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Chapter 20: Isobel

Sakura woke up in the middle of the night and noticed that someone was sitting at the bottom of the bed. "What do you want Damon?" Sakura asked as she held onto her head, which had been hurting since she tried to use the spells on Grams. Her funeral had already come and gone, Bonnie wasn't doing too well and the funeral brought back a lot of unhappy memories.

"Damon? Why would Damon be here?" obviously it wasn't Damon, but Sakura knew that voice.

"Brother?" Sakura shot up out of bed. She crawled across the bed and sat beside Darien. "What's wrong?" Sakura asked, knowing that he didn't come by too often otherwise.

"Damon, really? Like the one pining after Katherine, why would he be in here?" Darien frowned down at her.

"Never mind that, what are you doing here? Wait, how do you know about Katherine?" Sakura asked Darien as she looked up at him seriously. She could barely see his face, since it was dark, being the middle of the night. "And how did you get in here?" Sakura asked.

Darien smirked and patted her on the head. Sakura pushed his hand away, thinking that she wasn't a little kid anymore, so he shouldn't be doing that. "I'm actually not here about any of that. I heard what happened with Grams. And by that, I mean I know what spell you tried to use," Darien didn't seem happy.

"Oh, is that what you're here about…" Sakura trailed off.

"You can't go around trying to use a necromancy spell!" Darien said sternly.

"It didn't work anyways," Sakura sighed and looked away.

"Sakura, I know that you passed out after trying it. It's dangerous! Even if it worked, you don't know that she would come back the same!" Darien tried to explain how dangerous it was. "You don't even how much that could take out of you," Darien sighed.

"I just didn't want another person around us dying, it's not fair to Grams or Bonnie," Sakura looked up at him sadly.

"Just be careful," Darien pat her on the head again and then the wind came through the window, blowing Sakura's hair around and Darien disappeared.

"Can't we just hang out normally for once?" Sakura flopped back on her bed.

Sakura decided to go to the boarding house to check up on Damon, since last she knew he wasn't feeling too well because of Katherine. Sakura entered the boarding house, closing the door behind her. She heard music blaring in the parlor, she looked over and saw what looked like a frat house of half naked girls.

"Sakura, darling how are you?" Damon appeared in front of her, with one arm leaning against the door behind her. She could smell the booze off of him and frowned as she looked at him. Damon smirked and pulled her up close to him. He had one hand on her waist and one on her neck. He quickly leaned in and kissed her on the lips. At first she didn't resist, practically melting into it, then her eyes went wide and she pushed him away.

"What the hell Damon?" Sakura growled.

"Oh come on, after all those months of flirting, it was bound to happen," Damon smiled down at her.

"Oh yeah, great! Being kissing by a drunkard with a house of frat girls," Sakura growled.

"Upset about them? I can easily make them all go away, if that will help," Damon offered.

"You know, I just came over to see how you were doing. I'm not sure why I cared anymore," Sakura sighed and shook her head as she leant on the door, wondering what to do. She turned to open the door when Damon put both hands on it stopping her.

"Don't go so early, stay a while. Have some fun," Damon looked down at her.

"Yeah… I don't think so, I'll see you when you're better, if you get better," Sakura said and Damon didn't move his hands off the door. "You know, you can't really stop me that way," Sakura's eyes glowed and she walked straight through the front door. "Maybe I should have just smacked him up the side of the head," Sakura sighed as she walked away from the boarding house.

Part way down she ran into Stefan, "Hey Sakura, how's he doing?"

"Go see for yourself," Sakura said bitterly, "He's not handling it in a good way," Sakura said as she walked away.

Sakura had decided to take a nice long walk, to grab in some fresh air when her phone rang. "Hello," Sakura answered right away.

"Sakura," she heard Leilani's voice.

"Hey, what's up?" Sakura asked.

