Chapter 6: 3 months later.
Buffy had just left the local blacksmiths shop with a small black box and placed it carefully in her jacket pocket as she walked through the back alleys and made her way through the back alleys and passed by many of the wonderful people she had come to live with. each were greeted with a smile and some with hugs and well meaning hello's, she even held a demons newborn child who was over the moon to welcome his 15th boy into the world.
The town gaurd had even asked when her and Faith would come and work by them again since, the gaurdsmen and women always enjoyed the drinking and card games, even when Faith would cook too much and packed way more than extra for watch duty. the gaurds would always eat everything they couldn't and it really helped to build a deep comraderie between everyone.
The last week or two had been in pursuit of two nasty twin snake demons who had robbed a bank and were on the run. The gaurds had actually accidently pointed Buffy in the right direction and she had finally managed to trap them in a closed mine shaft and easily subdue them. it was her first solo capture and that meant she had won their previous bet, she would get one wish from Faith, anything she wanted and yet she already had everything.
Faith was her loving girlfriend and the sex was mind blowing, even the quieter moments were blissful and serene. she had also managed to really come into her own as a photographer as of late, Faith had even brought her several empty albums for her photos that she had managed to find in a local habadasherry behind the sugar boy about five alleys down.
Buffy had stopped off in the Saloon to pick up a bunch of Nuka Colas in a wicker basket and was stopped by a working girl who asked how she was doing and where her girl was. of course Buffy was more than happy to tell her Faith was at home reading a new book she was really invested in and that's when the working girl mentioned that maybe she should pop by the local florist and get some flowers for Faith.
Her sister was the shop assistant and of course she was trying to drum up buisness as everyone in this town had to earn a living afterall and Buffy actually liked the idea so she did just that. she had some strange colored looking lotus flowers and a vase for them which she liked the look of and happily skipped home without a single worry in the world.
When she came to stand before their shared door in their cave house she stopped and thought to herself for a second as she unlocked the door, 'Man... i hope she likes my surprise". she entered their abode to an absoloutly delicous sight, Faith lounging on the long black sofa in her bra and panties, reading quietly, her wavy brown hair falling past her well toned shoulders and Buffy wanted to jump on her right then and there.
Faith turned to see her petite blonde goddess of a girlfriend standing in the doorway with a basket full of Nuka cola and a bundle of flowers in a new vase and couldn't help but think to herself how lucky she really was. "Welcome home my darling... did a little too much shopping again?"
Buffy closed and locked the door behind her before she walked over to the table to unpack everytning she had purchased and even taken out the small black box and placed it on the edge of the table as she went to hang up her coat and hat next to her lovers before she returned and Faith was already packing away the varying flavors of Nuka cola for her without even asking.
"Hey, Faith... can you come here for a moment... please" Buffy asked her in a calm voice that made Faith instantly stop in her tracks as she placed the last Nuka in the fridge and shut the door with a scared look on her face.
"Please, you rarely say please... what's wrong? is everything ok?" Faith was visibly panicking
Had she done something wrong, was Buffy bored of her, had she realised she hated it here and wanted to go home. she wanted to go back didn't she, she must of realised she had made a mistake or something. Faith had a face as pale as a ghost and hadn't even moved an inch out of fear of what's to come next.
"Baby, what's wrong? you look like you've seen a ghost..." Buffy grabbed the metal box and and walked up to her but she was still facing the refridgerator and Buffy had to turn the poor girl around slowly as she seemed to be in a state of shock.
"You... you're happy... right B? i didn't do something to..." Faith didn't even get to finish what she was saying as Buffy opened the black box in front of her and her eyes shot back to life as she spied two strangely colored metal crosses.
"I got the idea, after the bounty we caught with Rhino when Sina was sick, you remember Il'saluhin railway gave us a boatload of rupees for that fat whale demon thing" Buffy glowed in remembrance as she took the red metal cross out of the box and held it up in the air to catch the light and her lovers glowing eyes.
"We met that blacksmith who asked if 'my wife' would like to purchase some precious metals or some premade items to take home with her". Faiths panic softened as she touched the cross and it felt cold to the touch.
"You told him your wife wasn't really into metalurgy... i was suprised you knew the word..." Buffy stifled a laugh.
"He wasn't the first to think it, how many kids here call us the Summers... and you never correct them do you" Buffy joked as she placed her cross on the side counter and asked Faith to turn around and kneel just enough for her to be able to put her cross on properly.
"It's hard to correct them when i don't really want to B, fuck i thought you were gonna tell me you wanted to go home or you had enough with me or sommin" Faith admitted whole heartedly as she turned around to show her girl how the new cross fit.
"So that's why you looked whiter than a ghost... man i wonder how you'd look when you realise this is a for life kinda deal" Buffy kissed the cross dangling from Faiths neck and asked her to help her with her cross.
"I just wanted something to mark our time together, to show you... how i feel and how i treasure you so deeply". Faith helped place the dark green cross around her neck and let her hands caress the girls golden tanned skin as she sensually massaged her neck.
"Plus we're Slayers... crosses kinda suit us!' Buffy moaned as she felt her emotions rise and her core tighten from Faiths pleasurable touch.
"I haven't been a slayer in a long time B, kinda taken Bounty babe as my new title...moniker... it's one of em?" Faith joked as Buffy enjoyed her strong fingers soothing her tightened neck muscles with the relief they provided.
"Have i ever told you how wonderful your fingers are!" the lightly moaning blonde said Faith moved up towards her cheek bones and continued massaging her jaw.
