I DON'T TAKE CREDIT OR OWN 5D'S OR THE CHARACTERS!

Crow's First Encounter II

Ugly, Yellow, Jagged.

"I didn't do it!" cried Crow, terrorized at the thought of going back. "Honest I didn't. Please don't turn me over to them!" he pleaded. Crow pleaded and begged, his words blended together and he couldn't make out what he was trying to say. He jerked up, sweat glistening on his forehead. Crow sighed, it was just a nightmare but it had seemed so real! Why couldn't he just forget about the experience? Why couldn't he forget the pain? For those questions, Crow had no answers.

Next Day

Crow skipped along happily with Yusei, it had been a fun day at the market. It had started off well that morning… he had managed to snatch a few coins from shoppers in the market before running into Yusei. Eager to repay Yusei for his kindness, Crow had volunteered to help Yusei find the best deals in the market. Yusei had reluctantly agreed and Crow had tagged along, he had noticed that Yusei was a little pale and maybe a bit thinner but he was too polite to ask Yusei if he had been unwell.

After helping Yusei pick out a necklace the two started their walk back. Crow listened intently as Yusei went on telling how he had first come to the orphanage. Soon the orphanage came into view. All too soon, it seemed that Crow would be alone when his friend went inside to join his adopted family. Crow turned to leave but Yusei reached out and stopped him, "Why don't you stay here, Martha won't mind…"

"I don't think so." Crow stated.

"Please!" Yusei's eyes pleaded with Crow to just give it a chance. "I'll take care of you… I promise!"

Crow looked hesitant but he gave a nod and followed Yusei inside. Yusei scampered into the kitchen and handed Martha the brown paper bag. Martha slowly opened the bag being careful not to ruin it so she could use it later. Her hands pulled out something cold to the touch, it was a silver chain with a dark blue sapphire diamond. "Oh Yusei…" Martha reached down to hug the smiling boy, "It's beautiful! - Who's this?"

Yusei motioned a shy Crow forward, Crow mumbled a hello before Yusei took over the talking, "This is Crow… can he stay with us? He can have my bed, and I can skip a few meals. Honest you won't even know he's there." His eyes begging Martha to consider his request, Martha nodded; she could ask Crow the other questions later. Martha brushed back Yusei's hair before asking him to introduce the new addition.

Suddenly Jack and Kallen appeared curious about the new voice. "He's the one who stole your bread Martha!" Jack accused. Crow yelped and stumbled back, it was time he left.

"Hold on a moment," Martha said restraining Crow.

Once again Crow started up his cries, "I'm sorry, I'll pay for the bread honest I will. Please don't send me to the Security Officers. I promise I won't steal from you again." Jack smirked, for a little thing he sure could cause a racket it sounded like a rat caught by one of the alley cats.

"Why don't we go about this conversation quietly, I promise you that I have no intention of turning you over to the Officers… She took Crow and sat him down at the table before cut some thick slices of bread and dishing up a bowl of soup. She set them before him, at first he stared at it. The he warily took a piece of bread and began nibbling at it. His eyes never left Martha's face. She smiled at him, she might as well get the questioning over with now, "Do you have any family?"

"No..," he replied softly. He heard Jack snort. He quickly shot him a scowl, Kallen giggled. Martha continued as if she hadn't heard Jack and Kallen.

"Where to you live?" she questioned.

"I used to live in a Cardboard box on 88 street," he relied with the same soft tone. Obviously he had used up his tone and pitch previously.

"You would look like something that crawled out of a box," Jack snorted again. Crow bristled.

"That's quite enough Jack, keep that up and you can be excused from the room," Martha warned firmly.

"Yes ma'am," Jack replied.

Martha turned back to Crow, "You said you used to… Where do you live now?"

"The streets," Crow muttered, daring with his eyes for Jack to make one of his snide comments. Jack remained silent.

"You are welcome to stay here Crow as long as you'd like to," Martha offered. Crow looked up at her, his eyes shining.

"Really?" he asked in a surprise squeaky voice. Kallen and Jack snickered at the new sound that erupted from the carrot orange haired waif. Crow ignored them, 'I can really stay here?" he asked again.

"Of course," Martha smiled. She had a feeling that this new addition would add life to the place. Jack usually contented himself by treating the other kids like he was superior and complaining if he didn't get things his way. Kallen was always playing games in which he was the leader, and the children followed him from one adventure to another (though most ended in disaster). Yusei made himself as least trouble as possible, he helped Martha with watching the younger children or various other things. He was very quiet though. The other children had mixed personalities, though they were for the most part timid and shy.

It was decided that Crow would stay with them. Martha tended to his bruised and slashed ankle wrapping it in soft gauze. She asked Yusei to take Crow to the bathroom to wash up. Crow followed the older boy meekly, glancing around at his knew surroundings and pausing every once in awhile. Yusei patiently waited for Crow to catch up. Jack tagged along, obviously disgusted with their new roommate.

Once in the bathroom, Yusei turned on the faucet. "Just wash your face, don't forget the soap" he added motioning to the green moist object in a container. Crow for the first time realized what they expected him to do.

"No!" he squealed, jumping back from the water. Yusei leaped back quickly at the sudden screech, banging his shoulder into the wall. Yusei gave a startled yip rubbing his now bruised shoulder. Jack grinned at the sudden excitement; he grabbed Crow by the shoulders.

"If you want to live here, you are going to have to be clean." He dragged Crow to the sink, who screamed and yelped. Yusei cringed at the noise. Jack stripped Crow of his brown jacket. Crow screamed and yelped louder.

Yusei stepped forward to intervene. "Jack don't force him, he's scared!" His voice soft and hesitant held a bit of boldness as well.

Jack ignored him and shoved Crow's head under the faucet. The screams were momentarily stopped. Crow wrenched free, and grabbed his jacket burying his face in brown cloth. He sobbed, curled away in the corner of the bathroom. Jack stood over him, and Yusei came to Crow's side hugging Crow next to him. Suddenly the door opened.

Martha walked in and took in the scene. She hurried to Crow's side and took him in her arms. Crow sobbed and cried, and the pitiful sound broke Martha's heart. He pressed against her shivering and shaking as sobs shook his body. "What happened?" she questioned softly at Yusei. Yusei explained what happened and noticed that Jack had wisely retreated from the room.

"Crow, Crow it's all right," Martha crooned softly. Crow's sobs lessened. He hadn't cried when he had been left to fend for himself, he hadn't cried when he was starving, he hadn't cried when he had went to the Security Office, or when they had put him in prison, or what they had done to them afterward. But now all those bottled up tears spilled over. "What's wrong?' Martha questioned softly.

Crow stopped sobbing, slowly he pulled away from her. Then he lifted his face so she could see for herself. Martha caught sight of the ugly yellow jagged mark across the pale forehead. "Oh, Crow," she said gathering up the small shivering boy in her arms again. "It's okay, it doesn't make a difference. It can never take away from the person whom you can be. We accept you, just as you are."

Crow smiled though his tears. He hugged her around the neck. Yusei smiled gently, and took Crow's hand. "Come Crow, I'll show you our room; it's your room too now. You'll like it. I promise I won't let Jack bother you again.

From that time on, Crow had dubbed Yusei his protector. He wasted no time getting under Jack's skin and then racing to Yusei for protection. Martha was right, soon the sad timid little child vanish and was replaced with a very happy and fun filled one.

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So what did you think? No one seems to really be reviewing…. Does no one find it interesting? Can I do something to make it more interesting? This is the first time I have actually written a story about Crow. This story should be about 10 chapters long so not as long as Yusei's… Sorry Crow Fans! Please review!