The pack
LELAS POV
I smile and skip around as we finally leave the area of the zoo with the fish. The school actually desided to do a field trip and im happy it was to The Sunnydale Zoo I always loved to take photos that's one of the reasons mom and Buffy got me this really nice camera the second is that when mom saw how good my photos were she wanted me to keep doing it but as soon as i herd we were going I put it around my neck and haven't taken it off granted its just been a day but still. I try to hold in how happy I am to not be in class and to be taking photos by now I have a ton of fish in my camera but I was able to convince Buffy to come with me else were because honestly I want to take some photos of animals that arnt fish now. I look around and see A sign that points to the reptiles, elephants and the Hyena House. Oh man where first I sigh I'll probably have to split up from Buffy so I can get some pictures I want before we have to go.
"Oh, look. It's Buffy Lela and all their friends." I look over from the sign and try to hold in a growl as I see Kyle not these band of bullies again...
"That's a witty." Buffy says not amused
"Oh look at this Kyle" Rhonda says as she half skips over to me I just glare at her what is she.. "Dog girl has a fancy camera" she says trying to take it I guess the rumor Cordelia said got to them. Buffy was about to come help but stopped when I let out a low growl and grab Rhondas arm tight keeping her from touching it I happen to like this camera and I'm not letting anyone mess with it. She try's to yank her arm away twice the third time I let her get it out of my grasp and she backs up with a smirk I look over to Buffy and she seems a little happy that I stuck up for myself for once
"Do you two ever wonder why nobody cool wants to hang out with you?" Tor says
"Just thankful." Buffy says in a reply and I just stay quiet
"Were you this popular at your old school? Before you got kicked out?" Rhonda says The group laughs, and they continue on their way.
"Careful! They might beat you up!" Tor says I look at Buffy and she's obvisally upset I give her a gentle hug and she smiles at me slightly and we just continue to walk heading to the elephants. Buffy just starts reading the plaque and I start taking photos about a minute passes and Xander and Willow come running up.
"Hey! Buffy! Lela!" Xander says
"You missed it!" Willow says exited
"Missed what?" Buffy asks
"We just saw the zebras mating!" Xander nods to Willow "Thank you, very exciting..."
"It was like the Heimlich, with stripes!" Willow says "it would of made a great picture" she adds looking at me and I just shake my head
"Uh no thanks will I don't really want a photo of that" I respond
"And I missed it. Yet somehow I'll find the courage to live on." Buffy says having the same I don't really want to see that reaction as she begins walking
"Where were you guys?" Willow asks as she follows her Xander and I following her lead
"Uh, looking at the fishes"
"Was it cool?" Willow asks
"Yea I basically got a whole aquarium I'm my camra" I answer her and Buffy just looks at me in slight amusement
"It was fishes." She says
"I'm feelin' that you're not in the field trip spirit here." Xander comments
"Well, it would... It's nothing, I... We do the same zoo trip at my old school every year. Same old, same old." Buffy answers and I just nod some ya but I like taking the photos never know what you'll get on camra
"Buffy, this isn't just about looking at a bunch of animals. This is about not being in class!" Xander states and I nod to that true it is but it's also for the animals but I deside not to speek what I think though seeing Buffy brighten up
"You know, you're right! Suddenly the animals look shiny and new." Buffy says
"Gotta have perspective." Xander replys I smile and think
"Hey guys gather up for a moment" they look at me confused but do as I ask "ok now smile!" I grin and they laugh slightly and smile widely. I snap a few photos of them and wave my camra around a bit to show them I'm done they all walk over to see. Xander carefully takes my camra and finds the pictures
"Hey who's this good lookin guy" he jokes
"It looks good Lela" Willow adds and Buffy nods smiling
"But why didn't you join us in the pik you have a trimmer on it." Buffy asks
"I would of but I don't really want a random person Holding it and I'm scared it I set it on the railing it will fall into the pins and be crushed" I answer her and she as well as willow nod understanding
"Any chance i can have a copy?" Xander asks and I just nod smiling slightly embarrassed
"Sure anyone else want one?" Willow and Buffy nod and I smile more we all look up from my camra just in time to see Kyle and the others taking another student I think his name is lance to the hyena house and ducking under the tape
"What are Kyle and his buds doing with Lance?" Willow asks worried
"Oh, playing with him as a cat plays with a mouse." Xander answers
"What is it with those guys?" Buffy asks
"They're obnoxious. Professionally." Willow answers
"Well, every school has 'em. So, you start a new school, you get your desks, some blackboards and some mean kids." Xander try's to joke
"Yeah, well, I'd better extract Lance before..." Buffy starts but Xander interrupts her
"I'll handle it. This job doesn't require actual slaying." He says as he goes in I can't help but think...was that a slight insult or...
"You don't think we should follow?" Buffy asks Willow
"Kyle and those guys are jerks, but they're all talk. Mostly." She answers
"Why don't we..." Buffy says to us and I nod
"Yeah, why don't we?" We duck under the tape and start to walk in, but are caught in the act by a zookeeper.
