ff:The Blue Dragon 5

[Carol.Clarke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Title: The Blue Dragon
Chapter Five: Dragon Mating
Rating NC-17/R
Disclaimer: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
Summary/ Timeline: It is Buffy's and the Scooby's senior year of high school
and Snyder gives Buffy a new assignment at school. Meanwhile on the streets
of Sunnydale there is a new demon running loose.
Pairing: Buffy / Other (female) 
Thanks: Cheryl Hill

The Blue Dragon
Dragon Mating

Kelm continued the throw up for several minutes. The smell of blond filled
the room though Buffy was the only one who could smell it. Buffy wet several
paper towels and after a few moments of silence she opened the bathroom
stall, breaking the lock easily. She bent down and began wiping her friend's
face. 

Kelm was covered in a cold sweet and shaking. It was clear the girl was
extremely ill. "Shh, it will be ok." Buffy tried to reassure her friend as
she continued to wipe her face with cold water.

"Sorry, I have made you late for class." Kelm said trying to stand.

"I am taking you to the nurses office. Can you walk?" Buffy asked helping
her friend up.

"It's ok really. I can just go to class now." Kelm said paling a little at
the thought of the nurse.

"You need to see a doctor. You are throwing up blood Kelm. This isn't
something you can just ignore." Buffy explained patiently leading the girl
to the sink.

"The nurse will just call my aunt right." Kelm asked weakly, even she
realized she couldn't make it through the rest of the school day.

"Probably" Buffy confirmed. 

))))))))))))))))))

Buffy got Kelm to the nurses' office. Buffy was surprised that the nurse
seemed to know Kelm was throwing up blood 'again'. The school nurse, Mrs.
Freeman handed Kelm the phone to call her aunt. She mumbled something about
people who come to America should really learn to speak English and then
looked at Buffy.

"So what do you want?" Mrs. Freeman asked as Kelm began to speak in Russian
on the phone.

"I just brought my friend in. All I want is a note to go back to class and
to stay with her until her aunt comes for her." Buffy said staring the woman
down. 

"Ok, but just keep the girl calm. The last time she was in here she threw up
all over my clean floor." Mrs. Freeman grumbled before leaving the room. 

"So much for bedside manner." Buffy said to the closing door.

((((((*********))))))))))))

Kelly Drake opened her closet again and looked over her clothes. She new she
was totally losing it. She had just spent the last four hours trying to find
a descent outfit to wear to the Library all because she might see Buffy
Summers. She had taken at least three cold showers since she met the slayer.
Her heart was beating out of control. In short, she was in love.

"This is so stupid. I don't even know her. She has a boyfriend! Why are all
my clothes black? I wonder if she likes black or leather? Better yet black
leather. I am such a whore." Kelly said pacing around the room and tossing
clothes to the floor.

"I feel like I am in high school again." She said in a huff to her cat,
Sarah. "Well I still have two hours until I need to be there. Think I can
figure out something to wear by then." She said petting the cat.

((((((((((****((((((((((

Kelm's Aunt arrived ten minutes after she was called. Buffy's slayer senses
went all the way up to full. She still didn't know what her aunt was saying
to the girl but Buffy guessed her aunt was not a happy camper. She also
guessed that if she and the nurse weren't around her aunt might have hit
Kelm instead of just using the wicked tones her aunt was screaming at her.

It was times like this it took all of Buffy's control not to just slug
someone. She had actually almost lost it a few times on Xander's father.
Many a time she had heard Xander's dad call him names in drunken fits. Once
she even saw him slap Xander. If he had tried for a second slap, Mr. Harris
would be dead today. Buffy had actually come close to killing him. Instead
he slipped on the porch and Buffy and Xander had carried him to bed. And the
next day he remembered nothing. 

It was no wonder both her mom and Ms. Rosenberg never said a single thing
about Xander spending the night at their houses. Everyone in town knew the
story. And Xander was a good kid in general, so her mom just made up the
couch and fixed him some hot chocolate and the next day when his father had
sobered up he would go home. 

