❝ since when did you
speak japanese? ❞

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"She's imagining a fake hot sexy vampire?" Katherine leaned back in her chair, raising a brow at MG's statement. The two sat in her office, where he came to that morning to talk about his most recent dilemma. He had seen Lizzie talking to Sebastian, except there was no Sebastian.

"I mean, I guess!" MG uttered out. "I don't want to say she's gone crazy, but there was nobody there!" He explained, looking at the Valentine. "And now she's freaking out over looking perfect for him! And I don't know how to tell her he's not even real!"

Katherine sighed, placing down her notebook she was writing in. She took off her glasses, smiling, "Well, why don't we go see how she's doing right now?" She asked cooly. MG nodded, the two getting out of their seats.

They walked down the stairs into the cafeteria. "I spent a lot of time bettering myself over the summer, and I need you all to rise to my level. Now." Lizzie snapped at her classmates. Katherine rose a brow, walking over with a confident strut.

"Liz-Bear!" Katherine chimes. Lizzie spun around, eyes widening in surprise. "How are we doing over here?" The Valentine places a hand on the blonds shoulder.

"Terrible." Lizzie answered. "I mean, I'm great, but everyone else, terrible." She looked over at MG. "Except for him." MG turned to look at her. "You really tried to help me with Sebastian."

MG glanced at Katherine, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Thanks. Yeah, um, about that." He looked over, unsure what to say next.

Katherine looked at the Saltzman. "MG knows you have strong feelings for this guy, but he thinks it might be best for you to keep your relationship status on the down-low, just for a while." She explained.

Lizzie frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"It's all so new." MG shrugged. "I'm worried you might be seeing things." Katherine's eyes widen in alarm "Through rose-colored glasses, I mean."

Lizzie smiles. "MG, I am in the best emotional shape of my life. I need to carpe the diem. Seize the day." Katherine and MG look at each other. "Besides, friends should support each other. If I'm happy, you're happy. Don't overthink it."

The two watch as she walks away, MG looks over. "Now what?" He asked, worried.

"Now, you try and see if you're the crazy one, or if it's her." Katherine explained.

"Katherine!"

The Valentine turned her head away from MG, seeing Landon and Rafael coming down the stairs. "And I go to them." She waved her fingers at the vampire, scampering over to her boyfriend. "Hey, boys."

"Hey, Kat." Rafael said. He was trying his best not to be awkward, considering he liked her before.

Landon looked over, smiling. "I was wondering if you'd like to join us heading to Mystic Falls High? Dr. Saltzman has been ignoring my calls, and we have a lot of things to talk about." He explained. Since getting with Katherine, Landon has felt nothing but joyous at the fact they were so communicative. For example, they either tell each other something is wrong or they immediately know by each others body language. They talk about boundaries and what and what not to push. They were just, healthy, something Landon felt he lacked in his own life.

The Valentine smiled, "Of course! I think I need to talk to Alaric myself." She said calmly, walking with the boys. "Raf, how has returning back to the land of the two legged been?"

"I mean, it's nice to be able to wear clothes." Rafael joked, causing the three of them to laugh. "But, I'm still having a hard time adjusting." He confessed. Katherine nodded in understanding, looking up at him.

"Well, Raf, as the new guidance counselor, if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me." She told him soothingly. Landon smiled between the two; his best friend, and his girlfriend, getting along. He was happy, for the first time in what felt like a while.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Rafael followed Landon and Katherine down the parking lot. "You sure we should be doing this?" He inquired nervously.

"If Dr. Saltzman thinks he can ignore my calls like we don't live in the same town, he's got another think coming. Namely monsters." Landon explained. Katherine nodded, wearing a tight pair of black jeans and a blue top. "Because if they're back and after me now, we must've done something to screw up the night the Malivore pit went dry. And if I can't remember any of it, we need his help to figure out what changed and how to fix it, or we're all in danger."  Landon glances at the werewolf, who's been silent the whole time. "Are you even listening?"

