Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and most likely never will. The Predator is a copyright of Twentieth Century Fox.  Rurouni kenshin and all characters associated with Kenshin are owned by Weekly Shonen Jump comics.  Enjoy and review afterwards please.

Rurouni Kenshin/Predator

Blades of Blood

by Hybrid Digimon Grey

Chapter 4

Game of Death

Yahiko and Misao groaned as Karou and Okina treated their wounds.  Yahiko’s was going to be okay, his arm would have to remain in a sling for a while but he would recover as would Misao.

"Sorry for coming Kenshin," Karou said.

“We should have listened to you,” Yahiko said.

“Although part of me is upset that you came, the other half is relieved,” Kenshin said with a light smile,” if you weren’t there I might not be here right now.”

Yahiko and Karou smiled, but that soon faded as Saito entered the Aoiya.  He took a drag on his cigarette as he went over the report.

“What a mess,” Saito said,” 18 causalities and 24 injured…as of right now the Kyoto police force is not even at half its full strength.”

"Then it will be up to us to stop this monster,” Aoshi said.

“But how do we find it,’ Sano said,” I hate to say it but, do we just wait for it to attack again?”

“No,” Kenshin said,” We can’t allow any more people to come to harm.”

“Then what do you suggest Battousai,” Saito asked.

“You may want to follow the trail of green blood to its lair,” a voice yelled.

“That voice,” Kenshin said in surprise as he rushed toward the entrance of the Aoiya and saw his master, Hiko Seijuro standing there.

“Master,” Kenshin said then asked,” Why are you here?”

“Idiot apprentice,” Seijuro said,” I would think that these murders would be a pretty big clue.”

“But I thought you said you would never help me again,” Kenshin said.

“I’m not here to help you but the people of Kyoto,” Seijuro shouted angrily.

“Then…why didn’t you help earlier,” Kenshin said.

Seijuro growled angrily then quickly struck Kenshin over the head.  Seijuro then coughed as Kenshin stood there with a giant lump on his head.

“Well now I’m here, so let’s get this hunt over with,” Seijuro said.

“I swear that guy really is bastard,” Misao said.

“But with his help we just may beat this monster,” Kenshin said.

“Kenshin,” Karou said,” please be careful.”

“We’ll be alright Miss Karou,” Kenshin said.

“Beat him Kenshin…you too Sanosuke,” Yahiko said.

“Watch that shoulder,” Sano said,” See ya.”

“Lord Aoshi…I…” Misao started.

“You need not worry Misao,” Aoshi said calmly,” we’ll be back soon.”

“Enough of this,” Saito said,” You, Hiko, you said you found some kind of trail?”

“Yes…apparently it its last attack, someone injured it…there was a trail of what looked like green blood leading up into the mountains,” Seijuro said.

“Then its time we put an end to his evil,” Kenshin said.

Karou and the others watched on from the Aoiya as Kenshin and the others walked off into the night to find and defeat their foe.  The only question any of them really had on their minds was, were they the hunters or the hunted?

***

Within the creature's lair, the beast examined its trophies.  It then ran its left hand over its right side, the one called Kenshin had injured him the other night, as powerful as he was the wound still pained him.  This human would prove to be a great trophy; suddenly it heard a twig snap outside.  The creature growled as he reached for its mask then placed it back on its face then stood and just as it exited the cave, it began to turn invisible.  Hidden in the trees, the creature saw five men walking toward its lair, it recognized four of them from the night before…the fifth was unknown, but it did not matter to the hunter.

***

Seijuro and others continued to move onward until they saw a cave.

“That it,” Sano asked.

“Most likely,” Seijuro said,” The trail ends here.”

“Then let’s see if it’s home,” Saito said as he walked onward toward the entrance of the cave.

“Saito,” Kenshin said.

“It’s not here,” Saito said,” but it’s you may want to look at this.”

The others followed behind Saito and inside the cave saw several skulls gathered together in a small pile.  However there was one skull that was separate from the others…the skull sat on a large stone and before it was the remains of a broken sword.

“Cho,” Sano asked.

“Yes,” Kenshin said.

“So where is this thing then,” Sano hissed angrily.

