TWO, and the moon into blood

JUNPEI ABE STARED attentively at Katerina, who carefully observed her surroundings, her doe eyes were lit with such wonder for the culture around her, the different types of people (old and young), even their attire, and most importantly the unique abilities they each had to offer to the coven. From traditional magic to necromancy. All equally important. It was a beautiful sight to witness. Standing and watching them interact. There were faint laughs mostly of young children paired with the whistle of winds blowing that made the leaves rustle against each other, and although there was still no sun shining down on them- it didn't seem to matter nor stop their day from continuing.

Katerina was a kid wanting to put her hand in the cookie jar and learn all there was to know about them. Specifically, the way their magic worked. She didn't care how or what she had to do to obtain that sort of information yet something was making her nervous about taking such action. She couldn't quite explain what was going through her head as she looked at the scene in front of her. She knew it was wrong to put all of them in harm's way just to save herself but then she would be dead. Katerina couldn't allow that. She wouldn't.

Junpei noticed her eyes darting about from person to person- even him. She had this haunted look on her face, which worried him if he was being honest with himself. He understood that she was far from home and that alone would make anyone a bit hesitant to trust despite their generous aid. But he could tell there was something else bothering the vampire.

Perhaps, it wouldn't be the smartest idea to pry.

"What's got you all tense? Don't say it's me." He asked, subtly throwing a little humor in there in an attempt to make the mood a bit lighter.

Katerina was caught by surprise. She didn't expect him to make conversation with her or that he'd be already staring at her when glancing up at him. She inhaled sharply before speaking. "I wouldn't want to destroy your poor ego when I tell you you're not the reason for my nerves."

"Please, a pretty face like yours could never hurt me." He said smugly as he maintained eye contact. She tilted her head up at him.

Junpei knew he confused Katerina by simply being the opposite of his sister, who openly expressed just how much she despised vampires. Truth is, he has never had negative feelings towards them or any other supernatural creature that wasn't a witch. The idea of ever hating anything just seemed unnecessarily exhausting in his eyes. He didn't understand how his family and coven could have so much hatred in their hearts. He didn't blame them though, because witches are beings who are meant to keep the balance that allows the world to keep turning on its axis. But ever since that perfect harmony was disrupted, nature's protectors have had the curse of setting things back on track and there was only one person to blame for that.

All he knew was that he didn't want to waste his life fulfilling that responsibility. He would rather die.

"Is that so?" Katerina says, playing along to his teasing. Just like Himari, she couldn't read him either. His face was as stolid as ever. She knew that he was only keeping her company until his sister came back from wherever she ran off to. And while he entertained her for the time being then so would she.

Junpei nodded, copying her head movement. "What has got you so uneasy? Is it the environment? Are you feeling homesick, is that it?"

At the mention of home, Katerina's ingénue demeanor almost faltered. In a second all the memories of what she saw back home came flooding in. Her parents were dead. Blood painted the walls she once lived in and there was only one person to blame.

She turned away taking a breath. "The answer is no to all of your questions."

The warlock's eyebrows narrowed in taking notice of how his words spurred unwanted memories. Though it wasn't his intention he couldn't deny that there was some curiosity floating around in his mind so he poked more.

"I see, well, perhaps you can explain to me how you wound up in Japan of all places?" He asked. "It's rather far. It must've taken you days to get here."

"You're different you know," Katerina states, completely ignoring his question. "You're not like your sister. She's more forward with her hatred for vampires- for me, but not you. You've been kind to me from the second we met and I want to know why."

Surprise shot across Junpei's face at the boldness oozing out of the young woman in front of him. He didn't expect to be questioned by the foreigner and never in a million years would he believe he'd find himself wanting to answer. He didn't. Not truthfully at least.

He scoffed, scratching the back of his neck. "I've been kind because my sister won't be once she returns. Simple as that. She has quite the temper on her and this little act of yours will crumble soon in her presence. So why not make it easier on yourself and just tell me why you're here?"

