Title: Demons from the past

Rating:PG-13

Disclaimer:Not smart enough, or enough money so it ain't mine. DAMN YOU WHEDON!

Summary: My first real sequel, all others have been fakes, kind of an AU of S7 so a bit more original than most.

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Buffy had yet to shake herself out of her daze. It was hard to take so many things in, especially in a short amount of time. New evil arising, Willow coming home, Xander in a suit. It was just too shocking to see a person who once was, as Xander himself said, Dracula's butt-monkey, looking dignified in a three piece suit.

Just wasn't right.

Oh, and also all the apocalypse stuff.

The details that a very exhausted Giles gave weren't much, but was enough to get the gist of it. Big evil that was planning to take over the world but was stopped before it could come through, the followers found a way to bring it back and are mounting some powerful numbers. They were able to find the guy who stopped it in the first place and are sending him along with Willow over to Sunnydale to help.

Course what frustrated her was the fact that Giles told them absolutely nothing about the guy, except he was some kind of powerful wizard guy, though she had a feeling he knew more than he was telling. She didn't press the matter, but she still felt irked by the fact he not too long ago got on her case for leaving important information out of their discussions.

The numbness that had been building all through the discussion became solidified when Xander strolled in sporting his neatly brushed hair and nicely tailored suit. She tried to stay concentrated on what Xander was telling her, something about the Principles office and the Hellmouth. But it weirded her out beyond words how odd he looked, things had changed.

Xander noticed her spaceyness and asked what was up.

Obviously not wanting to say 'I didn't recognize you because you are actually being mature and not a goofball' she blurted out that Willow was coming home. His faced went from shocked to concerned, then happy all within five seconds. Dawn using her perfect timing came in with a resigned, concerned expression. Xander thought it was great news while Dawn was a bit concerned that maybe she wasn't ready.

Buffy grimaced at the thought, Dawn had forgiven Willow a long time ago but never forgot what the witch was capable of. The question why she was coming home forced the whole story out of her, which made Dawn even more concerned and Xanders enthusiasm a bit dimmer. But the slayer felt they were all happy to see their friend.

Anya had been informed later that day and just nodded saying that she hoped the Witch wasn't evil. Buffy had begun to really appreciate Anya's bluntness about life, and it didn't offend her much if the vengeance demon was candid about things, in fact it often made her laugh. Though Xander still didn't see the value in it and almost got into another fight with his ex over Willows rehabilitation. It struck the slayer odd that the flight was a night flight even though she got the news early in the morning. But she just shrugged it off.

So here they were, Buffy, Xander and Dawn, waiting for their wayward friend to return bearing the news of a new threat.

Xanders pacing was driving her insane.

She was about to say something when her senses went crazy. She never felt anything like it, the feeling was almost like when she faced the master, but bigger, more ominous. Her eyes searched for the source of it but found nothing. Only half her mind was paying attention when Xander called out.

"Willow"

Her searching eyes caught a glimpse of the Redhead being bear-hugged by the hulking carpenter. Followed by a warm hug by Dawn. Buffy's feeling only grew stronger and soon she completely ignored everything around her except for her search for the source. But Willows voice brought her out of it.

"Hey Buffy."

It was a kind, quiet question that Buffy immediately understood. Without hesitation she warmly hugged the girl with a little too much strength.

"Buffy, need air."

Buffy immediately set her down and hopped back a little.

"Oh sorry Wills."

She just shrugged.

"It's okay, sorry I had to come back bearing the apocalypticy news."

Xander jumped in.

"Hey, just glad your back, even with the foreboding badness behind ya."

"Speaking of which where's this guy which Giles vaguely told us about."

Buffy noticed Willow's body language shift into slight nervousness.

"Oh, well, he's kinda, here already. Said he didn't like big crowds, but he said he'll meet us at the magic shop tomorrow."

Xander and Dawn thought it was a bit odd but didn't question it. Buffy on the other hand knew something was off. It was when Willow's eyes darted to a corner while walking past that she noticed a shifting shadow.

The slayer didn't say anything and continued on with her friends. But she knew that whoever this guy was, he was here, and definitely not human.

When they got into the car and started driving her senses calmed and the presence that was nearly choking her disappeared. It was then Buffy relaxed and took a good look at her friend.

Willows hair had grown longer, her face had become fuller and healthier. For an instant she forgot that this was the same person who had tried to kill them all almost five months ago. Xander chatted amiably about work and life around the house. Dawn jumped in a few times connecting what he said to things about school and such. She obviously had gotten comfortable around the witch since her arrival.

They all had, it was nice to have their friend back.

They set Willow in Buffy's old room and said bye to Xander. She herself went into a deep sleep.

The dreams had stopped.

The next morning Xander met them at the house while they were getting ready. They all set off with little problems. But any relaxation that Buffy felt soon melted as they neared the Magic Box, her senses were spiking again. Their visitor had gotten there before they had. When they entered, Anya was there to greet them.

"Hey Willow, it is nice to see you and I hope that you don't go all power hungry again and try to kill us."

Buffy had to stop herself from laughing. The way Anya was nodding and smiling, and everyone else's expression. Priceless.

"Oh and Buffy, there's a demon here that I can't find or get rid of."

