Anzu breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped on to school grounds. She felt a strange sense of safety behind that front gate, knowing that her aunt and cousins couldn't step foot past it. She smiled widely and nearly skipped over to her shoe locker to change into her school shoes before meandering down the nearly empty halls. It seemed that she was one of the first students to make it to school that early. That made her smile even more as she decided to head to the library. She would simply kill time by hanging out amongst the shelves with her Wooden Horse glasses.

She ended up watching the boy sleep for most of the time while she was on the bus. She eventually saw him wake up and head down to breakfast and speak with his brother. It seemed to be quite the dramatic conversation from her standpoint. She couldn't hear their conversation (something she thought odd of the KCSP to leave out, but perhaps they respected some sort of privacy for the Kaiba family) but it also seemed to end off on an amicable note. Anzu was relieved at that as well. She worried for poor Mokuba and really hoped the KCSP took her suggestion into consideration about a companion for the young boy. He seemed lonelier than he tried to let on and the bullying at school only served to pour salt into the wound.

At least he has one really good friend, Anzu thought and she recalled her meeting with him on Saturday when Rebecca showed up. She giggled at the idea of them as a pair. The more she thought about them together, the more she liked it. She always thought it was strange for Rebecca to have a crush on Yuugi because of the age gap, but Mokuba seemed to be the better match for her.

"It makes sense," she mused aloud. "After all, Mokuba's kind, caring, devoted, loyal, determined, creative, clever, fun, and intelligent. Not to mention he's handsome like his brother."

She flushed at that then scowled at herself. All right, she could admit it when she saw a pretty face but that's where she drew the line. Kaiba's personality was anything but attractive; which made her wonder why he had so many fangirls. She couldn't stand him and yet he was one of the most popular guys in the school. Being rich, famous, and good looking did not make the potential boyfriend list - at least, not in her opinion.

Not like my opinions matter anyway. She grimaced bitterly at the thought, thinking about everything that has happened to her and her family just in the past month.

Her mother getting called into HQ and faking her death to get there; her father also getting called into HQ practically right on the heels of her mother's summons and then had to go on the run from the police for some stupid accusation of being her mother's murderer; AND being shipped off to stay with her abusive aunt and cousins before high tailing it out of there the very next day and deciding to go it alone as an orphan instead.

She wanted to growl and scream and shout all at once but settled for a mere frustrated sigh. There was no point in getting angry. The angrier she became the more likely she was going to do something stupid in her rage. Like slapping Kaiba across the face.

She smirked at the memory. She really let him have it and though she felt some guilt over it, she felt more in the right than in the wrong. She understood his responsibilities and the stress that came with it. She understood his coldness and calculating nature. She knew that he never did anything without reason. She knew all this, but that does not and will never excuse him from treating people like dirt. Especially good people whom have never, in their lives, sought to hurt others.

She felt the frustration building in her chest and she did everything she could to let it go. If her mother had known what she did to Kaiba, she would be very displeased and would demand that she apologize. But if she did, she would be going back on what she stood up for and she simply couldn't do that.

"Pride comes before the fall, Peach."

She sighed, reflecting on her mother's words and shook her in resignation. If she was going to fall over something like defending her mother's reputation, then she would be more than willing to take that tumble.

She walked into the empty library and settled quietly into a seat at a distant table. She pulled out her assignments from the previous week and reviewed them, making sure her answers were complete and concise until she reached chemistry.

She froze and immediately felt her agitation grow. It was that horrid assignment that Higurashi gave her and Kaiba. She had completely forgotten about it during her tumultuous weekend.

According the Higurashi, she was now "Kaiba-chan" when she was speaking to her directly - the thought brought on a cold chill. Thankfully, it seemed that she wouldn't be calling her that beyond private conversations, as she did say that she would be calling her by her family name within her class. At least there's SOME sense of privacy about this….

Still, that didn't change the fact that the dean approved this crazy scheme to get her and Kaiba to get along with each other. Her days were already filled to the brim with him, she didn't need more! She already knew his sleep patterns, work patterns, school patterns, eating patterns… heck she even knew when the great and mighty Seto Kaiba went to the bathroom!

