NINE, Test of trust

     IT WAS NO surprise Himari was desperate to find the Kitsune's heart now more than ever. Slater's words continued to echo in her head. Klaus is going to want you. It taunted her as she grew hopeless by the second, searching and searching for something she might've missed in her old grimoires. It was all the same. Nothing had changed no matter how many times she checked. The temptation to call for Esther evolved from a lingering thought to the only solution in her eyes. It's a bad idea. She knows this. She didn't doubt that the original witch was going to want something in return. But if it meant she would be ahead of Klaus then so be it.

Consequences be damned.

She was prepared to do whatever was necessary to win.

So here she stood, in the home of Bonnie Bennett in hopes of hearing if the young witch discovered any new information.

Himari studied the room, it belonged to Bonnie. As soon as the Kitsune stepped foot into her home a warm feeling became evident at her core, the atmosphere was welcoming in a way she couldn't quite explain. Perhaps, it was the very golden string that tied all witches together. She followed Bonnie's figure walking back into the room, grimoires in hand. She spread them out on her neatly arranged bed, swiftly turning the pages with practiced familiarity.

Himari stepped closer to the bed, amidst the very few ancient writings, a particular drawing at the center of the page. Three jewels intricately intertwined, creating an illusion of a real heart. It wasn't exact, but close enough. Each jewel bore symbols— a radiant orb, the phases of the moon, and the elements. The sun, moon, and earth.

That was it. The Kitsune's heart.

Noticing Himari's interest in the drawing, Bonnie decided to speak up. "I was only able to find this... nothing else."

...About you.

"I see. Though that doesn't surprise me. " She said, seeming to be unbothered by the lack of information presented in front of her.

"Then what's the point of all this?" Bonnie asked, making a gesture with her hand.

"It was me being hopeful." Himari sighed, feigning disappointment. Taking a step back from the books. She could not let it be known that Bonnie found exactly what she'd been on the search for these past five centuries. It wasn't because Himari didn't trust her, that wasn't it at all. Her distrust laid with Damon Salvatore and his knowledge of the artifact. She knew he was the more reckless one of the two brothers and his devotion to Elena was firm. She knew he was going to go after it if it meant he could use it to keep Elena safe.

So she was upset, Bonnie thought. "What were you hoping to find?"

Himari hesitated before deciding to confess, "a location."

The history of the Kitsune is all mixed in with folklore and mythology, and no one knew if half of it was even real. Her very existence was merely a tale. But even then, there should be some trace left behind for her to follow and be able to find what was rightfully hers.

"I know I'm supposed to trust you, and I do, for now, but you've been really vague with your plans," Bonnie pointed out.

"For good reason," Himari replied cryptically.

Bonnie huffed, closing her grimoires. "Well, I can't help you if don't tell me what exactly it is you're looking for."

Himari tilted her head at the girl, her expression inscrutable. "Is it only you who wants to know?"

She paused, tension palpable in the air. "What do you mean?"

"Who else wants to know, Bonnie?"

"Just me. I swear."

It was a lie. They both knew that.

"Very well," Himari said, her suspicion dissipating as a faint smile replaced her intense gaze.

Bonnie avoided eye contact, continuing to clean up the mess of books on her bed. There was still so much she wanted to know about Himari—her powers— but it seemed the older one of the two was planning on keeping quiet. It wasn't hard to see she lacked trust in others despite wanting it automatically reciprocated.

Himari failed to realize that's not how things work.

Bonnie looked up at the woman, unsure of how to approach the lingering question in her own mind. Ever since Himari helped her with the location spell and it didn't negatively affect her, the young girl had been curious about how she could do magic like that again. She's attempted a few more spells but the outcome was the same. A bloody nose or exhaustion.

"What's on your mind?" Himari asked, noticing the troubled look on her face.

"Nothing— it's just that I've been having a difficult time doing magic without some negative effects. I was wondering if you knew why that's happening," Bonnie explained, avoiding eye contact almost as if she were ashamed to admit her lack of control.

