Sister of the Pharaoh: Hey guys and gals! Here's chapter 17!

Disclaimer: I do not own or anything else that might used. Characters from other animes, songs, Etc.

As fast as her feet could carry her, Laura ran down the street to the café to meet up with Crow. She leaved a note where Yusei could easily find it before dashing out the manor and heading the main street. People stopped to turn, as the artist, passed them in a rush. Her quick steps made splashes in the puddles on the sidewalk that were left from the recent morning rainstorm. Quickly, the girl weaved in and out of the crowd.

Laura felt both excitement and uncertainty as she thought about the recent call she had with Crow over the phone. The conversation still fresh in her mind.

(Let's try this again. My name's Crow, you're Laura right?)

"How did you know my name?"

(Yusei told me. We're old friends! I ran into him a week ago when you guys we're having that fight. That's when he told me about you.) Crow explained.

"Oh! That's right, Yusei told me about you. I'm sorry, I was afraid you were working for someone else." Laura apologized, feeling a little embarrassed.

(Hey, don't worry about it. I don't blame you. That Katsuma guy is bad news. Always has been. I'm just glad Yusei has a strong woman for a mate. He's no good on his own.)

"You're saying you all know Katsuma?"

(We do, but that doesn't mean that were friends. That's why I wanted to talk to Yusei. I got some info he should know about.)

"I'm afraid he stayed up late. Didn't get any sleep the day before, so he's passed out." Laura said with a small laugh in her voice.

(Ha! He hasn't changed much. In that case, are you busy?) Crow asked suddenly.

"Um...guess not."

(Then Why don't you meet me here so we can talk a little. I'll answer some of your questions if you got any. Can you be here in thirty minutes?)

"Sure, but Yusei might get ticked if he finds out your making a move on me." Laura teased.

(Haha! Oh man, you're a riot! I'll see ya soon then.)

At the cafe, the orange hair vampire, sat at a table by the window with a mug of coffee in his hand as he waited for his friend's girlfriend to arrive. He stared outside quietly, watching the people on the street go by. Crow was very curious about the girl since he first heard Yusei talk about her. Obviously, she meant a great deal to his ravenet friend and Crow had a feeling that she has a bigger part on this situation than anyone realized.

So caught up was Crow on his thoughts, that he didn't noticed how Kelly was stealing glances at him, every chance she got. Deciding to take a chance and make a move, the young waitress, cut a small piece of cheesecake and walked over to the brooding vampire's table. Wearing her warmest smile, she sat the small dessert plate down next to the cup. Shook-up from his thoughts, he looked up to see the young woman, giving off a gentle aura as she spoke

"You said your names Crow right? Here, have a snack while you wait. On the house!" The gentle waitress reassured.

"Uh…yeah, thanks, that's very nice of you, even though I'm not a big fan of sweets." He said whispering the last part out of consideration to the gentle girl.

With that, Crow took his fork and ate a small tentative bite of said dessert. Smiling in surprise at how good it tasted, he ate another piece.

"I'm glad you like it, a lot of people think we make the best cheesecake in town. " Kelly commented.

"You sure made a believer out of me! So how come you're the only one on staff here?" Crow asked.

"Oh, I'm just covering for another employee while she goes for supplies. I actually do a good amount of the baking here during the week. "

"Ah, so that's why my friend says that the cream puffs taste better on Wednesday's." Crow said with a smirk and a wink.

Making Kelly laugh with a blush on her face. It was then that Crow caught a glimpse of the necklace that the young waitress wore. It was a small sliver colored pendent with a 'C' in the middle and hung from a small chain. As soon as Crow noticed it he gasped. Becoming silent as he suddenly felt a familiar aura surrounding the young girl. An aura that felt the same as the girl he was searching for. Crow immediately grew serious and stood up from the table. His sliver gray eyes piercing with a steely glare. Surprising Kelly in the change of atmosphere as the young man spoke.

"That pendent your wearing. Where did you get that?"

"Oh, this? I've had for a long time. I really don't know cause I can't remember."

"Liar!" Crow yelled.

Making Kelly jump back slightly as Crow continued.

"If you had that for so long, it must be important. You're saying you can't remember who gave you something that precious? And why is the symbol on the pendent a 'C'? Your name tag says Kelly, doesn't it?"

"I...uh...just like wearing it. I know it's silly, but I just can't throw it away for some reason. And I can't remember..."

"Why?" Crow asked, trying to stay calm as he spoke.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I ask because someone important had a pendent just like that one. She went missing from another town a month ago. Just disappeared out of no where. What's more, that necklace is the only one of it's kind. Cause I made that pendent myself out of a few spare parts. Only she would be the one to have that. So I'll ask again, where did you get that necklace?"

Kelly gasped and backed away slightly. She was scared, yet felt like she had seen Crow before. It was then she hung her head in sadness. Feeling as though something was going on, but couldn't explain why. She then felt compelled to explain the reason behind the necklace to Crow. She felt that he deserved that at least.

"I-I don't know...I don't cause I can't remember. I was in an accident a while ago, and lost some of my memories. I could remember where I grew up and who my parents were, but not their names, my name or things that happened a month ago. When I woke up, I was in a hospital and told that I was being moved out of the city. The next day, I was released and moved to this town. With an apartment waiting for me and everything."

