Chapter 11

Hopes and Dreams Shattered

"Kaashaa darlin wake up," Jasper whispered kissing her neck. She rolled over and moaned but didn't wake up. He was beginning to worry.

"Here let me try Jazzy," Alice said coming into the room after hearing Jasper try for five minutes to wake Kaashaa. "She bent over and whispered something into Kaashaa's ear then shot up not seconds before a collision would have taken place as Kaashaa shot up.

"Eww, no I don't want to see Emmett standing in the nude trying to wake me up and that was really cruel Alice," Kaashaa answered rubbing her eyes before turning a half glare half smile on the small vampire.

"I never said it would be kind, I said it would be effective." Alice said smiling at Jasper's aghast expression. "And it was."

"Ok, now I'm awake what has you two stirring me before dawn?" Kaashaa asked her curiosity getting the better of her.

"We were wondering if you wanted to go hunting with us and stretch your legs. Then maybe after we've had breakfast we'll hop in my car and get you something to eat and spend time getting to know one another a little better since we're going to be family soon enough," Alice said grinning at the half awake Kaashaa.

"So it boils down to your setting Jasper and I up on a date and you're going as a chaperone and just so you can torture me with shopping right?" Kaashaa answered with a question of her own. Her eyebrow raised at Alice's smile and she shook her head before giving in, "Fine but nothing expensive Alice and I mean it." She slipped out of bed and to the bathroom grabbing clothes before she left and coming out a few minutes later ready to go.

"Oh my god I can't believe that they let people just walk around like that. My father would have had my head if I had my hair dyed that many colors," Kaashaa said her laughter ringing out as Jasper took her hand guiding her around a small pot of flowers so she wouldn't trip.

"If you think this is outrageous, you haven't seen anything," Alice laughed as she shook her head at Kaashaa's assertion of the absurdity of such crazy hair colors, "That's not the half of what's gone on before. You should have been around here for the Seventies." She added as they stopped short at the doors to the Rainforest Cafe.

"I'm glad I wasn't because I'd have died from laughing so hard. Those two guys looked like tropical fish out of water. I want so bad to go back and ask them how they got out of the tank." Kaashaa answered as Jasper smiling held open the door for the two girls following in their wake. He was so happy. He had his Alice and now Kaashaa his life felt complete like the puzzle was finally together.

Once they were inside Jasper wander away in the store as the girls made the reservations. "Looking for something to give Kaash," A voice asked as Jasper spun to notice Alice behind him smiling. "I gave them your number to text us when it's our turn to go up and get seated." She answered his question.

"I thought giving her something to remind her of the trip would be nice but I'm just not sure what to give a girl that doesn't like expensive stuff," Jasper answered looking briefly around and finding Kaashaa standing over by the stuffed animals looking at each one.

"Well, I happen to find out her favorite color is purple and her favorite animal is actually a white tiger. She also likes dolphins and zebras," Alice answered moving away from him to head in the direction of Kaashaa having seen what he was going to give Kaashaa already and knowing she'd love it.

He wandered over to the stuff animals once the girls were gone and noticed a fish sitting on one of the shelves. The fish was multicolored from head to tail starting with a bright red and ending with an indigo tail. 'I bet she'll get a kick out of this to remind her of her day.' He thought to himself checking the price and grabbing it to pay for it. He knew he'd give it to her after they sat down for dinner so he could see her reaction to it even better. "Would you like it in a bag sir?" the cashier asked taking his money and giving him back his change. He nodded and she put the stuff animal in a bag handing it to him as well. He turned to find the girls just as the text went off announcing it was their turn to be seated.

The only drawback to the busy restaurant was that it was busy, Jasper decided as he surveyed their surroundings. It made it far harder to watch for potential dangers. Fortunately, as far as he could see there was nothing going on that didn't happen in any given restaurant. In fact, if he didn't have a slightly suspicious nature when it came to strangers, he would think things were going a little too well. "Here I bought you something to remind you of this day," he said handing her the bag.

She opened and pulled out the fish, "Oh my god!" She laughed then leaned over to kiss Jasper's cheek. "I can't believe you got me my own tropical fish. I think I'll name it Emmett." She added laughing as a server came by and gave them their drinks. No one noticed the person leaving the restaurant as they sat discussing the gift and laughing at the fact she named it after one of the Cullens.

