Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Italics for thoughts (Edward can hear it if he's present)

Stages of forms

Tiger: first form (actual tiger)

Tigris: second form (were-tiger, like werewolves, larger than actual animal)

Taiga: third form (cat ears, tail, more tiger musculature, fur, full canines, paws)

Tigam: fourth form (half and half, humanoid form, light fur, tail, nearly full canines, paws)

Tegamen: fifth form (mostly humanoid, no fur, stripes marking the skin and claws and longer canines)

Higar: sixth form (human but with cat senses and scent, regeneration and able streak mind)

Human: seventh form (completely human)

Chapter 5

First Strike

"Bella?" Alice asked as I opened my eyes and took in where we were. Oh back at the store, I must have fallen asleep. I wonder how long Alice had let me sleep. I turned to look at her. "I can help you up the stairs if you want?" I nodded and got out of the car. Walking up to the direct entrance to our flat and opened the door Alice looked startled that it was open. The alarm went off a moment later and I smiled, yes we leave the door open but the alarm on. I quickly turned it off and waved Alice inside.

"Welcome to our newest home. We haven't done much of anything with it really." I said as we entered the large room. It's quite an open room with only the bathroom having a door blocking its entrance. Alice looked around and noted the lack of most furniture and the single king sized mattress on the floor.

"Only one bed and yet your mother controls him?" she asked and I giggled. I guess that didn't match up with her. I shrugged most Tigers slept in one common bed with any of the clan coming or going.

"We aren't really like that." I said walking to the fridge to get a drink. I turned and Alice looked at me questions written all over her face.

"What do you mean you're not like that?" she asked as she sat on one of the stools at the counter. I hopped onto the counter and thought about the best way to explain me and Daniel without saying the incorrect thing. I doubted Alice would tell anyone if I said we weren't actually together but I didn't.

"Well, I like to sleep wrapped in his arms. Not have sex. I mean we have never, and well I want to wait until were... married." I said hoping I had gotten the last word right. She nodded and didn't ask her other questions. "You should probably get back to school seeing as we took the car." I commented and she nodded and hugged me before I walked her back down to the car. Volvo's are okay but I prefer bikes. Walking back up to the flat I got the weird feeling that it mattered more than I think that Alice thinks me and Daniel are together.

****

I felt his arms wrap around me as he came up stairs after closing the store. I turned and pressed my face into his chest trying to comfort myself. Edward had vanished for the rest of the week and it bothered me more than I wanted to admit that I had forced him away from his family. Daniel laid back pulling me down on top of him.

"You shouldn't let it bug you that the kid ran off Bella." Daniel said for something near the hundredth time in the last 4 days. I nodded but didn't move or speak. Both of us were hyper aware of someone watching us and it was most likely one of the vampires or wolves. Our instincts told us to fight but our story forced us to play ignorant and human.

"I hate that I bothered him so badly that he's skipping school." I commented knowing that we had to continue our conversation as though we didn't feel the watching presence. Daniel lifted me and moved closer to the window, rolling my eyes I adjusted to the new position and rested my chin back down on his chest. It probably looked like Daniel wanted to look out the window and so had moved us so he could, I hoped. We really couldn't afford to be noticed to greatly by either subject.

"Bella I hardly doubt you had anything to do with it. Maybe Alice's brother is just weird like that." Daniel commented and I thought about our second day of school. Alice smiled at me but we didn't sit together or talk much more than brief greetings. It was when I noticed Edward's absence that I knew she blamed me for Edward running off.

"Then why has Alice all but cut me off?" I asked closing my eyes and turning my head to rest it more comfortably on his bare chest.

"Perhaps Alice is odd as well. Or she decided that she doesn't like me and therefore you too." He said and I smacked him for the smirk that was probably on his lips.

"I like Alice! Dunce!" I said pulling myself towards him getting ready to sleep. I was ever focused on that presence but had to play up the humanness and since it was 2am go to sleep.

"Ow." He sighed before kissing the top of my head. "Sleep well Bella." He said as he rewrapped his arms around me. Not too long after we had turned out the light the person left heading fast west making it one of the vampires. I wonder what could be so interesting about us.

****

I drove to school alone on Monday. Daniel was playing sick so that he could pass over a few more works to John so we could pay our bills. Parking the bike in the small stall that the front of the school I was about twenty minutes early and was in no rush. Pulling off my helmet which was beginning to bug me to have to wear and pulled my hair out of the mess bun I had put it in. Once I decided it looked okay I grabbed my books and headed into the cafeteria to look over math just to make sure it hadn't gotten any harder then it had been on Sunday.

"Not a fan of math?" Alice asked surprising me and sitting down across from me. I looked at her and smiled.

"So you're talking to me again?" I asked smiling I was glad that Alice wasn't avoiding me any more.

