A/N: All right, once again thank you to my reviewers, greatly appreciated. So this chapter is relatively looking at the first little bit that the girls are at Ireland-Rose's house. There is going to be random things going on in each chapter. I am not going to be saying anything about what they have studied. I am so very aware that this is set in the 1900s but the clothes that the girls wear are more from this era and I am keeping it that way, I'm just not using big name stores but a lot of the fashions you can figure it out. I wasn't going to have her Goth but Akasha is a mix of punk and Goth and her clothes reflect that. Just a reminder, guardians have to dress in an easy to move outfits. Because Akasha is still a novice she doesn't worry about it, but her thoughts always go to proper wear.

Chapter 6

A day out on the town

(Six months after leaving Evelyn)

Two weeks had gone by and so far Akasha and Nikki had transitioned themselves from studying a few hours to helping Ireland-Rose with the house chores and cooking. It gave the two girl time to have breaks and let their minds rest. Of course, more and more books were littered around the library either opened to certain pages or just sitting in stacks. It was the girls' way of working efficiently.

"I don't even know how you can even stand this," groaned Nikki flipping a page bored.

"It's something I have been able to mast over the years. Art thou becometh disconcerted with thines studies?" Akasha asked, a teasing grin playing on her lips.

"If thou vows to never speaketh in poetic speech than they will be done."

"It annoys you, hence the reason why I do it," laughed Akasha softly.

"Only when you switch between regular speeches to a poetic dialogue does it annoy me to no extent. How much have you gotten memorized?"

"Most of it, I started jotting down notes on the transmutation circles as well as things that are of importance."

"The transmutation circles enable the alchemist to perform their powers. We are already able to do that without the use of transmutation circles."

"I understand. But the way I see it, the only to fit in and increase our knowledge is best to fully understand this concept. I understand that the Alchemist back in the middle Ages thought that they could turn lead into gold, or at least attempted. The Alchemists who are to help with the destruction of Strigoi have a gold flower tattoo on the lower left cheek. But they don't show themselves to us, they think of us as evil. These Alchemists seem to be a split off from what we have learned."

"What is the special meaning of that tattoo anyway?" questioned Nikki her head still buried in the book.

"They keep the Alchemist from spilling our secret to everyone. It also allows them to live long lives and never get ill," Akasha replied stretching her arms looking away from the books.

"So asking Ireland about that is out of the question?"

"Pretty much."

Sighing, Nikki closed the book and placed it back on the stack of books beside her. She felt dejected almost with the fact that their leads for anything would go down the drain.

"Come on, we should go see if Ireland needs any help with anything. Do you really think she does need help?"

"Yeah…okay, hunny, you need to snap out of your depression and look on the positive side of things. Yes I know I sound like a hypocrite for saying that, but I don't care. No one, especially you should follow my example. When on this positive side, a great outcome will be made."

"It doesn't help matters when we can't ask her about defeating Strigoi because it might risk our lives in the long run."

"I understand where you are coming from Nikki, but going for the easy fix is not the answer."

Nikki let out a sigh as she got to her feet and started to put the books away that the girls had already read and were of no use. Akasha lowered her head as she too got to her feet and helped put things away. A slight tension filled the room as the girls worked in silence.

Akasha understood that Nikki was beginning to get tired and frustrated more and more. It was like exam time all over again at school. The two of them were in desperate need to get some time for themselves. Being cooped up in one room for too long brought out the worst in them. Nikki especially because her mood changes were spontaneous and always out of whack. She was one to get fresh air so often to clear her mind.

The girls headed toward the living room where they found Ireland tidying up a few of the books and other things around the room.

"Ireland, is there anything you would like us to help you with?" Akasha called from the doorway.

"I just need to get some dusting done and the kitchen needs a bit of TLC," Ireland smiled facing the girls.

"I'll do the kitchen work if you want to do the dusting," shrugged Nikki, her eyes out of focusing meaning one thing.

Akasha looked at her in concern, for Nikki to be so out of it, red lights began to rise up in Akasha. The girls had been awake for four hours, and breakfast consisted of a small, quick meal. Nikki hadn't fed in over two days and already her body was indicating starvation.

Ireland seemed to notice the tiredness as well in Nikki and her own concern rose. "Nikki, why don't you go gets something to eat and lay down. You don't seem to look all that well."

