Joy: Hey, all! I'm back with another chapter! Chapter Thirteen if I'm not mistaken, and I'm usually not. =P Anyways, I got a slew of reviews! I am overjoyed! (giggles) So, now I'm gonna write a nice long chapter…I hope…

Kurama'sdarkangel1: Hey! Arigatou! :o) Read on!

Yugi-angel: But of course! YAY! HYPER! (grabs bag of candy) ;o)

lilipop: Arigatou! = D Yep, Yami does care about Yugi.

black blade: Okay! = D

Last time I left ya hanging, Yugi got an invitation from his grandfather to join him in Egypt for a week. Joy and Seto tag along, as does Priest Seto in Yugi's soul room. But Yugi's been a little under the weather – in other words, feeling very tired lately. What's going to happen? Well, just read and find out!

Three's A Crowd

The group spent the afternoon packing and talking about the trip. It was decided that Mokuba would accompany them, mostly because as Seto put it: "There is no fucking way I am leaving my little brother in Domino alone while I'm hundreds of miles away." Nobody minded, in fact, with all the shit that had been going on, they welcomed the boy. Joy was actually starting to get to know Mokuba, and discovered he had a very unnerving friend. She found that out that very evening…

Joy had said goodnight to the Kaiba brothers and had just climbed into bed when she heard a hissing sound.

Katilli, did you hear that?

Mmm? No, aibou. I did not. But worry not, I am sure it is just noises of the night. Sleep well, Joy.

You too, Katilli. Joy smiled as her dark side yawned.

She was just about to slip into sleep herself when she heard it again. That strange hissing sound. Then she felt something brush across her leg. Her whole body stiffened. She held in her breath. The object then moved from her leg to her stomach in a slow, slithery motion. She cautiously looked under the covers. Her eyes grew to twice their size when she saw that there was a snake – yes, a snake – on her stomach. You see, Joy hated snakes – she had had a bad experience with one once and didn't care to repeat it. So what did she do, you may ask?

She let out a blood-curling scream, flung off the covers and leaped out off bed.

Seto was just about to doze off when he heard a loud scream coming from Joy's room. He was immediately wide awake and out of bed. He ran to the girl's room, his staff in his hand. If anyone is in there, they'll be sorry. He burst into the room, his eyes first falling on the bed. It was seemingly empty.

He looked around frantically. "Joy? Houyoku, where are you?" He was about to panic when he heard another scream, this time coming from the changing wall on the other side of the room. (AN: I don't know what those Ra damned things are called…it's one of those things people go behind when they want to changed clothes, like a folding wall thing…)

Joy ran out from behind it. "Get it away from me! Onegai! AAHHH!"

"Nani?" Seto said as the girl ran from the room, not even bothering to grab her robe. Seto, determined to get to the bottom of all this, went over to the changing wall and spied a look behind it. There, on the floor, was a snake. And Seto knew exactly what was going on. "MOKUBA! GET IN HERE NOW!"

A moment later, a sleepy-eyed boy entered the room. "What's wrong, Seto?"

"I do believe you have some explaining to do. Like how your snake got into Joy's room?"

"Oh man! How did it get in here? I was sure I – oh, wait, maybe I didn't close the lid…oops…"

Seto glared at him for a moment, then went in search of Joy, hoping to find her, calm her down, and then everyone could get back to sleep. He looked through every room, not seeing her. Finally he came to the kitchen, and his search ended. Joy was there, sitting on the floor. Katilli was trying to comfort the still-shaky teenager.

"Joy, I'm sorry. I should have said something earlier. Mokuba has a thing for reptiles. The snake is his. He forgot to close the lid, even though I've warned him about that. I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine, Kaiba. It's just – just that I can't stand snakes. Ever since…" her voice trailed off, and she got a dazed look in her eyes. Seto was astonished to see a tear trailing down her cheek.

Wow…she must really be afraid.

"Joy has had a bad experience with snakes in the past, Kaiba. I think, however, that she will be needing to stay in another part of the house."

"Of course. There's a lot of other bedrooms in the house."

