Tana: Hi I'm back! Finally, after over two months! Sorry to keep everyone waiting so long, writer's block combined with schoolwork and work experience is horrible. I hope the chapter doesn't seem too rushed or anything.

But, before the chapter, here are the review responses:

AnimeCrazy88: Yay, another reviewer! gives you cake So happy you like my story!

Black Shadowed Rose Yami Fan: HERE'S YOUR UPDATE!

Cheeky-Eyes: Yep, I'm back. It's not so non-yay, I kinda like school, most of the time. No guesses? sigh oh well, you can find out REAL soon!

Phoenixangel11:Another reviewer! also gives you cake You're the only one who gave a guess, yay! The Shadow Pendant or the Millennium Puzzle...hmmm.

Acesgirl22: New reviewer! gives you cake also Thaks for reviewing. Enjoy the chapter.

Darkrosemoon: Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I fixed it. Though I didn't know 'tkae' was spelled that way. - just had to say that.

NOW ON WITH THE CHAPTER!

Chapter 9 Reunions

The magic card was now at eye level.

"Mystical Space Typhoon," Soraya whispered and grinned when the card started to glow. This was the strongest connection she had forged with the cards so far. The sound of chains clinking rustled through the room as the air blew about.

When the winds died down, Yugi found that his chains had faded away. "Hey, you did it!" he exclaimed, moving away from the wall and turned to face Soraya. "Almost."

"Yeah, can you give me hand?" Soraya asked. She was still tied to the wall, although the chains were a great deal looser than they had been in the first place.

"Okay," Yugi smirked. "I'll give you a hand." He brought his hands together and 'gave her a hand'. Clap, clap, clap.

"Haha, I'm dying of laughter," Soraya said sardonically. "Seriously, can you please help me out of these things?"

"Alright," Yugi said, laughing as he walked over.

Moments later, Soraya and Yugi stood facing the closed door as the pile of chains lay empty on the ground behind them.

"You think the door's open?" Yugi asked.

"One way to find out," Soraya said, and stepped forward.

WHHAMMM!

"It's open," Soraya said in a small voice.

"Yugi! Soraya!"

Next thing they knew, Soraya and Yugi's airways were blocked and the air squashed out of them by the intense hugs Kaiyuki and Yami were giving them.

"Can't breathe," Yugi choked. They were quickly released.

"Are you both okay?" Kaiyuki asked worriedly.

"Yeah, we're fine," Soraya replied, inhaling deeply.

"That's good," Yami said, very much relieved and still holding onto Yugi's shoulder. "Let's get out of this room then."

Soraya looked around at the room where she and Yugi had stayed in for the past several hours. "Where are we?"

Chuckling softly, the darks gestured toward the door. Yugi and Soraya exchanged a glance before following them out the room. They walked into a hallway that looked curiously familiar.

"We're in someone's house. In Domino," Yugi said, looking out a window. He turned to through a window in one of the rooms. "Hey, there's Grandpa's Game Shop!"

"So it is," Soraya said, turning to see as well. "Wait…" she felt a strange jolt as she realized something else about the room they were looking at. "That's my room!"

"Hmm," Kaiyuki's voice came from behind them. "An Illusion Spell, clever."

Yugi and Soraya spun around to look at the room they had come out of. Before their eyes, they could see the chain whither away into nothing, the stone disappearing as tile replaced them. The counter, toilet and bathtub materialize out of the walls.

"The bathroom," Soraya said, gawking at the room. "We were in my bathroom!"

"Yes, it appears so. Akiro had chosen her hiding place well," Kaiyuki said laughing softly.

"That's…weird," Yugi said. "Did anyone realize we were missing?"

"Not yet, you've only been gone for a few hours," Yami said, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Though if we don't hurry, you'll be late for dinner, Yugi."

Right on cue, Grandpa's voice floated through the window. "Yugi! Where are you? It's time for dinner!"

"Just on time," Yugi said, grinning.

…Next day…

It was lunchtime. Soraya was sitting at one of the tables in the cafeteria, reading a book as she ate her lunch, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive.

"Hello, may I sit here?" a voice said in front of her.

Soraya looked up to see a white-haired boy with brown eyes and a gentle expression. "Go ahead."

The boy sat down. "Hey, you're in my math class, aren't you," the boy said. "You're the new girl."

"I already been here for a couple of weeks," Soraya said, and tilted her head forward in a small bow. "My name's Soraya Reikado."

