As always, thanks for the reviews! If you've got any suggestions tell me, and I'll do my best to use them.

By the way, I'm thinking of shelving my other story "The Second Coming" due to lack of interest from the readers. If you read and tell me not to I might be compelled otherwise...

Also, I'm writing a Buffy/Faith story, so if anyone's interested in beta reading it please email me. Ta!

Anyway, enough with the shameless plugging and on with the story...

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Chapter 12

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Buffy sighed as her grandmother continued to insult in front of her mother.

"Joyce dear, look at her," she gestured towards Buffy's slouching figure slumped on the couch. "All skin and bone, not any sign of the curves women should have. What kind of gentleman in his right mind would fall for that?"

She gritted her teeth and pretended she hadn't heard the remark. Focusing instead on the television in front of her, she blocked the rest of the conversation from her ears. There was nothing interesting on, but the melodramatic soap was better than her grandmother's cynical comments.

It had been four days since they had left Sunnydale for the city of Los Angeles. And it had been five days since her mother had proposed the move. Joyce had already planned to move into her mother's apartment before Buffy's return, so all they needed to do was to pack Buffy's things and burn her father's. A day after her return they were driving past the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign and away from her childhood home. It had all been so fast that Buffy hadn't even had to time to think.

But now, having been shut away with her mother and grandmother for two days, she was beginning to go insane. She needed to get out. She needed to get away from her mother's quiet crying when she thought nobody could hear. She needed to get away from her grandmother's scathing comments. She needed to get away from the reminders of her father.

Slouching even further into the couch, she let her thoughts wonder to the school where she had been a resident. She had been waiting impatiently for the contact Wesley had promised, but so far, there had been no word. He had brushed aside her questions of how he would find her location, informing her that he had many contacts and it would take less than twelve hours to pinpoint her. The longing to be back among the friends she had made and be a part of the school was growing, and she ached for the time when she would patrol every night.

Her thoughts wandered back to the information Spike had told her the night she had accidentally overheard her teachers talking about her. Her memories were vague but she recollected that he had mentioned a war. What was the war he spoke of? What reason would justify a war? And who was it between?

She massaged her temples as it all became too much. She needed to get out. And fast. She stood abruptly, capturing the attention of the two women sitting at the coffee table.

"Are you going somewhere, Buffy?" Joyce asked.

"Ah, yeah," she replied as she crossed the room. "Just for a walk. I'll be back in an hour."

"I don't think you should go," her grandmother pronounced, narrowing her eyes. "It's nearly dark our there, what if she's attacked?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and grinned at the irony of it. The Slayer's grandmother worrying that she would be attacked at nighttime. Buffy debated what would happen should she explain that she was going to kill vampires, but she didn't think her mother would approve of giving her grandmother a stroke.

She went into her room, which was actually her grandmother's study, and covered her body with the hidden stakes she had carved the night before. Extra sharp and thin, they were far easier to use than the one she had on her first night of patrolling. She had tested them last night and found them quicker to maneuver and easier to pierce the heart.

She had barely slept a wink the night before. She had returned home from the cemetery reveling in the pride that she felt at having staked three vampires in the extent of two hours. And only sporting a few bruises and cuts, she considered the night a success.

And now, less than twelve hours later, she was itching for a fight. Although she knew that Giles- and not to mention the rest of her teachers- would have her hide for patrolling alone and without any experience, she couldn't help herself. She knew that she was endangering herself, but the desire for exhilaration and danger was simply too irresistible to control.

She grabbed a leather jacket from her still unpacked bag and realized in shock that it was Spike's duster. She recalled Spike throwing it to her before their drive and saying that it would keep the dust and grime off her. In all the rush, she must have forgotten about it, and it had somehow ended up in her travelling bag.

She shook her head at the absurdity of it but shrugged it on nonetheless. Although a few sizes too big, it fit her comfortably and she loved the way it flared out behind her when she walked. Looked much better on Spike though, she thought, then mentally smacked herself at the completely promiscuous thought.

Where the hell had that come from? Over the week she had spent at ASG, she had held many conversations with the men in charge. And she had to admit that many of them piqued her curiosity.

Gunn reminded her of a boy she had been infatuated with in her first year at high school. He had been tall, attractive and had that swagger that only African-American's could pull off. She had never spoken to him, and he had graduated a year later. Gunn seemed to be in complete control of himself and Buffy couldn't help but admire his attitude.

Wesley, in his rugged, sharp ambience, had an intellectual air about him. His eyes spoke of years of labor, grief and hardships that saddened Buffy to see in a man so young. While not so much good-looking, Wesley was an interesting character.

Then came Angel. Buffy just couldn't figure him out. One moment he was mister laid-back-and-tell-jokes, then the next he was mister I've-got-a-problem-so-I'm-going-to-brood. One day he would be smiling and happy, then the next he would be frowning and secretive. If there were one word to describe Angel, mysterious would top the cake. Although, handsome would come in a close second. What harm could a schoolgirl crush on her teacher do? Not much.

