Title: Cordelia the Vampire Slayer
Author: Rachelle
Posted: 11-12-2003
Email: Infinity79@msn.com
Rating: PG, Violence
Category: AU Prophecy Girl
Content:
Summary: This is different take on what happened at the end of BtVS Season 1. Very Cordy Centric & there is potential for C/A if this story grabs ya!
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Just Fic, anyone else, just ask.
Notes: AU, AU!
Feedback: You know I need it!
Thanks/Dedication:Part 2
Giles’ Apartment
7:00pm
Angel was getting aggravated. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since the Hellmouth had closed, and they weren’t getting any closer to locating Cordelia. Xander and Willow had gone checking the nearby clinics and hospitals during the day. They had all insisted that Buffy should rest after her ordeal. Giles was currently on the phone, again, desperately trying to contact Cordelia’s parents. Judging by his tone of voice, he seemed to be finally successful.
“I understand, Mrs. Chase,” Giles implored, exasperation was ringing clearly in his tone. The Chases were virtually impossible to contact. Earlier that day, the Chase housekeeper had informed the librarian that Cordelia’s parents would be home at around 6:00pm. “I do apologize for interrupting you and your husband, in light that you just arrived home. But you daughter is missing and the school is trying to find her.”
Finally feeling some of his tension ease, knowing that Giles was on the phone with Cordelia’s mother, Angel took a seat in Giles’ leather chair. He had never been close to Cordelia, in fact, he had never planned to, but- after what happened last night, he wanted nothing more in the world than to find her.
“Mrs. Chase!” Giles shouted, is calm British exterior crashing. “There were terrible doings at the high school last night and I fear your daughter may have been injured! She is most likely confused and hurt right now, which is why I am trying to find her.” Rupert Giles could not believe the woman. She was more concerned about her and her husband resting after their long business trip, than the welfare of her daughter. The watcher could not believe her arrogance.
Just then, Buffy, Xander and Willow came through the door. Angel could tell by their expressions that they had found nothing. Buffy still looked tired, but she seemed more refreshed in her yellow pants and green tank top. Angel knew how hard the last few hours had been, and felt his heart go out to her.
“How you doing?” He asked, coming to stand near her.
Smiling gratefully at his attention, she reached out to hug him. “Better. A lot better. Any luck in finding Cordelia?” She reluctantly pulled away from the embrace.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Giles is on he phone with her mother right now.”
“Whoa,” Xander exclaimed, plopping himself onto Giles’ sofa, next to Willow. “He’s trying to get information from that woman? Good luck. He’ll have to waive a bottle of vodka in front of her face to get any function from her.” Willow nodded in agreement. He and Willow remembered Mrs. Chase from Cordelia’s twelfth birthday party- an invitation by proxy, the entire class was invited. Mrs. Chase had passed out on their luxurious, Oriental carpeting after drinking too much. It was the only time Xander had ever felt sorry for Cordelia- up until now.
Trying to stifle a growl, that was not what Angel wanted hear. From what he had just found out about the Chases, it seemed less than likely they would find Cordelia through her parents. It enraged him how callous they were.
As if confirming his point, Giles slammed his phone onto the receiver. “Selfish, vain woman! According to her Cordelia, will ‘show up’! And this has happened before, in that Cordelia will stay out all night and eventually come back.” If the woman had been in the room, Giles felt he would have slapped her.
“Actually,” Willow said, empathizing with Giles’ frustration. “Cordelia probably would come home, but they are so immersed in themselves, they don’t notice when she walks in the door.” Even though her parents were like Cordelia’s in their constant business trips, and least they checked in on her when they got home and called her frequently. “Once in eight grade, I overheard Cordelia talking to her best friend at the time, Robin, in how her parents had left the day before to go to Italy. They let the housekeeper tell her.”
Angel had heard enough. “I’m going there to speak to them. Willow, come with me.”
“Why me?” She was in shock that Angel would suggest she come with him to Chase Manor. She was never chosen for special ops like this! It wasn't for her. “Why not Buffy?”
Yeah, why not me, Buffy questioned herself, trying hard not to let herself pout.
“Because the Chases know you, not Buffy. It will help to see a kind face,” Angel stated, seeing that this did not sit well with Buffy. “Besides, I think Buffy and Xander should go back to the clinics with Giles. There may be a different staff on now, and they’ll talk to an adult.”
Giles did like the idea of somebody going to the Chase home, but he didn’t understand why it had to be Angel. “Why shouldn’t you got the clinics, Angel, and I could go to see Cordelia’s parents? They might trust us more, if a teacher from the school came down.”
Angel shook his head in disagreement. “No, you’ll do better at the clinics. If the Chases don’t open up to a kind face,” he continued, his voice dropping dangerously low, “Then I’ll have to show them my face.”
