N/A Sooo, can't believe I've already written another chapter! haha, guess that's what happens when you get a new laptop! This one's a little intense with a cute little Stefan/Elena moment :D Hope you guys like it!

Chapter 17

The cemetery was cold as Stefan and Elena walked through it. Elena tightened her cashmere coat and her dark blue eyes scanned the grave stones. A light moan from the wind blew continuously through the trees. The air was heavy and thick and there was a poignant smell- like someone had lit a match and set the trees on fire. Thunder suddenly struck to the left of the cemetery- near the oldest part.

Stefan grabbed Elena's hand and started down the worried path.

Elena kept remembering what Bonnie had said at her house the other day. Had she really meant those things? No ... Elena had known Bonnie since first grade; she knew everything about the other girl. They were like sisters. Though Bonnie sure wasn't treating Elena like a sister ... Bonnie would come around- she couldn't hate Elena.

Again, Elena wondered if what Bonnie had said was what she actually thought. Her best friend couldn't be her enemy! Not after Caroline ... Could Bonnie be her new enemy? After all these years?

Elena suddenly remembered Bonnie's odd behavior over the past few days- what if this was a trap? Elena had to put all her faith on a person who just the other day practically called her an attention whore. Still ... If something was going on Bonnie would tell Elena. End of story. Unless ... Shinichi had some sort of spell on her. Did kitsune do that sort of thing? They did trick people; from what Bonnie had told them.

Elena's mouth went dry and her throat felt thick. She jerked to a stop. "Stefan." She whispered.

His head snapped towards her. "Elena?" He studied her, bewildered. "Why are you stopping?"

Her hands suddenly felt clammy. She dropped Stefan's hand and rubbed her hands down the front of her jeans. She looked in the direction of the old part of the cemetery. Her heart beat faster. "What if ... I mean- Bonnie's been acting strange. I-I don't know."

Stefan's eyes hardened. "If something was going on with Bonnie Damon would tell me. He knows when true danger is, Elena."

Elena swallowed, "I know, I know. But-Bonnie-"

Stefan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust her, Elena. If you feel she's keeping something from you, well, then you just have to trust she's doing it for your own good."

She put her hand over Stefan's. "I know. I want to trust her-"

"Is this about the things she said to you the other night?"

Elena's mouth dropped open. "How did you..?"

Stefan's mouth twitched up in a slight smile. "Damon told me." Then he was suddenly serious. "But none of it is true, little lovely love."

Elena let out a breath, "I know. It's just disturbing she'd say those things to me so suddenly ..."

"It was quite rude," Stefan agreed.

"No, it's not just that, Stefan. Bonnie's always been the sweet Southern girl that everyone wants to protect. She's ... changed." Elena shuddered.

"This whole experience has been hard on us all. It must be hardest on her; she's the one Shinichi wants."

Elena made a face.

"I know, you don't like admitting it but it's true."

"I just ... don't know what to do." Elena confessed. "I want to know how Bonnie's taking everything. She always used to come to me. But now she's so-so distant and ... different." Despite her greatest efforts, Elena felt tears sting behind her eyes.

"Oh, Elena." Stefan whispered and held her close to him. "What ever happens we'll go through it together. You know that, don't you?"

Elena took a deep breath. "Yes. And I also know that ..." Elena glanced at the sky- which was getting darker and darker. "That we need to get to that cemetery."

Stefan smiled and took her hand.

"Stefan? There's one more thing."

"Yes." He said, looking back at her instantly.

She smiled slightly and shut her eyes. "I love you."

When Stefan didn't answer immediately her eyes snapped open, worried. He was staring at her with an unfathomable expression. Elena's stomach fluttered and her mouth twitched up.

"What?"

Stefan didn't answer; when his lips touched hers there was no need.

.

Bonnie stumbled away from the concrete slab, dropping the now bloody dagger. A long cut was down Meredith's forearm. Not deep enough to wound permanently or kill but deep enough to draw blood. Bonnie hated seeing blood, it made her dizzy and sick in the put of her stomach- it was also worse because it was Meredith's blood; it also made her want to cry.

Shinichi admired her work. "Well done. I was right about choosing you. For one, you're an amazing druid. And, well, you are beautiful, mahoutsukai."

"I am not a druid." Bonnie spit, shuddering. "And I didn't do it for you," Her eyes dropped to Damon.

Shinichi followed her gaze. "Of course! Might as well get this over with."

He bent to pick up Damon then he dropped him in the middle- roughly again. Bonnie started towards him. "Now, now." Shinichi said without so much as glancing at her. "He doesn't feel a thing... yet."

Bonnie let out a loud, frustrated moan. "Why are you doing this!"

"Power." Shinichi answered. "It's just as good as money where I'm from. It's Power, darling."

Suddenly Shinichi's head snapped up and his back straightened. He turned, smiling at her. "I've got to hand it to you- I didn't feel a thing."

Chills ran down her spine and a bewildered feeling passed through her. "W-what?"

Shinichi sighed and looked around at the figures, then at Sage. "It seems we have company."

.

N/A What do you guys think? A *huge* fight-scene is coming up! :D Between *DUHDUHDUN!*... Just kidding, I'm not going to tell you! Guess you'll just have to wait and see ;) Yeah, that's a cliff hanger XP Hope you guys liked this chapter and anticipate the next! :D 3 XOXO- Simmy