Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire slayer, Noir, or Naruto. All rights belong to their creators and producers so please do not sue.
Author Note 1: This is my second attempt at a BTVS fanfic and my first attempt at a crossover of this magnitude so make sure to give me feedback.
Author note 2: To those who know my work no I have not given up on "Mazoku" I do intend to finish it but this story will not die in my head and demands to be written.
Author note 3: I am in the market for a beta reader please let me know in the review if you would like the job as I am quite desperate.
Author note 4: I have never attempted a story like this and anyone who truly knows the world of "Noir" that might help me out after this chapter I would greatly appreciate it.
Summary: Memories- they are like grains of sand that can slip away or be forced into a compacted space. Who is he really? What is the path he must take? He has forgotten those times to be left waiting for the call. Yet on all hallows eve a mistake shall awaken what he has lost. Given the mind of a genius murderer and the return of what he never knew he lost. The legacy of the third will be written in blood.
Now on with the Show
Alexander
Chapter Nine: Youth
Xander sat on a tombstone listening to Giles help Buffy prepare for the upcoming SAT's, something he wasn't that worried about given his intelligence and information gathering skills. It wasn't cheating, simply creative thinking in his eyes.
"Oh come on, how is any of this supposed to help me in real life?" Buffy complained.
"Well, think like this Buff, would you really want this stuff as a daily use in your daily life instead of just once on a test?" He quipped, stretching a little after sitting for so long.
"Suddenly, I have a new love for the SAT" she said after thinking about it.
"Yes, well, then shall we get back to work?" Giles asked, silently thanking Xander for the help.
Buffy answered by drawing a stake and hurling it in his direction. The wooden missile soared over his shoulder and into the heart of a vampire that had been creeping up behind Giles.
"I swear the only people working tonight are us and the bad guys" Buffy said.
"I think G-dad needs to change pants now." Xander laughed, looking at the face Giles was making.
Mayors Office
"So Mr. Trick, how are things looking to payback my political contributor this week in the way he wants?" The mayor asked sitting at his desk.
"Well boss, I've subcontracted with someone who's worked in Sunnydale before and should be able to provide what you need."
"Great, I made a lot of political deals to get where I am, Mr. Trick, and I aim to keep my campaign promises." He said and opened his office closet revealing a lot of gruesome objects, some still dripping with blood.
Sunnydale High School
"I'm telling you guys, I can't pass this test!" Buffy said stressing still over the SAT.
"It's not so bad, I mean, the SAT just decides how smart you… and what colleges you can get in… didn't the assembly say some future employers look at it too?" Willow stated, before withering under the glare of the blonde slayer.
"Come on B, stop stressing about some test, life's too short to waste worrying about some piece of paper."
"You need perspective Buff, sure, you can fail this test and wreck your life but you can also take it over. Besides, we could always cheat; it would be a shame to let Wills be the only one to pass." Xander offered.
"Xander" Willow said mortified.
They were halted by the most evil of creatures in existence; Snyder stood with a rather large amount of candy behind him and halted the progress of the band of teenagers.
"This candy is to be sold for the Band in order to buy them new uniforms." He said and pushed a box into each of their hands.
"Shouldn't the band do this then?" Xander asked.
"Anything you lose or eat, you pay for the money has to be in by the end of the week." he said with finality before moving on.
"Someone should really slay that guy." Xander muttered.
"Little troll would deserve it." Buffy added in.
Giles Residence
Rupert Giles blinked as he opened the door to his apartment that evening. Xander was sitting on the couch with parts spread out on the coffee table cleaning and checking them. He noticed a trigger sitting out, which meant he was most likely handling one of his guns.
"Hey G-dad, you're home early. I thought you and Buffy had training today?" the young assassin asked.
"Oh, um yes, we did but she was needed at home so we ended the session early." He replied, heading for the kitchen.
"No she didn't, she told us she had training tonight so there was no studying for the SAT's tonight."
"You must be mistaken, Xander, Buffy said there was no way she could stay so she had to return home."
"Nope, that's not what she told Willow and me. You don't think she pulled another fast one, do you?"
"Can you make dinner tonight?"
"Sure, I'll even leave you a pot of tea warming."
"Thank you, Xander."
