Ride the Lightning (AU) (Updated 9/17/2013)

[Arikathezookeeper]

Great update! I love how easily they were able to tell each other their feelings and how natural their relationship already feels. After all of the angst that is usually a part of Willow and Tara's admissions, this is quite a nice change. I like how it shows how Willow is not willing to let her chances pass by her and further solidifies the fact that she's ready to be happy again. I'm definitely anxious for more smoochies, though. ;D

Your writing is very engaging, keep up the amazing work!

[Finey_McFine]

Hi Allie!

Awww, super sweet update and their first kiss was AWESOME! (Imagine that awesome in a Barney Stinson high pitched voice)

I really love that even in 'fairytale land,' they still manage to have crazy misunderstandings, lol. Willow is so clueless sometimes, I mean...how could she not know that Tara would think the worst with her little disappearing act? Duh!

But all is well in the end and I'm looking forward to more !!

[Babbles4Twillow]

I want to thank you all for reading, and special thanks to those of you that leave feedback.

AstronSoul - Congrats again on Bestie Dibs!

Tara has a temper, isn't shown often, but when it is watch out!

I've always felt that Tara's temper was the one to look out for
Thanks, as always, for the lovely feedback!

SMGOVAN - Thank you so much for that feedback!

a Goddess in my book

That just made my day!

Ariel - Magic? Thank you!
I've tried to capture the "first wonderment and joy of falling in love" as best as I can. Thank you.

Thank you for this amazing story.

I believe its you I should be thanking. I really didn't expect anyone to read this, let alone enjoy it.

Arika - Thank you so much!! More coming!!

I like how it shows how Willow is not willing to let her chances pass by her and further solidifies the fact that she's ready to be happy again.

Death of a loved one does that to people. Although Willow has avoided any kind of connections for a long time, she realizes that Tara is meant for her, and she's not willing to give it up.

Finey_McFine -

(Imagine that awesome in a Barney Stinson high pitched voice)

*giggles hysterically*
I'm glad you liked it!

Willow is so clueless sometimes

I agree. She is one smart cookie, yet, she always does things that can be easily misinterpreted.

Thanks again for all the lovely feedback!
~Allie~

ON TO THE NEXT!! EVER ONWARDS!!

[Babbles4Twillow]

Summary ~ Tara Maclay escapes her abusive family and finds herself wounded at Rosenburg Castle, home to Willow, a lonely witch who is afraid to love. AU

Distribution ~ I really don't care as long as it gets read. Just ask first.

Rating ~ M for violence and anything that might happen in the future...just a precaution

Disclaimer ~ The characters are not mine and belong to their respective owners. I just play with them. The story, however, is mine.

Feedback ~ Please?! Kthnxbai

Thanks ~ To my wonderful beta and bestie, Astron.

Notes ~ Update is early due to a special occasion! Hopefully, you like it!!!
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Chapter 5 - What's Mine

Tara was anxious to get started on the tour, yet the redhead had not woken up yet. She was currently snuggled up against Tara’s side, her arm thrown casually over the blonde’s midriff. Tara took a deep breath, trying not to fidget. Willow sensed her restlessness in her sleep, moving a hand to rub comfortably against Tara’s stomach. Tara smiled down at her redhead, settling back down for the wait. It didn’t matter how long she had to lay there; she was with Willow; safe in the arms of newly discovered love, Tara drifted back into a peaceful sleep.

She was brought back to consciousness sometime later by the feel of soft lips against hers. There was a contentment she had never felt before that settled itself inside her as their lips pressed together; all that existed was her and Willow, everything else fell away. They both smiled into the kiss.

“Mm…Good morning, Willow.”

“Morning, Tara. Are you ready for today?” Willow asked, standing up and holding out a hand. Tara nodded her head in agreement and Willow moved to assist her with getting up from the cot, situating her crutches before they began. Their progress was slow as Willow walked Tara around the castle, showing her various rooms; they decided to wait to view the rooms upstairs until Tara could climb the stairs with no assistance. The hours passed on unnoticed as they enjoyed their time together; at least, they passed unnoticed until Willow’s stomach rumbled.

“Hungry?” Tara laughed.

“Yes! I guess it’s a good thing I was about to show you the dining hall,” Willow answered, gesturing towards a door at the end of the hall. Tara was amazed as she entered; the room had tall ceilings, with artwork along the dome. Balconies leading outside, and beautiful tapestries lined the walls. The dining table itself was long but did not take up the whole room; there was space off to the side large enough to hold a ball. Willow led Tara to a chair and seated her before disappearing into another room; she came back a few minutes later, followed by Buffy, both of them holding trays of food. Buffy stayed to eat with them, chattering cheerfully as they enjoyed the meal.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten so much in my life,” Tara said, leaning back.

“You’ll need the energy,” Willow quipped, then immediately turned red. “For walking, you know, because we’re walking the grounds, and because you’re using the crutches, it’s more difficult. You know, all that work with your one leg, and the arm strength, and food, it helps with renewing energy. Of course I wasn’t talking about needing energy for anything else, we’ve only known each other for two weeks, and I know we’ve slept together, well not actually slept together, but slept in the same bed, which I suppose means the same thing but with different connotations and-” She was interrupted by Tara’s smiling lips against hers.

“Willow, baby, as amusing and adorable as I find that babbling, I think you need to breathe,” Tara laughed. Willow took a deep breath.

“Breathing, right. Breathing is a necessity. I really like your cure for babbling,” Willow said.

“I find the babbling adorable, but I didn’t want you to pass out. I like Willow-babble but I don’t like a passed-out-from-not-breathing Willow.”

They chatted with Buffy for a bit longer before they all left the room to go their separate ways.

“I want to show you my favorite room,” Willow said, stopping with her hand resting against a large wooden door that was carved intricately. She pushed the door open gently, then swept out her hand. “This is my library, my sanctuary of sorts.”

The walls were lined with shelves that burst with books. As Tara looked up, she realized that the library must be accessible by all floors of the castle, going up at least three floors.

“Wow,” Tara whispered. She felt as if she was in a church, Tara had never seen so many books all in one place; all of them looked so lovingly cared for.

“You can…you can come in here whenever you like. What’s mine is yours,” Willow commented quietly. Tara leaned forward and kissed her again, their lips meeting in a more demanding rhythm. The red head opened her mouth slightly, running her tongue along the blonde’s bottom lip, seeking entrance that was immediately given. As their tongues met and danced; Tara felt a heat surge through her body, gasping at the intensity. Willow pulled back gently; placing her forehead against Tara’s and stared lovingly into the blue depths. “I don’t think you’re quite ready for that. Would you like to go outside?”

Tara choked back the feelings she was experiencing, yet her throat still felt too thick to speak so she just nodded, following her love through the door and outside to the stable; Jack whinnied as she walked in.

“He missed you,” Willow said.

“Not as much as I missed him,” Tara retorted, leaning against the stall so she could pet her horse; he nuzzled his head against her shoulder. “All is well, Jack. I’ll come to see you more often. Is he being exercised?” Tara asked Willow, who was still standing in the open doorway.

“Buffy comes out here every day and takes him for a ride.”

“You don’t ride?”

“I am afraid of horses,” Willow confessed, looking down at her feet.

