Title: CONSEQUENCES

Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own them (regrettably so). Buffy and Angel belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, UPN, and Mutant Enemy etc. Rurouni Kenshin (RK as it's known among anime fans) belongs to Watsuki Nubuhiro, Sony pictures etc.

Rating: R (for now)

Spoilers: up till "Damage" in Angel. Also, Anya didn't die at the end of "Chosen" in Buffy.

CH#7: Happenings.

There was complete silence in the room. No one could've guessed that a fight for survival had just occurred in there. Spike looked up to see a shaken Fred holding the blow pipe in her hands. Seeing the concern in his eyes, she gave him a somewhat uncertain smile. Seeing that she was alright, he looked at the others. Percy had no visible injuries; the cheerleader was picking herself up from the floor; Gunn had a cut on his head & a few bruises but nothing life-threatening; the slayer was bleeding from her shoulder and Angel was on the floor, lying in a pool of his own blood.

Spike got up from beside the unconscious boy & looked at Fred, "Pet, if you're alright, why don't you see to the slayer's wounds?" He then looked at Gunn & Wes, "You boys ok?"

"I'll live" replied Gunn. Wesley nodded his head in agreement.

"Good. Find me some chains. We gotta tie up Wonder-boy here before he wakes up." Spike said as he stood over the boy's prone form with a strange expression on his face.

Gunn took out his cell phone from his coat pocket & speed-dialed security. Meanwhile Cordelia was checking up on Angel.

"Guys, help me get Angel to a couch." She said as she tried to lift him up. Wesley gave her a hand and soon Angel was lying on the sofa.

Soon Riana had been bandaged, & the boy was securely tied up. Everyone looked on as Fred & Cordelia tried to patch Angel up. Riana looked on in shock at Angel's wound, "Why did he help me?"

Gunn looked at her and said snappishly, "You wanted to die?"

She looked at him awkwardly & said, "No. I mean… he's a vampire? Why was he trying to save me?"

Gunn looked at the unconscious Angel & said, "It's the kinda guy he is. He has a soul. He ain't like other vamps."

While Gunn was talking to Riana, Cordy was trying to keep herself from hyper-ventilating. Conner attacked Angel. WHY??? Can it be that he remembers? And why is Conner killing these girls? She could feel her head beginning to pound as she thought of the mess that they were in, more so because the others didn't know about Conner.

As Fred finished patching up Angel, she said, "He's going to need a lot of blood. These wounds won't heal by themselves. We better get some bags of blood & a drip in here right away."

Wesley looked up from the spot on the ground he'd been staring at & took charge, "Alright. Fred, Cordelia see to it that Angel gets his blood supply. Gunn, remove all evidence of any sort of commotion here tonight. The employees shouldn't find out about this. Also I trust you to keep Eve away from here. Spike, take the boy & go to this address" Wes said as he jotted down the address of The Hyperion to Spike "Make sure he's securely tied up in the cage in the basement. Riana… it looks like you're stuck with us for the moment. Call your family & tell them that you're safe & will return later."

Cordelia & Fred nodded their heads & left the room followed by Gunn. Spike picked up the boy & he too left the room. After everyone had left, Wesley stayed for a while before he too left the room.

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[Unknown Location]

It was a large room made up of black stone. There were several men in the room, all carrying swords with them. In the center of the room, there was a fire in the shape of a pentagram. A woman was standing in the center of it, chanting incantations as two robed men circled it repeating her incantations. By the wall, opposite to the entrance, there was a man sitting in a throne like chair. He was covered in bandages from head to toe. He wore purple glove on his hands & a purple robe was flung carelessly over his right shoulder in such a way that it passed under his left shoulder. There was a sheathed katana lying beside his throne. Two men stood to his either side with eleven more directly behind him. Two other men stood off to the side watching the proceedings with mild interest.

The man standing to the left of the throne suddenly said, "He's late."

The man sitting in the throne & the other man both looked at him but it was the other man who said, "Yes. I believe he must have been detained."

The man in the throne spoke up, "Did he complete his assignment?" his voice was chilling & strong.

"No, My Lord." The second man spoke.

