This chapter is kind of cheesy, but I needed to get it done so I could get on with the good stuff!!! I don't own Vampire Academy

It has been three months since I left St. Vladimir's Academy. Since then, I have tracked, hunted, and killed about forty-nine Strigoi. As proof of my kills, I have kept a scrap of their shirts. Each time I kill, I become closer to the dead. I can communicate with the ghosts and I can "track" Strigoi in my mind. Lissa has perfected our bond and her powers since I have been gone. Now, she can visit me in dreams, and sometimes, though not often, she can speak to me through our bond. She can only do it right after she goes to the feeders because it takes too much energy.

Currently, I am on the trail of a large pack of Strigoi, which I estimate to have around ten Strigoi. This pack has been migrating around the country and killing humans. So far, they have killed a little over thirty people in this past month; I don't want to think about what happened before I came. Somebody has to stop them; this is where I come in. I walked forward, down the dark, empty street. Being so late at night, the only light came from the few lampposts scattered around the street.

A nauseating feeling came to me, warning me that Strigoi were near. Pulling a silver stake out of my jacket pocket, I crept forward. I now wear the same kind of jacket Dimitri wears, and it has proven helpful to hide weapons in. Closing my eyes, I focused on each of the Strigoi. I could feel what they were going to do before they did it. It proved immensely helpful during battles.

I stepped up the driveway of the house they were currently in. Posing as an innocent girl, I knocked on the door. As the Strigoi opened the door, I shoved the stake in his chest before he could make a sound. One down, nine to go.

Still focusing on them, I felt one turn around the corner. Planning on grabbing me with her right hand, I spun away and grazed her arm with the stake. She let out a blood-curdling scream. I felt all of the Strigoi running through the house to get to our location. I knew I had a few seconds until they all came, so I took advantage of that slowly closing window. I spun around and kicked her in the stomach so hard that she flew backwards. I ran to her and struck her in the chest with my stake. Two down, eight to go.

The rest of the Strigoi came and surrounded me, watching me. "Come on, who is going to come first? Are you scared of little moi?" They laughed. Taking advantage of their little distraction, I sprung forward and staked one. They stopped laughing, amazed at my speed. It seems the more Strigoi I kill, the faster I get. It probably has something to do with my connection to the dead, I am not sure how though.

"Are you a Strigoi?" One of them asked.

"No," I replied

"Then how did she move so fast?" Strigoi number one asked.

"I don't know," answered another, "maybe she's a half-breed, or shadow-kissed."

"No," Strigoi number one said, "she is too fast to be either one of those unless she killed more then twenty of us and she is shadow-kissed then we should probably run. If she is all three, there is no luck for us." (A/N: I think the Strigoi should be afraid of something :D)

"But master, why do we have to run, she is just a Dhampir, I mean look at her. And there is no such thing as a half-breed, no Strigoi ever slept with a Dhampir of Moroi." A Strigoi said to number one, the leader of this pack. By this time I was getting bored and ready to attack another one when they stopped glaring at me. As if they could read my thoughts, the one closest to me turned their head to look away. I ceased the opportunity and charged at it, stabbing it in the heart with my stake.

Before I could move, one came up behind me. Feeling it's next move, I spun around and dodged its next attack. Now, all of them jumped into the fight, since I was outnumbered, they continued their conversation.

"There is only one time a Dhampir got pregnant with a Strigoi's baby, we don't know what happened to the little girl, but it was Kudret who raped Janine Hathaway." My stomach dropped.

"Janine Hathaway?" I asked. I started fighting even harder; maybe this is why she sent me off to the academy.

"Yes, what's it to you?"

"She's my mother!" Everyone froze. I took this as an opportunity and staked two of them in under five seconds. They fell to the ground. Six down, four to go.

"Impossible!" One shouted, "even if you were, you are still too fast to be a Half-Strigoi!"

"Oh, did I mention I was shadow kissed too?" I taunted, "oops, must have slipped my mind." I said as I staked two more.

The last two were by far the oldest and the smartest. They came from behind me and grabbed my arms. I screamed out in agony.

"Well, well, not so strong now are you?" The leader cooed. He moved my hair out of the way, "Oh? No promise mark, so you didn't even graduate, and you only killed two Strigoi before you came, either you are stupid, or you want to die. Which is it?"

