Okay so I added a song to this chapter and it's dedicated to Ariel and Damon's friendship! I like to thank jataarya for the suggestion! All of you should thank this user as well!

Tyler and Carol arrive home, finding two men in the foyer.

"Who the hell are you two?"

"Tyler, it's okay. They're here for your protection."

"More deputies?"

"Not exactly." Klaus with Ariel and another person behind him, enter the room.

Tyler sighs. "They're hybrids."

"Sorry, Tyler. This was my idea."

"Ariel, really?"

"You got shot by a vampire hunter!"

"She's right. To be honest you should have stayed away from Mystic Falls even though I never gave you permission to leave in the first place."

"Nice to know that you care."

"I don't. Be grateful that someone as special as Ariel cares so much about you. Now consider them your new bodyguards. I'll be back later, princess." He lightly pinches her cheek causing her to smack his hand away. After he leaves, Tyler takes her hand and brings her into the parlor. After closing the door, he hugs her.

"You know you don't have to worry about me, right?

"Tyler, you got shot right in front of me and I was scared that you might have been dead." She pulls away from the hug and goes to sit on the couch. "And you're telling me not to worry?"

"Look at me. I'm good. But how about you? Matt told me you passed out on your way trying to get to me."

"I'm fine, it was just..." She thinks back to that vision she had. "...Tyler-" Her cell begins ringing and she answers, seeing it's Matt calling. "Yes, Matt?"

"Ariel, have you notice Jeremy been acting weird?"

"Weird how exactly?"

"We met this guy back the day of the memorial and Jeremy was talking about the guy's tattoo."

"And?"

"There was no tattoo there, Ariel. Or at least from what I saw."

She sits up, seemingly knowing what Matt is talking about. "What did the guy look like?" After getting the details from Matt, she hangs up.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I may have just found out who this hunter is... I'll be back in a little bit."

She goes upstairs and goes inside into the office. After sitting down on the desk chair, she calls Jeremy. "Where are you?" 

"Umm, with Matt..."

"Don't lie to me, Matt just called me... You're with the vampire hunter, aren't you? Matt told me about what you saw."

"Damn it..."

"Stay away from him, Jeremy."

"That's kinda hard to do, Ariel. He showed up at school!"

"Put him on the phone."

"What?"

"Put. Him. On. The. Phone."

"I don't think-"

"Now."

Jeremy sighs and hands the phone over to the vampire hunter. "May I ask who I am speaking to?"

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself first? I mean you are practically stalking someone that I care about."

"...Connor."

"Well, Connor. My name's Ariel and I know what you really are. So let me give you a warning. Not him. It's not going to be him. If you don't stay away from my little brother and stop threatening my loved ones, we won't have any issues. "

"So you're Ariel... I'm surprised he didn't ignore your call."

"Jeremy never ignores my calls, he knows what will happen if he does. Now get out of my town."

"...Alright, I'll leave him alone... But I'm not leaving."

"You-"

"One more thing, Ariel. You know what kind of hunter I am, then you should know what will happen if I die... It was nice talking to you."

Connor hangs up and she blows out a breathe, dropping her phone of the desk. She closes her eyes, lost in thought. She loses track of time when someone calls her name. "You must be Ariel."

She opens her eyes to see a brunette woman standing by the desk. She raises an eyebrow and asks, "And you are?"

"I'm Hayley. Tyler's told me all about you, he couldn't shut up."

"Well, Tyler has gotten the chance to tell me about you yet. So I'm pretty sure you're a werewolf but who are you really?"

"Ty's friend. We did hook up once but I don't think I have a chance because-"

"That's not what I meant."

"You're a new face."

Both the girls look to notice Klaus standing in the doorway.

"And I take it from your accent you're an old one. Klaus."

"My reputation precedes me. Hopefully not all bad."

"A little bad. Mostly repulsive."

"So you're a friend of Tyler's? Ariel, have you heard of her?"

"Tyler hadn't gotten the chance to tell me."

