FIC; Sheherezade (2b/2)

[Jim_D_Means@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Disclaimer;
Buffy, Willow and anyone else that gets mention in this story is the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox(which should change their name, really, it's the Twenty-first century already!).

Author's note;
This is in response to Tim's Mental Training challenge. I took a few liberties with his ground rules, but the main gist of his idea is still there. This will be a little weirder, and a lot more sensual than my usual work. Here's hoping it works out.

Rating; NC-17(to be on the safe side)

Spoilers; Fifth season. This story takes place just before Buffy's twenty-first birthday, almost a year after "The Body" and "Forever".

Summary;
Willow takes extreme measures to protect Buffy from the Council and prepare her for the next stage in her development as this generation's Slayer.



Scheherezade
By Kirayoshi

"Let me tell you a story, Buffy," she continued. "Sort of a classic, but with a twist." Her hands ventured lower, ever lower, and I was powerless to resist. "Once upon a time, there was a sailor who had unloaded his cargo to a far port, and was finally on his way home to his daughter, Vivianne. But a terrible storm threatened his boat, tossing it along treacherous waves, until the sailor was forced to ground his boat on the nearest available shore. Lucky for him, he was able to bring his boat to a safe port.

"When he left the boat, he tried to locate a house, where he hoped he would find someone who could tell him where he was. But the only place he could find on this island was an old castle, seemingly deserted. The main entrance was wide open, and there was no one there to greet him or send him away. Fearing the storm outside, he decided to take shelter in the castle until the storm passed. He found his way into the main hall, and found a dry place to settle down for the night.

"But no sooner had he started to sleep, than a terrible sound was heard all around him. A bellowing cry, that rattled the windows and shook the hall like the judgement of God. The bellowing turned into a deep booming voice, shouting, 'Who dares tresspass in my home? Who dares to rest in the home of the Cursed One, the Beast?'"

"Beauty and the Beast," I vaguely recognized the source of her story. My body was responding further to her ministrations, as her hands worked lower down my back, passing gently over the fabric of my teddy. Oh God, she was good.

"Something like that, Buffy," she said softly. "But there's a twist on the original. Now, where was I? Oh yeah. The voice of the Beast echoed through the castle, causing the poor sailor to tremble in fear. 'Forgive me, Master of the House,' the sailor said, preparing ot leave the palace. 'I was only seeking shelter from the storm that washed my boat onto the shore. If you wish, I will leave now.'

"'But it is too late for you,' the Beast answered, roaring even louder. 'I cannot allow you to tell others of what you have seen here! You can never be allowed to leave this place.'

"The sailor began to plead for his life against the unseen voice. 'I have a daughter, Master. She is all I have in this world, since her mother died. Please, let me return to her, if only to say goodbye.'

"The Beast was silent for a second. He then declared, 'So be it. But be back within the week. And do not break your word!'

"The sailor promised again, 'I give you my word, oh grave Master, I will return.'

"'Then go!' bellowed the Beast. And the sailor tipped his hat and fled the castle." While she told her story, she changed the plan of her attack on my shoulder muscles. From a steady, theraputic kneading to a soft slow carress. I didn't feel the difference at first, so caught up I was in her story, and by the time the change in her touch registered in my synapses, I didn't want her to stop. Oh God, her hands were magic. And the sweet steady cadence of her voice. I swear she could have read the Sunnydale yellow pages and had the same effect on me. She was weakening every shield I had placed over my heart, and my body wanted nothing more than to claim her, right there on the couch. But my mind wouldn't let me. I knew that if I let my body take control, I would lose the test of wills. And I would lose Willow.

Besides, I wanted to know how the story ended.

"The storm had abated by this time," Willow continued her story, "so the sailor was able to push his craft off the rocks, and sail away from the island. But he never forgot the terrible voice of the Beast. It took him two days and two nights to return to his home port, and his nightmares on both nights were filled with the Beast's voice; 'Be back within the week. And do not break your word!'

"The two days passed slowly, but finally the sailor saw the familiar ports of his home. He steered his craft into port, weighed anchor, and went ashore. There on the pier, his daughter Vivianne was waiting for him, and she rushed happily into her father's arms. 'Fahter,' she greeted the sailor, 'it is good to have you home.'

"The sailor looked sadly at his daughter, his greatest treasure. 'It is good to be home again,' the sailor answered, 'if only for one day.'