"Only when i make you scream my name" Faith said in a flirty deep tone. Buffy shuddered in anticapation as she turned and lay against Faiths chest and began running her hands through the brunnettes hair. she touched the ribbon and rubbed it for luck as she knew it was enchanted by Ruby in secret for her, just in case they were ever seperated, like the green that hung from her hat it was a fateful tie that would bring them together again.
"A red ribbon, a red cross... i'm begining to think you're trying to mark me as you're property B" She questioned but had already known the answer.
"I told you, i don't share and i'm posessive.. plus i get jealous easy... especially when Maj's girl keep eyeing you up like a slab of fine cut meat" Buffy held her tighter before they disconnected and Buffy decided to fill her vase with water and place the flowers in the middle of the dining table.
"Oh these are for you too, i got roped into the florist and well... i thought pretty girls like pretty flowers..." her placement was almost perfect as she uttered those words Faith moved back over to the sofa and layed down on it and closed her eyes.
"Maybe those girls'll get the hint that your taken when they see our crosses" Buffy hoped out loud and it made Faith snort as she knew that idea would never work.
"B, they're just working, don't take it peronsally... they flirt with you all the time" Faith out both arms behind her head and yawned deep.
"And you're always angrier than me... you pinned that one girl to the bar and almost choked the life out of her... the poor security gaurd was too scared of you to even do his job" Buffy chided her as the memory flickered behind both their eyes.
Faith sighed "ok, but she slapped your ass... i saw red, I'm still apologizing to the madame for that!" Faith ground her teeth as she was obviously still pissed at the poor working girl who was just trying to drum up buisness in all the wrong places. Buffy came over to Faiths resting form and decided to join her as there was more than enough room for both of them on the sofa and they both really loved the closeness they shared on a regular basis.
"Yh, she made me work the door for 2 days... but you did bring me those delicous snacks and sandwhiches so it wasn't a complete loss" Buffy whispered as she layed her head on Faiths stomach and closed her eyes to enjoy the touch even more.
"Well tommorow i wanna check the board, Jean said there's some outta town work coming in soon and well... i thought you'd like the travelling to new towns thing we do alot." her arm was now draped over the cute blonde and she was caressing her arm tenderly.
"Sounds fun to get away, Gaurds want us on duty always and I think they just like kicking my ass at cards and eating your delicous cooking" Buffy and Faith chuckled at the idea, they knew the gaurds weren't like that but Buffy really did suck at playing cards.
"I don't think i've ever been this happy... not once, never before in my life... it's like that portal was sent by god to say sorry for all the shit he put us through..." Buffy let out a deep breath of fresh air.
"Even when i think of everyone back home I just wanna tell em i'm fine... don't look for me, don't try just leave me be.." Faiths hand gripped her arm just a bit harder.
"Is that wrong? that i'm home and happy with you here... is it selfish of me?" Buffy asked Faith as she nuzzled into her belly sweetly. Faith thought about what she said for a moment before responding.
"You stopped four apocalypses, you died for them, had your heart stomped on for them and then I... fucked up and did some stupid shit and you had to deal with that too" the room went silent and they could only hear the sounds from outside the open window of the town in the distance.
"You've never been really selfish in your life Buffy, hell you deserve a quiet life here or there... the slayer gig was fun and the powers are amazing... but it was an unfair and evil gig" Faith spoke freely to Buffy because she knew the loving moralistic blonde was the only one whomcould understand her.
"They give us powers and then when we get too old, 18... they try and kill us to control the line if he haven't died before then in some brutal way" Buffy found herself agreeing with her as she remembered the horror of the cruciamentum.
"Why'd ya think Ruby enchanted my clothes... i wanted to make sure i was enhanced naturally by magic just in case i got cruciamentum'd or they found a way to take my Slayer powers away... it's the reason i took you to Ruby" Buffy had never known that, that was new imformation.
"I just thought if you got portalled back quickly... you'd be stronger over time like me... They couldn't hurt you or even have a chance to stop you..." Faith told her as she picked herself up and lay at face level with her and looked deep into her amber eyes.
"You were worried about me... is that why you killed Angel?" Buffy asked her as she audibly choked on the words and Faith didn't want to answer the question she knew she had to answer.
"He was a 200 year old vampire who was going to up and leave you after doing what he did... because of some stupid gypsy curse... what we couldn't of found another spell to ensoul him... he could of, the mayor said there were demons who could ensoul without any silly 'true happiness' clauses" Faith put her hand on Buffys cheek and rubbed her warm face with a lovers touch.
"Truth is i hated him... he was cruel to you and i was... i was jealous of him being with you" her admission caused Buffy to hold her closer and tighter.
"I'm not sorry, i got you away from him and he deserved it the pedo fuck! but i wasn't...". Faith looked away and rolled onto her back again.
"I'm not the best at talking or emotions B, but the time away gave me a new perspective, just like you have after living here for awhile". Faith sat up and put her feet on the stone floor.
"But i won't lie to you baby, i'm scared everyday you'll wake up and realise i'm worthless and pathetic... that you'll run away back to Sunnydale somehow...". her voice was strained and hard to get out of her throat.
Buffy sat up and sat next to her and placed her hand on the girls muscular thighs. "That will never happen and in all honesty... Angel was a mistake, a huge messed up mistake but i never want to talk about him again anyway" Buffy decided to climb down to the floor and sir herself in front of Faith and staring her deep in the eyes with a melancholic look on her face.
