The Fleeting Life of a Demonic Bunny

Chapter Six

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or places in this story that are from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I only own the stuff that is obviously not on the show.

a\n: because your author is an idiot and forgot to put Dawn in, you'll have to just assume that she's off visiting her dad. and, don't worry I will bring the Demon bunny back, it's just that I couldn't keep him and have the story follow the right plot. for this story to work you need to just assume that after Anyas wedding she and Xander kind of got back together but she's a little mad still and is deciding whether or not to take her vengeance demon powers back. and that Tara and Willow are back together.

this is in response to a challenge from my friend, the challenge is at the end of the story.

Spoiler: after 'Hells Bells' or Anya and Xanders wedding

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Everyone was quiet for a moment, just staring at Anya. even spike was silent.

"You stupid bitch!" Willow yelled suddenly. everyone stared at her, shocked.

" Wil, come on. don't be so hard on her." Buffy said. but it was apparent that her heart wasn't in it.

"No. Don't tell me not to 'be so hard on her'! I'm tired of being the nice one. the forgiving one. It's her fault that my girlfriend isn't here right now!"

Anya paled visibly. "What do you mean Tara's gone?"

Willow stared at her. "You mean you didn't read the entire ritual? you just said the spell and moved on. you didn't look at possible side effects? you're even stupider than I thought."

Anya looked around confused "What do you mean possible side effects? what's going on?"

Willow was fuming to much to answer so Buffy did, voice still subdued. "When you did the ritual to summon the demon, apparently there were some things you didn't read about it. see, This particular demon happens to hate vamps. But that's just an added plus. it hates humans just as much as the next evil undead, only it also hates vampires. See where I'm going here? Also, it isn't big on just killing it's food or prey or whatever. it does a ritual and stuff. And apparently it decided to go after the person with the most power that it could handle. Since Willow hasn't been doing magic it moved on to Tara, who is pretty powerful herself."

"Oh God. I'm so sorry. I can't believe I didn't read it all...I'm just- I'm so sorry." Anya babbled, looking grief stricken.

"Well sorry won't bring her back." Willow said angrily.

"Wil, It's okay. we will get her back." Buffy said adamantly. "okay, everyone. Time for some good old fashioned research. I'm just glad that Dawn is at that weird camp-dealie. One less thing to worry about. Willow, can you do the computer thing? you know with the research?" at her shaky nod Buffy smiled "Don't worry, It'll be okay." She turned to Anya "Anya, get the ritual you did and see if you can find a counter spell. if not look in other books. Xander, would you call Giles and ask him for some references? Then you can go on snack run. This is gonna be a long night."

He sighed and nodded "I'm always snack boy..." he muttered as he walked towards the phone.

"You can be research boy if you want to." Buffy called after him.

he shuddered and shook his head "On second though, snacks are good."

Buffy glanced over at Spike. "Spike, would you help me patrol? I really don't want to be by myself if this demon thing attacks." he nodded and got up following her to the door. "I'll be back soon. be careful going out."

"It's not like you need to tell us Buff." Xander quipped "We know the routine. And I for on think it's a good one. you go out and stalk. we stay here in the nice quiet demon free house." Buffy smiled and followed spike to the door. she paused at it and turned back. "An, you better talk to your boss, cause if you do another vengeance spell? Today will seem like a cake and ice cream kind of day." her voice was low and menacing and Anya nodded not doubting it.

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"Well that was interesting pet." Spike commented as they walked along.

"What was?" buffy asked, distracted.

" You usually don't ask me to do things, you tell me. when did that change?" he tried to keep his voice light but She could tell that he was dying to know...to know how she felt about him. "When I started respecting you." she answered quietly.

"And when was that love?" his tone remained light but his hands were clenched into fists.

she paused before answering. "since...since I realized you really do love me."

He looked at her and then continued walking. "Is that so?" he asked quietly, not really caring what the answer was. "well, that's all nice and all but I think we'll cover more ground if we split up." he said shortly. he started to walk off when buffy stopped him.

"Spike wait." he turned back to her waiting impatiently and when she said nothing turned to go again. "since I realized that I love you!" she cried suddenly. "that's when I started respecting you. the moment I realized that you loved me and realized I loved you!"

Spike looked back at her stunned. "you don't really mean that pet." he said softly.

he watched as rage bloomed on her face.. "don't you dare tell me what I mean! I love you. there is nothing else to say. I tried so hard not to accept it but..." her voice trailed off and she looked up at him

"you mean it?" he asked after a minute. she just nodded. "god buffy, you don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. but...are you sure? are you positive you love me?"

"yes. I am totally sure. in fact, I was going to tell you at home in front of the gang. you know just get the telling them part over with, but then the whole thing with Anya doing the ritual...it just didn't seem right." she said it all in a rush and spike stared at her.

"You were going to tell the scoobies?" he asked. completely blown over.

"Well yeah. I can't exactly sneak around all the time." spike just stared at her a minute. he had opened his mouth to say something when a scream pierced through the night.

TBC

a\n: I know these last chapters have sucked, but don't worry. I'm probably gonna bring the bunny back next chapter. and, if you love me-or the bunny- at all, you'll review this. please no flames but constructive criticism is great. . if you do so you will be forever blessed with happiness...probably