"Oh, hold it, hold it, are you blind, or are you just illiterate? Because hyenas are very quick to prey on the weak." The zookeeper says
"Oh, w-we were just gonna take..." Buffy starts but I cut in
"Photos we always wanted a photo of them and we saw that you had them so we was hoping to get a fast photo" Buffy looks a little relived with my excuse but just by looking at the zookeeper it's obvious he is not going to let us it at all I just hope he dosent go in there
"You're not going in there. Anyone that does is in a world of trouble." Knew it
"No, no one's going in there." Willow says as she ducks back under the tape. Buffy and I do the same
"Why is it off-limits?" Buffy asks
"It's a quarantine. These hyenas just came in from Africa, so keep out. Even if they call your name." The keeper answers call our name?..
"What are you talking about?" Buffy asks just as confused as I am
"The Masai tribesmen told me that hyenas are capable of understanding human speech. They follow humans around by day, learning their names. At night, when the campfire dies, they call out to a person. Once they separate him, the pack" he snaps his fingers "devours them." Buffy willow and I look at eachother and back to the hyena house even more worried "now I don't want to see you three back around here now shoo" we pretty much didn't have a choise but to leave the hyena house at this point so we all walked back to the elephants
"What now?" Willow asks and Buffy just shrugs
"Well" I speek up "since we can't wait for him I say look around more besides I want to get a few more pictures in it's about time to go" they just nod and I walk off looking behind me a few times guess they are gonna wait "oh well. Zebras here I come" I say to myself and hurry on my way
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BUFFYS POV
Willow and I sit down at an empty table as we make our way back from the bar. It's to bad Lela can't handle it the bronze has decent food I shrug at my own though remembering that she couldn't of made it anyway because she's developing the pictures she took today. I carefully set my drink and croissant down on the table
"I thought Xander would be here by now." Willow says sad and worried
"Hmm, that'd make him on time. We couldn't have that!" I joke but it seems she isn't taking the joke very well
"Did he seem upset at all on the bus back from the zoo?"
"About what?"
"I dunno. He was quiet."
"I didn't notice anything." We both sit down and I start nibbling on my crasont "But then again I'm not as hyperaware of him as, oh, say, for example, you." I give her a small smile
"Hyperaware?"
"Well, I'm not constantly monitoring his health, his moods, his blood pressure..."
"130 over 80!" I try not to laugh
"You got it bad, girl!"
"He makes my head go tingly. You know what I mean?"
"I dimly recall."
"But it hasn't happened to you lately?" I frown
"Not of late."
"Not even for a dangerous and mysterious older man whose leather jacket you're wearing right now?" My frown turns into mock annoyance
"Goes with the shoes!" I say in a lame defense
"Come on, Angel pushes your buttons. You know he does"
" I suppose some girls might find him good looking..." With that willow gives me a look that tells me I'm busted "...if they have eyes, alright, he's a honey, but... it's just he's never around, and when he is all he wants to do is talk about vampires, and... I, I just can't have a relationship..." I finish looking down
"There he is!" Willow says suddenly and I look back up fast
"Angel?" I say exidengly
"Xander!" I try to hide my blush oh right Xander I follow her gaze and watch him walk up to the table
"Girls!" He greets
"Boy!" I greet him back
"Sorry I'm late, I... just forgot that we were gonna be here." He looks at my croissant "Hungry!" He then tears a piece off and eats it and I give him an annoyed look he could of asked
"Xander, you still want me to help you with geometry tomorrow?" Willow asks as Xander takes a swig of My drink and I just shoot him a meaner glare "We can work after class..." He gives Willow a thumbs-up
"Yeah." He looks at me "What is this crap?"
"Well, it was my buttery croissant. " I say was a little louder
"Man, I need some food! Birds live on this!" Then you should of gotten your own food I keep my mouth shut and look at Willow then we both look at Xander and he looks back and forth at us
"What?" He asks
"What's up with you?" I ask him
"Is something wrong? Did I do something?" Willow asks
"What could you possibly do? That's crazy talk. I'm just... restless." Xander answers willow
"Well, we could go to the ice cream place..." Xander points to the table
"I like it here." He looks up and scans the area a bit, and then leans toward Me and sniffs my hair do I smell or something that's impossible I had a shower before I left
"Okay, now what?" I ask slightly annoyed
"You took a bath."
"Yeah, I-I often do, I'm actually known for it."
"That's okay." He says as he starts looking around again scratching his chest some willow and I just exchange another look
"And the weird behavior award goes to..." I say in annoyance when Xander doesn't reply I follow his gaze and low and behold Kyle and the others come in. "Oh, great. It's the winged monkeys." Kyle and company come over to us and just have a stare down with Xander after a bit They go around to another table that's occupied and stares at a boy that's sitting there
"Y'know, I don't understand why you're sitting at our table." Kyle says
"Yeah, shouldn't you be hovering over the football stadium with 'Goodyear' written on you?" Rhonda adds at that They start laughing and to both willows and my suprized so does Xander he turns back to us then stops when he sees we arnt laughing
"Kid's fat." Is all he has to say before he turns his attention back to them something is definitely wrong here
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LELAS POV
I can't help but jump back and forth punching the air as I watch Giles train buffy or more accurately watch Buffy train on him good thing he has protective gear on because She does a roundhouse kick followed by a high punch and a swinging middle punch to Giles gloved hands. She continues, doing a full spin and finishing with a backhand punch. She does a full spinning jumping high wheel kick followed by a right middle punch, a high roundhouse kick and a front snap kick. Then she jumps high and does a twin straddle kick. She lands back on her feet and moves in to attack again, when Giles suddenly jumps back I guess he's tired I hope he still has some strength left for me
"Right!" Buffy stops short as Giles speaks "That's enough training for one day."
