The Three of Us

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Last time I checked none of these Characters belonged to me!
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Faith stood motionless in the shadow of the dumpster. She’d crept down the alley from the far end of the street. Noiselessly, she moved between a stack of broken pallets and the wall. “Boo,” she whispered.

Spike jumped, and fell against the wall. Wide eyed he stared up at Faith, “Bloody hell Slayer! I’m gonna buy you a fuckin’ bell!” he grumbled.

Faith extended her hand and helped him up, “What do you know?”

Spike watched her for a second, then nodded his head toward the warehouse. “Bloke in charge’s named Kralik. Poofta thinks ‘e’s a warlock with a lot of power, but ‘e ain’t. Just enuff to be dangerous.” He pulled out a smoke and went to light it.

Faith grabbed it and pulled it out of his mouth, “You tryin’ to get us caught?” She paused and eyed him carefully, “Or are you workin’ for him now?”

“You insult me Slayer,” Spike sneered. “I wouldn’t follow that jumped up priss, even if ‘e did know what ‘e was doin’.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked away for a moment. Turning back to Faith, “’E’s managed to convince a pile of wankers, that ‘e’s the next big thing. Does ‘ave two warlocks though, not as good as Willow, but they could cause a spot o’ bother.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Faith was watching him again. “You seem to know a lotta shit about him. Why?”

“E comes into my town,” Spike said vehemently, “And starts rockin’ the bleedin’ boat? I wanna know everythin’ there is to know.”

Faith nodded, “Just askin’. What else?”

“I ‘eard of ‘im before,” Spike rubbed his chin, looking back to Faith, “But I thought ‘e was still in Poland three weeks ago.”

Faith shrugged, “Possible, I think the Council captured him and brought him over.”

“What?”

Faith looked up to the roof of the warehouse, then back to Spike, “Long story, it’ll take about four beers to tell it.” She looked up and down the alley, “Is B, in there?”

Spike blinked, “I ain’t been ‘ere long, ‘bout 20 minutes.” He looked at the warehouse, “You think she’s in there?”

Faith stared at him hard, “I know she’s in there, and so’s her mom.”

Spike had come off the wall, “Why the fuck are we out ‘ere?”

Faith smirked, “Easy Bleach-boy, I’m goin’ in as soon as Red gets here.”

Spike stared at her, “You’re takin’ Willow in there?” he was pointing at the warehouse. “You’re off your rocker, that guy in there is a nutter!” He was waving his arms around now, “Yer gonna get ‘er killed!”

Faith smirked at him, “It ain’t quite that simple, Bleach-boy...” Her eyes snapped shut, and she stumbled into him as a searing pain shot through her body. Spike caught her and kept her from collapsing to the ground.

He had a lecherous smile on his face, “If you wanted to ‘ave a go first, you just ‘ad to ask.” Faith pushed herself away from him, and stumbled a little. “You okay, Slayer?” Spike asked.

Faith took a deep breath and it rushed out of her in a whoosh. She blinked a couple of times at Spike, before staggering in an arc for a couple of steps. “Red, is that you?” Spikes eyes were wide and he was looking up and down the alleyway for Willow.

“Hi Faith.” echoed in her brain.

“Sounds like you,” Faith said out loud, Spike was staring at her now. “Do I have to talk out loud or can you hear my thoughts?”

“You have to talk out loud,” Willow answered.

“Great,” Faith muttered. “Now I really look like a dork.”

“Slayer,” Spike was looking at her worriedly. “You’re really startin’ to scare me.”

Faith waved him off, “Gimme a sec, Bleach-boy, I gotta adjust.” She stood up and stretched her arms, and started to move around. “How much control you got of me?” she asked out loud. Spike was staring at her, wide eyed.

“Nothing really,” Willow answered. “I can see what you see and feel what you feel, but that’s about it.”

“Okay,” Faith was becoming more confident in her movements. “Spike, throw some punches at me. Slow to start with.”

“What the bleedin’ ‘ell are you yammerin’ about?” He backed away from her.

Faith sighed and raised her fists, “’Member I said I was waitin’ for Red? Well she’s here.” Faith quickly pointed at her temple. I’m carryin’ her with me. Her body’s at G-mans, but her spirit is here.”