"No, I'm fine. Stop worrying so much about me," scoffed Nikki storming to the kitchen.

Ireland and Akasha exchanged glances before watching Nikki's retreating back. Akasha was the first to look back to Ireland with an apologetic look.

"I am so sorry about that, everything has been getting to her lately, she tends to get snappish."

"It is quite all right," Ireland replied. "How about the two of you take some time for yourselves this afternoon. You've been studying like crazy and I couldn't help over hear your dilemma with the lack of clothes. The books will still be here, you can always come back to continuing your studies later."

"Thank you so much. We'll help more when we return."

Ireland's response was her signature soft smile and complete understanding.

Akasha took off toward the kitchen excited about telling Nikki that they were going to get some fresh air and actually stretch their legs. All yesterday the two were trapped in the house noses completely buried in the books refusing to leave.

When Akasha entered the kitchen, instead of seeing her girlfriend scrubbing as she usually did. (Although a royal, Nikki took her turn in cleaning and any other work) the kitchen remained its usually semi-dirty self while Nikki sat on the chair her head lying on her arms.

"Nikki, are you all right, love?" Akasha asked cautiously.

At first Nikki didn't respond, Akasha assumed she might have been sleeping, but something seemed off.

"Nik?" Akasha tried again sitting next to her, her hand resting on her back. "What's wrong love?"

"I feel so light headed," Nikki's soft voice sounded muffled.

"You're starving, that's all. You need blood," replied Akasha running a hand down her girlfriend's back.

"That's where the problem lies. We haven't been able to hunt properly."

"Here, feed off me, you need this," instructed Akasha moving her hair back exposing her neck after gazing back at the closed kitchen door.

"What if?"

"She won't."

Nikki let out a sigh as she got back in her seat and turned to face Akasha. Akasha took hold of her hands pulling her forward. Nikki jerked a little, afraid she would have fallen on Akasha. Even thought that wouldn't have been a problem. Settling herself and getting her composure back, Nikki squeezed Akasha's hands as she leaned forward brushing her fangs along Akasha's neck eliciting a soft gasp of excitement to escape her.

At hearing the gasp, Nikki pierced Akasha's neck breaking the skin. Akasha let out a sigh as she relaxed into the bite wrapping her arms around her girlfriend. A warm feeling wrapped around Akasha as she allowed Nikki to continue. Her energy was slowly beginning to drop but somehow it didn't both her.

Nikki now straddled her girlfriend her own arms wrapped around her neck after retracting her fangs and licking the wound. Their bodies pressed tightly together. It remained silent, Ireland not even bothering to check on the younger ones. Hands roamed over fabric as the heat spiked from their closeness.

"Nikki, love, I know you want some intimacy time. In a strangers kitchen, probably no the wisest of ideas," Akasha breathed, her lips hovering over Nikki's.

A groan of annoyance left Nikki at Akasha's response. "Why did you have to ruin it?"

"Because I don't feel like getting caught."

A sly grin appeared on Nikki's lips as she gazed into Akasha's eyes. "You owe me big time."

"I know I do. But first, we need to go over what we need for clothes."

"I think it's just going to be this large answer of EVERYTHING!"

"You're right. What do we have in our budget of it?"

"Quite a bit. I rearranged a lot of my allowance and put things aside for clothes, food and other things that we possibly need over the next few months."

"You've learned well haven't you?"

"Having an aunt who is into budgeting regardless of status, it comes in handy."

"All right, let's go see what is saveable and what needs to be trashed."

It seriously took no time at all for the girls to sort through the small amount of clothes. A large pile of clothes sat near the door that was two sizes too big, maternity clothes, or so torn up it was impossible to even tell what it was."

"We'll split everything up, base it on the four seasons is better to deal with and we won't have to keep going back and forth so often."

"Sounds great. So we are looking at casual, formal and a work out attire?"

"Pretty much. I've also made a list of how we can work your clothes into your training. You have to admit though, for the time being, you have to live a little."

"You sound like Nocturne," laughed Akasha.

"Oh that hurt, being compared to that," whined Nikki mockingly.

Akasha laughed hugging her girlfriend, her sense of humour was definitely coming back strong.

