Disclaimer: I have nor make no claims to YuGiOh or its characters. Only the plot of this story and the OC's are my own creation.

The Art of Intimidation

Chapter 18

"Did you forget something at the office?" Ari asked as the limo stopped in front of Kaiba Corp headquarters. It was a little before ten when they had left the restaurant and Domino City had quieted to welcome the cold night.

"I want to show you something," he said as he got out of the car and offered her his hand.

"Why must you always be so secretive," she asked, letting him pull her from the car to stand beside him.

"Does it bother you?"

"Yes."

"Good."

She would have rolled her eyes if she were not so aware of his hand still clasping hers as they walked up the steps. Did he fear she might bolt? Where would she run to?

He offered no explanations and she asked no further questions as he unlocked the door and nodded to the security guard in the foyer. Ari had enough thoughts to keep her company in the absence of conversation. In no uncertain terms, Kaiba had made it clear where she stood in his life. Plain and simple, she was his yet he was wary of how far he pushed that claim upon her beyond his possessive attitude.

People she barely even knew were persistent in advising her to not trust Seto Kaiba and he gave her reason to question him for all that he would not tell her. But her heart…

The elevator slowed to a stop and opened on the top floor of the tower into darkness.

"Stay here," Kaiba ordered as he suddenly disappeared.

Ari reached after him in alarm but he was already gone and she was alone in the dark. Pressing her hand to her chest to steady the reckless beat of her heart, she strained her eyes to focus on something other than blackness.

"Kaiba," she spoke shakily just seconds before dim light flooded the room. She blinked startled and her eyes refocused to take in the large room. There was a small duel arena in the center of the floor, surrounded by numerous tables and carved chairs. It was an elegant banquet hall on the top floor of Kaiba Corp headquarters.

"We use this space for corporate functions," Kaiba explained as he reappeared by her side.

"I'm guessing that doesn't happen often," she said as she took her coat off and draped it over a nearby chair.

"Too often, sometimes," he murmured as he watched her. The dim overhead light softened Ari's appearance, giving an almost dream-like radiance to the already enchanting woman. He draped his coat over hers and followed her wayward walk at a distance, amused by her pleasure in the room. It amazed him how easy to please she was. He wanted to give her everything, and having done that, give it to her all over again just so he could see that look of guileless wonder in her eyes.

"Come here, Ari," he beckoned and she immediately abandoned her exploration to join him at the floor to ceiling window.

"Wow," she whispered as she stepped up beside him.

"Yeah," he agreed softly.

Domino City was a sea of stars, winking and glittering as far as the eye could see. Ari felt like she had been vaulted into the sky and in her wonder reached out to touch the lights, startled when her hand touched glass.

Seto chuckled softly at her expression. "I know the feeling."

"It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," she admitted.

"The entire world at your feet," he mused and she found herself memorized by the deep purr of his voice.

"I could easily believe that," she whispered.

"It could be the truth," he said behind her and heat shot through her body as his hands alighted on her shoulders.

"W-what do you mean?"

His fingers grazed over her bare skin as he pulled her satin jacket off her shoulders, the soft material gliding down the length of her arms like water. The jacket slipped from his fingers as he brushed her thick curls aside and placed a tender kiss on her shoulder.

"The whole world," he murmured as he kissed her shoulder again. "At your feet." His arm slipped around her waist and her stomach clenched in excited alarm, her breath coming up short at his kisses left a trail of fire across her skin. Her head tilted with little encouragement as his feathery kisses sought the flesh of her throat.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" she managed to gasp through her shortening breaths.

He reached up and turned her face towards him. She was so slight in his arms, tense with uncertainty and fear but her eyes shimmered with anticipation. A devilish gleam darkened his gaze as he stared down at her helpless in his embrace.

"The thought never occurred to me," he admitted as his voice dipped dangerously, "until now."

Seto's gaze fell to her trembling lips, amused that she perceived what would come next and could do nothing to stop him. Always his touch had frightened her, but the kiss…it was a mingling of souls. And hers was delicious.

Pliant and innocent, she submitted to his kiss. He had stacked the deck against her and she never had a prayer from the moment she stepped into that room of jasmine. Did he plan for the evening to end just like this? Had she been an unwitting player from the start?

His hunger was restrained, she could feel it in his careful touch. This man could be ruthless and merciless when he chose to but in this moment when he had complete control, he treated her with tender regard. Ari suspected he was searching her out, even as when he had baited her at dinner.