With that, Angel grabbed his coat and gulping at his meaning, Willow quickly followed.
Chase Manor
“Who was that, Meredith?” Alexander Chase questioned, noticing how stiff his wife had become. He had just entered the kitchen when she hung up the phone.
“That was Rupert Giles,” Meredith Chase answered, turning around to face her husband. “The librarian from Cordelia’s school. Apparently, there was an incident at the school last night and he fears Cordelia may have been injured as a result of it.” Her perfect lips were pursed in a thin line, as she considered what that meant. “They can’t find her.”
Alexander bore his clear green eyes into his wife’s brown ones. Any traces of the alcohol from the plane had lifted. Her face was one of grim determination and knowledge. She knew what had occurred and so did he. “Do you think she came home first?”
Nodding, Meredith took a seat on the kitchen stool. “Yes, Eva informed me, just before the phone rang.”
“What was her condition?”
“She was hurt, but when she came down from packing and showering, her bruises were already fading,” Meredith could not suppress the small smile of pride that began to form on her lips. It was happening- just has her grandfather’s mother had predicted. Until they had settled in this town, two years after their daughter was born, Meredith Chase had felt the foretelling was nothing but crap. But everything began to fall into place, causing her and her husband to believe.
Alexander Chase understood his wife’s smile and began to grin himself. Ever since Cordelia had been around two years old, the Chases had forced themselves to place a distance between their only child, and themselves. The knowledge of their daughter’s destiny had remained well hidden, within his wife’s family. It was necessary to push their daughter away, as fate was going to pull her in a direction that had nothing to do with them. Had they been the parents she wanted, they would not have been able to bear the idea of what was going to befall her.
She was destined for great and terrible things. And it was going to be worth it in the end.
Outside Chase Manor
Angel and Willow had just stepped up to the massive, double doors to the Chase home. Both of them had thought it was strange that the iron gates had been left open. Willow knew the Chases were freaks about security.
Knocking on the door, Angel braced himself for who would answer. Moments later, a beautiful woman, with almond shaped eyes answered. He knew right away this was Cordelia’s mother. Aside from her eyes and her shorter height, she was the image of her daughter. “May I help you?”
“Hello, Mrs. Chase,” Willow stammered. Even though the woman was a drunk, she still held an imposing air. Not the warmest human to walk the planet. “I’m Willow. A friend of Cordelia’s.”
Giving her the once over, a small smirk appeared on the corner of her mouth, telling that by Willow’s appearance that she highly doubted that. “And you are?” She questioned, bringing her cold eyes to Angel, her eyes narrowing slightly. There was a faint flare of her nostrils- If Angel didn’t know any better, he'd have sworn the woman was able to sense he was a vampire.
“I’m Angel.” That was all he was going to give her. A flash of respect glinted in her eyes.
“Mrs. Chase,” continued an embarrassed Willow. Even she saw the smirk on her face. “We’ve come because we’re worried about Cordelia. No one’s been able to find her.”
“And you think I know where she is?”
“You’re her mother,” Angel hissed, wishing there wasn’t a home barrier against him. “We figured you might have a clue.” Sneering at her, he inched as close as the barrier would let. “I’m sorry if we were under the impression that mommy might give a damn.”
Oh, cheese and bananas, Willow thought, feeling her face turn red. There’s no way he’s getting in now.
Much to Willow’s amazement, Meredith Chase’s face brightened into a wide, honest smile. It completely transformed her. It was Cordelia’s smile. “Please, come in- both of you.” Was it me or did the ‘both’ part seem a little too poignant, Willow wondered, as she and Angel stepped into the hallway behind Mrs. Chase.
“Make yourselves comfortable in the parlor. It’s to your right. I’ll get my husband, and we’ll join you in a moment.” Turning on her healed Gucci shoe, she proceeded up the winding staircase.
“Okay,” Angel mused, following behind Willow into the black and gold colored parlor. It was lushly decorated with Japanese art, which complimented the coloring of the room. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Totally,” Willow nodded in agreement.
Alexander Chase’s home office
Not bothering to knock, Meredith Chase entered her husband’s office with a spring in her step. “He’s here.”
Alexander glanced up from his filing, to acknowledge his wife. Her eyes were shining. “Who’s here, darling?” It was amazing- the change that had befallen his wife in the last few hours. She was glowing and vibrant. Like the time when they had first met.
“The vampire.”
Raising his perfect eyebrows in curiosity, he placed his paperwork to the side, leaning back in his leather chair. They’d known of his coming, but so soon? “Really?”
Flashing another brilliant smile to the love of her life, Meredith sauntered over to him, taking a seat on his lap. “Really.” She confirmed bringing her arms around his neck. For the first time in sixteen years, they shared a kiss that meant something. It was all coming together.
