Interesting Times

Chapter Five

"There they are!"

The Slayer slipped away from her companions, trying to wriggle her way through the mass of people surging through the terminal. She made impatient noises in the back of her throat, waving her hand in the air.

"Will! Giles!" she shouted, surging forward again.

Tagging along after her or at least valiantly trying to, were Chibis Touma, Ryo, and Shu, much to Nasuti's vocal dismay. They blithely ignored her, darting in and out between all the moving legs above them. Buffy vaguely registered their presence then pushed it aside. At the moment, her attention was solely focused on the wonderfully familiar pair just ahead.

"Will!" She threw herself at the other girl, enwrapping her in a joyous hug. Her best friend returned the embrace with equal fervor.

"Buffy! Are you okay? I was so worried-"

"You just wouldn't believe what I've been through in the last few hours-"

"Really? Giles told me some of it, but-"

"I mean, Japan? I thought-"

Giles, who was standing next to Willow, cleared his throat significantly. The chatter died away, leaving both girls looking abashed.

"Anyway," Buffy replied sheepishly, "I'm glad to see you. Both of you."

"I assure you that the feeling is quite mutual," Giles inclined his head, then studied her critically, "Have you been in a fight? Your face is bruised."

"Oh, God. Does it show that much? I tried to use concealer to hide it," Buffy panicked.

"You look fine," Willow assured her, glaring at the former Watcher standing beside her. "Oz and Xander said 'hi' by the way. Well, Oz did. Xander said we should bring him back a cool souvenir like the new Playstation or a samurai sword or something."

Buffy crossed her arms, voice laced with amusement, "Anything else?"

"Yeah, he said to find a MacDonald's or something, cause you never know if those sushi places have cooks who wash their hands," Willow said impishly.

"Xander," Buffy shook her head.

"Yep," Willow nodded in understanding.

"As riveting as this conversation is," Giles spoke up, "Could we get back to the matter at hand?"

"Sorry," Buffy said meekly, "How's Mom, by the way?"

Giles took off his glasses, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I've had to deal with many a demon or hell beast in my time, Buffy, but not one of them were as frightening as your mother on a tear. She is quite upset, you know."

"Great," Buffy groaned, "Maybe I should just pull up stakes and settle here. It seems pretty lively in the supernatural definition. I'm sure a Vampire Slayer could find some kind of work."

"And leave me to go back and face your mother alone? I think not."

"Ha, ha."

There was a moment of comfortable silence. Buffy studied the two of them. Dear Willow with her bobbed red hair and striped shirt with "Hello Kitty" on it, a backpack/purse hanging casually off one arm. She had changed so much from the mousy girl genius who had once proudly proclaimed that, in spite of Xander, she had gotten most of her Barbie back from whatever hell he had put the doll through when they were both seven. Becoming a spell-caster accounted for part or that confidence. Helping the Slayer in her never ending battle against evil things accounted for another part. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Buffy wasn't sure. She just knew how much she depended on her best friend. Willow had always been there when it counted, putting her life on the line in battles that shouldn't have been hers. Because of Buffy.

Giles was a little more formal in his gray tweed suit, but even that was welcomingly familiar. His presence was the one constant in her life. She loved Will and Xander and the others, but Giles was special. He was more than just her friend; Giles was her support, the backbone of everything she stood for as the Slayer. In many ways, though she would never admit it, Giles was more of a father to her than the workaholic, ever absent Hank Summers. One day, Willow, Xander, Oz-they would all move on to lead their own lives. It was inevitable. Buffy knew it, and accepted it though it hurt. But Giles… Barring illness or injury, Giles would always be there. He had proven as much when he had continued "the good fight" even after his dismissal from the Watchers' Council. Come good or bad, Giles had devoted his life to helping her. And while it gave her a warm rush, it also left her with a deep down residue of guilt.

Willow glanced down, her eyes widening ever so slightly, "I think we have company, guys."

