Warning: Rated T for now, but may change later to M for darker subject matter.

Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel belong to their copyright holders, I own nothing.

Chapter 5: Awakenings

The phone was ringing again. Willow was calling for the third time in a row, and still no answer. What were they doing, avoiding her calls or something? She really, really needed to talk to Kennedy. Why wasn't she answering?

Willow had made up her mind. The long distance relationship wasn't working.

Actually, Willow had made up her mind about her and Kennedy's relationship a long time ago. She'd always just chickened out of actually saying the words. Today was the day, though. There was no backing out of it. So that meant that, no matter what, Willow was going to keep calling until Kennedy or Faith picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

Finally, Willow thought to herself.

"Kennedy, hi." Nervousness was starting to creep up into Willow's system.

"Willow! It's been so long since we've talked. How are you?"

"I'm-I'm okay. Listen, I need to talk to you."

A generally short talk then ensued. Bravely, Willow just came right out and told Kennedy how she felt. As long as they were apart (which could be a really long time), the relationship wasn't going to work. Kennedy spent a lot of the "conversation" being quiet, just taking it all in. And then, when Willow was done explaining her feelings the best she could, Kennedy told her she understood and that it was okay. Then Kennedy hung up.

That was it. The break up was done smoothly, with no yelling or anger on either of their sides. Willow felt proud. She did kind of worry how Kennedy would take it, though. Oh, but surely she'd be fine. Surely she'd be fine.

Dawn woke up when it was morning. She sat up with a yawn and stretched. Throwing the covers off her body, she jumped out of her bed. She felt good. Better than good. Like today was going to be a good day. She wasn't sure why, there was just a feeling in her chest.

As she left her room, she noticed something off. Buffy's room—more specifically, the door to Buffy's room. It was open. Dawn snuck over to take a peek into Buffy's room, to check if she was still sleeping. But Buffy wasn't there. Dawn opened the door a little more, to check out the whole room. Empty. In fact, that bed was even made, unmarked of any signs of sleep.

Had she gotten up early? Even if she had, Dawn knew her sister, and she knew Buffy wouldn't have made her bed yet. Did that mean she hadn't come home?

Instantly, Dawn's good feeling went away, replaced by sheer worry and terror. She took a deep breath, though. Calming herself down. It was nothing. Buffy was fine. She probably just stayed out, still reeling from her fight with Giles. Yeah, that was it. Buffy would be back soon, though, for sure.

Still, Dawn checked around the apartment, making sure there was no sign of Buffy. When she couldn't find her, she went to Giles's room. There was no answer when Dawn knocked, so eventually she just barged in. Giles was sprawled across his bed, covers thrown over him.

"Giles," Dawn said. "Giles! Giles!" she yelled louder.

Giles groaned. He turned his head slightly, seeing her. He raised a hand and put it on his aching head. "Dawn, go away." His voice came out weak. He was in pain.

"Giles, Buffy still isn't home. I'm worried. She went out patrolling last night, right?"

"Dawn, not now! She's fine. Please get out." He shut his eyes tightly, trying to block out the pain.

She sighed angrily. As she left the room, she slammed the door behind her.

"Like, who does she think she is?" Kennedy spoke, shaking her head. "Why would she break up with me, anyway? I mean, there's not really a good reason."

"I'm sorry," Faith comforted her friend. "What exactly did she say?"

"Just that long distance relationships didn't work and that we shouldn't continue always being this far apart." Kennedy folded her arms across her chest. "There has to be another reason, though." Suddenly Kennedy sat up straight, as stiff as a board. "What if there's someone else?"

"Kennedy, come on. Red? She'd never cheat or anything like that."

"Hey, she cheated on Oz with Xander a long time ago."

"Yeah, a long time ago. Listen, I know it's hard. But you'll find someone else."

Kennedy sighed. She was still angry. Faith was right. She could find somebody else. Or, she could get Willow back. She'd just have to think of a way to do that…

Wesley was packing. He'd called Giles, and since there was no answer he left a message, saying that he'd accept and go to Rome and help train Kennedy. After the call, he felt excited. He was going somewhere new, getting another start. He thought it would be a good idea to get a head start on clearing out his office.

Unfortunately, Illyria came in his office again. At first, she said nothing. She just walked around; eyeing the box Wes was currently using to put stuff in. She looked apparently confused.

