Hunting Grounds
Chapter 11

Authors note
REVIEWS!!! Most saying I can't spell... but look lots and lots of Reviews!! I'm so happy I'm going to write you this chapter to say thanks!

Buffy found her mother sitting in her room. 'Mom.'
'I'm so worried about Dawn. She must be so scared.'
'Mom, The hunter came back.' Buffy held her hand up to stop her mother interrupting, 'he brought her back, but...'
'Where is she? What did it do to her!'
Gently Buffy pulled here mother next door. 'She's in shock.' She watched as her mother fell crying at Dawn's feet.
Without any words they carried the little girl in to the bathroom and ran a bath. It took a long time to clear the dirt and blood splatters from her sister, the clothes were so bad that they had to be wrapped in a bin liner, Buffy joked that they should burnt it but only her mother smiled, a sad half tolerant smile.
After what felt like forever; 'I'll tell the others.' Buffy said as they were drying the now clean child, it was frightening that Dawn hadn't done anything yet. Thoughts of what could have happened to her kept flashing through the slayers mind.
'Where's Riley?' Her mother asked.
'I don't know I think...'
'Stop right there. We've lost too many friends these last few days he will be back.
'Hugging her mother Buffy whispered with unshed tears burning in her eyes, 'Thanks mom.'
It didn't take long to gather everyone in the house. Most of them having slept, or not as the case may be, in the dining room and living room. Buffy described what had happened almost an hour ago now, in Dawn's room.
'I don't get it. The head hunter takes Dawn, guts Spike, blows up a car, dusts Deadboy, kills... eludes a crack commando team and then brings Dawn back? That doesn't make sense.' Xander listed.
'It gets worse,' Buffy looked at all her gathered friends. 'He wants to fight me, one on one and soon. The winner gets to "protect" Dawn.'
'No WAY!' Gunn jumped to his feet. 'I got two words to describe that "in" and "sane"! are we forgetting the big gun he carries on his shoulder? How about how big this thing is? He's huge and your what? Five foot? Sorry I know slayers are strong but this thing won't notice when it squashes you.'
'Don't be to sure about that Gunn.' Wesley had a look of intense concentration on his face, something Buffy hadn't seen him do before, 'It could have killed Buffy at any time, by all right we should already be dead. Why not? I think I know.' Wesley now had a hawk like tilt to his head, glancing at everyone. 'We call it the Hunter, what does it hunt?'
'Us, humans.' Willow answered.
'Yes but why? I hunter will go for prey worthy of its skill...'
'Oh, oh. He said that Riley was worthy.' Buffy offered
'Worthy prey, he hunts for the challenge. He hunts you because you are a challenge Buffy. He's hunting you because you are the most powerful being in town! We know that it hunts demons as well. This only proves it, the hunter is only interested in the strongest. I think his bringing back Dawn is some way of telling you he is ready to fight. No doubt Dawn has seen how he fights, so have you Buffy. He wants a showdown to prove who is better. The keeping Dawn part is for your benefit to give you reason to fight.'
Xander looked strangely at the former Watcher, 'Then what's it's reason?'
Willow answered, 'Heads, the stronger the prey the greater prize. The best would have the most prizes, its to see who is the best. My God, all this just to prove who's best?'
'I believe your right Willow. Often the sign of a strong mate is the feats he has accomplished...' Wesley's face warped into an expression of disgust.
'Wonderful all this to see who has the biggest pair!' Gunn summed up the situation.

No one moved as they all thought about what it all meant. They were interrupted buy Buffy's mother, carrying Dawn downstairs.
Cordelia felt a strange prickling on the back of her neck. Looking at Joyce she had to force her self to relax. 'Wesley,' she whispered urgently 'We need to talk. Now!' Unnoticed she half dragged him into the other room.
'What is it?'
'That... whatever...' Cordy had trouble putting words to what she just saw. 'Buffy's sister, there's nothing there!'
'What are you talking about?' Wesley looked at her.
'Dawn, she's no one. I can't explain it. It's something like having a left over piece to a jigsaw you've already finished. I look at Dawn and see, well its not empty, its green? Then she fades in and out.'
'Could this be something to do with the hunter?'
'No, but its important. Tell Buffy I'm shocked that someone so young could be hurt like that. I'll search for clues. Whatever Dawn is she doesn't fit and I'm going to find out why.'
They split up to look for clues, not noticing Spike watching them and not looking happy.

