~Ayame's POV~

Giggling at Emmett's excited-ness, I then saw that my stuff was set up. Before I could protest.

"You guys don't have to do this every time we play. I don't mind standing." I said.

"Nonsense. With our stamina, you know we can do this forever. We want you to be comfortable while you watch us." Daddy replied. "Besides, you know how stubborn your brothers are."

"It's true. With them, the game could go on and on." Mom says, adding in.

Nodding my head, I held my arms up. Getting my signal, Edward smirked as he swept me off my feet and carried me to my seat.

As Emmett and Jasper were finishing up the diamond, the sound of a truck drew closer to the field, growing louder.

"What is she doing here?" Rosalie sneered as she stood by me.

"Why does Edward look really angry?" I asked as I was hugged by Emmett.

"We already have an umpire!" Emmett shouted, startling me. "Sorry, Ayame. She's trying to push her way into our game."

"And she has." Edward replied defeated as he joined our side.

"What happened?" Daddy asks.

"She's threatening exposure if we make her leave. Just one game and then she's gone." Edward answered.

"Come here." I said, holding my arms out for him. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me. I didn't need Jasper's gift to know he was holding back some serious anger. He took in my scent like a hungry dog looking at a piece of meat.

"Shall we get this game started?" I ask as I then stood next to Mom.

"What can I do?" I snapped my head, startling Isabella.

"Stay out of the way unless you want a baseball in your spleen." I said dark before sassy-sitting in my chair.

When I sat down, my family got in their places. Thankfully. The quicker we start the game, the quicker she goes home. Thunder roared in the sky, making me smile.

"It's time." Alice says.

I smile as Rosalie held up the bat and nodded her head to Alice. Bringing her leg up, Alice threw the ball. Hitting it just as the lightning struck, Rosalie then took off running.

"Go, Rosie!" I shouted.

"Okay, now I see why you need the thunder." Bella says, trying to talk to me, or any one of us. But I just ignored her.

While Rosalie ran from base to base, Edward took off after the ball.

"That's gotta be a home run, right?" Bella asks.

I sigh, but thankfully my mom stepped in between us.

"Edward is very fast." Mom answers.

While I waited to see Edward bring the ball back, Jasper entertained me by twirling the bat in his hand in a cool way. I smiled and clapped my hands at his little trick. Soon, Rosalie was one base away.

"Come home, Rosalie!" Dad shouts.

"You can do it, Rosie!" I shout after.

But sadly, Mom caught the ball and even though Rosie slid the rest of the way to home base, she was still out.

"You're out." Bella says.

But Rosie and I just glared at her. I got up from my seat and walked over to my sister.

"As much as I'd hate to agree with her, she's right. You're out, sis." I said, kindly.

Rosie smiles at me, ignoring Bella she got up and wrapped her arms around me. Emmett then exclaimed, which caught our attention. Rosie and I crossed our arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Babe, lil sis, come on. It's just a game." Emmett replied.

Rolling my eyes at him, Rosalie just gave Bella the cold shoulder.

"Nice kitty." Dad says.

Edward comes out from the forest and flashes over to me. He swept me up into his arms and gave my cheek a kiss. Letting out a giggle, he just smiled at me. Edward lets me down and Dad went up to the base for his turn, Edward then went back to his spot. Alice threw the ball again, and dad hit it hard. While he ran, Emmett and Edward both went for the ball. However, when they tried to get the ball midair, they crash into each other, right as the lightning struck. They crashed into the ground, and Dad made it to second base. From my spot I could hear Edward chuckling, and I saw Emmett push him, playfully.

Up next, was Jasper. He does another twist trick with the bat then got ready. Throwing the ball, Jasper easily hit it. He and Dad both took off running. Turning my gaze to Emmett, he went right for the ball first. He then climbs the tree nearby and easily caught the ball and threw it back.

"My monkey man." Rosalie says jokingly to me.

"Your man." I reply back to her.

Rosalie was up to bat, and she hit the ball when Alice threw it. Dad was about to make it to third base, only for Alice to freeze for a second. Immediately, she then turned around.

"Stop!" She called out.

