Nostalgic Mortality

Chapter 4: I Was so Sure I'd Never Be Here Again

Anacortes, Washington (16th October 2006)

It was early morning when the car pulled into Anacortes. Carlisle stayed quiet as they sped past vehicles on the roads. Kagome looked out the window watching at buildings and other residential things passed her view.

Their night had been filled with reminiscing and acting childish. First staying at the fair until it closed later the previous night. Unable to drag themselves away from their bonding, they had chosen to hit up a more higher end club. Though Carlisle wasn't one for dancing, she had managed to pull him onto the dance floor at least a few times.

With how they chose to ignore the rest of the club, it ended up that humans started noticing them, and a few bold enough to talk with Carlisle and her. Noticing they were attracting too much attention they had left the club and chose a quieter location to talk.

Finding an empty park, they were able to move onto a more serious subject. Mostly about the Volturi and what would happen with them. The best option currently was to wait it out, and just try to keep tabs on the members. Alice and Edward would most likely be capable of that job.

Once they came to some kind of plan with the current situation, they had reminisced past experiences. It was nice to spend some time with an old friend, doing nothing but laugh about old experiences.

"Heck of a night" she mumbled to her friend.

Carlisle who had been quiet spoke up "Yeah". Taking a turn off the main road they meet a less crowded street. "It was very much needed," he spoke up once again "for the both of us".

She only nodded at the comment; it was needed for both of them. Mostly her though, she needed some one-on-one attention with one of her oldest friends that were still alive.

Pulling off the road once more, Carlisle took a small road that led more out to the wooded area of Anacortes. The large trees flew past her sight on account of Carlisle's fast driving. Regardless of how fast they were going, her friend's driving was nowhere near the speed that Edward's driving was. Sometimes she secretly thought he wanted to impress her.

Edward that is.

Smirking slightly Kagome dwelled over the thought that no matter what time period any man was born in, that they would forever try to impress girls with fast vehicles. Be it a horse, or a modern day car.

Flipping his signal on for common courtesy Carlisle turned left into the Cullen driveway. She heard the tired speed across the unpaved graveled driveway.

She peered at the digital clock numbers in the car, about 8 o'clock was what time they finally got home. Thankfully she did not have to attend school on account of it being only Sunday.

Carlisle came to a slow stop in front of the home. Slipping it into park he quickly turned the keys and opened the car door. Kagome doing the same stood from her seat, and then closed the door with a slam.

He also closed the door before opening the back door of the black glossy car to grab a bag that belonged to Kagome.

"Here" he said throwing her the thin plastic bag. Easily catching it Kagome frowned at Carlisle. Ignoring her he walked around the vehicle and towards the front door.

Following him through the front door he had opened, she turned to close it once walking through. Carlisle tossed his keys on a small table in the front entrance, knowing he may have to leave the house again if he got called into the hospital.

Kagome noticed he walked in the direction of the kitchen, where some of the family members were. She went down a side hallway, in the direction the grand piano was kept. The soft sounds coming from the instrument created a genuine smile. She did love music, especially music being performed.

Walking down the hallway she came across the room where several of the instruments were kept. The door was cracked allowing some of the music to escape the room, but still it muffled quite a bit of it.

Cracking the door open more she walked into the room, careful to keep her noise low.

Though she was quiet it didn't stop Edward from glancing up to look at her. "You have fun?" he questioned pausing in his playing to allow her to speak.

Leaving the thin plastic bag on the nearby storage cabinet she walked over to Edward. "I did" she answered him joining him by sitting in front of the piano.

His eyes never left her, as though he was trying to read her thoughts. She did get quite good at deceiving him within her mind.

Turning away from her his hands rested on the black and white keys. He didn't play, but he looked to be considering what to play next. "I have to be more attentive," he murmured starting a light tune.

Looking down to his hands as he skillfully played she grew confused, "Attentive how?"

Letting an airy chuckle escape he went to explain, "I wouldn't want you to go with one of those humans at the club. I need to acknowledge your needs more".

Seemed like Carlisle did not care if Edward invaded his thoughts. She gave him a smirk in his direction "I have some ideas you could try". Of course it was harmless flirting between them.

