Title: Courage to Change

Rating: PG13? Possible violence? I'm sorry, despite what is in part of this chapter, those of you who are looking for some steam get to wait...

Summary: Suggestion from my best friend in the world, she told me since it's planned as a long story with a lot of here and there, to do some hopping and skipping. Ladies and gentleman, here's your first hop... eh, you'll understand in a minute. Also, to keep the integrity of the story, not a lot of hops and skips, but enough to satisfy. ?

Disclaimer: Buffy and characters not mine. Avatar ideas not mine.

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Chapter Eight

There Is Always A Light

Willow's senses started to awaken. Her sense of feeling as she stretched and felt the silk of the bedsheets whisper across her skin. Her sense of smell, as the scent of vanilla and lavender swept across the pillow she had been hugging. Her sense of sight as her eyes opened to soft light coming through the somewhat dark colored curtains.

The room around her was a mixture of greens and blues. Christmas lights decorated where the walls and ceiling met, pictures of friends, of family, hung in beautiful handmade frames. Each frame crafted differently, different stains, different woods, but all with the small engraved letters X.H. in the corners.

As she lay there, she thought back. How far she had come in life. How much she had endured. How much THEY had gone through. Just over fourteen years ago she made the decision to make it on her own, found out about the dangers in the dark. Just over twelve years ago she found out about her destiny, the beginning of her powers, and what she didn't expect most, the start of a family. Sure they all screwed up from time to time, and she didn't quite get along with some at first, but they were her family now and forever. They had more than proven that.

One thing did stick in her mind though. She would never get used to waking up on a bed. Especially one such as comfortable as this, with pillows so soft. Speaking of, why was she holding only a pillow, that smelled of lavender and vanilla?

The twenty five year old finally rolled out of the bed, grabbing her green robe, and heading to open the bedroom door. The amazing scent of pancakes wafted through the house and into her room, which meant her love was making breakfast. 'Good thing too, my tummy is now all rumbly.' Thought Willow as she ran her hand through her red hair. It was now just a couple of inches past her shoulders. She had been letting it grow out again, at her lover's wishes.

"Well, look who finally joins the living again?" A sarcastic smirk coming from the woman who had just exit the bathroom. Her brown eyes shined with humor, and dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, "Red, you slept in late today! Too much fun to be had in the bedroom?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

Willow gave a teasing glare towards Faith, "At least we aren't as loud as you two..." Faith gave Willow a loud laugh and a half hug around her shoulders before racing forward to the stairs and making her way down, "Hey little D! Red's up. You wanted to ask her about your homework?"

Long, light brown hair cascaded down the back of a younger woman, light blue eyes looking up the stairs as Willow started to descend, "Faith, I'm in college! Stop calling me little D," she said as Faith disappeared into the kitchen.

The redhead couldn't help but laugh. She knew there was no way Faith would change the nickname,, especially not after everything, "What did you need Dawn?"

"Now that you're Finally awake," Dawn laughed after putting emphasis on the word 'finally', and Willow had made it to the bottom of the stairs, "I was wondering if you'd look over my history paper later. It's due tomorrow and I want to make sure it's the best."

"Of course. I will definitely fit it in my day, after snuggles that I was deprived of this morning, and the garden ceremony," the redhead smiled a little sad at the thought of the ceremony. A sadness that was quickly swept away for the time being as she was wrapped up from behind.

"Good morning my love," came a soft whisper in her ear. Dawn gave the biggest smile and wave before disappearing around them into the kitchen. Willow turned around in the loving embrace and came face to face with sapphire eyes, and beautiful honey blonde hair, "How did you sleep?"

Tara's half smile melted her at that very moment. Her bright green eyes got lost in the sea of blue before fully understanding the question, "I slept great, until I woke up to no snuggles. What's this whole idea about not being there when I wake up?" A small pout formed on her lips, though not without the hint of a teasing smile.

"I thought you'd like some homemade breakfast this morning. Actually, I thought it would be good for everyone. The ceremony this morning and all," Tara said, before seeing the sadness that passed through Willow's eyes once again. The blonde brought her hand to cup the soft cheek brushing back red tresses before pulling soft lips toward hers. They met in a gentle but loving kiss, full of emotion and promise. Everything was alright with the world, even on this day. It wasn't a day for sadness, but for memory of loved ones lost, and the courage put forth by those who gave their lives. Tara pulled back a little, a tear had slipped down Willow's cheek.

