Never Ending Summer Hu/AA *stream* FINISHED

[Neko]

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2183823/1/ (o_O okay fixed the link)

Once again, if you care to read the entire story then go here.

Wow, this is fun isn't it XD
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[anime21]

XD Enzan and Nya don't mix.. XD It's so funny picturing him saying that! XD Oh! I found a typo on the first page. ^^;;

[Neko]

Anime, read closely and you will understand about the second plane ride, it's VERY important to the plot.

Which only Yue and I know :D
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[Yue-chan]

[Neko]

You know you love it when I bounce ideas off of you.
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[Saito-Rockman]

Is it just my computer, or did you mislabel Neko Saviors (where the link goes) as Never Ending Summer?
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[Neko]

About two hours after Netto’s designated curfew he went into his house as quietly as he possibly could, maybe his mom didn’t notice. As soon as the door shut with a quiet click a light turned on and Netto turned to face a very upset Haruka and Maki.

“Uh oh…” he said quietly.

/This is your fault, I told you not to stay at Enzan’s so long,/ Rockman scolded his twin.

/But they were ruthless, what was I suppoused to do, run away?/

/Who are you scared of more, Enzan and Laika or Mom and Maki./

/Really? Mom, over everyone./ Netto paused, /Oh, I see your point./

“Just where have you been young man?” Haruka asked in a harsh tone.

“Well, Enzan invited me over and we kinda lost track of time…” Netto laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

/That is the lamest…/

/Rockman, shut up…/

To the twin’s surprise, Haruka’s gaze softened. “Oh, so you were with Enzan-kun?”

Netto sensed an opening and took it, “Yes! And Laika too. They wanted to talk for a bit,” Netto smiled.

“That’s nice; those boys need to be more social.” Haruka smiled, “Well, since you were with your friends I guess I can let it go this once. But don’t push your luck again.”

Netto nodded, “Yes mom.”

“Also, you’re Aunt and I are going to the Hot Springs tomorrow, so can you watch Maki for us?” Haruka added.

Netto nodded fervently. “Of course! I’m not doing much at Net Saviors HQ so I can just tell Mejin I’m babysitting.”

“Okay, we’ll probably be gone by the time you wake up tomorrow, so please get Maki up and ready. We’ll be home around 10, can you two handle it?” Haruka asked.

Netto nodded, “Of course! Leave it to me!”

Haruka nodded and left the room, leaving Netto with a none too happy Maki. “Hey, Netto-chan! Why did you leave me here today!” she said.

Netto blinked, he forgot Maki was even there, he was too busy celebrating his day of non deskwork. “I uhh…”

Maki crosser her arms over her chest and pouted, making Netto sweat a little. “Don’t you like me?” she asked.

“Wh-what? Of course I do! What kind of question is that?” Netto said, quickly bending down to his cousin’s level.

“Really? Then why did you leave me here?” she said.

“I had to take care of something, I didn’t want to drag you along…” Netto started.

“So you don’t trust me?” she said, her eyes started to water.

“What! I never said that…” Netto said quickly.

“Uwahhhh, Netto-chan doesn’t like me!” she said in a loud voice.

“Ah, ah, Maki-chan, shhhh! I never said that, I like you very much! Please, stop crying,” he said desperately.

/Oh yeah, one heck of a babysitter you are,/ chided Rockman.

/Okay, you either help or stay out of this,/ Netto replied, a little irked.

“And Netto-chan doesn’t even love me enough to let me sleep in his bed, I bet he doesn’t even care that I get lonely and scared at night,” Maki continued.

“Maki, of course I do. Please stop crying,” Netto said, trying to hush his cousin up.

Maki looked up at her cousin though the fake tears and grinned, “So I can sleep with you again tonight?” she asked in a voice with a few hiccups for good measure.

“Ummm, well Maki, I don’t think…” Netto saw Maki’s eyes fill with tears again and he help up his hands, “All right, all right, you can again tonight.”

