Chapter 9: OVA
[Hey guys long time no see. Wrote this story over 3 years ago, recently I've been reading into fanfics again and realized that I was asked to do another chapter, I did but it was never uploaded! I don't have the chapter any more but luckily I remember most of it! Sorry for any mistakes in grammar and such, my English is still lacking]
POV: Demetri
Two weeks later
I was finally released from lock up. After Rose passed, Adrian told everyone what she had done and how she had done it. Most likely so spirit users wouldn't get the bright idea that bringing back a Strigoi was an easy feat and of course so Vasilisa didn't suffer the thought that she killed her best friend and guardian. Rose wanted to make sure Vasilisa knew it was something that she had done on her own.
So, it fell fully on me. The weight of her death was crushing. I had never met a soul so bright yet incomplete. I felt conflicted; I go on day-by-day knowing that she would want me to live it to the fullest. With the knowledge that her soul lived within me, giving me life, I would make the most of it.
I was still at court but, not for long. I didn't have any belongings so all I had was a light suitcase at the foot of my small bed. I was going home, back to Russia. I sat at the foot of my bed dressed in the all black suit Vasilisa had tailored and sent over for today. I was looking down at a small black box, something I've had with me for a while. I opened the box and gazed longingly on the small rose shaped necklace. Such a small and dangerous item was all I really had left of Rose.
This small silver rose a reminder of our love. Even in our shroud of denial, this small piece of jewelry had made us unable to reason, only feel. I remember it vividly, her warm lips against mine, the love, the passion, the relief to just hold her. I pursed my lips trying to hold back storm of emotions inside of me.
I stood and put on my duster; she loved this duster. I put the small black box into my breast pocket so I could feel it against my beating heart, hoping that she would feel it too. I left the guest housing and stood outside and took a deep breath. It was still early for the Mori, the sun sinking but still casted a warm glow over me. It was perfect. She would have wanted this. The warm sun on her skin; she was never meant for the darkness.
I turned down the sidewalk to see Eddie waiting for me at the curb. He stood in front of a black car also wearing a black tailored suit. He smirked at me, "Vasilisa will not be pleased to see you wearing that." patting my duster. He wedged a finger between his tie and his throat and pulling it away from his neck. "Rose wouldn't have cared if I wore a suit. In fact I know she would have used it against me, 'Hey there fancy pants going to a ball?'"
His face lit up slightly and I smiled, shaking my head as I got into the car with him.
"It would make her smile." I said thinking of how her face would light up when she laughed.
Five minutes later we parked in a small lot at the base of the court cemetery. Vasilisa was waiting at the gate with her small group of friends. They were greeting the crowed of people entering the cemetery. Just about everyone was dressed in various shades of grays and blacks. The air above the mourners' heads was dotted with black umbrellas to block out the sun for the Mori's sensitive skin.
We reached Vasilisa. She was leaning on Christian for support. You could tell she was trying to be strong but her eyes were red and puffy.
"Demetri." she said, her eyes softening and her smile drooped a little more. She put a hand on my shoulder, rubbing my duster with a little frown. "She wouldn't have wanted you without it." she smiled and leaned back on Christian for support as another wave of grief washed over her.
"How have you been adjusting to your new shadow kissed abilities?"
I shook my head, "I don't understand how she did this day to day, and I only have half of what she had to deal with." Vasilisa smiled, "At least you cannot see me. That would have been even more embarrassing."
When Rose put her half soul inside of me, the part that Vasilisa was able to save from the afterlife, it came with the abilities but without the bond, thankfully. I could see and communicate with the dead if I let them in, an ability I'm working hard to block. At first I left it open calling for Rose over and over, but she never came. Who could blame her? I'd yet to see if the Strigoi sensing ability was within me but hunting was the last thing on my mind.
We headed up the hill and though the large iron gates towards the cemetery. The turnout was amazing. To see so many people that Rose had touched in her life gathered here to remember her, warmed my heart. As I approached I could tell immediately were Rose's Turkish family was. They were huddling in a group off to the side of the rest of the seats all dressed in bright colors; a lot of white and peach. That is what rose would have wanted. I looked down at my black clothes; the only color was my leather duster. It was something I guess. She would have wanted them to celebrate her life, not morn her death. Her Turkish heritage described how she lived. She held a deep devotion to family and friends, loved, lived, and experienced every aspect of life. It was going to be a very interesting funeral.
We sat there listening to prayer, the Father began reminiscing.
"I remember when Rose approached me after mass, now this was nothing I had ever expected from her, and asked me more about shadow kissed Anna. She was so interested, but tried so hard to make me believe it was no big deal. Rosemary was always quite the handful growing up at the Academy. Despite this, she had a big heart that she tried to hide behind her 'don't-give-a-care' attitude. She never liked to burden anyone."
He was followed by more stories of her, all similar in some way. On how she surprised them with her love, devotion and strong nature, changing all of their lives in one way or another.
"Is there any last words for her before we turn over to Mister Mazur and his family?" Roses Father Abe Mazur started to get up.
I stood. I didn't have anything prepared. I didn't even think anyone really wanted to hear from me. Being the cause of her death in the end I was sure there were people that were hoping I wasn't going to show up. Vasilisa put her hand on mine and gave me an encouraging smile. I walked up to the small podium and just stood there looking out at everyone.
"I know I'm probably the last person you all would want to hear from, but…" I took a deep breath, put my hand on my chest pocket were the small necklace was and knew exactly what I wanted to say. "Rose and I met under very wrong circumstances. The moment I met her I knew she was going to be an amazing guardian. I knew that she would not only protect the lives of the Mori but she would change the lives of many."
"She saw past my defense with ease, was not afraid to call me out." Everyone laughed. "I know many of you wonder 'Why?… Why did she give up her life for just one of her instructors?'" I closed my eyes, picturing her deep brown eyes, "Because I love her. She changed something within me that even I didn't know I had blocked. She was strong and amazing, and she will forever live deep within my heart." I opened my eyes, I expected to see angry faces, but they were all smiling, accepting. I stepped down and made my way back to my seat.
As drums and flutes began to play as Abe and his family started their celebration of Rose's life. Cups filled with wine were passed out and Abe stood next to Roses casket with his glass held high.
"To the celebration of my daughter's life. May she continue to be happy within her next!" We all drank. Some of the Turkish men started coming around taking chairs away and we all stood in a large circle, clapping and dancing.
I was smiling and clapping along as Vasilisa and Christian danced around the middle of the circle, when a figure caught my eye. I checked my guards to make sure I was still blocking the afterlife from taking me over. Knowing that being in a cemetery was defiantly not the place to be with them down.
I spotted them, two figures too pale and misty to be solid stood a few yards away under the tree line. I strained my eyes and gasped. There stood Mason… and Rose. "Roza!" I murmured under my breath and took a step towards them. She shook her head smiling motioning me to stop. She looked to the rest of the group a big smile on her face as she began to dance around Mason who just smiled and clapped. I began to tear up and went to wipe my eyes, but when I looked back up they were gone.
A small breeze blew by and I could smell her. I knew she would always be watching over us. "I love you." I whispered after the breeze and she was gone.
=D I'm thinking of making a part 2. I have another vision of the story when rose comeback maybe I should connect it to one or just start a new story… hrrmmmmmm =D