Willis-Montgomery Overnight Clinic
Giles, Buffy, and Xander had just arrived at Willis-Montgomery. The clinic was strictly an evening urgent care, and didn’t even open until 8:30pm. Buffy and Xander had assured him that nothing had turned up at the other two clinics in Sunnydale, nor anything at Sunnydale Memorial. This was their last hope.
“Excuse me? Nurse?” Giles ran up to a pretty Hispanic nurse. “Could you help me please Nurse- Montoya?” He asked, after reading her name tag. She was quite lovely. It wasn’t often you see Hispanic women with blue eyes.
“Of course, what can I do for you?” The nursed glanced at the children behind him, trying to see if one of them was ill or injured. Instinct always got the better of her. Seeing nothing wrong physically or in their expressions, she turned back to the British man.
“I’m looking for a student of mine, who may have come here last night with great physical injuries. Her parents have no idea where she is.”
Shaking her head in refusal, “I’m sorry. We have strict patient-doctor confidentiality rules and I’m afraid I can’t release any medical information to you.”
“I just need to know if she came here,” Giles tried to bite back his frustration. How hard was it to find on teenage girl in a small town? It was like a lockdown at the Pentagon for Christ’s sake! “I don’t need to know anything about her medical files, we just need to find her. She’s a brunette, about five foot nine, and extremely pretty.”
Overhearing the nurse speaking to the gentlemen and the two children, Dr. Anton Wakefield, glanced up from his charts to regard them. Hearing the discription of Cordelia Chase, Dr. Wakefield clenched his jaw in concern. He knew who the Englishman was looking for and probably knew why. “Nurse Montoya? Can you take these charts to Dr. Conley in Ward C? He needs them right away. Thank you.” Handing her the paperwork, he waited until she was around the corner.
Knowing that she had gone, Dr. Wakefield stepped around the front desk, coming to a stop in front of Giles. “I’m Dr. Anton Wakefield, and you are?” He greeted, holding out his hand.
Meeting his eyes, Giles took the doctor’s outstretched hand into his. “I’m Rupert Giles. The librarian at the high school.” Gesturing to the teenagers behind them. “This is Buffy and Xander, friends of the student I’m looking for.”
“You’re searching for Cordelia Chase, right?”
“She was here?,” Buffy asked, coming to stand by Giles. “You saw her?” Buffy had never been fond of Cordelia, but she was the first one who had really tried to be-friend her, until she almost mistook her as a vampire at the Bronze. That squashed any potential there. Now that Cordelia was a slayer, Buffy felt something stirring within her about Cordelia. Like a sisterhood of sorts.
“I helped her.” He confirmed.
This was amazing, Giles though with elation. He had not slept at all last night, as he had been worried sick about Cordelia. Instead he had stayed up, leafing through the diaries of previous watchers, trying to find a clue about any slayer that had been called the way she had. Even Buffy’s first watcher, Merrick, had caught up with her right when she had been called. The council was late in finding his slayer for training, but they had found her. With Cordelia, nothing he could find in the diaries or texts could explain why she was called in such a manner.
“I found her in my office,” Dr. Wakefield continued as they walked to a more quieter side of the entrance. “She had broken in through my window- she actually tore it off the shingles, I later found. Now, I’ve know Cordelia since she was a little girl and I know how her parents are with her.” Shaking his brown haired head in amazement. “Her nanny or housekeeper brought her in for her illnesses and immunizations. I’ve maybe only seen her parents twice.”
This didn’t sound uncommon to Xander. He couldn’t even recall one time were Mr. or Mrs. Chase had come to any school function. Parent-Teacher night usually consisted of just the teacher and Cordelia.
“So,” the good doctor resumed. “That’s why I’m telling you all this. It’s nice to see someone concerned about that girl, besides my medical staff.” Dr. Wakefield considered himself a second father to Cordelia. There never appeared to be any concern reflected by her own father. “I found her in my office, bruised and bloodied. She had lacerations- almost like claw marks- on her upper right arm, and deeper cuts on the side of her abdomen. Luckily, it was only tissue damage, but whatever got at her, was only an inch away from causing severe damage.”
Giles’ throat began to constrict, as he contemplated what that meant. She had dove from the rooftop of the school with such injuries, trying to flee.
“I stitched her up, and placed her on an antibiotic with a pain killer. Believe me, I wanted to call the police, but she begged and pleaded, stating there was nothing they could do.” And he had complied, seeing in her wounded eyes that whatever had happened to her, was beyond anyone’s control. “I do hope you find her. She didn’t tell me anything about where she was going. I assumed it would be home.”
“Thank you, so much, Dr. Wakefield.” Giles was able to tell that that was all the doctor knew about Cordelia. “I’m sorry to keep you from your patients.”
“It’s no problem,” he stated, shaking Giles’ hand again. “This was regarding one of my patients. You will contact me if you hear anything?”
