Hello! I'm so sorry it has taken me this long to update this fanfic. For a moment, I'd lost my muse for it and when I did get it back, I found I was unable to write this chapter without getting stuck, or writing and erasing everything. I wanted to put out something I would love and most importantly, the fans and new readers would enjoy. Thank you to everyone who had left reviews and those reminding me that you all still read it and have long awaited for new chapters. I would also like to take this moment to thank Shadow8888 for the PM they sent. Like you all, they wondered if I would continue the story. This I can promise, the story will continue and each chapter will be amazing. As a writer, I have a duty to finish a story created out of love from an amazing series. So keep a look out for chapters to come.

Amanda Lee - White Light

Twenty-One Pilots - Heathens

Towards The Sun - Rihanna

Chapter 9

A Place Called Home.

"A place where someone still thinks of you; that's a place you can call home." – Naruto

"The one you're looking for is up here."

I said with a tilt of my head and the moment the fog completely disappeared, all the heads in the building shifted in my direction. Some staring at me with disbelieving, wide-set eyes, while others were trying to figure out who I was.

"Who the hell are you? Goth Barbie?" When the words left the taller male's mouth. His companions laughed, causing me to snort and my smirk to grow even darker.

"No," I said in a low voice. When the one word left my lips, I began to hear the sound of the Water Falls. I knew it was the Death Angels giving me strength, letting me know I wasn't alone and that I could do this.

Planting my heeled feet apart, slim arms fold over my chest and azure hues darken; like a storm eclipsing a once bright blue sky, as they stared; ignoring the many eyes, especially the ones that belonged to friends who were like family to me, at the cloaked figures who were trying to harm those I cared about. Lifting my chin, the next time I opened my mouth, my words were strong and sounded like the female alpha, the guardian, I was born to be.

"I'm the Protector."

Those three words leaving my lips while every eye in the room was on me was like cold steel, liquid fire, and the most lethal venom. Standing on top of that stage with the kitchen behind me and the campers, staff and their attackers before me, I couldn't show any fear, I didn't want them to see how my insides were shaking, and nervousness was running like ice water through my veins.

Drawing in a breath of air through slightly parted lips, I could taste doubt on my tongue, the flavor of hatred, sadness, relief, disbelief, and fear. But, also love.

None of these feelings were coming from me.

"So..." Hissed the figure cloaked in darkness and still holding onto Helen. "You are the protector we've heard so much about?" He inquired with a thunderous snort. "This is the little girl Mario has failed to eliminate and fear? " Laughter blossomed from the lips of the figure still holding Helen and from the others that were scattered around the room. "A girl? How can this little bitch be the cause of all our trouble?" His head shook and when he reached with this free hand to remove his hood, I saw that it was one of the guys from the night at the Wildlife Preserve. The night so many months ago Derek and I had snuck in with the help of our friends so he could speak to the animals and find out who was killing them. Under the glow of the moon, we found out that the other Counselor, Skye, at the Camp had betrayed Holiday to save her sister, and that a gang of vampires was behind the killings. That night, I also made an enemy out of a vampire who one day would kidnap me, then die to protect me.

From the corner of my gaze, a figure darted towards the male and before they could get close, their movements stilled and I saw now that it was Jonathan who had gotten back up and was trying to get to Helen. I knew for whatever reason when he'd stopped moving, it wasn't of his own doing and my suspicions were confirmed when the male holding Helen flung out his hand and Jonathan went flying backward into a table. Someone in the crowd swore and it sounded like Della, while others growled, unable to do anything.

Damnit! Where were those FRU people when they were needed? I thought.

Glancing around the room, I couldn't help thinking that so many lives have been lost, bloodshed, and all for what? So a group who were hellbent with causing disorder in the supernatural world could rule? Could use me as a powerful baby making machine? And when they couldn't, hurt those I cared the most for?

All of this was like a repeated dance. A looping of time.

But now, it would stop, or I die fighting to protect everyone. Even those who had brushed me off as a freak of nature.

"The Leaders believe you to be a threat to our cause. Especially since you were able to turn one of our own against us." He was speaking about Red. Mario's grandson you had kidnapped me, wanting me to become his bride. However, in the end, he'd saved me time and time again until it had caused him, his life. "However, All I see is a girl who abandoned her comrades and who today, will meet her end."

Shaking off the jacket I was wearing, my gaze cut from Della who was standing next to Miranda. I would see the pain of my cutting off all communication and ties to them, in their eyes, but also the relief. To Derek who was still reading my emotions and shook his head to indicate that I shouldn't do whatever I was planning. To Jonathan who was laying on the floor and Helen who was crying. My gaze swept over a Werewolf who had pushed his sister behind him in order to protect her. Until finally, I locked gazes with Holiday who still held an unconscious Burnett in her arms. She was trying to communicate something to me and from the head nod she had just given, she trusted me to do whatever I was planning. Lips twitching, I dropped my jacket on the stage, pressing down all fear and nerves I felt and replacing it with the need to protect.

