Warrior of the Heart

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters they all belong to Joss.

Summary: Xander finally finds out that he is good at something. Takes Place after season one after that anything goes.

E-mail: RaistlinM1@aol.com

Feedback: Hey why not.

Author's note: This is my first fic ever so please help me out. Tell me if you like it or not just try and be kind.

Chapter 1

As Xander walks along his patrol route toward the one of Sunnydale's parks he begins to contemplate his reasons for patrolling. He begins to numerate his reasons to himself while counting them on his fingers.

"Well I don't think I could let somebody die when I can save them, and I really don't have anything better to do with my time, and if it gets me away from the folks it can't be all bad." Xander softly laughs at his last two superficial reasons for patrolling, but he also knows the truth behind his late night excursions.

You need to prove to the world that you are worth something. To prove to your father that he is wrong about you. Xander didn't like that particular voice in his head it always seemed to tell him the truths in his soul that he didn't want to hear. And let us not forget Buffy. You know you love her, and you can't deny it. It would be easier if it was just a crush, but crushes don't feel like this. You're doing this to get closer to her.

Xander stops at the sign welcoming visitors to the park and consciously turns his mind away from thoughts of his father and Buffy before continuing on his path into the park. His mind begin to remember a night spent in the park before him when he made his decision to patrol Sunnydale until Buffy's return.

Flash back

"Goodnight Will." Said Xander as he turned to head back to home.

He had just spent an evening with his best friend Willow watching a non- vampire movie and was reveling in the fact that he didn't have to worry about a peril greater than the possibility of running out of popcorn. Now he was leaving his second home at Willow's house to return to a house that held no love or pleasant memories.

"Are you sure you're okay to go out by yourself? This is Sunnydale." His best friend said with a look of concern on her face. She knew of the dangers of Sunnydale at night, and she didn't want her best friend out alone. She wished that Buffy wasn't in LA so she could make sure he got home okay.

"Yeah. I'll be fine it seems that the Hellmouth has gotten less Hellmouthy now that the Master is gone. Don't worry about me I'll be fine." He flashed her a crooked grin and began to make his way home. Willow could only watch him walk away and hope that he wouldn't do anything stupid.

'Stupid' is an entirely relative term. To Willow running into a fight blindly would be considered stupid, but Xander didn't have the time to stop and think and in looking back he would have done it again. The moment he heard the screaming followed by the telltale growl of a vampire he was sprinting toward the park and the sound of the struggle. Of course Xander realized that what he would find would not resemble a struggle and would probably be classified as a blood bath. Xander pulled a stake and cross out of his pocket as his heart began to pound as the realization that he could die within the next few minutes coupled with the shot of adrenaline coursing through his body. What Xander saw as he entered the playground within the park caused his blood to freeze and boil at the same time. Three vampires were surrounding a jungle gym holding a frightened teenage couple cowering in the center. The young girl was passed out inside with a large gash on her neck, and the boy was standing over her with his attention split between trying to revive his date, holding his bloodied arm against his side and trying to keep the vampires away. Needless to say he wasn't doing any of those things particularly well. Xander gave the couple about five more seconds before they died baring some sort of distraction. Luckily Xander was cooking up a large distraction for the toothy threesome that involved a bit of staking and dusting. Xander ran full tilt at the congregation of vampires and drove his stake into the back and heart of the first vampire. The sound of their comrade turning into the dust drew the attention of the other two vampires which was a relief the young man inside the metal cage of the jungle gym, but Xander was slightly less thrilled to be on the receiving end of the vampire's predatory gaze. Just great Xander all you wanted in your life is a little attention and now you've got it. Stupid Hellmouth be careful what you whish for moral lessons. So Xander decided to try to intimidate the vampires into leaving. He did his best Buffy imitation and tried his best cold heartless tone "Hey fang boys. Maybe you should turn tail and run before this ends very dirty and dusty for everyone involved." This didn't have the desired effect for Xander the two vampires only roared and leapt at Xander with the ferocity of a pack of wild dogs. While Xander was not a particularly good fighter his years of avoiding the blows of his drunken father had given him the skills that he used to stay alive during the first few seconds of the vampire onslaught. Those first few seconds were a blur for Xander as he was only able to avoid and accept the slashes and punches while using his cross and stake to keep the vampires from closing in and delivering a killing strike. As the fight wore on Xander began forming a strategy to alleviate the pressure of the fight and the only way to that was to kill a vampire. Biding his time Xander waited for the right moment when the vampire on his right made a lung for his legs in hopes of tripping him. Xander quickly punched out with his left hand while holding the cross and delivered a solid blow to the left vampire's face stunning him momentarily and spun to the left behind the stunned vampire bringing himself out of the lunging vampire's reach. The vamp in front of Xander only had a moment to berate himself for his stupidity before he felt the stake drive through his back and he burst into dust.

Xander turned to the remaining vampire forming a plan to end the fight quickly. "I wonder what it's like to spend the rest of eternity in a dust buster?" He asked the vamp try to make him charge in blindly to close for a hand to hand struggle. Luckily for Xander the vamp was too blinded by fear and rage to realize that he was throwing his body on to the out stretched stake and erupted into a cloud of dust, which settled upon Xander in a thin layer. Xander walked slowly over to the couple leaning against the outside of the jungle gym shaking the dust from his hair, and he was happy to see that the girl was awake and that he hadn't been too late to save the couple.

"You guys had better come with me those cuts won't stitch themselves. We need to get you two to the hospital." Xander began talking to the bewildered couple who seemed about to either scream or pass out from shock. Seeing that the two were about to lose it he decided to change tactics and drop his cool superhero attitude and try a little comforting. Turning to the frightened boy he flashed him a comforting smile while asking reassuringly, "so what's your name?"

Xander could see the question enter the boy's eyes and begin to rattle around until the answer was found. "My names Tommy and my girlfriend's name is Sarah." With that information the fear began to recede from the boys face to be replaced by the slackness of shock.

"You guys really shouldn't be out at night you can get into serious trouble." Xander realized that that was a stupid thing to say ask he saw understanding slowly dawn on Tommy about how closely he really had come to death.

"I don't suppose you have a car do you?" He asked the couple hoping for a quick way to get to the hospital.

Tommy only nodded while pointing to a blue 1999 mustang sitting in the parking lot and produced the keys to the car from his pocket. "Good. Follow me and we'll get you put back together." Xander then took the keys from the boy and stooped down and picked up the girl who seemed about to slip into unconsciousness at any time.

