| Spike: Aquiring Minds Want to Know By Kuzibah |
| Part 1 of the Summer Vacation Series Disclaimer: Spike and the situations connected to �Buffy the Vampire Slayer� are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB network, and (apparently) Evil Fox. No connection or ownership by the author is suggested or implied. Author�s Note: One of the characters in this story made a very brief (flashback) appearance in my story �Occupational Hazards.� You don�t have to have read that to enjoy this story, but you might want to check it out. Archive- Sure, but email me and let me know where it�s going. Feedback- Absolutely. ******************* Spike reclined on the smooth surface of the sepulcher, and touched the glowing end of his nearly finished cigarette to the end of the fresh one in his mouth before stubbing it out on the marble slab. He drew the smoke deeply into his lungs, thinking again he should consider giving up the vice. Not for his health-- he couldn't get any deader, after all-- but as a way of saving his fairly small income for blood. He took another draw, and thought that while the blood would keep him alive, it would be a fairly hellish existence without the smokes. He wished he could steal. He imagined he would be good at it, but he had to be invited into anyplace worth robbing, which sort of threw a wrench into the whole process. He stretched out on his back completely now, trying to get comfortable. His crypt, which had been delightfully cool and pleasant through the Winter and Spring, had become hot and stuffy during the long Summer days, and the unusual amount of rain they had received this year had caused a strange-smelling moss to grow on the floor and walls. Spike thought longingly, not for the first time, of the lovely places he and Dru had shared. Lush, old mansions and exotic buildings in the farthest flung points of the world. And now he was stuck in a dingy old crypt in the armpit of the universe, Sunnydale. On the upside, though, the soldier boys had all appeared to clear out of town, taking most of the competing demon population along with them. So Spike guessed he could stay a while longer. He crushed his cigarette out on the stone beside him, and started to doze off, when his front door was suddenly blown off its hinges. Sunlight streamed into the small space, and Spike vaulted off the back of his resting place to crouch in the shadows behind. "Bugger all," he hissed under his breath. Three figures entered the crypt, and Spike realized they were fully human, two men and a woman. He was trapped. "Come out," the woman demanded. Spike's mind was racing, but he knew he was powerless. His only defense against humans was to flee, and in daylight even that avenue of escape was closed. He stood slowly, holding his hands up. "Alright, mates, you got me," he said. "What do you want? I haven't got anything valuable, I don't know any information, and it can't be revenge 'cause I've given up hurting demons. So what is it?" The three humans, dressed in black close-fitting jumpsuits and armed with short Oriental swords approached Spike warily. The vampire backed away until his shoulders came up against the cool stone of the crypt wall. The humans stepped closer. "What do you want?" Spike demanded, trying to stay calm. The woman reached out and touched the scar above Spike's left eye. The vampire slapped her hand away, irritated. "Ow," she cried out, and Spike grabbed his own forehead as sympathetic pain shot through it. "It's him," the taller man said, and with astonishing speed, Spike found himself bundled and tied inside a length of oilskin cloth. He thrashed ineffectually and swore loudly and elaborately as he felt himself lifted, carried, and, at last, dropped into what he presumed was a car trunk. He heard it close above him. If Spike's mind had been racing before, it had gone into hyper-drive now. He didn't recognize any of these people in the slightest, and since the battle at the Initiative compound, he'd been doing his damndest to lie low for awhile. He couldn't even guess what they wanted. What seemed like hours later, the vehicle stopped, and Spike felt himself lifted again and carried in a way that felt like descending stairs. He was dropped unceremoniously onto stone, and the oilskin and ropes were ripped away, none too gently. Spike struggled free of his bindings and stood up in a large, stone room furnished with extravagant furniture and drapery of satin and velvet. The three who had captured him stood around him now, and Spike stumbled away from them, looking desperately for an exit. �So,� said a soft voice, and Spike�s eyes fell on a male vampire stretched out on a long couch. He was of Asian origin, obviously, with dark, almond-shaped eyes and glossy black hair that hung nearly to his waist. He wore loose robe-like clothes, open in front to his navel. He was a commanding presence. The humans stepped to where he reclined, kneeling beside him. �This must be Spike,� he finished. �Who are you?