A/N: Reighn Venhem 33704 and mrs mathis, thank you! And here's another chapter.

Chapter five

Friendship with a vampire has its illusions

Yuichi, a friend of Lucy, was really something. He acted towards Bonnie like he'd known her his whole life. He was the same age as Lucy, but in his behavior was something really childish. And it was quite possible that he had a crush on all women he met.

Right now Bonnie, Lucy and Yuichi were in the living room. Elena who was still upset about another attack went outside to meet Stefan.

Yuichi was watching Bonnie in a friendly way and she gave him a faint smile.

"I'm a warlock myself," he said pleasantly.

"Yeah, I've figured that out."

"You are really cute."

"Yuichi, don't be so desperate," Lucy said. She was sitting indian style on sofa and clutching a steaming coffee cup. Earlier, she said that a long way to Mystic Falls had made her drowsy.

"You're jealous. Bonnie is cute."

"Yep, she always was," Lucy agreed evenly. Bonnie scoffed.

"Oh, stop it. We only met once."

"That's not true actually. I came for a visit here when you were a baby. I adored you; you were like a little lion cub."

"A lion cub?" Yuichi exclaimed. "Oh, come on! She's more of the Bambi type."

"Nope, definitely a lion cub." Lucy turned to Bonnie, who was smiling despite herself. "The way you crawled and frowned... You were like a baby lion. Your mom didn't..."

She stopped suddenly and Bonnie's smile faded.

"Uh... Well."

"It's okay," Bonnie said softly.

"It runs in the family," Yuichi spoke, not noticing the awkward pause. "I think it's a beauty gene."

"Gosh, enough already! Flattery will get you nowhere."

Bonnie chuckled; she never thought that Lucy could be so short-tempered. But Yuichi wasn't discouraged by her attitude in the slightest. He gave Lucy a charming smile.

"Just admit it, you love me."

"I told you, I have a boyfriend!"

"I told you, he doesn't love you the way I do!"

'Wow, more love drama,' Bonnie thought, amused.

"I'm sorry, cuz," Lucy said to her. "I brought him here 'cause I've thought that you'd need all possible help. And I know that he is annoying."

"No, not at all!" Bonnie said, hurriedly.

"Is it that bad, that I'm trying to express my feelings ?" Yuichi said, solemnly. "And may I remind you that I protected your charming cousin from kanashibari spell?"

"What spell?" Bonnie asked curiously.

"Sleep paralysis," Lucy explained. "Yuichi calls it kanashibari, as it's known in Japan. I've heard the name Mara. This spell was used in Salem and it was one of the reasons our ancestors were framed. "

"Pathetic," Yuichi mumbled. "Attacking sleeping people is the worst thing a witch can do. I'd like to meet the bitch who tried to get to you."

"She doesn't feel great now," Lucy smiled. "The banishing spell isn't something that can be taken lightly."

"Still, she suppressed me easily," Bonnie said worriedly.

"But you have us now," Yuichi smiled encouragingly. "And if she's clever she won't try that again."

"Can you teach me how to banish it?"

"Nope, it's not a spell really; it's more like a gift from birth. I'm kinda unique, you know."

Lucy rolled her eyes and groaned but Yuichi had already caught Bonnie's interest.

"Really?"

"Yes, I call myself a Master of Dream," he said proudly. "Some spells that drain your power can be overwhelming and damaging. They destroy your soul. And I can bring the soul back into the body."

"You are not serious!"

"Actually, I am," Yuichi did his best to look modest.

Bonnie wanted to say how incredible it was and to ask more questions, but heard footsteps. A moment later Elena came back into the room, closely followed by Stefan.

"It's nice to see you again," Stefan said to Lucy. "We can use some help."

"That's what I thought. Meet my friend, Yuichi Nakamura."

"Stefan Salvatore," Stefan held out his hand.

Yuichi smiled as they shook hands and suddenly froze.

"Um, I think I misheard you... Stefan what?"

"Salvatore."

"Huh," Yuichi looked dumbfounded. "No, no way in fucking hell."

"Don't be a baby!" Lucy snapped. "I told you about the vampires here."

"There are vampires and there are vampires, love."

"I think I know what you mean," Stefan said calmly. "I was the one with Klaus..."

"Who is Klaus?" Yuichi was confused now.

"Well, how do you know my na —"

"Please, enlighten me on what's going on," Damon's voice sounded from the doorway.

Bonnie looked up to see him coming into the room. It was obvious that the arrogant vampire wouldn't bother knocking anymore. Damon glanced around and frowned.

"What are you doing here?"

Bonnie cleared her throat.

"Damon, Lucy is here to help us."

Damon pinched his eyebrows.

"What Lucy?"

