“Tara and Willow were helping me with some training!” Amanda told her.

“She’s doing really well Buff!” Willow told her friend.

“I wanted to show her a throw but it’s been pointed out that it may be a little early for that.”

“You might be right!” Buffy said, “But you could be a little strong for her, maybe she should go up against Will?”

Tara’s eyes darted back and forth between the slayer, potential and Willow, her gut twisted painfully at the thought before Willows voice called her back.

“That might be better, we’re more evenly matched, y’know, physically!?” she said and joined Amanda by the mats.

Smiling, Buffy turned to Tara. “I’m not overtaking am I, I mean, if you don’t want to do this, then hey, it’s your session!” Tara smiled and shook her head slowly, gesturing with her hand for Buffy to continue.

Stripping her jacket off, Buffy turned to Giles and nodded before joining the women in front of the largest crash mat.

“Amanda, if you just wanna watch carefully, then you can have a go, ok?” she said, receiving a nod before the potential joined Tara and Giles on the sidelines. “Will, charge me!” Buffy said firmly.

Taking a deep breath, Willow jogged down the garden before turning and running as fast as she could at the slayer. Buffy dropped into a fight stance quickly and as Willow reached out for her, she fell back, bringing her foot up and flipping Willow over her head.

Next to Giles, every muscle in Tara’s body tensed and she growled low in her throat, her fists clenching at her side. Taking an involuntary step away, Giles tried to signal Buffy but found it nearly impossible to get her attention without also alerting Tara. As Willow got to her feet and bowed, Tara relaxed, although her jaw was still locked firmly, giving her a slightly menacing appearance.

Looking towards the group, Buffy shook her head slightly and Giles sighed heavily. Clearly the slayer had missed Tara’s response and he was frustrated that she hadn’t seen the depth of her reaction.

“But..” Amanda’s voice broke the silence and everyone turned to look at her. “Willow is only slim, the Bringers are much bigger and stronger.” she ventured.

“It’s not the size that matters.” Giles explained quickly, “With that throw, you’re using your opponents momentum to throw them, it doesn’t matter how big or small they are, just how fast they are going!” he told her.

Buffy nodded in agreement.

“Tara, wanna show her?” Buffy asked, smiling warmly.

Raising one eyebrow, Tara nodded. As she and Willow changed places, Tara caught her by the wrist.

“You ok, she didn’t hurt you?” she whispered sincerely. The redhead smiled and kissed her quickly.

“I’m fine.” she said as she pulled back.

Taking her place a few feet from Buffy, Tara cleared her mind and focused on the slayer, her eyes taking in every possible danger before returning the slight blonde before her.

“Ready?” Buffy asked.

Tara charged her quickly and Buffy repeated the action, flipping Tara easily over her head and landing her on the mat. Rather than lying still, Tara spun quickly, crouching like a lion ready to leap at a passing antelope. Buffy noticed her immediate recovery and turned to face her, her own body responding to the threat it felt.

“Tara?!” Buffy said, backing away slightly and chastising herself for allowing her anticipation to show through.

Stalking her much like a lion would, Tara’s attentions were focused fully on the slayer, her eyes deepening in colour as she tilted her head slightly, searching for any sign of weakness.

Willow frowned, she wasn’t at all sure that this was part of the session or what had gotten into her lover.

Suddenly the back door burst open, making them all jump and snapping Tara from her ‘hunt’, in its mouth, Xander stood grinning.

“Looky looky what I got!” He said cheerfully as he stepped aside to reveal Kennedy.

“We just got back!” He said, clearly pleased with himself for remembering to collect her.

Almost as one, Buffy, Amanda, Giles and Willow turned towards the house, each one greeting the potential with a friendly word and a smile. Not a single one noticed Tara’s lip curl upwards into a cruel snarl as the potential fixed her eyes on the redhead.