Spike. What the hell was his deal? She had been indebted to him when he had saved her life, but hadn't managed to thank him. He probably thought she was an ungrateful brat, too young to realize that he had saved her from a most likely painful death at the hands of thirty or so vampires. She was disgusted in herself for the lack of appreciation she had shown him, but she swore that she would once, if she ever returned to the school.

She didn't understand what part he played at the school. Obviously not a teacher, but he didn't fit the description of anything else. He seemed to turn up unexpectedly, always silently and always managing to scre the hell out of her. There was something about him that she couldn't unearth, something that made her shiver whenever she saw him...

Armed and ready, Buffy shook away her thoughts and left the confines of her grandmother's apartment despite her objections at Buffy's state of dress. Shoving her hands into the pockets of the duster she strolled down the street, hiding in the shadows of the buildings.

The street was alive with bustling pedestrians and wearied drivers. Cars tooted each other in annoyance, their drivers poking their heads out the window and abusing their fellow motorists. Buffy slid silently and unseen through the rush, moving from shadow to shadow like a ghost. This was one of her favourite part's of slaying: the ability to travel as a shadow, stealing from place to place without being seen by anything or anyone. Sometimes she would be seen, but as soon as she melted into the darkness she would see them shake it off as a trick of light.

It made her feel invisible, as though she had the capability to do what she pleased. And it gave her a sense of safety, knowing that she could disappear when the need arose.

She arrived at the cemetery a few blocks away from her grandmother's apartment and vaulted over the tall iron wall. She landed lightly on her toes and was away immediately, weaving through the gravestones and following her slayer senses, which were currently going haywire. Only a few minutes later she was jumped from behind and tackled to the ground. With unexpected ease she flipped onto her feet and staked the vampire before he even move. Either the vampires were getting stupider, or she was becoming quicker and stronger.

Three fledglings later, Buffy tired of the cemetery and opted to patrol the streets instead. She had patrolled for three nights, but this was the first time she would be interacting with vampires that were actually on the hunt. And not ten minutes later she heard the sound of a woman's scream. Tearing across the street and into the alley, she came upon a familiar tall girl surrounded by no less than five vampires.

"What's a pretty lass like you doing all alone?" vampire number one snarled at the frightened girl, whom Buffy recognized as one of her classmates.

"Not that we're complaining," vampire number two leered. "Make's meals a lot easier."

"Now, I'm gonna have to disagree with that," Buffy declared as she crossed her arms in front chest, causing the vampires to whirl around in surprise. The petite blonde behind them instantly replaced their focus on the tall girl.

"Well, what do we have here?" vampire number three growled.

"A terrified little girl that you're obviously going to try to eat," Buffy replied with a roll of her eyes.

"Got that correct, wee lassie," returned vampire number one as he lunged at her. With a quick prayer of luck and hope, she forgot to think and allowed the smooth motions to take over. Buffy ducked his wild swing and swept his legs from beneath him, reaching up to stake vampire number two before finishing off the first one. As the other three collapsed on her simultaneously, she rolled out of the way, straightened and pushed off the wall, landing on the other side of them.

"Sorry, that is incorrect, but you do win a nifty little stake in your heart," she quipped, dusting vampire number three from behind. With a strong punch vampire number four was sent flying into the heap of wooden boxes, exploding into dust as a broken segment of wood sliced through its chest. Turning to vampire number five, she placed the stake beneath her mouth and used it as a microphone, "Now contestant number two, do you take the stake or leave with your heart intact?"

As she had predicted the vampire fled down the alley. She debated for a moment, and less than a second later her stake was speeding through the air and slammed into the vampires back, disappearing along with it.

Turning her attention back to the cowering girl, she knelt beside her and lifted her chin.

"Hey, you're all right now," she said with a slight smile.

"W-what...oh my god," the girl whispered with a shake of her head. "This isn't happening...t-they were vampires?"

"Don't worry about them, you're safe now."

"Thank you so much," the girl said as Buffy helped her to stand.

"But...how? You look so young."

She shrugged, "What can I say? Destiny's a bitch."

The girl opened her mouth to reply when her eyes widened in horror. Buffy instinctively ducked, pulling the girl down beside her and kicked her leg into the air. She caught the vampire behind her in the jaw, knocking him back into his companion. She quickly stood and thrust her stake into its chest, proceeding to give its mate the same fate, when, to her surprise, it combusted into dust before her stake reached its destination.

"Got your back, B," In front of her, smirking wildly, stood Faith.

"Faith, what the hell are you doing here?" she asked her unexpected aid.

"Clubbing," she replied with a grin, jerking her head to the building beside them. Buffy could hear the loud beat of the music from inside and took notice of Faith's outfit. Or lack of, she thought to herself. "What a coincidence, huh? But what are you doing here? I thought you were meant to be in good ol' SunnyD."

