Ashes doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Prologue

"Seto-sama, I realize this isn't something that you want to do, but I don't see what option you think there is, short of selling the company and cutting your losses while you can still get away with some money."

The sun was setting over Domino, and the more Kaiba thought about it, seemed as though it was setting on his company as well. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and twirling his chair to face his office window, away from his advisor – the eldest of two, both of which had been contributing to his growing headache since eight A.M., and that didn't take into account the verbal lashing he'd received from this public relations agent, either; apparently people didn't pay nearly as much attention to a CEO who helped kids when he could have been of hanging out of helicopters. "Seiji, I realize that advising is your job, but it seems that as you've gotten older your advice has been lacking."

The older man huffed, snappish as he said, "You are not the only gaming company, Seto-sama. Something needs to happen to make this company higher in consumer opinion, or you can kiss it goodbye. Appealing to the family demographic worked for Gozaburo, and considering how family unfriendly Kaiba Corporation was then, it should be a clincher for a you now." Seiji waited silently, but Kaiba had nothing to say. He had been running Kaiba Corporation on his own steam for a long time, without lying to ANY demographic. Seiji prompted, "Do you have any better ideas?"

For once, the problem wasn't going to be solved by shoving his power around; as much as Kaiba disliked Seiji's advice, he realized that man had the right idea. Kaiba Corporation was falling in public opinion, ever since those fiascos with DOOM, with the KC Grand Prix. His headache now had been years in the making, and he had to do something to get positive attention. "The new system release – "

"Won't be for nearly a year," Seiji concluded. "And frankly, I don't think you can sustain Kaiba Corporation for that long. Duel Monsters is on decline; we've ridden the wave of Duel Disk purchases for a long time, but there are no more upgrades, and everyone who needs one, has one. Kaiba Land is only one location; it can only do so much to cover the costs of research and development. We're running on borrowed time, and you need to borrow a little more through whatever means necessary."

Borrowed time… Kaiba sighed. "You really think that tabloid exposure is important?"

"Yes." Kaiba could hear Seiji pacing: four steps, pause, four steps, pause. "Just a girlfriend would do, something to keep you in public light before their interest in you wanes entirely. Once they notice you for that, the bigger papers will notice Mokuba, and the charity work; the public loves you, but they need to be reminded why. I know you think we're full of it, but we talked about this thoroughly before suggesting it; you're a well known figure, and being more socially receptive is going to do nothing but help the company – it worked before when you were... ill all those years ago, remember? A relationship is an effective means to get in the limelight quick. Are you ready to lose everything over your pride?"

In a moment Kaiba was on feet and facing Seiji, eyes narrowed. The man didn't wilt. "My pride is not at stake here — "

"This is all about your pride! Seto-sama, you and I both know you are a liar at heart when it comes to the public – how is this any different?"

He was being asked to sustain Kaiba Corporation on a lie – a trick that had worked so well for the one man he loathed. He'd mislead thousands of people, once he even handed them a carnival of death and watched them eat it up like it was mere candy. Compared to that, a false lover was child's play. But the thought didn't reassure him; it was easier to remind himself that for the greater good of his company, he was a little bit disposable.

Not that it was much more reassuring to look at it that way either.

Kaiba held back a snarl and walked around the desk, passing Seiji. He paused, and their eyes met. "Fine," he said. "You'll have your publicity. Give me twenty-four hours."

---

Kaiba sat up in bed, blinking to clear away the blurriness of sleep – only to wish he hadn't as his eyes fell on the shapeless mound of green fabric beside him, rising and falling steadily. Figured – even his dreams didn't give him reprieve from his losses. He yawned, covering his mouth and looking around the room, out the window. The sky was still dark, and the moon was still visible from his window; it looked like he had a few more hours until morning. That was all it took to convince him to go back to the comfort of his pillows.

After all, he may have been doing it for months, but he didn't look forward to facing Jounouchi in the morning.

-end­ prologue-

notes
I threw around honorifics versus titles, like Mr. or -sama, but I agree on the idea that there's not quite a proper translation to -sama; Mr. doesn't seem to quite cover it. Not to mention I love the ring there is to Seto-sama, not to mention the idea of why his subordinates call him Seto-sama as opposed to Mr. Kaiba. That will not come up in this story, lol, just an idea.