I don't own Yugioh, honest. Finally, I get a little more interaction between these two. ^-^ And there'll be more to come and of course, things'll get a little crazier as well. I hope you enjoy.

A Changed View

Chapter 05:

Of Cards and Siblings…

"Th-thank you." Shizuka whispered, her cheeks colored a faint shade of pink.

Kaiba brought his hand back to his side and settled on a more appropriate glare on the much shorter girl in front of him. "In another daydream, princess?" He remarked nonchalantly. Her eye twitched at the difference in tone and demeanor as he folded his strong arms across his chest. His lips curled into a smug smirk.

'Again with the daydreaming remark? That's so childish! It was an accident and I said I was sorry. Sheesh.' Shizuka pouted visibly with narrowed guise as all traces of thought that he had a nice side diminished. "Hey-" She started before Mokuba pulled on his shirt sleeve, cutting her off mid-tirade.

"Seto, it was my fault. Really." He murmured, still frowning guiltily. "I think I might've hurt her arm too.." His attention turned to Shizuka. "I didn't mean to." He stressed once more.

The girl smiled gently and shook her head. Kaiba's gaze lowered in annoyance. 'I wish he'd stop it - the girl heard him the first time.' "Mokuba, that's enough. I've come to realize this girl is the type that's always in another universe and consequently crashing into things, so you don't have to apologize so profusely." The brunet cut in with a heavy sigh to signify how irritated he was of the current situation. Mokuba stared over at the girl and then back at his brother, a small sweat drop falling down the side of his face.

'What did he say? Argh, the nerve of this guy!' "Shizuka!" A voice, shrill and desperate called from a familiar brunet-headed girl as said individual, rushed to her side and glared at Kaiba out of habit. "Hey, I turned around and you were gone." Anzu exclaimed. Shizuka scratched her cheek idly. 'I've been gone for a long while now, Anzu. Heheheh…' "Kaiba did you need something?" She quickly changed gears and tone. 'No it isn't like that! It was an accident! And it wasn't even Kaiba.' She tugged on the fiercer girl's arm to explain but was ignored.

The brunet let his beautiful blue eyes disappear behind shut lids momentarily with a droll chuckle. "Nothing I can get from a loud-mouthed cheerleader." He answered snide and she muttered something under her breath in reaction. "Mokuba." His voice stern but much more lax.

"Yes, big brother?" He asked timidly.

"Give Miss Kawaii your coins since hers have been scattered about the floor." 'Though she is the sister of a Mutt, I'm sure he wouldn't mind sniffing about for them.' The thought amused him but he refrained from voicing it. He was here to spend time with Mokuba - not entertain a pointless conversation after all.

Mokuba nodded in understanding and extended his cup of coins to the two girls. "Here you go, Anzu and Miss… Kawaii?" Shizuka smiled at his politeness. "I promise I'll be more careful around here." He apologized yet again to the auburn-haired girl.

"Come on, Mokuba." Kaiba's cool voice called as their electronic buzzer began flashing in vivid color. "Our order is ready." The brunet was thankful for the interruption. Anything to get out of this awkwardness.

The young boy's sullen face lit up exponentially. "Awesome, I'm starving big brother!" He grinned brightly and bounced back to his brother's right. The brunet rolled his eyes at his childish manner and dropped his arms back down to his side. Shizuka watched them both intently and mentally smiled.

She heard Anzu gulp and her head cocked to the side in confusion. The brunet girl bit her lip and sighed in tired frustration. Kaiba and his younger brother turned heel but instantly halted after a step as yet another familiar group approached - in lead, a seething blond. "Hey, Moneybags whatcha doin? Don't tell me you pickin' on my sister again?" He growled irate. It seemed that Jounouchi was ready for a fight with the brunet any time and any place.

Shizuka furrowed her brow and quickly shot up to her own brother's side. "Hey, Katsuya. Anzu and I were just lookin' for you. Why don't you show me the games you love to play?" She chimed and laughed nervously. But it furthered the discomfort. Anzu slowly joined them as well.

