FOURTEEN, Sister, brother...

JUNPEI ABE WATCHED the wound in his palm quickly healing as the red substance flowing out of it dripped onto the map set out in front of him. The witch- Maddox- then began chanting underneath his breath causing the blood to travel to a specific location: Mystic Falls, Virginia. It didn't surprise him to see his sister was already there. If anything, he grew nervous knowing he'd soon be there too- finally in her presence after five centuries of being away from her. It didn't feel real. But he knew it wouldn't be that easy. Yes, he'd see her again like he wanted, however, it was Himari's reaction he feared. He didn't know how she would respond to him being alive and becoming a vampire.

A part of him didn't want to know- he didn't want to see the hatred in her eyes at what he had become. He would prefer to remain dead in her memory as the loving brother she once knew. Because if Junpei was being honest, the good parts of him had died the day he turned, consumed by predatory instincts and a bloodlust that was uncontrollable once he fed. This new appetite forced him to abandon his humanity.

And perhaps, the five centuries he spent with Klaus Mikaelson could also be a factor in what he had become.

But, deep down, he knew the Original was not to blame for all of what he was. Junpei can admit there had always been a darkness that lingered in the back of his mind. Maybe, it stemmed from jealousy toward his sister for not being able to perfect witchcraft when he had the chance despite him not really caring about his rare talent- or maybe, it was simply because this was who he was born to be.

He had never felt more free- more alive ever since turning.

When he was a witch, he felt bound to always follow a moral compass like nature would punish him if he did something that didn't fit their idea of good. It was exhausting, and suffocating in a way.

Being a vampire, however, removed those shackles, there was no need to be honorable all the time- he didn't have to think about how his actions might affect the coven.

Well, dead coven.

Junpei thought back to the moment Klaus made him drink his blood and snapped his neck in one swift motion. He remembered waking up and the first thing his body recognized was the metallic scent of blood- it was overwhelming, it was all he could smell. It had been the body of a coven member brought to him by Klaus so that he could feed. Junpei was hesitant, unwilling to fully transition into the thing his sister hated most. But with Klaus' threatening stare, he had no choice but to comply.

At first, Junpei wasn't exactly sure why the Original didn't just kill him right then and there.

He saw no value in himself.

However, it made sense now. He wanted to use him as leverage against Himari- to get her to bend the knee and perform the ritual once it was time.

Klaus had promised him, that if Junpei could convince her, he'd be free from him and his compulsion.

Junpei knew it wouldn't be that easy- not if Himari was still as stubborn as he remembered her to be- she would not agree to such terms. She would never aid Klaus. But maybe, seeing Junpei again could persuade her.

All he had to do now was get to her.

"Isobel says Katherine is there too," Maddox informed, breaking the vampire out of his reverie.

"Perfect..." Junpei says, almost bitterly, wiping the remnants of blood off his hand with a napkin, trying to hide the slight irritation her name brought.

"You don't sound like someone excited to see their sister after centuries of being apart."

Junpei's jaw clenched at Klaus' words. He didn't look up from his hand nor did he immediately respond. He knew to be careful when it came to the Original because Klaus had a bad temper. One resembling a child. In a way, it reminded him of his sister when they were younger.

"What are you talking about? This is my happy face." He settled for humor, his tone was filled with boredom and sarcasm.

Klaus eyed him from his own seat, drink in hand, with a mixture of amusement and suspicion, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "It could use some work," He quipped, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Or perhaps knowing you'll see Katherine again is bringing back some... unwanted memories you'd rather forget?"

"Seeing her is the least of my worries. You know that," Junpei sighed, his gaze flickering to the side momentarily.

"Right. That bothersome sister of yours."

Himari. Junpei corrected in his head.

"Maddox, could you get us an exact location on her?" Klaus asked, turning to the witch.

"I would need to channel you-" Maddox looked at Junpei. "-You're the closest connection to her."

The Vampire didn't need any convincing as he instantly leaned in, offering his clean hand to Maddox, which he grabbed and began murmuring.

At times like this, Junpei missed his connection to nature. Despite not perfecting magic as he wished, it was still a gift that he would mourn forever. It was something he shared with his sister once and he might as well mourn that relationship too.

"I see a house," Maddox said, concentrating. "A big one. Now there's someone tied to a chair with chains- it's a girl. She looks... like she's sleeping?"

Junpei frowned, unsure of what to make of his words.

"There's a person lying next to her with a dagger through their heart- someone else is entering-"

Klaus emitted a low, impatient hum, his annoyance palpable. Not by his brother being daggered- that was the least of his worries. It had been the fact that Himari had allowed herself to be caught as well. Now, his witch was rendered powerless. Something he couldn't afford if she was going to break his curse.

The only way to get her to that state was a secret that only he, Himari, and Junpei knew. So he wondered who could've figured it out.