"Joy? Seto?" a timid voice called from the doorway. The two friends turned to see Mokuba standing there with a guilty face. "Gomen nasai about the snake, Joy. He got loose again. Gomen nasai." He bowed. "It won't happen again."

"It-It's okay, M-Mokuba. I-I'm f-fine. Just – Just nervous," Joy said, avoiding everyone's eyes. "I – I think I'll sleep on the couch…onegai. I don't trust beds right now." Seto nodded in understanding. He sent Mokuba back to bed, and went up to get a few blankets and a pillow while Katilli led her light to the living room couch.

Seto reassured her that no more snakes would come visit her. "I'll make sure of that by closing Mokuba's door and putting a towel under the door."

"Arigatou, Kaiba. Oyasuminasai."

Oyasuminasai, Joy."

…The Next Morning…

Yugi managed to find his way over to the check-in counter at Domino Airport, despite the fact that the place was crowded. He suddenly remembered that he and Yami hadn't talked much about Vargon since the Shadow Realm. He remembered Sorcerer's warning about Vargon's desire to return to the mortal realm, and he decided to talk to Yami about it.

Yami, I need to talk to you for a moment.

I'm listening, as always, Yugi.

Well, I…I have a terrible feeling…that…Vargon is trying to regain the power he lost when you banished him. I think he's going to return soon, Yami. I have this bad feeling that something is going to happen.

Don't worry, aibou. I will be here to protect you. I promise. Vargon has tasted the power of a Millennium Item and he won't be so quick for another dose. But if it will put your mind at ease, I will be on my guard.

And so will I. Arigatou. For everything.

No problem, Yugi. Anytime.

They finally boarded the plane, Yugi settling into his seat, sighing peacefully. Next stop, Egypt.

…Meanwhile…

"Hurry the hell up, Kaiba, before I am forced to drag your ass on this Ra damned plane!" Joy practically screamed at the CEO. She had almost completely recovered from her experience last night, though she was still jumpy and irritable. But that's not completely unnatural given what had happened.

"Hold your damn horses, Hoyouku! I'd like to see you drag my ass on the plane! You sure as hell wouldn't get that fucking far!" Seto yelled back. They glared at each other before getting onboard the plane and preparing for the flight.

Joy sat down and sighed contently. "Ni sama, this is going to be a great trip!" Mokuba said with a grin.

"Yeah, kid," Seto replied as he leaned back in his seat.

Joy turned to her friend. "Kaiba, I want to thank you for bringing us to Egypt. It was really nice of you."

'Sure. Don't mention it." Seto looked over at the same time she did and their eyes met. For a long moment, the gaze lingered. Joy found herself leaning closer to Seto and he did the same until their faces almost met.

Joy felt butterflies suddenly rise up in her stomach. Her breath was lost in her lungs as she held her gaze with Seto. She was unable to pull herself away from his deep blue eyes. His eyes…they look so intense, so hard. They're like two pools of frozen blue water. You could drown in those eyes…What the HELL am I thinking?! It sounds like I'm falling in love with Seto Kaiba! But that can't be true…can it? I mean, he's cute and all, but love? Come on… Still…he's intelligent and witty and suteki… Maybe I am, but I'd never tell him.

Seto looked at her just as intently. She has the most beautiful eyes. They look so soft, so warm, so inviting. Her eyes…they look like two sparkling sapphire gems, shining eternally and…What am I thing?! I can't be falling for her! Though…she's the most wonderful young woman I have ever met. I mean…she fun, smart, witty, she got a great personality and seems to get along with Mokuba just fine…Maybe I am, but I'd never tell her.

Just then Mokuba jump up between them, breaking their stare at each other. "Joy? Can you teach me some more English? Onegai? Can you? I really want to learn!"

…Meanwhile…

Yugi, I sense something from my reincarnate.

(What do you mean, Sorcerer? Are Joy and Kaiba okay?) Yugi asked, concerned for his friends, especially since he couldn't be right there with them. Sorcerer smiled, seeming quite pleased.