"Sorry, I've just been stressed out cause I didn't get to go with Edward to visit our aunt." Alice explained looking very apologetic, "She had cancer and we thought she might have relapsed." She explained to my raised eyebrow. If I didn't know better I would feel sorry for her, she could lie very well.

"That's horrible Alice! Why did he get to go and you have to stay here?" I asked making myself as sincere as possible. I felt him standing behind me but reminded myself that no human would know that.

"I asked first." A velvety voice said from behind me and I jumped and my heart skipped a beat. I was pleased that I had been truly startled by the sound of his voice it made the reaction look good. Turning as he moved to sit down next to Alice.

"Oh." I said letting my emotions dance, they wanted me to let myself off the hook for forcing Edward to leave. Edward looked a bit frustrated but Alice smiled at me.

"You'll sit with us at lunch right?" She asked giving me puppy dog eyes. I nodded me and Daniel had talked and he said I could sit on the roof if he was sitting with me. "Bring Daniel too." She said obviously having seen us making that compromise. Daniel still didn't like the golden eyed vampires and hated the idea of me alone with them.

"Alice?" I asked remembering the question I had forgotten to look up last night. "What's Dodge ball?" Edward and Alice both burst out laughing and I tried to not take it personal but a frown pressed my lips down. Edward stopped laughing then.

"Never played dodge ball?" he asked and I nodded.

"No, my parent's home schooled me and I forgot to ask Daniel." I said shrugging. Alice giggled again before managing to stop. Jasper looked highly amused as I saw him sitting with the rest of the Cullen family but it was Emmet's booming laugh that had brought them to my attention.

"It's a game involving medium sized rubber balls. You can't get hit by them or you have to sit on the side. The object is to hit your opponents with the ball and you want to be the last one standing." Edward explained and I grinned today's gym class was going to be interesting.

"Ah so evade and aim. I think I understand now." I said and both of them looked at me oddly. Oops it was a tackle game we played in the clan. "It's a strategy and ability game. You don't want to be struck by the ball and the goal is to hit the other side." I shrugged trying to play it off as normal. "My uncle plays war games." Alice nodded and after a moment still looking intrigued Edward followed. "Best to get to math. Bye Alice and... Um Edward" I said uncertain if I should know his name. I waved and practically ran to math.

In second period I found that it was a very easy game but had to play down my ease. Alice and I ended up against each other in the last round. I dodged her throws easily since she too was playing down but she danced away from mine just as easily. Eventually I tired of trying to hit the pixy and decided to just let her win when class ended.

"Good game!" She said beaming and I nodded as we walked to the change room.

"It's a shame that only you and I are good at it and I just learned it! Imagine if every one was as good as you!" I said thinking of how much more fun the game would be against clan or vampires. Alice rolled her eyes as she giggled.

Soon after I was entering the lunch room behind Alice and entering the food line. Alice got a few things and I tried not to be amused by her act as I picked out a slice of pizza and a can of coke. Following her to the table her family sat at I felt rather uncomfortable and Daniel touched my arm before going to sit else where. Sighing I gave him my tray.

"Sorry Alice. Dani is being annoying." I said not really wanting to join the family either. "How about we just see each other in class?" I shrugged and she nodded sadly. "Nice to see you again Rose." I said before turning to look for the table Daniel had chosen. It was only one down from the Cullens and I walked over to it and sat on the table top.

"Sorry." He muttered, Daniel had explained that he was having a hard time not expecting them to attack him. I shrugged and grabbed my coke and opened it.

"Could you be any more antisocial? Oh well I guess I still love you... Kinda." I said smiling and he shook his head though I couldn't see his smile I knew it was there. I laid back on the table moving the trays and letting my feet dangle. "Gonna join the cool kids?" I asked looking up at him.

"Must you always lie on the table top?" he asked trying to be serious and failing horribly.

"Yup." I said making sure to pop the 'p' loudly. I heard Emmet's booming laugh again and was pleased to be amusing him. Daniel's smile slowly was replaced by a somewhat evil smirk and I leapt off the table. I stumbled slightly but turned to look at him waving my finger. "Don't you dare tickle me!" I said before moving to sit on the table facing him again.

"Spoil sport." He said still chuckling at me. I rolled my eyes and looked over at Alice and mouthed Mean at her and she giggled shaking her head. Most of her family seemed to be enjoying the Daniel and Bella show as had the rest of the lunch room.

****

"Mind if I sit here?" I asked Edward who had gotten to Biology ahead of me; he smiled and nodded though he wasn't breathing. I guess my scent was stronger to him then Alice though he was considered to have as much control as Carlisle.

"Not at all." He said, I wondered what would happen when he ran out of air. I sat and pulled out my notebook.

"I could give you a copy of my notes if you want. Since you missed last week." I asked and he nodded as I handed the second copy of notes I had made for him. Biology while interesting was not a challenging subject for me. I had done the notes in class. "I made two copies in case you decided to come back to school eventually.

