-'Sad But True.'-
Pairings: a little angst for right now, something more substantial later.
A/N: This is the sequel to Enter Sandman. After Xander remembers more of the Sandman's dream he changes more and more, and the people around him begin to change. He has to accept what is happening, no matter the cost in life or love.
A/N 2: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews.
Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Buffy, Angel, or Metallica.
Timeframe: S2 AU "Phases."
Dedicated to the ones you can't save, and to the ones you can.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Xander ran along the road to Oz's house. He saw Buffy and Giles running to the house. 'Great, the wolf's probably in there killing Oz right now.' A little part of his mind echoed, 'You wouldn't mind it that much would you?' He grimaced and turned that little part off. He saw the wolf break out of the back window and run into the woods. Willow ran out of the house and was followed by Buffy and Giles with a tranquilizer gun. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cain pull up to the house and jump out of his truck with a rifle.
'Crap, Buffy, Willow, and Giles probably don't stand a chance, and Cain will probably kill the poor bastard.' Xander saw all four head into the woods. 'Where's Oz? If he's not there, either he's dead or...crap.' His run became more of a sprint and he felt the tug of the Hyena pull at him. His pores were on fire as the cold chill swept through his body, letting the sweat freeze and burn at the same time. His eyes flashed yellow as he ducked into the woods.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
Cain ran through the woods stalking his prey. Werewolves, while very powerful and formidable, left a large enough trail that even amateur trackers could find them. Fortunately for him, only the experienced could survive the encounter. The boy from before cut him off, in his same navy blue shirt and dark green pants.
Cain walked forward and aimed his gun at the child. "Listen boy, I don't want to tell you again, this aint for amateurs, There's a 'were' out here and I aim to find him."
The boy smiled and shook his head. "No you won't. I figured out who it is, and while he's not my best friend. He means a lot to her. So I'll let you go and you don't ever come back."
Cain frowned. "Do you know what you're saying boy? You cant trust a 'were,' they're cold blooded killers. He'll probably turn your friend into a monster just like him, then what'll you do huh?" He walked forward, raising his voice. "If you loved your friend, you should just let me kill it."
Xander shook his head. "That's not my choice. And as for him, he can be controlled; I know that he can control the animal inside. It just takes time."
"What makes you say that?"
Xander leaned forward and bared a feral smile, his eyes glowing yellow. "Trust me."
Cain jumped back and shot at the boy, who simply managed to disappear into the woods. "Do you know what this town is? There are worse things in this town then accounted for in your humble mythology my friend and guess what?"
Cain turned around firing blindly into the dark. He turned to see the boy within inches of his face, the amber in his eyes burning away the brown. "I'm one of them."
//////////////////////////////////////
Buffy, ran through the night. She turned behind her to see Giles and Willow struggling to keep up. Suddenly she stopped. Giles and Willow slowed to a jog until they caught up to her. She held up a finger to her lips, indicating for them to be quiet. They nodded and stood in silence for several seconds until a shrill scream was heard. Buffy sprinted off in the direction from where the sounds had come.
/////////////////////////////////////
The wolf walked along the path. Smaller animals scattered away from the lumbering creature. It put its nose in the air and growled as it turned around. Behind him was a human holding a large metal stick that it recognized from before. The human held it up. "Hey Oz, I borrowed this from Giles' car do you think he'll mind?"
The wolf bared its teeth and charged the boy. "Crap." The boy jumped up into the trees and shouted down at the wolf. "Hey Oz man, It's Xander..." The wolf ran full force into the tree making Xander fall out. "OOMPH!"
The wolf lunged at him, the boy's eyes glowed yellow and his mouth made a slow growling sound as he spoke. "STOP!"
The wolf looked up at the being before him, it smelled familiar, something of both a friend and a rival. A calmer piece of its mind started to take form. The man spoke. "I know that you're gonna hate me in the morning aren't you?"