After several minutes of watching Kelm's aunts' rage Buffy had enough.
"Look, she is sick, not pretend sick. She is throwing up blood. Lots of it.
She needs to see a doctor. Not be yelled at." Buffy said crossing her arms
and staring down Kelm's aunt like she was the evilest of demons.

"Stupid dyke, what do you know." Kelm's aunt barked out. Hate dripping from
her words. "It is bad enough you poison her mind with this unnatural lust
for women. Don't look surprised. I know what is in your heart just as I know
what is in my nieces. It is this evil, this homosexual lust that is making
her ill. It is not natural. Not of God. And now God is punishing her."
Kelm's aunt said turning out the door. "Come Kelm." She said in her thick
Russian accent.

Kelm held her head down low and looked at Buffy. "I am sorry, Buffy." Then
she turned and followed her aunt out the door.

Buffy just stood and watched as they left the room and moved down the hall. 

"I don't even wonder why that kid has bleeding ulcers." The school nurse
replied. "Buffy I'll write you a note for class. It's almost over and you
will need to show up before the bell." 

((((((((((********)))))))))))))

Buffy was still a little wigged over Kelm's Aunt. She felt terrible for her
friend and worried. She knew the girl needed a doctor. Plus her aunt's words
had stung. Dyke, it seems she was being called that a lot lately. When she
was first called a dyke it hadn't bothered her that much. She was super hero
strong, and guys always called girls with athletic ability, dykes. It had
nothing to do with their real preference only social order and standing.
Then she had really never thought about it. 

Buffy desperately wanted to talk to Willow about it. Willow was her best
friend and they shared everything. Only now Willow was like, Oz this and Oz
that. Buffy was happy for Willow, the redheaded witch needed Oz. Needed a
normal boyfriend thing in her life. Willow was less and less the wallflower
Buffy had fallen in love with years before. Still, this was not something
she felt she could discuss with Willow. 

"Cordelia." Buffy said out loud as she realized who she could talk to about
it. Buffy hurried off to give Mrs. Williams the note from the nurse and then
to find Cordelia.

Buffy ditched her next class and went in search of Cordelia Chase. She found
Cordelia in the student lounge holding court. Buffy had an urge to punch
Perry for looking down Cordy's blouse while she was talking to some of her
sheep. She waved from the corner of the room letting Cordelia know she
really wanted to talk to her. Buffy would never just approach Cordelia
unless it was really important. She understood Cordelia needed her illusion
of coolness.

After a few minutes Cordelia made her way over to Buffy in the corner of the
lounge. "So you need something?" Cordelia asked.

"Yeah, I need to talk, got a few minutes?" Buffy asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be in math class?" Cordelia asked.

"Yeah well I am ditching. Please I really need a friend." Buffy said
pleading.

"Private talk I take it?" Cordelia asked heading for the library.

The two women waved at Giles and then found a table behind the stacks. Giles
never bothered them when they went to the back of the library.

"So what happened?" Cordelia asked patiently.

"Kelm's aunt called me a dyke." Buffy said bluntly.

"And?"

"She might be right." Buffy admitted.

"So you don't love Angel? And the whole Angel coming back from hell chasing
you around thing was what a beard?" Cordelia asked almost in rage.

"No, I love Angel it's just..."

"This has to do with Faith, right. Buffy a one night stand does not make you
gay." Cordelia explained calmly. She hadn't meant to be nasty to Buffy
earlier.

"NO! There is nothing between Faith and I. Why do people keep saying that."
Buffy said angrily.

"Maybe because she feels you up at the drop of a hat." Cordelia said.

"That is just Faith. Trust me there will never be anything between Faith and
I. And I do mean never." Buffy said patiently.

"Willow?" Cordelia asked.

"No, I wish but we are just friends. Like you and I are just friends." Buffy
said quietly.

