Chapter 6

The week passed quickly. Rose did each task that Dimitri assigned her without complaint. At least without vocal complaint. Today's assignment was washing pots and pans while everyone else learned how to use their stakes. Adrian bore the full brunt of her anger at this latest injustice.

"How dare he not allow me to learn to use a stake! He is stopping me from doing what I need to in order to kill Strigoi, what am I supposed to do, carry a sword? I haven't done a single thing that is actually productive. How does washing dishes or polishing boots help me learn how to fight Strigoi? At least Ivan lets me do group sparring. Though each time Dimitri supervises he always makes me fight two or three at once, so of course I lose every time. I beat Mason this morning though. Maybe tomorrow I'll beat at least one of the guys Dimitri assigns to annihilate me." She was pacing her room franticly while Adrian lounged on his bed.

"You know, you could always tell him you're a girl. I bet he would love that. I mean, haven't you seen how he is always looking at you?"

"Adrian, you are a pig. You know I would be sent home in disgrace if I told him the truth. And the fact that you are suggesting that Dimitri likes me proves that you are insane. He thinks I'm a guy for one thing, and for another, he is an arrogant, selfish, pompous brat who took one look at me and decided he didn't like me." She flopped on her bed and closed her eyes.

"Oh, Rose. You don't see what I see." Adrian chuckled. "If I know Dimitri, and I do, he won't send you home. At least, not your home." He winked.

Rose reached under her head, grabbed her pillow, and threw it at Adrian who just started laughing and kept going when she stood up and grabbed Ivan's key.

"I've got to let off some steam. I'll be back later." She snuck out and headed to the gym. She dodged around the corner to hide when she heard Dimitri's voice. She couldn't what he was saying and in a moment she couldn't hear him at all so she hoped he was heading out to the gate. She darted across the courtyard and went straight to the punching bag. She'd been at it for close to 45 minutes when the door swung open behind her. Whirling she launched at whoever had entered, not even caring at that moment, just needing to test her skills on someone else.

"Whoa! Down Jamie! I'm not gonna hurt you." Ivan jumped out of the way. Rose straightened and glared.

"Ivan, don't mess with me today. I need to vent. I'm mad at Belikov. He won't give me any actual training. I can't handle it. I need to learn how to really fight. You're his second, can't you teach me?"

Ivan shook his head. "No, I am a Moroi, our fighting style is too different. We use magic, you use stakes. I've never really used one. You can handle this. Try not to stress too much. Things will change soon. I promise. We are going on a field trip, and Dimitri has to let you come. I'll make sure you get a chance to prove yourself. Now, wipe your tears, and go back to bed."

Rose nodded and turned away. Before she could take more than a step though, Ivan's hand closed around her wrist and pulled her into a hug. After a moment he let her go, but kept a hold of her hands.

"Sorry, but you looked like you needed it. If you need someone to vent to, you can always come to me. I care about you." Ivan shuffled his feet. "You remind me of my sister." He pecked her check.

Rose gave a watery laugh, "Thanks Ivan. I'll see you in the morning." She headed back to her room. As she past a door just outside the gym, she swore she saw Dimitri whip out of sight, but when he didn't chase after her, she kept going. When she got back to her room she laid down and thought.

This field trip that Ivan mentioned is going to be my last chance to prove to Dimitri that I can do this. I wonder what we are going to do. If we run into any Strigoi, I'm sunk. I haven't learned how to truly use my stake, and I highly doubt that there will be a sword nearby.

She quickly fell asleep.

Dimitri was tired after dealing with the novices guarding the gate. He decided to head to the gym to get a quick work out in before heading off to bed. He was surprised to see that the door was open. Peeking around the corner he was shocked to see Ivan talking with someone. The person turned to walk out the door. It was Hathaway! Dimitri was about to walk in when suddenly Ivan grabbed him in a hug. An even bigger shock was when Ivan kissed Hathaway! His heart dropped to his stomach. Feeling his face flush with anger, Dimitri stepped back and walked into the room next to the gym, not wanting Hathaway to see him until he spoke with Ivan. He leaned his head back against the wall and thought about what he saw.

Ivan was hugging Hathaway. Why? Is Ivan attracted to him? Is Hathaway attracted to Ivan? That was not ok. It was a conflict to have a Novice involved with a Guardian. Plus, Ivan had a reputation as being a ladies man, so why was he suddenly interested in the boy. Not to mention the age difference. 7 years was quite a lot. Granted, Jamie did have a certain appeal. His eyes for one thing were very intriguing. They showed all the emotions that the boy was feeling. His skin looked soft… NO snap out of it Dimitri. It is not time for a man crush, especially on a novice, and extra especially on this one.