Hayley walks closer to Klaus, invading his personal space. "I'm Hayley."

"Back the hell away from my future brother-in-law."

"Wait, what?" Hayley looks back at Ariel then back at Klaus.

"Exactly as my princess said. I'm happily taken by my love who in fact is her sister." 

Hayley backs away from him, completely embarrassed. Before she can leave, Ariel stops her. "Klaus, I need to talk to Hayley about something. Could you go bother Tyler or your hybrids or something."

Klaus nods and leaves the office. Ariel gets up from her seat to go stand in front of the desk, leaning back on it.

"Look, I'm sorry about that."

"Let's cut the crap, okay? Are you going to be a problem?"

"Excuse me? What's that suppose to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Don't go any further than what you're already doing and create more problems. Now answer my question."

"I don't have to answer that." Hayley says with a smug smirk. "If you're trying to scare me, you're not very frightening."

"Hayley." Ariel walks over to Hayley until she's standing directly in front of her. "You told me that Tyler told you about me. So I'm assuming that you know that I'm the type of person who always put everyone before herself, right?"

"Yeah."

"There's also something else you don't know about me... I'm a witch." Hayley feels her heart beating faster and has trouble breathing, causing her to fall to her knees. "Let me make you understand something. Right now, I'm looking out for Tyler and if something happens to him because of yours and his stupidity then you will regret it. I don't tolerate people who mess with people that I care about. Do you understand? So if you're going to be a problem, let me know now."

"...No... We won't have any issues." Hayley's heart rate returns to normal and is able to breathe again. 

Ariel places her hands on Hayley's shoulders and makes stand back up. "One more thing. Don't breathe a word of this to Tyler or anyone. We both keep our mouths shut. Got it?"

Ariel eyes suddenly flash red making Hayley jump back, causing Ariel to let go. "What the hell?!"

Ariel looks at her confused and Tyler rushes in. "What's wrong?!"

"...I... Nothing... Everything's fine."

"Are you sure? Ariel, are you okay?"

"I'm good."

"I have to go."

Hayley leaves, Tyler looks at Ariel confused. "Mind telling me what just happened?"

"...I may have given her a little warning in not doing anything to hurt you."

Tyler chuckles and gives her a hug. "You and your overprotective ways."

Before she can reply, Klaus calls her from downstairs. "Princess, Stefan called! Do you want to go after the vampire hunter?!"

"Coming!" She pulls away from the hug and walks to the doorway. She turns back to look at Tyler. "Tyler, you know I love you right? Don't do anything that you'll regret."

"What do you mean?"

"I know you, Tyler. Better than anybody... So you do what you have to do...but don't do anything more that will make it end badly."

After arriving at the hospital, Ariel and Klaus hear a commotion coming from the supply storeroom. Entering the room, they find Stefan shot with an arrow and Connor going for his gun. Ariel kicks the gun away and Connor looks up to see the two.

"Hello, mate."

After a moment, the three stand in front of a now tied up hunter. "Just kill me. Knowing who I am won't make any difference. Another will take my place."

"Well, let's not be to hasty. I feel like we're just getting to know each other!"

"Who are you? Where are you from?"

"Nice to finally meet you, Ariel. We talked on the phone this morning, remember?"

"Princess, you talked to him?! Why didn't you-"

"You're him, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. The one who knows I really am and...the one responsible for the death of his brother. My best friend."

Stefan is shocked and becomes furious, grabbing Connor by the collar. "It was you?!"

"Stefan, don't! We can't kill him!"

"And why not?!"

"He knows about my family and..." She looks at Klaus than back to Connor. "Because he's a member of the five."

"He's a what?"

"Ariel, did I hear you correctly? How do you even know about them"

"Kol told me. And the reason you can't kill him is because of Jeremy... He can see his tattoos."

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!"

"I just found out today when Matt called me! Look I haven't been in a great mood and I'm tired of dealing with all this!"

"Would you two explain what is going on?!"

