A/N- AHHHHHHHH! I'M SO SORRY! I know it has been over two months. :S I explained in the first chapter's Author's Note that I am a busy, busy little bee in my last year of high school, and kind of everything else comes before writing. Much to my dismay. :(

Anywayssss, not too fond of this chapter. But, hey, it's a chapter!

I have holidays coming up soon, or, as my teacher's prefer to argue, "They're not holidays. Only time off school." But really, it's going to feel like that. I will try to get a chapter or two posted in that time, but I cannot guarantee anything, like I have mentioned frequently.

So enjoy my little chipmunks! Read away!

Previously-

Dimitri was going to make sure each and every secret – dark and not so dark – buried inside me – deep and not so deep – would be somehow made his information. And, in the end, there was nothing I was going to be able to do about it.

Chapter 9 - Glass

Dimitri woke me before our afternoon training. I had learnt I was not in the forest as long as I thought I had been. Between walking off on my mother and heading back to my dorm, it had only been around two hours, and I had gotten back a bit after lunch. I predicted my sleep was minimal – and turned out it was. But, no matter how much I begged Dimitri that I was too tired and just wanted to sleep, he ordered I go to training.

Maybe he was trying to help. Thinking some physical exertion would help get my mind off things. I really didn't think they would. I thought sleeping would be much more beneficial. But, as Dimitri told me, "There is always time to sleep later." His line of logic was that in the end if I did both tasks, either or both could help – a quicker chance of improvement if both tasks were undertaken. I told him there was always training in the morning. But he insisted. Not that insisting left me any room to decline.

Before I even got the chance to ask what we were doing, he walked over to the mats and got into a fighting stance. I stood there, gapping. "We're sparring?" I scoffed, disbelieved.

He nodded, not leaving his stance. "It is time you learn."

I shook my head. "I don't... I don't feel... No, I don't want to." I stuttered. I couldn't. I was tired and I didn't feel comfortable sparring.

"You wanted to this morning."

I barely remembered that morning. Trying to tease Dimitri. Yes, I had said I wanted to. But I don't really think I did. No, I didn't. If he had let me spar, I would have at the time, as I would have turned it playful to try and torture him more. But right now, it would be a serious match. Honestly, I was scared to spar. I shook my head.

He stood up, easing his way out of his stance. "You didn't want to?"

"No, I did. I don't want to now," I snapped.

"Why? You didn't want to, and then yesterday you did again, now you don't..."

I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my head away, my anger flaring. Probably didn't help I was tired and exhausted beyond hell. But, either way, I was getting irrationally angry quickly.

"Is it something to do with your mother?"

I sighed in aggravation. "Not everything has to do with her."

"Okay, then. Why don't you want to spar?"

I shook my head, still turned away. I didn't want to tell him. 'Because I will lose and feel like an idiot in comparison to your amazing skills.' Yeah, right. "Fine, it has to do with my mother." I growled her name, finally turning to him. "I'm angry at her, and I can't... 'get in the zone'." I lied. Okay, it wasn't a complete lie. That could definitely contribute to my reason. But it wasn't the main reason. Somehow, he knew this.

So he decided to push me. If I didn't tell him the truth, then he was going to use that against me. If only I could come up with a better excuse. "That's good. Use that anger to your advantage. Channel it. Anger helps fuel the fight, adds fire. Makes you deadlier."

"I still don't want to spar."

"I don't care. You are anyway. So get over here before I drag you by the hair."

I shuddered and walked over quickly before he could notice it. The idea of my hair being yanked brought back memories around Witmoore. I had managed to suppress them over the last few weeks. But since my break down before I saw my mother, I would have to find a way to re-do the work it took to come that far.

Dimitri got into a fighting stance the moment my foot hit the mat and started instructing me. "Now, to begin, I want you to copy me. You need to bend your knees to help with balance, and bring your hands up to protect your face."

I tried to copy, and probably looked like a fool, but he nodded his head and praised me, before correcting a few minor things. "Your legs are too close together," he told me, coming up to my right. "They need to be..." he grabbed my right calf and pulled it to the side slightly. My breath caught in my throat. I almost lost my balance and almost had to put my hand on his shoulder to steady myself. But he put my foot down before that was necessary. I'd be lying if I was to say I was expecting it, or that my heart didn't race. I was instantly glad that I was wearing pants, for if he had touched my skin I think I may have passed out. "... about there."

