After a quick shower and much sidetracking, seductive heavy petting Anala pulled herself away from Emmett long enough to get dressed. She pulled on a pair of black leggings and a matching black hooded shirt that hugged her body snugly. She pulled on her black combat boots and tied her hair into a high ponytail. Emmett's long burly arms wrapped around her from behind as she straightened. He really needed to stop touching her. Every time he did Anala was tempted to rip off her clothes and throw herself at him.

"Very sexy." His voice was low and throaty.

Anala wriggled out of his hold and pulled on his hand. "Come on, we're late."

"Yes ma'am." She gave him a half-hearted glare as he slapped her ass playfully.

They ran through the woods hand in hand. It was dark, but the moon was out, guiding her through the woods. Their footfalls were unnoticeable on the damp dirt and she could hear the smaller life scurrying in the underbrush. It was cool out, but not cold. It was quiet in the endless expanse of forest and peaceful as they ran. She would miss Emmett, despite the fact she would only be gone for a short time. She knew he wasn't happy with her leaving, for however long, without him. But at least he understood that it wasn't because she chose not to. If she had her way Anala would bring him with her without hesitation, but this was a separate matter, a different situation.

As they neared the field Anala found her steps faltering. Emmett stopped with her and looked at her questioningly, knowing she had tensed slightly and he noticed it. "What's wrong?"

She felt her cheeks heat slightly and she shook her head. It was stupid. She was just . . . apprehensive. Emmett turned to face her and looked at her searchingly. Anala stared at his chest, trying to pretend she didn't feel his gaze. After a moment she peeked at him. Still staring. His gaze softened. "The field."

She didn't know how he pieced it together so easily but yes, the field. The field she had been dragged to after months of hell. The field she had last looked at her mate before she died. The field where her darkest of nightmares had come to pass. Anala hadn't been back there since that terrible night. "I know it's stupid—"

"It isn't." he told her as he pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. Anala pressed her hands against his strong back as she rested her cheek against his still chest, taking in his appealing scent and warmth. "Awful things happened in that field. I don't like being in there anymore either. I know it must bring back painful memories for you because I know it does me. It's okay that you're scared Anala. Carus is gone. He isn't going to hurt you again." His face pressed into her hair and her eyes fluttered shut.

"I know," she murmured. "I just . . . I don't like thinking about it." and she was about to walk into a scene of the horror story that was her past.

Emmett pulled back and looked down at her. "I don't have to tell you I'm always here if you need to talk about it, right?"

She smiled up at him. "Of course I know Em." Anala took a deep breath. "Okay, let's go lover."

He grinned as she stepped away. "Whatever you wish, angel."

The endearment made her both smile and flush. Apparently Emmett found it fitting, something she disagreed with, but didn't bother arguing. He was sticking with it.

They continued through the trees and just as they neared the clearing Anala was grabbed and slammed against a tree, leaving her dangling above the ground. A large hand clutched her throat and deep red eyes looked at her blandly. Zain stared at her, dark hair shining in the moonlight and his dark facial hair surrounded his frowning lips. The tip of a dagger touched her skin, just beneath her eye. Emmett growled warningly. "I taught you better than this, Dove. I suppose death has made you soft."

Anala made no move to escape his hold, looking at the man who'd guarded her life since infancy. "We'll have to see."

"You're late."

"I'm sorry."

He released her and Anala landed lightly on her feet.

There were more people in the field than she had been expecting. There were the Cullen's and Iliana, of course. Ruby, Lilith, Elias, half of the guard and at least seven other people that Anala had only met recently, members of the Lotus she had never gotten the chance to know before the events that occurred in this very place. Snippets of memories flashed in her head. The moon hung above them, apathetic to the events going on below it. Nolan's pale eyes filled with anger and a silent plea. Emmett, flesh burning and eyes locked steadily on her own. Her world shattering to pieces. Anala shook off the images. Nolan was standing with the group of people and was passing out yellow ribbons that they were fastening to their waists. Even Carlisle, Edward and Jasper wore one and as she approached her brother she saw Rose and Alice wore them as well. The clairvoyant vampire was slowly sliding the ribbon between her fingers, staring at it with a strange expression. Javan was a short distance away in his wolf form, large black body lying on the grass as he watched the on goings. Someone was asking Nolan about the ribbons. A tall, lean man with sea-foam green eyes and a sweet smile who was named Melai, a Thotanah man from one of the Layame communities here on this plane.

Nolan gave her an exasperated look. "Well Anala refused to play to first blood so I had to improvise. You can still use your weapons but if she takes your sash then you're done."

"Like flag football," Emmett said from behind her.

"Yeah. Only no ball."

Nolan turned to her, a knowing glint in his eye. "You're late."

"I know, sorry." She looked around. "You're even setting vampires on me? I'm hurt, my brother."