“Absolutely.” He was refreshed to see that someone in this godforsaken town, cared about that girl.
Waiting until the doctor walked away, Buffy grabbed onto Giles arm. “What do you think?”
“Angel was right,” Giles confirmed. “She’s going on instincts. She’s running. The only thing is- where is she running to.” Gesturing to Xander, Giles led them out of the clinic. Hopefully, Angel’s got some news.
Chase Manor
They had been going around in circles now. He’d ask her about Cordelia, she would compliment on one of her Munakata Shiko wood prints. “He was an excellent artist. You should see his homage to Mount Fuji. He really put his soul into it.” Angel might find it annoying, but Meredith Chase was having a gay old time!
“Mrs. Chase,” he was struggling so hard not to yell. “Please forgive me for being rude, as you can’t forgive yourself, but we need to find Cordelia. She’s in danger.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Alexander Chase interjected, his cold eyes bearing into Angel’s. “My daughter is quite capable of taking care of herself. I assure you.” Willow could see where Cordelia got her cold exterior from, along with her model perfect height. Her father was the most unfeeling man she had ever know. “You may think we don’t care for our daughter,” he continued, seeming to read Willow’s thoughts. “But we do.”
“Prove it,” Angel countered, leaning forward in the Chases’ black velvet chair. “Tell me where she is.”
“We don’t know where she is,” said Meredith as she rose from her seat, “That’s the beauty of it.” Meredith went over to the bar to pour herself another glass of chardonnay. “Are you sure you don’t want anything, Angel? I have red wine.” This did not go over Angel’s head.
“You know what I am?”
“A vampire. Yes.”
This was getting too weird, Willow thought in a panic. Mrs. Chase had been making cracks about the color red and souls ever since she and her husband had come down to the parlor. Now it was confirmed that the Chases knew that Angel was a vampire, but how?
Angel’s face took on a dangerous look as he glared at Mrs. Chase. “Tell me what you know. And don’t lie.” He had no idea how Cordelia had been able to survive and function with people like this as her parents. His might have been overbearing, but at least they were there.
“Fine,” she agreed, coming to sit back next to her husband. “I hope you can stomach the tale. We’ve had to live with it most of our lives.” Her countenance had finally taken on a somber one. Gone was the teasing, cold woman. “My husband and I, have been terrible parents to our daughter. For what we did not give her in love, we made up for by giving her credit cards. This was not something we wanted to do, but it was necessary.”
“How was it necessary to ignore your only child?” Willow asked. She couldn’t help the harsh tone she said it with. She did not like these people at all.
“Patience,” Mrs. Chase replied. “Let me finish. Then you can pass judgment. Our daughter is special and she is meant for astonishing things.” Her face was beaming again, this time with parental pride. “Her future goes beyond us. We were forced, you see, to distance ourselves from her. To deny her the love she deserved, so that we could bear letting her go when the time came. Not only that, but it also assured us that when her time came, she could leave- and not have to worry about leaving the people she loved behind. We know our daughter does not love us, Angel. It was destined to be so.”
This was insane! Parents deliberately trying to force their daughter not care or love them, so if she did leave, she wouldn’t look back!? “You’re crazy.”
“Are we?” Mr. Chase cocked his head to the side in amusement. “So is a vampire with a soul, but you’re here!” Point one for the cold father.
“I was seventeen when I heard of the prophecy for my daughter,” Meredith continued, “And I was in a rage! How could I be expected to turn my heart away from my child? And it was supposed to be for the better?!”
“What prophecy?,” Angel whispered.
“The one about the strongest vampire slayer ever to live. The one about Cordelia. Tell me, Angel- was it Buffy who killed the Master or was it my daughter?” Alexander Chase smiled in fatherly pride, because he already knew the answer. Had know ever since she was born.
Sendai, Japan
She had forgotten how beautiful it was here. There was something so clean and pure about Japan. Back home in Sunnydale, there seemed to be an ever present darkness that seeped out to all that lived there. She hoped, since she had killed a part of that darkness, that some light would shine through again.
“Where to, Miss?” Asked a middle-aged cab driver in Japanese. Cordelia had just left the baggage area of the airport, an had gone out to find a cab.
Replying with a flawless Japanese accent, Cordelia replied. “The outskirts of Yoshino Village.” She wasn’t at all surprised by the shock in his expression. Most people in Japan did not go there, let alone American outsiders. “It is my grandfather-san’s village. Will you take me there?”
Swiftly nodding his head, he hurried out to grab her luggage. Such a delicate beauty like her should have an army of bags, but she only had one large suitcase and a small carry on. “You are Jun Yoshino’s granddaughter?” He asked in amazement.