Kelly stayed quiet once she finished explaining, leaving Crow speechless as well as he sat back down on his chair. It was then that Laura walked in, completely out of breath for running across town. The young waitress, quickly threw a smile and went to get her friend and co-worker something to drink as the young artist walked over to Crow's table, greeting the mysterious vampire with a smile as the girl sat down.

"Sorry I took so long."

"Don't worry about it, had some time to kill anyway. Thought it would take forever for Yusei to introduce you to me himself. It's nice to finally meeting you in person." Crow said in a friendly tone of voice.

"Likewise. So, you said you could answer some questions about what was going on?" Laura asked, taking a sipped her hot chocolate.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're wondering just who Katsuma is and why he's got it out for you and Yusei."

Laura nodded as her answer and allowed Crow to continue.

"Well, back in our homeland, Katsuma is one of the older vampires. Don't let his twenty something looks fool you, he's actually over 4000 years old. Got about at least 3000 years on Yusei."

"So, Yusei is at least a thousand years old. Does that make me a grave robber?" Laura asked Making Crow laugh as he answered.

"Actually, vampires have long lifespans. Our bodies don't each early twenties until we're about 900 years old. So Yusei is actually about 18 or so in Vampire years. Which is why Katsuma acts like he's better than Yusei. But it's more than that. He's power hungry."

"Power hungry how? What does he want with Yusei anyway?" Laura asked seriously.

"He wants Yusei out of the picture. Katsuma plans to kill the strongest vampires and their mates. Once he does, he wants to gather all the vampires and make them submit to his will. Making them stop searching for their mates and just hunt them as prey. Making us out as nothing more than monsters." Crow explained.

"That's terrible...but that also explains why he kidnapped me and tried to manipulate me into hurting Yusei..." Laura replied.

"I know...Yusei told me. Sorry about that." Crow said sympathetically

"Yusei got hurt really bad, all because I let my guard down...Why is Katsuma doing this?!"

"Even we don't really know. All we do know, is that until he's stopped, no one is safe. I'm sorry I can't be of anymore help in the info department."

"That's fine. I'm just glad you could tell me this much. At any rate, I'd better go. Yusei might worry if he wakes up and I'm gone."

Laura stood from the table and shook Crow's hand as thanks; then he handed Laura a small piece of paper, folded up and smiled in return.

"Give that to Yusei for me, it's the info he was probably up all night looking for. And don't be strangers, alright?"

"Sure, thanks Crow!"

With that, Laura, paid for her coco, waved goodbye and headed out the door. It was then that Kelly came back from the kitchen to clean the table. The young vampire, blushed as he walked up to her, hoping that she wasn't too mad at him for before.

"Hey, um about earlier... I'm uh...sorry for all that happened to you...and for pushing so hard."

Touched by his kindness and sensitivity, Kelly smiled in return as she shook her head, letting Crow know that he didn't have to apologize for anything. She understood why he had been so angry and felt slightly jealous of the person who had taken the orangette male's heart

"Thanks, and it's ok. I understand. Whoever your looking for must be important. She's lucky to have you."

Hearing that, made Crow blush slightly as Kelly walked towards the front counter. He quickly shook it off before speaking again.

"Well, yeah, but that's no big feet or anything. Everybody has somebody, I mean you have people who care about you too, right?"

"Not really. I have my friends here, but no family. My parents said that I was removed from the family completely when I came here. As far as their concerned, I'm no longer alive." Kelly replied sadly.

"What?! Why?" Crow asked in shocked.

My parents said that someone was after me and that's how I got in that accident. Whoever was after me might attack them if I stayed so the only way I could protect my family is to be dead to them." Kelly explained sadly as a few tears escaped.

"But that's wrong! They were being selfish! How can call themselves your parents?!" Crow asked.

"I don't blame them, I mean, whatever was chasing me, must have been bad if they thought their lives were in danger.

"So they just fed you to whoever or whatever might be after you, just to save their own skin? That doesn't seem like much of a family to me."

The vampire walked up to the shaking girl slowly as he said this.)

"I know, but I still don't blame them for being scared." she said shakily.

"Cause your scared too? Is that why the necklace is important? Cause it's the only clue you have to anyone that knew you? For any chance of getting help?" Crow asked.

Kelly nodded as her answer; surprised by how Crow hit the nail on the head. She was scared, but not because of what might be after her but because of having to do this alone, with no idea of who she really was and no one to help her. The girl knew that whoever gave her that necklace, must have loved her. That thought was all the hope she had; all she could do to stay positive and at the same time, she hated been alone.

A moment later, Crow, surprised Kelly yet again when he wrapped his arms around her waist, with her back on his chest. Closing his eyes in contentment, the orangette vampire, tighten his grip as he whispered softly to her ear.

"You're so strong...and kind...You are her, aren't you?"

"Who?" Kelly asked.

"The one that I've lost and been looking for...Your real name is something that I've always known. It's Miki."

At the sound of that name, Kelly gasped. For the name, as well as the voice that said it, were the first things that felt familiar to her in a long time.

SOTP: Phew...This chapter was longer than I meant to be. Didn't think I'd ever get it done. Thank god I have a new beta, keeping me on my toes! Thanks for the help, marjorieayamekuran, and welcome to the team! And thanks to guardian of the aura soul for help and feed back as well! Be sure to read and review please! I'm feeling fluffy so I might make a nice romantic chapter next time! See ya then!