Chapter 5
Ryu stood inside the cave as the men searched it for clues. He stared down into the blood-red basin and at the blood pooling on the floor.
"Well, Daisuke, you were right about one thing. He's not going to make it far."
Daisuke stood admiring the blood on his blade. "Incredible isn't it?" he finally said.
"What?"
"He is just human. We've sent group after group after this man, he's fought our top commanders and survived, and yet...he's just human."
"You need to quit staring at that and help me join in the pursuit. I've got men out searching for him, but from what we can tell, he's got help. That 'kid' you told me about from your camp and someone else."
Daisuke finally looked up. "You don't understand. Because he's human, it will be all too easy to find him."
"What are you talking about?"
"The fact that he's still walking with that wound is incredible, but eventually, it is going to overrun the bandages and continue leaving a trail. Also, if you have the right type of servant, a little bit of scent is all you need."
Ryu's expression was blank, and Daisuke realized the usually intelligent man was still too upset about his duel to be thinking clearly.
Daisuke sighed. "Don't worry, he'll be here in a moment and then you'll understand."
At that moment an angry snarl came from outside and a man screamed. Ryu watched the door with fascinated eyes as a man came in walking a huge animal. The animal, at the sight of Daisuke, began to grow excited, so much so, that it yanked its chain right out of its keeper's hand. The animal raced up to Daisuke and sat in front of him.
"All right, Turosuke, good boy." Daisuke reached forward and petted the animals head and it began to pant and slobber.
"What is that thing?" Ryu asked, disgusted.
"It's my dog. He has an excellent sense of smell, and is the best tracking dog I've ever trained. I had a feeling we might need him, so I've kept him close." Daisuke held tightly onto the chain and said, "Now, all we have to do is give him the scent. Turosuke, sniff, boy!"
The huge animal snuffed at the ground and then at the blood on Daisuke's sword. He suddenly surged forward so quickly that Daisuke almost lost him.
"Slow!" Daisuke yelled. The dog's surge instantly stopped, but it continued to move forward at a quicker pace. "To me!" Daisuke yelled, and the Shinsengumi that were in hearing range quickly joined in the procession.
Kenshin was leaning heavily on Omniboshi's arm and his breathing was just as heavy. At this point his iron will was the only thing that was keeping him on his feet. The boy walked behind them, his eyes peering in every direction. Kenshin could feel that his entire side was wet again with blood and a trail was once again beginning to form behind him. This is bad, he thought.
Tomoe's face once again rose unbidden in his mind, her eyes forgiving him. Again the scene where his sword slid through her entered his mind, and he stumbled.
"Are you alright?" Omniboshi asked.
"Fine."
"Not completely," the boy behind them said, "you're dropping blood again, and I can hear them coming."
"We might just have to turn and fight," Kenshin said, trying to stand up straight. Instead, he almost collapsed and he had to concentrate on just staying on his feet.
"None of us are in any shape to fight," Omniboshi said, "except maybe Tasuke, but he can't take them all himself. Where's the nearest Ishin-shishi base?"
"A small town, about 5 miles from where we met. I can run if we need too."
"Right, I think we'd better then." Omniboshi took off, Kenshin loped along beside him. Kenshin tried to focus all of his energy on running and he finally succeeded. He lost himself as he became one of the rhythm of his own legs.
Omniboshi looked back at the boy, who was keeping up rather well, then he looked down at the young red-haired boy. "Not a boy anymore," he reminded himself. "Oro, Omniboshi, what are you getting yourself into?"
"Oro," Kenshin repeated softly. Omniboshi looked more closely at him. His eyes were somewhat glazed and he was losing a lot of blood. They had to hurry. Unconsciously, Omniboshi quickened his steps.
They were about two miles past their meeting spot, when they began to hear the sound behind them. It would start out low, and then it would get louder and louder.
"Omniboshi, what is that?" Tasuke asked from behind them. His voice seemed to tremble a bit.
"Shh," Omniboshi urged, keeping a wary eye on the stumbling Kenshin, "I don't know what it is, but we need to be quiet so it doesn't hear us."
Tasuke nodded, his expression grim once more. Omnisboshi shook his head and looked back at Kenshin just as Kenshin stumbled and fell on the ground.
"Kenshin!" Omniboshi yelled.
"Battousai!" Tasuke howled. The loss of blood had finally caught up to the injured boy. Kenshin lay on the ground gasping for breath. He was still conscious, but it was a struggle. He knew he had to keep going or he would die, and he couldn't let Tomoe's sacrifice be wasted like that. Lurching he once again pulled himself to his feet and began stumbling forward.
Omniboshi looked at the boy who simply wouldn't give up and said, "Oro, you're not going to like what I'm about to do, but it's the only way. Kenshin, I've got to carry you."
"No," Kenshin said, shaking his head as he lurched forward, "I can make it."
"Not fast enough. Now don't fight me." With that said, Omniboshi grasped Kenshin by the arms and lifted him onto his back, piggy-back style.
Kenshin groaned, and Omniboshi began to run again, the sounds of pursuit ever growing closer.
"I don't understand it," Daisuke growled, "how can he still be running?"
"He's losing more blood, though, and he's slowing down. We soon will be upon him," said Ryu who had regained control and was using his head.
"That's not the point. I know how deep your sword went, and I know how deep my sword went. There's no way he could still be running!"
"No, you don't understand."
Daisuke looked askance at Ryu. "What are you talking about?"
"You don't understand the Battousai. Yes, his skill with the sword is great, but it is his will that truly strikes fear in those swordsmen who face him and live. He simply can't give up. The longer he tries, the stronger he seems to become. We did get him, and it slowly is wearing him down, but we will catch him. Don't underestimate him even then. Even injured, he can still be deadly." Suddenly, Ryu held up his hand and interrupted himself. "Look!"
The whole Shinsengumi group paused and looked at the ground where Ryu was pointing. They could see the skid in the dirt where the Battousia's blood filled track showed him crashing to the ground. They could also see the indent where he climbed to his feet, and then the followed the tracks to where the smaller footsteps disappeared and the larger footsteps began to sink deeper into the ground.
Ryu and Daisuke looked at each other and grinned. "From now on," Daisuke grinned, "it will be smooth sailing. Let's go!"
The Shinsengumi caught up to them in a small clearing. It was only a mile away from the Imperialist base, but it was a mile to far. Kenshin sagged against a tree as Omniboshi tried to catch his breath. Tasuke stood ready, facing the direction of the howl. The dog leaped out of the trees first and stood growling, a huge monstrous beast. Then came Daisuke and Ryu. Ryu had eyes only for the injured Kenshin, and Kenshin met him glare for glare. The short rest off his feet had allowed him to somewhat recover.
Daisuke and Omniboshi stared at each other in shock.
"Daisuke?" Omniboshi asked.
"What are you doing here, Omniboshi? I thought you wanted to kill the Battousai. Why are you helping him?"
Omniboshi looked over at Kenshin and shrugged. "Oro, I don't know. But that doesn't matter anymore, and you are not going to touch him."
"I see. Well, brother, I now announce that you are a traitor to the world and I will carry out my patriotic duties. Die, Omniboshi." With that, Daisuke charged at Omniboshi, and the battle began.
