A/N: I didn't get twenty reviews :( but, I'm feeling giving as it is the holidays. So, Happy New Year to you all :) I hope you enjoy this chapter. Again, this one was done without my beta. Please, point out any corrections or things that don't seem to work. Thanks!

Chapter Nine: Requiem Mass in D Minor, K. 626: VII. Lacrimosa as performed by the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra & Chorus & Jansug Kakhidze

The animal inside me took over, clawing at my insides, begging to be let loose. In the short days of being a vampire, I had never felt so feral and wild in my life. I let those feelings take over as I stared at the beautiful figure in front of me. It was easy to see why James had loved her- her blood red eyes only seemed to compliment the wild, craziness of her crimson, unruly hair. Her elegant nose and high cheek bones added to her seductiveness. Looking at her and you automatically thought of those sailors lost at sea by the fabled harpy. This vampire could coax a dead man from the grave. Taking in her appearance, I noticed she looked to be rather alone. I sniffed the air and found my senses only proved my thoughts. There was no other being in the area. We were completely alone.

Why didn't I bring Kate along? I chastised myself. I could see the pain and hatred in her eyes, and one thing seemed to be completely clear to me: I was not leaving her presence alive.

She clucked her tongue at me, "Now, now Bella, that is no way to approach an old friend," she said with a wicked smile. Her hair was blowing around in the wind and it looked like she hadn't showered in days.

I guffawed at the statement, "Friend?" I said incredulously. "Your mate tried to kill me! And you're the reason he found me in the first place!" I could barely control the animal inside me. She was one of the reasons Edward even left me in the first place. I never took my eyes off of her while she stalked around me. I would not show her any sign of weakness.

"Bella dear, you're not still angry about that, are you?" Her voice was sickeningly sweet, dripping with mockery. "Surely you knew I would come for you. However, I did not expect you to raise the bar. When were you turned?"

I crossed my arms on my chest and stuck out my chin defiantly. Biding my time, I responded, "Recently. Rather lonely, aren't you Victoria?"

Quickly, as if struck by a whip, she dropped to haunches, and hissed, "You're the reason Laurent is no longer with me?" she shrilled.

I took a brave step forward, "He's the reason I'm a vampire!" I exclaimed. "He died trying to save me!"

"Save you? The only reason he was down here was to kill you, foolish girl."

I smirked, "Well, I guess he did what he was told. I would imagine however," I took a step forward, "that you never expected him to fall in love."

She guffawed, "Fall in love? With you?" She started laughing hysterically, the sounds rippling through the trees. "You really were just a stupid human." She shrugged, "I guess now this just means I should kill you even slower." With that last statement, she pounced on me. Our arms locked, as she pushed me up against a tree, thrashing me back and forth. Her hands formed manacles around my neck and it was a good thing I didn't have to breathe. I could feel my skin tearing as she grasped and I cried out in pain. I gave her a solid shove, and her lithe body somersaulted backwards before quickly regaining her footing. She rushed at me against, lightening fast and she had me in her grasps again. She threw me at a tree and I felt my back make a sickening crunching noise as I bounced of the trunk of a tree onto a boulder. Before I could stand up again, she grabbed my hair and pulled me up to her face. She spat in it, and then head butted me. I felt my body being lifted and thrown through the air, smacking into a tree. I felt nothing but intense pain. She came at me again, pulling me up to her once more. This time I did what I could to stave her plight- my hands went for her arms and I grabbed a hold as tightly as I could, crushing the bones. She screamed out in pain, and when her mouth opened, I could see the venom dripping from her teeth. That's when I heard it, a wolf howling. It wasn't close, but close enough to make Victoria turn her head. I drew my hand back and slapped her hard across the face, causing her to stumble backwards. I fell to the ground, the intensity of my bones and skin healing taking over. She froze in her spot, the look on her face flitting from pure murder to escape. I heard another howl coming closer in the forest and my breath hitched. I knew it had to be Sam. He must have smelled our blood. It would be moments before him and others would be there. I had to keep Victoria here so the wolves could get her.

Crawling my way backwards, I found the base of a tree, and used it to hoist myself up, faltering at the pain. I saw her smirk and that only pushed me harder to stand up. I called out to her, "James never wanted you."

Her nostrils flared out and any idea of escape seemed to fly out the window as she moved to attack me once more. Within moments her hands were enclosed around my throat, her teeth centimeters from my throat. But still I pushed her.

