New beginnings

Chapter 13

The Magic Box felt almost empty once the larger-than-life wiccan and her distraught protégée had departed. As Giles cleared his throat and sorted through his papers yet again Xander got up to take the vacated chair at the research table with Fred, Tara and Anya, who ignored him, and after checking that Connor hadn’t been disturbed Angel crossed to sit on the step next to Gunn.


Buffy broke the uncomfortable silence with a question. “So what’s been happening while we were away? Any developments on the nerd front?”


Giles smiled with relief at the chance to change the subject completely. “We haven’t seen them, Buffy. I don’t know that we need bother about them too much. It’s quite possible they’ve got bored with their incompetent schemes and moved on.”


“I don’t know why you’re so concerned with these guys, Buffy. They’re human, aren’t they? Shouldn’t you leave them for the police department to deal with?”


“Oh of course, Angel, why didn’t I think of that?” Buffy asked the dubious vampire sarcastically. “The Sunnydale PD has such a stellar history of dealing with people who build freeze rays and invisibility rays and practice magic and summon demons.”


Gunn chuckled and elbowed Angel in the ribs. “She’s got a point there.”


Giles continued, “Mostly we’ve had to deal with random vampires and demons, although one evening while Angel was patrolling and Fred was assisting me with the research into what might have happened to the portal Charles agreed to check the list of new rentals Willow had prepared. He went to see if he could find any signs of your infamous black van. Anya decided to go with him to guide him around to save time, but I’m afraid they didn’t get very far.”


Gunn spoke up. “We’d checked half a dozen of the addresses and found them occupied by families when we were attacked by a gross waxy demon. It was very strong and it had nasty spines coming out of its arms. It stabbed Anya and when I went to check she was okay it ran off.”


Anya shuddered. “It was a Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik. Of course we didn’t know that…”


Spike butted in, “Oh they’re nasty buggers, pet. Did you manage to get the antidote before the hallucinations kicked in?”


Xander examined his former fiancée anxiously, “Antidote? You were poisoned?”


Anya ignored him and answered Spike. “Well it was a day or two before I realised there was anything wrong. At first I thought I was just dozing off and dreaming about when I was first human.”


Giles explained. “We eventually noticed her going off into trances, and then she’d start talking in a strange language.” He frowned at the memory. “After a while she became very distressed and really quite ill.”


Anya sniffed irritably. “I don’t know how much business I lost because customers thought I’d gone mad and ran out of the store because they thought I was talking gibberish at them. It’s most upsetting.


Gunn added, “We found out what the demon was at last and Angel went with me to hunt for it.”


Fred put in, “We needed it’s stinger to make the antidote.”


Gunn smirked at Angel. “The big lunk nearly managed to get himself poked too before we could knock it out and tie it up.”


Angel muttered defensively, “I had no idea how strong those things are! We should have taken Giles up on his offer of a tranquiliser gun.”


Giles continued, “Fred very expertly distilled the antidote while I took care of Anya.”


Anya made an ‘ick’ face. “I don’t recommend getting stung by a Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik, Buffy. The antidote tastes horrible. Rupert had to sit with me and make sure I drank it all or I might still be thinking I was Aud in ninth century Sweden and refusing to believe I could possibly be living in a land that I had never heard of helping fight monsters that were only suppose to exist in the sagas. I accepted that trolls and ogres existed because they lived in the forest, but Vampires and Hellgods? Slayers and girls who are really mystical keys? I just couldn’t believe they were real! As for modern technology… well I always knew about magic. That was normal. It was things like electric light and cars that seemed magical to me! If the house there hadn’t been overrun with homicidal bunnies I’m not sure that even Rupert could have persuaded me I belonged here.”


Dawn giggled. “Perhaps you really are called Aud living in ancient Sweden and we don’t really exist at all ‘cos we’re all part of your hallucination!”


When the laughter had died down Spike asked, “How’s the lad doing? Is he still scared stiff of the poof?”


Giles looked puzzled. “The lad? Who?”


Buffy smiled, “I think he means Nathan, Giles.”


Angel shook his head. “I’ve only caught the odd glimpse of him. He seems to be avoiding me.”


“Yeah, well he had his fill of your temper tantrums when I was in that soddin’ wheelchair and you were going through your ‘dust the incompetent minions’ phase. He did a runner and didn’t come back until Dru got her claws into him.”


Angel frowned, “I don’t remember him.”


Gunn chuckled, “He sure remembers you.” He shrugged, “He’s not so bad. He came with me on patrol a few times, but he’s not much of a fighter. Sure knows a lot though, he’s a walking encyclopaedia of the history of the Hellmouth and its inhabitants. Handy guy to have around, he was the one who identified the poisonous Gargle demon for us. Lonely though. He’s not too comfortable being around humans, and I’m sure he could tell I’m not too comfortable around him, so I think he only hung with me ‘cos he needed someone to talk to.”


Buffy frowned, “We’re gonna have to do something about that. A lonely vamp is a vamp who’s likely to hook up with the first person who gives him the time of day ‘cos he’s desperate for the company. And if that person’s evil...” She smirked and poked Spike in the leg, “Can I just say ‘Harmony’?”


Spike protested, “Oy!” Then he sniggered and suggested, “We could always move him in with Clem. He’ll talk to anyone about anything… constantly… and the crypt is handy for us to drop in and check on him when we’re out on patrol. Could take him with us sometimes, let him get his bit of violence...”


Giles looked thoughtful. “As a matter of fact that’s not a bad idea. I really wasn’t happy leaving him on his own out at the mansion. I’m still not confident he can be trusted. He doesn’t have the benefit of a government chip to help him to control his instinct to hunt as you did, Spike. We really need to keep an eye on him until he is comfortable with his new lifestyle.”


