AN: Here is the epilogue, on Monday as promised. Thank you so much for reading PT, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Thanks to…

dragonlady222: Haha, me too! Ryou deserves the title far more than Nyq. And yes, I hope Marik and Bakura get better. Thank you so much for all your support!

casaragi: lol, really? (Nyq certainly doesn't deserve the position anymore). Thank you so much for all your support!

FlyingShadow666: Why, thanks! Poor Bakura indeed…Thank you so much for all your support!

Shamise: Thanks, and thank you so much for all your support!

The Vampire Prince: I know! Bakura never did anything (as far as it is revealed in the story) to deserve that stupid plate in his shoulder…stupid Nyq. Thank you so much for all your support!

Anime WarriorSkye: lol, that's okay. But aren't you excited a little about summer? (Well, I'm bummed because I don't get to go out of the US for anything this year…again. Only during school…I wonder why?) Ryou is such a smart little boy.  Thank you so much for all your support!

Tails7651: Hehe, speaking of which, I will be writing another fanfic on Ryou, soon. I'm glad you like the ending thus far. Thank you so much for all your support!

Epilogue

Ryou was in a daze as he aimlessly wandered around the halls. His father had really surprised him with that entire conversation. In fact, the whole time, all he had done was nod. Ack, my head's going to explode from having too many thoughts! Gritting his teeth, Ryou slammed his eyes shut and fervently shook his head.

"Ryou?"

Caught unaware, Ryou jerked up and found himself staring at lavender eyes.

"A-Ah, Bakura!" Something sharp pierced itself in the child's heart as his gaze swept past the teen's shoulder. When did he come out of the hospice?

Bakura grinned at him, ruffling his hair. "I was looking for you." Ryou grew a bright red, struggling hard to fight back the tears, but to no avail.

"Bakura, I'm sorry!" the child blurted, directing his gaze straight to the ground. He hastily brought an arm up to wipe his tears as he tried to stop crying.

There was a silence as Bakura stared at Ryou, at a loss for words. Huh?

"I overheard – your shoulder, it – and Kaiba said – and now, because of me – he said you might – and now you can't–" Ryou gasped as a warm hand pressed itself against his quivering lips.

To the child's surprise, Bakura scoffed and knelt beside him, shaking his head as he softly smiled.

"Ryou, you're babbling." Bakura gradually released his hand, his head cocked to the side. "Why would I need to fight?" Before Ryou could answer, Bakura grinned and said, "I thought you were going to become stronger than me."

The words struck Ryou like lightning.

I thought you were going to become stronger than me. Ryou swallowed hard, clenching his fists. T-that's right…I'm going to become strong.

Ryou's momentary stunned face made Bakura laugh. As he watched determination and resolve strengthen in the child's eyes, Bakura stood up. Don't worry, kid. If I ever need to fight, I will for your sake.

Bakura patted Ryou on the head as he said, "Hurry up, let's go to the infirmary wing. Marik's awake, and he says he wants grapes."

The thief saw Ryou's mouth fall open before the child broke into laughing. Bakura started walking down the hallway at a leisurely pace, chuckling himself.

Ryou…grow strong.

"Oh! Bakura, guess what?"

"Hm? What?"

"Tonight, I get to be a real prince!"

"Uh…aren't you a real prince now?"

"Well, yeah, but…I mean…"

"Quit fidgeting with your hands, Ryou. Spit it out."

"Um…N-Nyq no longer holds the title of Crown Prince."

"Eh?"

"…"

"…"

"F-Father said the Crowning Ceremony is tonight."

"Tonight? Haha, yeah…you'll be a real prince tonight."

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AN: Uh, I didn't know if the ending was a little awkward or not, but I thought it ended it all nicely…Eheh, though I'm not sure. Please review (as this is the last chapter) and thanks so much for reading!