Tommy was left leaning against the metal bars on the jungle gym staring in astonishment at the dark haired boy who had saved the life of his girl friend and himself. He couldn't stop from himself from wondering what could have happened if the boy hadn't stepped in to save him. He heard Xander tell Sarah that she was going to be okay, which finally pulled him out of his musing long enough to hurry over to the car while hold his injured arm against his side trying unsuccessfully to stem the flow of blood.

After opening the door and getting in Tommy finally looked down at his arm and saw that the entire right side of his gray sweater was stained red with his own blood along with his pants. The sight of his own blood in such quantities was too much for him to take and he passed out. The next thing Tommy remembered was hearing the horn on his car being honked loudly and a group of doctors and nurses asking him what his name was and what had happened.

End Flashback

Xander thought of the couple he had saved along with the few others he had saved during his two weeks of being a replacement slayer, and the thought that he had made a difference in some peoples' lives brought a smile to his face. That smile was quickly lost when he remember lying to Willow about where he got the bruises on his face, but of course he didn't lie to her he only avoided the question until she dropped it. Of course it wasn't that out of the ordinary. He had been explaining bruises ever since he was five and his dad decided that hitting his mom wasn't as satisfying as it used to be. He had decided not to tell Willow or Giles about his patrols because they would only tell him that it was too dangerous and not his job.

Xander took out his stake and calmly began to twirl it around between his fingers. He felt that his skills had improved since his first night, but he is not stupid. He knows that he is no match for a group of vamps like Buffy, but he felt that he could slay two or three if he had to.

Xander's thoughts were interrupted by the shrill scream of a child coming from the park. It seems that Xander's heart decided at that moment to climb up into the driver's seat of the Xander shaped car. All thoughts and all plans flew out of his head to be replaced by the resounding beats of his heart as it kept tempo with his feet as they hit the ground propelling him toward a fight he knew he could not turn down. Xander burst through the bushes surrounding the playground and charged the first form he saw his heart screaming for the death of those without a pulse. Xander rushed the circle of vamps pushing his stake through the back and heart of the closest demon and kept pushing until the resistance before him burst into dust leaving him in the center of the circle. Inside the circle of fangs Xander found a woman with her back against a large oak tree holding off the pale snarling wall of death with a large log she must have picked up from under the tree. Behind the woman was a slight blonde girl who was crying. Xander felt a smile curl his lips as he couldn't help thinking that Buffy must have looked like that when she was a child. The smile faded from his mouth quickly as he finally counted the number of vamps and realized that he had stumbled upon a pack of ten hungry vampires.

"Lady, are you okay?" Xander asked over his shoulder as he brought his cross to bear against the pack.

"I think so." She replied, her voice quivering as Xander slowly backed up until he was standing next to her.

"Here take this." Xander said as he handed the scared woman his only cross and then pulled out another stake from his pants pocket. "I want you to follow me out of this circle then take the girl and run home."

Before Xander lunged at his first target a serene calm swept over him as his brain told him that he was about to die. Xander didn't like that voice and decided to listen to his heart instead, since his heart seemed to think that he was going to get out alive.

The ferocity of Xander's charge surprised everyone involved. Stakes cut through the air with a silent whisper that spoke of death to any that were close enough to listen. Xander felt his instincts forgotten since his hyena possession surface as he listened to his heart. Giving into his instincts and anger Xander ducked the unseen blow heading for the back of his neck while entering under the blow positioning himself to the unprotected side of the eager vampire. Xander didn't have time to taunt his defeated foe or congratulate himself due to the abundance of other opponents who would be more than happy to taunt his head while they ripped it from his body. The only taunt was delivered with perfect timing at the end of the stake as it plunged into the vamp's black heart and the only congratulations came from the rewarding sound of a vampire meeting the dustier side of unlife.

The battle ensued for the better part of ten minutes before Xander's head began to catch up with his heart again letting finally feel the burning in his arms and lungs along with the pain of the shallow cuts and gashes covering his body like a macabre road map. Xander was able to count the remaining vampires and felt a strange sense of as he only counted four vampires remaining meaning he had dusted seven vamps by himself. His pride in his accomplishment and counting abilities was swept out from along with his legs as the uncounted fifth vamp drove his shoulder into the back of Xander's legs causing him to fall onto his back awkwardly causing him to wrench his back painfully. Xander was on his feet in the blink of an eye realizing that he only had one stake left with no time to look for the other. His heart fell into his stomach as loneliness overpowered him as he admitted to himself that he was seconds from dying alone and in an excruciatingly painful way. Tension filled the air as the vamps prepared for the rush that would lead to what they felt was long over due and well deserved feed.

Suddenly a dark figure stood before Xander placing himself between the bloodied boy and the salivating vampires. What happened next will always be a mystery to Xander because his body decided to betray him by passing out from blood loss. While struggling to maintain consciousness Xander heard sounds of fighting, which was interrupted every few seconds by the unmistakable sound of vampires being turned into dust until the fighting stopped after the fifth dusting. Xander then felt strong arms pull him onto the figure's shoulder and a calm soothing voice speak softly.

"That was very brave boy but very stupid as well you have much to learn." He couldn't quite comprehend the meaning of the words but the voice was comforting. It was soft and mature with the hint of an eastern accent full of knowledge and wisdom, which was a soft comfort to him before the elevation change brought him into the dark comforting embrace of unconsciousness.

End of Chapter 1

Chapter 2

The cool damp cloth resting on Xander's forehead transfers waves of calm into the battered boy's pounding head. The softness of the cotton cloth, the weight of the water held within, and the cool embrace it wrapped around Xander's head and mind is all that he wishes to feel. Xander's love for the simple cloth knows no bounds at the moment giving him something pleasant to focus on instead of the pain flowing along his many wounds like a morbid mass transit system running along his arms and across his chest.

Xander had lost all sense of time when he passed out in the park, so he could not tell how long he lay on the soft pallet before he realized that he should be dead at the moment with his body lying in a bloody heap in the park. Xander knew from the pain in his chest he was not dead, and the soft cot under him lead him to believe that he was no longer in the park. He did not know what had saved him, but he knew that he owed whoever came to his rescue a large thank you on behalf of himself and the mousy red head who would never forgive him for dying in a park leaving her alone.

Xander now had a purpose and a goal if only a short-term one. He slowly willed his eyes to open and adjust to the dim light that painfully flooded into his brown eyes. Xander first attempt to sit up met with little reward as he fell back onto the soft blanket feeling his body yelling at his mind for being stupid enough the try and move without their consent. After several tries Xander was finally able to bring himself upright allowing him to finally orient himself with his strange surroundings.

