Part 3
The Next Morning
Willow opened her eyes as a familiar voice said beside her, "Wake up." Willow turned her head and glared at Kaisean. "Goddess Kai, its-" She checked the clock, "6:00 in the 'morning'!"
"You think this is early try getting up at five." Kai smirked. "Get up, it's time for your lessons. Wear something comfortable." She disappeared. Willow took out the black sweats and white shirt. Quickly dressing, she washed and left her room. Kai was waiting just outside her room.
"So what first, Silver?" Willow asked.
"We run, Adam figures we should start you off very easy with a slow jog. Adam, and I will be teaching you martial arts, the others will help out also. Then we'll start teaching you other styles. Later today we'll begin your magic lessons."
"Wait, magic lessons? And how do you know martial arts?"
"Yeah. It'll be mostly Adam and I on this. Tenshi has been taught magic but just the basics. Adam considering his age is very knowledgeable in magic. As for martial arts my mother trained both myself and Tenshi in various schools. Then Methos took over my training." Kai replied as they walked downstairs. Willow was a little startled to see Tenshi and Demon standing by the elevator. The other two Immortals were dressed in sweats and tanks, in their hands were CD walkmans. Willow glanced at Kai with her eyebrow cocked.
"We usually run every day together." Kai answered Willow's silent question. "We'll be heading to the park and back."
*****
"Ugh. How much do you run every day usually?" Willow asked as she sat down heavily on a cushion. Even though they had barely done two miles at a slow jog, Willow could feel her leg muscles aching. I am seriously out of shape. > Willow thought, she looked at Kaisean enviously. She looks fresh, barely breathing at all. > Tenshi and Demon were sitting across from them.
"About five miles in the morning." Kai unpinned her hair and pulled it back again in a tighter loop and bun. "My training was-is very thorough. We're going pretty easy on you at the moment." Willow looked at Kai in disbelief, Kai just gave her a shrug.
"So what next?" Willow stretched and was shocked to find that once aching muscles were now feeling fine. I can get used to this healing stuff. > She thought grinning.
Kai led Willow to the basement where the gym and practice room took up most of the floor. Goddess this is huge! > Willow thought as she wandered across the room to where Kai stood on a mat. The walls were lined with weapons. In one corner there was a gym, weight lifting equipment and free weights were set up in one section of the room. Seconds later Willow could feel the now familiar sensation of another Immortal's coming down the stairs. Richie jumped the last couple of steps. "Good morning Aspen! Sean, your friend Shervin called earlier on line 4. He said he has all of the paper documents ready."
"Thanks." Kai turned to Willow. "Shervin's the guy I got to make all of your papers."
Willow nodded her head absently as she looked around. The Presence of another Immortal could be felt, this one much more powerful and painful to Willow. She grimaced and asked "Will I ever get used to that?"
"No not really." Methos answered as he walked to the small group and sat down. "Tenshi and Kai will be giving a demonstration of your some of the styles you will be learning."
Willow sat on the mat beside Methos and watched as Kai and Tenshi bowed to the two Immortals on the floor. Their moves matched as they lifted up an arm and moved a leg forward gracefully. The movement struck a familiar chord in Willow as she recognized it as a move Angel had performed.
****Flashback to the night after Emily Post appeared****
Willow stepped forward quietly through the double doors that were the entrance to Angel's home. The stones echoed around her as she walked further into the mansion to catch a movement. Willow's eyes widened as she saw a shirtless Angel shift his body forward into the light. He's so beautiful. > She thought as her breath catching as she watched him move. Angel's head turned slightly at hearing the noise.
"It's me." Willow said as she moved closer to Angel.
Angel slowed to a stop he turned around face Willow. The expression on his face was unreadable. "Willow is there something wrong?"
Willow shook her head and stepped closer to the vampire. "I just wanted to say thank you for saving me yesterday." Willow felt that her body was going to freeze as she asked softly, "What were you doing?"
"I was practicing Tai Chi. It's a form of martial arts, it is very slow, and meditative." Angel walked toward a shirt draped over one of the stone benches set up against the walls of the garden. He put it on with careless grace and gestured Willow to enter the main room.
Willow walked ahead of him, she could feel his presence behind her. As usual whenever she was in the presence of Angel she had to push down the feeling of almost unbearable longing, and awareness. One of the reasons why the hacker had started dating Oz in the first place was because she knew that Angel was with Buffy. Her feelings for Oz, were those of intense caring, nothing like the feelings she felt for Angel. And when Angel lost his soul, Willow had been amazed at the changes. One thing that was good about Angelus was his wardrobe. As Angelus he had a look of vitality, one of wickedness, totally awash in sensualistic splendor. She could still remember that time at the school right after Angel lost his soul. The way he had pressed up against her. Willow shivered and was brought out of her wandering as a Angel's voice interrupted her.
