Always Watching: Hu/AA/R *Finished*

[ChibiForte]

Agreed, and Neko, please, write more before my brains burst from the waiting for this awesome fic!! Woot! I hope this fic keeps going for a while, it's hilarious.
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Sig made by me. <3

[HubHikari]

Once again Great chapter neko I can't wait to read more!

[ChibiForte]

Yes, please Neko, we want more! *skates across a huge rink of ice with a banner that says 'Neko' on it*
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Sig made by me. <3

[Neko]

Later that evening when Laika was positive that Netto was in a completely natural sleep, he picked up the brunette and carried him to bed. “Laika-san?” Searchman asked from the computer.

“Yes?” Laika asked quickly.

“What’s all over the floor in the living room?” his navi inquired.

“Well that’s… I… don’t know…” Laika said slowly.

Searchman eyed his operator then nodded and linked out of the computer. He linked back into the computer where Rockman was stretched out on the floor of the net. “Laika-san is a horrible liar,” Rockman noted sleepily.

“I know,” Searchman said, then he glanced at Rockman. “Are you all right?”

Rockman let his eyes slip closed, “Whatever Laika did to Netto-kun must have been pretty strong,” he murmured.

Searchman gazed at Rockman for a few more minutes then he curled up around Rockman telling himself that he was merely protecting the vulnerable navi.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto woke up the next morning feeling a little light headed but not feeling any worse for the wear. He yawned, got out of bed and walked out into the small apartment that belonged to Laika. “Hello?” he asked.

Laika came out of his room wearing his military uniform. “I’m sorry but I was just called on a mission,” he said stiffly. “Searchman and I are on a special force unit to find the Neko Virus since we’re already infected.”

“Oh…” Netto said while looking a little put out.

Laika sighed, “Netto, I’m sorry you can’t come but…”

Netto gave Laika a large, fake grin and shook his head, “Nope, its fine. I’ll just probably sleep the whole time anyway.”

“Netto…” Laika sighed. “All right, I should be home around five.”

“See you then!” Netto said in a cheerful yet somehow still hollow voice.

Laika threw Netto one last worried glance before exiting his dorm for good.

“Netto-kun?” Rockman asked quietly from the monitor by the doorway.

Netto sighed and flopped onto the couch, “I hate being useless,” he muttered into the cushioning.

“I know, Netto-kun, I know,” Rockman sighed.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

“Private Laika,” Laika announced at the post and saluting the commanding officer.

“At ease solider,” he barked. “You are to lead the back up unit behind the specified area of attack.”

“Yes sir,” Laika said and recorded his orders and directions into his PET. Then he walked away from the tall man and over to the unit he and searchman were to command.

No one said a word as they all stood around in the freezing snow waiting for a signal. After three minutes a loud voice could be heard clearly over the frozen tundra, “Attack unit one, deploy!” There were several red flashes and Laika knew the unit was in the net. A few minutes later the voice called out again, “Attack unit two, deploy!”

After five more minutes the voice was heard again, “Back up unit, deploy!” he yelled.

Laika silently plugged in Searchman and the rest of the unit he was commanding went into the net as well. Searchman flew along the route that was programmed into him by the directions Laika was given and landed quietly, waiting.

“Where is it?” Laika heard a man ask.

Laika scanned the area using Searchman’s scanner as a point of reference. “Searchman?” he murmured.

Searchman shook his head, “There’s nothing here, Laika-san.”

Laika glared at the scene unfolding on his PET and a few minutes later the order came for them to retreat. “Looks like it was sour information, men,” the commander barked. “You are free to go home whenever you want.”

Laika sighed and turned around with his PET in hand when he heard a voice behind him calling his name. “Laika!”

Laika spun around to see a boy slightly older then him run up. He stopped in front of Laika and had his hands on his knees while he was trying to catch his breath. “Laika, I have to ask a huge favor of you,” he said.

“Leon?” Laika asked. The older boy was his friend and sometimes his partner in the worst of times at the base. “Sure, what do you need?”

“Well, you see, on the mission we were just sent on my navi seems to have…” Leon coughed slightly.

“Silver caught the Neko Virus?” Laika asked.

Leon ducked his head, “She had it before but only slight and now it’s taken complete control. I need to fix some of her executables so she can function,” he said quickly.