"Tell me you love me, that you'll never leave me... tell me that we'll always be together" Buffy slowly pushed her back into the sofa and slowly, sensually opened her legs.
"I love you Buffy, i will never leave you and i promise you with every part of my soul that we will always be together or i'll die tryin" Faith told her passionately as Buffy ran her soft small hands up and down Faiths gorgeous thighs.
"Tommorow we go hunting for bad guys but tonight... i'm gonna make you break alot more than just a sweat". Buffy groaned lustfully and bit her lip in anticipation for the pleasure she was about to give and receive from the dark slayer.
"God you're fucking sexy, how did I ever land someone as perfect as you?"" Faith pushed back into the sofa and moaned as her blonde lover began to lovingly torment her pussy through the soft cotton of her black panties and it elicited moans from her that Buffy craved to force out of the girl more and more.
"I think the same about you everyday, i just hope you still want me when i'm old and grey..." Buffy felt the girls wetness and changed her style and pace as she also rubbed her thighs with a sensual massage which made Faith open her legs as wide as she could for the petite temptress.
"Hmmm, hot milf Buffy... fuck i wouldn't kick that outta bed!" Faith moaned hard as Buffy slid her little black panties to the side and began to play with her clit and move her face closer to claim her prize.
"Tell me you love me Faith" Buffy said in a deeper voice, more strained than usual.
"Buffy, i love you.. fuck i've loved you from the day i met you!" Faith moaned wildly as Buffy inserted two fingers long and deep into Faiths tight wet pussy.
"Everytime you used to flirt with me... even when i was with 'him'... i used to get so wet thinking about what you would do to me" Buffy looked the now heavily moaning girl direct and deep into her eyes.
"And now i get to do all those things i imaginged you doing to me... and a whole lot more just to make you scream my name!" Buffy shot face first into Faiths pussy and began hungrily attacking Faiths juicy clit with her long dextrous tongue.
"Oh fuck B, that's so fucking hot... go deeper, harder... don't stop, oh god please don't stop!!!" Faith was now fully under Buffys control as she was being not only finger banged into the sofa cushions but also having her pussy devoured by her golden haired goddess and being told things she had secretly longed to hear. Buffys muffled voice could be barely heard as she went with the motions of her lovers lustful pleas.
"You're mine! forever... i will never let you go!". Faith heard every word and squirted hard as Buffy claimed possesion over her lovers body and soul.
"Buffy! I'M FUCKING YOURS! AHHH!!! FOREVER!!". She screamed in passionate ectasy as her body was tensed up for so long before she finally collapsed into the back of the sofa and had trouble catching whatever breath she even had left.
Buffy was covered in Faiths love juices and licking her fingers clean, which sent Faith so far over the edge she was sure she would cum againnat any moment just from the sight alone.
"I love you B... god, I just can't stop...". Buffy grinned eagerly as she pulled herself to her feet and walked over to the table and started taking her enchanted leather trousers off.
"What are you...?" Faith asked as Buffy sat on top of the table without any bottoms on, legs wide and began to play with herself and Faith understood the assignment instantly.
"Well, you better come fuck me hard Faith... aren't you the stronger slayer now? shouldn't you be, oh i dunno, fucking taking what's yours or summin" Buffy was playing with herself with a devilish grin plastered across her face and a look which said.
''Come fuck me dumbass, i need it now and i need it hard!' which was exactly the way Faith liked it.
"You adorable little temptress.." Faith giggled as she rushed over to claim the woman she loved, she just hoped to be able to feel her wobbly legs again sometime soon.
~~*
"Rhino, how long do you think those two are gonna look over the bounties? I'm bored!" Sina asked as she was arm wrestling the demon bear bouncer rather successfully for someone who was nearly three times the size of her and packed full of bear demon muscle.
"Y'know Faiths just finding the best for us Sina, Buffys also made some fun decisions recently, led to alot of adventures." Rhino was sharpening his overly fat and large, very intimidating combat knife which he just had enchanted by Ruby for a small fortune.
"Gives me a chance to try out Ruby's handywork". Sina slammed the bears hand through the table and jumped for joy as she had just won the third round of arm wrestling against the bouncer and he looked pissed.
"Ahhh screw ya barbarian demons! that kinda strengths unnatural i tells ya!" he threw down a small pouch of Rupees and decided to go grab himself a beer from the bar.
Buffy and Faith walked over with stack of bounty posters and put them down next to Rhino since a huge chunk of the table was missing now after Sina won her 'test of strength' against the toughest looking demon they all knew.
"Jeans gonna be pissed when he see's what you did to the table!" Faith scolded her as she plopped down on a free chair and began counting her winnings.
"Yh... you're lucky he's overlooking the new disruptor placements or he'd be on your ass again" Buffy giggled as she turned to Rhino to inspect his new knife.
"@ell... won't be as bad as the chewing out he gave Faith for chucking a working girl out the window last week" Sina cheekily grinned as Faith rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Man... I'm never gonna hear the end of that one..." Faith moaned as she pulled up a chair next to a part of the table that was still there and began looking over the bounties again.
"Maj is still pissed, but she understands why... atleast she says she does, no idea if that's the case though" Rhino plainly said as he handed his knife to Buffy and put away his sharpening stones in a small leather pouch.
"Wow, this knifes huge! what did Ruby do to it anyway?" Buffy asked as she swung it aeound playfully like a claymore as it was huge in her hands, especially since it was made for a giant green Rhino demon.
"Percusiive force, it makes large shock waves and is magically tougher too" Rhino spoke with pride as Buffy handed him the scary looking blade back.