Xander took aim and shot the creature in the chest with the tranq gun. The wolf slowly started to howl and whimper as it shifted back to its human form. Xander sat next to Oz and waited until it was finished. "Listen Oz, I know we have our differences, but this isn't doing any good for Willow, and as much as it hurts me to say, I think that she might actually care for you alright?"
He looked at the prone form lying on the ground and took off his jacket and put it around him before picking him up. "I know that I'm not good enough for her, she deserves much better than me. And maybe you might somehow be good for her. All I know is that she actually smiles when you look at her alright?"
Xander sighed as he heard the voices of his friends start to get closer. He leaned the sleeping guitarist against a tree and removed the dart. "Ya know Oz, if you hurt her, I will _not_ hesitate to kick your ass. And even if I somehow can't, I'll make sure that I find someone who will."
He smiled sadly as he heard Willow shout out for Oz. He took his jacket back and ran back towards his house.
/////////////////////////////////////
Xander and Buffy walked past the trophy case and into the lounge. Xander talked to her as she went up to the vending machine and got some pretzels. "So you found Cain all unconscious next to a tree?"
Buffy nodded while looking for some pretzels. "Yep, We took him and put him on bus going to LA. And, as Giles said, 'good riddance to bad rubbish.'"
Xander smiled. He saw someone out of the corner of his eye and started to think aloud. "This is all so weird. I mean, how are we supposed to act when we see him?"
Buffy nodded but disagreed. "Well, it's gotta be weird for him, too. Now that we know so much."
Xander shook his head and leaned against the column. "All I know is I'll never be able to look at him the same again."
Buffy looked at Xander with disdain. "He's still a human being. Most of the time."
She bent over to pick up her Rold Golds. Xander raised an eyebrow. "Who are we talking about again?"
Buffy gave him an odd look. "Oz. Who are you talking about?"
Xander tried to change the subject. "Oh, No one. Just Xander being funny ole Xan-man, crazy class clown person, you know how it is."
She gave him an odd look before turning to see Larry's jock friends by the stairs knock a girl's books out of her hands and laugh. Larry came down the stairs behind her and quickly reached down to help her pick up her books. "Hey, let me get those."
The girl, while thankful seemed very surprised. "Thanks."
His friends seemed even more surprised.
Buffy's jaw dropped. Larry came over to Xander. "Hey! Xander. Look, about what you did. I, I owe you."
Buffy turned to Xander with a questioning look on her face. "What'd you do?"
Xander tried to move it quickly. "It's really nothing we should be talking about," he turned to Larry, "_ever_."
Larry smiled and waved him off. "I know, I know. It's just, well," he leaned over and patted him on the arm before walking away, "thanks."
There were several seconds of silence, as the whole student body had a very confused and slightly disturbed look on their faces. Buffy opened her pretzels and popped one into her mouth. "That was weird."
They walked over to a table and sat. Xander pulled out a brown paper bag. He noticed Buffy still looking at him oddly. "What, it's not okay for one guy to like another guy just because he happened to be in the locker room with him when absolutely nothing happened and I thought I told you not to push."
Buffy held up her hands in defeat. "All I meant is that he didn't try to look down my shirt."
Xander fidgeted with his hands and smiled nervously. "Oh, oh, yeah, that's the weirdness."
Buffy nodded. "Weirdness abounds lately. Maybe it's the moon. Giles was right, that does stuff to people."
Xander smiled and took out a salami sandwich. "I hear that."
Buffy saw Willow walk by with Oz. "Certainly gonna put a strain on Willow and Oz's relationship."
Xander shook his head. "What relationship? I mean, what life could they possibly have together? We're talking obedience school, paper training, Oz is always in back burying their things, and that kind of breed can turn on its owner."
After his little rant, Buffy continued to give Xander a death glare. He sighed. "I don't know, maybe its just me being all protective. I mean it's my Willow, what happens if he breaks her heart?"
Buffy smiled at the couple. "I don't know. I kinda see Oz as the loyal type."
Xander looked over his shoulder to see Willow smiling at Oz. Oz looked over and met Xander's gaze and nodded. Xander nodded and turned back around to his unfinished salami sandwich. He looked up to see Buffy looking at him with a little smile. "What was that?"