"Shouldn't that be what I ask you? You seem to be disappearing a lot lately. I'm glad for the texts that you do send for where your going, but seriously, what's going on? Damon brought you home from the decade dance passed out. Then Stefan brings you home passed out, for apparently trying to help Grams. Not just that, but I have to get all my info from Bonnie," Leilani complained. Apparently Leilani saw when she was brought home, both times. "Just… Try to be careful, and tell me what's going on more often," Leilani suggested, knowing things hadn't been easy since they came back to town.

A small light on Sakura's phone started flashing, "Alright Leilani, I'll try. I've got to go though, another call incoming."

"What are you up to now?" Leilani asked as Sakura switched lines.

"Opps," Sakura cringed about hanging up on Leilani. "Hello," she answered her other call.

"Hey Sakura," it was Elena, "I've been researching about my real mom and I have a lead, on her best friend anyways. I'm going to head there, but I'm kind of nervous. Can you…" Elena trailed off.

"Sure, I'll come," Sakura smiled lightly.

"Great, meet me at the Grill," Elena told her.

"I'm right by there," Sakura laughed.

"So am I!" Elena and Sakura laughed. They hung up their phones and Elena came out of the Grill to see Sakura. "Let's go," Elena and Sakura got into Elena's vehicle.

They headed to the address for Trudie Peterson, at '312 Boulder Ave.' They walked up to the door together and Elena seemed uncertain. Elena shook her head, thinking she couldn't do it when Sakura knocked on the door. Elena turned back around when a woman with blonde hair answered the door.

"Trudie, Trudie Peterson?" Elena asked.

"Yes," she nodded.

"My name is Elena Gilbert. This is my friend Sakura… I wanted to talk to you about Isobel Flemmings," Elena gulped out of nervousness.

"Well, I haven't heard that name in years," Trudie smiled. "How do you know her?" she asked.

"I think that…" Elena played with her hair, "Well…"

"Do you know if she had a baby, she gave up for adoption?" Sakura asked, since Elena couldn't seem to come up with the words.

"My god," Trudie stared at Elena, "You're her daughter? I was just going to make some tea, would you guys like some?" she asked with a southern accent evident in her voice.

"Sure," Elena smiled as she replied.

"The kitchen's this way," Trudie stepped aside letting them in. Sakura noticed that Trudie seemed nervous when Elena walked through her front door. What could that be about? Does she know about vampires, and if so, did she think Elena was one?

"I didn't think I was going to come," Elena took her jacket off. "I was thinking about my mom and, I'm sorry about barging in," Elena left her jacket on a chair at the dinner table.

"It's no problem," Trudie replied, with a smiled that seemed like it was almost always on her face. "It was just a surprise though," they all sat down at the table. "I haven't thought about Isobel in years," she admitted.

"When was the last time you saw her?" Elena asked.

"About 17 years ago," she replied, alerting Elena, "When she left to go have you. We kept in touch for a while, but, you know. People drift apart."

"And you don't know where she ended up?" Elena asked.

"She was in Florida for a while, she was on her own. I know it wasn't easy," Trudie explained.

"Do you have any idea who my father is?" Elena asked, surprising Sakura slightly. She hadn't even thought about who the father might be.

"I could never get her to fess up," Trudie said and Sakura became suspicious. The pause and reluctance with the answer made it seem like a lie. "Anyways, she finally pulled it together, got into college on a scholarship," Trudie changed the subject.

"Where did she go?" Elena smiled, obviously interested.

"Somewhere in North Carolina, Duke I think. Smart girl, smart school," she replied and the kettle started to whistle, "Let me just get that," Trudie got up. Sakura tried to keep an eye on Trudie, but once she rounded the corner, Sakura leaned over and saw her with her phone out. That definitely didn't seem like a good sign.

Trudie came back moments later with the tea and an old yearbook. "So this was you?" Elena pointed at a picture of Trudie and Isobel in cheerleading outfits.

"They came to the games for us. The football team hadn't won a game in years. We were the stars. Well, Izzy was, but I was a damn good backup," Trudy said getting a smiled from Elena.

