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 24

Joining

Edward POV

I stayed as still as I could, trying to let the pain just flow over me. It helped little but I continued to try. Bella had yet to return and I wondered what was keeping her. The pain was blinding me to many details but I knew that the others were outside learning to fight; I could hear them speak and think. I focused on Bella's silent mind and wondered what was going threw her mind as she asked me and my parents to stand with her before the army that would be coming for her. She left the group as it went to practical and heard her moving towards me.

"Hi." Bella said as she knelt beside me. She was worried and frightened but I knew that it was merely because she was concerned for me. Or at least I hoped that was the reason, if the battle came too soon I would not be able to stand beside her. That thought only added to my pain until she took my hand gently in hers and I felt the warmth of her skin.

"Hi." I replied gruffly and she stroked the side of my face. I wouldn't be speaking anytime soon. The one word had caused my entire body to spasm with pain.

"I thought I was going to loose you." She told me not needing a replied but I nearly breathlessly answered her with 'you could never loose me' when she kissed me. "I have learned that I am capable of killing my mother, that I can do anything as long as I have you by my side. If I were to loose you I would become the empty vessel my mother is. I don't want to be that but I can see how this cold unfeeling part of myself can have its uses." Tears ran down her face as she hugged me, the pain was manageable when she was this close to me.

"I killed them Edward." She told me after a moment brushing her tears aside, "They will never live again by the names they were born to. Final death. I didn't know I had the strength to cause final death but they both rest eternally. Renátka will come in a few weeks if not quicker to remedy the world of my life. Perhaps the wolves will fight with us but little matters as long as I have you. Your family means much to me but it is you I can not live without." She was rambling, but I couldn't make myself move to correct her nor did I really care to she loved me; I was the one thing she needed.

"Edward I know what is ahead of me, but if you're with me I can face it. I can kill my mother, I can lead the clans, I can do anything." She whispered as she kissed me and I smiled at her. "Don't ever leave me." She demanded and I made no move but she knew my answer as she kissed me yet again and rest her head on my chest.

My injuries would heal, according to Carlisle I should be standing and moving about in a few days. I would stand beside her and help her face her worst nightmare. For her I would give everything, and all that she needed was me and so I would give it to her. We sat like this, me lying flat as my body reattached itself and her cuddled up with her head resting on my chest.

****

I thought back to the forest and the attack trying to sort out what had happened. I knew that she had killed them, but I remember her face as she watched me. She was in agony, it broke my heart to not be able to go to her but the man had smashed on my back making it nearly impossible for me to move. The tears streaming down her face and then suddenly she was standing and the woman was on the ground dead. It was an odd gap from crying and vulnerable to warrior and killer.

She had said that it was the thought of loosing me that had caused the change in her. What was this cold version of my Bella capable of? Pushing the thought away I went back to listening to her heart beat and breathing. I prayed the world never bore witness to Bella without me by her side. Though I don't think I would be much better if I were to loose her.