Standard Disclaimer - * Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi.

Rated: PG-13 / R - for Inuyasha's potty mouth.

Summary: Inuyasha gumi encounter a different kind of enemy, one that even Inuyasha can't overcome. When Kagome is kidnapped and taken, his worse fears grow and now he must embark on a hunt that will take him through generations..

Genre: Romance/Action Adventure/Angst/Fantasy

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Salvation - Chapter 1: The Hunt Begins

The Distant Future, Northern Europe

A large black horse walked through the ruined streets of capital city of the small providence that was at one time France. Its rider was a tall man, his body wrapped in a dark cloak and a matching wide brimmed hat, shadowing his face from the noonday sun. On his back was a sheathed blade as long as the man's body, and his long dark hair bounced along with each of the horse's steps.

His cold eyes glanced down at the bodies littering the streets. The attack was horrifying to say the least. The absolute force of the vampires' attacks and mangled human bodies forced many to flee, as if they could have fought back against the sheer number and the blood thirsty Vampiress leading them at any rate.

The man dismounted his horse at the capital building in the center of town. He made his way slowly into the crowd of bounty and vampire hunters that gathered in the meeting area, not responding to the fact that they all made way for him. The sense of awe and intimidation from the stranger made everyone watch the brooding Vampire Hunter attentively. Whether it be in hatred, disgust, or reverence, all in the room had to respect the Vampire Hunter known only as 'D'.

The City Council had called for the best, and he just walked in.

"Now that everyone has arrived." The Chairman of the Council spoke. "I'm sure you all noticed the vast signs of plague that come upon our providence. The City of Paris, fifty miles east of here has become a stronghold for the largest vampire tribe in a long time. The House of Lee, headed by Count Marcus Lee and his Countess, who is even more sinister then he is. We have tried to handle the situation on our own and you have seen the outcome of our failed attempts."

"Let the Dunpeal handle it!" One of the hunters barked, nodding toward the silent D. "He wiped out Count Lee's son's inbreed family. Let him finish his work."

D merely gave the man a cold glance before turning to the chairman. "Not a problem. Defeat the Count and the Countess, the tribe will crumble.." he evenly responded.

"Simple as that, huh?" The red-haired bounty hunter once again smarted off. "Feh, you Dunpeals are just the same as Vamps!" He sneered.

"You're both pathetic and waste of creatures."

D didn't respond to his jeers, instead turned his back and walked out of the room.

"Wait a damn minute!" The young-hunter called after him along with his partner running behind, who was, unsuccessfully, trying to calm him down.

D regarded the young bounty hunter, and his long shoulder length red-hair, slender, animal-like body, and baggy dark clothing with matching black bandana. His partner was a young girl, not much older then nineteen years old, with long dark hair pulled in a ponytail. She was geared in a formfitting ninja-like outfit, and a large-oversized weapon hung off her back.

"I know your reputation, D." The boy growled, his teeth strangely pointed like fangs.

"Stay out of this one! We don't need the likes of you!"

"You need to calm down," D replied, glancing back at the redhead. "Your tail is showing, Kitsune."

The boy narrowed his eyes and turned slightly, making sure no one else noticed the same thing, before hiding the red bush back inside his cloak. By the time he took another glance back at D, he was already climbing on his horse.

"Ship, what's the matter with you?" His female companion scolded, placing her hands on her hips.

"That guy's going to cause us trouble, Kago! That's what!" Ship replied as a mater of faculty and narrowed his eyes once more.

"We need to tell the old man about this." He managed to mutter under his breath, watching the Dunpeal mount his steed.

---

Meanwhile, several miles away, deep in a large newly built palace in the center of the ruins of Paris, France. A beautiful woman walked down the hall in an elegant light green gown. Her cold brown eyes were set forward and her chin held high. Her long raven hair hung loose, like she always preferred, its dark color stood in deep contrast to her ivory skin.

"Greetings, Countess." A guard in a red tank top and simple blue jeans greeted in a British accent leaning against the wall beside the doorway.

"Bolzen," the Countess replied in a cold tone. "Is the Count in?"

