Kindred Spirits

Review replies:

RumorGoddess: The romance won't really be noticeable until I turn Dawn human. When that will be, I'm not telling just yet.

Aggsgurl: So happy you're enjoying reading the fic. Enjoy!

Guinevere: I can tell you that yes, Dawn will become human again, but I can't tell you any more without spoiling some of the plot. If I do that, you'll probably stop reading because you know what's going on. I can't loose my readers; I love them too much!

Katie: Thank you for taking the time to review. Happy you love it. I update because I have people like you supporting me. Thank you.

Cassie-Bear01: Happy to have made your morning! To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if I'm going to save him. I'm really tempted to, believe me. I'll just have to wait and see what I write when that time comes. Thank you for reviewing.

Nikeon: Yes, the summary really sucks. I can't do those very well, as I have discovered, the hard way. I don't know about you, but for me, they are harder to write than people think. I'm happy you decided to read it and found it interesting. Enjoy this chapter!

WhiteWolf 3: Dawn didn't overcome her fear of heights; she just put it aside to help Tristan. It is possible, because I've done it myself. Not with my own fear of heights, but with my fear of blood. It gets real bad sometimes, to the point where I often pass out, even at the blood from a paper cut. My mom tripped coming up the stairs a few years ago and cut her head open, and I took care of her without panic or even flinching at the blood coming out of her head until the ambulance came and brought her to the hospital. I was completely fine until they were on their way to the hospital. It was only after that I threw up and passed out. Dawn's going to have problems with heights in the future, but we know that she can be counted on in an emergency.

Destiny's Dragon: Thank you. I've never been turned into a hawk (obviously LoL), so I imagine myself being one and try to describe what I think would happen to me and how I'd react. It's wonderful to know that people think I do a good job.

Magical Faerie: At the moment, you don't need to see the movie, and as far as I'm concerned, you won't need to see it for later chapters, since I'm also writing this for someone who hasn't seen King Arthur yet, and they really enjoy it too. If something changes, I'll be sure to give everyone notice that they need to view the movie to understand something. Even then, I'll be making an author's note to explain what's in need of clarification.

Kenny7: I'm a ma'am and I'm writing more, promise. It brings a smile to my face knowing you love the story.

Blazing Fire: I feel so blessed! Thank you for making me an exception. I just love this. As for making Dawn a hawk, I can't take that credit. 'A heart on Wings' by Troyfan16 and the very first Buffy crossover I ever read, 'The Key to Marauding' by Anoron inspired me. I'll make sure not to stray from the track I'm being guided upon.

Black Opall: Another instalment is here, don't worry. Unfortunately, I can only promise a maximum of two updates per month. With my two jobs and other responsibilities, that is as much as I can do. What I can say, with certainty, is that I have a good idea where this is going, so I'm not quitting this any time in the predictable future, unless a major personal disaster strikes (Heaven forbid)

Sorry it took me so long to update. My cousin dropped off her one-year old for me to look after for eight weeks while she was out of town visiting her mom (her mom has cancer and wanted to be with her to support and take care of her). With a kid, I was so tired; I couldn't find the time to update. All I wanted to do while Cooper was sleeping was sleep myself. After not writing for so long, I couldn't get back in the story, so I made myself a plan to see where I want to go with this story. Now that I'm more then ten chapters ahead, I'm back in the story enough to write chapter four. Now the real story begins. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Chapter four: Another visit from Whistler

Dawn swooped down, digging her talons into the mouse she had been hunting. Eighteen months had gone by and she got accustomed to sharing her brain with a hawk. Instead of fighting each other subconsciously, they compromised and worked together. It was like having an alter ego, Dawn figured; like Bruce Wayne and Batman or Clark Kent and Superman, only her alter ego didn't have a name or was a comic book character.

The Key-turned-hawk flew fast in the air, at a reasonable height, but it still wasn't as high as normal hawks would fly. She wanted to return to Hadrian's Wall in time to leave with the knights on their next mission. After all the trouble she went through to join the fighting in the first place, she was not about to be late to leave with the knights.

Dawn felt like she was being watched by something, but couldn't see where the feeling came from. Deciding things weren't right, the hawk landed on a nearby tree branch and observed her surroundings more carefully. Her mouse completely forgotten, Dawn could feel herself getting tense, not liking the intensity of the stare she felt on her.