"What? But you said that he was one of the best. If he can't kill a single abomination, then what good is he?" the first man asked indignantly.

"We didn't choose him because of his skills alone, Mr. Houji. His connection to Angel makes him a…. powerful weapon." The other man replied in a soft, patronizing way.

"Yes… the boy is strong. How many more of the slayers have you located?" The bandaged man asked.

"We have found several, Lord Shishio, although they seem to be sticking closely these days. Must be a result of our success." Houji replied with a smirk.

"All the more easier for us. We can finish them off all at once." Shishio said.

"You have not forgotten about our agreement, have you?" the other man asked Shishio.

"Do not worry. You will get what you want, as long as I get what I want." Shishio replied.

"Hm…what I don't understand is why you called us, Mr. Manners? You must have known that calling upon the Hitokiris is risky?"

"It was to our benefit. The Senior Partners felt uncomfortable with the situation at the hellmouth. Besides, Angelus had already put a dent into our plans by killing the Beast. We would have been lost if Angel hadn't accepted our little proposal. The spell that witch performed, made things even more interesting for us." Holland Manners replied.

While Houji & Manners were talking, Shishio rose from his throne & made his way towards the woman in the pentagram, "How long Yumi?"

The woman looked up from where she was now sitting in the pentagram & said, "Not much longer. Ra'vaer will rise as planned. & soon, you shall have you powers back."

"Excellent." Shishio replied with an evil smirk, "I can't wait for the day I bring hell on earth."

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[The Watcher's Council, Cornwall, England]

There was an unusual amount of activity at the Watcher's Council headquarters. All the senior staff was present & there was a meeting going on inside the Library.

"We can't risk letting Angelus fool us around" a watcher was saying to the group before him, "For all we know, he could be the one behind all those killings." There was a murmur of assent from some of the watchers present.

"I have lost all 3 of my slayers, all in one night too. This isn't coincidence. They were all butchered. That kind of viciousness could only be the work of Angelus. He was dangerous before, now he even has the backing of those villains at Wolfram & Hart." Another watcher said with evident bitterness in his voice.

"We don't know for sure. He personally called the Council & assured us that he wasn't to blame for this." Giles said from his seat at the head of the table.

"And you believed him?" Woods asked incredulously, "C'mon Rupert, He may have been good once upon a time, but he's with Wolfram & Hart now. There's no way that they would let a white hat control their business."

"Aye it does seem dodgy. But why would Pryce work for him then? As I recall, he was all about doing things by the book. The lad was a complete straitlaced pansy." An old man (a previously retired watcher whom had survived the blast) said.

There was a snort from across the room. Everyone looked up to see Faith leaning against a table.

"Yes Faith? Would you like to share something with us?" the old man asked in a smooth voice.

"Your description of Wes is so last century Grayson. He's changed. He was the one who broke me out of prison & took on Angelus with me. I saw him torture a girl just so he could find Angelus' whereabouts. Hell, He even had me poison myself so that they could recapture Angelus. I'd say he's more than capable of doin' anything as long as he believes it's for the 'greater good'." Faith said as she dragged on a cigarette.

There was a small silence as everyone digested this piece of news. Everyone except the scoobies, that is. Willow & Faith had told all of them what Angel's team was now made up of.

Xander looked at Giles and asked, "What do we do about this? We can't let our Slayers get slain like this."

Giles was about to speak when a voice said, "We wait. If the attacks don't stop, then we take out whoever's causing it." The others looked up to see Buffy & Dawn standing at the door.

"Sorry we're late. But Dawn was having her exams so we couldn't leave early." Buffy said as she perched herself on the table, near Giles.

"Glad you could make it, Buffy. You're saying that we wait?" Giles asked her.

"Yeah. I mean… we don't have enough proof right now. Sure they're dying in his city but that doesn't proof anything. We wait but if there are more killings, then we head to LA."

Anya looked up from where she was sitting & said, "But how do we know if it's him that's doing it? I mean, yeah he's the head of a law firm and all, but other than that, what?"

"He seemed real eager to get his hands on Dana." Andrew spoke from his chair.

