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Emergence I
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"Grimmjow."
"Sir."
"You were told to locate her and bring her back."
"Yes sir."
"Bring her back. I don't care in how many pieces, as long as she can still look me in the face and call me father."
"I understand, sir." A pause. "Has something happened?"
"Something did."
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Ichigo stretched out his fingers and wiggled them. He could not quite accept that he had his body back. He now remembered everything: from his stupid, arrogant solo attack on Aizen's stronghold, his family killed before his eyes, his own hands killing his friends with a simple knife. He could also recall – too clearly, far too clearly – Theo's demise, and then his own subsequent submersion into unconsciousness. And now he owned this body again.
"You're not sleeping," said Urahara quietly at the door.
The room was not lit, but Ichigo knew the older man could see quite well in the dark. He could therefore see that Ichigo had been crying. The teenager rubbed at his cheeks. "I just... I was remembering."
Urahara padded into the room and set down a glass of water. "Yes, it's drugged," said the blond. He reached out and brushed his knuckles over Ichigo's damp cheeks. "You need to sleep, Ichigo. Tomorrow you must face the beast."
"Principal Snyder... Dammit. Why couldn't Shirosaki have maimed him or something?" Ichigo caught the odd expression on Urahara's face and waved his hand impatiently. "Just a wild thought. I'm not looking forward to taking all those tests that I missed."
"You already learned everything," said Urahara and patted Ichigo's hand. The movement slowed, then stopped. Ichigo could feel Urahara's gray gaze on himself. Then abruptly the blond pulled the younger man into his embrace. "God, Ichigo... I missed you. I missed you so much. Gods, Ichigo, please don't let me go through that again. Never leave me again, please. Never again."
Ichigo felt his throat tighten with emotion. He hugged Urahara's head to his chest tightly, never saying a word, never making a promise.
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Kira, Shuuhei, Nanao and Ulquiorra stood at attention when Aizen finally stepped out of his bedroom at false dawn. They had heard the anguished screams, but no one knew what was going on.
No one had dared to knock on the door to ask.
"Father?" ventured Kira timidly. "What has happened to Daddy?"
Aizen didn't meet any of their eyes, but made his way to an armchair. He sat down slowly and then leaned his head on one fist. "You cannot feel it?"
Nanao was bewildered. "Feel what, Father?"
"The gift," said Aizen. His gaze finally met all of theirs in turn. "Peaches... has returned something priceless to us."
"Returned something priceless?" Shuuhei repeated.
"She gave Gin," drawled Aizen bitterly, "his precious, priceless, immortal soul."
Kira blanched and stumbled back clumsily. "My god."
"Bitch," swore Nanao, her nails digging into her flesh. "First me, now Daddy?"
Ulquiorra never moved. "What do you intend to do, Aizen-sama?"
After a few moments, Aizen rose from his seat with a lion's grace. "Ulquiorra, prepare the Red Room."
"The Red Room? For whom?"
"We will install Gin inside until we find a way to restore him," said Aizen. "Or until Hinamori Momo is brought back to us."
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Gin rocked gently as the memories replayed themselves through what remained of his mind.
I did that. And that, and that, and that.
All of that I did, I never felt an ounce of empathy for them.
Why didn't I?
I should have run away. I should have died. I should have run away and died a natural death.
I should have died, not turned into this.
I did that. And that. And that. And that.
Gin rocked gently to the insistent beat of his guilt.
Tears are pointless. Pointless, painless.
Only blood can wash away my sin. Blood and pain.
How much blood for this much sin?
Gin rocked to the beat of guilt as blood ran from his wrists and soaked into his clothes.
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Every day she brushed her hair. Raven-black and shiny, it was her greatest pride. She brushed it now, not looking in the mirror in which she could never see her face. The only time she could see herself was in her lovers' eyes. And especially in Father's eyes: his dark brown eyes regarding her as she danced for him and only him. Hinamori Momo had not danced for a long time, ever since Father sent her and Nanao away from his side. What had rankled more than being sent away had been that Ichimaru Gin was allowed to stay.
Well, let's see if Father wants him now.
"A true gentleman would not venture into a lady's boudoir until so invited," she said, putting down her hairbrush and turning around to face the person who crashed into her bedroom.
Brushing off bits of glass from the broken window, Grimmjow grinned humorlessly. "I ain't no gentleman."
"That is evident." Hinamori said, arrogant as a queen. "Get him."
Five vamps emerged soundlessly from the shadows of the room. Each of them were heavybuilt and armed with automatic weapons, along with two blades sheathed at their sides.
Grimmjow snickered. "I love a challenge."
Hinamori stood and turned. She had two guns in her hands. "Glad to hear that."
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Angelus heard the telltale bursts of gunfire first. He didn't react other than to pull a saber closer to himself. There was something interesting in the news, something about a stone casket.
The picture was fuzzy but enough detail was present to catch Angelus's attention.
"Hot diggity," he drawled. "Too bad I can't Fedex it to me."
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Grimmjow winced as he ripped apart the last vampire. Hinamori had emptied her guns early and fled the room. Much as he wanted to follow, Grimmjow was too injured to trail after her. He hissed when he caught the scent of more vampires. He found his way out of the room and staggered to his Jaguar, parked some distance away. Thankfully his blood was unappetizing to vamps.
Right now he needed a quiet and safe place to recuperate. Then he would have to think.
"Hey there," a person behind his seat said. Then a burst of gunfire shot out and Grimmjow slumped forward onto the wheel.
Hinamori leaned forward and carefully eased the car into motion. Just before it crashed into a tree, she rolled out of the vehicle.
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Spike wrinkled his nose at the smell of gunpowder residue. "You overdid it."
"That I did," said Hinamori, delicately cleaning her hands. "But it did the job." She glanced about and checked. Angelus was out with Drusilla, bringing back 'something special'. "How's the back?"
Spike got up and pushed his wheelchair back with his foot. "Never better."
"Good," said Hinamori. She beamed up at him, trailing her fingers over his back. "When do you want to tell them?"
"Not yet." Spike smirked and crashed into his wheelchair again. "There will be a perfect moment, and then..."
Hinamori smiled. "And then."
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"So, Mr Kurosaki, I'm sure you can explain your extended absence," said Principal Snyder. He folded his hands precisely together. "If you cannot, I intend to extend the absence further. Forever."
Ichigo breathed out slowly. "Principal Snyder, I stayed away from school because of... because of certain circumstances. As you probably know I have... well, I 'outed' myself to my classmates and, and the resulting-" Ichigo bit his lips. To his surprise, tears sprang to his eyes but he held back the sorrow.
