Joy: Chappie Twelve coming at you! Gomen nasai for the long delay, folks! (bows apologetically) I ran into a bit of a block. I didn't like how I had this chapter originally, so I re-wrote the whole chapter. That's what took me so long. But I think I've gotten back on track with how I want it. I got a review for both my chapters, so I decided to update.

kurama'sdarkangel: Yeah, don't worry. Priest Seto may seem bad at just coming in like that, but he plays a major part in the rest of the story. I thought the fun parts were cool, too!

So in this chapter, Yami tries to find out what Yugi is hiding and there is a bit of R&R time for the characters… Ready, set, go!

Swallowing Royal Pride

Yami paced in his soul room as Yugi walked with Joy to the arcade. He was glad that Yugi seemed to be all right, but he wasn't glad when he sensed that Yugi was hiding something from him. He could feel it, and it didn't help that Yugi was blocking a lot of his feelings from Yami. He was determined to find out what was going on. Another problem he felt was that Yugi was tired. He could feel it.

Yugi, is there anything you want to tell me?

Mmm…? What do you mean, Yami?

Well, I just feel that you are not telling me something of great importance. I am not saying that you are lying to being deceitful or anything like that, but I am concerned. You know you can trust me, don't you, aibou?

Of course I can trust you, Yami. You're my dark side and more importantly, I think of you as a brother. I trust you a lot, Yami.

That is good, but what else?

There is nothing else, Yami. You are just being your worried self. Not that I mind. It's just like you to worry about me. It's just that this time, there is no reason to. I'm fine.

All right. If you say so. Just let me know if there is anything we need to discuss.

I will, Yami.

Joy was meanwhile also in the midst of a conversation with her own dark side.

Joy, I feel that there is something different about Yugi.

What do you mean, Katilli? He seems fine to me, except that he looks a bit tired.

Yes, he does at that…that may be the problem.

But he would definitely tell us if something was up, so don't worry. You're starting to sound like Yami.

Katilli chuckled. As you wish, aibou.

Just then the two friends made it to the arcade. It was crowded, as it was summer vacation and everyone was taking the time to have as much fun as possible. Joy led Yugi off to the new game she mentioned, and the two of them were immediately engrossed in it. In fact they spend most of the afternoon playing it, and they drew quite a crowd to them by the end, because of the way the two of them ran on the will to win against each other. But when all was said and done, everyone was surprised that Yugi and Joy had tied.

It was the first time Yugi – the King of Games – had tied at a game. It was not a loss, not by a long shot. In fact, they would have played another game to break the tie, but Yugi suddenly felt that he couldn't play anymore. He was very tired, the lack of sleep the night before and the game itself had drained him. He wanted to continue, but he felt that he would fall asleep sitting up if he tried to stay awake much longer.

"Joy, let's break the tie tomorrow, okay? I'm feeling a little tired."

"Sure thing, Yugi. Do you want me to walk home with you?"

"Could you, please?" Joy nodded and they left.

As they walked home, Joy nodded that Yugi's eyes drooped a little every now and then. "Hey, Yugi. If you're not careful, you'll start sleepwalking." Yugi smiled wearily at her.

"I think I'll make it, but if not, Yami can take over."

Perhaps I should, hikari. You seem to be falling asleep on your feet.

Okay. Just till we get home.

Yes.

The puzzle glowed and Yami blinked, then turned to Joy. "Yugi agreed to let me take over until we get home."

"He seems really tired. I hope he's not coming down with something."

"So do I." Yami hated it when Yugi got sick. He felt helpless not being able to simply make the sickness go away with the snap of his fingers. "I am sure after some rest he will be just fine." Joy nodded in agreement. Finally they reached the Game Shop. Joy bid Yami farewell, assuring him that she would visit tomorrow to check up on Yugi and the two parted company.

Yami went upstairs to his light's bedroom and released control to Yugi. The boy was now fast asleep in bed. Yami pulled the covers over him and watched him for a short time as he slept, making sure the boy was safe, and then retreated to his soul room.

