Chapter 13

Friday night could not have come any faster for Aria. Fortunately, she worked late into the night, so she didn't have to worry too much about running into Riku. It seemed almost too good to be true that he would let her go without a fight, so she was constantly walking on eggshells waiting for him to renege his promise.

Aria left work on Friday at a reasonable time and headed home to grab her things before heading over to her temporary apartment. She didn't have much, mostly just clothes and a few keepsakes of her mother's. When she had gathered up all of her stuff from her room, she headed downstairs where her taxi was waiting. Thankfully Kaiba had advanced her first paycheck. She grumbled about it at first, but now she was glad she actually had some cash on her for once.

It seemed funny that all of her paychecks had to come in the form of bills, but because Riku controlled her bank accounts and she was still considered a minor, Aria couldn't open one of her own.

She paused in the foyer, looking over at Riku's study where the door was slightly ajar. Aria knew he didn't care if she said goodbye or not, but his words about her mother crawling back still rang in her head. She might never see him again after today, did she demand an explanation from him now about it?

Aria let out a breath, irritated that Riku could still keep some kind of hold on her. So what if he had said some disparagement about her mother? She knew her mother was an upstanding woman, was she going to let the words of a man who despised them change that? Aria tightened her grip on her bags then continued walking out the door, without looking back once.

Putting her luggage in the trunk of the taxi, Aria kept her focus on the yellow car. Climbing into the backseat, she couldn't relax until the driver pulled away, leaving behind the house that she had shared with Riku for the past five years. Shared even felt like too liberal of a word. Survived seemed much more fitting.

Pulling up in front of a dingy looking three-story apartment complex, Aria raised her eyebrows at what her friends had rented. The evening sun cast a burning glow onto dirty windows and overfilled trash bins. The building was located just on the outskirts of the downtown core. By no means was the area considered part of the slums, but it was a huge step below from where Aria came from.

Having paid the cabbie, Aria grabbed her bags out of the trunk and walked up the cement walkway to the front doors. Looking for unit 8 on the intercom, Aria hit the button to buzz up. A short honk buzzed back at her indicating the door was unlocked. Aria rolled her eyes, making a note to talk to Joey about finding out who was at the door first before letting them up.

Entering into a dimly lit hallway, Aria looked around for a stairwell. There was no way this place was going to have an elevator. Spying one a little further down, Aria shuffled her load on her shoulders and was just thankful that she only had to climb up one flight of steps.

Reaching the second floor, the first door on Aria's left bore the number eight, or what was left of the number eight. It seemed the brass number had actually fallen off, leaving only the faded outline underneath. Laughing inwardly at the place her friends had gotten into, Aria gave two quick knocks on the door. In a few moments, she heard muffled footsteps approach the door.

There was a slight pause and then the door was quickly swung wide to reveal a beaming Téa. "You made it!" she exclaimed, stepping aside.

"Fortunately I wasn't mugged on my way up here," Aria responded teasingly, walking into the living room.

Téa laughed. "I know, it does seem a little rough, but I'm just glad we found something affordable. Three bedroom apartments are scarce in this town."

Aria dumped her bags in a heap on the floor, happy to be rid of the heavy load. Taking in the apartment, Aria saw that a galley kitchen sat to the left while the living and dining room combination were on her right. A hallway went down behind the kitchen where Aria assumed were the bedrooms and bathroom. She gave a small shudder. "I don't know how we are going to survive sharing a bathroom with those two boys."

Téa was about to respond when Joey and Yugi walked into the living room.

"Whaddya mean with two boys? Tristan and I are very clean thank you very much," said Joey indignantly.

Aria and Téa shared a look in disbelief and then burst into a fit of giggles.

Joey scowled at them and then headed into the kitchen, grumbling something about having to live with two girls for the summer.

Once their giggles were under control Aria asked about how the move went.

"It went pretty well actually," answered Téa, "Yugi here was definitely a big help."

Yugi flushed under Téa's praise, ducking his head to try and hide his discomfort. "It was nothing."

Aria smiled at Yugi's abashment but her posture switched to a more offensive one when she remembered there was another "Yugi" who owed her some answers. Aria put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at Yugi, who was growing even more redder in the face.

Téa swiveled her head back and forth between the two of them. Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere she started to back slowly out of the living room. "I think I'll continue unpacking my room." Turning around she headed into one end of the kitchen and came out of the other pushing Joey whose arms were laden with food.

"Hey, I wasn't done!" he protested as Téa continued pushing him from behind.

"You need to stop eating all our food!" Téa yelled back. "We're going to go broke just trying to keep you fed!"