The rest of the dinner was uneventful and eventually they left out themselves after paying for the meal, "I've had more fun today you two then I've had in a long time. Thank you both it means a lot to me." Kaashaa said as they rounded the corner heading back toward Alice's Porsche.

"Well, well so this is the Cullens and Lord Theron's daughter. I haven't had to pleasure of meeting you all before. I must say you don't look as dangerous as I was told you were." Heidi said laughing lightly at the three.

"Well little girl I remember you and you are as dumb as my sister said you were. I'm surprise to see you're not blonde that would have given you at least an excuse," Kaashaa answered glaring at the vampire.

"Tsk, such manners I would have expected better out of near-nobility."

"My manners are reserved for those who deserve them, what do you want Heidi?" Kaashaa returned with a smile so sweet that she felt sick from it.

"I was told to come and ask if you were ready to negotiate a more peaceful resolve to your and Master Caius' shall we say love spat," Heidi answered glaring at Jasper and Alice.

"I tell you what you tell him to go stick his head up Aro's arse and blow bubbles and see if that solves his nonexistent limp dick problems. If that doesn't do it then I don't know what to tell him to do but see about getting laid by one of you girls." Kaashaa answered growling as Santiago shifted his weight from leaning on the wall to standing up.

"A better question is why he is choosing to cling to a matter that is already closed." Jasper interjected giving Santiago an appraising look, keeping his body language calm and sure, "Three reasons, first and foremost the bond is between her and I; second Lord Theron refuses to allow it and not least of all there's the fact that Elyshia's made her opinions known and maybe this makes me a coward but I'd really rather not be on her dinner plate."

'This isn't any of your business. The hybrid is only ever been promised to Master Caius. No one cares what the keeper thinks she's only a child. As for Lord Theron he's only delaying what should have taken place over a decade ago. If I was you I'd worry more about what Master Caius is going to do to you if you continue to confuse Kaashaa," Afton said coming up to stand on the other side of Heidi.

"I've got news for you if you continue to open your mouth at all Afton I'll shove your foot so far up your ass you'll have to open your mouth to walk. I have never and will never belong to Caius. Mine and Jasper's relationship is no business of the Volturi and if I was to repeat what you said about my father and sister to them there'd be a bonfire in Volterra with no chance for a wienie roast. Now go crawl back under the damn rock Aro found you three under before I completely lose my temper," Kaashaa answered her growling intensifying. Her hands began to shake and her voice grew soft indicating to most of the vampires she was on the verge of transforming and making a mess.

Jasper reached to put one hand on her shoulder, murmuring in her ear, "It isn't worth exposing all of us, not over them." Raising his voice he spoke for the benefit of the innocent people walking around, "It's been lovely seeing you, but we must be going."

Heidi gave a snort, "I'd say we're not done here but you are little girl and so is he," she pointed at Jasper briefly, "You'll come soon enough to us so we can wait," She stated grinning at the other two. She nodded and all three turned leaving so quietly that Jasper, Alice and Kaashaa didn't see which way they went.

"I wonder what they meant by you'll come soon enough to them," Alice muttered aloud as they found the Porsche and climbed in.

"I guarantee that it was no good and that they'll try something in the next few days but don't worry I plan on making sure that a certain keeper gets wind of this when I get back," Kaashaa said her eyes locking briefly with Alice and Jasper's.

The drive home was quiet as all three let their thoughts sink back to what was said. It took no time before they had pulled up into the front of the house, "Well time to go find everyone and let them know what happened. Good thing for those idiots it didn't ruin the fun," Kaashaa said as they got out of the car.

"I'm glad you had fun. I'm going to go put your stuff up for you and you and Jas go find everyone. I'll be down quick enough to probably add to it if you two miss anything," Alice said skipping ahead of the other two heading straight for the stairs.

"She scares me sometimes you know it. I've never met anyone so happy despite the fact we just got insulted and threatened," Kaashaa said taking Jasper's outstretched hand as he lead the way toward the living room.

They walked in finding most of the family except for Theron and Carlisle. "Where's daddy at sis?" Kaashaa asked sitting down beside her sister who was sitting across a chess board from Edward.

