Child of the Hellmouth

Legend is the Lady
Child of the Hellmouth
calikocat
word count: 5427
Yuyu Hakusho, Inuyasha and Buffy the Vampire Slayer do not belong to me.
Author's Notes: Any speech that is italicized is in Japanese.

XXX

The sun was shining with a nice breeze, it was a perfect day, even with Buffy's ranting; however it would have been better if they weren't stuck in a musty museum. But Xander decided he couldn't complain, at least the field trip got them out of class...”Huh...de ja vu.”

The girls gave him a look. “What's giving you de ja vu?”

“I was just thinking how awesome field trips are, ya know? The whole not being in class thing...then I thought about the zoo trip and suddenly I'm on edge.”

Buffy nudged him. “I don't think they have a hyena pen here.”

“No, but they might have an exhibit for them, or they could have any number of mystical/religious objects that could prove dangerous to keep on a hellmouth.”

Buffy paused long enough to elbow him. “Thanks for that, it's not like I didn't have enough to worry about.” She sighed. “Maybe we should start keeping an eye on the museum, patrolling it or something.”

“Oh, I can do that. I'm here a lot anyway.”

Xander and Buffy blinked at their friend. “Sometimes your lust for knowledge scares me.” Xander teased and Buffy nodded in agreement. “But seriously Buff, what are you worried about?”

“Oh come on, a complete stranger in my house for two weeks? It's hard enough keeping my Mom out of the loop, think how much harder it will be keeping my nightlife from someone I'm supposed to be showing around town.”

“Okay, you have a point, but me and Willow will totally help you keep your secret, you know that. Right Wills?”

“Darn tootin'.”

“Thanks guys. It's just, I wish Mom could have given me some warning you know?”

“I get that, but a lot of parents are doing it this year. And aside from the craziness of people from other countries sending their kids to the hellmouth to be happy-meals, the whole cultural exchange thing is kinda cool.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Have you ever done a foreign exchange program?”

“My Dad tried to sell me to some Armanians when I was eight. And I spent the whole summer in Japan. I think I qualify for having been foreignly exchanged.”

Willow giggled. “You're making up words again.”

Xander tilted his head in a small bow. “Thank you, thank you. I do my best.”

“So you're Word King now?” Buffy snickered as they rounded a corner and the group nearly ran into Cordelia.

She gave them a brief withering look for nearly running her down but shrugged it off quickly. “So what's your's look like?”

Buffy frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Your foreign exchange student.” She held up a pamphlet. “Mine is Sven. Isn't he gorgeous? So who did you get?”

“His name is Ampata, and I haven't seen his picture.”

“Are you crazy? He could be dogly, or troll-like.”

“Huh, you both got guys and I got a girl. It's almost like the school is trying to pair us off, boy girl, girl boy.” All three girls gave him confused looks, he sighed. “Mom signed me up too. I'm just glad my she left the pamphlet on the kitchen table or I never would have known about it and Kagome wouldn't have anyone to pick her up.”

“Wait, you're mom signed up for it too?” Willow asked as her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And how come you're just now mentioning it?”

He shrugged. “I didn't think it was a big deal until Buffy started freaking.”

Cordelia frowned. “Kagome? What kind of name is that?”

He pulled out his wallet and produced a small snapshot of himself and the girl in question. “It's Japanese. This is her.”

“At least she has taste.” Cordelia nodded in appreciation at the clothes Kagome was wearing in the photo before wandering off.

“You've already met her?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, her family runs a shrine a few districts away from my brother's place. She's pretty cool, I was kinda freaked when I saw her picture in the pamphlet and called her to double check. But she's my guest for the next two weeks.”

“Great, one more person to keep in the dark.” Buffy handed the photo back and he put it away.

“Not really, she's in the know.”

Willow poked him. “Bad Xander.”

“I am not. Well not usually.” He blinked in confusion. “How am I bad?”

“You told a stranger about the night bumps!” Willow scolded him, poking him again.

“Hey, enough poking.” He pouted and took on an offended air. “Kagome was in the know long before I met her.”

“How is she in the know?” Buffy asked. “Are you really sure she's in the know?”

“Uh yeah, on account of I saw her dust a vampire that was three blocks away.”

“Neat, wish I could do that...wait, how did she do that?”

“She's a miko.” Blank stares met his announcement. “Sorry, forgot you guys don't know Japanese. A miko is a priestess.”

“Okay...”