"Lucy my cousin," Bonnie said slowly. "You sure remember her?"

She pointed at Lucy and Damon nodded.

"You. Lucy, Katherine's witch."

Lucy made a finger gun gesture.

"You. Damon, Elena's worshipper."

"I go by Salvatore, actually," he said crossly.

"And that's how I knew your name," Yuichi said to Stefan.

Damon gave him a dirty look.

"Once again, why are you here?"

"Damon, my man," Yuichi smiled nervously. "What a surprise, you in the witch's house. Wow, first Bree, now a Bennett. You have a thing for witches! But then again one can say that you have a thing for everyone."

"Are you calling me a man-whore?" Damon said evenly.

'There'll be blood,' Bonnie thought and stepped forward to prevent it. Her daddy truly liked the carpet.

"You two know each other?" she asked.

"We go way back," Damon said. "And what do we have here, a coven?"

Yuichi covered his eyes with his hand and spoke calmly, "Blame Lucy. She dragged me into this. Can't refuse her. You don't believe that I was looking for you?"

Damon turned his attention to silent Bonnie.

"Don't trust him; he's a sneaky bastard."

"As far as I recall, you are the one who considers the witches to be your personal cheat-code. But I don't hold a grudge."

"Let me guess," Bonnie said sourly. "Damon asked you once to open the tomb and free his beloved Katherine."

"I know you are the one who succeeded," Yuichi watched her closely. "You Bennetts are amazing. Look, are you dating someone?"

Damon pulled up a chair and sat down.

"I see you haven't changed," he said briskly. "Leave her alone."

"Whatever, Damon. I was joking anyway."

"You know what?" Lucy said lazily. "I love friends meetings and all but I really wish to find the witch quickly. I have an appointment with my hairdresser next week."

'That's just way too surreal.'

Bonnie sat down next to Elena and the girls gave each other amused looks.

"How did you know about the spell?" Stefan asked, addressing Lucy.

"I heard Bonnie when she was calling for help. You know, a blood bond and everything. But I didn't know that she had to deal with the necromancy till Yuichi and I reached your town. When I saw the barrier I've figured things out."

"The barrier?"

"Yes. It's stopping the sun rising..."

"We need to find the witch and she is here, in this town," Yuichi cut in. "Otherwise she couldn't attack Bonnie."

Damon frowned at that.

"You were attacked? Again?"

"Yes, she tried to kill me in my sleep," Bonnie said off-handily.

"Sorry, it's my fault, I should have stayed with you," Elena said, squeezing Bonnie's hand.

"You are not a witch, right?" Yuichi asked doubtfully.

Elena was a bit taken aback but answered calmly, "No, I'm not."

"Then you can't defeat kanashibari. Don't blame yourself."

"So you are the one who defeated it," Damon said skeptically.

"I can take the credit."

"Tolerating your presence is easier now."

"Damon," Bonnie said sharply. "It's my home. Can you be nicer?"

"Trust me, he was being nice," Yuichi muttered. "In his own way, of course."

"Why is the witch targeting you?" Stefan asked Bonnie with concern. "There should be a reason."

"Isn't it obvious?" Damon said, not looking at his brother. "Bonnie is a witch, therefore dangerous."

"Klaus has something to do with it," Stefan whispered. Bonnie was glad that he was the one who brought it up.

"I think so too. But he needs a witch..."

"Well, he has one. When we went to Europe we've met a witch. She was emotionally unstable and really powerful at the same time. Her attitude was... Well, she's too into manipulation. Loves to drive people mad. But Klaus took her under his control within days. Her name was Elsa."

"You are sharing with us now, brother," Damon said through clenched teeth. "About fucking time."

Stefan nodded, his face calm.

"I'm sorry, I should have said that earlier."

"Who is Klaus?" asked Yuichi.

"An original vampire."

"And you accompanied him?"

"Will you stop asking questions?" Damon snapped but Stefan shook his head.

"Damon, we need to share information. Klaus is dangerous."

"Klaus wants revenge," Elena said quietly.

"Oh, enough already!" Damon shouted, standing up. "How do you know it's him? If he wanted revenge he would just come here and snap Bonnie's neck!"

"He knows what she can do. He won't take the risk. But sending his own psychopathic witch after Bonnie is something he would do."

"Great," Damon was pacing now, probably looking for alcohol. "Let her come."

"She did already," Yuichi said. "In a cowardly way, but still."

"So, it's my turn now," Bonnie said suddenly. "I'm going to the cemetery."

Damon stopped dead in his tracks and looked at her surprised.

"Why bother? Personally, I prefer good delivery service."

"Oh no, this time I'm not going to wait. Strong witch or not she must be close to the object while casting such spell. Her object are dead people."