I started laughing. They both looked at me like I was crazy, hell if I looked at me right now, I would think I was crazy. "You think I only killed two," I managed to get out before laughing even harder.

"Well, you only have two molnija marks." The leader said.

"I haven't gotten a tattoo for the last forty-nine that I killed."

I took this opportunity to head butt the one holding me. She stumbled back as my head began to throb. They both charged at me, trying to find a weakness in my defense. One managed to sneak up on me and sliced my arm. I could feel the blood seeping out of me as I heard the staccato dripping on the smooth wooden floor.

Drip, Drip, Drip.

The rhythmic beats distracted me for only a moment, but that was enough for the two to gain an advantage on me. The other came and kicked me in the stomach. It was hard enough to propel me into the wall across the room. I stood up shakily and grabbed my stake with a firm grip. I was through playing games with them; it was time to end this once and for all. The leader charged at me, I dodged and stuck him. The other screamed out in frustration as she ran towards me. I quickly turned and sliced her arm, the same way she did to me. Her head flew back as she screeched. I took the opportunity to stake her. That was the end. All ten were down and there were none left.

I looked around the battle sight, as any soldier left standing would do. But in this mêlée, I was the only one left standing. People, Strigoi, were lying all around the room. Slowly, as if not sure of myself, I walked up to each body and, with my stake, cut off a piece of each shirt. While working on the last shirt, I felt the presence of someone else. I did not get the nauseous feeling, so I knew I was not in the presence of a Strigoi. Scratch that, I knew I was not in the presence of a live Strigoi. The door was kicked open as the last piece of the shirt was finally taken off. I stood up and turned to face a herd of Guardians.

"Di-Did you do all of this yourself?" The leader stuttered.

"Yes I did." They all looked shocked, I mean here I was, an eighteen-year-old dropout who killed ten Strigoi by herself.

"I am Guardian Nikitin, could you please turn around and show us your molnija marks?" He asked pleasantly.

"Of course, but you should know, I haven't gotten new tattoos for about two months now."

I turned around, lifted up my hair, and heard several gasps. "You have no promise mark." One of the other guardians said.

"Yes I dropped out."

"Wait," the leader said, "you mentioned that you have not gotten new tattoos for two months, how many have you killed since you dropped out?"

"Um," I looked down, "including these ten?" I asked him.

"Yes including these."

"Then fifty-nine." I looked up to see all of their mouths were open, their eyes wide.

"Tha-that's impossible, what is your name?" A lady asked.

"Rose Hathaway," I mumbled.

"Well, Rose Hathaway, if you come back to the Royal Court with us, you can get your new tattoos." I really didn't want to go with all those other guardians, but then I realized that many of the guardians would be going to the graduation at St. Vladimir's Academy tomorrow.

"Sure," I said.

"Wonderful, come with us." I followed as they led me to one of the many private jets from the Royal Court. Here goes nothing.

************

Dimitri POV:

I have been at the Royal Court now for two months. Each day I hope my heartbreak will lessen, that I will be able to think about something other then Rose. Each day I am disappointed once again. Everything I see reminds me of her. Long brown hair reminds me of the many times I told her I loved her hair. When I see two people training together I think about our private lessons together, where we would steal secret kisses from each other. Everything reminds me of her.

I was leaving today to go to the St. Vladimir Academy graduation where, once again, I will be reminded of her. And, not only that, but I would have to see her with him. Adrian Ivashkov. I would see him congratulate her. Today was supposed to be the best day for us. We were going to tell everyone about us tonight after the rehearsal, but that is not going to happen.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard a knock at the door. "Come in," I said.

It was Guardian Nikitin. "We are going to the house with the Strigoi, are you coming with us?" He asked. This house is known for having ten Strigoi living in it. These Strigoi have killed hundreds of humans over the world. At least thirty in the last month have been killed by them.

"No, I am leaving for the graduation today, I should be gone by the time you get back."

"Very well," he replied, "Good luck."

He was the only one here at the Royal Court who knew I fell in love with my student; the only thing he didn't know was whom she actually was.

"Thank you."

About three hours later I got up and walked out of my room with my suitcase. It was time to catch my flight.

"Guardian Belikov!" Someone shouted from behind me.