While his fingers danced along the keys, he turned his head slightly to peer at her. On account of her being out all night her clothes were wrinkled and smelled of alcohol. Her normally long perfect hair was tousled with the dancing and other activities of the night.

"On second thought…" he let his voice trail off to let her read into the sentence.

Frowning Kagome's eyes narrowed in a more annoyed look, "Rude" she merely commented in his direction. Her statement earned a smirk to break out on his face.

"For that I think I'm going to leave" she murmured. Kagome acted like she was getting up from her seat, until Edward's arm stopped her and he pulled her down to a lustful kiss. His strong hand reaching to grip into her locks of hair. The act caused the soft music to pause with his actions. Smirking against his lips she pulled away from him. Now resting her hand at the nape of his neck, her nails grazed his skin. "Regardless of that, I still need to get myself a shower".

He let his common knowing smile escape, "I see," he stated as he watched her for a moment longer. Releasing her from his soft grip Edward returned his hands to the piano keys. "I'll join you sometime after you've finished".

Kagome quickly pecked him on his cheek once more, leaving behind her smiling boyfriend. "Alright" she left him with her parting words after grabbing her and walking out of the room. She could hear him begin playing once more once exiting, the sound escaping through the cracked doorway.

The beautiful melody sounded light and playful, all drama and tension of the real world void in the piece of work. Humming quietly to the tune Kagome continued to walk down the hallway towards the staircase so she could get clean from the previous night's adventures.

Now in a new fresh pair of clothes, and wet hair she sat in Carlisle's office so that she could use his computer. On account of all that had been happening she decided to check her e-mail incase Kouga had anything new to rely to her.

Carlisle had already checked his messages earlier so she was free to use his office when he did not need the space. She felt that maybe she could work on figuring out more about the break-in at her home.

Sighing and leaning her cheek against the palm of her left hand, she then used the mouse with her right. Clicking on the many e-mail messages she carefully sorted through them.

The door of Carlisle's office cracked open which caused a loud scraping sound to echo through the room.

Keeping her head fairly still, Kagome's honey eyes drifted up from the computer screen to see who had entered.

"Hey" Alice greeted her before coming into the room completely. Her feet moved quickly as she shut the door and moved to behind Kagome. "What are you doing?" she questioned the other black haired girl.

Heaving a sigh Kagome went to delete another message before looking at the next e-mail. "Nothing much, just checking to see if anyone had any information for me," clicking on another e-mail she tried to focus on the message.

"Any luck?" Alice bent down to attempt to read the message that was obviously written in Kanji.

Kagome knew Alice was skilled with languages, so she probably had no trouble reading the rather crude message from Kouga. "As you can tell, not much" she drawled out skimming the lines about the 'weak vampires from Italy', and complaining about various people. Rolling her eyes Kagome shifted her position and leaned back in the leather chair while she finished with the message.

Figuring she should at least compose some kind of message back, she opened the languages and text button, and then switched over to Kanji before she started to type back her response.

Quickly typing back she cocked her head in confusion for a moment. "Not that I don't love you Alice, but was there something you needed?" she questioned the younger vampire while she turned to glance behind her.

Alice merely shrugged in response, "Aside from all that is going on, I thought we could work on our presentation".

Kagome continued to type her e-mail, "I had promised your brother I would spend some time with him" she commented loosely concentrating more on her writing than oral skills. "Go see if he'd be willing to share with you I don't see why we can't start on our project" finishing up her sentence Kagome then paused in her typing to catch Alice's eye.

"No worries" the small vampire piped in, "I don't see him being bothersome in the future". Alice then grinned brightly, "Besides," she continued, "school should come before relationships. You have yet to get a degree Kagome".

Shaking her head at Alice's comment she finished the e-mail and quickly hit 'send'. "Then by all means we should get to work" she accepted the vampire's suggestion to do homework.

"Great!" Alice's overjoyed shout was heard. Pulling Kagome's arm she dragged the vampire up from her seat and out of Carlisle's office.

Alice was rummaging through her closet as she looked at their history book out of boredom.

"How about this one?" Alice questioned pulling out a pink kimono. Gripping the hanger she pulled the dress to the front of her to give the impression of her wearing it.

