Authors Note:

Awww [: Thanks for all the great reviews guys! Glad to see everybody's enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it :D Anywhoo, here's the next chapter (and of course, I'll have the next one up shortly as well since I'm pretty bored :/ I was supposed to be going out tonight, but I need to save my money for going out next week xD So staying at home with a bottle of wine is tonight's plan [: Man, I feel like my dad :l …


Disclaimer:

Do not own Vampire Academy or any of it's canon characters / places. The only part that are mine and those that I have added to the story - mostly Dimitri's thoughts. This is purely a fanfic for your reading pleasure - I do not profit from it except from reading nice reviews :D


Recap:

"…You won't have much left for your homework or anything else. You'll be tired. A lot."

I knew part of what I was saying was out of jealousy, that it was to do with keeping her too busy to spend time with the Zeklos boy again as well as training her. I hated feeling this way, so… young and full of emotions.

"It doesn't matter. If you tell me to do it, I'll do it."

She promised me, her expression still as fierce. I studied her expression, taking in her set jaw, her bright eyes and glowing expression. It was clear she meant it and I felt relieved. I nodded, believing her.

"We'll start tomorrow"


I'd found as the next few day's passed that teaching Rose physical hand to hand training was a lot harder than I thought. Although she was a brilliant student and definitely picked up on everything I taught her so quickly, even going as far as to tone down her whining during these sessions, thing's were still difficult for me. Being so close to her - even if we was fighting - seemed to stir emotions in me I was afraid to name, afraid to admit.

Then there was talking with her. She never seemed to cease to amaze me, and every time we talked she seemed to draw more and more out of me than I intended, be it where I was brought up, my likes, dislikes or even simple things such as my age - everything I usually kept to myself this novice seemed to talk out of me.

I tried to go about my duties as ordinarily as I could, trying not to let up on my inner turmoil obvious to those around me, those I worked with, keeping it a secret how I lay in bed most nights after splitting up that party with the image of Rose half naked running through my mind. It made not being physically aware of her during these practices that much harder.

Today was the same.

I tried to keep the lesson as formal as I could, throwing up all my barriers and keeping as calm and collected as I could, like I had been taught when I was in school, keeping my voice and expressions in check. I stood opposite her on the practice mats, my arms crossed across me chest and prepared for the lesson. The first half were always verbal, with me asking her questions and her answering. Today was no different.

"What's the first problem you'll run into when facing a Strigoi?" I fired at her.

"They're immortal?"

"Think of something more basic." I prompted, and her face turned curious as she pondered the question more closely.

"They could be bigger than me. And stronger." She answered finally and I nodded, pleased with that answer.

"That makes it difficult but not impossible. You can usually use a person's extra height and weight against them." I informed her, before walking her through some basic moves she could use, though I avoided actually letting her try them for a while, first making sure she knew how to do them precisely first. I was still hesitant to let her get too close to me, all to aware of the affect she seemed to have. Unfortunately for me, however, Rose was a fast learner and I couldn't put off letting her try it. I steeled myself, making sure my emotions were in check before I finally turned to her, stopping the demonstrations

"Go ahead, try to hit me." I offered, standing opposite her though she didn't need prompting anymore. Immediately she lunged forwards aiming a blow for my head. Instantly I sprung forwards myself, blocking her attack and knocking her down on the mat. Instantly, however, she was back up moving towards me again going for another attack. We kept this up for a while longer; Rose attacking, me blocking, her falling, her getting back up and trying all over again.

Eventually she finally gave up, standing opposite me with her arms raised in defeat. She was breathing heavily and she looked slightly pissed off. I stood back calmly.

"Okay, what am I doing wrong?" She demanded.

"Nothing." I answered. She stared at me like I was stupid, and again I worked to keep my face straight and not smile. I always felt like smiling when I was around Rose, it's another thing that made me feel so uncomfortable around her.

"If I wasn't doing anything wrong, I'd have rendered you unconscious by now." I resisted rolling my eyes at her statement. Is that what she had been trying to do?

"Unlikely. Your moves are all correct, but this is the first time you've really tried. I've done it for years." I reminded her, and she shook her head at me and rolled her own eyes.