She knew almost all the facts about Seto Kaiba. She knew about his tragic and abusive past, she knew about his megalomaniac tendencies -especially after having experienced it all first hand- and she knew about his once twisted, now very precious relationship with his brother.

She scratched at the back of her head, feeling a strange mix of emotions rise up. The relationship between Mokuba and Kaiba always plucked at her heartstrings, summoning up a conflux of emotions she couldn't fully understand.

On the one hand, she wanted to protect both of them. The pain of abuse and abandonment scarred Kaiba more than it did Mokuba, but both experienced the loneliness of family loss. She saw all of the old surveillance tapes of Kaiba's "tutelage" under Gozaburo, and was completely mortified that a grown man could treat a child so horrifically. She felt her heartache for Kaiba and was entirely moved by him for protecting his brother so selflessly. He was devoted, protective, and cunning. As much as she was loathed to admit it, she was impressed by him.

And on the other hand, she was pissed off. Knowing all of the pain that Kaiba went through to protect his brother, he turned right around and began treating his brother like an object. A tool, a toy, a pawn he could use to get what he wanted. He became tainted by power and even bullied and abandoned his brother just so he could try to one-up Yuugi over a card game!

While yes, Yuugi -or rather, Atem- banished that darkness from Kaiba's heart and essentially saved him from some sort of possession, it still doesn't change the fact that Kaiba all but abandoned his brother at one point. Even after all of the sacrifices he made and all the support Mokuba gave him during those difficult times, it broke her heart and angered her to the point of tears.

And yet, that was then. Now…. now was different. Kaiba, while still obsessed with his company, leveraged the power of his company to protect his brother to the fullest extent. She had seen Mokuba lying on the floor of his brother's office watching television or playing a game while Kaiba worked. She saw the conversations between them and always noticed when Kaiba offered those private smiles to his brother - smiles she knew she shouldn't be seeing.

It was those tender moments between Kaiba and Mokuba that warmed her heart more than anything else. It was those special moments of family that made her want to protect them. And it was the culmination of those moments, when she saw both brothers turn to stone in Noa's virtual world, that brought her to the decision that would, once again, change the course of her future.

She felt an odd prick at the back of her eyes, which brought her out of reverie. She touched face and felt the heat on her cheeks, but thankfully no tears. She sighed and shook her head to rid herself of the complicated emotions that overtook her and leaned back in her chair.

To this day, she still couldn't understand fully how she felt about the Kaiba brothers. She wanted to protect the family that they were, but she simply couldn't get along with Kaiba. She knew he loved his brother, though she would be bold enough to say that his priorities were currently misplaced. And yet, her relationship with Mokuba seemed to be on the best of terms. How she could adore one, despise the other, and yet feel such a strong desire to protect them as a whole she would probably never understand.

And yet, here she was, assigned to be to Kaiba's fake wife so they could try and make nice with each other.

She wanted to slam her head into the table. "I can't take anymore of this drama." She sighed aloud.

"Ah, Kaiba-chan." Anzu stiffened; only one person in the whole school would call her that. She reluctantly looked up to see Higurashi looking over at her, carrying several books over to the librarian's "Return" stall. "You are here early this morning, I see."

Normally Anzu was very respectful towards teachers, but considering whom this was and the circumstances she placed her in, she wasn't exactly feeling like the most cordial student towards her at the moment. "Morning, Higurashi-sensei."

Higurashi turned towards her and smiled. "I'm glad I caught you, actually. I wanted to speak with you privately."

Anzu felt the dread sinking into her shoulders as her chemistry teacher approached her. Higurashi took the seat opposite Anzu, folding her hands politely on the table. "How have you been?"

Anzu averted her attention away from her. "I am well. How are you?" Her answer was cordial, but very stiff.

Higurashi laughed a little. "Oh, come now, I'm not going to bite. I may be a strict teacher, but I do care about my students." She offered Anzu a disarming smile. "That goes for all of them, you know."

Anzu glanced over at her, still not entirely inclined to indulge her teacher in light-hearted banter. She was here for a reason, right? "You wanted to speak to be about something, Sensei?" she asked, hoping to get straight to the point.

