Chapter 2
The sun which had tanned so many people, began to hide behind the mountains surrounding the Sunnydale region. Xander was waiting for Anya to pick him up, since his car was towed away. He leaned against the concrete wall growing impatient.
"Sheesh, Anya is always late. I need more money so that I could get my car back. But I won't get enough money that will even come close to pay." Xander was continuously reminded that he was very unsuccessful in his life by Anya and himself. Xander had gone window shopping several times at the local jewelry store but never seemed to make it inside the shop.
Xander started to flip his nickel which had become his lucky coin. It had been crushed at the construction site. The coin reflected the last of the sun's glare and also the shiny wheels of Anya's car turning from the curb.
"Honey, sorry to be late but this customer needed assistance. He had a lot of money so I couldn't just leave him right." Her car stopped in front of Xander with a screech as he helped himself in.
"Wasn't Buffy supposed to work today?"
"Yeah, but I can't leave her with a customer who has all that money."
"Why don't you give Buffy a chance Anya, she's not as bad as you think. She's not all slayer ya' know. Plus, you're always late. It's just customers that you don't trust with Buffy. Whether they have money or not."
Anya couldn't hear anything Xander said as her car sped around the corner with the usual and definite destination.
"Buckle your seat belt."
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"Those books aren't meant for minors like you to read Dawn. How many times must I have to remind you?" Giles snatched a book out of Dawn's hands and snapped it shut. The dust rose and surrounded them both making them cough just as the doors opened to reveal the arrival of Willow and Tara.
"Hey guys!" Dawn greeted as she walked toward them leaving Giles to wipe his lens again.
"Why, hello Willow, Tara." Giles nodded as he went to return the book back to it's original and rightly shelf.
"Hey Dawn, where's Buffy?"
"She's in the back practicing her techiniques again. Anya's not going to be happy when she comes back. There's still a lot of boxes waiting to be opened and shelved in the storage room."
Tara went to the table and set her backpack upon it ready to do some reading for her classes. The image of Mr. Boliss spitting all over the place was still stuck on her mind.
Buffy was done with punching and was heading back when Willow met her halfway.
"Hey Will, what's up?"
"Oh, hey Buffy, how was your day?"
"It was just spiffing. Anya got me to be her slave all day. Yours?"
"I uh, was just wondering if you were still ok with the party for Tara."
"Of course Will, how many times do I have to tell you. I like Tara, she's part of the Scooby Gang. Anyway, it's at our house remember, not just mine."
"Right, thanks Buffy, I knew I could count on you." She stood there looking at Buffy with a smile.
"Anything else Willow?"
"Actually yes, I was wondering, again, if we, uh, could do the procedure again, just in case?"
"Sure, why not, we can go back to the house and practice it, when, uh, Tara's taking a shower. I'll tell Giles that I have one of his books, and Anya and Xander are always there anyway."
"Ok, but I was going to be with Tara when she, uh, never mind. Tonight then."
"Yeah." Buffy looked at her quizzically.
Willow stared back.
"Let's go back to the store Will."
"Yeah, of course, let's go." Willow turned to leave and Buffy couldn't help but grin at the coolest friends she had. As they walked back together, they heard the door open again which meant the return of Anya and Xander. Now the entire Scooby Gang was under one roof. One really small roof.
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Sari ran down the dark street in the shadows determined to succeed in her goal. Her mistress's instructions were clear and quite easy. Kill anyone that got in the way, kill her friends, kill her...
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Anya stood behind the counter counting the money for the last time of the day before they closed down and returned to their homes.
"What's the book of mine you said you had again Buffy?" Giles asked nervously as she thought about one of his precious volumes under the careless slayer's possession.
"The one on, uh, the water gods, and uh, other creatures of the sea?"
"I can't recall..."
"Anyway, doesn't matter right? You'll get it back with all its pages and stuff.
That's what Giles was worried about. The pages. Giles was about to point this out when something broke through the glass of the Magic Box and interrupted him.
Sari stood in front of them all.
Giles got up and rushed Dawn toward the back and closed the door. He came back as Buffy was the first as always to break the silence.
"Who are you, what are you doing here, and what do you want?"
"I am Sari, I have been sent here to kill you, prepare to die!" She pulled out her sword and lunged at Tara.
"Dicentas!" Tara hollered, the spell shot out a gas that had no effect when it collided with the ninja's torso. Sari landed on Tara pushing her to the ground. She lifted her sword ready for impact with Tara's heart when Buffy lunged herself and threw Sari off course crashing into a display table, as numerous objects rolled and crashed to the floor with a tinkle.
