Hello again! These week are just flying by, aren't they? ;p But not nearly fast enough... I want Spring Break!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH, or the school district, but oh the fun I could have if I did... (evil smile).

"First..." Youko said.

He must have given some unseen signal, because the other demons suddenly leapt into action, tearing into the ogres. Finn, in shock, was still crouched off on to the side. Evvy made her unsteady way to him, desperately trying to block out the sound of tearing flesh and gnashing teeth. Kneeling down, she wrapped an arm around Finn's shoulders, trying to stop his shaking.

Max came over and knelt in front of them. "I..." He paused, a hopeless expression on his face. "I'm so sorry." He finally said.

Finn stopped shaking, stopped any movement at all and grew very quite. Then he slowly looked up at Max. "You coward." His voice seethed with barley suppressed rage. "You heartless bastard."

Evvy had never heard her brother's voice so cold. "Finn..." She started to say. "No one ever wants to die..."

"Don't Evvy. He doesn't deserve your compassion." Finn spat out the last word, Max flinching at the acid sound.

"I s-swear to you. I didn't know this would happen." Max's voice cracked. "I want you to know, I'll never forgive myself for this, but please u-unders-stand," He was visibly trembling now. "I never would have done it if I'd known..."

Finn rose suddenly. He stood towering over Max. "Yes, you would have."

"Too true." A new voice joined in. Youko had come up behind them. Finn didn't even bother to turn. He was too angry with the monster in front of him to pay attention to the one behind.

"A coward like you, though useful, deserves punishment." The kitsune smiled coldly. "Therefore, I will not kill you. Much better to let you live, knowing what you've done. Better yet, you will be the one to explain to Koenma just what happened to his precious Gate Keepers."

Evvy, standing, turned the silver-haired bandit. "It will never work. One day, we'll open a portal and dump you in a lava field, or an arctic wasteland. Or you'll die at the hands of one of your many enemies after we deliver you to them. It doesn't matter. One way or another, you'll die, and we'll all be free."

Youko smiled. "Then perhaps it would be best for you to know that as soon as I die, every seed will burst to life, killing the ones who betrayed me." His smile grew. "Along with everyone else who has been implanted."

Evvy grit her teeth, fists clenched. There had to be a way out of this. She would rather die than betray those she knew and loved by helping this demon. She would just simply refuse to help him, and if he killed her, then so be it. Then her thoughts turned to Max. Surely he had felt the same way? And wasn't he older, and stronger than her? Would she really be able to just kill herself that way?

'No.' She thought suddenly. 'I couldn't do it for myself, I'm too weak.' She glanced back to her brother. 'But I can do it for Finn.'

"I want you to let Finn return with Max to Spirit World." She said, her voice unwavering.

There was a shocked moment of silence, Finn twisting his head around to look at his sister, confusion on his face.

"And if I won't allow it?" Youko said, surprised with her forwardness despite himself.

"Then I'll force you to kill me. I won't do anything you say." She looked at Finn, trying to fill her blind eyes with the one message that had gotten them through life together. The same look she had given him on their first job together- the same look she'd given him when Dad had died and they stood together at his funeral; the same look she'd given him when Mom had started to drink and at times had forgotten about them- Trust me. I won't let anything happen to you.

Youko's cold gaze rested on her, and though she couldn't see it, Evvy shivered slightly anyway. "And if I just killed your brother instead?"

"Fine. Better he die than lose his soul working for a monster like you."

"Very well then. As you wish." Youko's head turned toward Finn.

"But know this." Evvy said, slightly panicked that he had seen so easily through her bluff. "Without my brother, I have nothing to live for. I don't need you to go through a portal to kill you. I can simply open one over your head, or beneath you feet. Or inside you."

Youko slowly tuned back to her, his gaze examining her blank, blind eyes. Discovering what he had been looking for there, he sneered slightly. "There is nothing more truly nauseating than the overly-righteous. Fine. Your brother will accompany the coward back to Spirit World. As for you..."

As sudden, searing pain shot up Evvy's neck and filled her head, making it feel as if it was going to explode. Screaming in pure agony, she fell back to her knees and onto her side, clawing at her head. She swore she felt her skull cracking with the pressure! It was too much, far too much! She'd either die or go insane from the pain. And suddenly, it stopped as she fell into unconsciousness.

"Let that be a lesson to you, wench." Youko's voice was still cold, but anger boiled beneath the calm veneer. "You!" He said, turning to a seven-foot tall bear demon. "Collect her. We're leaving." And with that, he strode off into the forest, his cronies following him. The bear demon came over to Evvy, and surprisingly gentle, picked her up in his arms, his curved claws sheathed. He waited until the other demons had gone after their leader, then he turned to Finn.

"I was forced into this mess myself, forced to leave my wife and children. I'll try to look after her for you. And please..." The demon's round ears slid down and flattened themselves. "Talk to Koenma. See if you can find a way out of this." With that, he turned and left, striding into the forest. The last view Finn had of his beloved sister was her cradled child-like in a demon's arms.

So that's it. Sorry for the shortness. And once again, if you feel so inclined, please review!