Joy: Sorry for the delay. I'm feeling a bit under the weather lately, but I wanted to get this chapter out. I was also struggling though a bit of writer's block and needed to work this out. I wanted this chapter to be interesting, and I have been neglecting the OC's a bit, so I added everyone in this one. This chapter kind of wrote itself, lol. When I sat down to type it, it sort of turned out to be a confession chapter for everyone. Hope you like it. First, review responses!

Silver Moon Phoenix: Got a surprise for you in this chappy. ;o) And the trip starts today! Yeah!

JadedKatrina: Arigatou for all the help and talking to me and giving that great site to visit. I will add some info from it to later chapters. I got a lot out of the maps and stuff! :o)

Midnights: I would be, too. And yes, she does have bangs. Actually, and you might be surprised, but you inspired me to draw a pic of her. I would post it up for everyone to see, but I am afraid my scanner isn't cooperating with me today. I might work on it and post it or something. But yes, she does have bangs, like me. =D

Dark Angel Princess: Nice name. And you get a bit of a surprise in this one too. ;o)

Ruromi: Great! Welcome to the family. =D Thanks for the compliment!

BabyGatomon: Can't wait till our next conversation! That one we had was fun, lol

Dark Kuriboh Empire: Thanks for reading RR! And thanks for the review of the sequel's first chapter. Yeah, Bakura is a bit OOC on that point, or is he? We really only know Bakura's evil side. I wonder if this is how he would have been if he could show a good side? Questions for thought, I suppose. =D

Okay, thanks for reviewing and now on to the chapter!

Race Against Time

Morning came quickly. Seto was the first one up…or so he thought.

"Ohayou, Kaiba!" Seto couldn't believe his eyes. Joy was not only up and out of bed, but making breakfast for the entire group.

Seto blinked as he watched Joy seemingly fly around the kitchen. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked.

Joy gave him a look. "Making breakfast. What the hell does it look like?" she countered, and then turned back to the stove. "...Baka."

"You mean, you're better?" Seto asked, still in a bit of shock about the event.

"Yeah, it's funny. I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in weeks. Shocked Katilli, too. She's in her soul room trying to figure it out." Joy smiled a bit, then started setting the table. "Are Yugi and the others up yet?"

"Not yet." He paused, watching Joy for a moment. She is certainly full of energy.

Yes, Sorcerer replied. I wonder if she is excited about going back to Egypt today. Seto's eyes grew wide at the remembrance of the trip Ryou and Joy were going to make if Joy was feeling well this morning.

"So…you're going?" he asked. Joy turned to look at him.

"Yes. Yes, I am. I've been in bed too long and I want to help get rid of this bastard once and for all. Besides, Katilli wants to go." Just then, Yugi and Ryou came into the dining room. When they saw Joy, their eyes grew wide in surprise. An instant later, Yami and Bakura were standing beside them. For a moment, there was silence, then Yami spoke.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise. I suppose you are well enough to handle going on a trip, then?" he asked. Joy nodded eagerly. "Well, then. Let's get the others and get something to eat. Then we'll discuss this."

Soon, Merina, Moon Shadow, and even Sakura, who had recovered enough to come down, had assembled at the table for breakfast. Sakura fiddled with the necklace that was also the Millennium Crossbow a bit before turning to Yugi. "You know, I got quite a surprise this morning when I saw the Crossbow. Did you leave it for me to find?"

Yugi grinned. "Sure did."

"Arigatou, Yugi. And to you two as well, Yami and Moon Shadow. Thanks for everything." She let her eyes wander over to Ryou for a moment, smiling.

Come on, Sakura. Tell him! Caru begged.

You know you want to, Cala added.

No way! Not in front of everyone! You two are crazy if you think I'm going to embarrass myself like that!

Moon Shadow had been watching Sakura seemingly have a battle with her darks. She is never going to tell him, she moaned out to Luna.

You have room to talk, hikari, Luna said wisely. You, who have a secret crush on a certain master duelist and have yet to say one word to him about it.

