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 Fourteen: Child of the Soldats
Alexander watched as Oz caught the incoming fists of both Cordelia and Faith in his open palms and didn't move an inch. The seal placed over his heart, to block the werewolf from emerging, had the side-effect of dumping an incredible amount of chakra into the musician. Most of that chakra was burned off by the seal, but the rest gave him more then enough energy to undergo ninja training. Given his love of music, Oz took the style employed by Orochimaru's sound village easily and flourished with ninjutsu.
'Three students, Faith, a budding genius with taijutsu and offensive ninjutsu, Cordelia, a masterful user of genjutsu, and the silent killing method, and Oz, a ninjutsu specialist, and possibly the only person alive who might be able to use all of the Hidden village of Sound's techniques other than me. My trial's have already begun, but is the Valkyrie the only test? I suppose I need to bring up their training and their level before I focus on that.' He thought as he watched all three of his students dance around the clearing, often going up trees or along the water to gain an advantage.
"That's enough." He called out, making Faith stop in mid kick and lose her balance, and fall on her butt.
"Aw, come on. I had him and Queen C too this time." She protested heartily, climbing back to her feet.
"Yeah right, you might be stronger than me, slayer the second, but you're louder than a cement truck when you move." Cordelia replied, sending the two into a verbal spar, only equaled by Cordelia and Xander in the past.
"Oz, your thoughts?" he asked with a laugh.
"I'm good." He replied in his usual lack of words.
"Seriously, Oz, you could give an Aburame a run for their money in the silent department."
"Thanks, I think."
Xander shook his head with a laugh and reached into his backpack next to the stump he was sitting on, and pulled out three thick looking books with blank covers.
"Catch guys!" He called out, tossing a book to each of them, and watched them eyeing him with curiosity.
"You guys know the basics, in fact, the three of you would be considered geniuses in Itachi's world. Now, considering none of you should be able to even do any of this stuff, I am kinda surprised with the results of this little experiment and want to take it further. So, with the impending doom of the Mayor looming ahead of us, it's time you three start to specialize your training, and grow into fine Shinobi. Open your books." He explained and sat back to watch.
Faith flipped her book open with no small amount of pride in her eyes. Xander had not thought it possible for even her to learn anything, and he had had even called her a genius, no one had done that. Blinking, she found the book was filled with written instructions along with drawn examples of various taijutsu forms along with a few elemental jutsu.
'Cool! Just wait, Queen C and Wolfy, spar with me next time, I'll kick your asses.' She thought with a smile.
Cordelia opened her book and nearly dropped it when she found a pair of silver daggers strapped to the inside cover. Flipping ahead, she found the book full of genjutsu techniques along with comments on how to best use them or how to best fool someone. Next was a section about trap setting and making. The final part was an enhanced version of the Heavenly Mist sword style changed to fit a dagger or knife user added in were extra comments on the art of silent killing.
'Wow! The dweeb came through, but his handwriting still looks like chicken crap.'
Oz didn't bat an eyelid or even blink as he opened his book and began reading. The book was a manual and guide into the Sound style of taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. Oz quirked an eyebrow though, when he read Xander's quirky ideas on how to replicate certain attacks, or abilities without the necessary bloodline traits, or accessories Orochimaru gave his ninja. He was fairly sure one of those ideas wasn't possible, though.
'Then again, should any of this be possible? Our lives seem like a story written out by deranged mind with a god complex. If that's the case, then we are only capable of what, he allows us, and since I can do this, I should be able to do this. Isn't this the basis of faith though in the higher power? I suppose if god allows us to be ninja, then who am I to disagree?'
"Well, that's it for today, guys. I suggest you really study this stuff and practice it or I will get you for wasting my valuable time and pockey reserves." Xander spoke, getting up from his stump, and stretching with a yawn.
"Hey, Boytoy, we ever going to do like a genin exam, or something you know, like on that show?" Faith asked.
"No, this is not a hidden village, and I'm most definitely not a Kage, besides I might not be sticking around after graduation, you know my normal summer activities." He replied.
"So what? If we're good enough, give us the stupid test, dweeb." Cordelia said.
"If you take a genin exam that means you embrace the life of a ninja and the life of the things you've been taught. Taking and passing that test means you are willing to steal and kill for money. Shinobi are little more than assassins, really, with the occasional bodyguard and information theft job. Not one of you can even watch me kill, so I doubt you would be willing to do it, either at least not a human being."
"Heavy." Oz said, breaking the silence.
"That about sums it up."
Unknown Place
"I think it's time we stopped easily testing Alexander. If he is to serve our purposes, he must be tested much harsher then Noir. I want you to send our knights after him, but keep to the rules of the sanction. Valkyrie is the final test for him, but still, I need to see with my own eyes. Altena and her foolish plans are already in motion to counteract the ritual, if it cannot be stopped, we need our crimson sword on our side. The reasons behind her grand return are sound and well liked, but we know the motives are insanity. Noir and Alexander must be our tools, not that loon."
The man spoke at length into his phone, before hanging it up, and turning to face the lamp on his desk, his dark brown hair slightly graying and his tired eyes were covered by sunglasses.
