I know not much has happened - it will soon... honest!

I still own nothing. And I'm tired and want to go to bed....

Chapter 5

"So who is she?" Buffy asked Kendra.

"She's the current slayer."

"And we're all the previous ones I take it. How many of us are there?"

"Nine."

"Why nine?"

"That is the number that is needed. The current slayer and the eight previous ones."

"And what happens when we're all here? Or do I not want to know?"

"You do not want to know."

"Oh." Buffy paused after noticing Kendra's expression. Whatever it is, it isn't good. "How long have you been here? Before I came around I mean."

"Before your life force returned to your body?" Buffy winced at the reminder of her death, "A few days. It takes time for the soul to return. Mine was called before yours."

"How come?"

"They found my soul first."

"And you tried to get out?"

Kendra snorted, "Of course. But the bars cannot be broken. They deliver food from a distance. Basics, bread, water. Just to keep us alive."

"Holiday in hell then."

"Maybe a permanent one."

***

"Why is it taking so long?"

"I don't know!" He ducked as his master's fist came flying towards his head.

"Find out."

"I've tried. It's as though something is keeping her there. Something extra."

"Well bump up the spell a bit you imbecile! I need her here now!"

He retreated away from his master back to his books to search for the reason that the 'rogue' slayer had not returned to her body as the other slayers had. He had found her soul, but something was stopping him from bringing it back.

"Perhaps it's time we tried something a little different." He commented as he picked up another book and flipped to a certain page. "It will hurt her more but," he stopped and then remembered his master's temper. "Better her pain than mine."

***

Faith was laughing at Legolas's face. She had decided to cheer him up. She knew he was worrying about her, even if he didn't show it. Consequently she had shoved him into a stream when he wasn't expecting it. He stood before her, sopping wet looking distinctly unamused. He advanced towards her to get his revenge.

Faith screamed as he picked her up to throw her into the water. And then she screamed in earnest as pain ripped through her. Legolas put her down anxiously trying to see the cause. Faith fell to the ground still screaming, unable to move for the pain that was coursing through her.

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Ohh dear.... What's happening? (Yeah I know it's kinda obvious.....) R&R please!