A/N: Hello, readers. Just a quick thank you to everyone who has read so far to start things off:

Tawny Kit: Thanks for pointing out the error…I think FF accidentally bunches words together after you upload for some reason. Oh, I went to Louisiana State actually, for two years. I'll be going to one of the so-called satellite schools (LSU at Alexandria) for a while until I decide on what I want to do career-wise and get my grades up. Notre Dame has always held a special place in my heart football-wise because when I was younger they were the only college team I could watch on a regular basis. I learned a lot about their traditions and about college football in general, so I guess that explains that. Thanks for reading.

Shy and LeighC: Thanks so much for your support, not only in reading this fic but also in other things (you know what I'm talking about )

Lilxangelxsweetz: I have good news…. seto/serenity will officially be a pairing in this fic! Enjoy!

Komo Pineconeseed: You have an interesting name…. do you mind telling me how you came up with it? Thanks for reading.

Chaos Magician Girl: Ooops…that little bit about the 4th of July was for my American friends/readers, but thanks for the well wishes. I actually like the Ryou/Serenity pairing as well. How much? Well…. Thanks for reading.

Before I continue, I want to talk about one of the things that make this game I love special…rivalries. Some go by cool nicknames, like Clean Old-Fashioned Hate (Georgia/Georgia Tech), The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (Florida/Georgia), or The Battle for the Tiger Rag (LSU/Tulane). Some play for cool trophies, like oil paintings, wooden statues, axes, old brass spittoons, little brown jugs, jeweled shillelaghs, even cannons and victory bells! For some, a win in a game against their rival can bring a sweet end to an otherwise bitter season. For others, beating their rival is the perfect way to prep them for National Championship contention. I don't know…maybe it's the thought that these traditions and rivalries have lasted so long that makes them special…enjoy the chapter, OK?

Summer Burns, Winter Scars

Chapter Four

Notre Dame Football Scouting Report!

2005 Edition

By: Mick Zabransky

For three years, Bobby Weatherbie has preached about restoring the glory to the once-proud Fighting Irish football program. For three years, he hasn't been able to live up to that promise. In order for him to keep his job, his team will have to succeed. This year, only results will be enough to appease the faithful. And by results, we mean BCS Bid (A/N 1)

Offense Grade: A-

Three years ago, there were whispers of Heisman Trophy (A/N 2)potential for Seto Kaiba. If he is ever going to live up to that bill, this is the year. He has a solid offensive live to protect him, as three of five starters return. Fullback workhorse Tristan Taylor will see plenty of action, but don't be surprised if freshman Donnie "Bookworm" Ainsley gets a healthy number of carries this season. Kaiba also has serveral wide recievers to throw the ball to in All-American candidates Yami Atemu and Duke Devlin. Tight end Shadi also gives him another option to throw the ball to in this suddenly pass-oriented offense. If Kaiba can't live up to the hype, then expect undersized sophomore Joey Wheeler to take over.

Defense Grade: A+

This unit is scary. Led by the front four, this group is chock full of future pro players. "Bandit" Keith Howard anchors the front, with his good buddies Raphael Rosso and the super-nasty Cory "Player-Killer" Davis by his side. They should have no trouble stopping the run. The only real weakness is at linebacker, where only Bakura returns in the starting four. The secondary is loaded, led by redshirt (A/N3)sophomore cornerback Varon and strong safety (and back-up Quarterback) Joey Wheeler. This unit may not give up more than 14 points a game all season.

Special Teams Grade: A

Mako Tsunami will handle both kicks and punts this season. The only worry the Irish have will be that he struggles in crunch-time situations. In his three opportunities last season to either tie or win a game last season, he only made one. Speedster Duke Devlin will handle kick returns and punt returns, where he will try to add to his 10 returns for touchdowns from a year ago.

The Verdict:

Can Seto Kaiba finally take his place as one of college football's elite quarterbacks? If not, can Joey Wheeler and the defense pick up the slack? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, expect a nine or 10 win season for the Irish.

