Dimitri's Denial:

A/N: Sadly I still do not own the series D;

Chapter Two: Collecting my charge.

The night has gotten slightly colder as I lean against the decaying tree, watching the outside of the two runaway's household. The two girls seem to be asleep but that doesn't mean I can stop being viligant of my surroundings. If only that Guardian had been half as aware as I am now then maybe Zeklos wouldn't have died. No. That is cruel of me to think that Guardian was not the cause of Ivan's death. What would have happened if it was me on duty not him? Would Zeklos still be alive? Would I be? I would have layed down my life for him as that is the Guardian's way. Them before us, as it's always has been and always will be that way and it is the only way I have ever known and will ever know. No grandchildren for my mother, no wife for myself it is the way things are set.

My musings are interrupted by a blood curdling scream and my Guardian instincts instantly are full throttle as I move from the cover of the trees and into a place to where I can see directly into the girls room. Even in the dim lighting of the girls' room the young Princess looks frantic I note, however the Miss Hathaway has a calm look upon her half shielded face. A look which shows that this happens quite often. After Miss Hathaway murmurs to the Princess for a while she slowly moves her long, billowing hair so her face is completely covered and extends her neck to the girl, it is then and only then I truly understand the severity of this friendship and the fact that Princess Vasilisa is there by her own free will and Miss Hathaway is giving her blood to the young Moroi not because she is a 'bloodwhore' but to save her friend. As I ponder why she would do that for her friend a small whisper of thought trickles through my mind 'Them before us' but a young girl, such as Miss Hathaway, would not do something that even the most trained and faithful of us would? Even as I think that I see the Princess drink from Miss Hathaway and then leave the room leaving the young girl to fully ingest the bite. When Moroi bite Dhampires, like Miss Hathaway and I, it releases toxins of pure pleasure one that cannot even be rivaled by sex and when the two combine it creates an addictive quality in which you would do anything to get it, hence the term 'bloodwhore'.

A young cat jumps onto the windowsill and it perplexes me for a moment as animals hate Dhampires, Moroi yes, but certainly not Dhampires this cat must belong to the humans they share this house with. As Miss Hathaway approaches the window I see that the boys at St Vladimires was not wrong about her, she is beautiful and curvaceous in a way that a man who is seven years older than her, which I am, should be thinking about.

Her eyes scan the perimeter, wondering what has spooked the feline when her eyes fall on me. They widen a fraction before I slowly start to step back into position and then I am joined by Guardian Oliver who she has now most likely seen. Guardian Oliver tells me that the man who lives at the establishment has a car two blocks away and that's where they are most likely heading.

Rushing down the street and around the sidewalk I have only a few minutes wait until I see the Princess being dragged by the ungraceful Miss Hathaway, she should not have run to soon after being bitten. I step out in front of them and see an almost feral look of protection come upon Miss Hathaway's face as she steps into position to protect her friend, her Princess. Being six foot 7" and being experienced I have advantage over this 5ft 7 high school, drop out.'Leave her alone. Don't touch her' she growled at me with such hatred I was shocked I was not dead on the spot. Slowly, ever so slowly and cautiously I raise my hands to calm the Wild Child 'I'm not going to-'

She lunges at me in an impressive yet basic move which I block swiftly and almost hit the young girl to the ground before catching her wrist. The purest of brown eyes look back at me with contempt yet a ferocity that I don't understand In a girl so young looking down and catching two small bites on Miss Hathaway's neck I am once again shocked by this young girl and her dedication to the Princess. Seeing where my eyes are drawn to, she moves her flowing locks to cover the bite and I am transfixed once move but this time its because of the young girls enchanting hair.

. I let go of her wrist as she sizes me up in a way that almost looks like she is checking me out, yes, she is very much how the boys described her at St Vladimires. She stands still yet is looking for the best exit and way to protect her charge when suddenly the softest of voices appears next to her hear and says 'Rose, don't' Its obvious the internal battle that is raging in Miss Hathaway, or 'Rose' as the Princess says, then suddenly her shoulders drop in defeat and a scowl set almost indefinably on her tanned face.

Turning my attention from the young Miss Hathaway I look upon the Princess, dainty and blonde with emerald eyes I have only seen before in her dying Uncle who I asked to speak to me months ago..

I sat down on the red vinyl chair and looked around the expensive castle when suddenly the old frail man before starts coughing up a hurricane of blood and saliva. After wiping his mouth on a piece of cloth which most likely cost more than my shoes, he turned his captivating green eyes onto me and studied me for what seemed eternity when he stood up, with difficulty, and walked to the door leaving me confused as to why I was here in the first place when a quiet, almost whisper drifted across the room 'find her'. The door he was leaving then loudly shut playing a contrast with my raging thoughts and the silence of the room...

Drifting from the memory I bowed to the young Princess and when I rose I saw from the corner of my eye the incredulous look upon Miss Hathaway's face. With my Russian accent slightly diluting the my next words I spoke 'My name is Dimitri Belikov, I've come to take you back to St. Vladimir's Academy, Princess'

I hope you enjoyed it and please review! :D