“Don’t be ashamed, my Willow-tree, we all have fears that are hard to face. I’ll be back, friend,” Tara told Jack as she walked with Willow outside the stable. Something caught Tara’s eye and she moved towards it unerringly. As she moved, Willow got more and more nervous. They stopped in front of the stone, Tara asking for Willow’s help sitting down. Tara must have stared at that stone for at least on hour before she spoke. Her throat was thick with tears, “Thank you, Morgan, for everything. For showing Willow what love is, and…f-for letting h-her love m-me.”

Willow watched as Tara laid her hands on the grass in front of the stone. She felt Tara’s power surge, for a moment it scared her, before she noticed the flower stems growing out of the ground. The flowers grew and spread out around the grave and the stone.

“Why did you do that?” Willow asked.

“As a thank you. I’m sorry for what happened to her, but I’m happy I have you. Remember in the library, when you said that what is yours is also mine? Well, it goes for you too. What’s mine is yours. Don’t have much for you, but what I do have to give, you already own, my Willow.” Tara looked up, her deep blue eyes shining with love.

“What?”

“My heart. I love you.”

“I love you too, my gold one.” Willow answered. Her heart was open and full with Tara as she moved to sit by the blonde, gathering her into her arms as they both cried their joy and thanked Morgan again.

************************************

He watched through the trees as Tara confessed her love to the witch. Anger burst inside him, hot and fiery. “I will make you pay, both of you. Tara, you think you could get away? You can never get away from me. Stupid witches. I will wash the earth of your evil, wash it away with the blood of witches. Just like your mother. Your mother was the first. The blood of witches is on my hands. My life will be washed clean, and I will be clean again.”

His eyes burned with rage and a fevered insanity as he watched their lips meet. “Willow. I was never done with you. We will not be done until one of us is dead,” he growled out as he looked down at the bag of weapons at his feet. Donald Maclay was not leaving this time, not until both of the women were dead. He took the weapons out, one by one, cleaning them and sharpening them when needed. Donald Maclay was going hunting, and he was prepared.

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More to come, soon! Please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!

~Allie~

[AstronSoul]

DIBS!!!

Hehehehehehe Dibs Mistress strikes again!!!

Ok not really gonna quote anything this time around but....

Willow saying everything she owns is Tara's, and then by the grave when Tara tells Willow that she owns her heart. I wanted to melt right then and there!!! Such a beautiful moment!!

Now the Willow-babble was funny, of cuorse the best way to stop it...A KISS OF COURSE!!!

Oooo Donny better either get badly maimed or die!!!


Great Job!!

~AS~

[Ariel]

Allie,

Beautiful arc – sunrise to sunset in the sense of light into darkness. Tender awakenings, love them. And Willow, sharing her library – love book Willow AND love the description of the library soaring up through the castle – nice symbol for Willow’s passion for learning and learning itself as omni-present and wonderful.

She was brought back to consciousness sometime later by the feel of soft lips against hers. There was a contentment she had never felt before that settled itself inside her as their lips pressed together; all that existed was her and Willow, everything else fell away. They both smiled into the kiss.

Tender and lovely; a bone deep fulfillment between them . .

Then a HILARIOUS babble-attack with Tara concerned about Willow’s breathing!

I will wash the earth of your evil, wash it away with the blood of witches. Just like your mother. Your mother was the first. The blood of witches is on my hands. My life will be washed clean, and I will be clean again.”

His eyes burned with rage and a fevered insanity as he watched their lips meet. “Willow. I was never done with you. We will not be done until one of us is dead,” he growled out as he looked down at the bag of weapons at his feet. Donald Maclay was not leaving this time, not until both of the women were dead. He took the weapons out, one by one, cleaning them and sharpening them when needed. Donald Maclay was going hunting, and he was prepared.

This is chilling, horrible powerful writing – from light into darkness; a descent into evil. GREAT ending!

Waiting in suspense – keep writing . . . or else!

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[Grimm]

Your Willow babble was outstanding! They are soooooo sweet together. Everything was going so well...then he happend! What a fricking bastard!! I hope Willow gives him a lightning strike right in the ass!!

[Finey_McFine]

I hope Willow gives him a lightning strike right in the ass!!

I think that just about says it all...

But, I will add that the first 3/4 of the chapter was really beautiful. Their bond is growing ever stronger and they'll need it to combat Tara's father. Unfortunately, Tara won't be 100% with that broken leg, I just hope that together they have enough magical strength to firmly kick his ass.

[Mgraham93]

Okay several chapters feedback here

Chapter 2
Glad Willow wasn't completely alone all this time.
Understandable WIllow being angry finding out who Tara's father is
The nightmare was a good way to explain part of Tara's backstory, to show Willow that she wasn't there to harm her and finally to show that they already have a strong connection.

Chapter 3
Willow's inner turmoil over risking love again worked well.
The different coloured inks was a nice little touch- mabye she also has different coloured quills
I'm glad Morgan wanted Willow to be happy

Chapter 4
“Just you,” Tara said into the silence when Willow left. “I just need you.”
I felt bad for Tara thinking Willow would make her leave although given her family it does make sense, I'm glad they were able to clear up the mis understanding with the crutches-glad Tara's able to walk again.
The ending was absolutely adorably sweet.

Chapter 5
Willow's babble in this chapter was brilliant, yay for Tara finding a way to break Willow out of Babble mode.

“Thank you, Morgan, for everything. For showing Willow what love is, and…f-for letting h-her love m-me.”

Really sweet moment and shows that Tara respects Morgan's memory that was nice.
The ending on the other hand- I hate the Maclay men. Also I wonder how many of the 'wicked witches in fairytales were really victims of society, they have power they must be evil sort of mindset.

Second random thought, I sort of imagine this being in some version of the King Arthur Myths- Probably just the name Morgan, I always think of Morgan La Fey when a fantasy character is called that.

The last two chapters I was listening to Walk by the Foo Fighters seemed to fit quite well.

[Arikathezookeeper]

Great update! You just HAD to go and slip in that little negative Nancy guy at the bottom, didn't you? -sigh- I suppose uninterrupted bliss isn't really the best background for an interesting story line, huh? Well, anyways, I really enjoyed this update, and I'm really pleased at how Tara is able to understand the significance that Morgan had in Willow's life, I believe that's extremely important. Very nice job on the Willow-babble, if I do say so myself. Oh! And I really loved the opening scene sort of thing, where Tara is a bit impatient and then she's like "Dude, why am I impatient? I got me a fine lady up in here." I thought that was rather cute. Keep up the good work! Thanks for updating

[True_Love]

Really beautiful update. Very touching and sweet. I like how Willow is becoming Tara's personal physical therapist and planning her daily workouts to get her strong enough to walk again. Then those damn evil Maclay men again. Tara's father just had to pop his miserable head back in the picture to ruin an otherwise perfect day. I can't wait till he gets his! Make sure it's slow and painful, nothing too quick for this bastard.

Great update!

[JustSkipIt]

The connection between the girls and Tara growing the roses on Morgan's grave was beautiful. But her insane and bloodthirsty father is just scary. Boo on that.

[Babbles4Twillow]

Responses and then UPDATE..WHOOO!! I heart you guys!!

Astron - Congrats on Dibs, again hehe. I don't think I can imagine anyone else getting dibs on this!

Willow saying everything she owns is Tara's, and then by the grave when Tara tells Willow that she owns her heart. I wanted to melt right then and there!!! Such a beautiful moment!!

Thanks! I try my best!
The Willow-babble was one of my favorite things about this chapter, I think.

