A/N: Thanks to Allison and Klemptor for the quick beta.

The next morning, Buffy called her dad. “Dad, I’ve got some stuff I have to tell you…,”

He expressed concern over the cost of building a retreat center, but when Buffy told him the Council would pay for it, he relented and said yes. The problem they had to deal with now was finding a way to let Spike walk in sunlight.

After speaking with Ka’ne the following morning, they found out that the best place to start was the Kapuna, located near the town of Volcano. They made plans to go that evening when the sun was down and after getting more blood for Spike to take on the trip.

Before sundown, Dawn and Buffy loaded a rented SUV with food and supplies. As soon as it was safe, Spike got in the backseat while Dawn and Buffy took turns driving. They had requested a rental with GPS so that they could get directions as they were driving. After driving in pitch black for about three hours, they made it to Volcano. Dawn had made reservations for two rooms at a small bed and breakfast there. They checked into their rooms and then met in Buffy and Spike’s room to go over details for the next day.

“Dawn, I want to try to find out where that Kapuna is located and if he can be of any help to us.”

“Ka’ne gave me a phone number to try to contact the man. I guess even though he is a Kapuna, he has a daytime job, too. Not all Hawaiians appreciate the old ways and support their heritage. It sounded like a real sensitive subject with Ka’ne when he and I talked about it. I just hope this Kapuna, whose name is Hiku, can help us. I am heading back to my room so I can get up early and start calling around. I think you two should get some REAL REST tonight so you are both at full strength tomorrow. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Night, Dawn.”

“Night, Bit, sleep tight. I have full trust in your ability to find this Hiku man and set up a meeting with him.” Spike gave Dawn a brotherly hug and pushed her out the door.

The next morning, Dawn was able to locate and talk to Hiku. She arranged a meeting for the three of them for that night after sundown. She didn’t get into too many details with Hiku except to tell him about Buffy’s wish on the Menehune stone. He was quite interested in hearing more of the story but had to go to work.

Buffy and Spike got out of bed around noon and started to get ready for the meeting. Spike had some of the blood that they had brought, and the Summers girls ate a hearty midday meal.

Around seven that night, they piled into the car and drove to the house that Hiku told Dawn he lived in. They got out of the car and walked to the door with excitement and hope. Buffy felt that if Spike was going to be able to walk in the sunlight, this Kapuna was their best shot.

They rang the doorbell, and it was answered by a middle-aged man with grayish hair. “Aloha. You must be Dawn, and this must be your sister and her boyfriend. Come into my house,” he said as he swept his arm in a welcoming gesture.

The three walked into the household. Hiku led them to a room decorated with native Hawaiian artwork and many textbooks. “Please have a seat and tell me what you need my help with.”

In the car, they had discussed that Dawn would be the spokesperson for them since she had done most of the research on the Menehune and she was familiar with some of the language.

“Well, my sister Buffy…,” Dawn continued with the details of what had happened so far. She included that Spike was a vampire, and Hiku didn’t bat an eye. He listened patiently to her whole story. When Dawn had related all the details, she asked Hiku the question they had all been wondering. “Can you help Spike walk in sunlight?”

“This was a very interesting story. I hope I don’t frighten you when I say that I knew someone would be asking me questions about a vampire walking in sunlight. I had a dream about this months ago and just passed it off as a one-off. I did do some research myself after the dream and found some prophecies about vampires in Hawaiian history. Maybe that was to get me ready for meeting you. Let me go find my books. I will return shortly - make yourself at home.” Hiku then scurried out of the room to find his books.

Dawn, Buffy, and Spike sat in the room with shocked faces. There was something about a vampire walking in sunlight? They knew they were grasping at straws before, but now a little hope shone in all their eyes.

Hiku returned with a dusty old book. It reminded Buffy of the kind of book that Giles used to have around in the library, the kind of book that always held the prophecies.

“So, do you think you can help us?” Buffy asked Hiku. “Does your book tell us how Spike can walk in the sunlight without turning into dust?”

