Well, this is it. The last chapter. I was thinking I could make a sequel, but I don't seem to be getting a lot of reviews for this story. Anyway, I hope you like. Sorry for the poor format of this chapter; the document manager isn't working correctly for me.

Chapter Six: One Man's Sacrifice

The situation was getting desperate. There was no hope of defeating their powerful foe. Hiei had used his most powerful attack, and it had proved useless. The bone structure of the beast made it impossible to deal any damage, and the attacks were too dangerous to stay close. But the voice that echoed from behind them drew their attention away from their gloomy thoughts of defeat. Kurama and Yusuke looked back to find Kuwabara. They both had never seen him this serious.

Yusuke was the first to speak, "What do you mean you'll do it?"

"What do you think I mean? There's no other way to kill him."

"What are talking about? We just got to blast his organs, right, Kurama?"

"Correct, but that's the trick. His body structure makes it hard to get any attack in."

"Don't you think I know that? I was over here watching you guys fight. I think I know how to do it, but I might die in the process."

Kurama tried to persuade against his tactic, "Kuwabara. We can find another way. You don't have to get yourself killed."

"That plague up there is connected to him, right? If we kill him the plague will go away, right?"

"Yes. I think it will."

"That means, the longer we fight him, the more people die. I can't allow that! And don't try to stop me!!!"

Kuwabara, without hesitation, rushed down the path at the beast. His spirit energy grew greatly, and an aura formed around him as he made his way across the path. He formed his spirit sword when he reached halfway across. By then Hideki had noticed him and prepared to kill him with his breath attack. Kuwabara had just made it on the island when Hideki attacked. Kuwabara had no way of dodging the foul gas, but he continued forward.

By the time he reached the beast his flesh was starting to peel off of him, but he didn't let that stop him. He jumped at the monster, using his sword to cut through the bones, and making his way inside the rib cage. Once inside, he began slashing at every vital organ visible to him. He continued until his strength gave on him and he collapsed and fell outside the body of the skeletal dragon. Yusuke and Kurama watched in horror as Kuwabara proved his honor.

Kuwabara's sacrifice was not in vain; Hideki fell down, dead. Hiei had managed to stay awake long enough to see that Hideki had perished, but a smile had formed on his face to see that Kuwabara was not completely worthless after all. Yusuke and Kurama didn't move or say a word. For nearly half an hour, they stood there shocked at the outcome, saddened by Kuwabara's sacrifice, and glad that Hideki paid for his terrible crimes.

They were knocked out of their trance when the room they were in began to collapse. With the last bit of Hideki's power gone, there was nothing left to hold the sadistic cavern in place.

"What about Kuwabara's body? He could come back can't he?"

"Sorry, Yusuke. I'm afraid that there isn't any way for him to come back. We must get out of here before we're trapped."

They both ran through the cave, trying to make it to the entrance. Fortunately for them, the only place that was collapsing was that single room. They had made it out safely.

Once out of danger, they laid Hiei on the ground and sat to rest in silence.

Two hours later

Two hours had passed since the three had escaped the cave. Hiei was beginning to wake up. Yusuke was remembering all the "good times" he had with Kuwabara. Kurama was thinking to himself.

"How long was I out?"

Kurama answered, "About an hour and a half."

"So, is the plague over?"

"Yes. I don't smell any sickness from the city, so I think it's finally over."

"Well, that's pretty dumb. Our original mission was to find a demon who escaped, but it turns out it was a dragon that can feed off death."

"So it seems."

There followed another hour of silence. Yusuke still reminiscing, Kurama still thinking to himself, and Hiei was trying to figure out how he was going to get another sword. They all jumped when they heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, guys!"

They all turned to find Kuwabara. They quickly realized that it was his spirit, though.

"Just wanted to say my last goodbyes." Kuwabara turns to Hiei first, "Hiei. You've been a punk to me for so long, now. But I know you mean well. Kurama. I just want to say thanks for supporting me all this time. You've been a good friend. And Urameshi. Don't you dare lose before I beat you up!" With those words, Kuwabara fades away to Spirit World.

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Well, that's it. This fic is over. Flamers: now that it's over, I don't care. You can unleash your flames of fury. Other readers who are better than that: Please review.