A/N: I'll make you wait on Kiryu and the Dark Signers, so I'll let you have Yusei. Very bad Yusei.

Yusei got from his bed slowly. He knew it was against the agreement he'd made coming back to the Satellite, but he had to go home. He had to see Rudger and Demak again. He dressed quickly and slid down the stairs only to be grabbed from behind. He was pushed against the wall and when he turned, Crow was glaring back at him through the darkness.

"I-"

"Save it, Yusei," he whispered, letting him go. He shook his head and turned away. "I miss them too, but you can't break your promise. I can't believe you'd do this."

"I can't just sit here and not see them," he argued. "I don't feel safe without them. I at least have to see them. I won't even stay, I'll just see them and ask about if Nova's still there and then come back. There's no need to be upset, I would have been back in a few hours."

"It doesn't matter how you were planning to do it, you were going to break a promise to us, and I thought I knew you better than that," he sighed. "If you really want to go, just go. I don't care anymore, I hardly recognise you these days. You're not the person I care about. You go home, and you fight this war against some of your best friends and you destroy Jack and Kiryu or whatever this thing wants you to do. But don't you dare ever show your face here again."

"Crow-"

"Shut up!" he growled. "Get out, just leave. I don't want to see you again."

He turned away and left him in the darkness. Yusei whimpered slightly, completely ashamed of himself. After a moment, he ran after Crow, promising himself he'd do anything to make it up to Crow. Crow was watching the sky through the bedroom window. Yusei sighed and approached slowly.

"Is there anything I can do to make this better, Crow?" he asked softly.

"No," Crow hissed. "I thought I could trust you. When Jack left and Kiryu had that break down and you were always there. I kind of deserve it for how I never stood up for you at school or how I barely knew your name until Kiryu said I should."

"Stop it," Yusei snapped. "Stop it, please. I didn't realise you... I couldn't have come this far without your, Crow, I can't stand seeing you like this. This isn't you."

"And this isn't you either!" he cried, then realised and lowered his voice again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't yell. And I shouldn't blame you, I know this is hard and I don't understand and it's so frustrating. I wish I could help you and I can't and I don't know what to do. I'd think you at least would have enough control and understand that I need you keep your promises."

"You're right, I should have," he sighed. "But please, can't you just let me go see them. They're my family. You could come too and make sure nothing happens? Please, Crow, I have to see them."

Crow sighed and gazed at him for a long moment. He was so pathetic, and Crow hated using such a word to describe Yusei. He was always so strong and suddenly he was broken and scared beyond anything Crow had ever seen before. And that terrified him. He'd known Yusei for years and he'd never seen something like this.

"Once," he sighed. "We go once, just like this one time. Half an hour, no more. After that, there's nothing else, ok?"

"Thank you," Yusei said quietly. "Thank you so much. Just half an hour, I promise."

Crow sighed and nodded. He got dressed and the pair headed out into the darkness of the Satellite. Yusei was determined to get there quickly and seemed to be perking up every second and the closer they got. The Old Momentum loomed up ahead and they skidded to a halt. Crow was glad he'd remembered get the D-Wheels air lifted out there or it would have taken the best part of an hour to get there. Yusei swung off his D-Wheel and headed down into his home without even waiting for Crow. Crow was pleased. At least he was enthusiastic about something now. He smiled to himself and followed down slowly.

"Rudger!" Yusei called through the halls. "Rudger?"

"Yusei," came his deep voice. "Yusei you're back."

Yusei found Rudger in with the old reactor. He stood up and smiled fondly, pleased to see his adoptive son once more. Suddenly Yusei felt the overwhelming urge to break down and cry. Everything recently was so crazy, and so brutal, he didn't know what to do. As if knowing this, Rudger strode over and wrapped his arms around him. Yusei was stunned. Rudger very rarely hugged him. But Yusei loved it when he did. Usually it was Demak who comforted him because Rudger didn't really do the emotional, touchy-feely thing- as Demak always put it- so he knew it was worrying Rudger far more than anything he'd been through at school.

"I hate it, Rudger," he whispered. "I hate it so much. I don't know if the God is there or not or if it takes control of me when I don't know. It wants to hurt my friends and it won't listen and I can't do it anymore."

"It's ok, Yusei," Rudger said gently. "Just let it out. It's ok to be afraid and overwhelmed. I was confused when I was first turned, and so were Demak and Misty. It's perfectly normal. We're here to help you through. I promise, none of us will abandon you during such a difficult time. I saw you during the Fortune Cup. You did such a good job of keeping control of your Dark God. I'm so proud of you, Yusei."

"How can you encourage that thing?" Crow snapped from the doorway. "It wants to kill Kiryu and Jack, and that girl and a child... how can you even say such things?"

"Crow..." he sighed. "I'm sorry you feel so strongly against this, but there is nothing that can be done about it. This is what we are, Yusei, Demak and I. We're Dark Signers and there's nothing you can do that will change it. It's not an easy path, but there's no changing it."

"You're wrong," he growled. "When Jack beat him, that Crimson Dragon forced out whatever it was that was controlling Yusei."

"I doubt it."

"How can you let that thing control him? Don't you care that it makes him miserable?"

