Author's Note: This chapter may be the shortest of my entire story, and it involves mostly a two-person dialogue. But I hope that you find it interesting, and please continue to read and review.

We'll know for the first time.
If we're evil or divine, we're the last in line-

"The Last in Line"-Ronnie James Dio

An End to Bliss

Chapter XII

"Wow, this place really is as old as creation," said Kuwabara, as he took in the large trees that surrounded the old forest. Fortunately for Yusuke and his party they did not have to deal with some of monsters that they would have had to deal with if they chose not to walk the straight path. Not that any of those monsters would have been a problem for Yusuke and his friends, considering how strong they are.

Eventually the party reached an area in the forest where the trees began to form a circle, and the grass gave way to mostly dirt and rocks.

"Uh, oh," a squeaky voice began in the shadows, "some fresh meat has wandered into my forest. Baldok was just waiting for the day when another free dinner would arrive!"

Yusuke grinned—a wicked grin, and when Baldok noticed Yusuke Urameshi among the 'meat' his excitement over a 'free dinner' quickly changed to one of fear.

"Yuh…yuh…you!"

Yusuke used his spirit energy into stealth mode to jump on Baldok's back and knock him to the ground.

"Yeah, Baldok, it's me! How're you—no, wait, you don't need to answer that question. Just thought I'd tell you though, if you thought I was strong last time, you'll piss all over yourself when you see how strong I am this time."

Baldok said nothing. The very sight of Yusuke terrified him, and the fact that he could sense the power of Yusuke and his companions did not help him any.

"Well then, since I'm the one asking the questions, I've got a very important one to ask you, Baldok?"

"Ye…ye…yes?"

"Did you happen to see or sense a short man with long straggly hair come into this forest?"

"Ye…yes…Baldok did once…He went out on the other side of the forest."

"Oh?" Yusuke began with a glare. "So why didn't you try to eat him?"

"Because…because Baldok had already eaten…"

"Another human!"

"No, no…Just a bird!"

Yusuke nodded, and stepped off Baldok's back "Very well, you've done well, Baldok."

Baldok sighed, happy to be free from Yusuke's grip. But his moment of comfort was short lived when Yusuke grabbed Baldok's arm.

"However," Yusuke began with a wicked grin, while sweat descended from Baldok's chin, "were you aware that at home I have an expectant wife and a baby boy?"

"No…Baldok doesn't know…"

"Well, Baldok, the idea that you'd make them food doesn't sit very well with me." And Yusuke immediately punched Baldok in the stomach. Yusuke's blow was so powerful that his fist had impaled completely through Baldok's body—similar to what Yusuke had done to a member of the Spirit Defense Force, and what Toguro had done to the entire Spirit Warriors' team during the Dark Tournament.

But Yusuke was not done. As Baldok fell limp, Yusuke grabbed Baldok's neck and twisted it until the bones broke.

"Now…that'll be the last person you'll ever threaten."