"No, that doesn't make sense," Yuichi said. "You'll only put your life at risk."

"I'm coming with you," Lucy said, stretching her arms.

"Love —" Yuichi started but was ignored again.

"I agree here, we have to act," Stefan decided. "I'm going to search for Klaus."

"No, you are not," Damon said, his voice angry. "One time was enough."

There was an awkward pause. Bonnie was trying hard not to look at Elena while the Salvatore brothers were staring at each other with intensity. Stefan spoke first.

"I know how he thinks, Damon."

"You know how a freak thinks, great!" Damon snarled sarcastically. "But you are not going anywhere. Stay with your girlfriend."

"Damon," Bonnie called quietly. "Come with us. We'll find the witch, we'll know the truth. You are right, no one should go looking for Klaus now."

He ran his fingers through his hair, calming down.

"At least I'm not the only one who can think here," he grumbled.

"Damon, can we talk?" Stefan asked stepping towards his brother.

"Thanks, I'll pass. Bonnie, can we talk?"

"About what?"

"A crazy original vampire and a family drama," Yuichi whispered. "Nice weekend..."

Bonnie's head was spinning. Things were happening way too fast and she didn't trust herself to handle everything. Her powers, her courage, even her stubbornness seemed irrelevant now. And she was almost killed. In her sleep. It felt like any moment an invisible hand could squeeze her neck.

She wasn't pleased with herself. Thinking about her own safety when all her friends were in danger wasn't something you would call heroic. Hopefully, Klaus didn't care about Elena anymore but he would definitely hurt Stefan. And Damon.

Bonnie was sitting on the porch and waiting for Lucy and Yuichi to come out. Her cousin was really quiet at the end of the conversation in the living room. Bonnie had a strong feeling that Lucy didn't take a fancy to her friends. It was strange, though, both Stefan and Elena were friendly to her cousin. Well, Damon was Damon, but...

"You ready?"

Speak of the devil.

She nodded. Damon sat on the porch next to her.

"Where's the warrior princess? And that dick?"

"Lucy and Yuichi are changing."

"Now is the time? What a loser."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes.

"What happened between you two?"

"Nothing good. He is a jester and I despise him."

She chuckled at his choice of words.

"So he played you?" she suggested.

"Watch it, witch."

Bonnie smiled again.

"I think I like him."

Damon gave her a glare but said nothing. So, Bonnie continued, "You have to admit that he's great. He told me about his powers. Hope, he will help us to finish Klaus off."

"If Klaus is here."

Bonnie held her breath and then said carefully, "You know, Stefan wants to talk to you."

"I don't care. "

"Damon, he's your family."

"Be quiet."

She had no idea what's gotten into her when she asked all of a sudden, "Why do you feel so guilty?"

Damon turned his face to her and Bonnie immediately regretted starting this conversation. He was scary...

"Guilty?" he repeated icily. "You think I feel guilty?"

'I'm an idiot!'

Bonnie shook her head furiously.

"No, I just wanted to say... You can't help who you love, Damon."

'A very doomed idiot.'

Damon's eyes were blazing.

"Actually I can. I wanted to love her, it was my choice. You know nothing, witch."

'What am I doing? I shouldn't have gone there...'

He leaned closer to her as Bonnie was silently reminding herself how to give an aneurism. Just in case.

"You were the one who saw it coming," Damon said in an accusing tone. "I remember when I offered to save Caroline in exchange for a clean slate you told me — "

"I remember what I said."

"Was I that obvious?"

"You don't have to be ashamed of it."

"You think so? I hit on my brother's girl when he was with some psycho. He was trying to protect me and what did I do? Do I regret it? Well, I feel miserable. It was all for nothing."

'Huh. That's what had happened.'

"Don't," she said calmly. "And it's not your fault that Stefan cares about you. We have to be brave for people we love and Stefan... He is the bravest."

"Just stop talking, Bonnie."

There was no anger in his voice. However she felt she shouldn't bring that up. It was between Stefan, Damon and Elena. The three of them were like links of a one solid chain and there was no place for her and her stupid advices. If Stefan couldn't reach Damon she shouldn't even try.

Bonnie felt a flicker of loneliness. Everything was so messed up. She didn't want Stefan to suffer. She didn't want Damon to suffer ('cause he did stupid things when he was unhappy). And more than everything, she didn't want Elena to suffer. But it seemed inevitable given the circumstances.

Damon loved Elena, Elena fancied Damon. Stefan loved Elena, Elena loved Stefan. Stefan loved Damon, Damon didn't fool anyone with his 'hatred'. Bonnie loved Elena but couldn't understand her sometimes.

"You're shaking... Are you cold?"