“Actually, great-granddaughter, but he prefers to be called grandfather.” Cordelia smiled at the man. He seemed humble to meet her, which was not altogether unusual. Jun Yoshino was a famed samurai and friend of the people of Japan. “Shall we go now?”
“Hai-hai!”
Part 3
Sendai, Japan
As the cab rolled on, Cordelia kept wondering what her great-grandfather would do once she’d arrive. She hadn’t called to inform him that she was on her way to Japan. In fact, she hadn’t told anyone. Know one knew where she was and she planned on keeping it that way.
Her first instinct had been to go to Japan. It was the only safe haven she could think of. Her parents and Jun Yoshino had an estranged relationship, so she didn't have to worry about him calling them. This had never surprised her, given the fact her parents didn’t have a relationship with her except as financial providers. Sometimes she wondered what would happen if she’d just call them ‘Meredith’ and ‘Alexander‘, instead of ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’. They wouldn’t even know the difference, she thought, feeling her eyes mist with emotion.
She had only been to Japan once, during the summer of her fourteenth year, but it had felt like coming home. It had been the first time she had met Jun Yoshino and his second wife, Momiji. Heck, it was the only time- her coming to the island now, would be her second time. She had finally met blood relatives who actually showed an air of love and affection toward her.
On the plane, she had finally gotten a few hours of sleep. It was not restful- filled with dreams of the previous night. Dreams of that bat-faced wonder, with Elizabeth Arden lipstick all over his mouth! I wonder if I should tell them what happened? Thinking about being on that roof sent shivers of fear and excitement down her spine.
Twisting a lock of her hair through her fingers, Cordelia tried to harness what had happened to her. She knew she was stronger- Arnold beware! She could sense things coming her way now- it was as if she had a sixth sense. Cordelia rubbed her temples in agony. It was too much. One minute she was a scared little girl running from monsters, now she was a petrified slayer running from destiny-
Whoa, she thought, startling herself out of her revere- Destiny? Where the hell did that come from? She had so many questions about what had happened to her and why. Obviously, the Master did too. The Master...
You’ve just been called... One dies and another is Chosen.
Feeling sick to her stomach, she rolled down the cab window to get some air, as she realized what that meant- she was a slayer because another one like her had died! Two slayers in one night... The other girl had been from Sunnydale, she realized.
“Yoshino? We are here.”
Cordelia jerked at the cab driver’s voice. In the midst of her scrabbled thoughts, she’d forgotten he was here.
The driver pulled the car in front of a massive, wooden compound. It was the original gate built by the Yoshino warriors of the past, and it still held strong. Just beyond those walls was the only place she had ever felt at home.
Pushing her thoughts aside, Cordelia rose to get out the car, the cabbie already had her two bags. The last time she was here, she'd had about eight pieces of luggage. Momiji had laughed herself silly- What do you need with all of that, grandchild? All you need is your mind and soul.
“Do you want me to stay?” The driver asked, he did not want to leave her unattended. “Until somebody comes?”
“No, that’s fine.” She assured him, giving him his fee in yen. “But I thank you. Arigatou.” Bowing her head, as was Japanese custom, he in turn did so and proceeded to leave. Getting back in his cab, he bowed his head again, and started the engine. Smiling, she waived as he made his way down the road.
Turning around to the compound, she dropped her bags on the dirt road and proceeded towards the gate. It was locked, she realized, as she braced her palms against the wood. Locked from the other side. This is not good.
I guess I could push it open. Yeah, that’s an idea. Jun would be highly upset, but she needed to get in there. She doubted anyone was there to hear her shout- “Huh,” she mumbled to herself. “I wonder if I can hear them.” Placing the right side of her head against the gate, Cordelia closed her eyes and listened. Birds, running water... trees rustling in the slight breeze. There was no one nearby. Giving into her slayer strength, she braced her hands on both gate doors and pushed.
That was when the real fear kicked in.
No one human should have that kind of strength! God, what is a slayer and what have I become? She was shaken so much by her display of force, she thought of nothing else but getting to her great-grandfather as she ran up the mile long pathway to the house. Luggage and thoughts of repercussions about breaking open his gate were forgotten.
I’m flying! She was running so fast her feet barely touched the ground. Okay, so not normal! She’d turned into an X-Man and no one had told her. No... a slayer.
You haven’t been trained...
I’m supposed to have a trainer?
The house was just ahead of her- she’d ran a mile in under a minute! Guinness is going to love me, she marveled, coming to a halt outside the home of Jun Yoshino. It was an old-fashioned, gassho zukuri-style farmhouse. A home that had stood for centuries. The place was beautiful- it looked like it had just come out of the movie, Shogun. As did the old man who stood in front of it’s sliding doors. Jun Yoshino, dressed kamishimo- in samurai clothing.
