Title: Intrinsic Fascination

Author: pantheradraconis

Rating: M

Pairing: Bella/Rosalie

Summary: The world is filled with billions of people; a new breath is taken every second. A last breath is taken as well. But the cycle continues, on and on; who would bother noticing when someone doesn't quite fit into this cycle…

"He called her a melon, a pineapple, an olive tree, an emerald, and a fox in the snow all in the space of three seconds; he did not know whether he had heard her, tasted her, seen her, or all three together." - Virginia Woolf

Bella didn't know what to say, the whole ordeal sounded terrifying. To think, while she was hiding away in a dungeon, her family had been attacked in such a horrid way. It was obvious the attack was meant to harm but not defeat. It was a call to war.

Her voice was deep when she said, "When do you retaliate?"

It felt weird being back in Forks, heading back to her childhood home. Bella watched the forest move quickly around her, noted the animals as they hurried away, spotted the differences in trees, the amount of underbrush. She didn't know how to move quietly and often broke small trees she didn't manage to swoop around; she felt Rosalie smile beside her.

In all the strangeness of the last week, Bella hadn't realized just how much she missed that smile.

"Are we picking up a few items or staying here tonight?" Rosalie asked as the forest opened up to the backside of Bella's home.

"Is it safe to stay here?"

"It isn't safe to stay anywhere." Rosalie frowned. "If we're attacked by Laurent here and he's able to control you," She choked on the words and wasn't able to continue.

"At least here, I won't be able to incapacitate our whole clan by being so close to Alec."

"You also won't be able to use him to keep your own head."

Bella turned to a very worried Rosalie. "True, but I'll have you."

"You're not afraid?"

"I could never hurt you," Bella smiled before switching over to a mischievous grin. "Even if I tried."

Opening the back door and walking in through the dining room, Rosalie agreed. She was suddenly knocked to the ground and turned around, Bella straddling her from above.

"Or maybe…" But Bella's words were knocked away as Rosalie quickly twisted her legs around the smaller vampire and flipped so she was holding Bella from behind. Bella laughed, "Yeah, ok, I guess you win."

"You really need to work on your follow-through," Rosalie commented before releasing Bella. "If you don't incapacitate your foe, they will keep attacking. A vampire never gives in."

The two made their way upstairs and into Bella's bedroom. "I'll pack a bag so we can leave if we need to. I've been wearing these Volturi clothes for too long." The brunette quickly pulled out a suitcase and stuffed it with a few undergarments.

"Are you not wearing any clothes in the next few days?" Rosalie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I can pack an entire bagful but since I'll be staying under the same roof as Alice, will I get to wear any of them?"

Having nothing to say, Rosalie merely shrugged. She thought Bella's clothes were cute on her but she also thought Bella in a giant sweatshirt looked adorable.

"I'm just going to jump in the shower," Bella said before leaving the bedroom. "Of course, if you want you can join me."

Rosalie choked, on what, she wasn't sure. Did she just hear that correctly? Of course, she did, she had perfect hearing. Did she seriously want her to join? Rosalie coughed a few times as if clearing her throat.

"I, uh, I mean, well." She tried to form a sentence but it just wasn't working for her. She then heard the sound of the shower running, the sound of fabric hitting the floor, the curtain opening, closing, the splash of water on a body. She gulped.

Bella stood in the warm water wondering if she had gone too far. Maybe Rosalie wasn't ready for this kind of step. What step was she asking for? Was she ready? If it happens, it happens, she thought. She shook her head, what kind of take is that on sex? She knew she loved Rosalie, and she absolutely knew she wanted Rosalie. If the blonde doesn't join her, that's fine, she'll understand. But if she does…

Rosalie continued to stand in the bedroom, her hands had started wringing themselves. She had no control over them, she barely had control over her thoughts. Was she ready to take that step with Bella? It had only been a few months. In all honesty, they barely know each other. But that wasn't what this was about, this, sex, she gulped, was about trust. Did she trust Bella? She trusted her to love her, to stay with her, to be with her. Did she trust Bella with her body?

Bella turned the water a little cooler, she closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Her thoughts were swarming about the last time she'd seen Rosalie, not as she is, but less. When she saw Rosalie changing in her closet, when she felt Rosalie laying on top of her, the way her kisses tasted, the way her sweat tasted. Her hands moved slowly but with great purpose. They swam over her breasts and down her stomach. They inched, little by little. They stopped. The sound of footsteps came into the hall, into the bathroom. The door closed.

