MY Life, MY Rules! Chapter 16: Karaoke Time!, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Uh...okay, this is a really long chapter with very little plot importance, but I want karaoke, dammit!

This type means that either the one person, the background of a duet, or the male part of a duetis singing.
This type means the foreground of a duet or the female part of a duet is singing.
This type means that both parts of a duet are singing together.

Karaoke Time!

Sonja looked around as we all entered the karaoke bar again. "Well, it's four o'clock now—the grand opening is at seven. That leaves us enough time to practice for our songs!"

Malik blanched. "What?"

Damien grinned. "C'mon, it wouldn't be a karaoke bar without some headliners! We've got our old friends—" He indicated us 'real' folk with a sweep of his arm. "—and we've got you guys. There are more than enough private rooms to practice in, and you've got more than enough time to do it!"

Jonouchi crossed his arms. "I'm sittin' dis one out," he said flatly.

"What's wrong? Can't carry a tune in a bucket, can you?"

Jonouchi growled at Kaiba. "Shut it, you."

"Oh, I seem to have hurt the mutt's feelings. Poor mutt, no one cares about it."

"I said shut it, Rich-boy!" Jonouchi snarled.

Kaiba smirked. "So the mutt has a growl. That's a difference." The smirk widened. "Too bad he still doesn't have any bite."

"Bastard!"

"Mutt."

Bakura sniggered. "How cute! They've even got pet names for each other!"

Kaiba glared at him, crossing his arms. "For your information, stupid, that was an insult."

Bakura nodded wisely. "Riiiight."

Marik giggled.

Sam looked in from another of the private rooms. "The sound system's up," she reported in that strange drawl of hers, "and so're the lights. Now all we need is some people, man, and this place'll really rock an' roll!"

Sonja nodded. "That's just what I was thinking. There are stocks of albums in every room—everyone who wants to sing, take your pick, and practice. You've got until seven!"

At seven o'clock sharp that night, Sonja took center stage, microphone in hand. The rest of us stayed backstage—even those of us who weren't going to sing. "ARE Y'ALL READY TO ROCK?"

"Yeah!" the crowd that had gathered for the grand opening screamed.

"ARE Y'ALL READY TO ROLL?"

"Yeah!" they all screamed again.

Sonja grinned, raising her free arm. "THEN LET'S PAR-TAY!"

Disco lights flashed on, dappling the whole place in bright, multicolor lights. I grinned as a huge cheer rose, rocking the whole karaoke bar to its foundation. Sam should be proud of herself.

Sonja raised her arm again, and the whole place quieted down. "Are y'all ready for tonight's show?"

"Let's rock!" the traditional reply was shouted.

Sonja grinned. "Good—'cause we've got a few old friends, and some new ones, too!"

She fled from the stage, passing off the microphone to Mikey and Ryou. They ran on stage, and as Sonja pushed in the disc, they began a song I recognized immediately—Believe In, by a group called Skwib. It was on the YuGiOh Movie soundtrack—I never got tired of listening to it. The male part came first, with Ryou singing.

"You always find me
Making time, for you—
So many dreams do come true;
No room for failure
That we've had before!

Take a look at what we've got,
Each other, for one another;
Friends to the end—
Here we go…"

Mikey grabbed the spare microphone that Damien was holding out for her, so she could sing when her part came around. Ryou grinned, starting the bridge like he was supposed to.

"We stand together,
Through these hard times—"

And the Mikey jumped in:

"Don't let these days
Pass you on by!

I believe in,
You better believe that—
I believe in
You,
Oh,
Yeah!

So now you look at me,
While I'm lookin' at you—
I think to myself,
I'm watching out for you!
Let's take a chance together
Never have before!

When I think about thinkin' of you,
It feels like there's nothing else to do—
We took a chance together;
Here we go…

We stand together,
Through these hard times—
Don't let these days
Pass you on by!

I believe in,
You better believe that—
I believe in
You,
Oh,

I know that…
(Ah-ah…)
You want it all…

(Ah-ah…
Ah-ah…)

We stand together,
Through these hard times—
Don't let these days
Pass you on by!

I believe in,
You better believe that
I believe in
You,
Oh,

I believe in,
You better believe that
I believe in
You,
Oh,
Yeah!