"The Soldats must control this situation, or the caring mother might destroy us all." He muttered.
Sunnydale
Alexander walked down the streets that night. Buffy and Faith were pulling patrol and the others had things to do, so he found himself alone with free time to burn. He was dressed in black slacks with a matching shirt styled after Itachi's with a black dress shirt worn open over it. He blinked as a black sedan stopped at the intersection ahead of him. When the window rolled down and he spotted the barrel of a gun, he instantly started moving. Diving into an alley, he barely avoided the deadly spray of bullets the attacker launched at him.
'Note to self. NEVER say I am bored on a Hellmouth again.' He thought as he drew one of his Nemesis pistols. Loading a clip of normal bullets, he jumped onto the alley wall and ran up and onto a roof.
Bringing his gun up, he fired then rolled right, and fired again as a bullet whizzed past his previous location. The shot caught a man in a blue suit and black tie, wearing a white harlequin's mask in the chest, he crumbled onto the ground. Moving to his location, he put his gun away and picked up the man's silenced pistol, eyes switching to sharingan, and looking for more targets.
'At least ten on this roof, about twenty on the other, two nearby roofs. The masks suggest these are Soldats Knights, and they look more than willing to kill me. Damn it to hell, why are the trials always so bothersome? The rules are in place so the gang is safe for the moment. Alright then, Soldats, you want to test me with more than Valkyrie, then I will prove myself and soak my soul in blood.'
Rolling from his position, he fired off a quick succession of shots bringing down three of the men, and quickly moving to their position hiding behind an air conditioning unit. Raising his gun, he shot another nearby target, and began scooping up the extra ammo clips the three men had been carrying for their silenced pistols. Moving quickly, he began weaving through the roof and shooting anything that moved leaving dead bodies in his wake.
The ten on his current roof were dead, but he now found himself pinned down by automatic weapons fire from two sides as the knights on the other two roofs opened fire.
Placing a hand on the ground, he sent chakra flowing through it, and watched as several distracting small explosions went off confusing his adversaries. Using the distraction, he made one quick hand seal and smiled.
"Kage Bunshin No Jutsu." (Shadow Clone Technique) several solid clones of himself appeared randomly on the roof and nodded to him understanding the plan.
"Kirigakure no Jutsu." (Hidden Mist Technique) as the fog covered the roof and his location, he picked up another silenced pistol and waited. Sensing one of his clones jumping out of the fog barrier, and vanishing a second later, due to gunfire. He opened fire, his mind and sharingan predicted where the enemy was, nodding as he heard two men fall over from fatal wounds.
He repeated this process several times until the enemy was thinned, and stopped shooting his clones. Dismissing the remaining, he let the mist slowly fade away and remained still.
Spinning up from his hiding place, suddenly he brought his guns to bare, and began firing, his eyes drooping slightly, and his face slipping into an emotionless mask. The bullets made no sound because of the silencers and ripped through the remaining men like tissue paper. Carefully gathering up their weapons and valuables, he bundled them up with his shirt and climbed down from the building.
He quickly sprinted for home, his chakra enhanced speed making him little more than a blur.
Giles Residence
Getting into his room, he sighed with relief and dumped his cargo onto the bed. Going to his closet, he grabbed his cloak and normal hunting gear. Tossing his clothes off, he quickly changed and began loading up on weapons.
"There has to be more out there, and if I don't deal with them, then they'll go after Faith and the others." He cursed as he finished preparing by loading his modular rifle.
Taking silencers off pistols and rifle, he was able to sound proof his personal guns and opening his window, he was out into the night to hunt the would-be hunters.
'Troublesome.'
Mayors Office
Valkyrie, or as she had once been known Sarah McNeal, was standing and staring out the window with a cup of tea in her hands. A twisted yet contented smile dawning her lips.
"Why do you seem so damn happy tonight?" Mr. Trick asked from where he was sitting in front of the Mayor's desk.
"Because, my dear Trick, tonight, my boy is out there proving to the Soldats and myself just how good he really is. Unlike you, he will actually get his hands dirty." She replied curtly before taking a sip of tea.
"They grow up so fast, don't they? One day they're needing a diaper changed, the next, they're all grown up and killing on their own." Mayor Wilkins replied in his Cleaver like way.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this kid one of the Slayers crew? If he's out there distracted tonight, why aren't we taking him out?"
"So old yet possessing no brain, quite sad for your species." Sarah answered the man with rudeness.
Trick growled and stood up switching to his game face, but before he could act, he fell to the ground as Sarah shot him in the knee with her back still to him.
"Scum such as you should remember your place when dealing with others who are your betters." She warned, slipping the gun into her cloak and then sipping a drink of tea.
"Now, children, you shouldn't fight, we're all one big family in this, so hug and make up. Now, don't you both feel better? Mr. Trick, when you're healed up, I require you and Sarah to fetch an important item for my ascension. It'll be arriving at the airport tomorrow night."
He watched trick nodding before saying anything else.
"Alright, then as a treat, who wants ice cream?"