“Every night?” she asked.

“Maki, I don’t think that’s a good idea…”

“You don’t love me?” she asked again.

“Wh-wha? W-wait, I never said that!”

“So I can sleep with you whenever?” she asked.

“I-I guess…” Netto said hesitantly.

“Wai!” Maki threw her arms in the air and ran upstairs.

“Rockman, what just happened?” asked a stunned Netto.

“You got played like a harp by a five year old,” laughed Rockman.

Netto let his head fall. “Ugh, she’s really good at that huh?”

Rockman smiled, “Yeah, five years olds can be very manipulative.”

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

Netto got into his pajamas and went into his room, finding Maki half asleep on his bed. Netto smiled and put Rockman’s PET into it’s holder by the computer, turning on the stasis program. “Night Rockman,” he said.

“Night Netto-kun,” he said back.

Netto went over to Maki who was sprawled out on the bed and picked her up and pulled back the covers allowing both of them to slide in between the sheets without being uncomfortable. He pulled the sheets up to Maki’s chin and whispered “Goodnight, Maki-chan.”

Maki nodded and curled up into Netto’s arms, “Night-night Netto-chan, promise tomorrow is just us?”

Netto nodded and yawned, “Yeup, I promise.”

“Good, night-night Rockman-chan,” she said quietly.

“Night Maki-chan. Have good dreams,” he said.

“Thanks you too, and Net-chan, you have good dreams too.”

“I will, now go to bed.”

“Okay, night-night Netto-chan and Rockman-chan.”

Netto and Rockman sighed, “Good night Maki-chan.”

“Have good dreams too!”

“Maki-chan, just go to bed,” they said to her simultaneously.

“Okay okay, jeez, night-night.”

Netto and Rockman rolled their eyes and didn’t reply.

“Are you there? I said night-night…” Maki said.

“Maki, night-night and go to bed,” said Netto.

“Okay,” Maki shut her eyes and curled into Netto’s arms. “Night-night everyone.”

/That took forever…/

Rockman giggled mentally, /Night-night Netto-kun,/ he said.

/Shut up,/ Netto cut off the thought connection and went to sleep.

A shadow left the PC in the Hikari residence and Obsidian prepared to deliver the latest bit of news to her boss. “Night-night, Hikari twins,” she laughed.

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

Mejin appeared in Maha-ichiban that night right before it closed. Mahajorama heard the small bell ring and called out, “Welcome, we are about to close but you have enough time for one bowl, may I suggest the spicy pork cu…” he turned around and saw who it was. “Well well, what brings you here?” he asked.

“Some very important matters let me assure you. Is your apprentice present?” Mejin asked.

“Dekao-kun? No, he and his navi are out getting this week’s order of spices. How can I be of service?” he asked.

“Where are your other subordinates?” Mejin asked.

“In the back room, what’s this about?” he asked, getting a little suspicious of the Net Savior leader.

“Take me there and I’ll tell you.”

Mahajorama nodded and motioned for him to follow. He opened a door behind the kitchen that let them in on a little rec room where Madoi, Elec Hakushaku and Hinoken were playing a racing video game of some sort with their navi’s cheering them on.

“Go Madoi!” Coloredman cheered as she cut Hinoken and Elec Hakushaku off in one move.

Mahajorama cleared his throat and brought all attention to himself and Mejin. “We have a guest,” he said.

Madoi stood up and dusted off her pants. “Hey, Mejin long time no see,” she said. “What brings you here?” she asked.

“Very pressing news, I’m afraid. We have a new net mafia and I’d like to ask for your help.”

Hinoken laughed, “We’re convicted criminals. Since when do you need our help?”

“Since Hikari Netto’s and Rockman’s lives are in danger.”

He heard a gasp from Madoi and smiled. “Do I have your interest?”

“What did they do this time?” Elecman asked.