Theo. Even if you betrayed me, I still loved you.
Principal Snyder wasn't expecting this tack, obviously. He cleared his throat. "You will report to the school counselor and, uh, make sure you pass all the tests you missed and, and... whatever your inclination, keep it to yourself. Now get out."
Ichigo scrambled out of the office and only heaved a sigh of relief when he turned the corner. Buffy peered around and checked that the vicinity was clear. "Safe."
"Judging by the look on your face, you've survive the dreaded Snydernator," quipped Xander. He hefted his book bag. "What's the catch?"
"Pass all tests that I missed," said Ichigo.
"Well, that's easy," Willow commented. "I'll lend you my notes for World History, French and Biology."
"And my notes for Advanced English," said Oz. "Glad you're back, man."
Ichigo smiled. "Thanks." They exchanged a knuckle-to-knuckle punch.
Buffy folded her arms. "I'm happy you're back too, Ichigo. But what about the vamps you – the other you – were hanging out with? Won't they come for you?"
"I guess," said Ichigo. "I'm just gonna be real careful."
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Giles returned from his trip to the museum in an unusually pensive mood. "If it is..."
"If what is?" asked Urahara, looking up from the newspaper.
Giles glared at the blond teacher. "Take your feet off my table."
"Yes, yes..." Urahara folded the newspaper to show Giles an article. "I presume you were there for this?"
Ancient Artifact Found in Projects Construction.
"I was. It's a sarcophagus of sorts." Giles unwound his scarf. "As to what it contains, at the moment I can't even begin to hazard a guess."
Urahara turned the page over. "This is also interesting."
The Watcher took the papers over and scanned through the article. "It's about a car accident."
"Near Angelus's new place," said Urahara. "And the dead person inside is a friend we know."
"A friend?"
"The assassin from the Order of Taraka who tried to kill Buffy." Urahara indicated the relevant paragraph. "Teal-colored hair, muscled thug, multiple gunshot wounds."
"And he died in a car crash?"
"He crashed a Jaguar, which is totally a crime, but that's not the main thing I'm worried about." Urahara rubbed his chin. "What was he doing near that area? Is Aizen and his family of vamps really collaborating with Angelus? What's with the gunshot wounds?"
Giles leaned against the banister of the stairs. "I think it best if you and maybe Ichigo, if he's up to it, head to the morgue tonight."
"I agree. I'll check up the coroner's report as well, find out what exactly is the cause of death." The physics teacher stood up. "I have another lesson in ten minutes. What will you be researching on?"
"The new arrival in the museum," said the librarian. He narrowed his eyes. "I have a feeling we won't like what we discover."
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Aizen unlocked the door. Gin was secured to the plain iron bedstead, his wrists bandaged, his clothes changed into a plain yukata. The older vampire sat beside his pale lover. "I brought you dinner."
"I'm not eating," said Gin dully. "I will never eat again."
"Relax," said Aizen. "It's pig's blood. I had it purchased from the butcher's. You can tell it's pig's blood from the rancid stench."
Gin stared up at the blank white ceiling. "You've locked me in the Red Room."
Aizen placed a drinking straw into the warmed mug of blood. "Yes."
"You're afraid I will kill myself."
"Yes." Aizen sighed. "I lost too many in this season, Gin. I lost the twins. I almost lost Nanao. I lost Shirosaki. And this morning, I lost Grimmjow. Someone tampered with his car."
Gin turned his head to look at his lover. "Hinamori Momo did it, didn't she? She did this to me too."
"Yes, she did."
"And I remember how innocent she was, all shy and retiring," murmured Gin. "How she trembled when you first smiled at her, in the temple, and how she blushed when you sent her a fan with your calligraphy. How she shivered when she braved the winter snows to meet you at the bridge... under the painted umbrella... where you made me watch as you turned her into your childe."
Aizen touched Gin's bound forearm. "What are you saying, Kitsune?"
"You brought her home though I hated her. I guess it's karma, isn't it? Because I hated her, she hates me... and because I hated her I turned Kira, poor devout Kira, and then he turned Shuuhei... And it went on and on, didn't it? The twins, the deaths... All because of us."
"You're no fun this way," said Aizen lightly. "Here. Drink this."
"If I refuse?"
"I will have Ulquiorra force feed you, Gin." Aizen held the drinking straw near Gin's mouth. "Start."
Outside the door, Kira slid down the wall to the ground, revulsion, horror and sorrow each vying for his heart. His fingers dug into the concrete of the floor, but he didn't heed the pain of his nails ripping. Shuuhei had turned away the second he sensed the soul in the room, overwhelmed by disgust and rejection, and he dragged Nanao with him up the stairs when she hissed curses at the pale figure bound on the bed.
Ulquiorra never changed his position at the door. However, unlike his usual dispassionate countenance, his pale gaze now burned, and his fists were clenched so tightly blood dripped through his fingers.
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It was just after four. Willow sighed. Though she loved Buffy like a sister, she did wish the blond would pay a little more attention in class. The Chosen One was seated next to her at the teacher's desk, while at the computer Ichigo was, quote, 'doing some research for some project which I missed', unquote.
Willow and Buffy knew it meant he was hacking into the coroner's office, but both girls pretended otherwise. Besides, Willow mused privately, if Ichigo hadn't volunteered, she would have had to go through the gross pictures.
No thank you. I'd rather tutor.
Buffy planted her pencil down in frustration. "Waaah. I'm stupid."
"You're not stupid," said Willow. "Look, I'm willing to teach as far as you're willing to learn. So if you're not, give me my free time back."
"You're pretty good," said Buffy with a small grin.
Willow beamed. "Thanks! Now, here we have convalent bonds. They're called convalent because-"
A soft clatter interrupted the redheaded girl. Buffy jerked upright. "Whoa. Deja vu."
"Deja what vu?"
Buffy frowned. "I have a perfect memory of my pencil rolling from my textbook-" she took another pencil and placed it exactly where she had placed the pencil earlier "-and there was something below."
She bent down to pick up both pencils and caught sight of a yellow floppy disk. "Hey, you dropped something."
"That's not mine," said Willow when she saw the yellow floppy. She inserted it into the computer anyway. "It's probably Ms Calendar's."
Buffy looked at her best friend oddly. Willow saw the look. "I've already been through most of her files. It's really interesting, all those spells and chants and rituals... well, I had to. Her lesson plans were saved on disk."
