Track 04: Foes and Family

CUL crossed her arms across her chest. "Are you two finished yet?"

Lily and Mosh froze, although Lily used this pause to get one last strike on the latter's head. While he grumbled the blonde spoke: "I thought this was supposed to be a recording."

"It is, but knowing you two there was probably some stupid tiff and you've been fighting for the past couple minutes so I wanted to wait before I got into the good stuff." Blue eyes blinked. Broad shoulders shrugged and the message played on. "I think I've nicked most of the Viruses here in the butt. I heard there was a large party over here from my maker so I don't know how I was off. Or at least I didn't." Her red eyes, often playfully or filled with pride, were now dead serious. "She also heard that there's a flood of Viruses headed your way, towards Japan."

"Towards Japan?" The two repeated, incredulous.

"Why here?" Lily grilled. "Why now?"

"I don't know why." CUL answered, albeit unknowingly. "But that's what it seems like. Unfortunately I have to head up Beijing for a bit because the Virus problem there is more immediate but... " She smiled playfully. "I have something else for you two before you go."

Now there's the CUL I know. Lily grumbled inwardly. Saving the useful bits for last, the melodrama queen...

"In Taiwan there's been talk of lost journals by a foreign-born Tuner." CUL stated. Mosh's mouth dropped, settling in an 'o' shape. "She disappeared awhile ago. So far other Tuners don't buy the journal rumors since the woman was so reserved and few knew of her existance." Lily's eyes were saucers. "Yuriko G. Kaiganone, the creator of you two."

"Her work's there?!" Lily asked. Her gears spinning at record speed as her thoughts ran past. "What was she doing there? Is Taiwan where she's really from? The middle name sounds western though, but it could be an Asian name like Guo or Gita or –"

"By now Lily – chan's probably ranting." Lily glared at the screen while Mosh snickered. "I know despite her insistence that Yuriko is just her maker or her creator, what she feels like Yuriko her mom."

"D-Do not!" Lily insisted, much like CUL predicted. The blonde turned away from the screen and put her hands on her hips, seething: "S-She's my maker is all. I know I don't have a family like humans, don't make me laugh!" Mosh peered away from CUL. Lily's stubborn expression cracked, piece by piece, until a softer and somewhat sadder face was left. Her arms drooped. "Especially since the Viruses ate Yuriko right after I saw her for the first time…"

Mosh patted her shoulder. "Lily." To an outsider, the gesture was simple, but to Lily, who mostly shied away from being touched, it was much more. "I miss her too."

"I never said anything about that." Lily murmured, without the usual vigor she argued in. She groaned and turned back to the screen where CUL waited.

"Lily, I know you like how things are, with this fight only being between us, Mosh, and the Viruses, but it's not gonna last. It can't." CUL told her. "In Japan they're these Tuners who work on androids called Vocaloids. I modeled for one of them in some videos. The androids good and strong – if a bit eccentric at times. You don't have to listen to me, but I say try and get along with them. See if they can help. You're gonna need lots of it. CUL out."

The video went black and shrank into nothing but the familiar blue screen. "Hear that Ryuto-kun?" Mosh called out. When Lily noticed no one answered a sickly, unusual feeling came over her. "Lily can't fight without you." He rotated and found the rolling chair the green haired robot boy formerly occupied now empty. His lofty grin turned upside down. "Where'd he go?"

"Ryuto – kun!" Lily called out. "Ryuto – kun, if this is some stupid game I swear I'm gonna…" The empty threat died inside her. "Where is he?"

Mosh pressed a batch of keys. Pieces of the land outside the Junk Lab came into view on the four smaller screens. Ryuto was in none of them, but a familiar patch of yellow – green cloth clung from a long tree branch, it looked like it was torn off. The uncomfortable spinning of gears continued. "Well, you are officially the worst babysitter ever."

"Enough with jokes already, I've got to find him!" Lily exclaimed.

"Alright, alright, calm yourself." Mosh stared at the screen. "Keep your headphones on, and I mean literally. I'll stay here and watch to see if he comes up. You…" Lily was gone before he could finish speaking. In a blink she was already at the keypad, punching in numbers, and cursing herself when she put in the wrong code in haste.

