her ear.

Bella nearly jumped as she realised how close herself and Demitri were standing. Breaking her gaze away from the enchanting scene, she looked up to find a smug Demitri, happy that he had caught her unaware. Uncertain of her voice she simply nodded placing her hand in his outstretched one.

Don't get used to this guys, I felt Bella deserved some happiness, can't have the story full of doom and gloom now can we? Plus how unreal does that make her seem, even darker characters have there... 'different?' side, Unless your Voldemort, but that's irrelevant. This chapter was just a little fluff, I don't do fluff well as you can tell. Now I know you're all thinking, 'Bella's got to end up with Demitri right?' Wrong.. or just it may not be that simple. ^^