“Close by that it is,” Kenshin said,” that same odor is close by.”

“In other words it is stalking us as we speak,” Saito said.

As the five warriors exited the cave a burst of blue fire shot down.  They all dispersed as the blast exploded the ground near them.  In the midst of the confusion, the creature made itself visible as he jumped down from the trees and went after its first target with twin blades and glaive drawn.  Seijuro blocked the creature attack with its twin blades, but forgot about the glaive.  The creature did not hesitate as it rammed the blade right through Seijuro’s right leg.

‘Damn,’ Seijuro thought as the creature then pulled the glaive out of the wound before striking him with the back of its hand.

“Master,” Kenshin yelled as he rushed forward to attack.

The hunter turned toward Kenshin and raised its right gauntlet firing two spear heads, the first tore through the right side of Kenshin’s chest and the second landed in his left shoulder.  Kenshin gritted his teeth, he may have been in pain, but he was far from finished.

Kenshin raised his sword over his head and said," Hiten Mitsurugi…Do Ryu Sen!"

As soon as he struck the ground a wave of rocks flew outward striking the creature.  The hunter was forced back where Sano took over, he struck the creature in the metal mask then began to chop away at the hunter’s stomach, allowing Kenshin to help Seijuro to his feet.

“You’re friend seems to have a lot of stamina,” Seijuro said.

“You can’t underestimate him,” Kenshin said as he pulled the spear head out of his left shoulder.

The creature turned toward Sano and dodged his next punch and then with a quick strike from its left hand knocked the wind out of Sano and cracked a several ribs.

“Damn,” Sano thought,” This bastard is stronger that he looks…I can’t even breathe without it hurting!”

While Sano gasped for air, the monster attacked with a downward slash, and formed to large gash in Sano’s chest.  Sano groaned as he collapsed to the ground holding his wound with his right hand as he felt the blood run down his body.

The hunter prepared to finish Sano when suddenly a sword tore through its left side.  The hunter roared angrily as it studied the wound and saw its blood running down its body.

“To drop your guard because of one injured man ensures your death,” Saito said,” My Gatotsu can not be…”

Before he could finish, the hunter struck him in the face with its left elbow, forcing Saito to move backwards pulling his sword out from the hunter’s body.  The hunter slowly turned to attack Saito, but Aoshi was determined to attack first.

"This is for Misao," he yelled as he charged at the creature," Oniwa Banshu Double Kodachi…Kaiten Kenbuu Rokuren"

The creature turned in time to see the slashes but there was no way for it to avoid the attack.  The blades cut through the hunter’s skin on its left arm and side, but the creature raised its glaive at the last moment cutting the power Aoshi’s attack.  One attack struck the hunter’s mask.  The mask cracked before splitting in half, and then Kenhsin and his friend now saw the true face of the opponent.  The creature’s growled as it studied its prey, a small trail of green blood was slowly dripping out from within the hunter’s mandibles.

“Damn,” Sano said,” that I one ugly ass demon!”

The creature roared as it jammed the glaive into the ground, and then pressed a button on its left gauntlet and sent out an electrical shockwave that knocked Kenshin and all his friends to the ground.  Smoke traveled off their bodies as the shockwave subsided.  The hunter made the strange clicking sound as it slowly lurched toward the unconscious Aoshi.  Before the creature could complete its attack, it caught some movement from the corner of its eye and as the hunter turned it saw Sano stand.  Despite the pain in his ribs and chest he had to fight, he had to do what he could while he friends and allies recovered.

"Okay you son of a bitch, it's my turn now," Sano shouted as he spat the blood from his mouth.

The hunter made the clicking sound clenched its fists so tightly it cracked its knuckles effortlessly.  Sano smiled knowing that this creature was in for one big surprise.

Sano charged forward with right hand raised and as he threw his fist he yelled," Futae no Kiwami!"

