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Chapter Ten: Nightmare Rectified

Soft streams of sunlight streamed down upon the grassy meadow. Swallows sang in the trees and squirrels chattered over acorns. Two lone figures lay drowsing in the afternoon warmth. Sakura petals floated in the gentle breeze.

"Dreams are a false hope. An anchor for the weak who are in too much pain to seek true reality."

The silky voice floated through the air drifting by the fire demon's ears. He stirred and sat up in confusion of their surroundings. Slowly at first then swiftly the serene scene he beheld shattered.

"Why do you escape to your dreams when the realty is right before you?" Kurama queried. The fire demon averted his gaze from the kitsune.

"How many times must I strain my voice before it will reach you, Hiei?" he demanded.

"You need not." Hiei responded, barely above a whisper.

"Then you should listen to the words I give," Kurama reproached.

"Why listen to something that makes no sense?" Hiei demanded, "I prefer simplicity."

"Simple chaos is the finer definition of life. It thrives upon it and without the wild energy life would collapse and cease to continue."

"Dreams are preferable to this chaos. At least in them reality doesn't have to make sense. Things just are."

Kurama said nothing for a moment, choosing instead to absorb recent events

"We have to end this. And in the choosing of our own battleground just may be enough to sway the outcome," he finally spoke at last. Hiei tightened his hands into fists and nodded in acquiescence.

"I know the place." And then Hiei was gone, a black blur through the window. Kurama paused looking back at the door.

"Farewell for now," he whispered before he too slipped out the window.

Hasty half formed plans were thought up and discarded just as quickly as the two demons ran through the night. At first they each voiced their idea out loud. But as each was found faulty it was silently decided to just keep quiet. Abruptly Kurama stopped running. A circle of grey soldiers stood guard surrounded him. Hiei stood by one of them leaning against the rough bark. A tentative warm breeze rustled the leaves of the trees as Kurama looked around in.

"I know this place."

The soft revelation was spoken in quiet agony. Memories stirred unbidden within the clearing. The ghosts of shadows slipped around the edges of the trees.

"This is where it all started. And this is where it will end."

Fox and fire demon both stood and waited. Time stood still and passed by unnoticed and still they waited. A cloaked figure heralded the end of their wait. No verbal preamble was given as Karasu lifted his hand and threw a bomb. Kurama and Hiei tensed then they blurred into streaks of movement. At the edges of the shadows Miyuki watched and she waited.

Explosions and the dragon of black fire filled the area. Rose petals and the scent of blood flew through the air. Black curls of smoke wisped and whirled. Much like the dragon's flames, they cracked and flowed where they pleased. Karasu slammed Hiei into one of the clearing's guardians when Kurama fully unleashed the darkness. It lashed out in fury at the summoning, and then swooped over the three like a great beast. Lying like an immense blanket it settled over the fighters. Swallowed in the depths of a black void fox, crow and dragon vanished never to return.

In the aftermath mists of gray drizzled down masking the tears on Miyuki's face. Stiff and numb the young girl left the innocent clearing. Shock causing her to stumble she eventually made her way to Genkai's temple. The unsuspecting party was surprised to see her. Seeing the silver tears, Yukina shook off the frozen moment when she went to the girl.

"They are gone," she whispered. "It's over. It's finally over."

Realization dawned on the group, relief sweeping though like a wild fire. The rain dripping from a weeping sky, cried upon the mourning party.

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