Faith handed the guys some bounties and was having trouble deciding which ones they should accept and so had Buffy. Rhino looked over a few and noticed two rather large bounties in port town of Balamb'bim, an hour away and became quite interested in the bounties as he showed them off to Buffy. Sina noticed one large bounty in the jungle town of Salmn and it was only 2 and a half hours away by train in the complete opposite direction.
"Maybe we should split up? me and Faith can catch this Cannibal ape and you and Buffy can catch the prostitute killer and the bank robber" Sina put the idea forth and instantly noted the angry, worried look Faith was wearing and realised the powerful young bounty huntress might not be a hundred percent on board with the idea. Buffy on the other hand was already making plans with Rhino on how they could apprehend the criminals since Rhino apparently knew Balamb'bin like the back of his large muscular green hand.
"I dunno... if splitting up is the best idea.." Faith said as Buffy turned to her and gave the dark Slayer a knowing look.
"Scared i might catch two bounties before you guys can kill one?" Buffy asked proudly as she was looking forward to the challenge but she wasn't in the slightest bit prepared for Faith to speak her mind so openly.
"I'm scared you will get hurt and i won't be there to save you B" she said it low and soft but everyone had heard it and she didn't hide away from how she felt about it.
"Oh... well, that was direct.." Sina said in an understanding tone whilst putting her rupees away and taking a swig of water.
"Yh... that's not the Faith we know... damn what did you do Buffy? she's whipped" Rhino made a whip cracking sound and stopped instantly when Faith glared at him angrily so he played it off but also backed his chair up just a bit.
"Faith... i'm gonna be fine and Rhino has my back, plus i can take loads of pictures for you and maybe grab some souvenirs!" she put her hand on Faiths shoulded.
"I'm just as worried you'll get chomped by the cannibal ape! but i know Sinas got ya back honey" Faith smiled and placed her hand on Buffys. both their friends looked away as they kissed each other and she begrudgingly accepted the plan.
"Fine... but, we get these done as quickly as possible, Sinas gonna end up hating me if we don't" Faith honestly admitted as she looked over the bounty and was happy it was a 'death' only job.
"Seems like he's extremly physically gifted and highly intelligent, but dissapears for long spans of time... last person he ate was... damn yesterday" Faith was physically repulsed by the fact he ate humanoids and also demons for apparently 'pleasure' as the bounty poster made abundantly clear in its wording.
"Ours are both dead or alive with less given out for death... looks like Buffy here's gonna have to hold back a little" Rhino joked as he handed her the posters and she went over them again.
"Well i aint dressing up as a hooker, we'll just search the district from a distance and see if we can spy him, but the bank robber... man we might need to get lucky with that one and hope he robs the bank or we just bump into him" Buffy spoke to the group as Faith looked her up and down and she knew that look, her loving girlfriend was envisioning Buffy all slutted up and whorey. but the look on her face made it clear she wasn't entirely opposed to the idea, but knowing Faith she would definetly prefer it in private and be pissed if she actually did it in public. Buffy would also hate it... but maybe, just maybe she secretly liked the idea of dressing up for her girl in private.
"So, whats the plan, if we leave for the station now we can be there before mid day, Rhino will be there by 11... if we're lucky we could get it done in a day, if not we're gonna need to book a room and work our asses off for days" Sina was checking the train times on a timetable she had produced from a satchel on her hip.
"Well we're all doing good for cash and a room won't cost much, but i don't really wanna be away for too long without being able to check in with you both" Buffy spoke candidly as she was looking directly at Faith to make it clear to her that she didn't want to be away from her for too long.
"Oh! well we can just contact Sina and Faith through a telecommunications terminal, they have em in every bounty house nowadays... just gotta pay the desk clerk and we get some time and a directory book" Rhino smiled giddily as he had received a hug from Buffy.
"Yh! we just have to be by the terminals at the same time, so we'll just both be on either side at 8 to 9 and call the other bounty office as there's only really one per town anyway" Rhino was let free by Buffy as she rushed over to the bar and ordered a bhnch of nuka colas.
"Well it's a good idea, we've never needed to split up before... thanks man, i didn't know they even had telephones here" Faith gave him a thankful look.
"Telephones? you must mean the terminal, yh there used by everyone, i just guess you've never needed to use one since you kept to yourself before Buffy came here" Rhino checked his gear and everyone else followed suit.
"Don't worry tho bossman, I'll make sure your girls safe as houses! just focus on the hunt and we'll be home before ya know it" Rhino tried his best to reassure the obviously nervous women and it seemed to work a bit as Buffy returned with fours different color nukas for everyone and she placed them down on the table and also inspected her gear before they left for the station.
~~*
The train to Balamb'bin had just pulled into the station and Faith was filled with nervous energy and pacing about and tappin her feet on the wooden platform the entire time they were waiting. Buffy had tried to calm the girl down and yet she was also feeling quite nervous as this was the first time in months together they would be spending time apart. she was even uncharacteristically holding her red cross tight Buffy had commisioned the blacksmith for, she was gripping the thing for dear life almost and it Buffy happy that something she had made for her would bring her some sense of warmth and comfort. but it also filled her with worry that Faith would be thinking the worst of scenarios as she was a well known worrier and had a tendency to over react at times which led to mistakes of epic proportions.
"Faith, come and say goodbye to me... and please stop worrying, once the job is over i'll be on the first train home ok" Buffy was also scared of being alone for the first time innthis dimension and thankfully she would have Rhino to help her if anything went to far south. Faith and Buffy were standing on The long and wide wooden platform as the train had only just stopped and it would be minutes till departure since they had to refuel for the journey ahead.
