Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to YGO or SM. They belong to their creators, directors, etc, etc. I also do not own any of the songs that might be used throughout this fic. I am not in anyway making money from this and I am only doing this for fun. The plot is of my own idea so please do not steal it. In other words: STANDARDS APPLY!

Author's Note: This is one of my "sketchy idea and run with it" stories. Most times, those end up being my best. And, be forewarned. The couplings for this story are already set as far as Hino Rei, Kaiba Seto, Kino Makoto, and Ishtal Malik go… yes, this is a REI X SETO and MAKOTO X MALIK fic. No flames, onegai? . Arigato, minna-san!

Oh, yeah! Almost forgot! I will be using both Japanese and American influences from both shows. Just thought I'd warn you all. . Arigato!

Always,
Jensea

Now, on with the fic!

RATED PG 13 FOR HIGH CURSING LATER IN THE STORY!

Chapter 12

"Com'on, Nii-chan! We're gonna miss getting the best seats!" Noah growled, helping Mokuba to drag and push the eldest Kaiba along. Why he agreed to take them to a live concert was beyond him. Especially since the main attraction was a girl. It wasn't that he was sexist, just Aino Minako didn't exactly fit into his favorite genre of music.

"Don't pull on me. I'm not some stuffed toy." Kaiba grumbled, allowing himself to be guided to their front row seats. "And how can we miss getting the best seats when I paid an arm and a leg for them?"

"Oh, stop bitching, Seto-nii!" Mokuba growled. Noah and Kaiba both looked at the raven-haired child in shock.

"Mokuba… No, I'll not even ask where you learned THAT word…" Kaiba shook it off, taking a seat.

"Where else? I heard it from you!" Kaiba shrunk down into his chair a little more as people started to stare. Noah grinned.

"I told you your nasty mouth would rub off sooner or later…" He whispered.

"And I'll tell you a nice eight letter word that begins with a 'G' and ends in 'rounded' if you don't behave." Kaiba grinned slightly as Noah's eyes grew wide a moment, returning to normal as he silently took his seat. Kaiba shook his head, nudging the child gently, flashing him a small smile, Noah doing the same back. It was then that the lights began to dim.

Suddenly, the stage filled with pink, purple, and blue colored smoke, a guitar beginning to sound, a small techno beat in it. The lights flared yellow and gold as the elaborately dressed Aino Minako walked out onto the stage, her hair flowing behind her. Slowly, she lifted the microphone to her glossy lips, the lights playing with the glitter on her shirt and on her face. "Take this pink ribbon off my eyes, I'm exposed and it's no big surprise. Don't ya think I know exactly where I stand? This world is forcing me to hold your hand. Cause I'm just a girl, ol' little old me. Well, don't let me outta your sight. Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite; so don't let me have any rights. Oh, I've had it up to here…"

The crowd erupted into a roar of cheers and singers-along as Minako danced across the stage with the beat of the music, her orange shirt glittering away as she moved, the fabric swaying on her left shoulder where it hang low a little, revealing the skin of the shoulder itself. The black color of her leather capris moved comfortably against her hips as she twirled, her hand grasping the microphone harder as she sang louder, faster.

"The moment that I step outside; so many reasons for me to run and hide. I can't do the little things I hold so dear. Cause it's all those little things that I fear. Cause I'm just a girl. I'd rather not be, cause they won't let me drive late at night. Oh I'm just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak, cause they all sit and stare with their eyes. Oh I'm just a girl take a good look at me! Just your typical prototype. Oh, I've had it up to here." Minako's voice filled with heated emotion as she sang, grinning as she felt the eyes of her friends on her. "Oh, am I making myself clear… I'm just a girl…. I'm just a girl in the world…. That's all that you'll let me be!"

She waved them onto stage, Ami and Makoto jumping out from behind stage, microphones in their hands. Rei shrunk back into the shadows more. She remembered the feelings she had last time that she had performed in front of a crowd. True, it wasn't nearly as large as this one was, and that was what scared her so. All of her life she had been told that she had no talent, except when it came to her priestess abilities. She watched as her two friends joined their leader on the stage, dancing and singing with her.

"Oh, I'm just a girl, living in captivity!" Ami chimed in.