Buffy looked down to see Touma, Shu, and Ryo peeking out from around her legs. She had been so caught up she hadn't even noticed their approach. She cast a look over her shoulder to where Nasuti and the others were hanging back a little ways, watching her with uncertainty.

"Guess it's time to play the name game," Buffy muttered. She reached down and caught Touma pushing him forward. "Giles, Will. This is Touma, Ryo, and Shu. Kids, these are my friends Willow and Giles."

Willow got down on one knee, very solemnly holding out her hand. The children watched her warily before Shu took a cautious step forward and lightly touched her hand. "Nice to meet you three," Willow said gently.

Giles was staring at the three children in mixed amazement and dismay, "Good Lord, Buffy. You mean to tell me that these three are…?"

"Yep," Buffy replied, "Told ya we were going to need our witchy woman over there."

Shu was studying Willow critically. He looked up at Buffy with blatant disbelief written on his face. "She's not a witch. Witches are old and ugly with warts."

"Witches don't exist," Touma countered decisively. "They're just made up."

"And the great debate rages on," Buffy replied wearily. "Touma, witches do exist. Trust me, I have more experience with this than I ever wanted. Shu, Willow is a witch and if you don't behave, you're going to be the one with warts, got it?"

"You mean she'll turn me into a toad or somethin'?" He asked, eyes widening.

"Yep."

Shu and Touma backed up while Willow threw Buffy a chiding glare. "Don't tease. It's okay, you guys. I'm a good witch. Promise."

"Really?"

"Yes, just call me Glinda," Willow answered cheerfully.

"Huh?" Shu and Touma stared at her, incomprehension etched on their features.

Willow sighed, "Glinda. You know, the Good Witch? "The Wizard of Oz"? Oh, forget it."

"Buffy?" Ryo spoke up at last. He had been quiet all morning, his tiny face drawn and red from crying. When she and Anubis had returned home with Kokuen-Oh last night, they'd had to deal with an anxious six year old. Nasuti had tried to comfort him as best as she could, but the best they could do was let him cry out his frustrations. Just looking at him now made Buffy feel alternately useless and guilty.

Still, she gave him a smile and crouched down beside him. "Yeah, Ryo?"

"Are they going to help us find Yaku-chan?" he asked, voice trembling.

"Yaku-chan?" Giles queried, adjusting his glasses and looking politely confused.

"Ryo's best friend," Buffy replied. "He went missing some time while I was out in the woods helping these guys kick some butt."

"Do you think that he's been captured?" Willow asked.

"I wouldn't rule it out. I've already torn through the woods around Nasuti's house before you guys got here. No luck. Not giving up yet though either."

"Nasuti?"

"Nasuti. The nice lady who's house we're gonna be crashing at," Buffy shook her head, rising to her feet but keeping a comforting hand on Ryo's shoulder. "Now, where…? Oh. Hey, Nasuti, come over here. I've got some people I want you to meet."

"Buffy," Giles reproved. "Do try to be more polite."

"I wasn't?"

The former Watcher rolled his eyes. Buffy glared at him reproachfully then turned as Nasuti and the others drew closer. "Nasuti, meet Willow and this is Giles. Careful, Giles is a member of the Polite Police today."

"I'm sorry?" Nasuti asked in startled confusion.

"Don't ask," Giles replied then held out his hand. "Rupert Giles. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I have to thank you for looking after Buffy. Lord knows it couldn't have been easy.

"Hey," Buffy replied affronted.

"Stop it, you two," Willow said. "Honestly. Don't mind them. It's just their way of saying how much they missed at each other."

Giles and Buffy stared at the girl in open chagrin. "Willow!"

She covered her mouth. "Oops. Was I not supposed to give that away?"

"You guys are silly," Shu observed, a small crinkle touching his brow. "Can we get something to eat now?"

For some reason this struck them all as funny and quietly at first, then growing in volume, the entire group burst into laughter. Even Giles.