Buffy nodded. “We’ll drop in to see him tomorrow night, Giles, when the LA invasion has gone and he’ll be more relaxed. Spike’ll go and sound Clem out about having a roommate first. Won’t you, honey?”


Spike shrugged, “Yeah, okay. I’d like to see what he’s done with the place anyway. I’ll ask him about his auntie too.” He looked at Giles, “Anything else, Watcher? The Slayer really needs to get out there and kick some demon arse to make her feel better, don’t you Slayer, darlin’? Fancy finding something to kill?”


“Oh yes please!”


Angel frowned. “Do you think you’re strong enough to patrol so soon, Buffy? Shouldn’t you take a few days off to recuperate? I know Spike had to drain you to close the portal…”


Spike spluttered, “Oy! I never!”


Buffy broke in with, “Spike doesn’t drain me, Angel. He just takes the bare minimum to get the job done. If anything, I’ve been wondering whether he hasn’t been cutting it a bit fine.”


Gunn suggested, “Why don’t we all go? I’d really like to see you in action, Buffy, if that’s okay.”


Buffy nodded eagerly while Angel sulkily muttered, “Well there’s a big new nest I’ve heard of, down by the docks.” He ruefully examined his bandaged hand. “I was going to see to it tonight.”


Buffy grinned excitedly. “Perfect! A couple dozen skanky vamps is just what the doctor ordered!”


Xander chuckled, “That’s our Buff, promise her monsters to kill and she’s all smiles.”


Giles began to collect all his notes together and then paused, “Oh, Angel. You said something about some enquiries you had been making?”


“Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me, Giles. Buffy, I don’t think you need to worry about the Initiative making another appearance in Sunnydale.”


Buffy’s eyes went wide, “Really? That’s wonderful, Angel! Are you sure?”


The big vampire shrugged modestly. “I’m as sure as I can be, yeah. I called in a few favours and I had Wes ask a few questions in LA. We’ve discovered that the team observing Spike was an isolated case. They wanted to reassure themselves they weren’t leaving a dangerous vampire on the loose before abandoning the Sunnydale installation altogether. It seems they’ve shifted their main base of operations somewhere else. The team didn’t vanish until after reporting that Spike’s chip still functioned correctly and he wasn’t hunting. They made it clear that he was on good terms with the Slayer and was actually helping you. That’s why they wrote them off and decided it wasn’t worth risking further loss of manpower to replace them. They had dropped the Suvolte here as a test.” He pointed at Spike. “He took them by surprise by taking it out before they’d had a chance to get organised.” He sneered, “Finn was supposed to find you and get your help to kill it, and then let you lead him to the eggs they’d planted on Spike. Of course the actual eggs they used were quite harmless, as you discovered. They wanted to find out if he was still dangerous enough to harbour potentially killer demon eggs for money, and at the same time gauge your reaction.” He shrugged. “Of course their plan went awry because they didn’t know about him trying to cancel the deal and your Claim.”


Dawn crowed, “I told you so! I told you there was something hinky about that whole operation!”


Spike was fuming. “The giant boy scout tried to set me up? The wanker! He’d better not show his pasty face around here again or I’ll rip his lungs out!” He shrugged thoughtfully. “Mind you, after seeing him in that place I shouldn’t be surprised by anything the twisted git got up to.” Seeing Angel’s questioning glance he added, “The boy was a bit too fond of the bite.”


Angel nodded in understanding. “A suck house? In that case you’re all lucky to be alive. I’ve dealt with a couple in LA but I hadn’t thought they’d dare set up shop in the Slayer’s town. Those places have a history of turning their mistakes. It only needs one of their tame vamps to get carried away and take too much and presto, a client becomes an extra cash cow. You could all have been killed or turned before you realised he was a vampire. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like that guy.”


Xander tried to defend the soldier he had once called a friend. “Surely Riley didn’t know it was all a put up job? He really seemed to think those eggs were dangerous!”


Buffy pleaded desperately, “Oh Angel, please tell me Riley didn’t know it was all a trick. That he wasn’t in on the ‘let’s set Spike up and see if Buffy will kill him’ mission.”


Angel shook his head. “I’m sorry, Buffy. That’s one thing I don’t know. Finn could have been part of the conspiracy or he could have been a tool of the Initiative, just blindly obeying orders. Other than asking him I don’t think there’s any way we’ll ever be able to find out. One thing we can be sure of was that he was specifically picked for the mission because of his local knowledge, his past relationship with you and a familiarity with the way you work.”

******

“How is everyone getting home?” Giles asked as he finished packing up his books and papers.


Xander confirmed, “I’m good.”


Buffy looked guiltily at her sister. “Well Spike and I came on his motorbike…”


Giles suggested, “I could take Dawn and Tara with Anya, if that would help?”


Dawn pleaded, “Oh, could you bring Fred too? If Angel and Gunn are going patrolling with Buffy and Spike she can stay with us until they’ve finished playing. Angel and Gunn can pick her and Connor up on their way back to the mansion!”


Buffy smiled knowingly at her. “You just want some Connor cuddle time!”


Dawn pouted, “Well they’ll be going back to LA soon.” She glanced hopefully at Angel. “Won’t you?”


Angel nodded, “Yeah. It was good having a break away from LA here where there’s nobody after Connor, but Cordy, Wes and Lorne have been keeping things going on their own for longer than we thought. We really need to get back. I expect we’ll be off tomorrow night.” He frowned and pompously declared, “By the way, Dawn, I don’t think you’ve got the right idea about Buffy’s calling. She isn’t going ‘playing’ as you call it. She’s going to perform her sacred duty!”


Dawn turned incredulous eyes up at him. “Have you even met my sister? Blonde? Skinny? Yeah high? Shoeaholic? Wears a lot of leather? Loves nothing better than a knock down drag out fight to wind down with at the end of the day? Of course she’s going out to play!”