� the blond vampire snapped back. The other vampire chuckled low in his throat. �I am Hisano,� he said. �We have a friend in common. Your sire, in fact.� �Angel,� Spike hissed, �that weak coward�� Hisano raised a hand and clucked quietly. �Angelus-san has nothing to do with you or I right now,� he said. �It was my pleasure to have you brought here.� Spike�s eyes narrowed suspiciously. �What for?� �I have heard of your� alteration,� Hisano said silkily. �I found the thought amusing. To imagine, a fierce vampire held at bay by the smallest and weakest of my human servants�� At this he stroked the temple of the female who knelt at his left hand. ��Simply because he is unable to harm her in any way.� Spike seethed, his eyes burning like brands. Hisano smiled at the younger vampire�s anger. �I need to be entertained,� he explained. �And so I acquire treasures and rarities from all around the world to distract me from the tedium of immortality. And now I have acquired you.� �Acquired�� Spike snarled. Hisano waved his hand dismissively. �Show him to his quarters,� he said, �and� Spike� you will be joining me at dinner in one hour.� Spike suffered himself to be led to his quarters, his gilded cage. It was dry and dimly lit, with flowers and the faint scent of sandalwood in the air. Maroon velvet hung in thick folds from the walls, and a huge bed piled with satin pillows and spreads dominated the room. The two male servants withdrew, leaving Spike alone with the woman. �I am to help you change clothes,� she said. Spike turned to her, and his hateful expression softened. �Are you to serve me?� he said. �I serve Hisano-san,� she said, lowering her eyes demurely. Spike took a small step towards her. �What�s your name?� �Akasuki.� �It must be very lonely here for you, Akasuki,� Spike said softly. �Is your master good to you?� �My reward will come in time,� she replied. Spike came even closer, and saw a yellowing bruise on the side of her throat. He reached out and touched it gently. �I�ve been lonely, too,� he said. �Despised by other vampires. Feared by human women.� He leaned close to her ear, whispering, almost purring. �What would give you pleasure?� he said. Akasuki gave a trembling breath. �Your hands,� she said. �Cool, like stone.� �But you�re very warm,� Spike said, and he cupped her face in his hands. �Let me ease your loneliness.� And she yielded as he wrapped her in his arms. - - - - - - - - - - Later, as she washed the sweat from her flushed face and smoothed her rumpled clothes, she entreated the blond vampire to dress in the Japanese style clothes left for him and join Hisano for dinner. Spike whispered sweet promises to her as she lingered in his rooms, promises of love and immortality that brought her breath up short, until she had to flee, lest she betray them both. Not long after, the larger of the two male guards came to collect him for dinner. Spike glared at his back as he followed him back through the hallways of Hisano's home. "So what's on the menu tonight?" Spike asked. "Teenage girl, same as usual," the guard replied. Spike skidded to a halt. "You're kidding, right?" "Nope," the guard replied in a fairly bored tone. "Seki and I picked her up at the bus station." Spike was interested, now. "Is she alive?" "Of course. Hisano won't have them any other way." Spike smiled greedily. "Well, lead on, then," he said. They entered the dining room. A rough-hewn wooden table stood in the middle of the floor, and a girl no older than sixteen was chained, spread-eagled, across it. A red scarf was bound around her mouth. When Spike and the guard entered, she began to struggle anew, weeping. Spike's mouth began to water. Hisano entered from the other side of the room, and smiled slyly at his guest. He gestured towards the table. "You go first," he offered. Spike could hardly contain his excitement. He pounced on the girl, baring his fangs and lunging for her neck. Just as he touched the skin, searing pain ripped through his brain. He recoiled, falling off the table in the process. He lay on the floor, waiting for the throes to subside. "Are you not hungry, then?" Hisano said. "I apologize, but surely you'll forgive me for eating in front of you." And he drove his fangs into the girl's throat. Spike groaned in agony as he watched from below, as Hisano slowly sucked the precious blood from the girl, as she struggled more and more weakly against her