Losing Memories
A Rockman.EXE story by Kero Trigger

Authors note: This is the full version of chapter 4 this time, one that took me quite some time to work out. I'm practicing with different types of writing, I only hope that I have not confused anyone with this. The idea to do what occurs at the end of this chapter came from an idea in a RP, which will be explained more in the next chapter. Same spoilers are set for this chapter, but by now you should know who Saito is.

Disclaimer: Characters copyright respective owners, Kurasaba IP belongs to Sigma Knight. D.S.L. , Tk.EXE, Misuterii, and Quinton.EXE are my own creations. Please ask to abuse the characters.

Chapter 4: To Be a Part of Your World

Netto had fallen asleep after quite a bit of coaxing by myself as well as Mama. He seemed to be having some terrible dream, which sent shivers down my spine as I watched him toss and turn from my place on the
computer screen. I wanted to comfort him, like I had once before, but being trapped inside this digital world stopped me from doing so.

Sitting down I pulled my knees up to my chest, hugging them there tightly. Had I actually comforted him before, in the physical sense? I remembered all the times I had given him a mental hug, or the times he had done it to me. But had we ever really touched?

I don't know how long I had been sitting there, listening to Netto's breathing and my own sobs, but a sudden noise snapped me from my thoughts. My head shot up quickly and I could see a form hunched over Netto, rubbing his arm. A sudden numb feeling flowed over me, and I couldn't bring myself to speak.

I choked, unable to finish. I tried a simpler name, surprised that I could manage to get my mouth to work. Papa... Why....?

Saito... You'll know soon enough..

As the world started to close in around me I barely realized that Papa had picked up the PET from its place in the dock, all I could think about was Netto.

Netto-kun.... I'm scared....

 * * *

Netto-kun... I'm scared... Ne..tt..o....

Netto's eyes snapped open, his breath coming in gasps as he struggled to focus. Slowly his hands rose to his eyes, rubbing them for a moment as he tried to remember. Everything was a blur to him, and although his vision had cleared, he couldn't identify where he was. Everything was...

"White..." Brown hues scanned the room, taking in everything they could. There was no floor, no walls, no ceiling. Everything was the purest white, and he was floating in the middle of it.

Great, I've died and gone to heaven in my pajamas... Wait if I died then..

"Saito-niisan!!" he searched his mind for the familiar link, the familiar warmth that he often felt. It was gone, leaving a blank feeling within him. He began to become frantic, moving, or at least trying to move, to search for his missing twin.

The white void seemed to be endless, causing the young Hikari to panic. Why was he alone in a place like this, to him it started to seem a lot more like hell than heaven like he had first thought. He ran without knowing where to, but something told him to run.

The void seemed to be endless, he could feel nothing besides his own body, his pajamas resting against his skin, his hair falling into his eyes as he ran. He brushed it away with one hand, just as his foot came in contact with something solid.

Both feet were planted on the unseen surface, color slowly spreading out from where they were. Netto took a cautious step forward, more color spreading out in all directions, climbing in all directions. He could only help but watch it happen, a room was forming before his very eyes.

Within moments the room was complete for him to stare at, recognition following a second later. There was the familiar computer, the familiar lab coat. There was the picture that always sat on the desk, the chair was pulled out as usual.

"Papa's office...? Why..?"

It was about that time Yuuichiro came walking into the room, a blue object in his hand. Netto called out to him, but there was no answer from his father.

"Don't worry Saito.. Soon everything will be all right.." Yuuichiro walked right past Netto, into a room that was located in the back.

It was in that passing that Netto recognized the blue item his father was holding, and it was in that passing that the world went black once more.

* * *

It was time for school, but classes had not started yet, and as usual the students of Mariko-sensei's class were sitting around chatting until the bell would ring. A small group had been formed at the back of the class, each of them talking about the same thing - a boy named Hikari, who had a knack for being late.

You don't suppose he'll be late again today, do you? a red-haired girl stated, glancing towards the door. Meiru and Netto had been friends as long as she could remember, it was only natural that she would worry about her friend.

It's because he knows that my Gutsman will finally beat him today! Dekao held up a fist, his Navi doing similar from the PET that hung around the boy's neck.

Yaito-chan is on another trip, so we don't have to worry about her being late... Meiru glanced at the door once again, then looked at the boy sitting nearby.

Netto-kun seems to have his PET off... I can't send him any mail.. The brown haired, brown eyed boy sighed before turning to look at Meiru. IP had just recently moved to town, and had developed a friendship that many saw as romantic on his part with Netto, but the Hikari boy was too dense to realize what was going on with his friend.

The door of the classroom opened and all three children turned to see who it was, hoping it was their missing friend. It was a missing friend, however not the one they expected to see.

The girl who had just entered the classroom made her way to the back, a bright smile on her pale face which was offset by dark hair, green eyes showing that she was once again sick. No one knew her real name, besides her initials which were D.S.L., but everyone seemed to use the nickname she had carried with her everywhere - Peanut. Sorry everyone, Tk forgot to wake me, and I left my homework and...

Meiru smiled at the girl, she was a bit slow and tried so hard to fit in, Meiru couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It's ok, did you see Netto-kun on your way?

Actually I did, but he was- Peanut was cut off by the sound of the door near the back of the class opening, four heads turned to see who it was.

Still waiting for the Hikari brat, huh? Standing in the doorway was Misuterii, the girl they had dubbed their worst enemy. She brushed a blue streak of hair back into place among the black hair, smirking. He's not going to make it in time, even Quint can tell you that.

Meiru frowned at the girl as she walked to her seat, listening to her and her Navi laugh until she wanted to yell out, but it was at that moment the bell rang, sending everyone scrambling to their seats.

The door opened once again, everyone expecting to see Mariko-sensei smiling at them as she told them good morning, but instead a rather disheveled Netto made his way to his seat, a blank expression on his face.

Meiru leaned over to her friend, noticing that the others leaned in as well. Netto-kun, what's wrong?

Netto said nothing, he just stared at the front of the room. Once again the door opened, Mariko-sensei walking in and taking her place at the front of the classroom. A boy followed her in, standing in front of the class. He looked familiar, but no one seemed to know why. He wore black shorts, a white button-up shirt on underneath a blue vest. Bright green eyes stared out from underneath brown bangs, a rather odd mark was visible from under the bangs on the boy's forehead. He just smiled at the class, which seemed to make Netto nervous.

... That's what's wrong.. He mumbled to his friends, slouching down in his chair.

Students, we have a new student in class. Mariko-sensei smiled, motioning to the boy standing next to her. I expect you to treat him nicely, just like you treat each other.

The boy smiled at her before turning to the class, bowing slightly. He straightened up, running a hand through his hair before introducing himself.

I'm Saito. Hikari Saito.