An: I don't normally do a violence warning, but I feel it's needed this time. I had intended to write a happy fluffy Halloween party chapter. What I ended up with was not exactly a happy chapter. There is descriptions of violence near the end of the chapter. You might want to stop reading when the scary man shows up.

Gabrielle picked at the silk of her new renaissance styled dress. She thought silk was a bit excessive just for trick or treating but auntie Lexie had offered to pick up the tab on all of the children's outfits this year. She looked in the full length mirror and twirled around briefly. She giggled as the dress flared as she spun. She glanced around at the flurry of activity that was her sisters. She couldn't help but grin as she watched her family get ready for their first Halloween visiting Angel's world. He had invited them to a large costume ball in his city. She was glad that everyone was taking a break from homework and projects to relax and have a night of fun. Her own projects were stuffed to the back of her eight year old mind as she watched her sisters put the finishing touches on their costumes.

Rose grinned as she applied the finishing touches to Lenora's cat makeup. "I still think your mom is crazy for letting you out of the house in what amounts to furry undies."

Lenora smiled up at Rose, "Don't forget the cat's tail. I think I might even have gotten the spell to animate it to work right. Do you think you could put my collar on for me?" She handed Rose a slim black leather collar.

Rose rolled her eyes then reached over and fastened the black leather collar around Lenora's neck being careful to avoid messing up Lenora's hair. "I still think you and Gabi are weird."

Gabrielle chuckled as she eyed Lenora's costume, "Cute weird or just weird, weird?"

Rose chuckled as she clipped the leash on Lenora's collar and tossed the handle to Gabrielle. "A bit of both."

Gabrielle frowned as she scrunched her face up, "Why couldn't we just use a glamour spell to make me look pale? The makeup smells funny, plus these fangs are annoying."

Rose shrugged, "We could have but then you would have had to concentrate on it all night. You should be happy that you didn't need much makeup to make you look pale. As for the fangs just be happy they come out when the night is over unlike your mother's. You do know that most people can't smell the makeup right?"

Gabrielle sighed, "Yeah I know."

Rose whispered, "You really should tell one of the adults about your senses being in overdrive mode all the time now."

"I will after the party. I just want to relax and have some fun. Hey enough about me, what about your costume?"

"I'm going to go as a witch."

"Not much of a costume is it?"

"It's easy, and I had most of the supplies." She grinned as she flipped her witch's hat onto her head. "Alright my pretties, who else needs help with their makeup?"

Lillian shrugged as she walked in from the bathroom with a pumpkin costumed Lillyanne trailing behind her. "I think I have all of my costume details worked out but Lilly could use some help finishing her stuff up."

Rose chuckled at the messy lines of makeup on the seven year old's face.

Lilly smiled brightly, "I did most of it myself."

"I can see that, maybe we can touch up a couple of places."

Lillian helped Lilly get into the chair despite an overly large pumpkin caboose of a bottom piece on her costume.

Gabrielle glanced at Lillian's zombie makeup. "You look great Lillian. I just w… would have liked two kitty cats."

Lillian rolled her eyes, "Not that I wouldn't like to be our kitty too but, I don't always have to look like Lenora besides some of the people slash things at the ball are going to be creepy. I would prefer a costume where I can have my wand handy."

Further discussion was averted by the arrival of the knight in mostly shining armor, Leo and the red headed pirate William.

William smirked, "Ah a room filled with girls and no lusty wenches to be seen."

Leo rolled his eyes, "I told you they would go for decent costumes…" He swallowed as he glanced at Lenora before looking around the rest of the room. "Well mostly."

Lillyanne frowned over at the boys, "Rose, can I trade you?"

William puffed up and fluffed out his pirate shirt as he tried to strike a dramatic stance. "Aye I must be a most worthy pirate as my own sweet cousin wants to disown me now."

Rose chuckled, "I don't think so. He is about the only one here I'm not related too."

Gabrielle shrugged, "I'll keep my cat girl, even if she is my sister."

Lenora grinned, "Meow."

Leo chuckled, "You're both weird."

Gabrielle and Lenora both smiled at each other, "Thanks."

He sighed, "Mom was talking about how this ball might not be the safest place."

Rose frowned, "She said that to you?"

He grinned, "Nope but I overhead her talking to Dad about it."

"So what are we going to do about it?"

William grinned, a very pirate like grin, "What any good Gryffindor would do, keep our wands at the ready and charge in like loons."

Gabrielle shrugged, "I think we should just make sure we know where an adult we trust is at all times. And someone should keep track of Lilly here."

Lilly frowned at Gabrielle, "I have a wand, you know."

"I do sweetie, but I'll be happier if we stick together there."

Leo shrugged, "Honestly Angel is supposed to have enough guards to make sure nothing bad happens there."

