Warrior Path by Daughter of the Black

A/N: This is a season 2 and Book 6 x-over. For other notes see chapter one

Disclaimer: I do not own HP or BtVS, god knows I wish I did.

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Part Three

Sleep plagued her, seemed to live in her marrow, thrive in her. She dreamed of a place, it was white, all white. The people were white, and though she thought it funny to think of people as colors, it was true. They were white and lost; they could not find their way home. She was omnipotent in this place, she knew everything of this place, that man, huddled in the corner, he was in a coma. His spirit, what she saw, was still attached, but the chain had grown, and weakened. Looking down she saw a chain attached to her chest, it was bright silvery white, strong, and seemingly unending. Closing her eyes briefly she moved on, she found a door, it had her name on it, she opened it, and inside was everything, everyone. All there, and not at the same time, things that had shaped her, and things that would. She drifted into the room, breathing deeply, a voice sounded, soft and kind, "Warrior, that was you title, deep inside, you lost that path, you don't believe you are a warrior. Your first death as an immortal, glorious, we always remember it. It took you less time than I have ever seen; it is only to be expected, being the slayer. Not to mention the poetic essence of the death itself, I mean a predecessor killing someone who has already clinically died, hence, in a rather non-direct way giving her powers. Sorry, I know you must be a little awkward; I was after my first death. Perhaps I should explain, I am a spirit guide, chosen especially for those who are immortals, since I was one."

From behind a column, the young man stepped, he was handsome on all accounts, and he had in his hands a small book, he seemed to be flipping through it, he looked up when he stood before her. She swallowed nervously, "Where am I, why do I know things about this place?" He grinned, obviously enjoying a joke at her expense, "My dear, this is what is sometimes called limbo, many get it wrong though. Some, more malevolent spirits who cannot move on remain here, until they are corrupted, and sent to a hell dimension, other peaceful ones remain here, until they can be accepted into heaven. Others are lost, they don't know anything anymore, their bodies are still alive, but their souls have been lost. You know things, because in this place, only the truly pure are judged worthy, look at the chain, that color. It indicates purity, and importance to the Powers. Come here," he led her out the door and into a large courtyard, pointing to a young girl, "look at her chain, see how it has lost the sheen, the white that burns the eyes, she has dulled. Soon she will be taken if she does not listen to her guide. There is also a special room in this place, found only by the Slayer, who has the power to pass into this place, it is the home vampires, the souls that are cast out, do not dissipate, they are delivered, and held, in case the Powers decide that the demon has redeemed itself, or magic has been invoked."

Frowning, Buffy turned to her guide, "What I don't understand, is why I am here, I mean, if I'm immortal, how does it work. I never fought one, why would the Powers do something like this?"

"You come to the most difficult question, the Powers have their own designs, that not even a guide is privy to," rubbing his chin he took her by the hand and led her away, down a long sloping hall. "As for the first question, an immortal, is not inherently good or evil, they are swayed by their knowledge, and other things. So saying, their powers are just the same, when you die, your spirit is released, depending on the control the immortal possesses, the time that the soul can last outside of the flesh will change. Some with great power can venture here, and even then, they are very rare, I was one of the first immortals, and I received my gift long ago, when I died after that, I was summoned here. Since you were already a tool to the balance, you are closer in essence, and power to myself. It means you can do a great deal more. Right now, the other Warrior is being informed in his own dream, he will not know much of this place, since for you; this is much like a dreamland, Gainel, does have some power over this place. In dreams, an immortal of importance may come here, to seek answers, or commune with the higher beings. Next time you die, immediately find your way back to your body, soon, you will be able to keep you soul there if I am not mistaken about you."

Buffy's brow had furrowed in concentration and shock, "S-so that means, that I can become like the ultimate fighter?"

