Joy: Here comes the next chapter! Now you find out what happened and how Katilli got Yami back. Thanks to all who reviewed! Everyone is waiting for Katilli's explanation, so here it is!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

"So, how did you get the Puzzle back?" Ryou asked as they all sat down to wait for the doctor to get done. Katilli had the Puzzle resting in her lap.

"It has been quite an evening. When I left you all, I went directly to the Castle of Evil…"

…Flashback…

"Akujin!"

A voice could be heard from the roof of the castle. "Well, well. Houyoku. I would have thought that you would be off hiding with you precious dark by now. Why are you here…alone nonetheless."

"I would never hide from you, Akujin! I have thought about it and have decided to join you willingly."

There was a pause before the gates to the castle swung open. Katilli stepped inside. An instant later, Akujin appeared. "So…you were saying?" he asked.

"I have decided I like the thought of world domination a lot better than friendship," Katilli said, stepping closer.

"And for that I would make you very happy," Akujin said with a sneer.

It was then that Katilli noticed a golden object around the madman's neck. He's wearing the Puzzle. And he has totally fallen for my ruse. He must have a brain the size of a grain of sand. This should not be too hard at all. Katilli got even closer, trying her hardest not to become sick from the proximity of their bodies. Akujin leaned over to kiss her neck. (AN: Had to cut in here – YUCK!!!) Katilli wrapped her arms around his neck, but while she did that, her fingers locked onto the Millennium Puzzle. When Akujin moved away and stepped back, Katilli pulled the Puzzle over his head.

"Ha! Got it!" Akujin's eyes narrowed in anger. "Aww…whatever is wrong, Akujin? Disappointed because you lost, or that I am not really Joy Houyoku?"

"Mark my words, foolish woman – I WILL have my revenge!"

Katilli didn't stick around for Akujin to see vengeance. She quickly fled the castle and summed her Red-Eyes for a quick getaway. Akujin was right behind her on another dragon. He fired a skillfully aimed blast right at her, hitting her in the back of the shoulder and causing her to cry out in pain. But she continued to escape the villain and soon she and the Red-Eyes had evaded him completely. A few moments later, the Red-Eyes landed at the Castle of Rebirth. As soon as she stepped off the dragon, Katilli collapsed.

Slowly Katilli regained consciousness. The first thing she saw was Yami's relieved face staring back down at hers.

"Yami?"

Yami nodded. "Yes. Thank goodness you are all right. You worried me when you passed out. It is good that your Red-Eyes was able to get you here quickly. The wound was serious, but nothing your Mystical Elf could not deal with."

Katilli sat up with Yami's help. "We're at the Castle of Rebirth, then?" Yami nodded. "Thank Ra we made it! But, how long have I been out?" she asked.

"Several hours. Joy and the others will be wondering about us if we do not return soon. Yugi is all right, is he not?"

"Oh, yes. I am having Sorcerer and the other darks look after our lights. There is so much to tell you, my brother."

Yami put his hand up. "Do not worry about it. The duel monsters have already told me the story of Joy and the others and their escape. And about our new ally as well. I believe her name is Reila?"

"Yes. I am glad they told you. It saves a lot of time. Now, we have to get back to the mortal realm. Are you ready, Yami?"

Yami nodded. "As long as you are not still in pain, sister."

"I am fine." With that said, the two darks thanked the monsters and bid them goodbye as they vanished back to the mortal realm.

…End Flashback…

"And the rest you know."

"Where is Yami now? In the Puzzle?" Kira asked. Katilli nodded.

"I will return this to Yugi when the doctor is finished."

…Later…

Katilli sat the Puzzle next to Yugi's bedside. The doctor had told them that the two teens would be all right after a day of rest. He suggested that they just lounge around for the day and to not do anything too strenuous until they feel one hundred percent again.

Yami appeared in spirit form when Katilli sat the Puzzle down. "I will watch over Yugi now. You should see to Joy." Katilli agreed and went to Joy's room, where Seto was already sitting by her bed.

"Kaiba, I suppose there is no way to get you to take some time to sleep, then?" Katilli asked. Seto raised an eyebrow. "I had to ask."

"No thanks. I am going to be in the room until she is awake. Then I have to get to Kaiba Corp. and get some work done."

Katilli shook her head. "Kaiba, do you ever sleep?"

"Not if I can help it."

Meanwhile, Yugi was already waking up. He blinked several times to clear his vision. There was someone standing over him, but it was a few seconds before he recognized who it was. "Yami! You're back!" Yami gave him a soft smile and pulled himself into a physical form in time for Yugi to leap up and give Yami a hug. "I'm glad you're okay, Yami. I was worried."

