Moonlit Destiny

Author's Note: Wrote this eighteen years ago. It's full of cringe and OOC moments, but I'm preserving it for posterity. Enjoy the story and R&R.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Rockman EXE series.

Pairing: Established Netto x Tohru.

Summary:

Dark Chip Syndicate Nebula begins production on a reality-altering weapon. Amidst the chaos, Hikari Netto and his friends must battle countless Darkloids and creatures of another world to save their own.


Chapter 14: Beginnings of My Demon Self

Tohru-kun? Netto shifted under the other boy's weight, lying in a pool of blood. I was hit…but Tohru-kun pushed me out of the way?

That was three years ago… Netto sighed, rubbing his bandana, which he had eventually decided to keep tied around his arm. It not only reminded him of what had happened, but also served to conceal the small scar in his skin. "Tohru-kun, rice or ramen for breakfast?"

"Um, ramen!" Tohru yelled back from the room in the apartment they shared.

So much has changed since then, Netto thought, snapping the shoulder straps on his orange and white striped tank. He smiled, ducking under the counter and retrieving a small paper bowl of noodles. He tore the lid off halfway, sprinkling the soup mix over the bowl's contents whilst putting the kettle on and waiting for it to boil.

"Good morning, Netto-kun." Tohru grabbed Netto's bare shoulders and planted a soft kiss on his right cheek.

"Good morning," Netto giggled. Funny Tohru-kun became taller than me.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!

Netto unplugged the kettle. He lifted it over the bowl of noodles, poured the hot water slowly, and covered the bowl with what remained of the lid. When Tohru had his back turned to check the paper, he dipped a finger into the soup to gauge the flavour.

"Ow!" He retracted his finger.

"Teaches you a thing or two, doesn't it Netto-kun?" Rockman chuckled inside his PET.

Tohru picked up the TV remote, gave the power button a push, and changed to the news.

"BREAKING STORY! MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES THROUGHOUT THE CITY! EVERYONE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS!"

"Mysterious disappearances?" Netto handed Tohru his ramen and a pair of chopsticks. "Wonder what's going on."

Tohru moved his bowl to the table, and pulled Netto close. "Don't worry! I'm here to protect you!"

Netto nodded blissfully. "Tohru-kun is always there when I need him!"

Tohru laughed, slurping some noodles. "Netto-kun, you're so –"

"What am I?" Netto giggled some more.

"Kill…"

"WHAT?" He backed away. A blood-red aura had surrounded Tohru.

"Do you want to disappear like the rest of them?" Tohru captured him by the wrist. Grinning evilly, and tilting his chin up.

"Tohru-kun, what are you doing?" Netto's eyes filled with fear.

"Come with me to the other world." He licked Netto's cheek. "Go to sleep."

Netto couldn't keep his eyes open. "Tohru…kun."

"PARADISE."