Mejin shook his head, “Nothing, in fact what happened wasn’t their fault by any means. However, what I’m about to tell you must never leave this room, understand? Netto-kun and Rockman are going to get very upset at me for telling you this, but I see no other way. I can’t watch them all the time and I know again most everyone’s judgment that he trusts you. Will you help?”

Hinoken was the first to answer, “Of course, now what’s wrong.”

“Some very important papers were stolen yesterday and some very important files were taken as well. Can I trust you all to keep this to yourselves?” Mejin asked.

“What about their friends?” asked Magicman.

“Dekao and Gutsman? No, Netto-kun and Rockman have the right to tell them when they see fit. The only reason I’m telling you is to make sure a repeat of what happened today doesn’t happen again.”

“We promise we won’t say anything, now tell us what’s so damn important!” said Madoi.

Mejin sighed and told the story, making sure that nothing was left out. When he finished he looked at the stunned ex-WWW members. “Can I trust you?”

Madoi smiled shakily, “Yeah, just tell us where and when.”

“As soon as possible at Net Saviors HQ.”

“We’ll be there tomorrow,” said Mahajorama.

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

A thunderstorm started up later that night causing Maki to wake up, in an alien bed and terrified to within an inch of her life.

Netto groaned and put his arms around the shaking body. “Maki-chan, it’s just a thunderstorm, go back to sleep.”