Katerina only gazed at Junpei almost as if she were trying to figure him all out at that very moment. She could tell his patience was running thin with her though he would never admit it. She also knew that his answer to her question was a lie. It was so obvious his morals weren't aligned with Himari's. He didn't kill her when he had the chance back in the forest before his sister found them, he held a conversation with her when they made their way back to the temples, unlike his sister who ignored her presence completely. He could've done the same yet he didn't. That's why he confused Katerina and she didn't like that.

"I'll tell you." The vampire finally speaks after a couple of seconds, holding up a finger. "Under one condition."

He raised an eyebrow at her. There was something enthralling about Katerina- something that made him want to play her game. "Alright, sure. What's this condition of yours?"

"You answer my question with full honesty." She said, waiting for his response. Junpei hesitantly nodded. "Why were you kind to me?"

Junpei frowned slightly at her. He didn't understand why she had wasted this opportunity for something he had already answered then quickly he realized she wanted a different answer. "I don't see why you care so much. It meant nothing. I mean, is it so hard to accept that I was simply being a gentleman."

His statement caused her to look away. "It wasn't truthful. You weren't being truthful."

"And how would you know when I'm being dishonest? You've only known me for half a day." He began to slowly circle the girl like a predator hunting its prey. It was an act of intimidation, Katerina knew this, and yet she couldn't stop the nerves from rising.

"You're quite easy to read." The brunette lied effortlessly as she kept her head facing forward, a straight posture, and tried to remain unbothered.

"Oh, am I? If I was so easy to read then you wouldn't be questioning my generosity towards you but here we are. And since neither of us is willing to be honest with the other I think it's best we stop wasting our breaths. Don't you think?" Junpei suggested, in an annoyed manner. He was wholly done with this conversation and Katerina. He knew Himari would get every bit of information out of the vampire but he wanted to at least try to make things easier on his sister knowing she was already under so much pressure from the coven, their parents, and even herself.

Katerina felt his presence to the right of her now. It was intense, still, she didn't move a muscle and kept her composure. "That's perfectly fine with me though you must admit it does get exhausting playing pretend in front of your sister all the time, does it not?"

Junpei didn't immediately react. He was in disbelief that she even had the nerve to state such words, and what she believed to be a fact, with certainty. He didn't think she or anyone would ever fit the puzzle pieces together within only knowing each other in little time. It would be laughable if she was completely wrong. Thing is, Katerina couldn't be more close to the truth and he should hate it. He should tell her otherwise. Lie and deceit as he's been taught for so long. But a small part of him felt freed from his soul-eating secret. For a moment it was nice that someone finally knew.

Only for a moment. By the next second, the warlock's demeanor changed from being in shock to stolid once again. He couldn't let her get in his head so easily.

"Playing pretend?" He laughed, moving to stand in front of her before he continued speaking. "It's a bit hypocritical of you to say when you've been playing this innocent role the whole time. You think my sister and I don't see right through your lies?"

Katerina made no eye contact. She looked right past him as if he were made of glass.

"And I see right through yours." Katerina spit back defensively, finally raising her head only to be met with his face closer than she expected. His eyes were alluring but in ways that caused her stomach to flutter and mouth to go dry. They weren't filled with darkness, unlike Himari's. If she tried hard enough she could see there was a kind heart somewhere in there.

"See there's a difference between you and I."

"Really? And what might that be?" She queries confidently.

"Your lies will cost you your life, Katerina. Always remember that."

A door slammed shut causing the two to jump. Katerina had broken out of her trance while Junpei fixed his posture. Soon they knew that the door belonged to the one Himari and Ama entered not too long ago. Junpei's mother exited first, still looking as anxious as ever, then shortly his sister followed and his body relaxed.

Himari looked determined, her eyes never leaving the vampire as she made her way to them. Her mind rushed with various ideas to get Katerina to go along with the plan. It was important, well, her blood was. The witch was not certain that the offering of a daylight ring would work but she had to try and do everything in her power for tonight to go as she hoped. Everything had to be perfect because if not she knew she'd lose her mind. After noticing the way her mother was acting when they spoke she understood the importance of getting Katerina's blood. She also knew something was terribly wrong- nothing has ever made Ama this anxious.