"Who is it?" Junpei asked impatiently.

"It's a man. He's holding a needle-"

The poison?

"What does he look like?" His knee bounced anxiously.

"-he's talking to someone-

"Who?"

"It looks like... Katherine."

Junpei pulled his hand back from his grasp, breaking the connection. Anger surged through him knowing his sister was currently suffering and he wasn't there to help her- that he wouldn't be there any time soon because it would ruin the plan Klaus had or so he said.

Katherine being there just enraged him even more.

Even knowing the reality of his situation, that he had to keep his composure, it didn't stop his emotions from boiling over.

He hit the table out of frustration, causing it to rattle, as he pushed himself off of his chair which had toppled. He knew going there with no plan would get him hurt or worse, killed. But the turmoil that built within him knowing Katherine had an involvement with his sister being captured was overwhelming. And this other person- this unknown man- being there too tapped into this rare darkness in him that only unmasked itself when he fed.

Junpei was bloodthirsty.

His fingers curled into fists, nails digging into the plan of his hands as he fought to contain the raw fury that threatened to consume him.

Klaus watched him intently with his typical calculating eyes. He hadn't seen this type of emotion from Junpei in a while- it was hard to bring it out of him- it was the type he needed for what was to come.

At first, Junpei felt sad most of the time due to having to leave his sister behind. It was a bore. But then, he seemed to accept his situation and became less... mournful. Though Klaus could've done without the constant sarcasm that came with it. The Original having witnessed the killer instincts arise occasionally, knew whoever this unknown person was would face consequences.

A phone buzzed, breaking through the silence.

"Isobel says Katherine is on her way- that she doesn't suspect anything," Maddox announced.

Klaus took a measured swig of his drink and smirked confidently. He didn't say anything, merely casting a sidelong glance at Junpei, who met his gaze with impatient urgency, silently pleading to be given the okay.

And Klaus would grant it so.

"Fetch me, Katerina, then." He quirked an eyebrow at Junpei.

The vampire felt his adrenaline kick in at his words, he only responded with a curt nod, as he moved toward the door and left with Maddox following closely behind him.

Klaus leaned back into his chair, satisfaction settled within him at the thought that he would soon have everything he needed for his ritual.

Katherine was happy to finally be out of the tomb. It had been a torturous time and she was glad that Damon was still as foolish as she remembered him to be and fell for her lies again. So much so that he convinced Bonnie to undo the seal keeping her trapped. She was never going to help him or Stefan knowing Himari would kill her if she did and she needed to be on her good side after the witch threatened her life- Katherine was in debt to her.

But that was before Isobel came into the picture, tempting her loyalty once again.

Katherine would rather be allied with someone she knew could get work done rather than people who had no idea what they were going up against. She needed to survive and she would achieve that with Isobel.

However, Himari's words still rang in her head like an echo.

"...Remember that it was me who extended a helping hand..."

Katherine tried to rid her thoughts of the witch as she poured herself a drink.

"...And know this, any attempt to betray me..."

Himari's voice was low, filled with so much malice that made the vampire feel like she was a small, frightened child.

"...will result in immediate death, Katerina..."

Each word seemed to wrap around her like a vise, suffocating her with fear. Katherine questioned everything at that moment. Maybe, she shouldn't have left Himari behind to suffer in that cellar -but the witch had left her in the tomb- so it was only fair.

Maybe, she shouldn't have caved in and taken Himari's blood. But what choice did she have?

Katherine downed the drink in one gulp as the guilty conscience she rarely listened to peeked through.

"Long time, no see, Katerina."

The voice made her freeze, it was chilling the way the person spoke with such calmness. She recognized it- it belonged to someone she believed was dead.

Dead because of her.

She took a deep breath, slowly placing the glass down, too afraid to turn around and face a ghost of her past.

"No need to be nervous," Junpei reassured, though she doubted it was out of kindness.

"How- how are you alive?" She managed to mutter.

He ignored her question. "Aren't you going to look at me?"

Katherine forced herself to face him, her breathing had become a bit unsteady as she finally looked him in the eye. They were voided of any warmth they once held, darkness danced behind them now and it caused a shiver down her spine.

"Can't even muster up an apology for me?" He frowned, feigning hurt with a hand over his heart. "I know a heartfelt one takes time, but honestly, it's been five centuries."

Her silence seemed to irritate Junpei. In a sudden blur of movement, he sped toward her, causing her to flinch back. They were now face-to-face, and all Katherine could do was stare into his eyes- she couldn't move.

"Didn't expect to see me so... alive?"

"How is it possible?"

"I have Klaus to thank- wait no, maybe I should be thanking you instead since you led him to our coven. Don't you remember? When you left me for dead? Hmm?" Junpei asked though it was rhetorical because he knew that she remembered. It was written plainly on her face.