Coach Weatherbie put down the media guide in disgust. He had won 20 games in three years,gone to threeconsecutivebowl games (A/N 4)and he wasn't living up to expectations? Notre Dame was a strange place indeed.

Seto Kaiba was trying. He really was. He tried not to think of that game that was supposed to be the turning point of his football career. He tried not to dwell on one of the few things in life that he had actually failed to achieve. Try as he may, however, he couldn't forget.

December 31, 2003

Liberty Bowl

Notre Dame (8-4) vs. Fresno State (10-2) (A/N 5)

Seto Kaiba sat on the bench, his medium-lenghth brown hair drenced in sweat. He was ashamed...this wasn't his team's failure. It was his. He couldn't pass. He couldn't run. He couldn't even remember the plays he was told to run. The defense confused him to death. It was like he was drowning in quicksand; the more he fought, the worse off he became.

B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S...Go 'Dogs, GO! Fight 'Dogs Fight, Gooooooo 'DOGS!

He wanted to kill whoever came up with that stupid chant. Seriously. Never before in his entire life had he heard anything more lame. As he saw that there was less than a minute left to play, he heard their cheers become louder. Some players had come over to speak to him, but after a few stern words they all backed away. As time finally expired and came to 0:00, Seto looked up at the scoreboard and saw the mark of shame that he would bear for the rest of his life.

Bulldogs: 62

Irish: 0

(End of Flashback)

"That's it! See you all tomorrow!"

As most of the other players hurried as quickly to the showers as they could, Kaiba remained on the field fora while longer. He stood at midfield, holding his helmet. Looking up for a moment, he saw the banners of all the national championships won by those before him. How dare they force him to live up to that? That wasn't what he wanted! He didn't ask for this spotlight, he didn't ask for the hopes and dreams of an entire campus to be put on his back. He threw his helmet down in anger and romped off the field, his little brother in the distance watching his anger simmer.

"DO NOT!"

"DO TOO!"

"DO NOT!"

"DO TOO!"

Yugi and Ryou looked on as Serenity and Malik continued arguing, shaking their heads.

"You do like him, Serenity! You blush everytime I mention his name!"

"No, I don't!" Her brown eyes defiant, Serenity folded her arms across her chest.

Malik grinned slyly. "SETO KAIBA!"

Like clockwork, Serenity's face turned a slight shade of red. "See, I told ya!"

Serenity muttered a curse under her breath as she tried to hide her face. "I'll tell ya what...why don't you let me make you over for tonight's party?"

Serenity looked over at the Egyptian as if he had suggested to have her tarred and feathered in the public square. "Huh?"

"Let me make you over. I didn't stutter. Meet me at my apartment in two hours, and I'll make sure all those guys are drooling over you. I'll turn you into a goddess."

"But..."

"Then it's settled!" Malik got up from the table with a sinister grin on his face as he strolled out of the cafeteria.

Yugi and Ryou were bordering on laughter, but one death glare from Serenity stopped that before it got started.

Notre Dame was a strange place indeed.

Next Chapter: Serenity gives Malik a license to make her over. Will the results be diastrous, or will Malik make good on his promise? Also, summer practice for both band and football continue, but how will they act when they are all on the same field-with the cheerleaders? Find out next time...

A/N 1: Bowl Championship Series...more on that later.

A/N 2: Heisman Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States every year. This award has been dominated byquarterbacks and running backs.

A/N 3: Redshirt. Usually, a school will give some players a redshirt year as they either get caught up academically or prepare themselves for the next season. This basically adds up to five years on the campus, four of actually playing football. If one is injured, they can apply for a medical redshirt. Those who play in their first year on campus are called "true freshmen".

A/N 4: Bowl games are post-season games that are usually played in late December-early January. More on these later.

A/N 5: (wins-losses)

Sorry if the chapter sucked, this was more of an "informational" chapter than anything else. Well, review and I'll give you a better chapter. I promise I won't disappoint! Lata!

BDB...out