“What do you need me to do?” Laika asked.

“Can you please run to the storage locker for me and drop this off,” Leon asked while holding out a small package. “It’s the most recent letters from my mom. I like to put them in storage so the guys won’t find them.”

“Sure,” Laika said while taking the package.

“Oh thanks a lot Laika, you’re a lifesaver,” Leon said while tossing him the key. “I’ll be by to pick up the key tomorrow.”

“Ah, wait!” Laika said. “I’ll bring you the key.”

A brief look of puzzlement crossed Leon’s eyes but he didn’t say anything. “All right, see you tomorrow, Laika.”

“See you,” Laika said and Leon took off at a dash towards his dorm building.

“Well, let’s get going,” Laika said and took off towards the storage lockers.

He trudged through the knee deep snow to the storage unit and went inside. It was just as cold inside as outside but since it was only storage there really was no need for insulation. He walked along the rows of lockers looking for the number that matched the key. When he got to the locker the opened it and saw that it was crammed with many packages just like the one he was holding now, “He gets a lot of letters,” Laika noted.

“Yes, he does,” Searchman agreed.

Laika sighed heavily and pushed the thick stack in the little last bit of free space in the locker. “He going to need a new storage locker,” Laika said while closing it.

“So it would seem,” Searchman said with a bare hint of a grin.

Laika turned around and tucked the key in the pocket as he walked back to the door of the storage locker. He walked over and pressed up against the door to see that it wouldn’t open. “They must have closed it,” Laika sighed. He pulled out his PET and pointed it at the electronic lock. “Searchman, override security,” he announced coldly.

Searchman went into the computer and tried to put in the override command. “It… won’t take it…”

“What?” Laika hissed.

“It must have been warped by the virus,” Searchman murmured.

“Then I need to put it in manually,” Laika said.

“The manual input pad it outside,” Searchman said slowly.

Laika’s eyes widened, “Can you send an e-mail?” he said through gritted teeth. Calling for help really wasn’t his style but it was less embarrassing then freezing to death inside of a storage unit.

Searchman typed a few commands and shook his head, “It’s no good, all communications are jammed to prevent the spread of the Neko Virus.”

Laika’s eyebrow twitched, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he hissed.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Back at Laika’s dorm, Netto gazed at the clock as it slowly allowed time to move forward. “Rockman, he’s late,” Netto said softly.

“Netto-kun, it’s only six, maybe something happened,” Rockman said.

Netto glanced worriedly out the window, “But the sun is starting to go down.”

“Laika’s lived here his whole life, I’m sure he can take care of himself,” Rockman said reassuringly to his operator.

“Right,” Netto murmured.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

Laika sighed and held his head in his hands, “I’ve lived here my whole life, you think I would take better care,” he muttered.

“There’s no use in beating yourself up, Laika-san,” Searchman said softly.

“I just trapped myself in a storage unit in the middle of winter!” Laika exclaimed.

“Well… yes…” Searchman said uncomfortably.

Laika sighed, “What a stupid way to die,” he muttered.

“You’re not going to die,” Searchman said quickly.

“I’m not going to survive sub zero temperatures for eight hours now am I?” Laika asked, his temper finally getting the better of him.

“Laika-san, you need to calm down,” Searchman reminded his operator gently.

Laika took in a deep breath of the cold air and nodded, “Right, what can we do to get out of this?” he asked.

“Hope someone wonders where we are?” Searchman asked himself so Laika couldn’t hear.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

“Where are they?” Netto asked while glancing at the clock.

“I don’t know Netto-kun, but pacing around isn’t helping anyone,” Rockman pleaded.

“The sun is almost down,” Netto hissed. “If he stays out any longer, he’ll freeze.”

“I know,” Rockman said, “I know.”

“If they’re out there after the sun goes down we’re going to look for them,” Netto hissed.

Rockman nodded, “All right.”

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

“Think anyone will look for us after the sun goes down?” Laika asked dully.

“Possibly,” Searchman said. “If anyone notices that you’re missing then most likely.”

Laika sighed, “Yeah I’m sure someone is sitting around wondering where private Laika is…” he said quietly.

“You never know,” Searchman shrugged.

“Now who would be dumb enough to sit around waiting for me to…” Laika’s eyes widened. “Oh hell,” he said.

