It took me a whole month to post this. -_- Sorry. I initially had a different idea for this chapter in fact, it happened nothing like this at all but for some reason I just couldn't post it. Something was off. So I let it sit for a couple of days and then went back to it. Before I knew it, I had completely rewritten the whole thing. 'sigh' well, I hope you enjoy!

A Changed View

Chapter 06:

The Clandestine Mind of Seto Kaiba

Shizuka kept her gaze to the door in uncertainty. 'Where are they?' She questioned with a frown. They hadn't yet arrived and it was almost time for class to start. 'Is it true? Are they always late?' She sighed in disapproval. 'I thought everybody was just overreacting or something.' A couple of minutes later the bell rang soundly and a second after that, the door was flung open and three familiar boys toppled in a mangled mess onto the floor. Mrs. Carroway shook her head in a tired manner.

"Did we make it?" Jounouchi asked in a groan from between the two.

Honda glanced around and found the quietly ticking clock in the corner of the room. His eyes widened in surprise. "Hey we actually made it guys…" He replied in astonishment.

Jounouchi looked up to see for his own eyes. "No way. How about that? I told ya it was a shortcut." He grinned.

The two started to bicker. "P-please guys! I'm happy we made it but do the two of you think you could get off of me now?" Yugi exclaimed as he was on the bottom of their pile. The two taller teens looked down and instantly jumped off. Yugi exhaled in relief.

The two laughed hesitantly and apologized in unison. "Very nice boys. But if you'd rather me NOT assign you to detention for disrupting the class, I suggest getting off my floor and finding your seats." The teacher placed her hands on her hips and stared in slight irritation. The boys flushed somewhat as the whole classroom snickered and giggled at their never-dull arrival. With a defeated sigh the trio stood and went to their seats. Jounouchi searched about the room and winked at Shizuka with a small wave.

Shizuka smiled and waved back. 'It's good to see you Katsuya, but really… You guys are something else. If mom were to see you - she's have a heart attack.' She couldn't help but grin and feel the urge to laugh though. It was pretty funny. Without any further delay, the teacher continued her greeting and did role call.

"Okay class, I have some updates about the assignment I gave you yesterday. Miss Shizuka, was not present when you were asked to partner up, so she is currently partner-less." She explained. The girl in topic here went red as everyone turned their focus on her. She stared down at her desk in return. Miss Carroway smiled lightly. "This cannot do, she will need a partner." At that, many hands flew up - most from the males of the classroom.

Jounouchi stood to his feet. "Miss Carroway, since she is my sister, couldn't she just join Honda and myself?" He asked. It was strangely a rather practical and reasonable request.

The teacher smiled sincerely with a nod. "Yes, That is of course what I had in mind to begin with, Katsuya." She admitted. The sea of hands reluctantly retreated from the air. Jounouchi visibly widened his grin and sat back in his chair. Miss Carroway smiled over to Shizuka and glanced over at the seemingly not paying any attention, Seto Kaiba. "However, with the wild -disruptive- behavior, Katsuya and Seto displayed yesterday morning, Mr. Mikame and the new counselor, Miss Ishtar have asked me to make a slight change to the pairings regarding the two of you." She warned.

Jounouchi gave her a peculiar frown, if it involved himself and the other, it couldn't be good. Kaiba seemed to share the same sentiments as his attention rose from the book he was reading to the teacher giving him a stern and mischievous smile. This wasn't good at all. "Right then. Hiroto, dear, you will need to join one of the other groups here- as Shizuka Kawaii will be partnered with Seto Kaiba." She explained. The blond haired teen shot up. Kaiba sat up with a glare on his pout-worthy scowl. "Along with Jounouchi Katsuya. They will be a three-person team." She informed.

The brunet stood in immediate dislike. Jounouchi clenched his fists. "This is CRAZY! There's no way I can work with HIM?" The two screamed simultaneously. The boys growled irately and glared at one another with invisible daggers raging war. Shizuka shrunk in her seat.