"We will but for now, you have to let him go... Stefan, please. I want him dead as much as you do but right now we can't risk it. Please."

Stefan hesitatingly lets Connor go, dropping him on the floor.

"Klaus, will you deal with him? And I'll tell Kol about him. If he finds out from either of you, he'll freak out. So let me tell him."

Klaus nods and before Ariel can leave, Connor stops her. "You didn't ask the woman who raised you yet, didn't you?"

"No. I have no intentions to either. My parents took my memories away and sent me away for a reason."

"Protecting you? Yeah. Just like your mother and grandmother, you're more than just a witch. Because you are truly someone special, Ariel Forbes."

After she closes the door, she bumps into someone. "Excuse me." She looks at the person in front of her who is giving her a confused look. "Are you okay?"

"...You can see me?"

"Wh... Of course I can see you, why couldn't I?"

"Isabelle!" The woman named Isabelle looks back to see a young man with dark hair looking at her. "What are you doing?"

"I have to go. Sorry for bumping into you."

Ariel walks away from Isabelle who is still standing there in shock. The young man comes up to next to her. "Isabelle."

"...Alec."

"What?"

"That girl... She could see me."

"...What?"

Ariel returns home and does not find Kol, Caroline or her mother there. She goes up to her room and sits down on her bed. Someone knocks on her door and she sits up to see Stefan carrying a box wrapped with a ribbon and on top of it, is a envelope. "Oh my god..."

"You really forgot, didn't you?"

"Can you blame me? A lot of stuff has happened that it just slipped my mind."

"It's understandable... Happy birthday."

"...Thanks, Stefan." She takes the box and places it next to her. Before she can open it, he stops her.

"Before you open that, it's not from me. You'll get my gift later. But first, I want to talk." He sits next to her and holds her hand in his. "Will you listen?"

"...What is it about?"

"I'm sorry for everything I put you through. For coming into your life when I shouldn't had. You would still have had a peaceful, normal life if it hadn't been for me and Damon. But we made you care about us."

"Stefan... I shouldn't had said that."

"I get it, it's not your fault for feeling that way... Honestly, a part of me regrets meeting you too. Because you and the others wouldn't even be going through any of this had we stayed away... My brother would still be alive. But you know what?"

"What?"

"A part of me doesn't regret it. Neither did Damon. Because if I never met you, Damon and me wouldn't had gotten the little sister we always wanted."

"...Even when I pulled hair pranks on you with Damon's help?"

He chuckles. "Even then... I'm still a little bitter about that time you turned my hair blue."

"It was neon blue... And a part of me doesn't regret it either. One of the best outcomes out of it was getting two doofus big brothers."

"Doofus? ...You're lucky I love you so much."

"Love you too."

"You should read that letter before you open the gift. I pretty sure that letter is important."

He kisses her forehead and leaves the room to give her privacy. She reaches for the letter and her eyes widened when she sees Little Mermaid written on it. She slowly opens it, takes the paper from inside and unfolds it. She begins reading.

Dear Little Mermaid,

         I can't believe that I am writing this but this was the best way to get this out instead of having to speak. So here we go. You changed my life, Ariel Forbes. For the better. When we first met, I had different intentions but after talking to you for the first time, you changed those plans around a bit. Because you showed me there was more to life than revenge. 

         In over the hundred years I have lived, you were the first person to show me kindness. The one who has spunk. You didn't hesitate beat me up with a golf club to save Bonnie or call me out on my bs for the things that I did. The one who cared when you didn't have to. No matter how many times I tried to push you away, you let me know that you would always be there when I needed you. The one who loved me for who I was when I thought no one else would. Ariel, you are truly one of a kind.

        Elena was the one who made me want to be a better person but you are the one who made me the better person. Also, I'm letting you know that I'm not choosing her. I'll find the right person someday, I'm able to believe that because of you. So thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for not only being my best friend but the little sister that I've always wanted. I don't say this much but I love you, Ariel. And be happy, you deserve it more than anyone.

