**********
"Hello, guys! What's up?" I said as I shoved the library doors open. Willow let out a startled "eep" and ran behind a standing Oz. I smirked at the scent of fear rising off both of them.
"Uh.. nothing," Willow said peering over Oz's shoulder. "Now that you know you can go do.. whatever."
"Now why would I want to miss out on visiting my buds," I remarked as I moved closer. They both backpedalled trying to put the library table between us. I slowed to let them. No need for me to be close to do this anyways.
"Xander, man, you don't want to do anything rash, right?" Oz pleaded.
"You don't really want to hurt us. We're your friends," Willow continued.
I stopped and a thoughtful expression spread across my face. Looking down, I replied, "You're right."
Both of them let out sighs of relief and started to move towards me.
Without warning, I grabbed the nearest chair and hurled it at them. The oak chair clipped Oz before breaking through the railing on the upper level of the library and slamming into a bookcase nearly toppling it. I watched them go tumbling to the floor. Both of them were cowering in fear as I rounded the table and closed on them...
BBRRIIINNGGG.
I looked up thoughtfully before turning back to the two rabbits on the floor. "School's out. Time for me to get going. I got an appointment to keep after all. Don't get in my way and we won't have a repeat of this little incident, got it?"
I turned and headed towards the exit, my high pitched laughter following me out.
***
It didn't take me long to find Buffy's scent and track her down. I followed along quite a ways behind to keep her from getting spooked. Didn't need her running at first sight of me. Not if I wanted to really find out what was up with that presence I felt within her at any rate.
Buffy quickly made her way to a fairly plain two story house. I watched as she went in and contemplated taking her now or waiting a while. The decision was taken away from me when a car pulled into the drive.
Damn, her mom's home, I thought. No way I'm gonna be able to get her outta there without a lot of trouble. I started to move closer to get a better view when I felt my pack coming. I moved behind an unoccupied house and waited for them to catch up.
Kyle was the first to appear with the others close behind. "What's up, Xander? Didn't get your girl?"
He looked a bit too smug and I figured now might be a good time to remind him who was boss. "Haven't decided if she's the right one yet. Besides, I got another possibility."
"Really?" He said smirking. "Can't keep a girl? What kind of a leader...."
The rest of Kyle's response was cut off by my fist as I sent him sprawling. I rushed forward and yanked him upright before delivering a spin kick to his side. Kyle collapsed on the ground once more.
"Don't push me again Kyle," I growled. "I can still reconsider my decision to let you live."
I waited a bit then sent Rhonda over to help him up as I turned to Tor and Heidi. "Tor, I want you to take everyone back to the school. You'll be in charge until I get back, got it?" I remarked with a glare at Kyle. Everyone nodded. "Good. I need you to keep Faith distracted when she gets back. But DON'T hurt her. I'll tear every one of you apart if you do. I'll deal with her later on tonight. Now go."
I turned back to Buffy's house as they loped off. The only thoughts on my mind now were how to catch her attention.
***
It was nearly dark when I felt it. A tearing, ripping sensation that left me confused. What had happened? What caused it? Who had caused it? Why do I feel so empty?
And then it hit me.
They were gone.
My pack... gone.
Torn away from me.
But how? So many questions entered my mind: Did Faith and the slayer gang have anything to do with it? And if they did, did they remove the spirits from the others, or do something else? Wouldn't they have needed all of us for that? More and more questions ran through my head. Painfilled and empty, I collapsed to the ground with my head held in my hands.
I knew then that the others were gone, but I was left unchanged. The hyena spirit was still within me. I needed to find out what had happened to my pack.
The door to the Summers house chose now to open and out came Buffy obviously dressed up for a night out. I had to decide now on what to do about the others and Buffy.
Buffy or the Pack.
Damn it!, my mind shouted.
I let out a deep breath and then it hit me. Buffy.
I can get her help in putting my pack back together. Whatever she is, if I can get her to open up that potential then I'll have the backup that I'll need to get the pack back together.
I let out a short bark of laughter before chasing off after Buffy.
***
I followed Buffy to the Bronze where she met up with the rest of the harpies she usually hangs around. Once they went inside, I turned and took off for home. If I wanted to catch her attention, I needed to wear something other than a t-shirt and jeans.
It took me less than a minute to run to my house and I revelled in the fact that I wasn't even breathing hard. Taking the stairs four at a time, I went straight to my room to change. I quickly grabbed a pair of black pants, a blue silk shirt, and my new leather jacket that I had gotten for just such an occasion. It was a bit longer than my other one and not worn out either. Still had the same amount of pockets as the other one so I grabbed a few stakes and a cross for Buffy.
I also reached up on the top shelf for a box that I had stored there. Inside was a wickedly curved daggar with ornate etching on the blade and hilt. It had been something I had gotten from my time in LA. This I placed in a special back sheath I ordered a few months back.
A quick run to the bathroom to make sure my hair wasn't a total mess and I was out the door headed back to the Bronze. On the way there, I wondered about what Faith was up to. I hoped I didn't run into her until I was ready. After all, I still wanted her.
Then an idea sprouted in my mind. Why did I have to have the same pack? It might be better to chose others to join my pack. Kyle was always troublesome and Rhonda was his chosen mate. While Tor and Heidi were good at following orders they weren't anything special. Why not start again? I had just the people to start a new pack too.
Faith. Oz. Willow. Giles.
A wide grin spread across my face as I thought of the possibilities. Yes, the slayer gang would be the best choice to start my new pack. Laughter erupted from my throat as I ran through the deepening night.
***