A/N: Sorry for the extreme lateness. My job has long hours and school is killing me. Plus, my hand hurts since I gave myself a blood blister by smashing my finger between the posts of my bunk bed. I might have to update every two weeks, instead. I hope that's okay. Anyway, the story starts to get back on track starting here.

Atmospheric Changes

The next morning, Kaiba entered the classroom to find the usual scene. Yugi and his little pals hanging around him and watching him practice. Everyone else was off doing whatever until the teacher arrived. He glanced at Sonja's usual desk. He was surprised to see she wasn't there.

" Probably late." He mumbled. He sat down and arranged his textbook on the desk, then watching the clock as he always did.

Just a minute before the bell rang, he heard Sonja's voice outside in the hallway. It was rather loud and attracted the attention of several other students, including Yugi and the others. Kaiba stared at the door curiously.

" Listen!" he heard her yell angrily. " Every time I come near this place now, you gang up on me and try to beat me to a pulp! I'm not standing for it anymore! Do you hear me?"

Kaiba scowled when he heard the familiar voice of that blond kid from the other class.

" Oh, and what's the little Girl Scout gonna do? Huh? The last time, you caught me off my guard, this time, you won't be so lucky!"

" Tell you what, tough guy. How about I do this!!"

A howl of pain echoed through the hall and the classroom and Kaiba smirked to himself.

So she took what I said to heart. He thought smugly.

Sonja walked in a few minutes later, a bolder look on her face as she made her way to her seat. She turned and looked in his direction. Their eyes met for the briefest moment before she turned away and sat down, taking out the strange brown book.

Instantly, everyone started whispering.

" Isn't that the one who challenged Kaiba?"

" Yeah, I heard he destroyed her, and then some! But she put up a fight."

" Ah, what was she thinking? She's just an amateur from Osaka. This game is still brand new out there. There's no way she could stand a fair chance against him!"

Kaiba listened vaguely to their conversation. He smiled grimly and looked at the clock.

" Hey, Kaiba!" Joey called. He turned.

" Someone call me?" he sneered at him.

" Yeah. What's with the smug look all of sudden? You happy that that weirdo girl just beat the heck out of that kid?"

" It's strange." Yugi said from behind Joey. " I wonder where she learned to fight like that."

" Take a guess." Kaiba said. Joey blinked at him. " Huh? You mean you taught her that!?!"

" Not what she did specifically, but yes, I did teach her. And I must say, she's much faster than you are, Wheeler."

Joey started to turn red from anger before Tristan pulled him back.

" Cool it man, he's probably bluffing."

" No." came a small voice from the back. They all turned. Sonja had her brown tattered book out. " No, he's not bluffing." She repeated, turning a page. She picked up her pencil and scribbled something down before shutting the book again.

" Wha—?? Since when does he help anyone!?" Joey exclaimed in shock. Kaiba just hummed and turned away. Sonja looked up at Joey. " Please calm down." She said silently. " It doesn't do to arouse everyone's anger like this."

" What's with the sudden change in attitude?" Joey asked, confused. Sonja sighed and shook her head. Gradually, they lost interest in her and turned away.

Kaiba looked back at her. She was doing it again, forcing everyone to immediately assume she was nothing interesting by acting such.

As he watched, she took something out of her case beside her and then tore a page from her notebook. She wrote something down on it, folded it several times and then, to his surprise, reached up and removed her hair-tie, causing her hair to fall in snowy waves down her back. She wrapped the paper around the object and sealed it in place with the tie—just as the teacher walked in. Before he started speaking, she raised her hand.

" Um, yes, Miss Gavens?"

" Forgive me, sir. But may I please be excused to the restroom. I know I should have gone there before class started and I will try to remember next time." She said.

She's good. Kaiba thought dryly.

" Fine, Miss Gavens, but be quick about it."

" Yes sir." She said. She got up. Rather than go around the front of the room, she went around the back, her right hand held loosely beside her. As she passed Kaiba's desk, she dropped the object on the floor beside him and continued on, her expression unchanging. She disappeared out the door. Apparently, no one noticed her little performance and Kaiba knew exactly what she'd dropped. He moved his eyes about, searching for any sign that anyone had noticed. The last thing he needed was everyone knowing he'd been given a note by the very same person he'd crushed in a duel two days before.

After a few minutes of waiting, Sonja reappeared and returned to her desk. To look convincing, she'd placed her hands in the water fountain. When the teacher gave her a questioning look, she smiled and said, " The paper towels were out." She explained before returning to her seat. She sat down, but didn't look at Kaiba.

She really is good. He thought again. So far, she was going to good lengths to hide the note to equal his desire to hide it. After a few more minutes of waiting, he shifted his book around, causing it to fall to the floor. He groaned in frustration and bent to pick it up, taking hold of the tiny object as well. He picked them up and set them back on his desk, opening the textbook and turning to a random page. He already knew most of what was in his book thanks to his stepfather's insisting that he study constantly to prepare to inherit the company someday. Taking out a piece of paper, he pretended to copy notes as he quickly unfolded the note from what turned out to be a pearl marble. He set her black hair-tie down beside him, glancing up at everyone around him. No one was watching. He unfolded the note and set it before him, setting his pencil tip atop the paper to make it look as though he were writing what the teacher was saying, when he was actually reading what she wrote.

