A.N: Hey Guys!!

See how i keep my promise huh? I'm posting tonight and i made it extra long! Thanks to the people who reviewed the last chapter it is so good in time of stress!Please don't forget to review i just love reading them and i won't turn strigoi if i'm happy right?? lol.

Okay on a more serious note my beta regretfully has to stop for some personnal reasons so well i'm looking for a new one at the time being. I maybe ( i think i did) found a new one but i'll keep you updated on that =).

Anyways here the new chapter. Enjoy it!!

xoxo

Chapter 5:

I looked at my watch as I parked in front of the shabby motel on the Eastern side of Spokane it was 5.30 pm. It was twilight too late to start investigating here tonight, but I half expected it and it was even fine with my impatient self.

You're finally growing up! Many people that were irritated by my well known impatience would have said.

The Motel was called Palace, which was rather ironically funny since it looked more like a 'room-for-an-hour'place then the Radisson.

Actually I was pretty sure that this was the type of motel to actually rent rooms by the hour, but I was strong enough to stay here, plus I noticed that the shabbier the motel was, the lesser questions they asked.

I was maybe slightly… well ok, more than slightly paranoid, but I knew how easy it was for anyone with the funds and half a brain to find you wherever you were. And even if they let me go without much turmoil I was pretty sure that once someone realized that I would probably not make it back they would start searching for me…if that wasn't the case already.

So even if I could afford a lot better than that, they usually refused a teenager more than reluctant to show her ID, paying in cash with what they called, and I quote, 'a funny look on her face.'

So, I was settling for those 3rd categories places where it was the money that did all the talking. Just put 50 dollars on the counter and you'll have the key faster then it would take you to spell Animalistic.

Anyways, I didn't care much about the appearance of the places where I was spending my nights, I was clearly strong enough to defend myself and as long as I had a dry place, more or less a comfortable bed, clean towels and a shower, I couldn't ask for more.

As soon as I settled in the room, which was probably situated between one of a crack whore and a small drug dealer, I quickly closed the curtains, and eagerly went to the bathroom.

I took a shower, put my old sweat pants and a black tee shirt on and hand washed my clothes before sitting in the middle of bed with the sandwich, coke and novel I bought in a little shop just before exiting the highway.

I crossed my legs and looked at the ceiling for a while preparing my plan for the morning.

The shopping plaza was about 3 miles from the motel where I was staying. I would just jog there since I needed some relaxing exercise and I was very VERY good at running thanks to-

No! I refused to think his name…not tonight. It took to much energy to fight my feelings so I'd rather block them out for as long as I could even if it was clearly way easier to say than to do I thought concentrating my attention on the novel in front of me.

It was 'The Virginian' by Owen Wister. I noticed a copy of this book in his room, a very much-abused copy of it. It was easy to see that he read it so many times, but I could never ask him why and now…now it was too late, much too late.

I sighed. Am I masochistic? I never thought myself as being one, but I guess I am to some extend or at least I became one.

I was doing very well since I left the Academy not thinking about anything that could hurt me, but I was slipping from time to time. Sometimes I slipped big such was the case right now.

After finishing my sandwich, I laid down on the bed and gently brushed the cover of the book with my finger tips.

As I walked in the little shop buying the sandwich, the coke, some bottles of water, toothpaste and toiletry stuff I had let my eyes wander as I was paying for my gas. That's when I saw a stand with books and 'The Virginian' was the first one that caught my eye, like it has been standing there just for me.

I always regretted not taking more things from him, more small parts of him and I thought, probably foolishly, that this book was a sign, so I bought it and never mind the painful consequence for the little peace of mind I had left.

I settled under the covers having already arranged my sleeping pill and bottle of water on the night stand and opened the book.

I had maybe read about four pages when my mind started to wander through a path I couldn't block well enough.

We were training in the gym like usual, it was just before Christmas and Dimitri was cheerier then usual. Probably due to the fact that his friend Tasha, Christians' aunt, was here for the holidays.

After having my ass kicked for the tenth time I decided we needed a break.

"Hey John Wayne! Can you let me breathe for a minute?" I asked him in a false pleading tone. He looked at me for a second and chuckled.

"Of course Rose, I'm the good cowboy." He said playing along.

He gave me his hand to help me stand up. This touch made me shiver, but boy I loved his touch… It was like a drug to me.

"But why do you like Westerns so much huh?" I asked trying to hide my trouble with the first question that came to mind.

He smiled and shrugged slightly, "I don't know Rose…" He settled in a chair and unfastened his ponytail.

'Damn I would love to run my hands through that hair!' I thought. 'Stop it Rose!!' I added to myself trying to slap some sense into myself.

He was serious again, thinking… probably trying to explain what attracted him that much to this genre.

I was about to settle for another light subject when he talked again, keeping his eyes on his hands.

"Maybe…maybe it's because it's pretty often in a world of black and white you know." He said so seriously that it stopped me from making one of my famous smart-ass comments.