"Well, that last roundhouse was kinda sloppy. Are you sure you don't wanna do it again?" Buffy asks
"No! No, no, that's fine. You just... run along to class." Giles says out of breath and Buffy goes "While I wait for the feeling to return to my arms." He finishes when she's out of the room and I giggle
"What about me" I pretend to go and punch him and he jumps away and I laugh loudly
"Lela!" He says shocked and I laugh harder
"Sorry Giles couldn't resist but will we be training today" I ask as I calm down
"N-no not tonight but another day and I would like to train you while your a werewolf as well I have a whole corse planned" I tilt my head course? Werewolf?
"Ok not that I'm not glad I get to run around but how will we do that without being seen and what course?" He just gives me a tired smile
"We will do it at night in the woods no one should see us and yes a running course some dummy's and other things"
"You mean the zip line things with a toy on it that they use to train and race dogs" I ask Him and he blinks and thinks for a moment
"Y-yes I suppose so" I just smile at him it's obvious he didn't think about how that would sound sooner or what it resembled
"It's ok Giles I'm going to meet up with willow and Xander see you later" he smiles and waves good bye and I wave back and head out surching for their scent let's see Buffy principle...pig?...why do I smell a pig I shake my head and try again more pig pig pig pig God all I smell is...ah there we go willow I follow her scent and walk outside to a bench she's with Xander I guess there studying I just sit not to far away and wait till they finish I sigh a little and deside to watch them and listen since I don't have anything else to do
"I'm not getting this." Xander says he sounds annoyed
"It's simple, really. See, 'The bisector of a vertex is the line that divides the angle at that vertex into two equal parts.'" Willow trys to help him understand the best she can
"It's like a big blur, all these numbers and angles" I know how he feels math sucks
"It's the same stuff from last week. You had it down then."
"Why do I need to learn this?" Xander says more annoyed then before
"Cause otherwise you'll flunk math?"
"Explain the part where that's bad." He says rubing the bridge of his nose
"You remember, you fail math, you flunk out of school, you end up being the guy at the pizza place that sweeps the floor and says, 'Hey, kids, where's the cool parties this weekend?' We've been through this." Xander rubs his right temple "Do you have a headache?" Willow asks as she reaches up to him and he shakes her off
"Yeah, and I think I know what's causing it." He throws his geometry book into the trash "Ah! That's better, it goes right to the source of the pain."
"Xander..." Willow asks getting a little upset at this I start to get up
"Look, forget it, okay? I don't get it. I won't ever." He gets up "I don't care." He throws his math notebook into Willow's lap and leaves in a huff as she watches him and I walk to her side
"We can finish this another time." I place my hand on her shoulder and she jumps slightly "Oh when did you" I stop her and walk to the trash and take the book out
"I was looking for you but you was busy so I waited he seems mad"
"He has been acting off ever since the zoo" she answers worried and I nod
"I could tell he was acting weird on the bus but I just assumed he was tired I guess not.." She nods sadly and I rub her back not knowing what to say
"We should head to the gym" she pipes up after a minute or two and I nod taking a few of her books for her she smiles softly at me and I smile back
"Oh" I say while we start to walk "is there a reason I've been smelling pig" she grins and nods
"Oh yea principle Flutie got a pig and is using him as our mascot his name is Herbert" I just look at her
"He does know that their a hand full right" I ask worried for the poor pig she shrugs
"I hope he does" after that we walk in silence
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Lightning strikes outside of the gym willow Buffy Xander and I have already changed and are waiting for what Coach Harrold has planned
"Alright" I hear him finally say "it's raining, all regular gym classes have been postponed, so you know what that means" he holds up a large rubber ball "dodgeball! Now, for those of you that may have forgotten, the rules are as follows you dodge." He tosses the ball to Buffy then blows his whistle, we all move into groups and move back from center court. He whistles again and the ball throwing commences. We all start dodging and throwing balls at eachother well expect for me I just keep gathering the balls since I haven't had one come right at me yet but As I go to grab another ball one whizzes past me and nails someone making him fall down I look from where it came from and see that Xander was the one who through it I quickly start gathering balls up again all the while keeping an eye on Xander as he nails person after person harder than he should I get a glance of Buffy hitting people with her balls but not nearly has hard as Xander is He throws again and nails Willow hard on the back I catch her As she gives him a hurt and confused look as she walks off of the court she's going to be Bruzed from that I turn all my attention onto Xander as he catches a ball and watches Willow go, but soon continues the game. I start taking out the goon troup that Xander has been spending time with but they all somehow dodge easily which dosent really happen a lot I try my last one at Xander and he dodges easily as well. A few seconds later him and the others aim their balls at me Kyle and Rhonda aiming on either side of me to keep me from escaping and Xander aiming at me he wouldn't would- before I know it I'm on the ground my heads throbbing and my vision is blurry I try to stand but