DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTER IN THIS FIC BELONG TO THEIR OWNERS AND NOT ME.
BLAH. BLAH. THE USUAL STUFF.
THE DAWN
The four stood around the injured man, the wound on his chest gone. Buffy looked at Sita and back off slightly. For the first time she met something that scared her. Sita returned the look, staring into her eyes. "Well? Anything to say or has the cat got your tongue?"
Buffy continued to back off, looking at her. "Giles, do you know what she."
"It's not a hard concept. I am a vampire, you kill a bunch of Rashkars but you can except vampires." Sita looked away to the sky.
"Rashkars? I haven't heard them called that in years. Well not since reading the Vedas. Were did you ever hear them called that? Outside of some religious orders they have been widely adopted calling them vampires."
"Well let's just say I've been calling them that for a while. Old habits are hard to break." She looked at the boy sprawled out over the table.
"Habit, that would mean that you were alive when that term would be common place. Well over 3000 years ago," he looked at Sita and worried looked, "may I ask just how old are you?"
"You can ask, but don't expect an answer." Sita glared at him, "I've killed people for less than asking." She let her age enter her voice.
Giles swallowed slowly, Buffy at his side trying not to seem intimidated. Seymour intervened, "Sita this is getting us nowhere." Turning to Buffy he continued. "Trust us we don't want a fight."
"Yeah you're right," she looked at the young vampire then at Buffy, "you got a place he could rest up? My blood will need time to do its work." Nodding at the man sprawled across the table.
Buffy gives Giles a worried look realising this was not a good situation. "Sure, in the back there's a couch, were he can rest up." Sita lifted the boy and her and Buffy went into the back.
Sita laid him out on the couch and stood back and looked about the room. Notice the weapons mounted on the wall the mats and the wooded dummy, "This were you train? Cosy."
Buffy stared at her. "What are you doing here? What are you?"
"Not this again, I am a v-a-m-p-i-r-e and I am here to find you. This isn't getti.," she paused mid word. "Someone is coming." She rushed into the shop in time to see a dark figure enter the door. Beside him walked a jet black wolf, its eye scanned the room while his focused in on Sita. He was wearing a long black cloak a pair of shades covering his eyes, even thou it was the early hours. The vampires stood willing but unable to attack.
"You can relax I am not hurt you, and neither will my friend here. Sita don't you remember me? Its been a long time but."
"It can't been, you." her face showed a look of despair and fear.
Seymour looked at her concered. "Are you alright?"
She'll be fine. "It's just the shock of seeing old friends." The stranger looked about at the others faces, "Let me introduce myself, Mephiso."
"Mephiso, never heard of you and what's with the mutt?" The black animal returned her look and growled. Buffy was concerned things were running away from her.
"Buffy be quiet. This Mephiso is one of the most dangerous and oldest warriors in history. Not someone to be made fun of!" Giles harsh tone in his whisper shocked and scared her. This night was getting strange.
"Sita what is this guy he," Seymour took a deep breath, "smells strange?"
"He's a demon. He is older and stronger than me so don't do anything stupid." She stared at the figure.
"Of the good kind, I hasten to add. And this 'mutt,' as you called him" he turned to Buffy, "is my loyal guardian Cerberus. Not the Cerberus but still a force to be reckoned with." He returned his gaze to Sita. "It's good to see that you remember what I taught you in Rome all those years ago. I see the wounds have healed. But I am not here to indulge in nostalgia," he strode towards the group. "I am on business. That your boy you found is from a particularly warped dimension. His appearance has opened a can of worms of grave significance. With him comes Darook the Dark Lord of Canous, the bringer of death. And only that boy can save us now." He crossed the shop floor and sat at the table, "Come sit we have a lot to talk about before the sun rises." The others sat around the table egger to hear him out. "You see the powers up stairs," he nodded upwards, "saw his coming and they summoned you to deal with him. Two Yakshis, the slayer and a great sorceress. Buffy I believe you know her?"
Buffy thought for a second, "Willow?" he worried if her friend was up to it. She still hadn't recover from her brief darkness.
"Bulls-eye! With your four protecting him, he will defeat Darook, but only if he is protected. If Darook turns him to evil then we are up the provable creek, without a provable paddle. I can't get involved, so it is really up to you. I am just here as 'moral' support, raw deal but that's what the powers want! Questions?"