Spike blinked a couple of times, “Yer shittin’ me, right?”

“Believe me, I wish I was.” Faith shook her head, “But I ain’t. C’mon, spar with me for a couple a punches.” She beckoned him with her raised fists.

“I can’t, this bleedin’ chip will zap me.”

Faith stood up, “I just wanna make sure my eye-hand coordination is good.”

“Faith,” Willow spoke up. “Just have him move his hands around so you can hit them. That won’t hurt him and you can get everything co-ordinated.”

“Good idea Red,” Faith smiled at the vampire. “Move your hands around, and I’ll use‘em for target practice.” Spike shrugged, put out his hands and started moving around in the dark. Faith missed the first few, but then she started to improve. After a minute, she was smiling; she stopped throwing punches and stood upright. “Thanks Bleach-boy, I owe you a beer.”

Spike was shaking his hands, trying to get some feeling back into them. “I’ll ‘old you to that.” He flexed his fingers, “Cor, why’d you have to hit so hard?”

Faith smiled, “Girly-man.” She turned and stared at the warehouse again.

“Is she really in there?” Willow asked.

“Yeah,” Faith answered. “I can feel her. It’s stronger than it was, but I think that’s cuz of the spell.”

“Ooh!” Willow yelped. “I can feel it! I just had to look in the right place. That other one, is that Cordelia?”

“Yeah,” Faith replied. “It’s Queen C.”

“Wow,” Willow whispered. “Cordelia was right, that is a really nice feeling.”

Faith smiled, “Stay away from my girlfriends, Red.”

“She’s really in there?” Spike queried.

Faith looked at him for a second, “Yeah, Red’s here,” she pointed at her temple again, “and B’s in there.” She pointed at the warehouse.

Spike nodded, “What’s the plan?”

Faith looked at him for a moment, her jaw clenched, and he could see the rage building in her. “I want you to go to G-man’s and bring him back here. I want him to see what he’s done.”

Spike tilted his head, and furrowed his brow, “This ‘ave summat to do with that four beer story?” Faith just nodded. “Right, I look forward to ‘earin’ it.” He paused for a moment, “you know I wanna go in with ya.”

Faith nodded again, “Once I get in there, I won’t be able to tell friend from foe. You’re safer this way.”

“Makes sense,” he looked at her hard. “You gonna be okay?”

A smile crept across Faith’s face, “Five by five, Bleach-boy.”

“Good Luck Slayer.” He turned and took off down the alley.

“Ready Red?”

“I-I guess.”

“Yer soundin’ a little shaky, Red. Second thoughts?”

“I’m always a little nervous whenever I might die,” Willow said hurriedly.

Faith chuckled, “Trust me Red, I’m gonna do my best to avoid that.” She stepped out into the alleyway and started to jog toward the warehouse.

Faith used the darkness to get next to the building. She moved slowly along the wall, until she came to the fire escape. She studied it for a moment, then moved away from the wall. She looked up at the first level; it was at least ten feet above her. She checked up and down the alley, “Faith, what are you doing?”

Faith smiled, “Gotta get up on the roof somehow Red.”

“Oh,” was Willow’s worried response.

Faith sprinted across the alley and jumped, she grabbed the handrail and swung herself over, landing quietly. “You okay, Red?” she whispered. Faith was looking above and below, to see if anybody was checking out the noise.

“Whoa!” Willow breathed, “That was incredible! Do you always feel like this when you do stuff like that?”

“Wait, Red,” Faith had started to climb the fire escape. “It’s gonna get a whole lot more intense.”

“I-I think I’m r-ready,” Willow stammered.

Faith stopped as she reached the parapet, and peered over onto the roof. “If you pass out Red, what happens to me?”

“Umm, nothing,” Willow paused. “I think.”

Faith stopped in mid stride, “Whatta ya mean, think?”

“Well,” Willow started, “You’re the host, so it shouldn’t matter, what I do. I do know that if you die, so do I.”