“Daisofu.” Cordelia kneeled to the ground, tying to catch her breath. She wanted so much to run into his arms, and hold on for dear life. She wanted to be safe. But she knew he was a traditional man. No one, not even family, spoke to him without the proper respect.
His aged face smiled in pleasure. She had not forgotten to show keirou. His great-granddaughter was a marvel. He knew she was not like this in America- he had seen her other personality. The one she had woven to protect herself from her parents and outsiders. But he had also seen the personality under it. “How many times have I told you not to call me that?” Being called great-grandfather, daisofu, made him feel older than he was.
She gave a nervous laugh and rose to her feet. “I’m sorry, jiisan.” Cordelia took a step forward, but stopped when he sharply raised his hand. His face lost it’s levity and took on stern countenance.
“Cordelia-san,” he began, “You will go to ankei, and pay homage to your ancestors. There you will meditate. Do not come back from the ancient temple until you have focused your energy.” With that, he turned around and closed the doors behind him.
Cordelia knew what he wanted. She would go to the ancient temple behind the house and meditate. Maybe I should beg forgiveness for being such a mega-bitch at school, too? Gathering her composure, she proceeded to the temple. It was temping to just sit by one of the pagodas and look at the coy swimming around, but he’d know.
Besides, that was the old her in Sunnydale. Here in her daisofu’s home, she would never do that. She’d been reborn.
Chase Manor
What Meredith Chase had told him and Willow was unreal. According to Mrs. Chase’s maternal great-grandmother, who had been a prophet and soothsayer, Cordelia Chase was destined to be the greatest slayer the world would ever know. History would not reveal anyone to be her equal, nor would her successors. Cordelia was the true Chosen One, because no one else would be like her. Ever.
Her calling was held within her family. The prophets of the Watcher's Council were not to know, as to try and monitor her as a potential. This slayer was not to be tainted by their training. She was called by the higher powers.
“Do you understand?” Meredith implored, her eyes beseeching. “Can you understand why we pushed her away? If I’d allowed myself to love her, like I wanted too- I could have never let her go.” Her cold behavior had faded, allowing the woman she really was to come forth. “Her destiny reaches far beyond us. We were only here to bring her into this world.”
Angel did understand. Cordelia had no idea who she would become, but her parents did. And to shield themselves from feeling any heartache at watching their daughter blossom, they’d allowed themselves to hurt their only child. Their only concern was their feelings, their pain, not hers. “Knowing what she would become, what she would face- all the hardship!” He was trying so hard to fight his demon. He wanted to lash out at them! Kill them for what they did to her! “And you pushed her away.”
“You could have loved her, Mrs. Chase,” Willow whispered. “Loved and supported her. By denying her that, it only showed her how ugly the world can be, especially if your own parents won’t love you.”
Alexander Chase had said nothing. He knew where he and his wife were coming from, and didn’t expect a vampire and school girl to know anything. “We won’t apologize for what we did. Not to you, and not to our daughter. Should she come back and ask, we will explain, but never apologize!” Rising to his imposing height, he gestured to the entrance. “Perhaps you should leave and worry about the future. The past is set and if we are damned for our actions to our daughter, you will not condemn us.”
Knowing that their welcome had been exhausted, Willow and Angel rose to their feet, and headed for the door. Angel was growling the entire time.
“Mr. Chase,” Angel turned to face the man again. “One more thing. Do you have any idea where she may have gone? Something?” They had to know something.
“In all honesty, no. But we did tell her, that should something happen to her- something unimaginable to leave immediately and not tell us where she was going.” Alexander met the vampire’s eyes, feeling he owed him that much, considering what the future would possess. “We gave her a key, to a locker at Sunnydale airport when she was fourteen. Told her never to loose it.”
“What was in the box?” Willow inquired, coming to stand with Angel in the foyer.
“Money.”
It made sense. Flee and don’t tell anyone where you’re going. “We’ll leave now, but you had better hope I know everything or I’ll be coming back.” Angel felt his eyes shift to their golden hue. “I have an open invitation now.” His was a long and meaningful glare with Cordelia’s father. Finally breaking the look, he gently grabbing Willow by her arm, and guided them out the door.
Upon hearing the door close, the Chases let down their composure and sank back down next to each other. “He means it,” Meredith said, taking another sip of chardonnay. She’d never truly be scared in her life, until she saw that look in the vampire’s eyes at that moment.
“I know,” her husband confirmed. Alexander pulled his wife into his embrace, letting out a sigh as she snuggled closer.
“Do you think we should have told him?,” she asked, craning her head to read his expression. “About him and Cordelia?”
“No,” Alexander whispered after a moment of thought. “He doesn’t need to know about his part in the prophecy. If he did know what was going to happen, he would try like hell to stop it. For better or for worse, even our own deaths, it has to come to pass. What was foretold must happen. Regardless of the pain it will cause.”
