Shit gets worse in this chapter! Hooray!

I don't own Yugioh 5ds

Crow lay on the run down sofa in his apartment. The kids would be coming home from school in about a half hour. It was quiet and the only person inside the apartment now was Kevin who was napping in the other room. Crow had just woken from his own nap and was just lazing around until he had to leave for a race. Jack had called and explained what happened today in the garage. It cleared some things up for Crow, how standoffish Yusei was, his erratic behavior.

Crow had gone to the Facility the first time for stealing. The second time was because Kevin's real parents wanted to gain custody again of him. They were refused multiple times due to not being stable both mentally and financially. They had blamed Crow and pointed out that he wasn't fit to foster because of his brands and record. It was his word against theirs and he was shipped to the facility. During that time Kevin was taken back in with his parents and nearly died because they were starving him. His parents were arrested and he was released after only 3 months but still earned a brand for his troubles. Luckily he was able to get custody of the boy again but now he refuses to go near strangers.

He didn't experience what Yusei had but he had seen what happened to racers. Most of them never came back from whatever torture the guards put them through. The guards could do whatever they want with no repercussions. His own stay wasn't too bad. He only got beaten a few times for trivial things.

For the millionth time he wondered why the city had such a vendetta against racers.

His phone let out a caw and he checked it. A text from Bruno.

I can talk now. Yusei is downstairs killing his computer.

Crow rolled over onto his stomach. He called Bruno and the blue haired man picked up after a ring.

"Heya Crow! Whats up?"

"Yo Bruno. I gotta talk to ya."

"Is this about Yus?" The voice on the other end was concerned.

"Yeah. Jack told me what happened in the garage."

"Wait what happened?"

"Weren't you there?"

"I've got homework. College stuff. I'm working on math right now actually."

Crow knew Bruno could multitask like a pro so he kept talking. "Well Yus told Jack what happened when he was in the facility."

"I'm listening."

"Apparently they severed all the nerves in his leg. And what's worse is that he isn't letting anyone help him. He kept on saying that he doesn't want to be treated like he's crippled and isn't useless."

"But he's not. He's the smartest person in the city. Probably the world."Bruno interrupted.

"But Bruno, we know that. He doesn't see it that way. Yus has always been independent even when we were little. He never liked asking for help. I guess he always felt like he was a burden which he wasn't. If anything Jack was a burden."

"Speaking of which, how's he taking it?"

"The way he always takes care of 's taking it hard but he really does want to make it up to Yusei."

"He's a little headstrong but I can tell he's not that bad of a person. Although things are a little awkward between us."

"Yep, that's Jack. Stubborn and mule headed but he's a good guy under all those layers."

"Oh um, he doesn't want me to tell anyone but I think I should tell you. Yesterday, he,well, broke down."

Crow was alert. "What do you mean?"

"We were working last night and I found him on the ground screaming and crying. His fingers were all bloody. He fainted after and I carried him to his room. He's not eating properly, I could feel his bones poking out. And he keeps having these episodes where he kinda just spaces out. It used to only be for a few minutes but now… I think the longest was about 30 minutes, he was completely unresponsive. "

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Crow, I want to help them. Yusei gave me a place to stay. He gave me the confidence to continue school. He's done so much for me, I want to help him back, even if it's just something small."

"I know." Crow said simply. "I'll think of something. In the meantime keep an eye on him will ya?"

"Yeah. I will."

They cut the call and Crow stared at his phone a little while longer. His life had gone to shit but at least he had the kids. They gave him a reason to keep going. Yusei had his runner but that was gone. What did he have now?

Jack stared at his phone. He was sitting in the park puffing on another cigarette. It was another gloomy day, the weather seemed to be fixed to the sad and dark setting recently, there were a few kids playing at the playground and even fewer pedestrians walking. He was bored out of his mind in his apartment and decided to walk around for a bit, finally stopping at a rickety bench in the park. He was looking into the fees to go pro. You needed to be able to pay the entrance fee, and the replacement parts in case of an accident. Neither of which he had. He did the math quickly. He'd have to win at least 5 high bet races or 47 low bet ones. He didn't have the finances to bet in a high bet race so that wasn't an option unless he could procure more cash. If he lost even one of the low bet races he wouldn't be able to make the cut in time. Perhaps he could find a sponsor, although he doubted anybody would want to sponsor someone like him.

A paper came gliding towards him on the breeze. Then another. Another one smacked him in the face. The name on it was Akiza Izinski. He recognized that name. It was that girl Yusei had tutored in high school.

"I'm so sorry!" A redheaded figure ran towards him with books and papers in hand. She stopped and recognition dawned across her face followed by anger. "Jack? What are you doing here?"

He was gathering the papers that had been blown away and she grabbed them out of his hands.

"I believe the appropriate response is your welcome, Akiza."Jack tilted his head.

"Shut up. You have a lot of nerve Jack."

"I believe this is a public park, Aki, therefore I can walk here without penalty."

Akiza huffed frustrated."Don't call me Aki. You lost that right a long time ago."