“What is it, Laika-san?” Searchman asked.

“Would Netto…” Laika asked.

Searchman cleared his throat uncomfortably, “I’m not sure.”

“You don’t think,” Laika said.

Searchman shrugged.

Laika looked out of the doorway into the rapidly depleting sunlight. “Netto don’t you dare come out into this,” he hissed.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

“Laika-san is going to kill you for going out into that,” Rockman reminded Netto.

“And Laika will be dead if we don’t find him soon,” Netto hissed.

“He could just be at a friend’s house,” Rockman said.

“Or he could be in trouble,” Netto pointed out.

Rockman sighed as he saw Netto pull on a thick winter hat. “Netto-kun, you’ll freeze faster then Laika,” he warned.

“Then let’s find him quickly,” Netto hissed. “Can you pinpoint Searchman’s signal?”

“Yes, but it’s scattered over a rather large area,” Rockman said.

Netto pulled on a coat and gloves and picked up his PET. “Then let’s go,” he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was way too much fun to write XDDDDD
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[Wackoguy]

Just like when the TV says what you're thinking. You definitely had fun with this chapter. :D

Leave it to Laika to mess up and get himself in trouble...oye...
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"When it rains,it pours. When it pours,get out of the rain." -quoth me!

Megaman Melee! HUTTAH and HUZZAH!


"I ate your siggy..."

[Kitty-Chan]

Ha ha; Laika made another oopsie. :D Now Netto gets to rescue him. Are we going to get to see one of them nurse the other back to health? ^_^
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[ChibiForte]

Awesome Neko, awesome. You make this very comedic and fun to read. Strange how I was petting my kitty while I was reading this...she's sitting on my bro's computer desk right now. Yer fics are uber kick-ass and I want more!! *does triple-axel and waves banner that still says 'Neko' on it*
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Sig made by me. <3

[kuro-kitsune]

....

now i remember why i liked TWIN so much. :D ahh, catnip and random events. XD tis too cool! nyahahaha!!

i eagerly await the next chapter again. because this is a lainett fic, and we need more of them. ;P

~kuro-kitsune~

[YaminoMiko]

WOW Neko, your story kick ass!!! I hope you update it again soon.
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I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Midnight]

Nice. Forgive my lateness, though.

A rather unique take on this chapter's structure. Having the similarities in speech and then swapping between the two protagonists does a very good job of keeping the readers on their toes and making the chapter a joy to read. I'm sure it was very fun for you to write.
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Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Neko]

“He should be around this area…” Rockman said doubtfully.

“This area…” Netto repeated slowly. This area included a bunch of empty looking buildings and an open snow field. “How about we try the buildings first?” Netto asked Rockman.

“Sounds like a good idea, but you better hurry. Those buildings have no heat.”

Netto nodded and walked towards the first one. He tried the door handle but it didn’t budge. “Hello?” he called while knocking on the door.

“He’s not in there,” Rockman concluded.

Netto shivered involuntarily. “Okay, next one then.”

“Netto-kun, you won’t last long out here,” Rockman said warningly.

“Then we’ll just have to find them quickly, won’t we?” Netto asked pertly and tried that door. It too was locked and there was no signal coming directly from it.

Rockman kept an eye on Netto’s body temperature from inside the PET. It was starting to go down as Rockman also felt it. “This can’t end well,” he muttered.

“What did you say?” Netto asked while peering into the third building.

“Nothing…” Rockman said innocently.

“He’s not here either… damnit,” Netto hissed.

On the sixth building they got lucky and Searchman was able to tap into his PET to tell them where they were. “Searchman?” Rockman asked.

“Laika-san is unconscious,” Searchman said in a low and harried voice. “We’re in the second row, seventh building. You need a passcode to open the door from the outside.”

“I knew it!” Netto yelled but his victory was short lived as he rushed over to the building that was specified. “I knew he was in trouble,” Netto hissed.

“Netto-kun, you need to hurry,” Rockman said. “I’m starting to feel the cold now.”

Netto nodded and stepped in front of the building. “What’s the passcode, Searchman?” he asked.

“153920531,” he answered.

Netto quickly typed it in on the numerical key pad and the small green light below it turned on. Netto pushed open the door and propped it open with a small wooden wedge he found near the door. “Laika?” he asked while rushing over to his friend’s inert form.

