Chapter 11

A/N: I don't own twilight.

Thanks so much for all the reviews. I really appreciate it. This is it. This is the dramatic and tragic chapter. Revisiting this part really tore me up. It was hard writing this the first time round for Can't Fight The Moonlight. Hopefully this came out alright. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks again.

MPOV:

I hold tighter to Caine not ever wanting to let go. How could I be so blind? How could I have wasted so much time with him? I swear as long as I live I will never take for granted what fate has handed me. Fate...wonderful, crazy fate and I was too stubborn to just open my eyes and accept what that crazy bitch handed me.

I groan a little as Caine presses me closer against my bedroom door. My ribs are still bruised and I'm dirty, sore and bloodied...Rafe's blood. I pull Caine's lips to mine even as the tears are flowing. I need this. I need him. I need to feel that he's real....that he's safe and intact. I let my hands roam all over his sweaty, dirty, bloodied back. I feel every bruise, cut, scrape, every mark that mars his beautiful skin. He's here and he's not going anywhere.

"Moxie...god Moxie." Caine sobs softy his tears mingling with mine. I can taste the salty wetness on my lips and I want nothing more than to take away his pain, his hurt, his suffering. "It's ok Caine. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." I breath as I place soft kisses on his tear stand cheeks. Our eyes lock and I feel it. That connection that has been holding us together since we were kids. I don't think I could every imagine what losing him would do to me. My god...Sienna...

One week earlier....

A glass shatters in the kitchen followed by a scream that startles everyone in the house. I follow close behind Sienna to see what happened. It's Alice and it's not good. "They changed their minds. They'll be here at the end of the week." She says with a frightened expression that mars her tiny features. Sienna freaks out and takes off out the house and towards the clearing. My heart goes out to her. Sienna has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Nathifa says she's the key to defeating the Volutri.

I wish I could do something to help but in this situation there is really nothing you can do or say to make it better. Uncle Jake and Rafe leave to find her while the rest of us deal with the bomb Alice just dropped on us. Immediately Nathifa, Sam and Jasper get into strategy mode. Carlisle is on the phone calling Tanya and Nessie is talking to Lola and Arabella, Nahuel's sisters. Caden joins in on the discussion with Nathifa, Sam and Jasper and all their faces are deadly serious.

A few minutes later Rafe and Jacob come bounding into the house with Rafe carrying an unconscious Sienna. Carlisle rushes over to check on her. "She must have fainted. She's been under a lot of stress." Carlisle says looking over Sienna's limp body. "Take her upstairs to Rosalie's old room. Let her get some rest." Carlisle says gravely to Rafe and he takes off quickly upstairs.

I get up from my spot on the floor I was sitting on when Nathifa was telling us the rest of her story. I walk over to where my mom is and flop down beside her. She wraps a long arm around my shoulders and I lazily lay my head on her. She strokes my hair soothingly and I wish it could always be like this. "Mom was it like this when you had to fight?" I ask hoping that she can ease my rising fears.

"Yes and no Moxie. It was...just surprisingly calm. Like the center of a hurricane. The calm before a storm. That kind of feel before it all went to hell." She says softly trying to explain her exact feelings of that day. "I think I get it." I say sighing heavily. Whatever happens this week will definitely be my calm before the storm.

The night before the fight....

The anticipation and tension is palpable. It's like there is an electric current sparking everything in the air. The past week has passed quickly with double the training and patrols. I don't think I've ever used all the muscles in my body before now. Tonight everyone is really on edge. The whole family is in the mansion and spending as much time together as possible.

I pull a brush through Sienna's caramel curls as we sit on her mother's bed and have some much need best friend girl time. "So spill...I want to know all the dirty details about you and loverboy." I drawl suggestively as I part her silky tresses and begin to french braid her hair. "Mox...he's amazing. You know he recited a sonnet to me tonight on first beach. It was so romantic." She sighs dreamily. "Enough with the mushy stuff. I want to know how it was when you lost your V card." I say with a wicked grin.

"Moxie! I'm not telling you about that." She says shyly. "Oh please. It couldn't be worse than the slutty shit Dali has been doing with her oh so hot stalker." I say with an arched eyebrow. "Really? Her and Brady? I thought she couldn't stand him." Sienna says with wide eyes. "Yeah well that all changed when this bullshit with the Volturi started. Now they are bumping pelvises like crazy and a few other questionable things I might add." I say slyly.

"Well...wow. Rafe and I...it was nice and what a first time should be like. That's all I'm saying." She says a light blush creeping up her neck. "Fine." I huff playfully. "What about you and Caine?" She asks as I finish braiding her hair. She turns to face me with a concerned look in her hazel eyes. "It's complicated. I just...i don't know. One minute things are going good and then this stupid double imprint happens and it just fucks things up." I say tiredly. "Oh Mox, sweetie things will work out. It's meant to be. Caine and you will figure out all this stuff." Sienna says and pulls me into a tight hug. "Thanks." I say softly and hold tight to my best friend.