There was a shift in the atmosphere; the second Himari and Junpei found Katerina. It caused fear to seep its way into the young witch's heart, it made her brother begin to act more weird than usual, and most importantly, their mother was absolutely terrified.

Himari approached the two who seemed like they were having an intimate moment. She could sense her brother was tense just by the look on his face while Katerina appeared to be a bit flustered, which made the witch wonder what kind of conversation had occurred before arriving.

"Apologies for taking so long." She says, bowing. She looked between the two suspiciously. "I do hope everything is okay?"

Junpei sighed, and gave Katerina one last glance. "It is, sister. You needn't worry."

Himari didn't believe him but still, she smiled before focusing her attention on the vampire who hadn't uttered a word yet. Katerina just stood there refusing to make eye contact with either sibling. How... Strange.

"Well, I'll be taking Katerina off her hands now. We have business to attend to. Let's go somewhere a bit more private." The witch ordered.

The vampire blinked. "Business? What kind of business?"

"Why don't you follow me and find out." Himari begins to walk away and the foreigner close behind.

Junpei was left alone with his unwanted thoughts and Katerina's words echoing in his head. Playing pretend. He truly was. He couldn't deny that. He thinks he mastered the art of putting up a facade whenever near his family or coven. It was tiring and it wasn't the way he wanted to live. Not anymore. He wished to break from the shackles of the obligations that he as a warlock had to obey. The young man was not born with the same intent to hold grudges against all who weren't like him. But he was in too deep to ever back away from this life. It was his fate whether he liked it or not. Unless he did something about it. Though cowardice was the only thing stopping him.

The tension between the two women was high. Uncomfortable. Neither spoke as Himari led them far from the village to somewhere quieter. If Katerina wanted to run, she couldn't. There was this tug on her body forcing her to move with Himari. She didn't know if this pull was merely curiosity or something else. Katerina grew suspicious of where they were headed- she could be killed and no one would know. Her flight instincts were prepared to flee if anything were to happen that would put her in harm's way because even if the vampire did need their help, it would never be at the cost of her own life.

Her lies will kill her before Himari or Klaus get a chance to. Junpei's words echoed in her head, almost causing a headache. She hated that he was right. She would greet death -permanently- and sooner than she liked to if she chooses to play a game with enemies much stronger and more cunning than her. It was stupid and Katerina was not stupid so for everything to go as planned, she'd be forced to bend the rules to best fit her game.

The witch, Katerina noticed, was playing with something small in her hand. It looked delicate. Although the doppelganger had her senses heightened since turning into a monster controlled by blood, she couldn't catch a glimpse of what exactly Himari had. She was tempted to ask but remained silent and kept watching until the witch stopped walking and the object suddenly disappeared from her view.

The vampire's eyebrows furrowed as her eyes looked up to see the witch with a sly smile.

"What's wrong?" Himari asked.

"You had something and now it's gone."

"Well, that's the beauty of magic." The witch says, crossing her hands behind her back. "Don't worry you'll get to see it soon after you give me answers that satisfy every question I have. How does that sound?"

Katerina simply nodded. She didn't know where this conversation was heading or what questions were about to be thrown at her that might possibly end her life if she didn't answer correctly, which in fact did scare her. Perhaps she could've made it easier on herself and just told Junpei her intentions but she didn't. Now here she is about to make a deal with the devil.

"Your bravery is truly something to admire." Himari began, causing the vampire to meet her eyes. "Or maybe you lack brains- I still haven't decided but I have a question that'll determine my choice. Do you know of your ancestry? The power the last name 'Petrova' holds?"

Katerina thought for a moment, what response would make her sound less suspicious. "I know bits and pieces. Not all of it. My family was clueless about the whole supernatural world and so was I until..."

Was. Himari noted. The sadness that took over the doppelgänger's face after mentioning her family was evident- that most likely meant they were dead. How tragic.