Xander took a bite. "What was what?"
Buffy maintained her smile, she knew what it was, but wanted to hear it. "That, the manly-man look between you and Oz."
Xander shook his head and took another bite of his sandwich. "I don't know, ask Larry."
He looked up to see a very confused slayer pop another pretzel into her mouth. He smiled and took one of her pretzels, earning him a death glare. He sighed to himself. There were thing he knew and didn't know, mostly the latter. No specifics, but an overwhelming sense of dread, but at the same time hope. He knew things could be okay.
He turned back to see Oz and Willow laughing and talking. He grinned and took another pretzel, this time earning him a punch to the shoulder. He rubbed the sore spot. Buffy didn't have to put a little slayer strength in it. He sat there in thought for a second. As much as things were looking down, he knew that they could weather it. It would be hard. There would be pain. But they could win.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Words and Music by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett Copyright © 1991 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP) International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who takes you there.
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who cares.
They, They betray, I'm your only true friend now.
They, They'll betray, I'm forever there.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray.
I'm your eyes while you're away.
I'm your pain while you repay.
You know it's sad but true.
You, You're my mask; You're my cover, my shelter.
You, You're my mask; You're the one who's blamed.
Do, Do my work, Do my dirty work, scapegoat.
Do, Do my deeds, For you're the one who's shamed.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray.
I'm your eyes while you're away.
I'm your pain while you repay.
You know it's sad but true.
I'm your dream,
I'm your eyes,
I'm your pain,
You know it's sad but true.
Hate, I'm your hate; I'm your hate when you want love.
Pay, Pay the price, Pay, for nothing's fair.
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who took you here.
Hey, I'm your life, And I no longer care.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your truth, telling lies.
I'm your reasoned alibis.
I'm inside, open your eyes.
I'm you.
Sad but true.
Pairings: a little angst for right now, something more substantial later.
A/N: This is the sequel to Enter Sandman. After Xander remembers more of the Sandman's dream he changes more and more, and the people around him begin to change. He has to accept what is happening, no matter the cost in life or love.
A/N 2: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews.
Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Buffy, Angel, or Metallica.
Timeframe: S2 AU "Phases."
Dedicated to the ones you can't save, and to the ones you can.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Xander ran along the road to Oz's house. He saw Buffy and Giles running to the house. 'Great, the wolf's probably in there killing Oz right now.' A little part of his mind echoed, 'You wouldn't mind it that much would you?' He grimaced and turned that little part off. He saw the wolf break out of the back window and run into the woods. Willow ran out of the house and was followed by Buffy and Giles with a tranquilizer gun. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cain pull up to the house and jump out of his truck with a rifle.
'Crap, Buffy, Willow, and Giles probably don't stand a chance, and Cain will probably kill the poor bastard.' Xander saw all four head into the woods. 'Where's Oz? If he's not there, either he's dead or...crap.' His run became more of a sprint and he felt the tug of the Hyena pull at him. His pores were on fire as the cold chill swept through his body, letting the sweat freeze and burn at the same time. His eyes flashed yellow as he ducked into the woods.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
Cain ran through the woods stalking his prey. Werewolves, while very powerful and formidable, left a large enough trail that even amateur trackers could find them. Fortunately for him, only the experienced could survive the encounter. The boy from before cut him off, in his same navy blue shirt and dark green pants.
Cain walked forward and aimed his gun at the child. "Listen boy, I don't want to tell you again, this aint for amateurs, There's a 'were' out here and I aim to find him."
The boy smiled and shook his head. "No you won't. I figured out who it is, and while he's not my best friend. He means a lot to her. So I'll let you go and you don't ever come back."
Cain frowned. "Do you know what you're saying boy? You cant trust a 'were,' they're cold blooded killers. He'll probably turn your friend into a monster just like him, then what'll you do huh?" He walked forward, raising his voice. "If you loved your friend, you should just let me kill it."