The creature caught Sano’s punch in its left hand when it suddenly a great pain surged through its arm.  Unfortunately for the hunter, it had no clue what was behind Sano’s attack and for its stupidity, the bones in its left arm were completely destroyed.  The creature roared in pain as its arm fell limp, Sano smiled but that feeling didn’t last long.  The hunter punched Sano with its right hand in the stomach, but the blades on its gauntlet were extended and now protruded from Sano’s back.  Sano coughed as a small trail of blood ran down the side of his mouth.  The hunter growled as he withdrew its arm allowing Sano to collapse to the ground.

"I got him Kenshin," he said before he passed out.

The creature stared down at the fallen Sano, unaware that the others were already recovered, Saito and Aoshi would take advantage of the situation.

"Hey ugly," Saito said.

The creature turned only too see Saito charge forward with his Gatotsu which pierced the right side of the hunter’s chest.  The creature was about to attack Saito when Aoshi rushed jammed his two kodachi on either side of the hunter’s neck.

‘Got him,’ Saito thought.

‘Nothing should be able to live after…’ Aoshi thought when he suddenly felt a pain on the left side of his face.

The hunter fired a blast from its shoulder cannon, but without the mask, it could not exactly hit the target.  Instead the blue blast scorched Aoshi’s face; the hunter then turned toward Saito and fired again taking a small chunk of flesh off the top of Saito’s right shoulder.  Both warriors fell backwards holding their wounds with their free hands.

“Damn,” Saito grunted.

Suddenly the both looked up and saw the roar loudly before slowly pulling Saito’s katana out of it chest then tossed it to the ground.  Sano slowly began to push himself up then watched the hunter pull each kodachi out of its neck…the florescent green blood spraying everywhere.  It tossed the swords to the ground and roared angrily once again.

‘Shit,’ Sano thought as he stood,’ What kind of monster is he?’

‘This demon just shook off our attacks like it was nothing,’ Aoshi thought as he stared up at the monster.

‘Have to reach for my sword,’ Saito thought,’ Have to try and take this bastard down!’

“Now you will all die,” the hunter said is a raspy voice.

"Now Kenshin," Seijuro shouted.

The creature looked and saw the both Kenshin and Seijuro charge forward with swords drawn.

"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu…Kuzu Ryu Sen," both Kenshin and Seijuro shouted.

With blinding speed, the attacks were both successful…the hunter roared again as blood sprayed out from every wound.

“Alright,” Sano said then saw the monster was still standing and reached for on its back then yelled,” Look out!”

The hunter pulled out a disc, which expanded in its hand, and sent if flying at Seijuro and Kenshin while they had their backs turned.  The attack would normally have split them in half, but in its weakened state the attack sliced through their backs before curving back to its master.

“Kenshin,” Sano yelled.

Both Seijuro and Kenshin were forced to their knees supporting themselves with their sword, but they would survive.

Kenshin turned toward the monster and took the stance for his ultimate attack.  The creature spat the green blood from its mandibles then grabbed the glaive in its hand and readied for the human to attack.

“Kenshin,” Sano said.

“This creature has taken all attacks and continues to stand,” Kenshin said as he gripped the hilt of his sword,” If this attack does not stop it…then just maybe…it is immortal.”

The others watched as Kenshin charged forward to attack.  Just as Kenshin drew his sword, the hunter brought up the glaive…even with only one hand and its current state, it was still able to stave off the attack.  Suddenly, it parried the attack, Kenshin began to spin to attack once more, but the monster would not allow it.  With glaive raised it would pierce the human’s skull, but suddenly it felt itself being drawn to the human…it tried to stop itself, but could not then saw as Kenshin turned toward him to attack once more.  The sword struck the monster’s side and with all the force in Kenshin body sent the hunter flying up into the air…the beast spewed up a fountain of blood as it roared in pain before crashing to the ground.  They all saw that the hunter lay motionless…it was finally over.

"Good job Kenshin," Sano said as he placed a hand on Kenshin’s shoulder.

“Thanks Sano,” Kenshin said.

Aoshi and Saito retrieved their weapons then looked over at the creature’s body.

“Hell spawn,” Saito said coldly.

“I’d hate to think what would have happened if that thing was able to survive all of that,” Aoshi said.

“I’ll admit…for an idiot apprentice that wasn’t too…” Seijuro started but stopped when they saw the monster twitch.

“Impossible,” Aoshi said.

