A/N: I'm going to apologize for any inaccuracies up front, since I haven't seen Megaman NT Warrior in a long time, nor have I read the manga in a while and I just started playing the games again… but I remember I always loved Chaud and Protoman. So yeah.

Please enjoy!

A Small Fit

Papers covered in math equations littered Chaud's desk. He sat, staring at his schoolwork with his arms crossed. Protoman watched from his PET as the young boy's blue eyes narrowed in determination.

"No."

Protoman tilted his head to the side. "What are you saying 'no' to, Master Chaud?"

"No."

The red NetNavi sighed. Since the death of Mrs. Blaze Chaud had begun throwing fits. Some were tame, like this one, where he would simply repeat "No," while others involved yelling and crying and even breaking things. Nightmares always followed. What they were of, Protoman didn't know. Chaud refused to speak of them, but whatever they were Protoman knew that they were only further traumatizing the poor boy.

And to think, Protoman thought, Master Blaze won't even seek counseling for his son. But who am I, a mere NetNavi, to complain? Master Blaze knows what is best for his son, and if it is for me to take care of him in this volatile state then I shall.

Chaud cleared his throat. Protoman looked at him curiously. "Yes Mas—"

Before he could finish Chaud grabbed a few nearby papers and ripped them in half. Protoman's jaw twitched. He had been incorrect. This wasn't one of Chaud's more tame fits.

"Master Chaud, please set those back on the desk and do not throw them on the—"

Chaud ripped the papers again and tossed them onto the floor.

"—…floor."

He crossed his arms again and met Protoman's scowl with a blank stare. "No."

This would be more difficult than Protoman had hoped. If he could at least get the boy to say something other than "No," it would be a start. But Chaud was so stubborn! And Master Blaze was unforgiving, so if Chaud didn't get his work done again—well, Protoman didn't want to know what Master Blaze would say.

"Master Chaud, do you not wish to finish your homework? If you do, we may go on the Net for a short while." Master Blaze did not approve of frivolous trips to the cyber world; however, in this situation, Protoman thought it was a permissible infraction. "What do you say?"

There was a pause. Protoman hoped, no, prayed that the answer would be—

"No."

Protoman's face fell, and despite half of the NetNavi's face being covered by his visor, Chaud took notice of Protoman's disappointment, especially so when he hugged himself and looked down. And was that a sniffle? Chaud wasn't sure what was more surprising—that NetNavis could sniffle, or that Protoman was upset.

"Proto… Protoman?" Chaud whispered, leaning in just a little bit closer to his PET. Protoman turned his back to Chaud and made what sounded like a choked sob. "Protoman, what's wrong?" Chaud's voice rose to a much higher pitch. He was only six, almost seven, and he did not know why Protoman was crying, but somehow he felt like his fit had something to do with it.

"N-Nothing Master, n-nothing at all!" Protoman choked back another sob, and Chaud grabbed his PET and shook it.

"Protomaaaaan!" he whined. "Why're you crying?"

"W-Well…" Protoman turned around and crossed his arms behind his back. He smiled innocently at Chaud. "I wanted to see if it would work. Are you all right, Master Chaud?"

Chaud gaped at his NetNavi. "You… You tricked me! Meanie! I was worried!"

"I apologize Master Chaud, but I was worried about you, too." Chaud pouted and looked away from Protoman, but still held his PET. "Master Chaud… if I may be so bold to ask, would you like to talk about it?"

"Not really…" Chaud shifted his weight from side to side and kicked his legs back and forth. He refused to look at Protoman and instead settled for staring at his destroyed math papers. "I just miss Mom," he said softly. "And Dad's not around much... I haven't seen him for a few days and I miss him too."

"I understand Master Chaud." No, no I do not. He lost his mother. I barely knew the wo—I mean, Mrs. Blaze. "Would you like me to schedule some quality time between you and your father? I'm sure I could find an opening in both of your schedules that would be optimal for some bonding."

"I don't want to. He'll only say no, 'cause he's too busy."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll—"

"I said no, Protoman."

"Of course sir, I apologize for persisting against your wishes."

Chaud glanced at Protoman, a sad smile on his face before he turned his attention to his lap again. "Do I have to do more math?" Protoman chuckled at the question, but shook his head.

"I believe we can put the math off until tomorrow; however, you'll have to do slightly more work to make up for what you missed today. Is that acceptable Master Chaud?" He nodded. "Good. Then I will schedule some extra time for math tomorrow, to make up for today. In the meanwhile, it is your break time, so would you like me to message the cook and have him whip you up a snack?"

"I'm not really hungry," Chaud said, propping his PET against the wall. He slid off of his chair and picked up his torn math papers.

"Would you like to go on the Net, then? My offer was genuine, and I know you wished to go sightseeing."

"I don't feel like it." He balled his papers up and tossed them into the trash bin before climbing back onto his chair, sitting on his knees. His palms were pressed against the desk and he leaned forwards. "What else do I have to do today?"

"You have, ah…" They still had an hour of social studies left to do. Protoman knew this, and he opened his mouth to say exactly that, but what came out was, "Nothing. Your schedule is clear for the rest of the day." It was a lie; a very bad lie, and a very obvious one, too. Chaud was young but not stupid. He knew it was a lie and he knew that if his father found out there would be trouble, but Chaud had more important matters to attend to.

"So… the Net," he murmured. "Can we still go?"

Protoman fought back a smile that would have gone from ear to ear. "Yes Master Chaud, of course we can."

Smiling, Chaud opened his desk drawer and pulled out a small silver laptop and booted it up. "Jack in," He plugged his PET into the laptop, " ProtomanEXE, execute."