Himari tilted her head. "That's normal; You're still learning, though I'm not sure why you insist on doing it all your own. The side effects usually happen when you're doing too much at once. Witches are protectors of nature therefore nature is a tool we can use in return. We can use the elements in our favor, we can channel other witches, and unite our powers together to be stronger."

"Ok, so how do I do that— channel other witches?" Bonnie asked.

"You've done it already."

Bonnie frowned.

"It wasn't pure luck that helped you find me at the Grill," Himari pointed out. "Don't you remember? That little trick of yours. You put all your focus into finding me without the need for any special valuables. Imagine how much stronger that connection could be if you did have something belonging to me."

Bonnie stood, her curiosity overcoming any reservations. "Can you show me?"

Himari let silence fill the air for a moment. An unfamiliar feeling in her stomach as she looked at the young witch before her, filled with so much eagerness to learn.

"Give me your bracelet," Himari said, holding out her hand and Bonnie did.

The Bennett witch's eyes fell on the jewelry around Himari's neck, she wondered if the Kitsune would use it in the demonstration. She didn't. Instead, she took off one of the many rings that decorated her fingers.

"Now hold my hands, close your eyes, and concentrate. Focus on my energy. I'll do the same," Himari instructed.

For a second, nothing happened. Then the pages of books spread out on the bed began to turn fast on their own and the lights flickered. Bonnie recognized this feeling from the moment she met Himari in the dream. It coursed through her like lightning, warming up her whole body. It almost felt like a reminder from Himari that there would always be trust between them. She was once again speaking through magic.

That feeling slowly faded causing Bonnie's eyes to flutter open at the ceased connection.

The firm grip on her was gone.

Himari had let go.

Bonnie yearned for the ability to be able to create that sort of atmosphere and have that power— without the need for another witch. At times like these, she regretted not believing her grandmother when the topic of witches was brought up. She regretted being a late bloomer, there was still so much she needed to learn and it seemed like the only person who understood her was Himari.

But Himari was an enigma. It was difficult to know what she was thinking, and all Bonnie wanted was to be a part of whatever she was planning.

"You told me you'd tell me your story when the time called for it," Bonnie says, recalling her words.

"I did."

"So... tell me." Bonnie urged, "Tell me how you're 'destined' to kill Klaus. Tell me everything, please."

Himari, her gaze steady, nodded in acknowledgment. She grabbed Bonnie's hand and guided her toward the bed, sitting them both down.

"There's a long history between Klaus and the Kitsune. At first, when the news spread of vampires suddenly existing, there was a mass panic in the witch community for obvious reasons. People were scared of the dangers vampires would bring into the supernatural world and those innocent because it was in their nature to kill. They weren't supposed to be created. So my..." Himari stammered a bit as if the words were hard to get out. "My coven decided to take matters into their own hands. They got tired of living in fear and being forced to bend themselves backward to help vampires. They called upon our ancestors for assistance. They begged and pleaded for something to be done. The Kitsune spirit was born out of pure desperation. One person is chosen to be the vessel until they either die or succeed in their task to finally eradicate all vampires— it starts with Klaus."

Bonnie was listening intently, hanging onto her every word. She wasn't expecting Himari to reveal this much of her past considering she's been so secretive.

"Were there others before you became the vessel?" The young witch asked.

Himari, a flicker of sadness betraying her composure, looked away. "Yes, one. Keiko."

Bonnie recognized that sorrow lingering behind her eyes. "Were two you close?"

"No. I never knew her personally... but her memories were passed down to me when she died so it feels as though we were. She lives within me." Himari says softly, feeling her necklace warm up. 

Bonnie couldn't help the smile. "So what makes you different from any other witch? Why couldn't they kill him?"

"Well, during the ritual that would initiate my start as the Kitsune, blood was used that gave me certain powers— traits that were seen as acceptable."