                                                                                                                                          Your one and only,                                                                                                                                                                           Dee Dee

Ariel realizes she's crying after a tear falls onto the paper. She opens the box to find a leather jacket and a mermaid bracelet inside. She falls off the bed and onto her knees, sobbing hysterically. She then feels someone pulling her into their arms.

"It's okay, you're okay."

"It hurts so much, mommy!"

"Oh, my baby." Liz holds her tightly, trying to comfort her daughter the best she can despite her own tears falling.

After letting Ariel get her emotions all out for about an hour, Liz informs her that she will help her prepare in getting ready for her birthday party. After she puts her dress and shoes on, Liz styles Ariel's hair into a side braided ponytail and helps her with her makeup.

"I'm surprised Caroline didn't help me get ready."

"Caroline was going to do it but I let her know that I wanted to be the one to do this. It's your eighteenth birthday and I don't get to do this often with you. Besides, I wanted some time alone with you so we could talk... I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. For how far you've come. For the strong beautiful woman you grew up to be. I know I'm not your biological mother but it has been a honor that I got to be your mom."

"...Mom... There's something I want to ask you tomorrow."

"Why not ask now?"

"Because I want to enjoy my birthday without any supernatural drama. Just know that no matter what...you will always be my mom. It has been an honor to be your daughter and Caroline's sister."

Liz begins to tear up and hugs her tightly. Ariel then completes her look with Damon's leather jacket and Liz helps her with the mermaid bracelet.

"...Thanks, mom."

"He would be proud of you too."

Finally ever since Damon's death, Ariel gives a wide smile.

After a while, the two arrive at the Salvatore home. Ariel observes the home for a moment, not having been there since Damon's death.

"Are you ready?"

"...Yeah."

The two enter and Ariel is attacked with birthday confetti. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Everyone yells.

She looks to see all her guests: Kol, Caroline, Stefan, Bonnie, Jeremy, Klaus, Rebekah, Katherine, Elijah, Finn, Tyler and Matt. She smiles at everyone before Caroline walks up and hugs her. "You look so beautiful! Mom, mine and Kol's work paid off!"

"Huh?"

"Mom did your hair and makeup. I picked the dress and shoes. Kol paid for it."

"Really, Kol?"

"Of course I did, my woman deserves the very best!"

"...That jacket and bracelet are new..." Caroline gasps. "A mermaid..."

Ariel nods. "Yeah... It's was his birthday gift to me."

Caroline gives a tearful smile. "You look better."

"...I feel better."

The sisters hug once more. After a moment, Kol walks up to them and taps Caroline on the shoulder. "Caroline, can you stop hogging my darling! Let me give her my gift!"

Caroline pulls away from Ariel and gives Kol an annoyed look. "You can't wait until it's time to give gifts?!"

"No! It doesn't matter anyway since I know I'm giving the best gift. Darling." He offers his hand and as always, she takes it. He leads her to the table of presents but stops her in front of the biggest box that has no wrapping and instead a bow tie. "Open it."

She raises an eyebrow and proceeds to open the box. She squeals once she sees what's inside. She takes out what appears to be black beagle puppy. "He's so cute!"

"Dammit, he got her the best gift!" Caroline whines.

"What did I say?" Kol tells everyone as he gives them a smirk.

Everyone rolls their eyes at him but smile at Ariel's happiness. "So what are you going to name him, princess?"

"Hmm... How about Shadow?" The puppy barks and licks Ariel's cheek. "You like that name, huh? Thanks, foxy."

Kol looks back at Ariel shocked and brings her into a hug. "You're welcome, darling."

Unknown to everyone, Damon watches them all with a smile.

Somewhere in Portland, Oregon... An older man is in his home, having a drink while looking at a picture of his twin brother and a woman. "It would have been your birthday today, Eliane..."

Weren't expecting that were you?!😏 Can you guess who that was at the end? And you may be able to guess who Isabelle and Alec are...

Also I may do a section showing Ariel's gifts from everyone!