"I am Ryou Bakura," Ryou said, returning the bow. "Nice to meet you, Soraya-san."

"Nice to meet you as well Ryou-san," Soraya replied. "'Soraya' is just fine with me."

"Then you can call me 'Ryou.'"

"Okay!" Soraya said, clapping her hands together. "Formalities done. How are you, Ryou?"

Ryou laughed. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm alright."

Soraya! Kaiyuki cried suddenly.

What's wrong, Kaiyuki?

Ryou!

What about him?

Look at what he is wearing around his neck!

Soraya looked. And saw the ring of gold. The five golden points hanging off the lower half. The triangle with the Millennium Symbol in the center. All of it hanging from a cord around Ryou's neck.

That's a Millennium Item! Soraya exclaimed.

Yes, Soraya, that is the Millennium Ring.

Soraya froze, startled. After all, people who decided to sit and eat lunch with you don't usually have Millennium Items hanging around their necks.

Yugi, of course, was the exception.

The spirit that resides within it is a total asshole. Kaiyuki continued.

He really that bad?

No, worse.

Do you think Ryou knows about this "worse than a total asshole"? Soraya asked.

I do not know. Why don't you find out?

"Do you duel?" Soraya asked, continuing the conversation.

"I do. I remember Yugi telling me that you're a really good duelist," Ryou replied.

"Arigatou. You're friends with Yugi, then," Soraya said.

"Yugi and I…know each other," Ryou said slightly uncomfortably.

"So you and Yugi aren't exactly friends with each other?"

"Oh, I'm friends with Yugi, it's just that…" Ryou trailed off to drink deeply from his cup.

"The spirit of the Ring is an enemy of the Pharaoh, isn't he?"

Ryou choked. Soraya flattened herself along the table bench to avoid getting sprayed with orange juice. With pulp.

"Nani!" Ryou coughed, recovering himself.

"That is the Millennium Ring, isn't it?" Soraya asked, pointing at the Item. "The spirit in it lived in Ancient Egypt 5000 years ago, right?"

Soraya retained eye contact as Ryou stared at her, studying her. Then, in a blink of an eye, he changed. His eyes darkened and narrowed; the puzzled frown became a scowl. The aura that the spirit of the Ring gave off was dark and menacing, much different from the gentle and friendly one Ryou offered.

Soraya, Kaiyuki said. Meet the spirit of the Ring, Bakura.

Friendly person, isn't he?

Oh yes, very friendly. Kaiyuki said dryly.

"Who are you?" Bakura demanded, glaring at her.

"I am Soraya Reikado,"

"You know what I mean, girl," Bakura snarled. "Answer my question properly before I send you to the Shadow Realm."

Soraya, may I take control for a few moments? I would like a few words with Bakura. Kaiyuki asked.

Okay, go ahead.

Suddenly, Soraya found herself in a room she had never seen before, but immediately felt familiar and comfortable with the place.

A very strange room it was. A stream ran through the middle, stretching from one corner to the one opposite. The soft, rushing sound of the water floated in the air. Where the stream flowed from, Soraya had no idea. Several trees grew on the far side of the stream, their tops reaching the sky-like ceiling which light poured down from.

On the other side of the river, however, where Soraya was standing, the setting was different. It was like a family den. A merry fire crackled in the fireplace and a large pile of big, comfortable looking cushions lay in a corner. A bookshelf stood by a wall, several things were scattered on the ground.

And then, from nowhere, "Ah, the Pharaoh's little sister. I should have known it was you, Princess Kaiyuki." Bakura's mocking voice sound rather faint, as if he were speaking from a little way off.

Kaiyuki, where am I?

In your soulroom. When two souls share a body, the soul that is not in control stays in his or her soulroom, a place that represents the personality of his or her soul.

So I would have to stay in here? How would I be able to get out?

It is literally as easy as opening and closing a door. If you wanted to take get out, open the door and step back in control. If you wanted to take a break from being in control, will the door to close and I will take over. A window would be nearby so you could see what was going on.

Soraya turned around. Sure enough, there was the door Kaiyuki had mentioned, and there was also a window. She walked up to the window; she would explore her soulroom later.

Whoa…

Interesting, is it not?

Wow.

The soulroom had disappeared around her and Soraya appeared in spirit form beside Kaiyuki.

Can anyone see me?

Most cannot.

Bakura's eyes narrowed maliciously as his gaze landed on Soraya. Obviously, he could see her. "So this is your reincarnate," Bakura sneered. "She would do well to learn her manners better."