All of us stopped, and I saw them all look at Alice then to the forest behind Edward. Before I knew it, they were all running to me.

"They were leaving. Then they heard us." Alice says.

"Who?" I ask, only for Edward to wrap his arm around me.

"We have to go." Edward says.

"What's going on?" Bella asks, but we ignore her.

"It's too late." Dad says.

Edward froze then moved behind me.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Fixing your hair." Edward answers.

"Should I put my hair down?" Bella asks.

"Not that I care, but it doesn't matter. I could smell you from across the field." Rosie answered disgusted.

"Stay by me and don't move. Let Carlisle do his thing." Edward whispers to me. "I shouldn't have let the game go on for this long. I'm so sorry."

"Hey, we couldn't have known. It's not your fault." I whisper to him, cupping his cheek.

"We have each other. That's all that matters. Besides, they probably would have picked up Bella's scent anyway. It's so strong." I thought.

While hugging Edward's arm, I glanced back and saw Mom holding Bella back while she was trying to walk over to me.

While standing behind Dad and my siblings, we wait as three people, vampires, walk out of the foggy forest at the end of the field. Lighting struck in the sky, as our family stood protectively as a group.

The dark skinned man held up his hand, revealing our baseball.

"I believe this belongs to you." He says, then tosses it to Dad.

Catching it, he smiles. "Thank you." Dad replies calmly.

"I am Laurent. This is Victoria. And James." The man, Laurent, introduces his friends.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, and our friend, Bella." Dad replies.

I held back my snicker for the way he added Bella.

"Hello." Laurent says.

"I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us." Dad replies.

"Our apologies. We didn't realize the territory had been claimed." Laurent says.

"Yes, well, we maintain a permanent residence nearby." Dad replies.

"Really?" Laurent says. "Well, we won't be a problem anymore. We were just passing through."

"The humans were tracking us. But we led them east." The woman, Victoria, replies. "You should be safe."

"Excellent." Dad says.

"So, could you use three more players?" Laurent asks.

We were all silent, I just tightened my hold on Edward's arm.

"Come on. Just one game." Laurent says.

Dad hesitates, but then sighed.

"Sure. Why not?" Dad replies. "A few of us were just leaving. You could take their place. We'll bat first."

Dad tosses Laurent the ball, only for Victoria to catch it.

"I'm the one with the wicked curveball." Victoria says.

"Well, I think we can handle that." Jasper replies.

"Ooh!" Laurent says enthusiastically.

"We shall see." Victoria replies.

I turned myself, about to head for the Jeep. Only, Edward didn't move. Glancing up, I saw his gaze. I knew it better than the others. He was reading someone's mind. A few seconds later, he relaxed. He wraps his arm around me, letting me know it was okay. But, before we moved towards the Jeep, it hit us. A scent. Her scent. Isabella.

~THIRD POV~

After the wind blew through her hair, it was too late. James caught the scent and knew. Bella was a human.

"You brought a snack." James says.

With that, the Olympic Coven gathered around, covering Ayame and Bella from the nomads.

"A human?" Laurent asked. "And, uh..."

The Cullen's knew, he caught Ayame's scent too. This was bad.

Esme quickly brought Ayame into her arms then pushed Bella behind her, roughly. Edward growled protectively, not wanting anyone to touch his mate.

"My daughter and the girl is with us. I think it best if you leave. Now." Carlisle said, using his urgent, protective and authoritative voice.

No one messes with his daughter. And most certainly not some nomads. Laurent caught that, seeing the love for the daughter clear as day. He knew they had to leave, or else.

"I can see the game is over. We'll go now." Laurent replies, understanding.

Cautiously stepping back, Victoria slowly moves back to follow Laurent. However, the only one who didn't move, was James. He was stuck in a growling match with Edward.

"James." Laurent said.

Snapped out of it, James moved back, despite wanting to do what his instincts told him. Victoria flashes over to him, causing him to get distracted. And with that, the three of them walk away and disappear into the forest.

Finally able to breathe, Ayame shook frightened in her mate's arms.

"Get Ayame and Bella out of here." Carlisle says.

However, Edward growled. He wanted nothing to do with the human pest. All he wanted was his mate.