"It doesn't matter, if we get proof or not. If these killings continue, then we pay him a visit. Wills, can u find out who's been hunting them?" Buffy asked her red haired friend.

"I tried. I and some others too but there seem to be something blocking us. It's strong. There were times when I think I saw the profile of a man, but couldn't see his face."

"Alright… keep trying. For now, we stay on full alert. There is to be no solitary patrolling in & around LA, since that's where these killings seem to be occurring. All Watchers present in that area are to be notified immediately. If there are any more incidents, then the Council will take action. This meeting is adjourned." Giles said.

Soon the room was empty except for the Buffy & the scoobies. After a round of questions regarding everyone's health, Buffy asked, "Is it true Giles?"

"Well… all the happenings do suggest that it's true Buffy." Giles said.

"But how do we know that it's him & not some other demon that's been killing them?" She asked.

Giles was about to answer but Andrew spoke first, "Well… he did seem pretty pissed when I took Dana from him."

"So? That makes a demon bad? Honestly, you people are so biased!" Anya said from her chair.

Everyone looked at her oddly but then Willow said, "I hate to admit it, but she does have a point. There's no evidence to suggest that Angel was behind these killings."

"That may be Wills, but c'mon… he doesn't like to lose. Who knows? Maybe Angelus has come out. There's no reason NOT to mistrust him." Xander said.

"Um… I don't know this Angel/Angelus person, but if I was in his shoes & someone threatened me, I would remove the threat, which he seems to be doing." Woods said.

"Yeah…& don't forget, he was the one who brought that amulet that killed Spike." Dawn said to no one in particular.

As everyone thought about the peroxide Vamp, they didn't see that Andrew was rapidly changing color.

"Anya looked up, "So… what do we do if the killings continue?"

Buffy looked up & said, "We take 'em out."

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[Next day…W&H]

The next morning, the staff was surprised to learn that Mr. Angel was currently unavailable & that Ms. Chase (wait…wasn't she in a coma???) would be holding his position as acting CEO.

Cordelia, the rest of the fang gang & Spike were in Angel's office when Harmony's voice rang out, "Um…Wes, Eve's coming this way."

Wesley looked up sharply & said, "Charles, did you remove any signs of forceful entry last night?"

"Yes. No one can tell anything by looking at this place." Gunn said as he got up from his chair.

Wesley was about to ask something further when the door opened & in came Eve, "well…this is a surprise. So…sleeping beauty's awake." She then made her way to the desk & perching herself on it, forwarded her hand, "Hi. I'm Eve."

Cordelia didn't bother to look up from the file she was reading & said, "Get off my desk."

To say that Eve was stunned by the bluntness & coldness of the answer would be an understatement. She backed her hand & asked in a mock sweet tone, "Your desk? I'm sure that my boss is a vampire with a soul. Not some high school graduate."

Cordelia looked at Gunn, "Charles."

Gunn stepped forward & waved a piece of paper in front of Eve, "Angel has made Cordelia acting CEO in his absence. Wes and Spike are gonna deal with any emergencies but all other matters are under Cordy's control."

Eve looked up from the piece of paper & smiled tightly, "how very proper of him. Well…I suppose I better explain this situation to the Senior Partners."

Cordelia, who was looking at Eve with some amusement said, "Oh…until Angel resumes his position as CEO of this place, your services are no longer required."

Eve turned back shocked, "What?! You can't fire me. I'm the liaison to the Senior Partners. Only the Senior Partners can assign or terminate a liaison."

Fred spoke up, "Who said anything about firing you?"

Wesley said, "What Fred means is, that since you're Angel's liaison to the Senior Partners, you can take a break until he returns."

Eve looked at Spike, "You're going to accept this decision?"

Spike looked at her & smiled, "Yeah, I think I am. After all, one good turn deserves another. Besides which, they've made me an offer I just couldn't refuse."

Eve glared at them & then left the room. After she had left, Cordelia flashed her mega-watt smile at the group, "I've still got the touch, haven't I?"

Wes, Fred & Gunn laughed while Spike merely smiled. Cordelia looked at Spike, "& what was that about us offering you a deal? We didn't offer you anything?"