bonds. Twice he stopped to offer her to Spike, but the blond vampire could only glare in undisguised hatred at his captor. Finally Hisano had finished her, and she lay dead, her body rapidly turning cold. He wiped his lips delicately. "I'm sorry she was not to your liking," he said, still smiling. "Perhaps you'll want some leftovers later. Now if you'll excuse me... and thank you, Spike. It has been most... amusing." And he exited the way he had come. Spike stood shakily, balancing himself against the edge of the table. He looked longingly at the body, and the blood beginning to pool around her head. Before long, hunger overwhelmed pride and he pressed his mouth to her neck. The blood was cold and bitter. - - - - - - - - - - "So what's your name," Spike said to the tall guard as he was led back to his quarters. The guard hesitated. "Isamu," he said finally. "And how'd you come to be working at this little horror show?" Isamu didn't answer. "I mean, do you find your work fulfilling?" Spike went on. "Do you feel a sense of accomplishment kidnapping little girls?" Isamu hesitated again. "Well the pay is pretty good," he said. "It'd have to be," Spike rejoined. "But what's your ultimate reward. Hisano say he would turn you?" "Eventually," Isamu admitted. "Typical," Spike muttered. "What's that supposed to mean," Isamu said angrily. "Oh, we always promise that," Spike said. "You humans'll do anything for that little biscuit, but it's all a load of crap." "What do you mean?" �We hardly ever turn humans,� Spike went on casually. �Unless they�re exceptional in some way. Particularly beautiful, possessing of some great talent.� He chuckled derisively. �Which, I hate to tell you, mate, doesn�t seem to be you. We turn someone like you, you�re just competition.� Isamu said nothing. �Of course, just �cause Hisano doesn�t have anything to gain,� Spike continued, his tone still breezy, �doesn�t mean I wouldn�t be willing to help a bloke out�� Isamu hesitated only a moment more. �Go on,� he said. - - - - - - - - - - Later, Spike was stretched out on the bed in his room. He had changed back into his own clothes, and was smoking one of the fine Turkish cigarettes that had been left for him. A small favor from Hisano, he guessed. He took a long draw on the smoke, then expelled it in a thin stream and watched it rise to the ceiling. Two down, one to go, he thought, and at that the third guard, a man smaller and slighter than Isamu entered the room. �Hisano has asked if there is anything you wish to have before sunrise,� he asked. �To be shown the way out?� Spike suggested, but when the guard remained stone-faced he shrugged and muttered, �didn�t think so�� �Very well then,� the guard said, but Spike raised a hand to halt his exit. �What�s your name?� the vampire said. �Seki.� �What do you get out of this,� Spike said. �I am a mercenary,� Seki said. �I am paid precisely what I ask in exchange for my services.� Spike fell back on the bed, hoping his disappointment at this information didn�t show. He raised his cigarette to his lips and glanced at the man again. Something in the human�s expression caught his attention, and he inhaled slowly, then stretched out languorously, calling on all his catlike charms. �It must be very lonely here for you, Seki,� he said softly. - - - - - - - - - - Spike walked unhurriedly down the street, away from Hisano�s fortress, his pockets stuffed full of jewelry and other treasures �liberated� from the Japanese vampire�s collection.. He brushed the dust that had resulted from the older creature�s demise from his hands, and found himself laughing again at the expression on the three guards� faces as he had thanked them politely for their assistance and then run like a weasel. Despite his momentary humiliation, the entire experience had ultimately proven to be quite a jolly time, and there was a spring in his step as he walked through what he had learned was J-Town in Los Angeles. He rounded a corner and saw a group of three vampires bunched together under a streetlamp. They were rather young, he saw, mere fledglings, and he curled his fingers around the first piece of jewelry he touched in his pocket- a necklace. �Hey, there,� he said, approaching them. �Any of you know anything about magical necklaces? �Cause I think I might have something valuable here, but I�ve got to get it out of my hands pretty quickly. Need to hit the road, I mean. Care to take a look at it?� The fledglings turned towards him, their eyes shining greedily at the chance to acquire a valuable artifact from a desperate seller. Like shooting fish in a barrel, Spike thought. Part 2 - Tara: Miss Kitty Fantastico Finds Love Main Menu ~ Summer Vacation Series |