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Chapter 6



Buffy left Groma sobbing by the hearth. She needed to think and if possible, discuss this with Kaia. Nearing the entrance of the cave, she could see and smell that the evening meal was almost ready.

The Elders watched her closely as she exited the cave.

Once outside, she took the path to the wooded area where she and Groma had been earlier. It was shaded, and private. She needed silence to consider her options, and quickly.

She found a large, flat stone by the edge of a stream and sat on its edge, swinging her feet into the cool running water. Think, Kaia! I need you now. I need you to tell me what Kahn did, and what you know about him. Kaia? Please, you can trust me…

Buffy sat, alone; Kaia was silent. The sound of the water rushing by did little to soothe her anxiety. Thinking about exile, she looked around her, realizing there appeared to be plenty to eat there; berries and such. But, she figured, if she left the cave, she’d have to go far away. Would there be food available? Would she find shelter? What sort of dangers would she face other than these? There were no grocery stores or hotels there. She had only been in that place for a few hours, and she knew leaving the cave alone could be disastrous for her. And by her, she meant herself and Kaia.

Buffy was trying to think exclusively about the predicament at hand, but her mind wandered back to Sunnydale. She wondered if Spike was looking for her. What had Willow done after the spell? Oh my God! What if this is like the Hell dimension Angel was in, meaning time passes differently here? What if no one even knows I’m gone? Where’s my body, and is it safe? Buffy could feel the panic wash over her, thinking about the unknown. Taking several deep breaths, she forced her thoughts back to that world, that time, and Kaia’s decision.

If she chose to stay, she would become Kahn’s second wife. What exactly would that mean? Kaia, please, I really need you to help me here. Still there was nothing. Buffy suspected being Kahn’s wife meant he would “own” her. What was more, from what she gathered from Groma’s perspective; she figured sex would soon be an issue. Kahn would expect to have sex with this child. Buffy knew Kahn had done something to the girl, and because of it Kaia was terrified of him.

“Dirty, sick bastard, “ Buffy said out loud. Her anger had reached new heights but, instead of dwelling on it, she decided to test out Kaia’s body. She needed to know what she would be capable of to make either choice.

She had felt the girl’s body strength when she’d pushed Kahn earlier, but needed to test it to make sure it hadn’t been a simple adrenaline rush. Hopping down off the large boulder of a rock she was sitting on, she looked at her surroundings. The large rock seemed like a no-brainer. At home, being the Slayer, she would be able to easily push it. Holding her breath, she closed her eyes as she placed her hands on the side of the stone, and gave a shove. The rock moved. Her heart leapt in her chest. She opened her eyes and saw that the large stone had moved quite a bit. YES! She is strong! Wait, why is she so strong? Shaking her head, she didn’t have time to consider this right now, but she a had a pretty good idea why. Ideas about why Kaia called to her were forming in her mind.

Looking around, she saw a tree with a bare branch about twelve feet in the air, off to her left. Rushing toward the tree, she jumped up, reaching for the branch. Her hands easily wrapped around it and she was swinging, like a monkey. Letting go, she dropped back to the ground. Her confidence level soared. Kaia’s body was immature and frail to look at, but she was hiding a talent Buffy was pretty sure no one knew about. Especially Kahn.

Buffy knew her time was limited. Kaia was still silent. Not knowing what unseen dangers the world of that time held for her, she made her decision.

She took a drink from the stream’s edge, and began her walk back to the cave. The sun was setting and she didn’t want to be late for the meal. As she left the wooded area off the path, she felt a familiar tingle on the back of her neck. Buffy wrote it off as her very dirty hair brushing against her spine, but deep down, she knew what it was. She stepped onto the path and hurried back to the cave, not having time to think about anything else.

Reaching the cave’s entrance, she noticed none of the people who were working earlier were still outside. Instead, there were large men posted on each side of the entrance, each with his own large spear. The central hearth just inside the cave was roaring, and the flames were making scary shadows dance in the sand outside.

Buffy began to run towards the cave, fearing she would be late. The Guards smirked at her as she entered, as if they knew a secret. Buffy let it go, and looked for Groma as soon as she entered the cave, finding her seated just to the right of the elders, with an empty seat next to her. Judging by the seating, Groma was a valued member of the clan. She was the only woman to sit at the hearth, and directly next to the Elders. She could see the woman was searching for her daughter, her face dirty and tear stained,’s. The look on Groma’s face told her the anguish she was feeling. Buffy knew this was a difficult night for Groma as well.

Buffy hurried to Groma’s side, sitting down just before a large wooden platter reached her. Each person was taking a piece of meat and a vegetable and passing it on. Buffy took a small piece of each and passed the platter to the next person. There was no table, no placemats, and no plates. As each person took their food, they began to eat it like wild animals, biting and tearing the meat, shaking their heads to tear off bite size pieces. Buffy followed suit, thankful she had only taken a small piece.

Looking around the large circular fire, she noticed that the men all sat near the fire while the women and children sat behind them. The women who weren’t serving were eating, but waiting for their next command and ready to jump up to take care of it, no matter what it was. She was shocked to see one man taking his woman sexually from behind. He was grunting loudly as the woman—on all fours—simply lowered her head to the ground and stayed quiet. There were people eating, children running around not far from them, but they didn’t care. She tried to look away, but he was finished almost before he started. She was shocked by how rough he was with the woman and even more so that no one else seemed offended by his actions.

Buffy noted that Kahn sat on a large boulder not far from her. He had been staring at her since she’d come running back into the cave. He was watching her as she stared at the other couple, stroking himself through his clothes. His amusement was evident to anyone who paid him any attention.

Once the meal was eaten, the women hurried to clean up as the men all seemed to just relax by the fire. Some men were enjoying their mates like the other man had earlier. The women seemed to think nothing of this, dropping to the ground on all fours like dogs. They simply did as instructed, then quickly returned to their other chores.

Suddenly Kahn rose and commanded everyone to hear what he had to say. All eyes turned to him, as silence filled the cave.

“People of the clan, today I requested young Kaia to join my hearth as second wife to Ullah. Ullah has consented and will welcome her to my hearth. Groma has also consented to this mating, but has requested that Kaia continue her training and has given Kaia the honor of announcing her answer herself. Kaia, please stand and face your clan. This is a great honor to you, providing you with family, a mate, a hearth. Speak your answer to the clan now.” Kahn stood, perched on his boulder, smug in thinking no young child would ever go out to live alone in the wilderness. He lustfully eyed her prepubescent body as she stood, his dirty hand still covering his obviously swollen member.

Once all eyes were on her, Buffy once more sought Kaia, only finding silence. This decision was hers and hers alone and it was time to share. Groma sobbed quietly at her side. “I have decided…”