Title: The Master's Secret

Author: musketau
Summary: What is it?
Pairings: None
Rating: I'll say PG.
Crossover: None
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Mutant Enemy and whoever
else wants to lay claim to them. It's not mine, honest.
Feedback: Oh, please!

Authors note: No Xander, but you'll like it

The Master's Secret

By Musketau

The Master was getting impatient. With the harvest approaching, he was always surrounded by vampires wanting to gain his favour for when he rose and finished opening the Hellmouth.

The Master wanted the sycophants, he needed them to help gather a large enough offering to free him from this prison, but it meant he was never alone. Some things had to be carried out in private, and privacy was one thing he lacked.

As he rose from his blood pool, the Master decided enough was enough.

"Leave me!"

The vampires looked at him. One rose and tremorously asked "Master?"

"I said leave me." He moved fully out of the pool, standing imposingly above the vampires lounging in the old church. "There are some preparations that cannot be observed. I will have privacy for the next two hours."

Slowly, the vampires stood and moved to the exits. Finally only two remained. Darla rose first "What are you going to do?"

"What I must to ready myself for the Harvest. Leave me, both of you," here he turned to Luke, "I must prepare, and some things should not be observed. Each of you take an entrance and ensure no-one, not even yourselves, sees what occurs in here."

"Yes, my Master."

"Yes, my Master."

They stood and moved to the two entrances.

"Make sure you are far enough away that you can hear nothing." Was the Master's last command as they left.

Once alone, the Master prepared himself. Divesting himself of his clothing, he approached the blood pool. From under a rock on the far side of the pool, he withdrew a bag containing the necessary instruments.

A roughly square block of fat, lye and other herbs

A wooden stick with rough bristles on one end, and

A yellow object, most important of all.

The master had hoarded these items for years. Despite many attempts, he could not perform the ritual correctly without the last item, although many stated it was not necessary.

He was ready. The items were arranged next to the pool. He entered the blood pool. Grabbing the block of fat, lye and herbs, the Master anointed himself fully, running the block over his entire body.

Once finished, he picked up the stick and rubbed the bristles over his body vigorously.

Finally, he picked up the last object and placed it in the pool, where it floated in the surface. He lay back in the pool and started his mantra.

Darla was curious. It was one of her biggest strengths, and biggest weaknesses. She couldn't bear not knowing. So, when she left, Darla set up just inside hearing distance of the main cavern. Maybe the language used would give her some hints.

It took some time, but finally she started hearing a low voice. When she understood the words she smirked.

The efforts some people would go to have an undisturbed bath.

Rubber Ducky

You're the one.

You always bring me

So much fun.

Rubber Ducky

You're the only one for me.