"I think he said something about a private talk with Carlisle out of reach of children's ears," she answered moving a chess piece before looking at Edward across from her. "Your turn oh and I believe that's check again."

Edward turned his eyes briefly from the chess board, "What's wrong Jasper you're cussing in your thoughts." He raised an eyebrow at his brother.

"We'll tell you as soon as I go get Theron and Carlisle and get everyone in one room. I will say this they have balls," he answered as he turned on his heel and headed up the stairs to get the older two members.

"Kaashaa, what's going on?" Elyshia asked her eyebrow now raised at her sister. She could see whatever had Jasper cussing was also bothering her sister.

"Jasper's right it will be better to tell everyone at once so that if there's an explosion like I think there might be I can have help putting your pin back in." Kaashaa answered tapping Edward's foot with her own. 'Move your queen and you can have a checkmate.' She thought grinning at her sister.

"You're not supposed to help," Elyshia reminded her coolly, "Especially when you're already hinting that I'm going to take the quick and dirty strategy soon enough."

"Just seeing if you're paying attention to what's going on besides he'd already moved before I actually said something," Kaashaa said smiling again at her sister just as Theron and Carlisle followed by Jasper and Alice came into the room.

"I always pay attention," Elyshia said mildly, easing her rook into a position which checkmated Edward in a move he had clearly not anticipated, as he stared blankly at the board in utter disbelief.

"Now then before you ask we played and learned from the best so don't feel bad the only one that usually can beat her is either daddy or Uncle Lucien. Since everyone's in here I need everyone to know that we had a mildly irritating discussion with three of the Volturi guards while we were out," Kaashaa said glancing around the room at everyone.

Elyshia pushed her chair away from the chessboard, her gaze focused on Kaashaa, "Mildly annoying in the I need to file my nails or mildly annoying in that I have to be careful not to alert the authorities that I just committed a premeditated random act of extreme violence?"

"Mildly annoying in the fact that had Kaashaa not calmed down she was going to have a kabob from her horn to bring home to you. I for one hardly ever see Heidi, Afton and Santiago together bringing messages," Jasper answered.

"I didn't do anything more than give them directions back to Volterra with their heads of their arses and the threat that if they continued to bug me I'd call you. What did bother me is what Heidi said at the end of the confrontation before they left," Kaashaa added in.

"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to end up having a very serious case of indigestion before this is over." Elyshia sighed with an irritated shake of her head, "So what'd Heidi spout this time?"

"She said that Jasper and I are done and that I'll come to them soon enough so they could wait. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't even bother with them but something about that threat has me a little edgy," Kaashaa stated looking between Elyshia and her father.

"Anything's possible," Theron spoke slowly, "However, if they've attempted another trap that will inevitably blow up in their faces I am not sure that I will be inclined to intervene when it comes time for judgment."

"It's not judgment that you should be worried about," Elyshia remarked quietly, "It's execution. Unlike you, I don't give a flying shit about a scene."

"Still I wish I knew what they were talking about. I don't like waiting around for something to happen. It makes me to edgy and me edgy is like sis without caffeine." Kaashaa said trying for a light tone despite the tense feeling in the air.

"All we can do at this point is wait," Elyshia pointed out reasonably, watching her sister carefully, "There was nothing out of the ordinary other than Heidi and company being mouthy?" She pressed her sister, "No one a little too interested in any of you?"

"Santiago seemed interested like he expected me to just fall right into his dam arms. But then again nothing that seemed to interesting." Kaashaa said yawning a bit.

"No one ever said he had any brains," Elyshia remarked mildly, "Especially since Caius has his balls pickled on a shelf, we can't expect him to be clever."

"Isn't that the truth. The only thing smart about Santiago is his mouth sometimes. It was just weird I guess cause he didn't send Jane, Felix, and Alec to give us a message. Oh well guess we'll find out what they want when it gets time besides I can't wait to sit and watch the fireworks go off when the dumbshit patrol show up and get their butts handed to them," Kaashaa replied yawning again. "Well I'm off to bed if anything fun happens don't forget to wake me up sis," she added getting up.

"I'm sure you'll be the first to know," Elyshia murmured watching as Kaashaa climbed the stairs leading to the bedroom that they were currently sharing.