Ariel - Thank you for the kind words. I hated to bring the dark into this story, but knowing he was out there, and things were unfinished, it had to be done, I think. Willow's library is actually like a dream to me!! I love it.

Then a HILARIOUS babble-attack with Tara concerned about Willow’s breathing!

Glad you liked it! I was kinda doing the lip-biting thing as I posted. Babble is a hard thing to capture in writing.
Once again with the "Or else" comment....Coming right up! *salutes*

SMGOVAN - Thanks for the feedback! I don't think you're the only one on the "strike him down" train...I bought myself a ticket!

Finey_McFine - Thanks! I'm not too worried about Tara's leg right now, but we'll see...this story always manages to surprise me!

Mgraham93 - Thanks so much!

maybe she also has different coloured quills

Thats an excellent thought! Willow does seem the type doesn't she? "See, here, the red quill is for the account books, the blue one is for my journal. I use the green one when I'm writing letters.." etc. etc.

Thanks for the comments on the babble!

Also I wonder how many of the 'wicked witches in fairytales were really victims of society, they have power they must be evil sort of mindset.

I always wondered that, too. So many people/ personalities have been conveyed as evil in story-telling and real life just because they have power...how many of these people were actuallty gentle souls?

I went and listened to that song and you're quite right, it does fit very well.

Arika - Thanks for your wonderful feedback! Your insight never ceases to amaze me! *giggles*
On a more serious note, I believe that a good storyline can be all fluff, if you know how to do it! I, sadly, am not one of the people that have that talent.

then she's like "Dude, why am I impatient? I got me a fine lady up in here."

This had me rolling!!

True_Love - Thanks!

I can't wait till he gets his! Make sure it's slow and painful, nothing too quick for this bastard.

We all, including myself, are waiting for Donald's comeuppance! I can't promise anything, as this story writes itself, but I'll do my best to convey to my fingers what needs to be done to this sick bastard.

JustSkipIt - Thank you so much for leaving feedback! Oh, and thanks for joining us!

But her insane and bloodthirsty father is just scary

Boo on that indeed!

Thank you all again for taking the time to read this and to leave comments. The feedback is much appreciated, and it drives me back to the story to write more!!

ON TO THE NEXT!!!

[Babbles4Twillow]

Summary ~ Tara Maclay escapes her abusive family and finds herself wounded at Rosenburg Castle, home to Willow, a lonely witch who is afraid to love. AU

Distribution ~ I really don't care as long as it gets read. Just ask first.

Rating ~ M for violence and anything that might happen in the future...just a precaution

Disclaimer ~ The characters are not mine and belong to their respective owners. I just play with them. The story, however, is mine.

Feedback ~ I'd appreciate it, let me know what you think!

Thanks ~ To everyone thats stuck with me, and to those of you that leave me feedback, thanks bunches, it means a lot to me. To my wonderful beta and bestie, Astron.

Notes ~ I kept getting distracted while writing this, so I really hope it doesn't seem disjointed or jumbled. Anyways, hope you enjoy it, I know I enjoyed writing it. Any suggestions or private comments, please feel free to PM me! Kitten love!
and btw, I edited previous posts to include chapter names

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Chapter 6 - Fear

The rain beat against his skin as he dragged the body of the fawn towards the doors of the castle. Night called a lonely song to him, crying out the loss of one of its young. Laughing into the dark, Donald used his knife to slice the corpse, watching as the rain pelted a dark red stain into the gravel walkway.

“Wouldn’t do to just rush in,” he told himself. “Have to make them weak.”

Donald looked down at his blood coated hands, down at the mangled mess that had once been the fawn. Laughing wickedly, a fire burning in his eyes and inside himself, he soaked his hands further.

“Our time will come,” he claimed as he wrote on the doors in blood. “I will make you fear, make you weak, and you, dear witches, will cower in fear when I finally come for you.”

He finished his macabre message and smiled, turning to walk calmly back into the forest. Finding a spot that had a good view of the castle, Donald settled in for a long night of waiting and planning.

**************************************

“It’s okay if you want to go out there, Willow,” Tara said, watching her love get agitated as the storm raged outside. The red head was sitting at the desk, writing, while Tara sat up on her cot. Willow had been staring at the pages of her journal, worrying the tip of her quill for some time, making Tara wonder how often the red head chewed on her writing utensils.

Willow looked up, “Hmm?”

“It’s okay if you want to go out there,” Tara repeated. She knew that while Willow’s form of mourning was not necessarily healthy, it was definitely unhealthy to just ignore it.

Willow gave her a confused look, “Go where? Out into the rain?” As she spoke, the meaning behind Tara’s words dawned on her. “Oh no, baby.” Willow got up and came to sit in front of Tara on the cot, ever mindful of the blonde’s broken leg. She looked intently into Tara’s eyes and saw no condemnation, only love and understanding. “I made my peace with Morgan.” Her hand came up to sit gently on the blonde’s cheek, her thumb rubbing soft circles. “I may be sad that she is no longer with me, and I will miss her. I will always have a place in my heart for her, but Tara, now, you are my heart. There is only us. Okay?”

Tara nodded, “You looked so anxious. What were you thinking?”

“Trying to find the right words,” Willow said, blushing. “I was writing in my personal journal, and I wanted to write about you. None of the words I could think of even compare. I‘ve always been good with words, yet with you, I‘m at a loss. How am I supposed to explain to paper that your smile out-shines the sun? That your eyes are deeper than the sea and that I’d happily drown in them?” Tara blushed and looked down, her hair sweeping low, hiding her face. Willow quickly pushed back her own embarrassment and tilted Tara’s jaw so they were eye to eye. “Don’t hide, baby. Please? You’re so beautiful, inside and out. I look into your eyes, and I swear I could see your soul. You are the most beautiful soul I have ever met. Please don’t hide from me.”

“Why do you need to write it down?” Tara asked, suddenly.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe, years and years from now, someone will dig up this castle, wanting to know more about the people that lived here, that loved here. It’s only fair that I share my love for you with them.”

Tara felt love blossom inside her, drawing her towards Willow. There was a pull inside her, no matter where she was or where the red head was, Tara always knew which direction to look; because the pull always brought her to her love. Tara softly touched her lips to Willow’s; only expecting a gentle moment, and what she received was her own hunger. Willow did not force anything on her, asking for entrance with her tongue, which was granted. As their tongues explored, Tara could feel something akin to the hunger of a starved man growing inside herself. She wanted, no, needed, more of Willow. The blonde reached up, threading her fingers into the red hair, pulling Willow closer, plunging her tongue into Willow’s mouth, conveying her need, demanding more.

Heart pounding in her ears, Willow met Tara’s demand, need for need. She held herself in check, willing her hands not to roam as they pleased. The more intense their kiss got, the more she could feel Tara’s anxiety building; Tara was an innocent, Willow knew this by looking into the blue depths that filled with confusion when things got heated. She pulled back, breathing heavily, looking, once again, into Tara’s eyes. They were dark, filled with desire.

“Not just yet, love,” Willow said quietly. “I want you, but I want you to be sure.”

“Thank you,” Tara said. “You’re not mad that I’m not ready?”

“No, sweetie. In fact, I’m not sure if I’m ready yet, either. This is bigger than it ever has been before.” She pulled Tara into a hug, holding her gently before asking, “Meditate with me?” Willow felt Tara nod against her, then she pulled away again, settling comfortably into the cot. They clasped hands, looking into each other’s eyes, letting their magic flow through their hands, through the other, recycling out through their love, out into the earth and back.