******

Spike drew the motorbike up behind the Angelmobile in a particularly disreputable looking alley. When they gathered by the car Angel pointed out the warehouse he had learned contained a nest newly established by a vampire who had recently arrived in town. Nobody had been able to tell Angel what his purpose was, but it was safe to say it wasn’t likely to be for the good of mankind.


When Buffy immediately started striding towards the entrance Spike caught her by the arm, “Just a minute, Slayer. Two things I want you to try first.” When Buffy raised a curious eyebrow at him he continued. “Just close your eyes for a minute, yeah?”


Shrugging, Buffy complied, then squeaked in surprise when Spike spun her a few times, walking around her so she lost all sense of direction then brought her to a standstill by grasping her upper arms. He quietly asked, “Now, Slayer. Tell me where the vampires are, how many there are and how old they are.”


Buffy considered. She turned slightly to her left and pointed directly at the warehouse and down a bit. “They’re that way.” She frowned and asked, “Spike, Angel, get behind me please, you’re confusing my spidey sense…” When they had moved she concentrated, turning her head this way and that as she tried to analyse what her senses were telling her.


Eventually she nodded and announced, “There’s one powerful old one, older than you, Spike, but not as old as Angel. There’s another old one who’s much weaker, perhaps a minion? The rest are all young, just regular vamps, but it’s hard to tell how many… they’re moving around. Perhaps fifteen?” She opened her eyes and directed a huge grin at Spike. “Is it just me or is this getting easier?”


“Your Slayer senses are getting stronger, sweetheart. Now then, remember how you looked inside yourself in the forest to find your Slayerness? Try that now. Bring the Slayer out to play.”


She closed her eyes and breathed deeply for a few seconds, then she opened cool flinty green eyes, took a stake from her jacket pocket and turned purposefully towards the warehouse.


Spike gestured to indicate she should go ahead of him, suggesting, “Get in there and kick some vampire arse, Slayer. I’ll keep my eyes open and jump in if you need me.”


Gunn armed himself with a crossbow and his custom axe, and the three men followed the tiny blonde towards the warehouse. As she tested the door and found it unlocked Buffy quietly directed them, “Charles, stay by this door and stop any of them escaping. Spike, watch my back as usual. Angel, find the other entrance and stop any of them getting out that way.”


Angel objected, “How do you know there’s another entrance, Buffy?”


She glared at him irritably. “There’s always another entrance! It usually leads to the sewers.”


When Spike stepped through the door after her he walked into a cloud of vamp dust. Buffy had silently eliminated the single sentry. They stood on a rusty metal gallery that ran around three sides of the cavernous building with rickety stairs leading to the cracked concrete floor twenty feet below. In one corner of the gallery there was a glass-walled room, evidently an office of sorts. Overhead were pulleys on rails across the ceiling, with dangling chains swaying gently in the cold salty breeze coming from the filthy smashed windows high in the opposite wall. The warehouse clearly hadn’t been in use for a long time. Below they could make out figures moving around in the flickering shadows thrown by a few oil lamps and candles. The vampires evidently hadn’t been there long enough to tap into the power grid. Buffy gestured to Angel to go off to find the rear access and nodded at Gunn who checked that the office was empty then took his place by the entrance.


Spike and Buffy took a few seconds to note the vampires’ positions, then without a word the Slayer laid her hand on the railing and vaulted over it, landing squarely on a large rectangular wooden table in the middle of a group of seven vampires who were clustered around it studying spread out papers by the light of two oil lamps.


She brightly announced, “I hope you don’t mind, I just thought I’d drop in.” and bent to stake two of them before they could react. As the rest lunged for her she dished out well aimed kicks in all directions.


Two of the vampires jumped up onto the table to face her while the others reached out to try and trip her. Buffy ducked two large fists and simultaneously took care of the three vampires still standing on the floor by sweeping one of the oil lamps up and smashing it on the chest of the middle one. He immediately burst into flames. The oil had splattered across onto the other two and when the burning vampire flailed around in agony he touched them and ignited it. Within seconds all three had burnt to ashes.


She was fighting very effectively against the remaining two when four more vampires charged into view, yelling angrily.


Spike was poised to leap over the railing to join the fight when Buffy staked the hulking creature in front of her and lashed out at the one behind her with a powerful back kick to the abdomen, sending him flying into the approaching vampires, knocking three of them to the ground.


She executed a graceful somersault off the table and faced off against the five vampires jostling for position to attack her. Spike relaxed again when he registered her unflagging confidence. He smiled proudly. She didn’t need his help yet.


Spike abruptly became aware of a presence at his side and glanced to his right where Gunn was hanging over the railing gaping in awe at the action below. The young man whispered, “So that’s a Slayer. She’s good, isn’t she?”


Spike chuckled and whispered back, “Good? She’s bloody glorious, mate!”


“Shouldn’t you be down there helping her?”


“Nah… she’s just getting into her stride. She’ll let me know if she needs me.”


The five vampires opposing Buffy had become four, and she had settled in to trade punches and kicks with them. Three were only average fighters but one tall female was beginning to display some talent. She had managed to land a couple of telling blows on the Slayer and Spike started to become concerned. He still hesitated, though. Buffy still radiated calm competence and showed no sign of tiring.


All at once the situation changed again. Two more male vampires appeared on the scene. Rather than dashing in to join the fight though, they stood off to one side and watched for a few moments, summing up the situation. After they exchanged a few hurried words one ran back the way they had come while the other cautiously approached Buffy from behind.


Spike opened his mouth to warn his Slayer when he heard her laugh excitedly and grab a second stake from her waistband with her left hand. She flung the original unerringly at the heart of the female vampire who crumbled to dust. The force behind the stake caused it to carry on through her remains into the male vampire behind her who looked down at himself, raised a finger to touch the stake in disbelief and muttered, “Hot Damn,” before he joined her in Hell.


