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Chapter 4


Buffy awoke to the feeling of someone brushing her hair away from her face. Before she opened her eyes, she was reminded by Kaia where she was. She could hear the hustle and bustle of the evening activities in the cave. The weight and the warmth of the furs around her made her feel like she was in a cocoon. She was worried who might be touching her, and would she be able to protect Kaia. Was Kaia's body physically strong enough to fight? She struggled with that thought, but just momentarily, but Kaia was there trying to comfort her. Buffy could feel Kaia within her, sharing her knowledge of her world, and it felt as if her emotions were guiding her. Buffy could only assume, it was Kaia’s spirit. Kaia was able recognize the touch on her cheek and Buffy knew not to be afraid.

Opening her eyes, she saw the kind face of Groma, looking down on her. Buffy could feel Kaia’s love and warmth for Groma rush forward.

“Kaia, child of mine, are you feeling better?” Groma placed her hand on Kaia’s face.

“Yes, Groma. I’m feeling much better.” Buffy pushed the furs back and got up. She noticed that Groma had hung the plants that she had carried back, on a rack near the fire, to dry. Groma had also set up several bowls and a mortar and pestle on a low bench and was preparing some sort of goop. “What can I do to help?”

“Do you feel well enough to go fill the hides with water? I need more, to finish making the salve for Atouk’s wife, Sanna. She has not given him a male for his hearth yet, and he has requested I assist her.”

“Will it work?” Buffy was curious. The medicine woman seemed very knowledgeable, and it interested Buffy.

“Only the spirit guide knows. If Atouk was meant to father a male child, he will. Nothing I prepare will change what is his destiny.” Groma gathered the four hide bags and handed them to her. “Hurry back, and remember what I said; avoid the men folk.”

Buffy took the bags and nodded. Kaia showed Buffy the quickest way out of the cave and to the creek, where Groma always fetched the water.

As she walked, Buffy thought of Spike. She missed him. She knew he would be worried when she didn’t show up, and she hoped that she would be home before he got too upset. Willow on the other hand, she was in for a world of trouble. She could have and should have prepared me for this, if this is even what she had planned.

~~~*~~~



Kaia listened to Buffy’s thoughts, learning more about her and her world. Buffy had a mate. One who loved her, who also comforted and cared for her. These were things she knew she would never experience. Buffy was worried about how and when she would get home, and when and if she would see her mate and her friends again. Kaia knew Buffy didn’t belong here, and as much as she wanted her to stay, she hoped she would somehow find a way home to her mate and her mate’s hearth. Kaia wasn’t sure if Buffy could help her, but just knowing Buffy had answered her cries meant so much.

~~~*~~~



Buffy filled the bags and prepared to head back to the cave, remembering Groma’s warning. Walking back along the path she had followed, she took in the landscape. There were oasis like clumps of trees and streams, which appeared out of the blue amongst the sandy desert areas near the cave. She saw other members of the clan getting water, picking berries, and in the distance, what looked like young men getting trained in primitive weapons. Buffy knew she needed to get back to the cave, and made a note to check them out the next time she was out. She hurried back to the cave, careful to avoid ‘men folk’ as Groma had put it.

In the cave, Buffy was rushing to get to Groma’s hearth, when a large man in filthy clothing and hair on his knuckles stepped in front on her. She had been looking toward the floor, but raised her eyes to see the face of Kahn. It looked like he was attempting to grin at her, but it was not attractive at all. His missing teeth were part of it, but his stench was his main problem. Then he spoke.

“Where are you headed in such a hurry?” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and pushed her back against a wall of the cave. His nasty hands roughly felt up Kaia’s chest as he rubbed his stiffening crotch against her. Buffy could sense from Kaia that this was a normal occurrence and she was very scared.

Not even thinking about being in Kaia’s body, she shoved him away, knocking him flat on his ass. Kaia's body was strong. Very strong. Kahn got up quickly, concerned that someone might have seen the frail girl assault him. He leaned toward her just before he walked away, and whispered, “You will pay for that, beast child.”

The others in the cave all looked at her briefly, then returned to their work. Kahn stomped over to the other elders, and started speaking to them in hushed tones, pointing at her. She hurried back to Groma’s hearth.

Groma could tell something had happened. To her, Kaia had been acting different since she had fainted earlier. Something was wrong. “Sit, Kaia. You will tell me what’s going on. You’ve been acting strangely all day. Now, tell me what’s happened. Has someone touched you again?”

Buffy could see the anger flow through Groma. Her veins pulsed rapidly as she took out her aggression on the seeds she was grinding with the mortar and pestle. Someone had touched Kaia and quite possibly raped her. This woman loved Kaia, but was definitely not in the position to protect her from the men of the cave. Now she understood Groma’s warnings. Buffy decided right then, she would stay until Kaia was safe from Kahn. Buffy really wanted to tell Groma what had happened, but feared she might think Kaia was insane, and even more afraid of what they would do to Kaia. Primitive lobotomies were the first thing that came to mind. She shuddered and immediately tried to forget. “I’m fine.” Groma looked at her with that face that moms use, when they know you’re lying. “Kahn. He approached me near the cave entrance, and he touched me… and I pushed him.” She looked up to see Groma’s horrified look.

“You angered him! Kaia, what have you done? You cannot anger the elders. I alway feared what will happen to you when I am gone. You must never go against the wishes of the elders. Now, finish this. I have to speak with them and apologize for your behavior.” Groma handed her the bowl, and walked away, distraught.

Buffy stared at the bowl, unsure of what to do. What did she mean by, when she was gone? Buffy missed her home, she missed Spike, and she feared what had happened to Kaia.


~~~*~~~



Spike had waited for hours, walking around the cemetery, looking for her. At her house, Tara invited him in. They chatted a while, and he learned that Dawn was with Janice, Willow was at the Magic Box, and Tara had no idea where Buffy was. She had assumed that Buffy was on patrol with him. They were both a little concerned, but figured she’d show up soon. He thanked Tara and asked her to tell Buffy he needed to talk to her.

Willie’s Bar seemed the place to go for information, and he headed in that direction. Something was wrong. Very wrong.


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