Tara closed her eyes, feeling the magic flowing through her broken leg; she was surprised to find that it was healing, not completely, but enough that she wouldn’t need the splint soon. She reached out with her magic to feel the earth, touching the life forces in the woods outside. There was discontent, a fear flowing through the earth. Her eyes snapped open as she touched upon a particular life; she was all too familiar with this one, yet it was different. It, he, had always been so controlled. Now, there was a fury inside him. Tara tried to figure out where he was, but she couldn’t place him. Her panicked gaze found the green eyes that reflected her own emotions.

“He’s here,” they whispered together. Willow scrambled up from the cot, leaving the room, Tara following close behind on her crutches.

“Willow, no, you can’t, h-he’s…he’s s-snapped,” Tara begged.

“He won’t hurt you again, Tara,” Willow replied angrily, flinging open the front door. Her angered steps halted, Tara almost running into her back as she stopped abruptly and turned around, grasping Tara’s arms. “Go back. Turn around and go back.”

“W-what?” Tara asked, peering over Willow’s shoulder. Being taller than the red head, it wasn’t hard for her to see what had been left on the steps. She gasped as she felt fear and grief grip her heart, but it was quickly extinguished by something far greater. She set her jaw tight, her eyes steeled over. At that moment, she was no longer the scared little girl, watching her mother die in the woods. She was no longer the young woman who took the beatings, who didn’t speak for the fear of being shut up. She was a grown woman, who was prepared to die for her love, who could face the monster of her nightmares with no fear for herself, because she had Willow.

“Tara?” Willow whispered, seeing the range of emotions on the blonde’s face. The look she now had was one she had never seen before. This look was fierce and strong, and she imagined her own face to be set to something much the same.

“Did you see what he wrote?” Tara asked, using her chin to point to the door.

Willow turned around, speaking the words as she read them, “The blood of witches will flow. I am watching.” She shook her head, “He won’t get to you, Tare, I promise.”

“We can’t make promises when we don’t know what he will do. He will not hurt you, Willow. I’m done with his games. He’s watching? Love, what do you say we give him a show?”

Willow felt magic surge through Tara as they stepped around the gruesome scene, out into the open. Facing the front gates, Willow tossed out lightning into the sky, flashes of white hot against the dark night.

“Thought you would scare us, old man? Look what you’ve done!” Tara yelled, as fire leapt from her fingertips into the sky, myriad colors of heat bursting the sky with the white and blues of the lightning. “You come near her, I will kill you!” They sent more flares into the sky, showing their power, feeling his eyes on them, yet unable to see him in the dark.

As the flames danced in the sky, Tara let go of all the things from her past. She let go of her fear, feeling free for the first time in her life. She stopped when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder; they walked inside together, turning their back on the man watching them from the dark, letting the rain wash away the horror on the front step.

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Thanks for reading!!
~ Allie

[AstronSoul]

Dibs

Love It!

I especially like how Willow stops them before it gets too heated, showing that she wants them both to be ready before getting intimate physically.

Also love how they show their power together, making sure Donny knows they are not scared and that he better watch his back.

Great job

~AS~

[Ariel]

Allie,

What an amazing collection of tenderness, magic, raging evil, suspense, and love! Read comments while I catch my breath!

The rain beat against his skin as he dragged the body of the fawn towards the doors of the castle. Night called a lonely song to him, crying out the loss of one of its young. Laughing into the dark, Donald used his knife to slice the corpse, watching as the rain pelted a dark red stain into the gravel walkway.

Dark, atmospheric and a real stench of evil; GREAT job nailing this in a way that’s both effective and poetic.

Adorable Willow chewing on the end of her quill. Awwwwwwwwwwwww. Loved it!

Tara blushed and looked down, her hair sweeping low, hiding her face. Willow quickly pushed back her own embarrassment and tilted Tara’s jaw so they were eye to eye. “Don’t hide, baby. Please? You’re so beautiful, inside and out. I look into your eyes, and I swear I could see your soul. You are the most beautiful soul I have ever met. Please don’t hide from me.”

I love this. It gave me such a warm, happy feeling inside – I can see Willow’s gentleness and love and Tara’s happy confusion so clearly.

Tara felt love blossom inside her, drawing her towards Willow. There was a pull inside her, no matter where she was or where the red head was, Tara always knew which direction to look; because the pull always brought her to her love. Tara softly touched her lips to Willow’s; only expecting a gentle moment, and what she received was her own hunger. Willow did not force anything on her, asking for entrance with her tongue, which was granted. As their tongues explored, Tara could feel something akin to the hunger of a starved man growing inside herself. She wanted, no, needed, more of Willow. The blonde reached up, threading her fingers into the red hair, pulling Willow closer, plunging her tongue into Willow’s mouth, conveying her need, demanding more.

This captures that beginning love, the stirrings of deep passion and the confusion/fear over the strength of the new feelings. I also loved, “Willow met Tara’s demand, need for need.” It doesn’t spell out every exact detail (not needed in this moment) but perfectly captures the progression of Tara’s increasing desire for a more physical relationship. Personally, I like them taking their time, especially the way your write their growing awakening.

She set her jaw tight, her eyes steeled over. At that moment, she was no longer the scared little girl, watching her mother die in the woods. She was no longer the young woman who took the beatings, who didn’t speak for the fear of being shut up. She was a grown woman, who was prepared to die for her love, who could face the monster of her nightmares with no fear for herself, because she had Willow.

“Tara?” Willow whispered, seeing the range of emotions on the blonde’s face. The look she now had was one she had never seen before. This look was fierce and strong, and she imagined her own face to be set to something much the same.

First, love how you show Willow seeing and understanding the expressions on Tara’s face; another way you show their deep connection growing. Then the real moment, Tara’s transformation from victim to survivor and survivor to defender of herself and her love. TREMENDOUS use of their magic – I could see it and it gave me a shiver of fierce joy imagining their love blazing across the sky in fire.

*happy sigh* It was so good, so imaginative and tender and suspenseful.

*sad sigh* It’s over . . .

Thank you so much for sharing your imagination.

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[True_Love]

Allie,

Loved it! The scenes you created with Tara's father were so dark and vivid. I felt like I was at the theater watching this on the big screen. I've always love the transformative power of Willow's love for Tara. You did a great job of expressing that here.

I can't wait for more!
- Lexi

[Finey_McFine]

Hello VP!

I really enjoyed this chapter and I think it's my favorite so far. Okay...everything with the exception of Tara's father and his creepy stalking. Geez, that guy has some serious issues..a la Charles Manson Helter Skelter serious. I mean the dude is certifiable, Tara was right when she said that he'd snapped.

Anyway, I really loved the interaction between the girls and the way you incorporated Willow's journal writings. Nicely done. Chewing on a quill... genius! They are being honest with each other and I like that. I also like that Willow know's enough to wait and not let things go too far.

Throwing the lightening at the end was great, but I doubt dear ol' Daddy took it as a threat and I'm sure he'll pay in the end.

Looking forward to the next installment!

[vazy]

Hey Babazoid, guess what I finally did! Although you can probably guess just by this comment, so I'm just going to shut up now. Anyway love the story and I cannot wait for more. But is it bad that I keep hearing Beauty and the beast as I read? Some elements just remind me of it...

