Disclaimer: Yugioh, my friends… belongs… to… Kazuki Takahashi… sigh.

Author's note: Ahhhh I'm such an obsessive Vaseshipper! In the last two days alone I've grown from an obsessed Vaseshipper to an overly-obsessed Vaseshipper. Gah! I almost can't take it! They're so cute!

ANYwho! My thanks to:

Angel's Riot, who reviewed both this story and Boredom Games! Both reviews have made me very anxious to update ^o^ and I'm glad you're hooked on to Vaseshipping! It's a great pairing! (more than you know! I'm crazy about them)

Anonymous reviewer fanficfan, thanks for reviewing! I loved your review and I'm so glad you can relate this story to the show! That was my goal X)

As usual, Aqua girl 007, for being a great consultant and friend on FF net to me!

And anyone else who's been keeping up and reading! So, here we go. Huzzah and onward!

Training

Atem sat watching the Guardians train. Mahad and Mana had practiced their spells, and sword training had begun.

Aknadin and Aknamkanon were assisting, taking turns with each Guardian. Mana wasn't the greatest with the sword, but everyone helped teach her. In a matter of weeks, the title of Priestess would be added to her titles of Guardian and Magician.

Seeing Mana struggle, Atem drew his curved sword and made a gesture for Mahad to step aside. Mahad turned to Isis and set to work, letting Atem coach Mana.

"Let's go, Mana," Atem said, holding out his sword, "Give me your best."

Mana took a swing at him, knowing that Atem would block it. He met it with the clash of steel, and each stroke she made, he countered. Side cut, thrust, side, overhand, thrust, jab and slash, another side-cut, Atem met each attempt with ease.

Blocking another slash, Atem stepped in and easily pushed the sword from her hand, taking it in his other and stepping back from her. Mana sighed, "I'm no good, Atem."

"You just need to practice," Atem disagreed, flipping the sword around and giving it to her handle first. "Practice makes perfect."

Mana rolled her eyes, "You and Mahad always told me that about my magic."

"And it paid off, didn't it?"

Mana had to consent that Atem was right. Practice had made perfect.

She held the sword up again, and she and Atem got back to work.

An hour later, Mana stepped back, covered in sweat. Atem was sweating, but not nearly as much as Mana. He had long since removed his cape and was tempted to take off his shirt. "We'll take a break," he called, breathing heavily. Everyone did so gratefully. By now, most of the men had taken off their shirts—Karim, of course, was already shirtless. Mahad had simply removed his headdress, and that alone left him feelings strangely naked.

Mana collapsed on to a bench, but Atem hauled her back to her feet. "Oh, no, Mana," he said, "We've got to stretch before we rest."

Mana groaned, letting Atem drag her to her feet. Atem led her in a series of stretches, which the other Guardians engaged in. Pulling the arm across the body, touching their toes, pulling a leg up behind them to touch it to their bottom, crouching and giving small lunges—each stretch left them more and more relaxed and free.

Finally, Atem let Mana collapse.

He himself didn't sit down, but moved away to converse with Mahad and Seto, who appeared to be nodding in agreement.

The hour of relaxing seemed to fly by for Mana, seeing as she fell asleep on the bench—while Atem readied himself for training.

When the hour was up, Atem woke Mana by gently shaking her shoulder. She blinked, stretched and yawned, and eventually stood.

"Next part," Atem said, "Combat."

Mana was pretty good with combat, but she knew that Atem was an expert.

Apparently prearranged, Atem stood at the ready before Seto. "Go," he instructed, and immediately Seto stepped in and made a strike at the king.

Atem met it with his forearm and stuck Seto's torso with a fist, quickly following up by using the leverage of his arm pushed against Seto's to urge the Guardian back. He flicked Seto's arm away and fisted his chest twice before the tall Priest was able to retaliate.

When Seto was able to make a move, he grasped the Pharoah's shoulder, throwing him off balance. He rammed his elbow into Atem's chest, driving him back. As he moved to strike again, Atem seized his arm and twisted it, turning Seto and holding the arm to his back.

"Good, Seto," Atem said, releasing his Guardian's arm. "Next."

Seto bowed fractionally, breathing deeply and stepping away. Mahad took his place. "Give me your best, Mahad," Atem grinned, "No going easy on me."

Mahad sighed, "If I must." He was dressed now in a shorter robe, his headdress replaced by his shoulder-length chestnut hair.

Without warning, his knee flashed out and took Atem in the torso. Mana stared in surprise—even instructed, she was surprised at the swiftness with which Mahad had attacked Atem. She didn't think he had it in him.

As soon as the wind was blown from Atem, he dropped to the ground and attempted to take Mahad's legs out from beneath him by swiping his leg at him. Mahad jumped to avoid it, backing away in a ready position.

Atem smiled. He was enjoying it.

The two dashed forward again. Now Atem took control, digging his forearm into the Magician's belly and causing him to lean over, which Atem used to his advantage. Grabbing Mahad, he flipped him over his shoulder.