Maki hesitated then snuggled deeper into the sheets apprehensively. Just a thunderstorm? She wasn’t too sure.

~~~~~~~~~~~

OWOWOWOW~

Okay, lots of forshadowing for you guys to chew on here :D

Also, set up for the next arc and a very cute scene next chappie.

*goes to soak fingers and wrists*
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[Yue-chan]

very nice chapter, Neko, very nice. Huzzah for World Three. I like them. And definitely lots of foreshadowing. Got me curious, and I helped plan this. XD
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[Midnight]

Quick question:

If this is Chapter 7, then where are 5 and 6? You haven't posted them on FF.net, and I'd appreciate it if you reposted 5 and 6 for continuity's sake.

Thanks.
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[Neko]

When I post chapters on this board, I wait untill I've posted two chapters here to make up one in the FF.net.

I started where I left off but the FF.net chapters are twice as long. That and I really have no idea where I left off chapter wise, I just picked a random number and said, that sounds good I'll go with that.
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[Midnight]

OK. So Chapter 4 on FF.net is an almalgam of what you call Chapters seven and eight? It would make sense, but this section seems out of tune with what has been posted on FF.net....or maybe I'll see a connection soon...
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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

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[Anime Master ZERO]

Emotional blackmail: every five-year-old's best weapon.
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[Neko]

Maki woke up the next morning curled in Netto’s arms. She shifted gently and Netto stirred and groaned in his sleep. “Netto-kun is the world’s heaviest sleeper,” came Rockman’s voice from the computer. “You can get up now Maki-chan.”

Maki grinned at Rockman, but she had other ideas. She broke herself from Netto’s embrace and stood up on the bed.

Rockman immediately understood what she was going to do. “Maki-chan, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said.

Maki ignored him and dive-bombed Netto, right in the stomach. Netto was jolted awake by the sudden extra weight and he sat up gasping. Maki jumped to the floor giggling and ran out of the room before Netto could yell at her.

Netto watched her run out the door, somewhat stunned. Rockman giggles, “I tried to stop her,” he said.

Netto glared at Rockman and sat up, “Gee some security you are,” he scoffed.

Rockman shrugged, “I swear Netto, she’s like a ninja,” he joked.

Netto muttered and got out of bed, he grabbed his clothes from his dresser and walked out of the room without saying a word.

Maki came back in and sat on Netto’s bed, waiting for Netto come back in. “Where’s Netto-chan?” she asked.

“He’s getting dressed. He’ll be back in here in a few minutes,” Rockman said.

“Was Netto-chan upset?” asked Maki.

“Nah, he’s just not a morning person. He’ll be happy and hyper in a few minutes,” Rockman winked at Maki.

Maki giggled and Netto walked into the room tying back his messy brown hair with his powder blue bandana. “What about me?” he asked.

“We were just talking about how crabby you are,” said Rockman.

Netto crossed his arms, “I am not,” he said.

Maki laughed and catapulted herself from Netto’s bed on to Netto’s back, latching herself on for a piggy back ride. “Yes you are,” she said.

Netto was almost knocked down from the force behind the jump and it took most of his self control to just stat breathing properly again. “Whatever,” he breathed and carried his cousin downstairs to the kitchen.

“Netto-chan, are we going to the big building again today?” Maki asked.

Netto shook his head and said, “Nope, it’s just you and me today. Rockman called me off from duty, right Rockman?” Netto called out.

Rockman appeared in the kitchen monitor and gave Netto a thumbs up, “All done Netto-kun.”

“See?” Netto said to Maki, “So what do you want to do?” he asked.

Maki put a finger on her lips and adopted a thoughtful look on her face. “I want tooooo… make pancakes!” she said brightly.

Rockman could immediately sense the impending doom. “Maki-chan, that might not be the best idea,” he said.

Maki crossed her arms, “But I want to make pancakes!” she said sticking out her lower lip.

“Well, I just meant that it might be a bit messy…” Rockman started.

Netto cut him off, “Ah, its okay Maki-chan, we’ll make pancakes.”

Maki threw her arms into the air in celebration. “Yay!” she said.

/Netto-kun, this is just begging for disaster,/ Rockman said.

/You worry too much, what could go wrong?/ Netto asked.

/Many, many, many things,/ Rockman groaned.

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

WWW, Enzan and Laika sat around a long wooden table with Mejin at the head. Mejin looked at his watch for the third time in the past ten seconds. “Where is he?” he asked.

“Sleeping?” Enzan offered.

“Most likely,” Laika said.

Madoi laughed, “Good to know some things never change.”

“Well can’t you just call them?” asked Blues.

“Rockman’s not in his PET, I tried earlier,” Mejin replied.

“That’s unusual, Rockman’s always in his PET,” said Enzan.

“Do you think something could have happened?” asked Fireman.

That question hung heavily in the air for a few minutes while everyone thought it over. “Should we go check?” asked Elecman.

“Well if something really did happen, and I’m not saying it did,” said Mejin, “I could be a trap.”

Enzan grabbed his PET from its port in the conference table, “I don’t care, if he’s in trouble we need to help him, and if he’s not then he will be.”

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