Spike looked at her, "That was me bamboozling her. You don't want her to start sniffing around, do you? It's better that she thinks me as a greedy opportunistic guy who only looks out for his own interests."

Cordelia looked at him & made a face, "Spike you ARE a greedy, opportunistic guy who looks out for his own interests."

Spike scowled & snapped, "Alright, let me go & clear the bint's misconceptions, then. I'm sure my best interests lie with her & not you morons. Except Fred, that is."

Fred stepped in hastily, "No need to fight amongst ourselves. We need to focus. How's Angel? Has Lorne called yet?"

Wesley laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "not yet. I'm sure he'll call as soon as Angel wakes up."

Gunn spoke up, "I still say that it was a bad move leaving only Lorne to watch Angel along with that hellion & that slayer."

Spike struck a match & lit a cigarette, "He'll be fine. With the amount of reinforcement that Percy & Fred put on those chains, he'll not be getting' out in a hurry."

"Yes… but still?" Cordelia tried to argue.

"No buts pet. He'll be alright. Peaches has lived through worse than this. This is nothing compared to some of the things he went through as Angelus." Spike said, and after a moment remembering his own treatment of Angel, added, "as Angel too."

Wesley cleared his throat, "Alright, let's finish our work here as soon as possible & then go check on Angel. We'll go separately. Spike you'll go first, then Cordy & Fred & finally myself & Gunn."

Spike spoke up, "I'll go now. It's not as if you lot need me here. I'll go keep Lorne some company but if he tries to make me sing, don't be surprised to see him in li'l pieces." With that he put out his cigarette, lit a new one & strode out of the room.

The others saw him go and after a moment Cordelia said, "Why have you guys kept him around?"

There was a small silence and then Fred said, "He's not a bad person Cordy. Sure he's had his differences with Angel, but he helped avert an apocalypse. He sacrificed himself for others. Besides he saved me even when he didn't have to, when it could have gotten him his corporeal self back. He chose me."

Wesley nodded his head, "Fred's right. We have no reason to be hostile to him. We still don't trust him but we don't mistrust him either."

Cordy shook her head, "Yeah….but you guys weren't there when he tortured Angel. I was the one who had to close those holes he made in Angel with those hot poker sticks."

Gunn said, "People change Cordy. Look at us. Look at yourself. Look at Angel. It's like Wes said, we don't mistrust him."

Cordelia nodded her head, "alright I'll take your word for it, but if he screws with us then I'm saying 'I told you so!'"

The others smiled & one by one left the room.

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[Woods…somewhere in the outskirts of LA]

A couple was making out in a convertible. Unknown to them, a person was watching them with their eyes on the girl. The girl stopped kissing the guy for a minute, "Zack…lets go outside. Bring out the rug; we'll be more comfortable."

The guy nodded as if in a daze. Clearly he couldn't wait to resume what he'd been doing, so he quickly took out the rug, spread it on the ground & took out a bottle of wine. The girl took off her jacket & joined him on the rug. They opened the bottle of wine & after having some, resumed their make out session.

Unknown to them, the person in the shadows was still watching them. It moved out of the shadows & the light revealed him to be a man in his mid-t-late twenties. He was wearing jeans, shirt & an old overcoat. In his hand was what seemed to be a slightly curved stick. He approached the couple & cleared his throat. The couple didn't seem to notice him as they continued their 'activity'. The man rolled his eyes, "Charlene Myers?"

The girl broke free of her boyfriend & looked up at the stranger who had just asked for her. She couldn't recall him & asked a bit irritably, "Yeah. Who wants to know?"

The man smiled yet again & calmly held up the stick. He held it by both ends & then pulled at one end to reveal a thin, slightly curved blade. The couple's eyes went wide as the man unsheathed the katana & threw away the scabbard. He looked at the couple again but this time without any warmth. His eyes grew cold & an almost inhuman aura surrounded him. The boy known as Zack said in a shaking voice, "H-hey m-man. What's this? W-whatcha doin'?"