"Your rule of thumb makes me worry some!" Makoto grinned, her strong attitude in her voice.

The three sang so strongly together, so melodically. Rei looked away from them, ashamed of herself. They had so much courage and bravery to just jump out there in front of thousands of people they didn't even know! And there she was, second in command to the senshi, and she couldn't even swallow her fears enough to join them.

"Oh, I'm just a girl, what's my destiny? What I've succumbed to is making me numb. Oh, I'm just a girl, my apologies! What I've become is so burdensome. Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me! Twiddle-dum there's no comparison! Oh...I've had it up to! Oh...I've had it up to! Oh..." Makoto and Ami took the background for the last few measures of the song, posing with Minako.

"I've had it up to here!" Minako winked, grinning as the stage went black once more. The crowed cheered louder than before, clapping, screaming, begging for more. Kaiba stared up at the stage in shock.

'Itoko-sama? Singing? Dancing like that? In front of all these people? Wait a minute…. How in the hell does she know Aino-sama anyway!' His mind raced with such questions. Obviously she had done more than he thought since she went away… A lot more.

Minako smiled, hugging the two once they were back stage. "That was wonderful, you two! I'm amazed!"

"I'm glad you three have the courage to do such a thing…" Rei whispered. The three turned their eyes towards where she sat on the floor, holding her knees to her chest. "I am such a coward… I can't even sing with my friends without loosing my nerve…"

Minako grinned. "Well, we're about to see how you do solo." Rei's headshot up, her eyes wide. "You're up next…"

"Minako-san! Onegai, iie!" Rei exclaimed, standing. Minako grinned.

"You're going to sing whether you like it or not, Mars Reiko!" Before Rei could even begin to stop her, she disappeared onto the brilliantly lit stage once again. Makoto smiled, handing Rei her microphone.

"You're going to need this more than I will…" She smiled as Rei took it, holding it with timid fingers. Sighing, she hugged the fire priestess tight. "Show them that inner passion, Mars." She whispered.

"Konnichiwa, minna-san!" Minako greeted the crowd with a charming smile, waving to them all. "I want to thank you all for coming out tonight and I also want to thank all of Domino for the warm welcome I've received!" The audience cheered once more, Mokuba and Noah jumping up to stand in their seats, joining in. "But, enough about me. Let's get on to the next number! Tonight, three of my closest friends will be performing with me as well as on their own. But, there is one in particular I want you all to meet! She is an up and coming talent with a voice from the heavens. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Mars Reiko!"

Rei froze, shaking her head slowly as Minako looked her way. Makoto sighed, shoving her gently out onto the stage. Rei stumbled a little, slowly opening her eyes. The crowd screamed, cheering.

"Oh my god! Seto-nii! Look! Look! It's Rei-chan! It's Rei-chan!" Mokuba cheered.

"Nani?" Kaiba's unbelieving eyes stared at her. She was in the same outfit she had worn the first day of the tournament. And yet, for some reason, she looked so much more beautiful under the hot stage lighting. 'How… They both know Aino Minako? Why is it something feels strange about this? Sure, Itoko-sama could have met Aino-san through Rei-chan… Or vise versa…. But, that's too logical to feel right…'

He stared, watching as Minako gave her friend a reassuring smile, whispering to her, "We're all with you, Mars. Remember that…"

Rei bit her inner lip as Minako left her alone on the stage, the lights around her dimming down three beams of spotlight took place upon her. The crowd erupted into another wave of cheers, calming as the slow strum of a guitar filled the arena. She slowly raised the microphone closer to her quivering, glittered lips, her eyes roaming the crowd as her shaken voice began to sing.

"You and me… We used to be together, every day together, always… I really feel that I'm loosin' my best friend, I can't believe this could be the end." Her eyes suddenly found his, the lightening and flames in their eyes clashing as her voice filled his mind, her song becoming the only sound he heard. "It looks as though you're letting go…. And if it's real then I don't want to know. Don't speak, I know just what you're saying; so please stop explaining, don't tell me 'cause it hurts! Don't speak, I know what you're thinking. I don't need your reasons, don't tell me 'cause it hurts!"

