Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh.

A Way Out

Chapter 8

"It wouldn't hurt you to be nice once in a while!"

Seto looked up at a very angry Mokuba planted in front of his desk. Feet apart and arms crossed, the younger Kaiba was primed for a battle of wills.

"What are you talking about," Seto frowned.

"Ari. She's in her office pounding on that computer and she wouldn't even talk to me! What did you do, Seto?"

Pounding on the computer? So she's finally decided to continue her work, and I have a fair idea what that work is now.

"Why do you always assume it's my fault," he replied unperturbed.

"Because it usually is."

Seto smirked and turned back to his laptop. "She's angry because she is withholding valuable information and last night I called her on it."

Mokuba's expression immediately changed. "You think she's going to betray Kaiba Corp?"

"I hope she isn't that foolish," but I have a feeling she is. "Since when is it necessary for me to be 'nice' to my employees anyway," he demanded.

Mokuba turned away. "I didn't know she was 'just an employee' to you."

Seto's eyes widened for a moment as he stared after his little brother. She is just another employee, he told himself. Diving back into his work, he couldn't shake a distracting voice in the back of his mind calling him a liar.

Acquisition, Omaka had called her. Perhaps that word is a better designation than 'employee'. Ari Nieche has so much more to offer than the average employee. I wonder what made her change her mind. Why did she decide to resume her work now, of all times?

Ari stretched her arms above her head with a sigh. Glancing at the clock, she blinked at how much time had passed.

I didn't eat lunch. He'll be furious if he finds out. Ari sat up straight and frowned. I can't believe I let him govern my eating habits. Still, I am hungry and it is almost two.

She locked down her computer and pocketed the disc she had been working with.

"Nina, I'm going out for lunch, in case anyone wonders," like Kaiba, she added in her head and the secretary nodded.

She couldn't understand how Kaiba could stand being inside all the time, especially on days like this. The breeze was gentle, the sun warm. She got a deli sandwich and enjoyed it in the park, allowing the peaceful afternoon to ease her tension.

"Ari Nieche?" a lilting voice asked and Ari glanced up at the young man standing behind her bench. He had to be in his early 20's, but she couldn't be sure.

"I work for Omaka," he explained cheerfully. "May I sit with you?"

Ari was confused by his polite demeanor. "Uh, sure."

"Thank you. My name is Matzu. Mr. Omaka asked me to represent him, to protect you from suspicion if you are closely watched."

"Omaka" and "protect" were words that did not belong in the same sentence, but Matzu seemed pleasant enough. One could hardly feel threatened by the clean features and calm watchful eyes.

"What do you do for Omaka?" she asked.

"Whatever he tells me to do," Matzu shrugged with a lopsided smile, strands of black hair trailing across his forehead with the action.

Cute, she thought absently, but he's no Kaiba. "So how can I be certain you work for him?"

"Oh yes, of course." He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. "A letter of representation."

Ari scanned the letter and had to admire Omaka's efficiency in preparation. He was almost as good as Kaiba. Almost. Kaiba seemed to have a sixth sense in anticipating another's actions, perhaps a gift born from his skill in duel monsters.

"So what does he want?"

Matzu gazed about with wary eyes. "His ultimate purchase will be the finished product of Nihm, at a negotiable price of course. Until then, bits of information on Kaiba Corp's research will be amply rewarded."

Ari bit her lip thoughtfully. Corporate sabotage? That was how the creep destroyed Nihm.

"I will put on the table only what is mine," she said firmly.

Matzu studied her curiously. "If you hate Seto Kaiba so much, why stay loyal to him? This is your chance to take him down, to be free."

Yeah, why? Because even he doesn't deserve that, and I won't stoop to Omaka's level even if it means my freedom. Well, maybe… No I can't. He did save my life after all, and to betray Kaiba is to betray Mokuba. I can't do that. But what is mine, is mine.

"Tell him I can keep him on equal ground. I will sell him pieces of the program as it is developed, 5000 per disc. Of course, there will be patent royalties later."

"I will relay your offer, though I can't be sure if he will be pleased."

"That's my offer," she said as she stood. "I have to get back to work now."

Matzu watched her for a moment before reaching for his cell.

"5000 per disc, plus royalties?" Omaka laughed on the other end. "Maybe we should humor her for now, the poor innocent kid."

"You didn't tell me she was so cute," Matzu murmured.

Omaka grinned. "The more we take, the more it will provoke Kaiba. Do what you want, but I want the merchandise in the end."

Matzu's grin was a mirror image as he stared off to where Ari had disappeared. "Yes, Sir."

"Ms Nieche," the receptionist on the street level of Kaiba Corp called her attention as soon as she walked in the door. "Mr. Kaiba left a message for you to speak with him when you returned."