"Yeah, I'm always listening." Rafael says slowly, looking behind them repeatedly.

The Kirby shrugs. "Well, do you speak anymore? I mean, ever since you got back to school, your sentences have averaged three words each." Landon follows.

Rafael shakes his head. "That's not true." He argued.

Katherine smirked, "That's three words." She glances behind Rafael as the Dennis getting shoved off his bike for a second. I turn back to the werewolf. "Look, I know you say you're fine, but you were stuck as a wolf for a pretty long time, Raf-"

"Yeah, and I'm back now. So it's all good."

"Thanks to Hope." Landon hums.

Rafael chuckled in thought. "Yeah, she was pretty incredible." He mumbled. Katherine rolled her eyes, slightly grossed out, leading the way inside the school.

The halls are empty as classes continue. Landon looked over at Rafael, realization setting in. "So that is why you came with me." Landon says, breaking the silence.

"What?"

Katherine gave a teasing smile. "You just want to see Hope again?" She inquired.

Rafael shook his head awkwardly"No. I, um, want to stop these monsters from getting to you. And if we see Hope, I mean, that's-that's cool, too."

"Yeah, it would be cool, too." Landon chuckles to himself. The bells suddenly ring, students piling into the halls. Rafael spins around, jumping at every noise. Katherine gave him a soft glance, knowing he was having a hard time.

Landon steps towards our friend. "Hey, are you okay?" Suddenly, Rafael breaks into a run. "Slow down!" Landon shouts. Katherine runs after Raf, catching up quicker than Landon.

She watches Rafael stumble right into Dennis. In a sudden moment, it was as if time had stopped for them, and that their demeanors had changed completely. "Watch yourself, bro." Dennis snaps, walking past him. His eyes land on Katherine, "Hey," He begins, but Katherine cuts him off, looking him in the eye.

"Go and fail chemistry, and never talk to me again." She compelled the teenage boy, causing him to begin to walk away.

Landon and Katherine look at Rafael. "I shouldn't have asked you to come with me." Landon apologized. "We can go." Rafael stops for a moment, his actions different."Raf?"

"Rafael? What's wrong?" Katherine asked. Rafael let out a low growl, and Katherine narrowed her eyes. In a quick movement, Katherine vamp speed Landon out of harms way, spinning back towards Rafael. "Scalare." A metal gate slams shut, stopping Raf from coming any closer.

"Beat me to it."

Katherine and Landon turn around. "Hope." Landon says,  "How are you always in the right place at the right time?" He asks.

Hope sighs. "That's funny. I was just thinking the exact opposite thing." She retorted in annoyance.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Katherine leads Alaric and Landon to Hope, who was putting a sleep spell upon Rafael again. "What were you three even doing here?"  Hope asked, looking at Landon and his girlfriend.

"Looking for answers." Landon answered. "And, I guess you." Hopes eyes soften at the statement. Katherine notices this, but says nothing.

"Dad?"

The entire group all turn to look at Josie Saltzman. "Josie." Katherine says, acknowledging the Saltzman's presence.

"What the hell's going on?" Josie asked. Katherine looked to Josie's side to see a Japanese man with a sword and a very old fashioned, but bad ass, outfit. He begins to speak in a foreign language, which I can only assume is japanese. "He said, We came to protect the bonsai-headed boy. I think." Landon gives a sheepish smile, elbowing my side. Josie gives the Samurai before speaking Japanese. She glances back. "That's Japanese for, What the hell is she doing here?"

Katherine turns to look at Hope. frown. "The short version? She's a werewolf witch hybrid that has been helping Dr. Saltzman." She explained.

Josie shrugged. "Just because she's supernatural doesn't mean we can trust her." She snaps. "I mean, she shouldn't be here."

Alaric sighs. "Look, I will take all the help I can get." He says, "Even from him. So ask him to tell us everything we should know." He gestures to the Samurai.