After changing into decent clothes, the adolescences headed out into the town and see what they could find. Only a few times had the girls been outside the house and done something during the day. The night was becoming a regular habit of theirs.

Amestris appeared to be busy and full of life. The weather itself seemed to be helping that way. The warm sun poured down on us, Nikki was hidden under a hat and sunglasses. This was the only good thing when the light didn't both her skin, only her eyes.

I stretched my arms up to the heavens; I was out of the house, strolling around. In some say I felt like I was under house arrest for something I didn't so. Already Nikki and I had wandered around half the city getting an understanding of the landscape.

"Do you remember where the stores were?" Nikki asked after some time, taking me out of my thoughts.

"It's another two blocks and we have to turn left. I just hope it isn't crazy today. And I beg of you, do not under any circumstances dress me up as your doll." I never truly took my eyes of the destination. Nikki's eyes burned into my head and I knew it couldn't end well. I wasn't truly a shopping girl. I did appreciate buying a few things, but when I knew Nikki was determined to go shopping, it ended up being an all day event.

"Nikki, I beg of you, please don't use me as your personal doll," I moaned gazing into my girlfriends face as she smirked mischievously at me.

"We'll have to see now won't we?"

After some time, we arrived at the mall, with her 'massive allowance' Nikki became a determined young Moroi girl. This is only going to end horribly. I let out a shudder as she dragged me down the hall toward one of the first shops.

"Akasha, I think we hit the jackpot," Nikki gasped excitedly. We stood just inside the store and we were surrounded by designer jeans, low cut tops, stylish t-shirts and some of the nicest clothes I have ever seen. My eyes narrowed as I felt my arm being pulled as the hectic shopping spree began.

"Let me get a good look…you've lost a few pounds, meaning you've lost a few sizes in clothes. Now…I know my limits with you and to hell to hearing the bickering. No colour except red, purple and blue but even then they have to be tasteful," mused Nikki dressing me with her eyes.

"Nikki, you do realize how bad that freaks me out right?"

"Just deal with it. All right, got it."

And she was off; she would scan every rack, every wall for the right outfit. Jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, and a few other unknowing fabrics were thrown over her shoulders. See, this is where it gets scary to have a girlfriend who is a shop-aholic.

Within minutes I was being forced into the dressing room with a collection of clothes. I stared awkwardly at my reflection. The spark that normally shown with the excitement no longer filled my eyes. If it were up to me, I would simply live in skinny jeans, t-shirts, track pants and baggy sweaters. A few of my other outfits were just that when I was a determined shopper and when things were different.

"I want to see you in all of them," Nikki called.

"Are you sure you got the right sizes?" I hollered.

"You know it."

One outfit after another, I left the change room to face Nikki in a fashion girl stance. I was happy it brought a smile to her face. Something I could never figure out was how she could simply eye me and instantly know I was a smaller size. I knew never to question her, just go along with it.

With each outfit I put on a nagging voice sounded in the corner of my mind. We finish school; I officially become her guardian and who knew if what we did now would be something we could continue in the future? A guardian's duty was to make sure his/her charges were safe. If this were a different situation, I would never, ever be able to be in the change rooms without Nikki there inside with me. I was leaving her open for attack.

"Akasha, you all right in there?" Nikki called out to me a little anxiously.

"Ye…yeah. I'll be out in a minute," I lied. Nothing was ever going to be all right, now if Rose and Lissa were here it would be a different situation.

Coming out in my familiar black skinny jeans and a midriff red top, I carried in my arms all the clothes that I fallen in love with. The rest were either not my style, too out going or strange beyond words.

"We did very well," mused Nikki grinning ear to ear.

"Yeah, seeing as its all from the one store and its all partying clothes and casual, we still need to get things for workouts."

"It's only what? Track pants and tank tops? Psh, come on girl you have to live a little. We are no longer at school so we don't have to be so overly concerned with all that."

Nikki was right, but it was still a good idea to have them close by. And I knew too as a guardian it wouldn't be great to be wearing most of these clothes.

Stores after stores and bags after bags we were getting enough clothes to last us a life time. My jaw dropped after we entered into this one store and immediately surrounded by nothing by corsets, skirts; knee, short with a long back, frill and no frill. Black, red, purple, and blue all lined the walls. There were definitely some outstanding outfits in here, definitely more of my styling.