***

"You're sulking," Sachiriku purred, lacing one of her fingers through the cloth of his cape.

Kaijin started, surprised out of his mood by the sensuality of her tone. He looked up to find a small smile touching her lips as she leaned forward to rest her head against his shoulder. He frowned. If anything, she was being almost kittenish. Far too content for what their situation demanded. After all, they had failed to claim the armor and now the Troopers had help in the form of one very annoying young girl. Kaijin growled, still smarting from the memory of how an entire group of his minions had been held off by one lone girl and a bunch of six year olds.

He had failed his mistress in almost every way that count. So why in Arago's name was she so damned smug at the moment?

"No," he denied it. "I am merely… considering."

"You're sulking," she repeated. "Cheer up, my brooding hero. You act as if you've lost everything."

"I have lost your respect, Sachiriku-sama and to me that is everything."

This seemed to please her. "Kaijin," she whispered, leaning closer. He closed his eyes, waiting but the expected kiss never came. Instead, her breath stirred against his ear. "The game's not over yet. There will still be plenty of chances to redeem yourself."

"Will there?" What was she planning, he wondered. The way she was acting and speaking… Well, it was almost as if she had a plan. Maybe she did. Something she wasn't sharing with him.

Then again, she hadn't spoken to him of her new ally either. He had only found out about that one because he had been around to see her (Kaijin thought it was a female but he couldn't be sure) "playing" as Sachiriku-sama had called it, with Byakuen. A chill went through him. He had seen many things in his long life, had committed countless atrocities, but not one of those things could ever hold a candle to what he had witnessed. Some of the things being done to the man/tiger made even him feel a little squeamish and this coming from someone who had once bathed in the blood of an enemy with undaunted joy.

"Do you doubt me?" she asked, a pair of her arms slipping around to cradle him.

"N-no," he admitted. "But what-"

She placed a finger to his mouth and he fell silent. "Patience. When you understand what I have planned, you'll be proud to be my servant."

He kissed the finger pressed against his lips. "I already am."

Her lips curved as her eyes took on a dreamy look. "Soon, Kaijin, very soon the Troopers and their friends are going to be in for a very nasty surprise, one that I've been readying for some time now. I only wish I could be there to see the looks on their faces."

***

Lady Kayura frowned as she gingerly ran her fingertips over the smooth keyboard of Nasuti's computer. The keys made a quiet snick-clack sound, filling the empty room. She sighed, looking over and beyond the quiet monitor to stare out a nearby window. She contemplated stepping out for a walk but decided against it. She wanted to be here when the Nasuti and the Trooper returned with the Slayer's friends. There was much that needed to be discussed and planned. Like how they were going to restore the Troopers from both Kiyemon's spell and Sachiriku's poison. The Slayer, Buffy, seemed to think her friends could help them with that. Kayura hoped so. It was about time that something started to go in their favor.

Perhaps, in a way, it had. After all, they had, unlooked for and unexpected, gained a new ally. More than one it appeared. And not just anyone, but a Slayer. Kayura recalled from her early childhood listening to Kasou recite the names of some of the more supernatural beings, most of them demons that would have to be fought if they ever threatened mankind. A few mystical creatures he had mentioned as curiosities such as the Slayer.

'What's a Slayer, Kasou-sama?' Kayura could hear her own childish voice demanding impatiently. Suddenly, the Yaguya estate around her vanished and she was back in the tiny hut where she had whiled many an hour away with Kasou, watching him mix blends of herbs or listening recite the story of the yoroi and how she must ever be on guard against the Netherworld.

The Slayer is a mortal girl, but she is more than that,' she heard him reply. 'Like us, the Slayer fights for humanity. She fights and she dies so that humanity might survive. Her journey and our journey are the same, we just follow different paths to reach our destination.'

