Joy: Okay everyone. Sorry for the delay. I bet everyone was just so curious about the group meeting up again. I looked back and I know I said I would keep them apart until the finals, but then I thought – what about at night? I mean, I got a good thing going on with that mansion, so I am just going to go with it.

A few words about this chapter. This chapter tells a lot about Katilli and Bakura's pasts. Remember Joy's duel and Ryou's conversation with Bakura? He mentioned that he and Katilli were VERY close. Also, Bakura calls Katilli 'Neko'. I will tell you about that at the end of the chapter. Just go with it for now. Trust me.

Also, there will be romance in this chapter – a.k.a. - kissing and such. No lemons though. Review responses!

Dark mage of sea 13: Yeah, he was a pushover, but I like it that way, I guess. And yes, this chapter has the group's accomplishments for the day. I tried to be as fair as possible on it, given their great skills. Glad you like it so far!

Silver Moon Phoenix: Yeah, Mason is a jerk. Glad he's been dealt with. Got your email and I have a few good song ideas that I will run past you later on.

Sakura: Sorry to hear that. Evil boyfriend. That's why I don't date. Glad you like the chappie!

Dark Kuriboh Empire: You're welcome. And I don't mind long reviews. Yeah, the duels are short, but duels are not my writing strong point. This has been a way for me to overcome that hurdle. When I duel in real life, I try to make the duels short. Strike hard and fast is my method. About the yaoi – I do not write that kind of stuff. I'll write romance (see this chapter for details) but not THAT kind of romance. Not my writing style.

Well, I guess I better get this chapter on the roll. Here it comes!

Nightly Conversations

Yugi made it back to the house at around four o'clock. "Hey, everyone!" he called out as he met the others in the lounge. He noticed Seto was on his laptop. "What is Kaiba up to?" he asked.

"I'm looking into the ownership of this house. We don't want to get arrested for trespassing."

"Good idea."

"I know." The others rolled their eyes.

"So…," Yugi said, changing the subject, "How did the rest of you do today?"

"I've got three," Joy said, holding up her winnings.

"So do I," Sakura said, also producing her cards. Merina and Moon Shadow also held up three star cards.

"Wow! I four way tie," Ryou said, smiling slightly.

"Hmph." Seto pulled out his cards and showed them to everyone. Four cards. The others groaned.

"You are going to have to play catch up with both of us, I'm afraid," Yugi said, also holding up four star cards.

"Damn!" Joy exclaimed, giving Yugi's cards a look. "You're ahead of me…for now that is. I'm still going to get seven first." Yugi grinned.

"Just go on and try, Joy."

"Joy told us about your competition to see who gets to the finals first," Merina said with a grin.

"Any chance you'll tell us who will win, Moon Shadow?" asked Sakura.

Moon Shadow shook her head. "If I did that, then the competition would be over and my prediction would be false. No, I think we should let them see who get all seven first. Patience is a virtue, after all."

Seto closed his laptop. "This house has now been purchased by me. We can use it for the tournament and the finals."

"Then what happens to it, Kaiba?" Joy asked.

Seto shrugged. "Not sure yet. But I will think about it after the tournament is over. But right now I am going to get some sleep."

"Good night!" everyone chanted.

"I think I'm going to bed, too," Sakura said with a yawn

"I'll see you guys in the morning," Merina said. Moon Shadow also said good night and went upstairs. She and Merina were sharing a room, as was Yugi and Ryou. The others had their own rooms. Ryou, Yugi and Joy also said good night as they retired to their rooms for the night.

A short time after Joy had fallen asleep, Katilli left her soul room and journeyed out into the hall of the house. She had not had much time to look around the old mansion, so she decided that she would do so now. But as she left Joy's room, she met up with none other than Bakura.

"Well, it has…been a long time, anata," Katilli said. "To be honest, I did not think we would ever see each other again. I cannot believe my brother would allow you to be sealed into the Ring. But then, I saw Ryou and I knew who the spirit who dwelled there was."

"Come now, Neko," Bakura said with a small smile. "You know how the pharaoh loathed me. Any pain caused to me would be his greatest wish, and it did so hurt to be sealed within that Ring. The only consolation was that he also suffered by being sealed in the Puzzle. At any rate, the thought of the two of us together was a shock to his royal brain."

"You did not help the matter, anata. Always so willing to pick a fight or start an argument. But then again," Katilli added with a slightly seductive smirk, "your cockiness always did appeal to me. Even now, after all these millennia, you can make me feel complete."

