AN: Hey guys, I want to thank you all for your wonderful amount of patience! I do apologize for the lengthy amount of time its taken for me to post, and although its taken this long I would like to mention that I may be wrapping things up pretty soon. So far I've had so much fun writing this for you all, I cannot express the many memories that I've encountered from this piece and the wonderful character that come along with it. My hopes for a sequel are pretty high, and are almost ready to go in the works, so don't fret. you guys are always more than welcome to pm and comment though, and I'll try my very best to keep you all posted. so without further ado... I present to you...

A chapter! ;)


Demetri's POV:

Watching Serenity as she walked gently right beside me, I couldn't help but feel the gnawing pit in my stomach grow ever wider, its dark recesses calling my insides 'home' as I led her back into the hall from which she flew out of earlier. From the moment that we first landed, I knew that I'd be on edge till the moment that she'd discover that her sister was here; I was dreading that first time that they would see each other again. But I didn't think that I would be bothered all that much after. Things were not panning out the way that I expected they would, in fact, that young boy that was hovering over her earlier, was definitely not part of the plan. It vexed me beyond comprehension to see him near her, much more so than it was to see her with that other human back home. Just as I was pondering these thoughts, Serenity gazed at me quizzically as my hand reached on its own for the door, my other thoughts soon pushed to the back burner as we made our way to the table.

I cleared my throat as I motioned for her to sit. "I know you must be starving by now, usually you're not this…" I struggled to find the right word, something or anything that was similar to 'compliant', without offending her. "…acquiescent." Luckily, that actually was the word that I was looking for, and it rang true as she offered me a small smile. "oh, trust me, I'm too much in shock and much too hungry to be fighting yet, but I promise I'll be raising cane in a little bit." She quipped as she flashed a mischievous smile. I didn't doubt it, but I knew that once she ate, she would be just like Renesmee, sleeping the shock away.


Serenity's POV:

My feet pounded hard against the floor of the tunnels, echoing rhythmically with a constant 'thud' sound. My heart raced as I ran faster and faster past paintings on the walls and columns in the corridors. Heavy breathing rang in my ears as I panted for breath, hoping I'd be able to catch some air between all the running. But the halls were never-ending, they stretched for miles as I tried to look for an opening. Just when I thought that I'd never find one, I saw a room up ahead come in sight, a door that opened into bright blinding light came racing to meet me, my eyes shutting as I gasped for breath.

"no!" I screamed suddenly, my eyes flying open as Demetri held me firmly in his arms, his gaze traveling down to meet mine as fear ebbed from my unconscious limbs. Rationality seemed to kick in as I gazed back at him, and I questioned silently what gave for that bizarre dream. "I've got you. You're okay," he murmured softly as I nodded, my eyes too sleepy to stay open. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout," I whispered quietly, hoping that no one heard. He nodded as he shifted me to a half sitting position. "I wasn't sure if you were awake yet. But then as I was walking up towards the room, I heard a scream," he explained softly, his eyes gentle and full of concern. I could feel my brows crease in place as I pictured who else could have heard. "I thought you'd maybe like to go with me into town for a bit." Demetri continued as he waited for my reply.

"is that a good idea?" I asked gently while propping myself up against the headboard. He shook his head and as he walked over to the nightstand, his hands expertly searched for something among the drawers. "probably not, but I'm quite sure that it'll do you some good. Considering all that's happened lately, I think a bit of fresh air would help a bit." I sighed at that, my frown etching softly on my lips while I waited of him to continue, but he didn't. Instead he smiled in my direction, his tender fingers plucking out a beautifully hand-crafted comb from inside as he then brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear and secured it with the comb. I turned away from him as I felt a slight tingle run through me, my heart skipping a beat as I tried to regain my composure. My cheeks felt flushed as if I'd somehow been burned, yet I knew that wasn't the case as I began to wonder why he had this effect on me. I didn't know what to say; instead I felt myself nod as I faced him, my eyes meeting his as I was again met with his gentle smile.

Trying to move, my limbs felt sluggish and heavy as I twisted to get up out of the bed that I began to wonder how long I had slept. "how long had I been asleep?" I asked. I could hear the curiosity and worry that edged my voice, but I felt like I needed to know. Demetri's smile faltered as he took a quick sigh and I felt my brows furrow, knowing that whatever answer he had for me, I knew that I wasn't going to like it. "its been roughly a good fifty-six hours. To be honest, I was beginning to get pretty worried that you'd never wake up," he finally said, his concern trickling into his gaze as he thought about the question. Shock was nowhere nearly close to describe how I felt, especially knowing that was more than a weeks' worth of sleep. I guess I could now see why he wanted me to go out for that stroll, and I inwardly gulped as I proceeded to walk over to the small table with the two chairs, my feet stumbling slightly as I regained my balance.