“Quit tryin’ to cheer me up,” Faith slowly moved to the edge of a skylight, lowering her eyes to see what was happening below her. There was a circle of vampires, fangs bared, laughing and joking with each other. Each of them held a length of rubber hose in one hand. They took turns pushing and swatting the blond Slayer, as she bounced around the circle. She was struggling to hit some of them, but they blocked her feeble blows, and pushed her in another direction. To one side, Joyce was still bound and gagged to the chair from the picture, crying because of the punishment her daughter was taking. Faith’s breath whistled as she inhaled through her clenched jaw. Her knuckles whitened as the skin grew so taut no blood could flow. Rage coiled around her like a serpent, squeezing the sanity out of her. It boiled within her veins, spewing from her pores. She closed her eyes and forced her arms out from her sides. She opened her hands and splayed her fingers to let the cool breeze wind its way through them. She tilted her head back and took a deep breath.

Willow could feel the rage burning within the dark slayer. It pulled at her, calling her to turn to the evil side. The temptation was huge, to just let go and surrender herself to its mastery. Faith took another breath and lowered her head to view the scene before her. The anger raged through her again, the pull to darkness stronger than before. She drew in a third breath, then started to focus the rage. Willow could feel it honing to a point, like a laser aimed at the middle of the floor. Through Faith’s eyes she saw the focus move from the floor, touching each of the vampires in the circle. It moved away from the group, to the left, it marked the two warlocks chanting at a makeshift altar, before continuing on, finally settling on a large vampire, with a guard on each side. He was watching the performance in front of him, clapping and encouraging them. Faith’s gaze burned into him magnifying every characteristic of his face. He stopped suddenly and looked around with a curious frown.

“What is it, Sire?” one of the guards asked. He was starting to look around as well.

Kralik shrugged, “I don’t know. I felt a sudden chill, as if someone had stood on my grave.” There was a brief pause, before he broke out in maniacal laughter. The two guards quickly looked at each other, then turned their attention back to the floor in front of them.

Faith stepped back from the skylight, turned and walked to the parapet. She stopped and hopped up on the edge. She looked to the East, straightening up slightly. She closed her eyes, her hands resting at her sides, she slowly raised them up, and brought them together in front of her, in a resounding clap.

“Yikes!” Willow yelped. “What are you doing?”

“Callin’ my ancestors,” Faith said quietly. “I have to center myself and get ready. Just be quiet, and let me do what I’m s’posed to.”

“Okay, Faith,” Willow whispered to the dark slayer. She could feel the emotions rolling around her, as Faith readied herself for battle. Faith’s breathing slowed, and Willow could feel a calmness begin to envelop her. After a moment, Willow could feel an incredible peace comforting her.

Faith turned and stepped down from the parapet and walked toward the skylight. “You ready Red?”

“I’m surprised how good I feel about this actually, but yes I am, I’m ready Faith.”

“Good,” Faith had stopped at the edge of the skylight. She looked down into the warehouse again, “Here’s what I want ya to do.”

“What?”

“I’m gonna clear a path for B, to get to her mom. Can you throw a protection spell over both of them, and hold it.” Faith’s voice was calm.

“No problem Faith,” Willow assured her.

“Remember Red, I ain’t goin to be standin’ still,” Faith admonished her. “The world’s gonna look like a blur once I get in there.”

“Umm, s-speaking of which, how are you going to do that?” Willow was sounding slightly nervous.

Faith smirked, “Well I could go down and knock on the door, and ask them to stop, or, I could go in via the direct route.”

“The direct route?” Willow asked.

“Yup,” Faith stepped up on the rim of the skylight. “Straight in.”

Willow sighed, “I was afraid of that.” She steeled herself, “Let’s get those assholes Faith.”

The dark Slayer smiled, and cracked her neck on each side. She reached into her duster and felt the familiar grips of the katanas in her palms. “I’m comin’ for ya, B.” she muttered. Seconds ticked by, nothing happened, Faith didn’t move. ‘Shit,’ she thought, ‘Red’s frozen up, and me with her.’ Faith concentrated on moving her hands. Nothing happened. She tried to move her thumb on her left hand. Still nothing happened.

“Uh, Faith?” Willow whispered. “Are you waiting for something?”

“No,” Faith answered. “I thought it was somethin’ you did.”

“I can’t do anything Faith,” the redhead replied. “I can do magic, but you have to help me.”

“So, what is it then?” Faith demanded. “Somethin’ those other guys did?”

“Not sure, let me check.” Faith waited for Willow to come back to her. “Faith?” Willow called, “Can you move at all?”

