Kick. Duck. Punch. Block.

Spike and I were sparing in one of the central rooms of Kaleell's house. When Spike moved in, Kaleell set aside a section of her home for Spike's use. Spike turned the darkened, seldom used rooms into a bedroom, library and *exercise* room.

I was surprised to learn that Spike slept very little during the day. It seems, that vampires require less sleep than mortals...or even Kaleell's type of demon -- the Kali, servants of the dark goddess. At least, Spike requires less. I swear, that vampire is always hyper and bouncing off of the walls. Damn him.

My life has pretty much been boiled down to three things: eating, sleeping and training. Occasionally, Spike and I venture into the outside world, but that has become rather dangerous. Whine. I wish it was possible for me to go out more often but it is impossible at the moment. I really do not want to be attacked or killed. Damn bounty hunters.

The demon population has become pretty bad. It will only be a matter of time before Kaleell decides to move us. I accidentally overheard her discussing it with Spike while I was raiding the library for reading material. I was upset at first, but after hearing the horrors of Buffy's latest patrols, I realized that it was for the best. As long as I stay here, they will come for me and in the process, will attempt to slaughter innocents, including my friends and family.

My friends and I have started to drift apart lately. Xander and Buffy still visit and I occasionally go to see them, but it's not the same. We can't seem to get past the many things that lie between us. They are still dealing with the fact that I am the Savior. I can't go out with them anymore, and I will not be joining them at Sunnydale University. I'm dealing with a lot of issues myself, naturally. I've had to grow up in the last few months; consequently, I've matured. I'm no longer the high schooler Buffy and Xander knew.

But where I have lost friends, I have gained them -- most surprisingly, Oz. One day, he called me up and we had a long conversation. It seems that he had called Buffy after my parents told him I was dead when he called my old number. Damn them. They were upset that I moved out but I never expected their behavior to be what it is. Buffy reassured him that I was alive and gave him my new number. We have managed to put the hurt caused by his leaving behind us and have built a solid friendship. I can be found on the phone with him, during most of my free time.

Amy and I have also become closer. She often joins Kaleell and I for magic lessons. Kaleell believes that she has great potential and has welcomed her to join us anytime she can.

Kaleell and I have surprisingly developed a bond. I never thought that I would get close to her, but I have. She seems cold at first, but she's really different once you get to know her. Like Spike, she is a master story teller, though less animated, and has an endless number of tales. She has even started to revel more details about her past though she still avoids answering questions.

Out of all the friends I have found, Spike is definitely the one I am closest to. Our friendship has continued to grow despite the fact that Giles, Xander and Buffy are very vocal about their dislike of him. I don't blame them. Once I disliked him as well but I have had a chance to get to know him. They do not know him beyond the demon who tried to kill Buffy several times.

*thud*

Using a maneuver Kaleell had taught me, I flipped Spike onto his back. I quickly decided to play up the situation and straddled his hips. I captured his arms and pinned them down above his head.

"Give up?" I asked tongue-in-cheek.

"Not quite, pet," Spike answered with a grin.

Spike suddenly flipped us over so that he was on top. He laid on top of me, supporting most of his weight with his arms. Our eyes met and the air suddenly became thicker. I grew uncomfortable and tried to squirm away but it did no good. Spike had my firmly pinned and my movements only increased the tension in the room.

"Give?" Spike asked.

I shook my head.

"No?"

I shook my head again.

"Well, let's see if this works," he murmured almost to himself as he lowered his head.

His lips were suddenly on mine, caressing them with the lightest brush. I gasped at the delightful sensations that raced through me. Seizing the opportunity presented to him, Spike slipped his tongue between my parted lips and gently explored the cavity of my mouth. I responded to his gentle teasing and he turned up the intensity. His lips ground into mine. Our tongues battled, Spike's dominant.

Finally, Spike rolled off of me. I gasped for air, feeding my starved lungs. Spike picked himself off of the floor with shaken grace. As Spike walked out of the door, I could hear him grumble to himself.

"How could I bloody forget that humans need to breathe?"

*****

27 July 1999

My peers can cancel their plans to search for the other demon that will walk at the Savior's side. Despite my reports of Spike and Willow's relationship, Whistler informed me that they had started tentative plans to look for the other. Today I snuck into to watch Willow and Spike spar. (Spike sets aside time each day for them to spar; I don't interfere with his schedule.)

I had decided to check on the Savior's progress. I spar with her often but she is often too busy concentrating -- trying to please me -- to just let her body flow. I fear that I am too demanding which causes her to inhibit herself. When with Spike, Willow is always more at ease. The only way I can tell how well she is really is doing, is for me not to be involved in any way.

I positioned myself near the door to watch the practice. While watching their movements, I realized that Willow was doing quite well -- much better than I expected originally. She's still unsure of herself and hasn't learned all the moves that she will need to know. But she has a natural feel for hand-to-hand combat and that's something that you cannot develop.

Anyway, the next thing I knew, Willow had pinned Spike down. Then he flipped them over and pinned her. And then, before my mind could comprehend what my eyes were seeing, they were kissing. I still don't know how it happened but there they were. You could almost see sparks flying where their lips met.

I left as soon as I could get my legs to my brain to move my legs. Their relations are really none of my concern unless they are unhealthy and damaging to Willow. I suspected that Spike was the other demon, but in recent days, I had begun to believe I was wrong. Neither of then had seemed to want to take that step -- the one from friendship to something more.

Until now that is.