[Babbles4Twillow]

Responses and then, EARLY UPDATE!!
Thank you all for posting feedback! If I could I would give you all hugs!

Astron - Dibs again, yays! Thanks for the great feedback. I know you're going to like this new chapter. *gives a conspiratorial wink*

Ariel - Thank you, sincerely.

Dark, atmospheric and a real stench of evil; GREAT job nailing this in a way that’s both effective and poetic.

I'm glad you like it! I'm so self-conscious about my writing, but your feedback always leaves me with a sense of self and accomplishment.

The quill thing, I was channeling canon. Do you remember in season one when she has that talk with Xander about the chewed pen?

I could see it and it gave me a shiver of fierce joy imagining their love blazing across the sky in fire.

THANKS! I love hearing that people can see what I've described. I often feel like I've given a bad description of what I see in my head.

True_Love - Wonderful feedback! Thanks! I feel the same way about Willow's love and the power it has. I feel honored that you think I'm doing a good job with it.

Finey_McFine - 'Ello!

Geez, that guy has some serious issues..a la Charles Manson Helter Skelter serious. I mean the dude is certifiable, Tara was right when she said that he'd snapped

You might see why he's gone so crazy with the little tidbit i give in this upcoming chapter.

I'm really glad you liked it! Like...REALLY glad, haha.
As to whether or not Donald saw the threat, we'll see.

Vazy - Welcome aboard Vazemeister! Its not bad that it reminds you of that movie, considering that you're not the only one who has mentioned it. I think it started out something akin to it, but grew out further, as will be seen in this chapter. Glad you like it!

STAY TUNED ALL!! There are story-line twists a-comin!

[Babbles4Twillow]

Summary ~ Tara Maclay escapes her abusive family and finds herself wounded at Rosenburg Castle, home to Willow, a lonely witch who is afraid to love. AU

Distribution ~ I really don't care as long as it gets read. Just ask first.

Rating ~ M for violence and anything that might happen in the future...just a precaution

Disclaimer ~ The characters are not mine and belong to their respective owners. I just play with them. The story, however, is mine.

Feedback ~ I'd appreciate it, let me know what you think!

Thanks ~ To my wonderful beta and bestie, Astron, who I often bounce ideas off of and this story is all the better for her insight and suggestions.

Notes ~ I was going to wait to post this, but then I got so excited about it after it was written that I couldn't help myself. This chapter brings on a turn of events that surprised me. I hope you like it. As you will see, there is a new character being introduced who I'm sure you will love. At the end of this chapter I will be making a request of my readers, hopefully you think its a good idea! Enjoy!

Thoughts/dreams in italics

****************************************************

Chapter 7 - Memories and Prophecies

He won’t find me here, she told herself. The little girl was huddling behind the large pile of logs, praying to the Goddess. The monster was looking for her, because she’d done magic again.

“I didn’t mean to,” Tara whispered. “I swear, I didn’t mean to.”

It had seemed to come out of nowhere; there she was, cleaning like she was supposed to, wishing that her brother would leave her be, and then - he did. However, he didn’t just walk away, of course not. He had disappeared. One moment he was there, the next he wasn’t, and if her father had witnessed it, she would have surely been dead, not hiding in the log pile. She felt the wood digging into her thin back and cringed, not knowing how long she could keep it up; her leg was cramping, her back hurt, and it was so cold she thought she could hear her bones knocking together.

“Mama,” she sobbed. Calling out for her mother seemed to be her only course of action. She was sure that when she was found, she would be joining her mother.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her, her father.

“Daddy, I-I d-didn’t mean t-to!” She swore as he grabbed her arm, dragging her from the pile and towards the hole.

“I told you, Tara, we will make you better. We’ll face this thing together, but we can’t do that if you keep giving in to the magic,” he told her calmly as he opened the wooden door. Below them gaped a hole in the earth, a ladder leading down. Tara knew what the hole meant for her and she didn’t like it one bit.

“Daddy, please! I’ll be a good girl, I promise!” Tara begged.

“Climb down, now, Tara,” he said calmly.

“I’ll be a good girl,” she cried as she climbed down. At the bottom of the ladder was a small, empty room. Dark, with the cold seeping through the damp earth. She hated the dark. Tara looked up as her father started pulling the ladder up.

“You’re lucky that Jr. showed up not far from here, and that he wasn’t hurt. Sit in here and think about how evil your magic is,” he called down as the he closed the door, encasing the young girl in the dark.

“I’m a bad girl,” she whispered as tears fell down her face. “Mama, why does Daddy think that magic is evil? You did magic and you weren’t evil.” She tried to get her eyes to adjust to the lighting but the dark was so thick that she couldn’t penetrate it. “Mama, its so dark,” she cried. Her cries were met with silence, always with silence.

Willow subconsciously pulled Tara closer as they slept. There was turmoil inside of her but she couldn’t seem to wake up from Tara’s nightmare, no matter how hard she tried. She hoped that somehow, Tara would be able to sense her there and be comforted. The red head knew that something had changed within the blonde, but that in sleep, she would still be vulnerable to her past. She was watching the whole dream play out, as an observer, not through Tara’s eyes as she had before. What’s different about this nightmare, she wondered. And why can’t I wake up? It was almost as if something were holding her there.

The hours passed in a tense silence, broken only by the sobs and gasps of little Tara. She didn’t know if it was night, or if enough hours had passed for it to be morning. Tara curled into a ball, falling into an exhausted, fitful sleep. She woke, hearing a noise, fearing that something unseen was in the hole with her. Her eyes searched the dark, her ears perked for the slightest noise, her heart beating a frantic rhythm. Suddenly, from above, the noise that woke her presented itself, a boot stepping over the wooden door.

“I got a message for you, Maclay,” a voice said.

“I told you, I don’t deal with your kind,” came her father’s angry reply.

“It’s a fools quest you send yourself on! I’ve seen it. You will try to purge the magic, but they will fight back!”

“I don’t know what you speak of, I only try to keep my family clean of your evil!”

“That will change. I warn you now, it will change. If you keep on this path, you will die.”

“Why do you care? You don’t care if I die. You’re only trying to stop me because you know that I will come for you don’t you?” Her father’s voice was strained, and Tara heard something in it she had only heard once before, a malice that her father had displayed when killing her mother.

“A red head with power will lead them, the blonde at her side will make her stronger. I only warn you, because any life lost is horrible, even a life such as yours,” the stranger replied cryptically. “You will lead an army of bigots such as yourself, and you will lose.”

“I believe nothing you say!” The shakiness in her father’s voice betrayed his fear. “I will not hear this evil spouting from your mouth!”

There was a gasp from the stranger, and a gurgling that Tara couldn’t place. Something wet slipped through the cracks in the wooden door to land on her arm, and she wiped it away hurriedly, not understanding her fear of that wetness. Tara knew, by the feelings in her gut, something horrible had just taken place.

Time shifted. Willow didn’t understand how she knew this, as the scene in front of her was the same, but she knew that time had passed.

Tara’s hunger burned inside of her. She didn’t know how long she had been in the hole, but it had been a long time. Her father and her brother occasionally came by, dropping scraps into her earthen hell, ignoring her cries of “I know I’m evil, please let me out” or “I’m done being a bad girl!”

“Mama,” she whispered. “Can go be with you now? I’m ready.”

What she expected, was the usual silence that greeted her when she spoke to her mother. This time, though, was different, as a soft light illuminated the area and the hunger left her body. She didn’t see anyone, but a gentle voice spoke in her ear.

