Title: Awaken the Inu
Author: DhampyrX2
Genre: Crossover
Rating: PG-13
Timeframe: prologues are btw seasons 3 and 4. The rest starts season seven.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Poverty is my constant friend. Please don't sue. I make no money from this.
Note: Evil plot bunnies have invaded my brain again, and the demons of writer's block are spreading. Instead of Starting with a Buffy or Star Wars sequel, or adding to 'The One Who Sees", I feel compelled to work on this. Sorry. Blame the bunnies. Anya's right, they're EVIL. I also changed this from a season five idea, to a season seven idea. Just because I hate Caleb, and want Xander to have a bigger role in the proceedings.
Summary: Xander's father is not who he thought. His real father has decided to inform him of his heritage, leaving Xander with some tough choices.
*****
*"Xander, I want you to get Dawn out of here...I need to know that she's at least safe, and you're the only one I can count on to protect her if this goes bad...*" Xander kept replaying all the crappy excuses /General/ Buffy was giving to order him to the rear of the war. For almost seven years now, he'd given his all, and now she's trying to relegate him to babysitting the only other remaining regular human. It was bad enough she was sending him away again, but to ask him to betray Dawn like that too? He had alot to consider now, and not much time to think it over.
For over three years, he'd kept himself human by choice, putting himself in mortal danger and worrying his father, to keep her and the others grounded in reality. He'd taken innumerable abuses for his unknown sacrifice. Now, the threat seemed big enough that Xander though his choice was showing diminished returns. His humanity seemed to have it's last great stand when he talked a distraught Willow down. A Willow who he still didn't have the guts to admit his mixed heritage to.
"Hell, I didn't even have the guts to tell Ahn, or invite Dad to the wedding. It's like I knew it could never happen right.", he muttered to himself as he brooded.
Really, he knew he didn't even need to keep people together like he had. Dawn did a better job keeping Buffy human by all rights, and she was trying to get rid of her, too. The potentials were all regular humans as well, no matter what Buff seemed to think. Truthfully, she was getting more erratic, and it was scaring Xander breathless.
The First was moving this war on all fronts, including the war between Sesshomaru and Naraku. Turok-hahn had been added to baboon boy's army, which meant the First had more than one active portal to access them. Really, that was the only tactical move that made sense on the FE's part. Taunting Buffy into taking a weapon that could potentially turn the tide made no sense. Something had to be going on he was missing, and he doubted it was good. there was a trap here, Xander just couldn't figure out what it was.
Now, though, he had more immediate concerns. How was he going to handle things? Finally, Xander stood with a sigh. There was only one choice. He reached into his jacket pocket and hit a speed dial key on his phone.
"Hi, it's me.", he said.
"Xander! It's good to hear from you. We were all concerned for you. How are things? Do you need any help?", Kagura said, clearly excited to talk to him. She hadn't heard from him in almost a month, and after the strange happenings in Sunnydale and LA, his voice was a welcome sound.
"Yeah, I do. But I'll meet you. Uh, actually, could you meet me just past the interference point of the Hellmouth with some kind of rapid way to Dad's? Preferably one that works for me and Dawn. I'll be bringing her along."
The sudden concern in Kagura's voice was obvious as she replied, "Of course. The three of us can travel on Ah-Un's chariot. A few spells to conceal him from sight and La is just a half hour flight away. Why are you bringing Dawn, though."
"Buffy wants her fray adjacent, and me with her.", Xander said, his voice dead.
"Well, I suppose staying with Lord Sesshomaru is as safe as you can get.", Kagura said in understanding.
"No. That's not it. Buffy wants her with me, and that's where she'll be, but I'm not leaving a job half done.", he interjected. After a pause, he said. "It's time, Kagura. I'm ready, and we need the help. Circumstances are forcing me to grow up. I've hidden long enough."
The excitement in Kagura's voice returned as she said, "Are you sure, Xander-sama? What about Dawn?"
"I'm sure. I'll fill Dawnie in on the way out of town. Oh, and have Jaken arrange enough troop weapons for three dozen people, lightweight armor, light infantry weapons, and a few surprises set to handle bringers and Uber-vamps. I'm not letting the Potentials fight in the dark ages anymore. we need to smarten up, and if I'm going to Dad, I'm not going half-way. Oh, and arrange for Dawn to get a hotwash on twenty-first century demon fighting while we get the ceremony ready. We're short on time, and she should get as much prep as she can.", he ordered,, is voice sounding eerily like his father's as Sesshomaru planned a battle.
"Of course. I'll have two loaded vans ready for you.", she answered, fighting off a shiver at his tone. The fact he was old enough to pursue seriously rattled in the back of her mind. *Later. War first, pleasure when we have time.*, she chided herself mentally.
"Ship them as soon as they're loaded. I want them to arrive ASAP. They should be here by the time I'm back in the 'Dale. Can you spare any youkai troops?" Xander asked.
"Maybe Jaken and I. And that's just because your father worries so for you. Every troop, ningen, hanyou, and youkai alike are tied up cleaning up after the Jasmine mess and shoring up for Naraku's next attack.", she replied.
"That's still better than I expected with the way things are. Make sure Jaken and the other's at the estate know to treat Dawn properly. She's family as far as I'm concerned, and I'll test the Tetsusaiga on the first idiot who harasses her.", The Prince of the Western Lands said.
"Should I be jealous?", Kagura asked playfully.
"Nah, she's too young for me. I've always been into _older_ /demon/ women.", he flirted back slyly.
Kagura laughed amusedly at that. "Don't I know it. I guess I'll have to work with that, ne?"
Xander was serious as he answered, "Maybe later. We have too much to worry about already."
"I know.", Kagura replied somberly. "A youkai can still hope, though. Either way. I'll meet you where I picked you up last year to visit us."
"We'll be there. Be safe, Kagura.", Xander said.
"Be safe, Xander-sama.", Kagura replied, before hanging up. She turned to set to the arrangements, only to be confronted by Sesshomaru, who had been clearly listening for quite a while.
"This Sesshomaru will make the arrangements he asked for. Get yourself ready, and have the stables prepare Ah-Un.", he said emotionlessly, before turning and leaving the room.
"Yes, milord.", she replied, bowing her head.
*****
"Dawn, I need your help looking for...uh, crossbows in my car. Can you join me outside.", Xander asked.
"Sure thing, captain Blood.", Dawn said, glad to escape Andrew's current speech about Babylon 5.
Once they were outside, Dawn began looking through the car's trunk. Xander, crouched down next to her, seeming to search as well. "Dawn," he whispered, "I need you to trust me. Buffy thinks I'm getting you out of here. When we get to the main part of the car, I'm going to put a clean hanky up to your nose. Pretend it's full of chloroform and act like you're passed out. I'll explain on the way, but I've got a surprise to set up for the First Evil."
"What?" Dawn asked quizzically, not believing what she was hearing. "Xander that's..."
He cut her off as he asked, "Do you trust me, Dawn?"
"Yes.", she said without hesitation.
"Then trust me now.", he said, as he went to the passenger side door and opened it.
Dawn closed the trunk and followed him after a moment's hesitation to think things over. Bottom line, she trusted Xander too much not to agree to hear him out. "Do it, but this better be good.", she said, pantomiming telling a joke, before reaching into the car, and leaving her back unprotected.
"Thank you.", he said, as he 'knocked her out' with his clean handkerchief.
*****
OOC: I'll leave it there for now. Just because it's getting long. I'll post the next chapter soon.