Bakura smirked, then grabbed Katilli, drawing her close enough for a powerful kiss. She deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and allowing their tongues to dance. Bakura responded by drawing their bodies as close as possible. The two spirits only broke to take in air as they both had physical forms.

"Glad I still have that affect on you, Neko," Bakura said slyly.

"Mmm… Don't flatter yourself, anata," Katilli said with a smirk, which Bakura returned with one of his own.

"Well then, Neko, why did you seem it enjoy it so much? It looks like it was not just flattery."

"You may have a point." She let her smile falter a bit as she remembered what their mission was. "We have to get the Items together to stop Vargon, Bakura. We have to. And you know what will happen when the Items are together. You know what must be done."

"I suppose none of us have a choice."

"I do not want any harm to come to you, but the incantation is not an easy one, and it will be hard on the lights. And on us." Katilli leaned her head on Bakura's chest and he wrapped his arms around her, reliving the feeling of closeness to her body.

"Oh, Ra, Neko. You worry too much. It will not send us to the other world, so be calm. It is nothing I have not already felt. Or the pharaoh, for that matter. Have you told him?"

"No. I will after the tournament. That way he is not distracted."

"Have you told him about us? It seems he does not remember."

"No, but then again…perhaps I should get it out into the open. It may help to jog his memory."

There were a few moments of silence. Neither of them really knew what to say. Then Bakura snorted out a laughed. "Well, now. This is a strange development. The Lady Katilli at a loss for words."

"Oh, shut it, anata. Like you are the world's best conversationalist."

Just then all conversation stopped again when they heard a noise. They broke apart and waited. A second later, Yami appeared. "What are you two doing up so late at night?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Leaving," came Bakura's answer. He turned to Katilli. "We will finish this later," he added with a smile as he turned and went back to Ryou and Yugi's room.

Yami turned to his sister. "Is everything okay, Katilli?" he asked with concern.

"Yes, brother. You do not remember, but Bakura and I have a very…special relationship. We have known each other for a very long time, Yami. Do not worry. Everything is absolutely perfect between us." With that, Katilli returned to her soul room, leaving a very bewildered Yami behind to contemplate what she had said.

An hour or so later, Joy's sleep was interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. She reluctantly reached over and answered it.

"Moshi moshi," she mumbled.

"Is this Joy Houyouku?" asked a female on the other line.

"Hai. This is Joy. Who's this?"

"My name is none of your concern." The reply was very impolite and curt. Joy was wide awake by now and her temper was already starting to flare.

"I think it is my concern since you called me. Or maybe I'll just hang up."

"Hmph. I want to challenge you."

"Nani?" Joy asked, confused by the statement.

"I want to challenge you to a duel, baka. Meet me at the fountain in Tokyo Square at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Come alone and we shall see who the better woman is."

"Hmph. I can beat you any day, wench. I'll be there." She hung up, tossing the phone into a nearby chair.

Everything okay, aibou? Katilli asked.

I just got challenged to a duel tomorrow. A wench just called and challenged me to a duel at ten o'clock at Tokyo Square. That will be card number four for me.

Hmm…be on your guard, Joy. It sounds suspicious to me.

Don't worry. I will be ready for anything. Besides, I've got the best team mate right inside my head. You know, Katilli, I have often thought of you as the voice of reason that tries to tell me right from wrong. Not that I'm complaining.

You mean like a conscience? Hey, should I be offended by that?

Only if you want to be. Good night, zenshin!

Good night, hikari.

Joy: Now for a few explanations.

Bakura and Katilli – did you get it? If you did, just skip this paragraph. Bakura and Katilli were, or maybe are would be a better word, married. They got married in ancient Egypt. Given the tension between Bakura and Yami, you can guess how Yami felt about the whole thing.

Bakura calls Katilli "Neko". The shortened form of Katilli is 'Kat' which is pronounced 'Cat'. With me so far? Good. Now, 'cat' is Japanese is 'neko'. Thus, Bakura is just calling Katilli by a nickname. Plus in Egypt she was seen as very cat-like, always landing on her feet when she fell and always being very sneaky and silent. Like a cat.

'anata' is an honorable way for a wife to address her husband. It is also a way for me to get out of trying to figure out a real name for Bakura -D and 'zenshin' means conscience or a moral sense. 'Nani' means 'what?'

Now that that is all over, the next chapter is called…He Had A Sister? You'll just have to wait to see who I am talking about. Till then, review!