Disclaimer- I didn't write Twilight/ New Moon, those were written by the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. But I do own the character Sage.

Chapter 11-Coming to Terms

Bella's POV

"Bella, you may be taking things a bit. . .out of hand." Carlisle told me, sitting next to me on the grass outside of Cassio's house. The sun beat down on us, making us sparkle like a pair of diamonds.

"And just how am I taking things out of hand?" I asked, looking up at the afternoon sky. "Cassio's being an ass, so I'll just stay out here."

He sighed and relaxed into the grass, lying down on the green foliage. I tilted my head and looked at him. He really was quite gorgeous, and I could understand what Sage saw in him. I couldn't begin to understand how she managed to decide between Aro and Carlisle. Of course, Carlisle has Esme now but. . . I sighed, shaking my head. I looked up to Sage, truly.

Edward came out of the house, a frown on his face. "They still say we should go after her." He told us, sitting next to us on the grass.

I scowled. "Well, we're not going anywhere. If they want to chase her like she's some lost dog, then that's their business. But I want Sage to know I trust her, I have faith in her."

Edward wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me close to him, a smile gracing his lips. "You're such a good friend," he teased, pecking me on the cheek.

I took a deep sigh and replied, "I do try."

"They have reason to worry. Sagelle was. . .different a century ago. She handled things quite. . .differently." Carlisle told us.

"Don't tell me you're with them on the whole, hunting her down with torches thing?"

"Of course not. I just think you should know that when she comes back, she may have. . .done something she regrets."

I shook my head, not want to believe what he was saying. "People change Carlisle."

He exhaled, not looking at me. Instead, his gaze was still on the sky. "People think they change, but their actions almost always stay the same."

I scowled. "I never knew you were so. . .cynical, Carlisle."

He looked at me, his honey colored eyes darkened just a little. "I've lived a long time Isabella. During that time, I've seen and done things. . .I regret. Let's just say, I'm speaking from experience."

I glanced at Edward, slightly worried about his father. It almost sounded like Carlisle was. . .depressed. Edward shrugged his shoulders, as if telling me, "I have no clue what he's talking about."

"What do you regret?" I asked, aware I may have been treading lightly.

He licked his lips, turning back towards the afternoon sky. "That's for another time Isabella. Right now, let's just focus on getting Sage back. . .again."

I nodded my head slowly, noticing the way his eyes softened at the mention of her name.

I knew he loved Esme with everything he had, I'd seen it with my own eyes. But at that moment, I knew that no matter who Sage chose to stay with, he would always love her too.

And I felt sorry for him.

Sage's POV

I stomped angrily through the alleyway streets, my cloak wrapped tight around me. I smelled the rank scent of urine and. . .other things among the walls, my throat closing as I gagged. I had no choice but to come this way, it had fewer humans along its path. A drunk moaned on the side of a garbage can, his eyes fluttering open and closed. I tilted my head and started at him, smelling the alcohol in his blood. It was sickening, and ruined the pure taste blood had. Such a waste really, and no one would miss him. . .

No. I couldn't, wouldn't, take a life merely because I was angry.

I growled and clenched my fists, storming my way down the street. The alley gave way to a string of shops, and on the other side of the road, there was a forest. I lifted my nostrils and inhaled deeply, immediately finding what I wanted. I crossed and ran into the dark green foliage, my lip uncurling over my teeth. I grabbed the first squirrel I could find and bit into it, feeling the warm blood gush into my mouth. It tasted. . .disgusting compared to the human blood Stefan had been feeding me. I threw it aside, a growl of disgust bubbling past my lips. I frowned. What could I drink now?

I had no choice. I had to drink, I could feel the intensity of my bloodlust growing with every second. My anger fed into it, making the small drop grow bigger and bigger. I needed to feed, or I may end up. . .who knew, terrorizing the whole village or something. I was capable of it, after all.

I crouched down and sniffed the air. A man was prowling the streets, jogging perhaps? His blood was spicy, and smelled delicious. I was practically drooling as I made my way towards him, quiet as a mouse. As he began to run past me, I grabbed his leg and pulled him into the forest, holding a hand over his mouth.

His eyes were widened, and he pointed towards my eyes in horror. He was maybe thirty, most likely younger. I took out a knife and held it against his arm, pondering where I'd cut him. I didn't want to turn him into a vampire, so I had to be careful.

"I'm not going to kill you," I told him softly, crooningly almost.

He merely fainted. Ah, humans. So weak.