The Slayer could be a powerful ally and they were lucky she had shown up when had, even if the circumstances surrounding her appearance were rather mysterious. Personally Kayura suspected Kiyemon's hand in it. However the Keeper had yet to make any contact with her.

Something was wrong Kayura couldn't help but feel. The Keeper should have gotten in contact with her somehow. Had she sent the Slayer to them because she was no longer able to help them personally?

"Lady?"

Kayura started. She turned to find Seoul had slipped into the room behind her. It unnerved her that she hadn't noticed the other woman's approach. Concentrate, she warned herself. It is not fit that you should be caught so unaware.

"Seoul is sorry to have frightened you, Lady. Seoul only wishes to check on you," the other woman said demurely, her eyes rose pale.

"I'm fine," Kayura replied more sharply than was perhaps necessary. She rubbed her eyes with her free hand. "I am sorry, Seoul. I am being rude. I'm just tired and wondering when Nasuti and the others are going to return."

The other woman nodded, her long hair bobbing up and down to brush her shoulders. "Seoul wonders that, too."

Was it her imagination or did that statement seem to have an anxious tinge to it? Kayura wondered.

"Seoul also thinks that Slayer-Buffy is suspicious of her," Seoul sniffed. "One wonders why."

"I wouldn't call it suspicious," Kayura said evasively.

Actually, Kayura realized she might call it exactly that. Buffy hadn't been exactly thrilled by Seoul if Kayura had read her rightly. They had introduced the Slayer to the other woman earlier that morning after many explanations. The blonde American girl had stared at her and very nearly flinched when Seoul had tried to draw within a few feet of her. At the time, Kayura had written it off to Seoul's not quite human appearance. Or perhaps the ever so slight tinge of the mystical that hung around Seoul like a cloak. Still, Kayura shared the same aura as did the Troopers and Masho. Buffy had it, too even if she wasn't aware of it. That had to be it. Wasn't it?

"More like edgy," Kayura finished lamely. "She's probably got a lot on her mind."

"Ah." Seoul seemed to consider that. "Lady?"

"Hmm?"

"Seoul wonders what we will do next. Time is running out."

Kayura stared at her in surprise. A shiver went down her spine at her words. Time was running out. The Troopers were dying and if what Seoul had spoken of earlier was true, then they were facing a disaster of apocalyptic proportions. I have to remain calm, Kayura repeated it over and over, a comforting mantra. She had to keep control. There were things that had to be done. The Troopers were the first priority. If they were going to stop Sachiriku then they would need the Troopers, as adults and at full power. Even then, it might not be enough.

Kayura shivered again.

"Lady is cold?"

"More like someone's just walked over my grave," Kayura let her staff rest on Nasuti's desk and wrapped her upper arms around herself.

"Seoul does not understand."

"Just a charming human expression I learned from Touma," Kayura said ruefully. She lurched off of her perch on the desk, absently wandering to stare outside the window. Where were they? She wondered again in growing irritation.

She wasn't sure what alerted her. It wasn't because she made any sound. Maybe it was the not so subtle prickling of danger emanating from the base of her skull. What she did know that she didn't move fast enough to avoid the sudden grasping of her shoulders. She cried out in pained surprise as she was slammed forward into the nearest surface which in this case was a wall that vibrated with the shock of her impact. Pain exploded in minature fireworks in her head then traveling southward as it connected with the hard surface. Kayura slid to the floor, stunned by the sudden violence of the act. Face aching, she let her gaze slide upward to her attacker.

Seoul was staring down at her with an oddly soothing expression. "Or perhaps Seoul understands only too well. Perhaps it is Seoul who will one day walk over Kayura's grave as Arago walked over Sachiriku's. But Sachiriku did not die. Sachiriku lived and soon she will be a god."

Those eyes flushed scarlet. "It is a pity that Lady will not be there to witness it."