Later that Night
Alexander was typing on his laptop when he heard Giles return home late that night. He briefly thought about going down and joining his adoptive father for a cup of tea but decided against it. Focusing back on the computer, he picked up one of the band candy bars and opened it. He figured better to pay for the box himself than annoy people with a lame attempt to sell it. Taking a bite of the chocolate goodness, he swore he felt a sharp pain in his stomach and his chakra coils.
"I must've been hungrier than I thought." He muttered and took another bite of the candy bar.
Shutting down the laptop and yawning, he finished off his snack and went to bed. The mystical properties of the candy was slowly settling in his stomach and yet halting in its designed purpose. Slowly being altered and changed by the chakra in his body. It would last like all the same, but the changes it might bring about, would never be forgotten.
Library
Xander winced slightly as his stomach continued to hurt. Though not a single indicator passed over his face or body, he was indeed feeling it. He'd woken up today with an ache, and now, it was becoming a roar right in the pit of his stomach. It had gotten to the point that he was going to use a basic jutsu to scan his body as soon as he was out of school.
"Where could Giles be? Xander, did you see him leave this morning?" Buffy asked.
"The car was still around when I left, so I figure he was tired and left him alone. Seems he must've been out late looking for someone." He replied his eyes looking to the blonde slayer.
"I don't like this, something must be up; it's just not Giles-like, I better go check on him." She said after a few minutes of thought.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Willow asked looking up from a book she was reading.
"Might save you from needing to knock" Xander volunteered.
"No thanks, guys. I'll just be quick and I don't want you to miss any classes." She said and walked out the doors.
"I think two years on the Hellmouth has made her paranoid." Willow said returning to her book.
"It's not paranoia when the world is out to get you. None of us can be sane after this, but we're safe." He replied and got up heading out thinking of a nice few hours of skipping class.
"I think you're both just nuts."
Factory
A worker reached out and snagged one of the candy bars they were packing up and went to unwrap it. When he went to take a bite, a hand stopped him from it and he turned to meet the face of his employer.
"Trust me." The man said in an English accent.
"You really don't want to do that." Ethan Rayne advised before walking away from him.
Sunset
Alexander let out a gasp of pain, leaning over the sink in the boy's bathroom of the High School. He'd returned to meet with the gang and set out for patrol, when suddenly the pain had hit him. The scanning jutsu had only revealed his chakra was gathering in his stomach for some reason, which sent pain through him from the strain it put on his coils.
"What the hell is going on?" He didn't lose control often and neither had Itachi, but this was painful.
He was only carrying his old Berretta pistol with a few clips, as he figured whoever he patrolled with wouldn't mind stopping by the house first. Throwing his head back, he let out a strangled cry, the sharingan blazing in his eyes.
And then the magic of the chocolate finally caused their reaction in him.
POOF!
The white smoke flowed away from where he had stood, revealing the outcome of the mixing of powers. He was wearing a white dress shirt buttoned up completely along with black slacks and shoes. All in all, he looked good dressed like respectful and mannered person. The only problem seemed to be, he now appeared no older than 5 or 6 years old and his face was cold, while his eyes remained half opened seemingly bored.
'This does not appear to be the Manor. I seem to be intact, though I seem to have knowledge I should not, while I do not recall why, I'm here or where here currently is.' Alexander thought as he took stock of his surroundings and the situation.
Checking his person, he discovered the Berretta that Althena had given to him almost two years ago, along with a few clips of seemingly varying ammunition.
'Vampire-killing bullets, so it's safe to assume I'm in an area they are quite common in. The other rounds seem magnified to bring down other demonic and supernatural species, so this place must have a high concentration of vile things. The extra information seems to be about a type of energy and about the life of someone non-existent. My body also seems altered slightly beyond the norm. What exactly is going on? I need to find information and then make contact with Soldats in order to get back to the Manor.'
Chambering a round into the pistol, he exited the bathroom and looked at his surroundings. Judging by the language used and basic setup, he was able to discover he was most likely somewhere in the US. After finding the flag for both the country and then state of California, he was at least sure of his relative position.
Library
Oz, Willow, and Cordelia sat in the library trying to discover what was special about the candy bars messing with the adults. So far, their efforts had proven worthless, which Cordelia made a very vocal subject about. They seemed about ready to quit when one of the doors was pushed open.