As Xander inspected the room he awoke in he realized that strange was not the right word to describe where he found himself. Foreign seemed to be the theme chosen by the decorator. To be more precise Oriental was the motif of the room. Xander saw several ancient vases of varying sizes sitting around room and the room's collection of ancient weapons was more than a little frightening if not awe inspiring.

Xander's attention fell upon one sword in particular that seemed to call his name. With only marginal trouble Xander was able to stand up and convince his body to take him over to the sword that held him in wonder. Xander had seen katanas in Kung-Fu movies but he had never seen one up close and the specimen before him possessed such a simplistic beauty that Xander had to touch it.

Lifting the sword from its pegs on the wall the full weight of the weapon fell into Xander's hands. Not truly knowing why he held the blade with such reverence he slowly unsheathed the steel blade. The combination of power and grace found within the long gentle curve of the blade only served to complete the simplistic beauty of the weapon for Xander.

"You are a long way away from using a sword boy." Xander jumped into the air in surprise as the quiet of the room was broken by the voice of a man standing in the room's doorway covered by a long shadow.

Xander brought the sword to bear against the figure as his jump ended with him facing the voice's owner, but the work of cushioning the landing was too much for the body of the young man to handle and he ended up falling to one knee. The uncertainty of the stranger's identity or what side he was on forced Xander to regain his feet silencing a groan that threatened to escape his lips and put him at an even further disadvantage in the face off he hoped would not come. The man stepped out of the shadow and Xander was surprised at the appearance of the man before him.

Standing in front of Xander was a small Asian man standing at about 5'4 and looking to be about 55 wearing a pair of loose khaki pants and an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt that seemed about two sizes too large over a plain white tee shirt. The man's face held a genuine smile seemed, which could not be contained to just his mouth and a light of mischief danced within the man's kind brown eyes. Xander felt a sense of calm and a quiet power coming from the man, which put the boy's over worked mind at ease.

"You are very foolish to be up and about so soon child." The old man's eyes help concern with a hint of mischief as he spoke to Xander, "you will need your strength if I'm going to teach you how to not get yourself killed when battling vampires. You are have potential, but you must learn how to fight before I can let you patrol."

The man's words didn't sink to the Xander's head for a few seconds and when they did only three words were able to escape from his mouth before his voice was overcome by confusion. "What? How? Who?"

The light in the old man's eyes began to dance again as a smile spread across his face causing small wrinkles to form around his mouth and eyes. His response was said with a small chuckle as he saw the look of confusion splayed across Xander's face.

"To answer your first question, if that is what it was, I don't want you fighting vampires without the proper training and since you strike me as the type who will not stop if I told you it was dangerous I've decided to train you to fight."

Xander began to speak in his own defense but luckily was interrupted before he could make a bigger fool out of himself. "To answer the second question I want you to come over to my home at eight o'clock in the morning from now on where I will give you training until I feel that you have progressed enough." Xander's jaw dropped to the floor in disbelief as his mind began picturing what it would be like to be able to defend himself. The man continued with his speech forcing Xander to stop his internal revelry and pay attention.

"And to answer your third question my name is Charles Lee and I feel that you have great potential to become a true warrior. I will leave you to rest for a while longer and then I will drop you off at your home." With that the man turned and left leaving Xander with more questions than answers, but the questions would have to wait because as soon as he returned to his pallet on the floor he was fast asleep.

* * *

Two Months later

Xander slowly begins the movements of the Kata that Master Lee had taught him, and a smile crosses his face as he remembers how easily he had mastered this simple dance. Xander's smile grows larger at the pride he feels from knowing that he has found something that he is good at.

Xander begins to move his body in a more complex pattern as he feels the extra weights on his body constricting his movement. Xander is wearing a simple pair of Khaki pants and a white tank top, but he is also wearing ten pound weights strapped to each of his arms and legs along with a twenty pound vest over his simple tank top. Master Lee had told him that they would help his body adjust to the physical exertion faster.

Master Lee had also started him on a work out schedule to get him in shape that started every morning with a series of stretches that he was forced to hold for five minutes at a time. The stretching became easier when Xander found an affinity for meditation, which was a pleasant surprise for the young man considering his need for action and dread of boredom. After stretches Master Lee then sends Xander out on a ten mile run around Sunnydale while wearing the extra weights, which would have been impossible for the teen without using his meditation techniques to pushes the pain out of the mind allowing him to focus on his running. After his run Xander then puts in time on the punching bags gaining muscle memory and experience. Xander then works on his balance and skill by performing the Katas shown to him by Master Lee. And finally finishing with training in numerous weapons. All of this is done under the watchful eye of Xander's new master, who Xander truly respected and liked for his knowledge and more importantly, for his kindness.

"Concentrate on the movement Xander you must feel the flow and move your body with it." Came the firm reproach from Master Lee who was sitting at the small table, which along with two chairs is the only piece of furniture located in the spacious training room.

Xander refocuses his mind and begins to move into a more complicated pattern steadily increasing the speed and difficulty. Xander's focus grows deeper and deeper as he reaches a barrier in the flow that his skill will not let him break. Xander can feel a power residing behind the wall that he begins to crave. Master Lee had taught him the most complex of Katas, but Xander needed more to break through the wall. He can feel the flow of his movements as a simple block becomes a combination of punches and kicks that seem to come from all angles culminating in a vicious jumping roundhouse kick that sent the dark haired warrior to his knees. Xander's frustration in the fact that he can not get past the wall before him feeds his body forcing it to work harder. Not quite knowing why Xander begins to break away from the pattern taught to him by his master trying to increase the power of the flow of his movements. Soon Xander's pattern is indiscernible, but it still holds a grace and beauty of movement that sings of power and skill. His movements begin to flow together so smoothly that no movement is wasted as the moves flow from one to another with speed and grace. As he lets his body move away from pattern taught to him by his master Xander can feel the wall he had come up against slowly begin to crumble as he feels a great power waiting behind the wall beginning to reach out toward the young man's heart.

Master Lee slowly stands up from his chair and begins to watch the boy's movements with a rapt attention and pride that only a teacher can feel.