"So does that make it less morbid or you more morbid?" asked Ichigo from his terminal. The girls hadn't even realized that he was listening in, but Willow decided not to give him the satisfaction of answering.
Buffy stared avidly at the screen when the words came up. "Willow, look at this."
"What?" The red-haired girl examined the words scrolling up the page. "Oh my god."
Ichigo, his curiosity getting the better of him, peered from behind his terminal. "What is it?"
The two girls ignored him. He got out of his seat and jogged over to read the text that appeared on screen and his eyes goggled. "No way," he breathed. "No freaking way."
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Urahara only half-listened as Ichigo described the amazing discovery that afternoon. "That's nice. We need to go now. The shift change is in an hour and we need to get into position."
"Are you hearing me? We can restore Angel's soul!" Ichigo said loudly, planting his hands on his waist. "Urahara, we can change things."
"Right now my concern is whether Angelus and Aizen have combined forces," snapped Urahara. "If they did, we are in a hell lot of trouble, do you understand me? Neither of them will acknowledge the other's power, and Angelus will be creamed if he challenges Aizen and Gin. It will be a turf war, and then we're left with the victor. We cannot afford for either side to fail."
"But if we restore Angel's soul-"
"Then he has to face all those vamps by himself." The teacher grabbed Benihime from the wall where it leaned. He sighed and faced his ward. "Ichigo, there will be a time when it is expedient to return Angel's soul to him, and that time is when he's alone, not when he's surrounded by the likes of Spike, Drusilla and Aizen's family." He let the words sink in. "We need to check on Grimmjow's corpse, see if he died of supernatural causes."
Ichigo swallowed. He remembered Grimmjow. "Yeah. Let's go."
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"I'm saying I can't do this," insisted Willow. "It's mega-powerful, and I'm just starting out. Look, Buffy, I understand how much you need him to be back, but I can't do it... Urahara might, I guess, but will he want to?" She listened. Then she shook her head. "I guess we'll have to try. I promise I'm on your side. I'm not sure about Ichigo, but I think Xander might be... well, yeah, you know he's against Angel from the start."
"Willow, why's your light still on?" asked Mrs Rosenberg from down the hallway. "Are you on the phone?"
Willow covered the mouthpiece. "Yes Mum, I'll say bye soon!" Then she muttered urgently, "Listen, Buffy, we'll sleep on it and think about it. Tomorrow we'll raise it up to Giles, okay? I'm sure he knows what to do. Yuh-huh. You too. Goodnight."
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In the dark, a winged figure soared on vengeful wings.
Trite and melodramatic, perhaps, but Ulquiorra was in no mood for teasing. He landed on the roof of the apartment building where he had barged in once to rescue Shirosaki. The impact was noticeable, but Ulquiorra didn't care. He waited, perched on the edge, a gargoyle in the darkness.
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"I hate morgue duty," murmured Ichigo uneasily. His footfalls, though quiet, still sounded far too loud to himself.
Urahara strode on ahead, his leather shoes somehow making much less noise than Ichigo's sneakers. "I never got around to asking earlier," said Urahara as he peered around the corner, "but how was your meeting with the principal?"
The redhead shrugged. "Okay, I suppose. I'm gonna have to meet with the counselor and take all the tests I missed, but that's it."
"That's good."
Both men slipped into the morgue and quietly fastened the entryway. Ichigo drew a stake, just in case any of the dead bodies were vamps about to rise.
"And your supernatural radar? Does it still work?" asked Urahara out of the blue.
Ichigo glanced around. "I don't feel anything." It was the first time, Ichigo realized, that Urahara had talked about Ichigo's 'original state' as Tsukiyomi's avatar ever since he returned from his wanderings.
"That might mean it's not working," said Urahara. He identified the correct body on the third try. As he uncovered the body, he felt a change in the air. "That's strange."
"Hell yeah," agreed Ichigo, subtly backing away. "That's way beyond strange."
Urahara frowned and then looked at the face of Grimmjow. Though supposedly reposing in death, there was a healthy color to his cheeks and-
"Is that-"
"-bone forming over his face and torso? And is he beginning to breathe? I think yes." Ichigo gulped. "Let's get out of here. He's not easy to deal with, and I bet he's pissed off at having been shot!"
For a second Urahara debated stabbing the prone and apparently still comatose Grimmjow, but if bullets from automatic rifles and a car crash couldn't kill the monster, a mere stab through the heart was unlikely to finish the job.
He shoved the body back into the lockers. Maybe the cold would keep him in stasis a little longer. "Yeah, let's go."
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Nanao tugged on her black shirt and black leather pants. In the gloom of her walk-in closet, she felt her face change as her anger grew.
Hinamori Momo, I will hunt you down if no one else will.
"You're supposed to wait for the signal," said Aizen, flicking on the light.
"Father," breathed Nanao. "Momo needs to pay."
Aizen walked in and touched the woman's chin. "And she will. I will hand her to you, and you will break her for me." His hand slipped to the slender neck. "Wait for my signal before you move, though. I will not have my entire mission jeopardized by – your – impatience." With the last three words his hand tightened until he was cutting off the blood supply to her brain. Nanao's eyes rolled back and her hands scrabbled at Aizen's wrist.
The older vampire let her go. "Gin means more to me than you can even imagine. If you cause me to miss the chance for vengeance, you will be in the Red Room right beside Hinamori Momo."
He swept out of the room. Nanao sat on the floor, forcing herself to calm down. Then she smiled humorlessly, her face twisting with anticipation.
Father's finally angry.
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Ulquiorra could see the vehicle swerve down the street and skid to a stop just below. Ichigo – the vessel that held Shirosaki, and would return Shirosaki to him – was the first to hop out of the car. Though he wanted very much to swoop down and carry off the redhead, Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes and focused on his quarry.
Ichigo waited at the side of the building, bouncing impatiently on his heels. Urahara exited after parking the car. Something on the ground seemed to catch his eye and the blond slowed down to examine it. With that second's opening, Ulquiorra crashed downwards at neck-breaking speed, landing on the asphalt right in front of Urahara.
Before either the teacher or Ichigo could react, Ulquiorra slashed the hard edge of his palm down on the back of Urahara's head and continued with a swing across Ichigo's temple.
The young redhead was tossed to one side, crashed to the asphalt and then lay still. The blond folded up and the half-Klaardis threw Urahara over his shoulder. Then his strong wings unfolded again and carried captor and captive into the clouded night, leaving Ichigo sprawled over the ground below.