I can't seem to get myself up or to even focus on anything I can here foot steps come twords me and each step makes my head pound I feel a light and gentle touch on my arm and a distorted voise that sounds like willow she says something and another pair of feet come over a new distorted voise joins willows it sounds like Buffy after they talk for a minute they both help me up and one leaves the other which I'm sure is willow walks me to what I assume is the end of our side of the court then she gets me to sit and she carefully guides my head to her shoulder. I can't believe Xander would do that I sigh and close my eyes waiting for my vision to return to me with each toss of the ball and with each time it hits someone my head pounds at the noise this is one time having Inhanced hearing is shit. After a few minutes I open my eyes again and i seem to see better now things are spinning slightly and are a little blurry still but I can see none the less I can see Buffy is the only one left on our side and Xander Kyle Rhonda and the others plus lance are the only ones left on their side but what I see next scares me Xander and the others turn their attention to lance as one pushes him down and they throw their balls at him hard...including xander. Buffy runs over and helps Lance up and She stares at stares back. Not saying a word as he and the others leave
"God, this game is brutal. I love it!" I here Coach Harrold say and I glare at him through my blurry vision jack ass I feel willow move some and I look up from my spot on her shoulder and see Buffy with a worried look on her face they both help me back up and walk me to the nurses office
"What is it" I here the nurse ask
"She got hit in the head with a dodge ball and fell she couldn't get up for a little while" I hear willow tell her
"Is Anything else wrong" the nurse asks me
"My vision is blurry and my head is pounding but not as much as it was when it happened..." The nurse seems slightly annoyed but points to the cot agenst the wall
"Let her stay here for a little while one of you stay to walk with her and keep an eye on her for an hour or two" the nurse says annoyance clear in her voise willow and Buffy talk about it and willow volunteers to stay with her help I lay down on the cot once I get confirmable she reliance's her gentle grip on my arm but the feeling of her still holding it lingers and makes me smile a little soon I close my eyes falling asleep before I know it
"Lela" i here my name being called but ignore it "Lela" this time the person calling my name gently shakes my shoulder it must be willow I slowly force myself to sit up and open my eyes my head isn't pounding anymore and my vision is back to normal "the nurse said we need to go to class now" willow tells me as she sits down in front of me "how are you doing" she asks
"A lot better" I answer then give her a worried look "what about you" she just shrugs and helps me up I wobble a bit and she helps me gain my balence back I give her a thankful smile and we both head to her locker first "how much did we miss"
"A lot we only have one class left" she answers I sigh knowing we both have a lot to make up "lean agenst the lockers" she says as she carefully helps me lean agenst them she then opens hers looking through things we both must of noticed Xander because she stops and goes up to him when he comes over..with the gang right behind
"Xander... What's wrong with you?" Willow asks upset Xander looks at the others briefly and pulls Willow aside.
"I guess you've noticed that I've been different around you lately." He says and I watch him close something dosent feel right...
"Yes."
"I think, um... I think it's because my feelings for you have been changing." Buffy comes around the corner to her locker and she watches us as she works on her combination. "And, well, we've been friends for such a long time that I feel like I need to tell you something." Willow looks at him expectantly. And Buffy gets her locker door open taking a few things out watching worried "I've, um... I've decided to drop geometry. So I won't be needing your math help anymore. Which means I won't have to look at your pasty face again." He and the others laugh and Willow looks crushed. She turns and leaves going to class Buffy watches her quickly walk by. She slams her locker and approaches Xander with her arms crossed and I follow her lead He stops laughing.
"You gonna say something to me?" She asks mad Xander just looks at her and starts laughing again more loudly. He goes back to the pack, and as they go to leave. I walk to him and grab his shoulder he shrugs it off roughly and looks at me
"I don't know what's gotten into you Xander but what ever it is it needs to stop" I tell him in an emotionless tone as I go through my pocket taking out a copy of the photo I took of willow Buffy and him at the zoo I shove it to his chest and he puts his hand on it "before you lose the people closest to you" I finish he looks at the photo and smirks laughing with the others and rip it up tossing it away they then turn and leave still laughing my heart drops at what just happened this isn't our Xander...Buffy takes my hand and looks at me sadly I just shake my head upset and we both go after Willow.
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We manage to locate willow she was sitting outside on part of the schools railing crying we both sit by her before we say anything she starts crying more than she was and speaks
"I've known him my whole life" she sniffles "Well, we haven't always been close, but he's never..." She exhales
"I think something's wrong with him." Buffy says
"Or maybe there's something wrong with me."
"What are you talking about?"
"C'mon. He's not picking on you. He's just sniffing you a lot. I don't know, maybe four isn't company anymore."
