Hey guys first off I'm really sorry it took me two days to update, I had to work a double and then went to the Avatar premiere and things have been crazy, however, I will be making up for it by writing an extra chapter soon so not to worry.
Also, thanks for the reviews, you guys really motivate me so be sure to keep them coming if you want me to update.
Sorry again, I feel really bad.
Thanks – Val
Chapter Six
"Dimka!" I heard a soft voice call. I turned around to find Tasha in a tight sweater dress. She looked really good. Her black hair was down and she smiled warmly.
"There you are, ready to go?" I asked.
"Yup," she said, "You got the keys?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Okay, aren't you going to hand them over?" she asked.
"I think its better that I drive, I won't fall asleep on the wheel," I joked.
"We should split the drive. I want you to come as my friend, not because it's your duty or any of those other stupid things you tend to say," she answered.
"It is my duty," I interjected.
"So that's the only reason why you're here? It's not because you actually wanted to hang out with me. I'm hurt," she sighed sarcastically.
"Of course not," I answered. "But as a friend, I cherish both your life and mine enough that I'll drive."
"Fine, but don't treat me like I can't defend myself, especially after you went on about how good my karate skills are. And don't act like secret service at the mall either," she added.
I laughed, "Okay. Honestly, it's just the proper thing to do. But how about we get in the car and stop freezing."
"Sounds like a date," she teased.
"Great," and a few minutes later we were on our way. The car covered most of the worst sunlight with tinted windows. It was technically night for the vampire world, but for us Dhampirs, our bodies were made for the sun and I really missed it.
"So how are things at the Academy?" asked Tasha curiously.
"They're good," I answered watching the road.
"You and Rose seem pretty good together, I can tell she admires you a lot," she commented.
"Yeah, she keeps me pretty occupied," I said.
"She seems like a good kid, it's great that you took her under your wing," Tasha answered.
"Yeah, well, I couldn't let her go to waste," I answered. Feeling like I didn't really want to talk about Rose since I had to sort of leave a majority of the information out, I changed the subject. "So how about you?" I asked.
"Well not much there, just teaching classes and trying to get by away from the Moroi world," Tasha answered.
"Any dating?" I asked.
"Nothing serious," Tasha noted, "Men just seem to bore me."
"How come?" I questioned.
"They sort of can't keep up, and well, I guess I'm waiting for the right person," she smiled while she looked at me. It was nice; it'd been a while since things were easy like this, especially with another woman. Tasha seemed sort of interested in me, and that was okay because it was fine to feel that way. Even if her black hair reminded me of Rose's.
We drove the rest of the way in giggles, talking about our old memories and reminiscing. I felt sort of like a kid again.
We finally arrived at the mall, "Down the gates of hell," I joked as we entered the doors.
"Why do men hate shopping so much?" Tasha asked.
"I don't know, because it's boring as hell. I guess men are hunters and women are gatherers. Men go in quickly to find what they want, while women take their time and gather things. It's not our fault, it's imprinted in our genes," I joked.
"Okay Darwin," she teased, "I hope you're ready for a big shopping trip."
I groaned.
Tasha spent the whole night, or rather, day shopping. She wanted to go to every store and get an endless supply of presents. Who needed that many things anyway? When she saw this tight sweater dress though, she got my attention for other than carrying all her bags while I secretly looked around for Strigoi.
"Do you think Rose would like this dress?" Tasha asked.
It looked like it'd be really clingy, exposing all her curves and her Dhampir feminine body. Honestly, I think I'd like that dress way too much for Rose. Then I thought about if she wore it, Mason would probably have a heart-attack.
"Nah, don't you think it's a little to revealing?" I asked.
"It covers everything," she noted, "Besides, Rose was made for this dress. I wish I had her body, she's really voluptuous and thin."
"Yeah that's what worries me, enough guys already chase her," I growled.
"You're a little over-protective aren't you?" she teased.
"I just don't want anyone to take advantage of her," I commented. I silently added that it made me extremely jealous when they did.
"Well," she said walking over to me, "You did teach her to defend herself, right?"
"Yes," I answered.
"So she's a tough kid, isn't she?"
"Yes."
"So what are you worried about, she can probably beat up any Moroi boy," she answered.
"Yeah, well, we shouldn't provoke that situation," I tried to logic.
"You're turning into an old man, I'm getting her the dress –get over it," she said toughly.
"Fine," I answered, "But I'm stronger than you," I don't know why I felt the need to assert my dominance. Stupid testosterone. Probably because I'd just lost a battle.
"Now you're five," she called out as she continued looking.
"You cause that reaction in me," I called back.