"Don't worry kid, I'm not here to hurt you, just warn you," said a familiar voice. Whistler appeared before her, floating in mid-air.

What does he want now? Dawn asked herself, not wanting to be bothered with whatever he had to say.

"I can hear your thoughts, you know, since you can't talk and all. I'm here to warn you," he said.

You said that already. Warn me about what?

"Danger's coming. The enemy's planning on taking over the land, killing everything in sight. You have to help the knights stop them."

Woards are taking over the land? I knew they were not happy with the Romans using the land that once belonged to them, but I didn't think they wanted an all out war. How do I help the knights? It's not like I can kill people, you know. I'm just a bird. I can only do so much.

"Not the woards, kid, but the Saxons."

The who?

"Saxons. They come from across the sea. What you called Ireland in your old life. And you can do more then you think you can."

Like what? I'm a hawk, remember? You made me this way. There's not much I can do besides injure someone. My talons can't go that deep in someone's flesh.

"Yeah, you are a hawk, but you're also human."

Human? I have feathers! I've been human, Whistler, and trust me, feathers are not part of the human package.

"The powers say that you've gained the trust of the knights enough to become human again. You'll get back into you're original human form soon enough, looking exactly like you did when you were with the Slayer. All you have to do is help the knights live."

I'm going to be human and help the knights? Then why turn me into a hawk in the first place?

"So you could adapt to being in this land, learning how this land works without having to explain how a girl like you came from."

Okay, but that doesn't tell me how I can help the knights. Roman woman are not aloud to fight.

"Ah, you are not Roman."

But they'll treat me like a Roman.

"Kid, listen, no matter what, you have to learn how to fight. You have to protect the knights. They can't die. Find a way to help them. Anyway you could think of, use it. Protect the knights."

They don't need much protection, you know. They fight just as good as Buffy, If they'd fight each other, it'd be a draw. How can I protect them?

"The Saxons are out to kill. You can save their lives."

By turning human again and learning to fight? I don't see how I could help them.

"You forget something, kid. You're the Key. You have the power. You just have to use it."

Last time the Key's power was used, a huge portal opened and I died! I don't think the Key's a good thing to use.

"Last time, the power was used against the Key. This time, the power will be used to you're advantage. You will call forth the power, and you will use it well. I've got to go, my time's up. Remember, there are lives depending on you kid. Good luck." With that, he disappeared.

Wait! I'm still a hawk! I can't do anything yet! Whistler? Whistler! Get back here! I hate you Whistler!

Dawn knew it was no use. The Balance demon was gone. Now what? She thought. She looked at the sky, hoping it would give her the answers she needed. Dawn noticed where the sun was in the sky. Shit! I'm late! She said and took off towards Hadrian's Wall. I'm going to kill that balance demon when I get my hands on him!

The hawk made it back in time to see Bors and Dag leaving Tristan's room. She flew in through the window, and perched herself on the back of a chair near Tristan's bed, who was filling the rest of his pack with a blanket and other necessities. She squawked, announcing her presence. Tristan gave her a smile, then turned to his pack.

Dawn was sitting for a few minutes, when she suddenly felt a huge pain all over her body. Dawn squawked in pain, and fell to the floor. It was like someone was pulling every bone in her body from its socket.

Tristan picked her up, placing her on the more comfortable bed, worried filled his eyes. He had never heard a cry of pain the way the hawk was at that moment. He didn't know what had happened for her to be in so much pain.

Dawn didn't know what was happening. All she knew was the intense pain. She didn't hear herself squawk anymore, she only knew the torture her body was going through. She didn't see the confused look on Tristan's face when her body stretched in all directions. She didn't see him jump back in shock when her hawk self turned into her human body.

Just as suddenly as it started, the pain stopped. There was nothing left to show the amount of pain she had been in just seconds before. Not a tingly feeling, not a twitch, nothing. As if she had just imagined the whole thing. She tried sitting up, but her body was too tired after the transformation. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep; then fell deeper, all the way to where she couldn't wake up anymore.

Tristan had seen it, but he couldn't believe it. His eyes had seen his hawk friend turn into a naked girl, right on his bed, before him. Without thinking, he took the blanket from his pack and covered her, and shocked that no one had heard her cries of pain, left the room running, in search of Arthur.
Well, I hope this makes up for the time I didn't post a new chapter. I'm extremely sorry. I promise, the next update will be at the regular end of month update time. Until then, keep reviewing.