But –

But nothing. If you want to be a hypocrite on the subject, that is your loss. Who knows, maybe Yugi returns your feelings. You will never know until you try. Why do you not reveal your feelings to the boy and be done with it?

You have no idea, do you Luna? It would be a total humiliation to say something in front of the group. And even worse if he doesn't return my feelings.

Hmph. Well, I will tell you this much, hikari. If you do not say something soon, I will take over and say something for you.

Meanwhile, Sakura was getting a similar threat…from Caru.

I am SO going to tell him for you if you do not tell him right now! she threatened.

Oh no you don't! Don't you dare, Caru!

Caru grinned. Watch me! Just then Sakura got pulled into her soul room as Caru took over. She looked over at Ryou. "Hey Ryou, can I talk to you over there for a moment…alone?" She gave him a seductive smile, causing Ryou to blink in surprise.

"…Um…okay." He followed her out of the room. "Okay…so you wanted to talk to me, Sakura?"

DON'T YOU DARE, CARU! Sakura cried out through their link.

"Ryou, I have a confession to make, and I want you to hear me out before you say anything, okay?" Ryou nodded, urging her to continue. "I…I have had the biggest crush on you for the longest time. I know it sounds silly for me to say it now, but I just couldn't hold back any longer."

I can't believe you just did that!

Hush. I am on a roll, here.

Ryou's eyes grew wide. "You…you have a crush on me? As in…that kind of crush…?" Caru nodded, smiling over at him happily. "Well…this is…sudden, and…why tell me now?"

"I wanted to tell you before you went to Egypt. That way you could give me a response when you get back."

There was a moment of silence. "Yes, I think I will take that time to think about this. I never knew you felt that way, Sakura. I think when I get back, I'll be able to have sorted out my own feelings. Is that okay?"

"Sure thing! Just let me know how you feel after you return. But…I want to give you something to help you out." She leaned forward and just as she was about to give him a kiss, she pushed Sakura back into control, the shock of it causing Sakura to lean forward, her lips meeting Ryous's. They both blinked in surprise, then parted.

"Um…thanks. I'll think about it. Right now we need to get back to breakfast before everyone wonders what happened to us."

I am going to kill you!

Too late! I am already dead, aibou!

GRR!!! She went back into the kitchen, blushing furiously.

Oh, my gods! Caru took over! Did you – Just then Moon Shadow got pushed into her soul room. NO YOU DON'T! Let me out of here, Luna!

No way! It worked for her, it will work for you. Trust me. With that she got up from the table and went over to where Yugi was sitting. "Yugi, we must talk for a moment."

"Right. Okay." Yugi got up and followed Moon Shadow (or who he thought was Moon Shadow) into the living room.

"Yugi, if I do not say this now, I doubt I will ever have the courage to say it. I have feelings for you that go beyond mere friendship. I know this is a sudden thing," she added, noting Yugi's surprised reaction, "but I cannot contain my feelings for another moment or they shall consume me. I need to know how you feel, but I don't need to know right now. Think about it for a while. Then we can talk about it some more."

Okay, you did not just do that, Moon Shadow said.

Shush. I am doing this for your own good. You can pick it up from here, I trust?

Huh?! Just then Moon Shadow was thrown back into her body. She looked over at Yugi, who was blinking in surprise, having been rendered speechless by what was said. Yami appeared from the Puzzle.

"Are those your true feelings, Moon Shadow? Or was Luna speaking falsehoods?" he asked.

Moon Shadow blushed furiously, suddenly finding the ground quite interesting. "Well, my pharaoh…" She looked up, meeting Yugi's eyes. "Yes. They are. I really care for Yugi. But I wanted to wait to see how he felt first. I did not expect Luna to take the initiative like that. I do not want to cause you any distress, Yugi."

Yugi shook his head. "You didn't. It's just that…I wasn't expecting it, that's all. I want to think about this some more, and talk to you about it later on, okay?" Moon Shadow nodded eagerly.

Yugi laughed. "Don't get too mad at Luna, though. She knew your feelings and wanted to help. Besides, it was kind of funny, when you think about it. And you know something else?" He paused. "I think Caru did the same thing Luna did. Did you see the look on Sakura and Ryou's face when they came back into the room?"