"That's very kind of you." He said as I pondered how much air he had left. I smiled and class began. I spent the whole class peaking at him through my hair, figuring that was about as subtle as humans could be. His posture suggested that he was having a very hard time sitting this close to me. Maybe I could change out of this class. Once the bell rang I grabbed his arm and felt a cool buzz fill me quickly I let go and looked up at him shocked.

"Your arm is so cold." I said covering my shock at that pleasant and new feeling that had filled me when we touched. "Sorry, I was going to ask if you wanted me to sit somewhere else. You have the same look Daniel gets when people are too close to him." I said having come up with the excuse during the class.

"No that's okay. I'm just not used to sitting next to anyone. I guess I need to be desensitized to it." He said and he slowly inhaled air and managed not to grimace at my scent. He was really sensitive to me.

"Are you sure? It might be easier if it's not someone you feel obliged to interact with." I said walking towards the door. Edward smiled and followed after me.

"No I'm fine honest. Thanks for your concern though." He said as he walked with me towards my next class. "See you tomorrow." He said leaving me at the door. He was oddly affectionate towards me, but then again so was Alice and for that matter Esme and Rose. I guess he just didn't want to scare away a human who was willing to hang out with his little sister. Walking out to my bike I heard a voice from behind me and turned. It was one of the girls in my math class.

"Hi Bella right?" she asked a little unsure, I smiled and nodded knowing she would relax at my smile as most humans did. "My name is Angela we have Calculus and History together? I was wondering if you... well I mean I noticed your look of confusion in math and thought that I might be able to help."

"I do have to admit that it is not the easiest subject for me. And I would totally love any help you could offer?" I said truthfully it took me a few hours to understand Mr. Varner's lectures and then to do the homework.

"Well I could tutor you?" She suggested and it sounded like fun. I nodded and hugged her; she practically threw her arms around me and bounced. I really didn't understand this extreme attraction teenaged humans had to Tigers.

"Thanks! You're making my life so much easier! Um when and where?" I asked taking my notebook out and the pen from its binding. She thought about it and as we realised that my schedule conflicted with hers quite a bit that she would help me after school on Wednesdays and at lunch. She usually sat with a group of friends but would join me and Daniel cause I explained that he was shy.

Finally I made it to my bike and deciding since there was nearly no one left in the parking lot that I would forego the helmet just this once. I tucked it into my now bulging bag and began my short drive to the store. My thoughts were on Angela and my calculus nightmares ending.

Suddenly I was skidding and the bike was pressing my left leg to the ground as I was dragged down the road. I ended up lying face down on the side of the road and quickly corrected myself and pushed the heavy bike off of me and out of the path of traffic. Looking down at my leg I could tell I was bleeding fairly badly but it pushed myself up and looked to see what had caused my accident.

There was nothing, not a bump or crack in the road I hobbled over to my bike and checked it out the back tire looked like it had blown. But I knew from my check on Saturday that there was no reason for it to blow. I sat on the ground confused and beginning to throb. I heard screeching tires and looked up at the black Mercedes that had pulled over behind me.

"Are you alright?" Carlisle asked as he rushed to my side. I just looked back at him and wondered if he had been called by Alice or if this was just lucky.

"I don't really know." I said trying to stand up again but he pushed me back down. "I can't figure out why it happened. I mean there's no crack or bump and I check and tuned the bike this weekend. I just don't understand..." I rambled on as he checked me over. I was bleeding badly from my leg but apparently my left arm was bad too.

"I'm going to pick you up." He said and I wondered how many times people had tried to get out of his arms. He was careful of my injures and I laid still in his arms. "You need to go to the hospital, Bella." He stated as he gently sat me in his car. I winced as I moved to put as little weight on my left leg.

"Damn. I liked that bike too." I mumbled as Carlisle began to drive away. He looked at me and chuckled.

"Bella were you wearing your helmet?" he asked and I looked at him and nodded there was no way a human would be conscious after smacking their head on the pavement like I had. Alice had sent him and she thought I would be worse off then I am, this could complicate things greatly. "Good." He said having to take me at my word for it.

"It sure is lucky that you were driving along this road." I said as I rested my head against the seat, my head was really beginning to bother me. It was his lack of response that I knew Alice had sent him. "Ah my head's really beginning to bug me." I said knowing that he probably needed to know that. His eyes flashed to me.

"You probably have a concussion after hitting your head." He said worry clear in his voice as we pulled up to the hospital. As I opened the door and shifted I felt my stomach protest and threw up. Carlisle managed to pick me up and carry me into the hospital before I vomited again. Dizzy and confused and throwing up I curled into Carlisle and let my eyes close. "Bella! Bella you need to stay..." he demanded as the darkness swallowed me.