Buffy knew what she was talking about, whoever or whatever it was that was causing her slayer senses to go haywire was inside.

"I know Anya."

When she turned to Willow the implication was clear and not lost on anyone. Course Xander was about to defend his friend, but was interrupted when the redhead's hand was placed on his chest. Looking a little confused and shocked he backed off. Willow herself was extremely nervous as she turned to the darkest corner of the shop and nodded. Everyone else turned their attention where she had motioned. For a moment there was nothing, just a darkened corner of the shop, which seemed odd since there was so much light.

Then suddenly the shadows shifted and melded together to form their visitor.

The visitor in question, from what they could tell was a few inches taller than Buffy, was casually leaning against the corner. He was wearing a coat that ended around his knees and accentuated his broad shoulders. The sleeves were loose all the way down until they hit the elbow where he wrapped each tightly all the way down his forearm. His hands were wrapped also and only his fingers were visible. Underneath he wore a vest with a hood sewn on. His pants were loose jeans and ragged Combat boots on his feet. And to top it all off, everything was pitch black. The hood obscured his face so no one could get a clear look.

Xander jumped when the form appeared.

"Good Godfrey Cambridge! Tell me this isn't the guy."

Only Buffy could hear the growl come from the hooded form in the corner. Willow just nodded. He was about to continue when they noticed that Anya was cautiously walking up to their visitor. Buffy caught a glimpse of the expression on the vengeance demon's face. It could only be described as faint recognition mixed in with fear. Xander was calling her name but she gave no notice. The slayer almost didn't hear what she whispered.

"Oh god it's you."

That obviously meant something to the demon because the hooded head turned towards her. Xander automatically jumped forward and grabbed Anya's arm. This shocker her out of it. She shook him off her arm and did something they had never seen her do before.

Stutter.

"I...I need, I got to go and, I just, need to go check on my inventory."

With that she walked passed everyone and went down into the basement. Everyone looked shocked and confused. Except for Willow, who Buffy noticed was a little relieved. Dawn was the one to cut the silence.

"So, Willow, who's the new big bad."

The witch brightened a bit at the fact she wasn't going to be asked directly about the new guest. When they all had sat down she explained everything, minus some minor details. After she was done everyone sat there for a moment assimilating everything that the witch had just said. Buffy broke the silence.

"So Sunnydale's going to be the demon rally point until they can unleash the First?"

"Afraid so."

"Wait let me get this strait, huge numbers of demons are coming here to help release this ancient evil, and all we got is this guy as our back up? Oh yeah, liking these odds."

Trust Xander to bring out the sarcasm. Willow automatically defended.

"Xander, he's the only one in history that was able to do that, also we won't be alone."

Buffy broke in.

"Yeah Xand, I mean we could always call the Council, I mean, demons unleashing hell on earth that's right in their arena."

The dark voice interrupted them. It was the first time they had heard it say anything.

"Wrong"

The nature of his voice startled everyone. Dawn nervously responded.

"What do you mean."

"The Followers perceive the slayer as the obstacle, because of that they will try to eliminate any support she might receive. Since the Watchers council is the biggest, they will be eliminated first."

Buffy automatically shot up in her seat.

"Giles, we've got to warn..."



Willows voice stopped her.

"He knows Buffy, he went to warn them."

This made the slayer grudgingly sit down. She looked at the demon in the corner.

"What will they do next?"

She couldn't see it but she could feel his eyes meet hers. The chill up her spine told her so.

"They will then try to eliminate any possibility of the slayer stopping them, which means eliminating the future slayers. Once they are dealt with, the focus of attention will be brought here."

On cue Willow spoke.

"We can't do much now, just prepare and try to keep the demon population down."

Sighing Buffy nodded.

"Alright, if that's all, Dawn could you go tell Anya she can open the store now."

Xander stood up.

"Well I have to get going, no rest for the studly construction worker."

He hugged everyone and left. Buffy then turned to willow.

"Will could you go in the back and see if you could research some protection spells that might hold them off?"

Willow brightened a bit at the thought of being useful.

"Sure buffy I'll get right on it."

"Thanks, and..." She turned to where the demon once stood. "Where'd he go?"

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Anya was busily sweeping the basement. The shocking revelation had flummoxed her beyond recognition. She jumped a foot when the person behind her spoke.

"I owe you."

She whirled around to face the person she hadn't seen in five months. He had changed so much it made her sad. But she was confused about what he meant.

"You could have given me away."

"Well I figured that since you hadn't already told anyone that you didn't want them to know."

There was silence for a few moments.

"They wouldn't understand."

"Why don't you try them?"

The voices behind his became angered.

"Because I choose not to."

Anya didn't say anything and just nodded. The voice calmed and spoke kindly.

"I am in your debt, you need something I'll be there."

The upstairs door suddenly opened. Dawn stepped down.

"Hey Anya, Buffy said they're done, you can...who were you talking to?"

Anya looked back behind her. Any trace of him was gone back into the shadow.

"No one."

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A/N: That was a long Friggin chapter. It also felt a little off character wise. But I haven't eaten in 12 hours so that maybe it.

Please review and tell me if I'm right or wrong and how I'm doing.

I'm going to go get some grub before I waste away and you're left with a unfinished sequel.