"His lordship still needs his beauty sleep, mame." The henchman mused.

"Tell him as soon as the sun sets, I will be leaving the palace. Wolfgang and a small party will be accompanying me on my visit to the village." She informed, turning to leave his presence.

"Is there anything the matter?" He asked, masking his interest.

"No, not really…" The Countess smiled with a small glint in her eye. "I'm just bored.. and hungry."

Bolzan watched his mistress with a sly grin. "That annoying hanyou stalker of yours is in the area.." he said casually, enjoying seeing his mistress stiffen at the half-breeds mentioning.

"Is that so?" She coolly replied. Eyeing the pathetic attempts to interest himself.

"Yeah.." he continued and pulled a coin from his pocket flipping it absent mindedly between his fingers.

"I'm starting to believe that bloody dog doesn't know how to die."

"He was always a stubborn fool.." The Countess spoke in a softer voice, before continuing down the hallway.

She entered her bedchamber and sat down on a large four-poster bed and stared into a large mirror that showed only her room and not its reflectionless occupant. Thoughts filled her mind as she stared into space remembering her life before her change.

She allowed her mind to wonder, thinking of how he might have changed since the last time she saw him. She wondered if he had kept his long silver mane, even improved his issues with rudeness and language.. Would he be hotheaded like he once was?

A smile now formed at her mouth, curving up at the corners ever so slightly.

"Best of all, how would he taste?"

---

"Even if that dunpeal has shown up, the others don't seem to be that much trouble, but D is definitely bad news!" Ship made it clear to his silent companion as he leaned against the tree, watching Kago run through some drills with her hook and chain.

"Keh! D's no different then any other Vamp. If he gets in our way, I'll take care of his sorry ass!" A smooth, but rough voice called from up high.

"I don't know about that, old man!" Ship shook his head, glancing up into the tree and locking with a pair of golden orbs.

"Stop being so damn paranoid, Shippo! You know how much that pisses me off!" The gruffness in his voice tensing.

"I've told you for the last few hundred years to stop calling me that!! My name's Ship now!" The redhead blushed furiously, glaring daggers into the tree.

"Sure, if you want to be a boat.. Who am I to argue?" Came the sarcastic reply.

The branch above suddenly swayed as weight shifted. Ship watched the older demon with interest out the corner of his eye.

His eyes swiveled in all directions, as he surveyed the area around them. Something or someone was coming..

"Wait is that him?"

Ship glanced over his shoulder and across the town courtyard. "Yeah, that's him!" He replied, watching the Vampire Hunter riding out on his dark horse.

"Smells like he's got some kind of parasite too." Ship added, looking up into the branches of the tree in front of him.

"Yeah, a real nasty bastard by the smell of it!" The voice snorted from high. "He might lead us to them. I'm gonna tail him and see where he's off to. I'll contact you if something happens."

"Don't cause trouble, Inuyasha!!" Ship sighed, sliding down the tree to sit down.

"Who? Me? Cause trouble? Ship, I'm hurt!" The hanyou playfully sulked and took off at high speed.

---

Night came quickly over the wasteland. A large farm community was finishing up their day in the fields preparing to go home for the night, when one noticed a few workers were missing.

The people had no time to prepare a search party before an attack officially began. A force of only twelve Vampires, but it was more then the simple farmers could handle, appeared and soon a feeding frenzy was initiated.

"Oh God!" One of the men whimpered, hiding behind a large crate in the center of the town. He gripped his cross pendent and recited a small prayer before being surprised by someone joining him.

A young maiden dressed almost like a Japanese priestess appeared before him, although her attire differed from the white in the kimono that was replaced with black, and the red was a darker shade.

"Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.." the young Japanese woman assured softly. "Tell me, where are the women and children hiding?"

The man watched the miko carefully before returning the kind smile. "In the basement of the town hall, in the center of the village."

"Thank you," she smiled showing her teeth and fangs. "Young blood is among the sweetest of all!" She said before pouncing on the horrified man and sinking her teeth into his neck.