"I feel that my hikari knows her manners quite well, Tomb Robber," Kaiyuki retorted. "You dare hurt her and I'll make sure you'll regret it."

You two really didn't like each other back then, didn't you? Soraya asked.

Not at all.

"You? Make me regret hurting that little girl?" Bakura smirked. "I highly doubt that."

"Try me." Kaiyuki challenged.

"So I will." Bakura replied, the Ring shimmering as magic energy began to radiate from his raised hand. Kaiyuki glared at the other spirit began to cast her own spell.

Alarmed, Soraya stepped backwards and was instantly back in her soulroom. She rushed toward the door and yanked it open, taking control again. With relief, she saw that Ryou had done the same thing.

Hey, I was just about to humiliate the little roba ana, Kaiyuki said huffily.

You've been watching too many JoeyandKaiba wars, Soraya replied.

It is because you are always there when they happen. I have picked up words and phrases from those two that were almost unheard of back in Ancient Egypt.

I don't know, I have a feeling that you heard them from some people in particular. From Ryou's expression, Bakura was just as displeased as Kaiyuki was at being interrupted and was using very colourful words to describe his thoughts.

Correct. That is why I said "almost." Can't I go kick his ass?

You two need to be more civil with each other in public.

Over my dead body.

Sorry if I seem rude, but you're already dead.

…and the bickering continues…

"Sorry, Kaiyuki's usually not so hostile," Soraya said a few moments later when Kaiyuki and Bakura had finished venting and pouting, or as they put it, expressing their displeasure.

"It's alright, Bakura is usually more hostile," Ryou replied.

"Hi everyone," Yugi appeared beside Soraya and sat down. "Who's hostile?"

"Bakura," Soraya said. "He and Kaiyuki were having a 'friendly reunion' before you came."

"Oh, so you met Bakura. What do you think of him?" Yugi asked.

"Asshole," Soraya said simply.

Yami appeared in spirit form beside Yugi. "Good observation, Soraya," he said, grinning.

Bakura also appeared beside Ryou. "That is only the opinion of one little girl, Pharaoh," he scowled, spitting the title as if it were the worse insult one could give.

"That little girl has a name, Tomb Robber," Yami shot back in the same manner. Everyone else sighed. Some things will never change.

…after school…

"Hello, may I visit a patient named Samuel Reikado?"

"Yes, he is in room A14. Your name?" the clerk at the info desk asked.

"Soraya Reikado. I'm his younger sister."

"Ah, yes. A14 is up those stairs and to the right."

"Arigatou."

Soraya walked through the halls of Kame Hospital looking for room A14. …A10…A11…A12…here it is, A14. Eagerly, Soraya knocked. She hadn't seen her brother since she left the orphanage about a week ago.

"Come in," a voice said from inside the room. Soraya pushed open the door and walked in. On the bed sat an 18 year old boy with rather messy chestnut hair and green eyes that lit up when he saw who it was. "Well look who it is," he said while grinning widely. "Long time no see, little sister."

Soraya walked up to the bed and gave her brother a hug. "Great to see you too, Sam. How the pneumonia?"

"Practically nonexistent!" Sam exclaimed vehemently. "And yet all the doctors back at the orphanage keep insisting on all their check-ups and other hospital stuff. And here it's -" right here, Sam was stopped by a small coughing fit. "-the same," he finished when he recovered.

"It's almost better though, right?" Soraya asked, repressing a small smile.

"It is better," Sam sighed, sinking into his pillow and looking out the window. "I'm just sick of lying in bed all the time."

They gazed out the window for a few moments before Sam regained his energetic vigour once more. "So enough about me, what's happened to you over the past week, Soraya?"

"Oh, quite a bit," Soraya mused.

Understatement, Kaiyuki said with a smirk.

Oh yes, it is, Soraya agreed. Out loud, she said, "What with moving back into Mom and Dad's house, unpacking – you have too many socks, by the way. You're unpacking the rest of your things – normal moving-to-new-place stuff, new school, meeting new people."

"Like who?"

My past self. "Well, I dueled Yugi Motou," Soraya said.

"Really? What happened?" Sam asked, interested.

"Yugi won. He got two direct attacks in with Dark Magician and Celtic Guardian," Soraya said.

"You two good friends?"

"Well, yes," Soraya said vaguely. "We've got things in common."

"Aww, how sweet," Sam drawled teasingly.