“Patience, my child.” Hiku then turned to Buffy and said matter-of-factly, “You are the Slayer.”

Buffy responded, “Yes, but I am not the only Chosen One anymore. We did a spell to save the world from the First Evil, and all potential Slayers were changed into Slayers. We now have a Council to help fight evil and train all the new Slayers around the world. We want Spike to help us with the training, and that is why we want to have him walk in the sunlight.” Buffy rushed through her sentences without a breath of air.

“A Slayer and a vampire - that is an interesting combination. But overall, I am not surprised. It is covered in the prophecy. Here, let me read it you,” Hiku replied. “There will walk the earth a vampire with a soul, who fights for good, and he shall mate with a Slayer and together they will help conquer evil.” Hiku then paused and muttered to himself. “Excuse me for mumbling, but part of this is written in an ancient language that I am not too familiar with. I think it says that the vampire must endure many trials before he can conquer evil. Let me get a translation book and see if I can get a clearer meaning.”

Hiku brought down another book with many symbols and words on its pages. He referenced both books for a few minutes while the other three stayed silent and apprehensive.

“Ah, here it is. It says the vampire must first suffer many trials to get his soul back.”

“Been there, done that, mate. Went to Africa a while ago and saw a demon about my soul. Suffered many trials and didn’t think I was going to make it, but I did. Tell me something else,” Spike said impatiently.

“The vampire with the soul must face the Night Marchers on Halape Beach. If he survives whatever the Marchers give him, he will be able to walk in sun. Wait, wait…,” Hiku hesitated. “It also says that he will not become living, just walk in sun. I guess that means that you will still be a vampire in terms of still needing blood and will still be able to be killed by a stake or beheading.”

Buffy and Spike had looks of dejection on their faces. They were both hoping in their hearts that they could find something to make Spike human again. They both quickly shook off their expressions and realized they should be happy with all they had gotten so far.

“What is…are Night Marchers?” asked the ever-curious Dawn. “Are they like the Menehune? I don’t remember reading about them in the books.”

“Night Marchers are ghost warriors of the highest rank. They pound drums, their feet don’t touch the ground, and they carry torches. They march to see the worthiness of new warriors, and if you are not worthy, then you die.” Hiku’s voice was a bit shaky as he recited the above.

“They don’t sound too scary to me. What’s a ghost gonna do to me anyways? I’m dead already,” Spike voiced with his usual confidence.

“Ah, Night Marchers are a little different than the usual ghost. Most people on the islands are deathly afraid of them. If they hear the drums pounding, they stay inside their homes and don’t venture out until daybreak. Night Marchers are the kind of stories we tell our young ones to scare them into not going out at night. I don’t know anyone that has seen a Night Marcher and lived to tell the tale.” Hiku seemed a little nervous talking about the Marchers.

“Spike, do you think it will be worth it to face these Night Marchers? I don’t want to lose you now that you are back,” a nervous Buffy asked, concerned.

“I have to do this, Buffy. I have to try. I will do my hardest to be worthy to them and not die at their hands.” Spike reassuringly patted Buffy on the back.

“Tomorrow night or the next you must drive down to Halape Beach. There you will find a large stone about five feet wide. You will wait there for the Night Marchers. They will put you through trials of bravery and skill, and if you pass them, then they will give you an amulet or token that you will wear that will enable you to walk in sunlight.” Hiku read these last words from his book.

“Sounds kind of like the Gem of Amara, but that made me indestructible. Too bad this won’t work that way,” Spike announced to the group. “I say the sooner we can do this, the better, so I am all for going tomorrow night. Can I bring anything or anyone with me?”

“No, you must go alone and with no weapons. If they wish to test your skill with a sword or spear, they will supply it. I will write down the directions for you and make a little map.” Hiku was being very helpful to the group since he sensed great things to come from the vampire and slayer. He proceeded to draw a map and write the directions on a piece of paper.

“Thanks, mate, I appreciate it. I guess we best get our things together and head back to the Inn. I’m gonna need to rest up for what’s next.” The three relayed their thanks to Hiku with the promise to let him know how it went.