"Klaus?" She repeated, her mind reeling.

No, no, no.

"Old friend of yours?" He taunted, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Is he here? Are you... here with him?" Katherine's stomach churned. She thought she had finally escaped him- that choosing Isobel would work out for her. She felt so stupid.

"Oh, he's here," Junpei confirmed. "And he wants you and my sister."

She swallowed harshly, a bit confused about why he would want Himari.

"What he wants with you is none of my business. My job is to deliver you to him." He continued, noticing how her breath got caught in her threat.

"You can't- please, don't take me to him. I'll- I'll help you get Himari and then I'll disappear-"

"Ah, see, had you not betrayed me, maybe that would've been believable," Junpei says, sliding his hand into the crook of her neck, a bit below her jaw.

Katherine grew uneasy. If he wasn't going to be the one to kill her then that meant Klaus would and that alone terrified her. She had lived too long, ran for so many years, just to get herself caught.

A phone suddenly rang, interrupting for a second time today. It was Katherine's.

The device vibrated against the table, Junpei looked at it seeing the contact name- Isobel- and smiled.

"Go on, answer it."

Reluctantly, Katherine reached for it, thumb hovering over the green button before she clicked it.

"Are we good to go?" Isobel says, pretending she didn't know what was going on.

"You tricked me..."

A pause.

"I'm sorry, Katherine. I had to do what I was told. He wanted the moonstone and he wanted you." Isobel hung up, not giving Katherine a chance to reply.

The line went dead.

"Doesn't feel good, does it?" Junpei mocked, watching her intently, letting her process the betrayal.

Katherine gritted her teeth at his words. No, it didn't feel good at all. She shut her eyes allowing the anger to settle. There was nothing she could do now. She would be brought to Klaus against her will.

No, no, no.

The doppelgänger felt herself shudder at the thought of seeing Klaus again. She didn't want to be in his presence- didn't want him looking at her or to hear his voice. She wanted to escape.

"Is the moonstone on you?" Junpei asked, taking a step back and looking her over.

She only shook her head in response, pointing to her black coat that was hung up in the corner of the room.

He followed her direction, moving toward it. He searched for it until he found it. Junpei held the rock in his hand gently before putting it in his pocket.

He was one step closer to reuniting with his sister.

Turning around, he noticed Katherine had disappeared, but she couldn't go too far so he knew she was still inside the house. Biding her time. The soles of his shoes sounded against the wooden floor, echoing throughout the barely furnished home.

Junpei squinted, his nose twitching subtly, growing annoyed by her games.

"I don't have time for this, Katerina."

A creak above caused the man to snap his head in that direction. He rushed upstairs, hoping to see her but all he saw was an empty hall except for one door that remained ajar. He slowly approached it, staying alert for any sudden movements or noises.

He pushed the door fully open, taking a cautious step into the room. His eyes scanned his surroundings, but there was nothing there.

A noise- like a chair breaking, caught his attention. He turned around-

A sudden sharp pain shot through his stomach. He let out a low groan, meeting Katherine's gaze as she drove the piece of wood deeper, twisting it at an uncomfortable angle before letting go and speeding away.

Junpei clenched his teeth, laughing bitterly, unsurprised by this.

He grabbed the makeshift stake and pulled it out of it, quickly disregarding it. He stood up straighter, rolling his shoulders back as the wound healed.

He planned this would happen- Katherine was unpredictable so he couldn't take any chances with her. It's why he had Maddox seal the house with a spell.

Katherine stood at the entrance, eyes beginning to sting as realization set it. She wouldn't escape. This felt all too familiar. Once again she had been trapped and there was nothing she could do. She felt hopeless.

"Now, where are they keeping my sister?" Junpei descended the stairs at a slow pace, knowing she couldn't go anywhere.

Katherine bit her lip, trying to contain her emotions. "She's at the Salvatore house. Damon has her in his cellar- Elijah is there too."

Damon Salvatore.

The name itself angered Junpei, he couldn't wait to meet him.

He looked at Katherine, sensing her will to fight had somewhat subsided and he wouldn't need to exhaust himself. He moved toward her, pulling out a syringe full of vervain from his jacket.

"I really do wish things could've been different between you and me." He says, and this was the first time Katherine had sensed some genuineness in his voice. He angled the needle at her neck, watching her closely still expecting more of a fight. But she didn't. Rather, she turned her head allowing him to do it.

Junpei frowned, pausing for a moment before deciding to snap her neck instead.

He didn't let her fall, he held her gently in his arms as if she were glass and he was scared to break her, picking her up bridal style.

He had the moonstone, Katherine, and soon he would be reunited with his sister.

He could only hope, that when the time came, Himari would accept him as he is.