Journey of the White Cave Clan
TITLE: Journey of the White Cave Clan
8/28
AUTHOR: Bmblbee
Rating: NC17
Warnings: Adult content. Some M/M sexual content.
Disclaimer: The Bee owns nothing including these characters.
Summary: HAU. Set in the year 5000BC Spike's clan is dying in the grip
of the last mini-ice age. While they are reluctant to leave the cave of their
ancestors, they know that they will freeze and starve if they stay. Suddenly,
they find a stranger in their midst. A member of a nomadic clan that can
show them the way to salvation.
Warnings: Not a lot of sex but what there is, is graphic.
Thanks to Naughty_Fae for the pre-read. All errors are by choice of the Bee.
Archieved at: http://www.captainperoxideandthewhelp.com/
Anyone else wishing to take it should ask first please.
Link to previous chapters HERE
Special thanks to Petxnd for the wonderful banner
The shouts and angry discord at the mouth of the cave brought the others scurrying from
the furthest corners and passageways. Frog and Harmony appeared first. In her hands she
still held the bloody intestines from yesterday's kill that she had been stretching to dry for use
as sewing material. Her mate, Frog, carried the broken spear he had been mending. Falling
into protective stance, Harmony scurried behind her man knowing he would die to protect
her. From there, she peered around for the source of the problem.
"What? What is it? EEEEE!!!"
Everyone in the cave cringed at Harmony's ear-splitting scream when she spotted the strange
man who was struggling to pull himself into a sitting position. By this time Badger and Lida
had darted in through the mouth of the cave. Now nearly thirty, they were the eldest of the
clan, and they made their own contributions to the group by tending to the smaller, less
strenuous details such as keeping the bones and remains of the meals cleaned from the
living space. Both were bent and crippled by the ravages of time and cold, and their days
of hunting and toting were done. As elders, they had earned the respect and care of the
clan. They had just one child in their time of coupling, a daughter named Dawn, born in
the sunset of their years.
"SHUT UP! SILENCE!"
Spike directed his orders toward his clan but his eyes never left the man on the cave floor,
whose face strained not to grimace in a display of weakness as his hand held his injured
side. His beautiful dark eyes were wide open now, but his lips were sealed shut as he
waited to see how this would play out.
Xander's attention was locked on the small-statured man who apparently spoke for this
clan. Pale, thin and with hair the color of winter wheat, Xander was absolutely fascinated
with him. Then Spike looked directly at him, and the sight of the clear blue eyes caused
Xander's heart to leap into his throat.
Though he remained silent, his brain spun around in a maze of questions. 'Who were
these people? Why have they captured and brought me here? Is it really possible to have
eyes the color of the sky?'
Spike finally tore his gaze from the stranger's and he calmed his tone.
"It's all right. This man was injured and we brought him here to keep the coyote and wolf
from eating him alive. The rest of you, go back to your chores. I will speak to him alone.
We are in no danger."
Penn stepped closer. He had no intention in leaving until his fears were soothed and his
anger eased. Spike snorted and shook his head at his friend as he placed a firm hand on
Penn's shoulder.
"The stranger has not violated our clan or your woman. He is too weak to force a rut. That is
not what you see. Against common sense, Willow has done her earth magic on him to cause
him to awaken. Nothing more has happened. Go. Take the boys with you and prepare for
our evening meal. I will speak to this man."
The explanation fit all the pieces that were before Penn's eyes and that, along with Willow's
face, told him that his woman may be guilty of foolishness, but nothing else. With one last
glare of intimidation, Penn stormed off.
The others were reluctant to leave but grudgingly grumbled as they finally collected the
day's good kill that had been dropped outside the cave. As soon as their attention was focused
on the bounty of meat and fish, Andrew began the wild, enthusiastic telling of his first kill.
It was a story that would be often repeated and generally embellished countless time in
the coming days and seasons.
Willow was the last to drift away, and before she left, Spike grabbed her by the arm. He took
her to the side, away from the curious ears of the stranger, and he spoke to her quietly. As he
did, his hand rested on the small swell of her belly.
"That was foolish, sister. The clan needs this child. The clan needs you. I need you. You
must not do anything that will put your health at risk. Please."
Willow smiled and leaned in to bump her nose affectionately against her beloved brother.
She knew he was right, but apparently no harm had been done. She and her unborn were fine.