"Hmm, I wonder what other reaction I could stir?" she said while looking at the clothes and then sneaking a peak at me. Was she flirting with me?
Eventually though, she told me to go away.
"Tasha, I can't leave you alone. You could be murdered or taken by Strigoi and it'd all be my fault," I told her.
"Oh my gosh Dimka, lighten up. Besides I have to get you your Christmas present, so run away to the food court like a normal man or I'll make you," she said trying to sound fierce.
"Is that a threat?" I joked looking at her, my body looming over her since I was well over a foot taller than her.
"That's a promise!" she said, bringing her chin up in defiance.
"Fine, five minutes, and I'll be waiting outside the store," I compromised.
"No you'll look," she said.
"I won't, I promise," I told her.
"Promise?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Fine, but if I catch you looking, you're going to get your ass handed to you, and it'll be nothing like the time Viktoria and I put make-up on you," she commented.
I had tried to erase that memory, "I was five and you were twelve."
"So?"
"Well, looks like the odds are little different now," I joked.
"Hmm, I don't think so. All of you men still have one weak spot," she noted.
"Ouch, fine, well I better wait outside then," I said. And I did. Tasha was fun and she didn't mind putting me in my place. She was really mature too, in a way; I didn't have to deal with things Rose would care about. Rose was way more superficial, and she lived in the world of rumors and dances, while Tasha lived in the real world. We could relate so much more, even if she was seven years older than me.
I allowed myself another feeling.
If I was Tasha's age, and Rose was mine, well then, the age difference wouldn't be so big then.
But now, I reminded myself, it's huge, and tried to no avail to think about something else.
When Tasha came out of the store though, I was able to, sort of. It was like I could put Rose in the back of my mind then.
"So I've been thinking," Tasha began.
"What?" I asked, straight to the point.
"Well, maybe I could use a Guardian. I wouldn't mind someone carrying all the shopping bags."
"Thanks," I joked.
"Can you recommend anyone?" she asked.
"I probably could if I thought about it," I answered.
"Well how about you?" she asked.
"I'm assigned to the Princess," I told her flatly.
"Yes but, if we both asked, and I made a hassle, they would switch," she answered. "I mean, I hate to take you away from Lissa, but she has Rose, which is sort of like having half or you."
The last part of her statement took new meaning, because if I was away from Rose, it'd be like ripping half of me away.
Except, if I was away from Rose, then maybe we could get over each other, and fulfill our duties.
I think Tasha sensed the tension in me because she said, "Dimka, you don't have to answer me now. Just, think about it. We get along great and I could use a man in my life. Maybe after the ski trip, you could give me an answer," she said.
"Okay," I said. She had no idea how huge of a decision it really was.
"So how about the food court?" she asked.
"Sounds great, I'm starving," I answered and we moved on, the mood turning cheerful once more and no longer pressing.
The rest of the day was spent with more shopping, more joking around and more little flirty remarks. It was fun –I hadn't done anything like this in a very long time.
But underneath it all, I realized I had to make a huge decision. Could I really leave Rose? I mean, who would train her? Who would defend her? Who would protect her?
But at the same time, we both needed to fulfill our duties and this opportunity presented itself for that.
But could I really walk away from the one girl I was in love with?
Could I give her up, for her own good?
When I thought of it that way, leaving Rose seemed like the logical thing to do. A no brainer.
But I really had to think about what was better for Rose. Which good outweighed the bad and make my decision.
And also, Tasha expected a lot from me. I didn't want to disappoint her. I could tell that she was interested and I wasn't too sure how I felt about that either.
I loved being around her, she was fun and smart and beautiful.
I could have a future with her.
Have kids with her, something I thought would never be possible.
But what about Rose?
Eventually, we made it back to the car when it was nightfall again.
"I'll drive," started Tasha.
"Tasha, I don't even think you can keep an eye open," I told her. "No way, I have to protect you."
"Dimka, you've probably been awake longer than I have," she noted.
"Yeah, but I'm used to it. Besides, I don't have practice with Rose in the morning. Janine Hathaway is going to take over so I just have to sleep."
"Oh, well I'm ready to crash too," Tasha noted.
"Which is why I'm driving," I told her. She gave me an evil look, but I didn't try to argue her point any further. I think she realized that I was right.
She actually slept the rest of the way and when we finally got to the Academy I leaned over.
"Tasha?" I asked.
She opened her eyes then, our faces just a few inches apart.
"Are we here already?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Okay," she answered and began stretching her arms and getting out of the car. I took the bags from the back seat and followed. I walked her to the cabin which was a good two miles from where we parked.
The cold air woke me up completely.
"I had a lot of fun tonight," noted Tasha.
