"What is the Falleen?" Willow questioned, looking back at Kaisean. She sat
down on a lounge chair across from Kaisean and Methos who followed suit. "And
just *what* is everyone here? I mean all of you have a powerful aura and I
can sense something that is different about all of you from the others at the
party. Just what is it though? You all acted differently around the other's
during the party. I mean I didn't think of it until now that I see all of you
gathered here.... " Willow trailed off, thinking more and more of just how
everyone acted around the people gathered in the room. They were treated
overall cautiously with a healthy dose of respect, from everyone. From all
the different types of vampires, shapeshifters and magic users. If you
include the demons and the humans who shone with power, and you figure out
pretty quickly that whatever the Falleen were, one thing was for sure, and
that was that they were treated with respect.

There was silence for a several long moments in which the room quiet, and
everyone turned to look at Kaisean and Methos. Kai raised an eyebrow at
Methos in question and he gave a small shrug coupled with a slight smile.
Kaisean took a deep breath and began to explain to Willow just what the
Falleen was.

***

Willow thought for the thousandth time that night. The redhead had just
heard, and seen some things that Willow had never thought could even exist. A
group of people working together, for all purposes like a supernatural family
that was devoted and loyal, first to each other then to what exists outside
of their closed ranks. Seen demonstations of powers that defied Willow's
definition. She never thought that the secret that Kaisean and Methos hid
from her would be so... Extensive and complex, was all she could think of.
And she, Willow Anne Rosenberg had just been adopted, if that could describe
it, by Kaisean Menard and Methos. The leaders of said family, which called
itself the Clan or Pack Falleen. Willow had wondered why she had never heard
anything about the Falleen, until they had explained to her just what lengths
they went to, to protect the identities of the Clan except to a select few.
Even fewer knowing who the leaders of the Pack were.

And Willow still had a feeling she had a lot more to learn about Kaisean and
Methos, including the enigmatic people the two Immortals led. Willow had
learned the different levels of rank, and types of creatures within it's
ranks. Her own rank was third, sharing rank with another female Kaisean had
named as Tracy Vetter. Who apparently would be arriving from Toronto with two
other Falleen, and a horde of guests for the party which Kaisean and Methos
would be hosting.

Willow tried to not wonder about who would be at the party but, she had a
very intense feeling that it was someone important. < Tonight has been pretty
full of suprises that's for sure. And I have a sinking feeling that Methos
and Kai have a hell of a lot more in store for me. I'm not sure if I'll be
able to deal with everything that they will reveal to me...> But there was
such a feeling of rightness when Willow learned something new from her
mentors. That she was supposed to be here... In this place and at this
time... This is what frightened Willow the most no matter how much she didn't
want to dwell on the subject. She shrugged away the feeling, burrying them to
be examined in greater detail another time.

Willow almost tripped as she made her way down the hall to her room. She
couldn't believe that she had just spent the last couple of hours on her feet
in some way. None of the Falleen let her sit down for more than several
minutes, and she could tell by the way her feet were aching. Tenshi's comment
about her feeling better soon didn't help her out much. She looked out of the
window and saw that the sky was beginning to lighten already. Willow went
over the evening, still feeling slightly dazed, and amazed from what she had
seen at the party. She remembered Richie's last remark before he went off to
his room. 'Willow there's going to be another party in a couple of days.'

'Oh yeah.' The usually quiet Demon added. 'That's when our friends are
coming. *And* when you will be meeting them.' A look which Willow couldn't
quite understand entered his eyes at that moment. The new Immortal shook her
head and began to undress. "Goddess, I have a feeling that the coming days
will just be momentous in my new life."

She fell back onto the large bed and almost fell asleep, before she
remembered what her teachers had been telling her. Willow opened her eyes,
looking for her coat near the side of her bed and picked it up. She took out
her sword from it's sheath and propped it between her bed and the nightstand.
A few experimental drawings, and she finished setting it up to her
satisfaction. He last thought before she fell asleep was, < And I bet Methos
and Kai will find some way to suprise me in the morning and scare the hell
out of me, leaving me without my sword. >

***

A long loud scream vibrated through the sleeping minds off all of the Keep's
residents. Methos immediately went through the magical door that seperated
his room from Kaisean's. He knew from the way her mind was closed of to his
that it had to be her. Kai never closed off her mind to him so completely.
Tenshi and Demon burst into Kai's room a moment later. After them a sleepy
Willow followed along with Richie.