Xander shook his head. "That's not my choice. And as for him, he can be controlled; I know that he can control the animal inside. It just takes time."
"What makes you say that?"
Xander leaned forward and bared a feral smile, his eyes glowing yellow. "Trust me."
Cain jumped back and shot at the boy, who simply managed to disappear into the woods. "Do you know what this town is? There are worse things in this town then accounted for in your humble mythology my friend and guess what?"
Cain turned around firing blindly into the dark. He turned to see the boy within inches of his face, the amber in his eyes burning away the brown. "I'm one of them."
//////////////////////////////////////
Buffy, ran through the night. She turned behind her to see Giles and Willow struggling to keep up. Suddenly she stopped. Giles and Willow slowed to a jog until they caught up to her. She held up a finger to her lips, indicating for them to be quiet. They nodded and stood in silence for several seconds until a shrill scream was heard. Buffy sprinted off in the direction from where the sounds had come.
/////////////////////////////////////
The wolf walked along the path. Smaller animals scattered away from the lumbering creature. It put its nose in the air and growled as it turned around. Behind him was a human holding a large metal stick that it recognized from before. The human held it up. "Hey Oz, I borrowed this from Giles' car do you think he'll mind?"
The wolf bared its teeth and charged the boy. "Crap." The boy jumped up into the trees and shouted down at the wolf. "Hey Oz man, It's Xander..." The wolf ran full force into the tree making Xander fall out. "OOMPH!"
The wolf lunged at him, the boy's eyes glowed yellow and his mouth made a slow growling sound as he spoke. "STOP!"
The wolf looked up at the being before him, it smelled familiar, something of both a friend and a rival. A calmer piece of its mind started to take form. The man spoke. "I know that you're gonna hate me in the morning aren't you?"
Xander took aim and shot the creature in the chest with the tranq gun. The wolf slowly started to howl and whimper as it shifted back to its human form. Xander sat next to Oz and waited until it was finished. "Listen Oz, I know we have our differences, but this isn't doing any good for Willow, and as much as it hurts me to say, I think that she might actually care for you alright?"
He looked at the prone form lying on the ground and took off his jacket and put it around him before picking him up. "I know that I'm not good enough for her, she deserves much better than me. And maybe you might somehow be good for her. All I know is that she actually smiles when you look at her alright?"
Xander sighed as he heard the voices of his friends start to get closer. He leaned the sleeping guitarist against a tree and removed the dart. "Ya know Oz, if you hurt her, I will _not_ hesitate to kick your ass. And even if I somehow can't, I'll make sure that I find someone who will."
He smiled sadly as he heard Willow shout out for Oz. He took his jacket back and ran back towards his house.
/////////////////////////////////////
Xander and Buffy walked past the trophy case and into the lounge. Xander talked to her as she went up to the vending machine and got some pretzels. "So you found Cain all unconscious next to a tree?"
Buffy nodded while looking for some pretzels. "Yep, We took him and put him on bus going to LA. And, as Giles said, 'good riddance to bad rubbish.'"
Xander smiled. He saw someone out of the corner of his eye and started to think aloud. "This is all so weird. I mean, how are we supposed to act when we see him?"
Buffy nodded but disagreed. "Well, it's gotta be weird for him, too. Now that we know so much."
Xander shook his head and leaned against the column. "All I know is I'll never be able to look at him the same again."
Buffy looked at Xander with disdain. "He's still a human being. Most of the time."
She bent over to pick up her Rold Golds. Xander raised an eyebrow. "Who are we talking about again?"
Buffy gave him an odd look. "Oz. Who are you talking about?"
Xander tried to change the subject. "Oh, No one. Just Xander being funny ole Xan-man, crazy class clown person, you know how it is."
She gave him an odd look before turning to see Larry's jock friends by the stairs knock a girl's books out of her hands and laugh. Larry came down the stairs behind her and quickly reached down to help her pick up her books. "Hey, let me get those."
The girl, while thankful seemed very surprised. "Thanks."