Himari quirked an eyebrow. "Until?"

"Until I learned my blood was valuable."

"So you are aware that giving your surname out so carelessly could put you in danger and just don't care? I mean who knows what kind of sick people you might still run into that'll use you for the properties of your blood, which if you don't know already, is very rare."

Katerina grew stiff at the memory of Klaus Mikaelson who was the very sick person that tried to use her and is the reason she ran. It was as if Himari knew this and was taunting her for the fun of it.

"I'm not human anymore so they can't."

"They? Are you talking about someone in particular?"

"No, just in general."

"Do you remember what you said to me earlier when I asked who you were running from- No? Let me remind you then! 'If I say who you'll just tell me to leave.' Does that ring any bells? I hope so because they were your words that revealed to me that whoever it is you're running from is the same person who tried to use you and do you want to know how I know? It's the way your body went rigid and lifeless in both cases and you don't dare look me in the eyes, which tells me that you lied again." Himari could feel her anger gradually grow. The constant lying from the vampire was setting her plans back and she really didn't have time to play games considering the tight schedule she was in with the moon.

Katerina could see Himari's displeasure with her though she didn't care. "So what if I did? All I'm doing is protecting myself."

"From who? And be detailed because I'm getting sick of these vague answers that do me no good. You could've ran anywhere but you chose here and I need to know why." The witch had a good idea of why and who the doppelgänger was running from; she just wanted confirmation because then all her fury would be justified and she wouldn't feel so horrible for Katerina's deserved fate. If she's correct about this, it would explain her mother's uneasiness and Katerina's reluctance to give answers.

She needed her to say it out loud.

There was a hint of desperation in Himari's words for the first time so much so that it left Katerina surprised. She didn't know what to do with such little power at the palm of her hand.

"You don't need to hear me say it... I think deep down you know." The vampire says, her voice sounding almost like a whisper. In a split second, there was a coldness to Himari's sharp gaze that Katerina fell victim to causing her to take a step back and regret the words as soon as they came out of her mouth. "I'm here because I know your coven is powerful, believe me I've heard the tales and I know what you'll be soon. If it's true what people say about you then you're the only person I can depend on if I want to be free. I meant it when I said I mean no harm to you or your people. You have to help me."

A scoff escaped Himari's lips. "I don't have to do anything, Katerina. The nerve of you to show up here uninvited and ask for our help knowing you're being chased down as we speak. And please don't say you mean no harm when you came here knowingly risking so many lives. You've shown me you don't care."

The witch had never felt wrath like this. It made her blood boil and her delicate skin hot to the touch. She didn't want it to be true. She wasn't ready yet. Everything was about to be ruined for her. Today was supposed to be perfect; she was going to be blessed by her ancestors with a gift many would kill for, something so sacred to their coven and now it could all be taken away from Himari.

"I should kill you and deliver your corpse straight to him myself then bury you both!" Himari spit in anger, coming face-to-face with Katerina who inhaled sharply.

Katerina knew that she was playing with fire the second she stepped foot into Japan. She knew it was never going to be easy getting Himari on her side. And for a moment before arriving she wanted to believe that somehow the witch would have a change of heart and excuse her vampirism and just look at the doppelgänger as someone normal who needed aid but that would never happen. She knows now that the disdain for her kind was rooted too deep for morals to be changed.

It was beginning to darken and the stars were slowly appearing one by one. Time was running out. Time was slipping through Himari's fingertips like sand and here she was letting her hatred get the best of her instead of doing what she promised her mother. The witch took a breath remembering the ring Ama gave her. She needed to convince Katerina right now and quickly or else it would be too late.

"I'll let you live," Himari says, finally revealing the object she's been hiding.

Katerina's eyes observed the ring lay in the palm of the witch's hand. She didn't understand why it had been hidden from her until now though she had a feeling she was about to find out.

"-if you give me your blood I'll let you live."