Nolan grinned. "Jasper was actually looking forward to this and the others volunteered. Apparently they just want to kick your ass. I requested Alice participate though, just to throw in a bit of a challenge."

"Of course you did."

Nolan looked to Emmett and held out a strip of yellow fabric. "You in?"

"No." he said, which was a bit of a surprise. Emmett was always up for a fight. "I want to see this. Next time though."

"If there is a next time," Nolan said in slight amusement. His pale eyes looked to her. "We play to first blood. Got it?"

Anala huffed and rolled her eyes. I offer you help yet you test me like I can't do my job. And why did they have to play to first blood anyway? They both already knew how it would end. Anala chose to say nothing. He bumped her hip with his own. "You, in the field. Everyone else, choose your weapons."

Anala kicked off her boots and pulled off her socks before making her way to the center of the large field and stopped. The grass was cool under her bare feet and nothing would hinder her mobility in any way such as being encased in shoes or restricting clothes. Toben and Kadaus appeared, began to circle her like hungry sharks. Each held vicious-looking swords in their hands and the yellow ribbons at their hips fluttered around their legs. The two siblings were smirking coldly. Anala exhaled, letting herself relax.

"What do you think brother?" Toben asked, brushing against her.

"I don't know. I hear the Seirye of the Layame is out of practice. She won't even play to First Blood, delicate flower." They chortled. "It'll be fun though." Kadaus leaned in behind her shoulder, lips next to her ear. "Maybe it's good we aren't doing first blood. Wouldn't want to harm the Oracle."

Anala resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She wouldn't take the bait. No matter what creature they were, fighting brought out the animal in people. Anala had grown up watching the Guard fight, watching her brother and children spar each other. It was normal, especially for Layame. They released emotion and energy both physically, and spiritually. She and Nolan would roll around trying to gain the upper hand as they wrestled often both with one another and other children in their infantile years, before they really understood the concept of fighting and violence. It created bonds, as it was in their nature to do. But the participants were usually cocky and prideful in adulthood, riling each other up and returning covered in blood and dirt and sweat, often carrying someone home injured and grinning like fools. Barbarians. Anala had never understood the need to prove herself in such situations. She didn't like violence and refused to use such actions unless it was necessary, unlike her brother and Javan and Zain and Lilith and even Emmett, the list went on, who were blood-thirsty maniacs she just happened to be very fond of. A slight smile curled her lips.

Toben leaned close. "Try not to die again Dove."

She really wanted to stick out her tongue at him. People were scattering around her, a wide rift of open space between her and them. Nolan's voice carried over the space, Emmett Esme ruby, Zain and Iliana with him. "Anala, no cheating. As for the rest of you," He smirked. "No mercy." The air shifted as the excitement rose, a bracing high moving through the atmosphere and Anala briefly wondered if Jasper was making it so or if it was happening naturally.

Nolan's voice came once more, steady and firm. "Begin!"

Kadaus and Toben came at her first, as she expected. They were vastly skilled, but impatient. Toben's blonde form leapt into the air and Anala jumped back as he landed right where she'd been standing, blade coming down. Kadaus was in front of her in the next instant, swinging his arm and she leaned away, taking a step back as the sword swiped past her again. He recovered quickly, turning and jabbing at her but Anala had already flashed around him. Toben lashed out at her flank and she twisted away, ducking under his arm and flitting back several steps as he turned. He growled at her, brown eyes flashing.

Anala let the yellow ribbon slip between her fingers and onto the grass.

Toben swore loudly and tossed his weapon on the ground before turning and walking off the field. Kadaus was laughing as he moved to his left. Anala mirrored him, stepping to the right. "Luck is on your side."

"It's not luck."

"It's too early to tell dear."

He moved towards her at lightning speed again. He feinted to the side but Anala slipped low, pushing back as his arm swung. She took the opportunity to move around his arm and she was holding his ribbon a moment later. The brunette tsked and sighed, dropping his weapon as she released the ribbon. The group began to shift and three more people detached themselves from the fold. She and Lilith exchanged smirks. Anala had danced with Lilith hundreds of times, they had both learned to move as dancers, shared the skill, she would be a much more challenging opponent than those who came at her with brute force. Her curly dark hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head and her eyes glinted. The two men Anala easily evaded, taking their ribbons after about four minutes. Before the ribbons even hit the ground Lilith leapt at her and Anala responded in kind, ducking beneath her. it continued for a long time, two more participants losing their ribbons in the process; Aaron, a shape shifter and Simon's father and Maya, who was half-elf and half-human. Lilith rolled into her landing and pushed to her feet in one smooth motion. They circled each other slowly, the succubus running her eyes over Anala's body with a smile. Lilith was coming for her again, dagger glinting in the light. Anala managed to get behind her and pressed her body against her back, brushing her lips against the other woman's nape. It was only a moment of distraction, but that was all Anala needed.