Xander grinned. “She's got bu-cu white magick. She uses a bow and arrow, charges the arrow with white magick and when the arrow hits the vamps, they dust. You could think of Kagome like a walkin' talkin' holy object.”

“So how many vamps are in her town?” Willow asked.

“Not many.”

Buffy looked wistful. “Must be nice.”

Willow chewed on her lip in thought for a moment. “So just how close are you and Kagome? And does Kurama know about her?”

“Whoa Wills, it's not like that I swear! Kagome is just a friend, and I intend for it to stay that way. We will not be progressing into romanticism...ever.”

“That's good. Kurama would be heart broken.” Willow grinned at Xander's snort.

“Ya know, I still haven't seen a picture of this Kurama. What's she like?”

Xander glanced at Willow. “And you called me bad. All that girl talk and you never told her?”

Willow did her best to look innocent and confused. “I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, it's more fun this way, and I just contradicted myself and gave myself away.”

Buffy stopped and glared at them, her arms folded across her chest in impatience. “Secrets are bad and lead to even more badness. Spill.”

Xander snorted. “Kurama isn't a girl.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Woman then, she's your brother's age right?” She frowned at Xander's grin and Willow's giggles. “What am I missing?”

“Kurama isn't a girl. He's not a woman either.” Xander's grin widened as he waited for the light bulb to go off above Buffy's head.

The moment it clicked her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped, she made no sound and could only stare at Xander in shock. Willow started to fidget and look worried as Buffy remained silent.

“Xander...I think we broke her.”

He nodded. “Yeah but...where do we take her for a tune up?”

“Hey!”

“Oh look, she still works. We didn't break her.”

“I am not a car and I do not need a tune up.”

“I could have said 'get her fixed' but that just brings to mind icky thoughts of Buffy spa--” Willow clamped her hands over Xander's mouth before he could finish his sentence.

“Moving on.” She squeaked. “So yes, one of Yusuke friends, a guy friend has a crush on Xander. They've even gone out for ice cream.”

Buffy turned her glare away from Xander to focus on Willow. “Ice cream?” Her glare faded and was replaced with confusion. “So you're gay now?”

Xander rolled his eyes. “Why is that always the first question? No, not gay, but hey look, options.”

Both girls nodded. “So what's he look like? Major hunkage?”

Willow sighed and smiled. “He's even prettier than Angel.”

“Is that even possible? Oh my god! Kurama is the better offer you got this summer!”

Xander blushed as both girls started to laugh. “It wasn't just him. I got swamped by female customers every day at the shop.” Their giggles progressed and he rolled his eyes as he walked on. “Girls are weird.”

xxx

The museum guide was going on and on about the Inca exhibit, rambling about human sacrifices and mummification and pleasing old gods. The trio did their best not to roll their eyes as they reached the steps that led up to the sarcophagus of the ancient Inca Princess. However as they got closer Xander and Buffy shivered and came to a stop.

“Did it just get cold in here or what?”

“No it's something else. Kinda like the energy a ward gives off.” Xander frowned and looked toward the sarcophagus. “I think it's coming from the mummy.” He blinked. “Why are you guys looking at me weird?”

The look Buffy gave him was incredulous. “You can feel that?”

“Um...yes.”

“You're noticing lots of strange things lately. Like when the vampires attacked, you reacted faster than you should have. Like you knew they were there.” Willow's voice was somewhat accusing.

“Xander, what's going on with you?”

“Well...it's like I still have some of the hyena left in me.” He stepped back from the girls as they both tried to slap his arms. “Easy, the hyena itself is gone, it's just....like a shadow. “

“I thought you couldn't remember anything about being a hyena?” Buffy had her eyebrow raised. “Lying is bad Xander.”

Xander sighed. “Maybe I didn't want to remember. I didn't want it to come between us and ruin our friendship. You two mean too much to me for me to lose you because of some spirit demon thing.” Both girls looked like they were about to cry, their eyes watered and Willow sniffed a bit.

“Oh Xander.” Willow hugged him first and Buffy followed suit.

“It's okay Wills. We all know it wasn't me, and Buffy was there to stop me.”

They hugged for a little longer before the girls pulled back and Buffy wiped at her eyes. “So what does this Hyena shadow mean for you?”

Xander cleared his throat. “My senses are better than a normal person, I'm a little stronger, faster, I can sense...different kinds of energy. And I can sense predators. It's weird, but very useful.”

“So that's why your eyes got all glowy when Willow and Giles were taken.”

“Well yeah. Half my pack was kidnapped and I was uber pissed.”