When she continued submissive, he turned her fully towards him, trapping her securely against his body. In slight protest she fisted her hands against his chest, but her thoughts of struggle shredded apart as he deepened the kiss. He tenderly coaxed her unconditional surrender, finding she was not as shattered within as everyone believed. Ari might claim she felt nothing, but her heart could not lie.

He left her a moment to catch her breath as he nuzzled her neck and breathed deeply of the jasmine scent that clung to her.

Ari thought she was going to faint from the tidal wave of emotions he had unleashed upon her. Had he not held her in such a tight embrace, she would have sunk to her knees, weakened by the passion she ought not feel. How can I keep my head when with one kiss he unravels me completely?

"Kaiba," she whispered desperately.

"Don't call me that," he said suddenly and she swallowed hard at the emotion in his voice. "I hate it when you call me that."

"I-I'm sorry."

He sighed wearily and drew back to stare down at her with soft eyes. "Somewhere in that pretty head of yours lies all the answers. I'm as frustrated as you are, Ari."

"What happens if I never remember?" she asked.

A familiar expression of pained sorrow shaded his eyes as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Then we will just have to start from the beginning again, like we did tonight."

She understood then; the flowers, the dress, dinner. He had given in to that what if. But he still remembered the love he shared with the Ari of before. She could feel it in his kiss and she so desperately wanted to give him that part of her that he longed for.

"I'm scared," she admitted, tears glistening in her eyes.

Seto gently tilted her chin up and kissed her sweetly. "Don't be," he whispered. "Everything will work out."

"How can you be so confident?"

He grinned and his dark eyes sparkled. "Because I know what I want, and I always get what I want."

"Always?" she was surprised her voice didn't shake.

Seto chuckled softly as he pulled away from her. "Always."

Ari watched him thoughtfully as he kneeled to pick up her satin jacket. "Has no one stood against you."

"Some have tried," he said as he stood and draped the jacket over her shoulders. "Including you."

She shivered. He was so certain of the future that she could not help but believe him when he swore everything would work out. The night had affirmed one simple truth into her heart. Whether she remembered her past or not, her future was with Seto Kaiba. He alone had determined this and while the sensible woman that always seemed present trembled at this possibility, her heart embraced it.

But as he led her down from the tower, an obstinate voice suddenly rang out inside her head, foreign yet strangely familiar. Always gets what he wants? Well, we'll just see about that!


It was hours before she fell asleep. She just lay on her bed with a stupid grin reveling in the scent of jasmine. The flowers were beautiful and how did he ever know that her favorite flower was…of course. Kaiba knew everything about her that she did not and while it had long since been unsettling, she now found it oddly comforting.

He talked of starting over and to do so would be so simple, for him. Once again he would have what he had lost, everything that he wanted. She would be the one starting over, not Kaiba. It would be as if nothing had changed for him. It wasn't what she wanted.

She wanted to remember her father and mother. She wanted to remember the day she stood toe to toe with Seto Kaiba and mocked him to his face. She wanted to be that woman, the one who wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in, the one with fire in her eyes and heart, the one Seto Kaiba fell in love with.

Then be that woman and make no excuses!Ari sat up startled by the forceful voice that had suddenly made itself known earlier that night. Was it really that simple? Kaiba said he always got what he wanted simply because he knew what he wanted. He made it happen.

Ari turned towards the bouquet of jasmine closest to her bed and pulled a blossom from the others. If he can do it, why can't I? Plucking a petal loose, she rubbed it softly and thoughtfully between her fingers, the sweet scent washing over her. These numbers and equations that assault my every waking minute must mean something. Kaiba told that Abachi fellow at the restaurant about something I had created. He called it a holographic enhancement program. What's a holographic enhancement program? Wait, Mokuba mentioned something about this. Yes, the program on my computer that has similarities to his computer's base program, I remember now. Seven layers interlocking to serve one purpose…holograms…

She shook her head in irritation and frowned at the flower in her hand. How does one enhance a hologram? I thought they were already developed to their highest level of efficiency. Obviously it is something of extreme value to Kaiba. And… she stroked the flower thoughtfully…it's a total taboo subject with him. Why?

Ari smiled suddenly, confident as she had never felt before. "And there we have it," she spoke to the garden of jasmine.


Excuse me," Ari stopped the first person she saw when she stepped off the elevator. "I'm looking for Mr. Azuma. Do you know where I can find him?"

"Yes, Ms Nieche. He should be in his office, just three doors around the next corner."

