Notes: So, I was trying to figure out what to write next when I recalled that I had this almost finished story sitting in my google drive. I decided to start posting it in the hopes that I would be able to figure out how to end it. This story will only be about 3 chapters long as long as no surprises happen.
A Family United
The hand Netto clasped so tightly gave one final twitch and went limp.
Saito was gone.
Heat prickled in Netto's eyes.
"Saito," he said. Some part understood that Saito wouldn't respond ever again, but he didn't want to accept it. "Saito!" They'd always been together. Even when Saito was in the hospital, there were still together. Netto was able to see him and they would share stories about their day. Sometimes Netto would even be allowed to sleep with Saito at the hospital.
Unwanted tears spilled from his eyes. He turned to his father.
"Papa-"
"Not now, Netto!" his father quickly interrupted as he typed away at the computer.
Netto had no idea what his father was doing but Saiot had to be more important than the computer.
Netto squeezed his brother's lifeless hand. Saito's eyes were closed, as if he was sleeping but, Netto knew they wouldn't open again. He sniffled and then cried, quietly. Quietly so that his father wouldn't yell at him again.
Time felt frozen inside the lab room. For a while, it felt like there was no world outside the lab. Netto was still and quiet, curled up under a desk. At some point, Saito's body had been covered with a sheet.
The something changed. The computer gave a beep and Dr Hikari let out a relieved breath. Netto looked up and crawled out of the dark.
"Papa?" he questioned in a small voice.
Dr HIkari jumped and smiled at Netto. "Come and see."
Netto looked up at the computer screen in shock. His brother's face was reflected on the screen.
"Saito?"
Saito's eyes opened, code flickering green within them. After a couple of moments, the green code expanded to create green eyes.
"Netto?" Saito mumbled. He looked around. He was standing in a black area with a green grid glowing on it. "Is this the net?"
"Yes," Papa confirmed with a smile on his face.
Saito smiled back. "Then, it worked?" Papa nodded again. Saito grinned wider and looked around. "This is so cool." He laughed and ran in a circle. "I don't feel tired at all!"
"What worked?" Netto asked.
His father explained how he had turned Saito int a NetNavi in order to save him. Netto listened as he was told that Saito would stay in the computer for now and that it would be unlikely that he would be able to hug him again.
"But he's okay, right?" Netto asked. His heart grew light and he joined his brother in happy cheers as their father nodded.
Before Saito died, Netto would spend time at the hospital. After Saito became a netnavi, Netto would spend time in his father's lab.
Saito smiled enthusiastically from the screen as he described being allowed out onto the net.
"And I got to wear this!" he said, pulling a cloak hood over his head. "Papa said that I can't be seen like this!"
"But I can see you," Netto pointed out.
"Not like that," Saito huffed. "It means that other navis don't know who I am."
"Oh."
Saito grinned and pressed his hands up against the window. "What did you get to do today?"
Netto grinned back and started talking about the new recipe for biscuits their mother attempted.
Netto lay on the floor of the lab, staring at the ceiling. Saito was off getting tests done. It had been a common enough thing back before he was a navi that Netto was used to waiting. It seemed like tests would always be a part of the twins' lives.
"Netto!" A voice pierced his thoughts. "Netto!"
Netto rolled over and curled into a ball. "Sleepy..."
"Netto, get up!"
Netto opened his eyes and glared at the image of his brother's face on the screen.
"Why are you like this?" he grumbled.
"Because someone needs to make sure you don't sleep the day away," Saito responded.
"Fine," Netto sighed, knowing that this was just what Saito was like. He didn't want Netto to miss out on anything. "Are your tests over?"
"Yep," Saito responded. "Papa had me talk and interact with Papa's navi! Apparently, Papa's navi will be taking me out to explore the net soon!"
"Cool! I want to to see the net too!" Netto had heard from Papa how the net was growing and how they kept finding previously unexplored areas. He wanted to explore them all.
"You need a navi for that," Saito reminded him.
Netto's cheeks puffed up. he knew that! But he didn't know how to ask Papa for a navi of his own.
"I'm sure if you ask, Papa will make you one."
Netto brought his knees to his chest and rest his head on them. "Papa's busy. I don't want to annoy him."
Saito's face fell as his little brother buried his face in his knees.
"It's papa!" he insisted. "I'm sure he won't mind. Besides, let him know now and maybe he'll make a totally awesome navi for you when you start school!"
"Maybe," Netto mumbled.
Saito perked up as Dr Hikari entered the office.
"Papa!" he called from his PET.
Dr Hikari blinked and continued working. Saito called again. This time Dr HIkari noticed.
"Netto wants a navi," Saito informed him. As he had guessed, Netto had not told their father.
"Does he? I suppose he would, what with the recent advancements in the field-" their father kept talking but Saito stopped paying attention. Their father knew now and that was the most important thing.
When he found the jottings and plans for a new blue navi in Papa's files, he smiled.
Saito came back from wandering around Net City and pulled off his cloak.
"Papa! I'm back!" he called out of the PET's speakers.
Pap was still with his head in his hands and Saito was worried. Had something happened?
"Saito," Dr Hikari said softly. It was the same tone he had used when he had first told Saito about the plan to turn him into a navi.
"Yes, Papa?" Saito responded, knowing Papa needed a prompt to start speaking.
"Would you like to spend more time with Netto?"
"Yes!"
"Everyday?"
"Yes! But I thought it wasn't possible with me like this?"
"It would be if you became Netto's netnavi."
"Netto's netnavi?"
"I know it's not possible while you look like a kid," Dr Hikari said. "This idea does mean that I'll have to put you to sleep and alter your programming."
"Will I get a weapon?" Saito asked excitedly. He loved watching other navis netbattle.
"You already have a buster," Dr Hikari sheepishly admitted. "And if we do this, Netto would be able to send you battlechips." Saito grinned widely. This was awesome! "You'll need a name fitting of a netnavi though."
Saito laughed, "yeah! I think Netto wants a navi with an awesome name."
"Do you also want an awesome name?" Dr Hikari asked his digitised son. Saito's cheeks went red and he didn't answer. Dr Hikari had no doubt that Netto wanted an 'awesome' navi but he was starting to realise Saito wanted to be an 'awesome' navi. Suddenly, he was a lot more comfortable with this plan.
