Buffy returned just after midnight as she'd promised, after filling her in on what they'd learned regarding werewolves, both Xander and Giles headed for their respective homes. Buffy kept watch for the rest of the night and near morning the werewolf began to change, he continued to sleep though and a little after seven Xander returned.

"I btought some clothes for him." He held up a bag. "I have no idea what his size is but I figure it'll at least allow him to get home without risking arrest. That is if the police are paying any attention. So it looks like he changed back. I don't recognize him."

"I don't either, but the colorful hair reminds of the description of a guy Willow thought might have flirted with her."

"A guy flirted with Willow? That's a new one."

"Xander, Willow is or was a girl and a pretty one at that."

"I'm aware she's a girl and I'm aware she's pretty, I just never think about it."

"Why not? I mean you knew she had a crush on you, so why not do something about it?"

"Because I didn't and don't feel the same way. I've had years to develop feelings for Willow and I never did, at least not the kind she hoped I would.. I noticed you right away because hey! hot new girl! But I didn't know you at first and hadn't yet gotten to know you. Then I did get to know you a little and decided to take a chance and asked you out. But you preferred a vampire to a human and I hate vampires, so I reacted badly. Probably came off as jealous and there was some jealousy, but it was mostly eww! what is she thinking?! Since Angel's left town I think we're actually managing to be friends, which I'm not sure we were before."

"We weren't?"

"No, I think it might have been a combination of trying to get your attention and wanting to help the hot superhero that destroys vampires. There wasn't a whole lot of friendship building going on. Now there is, ironically at the same time as what I did think was my mine and Willow's friendship was blowing up because I realized it wasn't actually a friendship either."

"But Willow thought it was."

"She thought trying to control and manipulate me and making you think there was something wrong with me meant she was a good friend. I really don't understand how she could think that because everything she did was very selfish and helped her in some way, but not me."

"Her becoming a cat may actually help you guys become friends and that is a weird observation."

"Yes, it is." Another voice said. "Can someone explain to me why I'm in a cage and without any clothes on?"

"Question, did you wake up anywhere weird yesterday?" Xander asked.

"Yes, I woke up in the woods, also naked. Explain please."

"First off, I'm Xander, she's Buffy. And you're a werewolf. Which means either you got bit by someone or someone cursed you."

"My cousin Jordy bit me a few days ago. I guess I should talk to my aunt. I'm Oz. Daniel Osbourne."

"I got you some clothes." Xander set the bag near the book cage and unlocked it as Buffy left the library. "Once you have confirmation, we can help you. We've got our own issues and we can explain those later. You need to get dressed and get home, school starts in about an hour."

"Well, whether I am or not, I appreciate not waking up in the woods like this. So thanks for that."

"No problem. According to Buffy, you may have flirted with a girl I think of as a sister, Willow Rosenberg."

"I kinda did, yeah. I liked her smile. Am I going to get a shovel speech?"

"If she was still human you would. Something transformed her into a cat and it seems to be permanent, she's a kind of cat known as a Guardian. I can show you the reference and you're not freaking out over any of this."

"Takes a lot to freak me out and I'm familiar with the weird, I travel a lot with my band."

"Than you know about mutants and aliens and stuff?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Good, that makes it easier. I recently underwent terrigenesis when the Terrigen Mist was released."

"Ah, so you kinda understand what I might be going through if I really am a werewolf. I think I believe you. It explains why I woke up naked in the woods next to a dead rabbit yesterday."

"Well, it's better than what the hunter we hopefully chased out of Sunnydale last night would have done to you if he'd caught you. He told us he caught another werewolf the night before and skinned it."

Oz's eyes went wide. "Than I'm doubly grateful. I'm going to head home, I have to get ready for class myself."

"Our group will be meeting here in the library after school. If you decide to let us help you, all you have to do is ask."

"Good to know."