"This is great," Elena couldn't help but keep smiling, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Trudie replied. "You haven't touched your tea," Trudie pointed out.

Sakura and Elena went to take a sip when they noticed the familiar scent. "What is in this tea?" Sakura asked seriously.

"Just some herbs," Trudie said vaguely.

Sakura and Elena looked at each other then turned to Trudie, "Vervain!"

"You know?" Elena stated.

"Know what?" Trudie tried to play dumb.

"You didn't invite me in," Elena pointed out, "And you're serving vervain tea, you know!"

Trudie stood up nervously, "I think that you should probably leave."

"What are you not telling me?" Elena asked.

"Please, leave," Trudie seemed to be getting worse.

Sakura stood up, "Come on, let's go." Elena stood up, looking confused. She picked up her jacket and they left. They went to get into Elena's car and noticed a man in the middle of the road staring at them. They rushed into the car, and they sped off. Sakura looked in the mirror to see him walking towards them, but only at a walking pace.

They stopped off at the boarding house, since Elena wanted to talk with Stefan, regardless of how reluctant Sakura was to go there. They walked upstairs, "Stefan?" Elena looked around for him.

"Better, me," Damon came out shirtless. Technically though, his shirt was just in his hand.

"You look…" Elena trailed off and turned to Sakura for help.

"Dashing, gorgeous, irresistible," Damon walked up to them.

"Better than earlier anyways," Sakura frowned and crossed her arms as she glared at Damon.

"Um, did something happen?" Elena whispered to Sakura.

"No point in whispering, I'm a vampire," Damon whispered to them.

"He still looks wrecked though ," Sakura sighed and looked away.

"No reason why," Damon mumbled. "Did you know I'm one of Mystic Falls most eligible bachelors," Damon said pouting his lips out a little.

"Really…" Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Yup," Damon said plainly. Damon walked over to his full length mirror and started to put his shirt on.

"How are you doing?" Elena asked with concern.

"Never better, yup," Damon said unconvincingly. "What can I do for you?" Damon asked as he fixed his collar, "I'm a barrel of favours today, trying to find purpose. How can I help?" Damon mumbled.

"I'm just meeting with Stefan, we're going to the fundraiser," Elena stated. They heard a thud and turned around to see Sakura on the ground holding her head. "Sakura!" Elena bend down to her and Damon appeared on the other side.

"Ha ha, just a headache," Sakura tried to brush it off. "Been having them for the last while since I, you know what Elena," Damon looked at Elena with a raised eyebrow.

"What did you do?" Damon asked.

"Nothing, doesn't matter," Sakura waved her hand, hoping they wouldn't continue on able it.

Elena frowned and shook her head. "This is what you get for trying a necromancy spell!" Elena growled and went to help Sakura up.

Damon hastily picked her up and set her on the nearby bed. "Necromancy, really? And you think I'm stupid," Damon scoffed. Damon stood beside her and tried to button his shirt up. "Can I get some help?" Damon asked.

"Fine," Sakura got up and turned to him and started to button his shirt. Apparently the alcohol was still messing with him.

"So, I found out who my birth mother is," Elena informed him.

"Who cares?" Damon scoffed. "She left you, she sucks," Damon said.

"True," Sakura glanced at Elena.

"Stefan," Elena walked over to him, as he had appeared in the doorway.

Damon started to put his jacket on and grunted. "Ugh, I need a bigger jacket. Wow, you know, the occasional sorority girl can help fill you out a bit," Damon walked away, past Stefan.

"He's fine?" Elena said, not convinced at all.

"He's Damon," Stefan said suggesting that Damon always acts like this.

"Maybe this heartache will be good for him," Elena stated, "It will remind him that he has one, even if it doesn't beat." They turned to see Sakura laying on the bed. Elena came and sat down beside her, she rubbed her arm comfortingly and asked, "How are you doing?"

"Headaches easing off a bit at the moment," Sakura stated as she laid her forearm on her forehead.

"I meant with how Damon's acting," Elena clarified.