I pull away and rub my hand over my face trying to keep my tears at bay. I hate getting emotional. "Sienna...if something, something terrible happens just know that I love you. I love all of you. Promise you'll let everyone know." I say softly my voice thick with emotion. "I love you too Mox. I promise and you do the same for me too." She says the tears spilling from her shining hazel eyes. I grab her warm hand and squeeze it tight. It's scary to think that this could be the last time I spend with her, with anyone.

The whole day has been like this. Everyone sharing private moments together. It's been a roller coaster of emotions all day. I spent a few hours with my parents just talking and hanging out. Something we haven't done in long time. I decided to switch packs so that during the battle I can be closer to them. I also spent time with Uncle Seth, Aunt Gloria and Zev. Zev and I also spent time with grandma Sue and grandpa Charlie. He's still on a need to know basis.

The easiest part of my day was the hour Caine and I spent laying in the grass holding hands and not saying a word. It was like a song, one of those sweet intense songs that make the hairs on your arms stand up. A song that wrenches the tears from you or makes you feel like your falling and surrendering to the beat completely. One of those songs.

He looks at me and I look at him. In that moment I realized what imprinting really was. It was a way of finding someone that is everything your not. Like Allegra and Collin. She's ditsy and free spirited and he's calm and serious. She's everything he isn't and he compliments her perfectly. When I think of all the couples in my family it just makes sense. You don't love somebody because they are good looking, have money, or the perfect social status. You don't love them for what species they are. You love them because they sing a song that nobody but you can hear and understand.

Day of the Battle...

It's early and the sun has yet to rise. There's a chill in the air and I can feel it down to the bone. Everyone is hugging and kissing each other and saying their final goodbyes. The wolf girls are tearful and worried. Claire is clinging to Quil trying desperately to keep from breaking down. Dali and Brady are glued to each other as well as Allegra and Collin. Collin keeps running his hands through her long hazelnut hair trying to mesmerize the feel. It's eerie seeing all these private moments. My heart hurts watching Jake rub Rosalie's swollen belly.

I hug my dad and mom tightly and try to commit to memory each of their scents. My dad smells of campfire and licorice and my mom smells of warm brown sugar. I go around hugging and telling everyone how much I love them. Emmett bear hugs me till I can't breath and Alice pecks me on the cheek. Jasper and Edward take turns kissing me gentlemanly on the hand and I can't but smile widely at them.

Nessie hugs me close and places her small hand on my cheek. I see flashes of everyone in our family and I feel a little more at ease. I give my love to all the wolf girls before they are escorted by Yasmine back to La Push. She'll be there protecting them while we fight. "It's time." Alice says gravely and we all head outside. Before I make it to the woods Caine stops me. "Mox..." Caine starts but I stop him. "You don't have to say it. I know. Ok. I know." I say and he nods his head.

I turn to go but then I stop myself. I turn to face him and push up on my toes. I place my hands on his chest to brace myself and he instinctively leans down. I press my lips softly against his. It's soft and quick but speaks volumes. He gives me a sweet grin as I pull away and I smile back. We don't need words. Not now. All that needed to be said was in the kiss.

I rush forward to catch up to my parents. This day is the day that could change all our lives completely. I pull off my summer dress and phase quickly. Everyone's minds are oddly quiet. We follow the Cullens and the rest of the vamps and hybrids into the clearing. We divide into the groups that Garrett and Jasper set up for us.

Benjamin, Tia, Sienna and Caden are in one group. Nathifa, Carlisle, Esme, Jacob and Rocco make another group. The Denali clan are to the left with my dad, Quil and Seth. Bella, Edward are in the middle with Nessie, Carlos, myself and Brady. To the right of us are Nahule and his sisters with Jasper, Alice, Elijah, Collin, and Caleb. Towards the back are Sam, Rafe, Paul, Jared, Caine, my mom and Zev. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through me and the rest of the pack is feeling it as well.

I turn my head and look behind me. Caine and I lock eyes and I know that when all things are said and done that at least I knew what love was. We all look to the horizon and it's deafeningly silent. Serene and cold and eerie. I lift my head and watch as birds fly by, dark and unassuming and how could they not know that a change is about to come? How could they not feel it? But they flew, wings holding them aloft, their tiny minds caring nothing for our troubles. They were literally above it all. Alive, free, and flying and it sent a shiver down my spine.

The lavender sky broke and there it was, a golden coin dipped in crimson, climbing at a snail's pace into my view. The sun rising signaling our fate. And further back a dark and looming force was stalking towards us with purposeful malice. I tensed. This was it. This is was fate had set into motion all those years ago. Who knew that when a withered old women sent a young princess on a path to her blue eyed copper skinned soul-mate that could transform into a wild beast, it would lead to this moment right here in this peaceful clearing.

The Volturi reach us and everyone gets into fighting positions. "Give us what we came here for and the rest of you will be left alone." Aro says with his superior attitude. "What exactly would that be?" Nathifa sneers at him. "I want Rosalie and her children." Aro says matter-of-factually. The triplets, Sienna and Jacob growl and hiss furiously. The ground starts to rumble under Sienna's intense gaze. "Patients child." Benjamin soothes Sienna. "You will get nothing. From now on you will answer to me or die. I will no longer turn a blind eye to you." Nathifa seethes her green eyes a blaze with her anger. "We will answer to no one not even you my Queen." Aro sneers with a slight bow. "We have the power now. What a pitiful group. These dogs don't frighten us anymore. We will enjoy ridding the world of their kind." He says his voice full of derision.

