To Be Claimed

Xander slipped through the crowd—his passage generally unmarked. The demons were prowling the club tonight. He smirked. Buffy, with all of her vaunted super-Slayer senses, never seemed to realize that the clubs thrived on demonic business. He blinked at the chest suddenly in front of him. He'd kept his head down to avoid Willow for a while—though he now noticed that he couldn't sense her nor Buffy anywhere nearby. He smirked. The bowed head had made him that much more submissive. He tipped his head, showing off his collared throat, and looked up through his lashes. Cer'ock demon—human-like, a bit taller-than. This one easily had a full head on Xander. He watched a clawed hand raise, seemingly intent on his hair. Xander blocked it with a smirk, turned, and sauntered away. Cer'ock's had a tendancy to eat their pets after a while. Two fledges, same blood-line from their scent, snickered as he passed. He snarled softly. One growled back while the other blinked in confusion. He turned his back on them as well. Not powerful enough. He wanted someone that wouldn't be dust inside of a month. He unbuttoned his coat, letting it flare out to his side. Humans were starting to notice him now. An overly-muscled, drunk jock-type attempted to loom over him. Xander pushed him back with one hand while sweeping his legs out from under him. The idiot fell back onto three goons following him. Someone grabbed his arm and turned him. Xander sneered at the growling demon.

"Not worthy," he muttered, shrugging off the offender's hand. Violence was thrumming in the air. He heard fights breaking out behind him. There was a scent teasing him. Normally he wasn't this aware of his senses. Today, they seemed to be buzzing on a highwire. Where was his Master?

"Nice brawl ya got goin, mate." There seemed to be a sudden break in the fight. Xander lifted his head to meet the blue eyes in front of him. Spike's response was immediate. A deep, low growl; blue shimmering to yellow while the smooth face raised into vampiric. Xander smirked. Cold fingers were suddenly twined around his collar. Pulling. Xander followed the downward motion to keep from ruining the leather. His knees hit the floor.

"Don't growl at me, boy." Spike was snarling. Never a good sign. Xander hadn't even realized he'd been growling.

"Let go." That collar was all he had left. No one, not even Spike as a potential new Master, was going to ruin it. He was fully aware of the club full of demons watching how this played out.

"Actually," Spike's fingers played along the leather, tracing his pulse for a moment, "I think I'd ruther see you in metal, mate." He was yanked forward so Spike could hiss in his ear. "Heavy, cold metal to remind you of your place." Tiny, abnormally soft puffs of air barely whispered over his ear, sending sparks of energy down his spine.

"Make me." He could see Spike's shoulders roll just a touch under his own hot breath. This was it. If Spike wanted this, he'd have to be able to control Xander. Spike's free hand came up to grip the back of his neck, the vampire's nails scratching a warning. Xander felt his body relax. Spike flashed his fangs.

"You're mine." No arguements. Pure possession. Xander cocked his head to flash a bit of neck.

"Prove your worth." Xander's pheremones flared. Demons surged forward. Spike snarled a quick order to stay and tore into any creature within a five foot radius of him. Xander watched the smaller body roaring through the competition. The challenge. His first Master had been a seperate status, had required a different approach. Spike was a Master Vampire; he had to prove he could protect, not just claim. Which, incidentally, hadn't happened yet. Xander smirked. He watched. He waited. He dove for the brief opening and dodged out of the fray, ignoring hands and claws reaching for him. He could hear Spike howl and curse at him just as he slammed through the door. He caught a whiff of Slayer on the breeze. His smile broadened. She'd be busy with that mess for at least an hour. He turned, holding the door to look back. Blond hair was plowing toward him. Oops, bit of a tactical error on his part, but necessary.

"Worthy," he whispered, watching Spike turn another demon on the two humans between him and the door—working around the limitations of the chip. Blue eyes met his for an instant. Xander grinned, all teeth and hard edges. Then he ran.

Let the hunt begin.