Sighing, as she obviously missed the importance, the ex-immortal answered, "If you must put it so crudely, yes. More importantly, you are a champion, that evil will try to seduce at every turn, you are purer than they are, it might hurt for the truly evil to touch you. You must be stronger my childe, for that is what you are, you are the cosmic tool, you can tip the scales now, more than any other, and the Powers have given you a good faith gift have they not, Angel? They expect you to stay on your path if you have what you truly desire, remember, that here, you can find all you need, all you need to do is focus," his voice and 'limbo' were fading. "I shall see you soon my childe, I will watch over you, your blood kin will come with dawn, remember." He kissed her forehead, and then she was floating in darkness, dreaming a real dream.

Buffy rose, enjoying the sun falling on her skin, she felt fresh and rejuvenated, nearly exactly, like when Buffy had died at the hands of the Master. Pausing as she sat and pulled the covers off her, the events from last night flooded back to her, another slayer shooting her, losing consciousness, coming back, Angel holding her, and then, him washing the blood off her. She had died, hadn't she? Yet, she had no gaping hole in her chest, no pain, just a strong need to expend some energy which seemed to be piling up as she sat there pondering, and as she looked at the bright sun coming, she remembered him, 'limbo' as he called it. The knowledge she had gained choked her slightly, and she took a moment to reabsorb it all. Darkness would find her, she was needed, just not sure where, his words had struck deep, she had not thought herself a Warrior since she had caused Kendra's death, or Jenny's. His last words echoed in her mind, her blood kin would come with dawn, today, she would see where she came from. A sleepy grunt and a hand snaking around her waist made Buffy smile; her husband was there, the sun bathing him in a glow that she would never tire of seeing. Gently prying his arm off she rose, trying hard not to wake him, and moved to the bathroom, stopping at her closet to find a dress for the day.

Buffy relaxed against the shower wall, letting the warm water roll down her skin, her hair hung to her lower back, and it's usual curl was subdued by the water. Rinsing the vanilla from her skin she took a deep breath and became acutely aware that Angel was in the bathroom as well, standing at the sink, brushing his teeth, she could smell the mint wafting from the brush. The undercurrent of blood obviously meant he had already eaten; she wiped a circle clean on the glass and peered out at him. He stood there, back to him, in just his jeans, muscles rippling as he stretched, the tattoo on his right shoulder blade seemed to flex and change. She never got tired of watching him; everything about him screamed elegance and power.

At last she stepped out of the shower, not bothering to turn it off, knowing that Angel would just turn it on after her. Turning to her, he kissed her on the lips and let his hands wander over her slick flesh. He bent to whisper in her ear, "I love you."

Grinning wickedly, she stood on her tip toes and caught his lips in a passionate kiss, letting her fingers tangle in his hair. Pulling away and taking a ragged breath, glancing back at him she picked up the gray gown that she had hung on the door and bounced out of the room. In their bedroom she dried off and clipped her still wet hair up and away from her back. Rubbing lotion into her skin she stretched her muscles, getting dressed she smoothed the dress down. It was an empire waist gown, and it fell to just above her knees, the dark fabric contrasted with her skin, and made her eyes even brighter. Pulling on the gray pumps she did her make-up and blow dried her hair, leaving it to curl naturally. Tying a thick gray ribbon to keep her hair from falling in her eyes, Buffy slid her rings back onto her finger, a diamond ring, and then a plain gold band. On her neck she slid the necklace Angel had given her the first time they met, laughing at the thought that he certainly knew how to woo a girl, making a better first impression than many people she had met.

Flashback…

Angel: Ah, heh. Is there a problem, ma'am?

Buffy: Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?

Angel: I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite.

She backs off and lets him get up, but keeps her fighting stance.

Angel: Truth is, I thought you'd be taller, or bigger muscles and all that. You're pretty spry, though. (massages his neck)

Buffy: What do you want?

Angel: The same thing you do.

Buffy: (lets down her guard) Okay. What do I want?

Angel: (steps toward her) To kill them. To kill them all.

Buffy: Sorry, that's incorrect. But you do get this lovely watch and a year's supply of Turtle Wax. What I want is to be left alone!

She starts a determined walk away.

