Strange Place to Live:
Demon Hunter
by Cynamin

"I will not run away
from the battle now
if it seems that's the way
I'm fighting."
~Lie on Lie
Chalk Farm

Wednesday Night
Giles' House

Another night, another meeting at Giles's house. This time it was in a frenzy of activity, as everyone prepared for battle. They divvied up the weapons while discussing the final battle plans.

"So," Buffy said with false enthusiasm, "everyone ready to kick some demon butt?"

Xander grinned, hefting the crossbow from the table. "Armed and ready."

"Please put that down, Xander," said Giles.

"Are you really excited about this? The two of you?" asked Willow, disbelieving.

"Hey, I was kidding."

"I wasn't. And why can't I use the crossbow?"

Everyone just glanced at him and rolled their eyes. Buffy then picked up the crossbow and handed to Giles. She then shoved several of the stakes they had spent the afternoon whittling up her sleeves and anywhere else she could stash them. She tossed several of them to Angel, who pocketed them quickly. Everyone else took at least one, plus several other items. There was an interesting looking ax, a wicked knife, a pair of brass knuckles, and a stick with a hook on the end.

Buffy looked at Kenneth for a moment, who stood back from the group, barely moving. He seemed preoccupied, and did not even move as they all clambered for weapons.

"You alright?" she asked him, coming over to stand beside him.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, just fine."

Buffy looked at him uncertainly. "You don't look fine. You look like someone with a lot of unhappy thoughts, and that doesn't look fine if you're leading us into battle."

Kenneth just blinked, looking at her oddly. "You really think that?" he asked softly. "That I'm leading you into battle?"

"Well, duh!" exclaimed Buffy. "I mean, you've just been doing all the planning for the last two days, almost. Who else did you think was leading this little expedition? You know the situation, the magic, and the bad guy. I don't see the problem here." She looked at him curiously for a moment, then said softly, "What's wrong? Don't you want to? Because, someone else -"

"No!" exclaimed Kenneth. "No, that's not it at all." He looked at her intently. "I have to lead this battle," he explained. "Not because I'm a demon hunter, or because this is going to be a partly magical battle . . . though those are both good reasons, but . . . it's just that . . . ." Kenneth's voice faded for a moment, and he shrugged.

"It's personal," guessed Buffy.

Kenneth nodded reluctantly.

"Hey, I got that," Buffy assured him. "I mean, I've had my . . . personal battles, too. He killed your mentor. If anyone killed Giles . . . ." Buffy nodded, not wanting to think about that. Smiling, she assured Kenneth, "Listen. No matter what, no matter how crazy it gets in there . . . and believe me, it'll get pretty crazy . . . this demon summoning guy is yours."

"Orin."

"Yeah, right. Your strike, okay? No one'll get in your way."

"You sure?"

"I'll make sure." Buffy rased her voice so everyone could hear her. "So," she said to everyone, "when we get to the site of this ritual, Kenneth gets this Orin fellow while the rest of us take care of as many demons as we can until the . . . broken spell, that I don't entirely get . . . makes them go away. We all got that?"

"Yeah, we've covered it already," said Xander.

"Just making sure."

"Um, one other thing," said Kenneth reluctantly. "My best chance at destroying Orin will be one the summoning has begun. When he's raising demons, he can't concentrate on much else. That's his one major weakness."

"Um, wait a second," protested Willow. "Wouldn't it be easier on the rest of us if we get him *before* he starts this ritual? I mean, doesn't this plan mean there'll be more demons for us to fight?"

"Yes, it does," Kenneth replied. Then, quickly, before anyone could give him more than an angry look, he raised his hands and continued, "but not in the long run!"

Everyone looked at him in silence for a moment, no one willing to say what they were thinking of this plan now.

Finally Oz spoke. "Um, confused," he said simply.

Kenneth patiently tried to explain again. "In order for this entire plan to work, he needs to have begun the portal spell. Destroy his focus stone too soon and we'll still have to fight all of his guardian demons, plus Orin himself. However, if we wait until the spell has started and the portal has opened -"

"Breaking the spell will suck all the demons through the portal!" exclaimed Willow, putting all the pieces together.

Everyone but Kenneth looked at her in surprise.

"Yes, exactly," the Hunter agreed. He smiled at Willow. It wasn't the sort of smile that could make Oz jealous. Rather, it was one of understanding and fellowship, magic worker to magic worker.

Willow looked pleased and smiled back.

Everyone began to gather their things together for the battle ahead. Giles spared one more glance for the blue prints spread out on the table. It was a condemned warehouse on the edge of town, but more importantly it was where Orin had settled, complete with demonic guards. The Hunter had led the Slayer there during the day, and snuck in to find out exactly where the summoner was setting up. It was a team-up rarely seen among those who fought evil, and tonight it could mean all the difference between winning and losing. They now knew exactly where Orin would be when it came time for the ritual. He couldn't be discreet when it came to the casting of such powerful magics they required extensive and showy preparations.

The brief reconnaissance had also revealed some of Orin's lesser, loyal demons, so they were better prepared than they would have been. They didn't know where those demons would be come nightfall, though. More troublesome, they didn't know the strength of the summoner's vampiric allies. Coming to the Hellmouth, he was sure to have at least some, and they would all have been sleeping when Buffy and Kenneth had visited. The lack of vampiric activity the past week while the Slayer had been distracted was certainly a bad sign.

The building plans were thoroughly marked. The ritual space, the probable locations of the guards, the entrances and exits were all carefully noted, as well as a basic attack plan. As prepared as they could be, the teenagers were almost eager to be fighting.

Only Giles still seemed a bit hesitant. Raising his gaze from the plans, he asked, "Everyone's sure they know what they're doing? There is no room for error here."

At numerous sounds of ascent, the small gathering lifted their chosen weapons and began to head for the door.

"Wait!" Kenneth blurted abruptly.

Everyone spun to face him, afraid that he had sudden, terrible news for them all. "What is it?" Giles asked urgently.

Kenneth smiled sheepishly. "I just . . . forgot to give you all something yesterday. I made these for everyone." He pulled out a bunch of strange necklaces.

"Isn't this an odd time for party favors?" commented Xander.

Kenneth frowned. "They are defensive amulets. Some of my magic is in each one." He passed them to everyone, except Angel, who already had one, and Buffy, who once again declined the offer. "I'll explain how to use them on the way.

Everyone filed out the door, Buffy and Kenneth bringing up the rear. The Slayer regarded the Hunter for a moment, noticing that he bore no weapon. "Say, aren't you going to at least take a stake?" she asked.

"Aren't you going to take an amulet?" he replied with a grin.

"Point taken. Let's go."

Part Five

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