“Stay strong, auri. Your time here in not yet done.”

They both woke simultaneously, the nightmare vivid in their minds.

“What was that?” Willow sputtered. “I couldn’t wake up!”

“It was a memory. I…it was strange, like I was watching it from a distance. I couldn’t wake up either, Willow,” Tara replied, her voice shaking. “What does this mean?”

“I don’t know, baby,” Willow said, gathering her love into her arms and kissing her head. “We’ll figure it out. Did it feel to you as if you were meant to relive it? Like something was forcing you to watch?”

“Yes, but why? Why that specific one? That one is bad, but there are w-worse. If he w-wanted to scare me, don’t you think it would be with something worse?”

“I don’t think it was him,” Willow replied softly, her mind spinning as she realized something. “I think we were meant to watch it…to hear the message.”

“About the red he- you! The stranger was talking about you, Willow!”

“And you. Morgan was blonde, but we lost, and I wasn’t leading anyone, he set upon us in the middle of the night. This time…”

“Do you think there he came because he thought you and Morgan were the ones from the message?”

“Probably. I wonder if others will come. Right now, it’s just you, myself, and Buffy. We’re not enough to fight an army.”

“We should prepare, just in case more witches should come,” Tara said softly. She didn’t want to bring anyone else into what she thought of as her fight, yet she knew, without a doubt, that her father was out there somewhere, scheming for the worst.

“You’re right,” Willow agreed. “For now, let’s just rest. Morning will come soon enough.”

Tara nodded, getting comfortable against Willow’s chest, feeling sleep start to overcome her again. “Who do you think sent us the dream?” she asked sleepily.

“I believe it was the same person who told you to be strong, my gold one,” Willow replied, a smile gracing her lips before they both fell into a, thankfully, dreamless sleep.

***********************

“It’s not enough,” he muttered to himself as he crashed through the woods. “They’re too strong. I need help.” For a moment he considered his son, but changed his mind. There were enough people in town and the surrounding areas that felt as he did. They had come to his aid, and gladly would once again. Donald starting making speeches in his head, planning for the gatherings ahead of him. “I’ll get an army,” he said grimly.

***********************

The woman finished placing her things in her bag. It wasn’t heavy, because she traveled light. She knew what she needed, and carried only what she needed. The moonlight coming through the window reflected off her black hair as she looked up, the blood red streaks almost indiscernible in the dark.

She had been feeling an unrest building in the balance for some time, and last night, staring into the sky, she had known that it was reaching its peak. Off in the distance, colors had danced against the blanket of darkness. It was time.

The woman unconsciously chewed her bottom lip as she took one last look around her cabin, seeing if she missed anything. Her silver eyes landed on the weapon over her mantle and she shrugged, it never hurts to have backup. She took the long sword from its place, attaching the sheath to her belt.

Her steps became determined as she stepped out of her home and into the dark. She had a mission; she had no clue what that mission was but she felt it inside of herself. The woman judged the distance to where she had seen the magic in the sky.

“It’s going to be a long night,” she sighed. “Long few days, in actuality.” To an outside observer, the woman was talking to herself, but in reality, she was talking to the large tiger that now slinked out of the nearby forest, waiting at the edge. She stood tall, fur white with black stripes, a proud bearing set into her stance.

Is it time, Astron, asked a voice in her head. The voice had a sensual tone to it, distinctly feline, she had always thought.

“Yes, we start traveling tonight, Pura,” Astron replied. She ran her hands along the soft fur of her familiar, and moved on, the soft padding of her companion comforting her as she walked into the night.

****************************************************

Request is this - I need Wiccans to join the good fight, so please, if you have ideas, I'm asking you to PM me with character profiles. How they look, what is their name, background, powers, attitude, etc.

Tell me what you think of this new development!
~Allie

[AstronSoul]

~grins evilly ~ Heheh I gots my dibs back!!!!

So I have to say this is my favorite chapter thus far! (gee I wonder why?)

You did an amazing job, the nightmare was just that a nightmare....

“I’m a bad girl,” she whispered as tears fell down her face. “Mama, why does Daddy think that magic is evil? You did magic and you weren’t evil.” She tried to get her eyes to adjust to the lighting but the dark was so thick that she couldn’t penetrate it. “Mama, its so dark,” she cried. Her cries were met with silence, always with silence.

This made my heart just want to cry, poor little Tara.

What’s different about this nightmare, she wondered. And why can’t I wake up?

This is when I really started to get worried, if Willow couldn't wake up that meant something bad I would think.

“A red head with power will lead them, the blonde at her side will make her stronger. I only warn you, because any life lost is horrible, even a life such as yours,” the stranger replied cryptically. “You will lead an army of bigots such as yourself, and you will lose.”

OOOO a prophecy!!!! Ya know usually I hate them, but here I like it!!!

“I don’t think it was him,” Willow replied softly, her mind spinning as she realized something. “I think we were meant to watch it…to hear the message.”

“About the red he- you! The stranger was talking about you, Willow!”

“And you. Morgan was blonde, but we lost, and I wasn’t leading anyone, he set upon us in the middle of the night. This time…”

This was written very well, the realization coming from both, they work so damn well as a team!

“I’ll get an army,” he said grimly.

have you ever noticed most (not all) most men are imbeciles? MaClay Sr is no exception.

The woman finished placing her things in her bag. It wasn’t heavy, because she traveled light. She knew what she needed, and carried only what she needed. The moonlight coming through the window reflected off her black hair as she looked up, the blood red streaks almost indiscernible in the dark.

OH OH OH!!!!! I wonder who this is? ~walks to a Mirror and think staring at black hair with red streaks then giggles~ Igive up, I dunno! lmao

“It’s going to be a long night,” she sighed. “Long few days, in actuality.” To an outside observer, the woman was talking to herself, but in reality, she was talking to the large tiger that now slinked out of the nearby forest, waiting at the edge. She stood tall, fur white with black stripes, a proud bearing set into her stance.

Is it time, Astron, asked a voice in her head. The voice had a sensual tone to it, distinctly feline, she had always thought.

“Yes, we start traveling tonight, Pura,” Astron replied. She ran her hands along the soft fur of her familiar, and moved on, the soft padding of her companion comforting her as she walked into the night.

Astron and Pura, gotta love it....

Great Great Job!!!!!!

~AS~

[Mgraham93]

Okay double feedback time

When I heard the mention of the fawn I imediatley thought Mr Maclay was going to try some necromancy, glad he didn't the writing on the door was bad enough without that happening.
Really liked the little scene with the journal and how their relationship is developing always great to read getting together stories

“W-what?” Tara asked, peering over Willow’s shoulder. Being taller than the red head, it wasn’t hard for her to see what had been left on the steps. She gasped as she felt fear and grief grip her heart, but it was quickly extinguished by something far greater. She set her jaw tight, her eyes steeled over. At that moment, she was no longer the scared little girl, watching her mother die in the woods. She was no longer the young woman who took the beatings, who didn’t speak for the fear of being shut up. She was a grown woman, who was prepared to die for her love, who could face the monster of her nightmares with no fear for herself, because she had Willow.

Loved that showing how Willow has helped her grow in such a short time

The ending was great.