Just fine. In fact, I don't believe that those two have ever been better.

(What?) Yugi was confused. He didn't know what the priest could have meant by that statement.

Yugi, I don't think those two would ever admit it, but I think that they are falling for each other.

(You mean in a romantic way? Wow. That's great! Isn't it?) Yugi had suspected that those two had started to develop feelings for each other by the way they acted, but he kept his mouth shut just in case he was wrong.

It certainly is, my friend. So, how goes the flight?

(So far, so good. But I have a problem that I am afraid to talk to Yami about.) Yugi let out a sigh as he mentally said that. He was feeling himself growing tired yet again.

Oh? Go on.

(I've been feeling really tired since I came back from the Shadow Realm. I've been trying to hide it or shake it off, but it's getting more frequent. There are times when I feel so exhausted that I think I might pass out or simply fall asleep. When I do sleep, it's a really deep sleep. I don't know what's going on with me, but it's got me worried, and I'm afraid Yami might start to get worried, too if he notices.)

Mmm…Yugi, I think I might know what's going on. You and Yami share a bond, and that bond is true and strong. Yami is the dark side, that much you already know. But I am not your dark side, Yugi. I am an intruder into your soul room and therefore any contact that you may have with me through anything like you have with Yami puts a strain on your soul…and your mind.

(What do you mean?)

Let me put it this way: two is company, but three is a crowd.

(So the more contact I have with you, the more strain is put on my mind, because I am not meant to have two spirits in my mind, right?)

Yes. I didn't realize it before, but me occupying your soul room is causing you to become ill. I am afraid I will have to leave your soul room, Yugi. If I don't, you will only get worse. In fact, we really shouldn't have been talking this long.

(But where will you go? Don't spirits like you need a body to occupy?)

I will simply have to find another host for awhile and lay dormant. Don't worry. I think I have finally figured out a method for us to communicate without having to be in the same mind. I will contact you later if I can.

With that the ancient sorcerer left Yugi's mind. Yugi suddenly felt so drained, he could barely hold himself in his seat.

Yami…I…need you to…take over…

Yugi, are you all right? I feel your life energy go way down!

I'm…fine. Just…tired…Take over…onegai…

The Puzzle glowed as Yami took over. He made sure Yugi was sleeping comfortably in his soul room before getting lost in his own thoughts. Oh, Yugi. What is happening to you, my hikari? Why are you so exhausted and weak? Is the Shadow Realm somehow responsible? No matter what, Yugi, I WILL find out what is going on and help you overcome this. I swear it.

It wasn't long before a stewardess was announcing that their plane was about to land and for everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Yami did so, and waited silently for the plane to touch down, wondering once again what it would be like to return to his homeland.

…Meanwhile…

Joy and Seto had finally broken their gaze at each other and were just trying to overcome their emotions. Mokuba was busy begging Joy to continue teaching him English. She giggled at the boy's enthusiasm and they were soon engrossed in the lesson. Before anyone knew it, the stewardess was announcing that the plane was about to land.

"Good. Let's make this landing snappy! We have things to do," Seto muttered bitterly. At least we're finally getting off this flying prison, Seto thought, slightly annoyed by the length of the flight. He really hated sitting around doing nothing for hours. He was the type that needed to be doing something all the time. He needed his body to be in motion at all times or he would become restless and irritable.

Joy: Well, there you have it. The stage is set for Joy and Seto, I think. And Yugi's problem is disovered, but is it solved? And what about the priest? And Vargon? And James Smith? Find out this and more next time! BTW: Suteki means "cool" or "fantastic" in Japanese. Onegai means "please" and Oyasuminasai means "good night".

The next chapter is called...let me think...Meetings and Mysteries. Yeah...I like that title. We'll go with that one. ;o) I honestly just make most of these titles up as I go along. When I write the chapter out on paper, I don't write the title. Anyway, I'm hoping for another good chapter next time, too. It might be up in a few days. I hope I get as many reviews for the next chappie as I did this one. I am so happy right now I could fly...if I could fly that is. = D Till then, relax and review.