"You are right as always, my brother. My child and I will be more obedient."
Her green eyes sparkled mischievously. When she patted his cheek, he tried to scowl but
failed, and she was sent on her way to join her mate. Xander had watched this exchange
with great interest. Although he couldn't hear their words, their affection and the small swell
of her belly told him all he needed to know.
And then they were alone. The day was growing late and the wind outside the cave howled
with a frigid snap and the threat of coming snow. Inside, it was dry and warm and more than
just a niggling claustrophobic. The shapes and shadows of the flames danced on the walls in
a way that made the cave paintings seem to come alive. The great beasts appeared to charge
and undulate as the fearless warriors chased and captured them.
Xander sat against the far wall. His hand continued to press on his injured side, and he
wondered if the dark colors on his legs were just that or if there was something broken
inside. Spike stood on the opposite side of the fire and he watched the man carefully,
gauging him. Evaluating him. Waiting to see what his first point of concern would be.
He didn't have long to wait. Angrily, Xander asked, "Where is my spear?"
'A warrior.' Spike attached the label. It made sense. The man was strong. His body
was wonderfully formed. Spike frowned at himself and the odd line his thoughts were taking.
"I am Spike. I am leader of the White Cave Clan. You were found broken at the bottom of
the high rocks near the pond of fresh water. Because you still have sound in your chest,
my hunter insisted we bring you here to live or die. What is your name? Why were you
alone? Who is your clan?"
Spike's low, calm tone went a long way toward easing the fear and trepidation Xander
felt. However, as a clan leader, he would not be questioned like a pup.
"I said, where is my spear? I am Xander, leader of the Wind Clan, and I order you to give
me my spear."
Spike's eyebrows shot straight toward his hairline and he snorted his amusement and disgust.
He rested his own long spear against the far wall, well out of the reach of an injured man, and
he tossed his long white hair over his shoulder as he sauntered around the fire to stand directly
in front of the leader of the Wind Clan.
"Well, Xander, if you are the leader, why has your clan not looked for you? You were
brought here at the first light of this day's sun. The sun now rests at the furthest corner of
the sky and there is no sign of a party of warriors searching for their lost leader. What
were you doing here in the territory of the White Clan?"
Xander's left hand felt around the back of his battered head. The splitting pain from his
cracked skull made thinking hard. Obviously, though, what Spike was saying rang true.
The sun had traveled far in the sky. Apparently his clan had left without him. By now,
they would be miles away. Possibly they had already returned to the settlement. Probably
with Liam as their new clan leader. But none of that would be revealed. Xander would show
no weakness.
"You are a fool. My clan will come for me, and when they do, you and all of your people
will die by our spears and stones. We are a clan of great skills. We are warriors and
hunters. That is why we were in this valley. My men took three great boar in one day's hunt."
Xander's head was held high and his chin tipped upward as he boasted, but his words did not
stir the envy or fear he had anticipated. Instead, his bragging incited a rage in Spike that
caused his blue eyes to flash like the lightning in the sky. His face turned red and his hand
very nearly reached for his quiet spear.
"You come to our land and steal our food? Is that the way of the Wind Clan? My people
are hungry and fighting a land that has gone cold, and you sneak in here like thieves in the
night to steal food from the mouths of our women and children? You are a clan of jackals
and hyenas!"
Xander was genuinely bewildered by the accusations and response. He had expected fear
and respect, not anger and words that sounded stupid in their lack of logic.
"That is ridiculous. No clan owns the land or the beasts that roam on it. The land is the land.
It is for the strong to hunt and grow stronger. A weak clan that cannot feed its members dies.
It is not right or wrong, it is the way of the land."
Spike turned away and broke eye contact. The truth in Xander's words were sharper than
the point of a spear, and it pierced Spike's heart. Not about the land and not about the beasts
that run on it. This was White Cave land and Spike would die believing that truth, but
Xander was right about the rest. A clan that could not feed itself would die.
Spike's lack of response, gave Xander time for his own speculation. As he looked around,
the cave told a story of this clan that was far bigger than the paintings on the wall. He could
read the signs and knew that this had been a clan of great numbers and power. The
cleared, swept floor and smooth shelves of the walls said that every inch of this space had
been utilized for the clan's comfort and assembly. But just now, when an uproar had called
them to converge, only a handful responded. For whatever the reason, their numbers had
greatly dwindled and Xander was fairly certain that the White Cave Clan was in deep trouble.