Netto went around the kitchen and began to take things out of various cupboards carefully following the directions in his mother’s cook book. Maki and Netto had on aprons and put all the ingredients around the large blue porcelain bowl they were going to mix it in. Rockman hesitantly regulated the heat under the frying pan to what the directions said and the flame low so as to make sure neither one got hurt. Netto sensed Rockman’s worry early on.

/Relax, nothing will happen, I know how to make pancakes you know,/ he said.

/Yeah, but never with a five year old before,/ countered Rockman.

/So,? It’s not like she’s going to blow up the kitchen,/ Netto said.

Rockman wasn’t so sure.

After the eggs, flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, water and vanilla was added Netto let Maki take over the mixing. He had enough sense to not let her use and automatic mixer, and Maki didn’t make too much of a mess, to the very great relief of Rockman. However the sticky batter still did splatter over the sides and on the counter and some mysteriously found its way into Maki’s hair.

Netto laughed and took over after awhile, stirring the batter until the lumps were gone. Then he took out a cup and poured some of the batter into the frying pan.

“Wait Netto-kun! You didn’t spray the frying pan!” Rockman yelled.

“Oops,” said Netto and he set to work trying to scrape the burnt gooey mess off the pan and into the sink.

Rockman groaned and prepared to lecture Netto when the door bell rang. Rockman left the kitchen monitor and appeared in the entry way monitor. “Who’s there?” he asked.

“Rockman?” asked a voice.

“Laika-san? What are you doing here?” asked Rockman.

“Coming to make sure nothing happened to you. What are you still doing here?” he asked.

“I called us off today,” said Rockman. “Netto-kun has to baby-sit Maki-chan all day.”

“It would have been nice if Mejin told us that,” said Enzan a little peeved.

“Sorry guys, why don’t you come in? The door’s unlocked,” Rockman said.

Enzan opened the door and the odd group walked inside. They heard a cheer coming from the kitchen and everyone walked over cautiously.

“Be careful,” Rockman warned them.

Everyone stopped dead at the entrance of the kitchen. It looked like a war zone, flour was everywhere and there was a concentrated amount of batter on the counter top. In the center of it all was Netto and Maki who were over the frying pan making decent looking pancakes, save the smoldering mess in the sink.

Madoi put a hand over her mouth and immediately began cracking up. Netto looked over in their direction and at first his eyes lit with puzzlement. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Mejin didn’t get your message apparently,” Enzan said dryly.

“Oh, well I’m with Maki-chan all day,” he said.

Maki crossed her arms, “That’s right; Netto-chan is with me today! He promised!”

Netto blushed and in all the confusion forgot that there was a pancake in the pan until it started to smoke. “Netto-kun, watch it!” said Rockman.

Netto looked at the blackened pancake and quickly flipped it before it could catch fire.

Madoi smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we’re just here to give him a message, he’s all yours today.”

Maki gave Madoi a big grin and nodded at her. Netto blushed even more and said, “Maki you should go take a shower, when you come downstairs you can have breakfast.”

“’Kay!” Maki said and ran upstairs.

Madoi chuckles, “You should take a shower too,” she said to Netto eyeing the flower in his hair.

Netto glared at her and started to put the dirty dishes in the sink. “What are you doing here?” he asked, ignoring Madoi’s comment.

“Well, we’re supposed to help you find the new bad guys,” said Hinoken.

“I’m watching my cousin,” said Netto.

“Ne noticed,” said Mahajorama, grinning ever so slightly.

Netto sighed, “Let me clean up in here, you guys can wait in the living room.”

Once they were in the living room Madoi started to crack up even more. “And to think he was our worst enemy!”

“I heard that!” Netto called.

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

Netto finished cleaning the kitchen when Maki finished her shower. Netto had managed to clean himself up pretty well as well as clean up most of the kitchen. Netto placed a plate of pancakes on the table and went into the living room, but before he could sit down Maki called, “Netto-chan?”

“Yes?” he answered.

“Can you cut this for me?” she asked.

“Uhhhh, sure,” he said and walked over to the table. He cut the pancakes into small pieces and handed the fork back to Maki. “Here you go,” he said.

“Thanks!” she said and started to gobble down her breakfast.

Netto walked back into the living room and sat down on the couch, “So why are you here?” he asked.

“Apparently, Mejin-san never got our message,” said Rockman.

“Oh, well I can’t go anywhere because I’m watching Maki-chan and mama is at the onsen with aunt Sakura.

“How about we research here then?” Madoi asked. “A day off; even though we’re at work.”

Netto laughed, “That’s a great idea. But we’re not going to do much,” he said.

“It’s okay, I think everyone deserves a break,” she said.

Enzan scoffed, “You haven’t even done anything!” he said.

Netto laughed again, “Who cares?”

Hinoken nodded, “I agree with Netto.”

Enzan shook his head, “We should be out there,” he said.

“Well, until there is a lead, it’s not like we can find anything,” Netto answered.

“So let’s wait until there is an opportunity,” Elecman said. “It’s not like we can do anything, but we should tell Mejin.”

“Already done,” said Elec Hakushaku.

“My e-mail?” Enzan asked.

Elec Hakushaku nodded.

“What is he doesn’t get it?” Enzan asked.

“Then it teaches him to read his e-mail,” said Netto.

Rockman nodded, “I agree.”