"What are you doing?" Illyria finally questioned.

"I'm leaving," he answered shortly.

Illyria paused, not comprehending. "When will you return?"

"I'm not sure. Weeks? Months? It could be any length of time, really."

"Am I coming with you?"

For the first time, Wes looked Illyria in the eyes. "No. You will stay here. Angel will look after you until further notice."

"Look after me? I am not a pet! I am a God. I deserve to be treated that way. I will not learn the ways of humanity through a vampire."

"He has a soul. You'll be fine."

"Vulnerability," Illyria stated. "You taught me that and what it meant." Illyria's form started to change until all the blue and armor was gone, and an image of Fred was left standing in front of him. "I need you here, Wesley," Illyria spoke through Fred, in Fred's voice.

"No, Illyria. You don't." He walked past the figure of Fred, unable to look at her, tears forming in his eyes.

Buffy's eyes snapped open. Immediately, she was hit with pain that was utterly unbearable. It was dark wherever she was, but not dark enough. The window had curtains over them, but still a small little rectangle of light made its way onto the floor. As soon as her eyes saw that light, she felt blinded. Everything was so sensitive.

Noises. So loud and absurd. Voices, so many voices, like they were screaming into her ears. She reached up to cover her ears, but it didn't work. She still heard them. But as she looked around the room she was in, no one was there. She was alone. Where were the voices coming from?

Smells. So many pure, beautiful smells. And ugly smells, too. There was the smell of something incredibly sweet, something that sent little shocks throughout her body. She couldn't tell what it was, unfortunately. She wanted to eat it. Her stomach was feeling quite empty.

Then she noticed what she should've noticed first. There was something wrong with her body. It was…empty. Silent. No heartbeat.

A heartbeat wasn't exactly something people usually pay attention to (obviously you know when you're alive) but when it was gone, it was astoundingly noticeable. So much so that fear tumbled through her body.

She would've gotten up if she could. Her body was too stiff. She needed a minute. She needed to take in her surroundings. She needed to-

No. The realization dawned on her. Buffy had no heartbeat and was still alive.

Vampire.

Initially, Buffy opened her mouth, ready to scream. This was horrid, her worst nightmare! But gradually, her gape formed into a smile. She was a vampire. A vampire Vampire Slayer. It was kind of funny, in a way. The thing was: she didn't care. She was a vampire, and she should've been freaking out, but after the shock, she didn't care. Really, what was the big deal? And besides, she felt great, the best she had in a long time. Suddenly all her petty problems about Spike and Angel and Giles and whatever else seemed so tiny, so unimportant. Who cared? Buffy had been an idiot to act so emotional. So what some woman she'd never met named Fred was dead? So what Angel and Spike blamed her? They were just idiotic vampires with souls, anyway. Disgusting, disgusting souls.

The door to the room she was in opened and then was quickly shut as someone rushed in. Even though it was generally dark in the room, Buffy saw clear as day. Vamp Master had entered the room.

"You," Buffy spoke. "You did this to me."

"Yes, I did. How do you feel?" he came and sat on the bed next to her.

She grinned. "Odd. Amazing. Connected. Like the world is surrounding me. Like everything burns."

"You'll get used to it and everything will calm down soon. Just give it some time. Hell, you should recover generally quickly, you know. You are the Slayer, after all."

They shared a small laugh. Buffy enjoyed it. She enjoyed the fact that she was talking with Vamp Master. He was evil, clearly, but an evil that had chosen her. She felt quite honored.

Buffy took another glance at the small fraction of sunlight on the floor. "Most times, don't vampires rise at night after being turned? I would know."

"Usually," he shrugged. "I may have rushed the process though, cutting it short a few hours. I wanted you to be with me as soon as possible."

"Why would you want me with you? Aren't I, like, your worst enemy?"

Vamp Master grinned wickedly. "Your beauty is radiant. Even more so now that you're a bloodthirsty vampire. Alive, you are the worst enemy to any creature of the night. But as you are now, you are not something I would consider an enemy. No, in fact, I believe we could have a very strong friendship, you and I. Tell me: Angel or Spike?"

Buffy moaned. "Don't remind me of them. Ugh. Just thinking about their souls disgusts me, makes me want to puke. The old Buffy was a fool to love either one of them."