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Buffy strolled down her walkway. There was the usual chirrup of nightly insects, and then there was an unfamiliar rustle. The Slayer frowned. Just as she came to the conclusion that it was not a threat, she was tackled bodily to the pavement.
As she rolled and drew her fists, her Slayer senses kicked in. Then the blond girl grinned. "Doesn't anyone say hello where you came from?"
Kendra unfolded from her combat stance. "Just checking your reflexes," she said in her unique twang. "It's good to see you, Buffy."
"Can't really say the same," Buffy joked. "Bet you have some dark, dire warning for us this time round?"
Kendra tilted her head to one side and her eyes darted left and right. "Kinda funny that you mention that."
"No, seriously."
The other Slayer shrugged.
Buffy groaned. "Aw, man!"
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Angelus watched on with growing pride. Drusilla licked her lips, her fingers flicking together repeatedly. Spike was less than impressed, however.
"Wow, what a big rock," he said. "I can't wait to tell my friends. They don't have a rock this big."
"It's not what's on the outside, Wee Willy," drawled Angelus, "but what's inside that counts."
Hinamori squinted. Something was grating across her senses. "Open it," she instructed the henchvamps. They hesitated, but before Hinamori could blow her top they grabbed crowbars and wrested the front of the box-like structure off.
When the dust settled, the four vampires examined the crouched stone figure inside. Though no longer alive, it radiated a sense of potency. Drusilla trilled and twirled in a circle.
"Everything in my head is singing!" she crooned in ecstasy.
Hinamori had to step back; the pressure on her senses was overwhelming. "It's deadly."
"My friends," announced Angelus with a sweep of his arms, deliberately just-missing Spike, "we are about to make history... end."
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Kendra had been sneaked into Buffy's house via a direct introduction as Xander's cousin from a far-off country and since there wasn't any place in Xander's for Kendra to stay, the dark-skinned exotic beauty had been welcomed into the Summers household.
"Your mother doesn't seem to know the truth about you," remarked Kendra once the two girls had been safely ensconced in Buffy's room.
Buffy shrugged. "Almost all Sunnydale residents have selective amnesia regarding the happenings here, Kendra. I think it's easier for me to do my work this way."
"But your efforts are not recognized, and they will hinder you if they do not know the importance of your work," argued Kendra.
"I can't force people to see what they don't wish to see, Kendra. I don't want to try." Buffy blew out a breath. "I can't try. I cannot guarantee that there won't be amateur vamp hunters sending themselves up as home delivery for the vamps; I can't guarantee the safety of the thrill seekers. At least this way, people feel that there's something wrong in this town, and they don't attempt to go out alone after dark. And I get my job done."
Kendra frowned, but wisely left the topic alone.
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Finally the school day ended. Thankfully there was some knowledge to be gained, but Buffy reminded herself that the end of the long dark was still much further down the future.
"Acathla," announced the Watcher grimly as he pointed to a passage in, naturally, a thick book. Buffy pulled the book close and murmured to herself as she read it.
Kendra was pacing the room. "We must act," she said, a tad deferentially since Giles was present. "Drusilla, Angelus and Spike might be activating it even now."
"We don't have the necessary-" Giles was interrupted by a shrill ringing from the counter. He moved briskly to the phone and picked it up. A spate of urgent talk emerged from the other end.
Buffy regarded the other Slayer. "What did your Watcher see, Kendra?"
"That a dark power rises," she answered. "And that it will spread and consume the world."
"That sucks." Xander chewed on his thumbnail. His hair stuck out in all directions, clear indications that he had had a rough night and morning.
"I agree," said Buffy.
"I have to add on more bad news," interjected the librarian who was cleaning his glasses, "I think the situation has grown a little more dire than expected. Ichigo just told me that Urahara has been kidnapped. He was knocked unconscious and left out on the street all night."
"Oh my god. Willow paled. "Urahara."
Xander glanced at her. "This is becoming epic suckage. Ichigo's gonna turned ballistic!"
Though she was as anxious as the rest of them, Buffy made her decisions quickly. "Willow, you and Giles figure out the deal with Acathla. Also, we'll curse Angel again. Kendra, you stay here, watch over them. Xander and I will go get Ichigo, and we'll try to work out what's happening."
Suddenly a body crashed down from the skylight. Buffy and Kendra peered up, wary of the falling glass, trying to figure out what happened. Willow jogged forward and then paused, her pale face turning white.
"Buffy, it's Owen."
Giles whipped off his glasses and ran over to check on the boy's pulse. He glanced at his Slayer. "He's dead."
"There's someone on the roof," Kendra noted as she hid her eyes from the morning glare.
The figure was cloaked in a thick fabric. It then tossed off its cover and burst into flame. "He's waiting for you!" it shrieked as it burned. "Angelus waits, Slayer!" And it could say no more.
Dust drifted down the beam of fading sunlight, like snowflakes.
"That's it, that is it from Angel." Buffy swept up a crossbow and tossed Xander a cross. "If I see him, I'm gonna dust him."
Willow got to her feet. "But Buffy, the spell." Her voice was small but determined. "It might change things."
Giles rolled Owen onto his back and closed the poor boy's eyes. "If we restore Angel now he'll be killed by Drusilla and the other vampires before he can turn out to any help."
The Slayer paused. "Willow, Giles, curse him again. I don't care if it's expedient or not, just do it."
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It took some time for the beating to stop.
Ulquiorra took each kick silently, barely acknowledging the punishment. Eventually Aizen tired of it and stepped back, drying his brow with a towel Nanao handed him. "I told you to watch over Gin. I never said a thing about attacking the Slayer's companions, and I definitely did not ask you to bring home a mage."
"He might be able to cure Ichimaru-san," said Ulquiorra, finally speaking.
Aizen regarded the half-Klaardis, still on the floor. "Go and wash up, Ulquiorra." When the half-demon got to his shaky feet, Aizen touched his arm. "I hope you're right."
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Ichigo clenched his fists and pounded the walls of the apartment. He had received Giles' call once Buffy had made her decision, and he was waiting for her to get to his place. Waiting was agonizing.
Waiting when he knew Urahara was in danger even more so.
"I'm here," announced the Chosen One. She glanced around the room. "Doesn't seem like there was a struggle downstairs."
"I know who took him," said Ichigo. He grabbed Zangetsu from his lap. "You and I are heading there to tear the house down now."
Xander grabbed his arm. "Don't be stupid," he snapped. "They outnumber us."
