Author's Note: First I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and I would like to thank my beta, Chris. I would also like to note that I have never been to New York and all street names are made up. Please do not flame me for that. Now on with the fic.
Chapter 3: A New Start
The building Buffy had chosen for her dojo was unlike any of the other buildings lining that street of New York. From the street, the dojo looked just like every other building surrounding it. But from the inside it was completely different. Once a person walked through the front door of the dojo, the scenery completely changed. Lining the walls were numerous katas, swords of every type, full length mirrors, and every weapon imaginable. The place held an air of ancient China within every aspect of the place. To the right of the lower main floor was a staircase winding up along the wall. The stairs led to an upper level used as an apartment and a balcony that over looked all the areas. But Buffy's favorite part was the hidden room at the back of the building. She had transformed that room for her own personal area, which she used for training and meditation. To the left of that room was a small window looking out on a small section a New York that the city had yet to touch with it's harmful hands. Outside the window was a picturesque garden with vibrant greens, flaming reds, and radiant golds that most people could never dream of. Normally, this site would not be possible in the middle of New York, but it was all possible due to a little bit of magic that Willow had taught her before she had left.
Buffy had just laid the finishing touches on her dojo, Angeli Selvaggi, when the phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She reached out and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?" Buffy answered.
"Um..." came a female voice on the other line. "Is this the number for Angeli Selvaggi? This is the right number, right?"
"Oh, yes it is," Buffy said. "Sorry, I'm not used to answering the phone in a business manner yet. This is all kind of new."
"I know. I heard you were the best at what you do so I called up information and got your number."
"Wow," Buffy said. "If you don't mind my asking, how did you hear of me? We don't even open until tomorrow."
"I was talking with my husband about learning some self defense and he brought it up with his brother," the woman told her. "His brother gave you a very high recommendation."
"Who's this brother?" Buffy asked her. "I don't know many people in New York."
"I never really talk to him," the woman answered her. "But I think his name is like some kind of bird. Something like..."
"Robyn?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah," the woman said. "That's it. How do you know him?"
"He used to be my boss," Buffy supplied. "I didn't know he had a brother though. But then again, he never really talked about his family that much."
"They weren't raised together," the woman added. "My husband was adopted when he was an infant. They didn't know about each other until a few years back."
"Sorry to hear that," Buffy said. "But you mentioned something about learning self defense?"
"Yes."
"Well, I have a few different level self defense classes. So why don't you come by tomorrow when we're open and we'll figure something out?"
"Sure," the woman said. "That sounds great. I have a few things to do first, but after that I can stop by. Is noonish fine, or is that too early?"
"No," Buffy answered her. "Noon isn't too early. I'm usually up at the crack of dawn anyway. Just stop by tomorrow and we'll find out which one is best for you."
"All right," the woman said. "I'll see you then, and thank you for your help."
"It's not a problem," Buffy said. "And if I'm not out front then just ask for Buffy Summers."
"All right," the woman said before she hung up. "Thanks again."
"Your welcome," Buffy answered before hanging up as well and turning out the lights.
"It looks like I have my first customer," she said to herself, climbing the stairs to her loft apartment and a good nights sleep. With the opening being tomorrow she knew she was going to need it.
The next day was even busier than she had previously thought it would be. She remembered the opening day of The Magic Box and that was nothing in comparison. From the time she had opened the doors this morning, she and her staff did not have one moment of relaxation. They opened that morning at eight and had already filled up five entire classes. If Buffy didn't know any better, she would have to say that Willow and Xander had something to do with it. And now that she rethought that possibility she made a mental note to call her two best friends and find out if they had been advertising behind her back. It turned out the woman she talked to on the phone yesterday was not the only one who had heard of her fighting capabilities.
Once noon came around Tsi Chai, one of Buffy's better instructors, came to her.
"Elizabeth," Tsi called to her as he walked up. "You have a visitor in the back waiting for you. The person said you two had an engagement of sorts to talk about."