The man cocked his head to the side as if considering something & then moved with extreme swiftness to slash across the boy's throat & chest area. There was a strangled cry of agony as the sword ripped through the skin tissue, flesh & bone & a fountain of blood erupted from the boy's chest. He crumpled to the ground, dead before he even hit it. The girl screamed, "ZACK! NO!!!!!"

The man now drenched in Zack's blood, looked at girl named Charlene & his eyes grew even colder. He changed his grip on the katana & now holding it in both hands, charged her. She quickly moved out of the way & pulled a stake from under Jeans. She looked at the man with hatred, "I'm so gonna kill you son of a bitch! Why the HELL did you kill my boyfriend?" Unbidden tears came to her which she wiped away angrily. The man watched this without any emotion whatsoever & said, "All slayers deserve to suffer."

The girl screamed with rage & charged the man, but when she got within his sword range, she ducked under it & twisting her body landed a solid kick to his groin area. The man was thrown off his feet & landed 8 feet away in a heap. He swiftly got up & growling inhumanly, attacked her. They both traded blows. The man's sword cutting into her arm; her kicks & punches hitting him with great force. They both broke apart & circled each other. The man leaned forward a bit & his eyes seemed to glint. He moved with demon-like speed & grabbed the slayer by the throat lifting her off her feet & slammed her back against a tree. He raised his sword & brought it level with her throat. He was about to finish her when he seemed to sense something & looked around in a confused way. The slayer continued hitting him but it all seemed to be in vain as he barely seemed to notice. He only tightened his grip and quickly scanned the area. His eyes fixed on a particular spot & he smiled, almost warmly. Another man appeared from the shadows. He was short, of slight build & had fiery red, long hair tied in a high pony tail. He had an X-shaped scar on his left cheek. He was wearing jeans, t-shirt & a leather coat. He too had a sword by his side.

"Well well well, if it isn't Battousai? What? Have you come to stop me?" the first man asked in an amused tone.

"Let the girl go Gentatsu." The Red haired man said.

"Hmm… I think not!" With that he stabbed the sword in the throat of the girl. There was a gush of blood & a stifled sound as the girl writhed in agony. He dropped her to the ground & turned to face the man he'd called Battousai, "You were saying?"

Battousai's eyes narrowed in anger & he took his stance. He unsheathed his sword & after a second, both of them charged one another. There was a clash of steel on steel as both tried to find a flaw in the other's technique. They broke apart & then again charged each other. Both of them seemed to move with inhuman speed. The first man, called Gentatsu, drew back & holding the sword above his head in a two-handed grip brought it down in an attempt to cleave his opponent in two. Battousai saw the move coming & jumped high in the air above the other man. Gentatsu's sword struck a tree with such force that it was cut in two. He looked up over his shoulder & saw Battousai swooping down with his sword in a slashing position (sword held in such a way so as to ensure complete freedom of movement for the arm). He brought up his sword in a horizontal position over his to block the strike.

There was a ring as steel hit steel. Battousai stood in a crouched position behind Gentatsu, while his adversary remained where he was. It seemed that the two were waiting for something. Suddenly there was a sound as Gentatsu gasped. A little trickle of blood made its way down the side of his head. His blade broke off where Battousai's sword had hit it & finally the upper right portion of his head sheared off as he collapsed. Blood erupted in a shower from his head drenching Battousai behind him. Battousai stood up, flicked his sword to clean it of blood & slid it into its scabbard/sheath. He looked down at Gentatsu's lifeless body & hung his head as if in sorrow. He softly said, "May your soul find rest." before moving away into the woods.

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AN: Whew!!! This was a LONG chapter. I know it's been a while since I've updated, but I've been so busy with school. First there were the various assignments, then the tests & now I have even more assignments and tests to swim through. I hate studying!

To all my faithful reviewers: U Guys are Awesome! Honestly…U ROCK!

Any ideas will be most appreciated. & don't worry; I will consider all your requests. If u wanna see something happen in this story, tell me & I'll see what I can do.

I also have a request to make. Since u guys have showered me with your reviews , u've kinda spoiled me & since I can't seem to get enough of reviews, it's your job to promote this story. Spread word about it. The more I get reviews, the faster I'll update.

Also… the next update will probably come in June now.