Sunnydale
Six of the Soldats knights pulled their guns as they heard steps approaching them. Letting out a breath, they lowered their guns when they spotted it was only one of their own approaching. They didn't have time to prepare when the man brought a gun up with jerky movements and began shooting them. Even when they returned fire, the body only shook from the impact then started shooting again. As the sixth man died, the supposed comrade and killer sagged to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
"You should be proud, you died a true puppet to the Soldats." Alexander joked, jumping out of a tree, the last of his chakra strings flowing from around the sagged body and back into his fingers.
Hearing several explosions in the distance, he smiled as that meant his opponents had run into his traps, or one of his exploding shadow clones. Taking off in a silent run, his arms flew outward pointing to the sides, and he pulled the triggers on his Berretta pistols, both silenced gun spewing death at his enemy.
Stopping after the little run, he leaned against a tree and looked at the dead bodies of those who'd gotten past his trap ad the clones. Sliding his hand guns back into his cloak, he allowed his smile to become twisted. The more he killed, it seems the more he was accepting of what they wanted, and a part of his mind was worried it was some sort of brainwashing ploy, or that he was truly becoming a cold blooded killer.
"Damn it brain, stop thinking, I know I'm a genius now because of my oh, so great birth and Itachi's brains, but you're too freaking loud. I miss the quiet." He muttered, smacking himself on the forehead.
"Well, I suppose the fun is over now, and I'm out of snacks, so better get home before G-dad sends the FBI after me." He said to himself before walking away from his killing grounds, whistling the tune from his music box.
Library
"Tame the Pockey, but respect the Twinkie." Xander said, holding one of each in a different hand, seemingly studying them.
The others sat around the table blinking at him, and then looking down at the paper sat on the table then back up. The paper was the scores Xander had received in the SAT's that they all recently took.
"Xander, how did you get above a 1500 on the test?" Willow finally asked breaking the silence.
"Wills, my dear friend, I am an evil genius, I just chose to not show it, now back to my debate,"
"Xander, did you cheat?" Buffy accused.
"Buff, just because this piece of paper says I'm smarter than you is no reason to wound my pride. You women seem willing to do that a lot."
"You must admit, it is a bit odd to see someone who has never taken an interest in school score a 1560 on the SAT." Lindsey responded.
"I don't like school not because it's hard, but because I always knew the things they taught, and at the time I had no idea why." He spoke and set his snacks down before leaning back in his chair.
"She made sure I studied back then, and even Kirika too, had though she never was much into the literary stuff. My time at the base also helped as Dr. Ibiki thought I should study modern theory, a bit well modern for the time anyway. I know things that no teenager or child should, and I choose not to show them, unless I have to, or I want to. The hardest shadow to see is the one you yourself cast." He explained.
"How very Oz-like, Boytoy, care to explain it to us non-geniuses?" Faith asked with a snicker.
"Look underneath the underneath." Oz supplied.
"Yep, if you always show off, then how can you surprise people? Also, it is most definitely good to surprise people if your faces are any indicator." He laughed.
That seemed to pacify the group and most of them headed off to class. Xander just out his feet up on the table and closed his eyes. Faith and he were the only ones left in the room.
"So you cheated, right?"
"Like there was no tomorrow. Couldn't on verbal section, but it was fairly easy with my combined memories, the rest though. The Soldats didn't raise no fool, Faithie." He replied.
Airfield
Trick and Sarah watched as a rather freakish looking man exited the single engine plane and walked towards them with a box chained to his wrist. When the man reached them, he looked around.
"I was supposed to meet Wilkins here personally." He said, watching the two with distrust.
"He's waiting for us at City Hall." Trick answered, gesturing to the waiting limousine.
"That wasn't the deal, now get Wilkins here, or I'll be leaving!" the man responded.
"That would be inconvenient." Sarah spoke watching the man warily.
"Look lady, we had a deal, and I don't even know you're his people, so get him here in ten minutes or no box."
"I prefer option C." she said, drawing a pistol and placing six rounds into the man's chest.
"That wasn't necessary, you should try to learn some manners." Trick spoke up, watching her draw a knife and cut the chain off.
"Mr. Trick, refrain from telling me how to do my job, and I won't feel a need to destroy you." She replied, walking to the limo.
Library
"So this weird box Buffy saw Trick and Valkyrie bring to city hall is important for the Mayor's ascension?" Xander asked, after listening to Buffy report in.
"I'd imagine if this box is important enough to use his best people, yes." Lindsey replied looking through a book for the box itself.
Xander shut his eyes and listened to the gang as they discussed what to do. He was aware of three pairs of eyes discreetly watching him when Buffy announced her plan to get the box and Wesley pointing out the odds of their supernatural protection around the place.
"This looks like a job for Wiccan girl then." After the words left Buffy's mouth, Xander opened his eyes and whistled, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"No Buff, this isn't a job for Wills, you, or Angel. Faith, Oz, Cordelia, and I will go in get the box and be out before anyone can catch us, and even if they do, I trust them to be able to handle any hairy situation." He said then got up from his seat.
Willow looked rather hurt by this.
"Willow, you're a great hacker and awesome with the Wicca magic stuff, but this is a job for trained professionals. Valkyrie might be there, and she can sense magic, so you'd be discovered before anything could be accomplished."