Josie looks over. "Kurutta-san." She waves him over. The two begin to speak in japanese. "Dropped on his head as a baby. Samurai school to learn discipline. He learned to slay Oni demons, which is what we're chasing. He was a hero. All the women begged to Kurutta-san, I don't even know that word, but it cannot be relevant-"

Katherine cuts her off. "Josie, the point."She hummed, giving a raised eyebrow look. Josie pursed her lips, looking over at the Samurai.

"Kurutta spent months tracking down an Oni that possessed people, moving from person to person by touch. He was just about to kill it when it found its way into the body of a child and escaped him yet again. He gave chase and caught the demon." She listens closely, nodding to what he explains. "But he could not bring himself to harm an innocent child. So, instead, he made an impossible choice and he took the Oni into himself. But it was then that he realized, unlike everyone else who had been possessed and remembered nothing, he was still partly in control of his faculties. He thinks the Oni found it harder to possess his broken mind." She looks toward the others. "His words, not mine.He tried to stab himself with his sword, and the Oni wouldn't let him. So he decided to never touch a person again So that it could never possess anyone else. And then Malivore, eternity of nothingness deep psychological torment. He came through an ana." She frowns. "I think he's talking about a portal."

"Portal? Uh, where?" Hope asks.

"Uh, sorry, the ancient samurai isn't an expert on Mystic Falls geography." Josie says sarcastically.

Landon speaks up next. "How do we kill the the demon?"

"Uh, with his sword. It's spelled with a special kind of magic, so if we can just find the Oni-"

Josie is cut off by Rafael waking up within the van. Katherine hums, raising a brow. "Look! It's the Oni!" She said, bored. The Samurai pulls out his sword, just as Rafael kicks open the door. The two go head to head, Hope yelling a spell to take away the sword. Rafael pushes the man away, before looking at everyone in confusion.

Rafael runs off as Josie heads towards the mans side. He mumbles before falling down. She looks back at them. "He said that could've gone better."

"No kidding." Katherine mutters.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Josie and Katherine finish spelling Principal Saltzman's door. "What is it?" Landon asked.

"Barrier spell." Said Katherine, smiling.

Josie turns, "Means that no one can get in or out without either of us saying so. Including you."

Landon frowned at Josie, and Katherine shrugged. "Is this about Hope?"

"Guess she's not the only one that gets to save your life today. So you're welcome."

Katherine rose her hand, "I actually saved him today-"

"Josie, you know I'm a phoenix, right? I'm not a sitting duck." Landon explained, "We have other options here."

The Saltzman nods. "Okay. Name one."

Landon spoke up. "Malivore sent the Oni for me. So I say we let the demon possess me, and then you kill me with this sword. Demon gets vanquished, I resurrect, we win." He explained. Katherine frowned, standing up slowly.

"Landon, we don't know if that would work." Katherine said slowly, "I'm not handing you to some demon to find out."

Josie spoke up, "That's a stupid idea." She snapped. Katherine didn't understand why Josie was so upset. First of all, Landon was Katherine's boyfriend.

"This is exactly what I wanted to talk to your dad about." Landon said to Josie. "Forcing everyone else to put themselves in danger to stop whatever monster's coming after me next is an unsustainable solution."

"No, landfills are an unsustainable solution." Josie argues. "Keeping you alive is not. End of discussion."

Josie storms out of the room, and Katherine looks over at Landon. "I think she's angry." Katherine retorted. Landon huffed, nodding awkwardly. "You understand why I don't want to do that, don't you?"

Landon sighed, slouching his previously tense shoulders as he looked at her. Compared to the usual expressions of Katherine; which were calm, collected, flirty, and confident; while in this moment, it was rather different. Her lips were formed into the shape of a frown, her eyebrows knitted together in concern. But the most shocking part, was her sad, glossy eyes. Landon realized, that she was feeling something stronger than just about him. Her previous years of horrible relationships, all of her friends, all of them dying, betraying her, and more. She had lost so many people, she didn't want to lose him too.