"Willow, what's wrong?" She could the feel blood rise in her face, she laughed weakly and said, "Nothing." She said. "I was uh…thinking." Willow shook her head sending a cascade of hair forward, to cover her flushed face. She looked up startled as a hand brushed back some of her hair. Dark concerned eyes peered back into her…through her. Goddess the way Angel can look at a person….How does he do it. > Willow felt penetrated, as if Angel were reading her very soul. "Nothings wrong Angel, thank you for asking though." She managed to say, before turning and running out of the mansion.
****End Flashback****
Willow felt a hand on her shoulder, gently shaking her. She looked up with startled eyes slightly hazy, into Kaisean's concerned gaze.
"Your first flashback…. May I ask what triggered it?" Kai asked as she took her hand from Willow's shoulder.
"Your opening move…. Angel knows Tai Chi. I watched him practice one time." Willow said as she smiled softly. "Flashback?" she reminded her friend.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you about flashbacks, didn't I?" Kai looked a little sheepish at Willow's nod. "Flashbacks usually happen when something in a situations sets off a memory nerve, you see in your mind what happened. They can happen at just about anytime and you tend to be out of it when they do happen."
Willow nodded in understanding at Kaisean's explanation. Kaisean and Tenshi resumed their demonstration of Tai Chi. Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu quickly followed. Demon and Methos would take turns in demonstrations also and finished last.
After that Demon and Tenshi sparred while Kai and Methos taught Willow several moves. All defense for now.
Willow would watch Kaisean perform the move at a fraction of the speed the move would be done in. Methos guided Willow as she followed Kai's movement's. Willow concentrated on the move and felt her way through it. It took her several minutes to get down the move, according to Methos' exacting standards. At the end of two hours, Willow had learned over several defensive moves, and could do them all at nearly full speed.
"Adam I don't understand how this block is supposed to work. I mean I have it down, and I can do it with my eyes closed now." Willow wryly said as she pushed back a strand of sweat soaked hair.
Kai looked questioningly at Methos who nodded, the girl quickly attacked Willow. The Immortal did the natural defense for the move, that she was just complaining about.
Willow looked shocked at Kai who grinned. "Woah. I get it now!" Willow said as the adrenalin coursed through her body.
***Several hours later***
"No Willow. Your supposed to hold your elbow a little higher when you strike." A strong hand positioned Willow's elbow to the correct position. "Ok there." Methos stepped back from his student and watched carefully as she repeated the move again. "Good." Methos nodded approvingly as he stepped back to observe Willow practicing the move she had been taught. Methos walked back over to Kai and sat beside her.
"She will do very well." Methos murmured into Kai's ear as they watched the other redhead.
"Yes, I think so too. Should we move into weapons soon?" Kai asked without taking her eyes from Willow.
Methos nodded then looked at one of the walls as he thought. "Do you think we should introduce her to the other's yet? There's a party going tomorrow night. We've pretty much isolated her from that part of our lives for the past two days."
Kai considered Methos question for a moment then nodded slowly. "I think she's ready. Willow's likely not going to freak, considering her history in Sunnydale. We should let her meet them now, before something happens." With those words they turned back their attention fully to Willow.
Part 4
Willow had finished her lessons in martial arts. Methos had told the Immortal, tomorrow they would start sword aspect. She felt tired still, but was quickly regaining her energy.
"What's going on Kai?" Willow asked as her pre-Immortal friend led her to an unfamiliar room. "Is this your room?" she asked Kai, looking around. The walls were white, dark fabrics draped from the walls, and framed the tall windows. A king sized be with silk sheets and numerous pillow was set up against one wall. Opposite the bed was a large entertainment center. In one corner near the door the floor went up several steps. Dark cushions were scattered across the seating area. Book shelves lined one part of the wall, partially hidden by a drape. The room was dark yet projected a light feeling.
"Yes. It is. We're going out tomorrow to a party, we as in Adam, Tenshi, Demon, Richie and I. We were wondering if you would like to come with us." Kai said non-committedly as she sat on her bed.
"Really, I can go out with you guys? To a party? Alright!" Willow exclaimed, falling back against the bed then turning so that she was leaning on her elbow. "What kind of party?"
"Just a regular party. I think that you'll have fun, there will be…. people there that you've never met before. Some of our friends from Paris, Toronto, New Orleans, and Cairo are coming in. There will be quite a bit of Immortals also." Kai explained as she went to her closet.