"Sorry Red, but Boytoy is right. So what's the plan?" Faith said supporting Xander. Cordelia looked to him as well.
"Willow, I need you to hack City Record and get us the floor plan for city hall. G-dad, Lindsey, and Wesley, get the books and figure out how to destroy the box once we have it. Buffy, go get Angel and then come back here to provide security for the library, while Willow and the Watchers cook up the spell." He explained and left no room for arguing.
"Faith, Cordelia, and Oz, go home and change into the appropriate gear and gather your weapons and tools. Prepare for both human and supernatural targets you're allowed to subdue or kill, if need be, if you can't handle it then don't show up. We meet near back here in one hour."
"This is your genin exam, by the way." He said that then turned and walked out, he had to prepare as well.
"Cool." Oz said, breaking them out of their reverie, and heading out to get ready.
One Hour Later
Alexander sat calmly, disassembling and checking each part of his guns for fault, before cleaning the parts. He had brought all four of his primary hand guns and his modular rifle along with three of the guns he'd liberated from his attackers the other night. Buffy watched in a sort of detached horror as he calmly and methodically worked on the guns.
"Xand, when did you learn to do that so easily?" she asked.
"When I was two." He replied without thinking as he was focused on his task.
Putting his Berretta back together, he closed his eyes and simply let himself revel in the feelings and memories of his first gun. Opening his eyes, he leveled the weapon at Buffy and watcher, her eyes widen before putting down the gun, and starting on the next.
"If I wanted to hurt you Buff, I already would have, lighten up, it wasn't loaded." He said trying to smooth things over with her.
"Ok, I got the plans, Xander." Willow announced happily as she set the numerous papers out on the table.
"Great Wills, now all we need is the others, and this party can get started." He praised the redhead and looked towards the doors.
As if summoned by his words, the doors were pushed open, and his three students walked in.
Oz was dressed in a pair of black cargo pants, the pockets serving to hide his weapons and gear. Along with it, he wore a black T-shirt and jean jacket looking normal, yet also prepared.
Faith was dressed in black leather pants and a black top that stopped above her belly button. A belt turned slightly to favor her right side contained her various holsters and pouches. The gleam in her eye reminded Xander just why the dark haired slayer had piqued his interest back in Boston.
Cordelia was a shocker for Xander though; he'd expected her to back out or show up in a skirt or something, but he was proven wrong. She was dressed in all black from her tank top and jacket to the tight pants and ankle high heeled boots she wore. She had her equipment seemingly in varying places for easy access in different situations.
Shaking his head, he stood up and tossed each of them a silenced handgun and stalled their protests with a hand. He wore his standard gear for any assassination or patrol. Black ninja sandals, pants with the bottoms taped to his legs, black shirt styled after Itachi's; and his black cloak with the crimson clouds outlined in white.
"I know you guys don't like guns and have no intention of killing someone tonight. In fact, I don't think you should have them either, considering I've not trained you to use a gun or do upkeep on them, but it can't be helped tonight. We are heading into enemy territory with very little intelligence and preparation time. If all else fails, you have something that can protect you or buy you enough time to get away. One more thing, if your life is on the line then kill to protect your own life or a friend's life. Anyone want out knowing these conditions and orders?" He watched as no one volunteered and smiled at them.
"You guys are seriously creeping me out now." He said and turned his back to examine the floor plan.
He never noticed Cordelia and Faith hand over $5 each to Oz, though he did hear the musician mutter.
"Suckers."
City Hall
"This is Crimson blade, all posts check in and report." Alexander whispered into his headset as he hid behind an AC unit on the roof of a building beside city hall.
"Mirage beauty, I've got a count of at least four guards on the roof, and six more walking a patrol in the building, none seem armed, Crimson blade." Cordelia answered first, her position being the roof on the opposite side of city hall.
"This is Music man, I can confirm Mirage's targets on the roof, and they are all vampires, no heartbeat or breath detected." Oz spoke next from an alleyway, his ears being flooded with chakra to enhance every sound as he had been learning to do from both Xander and his book.
"Boston Slayer here, and I've got movement on street level. Looks like Valkyrie is flying the nest." Faith responded from Oz's van parked across the street.
"We can't miss this chance. Boston slayer, join me up here. Mirage, get ready to attack. Music man, come up the wall and hit the guards with a sound technique. When he strikes, you both move in and take the guards down while I deal with the alarms and power. We go in five, be in position or get left behind by then." Alexander ordered.
When five minutes passed, Oz shot up the wall with as much speed as he could, while doing hand seals and preparing his technique for launch. Reaching the edge of the roof, he jumped into the air and finished the last of the three necessary seals.
"Jigoku Himei no Jutsu." (Hell Shriek Technique) opening his mouth wide, he let out a chakra infused shriek that slammed into the vampires, and even shattered the glass on the roof skylight.
The vampires, due to heightened senses, were extremely more vulnerable to this technique then normal people. The four guards were forced to the ground in intense pain, their bodies numb and paralyzed from it. Faith and Cordelia ran to the edge of their roofs and easily jumped onto the city hall's roof. They quickly went to work on the helpless undead dusting them in seconds.
