A/N: My second-to-the-last. This will appear in a more complete version... soon. Thank you for reading and reviewing :)

Disclaimer: If this was mine, Dimitri got out of that cave alive.

Title: Cave

Perspective: Dimitri Belikov

Summary: Dimitri's thoughts as they entered the cave where the rest of the Strigoi attackers were hiding. Shadow Kiss.

#-#-#

The sun was too low for my liking that day.

If only we were given the time to strike at mid-day, I wouldn't be this worried. As it was, there was no time to lose if we wanted to save as many students and teachers taken captive by the Strigoi. We feared that they were already being used as food, or worse, turned—then we have no choice but to destroy them all.

Our group was hushed; tense, as we crept closer and closer to the caves where we knew they lay. The sun trapped the Strigoi for now, but as I glanced towards the darkening sky, I knew we do not have the luxury of time for this attack. I questioned for a moment if this was folly.

No, I shook my head. I had no time to second-guess our actions. I conceded with the rest of the Guardians that saving the rest was the best way. We were many and the Strigoi were outnumbered from the loss they sustained earlier inside the school. I cannot hesitate about the decisions made, especially when our group is composed of my closest colleagues, the Moroi teachers I've come to respect, and some students whom I have taught myself since coming to St. Vladimir's.

Rose.

As if she heard her name in my head, she glanced up at me. Even with the dirt and grime in her face and clothes, she looked beautiful. A warrior I've come to respect, and if my confidence with her were any less, she would not be here in this hunting party. I wanted her safe inside the walls of the school, if it was only up to me.

Then again, I knew now that Rose will have my head if I prevented her in any way from doing her responsibility as a guardian, even as a novice. And I wanted to have faith in her, faith in my capability as her mentor. I taught her almost everything I knew… I have no doubt she will surpass me in the near future.

For a brief moment, I saw apprehension in her eyes. How can I conveniently forget that she was still a child in a way? If only I could alleviate her fears… but no. This has to come first. I have to trust her enough that she can handle herself.

Alberta directed the group to split up. Janine and I were heading the first hunting party, while Alberta and Stan will follow soon after. The others—Rose and her other classmates, together with some guardians—will stay behind as back up in case some Strigoi escape past us. I hoped that would not come to pass.

I immediately felt the temperature drop as we stepped inside the cave. I didn't—couldn't—look back to where Rose was standing. She was safer than me, so my job was to return to her in one piece, along with the other captives. I have a future with her to take care of—so I was going to come back to her, no matter what.

A/N: Sigh. Richelle Mead really knows how to break hearts. On a lighter note, Spirit Bound is almost here... yay. :)