"Just promise me you'll be safe, you'll stay outta trouble..." Faith was trembling slightly, she had become so used to Buffys presence in her life that the fact she would be away seemed to hurt her deeply. Buffy handed Sina her camera and asked her if she could take a picture of her and Faith before departure, she should just wait for the right moment though, Buffy was adamant about that.
Buffy took Faiths hand and pulled her towards her, "Hey, i can't wait until we're together again, i'll even buy you something nice... if you promise not to worry too much" her hands took hers in fully and she lifted the left to her cheek and place it there to feel her warmth and soft touch.
"I'm... I'm just worried you wont come back... these 4 months have been..." Faith searched for the words for a moment before continuing.
"As i told you before... they've been the most wonderful of my entire life and it's all because you came back to me". she moved her face forward and even though she was a whole head taller than her lover she could easily reach down to capture her plump, pert lips and indulge herself in a passion fueled kiss before she left and thankfully it lingered for what seemed like forever.
Faith whispered softly, "please come home tom me B... I couldn't go on without you...". she kissed her again and then rested her forhead against hers and enjoyed the last bit of closeness rhey would feel for a while, especially because her and Rhino really needed to get on the train soon.
"I will come home, my heart is with you afterall, tell me you love me" Buffy begged as Faith obliged and Sinan got the camera into position.
"I love you Buffy Summers" Faith smiled with her eyes closed and there closeness was immortalised with a click of Buffys camera that she then returned to Buffy and slipped into her jacket pocket whilst Faith was still kissing her girlfriend with reckless abandon ignoring the multitude of people around them going about their days and giving rhem disgusted looks.
Sina handed Faith the photo that was developing in her hand as they broke apart and Rhino was calling to Buffy to get a move on and embark before they had to wait another 4-5 hours for the next train to come along. Faith watched as the train pulled out of the station and Buffy waved and screamed she would be home in a little while of of the train window, it was too loud to fully make out but Faith had the abikity to read her lips and also the emotional look in her eyes. soon the train was out of sight and she was standing still on an empty platform where the smoke from the steam engine had almost completly dissapated, wondering, how long it would be until they see each other again.
Sina handed her the fully developed picture and gave her a pat on the back before moving over to the next platform to wait for there train, she crossed the overhead bridge as Faith twiddled her slender fingers as the train was soon fully out of sight and she only had the photo to keep her company. she slowly brought it up to her face and spied the romantic picture with a look of longing and kissed it whilst silently praying to anyone who would listen to keep 'her girl' safe from harm. Sina was now over the other side and sitting on a bench looking as impatient as ever and Faith knew she was going to have a long mission ahead of her. she sighed and made her way to the next platform, silently promising herself she would see Buffy again soon, all she had to do was blow this cannibal demons brains out, collect the bounty and run home to the arms of her loving girlfriend and everything would be alright.
~~*
Rhino and Buffy had arrived in Balamb'bin only an hour later and the seaside town was truly a thing of beauty, smaller than the last but gorgeous and filled with personality. Buffy had been taking pictures of all the interesting things she could find as Rhino had began asking around about both bounties, in the domed garage, the local hotel which was aparently quite empty since it wasn't peak tourist season yet. the docks however was suprisingly crowded as workers were coming off the boats from a hard 6 weeks at sea, aparently the haul was great so alot of the boys were in great spirits which allowed Buffy and Rhino to actually receive some interesting information concerning the first bounty.
The prostitute killer used to be a fisherman who was well repected and seemed to have an eye for the catch, unforfunately he had disappeared months ago and was last seen holding a prostitutes head and throwing it into the sea mumbling something about 'puriant filth'. he was also the brother of the local station master and that would lead them both to their first lead of the day. Buffy had actually had to beat the sailors away from her as they were way too flirtatious and she was having none of it, but she did find it quite funny that they thought showing off their rippling rock hard sailor muscles would sway her somehow. one tried to grab hed ass and she had thrown him from one end of the docks to the other and made it very clear she was 'spoken for' and a few of the sailors even apologised profusely for their friends stupidity.
Rhino had began to walk towards the train station and was calling Buffy to come along as she tugged on the strap of her rifle which was hanging on her back and the strap across her chest whilst saying goddbye to the sailors. she wished them well and hope they would all find good women as she rushed off towards Rhino and the direction of the seafront hotel.
"Buffy, it's great you can protect yourself but sometimes a less violent soloution might be more appropriate when dealing with civilians who don't know any better" He said with a worried tone but Buffy cut him off and made it clear.
"If they don't want to get hurt they shouldn't touch what isn't theirs to begin and anyway... Faith wouldn't be happy if she found out you were trying to tell me to talk my way out of a problem... i'm not great with, de'escalation'. Buffy giggled as they made their way back down main street and could spy the trainstation again and walked towards the souvenir shop where a station worker was talking quite loudy to the window store clerk.
"Excuse me, we'd like to ask you a few question... wouldn't have some free time to answer them would you?" Rhino asked the man who was less than happy his terrible flirting was being interrupted by these two bounty hunters.
"Ahhh! piss off cunts! i'll tell ya what i told the sheriffs and the military academy down the way... i have no damn idea where Herbs brother got to and neither does he!" the man was obviously annoyed and even a little enraged at the question which made them both quite suspicous.