Alexander landed on the roof spreading his chakra out, and forming it into a magnetic field that shorted out the alarm box and electrical wiring buried in the concrete. Walking to the door that led inside, he slid it open and spotted an electrical socket nearby. Holding out his right hand, he drew the magnetic field back in and sent chakra into his right hand.
"Raiton Yaiba no Jutsu." (Thunder Blade Technique) the chakra quickly took the form of electricity. He kept the blade protruding from his index and middle finger the size of a knife blade and then jammed it into the electrical socket. Nothing happened for a minute, and then all the lights in the building went out as the fuse box was overloaded.
"Mirage, down through the skylight and secure the package. Boston, go and cover her. Music man, you and me down through the building to draw security away from the box. We have ten minutes max, before either the police or reinforcements can arrive, so move." With that, he slid his face mask up and activated his sharingan.
Three heads nodded and split up.
Hallways
Alexander rolled into the darkened hall and stayed on one knee, his handgun sweeping for targets, before he started moving with Oz heading the other direction. Spying a door opened, he waited until he saw the golden glowing eyes of a vampire, he used the vampire killing round, entering the demons heart and dusting him.
He could hear the dusting sound coming from behind him now and knew Oz had begun attacking targets with wooden knives or stakes. He continued ahead, his gun constantly raised, and picked off each target as it made itself available to his eyes.
Oz spun around stabbing another vampire with his wooden dagger and pulling it free of its chest so it didn't dust with the body. He could feel his senses becoming enhanced as he flooded his body with chakra, more animalistic energy only adding to his adrenaline. He suddenly ducked and performed a sweeping kick behind him, dropping the human that had been sneaking up on him. A moment later, he knocked the person out with a well placed strike to the temples.
Both cursed when the lights turned back on, and an alarm went off from within the Mayor's office. From opposite directions, they sprinted towards the location of their friends.
Mayor's Office
Cordelia landed with ease followed by Faith, and they both looked around checking for enemy targets before walking to the box. Faith took a position to watch the door and windows, while Cordelia began inspecting the object of their mission.
'Definitely a magical barrier around it, I can sense the same energy as when Willow does a spell, so how do I counter it? If I can force my chakra into a specific point, then I should be able to force open the barrier enough to get the box out.' She thought, tapping her chin.
What Cordelia lacked in chakra amounts, she made up for in near perfect control, and still with Xander's exercises, her chakra was expanding everyday. Forcing chakra into her palm, she began centering it, and placed it against the barrier. The contact point sparked as the barrier resisted, and Cordelia sweated from the concentration and straining, but slowly her chakra was able to force open the barrier. Reaching inside with her free hand, she quickly dragged the box out, and canceled the flow of chakra.
"Mission accomplished, let's bolt." Cordelia announced to Faith with an arrogant smile.
It was at that moment that the lights turned back on, and the secondary alarm rigged for the box, began blaring.
Turning, she ran towards Faith who cupped her hands and when Cordelia stepped onto them, gave her a slight push to help her jump up and through the skylight opening.
"Kirigakure no Jutsu." (Hidden Mist Technique) She called once back on the roof and finishing the seals spreading out the mist to cover the area and hiding their escape route.
Faith, meanwhile, rolled to hide behind the desk as the door opened and a human security guard leveled a revolver into the doorway. Throwing a wooden shuriken towards the door, she heard the man duck back into the hallway, and fired a few wild shots back in. She listened for a second and heard the barest of sounds and then the guard's body falling over. Taking the opportunity, she got under the skylight and pushing chakra into her legs and jumped up and out.
Alexander watched the guard die from his shot and heard Faith make her escape. Rolling right, he shot another guard coming down the hall and continued towards the office. He spotted Oz coming around the opposite corner and shot the vampire trying to sneak up on him.
Oz's eyes watched in detachment as Xander fired over his shoulder then rolled, and shot another person who had been behind him. It was like watching a ballet drenched in blood. His ears suddenly twitched, and he spotted a human come around the corner, while Xander was distracted with a vampire. Bringing up his gun, he fired on instinct to protect his friend.
Alexander turned seeing the shotgun toting guard falling, and then spotted Oz's smoking gun. He quickly dispatched the vampire, and headed into the office with the werewolf. Helping him jump first, he was a step behind and before they made an escape, he whispered low enough for the man to hear him without using the headset.
"Breakdown later, so we can talk about this in private." Receiving a nod, they were off through the mist.
Library
The four entered the library box in hand, to see a large cauldron bubbling and the watchers adding in various ingredients. Buffy was sitting at the table and Angel was sitting on the stairs.
"Hey gang, we're back and with the cargo. Where's Wills so we can get this party started?" Xander asked, setting the box on the table.
"We were missing an ingredient and she volunteered to fetch it for us. Come to think about it, she has been gone a long time." Lindsey said looking around for a clock.
"Please tell me, you didn't let her go without an escort?" Xander asked rubbing his temples, and feeling the tension building inside Oz.
"Well, I mean, it was just supposed to be a quick errand." Buffy answered and then Xander heard his cell phone ring. Taking it out, he answered the call with a sigh.
"Hello?"
"Hello Alexander." A female British accented voice responded.
