FIC: Destiny Achieved (2B/3); Thy Soul Has Laid Claim To My Heart

[Crazzy_Nut@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

If you want to read the disclaimers they?re back in part 2A. Now on with the show.


Destiny Achieved
Part 2B - Thy Soul Has Laid Claim To My Heart
By: Crazzy Nut
* * * * * * *

~~ Rosenberg Residence, Sunday night ~~

It had now been four full days since Buffy left Sunnydale. Willow, not wanting to be alone, had been spending the weekend at her parents? house. She was getting worse, she had spent the first day alone in her room. She had refused to eat and she wouldn?t talk to anyone after she left Giles? Saturday morning. Unable to take it anymore, the Rosenberg?s had to know what was bothering their daughter. Together they approached Willow hoping that she would open up to them, what a surprise when she did. After thinking it over Willow knew there was no other way. She would tell her parents about Buffy and her, she had too. Expecting them to blow up, Willow was more than a little surprised when all they did was remain speechless.

It was her father who finally spoke. "Willow, do you really love her?"

"Yes dad," she answered quietly without giving it a second thought.

"She makes you happy?" he continued.

"Yes. I am so happy when I am with her," came the reply.

Silence again filled the room.

This time it was her mother who spoke,, "Willow, you are our daughter, and you love another girl."

"I?m so sorry mom," she almost cried, "but I do, I really love her."

"You don?t have to be sorry, honey," her father interrupted. "No matter what, you?ll always be our daughter and we will always love you.?

Willow couldn?t believe her ears. Her parents had not gotten upset, her parents still loved her.

"I love you too," she responded, hugging her parents. She was so happy, tears came to her eyes again.

"Don?t worry," her mom said holding her closer. "You?ll see, Bunny will come back to her senses. By what you?ve said I?m sure she loves you just as much as you love her. She?ll come back to you, honey."

Willow smiled as her mom held her, she never could get the Slayer?s name right. But now it didn?t matter, looking at her mother she simply said, "I hope so, mom," before seeking refuge in her arms again.

Now Willow laid in her own bed, in her own bedroom. She couldn?t sleep, all she kept thinking about was Buffy?s mom. She had expected her own parents to kick her out and disown her, but she would?ve never thought it from Buffy?s mom. >>Oh Buffy, where are you?<< she thought to herself as she drifted off to sleep.


~~ Castro District, San Francisco ~~

It had been over an hour since she hung up with Giles? and Buffy was nowhere near sleep. The day before she had picked up a few things in town. A few books that had gotten her attention, along with some videos and the latest issue of "Curve" now lay scattered around her room. For the past day she had, had so much on her mind. And still now as the music played she kept thinking.

=...once they gave you answers
Now they give you hell
They will never understand
They wonder where did they go wrong.=

Buffy had owned the CD for years now. She had never really listened to it, in truth, all she had bought it for was "Come to my Window." Now as she really listened she began to really understand.

=How could you be so selfish
Why can?t you get along?=

Her mother had basically yelled all this at her. Without any shred of doubt she had blamed Buffy for everything.

=You?ve seen it in the movies
And you?ve heard it on the streets
Craving the affection
Your blood is full of heat. =

>>Ha! Try to say that in Sunnydale. Stupid town. The worst place I?ve ever lived in<<. Trying to calm her thoughts she looked out the window. It was late and cold, the night was still early for most of the people. She smiled as a female couple passed by holding hands. >>I?d love to see that back in Sunnydale<< she told herself, trying to lighten her current mood.

=They won?t listen to your reasons
As original as sin
Deny all that you feel
And they will bring you home again.=

>>I will no longer, or ever again, deny my love for Willow. I love her mom. Even if you never speak to me again, I will not let go of my love.<< Going over to her bed she lowered the radio as she adjusted the covers.

"I got a long drive tomorrow," she said to herself, "I better get to bed."

=And as you pray in your darkness
For wings to set you free
You are bound to your silent legacy.=

>>Not anymore mother<< she thought one last time before drifting off to sleep.

* * * * * * *

Buffy woke up startled. She had been having a nightmare, and as she looked around the room she quickly discovered that she had just woken up in another one. She was once again "Nowhere" with "Nothing"in sight.

"Hello!" she called out. "Come on out. I know the drill already."

Then out of nowhere a voice was heard, "It is good to see you again little one."

Buffy remained still as a blurred image began to form before her eyes.

In that moment the worst ran through her mind, "I have failed, haven?t I? It?s too late for me. She?s already reconciled with Tara, hasn?t she?"

All these questions she asked before the voice began to answer, "You have not failed little one. On the contrary, you have accomplished much in a short amount of time. Know that true love will never lead you wrong, and it will never let you go. You have the power little one. Complete your bond to your mate and you will achieve great thing."

"She...she waits for me?" Buffy hesitantly asked as the form came even closer to her. 