Expertly switching the second stake to her right hand, Buffy spun to come face to face with the newcomer. Now it was one against three, and having seen so many of their fellows perish two of the vampires were already losing their enthusiasm for the fight. As they edged back to force the third vampire to take the brunt of Buffy’s attack Spike relaxed more, leant his elbows on the rusty railing and gloried in his Slayer’s skills. He absently adjusted his tight jeans to make himself more comfortable.


Buffy and the new arrival began taking each other’s measure. Kicks and punches were thrown and it soon became clear that this vampire, while relatively young, was an expert fighter. As he fended off the Slayer’s blows he sneered, “You cannot stop Master Yasashiku. The ritual will take place on schedule but you, little girl, will not live to see it.”


Buffy responded brightly, “I think you’re wrong about that…” and proceeded to hit him with a flurry of punches to the face and upper body then a high spin kick to the jaw that had him staggering backwards. At this the other two vampires exchanged glances and moved up behind Buffy intending to use her concentration on the other vampire to take her by surprise.


Spike frowned thoughtfully. A ritual? What had this Master got planned? He leaned out over the railing and carefully examined the warehouse, finding a faintly lit opening under the balcony. It looked as if there was another room down there.


All at once he realised that while he had been focused on doorway more figures had burst into the space and the three vampires menacing Buffy had become seven. He sensed her begin to feel a little weary and slightly anxious about being surrounded. One huge dark figure seemed to be intent upon confronting her, going so far as to shove one of the others out of his way and kick another behind the knee to handicap him.


Sensing the bulky vampire behind her Buffy turned and directed a punch to his jaw and a kick to his groin which caused him to cry out and double up in agony. She finished by bringing her clasped fists down on the back of his neck to stun him and then prepared to stake him through the back before he could recover, but as her hand descended he turned his head to look up at her and she gasped in shocked recognition, “Angel?”


Buffy froze, giving the skilled fighter now behind her the opportunity to land a powerful kick in the centre of her back which sent her lurching forward into Angel, and her stake went flying. Regaining her balance she tried to gather her wits, but her concentration was shattered. Angrily she lashed out at Angel who was slowly straightening up, landing a kick to his chest that sent him tumbling several yards to crash against one of the rusty metal pillars holding up the gallery. Her movements became jerky and uncoordinated as she tried to fend off the six vampires now attacking her en masse.


Spike was already sailing down towards her when she hesitantly whispered, “Spike?” and looked desperately around for him.


Spike landed on top of the vampire who had dared to take his Slayer by surprise, his heavy Docs meeting the demon’s head and shoulder, instantly snapping his neck. Rolling to recover Spike turned and staked the immobile vampire then he slipped a second stake from his duster pocket and tossed it to Buffy, calling, “Catch, Slayer!”


As she instinctively caught the weapon Buffy’s intense relief flooded him for a second and then she once more radiated calm confidence as they automatically drifted into their customary back to back stance to continue the fight.


They had whittled their opponents down to three when a compelling shout came from the direction of the lit doorway, “Stop! Stop this now!”


The fight abruptly paused when all three vampires raised their hands in surrender and backed away.


Buffy and Spike exchanged a bewildered shrug and turned to see who had interrupted the battle.


A slight figure approached them. As he strode forward out of the shadows they could see he was Japanese. He wore a traditional outfit of black wide legged trousers, bright blue silk wrapover full sleeved tunic encrusted with golden embroidery and a long black sash that was wound several times around his waist. Poking out from beneath the trousers his feet were encased in thick brilliant white socks and rather clumsy looking toe-post sandals. He wore two slender curved swords tucked through the sash, a katana and a wakizashi, the time-honoured long and short swords of the samurai warrior.


He furiously barked, “What is the meaning of this disturbance? There must be no disruption of the ritual until my Lady Sakura is restored to me!”


One of the minions rested his palms on the front of his thighs and bowed deeply from the waist. “Apologies, Master Yasashiko.” He gestured towards Buffy, nervously explaining, “Uh… the Slayer.”


The oriental vampire’s eyes went very wide as he took in Buffy’s appearance. He unexpectedly bowed deeply and murmured reverentially, “Honourable Slayer. Honoured to be in your presence.” He straightened up again and his eyes flicked to take in Spike’s presence. “And the honourable Slayer’s Mate and Champion!” He bowed to Spike, although this time he didn’t dip quite as deeply. “Master William. Honoured to meet you.”


Buffy exchanged another confused glance with Spike. “You know who we are?”


The Japanese vampire nodded, “Word travels.”


Hesitantly Buffy added, “Uh… you do know I’m gonna have to kill you… don’t you?”


The Samurai looked almost embarrassed. “I had hoped to be gone before the honourable Slayer became aware of my presence.” His face took on a wistfully hopeful expression. “Would it be too much to ask that the ritual to restore my beloved could be completed and we could be allowed to leave the Slayer’s town? We do not kill indiscriminately.”


Seeing Buffy’s doubtful expression Yasashiko hastily explained, “A couple of months ago my Lady Sakura desired to visit Los Angeles for a shopping spree. While there I heard that shortly before we arrived The Cursed One had destroyed his former travelling companion the Lady Elizabeth which caused her beloved Mate Master James to swear vengeance before going to dust. They had been together even longer than my precious Lady and I, over two centuries! Their love was renowned.”


He sighed sadly, “I was ordering room service when I felt my Mate taken from me. One of her maids was fortunate enough to escape and return to our hotel to tell me they had run foul of Angelus and one of his minions. In her shame at outliving her mistress she took her own unlife by swallowing Holy Water.” He shook his head in horrified disbelief. “I had thought the earlier incident had been a tragic accident. Nobody had informed me The Cursed One now made a habit of deliberately seeking out his own kind and killing them.”


Hearing a weary sigh, Spike anxiously glanced back at the dark figure hunched in the shadows under the gallery. Angel had regained consciousness. The dark vampire mumbled quietly, “I didn’t recognise Elizabeth in time. James loved that girl with everything he was.”