Kaiba exhaled a long dreary sigh with a dull shake of his head. "Like cockroaches they pop out of nowhere." He muttered lowly and glared in a bored gaze at the pitiful Mutt before him. He was aware that his younger brother was more than just a little uneasy. The boy hated to see fighting especially when it was his brother versus 'Yugi and his dimwitted friends.' Kaiba drawled. His eyes flitted towards the wide-eyed girl that was the Mutt's sister. Up until this morning he hadn't even been aware the Mutt had a sister… Not that he was close enough to any of the irksome cheer squad but still, he liked to think he was quite informed on them… He didn't know why but finding out about 'her', bothered him. His eyes fluttered closed with an unusual smirk, 'However, she is as irrelevant as her brother.' as if a mental thought had been shred bare, as he sighed and revealed those calculating blue orbs once more. His attention shifted to Yugi, whom was several steps behind the seething blond. "Yugi, I heard you have started up Duel Monsters." It was hard to say whether it was a question or a statement, but he continued. "This Wednesday, there will be official flyers with detail and whatnot but since you're here, I might as well give you a heads up."

"Heads up about what, Kaiba?" Yugi asked curious. If there was one thing the shorter one and the tall CEO shared, it was a love of games and the competitiveness that came along with them. "Something to do with Duel Monsters, you say?"

Kaiba nodded. Jounouchi's eye twitched in agitation at being ignored. "As you may or may not be aware, I have just recently joined forces with the owner of Industrial Illusions, Pegasus J. Crawford a.k.a. the Creator of Duel Monsters." The shorter nodded to show his understanding. "I've been designing some technology for the card game, though it won't be out for purchase to the general public for a while still, I will be hosting a small tournament at school open to all challengers. It'll start on Monday of next week and end with one winner on the following Friday. A Duel Monsters Tournament." He further explained.

Yugi's eyes widened with excitement. "Wow, that sounds quite intriguing Kaiba. I look forward to it." He gleamed in honest interest. "Will you be joining in the Tournament too?" He asked a little cautious.

The brunet smirked as if the other had told a humorous joke. "Are you not aware that I am the current top duelist in Japan, Yugi? The 'winner' of the tournament will receive the fantastic prize of facing me in a duel." Kaiba folded his arms across his chest. "There are some other prizes, of course, but that'll have to wait until Wednesday, when you get the flyer." He stated smugly and looked over the group of misfits. "So, I'd brush up on your dueling- if you plan on entering that is."

Yugi smiled certain. "Of course. You can count me in, Kaiba."

Jounouchi growled and raised a fist at the brunet. "Yeah, me too Kaiba. I can't wait to get to the top and knock ya off your smug duelin' throne." He promised heatedly. He didn't understand how Yugi could talk so casually with the arrogant CEO.

Mokuba ran his hand down his face in annoyance. Kaiba chuckled dark and short. "Oh I'm afraid dirty street dogs are not allowed, Mutt. I'm heartbroken to say this tournament is for people - not mindless animals." He mock-apologized with a cruel smirk.

Jounouchi stepped forward with a seething glare and low growl emanating. "I aint no street dog Kaiba an' I AM joining your stupid tournament and I'm gonna beat ya so badly you'll be the one cowering and whimperin' like a fuckin' dog!" He exclaimed as a promise.

'No, please, Katsuya... Don't fall for his snide and jerkish insults.' Shizuka pulled on her brother's arm and brought him away from the brunet's face. The blond's expression softened some and he chilled… Somewhat. Kaiba's cool demeanor did not falter any. "You keep barking your empty words, Mutt. Keep reaching for the moon, like a determined little monkey…" He clipped in amused reply. "You'll amount to nothing and you'll never defeat me at anything." He furthered matter-of-fact.

Jounouchi went forward to start up another argument when Shizuka firmly stepped in front of him. "No, Katsuya, please don't." She pleaded earnestly. Jounouchi stared down at her and seemed to fight between his pride and his sister's nervous eyes. The blond bit his lip in uncertainty.

Kaiba's voice broke through once more. "You should mind your sister, Mutt." He advised. His eyes shifted down to his younger brother perplexed at his side, "I will see you at school… Yugi." Kaiba's blue orbs ignored the glaring teen and stared dead into the smaller eyes of the tri-colored hair teen. "Mokuba."

The small boy sighed in relief that his brother hadn't gone all the way to his usual snide attitude with the others, he truly did not like when his brother did that. "Yes, big brother." He murmured and finally, they were able to walk away and leave the unpleasantness behind. "So Seto… Can I…" The younger went off to delight in idle childish immaturities with his brother.