Miss Carroway slammed her day planner on her desk. "That is quite enough. I will not have my students shouting at me like a bunch of unruly five year olds." She seethed in a stern and warning tone. "Both of you return to your seats immediately." She ordered. "Your principal has made the order - if you have a problem take it up with him. However, that is the final decision so deal with it." She furthered. While the rest of the class was stunned speechless at her out of character explosion, the blond and the brunet were too upset and sulking to pay it much mind.

Shizuka slumped and rested her head on her desk. 'An assignment with my brother and Kaiba, huh? I realize it's a lesson to teach those two but why do I get the feeling I will be the one suffering the most?' Her brow twitched in irritation. 'Wait a minute…' Shizuka sat up and stood timidly. 'Please don't bite my head off… Please don't bite my head off…' Miss Carroway stared over at her as she began to clean her glasses a bit.

"What it is, Shizuka?" She asked, with amazing gentleness.

"Uhm, yes ma'am, what is this assignment anyway?" She asked. There was a snort and a gruff sort of grumbling from beside her but she kept her attention to the teacher. Miss Carroway seemed relieved at the question. 'She must've thought I was going to complain too… But unlike my brother and Kaiba here, I can see it is quite pointless to argue. I mean, the principal demanded this. I just hope they don't kill each other in the process.' The teacher nodded and explained the details from yesterday.

Kaiba left minutes earlier, as usual, with briefcase in hand. The teacher had tried to stop him so that he could go over the poetry task with his newly appointed partners but he didn't need their help. 'Let them figure out their part of this ridiculous excuse of an assignment, I'll most likely have to do it all myself in the end. Neither one of them looks capable of forming anything remotely close to poetic license.' Kaiba stopped his pace and glanced at his wrist watch. 'That's right. I need to make a call to the office before lunch to find the results to -'

"Good morning, Seto Kaiba." A smooth tone sailed casually.

The brunet cringed as he turned around to meet the gaze of Ishizu Ishtar. "Hn. Morning." He replied dully. Something about her rubbed him the wrong way. Perhaps it was the sneaky soft grin that was almost a smirk that sat on her lips as she spoke with him. Or maybe it was the way she didn't walk on eggshells around him like the rest of the faculty did. In many ways she was like the Principal in that respect. Neither one really feared his status or celebrity. It irked him.

She adjusted the folders in her hands to her left arm. "I had an interesting time with your classmate yesterday. Jounouchi had a lot to say about you. Overall I'd say our conversation went well. I hope you'll be as open about everything as he was." She remarked with that same smile on her face.

Kaiba narrowed his livid blue eyes into uncertain disdain. "What are you going on about? I don't think I understand what you're implying. Why on earth would I open up about anything to you?" He questioned irritation already etching into his tone.

She sighed with a small shake of her head. "You haven't forgotten, have you? After lunch, you and I will be meeting in my office. You will tell me a bit about yourself and your side of this childish rivalry between you and Jounouchi Katsuya." She reminded.

The brunet rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. There is no such 'rivalry' between me and that idiot dog, Jounouchi. Teach the mutt how to sit and shut up and there wouldn't even be a problem between us." He explained. He smirked confidently. "Sorry, but I don't have time to deal with this nonsense. Find some other student - there's plenty around here with all kinds of problems." He retorted with a wave of his hand. "My time is too important to waste listening to a pointless lecture from you."

Ishizu fixed him with a stern glare. "You will come see me today, Seto. If not after lunch, then after school." She warned. "Regardless of your opinion."

"I find it highly unlikely." The taller muttered as he walked away.

Ishizu watched the brunet walk away. A small smile graced her lips as she fingered over the golden necklace she wore around her neck. "You will come. For whatever reason, you'll show up in my office, Seto. And by the end of this month, I will do what it takes to make sure you do not lose to the darkness in your heart. I will not let that happen... again." She whispered and her necklace flashed a subtle glow.