"Whatever you say, Grandpa. Can we try it again?" She asked. I glanced at the clock on the far wall and shook my head, feeling slightly disappointed that my time with Rose was up, and that I now had to get ready myself for the banquet tonight. I tried to mask that, however and instead kept my tone as casual as I could.

"We're out of time. Don't you want to get ready?" She suddenly looked up at the clock I had just glanced at and instantly her expression brightened.

"Hell, yeah, I do." She announced, and instantly I began to head out of the gym, smiling as I walked ahead of her. Her excitement seemed to be infectious, since suddenly I was looking forwards to this banquet that earlier I hadn't given two thoughts about. This girl truly was lethal.

Suddenly I heard a slight grunt behind me, and instantly I tensed, recognising the sound. She was trying to attack me again. I spun around, meeting her attack and grabbing her arms, throwing her to the ground in the process and pinning her there. Underneath me I felt the vibrations run through her as she groaned, clearly annoyed that her 'surprise' attack had failed.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" She sounded shocked and frustrated, and I could feel my guardian mask slipping as I tried not to laugh.

"The battle cry sort of gave you away. Try not to yell next time." I informed her, trying not to grin.

"Would it have really made a difference if I'd been quiet?" She asked, clearly not impressed. I pretended to consider this seriously.

"No. Probably not." I told her at last, which earned me a sigh. Again I repressed a laugh when I was suddenly aware of her eyes on my face, admiring me. Instantly my humour dried up as my body became aware of how close we was, a small part of my mind screaming at me. 'This is what you think about! It's happening!' I ignored the voice, instead focusing the feel of the girl beneath me, my legs entwined with hers, my chest flush against hers as my arms grasped her wrists firmly, keeping her in place.

My mind felt dazed as inappropriate thoughts ran through it, thoughts of me closing the space between us, of me slowly sliding my arm down her arm from her wrist to her hip pulling her closer towards me, bringing my head down slightly, closing up the space between us and touching my lips to hers…

"So um… you got any other moves to show me?" My mind suddenly seemed clear as she spoke as I had to fight back my own thoughts and resist the urge to smile at the sound of her laboured breathing. Clearly this had had an effect on her, too, and knowing this made me pleased, pleased that she could feel the strange tension that had been building between us, that she too, was aware of it, aware of me just as much as i was aware of her. Instead of smiling, however, I worked on keeping my voice and expressions in check as I shifted up off her back on my feet, all the while ignoring the nagging feeling in the back of my head and the want of my body - both telling me to stay like that and to pull her closer.

Both of which was entirely wrong of me to feel and want.

"Come on. We should go." Was all i said, however, and I was pleased at how clam my voice was and pleased at the control I had as I walked away from her and out of the gym, refusing to look back. I didn't think I could control myself if I did. Instead I made my way to my room to get ready for tonight, my mind still replaying everything that had happened as my body still tingled from the touch to hers.

It would be a long night, that was for sure.

After a quick shower, I made my way over to the commons to join the other Guardians. The common room had been transformed for the queen's arrival with classy tablecloths and vases spilling with flowers - but I seen the hall like this before, so it hardly held my attention. Instead i focused my attention on the task at hand, and after taking up my position along the wall of the common along with the other Guardians, I quickly got engrossed in my task of observing the room without really looking like I was overseeing everything going on. It was a Guardian trick that we all knew fairly well, and instantly i was engrossed with my duty.

Really, though, my mind was still thinking about Rose.

When the Royals finally made their entrance, we all bowed in response, and instantly I went on alert at their arrival, stepping up my observation. The queen began to rounds speaking to the Royal students, and instantly I zoned out, not really interested in Royal Moroi affairs. Though i lived in their world, their affairs did not interest me in the slightest unless it affected me or my job directly. This of course did not. Again my mind began drifting towards Rose when the queen said a name that did spark my attention.

"Vasilisa Dragomir." Instantly I tensed at the queens singling out my ward. I was aware of the silence filling the room as everyone held their breaths to hear what the queen would say - me included. It was rare for her to single students out like this, making this situation all the more intense. I resisted the urge to look towards them.

