A/N- I find it so amusing that so many of you are racking your brains trying to figure out who Kaska Ashine is, and I'm not gonna tell you! Don't panic! Don't panic! I mean I'm not gonna tell you yet! Sheesh. I never meant for it to be all that important anyway, it's just important to Ari.

Disclaimer: I want to know who decided we have to write these. Do they seriously think that anyone who actually owned one of these animes would be writing fanfiction?

So Close, So Far

Chapter 11

I'm dead. I am so dead.

Ari stared at the contents of the safety deposit box with mixed shock, elation, and fear. Why? Why are you doing this to me now? I was better off not knowing!

With a shaky hand, she closed the box. It was one thing selling useless data to Omaka. He had no idea the prototype cable was forfeit at the time. Even Kaiba may have admired fleecing the man for a valueless program. But this changes everything and I can't hide anything from Kaiba. At least before I wasn't lying, but now….

Her hands balled into fists. Take it and run. Just take it and run. On the black market you could fetch…he'll find me. No matter where I go, he will find me. I'll just have to bide my time, forget that this exists, until Kaiba makes a mistake.

Kaiba doesn't make mistakes, you idiot!

Ari glared at the box with limitless frustration. If ever you screwed up before, Kaska, this is the mother of all screw ups and you aren't even here to see it!

Collecting the box, she stepped out of the private room and returned it to the security guard. He replaced the box and returned the key to her.

"Thank you," she murmured. Staring at the tiny key that twisted her life into a warped nightmare, she sighed. If I could just make you disappear—.

Instead she bought a bargain necklace and replaced the glass pendant with the deposit key. The metal felt cold against the skin beneath her sweater, a chilling reminder of the thin line she was walking.

So Lil sold me out. For love, she said. I can see she is reaping in full the consequences of her decision. What is this love that would manipulate her loyalties? Can anyone really love a man that much, and a man like Omaka? I guess there is someone for everyone after all.

But she kept the prototype secret all this time, even from the man she loved, for Kaska and me. Ari's steps halted. "Thank you, Lil."

Holograms as substantial as a human body! It would revolutionize the gaming industry and firmly establish the name of Kaiba Corp in the industrial history books for all time. Kaiba grinned. My little pet has proven far more worthwhile than expected, even if there are some snags in her strategy. Ari may not have the actual prototype of the necessary fiber-optic cable, but I have a feeling there is more she is not revealing about her abilities.

Why else would a remarkable programmer like her be so significant to a hardware company unless her holo-upgrade and the prototype cable had been developed inseparably?

He had considered questioning her on this until that spark of defiance showed itself. Pressuring her would only ignite the stubborn spirit he had grown to admire. Too much pressure would smother it. He liked her better for her stubborn nature even if she did test his patience, just so long as she remembered her place. Breaking that spirit would render her useless; like a prey losing its will to run, a predator its will to hunt.

What will become of Ari Nieche when she has no more secrets to hide?

Seto glanced out the window of the limo as it drove past the park. "Stop the car!" he yelled suddenly and his startled driver slammed on the brakes.

"Sir?" the man asked curiously.

Kaiba rolled down his window and stared across the street with narrowed eyes. Foolish girl!

"Omaka isn't going to like this," Matzu spoke quietly as he stared at her. Ari's demeanor had changed notably since he ran into her in Honshu. Since then she had provided levels three and four to her program, but had successfully and intentionally avoided any conversation regarding the moment they had shared.

"Why the change of heart?"

Is it really the heart that changes? Ari pulled her knees up to her chest and stared at the colored leaves drifting across the walk beneath the bench. Autumn had seized the city in full splendor.

"Things happen," she said simply. "I won't be changing my mind. We have no need to continue our arrangement."

"I'll tell him," Matzu agreed.

"Thank you."

"What about us?"

Ari stood. "I need to go."

His fingers snaked around her wrist and pulled her back down. "You've been avoiding this long enough. Ari, I care for you."

She turned away, her gaze drifting across the grass to the cars parked along the street. There was a limo….

"Ari, look at me," Matzu demanded. Catching her chin, he forced her face towards him. "Why won't you talk to me?"

"There's nothing to talk about," she said, pushing his hand away.

"Dear child," Matzu smiled. "I saw the glory in your eyes that day. You can't tell me it was nothing."

"Don't call me a child," she said. Seto calls me that when he's teasing me.

He chuckled. "Of course, but you are a child, aren't you? You've never been in love before, have you?"

"Are we done?" she demanded.

His quiet eyes narrowed. "So he does own you."

Ari leaped up suddenly, nearly wrenching her hand free, but he moved with her.

You're not getting away so easily! Matzu pulled harshly and she stumbled into his arms.

"Let me go!" she cried.

"Shh! You're making a scene," he hissed and she froze.

"That's better," he replied when she stopped struggling. "From your reaction, I assume I am right. Kaiba owns you."

"I belong to no one," she insisted stubbornly. "Not even Kaiba."

"Prove it," he dared. "Show me you have the will to defy the mighty Seto Kaiba!"

I don't have to prove anything! Those words were smothered by his kiss. Ari shoved him fiercely and he stumbled back in surprise. A stinging slap knocked him back another step and he shuffled to keep his feet.

"Don't you ever come near me again!" she cried. Turning on her heel, she ran.

"We're not through!" he called after her, rubbing his tender jaw. We're not through by any means.

Tears clouded her eyes, but her feet knew the way home. She ran the whole way and collapsed, gasping painfully for breath, on her bed.

Does everyone see me as property? Am I of no value to anyone except as chattel, to be used and traded, stolen and manipulated by whoever has the power? Only in death did even Kaska see me as something more.

What is worse? That Matzu demanded I prove my freedom or the fact that I cannot?

"Mr. Kaiba?" the driver asked softly. Seto Kaiba had been staring out across the park for several minutes, a savage expression on his face.

"Drive," Kaiba said finally, his deep voice trembling with contained fury.

She had accused him of jealousy when he confronted her in Honshu, and he had laughed in her face. To see her in the arms of that same man again… he clenched his fist. Numerous notions of punishments had filtered through his mind as he watched her, shattering with her own explosive strike.

Her reaction confused him. Have I bridled her spirit so much that she would turn violently from the man she embraced so willingly before? The man had been enraged by her rejection and the no doubt painful slap. Seto chuckled. That must have smarted, on the pride and the face. Little Ari Nieche should be desperate for a man's comfort and protection and she turned him down. Why?

It was the why that would steal his sleep away.