Chapter 10 – Lucky

Crow's POV

She was so pretty. I couldn't take my eyes of her, or stop staring at how beautiful she was. Her short dress certainly didn't make it easier—for I had never seen her wear a dress before. She let me hold her hand and lead her into the park. Sure, everybody would notice her and I bet that some guys would wish to be in my place. I couldn't help but feel that I was an extremely lucky guy to be on a date with a girl like Sherry.

A marked man like me, sporting a face covered with a dozen yellow tattoos, having such a privilege…I couldn't stop grinning in satisfaction. But apart from lucky and happy, deep down I felt nervous too. I hoped wouldn't mess anything up; otherwise she would… I swallowed, not daring to think what would follow.

"Where are we going?" she asked politely.

I stopped in the middle of the crowed street near the big clock tower and turned to look at her. I tried not to stare but something told me that I was failing miserably. The excuse that she was pulling my gaze like magnet wouldn't rescue me from her terrible temper, but at least she was being really kind and nice today—no rudeness, no threats, and no glares. For a moment I wondered why. I didn't waste more time to find an answer. After all, it was good enough to know that she seemed to have turned over a new leaf.

"Well," I said. "We are in the middle of the park with a ton of options. There's all sorts of entertainment and I want you to have a good time, so you can pick a place. We can go to the playground or walk around the lake with ducks," I suggested.

She threw me a confused look before she smiled lightly. "Crow," she sounded like she was trying to keep from giggling. I knitted my eyebrows. "Only kids can go to the playground."

I grinned widely. So that was the reason. "Don't worry Sherry," I comforted her. "The playground isn't just for kids…well, it's mostly for kids, but not just."

"I bet Kokoro loves that place."

"Yeah," I chuckled. "Actually, it's Kokoro's favorite place. So, you want to go there?"

"Umm," she hummed looking around. "Why don't we get something to drink and take a short walk first?"

"Great!" I exclaimed and turned my head tying to find the nearest store. "What do you want to drink?" I asked, spotting a cantina.

"I don't care," she shrugged. "Maybe an apple juice if they have it… but really, I don't mind."

"Apple juice—done," I repeated. "Stay here and I will be back in a jiffy," I smiled and headed to buy what she wanted.

Unfortunately, there were a ton of people in the store so I spent quite some time waiting for my turn. But fortunately they had apple juice. I bought two of them and turned to go back. What I saw marching closer made my happy expression turn sour.

I had left Sherry alone for five, maybe ten minutes and one obnoxious guy had already approached her! Deep down I didn't blame him, Sherry was very beautiful. Even so, my blood grew hot in my veins and any calming thoughts were extinguished, replaced by a crazy desire to knock this guy down. So, I quickened my pace to get there faster.

"You have the time, Miss?" he asked her in an unctuous voice. I felt quite sick to my stomach.

"The giant clock tower is right beside me, and you're asking me about the time?" Sherry responded and I cracked a smiled upon hearing her indifference.

"Oh, sorry…it's just that you erased everything else in my view," his voice, just like his expression, was over sugary.

"What?" Sherry immediately reacted with surprise. I had to swallow the bile in throat. Struggling to stay calm, I restrained myself not beat this guy to death.

"Why is such a pretty lady like you here all alone?"

"What makes you think she's alone?" I asked as I took my place near Sherry, trying to make things clear.

At this, the guy lost his awful, clammy ways. "You are with her?" his gaze trailed all over me and stopped at my face. He released a disdainful grunt, noticing my marks. "Come on!" he joked "You can do a lot better that him, sugar," and he took a step forward.

My blood roared in my ears as anger started to take away the best of me. I heard Sherry gritting her teeth. For a moment, I forgot my nerves and I started to wonder about her temper. I knew perfectly well that Sherry was capable enough to handle him. But she was with me now, so I didn't give her time to respond. I took the situation into my own hands.

"The girl is with me," I stated flatly and aggressively this time, holding my ground. "So back off!"

I didn't fear him. I'd faced stronger and scarier opponents in my life and a moron like him, who just played at being a tough guy, almost made me laugh.

"Or what?" He smiled ironically. "You looking for a fight?"

"Hell no!" I narrowed my eyes warningly. "Not unless you're foolish enough to make me." And I took one step, closing the distance between him and myself.

"Let's go, Crow," Sherry put a hand on my shoulder, but I ignored her. "Come!" she insisted. "This idiot doesn't even deserve our time."

"Crow? Crow Hogan?" the guy exclaimed, taking a step backward. He shot me a scared look. I stared at him utter confusion, catching the fear in his voice.

"What?" His strange behavior along with the sudden flinch only made me more furious.

"You're one of the team 5D's members, the winner of WRGP tournament and a close friend to Fudo Yusei," he said as he took one more step backward, "I-I'd best not mess with you!" he announced. He then ran away hastily, leaving me with an open mouth.

"What a coward!" Sherry sounded as surprised as I was.

"Yeah?" I turned to face her.

For an unexplained reason I was still pissed off. Maybe it was because I didn't get to kick his smart ass. I had let him leave, actually run away so easily. Sherry shook her pretty head, making her hair flutter.

"I leave you alone for five minutes and someone already starts hitting on you?!" I sounded angrier than I wanted, but I didn't care.

"You think it was in my intention?" she asked icily, tossing her long blonde locks out of her face and glaring at me. "I thought you already knew that guys like him are out of my interest. Did you see how fast he ran away when he learned who you are?"

"Yeah," I sneered. "I lost my chance to give him a memorable lesson for messing with you."

"You know, I was thinking the same when you cut me off."

"Alright!" I raised my voice. "I won't leave you alone again, not even for one minute," I announced flatly. She lifted one eyebrow. "Well…" I added, thinking of something else. "Unless you want to use the lady's room…but even then I'll stay outside the door waiting for you."

Sherry only laughed and smiled pleasantly at hearing my warning. "You're so funny Crow Hogan," she chuckled. "You do know that I can take care of myself, right?"

"I do!" I admitted. "But now that you're with me, I'm gonna make sure no one bothers you again."

She looked like her thoughts were battling within her skull. Eventually, she smiled warmly and took my hand, knitting her fingers with mine. "It's really nice seeing that you care about me so much," she smiled. "Even if it's still a bit annoying since I can handle it. But your interest is kind and… oh! You bought my apple juice," her eyes stopped on my hand.

Huffing, I gave her one of the bottles. For some reason I had this feeling that Sherry was forcing those words out.

She thanked me. "So?" She looked at me with a slight smile. "Let's go for a walk."

"Sure," I nodded, forcing a smile. I got ready to started walking.

"Um, Crow?" she stopped me and I turned to face her quizzically. "Um, thanks," she murmured with a light blush on her beautiful face. "For protecting me."

"It was the least I could do," I smiled, feeling calm and happy again. "And I will gladly do it again if I have to."

She gave me a pure smile and squeezed my hand. "Now let's go. We are on a date after all."

I grinned as we both started walking, holding hands. I couldn't help but think of myself as the luckiest man on earth to be here with Sherry.

Their date doesn't even start yet and look what happened! Oh well, Sherry is very pretty so Crow, you better be careful.

Special thanks to my lovely beta BlackRoseDragonCK!

I hope you liked it and review! ^_^