Hey darlings well here is the long awaited chapter 4 I hope you all like it please review guitarbabe2005

Thanks to Guitarbabe2005 for writing this chapter :) Touch the dark.

Chapter four

The Master walked out of the portal. His followers close behind; looking around at the peaceful realm he smiled an evil smile.

"Your orders destroy torture and kill,"

His merry band of followers let out loud woops of delight as they made their way towards a peaceful village. Magic crackling in the air and the sun glinting off weapons. The master drew in a deep breath. It was here that one of the eight he needed was protected. He had one already and this one would be easy. Were the powers really that stupid to hide it on such a peaceful plane? He smirked as he felt the unmistakeable pull in his blood. It was here his blood sang for it. Raising an eye to the heavens the Master let out a low chuckle... yes it really seemed they were THAT stupid. As he neared the village, the screams of its people rang like music to his ears. However, his eyes were focused on a large hut in the centre of the chaos the purple crystal was waiting, for him. As he neared closer, the hem of his long robe became soaked with the blood of the fallen. His minions were doing their job. Soon there would be no one left alive on this plane to tell the gruesome, bloody tale. Stepping over bodies, and killing those hanging onto life he finally reached his destination. Walking into the holy room, a cold chill past through him as hallowed ground always did, reminding him he was unwelcome, tainted. In the centre of the room, upon a golden pedestal stood the glowing crystal. As he neared it, a voice called from the shadows.

"You may get this crystal but your efforts are worthless,"

The Master turned around as he watch a old woman step from her place in the shadows, her priestess robes clinging to her slight frame. The Master looked at the woman his eyes widened ever so slightly as he realised she was not mortal.

"No, I'm not," she said a half smile on her face as if she read his mind

"Not completely any way,"

The master became slightly nervous as he felt something shift inside him. Pushing it aside, his face its usual emotionless plane he spat.

"My efforts will reward me, hag,"

The old woman looked at him no trace of fear anywhere of her aged face.

"I've seen it... HE WILL stop you... The Powers champion and there's nothing you can do to stop it," she murmured loud enough for him to hear

In the blink of an eye her figure fell limp to the floor her throat slashed. The Master took in the sight and saw Francis standing were the old woman would have a bloody dagger in his hands.

"Ignore her master, it was the desperate ramblings of a old crone desperate to hang onto the thread of life a little longer," Francis said

The master nodded

"Of course," he said his voice powerful once more

But the master could not help but feel the sliver of cold sliding down his spine as he grabbed the purple crystal off the pedestal and placed it into the wooden box and stormed out of the hut and back towards his portal. His minions following closely behind carrying the spoils of their kill...

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

BACK IN CLEVELAND

As Buffy walked into the master living room, her heart was lead in her chest, she had another dream about Spike their final moments together.

FLASHBACK

SUNNYDALE FINAL BATTLE

Buffy laced her fingers through Spike's and stared into his eyes, not flinching as their intertwined fingers burst into flame together.

"I love you," Buffy said

Spike looked at her and simply said

"No, you don't. But thanks for saying it,"

She let go of his hand as a earthquake shook the cavern.

"Now go!" yelled Spike and as he watched Buffy run up the stairs her eyes never leaving him he chuckled.

"I wanna see how it ends,"

END FLASHBACK

Buffy let out a sigh. Why wouldn't he believe her? He HAD to know she wouldn't say those words unless she really meant it. She thought back to the exact moment she knew, she had felt the exact moment he had died a part of her died along with him. She let out another sigh, as she gave the gang a smile as slowly she lowered her self into the chair and pulled the daily newspaper towards her wary body. Buffy let out a groan splashed all over the front page was the headline.

Seven bodies found – decapitated and disposed

"Giles," she called out

The Englishman walked out from the kitchen a tray balanced in one hand as he passed out coffee to Xander, Dawn, Willow, Andrew, Faith and Robin the other potentials who were living temporally with Giles and the Scooby gang were either out or asleep.

"Ah, Buffy," he started then he noticed she held the paper in her hands

"I see you have caught the headlines," he sighed

"Mmm Giles what can we do? It's getting worse," the tiny slayer said sadly

"Well I rather hoped we didn't have to resort to this but maybe..." he trailed off

"Maybe what?"

"Well, Buffy, maybe if we asked Angel and his team out here,"

"NO!" yelled Buffy

"Buf-"

"NO, Giles! Not after what he did," she trailed off

"if this is a Spike thing Buff," started Xander

"Yes this is a Spike thing. Angel signed his DEATH warrant. He ran away like a coward instead of standing up to me and saying 'Hey, I'm wearing the damn thing!'" Buffy snapped

"Spike is DEAD because of Mr Broody and his lack of backbone," she continued

Willow, Dawn and Andrew all shared a glance. It had been three months and Buffy still grieved Spike. Dawn's heart went out to her sister. She and Buffy had become closer since that day. Often, Buffy would crawl into her bed after having another Spike dream and she would comfort her sister as best she could. Sometimes they would share fond memories of the bleached vamp.

"Buffy..." started Xander

"No, Xander! I LOVE him! Ok...and I can't let him go just like that!" she yelled

Xander let out a sigh. This wasn't the first time Buffy confessed her feelings towards the vampire since the collapse of the hell mouth.

"He's gone Buffy," he said as softly as he could, hating how the tears welled in her eyes

Buffy refused to meet his eyes.

"I know," she whispered

"But it doesn't stop me loving him. Just like he loved me when I died,"

The room went silent. Only the sound of shallow breaths could be heard. After a while Buffy stood up squaring her shoulders.

"But your right, guys go pack and I'll call tall, dark and forehead," she said as she walked towards the study before she closed the door she couldn't help but smile as she heard Xander exclaim

"Oh, god she's even starting to talk like captain peroxide,"