"Yeah, of course I understand." Landon said softly, bringing his hands to her face. "I'm sorry," He leaned down, kissing her lips. Katherine quickly calms down, fluttering her eyes shut. The kiss lasts for a moment, before the two pull away from each other.

"I'm sorry for overreacting." Katherine utters out.

The Kirby shakes his head, "You're not overreacting." He said. Sighing, he picks up the sword on the table, "We'll get through this, together." Katherine nods, taking the sword. A wave of energy flies over her body, an all too familiar one. Landon frowns, "What is it? What's wrong?" He looked at the girl in concern, noticing her change in stature.

"It's spelled with black magic." The girl said, looking at the sword in her palms. " A lot of it."

"How do you know?" Asked Landon, looking down at the katana as Katherine held it.

Katherine shook her head, "One of the few things my mom taught me was how to tell the difference." She explained. She turned the sharp object in her hands, observing its markings, and it's entire physical description. Landon noticed her fascinated glance. Her eyes seemed to darken as she looked down at it, her mind elsewhere as she studied the katana. Shaking her head, snapping out of her thoughts, Katherine placed the katana on the table. "I'm going to tell Josie to get Hope. I have to go."

Landon frowned, "Kat? Where are you going?" He followed her quickly as Katherine ran out the door, "Katherine!" He shouted, running into the magical force field.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Alaric follows Katherine through the halls of Mystic Falls High School, "The Oni could be anywhere, how do you plan on finding it."

Katherine looks around the school, "By giving it what it wants." She said shortly.

"But they want Landon," Alaric began. Katherine snickered, shaking her head.

"Landon's not the one who escaped Malivore, Ric." Katherine said, "I'm the only person who's been able to escape that freaking tar pit without everyone forgetting her. Don't you think that's a little strange?" The former headmaster paused, shrugging awkwardly. "If Malivore is going to want anyone, it's the one person who has defeated his loopholes."

Before Alaric can say more, Katherine vamp speeds off. Meanwhile, an Oni possessed Landon walks through the school, waiting to find the portal.

Later, Katherine walks by Lizzie Saltzman. "Because you are a stupid, crazy person who talks to herself." The blond muttered, not noticing the Valentine.

"If it makes you feel better, I talked to myself for years." Lizzie turned around, seeing Katherine standing there.

"Oh, great. It's you." Lizzie grumbled. She faced her ice cream again, and Katherine rose a brow. The Valentine moved around the table, sitting down across from the blond. "You're sitting with me."

Katherine leaned back in her seat. "Come on, no need to be sour." She giggled. "What's wrong?"

Lizzie looked down, "I found out Sebastian wasn't real." She told the Valentine. "And now I feel completely insane." Taking another bite of her ice cream, she slouched in defeat.

The Valentine clasped her hands together, leaning forwards. "Have you ever thought that maybe you created Sebastian for a reason?" Lizzie looked up in confusion. "You wanted someone who liked you for you, and didn't know about your past. That way, there was no judgement." Katherine began. "Maybe you created Sebastian because you miss your mom, you miss Josie, and now you miss being loved by someone, which is all you wanted to begin with." Lizzie looked down, her eyes glossing over.

Lizzie looked over Katherine's shoulder, seeing Landon. "Why are you carrying a sword?" Katherine spun around, seeing her boyfriend.

"Landon!" Katherine called out. Landon kept walking. Both girls looked at one another, standing up and chasing after him. "Fugere."

The sword in Landon's hand suddenly flies backwards into Katherine's. Landon turns around, seeing Lizzie and Katherine. "I'm guessing he's possessed by an insanity demon." Lizzie said. "We have to stab him."

"I know." Katherine said, walking over. She grabs Landon's shoulder, shoving thr sword through his abdomen, she looks into her boyfriends eyes. A wave of darkness comes over her, and she realizes what she did. "Welcome to the club, Babe."