Even our own deaths...
Part 4Giles’ Apartment
Later that Night
Rupert Giles rose from his sofa, to brew some more tea. He, Xander, and Buffy had just informed Willow and Angel of their findings at Willis-Montgomery. It hadn’t been revealing as to where Cordelia had fled too, but it was a start. “Did you find any information with the Chases?”
Angel gave Willow a brief, disgruntled look. He didn’t know how the watcher would take to the news. He hadn’t liked it one bit. Angel knew that the Chases were holding out on something, but there was only so far he could push them. “Yeah,” he nodded, “You could say we did.”
“Uh-huh,” Willow agreed, trying her hardest to maintain her own composure. What they found out was big!
Finally, getting his tea just right, Giles came back to sit between Xander and Buffy. Both Willow and Angel were seated opposite the sofa in chairs. “Tell me,” he took a lengthily sip of tea. It was good, although it still missed something. Tea made in America just didn’t taste right, even if it was English imported.
“I really don’t know how this is going to affect you, Giles,” Angel began, “Or your training with the Watcher’s Council. What Willow and I found out was pretty disconcerting, but feasible.”
Xander made a face, “That word has nothing to do with what it sounds like, right?” That would be so gross.
“No, half-wit,” Willow snapped, throwing a piece of her chocolate chip cookie at him. “It mean’s ‘possible,’ now don’t interrupt.” Mental note, thesaurus and dictionary set for Xander prior to Christmas! Xander needed serious help in that department.
Buffy totally agreed with Willow, and just for emphasis, reached over and smacked Xander on the head. “So uncalled for!” Xander wailed, rubbing the back of his head.
“Kids!” Always the adult (for obvious reasons), Giles chided them. “Can we let Angel continue?”
“Thanks, Giles,” Angel said with a small smile. He wasn’t used to being around them so much, and their teenage prattle was beyond him. “To cut to the chase- no pun intended there! Her parents’ knew what was going to happen to her. Knew it so well that they prepared for her calling by forcing her away from them.”
Sendai, Japan
Temple of the Yoshino Clan
God, she was so bored! There was only so much meditating she could do before she literally fell asleep from it. She had forgotten how warm and comforting it was in here, with the constant burning torches. And she was tired.
How can he ask me to meditate when he could see how tired and confused I am? She loved her great-grandfather a lot, but he could really be a pain in the neck with all this ritual stuff! Extraordinary things had just happened to her, well impossible things, and he wanted her to meditate!
Cordelia could actually feel a temper tantrum rise in her, she was so frustrated. She had been in there for over an hour and no amount of humming or feeling her mind transcend was going to block those horrible images of the Master from her mind. Any time she tried to concentrate, bat-face loomed in front of her. And every time she tried to relax, she’d fall to her side in near slumber. Mediation thingy is going nowhere!
Finally feeling her Queen C. resolve, Cordelia rose from her cross-legged position, her muscles aching in protest. She was still sore from her battle with the vampire. Sitting down again, after riding in the cab attested to that fact.
“Oh, I want some Advil,” she murmured, as she exited the temple. She knew Jun was going to be mad, but she needed his help now, not after self-channeling exercises!
Giles’ Apartment
Judging from their expressions, Angel took into consideration that they were shocked. Didn’t seem too uncommon. “Yeah, we couldn’t believe it either,” Angel attested, sharing a glance with Willow. What the Chases had confessed to was incredulous, but Angel knew deep in his soul that it as true. Everything that had transgressed the night prior was proof of that.
Upon the death of Buffy, another slayer would be called- a slayer chosen specifically by the higher powers. The Watcher’s Council was not to know anything about her until after she was called and even then, involvement was not necessary. The girl would be called, with the innate knowledge of the power she possessed and what she was supposed to do with it. No training required. This was giving Giles a headache. “Who, in Cordelia’s family predicted this?”
“Cordelia’s great-great grandmother. She was a powerful prophet in Japan,” Willow offered.
“Whoa, whoa,” Xander shook is head in amazement. He had been a good boy and had let Angel yap without interrupting, but this was too much! “Japan? Cordelia is part Japanese?!”
Willow understood why Xander would be surprised. They may have never liked Cordelia, but they’d know each other since they were kids and nothing had ever been mentioned about Cordelia being of Japanese descent. She’d always assumed the Japanese décor at Chase Manor was just that- décor! Willow had never even considered that it was familial. “Yup, it’s true. Cordelia Chase is one-eighth Japanese. Jeepers, it’s mind boggling.”
All throughout Angel’s story, Buffy hadn’t said a word. She’d sat stoic and silent while Angel had told them about Cordelia...