"Trust me, that is all we will be." Cordelia said

"I can't believe you admitted being my friend." Buffy said laughing.

"Only because we are not in public." Cordelia added as she smiled.

"Ok, if it is not Willow or Faith, then who?" Cordelia asked.

"It isn't so much a who as a feeling inside me. I just feel a certain way. I
guess I am really bi, I like boys too, but lately I can't seem to hide the
fact I also like girls. You hate me right?" Buffy asked looking at the table
and not at her friend.

"I don't hate you. Lesbian's are chic now. It will only add to my coolness.
Really Buffy, you're a slayer after that how much weirder can it get. Now
spill, who is the lucky girl you have a crush on." Cordelia said with a big
smile moving closer to her friend.

"Her name is Kelly, that is all I know. That and she is a dragon. The one I
was telling you about."

"Ok it just got too weird. Buffy not another demon. I know Angel is a great
guy and all but have you lost your mind." Cordelia screamed as her words
echoed around the library.

"I don't even know her really. It's not like anything is going to happen. I
told you it was more about my feelings. So calm down." Buffy replied a
little embarrassed.

"Look Buffy, Men or Women, its no big deal just be careful of the demons. In
the words of Xander. Demons bad, Slayer kill demons. And Buffy, I will
always be willing to listen. I owe you that, ok. Besides we are friends just
don't expect me to admit it." Cordelia said quietly.

((((((((((*******))))

Faith had been in the library bothering Giles. Hitting him up for cash, when
the cheerleader and slayer had entered the library. They had waved at Giles
but didn't even notice her sitting in his office. 

Faith was furious after eavesdropping on Buffy. She had taken Buffy's rebuff
of her affection as Buffy not being into girls. Not that it stopped Faith of
coarse. She really did believe in want take have. But now that she knew
Buffy liked chicks, she was terribly angry and hurt. Buffy liked chicks but
not her. Never her. No one would ever love her. Faith had left the library
without the cash she needed. She hadn't bothered to wait for Giles to cave
in and give her more money. Instead she just left and cried. Faith never
cried. Or at least when she cried she also got even. "Bitch." Faith said
suddenly wiping away her tears. 

Stopping her tears Faith began to plot her revenge.

(((((((((********)))))))))))))

Kelly had finally found the right outfit to wear. She had decided to be a
little less direct and not worn her black leather pants and matching silk
shirt. Instead she opted for her blue Chinese silk suit with the Chinese
dragon designs. The blue highlighted her blond hair. When her glasses were
off it matched her glowing eyes. Pulling her hair back into a pigtail she
checked her appearance one more time then left the house. She was extremely
nervous.

Making her way into the school and finally to the library Kelly reminisced
about her own high school years. She had only been out of school for less
then two years so it really hadn't changed that much. Still she had gone to
school with her people in a small town. Everyone knew everyone. And no one
expected Dragons to learn to read when they were young. She herself could
barely read more than a few lines. Dragons had unusual vision. They could
read better with Chinese picture language but still letters were much harder
to learn. Kelly wondered what kind of teasing her cousin must have been
taking if she was sent to a school that did not understand dragons' vision.

She arrived a few minutes early and was glad she had. Buffy's watcher was
taking her through a few moves with a staff. The man was good but no slayer.
Kelly wanted to volunteer to help. The thought of Buffy sparing with her
sent chills down her back. She suddenly wanted another cold shower.

Buffy too was having trouble concentrating. The minute Kelly walked into the
room her heart took a big leap. And the blue silk outfit really did make
Kelly look breathtaking. Giles swung and hit Buffy hard across the face,
Buffy didn't even react. She didn't even flinch, instead she said to Kelly.
"I like the outfit, very Dragon themed. It's cute." Giles looked at his
young student and wondered whether he had hit the girl too hard or not hard
enough. She at least pretended he had done some damage most of the time.

"Yes well, I think that will be enough for the day. Buffy if you would just
put the equipment away, I will see to our guest." Giles said moving toward
the woman.

