May: Sorry to all my readers! I wasn't able to update for a whole month and a week(?) because of school requirements but I will, really really try to update in the weeks that will follow. I planned to finish this story before I embarked on another one. Enjoy reading and please leave some reviews.

And please pardon me for I don't do well with fighting scenes.


Chapter 12

Yami woke up early the next day, excited and a little bit anxious about what was going to happen this day. Although Mana, Marik and Ryou even his family assured him that he would do great and graduate, he still couldn't find in himself but feel out of place.

He let out a sigh as he walked towards the dining hall with the two who were talking about something he didn't have any idea about.

"Yami, " Ryou called his name as he turned his head to look at the white-haired prince as they stopped. "Is there something bothering you?"

Marik blinked and also looked at him from Ryou's side, concerned.

He strained a smile at the two who're obviously worried about him. "I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."

"If you say so." Ryou told him with a shrug, not convinced, then they continued walking, unaware of a man watching them from behind one of the columns.


"Other than poise and character, " Lord Akhenaden emphasized as he blocked his son's attack with barely looking at him, much to the students' amazement. "You must all learn to defend yourselves when the situation calls for it."

And they began fighting, both showing incredible skill even with the lord's old age, he fought like he's years younger.

He then turned to look at his son as he put down his arm. A proud smile on his face. "Very good, Seto."

He then turned to look at the students who were all looking at him, expectant and some with weary looks on their faces. Ryou looked at Marik, fear written on his face.

"You'll be fine." the Saudi prince assured him as he was given a pat on his back.

"Everyone, " the lord called for their attention, "must pick their partners and try to fight them off-using the skills of hand to hand combat that you all know."

Yami let out a sigh and was about to ask Ryou or Marik to be his, when a hand clamped down on his shoulder, prompting him to turn his head and blinked as he gazed up at his supposed 'partner'.

His partner was broad - shouldered with big hands and an imposing appearance with black hair falling down his shoulders, thick eyebrows and a small nose and a mouth set in a menacing smirk.

"You're Yami Mutou, aren't you?" the student asked with a smirk.

Yami moved from under his grip and turned fully to face him, his face set in a mask of indifference. "Yes, I am. And may I ask who you are?"

"You don't need to know." the student grinned widely as he raised his fist and directed a hit towards Yami's face, which he effortlessly dodged as he landed gracefully on the side.

He was about to aim a punch of his own when he didn't notice another fist aimed at his face from the side.

And he fell hard on the polished floor, his cheek swollen.

"Tch." he muttered as he placed a hand on his cheek and stood up. Then wiped the blood off his face.

"What's the matter?" the student taunted with a smirk. "Does it hurt so much that you can't take it on!" he shouted as he raised his fist again and this time had punched Yami in his stomach.

Yami grunted in pain as he hunched over, wrapping his arms around his torso. Truly it did hurt more than the punches of the bullies back home.

"Do you want more?" the student asked as he towered over the teen who didn't reply in turn. "I'll give you more." he said as he raised his knee and swung.

Flinging the smaller teen a few paces away from him.

Marik and Ryou turned their heads to see their friend being beaten into a pulp, surely this wasn't allowed by the school.

"Yami!" the former shouted and was about to go towards their friend who was already wincing in pain as he lifted himself off the ground, only to fall back against the cold tiles.

The other students watched with mixed emotions at the scene displayed infront of them, others to shock to even focus on doing what was said, while others were genuinely worried for Yami's sake.

"What are we going to do?" Ryou asked Marik, concerned. "Yami's being beaten into a pulp."

The Saudi prince was about to approached Yami when he stopped in his tracks and saw Seto striding towards the student who turned at the sound of footsteps and turned.

Only to be swiftly thrown on the floor, groaning.

"You would do well not to mess with my rival," Seto growled as he looked down at the student with an icy glare. "Ushio."

The aforementioned student growled as he eased himself off the floor then glared at the teen. "Peh! You think you're some hotshot, just because you're going to be crowned prince!" he spat.

The tall teen's hands clenched tight into fists.

And the other students tensed, awaiting what would happen.

Seto looked at him once more then spoke in a cold voice which sent a chill down his spine. "Get out of my sight!"

Ushio growled as he brushed dirt off his clothes and weaved through the crowd and stood behind Ryou and Marik who moved away.

Seto then looked at Yami who was looking at him with wide eyes with a bruised lip and cheek then smirked.

"And where have you come from?" he taunted with a smirk. "You don't even know how to defend yourself."

Yami diverted his gaze to the floor and didn't even looked up as Seto walked away, hands in his pockets.

A shadow then stood over him.

"I should have known…" an older voice spoke with fake sympathy. "Stand up, boy! A true Lord Royal never lets himself be beaten into a pulp!"

Yami did as what was ordered and slowly stood up, wincing. He could already tell he was due for a body full of bruises with what he had received.

"Lord Akhenaden-" he started to explain, his head bowed but was abruptly cut off.

"Look at me boy!" the lord demanded. Yami slowly raised his head up and trained his crimson eyes at the lord's brown ones.

Lord Akhenaden let out a surprised gasp as he saw the eyes. He then slowly raised a hand to check closer.

The students looked at each other, confused. Wondering what was going on. Even Marik and Ryou looked at each other.

Seto looked at his father, his blue eyes wondering the same thing as the others do although he never showed it.

"Father…" he spoke. "You're about to say something?"

Akhenaden turned to look at his son then shook his head, ridding himself of the thoughts that had entered his mind awhile ago.

He then turned to look at Yami. "You-you're unfit for the royal life!" he shouted at the younger. "Maybe you should think that someone of your place consider going back to the place where you clearly belong!" he shouted at the teen who didn't even flinch.

The older then turned to look at the other students. "Class dismissed." he declared as he left the room.

Ryou and Marik quickly came up beside Yami and helped him get to the medical wing.


"What was that all about?" Marik asked as they walked down the hallway towards the infirmary. "Lord Akhenaden just froze as soon as he saw your eyes."

Ryou didn't speak but just affirmed the question with a nod of his head. Yami let out a sigh then winced in pain.

Then spoke. "I don't know."

The trio continued walking down the hallway, laughing despite the situation that one of them is. And didn't notice Mana passed by.

'Poor Yami…' Mana thought as she saw the trio passed by her. She knew who among the students was capable of beating someone like what happened to Yami.

She just hoped that nothing like that would befall another.

With a sigh, she took off towards the headmaster's office.

And wasn't expecting to see the old vizier walking from the other direction.

"Vizier Siamun!" she greeted loudly as she waved a hand in the air

The older looked up at her and chuckled at her rambunctious behavior. "Good morning, Mana. What are you doing today?"

"Oh!" the younger gasped. "I just got back from the filing office." she blinked then looked at him. "Do you need to talk to Master?" she asked.

The Vizier shook his head. "Not necessarily. I just wanted to see how the school is doing."

"It's doing great!" Mana declared proudly, a hand on her chest. "You can be sure from Master!"

Siamun chuckled. There's no doubt Mahad had done a good job in running the school. The young headmaster was as industrious as they come there's no doubt it.

But…

His look darkened. There is something that he knows which there's no doubt that Mahad already knew too.

It would be a matter of time before it comes to past.

"See you around then." he told her with a smile then went on his way, his hands clasped behind his back.

Mana looked at his retreating back then proceeded walking towards her Master's office.

Although she couldn't help but feel that there's something amiss.

She bit her lip and wondered. But what is it?