"He wanted me. A silly, little human." I choked out.

She hissed loudly at me and applied more pressure. My hands clawed at her arms as I tried to break away. Then, I heard it. A gentle, snap of a twig from behind Victoria. She was so set on killing me that she hadn't noticed the scent of wet dog. She hadn't heard a heart beating much more rapidly than a normal human's. Before she could even register what was happening, a flash of reddish brown fur pounced her, snapping its jaws and slashing. I fell to the ground, my body healing as I watched the two mortal enemies battle out. Somehow, she managed to escape his paws and found her feet. The monstrous wolf lunged at her throat, snapping his teeth. Her arm reared back and came forward with force, landing on his snout. The force of her strike caused him to fly backwards several yards in to a tree, at which he gave a short whimper. She started towards me, but the wolf had managed to scramble back up fast enough and attacked her again. The crimson haired beauty fell to the ground as he bit at her jugular and his paws slashed at her arms and torso. This was one attack she would not escape. Somehow he managed to tear at her throat enough that her head simply fell from its body- her eyes finding mine in a blank stare; a stare that would undoubtedly haunt me for many a night to come.

The wolf, my savior, was panting and covered in blood when he turned to look at me. His fur was beautiful, russet colored and thick. He was just as monstrous in size as the others. His eyes though, his eyes were the same.

Timidly, I asked, "Jacob?"

I saw the wolf's eyes close and he seemed to let out a whimper before disappearing back into the brush.

"Wait! Jacob! Come back!" I cried out to him, my heart feeling the same menacing pain as my body. "Jake!?"

"I'm right here Bella." I heard him say as he reappeared. He was clad in shorts, and his upper body was covered in taught muscles. His once long hair was now cut short like his pack brothers. I looked up at him, longing for his touch and his warmth. But he didn't come any closer to me. Instead, he kept a good fifteen feet between us. His voice was rigid and quick, "What are you doing here?"

"Jake, I.. I wanted.. No, needed to explain. I shouldn't have left like I did." Again, I tried to stand up, but collapsed. My body was still healing. Jake didn't come closer to me, and I began to get this weird sensation that he was actually afraid of me, if anything else I knew he was disgusted by me. He busied himself by collecting some firewood and placing it near Victoria's mauled body.

He threw the log he was holding on top of the body and looked at me, "What is there to explain Bella?" He sounded defeated, but continued. "You obviously got what you wanted in the end right?" His rage was starting to build, and his body was beginning to tremble. "You got to be with your bloodsucking leech after all." He seethed. He closed his eyes as if collecting his thoughts and took a deep breath. He pulled out a matchbook and lit it on fire, flinging it onto the pile of wood. The fire licked at the body as it slowly melted away. Jake then turned to leave.

"Jake!" I yelled out to him. Thankfully, he stopped.

"Jake, he hasn't come back. He didn't turn me, Jake." I watched as his head dropped and his shoulders sagged.

"It doesn't matter who turned you Bella." He said quietly. Not turning around, he continued. "You're one of them now. You're a leech, just like the others. I can't…" I heard him exhale. "I can't be near you. Being here now is hard enough." Again, he began to walk away.

"I never meant to hurt you Jake." I had started to sob and I knew my incessant begging would do nothing to stave his departure. Yet, I needed him to know how I felt. "Jake, I… I.. I lo-"

"NO!" he roared at me, whipping around. He was shaking uncontrollably, and I knew he was a fraction of a second away from becoming the wolf again. "NO YOU DON'T! You don't ever, EVER get to say that to me! NEVER!" And then, as if someone had snapped their fingers, he exploded out of his body. The shorts he was wearing were shredded into a million little pieces, much like his skin. It was almost as if a wolf literally erupted out of him. He was inches away from me now, and I could feel his breath on my face. Terrified, scared, and yet still defiant, I stared into his eyes. Then I saw him, my Jacob. The one that was there for me all that time. The one that pulled me out of the darkness. What I saw in his eyes wasn't so much anger, but sheer disappointment and heart break. I closed my eyes, turning my head away from him, not breathing, willing myself to not look at him. I heard him growl and the leaves rustle as he ran off. I opened my eyes, and found myself alone in the forest.

"Jake…." I sobbed harder and harder. "Jake…."