"Yes me too," I commented.
"You had fun shopping! I'll tell all the novices. They'll never fear you again!" she teased.
"You better not, I have to keep my kick ass reputation," I teased.
"Then, you better hang out with me during the break, or I'll black mail you," she joked.
"Sure, I'd love to do that," I answered.
We walked in silence then and when we were at the door she asked, "Do you want to come in?"
"I think we both should go to sleep," I told her.
"Yeah, but, I don't want you to have to walk two miles to get there," Tasha noted.
I liked Tasha, but I definitely wasn't ready for that. Not when I thought about Rose all the time. It wasn't fair to Tasha. She deserved someone that really cared about her.
"It's okay," I started, "I better head back because I have to give back the keys," I lied.
"Oh right," she answered sounding a little disappointed. "Well, see you soon."
"Yup."
"Oh and Dimka," she began.
"Yes?"
"Don't forget about what I said," she said. And then came over and hugged me.
"Goodnight," I answered with a bow and walked away.
I then walked back to the Guardian quarters, contemplating my current predicament. Finally when I got to my room though, I crashed.
I'd been awake for almost two days now and I was ready for some shut eye.
When I woke up later I went to give Alberta the keys.
"Hey, just wanted to give you these back," I said as I put them on the desk.
"Oh, hey there you are. You should sit down for a minute," Alberta answered.
I quickly took a seat.
"So Rose got into some trouble this morning," she began.
"What the hell did she do?" I asked. Dammit Rose, I can't leave you for two minutes.
"Well, nothing like that, she just got injured during her before school practice with Guardian Hathaway," she began.
I looked up nervously then, I felt my stomach drop, "Is she okay?"
"She's fine, she just got knocked out cold," began Alberta.
"Where is she?" I asked while getting up.
"She's awake now, talking to Lissa," Alberta answered.
I nodded and started walking, "Dimitri, wait!"
I turned around.
"Where are you going?" asked Alberta curiously.
"To make sure Rose is all right. Why didn't anyone wake me?" I asked.
"She's fine and because you were awake for way too long. Relax, jeeze you'd think you heard that you're daughter was in some kind of motor accident. You're shaking," Alberta noted.
"Well, yeah. Because Rose was hurt and no one had the decency to alert me," I answered venomously.
"What's wrong with you," asked Alberta eyeing me curiously. I realized then, that I was being rude. I had lost my control.
"I'm sorry," I answered.
"It's okay," she said. "She's fine, really."
"Okay," I said, "I just worry."
"Yes, you act like she's your charge," Alberta answered.
There it was again, Rose always came first. How could I protect Lissa if Rose always came first?
"She was taken out of practice all day and I assume she'll be asleep soon. Just wait until tomorrow; you probably don't want to wake her. She was looking pretty down all day."
"Right," I answered and nodded. "Sorry for over-reacting."
"It's okay," answered Alberta, "I know how much you care about her," she said looking at me. There seemed to be an underlying double meaning in her tone.
Did she know?
"Well, I'm going to grab a bite to eat. Let me know if you need me," I told her.
"Of course," answered Alberta.
I walked out then. As I was walking to the cafeteria though, I crossed paths with Janine Hathaway.
"Guardian Belikov," she said, "May I speak to you?"
"Yes of course," I answered. She looked worried. "I'm afraid I hurt Rose pretty bad today."
"Yes I heard."
"I don't think it's going to help improve our relationship," commented Janine.
"Yes, well, these sort of things happen," I answered.
"Yes, well, I know she looks up to you. She listens to you. Maybe you could talk to her. Tell her I didn't mean to hurt her, I really wish that she didn't hate me so much. I'll be at the ski lodge and I was hoping to be able to spend some time with my daughter. She probably won't want to around me very much now though," Janine confessed.
"Yes, I'll speak with her. I'll let her know it was an accident," I answered.
"Thanks, I'm really worried."
"I'll see what I can do," I nodded and walked away.
Agreeing to this whole thing had been a mistake. I should have just gone to practice with Rose. If I wasn't out there shopping with Tasha, Rose wouldn't have gotten hurt. I hadn't been able to protect her and that bothered me for the rest of the night.
It was pretty hard to sleep after that. One since I had woken up just a few hours ago and two because I wanted desperately to go to Rose's room and make sure she was okay. I wanted to comfort her. It was probably hard that her mother had been the one to hurt her. They already had a bad relationship and I felt bad because of that.
Rose resented her mother because Janine had never been around; but truthfully, her mother had simply fulfilled her duty.
Rose needed to understand that.
I realized I'd just have to wait until tomorrow's practice.