Rosalie closed the door behind her and stood in the bathroom. She quickly noted the lack of steam and smiled shyly. She removed her clothes, piece by piece, slowly folding them and placing each item neatly on the edge of the sink. The pile was perfectly folded. She breathed slowly and felt the warmth come from the shower. She pulled the curtain back and stepped in.

Bella quickly turned the water back to a reasonable temperature. Once she had realized Rosalie was indeed going to join her, she had turned it too hot. She corrected it, realized she had gone too cold, and corrected it again. She felt the cold chill as the curtain was pulled back and replaced. She felt the warm body of Rosalie standing behind her. She closed her eyes and leaned back.

As Bella's body leaned back against her, Rosalie naturally reached her arms around the smaller girl. She held her, in a soft hug, eyes closed, simply enjoying the feel of Bella's body against hers. After a moment's pause, Bella turned and looked Rosalie straight in the eyes.

"I wasn't sure," Bella started to say.

"I wasn't either," Rosalie replied. Both their voices barely above a whisper.

Bella turned slightly, grabbing a washcloth and a drop of body wash. She lathered up and began slowly rubbing the washcloth over Rosalie's body. The action started off as almost clinical, rubbing across her neck, down each arm, between her fingers. Bella stepped closer and rubbed the cloth slowly down Rosalie's back. She moved it across her stomach and down each leg, between her toes. On her way up, Bella reached behind Rosalie's thigh and lifted her leg so her foot rested on the side of the tub.

Rosalie leaned forward and collected Bella in a deep kiss. The washcloth fell to the tub floor. As Rosalie's body leaned into Bella, the warm water of the showerhead rinsed the soap from her body. Bella moved her hands across her back and down her thigh. Rosalie grabbed the hand and leaned back slightly. She pressed Bella's hand against her breast and moaned as the younger girl began massaging. Bella moaned as Rosalie leaned forward and collected a nipple in her teeth. She moaned once more as Rosalie moved Bella's hand down between her legs.

Bella slowly caressed Rosalie before moving a finger inside. Rosalie leaned in and took a bite of Bella's neck. Turning around with a swiftness Bella almost didn't see, Rosalie pushed Bella against the far wall from the showerhead. She lifted the smaller girl's leg and placed her own hand inside Bella. The brunette squeaked and moaned and added a finger inside Rosalie. The two found a rhythm and both picked up their pace, their breaths and moans, and kisses and bites challenging one another and goading each other on.

Rosalie pushed against Bella before sliding her leg forward for a better angle. Bella's own foot moved before slipping on the forgotten washcloth. Her body collided with Rosalie at a strange angle causing the two to fall toward the shower curtain. It couldn't hold their weight and the two fell quickly to the bathroom floor.

They burst out laughing, laying naked on the bathroom floor.

After a few moments, they got to their feet, turned off the shower, dried each other off, and made their way back to Bella's bedroom. The night was well upon them, so they dressed in sweats and climbed into each other's arms. A restful sleep as if no one in the world could possibly mean them harm.

The next morning, Rosalie woke to find herself wrapped perfectly around Bella. She looked up at the still sleeping brunette to find herself so at peace and at ease that she couldn't imagine ever wanting to be anywhere else. She woke Bella to the feeling of soft kisses and nipping teeth on her neck.

"How'd you sleep?" Bella asked in a drowsy manner.

Rosalie leaned back and stretched before kissing Bella deeply.

"I could wake up to this every morning." Bella mused once her lips were released.

"And you shall, my love." Rosalie kissed her quickly once more before jumping out of bed.

Bella watched Rosalie walk out of the room to brush her teeth. She then leaned back and listened to the world outside her room, reminding her of the need to face the day. They were going to meet with the rest of the coven before being joined by the wolves. No one wished to wait, so if there was to be an attack, it would be happening tonight. She opened her eyes when Rosalie reentered the room.

As she moved about with slow purpose, Bella watched Rosalie undress. Before the blonde could put her clothes from yesterday back on, Bella jumped up and pulled Rosalie back into bed. The two rolled around laughing and kissing. Bella pushed Rosalie up so she leaned against the pile of pillows and kissed her way down the blonde's stomach. Once she reached her destination, Bella relished in Rosalie's loud moan of pleasure, her hurrying breaths, and the motion of her hips as they tried to ride Bella's mouth.