His friends seemed even more surprised.
Buffy's jaw dropped. Larry came over to Xander. "Hey! Xander. Look, about what you did. I, I owe you."
Buffy turned to Xander with a questioning look on her face. "What'd you do?"
Xander tried to move it quickly. "It's really nothing we should be talking about," he turned to Larry, "_ever_."
Larry smiled and waved him off. "I know, I know. It's just, well," he leaned over and patted him on the arm before walking away, "thanks."
There were several seconds of silence, as the whole student body had a very confused and slightly disturbed look on their faces. Buffy opened her pretzels and popped one into her mouth. "That was weird."
They walked over to a table and sat. Xander pulled out a brown paper bag. He noticed Buffy still looking at him oddly. "What, it's not okay for one guy to like another guy just because he happened to be in the locker room with him when absolutely nothing happened and I thought I told you not to push."
Buffy held up her hands in defeat. "All I meant is that he didn't try to look down my shirt."
Xander fidgeted with his hands and smiled nervously. "Oh, oh, yeah, that's the weirdness."
Buffy nodded. "Weirdness abounds lately. Maybe it's the moon. Giles was right, that does stuff to people."
Xander smiled and took out a salami sandwich. "I hear that."
Buffy saw Willow walk by with Oz. "Certainly gonna put a strain on Willow and Oz's relationship."
Xander shook his head. "What relationship? I mean, what life could they possibly have together? We're talking obedience school, paper training, Oz is always in back burying their things, and that kind of breed can turn on its owner."
After his little rant, Buffy continued to give Xander a death glare. He sighed. "I don't know, maybe its just me being all protective. I mean it's my Willow, what happens if he breaks her heart?"
Buffy smiled at the couple. "I don't know. I kinda see Oz as the loyal type."
Xander looked over his shoulder to see Willow smiling at Oz. Oz looked over and met Xander's gaze and nodded. Xander nodded and turned back around to his unfinished salami sandwich. He looked up to see Buffy looking at him with a little smile. "What was that?"
Xander took a bite. "What was what?"
Buffy maintained her smile, she knew what it was, but wanted to hear it. "That, the manly-man look between you and Oz."
Xander shook his head and took another bite of his sandwich. "I don't know, ask Larry."
He looked up to see a very confused slayer pop another pretzel into her mouth. He smiled and took one of her pretzels, earning him a death glare. He sighed to himself. There were thing he knew and didn't know, mostly the latter. No specifics, but an overwhelming sense of dread, but at the same time hope. He knew things could be okay.
He turned back to see Oz and Willow laughing and talking. He grinned and took another pretzel, this time earning him a punch to the shoulder. He rubbed the sore spot. Buffy didn't have to put a little slayer strength in it. He sat there in thought for a second. As much as things were looking down, he knew that they could weather it. It would be hard. There would be pain. But they could win.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Words and Music by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett Copyright © 1991 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP) International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who takes you there.
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who cares.
They, They betray, I'm your only true friend now.
They, They'll betray, I'm forever there.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray.
I'm your eyes while you're away.
I'm your pain while you repay.
You know it's sad but true.
You, You're my mask; You're my cover, my shelter.
You, You're my mask; You're the one who's blamed.
Do, Do my work, Do my dirty work, scapegoat.
Do, Do my deeds, For you're the one who's shamed.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your dream, mind astray.
I'm your eyes while you're away.
I'm your pain while you repay.
You know it's sad but true.
I'm your dream,
I'm your eyes,
I'm your pain,
You know it's sad but true.
Hate, I'm your hate; I'm your hate when you want love.
Pay, Pay the price, Pay, for nothing's fair.
Hey, I'm your life; I'm the one who took you here.
Hey, I'm your life, And I no longer care.
I'm your dream, make you real.
I'm your eyes when you must steal.
I'm your pain when you can't feel.
Sad but true.
I'm your truth, telling lies.
I'm your reasoned alibis.
I'm inside, open your eyes.
I'm you.
Sad but true.