Disclaimer: Chobits and all related characters are property of Clamp!

A/N: Well, it has been a really long time since I've written, especially for this story. But it is late, I'm sick, and I feel like making a story... so here we go!

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Chii Assists

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Noon rolled around, breakfast had gone well and the mishap of that morning was not brought up. Hideki was sincerely thankful for that. After he and Chii had helped clean up after lunch it was time for Chii's official guided tour of the farm, however, Chii first needed a suitable change of clothing. They then set out on their way, Chii wearing an old t-shirt and set of too big overalls. There wasn't a whole lot to see but there was plenty to identify or explain and, as always, Chii had a bottomless well of questions to make up for it, a few of which made Hideki glad it was just him and his cute companion on the endeavor. They were now leaning on an old wooden fence out by the cows, which were, admittedly, some of the strangest animals Chii had ever encountered. She watched them with the demeanor of a wide-eyed child, fascinated at they munched at the grass and lifted their heads to call out to each other with a loud "MOOOOO!" Hideki couldn't help but smile as Chii attempted to imitate them the first time.

Hideki's father, Kenshi, came out into the field a few minutes later, his brow glistening with sweat. "How do you feel about a bit of manual labor, for old time's sake? I hope you're not letting city life make you weak." He joked, mopping his forehead with the back of one hand.

Hideki laughed, "No, nothing like that. They keep me plenty busy at 'Club Pleasure' but I'd love to help out if it'll prove it to you." He looked to Chii with a pleasant smile, "I'm going to help my dad with some of the work, you can watch if you'd like."

Chii nodded, "Chii will watch."

Kenshi handed over the pitchfork he was holding with a jovial smirk and Hideki set to work, shoveling large heaps of hay off the nearby truck and dumping each in the field near the cows. However, it wasn't ten minutes before the fatigue of the strenuous work set in; he propped the pitchfork in the ground and leaned on it to catch his breath.

"I figured the city might drain your stamina." Kenshi said with a chuckle.

Hideki sighed wearily, "I'm just no good at anything anymore." He said in a voice laden with disappointment.

"Ah, hey, I-I didn't mean it like that! It isn't anything to get upset over!" Kenshi tried to dissipate the trauma his words had wrought but it wouldn't avail. Seems like Hideki and his father did have some things in common when it came to mannerisms after all.

"Can Chii try?" The sweet voice chimed from behind the two men, who'd momentarily forgotten that the persocom was still waiting there.

Hideki looked up with surprise, "You really want to?" Chii nodded with enthusiasm. Hideki was a bit unsure but she seemed so eager that he couldn't just say 'no'. He took the pitchfork from the ground and approached Chii, holding the tool out and gently handing it over. "Just be careful okay?"

She agreed, with her almost always-prevailing smile, "Chii will." For a brief moment she adjusted the balance of the tool in her hands then speedily set to work with determination. The pace she set was astonishing and even Kenshi seemed stunned as the lithe little persocom put both father and son to shame.

"Ah, Chii that's enough..." Hideki sobbed, embarrassed yet happy that she'd outshone him.

Kenshi chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "With her around I'll be out of a job."

"Did Chii do well!" She asked, almost impaling Hideki with the pitchfork in her hurry to be by his side.

Hideki grinned, avoiding the sharpened points of the tool and securing it from Chii's grasp. "You did better than good Chii, I'm proud of you."

"Proud?"

He'd thought that Chii was pretty much finished learning new words, she was quite smart after all. "Eh? Oh, well, it's like being happy... It means I'm happy for you."

Her eyes lit up at the answer and Hideki soon found himself knocked to the ground in a tight embrace. Neither of them said anything for a few moments until Hideki remembered his father was still standing there. "H-hey Chii, how about we head back to the house and see if mom needs any help." He stuttered in a flustered way, his face slightly flushing.

"Okay!" She cried, releasing Hideki and standing up. Then, in a somewhat surprising gesture, she held out her hand to help Hideki stand. He accepted the token with gratitude, although the embarrassment of doing so in front of dear old dad made him blush slightly more, and he thanked her although he did not release the grasp.