Xander can feel the power reaching for his heart until he realizes that it is coming from his heart and soul. The power is familiar it is the same power he felt two months ago while fighting the vampires in the park. Xander exerts his will on the feeling in his heart and he consciously tries to change the flow of his movements as he feels the power building forcing his body to move faster, but the power will not let him change the flow. Xander tries to hold the power and tap into it but he can not. The power is too new, too powerful, and too raw, and he can not keep it under control. Xander feels the power beginning to overcome him and he fears that it will consume him, but he can not bring himself to let go of the high he is riding.

Seeing Xander's break through Master Lee decides to stop his young pupil before he hurts himself knowing all too well the feeling and the danger of the power Xander has found within himself. Master Lee brings his hands together producing a resounding clap that snaps Xander out of his trance.

Now that he has stopped Xander could feel the screams coming from his overworked body. Unstrapping the weights still on his body he lets them fall to the padded floor. Then a fear that he had found the power only to loose it took a hold of the exhausted teen until he consciously looked with in himself and found the power lying dormant within.

Xander was startled out of his search by the sound of clapping coming from behind him. turning around he discovered the source to be a beaming Master Lee who had a knowing grin plastered on his face, but Xander could not understand why he was so happy, which only made his master's proclamation all the more confusing.

"Congratulations boy you finally found it. Now the real training can begin." Master Lee could only grin wider as he saw Xander try to wrap his mind around the statement.

"What do you mean the real training?" Xander's voice rose as his confusion caused him to react to his master's words with indignation, "What just happened and why is my body screaming like I've just a marathon?"

Master Lee could only smile and say; "Come child I feel that I have some explaining to do."

With that the old man turned and headed out the door with a confused and tired Xander in toe.

* * *

Inside Master Lee's living room the old man is sitting in his favorite chair situated across from an old couch with a dark coffee table separating the two pieces of furniture. If Xander had to describe his master's decorating style the word 'sparse' would fit perfectly. It almost seemed as if the old man never really moved in as if he was only waiting until he could move on. Of course whenever Xander would question his master about the sparse furnishings the old man would only laugh and tell him that he wasn't wrong before tell him that it was time to begin some form of training.

The confused young man swallowed two Aleve trying to calm every nerve and muscle in his body that was screaming for relief as Xander before falling into the soft folds of the couch across from Master Lee letting the fabric conform and comfort his body.

Master Lee watches all of this with a knowing smile feeling sympathy for his tired student and the pride of a father at his pupil's great accomplishment.

"Son, do you know what you have done in these two months," asked Master Lee as he began to try and explain to the confused you man who had collapsed before him.

"No," answered Xander trying to keep his mind focused on the answers he craved, "why don't you explain it to me?"

"Okay I'll get right into it," answered the flustered old man, "now please listen carefully because what I am about to tell you is important."

With that said Master Lee leans forward in his chair and looks Xander in the eyes holding his exhausted pupil's attention before moving into his explanation.

"In ancient Japan a clan of warriors came into being who believed that the human heart and the emotions held within was the most greatest power in history. They spent their time trying to unlock the power held within making them the most powerful clan of warriors in all of Asia opening up their doors to all that wished to take the test. They formed a mercenary troop called the 'Warriors of the Heart' and would lend their services to a lord and they turned many battles to their favor single handedly. They won great renown and respect for their skill, but their reputation gained them the attention of a powerful demon lord who saw the Warriors as a future threat, and he created an army of demons to squash the Warriors. An awesome battle ensued culminating in the destruction of the warriors and the demon horde. Only one Warrior survived to see the end of the battle. The survivor decided that reforming the Warriors was too dangerous and too large of an undertaking to try, so he passed on the techniques perfected by his fallen comrades to his three sons who then passed on the techniques to their children. I am the last of the Warrior's line and I have no sons to pass on my knowledge. I was meditating one day about three months ago in San Francisco when I received a vision of Sunnydale and of a student that I knew I was to teach. I moved to Sunnydale and began my search for you." With his speech ended Master Lee sits back in his chair and waits for Xander's response.

"So you're saying that you've been training me in some sort of ancient fighting technique that is powered by emotions," asked Xander, "and what is this test that you mentioned?"

"The test is a safety precaution taken by the Warrior's to assure that all who mastered the trainer were worthy of the power of the heart," replied Master Lee. "Before a prospective Warrior entered the ranks he had to meditate under the influence of a hallucinogen that forced the initiate to confront his strongest fears and emotions. If the initiate did not control his emotions he would suffer one of two fates. He would either fall into a bestial madness letting his emotions and needs rule him, or he would suffer an emotional death shutting down entirely living only to eat and sleep with no drive or purpose."

"So you want me to take this test, which could turn me into an animal or a vegetable," asked Xander incredulously standing up and beginning to pace before his teacher waving his hands wildly into the air. "Are you crazy?"

"No I'm not crazy," answered the old man calmly keeping cool in the face of the irate boy. "Xander you must understand that you have more potential then anyone I have ever seen. You have learned techniques in months that have taken other men years. You are a natural and don't deny it."

Hearing this Xander turns away from his master to try and come to grips with this new development. Hoping to get through to the boy Master Lee gets up from his chair and approaches his weary charge still pleading his case.

"I saw you that night fighting the vampires I know what you felt. It was the same thing you felt not ten minutes ago. You felt the unrefined power inside you the raw and unrefined piece of power that fuels your body and soul. I know because it is the same power I felt my first time." With that said Master Lee grabs Xander by the shoulder turning him around and staring into his eyes. Seeing Xander's resolve fading Master Lee presses on taking a risk hoping to break through to the young man. "I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that you don't want to feel that power again that you don't want to know what you can achieve. If you can convince yourself that it isn't worth it you can leave now, but you will come back because you won't be able to control this power and it will consume you."

Xander had to admit that the old man was right. He could not go back now he could feel the power inside him and he could feel the promise it held, but he could also feel the danger within. Xander remembered the fear he felt when he realized that he couldn't stop and that he would gladly have gone on until his body collapsed or worse. Besides this way I can kick Dead Boy's ass if he starts looking at my neck funny.

Smiling widely at the diminutive man before him Xander pulled out of his grasp feeling the man lifting his hands from his shoulder. He then clasping his teacher's right hand and says, "You're right I want to take this test, and I want you to know that I am willing to train even harder to be ready for this." Then Xander walks over to the couch and falls across it with a grateful sigh saying, "but not today. I'm going to sleep, unless you want me to dissolve into a puddle of sore and tired Xander messing up your chair."

End of Chapter 2

Chapter 3

One Month Later

The following month had been the greatest of Xander's short life. He had finally found something that he enjoyed and was good at. Xander's training changed the day after his break through. His stretching time was cut in half and his exercise and technique training was replaced by sparing with his master followed by meditation and ending with weapon's training.

