Author's Note: This is the fourth time I've tried posting this chapter and the third time I had to retype it. Please review and make my effort worthwhile.
Hiei slammed into Razel, forcing him back before the claws could sink into Yusuke's heart. Razel skidded back several steps as Yusuke fell to his knees. Blood soaked through Yusuke's shirt even as he clutched one hand over the wound.
My Rose Whip slashed out but Razel quickly leapt out of range. I saw Hiei shove his scarf into Yusuke's hands before I was forced to look away as Razel zoomed in for another attack. Claws swept across my chest, ripping through my shirt but not my flesh as I jerked back.
Razel's speed was as great as I had expected. I was having a hard time keeping out of reach of the sweeping claws and couldn't strike back as I struggled to defend myself. Several times his vicious claws came only a hair from piercing vital organs or digging into my face. One wrong step and Razel would have his wish.
I twisted away tot he left only to find Razel rapidly closing in. As I stepped back, the floor beneath my foot gave way to open air. I jumped quickly to the side, barely avoiding the hole that had appeared behind me. I landed in a crouched position, already breathing hard.
Razel was wearing me down. Soon I would be making the mistakes he needed to kill me. Razel landed a few feet in front of me, a gloating smirk spreading across his lips as he stared down at me with mocking eyes.
"I hadn't expected killing you to be so easy, Kurama. I must say that am very disappointed. I thought you would put up more of a fight. Tell me, how does it feel to know that within seconds you will meet your maker? Regrets? I'm sure that you have plenty since you have lived such a long, corrupt, sin-filled life."
"I won't let you kill me. You can't get away with what you have done."
"You don't have a choice in the matter, Kurama. You're old, weak. I'm surprised that you've lasted so many centuries. It's time to rest, Kurama, and I will help you do just that. Don't resist it'll only make your death much more painful."
Razel lunged at me, claws sweeping out at my throat. I fell backwards as one hand reached into my hair and closed around several seeds. I closed my eyes as I filled the seeds with my energy and lay back on the ground. The sharp claws touched my throat but were caught before they could rip into my flesh. The vines wrapped around Razel, holding him immobile.
I slid out of reach and slowly sat up. Razel growled, struggling to break free of the vines twisting around him. I stumbled to my feet filled with weariness. The fight had to be over. There wasn't much more that I could take and still stand.
"Stop this, Razel. There's no need for any more death," I whispered.
Razel's furious eyes locked on mine. "There is plenty need, and I will have your life. You think that these pitiful vines can hold me. I'm sorry to disappoint you."
With a flare of yoki, Razel broke free, destroying the vines. With a cry of rage, he leapt at me. I stumbled back a second too slow and felt claws dig into my shoulder. I jerked free and felt the flesh of my arm rip open.
He continued striking out at me, coming at me from every angle as I struggled to escape the furious blows. Claws swept across my abdomen leaving bloody trails in their wake. A blast of energy threw me off my feet, landing me hard against the ground and knocking the breath from my lungs.
Within seconds, Razel stood over me. "So easily beaten, and so easily killed. It's time to die, Kurama. Say your prayers!"
Claws aimed for my heart descended with frightening speed. I rolled as fast as I could to escape the killing blow and felt the claws sink into my back as I shifted to protect my vital organs. Pain flared through me, bringing stinging tears to my eyes. The claws jerked free of my back and reared back for another strike.
I forced myself to move, somehow finding the strength to dodge the next strike. I rolled away until several feet separated us before trying to rise up on my knees. I could feel my shirt clinging to my skin as I moved. Blood was quickly soaking through it.
Razel's cold laughter filled my ears as he raised his bloody claws to his lips and tasted the blood. "So sweet, like my revenge. So fleeting, like your life."
He lowered his hand and stared across the distance at me. "You may have survived that blow, but I can assure you that the next will succeed in killing you."
He slowly began stalking toward me, taunting me with each step. I was bleeding and could already fill my life and energy draining away. Another attack was coming, one that I wasn't sure I could avoid.