Allowing a dark haired six-year-old into the library, which then looked at them as little more then being bugs.
"Oh what a cute little boy, did you get separated from your parents?" Willow asked staring at the child.
"No." was the simple toneless reply.
"Then are you lost?" she tried again.
"Yes, I seem to become lost away from home." He didn't lie, but then he didn't reveal anything either.
Cordelia couldn't quite place it but the kid reminded her of someone, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember who.
"What's your name, little fellow?"
"Alexander." He watched the redhead nod, while the other girl looked at him sharply setting off his mental alarm.
"Willow!" Cordelia said trying to get her attention.
"What is it, Cordelia?"
"Doesn't he remind you of someone, who used to talk just like that until a certain coloring book incident." Cordelia said, while nodding her head towards Alexander.
"What? Oh wait, yeah, he does look like Xander did when we were six." Whatever else Willow was about to say was halted when Oz spoke up.
"Girls?" turning, they found the child had drawn Xander's oldest gun cocked the hammer back and now had it pointing at all three of them.
"My name is Alexander and you will now tell me how you knew of it even a shortened version before we met." The child spoke in the same deadly and toneless voice.
Willow wracked her brain for something to get them out of this and smiled as she thought back to the video.
"We're Soldats." She answered.
"Unlikely." he responded.
"We are, you were sent to us for extended training in how to deal with the supernatural."
"Name the person who sent me."
"Damn." Willow said, one of the few times using a curse word.
"Tell me where I am?" he demanded.
"Sunnydale."
"The Hellmouth." if he seemed surprised he didn't show it.
"Yeah, you see something really freaky is going on and if you just give us sometime to resolve it then we can explain everything." Cordelia tried not wanting to gain an extra hole today.
"Very well." he replied, the weapon lowering.
Sensing movement behind him, he suddenly ducked and then rolled forward avoiding a carefully planned strike by Faith. Coming up, she found herself facing his pistol before she could react.
"Please refrain from attempting that again."
The assembled watched Faith growl, but seeing the hammer on the gun go back, she forced herself to calm down. Slayers were fast but not that fast.
"Ok, that's enough you two. Faith, let me explain the situation before you go off and Alexander, you agreed to wait until the situation was resolved to get your answers."
Staring each other down, Alexander once again disengaged his gun and lowered it to his side.
"One of you is to remain in my presence until I have my answers as an insurance policy." It wasn't an order or an offer, it vaguely resembled a statement though.
Walking towards the doors, he opened one before turning and sweeping his eyes over them, seeming searchingly, before stopping on Oz.
"Come along please."
"Huh?" he asked.
"This is a school and as it is for higher grades, it must have some sort of music room or band room, and I wish to play music. Please come along." He had spoken like it was no big deal and waited for the musician to rise.
"Ok Red, spill, why is Boytoy acting like the poster boy for killers monthly and why on earth is he so short?" Faith asked.
"He actually seems taller than when we were kids." Cordelia mused.
Music Room
Alexander rummaged through the instrument room with no expression on his face and a growing pile of cases behind him. Oz watched, as the only thing he had kept so far, was an acoustic guitar.
"This is becoming an annoyance," the child said and looked back to serene looking teenager.
"What is your name?"
"Oz."
"Could you please help me in locating a violin then, Oz?"
"You trust me?"
"No." was the simple reply.
"Cool."
Working together, the duo found seemingly the only violin ever purchased by the school, which also seemed to have never been used.
"Thank you for your assistance." Taking the two instruments, he moved to the stair-like sections and sat down.
Picking up the guitar, Alexander began tuning it by ear for a few minutes While Althena trained them hard, she had also taught them many things, music being one of them. After he finished, he nodded and began strumming a melody. A second later, he began to sing along.