"Edward." Carlisle thought, knowing that his son could hear him. "I know, son. But you need to get them out of here. Before they decide to come back."

Sadly, his father figure was right.

Edward carefully lifted Ayame into his arms and flashed them over to the Jeep. Ever so gently, Edward sets Ayame into the passenger seat and lets her buckle up. While she did that, Edward heard Bella talking to the family.

"What is going on? Where are they going?" Bella asks, her voice demandingly.

"Bella, just go home." Emmett said annoyed.

"This is your fault for being here when you're unwanted." Rosalie replied, just as annoyed.

"Bella, it would be best if you went home and stayed there." Carlisle said mediating.

Bella then ran for her life to her truck, she wanted to follow Edward and Ayame. Because her delusional self thought her priorities was the couple she thought were her mates. But nope, not even her own father was a priority at the moment.

However, before she could catch up to them, Edward drove off too fast, making Bella lose sight of them in the woods.

~AYAME'S POV~

"Edward, what's going on? What happened back there?" I ask.

"I made a mistake." Edward answers.

"Just tell me." I said frightened.

"James is a tracker. And hunting is his obsession." Edward explains. "I read his mind, on the field. My reaction back on the field set him off. I just made this his most exciting game ever."

"So, that means..." I said.

"He's never gonna stop." Edward replies, finishing my sentence.

Feeling my heartbeat pick up, Edward then took my hand in his.

"What do we do?" I ask.

"We have to kill him. Rip him apart and burn the pieces." Edward answers. "It's the only way to end him."

"We need a p-plan." I said, stuttering.

"We'll make one. But first, I need to get you home. Then I need to get you away from here." Edward replied.

"Leave?! Are you crazy?!" I exclaimed. "We need to go home."

"That's the first place he'll look." Edward replied.

"We can't leave our family." I said.

"And I can't let you die!" Edward replied.

I froze for a second.

"We—we'll come up with a plan. All of us." I said.

Edward glances into my eyes, and he instantly knew. He couldn't leave our family. Not now. Before I knew it, he turned off the forest trail and onto a road. Then, a few feet ahead of us, he turned onto the private road that led to our cabin.

When we got there, Edward flashed inside and I saw a few lights turn on. Curling up in the seat, I tried to watch the silhouette of Edward flash around. But he was too fast. Not that long after, he flashed out of the cabin and brought out a duffel bag. Setting the bag in the back, he got in the driver seat and hands me..my blanket. Gratefully taking it, I hug it, feeling myself calm down.

But before Edward pulled away from our cabin, something hard lands on the roof of the Jeep. Startled to heck, I screamed.

"It's Emmett." Edward says, calmly.

Hearing the sunroof being unzipped, Emmett jumps in and zips the hole back up

"Sorry for the scare, lil sis." Emmett replies.

Nodding my head, I just stay curled up in the seat as Edward drove us to the main house.

However, what we didn't know, what was going on at the Swan House.

~TIME SKIP~

When we got to the house, Emmett took my bag while Edward carries me inside. I looked up and saw Dad walking down the stairs, but what startled me, was that he wasn't alone.

Laurent was here.

Edward was about to go at him, even with me in his arms, but Dad stopped him.

"Wait." Dad says. "He came to warn us about James."

Wrapping my arms around Edward's neck, calming him down, I give Dad a nod.

"This isn't my fight, and I've grown tired of his games, but he's got unparalleled senses, absolutely lethal. I've never seen anything like him in my 300 years. And the woman, Victoria, don't underestimate her." Laurent explains.

After talking to us, he bowed his head and went to leave. But, before he did, I raised my head.

"Mr. Laurent." I spoke, making him stop. "Thank you, for talking to us."

"I...why are you thanking me? When my once close friend is out for you and that human." Laurent replied.

"Because, you took a big risk to come and talk to my father. You came and warned us. So, I want to thank you." I said, thankful.

"You...are quite welcome, little one." Laurent replied. "I do hope you all make it. I would love to truly become friends with the coven."

And with that, he quickly flashed out of the house.

After Laurent left, we all head for the garage, but sadly, when we got in, Bella was talking to Mom.