Kaiba slowly closed his eyes, feeling the heat that filled Rei's soul. For the first time, as her powerful voice became awash with emotion, with the passion of her soul, he realized that she was turning out to be much more than just some dueling partner. He inwardly froze. Could it be he was having… feelings for someone outside of his family?

His eyes returned to her only to find that she had too closed her eyes, her voice flowing more confidently from her lips now. "Our memories they can be inviting, but some are altogether mighty frightening… As we die, both you and I… With my head in my hands I sit and cry! Don't speak! I know just what you're saying, so please stop explaining, don't tell me 'cause it hurts! No, no, no! Don't speak, I know what you're thinking, and I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me 'cause it hurts!"
She opened her eyes, her gaze darting right for his. She was pulling strength from him again, just as she had in their duels. Every time she looked into his eyes, she found strength, courage, and support there. Yet, then again, he never showed her such emotion outright. Could that be why she chose this song? Was it inwardly a message to him? Well, if it was, she had better make sure he knew it!

"It's all ending, gotta stop pretending who we are…" Her voice filled with passion and the attitude that was oh so familiarly Rei. She grinned down at him, dominance filling her body language. The lights danced off her body elegantly to the beat of the guitar solo, illuminating her natural beauty.

Why did he get the feeling the song was meant for him to hear? Was Rei trying to tell him that there was more to their partnership than what met the eye? Or… Were they meant to be more? 'No! I control my own destiny!…. Or…. Do I?' He looked to her once more, as if looking for the answers in her eyes.

"You and me… I can see us dying, are we? Don't speak! I know just what you're saying, so please stop explaining, don't tell me 'cause it hurts! No, no! Don't speak, I know what you're thinking, and I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me 'cause it hurts! Don't tell me 'cause it hurts!"

She placed her hand on her hip, shooting a sassy grin his way as he glanced away a moment, trying to get his thoughts under control. Never had someone sparked so much confusion and inner frustration in him before. "I know what you're saying, so please stop explaining! Don't speak, don't speak, don't speak, oh! I know what you're thinking, and I don't need your reasons, I know you're good, I know you're good, I know you're real good, oh…"

"Ladadada, ladadadada… Don't! Don't! Oh, oh! Hush, hush, darling - hush, hush, darling, hush, hush - don't tell me 'cause it hurts… Hush, hush, darling - hush, hush, darling, hush, hush - don't tell me 'cause it hurts…" Rei held onto his gaze as long as she could, the lights vanishing about her quickly as the song ended.

When all was black in front of him, he couldn't help but stare at the place where she had once been. Growling inwardly, he tried to shake himself of her voice, of her gaze, of her completely. 'Why do I let her torment me so? She's only a girl…'
Minako giggled as she took the stage once again, the crowd still cheering and applauding Rei. He blocked out her long-winded praises, still trying to shake himself of the previous number.

Minako giggled at the crowd a little once more. "Don't worry, Reiko-sama will grace us with another number later on, that I am sure of! But, for now, I have another friend of mine that I wish for you to meet! Otenba Mako!"
Makoto grinned, taking the floor. "Konnichiwa, minna!" She danced lightly to the music as it started, the crowd roaring to life again. "Woke up early this morning, made my coffee like I always do. Then it hit me from nowhere, everything I feel about me and you. The way you kiss me crazy, baby you're so amazing…"

Her thoughts immediately went to him. God, how she missed Malik right now. Closing her eyes, she lifted her head towards the stars slowly began to form above her, praying they would carry her words to him. "Seven days and seven nights of thunder, the water's rising and I'm slipping under… I think I fell in love with the eighth world wonder… I guess that I'm just falling deeper into something I've never known. But the way that I'm feeling, makes me realize that it can't be wrong! You're love's like the summer rain, washing my doubts away…"

Malik groaned as he heard her voice, shuddering from where he knelt against the floor, the chains about his wrists the only support holding him on his feet. 'Makoto-koi…' He stared at the window, her serene face covering it.

"Seems your senshi love is calling us to her…" Atemu grinned. Malik shot him a deathly glare.

"Leave her out of this! If it's the rod you want, then take it… I have no use for it anymore…" Malik spat, fighting weakly against his restraints.

"Oh, see, that's the thing… Technically, I can't take it from you… For the ritual to work right, you have to give it to me…" He stood straight, the shadows playing on his multi-colored hair and the red in his eyes.

