CHAPTER NINE

It was late when my phone rung, interrupting my practice with hand seals. I picked it up wondering who it was.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Xander, please come to my place with Cordelia." Buffy spoke. Her voice, I think she was crying. "We need to see Giles."

"Okay Buffy, but what's going on?" I asked again, now really worried.

Buffy sobbed uncontrollably. "Miss Calendar is dead. Angel killed her and left her body for Giles to see. I am afraid he is going to do something bad. Please, hurry up."

She hung up and left me with the phone in my hand staring numbly at the wall. I finally got over the shock and called Cordy.

"Hi Xander, did you miss me?" She asked coyly. She and I sometimes engaged in phone, ahem, activities.

"There is no time for that Cordy. Pick me up as soon as possible, we are going to Buffy's to pick her up. Miss Calendar is dead."

There was a pause while she digested the news. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"You bet. Please, hurry."

In the end, it took us about thirty minutes to reach Buffy's house. She and Willow did not waste time on greetings; they just seated themselves behind me and Cordelia.

"Please Cordelia, hurry up. I am afraid for Giles. He sounded really bad on the phone." She was still crying.

"All right, all right. I am going as fast as I can." Cordelia answered. Despite her grumpy manner, she was worried too.

I turned towards Buffy on the back seat. "Care to explain what exactly happened?"

She sniffed, rubbing her red eyes. "He called and told me what happened. He could not speak for long, the police was there. Angel made his move. He killed Miss Calendar and left her body in Giles's bed. Giles called the police and the ER, but she was dead for certain. He knew it was Angel, he left a drawing behind, like a signature."

I fumed on the inside. That sick bastard. I knew he would attack us eventually, but to be honest no one is really ready to see their friends die. The shock was strong and that was exactly what that undead freak wanted. He wanted us afraid, weak.

Cordelia parked in front of Giles's place and we hurried out of the car. It looked like in those cop shows. Yellow tape everywhere telling us that this was the crime scene and that only cops could enter. Of course we disregarded the warning and entered.

There was a floor covered by red roses, all trampled up now. They led up the small stairway and we saw candles everywhere. His place looked messy, probably due to the police investigation.

Buffy lifted the sketch of Miss Calendar. "This is certainly Angel's work. I recognize the style. He must have set this up, to make the shock as bad as possible."

"That bastard!" I growled. "Giles must be so hurt, but where is he?"

"Maybe he is at the police station?" Cordelia answered.

"I don't think so guys." Willow said and pointed at Giles's weapons chest. "I think he went after Angel."

"To kill him." I said, but Buffy shook her head. "To get himself killed. We must stop him before it's too late."

"Wait guys," Cordelia stopped us. "Maybe the police found the chest and took the weapons."

It was a sound explanation, but I knew otherwise. "Not likely Cordy. He placed a low level 'ignore me' spell on it. Those cops could not even think about that chest. He took the weapons. Buffy is right, he went after Angel."

"But where is Angel?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked really determined to save Giles. "I think I know where he is. Remember spike's factory guys?"

We nodded. Buffy continued. "I think he is there, and I'm pretty sure Giles knows it too."

"But I burned a big chunk of that place." I protested.

Buffy nodded and started towards the door. "Exactly. But not all of it. I bet he thinks we would not look there."

Again, we piled up in the car and Cordy slammed down on the gas pedal. We didn't go as fast as we wanted, but the traffic laws existed for a reason. To keep you alive.

We were late. The factory was emitting smoke and light, a clean indicator of the fire. Buffy jumped out of her seat. "Xander, you are with me. Girls, be ready to move as soon as we return with Giles."

Buffy started to run towards the factory, me at her heels. The smoke was plentiful, making hard to see what was going on. One thing was certain, even vamps would be scarce with so much fire around.

One vamp tried to stop us, but Buffy merely leaned aside and planted the stake in his heart. A second, that's all it took to kill him. She meant business.

The next two didn't last much longer. She fended of the first and the second leapt up at me, his game face on. I exchanged a few blows with him and Buffy was already done with her vamp victim. I notice she wanted to help me.

"Go get Giles, I can deal with this!" I told her and she nodded and disappeared in the smoke.