"I've had to fight our kind before. We're not easy to kill." Jasper says.

"But not impossible." Emmett replies. "We'll tear him apart and burn the pieces."

"I don't relish the thought of killing another creature, even a sadistic one like James." Dad says.

"But we don't have a choice. He needs to die, to protect Ayame." Mom replies.

"What if he kills one of you first?" Bella asks, her voice sad. Like she deserves to ask that.

"Like you deserve to care about her or any of us." Rosie answered, angry.

"I'm gonna run Ayame south. Can someone take Bella while the rest of you lead the tracker away from here?" Edward asks.

"I'm sorry, Edward. But James knows you'd never leave Ayame. He'll follow you." Dad answers.

"We have to do something." Edward says.

"I know, I know. We'll come up with a plan." Dad replies.

"I'll do it." Alice says. "Jasper and I can take Ayame and Bella south. We'll keep them safe while you all go after James."

"We'll keep her safe, Edward." Jasper replies.

Silently, Edward nodded his head. Slowly, yet hesitantly, Edward let Jasper take me from his arms. While I wanted to cry, I knew I couldn't. Otherwise, he wouldn't let me go.

"You..you can't—this is crazy!" Bella said, unnecessarily getting our attention. "You can't do something this dangerous. What if you get hurt? What if Ayame loses one you?"

"If we did die, then I guess you'd get Ayame all to yourself." Rosie replied.

"Rosalie-"

"No! No. That's the idea, Emmett." Rosie cuts Emmett off. "Isn't it? If James kills all of us, and Edward, then Ayame would have no one. No one but you. You'd take advantage of her in her depressive state, make her forget all about us, and make her dependent solely on you." Rosie pauses, my eyes widen at Bella's stuttering and fidgeting. "That's what I thought."

"Ignoring that." Mom said disgusted before cooling down. "What is the rest of the plan?"

"Esme, Rosalie, you'll wear some of Ayame's clothes so James can pick up the scent." Edward replies. "James will know that Bella is with Ayame. He'll think the girls are with each other."

"Ew! Don't tell me I have to wear her clothes?" Rosie says.

"No. Edward is right, Ayame's scent will cloud James' judgment. It'll work." Dad replies.

Rosie smirks while Bella just cried. She acts like she's a part of the family. As long as I'm alive, she never will be.

Mom and Edward put the bags in the car. When Edward closed the trunk, he comes up to my window.

"Do we really have to split up? What happened to the saying, 'we're stronger if we stick together'?" I ask, trying my best not to cry.

"I'm sorry, my love. I didn't want this to happen." Edward answers.

"Not even Alice could have predicted any of this would happen. It's not your fault." I said.

"But because of me, James is after you." Edward replies. "I promise you, if I find him, he won't have a chance to get away. There is more of us than him. He won't get you."

"And when you get him, you'll come find me." I say, cupping his cheek.

"Always." He replies.

Leaning in, he gives me a soft kiss. Enjoying his soft and loving touch, I sadly knew it wouldn't last forever. When he pulls away, he took my hand that held his cheek, and held it tightly.

"Ayame, you are my life, and have been when Esme and Carlisle came home with you in their arms. You will always be my life." Edward says.

"As you are mine." I reply.

The sound of the car engines coming on and the garage door opening, makes Edward slowly let me go.

Not taking my eyes off of him, he slowly releases my hand. The car's engine revved, and we floored out of the garage. Sadly, to my disappointment, Edward disappeared from my side.

Unable to hold my tears back anymore, I let them fall. I hug my blanket tightly in my arms, wishing that we didn't have that stupid game. Edward and I could still be with one another, we'd be safe at home. I wouldn't be in this car, driving far away from him.

Jasper, sensing my emotions, took one hand off the wheel and gently took my hand in his. His way of telling me, everything will be okay.

After we passed the leaving Forks sign, Alice slips me my headphones. Knowing how tired I get when we travel, I mentally thank her and put them in, then listen to my playlists. The only other thing unenjoyable about this little journey, besides James coming after me, is that Bella has to be with us. Thankfully, Alice made her get in the back.

I just hope they catch him soon.

