Part 7
"What is the Falleen?" Willow questioned, looking back at Kaisean. She sat down on a lounge chair across from Kaisean and Methos who followed suit. "And just *what* is everyone here? I mean all of you have a powerful aura and I can sense something that is different about all of you from the others at the party. Just what is it though? You all acted differently around the other's during the party. I mean I didn't think of it until now that I see all of you gathered here.... " Willow trailed off, thinking more and more of just how everyone acted around the people gathered in the room. They were treated overall cautiously with a healthy dose of respect, from everyone. From all the different types of vampires, shapeshifters and magic users. If you include the demons and the humans who shone with power, and you figure out pretty quickly that whatever the Falleen were, one thing was for sure, and that was that they were treated with respect.
There was silence for a several long moments in which the room quiet, and everyone turned to look at Kaisean and Methos. Kai raised an eyebrow at Methos in question and he gave a small shrug coupled with a slight smile. Kaisean took a deep breath and began to explain to Willow just what the Falleen was.
***
I can't believe this is happening to me.> Willow thought for the thousandth time that night. The redhead had just heard, and seen some things that Willow had never thought could even exist. A group of people working together, for all purposes like a supernatural family that was devoted and loyal, first to each other then to what exists outside of their closed ranks. Seen demonstations of powers that defied Willow's definition. She never thought that the secret that Kaisean and Methos hid from her would be so... Extensive and complex, was all she could think of. And she, Willow Anne Rosenberg had just been adopted, if that could describe it, by Kaisean Menard and Methos. The leaders of said family, which called itself the Clan or Pack Falleen. Willow had wondered why she had never heard anything about the Falleen, until they had explained to her just what lengths they went to, to protect the identities of the Clan except to a select few. Even fewer knowing who the leaders of the Pack were.
And Willow still had a feeling she had a lot more to learn about Kaisean and Methos, including the enigmatic people the two Immortals led. Willow had learned the different levels of rank, and types of creatures within it's ranks. Her own rank was third, sharing rank with another female Kaisean had named as Tracy Vetter. Who apparently would be arriving from Toronto with two other Falleen, and a horde of guests for the party which Kaisean and Methos would be hosting.
Willow tried to not wonder about who would be at the party but, she had a very intense feeling that it was someone important. Tonight has been pretty full of suprises that's for sure. And I have a sinking feeling that Methos and Kai have a hell of a lot more in store for me. I'm not sure if I'll be able to deal with everything that they will reveal to me...> But there was such a feeling of rightness when Willow learned something new from her mentors. That she was supposed to be here... In this place and at this time... This is what frightened Willow the most no matter how much she didn't want to dwell on the subject. She shrugged away the feeling, burrying them to be examined in greater detail another time.
Willow almost tripped as she made her way down the hall to her room. She couldn't believe that she had just spent the last couple of hours on her feet in some way. None of the Falleen let her sit down for more than several minutes, and she could tell by the way her feet were aching. Tenshi's comment about her feeling better soon didn't help her out much. She looked out of the window and saw that the sky was beginning to lighten already. Willow went over the evening, still feeling slightly dazed, and amazed from what she had seen at the party. She remembered Richie's last remark before he went off to his room. 'Willow there's going to be another party in a couple of days.'
'Oh yeah.' The usually quiet Demon added. 'That's when our friends are coming. *And* when you will be meeting them.' A look which Willow couldn't quite understand entered his eyes at that moment. The new Immortal shook her head and began to undress. "Goddess, I have a feeling that the coming days will just be momentous in my new life."
She fell back onto the large bed and almost fell asleep, before she remembered what her teachers had been telling her. Willow opened her eyes, looking for her coat near the side of her bed and picked it up. She took out her sword from it's sheath and propped it between her bed and the nightstand. A few experimental drawings, and she finished setting it up to her satisfaction. He last thought before she fell asleep was, And I bet Methos and Kai will find some way to suprise me in the morning and scare the hell out of me, leaving me without my sword. >
***
A long loud scream vibrated through the sleeping minds off all of the Keep's residents. Methos immediately went through the magical door that seperated his room from Kaisean's. He knew from the way her mind was closed of to his that it had to be her. Kai never closed off her mind to him so completely. Tenshi and Demon burst into Kai's room a moment later. After them a sleepy Willow followed along with Richie.