"I know! Buffy, I need you. Together, we could take down the world, the entire world. Together, we could defeat Angel and Spike."

"But…but my family. My friends."

Vamp Master stared at her silently, in shock.

Then Buffy burst into maniacal laughter. "You didn't actually believe that, did you? Please. I don't care about them anymore. Actually…I want more. Giles was a lying backstabber. Oh," Buffy laughed, "maybe now I could give him what he deserves. And Dawn, oh thank God I can get away from her pesky, annoying ways. All she does is talk, talk, talk, and then cries when I don't respond. She's so dependent on me. Let's see how she does without her big sister around to do everything for her."

"So…you're staying?"

Using a lot of strength, Buffy sat up, leaning back on her hands. Her face was close to Vamp Master's. "Of course. You did sire me, you know. I wouldn't leave you."

He started to lean in. Surprised, Buffy backed away.

"Whoa, I'm not that easy," she said.

"Fine. I understand. Just know, Buffy, I have great plans for you and me. I truly see us ruling over this world, together."

Buffy didn't know what to say. To say she felt the same way…well, that would be a plain lie. No, if she was going to do things, be a famous vampire, she was going to do it herself, not with Vamp Master. If anyone was going to be a master at anything, it was going to be her—and her alone. Still, he could be useful to stick around with for a while. She was a new vampire and needed to learn a few things before she went out on her own.

When she said nothing in response, he chalked it up to her still being shocked at her new form. Well, that was about to change. He had a surprise for her.

"Come on, stand up," he spoke, getting off the bed.

"I'm too weak. This change has really taken a lot out of me."

"Yes, I know. And I know something that will cheer you right up. How does some fresh, delicious, human blood smell?"

Just at the word blood she found herself sitting straight up faster than she ever thought possible. Her legs, her arms, everything was beginning to feel more mobile. She got out of bed as smoothly and as quickly as she could. She almost stumbled, but Vamp Master caught her arm, helping her steady herself. She flashed a smile at him that he returned to her.

He likes me, Buffy realized.

He began to lead her to the door. Once he opened it, it led to a dark hallway. Buffy began to wonder where they actually were. Some kind of house, or what? She'd have to remember to ask.

With the door open, the thing she smelled earlier hit her harder than before. It was so sweet, so delicious smelling. It made her knees weak, thinking about that scrumptious smell.

Down the long hallway. They passed many doors both on the left and the right. Eventually, the smell became unbearable to Buffy. Her mouth was watering and watering and she needed something right now. With every step the smell became much more powerful and intoxicating.

Finally, they went inside a room on the left. The door opened and Buffy inhaled slowly, oh-so slowly. Her eyes closed and she savored the smell.

She opened her eyes, finding herself in another semi-dark room, except this one had a lamp on. She shielded her eyes from it. Doing so, she saw where the delicious smell was coming from.

A man was tied to a chair. He was shivering and whimpering. A long trail of blood ran down his neck, two puncture wounds already on it.

Buffy realized what she had also failed to realize before. The smell, the oh-so enticing smell, was the stink of blood. And as her eyes fell on the blood, onto his open neck wound, she found herself walking towards it, unable to control herself. She let go of Vamp Master, pushing him away.

The man looked at her with fear. The fear made Buffy even hungrier.

In one swift motion, Buffy's true face was gone for the first time as the vampire face took over. She could feel her face bend and move all over to become what it was now. She lowered her face lower and lower and lower until…

She tasted his blood with her tongue. Then she could fully control herself no longer.

She felt her teeth clamping down on the man's neck and she felt herself sucking and felt the blood rushing into her mouth and down her throat.

So good, so good, so good, was all Buffy could think to herself as she drank.

Pulling away was probably the hardest thing Buffy ever had to do. Albeit, she could literally feel the life draining out of the man and knew she had to pull away.

"I want more," Buffy told Vamp Master, spinning around back towards him. With her hand, she rubbed around her face and then licked her hand that picked up all the extra blood. After she was done, her face went back to normal. Everything felt so much better now. She felt so much more powerful, like she could conquer anything right now.

"Later, my love," he said. "Once night has fallen, we will go out. You will make your appearance and new status known. Welcome, Buffy. Welcome to the ranks of the undead."

"Glad to be here," she smirked.