Shizuka also exhaled in reprieve. "I'm glad that's over." She openly expressed her worry. "I was scared there'd be another episode of what happened this morning." The girl admitted.

Jounouchi's brown eyes hid behind his bangs as the others tried to assure her. "Jounouchi!" There was a loud 'thud' as Anzu hit him in the head with her fist. "You need to cool your anger a bit. Shizuka didn't come here to see you act like a lowly thug. Shape up, for your sister!" She scolded like a mother would. He lifted his gaze in a pout as he rubbed at the spot.

"Shizuka, I'm sorry." His eyes were sincere with his guilt.

"It's okay, Katsuya. I'm just not used to seeing-"

"It's not okay, sis." He corrected and then ruffled her hair lightly. "Come on, I'll show ya one of my favorite games." He insisted with that familiar sheepish smile.

Two Hours Later

"Well, sis, it's just you and me. Where do ya live?" He asked as they left the convenient store after saying goodbye to Yugi and the others.

Shizuka took a big sip of her Icee. "Oh uh, well, I live in Odakai." She replied.

"O-Odakai?" He repeated in disbelief. There was a tired sigh as he in turn drank some of his soda. "You and mom sure do live well, don'tcha? Well, let's get to the bus stop, Odakai's a little too far to go walkin'." He mused.

"Yeah." The two walked quietly and boarded the bus. "Hey, Katsuya, how do you play Duel Monsters?" She asked curiously after a while.

The blond put his finger to his chin as he found the appropriate words to explain it clearly. After a few seconds he smiled and began, "It's a pretty complicated game. I've barely just learned to play myself, Yugi been teachin' me. His Gramps owns a Game Shop so like he gets all the latest trendy games and Duel Monsters is the greatest game out right now. It's a lotta fun - you have Monsters, Spell and Trap Cards; a set amount of Life Points; and the object of the game is to get your opponents life points to zero." He explained.

She put her finger to her lip in thought. 'Sounds easy enough. I betcha I could…' "C-can anyone play this game?"

"Well, yeah of course. Why do ya ask?"

Shizuka grinned innocently. "Oh I was just asking. You said you just started? Are you really good? What about Yugi?"

"I'm like super good at it and Yugi's even better." He answered confidently. "I'll practice even more and be even better." Shizuka laughed and nodded. 'Yes, but, Kaiba said he was Japan's top duelist. Do you or Yugi really have a chance against him? Part of me doesn't want Katsuya to get that far… If he did and he dueled Kaiba and he lost - he would never let you live it down…' She mentally frowned. The two continued on in comfortable silence.

They walked up the porch steps. "Wow, this place looks great." He whistled in awe at the beautiful abode. "Doesn't look like mom is home. Should I stay until she gets back? I don't really wanna leave you alone." He commented.

Shizuka smiled. "Well, she won't be back for a long while… She uh… She's at work and all. But come in and stay for a while, Katsuya." She insisted. The blond nodded eagerly and the two spent the rest of the evening catching up and the blond showed her a bit of his cards as he had them in his school bag. It had been exactly the way she pictured it - only better.

Tuesday - 7:18 a.m.

Shizuka stretched as she locked the door to the two-story house. A last yawn escaped her lips as she walked down the sidewalk to wait at the bus stop for school. A huge grin stuck to her face as she recalled the day spent with her brother. 'We had a rocky start, but it was well worth it. I didn't imagine it would go so well. Oh mom, I really think this was the right decision.'

"Right then. I'll give her a call after school and let her know how it's going." She sighed as she thought about her mom. She loved her dearly and missed her already but things had not been well for a while and to prevent their 'on edge' attitudes from erupting into a relationship they each did not want, she opted for this arrangement. "It's better this way." She whispered to herself. 'I just gotta make sure, she doesn't find out I lied about Katsuya living with me and be sure that Katsuya doesn't figure out I'm not sharing this house with Mom.' "Piece of cake… Right?"

"Well no matter." She marched with more determination as she thought about her brother's smiling face. 'But what about Kaiba?' Her eyes fluttered closed as an annoyed sigh fell from her lips. "What about that egotistical bully?" She questioned herself. 'I need to get him to stop messing with Katsuya. I mean, he's trying to hold back on my account, which leaves him open to be ridiculed and attacked by Kaiba. It isn't right. I hafta figure out a way to get Kaiba to let up. But how?'