"You think this has something to do with me?" Buffy asks upset
"Of course." Willow says
"No. That still doesn't explain why he's hanging out with the dode patrol. Hurt Lela, Or why he ripped up the picture he wanted"
"Willow he's being horrid to everyone. I really think something's wrong with him I don't think it's Buffy or you" I add and she looks at me starting to believe me a little Buffy then hops off the railing
"Something's going on. Something weird." She says
"What're you gonna do?" Willow asks
"Talk to the expert on weird." She answers
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BUFFYS POV
I follow Giles as he reads works and talks not really taking what I'm telling him serisally
"Xander's taken to teasing the less fortunate?" Giles asks
"Uh-huh." I answer as I keep following him around the room as he works
"And, there's been a noticeable change in both clothing and demeanor?"
"Yes."
"And, well, otherwise all his spare time is spent lounging about with imbeciles."
"It's bad, isn't it." I asked more worried than before
"It's devastating. He's turned into a sixteen-year-old boy. Course, you'll have to kill him." He says and I look at him annoyed he thinks I'm joking!
"Giles, I'm serious."
"So am I. Except for the part about killing him. Testosterone is a great equalizer. It turns all men into morons. He will, however, get over it." I can't belive what I'm hearing
"I cannot believe that you, of all people, are trying to Scully me. There is something supernatural at work here." I answer him upset grabbing one of his books "Get your books! Look stuff up!" he takes his book back looking annoyed
"Look under what?"
"I don't know." I sigh "That's your department"
"The evidence that you've presented me with is sketchy at best."
"He scared the pig." Giles gives me a look "Well, he did..."
"Buffy, boys can be cruel. They tease, they, they, they prey on the weak. I-i-it's natural teen behavior pattern." wait what...
"What did you just say?"
"Um, they tease."
"They prey on the weak. I've heard that somewhere bef..." the hyena eclosure and the keeper that's were Ive hured this before "Xander has been acting totally wiggy ever since we went to the zoo. Him and Kyle and all those guys, they went into the hyena cage. Oh, God, that laugh..." all their laughs sound like a hyena how did I not see this sooner?!
"You're saying that, uh, Xander's becoming a hyena."
"I don't know. Or been possessed by one? Not just Xander, all of them."
"Well, I-I-I've cer-certainly never heard of, uh..." he stops as the library door flies open and Lela and willow run in
"Herbert! They found him." willow says out of breath
"The pig?" I asked confused
"Dead."
"And also eaten. Principal Flutie's freaking out." Lela finishes and I look at Giles
"Testosterone, huh?" Giles heads towards his office.
"What're you gonna do?" willow asks
"Get my books. Look stuff up." Giles says quoting me and I hold back an I told you so smirk
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"Wow!" I say looking up from my book looking at Lela and willow at their table researching "Apparently Noah rejected the hyenas from the Ark because he thought they were an evil impure mixture of dogs and cats."
"Hyenas aren't well liked." willow says
"They do seem to be the schmoes of the animal kingdom." I say as I walk over to willow I look at Lela and notice a smirk on her face "what's so funny?" She looks at me and laughs some
"You call that a fact? I have one that would make you say oh" her smirk grows bigger and I shake my head
"Do we really want to know this? Is it something gross?" I ask and she looks like she's thinking for a moment
"Well if you call both genders having a dick gross then yes" her smirk grows wider that little sneak slipped it in there
"Oh" Willow says suprized to say the least and I just pop Lela on the shoulder as she starts laughing loudly
"What at least it suits Xander" I pop her again and she continues to laugh louder I look over at willow who now has a blush on her face
"Why couldn't Xander be possessed by a puppy or, or some ducks?" She said trying to change the subject but I know Lela would probably find a fact that would ruin puppies for us both so I try to get her back on track
"That's assuming 'possession' is the right word." I state
"Oh, I'll say it is. The Masai of the Serengeti have spoken of animal possession for, for generations. I... I should have remembered that." Giles says as he walks over from the cage
"So how does it work?"
"Well, apparently there's a, a sect of animal worshipers known as Primals. They believe that humanity, uh, consciousness, uh, the soul, is a, is a perversion, a dilution of spirit. Uh, to them the animal state is holy. They are able, through trans-possession, to, to, um, draw the spirit of certain animals into themselves."
"And then they started acting like hyenas."
"Well, only the most predatory of animals are, are of interest to the Primals, so, uh, yes, yes, that would fit, yes."
"So, what happens to the person once the spirit's in them?"
"If it goes unchecked..." He hands Me the book he was holding I take one look at the page he had opened and I slam the book shut I can not let this happen
"I gotta find Xander." I say leaving
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LELAS POV
Willow picks up the book that Buffy slammed down and opens it to the bookmark. I look over her shoulder and There's a drawing of people with limbs bitten off, heads missing and other massive injuries.