All of us wolves growl and snap loudly as Aro motions to his guard. Alice shouts "NOW!!" and the clearing erupts in chaos. It sounds like a thunder storm is brewing with all the vampires hitting each other. Bella's concentrating hard while Edward and Nessie and Brady keep her safe. Carlos and I take off towards the front while Rocco helps Natifa. Benjamin grabs Sienna by the hand and pulls her to the center with Caden shielding them. "Do what you must now child!!" Benjamin screams and I can feel the wind start to kick up. Sienna concentrates on the earth beneath Aro, Casius and Marcus and it begins to shake. "Concetrate harder." Benjamin pushes. Benjamin kicks the wind up higher pushing Alec's mist away from Caden.

I turn my focus to the front of me and Carlos slams hard into a cloaked guard. I follow close behind and pounce on the first leech I see. He knocks me off easily at first but I don't give up to quickly. I snap and lunge at him and he leaps out of the way and turns around and lands a punch in my side. I can feel a few ribs crack and I yelp in pain. I suck it up quickly and manage to grab his arm and I bite down hard snapping it off. I toss the piece as far as I can and continue to go after this fucker.

After a few minutes of dancing around I take him down and Zev comes to help me dismember him. When we are done I go to help Carlos who is struggling under a large red headed ice bitch. He pulls and I snap and bite and we make fast work of the leech. I gag a little at the bitter metallic taste in my mouth and take a look around. The clearing is like a battlefield out of a war movie.

A plume of dark purple smoke rose into the sky, coming up from the earth, chased by orange and yellow sparks. The ash was suffocating and the smell of venom and blood filled the air. The wolves are snapping and growling lividly tearing into as many of the guard as possible. I see a large vamp knock my dad down and I panic for just a moment but then Quil is quick to help him out. The two of them easily rip him in two with a sickening tearing sound. Rocco is helping Nathifa. No matter how much pain she is in she still manages to knock some down with an invisible force while Rocco and Carlisle pull them apart. Even Esme is holding her own against a small female guard.

I'm knocked around and fighting back just as hard. I'm busted up and bruised but nothing that I can't handle. I see Sienna get taken down by some large greasy haired vamp. "Save her!!" Benjamin screams before getting tore into by two hulking bloodsuckers. Rafe races to Sienna but suddenly it seems like everything is going into slow motion. Rafe is so focused on Sienna that he doesn't even see the leech that is gunning for him.

I race towards them but I'm knocked down before Caine comes and tears into the son of a bitch that knocked me down. I hurriedly get to my feet but I'm too late. The small fierce vamp is tearing into Rafe's chest and it's a gruesome sight. Sienna is running towards him with Caden at her side and he bounds over her to tear the bloodsucker off of Rafe. Caine rushes over and helps Caden dispose of the bitch.

My head is spinning and I can feel Rafe's pain through our mental link. He's losing blood too quickly for him to heal. He phases back and his chest is mangled with a gaping bloody hole. I watch as my best friend tear her sweater off and try to stop his bleeding. She's crying and begging him to stay with her. Rafe sluggishly raises his hand strokes her cheek. "Please stay with me." She sobs forcefully. "I love thee with the breath...uhh...smiles, tears, of all my life!...and, if God choose, I shall...shall... but love thee better after death." Rafe gasps as tears run down his cheeks. Sienna kisses him softly and he groans in pain. I watch my best friend cling to her imprint while the life slips from his body.

It's too much to bare. Watching makes me feel like I can't breathe. I force myself to take a deep breath. The smell of blood, fire, and grease fills my lungs. It was the clotting, choking smell of death. Sienna sits up covered in blood and her eyes are dangerously black. She begins to tremble and suddenly the ground cracks with a thundering sound and suddenly one by one Aro, Casiu, and Marcus erupt in white hot flames. Their screams are deafening. She continues to push the flames to as many of the guard she can and it's a frightening sight.

Carlisle has to shake her roughly to get her to stop using her ability before she kills us all. Sienna breaks down and sobs violently as the rest of the guard retreats. I phase back quickly and toss on my tattered sundress. The bright yellow now a muddy brown. I rush to my best friend and hold her close. She holds tight to me and my ribs burn from being broken earlier. She pulls away and curls into a ball on the ground, while sobbing into the dirt till she slips into darkness.

There was nothing now but the burning of fires and birds flying away and the ever great silence. There was once a peaceful clearing. Then there was a war. It didn't matter who started it anymore. It didn't matter who ended it. It didn't matter who won. It all just spun out of control. I look down at my bare feet and all I can see is dust, soot, and rusted blood. That's all that was left now. Sam pulled Rafe to his chest and closed his ebony eyes. Good. He's at rest now.

A/N: Please Review. Next up the aftermath and a little loving for Moxie and Caine.