I just looked at him without a word.

He finally looked up locking eyes with me. "There is a right and wrong…No shade of gray." He added uncomfortably as he was opening a bit more to me, another little piece of the Dimitri Belikov mystery. "You know who the bad guys are and who the good ones are …the enemies and the protectors." He ran his hand in his hair. "There is no deception in this world, only honor." He added standing up, stretching.

I just nodded understanding what he meant. Victor Dashkov was supposed to be a protector and he was actually the enemy… this world, our world was so full of pretenders and lies.

"Never Forget Roza…Things are not always what they seem to be in our reality." He said with so much concern in his voice that my chest filled up with the unconditional love I felt for him.

I was back to reality still looking at the fourth page as his voice was still rang in my head 'Never Forget Roza…things are not always what they seem to be in our reality.'

I shook my head, closed the book and took the sleeping pill off the nightstand and into my hand.

"Thank you…you really are my safety harbor" I said to the tablet before swallowing it and feeling myself drifting into a dreamless sleep.

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I woke up and it was barely 7 am. Well… it would give me plenty of time to get ready. I decided to wear my oversized green sweatshirt, as it would be less conspicuous to hide a silver stake under it, on my belt.

I wouldn't probably stake any Strigoi today, but it was better to be prepared. I wasn't ready the first time I was here and it cost Mason's life.

That won't happen again! I said to myself deciding to keep my hair down, but putting a large rubber band around my wrist.

I left the room in the misty shadowy morning light and ran across the road to the little diner.

I wanted some greasy, fattening food because I didn't really need to worry about cholesterol did I? Plus I was pretty sure that my next 3-mile run would burn those calories off.

After eating slowly and feelings the eyes of the weirdoes on me I decided it was time to go.

If the center was still closed well I would wander around it, study the perimeter, as the FBI would say.

I was about two miles away when it started to rain heavily, which didn't really upset me. I was in Washington State… What else could I have expected huh?

When I arrived at the shopping center I looked like a wet dog and probably even more homeless than I usually did.

The doors were open even if most of the shops were still actually closed... Ehhh that will do for now, it's not like I came here to shop anyways.

As I walked in, I tightened my dripping hair in a high bun, under the scrutinizing eyes of the security guards.

I was actually showing my neck, the marks of my disgrace in purpose. The normal people wouldn't think anything of them; some would even find them 'fashionable', the lightning forming Xs and the star below them.

I actually hoped that someone would recognize the marks because it would mean that this person was more or less involved in our world and I needed to have a word with them… maybe even two.

I was walking around looking at shops without really seeing them when I felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was not the 'Strigoi feeling'so I turned around to see what triggered it and I faced the coffee shop and the exact table where Mia, Eddy and… And Mason was sitting before our lives changed forever. I could even see them sitting and smiling at me. Here I knew what I was feeling…a mix of nostalgia, guilt and pain.

I looked away and walked faster. I finally stopped in front of a little kiosk where an Asian man was setting Swords or more exactly Katanas, which were Samurais Swords…Deadly in their times.

My eyes got caught on a beautiful completely black one.

"Do you see something you like?" Asked the man with a heavy accent, but a warm enough smile.

"I…" I walked up to him and pointed to the black Katana. "How much is it?" I asked like a child in a candy store.

"Ah I can see that you've got great taste for a young lady." He said sincerely. "This is one of the most beautiful Katana I've got. The blade is in steel…almost unbreakable. As for the dragon forged on the case and the full handle are in Silver."

Silver? I thought that was the magic word.

"Plus, once sharpen, the blade is unbelievable! Let me show you," he added excitedly. You could see he really loved his job. He removed the Sword from its protective case and turned it, cutting edge up. He then took a small piece of fabric and just lightly threw it on top of the blade, which cut the piece in two.

WOW!! I thought my mouth hanging. I could totally picture how much easier it would be to cut Strigoi heads with it. Plus with the large string used to wear the Sword across my back, my moves won't be impaired.

Well It's true that I won't be able to walk like that on the Streets because let's face it…only Blade could pull THAT off.

"It's beautiful…" I said trying to sound calm. "How much do you want for it?" I asked again.

"Well this one, being in silver and steel and all that… it's $600," he said probably expecting me to walk away.

I looked at him seriously for a couple of second "I'll take it" I said smugly looking for my money in my big sweater pocket.

He bent down and took a different one.

"Eh wait!" I said pointing at the one on the stand. "It's this one I want." I added more aggressively than I intended.

"It's the same." He said taken aback by my tone. "I just can't sell a sharpen one without seeing your license and… And I don't think you have one. "

"I…" I was getting more disappointed by the second as I could already see myself beheading strigoi. But there was no way that anyone would sharpen it as well as that for me. This disappointment got out as anger. "You don't understand do you? I NEED this one!" I said pointing. "I'll give you $1000 for it!"

My reaction scared him and I could see he was closing himself off to any kind of negotiation now.