"Where's herb then?" Buffy asked with a stern look and her hand slipping under her jacket to reveal her Mauser which unsuprisingly made the station worker change his tone and body langauge significantly.
"Woah... there little lady, Herbs in the station probably in the station masters office going over some paperwork" the worker raised his hands up in submission and the pretty red haired store clerk tried and failed to stifle a giggle as the arrogant ass was being put in his place.
Buffy closed her jacket and Rhino walked off into the station. "Thanks... wasn't hard now was it... wouldn't want the pretty lady here to be cleaning train boy off those pretty stone walls now would we" Buffy began to follow rhino but stopped and span back on her heel.
"Oh! and she aint interested in you... any idiot can see that from a mile away". the store clerk gave him a look which made him realise the cute blonde biunty hunter was telling the truth and he threw his dark green station cap to the ground in annoyance before dissapearing off somewhere. Buffy was now deep within the really pretty stone train station which had massive white pillars holding up the gargantuan glass roof and she could help but think to herself, 'Damn... we need some architects from here to visit Al-Kufir'.
Rhino called to her from one end of the station near a large black door which had 'Station masters office' written upon it in white. "Sooooo... wanna break in?" Buffy joked as Rhino rolled his eyes and knocked on the door a little too hard. they both waited a few moments as they heard swears and heavy footsteps from behind the large black door and the thing suddenly swung open to a large burely fish demon who had the face of a goldfish swearing.
"fucking cunts i damn well told you!... who the hell are you two dipshits?" he burbled as Buffy handed him her bounty license and his face almost sank instantly.
"You're here about my younger brother... i take it?" he handed Buffy her ID back and she put it back in her jacket as he motioned for them to come inside his office.
The door slammed behind him and the station master locked it which drew Buffy to her pistol as the first demon sprang from behind a desk and she blew his head off with a thunderous crackand his yellow fish demon blood and rhino had frew himself backwards with his knuckle duster in hand and punched the station master so hard in the gut he doubled over in immense pain as his eyes began bulging out of their scaly sockets. The rest of the gang had also tried to pop up and fire with their crude pistols but Buffy had become quite the sharpshooter as of late thanks to her lover and the town gaurd constantly challenging her to marksmanship conquests and she laid wait to 4 other fish demons with her mauser in 3 seconds flat. it was more inpressive since they were all so spread out behind a desk and some book cases and file cabinets and had the jump on the bounty hunters buf their insides were now outside and splattered across the station masters office.
Rhino stamped his huge brown leather boot into the station masters back and didn't stop until he finally begged for him to stop. "please... stop, blerghhh... he's in a secret compartmemt under the desk! just spare me! let me go!" the station master was begging the giant green rhinocerous man to stop and he did but the fish man was much more scared of the blonde as she took his desk and without any visible effort threw it across the room where it flew hastily into the wall and smashed into a million tiny pieces. the station master had been srill begging for them to not hurt him as Buffy violently ripped of the metal hatch from its hinges and chucked it across the room, only to be presented with their bounty showing her a face which was obviously a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Joey... we've been looking for you! get off the bunk, kneel on the floor and put ya hands behind your head!" Buffy commanded but he refused to listen.
"Rhino, if he doesn't co operate what are you going to do to old Herb over there!" Buffy shouted with commanding force to her voice and a sharp look directed at the prostitute kill Joey that sent shivers down his fiahy spine. he was sitting defiantly on the small metal rooms bunk as Rhino roared back
"I'll stamp his fishy demon head into the ground with my size 21 boot!" And with that Joey slowly kneeled on the cold steel of the hidden rooms floor and did as he was told and placed his hands on the back of his head as Buffy came over with a pair of shiny silver cuffs and arrested him with no struggle and directed him out of the room and towards his brother who was now also cuffed.
"Thanks for protectin' me bro, top job eh!" the younger brother chided as his older brother gurgled back in his fishy tone.
"Maybe next time don't kill prostitutes and guilt trip me into protecting you fish for brains!" Rhino punched him again before bringing him to his feet and following Buffy out of the door with their idiotic catch in hand.
A crowd had gathered of station employees who couldn't believe what they were seeing, their boss and his brother in cuffs being escorted out of the train station by a cute blonde cowgirl and a giant green rhino demon. the noises behind the door had echoed throughout the station and scared alot of them to their very cores but now there were cheers abound as justice was finally being served after weeks of dead whores being found throughout the streets of Balamb'bin. Five minutes later the bounty mark and his brother were being process across the road from the balamb'bin garage and Buffy was counting there small fortune and splitting it with Rhino as the local humanoid sheriff came over to thank them for a job well done.
"Heard you both caught the guy who was killin our young workin girls, can't believe his brother was hiding him under his desk in a hidden room... crazy stuff" The head sheriff chuckled heartilly as he shook both their hands with a look on his face that showed he was extremly thankful they had shown up to do the job.
"We don't get alot of bountys or bounty hunters here in Balamb'bin, please tell me you're here for the bank robber too?" The sheriff was then relieved to hear that they were as Rhino asked if there was any information that he could spare.
"Well actually we have a stakeout for tommorow, got the local students at the military academy down yonder posing as bank tellers and clerks... word on the grapevine is that all Slackjaw is planning a heist for 5 am tommorow morning" The sheriff was whispering even in a nearly empty office as he didn't want the word getting our but he most definetly needed the help.
"How'd you come across this information, we're happy to help of course but, it's unusual the locals are so well informed in our line of work" Rhino gave him an apprehensive look and the sheriff seemed to understand his suspicion and not take any offense by it.