Rosalie's orgasm was loud and long. Bella was a bit surprised by the reaction even as Rosalie pulled her up and kissed her like the world was about to end. Rosalie then began sucking on Bella's tongue and lips and neck as her hand fought through Bella's layers of clothing. Bella's own orgasm was quick but also followed by two more directly after.

The two panted in bed a moment longer before hearing a loud shout from outside the window.

"If you two are quite done, there is a meeting we need to be getting to." Edward's voice was surprisingly amused for having been supposedly in love with Bella just last month. "And I know what you're thinking, Rosalie. I conceded. You two are obviously meant for each other but just not right now. We have to go."

He disappeared into the woods before the book thrown out the window had a chance of hitting him.

"That was my favorite book!" Bella yelled out. "Go out there and get it!"

"Let me put some clothes on, then I'll save your precious book."

"You better hope you didn't break the spine."

"If it matters to you that much, I'll find you another copy. How about an original print?"

"Ugh, I don't want an original print! I'd be too terrified to open it!"

"This never would have happened if you had just blocked Edward out of my thoughts, you know."

"Well, I was a little preoccupied at the time. Maybe next time I'll pay more attention to Edward."

Rosalie pounced on Bella, holding the girl down with her arms above her head. "Do you really prefer Edward?" The blonde's words purred out.

Bella gulped and slowly shook her head.

"Even after you've already had me?" Rosalie asked, her voice with a little less vibrato.

"I don't think I could ever want anyone as much as I want you."

Edward finally moved out of earshot and slowed his pace. Rosalie had been right, he had thought he was in love with Bella only a month ago but now? After knowing how they truly feel about each other, could he have been enough for Bella? For such a long time, he thought he had so much more to offer then Rosalie ever could. She was a flirt, controlling, took what she wanted and left behind the rest. She wasn't like that with Bella.

"You're missing two people," Alice commented as Edward entered the open yard.

"They're on their way," Edward smirked. "They were a little preoccupied when I got there."

"Boom chicka wah, wah." Emmett laughed.

"Ahem, well I guess we can start without them." Jasper coughed and waved the other three to the back of the house. There Edward noted the Olympic and Denali covens with the Volturi leaders and a few guard members, including Felix, Afton, and the witch twins.

Carlisle squeezed Esme's hand before moving apart from the groups. He thanked them all for coming and working together before going over the rules of property lines and hunting.

"You all didn't go over this yesterday?" Bella asked, slightly out of breath.

Edward leaned against the house and whispered back, "We did but it doesn't hurt to touch them again. Especially with the Volturi leaders. They don't always take kindly to being given rules to follow."

"Kettle, meet Pot." Bella rolled her eyes.

"I would now like to call Jasper up along with Demetri. They will share the list of our advantages. Once the wolves arrive, we will discuss the plan of attack."

Bella watched Jasper stand before the group with a tall, olive-skinned vampire with long black hair. Despite the obvious differences, his demeanor reminded her so much of James it caused her to shiver. Rosalie wrapped her arms around the smaller vampire protectively.

Given the possibility that some of us may lose our way in this battle," Jasper spoke clearly and without malice. "We must make sure we use every advantage we can and control the battle from the beginning. Demetri has discovered the current location of our enemies and will be the frontal assault."

"We must learn to fight with wolves at our back," Demetri commented quietly, raising his hand at the immediate growl from several Volturi members. "It is in our best interest to allow these shapeshifters to move unseen until the last. Their smell will give them away quickly enough." He sneered.

"There is no doubt the vampires will split up. It is the position of the Volturi guard to attack first, the Denali and Olympic covens to cover the retreat or side attacks, and the Blood coven to hold up the rear."

"Blood coven?" Bella asked Edward.

"That's you, clever name, right? Emmett thought of it." Edward rolled his eyes.

Bella looked across the way to see Emmett holding up two thumbs. She joined Edward in his eye roll but smiled all the same. "He's not wrong, I guess."