"Yes. Thank you Tsi," Buffy said, unwrapping her hands and grabbing a bottle of water. "And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Buffy?"
"Forever, Elizabeth," Tsi answered with a twinkle in his eyes. "I refuse to call you by that dreadful name."
"I happen to like my name, thank you very much," Buffy told him, smiling.
"And Lord bless the child who you name," Tsi bantered back.
Buffy just responded in an adult and mature manner: she stuck out her tongue at him.
Walking to the back to meet the woman she thought about how lucky she was to have found Tsi. She had looked and looked for another instructor worthy of the position and had nearly given up any hope of ever finding one when she found Tsi. He was American born and raised but his parents were from Japan and always tried to instill a pride of self and home in him growing up. Needless to say, he was not what she expected when he showed up. Tsi was in his early to middle 40's and acted every bit as a teenager when they were alone. It was only in front of lots of people that he acted his age. Buffy had known him a few weeks now and he was proving to be a good and trusting friend. Tsi was also the first actual friend Buffy had made since she had come back to New York and she was grateful for him. He also proved to be a worthy sparing partner, given she didn't use all her slayer strength.
Once she had reached the back and opened the door a pair of hands lashed out to cover her eyes. The pair of hands were large and manly, not at all like a females. Buffy highly doubted this was the woman she had talked to the previous night. Without thinking, she pulled on his arm, used his body weigh against him, and flipped him to the floor beneath her. Only then did she open her eyes and see-
"Sebastian!" Buffy cried, putting her arms around her brother. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"And blow the surprise?" Sebastian asked her while returning the hug. "Never!"
Meanwhile, in the front of the dojo, a woman with shoulder length brown hair and pale skin walked in and headed straight for the front desk where a petite woman with long jet black hair and pale blue eyes was sitting and reading a book in Japanese.
"Excuse me," the woman asked. "Can you help me? I'm supposed to be meeting a Buffy Summers. I talked to her last night on the phone. She said it was all right to come over today."
"Sure," the petite woman said before signaling Tsi on the other side of the dojo. "Just a minute."
"Ayame," Tsi greeted when he came over. "Is anything wrong?"
"No," Ayame said. "This woman is looking for Buffy and I was wondering if you knew where she was. She said she has an appointment with her."
"Yes, she's in the back with someone," Tsi answered, turning to the other woman. "Why don't I take you to her? I'm Tsi by the way. And you are?"
"Oh," the woman said while following Tsi across the floor of the dojo. "I'm Cecile. It's nice to meet you."
"If I may ask," Tsi asked, "What are you seeing Miss Elizabeth about? I didn't know she had an appointment."
"We only just talked last night," Cecile. "And Elizabeth? I thought her name is Buffy."
"It's just a nickname," Tai informed her with a dreadful look of disgust on his face. "I refuse to call her by it. I prefer her given name, Elizabeth."
They walked for a few more seconds before Tsi stopped a few yards in front of a beautiful wooden door.
"Elizabeth is right through there," Tsi told her before turning to leave. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have clients to talk to."
"Thanks," Cecile called to him before he disappeared in the mass of people and weapons.
Cecile made her way to the door to knock to announce her arrival but she stopped when she heard a voice; a very familiar voice. She opened the door a crack as quietly as she could and peered in. There, on the middle of the floor, was Sebastian with a small blond woman on top of him. She could only see the back of the woman, but from the looks of it they seemed very comfortable together.
Just as silently as she opened the door, she closed it again and left the building. Once she was a safe distance from the dojo she pulled out her cell phone and dialed a very familiar number. The phone on the other line rang twice before someone picked up.
"Hello?" The person on the other line asked.
"Annette," Cecile said. "It's me, Cecile. Are you busy right now?"
"Not really, why?" Annette asked, sensing the distressed in her friend's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Can you meet me at the little restaurant over on 5th? It's important."
"Yeah, sure," Annette answered. "I'll be there in 20 minutes."
"Okay," Cecile said. "I'll see you then."
T.B.C.