"If your food source is getting scarce, why do you stay in this cave? The great flocks of sky
birds are following the warm air. Do you not follow their path? The wise men of my own
clan have read the signs that the sun has forgotten this land and we will not return when the
bears come from hibernation."
Spike marched over and unexpectedly sat down, cross-legged in front of the man who spoke
of odd things. He wondered if it was true. Did his clan really know of a land where the sun
still warmed the grass and caused the fruit trees to bear fruit? There had not been a day go
by that Spike had not pondered on the fate of the ones who had deserted the White Clan in
search of a better place. Ri and Buffy. His friends. Were they happily rutting in the warmth
of a new land? The part of him that was a man hoped they had found it, but the part that
was a clan leader cursed them for their abandonment of the ancient ways.
Quickly, Spike mentally checked himself. Leaving was not an option. He would stay. He
would feed his people and the sun would return to the land. His clan would again grow
strong and many. He had to believe it to be so.
"We live here. In the caves as our fathers and their fathers did. Your words are false. There
is no land beyond the deep forest and even if there were, how would we find new caves to
shelter us? Do you propose that we walk in the ice and snow with no fire to warm us and no
rock to break the wind and snow from our bodies? No man can live like that. It is a lie. It is
a trick to try and take our caves for your own clan."
Xander just rolled his eyes. His head hurt, and his side ached more with each movement
he made. He didn't care if this fool believed him or not. Let them starve and rot within this
cave. It made no difference to Xander. All he wanted was a couple days to rest. As soon
as he was able, he would try to catch up to his clan and regain his leadership.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Xander slid down and tried to get comfortable.
"I'm tired and thirsty. Send someone to me with fresh water and a pouch that I can empty
my man-part into. Then I want to sleep. When I awaken, you can bring me food."
"What?" Spike was astounded that anyone would speak to the leader of the White Clan in
such a disrespectful manner. He jumped to his feet and as he snatched his spear up,
he considered plunging it into the annoying man who was already snoring.
Instead he took one long last look, then muttered curses to the moon and stars as he
headed further into the cave to send one of the women back with two gut skins. One
of fresh water and one for the foul waste.
8/28
AUTHOR: Bmblbee
Rating: NC17
Warnings: Adult content. Some M/M sexual content.
Disclaimer: The Bee owns nothing including these characters.
Summary: HAU. Set in the year 5000BC Spike's clan is dying in the grip
of the last mini-ice age. While they are reluctant to leave the cave of their
ancestors, they know that they will freeze and starve if they stay. Suddenly,
they find a stranger in their midst. A member of a nomadic clan that can
show them the way to salvation.
Warnings: Not a lot of sex but what there is, is graphic.
Thanks to Naughty_Fae for the pre-read. All errors are by choice of the Bee.
Archieved at: http://www.captainperoxideandthewhelp.com/
Anyone else wishing to take it should ask first please.
Link to previous chapters HERE
Special thanks to Petxnd for the wonderful banner
The shouts and angry discord at the mouth of the cave brought the others scurrying from
the furthest corners and passageways. Frog and Harmony appeared first. In her hands she
still held the bloody intestines from yesterday's kill that she had been stretching to dry for use
as sewing material. Her mate, Frog, carried the broken spear he had been mending. Falling
into protective stance, Harmony scurried behind her man knowing he would die to protect
her. From there, she peered around for the source of the problem.
"What? What is it? EEEEE!!!"
Everyone in the cave cringed at Harmony's ear-splitting scream when she spotted the strange
man who was struggling to pull himself into a sitting position. By this time Badger and Lida
had darted in through the mouth of the cave. Now nearly thirty, they were the eldest of the
clan, and they made their own contributions to the group by tending to the smaller, less
strenuous details such as keeping the bones and remains of the meals cleaned from the
living space. Both were bent and crippled by the ravages of time and cold, and their days
of hunting and toting were done. As elders, they had earned the respect and care of the
clan. They had just one child in their time of coupling, a daughter named Dawn, born in
the sunset of their years.
"SHUT UP! SILENCE!"
Spike directed his orders toward his clan but his eyes never left the man on the cave floor,
whose face strained not to grimace in a display of weakness as his hand held his injured
side. His beautiful dark eyes were wide open now, but his lips were sealed shut as he
waited to see how this would play out.