"Ha, ha, very funny," Soraya retorted. "Even if there was something going on, you'd go into your stubborn mindset and chase him into the next galaxy, wouldn't you?"

"Yep!" Sam replied proudly. Soraya rolled her eyes and laughed.

They laughed and joked around for a few more moments before the nurse came in. "Okay, time for your medicine," she said cheerfully, putting the small cup of medication and a glass of water on the bedside table."

Sam grumbled. "That stuff always makes me go to sleep." But he downed the capsule and water all the same.

"It's not the medicine that makes to go to sleep," the nurse said good-naturedly. "The medicine makes you feel drowsy, and it's the drowsiness that makes you go to sleep."

Soraya chuckled at the exasperated look on Sam's face.

"Besides," the nurse continued. " It's when you're asleep that's the hospital is peaceful."

"Sa-am," Soraya teased. "Have you been frightening all the little people again?"

"When have I ever frightened all the little people?" Sam asked innocently. "They love it when I come through their window."

"Why this time?"

"I learned how to do more magic tricks," Sam said.

Soraya grinned. "Like what?"

"Like this one," Sam said, taking a pack of cards from the table. Spreading the cards across the bedspread, he successfully performed his trick.

(AN: you choose the trick he does, I don't know enough to write about any. I know about one trick. If anyone knows any simple ones I can try, please tell me. I'd like to learn. Now, on with the story.)

"Pretty impressive," the nurse said when he had finished. "Now if you could do your magic tricks when the kids are not supposed to be in bed and asleep, I'd like to see some more."

"Then here you are," Soraya said, gathering up the cards. "I learned how to do this one a couple of days ago." She started laying out the cards.

"Wait, isn't this the first one we learned?" Sam inquired when Soraya had almost finished. "Isn't the card on the top?"

"Oh is it?" Soraya asked. With a small smile, she showed the top card to the nurse, who smiled as well.

"What? May see that?" Soraya handed Sam the cards. He looked through the cards; the confused look on his face became a bewildered one when he came to the end of the deck.

"Our card was the three of spades, right?" he asked. Soraya nodded. Sam looked through the cards again.

Not there.

Sam counted them.

52. None were missing, and 'magically,' there were no duplicates.

"Okay, where is it?" Sam finally asked, exasperated. Soraya reached over and turned the deck over so the bottom card could be seen.

"Right here," she said.

And there it was, the three of spades.

"How the hell did you do that!" Sam asked, dumbfounded. Soraya and the nurse laughed at his astonishment.

"Magic," Soraya said simply, grinning.

Kaiyuki chuckled. You are very aware that he will not believe you, aren't you?

Of course he won't.

"Come on, there's no such thing as magic," Sam retorted.

"Really," Soraya replied, as Kaiyuki sighed melodramatically. "Then how do you explain this?" Soraya gestured at the cards in Sam's hand.

"You can't do actual magic," Sam said disbelievingly, staring at the cards.

"You don't believe me?" Soraya sighed, mock pouting. "I'm hurt."

"How did you do that?" the nurse asked.

"Aww, but saying it was just a trick would take all the fun out of watching Sam be all frustrated and all," Soraya said.

"You're lucky I'm hospital-ridden right now. If I weren't, I would…" Sam paused for a moment. "…have no idea what I am going to do to you," he finished finally, slightly downcast.

"Don't worry about it to much. You'll find out soon…" Soraya assured him. "…er or later."

Sam threw his pillow at her.

"Cheer up," the nurse said. "According to the doctor, you'll be able to leave in a couple of days. Then you'll be able to wreck revenge and havoc upon your little magician here."

Sam perked up at the news. "You better watch your back then, Soraya."

"I'm so scared," Soraya said mockingly.

By now, Sam was starting to feel drowsy. "We'll finish this next time, Soraya," he muttered. "We'll see if that was actually real magic."

"Alright," Soraya said, turning away. "Good luck."

"Hey, give me back my pillow," Sam growled.

"You mean this pillow?" Soraya asked, holding out the pillow in her arms.

"Yes, that pillow."

"Okay." Soraya threw it back. "Sleep tight."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He is probably going to spend quite a long time trying to figure out that trick you did, Kaiyuki said as Soraya walked down the hospital hallways.

Yeah, he probably is, Soraya agreed. Do you think I should have used one that wasn't actually magic?

Then why didn't you?

Because he knows all of them.

The two of you have a strange relationship.

And Yami and you do not?