Cordelia was a slayer. Cordelia killed the Master, saving the world. Cordelia has vanished. Cordelia was part of a great prophecy. Cordelia is the greatest slayer ever. Now- Cordelia is Japanese! Does anyone remember that I died last night? Angel didn’t seem to care. All he wanted to do was find Cordelia... it was all about Cordelia!
Sendai, Japan
Cordelia banged on the door again. “Jun? Momiji?! Let me in!” She’d been standing outside the farmhouse doors for ten minutes, pounding on the door. Stubborn old people, stuck on traditions. They suck.
Finally, a voice boomed from inside, “Did you complete your meditation? Because something tells me you haven’t, magomusume.” There was no getting past Jun Yoshino. The man had eyes everywhere.
“No, I didn’t,” she admitted. “I can’t concentrate, jiisan. I’m tired and hungry and I was almost killed yesterday!” And I smell, she thought wearily. She hadn’t taken a shower since earlier that morning in Sunnydale.
“Those are no reasons to delay you duties to your ancestors. Now, get back to temple and focus your energy.”
This was too much! He was more concerned about dead people than her? “Jiisan! Open the door or I will break it down!” She meant every word of it.
“Oh, really?” Cordelia could tell by the sound of his voice he was getting beyond irritated. Welcome to the club gramps, she thought bitterly to herself. She knew he was standing by the door. “Just like you broke the gate? And you will be helping in getting that repaired.” Suddenly the door slid open, and there he was- the immovable samurai. “You can’t concentrate. Why?”
Because I want to get out of these clothes, she wanted to scream. But that wasn’t the entire truth and he knew it. Bringing her hazel eyes to his brown ones, “Because,” she began, feeling her throat tighten with emotion. “Because when I close my eyes I see his face.”
Jun nodded in acceptance. He knew she told the truth. “The one that did this to you?” He lightly fingered her bruised jaw, which was already fading to a sick yellow. The one under her eye was still black and blue. “The kyuuketsuki?”
The vampire. Cordelia couldn’t hold back her surprise, “What?! How did you know?”
“It is time for you to come inside, granddaughter. There are things about yourself that you should know.” Stepping to the side, Jun gently guided her into his home.
Giles’ Apartment
Buffy couldn’t help it, the jealously that welled within her. She’d fought so hard for two years, only to have her glory and her non-boyfriend’s attention taken away from her. And by Cordelia! It was just wrong. “Guys,” she forced herself to her feet. “I’ve gotta go. My mom’s going to be worried about me.” Trying not to meet their eyes, she abruptly turned away, grabbing her coat.
“Buffy?” Giles questioned, still concerned about his slayer. She had a ruff few days, with her prophecy and her encounter with the Master. “Are you going to be alright walking home by yourself?”
“Oh, yeah,” she replied, hoping they wouldn’t hear the tears in her voice. “Slayer, remember? Nothing messes with me, I mess with them.” Waiving goodbye, she headed out the door.
Angel knew she was upset. He only had one guess as to why. “I’ll make sure she gets home, Giles.”
“Great,” Xander said. “Just what every girl wants- a dead-boy escort home.” He ducked another cookie bomb from Willow. Soul or no soul, Angel was still a bad guy. He only hoped Buffy wouldn’t get hurt when she found that out. Xander knew he had no special powers, but he could just see imminent doom radiating off tall, dark and blood-sucking.
Angel didn’t even acknowledge Xander as he walked out the door. Pretty soon that boy was going to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
East Crest Apartments
Sybil Warner sighed in relief as she walked through her apartment door. There was nothing like being at home from a long day at work. She’d had to pull a double shift, cause one of the girls had called off sick. Being a ticket agent sucked, but it paid the bills.
Kicking her shoes off, Sybil stumbled through her hallway, flicking on the light as she made her way to the kitchen. Her thoughts in a jumble from the days work load, she could only focus on having a hot bath. She didn’t even realize that she was about to die.
Her killer was perched on the rooftop of the loft apartments across the street. He had been waiting for her all day. He had been expecting her a lot earlier, but he was a patient man, and didn’t mind waiting. Sybil Warner now had a tiny red dot tracking her every step.
Gently touching his earpiece, Sybil’s would be assassin, established communication with his employer. “I have the target in sight.” His voice sounded a little muffled under his ski mask, but he doubted his employer would have trouble hearing him.
“Take the shot.” The cold voice on the other end replied.
“Affirmative.”
Adjusting the scope on the lens, he leaned in, his finger applying pressure on the trigger. It's a shame really, he thought to himself, as he let his eye linger on her face. She was quite lovely. Sybil now had the red dot on her forehead, oblivious to that fact, as she milled about in her kitchen. She’d just finished feeding her cat. A cyte, orange tabby. Cat's gonna need a new home.
And he squeezed the trigger.
What was once a lovely, blond haired woman was a mess of blood and skull.
“Target has been eliminated. Awaiting insructions.”
Continue on...