AN: I suck at this regular updating thing, don't I? I just read a really good update to one of my favorite WIPs about Ulfric Stormcloak and an OC Dragonborn. I was inspired to add another chapter.

I feel like this story has been pretty stagnant lately, so I hope to rectify that in this installation of the best fanfiction evar! *sarcasm off*

Also, I've just recently discovered Imogen Heap, who is awesome. I got the title of this chapter from one of her songs. Obviously, it's called Hide and Seek. Definitely give it a listen, or maybe try Lifeline, or You Know Where to Find Me! (The song and the chapter don't really have much in common though!)

Anyways, back to the update; onto the chapter!

****WARNING THE F-BOMB WAS USED HERE TWICE (I THINK)****

Weeks had passed since the accident. Vilkas and I agreed that we needed solid evidence against Viranus before accusing him of trying to have me assassinated. We've been keeping a close eye on Viranus, and have been following him on his missions. We haven't seen anything shady yet, but we also had our own lives to attend to.

I was resting at the new table in the entrance hall, and thinking of ways to better track Viranus' actions. Maybe we could hire someone to follow him for us? Not only did we not have time to follow Viranus around, but also we had begun to tire of the ceaseless following. Our weariness had also begun to show; Vilkas has had more angry outbursts than usual, and even I had accidentally set the table in the entry hall on fire. Twice. I can't afford to lose control over my magicka I thought with a cringe, remembering the charred pile of wood that I made out of the table.

Deciding that I should go run my idea of hiring somebody by Vilkas, I rose from my seat and headed out back to the training grounds. Vilkas had taken up beating the practice dummies to a pulp recently, so I decided to look for him there first. I wasn't disappointed.

The winter had finally given way to the warm spring days, which explained why Vilkas was wearing nothing but his armored greaves and boots. My face immediately flushed. At least I can say that it's because of the heat! I headed over to Vilkas and noticed the sheen of sweat coating the taught muscles of his back. My thoughts have been filled with… lewd thoughts ever since the night of the attack in Breezehome. Maybe it's the wolf blood causing me to act like a silly teenager?

Deciding to end that train of thought, I addressed Vilkas. "We can't keep this up for much longer."

Vilkas stopped slashing the dummy with his greatsword, and turned his head towards me. There were dark shadows under his eyes. With a tired growl he replied with a curt "I'm fine", and turned back to the defenseless dummy.

Why does he have to be so stubborn? "Well, I'm not. Vilkas we cannot keep this up. We need help. I've already thought about it, and we can hire someone to follow him around. I've set the table on fire twice. You don't have to worry about accidentally setting someone or something on fire when you're sleep deprived; I do. There are plenty of people that owe me favors too; I'm sure someone would be up to the challenge."

Vilkas let out a frustrated sigh, and threw his great sword to the ground. He turned to face me with a dark stare. "No one else will be as diligent as either of us. I don't trust anyone else to do something this important for me."

I've had enough of this! I exploded. "Vilkas! I'm the one being hunted down! I understand completely, but if I'm okay with letting someone else do this, then you should be too! I'm the one with the metaphorical mark on her head!"

Vilkas looked surprised at my outburst, as did I. Maybe it was the beast blood again, making me act so differently? I didn't think that it would alter my personality though… I need to ask Kodlak some questions about the lycanthropy.

While being so absorbed by my musings, I didn't take notice of Vilkas' growing anger until it was too late. "Why do you do that?! You speak as if your life doesn't mean a thing! First with the dragon, then after that you ran off and fought Krev the fucking Skinner! Now this? I don't even know what to say to you!"

The echo of his rant rang loudly in my ears. How dare he! "What does it matter to you, anyways?! Better be careful, or people will start to think that you pulled your head out of your ass for long enough to care about someone! It's my life! I'll do whatever in Oblivion I want to with it!" At that, I turned heel and ran. I didn't know where I was running to, but I knew I had to get away from him.

I could hear Vilkas yelling my name as he chased me with loud pounding footsteps. Thankfully, Whiterun was bustling at the moment, allowing me to easily blend into the crowd. Not until I reached Breezehome did I realize that I had tears running down my face. What in Oblivion is wrong with me?! I've never been this emotional in my life!

I walked inside of the inviting house and headed straight for my bedroom. I've got to leave for a few days so we can both calm down. I grabbed my trusty leather bag from the chair in the corner of my room and began to pack a few health potions, and some food. I changed into my Arch-Mage's robes as quickly as I could, and put on as much of my enchanted jewelry as I could.

I had gone downstairs, and had reached the door before deciding to leave a note in case anyone needed to find me. I took a piece of parchment from a shelf and scrawled down a note telling where I was and when I would be back.

After putting the note in an easy to notice place, I opened my door and took off for Winterhold. In my emotional state, though, I didn't notice the eyes watching me from the shadows.

It had been a few hours since my fight with Isabelle, and I had begun to worry. Where is she? I've been asking around town if anyone had seen her. Only one person had seen her, and he told me that she had left Whiterun in tears, and in a rush. She knows better than to just run off like that. I can't believe she was so fiery today; that wasn't the Isabelle I remember.