"Hey, Miss Kawaii?" A soft voice called out from across the way. At the sound of her name, she turned to see a young boy with long raven hair crossing the street and rushing towards her. There was an older gentleman wearing a black suit and slacks with a blue shirt underneath, running after him. He seemed panicked.

"Master Mokuba, please! Where are you going?" The man shouted desperately, barely making it safe across the street.

'Oh, it's the younger brother of Seto Kaiba.' She smiled and waved gently at him. "Good morning… Mokuba?" She questioned unsure if it was okay for her to refer to him by his first name like that.

He seemed rather appreciative that she remembered it though. "Yes. Good morning. What are you doing way out here in Odakai?" He asked ignoring the man that finally caught up to him.

"Master Mokuba, please. Your brother would not approve of this rash behavior." He scolded warily as he attempted to catch his breath. "You need to get into the car or you'll be late for school." He pleaded.

The young boy nodded. "Yes, just a few minutes please, Isono?" He asked gently. The older man mumbled something and turned to the side to allow them to continue their conversation. The young Kaiba smiled and returned his attention to the confused girl. "Oh, that is Isono. He's my brother's most trusted employee, that's why he usually gets stuck takin' care of me - Seto would go crazy if something happened to me and insists on having personal security around whenever he's not with me or I'm not in school or at home… so yeah… It gets a little embarrassing though." He rubbed the back of his head.

She smiled. "I know what you mean. I have an older brother too." She grinned. "Sometimes it kinda feels like they protect a little too much you know?" She winked as he nodded all too understanding.

"So I didn't know Jounouchi had a sister. Seto told me yesterday who you were and that you just started Domino High." He shifted his backpack to his left shoulder.

'Wow. I'm surprised he actually registered that much of me, when it's pretty obvious I'm nothing to him.' She mentally sighed and outwardly nodded. "Yes, that's right. So, You know my brother and the others, then?"

"Yeah. I go over to Yugi's every once in while to check out the products and to hang out when I can." He replied.

Shizuka was openly surprised. "Your brother let's you go over? I thought he couldn't stand any of them? He definitely hates my brother." She muttered disappointed.

Mokuba nodded slowly. "Seto doesn't mind me seeing Yugi and the others. I mean he probably does, but he knows they would never do anything to me and they'll take good care of me so, he never forbids me or tells me no." He shrugged.

It was quiet for a moment, "So, was there something on your mind, Mokuba?" She asked kindly.

His eyes turned serious, "… I wanted to…" His eyes flickered over to Isono, who seemed busy in a phone call, before continuing, "Please don't think too badly of Seto. I know him and Jounouchi have this horrible bout between them but he's really a nice guy once you get to know him." He insisted.

Shizuka smiled. "Your brother isn't the easiest person to get along with." She chided.

Mokuba pouted. "Yeah, I know. But-"

"It's okay." 'To have such a sweet and concerned little brother… that adores and tries so earnestly to defend him, he can't be bad all the time. So maybe…' "I understand Mokuba. But listen, you shouldn't worry so much about your brother - he is more than capable of protecting himself, alright?" She left out the fact that she seldom takes her own advice.

"He just… He has a habit of pushing people away. I don't really understand why but I know he rarely means the things he says. So please -"

"Master Mokuba, we really need to be going." Isono called out as he tucked the phone away in his pocket.

The young boy groaned with a pout and nodded. "Yes sir." He drawled and turned his attention back to Shizuka. "Well, I'll see you around, Miss Kawaii."

The older girl giggled. "Shizuka. Call me Shizuka, please." The younger nodded and waved, she returned the gesture. 'He's such a cute one. He reminds me of the way I worry over you Katsuya…' She laughed once more aloud. 'He's really a nice guy, huh? Well, young Mokuba… We'll see. Though part of me thinks that's just when you're around. But maybe - what if Mokuba is right though? I mean, what if his rude demeanor is just him pushing people away? Why would he do that? Mokuba seems to truly believe his brother is not like that. Hmm…But how in the world do I break through that wall of ice anyway? If I even can.' She scratched her cheek idly and directed herself to the bus stop and waited with new thoughts in her head.