The Champion cleaned his trophies absently. Not long now his brethren would come. He will present them with the living energy and his new collection. He will be the envy of males of every clan and females will line up to carry his young. Soon he will win all. Or die.
Packing the clean skull and spinal column into its container he moved on to the next one. In the hunt victory was everything. However there was something wrong. If he was to die who would honour him? Who would believe that the most formidable Prey, The Slayer, was a small female? One would never exaggerate ones achievements but those who would be jealous would seek to discredit him. And if he lost he would be known for dieing by the hand of prey that was week. Angered by his thoughts the Champion didn't notice when he cracked, and crushed the skull in his hands.
With a grim smile he walked over to his medical pack. Opening it up he looked at the array of stimulants and enhancers that he had at his disposal. Against the Slayer it would be wise to prepare but as he looked at each vile he made a decision. Without touching any he closed the pack up and reached for his blade sharpener. Yes the Slayer was worthy, he would fight without help. Without his plasma caster, net launcher, spear gun, staff or throwing disk. This fight would be pure. His gauntlets against whatever weapon she chose.
Looking down at his glowing red gauntlet knives he chuckled, as another thought came to him.

Spike grimaced as he pulled himself up. Someone had tried to bandage the gaping hole he once called his chest and his super-healing had already kicked in. He was no where near fighting fit but he could almost walk around. A small army of visitors were gathered in the kitchen while one short, blond haired woman stood watching from a distance. 'Buffy?'
She span around almost ready to punch him. 'Spike, what the hell are you doing standing?' it looked like she had been crying.
'Don't ask, just over heard two of Peaches crew chatting. Cordelia said something was wrong with the bit and is snooping around. The bloke's keeping an eye on the little one to see what she was talking about.'
She almost growled in his face 'Your lying Spike. Where do you get off setting my friends up?'
'I'm not Slayer. If you think I would come here and try that when I have this,' he gestured to the bloody bandage. 'You have got to be mad love! Go look, she's probably sniffing around the bit's room.'
Buffy grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. 'Lets look. If you are lying I will ram a cross into that wound. Got that.' Painfully she dragged Spike up the stairs.
As he guessed Cordelia was flicking through a couple of diary's.

Gunn flinched when he heard Buffy scream from up stairs, he was the first out of the kitchen as Cordy was thrown down the stairs. 'What the HELL do you think you were doing?' The blond shouted again.
While everyone else stayed back Wesley jumped to Cordy's side. Cordy looked up, 'Something's terribly wrong with your sister, if she is that.' Now face to face Gunn could list the ways Buffy was pissed off and could guess what she would do. Not for the first time he wished he had stayed in L.A with his crew.
'What are you talking about?'
'Buffy I'm sorry but it doesn't fit.' Cordy licked her lips nervously 'I love Dawn too but I don't believe she ever existed. She doesn't fit and the things in her diary didn't happen. Its like someone or something put her here and gave her a past.'
'And just how do you know that?' Buffy challenged.
'I don't see a little girl, all I see is some floaty green thing that wobbles there. I don't know how I can see it, I just can.'
'Wait I see something, no, no its coming hold on.' Buffy said sarcastically 'I don't see you Cordy, I see a lying pile of crap. Get out of this house! All three of you, right now! Before I kill you.'
'Buffy stop.' A girls voice came from the back of the group. The little brunet staggered to the front. 'She's not lying. I'm... I'm nothing.' Tears were pouring down her face 'Forget me, I'm just a ball of energy...' she went on to explain what she was.

By the end Gunn was shocked. He guessed that everyone was. How could anyone be so heartless as to mould a child out of nothing. To give it a family and people who loved it just to hide from something else. The thing's sister bowed her head before speaking. 'So these monks made you.'
'Yes' The answer could barely be heard.
'Out of what?'
'Huh?'
'What did they make you out of? Sugar and spice? Clay?'
'Out of Mom... Joyce and Hank, I think.'
'So was I.' Buffy's head came up, with a sad smile. 'By anything that matters you are my sister. I love you and nothing, not even alien demons can stop that.'

There ends the explanations and accusations. Start placing your bets, 'caus next chapter is coming soon.