"This isn't good" I say outloud
"No no it really isn't" Giles says cleaning his glasses and taking the book back
"What do we do Giles" I asked worry showing in my voice
"Well Buffy is going to get Xander an-" he stops as the phone rings he sighs and places the book down going to the phone I look over at Willow and rub her back
"Everything will be ok" she gives me a small smile I can here Giles hang up the phone I wasn't really paying attention to the convorsation so I don't really know what's going on I watch him as he walks over quickly
"I have to go to a meeting" he says quickly
"Why what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you later right now I need you to find the others and bring them here lock them up or knock them out if you have to" he says rushing out and I just nod then look at Willow
"Are you going to be ok?" She nods some
"Yea you go I'll just watch some videos" she answers trying to put on a smile but I can tell she's still upset
"We will get our Xander back I promise" I give her a quick hug and leave searching for their scents Buffy and Xander's are around the same area so I guess she found him I walk around a bit and finally catch the others scents mixed with blood...god I hope that's just the pigs blood I follow it closely they...left the school..shit I follow the trail a little faster worried about what they might do
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BUFFYS POV
I drag Xander to The library not really giving a shit if I bump his head once or twice while doing so I push the door open and here the sounds of hyenas but just as soon as I hear them they stop I look up and see Willow at the pc I guess she was watching about them to learn a little more. She starts to come over
"Hurry up. We gotta get him locked up somehow before he comes to." I tell her a little panicky
"Oh, my God, Xander! What happened?" She asks scared
"I hit him."
"With what?"
"A desk." Willow dosent seem to happy about that but
opens the cage door anyway and I drag him in. "He tried his hand at felony sexual assault." I say filling her In
"Oh, Buffy, the hyena in him didn't..."
"No." We arrange him on the floor of the cage "No, but it's safe to say that in his animal state his idea of wooing doesn't involve a Yanni CD and a bottle of Chianti." We walk out of the cage and close the door locking it "There, that oughtta hold him. Where's Giles And Lela?"
"He got called to some teacher's meeting. And Lela went to try and find everyone else's scent trails" she looks back to Xander "What are we gonna do? I mean... how do we get Xander back?" She finishes asking as Giles comes into the library.
"Right now I'm a little more worried about what the rest of the pack are up to. let's just hope Lela can find there scents and willow don't tell her what happened between Xander and I she will probllly try to kill him if she finds out" she nods
"I kinda figured that out myself" she says with a grimace
"The rest of the pack were spotted outside Herbert the mascot's cage. They were sent to the principal's office." Giles states
"Good! That'll show 'em." Giles stays silent "Did it show 'em?" Giles exhales but remains silent
"They didn't hurt him, did they?" I ask
"They, uh... ate him." Giles answers Willow has to sit down as she hears this And I can't believe what I'm hearing I can't believe that they ate him but from the drawing in the book i have to believe it but I can't keep myself from asking
"They ate Principal Flutie?"
"Ate him up?" Willow asks as well
"The, uh, official theory is that wild dogs got into his office somehow. There was no one at the scene." Giles answers
"But Xander didn't." Willow starts then looks at me hopeful "He, he was with you."
"Oh! Uh, well, that's a small mercy." Giles says as he sees Xander in the cage
"Giles, how do we stop this? How do you trans-possess someone?" I ask him
"I-I'm afraid I still don't have all the pieces. Um, the accounts of the Primals and their methods are a bit thin on the ground. There is some talk of a-a-a predatory act, but the exact ritual is, is, um..." He picks up a book "The Malleus Maleficarum deals in particulars of demonic possession, which... may apply..." He looks through a few pages "Yes, one, one should be able to transfer the spirits to another human."
"Oh, that's great. Any volunteers?"
"Oh. Good point."
"What we need to do is put the hyena back in the hyena."
"B-but until we know more, uh..."
"Betcha that zookeeper could tell us. Maybe he didn't quarantine those hyenas because they were sick."
"We should talk to him."
"Okay." I start to go but stop "Oh, wait, somebody's gotta watch Xander." Willow gets up
"I will." She says
"Will, are you sure? If he wakes up..." She holds her hand out for the keys
"I'll be alright. Go." After a moment's hesitation I give up the keys to Willow and grab my coat.
"C'mon." I say to Giles it's time to see that zookeeper
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WILLOWS POV
I can't help but sigh watching about hyenas I should stop watching this but I can't...
"Willow." I stop the video at the sound of Xander's voice and turn around looking at him
"How are you feeling?" I ask worried
"Like somebody hit me with a desk." He answers annoyed as he looks around "What am I doin' here?" I get up and walk toward the cage
"You're... resting?" I say slowly
"You guys got me locked up now." He stands up
"'Cause you're sick. Buffy said..."
"Oh, yeah. Buffy and her all-purpose solution punch 'em out 'n' knock 'em down. I'd love to see what she'd do to somebody who was 'really' sick." He says cutting me off
"That's not fair. Buffy and Lela saved both of our lives."
"Before they came here our lives didn't need that much saving, did they? Weren't things a lot simpler when it was just you and me?" I move closer
"Maybe..."
"When we were alone together... Willow, I know there's something wrong with me. I think it's gettin' worse. But I can't just stand around waitin' for Buffy to decide it's time to punch me out again." He exhales "Look, I want you to help me. I want you." I hold in a sigh he's trying to manipulate me...or...maybe...
"I am helping you." He sighs
"You're doing what you're told."
"Buffy's trying to help you, too. You know that. Or Xander does. And we both are helping you by keeping you in here and away from Lela if she finds out what you did to Buffy your kind of screwed though she can just get through this easily" I say gesturing to the cage door
"Yeah... Buffy's so selfless. Always thinking of us. And Lela. Lelas just a time bomb she's the dangerous one and if they really think I'm so dangerous, how come they left you alone with me?"