William frowned, "Because that's always worked so well in the past?"

Gabrielle frowned, "Hey let's finish up getting ready then we can see what the adults are wearing."

Lillian chuckled, "Oh come on, Mom is always some storybook character. At least your mom picks different things to be."

In another part of house Harry was slack jawed as he stared at one of his best friend's outfits. Hermione was decked out in crimson and gold silk robes. Her long hair had even been charmed to lie somewhat smoothly. "Hermione you're gorgeous."

Hermione smiled, "Thank you." She scrutinized at Harry's tattered zombie costume. Strange blue oozing liquid bubbled out of apparent cuts in Harry's skin. "I'm impressed that you could pull off the charms to get the zombie look just right. I think Lillian might be a bit sad to be upstaged though."

Harry grinned, "Well if I can up stage her then maybe she needs more work on her charms."

Lexie chuckled as she walked into the room, her overly large clown shoes making a clomping noise as she dragged Neville into the room. "It might have helped if you had told them they could use magic on their costumes."

He grinned, "Oops, I guess I forgot."

Ginny slinked up in her fox girl outfit to lean up against Harry, "I just think you wanted to make sure you weren't outshone by a couple of eight year olds."

Ron laughed as Neville was dragged into the room. "What are you supposed to be mate?"

Neville coughed as he turned slightly red, "I'm a daisy that shoots water. It's a muggle thing according to Lexie."

Lexie gestured to her clown outfit complete with funny red nose. "Yep, clowns sometimes wear a daisy that shoots water. I figured sense he hadn't come up with a costume that he could be my daisy."

Rogue chuckled from her spot on the couch, she was dressed as a punk rocker.

Dawn swished into the room dressed in black slacks and a blood splattered shirt that had been strategically ripped in various places. A red stained toy chainsaw hung from her belt. "I love my work."

Willow was hurriedly putting the last few test tubes into her lab coat.

Dawn glanced at the name tag on Willow's chest. "Maggie? Just be glad Buffy isn't here she would freak. It's funny though for your mad scientist costume."

Willow grinned and displayed her fangs, "I happened to like it."

"I think almost everyone is here, where are Xander and Anya?"

"He said he would be here shortly."

"Can you really see him getting along with Angel?"

Willow's eyes widened as she glanced over and saw Xander step into the light from the hallway. She broke into slightly panicked laughter as she noticed the credible imitation of Van Helsing. "Xander you know that it's another world, and that vampires are legal there. They might not even know who Van Helsing is, or worse they could."

Xander shrugged, "Ah but the important thing is that Corpsey knows who he is."

Willow sighed, "Try to not antagonize him overly much in front of people Xander."

"I don't trust him, I'm coming along to say hi to Cordelia and make sure the children are safe."

Anya stepped out of the shadows to reveal her Valkyrie costume. At the strange looks she received she sputtered defensively. "It's a Valkyrie costume, they were big on the vengeance and justice."

Dawn snickered, "It's okay Anya it's a great costume." Dawn tossed a thought to Willow, "Not much of a stretch but still it works."

Willow chuckled, "Alright let's get the children and get going to this great party."

A short while later found Gabrielle looking out of the limo window enjoying the nighttime lights of a city. "At least he isn't scrimping on cost."

Rose shrugged, "I'm just glad we got a car to ourselves without all the adults."

The large clown cleared her throat, "I'm an adult."

Lenora rolled her eyes, "You don't count, you're fun."

"Thanks I'll remember that when I'm trying to explain to your parents what went wrong."

Gabrielle frowned as the car came to a halt in front of the convention center. "I think there are a lot more supernatural creatures here than I envisioned being here."

Lexie frowned, "How?"

"I can feel them."

Lillian frowned, "How many does there have to be to feel them from this far away?"

Gabrielle took a deep breath, "A lot."

Lexie shrugged, "Well just remember to behave yourselves and have fun."

Willow smiled as noticed an Angel that was decked out as a Roman Gladiator. "You've been letting Cordelia dress you again haven't you?"

Angel started then glanced over at Willow. "It's nice to see that you could make it." He frowned as he noticed Xander. "It's still nice you came."

Xander grinned, "I just wanted to check up on things, make sure Cordy was being taken care of."

Angel's smile hardened around the eyes, "Go check on her yourself. I'm not the bad guy here Xander. I shouldn't have to remind you, but killing vampires isn't legal here."

Xander shrugged, "That whole soul thing. Don't worry, I'm long over hating you Corpsey." He grinned as he could hear Angel nashing his teeth as he left to mingle.

Willow shrugged, "Don't mind him, old habbits die hard."

"It's still good to see you Willow." Angel sighed as an assistant came up and whispered something in his ear.

