See first chapter for disclaimers.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to Storyseeker for the beta read. As usual, if you have any comments or preferences, please don't be shy. RandR.
PREVIOUSLY: Alice and Wonderland
Why Are We Here?
"So, why are you here?"
"The age old question," Xander sighed as he watched the carnage unfold in the meadow below them. His companion gave him an inscrutable look and the carpenter shrugged. "We heard there was a vampire problem here. We've had experience with vampires and thought we could help."
"They do look like they could use it," the gray-haired man offered, in the same bored, been-there-done-that tone that seemed to be his trademark. Xander snorted.
"Oh, well. At least he's leaving some for Faith to play with." He winced in sympathy as the boy fighting alongside the Slayer delivered a kick that sent a vampire sailing a distance Xander found difficult to credit.
"It'll be over soon," the white haired one said. That was true enough. Most of the vamps were dust and Faith and the blonde kid were barely breathing hard.
"Mm-hmm. One thing puzzles me."
"What would that be?"
"He's a ninja, right?" Xander asked.
"We both are." The other turned to face him, studying him carefully with his one visible eye.
"I'm no expert," Xander pushed ahead, not sure if he'd offend the man or not, but unable to restrain his curiosity, "but… I always thought ninjas were stealthy, y'know? Next to invisible when they wanted to be and, well… quiet."
"That's the theory," the other agreed, repressing a sigh over what he was seeing in the meadow.
"So, what's with the dressing like a traffic cone and yelling out his attacks for everyone in the country to hear?"