I don't remember who or what found me, but when I became consciously aware of my surroundings, I found that I was at the Cullen's home, on Edward's chaise. I looked down at my body and noticed that my clothes had been changed. I heard voices coming from downstairs. The Cullen's had arrived. I stood up easily and quietly made my way down the stairs. I heard their voices quiet down; they knew I was coming in the room.

"You know I can hear you anyway, right?" I said as I walked in. There in front of me stood six of the most beautiful people I had ever seen in my life; my family. Alice ran over to me, throwing her arms around. I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly to me. "I missed you" I whispered in her ear. As I hugged her, a memory flashed.

I was in their house, wearing a beautiful dress. The room was decorated with balloons and candles, and there was cake and presents sitting on the table. It was my birthday. It was the last time I had been with the Cullen's. Each of them gave me a present- Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper had gotten me a new radio for my truck. Esme and Carlisle had given me two tickets to Jacksonville to see my mom. And Edward, my beautiful Edward, had given me a CD with songs that he had composed and performed for me.

I let her go and rushed into my second mother's arms. Esme pulled me into a deep, motherly hug. She rubbed my back and cooed in my ear, telling me that everything would be alright. I felt another hand on my back, and looked up to find Carlisle's understanding eyes. Again, I turned around and was enveloped in a bear hug, a type of hug that I had missed for so long.

"Emmett! Put me down! Ya big lug!" I yelled at him, but I secretly so happy to be held in his protective arms. He was the big brother I never had.

Rosalie, with her beautiful blonde hair, stood at a distance, but nodded her head and smiled. She never was too keen about me becoming one of them. Jasper was next, and the minute his skin touched mine, I was overwhelmed by emotions. Fear, sadness, remorse, guilt.

"It's not your fault, Jasper." I said quietly. I looked at him and he gave me a weak smile.

"If I hadn't tried to attack you on your birthday, you might still be alive, Bella" he said cheerlessly.

"I wanted this Jasper, don't you ever think otherwise." I said sternly. In my head, I knew that this is what I wanted, knowing that it was the only way I could ever be with Edward. Yet, somewhere deep it my heart, it pulled a bit and again, I was flooded with thoughts of Jacob. I looked around at everyone before asking, "Who found me?"

"I did," came a voice from a dark corner of the room. It was melodic, but somber. As he came out of the shadows, I stepped back. His perfectly tousled hair, his deep golden eyes, his strong jaw line. For a minute, I just stood there, drinking him in. He was so damn beautiful.

My senses took over and I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck. "Edward." I was so happy that he was here, with me, now. Things could finally be different; things could be the way they were supposed to be. That's when I noticed how different he was. He reeked of sadness and pain, a dull, sober look on his face. He was the furthest thing from happy.

"You know you're supposed to keep yourself out of trouble." He tried to crack a smile as he said it, but it looked like it was so painful him to do.

I started, "Edward, I…"

"Shhh, shhh, Bella, love, its okay." He pulled me in closer, continuing. "I should have been here. I never should have left." His guilt was overwhelming me, and I immediately became angry. I wasn't going to stand for all this incessant remorse.

I pulled away from him and grabbed his wrists, staring him in the eyes. "It's not your fault!" I said. "Edward, it's not your fault."

His eyes dropped to the floor and he nodded his head. I knew he didn't believe it, that he felt it was his fault, and I didn't quite know how else to make him understand. More than that, I wanted him to know that I still loved him, despite everything. So I kissed him, really kissed him.

Pushing him up against the wall, I looked into his eyes, willing him to understand. My hands moved up to his face, cradling it, as my lips moved closer to his. I heard his breath hitch, as my lips grazed his. His hands, once dangling by his side, were now wrapped around my body, one hand in my hair, tugging ever so slightly. Our lips continued to move over each other, and my tongue slipped out, brushing his lip. His mouth parted, and I felt his tongue touch mine. He pulled me closer, his face contorted, as if he couldn't decide if this was painful or pleasurable. I pulled harder, letting my passion flow to him. I needed him to see that I still loved him, no matter what had happened. The kiss ended and our foreheads were pressed together. We were breathing heavily, even though neither of us needed to. His hand had slipped to my lower back, the other still in my hair. That same, pained look was still on his face.

"Edward, if I was still human, we would never have had our first kiss, our real first kiss." I said.

His closed his eyes whispering, "But you would at least still have you soul."

