Author's Info: Yay updates! I'm cranking this out today, or so it seems to me. All of this despite the distractions going on around me such as news of my friend's and their debate tournaments, random calls from family, and the dreaded Facebook. Thanks to those of you who have already read/messaged, especially Azura Soul Reaver, ember-chan, EgyptianSoul.88, and supercyco214. Specific comments to follow the chapter!

The "what"s: Listening to Requiem for a Dream again. I really do think it fits the way Kaiba and Yumi act around one another. Thinking about how hilarious my friends are and how excited I am to see some of them over Thanksgiving.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Much as I love the manga and the anime, I feel like I would be too stressed to crank out new volumes. I do own Yumi, Tsuki, Makoto, Shinji, and Kuro though, as well as the current plotline. Now, onward with the Kaiba/Yumi-ness!

Chapter Twenty-One

"I'm sorry to interrupt," her father said apologetically, "but Makoto is on the phone and he's demanding to talk to you. I told him you were busy at the moment, but he insisted."

Yumi looked to Kaiba apologetically before saying, "It's alright, Father. Thanks for trying." She took the phone from him and said, "Yumi Makoto speaking. How may I help you?"

"Yumi, there you are!" she heard her former boss, Makoto Shinogame, say with relief. "I was beginning to think I wouldn't be able to speak with you!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shinogame, but I've been rather busy as of late. I'm actually with someone right now, so—"

"But I have great news for you, Yumi! It's regarding Seto Kaiba! It looks like he's gotten—"

"Mr. Shinogame?" she tried to interject, but her attempts fell on deaf ears as he continued talking.

"Yumi, I know how much you've wanted to work at Kaiba Corp. It's been your dream ever since we made the deal with him two years ago. Sure, we're a supplier of parts that he needs, and we have a considerable amount of influence, even among the gaming industry, but you've always been a programmer and a gamer, not a manufacturer. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know Kaiba called me today for a reference check. He sounded rather urgent in wanting learning more about you and your abilities.

"I was rather surprised, especially since other employees have put in applications there and hadn't even stood a chance at getting in. Some have, I know, but he never once even bothered to call me personally to find out more about them. He seemed quite interested in you. He asked all sorts of questions about the programs you worked on under me. I told him you would be the person best able to explain the programs, since you were the one to really develop them, and that you knew them better than anyone else in the company. I also told him that if he really wanted to see your skills as a programmer, he should take a look at that game you've been designing. He sounded quite serious about you. He even asked me about your dueling skills and whether you were involved in any circuits. I admitted I didn't know much about that; I only knew that you sometimes took days off because of a duel or two with some friends who came to visit you. He didn't seem to appreciate the lack of information."

"Thank you, Mr. Shinogame," she said, grateful for all his help despite the fact he was telling her all this at an incredibly inopportune moment. "You really didn't have to go through all the trouble to do that."

"This is the job you've wanted for years, Yumi, and you've certainly worked hard enough to earn it. Besides, how could I not after all the flattering things you've said about me to Kaiba?" he said, laughing. She smiled, grateful to have made him so happy. She knew he had been incredibly sad to see her leave for Domino.

"Great, now I've gone and stoked your ego again," she teased, rolling her eyes even though he couldn't see them. "Now I'm going to have to maintain silence for an entire week in hopes you'll finally be driven mad by my silence." Her sarcasm was evident, as was the fact she didn't truly mean anything cruel by it.

"I'm afraid you've already accomplished your goal," he said somewhat sadly. "It's just not the same now that you've left. The meetings are quite dull, and your replacement, while skilled with technology, does not have the sense of humor you were known for. Besides, I think Kurogane misses you a lot more than he is willing to let on."

"I highly doubt that," she said, flushing slightly in embarrassment. "I mean, sure Kuro and I are friends, but there's never been anything more than that. Besides, I promised I'd visit him when things had gotten more settled here. Things have been rather insane these past few days. I'm nowhere near finished setting up the game room, although I did receive the package containing the parts today."

"Glad to hear you received the shipment," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. "By the way, Yumi, you shouldn't worry about what Kaiba's going to do. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the one you're meeting with right now. If I know you as well as I think, you'll have more than impressed him. Kaiba's a good man to work for, as you know, albeit a little uptight." She wanted to laugh when she heard that statement. Kaiba was more than a little uptight. She managed to remain calm as he said, "You'll probably fix that in no time."

"We'll see, Mr. Shinogame," she said, unable to hide the smirk even if she had contained her laughter. "I think this one might actually provide a challenge. You know how much I love a challenge." She heard him laughing once again into the phone and knew he was thoroughly amused.

"Careful, Yumi," he teased. "One of these days you're going to meet your match, and who knows what's going to happen when that day comes. You might even fall in love with him." Now it was her turn to laugh. The idea of someone defeating her, and then making her fall in love with him was ludicrous. She was not the sort of person to fall so easily, nor would she simply give in, even if she was defeated.

"That will be the day, Makoto. The day I fall in love with a man is the day I admit defeat. I will never simply 'give in,' no matter what you people prophesy about me. Besides, what makes you think he's any different from the ones before? He doesn't seem so special to me."

"Careful, Yumi," he cautioned. "It's always the ones you don't expect that take you the most by surprise. Don't underestimate Kaiba; he's a man to be reckoned with on more accounts than just business. He'll meet your wit and sarcasm blow for blow, and he may even beat you to the punch a time or two."

"You only wish he was a match for my personality. I won't be chained down, Makoto; I'm no man's slave. I won't let anyone else control me in such a way ever again," she swore. Kaiba couldn't help but notice the way her eyes had narrowed and glimmered with the same intensity as her voice. Whatever had happened, she had certainly rejected any sort of idea of it happening ever again. He was intrigued; not only did this girl have an attitude similar to his, but he was also willing to challenge everyone. To her, this was a game, and he was merely her newest opponent. This was exactly the way he preferred it. She would underestimate him this way. Sure, she had won the game of Duel Monsters, but she would never truly be able to defeat him.

"I know you won't, Yumi. You're not like her; you'll hold out to the very end, no matter what happens. We all believe in you, just know that. Good luck, and have fun in your new job, Yumi. May it bring you everything you've ever wished for and so much more," she heard him say with a serious hope and conviction. She was taken aback by the sheer intensity of his comment and her voice caught in her throat as tears burned behind her eyes.

"T-thank you, Mr. Shinogame," she said sincerely, all traces of tears hidden yet well aware of how emotional her voice would sound to him. "I promise I won't let you down. Tell Kuro I say hi, and let everyone know I'm in. I'll see some of them soon enough, I'm sure."

"Of course. Take care, Yumi. I'll be in Domino soon enough. Maybe Kuro will be willing to come with me as well. Give my apologies to Mr. Kaiba. Tell him I have to look out for my best employee."

"Hardly, Mr. Shinogame," she said, smiling gently. "I'll let him know all the same. Tell Kuro I look forward to seeing him, and take care."

"I will. Goodbye Yumi."

"Goodbye, Mr. Shinogame, and thank you."

Responses to my commentators:

Azura Soul Reaver: Glad you liked it!

ember-chan: Of course I won't kill her! She really is her own savior, and she's going to get past whatever bothers her on her own. Kaiba and Yumi are definitely going to be going back and forth for a while. Who do you think will win the ultimate power struggle? As for the game, don't worry. There will be much more about it to come. Tell me what you thought about the phone call!

supercyco214: Don't worry. She's not hitting on him. This is still one big power struggle. As for Tsuki's reaction, you'll see! Yumi's first day is going to be very interesting to write, at the very least! :)