8:40 a.m.

She walked in to the classroom and sat down at her appointed desk. She exchanged a few words with the teacher, Mrs. Carroway and let herself get familiar with the textbooks she would be using. Her eyes fluttered to the door as kids started to shuffle in. A face she wasn't sure if she should be happy to see or not, popped in and smiled sweetly as she eyed her. "Shizuka! I'm so glad to see you like to get here early like myself and Miho."

'Uh, I'm not supposed to talk to you… Don't you remember the way Anzu yelled at you? Oh man, what do I do?' "H-Hi, Motoko." She stammered nervously and quickly glued her eyes to the door in case her brother and the others came shuffling through.

Motoko eyed her uneasiness and laughed gently. "Oh, don't worry. Anzu does have this class and the rest of their little circle are always late. It's such a shame really, but what're you gonna do? Right?" She shrugged lightly. "But hey, just because Anzu and I aren't friends, doesn't mean you and I can't be? Right?" Shizuka bit her lip unsure of what to say. "Well, Miho and I are part of a club, I'm Club President of the SKLC. I wanted to let you know that we're always looking for members and to know there are no hard feelings between us. You can be friends with Anzu and me. If it makes you feel any better, we can keep our friendship a secret as to not upset your brother's friends. Deal?" She smiled very sweetly.

"Uhm… Deal?" 'Oh man. I dunno what to say. I'm not used to being in the middle of something like this.' Her eyes flitted to the girl with long blue hair that only smiled back. 'I'm so used to being the one everyone picks on… Everyone here seems to want me as their friend…' She mentally flummoxed.

"Oh, this is Miho. Miho, Shizuka." She introduced. The two shared a few words before more students filtered in.

Motoko and the girl named Miho went to their seats with a last wave. Shizuka sighed and sat back down in her own. Once the room was about half full, the door swung open and the daunting presence of Seto Kaiba was felt and known. Shizuka caught the two overly friendly girls swoon at his arrival. His eyes scanned the whole of the classroom before settling on… Shizuka blushed and looked away as their gazes connected.

Kaiba let his fall closed momentarily before making his way to his seat - right beside the younger classmate. 'I was so busy bickering with the Mutt yesterday, I didn't realize she had chosen the seat beside mine. This is terrific. She's been nothing but an irritation to me, and its only the start of the second day of knowing her.' "Good morning, Princess." He muttered under his breath as he sat down and pulled out a notebook.

Shizuka's heart raced as she battled with herself not to snap at the bait. 'If I'm to somehow persuade him to stop picking on Katsuya, I'mma need to calm down and not get riled up at his crude remarks. Okay… Here we go. Shizuka, you can do this…' She turned a small smile towards him and bowed her head slightly in respect. "Good morning, Kaiba." She replied.

The brunet eyed her suspicious, a little surprised she didn't snap at him. 'But then again, she probably realized there's nothing she could come up with that I wouldn't counter anyway. Hmph. Whatever.' "I'm impressed you're actually here before the start of class- your Mutt of a brother is always wrecking into the room at the last second panting like an exhausted mongrel." He remarked.

'My brother is NOT a dog!' She screamed mentally but only held her smile. "Yes, well, I like to be on time, if a little early. Maybe the longer I am here, my punctuality will rub off on him?" She laughed faintly.

Kaiba's eyes narrowed as he stared ahead of the classroom. 'What the hell is her problem? She's acting strangely. I just called her brother a Mutt and said he looked like a pathetic mongrel and she completely ignored it. Why?' He felt a little loss. The gentleness in her tone had taken him off guard. 'She was arguing with me over calling her a Daydreaming beast yesterday, so why is she being so… so…' his eyes stared over to her as she flipped through her Science textbook idly. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand and stared ahead at the blackboard. "Tch. Weren't on time yesterday, were you?" He muttered.

Shizuka suppressed a smirk of her own. 'Is that really the best he can come up with? Awesome maybe, this'll work after all.' She scratched her cheek. "Yeah, I have a terrible sense of direction. Yesterday, I just completely lost my way around the school. Hopefully I won't have such a problem with it today." She turned her hazel eyes towards him. Kaiba caught her gaze, he 'hn'ed in reply and said nothing more.