NOTE: As I write this I may have to change the rating from T to M, depending on how detailed I get. Thanks for the reviews and all of you readers.

Chapter 2

Xander wakes up for the first time, cold, blood ceasing to pump, and no reflection. He lays head first in a pool of water. He gets up and examines his hands and body.

"Huh. I guess this is what dead feels like." He says to himself, noticing the scars, dried blood, and lack of warmth, heartbeat and breath. "Ha! what do ya know."

He isn't quite presentable. His shirt is ripped; he has scars on his limbs and chest, and he's dripping wet. Last night had been interesting, if you could call it that. It's interesting to a vampire and maybe more like horrific to the average human being. He had gone with Jesse to the arcade and stayed until it was deserted. The owner had to kick them out in order to lock up.

"Man! What a grouch!" Xander exclaimed upon exiting. The streets were empty and silent except for his and Jesse's footsteps. "Must've rained" He added offhandedly. The ground was wet with puddles.

"Yeah." Jesse added, licking his lips hungrily. He grew impatient.

The two of them took a shortcut through the nearest cemetery. Xander led the way, Jesse following, so he didn't see who hit him from behind. Whoever it was must've gotten Jesse too Xander assumed as he slowly came to from his blackout; that's what he thought until he opened his eyes to see Jesse as the only one standing before him. By the looks of it they were inside a crypt. Xander tried to get up but couldn't. His arms and legs were chained to the wall.

"Hey buddy. Glad to see you're awake."

"Jesse?"

"Shhh don't talk. You'll ruin the mood."

Jesse had learned much from Darla and the Master as well as the stories of the old Angelus. When he turned somebody he didn't just want it to be a passing moment for that person, he wanted it to be a pinnacle moment, a changing experience. He wanted to leave his mark on them for eternity, even with his friend in life, Xander.

Jesse artfully brandished a knife from his pocket. He played with the tip of it, letting it cut his skin and turning his arm different ways to watch the blood drip down.

"Isn't it a beautiful thing?" Jesse asked more rhetorically than actually, watching the red liquid in amazement.

"Uhh Jess, what are you doing? Let me go." Xander had a nervousness and urgency in his voice. This person talking to him didn't sound much like his friend.

"I've always wanted to be a part of something, something bigger than myself. I never would've guessed what that would be, but it's an incredible feeling. I think everyone deserving should have that chance to be part of something great." He paused in his speech and eyed Xander. "Stop looking so worried. It's me, Jesse, we've been friends since third grade. Don't you trust me?" He waved the knife as he spoke and Xander couldn't help but look at it anxiously. "I want you to join me. Is that too much to ask?"

"Join you in what?"

"My life, my new purpose. It could be yours too. You wouldn't believe the changes you feel. I had to die to feel alive for the first time." Jesse's words didn't ease any of Xander's anxiety; if anything it was now worse.

"You didn't join a cult did ya?" Xander asked half in joking, half in seriousness.

"No!" Jesse snapped, taking offense. "To call it a cult would be demeaning. Humans form cults and I'm above that now. I'm taking you with me." Jesse approached Xander now. He grabbed one of the chains and gave it a hard pull, and by doing so it strung Xander up in the air at an angle. "Believe me, you will thank me for this when you wake up."

"Jesse, what are you--

Jesse raised the knife and slashed deep into Xander's chest. He cried out in pain. Blood began to flow. Jesse pulled out a stone chalice and let the blood pour into it so he could drink it. He proceeded to cut deep wounds on Xander's appendages, treating his blood like an art medium, letting its paths make designs.

"Why are you—"

"Doing this? Soon you'll learn. Soon you'll learn." Jesse said as he abandoned the knife. His face changed as a jolt to Xander and Jesse sunk his teeth into Xander's neck.

For Xander everything was going numb, there was so much pain that he ceased to feel it anymore. His body was going limp. Jesse picked the knife up again. He had detached his mouth from Xander's neck, so a little bit of feeling started to return. Xander didn't want that. It was too much; he couldn't bare it. He wanted to die it hurt so badly. Jesse sliced the blade down his hand and his arm. As the blood began to pool in his palm he held Xander's mouth open. He was delirious so when his lip felt liquid being given he gratefully downed it in gulps. It was only after he swallowed several mouthfuls that his taste buds kicked in to tell him it was blood he was drinking. He gagged but there was nothing left to spit out.

Before Xander could process anything Jesse sunk his teeth back into his neck and drank him until he went limp. When Jesse unlatched the shackles Xander's dead body fell to the floor. Blood had stopped flowing. Jesse stood over him triumphantly. His first, he was satisfied. Now this time tomorrow his best friend in life would join him in death. Oh what a pair they'd be, now, only to wait. He dragged Xander's body out into the cemetery and dropped him behind some bushes in a ditch of water, to wash the blood off.

The hunger is insatiable. Xander has never felt something so all encompassing. He walks toward the middle of town. When coming down an alley he spies two women walking briskly down the sidewalk. He can hear their hearts pumping. They're a little anxious. The speed of their heart rates excites him. He wants to hear them beat faster. He follows them from the rooftops until no one else is nearby. He jumps down in front of them. They shriek and one tries to run but he grabs her too quickly. He keeps her in a tight headlock so she can't scream. The other one is too paralyzed by fear. Their hearts beat wildly, the sound giving him a jumpstart like a drug.