Willow waved him away, "I'm sure I can find something to do while you deal with the politics of this place."

Angel nodded as he was virtually dragged away.

Gabrielle sat down on the lip of a fountain pool. Its slow bubbly noise helped to ease the headache she was starting to acquire from the overload of her mystic senses. She was used to sorting through the magical feel each of her family had. From the strawberry taste of her mother's powerful magic to the unique tasty flavors each of her sisters had. She knew that it wasn't really a taste but that was the closest thing she could relate it to. She inhaled Lenora's scent as even as her sister waited patiently for her to get her equilibrium back. "Too many supernatural creatures."

Lenora frowned even as she sat down and put a comforting arm around her, "Just relax and try to ignore the feelings."

"They make an awful mess of things in my head."

"Maybe something to drink or eat?"

Gabrielle shook her head and winced, "Xander's right just because you have a soul doesn't make you a nice person. "Plus necromancers taste like…" She looks around to make sure there isn't an adult very close, "Rotting shit anyways."

Lenora wrinkled her nose up, "That's gross, and it's not their fault."

Gabrielle scrapped her tongue with her teeth. "How do people deal with this?"

She patted Gabrielle on the back, "Gabi I think you're the only person that can feel all of the rest of them. So I guess it's up to you to figure out a solution."

Gabrielle buried her head into her hands.

Lenora frowned, "We can sit here awhile longer if that's what you want."

Gabrielle nodded, "Please, I'm sorry to keep you from the party."

"It's a bunch of adults and a couple dozen children few of whom are that interesting. You're my party Gabi, so I'm stuck with you." She smiled brightly as she traced her fingers along her leash. "Besides I'm sort of tied to you."

Gabrielle smiled faintly as she glanced up at Lenora, "You could always take it off."

"I could but then the collar would look silly."

Gabrielle chuckled faintly, "I'm going to try to sort through some of the feelings maybe that would help some."

Xander leaned against a marble pillar sipping a glass of cherry colored liquid, "Excellent punch."

Willow grinned, "Admit it, you're having a great time."

He shrugged, "I don't know about great but I'm enjoying myself. The kids are staying out of trouble. I'd call it an almost successful party."

Willow raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and what would make it a perfect party?"

"A dance from my bestest bud." Xander held out his hand. "If I could have this dance?"

Willow glanced around at the mostly deserted dance floor, "Why not?" She waved a hand in the air and soft music started playing.

He chuckled as they danced along to the music.

Gabrielle glanced up as she felt a strange aura get closer. She looked around for a second before spotting a girl about her own age that was admiring Lenora. Gabrielle looked into the shadows where the girl was standing. "Hi I'm Gabi, and this is Lenora"

The girl blinked as she looked around nervously. "I'm Sylvie."

Gabrielle tilted her head slightly at the girls strangely drawn out quiet words. "Pleasure to meet you."

Lenora smiled from her spot leaning against Gabrielle, "Would you like to sit down?"

Sylvie looked around nervously, "I guess, I'm not really supposed to talk to people that aren't weres."

Gabrielle frowned, "Why is that?"

She sighed, "Because my uncle doesn't like normals."

Lenora chuckled, "I'm not sure we count as normal. But if you don't want to talk."

Sylvie sat down after watching Lenora's tail drift lazily back and forth. "You don't feel like a were."

She chuckled, "Oh, you noticed my tail, it's nothing more than cotton and spell work. It's sort of fun to have."

Gabrielle sniffed the air, "You smell nice."

Lenora rolled her eyes, "Don't mind her, she is a little weird."

Sylvie glanced at Lenora, "How come you have a leash?"

"Because it's Halloween and it's sort of fun."

"I see."

Gabrielle trailed her fingers in the pond. "So why talk to us if you aren't supposed too?"

"I was curious about the costume."

Gabrielle smiled as her other hand trailed along Lenora's shoulder. "I happen to like it."

Lenora rolled her eyes for like the fiftieth time that night. "It's nice plus it's about the least amount of clothes I could get out of the house with. So what do you like doing in your free time?"

"I like to paint. I'm even sort of good at it."

Gabrielle's smile turned to a frown, "I'm sensing trouble coming."

Sylvie was just about to respond when she noticed Gabrielle stiffen and glance toward the darkened hallway that Sylvie had come out of earlier.

The rather large tattooed man if you could call him a man for he had feral cat eyes and elongated fangs. He glanced with disdain at Lenora and Gabrielle before looking back at Sylvie, "Get away from that trash, you stupid bitch."

Sylvie shuddered away from the guy in fear.

Lenora bristled and stood up. "Hey, that's no way to talk to your niece."

The man glanced down at the little girl in the cat costume. "Don't tell me how to deal with my clan you human whore." He reached out a hand to grab Sylvie.