"'What do you mean, father?' Vivianne asked.

"The sailor's voice was sad as he told his daughter the truth about the remote island, the castle, and the Beast. 'I don't know how I know this,' the sailor said, 'but I do know that if I don't return to become the Beast's prisoner, he will destroy me, and no doubt will kill you as well. I cannot allow the Beast to harm you, my beloved daughter, so I must return to him, to offer myself as his captive.'

"At this, Vivianne gasped. 'No!' she cried. 'I won't let this monster do this to you! You are too old to survive such an ordeal!'

"'And you are too young to die at a monster's hand,' the sailor said. 'I must do this. Please, Vivianne, we have this one last day together. Let us not waste it.'

"Vivianne bowed her head dutifully. 'Yes, Father,' she said mournfully. 'We have one last day together.' And they spent the rest of the day catching up, speaking their hearts to each other. 

"But Vivianne was not about to let her father sacrifice himself. That night, while he slept, she fled in the night, taking his boat. While she could not make much progress sailing by night, she was able, once the day began, to navigate the coastline, and find the strange island where the Beast lived.

"She docked the boat on the island, and ventured toward the castle. Entering the hall, she called out to its occupant, 'Beast, I am here to pay the forfeit of my father.'

"A low growl could be heard througout the castle. 'Who are you, child,' the Beast intoned, 'and why do you come instead of the sailor?'

"'I am Vivianne, the sailor's daughter. And I come in his place. I will take his punishment.'

"The Beast snorted, 'What makes you think you will be welcome here, in your father's place?'

"'I cannot allow my father to die in this place, so far away from his homeland. He has done so much for me, how can I do any less for him?'

"She was greeted with silence, then the sounds of boots against cold marble. A terrible figure strode toward her, tall and leonine. His face was flattened and furry, like a cat's. His eyes were orbs of obsidian, with yellow irises. A mane of long wavy dark hair flowed from his head. His hands were clawed, and covered in a down of fine tawny fur. He approached the young woman, towering over her as he stood before her. Vivianne was afraid, but she refused to cower before the Beast.

"The Beast regarded Vivianne with the same fierceness that edged his voice, but his eyes held a strange sadness. Despite her fear, Vivianne felt a compassion for her captor, a vague desire to help him.

"'Know this,' growled the Beast, 'that you will be well treated while you are here, but you will come and go at my sufferance. Do you agree?'

"'I agree,' answered Vivianne."

"'So be it,' said the Beast, who turned and walked away, beckoning his new guest to follow him."

Willow's left finger trailed precariously at the shoulder strap of my nightie, slowly making its way underneath, while inching ever closer to my breast. Her right hand was stroking my side, down my ribs, down my waist. Every featherlight touch set my nerves afire, weakened my resolve. I was losing the battle, and a steadily growing part of me didn't even care.

"The Beast said nothing more, as he showed Vivianne her new room. In contrast to the drafty main hallway of the castle, Vivianne's room was warm and comfortalbe. A large bed covered with a white feather duvet dominated the left side of the room, with a wardrobe, vanity and nightstand set beside the bed, all fully furnished and tastefully decorated. A fire burned cheerily in the huge stone fireplace on the right wall. Clearly the Beast had prepared this room for her father, but was willing to accept Vivianne as his hostage. 'I shall arrange for clothing to be sent to you,' the Beast declared quietly. 'I must go, but I will see you for dinner tomorrow night.' The Beast closed the door behind him, leaving poor Vivianne to her thoughts. She felt truly alone, believing that she had condemned herself to a lifetime of servitude to a loathsome monster. Finally, she managed to bring herself to a fitfull sleep.

"The next day, she slowly awoke to the sun's rays carressing her cheek, and heard a knock at her bedroom door. She hesitantly rose from her bed, and opened the door. 'Miss Vivianne,' a pretty blond woman greeted her as she entered, bearing a bundle of clothes in her arms. 'I am Beatrice, and the Master sent me to bring you some clothes. He figured that we are both the same size.' Beatrice showed Vivianne the new wardrobe the Beast had provided her. Several dresses, blouses, night clothes, stockings, undergarments, all the clothing that Vivianne would require. Fine fabrics, comfortable silks and linens, all tastefully styled, and as Vivianne found out, fit perfectly.

