Time passes even when you're immortal, even though time itself is rather meaningless to immortals. Or full of too much meaning sometimes. Xander continued training with Duncan in martial arts and swordplay and Eric felt he was doing well enough with his axes to convince him to learn other weapons as well. Xander agreed, and Eric began to teach him how to use a spear appropriately and a Dane ax, an ax with a much longer reach. Ceirdwyn continued to train Cordelia.
Xander kept in regular contact with Joyce and Giles, since Giles was trying to find the prophecy they wanted to study and Joyce, unlike Buffy and Willow, he didn't have a problem with. Willow wanted forgiveness but didn't seem to understand something.
"Why won't you forgive me, Xander?" Willow and Buffy had been discussing it and neither could understand why he wouldn't forgive them.
"Because you're not sorry and you've never asked forgiveness. Both of you still think you were right to not include me in things. You, personally, don't even regret your methods. Buffy still thinks I'd be safer not being involved and if you had a chance, you'd strip me of everything I've gained because it doesn't fit your idea of who I should be. What you never understood, Willow, is that you don't have the right to do that. Just because you want it, doesn't mean you have any right to it. And just because you're a genius doesn't mean how you think I should be is right. Until you accept that, I don't think we're going to able to be friends. If I'd stayed in Sunnydale, the two of you would have continued to pressure me in a variety of ways, to make me what you think I should be. I would have either given in and resented you or fought back and probably lost your friendship anyway. You and Buffy don't realize it, but you're selfish. You think because you want something, it therefore follows that you should have it. It's why you're always so confused when I refuse to fall in line. You assume because you decided that, that's how it's supposed to be. You're wrong, it's not how it's supposed to be and until you finally accept that, we can't be friends. You'll both just keep trying to fit me into your little boxes."
"But Xander, being immortal and a were hyena isn't normal!"
"Neither is being a Slayer, but it never occured to you that Buffy shouldn't be a Slayer. And some people think Magic isn't normal, but you still wanted to be a witch. And there are more then 10,000 immortals worldwide, so far more normal then being a Slayer. And you don't have any objections to OZ being a werewolf, even if he has broken up with you. It's only alright with you, if it involves you or Buffy, as far as you're concerned. If you could learn to accept me the way I am, then we can talk about forgiveness and friendship, but until then, I think we're better off not being friends."
Thanksgiving came and then it was Cordelia's nineteenth birthday. Ceirdwyn thought it was time she started learning how to use weapons and Duncan decided to take her to see Nakano.
"Seriously, he lives in a cave? On purpose?" Cordelia was perplexed, why would anyone choose that?
"He's a Buddhist monk, material things are distracting in his quest for Enlightenment." Duncan told her. "He has what he needs, food, water, a place to sleep and a place to do his work. He's content."
"Ok, not everyone can appreciate fine things, I guess." Duncan spoke the phrase that would allow them entrance to Nakano's cave and a man in robes was standing before them.
"Greetings, child of the Huntress. You're ready for your first weapon."
"Yeah, I am. And as far I know, my mother never hunted."
"Like Xander Harris, there are things about yourself that you do not yet know. But you will. The time is drawing nearer. What I've crafted for you is only your first weapon, in time, it will become more." Nakano pulled the cloth off the table nearby, just as he'd done when revealing Xander's ax. Two daggers lay on the table. They resembled Xander's ax, they were intricately carved and inlaid with the same kind of stone. And they were absolute works of art. Cordelia carefully picked them up by their handles.
"They're amazing!" She breathed.
"Thank you." Nakano showed her the sheaths, which could be strapped to her lower legs. "Given the narrowness of the blades, you could custom fit boots for them as well." He told her.
"Oh, I'm going to have fun designing those." She agreed. And the cave faded out and Nakano was gone again.
"He likes that whole mysterious thing, doesn't he?" She observed, while admiring her daggers.
"You're probably right." Duncan agreed. Now more then ever convinced that Xander and Cordelia had a special destiny.