"What happened?" Willow cried rushing toward the bed as she saw Kai floating
gently in the air. Lavender colored energy sparked from her body reaching out
tentative tendrils as Willow came over. A look of horror came over Methos'
face as Willow almost reached the bed before she was tackled by Tenshi.
"Willow, you can't touch her when she's like this." Methos said, sitting
beside Kaisean floating body. He reached out a hand, deep blue sparks leaped
from his outstretched hand to meet the tendrils extended from Kai. He shot a
look at Tenshi, who nodded slowly in agreement.

"What's going on? Methos?" Willow said, watching frightened as Methos leaned
back and began to float also. His hands were joined to Kai's. "Tenshi? Guys,
please tell me what's going on?" Richie just shook his head in awe at the
proceedings, before looking at Tenshi and Demon.

"I... None of us can tell you at the moment just what is going on Willow.
Only Kaisean and Methos can. I barely know anything about it, and that what I
do know, Kai swore me to secrecy and I even submitted to coercion spells so
that no one would be able to find out what little I was told." Tenshi said in
a low tight voice, tensely watching what was happening before them. He turned
back to look at Willow and Richie. "We all should go back to sleep. They'll
be at it for a while."

"But..."Willow whispered looking back fearfully at the floating figures which
shined a throbbing pulse of energy. Willow could feel the amount of power in
the room go up, her magical senses were tingling with it's intensity. All of
a sudden the pulse spiked, making Willow lean against the wall for support
before the energy lowered to the point that Willow could barely feel it.
"What was that?"

"Later Willow, I'm sorry about this. We can't explain any of it in such a way
that it will make sense. I have a feeling though that this time whatever is
happening to Kai and Methos... It's going to be important enough that they'll
have to explain it to the Pack. I don't know why though... It's just a
feeling." Tenshi paused, gesturing for them to follow him out of the Kai's
bedroom. He closed the door softly behind him and leaned against it to look
at Willow, Richie and Demon. "Actually it's more than that. I think Methos
was trying to tell me that before he joined Kai..."

Willow remebered the look that Methos shot Tenshi and nodded slowly in
agreement with the young man. She reluctantly went back to her room, slipping
back into bed and into sleep, her dreams were a landsape full of half
familiar figures. The one that stood out the most to Willow was the tall dark
man who stood at her side through out it all. She had a feeling... more exact
than a feeling... she knew that he was Angel.

When Willow woke up the next morning she had no clear memory of what she had
been dreaming, all she remembered were the hazy image of eyes the color of
dark rich chocolate that comforted her with their intensity and love.

*   *   *

Kaisean burrowed deeper into Methos embrace, both of them frowning
simultaneously as they were washed over with new images... It had been five
hours since it had began... Both were tired and exhilirated at the same time,
a sense of euphoria coming over them as they went into the final stage that
usually followed these sessions. They would both have to deal with the coming
days with a great deal of caution and wariness. There were things they still
could not see... People who they knew nothing about that would play a major
role in the days to come.

They knew that it was the imminent time to reveal some of what they were and
why they were actually doing what they did. Why Kaisean had adopted Willow,
taking her into the Clan. The cases of allowing new members into the Pack
usually took weeks of discussion between first the Dikatan and the rest of
the Clan members then between Kai and Methos. That Willow had been accepted
so readily by not just Kaisean and Methos, but by Tenshi, Demon and Richie
made it clear to the Falleen that there was something *very* important going
on.

But what exactly that was...? Methos and Kaisean would not be able to reveal
the answer to *that* question till the time was right. Both of them hoped
that life in San Franciso wouldn't be to uncomfortable once the truth came
out. Kaisean had a feeling that they would all understand, but it would take
varying amounts of time to absorb it all. Methos, who knew better the natures
of those who were close to them, agreed with Kaisean to a point.

Kaisean mentally frowned as she felt Methos' thoughts penetrated her mind...
< How *do* you think they will react...? > She questioned as they drifted in
and out of the deep sleep like trance.