Though the sparing was definitely considered exercise for Xander both mentally and physically. Xander soon learned that Master Lee was not to be taken lightly as an opponent. While Xander had always respected his master for his wisdom and kindness he had never expected him to be as fast and strong as the diminutive man had proven to be. Everyday the same pattern held true in their sparing. Xander and Lee would begin to fight at a furious pace with Xander receiving lessons and pointers on his technique Master Lee, who never lost his cool during the sparing, with each lesson being driven into the young fighter's head by a trip to the training room's mat. After a time Xander would loose his temper completely and would start to fight using the power to fuel his moves. Master Lee was always amazed at the amount of power held within the relatively small boy, but Xander would eventually tire and stop the fight. After his loss of control Xander was always grateful for the time spent meditating afterward.

The new mental and emotional exercises Master Lee had taught the aspiring Warrior had been consumed with a ravenous hunger that was a wonder for the proud master to watch; he compared it to watching his young charge consuming a Twinkie. Xander's first lesson was to begin the separation of the power within him. When Xander voiced his concern about weakening his power by separating it Master Lee could only chuckle remembering the same question he had asked his own father and the response given to him.

"The power within you is the raw power of your emotions it is hard to control and will work against you because it has no feeling and no drive," Master Lee said using the same explanation his father had given him. "When you can separate the power of your emotions you will find that the power you receive will be even greater."

This was not the only wisdom passed on to Xander in that time. As his training began to sink in deeper and deeper as the days progressed Master Lee would explain to Xander a part of what being a Warrior of the Heart would entail. Lee would tell Xander of the history of his new found clan of the skill and the honor cherished by the clan and the responsibility to maintain that history, but Lee had saved the worst and best part for when he was sure that Xander was ready to take the test.

Xander could remember the recent conversation with his master only two days ago. It was right after Xander had finished working with twin daggers and feeling good about the events of the day. Xander had spared with Lee and had fought him to a stand still and did not loose his temper throughout the whole fight even though Lee had begun to taunt his opponent trying to test his control and resolve. Xander had also made a break through in his meditation allowing him to separate his emotions and draw upon them individually. It was after that that Master Lee had taken Xander inside and explained to him the last part of being a Warrior.

* * *

Flashback

"So you're saying that I'm going to feel my emotions even more in everyday life," asked Xander slightly worried about the consequences of that gift. Xander was sitting on the couch across from Lee.

"Yes. Your emotions will be stronger after the test but you will have the control and the willpower to keep them from causing a problem," answered Lee, "you will also have to remain in control because if you let your emotions loose your friends and loved ones may have an empathetic response."

"Wait! Are you saying that if I loose control that my friends will feel my emotions" asked Xander, who did not want to let on how much the prospect of letting his friends see his feelings frightened him.

Lee leaned forward in his chair and caught the eyes of the young man before him whom he had begun to look upon as a son before allaying Xander's fears. "Yes. That is correct, but it is not a curse with control you will be able to share with your loved ones your happiness and love. Every moment of happiness will be felt more and cherished more dearly."

* * *

End Flashback

That was two days ago when Master Lee had told Xander that his training was complete. Lee had made sure to express to his surrogate son how proud he was of his great accomplishment and made sure to explain to him that he was ready for the test beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Now Xander sits in the training room dressed in his customary training clothes consisting of loose fitting khaki pants and a tank top. Miniature urns filled with unlit incense surround him, and Master Lee is sitting at the table looking at Xander, who does not acknowledge his presence. Deep in meditation Xander is trying to find his fear inside of him after a few more minutes of searching his heart he finds his fear. It surprises Xander that his fear was so hard to find it seemed to him that it should be at the front. After finding the emotion buried deep in his hear he begins to let the feeling pass through his mind allaying his fear using his bravery and confidence to bury his fear even deeper.

After this is done Xander looks up to give his master the confirmation that he is ready to begin the test. Master Lee nods in agreement before approaching Xander and the circle of urns. Lighting each urn Master Lee bows to the initiate before flashing him a grin and a wink as if to say 'I know you'll do fine'. Xander returns the smile gratefully before turning his attention inward and taking long drafts of the pungent smoke that will induce the visions and the test. The smoke wafts in front of Xander's eyes causing the room to blur and warp until his eyes shut and the world faded to black.

End of Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Xander opened his eyes again to find himself inside his room lying on his bed. The sounds of fighting could be heard coming from downstairs. Xander just closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep hoping that his father would finally stop beating and yelling at his mother before passing out on the couch.

The longer Xander lay in his bed trying to find sleep the louder the fighting became. He wished that he could go down there and stop his father, but he knew that it would not do any good. His father would only beat his mother three times as hard when he wasn't around to protect her. As the fighting grew louder and louder the more helpless Xander felt. As the feeling of helplessness grew inside of him Xander began to replay in his head every time his father beat him and that only made him feel more helpless. Every punch and kick was felt anew and resounded inside his head like a bass drum with the beat only broken by the sound and feel of a cigarette being put out on his body.

Feeling his emotions spinning out of control Xander's chest began to tighten and his muscles clenched so tight that he couldn't move. It was then when Xander was feeling his most helpless that the sounds of the fighting stopped to be replaced by a loud pounding that grew closer and closer, but Xander barley registered the change. He found himself drowning in a maelstrom of his own emotions binding his body tighter than any rope or chain.

It was when Xander felt the most helpless when his father, Alexander Harris, burst through the door looking too angry to think straight and too drunk to stop himself. He began to yell at his only son his words slurred beyond comprehension, but Xander could not respond he could only stare at the blood on his father's knuckles and could only hear the pounding of his own heart reverberating in his ears. Xander's lack of a response only fueled his father's anger.

"Oh you too good to talk to your own dear old Dad," asked Alexander Harris waiting for his son's response. When he did not receive one Alexander Harris punched his son across the face sending Xander careening off the bed and onto the floor.

"Your useless boy, the only thing your good for is beating and screwing up," Alexander's speech grew clear as he yelled at his son's inert form while raining blows upon Xander. "I'm surprised you even have any friends. I bet they think your useless too, because that's all you are and all your ever going to be."

After pounding on his helpless son for what seemed to Xander's mind to be like hours the blows stopped suddenly. Xander looked up to see his friends looking down at him. Buffy, Willow, and Giles were standing in front of him and his father was nowhere to be found. Xander was never happier in his life to see his friends as relief washed over him calming his soul and freeing his body. Xander struggled to his feet and moved to envelop his friends in a large hug when something about the situation struck him as odd.