Landon's eyes widened in horror, realizing what happened. He stuttered, but fell to the ground, dead. Lizzie looked at Katherine, before past her to see a woman and her dog. "Dress rehearsal. Please come to our full historical reenactment performance on Commonwealth Day." The woman scurried off, and Lizzie turned to Katherine. "Are you possessed now?"

Katherine groaned, her head buzzing with the dark energy. "Yeah, what else is new?" She said, her eyes glowing red. "I need you to siphon from Landon and use a chain spell." Katherine said, walking up to the tree.

"Wait, why aren't you all murdery and stuff like Landon?" Lizzie asked, worried.

Katherine tossed the knife into the grass. "Because I'm freaking insane, hello? Did you forget the part I murdered my mom?"

Lizzie nodded, "Right." She said slowly.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

"Landon!" Hope yells. Landon lays sprawled across the grass, Lizzie standing to the side as Katherine is tied to a tree.

Josie looks up at her sister. "Lizzie, are you okay?"

"No. I am super crazy." Lizzie says. "But at least I'm not Katherine.

The Valentine's eyes flash red. "The demon's in me."

Hope steps forwards, and Katherine lets out a growl. Lizzie groans, "That is embarrassing. We haven't met yet, have we? I'm Lizzie." The blond holds her hand out cheerfully, but Hope just walks away awkwardly.

"I don't understand. If the Oni is in Katherine, then how is she talking?" Says Josie.

Katherine speaks up, "I don't know, but I can feel it in my head, trying to take over. I don't know how much longer I-" She pauses, her head twitching to the side. "Never mind. It's gone. You can untie me." The three watch as she shakes her head. "I didn't say that. It did, okay? So don't listen to me." Josie feels her heart sink as she watches Katherine struggle. "I'm fine. We should probably get out of here before we-" She cuts herself off, sighing. "God, get out of my head!"

"She's fighting the demon somehow, like Kurutta did." Hope explains.

"I already know I'm crazy, okay? You don't have to rub it in."

Josie steps forward. "Kurutta was not crazy and neither are you." She argues.

Lizzie looks at the others. "Where's Dad?"

Hope speaks up, "Kurutta fought the Oni for years, okay? If you can just give us a little bit of time, then we can-"

"No. You can't. I've been crazy all of my life, might as well add a little bit of a demon too."

Josie steps close. "Kat, it's okay, okay?" She coos. "We're gonna fix you-"

"No. There's no fixing me, Josie." Breathes the Valentine. "I am just shattered. The pieces are too small to put back together." Katherine breathes heavily, looking at Lizzie and Josie. "Tell Alaric that I love him. But you have to end this."

"What?"

"With that sword."

Hope stands up. "Whoa. I know that we just met, but there's no way that we are gonna let that happen." She replies.

Katherines eyes roll back. "You have no choice. This will not stop until you give me the boy." Her voice is deeper and way more sinister.

Josie steps forward, tears rolling down her face. "You you got to fight this thing."

"Fighting is useless. Malivore still lives, and his control over us is stronger than ever. Soon, the likes of me will be the least of your concerns." Katherine shakes her head. "Distracted during a monologue. Classic villain mistake." She chuckles. She turns to Josie. " Jo, you got to do this. For me. Okay?" Josie shook her head, unable to think of hurting Katherine "It's only a matter of time before I die again."

Josie shakes her head. "Kat, please,"

Katherine yelps in pain. "Josie, it's coming back. Please. You got to do it." She turns to Hope and Lizzie. "If Josie won't do this, then you have to."

Josie bites her lip, kneeling. down to lift the sword. "There's so much black magic in it, it hurts to hold."

"Probably won't feel much better getting stabbed by it." Katherine mutters, wincing in pain.