Concerned that I might fall over, Demetri was at my side within a flash as he maneuvered one of the chairs out for me to sit on. I sighed, a bit frustrated that I was having a bit of a hard time controlling my balance. "please tell me that I can at least walk into town on my own," I grumbled to him as I stared down at my feet, my toes wiggling back and forth as I tried to get my circulation to flow. He cracked a smile at that but decided to ignore the question as he asked one of his own, his eyes warily gauging for my reaction. "I wish there was a way to take your mind off of some things, but I don't think I'll be able to not shock you." He began as I waited for him to finish. "as you may know, your sister is still asleep. But when she wakes up, Aro has requested that both of you meet them in the main thrown room." He was right to worry; my jaw had seemed to drop as I processed what he was telling me. "normally I'd assume you're joking, but I somehow don't find that funny." I replied as I shut my jaw, my fingers curling as my nails bit half-moon crescents into my palms.

"I promised I'd keep you safe Serenity, and no matter what happens I hope that you'll remember that." Demetri sighed as he walked back over to the bedside nightstand and glanced in the corner as he stared at the lonely yet pitifully empty luggage which sat there. I groaned as I heaved myself to my feet, my legs hobbling me to him as I looked up to meet his gaze. "look, I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being difficult, but this thing here, with the Volturi… and… and the castle… and well, this," My hands unfurled from their tight grasp, and I motioned around the room, so I could give him an idea of what I was talking about. "All of this… all of it, is kind of new to me. Living with vampires? Sure, that's no problem for me, I've been raised around them. Dealing with humans? I hid my existence every day at school and was able to not kill my human grandparents on accident. But to suddenly find myself being surrounded by vampire royalty, and whom might I add, hedge more towards making the rules and what they find as a necessary threat that needs to be dealt with? I'm going to need some time Demetri, and plenty of it if my sister is also going to be here." I told him earnestly. If I was being honest with myself, I knew I was fried, actually more than fried. My mind felt like a hard-boiled egg thrown into a deep-fryer and yet here we were, my thoughts racing past me as regret started clutching its slithering tendrils around me.

For a bit of a time I was thinking that coming here was a good idea for me and maybe if I was on my own, it would have been. But I have to think for more than myself now, especially knowing that its not just my own life at stake now. For whatever reason, my sister was here too. And If Nessie and I weren't cautious, we probably could end up starting a war and that was something that I wanted to desperately avoid, even more so knowing that the rest of my family would try to get themselves involved were that to happen. Suddenly a thought occurred to me, my eyes widening softly as rationalization began to set in, and only then did I begin to really regret my sister's decision. I gently swore under my breath, my voice such a soft whisper I doubted that even Demetri heard me as I tried to compose myself. I didn't need to have him worry over me more than he already was, I was able to do plenty of that on my own. I could see it in his eyes as he waited for me to reply and I sighed.

"well, I'm sure the weather must be lovely around this time; I think I'm pretty ready for that walk now," I exhaled suddenly, needing something to take my mind off of things. "right…" Demetri replied warily. I didn't blame him, I knew my emotions kept spinning in multiple directions that I was even questioning whether there was something wrong with me. Emotionally unstable…? Was that the word? …Bi-polar, maybe? I couldn't decide, wondering if growing up near uncle Jasper and aunt Alice had been healthy for me. Even if it wasn't, I don't think I'll ever get to find out. "shall we, then?" Demetri prompted gently as extended his arm to me, my head nodding slightly as I reached out to him.


Nessie's P.O.V:

For almost a good minute, I had a hard time believing that I had been asleep for almost nearly three days, that I wanted to shake Alec for not waking me sooner. That usually wasn't like me, and I wondered why my sister didn't wake me either. Maybe she's still sleeping herself… I thought absently with a smile as I remembered when Jake brought her home, half-asleep and mumbling as he tucked her into her bed as her mouth hung slightly ajar and a bit of drool pooled from the corner of her lips. It'd been some years since we were kids, but honestly, I doubted that part would ever change. Sighing gently, I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and stretched out my arms and legs, a yawn echoing in the silence of our nearly empty room. Alec seemed to keep a close eye on me as I made my way over for the restroom. "are you sure you don't need help with anything?" he asked again before I entered as I waved my hand at him in dismissal. "I'll be fine, besides, there are just somethings that a girl has to do on her own," I added in reply as I smiled back at him and made my way through the door.