Proving the vampire with a smile Kagome left the book alone and got up from where she was sitting. "I think I may have some shoes for that as well" she told the girl. Opening her closet more, Kagome kneeled down to get a better look of the footwear she may have for Alice. Thankfully they were similar in size so Alice wouldn't have an issue sharing her clothing.

"This is a Komon right?" Alice questioned getting another look at the garment.

Nodding her head silently Kagome continued to search for the wedge shoes she had in mind for Alice. "Yeah" she answered finally when she discovered the shoes a few seconds later. "It's just a more casual kimono, it could end up being dressed up or down depending". Standing from her place on the ground Kagome handed Alice the black and pink wedge shoes. Though they looked more American it would work with the outfit regardless.

"At least we picked out what you will wear for the presentation" Kagome joked with Alice while she reached out for the shoes to get a better look at them.

Grabbing them Alice spoke "Of course that will be the hardest thing since you're Japanese and all".

Kagome handed the shoes to Alice, but the footwear fell carelessly to the ground. Looking to her friend's eyes she noticed the almost glazed look, instantly she knew Alice was having a vision.

"Alice?" she asked the vampire. Gripping her arms she led her to a seat where she could finish off having her vision. Waiting for the young vampire to come out of her vision Kagome sat quietly.

Alice's hang gripped hers tightly. Watching her face Kagome saw Alice break free from the vision. "What did you see?" she asked her.

The shorthaired vampire shook her head in disbelief "The Volturi" was all she could murmur out.

"What about the Volturi?" Kagome asked Alice. When the other vampire hesitated to answer Kagome pushed once again "Alice?" the question was nearly silent as she spoke it.

Shaking her head Alice cleared her thoughts, "I'm not quite sure" she replied. "I just know that they are reaching out to us".

Kagome for a moment was silent, her concentration was broken when she heard her other family members outside of her door. Carlisle was the first to open her door, Edward looked to be right behind her dear friend. "Alice?" Carlisle spoke up taking a step into her room.

The shorthaired vampire peered at the surrounding family members. "I saw a letter written to us and signed from the Volturi". Thinking for a moment Alice gathered her thoughts again, "The address was to our home in Forks".

Kagome turned her head to Carlisle, "Why would they want to contact us?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure" Carlisle commented whilst walking more into the room. Edward followed quickly along with Jasper.

The Southern Vampire immediately walked up to his wife as she tried to figure out anything more about the vision.

Kagome looked up to Edward as he approached her "Should we head back to Forks?" she questioned before settling her eyes upon Alice once more.

Emmett stepped forward along with Rosalie, "What if a few of us were to go check it out?" he suggested.

Carlisle looked back to Emmett, "Alright" he announced. "Emmett, you go with Kagome Alice and Jasper".

She could feel Edward's head whip in Carlisle's direction as he noticed his father figure did not call his name. "I need to go" he spoke up looking at the rest of the family.

Kagome reached for his hand, and made sure to open her mind to him. For a quick second Edward's honey eyes locked with her before he looked back to Carlisle for his answer.

Exasperated Carlisle settled, "Fine, but I guess take Rosalie with you if she wishes to go as well."

Everyone turned back to the cool, calm, and collected Rosalie.

"Come on babe" Emmett spoke nudging her slightly.

She frowned for a second before replying. "Sure I guess" she settled on going with her siblings back to Forks.

Kagome figured that Emmett just persuaded her.

Carlisle focused on Alice for a moment. "Please proceed with caution, just go back to Forks and see what the Volturi left us".

She could feel Edward's presence beside her; he had shifted closer to her only a moment before.

"I don't want to bring unneeded attention to the entire family vanishing, so I will be at the hospital tomorrow. We'll decide that you all skipped school for the day, hopefully no more time will be needed than today and tomorrow".

Alice shook her head, "I never saw a date, but I shouldn't think that it would take any longer".

Esme this time reached out to Carlisle, placing her hand on his shoulder. "If more time is needed we can then take shifts, but lets wait to see what happens".

"Right" Carlisle agreed with his wife. "Then everyone clear?" he questioned while glancing around to everyone.

Receiving nods of understanding he, along with several family members left to grab what they would need before departing.

Kagome shot Alice an understanding smile as she left with Jasper.

Only Edward at this point was left within her room. He stood in front of her, while she remained sitting on her 'bed'.