"'Thank you, Beatrice,' said Vivianne, as she dressed for breakfast. 'At least I will be presentable.' She turned to her new companion and asked her, 'Are you a servant of the Beast?'

"'I am his only servant,' Beatrice answered. 'He and I have been the only people on this island for so many years, before you came here. Ever since-- no, I cannot tell you. The Master alone can divulge that information.' Beatrice collected herself from a fluster fit, and then continued, 'I am sorry for the circumstances that have forced you to remain here with us, but I am glad that you are here. It has been so lonely for me without any company.'

"'I understand,' Vivianne nodded her head. 'And I am glad of your company as well.' She took an instant liking to the young maid, and felt that with her friendship her stay as the Beast's prisoner would be less hellish.

"'Then we must spend a great deal of time together,' Beatrice answered happily. 'We will surely be fast friends. But I must go for now. We shall meet later?'

"'Certainly,' answered Vivianne.

"'The Master will only see you at dinner,' Beatrice informed Vivianne before she left. 'That is the only time in the day he will be out of his wing of the castle. And you must never enter his wing, it is strictly forbidden.' She then left quietly, leaving Vivianne more confused than before. What manner of being was this Beast, and why was he so secretive? If she and Beatrice were his only company, then why shun them by staying away from them?

"Beatrice took Vivianne by the hand and gave her a tour of the west wing, where their chambers were. Despite the gloom of the palace by night, the courtyard that Vivianne hadn't seen before, and the forest beyond, were bright, warm, friendly. Vivid greens graced the trees, while a fountain trickled merrily in the courtyard. Yes, Vivianne realized, this prison may not be as unpleasant as she had believed at first. Especially with such sweet company as Beatrice."

Sweet company, oh yes, that's what Willow was being. Her voice, her sweet sinister voice, lulling me with its cadences. Her mouth, blowing a stream of air into my ear, causing me to shudder. Her hands, brushing against my skin, playing me like a harp. Every nerve of my body was a string that her slightest touch would send vibrating. I had absently noted that her right hand had left my side, and was now resting on my hip. That part of me that was resisting her knew that she was preparing her final assault. But that resistant part of me was growing smaller and smaller, as my body began its inevitable surrender to Willow's ministrations. I wanted her so bad, but I couldn't lose her friendship, but I wanted her so bad...

"That evening, Vivianne was summoned to dinner by the Beast. She sat at the end of a long table, while the Beast sat at the other end. Vivianne was surprised that the Beast had chosen to stand up from his end of the table and serve her her meal himself. 'Where is Beatrice?' asked Vivianne. 'Is she not coming?'

"'Beatrice does not eat with me,' the Beast answered. 'It is by her choice.' The Beast finished serving Beatrice, and returned to his place at the table. Vivianne noticed a sadness in the Beast's manner, that belied his fierceness from the night before.

"The Beast then spoke to Vivianne, and his voice carried no gruffness from before either; 'I must ask your pardon, fair maiden, for the circumstances which brought you to me. You must understand that, if my existence is discovered, the outside world would attack me out of fear.' Vivianne indeed understood; she was held here as a hostage, to prevent her father from revealing the Beast's existence. 'However,' the Beast continued, 'it is possible that your presence here was fated.'

"'Fated, my lord?' Vivianne asked. 'How so?'

"'For years,' the Beast explained, 'I have labored under a curse. I scorned a powerful mage, and for my folly I was cursed to become this Beast you see before you. Only the power of a woman's heart may remove my affliction. I must win the heart of a young woman, and she must pledge her love to me.' He stopped, looked at his guest expectantly, and said, 'Vivianne, will you marry me?'

"'No, my lord,' Vivianne answered. 'I do not love you, and I could not lift the curse.' The truth was that Vivianne was touched by the Beast's plight, but knew that a false love would never break the terrible spell that bound him.

"The Beast recognized this truth as well. 'So be it. I shall not keep you in my palace forever,' he promised, 'but for a year and a day. Each night, I shall ask you for your hand in marriage. If by the end of the proscribed time you still do not love me, you may go.'

"Vivianne quietly agreed to the Beast's terms, believing that she could never love her new lord. They finished their meal in silence, and the Beast then escorted Vivianne to her bedchamber.