"I promise we will be of more help tomorrow!" Hideki said apologetically to his father, who smiled and nodded in response. Chi waved back at Kenshi and hand in hand, Hideki and Chii headed back towards the house.

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Inside Naoko was just setting the bowls down for lunch to begin, she nearly forgot that Chii didn't need to eat but fixed the mistake before any notice was taken. She beamed when the two entered, "So, did you have a good time?" She asked as she set three cups down as well.

"I did, how about you Chii?"

"Chii had fun, will we help again tomorrow?" She questioned excitedly.

Hideki smiled down at her, "If that's what you'd like then of course we will." He could tell by her expression that she was content with the answer. The two sat down at the table, Chii in the empty spot and Hideki directly next to her on the left. His mother would occupy the spot on Hideki's other side and his father would sit across the table.

"You can start whenever you're ready, dad has probably immersed himself with work." Naoko said with a cheerful smile, setting a steaming pot of miso soup in the middle of the table. She'd just turned around when she was struck by thought, "Oh, Chii dear, do you know how to cook?"

Amber eyes searched Naoko's face quizzically, "Chii knows how to cook some things... Ms. Hibiya taught me." She cocked her head to the side in puzzlement.

"Would you like to help me with dinner then? Do you know how to make yakitori?" Chii shook her head. "Good, then I will teach you. You don't mind do you Hideki?"

Hideki glanced up as he spooned miso into his bowl, "No, I don't mind."

"Now Hideki will have time for his yummies." Chii chirped innocently. Hideki's face blanched and he almost dropped the spoon from his mouth.

Naoko looked at Chii, "What do you mean, isn't he his yummies right now?" She asked, finding the term the girl had used to be quite cute.

Chii blinked then smiled, "No, Hideki usually has his yummies in his room, in his futon or in front of the TV."

"Well I hope you're being careful, if you have an accident you could ruin the futon and have to clean the tatami mats." Naoko scolded, none the wiser as to the true nature of Hideki's 'yummies.'

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Dinner went over as well as could be expected, Naoko gushed at how quickly Chii learned and how big of a help she'd been in assisting with dinner preparations. Hideki was glad, both his parents seemed to like Chii, but he still wasn't sure if they would understand exactly how he felt for her. All that really mattered was that he and Chii were happy, that their feelings were the same, but he couldn't help but worry about his parents understanding and approval. He'd have to explain before returning to Tokyo. Hideki sighed as he unfolded the futon and lay it neatly down.

Chii sat at the open window in her white nightgown, arms wrapped about her bare legs, head rested on her knees and eyes fixated on the sky, amber orbs wistfully studying the twinkling diamonds in the ebony night sky. A cool breeze drifted in and lifted her hair from her shoulders making the whole effect seem even more heartrending. But a warm embrace soon enveloped her and the expression softened as she looked up at Hideki. "It's been a long time since I've been here." He murmured after a snug silence, "I forgot how peaceful it is."

"Everything is so quiet..." Chii confided, sinking back into the hug, her expression gently turning more into its usual content smile.

Sometimes she seemed so changed since Hideki had first found her, not a bad change just unusual, gradually some of the childish mannerisms were wearing away. He silently contemplated as he started with her out at the evening sky, it made him so comfortable to be like this, although at first everything always seemed awkward. But when it was just the two of them, everything seemed... right. He heard a breathy sigh of, "Chiiii..." and with a smile moved carefully backwards.

"I'm ready for bed... how about you?" He asked, stretching. Chii silently agreed with a nod and pleasant smile, leaving the window open and slipping into the futon. They snuggled up together and Hideki was quickly asleep, so immersed in the moment that he'd forgotten his troubles about explaining his current situation to mom and dad.

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To be continued in chapter 3
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A/N: I decided I wanted to leave of on a less humorous note this time, I had that ending planned before the rest was written. Hope you enjoy and as always compliments and criticisms are always encouraged.