Xander noticed to looks on his friend's faces seemed wrong. He expected his friends to be happy he was all right or to at least see some understanding, but the looks on their faces were none of those. His friend's eyes only held disgust and each of their mouths were curled up in a sneer. Xander could only stare at his friends hoping that maybe the looks he received were meant for his father. He turned to look behind him hoping to see his father standing behind him.

Xander's heart fell, as he saw nothing behind him except for his bed and dirty clothes. Xander sank down onto his bed and hung his head unable to look his friends in the eyes afraid that the looks would still be there.

Giles was the first person to break the silence clearing his throat before continuing, "Xander, how could you let that man do this? I knew that you are still just an immature boy, but I hoped that you would have been more useful than this."

Xander could not believe his ears and looked up to see Giles give him one last look before turning away from him and walking out.

Xander looked to his friends hoping that they would tell him that he had not just heard what he thought he had, but he only met the same looks as before.

"Buffy what was." Xander began to speak but was cut off by the petite slayer. "Just don't speak, okay Xander because I just can't believe that you would just let this happen. If you can't even stop a man how do you expect to fight a vampire? I think it would be better if you just stopped trying to help before you get killed. At least Willow can help but you are just so. helpless." With that Buffy turned and left before throwing Xander one more disgusted look.

Xander's heart broke as he watched his heart walk out of his room. Xander felt hollow inside when he realized that Buffy had not only walked out of his room but his life as well. Xander hung his head and let the despair wash over his body weighing him down. He felt familiar arms wrap around shoulders as his best friend since Kindergarten attempted to comfort him.

"It okay Xand we'll still be friends. We just won't be hanging out as much." Willow tightened her grip on her friend as she went on trying to bring him comfort. "But I'll still help you with school and stuff. At least until we graduate because I'll be going off to college and you'll still be living here because you'll only hold me back." Xander looked up and made eye contact with his old friend not sure if he had heard his friend correctly.

"What," Xander asked his long time friend incredulously. "You don't expect me to stay with you forever do you?" Willow answered with a flippant air as if the answer needed no explanation. "I mean I'm really only your friend out of gratitude for being my friend when we were little, but I can't be held back forever."

Xander looked like he had been kicked in the stomach as Willow unwrapped her arms from around her friend stood up and walked out the door yelling for Buffy to wait for her.

After his last friend had deserted him Xander fell into his emotions letting the feelings of despair and hopelessness consume him as his room fell away leaving Xander alone in a black void with a spotlight surrounding him. Out of the blackness another person emerged with his own spotlight, but Xander could not see his face. The figure was dressed entirely in black slowly approached Xander, but his face remained a mystery. When the figure was only five feet away the shadow around his face disappeared to reveal a mirror image of Xander.

"Hello Xander I think its time for you to finally give up your pathetic life," said Dark Xander.

"What do you mean give up my life, asked Xander, "who are you?"

"I'm you, the you that you want to be. I'm the you with no feelings I'm the perfect fighter I don't let my emotions get in the way, and I'm here to take over your life before you screw it up even more. You can give it up peacefully or I can kill you and take your life"

With that the Xander's dropped into a fighting stance mirroring each other exactly. Both Xander's faces a blank mask of determination.

Trying to prepare for the fight for his life Xander looked within himself to find his center but could not find it, the power was gone. Maintaining his stoic exterior to keep his dark counterpart back Xander began to panic on the inside, but his heart had been broken and his emotions exhausted. The only thing Xander could do was embrace the cold nothingness and try to beat his opponent at his own game.

The tension between the two began to grow as neither combatant took their eyes off of each other. The tension grew stronger between them until it seemed to be another person inside the empty arena before the two figures clashed together in the blink of an eye.

The fight erupted in full force as both fighters began to fight with a cold callused style. The fight took on a rhythm each fighter going back and forth like two waves crashing against the shore, each man giving ground and then recovering it before going on the attack himself.

As the fight wore on with no fighter gaining a clear advantage Xander realized that he was truly fighting himself. Both combatants possessed the same strengths and style. Every attack was blocked and countered while every counter was blocked and countered until the fight became a long string of counters and blocks.

As the fight moved on both fight eyes lock and just as suddenly as the fight started it stopped as the two fighters reached a tacit agreement. The pair's eyes remained locked on each other both reflective mirrors holding no emotions only reflecting. The silence was broken by Dark Xander, who began to clap slowly and deliberately as if mocking the young man before him.

"I must say you are pretty good, but I don't know why you insist on fighting," mocked Dark Xander. "You won't be able to protect them as well as I can. What will you do when your Buffy is in trouble?"

With that scene took shape to Xander's right. It was a graveyard in Sunnydale and Buffy was fighting a large demon covered by a bone exoskeleton with large claws, drawn red eyes, and a gaping maw full of sharp teeth. As the scene unfolded Xander watched as Buffy attacked the large beast with a sword but could not penetrate the bone armor surrounding the behemoth. He watched as Buffy was stabbed in the shoulder by the demon's claw. Buffy cried out in pain as her sword fell from her dead arm before grabbing the creature's arm with her remaining arm. Xander could only look on in horror as the demon stabbed Buffy's other shoulder and lifted her up into the air bringing her neck toward his awful mouth. Xander's heart broke as he was forced to watch his love look into his eyes and ask him for help in a soft broken voice. Despair threatened to overwhelm Xander as the scene faded away leaving blackness in its wake.

"And what will you do when you can't control yourself," asked Dark Xander, "will you become like dear old Dad?"

Xander knew with awful certainty what he was going to see as a scene began to take shape to his left, but he could not bring himself to look away. As the scene took shape Xander watched an older drunken version of himself beat an older Willow who was crying and begging him to stop, but he didn't stop he kept raining down blows upon the helpless woman until she could not plead or resist any longer. Xander watched as his drunken self did not stop kicking his friend's lifeless form until the scene changed to reveal another graveyard scene. This time there was no fighting like the last vision only tears a group of people surrounded an unknown grave each laying flowers down before the stone marker before getting up and walking away. Xander knew what he was looking at, but he couldn't break his gaze away from the scene. So Xander watched in morbid fascination as the last figure placed a rose with the other flowers before getting up and walking away. What Xander saw chilled his blood as the grave marker of his best friend could be seen clearly before the scene faded away.

