Ok, so, so far no one seems to be reading the little…Well big note at the top. So I'll just put two more chapters of this one up since it's more convenient. XD

I stalked down the sidewalk, not even aware of where I was going. Unfortunately, Promise had decided to tag along. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't mad at my sweet puppy, but I needed alone time.

"What are you doing here?" I complained to her.

What do you think? I'm watching out for you. And no, nobody sent me out here to watch you; I'm here on my own free will.

"Well good for you, stay out of my way, and you can do whatever you want," I shot back.

She gave a sigh. I continued my walk into a store for some water and food. Then I thought of something brilliant. My eyes widened as I walked out the door with my treasures, Promise panting from the heat. I eased the handles of the bags onto my arms and found some shaded trees where we could sit.

"Hey, if I asked you to do something, even if you're dead set against, would you please help me out?"

Um, depends on what you want. And why should I ask, I already know what you're thinking.

"Come on, please, just for one night, I need to get away from everyone, and it's not like I won't have my stake with me if you could help me out here," I was getting irritated.

True, but I don't know….

"Please? I need a break, please," I was begging now, I was that desperate; my emotions were already pressed to the limit and the thing with Dimitri and everyone had just made it worse.

Alright, but you need to come back with me, so I can stay with you. You don't have to go in or anything, but just hide; I have my ways of getting things packed without hands like humans.

She barked, but I knew she was laughing. I rolled my eyes. "Ok, let's go. Now."

She looked at me, but we set off. I had ditched the plastic bags and carried everything in my arms. Promise was silent as we walked back to the house where everything seemed normal on the outside, though I knew better. I briefly slipped into Lissa's head and found her sobbing. Tasha was trying to soothe her, and it appeared Dimitri was nowhere in there.

A further look told me he was outside, staring off into the trees in the backyard. I tensed and waited for him to turn his gaze and catch us. But he appeared to be off guard.

Rose? Stay in the shadows and hide where you have to; I know what you need, and I'll be back very quickly.

I looked at her a tilted my head forward to show that I heard her. I ducked around the house, finding a window where I could see everything. Lissa looked horrified and Tasha looked just plain upset. The window was slightly cracked for the summer breeze to blow in, so I could hear what they were saying.

"Tasha, do you think she'll forgive us? I mean, we ruined her birthday, she caught us talking behind her back, and now Dimitri's mad at her," wailed Lissa.

Tasha stroked her head, looking every bit like a good parent."It's hard to know with Rose, but usually I would say she'd eventually forgive us, but this time I think she's just got more than she could handle. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't show up at all tonight."

Just then the door slammed shut as Dimitri angrily strode into the kitchen, pausing long enough to say, "She isn't back, and I don't know where she is," before storming out.

Tears ran down Lissa's face again. "Why is he so mad? It's no one's fault!"

Tasha looked thoughtful. "Well, I'm only saying this because we're good friends, but he's just frustrated with himself and with what's going on. This is his way of dealing with it all, even if he seems angry, he's not; he's simply just frustrated at having ruined Rose's day…."

Her voice trailed off as she stepped away from Lissa. She sighed. "I'm going to get some air, why don't you go upstairs and try to relax?"

With that she stepped out the door and Lissa dispersed from the kitchen, leaving me to look at an empty room. Promise still wasn't back yet, so I suspected she was either doing a good job, or it was taking her longer to use her magic.

"Rose?!" a voice exclaimed.

I had been so caught up in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed that Tasha had come up to me. "Tasha."

She studied me. "How are you holding up?"

I sighed. "Ok, but please, don't tell anyone you saw me, especially Dimitri; he'll come right after me!"

Tasha's face softened. "Of course not, honey. I'm pretty sure you over heard our conversation since you're below the window-" My nod confirmed this- "And what I said about Dimka is true. He's frustrated with himself that he's hurt you. I've never seen him so mad in such a long time, and he only does this when people he cares about are involved. You have to believe me."

I gave another sigh. "Yes, but I can't go back, not yet."

"Ok, do me one favor; stay around the house so I know you're safe. Can you do that much?"

I thought about it. "Ok, I can do that."

Suddenly, Promise appeared with my stuff. She looked surprised to see Tasha, but since I wasn't screaming or yelling, figured it was ok. I got your stuff, but I couldn't get food….

From the looks of it, her mind had opened to Tasha's as well since she said, "I can do that part."

Tasha gave my shoulders a squeeze and carefully slipped back into the kitchen. I heard her rummaging through the pantries and refrigerator, before she came back out with a bag load of food.

I smiled gratefully at her and took it, setting it down. "I think I'll stay right here. It's private and I can easily hide."

Tasha looked relieved. "Perfect, but do you have your stake?"

When I nodded, she reached over and gave me a hug. "Don't worry," she murmured in my ear, "he'll forgive you soon enough, and you guys can solve this issue. But when you see Lissa, forgive her, it'll make her fell happier."

"Well, I think you can trust her not to say anything to Dimitri. I don't care what you decide to tell her, but please, tell her I'm sorry…"

And that was all that was said as Tasha left, so Dimitri wouldn't get suspicious. I looked up at the sky and saw dusk rapidly approaching, so I settled down in the sleeping bag Promise had though to bring and pulled my puppy in with me, knowing I needed to find some way to talk to Dimitri….

Ok, another chapter, but I don't know how good the ending was since my little brother keeps coming up to me and complaining about how long I've been on it, and how he wants it. XD

SONGS:

NONE….amazing I know, but my dad has the TV going, and he's on the computer, playing some kinda game on it…=\