Buffy scuffed the toe of her sneaker on the gravel, "I uh...we moved here. Me and mom," she replied.

"Bit sudden don't ya think?" Faith replied skeptically, then hurried on, "Not that I'm complaining or nothing, but it's pretty freaky, isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah," Buffy responded, glancing down at her shoes and avoiding the brunette's questioning gaze.

"Well anyway, B, that show you put on was pretty impressive."

Buffy grinned, "Thanks,"

"No, problem. But, god, did that adrenaline rush feel good. That was better than a shot of tequila any day. And this is your job! You're bloody lucky, you know that?"

"Faith," Buffy sighed, "You do realize you could have been killed? You were meant to wait until after I gave you lessons."

"Who cares?" she snorted, "I staked the thing good and proper, didn't I? Nat," she said, facing the tall girl, "you good?"

She nodded dumbly, casting nervous looks in Buffy's direction, and allowed Faith to take her arm. "Hey B, wanna get some more violence? I'll just take Nat back inside..."

Buffy shook her head apologetically, "Sorry Faith, but I'm about to head back. Been patrolling for a while now." She didn't want Faith in any more danger than she needed to be, and Buffy didn't think she would be able to protect herself and Faith when she was struggling with the first.

Faith nodded her crestfallen face and helped Nat back towards the club. Stopping suddenly, she dug into her pocket and pulled out a white envelope. "Angel gave me this to post to you, but since you're here what the hell," she said, handing it over to her. "Good to see 'ya, B. Your mates are missing you, and I swear Willow has copied all her notes for you," she grinned and Buffy chuckled. "Oh, and her and Oz are together."

"What? Seriously?" she asked incredulously. Well, she had seen the admiring looks from both parties and she knew it had been bound to happen sooner to later.

"Yeah, and Xander and Cordy are still at each others throats. All the teachers are acting weird, man. Anyway, I'll see you soon?"

Buffy shook her head, "Yeah, hope so anyway."

Faith left with her friend in tow, leaving Buffy alone in the alley. Glancing at the envelope in her hand, she opened it curiously. She read the first line and grinned.

* * * *

"We would like to inform you that you daughter, Buffy Anne Summers, has been accepted into Angel's School for the Gifted. Your daughter's past school reports have greatly impressed the staff at ASG, and we would like to extend an invitation for her to attend our school. We understand that she was removed from Sunnydale High School for reasons unknown and we would like to ensure you that we shall do nothing but the best for your daughter's education. Her excellent standard of work and ability to converse with others is apparent and we take great pleasure in this invitation. Please call the following number if you have an queries…Buffy, this is amazing!" Joyce exclaimed, smiling proudly at her daughter.

"Yeah…well," she shrugged, grinning inwardly at what she knew was Giles' attempt at hidden humor. She remembered his horror after telling him of her less than great marks at school and her notion of what 'homework' consisted of. What a surprise...Watcher-boy has a humor, she thought to herself. "So...can I go?"

Joyce stared at her daughter as though she were crazy. "Of course you can! This is exactly what we were looking for, and it seems a nice enough school. I might give this number a call tonight and ask about a few queries I have, but I think this may be the best option we have."

"It's the only option we have, mom," she replied, poking her head into the fridge and extracting a bottle of water.

"Uh, yes, I suppose so," Her eyes scanned further down the page and her eyes narrowed, her lips forming a frown.

"Mom?"

"Buffy, this is a boarding school," she answered, "I didn't know that. I don't want you to leave home, you're all I've...got left."

Buffy winced at her mother's pained expression. "Mom, that's why this will be good for both of us. I need a change of scene and you... well you need some time out. Get yourself sorted out, work through...this. You need to speak with another adult, someone like grandma and go out on the town or something. Meet some people your own age. And you know I'm just a phone call away, so you can reach me whenever you want," Buffy softened her voice and grabbed her mom's hand. "Mom, this school sounds really good, and I want to go there. Please?"

Joyce sighed and rested against the kitchen bench. She knew her daughter was right- she did need some time out, and she needed to meet people her own age.

"Okay, okay, you can go," she said only to be squashed in Buffy's hug. She squealed in glee, and Joyce chuckled before realizing that air was becoming a bit restricted. "Buffy, dear...need to breathe."

Buffy immediately released her hold on her mother, grinning sheepishly. "Oh, sorry," she replied, mentally slapping herself for forgetting about her Slayer strength. Joyce shook her head in amusement and brought her focus back onto the letter,

"I'll give them a call now, okay?"

"Thanks mom! I'll be in my room, okay?" She left the room with an extra bounce in her step, excitedly anticipating her return. Flopping onto her bed, Buffy contemplated her return, but five minutes later a loud curse reached her ears.

"Mom!" she cried, hurtling from the room, "What's wrong?"

She found her mom staring at the phone with a horrified expression. Joyce turned to her and said through clenched teeth, "Buffy, you start tomorrow. GET PACKING!"