I trailed my fingers down his arm and sliced right below the elbow. I put the knife aside and lowered my lips to the wound, sucking the blood out, feeling it rush down my throat. Hmm, much better than the squirrel.

I listened to his heartbeat, stopping when it began to drop. I lifted my head and sighed. I was content, for now. And I hadn't killed anyone. Yay me. Although it did nothing for my hurt, my anger.

I stood and pushed the man back onto the sidewalk, then whistled. Someone would find him.

I walked off, heading deeper into the forest. How could Aro lie to me? Why would he lie to me? I may have hurt him, but I've never lied to him. Ever.

She was alive. . .I could've. . .I could've known her. My mother could've been more than mere memories stuck together. She could've taken care of me, taken me from the church. We could've been together! I would've been. . .I would've been normal.

But then I never would have met Aro. I never would have met Carlisle.

I was confused. I didn't know what I wanted. Did I want to know my brother, my niece? No. Not really. I let my past go a long time ago. I let go of my hopes, my wishes. I let go of mother, father. . .everyone. I accepted what had happened to me.

Learning my mother had been alive, did that really change anything? I sat on a fallen log and looked at the wildlife around me. Where would I have been, if none of the things I'd encountered happened to me?

Who would I have been?

And that's when it hit me. I didn't want things to change. Did I regret some things in my life? Fuck yes. But did I want to leave everyone I'd come to love behind? Fuck no. I knew why Aro had hid my mother's life from me. He was scared. He hadn't wanted me to leave him; to run away. It had taken all of me to get him to change me, to get him to accept he loved me.

I couldn't blame him.

I got up and brushed off my clothes. I was still angry, in a way. Mostly with myself. But there were a lot of things more important than anger.

I made my way back to Cassio's house, noticing the man I'd drank from was gone. See? I'd known someone would find him.

Hopefully it hadn't been another vampire.

Bella's POV

Cassio and Stefano came out of the house, their faces grim. Aro trailed out behind them. I stood from where I'd been sitting and brain-storming (I hadn't come up with a damn thing) and put my hands on my hips. "What do you want?" I called out to them.

Cassio stopped and arched his brow. "It's been two hours. We're going to find Sage. Care to join us."

"No, and you're not leaving."

He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "Are you threatening me Isabella? I have to warn you, it wouldn't be wise."

"You'll do nothing to harm her," Aro spoke up, giving Cassio a look that said, "Come on, I dare you to disagree."

I smirked and just barely resisted the urge to stick out my tongue. "Sage will come home soon." I told him.

He growled. "The last time I saw Sagelle angry, she killed an entire village. Would you like those deaths hanging on your pretty little head?" He asked.

I stopped. "A village?"

He smiled. "Yes. And she killed them in the most gruesome of ways. Tearing them apart, setting them on-"

"That's enough Cassio." A voice said.

We all turned and watched Sage step through the wrought iron gate. She dropped her cloak to the ground and eyed us all, a laugh escaping through her lips. "It looks as though someone has died. Tell me, who's the lucky person?"

I ran up to her and wrapped her in my arms, hugging her tightly. "Are you alright?" I asked her, pulling back and looking into her light green eyes.

She nodded her head. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking Bella."

I grinned. "I knew you'd be okay. They-" I turned and pointed towards Stefano and Cassio, "didn't."

She sighed and brushed back a lock of her hair. "I'm used to them not believing in me. Fuck, Stefano just tried to kill me a couple days ago. It doesn't surprise me."

As she talked, I smelled the faintest hint of human blood on her breath. My eyes widened and I shook my head. "Please, tell me-"

She smiled softly. "I didn't kill him, nor change him into a vampire."

I let out the breath I hadn't been aware I was holding. "I knew you wouldn't."

"Well. . .I'm glad you have so much faith in me."

I shrugged my shoulders.

She looked over my shoulder towards Aro, her smile fading but her eyes brightening. That was strange. "I need to talk to you." She said.

"Of course," he replied. And they headed inside.

As I watched them leave, I looked at Cassio and cocked my eyebrow. "So, wanna take back what you said Cass?"

He merely walked inside.

A/N: Here's chapter 11. Yay! Haha. Thanks to: Elven at Heart, jenski, Transfiguration for reviewing and reading, y'all ROCK. Mwah haha. Hopefully you liked the chapter. It took me a while because I've been working on a lot of my original works. So sorry about that. There's probably only like. . .eight chapters, nine chapters left. This is going to be a shorter story. But, I may do an original story with Sage. Just because I really love her character. Let me know what you think!
Faith