Kyo held on to the lamppost, bending over to catch his breath, he knew he should have checked the fuel tank before he left earlier that evening. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, catching a glimpse of his watch as he brought his hand back down to hang loosely at his side 9:59. He straightened, looking down the street, Not much further to go, he forced himself to go on running, eyes searching for the entrance to the alleyway.

He stopped at the entrance, out of breath once again, searching the darkness for the familiar form of his rival. A muffled noise came from the far end, "Yuki?" another muffled cry sent him running to the end of the alley. He crouched down in front of her, the tears of relief almost coming to the surface, as he untied the gag from her mouth. "Get away Kyo, it's a trap." Before Kyo could respond a tower of purple flame from the Ya Sakazuki (Eight Wine Glasses) narrowly missed his crouched body. Kyo stood, turning to face the source of the flames, his anger once again burning, blinding him from the truth, that he could never beat this man. "You're late," came the monotone rumble of Iori's voice, "You're a bad shot!" Kyo responded, clenching his fists. Slowly Iori walked towards him, stepping into the shallow light that filtered into the alley from the back rooms of bars. Kyo saw the look of amusement on Iori's face, as he came fully into view, "No one here to stop us now. Not that it would matter. Tonight we end this Kyo. Tonight I'll kill you." Kyo smiled as he threw the sword towards Iori, "Haven't you come to grips with reality yet? You can't touch me, Yagami." Slowly Iori walked towards the Kusanagi heir, Kyo knew that it would start now, watching every move of his rival, trying desperately to anticipate his first move.

"Body ga amei ze!"

Kyo's flaming fist came within inches of Iori's face, he retaliated quickly, clawing Kyo's chest shredding his shirt along with the flesh beneath it. Searing pain rippled through Kyo's upper body, followed by the warm trickle of fresh blood. Kyo leapt forward executing the Shiki Kai, sending his foot into Iori's jaw. Iori reared backwards, momentarily loosing his balance. Kyo struck again, the R.E.D. (Rainbow Energy Dynamite) Kick forcing Iori into the air, and sending him face first into the ground with the last kick. Kyo stood over Iori, Maybe this time I beat him. Iori's maniacal laugh rose up from Kyo's feet, destroying Kyo's hopes. Kyo looked down just in time to be hit with Iori's Oni Yaki (Demon Scorcher), purple flames engulfing him, as he was sent sailing into the air. Kyo looked up at Iori as he landed, a grin still present on his imposing features. "Are you afraid of me?" Iori asked, a sarcastic tone apparent in his voice, a breathed laugh escaped his lips before he struck Kyo across the chest again, a wave of blood following his clawed hand. Kyo grimaced, more pain searing through his body, he desperately tried to deny the urge to fall to the floor and nurse his wound. Iori watched Kyo, his pain delighted him. He slashed the side of Kyo's face with his next blow, before hitting him with the first hit of the Aoi Hana (Hollyhock Flower), sending Kyo swaying to the left, bashing him back to the right with the second hit, before finally planting him into the ground with the final blow.

Kyo lay still on the ground, the coppery taste of blood welled up in his mouth, he knew his jaw was broken, he felt it break as he smashed into the concrete. Iori picked Kyo up by his collar, seeing an opportunity Kyo lunged at Iori with his elbow, Iori doubled over, Kyo grabbed his neck setting his hands on fire as he did so. Iori yelled, as his body was uncontrollably thrown backwards, he smashed into a stack of empty garbage cans. He looked up at the clear patch of sky above him, the moon greeting his gaze, Kyo's foot intruded his view before it hit his chest. He clutched his torso, reaching out with his other hand for something, anything, to get him back to his feet. Kyo quickly stopped his ascent, the yellow flames of Kyo's own Oni Yaki (Demon Scorcher) sending him crashing back down to earth. Kyo doubled over, feeling the pain in his chest once again, he clutched at the wound, blood flowing freely over his fingers. Iori stumbled from the garbage cans, flinging them wildly out of his way, he looked towards Kyo, seeing him in pain pleased him. Slowly he walked towards Kyo, trying not to make too much noise. Kyo heard Iori moving behind him, he turned just in time to be hit in the face with the huge pillar of flame from Iori's Dark Thrust Slash. He flew backwards, crashing into the wall besides Yuki, more blood escaping from his lips. Yuki screamed as she looked at Kyo's bloody form, he reached for her, his eyes pleading for help. Iori descended on Kyo, seeing the realisation of what was happening clicking into place, the fear suddenly taking over Kyo's features, so much that he could smell it in the air. "That's it. Be scared…You have much to fear." He knew then that Iori wanted to see him suffer, as if he hadn't suffered enough. "I may fear you, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up!" Kyo's fist burned, as he swung it towards Iori. Iori grabbed his fist, pulling Kyo towards him, to meet his deadly gaze. Kyo stared into his crimson eyes, transfixed to the burning hatred that smouldered behind them, "That was senseless," Iori shook his head, almost disappointed at Kusanagi's futile attempts to impede him. Iori head butted him, sending Kyo reeling to the floor. A sharp pain rippled across Kyo's face, as Iori's boot made contact, Kyo managed to keep himself steady, only to be met by Iori's Oni Yaki (Demon Scorcher) uppercut.