Why do you care so much? A small part of Lily questioned. If the runt got himself lost why is that your problem?

In her memories, Ryuto smiled, two of his teeth protruding farther than the rest: "So cool!" He told her. "Lily - chan's a superhero!"

Yuriko beamed, blue eyes bright like the android's. Her smile was as sweet as Ryuto's. "You're my Lily, the best thing I've ever grown…"

The same blue eyes stared at her, desperate and speckled with blue blood stains. "Lily…"

"That's why." She finally picked the correct number and cave door opened. She sprinted over to where the tear of Ryuto's shirt was found. "Anything Mosh?"

"No, but you're not going to believe this." Mosh told her. "I've tuned into a distress call for the cops. The city nearby has a nasty piece of work attacking the humans."

"But…" Lily whined. "Ryuto – kun…"

"You don't have to worry about that. There have been reports of a green haired kid trying to fight back."


V2 Gachapoid – Status Report

Notable Damage

Power: 78 %

Please Seek Tuner for Assistance

"N-N-No…" Ryuto whimpered. He used his microphone, now slightly dented in two places, as a staff to help himself up. His back was dinged up even more since he was thrown on to a twisted stop light by the now ten – foot creature.

The Virus went back to sinking a crying little girl through it's skin while her mother dug her heels into the ground as she futilely pulled against the creature. That gave Ryuto the strength to stand. He pried the girl out with his microphone like a crowbar, and the parent didn't hesitate to drag her child as far as she could.

"Yes!" He couldn't celebrate his victory long. A tendril grabbed Ryuto's arm and tossed him into away again, this time into the road. He felt his right arm go limp when he landed on his side.

Good thing they made every Vocaloid save the Kagamines ambidextrous. He mused. He still sluggishly got up, his power level dropping since the damage had interfered with his battery. By the time he stood more hapless victims cried as they were sucked into the Virus. Why isn't this working?! Do I have to sing like Lily – nee – chan?! He belted the first set of lyrics that came to his head.

"Although the future that continues into a long dream-"

"Help!" A boy pleaded, The Virus had started throwing cars around, and the wailing six – year old was stuck beneath one. Ryuto ran for him when a second shriek called, an old woman clung from the edge of building the Virus had sliced right through. More cries, more tears, more madness, although it made the Virus stronger it merely made Ryuto cover his ears over his broken Gachapin headphones and shut his eyes. I should've called for help too! He admitted. I should've called Mosh - san, or Lily – nee – chan, or someone! I can't do this alone!

He felt something push him aside and Ryuto opened his eyes. With a resounding 'BOOM' that reverberated through the streets the car was flung off the weeping boy and Mosh set him on the most solid part of the sidewalk. The boy android took his hands off his ears. The young kid only whimpered softly now. "It's okay, the ambulance is on its way." Mosh's head snapped up, for a moment Ryuto thought the sunglasses – wearing android was staring at him. "Lily! Hurry!"

From behind him Ryuto heard Lily's song. It was fast– paced and intense, much like the fiery, golden music notes that she casted from her microphone to the Virus. While the creature writhed and shook and vanished bit by bit from note after note, Ryuto watched in awe. Wow.

The scene cleared and so did the Virus, people held on to their loved ones or helped the injured onto the medical trucks that just arrived. "How cool –" He finally turned to Lily, her pretty face distorted in anger. He looked at his yellow – green sneakers. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Lily scolded. "Is a gear loose in that empty – head of yours or something? That Virus could have broken you! It could have dismantled you piece by piece until there wouldn't even be enough for the Tuners to use for scrap metal! It's bad enough you ran away in the first place but –" Ryuto saw his vision turn splotched, for a moment he worried Lily was right and the Virus had damaged him beyond repair. "Oh no, don't start crying now, that's not going to change how badly you screw up here!"

"But…" He tried to wipe the laser fluid away, but more kept coming, like real human tears. "But…I wanted to help! I wanted to be a hero! I wanted to be like you Lily – nee - chan!" Ryuto bawled, fiercely scrubbing at his face with his useful hand.