"I'll do it Giles." Buffy said a little too happily dropping her stick to
the floor and heading straight for Kelly. Giles groaned knowing that he was
going to be putting the equipment away again.

"So." Buffy said once she had reached the woman's side. She really needed to
start working on planning what came out of her mouth.

"So" Kelly replied, trying not to let anyone see her heart beat dancing in
her chest.

"I really like your outfit, where did you get it?" Buffy asked touching the
sleeve. She was amazed by the amount of electric charge from just the feel
of the sleeve, her heart was on fire. Buffy then gazed up into Kelly's eyes.
She could see them glowing underneath the dark glasses. More importantly she
could feel them on her. It was a wonderful feeling.

Cordelia Chase had been studying in the corner with Willow. One look at
Buffy and she knew without a doubt they were all doomed. Even on the other
side of the room you could feel the sexual tension between the two of them. 

"This has to be the dragon." Cordelia announced.

"Cordelia, Kelly. Kelly, Cordelia. I think you met everyone else last
night." Buffy stated. 

"Hello" Kelly said shyly. Buffy was still fingering the corner of her sleeve
and she was afraid to breathe. 

"Yes I believe you wished to see the scale Buffy and Faith found." Giles
said taking things back. He would never understand teenage girls. Giles
pulled the scale out and placed it on the counter.

"May I?" Kelly asked. She didn't want to make a mistake. Hell she didn't
want to move, as long as Buffy stayed this close to her.

Giles handed her the scale and she took off her glasses. Carefully she let
her vision examine the scale. She needed to see how it came lose. Her eyes
saw in many different levels: infer red, ultra violet, aura and several
microscopic and magical realms. Kelly studied the scale and then began to
look at its general size and shape. The conclusion she reached was the worst
possible news. Now she needed to decide what she would tell the scales
owners.

In general her people did not trust humans. Nothing good came from it. Then
she looked into Buffy's eyes; she saw the promise of love. Not personal one
on one love, no she saw peace on earth good will toward men love. And then
she made her choice.

"Mr. Giles, yesterday you said I was hiding something. In a way that was
true, in another it was false. I knew that there was a possibility of
something being wrong. A possible danger to humans. But until I saw this
scale I was not sure." Kelly said getting the rooms attentions.

"My people, we dragons, have a long history of not trusting humans. And not
without reason. We do not by practice interact with humans. Not in two
thousand years or more. Once we lived among humans. We liked the slayers and
magic protected humans from the evil of the world. We were guardians of
mankind. Guardians of light. We co-existed with humans. Even inter married.
Then people began to hunt us for our gold and magic. They nearly wiped us
off the face of the Earth. In our history our race once numbered less than
ten. They were sad and hard times. We then moved into small communities away
from your kind, from human kind. Existing on the edge of civilization.
Mostly we settled in the land of Chin, China. It became our home for many
centuries. But even then we moved around. Often traveling with gypsies or
other peoples, hiding in plain sight. But always separate. Some humans were
kind to us. The ones you call gypsies, they valued our friendship. We ate
soulless creatures and they valued the protection we could give their
people."

"While we did make deals with humans we never trusted them. Usha, the girl
that was stolen from us is a good example why. Sometimes humans or even
demons would steal our young and take them away for their gold. We grow very
quickly in our first 4 years of life and we shed our scales often. We look
more like small dragons than humans until we are about 5. Then we began to
look like humans. Even our eyes appear normal. We can live among you
unnoticed."

"No scales?" Buffy said more as a statement.

"No scales. We stay that way until we turn about 25. I am still five years
away from my first shedding, I am 20. All right, I will be 20 in another
month. At 25 we shed our skin, then we have a few weeks where we have scales
and our wings start to come out. Then we return to a more human form, our
wings are still small enough to hide beneath a coat or jacket. We shed our
skin once every five years after that, but we still appear human. Around 60
we begin the last change and start to appear more like the classic dragon of
legend. And if you read anything about dragons that is what would be in the
books."