"His sister and i... well lets just say, hang our boots up in the same place and he's a very family orientated criminal" The sheriff admitted as Buffy handed Rhino his cut of the bounty and butted in the conversation.
"And his sisters fine with you and us putting him in irons and behind bars for the rest of his life?" Before gave him a apprehensive look but he just grinned and reassured her.
"Little lady my wife is the head of the military academy... who'd ya think set up and planned out our little sting operation" Buffy accepted his words and offered their help which he was more than happy to accept.
They would meet up at 4am and get in their positions he just told them ot was obviously first come, first served when it came to killing or capturing Slackjaw and they'd have to work for their catch which Buffy was all the more hapoy to do. before both of them left Buffy inquired about the telecommunications device and if she could return later at 8 and try to contact her partner and the sheriff told her hey 'long as ya pay the charge, the telephone can be used by anyone since we're open 24/7' and Buffy shook his hand and said she'd see him later then for her phone call and they both left the bounty office with a smile on their faces and were greeted by the blue and white cobblestones.
"So... Faiths gonna be mad we're staying the night, hey big man... can you go sort our seperate rooms out? i gotta go find some souvenirs for everyone" Buffy tried to hand him some rupees but he refused them. "hey... none of that now little one, buy me a stiff drink before bed and we're all even" Rhino gave her a toothy grin and she didn't argue with him.
"And anyway, i can't wait to see what souvenir you buy for me or Sina... hell all of us" he chuckled happily as he walked off in the direction of the Balamb'bin hotel and Buffy was left alone facing the garage and wondering what on earth she would even buy for them all.
~~*
Buffy was directed by the sheriffs deputy to a small room with a telephone and a large screen of prismed glass right next to it, there was a green leather chair and on the dark wooden desk holding the rotary style phone. there was a book of numbers on the desk and Buffy remembered which one she was supposed to look for as she sat down but ended up not having to ring any numbers up as the screen lit up with the words 'incoming call from jungle town Salmn, pick up receiver to accept call' and Buffy did just that and was greeted by the face of her loving girlfriend on the other end of the low quality screen.
"Baby, thank god! are you alright? did you hurt yourself?" Faith sounded panicked and looked it too through the low quality image that looked like it was barely in color.
Buffy happily sighed "We caught the first bounty, gotta catch a bank robber tommorow baby... and Faith..." Buffy spoke softly into the receiver curling around her mouth and ear.
"Yeah B?" Faith responded in a light tone. "I've missed you so much, i shot like 5 fish guys today and brought so many souvenirs for everyone" Buffy lightly chuckled as she heard Faith join her on the other end with a light smile which made the golden haired slayers day.
"So you've already spent ya reward on trinkets baby! you always did enjoy shopping way too much" Faith playfully mocked as Buffy turned on her sexy voice and replied.
"Oh... and i take it you won't want to see me in my new 'lingerie' and that's a shame honey cause i brought it just for you... oh well i guess.." Buffy was interrupted by an intrigued and panicked Faith on the other end.
"No No No, i never said it was a bad thing... in fact it's wonderful news" Buffy laughed as Faith instantly changed her tone the moment she knew Buffy was in a playful mood.
They spoke for another blissful few minutes before the inevitable question came up and she had to tell her she was obviously staying the night and Faith revealed that she also had too since the bait they had set up was pretty much reliant on an all night stake out.
"Yeah Sina and me have to stake out his local haunts he's known to return too, it'll take just one clean shot but... we aint sleeping tonight" Faith looked annoyed but after a year and a half of being in this world she had gotten more than used to the work.
"Well we've got an early start but as long as everything goes well me, Rhino and the souvenirs will be on the next train home and then i can wait for you... all dressed up" Buffy teased.
"So i can dress you down B" Faith was sounding hot and heavy on the other end and Buffy wasn't doing much better on her end either.
"Hey B... just be careful, i gotta go but moment i blow that apes brains out i'll be cashing in and getting out" Faith put her hand on the bottom left corner of the screen.
"I miss you love" she smiled lovingly as Buffys hand joined hers on the screen.
"With all my heart baby". "Give the mark hell honey... and then come hom esafe to me ya hear" Buffy blew Faith a kiss as Faith kissed the screen and soon after they both returned their telephones to the receivers and hung up. Buffy paid a small amount of Rupees at the front desk and walked out into the balamb streets under a clear warm night underneath a sea of shining stars. Rhino had taken her for a quick drink at the local pub before bed and she said she'd only have one drink so they wouldn't wake up too late as she wanted to get this one in the bag so she could return home as quickly as possible.
Rhino was stting at the bar with a very colorful drink for a giant green muscular man and it was covered in fruits and unberellas and a little swirly straw. Buffy ordered a Balamb Nuka which was a flavour the didn't have in Al'Kafur while it was a mix of some balamb made alcohol and a mixture of cherry and honey nuka which tasted alot better than it sounds. Both of them were happy as pie as they savoured the lively taste and superior qualities of their respective drinks and laughed as they both went 'Ahhh' at the same time and realised they were both acting like little kids after such a busy day.
"Man, can't believe we got so lucky this time, remember the last one took us five days to find on that ranch... that sucked ass" Rhino reminisced as Buffy paid for their drinks and also ordered a fish to eat for dinner and Rhino decided he would also try the local specialty.
"Oh yh, Faith and Sina are on stakeout all night trying to catch that cannibal ape demon... my poor girls gonna be knackered when she gets home" Buffy told him as she paid for their dinner and were told it would be out soon as the catch was fresh this morning. Buffy knew it was obviously because she had seen the sailors return and even some of them were in the bar now enjoying a night of drinking, thankfully it was still early only 8.30. Rhino asked her.