Chapter 7
The nightmare wow really detailed and vivid when she said she'd made a wish I half expected it to be that a vengence demon had shown up.
What I do like about prophecies is how the person told of them often sets themselves up in their attempts to avoid it coming true- If Mr Maclay hadn't attacked Rosenberg Castle Willow wouldn't have known a grievance against him and now him forming an army will only bring the prophecy closer.
This may be a strange question but how powerful is Donald just wondering because not sure how much attention a peasant farmer would actually get so I'm guessing he has some land.
The ending awesome if it was a show/film it would have had some epic music playing something like the Game of Thrones theme music.

[leos_pride]

So I just started reading this fic and thanks to a long ferry wait I have now caught up. This fic is awesome! I always love medieval settings and its interesting to see the girls in this setting. Can't wait to read more! Very cool taking ideas from us readers Brilliant!

~Leo

[True_Love]

Allie,

Great dream sequence! So vivid and eerie. I felt so sad for poor little Tara all alone in the dark. I think her mother sent her the dream to help her build her strength and prepare to do battle. It would make sense because she was with her, in spirit back then, and would be with her always. I hope if it is her, she will reveal herself in some way to both Tara and Willow, giving them the additional courage they need to build their own army.

Can't wait for the next post!
Lexi

[Ariel]

Allie,

This is real magic for me: powerful, mysterious and alluring.

“I told you, Tara, we will make you better. We’ll face this thing together, but we can’t do that if you keep giving in to the magic,” he told her calmly as he opened the wooden door. Below them gaped a hole in the earth, a ladder leading down. Tara knew what the hole meant for her and she didn’t like it one bit.

“Daddy, please! I’ll be a good girl, I promise!” Tara begged.

“Climb down, now, Tara,” he said calmly.

His abuse is so insidiously evil; masked in calm and phony logic. Striking at a little girl's sense of self-esteem and personal power and doing his best force her to betray her inner magic.

Tara’s hunger burned inside of her. She didn’t know how long she had been in the hole, but it had been a long time. Her father and her brother occasionally came by, dropping scraps into her earthen hell, ignoring her cries of “I know I’m evil, please let me out” or “I’m done being a bad girl!”

“Mama,” she whispered. “Can go be with you now? I’m ready.”

I'll admit that the idea of a little child embracing death to find love kind of broke my heart. Then a moment later, hope . . . I liked how Willow and Tara figured out the meaning of the dream, the hope, the message from a sister.

The woman finished placing her things in her bag. It wasn’t heavy, because she traveled light. She knew what she needed, and carried only what she needed. The moonlight coming through the window reflected off her black hair as she looked up, the blood red streaks almost indiscernible in the dark.

She had been feeling an unrest building in the balance for some time, and last night, staring into the sky, she had known that it was reaching its peak. Off in the distance, colors had danced against the blanket of darkness. It was time.

LOVE this character already (and I know your bestie is doing a mega-happy dance!!! ) The visual, black hair with dark red streaks and the imagery of the portents. Imaginative and amazing. And her familiar - Pura is awesome!

Totally embrace this idea and it's amazing! I PM'd once and I will again sometime this weekend.

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[indigokane]

Great story Allie! i'm finally caught up and can't wait for more!

still need characters? -Trouble

[Babbles4Twillow]

WE HIT 1500 VIEWS!! Sorry, I know its lame but I'm excited. Thanks for reading! I'm not going to quote anyone this time around, just going to leave some replies and get on to the update. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me what you think! As one of my favorite authors says, "Feedback is Golden"

Astron - yay on dibs..again..hehe. Ya know, I have no clue where that new character came from! Glad you liked it! I don't really like prophecies either, but I always think its amazing how hard people will try to change it.

Mgraham93 - Thanks so much for reading, AND for being the first to PM!
Necromancy...*shudders* Donald Maclay in a non-magical being. As to your question, its answered in this upcoming chapter. I agree with you on the theme music!! Thanks!

leos_pride - Glad that you're all caught up now! Thanks for reading!

True_Love - I love that you caught that. Tara's mother will always be with her! Thanks for the kind comments!

Ariel - As always, your feedback is a gift itself! Theres so much of it! All I can say is thanks, from the heart! And, yes I'm sure she was doing a happy dance!

indigokane - Glad you caught up T! Any feedback or input is welcome!

EVER ONWARDS!!! UPDATE BELOW

[Babbles4Twillow]

Summary ~ Tara Maclay escapes her abusive family and finds herself wounded at Rosenburg Castle, home to Willow, a lonely witch who is afraid to love. AU

Distribution ~ I really don't care as long as it gets read. Just ask first.
Email ~ PM me

Rating ~ M for violence and anything that might happen in the future...just a precaution

Disclaimer ~ The characters are not mine and belong to their respective owners. I just play with them. The story, however, is mine.

Feedback ~ ALWAYS WELCOME

Thanks ~ To all the Kittens who gave me GREAT characters and suggestions! Keep an eye out! I can't put them all in one chapter but they will be showing up as the story goes on!

Notes ~ There's not much W/T going on in this chapter, kind of one of those chapters that just moves the story along a bit. Forgive me! If you have a character in mind and haven't PM'd yet, just send it on over!

Thoughts (and cat-speak) in italics

****************************************************

Chapter 8 - Foreboding

The crate beneath his feet creaked with age, but he didn’t notice. He was too busy getting people’s attention, scaring the town into joining his fight.

“If we let them continue, they will destroy our town!” Donald yelled out into the incensed crowd. He had gone on and on about protecting their children, all the things he loved to use against them. It definitely helped that he was well regarded in this town, having a large farm and was also considered a preacher of sorts.

“We’ll ride out,” someone yelled from the middle of the throng. “Gather forces!”

“Yes,” Donald replied. “We will need as much help as we can get. They are going to gather their own help, we need to work on ours! We need to protect the future for our children!”

“What about your children,” someone yelled from the back. Everyone turned to look at the hooded man. His face was cloaked in shadow, only the glint of his eyeglasses showing. “Your own daughter is among those you wish to murder. How well does that sit with you?”

“That is none of your business, sir! My daughter has been turned by the evil from the magic! I will be sparing her by putting her out of her misery!” Donald yelled back, furious that someone would dare to question him.

“And you? Who will put you out of your misery?” The man replied quietly, a steel to his voice that made the people around his step back.

“Who are you?” Donald spat out.

“I have a name for friends, but you, sir,” he said with disgust. “You may call me Ripper.”

*****************************************************************

The room was dark and damp, just the way the two occupants liked it. The dark haired woman looked up at the ceiling with deep, dead eyes. Her companion, a blond man, was watching her with affection.

“William, the stars are beautiful tonight,” she said, her eyes seeing more than any sane man or woman could ever comprehend. “They tell me things. Wonderful things. Murderous things,” she sang out. Her voice was childish but filled with a deep malice.

“Tell me, pet, tell me what they’re saying,” William pleaded. His Drusilla seemed completely insane to others, but he knew that she often had further meaning behind what she was saying. Her visions had driven her insane, her magic pushing it further. But to William, Drusilla was perfect. She loved the same things he did, murder, mayhem, and the things of nightmares.

“The stars tell me that the good witches and the evil man are going to fight soon. I want to kill them, Spikey,” she pouted, using his nickname.

“And we will, my pet, we will,” he comforted. His mind was racing. There was a battle that had been foretold, of good magics against bad, all starting with two witches and a mere human. This was it. “Dru, should I send for the others?”

“I think so, Spike. We don’t have to be there just yet, but I want to be ready. Yes, send for them, and we will plan.”

