Weeks had passed since Hunter returned to Mystic Falls and he was beginning to start to enjoy being back home except for the numerous deaths he suffered at the hands of one Damon Salvatore. In the past few weeks Hunter had endured several different types of poisoning, gun shots, stabbings and most recently being set on fire all of which killed him but much to Damon’s dismay none killed him permanently.

Hunter knew his permanent death wouldn’t come easy for any vampire and he knew each time the Gilbert ring brought him back that he’d be closer to the last time it would work on him but he never admitted the ring’s weakness to Stefan or especially Damon.

Hunter had become used to the idea of dying young and besides he found each death valuable as he seemed to come back to life with more strength, faster speed and reflexes every time so although Damon was merely experimenting with death and trying to be a nuisance of sorts he was actually helping Hunter in a weird sense that Hunter would never admit.

“I say it’s a bad idea,” Stefan said to Hunter while they stood in the woods of Mystic Falls fight training before launching a punch at Hunter which Hunter managed to swerve. “The tomb vampires are very dangerous and very old vampires.”

“Exactly more training practice for me,” Hunter replied before punching Stefan several times in the face and kicking him to the ground. “No offence but vampires on bunny blood aren’t exactly the best trainers.”

“Offence taken,” Stefan responded before vamp speeding a kick to floor Hunter making Hunter fall to the ground next to where Stefan lay. “Trying to set free any vampire for practice is a crazy idea bound to end in disaster.”

“You may have a point, but I’ve never once claimed to be sane.” Hunter said as Stefan rose to his feet and held out a hand to pull Hunter up off the ground. “If we can even break out just one vampire specifically the one who was best friends with Katherine before being entombed we might be able to learn more about your vampire ex and in doing so learn more about her current doppelganger who you just so happen to be dating.”

“Why must you always bring that up?” Stefan asked while laughing at Hunter’s words.

“Because it’s weird,” Hunter admitted. “Albeit no weirder than your twin sister turning out to be the good twin of a centuries old self-serving vampire.”

“Did someone say my name?” Damon asked as he vamp sped his way to stand beside Hunter and Stefan. “So, this is where you two love birds spend all your time.”

“We’re going to free Pearl from the tomb and then interrogate her until we get some information on Katherine’s whereabouts who knows she may even know something about Elena.”

“Finally, somebody has an idea actually worth following through,” Damon said with a smirk. “Good on you little Gilbert.”

“Please tell me my brother agreeing to your plan is all the proof you need to know that this is far from a good idea.” Stefan said to Hunter who just ignored the younger Salvatore brother’s advice.

“I guess we better find ourselves a witch!” Hunter replied to Damon with a sly smirk of his own.

“I’m just saying before you go and ask Bonnie’s grandmother to reopen a tomb that took a lot out of her the last time she did it for Damon only to find out Katherine wasn’t there you’d at least consult with your aunt and see what she thinks about this idea.” Stefan said to Hunter as the walk down the streets of Mystic Falls, attempting to talk Hunter out of his latest decision.

“Haven’t you got a girlfriend you should be pestering instead of me?” Hunter asked him as they continue walking down the street. “Sheila Bennet is one impressive witch and as far as I know Bonnie’s still in the dark about her magical lineage so Sheila’s our best bet besides, she always preferred me to Elena growing up.”

“I don’t think you’ll still be her favorite when you drag her into vampire business she wasn’t exactly pleased when Damon forced her hand before.” Stefan replied.

“In my defense I’ve got a lot more charm than Damon.” Hunter stated. “She’ll be eager to help me out.”

“You actually think your charming?” Stefan laughed.

“You haven’t seen my charm, yet I can be quite charming.” Hunter argued.

“Clearly I’ve just been missing it,” Stefan joked before being hit on the shoulder by Hunter as the two laughed at each other. “Don’t use that approach to convince Sheila Bennet your charming or you might end up with a hex.”

“See this is why I never normally talk to vampires.” Hunter replied while rolling his eyes at him.