"You missed the party, Valkyrie, and here I thought, you and I might get to dance."
"I had to pick someone up for Mr. Wilkins, you might know her, Alexander, I believe her name is Willow."
"If you hurt her, I swear, not even the Soldats will be able to protect you from my wrath."
"Now, now, little one, if she is harmed, it will be entirely your fault. You have something we want, and we have something you want, I think a trade is mutually acceptable."
"Since when do assassins become kidnappers?"
"Would you prefer I slit her pretty little throat and send her heart to your werewolf friend?"
"It's not my call."
"You've one hour to decide, just simply call me back with your decision. Oh, and Alexander, in the future don't attempt to fool me so easily, I could sense your Boston slayer's presence, quite shortsighted of you to keep her so close."
Ending the call, he growled before taking a deep breath, and putting his phone back into his pocket.
"They've got Willow and want to trade us for the box, we've got an hour to respond or she dies." He said, dropping into a chair.
He listened as they argued amongst each other about what should be done until Oz kicked the cauldron over spilling the spell components all over the floor. Not even looking up, Xander made the call.
"You want to talk about it?" Xander asked Oz as they chained another door closed. Buffy's plan was to make sure the Mayor and his cronies only had one way in and one way out of the school. Xander was adding to this by putting up explosive notes.
"No" he replied, placing the padlock onto the chains.
"Look Oz, I know you're worried about Willow, but if you're thinking about the mission, it could get not only her but all of us killed."
"It was the Wolf. The instincts made me act before I thought. I don't really know what to think, but I don't want to do it again."
"We'll talk more after this is over then. Remorse is what keeps you human, Oz-man, but if someone you cherish is in danger, then it might be necessary to kill. That is the way of a kind shinobi."
"Cool, but Willow first, then meaningful talks."
Cafeteria
"Isn't this exciting, meeting here at midnight, oh, so dangerous." The Mayor announced as he and his vampire minions entered through the only way in. Willow was being led and restrained by Valkyrie.
Alexander had his silenced Berretta drawn and pointing at her. Valkyrie in turn, had a gun drawn and aimed at him, her free hand holding onto Willow firmly.
"Glad you're liking it. Willow, you ok?" Buffy spoke and then asked getting a nod from the redhead.
"Alright, let's finish this, it's already late and I have a meeting in the morning. Now, Sarah will bring Miss Rosenberg to the middle of the room and Angel will bring the box to the middle of the room and hand it to Mr. Trick."
"Alright." Buffy said.
Slowly, both groups went to the middle of the room. Angel handed the Box to the vampire and Sarah released Willow, who ran to the rest of the gang, where she threw her arms around Oz and hugged him hard. After that, both sides took a few steps back, so they were a few feet before their respective groups.
"Well, this was certainly fun." The mayor said, before turning to leave. The second his back turned, Alexander dropped to one knee and fired six shots into the back of his head.
Wilkins's body slumped forward, landing atop the box, the lid jarred open for a second before his hands closed it and he stood up, the wounds healing. The group watched with wide eyes and someone who should've died just turned and smiled at them.
One of the vampire minions screamed as a bug that looked to be a cross between a spider, crab, and roach latched onto his face. Sarah shot the bug and began looking around for more. Alexander turned and shot another that was behind Wesley. Faith spun around and impaled a third with her knife and Buffy crushed the last one on a table.
"What the hell are you?" Faith demanded.
"A humble civil servant, good night kiddies" Wilkins said, walking and being flanked by his minions.
"Not bad, Alexander, even I didn't expect you to shoot someone in the back, most impressive." Valkyrie complemented walking backwards.
"It is an ancient fate awaiting only one. A child born of Noir. A child born with the blood of sin in his veins, whose fathers lived in the shadows of man and brought death to the deserving. A weapon forged in hell's fire and soaked in blood. He is the Alexander." Alexander replied, his voice quiet, yet cold.
Valkyrie smiled and raised her hand, her index and middle finger straight, and placed against her chest. She slowly closed her eyes.
"It is an ancient fate. One knight who shall lord over death. The justice of the newly born, his crimson hands dispense." She whispered quietly before getting out of the doors.
"Boytoy?" Faith asked as she watched him climb back into a standing position.
"A reminder, Faithie, and nothing more." He responded.
Giles Residence
Rupert Giles blinked as he walked into the kitchen and found breakfast already made and waiting on the table. It was a standing rule around the house that Giles would make breakfast and Xander's dinner, thus breaking up the types of food.
Xander joined him a minute later after his morning training and shower, carrying the mail. Passing a large stack to the Englishman, he sat down with a simple brown wrapped package. Anyone who he might get mail from, always used email, and didn't know his address with the exception of his arms maker that is.
"Good morning G-dad, I figured after last night, you could use a little stress relief and what better way then to drawn you sorrows in tea and a hearty breakfast?" Xander greeted, beginning to eat after pouring them each a cup of tea.
"Good morning Xander, Uh, thank you, I must profess I was rather tired after everything that happened. Seems you're taking care of me more than I am of you anymore." He replied.
"Nah, just building future credit for misdeeds or vacation time, besides, I was up before dawn anyway." He joked and began opening the package wondering what he'd been sent.