Xander's attention was locked on the small-statured man who apparently spoke for this
clan. Pale, thin and with hair the color of winter wheat, Xander was absolutely fascinated
with him. Then Spike looked directly at him, and the sight of the clear blue eyes caused
Xander's heart to leap into his throat.
Though he remained silent, his brain spun around in a maze of questions. 'Who were
these people? Why have they captured and brought me here? Is it really possible to have
eyes the color of the sky?'
Spike finally tore his gaze from the stranger's and he calmed his tone.
"It's all right. This man was injured and we brought him here to keep the coyote and wolf
from eating him alive. The rest of you, go back to your chores. I will speak to him alone.
We are in no danger."
Penn stepped closer. He had no intention in leaving until his fears were soothed and his
anger eased. Spike snorted and shook his head at his friend as he placed a firm hand on
Penn's shoulder.
"The stranger has not violated our clan or your woman. He is too weak to force a rut. That is
not what you see. Against common sense, Willow has done her earth magic on him to cause
him to awaken. Nothing more has happened. Go. Take the boys with you and prepare for
our evening meal. I will speak to this man."
The explanation fit all the pieces that were before Penn's eyes and that, along with Willow's
face, told him that his woman may be guilty of foolishness, but nothing else. With one last
glare of intimidation, Penn stormed off.
The others were reluctant to leave but grudgingly grumbled as they finally collected the
day's good kill that had been dropped outside the cave. As soon as their attention was focused
on the bounty of meat and fish, Andrew began the wild, enthusiastic telling of his first kill.
It was a story that would be often repeated and generally embellished countless time in
the coming days and seasons.
Willow was the last to drift away, and before she left, Spike grabbed her by the arm. He took
her to the side, away from the curious ears of the stranger, and he spoke to her quietly. As he
did, his hand rested on the small swell of her belly.
"That was foolish, sister. The clan needs this child. The clan needs you. I need you. You
must not do anything that will put your health at risk. Please."
Willow smiled and leaned in to bump her nose affectionately against her beloved brother.
She knew he was right, but apparently no harm had been done. She and her unborn were fine.
"You are right as always, my brother. My child and I will be more obedient."
Her green eyes sparkled mischievously. When she patted his cheek, he tried to scowl but
failed, and she was sent on her way to join her mate. Xander had watched this exchange
with great interest. Although he couldn't hear their words, their affection and the small swell
of her belly told him all he needed to know.
And then they were alone. The day was growing late and the wind outside the cave howled
with a frigid snap and the threat of coming snow. Inside, it was dry and warm and more than
just a niggling claustrophobic. The shapes and shadows of the flames danced on the walls in
a way that made the cave paintings seem to come alive. The great beasts appeared to charge
and undulate as the fearless warriors chased and captured them.
Xander sat against the far wall. His hand continued to press on his injured side, and he
wondered if the dark colors on his legs were just that or if there was something broken
inside. Spike stood on the opposite side of the fire and he watched the man carefully,
gauging him. Evaluating him. Waiting to see what his first point of concern would be.
He didn't have long to wait. Angrily, Xander asked, "Where is my spear?"
'A warrior.' Spike attached the label. It made sense. The man was strong. His body
was wonderfully formed. Spike frowned at himself and the odd line his thoughts were taking.
"I am Spike. I am leader of the White Cave Clan. You were found broken at the bottom of
the high rocks near the pond of fresh water. Because you still have sound in your chest,
my hunter insisted we bring you here to live or die. What is your name? Why were you
alone? Who is your clan?"
Spike's low, calm tone went a long way toward easing the fear and trepidation Xander
felt. However, as a clan leader, he would not be questioned like a pup.
"I said, where is my spear? I am Xander, leader of the Wind Clan, and I order you to give
me my spear."
Spike's eyebrows shot straight toward his hairline and he snorted his amusement and disgust.
He rested his own long spear against the far wall, well out of the reach of an injured man, and
he tossed his long white hair over his shoulder as he sauntered around the fire to stand directly
in front of the leader of the Wind Clan.
"Well, Xander, if you are the leader, why has your clan not looked for you? You were
brought here at the first light of this day's sun. The sun now rests at the furthest corner of
the sky and there is no sign of a party of warriors searching for their lost leader. What
were you doing here in the territory of the White Clan?"