"Do you think they are concerned about me?" Kagome asked her boyfriend. The Volturi did break into her home, stole items from her, they probably were curious about her.

Edward didn't have to question her about who 'they' were. With the look he looked at her with she knew the same thought were running through his head as well.

"That's why Carlisle told me to go along" she came to the conclusion.

He reached down and settled himself next to where she sat. "Probably" was his response to her statement.

Reaching for his hand she locked his with hers. "I better get some things I guess" she announced, but didn't shift from her spot next to him. Instead she rested her chin on his shoulder casually.

When he didn't answer her honey eyes looked up to his face. "Something wrong?" she questioned him.

Feeling him take a rather larger breath she readied herself for what he was to say. "I can't believe we are heading back to Forks already".

Moving her head so her cheek rested against his shoulder she listened to him.

"I just wish I could protect you".

Kagome closed her eyes while she listened to him. Instantly she knew his problem, if the Volturi were going after her, he would be in a similar position as Bella had been in. Somehow he felt like he couldn't protect the women he was with.

"You do protect me," she told him. "We aren't even sure if the Volturi are after me," she told him "besides, what's the worst that could happen?" though her voice was light the seriousness of the situation did weigh down her words.

Edward didn't speak right away, but instead he remained quiet. It was as though he was dwelling over her words, "A lot could happen".

Kagome leaned into him, "You worry too much" she replied to his statement. "You would have never survived in the Sengoku period".

A small laugh escaped once she finished speaking. As though Edward was half amused by what she had said.

"Still though" he dwelled.

Kagome shifted herself, this time moving more upright. "Come on, lets get ready I'm sure the rest of the family are almost finished". She stared at his face, not quite reaching his eyes, but focused on a spot on his cheek. As soon as he looked to her she turned away to face her closet.

Though she didn't have much experience with the Volturi it was no doubting that they had the capabilities to destroy the Cullen family if they saw it fit to. After finding a new family after so long she didn't want to lose that home.

She didn't want to lose any more people she cared for.

And at this moment it included Edward.

Pushing the serious thoughts from her mind she took a step forward to pull some clothing from her closet. Carelessly she though each garment to the ground in a heap.

"Kagome" Edward's voice came from behind her.

She grabbed some shoes and tossed them upon the small pile that she had created.

"I'm fine" she responded while looking though her closet once more.

Edward this time didn't speak, but chose to reach out to her and grip her by her wrist. Pulling her back he reached up with his other hand and cupped his palm against her cheek. His thumb brushing under her eye while his fingers played with her soft hair. "Will you ride with me back to Forks alone?" his eyes brightened with the question.

Smiling at him she couldn't help but love that he chose to not address her rather quick change of mood. "Was there any doubt that I would?" she answered his question with another one.

Frowning Edward pondered the question, "If Alice got to you before I, I'm sure you would be riding along with her".

Kagome closed her eyes and sighed with the answer. It was odd that Alice spend so much time with her. She always figured it was because no one else aside from Emmett had that bright attitude that Alice and herself did.

The problem was that Emmett wouldn't go shoe shopping with Alice.

"Of course not" she answered Edward, though he was probably right about his prediction.

"Well I better get ready then" he said to her. This time he did part away from her and walked out of her room with one last nod of his head in a parting.

Kagome smiled ever so slightly before frowning once more. They had to get ready to go back to Forks.

Its not like she didn't like Forks, but she'd rather not head directly back to the place where so much happened. The humans who knew of the Cullen family would instantly recognize the vehicles the second they entered the area. It would alert more people than they would wish too. Looped into that would be Bella and the La Push group.

Grabbing a duffel bag Kagome swept up the clothing she chosen before, and stuffed it carelessly into the bag before zipping it up. Reaching for a worn bag she often used as a purse she threw a few things in it before moving the strap to her shoulder.

Grabbing her duffle she then walked over to Tetsusaiga and stood before the sword. She momentarily let her mind wander with thoughts of Inuyasha and the past as she gazed onto the worn sword.

Bowing her head to the sword she then stood tall before walking out of her room and closing the door behind her. Finally out of her room Kagome continued to the stairs so that she could regroup with the other vampires.

Reaching the stairs she silently she made her way down them. Her hands gripped onto her bags tightly while she walked.