Higurashi refused to be put off. "Yes, I did, and it's quite personal so I'm glad to do this without anyone around." Even with saying that, she lowered her voice saying, "Dei Donum"

Anzu froze in shock, her gaze locked with Higurashi's. That phrase…. She NEVER thought she'd hear that phrase uttered in her school. Of all places!

Higurashi tilted her head slightly, startling Anzu a bit before she realized that the woman across from her was waiting for her replay. "P-prudentia et candore…."

Higurashi's face brightened. "Oh thank goodness! For a minute there I thought I was going to have to knock you out." She breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good to meet you, Agent."

Anzu jumped out of her seat. "What?! You mean, YOU'RE a part of the-"

Higurashi quickly covered Anzu's mouth, her eyes steely. "We don't mention that here. You know that."

Anzu gulped and nodded slowly. Higurashi removed her hand. The warning didn't prevent Anzu from asking the first question that came to mind, though she did drop her voice to just above a whisper. "Why are you approaching me now?"

Higurashi took her seat again. "Why do you think? Orders, of course."

Anzu was confused. "Orders?" She sat down. "Why would they tell you to reach out to me?"

Higurashi's gaze softened, "They want me to be your handler."

"My handler?!" Anzu felt agitation building up again. "Why?!"

Higurashi shook her head. "Honestly, I am unsure. All I received was official orders to become your handler."

"I'm a classified Insurgent. I don't need a handler!" She objected fiercely.

Higurashi merely shrugged her shoulders, "It is what it is now, Kaiba-chan. Though, I will admit, I'm just as confused as you are. After all, it's very bizarre having an Insurgent playing handler to another Insurgent."

Anzu's eyes widened. Another Insurgent? Her mind began to race with all of the possible scenarios that could have occurred to her instructor to share the same classification.

Higurashi's grin widened, "I can tell what you're thinking. It's written all over your face."

Anzu felt awkward and averted gaze. This was her first meeting with another agent outside of any training branch - other than her reaper just over a week ago. Now she meets an Insurgent who was ordered to be her handler. She wasn't entirely sure how to handle this new found information, but the profound sense of exasperation was there. After all, Insurgents were known to not be in need of a handler - they could manage their affairs and assignments on their own and she worked hard to make sure she didn't need a handler. Despite her erratic behavior as of late, she had proved to the organization that she was reliable. What gives?

She frowned and met Higurashi's gaze. "It's just a lot to process at once," she responded.

Higurashi nodded in agreement. "I'll say. As Insurgent's, we aren't notified of when we're in close proximity another until the ORG decides to finally clue us in. At their convenience, no less." She wrinkled her nose in what appeared to be agitation.

That caught Anzu by surprise. "The ORG?" she repeated.

She smiled at Anzu with amusement. "Short for organization. Too many syllables and I for one want to get them out of my mouth as quick as possible."

Anzu nodded, "Agreed." She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. "So, does this mean I report to you directly from now on or do I still send my reports in?"

Higurashi shrugged. "Beats me. I was only told that I'm going to be your handler going forward; they didn't say anything about what was expected I do. I'm guessing, me, but go ahead and send them in. I have my own reports to do, as you know."

She smiled at her teacher. "I can see why you're an Insurgent."

Higurashi sat back in her own chair with folded arms. "Right back at you." Anzu cocked an eyebrow. "They gave me your file over the weekend. I must say, slapping Kaiba across the face? I WISH I could have seen that!"

Anzu flushed a brilliant red. "They put that in there?!"

Higurashi rolled her eyes, "You're surprised? They keep tabs on everything, you know that. You personally harmed the Dragon, did you really think they wouldn't record it?"

Anzu sighed, "It's not that; I'm surprised they let you know that."

"Oh, it was quite the comprehensive file. Including your reaping," Higurashi's gaze held firm and Anzu felt the need to squirm, but held her ground. "As well as your trip to Egypt, your involvement with the Dartz scandal, the escapade in the Virtual World with Noa, your Battle City adventure, your debut at Duelist Kingdom, and of course, when you met him for the first time in high school."

Anzu felt skin blazing from the neck up. "They gave you my ENTIRE file?!"

"Of course they did. A handler needs to know what kind of agent they're getting involved with." Higurashi leaned forward with a fire in her eyes. "And it seems, I got the feisty one."