"The months passed by quickly enough. Each day, Vivianne spent the time with Beatrice, playing games in the courtyard, roaming the forests together, talking about nothing and everything, bonding as only two women can. Each night, Vivianne spoke with the Beast, reading to and with him, discussing favorite authors, beloved myths and legends, becoming close in mind and heart as well. 

"Each night, the Beast would ask Vivianne for her hand in marriage. But each night, Vivianne was forced to refuse. As close as they were becoming over the months, she simply did not love him. She admired him, even liked him, but her heart was slowly being won by another. By a young maid with auburn hair and chestnut eyes. By the maid Beatrice.

"Every day, she looked forward to seeing her friend, to talking about their dreams and hopes, to hearing her sweet voice and gazing upon her softly featured face and inviting body. Every night, she found her dreams invaded by images of Beatrice inviting her, calling her to know a love more pure than any in Vivianne's experience. She tried to deny her love, especially in light of the Beast's terrible curse. But as the months passed by, she could no longer deny the urgings of her heart. She had fallen in love with the maid, Beatrice."

I don't know what did it; the voice telling a beautiful love story, the breath in my ear, the left hand teasing my nipple, or the right hand slowly carressing the outer lips of my labia. Or maybe a combination of all factors. Before I could stop myself, I craned my head around, grabbed her head in my hands, sealed her mouth with mine, and kissed her as heartily as I could. Breaking off the kiss only to breath, I whispered huskily to her, "Shut up and make love to me!"

Willow flashed an elfin smile, a victorious smile. "I thought you'd never ask!"

Her mouth was on mine again, her tongue writhing against mine. I didn't even remember when her hands reached behind me to loosen the straps of my teddy, but soon I was completely naked. She pinned me down on the couch, and proceeded to ravage me. Not a square inch of my flesh went unexamined by small questing fingers or an agile electric tongue. My body crested against hers as she moved down, ever down, her mouth on my neck, my breasts, my breastbone, my belly, my pelvis, my thighs, my pussy. My passion ruled me completely, and I was barely able to function above the most rudimentary levels. All I was capable of feeling was her mouth on my labia, her hands on my ass, her hair in my hands. How long she kept me at the edge I don't know, but finally she relented and finished the job, hurtling me over the abyss.

Oh God!

Oh God...

========

I didn't know when I had blacked out, but I awoke slowly, feeling warm hands around my shoulders. I don't recall making it to my bedroom, but my familiar blanket was over me. I hesitated, praying that what had happened was nothing but a dream, but when I turned around, I saw confirmation that it had happened. Willow, naked and unashamed, her sea-green eyes capturing mine again.

"Oh, Wills," I moaned, hiding my face in her shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

"Why?" Willow asked. "Are you sorry that we did it tonight?"

"NO! Yes! Oh," I stopped, collected myself, tried to find the words. "I'm sorry that I was weak. I must have failed the test that you had set up for me."

Willow's smile was tinged with sympathy. "Buffy, I had my chronograph watch on, and switched it off just when you kissed me that first time." Glancing at her wrist, she added, "Fifteen hours, twenty-three minutes and seventeen seconds. According to Giles, only a few Slayers ever lived long enough to take the Mental Challenge, and their average time was only two to three hours. I'd say you passed with flying colors."

"I did?" I asked meekly. After what I had done to her, how I had violated her, she still could smile at me, still wanted my friendship. "Yay me." I looked at her again, pleading with my eyes. "Willow, if I did anything to you that you didn't want--"

Willow stopped my apology with a finger on my lips. I resisted the urge to lick her finger, but she then slowly pushed it into my mouth. "Buffy," she murmured huskily as I tasted her again, "what we did last night was because we had to." She then smiled evilly, adding, "When we make love next time, it will be for us."

"N-next time?" I hesitated, not believing what I heard. "There'll be a next time?"

"I sure as hell hope so," she grinned. "That is, if you want it too."

I couldn't lie to her, not now. After all that had happened between us, before and during the ordeal last night. "Oh yeah, I want."

Willow cuddled into my arms again, a canary-swallowing grin plastered onto her face. Oh God she was so cute with that self-satisfied look on her features. Oh how I loved her.

"Willow," I nudged her as I suddenly remembered. "You never finished that story."

"Well," she teased me, poking me in the ribs, "I was distracted." I cringed slightly in apology, and she continued; "It was getting close to the end of the year and a day, and Vivianne still hadn't resolved the dilemma of her heart. She felt uneasy about leaving the Beast, whom she had grown to care for deeply, or Beatrice, who had won her heart. She had offered to take Beatrice with her when she left the castle, but Beatrice refused, saying that she could never leave. Vivianne despaired that Beatrice would never return her love.