It doesn't matter what I want
It doesn't matter what I need
It doesn't matter if I cry
Don't matter if I bleed
You've put me on this road
Don't know where it goes or where it leads
It doesn't matter what I want
It doesn't matter what I need
If you've made up your mind to go
I won't beg you to stay
I've been in a cage
Throw me to the wind you fly away
It doesn't matter what I want
It doesn't matter what I need
It doesn't matter if I cry
Doesn't matter if I bleed
Feel the sting of tears
Falling on this face I've loved for years
Staring out the window
Into a world of dreams
Only to see the reality
You've created for me
It doesn't matter what I want
It doesn't matter what I need
It doesn't matter if I cry
Don't matter if I bleed
You've put me on this road
Don't know where it goes or where it leads
Strumming the final notes, he put the instrument down with a barely perceivable smile. When Althena did not play for them, he or one of the girls would make up a song or just a melody. He hoped both Chloe and Kirika was ok, it occurred to him that something could have happened to all three of them.
"Nice tune." Oz commented.
"One of the few things I take seriously beyond what I am to do." He replied.
"Do you enjoy it?"
"The music yes, if you mean the task I exist to do, then I am as simple as this guitar and violin. We have only some notes we can play, while the song varies, the notes never will and it cannot be changed. That is my answer, Mr. Oz."
"Heavy."
"Quite."
Streets
Alexander walked next to Oz as the Scooby gang was heading out to help Buffy. He had no idea who this person was, but if it helped him get his answers quicker then he would tag along. Coming to a manhole cover that was moved aside, the group slowly made its way downward.
"An odd place to meet one's ally." He stated as they continued walking.
"There's supposed to be a demon living down here that Trick is trying to make a tribute to." Willow explained.
"What sort of tribute?" he asked in curiosity.
"Babies."
They all looked back when they heard Alexander put the hammer back on his gun. If possible his eyes were even colder, lacking even life, and his face seemed deadened to feelings. Walking past them with faster steps, the group found itself having to chase after him.
Reaching the chamber of Larconis, Alexander discovered it was a giant snake-like demon who was eyeing the assembled babies hungrily from a pool. Spotting a blonde fighting a pair of obvious vampires, he leveled his pistol and fired the vampire-killing ammo dusting them in seconds.
Ejecting the clip, he slipped the banded clip into the gun and placed himself between the snake demon and the newborns.
"You will not touch these innocents." He declared with conviction, stunning the group and the blonde slayer who had yet to be informed of what had happened.
"Guys, get that kid out of here!" Buffy called out, while preparing to fight Trick.
"B, that kid is Boytoy." Faith said which distracted Buffy long enough for Trick to hurl an incoming Giles into the pool.
Alexander immediately opened fire at the demon before it could move to devour Giles. The armor-piercing explosive round tore through even the snake's thick hide and blew forcing it back with a screech of pain.
Walking slowly forward, the corners of his mouth seemed to twitch as he continued to fire picking the creature apart with each bullet fired. Stopping to reload, the gang watched him lift his head and expose his face to them. Dark eyes remained cold and impassive, but his face adorned with a twisted smile more at home on a clown or a harlequin's mask than on a child.
"Die for your transgressions against the newborns." He whispered and yet everyone heard as he emptied the clip into the snake demon's head and ended its existence.
Turning, he picked up the empty clips and inserted another new one before stalking past the other demon hunters.
"I shall meet you at the Library, there is something I must tend to. Do not follow me."
"Hey, wait a second kid. You shouldn't run off, it's dangerous out there, you could get hurt."
"I will be fine."
Streets
Alexander found himself staring at a figure dressed in a black cloak, no more then 30 feet from him. By the height and body, he assumed it was a female but still his gun was raised.
"Identify yourself." He demanded.
"Oh, didn't Althena warn you about me, little Alexander?" the woman asked in her British accent.
"She warned me of many people, none of which I fear. If you have come for my life, then, you will die this night."
"Such bravery for such a young child, do you not fear for your life?"
"My life is pointless, only useful to protect and avenge the newborns and to protect the two maidens." He replied.
"You're a decade too young for that, or haven't you noticed the difference in technology in both the town and your mind."
"Do you intend to cause me harm, or are you here to simply ramble on?"
He pulled the trigger on his gun as he watched her move. The bullet sailed through where she had once been and several more began chasing after him, each missing by the slightest of margins.
'She's predicting my shots and countering before I even shoot. This denotes experience and a higher level of training.' He thought as he continued tracking her movements.
He began his own set of dodging utilizing flips and rolls as the woman began firing her own handgun at him. Coming up from a roll, he placed his gun against her stomach but also felt her put a dagger to his throat.
