Edward's POV
Nine years, seven months and three weeks, that's how long we had been running from everyone in our world. We weren't even safe in the human world either. Demetri and others would simply find us if we stayed more than three days.
It also had been four years and five months since I had seen any of my family members. Even further still, it had been forty-three years since I had seen my Love. I had hoped, on my run from the Volturi and would-be bounty hunters, that I would run into Bella along the way.
My heart ached every hour I thought of her, and hating myself all over again for abandoning her in the first place and left her to the fate she was dealt with. I knew she was out there, somewhere, needing me as well. I couldn't imagine how much pain and loneliness she bore in herself, waiting at the place with the waterfalls. I had seen it in Alice's vision many times.
In more ways than one, I was beyond proud of her, for taking responsibility of being a vampire seriously, and handling her heartache well enough, especially after being alone for two scores and two years. Whenever she spoke my name in Alice's vision, my heart had ripped a new one. How could I have done this to her? It took everything in me to not rip a tree out of the ground, I wished that she hadn't run off like she had. I knew that she could control herself better than that, it took me, Rosalie and Emmet four years to be around humans with little problem. This was an overreaction, overdone. Still, I understood the need to stay away as long as she had. I had even begun to wonder if she would ever leave. Only Alice's vision of both of us reunited showed me that it won't always be like this. I had to wait and continue our search for Bella.
Then, that terrible day when our family fell apart took place. It had been Carlisle's idea to seek Volturi's aid in searching for Bella nearly ten years ago. It was our undoing. Carlisle, bless him, never knew it would lead us to this situation. On the run from everyone but the ones we trusted the most. It had resulted the capture of Alice a year later due to our carelessness and dropped our guard for only an hour.
How long would this last? I didn't know.
I rented a yacht in Hong Kong, deciding on a leisure, but quick ride to Japan, then to Alaska, the next group of vampires willing to report (safely) of my whereabouts to other members of the VUG, Vegans United Group. A cover up name for safeguarding the Cullens. That was the purpose of the group.
After I moored in a port and passed through the customs, passing off as Jeffery Vincent, and took a train ride to Tokyo. Once I arrived in Harajuku, the familiarity filled me. The teenagers of Harajuku fashions were getting more outrageous as the decades went by. But all the same, it was refreshing. I enjoyed the nightlife here. If only Bella were here...
"You're on our turf," a man said, and I sensed the scents around me, I was surrounded.
By vampires.
Shit, I cursed to myself, hoping they either didn't want to get involved with the Volturi or the wars, or can't recognize me.
"Hey, you're one of them," he translated one of the Japanese vampires who spoke.
No, they know me, I cursed again, trying to remain cool as I searched their minds. I could only understand a few words. What a time not to study up on Japanese when I had the chance, so I focused on the one that spoke English.
Yeah, he's definitely one of the Cullens, damn, what do we do? He thought to himself, clearly uncomfortable, that reflected throughout the group. My hope soared.
"I don't want any trouble, I'm just passing through," I said, trying to ease up on the tension.
What, and they'll come here and ask us about him!
"They won't, I haven't had anyone follow me for a few months," I said, trying to reassure the group.
What, did he just read my mind? He clearly looked terrified at the thought. Oh damn, he's the mind reader one! He told the group of this fact and some looked frightened, and others leered. But the one in front looked thoughtful, then spoke to his English-speaking friend.
"Do you know of a girl with yellow eyes that were searching for you, and... one who knows a guy name Jacob?" he translated.
My insides froze at their words. What? Bella was here?
"Sh.. she was here?" I asked meekly, hoping nothing bad had happened. He nodded stiffly in answer. "When?" I demanded.
"About two weeks ago, less than that actually," the translator said.
"Is she.. all right?" I asked, trying not to appear agitated.
The man took a moment to seriously answer the question then slowly nodded, "For the most part. She said she was being chased by some pair of vampires in Alaska. She went to Hawaii. So, I'm guessing she's safe now, meeting with some vampires in Alaska."
"Does she know about what's going on about the Volturi?" I asked suddenly, hoping that, for her sake, she knew and to keep herself safe. I didn't want to lose my Bella to them.
"Yes, she appeared to be knowledgeable, for the most part," he answered. I nodded tightly in understanding. One could only know so much what was going on, but at least she knew. I then bowed, remembering their customs, "Arigato gozaimasu," I said. Thank you very much. "I will leave now, now that I know."
I couldn't stay here any longer, one, I knew they didn't like other foreigners here (as shown by their apparent disgust and suspicion of me), and two, Bella was out there now, with other people. Searching. How long had she been searching? They didn't say anything but only nodded in acknowledgment as I took off running back to the boat. My heart seemed to be alive for the first time in decades. I knew now, that she was within my grasps.
Once I saw her, I would never let her out of my sight again.