Shizuka walked over to Jounouchi and the rest of the group - minus Anzu as she wasn't in this class. "So, Katsuya we have to come up with a poem together." She started. Her eyes turned over to Honda, "I'm sorry about making you change partners, Honda. If is wasn't for me, you'd still be partnered with my brother."

Honda blushed and waved his hand to signal to forget it. "Nah, don't worry about it. Actually I feel bad for you, since you got someone that doesn't have a single eloquent word in his mental dictionary." He sneered and earned a glare from his blond haired friend. Shizuka giggled quietly.

Ryou and Yugi approached with similar grins. "Hey Honda, Ryou and I were talking and how about you join us?" The shortest of the group chimed in. The pointy-haired brunet nodded eagerly.

"That's great guys. We'll definitely have our work cut out for us. To be honest, I haven't really ever written poetry before either." Shizuka admitted. 'I mean sure, I've had to do a few in English back at my old school but they had all these rules and requirements so it was a lot easier. But we can use our own form and style, whether we want to rhyme or free verse it - the only requirement for this one is…'

"I must say, it is definitely going to be interesting." Ryou agreed.

Jounouchi leaned back in his chair and groaned in irritation. "I don't even get the gist of what the hell the example poem is about. And to top it off, I hafta work wit' that bastard Kaiba too?"

Shizuka sighed. 'Come on big brother, everything will be alright. I'll make sure Kaiba doesn't start anything with you. I'm sure if I ask him very nicely he'll be willing to at the very least hear me out.' She glanced up at the clock, 'Five minutes 'til the bell rings. As soon as it does, I'll go find him.' She promised to herself. "At least we're working together on it, big brother." She smiled sweetly.

Jounouchi scratched his cheek idly and seemed to calm down a bit. "Yeah, you're right sis." He crossed his arms across his chest and nodded. "So what the heck is this poem about anyway?" He asked.

The group pouted hopelessly. Ryou shook his head. "Well, this particular one is about a man that was cold to a girl that obviously loved him. He doesn't realize until later that he also loved her." He explained.

The blond furrowed his brows, "We gotta write a love poem?" He paled.

Ryou rubbed his temples. Honda stepped up. "Man, did you even read the paper Miss Carroway handed out? Geez, Jounouchi. Of course it isn't a love poem. We gotta find something or someone that we thought one way of, but have recently changed our opinion on." He smirked. "For example, we think Yugi and Ryou are sort of on the wimpy side." He started. Both mentioned boys pouted. "But if we saw them totally kick the hell out of someone, wouldn't your perspective on them change?" He grinned.

Something clicked in Jounouchi's brain and he understood. "Wimpy?" Yugi glared.

Ryou folded his arms across his chest. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Honda sweat dropped. "I was just trying to help Jounou- Ow!" He was soon bombarded by a tag assault from the two offended boys.

'They definitely are different from the people at my school. Everyone here seems relaxed - even the teachers. Even with the bickering its half-hearted and funny.' As she observed her brother's friends and the other students at the school, it made her relieved and a bit sad at the same time. This whole time that she thought school was supposed to be painful and outright humiliating, and yet on this side of Japan, it was anything but. 'I never realized how lonely I was until right now.' "Shizuka." A familiar voice tugged at her subconscious and she instantly snapped back. She smiled kind up at her brother. "Are you alright?" Jounouchi asked in serious big brother mode.

'Everything's fine, Katsuya." She smiled with a nod. He gave her a stern look as if trying to read her expression but had no luck. His attention shifted to his friends as the bell rang. Shizuka watched him run over to rescue his big-mouthed best friend. Shizuka narrowed her gaze to the floor.

They shuffled out, passing Anzu as she was on her way in to Miss Carroway's class. "Well, looks like this is where we split up." Jounouchi said as he and the others started one way. Shizuka waved as she was left alone. "See you later, Shizuka! Have a good class!" He shouted down the hall.