"Finally, on the last day of her stay at the castle, Vivianne begged Beatrice to explain to her why she could not return to the mainland with her. Beatrice reluctantly answered, 'See me in the courtyard at sunset. Do not be late.' Vivianne agreed to meet her there at sunset.

"Sure enough Vivianne saw her Beatrice in the courtyard shortly before the sun went down. Beatrice motioned for her to sit silently and witness. Beatrice then removed her clothing, slowly, until she stood completely nude in front of Vivianne. Vivianne could feel the flush in her cheek as she gazed at her beloved. Never in her life had she seen anything more beautiful.

"Finally, as the sun went down behind the horizon, the change began. Beatrice started to thrash violently in front of Vivianne, her body spasming involuntarily. Her body grew larger, more massive. Fur started to cover her form, her face contorted into an animal's, and her upper body became more muscular, losing the soft curves that Vivianne had admired. At length, the transformation was complete. Where Beatrice had been, there now stood the Beast.

"Vivianne was shocked as the naked Beast stood before her. She searched the depths of his obsidian eyes, and found Beatrice lurking within them, her inteligence and her soul still intact.

"'Now you know,' the Beast explained. 'I am that one you call Beatrice. She and I are the same. I become her by day, and the Beast at night.'

"'Were you then a woman, before the mage cursed you?' Vivianne asked.

"'It was so long ago,' the Beast answered, 'that I do not recall whether I was male or female. I've been under the curse for so long that being Beatrice or the Beast is all I know. But now I know that I have found in you a love beyond all experience, beyond all reason. Even if you cannot love either of my forms, know that I have loved you, and will love you, for as long as I live.'

"Vivianne looked again at her master, her beloved. Both of them, individually and together, had been so kind to her, she was ashamed of herself for not recognizing that similarity. And now that she was faced with the truth, she knew only one responce; 'No, my fair one,' she answered. 'I longed for a companion who's soul and intellect were the equal of mine, and found them in the Beast. I longed for a lover as fair and big of heart as Beatrice. And in you, who are the sum of both Beatrice and Beast, I found my one true love.' She then leaned toward the Beast, and kissed him gently on the mouth.

"The change began again as she kissed him. His body shrank, thinned, softened before her, the fur faded and soon, Beatrice stood nude before Vivianne. The two embraced and kissed again. Vivianne admired Beatrice's form anew, and Beatrice smiled at her beloved. 'All I wanted,' she vowed, 'was to be whoever and whatever could give you joy.'

"'You are who you are,' Vivianne answered, kissing her love again. 'That is joy enough for anyone.' The two women made love there in the courtyard, and the next day began their lives together."

"And they lived happily ever after," I finished, smiling at Willow.

"Something like that," Willow answered happily.

"Too bad that we probably won't get that chance," I said ruefully, "me being the Slayer and all."

"Don't worry," Willow assured me, wrapping me in her arms, her breasts my pillow. "We'll live happily ever after for as long as we can. That's all any of us can do." She kissed my forehead, and I knew she was right. Where I feared losing my friend, I instead won her forever.

"Uh, Wills," I asked, getting an idea. "Is that spell still around the house? That timespell thingy?"

"Oh, right," she said, suddenly bolting out of bed as she remembered. "Don't worry, the spell will hold until I reverse it myself. And we'll emerge into the time stream at the same moment we departed, so objectively none of this took longer than a few seconds. You ready to go back to the real world?"

"Not just yet," I could feel the grin splitting my face, as I reached for Willow again. "You said something about the Rule of Three?" 

Willow looked at me puzzled. "Uh yeah."

"Well then," I said as I stared to kiss her breasts, "since you just gave me the most incredible orgasm of my life, I owe you at least three incredible orgasms." I felt the nipple harden beneath my lips, as my passion quickened within me. This time, I let it go freely.

There would be time later to deal with what Willow and I had become together. For now, we had all the world and time to ourselves, and I planned to enjoy it for as long as possible. I don't know if I managed to catch up with her on the orgasm count, but she later said we were even. If we weren't I have a lifetime to make up for it.

Happily ever after began that night.

FINIS



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