Their bickering continued down the hall until two doors could be heard being closed. Aria's eyes never left Yugi's face, while he was trying to look anywhere but at her. When he finally made eye contact, Aria wordlessly nudged her head toward the couch.

Stiffy sitting down, Aria waited for Yugi to join her before speaking. "I think you know what this is about," Aria began when Yugi had settled down beside her, albeit reluctantly. Aria's gaze softened. "But since you said it wasn't you who had invited Kaiba that night, maybe I should talk to the person who was responsible." She nodded towards the millennium puzzle that hung around Yugi's neck.

Yugi gave a small smile. "Better him than me," he said, then shut his eyes to let his "other" self come forth.

It never got old for Aria, watching Yugi transform from a shy timid boy, to a confident proud man. Looking into Pharaoh's violet eyes, it was like Aria could see the thousands of years of wisdom trapped behind them, waiting to be unlocked. She thought of Kaiba's eyes, and how they reeked of overconfidence, but there was an intelligence to them that sharpened the blueness of them to steel. Aria had to give herself a mental shake to get her mind back on the task at hand.

Pharaoh gave Aria that knowing smile of his. She glared back unimpressed. "What was it you needed to talk to me about Aria?" he asked, faking innocence.

"You know very well what," she answered hotly. She threw her hands up in the air. "Why is it that everyone keeps throwing Kaiba in my direction? Aren't you guys supposed to be archenemies?"

Pharaoh did a deep chuckle. "Actually, I believe Ishizu said Kaiba and I were friends back in ancient Egypt."

"Well we know Kaiba doesn't believe in any of that, so it's a moot point." Aria sighed and leaned back into the couch. "Seriously Pharaoh, why did you invite Kaiba that night? How did you know he would even come?"

Pharaoh grew serious and gave Aria a calculating look. Then a small smile played on his lips. "It's simple really. I knew Kaiba would come that night because he approached me first."

"Approached you?" she asked incredulously. "Why did he do that?"

"He needed some…advice."

"Advice," Aria said disbelievingly. "Kaiba doesn't go to people for advice. Especially the rival that has defeated him multiple times."

Pharaoh smiled at that. "Which is why his actions are much more profound. Despite Kaiba's feelings towards me, he still reached out to me in order to get closer to you."

Aria had to let those words settle first before she could comprehend their meaning. Kaiba was trying to get closer to her? She knew that Kaiba had developed some level of feeling towards her, but she figured it was more of a passing fancy. He saw a pretty girl that piqued his interest. She didn't think it went any deeper than that. Was Kaiba more emotionally involved with her then he was letting on?

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked quietly. "I doubt Kaiba would appreciate you sharing this information."

"I know," Pharaoh replied. "But I think it was necessary that you see how serious his intentions are." He crossed his arms in amusement. "Kaiba isn't exactly known to care for others outside of his brother."

Aria was speechless. She knew she harboured some feelings towards Kaiba, that she found him attractive. But after everything that has happened; working for him, the blackmail, she hadn't allowed them to grow, she always had to keep them at arm's length. Would that change when he knew about the blackmail? When summer ended? She didn't know. But she did know that the spark that had sprung between them was growing. And Aria couldn't help but feel a warmth inside her at the thought of Kaiba going to Yugi for her.

"So what now?" asked Aria. "Is this the part where you convince me to go out with him?"

Pharaoh smiled and shook his head. "No, I told Kaiba you needed to make that decision yourself."

Aria groaned, covering her eyes with her arm, she fell back onto the couch. "Why are relationships always so complicated," she whined.

"Because love is always worth it."

The Pharaoh's words rang in Aria's mind all weekend. She didn't know if she was falling in love with Kaiba, but she could see the potential to. It would seem so easy to just give in and let herself fall. But Aria knew that before she could even think about a relationship with Kaiba, she first needed to talk to him about the threat to his new project.

Which posed a problem. How was she to get Kaiba alone and ensure that no unwanted ears overheard their conversation? She was going to have to think outside of the box.

When Monday rolled back around, Aria had figured out a way to pass a note off to Kaiba, asking for him to meet with her. Now she just needed to figure out which of the other programmers was working for Riku.

Fortunately, starting work early had its perks. Aria was up and out the door before anyone else in the apartment had even stirred. At least she didn't have to worry about fighting for bathroom time with three other roommates.

Aria was relieved to find that she was the first of the programmers to arrive. Besides Jim, Aria did not know any of their names. Walking along each side of the room, she started reading the names off the doors and committing them to memory. Hiro Yama, Tenzin Cray, Jim Roberts, Daniel Lawson, Gin Saito, Takeo Hara.

