Hey guys, I'm back. And I think my writing style and font have changed ^^"

Lissa's POV

You know that feeling that you get after being on a plane for too long? And your sleep patterns are all messed up? Well, waking up at nine thirty at night to start the 'morning' after two weeks of day light life sure makes me feel rotten.

And thirsty. Very, very thirsty.

But never mind that now. I can live with the thirst. However, I can't live with my best friend angry at me.

After a peaceful, dreamless night, I have concluded that today will be the day I make up with Rose. I have it all planned out - I'll invite her to dinner at a fancy restaurant, take her out shopping, and tell her to forget the whole game.

That ought to do it.

I rolled out of my bed onto the floor. I winced as I hit the carpet. Knowing my luck, I will probably have a bruise forming on my arm. I stared blankly at the carpet for a few seconds, before stretching my legs and standing up. My clothes were creased and sweaty from being slept in, which made me glad that I had at least taken my shoes and socks off before retiring. I skipped to my closet, and yanked open the door. I pulled a white blouse out of a pile, along with a red and black skirt. I grabbed my silver sandals from their resting place on the floor, and dragged my barely matching ensemble to the shower with me.

I sighed in relief as the cool water splashed onto my face, washing away all the sleep. I had thankfully remembered to remove my clothes this time, and just stood in the refreshing spray for a couple of minutes just to enjoy it. It reminded me of the time when-

No. Now would not be a good time to think of Christian. I had a mission, which could make the difference between life and death. Theoretically. I had to concentrate on Rose. What I was going to tell her. How I was going to make up with her. And which expensive restaurant to take her to.

My mind was set on Chinese.

You know that little Chinese place down in the city? The one that's tucked between Tiffany's and Subway? With the little bamboo hangings everywhere, and the candle lit tables for two?

Ahh, never mind.

I absent-mindedly daydreamed about Chinese food while getting ready to leave. And before I knew it, I found myself standing outside Rose's door. With the wrong shoes on the wrong feet.

Oh nice going Liss.

I bent down quickly to swap my shoes, trying not to laugh at my stupidity. For only in a few minutes, Rose won't be mad at me anymore. And we'll be best friends again.

That's one of the up sides of our bond - she can tell when I'm being sincere. Oh, I can't wait to see the look on her face when I told her that my ruse with Guardian Belikov was just that - a ruse!

I took a deep breath.

Calm down Lissa. Stay focused.

I knocked.

Silence

I stood for at least five minutes outside her door, before accepting the fact that she wasn't there. And it was only five to eleven! Where could she be?

Can't she see that I need her here to apologize? And go shopping with? And to be with? Isn't that what best friends are for?

Fine then. I'll go shopping alone.

I turned on my heel and left. Not consciously noticing the shadow that detached itself from the wall to follow me.

Adrian's POV

Being true to my word, I was outside Rose's room at ten thirty, complete with a black ribbon tied around a white Rose. How ironic. I bet she gets that a lot.

She opened the door before I even lifted my hand to knock, looking stunning in a black leather jacket and black miniskirt. Below the knee leather black boots and a black and red hair band to keep her long hair in check.

Thanks Rose, I get the message.

She lifted her head to meet my gaze, and I was startled to see her eyes red, her face pale and her lipstick smudged. Either she was extremely upset about her fight with Lissa, having to go out with me, or the fact that Dimitri had turned to the dark side.

Take a wild guess which one I prefer.

"Are you okay?" I ventured, as she lowered her head again.

"I'll be fine. Let's just get this over and done with," She replied, pushing past me.

Once again, thanks.

I held my elbow out to her, and she gingerly took it with both her cold hands. I shivered slightly, before leading her through the labyrinth of corridors to the waiting limousine outside.

"INH Shopping Complex, please," I told the driver as he opened the door for us. He nodded, and I could barely just hear Rose sigh.

I can tell this is going to be a long day for her.

"So where to first?" I asked her, trying to strike up conversation. As much as I also wanted to compliment her in some way, or say something sexy, I knew that it would just deepen her foul mood, so I didn't say anything. Not being myself was hard work, let me tell you that.

"Tiffany's," she replied blandly, staring blankly ahead. Not accepting the conversational offer.

"Any reason?" I countered, not giving up.

"Do I need one?"

Fine then Rose. I know you're in a bad mood, but can you please not take it out on me? When you're not with Lissa, you can be so selfish sometimes...

"Want to sit here all day or what?"

Rose's voice made me look at her, and notice that the scenery outside her window was the INH parking complex. Well, I had forgotten how close it really was.

I got out of the car, and walked around to open the door for Rose. I thanked the driver, before turning around to view the rather large building in front of us.

Rose started walking towards Tiffany's, which to my memory was on the third floor, down a rather deserted corridor. We could take the elevator there.

I sniffed the air. Something smelt different. Apart from the usual human smell that hung around place, that is. Which in itself was much stronger as well. Only few humans knew about this place, which is known solely for its late operating hours, and is useful for those who work late shifts.

Something smelt fishy. Which had nothing to with walking past Andy's Fish and Seafood grill.

I normally wouldn't trust my intuition, but since I did specialise in Spirit, I was pretty sure something out of the ordinary was going to happen here tonight. Hopefully not to us, though. That would really ruin my one chance with Rose.

"How about this one?" I looked up as Rose gestured to a simple silver bracelet, adorned with a single red gem.

Wow. I hadn't even noticed that we'd made it.

"A little to plain, don't you think?" I looked at the wide selection of bracelets in the glass cabinet, some even barer, while most more extravagant.