“He collapsed from the cold?” Rockman asked.

Searchman nodded, “We’ve been here since about five.”

Netto hissed softly, that was far too long in the Sharro cold. Almost four hours worth. He took off his coat and wrapped Laika in it as best he could. “Netto-kun!” Rockman gasped.

“Look, he needs to get warm before something happens,” Netto muttered. “All I need to do is get us back to his dorm.”

“Netto-san, you’ll freeze,” Searchman said quickly.

“I’ve been in worse then this,” Netto said with a small smile. “And I survived that.”

Neither navi could really do anything anyway so they watched as Netto hoisted the taller boy on his back and made due with the cold as he walked back out into the Sharro night.

“Netto-san, are you okay?” Searchman asked him about halfway there. Netto’s breaths were coming in short; painful pants and he seemed to be struggling to stay awake.

“No… he’s not…” Rockman said softly while he rubbed his own arms. “Netto-kun…”

“We’re almost there,” Netto cut off his navi. “Just a little but further.”

About ten minutes later Netto finally walked in the doorway of Laika’s dorm. He put Laika on the couch and straightened up while gasping for breath, “That wasn’t too bad,” he said in a distant voice.

“Netto-kun…” Rockman said. “You’re… ah!” he exclaimed when Netto collapsed on top of Laika.

“Damnit,” Searchman hissed. He knew he couldn’t call for paramedic help because of the Neko Virus infecting Netto. At that point all they could do was wait for Laika to wake up and hope he was okay.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Laika smelled the familiar smell of his dorm as his senses slowly came back to him. He groaned softly and immediately Searchman’s voice could be heard, “Laika-san, are you all right?” he asked.

“I’m… alive?” he asked sleepily. He felt a heavy weight on his chest and he decided to open an eye to find out what it was. “NETTO?” he gasped.

Searchman nodded, “Netto-san and Rockman came out and found you.”

“Rockman, what happened?” Laika asked the navi.

Searchman shook his head, “He fell into a stasis mode about ten minutes after Netto collapsed.”

“How long…” Laika started.

“About thirty minutes, sir,” Searchman answered.

Laika pulled Netto into his arms and saw that his face was flushed. Then he noticed that he still had on most of his winter wear, including the two hats he had put on for protection. Laika quickly pulled them off as well as the gloves Netto was wearing and put him on the couch. “Okay, his temperature should go down now,” Laika said with a small sigh of relief.

He stood up and Netto’s coat fell off him. Laika stared at it and Searchman cleared his throat, “Netto-san… insisted.”

Laika took in a deep breath through his nose. “He is in so much trouble when he wakes up,” Laika muttered.

Searchman gave him a wan grin and returned to where Rockman was in stasis mode to wait for him to awaken as well.

Ten minutes later, after Laika had made himself a very soothing cup of tea he returned to see if Netto’s temperature went down at all. He pulled off a glove and placed his hand on Netto’s forehead. He may have not been a doctor but he knew enough that Netto was sick, regardless of whether he shouldn’t be or not.

“Does he have a fever, Laika-san?” Searchman asked.

Laika nodded, a little stunned. “He shouldn’t be sick, there’s nothing going around right now.”

“Maybe his body couldn’t handle the temperature changes,” Searchman suggested. “The virus may be trying to regulate some kind of normal temperature and in turn it’s putting too much stress on his human systems.”

Laika hissed through his teeth, “Damnit, this virus is entirely too much trouble.” He turned around and walked to the kitchen and took a sip of his tea. “All right, Searchman, call me off for tomorrow. I’m not leaving him by himself right now.”

“All right, Laika-san,” Searchman said and disappeared in a small pixel shower.

Laika heard Netto stir in the other room. He walked into it to find Netto opening one eye. “Good morning,” Laika said sharply.

Netto’s ears went back in an almost upset maneuver and he looked sheepishly up at Laika, “Heh, glad to see you’re okay.”

“And you’re not,” Laika answered.

“We’re both alive,” Netto pointed out.

Even Laika couldn’t argue with that and he didn’t try to. Instead he walked over to the couch and sat on the edge to peer down at Netto. He put his hand on Netto’s forehead and glared at him. “You’re sick,” he said finally.

Netto shrugged, “And you’re not dead.”