"Why don't you do something special for her when she comes home... not cooking!" Rhino panicked at the idea after Faith had told him last month Buffy had tried to learn and almost burnt down their house which made Buffy giggle cheerfully as she realised Rhino knew what she had done. "Faith won't let me cook ever again, but i got some ideas ya know".
"Yh, she told me you almost burned the house down trying to make Trykta cakes... the easiest thing you can make... it's 3 ingredients little one" Rhino found himself laughing as Buffy pouted into her delicously colorful drink.
"Cooking's hard big man! Faiths so good at so many things ya know... i only found out a little while ago she can draw, really well" She told Rhino as their food came with a side of what looked like purple curly fries and some weird colored dipping sauces that she couldn't wait to try.
"Yh, she said you were blindsided by that, she's been teaching kids and bar patrons to draw for over a year, she only took a break from it when you got here" Rhino admitted as he took a bite of his fries he had just dipped in an orange sauce and had a very pleased look upon his face as he savored the taste.
"I get suprised everyday with how different she is here, it's like she belongs and back in our world she really didn't... like me" Buffy cut into her fish and dipped it in one of the fish related sauces and was blown away by the taste as she began to try a few purple fries as well and found them to be fantastic.
"Really, she's the most responsible, high strung, talented person i know... she's saved the town more times than i can count" Rhino told Buffy as he took a long sip of his drink through the bendy straw.
"we're both heroes in our home dimension, fighting tne forces of evil, stopping apocalypses and there's only us two doing it. but she used to be wild, driven by her passion and wouldn't think much through, just act..." Buffy found herself caught in her own memories as she spoke and ate.
"Maybe she realised she had to change when she came here, everyone has those wild years ya know! i used to own several buisnesses before i came here, well respected in my community amd now i hunt bounties for a living... people change" Rhino said with an aire of rememberance as he was envisioning something private in his past life.
"I think she's amazing, she always was, but now i'm seeing sides of her i never knew existed and..." Buffy stopped as she took another bite of the delicous fish. Rhino turned to look at her with a confused expression on his face.
"And?..." he asked. "I've fallen in love with everything she is, i was attracted to her before obviously..." Buffy told him and he nodded that he understood as he dipped more fries in a blue looking sauce.
"But, we're free here and then again even if we went back... i wouldn't be able to let her go, do you know how that feels big green?" Buffy asked him with a ernest face and he smiled as he told her "of course i do goldie, we all have hearts to lose ourselves in" .
Buffy took a sip of her drink and smiled happily, "That's why we're best friends Rhino, green looks good on us!" she tapped his arm and he found himself blushing as she complimented his skin color and she didn't stop there.
"Ya know if i was green... i think i'd like to be the same shade as you big man". and he found himself blushing even deeper as she finished her fish and was trying different sauces on her fries.
"Hey, when we get home i'm gonna give everyone their souvenirs together so if ya don't like it... well there's nothing i can do bout that" Buffy chuckled as they both finished their food and decided to have one more drink before ajourning to their seperate rooms as they had to wake up at 4am for the bounty hunt.
"She's alot different with you though, Faith... she shows her hand alot more, worries about you... people noticed pretty quickly too" Rhino told Buffy as she took a photo of them both with their drinks at the bar.
"Hell somone asked me in the first month you were here if she was your wife!" Rhino shook his head at the memory.
"Yh some kid asked me that once too, caught me off gaurd" Buffy told him as she savored her drink.
"She's happier though, not just wandering through work and hiding away her life... everyone's noticed how much more social she is" They turned to see a fight break out between the drunken sailors and Buffy decided to snap a picture to show Faith how lively Balamb'bin was when she got home.
"She smiles now! never saw her do that before you got here... thanks for that little one" Rhino put a hand on her shoulder and finished his drink. Buffy had no idea how to reply to his compliment so she just finished her drink and gave him a hug.
"Get some sleep ok, we got some hard work ahead of us in the morning" Buffy told him as they entered the inn and parted with Rhino telling her.
"You just wanna catch him quicker to get home and suprise Faith, ya can't fool me blondie". Buffy laughed as she realised just how transparent she had become when Faith was involved.
"Night big man, sweet dreams eh!". Buffy entered her room and locked the door behind herself and got undressed to enjoy the en suite shower before getting some shut eye. she had brought her souvenirs to the room before they had decided to eat and drink at the pub and she eyed her haul with a sense of pride. she knew Faith would like her presents... especially the lingerie she had found at a local botique. all she had to do was catch this bank robber, cash him in and then jump on the first train home to her house in mountain.
The one place in the world where she felt safe and right, her beautiful home with her loving, wonderful girlfriend. it sounder perfect in her mouth as she turndd the shower kn and let it heat up.
"Faith Lehane... my girlfriend" Buffy blushed beautifully as she savoured the feel and sound in her mouth. she wondered how Willow and Xander would feel about that, knowing she was now dating Faith. But as she stepped into the shower she had realised she didn't care what they thought, it was her life, not theirs. if she ever went home, which she didn't want too in the slightest, they could shove it. Buffy wasn't the same anymore, just like Faith she was growing up fast and realising that there are alot of other ways to live your life, alot of other viewpoints to see the world from.
This world really out life in perspective for her and for the first time in her life she didn't feel alone anymore, she had someone who understood her and loved her none the less.