Her ribbon fell to the ground and Lilith glared though her eyes shown in amusement. "Tease."

Anala smiled and winked at her.

She sense someone approaching her quickly and she threw herself to the side as a heavy double-sided axe cut into the ground. Zain. The leader of the Savages. He had insisted on training her to fight as a girl, scaring her into it by saying that not doing so would make her a nice meal for the forest creatures that would pick her bones clean. He had no reservations. He came at her hard and for a large man wielding two heavy axes the wyvern was fast. Someone was at her back and Anala dropped, feeling a rush of air above her head. Zain's axe came down and she rolled away just as the other followed the first. There was a blow to her chest and her back collided with a tree. She ducked swiftly as Zain cut into the bark. Red eyes looked at her.

"I'm glad you haven't forgotten all I have taught you."

"I'd never hear the end of it if I did." She replied in her native tongue.

He lunged and the second man followed suit. Anala let herself fall and the man who she recognized as Cail, also Layame, raised his spear and brought it down. It pierced the ground and Anala was on her feet, bracing one against his hunched back as she ripped off his ribbon, and propelling her body at Zain. Her hands braced on his shoulders as she rotated so she was sitting on his shoulders and in a position that would be difficult to attack from. She let her body fall back, bracing her hands on his lower back and her legs followed, swinging until they hit the ground and she darted back as he turned, snarling and nearly taking her head off with an axe. It took seconds. Anala dangled his ribbon and dropped it with a grin.

"Soft am I?"

It carried on in a similar fashion, up to four opponents at a time. Facing Carlisle had been strange. He was too kind and . . . human. But he was a Vampire and his attacks were smart, aiming low as to delay her as his golden eyes watched her with that curious stare he got when he studied her and Nolan. It was actually fun, being just out of his reach and seeing the blonde man become frustrated until she snagged his ribbon and he laughed lightly. Anala and Alice stared at each other for a full three minutes until the small black haired woman pulled off her ribbon and let it fall to the ground.

"Alice?!" Nolan was giving her an incredulous look, arms raised in question.

"She's got me each time Nolan, what do you want me to do?!"

Anala couldn't help but be satisfied. Nolan was expecting a challenge from Alice and the exact opposite occurred, at least bodily. Rosalie had just wanted the chance to mess with her, it was written all over her beautiful face. They grappled on the grass, giggling as they half-heartedly fought after she rushed her, taking them both to the ground. Rose tickled her side and Anala pushed her hand away, brushing blonde locks out of her face. She squirmed and laughed at the woman's actions. "Rose!"

"Oh come on!" Zain exclaimed.

Rosalie leaned in and pressed a sound kiss to her lips before standing and flipping her golden mane with a perfect flourish. Anala had already known she had no intention to spar with her and she had been more than happy to let her do as she wished. She had always liked Rosalie, even when the most Anala would get from her was a wary, distrustful glare. Their friendship blossomed quickly and Anala considered her more than a friend or sister. Anala was lucky to have her feel the same. They had understood each other, even back then.

"Well excuse me for having some fun!" she retorted, but she was grinning widely, feeling accomplished at having annoyed the man.

Anala laughed and rolled onto her stomach and pushed up to her feet. Edward and Jasper were the last ones left. Edward approached her first. This situation was different than what he was used to, Anala was sure. He could not read her mind, so he didn't have that advantage any longer. He did have strength and heightened senses, but Anala wasn't incompetent herself. Edward was incredibly fast and Anala just barely managed to escape his grasp and she couldn't get close enough to get to the ribbon. He caught her in the end, and Anala slipped off his ribbon as he did so, gripped into his chest.

Jasper was the last, and by far one of her greatest challenges of the night. Even before he was transformed into a Vampire he was being groomed for war. A lot like her brother. Jasper had trained and commanded armies, took down enemy after enemy and she had seen him spar with his brothers often. He hadn't gained the skill in an ideal environment but it made him strong. He and her brother played chess frequently, out-strategizing the other until they ended in a stalemate or someone won. He had hung back, no doubt studying her, her movements and patterns, if he could find one of course. The blonde was smarter than most. Jasper was an impressive fighter. In this environment, he and his instincts were one. He struck out with calculated moves, never getting within a two foot radius. Anala watched his eyes. She wouldn't win this by simply following his movements. He was timing his attacks. Jasper was testing her limits, searching for a vulnerable spot.

A brilliant strategy.

His eyes narrowed fractionally. Now. Jasper dashed towards her and Anala reached out. He grasped her wrist and twisted her around, other arm coming around her hips. Anala's fingers brushed his thigh and yanked off the ribbon just as he growled, teeth snapping right over her jugular. He released her and stepped back. He was smiling widely and Anala dropped the ribbon as she returned it.

There was one left.

Nolan.