"Disappointing, Alexander, even with your ammunition, that shot won't kill me yet I can easily end your life." She chided him.
"You don't scare me."
"My darling, Alexander, I'm not here to scare you. It's time for you to come home, Soldats is waiting."
"My loyalty is not to that which has been corrupted."
Both broke apart as a bullet hit the ground between them and turned to see who had interfered in the battle. Standing 50 feet away were two people, one of which Alexander recognized and the other seemed like an older version of someone he knew.
"Alexander, behind me." comes the soft voice of the tall woman dressed in a blue fighting tunic over white pants and a shirt with a white cape fluttering slightly behind her. She had long hair and emerald colored eyes; also, she appeared to be very tall. Her presence and baring was like that of a French nobility or Japanese samurai.
Obeying without much thought, he was quickly by the woman's side and his eyes turned to her companion who wore the teal cloak.
"Chloe?" he asked.
"Yes Alexander, it is me." She replied.
"It seems I am not as I should be then or you are not."
"It will be explained when we are out of danger."
"Understood."
"So, what is one of Soldats leaders and a higher member doing in this little burg?" the cloaked assassin asked.
"Leave." the woman responded.
"You couldn't beat me before, old friend, do you think now will be any different? Your ways aren't very well liked by those in power with you, after all."
"You have been warned."
"Never did listen very well. Let us dance, old friend."
"Chloe, protect Alexander." Getting a nod from the girl, she put her pistol down on the ground, which was mimicked by the assassin.
The two women charged one another, neither making a sound, as they ran across the pavement. The assassin went high, while the woman went low with a sliding kick and then her right hand shot upwards with a dagger aiming for the assassin's chest. The blade met another dagger before momentum separated them.
"Not bad, at least your skills haven't atrophied since the last time. You do remember it, don't you? It was when I made sure all your remaining time could be spent becoming the leader you now are."
"I have not forgotten your betrayal all those years ago." The woman responded in her soft voice.
The two met again this time both flowing with different styles of martial arts attempting to cripple the other. The assassin seemed to favor a more direct and devastating style, always the first to attack, or to counter with strong precise strikes. The woman on the other hand, used a defensive style based around the counter attack and striking with chops of kicks to vital areas. Both seemed skills, often changing fighting styles in mid attack, showing off an impressive knowledge of the deadly arts.
The tide turned though, when the assassin suddenly dropped low, and struck at the woman's left leg doing more damage than normally possible to her. The woman made no sound but did crumble to the street. Before the assassin could follow though, she found Alexander standing in front of the woman, his arms spread wide acting as a shield.
"You will not harm her, unless you're willing to kill me first." He stated boldly.
"Alexander, move." the woman ordered.
"I will not comply, you taught me to protect and avenge, and I won't turn away now." He replied.
"How cute, little Alexander protecting you from little ole me. You still have the injury I gave you, I see, how disappointing. I'll withdraw from this battle now then. I hope they fix you boy, I look forward to really testing you." The assassin turned and stalked into the night.
"That was foolish, but thank you Alexander." The woman said as Chloe helped her stand up.
"I was only doing what I was taught to do."
"Come, I need to explain what is going on and we should rest before meeting your friends tomorrow." The woman said and all three began walking.
"Are you injured, Alexander?"
"No, it takes a lot more to harm me, you know that, Mother." Alexander responded, using the name only he, Chloe, and Kirika were allowed to call Althena and only then when they were not in the presence of others.
Althena smiled having forgotten just how it was to have the younger Alexander around. Chloe seemed to mimic the smile.
Library
The next day brought the Scooby gang back together, and in the right state of mind. The only missing component seemed to be Xander, who, no one had run across him since he left them last night. Giles & Joyce seemed to be the most worried, as both had strong attachment to the young man and had been unable to help him because of the candy bars' effects over them as well. The others were only barely behind them in the worrying department, everyone seemingly blaming themselves for not stopping the boy from walking away after the fight.
It was this group of despondent souls that were surprised as the doors opened and three people walked in. One was Alexander still dressed as he had been yesterday and still in his child form. The other two consisted of a dark red haired girl and an older taller redhead.
"Hello everyone." He greeted them.