"Thank you," she smiled as she stepped past him, forgetting for once to be surprised that he knew who she was. In the search that had led her down to the eight floor labs, she had discovered that everyone in the entire KC headquarters tower knew who she was. So she and Kaiba were more than just an item, she realized. He didn't seem the kind of man to have a fling with an employee, let alone allow it to be known to his entire company. It made her wonder even more about where their relationship had been going before she lost her memory.

Her search had taken her throughout the tower, up and down so many times she had lost count and she had struck out twice. Both Kazu and Inou, two of the three men who apparently had worked with her prior to the accident, were presently out of town. It had been a stroke of luck that she had stumbled upon their names at all since she still didn't know any of the details of the accident or even what she had been working on. All she had were shadows of images haunting her dreams. But soon, she would have answers.

She tapped tentatively on the open door and stepped in as the middle-aged man looked up. His gray eyes alighted on her in surprise and he stood up rapidly.

"Ms Nieche! This is a surprise!"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Azuma."

"Not at all. Please come in," he shifted nervously. "Does Mr. Kaiba know you're down here?"

"I don't think so. Am I not suppose to be?"

"Well, we were instructed not to bother you."

Ari smiled warmly at the scientist. "I see. Are you busy? I have some questions."

His eyes lit up, seeing that this woman before him was not the timid creature all had been warned to avoid. "Of course! Please sit down!"

She took the seat he offered across from his desk and spread out the paper she had tucked under her arm. "Can you tell me what this is?"

He looked up at her warily. "So it's true then, about your memory?"

"I'm afraid so," she smiled tentatively. "Can you help me?"

"I will do all that I can, Ms Nieche."

"Then start with the night I had my accident."


"She found Azuma, sir."

Kaiba looked up at the bodyguard from his desk. "How?"

Sojo shrugged. "Security tells me she's been all over the building looking for Kazu and Inou as well. It would seem she's onto something, sir."

"She went alone?"

"I offered to accompany her, sir, but she said it wasn't necessary."

Seto grinned, much to the stoic bodyguard's surprise. "Inquisitive and independent. Sounds like her. Is she still with Azuma?"

"Going on four hours, sir."

Kaiba sat back in his chair. "Four hours?" He frowned thoughtfully and glanced at the clock. "Has Mr. Abachi arrived yet?"

"No sir. It is only ten minutes to two, sir."

Kaiba pushed himself out of his chair and strode towards the door. "When Mr. Abachi arrives, settle him in Ari's office. Then come back and wait for me here."

"Yes, sir."


Ari massaged her temples gently.

"Are you alright, Ms Nieche?" Azuma asked with concern when he saw the action.

"Lately I've been getting these headaches when I think too hard. You have given me a great deal to consider, Mr. Azuma."

"I hope I haven't spoken out of line," he murmured. "Mr. Kaiba was very clear about us not troubling you."

"I wanted to know, Mr. Azuma," she glanced up. "Please do not worry yourself over this."

"But if he did not tell you himself—"

"Mr. Kaiba is a very busy man," Ari smiled, "and I came to you."

"I hope I was helpful."

Ari's gaze fell to the blueprint that lay out between them. Azuma had told her a great deal about the overpowered fiber-optic cable in Kaiba Corp's duel disk and dueling system. He had avoided most of the details about the actual accident and she suspected there was something of vital importance that he hid from her. Everyone told her the same thing. Power surge. Why did no one want her to know the details?

Since he seemed exceedingly uncomfortable talking about that day, she moved on to the endless calculations filtering through her mind. Azuma instantly brightened and readily explained to her bit by bit the construction of the duel disk and the incorporation of the fiber-optic cable she apparently had constructed to support the holographic enhancement program she had written. The possibilities amazed her. Solid holograms? It didn't seem possible but Azuma's no-nonsense expression as he talked assured her it was a reality she had brought about.

It had fascinated her when he shared the calculations from the preliminary test on the rate of data-transfer that had nearly proved fatal to her. And much to Azuma's surprise, she gave him the answer.

"How long will it take to construct that limitor?" she asked him.

"We will have to run it by Mr. Kaiba first."

"Run what by me?"

Ari stiffened and glanced over her shoulder. She hated it when he crept on her like that.

"Ms Nieche may have solved the power surge problem, sir."

Ari rubbed her shoulders self-consciously when those powerful blue eyes settled on her.

"Really?" he asked evenly.