The vamp grinned, exposing his fangs. "Now you die human!" he snarled and rushed at me. Just as he grabbed my shirt, I jammed my water gun in his waist line and squeezed the trigger. Have you ever been sprayed with acid on the balls? You better pray it never happens, because the vamp screamed like a little girl. His pain was so evident that I felt sorry for him. So I staked his sorry ass. He didn't mind.

I entered the building and activated the Sharingan. It was hard to see anything otherwise.

Two more vamps emerged from the smoke, they didn't look too happy. I bet the screamer brought them here. My choice was simple-fry them before they notice you.

A fast sequence of seals, and I launched a big fireball at them. Their eyes went round with surprise, and that was it for them. The technique dispersed some of the smoke and I saw Buffy drag Giles who seemed unconscious. I dodged several pieces of the ceiling and helped her to drag him out and in the car.

We drove away at full throttle before authorities arrived. The next stop was at the Casa de Summers.

"My God, what happened to him?" Joyce asked and directed us to put him on the couch in the living room.

It was a fair question. Giles looked like a victim of the car accident with his bruises, torn clothes and being out of it.

Buffy fidgeted. "Most of it was from the fight with Angel, but the bruise on the jaw is mine. He was crazed and I had to overpower him. He would not have left the factory otherwise."

Joyce sighed. "You did the right thing Buffy. Men can be so stupid sometimes."

She looked at me. "Xander, bring the ice from the kitchen. Mr. Giles will need it when he wakes up."

I was glad to do something. When I returned with the ice, Giles woke up. He glared at us and at Buffy. He was unhappy with our intervention it seemed, but he decided to give us the silent treatment instead of yelling at us.

But Joyce wouldn't have it. "Is that the way you thank people for saving your stupid life Mr. Giles?" She admonished him. "Or will you take the ice and apologize for scaring them for life? They've lost one friend already, why did you try to have them lose another?"

Each question mad him flinch, and he hissed as the ice was placed on his jaw. Buffy sat next to him, and place her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Giles, but I couldn't let you die. You are too important to me, to all of us. I am ready to do what is necessary, but I need your help. Please."

We all watched silently, knowing this was between Giles and Buffy. They were a watcher and a Slayer, a teacher and a student, but before all that they were friends. Even Joyce remained silent.

But after what seemed like forever Giles patted Buffy's knee. "I'm sorry too. I just was so angry, so sad. I hated him so much I could not think. That's what he wanted I guess."

***

Several weeks passed since we buried Miss Calendar. Not one of her gypsy cousins came; I guess they were too scared of Angelus. We all were in fact. But he remained unseen, leaving only death in his wake.

We all avoided being alone during the night, unless we were at our homes. Streets were not safe. I can tell, because he sent his goons one night after me.

It happened a week ago. They were new, and there were four of them. I first noticed them when they tried to run me down with the car. I run and they laughed trying to kill me. I entered the park, all the time thinking if this was some kind of trap to get me there.

But it wasn't. They ditched the car and rushed after me. Game faces were on, they were hungry. Good, they would be careless. One thing they did was smart-they left the car and split up, so I could not blow them up with explosive tags.

On the other hand, it would make it easier to take them one on one. I run through the trees and left a distinct scent for them to follow. Then I backtracked a little and crouched on one tree with sturdy limbs.

I heard him first, and then he came moving like a shadow. But my Sharingan saw him, his demonic chakra like a neon sign for me. I threw the stake at him, but he caught it with the blurry speed.

"Ha, mortal! You thought you could get me like this."

I hated it when they talked like that, using terms of mortal and yadda yadda about living forever. The idiot was barely few days old and he talked like he had centuries behind him. You could always tell when they were old. So I activated the explosive tag wrapped around the stake and he went boom. Idiot.

The moronic vamp served my purpose well. His manner of demise attracted the other two who were now staring at the spot where the first vamp died. Smoke and fire hid my presence, and I was ready for them. I made hand seals and blew a big fireball at them. They became a pile of the ash very quickly.

I went back to the entrance of the park, and the last one waited there grinning like a cat that got the mouse. I had nothing to loose. I made a few seals and my hands tingled with the electrical current.

He assumed a brawling stance, sloppy and wide for the counterattack. I run at him, my hands tingling. He threw a strong haymaker that my Sharingan saw coming a mile away. I let it pass over my head and I caught his wrist. He jerked in pain as the large voltage shocked him, and he yelped in surprise when my other hand smacked him in the face stunning him momentarily-it was rather painful to have a large amount of the electricity jammed in your face. He didn't even feel the stake I planted in his chest.