"It makes him miserable because he can't control it," Rudger said, gently stroking Yusei's hair. "I can teach him the control he needs to tame his God. I won't let it hurt you, Yusei." Yusei nodded weakly. "Now, you can either accept this and help us in any way you can- and I think you'll be more help than you know- or you can simply walk away and leave Yusei to be with his family and those who truly care about him."

"Of course I care," Crow snarled. He tore Yusei away from Rudger, holding him protectively behind him. "I care more than you can imagine, and that's why I can't let you turn him into a monster. I know you can't change what you are, and I'm so sorry, because you were as much a father to me over the years as anyone, but I can still save Yusei."

"Crow..." Yusei whispered.

"Come on, Yusei," he said gently. "We should go. We don't want Jack to know we're missing, he'll flip."

"But I haven't even seen Demak," he said quietly.

"Demak's in the city," Rudger informed them. Crow growled and pulled Yusei out. "He's picking up our latest members. The time will come soon for this battle to truly begin. I hope you're ready. It won't be long now, Yusei, you'll come round soon, and I'm sure you will too, Crow."

"Like hell I will!"

Outside, Yusei leant against his D-Wheel. He was shaking and Crow sighed. He didn't want to hurt Yusei or upset him, but even if it meant he was sad in the short term, Crow wouldn't lose him. He had to protect him.

"You must hate me right about now," he sighed.

"If I hated you I'd have walked back in there and nothing you could do would stop me," Yusei whispered. "I'd have hurt you."

"Don't talk like that," Crow said firmly. "You'd never hurt me and I will always believe that."

"Crow... I wish it was that simple. I really don't think it's gone," he said. "I think Nova is still inside me, and I don't think it's all in my head. Crow, I'm..."

"You're?"

"I'm scared."

Crow nodded and closed his eyes. For Yusei to admit that took a lot of strength. Throughout their years together, no matter what Cook had done, no matter what had happened at school, Yusei had never admitted to being afraid. He'd been beaten and broken, but never scared.

"Come on, I won't ever let this thing hurt you again," Crow sighed. "Let's go home, yeah?"

Yusei nodded and they both went home. Jack was still sound asleep in their room. Jack and Crow had always shared a room, since they were five or six at least, because when Martha had started to take in more children, they began to run out of room. So, wanting to get as many children safe as possible without overcrowding, she'd decided that there was going to be a limit of three children per room and the first pair to be put together were Jack and Crow, simply because of all the kids, they had always been the closest.

Yusei was no stranger to sharing with them, neither was Kiryu. It was just how they were; they'd never minded being close to each other. And Yusei whole heartedly believe Crow meant it when he said he'd help him, and do anything to protect him. So undressing, climbing into bed and curling up in Crow's arms was nothing new. It was natural and comfortable, because Crow had always been there, trying to protect him and help him. But something played on his mind. It wasn't a bad thing- at least he didn't think it was- just something he couldn't quite make sense of, and that was something he hated. He always hated not knowing things, and not being able to make sense of things. Crow had said he cared about him, that was no surprise, but he began to wonder just how much he cared. He frowned and told himself not to think like that, Crow was probably his best friend, and he was probably just over thinking things. He knew he did that sometimes, especially when he was tired and stressed.

Or he really does care about you in that way, Nova laughed.

And Yusei was sure it was Nova now. He was certain that it was Nova still inside him and not just his imagination.

Why are you back?

Nova laughed, you're talking to me now then? I'm pleased, I missed you. Now, I wanted to... express my regret for our little argument.

Is that an apology? Yusei asked.

Yes, he sighed. I am sorry that I made you so upset. As I told you, I realise there is a line that you will not cross and I won't ask you to do so again. I honestly was worried that I was going to lose you.

I'm sure you could find another host, he growled.

Yes, but I want you.

Fine, here's the rules, you want my cooperation, you don't take control of my body without permission. And you stay away from Crow. He is nothing to do with this, you will stay away from him. I wanted to make Godwin and the Crimson Dragon pay for taking Jack and Kiryu from me. They have nothing to do with this, they're my friends, and Crow doesn't even have a mark.

Of course, Nova said gently. You've made yourself perfectly clear. But, does that mean you don't want my input?

Input, sure. Orders and interference, no, Yusei replied. What do you want to suggest?

Just that, perhaps you should take more of an interest in your friend, he said, sounding slightly amused. He might well have feelings for you and you could well use having him on our side. You've become so tame without my support and encouragement.

You're trying to manipulate me again, it's not happening, now let me go to sleep, Yusei snapped.

"Yusei," Crow whispered.

"Hmm?"

"If you accept it's there you'll end up turning back into that monster again," he said.

"What if I could control it?" he said quietly.

"You started out in control the first time," he argued. "That thing is evil and it will corrupt you again, I thought you realised that."

"I do, and this time, I'm not going to let it corrupt me. Imagine the good that sort of power could do."

"Yusei, please, listen to yourself."

"I won't change my mind, Crow. If I can use a power like this, then why not? I know you don't appreciate Nova, but I think it can do good."

"Whatever you say, Yusei."

"I'll never leave your side, Crow, I need you around. I can't do it without you."