Chapter 28: Escape

The forest was silent. The fight was over. Everyone knew it, even though the smoke hadn't finished clearing. The only other time they had seen Hiei ever use the dragon of the darkness flame was against Zeru in the dark tournament. Afterwards his arm had been charred. It was hard for someone to control the dragon. If they weren't careful it could destroy them as well. Hiei had gotten lucky again.

The black mark had snaked its way around his lower arm, once again. It throbbed in pain, but Hiei paid no mind to it. It could be overcome. He just wanted to see his work, what had happened to the demon. But he already seemed to know. After all, it had to be the same thing that happened to the other foe he used it on. Somehow, though, Hiei needed a reassurance that he had actually gotten Braeden.

The black smoke curled slowly towards the sky, lifting from what was left of the enemy. There was no body. No blood. Not even a shred of hair or clothing or any sign that Braeden had once existed. What used to be the demon was now a pile of ash. So he really had terminated the man. It really was over. All it took was one blast of immense dark energy from the depths of spirit world.

"Hn. He wasn't that tough," Hiei murmured over the remains.

He heard a sharp intake of breath and turned quickly around towards where Amaranta and Kurama were. He gasped and rushed over, kneeling by the woman's side. She had been hit with such great force it was a miracle she was still alive. Braeden had used lots of his spiritual energy, besides the strength his own muscles possessed. The outcome of what was going to happen did not look good.

Yukina came slowly over to them. Botan was stirring from her unconsciousness. It was time for the ice apparition to heal the others that had injuries. She stopped behind Hiei, afraid to speak or make a gesture. She looked towards Kurama, who was holding his wounded shoulder with his hand. He looked up and met her gaze. It was a sad gaze. It said that there was no way she would be able to heal Amaranta's giant wound. It was too immense.

"Kurama. Let me heal your shoulder," she whispered.

The fox demon could only nod. He met Yukina half way and let her begin the process. The glow that filled the area around his shoulder was warm and soothing. It relaxed his muscles, but it couldn't relax his mind. Kurama continued to stare down at Hiei and the demon girl on the ground. Remorse for his friend spread throughout his body. Tears started growing in the back of his eyes. They were not yet ready to be released.

Hiei looked down into Amaranta's eyes, as she stared back up at him. Pain shot through his body. It wasn't physical pain, but something much worse that would take a longer time to heal. Emotional anguish. Why did life have to be so hard? Why did it have to introduce something wonderful to you then take it abruptly away? It would have been better if he had never met this girl. Then he wouldn't have to experience this damn pain. He never wanted to experience it again.

"I-Is it over?" Amaranta asked slowly and quietly.

Her lungs were severely damaged. She wouldn't be able to speak any louder or clearer than that. Hiei could only nod. Speaking would only bring along the tears. He saw her shut her eyes and let out a sigh of relief. Then, it was as if a miracle happened. A smile played across the demons lips. It was the first time in her entire life. It looked beautiful. It felt nice to her. She could smile!

"Good," she whispered.

Amaranta's breathing was becoming ever more shallow. Her breaths were labored and heavy. Hiei shook his head. He looked up at Yukina.

"You have to heal her!" he shouted. "Right now!"

Yukina stopped what she was doing and looked over at him.

"Hiei, I am really sorry. I can't." Her voice was soft and sweet.

He could tell she was telling the truth and was really sorry about it. But he couldn't accept it. She was a natural healer. She could at least try.

"You have to do something! You can't just let her die!"

Yukina's eyes filled with tears. "It would be useless. Anyway, this is what she wanted. This is her fate. Do you really want me to interfere with that? Look. She is finally happy."

Hiei looked down at Amaranta. Somehow he hadn't noticed all the blood before. Crimson liquid stained the grass around the girl. Some still flowed out of the giant wound. Her clothes were now red from the blood, as were Hiei's hands and body. Red specks had jumped onto her pale face and neck.

He noticed she was still smiling, her breaths slowing down. She had predicted it. She had known what was coming and accepted it with eager joy. It was the one time in her life that would actually matter because it was the one time that she was happy. The life she had been brought into was that of sorrow and despair. It hadn't been a life. Just a cold, dark prison. She would be free now. Yukina was right. There was nothing to be done. He had to let her rest now.

The breaths slowed. Her chest began to slowly stop rising and falling. Her eyes remained shut. A smile was still etched onto her lips. It wouldn't disappear. Not now. Not ever. It was there for all eternity. Her body began to go lax. Hiei held her closer, as if trying to protect her. But her muscles relaxed. Her head lolled to the side. She was motionless. Letting out her final breath of air, Hiei knew she had escaped. That she had been a lucky one to final break free from this tormenting Earth in such a good way. Now only spirit world awaited her arrival.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summer turned to Fall, Fall turned to Winter, and still the seasons passed. Everything went back to normal, the fight slipped to the back of everyone's mind. Well almost everyone's. Hiei still thought about that day frequently. The dark mark snaked around his lower right arm from when he called upon the dragon of the darkness flame was a visible reminder of what had happened. As it faded with each passing month, he feared his memories might fade along with it. He didn't want to forget the woman he had grew to love. The woman he had lost just as quickly as she had entered his life. He had thought it would have been best if they had never met, but he was glad they had. He had grown and learned things throughout the process.

The spot in the woods where she had last lain had been barren at first. Flowers refused to grow there, the grass remain indented, even the blood refused to come off. Not long afterwards, though, a single flower could be seen starting to spring to life from the ground. Soon many others followed its trend. The flowers were that like none ever seen before. They were an unearthly red and black mixture. A patch of sunlight always seemed to break through the thick canopy of the trees and light up that particular spot. It was never touched. Never disturbed. The flowers seemed to carry a certain familiar aura with them. It seemed apparent. Because no matter what season came to pass, no matter what type of weather seemed to plague the atmosphere, the flowers were always in bloom. The flowers never faded...

A/N: Yay! It is complete! I hope you all liked the ending. I tried not to make it sappy, but I don't know if I succeeded. This is the last chapter. So the story is done. Over. Finished. I hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry if it wasn't to any of your likings. Hopefully you will grace me with your presence and review some of my other stories. Thank you! ~CD