A/N – Sorry for such a slow update. I've been very busy lately between scouting for a job, graduation, graduation party planning, working on money problems. Yeah… life has been hectic around here.
I'm TRYING to figure out a plot to this story and I've decided I needed some blood. This is an underground swords fight and like Sano said in the first chapter people could die. However to keep this story a "nice" innocent story I've made this chapter so you don't have to read it. THE RATING FOR THIS CHAPTER AND THIS CHAPTER ALONE IS R!!!!!!!!! You really won't miss much and perhaps I shouldn't even post this chapter because Kenshin and friends aren't in it very much. It's a chapter to show what happens to others who fight too. So yeah I'm going to shut-up now.
Where would I be without reviewers? /Zig-sag's sister/: Not on an ego trip anymore. /Zig-zag/: (giggle) I love reviewers!
babika - Sorry I wasn't able to update very soon and sorry this chapter doesn't have much of Kenshin in it. I promise next chapter will be better! (I swear!)
misenagi - I'm glad you like the fight scenes and found it very detailed. That's what I was going for in this story to brush up on my descriptions of fights and it sounds like I'm doing my job! Yeah!
Chapter 5 – Crimson Regret
Kenshin watched as Maki and Senko made there way from the building. Slowly he scanned the fighters that were left. He could read the fear on their faces as clear as he could read a book. "This will not do." He said mentally and stepped from the ring. "I'll be back later." He said to the confused announcer. The announcer nodded his head thinking after the last bout Kenshin would need a break he called for the next set of fighters.
"What are you doing? Get back in there!" Sano yelled at Kenshin grabbing his shoulders and shaking the peaceful swordsman.
"Orooooo." Kenshin moaned as Sano continued to shake him.
"You're doing great! Why stop now? Don't tell me you're tried!" Sano continued to yell.
Kenshin grabbed one of Sano's wrists to stop the ex-gangster from shaking his brains out of his head. "Sano." He whispered softly yet with urgency to it. "These men are scared. No one will fight me if I keep winning over and over again. Plus I just used the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu what if someone recognizes me?" Sano didn't seem to understand or care. Kenshin let out a tried sigh. "How about we get some lunch?" He suggested knowing Sano would never turn down food.
"Yeah! I'm starved!" Yahiko said excited at the thought of food as he and Kaoru walked up to the two.
Kaoru nodded her head in agreement. "Yes I think getting something to eat would be a good idea."
"What about you Sano?" Kenshin asked getting a hungry growl as an answer.
"Come on! What are we waiting for?!" Sanosuke yelled practically running out of the building. Kenshin, Yahiko, and Kaoru followed him out. Together the friends sat and had quite a fest together. Yahiko quickly gobbled down all of his food and rose to his feet.
"I'm heading back." He said as he prepared to leave. He was excited and wanted to watch more of the fights.
"Alright but you be careful Yahiko, you got that." Kaoru warned shaking a finger at the young samurai.
"I know, I know." Yahiko sighed pushing her hand away. "See you later." He said waving as he left. Once out of the restaurant Yahiko ran at a full sprint back to where the fights were being held. He entered and tried to catch his breath as the next two opponents entered the ring.
"Great! Just in time!"
"Two new challengers!" The announcer called out. "Kazuo Ishimaru and Mareo Matsumura." Kazuo was a short man who was about Yahiko's height with jet black hair. What he lacked in height he made up in strength as visible muscles could be seen on him. Yahiko cracked a smile whishing Kenshin was here to see a fighter shorter then himself. Mareo a young man Yahiko guessed to be in his twenties had earthen brown hair. His cold lifeless black eyes held the promise of death to all who dare cross him. He was of average height and build. The two men glared at each other and slowly drew their swords. "Begin!" The announcer called out.
Mareo charged first making a clean sideswipe at Kazuo. Calmly Kazuo slithered out under the attack and then parried the next blow that Mareo sent his way. Kazuo began his own set of attacks next the expression on his face always a calm, cold expression. Mareo's, on the other hand, face showed all that he was thinking. Right now his face was scrunched in a determined, strained position as he tried to predict Kazuo's attacks.