~~~~~~~~

This scene came right out of my life. Pancakes and four year olds do NOT mix.

Ugh, well hope you liked it!
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[Midnight]

Eeep. You'd be right. In general, kitchens and four year olds don't mix, period.

Nice, nonetheless.
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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

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[N2-0 Night]

I like this chapter :] . Your description of the things are so good. I'm kind of jealous about it...

You're right. Four-year-olds and kitchens don't mix.
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[Hikari Angel]

4 year-old kids and kitchens don't mix along with two 9 year-olds and kitchens don't mix as well. (personal story) than chapter was funny.
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"To give ourselves, and never count the cost of other's greater needs."

[Lido Azn Girl]

[Anime Master ZERO]

With the way you keep depicting Maki, I can't help but ask you this, Neko. Will Maki be employing the "sad puppy face" any time in the future to get what she wants from Netto?
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[Neko]

Yes, but the sad puppy eyes don't affect Netto, the annoyingness of her whining does. and when she starts crying XD

Most likely she'll use the emotional blackmail more in later chapters.
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[Neko]

While everyone was resting at Netto’s house Obsidian decided she had other plans. “Time to see what we can really do,” she smiled and looked up at the rather large stone tablet in front of her. It was written in a long dead language but the person who she was stealing it for knew exactly how to read it.

She took it to where the agreed drop off point was and put it into a cushioned box. “Well done, dear,” said a cool voice behind her.

Obsidian turned around to see Nova walking with prestige towards her. Her normally cold features broke into a warm grin. “My love, how nice it is to see you again.”

Nova nodded, his own features warming up as well. “I agree this mission keeps us from each other too long.”

Obsidian played with the white cape that dangled from his white armor. She always thought he looked like an angel, but few did know the danger that lay beneath the handsome mask. “Shall we take this elsewhere?” she purred.

Nova shook his head, “As much as it pains me to say this, we must finish what we started. I’m sure the net saviors will be at the museum any minute now.”

Obsidian chuckled, “And I have that all covered, dear. I’ll go back when I’m needed which won’t be for awhile yet.”

Nova raised an eyebrow, “Is that so?” He scooped her up as an old fashioned couple would. “Now what were you saying earlier?”

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

Netto and Maki were in a heated battle of Candyland when his PET rang. “Yes, what is it?” Netto asked a little crossly. “You know it’s my day off don’t you?”

“Netto-kun, Laika-kun, Enzan-kun the Densan Museum was just robbed,” Mejin said in a tight voice. “You need to get down there now.”

Netto’s knuckles went white as he gripped the PET. “Damnit,” he hissed.

Madoi put her hand on his shoulder, “This sounds like your work, kid. We can watch your cousin.”

Netto looked at her, “You can?”

Mejin nodded, “Good, okay you three get down there as quickly as possible. There’s something about what they stole that makes me uneasy,” and before anyone could ask what he meant, the PET screen went blank.

“Nothing like giving a little detail,” said Enzan sarcastically.

“No kidding,” Hinoken said.

Netto knelt down to Maki’s level and Maki threw her arms around him. “You can’t go, you promised!” she said.

Netto pulled her arms off of him and held her hands in his own. “I know, and I’m really sorry but we can’t stay. Maki-chan, you need to stay here and be a good girl, okay?”

Maki sniffled and nodded, “Okay.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back in a few hours,” Rockman said.

Maki nodded again but didn’t say anything.

Netto stood up and followed Laika and Enzan out the door. “Bye!” he waved and shut the door.

“Bye, Netto-chan,” Maki sniffled.

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

“Oh man, mom is so gonna kill me if I’m not back before she is,” Netto said.