Then, I almost did pass out. From behind me he brought both his arms around and gripped my wrists. He pulled my right arm further away from my face. "Put your hands right here," he said slowly, whispering in my ear. His breath tickled my ear, and a violent, obvious, shiver shook my whole body. I know he noticed. I had to close my eyes and remind myself that breathing is essential for life. "If your opponent was to attack quickly – this hand," he said, running his palm slowly down my outstretched naked arm where he grasped it around my fist, "is your first line of defence. And your other hand," he rubbed over the knuckles on my left hand repeatedly, "is your second, your last, line of defence. Protecting your... delicate face from harm. It's like chess. You bring your pawns out to the middle of the board – to be taken out first," he grasped my right wrist. "Then, you bring whatever you can-" he then tightened his hold around my left knuckles, "-in front of your king and queen – the king and queen being your face – to protect them. Understand?"

I exhaled a shaky breath before nodding my head slowly twice. I didn't know how to play chess, so I had no clue what he was saying. But I needed him to move before I had no oxygen left.

I hadn't realised I was leaning on him for balance, and when he stepped away I almost fell. "Hey, now," he chuckled as he balanced me, "hold this position."

I took a deep breath in and out before I nodded, and readjusted my position.

He returned to face me, and got in his own stance. "You ready?"

I nodded, looking straight ahead. It took all my willpower to focus on my outstretched hand rather than his face.

"You sure? You look a little pale," I focused on him to see a small smirk playing on his lips. Oh, I see. He was playing my game. That was his way of teasing me. The 'two can play at this game' analogy. Man, he was good. I didn't realise until now that touching, slowly and delicately like he had, was my ultimate weakness. I knew I could tease him, but nothing to the extent he had just teased me. Soon I would have to figure out his fatal torture, and use that against him.

"I'm fine," I almost growled.

"Good, let's start then."

"Who will have the first move?"

"Be my guest," he grinned.

I assessed the situation first, as I started us circling to the left. He was taller and heavier than me, and I had to find a way to use that against him. I couldn't figure anything out, so I decided to test what boundaries he was displaying first. I lunged at him, flying a fist towards his stomach. Not only did he dodge it, but he grabbed me by the wrist, pushed it against my back, and pushed me to the ground face-down. Now I was lying face flat to the ground, with my hand securely held behind my back and Dimitri's knee digging into my back.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" he lent down and whispered in my ear.

"No-ohf," I managed to mumble.

"Would you like to know what you did wrong?" he continued to tease.

I rolled my eyes – not that he could see – and tried to nod my head.

"I could see everything you planned to do before you even knew you were going to do it," he slowly mocked.

I rolled my eyes again, "See this."

I don't know how I managed it, but I flung him off me and flipped myself around. It was only a tiny triumph, though. Dimitri was holding me down again just as quickly, except he had my arms restrained above my head. And this time, we were face-to-face, and – much to the like of my lady parts – pelvis-to-pelvis. I instantly felt hot and bothered.

Dimitri grunted – not helping my downstairs area. "I saw..." he studied my face carefully, a look of utter concentration – or constipation – on his face, "all of that."

"Okay, then," I whispered breathlessly, "tell me exactly where I went wrong."

"Seems there is more going on than the student-teacher relationship you told me about, Guardian Belikov."

Oh, no. Dimitri and I turned our heads to find none other than my righteous mother standing in the doorway to the gym. I ran into a forest last time. What the hell am I going to do now? She's blocking the entrance. Where the hell am I going to go!

"Guardian Hathaway," Dimitri addressed as he stood up.

I sat up, looking incredulously between the two. "You know her?" I asked Dimitri, ignoring the fact that the little red-head could see me.

Dimitri looked down at me and seemed like he was about to answer, before she cut in. "Dimitri helped me in organising the rescue of Princess Dragomir and yourself."

"Hold on. You initiated the rescue?"

"Yes."

"Why, pray tell, would you honestly give a shit about my whereabouts after seventeen long years?"

"I believe we have a lot to talk about, Rosemarie."

I scoffed. "Yeah, right. As if I am going to listen to your voice a second longer than I have to."

"It will clear up a lot of things between us."

"I could not care any less about the things between us. As far as I'm concerned, I share the same genetics as you. Other than the fact that you are technically my 'mother' – deem it even possible to title you with that word – I see no other reason as to why I should give you a moment to explain yourself. I believe you left all your obligations in the drain when you gave birth to me seventeen years ago and let me be left to rot with a bunch of godforsaken Strigoi. I do not have to listen to a word you have to say."

Dimitri put a hand on my arm, directing my seething attention to him, "Rose-"

"No, Dimitri. You do not get to stick up for her! I do not care the slightest about whatever reason this-" I pointed over to her with disgust "-thing has. I am the perfect example as to why whatever that reason is, is no more than a lousy excuse to make herself feel better." I turned to her and sneered, "And I will not give her the satisfaction." I ripped Dimitri's arm off and stormed out of the room.