"So, what did you receive in the mail?" Giles asked, sorting through his own mail.
"Don't know, the only person who would send me anything like this hasn't given me any notice, so I'm kinda curious myself." He answered, finishing removing the paper to reveal a polished mahogany wooden box with no defining marks or characters.
"I'll see you at school, I want to look at this in private." He said, picking the box up and moving to his room without another word.
Closing his door, he set the box down on his desk and simply stared at it for a moment. There was no doubt in his mind where this box was from, and it most certainly wasn't his gun maker. Reaching out, he slowly lifted the lid off the box and stared gazed at its contents.
Four items rested inside the box atop a crimson pillow of velvet or silk, he wasn't sure of which, each one of the items sparkled. The smallest object was a ring made of platinum with a symbol he knew all too well, carved onto the top where most would put settings. Next was a pocket watch with the same symbol carved into the lid, and when it opened, he heard the tune from his music box play and the time correctly set. The third Item was a music box made exactly like his, but it had the symbol carved into the top, and onto the latch. The final object, though, drew his complete attention, he even allowed his hand to gently slide across the cool metal of it. He traced the pattern of the symbol carved into the metal. It was the one thing a ninja was taught to respect, and the only possession Itachi had ever hated having to mar. The fourth and final item was a forehead protector with the symbol that he knew and a part of him cherished.
Four items all baring the symbol of… The Soldats.
'So they call for me now, and offer me the power of being a member of the Soldats, but from whom did this come from? The high priest? Altena? Or another faction? What was it you said to me, Valkyrie? That if I joined the Soldats, I would become powerful enough to one day lay down my gun? Who would I share that life with, though? The daughter of Corsica, Kirika, Cordelia, Faith, or someone, I have yet to meet? So many questions, and so very few answers.' He thought and with a smile, reached for the ring.
"Maybe when I'm ready." He muttered and instead grabbed the lid and placed it over the box.
Library
"No." Xander said looking at the assembled Scooby Gang.
"Come on, Boytoy, it'll be fun."
"No."
"Dweeb, just go ahead and cave in, it'll save us all a lot of trouble." Cordelia said.
"No."
"Xander, please it won't be any fun if you're not there." Willow tried with the puppy dog eyes, and for a brief moment he wavered.
"No."
"If I have to hit you with a desk and drop you there myself, I will, Xander. This is a big night, you can't miss it." Buffy threatened, then whined at the end.
"You're not going to leave me alone until I agree to this, are you?" he asked and watched them nod with a sigh.
"Fine, I'll go to the prom, are you happy now?"
"Now, we can discuss just who your date will be." Buffy said and he allowed his head to hit the table.
"I'm not taking one, Faith and Cordelia are my students, and the girls of this school give me the creeps. So, no date in exchange, I'm willing to let TWO of you help me pick out my tuxedo." He bargained and hoped for mercy from the girls.
They looked ready to protest, but Faith then got a weird gleam in her eye, and whispered to Cordelia who blinked then smiled. Explaining their plans to the other two girls, they received nods from them as well.
"Alright, Boytoy, we'll agree to that, but if you find one girl at the dance you like and she asks you to dance, you have to, and you have to kiss her."
"Fine." He replied and had a slightly disturbing feeling run up his spine.
'These troublesome women are up to something.'
'Oh, I got you this time, Boytoy, its payback time for all those stupid training drills. Now, all I need is Queen C and Red's help and your laptop, and I'll get you three times, maybe.'
Store
"Why can't I just wear a suit and my cloak?" Xander asked, looking at the various catalogs and folders that showed tuxedo designs and brands. He was sadly under the watchful eyes of Cordelia and Buffy.
"Xand, you agreed to this so stop whining about it." Buffy scolded and he sighed.
"They all look the same to me."
"That's because you don't have an eye, Dweeb-boy, so just put yourself in our hands and we'll get you all ready for the big night."
"Isn't this a bit much just so Faith can lose a bet?"
Suddenly the shop's main window shattered as something flew through it and into the store. Xander tackled the girls to the floor as the monster leapt over them and attacked a kid trying on a tuxedo. Getting up, he charged the beast and was able to throw it off its victim. Able to get a good look now, he realized the thing appeared to be a monstrous or demon like dog. He was about to end the thing's life, when it suddenly bolted back out of the window.
"I thought we had a leash law in this state?"
Library
Xander sat watching the security tape from the store with the others, Wesley explaining that the beast was a hell hound. Cordelia made a comment on the thing's choice in clothing.
"Zoom in right there, see, he ignored the Dweeb and went right for the good stuff."
"It's a VCR, it doesn't zoom." He commented.
"They do it on TV all the time." She retorted.
"Pause it." Oz suddenly said and Xander was about to say the same thing when he realized that yes, he could pause it.
"Tucker Wells, he's in my chemistry class, seems like a normal guy." He said, pointing to a person outside the window. Willow was easily able to hack into his email and read a startling one from Tucker to someone about the big night being the last night.
"My god! He must've trained them to attack people in formal attire." Lindsey surmised.
"Anyone mind if I kill this psycho?" Xander asked, his voice holding no humor in it.