Willow tilted her head. “Pack?”

“Yeah Will. You guys are my best friends, practically sisters, ergo, pack. It's another hyena leftover. And no matter what you protect pack.”

Buffy looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling widely at him. “I can live with that. I always wanted siblings.” They grinned at one another and mounted the steps to the sarcophagus. “So tell me about these wards.”

“Well, you know how vamps need an invite to come inside your home, but other nasties can just waltz right in?” They nodded at him. “Wards can keep all the nasties out of a place. The more adept at magick a person is, the stronger the ward. I can make simple ones, but they're not very good because I don't have a lot in the way of magickal powers. And I need way more practice. But Kagome, that girl knows how to ward, she's a pro.”

“Think she can put a few of those wards on our houses?” Buffy asked.

“Oh, and the library! That way vampires can't sneak up on us while we're plotting against them.”

“I second that.”

Xander nodded. “I'll ask her.” They had reached the mummy just as the guide mentioned the seal the Incas had placed on their princess to ensure her rest not be disturbed.

“So is a seal like a ward?” Buffy asked.

“Kind of. A ward keeps things out, a seal keeps things in. Like our lady legend here.”

“And I was hoping for a happy ending.” Willow pouted.

Buffy seemed entranced by the seal for the moment. “So this seal. It's the real deal then? Since we can feel it.”

“I still can't feel anything.”

Xander took Willow's hand and held it above the sarcophagus. “Feel that cold static-like tingle?” She nodded. “That's the seal.”

“Oh...kinda tickles.”

“A little. But yeah Buff. Since we can feel it that means the Priest or whoever put the seal in place had power.”

“Creepy.”

xxx

Buffy slumped into her seat once they returned to the bus. “I don't know if I can take anymore cultural mixing. I'm exhausted.”

Xander yawned and nodded. “You'd think it'd be hard for the adults to bore us to sleep while we're standing up.”

Willow looked around them, a small frown on her face. “Rodney's not here.”

Buffy blinked. “Who?”

“Rodney Munson.”

Xander smirked. “God's gift to the bell curve.”

“I hope he's not in trouble.” Willow murmured.

“Relax Wills, he's probably still defacing that Tribal Mask. Or ya know, waking mummy dearest.” He chuckled for a moment till horrified eyes met his own. “Crap...if the seal is real...”

Buffy gulped. “Then so is the curse.”

Willow took a shuddering breath, her skin paler than normal. “We need to find him.”

They made it off the bus in record time and back into the museum, racing past teachers and staff as they went. Buffy was in front with Xander on her heels, glad that he had gotten back into the habit of running in the morning. Willow trailed behind them, barely able to keep up, but when they heard a garbled scream come from the mummy's chamber she caught her second wind and managed to catch up with Xander.

Buffy got there first, jumping up on the pedestal and pulling Rodney away from the mummy's grasp. The Mummy came with them, moaning and snarling and they toppled over the edge and landed on Xander and Willow. The Mummy wasted no time and stumbled down the steps at an amazing speed for any age and disappeared.

Xander groaned. “Buff, I'm all about togetherness but I didn't ever plan on being a landing pad.”

“Hang on.” She climbed to her feet, pulling Rodney with her. “Are you okay?”

Rodney turned a frightened pale face to her, his body was shaking and his hands were cold. “I...I guess. What w-was that?”

Xander and Willow stood and stared at him. Willow reached towards him. “Rodney...your hair.”

Buffy frowned and looked closer at him. Rodney looked a few years older than he had that morning. And there were streaks of white at each temple.

“Holy crap.”

xxx

The minions watched in awe of Drusilla as she twirled and danced in the candlelight. Her white dress was splattered in blood as her supper had put up quite a fight and she twirled and giggled, Miss Edith her ever present companion.

He always loved watching her like this, watching her play in her own little world, where no outside matter could ever bother her. Spike held his hand out to her and she drifted to him. “You're doing well tonight love.”

“The forgotten Princess of Dust and Bones walks again. She awoke all cranky in her bed, she slept too long and starved. Poor wretched thing. She walks tonight Spike, dust and bones, and cracked leather skin. Poor cousin, little cursed one. So many lives she needs, needs to drink them down. Drink them down and down and down again, she'll never have enough.” She put her hand to her head. “Don't you feel sorry for her Spike? She'll be dust for good soon, never walk again. Dust, just dust, her bones will be all gone.”

Spike kissed the back of her hand. “It happens love, we'll all be dust one day. Forever is a long time.”