"Yeah what dose this, Darook want anyway? If this isn't his world what damage can he do?" Buffy still trying to get her head around tonight and what was happening.
"Enough, the first thing he'll do, is try and do is get some help. He'll probe your minds finding out your weaknesses and exploit them. Friends and family are all in danger. He has the power to bend he bounders that separate the worlds so he can do practically anything. But that isn't his goal he only cares for destruction. He was once a great man in his world, wise and kind but he was corrupted and the side of light lost a valuable Dragon Tamer." He paused taking a deep breath.
"Dragon Tamer? What's that?" It was Seymour's turn to ask questions.
"Yes a Dragon Tamer. A tamer of Dragons, you see in his world they are pretty common." He looked around at the group. "He would train them so that they would not see humans as a snack. Cause of this he grew very powerful and became susceptible to the darkness so he turned. You see that when he tamed a dragon you gain some of their power. That boy tried to stop him and in doing so lost the love of his life. A feeling that you ladies know to well." He looked at the girls they looked a way re-feeling the old pain. "Sorry to drag it up but you have to get to know him better than anyone. You'll have to watch him closely." He paused and looked at towards the window. "Well it's time up for now. Here comes the sun, Seymour you better get some sleep and Buffy you should get Willow and the rest of the scoobies." With that the first rays of the sun crept through the windows.
* * *
The whole group now sat around the table except Seymour who was in Sita newly bought house not far from Buffy's own. Willow sat on her own at the table but distance herself from the group Cerberus lay at her feet. Giles had shut the shop for the day, they had more pressing matters and they need their privacy. Mephiso had just filled the rest in on the situation Xander had a puzzles look on his face. "Bodyguard duty sound easy."
Mephiso looked at the young human. "It's not that simple. We only get one crack at this so you must call on all your strengths." He turned to Willow, "Even if you don't want to."
"I don't know if I can. The last time I." Tears began to run down her cheeks. "I." She ran from the table into the back Cerberus followed.
Buffy moved to go after her, Mephiso held up his hand. "Wait! I'll go. I must talk to her anyway." He rose and followed the young witch.
"Will she be alright?" Buffy turned towards Giles.
He shrugged, "She still hasn't overcome killing Warren. You yourself know how it feels to take a human life. It's a hard thing to get over."
The old Vampire shook her head. "It's easier than you think, if you have the time."
* * *
Willow found herself standing in the back against the wall tears flowing from her eyes. 'should of stayed they need me but I cant use my powers or.' She became aware of something behind her she turned to see the black wolf standing by her legs. "You should go I am not the best person to stand next too." The wolf liked her hand at her side. She pulled it away, "Didn't you here me. Go leave me alone!" The old wolf didn't seem to here her and lay down next to her. 'Dumb animal!'
"He's not to dumb." Saw Mephiso standing in the door way. He started to walk towards her.
"How did you.?" She stared at a look of bewilder mint across her face.
"Oh, I can read your thoughts. Thought that I told you? Ok well, now you know."
"It's not something that, that, you can forget to mention!" Willow scolded him.
"Well when you are as old as time these things happen. But you can't blame yourself forever, you weren't responsible."
She was caught at a loss at his bluntness. "What?"
"Warren. You still blame yourself, you shouldn't." He moved closer to her and placed a hand n her shoulder. "Your soul was filled with rage and thoughts of vengeance. Your minds eye was clouded by these."
She pulled away from him. "But what I did to Buffy and the others. I, they can, never forgive." She began to cry again. Weeping she turned away from him. "I've got this great darkness in me just waiting to come out. I can't let or it'll destroy everything!"
And those people out there don't suffer the same problem. That darkness is your emotions! If you bottle them up then when you finally do escape they will do so with great violence." He looked into her eyes. "Let them come out!"
"But-"
"No buts!! Just do it!" He looked at the boy still sprawled over the couch. "Imagine the pain he has went through. His entire life turned up side down in seconds. We all must bare our burdens and pains."
"But does it ever stop, the pain." She looked at him from behind her red eyes.
He turned to the door which led to the shop front. "I not the one to ask, but I don't think so. The pain is what it is to be human. Without it you become unfeeling and distant." He sighed and turned to her, "We better get back we have to prepare our battle plans."