"Now, now. Don't be afraid." With the first still in a headlock he moves toward the other one until he's pressing her against a wall.

He starts kissing her. She cries silent tears, tries to push him away but isn't strong enough. Xander keeps her pinned against the wall with only his body and his kisses, while he keeps his hands free to snap the neck of the other woman. She crumples to the ground. Xander now moves his hands to the other woman's face and hair. The ferociousness and passion of the kisses seem to brainwash her. At first she wasn't willing but slowly she starts to kiss back. He presses her against the wall harder. She moves to wrap her legs around his waist. Right when she's given into him he bites into her neck deep. She gasps in a silent scream of pain and ecstasy. As he drains her, he gives forceful twists to her body to be able to drink all her blood. Once he has drained her he turns to the other dead woman. He bends over to drain her next but two strong arms stop him from behind. He turns around to find himself facing Jesse and a few other vamps.

"Xander!" Jesse exclaims and embraces him like a brother. "You're awake." Xander wipes the blood off his face and his face reverts back to human. "Now that you've gotten a meal inside you it's about time we brought you to the Master."

"The Master?"

"He's the supreme vampire in these parts. Controls a lot of things and is lined up to takeover. Anyone who doesn't want to end up as dust joins him. You don't want him as your enemy."

"Lead the way." Xander lowered his guard.

One of the other vamps picks up the dead girl he hadn't fed on yet. Xander opens his mouth to protest but Jesse puts an arm around him.

"You've eaten. That's for the Master. Until this one special day he's kinda trapped so he needs us to feed him. This'll put you on good terms with him already."

Xander pulls Jesse's arm off him. He falls a little behind the group when they pass a playground and he spies a young boy about to leave it. Xander makes sure they're not watching because he doesn't want to share especially since it's just a small boy.

"Hey there, lose something?" He asks, sounding genuine.

"My favorite hat, I was wearing it here this afternoon."

"Well, want me to walk you home?" Xander asks, looking up to see the group of vamps turn the corner. He'd have to be quick so as not to lose them.

"No thanks mister. I just live down the street." The boy turns to go but Xander grabs him quickly. When the boy sees him next Xander's face is changed; he has fangs.

The boy tries to scream but Xander covers his mouth with his hand and bites into his neck. He drinks and drinks until there's no blood left. He lets the boy drop to the ground sprawled awkwardly. He wipes his mouth on his sleeve.

He runs to catch up and as he reverts his face back he mumbles to himself, "Still not nearly enough."

Underground Jesse and the other vampires bow before the Master as they present him with the girl Xander killed. They then back away and usher Xander forward. He looks up at the Master with mild interest.

"Master, he's my first, and see, he's already brought you ample food source."

"Yes, I can see that. Thank you Jesse. Leave us. Hmm—and there isn't even a bite mark on her. My, my, such restraint at such a young age." He speculates to Xander. "If I can remember correctly, I was starving when I first awoke."

"Well I guess I'm different." Xander plays along with the apparent assumption.

"Hm" He gives a short laugh without opening his mouth. "Or, you were so hungry that you fed and fed and you were stopped before you could feed on this one." Xander keeps quiet in response to this but his look of mild interest does not falter. "I like you Xander. It usually takes me a while to warm up to vampires that my children and grandchildren sire, but you—in you I see something that Jesse may have even missed. He was simply eager, a little sloppy, but he's learning." The Master inhales deeply, smelling Xander. "You have potential. Until you prove that potential you're going to be just like all my other children. You prove yourself to me and I will give you power above all others."

"And how do I do this?"

"This isn't a perfect world young Xander. Follow my orders. Do as you're told, learn and you will know when you've proven yourself to me. I will tell you what I tell all my children. Feed yourself, feed me and I will grant you permission to sire your own one day. Be patient. Not just anyone gets to become one of us. Jesse learned and here you are. Now you must learn. Until I grant you that privilege, no siring. Understood?"

"Yes Master." Xander answers, taking one knee before him.

A week drags by and Xander acts under the Master. He watches other vampires being made. He is allowed to assist and watch other carry out torturous acts on humans and some demons. He's a good boy and does as he's told. Xander prowls around at night, and watches from the shadows during the day. Everyday he sees Willow whether it's going to or leaving school or the Bronze. Sometimes he seeks her out while other times it's mere coincidence. He can smell her in the air when she's near. It's a scent he knows too well. His hunger grows but not just any person can satisfy it. He wants her, to feed on her, to turn her, and decides he can't wait. He can't wait for permission to sire her. Every bit of his being both wants and needs her at his side. In life he cared for his best friend. In death he wants to show that he "cares."

So, one night after she gets out of school he follows her, covered up by thick heavy clothes to block out the sun. He waits for darkness. No cars in the driveway; she's home alone. After sunset he takes off his protection. If he had a heartbeat it would be racing with excitement. He had to bring Willow with him. He strides to the front door, relaxes his body, puts his hands in his pockets and rings the doorbell.

To Be Continues...

Once again Feedback is always appreciated. Glad to know what you guys like about it. And hg556 I hope you're happy with the direction since you completely called it.

11/30-- AND HEY I only just realized that on my profile I had anonymous users blocked from giving reviews. I changed that. So please, I welcome feedback