…Meanwhile…

Joy walked back to Kaiba Manor, humming a tune off-key. Katilli chuckled at her light's cheerfulness. She certainly takes the term hikari seriously. They got past the guards and entered the house, to be immediately greeted by an ecstatic Mokuba.

"Thank goodness you're here, Joy."

"What's up, Mokuba?" Joy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm bored near to death! Seto's working at Kaiba Corp. today. Can you hang out with me?"

"Sure thing, Mokuba. What do you want to do? Watch movies or TV? Play video games? You name it, kiddo, and we'll get right on it."

Mokuba beamed up at her, his grin big and bright. "I want to learn some English."

Joy looked shocked. None of them knew much English except for her. They all spoke Japanese. "Mokuba, why the urge to learn it? It's not an easy language to learn."

"I know, but I like to be challenged and I think it would be cool to speak with you in your other language. That way we could talk to each other and Seto wouldn't know what we said."

I knew there was an alternative motive to learning another language. "Well, all right, Mokuba, but I can't teach you English in one day. We'll start with some simple stuff first, and see how well you learn it. Okay? We'll take it slow, 'cuz it's not easy to learn another language. (AN: Tell me about it. V-V)

Mokuba nodded is head vigorously, then followed the girl into the living room, where he set about learning some English terms.

...Later…

Yugi was fast asleep when a voice woke him…a voice in his mind. But it wasn't Yami's.

Yugi, wake up. It's important.

Yugi leaped into a sitting position. He concentrated, blocking out Yami and talking to Sorcerer instead.

(Sorcerer Seto? How -)

Never mind that right now. I have just returned from the Shadow Realm and I have some important information concerning Vargon Yugi's curiosity was peaked.

(Go on.)

Vargon had allied himself with a mortal man…someone named James Smith. Yugi felt his blood run cold. James Smith was one of the people responsible for kidnapping him! But how could he have reunited with Vargon? He's in jail. Kaiba told him that when he was still at the hospital.

(WHAT?! But that's impossible! James Smith is in jail for kidnapping me a while ago!)

That I know, from reading your thoughts, but I checked up on that as well. It seems that the mortal has simply disappeared from his cell. Metal bars are nothing to one with Vargon's skills, Yugi.

(So, Smith has escaped from jail…and he has no doubt reunited with Vargon. Anything else?)

Nothing more just yet, but I am sure that Vargon is waiting…plotting his revenge and wanting to return to the mortal realm that he was banished from. I want to keep close to you, Yugi, and help the pharaoh keep you safe. Are you okay with that?

(No complaints here. We could sure use the extra magic skills you have.)

I have some skills, but without my staff…

(Your staff…Seto Kaiba has it.)

Yes, that I have already observed when I escaped. But no matter. I can still work some magic, and perhaps I will reunite with my staff someday…if I can ever convince the gods that I am trustworthy.

(I'm sure you will.) Then another thought popped into his head. (How are you able to talk to me telepathically? I thought only Yami had a link with me.)

(It is a temporary link, Yugi. One of my powers. I can create a link with whomever I choose for a short while. In fact, I must cut the conversation short now. We will talk later, I hope?)

Yugi smiled. Absolutely. Talk to you later, Sorcerer. He felt the link severe, and reopened the link with Yami, who didn't seem to notice, for he himself was fast asleep. Yugi decided to follow his example and was soon fast asleep as well.

…Later still…

Yami reappeared outside the Puzzle, looking at his sleeping aibou. A few minutes later, the boy stirred, slowly opening his eyes and glancing over at his dark with sleepy eyes. "Yami? Everything okay?"

Yami nodded. "Took a nap while you were taking one, and now I'm wide awake. Are you hungry, aibou? I can call for some pizza if you want. I don't trust myself enough in the kitchen." Yugi had taught him how to use the phone, as the pharaoh was not accustomed to modern technology.

"Go ahead, Yami. I am a bit hungry." Yami nodded and went downstairs.

He's still worried about you. Sorcerer mused, slightly amused by the pharaoh's actions.