I did not mention the attack to the gang. I did not want Buffy to worry too much about me.

Angelus continued his terror. He often called Buffy, but never speaking. He just liked to remind her he was watching. He even once left a picture of her at her windowsill indicating he climbed up to watch her while she slept. It was creepy.

He killed our classmates and they came at us, forcing Buffy to stake them. That was really nasty. Then he stopped. He wanted probably to lull us in the false feeling of safety. No way, we remained alert and paranoid.

Our daily lives, well they went on. Nothing weird really. Willow took over Miss Calendar's job, which was sad and funny. A student teaching other students. But Wills did it rather well and in the memory of Miss Calendar.

Speaking of our lives, we were at the beach celebrating the latest victory of the Sunnydale swim team. They entered the state semifinals, which was a miracle. Our sport teams never amounted to much before, even our football players were average. But considering our mortality rate, it was a fantastic achievement. I bet that in survival games, ours would be the best team in the world. Sunnydale had that effect, survival of the fittest at it's best.

So everyone was happy and especially the swimmers. They suddenly became jock stars and cool enough to pick up chicks with ease.

Buffy wasn't in the mood for festivities and she ventured away from the crowd. I saw one swimmer, Cameron approach her.

But something distraced me. It was Dodd McAlvy. He was pushing Jonathan Levinston's head in the tub with water and ice. I saw Buffy raising to her feet , she was going to stop Dodd. Bad idea, just like when she stopped Larry from pummeling me. No guy would be grateful to the girl for saving him-it was the ultimate humiliation. But Buffy never understood that.

I broke off my conversation with Cordy and pulled Dodd by the shoulder. "Hey Dodd, stop that crap." I almost sent him on the ass, I guess my strength was increasing.

Dodd glared at me angrily. "Harris, what the fuck you think you're doing?"

I grinned, amused by his anger. "I don't know. Maybe I was trying to save your ass from Snyder? I bet he would love to chew your ass for this, he hates jocks."

Dodd seemed ready to fight, but Cameron stopped him. "Lay off the geeks Dodd, Harris is right. Get a beer and relax man, this is a party you know."

I nodded to Cameron and returned to Cordelia who seemed amused by the whole thing. Jonathan followed me. "Thanks Xander, I hate it when they pick on me. Man, what asses they are. Until recently they were pathetic losers with bad skin, just like the most of us. Who made them look like gods?"

I patted him on the shoulder. "Forget about it Jonathan. Who cares what they think. Take a beer, relax."

He was glad to accept the offer and joined me at the spot with Cordy and Willow. He started to talk stuff with Willow so Cordy and I walked away to make out in privacy of the night.

The next day Willow was very upset. Snyder told her to fix the grade of the swim team member. I was angry for that. "Just like that? He actually told you to change Gage's grade?"

Willow was embarrassed. "Not directly, no. But he made it perfectly clear what he wasn't telling me."

"But that's so unfair."

Cordy had her own opinion on the matter. " Xander, I know you're upset. But the truth is, some people are entitled to certain privileges. They are called winners."

I glared at her. "And what of the saying that all men are born equal?"

She just scoffed. "Propaganda made up by the ugly and less deserving."

I huffed and gave up the argument. When she was like that, there is no way I could win.

But I had another complaint. "Okay, forget that. What irks me the most is that Buffy isn't here to share in our outrage. Instead, she is one of them now."

Truly so, we saw her ride with Cameron in his car. Cordelia sniffed and walked away with willow in tow. I sighed and went to my class.

To my eternal joy we met Buffy later in the library. She had been accused of the violent assault against Cameron.

"Can you believe that? I attacked him!" She complained. "When I told the nurse he was trying to have his way with me , he denied it and told them I was crazy and dangerous. And that troll Snyder took his side!"

I just sighed. "What did you expect, it's Snyder and his precious sports team. He hates your guts Buff. Besides, you weren't in any danger. Cameron had no chance to do anything to you."

She glared at me. "that's not the point. He was supposed to be a gentleman, I am a girl you know."

I shrugged. That Cameron was supposed to be a nice guy was questionable. I doubt he knew the word actually.