Drusilla giggled and leaned closer to him. “Don't worry my dearest Spike. You'll have your forever.”

“I know pet.”

xxx

“Mom! You home?” He waited for an answer and when there was none he sighed. He still had mixed feelings about her being gone so much.

Xander tossed his bag on the kitchen table before making his way to the fridge. He looked inside and grimaced, it was past time to go shopping. Hopefully his mom had left some grocery money so that he could. With a sigh he grabbed an apple and some left over pasta before going back to the table.

Before he could sit down however, the phone rang. “Figures.” He made his way to the phone on the wall and picked it up. “Harris residence.”

“Xander, hello, how are you.”

“Hey G-man. What's the what? Did you find what you were looking for at the museum.”

“Oh, yes. I found the seal...well a large piece of it. And some mental chap with a sword.”

Xander dropped the apple he'd just picked up. “Wait, what? You okay?”

“I'm fine. The lunatic with the sword seemed rather perturbed that the mummy was gone though.”

“Huh. Weird. But you are okay then?”

“No gaping wounds and all my extremities are in place.”

“Good. So you found part of the seal?”

“Yes, but it's not exactly my area of expertise. Buffy suggested that her foreign exchange guest may be able to translate it.”

“Uh Giles...you realize this Ampata guy is still in school.”

“True, but the Southern continent is very rich in history and he may be familiar with legends we do not have access to.

“Speaking of Legends...my foreign guest should be here soon.”

“What does a foreign exchange student from...where was your guest from?”

Xander grinned even though Giles couldn't see it. “Japan.”

“Good lord. You've already met her haven't you?”

“Yep, and she's in the know. She and Botan will be here any minute.

“Is she a friend of your brother?”

“Nah, but I'd like to bring her by your place to meet you. You get those arrows I asked for?”

“I did. Are you going to tell me why you need them?”

“As long as it's okay with Kagome.”

“Of course. I'll be sure to put the kettle on.”

“See you later Giles.” Xander grinned again as he hung up the phone. He took a moment to scarf down his impromptu supper before heading upstairs to check the guest room one more time. He had just finished his inspection and reentered the kitchen when he felt Botan approach.

xxx

Shippo shivered even though he was seated between Botan and Kagome, but it wasn't the cool air that was affecting him. Kagome ruffled his hair a bit. “You okay?”

He nodded and tried not to shiver again. “What is that?”

Botan looked over her shoulder at them from the front of her oar. “That's the hellmouth.”

Shippo gulped. “It's almost like a miasma.”

Kagome nodded. “Naraku's was more toxic than this...and had more of a physical presence, it could be seen for miles.”

“It is more subtle than what that bastard had, but it still messed with my girls. Not to mention that it just gave them the creeps. It's why I'm working solo here, I have a stronger constitution.”

Shippo nodded. “I know how the guides feel. I don't like it either.”

Botan chuckled. “It's not so bad after you've been here a while, you just get used to it. Oh look, there's Xander's house.”

Before they could even glance down Botan had pointed the oar towards a rooftop far below them. And they dropped, she didn't even give them a chance to shout as they zoomed toward the roof that was suddenly under them, nor did she stop as they flew on through it. Kagome and Shippo got a brief glance of an attic, an upstairs and then a surprised Xander as they practically teleported into his kitchen.

Xander blinked at their surprised faces. “Hey there.”

Kagome and Shippo made vague waving motions as they slid of Botan's oar and landed in a boneless heap on the tile floor.

Shippo glared at Botan. “I thought was gonna die!”

Botan grinned while trying to look apologetic. “Sorry.”

Xander rolled his eyes. “So this you're first time traveling via Botan Express?”

Kagome nodded. “Yeah. Is it always like that?”

“Yep. Good thing you have two weeks to prepare yourself for the next trip...not so good for you little guy.”

Shippo groaned and Kagome looked a little green at the thought of the trip home. “It's just been a while since we've flown anywhere.”

Botan's grin faded and she looked truly sorry. “Oh, I hadn't thought of that. It has been more than a year since the well closed hasn't it. I'm so sorry. Don't worry Shippo, I won't fly so fast when I take you home later.”

“Thank you.”

“You guys got your land legs back yet?”

“I think so.”

“Cool. I'll show you to your room then. Need a hand?”

Kagome nodded and he helped her up from her current seat on the floor. “Thanks.”