Atem knew how Mahad would react, and he was right. Mahad threw out his hands and rolled over the shorter figure, coming to his feet and spinning around.

Mahad met his Pharaoh's eyes and dropped his arms, nodding. "Well done, Mahad," Atem approved, smiling.

Mahad smiled fractionally in reply, "Thank you, Pharaoh. I didn't hurt you, did I...?"

Atem just laughed, dismissing Mahad's question.

Next up came Shada, looking focused and ready. The short bout was over in under a minute, with the Pharaoh holding Shada in a headlock that Shada had had the Pharaoh in only moments before. Shada stood when Atem released him, nodding and giving a slight smile good-naturedly when Atem complimented him.

Karim was next. Mana bit her lip. She wasn't so sure Atem would win this one. Karim was not only an expert on combat, but he was extremely strong.

Atem looked a little nervous too.

Karim mostly used force in his combat, and so therefore, being taller and well, buffer in a sense than the Pharaoh, it was likely he would have the upper hand here.

Atem was quick and light on his feet and danced away from Karim, who was surprisingly fast for his bulk. Atem attempted to hold him off, but only moments later and Karim had the Pharaoh's arms behind his back.

"Very good, Karim, as always," Atem smiled when Karim released him. Karim bowed, giving a small humble smile. Now it was Isis's turn.

Isis smiled. "Don't be afraid to attack me, Pharaoh," she said calmly.

Atem nodded in consent and stepped in, seizing her forearm. Isis struck a pressure point, making him release her. Isis performed her combat in a different way than the men. She was generally calm and well, delicate, in a way, and using outright force simply wouldn't do.

Using pressure points on the body, Isis was able to incapacitate her foes.

Atem was aware of this and had a new plan to use against her.

She waited patiently for Atem to make his move. As he came closer, Isis moved swiftly, pressing a point on his shoulder and causing his arm to go numb. Atem relaxed, closing his eyes and forcing the feeling back into the numb body part as Isis made to press another point on his elbow.

Atem's forearm flicked up at the same time he jerked his shoulder free, dislodging her hands. Isis's next point was his neck, and while Atem knew this, he let her fingers begin to press it before making his move.

He grasped her upper arms, using pressure points of his own and spinning her around, his finger hovering over the point on her neck that she had been about to use on him. Isis smiled. "Very impressive, my King. I see you have trained yourself well."

Atem smiled, releasing her. "Thank you, Isis. You did well."

As the others had done, Isis gave a partial bow and urged Mana to stand before the Pharaoh.

Mana did so warily, eying her friend cautiously. Atem grinned mischievously. "Ready, Mana?"

She nodded, thinking that she might not stand a chance against him, but she would never get better if she didn't try.

Mana made her move. She kicked Atem in the stomach and jumped forward to gain her advantage, but Atem wasn't as winded as she had hoped. His arm flashed out, clasping her wrist and twisting her away.

Mana kicked her leg back, wrapping it around his knee and tugging. When his leg came out from beneath him, she grabbed his ankle and pulled, finishing the job. He went tumbling to the ground, releasing her wrist.

When Mana turned to him, planning to pounce, Atem's legs came forward to hold her back—or at least, that's what Mana had thought.

What Atem actually did was push into her stomach and lean forward, grabbing her wrists and pulling her towards him. Mana squealed, ducking as she sailed over him. She did a somersault, rolling back to her feet and spinning around.

Mana's roll had given Atem enough to gain his feet again, and he was already in front of her when she got to her feet. Having caught her off guard, Atem took her wrist and spun her around, pulling both wrists behind her back and hooking his arms up beside her shoulders.

Mana gave a gusty breath, "Well alright, Atem, we get the point."

Atem released her, "Very well done, Mana."

"I did pretty good against you, huh?" she beamed.

"Yes," Atem agreed, "Very good."

Mahad gave Mana an approving nod, and she felt the warmth of pride spread through her at her teacher and friend's praise.

Atem, now sticky with sweat, looked over his Guardians and friends with satisfaction. "Well done," Atem told them all, "I'm impressed. We all worked hard today, so I suggest you get some rest."

Each Guardian nodded and bowed, giving their king glittering eyes of praise before turning away.

Shimon patted Atem's shoulder before quickly drawing it away. "Ah, well done, Pharaoh," he said, looking for a place to wipe his hand.

Atem and Mana both laughed. "Thank you, Shimon," Atem said.

Shimon gave a partial bow before hurrying away to wash his hands. Atem wiped his forehead, realizing how sweaty he was.

"Ew, you're all gross, Atem," Mana voiced his thoughts.

Atem rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Mana."

Yay for minimal to no fluff haha. Don't worry, we'll get some good major fluff next chapter, which I'm posting soon since I haven't posted since two days ago. Just a little treat!

Well, review, PM me, blah, blah, blah you know the drill! HUZZAH FOR VASESHIPPING!

Make sure you turn on a pumpkin today.

-Anevay