Spike exchanged a brief surprised look with Buffy who had caught the comment too, then he turned to check Yasashiko hadn’t heard. Under the circumstances a confrontation between the two vampires would be inconvenient to say the least.


Luckily the Samurai appeared oblivious as he sadly continued, “We were inseparable for more than a hundred and thirty years, my Lady Sakura and I. I was mourning and putting my affairs in order in preparation to meet the sunrise, but shortly before dawn I was informed of a ritual that could bring my beloved Mate back to me. I distrust magic, but if there was even the slightest chance my Lady might be restored to me…” He shrugged, “Unfortunately I discovered it needed the influence of the Hellmouth to be effective.” In desperate hope he pleaded, “We could be gone within hours…?”


Buffy shook her head apologetically, “Uh… sorry. Kinda my duty, you know?”


The proud little figure slumped in disappointment and nodded in resignation. “I must respect your dedication to your duty, Chosen One. May I humbly ask if it would be possible for me to expire in honourable single combat? I can think of no more fitting end.”


“Well… yeah.” Buffy gestured towards his twin weapons and held up her stake. “But it’s not so honourable when you’ve got the pretty swords and all I have is this…”


Nodding slowly he acknowledged the disparity, murmuring, “Ah so desu ka." He barked out an order in rapid Japanese and a tiny black clad oriental minion who had been hovering unnoticed bowed and dodged out of sight, returning a few moments later carrying another sword. After giving it a cursory check Master Yasashiko gestured that the minion should pass the katana to the Slayer.


Tucking her stake away in her waistband Buffy accepted the weapon from the minion who bowed low and offered it to her, the shimmering blade laid across a length of snowy white silk draped between his two palms. Once she had the hilt firmly in her grasp he backed away and accepted his Master’s wakizashi with another deep bow before scuttling out of range.


As she admired the exquisitely crafted katana and tested its weight and balance Yasashiko said, “Please accept the use of my second best katana, Chosen One. It is a venerable weapon that was passed down in my family for many generations. Naturally it will remain yours.” He nodded at Spike. “If you fall your Mate will bear it and its brother wakizashi to your family after he has avenged your death.” He indicated the weapon at his waist. “Of course if I should fall this one and its fellow would also become your property.”


Stunned and uncertain how to respond, Buffy fell back on the manners that her mother had impressed upon her. “Uh… thank you. It’s a beautiful weapon.”


Master Yasashiko instructed his remaining minions to clear the area by carrying the table and a few broken down pallets out of the way, and to add extra light by bringing in more lit lamps and candles to set around the outer edge of the space.


Angel picked this moment to lurch to his feet. He leant unsteadily against the metal pillar weakly protesting, “Buffy! He’s a Samurai! Surely you can’t be considering taking him on?”


Buffy turned startled eyes to Spike and gestured frantically for him to do something to silence Angel before Yasashiko noticed him.


Delighted at the opportunity for a little payback for the previous evening’s attack Spike nodded his agreement and sidled over to where Angel stood swaying on his feet. He whispered, “Shut your gob you fathead. You’re gonna ruin everything for the Slayer.”


His grandsire grabbed hold of his sleeve and gasped, “But he’s Samurai! You know how skilled they are with a katana. Remember Kyoto? We barely got away! Buffy can’t possibly…”


Livid at Angel’s lack of faith in his Slayer’s abilities Spike rolled his eyes impatiently and stepped back a pace. Muttering irritably, “My girl doesn’t need you undermining her confidence, you stupid pillock. I think you’d better go back to sleep for a bit.” His left fist shot out and met the point of Angel’s nose and without making a sound the larger vampire spun around and toppled back to the floor.


Buffy grinned at Spike as he swaggered back over to her wearing a very satisfied smirk, then slipped out of her leather jacket and handed it to him leaving her in her black leather jeans and a scarlet silk shirt with a see-through lace back. Spike whispered to her, “Don’t forget a katana is a slashing weapon, Slayer, not a stabbing weapon. You’ll need to decapitate him quickly. This little Hirohito’s probably an expert swordsman but if you can tap into your Slayer instincts you shouldn’t have any trouble.” He glanced thoughtfully over his shoulder at the Japanese vampire and added, “’Sides, I don’t think he’s too eager to unlive without his Lady. I know I wouldn’t be.”


When the preparations were complete Buffy took a couple of steps forward, then paused and impulsively turned back to Spike. She grasped him by the back of the neck and pulled him down into a deep possessive kiss. As she released him she whispered, “Thank you, Spike.”


“For what, Slayer?”


She sent a brief meaningful glance over to where Angel was slumped in the shadows then smiled up into his eyes, “For accepting that I need to fight my own battles and for your belief in me, your unwavering faith that I can always win them.”


Spike shrugged shyly, “’Course you’ll win, Slayer. Bloody magnificent, you are.” He gestured at the waiting Master Vampire and quietly reminded her. “The little emperor there’s Samurai, Slayer. For him honour is everything and this is like a formal duel to the death. I expect he’ll bow to you before the fight begins. Try to bow back to the same degree. He’s according you the respect of an equal which would have been unheard of in his time ‘cos you’re a woman. Reckon you should do him the honour of returning it.”


The warehouse fell silent as Buffy and the Japanese vampire came to stand a few feet apart, facing each other in the centre of the space. Then with his left hand holding his sword at his side Yasashiko used his right hand to brush his full trousers out of the way and knelt down, sitting on his heels. He slipped his katana from his sash, tucked it around to his right side, and reverently laid it on the ground. After a second’s hesitation Buffy mimicked his movements. The samurai then bowed low, his palms flat on the ground and his forehead just touching the backs of his hands. Once more Buffy echoed his movements. After a few moments Yasashiko rose back to his knees and drew the blade to lay it across in front of him, bowed again with his palms on the ground, then gracefully stood up, grasping the katana by the hilt. As before Buffy copied him just a heartbeat behind.