"You're right." I started. "I did abandon my friends. But, it wasn't for the reasons you think." Taking a step to the end of the stage, the toes of my boots were over the edge and I balanced on the heel of my feet to keep me from falling over. " When I left, I was at my weakest," I admitted. "My friends." Head shaking. "No, my family were constantly in danger. Getting hurt because of me, or dying." Eyes darting to Derek. There were so many emotions within that green gaze. He was remembering how he'd gone after Ellie and how they were attacked. I'd healed him when a spirited Ellie came to me and showed Della and me the way to their bodies. How badly had I wanted to heal her? But I'd failed. But, in the end, she'd been welcomed to the place where good supernaturals; even those had have made mistakes, go. The Death Angels had welcomed her into their arms and in doing so, Ellie was able to join her mother. That night, another life had been cut down. Red never had a chance to have a happy upbringing. Especially with a grandfather like Mario. Still, in the end, his soul had been freed from the shackles that bound him to his world. Other things, after, that had brought me so much closer to my decision to leave and glancing towards Lucas, I knew he could feel that he was one of those reasons. "But, " I breathed out. " I was wrong. Now I know no matter how far away I run, my demons will always be a step behind me. "

However, today, it was time that I chased backed.

Stepping off the stage, I heard the gasps from the campers in the room, followed by a scream of my name before I teleported behind the vampire who held Helen captive.

"Boo!"

The vampire released Helen as he and many others turned to stare at me with wide, astonished or confused eyes. The room had become darker as the storm I'd conjured moved until it was directly over us, the rain beating against the roof of the building like drums of war sounding. Cutting my eyes towards Dimitri and Jeremy who were now free, I gave my head a slight nod, indicating that they are to keep anyone but the Blood Brothers from following me. If my plan was going to work, I needed every student, teacher, friend and sorta foe, to stay inside so they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Taking one step, then another back, I knew the dining hall like I knew what Della looked like when she was pissed, or the song Miranda loved the most, every freckle on Perry's ass, the flecks of gold in Derek's green eyes, or how much my leaving Shadow Falls truly affected my friends.

"I'm what you truly want," I said, spreading my arms wide at my side. "Come get me!" There was a series of deep, throaty growls that echoed around the room, I knew most came from the cloaked figures, while the others came from Della, Perry, and the werewolf who hadn't taken his eyes off me since I've entered the room, Lucas. Ignoring the pain that sliced through me at the thought of all the pain He'd caused, the storm had begun to rage outside, channeling the anger I felt within as I stepped backward, each step carrying me closer towards the exit until I'd crossed over the threshold. The gang who had attacked the camp had released those they were holding and were now following me out into the rain. Once all of the figures had exited the building, my voice lifted to be heard over the thunder roaring overhead, while the torrent of rain splashed against me, soaking my clothing and plastering my hair against my face.

"DO IT NOW!"

I had enough time to spot Dimitri and Jeremy rushing towards the door, closing it so that I was alone with the members of Mario's origination who wanted me dead. I could hear people from the other side protesting. But, it was Holiday's voice that was clearer. "Someone get the first aid kits out of the kitchen!" "What about Kylie?" Someone else had said. "Oh. I would not want to be them right now." That was Dimitri and Jeremy voices simultaneously. "Who the hell are you?" I wanted to laugh when I heard those words leave Della's lips, and in that moment, I felt how leaving Shadow Falls had affected me.

I've been missing my home without even realizing it until now.

Before my gaze drifted from the building towards my opponents, I spotted figures crowding around the windows of the Dining Hall, and again, I felt nervous. It was one thing to have my grandfather, great aunt, mentors and those back in Romania watching as I trained. But this was the real thing. This moment would, or might, define whatever battle was up ahead. It would determine if I was truly fit to live up to my title of Protector.

Not paying attention, I almost missed the first figure who had darted forward with a knife. Dodging the blade, another person moved in behind me, kicking me in my side. Wincing and doubling over to catch my breath, I turned a dark expression on the female whose hood had fallen and conjured up a spear of ice, only to have the female whisper words that caused the ice to melt. Chameleon or Witch? I thought. Swearing, they had stopped attacking me and was now moving in a circle around me. "What is the matter, girl? Thought you could play in the big leagues?" The male who I'd deemed as the leader stated with a crackle of laughter, and soon, the others joined in with him.