"Xander, where've you been since you took off last night?" Buffy demanded.
Alexander turned to the older woman, seemingly asking permission with his eyes to answer. They watched the woman nod, and Alexander turned back to them.
"I was accosted after we parted and the assailant was slightly more problematic than I first believed. So I was rescued and have spent the night with my companions."
"And just who ARE these women, Xander?" Joyce asked eyeing the two suspiciously.
Once he had been given a second nod, he answered.
"Althena and Chloe or as I see them, my mother and sister, respectfully"
"Good Morning."
"Hello."
The silence that followed the introduction and greeting would've been comical to most people. Sadly, the three treated to the scene, while laughing on the inside showed no outward reaction.
"What do you mean, your 'Mother and Sister'?" Willow asked after the shock wore off.
Alexander blinked and looked to Althena.
"Is my meaning unclear?"
"No, they're simply confused with the situation." He nodded at the answer seemingly understanding.
"Hey wait, you're the sibling he was talking about on the tape, aren't you? and I think you were at the Sadie's Hawkins dance too?" Cordelia said eyeing Chloe.
"Yes I'm one of his sisters, and yes, I was at the event you're talking about to visit with Alexander."
"There are more?" Buffy interjected.
"Alexander, why don't you take Chloe and show her the music room you told us about last night, it's been far too long since you both played." Althena suggested and received a pair of nods before the duo turned and silently made their exit.
"I've been reviewing what I believe happened last night and I have discovered that Alexander's state is not permanent. It was most likely caused by the mixing of magic and chakra causing the results you've seen. I estimate it will wear off at approximately sundown." Althena spoke, once the two were well and truly away.
"Why are you here, lady?" Faith demanded, barely beating Buffy out to get the words said.
"I came here to protect one of my precious ones." She replied simply.
"So then you're the one who raised Xander before he was put here." Joyce asked in an even voice, her temper building.
"Yes, and to me he is my child just as Chloe is."
Very few people had seen an angry Joyce Summers, and even fewer had seen the temper that was bred in Buffy go off. The moment the group saw her slam her fists into the table and spotted her red face, however, they knew now was one such moment.
"How can you do that to a child and still call yourself a mother? How can you stand there and say he is your son when you took him and others and turned them into killers? Raised them to kill and be simple tools or weapons to be used and cast aside? If I knew he was going to stay like this, I would take him in and try to undo the damage you've done myself!"
"Killing is in Alexander's blood, to deny him the teaching to do so is a sin none could outlive. All three of my precious ones have a destiny you cannot understand." Her ear twitched slightly, after she finished.
"Follow me, there is something I want to show you." Turning, she didn't seem to care if they followed or not.
Arriving outside the music room, they all could hear the sound of a piano and violin being played. Peering inside, they found Alexander standing next to the piano, the violin in his hands with his eyes closed, as he played the melody Chloe provided accompaniment for.
The tune was haunting at every note seemed to pierce deeply into your heart and soul. Feeling and emotion flowed around the room forming a beautiful but sad harmony. Neither noticed the audience nor stopped playing for a moment.
"When you look upon Alexander and Chloe, all you see is the assassin, they are far more than that, but only to one another. No one will ever know how close my precious ones are except them, and perhaps myself. From them will come the grand return, an end to the corruption. You will not interfere."
"Listen here lady, when he is back to normal, he won't ever be seeing you again. I won't let you use Xander like that." Buffy said, growing angry.
"When Alexander has his truth, he will return where he is needed. You truly do not know him very well."
Sunset
Alexander fell to his knees but made no sound as he was overcame with pain. This hurt no worse than the time Kirika had tried her new disabling move out on him and kicked him in the groin. Smoke exploded around him concealing from the others' eyes.
Xander blinked as he got control back of his normal body and stood up. He was a little dizzy and his chakra reserves were low, other than that, he felt fine.
"I think I finally understand all that inner-child stuff they teach in psychology. Mine just happens to have made an appearance." He said to the audience, noting Chloe and Althena were already gone.
"Boytoy, you all there?" Faith asked, eyeing him.
"Everything is in working order and the Xand-man is in the driver's seat." He responded with a lopsided grin.
"Better stay that way too." Buffy said as things seemed to be getting back to normal.
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