"Traits?"

"Speed, hearing, and strength like those of a... vampire."

"But I've never seen you use them." Bonnie frowned, how could Himari possibly share traits with the very thing she was trying to destroy?

"And you never will," Himarr states, the tone in her voice held disdain. The day she chooses to rely on using those abilities would be the day hell freezes over.

"You also have the artifact," Bonnie states. "No other witch has that advantage."

Himari nodded. "Correct."

"But what if they didn't? Do you think a witch with enough power would be able to kill Klaus?"

"Any strong witch can kill him. The question you would have to ask yourself, is are you prepared to die with him?" Himari gave Bonnie a look, already knowing what the girl was thinking.

"Are you?" Bonnie countered.

Himari should've answered with quickness, she'd been preparing her whole life to hunt and take down Klaus. That was her only goal in life. She didn't have plans for herself after. There hadn't been a single thought about pursuing a regular life. She didn't have anything to live for. Her coven was gone. Her brother. She didn't see a point in fighting the inevitable. If anything she was tired.

Himari exhaled, letting go of the girl. "I am."

"You don't sound sure."

"You have a long life ahead of you, Bonnie. Don't be stupid. Do not ruin it by sacrificing yourself. I've lived long enough; I don't mind dying. I've been preparing myself for this; I know how this ends for me." Himari said, suddenly getting up from the bed.

Bonnie didn't mean to stir unwanted emotions. "I'm sorry... it's just— you're the only one who understands me and I don't want you to... go."

There was a subtle change in Himari's face, her mind began to unravel. A wave of emotions seeping through as her stern exterior faltered. In that moment, Bonnie's vulnerability, and her genuine concern for Himari, reminded her of a person she believed she buried a long time ago. A ghost from her past surfaced, a specter clad in the innocence that Bonnie wore so openly.

Her pulse quickened as realization set in.

She wouldn't let Bonnie succumb to the same fate her brother suffered. 

"You will live. That is final." Himari declared, the firmness in her tone cutting through the air.

Bonnie furrowed her eyebrows, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. "That's not your decision to make."

"What is your obsession with becoming a martyr?" Himari questioned, a tinge of anger in her voice. She couldn't fathom why Bonnie was willingly throwing herself into the arms of death.

Bonnie hesitated, unsure why she was ready to die. Yes, she wanted to save Elena, but there was a much deeper yearning— for protection, for someone to willingly put themselves in the line of fire for her. This newfound shield from Himari was something she didn't want to lose, and perhaps, in death, she thought she could escape the fear of living without it.

"I can't let you risk yourself for me." Bonnie shook her head.

"It's a good thing I'm not asking."

Himari says, turning away from the girl, and heading toward the door to leave. She understood that not everyone was okay with the idea of someone dying for them. But Bonnie didn't deserve that fate and there was nothing anyone could say to change Himari's mind.

Hurried footsteps followed her.

"Himari, wait," Bonnie called out causing the Kitsune to stop in her tracks. "Listen, I just... I'm not used to someone caring this much. I've been trying to get a hang of this witchcraft stuff.  Ever since my grandma died there hasn't been anyone who understood me— until you. Elena... Caroline... they all have their own problems to deal with."

Himari's gaze softened. "I'm sure if you opened up they'd share the burden with you. They care for you, Bonnie."

The girl looked away, unconvinced. "Yeah... I guess you're right but um anyway, you forgot your ring."

Himari looked down at the jewelry, then glanced up at the young witch. "Keep it. Use it wisely." With that, she left.

Bonnie held the ring tightly in her hand, her thoughts echoing Himari's words. She still had so many questions, but she couldn't dwell on them too long.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, the shrill ring of her phone pierced through the silence. With a furrowed brow, she quickly pulled it out of her pocket, looking down at the screen for a second before deciding to answer.

