YAY! Another Chapter. I want to thank all of you, and especially Stardust98 for her kind reviews, ChellieChu, and Not-Alone-Anymore, as well as my Anonymous Reviewers. You guys make me so HAPPY!

Enjoy the next three duels.

Ludwig walked up to me and stuck out a hand. I shook it and marveled at the strength behind the grip. We walked back into the middle of the deck and both drew our swords. I smiled and said, "Good luck, Ludwig. May the best fighter win."

He nodded in assent and we began. I quickly realized that in a contest of strength I would quickly lose. He was even stronger than my brother, which was saying something. The first time I blocked one of his swings, I was forced to my knees. I managed to roll out of the position and jumped to my feet just as he swung again. I jumped out of the way and hit the ground in a roll, scrambling to my feet. I was playing an entirely defensive game here, and if I was not careful, I would lose. I smiled. Good, a challenge.

I jumped back away from another lunge and danced around Ludwig, just out of range of his blade. He was getting frustrated and I could see it. I narrowly avoided being slashed in the stomach and decided it was time to make a move. I ducked under a swing and ran past him. He turned and I rolled under his legs, then held my sword to his back.

Everyone gasped. "I win," I said softly. He lowered his sword and nodded. "Ja. Well done."

I grinned. "You had me going for a while there, though, Ludwig. Nice job. If I was not as fast as I was, you would have beaten me instantly."

He nodded, sheathed his sword and walked back to his spot. I glanced at Alfred and he grinned, giving me a thumbs up. I gestured to Ludwig and he shook his head, mouthing, "Don't worry about it." I shrugged, and turned to Kirkland. "Next up, please."

"Ivan, please come duel Miss Jones. But no dismemberment, and no smashing her head in, alright?"

Ivan nodded and smiled. I gulped slightly. I saw Alfred gesturing wildly. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Avoid the scarf," he mouthed. "He will kill you if you damage it."

I rolled my eyes. Great, a handicap.

Ivan walked up to me and smiled coldly. "Hello. You will become one with me, da?" he asked, pulling a faucet pipe out of his coat. I glanced at Alfred, indicating the pipe. He shrugged and I rolled my eyes again, and yelped, barely dodging the downward swing. I backpedaled and side-stepped another swing. But Ivan was fast. Really, really fast. He adjusted almost instantly and swung at my side. I barely blocked it and gasped as I slid across the deck. He was strong. Abnormally so.

I barely had time to react as another swing came at me, this time at my legs. I did a back-flip and blocked a swing to my head, which brought me to my knees. I was sweating and gasping for air. Ivan's strength was inhuman. He leaned on the pipe, pushing harder against my sword. I glanced around, trying to see a way out, then did. I dropped the sword and rolled, just as the pipe thudded into the deck, leaving a dent in the wood. Kirkland frowned. I ran as fast as I could, but Ivan quickly caught up to me. I dodged another swing, pulled my knife from my belt and threw it. It whistled past Ivan's ear, thudding into railing, between two of Alfred's fingers. He squeaked and glared at me, cradling his hands.

Ivan had stopped and was staring at me curiously. Kirkland smirked. "You missed."

"I did not want to kill your crew-member, Kirkland."

"I appreciate that, but how good with a knife are you really?"

I pulled my spare one out and said, "Sadik is holding the tiller, right?"

Kirkland nodded. "Watch."

I threw it behind me and it whistled between Sadik's elbow and hip, between the spokes on the wheel, and thudded into the front of the helm. Alfred whistled in appreciation. "You've gotten better, sis."

I nodded to him and waited for Kirkland's decision. He smiled. "It seems that you are really a woman of many talents. You may continue."

I grinned. "Who is next?"

"Kiku, will you fight Miss Jones?"

"Hai, taichou."

Kiku walked up to me and bowed from the waist. I bowed in response and we stepped away from each other. He drew his blade, a katana, Gilbert had called it. Slightly curved, it was a narrow, single-edged blade. "I am sorry, Amelia-san, I will beat you."

I smiled. "Good luck, Kiku."