Kayura didn't wait for her to continue. Instead, she lashed her feet out, fully intending to knock Seoul off her feet. She had to get to the shakujo before…

There wasn't time. Before was happening now. Kayura clawed and kicked as Seoul caught her by her hair, dragging her up with inhuman strength. Seoul's grasp on her hair was soon replaced by one on her neck and Kayura found herself gagging at that unyielding grasp.

And through it all Seoul regarded her with that strange, oddly pitying expression.

A gasp tore from her throat, partially from the immediate sensation of breathlessness and partially because Seoul had her against the wall again. Her spine nearly cracked with the impact and tears filled her eyes. With her free hand, Seoul wiped at Kayura's beaded lashes.

"Shh," she crooned. "It will all be over soon, but first Seoul needs something from you."

There was little time to wonder what that something was as Seoul's free hand came up and shot forward, pushing through Kayura's body… No, not through, into her. The hand went into her chest but it wasn't coming out. Kayura screamed in pain as the flesh pushing through her own, burrowing towards her heart, seemed to liquefy and spread all over her, into her.

Oblivion was a welcome retreat.

***

"Hey, that's my sucker! Nasuti-san, Shu's trying to take my sucker!" Chibi Shin wailed, playing a desperate game of keep away from the prying fingers of his friend.

"Oh, c'mon, Shin. Just one little lick. Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase," Shu wheedled.

"No way. One little lick for you means I won't have any sucker left. You'll eat it!"

"Shin! Gimme! C'mon. Pretty please," Shu wailed pitifully.

Chibi Shin appeared to soften, his expression wavering between hard resolve and aquiescence.

"Weeeeeell," he drawled, lowering his hand.

Chibi Shu snatched the sucker, elicting an outraged squawk from Shin. Ignoring his friend, Shu cheerfully stuck the sucker in his mouth and crunched down.

"Shuuu," Shin shrieked, "That was mine! I'm tellin'! Nasuti-san! Nasuti-san!"

Chibi Shu was far too busy trying to swallow down the last bits of the sucker to even attempt a reply. From her seat next to them, Willow Rosenberg couldn't help but smile at the interplay between the two children. At the other end of Shu, Buffy was rolling her eyes and burying her face in her hands in annoyance.

"Oh, come on," Willow chided her. "It's not that bad."

"Will, two words for you: Vampire Slayer. That's what I am. Not a kindergarten babysitter," Buffy grumped. "And-ew, what is this? I'm sticky!"

"Sorry," Shu muttered fishing the lollypop stick he had thrown off of her.

Her nose wrinkled as she glared accusingly at a pink sticky circle now on her forearm. "Like I said Slayer, not baby-sitter. Nowhere in my contract does it say anything about having to deal with sucker wars and only occasionally does it mention me getting sticky."

"Well, I'll just work my wily witchy ways and half the problem will be solved then," Willow offered comfortingly.

"Do you really think you can?"

The whole car seemed to fall silent at her question and Willow mentally winced as she felt everyone's attention including the kids' rivet onto her. Buffy threw her an apologetic look and mouthed, 'Sorry.'

"Well," she drawled out, attempting to sound confident and not quite succeeding, "It shouldn't be too hard. After all, Giles brought his books and I've got some of my own. I'm sure between us we can come up with something. 'Sides, I spent my time on the plane reading up and I've got a few ideas I'd like to try."

"It," Nasuti asked hesitantly from the front seat, "It won't hurt them, will it?"

"Not if I can help it. See, the first and most important rule of being a witch, a good witch I mean, is to do no harm. Kind of like a doctor, only things can get a little more complicated if you screw up."

"How comforting," Anubis replied dryly from where he was sitting beside Nasuti. Beside him,

Giles shifted uncomfortably, no doubt remembering some of her more flamboyant screw-ups.

Willow frowned, feeling a bit hurt by his words. She didn't expect a complete stranger to put total faith in her, but she didn't expect him to criticize her out of hand either.

"Hey, excuse me here," Buffy spoke up indignantly, "but I don't see you coming up with any brilliant ideas here. Besides, I know my witchy woman here. If she says she can do it, then she can do it."