After a few moments she raised her head, a small smile adorning her lips, her eyes reaching out wistful and prized with bloodlust, before turning toward the town hall. "Mnn, not the best, but..." she licked her lips in anticipation before starting toward the hiding place.

Her fangs gleamed red, stained by the blood of so many. Her smile spoke so many emotions, or lack of. Her face stark and pale, without a wrinkle or blemish to show her age. She stood proud and strong, her lithe form merging within the shadows and soft light from under the moons gleam.

"Kagome …" a pair of sad, golden eyes watched from the rooftop of the town hall. "What has he done to you?"

The Countess smiled down at the sealed cellar and glanced over her shoulder. "Could I get a pair of strong guys to come open this door for me, I don't want to break a nail."

A vampire looked up from where he was feeding, and smiled brightly up at her. He ran toward her, but stopped in mid step, his eyes and mouth open wide with shock.

The Countess glanced down at the Vampire's chest noticing as a long silver blade thrust through his chest, and his heart, then suddenly jerked back out-causing the now dead Vampire to tumble to the ground in a heap.

The Vampiress' brown eyes widened at the sight, as the bloodied sword turned and soon pointed directly toward her.

"You will not harm anyone else." She heard his cold emotionless voice utter.

"So, you're the famed Dunpeal hunter?" She asked, smirking in amusement. "I like the hat."

She stepped toward the hunter unaffected by his intimidating aura. "You're not sore about that girl I killed fifty years ago are you? Dora was it?" She mockingly questioned.

No, it was Doris, ne? She seemed to be very passionate about a Vampire Hunter named D coming to her rescue while I had her and her brother on lock and key. If your one and the same, her last thoughts were of you."

"I believe I will enjoy killing you, Vampire!" He gritted between clenched teeth, and along with rage, he glared at the smug young girl eyeing him with half-closed, dull eyes.

The Countess laughed, and foolishly lowered her guard. "Are you always such a drama queen? Or is it a half-breed thing?"

When she glanced back up her smile soon faded, gasping at how quickly he was moving toward her. She closed her eyes tight for a second as D's sword came over his head then back down toward her.

But, just as she took up a fighting stance a blur of silver and red caught her eye.

"Nani …" she gasped, and stumbled backwards looking up at the hanyou who was using his powerful blade, Tetsusaiga, to deflect D's sword.

His clothing was different, but it was he. He wore his firerat suikan open as a jacket over a button up white shirt, dark martial arts pants, and the old enchanted rosary was still wrapped around his neck. As usual his feet and hands were bare, and his long silver locks were complimented by pointed white dog-ears.

"So, the Vampire has a pet dog?" D asked as he pushed against the fang sword, somewhat surprised by its durability.

"Shut the fuck up, goddamn pretty boy!" Inuyasha snarled, pushing against the locked blades.

The hanyou confidently smirked at the surprised look on D's face when he had to step back.

Inuyasha pushed D back once more and swung the his massive sword over his head and back colliding with such force sparks flew from all directions.

The Countess' eyes were wide as she watched the swords dance between the two halflings. It was almost as if it was choreographed dancing then a fight to the death.

"Time to split you overdressed pansy bastard!" Inuyasha yelled, jumping into the air preparing to slash at the hunter.

The Countess watched the lightening fast fighters, effortlessly seeing D preparing to counter Inuyasha's slash with an attack that could easily become fatal. Not knowing why she did it, and will question why for some time to come, she stood up and shouted..

"INUYASHA! SIT!"

"WHA?!?" The hanyou gasped as the familiar vibration came from the decorative necklace sending the sudden neck-break pull toward the ground.

"OH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!!" The dog-demon yelled and dropped Tetsusaiga as he was pulled down instantly onto the unprepared D.

Not willing to give the two halflings time to recover, the Countess signaled the vampires to retreat.

"Kagome! Wait!" Inuyasha called out, crawling off of D's dazed body.

She turned back to her friend from her past, and looked like the old Kagome for a split second before the ice returned to her features. "Stop following me, Inuyasha. If I see you again, I will kill you."

"Kagome!" Inuyasha desperately tried to reach for her when she vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Kagome …"

To Be Continued …