Chapter 17



Kahn quickly unlaced the hide tunic he wore and lifted it over his head. The walk to the creek was short, his excitement evident under his loincloth. Buffy’s back was to him as he approached, the rushing water hiding any sounds he may have been making. He slipped silently into the water, reducing the distance to her.

Buffy heard his labored breathing and turned just as he grabbed her. His rough, hairy arms encircled her as she struggled to get free. Her high-pitched screams were unheard as he dunked her under the water. Her feet slid off his legs as she tried to get some leverage under the water, finding she could no longer feel the bottom of the creek.

“Shut your mouth, or I will shut it for you. No one will hear you out here, other than the blood drinkers, so unless you want to fight them again…” Kahn had walked her over to deeper water, and held her tight to his body. One arm covered her chest and trapped arms while the hand of his other arm had covered her mouth.

Buffy refused to stop screaming, or fighting to free herself, hoping she'd be able to slip away in the dark flowing water. She bit down on the inside of his palm. She tasted his blood before he let go of her. She realized why the vamps had attacked her just then, as she tried to make it to the water’s edge in the current. The blood. They smelled the blood, and now they'll smell his. Kaia sank into the background. She couldn’t deal with Kahn’s attack, and Buffy didn’t want her to. Stay away, as much as you can, Kaia. I will take care of this. Buffy felt the need to shield her, to protect her from this. She felt this was why she was called here. Here was her chance.

Her feet finally found the sandy floor below and she was able to make it to the beach. She fell on the rocky ground as Kahn tackled her. Her face cut by a rock, she began to panic. Their blood scent was surely in the air now and she was weak, too weak to fight off another pack.

“You think you could trick me? I know your time arrived, and you agreed to the marriage in front of the whole clan. Now, I won’t be gentle for your first time. Now, I take what is mine!” Kahn roughly flipped Kaia’s body over, forcing her legs apart, pinning her arms behind her back.

Buffy felt her shoulder dislocate under Kahn’s weight. She could barely fill her lungs under the pressure.

“No… Stop… Please…” Buffy choked out the words as she felt Kahn rip his loincloth off, and his hardened penis began poking at Kaia’s young body. “Kahn, please... Don’t do this…” She knew it was coming, and she braced herself for the intrusion. She grieved for Kaia, losing her virginity in this way, not being able to prevent this. She wept, knowing she had failed her. The first thrust caused blinding pain to fill her. He grunted into her wet hair, as he quickly pounded his way toward his climax. She knew he wouldn’t last much longer. She looked around for an escape, anything she could use as a weapon, but the sun had set.

A final painful thrust, and he was done. His body trembled atop of hers then relaxed. It was just the moment she had waited for. Using all the strength she could muster, she shoved him off of her, scrambling to get away quickly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he said as he closed his large hand around her ankle.

Buffy kicked with every ounce of adrenaline she had left, her foot hitting him square in the head. His head snapped back, a popping noise echoed into the night. He fell to the ground, still. She had broken his neck.

Buffy looked at his motionless body on the ground, terror coursing to every cell of her body. She had killed a human.

Stunned and shocked, Buffy numbly grabbed her clothing, quickly dressing her broken body. She needed to get to her cave before more vamps found her. She needed to heal, but she needed to be safe.

Buffy felt the tingles as she made her way through the woods. She was almost to the cave, so close to safety. Please let me make it through the night…

The steep climb up to the cave entrance was difficult, her shoulder still dislocated, she held her arm close to her body, using her one good arm to do all the work. There was no evidence of vampires behind her, as she lifted herself into the opening.

Buffy was trying not to think about the rape, but she couldn’t hide from it. As the Slayer, she never imagined that any man, let alone a human would have overpowered her, forced themself on her. She needed to rest and recuperate. Kaia was her main concern, and she needed to be at her best to protect her. Banishing her fears temporarily, she decided dwelling on the horror of what had happened wasn’t good for either of them. How would she be able to protect her if she fell to pieces?