"Why should I believe you? I don?t know who..." Buffy?s attempted before her words were cut off. The figure now stood fully formed before Buffy?s eyes.

She was average height, and her hair was long. Her hair appeared to be so blond, anyone would?ve sworn the sun had kissed it. Her body was perfectly sculpted like an artist?s master piece. Her face was perfect, magnified by her intense eyes. Her eyes seemed almost transparent at times, then blue or green in others. Buffy could not even begin to form words to truly define the woman?s beauty.

"Sun kissed hair with eyes of the ocean sands," she whispered to herself not being able to find any other way to describe the woman?s eyes. "You?re...you?re the..."

Buffy knew who she was from the moment her figure cleared. The First Slayer. She had seen rough images of her in many of the books, she was at times, forced to read.>><<

"Yes Buffy, I am. And only by finding my soul?s true mate did I achieve such things," the woman answered.

"The mage of fire, with eyes of the earth," Buffy stated.

"Yes little one. She was, is, and forever shall be my soul?s mate, it?s companion."

Seeing Buffy in shock, the woman took the advantage to continue, "You, as I was, are destined for greatness."

Buffy now stood slack jawed trying to form any coherent dialect. But she couldn?t. The only word that kept coming to mind was >>Forever<<.

"You have found your soul?s mate, the one who?s heart you?ve claim," the woman continued. "Now you must continue onward, beyond all obstacles."

"I will," responded Buffy, "I will."

"Good. You have found your path, now follow it," the woman managed before she began to fade.

"Wait!" Buffy managed, but it was too late.

As her surroundings began to spin away, Buffy woke to the sound of her alarm clock.


~~ Rosenberg Residence ~~

It was early Monday morning, almost a week since Buffy?s departure. As Willow leaned over to see the time she noted it was far to early to be waking up. It wasn?t even 6:00 am yet and her first class wasn?t until 10 that morning. There was no way she was getting herself out of be that early. >>I?ve hardly slept. A couple hours more won?t hurt me<< and she turned over and went back to sleep.

* * * * * * *

Willow found herself in the halls of UC Sunnydale. Finding books in her hands she just assumed it was time for class. She began moving through the crowded halls. She hadn?t gotten far when she noticed two blondes not too far ahead of her. >>Buffy<< she thought, but who was the other girl. Willow found out that she wouldn?t find out how the other girl was because at the doors each girl turned in an opposite direction. Without knowing why Willow found herself desperately trying to catch up to the blond that had turned right.

"Buffy!" she called out as she caught the girl?s shoulder and turned her around. Shock and confusion set in before Willow could even manage a sound.

The girl was crying, her long hair covering her face, she looked so delicate, "Tara?" In that moment Buffy was standing behind Willow and only the three women remained. Everything around them faded and they were alone. Willow could do nothing but look back and forth between the two.

"What?s...who...I didn?t want to..." Willow didn?t know what to do.

Buffy and Tara did not wait for Willow. Growing impatient they were soon walking off again, in opposite directions from Willow. Still Willow could do nothing but remain motionless, she couldn?t, she didn?t know who to chose. >>But I?ve already chosen. Haven?t I?<< she asked herself as fell to her knees crying. Then she felt strong hands on her shoulders, comforting hands. Looking up Willow attempted to see who had returned to her side but she was not quick enough. All she saw was the blonde hair before everything started spinning.

* * * * * * *

Willow woke up with a start. >>What a weird dream<< she started thinking to herself, before getting a look at her surroundings. It was then that she knew she was far from being awake. Looking around there was no other way to describe where she was, she was "nowhere."

"Great," she whispered out loud. "I can?t decide on a girlfriend so I end up "nowhere". Yup, that?s just great," she managed before breaking down into tears.

"Do not cry child," said the softest voice Willow had ever heard.

"Who?s there?" she asked without really caring.

"I am here to help you," answered the voice.

With some hope in her voice Willow questioned, "You?ll...you?ll help me decide?"

The voice grew even softer, "No child, I cannot help you decide."

"Then just leave me," Willow said defeated as she started to cry again.

There was a long pause before the voice spoke again, "I cannot help you decide child, because it has already been decided Willow." 

"What?" asked a totally confused Willow. "Who decided...when...? Wait a minuet, how did you know my name? I never told you..."

"I know all child," the voice simply answered.

"Goddess?" Willow asked meekly.

"No child, I am not she," the voice answered softly.

Again Willow felt defeated but she had to ask again, "Why can?t I decide for myself? It hurts so much," she finished still in tears.

"Oh child, you will see that destiny has already laid out your path. Your soul?s mate has already claimed your heart, a claim that will never be forfeit. Now you walk the path together," the voice attempted, trying to calm Willow.

"Who...who is my mate then?" asked Willow.

"Again, I cannot answer that question child. You must look into your heart, all the answers lye within," the voice answered.