< I'll tell you later cara, no worries about it. >

*~*~*~*~*~

Part 8

Willow made her way down the long halls of the Keep, hesitating as she passed
Methos and Kaisean's rooms. She shook her head and headed for the stairs,
hurriedly making her way to the floor where all the magick workrooms were.
After all, Kaisean did say to her that they would be doing magical lessons
today. "Ok now I think it's time for me to choose my divination tools."
Willow muttered as she crossed the room to where Kaisean had said all the
cleansed divination tools were that hadn't been used. She moved her hand over
the silken pouches that held runes and tarot cards and all sorts of other
things that Amy had told her about but never shown her how to use. Using her
intuition her hand dropped on the bag that held a thick deck of cards. A
voice interupted her as she picked the pouch up.

"Doing a little divination?" Tenshi asked as he crossed his arms, leaning
against the large sliding doors that led into the set of rooms. His hair fell
across his face creating a somewhat rakish look when combined with brilliant
green eyes.  He moved with sinuous grace further into the room.

"No, Kai told me that we would be having some magical lessons today." Willow
had tried putting aside what had happened last night, but it still stuck in
her mind. She sat down on a large cushion set beside a low table and tried to
relax as she waited. Tenshi looked at her for one long moment then moved to
sit beside her.

"You're still bothered about last night aren't you." Tenshi stated more than
asked as he drew up his knee and rested his chin on it. At Willow's nod,
Tenshi looked hesitant but decided to broach the subject. "You really don't
have to worry Willow. They wouldn't harm you, and they really aren't trying
to keep secrets. But I will tell you this, don't try to talk to them about it
if they don't broach the subject first."

Willow nodded as she considered Tenshi's words. She felt Methos approach her,
and she straightened in her seat. Tenshi stood up and squeezed Willow's
shoulder reassuringly. Methos entered the room first, with Kaisean at his
side. She gave Tenshi a little hello kiss on the cheek, which Tenshi
reciprocated with a hug, he left the workrooms with a last glance at the new
Immortal. Willow carefully looked the couple over, noting that the they
practically glowed. < Like they just had some really good, mind-blowing sex. >
She bit her tongue to stop from laughing at the thought. Kaisean dropped to
her knees next to Willow, where Tenshi had been sitting just moments ago. "So
on with the lessons?" Willow asked with a wide smile on her face.

Kaisean nodded slowly as she realized that Willow wouldn't touch upon what
had happened the night before. < Tenshi must of told her about not asking us
anything about what happened... Good. I really don't want to reveal to her
about that little facet to Methos and I. Yet more secrets hidden from her...
Hopefully she won't react to badly when Angel arrives.>

* * *

Willow's head felt heavy, and slightly ached from all of the excercises she
had just been put through. First meditation, then concentration excercises,
finally there was an excercise on her telekinetic control. All of them had
started out slow however, which Willow was grateful for. Watching Kaisean and
Methos work magic and their bodies so effortlessly had made her hunger for
their skill. That is until Kaisean showed her the kind of training that she
went through to get to the point she was in her life. Endless days of
lessons, as soon as she got up in the morning, after she got home from school
only stopping for lunch. Then Kaisean would have her other lessons in martial
arts. The hours were long and hard for Kaisean, she didn't have the time to
make any friends, she was totally dependent on her brother, and on the people
that she wrote to weekly. Kaisean had stuck to that schedule until her
parents died.

Methos had left about halfway through the lessons, saying that he had some
errands to finish.

As Kaisean ran her hand through her hair, Willow caught the marks on her
wrists. < How the heck did those get there? When she went to the party I
didn't see anything like that. > Willow wondered as she leaned heavily
against one of the columns in the workroom. She slid down the comforting
length until she was sitting down on the floor. Wondering if she could ask,
Willow shrugged her shoulders and asked in a soft tone, "Kai... How did you
get those?"

"What these?" Kaisean questioned as she looked down at the scars on her
wrists. They were circular scars, that were about a three quarters of an inch
in diameter, situated on each side of her wrists, as if something had
piereced the skin and gone through to the other side. The other redhead
looked uncomfortable as she spoke to Willow, looking off to the side when she
spoke softly, "They happened about three months ago. Tenshi, myself and
several others, got stuck in this one place... I recieved this while I was
there. I have something to match them on my ankles... they were made with
spikes."