“Don’t worry, we’ll wrap this up in a few hours and be back before dinner,” Enzan said.

“You better be right or I’ll be grounded till the end of the week,” he said.

“At least we’ll know where you are,” Laika attempted a joke.

“Ha ha, very funny,” Netto said dryly.

They continued to run towards the Museum which wasn’t far away from Netto’s house. “So, what do you think they stole?” asked Laika.

“Some kind of ancient artifact? It is a museum you know,” Netto pointed out.

Enzan and Laika shrugged, “Why don’t we worry about that after we get to the museum,” said Blues.

“I agree with Blues,” said Rockman. “We need to see what happened first, then we can try and guess what the enemy is doing.”

“What enemy is it?” asked Enzan. “This doesn’t have the same kind of feel that a Neo WWW crime does. Could it be that Obsidian person?”

They all pondered this in silence as they ran to the museum.

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

Back at Netto’s place, the members of WWW were desperately trying to cheer Maki up. “It’s okay, they’ll be back in a few hours at the most,” said Madoi.

“But Netto-chan promised me that today would be just us!” Maki said. “Why did you guys have to come?”

The four adults and their navi’s were taken aback.

“Netto-chan used to just play with me when I came over to visit, but now he has a bunch of other people come over every day and we don’t get to play alone anymore. It’s not fair!” Maki huffed and crossed her arms.

“Ah, well. Netto just has new responsibilities right now,” said Mahajorama, always the diplomat.

“So? I was his responsibility today, mama said so!” Maki said.

“Can’t argue with that.” Elec Hakushaku shrugged.

Madoi elbowed him in the stomach and said, “Hush.”

“Why won’t Netto-chan just stay with me?” Maki asked.

“I don’t think he has much choice in the matter,” said Hinoken. “He does things that are important and needed, especially because they’re important.”

“Like being a super hero?” Maki asked.

Everyone blinked and Madoi tried desperately not to burst out laughing. “I never thought about it like that,” she said, suppressing her laughter.

Mahajorama did not laugh but instead nodded, “Yes, just like that.”

Maki gave him a broad grin and ran upstairs. “What are you doing?” Madoi called.

“I’m gonna see if I can try and help Netto-chan,” she said and ran into Netto’s room slamming the door behind her.

Madoi made to follow her but Mahajorama placed his hand on her shoulder. “Let her go, she probably is going to play with the computer or something.”

Madoi sighed, “If you say so,” she said doubtfully.

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

Netto, Enzan and Laika all went into the museum. To their very great surprise no one came out to greet them or show them to the site of the crime. In fact, no one was there at all.

“Hello?” Netto called out.

“This smells like a trap,” said Enzan.

“Smells like? You need some new lines,” Netto laughed.

Enzan gave him a withering look but didn’t retort.

“Over here,” said Laika motioning then towards a room. Enzan and Netto went over and followed their friend inside.

“What is it?” asked Netto.

Laika pointed towards the rather obvious smashed case and glass on the floor. “Not very observant are you Netto-kun,” Rockman said.

“Sh-shut up,” said Netto going red.

Enzan and Laika both got a grin out of that but before they could add their own comments they heard a crash from the hall way. They ran out of the room without a word and looked for whatever caused the loud noise. “Who’s there?” said Netto.

A small girl that looked no older then Maki stood there. She had large white pupil-less eyes and was dressed in a pale grey battle suit. Her hair stuck out in a short pony tail from hinder her helmet. But it wasn’t her appearance or her age that seemed the most odd about her, it was the fact that they could see right through her.

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

Madoi looked at the closed door. “She’s too quiet. Something is wrong,” Madoi said.

“Relax, you’re just being paranoid,” said Elecman.

“I agree,” Elec Hakushaku said.

Madoi cast another uneasy glance at the door. “I’m not so sure.” She got up and walked upstairs, then knocked on the door. “Hey, Maki-chan are you in there?” she asked.

