AN: Wow, I've got to say, Orlando is absolutely beautiful, even this early in the spring time (though it's not that early anymore). Well, I'm back and here with the next chapter of PT. Enjoy!

Thanks to…

gecko-grl-2: I'm sorry for the wait. Hope you like the next chapter, and thanks for the review!

redconvoy: Yeah! Go Bakura! Lol. I think you may like…an aspect of this chapter a lot. Hehehe, thanks for the review!

dragonlady222: Bakura is, isn't he? And Marik? Hm, I wonder when he'll come back indeed…Thanks for the review!

casaragi: Did you like that line? Lol. I had to debate whether or not to end on that particular line, or add more. I'm glad you liked it, that really makes me happy. And I'm glad you reviewed as well! Thanks!

HanChan: Really? That's a relief. I'm glad I'm not rushing. I'm sorry this chapter is a little late. I just landed back home a day ago, and I tried to finish the editing last night…eh, it didn't work. I'll try to get the next chapter up really soon. Thanks for the review!

The Vampire Prince: Your favorite one, huh? Lol. I'm glad you liked it, but I think you're going to like this one more. (Though this one doesn't have as much humor as the last, so I'm not too confident). Thanks for the review!

Chapter Thirteen: Teach Me

Bakura didn't waste any time. His sword, which he had been swinging around seemingly carelessly, attacked with no warning. Maverick was caught unawares, his guard completely down. Smirking, Bakura matched Alec's stone cold gaze with his own as he slammed the wooden sword down on the soldier's shoulder, on a nerve that sent that man crumpling.

The other two soldiers, whoever they were, rushed in like a bunch of idiots as Bakura calmly swatted them to the ground as if they were flies. "Stupid," Bakura muttered, his lavender eyes glinting. "Didn't your teacher tell you not to rush at an enemy blindly?"

He saw Alec's jaw tightened. As the slow soldiers caught onto the insult, they surged forward with revenge intent in their rigid forms when the white Royal Bodyguard raised a hand to stop them.

"I defeated you last time with ease, and it should be even easier this time," Alec said, giving a small, icy smile that never reached his eyes. Then, in a single and fluid motion, Alec tucked his foot under a wooden katana and kicked it into the air.

As soon as he caught it, Bakura dove at him as he yelled, "Don't get cocky!"

It started with a high block by Alec, who then pressed for the offensive by spinning around with a swift cut for the thief's midsection. Ryou saw Bakura jump right over it, like a tumbler, and roll back to his feet. The last thing that the child prince could see was Alec plunging at Bakura, who thwarted it with ease. Beyond that, Ryou couldn't tell what was happening; they were moving too fast.

Watching Bakura and Alec's fight made Ryou realize how pathetic he must have looked. I have to get better at fighting, he thought with determination. His resolve just strengthened as the two fought a battle so eloquently with such skills that even the soldiers that surrounded them were in awe.

Where did he learn to fight like that?

Bakura could tell that the white man was growing tired, as well as frustrated. Hee, I bet he's wondering why I'm almost kicking his ass, Bakura thought with satisfaction. I just misjudged your skills last time, foreigner. Who would have thought a white man could be so fast and strong?

The thief was close to winning, and Alec knew it. I cannot lose, the bodyguard ranted to himself, growing annoyed. He tried to calm himself, knowing that letting emotions run rampant in his body would allow Bakura a clean and wide opening.

Alec pressed forward with two uppercuts followed by a side-swept swing, and finished with a right cut.

It came to his attention that Bakura had blocked the last attack by a greater margin than needed. Is something wrong with his left side…?

Alec tried again, waiting patiently for his next opening. He was running out of time. Exhaustion from the heat (which he was not accustomed to, unlike the Egyptian thief) and from the long fight was taxing even his reserves of energy.

Another uppercut, followed by a combo of a right, left, right cut.

Again, Bakura left a great margin for error in his defense when it came to his left side, only this time, he was really protective of the shoulder. Alec made his decision, knowing he would only get this one chance to attack before he would burn out. He feigned a dive to the right, then spun around and brought his sword down on Bakura's left shoulder.

Alec stumbled forward, spent, but not before he saw Bakura fall to his knees, gasping. He smirked, breathing heavily, and turned to try to stand.

