This story is in the process of being re-written – the storyline will remain more or less the same, however it will be written better. So old followers – please be patient with me! and new followers, you're very welcome.

And to all of you, I hope you enjoy :) This chapter is very short, so apologies.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy. All rights belong to Richelle Mead. The plot of this story however belongs to me and cannot be used without written consent from it's author.

Chapter 4

Okay, that's it! Lissa huffed suddenly, moving to stand right in front of me. I looked at her in surprise.

What's it?

I'm so sick of you moping about! Won't you just tell me what's wrong? She asked as I turned away from her.

There's nothing wrong, I murmured, making my way over to the river bank. It was the spot where Dimitri and I used to hang out, but lately I'd been taking Lissa there.

Stop sulking and just tell me! She insisted, taking a seat beside me. Neither of us said anything for a few moments and when she spoke again, Lissa's voice had become much softer. Rose, you don't really think that I haven't noticed you hanging around the pack more? What happened to you meeting Dimitri every day?

He's gone, I admitted quietly. It was the first time I'd said it out loud…and it hurt a lot more than I thought it would.

Gone? Lissa repeated from somewhere behind me. I walked halfway into the shallow water, letting it wet the fur on my feet. Gone where?

His pack moved on. He had to go with them.

Oh Rose, I heard her approach me and felt her head nuzzle into mine moments later. I'm so sorry…I know you liked him.

We sat in silence for a little while, just listening to the birds singing in the trees as the water flowed quietly by. I couldn't help the words that blurted from my mouth.

Lissa, I want to phase into my human form.

She nearly fell over with shock.

What? Why? She exclaimed. Taking one swift glance at her, I saw that she was looking at me as if truly questioning my sanity. I had told Lissa about Dimitri's wish to phase, but I had never confided in her my private wish to do the same thing.

Because Dimitri's out there somewhere trying to do the same! And if I ever want to see him again, this is how I'm going to do it, I just know.

Rose, you do realise that even if you manage to change into your human form, the chances of you running into Dimitri are so rare? I mean, you'd honestly have a better chance running into him as a wolf! Lissa tried to reason with me.

That's not the entire reason, Liss. It's just…I want to know. I need to know about this side of me. I want the adventure – to experience something other than this! I like my life, but the idea that this is it? This is all I do every day until I die? I can't go on living knowing that.

Well, Lissa looked conflicted. Do you even know how to do it?

Ah. This is where things got a little more complicated. I had been trying for weeks to phase without much luck. My patience had been worn very thin sometimes, but I continued to power through and keep trying. It would happen one day, I was sure of it.

I do, I told her. But I've no luck yet. Dimitri said it takes a lot of time and concentration though…so I just have to keep trying.

What Lissa said next was exactly the last possible thing that I ever expected her to say.

I want to phase too.

What are you talking about? I raised my brows at her – she had been sceptical about this from the moment I'd told her about it.

If this is something you want to do, then I want to do it with you. That's what best friend's do…if you teach me how, that is…

Lissa, of course I will! Are you sure you want this? I grinned, feeling lighter than I had since Dimitri left. I was no longer alone in my quest to become human.

As sure as I've ever been, she replied certainly. And with that, I told her of everything I knew – away from the rest of the pack of course…the news that we were trying to phase would definitely not be taken lightly by my father. Lissa being the motivator she was, actually managed to sneak me away everyday unnoticed to practice for a couple of hours. And although sometimes I felt like giving up, it was nice to have another force supporting me and picking me up from the ground when I fell down.

Maybe we should call it a day, Lissa said one evening after a couple of particularly intense hours of practicing. If you feel as tired as I do, I think we need the break.

I think you're right, I chuckled, throwing myself down onto the ground beside her. Gracefully, she lowered her head to take a few delicate sips from the stream. Not caring about getting my fur wet, I dragged my exhausted body into the river and lay down, letting the cool water soak through my coat.

Are you excited? She asked me, sitting with perfect posture on the bank while she waited for me. I can't believe Alberta's finally taking you hunting with us tomorrow!

I'm a little nervous actually, I admitted, pulling myself from the stream and shaking out my fur some distance away so as not to spray her with droplets.

Don't be, she smiled, leaning into me as we began our journey back home. You've practiced plenty of times – you're a good hunter, Rose. Just show them what you've got.

I'll try, I sighed. I need to impress the others…my father hasn't exactly been boosting my reputation among them. I need to show them that I'm not the idiotic pup that he makes me out to be.

Of course you're not, Lissa assured me. The others know that. Come on, Rose, we all know your dad can be a little…cruel. And don't forgot – I'll be there to help you out…not that you'll need my help. I'm telling you, you'll be awesome.

Thanks, Liss. We were at the clearing now, and my brothers had spotted our arrival.

Hey! Christian barked, scampering over to us, Eddie on his heels. Did you guys miss dinner?

I guess so, I replied, looking over his shoulder to see practically nothing remaining of the food.

Good thing we saved you some then, Eddie winked at us. Come on.

The boys lead us into the den where, sure enough, they have saved enough meat to satisfy both Lissa and I.

Lissa was in the middle of thanking my brothers by the time I had already tucked in, my hunger suddenly making itself known. When I'd had my fill, I sat back to clean myself – all the while watching my best friend eating shyly in front of Christian. Neither of them had said anything about it, but it was obvious to me – and anyone else with eyes – that there was a spark between them. Even Christian had picked up on it, which was saying something as he was usually completely dense when it came to things like this.

Glancing over at Eddie, I noticed that he was distracted by this too…and so I took advantage of the opening. Carefully, I moved until I was closer to him…and pounced. Eddie, not expecting my 'attack' tumbled to the ground with me on top of him.

Gotcha! I grinned, before taking off full speed out of the den. As I ran full steam ahead, I could hear him chasing after me. He managed to catch up to me at some point in the forest, and the two of us went crashing to the ground, succeeding in covering ourselves in mud and grass. Laughing together, we pulled ourselves to our feet.

I figured we should give the love birds some privacy, I chuckled, looking back in the direction that Lissa and Christian were. Eddie laughed and rolled around in the mud some more – an action that was very unlike him. It was like we were pups again.

Plus, I went on, lying down beside him. I thought it might be nice to spend some time with my big brother.

Yeah, Eddie agreed, sparing me a glance. I never really see you anymore now that you spend all of your time with Lissa…I'd almost thought you'd forgotten all about me!

I could never do that, silly, I nuzzled into him, taking comfort in the familiar scent and feel of his coat. You'll always be my big brother.

And you'll always be my favourite little sister.

I'm your only little sister, I shot back, shoving him gently.

Exactly. He shot me his best grin before climbing to his feet. Come on, how would you feel about a race? It'll be like old times.

Well alright, I agreed, following suit and pulling myself up. If you really feel like being a loser then I guess we could race…

You're awfully cocky for someone much smaller than me, Eddie joked, shoving against me playfully. He was right, he was larger than me…but he hadn't been around me recently to see how fast I'd become.

Ready? I tested, preparing myself.

Set? Eddie's muscles tensed beside me.

Go!