Jack gritted his teeth and withdrew his cigarette from between his teeth."Akiza, stop it. Blaming me wouldn't do any good. Its not going to change what happened."

"Maybe not but I can't forgive you. Do you know how much Yusei's suffering because of you? He was getting beaten the other day and there wasn't anything I could do for him! He's in constant pain! He keeps zoning out and losing track of time! I did some research. His brain-He needs medical care or else he'll start losing h-his memories! He's getting worse and worse and its ALL YOUR FAULT JACK ATLAS! " Akiza was screaming now and tears rolled down her face unchecked. She looked up at Jack with hate in her eyes. Eyes that quickly widened.

Jack's face mirrored her own, grief and sadness forming tears that escaped his collapsed to his knees covering his face with his hands and broke down."Its my fault Akiza. I know it is. I-I can't lose him Akiza! Its my fault he wouldn't be able to fucking walk ever again! It's my fault he's always hurt! Everything! If only I hadn't been so fucking reckless that day. If only I hadn't given into my fucking pride, Yusei wouldn't think he was useless. He wouldn't have to suffer like this. It's all my fault!It's all my fault! I ruined everything!" His tears coated his hands and a few stray drops fell to the ground. "I want to help him! I-I'd give anything to make him better.I-I can't fix this." He said between shuddering breaths.

Akiza covered her mouth. She was surprised at this raw genuine emotion from Jack of all people. She could tell he really meant his words and she believed him. He wanted to take everything back. He wanted to try and fix this.

She bent down and placed her free hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "I'm sorry..." She murmured as they cried together in tandem. Their sobs filled the air and the few people out stared.

A full grown man and a college age woman crying their hearts out on the cobblestone path.

Jack sniffed slightly as he sat on the bench trying to stubbornly rub the tear tracks away from his cheeks. His eyes were still ringed red. He checked his reflection in his phone's screen and vaguely thought that he never liked crying because he looked absolutely horrendous afterwards.

A cup of steaming coffee appeared before his face. Akiza was holding a similar cup. He took it ,grateful. "Thank you."He said quietly. "I haven't cried like that since Crow found me in my apartment after the incident."

"Its good to have a cry sometimes." Akiza's eyes were similarly red. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I can see now that you really do feel bad. After you started avoiding everyone we thought that you'd decided to abandon us. I got mad after hearing about it from Crow. I should have checked up on you. I thought that this is what you wanted."

"I do give that kind of impression don't I?"He said half heartedly. "I know Yus and I argued but I would never deliberately try to hurt him."

"You guys were close. You, Yusei, and Crow. The three of you were inseparable."

He blushed.

"Wait a second...Jack there was more than that wasn't there?" She leaned forward slightly and gave him a coy smile. "You liked him didn't you?"

He huffed and turned away blushing. "Don't jump to conclusions Akiza. We were close was all."

"Admit it." She teased. "You liked him and you still do."

Damn her and her changed the subject quickly. "So what were those papers?"

She tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. "School. I couldn't concentrate so i decided to come out here."

"So you finally made it into med school huh? "A thought popped into his head."Isn't Bruno there as well?"

She made a face. "Yeah, he's in the Engineering Department. Top of the class. All of our professors worship him but he never seems to notice. I'm trying to get Yusei to enroll just to give Bruno a run for his money. My parents even offered to pay his entire tuition as long as he works for them for a year."

"Hmm. Yusei's never really been a school person. Even while he made the best grades he was always uncomfortable around teachers."

"I know but that's not the only reason I want him to enroll. School gives you an easy way to make yourself feel like you're doing something. Especially in college where you have access to really amazing facilities. It's a way to pass the time and get really passionate about something. You feel like you're actually doing something, you know."

"I don't actually. I never went to college. Had to work." He snorted. "Of course that didn't really work. But I'm happy for you. You achieved your dream and worked bloody hard to get there."He smiled.

"It wasn't just me. It was you guys too. If I hadn't been friends with you guys my life would have taken a really wrong turn."

"It was mostly just Yusei. I thought you were a bossy little girl when we first met. Although nothing much has changed."

She punched him in the arm. "And you're still an arrogant asshole."

They laughed and the air seemed clearer.

"Well I have to get going." Akiza rose. She handed him a slip of paper. "My number. Call me later okay?"

He took the paper and stored it in his pocket. "Sure."

"By the way are you working?"

He paused for a second. "Yes..no-I got fired about a week ago.I mostly make a living off of races but I've had to put that on hold for a bit."

"Hmm well I think I can help with that." She adjusted the straps of her bag. "My dad's driver is in the hospital so he's been looking for a new one. It's only temporary and only on weekdays. The pay isn't so bad either. I can put in a good word for you with him. Consider it an apology for yelling at you earlier."

"Seriously Akiza. That's amazing! Thank you so much." He grabbed her hands and beamed.

She laughed. "It's no problem. But I want you to do something for me. I want you to tell Yusei how you feel. I think it's really what he needs."