"They've got Urahara!" Ichigo roared back in his face. "I promised him that I won't leave him again, and now they have him!" His voice quietened and he turned to appeal to the Slayer. "Buffy, I promised I won't leave him."
"We don't know for sure that it was them," Buffy stated. "It could have been Angel and Drusilla, y'know?"
"How about we go over and find out for ourselves?" suggested the redhead in a flinty voice. "I'm going there, with or without you, Buffy. I'm not leaving Urahara to his fate."
Xander hissed through his teeth. "There's something about that plan I am NOT loving."
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Urahara came round eventually, to be faced with Aizen Sousuke in the chair opposite. With a surge of rage Urahara tried to rise from his seat, but found himself bound and gagged.
"Give it up," sait Aizen. "If I wanted you dead I would have killed you already. I didn't intend to bring you here – this was all his initiative." With a slight thrust of his jaw Aizen indicated the impassive Ulquiorra standing in the corner. An ugly bruise was already forming about his right eye, while some blood still caked the side of the pale man's mouth. While Urahara tried to comprehend the full complexities of the situation, Aizen removed the gag from Urahara's mouth.
"How is it possible for you to do that to him?" asked the blond man, astonished by the injuries on the half-Klaardis. "He's stronger than... he's strong."
"So am I," replied Aizen casually. "He's also losing his touch. Your Shirosaki has him bewitched; he no longer has that dispassionate persona I greatly valued. But what he still has in skill and loyalty, and therefore he is still alive. But we should be talking about you, Urahara, mage and sorcerer of the shinigami."
Urahara smirked coldly. "I've given up magic a long time ago."
"You cannot give up what's in the blood," said Aizen. "And I know a lot about blood." He leaned forward. "Your father was a great mage, and his power runs in your veins."
"My father was a charlatan and a boot-licker."
"Your father made headway into demon clans so old even I am not allowed to meet, and I am esteemed in many circles of the Underworld." The vampire smiled. "You see him with the vitriol of a neglected child's mind. See him as he is, what he did for the Shinigami in Japan. All those ancient gods and demons – frequently the same being – crowded on that island? What the Shinigami did was an affront. They tore down centers of belief, ran over thousands of years of custom and tradition... and all for the disgusting half-breeds known as vampires."
Urahara bristled, but Aizen went on.
"The shinigami chased me and mine for centuries. Did you really think they focused solely on vampires? Occasionally these demon lords would stand against the shinigami. Your father managed to appease centuries of ill-will directed at your prior organization. He had no time for you, Urahara Kisuke, because he was trying to save the world you were living in. Without him, there would be no Japan, and definitely no shinigami."
"You lie," spat Urahara. "How would you know what he did?"
"Because his actions led to my coming here," Aizen smiled wider. "He had them aligned so closely to the shinigami's aim: to drive out all vampires. To the point that the demon lords joined forces among themselves to close the Hellmouth in Kyoto."
The old vampire sat back in his chair. "Suffice it to say, I am not pleased with the shinigami nor the demons in Japan."
Urahara seethed, but told himself to rein in his temper. "I am sure you did not keep me here to discuss my father."
"No, I didn't."
"Then why am I still here?"
Aizen's brown regard stabbed into Urahara's gray-green gaze like lances. "You will find a way to save Gin. And then I will release you. You are a powerful mage, Urahara Kisuke. I suggest you use that power to remove that filthy thing possessing my Gin."
"How can I hold you to your word?" asked Urahara. "That man you have over there wishes me dead."
"Ulquiorra is loyal."
"That loyal?"
"Loyal enough to gut you if he knows you aren't putting in all your effort," said the vampire, standing up from his chair. "And, you know, he's just itching for a reason."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"We have too many things to deal with at the same time," said Buffy, frustrated. She was on Ichigo's phone with Giles. "He's intent on hunting down the person – or persons – who abducted Urahara." She paused and lowered her voice. "There's something odd about them, Giles. I think... I think Ichigo and Urahara are..." Buffy hesitated, unsure if she should speak up about this, "I think they're involved."
The Watcher was not too concerned. Buffy listened for a while longer before she hung up.
Xander had his arms folded and was leaning against the wall. "He's champing at the bit. He says he'll lead us down to the house where the vamps are." He chewed on his lower lip. "We ought to load up on weapons."
"I don't think he'll give me time for that." Buffy tapped her fingers on her arm. "I'll go back to the library, and tell Giles and Kendra about this. You follow Ichigo and keep him from going kamikaze on the vamps. If he loses control-"
"He won't," the dark-haired boy cut her off. His gaze was unusually firm.
The Chosen One nodded and gave her friend a thin smile.
He glanced to the side and then mouthed his next question: You really think he and...?
Buffy nodded again. Womanly intuition.
"God." Xander worked his mouth. "I'm gonna need something to fight with though."
"You be careful," said Buffy and handed him a cross and a stake.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Kendra paced endlessly around the room. She hefted the sword that her Watcher Sam had passed to her.
Giles put down his glasses. "Kendra, do stay still. Your pacing around is rather distracting." He polished the spectacles and set them on his nose again. "At least I have found out more about Acathla."
"What did you find?" asked Willow, looking away from the computer. Her head ached.
The Watcher sighed. "Acathla was a demon who could swallow the world."
"Figuratively or literally?" asked Willow. In another reality, that would not be a question I will ever ask.
"Basically, anything that is not demonic will be swallowed and sent to Hell." Giles glanced up from the book he was reading. "A knight, a holy knight sent by the forces of Good fought him and sealed him by stabbing him in the chest with a consecrated sword. That stab sealed Acathla into stone."
The young redhead was perplexed. "So what's the danger about it?"
"Acathla might be dormant, but his power isn't. A worthy person can release that power."
Kendra narrowed her large eyes. "I would assume that such a 'worthy person' is also a demon."
"Yes."
The Slayer examined her sword. "Now I understand why my Watcher passed me the sword."
Giles raised his brows. "Enlighten us, please."
"He said that I must bring this sword to Sunnydale, for a dark power is about to rise and I will be needed." Kendra studied the sword reverentially. "This has been in his family's keeping for generations. He has entrusted me with this... I think it is because Acathla was sealed by this very sword."
"It looks remarkably new for a sword of such lineage," said Giles but he didn't doubt Kendra's word. Her Watcher was one of the most respected members of the Council. "It would, I suspect, come in handy more likely than not."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Now, now, look who's out on patrol."
Buffy whirled about just in time to block a punch. She staggered back three steps before regaining her footing, and then she got into a fighting stance. "You." She stared at him. "You're supposed to be dead."