“I appreciate that,” Laika said in a tight voice. “But what part of, ‘stay in the dorm’ do you not understand?”

“You were going to die,” Netto said evenly.

Laika sighed, this was a lost argument and he knew it. “All right, fine. You can’t go anywhere now,” he added.

Netto sat up, “I’m fine,” he insisted. Laika raised an eyebrow and Netto continued to glare at him, “It’ll go away by tomorrow.”

Laika reached over and touched one of Netto’s ears. It was hot and burning to the touch. He highly doubted Netto’s previous statement. “Netto…” he said.

Netto groaned as he struggled to stand up. He stood in front of Laika with an accomplished look in his eyes, “See, I’m fine,” he said.

Laika stared at him and Netto wavered a little. Laika stood up just in time to keep Netto from collapsing onto the floor. “Right, fine,” Laika said sarcastically.

Netto leaned against Laika with an angry glare directed towards him. “What were you doing there anyways?” he asked.

“A favor for a friend,” Laika answered. “And the only reason I was stuck there was because of a bunch of stupid circumstances.”

Netto grinned, “Right…” he said sarcastically.

Laika gave him a cold look and Netto smiled back, flushed face and all. Laika merely reached down and scooped him up, taking his feet off the ground in one fluid motion. “Ah, hey! Put me down!” Netto protested but he didn’t have the strength to break free.

“Netto, you’re sick, and denying it does nothing but make you look foolish. Now calm down and go to bed,” Laika said calmly.

Netto quieted down in his arms and Laika carried him to his bedroom. “I don’t like you right now,” Netto told him with his ears back.

“If you’re convinced you’ll be better in the morning, yell at me then,” he said coolly.

Netto sighed and leaned into the grip to make sure that he didn’t fall. Laika placed him in the bed and Netto pushed away the covers. “You’ll freeze,” Laika said with a touch of concern.

Netto threw him a withering look and Laika just backed away there and then. “Night,” he said simply.

“Good night,” Netto muttered and turned over. Laika could tell that he was asleep in a matter of minutes.

“What a night,” he sighed as he made his way towards his own bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

*evil grin*

Heh, heh >3
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[kuro-kitsune]

......

*gets swarmed by butterflies*

drat... T_T

i love this fic though! LOVELOVELOVELOVE IT!! XD saying how much i love it will deplete the world of acronyms. awesome chapter, neko-sempai!

~kuro-kitsune~

[Kitty-Chan]

Heheheheheh; I knew it. Nurse Laika at your service!
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Plantman]

Lovely as usual, Neko! I really like how you're developing Laika's personality and giving him a softer side. Again I applaud the fact you're not randomly throwing this change all of sudden but giving it reason and a believable pace.
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Hecha en MÉXICO - Avatar by Me.
"Logic is the Ultimate Weapon."

[Plantman]

Lovely as usual, Neko! I really like how you're developing Laika's personality and giving him a softer side. Again I applaud the fact you're not randomly throwing this change all of sudden but giving it reason and a believable pace.
_________________
Hecha en MÉXICO - Avatar by Me.
"Logic is the Ultimate Weapon."

[Neko]

*doesn't even realize that's what she's doing @_@*

Heh, I'm just writing to make him NOT OOC >.> Still hard to write though. Laika is just not easy to write, I don't think he'll ever be either.
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[ChibiForte]

Agreed, and that's why OOC fanfics are the way for me. I mean, c'mon, you don't see him wedgieing people in the anime, DO YOU?! (That wasn't funny, was it?) Really, a cute chapter, and I can see how Laika keeps slowly softening up...before we know it, he'll be running around his dorm screaming 'YATTA!!!' at the top of his lungs. I'm joking, I'm joking! *dodges oncoming bricks*
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Sig made by me. <3

[Midnight]

Ahh yes, what a nice read. Indicative of the quality of your work, as always.

I realize that Laika could be one of the hardest characters to keep in character, but you have done a great job of it apparently, and it is good that you show him to be less then the stoic, hardass type in Stream. Another great read.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Neko]

The next morning Laika woke up bright and early like he always did. Searchman wasn’t awake with him but instead he was curled around Rockman, asleep. Rockman was also asleep and didn’t look too bad, so Laika figured that perhaps Netto had been right and the fever was gone. He shrugged and pulled on a loose sweatshirt and a pair of jeans before going out into the hall for his morning warm ups.

