A/N:

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, believe me i wish i owned one of them though! I will make no money from this story (unfortunaely).

This story is set between Oz and Willow's first breakup and "The Wish". Hope you enjoy

The Howl

Willow saw Devon across the club looking very annoyed to say the least.

"Aren't the Dingoes meant to be on stage now?" Buffy said in her friend's ear over the band that was currently playing.

"I thought so. Maybe they're up next." Willow looked for Oz but he wasn't in sight, sighing she went to the bar while Xander and Buffy found a table.

"Hey! Rosenberg!" A familiar voice shouted next to her.

"Hi Devon. You guys not played yet?"

"We're not playing period thanks to you. Oz hasn't been to rehearsals since you messed with his head and he hasn't shown up tonight."

"Have you tried calling?" Willow stepped back from him a little having never seen the singer so angry.

"Yes we've tried calling." Devon mocked. "Just 'cause we ain't no geniuses or anything, doesn't mean we're that stupid."

"Devon I never meant any offence."

"Right. Just like you never meant to lock lips with the geek? Oz is a good guy; he's the best guy. You don't deserve him anyway." Devon sneered and walked away.

She stood watching the singer walk away desperately trying not to cry.

The redhead didn't see Buffy approach.

"Will? You ok? What was that all about?"

"Devon hates me and Oz has disappeared." Willow said her eyes brimming with tears.

"What do you mean? What did Devon say to you?"

"He said Oz hadn't been to rehearsals and hasn't turned up tonight. Basically they can't find him and it's my fault." She took a ragged breath.

"I'm sure Oz is fine," Buffy put her arm around her friend and led her to their table. "He's probably at home ignoring the phone and not wanting to be around people. He's only human Will. I'm sure it's just an overreaction."

"What is?" Xander's ears pricked up as the girls reached the table.

"Oz hasn't been around for a while. Devon hasn't seen him in a few days." Buffy explained.

"He hasn't been to school either." Willow pointed out lamely.

"Will honey, that is normal Oz behaviour. If he doesn't want to come to school he won't. He's a genius anyway so it's not like he's missing out."

Willow suppressed a flicker of annoyance at her friend's blasé attitude about a mutual friend and someone Willow loved.

"Yeah, Oz is probably at home chilling out you know, cooling off, getting in touch with himself again or whatever it is that someone as cool as Oz does when he's upset." Xander turned his attention back to a pair of girls across the room.

"He's fine. I'm sure of it." Buffy said going to retrieve the drinks Willow had started to get.

Willow sighed. They were so wrapped up in their own world they didn't see how worried Willow was. They couldn't have really noticed or they would be concerned too. Disappearances on the Hellmouth were never normal and people rarely turned up fine.

XxXxX

Oz sat in his room listening to music. The phone had rung a few times but he ignored it. He knew it probably Devon wanting to know why he wasn't at the Bronze. He really didn't want to talk to anyone, not even his best friend.

I'll square things out with him tomorrow, Oz reasoned with himself.

He was feeling unusually restless tonight, probably due to the confusion and turmoil going on inside him.

Padding downstairs he clicked on the television before heading for the kitchen for some juice.

A loud howl made him jump.

"Damn wild dogs." Oz muttered. A pack appeared in town about a week ago and had been waking the neighbourhood and causing havoc ever since. Hearing scratching at the back door Oz grabbed a frying pan and went to chase what ever it was away, he was in no mood to be scared, most animals ran from him when he was angry now he was a werewolf.

He flung open the door with a growl and froze on the spot.

XxXxX

"Oh look it's the couple of the year." Harmony said passing the table. "God I always knew you had no taste Xander but dumping Cordy was just plain dumb. I mean who is gonna want you now besides Willow? Oh yeah that's right she doesn't. By the way have you seen Oz recently?" Harmony gave an evil smile.

"Something you want Harmony or are you just wanting to spread you're venom?" Buffy said through gritted teeth.

"Well there is something I've been wanting to ask. You've made these two remotely cool by hanging with them, I guess that's how they managed to get Oz and Cordy in the first place but I was just wondering if the fact that everything you get involved in goes bad upsets you or if you get used to it?"

"Excuse me?" Buffy gripped the edge of the table.

"Well it's bound to be your fault they got into trouble and lip locked, I mean if you're involved it's a safe bet it's going to turn into something from a horror movie." She turned to leave. "Oh where's you're boyfriend gone?" She asked looking back over her shoulder at the slayer. "He doesn't seem to be around much. From what Cordy said he was lush. So did he see the light or were you just too freaky for him?" Harmony giggled evilly.

"Maybe you should go before you see how 'freaky' I can be." Buffy growled causing Harmony to step back from the table.

"God Buffy. You know what I could never understand? Why someone as cool as Cordy would start hanging with you in the first place. I mean Oz I can just about understand, he's real smart but weird in a cool way but Cordy was way too high class for you and you dragged her down to your level." Harmony shook her blond hair over her shoulder, narrowed her eyes at Xander and with that left the table sauntering over to the pretty girls Xander had been watching.

"God I hate her." Xander said.

"She's got a point though. It is our fault Cordy got hurt." Willow said miserably. She looked over at Buffy. The slayer looked miserable; Harmony's comment about Angel seemed to knock the slayer for six. Xander didn't look much better. Willow felt guilty for her earlier annoyance at them. They were as miserable as she was. Well no more. She must remember they have problems too and like they said Oz is probably was fine. She resolved to carry on her night with her friends and check on him on her way home. After all, what could happen to Oz? He knew what lurked in the shadows.

Willow looked up at the front entrance. There he was, clear as day staring at her. Oz started towards her, stopping a few inches away. He gave a snort of amusement as he looked from her to Xander in what looked like disgust.

"Oz I…." Willow stopped as he held up his hand.

"I hate what you did. I know you didn't want to hurt me but you did and if he's here then I can't be." He walked round her table and joined the band.

"Will? Will you ok?" Buffy leaned forward to lay her hand over Willow's. The redhead looked back at the stage, Oz was nowhere to be seen just a guy with blue-black hair in a loud shirt and then it hit her. Oz had never been there at all. The guy she was looking at now looked a little like him but now she looked she realised her minds eye was playing tricks on her. She shook her head and turned back to the slayer, "I'm fine I just…"

"I know. I looked twice as he passed us."

XxXxX

Angel stood in the shadows at the edge of the bar. He was certain Buffy knew he was near by. She kept looking around her careful not to draw attention to it from her friends. He heard Harmony's spitefulness and it took all his strength not to go over to the table just to shut the girl up. Angel stalked out the club before his animal instincts took over.

XxXxX

A/N: Any one like? Probably not. Not the most interesting opening but hopefully you'll like what's to come.

"Catch ya on the flip flop"