I headed back to Jorvaskr as the sun began to set. I'll get something to eat, and then I'll head out to look for her. As I reached the top of the stairs leading to Jorvaskr, I heard someone calling my name. I turned my head hoping to see Isabelle at the bottom of the stairs, only to see Aela.

She had a grim look on her face, and I immediately became worried. "What is it?"

I watched her gulp, and open her mouth. Instead of speaking, she just shut her mouth and dragged me to the Underforge. Whatever she has to say must be bad. "Aela, what is it? Why did you bring me here?"

I watched Aela take a deep breath and then look me dead in the eyes. "Before Skjor died, he and I passed the lycanthropy to Isabelle. I heard her fighting with you today, and I knew you would want answers. I decided to come clean with you to save you the trouble of asking me."

My mind went blank. A werewolf? Innocent Isabelle, a werewolf? In a deadly calm voice, I asked the only question on my mind. "Why?"

At the sound of my cold question, I saw Aela flinch. The numbness had been replaced by sheer anger. "Well?! When were you going to tell me this! How long has she been one?!"

Aela shrunk away from my yelling. "Stop yelling!" After I calmed down enough for her liking, she continued "She wanted it! We didn't force her to take it! We did it the night of her initiation party!"

I leaned against the wall, and pulled my hair in frustration. "Aela, did either of you even tell her about the inability to sleep well? Did either of you tell her that it would make her volatile? DID EITHER OF YOU TELL HER THAT SHE WOULD BE HIRCINE'S PLAYTHING?!"

Aela flinched at each of my question, and tears welled in her eyes at the last one. I let out a dark laugh. "You didn't. You fucking didn't tell her anything! Talos only knows where she ran off to, all because of her raging emotions from the beast blood! You're going to help me find her! Right now!" Aela just hung her head and followed me back out into the now dark training grounds.

I felt the beast inside of me roaring, begging to be set free. I gritted my teeth and did my best to ignore the urge to change, and headed for Breezehome. If she wants us to find her, she'll have left a note or something.

I headed up to the simple house and entered. Aela went upstairs to check Isabelle's bedroom. I looked around the sparsely prepared kitchen area and found a note hastily written with Isabelle's neat handwriting.

To whoever finds this note,

I've headed to Winterhold to attend to my duties as Arch-Mage. I will be back soon; I just need to clear my head.

Isabelle

I balled up the note. I made her run across the country, just to get away from me? Before I could allow myself to wallow in self-pity, Aela's voice interrupted me. "Vilkas, most of her valuables are gone! Did you find anything?" When she was done speaking she had arrived back on the ground floor.

I just handed her the note, and watched as her eyes turned to slits. She turned her glare at me. "Well, it sounds like you're going to Winterhold. You're going to fix whatever happened between you two!"

My eyes widened, but before I could argue, Aela interrupted me. "Don't argue! Fix this! Now!"

Grumbling, I turned and headed for the door. I heard Aela let out a growl. "Where do you think you're going?!"

I turned back to her with a glare. "To get my things together, since I'm going to Winterhold."

Her face flushed and she looked a bit embarrassed. "Oh. Well, get to it!"

I groaned as I exited Breezehome. On the way up to Jorvaskr, I looked up at the stars. Isabelle, be safe.

The sun was rising over the ice fields just as the dinky town of Winterhold came into sight. I had been traveling all night, and wanted nothing more than to buy a nice and warm room at the little inn in town. With that thought, I plowed ahead.

Twenty freezing minutes later, I reached the settlement. Unsurprisingly, there were not people in the streets, so I decided to go ahead to the College, as no one would be able to sell me a room at the inn if they weren't awake yet.

I walked up the steps, and was stopped by an Altmer woman. "State your business."

I guess she doesn't recognize me. "Faralda, it's me, Vilkas. I need to speak with Isabelle. It's urgent."

Faralda's face lit up. "Oh! Vilkas, I didn't recognize you! You look so tired, would you like to stay here for the night—wait you said you need to see Isabelle?" The elf had a confused look on her face. "She isn't here. In fact, she hasn't been her for a while. Last we heard, she was still with the Companions in Whiterun."

My stomach felt like it dropped to my feet. My face must have paled, because Faralda became immediately worried. "Vilkas? What's wrong?"

Instead of replying, I pulled the crumpled note out of my pocket and handed it to her. When she finished reading, all she said was "Oh dear" and led me across the broken bridge to the College.

Wondering where she was taking me, I spoke up. "Well, we have work to do. She left significantly earlier than you. She would've arrived hours ago, but she didn't. We have to find her."

Relief flooded me. "You'll help?"

She stopped and turned to me. "Isabelle is our Arch-Mage, but more importantly, Isabelle is family. Of course we'll help."

Faralda then began to lead me across the rest of the dilapidated bridge again. While following behind the elf, I began to do something that I hadn't done for a long time: pray. Talos, please. Please keep her safe; please don't let anything happen to her.

AN: Wow! Something is actually happening! Thank you guys for reading, and thank you for the 6, 511 views! That's just… I don't even know! *explodes*