Moon Shadow and Yugi laughed. "Well, we should go back in there, yes?" Yugi nodded and they went to join their friends.

…Later…

Joy and Ryou were heading out to Joy's car, ready for their quick trip to Egypt. "We should be back tomorrow if all goes well," Joy said.

"That's fine, just be careful," Merina advised.

"I will," Joy assured her, giving her friend a quick hug before getting into the car. Ryou was already in the passenger seat. "We'll be back as soon as possible. See you later, everyone!" They all waved as the car pulled out of the driveway and headed off toward the airport.

The trip to the airport was uneventful. The two friends barely spoke, both lost in their own thoughts. At the airport, they found their gate and boarded the plane, settling into their seats just as the plane was taking off.

"The flight to Egypt is going to take several hours. What do you want to do during the flight? Catch a nap? Or play go fish or something?"

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you?" Ryou suggested, feeling a blush come over him again.

"Sure. What's up, Ryou?"

"Well, At breakfast, Sakura…she said she had a crush on me and wants to be more than friends. Did you know about it?"

Joy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I had my suspicions, but I wasn't sure. She does look at you in that 'more than a friend' way. I am surprised she came out with it, but I think Cala and Caru had something to do with it."

Ryou frowned, taking in Joy's words. "Do you think they took over and said those things?"

"Possibly. I wouldn't put it past them."

"So do you think she really feels that way?"

"What do you think, Ryou?" Joy asked.

Ryou paused. "I think she does. Cala and Caru wouldn't have made those things up. I think she has feelings for me. But, I've never had anyone tell me that before."

"Well, how do you feel about it? What are your feelings about her?" Joy asked.

"I'm not sure. I guess I need to sort out some of my feelings, and then make a judgment on that." Joy nodded knowingly. Ryou turned to her. "How about you?"

Joy blinked. "What do you mean?"

Ryou laughed. "Oh, come on, Joy. We all know you are head over heels for Kaiba."

"What?! I…um….that is…" Joy blushed. "I suppose I am."

Ryou smiled. "So, when are you going to tell him how you feel?"

"I don't know. I mean, what if he doesn't feel the same way? I mean, we are talking about Seto Kaiba here." She ended the statement with a laugh.

"Oh, I don't know. You might be surprised. He was really worried about you when you were hurt. He had a private doctor take a look at you, and sat by your bed and he even held your hand and talked to you when you were out. And what he said was very suggestive."

"Really?"

Ryou nodded. "Merina heard it all and she told me last night. I think he might feel the same for you as you feel for him. Just take a chance. Talk to him."

He is right, you know.

Even if he was, and I'm saying that he is, we have more important things to do. And I have plenty of time to talk to Seto Kaiba after we get back.

Well, you better talk to him, aibou. Do not force me to take a page out of Luna and Caru's book and take matters into my own hands…

Joy mentally glared. I don't think so, Katilli. I will talk to him on my own. I don't need that kind of embarrassment.

Katilli chuckled. Very well, aibou. Whatever you say.

…However long it takes to get from Japan to Egypt…

"Finally here, Ryou. Now, let's put that Ring of yours to good use and find Shadi and the last two Items," Joy said as they exited the airport in Cairo.

Ryou nodded, then closed his eyes, concentrating for a moment. Then, the spindles on the Ring leaped upright, pointing straight ahead. "There," Ryou said, opening his eyes. "Straight on ahead. Let's go. Vargon may already be here."

Joy nodded in agreement. I just hope we can get Shadi to part with those Items.

You leave that to us darks, aibou. I think we can handle it.

Joy: Hehe. I am so evil. Two confessions and an airplane ride later, this chapter is done! And it was WAY longer than the last few have been. The next few chapters are going to be Katilli and Bakura, starting with the walk through Egypt as their lights go in search for Shadi.

Chapter 30 will be called… 'Remembering'. And I will go ahead and tell you that chapter 31 already has a title – 'The Princess of Egypt'. Okay, that will quench your thirst for more, I think. ;o)

Okay, that's it for now. Review and I'll see you all next time.