"No, those crystals are very rare!", she just put the money back in the register when she realized that her shop would once again be destroyed. Precious artifacts along with it.
"And I just dusted them today." Buffy punched said as she punched Sari in the face.
Buffy took a punch in the face herself the ninja spoke again.
"Die!" Her eyes blazed and seemed to grow larger as she struck the sword down which barely stabbed Buffy who had rolled away just in time.
Buffy and the ninja fought as the others came in trying to help. Xander got a foot and Willow got a fist and were quickly put out of the action. Giles was muttering to himself and Dawn was banging on the door from the back.
"Buffy, the feet, hit the feet!" Giles hollered.
Confused by Giles' tip, but not wanting to argue, she struck downward upon Sari's feet with her highheels.
The ninja screamed in agony as her feet began to smoke.
"No!, how can this be, how did you know...I failed...", Her last words were not heard as she started to burn up and exploded into tiny bits which flew everywhere. Anya knew she would never get the stains out.
Tara was disappointed at how her Paralyzing Spell had merely bounced of the ninja. She was now muttering to herself better spells she knew but didn't even think about when the ninja had attacked.
Once again, Buffy was reminded of her friend's safety, which was sacrificed every time they were with her.
"So I guess the freaky ninja lady wont bother us again?"
"How did you know about the feet?" Buffy asked as everyone's attention turned to Giles.
"Well, I uh, have read entries about her. Sari, she was a Lakari Warrior of the Chumash tribe..."
"Oh, those are freaky people." Anya contributed. "Go ahead Giles."
"Anyway, their weakness is in their feet. It is said that the Lakari were once the strongest of ninjas that belonged to the Chumash tribe. They were cursed with the silly but effective, fragile feet, which act like bombs when put in impact. That led them to be banned from the tribe."
"Someone cursed their feet?"
"Xander, please, let Giles finish. Where do they come from? If they were banned from their tribe, where do they live?" Buffy asked anxiously.
"Well, Lakari Warriors are found everywhere nowadays, but no one has ever heard of them working for others. They are independent and are rarely seen with others of their kind."
Giles took his glasses off but didn't wipe them. He looked at the lens and put them back on. Buffy could tell that her watcher had grown tense.
"Giles, we'll beat the person. We always do remember?" Buffy tried to encourage her watcher, and it seemed to have worked.
"Yes Buffy, no doubt there. I just don't see why they would want you dead."
"Other than the fact that everyone wants the slayer dead?"
"Yes, I suppose that could be it."
Anya started to pick up some of the pieces on the floor when the table beside her collapsed altogether. With a shriek and a sigh, she threw the pieces back on the floor and got up.
"Well, can we go now, me and Xander have, uh, things to do."
"Anya, please!"
"Actually, I was hoping you guys would drop by at my house for a while."
"Sure, we are at your service." Xander answered.
"Not willingly though." Anya added.
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At the Summer's residence, the hot water was running upstairs while Willow gave instructions downstairs.
"The party is next Tuesday at five. We should all be here before five. We need to prepare the refreshments and decorations. All you have to do is bring your presents and happy faces."
"Presents?" Anya asked as if it was the most absurd thing to do. "Presents? I was not informed that we needed to bring presents."
"Don't worry Anya, I'll get one from the both of us."
"Xander, shouldn't you be spending money on me?" Anya questioned as her googly eyes popped put of her head.
"Shut up! I think she's done with her shower. Ok, remember, Tuesday, five. I have a plan to make Tara go to the Magic Box so we are going to surprise her when she comes back. The usual lights off, hiding and screaming..."
"What's going to scream?" Tara had just come out with dripping wet hair. "By the way, the blower's dead."
"Nothing, we were just remembering the Lakari Warrior who, uh, was screaming." Willow covered.
"Oh, I see. Anyone up to macaroni? I think I want to make a batch."
"Yay, I'll help you make some Tara. Buffy never lets me."
"Sure, come on Dawn." They left for the kitchen.
When Giles was told that the book was not actually with Buffy, he was relieved enough to go back home. Xander and Anya agreed that it was also their turn to head back to the apartment and maybe catch some fun before they slept. Tara and Dawn had made a mess in the kitchen and on themselves so they had to take another shower. This time, Tara was joined by Willow as Dawn waited for the bathroom. Now Buffy had some privacy. She slipped out onto the porch when she noticed Spike leaning against a tree.
"What are you doing here Spike?" Buffy said. She was actually quite pleased that Spike had shown up but didn't show it. "Or is the question, how long have you been here?"