"I happen to like plain, thankyou very much," she replied haughtily.

Sure you do. But whatever you wish...

I raised my hand, calling the assistants attention. She sauntered over to me, a wide smile plastered over her face.

"This one?" She asked, pointing a black tipped finger at the bracelet. I nodded.

"Something is wrong about her," Rose whispered, as the woman left to get the key. She was back before Rose could continue, however.

But I trusted her. And her guardian instincts.

I went to the counter to pay for the bracelet. Rose stayed where she was, but facing the other direction. Looking at something else, probably.

I thanked the assistant for the bracelet, before making my way back to Rose. I tied it onto her left wrist, and watched as the jewel glinted brightly in the store light.

"Lissa just walked into that Chinese Restaurant," Rose informed me, pointing at the store next to us. Sure enough, Lissa sat at a small table, a large menu propped open before her.

"So we go this way," she continued, pulling my arm in the opposite direction. I allowed myself to be dragged along, not seeing a point in resisting.

"So where to now?" I asked.

Rose dragged me for another fifteen minutes, in what I thought was to be a giant circle, before dumping me unceremoniously on a chair in a small cafe.

"Did you notice anything unusual about that store owner?" Rose probed, scanning my face.

One thing I loved about her was her unending dedication to her work. Her dedication to protecting all Moroi. To fight for what she believes in. The one thing I hated about guardian's in general, however, was their annoying habit of examining everything I do.

Which was what Rose was doing right now.

Ah well, I can't say I wasn't curious about that woman as well.

"She was wearing sunglasses indoors." Rose continued, not waiting for an answer. "And before saying that that is not unusual, she was also wearing very strong perfume. Her hair was tied up behind her head, she didn't bare a name tag, and she wore tight clothing that covered everything."

"And...?"

"She not only successfully concealed her identity, but wore unsuspicious clothing that would allow easy movement with little interference, suggesting a fight."

"And...?"

"She's not my problem." Rose let the matter drop as a waitress came over to take our order.

But I could tell Rose thought a lot more about it then she let on.

Lissa's POV

"- fried rice, Mongolian lamb in special sauce, and an entree of spring rolls," I told the waitress, who smiled friendlily at me as she wrote down my order.

"And I'm very... Uhh... Thirsty," I finished, knowing that as a dhampir waitress, she would understand my hint.

"If you go down that corridor to your left, you will find the feeding room between the male and female bathrooms. Will that be all?"

I nodded, and the waitress turned professionally on her squeaky heel, ripping my order sheet off the pad at the same time. She stuck the pen into her hair, and left towards the kitchens. I sighed in relief. Her blood had smelt so good...

I stood up and dusted myself off, trying to look nonchalant. I walked formally to the bathroom, breathing through my mouth so that I wouldn't pick up the scent of any of the human diners.

Okay, you don't want to know this part, so I'm just going to skip back to when I sit back down at my table.

I hate feeding. It makes me think of what I had done to Rose for two years. I shudder at the memories, and try my hardest to block them out.

Two minutes after I sat down, a plate of spring rolls was set down before me, and I bit into one eagerly. It had been nearly two days since I ate proper food, and I was starving. I must have ordered enough to feed nearly three people, which just proves the beauty of the doggy bag. Ahh, this food could last me another few days maybe..

I heard a little bell ding as the door opened, and a couple walked in to sit at the table behind me. They were talking in hushed whispers, the male clinging tightly onto the female, who looked embarrassed.

"Esteerigoi syndrome," the woman whispered to me as she noticed my staring. I blushed slightly, and tried to smile knowingly.

What the hell is Esteerigoi syndrome? Must be something serious. The poor man looked like he was suffering. He was covering his face with his mouth, his eyes hidden behind trembling fingers.

I turned back to my table, to find a plate of Mongolian lamb and a side of fried rice sitting before me. Cool. I have a ninja waitress.

I dug into the plate before I could help myself. It had been a while since I had eaten Chinese, and I only just realised how much I craved it. Oh, the wonderful, delicious taste. I could live off this stuff...

"Excuse me dear,"

I lowered my fork, turning my attention to the woman who sat behind me.

"Can you by any chance show me to the bathrooms? My husband who usually shows me around isn't exactly allowed in there with me," she asked sweetly, tapping her sunglasses with her finger.

Oh, she must be blind. Poor woman.

I jumped out of my seat, happy to help. I grabbed her arm gently, and started leading her towards the bathroom.

Once again, my subconscious mind noticed the shadow detach itself from the wall, following me and my charge. Noticing things that I did not.

Adrian's POV

"-and after this cup of coffee, we can go right back home and you can see your precious Dimitri again. How does that sound?"

But Rose wasn't listening to me. She seemed to had withdrawn into her mind, into a protective shell. Her eyes were closed, and she was mumbling incoherently under her breath.

I watched her for a few minutes, before she bolted up out of her seat with wide eyes. She looked around frantically, before finally focusing on me.

"Adrian!" She yelled, attracting the stares of the other customers.

"Lissa's in trouble!"

Yeah... So that's chapter 6. Once again, sorry for my incredibly long disappearance, and incredibly short chapter. But I should update more regularly now. And the story is near conclusion... NEXT CHAPPIE IS ACTION PACKED! WOOT! And will be long.

And just incase you were wondering, INH actually stands for Insert name here. I severly lack imagination when coming up with names ^^"

And the E syndrome thing, is another blow from my lack of imagination. Those of you who can figure out what it means, get a virtual cookie!

So hope you enjoyed it, and please review! That is what gave me the inspiration to finally finish this chapter and upload it!

~Hope