(I know, but I guess it's okay, since there's nothing I can do to stop that. Besides, it'll keep him on his guard for future events. I have a feeling that things are going to start happening fast if Vargon gets his power back, and I want Yami to be ready. How do I tell him?)

You could tell him that you have a bad feeling or something is going to happen soon. That might keep him alert and not give too much away. After all, he already feels that something is troubling you.

(Good idea, Sorcerer. Thanks.) Yugi said with a smile.

Anytime. The connection broke again.

Yami came up the stairs with the pizza a short time later. He glanced at Yugi and almost gasped. He looks even more tired than before…he's completely exhausted. But why?

Indeed the young teen was feeling completely drained. He couldn't figure it out either. He had slept for hours, waking up to feel a little rejuventated, only to feel even weaker than before. What is going on? he asked himself, not really having an answer.

He and Yami ate in silence. (AN: Yes, Yami can eat, too. After all, he's in a physical body at the moment. ;o) ) They were both wondering about why Yugi was so drained. Having eaten enough, Yugi let out a deep sigh. "I'm so tired. I think I'm gonna sleep some more, Yami. Talk to you later." With that the boy laid back down and within a second or two was in a deep sleep.

..The Next Day…

"I can't believe you slept all evening and all last night, Yugi," Joy said when she came to check on Yugi the next morning. Seto had decided to tag along, curious about the boy, especially after seeing Joy's concern for him.

"I guess I've just been really tired lately. No problem. I feel much better now," Yugi assured her.

Just then, the phone rang. Yugi went over and answered it. "Kame Game Shop. How may I help you?"

"Yugi? Good. It's me!" Yugi grinned when he recognized the voice.

"Grandpa! It's good to hear from you! How are things in Egypt?" Yugi's grandfather was in Egypt for the summer, working with a team of diggers at an excavation site a few hours from Cairo.

"Things are really picking up here, Yugi. We've made a really big discovery, and we found something really marvelous. This artifact may have some ties to the Millennium Items."

Yugi looked amazed. "Really?"

"Yes. I want to compare the symbol on the artifact with the one on the Millennium Puzzle. That means that you and Yami are going to need to come to Egypt for a week. Are you up to it?"

Yugi was overjoyed. He had always wanted to go to Egypt and this might be an opportunity to find out more about Yami's past. He could sense Yami's enthusiasm through the link. "I would absolutely love to go! And Yami can't wait either! When do we leave?"

"I already made arrangements for you to take a flight over here tomorrow morning at eight. Your ticket is waiting at the airport check-in booth. I'm glad you and Yami are so excited. Take care and I'll see you when you land."

"See you then, grandpa. Goodbye." He hung up and told his friends about the plan to go to Egypt.

"Oh, I want to go soooo bad," Joy said. She wanted to visit all the sights and help out if she could.

"I agree. So why don't we all go? I have a private jet that can take the two of us there. We can leave at the same time and meet up at the airport there," Seto suggested. Joy's eyes lit up at the offer, and she through her arms around Seto in an embrace. Of course, Seto wasn't expecting such a reaction, and he felt his cheeks grow warm as he blushed. He quickly composed himself as Joy released him.

"Arigatou, Kaiba."

"Um…don't mention it."

Meanwhile, Yami was in his soul room, his mind reeling at the thought of returning to Egypt. I am delighted at the opportunity, but I am also apprehensive. I do not know what to think…what to feel… I will be reentering my homeland. It will be a very interesting trip, but do I really want to go? Will I be able to regain my lost memories by returning to my kingdom? I am almost afraid of facing the land that I cannot really remember ruling, though I know I do. What will it be like? He sighed heavily. I guess I will have to swallow my royal pride and just take this as a learning experience.

Joy: (sigh) That was a long chapter, too. Another two thousand words. I want to add more…but I also want to cut it off here for the next chapter. The next chapter is called. 'Three's A Crowd'. It deals with the trip to Egypt, for Yugi and for Joy and Kaiba. I hope to make it this long too, but we'll just have to see.

Till then, review and wait, readers!