[center][i]Collaboration Of; YoshiSkittelz As Rumpelstiltskin, Huntress As Belle, CallaLily180 As Mushu[/i][/center]

With no tears remaining Belle eventually stopped crying, sitting around in the middle of the forest. She hadn’t the slightest on what to do, where to go. She had no one and nowhere. Bringing her knees up she held them tightly as she rested her forehead. Her eyes were closed as she took slow and steady breaths, jaw clenched. All that ran through her mind were images of the wedding, the way Gaston suddenly changed, the reactions of all that watched. 

Her head shot up, an unsettling feeling crawling down her spine. She looked around in terror, the wind brought whispers to her ears, she heard her name being called. Her amber eyes studied the forest around her, she saw nothing but she could feel someone’s gaze upon her. Worry was written across her features. Although all these enhanced senses were new to her she still couldn’t get used to it. Were there actual whispers of her name or was she just misinterpreting the sounds of the surrounding forest? She couldn't shake the feeling of prying eyes. Glancing over her right shoulder she still saw nothing. Looking to the ground once again Belle soon brought her forehead to her knees and just looked at the tattered, dirty and torn fabric of her dress. She tried to focus on what was around her.

The pounding of heavy hoofs thundered across the forest floor sending grass and twigs flying as Mushu practically raced against time itself. The horse was noticeably exhausted, he foamed at the mouth and made frequent sounds of agonizing protest. She had to let up, lest the horse die in front of her eyes, it would be quite hard to conceal such a large body. So with a sigh she stopped, her relentless convoy had come to quite an end. 

She had to set up camp, she also needed food, water and oats for the damned horse, and something to do. That was all she had on mind really, but what was pounding her the most was the single frightening idea that stuck there. In a deep crevasse, that still seemed high enough to skim; was the thought of what Rumpel, what...the Dark One, would do to her when he found out his maiden was probably dead. It spooked her, and so she hugged herself as if it were to be a good means of defense, as if her arms being wrapped around her small frame could keep her from harm. It couldn't. So with that horrible, treacherous and untouchable thought planted deep inside of her skull she went onwards. Not daring to look back-afraid of what could be hind her-but instead talking to her horse, imagining comfort from it's neighs and whinnies. 

After just a small mile or two her horse stopped, rearing viciously and becoming violent; though he looked slightly dazed, a fog covered its eyes and it was scared. She couldn't forgive him as he nearly knocked the wind out of Mushu, hitting her flat in the chest. She was knocked backwards, holding onto the reins until her hand turned a ghostly white. "What in the world!" She screeched as she failed to calm the untamed stallion down.

There was a voice! Her head shot up and Belle looked behind her. Two heartbeats, both quick. Although two different scents entered her nose she was unable to tell what they were, her mind unable to analyze them. Turning her body in the direction of the sound she slowly stood up. Atop a hill in the distance she saw something. It was dark, details difficult to analyze. The tall dark haired woman stepped backwards, not paying attention. Her heel caught on something as she stumbled backwards. Fabric tore as she felt small pricks of pain scrape against her body. A small sound of surprise and annoyance escaped her, an extremely familiar scent entering her nose. But something was different about this one. 

Scrambling to her feet she turned around and looked down at what she had tripped on and fallen into. A log; behind it was a bush that was terrifyingly familiar to her eyes. She covered her mouth and nose as she tightly shut her eyes, waiting for the pain to erupt. After a few moments nothing happened and she opened one eye. Cautiously making her way towards the small bush she peeked over the log. Her mind was right, a rose bush it was but the flowers that adorned it were that of a deep, blood red colour. Belle dropped her hands slowly as she got closer to the beautiful, yet dangerous flowers. All roses did not affect her…was this true? Moving even closer the maiden knelt down next to the flowers.

