Okay, life's hitting the ground running now that I have some semblance of control over it. I have a job now. As such, I need to settle into a new equilibrium and so weekly updates are put on hold briefly. Don't worry, you'll get your chapters. Once I settle into my new routine and understand how to write non-canon duels (which requires me learning how to actually duel as I'm a hands-on learner - should be fun), you guys will be getting a MASSIVE update. Each week this has to be put on hold is another chapter in the update. So if it takes 10 weeks, that's 10 new chapters next update. Hope you guys feel it's worth the wait with that promise. And since Author's Notes aren't allowed without an actual chapter (this is a FFNet rule, where this is also posted), here's a little omake that's canon to this story but I couldn't fit into the main story and will be part of a series of later side-stories. It's in Crow's POV, 3rd person format:
Crow sighed, worrying his lip. Martha said he was more than ready to start up his own little nest of kids, but… Well, the safest place he could think of was ironically too close to the least safe place in the Satellite - the BAD area. Crow didn't know if that was an acronym (hey, he's no idiot, he's illiterate, there's a difference!), but it was a perfect description of the area. The worst of the worst lived there - mostly because it was as far away from Yusei as they could get. (And if Crow was honest with himself, that was probably part of the reason the site he had his eye on was so appealing. He knew Yusei intended to go to the city to drag Jack home kicking and screaming and the thought of losing Yusei for that jerk was terrifying. So Crow wanted to make a clean break.)
The orange-haired duelist suddenly heard the door of the room he was fretting in open and close. Sighing, he turned to face either Martha or Nozomi and receive another lecture on having a bit of faith, but he was too scared and faith did nothing when the world really did seem out to get you and your family… Only it was Nozomi's kid brother. What was his name again? Oh, yeah, Hiroshi.
"Need help with something, kid?" Crow asked, worry automatically shifting from his own problems to what could be making the kid so nervous. And why he wasn't going to his big sister or his "uncle" for whatever the problem was. Hiroshi and Crow had never even spoken to each other before today.
"Yusei has wings," the kid blurted out. Needless to say, Crow was confused. Before the bird-obsessed teen could ask for clarification, Hiroshi continued. "I mean, people can't see them, but they're there. I see them. I felt them when he first took me and my sister in and was comforting me. I- I don't see them all the time, but they're there, and they've been appearing more and more often and been looking more and more solid. And I'm kinda worried, but not of Yusei, rather for him, because he seems to know he's different, like- like how Nozomi and I are different, and he's not, he's something else entirely, and I know he knows we're different, and I know I can trust you to know that when I can't trust most because… well, reasons, but Yusei trusts you, and I want to know if you know anything because Yusei's gonna wanna know, but Nozomi and I don't know, and-"
"Whoa, whoa, kid, slow down, take a breath!" Crow cried out, head spinning. Yusei had wings? How? Yeah the guy was, well very unique, almost supernaturally kind, intelligent, strong - okay, yeah, Crow could picture what Yusei as an angel. ...Holy crap, Yusei's a freaking angel! Too bad the guy was sleeping in preparation for tonight's tunnel run, otherwise Crow would go over there to geek out over Yusei's wings - wait that's right normal people can't see them, but from what Hiroshi's implied that may change and soon. Holy crap, this is amazing and Crow's kinda jealous, but mostly ecstatic because Yusei's an angel and that means he'll never break his word and he promised to be back. Crow's not gonna lose his brother!
"H- hey, you okay?" Hiroshi asked, still nervous, but now he seemed worried. Crow's face was wet, why? Oh he's crying.
"Yeah, yeah, just.. Relieved. I- I think I might know what Yusei is, I'm desperately hoping it's true because that's why I'm so relieved, but I don't wanna say anything in case I'm wrong. But if what I've gathered is right, you have some sort of True Sight, right?" Crow wondered, pulling himself together. Hiroshi nodded, a bit surprised at first that Crow knew the general name of his gift, until he remember this was someone Yusei saw as a brother and realized that it made sense. "Okay, so if I had to guess, Yusei's probably gonna sprout real, physical wings soon based on what you've said about them looking more and more solid. If that happens, I'll know I'm right, because it'll make so much sense all put together. But let's not say anything until Yusei's back home, he's got a ton on his mind, and he doesn't need the extra burdens of knowing this will bring. Let's wait until he's a bit less burdened."
Hiroshi's shoulders slumped in relief. "Yeah, good idea. Thanks. I'll see you around, I guess?"
"I'll be sure to come visit, I think the kids in the BAD area need a good mother hen to help them out. But so long as your sister comes, you can visit. I heard she's a mama dragon, and I'm not gonna deny her checking up on a flock-mate. I like my limbs intact."
Crow left Hiroshi laughing to the point of tears as he headed to the kitchen to tell Martha his plans.
Review Corner:
To the two guest reviews: Does this answer your questions, or did I just make more? :P