She let a small smile cross her face. "Yeah."
THE DAWN
The four stood around the injured man, the wound on his chest gone. Buffy looked at Sita and back off slightly. For the first time she met something that scared her. Sita returned the look, staring into her eyes. "Well? Anything to say or has the cat got your tongue?"
Buffy continued to back off, looking at her. "Giles, do you know what she."
"It's not a hard concept. I am a vampire, you kill a bunch of Rashkars but you can except vampires." Sita looked away to the sky.
"Rashkars? I haven't heard them called that in years. Well not since reading the Vedas. Were did you ever hear them called that? Outside of some religious orders they have been widely adopted calling them vampires."
"Well let's just say I've been calling them that for a while. Old habits are hard to break." She looked at the boy sprawled out over the table.
"Habit, that would mean that you were alive when that term would be common place. Well over 3000 years ago," he looked at Sita and worried looked, "may I ask just how old are you?"
"You can ask, but don't expect an answer." Sita glared at him, "I've killed people for less than asking." She let her age enter her voice.
Giles swallowed slowly, Buffy at his side trying not to seem intimidated. Seymour intervened, "Sita this is getting us nowhere." Turning to Buffy he continued. "Trust us we don't want a fight."
"Yeah you're right," she looked at the young vampire then at Buffy, "you got a place he could rest up? My blood will need time to do its work." Nodding at the man sprawled across the table.
Buffy gives Giles a worried look realising this was not a good situation. "Sure, in the back there's a couch, were he can rest up." Sita lifted the boy and her and Buffy went into the back.
Sita laid him out on the couch and stood back and looked about the room. Notice the weapons mounted on the wall the mats and the wooded dummy, "This were you train? Cosy."
Buffy stared at her. "What are you doing here? What are you?"
"Not this again, I am a v-a-m-p-i-r-e and I am here to find you. This isn't getti.," she paused mid word. "Someone is coming." She rushed into the shop in time to see a dark figure enter the door. Beside him walked a jet black wolf, its eye scanned the room while his focused in on Sita. He was wearing a long black cloak a pair of shades covering his eyes, even thou it was the early hours. The vampires stood willing but unable to attack.
"You can relax I am not hurt you, and neither will my friend here. Sita don't you remember me? Its been a long time but."
"It can't been, you." her face showed a look of despair and fear.
Seymour looked at her concered. "Are you alright?"
She'll be fine. "It's just the shock of seeing old friends." The stranger looked about at the others faces, "Let me introduce myself, Mephiso."
"Mephiso, never heard of you and what's with the mutt?" The black animal returned her look and growled. Buffy was concerned things were running away from her.
"Buffy be quiet. This Mephiso is one of the most dangerous and oldest warriors in history. Not someone to be made fun of!" Giles harsh tone in his whisper shocked and scared her. This night was getting strange.
"Sita what is this guy he," Seymour took a deep breath, "smells strange?"
"He's a demon. He is older and stronger than me so don't do anything stupid." She stared at the figure.
"Of the good kind, I hasten to add. And this 'mutt,' as you called him" he turned to Buffy, "is my loyal guardian Cerberus. Not the Cerberus but still a force to be reckoned with." He returned his gaze to Sita. "It's good to see that you remember what I taught you in Rome all those years ago. I see the wounds have healed. But I am not here to indulge in nostalgia," he strode towards the group. "I am on business. That your boy you found is from a particularly warped dimension. His appearance has opened a can of worms of grave significance. With him comes Darook the Dark Lord of Canous, the bringer of death. And only that boy can save us now." He crossed the shop floor and sat at the table, "Come sit we have a lot to talk about before the sun rises." The others sat around the table egger to hear him out. "You see the powers up stairs," he nodded upwards, "saw his coming and they summoned you to deal with him. Two Yakshis, the slayer and a great sorceress. Buffy I believe you know her?"
Buffy thought for a second, "Willow?" he worried if her friend was up to it. She still hadn't recover from her brief darkness.
"Bulls-eye! With your four protecting him, he will defeat Darook, but only if he is protected. If Darook turns him to evil then we are up the provable creek, without a provable paddle. I can't get involved, so it is really up to you. I am just here as 'moral' support, raw deal but that's what the powers want! Questions?"