The creature began to slowly rise up until it now faced the humans once more.  It’s tiny eyes filled with anger as it glared at the humans but suddenly tossed its glaive to the ground. 

“What’s it doing,” Sano asked.

“Seems like he’s admitting defeat,” Saito said.

The hunter then brought its right hand over toward its left gauntlet.  It pressed a button on its arm and then a small compartment appeared, it then pressed a series of button and before long a set of red dots began to blink and beep.  The hunter then turned toward the warriors and began to chuckle which then turned into hysterical laughter which got louder and louder.

“Looks like he’s lost his mind,’ Aoshi said.

“It can’t comprehend the fact that it lost,” Seijuro said.

"Fight over…you lose," it said as it continued to laugh maniacally.

The beeping continued to increase in volume as well as speed.  It took Saito only a second to realize what was going to happen, and it wasn’t good at all.

"The creature's going to self destruct,” Saito shouted.

“What,” Sano shouted in surprise.

“We have to get away from here immediately,” Saito shouted.

The warriors quickly moved as fast as they could, but they knew they wouldn't be able to outrun the blast.  Just then they saw the river nearby, and in a foolish attempt jumped in and let the current send them down the mountain. The creature's laugh continued to echo across the mountain even as Kenshin and the others washed up on the banks by the bridge.  Suddenly there was a giant flash of light from on top of the mountains jut as the creature’s laughter died down and it was then followed by a loud explosion that lit up the night sky shaking every thing close by.

"That crazy bastard would have taken us all with him just to win," Sano said.

"Fortunately that won't happen Sano," Kenshin said," we have stopped the monster and now peace can finally return."

            Seijuro and the others got out from the river and made their way to the bridge.

            “Well this is the final, last time I help you Kenshin,” Seijuro said sternly,” Now I have to go see if the monster blew up my shack as well.”

            “Thanks again master,” Kenshin said.

            Seijuro gave a simple wave as he continued to walk away.

            “Then I will take my leave as well,” Saito said.

            “Hey don’t forget that we have unfinished business to deal with,” Sano said.

            “Moron,” Saito said as he walked away.

            “I really hate him,” Sano said.

            “Come on…the others will be waiting for us,” Kenshin said with a smile.

***

"What was that explosion,” Misao said.

"I hope Kenshin and the others are okay,” Karou said.

"There they are," Okina yelled.

They all saw Sano, Aoshi, and Kenshin slowly walk forward.  Karou and the others rushed out greet them and saw that both Saito and Seijuro were missing.

"Is it over,” Okin asked.

“Yes,” Kenshin said still holing his wounds.

“Saito and Seijuro,” Karou asked.

“they’re both fine,” Kenshin said,” And have already taken off.”

“Well let’s get you inside and treat those wounds,” Karou said.

With their wounds treated it was time for them to return to their own lives.  After spending a few days together Kenshin and his friends soon left to return to Tokyo knowing they had save the city from total destruction.

"Until we meet again Himura," Aoshi said.

"Until we meet again," Kenshin said with a wave of his hand.

“Watch that arm Yahiko,” Misao teased.

“Just you wait…I’ll be back to train in a little bit,” Yahiko said with a smile.

Unknown to the group, Saito watched from the shadows boarded the train taking a drag on his cigarette before allowing it to fall to the ground.

‘Until we meet again Battousai,’ Saito said with a wickedly smile as he walked away.

Kenshin and his friends returned to the Kamiya Dojo…still weary from the attack, now they would rest.  Little did they know that things would only get more interesting.  In the mountains where Aoshi had once dwelled, a young traveler stopped to take a break from the hot sun in the cool cave.  Unknown to him, he was not alone, as he sighed he heard a strange hissing sound and what he though was a shrieking sound.  He quickly got back up and tensed up as the screeching grew louder.  He suddenly went pale as a strange black insect-like creature charged forward.  He tried to run, but tripped to the ground.  In a desperate attempt he tried to crawl away, but the monster got hold of its leg and began to drag him back inside.  The man screamed before disappearing into the darkness of the cave.  As the man’s screams subsided, the hissing and screeching grew even louder.

END…

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