"We heard you had returned. We are glad to have the Dragomirs back, even though only one remains. We deeply regret the loss of your parents and your brother; they were among the finest of the Moroi, their deaths a true tragedy. You have an interesting name, many heroines in Russian fairy tales are named Vasilisa. Vasilisa the Brave, Vasilisa the Beautiful. They are different young women, all having the same name and the same excellent qualities: strength, intelligence, discipline, and virtue. All accomplish great things, triumphing over their adversaries.

Likewise, the Dragomir name commands its own respect. Dragomir kings and queens have ruled wisely and justly in our history. They have used their powers for miraculous ends. They have slain Strigoi, fighting right alongside their guardians. They are royal for a reason.."

She paused, and I could feel the tension rising in the room at the weight of her words. Next to me I could see Daniel straining his neck trying to get a look at the queen and the Princess, and I shot him a warning look. He instantly backed down, looking sheepish, though I knew how he felt. I wanted to see the Princess's reactions to the words, too. But unlike Daniel, I knew my place. The queen suddenly carried on her speech, and instantly I could feel the tension in me rising along with worry as i forgot about Daniel.

"Yes, you are doubly named with power. Your names represent the finest qualities people have to offer and hearken back in time to deeds of greatness and valour." She paused, and once again I felt the urge to look over. I bit it back fiercely.

"But, as you have demonstrated, names don't make a person. Nor do they have any bearing on how that person turns out." Instantly I could feel the intake of breaths from around the room at the verbal snub the queen had issued the Princess, along with my own worry at how she had taken it. She was my ward, after all, and hearing her be hurt - even if the hurt wasn't physical - brought out the protective side of me. But I also knew my station, and instead returned to my regular Guardian duty trying to ignore everything around me though it was difficult. I just had to trust that the Princess would be alright.

The rest of the evening went by pretty swiftly, the whole time my thoughts on Rose, wondering what she was doing. After the dinner had ended I had watched her rush out of the hall following the Princess, and instantly I knew that she was going after her after feeling her emotions through the bond, followed soon after by Mia Rinaldi - a none Royal Moroi who I had seen often about the Academy - and a group of her friends. She had always been surrounded by friends of hers, and I wondered if she was as concerned for the Princess as Rose was. As the evening drew to an end, myself and the other Guardians were dismissed, with only a few carrying on their shifts in the commons. Lucky for me, tonight wasn't my shift.

I hurried out of the commons immediately, making my way outside into the Garden in the hopes that perhaps Rose was still close. I wasn't sure what my rush was - or even my reasoning for wanting to see her - but I couldn't resist the urge that I had been resisting all night. I'd find an excuse when it came to it, all i knew was that i wanted to see her, talk to her even.

Spotting the three girls in the small courtyard, I began to make my way over to them when I suddenly caught on the tense mood and also their positions, Rose standing close to Mia Rinadli as though they were both engaged in some sort of verbal battle. I tensed for the fight I sensed coming and strode over to the group, my expression grim.

I assessed Rose as the immediate threat here - being she was at least twice the size of the Moroi girl and twice as strong- and I stood next to her, crossing my arms to show that I meant business. Fighting with me during our lessons was one thing. Fighting Moroi, however, was another matter completely.

"Everything all right?" I asked the group, watching the Rinadli girl shift uncomfortably at my arrival. Her eyes swept over me, clearly appreciative, but i ignored it professionally. I was used to the girls at the Academy looking at me this way that it no longer had no effect on me, not that it ever really did. I knew my place, and i also knew that i wasn't interested in a relationship. I had a job to do here, and i would carry that job out without distractions.

"Sure thing, Guardian Belikov. We were just swapping family stories. Ever heard Mia's? It's fascinating." Rose smiled up at me, and i felt a pang of something deep inside me which i pushed away. No distractions... I had caught the bitchy undertone of her voice and instantly I felt weary.

"Come on." The Rinadi girl suddenly spoke up, speaking to a group of girls behind her who I had just noticed. They were all shooting me strange looks. They each stalked away, giving both the Princess and Rose looks that clearly stated this battle wasn't over. Girls. I felt like sighing at the stereotypical aspect of this whole situation after having to listen to it from my sisters as they came back from their own school holidays. It seemed such things went on at every school, no matter what country. Some things never changed.