"That's a lot of places." Willow solemnly said her eyes twinkling. "Do you think we could visit Europe one time?" Willow asked wistfully picking at the her sweats.
"Yes a matter of fact we will. You'll find out that being Immortal can give you a lot of opportunity to go places that you've never been to. Learn and meet people that you never thought about."
"I already have my outfit laid out. I have some clothes that you can borrow if you don't have anything you want to wear." Kaisean's voice was clear despite the fact she was deep into her closet. "It's around six now so we'll have dinner first, a light one, then we dress." Shuffling noises came from the closet, Willow eyed the open door as Kai murmured, "Ahhh…. Here it is."
Kaisean walked back out and into the room. She was holding a white covered bag, which she laid onto the bed beside Willow. "This is based on a Medieval pattern. Its design is very simple but well done. It's the best I could do on such a short notice." Kai zipped the bag open and gestured for Willow to look.
The dress was long with an empire waist, long flowing sleeves, and square neck. The colors consisted of a dark blue done in velvet. Silver ribbons bordered the dress, and created a V at the waist.
"It's beautiful." Willow said in awe as she softly touched it. "It's… it's too much Kai. I don't think I can wear this." She shook her head as she straightened.
Kaisean just looked as her, then nodded slowly. "Ok, I'll put it away but if you want to wear it just ask, ok?" Willow nodded and smiled.
"Can I look through your closet though, I'll probably find something to wear. When we went shopping it was just basics so…." Willow trailed off, looking at her friend hopefully.
"Of course, but I have to tell you now that my taste in clothing is very eclectic. Most of it is dark." Kai laughed. "And some of it is made out of fabrics that vampires usually wear."
"Leather?" Willow smiled as she asked.
"Leather."
"Ok, I'm going. I have some stuff to do, feel free to go look for some clothes. Just don't chose the stuff hanging behind the curtain bordered in red. You can look at it though." Kaisean told Willow as she left the room.
Willow stood up from the bed and walked to the open door. She reached a hand inside and turned on the lights. "Oh Goddess." She whispered, "Cordelia would be so jealous she would kill for this." Clothing hung on rod set into the wall. From Versaci to Gucci and dozens of other designer labels. She ran a hand across one of the pants and was surprised that instead of the denim she felt incredibly soft leather dyed a dark blue.
"Beautiful." Willow whispered, she looked closer at the fabric and was amazed to see that instead of a zipper there were laces. She pulled on them experimentally and they came apart. "Damn where the hell did Kai get these made, Angel would love these." Willow realized what she had just said.
"Angel…" Willow sat on one of the padded bench set against the wall. She leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "Goddess I miss you Angel." She whispered, pulling up a leg to lean her cheek against her knee. Tears ran silently down her face, as she silently cried. Angel's face came up in her mind, the love that was in every movement of his body, in his eyes, his smile, his tears. Willow recognized now that Angel had loved her all along. Memories of his face as he watched her. Then she remembered the look on his face as she was dying. Tears ran even faster down her face as she silently sobbed, the full impact of what happened impacting the new Immortal.
What do you think he would want you to do if he died? > A voice whispered in her mind. "I-I don't know. Maybe….. I think he would want me to move on. I don't think he would want me to mope." Willow whispered.
Then do so mon ami. Live life to it's fullest, you will see him again soon. > Willow's tears slowed down then stopped altogether as she considered those words. I will. > Willow replied silently as she straightened up determinedly, her famous resolved face settling. "May I ask who are you?" I'm a friend. You will find out soon. > She thanked the voice, who sent back a silent welcome.
***
Kaisean rested back against the wall and smiled gently. I'm so
glad I could help Willow. > A lone tear trailed down her face, as she turned
to look at Methos.
"It is done." Methos stated, sweeping the tear away with his thumb. Kai leaned into the touch and kissed his palm lightly. He cupped her cheek in his hand.
"It is done." Kai agreed, her tone slightly husky. She was happy that she had been able to help Willow out, yet sad at the same time. In order to help Willow the way she had, Kai had to open up her mind to her friend. She had felt everything that Willow had. A love like theirs is oh so rare. > Kai thought.
It is rare, inamorata, not for us however. > Methos sent gently. He could not help but hear her thoughts, the bond between the two was so strong, they could never fully shield each other out. Clasping her hand in his he tilted her head up to look into her eyes.
But we truly have eternity. > Kaisean reminded Methos.
I know…. I know…. > Methos leaned his forehead against hers briefly before stepping back. He entered the room beside hers. Kaisean headed resolutely for the first floor where Richie was sparring.
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