Her bloodstained hand trembled slightly as it reach out towards one of the fully bloomed roses. The petals were soft against her skin as she smiled, a moment of calm for the young woman. [b]“So beautiful…”[/b] She spoke to herself as she picked the flower, cautious of it’s thorns. Bringing it close to her she smelled it, her smile becoming brighter. Hearing the frightened neigh of a horse in the distance she snapped out of her small moment of joy. Looking up she watched the animal rear but not approach, it’s rider struggling to keep it calm. Using this to her advantage, Belle turned around and stopped dead in her tracks.

It seemed roses were abundant in the part of the forest; the bushes went on for miles. She dared not take a breath. Although she did not see any of the cursed flowers it was a risk she was not willing to take. Moving backwards again she stopped once she found herself at a fair distance from them, putting her somewhat out in the open. She was closer to whoever was upon the horse but she would rather deal with the person than potentially kill someone who could be innocent. No one deserved to die by her hand; Belle didn’t have the right to kill anyone, if she could avoid it she would.

Throughout all of this Mushu was battling fiercely…with a horse as absolutely mental as she. As it reared she had to move out of the way; plunging to whichever random side of the miniscule clearing. It brought down its massive forefeet, as if intentionally trying to crush her. She identified that this was not the case, but it irked her, it made her think, [i]what if this was intentional? Rumpel most definitely could have done it.[/i] She was most definitely going mad, if she wasn’t mentally insane already it was hitting like a tsunami now. 

The horse made another quick move, it was surprisingly agile. So in the end she picked up a stick, shattering it into large pieces and throwing a portion at the stallion in front of her. The beast was fazed as it hit his muzzle, he stopped rearing and it seemed as if the smoke had cleared. Mushu couldn’t help it, she was much too relieved by now, and so she fell back; letting loose of the reins, the horse had its eyes set on something she had yet to see, but she didn’t care at the slightest. Until she fell onto someone’s foot…that was a wicked surprise. 

Belle jumped as she felt someone behind her. Turning around she watched someone stumble to the ground and quickly backed away. She looked down in confusion and worry. Who was this person, what did they want?

Letting loose a foolish yelp Mushu weakly scrambled back, her dinky face looking up to see one that had been before; the girl was ratty, a tattered gown suggested a formal event, blood suggesting murder or abuse, the red lines of streaked tears revealed grief. Yet the thing she noticed out of all was the face of this girl; her cheekbones, even the curve of her nose mattered. It all lead to the missing girl, the maiden of Rumpel and the talk of her hometown.

“Belle,” she squeaked, her voice high pitched and slightly relieved. This girl meant the world to her, and though it wasn’t emotion that lead to that feeling she couldn’t help the smile that formed, the tear of joy that now streaked her own face. No matter how much she was in need of rest, no matter the pinpricks of pain that tortured her head and back, she got up. Not caring about those limitations, and instead quivering in delight. She had found the girl that would take her out of the trenches! 

“Y-You are Belle? Am I correct? Your village, they have been searching for you…I saw the paper…you look like her.” Mushu cleared her throat and walked to her horse, only now realizing that the beast was eying Belle, he seemed quite scared. Scrounging through her saddlebags she found an old apple, it was still in the ripe stages but seemed overdue. It would work as a peace offering though.

Belle watched with caution, it was a woman. Her eyes grew wide when she realized this. At first she thought it was a young man. “Who are you…?” She asked still confused.
“Sorry if I came off as a creep, you’re just an important girl and I needed a sense of consolation before I went back with the wrong stranger.” Mushu broke apart the apple, in a swift motion it was halved. She tossed a half to the girl and bit into the crisp red skin of hers. “My name is Lily.” She mentioned, smiling at her lie and leaning against the horse.
Belle continued to watch the woman. She remained silent for a few more moments. Catching the apple she looked from the fruit to the lady. “How did you find me and what do you want from me?” She questioned. “Who sent you? Was it father? Was it…” She remembered Gaston’s dead eyes. “Who?” Her tone was a little more demanding. “I will not return to that village…I cannot, no matter what anyone says. It’s not safe, not for you and certainly not for anyone in that village. Just leave me be please.” She moved closer to the woman and held out the apple that was given to her.