"Kylie..."

A whispered voice to my left said. Knowing it wasn't a good idea to avert my gaze, I did so anyway and saw a barely there apparition of my father. Emotions began to swirl around me. My father, biologically so, had died before I was born and Tom, the man I'd thought was my father, had raised me. Still, even if he knew I wasn't, he loved me just the same and coming to Shadow Falls, I'd learned that Daniel never stopped loving my mom and me. He proved that he hadn't by not moving on and staying by my side until I was old enough; and when my powers started to awaken, to see him. Yeah sure, at first, I thought I was being stalked, then going insane. But, it was here at this camp, at this place, that I learned that I wasn't all human. That I was... Special.

Daddy...

I thought. Knowing he could hear me.

"They need you. Protect them."

His voice was barely a whisper as he faded away. And was that a smile?

Blinking against the droplets of rain resting on my lashes. Daniel was right, I had to protect them, or go down trying.

When the group lunged forward, attempting to attack me all at once, I heard screams coming from the direction of the Dining Hall, followed by a noise like someone banging against something. Nevertheless, all of that faded to the furthest corners of my mines as I lifted my right arm into the air, lids falling shut over sapphire gems, feeling a great amount of power lash out beneath the tips of my fingers. Calling the lightning to me, I felt the moment the tiny hairs on my arms stood on end and felt the sky open up as the lightning whipped down from the sky. Eyes snapping open, I kneeled and slammed my hand into the muddy ground as the lightning made contact with it and tentacles of fiery light slithered towards the cloaked figures, latching into them. I could hear them cursing my name, swearing as they struggled to fear themselves. But I, nor the lightning would release them until we were ready.

Not this camp I thought.

Not my friends.

"Not my family!" I screamed.

The world around me brightened as the pure energy raced throughout my body. Fastening to every cell, turning my bones, organs, muscles, tissues, and skin inside out. It was almost as painful as the first time I shifted into a wolf, but,the sensation was less than what I've suffered from being choked, flung around like a rag doll, close to meeting the Death Angels, and having my heart torn to bits multiple times.

Slowly,I began to come back to my senses as my body was remade and soon, the flashing light dissipated and what was left behind in its wake were bodies crumbled to the ground, steam rising up from the earth, and a storm that was now a slowly fading drizzle. I hadn't noticed my breathing was labored, or that someone had broken down the doors of the Dining Hall until someone said "Where is she? Where's Kylie?" It was a male voice. One that sounded familiar and angry.

Burnett.

When the steam had finally cleared, my skin still felt tingly from channeling the lightning and taking it into my body, but my gaze was clear enough to notice the campers cautiously coming out of the Dining Hall. Through a broken door. "Whoa, did you see what Kylie did? " Someone had whispered. "It's her fault they were here in the first place." Spoke another person. Was it one of the werewolves who'd joined the camp at the beginning of the school year? Feeling all the strength I'd gained when I was in Protector mode, my knees gave away. But, they never touched the ground. Someone was now beside me, propping me up. "Got you." They said after wrapping a cool arm around my face. I didn't have to lift my head to know it was Della who was anchoring me. But, I turned my head up in her direction and against, I saw the betrayal of me leaving and severing my ties with her and the others so clear in her dark almond-shaped eyes. But there, was also relief. Too focused on Della, I wouldn't have known someone else had joined us if it wasn't for another arm, this one warm, also sliding around my waist. "So do I." A voice finally spoke up. Followed by. "Although it feels like you've gained a bit of weight." Shifting my gaze towards Miranda, a smile; slow and wobbly, surfaced on my face and I wasn't sure if it was the light drizzle still descending from the sky that was the cause of the droplets cascading down my cheeks or my own tears being shed. Whatever it was, I felt lighter than I've felt in a long time. "Not saying it's a bad thing." Miranda continued. Her voice shaky and her own eyes glazing with unshed tears. "She's not getting off that easy." Came Della's voice. As angry as it sounded, there was warmth in her words. Emotions she rarely showed and soon, I found myself enveloped in a hug from both sides.

I didn't care that the campers, teachers, workers, and now, FRU agents; where were they when they were needed? were staring. All I cared in this moment where the two pair, no, three, wait, multiple arms around me. Lids falling shut and head resting against Della's and Miranda's, the emotions flowing off the bodies told me it was Perry, Helen, Jonathan, Nearby were Derek, Dimitri, and Jeremy. It was Holiday's comforting hand upon my shoulder that broken me and I began to sob.

"Welcome, home Kylie."

A place where people still think of you. Welcoming you back with open arms and forgiving hearts. That is a place called home.

And I'd finally arrived back to mines.