"What if my answer is wrong?" asked a fearful Willow.

"The heart is never wrong child, especially yours," said the voice softening again.

"Well, why...why should I believe you? You haven?t answered any of my questions. I...I don?t even know who you are," stated a frustrated Willow.

"You never asked to see me child," was all the voice said.

"Yes I..." Willow began.

"My name is not important," the voice cut in knowing Willow?s response.

"Then let me see you, I want to see who you are," came the stern reply.

"As you wish child," said the voice as an image began to form before Willow?s eyes.

Then after a blinding flash a woman stood before Willow. She was beyond beautiful. Willow could only stand speechless. Her long hair was the color of fire. Her figure was defined beautifully, strong yet tender. She had a smile brighter than the sun, with eyes as green as the earth.

"You?re...you?re her..." was all Willow could manage. She had seen this woman in some of Giles? old books. Not very many books, but still enough to know who was standing before her.

"Yes child I am. I was, I am, and I will continue to be her mate until the end of time," the woman stated with so much love in her voice.

"Whoa," was all Willow could get out as one word circled in her mind >>Forever<<.

"Now you have found your mate," the woman said interrupting Willow?s thoughts. "Only at her side can you fulfill your destiny. You?re heart will never lead you astray."

"The mage of fire," was all Willow could say, her thoughts finally catching up with her speech.

"Yes," the figure answered softly, tenderly, "I am she. But now you must follow your destiny."

"The Slayer with hair kissed by the sun, the eyes of the inconstant ocean sands," Willow continued still not really listening to the mage?s words.

"Yes child, that is she," the woman answered seeing the awe in Willow?s face. "Together you and your mate are also destined for greatness."

Finally, snapping out of her trance Willow answered, "What if..." but it was too late as she found herself waking up in her bed. Looking at her clock it was almost 8:00 am >>need to get to school<<

She sat up forcefully asking herself again, "What if she doesn?t come back?"


~~ Buffy and Willow?s dorm room late that night ~~

It had been an uneventful day to say the least. Willow not being able to concentrate had left her class early. She tried to follow her instructor?s lecture but failed miserably. All she could think about was Buffy and the weird dream she had, had that morning. Not wanting to return to the solitude of her own dorm room she decided on visiting Tara. They had ended on good terms, or so she thought. But upon arriving at Tara?s room all she found was a note. All it said was that she had gone to visit her parents for and indefinite time.

>>Great<< Willow thought to herself. But there was nothing left for her to do, nothing else she could do. Willow had made her decision and wasn?t going to change her mind. Not wanting to attract unwanted attention with her tears she headed out of the school. Picking up her pace she headed to the only place she truly felt safe, loved, Giles?.

When Willow arrived at Giles? he could clearly see the distress in her features. His heart hurt for Willow, he hurt for his child.

"Willow. Are you o.k.?" he asked even though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah Giles?, I?m fine. I just need to be alone for awhile, and this was the only place I could think of," she said fighting back tears.

"Yes, yes I understand," he said ushering her in. "Can I get you anything? Tea perhaps," he questioned.

"No thanks Giles," she answered quickly, "I just need to rest. I haven?t slept much the last couple of nights."

"That?s quiet alright Willow. You are always welcome here," he said closing the door behind her. "You can rest in the back room, I?ll make sure no one disturbs you."

"Thanks Giles," she said heading towards the room.

Giles stood and watched as the red head entered the spare room. Who was he kidding? She and the blonde had stayed on so many occasions that it was their room already. >>Buffy where are you?<< he thought to himself. >>Willow needs you, we all do<< with that he headed back to his computer to finish some research.

* * * * * * *

Now here she was again on campus. She had slept the day away and was not tired as she headed for her dorm room. She had awoken at Giles? with a start. >>Must?ve been a terrible dream<< she had thought to herself as she tried to recall it. In the end she couldn?t and looking at the time she knew she had to get back to campus. Luckily Xander had been home so he brought her home. Even in her distress she knew not to be walking alone at night. Xander had now been gone for almost five minuets and all Willow could do was look at her dorm door. She didn?t want to go in, she didn?t want to be alone. Fear quickly set in but she knew she had to enter. Once inside she placed her backpack on her desk and was about to turn on the light when she heard it.

"Don?t turn on the light," were the barely whispered words.

The words were pure music to Willow?s delicate ears. But the music, she noted, was sad and confused, almost ashamed. She heard the tears carried in the music.

The end had come.

"Buffy?"

* * * * * * *

TBC


Well, I finally got part two out. I had totally forgot about midterms, can you believe that? After writing part one I had to get out three term papers by last Wednesday. It was hell but it?s over now. I hate being a responsible student, I hope you know I missed Buffy because I had to do those papers. But I?m off on a rant now so I?ll just shut up. I?ll try to get part three out as soon as possible. Laters all.


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