Well, I finally finished my exams and all my assignments. Yay for me! They were so draining. Anyway, here's another chappie of Palace Guard for all you lovely readers and reviewers.

Chapter 3

"Get up prince." Zolo snapped. Luffy opened his eyes blearily.

"Grah?" he mumbled. Next thing he felt was Zolo's hands pushing him into a nearby bush. "What's going on?" he asked. Zolo slapped a hand over his mouth and pointed at the other side of the clearing.

There was a short moment of silence, and then two of the rebel soldiers walked through, poking at the ground with hard, pointed spears and kicking at the ashes from the fire of the night before. Zolo's hand tightened slightly on Luffy's mouth and the boy looked up at him questioningly. Zolo shook his head and leant close to Luffy's ear.

"Stay here and stay silent." he whispered. Luffy nodded and then Zolo's hand left his face and the guard melted into the trees.

"There's nothing here." one said.

"If the brat did manage to survive that jump, then he'll surely be dead from the border guards." the other replied.

"Don't be so sure. He does have that guard to help him."

"Yeah, but what could he do?"

"This," a gruff voice said from behind them and in one swift movement, the man was lying on the ground, blood slowly seeping into the grass beneath him. The other had the chance to yell and bring his spear up, but nothing more as Zolo swiped his blades up and around in a wide arc. The second man fell and lay on the grass, still.

"Come on." Zolo called, waving at Luffy to get his attention. The prince jumped up and ran out, pausing beside the two men.

"Are they dead?" he asked softly. Zolo shook his head.

"No, but we have to get moving." he replied and the two began to run away from the clearing, slamming into the undergrowth of the forest. Twigs caught at Zolo's clothes and ripped through Luffy's fine silks. Once or twice, Zolo heard Luffy gasp in pain, but they continued.

"Zolo, do you even know where we are going?" Luffy asked after a while. Zolo nodded briefly before continuing.

"Zolo?"

"What?"

"I'm hungry…" Luffy whined. Zolo paused and turned to look at the little prince. Luffy pouted at him and Zolo sighed.

"Pick an apple." he replied.

"I want meat."

"We don't have any meat."

"Why not?"

"Well, do you see any meat around here?" Zolo responded sarcastically. Luffy actually paused to look.

"No." he said. Zolo sighed.

"Exactly, so either eat an apple, or go without." the guard replied harshly. Luffy blanched.

"Meanie." he muttered. Zolo rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm a meanie." he said roughly. He paused a moment. That comment had… stung. But, not even someone yelling in his face about how much of an idiot he was could ruffle his feathers, and yet, this little kid, this… prince, had called him a meanie and it had hurt!

I must be losing my mind. Zolo thought before quickening his pace a little.

"Zolo!" Luffy's voice called. Zolo stopped and Luffy walked straight into his back and fell over.

"What?" Zolo asked, his patience all but gone.

"I was just gonna say that I saw a rabbit." Luffy replied. Zolo spun around and looked about ready to strangle the kid, but he restrained himself.

"Fine." he replied and then was about to turn around again when there was a short rustle. Zolo ducked down and pulled Luffy close to him. A villager walked past where they were hiding, she couldn't see them for the bushes that were in front of the guard and the prince. She walked past and continued into the trees on the other side.

"We'll have to stay here tonight I think." Zolo whispered. Luffy nodded beside him, Zolo's arm still about his waist.

Zolo's arm's so warm. Luffy thought and then the swordsman moved away and Luffy pouted. He had liked the guard being so close to him.

"It can't be that much further." Zolo said as he looked around, crossing his legs. Luffy nodded and lay back, resting on the grass.

"Do you think we'll reach Shanks' castle before they find us?" Luffy asked after a while of silence. Zolo looked over at the boy.

"I don't know. But we'll sure as hell give it a good try." he said, hoping to reassure the younger male. Luffy looked over at him, his eyes glittering slightly.

"We will!" he said happily, grinning from ear to ear. As much as Zolo tried to deny it, that smile was infectious and soon he was smiling as well.

Night came quickly to the little camp, and Zolo found a few bits of wood close at hand, and used two rocks to start a fire. Luffy was amazed by how such simple things could create something so cool.

"Can you teach me how to do that?" Luffy squeaked. Zolo looked up from where he was tending the fire and frowned.

"What?"

"Light a rock with fire!" the boy replied. Zolo snorted and smiled.

"You mean light a fire with a rock?" he asked.

"That's what I said!" Luffy replied, crossing his arms defiantly. Zolo snorted again.

"No." Zolo said.

"Why not?"

"Because there are no more rocks, and these two won't work again." the swordsman replied. In truth, Luffy having the ability to light a fire with rocks anytime he wanted to, was not a good idea.

"Awwwwwwwwww. Please? Come on. I'll be good!" Luffy whined, reaching over and tugging at the swordsman's sleeve. Zolo pulled away.

"No. Now, go to sleep. It's getting late." the guard replied before going back to the fire again. Luffy pouted and then crawled closer to the swordsman and leaned against his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Zolo asked.

"I'm cold, and Zolo's warm." the prince replied. Zolo shifted uncomfortably, but Luffy whined, pressing his face into Zolo's shoulder. The guard sighed.

"Fine. But if you snore, it'll be the ground for you." the older said warningly.

"Ok!" Luffy replied brightly, closed his eyes and went to sleep. Zolo sighed and looked up at the night sky. What had he gotten himself into?

Sorry about the short length of it, but, I wanted to cut it off there. Just sort of fit in better. Anyway, I'm not sure this fic will be very long. The way I have it planned, it may only be five or six chapters at most. I hope that's okay with you XxAvastxX ? Is it? Reviews would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the wait on this story!