"I heard that you were visited by a Lakari Warrior tonight." Spike said, quick to change the subject.
"How did you know that?"
"Let me just tell you this. Something is happening again in SunnyHell. Nothing new to that, but some people know about it, and they want to get the hell out of here. I'd tell you to leave too, but I know you would never listen. So I'll just tell you to watch your back. Sari was one of the many that are after you Buffy."
"Doesn't matter. There's nothing I can't handle. Thanks for the update though. Where would I be without a vampire to give me information. You remind me of..." Buffy let her words trail off as she realized what she was saying.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of him."
Buffy turned her face to the ground, she had never talked so openly about Angel. She loved Angel, but their unity was forbidden.
"Spike..." The slayer turned up and found that her pale friend had left. He had mysteriously disappeared just like Angel would always do time and time. Suddenly, Buffy felt very alone.
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Willow couldn't believe that it was Tuesday already with Tara's party just a few hours away. With Tara's gift in her backpack, she headed towards Buffy's house.
With a quick trot, Selma tried to keep up as they left the campus grounds. Selma was invited to Tara's party and was very eager to join. They had just left Tara at the water fountain. Willow couldn't help but think that she had ditched her, but she knew that Tara would go to the Magic Box, as planned.
"I hope Tara likes the gift I got her. It took me along time to pick out. There were so many to choose from. I haven't known Tara very long, but I know most things about her. She's a witch so I hope she likes the gift I got her."
"Wait, what did say?" Willow was very surprised that Selma knew anything about Willow and Tara that was out of the ordinary.
"Oh, you think I wouldn't know? It's kind of obvious once you've lived with one. My mom was also a witch. She tried to make me one too. But whenever I cast a spell, something would blow up. So she left me and my dad.
Now Selma silenced as the memories flashed back. Her mother had left her because she was a failure.
"I'm sorry that she did that." Willow tried to sound sympathetic towards the girl she had befriended so quickly. Selma was a very sweet and likable girl. But Willow's comforting had not worked. Selma would be quiet and calm for at least a few minutes.
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Tara got up from the drinking fountain and wiped her mouth and looked around.
"Willow? Selma?" She looked down the corridors trying to find her friends. She thought she saw Selma's dark hair and headed toward that direction. She didn't know that Willow and Selma were leaving the school, on the other side.
When she got to the end of the corridor, she realized that it was just Sarah who she had mistaken as Selma.
"Hi Tara, what are you up to today?" Sarah greeted.
Tara left without an answer leaving Sarah quite shocked at Tara's unmannerly behavior.
"By the way, Happy Birthday!"
Tara didn't hear a thing. She was too busy worrying about Willow and Selma. What if something happened? She knew she had to go to the Magic Box where they might be, or where she could find help from her other friends. She ran out the door, down the steps, and was deeply reconsidering the cell phone ads piling up in the recycling bin.
When Tara arrived, she was shocked to find the lights out and the door locked. She peered into the shop. The mess had been cleaned up which meant that someone had been in. She ran towards the next best idea, hoping it had nothing to do with last night's events. Her heart started to pound.
The lights were off, the door was unlocked and everything was silent. The only thing that could be heard was Xanders munching on crunchy Doritos at the table.
"Xander stop it! She'll be here any second."
"Sorry, it was just a few chips."
There was a knock on the door sounding Tara's arrival. Everyone was silent as she knocked again. Silence. Then the door opened and Tara walked in.
"SURPRISE!" Everyone hollered.
"Bloody Hell! What are you people doing. I haven't been scared like that since Jurassic Park when the dinosaurs were chom..."
"SPIKE?"
"What's going on, who's screaming, has anyone seen Willow?" Tara asked. She had arrived after Spike.
"Spike, you chose a bad time at using the front door. You spoiled everything." Willow said disappointingly.
"Well, I just thought since it was Tara's birthday, that I should bring her a damn gift. I thought that was normal for friends to do to friends. Ya know? Gifts! Ahh, forget you lot. Here Happy Birthday. I don't sing." He tossed a package to Tara who had just shown up, and left the house.
"Thanks." Tara shouted after him surprised that Spike had considered her a friend. They haven't really talked before. Now as she caught her breath she noticed...
"Willow, Selma, I'm so surprised, I thought something had happened when you guys ditched me."
"Surprise"
"Surprise"
"Surprise,mmm, what flavor is this Will?"
"Nacho, and Spike got the good surprise."
"Yeah, I heard. Wow, everyone's here. Anya, Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Selma, Sarah. Sarah? I saw you in the corridor."