Grimmjow smirked. He was still bruised in places, and there was something wrong with his right eye, which kept switching back and forth between a feline golden iris and a human light amber eye. "Pretty damn active for a corpse, wouldn't you say?"
"I can correct that-"
"-I'm not here to fight you," drawled Grimmjow. "The bounty on you is off. I'm suggesting that we work together to end Angelus and his family."
Buffy's brow creased with suspicion. "Why would you help me?"
"Because the bitch Hinamori jumped into that cesspool and riddled me with bullets. I might be hard to kill, but those things effin' hurts." The teal-haired grimaced. "I like to return favors."
Buffy narrowed her eyes. Still, every bit helped.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Ichigo stormed towards the mansion he remembered living inside. How many rooms, the residents, the dungeon... and the room where Ulquiorra and he – no, not himself, it was Shirosaki – where Ulquiorra and Shirosaki rested in... the facts filled his head. He knew that he was burning with fury within.
The only thing that kept Ichigo from completely losing his head was knowing that Urahara was at their mercy. Else he would just release the power of Tsukiyomi and wipe out the vamps in the house. But there were more than just vampires – Ulquiorra was in there.
Why should I care?
What was this tightness in his chest whenever he thought of that pale-skinned half-demon?
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Kendra whirled around, sword at the ready. Willow jumped to her feet and Giles grabbed a ready stake, more in response to the Slayer's sudden defensive posture than to the invasion of five vampires – chief of whom was Drusilla.
Drusilla smiled wickedly at the people ranged inside the library. "Eeny, meeny, miney, mo. Boys, you know what to do."
"No one will do anything," snapped Kendra at them her sword whirring in a deadly dance.
Drusilla avoided the first few slashes before she grabbed a magazine and flung it at the Slayer, distracting her long enough for the others to rush Willow and Giles. Willow shrieked once and ran for the stacks. Before Kendra could try to help either of them, Drusilla slammed the edge of her palm on the Slayer's wrist and cracked it. Kendra dropped the sword and tried to kick out, but Drusilla was able to defend herself well.
The female vampire grinned and clacked her teeth at Kendra. "Look at me, child. Look into me."
"Kendra, wait-" Giles' voice was cut off abruptly.
Drusilla kept right in front of Kendra, locking her dark gaze with the young woman's. "Look into me," she intoned softly, her voice almost a hiss. "Look into me."
The other four vamps grabbed who they had come for and ran out. They had seen before what Drusilla could do and were still terrified of it.
The raven-haired vampire swayed slightly and Kendra mimicked the motion, her eyes glazing over. "Look into me, Slayer," whispered Drusilla for one more time before she swept her right hand around in an arc.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Buffy and Grimmjow pushed open the doors to the library. "If you try anything funny, please remember that there are two Slayers," Buffy warned the tall male before she saw the carnage – and the blood.
Grimmjow smirked humorlessly. "Guess there's only one left."
"Oh my God," whispered Buffy, rushing forward to where Kendra had fallen. Her eyes were glassy and her throat was ripped raw with a horizontal cut. Her sword lay in a corner. Buffy bit her lower lip. "Oh God... what the hell happened?"
"Everybody, stay where you are, and keep your hands where I can see them," an authoritative voice barked. Grimmjow and Buffy looked up and saw three men, two of whom were policemen with their guns pointed at them and the last being Principal Snyder.
He was smirking in an all-too-satisfied way. "I knew you were up to no good," he gloated. "I have you now."
"I didn't kill them," snarled Buffy, standing up slowly. "It wasn't me. I just got back! Ask him!"
Someone moaned in pain from the stacks. Buffy whipped about, ready to run up and tried to find out who it was, but the officer fired a shot into the ceiling.
"The fu-" swore Grimmjow.
"Anything you say can and will be used in a court of law, both of you, and I suggest you stay quiet for your own good," warned one officer. He nodded at his partner, who pulled out a set of handcuffs. "Come with us peacefully and we can sort this out."
Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "Bugger all this," he growled, and with a crack of his elbow he knocked out the officer with the gun and then a punch settled the one with cuffs. Principal Snyder he left alone. "Come on. Can't do nothing in jail."
Buffy grabbed the sword and headed out of the library. Grimmjow fell in her wake. As the Slayer stalked past Snyder, the diminutive man whispered, "You can't escape, Summers."
She merely lifted the point of the sword a little higher, watched him shrink back, and then continued on her way out of the place.
"Call the ambulance," she told Grimmjow, mind still whirling. "There was no scent of blood other than where Kendra lay, so I'm sure Willow and Giles are just injured-"
"Willow and Giles?"
"You've spied on us before," snapped Buffy. "Back when you were trying to kill me for money? The redhead and the old book guy. Angel – I mean, Angelus – will try to get to them. He or one of his cronies killed Kendra, I know it."
Grimmjow chewed on the inside of his cheek. "I hate to say this, but earlier on? Other than the dead girl and those of us talking, there was only one more person, and that is female."
"What do you mean?"
"If you're talking about old book guy," said Grimmjow, one brow arched, "he wasn't in the room."
Buffy felt fear surge within. "Angelus."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"He doesn't look much."
"He knows enough."
"How d'you plan on getting' the information outta him? He seems the close-mouthed type."
"No one screams with their mouth closed."
"You would know."
"Of course. Experience, boyo."
"Leaving you to it then, old man."
"Not yet. He's still out of it."
Giles' head thundered with pain. He could make out the seated one as Spike and the standing one as Angelus. As he faded back into unconsciousness, he realized that the near future was not something he would enjoy.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
With his eyes closed, Gin smiled up at the blank ceiling.
"Boy's here," he informed Ulquiorra, his current guard. With a slight tilt of his head, Gin met Ulquiorra's gaze. "Isn't that what you want? Him to come back?"
"That's not the one I want back with me," replied Ulquiorra.
"I need peace and quiet," snapped Urahara from the floor. He looked up.
Ulquiorra's left eye twitched. The blond mage saw Ulquiorra's fists clench a little more tightly and he returned his attention to his spell. He was trying to reconstruct that spell Willow mentioned once to him, but without the original text it was pointless. He did, however, have a few tricks up his sleeves, and if he could bring down the protection around the house...
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Outside the house, Xander grabbed Ichigo's arm. "Don't even think about it, Ichigo. It'll be suicide."
"I can't leave Urahara in there by himself!" yelled the redhead.