"Why should I care?" Sakura mumbled. "I've got to go," Sakura sighed, "See you."

Elena was about to say something when Sakura used her shadow magic to phase through the bed. They heard a thud as she landed on the first floor, "I'm fine," Sakura yelled up to them before leaving the boarding house.

After leaving the house, she started to walk to the Grill, where their fundraising event was taking place. She heard honking from behind and Elena pulled up to the sidewalk. "You're heading to the Grill right, hop in, Stefan said to go before him," Elena explained. Sakura nodded and got into Elena's vehicle.

They got to the Grill and went inside, where Matt and Caroline were already there. Leilani pulled her off to the side, away from them. "I'm glad you decided to show up," Leilani giggled a little. Apparently, she was already drinking. Considering the high scale people there, it could really lead to trouble. Leilani and Sakura sat down with Jenna and Elena as the bachelor raffle started. Number 4 was Alaric, Mrs. Lockwood introduced him, and asked him what he did. Number 5 was Damon, they didn't have much information on him. But when she asked if he travelled, she stirred up a lot of trouble. He mentioned North Carolina, where Isobel went to school. It was evident he knew about Alaric and his wife, aka Elena's mother! Elena was on the verge of tears and ran out of the Grill and Stefan followed her.

Sakura stood up and looked around, something didn't feel right. Sakura saw Elena come back into the Grill and run into Damon. They had words and she left with Stefan. "What the hell is going on now?" Sakura mumbled. The raffle continued and Jenna won Alaric, how fitting. And of all people, Mrs. Lockwood got the ticket for Damon, but he had disappeared. There was a loud noise outside and Sakura rushed to see what happened. The man that she saw in the mirror was hit by a car.

Stefan and Elena rushed away. Sakura looked around for anyone suspicious before going to check on Damon at the boarding house, where there was a chance he might have been. It took a little time to get there, but when she found Damon sitting on the couch drinking, she saw Alaric, dead in front of him.

"What happened?" Sakura asked as she rushed up to Alaric.

"He came at me," Damon stated.

"Didn't I ask you not to kill him?" Sakura growled.

"What? As I said, he came at me. All I did was tell him that his wife didn't want him anymore. Not my fault he couldn't handle it," Damon spat.

"Like how you've been handling Katherine," Sakura growled back.

"I'm handling it fine," Damon lied. "You know what, Isobel came to me. She found me. If she's related to Elena, that means she's related to Katherine, maybe Katherine sent her to me," Damon informed her.

"Stop it, you don't need to keep looking," Sakura growled.

"It can't be a coincidence Isobel sought me out, it can't," Damon set his drink down. "I'll get Stefan to take care of him, you do whatever you want," Damon walked away. As he did so, Sakura sent a vase flying at him, smashing it on the back of the head. "I'll let that pass," Damon kept walking.

Sakura sat down beside Alaric as she waited for Stefan to show up. When he did, Sakura explained the situation, telling him what Damon had said. "His hand twitched," Stefan told Sakura.

"What?" she turned to him, "After death twitch, or still alive twitch?" Sakura asked. Then Alaric gasped and tried to sit up. Stefan went to the other side of him to help.

"What happened?" Alaric asked, "What's going on?"

"You were…" Sakura trailed off, dumbfounded.

"Did Damon turn you?" Stefan asked.

"No I, I went for him and then he, he stabbed me," Alaric tried to feel the spot.

"No, you must have vampire blood in your system," Stefan stated, since it was the only logical explanation.

"No, it's something else," Alaric checked out his hands.

"How?" Stefan asked.

Sakura's eyes lit up like a light and she rushed to his right side. She pulled up his hand and pointed to the ring. "It's the ring, I saw it in the book, and I can sense something about it," Sakura stated.

"Isobel," Alaric said as he thought back to when she gave it to him, "This ring protected me."

Stefan sat down, astonished, "That's impossible."

"No, it makes perfect sense," Sakura sighed. "It's a good thing she did give it to you," Sakura stated.

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