Malik narrowed his eyes. 'So… He is after the items… Figures… They seem to be everyone's target lately…' He thought, watching the former yami closely. He knew from experience that he couldn't be trusted. Especially with the grin he wore.

"Oh, why would I give it to you? If you want it, you'll have to take it from me! I will never give it to you freely!" He fought against his chains more as his senses told him that Atemu was up to more than no good.

"Then it seems I'll have to force you to give it to me before you have the chance to turn it over to Kaiba!" Atemu lunged at him. Malik grunted, slipping from the cuffs just in time to avoid the dagger.

"Seven days and seven nights of thunder, the water's rising and I'm slipping under. I think I fell in love with the eighth world wonder… It's only been a week, but it's coming over me! It's making me believe that you're the one for me!" Her voice became stronger and stronger as she thought more of him. Tears filled her eyes. God, what she wouldn't do to have him right there with her then.

Her tears dripped to the floor slowly. The more that she thought of him, the more she wanted him there, and the more she wanted him, the more her voice filled with emotion. Emotion that Malik heard loud and clear.

"I will not allow you or Kaiba to foil me again!" Atemu jabbed at him again, barely missing him. They broke into a brawl, Atemu forcing him to the ground.

Malik gasped for air, trying to force the dagger from Atemu's hand after getting out from under him. "You forget one thing, though, Atemu…" He growled.

"Oh and what's that!" Atemu hissed, growling loudly.

Makoto shuddered as her tears fell, her voice unwavering amongst them. She could feel his pain now. 'He's in trouble… Oh, great gods of Jupiter… Save him…'

"It's only been a week, but it's coming over me. It's making me believe that you're the one for me!" As her song reached it's strongest point, a bright flash of green light coming from one of her tears as it raced for the floor.

She stared down at it in shock, the backup singers continuing to sing on. "Seven days and seven nights of thunder, the water's rising and I'm slipping under…"

Malik grinned, feeling a warm light cover him. "We have the senshi… You only have your slave…"

Before he could make another jab at Malik, he vanished, lightening cracking over the sky above. The audience screamed as all the lights went out. Makoto screamed as she felt something land onto of her, a loud grunt coming from it. Just as the lights had gone out, they came back. Makoto groaned from under the weight upon her, shuddering. "Get off me, damn you!"

"Is… is that anyway… To talk to your lover?" Malik murmured as he realized the flesh under him was truly Makoto.
She gasped, looking into his alluring eyes. "Ko-koibito?" The crowd watched in silent confusion, not knowing what had happened.

He smiled, helping her to her feet, caressing her cheek. Kaiba growled as he watched them. "You… saved me…" He whispered, placing his forehead to hers. "Mako-koi… Do you love me all that much?" He whispered.

Believing it to be apart of the act, the musicians began playing from where they left off, the backup singers doing the same. Makoto smiled, ignoring them. "More than you know…" She had forgotten the microphone in her hand, not knowing it picked up every word they had said.

"Seven days and seven nights of thunder… The water's rising and I'm slipping under… I think I fell in love with the eighth world wonder…" Rei, Ami, and Minako joined in, bright smiles on their faces as they watched the couple hold one another close, wrapped in their own little world.

"Aishiteru, Ishtal Malik…"

"And I'll love you forever, Mako-ai." Malik grinned, sweeping her into a hot kiss, the crowd cheering. Kaiba hissed in disgust as the noise below the couple jarred them apart. Makoto looked down at the microphone in her hand, blushing as she realized it was still on.

Grinning, she looked into his eyes, letting him lean his forehead down against hers as they sang. "Seven days and seven nights of thunder…. The water's rising and I'm slipping under…. I think I fell in love with the eighth world wonder…"

1.) I can picture Kaiba being into the rock genre. And when I mean rock, I mean everything from punk, to goth, to heavy metal, and back again! Just my view. .
2.) No, I did not intentionally use two No Doubt songs in a row. True, I love their music, but that was by sheer coincidence.
3.) Otenba means tomboy in Japanese.
4.) My longest, sappiest, and sketchiest chapter yet! Sorry for that, guys… But I have to put drama in somewhere, no? .