Lenora stepped in front of the Sylvie to partially shield her. "Leave her alone you big meanie head."

Xander was walking back from the bathroom when he felt a small electric buzz come from the bracelet that reported on the safely of the children. He felt a great deal of shock when he noticed Lenora's gem shift to mortal danger. He started frantically running in the direction the bracelet was pulling him.

Had the man been a normal human Lenora might have been able to dodge but as it was she barely saw the hand that reached out impossibly fast and slammed into her chest.

Gabrielle watched her sister crumple to the ground as the large man grabbed Sylvie roughly by the shoulder and started dragging her away. She couldn't understand for a moment what had happened. It was like time slowed down. She watched her sister fall in slow motion. Her little body falling to the ground to lay broken on the cold stone. A small detached part of her noticed that Lenora's tail stopped moving as she hit the ground.

The man laughed as he turned away. Sylvie's face wore a mask of horror as she saw what had happened to Lenora even as she was dragged away.

The monster didn't expect much retaliation from a scared little child so it was quite the surprise when he felt the agony of a silver blade pierce his back and slam into his left lung with the force of a falling tree. He was further taken off guard when his knee was almost severed with the same silver blade. His weretiger reflexes were the only thing that allowed him to turn to face his assailant as she drove the knife into his shoulder with a display of strength far beyond what he thought a human let alone a child should have. The thing that chilled him to the bone was the crimson and black mist in the girl's eyes. Eyes that spoke of eternal torment in the fires of hell. He briefly grabbed her knife hand before she used the other to grab a hold of his crotch and crush with supernatural force. His hand fell weakly away as she drove the blade into him again and again with a sort of manic glee.

Sylvie lay against the wall watching in shock as a blood covered girl no taller than her stabbed her uncle again and again with a silver blade. She took the opportunity when the girl paused to knock the knife out of Gabrielle's hand. She scurried back away from her uncle as Gabrielle started pounding her fists into the guy.

Xander rounded the corner to see a blood soaked Gabrielle pounding the life out of a man bleeding to death. His heart almost stopped when he saw Lenora's body laying there. He spared a quick glance to make sure the man was no further danger to Gabrielle. He rushed over to check on Lenora. He frantically checked her pulse and sagged with relief as he found one.

Gabrielle was so busy pounding the tar out of the creature that had hurt her Lenora that she barely noticed that someone had picked her up, that is until her little fists stopped hitting the man responsible for harming her Lenora. She cried frantically, "Put me down."

Xander held her to his chest tightly as Gabrielle started to cry, "He has to pay… He has too."

"Lenora is going to be okay baby, she honestly will. I think he might have paid enough."

"It's not enough, never enough."

Xander whispered into her ear the one thing he could think of that would make her stop before she did something he hoped she would regret. "I know honey but if you keep hitting him he will just be dead and can't suffer any more."

Gabrielle closed her eyes and shook with fury for a brief minute before allowing herself to collapse into an exhausted sleep. Xander didn't notice the silver knife fade to nothingness as Gabrielle fell asleep.

Lexie had lost her overly large clown shoes somewhere in her frantic dash to find Lenora. She stopped as she came to a blood splattered scene of carnage. She noticed Xander was holding a sleeping Gabrielle and was trying to calm an extremely frightened girl down. Her heart lurched as she noticed the small amount of blood dripping from Lenora's mouth. She ran to where Lenora lay, knelt down on the cold ground and wove delicate flows of magic into her. Her face twisted into a concentrated look as she worked to repair the damage to Lenora's ribs and left lung. Xander relaxed slightly when Lexie stood. "She going to be okay?"

Lexie nodded, "Only because I healed her, she had a couple of broken ribs and a punctured lung. She would have quickly bled out if we hadn't either used magic or gotten her to a hospital."

Xander frowned, "You know it's creeps like this that give lycanthropes bad names."

Sylvie looked at the body of her uncle, "Can you save him?"

Xander glanced at Lexie, "I don't know. He has lost a lot of blood."

Lexie wove her magic over him, "I could save him, but I think with the amount of silver that got into his blood it would be a kindness not to save him."

She nodded, "Please save him."

Xander nodded, "Maybe he will change." His thoughts raced, "You don't deserve the afterlife."

Lexie sighed as she wove her healing magic. With one last thought of what happened to Lenora she crushed the little voice in her head that told her she could use magic to pull the silver particles out of his blood to save him a lifetime of agony. "Take the girls and find Willow. It's going to take a long time to put this ba… guy back together again." Lexie split the flows of magic and used air to tie the guys thrashing limbs to the floor. "No sense in taking chances."

Xander picked up both girls and turned to look at Sylvie, "Can we go someplace nicer?"

Sylvie's beast stirred as she glanced around at all of the blood. "That might be good."