When Elijah asked Himari to track Elena, the last place she expected the doppelgänger to be was at Slater's. She couldn't wrap around her head why Elena constantly put herself in danger. It reminded her of Bonnie, the two had seemed to believe that dying was their only way to win. It wasn't. Himari didn't know how many times she had to express this. Their continuous recklessness worried her, if they couldn't just follow simple instructions and stay put, then she'd be forced to take Elena somewhere else until it was time for the ritual.

She had no intent of letting Elena die. She told Stefan this, and yet, it was as if her words fell on deaf ears. At this rate, she began to fear for the doppelgänger's life.

As Elijah's hands let go of hers, Himari quickly crossed her arms. The candles went out as their connection to Elena ceased. She watched him open his eyes slowly, his expression was unreadable, yet there was a hint of frustration in the way he clenched his jaw. He was just as annoyed with the situation.

"She always seems to find herself in trouble," Himari joked, though her tone was far from humorous.

"Yes. It would seem so," Elijah replied, his tone measured.

"What's our plan? What is she even doing there of all places?" She uncrossed her arms, leaning closer to the table.

"My guess is as good as yours." He rose, the scrape of the chair breaking the tense air, immediately searching for his jacket.

"And for our plan?"

"Go to her."

"That's it? Then what?" Himari questioned, following his action. "What if we arrive there too late and she's gone?"

"Remember what you said about those Salvatores?" The original paused, a thoughtful expression on his face as if he were trying to recall her words himself. "They'll do anything to protect her. If we don't arrive first, one of those two will. I doubt they'll let anything happen to her."

"They let her out of their sight. I take back everything I said." Himari's frustration manifested in quick strides toward the door.

Dread gnawed at her the entire car ride there. Something in the witch, perhaps a gut feeling, was telling her Elena's decision to go to Slater's wasn't just for information. Everything in her was suggesting the doppelgänger was there to give herself up. It only made sense. Elena was there by herself and that meant neither Salvatore knew of her whereabouts.

And if they did know, that would only make Himari more angry. She couldn't fathom Elena's reasonings for her actions.

Her eyes flickered over to Elijah, at his outwardly calm demeanor, hiding whatever he was thinking. She wondered what he planned to do as soon as they both walked side by side once again up the stairs.

They both halted noticing the grand doors were already wide open.

Someone else was already here.

"I'll go in first," Elijah said, not waiting for a response as he sped through the entrance.

Himari didn't hesitate to follow him, her eyes found two men standing in front of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert, who she saw was being forced to hide behind him. Their eyes were solely on Elijah. The pure shock on Damon's face seeing the Original alive was comical. Their expressions shifted from shock to confusion, maybe even a hint of betrayal as Himari stepped into view.

Another Vampire bolted right past Himari and out of the door. She didn't pay it any mind, her focus was on Elena. The witch flicked her wrist, breaking one of the vampire's neck.

"I killed you. You were dead." Damon said, disbelieving.

"For centuries now." Elijah looked at the man in front of him. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Elijah."

"We were gone a bring her to you. For Klaus. She's the doppelgänger. I don't know how she exists but she does. Klaus would want to see her." The man nervously explained.

Elijah didn't bother to look at him. "Does anyone else know you're here?"

"No."

"Well, then you have been incredibly helpful."

Himari watched impassively as the original ripped his heart out without mercy, his lifeless body thudding to the ground. Elena's gasps filled the room causing Himari to look at her. She no longer needed to be persuaded to hide behind Damon. She was scared.

Elijah gave one last glance at the two then a nod at Himari before making his swift exit. The witch didn't feel like leaving just yet.

"You came all this way to sacrifice yourself? Is that true?" The witch questioned Elena, taking a step forward as Damon did the same.

"What are you doing? You're supposed to be on our side." He snarled, knitting his eyebrows.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"You are now."

Himari met Damon's gaze with a blank stare. "I'm sure Elena doesn't need you speaking for her. But to calm your troubles, I am on her side."

