Guardian Angel

By: Jenna

Disclaimer: Standards apply. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or anything related to the show. I only own Angelique and this fanfic. Nothing more.

Author's note: I'd like to thank my beloved Kris for all of his help and inspiration for this story! If it weren't for you, love, I am sure I would have never placed this story down into words!

All of the little 's throughout the chapters indicate a small author's note at the end of the chapter it is in.

Prologue

She knew from the moment that she had laid eyes on him that morning something was wrong. True, there was nothing out of the ordinary with his attitude. He ignored her slightly above silent hello as always when he took his seat beside her. But, just the look on his face told her that something was utterly wrong. Had he really lost to Yuugi? Were the rumors that Kaiba Seto, one of the world's most renowned duelists, been beaten by an unknown?

"Karenza-san! Onegai, focus your attention on the lesson!" The teacher called, snapping the girl from her thoughts. Her indigo eyes darted towards where the man stood, hands on his hips.

"Gomen nasi, sensei…" She bowed her head a moment, her long periwinkle curls hiding her red tinged face. The moment the teacher turned his head, though, her thoughts went right back to him. She had known Kaiba Seto for quite a few years now. Ever since her adoptive parents moved to Domino during her junior high years, she had attended the same school as he did. It's not that they were close friends, she was merely a school acquaintance to him. But, nonetheless, she worried about him.

'What kind of duel could leave a person like Kaiba-san in such a state?' She thought, leaning her chin down in her hand as she gazed at the board and then down at her notes. Sighing, she jotted down little of the teacher's words, pretending that she was listening. Why pay attention to a lecture that she had read up on the night before in their textbook?

She glanced at him once more as the teacher moved onto another subject, not hearing him ask her a question. "Karenza-san? Karenza-san!" She jumped at his out burst, sinking back into her seat a little as the entire class stared at her, including Kaiba. "Stop daydreaming. If all you're going to do is waste oxygen by sitting there, then leave for the day."

She bit her lip. "Gomen nasai…" She repeated, listening as the teacher repeated the question. Sighing inwardly, she gave the answer he sought.

"Correct. Next time don't make me have to raise my voice…" He stated, a little disappointed in her. She was one of the brighter students that attended the school and as such, much was expected of her. True, she wasn't one of the top five, but teachers still thought highly of her.

"Alright, class… I think it is as good of a time as any to announce now that exams will begin soon…" The class groaned, several of them beginning to complain. The teacher raised his hand, silencing them all. "But, being that I know many of you need the extra help… Everyone will be assigned a study buddy. And to make sure that you do study, I will be assigning you review assignments to do together."

The majority of the class perked up a little, but she only sunk back into her seat more. She hated tests. She didn't have the nerves for them. Every major test she took, she failed. No matter how hard or whom she studied with, she always failed them. She listened vaguely as the teacher called out study partners, idly listening for whom she would be with.

"And, lastly, Kaiba Seto and Karenza Angelique…" Her head shot up, looking at the teacher and then to Kaiba. She moved to protest, but the lunch bell caught her before she had the chance. "I will give your assignments after lunch!"

Angelique sighed, rubbing her face a little as she rested her head down on her arms. Why is it that fate chose to nip her in the rear like this? Shaking her head, she waited for the lunch hour to end, flipping through one of the textbooks idly.

Kaiba sighed, Angelique wasn't necessarily a bad study partner, he had just hoped he could get out of this. He'd had a bad feeling lately that something was wrong; he also wanted to check his simulator. He sighed again, he would simply wait until he was done and get to work. Maybe he could get Mokuba to occupy her.

He turned to her, "We can study at my home, it should be far quieter there, as well as much easier to review all of the information."

She jumped a little, her mind being pulled from other thoughts. She gave him a small smile along with a nod. "Wha... What time should I come by? I know you have better things to do..." She stated, gratefulness hinting in her quivering voice.

He shrugged, "Just come with me after class. My chauffeur will be here and it will be simpler since then you won't have to worry about being slowed by my security staff."

She nodded. "Arigato, Kaiba-kun." She turned back to her textbook, sighing inwardly. 'Maybe I can find out what's wrong with him this way... Knowing sensei, we'll be doing this for the next few weeks...' She thought to herself, nibbling on the inside of her lip.