I turned to Rose, feeling suddenly worn out, knowing this was just a catty girl fight.

"I'm supposed to take you back to your dorm. You weren't about to just start a fight, were you?" The first part was a lie, but I knew she wouldn't question it. Tonight with the Royal visit Kirova had been far too distracted to pay attention to Rose to make sure she got back to her room on curfew or not, but I supposed Rose would hardly know that. The second part, of course, I already knew the answer too.

"Of course not, I don't start fights where people can see them." She told me, her eyes still focused on where the Rinaldi girl had vacated. I heard the Princess groan.

"Rose…"

"Let's go. Good night, Princess." I told her, not in the mood for this any more. It was bad enough hearing it all from my sisters for all those years, never mind standing in the middle of it with Rose. I turned to walk away, aware that she wasn't following. I paused with my back still to them, giving them some privacy.

"You going to be okay, Liss?"

"I'm fine."

"Liss…"

"I told you, I'm fine. You've got to go." There was a pause, and a moment later Rose came to stand beside me, which i took as a hint she was ready to go. I began to lead the way across the garden, now leading her back to the Dhampir dorms. Rose was silent as we walked.

"We may need to add an extra training on self-control." I noted as we walked, wondering if she was always this... aggressive with other students, particularly girls.

"I have plenty of self contr- hey!" I turned as she shouted, looking around for the subject of her call to see Christian Ozera - another Moroi royal walking past us towards the other side of the garden we had just come from. He had stopped at her call, clearly looking uncomfortable and i wondered what the situation was this time, feeling a little uneasy.

"You going to see Lissa?" Rose demanded at him. I could tell instantly that these two did not get on as Ozera gave her a rebellious look.

"What if I am?" He retorted. I could see that that answer was not one Rose cared to hear.

"Rose, this isn't the time," I stated, sensing another argument.

"Why don't you just leave her alone? Are you so messed up and desperate for attention that you can't tell when someone doesn't like you?" She spat at him, and I could tell the statement had got to him. Christian scowled at her, clearly annoyed. Rose was fuming and she didn't give him a chance to retort this time.

"You're some crazy stalker, and she knows it. She's told me all about your weird obsession… how you're always hanging out in the attic together, how you set Ralf on fire to impress her. She thinks you're a freak, but she's too nice to say anything." She informed him, her voice laced with dislike. The Ozera kid looked clearly hurt, though he instantly tried to mask the look. I myself was trying to work out her words. Attic? Setting fire to somebody? Clearly there was something i was missing here.

"But you aren't too nice?" He asked, though it sounded more like a statement, one that I was beginning to believe, especially tonight. Rose seemed to be in a truly bad mood, and when she was in a bad mood she really was a force to be reckoned with, especially verbally.

"No. Not when I feel sorry for someone." She answered, and I could see the fire in her eyes. It seemed these two really didn't get on, and from the look of this conversation, Rose seemed to be really upsetting the Ozera kid. Instantly I felt angry myself towards her, feeling disappointed at her for the first time today.

"Enough." I ordered, and began to steer Rose away from the Ozera kid, who seemed frozen with shock and hurt.

"Thanks for 'helping,' then." He snapped back at her as I lead her away.

"No problem." She called, her voice still dripping with dislike. I shook my head at the childishness of it all. I lead her towards the female Dhampir dorms and instantly she began to stalk inside, clearly still in a foul mood. She didn't even say a word as she left, and I felt a slight twinge of hurt at it, which was ridiculous really. Why should it matter if she says good night or whatever?

Only it did to me, and again I was aware of how wrong that was.

I made my way back towards my own room, feeling drained. Climbing in bed, I once again fell back in my normal bedtime routine of laying in bed, the image of Rose half naked running through my mind, only this time it was coupled with the image of her laying under me, of the feel of her pressed against me…

Something had to be done about my inappropriate feelings towards her, that much was for certain.


Authors Note:

Hope you liked it !