“Well consider me well and truly privileged.” Stefan sarcastically said as the two stopped outside of Sheila Bennett’s home. “Now is the time to back out if your having any second thoughts.”

“First step in the hunting guidebook is learn as much as possible about any possible target,” Hunter stated while staring at Mrs Bennet’s home. “Learning about Katherine will teach us about Elena and by doing so make us prepared if her evil twin ever plans a return to Mystic Falls because something tells me she’s going to be pissed to see her two ex-lovers lusting over her doppelganger.”

“I suppose I can’t argue with that logic,” Stefan responded as he placed his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “After you Hunter Gilbert.”

Elena knocked on the front door of the Salvatore home eager for Stefan to answer having felt him growing distant over the last few weeks and hoped that they could spend the day together to calm her nerves about their relationship but much to her dismay it was Damon who answered the door without a shirt on not exactly shy about his impressive chest.

“Do you ever wear clothes?” She asked him.

“We both know I’m a lot more likable to most people when I’m wearing as little clothes as possible.” Damon replied rather smugly.

“I wasn’t aware anyone found you likable,” Elena said sarcastically. “So is Stefan in? We’re meant to be spending the day together.”

“Sorry my little brother is already outside playing with your brother I’m sure if you search high and low you will soon find them, but I doubt they want to be found.” Damon proudly revealed.

“If your trying to make me jealous about my brother’s friendship with your brother then you clearly don’t know me very well at all I’m happy Hunter’s made a friend.” Elena replied.

“Wasn’t he real friendly with Tyler Lockwood too?” Damon asked ironically. “Wonder what they got up to.”

“Clearly you have a problem with Stefan getting close to another guy maybe someone’s ego is a little hurt that Stefan’s not chasing after you as much since my brother came to town.” Elena stated before reluctantly sighing. “Look I don’t want to spend all day going back and forth with you.”

Elena quickly pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket dialed Stefan’s number and held it to her ear as it rang and rang until it went to voicemail much to Elena’s frustration and Damon’s amusement.

“It’s not like Stefan Salvatore not to answer his phone to you straight away.” Damon mocked.

“He probably just missed the call,” Elena replied before dialing Hunter’s number which went straight to the voicemail making Damon laugh. “Hunter’s phone is always off I swear he doesn’t know how to use it.”

“Or maybe he does.” Damon retorted before seeing Elena being clearly upset about being ignored. “You may as well come in someone’s got to tell you the truth can’t have your pretty little head fretting over the small stuff when there’s much bigger stuff for you to worry about.”

“What is that supposed to mean Damon?” A clearly confused Elena asked him.

“Come on in.” Damon repeated while rolling his eyes.

“Absolutely not!” Sheila said without hesitation upon being asked to reopen the tomb holding many vampires under the ruins of a church in Mystic Falls as she stood at her open door with Stefan and Hunter on her doorstep.

“I know this sounds like a crazy idea Mrs Bennet but it’s kind of the only idea any of us have.” Hunter explained to her.

“I’m sorry Hunter but those vampires are there for a reason and I will not risk any getting out it’s beyond miraculous none managed to escape the last time I opened the tomb in search of Katherine Pierce before.” Sheila replied making it clear where she stood about Hunter’s mission. “You can’t begin to understand how truly sorry I am the you wound up following in your father’s footsteps one should never meddle in vampire business never mind being forced to make it their own.”

“Nobody forced my hand Mrs Bennet I did what I knew was right and that’s what I need you to help me do again.” Hunter responded adamant to change Sheila’s mind. “I know Damon forced you hand with threats and violence before, but you know that’s not my style. This is my sister we are talking about your granddaughter’s best friend I just want to have as much information as possible to keep her safe.”

“This entire town won’t be safe if even of those vampires get out, they have been trapped in that tomb for centuries without any blood if any got loose, they’d waste no time in slaughtering everyone they came into contact with.” Sheila warned Hunter while standing her ground. “There is no way you can convince me that opening that tomb again would be a good idea under no circumstances will that tomb be opened.”