“No, it’s like I’m frozen.” There was a pause, “I can’t move nothin’. What’s goin’ on?”

“Can you see into the warehouse?”

“Like I can see anythin’ else, I can’t fuckin’ move!”

“What do you see?” Willow queried.

“A buncha guys beatin’ the crap outta my girlfriend.!” Faith’s anger was starting to rise.

“No,” Willow demanded, “Look closely!”

Faith concentrated on what she saw in the warehouse, Buffy had fallen forward to her knees, her hands outstretched to break her fall. Faith realized her hands hadn’t hit the floor yet. Seconds ticked by, and nothing below her had moved. “Are we dead?”

“What are you talking about?” Willow was dumbfounded, “Why would you think we’re dead?”

“Well, everythin’s stopped. What if this is what happens when you die? I just spend eternity here starin’ down into the warehouse. Man, this is gonna suck.”

“Don’t be silly Faith,” Willow answered. “I have it on good authority that this isn’t what happens when you die.”

“Great,” Faith muttered. “Then you explain it.”

“I’ll try,” Willow answered her. “Somebody or something has stopped time.”

“What the fuck?”

Willow looked through the scope of what Faith could see. “Over there, on the right, can you see the bird?” she asked.

Faith concentrated for a few seconds, “Yeah, barely. What about it?”

“Watch it,” Willow told her.

“Okay,” Faith complied. “What am I lookin’ at?”

“The fact that it’s not moving? It’s just hanging there in mid-air.”

“Yeah,” Faith snorted. “Yer right. But does it prove my theory or yours?”

Willow sighed, “It means that those three clowns down there, didn’t do this. They don’t have that kind of Power. Glory was a God, and she couldn’t do this kind of stuff. This is really freaking serious magic Faith. Way above my level.”

“So who’s responsible?” Faith asked quietly.

” I don’t know,” Willow said quietly. “Right now we have a different problem.”

“Now what?” Faith’s frustration was starting to show.

Willow sighed, “There’s something coming from your pant legs and collecting over there, on the other end of the skylight.”

Faith focussed on the skein of mist trailing away from her. “Good or bad Red?”

“I don’t know, Faith,” Willow huffed. “We’ll have to wait and see.” The two watched the mist swirling on the other side. It seemed to be creating a shape. “It doesn’t look very big.”

Faith snorted, “Right now Red, an f-in’ hamster could kill us.”

“Are you always this positive?”

“Only when I can’t move to defend myself against a fly!” Faith yelled.

“Sorry,” Willow mumbled. “I felt the anger you had a minute ago, and I forgot to remind myself, not to piss you off.” Faith growled. “Look Faith, we’re stuck here, so let’s try and get along okay? You getting frustrated isn’t going to help.”

“Then quit pissin’ me off!”

“Shhh!” Willow hushed her. “Look,” she whispered. The shape was looking like a small man, wrapped in loose white pajamas, with a black vest. They had a long grey ponytail hanging down their back. The two girls watched in silence as the shape slowly solidified. It started to move slowly, it bent to the right, then the left. Its arms moved away from its body, then back in and across. The names of each of the movements slipped from Faith’s lips as she watched the figure move.

”Faith!” Willow exclaimed. “You’re moving!”

A huge smile broke out on Faith’s face, “Of course I am.” Her arms were following the exact movements of the person across from them. She stepped down from the edge of the skylight and followed as the person began to do full body movements. They did this in silence for a few more minutes, coming to a stop together. Faith stood up straight, put her hands together in front of her, then bowed, and waited. The person turned around, revealing an old Japanese man. “Ichiro-san,” Faith said reverently.

“Who?” Willow asked. Faith ignored her.

The old man bowed to Faith, “Faith-san.” He stood again, and faced her, not saying another word.

Faith paused, like she had been taught, then rose up, “You’re not Ichiro-san,” she said flatly.

The old man smiled, “Why do you say that?”

“Because Ichiro-san, would never call me that.”

“Ah,” he raised a finger, “I said I would not call you that until you deserved it, Faith. Do you not think you deserve it?”

Willow could feel the doubt racing through Faith. “It is not my decision to make,” she bowed to the old man again.

“See,” he was still smiling, “A little humility does you well.” He walked toward her and stopped in front of her. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, “I have been watching you, Faith, since I crossed over.” He squeezed her shoulder lightly, “You have earned it.”