“No problem, come on, it's upstairs.” Kagome, Shippo and Botan followed him upstairs to the guestroom and simply stared when he flipped the light on. The twin bed had a pink coverlet and the walls were a light rose color with white rabbits all along the borders. The girls gave him a strange look and he shrugged. “My mom wanted a girl.” They nodded in understanding as Botan produced Kagome's bags from a subspace pocket.

Shippo had just started bouncing on the bed when Xander gave Kagome a sheepish smile. “So how tired are you?”

She looked pointedly at him. “Not very. We were napping when Botan showed up...why?”

“Giles got the arrows and I wanted to introduce you..without Buffy and Willow around, so we can really talk...if you want to that is. If you don't we can just tell Giles we'll see him tomorrow.”

Kagome gave him a mild glare. “You could have asked me first.”

Xander nodded. “I could have but I think Giles deserves some sort of explanation after getting the extra arrows.”

“It's okay Kagome, Giles is a close friend of mine. I've known him for more than twenty years.

“Sorry, I'm just not used to so many people who aren't family knowing about me or what I can do.”

“So we're going?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

“Cool, cause he already put the kettle on to heat.”

Kagome grabbed a cushion from the bed and whacked him with it.

xxx

Giles hummed to himself as he puttered around his small kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the tea tray. The pot of tea was steeping and the milk and sugar were on hand. He had just reached for the cups when Botan flew through his kitchen, passed through the wall and came to a halt in the living room.

“How do you like your tea Xander? You have a choice of sugar and honey for sweetening.”

He could hear Botan sigh dramatically from the living room as her passengers disembarked. “He didn't jump.”

Giles rolled his eyes heavenward. “I've grown quite used to you flying about the flat, I'm not going to startle that easily.”

Botan continued to pout as she put her oar away and headed for the kitchen. “Spoil my fun.”

He smirked before turning to his guests. “Do make yourself at home, would you like some tea?” Giles paused at the sight of the raven haired beauty and the fox kit holding her hand. “I believe I might have some biscuits in the cupboard as well.”

“Giles, this is Kagome Higurashi, and this is her adopted son Shippo. Guys, this is Giles.”

Kagome gave him a bow which he returned before offering his hand. “A pleasure, Ms Higurashi.”

“Kagome is fine.”

“Kagome, then. And it's good to meet you as well Shippo. Welcome to Sunnydale, and please make yourselves at home.”

Kagome smiled and nodded. “Thank you Giles-san.”

They settled around his living room and he went to fetch the refreshments. He noticed that Xander watched him with an open curiosity as he set the cups in front of them and poured the tea. “Yes Xander?”

“Sorry Giles, just never seen you in proper British host mode before. It's different, very cool.”

“Thank you...I think. Now, Ms...Kagome. Xander said that you are in the know. And it is rather obvious due to your son's nature. And it really is a pleasure to meet you Shippo, I've never met a kitsune before.” Shippo grinned at him over his tea cup. Giles smiled back before looking pointedly at Xander. “Does anyone feel like telling me what's going on?”

Kagome and Xander shared a look and he watched them closely as he sipped at his tea. Kagome spoke first. “Have you ever heard of the Jewel of Four Souls? And the Priestess who guards it?”

He nearly choked on his tea. “The Shikon no tama?” She nodded. “I am familiar with that legend.”

Kagome took a breath. “I am the reincarnation of the first priestess who watched over the jewel, and the current guardian of it.”

Giles blinked and then looked at Xander. “Why is it you always meet the most interesting and unusual people?”

Xander grimaced. “This is nothin' you should have seen Prince Koenma's reaction to that prophecy I broke. Man was he pissed. Evidently when a mere mortal kills a prophecy it's major bad news.”

Giles frowned. “And when were you going to tell me that?”

“Um...just now?”

“Lovely. You and I will talk about that later. Now, what exactly was your plan?”

Xander gave him a puzzled look. “Plan for what?”

“For the next two weeks.”

“Oh...ya know, go to school, patrol, and party at the Bronze. Oh, and save the world if some demon tries to rain Hellfire on our heads. Same old, same old. Only I might have told the girls about making wards and they want Kagome to make some for their homes and the library.”

Kagome glared at him. “What else have you told them?”

“Nothing about you adventures, I swear. Actually they were kinda pissed about me not telling them about the hyena shadow. Didn't want to push my luck.”

Botan giggled from the kitchen. “Did you get scolded Xander?”

“Yep.”

Shippo yawned then and Kagome smiled. “Botan do you mind taking Shippo back a little early? I want a tour of the town before we turn in.”