Oh yeah!

Oh…"

Everyone screamed and clapped as Mikey and Ryou backed off the stage, panting. They had been dancing to the energetic backbeat as they sang—it looked tiring.

Next up was, surprisingly, Sam. She took the microphone, and began a song I had only head once—Hope Has Wings, by Brie Larson.

"When I stuck on the ground,
There's a walk only down,
Every step sends falling,
Now to how to begin,
How do eyes like the winds?
So soon I be soaring,
I just feel and let myself believe,

Cos hope has wings,
To carry you,
Anything is possible,
Just might be,
A miracle,
Waiting to come true,

So I hid my eyes,
And see the sky,
Will my heart begin to fly?
I will be carried by my dreams,
Cos hope has wings…"

There was another round of applause as Sam dashed off the stage.

"You sing great!" I remarked in a whisper as she passed the microphone off to John. She just shrugged, grinning.

John began his song—one of the country ones I like. Live Like You Were Dyin', by Tim McGraw.

"He said I was in my early forties,
With a lot of life before me,
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
I spent most of the next days, lookin' at the x-rays,
Talkin' 'bout the options and talkin' 'bout sweet time.
Asked him when it sank in, and this might really be the real end.
How's it hit ya, when you get that kind of news.
Man what ya do…
And he says,

I went sky divin',
I went rocky mountain climbin',
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull name Fu Manchu,
And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I've been denying,
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'…

He said I was finally the husband,
That most the time I wasn't.
And I became a friend a friend would like to have.
And all the sudden goin' fishing,
Wasn't such an imposition.
And I went three times that year I lost my dad.
Well I finally read the good book,
And I took a good long hard look at what I'd do
If I could do it all again…
And then;

Like tomorrow was a gift and you've got eternity
To think about what you do with it,
What could you do with it, what can
I do with it, what would I do with it…

I went sky divin',
I went rocky mountain climbin',
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull name Fu Manchu,
And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin',
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'…

To live like you were dyin'…
To live like you were dyin'…
To live like you were dyin'…
To live like you were dyin'…"

Bakura was next, singing Dragula by Rob Zombie.

"Dead I am the one, exterminating son
Slipping through the trees, strangling the breeze
Dead I am the sky, watching angels cry
While they slowly turn, conquering the worm

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dead I am the pool, spreading from the fool
Weak and want you need, nowhere as you bleed
Dead I am the rat, feast upon the cat
Tender is the fur, dying as you purr

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Do it baby, Do it baby
Do it baby, Do it baby
Burn like an animal

Dead I am the knife, dig into the skin
Knuckle crack the bone, 21 to win
Dead I am the dog, hound of hell you cry
Devil on your back, I can never die

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Do it baby, Do it baby
Do it baby, Do it baby
Burn like an animal

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!"

"What a perfect fit," Yami muttered audibly. Bakura growled as he passed the mike to Terra. She bounced onto the stage, as her music began—Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson.

"Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore...

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes…"

I grinned. It was Merekai's turn—she'd probably find something really upbeat to sing. And I was right—Fly, by Hillary Duff.

"In a moment
Everything can change
Feel the wind on your shoulders
For a minute
All the world can wait
Let go of your yesterday

Can ya hear it calling?
Can ya feel it in your soul?
Can ya trust this longing?
And take control

Fly
Open up the part of you
that wants to hide away?
You can shine
Forget about the reasons
why you can't in life
and start to try
Cause its your time
Time to fly

All your worries
leave them somewhere else
Find the dream you can follow
reach for something
When there's nothing left
And the world is feeling hollow

Can ya hear it calling?
Can ya feel it in yourself?
Can ya trust this longing?
And take control
Fly
Open up the part of you
that wants to hide away

You can shine
Forget about the reasons
why you can't in life
and start to try
Cause its your time
Time to fly

And when you're down
and feel alone
Just wanna run away
Trust yourself and
don't give up
You know you better
than anyone else

In a moment
everything can change
Feel the wind on your shoulders
For a minute
all the world can wait
Let go of yesterday

Fly
Open of the part of you
That wants to hide away
You can shine
Forget about the reasons
Why you can't in life (can't in life)
and start to try (start to try)
Fly
Forget about the reasons
why you can't in life (can't in light)
and start to try (start to try)
Its your time
time to fly

In a moment
everything can change…"

Next up was me—singing one of my personal favorites, Basket Case by Green Day.