I turned around to see Mia. She moved here after her mom died. "Yes Mia?" I asked.

"Um…I was wondering if I could go with you, you know, to see some of my friends graduate?" She asked in a small voice.

"Of course, do you have your stuff?"

"Yeah, it is already in the plane." She said with a bright smile.

"Okay then, lets go."

Three hours later we landed. I got off and headed straight down to the Headmistress's office.

When I got there, I knocked on the door.

"Enter," she called from the room.

When I walked in she nearly jumped ten feet in the air, which is a really funny thing to see. Being in this room reminded me of the last time I was here, the day of my heartbreak. "Guardian Belikov! What an amazing surprise." She exclaimed.

"I told you I would be here for the graduation and to become Lissa's guardian. And, tell me, is Rose still going to be her guardian, I think I need to be prepared." I said with worry leaking out into my normally calm voice.

"No, she's not," she spoke softly, not looking me in the eye.

"Why not? Did she fail the rest of her training exercises?" I asked. Typical Rose, failing the only thing you absolutely have to pass before becoming a guardian.

"Not exactly," Kirova began, "She dropped out."

I'm not sure exactly what my face looked like, but I know what I felt inside, I was shocked beyond belief. This was all Rose wanted: She wanted to graduate and spend her life protecting her best friend.

"When?" was the only thing that I could think of to ask.

"I'm not sure you want to know." She said softly.

"Please?" I asked.

"About five minutes after your training with her was supposed to start."

So this was my fault. Because of me, she left, she's not going to do what she wanted to and it was entirely my fault.

"Thank you." I said monotonously before walking out of the room and into my old room. Why, why, why?

************

Rose POV:

I got all of my tattoos done. I now had more then Dimitri, and my mom put together. (A/N: I'm not sure so just go with me…it is called FANFICTION for a reason people) I still cannot believe someone as strong as my mother could have been taken advantage of. I believe that is when she dedicated her life to killing so many Strigoi, and maybe, that is why she never ever mentioned my father in the few times we actually talked. Sixty-one. I had sixty-one molnija marks.

I am now sitting on a plane on the way to St. Vladimir's. I was going to support Lissa. I promised her I would. The first time she ever got into my dreams, she told me how much she missed me. It was then that I promised I would not miss it for anything. So here I am: Keeping my promise.

After getting my marks, the Dhampir told me to keep the bandage on my neck, but I have never been known for keeping the rules. I told the pilot to land in front of the wards; I wanted to surprise everyone.

I walked up to the guardian at the front door. I was shocked to see that is was Stan, the one I fought with the most. He probably didn't recognize me, I looked nothing the same. Especially my hair. After Dimitri left, I cut my hair to shoulder-length. Every time I brushed it, or put it up I would get consumed in my thoughts. He loved it; therefore, I needed to cut it.

"May I ask why you are here?" He asked.

"Hey Stan! Now, I know it's been a while, but did you honestly forget your favorite student? That makes me hurt." I said with a smirk.

"Rose?" He asked

"In the flesh!" I responded, "Now, could you let me in?"

"Sure." He said as he pulled the lever that opened the door. When I stepped in he asked me to tell him what I have been up to the last few months. I gave him my story about all the killings and about getting the tattoos and told him I was here to see Lissa graduate.

"I don't believe you have sixty-one tattoo's that is almost as much as the great Arthur Schoenberg himself." I laughed at his comment.

"Do you want to count for yourself?" I asked him as I turned around and lifted my hair into a ponytail. I could tell he was shocked. I had killed fifty-nine Strigoi in two months. This makes me a legend.

"Now, I really have to go talk to Lissa, but we can talk later?" I asked.

"Of course, go ahead." He said.

"Thank you."

I walked a little ways I knew nobody would be outside; it was the middle of the night for Moroi and Dhampirs.

"What are you doing out," I heard a familiar voice call out to me. I turned slowly to the side and saw the face of a person I never thought I would see again.

"Dimitri," I breathed. And for the first time in two months, I felt whole, even if it was for only a moment.

And there it is!!! Tell me what you think, I told some of you that I would try to get Dimitri in this scene and I did so REVIEW

Here is my quote for the chapter: No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises once again and all shadows are chased away. -David Matthew

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