Buffy was thankful she had stocked the cave with wood, as she quickly got a fire going. The heat was welcome as was the knowledge that the fire was a weapon. Exhausted and still in shock, she managed to get herself onto a hide near the fire before she passed out.




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Groma paced at the main entrance after dinner. She had noticed Kahn was not at dinner and heard Ullah whisper to another woman that he was probably out with Kaia, seeing that they were both missing. Groma was originally planning on telling anyone who asked that Kaia was ill, but Ullah had already told everyone that she had seen Kahn follow her into the woods. She was worried, correction, she was scared to death at what Kahn might have done to Kaia.

Hourak placed his hand on her shoulder, startling her. “Groma, I’m sure she’s ok. Kahn wouldn’t do anything to hurt her… At least I hope he wouldn’t. Kaia is special, and I will do everything in my power to protect her. When the sun breaks, I will send out men to look for them. For now, please come back to the fire. It’s far too cold for you here.” Hourak place his arm around Groma’s shoulders and led her back to his seat at the hearth.

Please let my daughters be safe… Groma prayed to her spirit guide, promising never to ask for anything else should she see fit to grant this one request.



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Angel’s drive to the mansion gave him little time to think. He was furious that Spike thought he could dictate what he was going to do, prevent him from doing what he came to Sunnydale to do. Save Buffy.

Right now Willow was more of a threat than Spike, so she topped the to-do list. I will deal with that childe of mine later, and he won’t forget his place again.



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Spike checked on Tara. She was in the kitchen working on the gift. Deeply involved in her project, she waved him off before he could even ask if she needed help. “Right, well, if you need me, I will be upstairs with Buffy.”

Spike popped into Dawn’s room and carefully removed the headphones from her head and covered her with the comforter. He was glad she seemed to be taking this so well. But why wouldn’t a green swirling ball of energy, whose recently resurrected sister had slipped into a coma, because her friend the witch’s spell had misplaced her sister's soul be considered a problem. Closing her door, he prepared himself to see Buffy’s lifeless body again.

He missed her. Being with her helped, but he longed to see those sparkling green eyes, the smiles that had secretly belonged to him, and the gentle touches that were his alone.

Her door was left open, just in case she woke up… or cried out. Spike had arranged her like she was sleeping, curled on her side, comfortably like she always slept. He thought she looked more… lifelike. He shuddered at that thought. Sitting in the chair by her bed, he brushed the tendrils of hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear. His heart ached for her to wake up and just say anything. But she was silent. The only sign of life was the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest.

He opened the book he’d found in Joyce’s room, an old love story, and settled in to read for a while, when he felt the pull.

Something was wrong; he could feel it in his bones. Buffy was hurt or distraught, or in danger. He couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly, but she was reaching out to him. He considered calling to Tara, but knew there was nothing she could do. Tara needed to finish her project and go see the Oracles.

He climbed into the bed with her, spooning her, whispering unheard words of encouragement into her ears. He wept as he held her, frustrated at his inability to help.



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Angel stood in the shadows of the mansion’s courtyard. He could see Willow clearly through the archway into the house. Her bruised and battered body was still covered by the black veiny marks. He’d seen people tempted by the dark magicks in his lifetime, but he’d never seen anyone in this deep still retain any semblance of humanity. Was she fighting the draw? Was she strong enough to use it without giving in to them, the demons who would bargain to give you the power you seek? The price was always too high, your soul.

She was sitting on the couch, head down, mumbling to herself. Angel didn’t want to startle her, but it was now or never.

“Willow? Can I come in?” Angel stepped into the light.

Willow slowly turned her head, and lifted her right hand to point at him. A stream of blue crackling electricity flew out and wrapped around Angel’s torso, binding him and lifting him into the air.

“No, you may not, Angel. I’m a bit busy here, if you hadn’t noticed,” she said, standing.

“Willow, let me go! I came here to help you. I know about Buffy. Now, if you’ll let me down, we can talk about this.” Angel hadn’t expected her to react that way. His only experience in reformation was Faith, and she liked to fight. That was something he was prepared to do, but he had no defenses against magick. He realized that about the time he was struggling against his bindings, hovering over the mansion’s foyer.

