Hello there.

-points- New chapter, for your enjoyment. Specifically dedicated to Blonde-Existentialist Almandine-Azaleea and cherry-star-aus, as my three most loyal reviewers. Rock on!

And now... -drumroll-

The NINTH chapter. WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO, or Hera, or even Ra. Fear me, for I am a RABID FANGIRLAUTHOR!

It's all in the eyes

Sahara squeezed her eyes closed for a second. When they opened, they were flashing angrily and she was back in control. Well… sort of…

"What the hell is this?" she asked angrily, waving the magazine under Kaiba's nose. "Why are you so bitter? Huh? What is your problem, Kaiba? Do you enjoy bringing others down, is that it? Don't think I don't know what you did, Mister Kaiba!"

Kaiba, for his part, just stared at her. When she flung the magazine in his face to punctuate her explosion, he grabbed it from the air and turned it over to see what she was getting so worked up about.

Then, to Sahara's complete amazement, he sighed quietly.

She turned back to face him, her hands dropping from her hips, rising slightly and then dropping lamely to her sides as she resisted her sudden urge to put her arms around him. To stiffen her resolve, she spat, "What? Is that all you can do – just sigh at me? Hello! I'm not one of your employees, Kaiba. I am your equal, dammit!"

Seto gave Sahara a look of pure venom, knowing full well that most of the people he associated with – employees or otherwise – would quail before it. He walked past Sahara and placed the magazine on the couch. "Have a seat, Ms. Heran," he said, a touch of steel in his voice.

Sahara opened her mouth to yell at him some more, but he fixed her with a glare and she stalked past him and sat down. He noted that she was careful not to touch the magazine, or even look at it.

Sahara Heran: Has It All Gone To The Dogs?

"I will answer your questions," said Kaiba. "And then you will hear mine."

Sahara nodded dumbly. What could she say?

"First, you asked what this is. That, I would've thought, is obvious. It's a gossip rag. I'm going to assume that that particular question was meant rhetorically. Next, you asked why I am bitter." Kaiba's eyes flashed. "I've never considered myself bitter, so I confess I cannot answer."

Sahara unconsciously moved back in her seat. This new, icy, powerful side of Kaiba scared her a little. Just a little.

"Next, you asked what my problem is. My problem, Ms. Heran, is that you are quite the little judgemental brat, and you have intruded on my personal belongings. I highly doubt that that was the answer you expected."

Sahara closed her eyes. This is not how it was supposed to be.

"I do not enjoy bringing others down is the answer that society dictates to me, however…" Kaiba smirked and left it hanging. Sahara shivered. "Your last question pertained to what I was capable of. This," he sneered at her. "Should be self-evident, considering who I am."

Sahara opened her eyes, trying so hard to keep her cool. He's the enemy she reminded herself, and then sighed. So why do I just want to put my arms around him?

Seto stood over her, hands on hips, and felt like hitting himself. I am Seto Kaiba. I am the CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation. This person insulted me, and I'm just reminding her who I am. So why do I feel so crummy?

Sahara forced a smile. "Well done," she said, and her smile faded. She tried to force it back on but just couldn't. Her usual complete control just died when she was around him – she couldn't be anyone but herself; her true self. She felt like crying, as though Kaiba had just shouted at her, but with what little control remained she continued, "You answered all my questions."

"And now you get to answer mine. Firstly…"

Kaiba's tone was so controlled it made her blush at the memory of how she had yelled at him. Hearing him peter out was the last thing she expected, and she looked up expectantly.

"Why did you come here?"

She stared: she'd expected questions about the gossip magazine and her little composure loss, but not that.

"Why did I come here?" she repeated numbly and then got to her feet. "I came here because I wanted to see the great Seto Kaiba as an ordinary man. I came here because I wanted to find the real story behind all of this." She was right in front of him now, her steady gaze not faltering. "I came here," she said quietly, and then stopped.

She looked at her feet and then shut her eyes. This is it. Now or never. Do or die.

Remember who you are. A silky voice by her ear, but when she put her hand to her shoulder there was no one there.

Oh, blessed of Hera, remember who you are!

Seto watched her. Her confidence had failed her. He had won. End of story. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but her own hand got there first. His hand braked, and he suddenly doubted his action. Whatever had possessed him to –?

Seto Kaiba, the time for doubting is not now. Seize the moment.

His head whipped around, trying to find the speaker, but there was no one there. What the…?

"Seto!"

He turned back to see Sahara had lifted her head again, and was glaring at him.

"What did you just…" he began, but she cut him off.

"Pay attention! I CAME to you, so do me that one tiny courtesy, would you? Thanks. Now, listen. I came here to tell you…" she shook her head. "To give you this."

Her arms were around Kaiba before he could blink. He wriggled for a moment, and then it dawned on him that she wasn't doing some strange manoeuvre to kill him; she was hugging him.

Say what?

I am evil - la la la la la...

G'head. Press the button. You KNOW you want to.