"Your... ankles...?" Willow asked horrified, her mind trying to see how the
wounds would have been dealt. Against her will she could imaging seeing it in
her minds eyes, see the spikes drive into skin. Blood pouring down pale skin.
And she knew how and why they would have been made. < Made with spikes... Oh
Goddess bless, Kai was crucified!!! But crucifiction is deadly! How come Kai
is still alive? >

"Yes I was... And to answer your question, Tenshi and some others...
intervened on my behalf." Kaisean turned back to look at Willow, answering
the words that had been both thought and spoken involuntarily out loud. There
was such horror in Willow's voice, horror that Kaisean understood. She had
been through much while on Ashtaria, yet she had also learned many things. "I
will tell you sometime the circumstances that led to it, but as of this
time... I'm really just trying to get on with my life... You know? I hid them
at the party because I wished to, I have many more other scars."

The clearing of a throat made Willow turn toward the door. There stood a tall
black man with the body of someone who truly worked out or went through a lot
of combat. He was dressed in a chain mail top, black jeans, and black combat
boots. A warm voice said in a clear voice, "Tyr Anasazi, you are Willow
Rosenberg." He stated, more than asked.

Willow nodded and turned her eyes questioninly toward Kaisean. "Tyr is a
nova, a powerful one at that, he's also apart of the Pack."

Willow swallowed and smiled at the tall man. "Nice to meet you... Tyr." She
tried not to wince as he walked into the room and looked her over carefully.

"You'll do." Tyr stated, turning on his heel and leaving the two redheads
alone. Willow sat there with her eyes wide open as she looked at the
retreating form. "Goddess, he's massive!"

"Yeah, I know, he sure is cute though huh? I mean the set of abs that he has
is enough to make a girl swoon. I wouldn't think about going after him
though, he's totally devoted to Beka, another member of the Pack. And she can
be truly vicious considering her powers." Kaisean said in a deadpan voice,
keeping her face clean of the mirth she felt as Willow's head snapped around
to look at her.

Eyes, narrowing slightly, Willow growled out, "That isn't funny Kaisean!" She
stood up, already beginning to feel more energy toward in her as she stalked
to where Kaisean was seated several feet across from her. When Kaisean's lips
twitched and laughter began to spill forth from the younger girl, Willow bent
over and quickly grabbed a cushion, hitting the laughing girl in the face.
Kaisean's eyes widened, and then she began to smirk. < Why the hell is
she...? > Willow thought as she quickly hit Kaisean again. All of a sudden
several cushions collided into Willow's body, making her fall over onto the
padded seating area. "Not fair Kai! You can't use your powers in a
pillowfight! It's against the rules of pillow fights that were first
established when the first slumber party occured thousands of years ago. You
know when those Greek and Roman noblewoman were having sleepovers whenever
their husbands were out being the military..."

And so passed the rest of the day. The two girls never did really get back to
Willow's lessons. Kaisean did teach Willow how to play cradle, a card game
that Kaisean had learned some time ago, as well as showing the Immortal the
match to her wrist scars.

* * *

Night quickly came to the city, and Willow found herself being dragged by
Tenshi into a black limo that was parked in the garage right in front of the
elevators. The inside was plush, with a black interior, there was enough room
for ten people to sit comfortably. "Where are we going?" Willow demanded. She
did trust Kaisean and Methos but there was a limit to the amount of secrets
that she could take. There was silence from the other people in the car. Her
eyes went from Demon, Tenshi, Tyr, and a blonde woman that she hadn't been
introduced to but from the way that Tyr possesively held her waist, Willow
guessed that this was Beka.

"We're going to be picking up some people from the airport. They're coming in
from Toronto..." Methos finally said into the silence. Willow's face flushed
in anger, she could tell that there was a lot more that they weren't telling
her, which was starting to piss off her legendary temper.

"*Who* are we picking up Methos?" Willow asked deliberately using the
Immortal's real name. This made the eldest Immortal's eyes flash in anger,
but he managed to keep his composure by gesturing slightly toward Kaisean.

"Some members of the Pack, some friends of theirs... and... an old friend of
yours from Sunnydale, Angel..."
 
 

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