Xander fell to his knees grabbing his head and began rocking back and forth trying to deal with what he just saw. Going over the two scenes again; he knew that something was wrong, but he could not come to terms with it. Xander could hear his dark counterpart laughing at him and mocking his weakness.

Then suddenly Xander realized what was wrong with the scenes. He wasn't in any of them. Xander knew that he would never sit and watch while Buffy was in danger and he knew that he could never bring himself to strike his best friend.

"No," Xander yelled at his tormentor, "those are all lies I love my friends and that makes me stronger. You will never be able to destroy that and that is why you will lose."

Xander flung himself forward toward his opponent feeling the power coursing through his body as he found his center again. Throwing a flurry of punches at his opponent's face and chest Xander attacked with the ferocity of a cornered beast as his feeling of love for his friends and hatred for his opponent melded together making him stronger than ever before. Xander's instincts melded into his movements allowing Xander to block every counter attack before he saw them coming.

Admits the onslaught Xander realized that he had finally found his opponent's weakness. Dark Xander's weakness is that he is Xander. Every move was done in a pattern that was becoming all too clear to Xander as his instincts and his thoughts became one allowing him to begin to see how the fight would play out in advance, and Xander's advantage would only grow stronger as the fight progressed. While Xander's emotions made him unpredictable as he changed the flow of his movements continuously keeping his carefully composed counterpart on the defensive. Xander watch as Dark Xander blocked and countered his punches and kicks until the moment to act flashed through his mind his mind.

Xander acted quickly snapping out his right hand in a punch that was slower than his previous ones letting Dark Xander take the bait. The block was preformed with precision and the counter strike would have connected with the side of Xander's face possibly causing enough swelling to close the eye and giving Dark an advantage, but the advantage was all Xander's, who had known about the punch two moves ago. By the time the punch had finished its outward arc Dark realized that something was terribly wrong because the only thing he had connected with was open air.

Xander had used Dark's own punch as an opening by ducking into a slide underneath the appendage while spinning around to end up behind his opponent standing up and ready to end the fight.

Xander snapped a kick into the back of Dark's knee forcing him to loose his balance and end up on his knees and vulnerable. The side kick that followed connected flush with the back of Dark's head driving it forward and down to connect with the floor with enough force to break his nose and his jaw leaving Xander standing and ready to proceed if necessary. As Dark began to rise slowly to his feet Xander could feel his hatred for the man before him being reinforced by his love for his friends and the need to protect them from this cold bastard before him.

A humorless smile curled across Dark's face as if he was sharing in a private joke as he said "You may have won that round, but you can't kill me and unless you do I'll come back stronger and victory will be mine. Along with your life and your pretty friends."

How little the Dark Xander knew about the young man in front of him could be considered surprising seeing as how they are the same person, but the surprise was all his as Xander's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. A light that told of the power lying with the young man, a power that burning inside Xander with more intensity than anything he had experienced in his young life. Xander exerted his will upon the fire inside him as he sprang toward the man whose life he knew he had to end. The righteous fury inside of him was forced into his hands making them heavier and lighter at the same time like the power had physically taken form around Xander's hands like a pair of steel gauntlets.

Xander didn't know how right he was as Darks smile disappeared to be replaced by a fear and shock as Xander's hands began to glow brightly as the he closed in for the kill.

Dark could only offer a token defense against power emanating from his attacker. Dark felt and heard the shattering of his forearms as Xander's fists drove through his blocks. Pain coursed through Dark's body as every nerve took up the cry of pain, but somehow he was able to remain standing. Dark could only watch as the glow disappeared from Xander's hands as the warrior pushed all of his energy into his right leg preparing for a final strike causing his right leg to flare brilliantly, but Xander was too intent on his target to realize what he was doing. Dark stared in morbid fascination as Xander leapt into the air to deliver a roundhouse kick causing a streak of light to trail behind his leg like a celestial body. The last thought Dark had before Xander's foot connected with the side of his face was how beautiful the light was as it flashed through the air dispelling the darkness around it.

The kick crashed into the side of Dark's face with enough power behind it to violently snap his head around breaking his neck and ending his life. With the battle concluded Xander released some of his control on his emotions and allowed himself to calm down and relax causing the glow to disappear. Xander walked over to inspect the lifeless body and confirmed the fact that it was dead.

With the challenge faced and destroyed Xander could feel his consciousness slowly begin to turn its attention outward as the world around him faded to be slowly replaced by the familiar training room. Xander felt such a huge sense of relief and accomplishment welling up inside combining with his mental and physical exhaustion that he surprised himself and his waiting master when he started laughing hysterically as tears flowed down his face before lying back closing his eyes and going to sleep.

End Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Xander awoke on the familiar couch in Master Lee's living room. The dimly lit room and sparse furnishings offered a quiet comfort to the swirl of emotions overpowering the young man's senses.

Xander moved off the couch to take a seat on the floor. Taking in deep breath Xander blew out the air from his lungs using the action to clear his mind of all stray thoughts. Keeping the slow rhythm of his breath Xander drew in air and expelled it from inside him pushing his surrounding away with each exhale. All of his surrounding vanished to be replaced by an encompassing blackness. Xander was at home in the void. The same void where his final test took place, and where Xander could begin a journey through his heart and mind reveling in his heightened emotions and what felt like heightened senses.

It was not a physical transformation that gave Xander his heightened senses he did not have the abilities of a demon or animal, but his perception had increased. His heightened emotional state put him in touch with his instincts and his feelings.

Xander reveled in the feelings while slowly adjusting to the swirl and going through some mental exercises to control and harness his emotions. Satisfied with his new state of being Xander closed his inner eye while letting his outer eyes blink back into focus.

The room was not as Xander had left it before his mental journey. Sitting on the coffee table was a serving tray holding a cup of tea and a tall glass of water, beside the beverages a laid a small stack of official looking documents.

Master Lee had also entered the living room and was sitting in his chair waiting patiently for Xander to come to. A smile spread across the man's face causing the crows feet at the corners of his eyes to knit together giving him a kinder and gentler appearance. Master Lee reached out and grasped the beautifully ornate teacup taking a few small sips from the valuable antique while Xander moved back to take a seat on the couch.

The smile never left the master's face as he spoke to his pupil. "You are now a Warrior of the Heart young Xander, but your training is not truly complete." Lee placed his cup back down on the tray with a steady hand before taking up the small stack of papers.

"Over the years many techniques that were known by the ancient masters have slipped beyond our knowledge. We still have the ancient writings of those masters, but the ability to perform those techniques has fallen away," said Lee offering the stack of papers to Xander.

