END OF INNOCENCE (11/?)
 

Willow moved through the dark streets, her senses alive. Hearing and smelling
things she had never noticed before. It was fantastic. Her hunger was sated,
Percy's blood still coursing through her veins. It had been so sweet, so
tempting. She wished it had taken him longer to die, but there would be
others. So many others to taste and play with. She smiled, her green eyes
flashing with wicked intent as she continued walking towards her Xander.
 

She paused when a familiar scent reached her. Her eyes narrowed and she
turned slightly, feeling her demon below her surface. She moved, quickly
entering a small book store. She stood by the window, her fingers trailing
over the books as her eyes watched out the glass. She saw Buffy and realized
what the smell was, why the demon had been pushing for control. It wanted the
slayer dead. She kept her eyes on the girl, seeing that Riley was with her
former friend. When they had passed the store and turned the corner, Willow
moved from her place. She wanted to taste the slayer, wanted to see that
perfect little face grimacing in pain as she begged for her life. She wanted
to kill the bitch, to watch that powerful blood cover the floor. She licked
her lips, her pupils dilated slightly as she imagined the girl's death.
Shaking her head, she moved back into the street, continuing on her walk to
Xander's house.
 

When she saw his house, she was surprised to see that the house was dark. She
moved forward, a frown on her pretty face. She could sense him, his smell,
his heartbeat. She knew he was there. Why was he in the dark? She felt a
flicker of doubt, wondering if he was all right. She hestiantly took a step
into his yard, wondering why this felt so strange. She loved what she had
become, loved the power and confidence. The blood lust would take some
getting used to, but Spike was a good sire. He'd teach her everything she
needed to know. She wanted to share that knowledge with Xander, allow him to
feel what she felt. And she would, in time. When he was ready.
 

She moved towards the door that led to the basement, stopping before she
reached it. She looked to her left, her eyes finding the dark shape sitting
at the base of the large tree. She scowled, wondering why she hadn't noticed
him earlier. She had thought her powers were strong, her senses in tune. She
had sensed him, but concentrated her thoughts on the house. She walked
towards him, wondering why he was sitting by the tree. "Xander?"
 

Xander looked up at her, the tears fresh on his face. His eyes were red and
swollen, unreadable as she looked into them. He looked at her, not sure what
to feel. Elation that she wasn't gone forever. Hate because she was now what
they had fought for so long. Joy because she had come to see him first, yet
fear because she had come to see him first. Was he about to die? Did her
green eyes promise his death or his future? "Willow."
 

"Why are you sitting out here?" she asked quietly.
 

"Was waiting for you," he said simply, studying her through dark eyes.
 

"For me?" she echoed, cocking her head to the side to study him.
 

"I felt it, Willow. You don't have to pretend with me. You never have to
pretend for me," he whispered, knowing in his heart that she was dead but
still seeing his best friend, still seeing the one person he loved more than
anything on Earth.
 

"Felt it?" she moved closer, listening as his heartbeat began to race. She
could smell the soft scent of fear in the air, realizing that he was
frightened of her. She sighed, looking away from him. "My death."
 

"Yes," he said softly, leaning against the tree. "I felt you die. Last night,
the pain. Did he force you?"
 

"I went to him, asked him to change me," she said, her eyes moving back to
his face. "It was my choice, Xander. I'm sorry that you felt it, though. I
hate the idea that you'll die twice, in a way."
 

"Die?" he looked into her eyes, his own wide.
 

She smiled softly, "Do you think I can live an eternity without my Xander?"
 

"Eternity?" he whispered, mesmerized by the intensity in her eyes.
 

"Eternity," she confirmed. "But, not yet. It's too soon. You don't want it
yet. The thought of dying frightens you. Soon, it won't. Soon, you'll welcome
it."
 

"And if I don't?"
 

She sat down in front of him, looking at the moon and smiling. She then
caught his eyes again, the soft smile on her face, "You will, my Xander. In
time, you'll want nothing more than to join me and my sire, become one of our
family. And then, only then, will you be ready to accept your death."
 

"You won't force it?" he asked, surprised.
 

She laughed, the sound sensual and amused and childish all at the same time,
"Of course not silly. I want you willing, my pet. I love you, Xander."
 

"I love you too, Willow," he said quietly. "So, Spike was able to turn you?"
 

"I was willing," she replied, moving her hand to cover his. "It's hard to
understand, Xander. I just couldn't live anymore. This was meant to be. It
feels so right."
 

"You're right," he said, "I don't understand."
 

"You will," she said, her finger moving along his palm. She smiled at him,
her eyes full of promise.
 

He had to smile at her, never able to resist her smile. He studied her,
deciding to ask something that was nagging at his mind, "So, what's it like
being dead?"
 

next