"Yeah, Willow told me to wear a wig that looked like Selma's hair to distract you, as they ran down the opposite way."
Sarah Gibson was a very tall girl, and perfect for the plan. Her head stuck out above the others. Why hadn't Tara thought about that?
"Willow, I uh, Thanks!" She gave Willow a beaming smile.
There was silence which was broken by Buffy as usual.
"As Spike said, you got gifts. No cake, but gifts. Go open some, while I go after him. He should just be down the street."
"Thanks you guys. This is great."
They gathered around the coffee table that supported a heap of gifts. She started to open them.
Dawn had given her a batch of chocolate chip cookies she baked herself.
"You should be proud of her. Nothing burned. I don't mean the cookies, I mean the house." Xander said, helping himself to a nicely baked cookie.
"Thanks Dawn." She passed the cookies around after she had grabbed one herself.
Sarah gave her a stuffed bunny that was in a box. As soon as Anya saw it she shrieked.
"Are you insane?"
"What? It's called Miffens. Isn't it cute? My grandma makes them for me sometimes."
"You named that monster?"
"Anya, it's ok. Thanks Sarah, Anya has a thing about rabbits." She put it back in the box for Anya's sake and slipped Sarah a wink.
"Yes, I do. They are monsters. Doesn't anyone else realize that? Xander? You know that they're monsters right?"
Xander could do nothing but pat Anya on the shoulder.
"Yes dear, of course."
Tara was just finishing with the last presents,when Buffy returned with Spike at her heels. Selma gave her a book about the Witch Trials which included some entries from real witches that Tara really looked forward to reading. Buffy gave her a pair of pink and fluffy slippers, and a stake that Tara knew was one of Buffy's favorites. Giles gave her a complete set of Demonology Volumes and some scent candles that didn't smell so pleasant. Xander had found some pictures of himself, Willow, and even some of Buffy that had been taken along time ago including some Willow baby pictures. He had found them in his room. The pictures were now in a cleaner and wrapped box along with a copy of the Sunnydale High Yearbook.
Surprisingly, Anya had given her one of the surviving Crystals from the shop.
As she tore the roughly packaged present Spike had given her, she expected another book. When the wrappings were off, it revealed a beautiful pine wood and flat box that had carvings of animals around it. Tara sat there staring at the different animals. She thought it was absolutely beautiful.
"Well open it already would you? The box isn't supposed to be part of the present." Spike said tensely as he leaned against the door as if he was leaving again.
Tara opened the box. It revealed something that Tara thought was a miniature flail. The spikes were a piercing blue that glowed like the moon. Tara was confused on if Spike had gotten her a miniature model of the true weapon or did he expected her to fight with it.
"It's a pendant. Something that goes around your neck? That took me a great bundle of trouble to find just to let you know. Not many of those are left. Isn't as if people just keep them in their pockets."
"Yes, very rare. May I see it?" Giles was speechless as the blue lighted tinted his glasses lens."
Tara handed it to Giles.
"These were made by the best craftsmen alive during the Witch Trials. It would give the bearer great amounts of power and immune her from fire. They were in high demand during that time. The craftsmen were all executed shortly after and these pendants were never made again. Very rare. How did you come across one?"
Everyone stared at Spike.
"Trust me, you folks don't want to know. Find a chain and put it on. You'll need it".
"What do you mean by that?" Anya questioned.
But before Spike could answer, something burst through the door and tackled Buffy to the floor. Buffy flipped around and realized that a girl had attacked her. Fighting could be heard outside as Buffy looked at the girl confusingly.
"Who are you, and what is going on?"
The girl opened her mouth about to respond but at the exact moment, another body was flung through the window, breaking the glass.
When the person got up and Buffy saw his face, she realized that it was the boy he had met in the Magic Box.
"Slayer!" He shot a white ball of liquid that had appeared from no where out of his right hand, and threw it at Buffy. Buffy tried to block it, but was surrounded by the substance in a big bubble that she couldn't break out of. Xander pushed the other girl down and Giles threw a vase at the boy. The boy was knocked out and fell into a heap at the floor.
"No!" Willow and Tara yelled in unison. It was too late. A plate thrown by Anya collided with the girls head. She limped into another heap.
Selma and Sarah shook with fear as they took cover under the dining table. Anya crawled toward Xander as Giles walked toward Buffy joined by Willow and Tara.
Just then, a huge wind rushed into the house flipping tables and spreading furniture. Everyone looked toward the window where a woman was levitating in midair. She was glowing white and had blue lips. Her hair, shot with thunder, flew behind her madly. She took one look at the crowd and screamed.