Willow felt a warm rush of gratitude towards her best friend. No matter what happened, Buffy had always taken her side when it counted the most. So much of who she had become she owed to the Slayer. Oh, sure, Xander had helped, but… Well, he was a guy. There were things about her, things that only another female could know and understand. Before Buffy, Willow had never had a close female friend. She'd had Xander and she loved Xander, but it just wasn't the same. Then Buffy had come to Sunnydale and had just invited her into her life without worrying how it would affect her popularity (a rarity at Sunnydale High where superficiality reigned supreme). In fact, Willow knew that hanging out with the school 'nerd' had probably not helped the Slayer's chances of fitting in, but Buffy had stuck by her through thick and thin. So Willow considered the dangers of helping Buffy in her fight against evil a small price to pay for all the loyalty and support she received from the other girl.

"Does magic hurt?" a small voice beside her asked. Willow looked down to see Chibi Shin staring up at her, his tiny face knit in open concern.

Willow pondered a response to that, wondered if in this case honesty was the best policy."Well," Willow hedged slightly. "Sometimes it can be not fun. Like a shock.

The child seemed to consider this, his sea colored eyes large with thought. "Worse than getting a shot?"

Willow shuddered. She hated needles with a passion. "No. At least not in my opinion."

Shin's face cleared. "Okay."

Willow was giving herself a mental pat on the back for a save well-done when she caught Buffy's quizzical gaze. "What?"

"Don't like needles, huh, Will?" The Slayer's tone was alternately curious and amused.

Willow bristled. "Hey, you wouldn't like it either if some quack doctor lulled you with a lollipop when you were only five then had your dad hold you down as he gave you a shot in the…" she trailed off looking at the two kids in between them, her face going faintly pink before lamely adding, "backside."

"You should have kicked him," Chibi Shu added helpfully.

"I don't like shots either," Chibi Shin chimed in, "They hurt and they always make you take yucky medicine before hand."

"Yeah," Willow replied darkly. "And it's always got a nasty grape taste to it."

"And they always say it won't hurt," Shin said, his lower lip pouting, "But it always does."

"I hear you. I hear you," Willow agreed.

Meanwhile, Buffy was watching the three of them in blatant amusement. "I love you, Will," she said suddenly.

"Oh? That's good," Willow replied glowing. "Why?"

"Because in less than an hour, you've managed to bond completely with these two little rascals. That famous Willster charm strikes again."

More might have been said had not Anubis, who was sitting between Nasuti and Giles in the front of the car not lurched forward with a strangled gasp, very nearly slamming his head against the dashboard.

"Anubis!" Nasuti cried, slamming on the breaks.

Willow leaned forward for a better look as Giles helped the stricken man sit up right. Anubis looked terrible. His face was pale and drawn and if Willow didn't know any better she'd swear he was trembling.

"Are you all right?" Giles inquired, absently pushing his glasses a top his nose as he studied Anubis.

"What happened?" Buffy demanded with more bluntness. The Slayer had that 'look' again on her face. The look that said demanded answers and damn anyone or anything that go in the way of getting those answers.

His dark eyes were hooded, but even Willow could see the pain in their inky depths. "Kayura-sama. Something has happened to Kayura."

"Nasuti?" Chibi Shin asked. Willow caught the little boy as he tried to crawl up the seat for a look. Not knowing quite what to do with him, she held him against her. Beside her, she noticed Buffy catching Shu up in much the same manner. Neither boy fought back. In fact, they almost seemed to shrink against them, their eyes as wide as saucers and questioning.

Willow wished she could answer their questions. More than anything she wished she could answer them in a positive manner.

"Nasuti, step on it-"

The Slayer didn't even get her sentence finished as the car roared to life, flying at breakneck speed down the highway.

Willow only hoped that they wouldn't be too late.

***End of Chapter Five