~EDWARD'S POV~

After watching Jasper drive away with my mate, I got over my sadness, it was hard but I did it. I had to stop James. Before he got her.

Running as fast as we could, we created a trail for James to follow. Hopefully, it gets him far away from Ayame.

"Rosalie, mark the tree." I said.

She rubs her shoulder against it, then tests the scent.

"That's good!" I call back.

We went back to running.

"Stay safe, my love. I will see you again." I thought, as all I could think about was killing the man who's a threat to my mate.

~AYAME'S POV~

After traveling for a few days straight, Jasper got us to another hotel. Even though we were supposed to be running from a bad vampire, he still let us stop so I could use the bathroom and get a snack.

I've gotten texts from Mom and Rosie, sis was still making a trail for James to follow, and Mom was keeping an eye on the town. Thankfully, James left when we did, so no one has been hurt.

"Ayame, are you okay?" Jasper asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Y-yeah. I just-I just really need to pee." I answer.

Feeling him smiling, I knew he was holding back from teasing me.

We got to the hotel and parked. Alice took Bella to check in while Jasper walked me across the street to use the bathroom before we got our room. Since it was late, we decided to call it a night.

Alice got Bella to the joining room, and Jasper stayed with me. After I change, I send a text to Edward. While waiting to hear back from him, Jasper comes out of the bathroom, changed into his pjs.

"He is probably still running." He says.

"I know. I guess some habits are hard to ignore." I reply, tearing up. I really wanted to hear from him.

"You should get some sleep, Ayame. You know Edward would want you to get some sleep. And not focus on what's happening." Jasper says.

Nodding my head, I let my tears fall and climbed on the bed. Curling up with a pillow, Jasper took my blanket and covers me. After making sure I was covered, he lays down next to me, comfortingly.

Sleeping without your mate, is about the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

~TIME SKIP~

Waiting, is by far the hardest thing for a vampire to do. It's killing me not know how the rest of the family is. If Alice and Jasper weren't with me right now, I'd be going insane. Especially if I was alone with Bella.

After Alice got some snacks for us, she sat next to Jasper. Out of nowhere, she gasps, getting our attention.

"What is it? What do you see?" Jasper asks.

"The tracker, he just changed course." Alice answers.

"Where will it take him, Alice?" Jasper asks.

"Mirrors. A room full of mirrors." Alice answers.

Getting up, I quickly grab my colored pencils and grab a random color. Handing them to Jasper, he puts a blank page in front of Alice on the table and put the pencil in her hand.

Glad those were packed.

She started to draw.

"Edward said the visions weren't always certain." Bella says, butting in.

"She sees the course people are on while they're on it. If they change their minds, the vision changes." Jasper replies.

"Okay, so the course that the tracker's on now is gonna lead him to a ballet studio?" Bella asks.

The three of us freeze.

"You've been here?" Alice asks.

"I took lessons as a kid. The school I went to had an arch just like that." Bella answers.

"Was your school here in Phoenix?" Jasper asks.

"Yeah." Bella answers.

"Why would the vision change? Unless..." I said only to trail off.

"Ayame..." Jasper replies.

"James. He knows the plan was to trick him, he must have figured it out. And now he's coming here!" I said frantic.

"Hey, hey, it's gonna be okay-"

"How?!" I exclaimed, stopping Bella was talking, or touching me. "This is your fault! If you had not come to the game, none of this would happen."

"Ayame, I just..I wanted to see you-"

"I don't want to see you, you—you bitch!" I shouted, my siblings eyes widen. "I hate you! I wish you didn't come into our lives, I wish you stayed with your mom here in Phoenix, I wish you were never born!!"

Jasper flashes over to me, preventing Bella from coming closer to me. She couldn't, because for some reason, she started to choke. At first, I thought she was faking, until she started to cough up...water.

Wrapping his arms around me, Jasper walks me out of the room and to the bedroom. I just cry into his chest while praying that Edward would come to me. I want my mate. I want him so badly.

While Jasper held me, I thought I faintly heard something vibrating. But I couldn't focus straight. I felt Jasper move his arm, and before I knew it, he was holding my phone to my ear. And that's when I heard his voice.

"Ayame?"

Edward!

(Edited and proofread)