Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or any of the characters.

Author's note: New Chapter, finally the prologue will make sense :)

The Natural Path

Chapter 6- Ended Too Soon

We ran through the forest at an alarming rate. But it fascinated me that despite this nothing blurred. Everything was in perfect detail as though we were walking. I'd never realised before how little my human eyes could see. In truth as a human I was imperfect. Besides me I felt Edward slow; I stopped and looked at him.

"We'll get some deer; they're probably the easiest to catch. You need to let your senses take over. They'll guide you." I nodded and closed my eyes. I let my mind quieten. Then suddenly I was running. There was a herd of deer not far from my right. I turned to chase them. I picked out the one I wanted, I particularly strong smelling male. He was faster than the other, but I wanted the challenge. With every step I gained on him. I didn't notice where I was, I didn't notice Edward's cries telling me to stop. I continued on, took down the male and drained him. Only then did I see where I was, at the side of a road. People were staring at me and I could smell them. How easy it would be to take their lives. One had a camera and was taking pictures of me. I walked towards him hungrily and I only stopped when I heard Edward whisper,

"Bella" With that my senses retreated and I was no longer a monster. I ran quickly away. How could I have done that? Was I really so stupid? The others would shun me now, they worked so hard to be different from other vampires and I'd almost ruined it. I didn't wait for Edward. I ran as fast I as could and soon enough I found myself on the same cliff edge I'd been on just a few days ago. How I wished I could cry. I'd never realised before the release that tears gave. Now my emotions had no outlet. So instead I sat on the edge and curled my knees up against my chest and stared out to sea. Edward found me quickly and I sensed him before he drew near. I didn't say anything; I just continued staring blankly forwards.

"Bella?" I didn't answer. He sat next to me.

"I'm a monster" I whispered. Edward grabbed my face and pulled me to look at him.

"You are not a monster Bella. You didn't harm anyone."

"But I could have." He nodded and then his face turned grave.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We have more to worry about. The man took a picture of you and we can guarantee it will be in the papers tomorrow or the news tonight. We have to worry about the Volturi."

"The Volturi?"

"They are the law enforcers for vampires. They have one rule. Don't expose us. Don't you see Bella in their eyes that will be exactly what you have done." My heart sank.

"What will they do to me?"

"I don't know. Usually the punishment is death. But if we talk to them maybe they'll understand." My face was blank as it sunk in. Death. I had hardly been alive. A second chance and I had already wasted it.

"I'll have to go to them Edward"

"Not alone" I shook my head.

"What if they decide you're part of this? I won't be the death of you. If I must die then at least let me have the peace of knowing you are safe." As I finished I realised how much I needed him.

"I won't let you die Bella. I'd rather die with you, than give you to them." Then our lips crashed together. Edward's lips were soft but insistent. One of his hands was lost in my hair the other placed upon my cheek. I slipped a hand into his hair and pulled him closer. But he pulled away. Immediately I missed the feel of his lips.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'm sorry Bella. I want to do this properly. I was brought up better than this. It's not fair to do this to you. You've only just broken up from an engagement, almost a marriage. And we have to get back to the house and talk to Alice. She'll be able to tell us what the Volturi's reaction will be." I nodded and slowly got up. Even though I was shaking on the inside, outwards I appeared calm. But Edward sensed this; he placed a hand on my cheek and whispered,

"It's going to be fine" I nodded almost believing him. But the pain of his rejection was still strong. Maybe he'd come to his senses and he didn't like me anymore. I really needed him now, but he seemed to be pulling away. Perhaps it would be best to leave. But I would wait to see what Alice said. When we reached the house the others were already waiting for us. I hid behind Edward not wanting to face their disappointment.

"Did you stop her?" Jasper asked Edward. He shook his head and the family looked grave. Alice had obviously seen what had happened and told them. My emotions almost overwhelmed me, sadness, fear and disappointment. Jasper walked up to me and grabbed my hand. He looked me in the eye.

"Bella its okay no one blames you." I nodded, but still I felt the same until I felt a wash of calm flow over me. I was shocked at my sudden change of feeling. Jasper winked, had he done that?

"No one blames you Bella" Rosalie said coming to stand besides me. "But Edward you should have known better than to hunt so close to that road. She's been through enough already; you didn't need to add this."

I looked at her with happiness and she smiled at me before moving back to Emmett. I looked up at Edward; his head was hung in shame. I wanted to comfort him, but then I remembered his rejection again.

"The pictures have just been on the news" Alice cried breaking the silence. We all turned to look at Alice. Her eyes were glazed and suddenly Edward cried,

"No!"

"What is it?" Carlisle asked.

"The Volturi have heard and they want Bella. Either she goes to them or they will find her. They want to use her as an example." They all turned to face me. I stood there blank. They were going to kill me. My second life was going to be over like that. The sadness overtook me and I feel to my knees. It was like the wedding day again, but worse. I'd only just found my new family and now I would lose them.

"Jazz?" I heard Alice cry uncertainly from the other side of the room. I looked to see Jasper in the same state as me with everyone looking anxiously between us. I was hurting Jasper somehow. So quickly I retreated into my mind and the room faded. In my head I cried ignoring everything around me. I stayed there trying to come to terms with what was happening until I heard someone yelling,

'Bella' In their thoughts. I concentrated and found it was Alice.

'Yes?'

'You need to come out of this. Everyone's going to leave. You and Edward need to sort things out.'

'Sort things out?'

'I saw what you were going to do Bella. Edward has to explain some things to you.' I waited for a few minutes until I could only feel Edward. I returned to my body and stood up. Wordlessly Edward held out his hand. I took it and he lead me upstairs. The room he took me to I assumed was his room. The walls were covered with CDs and in the center was a giant four poster bed. Edward sat down on the bed and I sat down next to him.

"There's something I need to tell you." He started.