For a breath they were both absolutely still then they began circling slowly, each foot being deliberately placed as their blades traced elegant sweeps through the air while they took each other’s measure and waited for the perfect moment to attack. Spike could feel his Mate deliberately clear her mind of all distractions, leaving her absolutely intent upon her opponent.


The two katanas made contact in a rapid series of clashes as the two superhuman beings exchanged a succession of lightning fast moves, the candlelight reflecting off the gleaming steel in a confused Morse code of flashes. The skirmish lasted mere seconds before the two slight figures drew apart once more and resumed their wary circling.


Spike noted that Buffy’s focus had flickered for a second and something had surprised her, but then her determination returned. When she had moved around to the point where he could see her face to his horror he saw a trickle of blood down her cheek. She blinked to disperse the fluid, and blinked again, but the cut above her right eye continued to drip threatening to break her concentration.


Buffy closed her eyes.


Spike could only look on in helpless consternation as the Samurai gave an exultant cry and leapt forward, weapon raised.


The two blades crashed together in another snappy sequence of attacks, then in a blur of speed Buffy executed a balletic pirouette sweeping her katana around in a tight circle.


A metallic clatter echoed around the warehouse as the Samurai’s sword fell to the ground along with his dust.


There were four seconds of stunned silence then the three minions Buffy and Spike had been fighting earlier and who had been standing at the side of the room watching the sword fight roared in fury and charged. Without opening her eyes Buffy turned to meet them, and in what appeared to be slow motion delicately flicked her blade at each of their necks, leaving three more clouds of dust drifting to the concrete floor.


Seemingly in a trance the victorious Slayer turned back to face where her opponent had met his end and bowed. After two seconds she straightened up and staggered slightly as she took a huge gulp of air and opened her eyes, blinking as she looked around in apparent confusion. Spike saw with relief that the cut above her eye had stopped bleeding.


At last Spike was able to move. He strode across the floor and wrapped his arms around his Slayer, murmuring into her hair, “That was… that was just perfect, my sweet Slayer. Poetry in motion, you are.” Buffy’s spare arm slipped around his waist and she gave him a grateful squeeze and laid her head on his shoulder. They stood motionless for a few seconds until they were disturbed by a thunderous rattle and they pulled apart to look around for the source of the noise, only to see Gunn trotting down the steps from the gallery.


The wide-eyed young man stammered, “I’ve never seen anything… I mean…” He shook his head in disbelief. “Xander said you were special, but that was… I mean you moved so fast… and you sent Angel flying… and then in that sword fight you Had. Your. Eyes. Closed!”


Buffy lowered her eyes and shrugged modestly, “Speed, strength, enhanced reactions, ability to sense vamps, it’s all part of the Slayer package. No big.”


Realising that she didn’t want him to make a fuss Gunn looked around eagerly, asking, “Is that all of them? Didn’t you leave any for me?”


Buffy shrugged, “Just two more…” She pointed to the doorway. “Down there. One of them is the old minion the other is just a regular vamp.” She carefully laid her new katana on the ground next to Yasashiko’s and retrieved her stake from her waistband.


As the three of them cautiously approached the lit passage Buffy paused for a second then broke into a run, “I can hear chanting. Chanting’s never good. The ritual!”


They hurtled down the staircase lit by candles placed every few steps, into what had once been a basement storeroom. There were a few dilapidated tea chests and some general trash shoved into a corner, but their attention was drawn straight to the four individuals who were sitting around a pattern of concentric circles made up of coloured sands and numerous lit candles containing a series of arcane symbols drawn in blood. In front of each of them was a small brass bowl of something burning that was giving off a faint haze of pungent pink smoke. In the centre of the circle was a heap of multicoloured silks, presumably in preparation for the arrival of Yasashiko’s Lady.


The one remaining fighting vampire stood between them and the chanting sorcerers. Buffy didn’t hesitate in lunging for his rather ugly bulbous nose while Gunn fended off his attempted kick and landed one of his own on the side of vampire’s knee, causing him to stumble. Buffy stepped back and gestured Gunn forward and the young man sent his stake into the demon’s dead heart, triumphantly disposing of the last threat.


They warily approached the ritual. As Spike looked around, out of the corner of his eye he noticed the tiny oriental minion edging out of the room and back upstairs. He was clutching a bundle of what looked like long black sticks and tears were flowing unashamedly down his face. Coming to the conclusion that he posed no current danger Spike decided that stopping the ritual took precedence, the little vampire could wait.


The murmured incantation continued as the four magicians ignored their presence and Spike took the opportunity to bend and sniff at one. It was difficult to catch his scent over the highly perfumed smoke, but his regular heartbeat told Spike he was human.


Buffy quietly checked, “Human?”


Spike nodded.


She mused, “I wish Giles or Willow were here. They’d know how we’re supposed to stop them.” After a moment’s hesitation she shrugged and began blowing out candles.


Gunn copied her on the other side of the circle while Spike carefully used his stake to flip the four little brass bowls over, extinguishing the burning incense.


As the last candle went out the four men faltered in their incantation and opened their eyes, blinking in confusion at the discovery of the destruction of their magic circle and the intruders responsible.


As they gaped up at her Buffy cheerfully told them, “I hope you got paid in advance, ‘cos the vampire who hired you? Kinda dust. That means he doesn’t really need his Lady brought back any more, so your ritual is kinda pointless.” She patted one bewildered magician on the shoulder and gently explained, “We thought we’d do you a favour and stop you before the Lady Sakura got here ‘cos she’d have been one unhappy vamp if she appeared and discovered her Mate wasn’t here to welcome her.” Her voice lost its friendly tone and became coldly menacing as she finished, “I think you’d better pack up and get out of town, don’t you? Soon.”