Xander hissed, "Yeah, great, you just told the whole neighborhood we're here. We don't even know if he's alive-"
"-he HAS to be!" shouted Ichigo. His shoulders slumped. "He has to. I can't... I just got my life back. We just figured things out. He can't be dead, Xander. I cannot lose him."
"Save the melodrama for later," said Xander, strangely calm. "You still have those badass moves?"
Ichigo didn't turn around yet. "How many vamps?"
"Just three. But they're the ones with all those cool swords that I'm not allowed to play with."
"When we start fighting, you run to a safe place."
"Closest is the hospital. Public space with lotsa guards."
"Then go to the hospital."
Ichigo swiveled around and saw Kira, Shuuhei and Nanao, all armed with swords. With Zangetsu snapped out, its edge gleaming. Ichigo sneered, "What, no guns?"
Xander ran.
"We like our kills slow," said Shuuhei. Two tanto swords were unsheathed.
Nanao made no comment but drew out a short, slim dagger. And another.
Ichigo scoffed. "Where do you hide them?"
Kira's lip curled. "That would be classified under 'need to know'." A flick of his sword and a wickedly hooked blade clicked into place. "Nanao-chan?"
She threw a knife, not at Ichigo but at the fleeing Xander, but the redheaded boy slammed the knife to the ground. He tutted at her. "You don't tag in someone not of your own team now."
"Enough talk," said Hisagi, and strode forward confidently.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Buffy and Grimmjow rested their heads on the cool surface of the hospital. The demon had
"I can't go in there now," said Grimmjow. "I just broke out of the morgue. Someone's bound to remember this gorgeous mug of mine."
"Are you always this thick-skinned or is it just being around me that makes you so?"
The teal-haired male smirked. "You're ever so charming, didja know?" He shrugged. "I'll keep watch out here."
Buffy rolled her eyes and threw up her jacket's hood. She had tucked her blond hair in and made her way to the wards. Though she was not certain where her friends were, she was certain that Giles and Willow were here. They had to be. They couldn't be dead. Giles had to be here; if Angelus had him, Giles wouldn't survive the night.
She located Willow when some nurses commented on how lucky the redhead was to survive the crash of two book stacks. Waiting until the two men had turned round the corner, Buffy sidled into the room.
Willow looked vulnerable and young. The hospital lights bleached out of her face, leaving her hair the sole shock of color on the bed.
"Will, I'm so sorry," murmured the Slayer, full of remorse. "It's all my fault."
"You weren't to blame," a voice cut in softly. Xander was standing at the door with a cup of coffee. "they had a Slayer with them. Anyone would think that was safe enough."
Buffy ran up to Xander and hugged him. "How come you're here? Where's Ichigo?"
"I came here for sanctuary and I saw them wheeling her in." The dark-haired boy set down his cup. "I was supposed to call the library when I get here but... something major must've happened. Ichigo's fighting vamps and he ordered me to skedaddle."
"You left him there alone?"
Xander locked gazes with Buffy. "I didn't want to. But I know when I'm outclassed, Buffy. He refused to run."
"Why?"
"Urahara," Xander stated simply.
Buffy turned away. This night was going from bad to worse. "We gotta let Oz know. And also Cordelia – she needs to keep herself safe."
"Oh man, I forgot about Oz." Xander clenched his fists. "I just called her parents and they're flying back from Pittsburgh. They'll be here tomorrow."
"What did you tell them?"
"I said that she was injured by two falling bookcases when she was in the library working on an extra-credit assignment." Xander smiled without humor. "Maybe that would get the school board to replace the stacks with better shelves than fibreboard."
Buffy matched the smile. "Giles would be pleased." Her voice lowered. "Is he here?"
Xander shook his head slowly. "I'd hoped that he was with you."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Ichigo collapsed onto his knees. Blood flowed down his cheek, his left shoulder, his shins. It was impossible for him to defeat three opponents by himself, when all three were of the standard of a vamp leader anywhere in the world.
"Aren't you gonna gut me now?" he growled at them.
Nanao kicked Zangetsu away from his hand and Hisagi picked it up. Kira tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Much as I appreciate that suggestion, I think I'm supposed to bring you to Father in one piece."
"He didn't say how intact that piece needed to be," Nanao put in smoothly. A backhand across Ichigo's face broke his lip and caused him to stagger sideways onto his hands.
Hisagi caught Nanao's hand before she could slap Ichigo again. "We'll tie him up and bring him in. Father will want to speak with him."
"Anyone," spat Ichigo as they shoved him to the ground and yanked his arms behind him, "anyone ever told you guys... that the whole Father thing is icky?"
"You're one to talk," jeered Kira. "All this time, you had a hard-on for Urahara Kisuke. And you barely out of your teens. Don't deny it; I have an eye for such things."
Hisagi picked up Zangetsu. "Think Father would want this?"
"Nah." Kira's tone was dismissive. "Nanao, would you do the honors?"
Ichigo pushed up from the ground. "Gimme my sword back."
The blond vamp grinned. "Uh uh. Not gonna happen." The smile disappeared. Ichigo prepared to launch himself at Kira when a sharp blow landed behind his ear and the redhead slumped unconscious on the ground.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Willow, you gotta wake up," murmured Xander. He held his best friend's hand in his. She was so cold, and her face pale against the shock of brilliant red hair. "Who am I gonna call and talk about the day with? Who can I say all those stupid things to? Will, you gotta wake up."
She was unresponsive. Xander could feel his heart ache. If only he had been there... but what good would he have done? Even Kendra... Xander couldn't quite believe that the other Slayer had been killed. She had seemed so focused on her job, and he had thought that maybe she might even be a better fighter.
Willow had probably tried to help, the dark-haired boy thought. He brushed a stray hair from her white cheek. She was always helping.
"C'mon Will," urged Xander softly. He pressed his lips to Willow's knuckles. "Will, I can't imagine life without... Will, I love you."
The hand in his grasp trembled. Xander jerked straight and watched the red-haired girl. Her eyelashes fluttered and finally she opened her eyes.
Xander's heart leaped.
"Oz?" she whispered. "Oz?"
Abruptly, Xander's heart crashed.
The door to the ward opened and Oz strode in. "I'm here," he announced and went to his girlfriend. "I'm here."
Xander let go of Willow's hand, content that his best friend was awake. He watched Oz hold a glass with a drinking straw, and then was startled by a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and met Cordelia's brown eyes.
She touched his cheek. "I heard from Oz. You okay?"