Kaiba,

As I am sure you are aware, I am still seventeen.

This means I am still in heavy danger of being separated from Sophie and put in a home. Last night, soon after you departed, another officer came to our door, demanding that we go with him. To confirm, I asked for his badge. It was real. As always, I challenged him to a duel, but without my beloved Hyozanryu, I barely won our freedom, at least for now. But I refuse to take back the card. You won it, fair and square and you duel more fairly than any other I have ever met, therefore, I have developed a great respect for you. This is why I am begging you from the bottom of my heart to help us. I can't bear to leave, and the officers are getting mad enough to truly take Sophie away from me as a form of sick 'punishment'.

I cannot risk saying any more here, for if it's discovered, everyone will know. I won't betray your kindness toward me, as you seem to enjoy getting on everyone's nerves. I won't give them a reason to taunt you as well. Please, though. If it suits your best interests, find me after school. Oh, and once you read this, destroy it somehow.

Thank you.

Sonja Gavens

P.S. I'll need the hair-tie and the marble back.

Kaiba hummed and crumpled the paper up, staring at the blackboard. He couldn't believe what a risk she'd taken by writing all of that. It was a good thing no one noticed.

He chanced a glance over at her. Once again, she was reading her brown book. And once again, she had that strange happy smile on her face. Usually, she looked so darkened, she didn't look like herself when she smiled. But, what did he know, he figured.

//ooo//

Later, after school had finally gotten out, Kaiba had finally decided that, what the heck? He might as well wait. He had nothing else to do that afternoon, he'd finished all his top priorities and had a little time to kill for once. He stood out of sight of all the other students behind a tree, watching the door. He wondered what she'd want to tell him. From what he'd read in the note, it was definitely bad news.

Gradually, the school emptied. There were only two students in the school with white hair and Sonja and Bakura were those two students. She wasn't too hard to spot. She came out of the school alone, glancing around. She lifted her wrist to look at her watch and sighed. He saw Yugi approach and ask her something. She appeared flustered and shook her head. He shrugged and waved goodbye as he ran to join his friends.

Finally, she looked around to make sure no one was left and then she took a few steps further.

" Hello? Are you there?" she called. " I don't think anyone's suspicious. But I waited to be sure, just in case."

He stepped out from behind the tree, and approached her. " What did you want?" he asked.

" About that note." She said. " Sorry, but it was urgent. It's true, soon after you left, another one came to the door and this one was different." She said.

" How so?" he questioned.

" I can't really describe him. But he said that Sophie and I were to come with him. I told him the same thing I've told all the others, that I'd duel him for our freedom. He agreed. We held the duel outside by the water. But he pulled something weird."

" Like what?"

Sonja appeared uncomfortable. " After several turns passed, he seemed to grow confidant, though I had the duel won after only six turns. After I demanded to know what he was so happy about, he went and showed me his whole hand."

Kaiba's eyes went wide. " And what was he holding?"

Sonja shivered and looked away. " All five pieces of Exodia." She replied. Kaiba gasped and just stared at her. " What?! You still managed to win, even though he held Exodia?"

" Yeah, I used a Card Destruction just before he got them onto the field. But that was a real close duel. I almost lost. But, the worst part is, even after I won, he still tried to take us. Sophie probably explained I'm a fast runner. I managed to get us both back into the house in time and we barricaded the door and windows. But now I'm afraid to be out. This guy seemed so familiar, and he really didn't look like your typical officer." Sonja said.

Kaiba hummed and glanced away in thought. " Have you reported this?" he asked. She shook her head. " No. You're the only one in this whole city I trust with this kind of information. Truth is, I don't think he was an officer at all. I almost didn't leave for school today. I almost made Sophie stay home, but she really wanted to go and I can't afford to miss anymore work. I'm not going to open the shop today." She said.

" You shouldn't open it, period." He said. " Remember, my company is purchasing the shop and you should be packing it up."

" That's right, I'd forgotten." Sonja said. " Hmm. I'll go after school, and I'll try to get what I can done before it gets dark."

She looked at him. " Thanks." She said.

She turned away.

" Where are you going?" he asked her. She looked back. " I don't want to walk home today. I'm going to try to get a ride if anyone's left. If not, I know a few back-roads I can take to get to the elementary school and pick up Sophie."

" Come on." He said. Sonja gave him a look of confusion. " Huh?"

" Come on." He repeated. " You're coming with me, lets' go."

" But, I don't—" she said. He cut her off. " I drove myself today, so I'm taking you. Come on."

He turned and started off. Sonja, seeing no other option, shrugged and followed after him.

" What about your brother?"

" He goes separately than I do. My driver will pick him up."

" I still need to get my sister." Sonja said. " I think she goes to the same school as he does."