Giles was not interested in that anyway. "Well, can we change the subject on the more important issue?"

"What?" Buffy asked.

Giles sighed in irritation. "Oh, it's just that someone's remains were found on the beach this morning."

"Dodd McAlvy's remains to be precise." Willow added. Of course, she had the access to the coroner's computer. Creepy.

Buffy was intrigued. "Was it the vampire attack?"

Giles shook his head. "Hardly possible, unless they like to eviscerate their victims now. Nothing left but the skin and muscle."

My sarcasm just went off. "So this is not a boat accident?"

Giles glared at me. " Snyder wants this kept quiet. To not disturb the school."

Translated, it meant the swim team.

Buffy frowned in confusion. "So, we are looking for something that rips people apart and eats their insides. Only their skin remains behind."

I could not resist myself. "Yeah, how could they? The skin is the best part."

This time everyone glared at me. I wasn't sorry, you know. Someone has to see the bright side to all things.

As usual, we hit the books. Nada on such things, just nothing. I was tired and went to the lounge for soda. But someone bumped into me.

"Hey, watch it!" I spoke in annoyance. It was Cameron. I decided to mess with him a little. No one touches my girls, no one.

I mock bowed to him. "Oh sorry your Wet Highness, I did not see you. By the way, your nose seems so noble now, does it still hurt? I bet your mommy will kiss it to make it better."

He got in my face. "Are you messing with me Harris?"

I almost laughed at his macho posture. He didn't know I could kill him in one move. I released some killing intent, making him step away. "Maybe I am? What are you going to do? Molest me like you tried with Buffy?"

I smiled at him coldly, he stepped away again. "If I hear again that you harassed some poor girl I'll make sure you won't swim ever again."

He moved out of my way, not even knowing why he was afraid of me. I went to the vending machine. I had a hard choice. Orange or grape?

I heard some crashing noise and rushed to the cafeteria. Man, something was really smelly.

I saw the skin on the floor. It was Cameron's. It seemed that something gutted him like a fish, from the neck to the groin. His insides were gone, just skin was left.

I heard a growl behind me. I turned in surprise and saw the thing. It looked scaly, like a fish. It had whiskers, pointy teeth and claws. Ridged brow, no ears or sexual organs. It was taller than me. I decide to run, who knew how strong t was.

I burst in the library. "Guys, there's one of those things at the cafeteria. It ate Cameron."

***

It was a mess to deal with the police and Snyder at the same time. The troll made us swear to stay silent. What could we do? Complain to the police? They didn't seem eager to have it talked about either.

I had a nightmare that night. I dreamed of Kisame and his shark like features. Brrr.

In the morning I was trying to describe the monster to the gang. I got tired of doing it, and just henged myself into the thing.

Giles peered at me closer and cleaned his glasses. "My, my. I have never seen such a thing. Maybe it's new."

I shrugged and dispelled the jutsu. "I don't know. But one thing is obvious now-it's after the swimmers only. First Dodd, now Cameron."

"Which means that Gage Petronzi is next." Cordelia concluded. She knew all of them by the name. "My God, that's so unfair. Just as we are to win something big, we face this. This town is cursed. I think I've lost my will to cheer lead."

I almost laughed. " I feel your pain. Not."

She shot me a look that meant I would be sorry for that remark. But I could not help myself.

Amy looked pensive. "It could mean someone wants revenge. They have been rather mean lately, especially to the geeks."

Willow seemed excited. " Oh, I know! It's Jonathan, they bullied him a lot lately."

Giles seemed unconvinced. " I don't think it's so simple. But I believe that Mr. Petronzi could use someone to watch over him."

Buffy nodded. "Sure, I'll watch him like a hawk."

I had another idea. "Then I will join the swim team to watch him when she can't."

***

It was rather easy to join the team. I was pretty good in the water and Coach marin was ecstatic with my performance.

"Harris, you are in. Where have you been until now? You should have tried to join sooner! Now, pack up and sign up. Don't be late tomorrow."

That was it. The guys were okay I guess. They welcomed me to the team with cheers and friendly jokes. Gage was all smiles.

"Welcome to the team Harris." he said and shook my hand. "I did not lnow you could swim so good."

I grinned. "Me neither, this is a total surprise for me."

We all chuckled and Tyrell was in joking mode. "Well, your girl will be happy. She's dating a sportsman again."