He yelled out, as Iori's flames scorched his exposed flesh, once again finding himself face to face with the wet concrete. Iori's footsteps grew closer, as Kyo rose up once more. Knowing that he no longer had the strength to fight, Kyo closed his eyes, awaiting the next assault from Iori. The footsteps ceased, the onslaught he was expecting didn't come, only silence. He opened one eye to find Iori in front of him, Kyo stared into those crimson eyes as a cruel smirk crept across Iori's face. "Asobi wa owari da," Iori began as he grabbed Kyo, "Nake, Sakebe," he screamed as he tore more flesh from Kyo's already bloodied body. Suddenly Kyo was on the ground, surrounded by purple flames, searing his bloodied torso, screams escaping him uncontrollably. "Soshite, SHINE!" An explosion of fire rocked the ground, as Kyo's almost lifeless body flew into a wall.

This was it.

Kyo staggered to his feet, refusing to let the inevitable happen to him. Clinging to the guttering to steady his wavering stability, his death loomed over him, crimson red eyes shining in the dim light. Kyo was sent flying, skidding to a halt near a trashcan, Iori slowly moved his foot back into standing position and began slowly approaching Kyo again. "This is inevitable Mr. Kusanagi, why do you continue? Why get up? Why? WHY? WHY? WHY DO YOU PERSIST? This is your destiny Kyo, accept it like the rat you are!" Kyo raised his head, grimacing as he did so. Slowly a smile crossed his bloody lips, "I will never give up!" he panted before he spat the sticky red blood at Iori. Iori's foot shot forward, gracefully but violently, striking Kyo in the ribs, the bones breaking with the sheer force. Kyo screamed, clutching his broken body, trying desperately to hang on to the scraps of life that still remained. Iori loomed over him, "I'll grant you one last request, Kusanagi…How would you like to die?" Kyo smiled. The pain that coursed through his broken body was unbearable, but he clung to his fading life just to hear Iori speak one last time. It would be better if he could see him too, but the swelling and dried blood were too much to overcome. "Quickly," it took a lot of work to hiss the broken words out of his mouth, the effort wracked his body with a fit of coughing. Iori picked him up by the throat, looking at him one last time, before flinging him full force at the wall. Kyo's skull shattered as it hit the hard surface. Warm blood trickled down his throat, numbness crept through his body taking the pain with it. Kyo could feel himself losing consciousness as death approached. He smiled and regretted not being able to see Iori's smile as he died. The bright flame of Kyo's eyes was slowly fading, soon to become the mere hollow blackness of death. As the darkness took over, his ears caught one last sound, the maniacal laughter of his rival.

Iori turned towards Yuki, the grin still present on his lips, "Now it's your turn." Yuki stared at him, her mouth agape, shock long ago taking her voice away. She watched him as he drew ever closer, she wanted to run, to struggle, to scream, but there was no response to her yearnings. Iori stopped in front of her, holding his hand in the air, a deep low growl escaping his lips as his body exploded into a mass of purple flame. "Gwoooh! Korede owari da!" he screamed as he performed a perfect replica of Kyo's Orochi Nagi (Serpent Wave), the flames engulfing Yuki as he threw them towards her. Her final screams echoed into the night as the heavens opened up to another downpour of rain.