"Look at me." I said. When he refused, I grabbed his chin in my hand and forced him to look at me. "Look at me! I want to let you in on a little secret. You took my soul with you when you left. Don't you get it?" I asked. "You are my soul. I need you in my life for me to be complete. For me to even begin to survive. Besides, if we didn't have souls, how could we still love?" I gave him a little smile and reached down to grab his hand. "We're in this together now, Edward. You can't leave me anymore."

He winced before placing his lips on mine and muttering, "Never again."

With our bodies still touching, I could feel the electricity flowing between us. I know what he said to me in the forest- that he didn't want me. But that had to be impossible. Not if he was feeling the same thing I was.

I took him hand and led him back over to his family, where we all sat down. My family joined us and I could see that the Cullen's were antsy to find out why they were here.

"I guess I should tell you guys what's going on?" I laughed nervously. I turned to Alice, who just nodded her head. It was time that I came clean about everything. "Obviously, I'm one of you now." Emmett laughed and gave out a "whoop!", and Rosalie continued to stare out the window.

Carlisle asked, "Who changed you Bella?"

I took Edward's hand tightly before responding. "It was Laurent." A series of gasps and sighs surrounded me. I did my best to relax them. "He was not unkind in the change." I looked at Alice who looked very angry. "Although he did leave me writhing on the ground for a couple of days, I survived."

Carlisle then looked at Alice, "Why didn't you tell us?"

She looked a bit ashamed. "I knew she'd survive it. I knew she wanted this," her eyes darting to Edwards, "despite Edward's feelings. I wish I could have been there, but you know how Edward was about contacting her. I saw that I would see her in a few days time in Alaska. That's why I left." She took Jasper's hand and her demeanor immediately changed to that of relaxation.

"I see." He looked back at me, "Where is Laurent now?"

Edward went rigid, as if he expected Laurent to pop out of the shadows. I gave him a tight squeeze of the hand. "He's dead."

Edward looked up at me, "Dead? How?"

I let out a breath, "The Quileute wolves. Sam let me go. That's how I ended up in Alaska."

Carlisle was most intrigued, "Bella, if you were around the wolves, I'm afraid you should have attacked them. You seem to have a lot of control for being a newborn, but I don't understand how."

"Eleazar wondered the same thing, as did Carmen. Eventually, through some experiments, we figured it out. I have an ability." I said simply.

Carlisle's eyebrow cocked up. "An ability?"

"I have a mental shield that protects me from others abilities, as well as a physical shield which can protect me from physical attacks." Then it hit me. "God, I'm such an idiot! I could have used my shield last night against Victoria!" I threw myself back against the couch.

"Victoria is here?!" Kate ran over to me. "Is that what happened to you?"

She took my hand and I gave her an apologetic look, "Like I said, I went over to check on Charlie and was heading back when she sprung out of the bushes. She was wild, Kate; wild with hatred and bloodlust. She was going to kill me." The scenes started to roll through my head, one by one.

"What do you mean, 'was'?" she asked.

Again, the images flew by in my mind, finally resting on a russet colored wolf. "Jacob." I had completely forgotten about Jacob.

"Jacob?" Edward seemed surprised by the name. "Jacob Black, as in Quileute?"

"Yes Edward, that Jacob." I exhaled. "When you left me" he winced but I continued, "Jake was the one to pick me back up. He was there for me when you weren't. He was…" I said slowly, "He was my own personal bit of sunshine." I could tell that Edward was angry with himself. He stood up and began to pace the room back and forth.

Carlisle looked up at Edward then back at me, "Is Victoria why you called us?"

"No. She just added to our problems. I guess you could say that problem is solved." Everyone looked around shocked.

Kate came up to me and grasped my arm. "What happened last night, Bella?"

"She attacked me and I completely forgot to use my shield. She was so much stronger than I expected. I heard a wolf howl and I figured it was Sam, so I did my best to delay her from leaving or worse." My hand absentmindedly moved to rub my throat, no longer sore from where she choked me. "She was in the midst of revenge when Jacob attacked her and eventually ended things."

Kate pulled me into her arms, hugging me. "Oh darling, I should have gone with you."

I hugged her tighter and shook my head, "No Kate, this isn't your fault. Besides, it's over now."

She let me go and I looked around. Emmett was scratching his head and looked fully confused.

"If Victoria isn't a problem anymore, then why are we all here? Not that I'm complaining… I was just really enjoying the sunshine down in Boca Raton." he asked. Rose slapped him on the shoulder and he flinched, "Ow!"