"What happened?" Willow cried rushing toward the bed as she saw Kai floating gently in the air. Lavender colored energy sparked from her body reaching out tentative tendrils as Willow came over. A look of horror came over Methos' face as Willow almost reached the bed before she was tackled by Tenshi. "Willow, you can't touch her when she's like this." Methos said, sitting beside Kaisean floating body. He reached out a hand, deep blue sparks leaped from his outstretched hand to meet the tendrils extended from Kai. He shot a look at Tenshi, who nodded slowly in agreement.
"What's going on? Methos?" Willow said, watching frightened as Methos leaned back and began to float also. His hands were joined to Kai's. "Tenshi? Guys, please tell me what's going on?" Richie just shook his head in awe at the proceedings, before looking at Tenshi and Demon.
"I... None of us can tell you at the moment just what is going on Willow. Only Kaisean and Methos can. I barely know anything about it, and that what I do know, Kai swore me to secrecy and I even submitted to coercion spells so that no one would be able to find out what little I was told." Tenshi said in a low tight voice, tensely watching what was happening before them. He turned back to look at Willow and Richie. "We all should go back to sleep. They'll be at it for a while."
"But..."Willow whispered looking back fearfully at the floating figures which shined a throbbing pulse of energy. Willow could feel the amount of power in the room go up, her magical senses were tingling with it's intensity. All of a sudden the pulse spiked, making Willow lean against the wall for support before the energy lowered to the point that Willow could barely feel it. "What was that?"
"Later Willow, I'm sorry about this. We can't explain any of it in such a way that it will make sense. I have a feeling though that this time whatever is happening to Kai and Methos... It's going to be important enough that they'll have to explain it to the Pack. I don't know why though... It's just a feeling." Tenshi paused, gesturing for them to follow him out of the Kai's bedroom. He closed the door softly behind him and leaned against it to look at Willow, Richie and Demon. "Actually it's more than that. I think Methos was trying to tell me that before he joined Kai..."
Willow remebered the look that Methos shot Tenshi and nodded slowly in agreement with the young man. She reluctantly went back to her room, slipping back into bed and into sleep, her dreams were a landsape full of half familiar figures. The one that stood out the most to Willow was the tall dark man who stood at her side through out it all. She had a feeling... more exact than a feeling... she knew that he was Angel.
When Willow woke up the next morning she had no clear memory of what she had been dreaming, all she remembered were the hazy image of eyes the color of dark rich chocolate that comforted her with their intensity and love.
* * *
Kaisean burrowed deeper into Methos embrace, both of them frowning simultaneously as they were washed over with new images... It had been five hours since it had began... Both were tired and exhilirated at the same time, a sense of euphoria coming over them as they went into the final stage that usually followed these sessions. They would both have to deal with the coming days with a great deal of caution and wariness. There were things they still could not see... People who they knew nothing about that would play a major role in the days to come.
They knew that it was the imminent time to reveal some of what they were and why they were actually doing what they did. Why Kaisean had adopted Willow, taking her into the Clan. The cases of allowing new members into the Pack usually took weeks of discussion between first the Dikatan and the rest of the Clan members then between Kai and Methos. That Willow had been accepted so readily by not just Kaisean and Methos, but by Tenshi, Demon and Richie made it clear to the Falleen that there was something *very* important going on.
But what exactly that was...? Methos and Kaisean would not be able to reveal the answer to *that* question till the time was right. Both of them hoped that life in San Franciso wouldn't be to uncomfortable once the truth came out. Kaisean had a feeling that they would all understand, but it would take varying amounts of time to absorb it all. Methos, who knew better the natures of those who were close to them, agreed with Kaisean to a point.
Kaisean mentally frowned as she felt Methos' thoughts penetrated her mind... How *do* you think they will react...? > She questioned as they drifted in and out of the deep sleep like trance.