Turning the corner at the bottom of the stairway she entered the living room where the rest of the family had thrown the backpacks and bags that they would need for the trip to Forks. Emmett and Jasper seemed to be taking some bags out to the Jeep. She could hear Rosalie and Alice out by the Jeep loading the bags that the boys brought.

Dropping hers she went to the kitchen where Carlisle was.

Once entering the area she spoke, "Should we take your car?" she questioned him when he turned to her.

The vampire leaned against the counter and sighed. "It's going to be as noticeable as any of the vehicles" he answered her question. "I would just go with which vehicle is going to be the easiest to drive; I assume that Edward is going to prefer to drive his car rather than mine".

Kagome edged her way to a counter and lightly jumped so she could sit upon it. "He probably would" the dark haired vampire mused about her boyfriend. "Anything we should know before we depart?"

Her friend thought a moment, "Just be cautious when you all enter Forks. Make sure you all stick together".

She only nodded at the instructions. "If the Volturi are there?" Kagome settled on asking.

Carlisle's jaw tightened momentarily with the thought that his family could be put in danger. "Contact me as soon as you all have a chance, other than that don't do anything drastic".

She could hear Edward's door close from upstairs, signaling her that they would be leaving very soon. "Carlisle" she spoke so quietly that she was unsure that Carlisle had even heard her. "How likely is it that they are out to contact me?"

Shifting himself from the counter Carlisle stood tall, "It's hard to say" he started to speak; "I would think if they wanted to find you, they would have done something else in Japan". Looking to his friend he thought about how to phrase his next comment. "You know I have never said much about your gift Kagome, but I do accept that you are a very powerful vampire."

She watched as Carlisle turned to the doorway as though he was making sure that no one would walk in on their conversation. "You are my friend, but I would be lying if I said it didn't matter that you were on my side or not".

"The Volturi no doubt would want to recruit you. I don't want to think this is anything having to do with that but I want you to be especially cautious. They would rather have you dead than have you used against them".

Kagome focused on him as his words sank in. "Alright" she said simply deep in thought with what he had said to her. "We'll call you when we arrive" she told him before hopping from the countertop to walk out of the kitchen.

"You all stay safe alright?" he told her before she left the room completely.

Kagome walked back into the living room. Her duffle bag was gone, but her purse-like bag rested on the clean coffee table. Reaching for it Kagome opened to look inside to double check that she had everything.

Once sure anything she would need was there she swung the bag on her shoulder.

"You ready?" her boyfriend asked from behind her.

Turning around she smiled "I'm all set". Turning she looked back to where the kitchen was, only to see that Carlisle was walking out. She expected him to be there as they departed. "Are we taking your car then?" she asked Edward just to make sure she was correct in assuming that he would want his car.

Only nodding in her direction she had her answer. She followed Edward out the front door where they walked down the front steps. Emmett's Jeep preceded Edward's vehicle.

Making her way to Edwards Volvo she opened the passenger door and threw her bag in the front seat.

"You two will be following us" Emmett spoke loud enough so that Edward and she could hear him.

Edward walked in front of his car and opened the driver's car door. She slipped into the front seat and pulled the door shut. Looking out the window she focused on Carlisle and Esme. All she could wish would be that nothing would happen in Forks.

Edward changed the shift, and they were soon following Emmett's vehicle.

Vampires were always compared to marble statues. For hours, days even, they could be as still as a statue. Even for a vampire she never liked to stay still for too terribly long. Kagome at that moment though, was as still as any statue. She wouldn't move again until they reached Forks two hours later as they traveled along US-101.

Author Note: Hello everyone. It's been over a year since updating this. For me it's been a hell of a year… Right now I thought it would be appropriate to at least apologize to my readers for the long wait. I'm truly sorry you all had to wait so terribly long for me to update.

I really didn't feel like updating/ writing much in the last year. I'm not going to be sprouting out excuses for why I was gone, just a lot of bad things this year have happened. I know I have people who really want to read my writing, and I do want to say again so sorry everyone.

I will be working on the Sherlock Holmes chapter two as soon as I finish uploading this chapter. I will also try to finish the "Behind Weathered Walls" chapter 3 during the same time.

Thank you for being very patient with me everyone.

-Lindsey.