Angel: Do you really think that's an option anymore? You're standing at the Mouth of Hell. And it's about to open.

She stops, turns to him and looks at him with a wide-eyed gaze. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small box.

Angel: Don't turn your back on this. (tosses her the box) You've gotta be ready.

Buffy: What for?

Angel: For the Harvest.

Buffy: Who are you?

Angel: Let's just say... I'm a friend.

Buffy: Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend.

Angel: I didn't say I was yours.

End Flashback…

Buffy walked downstairs, making her way to the kitchen, she took a deep breath, still disbelieving that she was married, and had a house. What would Xander say, he would probably kill Angel then die. Willow would be stuck on the 'wow' phase, Giles would be stuck on 'Dear Lord, and 'Oh my'. Her mother, well she would be likely to blow a gasket. Her father, Buffy shuddered, would be the one who would kill Angel and put Buffy in a mental institution, again. Then the overly perky Cordy invaded her thoughts, she would probably be way jealous, seeing as how she had spent all her time trying to cling to Angel like a second skin, to no avail though. Laconic Oz would just nod and look thoughtful, the wolf was definitely a lone creature, and followed Will like a loyal puppy. Giggling silently at the thought, she set about making herself toast and tea, all thanks to Giles, her little tea addiction was only enabled by living in England. Her silent laughter was cut short when the invading, stray thought slipped in, her true family would come today. Would she be ready?

Finishing her breakfast, Buffy put her dishes in the sink and started to wash them, it was a routine, something Buffy had dreamed of for a long time. It was so constant, slaying for the longest time had been the only constant, and this made her feel more stable and responsible. Angel walked around the corner and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as she worked, looking out the window that stood over the sink. It was a large yard, green grass and shady trees, it reminded him sometimes of Galway, just outside of the main part of town, there was a valley. Dipping his head he inhaled deeply, savoring her unique smell, and then nuzzling her neck, his hand wandered from his waist to rest on her belly. Pulling her tighter against himself, Angel nipped playfully at her ear, making her laugh warmly.

Setting down her work, she grabbed a towel and dried her hands, frowning all the while, "Are we going to talk about what happened last night? I assume you had the dream; they gave you your soul, as part of a good faith gift to me. They have a battle coming up, I can smell it, and the whole thing stinks of the PTB," she felt him nod, that he had had the dream.

Turning her around he growled, "Next time I see Whistler, I am going to rip his spine out and wear it as a belt. If I ever find you shot you, they had better head for Hell, what I will do to them, will be a lot worse. Baby," he softened, "I lost you last night, and even if you came back again, I felt like ending the world for you, again." He whispered the last word so quietly that her slayer senses barely picked up on it.

"What?"

"Acathla, I, well if I couldn't have you, I wasn't going to let anyone have you." He muttered those words, eyes downcast, obviously embarrassed. Growling possessively, he looked into her eyes at last. Buffy reached a hand up and stroked his cheek, shaking her head the smile on her face never falling.

They were shaken from their reverie by a loud pop coming from the backyard, they both raced to the window to see two blonde men walking towards the house. Angel looked very surprised, but stood his ground, assessing the men to see if they were threats, Buffy spoke hesitantly, wringing her hands, "Did I mention, that my guide said my family would come today?" she bit her lip. Outside, behind the two men, an elderly man appeared and walked slowly after them. Angel had placed himself between Buffy and the strangers who could be her family, not wanting to take any chances. Opening the backdoor, Angel stepped onto the porch, trying to reign in his violent need to rip these people to shreds.

But, he resolved to do what was best for Buffy, even if that did mean accepting strangers into his family. It was the best he could offer for now. Besides, Angel and Angelus had a sneaking suspicion that this family wanted to take her home, and Angel, well he wouldn't agree quite so easily.

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Sorry this took so long, I actually had this written for a while, I just didn't want to put it up without working on the next part. Plus I got a little downtime so I figured I would update some of my work. I keep telling myself I will finish something, but that just doesn't seem to happen. I need lots of feedback.

DftB