Anzu gulped then sighed. "Yeah well, I guess I was just HOPING they would have told you who I was and how to find me. Didn't think they'd give you the background story of my history with the Dragon."

Higurashi merely shrugged. "Honestly, I'm glad they did. It made giving the assignment to you and Kaiba a lot more entertaining."

"The… assignment?" Anzu couldn't believe it as fury crossed her face. "You mean I'm married to that Dick Wad Because Of THE STUPID ORGANIZATION?!" She rose from her seat as she felt the steam explode from her ears. "ARE YOU FUC-"

"Mazaki! Sit down and SHUT UP!" cried the librarian from around the corner. "Or I will throw you out and ban you for the rest of your term here!"

Anzu scoffed, but sat down in a huff. Higurashi, on the other hand, was doing her best to not bust her gut while suppressing her laughter.

"Oh, laugh it up why don't you!" She exclaimed in a very loud whisper. "You and that damn organization just LOVE to screw with me!"

Higurashi swallowed her mirth and took a deep breath to control herself. "Well, you're not wrong there. If I'm being completely honest, I was doing my absolute best to not laugh at you guys." Anzu glared daggers at her, but Higurashi just waved her off. "It's your own fault you know. You guys make it, way too easy. It's like an otome game. The cold, calculating protagonist," Higurashi held out one hand for Kaiba, "and the feisty, compassionate heroine," she held out the other for Anzu. "Both at odds with each other, constantly clashing over everything until," she laced her hands together as sparks appeared in her eyes, "they come to an understanding of one another and the ice around the protagonist melts and falls for the heroine, while the heroine figures out she's had feelings for him this whole time. They fall madly in love with each other, get married, and live a long, beautiful life together." She sighed in ecstasy, imaging her twisted love story.

Anzu gagged and stared at her in disbelief. "You… Are you high on something? What kind of twisted fantasy are you living in? This is reality, not some sort of stupid game where two people who hate each other fall in love."

Higurashi rolled her eyes, "Well, duh. This isn't about making you guys fall in love with each other. This is, literally, to just torture you both."

"What?!"

"That, and to give Mokuba a companion." Higurashi stated.

Anzu blinked. "Wait… what?"

Higurashi smiled at her. "You heard right. Apparently, some feisty, compassionate Agent swallowed her pride and requested that the young master receive the guidance and counsel of a young woman. Something about 'to aid in Master Mokuba Kaiba's growth and development through his adolescent years, who will serve as his friend and guide when Master Kaiba is unable to do so.' Sound familiar?"

Anzu went limp in her chair with realization. "Me? They're assigning ME to be Mokuba's caregiver?"

Higurashi cocked an eyebrow, "You expected someone else?"

"Of course I did! Mokuba is Kaiba's younger brother! I'm a nobody in the KCSP's eyes! I'm violent, reckless, overly emotional-"

"Reliable, strong-willed, caring, observant, vigilant, and devoted." Higurashi grinned as Anzu fell silent. "You really think the ORG thinks so little of you?"

She opened her mouth to say yes, but didn't the opportunity. "Anzu," the chemistry said kindly, "you seem to forget that this stupid agency is actually quite intelligent. They know their agents better than we assume they do. They're constantly watching us - observing, evaluating, calculating - to know how to best place their chess pieces. Their modus operandi is to manipulate every single one of us in their possession to achieve their goal: protect the CEO of Kaiba Corp and his family. They give no care to their agents' personal lives, or their desires, or their choices… only what benefits the CEO. As such, they will only put their finest near him. Even if that agent is violent, reckless, overly emotional, and as just as stubborn as he is."

Anzu suddenly felt sheepish under her teacher's gaze and stared at the table, contemplating what she just heard. It was hard to believe that they deemed her worthy enough to be around the Kaiba family.

Higurashi stood to leave. "I'll let you mull that over a bit; I have to go finish preparations for home room." She took several steps towards the exit before pausing. "By the way, Kaiba-chan." She turned to her speechless student. "Your assignment grants you permission to enter Kaiba grounds - but YOU are going to have to find a way on there yourself. With the glaring animosity between you two, here's hoping he won't shoot first and ask questions later when you set foot on the lawn." She winked mischievously then left without another word.