After he was done with that he decided to go check up on Netto since he wasn’t awake yet, and Laika figured he wouldn’t be quite then. He opened Netto’s door and saw Netto lying on top of the covers, shivering slightly but otherwise asleep.

Laika sighed and went over to Netto, getting ready to pull the covers over Netto because he figured the brunette was cold from not being covered up. It wasn’t until Netto opened an eye to glare at him when he realized that Netto wasn’t cold at all. “Don’t you dare,” Netto whispered hoarsely.

Laika jumped a little a peered at Netto. “You’re awake?” he asked.

Netto nodded sullenly.

Laika reached over and put his cool hand on Netto’s forehead. “Oh my god…” he said. “You’re sick,” he muttered.

“No duh,” Netto said angrily. “It’s just a fever though, nothing else.”

“Just a fever…” Laika said weakly. “Netto, this isn’t just a fever…” he muttered.

“So, are you going to take me to the doctor?” Netto asked him.

Laika bit his lower lip. Under normal circumstances, yes, the first thing he would do was take Netto to the doctor, but he couldn’t just then. “Not yet,” he muttered. “I don’t think going would help anyways. This isn’t a viral or bacterial infection. It’s the neko virus.”

“Huh?” Netto asked.

“The virus, in trying to regulate your body temperature is putting too much strain on your human body. Netto, you’re not a net navi, your temperature isn’t regulated by programs and files, it’s organic but the neko virus doesn’t know that. When you got so cold that you actually passed out the virus did everything it could to raise your temperature, and now that your temperature regulated its self the virus can’t act accordingly. This isn’t a disease, this is the programming inside your body,” Laika sniffed. “You thought I was kidding when I said the virus could control more then meets the eye, but now it turns out I was right.”

Netto sighed, “All right, I get it with the speech. You know you could have just said, ‘I told you so?’”

Laika gave Netto and small grin, “I prefer the explanation and the truth, to just the truth.”

Netto glared at Laika and Laika reached over to feel Netto’s ears. “I bet the virus is centralized in the ears and tail,” he murmured. “Once you’re cured then they’ll go away.”

Netto sighed, “Okay, I understand now. But how can we do anything?” he asked.

“Deal with it until your body naturally regulates your temperature. I don’t think the Neko Virus will try and lower it because of what happened when it was raised,” Laika noted.

“Why is that?” Netto asked.

Laika blinked at him, “The Neko Virus is a self learning virus, it knows when it makes mistakes and deals with it accordingly, I thought you knew that.”

“I did,” Netto muttered, “I was just testing you.”

Laika let a small grin play on his lips as Netto pretended to know what was going on even though he was so tired he probably shouldn’t even had been conscious at the time. “Can you stand?” Laika asked.

Netto groaned, “I can barely sit up, why?” he asked.

Laika sighed, “Well, I’d kind of like to be able to keep an eye on you,” he said.

Netto shook his head, “You’re not carrying me again,” he said quickly.

“I know,” Laika replied quickly. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything.”

Netto sighed, “I really don’t feel well,” he said finally.

Laika felt Netto’s forehead again, “Yeah, I figured that much. Can I use a cold compress?” he asked.

“Anything,” Netto muttered, “If it’ll help.”

“Even if it’s wet?” Laika added.

Netto nodded slowly, “I don’t care at this point.”

Laika gave him a wry grin, “For some reason I doubt that, but let’s try anyway.”

Netto watched Laika walk out of his room and come back a few minutes later with a damn washcloth and a bowl filled with water and ice cubes. Laika set the bowl on the small dresser next to Netto and put the cool cloth on Netto’s forehead. His ears went back slightly, but it felt so good that it didn’t matter.

Laika sat on the bed and looked at Netto. “You know, I really am grateful to you for saving my life.”

Netto grinned, “I know.”

Laika’s expression sharpened, “But it was still a stupid thing to do.”

“That’s not fair,” Netto muttered.

Laika shook his head, “Netto, what if you ran into someone or what if you were caught? Worse yet, what if you collapsed before you found me? This happened because you took one too many chances you know.”

“Like when I fought Videoman?” Netto snapped.