Taking advantage of his position standing back where neither Buffy nor Gunn could see his face, Spike flashed a bit of fang to emphasise her threat. The three startled men who were able to see him flinched and began nodding frantically, mumbling fervent assurances that they’d be gone by morning.


Buffy turned to lead the way back to the stairs as the four thoroughly intimidated magicians began to collect their equipment, but after a couple of steps she turned back and carefully gathered up the colourful silks from the centre of the ritual circle. Seeing all the men staring at her as she tried to bundle the slippery fabric into a manageable bale she muttered defensively, “What? Well, the Lady Sakura won’t need them… will she?”


Chuckling indulgently, Spike and Gunn followed her back up into the main warehouse where they found Angel confronting the tiny oriental minion. The distraught minion was clutching his bundle of sticks and desperately trying to fend off an aggressive Angel who was attempting to take them from him.


Thrusting her silks at an astonished Gunn who clutched at them but failed miserably to prevent them slipping to the ground in a multicoloured cascade, Buffy ran over to the two vampires and shoved Angel back, crying, “Oh leave him alone, Angel. He obviously doesn’t want to give them to you!”


Ignoring his angry protestations she turned to the little Japanese vampire who was now kneeling at her feet. He bowed low then held up what were now clearly visible as four swords, two long and two shorter, sheathed in black lacquer scabbards. One pair of scabbards was decorated with inlaid silver dragons, the other pair with golden phoenixes. He hesitantly announced, “Honourable Slayer. My Master’s wishes... Please to accept.”


Buffy carefully took them from him, softly exclaiming, “Oh! Thank you! They’re so beautiful!” Cradling her precious new weapons she shrugged and gestured helplessly that she had no idea what to do with the oddly inoffensive little vampire who was now bowing so low his nose was touching the ground.


The decision was taken out of her hands when Angel stepped forward and coolly thrust a stake into his back.


For Buffy this was the last straw in the long history of Angel acting inappropriately and she reacted accordingly. Her eyes flashed and her jaw was clenched as she lovingly handed her swords to Spike then slowly turned to glare at the oblivious dark vampire.


Sensing the fury that was building in his Mate, and highly relieved her imminent outburst was not going to be directed at him, Spike decided to get well out of range. He carried the swords over to where Gunn had spread a kimono out on the ground and stacked the other silks on it and was tying them up into a secure package.


When he had finished the young man picked the bundle up by the knot to carry it over to Buffy, but Spike held him back. He whispered, “You might want to wait a minute, mate.” He gestured to Buffy, “That’s an unexploded Slayer. Trust me. You don’t want to get in her way just now.” They hefted their loads of battle spoils and sat on the bottom step up to the gallery to watch the confrontation.


Buffy’s quiet voice was deceptively calm as she began listing Angel’s transgressions. She started with his use of the Claddagh ring to go through a handfasting ceremony with her without explaining its significance and went on to deplore his secret Controlling Claim on her and his subsequent abandonment after convincing her she should try to have the ever elusive ‘normal life’.


Then came how upon reflection he had changed his mind about accepting the Mating Claim and his attempt to manipulate Giles into breaking it, his continued attempts to discredit Spike and the way he still treated her like a little girl who needed to be protected and was too stupid to make her own decisions.


She became shrill as she told him off for his lack of respect for her position as the Slayer by ignoring her instructions to guard the second entrance. Instead he had left his post to come rushing into the middle of her fight which had broken her concentration, endangered her life and resulted in her nearly staking him by accident.


She ended up in frustrated tears as she challenged him on his admission that the vampires James and Elizabeth had been deeply in love, when after his stint as Angelus he had convinced her that all soulless vampires were incapable of love. She became coldly furious as she accused him of lying to her to cover up his own shortcomings.


With the belief she had held so long disproved and her reason for refusing the previous year to believe that Spike’s love was genuine shown to be spurious, her distress was clear. “I wasted so much time we could have been together. We caused each other so much pain ‘cos I couldn’t believe he really loved me. It wasn’t until the Bond and I knew how he felt about me that I started to understand… and even then at first I thought it had to be because of the chip. That he’d been forced to change and that was the only reason he could love me.”


When Angel defensively protested that he’d only ever been trying to do the best thing for her, and that James and Elizabeth had been unusual vampires who hadn’t fit the general mould, he only made things worse.


Buffy yelled, “But you don’t get to decide what’s best for me! That’s my choice! And as for unusual vampires… Spike and Drusilla both tried to tell me soulless vampires were able to love but I wouldn’t listen. It’s clear Yasashiko and his Lady could too so it’s not so unusual after all, and you always knew that!” Her control finally snapped and she lashed out, her tiny fist making contact with Angel’s nose in exactly the same spot as Spike’s had earlier.


Angel staggered back, landing once more in a crumpled heap under the gallery. When Buffy stalked over to the unconscious vampire and began kicking him, wailing hysterically, Spike decided that enough was enough, laid the swords on the step and went and enfolded her in his arms, turning her to face him and crushing her to his chest.


After a few moments resistance she clutched at his t-shirt and buried her face in his neck, sobbing. Spike rubbed small soothing circles on her back as he murmured what he hoped were comforting words in her ear.


After a little while she heaved a shuddering sigh and sniffed, mopped her face on Spike’s t-shirt and lifted her face for a slightly salty kiss. “Thanks honey,” She panted, “I needed that!” She looked over at Gunn and shrugged, “Uh… sorry about that, Charles.” She combed her fingers through her hair, grabbed her leather jacket from the table where Spike had laid it and put it on, then she gestured at the slumbering vampire. “He should wake up in a few minutes. When he does could you tell him that I don’t really want to see him for a while? In fact I’d rather he doesn’t come back to Sunnydale at all unless there’s an apocalypse.” She pointed at the silks and swords. “Do you think you could take those to my house in the car when you pick Fred and Connor up, please? We’re on the motorbike…”


“Sure, Buffy. No problem.” Gunn smirked wickedly, “I can’t wait to tell Cordy about all this… she’ll be so pissed to have missed it. When we left to come here she was going on and on about how you two were the perfect romantic tragedy… all Romeo and Juliet and starcrossed lovers… Guess she didn’t know it all, huh?”