I smirked and then realized the seriousness of the situation. I looked up at Irina, who was staring at the floor. "Irina, I think you should tell them." She hesitated, as if to object, but Tanya gave her a stern look. She stepped forward slowly.

"Carlisle, Esme…. Edward…" Irina began slowly, "I'm afraid that I may have done something rather…. Brash."

I stood up and wrapped my arms around Edward, as Carlisle put his arm around Esme. Edward looked at me, then to Irina, and finally his parents. "Go on" he said.

"When Bella told me that she killed Laurent, I lost it…" Edward looked at me, surprise and fear in his eyes once more, but she continued. "I went to Italy." I heard Esme exhale and turned to face Alice. She looked petrified.

"What is it Alice, what did you see?" I asked.

"The Volturi…. Carlisle, the Volturi are coming for Edward! They're… They're…. Oh my god…. They're going to kill him!" Jasper pulled her into his arms, as she sobbed.

Carlisle took is a step further and asked the question weighing in everyone's minds. "When?"

Slowly, she responded, "Three days."

Edward stiffened in my arms, and I held him tighter. I will not let anything happen to you. I willed him to hear it, I willed my mental shield down, so he could finally hear me in his head. Please hear me Edward, I will not let anything happen to you.

"Did you say something?" he looked down at me, confused.

"You heard me?!" I asked excitedly.

"I heard something.. At least, I think I did." He looked absolutely bewildered. "But it couldn't have been you, I can't hear your thoughts… Can I?"

I don't know, can you? I asked with a smirk.

"Bella! I can hear your thoughts!" For the first time since I'd seen him, he was truly happy. He picked me up, swinging me around causing me to laugh.

Interrupting, Tanya scornfully said, "Well, this is sweet and darling and all, but I think we have a confrontation to prepare for?"

Eleazar and Carmen stepped forward, "Yes. We feel it may be time to prepare to fight. Carlisle, I know you are very much so against fighting, but I can't help but think that it will be necessary." Eleazar, one of the most gentle of souls, knew it was time to get practical.

Still in Edward's arms, I nodded my head, in agreement. "Yes Carlisle, we must learn to fight."

I looked around and saw Emmett and Rosalie looking excited. They apparently were ready for a good fight. Jasper, although usually so relaxed, was rearing up. "I can teach everyone. Please Carlisle, let me help in this, I know how to fight." He looked down at Alice, who still had that same petrified look on her face. "Alice, darling, what's wrong?"

"I can't see how it ends Jaz…. I can't…. I can't see if any of us die!" her voice was shaking.

"I think I know why. Alice, I'm going to ask the wolves to fight alongside with us" I looked around at everyone's faces, and I wasn't surprised to see shock.

"Bella! If you get the wolves involved, I can't see the anything! I can't see if we all make it!" Alice was definitely concerned.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea, love. And Alice, why can't you see the future if the wolves are a part of it?" Edward asked.

Esme's motherly voice cut through the air and asserted Edward's issue. "Edward, you know Alice can't see everything. She see's those that are important around her, and she sees vampires most clearly. I would imagine that a wolf's psyche is just too much for her; that and she's not exactly close to her mortal enemies, now is she?" She playfully added.

I walked over to Alice, wanting to comfort her in this decision. "I know you like being able to see the future, but I have to ask them."

Carlisle was thinking deeply, eventually making a comment. "I think Bella has a point. Without the wolves, we'll be vastly outnumbered. And the one thing that the Volturi have always been afraid of is werewolves." His eyes met mine, gentle and caring. "Bella, do you think you can talk to them? You should talk to the alpha; let them know that we would be forever in their debt. That we'll do anything to repay them. Anything." He looked at me, and I knew what he meant. If the wolves agreed to help, we would all leave Forks forever, never to return.

I nodded my head, silently telling him that I approved of the idea.

"I think it's time to visit the wolves." I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it was necessary, and I would do anything, anything, to keep Edward alive.

A/N: Well, I had one person beg for no cliff hanger, and so- I think we're rather cliffless here. At least, sort of. What did ya'll think of the fight scene? Enough? Not enough? Now, I know a lot of you are gonna say that Bella should have fought harder or whatnot, but let's remember that Bella doesn't know how to fight- nobody taught her! So she was going with instinct, which didnt leave her with much. And to be quite honest, strength doesn't help much if you don't know how to use it correctly :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review!!! Don't be afraid to point out anything that doesn't seem to work! Thanks!

xoxo