"Xander, I think killing might be a bit extreme in this case." Giles said, trying to diffuse an argument.
"Well, I guess that means we won't be going to the prom." Willow sighed and spoke out. Xander seemed to be the only one smiling brightly at the idea.
"Aw, and I had the perfect dress picked out and everything, and we spent so much time getting Dweeb-boy his tux." Cordelia whined.
Xander resisted the urge to do a happy dance. It wasn't proper for an Uchiha to do such things in public or private. Plus, if he did, he knew he would take damage to his privates. He was many things, but stupid on the habits of women, was not one of them.
"Oh well, the safety of our fellow students must come first. Drat it all, I was looking forward to the prom so much." He said, his voice taking an ever so slight British accent.
"Well then, Xander, I can't let you get disappointed, now can I? You guys are going tonight and have one normal night if it kills me. All we need to do is find this guy and stop him, I can handle that." Buffy said, and simply smiled at Xander's glare.
"If I help B out, we can be done in time to get ready, we don't even need your help on this one, Boytoy." Faith chimed in receiving a sharingan glare.
Throwing his hands into the air, he stormed out of the library.
"TROUBLESOME!" was heard by the entire school a moment later.
Prom
Alexander was not enjoying himself one bit. The tuxedo he wore had black pants, shoes, and the jacket with a white tux shirt and a dark blue, if not black bow tie and vest. He would've preferred crimson or something like the clothing Uchiha wore, or even oriental styles, but no those troublesome women had demanded he pick this one. Tucker Wells was in jail for the animal attack at the store, and his pets were dead and burned, thanks to the resident Slayers.
Willow and Oz were dancing the same with Lindsey and Giles. Cordelia had relented it seems, and was dancing with Wesley. Faith was with a guy he had never seen before, and figured the Bostonian had just picked someone at random to dance with, or picked someone at random to go with. The perfect couple, or in his eyes, the unholy couple of Buffy and Angel, were dancing together and lost to the world, it seemed.
"Even when surrounded by a crowd, I find myself alone." He said to himself as he watched. He felt a presence come up beside him long before the person spoke.
"I believe that's a quote from Hemmingway."
"This is surprising, did someone order a hit on me, or are we about to be attacked by stereotypical thugs?" He asked, turning his eyes to the women beside him.
"No, it seems forces outside your control conspired to bring me here. I believe the name was called Faith on the email." She responded with a light laugh.
"That explains a few things then. I'm surprised you actually came at the call of someone you didn't even know, though, Mireille." He said and turned to look and the stunning blonde beauty of Corsica.
"I was intrigued that someone could use your account to reach me, let alone, find Noir. I must admit I've also missed seeing you since Christmas and Kirika had already planned to come after the email was read. So, here we are." She responded and pointed to dark haired amnesiac girl who was by the doors.
"You're waiting for me to admit I missed you too. I did and do, but its risky being here, Soldats has people here." He said in return becoming worried about the blonde and Kirika.
"Tonight, I don't care about that. I came here to see you, Alexander, you told me once not to think about work and just enjoy the moment, now I return the favor. Care to dance?"
Looking at her for a heartbeat, he thought of denying her request, but in the end, grasped her hand and moved towards the dance floor. Kirika was surprised, when a second later, a shadow clone of Xander tapped her on the shoulder and dragged her out to dance as well.
He didn't know what song was playing, or even if a slow dance was the tempo, but that's the pace they set. The blue eyes meeting his chocolate eyes were the entire world to him at the moment, along with the feeling of her body close to his own. Time slowed down and for once, he found himself without worry for tomorrow.
Leaning forward as the song ended, his lips met those of Mireille.
Airfield
Dawn was fast approaching when Alexander stood with the two maidens of Noir, awaiting their chopper lift to the airport. He had last night kissed Mireille, then later Kirika had asked him to dance and bound by his word, he kissed her as well though, thankfully Mireille had not seen that. He was confused now more then ever.
"So, you're going to visit Corsica?" He asked Mireille.
"I think my answers are there and I haven't been home in a long time."
"If she is going to disappear for awhile, you're welcome to stay here and see the sights of the Hellmouth, Kirika." He offered.
"No… Thank you, Alexander, but I think this is your place for now and not mine." She replied and started for the chopper, only to be stopped by Alexander's hand on her arm. Mireille went on ahead and climbed in.
"Kirika, there's something you need to know."
"Yes, Alexander?"
"I am a child of Soldats. I always have been and always will, and what Mireille learns in Corsica will change things. It's almost time, Kirika, and when it comes, you and I will face another choice together to fight what they want, or give into the grand design. I don't know my side, Kirika, I'd suggest you think hard on your own. We will meet in that place when you have the answer." Turning, he walked away leaving Kirika confused.
'I am a child of Soldats, and my children whomever I have them with, will bare that same fate. I am linked to that name just as sure as I draw breath, only now, I must choose to whom I serve.'
'I will serve my purpose in the grand return, but I must now decide what the grand return means to me, Altena.'
"Now, I need to find Faith and 'thank' her properly for drawing a pair of deadly assassins to our town." He muttered with a psychotic gleam in his eyes.
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