I'll tell you later cara, no worries about it. >
Part 8
Willow made her way down the long halls of the Keep, hesitating as she passed Methos and Kaisean's rooms. She shook her head and headed for the stairs, hurriedly making her way to the floor where all the magick workrooms were. After all, Kaisean did say to her that they would be doing magical lessons today. "Ok now I think it's time for me to choose my divination tools." Willow muttered as she crossed the room to where Kaisean had said all the cleansed divination tools were that hadn't been used. She moved her hand over the silken pouches that held runes and tarot cards and all sorts of other things that Amy had told her about but never shown her how to use. Using her intuition her hand dropped on the bag that held a thick deck of card. A voice interupted her as she picked the pouch up.
"Doing a little divination?" Tenshi asked as he crossed his arms, leaning against the large sliding doors that led into the set of rooms. His hair fell across his face creating a somewhat rakish look when combined with brilliant green eyes. He moved with sinous grace further into the room.
"No, Kai told me that we would be having some magical lessons today." Willow had tried putting aside what had happened last night, but it still stuck in her mind. She sat down on a large cushion set beside a low table and tried to relax as she waited. Tenshi looked at her for one long moment then moved to sit beside her.
"Your still bothered about last night aren't you." Tenshi stated more than asked as he drew up his knee and rested his chin on it. At Willow's nod, Tenshi looked hesitant but decided to broach the subject. "You really don't have to worry Willow. They wouldn't harm you, and they really aren't trying to keep secrets. But I will tell you this, don't try to talk to them about it if they don't broach the subject first."
Willow nodded as she considered Tenshi's words. She felt Methos' approach her, and she straightened in her seat. Tenshi stood up and squeezed Willow's shoulder reassuringly. Methos entered the room first, with Kaisean at his side. She gave Tenshi a little hello kiss on the cheek, which Tenshi reciprocated with a hug, he left the workrooms with a last glance at the new Immortal. Willow carefully looked the couple over, noting that the they practically glowed. Like they just had some really good, mind-blowing sex. > She bit her tongue to stop from laughing at the thought. Kaisean dropped to her knees next to Willow, where Tenshi had been sitting just moments ago. "So on with the lessons?" Willow asked with a wide smile on her face.
Kaisean nodded slowly as she realized that Willow wouldn't touch upon what had happened the night before. Tenshi must of told her about not asking us anything about what happened... Good. I really don't want to reveal to her about that little facet to Methos and I. Yet more secrets hidden from her... Hopefully she won't react to badly when Angel arrives.>
* * *
Willow's head felt heavy, and slightly ached from all of the excercises she had just been put through. First meditation, then concentration excercises, finally there was an excercise on her telekinetic control. All of them had started out slow however, which Willow was grateful for. Watching Kaisean and Methos work magic and their bodies so effortlessly had made her hunger for their skill. That is until Kaisean showed her the kind of training that she went through to get to the point she was in her life. Endless days of lessons, as soon as she got up in the morning, after she got home from school only stopping for lunch. Then Kaisean would have her other lessons in martial arts. The hours were long and hard for Kaisean, she didn't have the time to make any friends, she was totally dependent on her brother, and on the people that she wrote to weekly. Methos had left about halfway through the lessons, saying that he had some errands to finish.
As Kaisean ran her hand through her hair, Willow caught the marks on her wrists. How the heck did those get there? When she went to the party I didn't see anything like that. > Willow wondered as she leaned heavily against one of the columns in the workroom. She slid down the comforting length until she was sitting down on the floor. Wondering if she could ask, Willow shrugged her shoulders and asked in a soft tone, "Kai... How did you get those?"
"What these?" Kaisean questioned as she looked down at the scars on her wrists. They were circular scars, that were about a three quarters of an inch in diameter, situated on each side of her wrists, as if something had piereced the skin and gone through to the other side. The other redhead looked uncomfortable as she spoke to Willow, looking of to the side when she spoke softly, "They happened about three months ago. Tenshi, myself and several others, got stuck in this one place... I recieved this while I was there. I have something to match them on my ankles... they were made with spikes."