Laika looked a little put out, but still resolute. “Netto, first of all, that is in the past. Second of all, I still stand by what I said before, because then you could defeat Darkloids with just your wits. And I’d still prefer to fight as a solider then a net savior any day, that’s the truth.”

Netto shrugged, “And I fight the way I want too. Just because it works for you doesn’t mean it works for me and the way you acted back then wasn’t exactly what one would call courteous. You were an asshole then and you still are now, kinda,” Netto pointed out.

“Kinda?” Laika raised an eyebrow.

Netto glared at him, “You’re not as mean as you used to be,” he admitted. “But you can still say things that are rude.”

“I say what I think,” Laika said simply. “I don’t recall you ever thinking particularly hard before you open your mouth.”

Netto glared at him and sat up suddenly. Laika leaned forward to catch him before he fell to the side from the obvious wave of dizziness that attacked him when he sat up so quickly. The wash cloth fell off Netto’s forehead and he fell completely into Laika’s arms. “We shouldn’t be arguing,” Laika noted.

Netto groaned and sighed into Laika’s shoulder. “I hate being sick,” he muttered.

“Not many people like it,” Laika noted. He gently pushed Netto back and lay him back down on the bed. “Besides, I can’t see you being one to enjoy not being able to move around.”

Netto grinned at him, “You’re right about that,” he admitted.

Laika picked up the washcloth and put it back on Netto’s forehead. “Can I leave you without you trying to get up?” he asked.

Netto shrugged and Rockman’s voice came from the bedroom monitor, “I can answer that, no.”

“Rockman!” Netto glanced over to his navi. “Are you feeling all right?”

Rockman nodded, “It’s not my systems that are being affected here,” he said. “But I am a little hot so you better watch it, Netto-kun.”

Laika sighed, “Can you keep him in bed?” Laika asked Rockman.

Rockman gave Laika a hollow laugh, “Ha, I wish.”

Laika sighed, “Well, can you just…” he started before he was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Who could that be?” he asked.

“I think its Leon, Laika-san,” Searchman said. “He’s probably here to pick up his key.”

“Leon?” Netto asked.

“The person I ran the errand for last night, I forgot about that,” Laika sighed and stood up. “Stay still,” he told Netto.

Netto stuck his tongue out at Laika’s retreating back. “Yeah, like I can go anywhere.”

Laika ignored Netto and walked out in the hall and picked up the key before opening the door. “Hey Leon,” he said.

“Hey!” Leon said cheerfully. “I’m here to pick up my key since you never came by and I saw you took today off. Are you sick?”

Laika shook his head, “I’m not sick,” he said while handing Leon the key.

“The great Laika took a day off for the hell of it?” Leon raised an eyebrow.

“And?” Laika asked.

“Oh lord, the apocalypse is coming,” Leon muttered.

Laika glared at Leon, “Is Silver okay?” he asked tightly.

“I’m fine,” Silver muttered. “Although the Neko Virus programming has taken over everything,” she hissed unhappily.

Leon gave Laika a slightly sad smile, “We’re off active duty for now because she can’t fight it. How’s Searchman?”

“Searchman is fine,” Laika said.

“That’s good to know,” Leon smiled. “Hey, can I drop by some time? I mean, it’s going to get so boring now that I’m behind the lines for now.”

“I don’t know…” Laika muttered.

“Great! Thanks for dropping off the letters for me, see you later!” Leon said while clapping Laika on the shoulder.

“Wait…” Laika said but Leon had already walked down the hall. “I’ll take care of that later,” he muttered and returned to Netto.

When Laika went back inside Netto was slightly awake and not very attentive. Laika walked over and sat on the bed next to him, “Feel any better?” he asked.

“How about… no,” Netto muttered.

“Just asking,” Laika said. “Don’t worry, it’ll go away soon,” he said.

“I hope so,” Netto yawned.

Laika sat on the edge of the bed while Netto fell asleep. He hoped so too.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Soooo tired >.>; Okay, here's the next part, I hope it doesn't suck as much as I think it does.
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[Midnight]

Well...

It's certainly not bad, but it is a little less active than your usual chapters. It's nice that you decided to slow it down a touch to develop the characters. I'm a tad confused about Leon, but then again, he IS a minor character, so he really shouldn't have a great impact on the story...yet.
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[Mistress Leviathan]

Nice chapter Neko. Can't wait for the next chapter.