I took his words as a joke only, otherwise I would have to cram his teeth in his throat. Who was he to talk about what Cordelia wanted?

The practice was easy. But the girls in the audience drooled, over me to be exact. Cordelia looked ready to kill them.

As I swam I heard her yell. "I am dating a swimmmer! Go, go, go!"

Later we relaxed in the steam room. It was nice actually. We talked about various stuff, and I liked it. The guys weren't so bad, nor there was any pressure on the team to succeed. They really liked the swimming.

Buffy was waiting outside. "Give him five minutes Buffy, he is stll dressing up." I told her and sauntered away. I felt pretty good.

Several hours later, I was with her and Willow on the computer going through Gage's medical records. We were trying to discover why di he turn into that green monster. It seems that one of them entered the changing room and Buffy tried to protect Gage. Only he changed too, and she was double teamed. She barely escaped alive.

The nurse patched her up and she told the coach and Snyder what happened. They all claimed ignorance.

But the records said otherwise. The guys suffered from injuries, depression and headaches. All those signaled the steroid abuse. Nurse Greenleigh knew. And that meant that Coach Martin knew as well. But we still did not know how were the steroids given.

I was back in the steam room. I babbled about the stuff and then went to the real question.

"Okay, guys when do we get the juice to improve our stats?"

Sean looked at me feigning ignorance. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, I'm not stupid. The steroids, to give us the advantage. When do I get them too?"

Sean chuckled along with others in the room. "You are already getting them. They are in the steam, you just inhale the stuff." To emphasize the point, he inhaled deeply and smiled.

"Soon you'll be gliding in the pool like a shark."

I froze in panic. Kisame's face floated in front of me. These guys did not know what this stuff was doing. But I did. How much of that stuff was needed to become a fish monster?

I left the team and hurried to the library. "It's in the steam, the stuff that turns people in the fish." I explained. "I can't go back there, I don't wanna be a fish monster."

Buffy tried to calm me. "Xander, I am sure you will be fine. You've been there only three times. Much less than the other swimmers."

I was still worried. " I don't know how much of that stuff it takes to transform."

Cordelia was worried as well. "You'll be all right, won't you? I just got used to us being together and you've become popular too, kind of. Please, don't turn in the fish monster."

We moved into action next day. Buffy went to see the coach, and we went to stop the guys from going in the steam room again.

Cordelia and I went to look for stragglers, and we discovered another monster in the pool.

In the library, Giles and Willow were herding the others in the cage.

"We've found Sean." I announced.

"We can safely say he won't be coming back home." Cordelia added. "Being the fish monster and all."

Giles sighed. "I guess this is it then. These are still human."

"Where is Buffy?" I asked, and Giles told me she went to see the coach, but she wasn't back yet.

I found him in the equipment room. He was leaning over the hole in the floor that was leading to the sewer below.

"What's up Coach?" I asked curiously.

"Harris, where have you been today?" he asked, but I saw he was nervous.

I chuckled darkly. "Well, I've been avoiding the steam room. Because someone was putting in it some nasty stuff. A few doses of it, and you are a fish next day. Would you know something about it?"

That's when I heard some noise from the hole.

"Where is Buffy Summers?" I asked.

In answer, the coach lunged for the gun I just noticed. He was too slow for me. I jumped at him and hit him in the head with chakra enhanced fist. He crumpled on the floor , unconscious.

I looked in the hole then. Buffy was inside water and the monsters were attacking her. I lied down and extended my arm. "Buffy, jump up!"

She heard me and tossed one of them aside and jumped four meters up and I pulled her out of the hole. Luckily she was very small girl. She barely had fifty kilograms by my estimate.

"Thanks Xan." She said as I pulled her out.

"No problem, all for the team." I quipped smiling.

That was when I heard the noise and dodged instinctively. A steel pipe whooshed by my head and I threw the Coach over my shoulder. I cringed. He fell right in the hole.

The boys really liked Coach Marin. So much that they ate him whole. Case closed. We who were exposed to the steroids were sent to the clinic for the detox treatment, and Giles was pretty sure it would work. I hoped so too.

Cordy was glad with the outcome of the whole affair. "You know Xander, you don't have to be a swimmer to make me happy. I like you just as you are. Maybe you should try the football?"