“I guess if there’s really no convincing you then I’ll have to turn to Bonnie herself I’m sure she’d be more than willing to cast a simple spell to protect her best friend.” Hunter revealed shocking both Stefan and Sheila in the process. “And if she’s reluctant at first then I guess that’s when I’ll have to get Damon himself to persuade her.”

“Hunter!” Stefan snapped, shocked to see Hunter’s darker side.

“Are you really threatening my granddaughter Hunter Gilbert?” Sheila asked while clearly furious. “I have known you since the day you were born and that makes me reluctant to put you in your place but if you ever threaten my granddaughter again, I’ll do just that.”

“And you would be right to do so because Bonnie’s your family,” Hunter said. “Just like Elena is my family.”

“You really are your father’s son.” Sheila stated while glaring at Hunter with a death stare.

“Thank you.” Hunter replied with a smile on his face.

“That was no compliment,” Sheila revealed. “Your father and his brother were ruthless hunters in their day far more cruel than any creature they may have hunted however your father softened when he found love with your mother your uncle however remained a cold hearted monster with the kind of look in his eyes I’m starting to see in yours.”

“Mrs Bennet I’m only trying to protect my sister.” Hunter tried to explain himself.

“Elena Gilbert is merely just a pawn in your hunt it is the hunt itself you live for it’s even in your name.” Sheila told him. “I will help you temporarily break the tomb spell but only because I know a hunter never lets anything or anyone get in their way despite the casualties but you Hunter Gilbert are never to step foot on my doorstep again you hear me.”

“I understand.” Hunter admitted with a sigh of sadness knowing that his mission to protect his sister had in that very moment just cost him a friendship of a woman he deeply admired.

Hunter, Sheila and Stefan had found underneath the ruins of what was once a vibrant church and a vital part of the community of Mystic Falls as Sheila drew a pentagram in the dirt while looking through a large and clearly ancient grimoire while Hunter and Stefan stood in front of the cave where inside the tomb vampires were trapped.

“I still can’t believe you threaten somebody you grew up with just to get somebody you said you liked to be forced into doing what you wanted of them.” Stefan said to Hunter making it clear he was far from impressed with Hunter’s earlier actions.

“She may not be my sister by blood Stefan, but she’s been my sister all my life and I don’t care if my actions turn the entire world against me as long as she stays safe.” Hunter admitted. “I can’t lose another member of my family; I won’t lose another member of my family.”

“I don’t want to lose Elena either and trust me I will stop at nothing to ensure she’s safe but threatened her best friend and her best friend’s grandmother is not the way.” Stefan told him. “I had hoped to have came into your life soon enough to stop the hunter mentality being your only way of thinking, but I’m started to worry Sheila may have been right about you.”

“You really think that of me?” Hunter asked clearly wounded by Stefan’s painfully true words.

“I fear your humanity is just as in trouble and just as fleeting as my brother’s and I’m sorry Hunter, but I can’t save you both my loyalty is to him and your sister.” Stefan explained. “After this you’re on your own or better yet maybe you should find a new partner in Damon you two are clearly more suited.”

Sheila began chanting in Croatian and within moments each candle located in each corner of the pentagram was lit.

“I’m ready.” She said breaking the boys’ awkward silence.

“Use didn’t really think you’d be tomb raiding without me now did you?” Damon said upon vamp speeding into the underground cave holding Elena by his side. “I may have also got a little bit too gossipy with my girl talk but you know me the only thing looser than my lips is…”

“Elena!” Hunter said in shock, not expecting to see his sister and knowing what her presence meant.

“Damon told me everything,” Elena admitted to Stefan and Hunter while pushing away from Damon. “He told me about vampires, about doppelgangers, hunters and that I’m adopted.”

“Whatever he told you…” Hunter tried to deny.

“Is the truth.” Stefan interrupted unable to lie to the woman he loved any longer. “All we were trying to do is protect you from it.”

“We’ll talk about everything later,” Elena replied to Stefan. “But right now, we have a tomb vampire to break free.”

“Wait you want to go along with Damon and Hunter’s plan? You can’t be thinking straight clearly you’re in shock by all the revelations it’s completely understandable.” Stefan said to Elena as he walked over to his girlfriend.

