Hunting Grounds

Chapter Three

Author's note

Now things head into AU territory. In the reviews people have asked whether or not the predator would hunt such a small woman as Buffy, sighting that they don't hunt females. I agree it's a bit of a problem but at heart a Predator will hunt to display his skill and strength. It isn't that much of a stretch to think he would record Buffy's actions and kills to prove that she was strong and very dangerous. Another question is whether or not Glory will be coming. I am afraid she's still in Europe looking for the surviving monk who is trying to hitch a ride to America and this story will be over before they get to good old Sunnydale.

So fasten your seatbelts...

The champion stalked from room to room. For the first time he inspected a human dwelling, knowledge would be one of his most important weapons in the days to come. There was an impressive collection of various bladed weapons for cutting, hacking, and stabbing. Some were designed for throwing others just for crushing your opponent. Strangely the were non of the humans' standard chemically propelled ranged weapons. This meant that The Prey could be at a disadvantage. Or did it? The Hunter saw several different mechanical items that stored energy, it reminded him of what the history tracks called a "Crossbow". Quickly finding a thin wooden stick that would fit a groove in the crossbow he realised that her ranged ability relied on these thin wooden projectile being flung with extremely crude stored energy. Amazed at the audacity of this prey and even more impressed.

The two weakest of the pride moved and opened the portal for the Slayer to enter. Hiding from prying eyes he used the Audio Vibration Synthesizer and his already impressive knowledge of Earth sounds to eavesdrop on his opponent.

'Xander, What happened to the window? Was it Dawn? It was Dawn wasn't it?'

'Err, no Buffy It wasn't, Harmony came over with her minions' Buffy looked at him as if he had a extra head; this was unbelievable

'Did you say Harmony has minions?' she moved into the kitchen and sat on the workbench.

'Yes. A whole bunch of little vampire want-a-be-dust.' Anya supplied.

Buffy couldn't take any more even if it was true this was too funny bursting out in laughter 'Really?' she choked out between her laughs.

Xander and Anya looked at each other and at the same time 'yep'.

Another shattering burst of laughter.

Well the Slayer was obviously very concerned about the Dust Feeders that had appeared earlier. They would not survive five Earth "minutes" against her. Moving up a set of stairs he hunted for what would be the true prize of this hunt and to study it.

Dawn thought she heard something. Believing it was Harmony looking for her she dived under her bed trying to stop her self from whimpering with one hand clamped over her own mouth. Her door moved open slowly with absolutely no sound and what looked like a heat shimmer in the shape of a man was standing there. It was to big for the door. She could feel its eyes on her. It was something alive, almost invisible. What should be its head looked down.

Now it crouched in front of the bed like a parent looking for whatever junk was hidden with her. It tilted it's head to one side as two ovals of yellow light that flashed slowly came from the same place she would expect eyes. Dawn could feel it gloating and for a second she closed her eyes hoping she was imaging it all. Suddenly Buffy's voice called out for her. Dawn's eyes shot open in a flash and it was gone, the door was firmly shut but the sense of gloating remained.

It was almost a minute before Dawn crawled out from under the bed. She heard Buffy in her own room arming up. Moving slowly she kept an eye open for the strange shimmering demon, not noticing that her window slid shut.

Just outside Buffy's room she could hear her complain bitterly to Xand' and Riley just how pathetic she was. Standing there listening to her own sister calling her names and having the nerve to call her spoiled! In Dawn's emotional turmoil the invisible monster was forgotten and cold disappointment of her self and her own anger drowned her other thoughts. She just had to get out of earshot, as far as possible from the painful words that she knew were right.

The champion was at that moment right outside the bedroom window, he looking into the slayers room from his vantage point on top of the window. Now that his presence was known he would enjoy the true hunt when it began in earnest.

Anya was never the most observant of other peoples feelings, or so it appeared. She knew that both Dawn and Buffy would be disappointed at what had happened and she knew it was just an accident. In her previous job she had to gage emotions just right and she was good at it. Dawn came storming down the stairs about to cry. The troubled teenager barged outside, trust an angry young girl to take a bad situation and make it worse. Barging out of the house Anya went after Dawn trying to drag her back inside. Last thing Anya noticed was being punched back inside by a large vampire.

The Champion could smell the Dust Feeders and fresh human blood, moving as fast as he could he bounded to the other side of the house where he saw two Feeders making of with The youngest. Resisting the urge to roar he reached for the pack behind his head. Their stupidity just cost them everything.

Dawn couldn't believe how stupid she was! Now, after inviting in Harmony, she was being kidnapped by the morons minions! Suddenly the unwashed vamp that had been dragging her was flung sideways into a tree, letting her go. Expecting to see Buffy pinning it Dawn saw a five foot long spear starting from one side of the vamp and ending the other side of a tree. Looking around she tried to figure out what was happening. The big vamp guy was hovering in mid-air, clutching his neck and looking at something in front of him. Looking closer she saw that the invisible monster was ripping his head off. Closing her eyes she still heard the dead man scream before a truly horrible sound ended him. Dawn kept her eyes closed as the remaining vampire cried out only to be silenced the same way.

Slowly she opened her eyes the invisible monster was in front of her again but this time she could see it. A metal mask was in-between their faces but she could tell it was not human Tall, light green and yellow in colour his clothing was mostly nets and covering tan leather. Built like a bodybuilders greatest hope.

'Urm, Thanks. I guess you're a...' her voice just trailed off something about the way he stood and the way he looked at her shouted out that he was not a friend and not somebody you want to be in arms reach of.

Dawn knew that Buffy would have to fight this thing, this big, strong, frightening thing and that it would take quite a bit to stop it. A warm clawed hand had grabbed her face before she knew what was going on. Looking into each others eyes the monster demon cut a long deep gash down her left cheek. Dawn fainted with a short scream.

With a sample of blood to analyse, the strange cellular energy of the young one will be understood better. Knowing that the Slayer would not be far of after The Prize had signalled their location, he reactivated his cloaking system. Readjusting his retrieved telescopic staff he leaped once again and ran into the night blending with the shadows.

Buffy ran out of the house towards Dawn's scream knowing who it was instantly. When she saw her lying in a ball next to a tree with a hole in it she realised that this stalker she felt all week was more than just imagination. Finding dust on Dawn's sleeping body and a bit of blood Buffy moved her sister's head and found a long deep razor sharp cut that ran across her jawbone from ear to chin. Buffy picked up her wounded charge and walked home holding her tight not knowing if the stalker was a friend who stopped a kidnapping or someone who didn't like vampires playing with his future food?

Well we all know the answer and so will she when you read the next chapter

This is your second warning character death will occur and it might be messy

(evil laugh version 1.6) Good Night (or morning, afternoon, whatever)