N/A Of course! I'm going to be updating more efficiently now that I've got a new laptop so enjoy! C: I love you guys! :3

Chapter 18

Stefan walked into the clearing. His eyes were grim and understanding as they washed over the scene; Shinichi, wearing a bewildered expression, gripping Bonnie by her shoulders; a tall, lean wild looking man with his arms crossed standing off to the side; his brother laying over a rock, gripping his chest as he woke up from the sudden outburst him and Elena made, and Meredith; sprawled out on an old concrete slab in the middle of a huge star with blood dripping down her arm, off her fingers, and into the brown soil.

"Stefan!" Bonnie gasped, looking slightly relieved despite her position. Her eyes dropped to Elena, who was standing beside him. "Elena!"

Neither Stefan nor Elena responded to Bonnie. Elena suddenly screamed. "Meredith!" She cried, nearly sprinting towards her body, but Stefan pulled her back. Elena looked at him with tortured eyes.

Stefan shook his head at her.

"Should have guessed you two might join us." Shinichi put in.

Silence filled the air; the wind blew through the trees. The only sounds were Bonnie's quiet whimpering and Elena's heavy breathing. Stefan looked to Elena now; her wide jewel blue eyes were keen and suspicious, her silky gold hair flowed around her face wildly, her pale alabaster skin was flushed lightly. Her eyes met his and her jaw locked. Stefan was sure he had the same expression.

"Why, hello, brother. See you got my message." Damon's clear, ironic voice rang through the cemetery, sounding loud and confident. He stood strongly, despite his rough appearance; his hair was messed around, his pants wrinkled and his shirt open; exposing a bloody chest with dirt sprayed precariously. "Sorry we don't have better reception." He muttered dryly.

"You Called him?" Shinichi demanded.

"No." Damon muttered, smiling broadly then instantly switching it off. "And how could I forget Elena? Hello, sweetheart. Do you have something special for me?"

Elena grimaced. From the corner of her eye she saw Bonnie stiffen in Shinichi's arms.

Suddenly the wind picked up, howling through the trees- followed by the sounds of cracking whips. Stefan's head immediately swiveled around; meeting the eyes of twelve angry spirits. He could hear the confusion in Elena's mind.

Stefan was instantly furious; his mind making the connection. "Your despicably."

Elena placed a hand on his arm.

"You think this will make everything better?" He bellowed; making Elena flinch, his eyes met Bonnie's. "Do you?"

Bonnie's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"You've got everything figured out, right? You think everything will go away afterward? Don't you feel ashamed?"

"No, Stefan, you don't understand." Bonnie said desperately. "You've got it all wrong-"

"I understand perfectly!"

"No, Stefan let me explain." She started forward but Shinichi tossed her to the ground instead.

"She won't explain anything."

To Elena's surprise Bonnie just sat there, her eyes starting to water- just like the old Bonnie would, Elena noted with remorse. "Bonnie ..." Elena whispered. Her head snapped up and their eyes met.

"No, don't, Elena." Stefan burst, grabbing her arm.

"Stefan." Elena gasped, surprised at Stefan's fury, and then her eyes met Bonnie's wide brown ones. "Bonnie, what is going on here?"

She took a breath and opened her mouth-

-but Shinichi cut her off. "Bonnie is helping me." He said smugly.

Suddenly a man stepped closer to Shinichi. "Well, Shinichi. Seems your plans were soiled. I think it's time I took my leave."

Shinichi shrugged. "Have fun down under, Sage."

"Best of luck," Sage said, eying the humans around him. His eyes landed on Bonnie. "And I guess I should say my final goodbye to you, Bonnie."

Bonnie said nothing.

"Well, I'll be off."

And just like that the man was gone, disappearing into a light mist. Elena gasped. "What was that?"

Damon scoffed and walked to help Bonnie up. To Elena's great surprise he was gentle. "Now that that's over. If you want an explanation you're going to need to help me." He let go of Bonnie's arm slowly, their eyes met and Bonnie's face calmed, her face became a tranquil mask. Damon's mouth quirked up and his eyes shined with appreciation for her.

Elena felt a twinge of regret and ... jealousy? No, Elena was with Stefan. Stefan was her true love- her only love. But Elena was sure Bonnie and Damon had just shared a telepathic message. And there was some deep rooting emotion deep inside her that she couldn't help.

"Help you with?-" Elena started to ask.

But then suddenly Damon dropped Bonnie's arm and hit into Shinichi's back with unimaginable force- sending him flying into the nearest tree bark. Bonnie ran around him and stood in the middle of the circle. Closing her eyes and spreading her arms out beside her, beginning a spooky chant in a foreign language Elena couldn't understand.

Elena screamed by the suddenness of their attack. Stefan instantly jumped in and grabbed Shinichi's arm, bending it back. Damon ran quickly into the forest- for a panicky second Elena thought Damon might have ran away without a second thought- but then he came back with a long sharpened stick.

Then Shinichi seemed to have regained his strength and pushed Stefan off him. Stefan fell to the ground and grunted, struggling to get back up. Shinichi swiveled around and grabbed the stick in Damon's hand. Gripping it tightly then kicking his legs off the ground and round-housing Damon in the back. Damon cried with pain and staggered forward, letting go of the stick. Shinichi closed in on Stefan.

"Stefan, look out!" Elena cried, desperately looking for a weapon or something to throw at Shinichi. Elena looked towards Bonnie and gasped; from the moment she looked away Bonnie had begun some sort of amazing process. "Oh my god ..." A small ball of light was between Bonnie's slightly enclosed hands, and it was growing. Bonnie's face was lit with a slight orange light; her red hair was even more brilliantly red, and behind her closed eyelids Bonnie looked alive and strong.

Elena heard a cry and looked back to the boys. Damon had flown onto Shinichi's back, sending him staggering away from Stefan. Stefan stood, and looked around, meeting Elena's eyes. She had never felt more useless than in that moment, looking into her sworn lovers eyes. She swallowed and looked back to Bonnie.

Bonnie's lips moved quickly, the ball of light growing stronger and stronger. The wind blew furiously around them, blowing Elena's hair around her hair and getting it stuck in her eyelashes. Bonnie continued the chant, her hands separating farther as the ball of light grew. Her words flowed effortlessly from her mouth.

"Elena!" Stefan suddenly called, sounding frantic.

Her head whipped around, Shinichi was suddenly right behind her. She met the blood red eyes of the kitsune- and screamed.

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N/A Soooo? Do you guys like? It was extra long just for you guys! :D Please review and tell me your thought, I love reviews! XOXO- Simmy