“Those witches will never know what hit them,” William said as he ushered over to the window, looking out at the busy street. In his mind, he saw the town in ruins, fire spreading. He heard people screaming, and the sound made him smile. William sat down to write quick letters, bringing them to the page. He smacked the boy, cruelly, “Get these to Angelus as quick as you can. He’ll know what to do with them. You open any of them and I will know. If they don’t get to their destination, I will know. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” the frightened boy said, rushing out into the light of the day, expelling a quick breath. He didn’t know why, but his two masters so enjoyed the dark. He shuddered, they were definitely creepy sorcerers. If he was right, than the man was a necromancer. He had the kind of eyes that told the boy that William was not the kind of man who had qualms about raising the dead. He looked down at the letters in his hand as he pushed his way through the street. Angelus was not a nice man either. The boy sighed to himself, wishing, not for the first time, that he had been assigned somewhere else.

******************************************************************

The soft sound of Pura’s paws hitting the moss below them was soothing as they moved tiredly through the forest. They had been traveling all night, through the morning, and now it was well into the afternoon. Astron shifted her pack restlessly, not liking the feeling of foreboding she got as she looked into the sky.

“Pura,” she said, wanting to fill the silence, to take her mind off the stress. “Do you remember the day we met?”

Of course I do, Pura replied. Why do you ask? Pura lifted up her head to stare at Astron with intent cat-eyes.

“Well, you know why I have cast off my surname. We have been close for years, and on the first day we met, you found that out. Why do I not know why you have no surname?”

I have no surname for the same reason you do. I will carry no other name until I have found my soul-mate.

“Have you ever wondered if you will? Find a soul-mate that is. Your kind are very rare aren’t they?”

We are rare, yes. Yet, my dear Astron, I have no doubt that my soul-mate walks this Earth, Pura said, in an evasive tone.

“What are you hiding, Pura? Have you met him already?”

Why do you assume it is a man? Pura laughed, a strange growling chuckle mixed with a purr.

Astron brushed aside a branch that was in her way, leading them out into a clearing. “We’ll set up camp here. Stop for the night.” She dug around in her pack, pulling some rations out. She didn’t know why Pura was avoiding the question, but it seemed to her that the cat had more to say. Astron decided not to push, waiting for Pura to tell her on her own. People always told her their secrets. Pura was the only mild exception. They shared a special bond, yet there was a part of herself that Pura held back; Astron always assumed it was a cat-thing.

Don’t worry so much, Pura said, nuzzling into Astron’s side. We’ll be okay.

“I know,” Astron sighed, chewing her food slowly. “I love you, Pura. You’re my best friend.”

If cats could wince, that would be the expression that Astron thought she saw briefly on the cat’s face, before she looked away with those intense eyes to look at the sky. She let out a huff, the breath shaking her whiskers gently. Astron thought for a second that the cat-eyes changed. For a moment, they were chocolate brown, human eyes. Astron shook her head. Fanciful thinking.

I love you too, Astron.

**************************************************

“Willow,” Tara called out, biting her lip nervously. Willow poked her head into the room, her eyebrows quirked in question. “Do you feel it?”

“Feel what?” Willow asked, feigning innocence. She knew all too well what the blonde was talking about. The red head had spent the last two hours trying to ignore the feeling in her gut as she cleaned what was left of the fawn from her step.

“This…feeling,” Tara said, gesturing towards her stomach, frustrated that she couldn’t explain it. “Something just feels wrong. I think this is going to be bigger than we thought.”

Willow sighed, “Yes, I know, Tare. I feel it, too.” She ached to take the blonde’s hand, but wouldn’t until the “filth” was washed away. “We need to be ready. How do we prepare for something like this?”

“How do we prepare for something that we have no clue what it is?” Tara asked softly. “How do we know what’s to come until its already here? And how do we know who to trust?”

“I don’t know,” Willow answered honestly, the fear in her eyes reflected in the deep blue of her love’s.

“I have a feeling, a different one, too,” Tara added.

“Yes, there’s a good one mixed in there,” Willow replied. “Someone is coming.”

“Multiple someone’s, and multiple good feelings,” the blonde said with a smile. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Willow’s, a gentle reaffirmation of their love amidst the chaos. Tara wrinkled her nose playfully. “You need to bathe.”

Willow giggled, “Yes, I do.” She sniffed the air, exaggerating the movement, making Tara laugh. “You’re not too good-smelling yourself. All that work you’ve been doing today.”

“Work? You mean sitting in the library, reading? I would love a bath, though,” Tara sighed.

“I’ll bring you a tub,” Willow decided. “Hot water, too.”

Tara smiled brightly, “I would love that, thank you.”

“Anything for my girl,” Willow said, getting up and rushing out.

“My girl,” Tara repeated, her smile growing even bigger.

Willow came back with the tub, Buffy behind her, hauling water. Once assured that Tara had everything she needed, Willow left to go do her own bathing. After that, they spent the rest of the night ignoring the foreboding in their guts, just enjoying the time they had together.

[AstronSoul]

DIBS!!!

Hehe I love this....

“I have a name for friends, but you, sir,” he said with disgust. “You may call me Ripper.”

Talk about not wanting to piss this dude off ~giggles~

“Tell me, pet, tell me what they’re saying,” William pleaded. His Drusilla seemed completely insane to others, but he knew that she often had further meaning behind what she was saying. Her visions had driven her insane, her magic pushing it further. But to William, Drusilla was perfect. She loved the same things he did, murder, mayhem, and the things of nightmares.

This dynamic and very masochistic duo ~shudders~ I do not like Drusilla

“Well, you know why I have cast off my surname. We have been close for years, and on the first day we met, you found that out. Why do I not know why you have no surname?”

Being close, and getting closer....wonder what Pura's surname is hmmmm.....

Why do you assume it is a man? Pura laughed, a strange growling chuckle mixed with a purr.

HINT HINT HINT ~whacks Astron upside the head, then rubs my own head~ Ok didn't expect that...

Don’t worry so much, Pura said, nuzzling into Astron’s side. We’ll be okay.

“I know,” Astron sighed, chewing her food slowly. “I love you, Pura. You’re my best friend.”

If cats could wince, that would be the expression that Astron thought she saw briefly on the cat’s face, before she looked away with those intense eyes to look at the sky. She let out a huff, the breath shaking her whiskers gently. Astron thought for a second that the cat-eyes changed. For a moment, they were chocolate brown, human eyes. Astron shook her head. Fanciful thinking.

Ok come on!!! Biggest hint ever!! "We'll be okay." Gees dense much? And those eyes!!!! GAH his is gonna drive me nuts!!!!

I love you too, Astron.

This made me wanna cry, obviously the big cat loves her, gees Astron get your head out of your ass!

Willow sighed, “Yes, I know, Tare. I feel it, too.” She ached to take the blonde’s hand, but wouldn’t until the “filth” was washed away. “We need to be ready. How do we prepare for something like this?”

Kinda hard to prepare when you are unsure.

“Multiple someone’s, and multiple good feelings,” the blonde said with a smile. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Willow’s, a gentle reaffirmation of their love amidst the chaos. Tara wrinkled her nose playfully. “You need to bathe.”

YAY for good guys coming! And LMAO for Willow needing to bathe.
Of course Tara needs too as well lol

“My girl,” Tara repeated, her smile growing even bigger.

Her girl, damn right!!!

Great job bestie!!!

~AS~