Title: Haven’t Thrown Everything Away
Author: ani
Rating: TM in later chappies.
Disclaimer: its Takahashi’s universe, I’m only playing in it.
Warnings/Spoilers: only if you haven’t seen the end. This is based off the Americanized Anime.

Author’s Note: some of the OC’s are gonna be familiar if you read my deceased YGO fic. I’ve changed a lot of their backgrounds, and enough of their personalities so hopefully only the names sound familiar. But after finally seeing all of Season 2(i.e. I finally bought them!) this story just started flowing, and the backstory’s not taking over.

Ch 1: Show it to Me
-------------------------

“If you’re serious about it there’s a few empty apartments in my building.” the voice from behind made him jump, rip one of the flyers off the board. Long purple hair and bright blue eyes were the first things he noticed when he turned and she added, “That’s if you’ve handled your winnings well Mouto-san.”

He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck, “Please call me Yugi Miss…”

She smiled, “its Nakia, Nakia Al-Baroudi.” she hummed softly, crossing her arms over her faded green tee, “I’m used to not being immediately recognized, but I’d hoped you’d know who I am King of Games.”

“Come now Yugi-boy,” he was surprised at the voice, that she suddenly tensed up, “You don’t recognize the Mistress of the Cards herself? You should know your subjects better than that.” Pegasus stepped up with an older man in a dark blue suit.

The other man smiled warningly at Nakia, “You can’t expect someone you haven’t done business with to know you Kia, besides you didn’t work any of the tournaments he was in.”

“And whose fault is that, Hiroshi?” hummed Pegasus, “You wouldn’t let me take her out of school, and you barely let me take her out of the country.”

“I’m sorry Pegasus, but the childhood labor la--”

“Stop!” she cut him off, “I’m sick and tired of that argument! If you don’t stop for good I’m not doing it.”

His breath caught in his throat as he stepped off the elevator, seeing the four of them. Yugi was with her. He quickly shook it off as he started down the hall, “Classes done already Kia?”

She stopped smirking at Pegasus and turned to him, “It’s a new session Seto; the first ones are usually short.”

“What brings you here Kaiba?” Yugi piped up, “It doesn’t look like you’re here to duel.”

“I’m not.” Seto stood there in his usual white suit with blue shirt, but for some reason without the tie, “It doesn’t count of it’s not official, and besides I want the whole world to see me crush you.” He turned, “I was looking for Kia.”

She smiled, “Okay. Business or pleasure?”

Pegasus snorted, laughing loudly.

Hiroshi just shook his head in disbelief.

And Yugi’s jaw hit the floor.

All while Seto fought back a blush. “I…” he stopped, trying to steady his voice, “I have a dinner meeting tonight and was wondering if you’d accompany me,” he stopped as Pegasus started shaking his finger.

“Sorry Kaiba-boy, but you can’t,” he explained as Seto turned to her, she turned away from then all, “or more like she can’t.”

Seto snapped back to him, growling, “What do you mean?”

Hiroshi stepped closer to the younger CEO, “You can’t invite the guest of honor.”

“What the…” he turned back to her.

Kia sighed as she looked at him, “I guess it’s not a joke anymore.”

His eyes grew wide, “You don’t mean…”

“Oh now Nakia-dear, you’ve spoiled the surprise,” Pegasus mock-pouted, “Now my dinner plans are ruined.”

She just glared at him as Yugi spoke up, “What do you mean ‘guest of honor’, that it’s not a joke? What’s going on?”

Hiroshi smiled softly, “Since Kia became an official 10 years ago, word got out about her vast collection and she started brokering sales and trades. She was unofficially dubbed ‘The Mistress of the Cards’.”

“And once he found out he’s been laughingly introducing me as his ‘Little Heir Apparent’,” Kia kept glaring.

Pegasus just waved it off, “Come now my dear, it should have been obvious. Out of the three of you you’re the only one that’s interested in more than just playing the game. Who better to leave it all to than someone who’s already creating new monsters?”

She just sighed, “I still can’t believe you’re okay with this Grandpa, I mean I’ll be your boss for gods’ sake.”

“I don’t see a problem here sweetheart. I’ll be retired before you really take over,” Hiroshi started as he stood in front of her, “You know you’ll be inheriting controlling shares from me anyway.”

I’d rather stay a silent partner,” she grumbled.

“Should have thought of that before you wondered into the Design Department my dear,” Pegasus poked.

“Whatever,” she glowered.

Yugi couldn’t help staring, “You mean Kia’s gonna inherit Industrial Illusions!?!”

“So why the dinner meeting?” Seto grumbled, turning to him, “it’s not like you Pegasus to give me a head’s up.”

“Actually it was my idea,” Hiroshi said, “Since our partnership with Kaiba Corp. is one of the reasons Duel Monsters is an international phenomenon, I felt it prudent to tell you before the press conference.”

Kia took a deep breath before turning to Seto, “Well… since your night’s clear and the business has already been taken care of, why don’t we go on a normal date?”

Everyone smiled as Seto jumped, “Meaning…”

“No reservations, no pre-purchased tickets,” she clasped her hands behind her back as she leaned in closer, “And if you don’t show up in blue jeans I’m not going.” she smirked at his shock, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a possible tenant to show around.”

She turned to Yugi and started leading him away, “So is it just you or will there be any roommates? Girlfriend? Boyfriend?” she laughed at Yugi’s deep blush.

Watching them walk away, Pegasus chuckled, “She sure is a little minx, isn’t she Kaiba-boy?”

“She’s always been a bit defiant Pegasus,” Hiroshi put in, “I guess it comes from having much older brothers.” He smiled as the shock on Seto’s face turned competitive.

“It’s just one of the reasons I chose her,” Pegasus smirked. “She’s got to be confident enough to stand up to anyone,” he chuckled as Kaiba walked away, “Even the most jaded, arrogant man I’ve ever met.”

*******

She stopped asking questions as they stepped outside, so Yugi took the chance. “I can’t believe you were talking to Kaiba like that. Even Mokuba doesn’t order him around.”

“That wasn’t an order, I was just asking him out,” Kia smiled as she turned them down the street. “I’ve known Seto for a long time so that temper doesn’t scare me. And besides, he’s been a good customer. I got him his second Blue Eyes. That commission alone got me the apartment building.”

“Wow! I know people are willing to pay a lot for certain cards, but enough to buy this!” he exclaimed as they stopped in front of a three-story complex.

Kia laughed. “It’s not as extravagant as you think,” she unlocked the door. “So how many bedrooms did you want again?”