"Your... ankles...?" Willow asked horrified, her mind trying to see how the wounds would have been dealt. Against her will she could imaging seeing it in her minds eyes, see the spikes drive into skin. Blood pouring down pale skin. And she knew how and why they would have been made. Made with spikes... Oh Goddess bless, Kai was crucified!!! But crucifiction is deadly! How come Kai is still alive? >
"Yes I was... And to answer your question, Tenshi and some others... intervened on my behalf." Kaisean turned back to look at Willow, answering the words that had been both thought and spoken involuntarily out loud. There was such horror in Willow's voice, horror that Kaisean understood. She had been through much while on Ashtaria, yet she had also learned many things. "I will tell you sometime the circumstances that led to it, but as of this time... I'm really just trying to get on with my life... You know? I hid them at the party because I wished to, I have many more other scars."
The clearing of a throat made Willow turn toward the door. There stood a tall black man with the body of someone who truly worked out or went through a lot of combat. He was dressed in a chain mail top, black jeans, and black combat boots. A warm voice said in a clear voice, "Tyr Anasazi, you are Willow Rosenberg." He stated, more than asked.
Willow nodded and turned her eyes questioninly toward Kaisean. "Tyr is a nova, a powerful one at that, he's also apart of the Pack."
Willow swallowed and smiled at the tall man. "Nice to meet you... Tyr." She tried not to wince as he walked into the room and looked her over carefully.
"You'll do." Tyr stated, turning on his heel and leaving the two redheads alone. Willow sat there with her eyes wide open as she looked at the retreating form. "Goddess, he's massive!"
"Yeah, I know, he sure is cute though huh? I mean the set of abs that he has is enough to make a girl swoon. I wouldn't think about going after him though, he's totally devoted to Beka, another member of the Pack. And she can be truly vicious considering her powers." Kaisean said in a deadpan voice, keeping her face clean of the mirth she felt as Willow's head snapped around to look at her.
Eyes, narrowing slightly, Willow growled out, "That isn't funny Kaisean!" She stood up, already beginning to feel more energy toward in her as she stalked to where Kaisean was seated several feet across from her. When Kaisean's lips twitched and laughter began to spill forth from the younger girl, Willow bent over and quickly grabbed a cushion, hitting the laughing girl in face. Kaisean's eyes widened, and she smirked. Why the hell is she...? > Willow thought as she quickly hit Kaisean again. All of a sudden several cushions collided into Willow's body, making her fall over onto the padded seating area. "Not fair Kai! You can't use your powers in a pillowfight! It's against the rules of pillow fights that were first established when the first slumber party occured thousands of years ago. You know when those Greek and Roman noblewoman were having galas that..."
And so passed the rest of the day. The two girls never did really get back to Willow's lessons. Kaisean did teach Willow how to play cradle, a card game that Kaisean had learned some time ago, as well as showing the Immortal the match to her wrist scars.
* * *
Night quickly came to the city, and Willow found herself being dragged by Tenshi into a black limo that was parked in the garage right in front of the elevators. The inside was plush, with a black interior, there was enough room for ten people to sit comfortably. "Where are we going?" Willow demanded. She did trust Kaisean and Methos but there was a limit to the amount of secrets that she could take. There was silence from the other people in the car. Her eyes went from Demon, Tenshi, Tyr, and a blonde woman that she hadn't been introduced to but from the way that Tyr possesively held her waist, Willow guessed that this was Beka.
"We're going to be picking up some people from the airport. They're coming in from Toronto..." Methos finally said into the silence. Willow's face flushed in anger, she could tell that there was a lot more that they weren't telling her, which was starting to piss of her legendary temper.
"*Who* are we picking up Methos?" Willow asked deliberately using the Immortal's real name. This made the eldest Immortal's eyes flash in anger, but he managed to keep his composure by gesturing slightly toward Kaisean.
"Some members of the Pack, some friends of theirs... and... an old friend of yours from Sunnydale, Angel..."
Oh Megami-sama (Goddess)!!! What a bloodly cliffhanger! I'm sorry I
couldn't help it! It's the scene that you've all been waiting for, Angel
and Willow... Reunited! Well they will be in the next part, that is after
Willow has a *little talk* with Kaisean and Methos.