Looking through the glass walls, the interior of all the offices were pristine and tidy. Nobody had left anything out of place. Aria was going to have to keep an eye out to see if there was any unusual behaviour.

Heading back to her office, Aria sat down at her computer, ready to dive into her assignment. The hologram program was proving to be very challenging. Aria always loved a challenge, but for once she doubted her abilities in being able to complete the task. She had too much pride to go to Kaiba for help, and if she went to one of the other programmers, it would only prove to them that a young female couldn't handle the workload. It looked like she was on her own.

Time flew by as Aria typed out coding. She was so engrossed in her work that she almost missed Kaiba walking onto the floor, doing his daily rounds. She kept her eyes on him as he strutted around the room, looking into each of the offices. Everyone was busy at work and so did not disturb them. When he finally turned towards her office, his gaze got caught in hers. Aria hoped that he got the signal to come in.

Sure enough, he walked over and entered through the glass door.

"Was there something you needed Ar-Miss Ito?"

Aria smiled at his near slip. It was unlike Kaiba to be caught off guard. "Yes actually," she said, getting up while grabbing a white folder from off her desk. "I had some files here I was hoping you could go over for me." She stood in front of him with the folder between them.

Kaiba was looking at her quizzically, probably wondering why she was handing him a physical copy of her work, when almost everything was sent electronically. She stared at him, pleading with her eyes for him to accept the folder. He seemed to have gotten the message, since he took it from her hands.

"Very well, but let's skip out on the paper trail next time Ito, save the trees and all that."

"I didn't think you were one to care about the welfare of our forests," Aria couldn't help but tease.

Kaiba's mouth turned up at one corner. "I think you'll find I'm a man with many interests Miss Ito."

He had said this so directly to her, that Aria couldn't help but feel a blush creep up her neck.

Kaiba smirked at her reaction. "I'll be sure to look at this right away," Kaiba said, waving the folder. And with that he left her office and headed back to the stairwell.

When he was completely out of sight, Aria let out a breath. No matter how many times she came into contact with that man, she was never able to keep her body under control. Her heart raced and her temperature always seemed to sky rocket. Kaiba on the other hand, was always composed and appeared totally unaffected by her. But if Pharaoh was right (and he usually always was) then Kaiba felt more for her than he let show.

Aria wondered if he'd feel the same way after their meeting.

Kaiba sat alone in a tiny little café that was tucked away on the other side of the city. When he had taken the office folder Aria had given him and opened it up in the privacy of his office, he was surprised to find that there were actual blueprints of the hologram program she was working on. Leafing through the pages, he discovered a sticky note stuck to one of the papers in the middle of the pile. It said simply that she needed to talk to him along with when and where to meet.

To say Kaiba had been puzzled by Aria's behaviour was a gross understatement. He couldn't figure out why she was acting so secretly. If she had only wanted to tell him off again, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get him alone. Plus, her behaviour in her office wasn't dark or angry, it had actually seemed the opposite. She had teased him. Nobody ever dared enter into such playful banter with the humorless Seto Kaiba.

Kaiba smiled as he stirred his earl grey. The blush on her cheeks was a nice touch as well.

When a person entered through the front door of the café, Kaiba instinctively glanced over, seeing a head of black hair. But seeing that they wore it in a 60's beehive style, with big bug-eyed glasses, Kaiba knew it couldn't have been her. That is, until she sauntered over to his table and sat across from him.

Kaiba had to blink a few times to clear his vision, for he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Not only did the woman wear her hair in the 60's style, but she also wore a 60's style blouse with long sleeves that flared out at the cuffs. "You know Ito, when I said you should wear something more you, I don't think this is what I had in mind."

"Shh! Don't use my name here," she chided.

Kaiba looked around the empty café. "Because of all the people who might be listening in?" Kaiba could detect Aria rolling her eyes behind her sunglasses.

"This is serious," she said. "I really need to talk to you and I didn't know where it would be safe."

"Safe?" Kaiba asked skeptically, it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Spill it Ito, what's with all of the secrecy?"

Aria nibbled at her lower lip. "Is there somewhere less public we could go?"

Kaiba sighed in annoyance. "My car is parked around the corner, we can go in there."

Aria shook her head. "I don't trust your limo, you use it too often, it could be bugged."

"Although I highly doubt that, I actually drove myself here." Kaiba rose from his seat, throwing a few bills onto the table. "Let's go," he said briskly, striding towards the door.

Aria jogged to catch up with him. Once outside, they walked side by side down the sidewalk. "So I'm guessing you brought a multi-million dollar sports car of some sort?" Aria snorted. "How very inconspicuous of you."