I tore through the school as I made my way to my dorm. How dare she? Explaining herself for what she did? She had no right! Well, I couldn't deny I wanted to know. The curiosity bubbled inside me. But that was it – curiosity. Not one word could possibly change how I feel about her or make me accept whatever apology she could offer. For God's sake, she could tell me she was in a coma since my birth and it wouldn't change a thing. Whatever the reason, I suffered all these years because of her, and nothing could ever change that fact. The past can't be changed. What she did can never be erased. That time of my life will always exist. And she was the sole reason for that. How in hell can I ever forgive that, let alone forget it?

The rage that filled my head and blinded my sight caused me to hastily run full-forced into a tall lean figure, causing us both to go tumbling down.

He simply laughed, "Rose, ever thought of looking ahead instead of at the ground?"

I was not in the mood for anybody's shit, lastly Adrian's. I simply stood up and stormed on, keeping my gaze stubbornly set on the ground. He followed though.

I was obviously moving at a fast pace, because he struggled to walk by my side. "Hey, Rose? I'm sorry. I didn't really mean anything by it... Hey, are you okay?"

I abruptly stopped, and he walked a few steps before stopping too and turning around.

"Rose?"

"Adrian," I growled.

I found it intriguing how he barely knew me, but I didn't even have to say anything, and just by the tone of my voice alongside his name and he seemed to know exactly his place. His eyes widened in response as he understood. "Okay, okay. You don't want to talk about it. Fine, fine, I'm out-ta here," he stuttered as he rose his hands in defeat, slowly backing away until out of sight.

Unfortunately, no one else seemed to have the same understanding. Having probably just witnessed the exchange between Adrian and me, Mason came striding up behind me as Adrian disappeared. "Hey Rose," I could hear the smile in his voice as he placed a hand on my shoulder to gently turn me around. I didn't comply though, and he removed his hand to come and step around me. "I wanted to ask you... ahhh, something," he was blushing, looking at the ground. Completely oblivious to the heated glare that I had been wearing since I left the gym. "I wanted to ask..."

I raised my fist, ready to punch him, but stopped. By God's name did I need to let my anger out! But somehow, the reasonable part of my brain filtered through when my hand was half raised – telling me that kind, nice, sweet, pretty-boy Mason was not the one that it deserved to be released on. Thankfully, he noticed the movement of my hand, he saw the expression on my face, understood this was by no means a good time, and stepped away. I somehow managed a nod – small and stiff, but revealing the most thanks I could manage – and stalked past him.

Thankful for no more interruptions, I reached my dorm. I crushed the door to a shut and found myself hovering in the middle of the small room. I was relieved at my arrival, and being so let out a shaky breath I had been holding. However, that breath only exploded the rage that I had been holding in along with it. The first thing I went for was my window. Why? I honestly don't know. My body simply decided that the window was the direction to go, and my fist decided that the glass should no longer be there.

I was calm now. Or numb. Either way, my frustration, anger, boiling hot-white rage depleted, for the time being. I felt a little lighter, as though the emotions that I realised into my window were a heavy weight on my shoulders. I drifted away from my window and collapsed onto my bed, emotionally exhausted... unfortunately. I wished I was physically exhausted instead, than I could sleep the next few hours away. But instead I spent them staring at the ceiling.

Eventually, it got boring. My mind was empty, suppressing everything I didn't want to think about, which turned out to me everything that I could think about. I sat up and looked at my hand, which had been throbbing for a while. It was covered in blood, glass and already-prominent bruising. I figured I should get it fixed up.

I left my dorm and headed in the general direction I thought that the clinic would be. It took me a little wandering around, but I eventually found it. It was getting late, the signs of sunrise beginning to approach, so the school was relatively quiet. The clinic was quiet too; I walked in to find the doctor from back at the courts caring for a – or the only – patient in the room. Well, besides me.

"Doctor...?"

Her head perked up and she noticed me at the door, "Olendzki. Oh, Miss Hathaway, right?"

I nodded, "Rosemarie, or Rose."

She finished up bandaging the student's knee and giving him a few instructions. She led him to the door before she turned to me. "What can I do for you Rose?" she asked, removing her gloves.

I raised my hand to show her the battered state of my knuckles. She 'tisked', before motioning me to a seat as she put on some new gloves and grabbed a couple of items. She placed them on a table near me before going back to grab some new gloves.

"Let me see," she requested, pushing her glasses down her nose. She examined it a moment before wheeling a small chair over to sit in front of me. "What exactly did you to yourself?"

"Punched my window," I told her as she began removing the larger pieces of glass first with her fingers.

She looked up at me over her glasses, "What did the window do to deserve that?"

I shrugged, "Looked at me funny."