Dimitri shook his head to clear his thoughts, petrified at the direction they had taken. He strode into the gym to confront Ivan.

"Zeklos! Why was Hathaway in here and what were you doing with him? I saw you hug him, don't deny it. Are you involved with him? Is that why you want him to go on the field trip with us? Don't lie to me. He is barely 18, if that. I still think he lied about his birthday. You can't be involved with him. If you are, I'm going to send him home, no more chances."

Ivan started laughing. "You know Dimka, you almost sound jealous. Perhaps you have noticed how Jamie's eyes sparkle when he is excited, or how they seem to have fire in them when he talks back to you. He has passion. I wonder how that passion would translate in other things. Also he is really progressing with his skills. You should give him more credit. Even with your alternate assignments, Jamie is making amazing progress. Perhaps you should train him. Did you know that he comes here every morning before anyone else wakes up to work on strength training? Mason and Eddie meet him here occasionally and this morning, he knocked Mason out. You'd be proud. One week and already making a progress."

Dimitri stared at his friend. "How long have you been involved?"

Ivan shook his head, "My friend, we aren't involved. We are friends. Jamie is all yours. He told me that he wants to prove to you that he is more than just a boy and that he hopes you will someday approve of him."
Dimitri turned around and stalked off. Turning back at the door he addressed his friend one last time.

"I will never approve of that boy. He is a thorn in my side and will wind up getting someone killed on this field trip. I will not train him. I will not speak to him. He will be gone by the end of the field trip."

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Ivan slumped his shoulders. His blue eyes narrowed in thought. I wish Dimitri would open his eyes. Jamie is getting better and even though Dimitri doesn't know the truth, a blind man could see the attraction between the two. Never before had Dimitri acted like this with anyone. Not even his ex. Natasha had tried to convince Dimitri to give up being a guardian to have a family. He refused to give up his life though. After that he'd not spent any time dating. Perhaps I should drop more hints. I think him and Jamie would be perfect together. If Jamie ever decides to tell him the truth. I hope she does. They both deserve to be happy. Perhaps this field trip would allow him to push the two together more.

Rose woke up early again and headed to the gym. Mason and Eddie would meet her soon. She put her stuff on one of the mats and sat down to stretch. She saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She stood up and faced the shadows.

"I see Ivan was telling the truth. You do come here early to practice. Why would you do that?" Dimitri stepped into the light.

Rose's heart dropped. She was going to get kicked out, she'd finally done it. She'd been caught.

"I come because I want to be better. I want to learn to fight. I want to save Moroi. More importantly, I want to protect my father and my best friend. Lissa has promised me that I will be her guardian, so I have to be able to protect her. Why do you hate me so?"

Dimitri thought for a moment then said, "I don't hate you. You just are too immature and insubordinate and dangerous. You are wild and headstrong. You didn't have a single day of training before you show up here and in a month you want me to transform you into a full fledged guardian. You haven't even touched a stake have you?"

Fire sparked in Rose's brown eyes, "Who are you to judge me? You haven't bothered to get to know me. Perhaps you would understand more if you took the time to get to know people before casting judgements on them. Another thing, of course I hadn't trained. How was I supposed to? My mother brought me up in a commune. I'm sure you've heard of the stories of those places. This one was true. The only men who stuck around were Moroi who wanted to play for the night. I stayed to be with my mother who needed me. As for a stake, yes I have touched one but I haven't been taught how to use it yet. If you are so sure that I am dangerous, why don't you try to train me so that I won't be? Perhaps you should train those who need it because otherwise someone will get killed. Why won't you give me a chance?"

Dimitri stared. He'd forgot that this boy was like him. Raised in a commune, Dimitri had learned early on that he needed to protect his family. Not from Strigoi but from the Moroi who he had the misfortune of calling Father. Finally, this boy made sense. Sighing he stuck out his hand.

"You win. I'm calling a truce. You can do all the training that everyone else does, but you are behind. Since it is my fault, you will meet me here every day at 5am to train. If you are really serious, you will meet me here at 8pm as well. We will start after the field trip."

It was Rose's turn to stare. The man in front of her had done a complete 180. She felt it was too good to be true. She also was going to give Ivan a talking to for telling Dimitri about her secret training. At least her real secret hasn't been exposed yet.

"Very well, teach me all you know Comrade."

AN: Next chapter has some serious drama in it! ;) hope you all are as excited as I am by the fact that Dimitri is finally willing to train Rose!