"Believe me Ito, there is nothing more conspicuous than that ridiculous outfit that you're wearing," Kaiba said dryly. "And I parked in an underground garage, so it wouldn't be noticed."

"Hmph," was all Aria said in reply. Kaiba smiled at her refusal to admit when he was in the right.

Entering into the parking garage, they took the stairs down one level, where Kaiba's car was parked away in a dark corner. Kaiba hit a button on his key fob and both doors of the car lifted up in the scissor style.

Kaiba heard Aria mumble something that sounded like "figures", but she climbed into the passenger side without complaint. Getting into the driver's seat, Kaiba started the car, put it into gear and drove out of the parking garage. "You know, you didn't have to go to such lengths to get me alone," Kaiba said with a smirk.

Aria shot him an unamused look. Taking off her sunglasses, Kaiba saw out of the corner of his eye that her eyes were downcast, her face solemn.

"Tell me what's going on Aria," Kaiba said sobering. "What are you so afraid to tell me that others might hear?"

There were a few moments of silence when Aria finally spoke. "There's an insider at Kaiba Corp who is trying to steal the plans for the online duel monsters project."

Kaiba took a moment to process this information. "And?"

Aria turned to him wide eyed. "What do you mean 'and'?" she exclaimed. "Shouldn't that be at least a little alarming to you?"

Kaiba gave a one shoulder shrug. "Every once in a while someone tries to steal our technology." He gave her a smug look. "They haven't succeeded yet."

"Doesn't mean that one day they won't," she answered heavily.

"What I want to know is who this insider is and how you know about it," said Kaiba warily.

More silence. "Because I'm one of them," came the soft reply.

Kaiba stared straight ahead, focusing on his driving; steering, shifting gears. His knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. He tried to stop his mind from jumping to conclusions but he couldn't help but think that their whole…"relationship" was based on a lie. That Aria had played him for a fool. He took in a deep breath to keep his anger from boiling over. "You better start explaining yourself Ito, if you don't want to be dumped onto the side of the road."

And so she did. Aria explained everything, from her stepfather blackmailing her on the night of the carnival to the ominous message she received so soon after joining the team, and that that was when she knew there had to be someone else feeding information to her stepfather. When she finished, Kaiba sat silently.

"You said that there was no way your stepfather could be doing this on his own. Any idea who he could be working with?"

"Not a clue," answered Aria. "It has to be one of your competitors though. Who else would be able to manufacture such an advanced technology?"

"There are a few," said Kaiba evenly, "I'll have to look into further to see if there are any leads."

Aria nodded silently.

"What made you come to me?" asked Kaiba curiously.

Aria shrugged and looked down at her hands in her lap. "To be honest, I knew I was trapped either way. If I did what my stepfather wanted, then you would have come after me and my life would've been ruined anyway. At least this way, I can stop Riku. There's nothing I would hate more than seeing him come out on top." She said these last words with a bitter edge.

"I should probably take you home now," Kaiba said suddenly. He made a turn and started to head towards her apartment. The streetlights were beginning to come on as the sun had just set. Both were silent, lost in each other's thoughts.

Too soon, Kaiba pulled up in front of the apartment complex.

"How did you know where I lived?" Aria asked, amazed. Then throwing her hands up in the air said, "Forget it, I don't want to know."

Kaiba chuckled then glanced up at the building. "I understand Wheeler living in a place like this, but how can you stand it? I'd be afraid of catching fleas."

Aria gave a small smile. "Because it's home," she stated simply.

"Aria," Kaiba said, turning to her in his seat. "I need you to do me a favour and pretend that you never told me about this."

Aria stared at him in bewilderment.

"Hear me out," Kaiba said, holding up a hand before she could speak. "If I want to catch the person who is behind this, and not just the rogue programmer, but the mastermind behind it all, then I need you to help me draw him out."

Aria opened her mouth as if to protest, but then she shut it and sighed, acceding to his wishes. "And I'll try my best to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour."

"I'd appreciate that."

Aria gave a sad smile and moved to open the door. "Thanks for the ride, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Aria," Kaiba said, touching her arm to stop her from leaving. She stood still, hand still on the door latch. "Is this why you said no to me at the park? Because of your stepfather's threats?" At first he didn't think she was going to answer.

"Mostly," came Aria's reply with a sly grin.

Kaiba huffed and crossed his arms. "Not the whole boss thing again."

Aria laughed. "It is a bit of an obstacle."

"A minor one that I will get around," Kaiba said, flashing an arrogant smirk.

Aria laughed again. "I look forward to seeing you try." With that she got out of the car and let herself in through the entry doors.

Kaiba watched her go, a smirk still planted on his face. The wheels were already turning in his mind, now he just needed to implement it.