Hmm, I guess you're right.

As Soraya walked, one of the doors ahead opened, and two people came out.

"Hi Soraya," Mokuba Kaiba greeted, catching sight of her. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello Mokuba, Kaiba," Soraya greeted back, nodding to Kaiba in response to his nod of greeting. "I was just visiting my brother." Soraya had met Mokuba on a few occasions before and had already become friends with him.

"You have a brother?" Mokuba exclaimed. "Can I meet him?"

"Yes, I have a brother," Soraya replied. "But he's sleeping right now."

Soraya and Mokuba chatted on with Kaiba adding a occasional comment now and then while the three of them made their way toward the exit. When they reached the door, Mokuba went forward and opened it for the others to go through.

"Arigatou," Soraya said, walking forward.

Bang!

"Hey!" Soraya toppled backward as if she had walked into a wall. Getting back up, she reached out toward the doorway. There was a wall there, she could feel the air ripple underneath her fingers.

Oh crap, not now. Soraya thought. "Mokuba, if you can, get back in here now."

Bewildered, Mokuba moved to comply. But when he stepped into the doorway, a short burst of light flashed and Mokuba was thrown back, landing hard several feet away.

"MOKUBA!" Kaiba yelled. He rushed forward and he too, was thrown back by the field surrounding the door. "What is going on?" he asked though gritted teeth.

"If I knew," Soraya retorted. "Do you think it would be happening?"

Mocking laughter rang through air. Soraya's eyes narrowed as the all too familiar form of Akiro appeared behind Mokuba.

"Mokuba! Get out of the way!" Soraya shouted before Kaiyuki took over.

Hey!

Don't worry, Soraya. This is my responsibility.

"Oh look who we have here, the priest's little bother," Akiro drawled, hooking her staff around Mokuba's torso. "What fun."

"Leave him alone!" Kaiba growled, smashing a fist into the field, which relentlessly stayed intact.

"And what if I don't want to?" Akiro mocked. "What do you plan to do about it?"

"Kaiba, move out of the way," Kaiyuki held out her hand and the crescent moon staff appeared. Kaiba's eyes widened.

"Yes, it's real," Kaiyuki said shortly and swung the staff into the doorway. Cracks spiderwebbed outward from where she had struck, and the field disintegrated like a glass pane shattering.

Stepping through the door at last, Kaiyuki held the staff ready. "Let him go."

Akiro's smirk widened as she pulled Mokuba closer to her.

Narrowing her eyes, Kaiyuki turned to Kaiba. "Lend me your Blue Eyes White Dragon."

Kaiba pulled out the card but did not hand it over. "Who are you. You're not Soraya," he said.

"Observant, I am not Soraya," Kaiyuki replied. "Now let me summon the dragon so we can save your brother already!" Kaiba handed it over.

"Going to summon your little monsters to do your fighting for you," Akiro said scornfully. "How pathetic, can't fight for ourselves, can we?"

Of course, there was nothing little about Blue Eyes, but wasn't going to help any. Kaiyuki stepped forward, her staff blazing. "You know quite well that isn't true. I could blast you into the next millennium if I wanted to."

"You would be hitting – what do you call him? Oh yes, Mokuba – if you attacked."

"So be it."

"What! NO!" Kaiba yelled, rushing forward. Too late, a great beam of energy spiraled toward Akiro - and Mokuba.

"Are you crazy!" Kaiba raged, rounding on Kaiyuki. "You imbecile! Mokuba could be killed!"

"Mokuba will be fine," Kaiyuki replied calmly. "Look."

Mastering the urge to decapitate the sorceress with his bare hands, Kaiba turned around. Muscles tense, he watched as the blast shot toward Mokuba – and passed through him. Akiro disappeared before the attack could hit its intended target, and reappeared a few feet away.

Wary, Mokuba ran toward the others before Akiro could do anything else.

"Well that's quite enough fun for now," Akiro said, fixing her malicious gaze on the two brothers. "Until next time." And with that, she faded away.

"Now tell me, what the hell just happened." Kaiba demanded, glaring at Kaiyuki.

Sighing, Kaiyuki handed Kaiba the Blue Eyes White Dragon card. "Follow me. Two more people have to be present before I can explain anything to you." And with that, she turned and walked away.

Tana: Yay, Chapter 9 is finally done! NowKaiba and Mokuba are in action!Hopefully Chapter 10 will be up soon (as in less than a month). But until then, bye!