There was no reply and Madoi knocked again. “Hello?” she called.

When there was no reply a second time she opened the door and went inside. The other Neo WWW members looked at the empty hallway getting a little nervous. A minute later Madoi came running back out, “She ran away!” she yelled.

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

Maki remembered where the museum was. Her mom took her there a long time ago but she had lots of pictures from the time. A lamp post here and a tourist shop there, they were all in the snapshots that she always looked at. She slowly walked down the third block being very careful to look both ways. Then right in front of her loomed a giant marble building with the words, ‘Densan History Museum’ on it. Maki grinned and ran towards the big building and ignored the caution tape placed in front of the doors.

She was going to find Netto-chan!

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

The three Net Saviors looked at the ghostly like navi. “Um, hi? Did you make that noise?” asked Netto, unsure of what to say.

The girl nodded, not saying a word.

“Are you okay?” he asked again.

This time the girl shook her head.

Netto frowned, “Well, what’s wrong?” he asked.

He lips trembled, “I’m…” she whispered. “I’m alone.”

“Netto-kun, she’s not a normal navi,” Rockman warned.

“I think I guessed that,” said Netto.

“I…” she started to speak again, and all attention was brought back to her. “I don’t want to be alone.”

/What do I say?/ Netto thought desperately.

/I don’t know, how about we figure out what she is first,/ said Rockman.

The girl looked straight at Netto and Rockman as they exchanged thoughts. “You… talked?” she asked, her expression not changing one bit.

“Uhhh,” Neither Netto nor Rockman had any good reply to that question.

“You what?” asked Enzan.

“Don’t ask,” said Netto.

The girl kept on looking at them, and the room started to gather a haze. The misty swirls traveled on the floor and started to fill to room. Meanwhile the girl’s appearance started to become more and more solid.

The white tendrils were by no means solid but they seemed to almost anchor them in place.

“I don’t want to be alone,” the girl repeated.

Netto started to feel very sleepy and couldn’t figure out what was going on. “What is she doing?” he asked while trying to stay awake.

“I… don’t know,” said Enzan who sounded like he was having the same problems as Netto.

“Don’t leave me alone,” the girl said.

Netto wanted to reply but whatever was making him sleepy finally won and he collapsed into the mist.

“I’m scared,” said the girl, and that was the last thing Netto heard before he lost consciousness.

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

Maki ran into the main hall and started to call out, “Netto-chan!” but only her voice greeted her in return.

Maki ran down the hall and peeked into the empty rooms, “Netto-chan?” she asked to the air.

WWW was not far behind her and ran into the building only minutes after she did. “Where is she?” Madoi asked, almost in a panic.

“Where is anyone?” asked Hinoken, puzzled by the absence of the obvious things like guards and a curator.

“We don’t have time to worry about that, we need to find the girl before she gets into trouble,” said Madoi.

“NETTO-CHAN!” they heard a voice scream from the far left of the main room.

“Damn it!” said Madoi and took off after the voice at a sprint.

They ran into the room where they heard Maki’s voice come from and stopped dead. Maki was shaking Netto’s unmoving body and sobbing. “Netto-chan won’t wake up,” she said.

Madoi quickly knelt beside her and places her fingers on the side of Netto’s neck. She found a strong pulse and breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s okay, he’s just unconscious.”

Mahajorama knelt by Enzan’s body and felt for his pulse too. “They all are, but there are no signs of a fight. What happened?” he asked.

Hinoken noticed something else odd, “Their PET’s don’t have their navi’s in them. What’s going on here?”

Before anyone could answer a pearly mist started to flood the room again. “I’m alone,” a voice said.

They all looked to where the voice came from and saw the same ghostly navi that Netto, Laika and Enzan had.

“W-who’s that…” Maki asked in a quivery voice.

“I don’t want to be alone,” the girl said and the mist flooded the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

Words can not express just how much I love this chapter. And that's all I have to say.
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

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