Bonnie shrugged uncomfortably and muttered, "I miss the sun."

"Maybe you should wear something warm. Take this."

He took off his jacket and put it on surprised Bonnie. A southern gentleman, isn't it sweet?

"You know I can just go upstairs and take my own," she said nervously.

"Don't. It looks good on you."

He slowly fixed the collar and touched her hair.

"Stop it, it's awkward," Bonnie demanded.

He didn't listen.

Once again she was close to him. Lately Bonnie Bennett was really his cure against the boredom. It was nice to play with a girl he cannot hurt. And even if he hurt her she would hit him back and they would be good again. How wonderful it was.

Bonnie shifted uncomfortably when Damon brushed his fingers through her hair again. Her scent was intoxicating. Maybe, it was the reason she felt so right in his arms.

"Do you remember our night?" he asked suddenly.

"WHAT?" she exclaimed jerking back.

He gave a short laugh.

"The night everyone thought you were dead. Only I knew the truth, remember? Because that night you had trusted me with your life. You believed in me. Well, I was worried about Elena's safety then and it had clouded everything but now I can see it clearly."

"See what?"

"See what it's like when someone trusts you. And the fact that it was your trust just doubles the value."

Bonnie froze, unsure that she heard it right.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to trust me," Damon said, not tearing his eyes away from her. "I know what you think about me. Your loyalty to your best friend, your desire to protect everyone, your curiosity — I can see it all. You are not helping Stefan for Elena's sake anymore. You like him. And I want you to stop faking your hatred for me. Because you don't hate me now. Yes, I hurt people who care about me, that's who I am. But you can't deny that you care about me. And your attitude won't protect you anymore."

"Protect me?" she said slowly. "Are you going to hurt me?"

"I could."

Bonnie snapped out of her trance and said louder, "I don't like you. I don't care about you."

Damon smiled.

"You're lying."

"How do you know?"

"It's easy when you look at me like this."

She was going to protest, to deny all he had said because it was stupid, but she didn't find the right words.

Someone made a fake cough behind their backs. Bonnie flinched and turned around to see Lucy.

"Where's your brother?" Lucy asked, looking at Damon.

"He and Elena took off."

"I see. Can I talk to Bonnie for a minute?"

Damon stood up.

"Sure."

Lucy was watching him until he disappeared into the darkness. Then she asked coolly, "You are wearing his jacket?"

"Well, yes."

Lucy folded her arms.

"Bonnie, why is he here?"

"For Elena," Bonnie answered immediately.

"Right," Lucy scoffed. "I have to admit, Elena has a nice fan-club."

"We are her friends," Bonnie said frowning.

Her cousin gave her a long look and then chuckled. Bonnie felt her irritation increasing.

"What's the matter? Why do you have to act so arrogantly?"

"I'm sorry. You value friendship beyond everything, I got it. We are just different in many ways. I was always sure that a witch must think about herself first. There are too many reasons for that."

"And I thought that we were given our powers to protect innocent people," Bonnie said sharply.

"Who told you that? You know, forget it; what in the world protecting innocent has in common with helping Salvatore brothers? You need to understand; we have to be loyal only to our family. It's our inner circle, our legacy."

"I am faithful!" Bonnie cried indignantly. "And you are not the one to talk! Katherine —"

"Katherine was lovely. She amused me to no end. She was my friend and maybe even more. But I left her, I betrayed her because I met you."

"How could you work for her to begin with? She is cruel!"

Lucy made an impatient gesture.

"Oh, come on!.. What about Stefan? Or his brother?"

"They are not like this!" Bonnie said and after a second thought added, "Well, at least Stefan isn't."

Lucy's face hardened.

"One day I'll tell you a story. Stefan is not just a murderer, he is a torturer. And Damon is annoying. He is like an eight-grader who has a crush on his classmate's mother."

"And I thought I was the evil one," Bonnie said, disappointed with her cousin's attitude. "You know what, you don't know Damon. He has his moments."

"Damon is whipped. Don't trust him."

Bonnie looked straight into her eyes.

"Lucy, I really want you to stop this. I'm not saying that I will follow Damon blindly. But I will trust him with my life. As a matter of fact, I did that once. He cares about people. He was willing to die for Elena."

"Actually he was going to let you die," Lucy said irritably. "I touched his hand when we were inside. And I saw what had happened. He told that he would always choose Elena over you, he was going to let you die! He was even persuading everyone to do so! Like hell I'll trust him. Our family always had troubles with the vampires, they had always used us! Bonnie, wake up! Damon Salvatore is not a friend to you!"

Bonnie blinked at her.

"What do you mean he was persuading... I don't understand."

Lucy took Bonnie's hand.

"If you don't believe my words, see it for yourself."

TBC