NOTE: This is the last chapter! I have to say, I've always sucked at wrapping up fics, but I kinda like the way I wrote this ending! I hope you enjoy this too, and don't forget to Read&Review if possible!

For a moment, his mind blanked out. It was too eerily similar to his dream for it to be a mere coincidence. And if that was the case… He quickly snapped out of his shock and limped towards the burning cabin, not even bothering to pick up his crutch. Just like in his dream, the door of the cabin was broken down, its broken remains slowly being turned into ashes by the fire. And just like in his dream, Yui was in the middle of the room, tears running down her face as flames that were dangerously close to her licked at her hungrily. The only difference was that here, she was bound and gagged.

"Uehara!" Her eyes snapped open and she met his gaze.

Save me, Kan-chan!

Perhaps it was influence from his dream, but Kansuke was sure he heard her voice calling out to him. His pride would never allow him to admit it out loud, but he was terrified. The situation was just so similar to that nightmare he had; what if the events of it repeat itself? What if he was too late to save her again? If he fails this time, it wouldn't be just a dream. He wouldn't be able to just wake up and find her next to him. A life without her…would become his reality.

Only if I fail! He roared defiantly in his mind. There was no way he was going to lose her! Not to some stranger who she married without even loving him! Not to some b*tch with a shotgun who killed over some gambling business! Not to some as*hole who tried to burn her alive for the sake of finishing said b*tch's crimes! And definitely not to some stupid fire!

"Oi, Uehara! I'm coming over!" He called out as he bravely dived past the flames blocking the door, landing on the floor with a thump. Swiftly, he got back up on his feet and was on his way to the female detective. Once he was close enough to her, he realised that she was letting out muffled whimpers and her body was shaking with fear, her tears flowing endlessly. It was clear that she was terrified, and just served as a reminder for Kansuke to deck the culprit later.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

"Kan-chan…" She cried through the gag as he reached out to her. He had barely even touched her when a loud crack sounded out from above them.

"YUI!" The ending of his nightmare flashed in his mind as he yanked her away, a split second before a burning beam landed right where she had been, missing her by a hair's breadth. Yui let out a choked sob as Kansuke held her close to him in a tight embrace, externally looking as if he was comforting her, but internally actually trying to calm his own erratic heart. That was way too close! "Let's get outta here." He picked Yui up bridal style (considering her limbs were bound and he didn't have the time to undo her binds), and headed straight for the door.

The flames were closing in on them, but Kansuke didn't even feel the heat. All he focused on was keeping Yui safe. It was true that Yui had always been smaller than him, but she's never felt this small before, and the fact that she was so evidently frightened sent his protective instincts into an all-time high as he directed all of his attention on escaping the burning cabin with as little harm to her as possible.

"Brace yourself, we're gonna jump." He murmured to Yui, seconds before he somehow mustered enough strength between his good leg and his bad leg to thrust himself and Yui out of the door. They flew through the wall of flames blocking the door, causing some parts of their clothes to catch fire briefly (including Yui's hairtie which promptly snapped, releasing her hair from its usual bun), but the tumble on the ground afterwards took care of it. As soon as Kansuke ensured that they were safe, he just about ripped off her gag and binds, adamant on not leaving her helpless for even one more second.

"Kan-chan!" Once freed, she threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shirt. "I was…I was so scared!" Her actions stunned him for a while, before he visibly relaxed and placed his hand on her head.

"…Idiot, what's there to be scared of?"

"Eh?" She pulled away slightly to look at him, only to see him shooting her a smirk.

"I'm here, aren't I?" That made her blush, and she nodded with a smile. He heaved a sigh of relief as he wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, surprising her as well as turning her face beet red. "No matter what happens, I'll definitely protect you, so don't ever leave my side." Yui's eyes widened.

"Kan-chan…" She turned to look at him, cracking a smile when she saw him looking away, knowing that he wasn't meeting her eyes out of embarrassment. "I won't. Thank you, Kan-chan."

"It seems we were correct about his motives." Morofushi said as he walked up to the two of them, who were sitting in the back of an ambulance, getting their wounds treated. "They found a dead centipede outside the burnt cabin." Kansuke frowned.

"That bastard…"

"Kan-chan." Yui reminded him gently, making him release his clenched fists.

"I know." He said with a sigh. "And? Did he say anything else?" Morofushi shook his head.

"No, his statements will be taken at the station. Although, he kept screaming 'Torada Yui must complete the Fuurinkazan' over and over again as he was taken away, so he might require a psychological evaluation before they can take his statements." Yui shuddered at that, remembering the unbearable heat and pain from her near-death experience. A hand placed itself on hers, snapping her out of her thoughts as she looked up at the owner.

"Kan-chan…" She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm ok." She reassured him, but he didn't move his hand. Not that she minded though. In fact, she turned her hand around to hold his, before shifting her attention back to Morofushi, who had the slightest hint of amusement on his face as he watched them.

"What?" Kansuke eyed him suspiciously as he shook his head.

"It's nothing, Kansuke-kun. I see you've finally made some progress." Yui's face flushed at that.

"That's none of your business, Koumei!" Kansuke shot an irritated glare at Morofushi, oblivious to Yui's red face.

"Don't worry about it, Kansuke-kun. You have my support." Before they could erupt into full-blown bickering, Yui decided to step in.

"W-Well, since our injuries have been treated and it's nothing serious, why don't we go grab something to eat?" Quickly dropping the subject, Kansuke nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we haven't eaten anything since this morning, with all that happened. Let's go eat soba and go home!"

"No, I'll have pasta." Morofushi pitched in, making Kansuke grumble.

"You and your stupid pasta…" Yui could only chuckle as the two were instantly bickering with one another again. It hadn't even been an hour since they escaped from the burning cabin, and they were already falling back to normal life. It was almost as if she was never close to losing her life at all. She smiled as she lightly brushed her hand against her hair, remembering the feeling of Kansuke's hand on her head. Even now, the warmth of his hand lingered, as well as the sense of safety and security she felt in his arms.

"YUI!" Her smile widened. It was just her name. But somehow, hearing the desperation in his voice at that moment as he risked his life to save hers, made a warm feeling settle in her heart. Kansuke hadn't given much thought to his own safety at all when her life was threatened. He had charged into the burning cabin as fiercely as fire.

As fiercely as Fire, huh? She let out a soft chuckle as she brought her hands closer to her chest. I guess we did complete the Fuurinkazan strategy after all.