"She's not a time bomb she has a temper ya but she's one of the sweetest people I know" I take a breath trying to seem brave "I told Lela to go look for everyone and I told Buffy I would be fine"
"Why?"
"Cause I know you better than they do... and I wanted to be here to see if... you were still you."
"You know I am. Look at me." He pauses "Looook." I move even closer it's time to find out...
"Xander..." I whisper as He quickly try's to grab for the keys through the slot in the cage but I back up just in time ready for this
"Now I know." I say a bit upset Xander starts banging on the cage hard after this
"LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!" He starts yelling I just turn around and sit back down turning the video back on
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BUFFYS POV
I sigh as we just finish explaining everything to the zookeeper I have to admit I'm scared about what he will say to what we just told him
"The students have been possessed by the hyenas?" He asks
"Yes." Giles answers simply
"Are you sure?" He asks shockingly calm
"We're really, really sure." I answer still a little surprised that he is calm
"Y-you don't seem enormously surprised by this." Giles says surprised himself
"The zoo imported those hyenas from Africa. There was something strange about them from day one. I did some homework... That particular breed is very rare. Totally vicious. Historically they were worshipped by these guys..." The zookeeper says
"Primals."
"Yeah! Creepy guys! Now, they had rituals for taking the hyena spirits, but I-I don't see how that coulda happened to your kids."
"Uh, we don't know exactly how the ritual works. We know that it involves a, um, um... predatory act and some kind of symbol."
"Predatory act? Of course. That makes sense. Where did you read that?" The zookeeper says they both are getting really into this a little to into this we are on a time limit here
"Do you have Sherman Jeffries' work on, on cults and on..."
"Boys?" I say interrupting them
"Sorry." Giles says a little embarrassed
"Look." The zookeeper says "I think we may have enough information so that together we could pull off a reverse trans-possession."
"What do we do?" I ask hopeful
"We've gotta get those possessed students over to the hyena cage right away! I'll meet you there. We can begin the rituals."
"W-well, we can guarantee one of them, but there are four more, and we have no idea where they are but my sister is tracking them as we speak so it's only a matter of time" I wince at my choise of words because time really isn't something we have much of
"No, I wouldn't worry about that. After hyenas feed and rest they will track the missing member of their pack until they find him. They should come right to you." Right...to...us...my eyes widen at the realization
"Willow!"
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LELAS POV
I try to quicken my pace as I speed walk following the scents but quickly stop as I notice that I started back tracking why are they heading back where are they...Wait...there scent it's heading back to the...I can feel my heart sink into my stomach as I can't stop myself from screaming willows name in horror
"WILLOW!" I shouldn't of left her alone! I need to get back but There's no way I can make it back there before something happens! I look around and bite my lip there's no other way. I look around once more and gather up my courage shifting. I shake my fur fast and start running as fast as I can. I get back in about a quarter of the time and immediately spot the people I was hunting for climbing inside through the window laughing as willow screams As quickly as I can I jump on ones back forcing them down with my weight as soon as we hit the ground they turn around and fight back dazing me with a hard punch to my face they have obviously gotten stronger this isn't good. By the time I get my vision back they all have crawled through the window fuck my size I can't get through there like this. I growl loudly as I run to the closest door that I could find which was fucking on the other side of the school! I quicken my pace sliding into walls as I run around the hallway corners I can hear people running I run as fast as I can towards it and past Buffy and Giles I would of stopped for a second but i could see willow running towards me with Heidi hot on her tail just as I pass willow I pounce on her grabbing her head in my paw and slamming it down onto the floor knocking her out cold. I turn around and watch as Willow runs to Giles side. My ear twitches as I catch the sound of someone rushing me I shoot my arm out and back hand whoever it was hard enough to send them flying as I look behind me I watch as Xander flies down the hall hitting the wall i try not to feel to bad about it I can't afford to right now
"Run!" Giles yells as three other pack members run to Xander's side then start charging for us. I start running I can't handle three of them at once and neither can Buffy. Willow Giles Buffy and I make a b line to the closest open room and run inside. Giles slams the door shut locking it just in time as the pack starts slamming their fists into it the second it was locked. I stayed in a fighting stance as they continued to bang on the door for 5 minutes then I assume leave but they could just be faking it
"I think they're going." Buffy says
"They could be faking it." Willow counters taking the words right out of my mouth
"No, they're hungry. They'll be looking for somebody weak. I'm really sorry, Will. I didn't know they were gonna come after Xander." I nod at this looking down feeling guilty
"It's okay." She says but that doesn't help the guilt go away
"We must lead them back to the zoo if we're going to stop this." Giles says
"And before their next meal. Guess that's my job." Buffy states and I just give her a disapproving look changing back*
"Well, individually they're almost as strong as you two As a group they're..." Giles starts
"They're tough, but I think they're getting stupider. You guys go to the zoo and I will bring them to you." Buffy says but I cut in
" no I should go I'm faster than you are and I can track them down faster"
"Lela you can't go running around as a werewolf there looking for food for people and people will see you I will be fine I need you to make sure they get there safely" I sigh she has a point they will be going somewhere populated and a massive werewolf will make things worse
"Alright" I say reluctantly "but stay safe" she nods and runs out of the building "Giles willow stay close" I say as we start heading to the zoo
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We finally arrive at the Hyena House. We all slow down panting some from all the running
"The pathway to the Hyena House. Where's the zookeeper?" Willow asks
"Uh, he must be inside. I-I'll go in and prepare things. You just warn, uh, us when you hear Buffy and the others approaching Lela make sure they all get in and that Buffy is alright"
"Got it" I answer as He runs into the hyena house Willow turns around to watch and wait and I do the same tapping my foot. A few minutes pass and I can here a few people running this way it must be Buffy with Xander and the pack not to far behind "Willow there coming tell Giles!" She Doesn't bother to answer me as she runs to the hyena house. Not shortly after Buffy comes running towards me.