“I’ve known about Bonnie being a witch for quite some time now,” Elena revealed before looking at Sheila. “And that you were one too after adjusting to that vampires, hunters and doppelgangers aren’t really much of a stretch but yeah I want to know why the hell I’m connected to a centuries old vampire.”

“Then I guess I shall begin the spell.” Sheila responded before beginning to chant in Croatian once again.

Hunter and Damon stood side by side silently watching as Stefan took Elena over to one side of the underground cave they had all found themselves in a bid to explain some rather unexplainable things both too busy eavesdropping to speak to each other while Sheila stood in the middle of the pentagram she had drawn continuing to chant in Croatian as the flames on the candles in each corner of the pentagram grew longer, wider, harsher and more powerful by Sheila’s chants.

“Why are you dating me Stefan?” She asked the youngest Salvatore sibling. “Why would you date someone who loud exactly like your ex-girlfriend?”

“It’s not like that at all what I had with Katherine was never real I was a human under her compulsion and then she turned me and my brother only to leave us like some cruel game.” Stefan explained to her. “My feelings for you are what is real, Elena yes I may have been drawn to the mystery of you and your connection to Katherine, but I fell in love with the amazing person you are.”

“I wish I could believe you Stefan I really do but you’ve lied to me the entire time you’ve known me, and I don’t know if I can ever trust you again.” Elena admitted to him.

“What does that mean for us?” Stefan asked her, fearing the answer.

“I honestly have no idea.” Elena revealed much to her own heartbreak as well as Stefan’s.

Hunter and Damon just stood there, Damon looking at the hurt on Elena’s face and wanted to do anything to make her feel better while Hunter looked at Stefan feeling the same way about Stefan in that very moment there was no denying that Damon Salvatore was madly and deeply in love with Elena Gilbert just like Hunter Gilbert had just realized he was in love with Stefan Salvatore.

“The seal is temporarily broken.” Sheila revealed in between her Croatian chants.

“I guess that’s my cue then.” Damon said before vamp speeding into the cave in which the tomb vampires were trapped without hesitation clearly eager to escape this painful for moment for all involved.

“I suppose this means we’ll probably have our answers soon.” Hunter told Elena and Stefan in a bid to break their awkward silence towards each other.

“And then later we can have a talk of our own.” Elena replied to him, her very words striking fear in her brother fearing she wasn’t happy with his secrecy.

“Not to be the guy who blames ghosts, but I was just simply following my parent’s orders.” Hunter mumbled awkwardly. “Then aunt Jenna’s orders so if your mad at anyone you should totally be mad at her.”

“Hunter I’m not mad at you,” She responded while walking over towards her brother. “What you must’ve been going through the last two years only to come back to this madness I mean I can barely get my head around all this and it’s been your life for two years.”

“It’s definitely been an interesting two years but trust you to one up me over being a vampire hunter with having a vampire doppelganger.” Hunter joked as his sister hugged him.

“You need to fill me in on everything,” She told him as she broke off the hug. “No more secrets.”

“No more secrets.” Hunter repeated accepting Elena’s more than fair demands.

Suddenly Sheila let out a loud scream as mysterious figure after figure vamp sped out of the dark cave and quickly out of sight before Sheila returned to chanting in Croatian raising her voice louder while clearly in a lot of pain.

“Mrs Bennet!” Elena screamed clearly concerned for her best friend’s grandmother.

“Something’s clearly wrong.” Stefan said clearly worried for his brother.

Hunter could sense what Stefan was about to do and quickly tripped Stefan as Stefan began to vamp speed towards the cave snapping the Salvatore vampire’s neck before his body hit the cold hard ground.

“Hunter what the hell are you doing?” Elena asked her brother confused by his sudden act of violence.

“I’ll be right back.” Hunter said in a bid to reassure his sister before running into the cave after Damon.

“Hunter!” She screamed. “Damon!”

“I can’t keep this seal open much longer.” Sheila warned Elena as more human figures vamp sped out of the cave.