"With the numbers of the guard, Olympic and Denali covens, and the pack, we should be able to take over the Qua coven. We know Laurent controls his coven members, not individually, but we have no doubts we will have to get through them to get to him. As for the other members, Victoria has shown an uncanny ability to stay out of touch. We are unsure if she has extreme speed or some ability resembling especially good luck. Her pet, Riley, hasn't shown any specific gift. We believe him to be mostly a bodyguard to Victoria so it's possible his power is what keeps her out of touch. Avoid the both of them if possible and focus on the others."

Jasper leaned slightly forward on his feet as he focused in on more details he had learned from the wolves.

"By the description of the two Egyptians, these may be Amun and Kebi. Kebi is very powerful with her voice, able to entrance or hypnotize her targets. Luckily this only works on one individual at a time but the side effects can be long-lasting. If faced with her, aim for the throat. Amun has the strength of the ancients as well as an uncanny skill of leadership. Anyone who is loyal to him can follow his directions with unbelievable accuracy. Luckily, this gift only works on the willing, unluckily it appears the French coven is loyal to him, as well as Kebi.

"Henri and Yvette are incredibly fast. Henri is able to speed around a battlefield so fast you may not notice his movements. Yes, that is correct, even with our eyesight, you may miss him. Keep yourself alert at all times. Yvette is not as quick on her feet, but her strikes move like a hummingbird. They are not powerful but enough of them will knock the air out of you."

Bella's head swam with all the details. She knew each vampire had a power but these seemed to be out of this world. How would they possibly be able to compete against this group? She looked over those assembled in front of her and although it was much larger, the powers she knew about were mostly defensive or just plain passive.

Carmen is not a fighter, so she and Esme are both going to stand by to heal anyone they can. Eleazar can read a power but he'll have to see them. Being right in the fight he'll be able to declare who can do what but if the information doesn't come fast enough, it won't help. Emmett is incredibly strong, Edward can read minds, and Jasper can strategize. These are all useful but not absolute. They can not take down an appointment with their powers alone. Alice's power won't work with the wolves around, Irina and Tanya can't seduce someone out of fighting, and Kate needs to be able to touch someone in order to shock them. Afton is an excellent fighter due to his power keeping him out of reach but the speed of the French coven just might do it. Felix can demand the truth and Demetri can find people but those are both useless in a fight.

She wasn't sure what the rest of the guard could do but assumed it wasn't that significant. Alec and Jane had never bothered to mention anyone beyond their own little click and the rest of the Volturi appeared to be powerful but also in awe of the witch twins.

Bella then turned to look at Carlisle, she had no idea what his power was. She also had no idea what Rosalie's power was. Before she could ask, the wolves arrived.

Jake walked out from the woods on all fours with only Jared and Leah at his sides. The rest of the wolves hid amongst the trees, restless and pacing.

Edward pushed off the house and walked over to stand by Jake. The two nodded to one another and Edward became the wolves' voice.

"We heard the list of powers of our foes; tell us, do you have your own we must be aware of?"

Carlisle walked up with Aro at his side. At first, it looked like Aro was about to talk but Carlisle held up his hand. Bella noted Caius had an even greater grimace than he normally did.

Carlisle listed off Tanya, Jane, Alec's and Bella's powers. He added some detail on a few others but noted these were the only ones the wolves may see as a threat. Caius began to argue at the ludicrousy of sharing such details but Carlisle and Aro both quickly reminded him of their need to work together.

"I must say," Marcus added. "It is quite obvious the wolves are devoted to Bella of the Olympic coven. They will do nothing that may cause her destruction."

Bella smiled and Caius relented but grumbled about not needing help from a bunch of moon lovers.

The sun began to set and the covens and pack began to move.

A/N: The final battle should be an interesting one. I hope you're all looking as forward to it as I am. As for our favorite girls, I hope you got a little taste of what we all wanted but still staying within the likelihood of the couple. What do we think of the list of powers? Who has the best shot of winning? Any guesses on the massive twists I'm about to employ? Yeah, that's right, y'all know me too well by now.

[JenDamn] You forgot to message me! I hope you liked this chapter as well though!

[Corr5092] Was this update good too? Did you know that almost all of my commenters have Katie McGrath as their icons? Can you name any good fanfics with her characters in it?

[HouseofSeekers] I'm nothing if not a really good distraction. ::wink wink:: But yeah, we're finally on the precipice of the final battle. I hope you're still on the edge of your seat!

Now, I'm stuck between using the original idea I had for Rosalie's power and going somewhere insane with it. Does anybody have some good ideas?