Reviewers:
celadonserpent: I hope this chapter is better done. Netto is thirteen in this story.
Jotokun: Thank You. I hope this meets with your approval as well.
Silverbluenchantress: Here's the update.
Just to let you know, due to time constraints, this story will be updated once a month. The next update is scheduled for June seventh.
Thank you,
Fier Child
Chapter Two: Hidoi Hakken
Rockman bolted back into his PET, only to discover the quiet hospital room was alive with frantic movement. He frantically searched for his brother's side of their bond, only to find it dangerously close to breaking. 'NETTO-KUN!' His thoughts shot across the bond in a panic, hoping to find even a small response.
And find one it did.
The response was so weak, he barely understood it for what it was, but it was there. He nearly broke down in relief. The flurry of activity was dieing down enough for him to tell what was being said.
"He's stable now, but there's no telling how long this will last." One voice said.
"He's only living on borrowed time. There's no way to help him." Another responded.
Rockman swore that the instant he was capable of it, he was going to bring the zeta cannon into the real world and shoot these idiots. Faint laughter through his bond made him smile.
Netto was able to laugh at least.
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Both of Netto's parents were in the hospital room when Rockman awoke the next day. They gave him a quick good morning and gestured to the corner where Meiru was sleeping. Hikari-hakase smiled at the girl. "I've been debating on whether or not to wake her." He whispered.
Rockman smiled as well. "It would probably be best so she could pick up Netto-kun's work for him." Rockman never saw the pain-filled look that nearly broke Hikari-hakase's expression, but had he; he would have understood there was little hope for recovery at this point. Netto was slipping closer and closer to death. And it was only a matter of time now, before World Three claimed their greatest triumph.
Rockman watched as Meiru began to stir. It seemed, unlike Netto, Meiru had an internal alarm that didn't let her sleep in late. Meiru stirred and then sat up gingerly. Sleeping on hard chairs was never comfortable. She smiled a little at Netto's parents. "How is he?"
Hikari-hakase didn't know how to answer. Rockman frowned at the hesitation. It meant that there was something he hadn't been told about Netto's condition. He shrugged, there were other ways to find the information he wanted. He looked up at his parents. "I'm going to see if I can get in touch with Mariko-sensei. I'll need to know what's going on in class." Hikari-sensei nodded, an almost imperceptible look of relief showing on his face. However, it was vital for Rockman to notice details in order to survive. There was something really wrong with Netto-kun. He turned and headed off to find Netto's teacher.
When he returned an hour later, the hospital room was quiet. Netto-kun was sleeping and the others had left for the day. He turned his attention to the files describing Hikari Netto's condition. Although he was usually the one who followed the rules, he chose to break them this time around. There was a time for following rules and a time for breaking rules. There was only the need to know which one to follow for your situation.
He slipped through the security, having had plenty of practice, and found the information on Netto's condition. Making a copy of it, he slipped back into his PET. He downloaded the information into a temporary file and bought it up on a screen. He paled at what he read. According to the data, the form of HBD that Netto had been given was resisting all forms of the medication used to treat it. Netto's heart rate had become slightly erratic, which was proof the disease had begun to take a hold, and his blood pressure had fallen to the borderline of what was safe.
Rockman sank down against the side of the PET after erasing information. "Netto-kun . . ."
The day passed slowly until Netto awoke. Rockman listened to the sound of the newly installed heart monitors. The simple beep brought him a small measure of peace. The sound of his friend's awaking groans brought him to his feet. He watched Netto move beneath the covers. A shuddering breath from Netto caught his attention.
"Netto-kun?" He asked.
Netto snapped around, startled by Rockman's voice. There was a glistening sheen to his eyes that Rockman chose to ignore. "Are you all right?"
Netto shrugged. "Just fine, a little bored though."
Rockman nodded. "Would you like me to see what is available for you to do?"
Netto shook his head. "What time is it?"
"The time is 12:15.45p.m."
Netto nodded. "So it will be a while before school lets out."
"Yes." Rockman agreed.
Netto leaned forward and pulled his knees to his chest. "So how bad did it look?"
"Huh?" Rockman asked, confused.
"The information you stole from my medical report." Netto said with a smirk. "I know you looked at it."
Rockman frowned. "It seems the virus is as stubborn as you. All known medicines are having no effect."
Netto nodded. "It figures that's the type of virus I'd be hit with. Everything ends up being severe when it happens to me."
Rockman sighed as Netto flopped back against the pillows. Today was going to be a long day, and Rockman knew from experience, that things were only going to get worse.
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Three people stood before a computer. A navi smiled as information flowed on the screen before him. "The operation was a success. According to this data file, Hikari Netto is showing all the signs of HBD. The hospital is attempting to treat it, but all medications have failed to show results. They plan to try another set this day, than another tomorrow. If it doesn't respond to the treatments, they will begin preparations for the surgery."
One of the figures snorted. "It doesn't matter what they do." The voice was that of an adolescent male. "My sister's virus can't be destroyed."
"We shall see." An older male spoke this time. "Hikari has managed to elude death before."
The boy growled, but made no response. The third figure quietly watched the screen.
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It was evening at the hospital and Netto was hard at work. All he had to do was homework, which was the main reason for his boredom. However, homework kept him from thinking about what was really bothering him. Netto wasn't as dense as he seemed to be at times, maybe on certain subjects, but not in this. The way the doctors and his parents were acting told him he was in big trouble. It didn't take a genius to figure that out with the doctors constantly giving tests and conferring with one another right outside his room.
There was also the fact that Rockman had become quieter. He and his brother had been talking with each other ever since he arrived at the hospital, except for the times he'd been sleeping, but now he had fallen quiet. The air around Netto's room had become clouded with tension that left Netto wishing someone would just say what was going on. Either that or let him go home, both choices were good in his opinion. Both his and Rockman's attentions were perked as a new doctor walked into his room
The woman had long blond hair and sharp turquoise eyes that showed she was not one for taking nonsense. Netto watched her as she set a few things down on the table by his bed and checked his chart. He couldn't help but notice she was watching the door closely. He turned to the door and noticed that a few doctors were hovering. Finally, they started to clear off. Netto blinked as the woman sighed. She turned to him with a smile. The severity of her face was greatly lightened by that simple gesture. "Hello, Hikari Netto-san. My name is Hiroko Ami. I am a doctor that specializes in bio-engineered viruses."
Netto nodded. "What does that have to do with me?" Rockman was watching the door carefully.
Ami sighed. "Unfortunately, it has quite a bit to do with you." She paused to push her hair back behind her ear and chewed her lip briefly. "Your navi slipped into my computer after he discovered I had been called in to examine the virus you were infected with, and it was he who convinced me to talk to you." Netto shot a glance at his brother. Rockman remained silently focused on the door. The doctor continued, catching Netto's attention. "When I examined the virus I noted its similarities to the disease known as HBD, but there are some fundamental differences between the two." She sighed. "To put it bluntly, unless we have the original virus, there is no hope for your survival."