Fear filled the vampire's cold heart. Himari's words brought her back to the very moment Klaus Mikaelson tried to propose the same offer to her. She didn't know it was a lie back then, she was a fool, too innocent and naïve, blinded by love to ever see the betrayal coming. But now she knew how this would end and it'd be with her dead if she fell for their tricks. Now is the part where she runs and continues to live in worry for the rest of her immortal life.

"Katerina, I am not a liar. I'll give you the power to walk in the daylight but that is after you give me what I need." Himari tells her, watching the vampire back away slowly.

"No, you are a liar. So is your brother. You two lie like everyone else who has tried to use me for the same reasons. You're no better than him."

"Do not compare me to such filth-"

"Why not? Because it's the truth? Are you scared you're just as cruel as him?" Katerina challenged, feeling the witch's wrath rise.

"Oh, and you're not?" Himari shot back. "You would sacrifice every single one of us if it meant you'd be okay in the end so please save me the lecture. I know where my morals lie and they'll never be aligned with the very viciousness you accuse me of because unlike you I'm trying to save the future from many deaths to come by the hands of the originals including you. That's why I was born. It's my purpose to protect the small fraction of innocence left in this sick world. It's the responsibility of the Kitsune. But I cannot do that if you don't meet me in the middle."

Katerina tried to process her words. She wanted to consider that maybe Himari was being genuine with her for the first time since they met but something deep within her told her otherwise. Perhaps this gut feeling was rooted in fear for the possibility she'd be doubled cross again- whatever it was she couldn't take any chances.

So she took a step back and another then she ran. But that invisible pull was there again causing Katerina to come to a complete halt within seconds.

"You are so predictable." Himari taunted, almost laughing at the confusion spread across the vampire's face.

"What did you do?"

"I linked us." The witch stated. "You really don't have a choice here. Either you give me your blood willingly or I'll take it by force because I've run out of patience."

Katerina felt cornered- No, she was cornered. This was it. There was nowhere else to run to because Himari made sure she had no escape by linking them. She was suffocating in her own nightmare and she could only blame herself for coming here in the first place. She thought she had planned this all out perfectly in her head from beginning to end. She was certain all her chess pieces were moved strategically with the constant reminder of surviving so failure would never become her fate. Unfortunately, that was Easier said than done.

The vampire had no other option but to accept Himari's offer.

"Fine. I'll go with you." Katerina says, clearly defeated. "But you have to promise me you'll grant me full protection once you become the new vessel for the Kitsune."

Himari refused. She would not be a slave to a vampire of all people. "I can't do that-"

And once the words left Himari's mouth there was a sharp pain on the side of her neck making her groan loudly. For a second, she wasn't sure what was happening being too distracted by the stinging sensation that overwhelmed her. As tears threatened to escape her eyes the witch quickly realized that Katerina had bitten her. Rage overwhelmed her as she grabbed onto Katerina with both hands and began to concentrate. Immediately the vampire retracted her fangs, which dripped with Himari's blood, due to the amount of pain shooting straight to her head. It was almost as if all her blood vessels were popping and healing over and over. It was hell. It ached and Katerina wanted it to stop.

"What's happening? Please stop!" The doppelgänger begged, holding her temples.

"You vampires are all the same," Himari says with a hint of disgust in her tone. "Talking just doesn't quite get the same effect as inflicting pain and times running out so pay attention closely to what I'm about to say because I hate repeating myself. I gave you a choice to come willingly with me but unfortunately, that is no longer on the table. In a few seconds you'll be asleep and your blood will be used in the ritual. By the time it's all over you'll either be awake or dead depending on how forgiving I'm feeling."

The witch watched carefully as the doppelgänger drifted into a deep slumber against her will. This wasn't how Himari imagined this to go, it wasn't what she wanted to happen because surprisingly there was a guilty conscience looming over her and telling her that using someone in this way did go against everything she believed in. It was cruel if she was being honest with herself but Katerina was a vampire and it was enough justification for Himari to continue with the plan.

She couldn't dwell on the thought any longer. Much more important matters were at hand the first being: Klaus Mikaelson who was on his way and hell was about to break loose soon.