"I think we have found your store," giggled Nikki seeing my look.

"I would think so."

It took a while until my feet were able to move, I was in shock. Best way to describe it more, I died and went to gothic heaven.

"Who knew they actually had this type of store here."

"No kidding," gasped spotting a black chocker with a small fairy hanging from it.

"And I've lost you to the dark side," laughed Nikki.

I was no longer paying attention to her now, I have found the store of my dreams and I was surrounded by the most incredible accessories and outfits ever. I think it was official that my mind turned off and wouldn't turn on until we had to leave.

As I was picking up a corset off a rack, I could feel the bond tug at me again. Something was definitely bothering Nikki and she was desperate to tell me.

Looking up, I turned to face Nikki who was holding up chains and examining them. On the outside she looked so calm and peaceful, but on the inside, she seemed troubled. Like a good girlfriend I was, I casually strolled over to her and leaned against the rack.

"Hey chicka, what's wrong?"

"Something has been bugging me lately since we entered Ireland-Rose's house. Have you never notice it before?" Nikki asked never meeting my gaze. That was never good, this really was bothering her.

"No, just the obvious good vibes I'm getting from her."

"I'm getting something completely different. I don't know what it is. Like she's…"

"Hiding something from us?"

Nikki nodded keeping her eyes down casted. It was almost as if she were a shame to tell me what was going on. Even through our bond, I wasn't able to pick up on her thoughts as I usually did.

"Nikki, just tell me what is on your mind."

"Do you think the baby in her arms is hers?" Nikki asked changing the subject.

I sighed as I turned to focus on the clothes and hung a few tops over my arm. "I don't know, I suppose so. It doesn't hurt to ask. Why are you avoiding the question?"

"I'm not."

"Then tell me what is going on in your head. It almost seems as if you blocked me out for a reason."

"Fine. Do you think that Ireland is more than what she seems? What I mean is, do you think she is not who she seems to be?"

It never hit me before now with what Nikki meant. I had seen some things I could never explain or question her reason for, keeping half her face hidden. I felt like such a horrible girlfriend for never noticing.

"We'll ask her when we get home," I promised.

"All right."

After our discussion, I finished picking out my outfits and trying them on. I honestly could have stayed in this store all day if I had to. Nikki smiled at me as I held on to clothes of my choice and the many accessories Nikki had to add to it.

"For once, I have to admit, we did very well with our shopping," Nikki mentioned completely forgetting about our past conversation.

"No kidding. Let's ring these up and head on home," I replied balancing everything in my arms.

Time ticked by when Akasha and Nikki finally returned back to the house. Bags upon bags in their arms from a well deserved shopping day. A sense of satisfaction filled the girls with their spree. The girls couldn't believe how much of an afternoon had been taken up but somehow it didn't surprise them.

"Looks like you girls had a wonderful time," Ireland commented as soon as the girls entered the house and walked past the kitchen.

"I'm just amazed we didn't buy out the mall," laughed Akasha.

"Go put away your stuff, dinner will be ready shortly."

"Wonder how much studying we can get through tonight?" wondered Nikki as they ascended the stairs.

"A good chunk of it, as long as your ready for a full all night, we should be good."

"We've done it before," countered Nikki.

"You crash by mid morning."

"How do you honestly manage it?"

"That is something I'm still unsure of. But I think the biggest help is coffee," responded Akasha earnestly.

"Oh yeah, caffeine plus Dhampir equals scary combination," Nikki shuddered thinking back to a massive test they had to write and Akasha drinking cup after cup of coffee among other high caffeinated drinks. Sleep never came to her for three days straight.

The closet space in their room was incredible, it made things easy while putting everything away and to accommodate to their things. This was something the girls were going to have to get use to.

"What do you think the outcome is going to be after the exams?" Nikki asked out of the blue while putting clothes on hangers.

"What do you mean?"

"Living purposes, I highly doubt we can live with Ireland-Rose after all of this and to stay in the hotel, it's not going to happen."

"We'll deal with it when the time comes. For no we just have to deal with the here and now."

Nikki let out a sigh as she folded clothes to be put away into drawers. Not everything should scare her but this was making her worry.

A/N: All right, if you haven't figured it out, what I'm doing with this story is kind of the back parts of the story aka what the girls are doing in their spare time while studying.