Losing Memories
A Rockman.EXE story by Kero Trigger

Author's note: This is actually the second(or third) version of this chapter, the 24 hours without power in NYC hit before I could save. I hope I have made enough explanations behind Saito's new appearance in this, and I send lots of thanks to Sigma Knight for helping me get my thoughts in order.

Disclaimer: Characters copyright respective owners.

Chapter 5: Answer to a Second Life

School seemed to take forever to end, the students whispering and passing notes to each other about the new student. Mariko-sensei eventually gave up within the last hour of class, giving the students time to talk and understand things better. They had all grouped around Netto and Saito's desks, asking as many questions as they could manage.

Saito seemed rather happy to answer any question that was thrown his way, although he was quite aware of his brother's uneasiness beside him. Often times a worried glance was sent his way, but nothing could be done about it at the current time.

* * *

Netto was grateful to have left the school, the increase of attention his classmates had sent in his direction was more than he had ever remembered receiving. Meiru had suggested they head to the park nearby their homes, which the rest of them had agreed to. He now sat on the bench next to his brother, head tilted back as the soft breeze made his hair dance and sway.

I suppose I should explain everything now, shouldn't I? Saito spoke softly, watching his brother's friends faces, each of them nodding in response. It seems so odd for me to sit here, seeing them like this. I'm starting to miss seeing their Navis' faces watching me, only parts of their own showing in the windows behind them... This is so odd.

He glanced at Netto, hoping to get some sort of response from his twin. Seeing Netto's brown eyes focused on his green gave him some comfort, he smiled slightly before turning to the others. Meiru, Dekao, and Tohru watched him intently, and for a moment he wondered where the other two had gone, but then remembered. IP had said something odd, which had caused the smaller girl of the group to drag him off. She had been thanked for doing it, so perhaps it was better that he wasn't here. With a small smile Saito leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, then began to speak.

I'm sure by now you all know that I'm a human turned navi, due to unforeseen circumstances during infancy. Papa was heartbroken to have lost a son, and Mama was even more shaken than he was. She was so upset, he didn't want to see her like that anymore.

Before we had been born, however, he had been working on a new plan to make the Navis into more friendly, human-like ones, that would become more friendly with their Operators. He never quite figured out how, but after my death he began to wonder if he could use this new design to bring me back, even if temporarily.

Using some of my blood he managed to make me into a program, but out of worry for his living son, he made us just a fraction different in case something would go wrong. For years he worked on making me into what you knew me as, the blue Navi known as Rockman.

Netto rubbed the bridge of his nose before sitting up straight, watching his friends. I had been using a basic Navi ever since papa had given me my custom PET, then I was given Rockman on my birthday, and you know the rest of the story.. The World Three incident where we were connected again..

That was an unseen problem in the plan, though. Saito continued. Since that percentage was replaced, we shared pain... Well, I'm sure you noticed that in some of the battles...

But the thing I really need to explain is that Papa never intended to just leave me as a Navi. He had found some files about making a robotic body so human like it would be nearly impossible to tell the difference by just looking. The only problem was he had no idea as how to make it work, until he had noticed that I was now a program.

Placing my program into the body would bring me back to the real world, and he had been working on it for years. He had used other navis to program the other prototypes, to make sure it would be successful before placing me into one. As you can tell, it's been successful so far. Saito smiled brightly, it was wonderful to be out in the real world for once.

But if you're in the real world now... Meiru finally spoke up, glancing down at the PET on her lap. What about them? Your friends? Can't you see them again?

Roll seemed to be extremely upset by this news, as well as the others. Rock-kun, can you come back to us?

The boy nodded, reaching to his wrist. Papa took that into consideration. He made sure that if needed, I can be transferred back into the PET, and from there perform as I always have. As this was said he pushed on part of his wrist, which popped up slightly. Hooking a nail under it he pulled it up, revealing a small compartment which contained a cable as well as a place for a PET to plug-in.

So all I have to do is have Netto-kun attach the PET to this, then I can transfer myself back. The only thing is that this body will have nothing running it, which would cause it to just fall over like I had died... He laughed somewhat nervously.

* * *

Netto and Saito had stayed at the park after the other three had gone home, which gave Saito the chance to question his twin. Despite their link, he couldn't place his finger on why his brother seemed to be so upset about the new situation.

Netto-kun... Have I done something wrong..? Green eyes filled with worry as they scanned his face, hoping for an answer.

Netto lifted his head, turning to watch Satio. Iie. No, you did nothing wrong.. Its... I'm not used to seeing you like this, you know? I'm used to you being in the PET, telling me to go do my homework or that I have to stop battling and sleep...

...I can still do that, Netto-kun.

This'll take some getting used to..

...I'll go back if you want me to.. There was sadness in the boy's voice, he enjoyed being a Navi, but at the same time he wanted to see what life was like where he should be.

Netto sat up straight, shaking his head. Stay here. I'm just a little shaken, that's all. I mean, it's not every day you wake up late..

That is almost every day..

.. And find your PET missing, then you run downstairs and see Mama and Papa sitting at the table talking to someone that looks just like you, sitting at your place...

I get it, Netto-kun. Let's go home.

There was a sigh, then a small smile. Yeah, let's go home, Saito-niisan..