Xander's left hand felt around the back of his battered head. The splitting pain from his
cracked skull made thinking hard. Obviously, though, what Spike was saying rang true.
The sun had traveled far in the sky. Apparently his clan had left without him. By now,
they would be miles away. Possibly they had already returned to the settlement. Probably
with Liam as their new clan leader. But none of that would be revealed. Xander would show
no weakness.
"You are a fool. My clan will come for me, and when they do, you and all of your people
will die by our spears and stones. We are a clan of great skills. We are warriors and
hunters. That is why we were in this valley. My men took three great boar in one day's hunt."
Xander's head was held high and his chin tipped upward as he boasted, but his words did not
stir the envy or fear he had anticipated. Instead, his bragging incited a rage in Spike that
caused his blue eyes to flash like the lightning in the sky. His face turned red and his hand
very nearly reached for his quiet spear.
"You come to our land and steal our food? Is that the way of the Wind Clan? My people
are hungry and fighting a land that has gone cold, and you sneak in here like thieves in the
night to steal food from the mouths of our women and children? You are a clan of jackals
and hyenas!"
Xander was genuinely bewildered by the accusations and response. He had expected fear
and respect, not anger and words that sounded stupid in their lack of logic.
"That is ridiculous. No clan owns the land or the beasts that roam on it. The land is the land.
It is for the strong to hunt and grow stronger. A weak clan that cannot feed its members dies.
It is not right or wrong, it is the way of the land."
Spike turned away and broke eye contact. The truth in Xander's words were sharper than
the point of a spear, and it pierced Spike's heart. Not about the land and not about the beasts
that run on it. This was White Cave land and Spike would die believing that truth, but
Xander was right about the rest. A clan that could not feed itself would die.
Spike's lack of response, gave Xander time for his own speculation. As he looked around,
the cave told a story of this clan that was far bigger than the paintings on the wall. He could
read the signs and knew that this had been a clan of great numbers and power. The
cleared, swept floor and smooth shelves of the walls said that every inch of this space had
been utilized for the clan's comfort and assembly. But just now, when an uproar had called
them to converge, only a handful responded. For whatever the reason, their numbers had
greatly dwindled and Xander was fairly certain that the White Cave Clan was in deep trouble.
"If your food source is getting scarce, why do you stay in this cave? The great flocks of sky
birds are following the warm air. Do you not follow their path? The wise men of my own
clan have read the signs that the sun has forgotten this land and we will not return when the
bears come from hibernation."
Spike marched over and unexpectedly sat down, cross-legged in front of the man who spoke
of odd things. He wondered if it was true. Did his clan really know of a land where the sun
still warmed the grass and caused the fruit trees to bear fruit? There had not been a day go
by that Spike had not pondered on the fate of the ones who had deserted the White Clan in
search of a better place. Ri and Buffy. His friends. Were they happily rutting in the warmth
of a new land? The part of him that was a man hoped they had found it, but the part that
was a clan leader cursed them for their abandonment of the ancient ways.
Quickly, Spike mentally checked himself. Leaving was not an option. He would stay. He
would feed his people and the sun would return to the land. His clan would again grow
strong and many. He had to believe it to be so.
"We live here. In the caves as our fathers and their fathers did. Your words are false. There
is no land beyond the deep forest and even if there were, how would we find new caves to
shelter us? Do you propose that we walk in the ice and snow with no fire to warm us and no
rock to break the wind and snow from our bodies? No man can live like that. It is a lie. It is
a trick to try and take our caves for your own clan."
Xander just rolled his eyes. His head hurt, and his side ached more with each movement
he made. He didn't care if this fool believed him or not. Let them starve and rot within this
cave. It made no difference to Xander. All he wanted was a couple days to rest. As soon
as he was able, he would try to catch up to his clan and regain his leadership.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Xander slid down and tried to get comfortable.
"I'm tired and thirsty. Send someone to me with fresh water and a pouch that I can empty
my man-part into. Then I want to sleep. When I awaken, you can bring me food."
"What?" Spike was astounded that anyone would speak to the leader of the White Clan in
such a disrespectful manner. He jumped to his feet and as he snatched his spear up,
he considered plunging it into the annoying man who was already snoring.
Instead he took one long last look, then muttered curses to the moon and stars as he
headed further into the cave to send one of the women back with two gut skins. One
of fresh water and one for the foul waste.