Re: Fic: Dampened Spirits (1/1)

["sochankitsune" <annelise@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> You salvaged my morning! I knew there was a reason to get up.

Aww! *hug*

I might even have a bash at your challenge if I get chance! :>

--

And the tears of the earth
And the blood of the land
Will never wash clean from Humanity's hands.

*

Burning tears stung her cheek as she fled the scene. Who were these 
creeps anyway? They scared the crap out of her, with their scarred 
faces and ritual-blind eyes.
Her foot caught on the uneven ground, so she launched herself 
forward into a roll, twisting, and came up to face her opponent who 
was close, too close to avoid. So she didn't avoid, she attacked, 
despite the anxiety in her gut acting as a blade through her self-
control.
Bloody, battered, she rose from the floor and stood over her would-
be antagonist.
Then she knelt down and used her thumbs to press through the 
blinded eyes into the brain, ensuring death.
A sigh, a release, only to be discarded with the slow clapping from 
behind. She threw herself sideways and rose to meet this new 
challenge.
But noone was there.
Buffy stood, listening, but could hear nothing that could be prey. 
And her senses, vibrantly alive, told her nothing useful. It was 
slowly getting light. Maybe that was the reason for the sudden 
absence, perhaps not.
Perhaps it was all in her head.
Again.

*

"Rough night?" Willow asked as Buffy sauntered into the kitchen, 
looking bedraggled as ever.
Buffy nodded. "Like you wouldn't believe. How'd it go in LA? Is she 
here?"
Willow nodded. "She's upstairs, asleep. Nearly got herself killed 
fighting some demon, but I think Angel's got his thumb on it."
"He'd call if he needed me," Buffy agreed. "Although we've a real 
big bad to deal with."
"Yeah!" Xander agreed as he came over to join them. "Damn that Bush 
starting a war overseas when we're fighting one right here in sunny 
California! We should impeach the guy and give Riley the job."
"I don't think he'd accept," Willow replied, taking Xander at face 
value; the easiest and quickest way to shut him up. "And he's not 
really a big bad."
Xander nodded. "He's certainly not the First. That'd be his dad..."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Is she up to helping?" She asked, bringing 
the conversation full circle.
"I guess," Willow said. "I also brought Fred with me."
"Who?"
Willow shrugged. "She's got some source material on the Hellmouth 
that we've not seen before, and she's really with it when it comes to 
ancient tongues."
Xander grinned. "With you, it always comes back to the tongue."
"That's so not true!" Willow cried. "Well, no. Hey!"
"Is everything okay?" Fred asked, her voice uncertain and timid. Her 
eyes peered out from the banister of the stairs.
Willow nodded. "Yes, sweetie. Everything's fine. Go back to bed." 
Behind her, Buffy mouthed 'sweetie!' to Xander.