"Okay, but stop screaming down the halls!" She exclaimed as he turned another and was out of her line of sight. She shook her head. As she continued down the hall she made careful note to notice her surroundings. 'He can't be too far away. I mean, he has to attend classes. Argh. Where would he… go..?' She froze as he stepped out of an empty classroom from in front of her. Her heart began to race. Well, she found him…

Kaiba hung up his phone and slipped it into his pocket. As he eyed the hallway, his eyes landed on the petite girl openly staring at him. She had the same look as if she'd seen a ghost. "What's the matter with you? Why do you have that stupid look on your face?" He asked.

Her face reddened as she looked away. "S-sorry. I was just heading to class…" Shizuka covered. 'How am I supposed to ask him to be nice to Katsuya? I can barely look the man in the eyes. His glare is so scary and…' The hold on her backpack tightened as she kept her gaze low.

The brunet narrowed his gaze and sighed. "Don't tell me you got lost again." He chided.

Her gaze shot up as she opened her mouth to retort - to correct him. After all, she wasn't lost, she had been looking for him. Thankfully her wits were about her and stopped her from voicing that last statement. 'Of course. He showed me to class before… M-Maybe he'll…' She shut her mouth and sighed heavily. "Well, I know it's gotta be down this hall, I just hafta go down a little further right?" She glared up at him. "I'll find it."

Kaiba rolled his eyes. "What teacher do you have?" He asked in an uncaring fashion. She handed him her note card that had her classes on it. "Mrs. Kazami's huh…" He shook his head and handed it back to her. "You'd find it alright.. Some time next week." He muttered. "You are hopeless. Just like that pea-brained brother of yours." He chided and began walking in the opposite direction, she'd been wandering.

'Hmm. My class is down there too. He is showing me to my class after all.' She would've smiled if not for the comment made against her brother. "Don't start insulting my brother." She reprimanded.

"Hmph. I'll do as I please." He retorted. 'It looks like she is back to her normal self. Good. I didn't like that nice act she pulled out before.'

She halted her step as he did his own. "We'll be working together, you me and Katsuya. Miss Carroway says we'll all have to contribute and edit the poem as a team." She informed. "So we should try to be on our best behavior with one another." She furthered.

The brunet shrugged. "Don't worry about it. If the two of you can manage to put something worthwhile on paper, I'll edit it with my part and give you two the finalized poem at the end of the week You two will memorize it and they'll never know. We won't have to spend any time together this way, other than in class." He explained.

Shizuka frowned. 'Katsuya would be happy to hear that. I mean, he doesn't want to do the piece in the first place and he dreads the idea of spending any amount of time with Kaiba but… That isn't right. I mean, we're supposed to do this as a team and if Miss Carroway or the Principal finds out that he did everything… We could all be in a lot of trouble. Besides…' "That isn't right. We can't just let you do all the work."

Kaiba gave her a quizzical frown. "What are you talking about? Do you really want to be in the same room as your brother and me? That pitiful brother of yours and I wouldn't last five minutes without arguing over his endless stupidity." He enlightened. "I don't understand what you're trying to get at, Princess but-"

"But… That is like cheating. I'm not a cheater and there's always the chance that they will figure it out. We should just do the project as a team. Like we're supposed to." She insisted.

The brunet chuckled in disbelief. "Such an honest response. You really are an innocent. Don't be so naïve. Why don't you discuss this with your brother, I'm sure he'll agree with me on this. After all, I'm the only chance he has at actually passing. Everyone knows he couldn't do this on his own - he's such a loser -"

Shizuka glared. "No. Stop it." She gritted. Kaiba abided only because her tone was a cross between serious and angry. "I don't want to see you two arguing like that. I don't like violence, I don't like fighting. I don't like the way the two of you shout at one another..." Her eyes watered up, damn it all. 'I don't want to cry right now!' "Watching you two fight yesterday was… It really scared me." She admitted. Shizuka fought hard to keep her tears in check. "That's why…" Her eyes closed. "I'm asking you to please stop ridiculing my brother." She lowered her head and bowed somewhat. "I don't care what you call me, but please don't call him stupid or anything. I'll do whatever I can to make sure he doesn't try to start something up with you so if you could please just stop…" She unconsciously rubbed at her eyes with her left hand. "And… if there's anything I can ever do for you…" She stood up and stared sincerely. "I'll do it." She promised.