"There right behind me!" She yells running past me and into the hyena house I wait for a few seconds and once I see the pack in my sights I run into the hyena house as well only to be greeted to the sight of my sister frozen in place I look to where she's starring and I feel anger and fear boil inside of me in front of me is the zookeeper holding willow with a knife to her throat I feel a load growl bubble up into my throat but before I'm able to charge him I'm tackled from behind and fall to the floor once I hit it I'm piled onto by the pack they are so much stronger than me that I can't get up. Suddenly the zookeeper hits the ground with a staff and yells
"YU BA YA SA NA!" The pack must of looked up at him when he yelled that because they are not putting as much strength into keeping me down all of a sudden the zookeepers eyes flash green He then turns to Willow and growls He drops the knife and grabs her head. Before I can scream I hear Xander yelling
"Willow!" He gets up and charges the zookeeper knocking him down and away from Willow. I easily get up tossing the assholes off of me and run to willow grabbing her and getting her away from the zookeeper. Buffy who was apparently piled onto by the rest of the idiots snaps out of it knocks them off and runs over punching the zookeeper all the while Kyle and his gang begin to crawl away on their butts. The zookeeper charges Buffy but she knocks him back down He try's to charge her again and she tosses him over onto his back. He gets up and tries again and at this point I've had enough of him and charge into the fight getting under him and tossing him into the hyena pit. He tries to climb out but is dragged back down by the hyenas. Buffy and I share a look and run to the pit to see if we can save the zookeeper he's already being ripped apart though. We both turn around and walk to willow as Xander is untying her I take a quick glance around the room and Kyle and his group have already ran off all talk but no guts...out of no where Giles comes out of the back room.
"Uh, did I miss anything?" He asks I'm guessing he was knocked out but I stay quiet about it and check on Willow with Buffy and Xander
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Buffy, Willow Xander and I walk across the school quad
"I heard the vice-principal's taking over 'til they can find a replacement." Willow says
"It shouldn't be too hard to find a new principal. Unless they ask what happened to the last one." Buffy chuckles some
"Okay, but I had nothing to do with that, right?" Xander asks as we all start to climb the stairs.
"Oh, right."
"You only ate the pig." Willow says
"I ate a pig? Was it cooked and called bacon or..." We all shake our heads and Xander covers his face "Oh, my God! I ate a pig? I mean, the whole trichinosis issue aside, yuk!"
"Well, it wasn't really you." I speak up "and I doubt there was enough pig there for you all to get a lot of it in your system if that helps any"
"Well, I remember I was goin' on the field trip, and then goin' down to the Hyena House, and next thing some guy's holding Willow and he's got a knife. And it actually helps slightly"
"You saved my life." Willow says
"Hey! Nobody messes with my Willow." He gives her a hug and Buffy and Willow smiles
"This is definitely the superior Xander. Accept no substitutes." Buffy says chipper
"I didn't do anything else, did I, around you guys or anything embarrassing?" I decide not to really tell him anything and it seems Buffy and willow have the same idea
"Well you did rip up the photo of us that Lela gave you" Buffy says but leaves it at that oh shit I forgot to give willow her copy
"I did? Lela I'm sorry but can I have another please? I'll give you chocolate"
"I would of said yes in the first place but since you said you would give me chocolate you now owe me some" he laughs some
"I should of bribed you after I asked" we all just laugh at this
"Hey will" I ask and she just looks at me as I rummage through my bag pulling out the photo "I gave buffy hers at home but almost forgot to give you yours" she smiles and takes it gently
"Thanks Lela I love it" she says giving me the brightest smile I've seen on her and I just smile back
"I'm glad you do"
"C'mon. We're gonna be late." Buffy pipes in saying to us after that willow and buffy both head to their class with willow saying she will see us at lunch as she leaves
"Cool! Oh, hey, goin' vegetarian! Huh?" Xander says as He gives them two thumbs-up. Willow and Buffy just turn and smile then continue on their way
"Sorry Xander but I must make my exit to the hellish landscape called a class room" I elbow his arm and smile "I'll see you at lunch" he just smiles back and we both head our separate ways I look back and see him and Giles talking they must be whispering because I can't here them I just shrug and keep walking I wonder what they are talking about.