"I am sorry to have worried you, aibou. But all is well now."

Yugi suddenly looked worried. "But Joy –"

"She is fine, thanks to you. You saved her life, Yugi."

"How was Katilli able to get you back, Yami? Tell me everything that has happened."

Yami smiled at Yugi's excitement. "All right. I will tell you what happened. We have some time."

Katilli was so relieved when Joy awakened. They talked for a while, but Joy was still a bit tired, so Katilli returned to her soul room and Joy got some sleep, her mind at ease by her dark's return. A while later, despite everything, Seto also fell asleep in his chair by the bed.

…That afternoon…

Joy and Yugi were feeling much better when they got some more sleep. Seto went to work at Kaiba Corp. after making sure Joy was going to be all right. Everyone had lunch and were just settling down to relax in front of the TV when Joy's cell phone rang.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Joy, it's your father. How are you doing, princess?"

"Fine, though I have had quite a day. Do you need me?"

"With all the chaos of the last twenty four hours, there are some things that I need to sort out, so for now, I don't think there is an immediate need for you to rush over, though there is something I need you to do."

"Of course! Name it!"

Steven laughed. "Your enthusiasm is uplifting, dear. I am having a press conference in three days and I need you to write me up a short speech, sort of like a statement explaining the events at the ball and my purpose in coming to Domino. I also expect you to be present at the conference. Okay?"

"Absolutely! I'll get right on it!"

"Don't rush or it will not be your best work. Also make sure you are back at the hotel by midnight. In honesty, I have been concerned about you and would like to talk to you about some things. Agreed?"

"Yes, daddy."

"Good. Till then you have a clean plate. See you tonight, Joy."

"Right. See you then. Bye dad." Joy hung up and filled them in on what she had to do. Then the group relaxed with a good movie. (AN: Insert favorite movie here. :-) ) After the movie, Yugi said he had to go back to the Game Shop. Ryou decided to get home, too, so he could get some dinner. Kira said she was staying in a hotel just a few short blocks from the Game Shop, so she walked home with Yugi.

Joy bid her friends goodbye and said she was going to stick around Kaiba Manor for a few more hours. Her and Mokuba chatted and play video games, all the while Joy was trying to clear her mind enough to perform her dad's assignment.

…That evening…

"Well, I gotta get back to the hotel. Tell Kaiba I'll be online so we can talk, okay, Mokuba?"

"Gotcha!"

Joy smiled, thanked him, and then headed off. In about twenty minutes, she pulled into the hotel parking lot. She headed to the desk, where there was a message from her father saying that if she got there before him that he would be back before it got too late. Joy went up to her room and took out her notebook to free write. She often did that before she began any writing assignment for her dad.

After that, she went to the desk where her laptop rested and began to type. A few moments later, she received a notice that Seto was online.

- Hey, Kaiba! –

/ Hey. Why did you leave so early? Mokuba told me you said you didn't have to leave till late tonight. /

- I know, but I needed to get back to think. I am trying to work on my father's speech for the press conference in a few days. I don't want to wait till the last minute. –

/ But you shouldn't overdo it./

- I'm not. I'm just trying to work. And look who's talking, Mr. CEO! –

/ Yeah, well, I didn't get stabbed by an ancient sword, either. /

- Well, I'm still ticking, so it wasn't so bad. –

Just then Joy heard the door open. She turned and her father greeted her. "Hey, dad. Hold on a moment. I'm talking to someone."

"Oh? And who would that be?" Steven leans forward and looks over his daughter's shoulder. "Seto Kaiba, eh? Well, go on and talk. When you're done, I'll be in my room. There are some things I want to talk to you about."

"Okay, dad. I'll be there in just a few minutes." Steven left the room and Joy turned back to the computer, where there was a new instant message.

/ You should not brush it off like that, Houyoku. /

- Aww…worried about me? That's so sweet. –

/ Houyoku, if you recall, I have already discussed my feelings with you. Which I have yet to hear a response for, might I add. I'm curious as to how you feel about me. /

- Well…I would love to respond. How about I go over to Kaiba Corp tomorrow? We can eat lunch together or something. –

/ …All right. Be here at noon and it's a deal. /

- Good. See ya then. I gotta go talk to dad. –

/ Goodbye. /

Joy: Long chapter!! YEAH! Next chapter is gonna be up as soon as I can! It's called…let me see… 'Phone Tag'! Till then, review and see you later!