Buffy shrugged self-deprecatingly and explained, “What can I say? I was sixteen, I didn’t know it all!” She went over and hugged the young man, “Thanks for coming to help, Charles. It was good to see you again.”


Gunn and Spike exchanged a nod and Spike muttered, “See ya, Charlie boy.” And the two blondes made their way back to Spike’s bike.


As Spike pulled away Buffy wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his back instead of hanging on to the bar under the seat. He hesitantly asked her “Feeling better now, Buffy?”


She sighed deeply and said, “Oh yeah. It felt so good to get it all out… and I’ve got all those gorgeous silks… and some really pretty swords. It’s all of the good.” She squeezed him and murmured provocatively, “But I’m all worked up now.”


The hands that had been holding his waist began to slide up and down his stomach, and gradually insinuated themselves under his damp t-shirt. Fingernails scraped up over his chest and then drew a gasp from him as they teased his nipples. Spike realised his eyes had closed as he savoured the sensation and the bike wobbled as he quickly reopened them and swerved back onto the right side of the road.


When he felt a cool draught and then a hot little hand grasping his erection he groaned, “God, Buffy…” When she began stroking it and tweaking a nipple at the same time he whimpered and desperately looked around to see where they were. If he didn’t stop soon she’d have a real mess on her hands… literally.


He took a quick right turn and then a sharp left and drove into the shadowed park, pulling the bike up beside the sturdy wooden table and benches in the picnic area. Flipping the stand down and turning the engine off he tugged his helmet off and dropped it on the grass, and only then noticed the absence of the hands that had been teasing him.


He turned to look around, “Buffy?” but was taken by surprise when he was yanked off the bike and his duster was shoved off his shoulders and tossed over the table and a half naked Slayer appeared in front of him. Somehow she had managed to get her leather jeans off. She pulled him down into a passionate kiss while she rubbed her groin against his hip and continued her stroking of his rampant erection.


Spike held her close and eagerly returned the kiss and when she broke away to breathe Spike ran one hand down over her belly into her silk panties, finding her already sopping wet. He sulkily asked, “How come you’re wearing knickers? What happened to our bet?”


Buffy pouted prettily. “I haven’t forgotten. I wasn’t wearing any with the skirt, it’s just… leather pants… there are chafing and personal hygiene issues.” She redoubled her efforts to try to distract him.


Panting heavily Spike gasped, “What do you want, you naughty Slayer you?”


Buffy gasped, “Wanna be Spiked… now… please…”


It was that please that got to him. That’s what made the difference between what they’d been doing before the trip to LA, and making love.


He growled and sat her on the edge of the table and pushed her down onto her back, then grabbed her knees and raised her legs over his shoulders forcing her wide open for him. Lifting her hips he ripped the panties from her and tucked them into his duster pocket and without hesitating rammed forward into her core. As always he was stunned by the sheer heat of her and to give himself a few moments to get control of himself he gasped out, “This what you want then, darlin’? You want the Big Bad to ravish you out in the open where anybody could see you?”


“God yes… need you.” Buffy tried to reach out for him but was hampered by her awkward position, so instead she grasped the edges of the table and gasped, “Come on Big Bad, make with the ravishing.”


So he did.


A couple of hours and uncounted orgasms later he was lying on the rough wood of the picnic table with a naked Buffy draped over him and his duster covering them both to keep the chill night air off. Lifting her face from a leisurely kiss Buffy giggled and stroked his cheek murmuring, “Spike, I’ve just remembered something.”


“What’s that, sweetheart?”


“We’ve got a lovely big warm bed waiting for us at home. Don’t you think it’d be more relaxing to snuggle there?”


He muttered defensively, “Well it wasn’t me who couldn’t wait.”


Buffy laughed again as she slid off him and started looking around for her clothes. “Come on, Big Bad. Let’s go home to bed and you can ravish me some more in comfort.”


Well he couldn’t pass up an invitation like that, could he?


When they turned into Revello Drive Spike spotted the Angelmobile parked in the street outside 1630 and groaned, “The poof’s still here, darlin’.”


“Oh pooh. Can we sneak in without him seeing us?”


“Yeah, good idea.” Spike cut the engine and freewheeled as far as he could, then they dismounted and he pushed the bike the rest of the way before silently heaving it up the drive into the garage. They left the helmets with the bike and quietly closed the garage door then climbed up the tree and into their bedroom window.


Seconds later they were both naked and wrapped around each other between smooth silk sheets.


As he eased back into his Mate’s welcoming body Spike reflected that it had been a perfect day. He’d been able to spend lots of money on his girls, and the Watcher had been friendly. He’d seen the Brooding Wonder taken down a peg or two and he’d discovered that Dawn might be his daughter. He’d found out he might be able to get his soul back permanently without going crazy. He’d watched his Slayer in action, had a good fight and had an excellent excuse to punch Angel on the nose. What had been even better was seeing Buffy tear into his grandsire and then punch his lights out, and then he’d had a magnificent shag.


To top it all off now he was going to be able to hold Buffy for the rest of the night, making love to her over and over.


Unlife was good.

The End.

A/N:
Do you like the way I avoided that awful episode ‘Normal again’?

If you have an opinion on how the DNA tests should turn out, please let me know!

A fourth story in this sequence is in the planning stages, a sort of alternative season 6 finale. I really do have to get some studying done first though, so it’ll be a while. That pesky exam is creeping closer and closer.