He swung at me and I realized that he was on a much higher level than any of the others. His movements were very fluid, and his sword was single-edged, but seemed to be everywhere at once. At first, I was struggling to hold him off, trying to learn how to adjust to the new blade. Then I realized the pattern. It was just like a dance, just like any other swordplay, but instead of being composed of multiple forms, he fought in a single, fluid form. It was like playing an instrument. Instead of playing the drums like most swordsmen did, he played the violin..

I adjusted and began to follow his rhythm, adjusting it slightly, as though I were playing the piano, accompanying him. I was vaguely aware of everyone gaping as Kiku and I engaged in a deadly dance across the deck. He would swing his blade and I would block, returning with a thrust that was swept aside. Then he would swing from a different and I would block it, reversing the swing and lunging again. It continued for a while, soon we were both panting. He was equal in strength to me, and so it came down to our technical skills to see who was better.

We danced across the deck, swords flashing as they clashed and broke apart, as we spun together then apart, then together again, almost as though we were not fighting, but engaging in an ancient ritual. I was so focused, the rest of the crew, the rest of the world, in fact, became nothing more than surroundings I had to adapt to. I moved with the ship as it rocked back and forth, changing my footwork as I compensated for the movement.

Kiku was a dark angel, sword flashing as he swung again and again, muscles smoothly flowing from one form to the next. I decided that when this was over, he would have to teach me how to fight with a katana. It was beautiful.

I was about ready to call a draw, when I saw an opening. However small, it was there. Everytime I blocked a downward swing, he swung outward to get enough momentum for a side-swing, and though he guarded well, there was a small opening that, if I were careful, I could exploit it. Of course, this would leave me open to a thrusting motion, but nothing I had seen so far suggested that it was even possible to do any sort of thrusting with a katana.

He swung downward again, I blocked and lunged. We both froze in place. My sword rested against his sternum and his blade was about a centimeter from my neck. In a battle, I would have won.

I gasped out a laugh, smiling at Kiku. "That was amazing, Kiku. Thank you."

He smiled and withdrew his sword. I did the same and sheathed mine. He bowed. "Arigatou, Amelia-san. That was most impressive."

"Kiku, would you teach me how to fight with a katana? That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen."

He bowed again. "Of course, Amelia-san."

I bowed. "Thank you, Kiku."

He walked away and I took several deep breaths.

Kirkland started to applaud slowly. "Excellent show, my dear. That was something that was not only impressive, but also beautiful. You are truly skilled."

I nodded in thanks.

"Would you like a break before you fight your next opponent?"

"Who is it?"

"Alfred."

I laughed. I clutched my stomach and laughed so hard tears ran down my face. Everyone gaped at me as I stood in the middle of the deck laughing. I could see Alfred pouting in my peripheral vision. He was leaning against the railing next to some of the other crew-members, staring off the side, lips pursed tightly.

I finally gained some semblance of control and straightened. "Sorry, Kirkland. I just cannot believe Alfred is that high on the list."

"He has beaten Kiku several times."

I nodded. "Right. Okay. Sure. I will fight my big brother." I turned and looked at Alfred. He turned and looked at me and paled at my grin. "Come on, Alfie. You are not scared of your little sis, are you?" I teased.

He gulped and looked to Kirkland for help. "C-come on, Artie. Why do I have to fight her?"

"You are better than everyone on this ship, except for me. You are the logical next choice."

"But she knows my style better than she knows her own!" he whined.

"You have not seen each other for seven years, correct? I am sure your style has changed. You have improved quite a bit since you joined the crew."

"So has she," Alfred mumbled.

I smiled. "Do not worry, Alfie, I will go easy on you."

Kirkland smirked. "Miss Jones, please display your full skill. I do not want to see you beaten now, when it has gotten so very interesting."

I sighed. "But then it will be over too quickly."

"Miss Jones, the quickest way to lose a battle is overconfidence."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, sir!" I mock saluted, then drew my sword. "Well, Alfie, I apologize in advance."

Alfred turned green and drew his sword. "Please don't kill me," he whispered.

I laughed, "Why would I do that?" Then I jumped into the air, swinging down for his head.

CLIFFHANGER!

LOL. You have to wait for the battle between Alfred and Amelia, and then the battle between Arthur and Amelia. I do hope you guys are enjoying. I love constructive criticism, and I love REVEIWS! So, now that you've finished reading, please Review. :)