The usual disclaimer-Buffy belongs to Joss Whedon and co. The Soul Reapers are a mixture of Death Note, Bleach, and my own creation. Aaaaaaaaaand...Enjoy!

Chapter One: In the beginning

"I was there at the end. I was always there. Watching. Waiting. Seeing your powers grow. And then you died. But it wasn't a shock, I knew it would happen. For I am a Soul Reaper."

Tara stared blankly at the young woman before her, mouth slightly agape and eyes open wide. She wasn't entirely sure what she was feeling other than a slight fuzzyness in her skull. This was all too much. Lex paused, waiting for some sort of awed response, and then, as she realized none would come, carried on with her little speech.

"I continued to watch your lover instead, drawn to her power." She sniggered. "Oh Lord, that was a spectacular show...Anyway. Yes. You've missed a lot. Sunnydale now resides in a large crater. Welcome to England!" She spread her arms, grinning broadly. They were...In the middle of no where, surrounded by long green grass and the odd tree, under a deep blue night sky scattered with tiny bright stars, the peacefull silence broken occasionally by the 'swooshing' of cars on a road nearby that was bordered by a never ending hedge. Tara's eyes remained fixed on Lex. A Soul Reaper. She was tall and slim, around 20 years of age, with long straight raven hair and eyes the grey colour of ice. Her skin was fair, her appearance holding a sort of...'dead' quality to it that was almost enchanting. Almost. Because she was a Soul Reaper. She wore the long black robes, a blood red cloth tied around her waist to keep her katana there. The blade that decided the fate of lost souls. Finally Tara wetted her lips, eyes still on Lex.

"I'm scared..." She said slowly. Lex gave a slight grin.

"But of course, McClay-"

"Tara."

"Whatever." Lex frowned at the interruption. "Don't worry though. You are very much alive, no strings attatched."

"But...why?" The whole time, Tara had remained on her knees in front of Lex, and Lex had been standing. Now she crouched to be of (roughly) the same height, smiling kindly at Tara. Tara leaned back slightly, away from her, and looked surprised as hurt flickered breifly across the Reaper's face.

"Because I think I could use your help." She said. Tara stared at her, raising her eyebrows slowly.

"H-help?" She stammered uncertainly. Lex grinned and sat with her legs crossed before her.

"Indeed. Someone of your talent should not be so readily disposed of." She nodded. Tara looked wary.

"I-I think you should talk to Willow-she's the one with all the power. I'm just...me." She said. Lex quirked a brow.

"You died." She said. "And I brought you back. So that means, unless I say otherwise, you're mine now." Tara's jaw dropped at that. Lex stood up, glancing around herself as she wondered which way they should go. Tara followed suit behind her.

"I-I-I'm what?!" She cried. "I'm...yours?! Like a...a slave?!" She jumped slightly as Lex's silence shattered with a laugh of almost maniacal qualities.

"No, not a slave." She turned to Tara, still chuckling slightly. "A companion that no one else can have." Tara glared furiously at her.

"Well, I'm not. And...And I'm going to find Willow." She said, sounding a lot braver than she felt, and began heading towards the road. Faster than the eye could follow, Lex's hand shot out and closed around Tara's arm.

"No, McClay." She said quietly. Tara looked first at her hand, and then at her face, obviously afraid. "We can't mix with the living."

"You s-s-said I was a-alive." Tara challenged, starting to tremble and cursing her stammering. She could feel her heart thundering in her chest. Lex nodded.

"But you died, and rules are rules." She slowly released Tara and stepped back. Tara rubbed her arm-Lex was a lot stronger than she looked-and dropped her gaze to her feet. "Death is a lonely road. I'm sorry." She said. Looking up at the Reaper, Tara found she was truly sorry.

"So why can't we 'mix with the living'?" She asked. Lex sighed and shook her head.

"I don't know. It messes up something or other. And not just your loved ones' heads." Tara frowned at her.

"But Willow brought back Buffy and we were fine." She spoke softly and uncertainly, wary of the Reaper.

"It just doesn't work, okay?" Lex snapped. Tara was taken aback and nodded vigorously, stammering an 'Okay!' as the Reaper once again turned her back and gazed across the field. Eyeing the blade in Lex's belt nervously, Tara stood silent and still, wary of angering her and wishing her heart rate would slow down. Lex could probably hear it... She jumped slightly as the Reaper made a soft noise and her eyes snapped up to the back of Lex's head. Lex was stroking her lower lip thoughtfully.

"We're near London. Sort of." She said quietly, and turned her head slightly. "I sense a great deal of power in that direction." She waved vaguely in the direction the road was heading. "If I'm correct then there's a large village over there. And another Hellmouth." She turned to Tara, smiling crookedly. "You're familar with those, aren't you?" Although she didn't sound it, Tara was certain Lex was jesting. Of course she was familiar with Hellmouths-she'd lived in Sunnydale! Lex gave a faint laugh-it spooked Tara...-and stuck her thumbs into her belt. "Well, then. Let's roll!" And suddenly the Reaper wore a long black coat, baggy trousers, boots and a red skinny fit T-shirt. Lara blinked slowly at her as Lex strode by towards the village and the Hellmouth.

"This cannot get any wierder..." She murmured, before turning fully and following her new companion.

If you like and wish to continue reading...then I gotta apologise-I update very slowly. But no worries! If I feel enough time has passed for all hope to have been tossed aside for an update, I tend to send out emails to check if you're still interested