Ryou jerked forward, crying out as he saw the sword bite into the thief. However, he hadn't even taken five steps when Bakura, livid, chucked his sword at the back of Alec's head.

The bodyguard was out cold by the time Bakura staggered to his feet. He clutched his left shoulder, feeling as if someone had tore it out and handed it back to him.

Ryou ran to him, his face dead serious. "Bakura, are you okay?"

The thief stalked right past him, reached back to grab the prince with his right hand, and started for the Palace. The crowd of silent soldiers immediately opening a path for them while Bakura irately muttered, "Stupid idiotic arrogant piece of-"

"Bakura, teach me."

The quiet request sent Bakura to a screeching stop. He glanced down at Ryou to find the child looking at the ground. "I…I want to fight like you."

Bakura was about to say no in a rather rude fashion when a chuckled ruined the moment.

Standing in their path, with his arms crossed over his chest, stood the Crown Prince.

Nyq continued to laugh, shaking his head. Ryou blushed as he grit his teeth. What is he laughing about?

"You're asking a slave to teach you how to fight?" Nyq scorned. "How pathetic can you get?"

"This so-called slave can kick your ass any day," Bakura fired back, glaring daggers at the despised figure before them.

Nyq clenched his fists, which Ryou had seen trembling. "I…I was never referring to you, slave." Nyq cleared his throat as he straightened himself. Then, smiling sweetly, he said, "Ryou, dear brother…if you'd like, I can teach you how to fight."

Ryou opened his mouth to refuse, when he realized that Bakura hadn't said yes yet. Guilt flooded the child, but he really wanted to learn how to wield a weapon. He didn't want Bakura, or Mairk, getting hurt, every time it was him that needed protecting.

"C-can…W-will you?" the child meekly asked. Bakura stiffened beside him as Ryou shamefully looked away. "You were going to say no, anyways," the little prince softly accused the teen.

Bakura knew it was true, and bit his tongue to stop a sharp retort. He'll learn about his mistake, the thief fumed. But he couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to take lessons from him?"

When Ryou nodded, still not looking at him, Bakura felt a black wave of hatred swell over his mind. He fought back a glare at the child as he calmly walked away from the brothers, his mind screaming in rage.

Ryou watched the thief go, almost feeling like he was about to cry. But I have to do this, if I want to learn how to protect Bakura and Marik.

Before he could even consider changing his mind, his brother put an arm around his shoulders and said, "When do you want to start? Is today fine? Or tomorrow?"

"Today," was the immediate answer.

Nyq grinned, fighting the urge to laugh. What a trusting idiot. "Alright, but don't regret it," Nyq said, steering the little prince away from the training grounds and the Palace. "This is intense training we're talking about. You suck at swords, so it's going to take until dinner each day. Okay?"

Ryou swallowed hard, feeling a little anxious. He pursed his lips in determination and gave a firm nod.

---

Bakura was storming down the hall, and didn't even realize that he had walked past Marik until the Captain had grabbed his arm.

In his anger, the thief tried to flip the person who had dared to touch him, when he found himself lying on his back, the breath knocked out of him.

There was a low whistle as Marik said, "I never thought I would be able to do that to you."

Bakura blinked twice before he understood what Marik meant. With a snarl, he jumped to his feet and growled, "Don't bother me!"

He was about to resume his fiery trek of anyone-who-wants-to-die-is-welcome-here when he was yanked back again.

"What the hell do you want with me?" he nearly screamed, tugging his arm away from the Captain.

Marik slapped him.

Bakura looked incredulous for a moment.

"What is wrong with you?" Marik hissed, frowning at the thief. "And where's Ryou?"

Marik saw a vein bulge from Bakura's head as the teen took a deep breath. It took a lot of effort not to shout for Bakura as he gently said, "Ryou is out taking sword-lessons with his dirtbag brother." Then he forced a smile and said, "How are you?"

With a sigh, Marik ran a hand through his light hazel hair. "You're jealous, aren't you?"

The Captain's hand stopped halfway through his tan mane when he saw Bakura turn bright red.

Before Marik could say anything, Bakura snapped, "Shut up."

---
AN: Hm, I think this is where things will get a bit darker. Thanks for the reviews, and I hope you review for this chapter as well. Expect the next chapter by Tuesday at the latest (I'm hoping the next one will be up by Monday night, or Sunday night, but who knows).