Title: Tears of Blood Author: Kenshin's Radish

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Rurouni Kenshin. That's only wishful thinking.

Chapter 7: Hitokiri Battousai

"What do you want Miyazawa?" growled the Battousai.
Soichiro smirked broadly, his pointed teeth gleamed red, as if stained with blood by the setting sun. "I want revenge Battousai, you should know that." The Battousai glared at his opponent. He was at least seven feet tall- very unusual for a Japanese man. His greasy black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, not unlike a samurai's. Muscles bulged out from his gi and hakama, the clothing looked as if it were threatening to tear. Swords, knives, daggers, and arrows decorated him, most stained with blood.

"Let Kaoru-dono and Yahiko go. They did nothing to you, that they did not," said the Battousai in a low, dangerous tone as he clutched the hilt of his sakabatou.
Soichiro laughed maniacally, "Ha! They did nothing to me? Of course they did! They befriended a murderer. They befriended the murderer of my brother and thousands of others in the Bakumatsu. They are as guilty as you are!" Without a second warning Soichiro whipped out a throwing knife and it hurtled towards the Battousai. He deflected it using his sword with ease.
Battousai grinned smugly, "Such childish tricks will not harm me Miyazawa." He slid his sword back into its sheath. "Now, you will let Kaoru- dono and Yahiko go free."
Soichiro drew his sword, "No, first I will kill you, than I will kill your friends. You are alone Battousai. You have nobody to help you, save you, nothing. Just like Kintatsu. Your friends will die when the sun goes down, that is a fact. As will you!" With that he dashed towards the Battousai, sword brandished, he swung and missed. The Battousai had leaped into the air and was gently gliding down on to a rock on the cliff above Soichiro.
"Ryu Tsui Sen!" screamed the Battousai as he jumped up into the air and turned to slash his opponent. He missed.
"Ha! Like I said Battousai, I've been watching you. I know your tricks. There's nothing you can do to fool me!" declared Soichiro as he once again sprinted towards the Battousai.
"Yahiko! Can you smell something burning?" cried Kaoru to Yahiko. The sun was beginning to set. Their arms were searing with pain from being dangled from their wrists all day.
"Yeah I do!" replied Yahiko as he looked up and than gasped, "Kaoru! There's a fire under the rope! It's going to break soon!"
"Kenshin." whispered Kaoru as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I must find them. They have to be around here somewhere.there is still blood spatter on the ground," said Sano as he tripped. He was dizzy and exhausted. He had lost a lot of blood from his injuries but he was determined to save Kaoru and Yahiko. A cliff came into view. The sun was blazing crimson as it set, the rock looked as if it were bathed in blood. Sanosuke looked up and saw two people dangling from a ledge. Kaoru and Yahiko, thought Sano, I have to hurry! Without a moment's hesitation he ran to the cliff and quickly began climbing.

"It's almost sunset Battousai." taunted Soichiro as he slammed his sword against the Battousai's. Sparks flew from the impact. The Battousai countered the attack so quickly that Soichiro didn't get a chance to react fast enough, the blade grazed his cheek. "You bastard!" gasped Soichiro as he felt the blood trickle down his cheek down to the ground.
"Like I said, you cannot defeat me," snorted the Battousai. He shook his head haughtily to clear the bangs from his dust-smudged face. Their swords clashed again.
Soichiro gritted his teeth as he forced all his strength against the Battousai, he didn't seem to be weakening nor was he relenting. I'll have to tire him out some how.the Battousai can't have unlimited reserves of energy. The sun set.