Hyena Girl

“Buffy, this isn’t just about looking at bunch of animals. It’s about not being in school.”

Willow smiled at Xander’s unique way of viewing the zoo field trip. As horrible as living on the Hellmouth could be sometimes, Xander always knew just what to say to make her smile. That was just one of the reasons why she loved him.

Willow had been crushing on Xander ever since she realized that boys did not, in fact, actually have cooties. And during that whole time, Xander remained oblivious to all of her non-best-friendy feelings. Even now he was leaning towards Buffy, enacting the zebra love affair he and Willow had witnessed earlier.

She couldn’t miss the glint of attraction in Xander’s eyes as he clowned for Buffy. Unfortunately, Xander never looked at her the same way. Willow sighed and looked around the zoo.

Near the chimpanzees Principle Flutie appeared to be lecturing Kyle and his gang (Rhonda, Tor and Heidi) for picking on the bookish Lance. After Mr. Flutie left, Kyle clapped Lance on the shoulder and gave him a friendly smile. Oh Lance, Willow shook her head, why do you let him pick on you and then cover up for him? She watched as the situation worsened and the mean kids lured Lance towards the quarantined Hyena House.

“Uh guys…?” Willow figured it was time for the Scoobies to launch a rescue mission for Lance. But Xander was still telling his zebra love story (which now involved a voyeuristic zoo keeper) and Buffy was giggling and lightly slapping his arm.

Argh! Why did Buffy do that? Willow knew that Buffy wasn’t interested in Xander romantically because all she talked about was the mysterious, older, Angel. So why did Buffy flirt that way with Xander? Didn’t she understand exactly how much he liked her?

Fed up, Willow marched towards the Hyena House to rescue Lance herself. She didn’t need the preternaturally strong slayer for back up. Willow might not be able to kick butt like Buffy, but she was smart and capable. After all, she’d practically raised herself (and Xander too).

“Ow! Stop it! It’s not funny!”

Willow reached the cages just in time to see Kyle and Tor grab Lance and pretend to feed him to the hyenas.

“What are you doing?! Let him go!” Willow raced over to Lance and attempted to pull him free. Frustrated with her lack of progress, she grabbed her heavy book bag and walloped Kyle in the back of the head.

“Fuck! What the fuck’s wrong with you, you crazy bitch?!” Kyle released Lance to rub his tender head.

Willow helped Lance up off the ground and then turned to Kyle with an angry glint in her eyes. “What’s wrong with me? What wrong with you?! How dare you terrorize someone just to make yourself feel better, you stupid jerk? Who the hell do you think you are?”

Willow’s angry tirade was interrupted by loud growls. The largest spotted hyena in the cage pressed against the bars, sharp teeth bared, glowing eyes watching them intently.

Wait a second…Glowing eyes?

That was the last clear thought Willow had before a presence swarmed over her consciousness… something primal.