He felt himself getting scooped up into the air. When he moved his hand from his eyes he saw Mosh. The older looking male android ruffled his green locks before looking at Lily. "Well, you and you're nee – chan share impulsiveness, I'll give you that much."

"I am not –"

"Virus."

"Where?" Lily swiveled in place, aiming her microphone at an empty, dismantled car for a couple moments before she realized Mosh's deception. She growled and turned back around, then peered at Ryuto oddly. He squirmed a bit in Mosh's arms. Since her steely blue gaze made him worry another wave of rage was coming on.

So when his fictive big sister groaned, and then smiled slightly, Ryuto stopped fidgeting. "Alright, sometimes I jump the gun too. Sorry Ryuto – kun." She looked around. "Considering this was your first Virus, I say you did as well as you could." She smirked, but it wasn't mean spirited, more like a tough coach giving gruff approval of her protégée.

"As I was telling Lily before, you'll have to come with us more often." Ryuto's eyes widened in shock at Mosh's encouraging words. "Between us, you'll be a superhero in no time."

Hardly containing his excitement, Ryuto could only nod his head and smile.


At around sunset, Lily glanced down at the scene from her bedroom window above. On the sidewalk next to the Internet Co. House Yakuto scratched at his brown locks in frustration. Gumi, equally frustrated, continued to pout.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Gumi grilled.

Lily counted off on her blue – nailed fingers. Yup, that was the eighth time she badgered him with the same question.

"You did everything you can?" The verdette interrogation. "Ryuto's systems are all well? He really just needs sleep?"

"Positively Megpoid." Yakuto said, Lily's mouth quirked up into a grin. The fact he had resorted to using Gumi's production name meant he was losing his patience with her. Lily admired his temperament. "The repairs are complete but going into sleep mode a bit early insures that his battery will recharge. Ryuto will be fine."

Gumi grimaced further. Lily finally took pity on Yakuto and hopped out of the window. She landed right between the two of them and thanked her lucky stars that she stuck the landing. Falling on her butt would've greatly diminished her dramatic impact.

"Lily!" They both chorused.

"Yakuto – san, don't you have to be at the AH – Software House?" Lily asked, winking so he got the true message. "I heard Yuki – chan cut off Miki – san's ahoge and now Hiyama – san's got his hands full trying to keep them from tearing each other apart. You should get there quick."

"Ah – oh! Yes!" He briskly walked back to his black car. Lily 'accidentally' blocked Gumi from going after him. "He'll be fine Gumi. See you around Lily!" He drove off.

Gumi whined. "Can't believe I leave for a couple hours and Ryuto – kun nearly gets himself killed!" She grabbed Lily with both arms in a hug. "Oh, Ryuto – kun could've been eaten alive while I was gone! I can't believe I let him get hurt!"

I can't believe you don't blame me for any of this… Lily thought wryly before she tried to push herself out of the girl android's vise grip. "Boys will be boys, androids will be androids. No use fretting about it now that he's safe."

"I guess... " She released Lily and folded her arms. "I guess you're right. I'm glad you and Ryuto – kun are okay."

"Thanks." Lily said, feeling a bit odd. It was usually only Mosh that expressed worry for her, and hardly so openly. Guess the Vocaloids play by rules - gushier, more touchy – feely rules. Ick. They walked back to the house in easy silence till Lily remembered a thought that had followed her throughout the day: "Hey Gumi – san, why does Ryuto - kun call me and you 'nee – chan' and Gakupo – san 'nii – chan'?"

Gumi smiled, Lily might have blushed if she could since it reminded her of the grin Yuriko had given her the first time she opened her eyes. "That's because he thinks of us as his siblings!" She spoke as if it were the most obvious explanation in the world. "I do too! Nii – san, Ryuto – kun, and you are my family!"

Gumi, feeling more emotionally light than when she first came out, skipped inside the house. Lily hesitated for a moment, those last words buzzing in her electronic brain. "Hmm," she said simply. Lily could not think of anything else to say so walked into her house.


A/N: One more chapter till the second arc. To everyone who's put the story on alert or faved it, thanks so much!