Mushu sighed, looking over the apple as if Belle were to be crazy. She did not take the apple and instead folded her arms, raising an already arched eyebrow and shaking her head angrily. “I came out here for a pretty copper, they have placed quite the tag on you Belle.” Mushu replied with her usual sharp tone, not even trying to be sweet anymore. It was rare and even less likely than a brick of gold on your path, so why should she try now? Looking up and down at Belle with her own thoughts on who and what she was. [i]He said I had to protect her, not that I had to be nice.[/i] 

With a casual shrug and a sly smirk Mushu started once more, “I have no idea who ‘father’ is either, but he is probably a grieving mess at home. You do realize that don’t you? Because if you were to be so selfish as to not even grant him a letter, telling him you were safe, well I don’t see why the town bothers.” The words were as sharp as a dagger, and her eyes sharper still. Mushu was trying to pressure Belle into speaking out. “Unless...you have good reason?”

Dropping the apple Belle’s gaze turned slightly more vicious as she clenched her jaw. “Safe? Tell them I’m safe? I am far from safe. It’s better for them to think I’m dead than tell them I’m okay and giving them the hope of seeing me again.” She stepped closer and met the dark eyes opposite hers. This woman hadn’t the slightest, no one could truly understand Belle’s reasons. “Why does it matter to you what the town does? What my family feels? You’re here to collect a pretty penny and that’s it. You might as well turn around and go back to where you came from.” She turned to walk away, there was no sense in wasting her time with this woman. All she wanted was to be alone, away from others so she wouldn’t be able to harm anyone.

Although the woman’s word’s did hit a soft spot Belle tried her hardest not to linger upon it. If the village knew she was dead perhaps they would stop looking. Perhaps if Belle ventured deeper into the forest they would give up. That sounded like something she preferred.

A pair of nearby dark eyes narrowed. Rumpelstiltskin watched the exchange between the two women from a safe distance on a tree branch, arms crossed over his chest with his back leaning against the thicker part of the trunk. To him, it seemed- no, he [i]knew[/i] that Belle wasn't about to budge. He had heard that determination in her voice before, though that was arguably under better circumstances. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he let out a soft, long sigh. Really could he blame her though? She had every right to not want to return to the village, how was she to know that he had spent the last week pillaging the village for the item that caused the very reason of her skeptisism. Sure a few people lost a finger or two, a death-threat here and there...but nothing more than that; he knew Belle would be upset if he had burned the whole village and it's precious pink roses down as he had initially intended.

Rumpelstiltskin opened his eyes back up, looking down upon Belle with a solemn face. 

[i]I'm sorry Belle, but I have to...[/i]

Aside from going down to the forest floor and dragging Belle to the village himself, there wasn't any other way. Rumpelstiltskin raised his hand, turning his attention to a small thicket of rose bushes nearby and concentrated a small fireball from his hand. It hovered for a moment before he turned to look at Belle one last time. He glanced to Mushu for a second, willing for her to look up at him, to notice his presence.

Mushu couldn’t help it, her focus left the stubborn girl and her mouth was left hang open. She had been in the works of a reply when she saw Rumpelstiltskin, the horrid Dark One himself; with a gleaming fireball focused towards a bush of something she couldn’t notice or see. “We are leaving now little one, no buts.” She said sternly, roughly tugging on Belle’s arm and nodding ever-so-slightly in Rumpelstiltskin’s direction as she tried to get the little missy to mount the huge horse. Rumpelstiltskin nodded back in reply, establishing a mutual, silent understanding that as of now, the deal was in effect. 