She shook her head before continuing on my hand, stifling back a small laughter. She finished pulling the rest of the smaller glass shards with some tweezers. After the glass was out she examined it for any breaks – declaring there was none, however, at the most, there could be some bruising on the bone – and a few minutes later my hand was antibacterial-ised and dressed. Dr. Olendzki ordered me to prevent using that hand – which unluckily was my right, writing hand – as much as possible and to ice it for twenty minutes on, off, and then on once more when I got back to my dorm. I was to come back in two days to see how it was healing, and of course was ordered to check back if I had any problems.

Heading back to my dorm I considered how much trouble this was going to cause. Of course, I would be severely hindered in my physical training, and class could be difficult – that being if I decided to take some notes or do my work... which was unlikely... but still, it would all have to be done with my left-handed, god-awful writing. The next thing would be everyone asking me what I had done. 'I punched my window' was surly going to make me the laughing stock of the school. And I was sure Dimitri would be mad at my lack of self-control and how difficult I was going to make training now. Not only did other's reactions affect me, but my own annoyance at the lack of mobility was sure to drive me insane. The sooner my hand healed, the sooner I could use it to literally punch my mother out of my school. She was definitely causing me too much trouble then I could stand to bare at the moment.

Once back at my room, I analysed the mess I had made. There was glass everywhere. And there were even small drops of my blood staining the cream-white carpet. I cursed myself for deciding this was the best form of releasing my anger. This wasn't just a clean-up-and-it-never-happened incident. I was going to have to talk to the school into getting my room a new window. The headmistress was going to have a field-trip with lecturing me. Then lecturing Dimitri on how he had something to do with my behaviour. Which then Dimitri would use that lecture to give me another lecture, repeating and emphasising everything previously in Kirova's lecture.

By the end of it all, the word lecture was going to lose all meaning.

When I reached my dorm I found Dimitri leaning against my door, waiting. When he heard footsteps, he straightened up and looked me over. Instinctively, I discreetly hid my hand.

"Rose."

"Dimitri."

He sighed.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

He glared at me, unimpressed with my tone.

"I'm tired and pissed and want to go to bed. What do you want?"

He continued to glare as he spoke, his eyes not wandering from my own. "Your actions towards your mother are disrespectful," he stated.

I narrowed my eyes at him. This was the wrong time for him to mention my mother. "Okay, listen up. I'm going to tell you this once, and I do not want to have to repeat it again. It's quite simple too; it shouldn't be hard to forget. You ready? Listen closely, because I won't be telling you again. – I. Do. Not. Care."

"Rose!"

"No!" I pointed my finger at him. "I don't care how I treat her. And if I did, I would only care negatively. If I'm disrespectful to her, she damn right deserves it!"

He stepped closer to me, "No, Rose! You either need to keep your mouth shut, or listen to what Janine has to say. Because you need to hear the full story before you do something you are going to regret."

I scoffed, "Yeah, right. Like I can keep my mouth shut when she keeps showing up. Trust me; I want nothing to do with her. I wouldn't have to keep my mouth shut if she just kept the hell away from me!"

I winced as I balled my fist up and pushed it against Dimitri's chest. I pulled it back and stretched it, feeling the throbbing sensation return, before cradling it gently to my chest. I looked up at Dimitri, who was eyeing it with furrowed brows. "What happened?"

I mentally cursed at myself for letting him see it. "Nothing. Just some... nothing."

His voice turned low and dangerous, as he kept his gaze on where I hugged my wrist to my chest "Who did this to you?"

"What? Nobody. I told you, it's nothing."

He brought his hands up and gently, yet forcibly, removed my hand and inspected it carefully. I couldn't see directly into his eyes, but I could see enough to gather an angry impression. I winced again as he touched a tender knuckle.

He growled, "Tell me."

"It's nothing. I just fe-"

"Do not feed me that bullshit. You don't fall and find yourself with a million scratches covering your body, and you don't fall and injure yourself like this." His voice, if possible, grew lower, deeper and more menacing with every word. "Tell me who did this to you."

I ripped my hand from his grasp, suppressing a yelp as pain shot up my arm. "I told you, nobody did anything. Leave it alone." I began trying to open my door with only my left hand, rather unsuccessfully.

He wasn't planning to leave it alone, but he dropped it for a moment as he snatched my keys from me and quickly unlocked the door.

I didn't register the fact there was still glass and blood surrounding the very first area that your eyes land when entering my apartment, before it was too late. I stepped into the door before him and tried to shut it quickly, but he was too quick.

He held the door wide open, stalked in, took but a second to access the scene before turning to where I stood, still hovering beside the doorway. He was heaving, heavy breaths seizing his shoulders. His arms hovered beside him, and I swore he was moments from ripping his clothes off and turning green.

"Tell. Me. What. Happened.

"NOW!"

A/N- Okay, so... I don't really know how that happened!

Send me a little review, and tell me what you think! I, personally, dislike this chapter, so let me know your opinions. :) They mean so much to me!

Until next time,

Chao!