Joy: Chapter nine is called The Challenge. You'll see why as you read on. Ready, set, go!

kurama'sdarkangel1:  :^D  You like? Yipee!

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The Challenge

            Got a question for you, Katilli.

            Go on.

            When are you going to tell Yami you're his sister? Katilli was silent for a moment.

            I do not think that it is quite the time to give him more to think about, Joy. We must concentrate on eliminating Yukia and putting that burden on him is something I cannot do right now. Perhaps after Yukia is gone, I will tell him, but not right now. And I ask that you say nothing to Yugi, as he and my brother share a link as well.

            All right, but I want you to tell him, Katilli. It's not good to keep that information from him for much longer. He deserves to know.

            Indeed.

            Joy sighed. I can't wait to get out of here. I'm leaving tomorrow, no matter what those damn doctors say. I'm 100% better now, so I'm outta here in the morning.

            My light, you will never like hospitals, will you?

            Never. Katilli chuckled.

~The Next Morning~

            Yugi arrived at the hospital, intending to see Joy, but not see her checking out at the front desk. "Joy? What's going on?" he asked, tiliting his head.

            What is it, Yugi? Yami asked, curiosity swelling in him.

            Joy's checking out of the hospital.

            "I'm checking out. I'm better. I'm getting out of this place. Besides, we have things to do that don't involve sitting around counting ceiling tiles."

            The doctors say she is better? Yami asked.

            No, I think Joy says she is better. She doesn't like hospitals, remember?

            Ah, yes. Does she look all right?

            Yeah, maybe she's okay now. If she is, we can all meet up and talk about stuff.

            Like how to take out Yukia for good.

            Yugi and Joy walked down the street ten minutes later. Finally Yugi spoke. "Kaiba told me you duel."

            "Yeah, but I haven't been doing any dueling since I came to Japan."

            "Kaiba also told me that he was curious to see if you were any good," Yugi continued. Joy looked at him and blinked.

            "Seto Kaiba wants to duel me?" Yugi nodded. "Sweet! Let's go!"

            "Right now?" Yugi asked in surprise.

            "Absolutely!"

            They headed to Kaiba Corporations, and ran right into trouble. Namely the receptionist. She wouldn't let them up to see Kaiba. And she wasn't very nice about the way she told them.

            "Mr. Kaiba is a very busy man and will not be bothered by anyone outside of business associates today."

            "But he knows us!"

            "That is of little relevance. You must have an appointment to see him."

            Joy glared at the woman, but that didn't get her very far. "Fine," she snapped. "Tell Mr. Kaiba that Joy Houyoku was going to give him one hell of a duel, but she has suddenly lost interest in dueling him and that she will be with the world champ at the game shop. Bye!" She stalked off, Yugi trailing behind her. "The nerve of some people! She was so obnoxious!" Yugi shook his head with a small smile.

            About ten minutes after they left, Kaiba came downstairs. His destination was the hospital, where he hoped to visit Joy. The staff? He still had it. He had turned it into a watch so people wouldn't stare at him as he walked around. It was one of the powers of the staff that he found very useful.

            "Oh, Mr. Kaiba. You have a message," his receptionist called to him as he passed. "From a Miss Joy Houyoku." Kaiba stopped in his tracks.

            "She called?"

            "No, she was just here a few minutes ago. She wanted to go up and see you, but I said you were busy, so she said something about wanting to duel you. I wrote down what she said." She handed him the message. Kaiba read it. His eyes narrowed.

            Great, now I've got to go to the Game Shop to see her. Nice. He put the note in his pocket and headed to his limo. "Take me to the Kame Game Shop."

~Meanwhile~

            Joy and Yugi made it to the shop. Joy was thrilled by the place. She felt like she was in heaven. So many cards, so little time to look at them all. She grinned at Yugi.

            "Your place is great Yugi. Of course, anywhere that has this many Duel Monsters cards is ultra cool! You are one lucky guy, my friend." Yugi grinned.

            Ah, a girl that understands the importance of a good duel. Hey, Yugi, since Kaiba isn't going to duel her, maybe we could challenge her!

            Yami, maybe that's not such a good idea. Besides, we don't know – she might be good enough to beat us.

            We won't know until we challenge her.

            Yugi sighed, rolling his eyes. "So, what kind of a deck do you have, Joy?"

            "A balanced one; I have all types of monsters in my deck." Joy went over and pulled out some cards, looking intently at them. Just then the door opened. The two friends looked up to see… "Seto Kaiba. Why did I have a feeling you'd show up?" She smirked.

            "My receptionist is an idiot. I wasn't that busy that you couldn't come up." Kaiba nodded a greeting to Yugi, then turned back to Joy. "So…changed your mind about the duel, huh? Too bad. It would have been a good defeat."

            "Yes. You would have fallen magnificently, Kaiba." Kaiba shot her a glare. "Mmmm…maybe I will duel you. It would be a good distraction from all the shit that's going on right now. So where do you want to duel?"

            "How about we go duel in my back yard? It'll be a private duel. Yugi can come too and duel the winner," Kaiba suggested. Yugi could feel Yami's excitement mount.

            All right! Another chance to defeat Seto Kaiba. Let's do it!

            Okay. Yugi agreed.

            YES! Yugi smiled and shook his head.

~Thirty minutes later – At Kaiba Manor~

            Joy slid on her duel disk, life points automatically shooting to 4000. She gave Kaiba an innocent-looking smile. "Now Kaiba. I've never used a duel disk, so just bear with me, okay?"

            "It's not hard. You'll get the hang of it."

            "Well, I must say you spared no expense. Now, who goes first?"

            "Ladies first." I finally get to see if this American can measure up to my skill. I will win.

            Damn straight, Seto Kaiba. Prepare to be blown away. I know you're good, one of the best. But you are in for one hell of a duel. My dueling deck may surprise you.

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Joy: I'm stopping here. You guys may be in for a duel next chapter…unless I can't write it well. I've never written duels, I've only been in them. Bear with me, and see ya next chapter! Till then, review and ponder.