Joy: Okay, peoples. Sorry 'bout the slight delay. I was planning out the chapters to come. This chapter only turns exciting at the end, I'm afraid. But I have the rest of the story planned out now, so I know you will not be disappointed in future chapters. Review responses!

Sakura: Actually, the chapter will feature all the characters I have introduced so far, yours included. =D

Midnights: Midnight is right…I would! }=D Arigatou for the compliment! I'm glad you like it so far and I'm glad you two made up. :o)

Dark mage of the sea 13: Yeah, but I make Merina catch on really fast. After all, she is an intelligent person, so this isn't a real shock for her. Yes! More cookies! Cookies have chocolate and I LOVE chocolate! =D

Sapphire: Darn. Well, I hope you have a great time and see you when you get back!

Now, this chapter will hopefully not be too dull. I needed to explain where Ryou has been and how Moon Shadow got to be in Tokyo, so here is what I came up with. Read and enjoy!

Ryou's Explanation

By the time they had entered the hall, Yugi had explained everything to Merina. She was, needless to say, astonished. But she was also excited.

"That is so cool! So, you all have these spirits that look after you and stuff…wow…"

"Merina, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just didn't know how to do it," Joy apologized.

"Well, I understand why you didn't. It is a bit surprising. So, Yugi told me your spirit buddy is Katilli and she's stuck with a sadistic wizard named Vargon. Am I right?" Joy nodded with a smile.

"You okay, Ryou?" Yugi asked his friend as Ryou slipped on the Millennium Ring.

About time…no more female body for me, ever, ever again.

Ryou smiled. "I'm fine, Yugi. Bakura's griping about having to have shared a female body, but otherwise, everything is great. I'm glad you guys are okay, too."

Joy glared at the Ring. "Yeah, well, he is such a pain in the ass, Ryou. I don't know how you can stand him for more than five minutes. Complete baka."

Bakura must have said some things that weren't pleasant, because Ryou's eyes grew twice their size. "Um…let's go downstairs to the lounge everyone, so I can tell you where I've been for the past few weeks."

…Later…

Everyone had taken a seat in the lounge. Sorcerer was the only spirit who didn't come out of their soul room, though he was listening quite intently on the conversation.

"Okay, I was in America visiting relatives for the summer when I had the most horrifying dream. In it, the Ring got stolen and I was lying on the ground – dead. I contacted Ishizu Ishtar because I knew she had the Millennium Necklace that could foresee the future. She not only confirmed the dream, but explained some things about it. Like who stole the Ring. A mage named Vargon. She told me she had the perfect place to hide the Ring until Vargon was dealt with. She told me where to take it and that a Miss Joy Houyoku would keep it safe. Then she told me to leave America immediately after giving her my Ring."

"So you gave the Ring to my father," Joy added.

"You weren't home when I got there, but your father said he knew the situation and would make sure it got to you safely. Then I went to England to stay with my aunt there. But then…Vargon showed up."

"He showed up?" Merina said, her eyes wide. "How did you escape?"

"Well, I do believe I have your dark side to thank for it, Miss Houyoku. At least, I think it was her, as she looked just like you."

"Katilli appeared and stopped Vargon?" Joy asked. "How?"

"She just delayed him long enough for me to escape. I don't know what happened after that. I managed to get on a plane and make it here, even though I spent the entire trip over here in a nervous wreck. I was so scared that he would show up again right there on the plane.. I came to this house because I was afraid to go home and I knew no one lived here. My father once came to Tokyo and noticed the house was abandoned."

"So, then. That is what has happened while we were apart?" Bakura stated. Ryou nodded.

"Anything to add, Moon Shadow? How did you find your way here at such a time?" Yami asked.

"Well, I was at home in New York when I got a strange vision about the Millennium Items. They were all together, laid out on a table of some sort. The Item holders no where in sight. Then I heard an eerie laughter. I got concerned about you and Yugi, pharaoh, so I came here to investigate. When I arrived in Domino, I heard about a tournament in Tokyo, so I signed up, somehow knowing that you would be in it as well. Then, earlier today, I used my Shadow powers to find you here."

"Okay, now what? We need a plan. The only way to beat this bastard is to gather all the Millennium Items," Seto said.

"Well, there is another reason why the Items need to be collected, and that is to keep them safe from being stolen by Vargon," Yami said.

"We need to guard the Items, that is certain. Now, are there any other Item holders here in Japan?" Ryou asked.

Both Yugi and Joy jumped to their feet and said at the same time: "Sakura Kodasawa!"

"Sakura Kodasawa…" Moon Shadow rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "She is the holder of the Millennium Crossbow, correct?" she asked.

Joy blinked. "How did you –"

Moon Shadow smiled slightly. "I can read minds. Among other things. Now, Sakura is here? For the tournament, no doubt?"

Joy nodded. "Yeah. I met her when Vargon tried to come for the Ring. I bet Vargon knows about her Millennium Item. She could be in danger. But is there any way to get a hold of her?"

Yugi smiled. "She lives right by me, as a matter of fact. She moved there not long after the Battle City Tournament. We are good friends and I have her cell phone number." He looked from Joy to Seto. "Do either of you have your phone on you? I can call her and we can go get her."

Joy pulled out her cell phone and Yugi dialed the number.

Ring…Ring…Ring…Ring…

What is taking so long? Yugi thought nervously. Yami heard him and turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

Something wrong, aibou? he asked.

I hope not, Yugi answered nervously.

Just then someone answered. Yugi breathed out a sigh of relief as he heard a familiar female voice.

"Moshi moshi."

"Sakura? Great! It's Yugi."

"Oh, hey, Yugi! How's it going?"

"Um…okay for now. I was worried. Why didn't you answer the phone right away?"

"Huh? Oh, I was in another room than my phone and didn't hear it until Cala told me. Why so nervous?"

"So much has happened in the last few hours. I'm not sure where to begin. We found Ryou."

"Really? That fabulous! I was worried about him!" Sakura sounded so relieved that Yugi couldn't help but smile a bit. He knew Sakura had a crush on Ryou, but the girl was too shy to say anything to the Ring-bearer directly.

"Yeah, so were we. But listen, Sakura. You know that guy you met up with earlier when you met Joy? The guy you shot at with the Crossbow?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, we need to stop him before he goes after another Item. In order to protect the Items, we need to get them all together. And it is also the only way to stop that evil freak once and for all. And you're the only other person in Japan with an Item that isn't here with us. So we wanted to call you, and hook up with you so we can stick together."

"That sounds good. I'm at the-" Just then, there was a pause, then Yugi heard Sakura gasp.

"Sakura? What is it?"

"Yugi, Cala just sensed an evil force heading my way. Come to the Cramdon Hotel. That's where I'm staying. Be careful, though. I think it's Vargon. I've felt this power before when I was around him."

"Okay. Just stay out of sight until we get there, Sakura. Don't fight him on your own. He's dangerous. We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Gotcha. Hurry." Yugi hung up the phone and threw it to Joy.

"We gotta hurry! Sakura's in trouble! Vargon's after her!"

Joy: Hehehehe…CLIFFHANGER!!! }=D I am SO bad. (evil laugh) Ahem. So. Did we get that chapter? More problems for the gang, it seems. Now they have to get to Sakura and fast. Looks like Vargon is one step ahead of them. Will they be able to get to Sakura? Will Vargon get his evil hands on the Millennium Crossbow? Will I stop asking questions like this? Hmmm….

You'll just have to wait till Chapter 6 to find out the answers to those questions. The next chapter will be titled… 'Sticking Together'. Till then, don't forget to review! See ya!