"It's not for certain," she said hesitantly as she picked up the paper she had been scribbling on. "Mr. Azuma showed me the readings they got from the test and I just thought…"

She offered the page to him shyly and nervously wrung her fingers as he scanned the equations. They couldn't be right. What was she thinking, half her memories gone to the wind and she dares to think that she could possibly have anything to offer to this brilliant man—

"Remarkable," he said suddenly.

"Really?"

He handed the page to Azuma. "See that they start on this right away."

"Yes, sir."

Seto's heart skipped a beat when he glanced down at her and saw shy pride shinning in her pale eyes. This woman is my undoing.

"Are you done?" he asked her and she blinked in surprise.

"Uh, sure. Why?"

"Let's go."

She obediently followed him into the hall. Is he angry with me? He seems upset. Is he upset? I wonder if he's upset… Oh, shut up, Ari! She smiled slightly to herself. I like this new voice. Or is it an old one?

The elevator doors opened and she followed him in. Glancing down at her watch, her eyes brightened. "It's two o'clock," she announced.

"I know," Kaiba grumbled.

"Is Mr. Abachi here?" she asked.

"I believe so."

Ari glanced up at him, noting the firm set of his jaw. No excuses. "I want to be there."

"We've already discussed this, Ari," he said evenly without glancing at her.

"There was never a discussion. You just simply decided—"

"And my decision remains the same," he interrupted her sharply.

"It's my program," she snapped. "I deserve to be involved."

"The program belongs to Kaiba Corp and as I am Kaiba Corp, that makes it mine."

Possession. The thought cut through her sharply and she wasn't so sure it applied only to the program in question.

How much do I remember about this man? What is it he doesn't want me to know? Her eyes widened slightly. Is it possible that before the accident, she had not been in love with Seto Kaiba after all? Was all of this a ruse to disguise his own unrequited love? Was he taking advantage of her missing memories to once again secure what he desired? Because Seto Kaiba always got what he wanted.

Pale eyes narrowed and she folded her arms defiantly across her chest, ignoring the disagreeing pain in her heart. She was too angry to take notice of fledgling feelings.

"As I recall, I am a valuable employee of Kaiba Corp and responsible for its greatest development. Those are words from your own mouth, Kaiba."

There was a noticeable eye twitch when she snapped on his surname. Just the night before he had told her not to call him that. He turned his head slightly to fix her with an unfriendly glare.

"Be careful, Ari."

She met his glare evenly. "Or what? I'm fired? Big deal! With you keeping me in the dark all the time I don't even know what I'm suppose to do here anyway!"

A slight smile tugged at his lips but he veiled his amusement. She was angry, she was fearless, and she was determined. She was Ari Nieche. Had he the time he would love to continue this argument with her, pushing her to the very limits of her obstinate rage. But he had a meeting with Corrin Abachi and by no means could he let her be there. There was no telling how she would react when she saw the reality of her invention. He had come too far to dare risk endangering her progress now with the unpredictable memories trapped in her mind.

"That never stopped you before," he said as the elevator doors opened and he stepped out. When Ari didn't follow, he turned to look at her, his gaze far from pleasant. "Come, Ari."

She set her jaw and raised her chin defiantly. "I want to be there," she stated firmly.

Kaiba took two steps towards her and her brave heart wavered hesitantly when he towered above her. Without a word, he grasped her arm and firmly dragged her out of the elevator.

"Hey," she managed to gasp as she stumbled to keep her feet. His pace never hesitated and she had no choice but to hurry her steps to match his. "Let me go," she demanded as she tried to pry his fingers from her arm, but his grip was unbreakable. It was a short walk and he didn't let go until they stepped into his office. If Sojo was surprised to see Ari dragged in so unceremoniously, he hid it well.

"Take her home," Kaiba ordered flatly and turned to leave.

"What?" she asked, her eyes widening. "You can't—"

"Can't what?" he asked as he turned an icy glare upon her. Ari took an unconscious step back as she felt his stare sear through her and kept her silence.

He held her gaze one moment longer before striding through the door, leaving her both angry and shaken.


-Just a note about Ari sitting on her bed after her date in thought. In case you guys didn't catch the drift of her thoughts…when she said "And there you have it" she meant that she had arrived upon her decision of action. She had decided that every taboo subject that Kaiba avoided was one she would explore. She believes the answers she wants are hidden in the secrets he keeps and she had just then realized that this is where she needed to be looking. "And there you have it."

I would like to thank all of my chibi shy shadow readers who have been following this story. I hear you guys rustling around in the bushes out there, so I just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about you. Just, try to avoid the poison ivy patch, okay?