Belle didn’t enjoy the way she was pulled against her will. Looking towards the woman that was dragging her away. Her gaze was deadly as she glared at the woman. The two approached the horse, the animal not feeling comfortable with Belle’s presence. Yanking her arm out of Lily’s grasp she pulled hard enough to make the woman stumble. “Your horse does not like me…” As if on queue the animal reared on it’s hind legs, coming down as if to trample Belle. She stumbled back and tripped, barely making it out of the horse’s way.

Rumpelstiltskin blinked once, knowing he was running out of time and that damned horse was putting Belle in danger. He unleashed the ball of fire to the rose bushes below, using his other hand to control the rapid flame as it began to spread, isolating a single red rose bush to keep it from burning in it's eventual wake.

The deep blood red rose that had been in Belle’s hand was now destroyed under the horse’s hoof. Getting up slowly she dusted herself off, although it would not make any difference in her attire. Belle went to move away from Lily and her insane horse but stopped as she smelled the burning wood and hedges. She watched as the forest went up in flames. Her mouth falling agape and her eyes wide. She couldn’t be within the safety of the forest anymore…she couldn’t hide…she couldn’t return to the village…could she? What would happen if she went back? Perhaps she could leave in the night, go someplace she could hide, away from others, the thought of hurting others haunted her, it was not something she wanted to experience…ever again.

Mushu groaned, punching her horse’s rough shoulder with no effect. She then turned to Belle, wild eyes and a fierce smirk emerged on her delicate features, with no care for her actions she dived forwards; swiftly dashing towards Belle, once she got to the taller girl she started her work, using her pointer and middle finger to quickly jab at the girl’s pressure points. When finished Belle would slump to the ground, in a peaceful stage of sleep. “Step two, get her on the horse.” She muttered, guiding the horse to the ground beside Belle, and making it kneel for an easier lift. 

Mushu sighed, this would be rough, she took the arm of the sleeping beauty and heaved it onto the horse, and she then attempted to hike up one of Belle’s legs. Having visible trouble doing so. It was attached to a heavy body.

Rumpelstiltskin jumped from the tree branch and landed on the forest floor inhumanly lightly. With absolute control over magic there were no repercussions from jumping at such a height. The fire behind him cast an uncomfortable heat at his backside but he seemed not to care. Instead, Rumpelstiltskin walked to Mushu with a stone-cold expression. He raised his hand, making Belle appear to be weightless in assisting Mushu in her small stature.

"I'll over-look the slight detail of taking your life for that, just the once...Mushu..." He said, using her name as if it held power. "You will come by my estate tomorrow morning and we shall discuss more there."

Without waiting for a response, he turned his back and took a couple steps away from Mushu, stopping to stoop down to look at the trampled rose. He waved his hand over the tiny, broken pieces and watched as a swirl of purple smoke circled around it, building the rose back together in its original beauty. He then picked up the rose as gently as if it were made of glass and looked back to the single rose bush he had protected from the flames. Turning in that direction, he moved the fire to his will, creating a path to the rose bush where he found exactly what he was looking for. He plucked a single thorn from the rose bush, the thorn being coated in Belle’s crimson blood from when she had stumbled upon it earlier, and pocketed the thorn with the rat-tail he had collected earlier. 

“Sorry sir, there is no one going by the name Mushu here, come back at a later time.” Mushu groaned out as he stood there, once he left she carried on with her duty, picking up the now weightless Belle and placing her on the mighty steed that would carry them to victory. As she mounted the horse for herself she made sure Belle rode in the front, and tied one of the girl’s hands to a rein. With that she flew off, racing and avoiding fire. Today had been quite eventful. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow morning.

Turning his head back Rumpelstiltskin watched the very last of Mushu and Belle’s figures disappear as they ran towards town, and only then did Rumpelstiltskin let up on his magic of controlling the fire and let it spread on its own whim. The fire encircled around him, licking at his dried skin and just as it seemed that the flames would over-take him…he had vanished into a puff of thick, red smoke.