Oz sat in the lotus position. He seemed to spend a lot of time like this, but it was worth it. He was getting close he could feel it. A little more and he could finally confront his bestial alter ego. He just hoped the wolf would listen.
He opened his eyes and saw Willow sitting in front of him. Actually, any closer she'd be on him. Not that he'd mind.
"Hi." She said cheerfully. "Seen any furry you's in there yet?" Oz grinned.
"Not yet." He said. "Almost, though." Something was bugging him. Willow could almost sense it.
"Is something wrong?" She asked. Oz finally got to his feet, frustrated.
"I just wish this didn't take so long." He said. "The full moon's coming up. What if I break out?"
"Concentrating on what may happen will not help in your task." Cane said. "You must focus on the task at hand." Oz nodded. He was trying, it just seemed the wolf was purposely keeping him out.
"Can he take a break?" Willow asked. "Y'know, recharge the batteries?"
"There is nothing keeping him here." Cane said. "He may take a break if he wishes. It may help him find the focus he needs." Willow smiled as Oz wrapped his arms around her waist.
"So, Bronze?" He asked. Willow grinned slyly.
"Well, maybe for a couple of hours." She said suggestively. Oz grinned.
"I'll get my jacket." He said, moving off. Willow looked over at Cane.
"Can he do it?" She asked the Shao Lin.
"I do not know for sure." He answered. "He is doing well, but it seems that something is keeping him back. I do not know what." Willow nodded, slipping her hands into her pockets.
"Oh, almost forgot." She said, puling out a slip of paper. "I think I found your son. He was put through the Social Services system after the attack. He was adopted by a Manhattan detective and followed in his footsteps." Cane took the paper and looked at the two photos. The one of the boy looked like his son.
"It is he." He said sadly. "Thank you." Willow shrugged as Oz walked in.
"No big." She said. "You're helping Oz, and you helped Buffy. I'm just doing you a favour." Cane smiled. That such an innocent could grow in such an environment was beyond him. "'Sides, it was fun. Haven't had to hack government computers in years." Cane chuckled. Not quite so innocent.
"Ready to go?" Oz asked. Willow nodded and waved as they left. Cane smiled again. He was gong to miss these children, he realised. He would have to find a way to keep in contact.
Oz couldn't keep his eyes of the girl on stage. Her name was Veruca, she was the main singer in one of the other bands that played the Bronze, and for some reason Oz couldn't keep his eyes off her. To make things worse, Willow had noticed, repeatedly trying to get his attention. Willow looked over at Buffy, who was also looking intently at the stage, but the look on her face was completely different.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" She asked. Buffy looked at her friend.
"Get Oz out of here." Buffy ordered. "The chick on stage's a werewolf and she's got her eyes on your man." Willow looked at Buffy, horrified, then at Veruca, then at Oz.
"That miserable, dirty, skanky…" She muttered under her breath.
"Just get him out of, Wills." Buffy said. "I'll take care of the rest. With help." She focused on the link with her sister. "Shalimar, where are you?"
"Not far. Me and Angel are just around the corner."
"Tell Angel he'll have to stay outside for the moment. We have horny wolf problems, and I'm not talking about Oz, though he's coming close. I don't need Angel in drool mode."
"Got it, but he's not going to be happy."
"I'll make it up to him." Buffy turned her attention back to the stage. Oz and Willow were long gone, and Veruca was just starting another song. The wolf looked briefly at Buffy's table. Sorry, bitch, Buffy thought. You're not splitting my pack that easily.
Veruca had just finished her set. It was a pity Oz had left early. Oh, well, she'd have plenty of time to show him where he truly belonged in a few nights' time, and it wasn't with the soft skinned wimp.
She went past the table he had been sitting on, just to get another nose full of his sent. The blonde that had been sitting with them grabbed her by the arm while the other blonde that had joined her glared.
"I know what you are." She said. "And I know what you're up to. I'm here to tell you it won't work."
"It looked like it was working." Veruca sneered. The other blonde leaned over.
"Perhaps my sister was being a bit to subtle." She said. "It won't work because you're going to leave town. Tonight. Sunnydale can get real dangerous to the wrong people."
"Are you threatening me?" Veruca asked in an amused tone. "Because if you are, then you don't understand at all. Oz is a wolf. He belongs with his own kind. I'm going to prove that, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." Her amusement was cut short when two sets of cat's eyes glowed briefly.
"You're the one that doesn't understand." The first blonde said. "The name's Buffy. Ask around about what happens to people who mess with my friends." With that, Buffy let go, got to her feet and left, Shalimar close behind. Veruca watched them leave. Well, little pup, she thought. It seems you're friends are going to make this a little more interesting than I thought.
"Think we over did it?" Shalimar asked. Buffy shook her head.
"Nope." She said. "Doubt it even worried her. She's so damn confident she'll win." Shalimar nodded.
"Hopefully, Oz will get things under control soon." She said as they exited the club.
"We'll just have to make him see the dangers." Buffy said. "'Cause one thing's for sure. That bitch isn't going to balk at killing Willow to get Oz."
"So I take it she didn't get it?" Angel said, walking up behind them silently. Buffy smiled. Being alive hadn't detracted from his ability to move like a shadow.
"We could have put it on a neon sign and she still wouldn't get it." Shalimar muttered. Angel nodded.
"I know the type." He said, looking down at Buffy. "And so do you. Cordelia wouldn't stop." Buffy grinned.
"God she was a pain." She said. Another woman came to mind, another that had tried to take her Angel from her. "Darla." She said out loud. Angel winced. "Your former sire couldn't get the hint until you shoved that crossbow bolt through her heart."
"Xander." Angel said in reply. "He just wouldn't leave it alone." Buffy giggled.
"You two seem to attract the stubborn ones." Shalimar said.
"Makes things more fun." Buffy said. "Y'know, a test of loyalty." Angel put his arm around her shoulder.
"Speaking of which…" He said, nuzzling her neck.
"Bye, sis." Buffy waved as her mate pulled her away. Shalimar watched as they left. No prizes for guessing what they're going to be doing tonight. Hopefully Buffy will do her the favour of putting her shields up this time.
