As the grip upon his neck became tighter, Hiei gagged. His vision began to blur and everything turned dark. All movements seemed to end, and all he could hear was Edowin's sinister, sadistic laughing. The laughing of an insane, madman... Mind spinning, ears ringing, eyes filling with moisture. He had failed to protect the person he loved. Trying to swallow one last time, he choked and the voice split through the laughter, like breaking glass.

"Rose Whip!"

Hiei felt himself being dropped and he could feel the ground upon his knees and hands as he gasped for air. Turning, he looked to Kurama and his sight returned. "Ku---Kurama..."

"Gah, you bastard!" Edowin clutched his shoulder, which had been pierced by the whip, and the blood rolled from between his fingers.

"I know you don't deserve it, but I'm giving you a chance. A chance to revert your ways of evil and return to the being you once were." Kurama's hoarse voice boomed over the silence. The hand in which the whip was held clenched tight. "Do it, and you shall live."

"You think I need your sympathy? I do not lose. Just because you have some fancy whip does not mean that you have won this battle. Oh, no." Fear glimmered brightly from within Edowin's eyes, though he did an excellent job of not showing it. Only an expert of body language would've been able to realize that indeed, Edowin was frightened of Kurama.

From his sitting, propped up position, Kurama shrugged slightly. "Whatever you say, but don't forget I offered you a way out." Pulling back upon his whip, he prepared to salvage another attack this time, one that would be fatal.

"No, Kurama!" Hiei shouted as he stood up. His eyes flickered with a growing fire, and he locked eyes with his friend. "This is my fight, I shall deal the final blow. You rest, you are wounded. You shall not die while I am watching."

Kurama's eyelids fell slightly almost in a pleading glance, but Hiei didn't seem to notice. He pulled his broken katana once again, an aura of red shadows danced about his form.

"What's this?! B-But you had no spiritual power! You used the Black Dragon Wave, you shouldn't even be standing!!"

"You're confusing me with weaklings, Edowin. Weaklings that depend on others to do their fights. Weaklings who hide within the shadows and only come out when they believe they know the odds are for them. Weaklings like you..." The broken katana's blade was also surrounded by the red aura and it began to dance upon it like miniature dragons.

Edowin growled. "Shut up, you!"

"Just admit it. You were wrong, and I was right. Good always triumphs over evil, and nothing will change that!" The red dragons dispersed and the katana's blade was restored. Not to its original form, but instead a thicker blade that was in much better condition and quality than his old broken blade. Hiei smirked, and disappeared with his speed.

"You once were my friend, Edowin, but now and forever more shall remain an enemy!" Reappearing behind the Demon, Hiei struck downwards with his new sword and allowed the metal to seer through Edowin's back and out his chest.

Watching the blood pour down his front, Edowin's eyes dilated. "You know Hiei...this isn't the end. You may kill me now, but that does not defeat the rise of evil. Someone will take my place, always. Nothing can stop our negative energy, nothing..."

As his voice faded off, his eyes grew dim and his body limply fell to the ground, removing itself from the blade on its own. Blood rolled from the blade, and Hiei's hand quivered before he dropped it. "I'm sorry Edowin."

Kurama looked to Hiei. He pushed himself to his feet, and put his rose whip away. "Hi---"

"It's all over Kurama, there's nothing left to worry about for now. You're safe, we're safe." He walked over to Kurama, and with his head bowed, hugged him tightly.

Smiling, Kurama let his head rest upon Hiei's shoulder. "Yes, I know. Thank you, my dear friend."

The two friends held each other and were able to relax in the safety of the peace and quiet. Never the thought of anything that could tear them apart again would rise, never. Although, amongst the clearing shadows beneath the trees a pair of red eyes shown bright. They narrowed and a small figure leapt off into the darkness.

"You know Hiei...this isn't the end. You may kill me now, but that does not defeat the rise of evil...rise of evil...rise of evil...rise of evil..."

Author's Note: Well guys, that's the end. I know, it's another cliffhanger, but it seems that's my writing style. Who knows, if I get enough reviews, I might write a sequel. This was an interesting fanfic to write, and I'm glad I could share it with all of you. Catch ya later! ^^