"Oh, okay," Ari said and walked to the elevator. What does he want now?

Reaching inside her jacket, she pulled out the disc of her morning's work; level setting one, complete. There would be seven layers to complete the program's function, at least in theory. Sometimes adjustments were required once the software command program is linked with the hardware. It was all laid out in her head, waiting all of two years now to be put into action. Kaska's death had shut it down completely.

How Omaka knew about what resided only in her head continued to puzzle her. His offer for buyout included procurement of all previous and future creations she may develop, in a word, her.

To sell to Kaiba, she would have had to relinquish a very necessary piece of the puzzle. Knowing men like Kaiba, he would have quickly figured out where the other pieces were and she would have ended up exactly where she was.

I can keep him off my back with these bread crumbs, all the while gathering escape money from what I sell to Omaka. When the time is right, I will leave the country and get as far from Seto Kaiba and Joko Omaka as possible. Maybe I will finally have the life Kaska wanted for me.

The elevator jolted her out of her thoughts and she stepped out. Kaiba's secretary smiled thinly. "He's expecting you."

Ari knocked softly on the door and stepped in. Kaiba looked up at her entrance, but quickly returned his gaze to the conference call he was taking.

"I'm waiting for an explanation," he spoke with distinct displeasure.

Ari immediately tuned out the conversation as a stuttering voice tried to offer plausible excuses to a man who didn't accept excuses. She allowed her gaze to wander over the spacious office, neat and pristine just like its occupant.

A bookcase furnished one wall with business books she would never read. What stood out most was a picture of Mokuba running towards the camera with his arms wide open as if he were about to hug the photographer.

Ari couldn't help smiling. If nothing else, Kaiba has made certain his little brother is happy. That adds up to something, doesn't it? What's wrong with you! A half hour ago you were plotting his corporate demise, plotting with a man you hate to earn your freedom. Now you're trying to attribute humanity to your captor?

The smile faded. Well, I can't deny he is a good brother to Mokuba and anyone who determines to make that child happy has a sparkle of something good in him.

It had been a good three minutes since Seto ended the call and Ari was still lost in her own thoughts. Some of them must have been pleasant, judging from her smile. He was curious what thoughts she entertained as she stared at Mokuba's picture. When her smile faded, he was startled by the surged of disappointment that swept through him.

Suddenly she broke from the picture and their eyes locked. Inner conflict battled for precedence in her pale eyes.

What troubles you so much? What are you hiding from me? "Your secretary said you went out for lunch, at two."

"I was busy and forgot to eat," she explained.

His penetrating eyes narrowed and looked her over out of habit, checking for signs of weight loss that were not there. She looked well, in fact better than well. Each day seemed to award her a healthier glow. Is it just me or is she getting prettier too?

"You wanted to see me," she reminded him, speaking softly as she noted the tension in his forehead. It was faint, but she could tell his mood was bordering on the irritable.

"I have decided you will accompany me to several negotiations. You seem to have a," he paused in search for the right word, "softening effect on people. They let their guard down and seem willing to talk when you are present."

She silently wondered if he fell anywhere near that category.

"Your presence will expedite negotiations and save me precious time."

Catch more flies with honey. Trying a new angle, Kaiba? No, just using every weapon at your disposal. Ari winced at her own thoughts, realizing she was beginning to see herself as nothing more than property.

Kaiba waited for a moment, but she didn't respond. No argument today?

"Well?" he demanded sharply and her eyes widened as if she had been pulled back from another world.

"Okay," she returned meekly. Whatever you want, for now.

Seto frowned. "Here," he set something before him on his desk and she stepped forward to see a cell phone…and a credit card.

"The card is for business expenses you may incur on our ventures."

"Ventures? As in leaving Domino City?"

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

She stared at the card in her hand to avoid his gaze. Leaving the city, no. Leaving the city with you…yes. This will make it difficult to pass my work off to Omaka. Kaiba will be keeping a vigilant eye on me.

"What about my work?" she asked.

Seto arched a brow. "Mokuba did mention something about that. Did you tire of drawing caricatures?"

Ari glared at him. "You don't deserve this," she said, tossing the disc at him. He caught it deftly with one hand.

"Why the change of heart?" he asked.

Ari pocketed the credit card and picked up the cell. "It's not," she said, turning away. Memory of the last time she tried to leave without dismissal flashed through her mind, but she was emboldened by fresh anger.

"Ari."

Her blood chilled and her feet froze. Hesitantly, she peaked over her shoulder.

"How's your arm," he asked and she frowned to hide her surprise.

"Never better," she lied. She still had a tender bruise where she banged it against the limo door.

"Good. You may go."

Long after she left, he twirled the jewel disc case in his fingers. All too willing to part with a piece of the puzzle. What are you up to now?