As Xander looked over the documents Le began his explanation of the papers. "You should know that I'm not just a crazy old man. I'm a crazy old man who is owner of a billion-dollar computer company. I've paid for this house in full in your name and have set up two bank accounts for you. One will receive a monthly deposit to pay for the property taxes and general up keep of the house while you are in school. The other will be a trust fund to be used to pay for college and then some."

Xander's eyes shot open in surprise as the realization of how large of a gift his master had given him set in. "This is too much. It not that I'm not grateful believe me I am, but why?" asked Xander, "I mean this is too large of a gift. I should be paying you for everything you've already done for me."

Lee's eyes changed leaving behind the kind brown orbs to be replaced by sad eyes speaking of a great loss and regret as he answered Xander. "I have no children of my own Xander. My wife was killed in a car accident when we were young leaving me a widow. I could never bring myself to move on the feelings of loss were too much and my love too strong to be destroyed by death." Lee's eyes became tempered by affection as he looked deep into Xander's eyes. "But if I had a son I would want him to be just like you, and I will always look on you with the pride of a father toward his son."

Lee walks over to the couch settling down next to Xander, who could not make eye contact with the man, and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I just want to make sure that you have a safe haven from the world when I leave. There has never been a teenage Warrior and I think that you have taken upon yourself a burden that will threaten to overwhelm you."

With that Xander turned to look at his master in the eye exclaiming, "what do you mean leaving?" Xander stand up continuing his accusation, "you can't leave me. You said so yourself there are other things that I can learn how am I going to do that with out you. You can't abandon me now I'll never make it."

Fear and betrayal fuel Xander as he yells at his master using wild hand gestures while pacing before the couch.

Lee stands and grabs his former student by the shoulders and forcing eye contact with the upset young man. "You don't need me now. I can't teach you anything else. I apologize for the timing what with me leaving you now when you are in this emotional state, but I have to get back to my company. I've been taking care of business from here but I must get back."

Lee's eyes hold the contact until Xander pulls his master into a strong hug. "I'm going to miss you Master, but I will also be strong for you," whispers Xander. "I will miss you too young one, and I know that you will be strong and make me proud," answers Master Lee.

"Now that the hard part is out of the way I have a few more things to give you young one," says Lee as he walks into the training room with Xander in toe.

Upon entering the training room Xander notices a large bookcase standing against the far wall next to the display of weapons that had not been there before. Two polished wooden cases are sitting on in the center of the exercise mat. One case is long and thin while the other is shorter and wider.

Master Lee steps over the two cases and takes a seat on the floor. He settles himself and runs a hang on the oak cases running his fingers along the thin grooves before motioning for Xander to take a seat on the other side.

"So Mr. 'Multi-Million Dollar Kung-Fu Master Man' what's in boxes?" asked Xander as he takes a seat.

"These are my final gifts to you," says Master Lee motioning toward the cases before him and the books and scrolls residing in the bookcase behind him. "It is the responsibility of every master to give their pupil a spirit weapon, a weapon that complements their student's abilities and style. After much thought considering your progress and technique I could not decide on one weapon for you, so I'm giving you two."

Master Lee picks up the wider case and hands it to Xander. Xander accepts the gift with a reverence that belays his excitement over receiving a gift. Xander slowly opens the case to reveal finely crafted twin daggers each sitting in matching black leather sheaths. Seven inches of finely crafted steel inlayed with pure silver are held by a dull silver guard to keep it from reflecting light and black leather wraps around the handle to increase the user's grip.

"I tried to find a weapon that was most like a stake and that complemented your kinetic and flowing style," explained Lee," and they are the weapons most like the stakes you are used to wielding."

Xander extracts a dagger from the case feeling the weight and balance as a smile lights up his face as the dagger sings a quiet song of death and beauty as it cuts through the air. Xander places the dagger back into the case. Placing the case aside with care he tries to express his gratitude to the old man but is interrupted with a wave of his hand and by the offering of the other case.

Xander's excitement can not be contained as he grabs the case and sets the oak case down rubbing his hands together in anticipation. The old master can not contain his smile, as the young man's exuberance is contagious.

Opening the case Xander's eyes fall upon a katana with the same style of hilt as the daggers with a dull silver guard and black leather handle. The blade is incased in a black sheath. Xander slowly reveals the blade and sees the blade of the Katana also matches the style of his dagger's as well with strong steel inlayed with silver. The quiet beauty of the weapon astounds the young man as he is filled with happiness and pride knowing that the weapons were made for him and only him.

"How did you.Where did you.Why did you?" asks Xander as tears form in his eyes and spilled down his cheek. "And why am I crying?" asks Xander slightly confused at his display of emotions.

"That is just a product of the test," answers the old man as he sands up and walks over to the new bookcase. "Your emotions are new and powerful you will be like this for a few weeks so I suggest that you avoid any emotionally taxing activities until you become accustomed to yourself."

Master Lee stops in front of the bookcase and motions for Xander to pull himself together and join him. Xander looks like he is about to say something, but Lee cuts him off before he can start. "These will help you as well," says Lee pointing to the assortment of books and scrolls arranged on the case. "These are the writings of our most ancient masters. They will help you learn techniques that I can not teach you."

"This book is also yours," Master Lee says as he shows Xander a black book with silver lettering. "All masters keep a journal to help the next generation. You can write your thoughts and techniques in here. Anything you feel is important can be put in here."

Xander takes the book from Lee and replaces it in the case and pulls his master into a bear hug. "Thank you so much. I know you can't stay, but I will prove to you that I am worth all of this."

Lee returns the hug emphatically before pulling away and looking the young man in the eyes. "You have nothing to prove to me you only need prove it to yourself," Lee says. "You are right though I can't stay and I have to catch a plane and fly to New York for a business meeting. So I have to go, just remember to avoid any emotional situations for a while."

"Okay, but I start school tomorrow and I don't think that my teachers will accept that excuse," says Xander with a small chuckle.

"Oh, well just do the best you can and remember that you need to remain in control or else you will start projecting your emotions out to anyone near you."

After another hug and a tearful good bye Master Lee loads up his car and drives away from Sunnydale and away from his young pupil. Xander watches the car drive away and stands staring off into the distance for a few more minutes forcing his tears to stop and his mind to regain control before walking back into his new house.

Xander walks out of his house a half an hour later locking the door behind him and carrying all of his paperwork with him to prepare for his night out with Willow.

End Chapter Five