Suddenly in a surprise move Mareo jumped into the air and tried to hit Kazuo's head. Kazuo jumped out of the way of the attack. Mareo landed with a grunt and was momentarily frozen from his missed attack. Kazuo seized the opportunity by sliding his blade down Mareo's back.
Mareo's blood splattered the ground as he screamed out his pain. Kazuo didn't give Mareo anytime to recover as he went in for the kill. Mareo spun around and blocked Kazuo's attack without a moment to spare. Mareo followed through with his attack with a knee to Kazuo's gut.
Kazuo's face went to shock as he gasped for breath, backing away from Mareo. As Kazuo backed up, however, Mareo swung his blade aiming for Kazuo's head. Kazuo yanked his head backwards and the tip of Mareo's blade clipped his chin.
They both stood breathing heavily. The blood slowly dripped down Mareo's back as the crowd cheered the two fighters on. Kazuo wiped his chin with his hand and looked down disgusted at seeing his own blood on his hand.
They charged each other again both letting out fierce battle cries as they did. Their blades clanged together and the two fighters began to dance for their lives. Kazuo and Mareo glared at one another as they tried to push the other back. Mareo dashed to his left trying to make Kazuo lose his balance. Kazuo followed Mareo's movements and dashed to his right their blades pushing against each other as they ran.
Kazuo jumped back separating the two combatants leaving himself completely vulnerable. Mareo charged at Kazuo his sword running through Kazuo's side. Kazuo's eye's widened in pain and he fell on Mareo's shoulder. Mareo's blade came out from Kazuo's back dripping with thick, red blood. Mareo gave his blade a twist causing Kazuo to groan in pain but as he did blood dribbled down from his mouth.
Mareo backed off and allowed Kazuo to slowly slip down off his blade. Kazuo grabbed his side and began to cough. Slow drips of saliva and blood fell from Kazuo's agape mouth as he struggled to his feet. Mareo walked up to the shaking Kazuo to finish the man off but Kazuo wasn't going to give into death that easily. Kazuo nimbly jumped back and slid his blade along Mareo's leg as he did.
Mareo let out a hiss as his pant leg was soon stained crimson. He stood, a little wobbly, and glared at Kazuo who was panting and holding his side. For awhile the two stood, gasping for breath, glaring angrily at one another. Kazuo knees began to buckle and he fell, face first, to the ground. He picked himself up from the ground, blood seeping through his fingers as he cover his wound. His vision was cloudy as Mareo limped over to him and grabbed the back of his head.
Twisting his fingers into Kazuo's hair Mareo pulled the man's head back. Calmly and without emotion, Mareo gently placed his blade to Kazuo's exposed throat. "Wait… I…" Kazuo tried to plead for his life as Mareo ended it by slowly drawing his unforgiving steel back. Kazuo's skin split, his blood spilt, his life ended. Mareo unwound his fingers from Kazuo's hair allowing the dead man's body to fall with a sickening "thunk". The crowd had split reactions. Some gasped, others, others cheered.
Yahiko stood horrified as the announcer ran out and held Mareo's hand up in victory. "He didn't need to kill him." Yahiko growled angrily under his breath. "He won. Wasn't that enough?"
"Not for some people."
Yahiko jumped, he hadn't expected an answer. He turned to see who had spoken to him, it was Maki with Senko at her side. "Maki, you're still here?'" He asked surprised to see her.
She nodded. "I wanted to see how your friend was doing." She looked around. "Where is Himshin-san anyway?" She said looking around. "He hasn't been defeated has he?" She said a little disappointment in her voice.
"No." Yahiko answered, not in a very talkative mode all of a sudden. "He just needed a break."
Maki smiled. "Good I wanted to see him fight again!" Now she sounded excited. Together Maki and Yahiko watched as the ring was 'cleaned' up. "Those are the risks you take when you enter these things." Maki stated absentmindedly.
"But Kazuo was clearly beat!" Yahiko barked at her. "Mareo didn't need to go that far."
"No." Maki agreed. "But there are those who just can't stop killing. It is hard and it takes a very strong person to stop." Now she spotted Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sano returning. "A very strong man indeed." She said as she carefully walked over to greet them.