“Sure.”

Kagome nodded in thanks and hugged Shippo to her before kissing his forehead. “I'll see you in two weeks Shippo. Behave for grandma and keep up your studies.”

“I will.”

Botan got them settled on the oar and took off much slower than she normally did. Shippo waved until they disappeared through the ceiling.

“Will you be wanting the arrows now? I took the liberty of procuring a bow as well, that way you won't be unarmed on your way back to Xander's.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and retrieved the bow, a full quiver of arrows and a short sword from a trunk in the corner. “This is for you Xander.”

“Thanks Giles. See you tomorrow. And uh...when we have that talk about the prophecy thing, we need to talk about something else, something important.”

“Of course. Be careful, will you?”

“Always.”

xxx

They'd been walking for a while when Kagome shuddered.

“You okay?”

She nodded. “Doesn't it bother you?”

Xander tilted his head. “Does what bother me?”

“The aura of the hellmouth. Can't you feel it?”

“Oh, that. Not really, but I've lived here all my life. I mean when I came back everything felt a little off, but it feels normal now.”

Kagome shook her head. “Botan was right.”

“Um...okay...”

“She said I'd get used to it, and I can already tell a difference. It's not as bad as when we first got here.”

“What does it feel like to you?” His question was asked in genuine curiosity.

“It feels...like a presence, or a beast that's asleep, but it could wake up at any time. Something powerful and just...evil.”

Xander nodded. “Yusuke described it kinda like that.” He grinned. “So where do ya wanna go? A Cemetery? A park? Willy's?”

“Willy's?”

“It's a demon bar...though the guy who runs it is human.”

She smiled at him. “Not tonight. Let's hit a few cemeteries, and maybe the park where Jessie-san is?” Xander gave her an odd look. “I thought I'd offer my prayers.”

He nodded. “That'd be cool. Thanks Kagome.” He stopped walking and looked behind him. “Oh look. Vampires.”

“Yeah. They've been following us for a while now.”

“Ready then?” He asked her, but Kagome already had an arrow notched. She smirked at him as she released it. Her arrow shined with holy light, flaring up as it pierced the vampire and then both exploded into dust.

The remaining vampires gaped in a combination of surprise and rising terror. Kagome shot another arrow and one of the three dusted. The remaining two tried to run but Xander was already on them, staking one and decapitating the other.

“I'm starting to think that someone is just making baby vamps because they're bored.” Kagome gave him a confused look and he clarified. “They were still in their funeral wear.”

“How many vampires do you usually see in a night?”

“At least one a night, most of the time I find two or more. I think some are just drawn to the hellmouth. Some are newly risen...and a lot have been roaming the streets around here for a decade.”

“How can you tell?”

“Outdated clothes.”

“So do you always patrol by yourself?”

“Mostly. Actually I don't think I've ever patrolled with Buffy. Huh. I'll have to suggest it to her, then maybe we can make a night of it, the two of us can patrol and then meet at Willow's for snacks.”

“There is something seriously wrong with you when you plan your evening around patrolling the town for demons.”

“Gotta get my kicks somewhere.”

Kagome snorted. “Weirdo.”

xxx

Drusilla gently set Miss Edith with her companions before picking up an oriental fan and waving it at them. “Is it too warm for you my darlings? It's even hotter outside. Bright white, burning lights that shoot ever so quickly. Should the priestess prick us we shall fade away, dust in the wind. And the prince watches her in awe of her magic as he hunts at her side.” She giggled. “She's not his forever you know. Poor lonely child. Poor lonely little kitten.”

Spike gazed at her and smiled fondly, if somewhat worried about her ever worsening health.

“Spike.”

“Yes love.”

“The Prince is lonely. Will you go to him?”

He approached her and picked up her thin form and carried her to the large bed. “Why would I go to the Prince when I have my dark goddess right here?”

Drusilla looked at him, all teasing was gone from her dark eyes. “You must you know. Not now, but someday.”

“What do you see love?”

“The stars, they rejoice and sing sweetly of forever. Beautiful, eternal, his soul shines so bright and it burns me. Even when it is tarnished it glows and sparkles. You'll have that someday.”

Not wanting to upset her since she was in one of her better moods, he smiled softly at her. “That may be love, but for now all I want and need is you.”

She pouted prettily at him. “You'll see. Someday.”

“But not today Dru.”

XXX

A/N: Okay...so chapter four got really long and I'm gonna divide up. Also, reviews are of the good.