He seemed to sigh as I left to organize a few things, such as the loose wisps of my hair and the grains of sand that rested in the corners of my eyes. Okay, so I guess I've been out for quite a while… have I really been over-working myself that much lately…? I pondered as I fetched the hair brush from the sink. I didn't know why I still felt so tired, but as I thought about the most recent events, I almost closed my eyes again in worry. She wasn't supposed to be here, in fact, I couldn't help being worried over what was going to happen to us let alone the fact that I'm still maintaining my sanity for that matter. Ugh… why do I need to be the responsible one? Why can't I just have a moment to be myself? I thought restlessly as I yanked the bristles roughly through my soft locks. I sighed again, and when I was finally pleased with the tamed look of my hair, I decided on braiding it loosely behind me as I then began to rinse my face, washing away any evidence of the sand behind my lids. Keep it together Ness, you can do this. I chanted to myself as I tried to collet my thoughts about me.

A faint knock on the door brought me back to my senses, Alec's concern somehow radiating through the barrier of the door between us. "Renesmee?" he called softly as I moved to open the door. "yes?" I answered as I took a slow step back, wondering what could be wrong, my eyes searching his for any hints. "I… I was just informed that Aro is calling for you. He is requesting that you head to the main throne room as soon as you have the chance." Alec seemed to almost stumble over his words as he began to address his thoughts. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I thought of seeing Aro again. I could not imagine what it was that he had planned, but I knew that it couldn't be good.


Serenity's P.O.V:

Demetri and I spent most of the day walking around the plaza, going in and out of the shops in the villa as our arms began to fill with bags from each shop. At first, I was a bit hesitant looking at all the different items and seeing the price-tag that was attached to those items, but Demetri seemed to wave them off like it was nothing as he'd then purchase the items that had caught my attention. It was almost like the day that he'd taken me to Disneyland. The more that I'd tell him 'no', the more that he'd go against whatever I'd say. I couldn't deny that it was sweet, but it also worried me a bit. "are you sure we shouldn't be heading back yet?" I asked quizzically as I sipped on a sparkling soda, my eyes gazing softly at him as I searched for answers. He shook his head before replying, "unless it's important, I doubt that they'll really need us."

I stared dubiously at the bags around his feet as we sat at the tables outside, enjoying the evening breeze and the golden rays of the sunset. I cleared my throat as I spoke, my voice surprisingly gentle that I had barely even recognized it. "if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you really are trying to buy out all these poor stores from the locals. Hopefully you'll leave something at least for the tourists that come from far off places that visit, right?" I peeked up at him from sipping my drink, a bit weary of what'll cause me to fall asleep again. "I'd hardly call it that. Consider it as… stocking up for your wardrobe," he replied as he thought to himself. Of its own accord, my arm had seemed to reach out and playfully smack his side for his remark. "is there something wrong with my clothes?" I questioned with a chuckle, a smile hedging my voice as he then let out a sigh.

"Remember that nap you had earlier?" he answered with a question, my head nodding. "it reminded me how sad you looked as you came out of your driveway sans a suit case full of clothes. I am hoping that this would help make up for it a bit," he teased gently. I wasn't sure how I felt, there were so many emotions that ran across my mind as I thought about that same moment, it was hard to keep track of that, that in the end of it, I think I still smiled. I nodded and then got up and moved to put my drink away as Demetri pushed in my seat for me, my eyes once again drifting back to the bags in tow as I'd let out another sigh. "yeah, we definitely need to get those things back to the room. I'm not sure if I'll be able to carry all that," I remarked as I then lowered my voice so that he could hear, "vampire like abilities or not." He finally glanced down and seemed to take notice for the first time just how much we had actually gotten, seeming to realize just how normal that wasn't for the average person. "we could probably hit up one more store and then call it quits," he added as he lifted the bags. I shook my head rapidly, "like we'd even fit through the front door with all that," I mumbled under my breath as I started for the way back '…home'?

No sooner than we had arrived at a small reception area from earlier, Demetri was informed by another guard member that we were to head to the main throne room. Nessie was no longer asleep, which meant that we still had to face that dreaded meeting with Aro and who knew who else. After receiving the news though, Demetri handed the bags off to them, his voice holding a bit of authority as he asked for them to drop the items off at our room. It was so strange to see that it took me off-guard; just like before though, we walked through the labyrinth-like corridors and drafty hallways until we came across a unique set of tall double doors with a gilded entrance. This room looked nothing like the dining room that we had entered from the time before, that it had me in awe. It was mostly bare and open with nowhere to hide and a long dark oak table off to the side. In front and centered were another three chairs propped up on what looked like was another stage, while my sister and Alec stood before Aro, Caius, and Marcus whom were already in their seats.


AN: Now, I hope you guys enjoyed, hopefully I'm doing alright with staying in character. I will admit, I feel a bit uncertain with the Volturi rulers, so if there's anything you guys would like to see or areas that you think I could explore for them, feel free to let me know. thanks, and hope to have the next chapter up again soon. till then!