Willow cocked her head to the side as she folded her arms over her chest. “Nope. Not gonna happen. I’m pretty sure no one invited you to the latest SunnyD party, and I’m really not in the mood for your “holier than thou” attitude. I think you need to go home, forgetting all about whatever you’ve seen.” She dipped a hand into her pocket, producing a dust, which she quickly blew off her flattened palm in Angel’s direction. “Forget…” she whispered as the shimmering dust surrounded his head.

Angel coughed, foolishly thinking he shouldn’t breathe it in, but the effect was immediate, as soon as it touched his skin.

Willow watched as the scared look on his face was replaced with one of confusion, then released his bindings. Angel fell to the floor, dazed and confused.

Standing up, he looked around the mansion, and then to Willow. “Hey, Willow. What am I doing here?”

“You must have taken a wrong turn on the expressway. Just get back in your car and press the little picture of a house on your GPS and the car will tell you how to get home.” Willow laughed as Angel dusted himself off and left without question. That will take care of him for a while. Now, back to work.


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Kaia woke Buffy, panicked. The fire’s out! Wake up! The sun isn’t up yet, and I’m scared!

Buffy’s eyes shot open at the smoldering fire. It was just before dawn, but still dark enough for a vampire to be out. The pain in her shoulder was excruciating. She needed someone to set her shoulder soon. She was healing, but not as quickly as she had hoped. Kaia’s body was too weakened by the first fight for the slayer fast healing to fix it all. She needed food and rest. Injured, and in a hurry, she had left her bag, which had food, by the creek. By Kahn’s dead body. Buffy’s shock was renewed by her memory of her actions.

Buffy, you didn’t do a bad thing! Please don’t feel bad, Kahn hurt us, and he would have hurt us again, maybe even killed us! You can’t feel anything other than justified by his death!

I killed a human. As the slayer, I am here to protect humans. Not kill them, Kaia. No matter what. Buffy was doing her best in her state to get the fire going again.

No one knows except me! Maybe the blood drinkers, “vampires”, got to him. We could blame them!

I couldn’t protect you from him, and I couldn’t control my strength enough not to kill him. I don’t want to talk about it anymore, Kaia.

We need to go back to the cave, to Groma. She can heal these wounds, and fix my shoulder.

I know, Kaia, and as soon as the sun rises, we will go back.



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Groma stood by the cave entrance waiting for Hourak’s men to return. Hourak was pacing behind her, worried for Kaia, trying to prepare himself for the worst.

“I see them!” Groma shouted as the first of the men came into view at the forest edge.

The men were carrying a body and some bags. Groma's heart sped up and a lump formed in her throat. She recognized Kahn’s body, and its lifelessness. Then she saw Kaia’s bag. A bag she had lovingly packed a few hours before. But where was Kaia’s body?

Hourak went to her, seeing her begin to crumble as the realization set in. Kahn had been attacked, and Kaia’s body hadn’t been found.



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The sun was up, and it was time to start the trip back, but Buffy was too weak. Dew had coated the rocks of the steep cliff to the cave, and she knew she’d never make it down. She would need to wait till the sun had dried the rocks at least, and eat as soon as possible. Buffy knew where the berry bushes were just at the base of the cliff, so she slept. She needed all the rest she could get.



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Kahn’s body was laid out for Groma’s inspection at the main hearth. Ullah was crying, other clanswomen trying to comfort her.

Groma saw his neck, the flesh torn and bloodied. She saw bruises and scratches on his face, and a bite on the palm of his hand. But not a bite from the razor sharp teeth of a blood drinker, but from the dull teeth of a person. A small person. She knew something bad had happened to Kaia now at the hand of Kahn.

Hourak, who had stood by her side as she looked over the body, had seen his hand too. His fears for Kaia’s safety had proved to be legitimate. But the blood drinkers had attacked Kahn too. Hourak knew Groma was expected to pronounce the cause of death, but he decided he would do this for her. He had failed Kaia, and Groma too.