Faith blinked, “Thank you, Ichiro-san, I am honoured.”

“Thank you for what, Faith?” Willow asked.

“Someone adding the san to your name is an honour, showing respect,” she answered.

“Who is your friend?” Ichiro asked.

“Willow is a witch, and I’m carryin’ her spirit to help me.”

Ichiro nodded, “That brings me to the reason I am here.” A warm smile graced his face, “When I died, I made two requests of the Gods. They were a little taken aback, but I convinced them to grant my wishes.”

Faith looked at him curiously, “What’s it got to do with me?”

“They are both about you Faith,” he replied. “The first was to come back and tell you, that I never had a student like you Faith. Your ability to learn, your work ethic, your skills are second to none. But after I found out what you do, and who you are, I needed to tell you how proud of you I am. That if I had children, I would want them to be like you.” He grinned at her, “A little less arrogant of course, but very much the way you are.” Faith smiled back at him. “With the journey you have travelled, and will travel through life, I would be honoured if you would accept to be my daughter and my Family.” He watched her hopefully.

Faith stared at him her mouth agape, “I,” she started, “I,” she paused again. She looked at the bird hanging in the sky, before returning her gaze to him. “I would be honoured, to accept.” She bowed to him, with a smile. She rose up, still grinning, “Thank you,” her voice trembled slightly.

He reached out and wrapped his arms around her, “No, I am honoured that you would accept that gift from me.” He released her and stepped back.

Faith could see that he was changing. He was looking younger and his gi was darkening. “What’s goin’ on?” she asked, pointing to his outfit.

He looked down at the now black gi, “Ah,” he nodded. He pulled the shirt away from his body as he looked back to Faith, “The other request, the main one actually, was an opportunity to fight with my daughter.”

“Huh?”

“Do not look so surprised, Faith-san,” He smiled and released the gi. “I asked for a chance to go into battle with my daughter, and they have granted me that wish.”

Faith beamed, “You asked to go into battle with me?”

“Hai,” he answered. “What father would not wish for that chance?” He held his hands up and looked at the younger skin on the backs, “The gods have stopped time, to allow me to reach the age when I was at my best. It will be good to feel the thrill of combat again.” He started to walk to the far side of the skylight.

Faith saw the gi turning into a black ninja suit, “Umm, Ichiro-san?” she asked.

“Yes,” he turned to face her again.

She pointed at him, “Somethin’ ya forgot to tell me?”

He looked down to see the katana and tanto at his side. He looked up at her; she could see the smile in his eyes. “Apparently, you are not the only one with secrets.” He continued to the end of the skylight, he stopped, facing her gain. He bowed toward her, “I am honoured Faith-san.” Straightening up, he pulled the katana from his sash, and it cut through the air as he used it to stretch his muscles. Faith and Willow watched in amazement at his fluidity. He stopped and looked to her, “It is time, in a moment the gods will allow time to move again. Shall we start?”

Faith nodded, and slipped the duster off. She stood there, the black leather of her pants reflecting the lights of the city. Her hair billowed slightly with the breeze; she raised the two swords, crossed them in front of her black tank top, and bowed to Ichiro. He returned it, then slowly raised his hands at his sides, before bringing them together in a single clap. He bowed slightly, and said a silent prayer. He faced Faith again, “Are you ready Raphael?”

Faith sighed, “How many times do I have to tell you, I’m Leonardo,” she smiled and paused, “Splinter.” He laughed.

“Oh, my, god!” Willow cried out. “You’re Turtles?”

“Yup,” Faith answered. “You know they rock.”

“It helped her with her training,” Ichiro said softly. “It is one of the many things she taught me.”

Faith stared at him for a second, “Secrets, right?” He nodded. “Here,” she bent down and pulled a stake from her duster, she flipped it to him, “Use this instead of the tanto, straight thru the heart. You can kill’em that way, or by cuttin’ their heads off.”

“Hai.”

They stepped up on to the edge of the skylight and looked down. A moment later, Faith saw Buffy’s hands hit the floor. She looked across at Ichiro, the two of them locked eyes, and jumped straight up into the air. “Cowabunga!” echoed down the alley as the glass broke beneath them.