Hello everyone! This is my first fanfiction on this website and it's about one of my favorite fictional couples – the gorgeous Dimitri Belikov and headstrong Rose Hathaway. :) I hope you would enjoy this story. :)

This would start off during the cave part in Shadow Kiss. Dimitri was not turned, okay?

I don't own any of the characters in here. Credit goes to the ever-so awesome Richelle Mead. :)

CHAPTER 1 – LIFE: SAVED

"Rose!" I heard my mother cry out from near the opening of the cave.

But I did not bother to listen for I only had one goal: save Dimitri. Tears welled up in my eyes as I ran back inside the cave to save him. Call me stupid, but if he dies, I might as well go with him.

Before I could even start my Dimitri-search, a husky voice from behind me spoke up.

"My, my, look who we have here."

I slowly reached into my pocket for the silver stake in my pocket despite my trembling hands.

Silver stakes are very lethal to Strigoi because a scratch with a silver stake will harm the Strigoi enough to give the Guardian chance to stake them.

"A novice from St. Vladimir." Another voice from behind me said.

I suddenly felt an arm snake around my waist and I jumped in surprised. I actually felt disgusted by it – only one man could ever snake his arm around my waste and send tingles all over my body and that is Dimitri. I tried to stake the Strigoi right in front of me, but with his inhumanly fast reflexes, he was able to avoid it.

Damn it.

On the bright side, his arm was no longer wrapped around my waist.

"You sure are one hell of a novice – considering you have two molnija marks." The blond Strigoi who snaked his arms around me earlier said.

Molnija is a Russian term for lightning. Dhampirs receive one for each time they kill a Strigoi. I received two since I killed two Strigois named Isaiah and Elena back in Spokane.

I pushed his comment aside. "Why aren't you killing me yet? Isn't that what you want to do?"

"Why, are you asking for your own death, my dear?" The blond Strigoi said, tilting my head up.

I stiffened.

"Turn me," I said using a Dimitri tone.

He studied my face for the God knows how short before he smiled and said, "Your wish is my command."

With that, I felt his hot breath against my neck and before he had the chance to open his mouth, I tried to stake him once more and I made sure I drove the stake hard to his heart.

"Bitch," was his last word before he fell to the ground with eyes wide open.

Damn, I was in deep trouble since there was still another Strigoi present and he was only a few feet away from me.

I suddenly felt a stinging pain at the right side of my neck before I fell to the ground.

Strigoi bite.

"Roza," a voice my soul would have known anywhere spoke

I wanted to hug him. I wanted to be in his arms, but I can't and I don't know if this was because of that damned Strigoi bite.

I felt him wrap his arms around me as he helped me up. Déjà vu. This was also what he did back in Spokane.

Focus, Rose. Don't lose your balance. Get yourself out of here. Get you and Dimitri out of here.

That was what my mind was saying.

I grabbed Dimitri by the hand and tried to remember which path I passed through despite the dizziness I felt.

All of a sudden, I heard a 'thud' from right near me.

It was Dimitri – and he fell down unconscious.

I screamed.

That was the only thing I could do at that moment and I certainly did not know why.

Suddenly, I heard my mother's voice. "Rose, let's get out of here."

"We can't leave him!" I cried.

Janine helped me bring Dimitri back to the security of the sunlight, although the rays were starting to be covered with the darkness. Once we were out of the cave, we immediately went inside one of St. Vladimir's private vans.

"Miss Hathaway, allow us to be the one to take care of Guardian Belikov once we arrive at the academy. You can visit him only after you get cleaned and dressed since you look like a mess." It was the school's headmistress – Ellen Kirova.

And boy, I didn't expect to see her there at all.

I immediately rushed to my room to get cleaned and dressed, but when I opened the door, I was surprised to hear sobs from Lissa.

The three people I hang out most of the time outside of school was there. Lissa was crying. Christian was comforting her. And lastly, Adrian was sitting on the couch, staring blankly in space. At least before he saw me.

"Rose?!" He sounded surprised.

"Wow, did me going to battle made you a good boy that you are now calling me by my real name and no longer 'little dhampir'?" Yes, I was the queen of sarcasm.

"Rose!" Lissa cried as she pulled me into a tight embrace. "I thought you were dead."

I chuckled. "I wouldn't leave you. I promised you, remember?" I said, pulling away from her.

"Thank God you're alright." She said as more tears came streaming down her pale cheeks.

"Were you out of your mind?!" Adrian suddenly said, infuriated.

Confusion was written all over my face. "Huh?"

"Why the hell did you go back in the cave?" He had a straight face – something so rare for a guy like Adrian Ivashkov.

"Who told you that?" I demanded.

"Guardian Alto." Christian replied.

Damn Stan.

"I needed to save him." I simply said.

"Save who?" Lissa asked out of curiosity.

"Guardian Belikov."

I heard Adrian scoff before he went to sit down on the couch again.

"Oh," was all Lissa could say.

"Hey, I'm going to get myself cleaned up first so I could go visit my coach." I joked on the last part so as to break the tension in the room.

"Can I go with you?" Lissa asked with those pleading eyes of hers.

"Of course." I smiled.

Just as I was about to go inside the bathroom, Lissa grabbed me by my left arm.

"Wait."

I suddenly felt her magic radiating through me – all those golden emotion of hers; everything was so positive and there was not a bit of negative emotion when she touched the side of my neck.

And just like that, it was gone.

The Strigoi bite was gone.

I hope you liked it! :)

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU REVIEW!

xo, ChristAineXtine.