“Kahn was killed by the blood drinkers, and his body must be burned immediately. Set the funeral pyre in the full sun. All precautions must be taken to protect the clan.”

Ullah began shouting and pointing at Groma.

“You! This is all your fault! You brought that child into this cave, raised her as one of us, now her lies and deceit have killed my husband. An elder! Father to my children! You tried to hide that she had become a woman, and we knew. I saw you toss her hides into the fire, as you whispered your evil plans! He went after what was his! He wanted to protect your evil child! This is all because of you, Groma. You and that thing you raised among us!” Ullah collapsed into the arms of her mother who was standing by her side.

Groma was speechless.

Hourak looked to Groma, “Is this true? Had her time come?”

Groma couldn’t lie to Hourak. “Yes, just the day before last.”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the crowd. “Her blood of womanhood may have called to the blood drinkers. Groma, why was she out after dark…”


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The sun was high now, as Buffy made her way down the cliff. Her belly growled as she reached the bottom. The berries were good, and the sun warmed her skin, making her feel better. As she ate her fill, she felt better. She needed to clean up, wash the dirt, blood and other things from her skin. She didn’t want to see the body. She didn’t want to think about what had happened.

The creek wasn’t far, but with her injuries and fear, it took twice as long to get there.

There was no body, no evidence of the crime. Even her bag was gone. Did the vampires take him? Was he alive? Countless thoughts ran through her head as she walked into the water. She stopped mid calf, unable to remove her clothes, and still uneasy about being in the water. Especially since she had no idea where Kahn was. Fear was taking over; she needed to get back to the main cave. She needed Groma to heal her, to comfort her. She wanted to go home. It was the first time she had considered the cave home, but it was where she felt safe.

Buffy washed Kaia’s body as best she could, trying to feel clean, wondering if she ever would.

She finished, and walked on the outskirts of the woods, staying away from the shadows, praying the sun wouldn’t set before she made it back. She was still weak, tired, and very afraid.

The sun was now behind the trees, dusk was upon her and she knew the cave was near. She stood up straight and pushed through her pain, and jogged the final distance. The sun set just as the cave’s entrance was in her sights.

At the cave’s entrance, she collapsed. Her feet could no longer carry her. The sentries called for Groma and Hourak, but did not rush to aid her. Their spears were lowered and aimed at her chest.

Groma arrived first, and seeing her daughter, rushed to her side, ordering the sentries to help get her in the cave.

“No.” Hourak spoke loudly to Groma. “Kaia may have been infected by the blood drinkers and may not enter the cave. She must not be allowed to enter.”

“But she is injured! And you know Kahn attacked her, he may have done this to her! How can you say that to her?” Groma’s eyes pleaded with Hourak to see her side.

Hourak kneeled beside Groma. “She left as your child, but she might not have returned as your child. The blood drinkers, Groma, attacked Kahn and he may have infected her. She was attacked, she returned only after the sun had set, and she could not enter the cave on her own. These are signs that cannot be ignored. I cannot, as an Elder of the clan, allow her to enter. I am sorry, Groma. For your own safety, you should come back into the cave. Kaia will no longer be welcome here, but you are still a valued member of the clan.” He stood, and attempted to help Groma up.

Groma jerked her arm away from Hourak. “She is my child, and I will not leave her. She is injured, and needs medical attention. I will tend to her here, and in the dawn, we will leave. I could not stay here without her. I understand your position, so please try to understand mine.” Groma was angry and hurt, but her concern for Kaia and Buffy would not let her continue the discussion with Hourak.

She looked over Kaia’s wounds. She quickly set her shoulder while she was unconscious, and then rushed back into the cave to pack supplies. She would stay with Kaia/Buffy until sunrise, then pack the rest of the items they would need, and leave her home forever. She was proud that Buffy had seen to finding another cave, not blind to the trouble Kahn would inflict.

She knew then, that Buffy had been sent to her, to save her family. For that she would forever be in her debt. She hoped that she would be able to repay her one day, maybe help her find her way home.