He simply shook his head no.

Smart move you idiot. You scared him now! He didn't need to know you were mental! I thought turning around, but staying were I was. I could try the crying maybe it could work, but the problem was that I wasn't sure I could stop once I started.

I turned to him again, decided to try begging once more, but he was staring at me with both surprised and questioning eyes.

After maybe a minute he smiled again, took the shaper swords and handed it to me.

"How…Why did you change your mind?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I didn't know you were a warrior too," he said pointing at my neck.

I just stared at him speechless.

He bent down. "You know… not every samurais were humans," he said. "And as long as the war will continue I'll help the honorable." He added mysteriously.

I nodded not wanting to get into too many details, as I was sure he didn't know much it was probably just legends he heard.

He refused the money I handed to him as he told me it would be a disgrace for him and I didn't mention that he was facing the disgrace in all its beauty.

After a little stop to the big Chapters books store, I walked into a sort of Decoration store shop for bridal lists and stuff.

I got to the counter.

"Hey, Do you engrave stuff?" I asked as gently as I could.

"Yeah we do," said the sales man showing me a little note saying 'we engrave everything in 3 hours'.

"Uh huh…" I said as it took all my willpower not to slap his smart-ass smile off his face. "Then could you engrave the silver handle of that sword please?"

He was surprised by the item but nodded. "What would you like written on it?" He asked becoming professional again after the shock wore off.

I gave him a piece of paper where it was written "Дмитрий, мое сердце и душа. Пусть наши Погашение можно получить через этот клинок..»

Which meant in English: 'Dimitri, my heart and Soul. May our Redemption be gained through this blade.'

I know it was childish to want it to be engraved in Russian, but it seemed to bring me closer to him, like the message was just for him.

"I... Really?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah really." I said now with a smart -ass smile. "Here…" I said putting a $100 on the counter "and you know what… If it's done perfectly, with all the skill you've got…I'll give you 2 more," I added seriously knowing it was 3 times the price. And that if they had the Cyrillic alphabet for the engraving machine it would be a piece of cake to do.

"Of course…" He said very VERY professionally. Money was really the international language and some people still think it was English I thought bitterly.

As I had three hours in front of me, I decided to inspect the whole place as the others did before me and maybe someone of consequence would also notice my tattoos and try to get their way with me to be on the Strigoi good side.

Fucking humans! Such a disgrace to their own race!! Associating with monsters, Evils who are ready to take your life without flinching! I thought with anger while breaking into the janitor's storage room. It was from there that the others managed to visit the tunnels. They said they were no Strigoi there, but maybe they missed something. Maybe my sixth sense would help.

Well it didn't…. It was 2 hours later when I made my way out of the sour system at the back of the plaza.

It's true what they say. Time does pass faster when you have fun I thought with sarcasm.

I walked slowly around the building to the main entrance again. I smelled my clothes. Well... the odor was faint since my nose was still full of the terrible smell.

I quickly stopped to buy some random perfume and sprayed it over my clothes, to cover the smell.

I went to pick up the sword and it was perfect! I stopped to have a little something to eat before walking slowly back from the mall to the house I've been held at in , what seems to be, a lifetime ago.

I felt some eyes on me, two or three times as I wandered in the Mall, but they were too discrete, I didn't manage to see who it was, but... But it was like I was being followed.

You're so paranoid! I thought sitting down to eat, but if it was true, maybe I'll get abducted along the way and this time will be so different since I had more experience, I was ready and I had nobody to protect along the way.

I chuckled to myself. Boy I had to be totally damaged to pray to be kidnapped!!

As I let my eyes roam once more I saw a small group of girls about my age giggling in front of a shop where there was a huge poster of some new Hollywood hottie.

I envied their innocence. I was pretty sure they were full of dreams and hopes, but…I was pretty sure I didn't want to forget what I've been through because it would mean that I'll have to forget Dimitri and nothing was worth that, not even making peace with myself.

As I left the place, I maybe took ten steps out, when I stood frozen on the pavement… Andre was facing me.

I felt a rush of adrenaline run through my veins. IF he was there…it was for something right?

"Andre did you find him?" I asked not bothering with politeness. I didn't think that dead people were in such need to social politeness.

He shook his head

I walked closer and whispered, as there was no need for people to call the asylum.

"But you found something didn't you?" I asked expectantly.

He nodded.

I smiled my brightest smile. A smile I hadn't used for so long now.

"Strigoi?" I asked my voice shivering with excitement.

He nodded again.

"Where?"

He mouthed 'south'

"South…South of town?" I asked frowning. That was unexpected; it was the nice residential area.

He nodded.

"Sure?"

He nodded again.

Well he certainly knew better than I did.

"Ok I will meet you back at the motel!" I said starting to run. I needed to get my car and take a quick shower and then I will then be ready to face strigoi and with a bit, well with a lot of luck, I'll get to know where my Dimitri was.