"Really? You showing up with the guy who's supposed to be dead doesn't prove your loyalty." Damon scoffed.

Elena, however, picked up on Himari's choice of words. Her side. She wanted to ask what the witch meant by that.

"I owe you no loyalty. My priority is Elena. Her life. I don't care what happens to you," Himari shrugged.

"That doesn't answer why you're here with him."

"Would you believe me if I said we were lovers?" She joked, a sardonic laugh escaping her lips as she observed their bewildered expressions. "Relax, we're not."

Damon deadpanned. "Katherine told me to trust you."

"Did she?" Himari's surprise was genuine.

"Then she told Elena here that you'd be a better gift to offer to Klaus." He smirked, relishing the revelation. Elena carefully watched the witch's face fall, a pang of disappointment shot through her; she wanted to know if Katherine was telling the truth and by Himari's expression she was. A small part of her wanted Katherine to be lying like always, she wanted it to be one of her schemes. Unfortunately, it wasn't. This meant everything else Katherine told her might be true.

Himari might be a liar.

"Careful, Damon. Don't test your luck."

"Oh, but where's the fun in that?"

Himari wanted nothing more than to hurt him. The impulse to kill was strong but she refrained from doing so in the presence of Elena because if she wanted her trust she'd have to play nice even if she didn't want to.

"Is that all she said?" Himari's sharp eyes waited for Elena to answer.

"She told us—"

"Elena." Damon cut her off, his frustration was evident.

"No, let her speak." Himari moved around Damon, a feline grace in her approach to the doppelgänger. The tension in the room seemed to tighten with every step.

"She told me that you're different," Elena admitted. 

Himari only hummed in response.

"Is that true?"

Himari cocked her head. "Would it matter?"

"I just want the truth. How do I even know I can trust you?" Elena asked, being careful with her words, her eyes wary and searching for any sign of deception.

"Have I done anything to make you feel like I'm untrustworthy? Have I put your life in danger?"

"No—"

"I've only proven myself not to be a threat. I helped keep Katherine away from you by trapping her in the tomb, which you've visited. I'm curious to know how you got her to spill so much. I also helped Bonnie find you when you got kidnapped." Himari began to list on her fingers, looking around the room. "And here I am, again, saving you from getting taken to Klaus."

Elena found herself unsure of how to respond. she didn't know what to say. The only thing that seemed appropriate was 'thank you' but it never came out.

"Elijah was going to take me," Elena pointed out. "How do I know you won't hand me over to me the second you get a chance?"

"If I ever cause harm to you, that would defeat the purpose of my entire existence," Himari responded.

"Of your existence? How?"

Himari chose silence, refraining from divulging certain information in Damon's presence. Her eyes briefly fell on the corpses lying on the ground before she returned her gaze to Elena. She smiled at her, sparing Damon a glance as she turned around.

"I hope to speak to you soon without the presence of so many... men, Elena."

Himari decided she liked Elena. She liked her bravery despite the fact that she was clearly scared. It takes someone with a lot of courage and selflessness to risk their life for the sake of others. Those traits seemed to run in their little friend group. She's never seen so many people ready to die for each other. It was odd yet admirable.

Himari came to the conclusion that Elena was the complete opposite of Katherine. It was a nice refresher, a relief to look at her face and not feel angry. Nothing in her wanted to cause harm, only to protect.

Elena watched Himari leave, she was in no hurry, unlike Elijah. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She didn't expect Himari's presence to be so... intense and powerful. She wondered why after making it clear that the witch only cared for her life, she didn't just kill Damon and take her away. It would save Himari the stress of constantly worrying about her and a lot of time. But she didn't. Which only meant that Himari didn't believe Damon to be incompetent in protecting her. She trusted him despite her obvious dislike for him.

The three dead vampires suddenly caught on fire, leaving a rancid smell of burnt flesh behind.

If anything was certain at that moment, it was that Elena harbored hope, almost a longing, to see Himari again.