"Yeah, I am." Xander hugged his girlfriend. "I'm glad you're safe."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Buffy and Grimmjow pushed open the door to Giles' apartment.
"Doesn't he ever lock this door?" commented Grimmjow. He sniffed the air. "Someone's here."
"He locks it all the time." Buffy edged into the house carefully. Though she was familiar with her Watcher's place, she was also wary of other intruders.
A footstep on the stairs confirmed her precautions. "Come out," she called evenly.
"All right, you got me." The shadowy figure on the stairs held up both hands, palms out. He strolled into the pool of light made by the open doorway. It was a short man, appearing to be about his mid-thirties, in a lousy suit and a bad fedora. "Don't shoot."
Grimmjow snorted. "A half-demon."
"Oh, like you're not," retorted the stranger. Grimmjow bared his teeth at the man and he backed off, saying hastily, "I'm a pacifist here. Name's Whistler."
"I know that name." Buffy stepped forward and turned on the desk lamp. "Angel mentioned it to me once."
Whistler tipped his hat. "And what did he say?"
"That you're a terrible dresser," said the Chosen One, "and that you gave him direction. Mostly the dressing part."
"I'd say Angel's right," Grimmjow remarked. "You look like a pimp from the forties."
The half-demon scoffed. "Like he was smelling of roses when I found him."
Buffy narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Because I need a date for the prom," said Whistler. "My mum says I might go, but not if – ouch!"
Buffy had shoved him and pinned him to the wall. The Slayer snarled, "I've had a really rough day. My friends are hurt or lost and already two are dead. My Watcher is probably in the hands of a psychopath, as is another friend of mine, in the hands of a different psychopath. Now, if you have information that helps, I would be glad to hear it, but if you're gonna crack jokes then I'm gonna pull out your ribcage and wear it as a hat." She held him there for a second longer before pushing away.
Grimmjow applauded slowly. "Didn't know you had that darkness in you, Slayer."
"Shut up."
"Well! That was, uh, enlightening," said the older male. He neatened his collar. "Good visual imagery there."
The Chosen One raised one brow. Whistler coughed. "Actually, I'm supposedly here to observe what goes on, you know. Someone's gotta be there to witness the big fight."
"And that happens to be you," said Grimmjow disbelievingly.
"Yeah," Whistler snapped. "That's how this whole gigs work, all right? I figured this for Angel's big day. Save the world from Acathla and all that jazz. Didn't count on Miss Puppy Thighs to shake things up."
Buffy felt a sharp rebuke in Whistler's casual comments. "You mean, he was meant to battle Acathla?"
The half-demon's tone gentled. "Yes, he was. He's here in Sunnydale because he was meant to be the one to face Acathla. Someone else was supposed to raise the demon."
"Someone else?"
Whistler shrugged. "Now to that I have no clue. As far as I know, it's a vamp with silver hair. All I got was an image, not a name."
Grimmjow let out a low whistle. "So Ichimaru was meant to be the one to raise the demon sucker? I never thought of that."
The Slayer hissed out her breath and stalked out of the apartment. Whistler made no move to stop her, but the teal-haired demon jogged up to the blonde.
"This is useless. All I have now..." Buffy muttered angrily, "I have nothing now. Giles is not here, that didn't help with much information, and you are an assassin. I can't trust you not to kill me. My friends... my friends." Her eyes closed. "I gotta get Ichigo. And he's probably dead by now."
"Hey," said Grimmjow in a low voice, "you want to save that orange-haired kid? He ain't dead, I bet. Aizen said not to kill him, he's got some use left in him. If you help me, I'll help you."
Unconvinced but left with little option, Buffy tilted her head. "What's the trade-off?"
"You help me get Hinamori Momo, I'll drag that orange-haired nuisance to you."
"Care for another deal, Slayer?"
Both Grimmjow and Buffy turned to see a platinum-haired slender male swagger up to them. Buffy cocked her fist back, ready to strike.
Spike raised both palms. "Hey, easy there. I'm here to talk business."
Grimmjow looked over Spike's shoulder. "Along with your henchmen?"
"They ain't mine," remarked the vampire, and then darted between Grimmjow and Buffy. The Slayer barely had time to respond to the motion when a burly vampire in a green shirt lunged at her. Her fist jabbed forward and Grimmjow threw the vamp down, before he snapped the vampire's neck.
Another two had jumped forward and were fighting Slayer and Spike. Spike brushed off a punch, kicked his opponent in the groin and then borrowed a stake from Buffy's belt to dust his attacker. Once he was done he tossed the stake to Buffy, who struck her opponent square in the heart.
Grimmjow just smirked and ripped the head of his incapacitated vampire off.
"Show-off," drawled Spike, who lit a cigarette. He nodded. "Those had to be Dru's boys. She's beginning to suspect me. Ow!"
Buffy drew her fist back. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just dust you right now."
"Giles is in Angelus's hands, I can get him back, and which bloody part of business don't you understand?" Spike shook his head and winced. "Thank the gods you hit like a girl."
Buffy raised her fist higher.
The vampire just bared his teeth.
Grimmjow sighed. "Out here isn't a good place to discuss anything, people. Some shelter might be a good idea?"
"My house is the closest," answered Buffy, her eyes never leaving Spike.
"I'm not trying anything!" protested the platinum blond. "You think I want the world destroyed? That's big boys' talk, swagger swagger boast. Here, you've got horse-racing, dog-racing, the telly, six billion Happy Meat Meals on legs. With humans gone, ain't nobody running those. But Angelus – Angelus can pull it off."
Buffy scoffed. "Then why come to me?"
"Because neither of us can take him down alone." Spike inhaled a deep drag on his cigarette. "I hate to say it, but that creature knows my tricks. And he has Dru on his side."
They had begun walking and were now outside Buffy's home. The Chosen One folded her arms. "So you want my help because of them two?"
"Yeah. Dru isn't going to be too happy about this. And the way she acts around him..." He spat on the lawn.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "The world is about to end and you're combining forces with me because your girlfriend is a big ho? Let me take this opportunity to not care."
"Hey, you aren't all in the clear here," Grimmjow interjected from the porch. "Who turned Angel?"
The two men stared at Buffy, who felt her cheeks redden. Just when she was contemplating slaying them there and then, the door opened and Joyce peered out.
"Hi honey! I thought I heard your voice. Why don't you all come on in?" she said cheerfully.
Spike smiled. "Sure! Why not?"
Her mother's voice was forced; Buffy realized that the cops had been here too. As she followed the other two into her home, Buffy swallowed. It was time to come clean.