" Does she wait for you?" he asked, keeping his eyes forward.

" Usually. If she isn't outside, she's inside talking with her teacher about her assignments. The one time she wasn't in either place was when she went with Mokuba a couple of days ago." Sonja explained.

" Then she can do so, again." He said. " I can have someone drop her off at your house, later." He said, keeping his voice monotone.

" Thanks. About what I said when I didn't want her to be friends with him, I changed my mind. She's never had any real friends before because we're always moving or keeping a low profile."

" Hm." He replied.

They reached a parking place beside the curb and he went around to the driver's side, unlocked the door and opened it. He looked up. " Get in." he said. She appeared hesitant, but did as he said. She closed the door and set her case on her lap, staring at the dashboard. It was a nice car, kind of obsidian color. She listened while he started the engine and pulled away from the curb.

She was so deep in thought, she didn't hear him make a call to his driver, informing him he'd have an extra passenger that day, a little girl with turquoise hair. She didn't hear until he'd said her name. She looked up.

" Yeah?"

" Where did you learn to play Duel Monsters?"

" Um, I learned it from my dad. He was real into the game. He's the one who gave me the Hyozanryu and the different cards I used to power it up."

" Such as?"

" Well, Dragon's Gunfire, The Dragon's Bead, um…Flute of Summoning Dragon, to get it onto the field, Mountain Terrain, and Lord of Dragons. That sort of thing."

" I didn't see some of those in your deck the other day." He remarked.

" I don't take real valuable cards to school, in case my deck is stolen. That's why I usually lose school duels. I always left Hyozanryu at home, as well."

" I still have that card." He said.

" Good." She replied.

" I don't need it." He pointed out.

" …Neither do I." She said. " You won it, fair and square. If you're going to give it back, don't bother. I won't accept it."

He could hear the disappointment in her voice. She wanted her card back. It was her most powerful monster. But her honor wouldn't let her accept it.

" I said I don't need it. Open the glove-box." He said. She blinked in confusion, but did as she was told. Inside, the only thing was the Hyozanryu card. She gasped and shut the compartment again.

" Take it." He ordered.

" No. I don't want it back." She said, folding her arms.

" I have no need of it, Sonja." He grumbled. " I have three Blue-Eyes White Dragons. I don't need that card."

" I don't need my Hyozanryu to win duels." She insisted.

He stopped at a red light, reached across and opened the glove box, took the card out and shoved it into her hands. " I said, take it." He snapped.

Sonja bowed her head, fingering the card in her lap. Nothing more was said on the matter.

He pulled up beside the shop and she grabbed her case handle.

" When will I know the finalization on the shop?" she asked.

" When I come to take you to the new location tomorrow." He said tonelessly.

" Tomorrow? That quick?" she exclaimed.

" Yes, and you'd better be ready."

Sonja nodded. " Right. Um, thanks for the ride. See you later, Kaiba."

She got out and headed to her front steps. He pulled away and drove off.

Sonja opened her front door and stepped inside. But she was smirking.

" I left the card on the seat." She murmured triumphantly. " I told him I wouldn't take it back."

//ooo//

Kaiba's mind was full as he made his way to his headquarters. Well, this was a first. Offering someone he hated a ride home. Maybe it was because he still minimally sympathized with her for her life. It didn't matter. As soon as she turned eighteen, he wouldn't have to dwell on it any longer.

A little while later, he arrived in his office and found Sophie and Mokuba once again debating on what to watch.

" Hey, Seto!" Mokuba called. " Thanks for letting Sophie come back. Guess you and Sonja are getting along now, huh?"

" Hardly." Kaiba replied, sitting down at his desk and starting his computer.

" But Mr. Kaiba, you offered to move us into the city by buying our shop. How come you two are still fighting?"

" My reasons are my own." He replied again. Sophie sighed.

" That's what he said last time." She mumbled. She turned back to him.

" Are we going to be moving away from that place soon?" she asked. " I hate where we are."

Without looking up, Kaiba replied, " I'm taking Sonja to the shop's new location tomorrow, if that satisfies your curiosity." He said.

" That means he's trying to get to work." Said Mokuba. Sophie nodded.

" Okay. Sorry for disturbing you, sir." She said.

Kaiba glanced at a manila folder on his desk beside his computer. It was the same folder that held the ownership files on Sonja's shop. He'd already had his company lawyers look over it. By tomorrow, the shop would be legally owned by KaibaCorp.

It occurred to him, then. He and Sonja hadn't worked out a price. How could he be so stupid? For once, he was attempting to save another from ending up like he and Mokuba and it was clouding his judgment. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. In any case, he'd have to discuss what she wanted. He supposed he could ask her about it tomorrow when he took her to the new location only a block away.

His computer finished resetting itself and he opened up what he'd saved the day before.

Time to put other things aside. He had work to do.

A/N: I can't stop fussing about whether Kaiba truly is in character. I've gotten the hang of writing his personality since I started this. I just hope this story stays on track.