"Yeah what dose this, Darook want anyway? If this isn't his world what damage can he do?" Buffy still trying to get her head around tonight and what was happening.
"Enough, the first thing he'll do, is try and do is get some help. He'll probe your minds finding out your weaknesses and exploit them. Friends and family are all in danger. He has the power to bend he bounders that separate the worlds so he can do practically anything. But that isn't his goal he only cares for destruction. He was once a great man in his world, wise and kind but he was corrupted and the side of light lost a valuable Dragon Tamer." He paused taking a deep breath.
"Dragon Tamer? What's that?" It was Seymour's turn to ask questions.
"Yes a Dragon Tamer. A tamer of Dragons, you see in his world they are pretty common." He looked around at the group. "He would train them so that they would not see humans as a snack. Cause of this he grew very powerful and became susceptible to the darkness so he turned. You see that when he tamed a dragon you gain some of their power. That boy tried to stop him and in doing so lost the love of his life. A feeling that you ladies know to well." He looked at the girls they looked a way re-feeling the old pain. "Sorry to drag it up but you have to get to know him better than anyone. You'll have to watch him closely." He paused and looked at towards the window. "Well it's time up for now. Here comes the sun, Seymour you better get some sleep and Buffy you should get Willow and the rest of the scoobies." With that the first rays of the sun crept through the windows.
* * *
The whole group now sat around the table except Seymour who was in Sita newly bought house not far from Buffy's own. Willow sat on her own at the table but distance herself from the group Cerberus lay at her feet. Giles had shut the shop for the day, they had more pressing matters and they need their privacy. Mephiso had just filled the rest in on the situation Xander had a puzzles look on his face. "Bodyguard duty sound easy."
Mephiso looked at the young human. "It's not that simple. We only get one crack at this so you must call on all your strengths." He turned to Willow, "Even if you don't want to."
"I don't know if I can. The last time I." Tears began to run down her cheeks. "I." She ran from the table into the back Cerberus followed.
Buffy moved to go after her, Mephiso held up his hand. "Wait! I'll go. I must talk to her anyway." He rose and followed the young witch.
"Will she be alright?" Buffy turned towards Giles.
He shrugged, "She still hasn't overcome killing Warren. You yourself know how it feels to take a human life. It's a hard thing to get over."
The old Vampire shook her head. "It's easier than you think, if you have the time."
* * *
Willow found herself standing in the back against the wall tears flowing from her eyes. 'should of stayed they need me but I cant use my powers or.' She became aware of something behind her she turned to see the black wolf standing by her legs. "You should go I am not the best person to stand next too." The wolf liked her hand at her side. She pulled it away, "Didn't you here me. Go leave me alone!" The old wolf didn't seem to here her and lay down next to her. 'Dumb animal!'
"He's not to dumb." Saw Mephiso standing in the door way. He started to walk towards her.
"How did you.?" She stared at a look of bewilder mint across her face.
"Oh, I can read your thoughts. Thought that I told you? Ok well, now you know."
"It's not something that, that, you can forget to mention!" Willow scolded him.
"Well when you are as old as time these things happen. But you can't blame yourself forever, you weren't responsible."
She was caught at a loss at his bluntness. "What?"
"Warren. You still blame yourself, you shouldn't." He moved closer to her and placed a hand n her shoulder. "Your soul was filled with rage and thoughts of vengeance. Your minds eye was clouded by these."
She pulled away from him. "But what I did to Buffy and the others. I, they can, never forgive." She began to cry again. Weeping she turned away from him. "I've got this great darkness in me just waiting to come out. I can't let or it'll destroy everything!"
And those people out there don't suffer the same problem. That darkness is your emotions! If you bottle them up then when you finally do escape they will do so with great violence." He looked into her eyes. "Let them come out!"
"But-"
"No buts!! Just do it!" He looked at the boy still sprawled over the couch. "Imagine the pain he has went through. His entire life turned up side down in seconds. We all must bare our burdens and pains."
"But does it ever stop, the pain." She looked at him from behind her red eyes.
He turned to the door which led to the shop front. "I not the one to ask, but I don't think so. The pain is what it is to be human. Without it you become unfeeling and distant." He sighed and turned to her, "We better get back we have to prepare our battle plans."
She let a small smile cross her face. "Yeah."