Tara was so proud of everything they had accomplished, and still so amazed at everything Willow had survived, even as a child. She hated seeing her sad, but was so glad to see her feel and allow emotion easily, which was not the case when they first met. She remembered the hardened look in Willow's eyes when they first met. She had lost so much, made friends only to have had to let them go when the world had needed them elsewhere, to come back to her home after so long and find it under war and seeing some of those friends who had left her alone once again, having lost her teacher and mentor who gave their life to protect her. Willow had come back from all of that. The war was over. They were together, and with the remainder of their family finally able to live and relax. To breathe.

Willow moved her head ever so slightly, staring out the window to the backyard. They had a huge garden that she and Tara tended themselves and their property sat on the edge of a park full of trees and a pond. She had picked the property herself. Nature was everywhere here, and now that she was fully capable of using and understanding her powers and her background, she couldn't stand to be away from it. She clung to Tara for a few more moments, thinking about the area they had cleared for the ceremony. It had been a few years of getting things settled after the war, of getting the house built, the academy and buildings acquired, but Willow had been wanting this ceremony for a long time. She had cleared a space specifically for it right in the middle of the garden under a beautiful Willow tree all around the base.

Tara gave one last kiss to Willow, conveying all the love she had, and pouring every bit of it into those few seconds of their lips glued to one another. She pulled away and spun around, grabbing Willow's hand in the process, "It's time to eat. Then we can get ready. Everyone will be here. A stone for everyone we lost, and a final stone to commemorate the slayers and other people we didn't even know, but who fought for the same thing. To keep this world safe. Am I missing anything beautiful?"

Green eyes looked at Tara with the most love and admiration she had ever felt. Well, at least since... now was not the time. It would be time for that soon enough at the ceremony. Now was the time to eat, to spend with those she still had in her life, to spend with her soulmate, Willow.

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Back to the present...

Rupert Giles had entered the large house, the small coven had obviously been in the middle of something, and he felt bad for interrupting, but the news was important, and they were the only ones who could help. He said hello to everyone, giving a small hug to Maroah, the youngest of the group and the one he mentored for her school work.

"I have come to see if you have any news on the Willow? The council's Seers have seen her, and she is now deemed a threat," Giles face gave way to to a sadness and anger for what was misunderstood by his fellow council members.

Lanessa stood to greet him, "Maroah has called on her mother's people to aid in finding her soon. We were just about to discuss if there was a way we could help to locate her faster. She has obviously made her way at least to England. Now the question lies where? Althenea has seen danger, which could be the council I suppose, with the information you've just given. Are they not willing to hear you, Rupert?"

The watcher took off his glasses and pulled out his cleaning cloth. His worry for the young girl, and for the coven who have risked themselves to help bring her to her full potential, was weighing heavily on him. He sat down in the nearest chair, "I'm afraid not. She was deemed a danger, and the special ops team has been sent to take care of her. Do we have any information? Anything we can use to get her behind the boundary of your property? Once here she will be safe, behind the magical borders you've created, she can't be seen. Until we get her here though, she will have no protection."

Aria looked to him, trying to give him something to cheer him up, "Althenea said she has found someone who can protect her somewhat. Mother Nature spoke to her indirectly? I still don't quite understand the whole process, but she has protection of some sort. A vampire, which again I don't quite understand, but we will find her."

"A vampire?" Giles eyes were full of confusion, "to protect her? That doesn't seem like protection. More so danger! How does this not worry you more?"

Althenea jumped in before he could continue, "Angelus, a feared vampire for almost two hundred years, is now her protector. As crazy as it may seem, he is ensouled, and has taken to protect her recently. I have no idea how, or why, but I was told she is safer with him, but only for so long. He cannot protect her from the council should they find out who he is and take him down as well. We must make haste."

At this, Giles's confusion, though still exceedingly high, was less full of worry and more focused on how to help the Sióge find the young chosen soon. They started to think of ideas, soon forming a plan, before Giles had to leave again, making sure not to linger in case the council find him and start to suspect anything.

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