"Do you have the time
To listen to me whine
About nothing and everything
All at once?
I am one of those
Melodramatic fools
Neurotic to the bone
No doubt about it

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid,
Or'm I just stoned?

I went to a shrink
To analyze my dreams
She says it's lack of sex
That's bringing me down
I went to a whore
He said my life's a bore
So quit my whining cause
It's bringing her down

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Uh, yuh, yuh, yuh!

Grasping to control
So I better hold on

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid,
Or'm I just stoned?"

"A psychopathic song for a psychopathic girl, eh?" Dustil whispered as I passed him the mike. I elbowed his as he rushed out. His music was another Green Day song—Holiday.

"Hear the sound of the falling rain
Comin' down like an Armageddon flame (hey!)
The shame, the ones who died without a name
Hear the dogs howlin' out of key
To a hymn called "Faith and Misery"
And bleed, the company lost the war today

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest or our lives
On holiday

Hear the drum poundin' out of time
Another protestor has crossed the line
To find, the money's on the other side
Can I get another amen? (Amen!)
There's a flag wrapped around a score of men
A gag, a plastic bag on a monument

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest or our lives
On holiday

'The representative from California has the floor'

Zeig Heil to the president gasman
Bombs away is your punishment
Pulverize the Eiffel Towers
Who criticize your government
"Bang bang" goes the broken glass man
Kill all the fags that don't agree
Trials by fire, setting fire
Is not the way that's meant for me!

Just cause...Just cause because we're outlaws, yeah!

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest or our lives…

This is our lives on holiday…"

Dean high-fived him, grinning, as he and Malik went on-stage to sing In The End by Linkin Park. Dean took the rapping part in the foreground, while Malik took the background.

"(It starts with one)

One thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
(All I know)

Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
(It's so unreal)

Didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on, but didn't even know
I wasted it all just to
(Watch you go)

I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…

One thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To remind myself how
(I tried so hard)

In spite of the way you were mocking me
Acting like I was part of your property
Remembering all the times you fought with me
I'm surprised it
(Got so far)

Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me
(In the end)

You kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…

I've put my trust in you,
Pushed as far as I can go
For all this
There's only one thing you should know…
I've put my trust in you,
Pushed as far as I can go
For all this
There's only one thing you should know…

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…"

To everyone's surprise, Kaiba took the stage next. I grinned to myself when I heard the song he was singing—another Linkin Park song, Numb.

"I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly afraid to lose control
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there…
I'm tired of being what you want me to be…
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there…
I'm tired of being what you want me to be…"

I couldn't help but be impressed—he'd just sung the whole thing on his own, without anyone to rap in the background. With an almost imperceptible smile, he passed the mike to Marik. She began the song Listen To Your Heart by DHT.

"I know there's something in the wake of your smile.
I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yea.
You've built a love but that love falls apart.
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark.

Listen to your heart
when he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why,
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye…

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
The precious moments are all lost in the tide, yea
They're swept away and nothing is what is seems,
the feeling of belonging to your dreams

And there are voices
that want to be heard,
So much to mention
but you can't find the words
The scent of magic,
the beauty that's been
when love was wilder than the wind…

Listen to your heart, mm-mmmmmm

I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why,
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye…"

Sonja looked around as Marik bounced backstage. "Anyone else?" she asked in a whisper.

Yuugi shook his head. "That's everyone," he whispered back.

Mikey looked at her watch. "We don't have a lot of time left, anyway. I'd like to grab something to eat, and then just relax and watch some of the other people sing."

I nodded. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm done singing for now."

Ryou nodded, and grinned a little. "I'm glad Mikey and I went first—if we hadn't, we'd probably be yawning right now!"

Damien looked around. "Well, let me be the first to tell you that everyone who sang did a great job."

Sonja nodded enthusiastically. Then she grinned evilly. "Who's up for a few drinks? Not alcohol, of course," she said quickly, "but still—anyone?"

Everyone raised their hands.

Sonja grinned. "Good—it's on me tonight. Let's go!"

I told you I was desperate for some music...

Review, please!