"But? And I get the feeling I am not going to like the but." Xander said.

"But in some cases those facts can be changed. The girl, Usha, she is being
fed human blood. From the size and shape of this scale she is being fed
living human blood frequently. Human blood of one with a soul." Kelly said
sadly.

"You said that would make her ill?" Buffy asked.

"It will make her insane in time. And dangerous. They are feeding her blood
to make her grow scales. At her age she should be scaleless like I am."
Buffy blushed as she pictured Kelly's body nude from the night before.

"This scale was pried from her body. It may have been loosened in a fight
but there are soft cuts in the side where it was pried loose. She is being
harvested. I need little demon blood to service. I can go for weeks without
a kill. A girl Usha's age could live on a cup of blood every six weeks. She
might not even know were it comes from. I believe her captors do not know
that she is hunting. I think the human blood she is being fed to make the
scales is bringing it to the surface. The need to hunt. But I do know the
girl is hunting. She has poisoned a few vampires with her bite besides your
friend Angel. I also think she is out of control. She doesn't understand the
blood message in her veins."

"And you think she might start hunting humans?" Giles asked.

"It is a possibility. To grow a scale this large they must have been feeding
her blood for a couple of years. She must be nearly mad. Unless they have
bound her with some kind of magic. I just don't know. I am to bring her back
alive either way. She is an innocent. Even if she kills your kind, she is
really the victim. I know you may not see it that way but it is the truth.
It was human greed that did this to her. She is still a child." Kelly said
surprised by her own tears.

"How old is the girl?" Giles asked.

"She is 15 years old. But Dragons do not age like humans. We are still more
childlike at that age. Closer to a twelve year old human than a fifteen year
old teen. I have no idea where they would hide her. You can't just look in
places like schools or churches for her. They will not hide her in the open.
She will not be able to go to school or do many normal activities young
humans do." Kelly explained.

"So we are looking for a 15 year old girl but you do not believe she would
be in a public school?" Willow asked.

"No we have trouble learning to read. Our eyes may appear normal but we do
not see the same way you do. Letters that are still on a page fold into the
page itself and we can not see the letters easily. Many of your foods we are
allergic to, garlic is the most common. We still move...." Kelly stopped and
moved across the room in her light strobe fashion blinking in and out of the
spectrum. "It takes a long time to learn to move the way you do. To hide in
a crowd among you. Our children learn these things in their teenage years.
She is most likely locked away somewhere in a dark room." Kelly said sadly.

"How have you been trying to find her so far?" Willow asked.

"I followed the gold trail but it was a dead end. Outside the fact that
someone from Sunnydale drives a melted down load to LA once a month and
sells it at an auction. I have no other clues. I was really lucky I traced
it to Sunnydale at all. I have been hunting a lot at night looking for her.
Trying to guess the places she might be hunting. I know she is here I have
found enough evidence for that, but I still have no clues. The first night
you attacked me I had hoped you were her. At first I thought you were some
kind of demon yourself, your aura is not like others of your kind but then
just for a minute I thought you might have been her. That is why I checked
you the way I did." Kelly said blushing.

"I know." Buffy said smiling as she moved her hand down to cover the woman's
hand. "Willow is there anything else you can check on the computer. Maybe
see if you can't think of some way for us to find this girl. Giles what do
you think?" Buffy asked looking at her watcher.

Giles was not a happy guy. He knew they needed to help the dragon girl find
her lost child but he also knew something he had not told Buffy. A prophecy
about a slayer and dragon. As prophecies went it was not a big deal. As a
proud parent figure of a girl he loved it was a major deal. Why did Buffy
always fall in love with the wrong sort?" He asked himself not for the first
time. "Why didn't I make her date that poet reading boy Odwin or Owen or
what ever his name was?" Giles asked himself yet again. 



"I wear the cheese it does not wear me." Bald Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.