Silence passed between them as they stared at one another with stern gazes. Her face was red with the heat of both pressure and fear. Even though she put up such a brave front, it was obvious to the brunet she was expecting a total dismissal. Kaiba hardened his glare until she finally broke and looked away. Contact diminished. "Come on. You'll be late to class if we continue standing here." His tone its usual indifference as he began to walk once more. She followed silently behind him.

It didn't take much longer to reach her class. She said nothing as he turned and began to walk away. In her mind, she knew she had failed. Miserably. Other students were shuffling passed her and entering the room. "Shizuka." That cold voice called over his shoulder.

She turned around and faced his back. "After school, at my house. If you and your idiot brother really want to do this pathetic assignment together, then I expect the both of you to be there by six 'o' clock."

Shizuka's eyes widened. 'W-what..? Did he just..?' Her face lit up as she smiled. "O-of course." She couldn't muster anything further and watched him walk away in all his confident stride. A light blush colored her cheeks as she couldn't shake the smile from her face. It was amazing how she found her seat and managed to pull out the appropriate book.

Kaiba sauntered down the hallway. 'Because of her I'm late to my next class.' He thought as the bell rang to signal the start of class. 'As if my teacher needs another reason to hate me.' He chuckled mentally to himself. Indeed, while half the teachers loved him, the other half loathed him. As it was most of the time. "Well, well, if it isn't my most celebrated student." The brunet halted his step and met the unnerved eyes that belonged to his principal. 'Great. What is this… Everyone-Annoy-Seto Day?' He chastised.

"Hn. And if it isn't my favorite annoying Principal, Mr. Mikame." He greeted coolly. "What can I do for you today… Sir?" He asked idly.

"What makes you think I want you to do anything?" He asked slyly.

Kaiba put his briefcase down and folded his arms 'cross his chest. "Because every time you show up in front of me, you need something." He explained. "So, what is it now?" He asked.

Mr. Mikame nodded. "I heard that you were planning on skipping out on the school counselor." He started.

The brunet CEO leered at him dangerously, "It's not 'were' - I am skipping that pointless meeting." The principal gave him a disapproving scowl. Kaiba just about growled. "Listen I don't have time to listen to some wannabe quack prattle her mumbo jumbo to me. I already deal with a friendship-ranting cheerleader in almost all of my classes as it is."

"You have no one to blame but yourself, Mr. Kaiba." He drawled. "Your incessant behavior with Jounouchi Katsuya is so trivial and foolish. If the two of you had just learned to keep your egos in check and tolerate one another, you wouldn't be forced to attend these meetings with your new counselor." He scolded. "Stop acting like a spoiled brat - you haven't even had your first talk with her."

"I'm not planning on -"

The principal raised his hand and pointed at the seething brunet. "Listen to me, young Kaiba. You will speak with Ishizu and hopefully rid yourself of some of this blatant animosity you keep bottled up. Obviously whatever issues you have far exceeds a simple dislike for another student. After school, meet with the school counselor. If you don't, I'm afraid I'll have to take disciplinary measures against you. And I know that can't be good for your reputation as CEO of Kaiba Corporation." He warned.

The brunet continued to glare at him a moment or so longer before growling to himself and grabbing his briefcase. "A bunch of obnoxious fools." He hissed under his breath as he stomped off. The principal sighed as he watched the teen leave. Ishizu stepped from outside of the principal's office and furrowed her brows in deep thought. 'Hmm. Such a livid overreaction. Indeed, Wrise is correct, he has a lot bottled up inside.'