Josie looks down, "I can pull the magic out of this, and I may be able to get the Oni out." She says in realization. She closes her eyes, her veins turning black through her whole body. Hope and Lizzie watch in horror. Josie drops the sword to her side, letting out a terrifying screech. Black magic flies at Katherine. Every part of Katherine feels the Oni's pain. She screams in pain, the spirit coming out of her her slowly. It roars at Josie, who doesn't stop. The Oni's spirit flies down into the small black goo pit, aka what's left of Malivore, leaving the four girls. The pit steams and bubbles a moment, before coming it's pit of nothingness and silence once again.

Josie pants as she looks up at Katherine slowly.  "You did it." I whisper. "Thank you."

The brunette blinks a few times. Before she can finish what she's saying, she falls to the ground. Katherine does as well, leaving Lizzie and Hope. Lizzie looks at the sword, picking it up slowly. Something changes in her, something she wouldn't realize until the morning.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Landon sat in his bed, strumming a guitar. "It's beautiful." He looked up, seeing Katherine wrapped in a silk robe. It looked like she had just gotten out of the shower, but her hair was mostly dry.

"Hey." He said, putting his guitar to the side. "I couldn't find you when you got back. Are you okay?"

Katherine sat down, "As good as I can be." She stated. "I'm worried about Lizzie, she was acting weird after the sword. And Josie's being extra iffy, probably be cause she blasted me with enough black magic to exorcise an army out of my head."

"Wait. Josie did black magic?"

Katherine put a finger to his lips. "For the powers of good." Landon smiles at her, "What?"

"You saved my life today."

Katherine rolled her eyes, "Just trying to save the world, as usual." She said with a flip of her hair.

"Either way, it's super sexy."

Katherine hummed, "Is it?" She asked teasingly as she leaned over to kiss Landon. He quickly kissed back. A connection between the two buzzed as Katherine put her hands on his chest. He slowly took off his sweatshirt, his mind nowhere else but Katherine Valentine.

He pulled away for a moment, "You have no idea how long I've waited for a moment like this." He breathed. Katherine smiled softly, her forehead on his.

"Then lets stop waiting." She whispered. Landon smirked, kissing her with more hunger than before. He knew he wasn't her first, but something was different about this. It was more than just the usual lust Katherine felt. For her, this was so much more.

She had fallen in love.

Katherine came to this realization as she pushed Landon back on the bed, straddling him as she looked down at him. He smiled, "What is it?" He asked her.

A grin spread on the Valentine's lips, "I love you." She stated finally. Landon's smile became wider as he sat up.

"What?"

"I love you, Landon."

The Phoenix could barely contain his excitement when he kissed her again. "I love you, so much, Katherine." He said back. Katherine smiled, a genuine smile she only had around him. She looped her arms around his neck, kissing him further.

Landons hands caressed every part of the Valentine, his fingers coming to the tie of the robe. Katherine kissed down his jaw, her lips tracing his ear. "Take it off." She huskily told him. Landons heart beat in his chest as he untied it. Katherine sat back, slowly pulling it off her body. His mouth ran dry as he looked over her in only her dark purple lacy bra and matching underwear. His green eyes connected back with Katherines brown ones.

"You're absolutely beautiful." He told her. Katherine's face turned red. He placed his lips on hers, her eyes instantly fluttering closed. She pulled on his shirt, the teenage boy taking it off. Landon, suddenly feeling bold, flipped the two around, causing Katherine to fall onto her back. She let out a squeal, laughing as the two continued to kiss. Landon trailed down to her neck, causing the Valentine to moan in pleasure.

It was completely, utterly, needlessly, perfect.

Katherine paused, pulling away from him. "Landon, we shouldn't do this. Not tonight."

Landon shook his head, "You're right, it would be ridiculous-"

Katherine sat up, laughing, "No, I want to, I do." She said, running her hand through his curls. "But I want it to be perfect, for you." The boy smiled softly, feeling thankful Katherine was considering this moment for him. "So, soon, okay?" Landon glanced at her lips, a smile on his face. To say he was at peace in these moments was an understatement.

"Okay,"