Author's Note: Well, here it is. The last chapter. It's sad, really. This was my first fan fiction, and now it's ending. I want to thank everyone who took the time to read and review my story. It means a lot! Thank you so, so much! And now, on with the story!

Hiei charged at Hitoro, blind to everything except the hated assassin. Katana flashing, the fire demon moved faster than the eye could see.

Unfortunately, Hitoro was faster.

The assassin stepped lightly, seeming to almost glide as he dodged and parried Hiei's relentless attacks. The assassin wielded a deadly scimitar that winked with an evil light.

Yusuke was in a similar dilemma. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pause long enough to fire off his Spirit Gun. Kuronue's scythes were everywhere, slicing the air and boxing the detective in.

Hiei lunged forward, halting directly in front of Hitoro. He feinted left, flipping his katana so that the blade faced outward. Hitoro dodged right, not recognizing the ruse. At the last possible second, Hiei spun his katana around in an arc, reversing the blade and biting into the assassin's arm with a quick jerk.

Hitoro stumbled back, trying vainly to stem the flow of blood. He snarled, unsuppressed rage burning in his silver eyes.

'Is that it?' he taunted. 'Some fancy sword tricks? I've seen better from a C-class demon.'

Hiei ignored the remark. He knew what it would mean if he was pulled in by pride. Darting forward, he turned a flip over Hitoro's head, landing lightly behind him. His katana was poised for the killing blow.

Suddenly, waves of agony shot through Hiei's entire body. He jerked involuntarily, falling to the floor. Hitoro stood over him, all sense of pain and weakness gone.

'Did you really think I would be defeated so easily?' The assassin examined his sword, whose edge was stained with Hiei's blood. 'Even you should have realized how fast I was.'

Hiei, barely coherent, looked down. A line of blood was drawn across his arm.

'Luckily, this poison won't kill you,' Hitoro continued. 'It'll just really hurt for a while.'

He grinned triumphantly as Hiei fell back, convulsing.

Yusuke was becoming frustrated. No matter where he turned, Kuronue seemed to be one step ahead of him. And those scythes! They were everywhere, swinging and making that annoying humming sound.

The humming sound! Yusuke's eyes widened as he realized what that meant. Be careful, he told himself. An illusion could grab you any minute.

The detective spun, seeing movement from the corner of his eye. He growled, angry, when he saw that Kuronue had moved again.

'Hey, crow!' he called out impulsively. 'How about you stand still? That'll make it easier to pluck ya!'

The insults worked. Suddenly, Kuronue was there, right in front. Yusuke balled his fist, smiling as he landed a powerful punch, nearly shattering Kuronue's jaw. The crow demon jumped back, his glare promising a very painful death.

Yusuke shrugged noncommittally. 'Are you gonna just stand there?' he jeered. 'Or will you fight?'

Abruptly, a scythe came hissing out of nowhere, catching Yusuke in the back. The boy was rolled forward. He ran his hand up his back, sighing when he saw the blood.

'Aw, man,' he said. 'Keiko's gonna kill me when she finds out I ruined the jacket she gave me.'

The detective stood up, ready to fight. Kuronue had disappeared again. Yusuke spun about, trying to locate the demon. He froze, though, when his gaze found Hiei.

Hiei tried to focus through the red haze of pain. He climbed shakily to his knees, only to be knocked back down by a vicious kick from Hitoro. The assassin laughed.

'You disgust me,' he snarled. 'You are weaker than that baka fox. He was so easy to break. He was too concerned about you others than to worry about himself. He snapped,' Hitoro snapped his fingers to demonstrate, 'like a twig. After that, he was all mine. Mine to control.'

Hiei set his teeth. He growled, fury pulsing through his veins. He struggled to his feet.

'I will kill you,' he hissed. 'Now.'

Hitoro sighed, disappointed. 'How many times have I heard that?' he asked.

Suddenly, a blue blaze came from behind the assassin. Yusuke cheered as his Spirit Gun nailed Hitoro in the back.

'I got 'em!' he cried. Hiei studied Hitoro's still form grimly.

'And I'll finish it,' he said. A small bit of satisfaction was felt within him as his katana pierced the assassin's heart.

Hitoro wouldn't wake up again.

Yusuke ran over to Hiei. 'Are you all right?' he asked. The fire demon nodded. He focused all his powers on locating Kuronue.

The crow demon appeared in front of the two detectives. He smiled sadly as he gazed at Hitoro's corpse.

'Alas, another servant defeated,' he sighed. 'It's a waste of time, really. Wouldn't you agree?' He turned back to his adversaries.

Hiei and Yusuke prepared themselves for battle. Predictably, the humming of scythes filled the air.

'Time to die,' Kuronue said.

Suddenly, Yusuke stumbled back. He fell to his knees, clutching his head.

'N-no,' he mumbled. 'K-Keiko!'

Hiei started in surprise. 'Yusuke,' he cried. 'Snap out of it! It's an illusion!'

But the detective was past hearing. He thrashed, caught in the middle of Kuronue's illusion.

Hiei realized that he would have to fight on his own. He readied himself, searching for Kuronue.

The crow demon abruptly materialized in front of Hiei. His hand darting out, he caught Hiei by the throat, easily seining the fire demon into the air.

'Die!' Kuronue hissed. 'Die now!'

Suddenly, Kuronue faltered. He released Hiei, grabbing instead at his own neck.

A rose vine was wrapped tightly around it.

Hiei stared in disbelief at the weapon. A voice, soft yet commanding, echoed through the factory.

'Never touch my friends again,' Kurama said. He leaned heavily against the door frame, his skin white as bone. His fiery hair hung limp around his face, but his eyes shone with a grim determination.

With a sickening crack, Kuronue's neck broke. The crow demon fell, his own eyes wide in disbelief.

He was dead before he hit the floor.

Kurama faltered. With a sigh, he slid to the ground. Hiei was by him in an instant.

'Are you all right?' he asked urgently. Kurama nodded, smiling.

'Yes,' he said. 'As soon as Hitoro broke free, I knew I had to stop him. I followed his ki here.' A shadow crossed the fox's exhausted face. 'I never realized that Kuronue was a part of this.'

'None of us did,' Hiei replied. He looked over to Yusuke. The detective stood up, shaking his head dazedly. His face lit up, though, when he saw Kurama.

'Hey, Kurama!' he greeted. 'So you didn't kick the bucket after all!'

Kurama smiled again. 'No, I didn't.' He looked at his two friends, happy that this adventure was over.

'Let's go home.'

THE END

Author's Note: The End. Well, that's it, isn't it? It's the end of this story, but do not worry, my friends, many more adventures are to come. Look for my next story soon! Please review! Tell me how you liked the ending. Don't forget me, everyone! Until next time, this is Kurama'sGirl88, signing out!