About two hours after Netto's designated curfew he went into his house as quietly as he possibly could, maybe his mom didn't notice. As soon as the door shut with a quiet click a light turned on and Netto turned to face a very upset Haruka and Maki.

"Uh oh…" he said quietly.

/This is your fault, I told you not to stay at Enzan's so long/ Rockman scolded his twin.

/But they were ruthless, what was I suppoused to do, run away/

/Who are you scared of more, Enzan and Laika or Mom and Maki./

/Really? Mom, over everyone./ Netto paused/Oh, I see your point./

"Just where have you been young man?" Haruka asked in a harsh tone.

"Well, Enzan invited me over and we kinda lost track of time…" Netto laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

/That is the lamest…/

/Rockman, shut up…/

To the twin's surprise, Haruka's gaze softened. "Oh, so you were with Enzan-kun?"

Netto sensed an opening and took it, "Yes! And Laika too. They wanted to talk for a bit," Netto smiled.

"That's nice; those boys need to be more social." Haruka smiled, "Well, since you were with your friends I guess I can let it go this once. But don't push your luck again."

Netto nodded, "Yes mom."

"Also, you're Aunt and I are going to the Hot Springs tomorrow, so can you watch Maki for us?" Haruka added.

Netto nodded fervently. "Of course! I'm not doing much at Net Saviors HQ so I can just tell Mejin I'm babysitting."

"Okay, we'll probably be gone by the time you wake up tomorrow, so please get Maki up and ready. We'll be home around 10, can you two handle it?" Haruka asked.

Netto nodded, "Of course! Leave it to me!"

Haruka nodded and left the room, leaving Netto with a none too happy Maki. "Hey, Netto-chan! Why did you leave me here today!" she said.

Netto blinked, he forgot Maki was even there, he was too busy celebrating his day of non deskwork. "I uhh…"

Maki crosser her arms over her chest and pouted, making Netto sweat a little. "Don't you like me?" she asked.

"Wh-what? Of course I do! What kind of question is that?" Netto said, quickly bending down to his cousin's level.

"Really? Then why did you leave me here?" she said.

"I had to take care of something, I didn't want to drag you along…" Netto started.

"So you don't trust me?" she said, her eyes started to water.

"What! I never said that…" Netto said quickly.

"Uwahhhh, Netto-chan doesn't like me!" she said in a loud voice.

"Ah, ah, Maki-chan, shhhh! I never said that, I like you very much! Please, stop crying," he said desperately.

/Oh yeah, one heck of a babysitter you are/ chided Rockman.

/Okay, you either help or stay out of this/ Netto replied, a little irked.

"And Netto-chan doesn't even love me enough to let me sleep in his bed, I bet he doesn't even care that I get lonely and scared at night," Maki continued.

"Maki, of course I do. Please stop crying," Netto said, trying to hush his cousin up.

Maki looked up at her cousin though the fake tears and grinned, "So I can sleep with you again tonight?" she asked in a voice with a few hiccups for good measure.

"Ummm, well Maki, I don't think…" Netto saw Maki's eyes fill with tears again and he help up his hands, "All right, all right, you can again tonight."

"Every night?" she asked.

"Maki, I don't think that's a good idea…"

"You don't love me?" she asked again.

"Wh-wha? W-wait, I never said that!"

"So I can sleep with you whenever?" she asked.

"I-I guess…" Netto said hesitantly.

"Wai!" Maki threw her arms in the air and ran upstairs.

"Rockman, what just happened?" asked a stunned Netto.

"You got played like a harp by a five year old," laughed Rockman.

Netto let his head fall. "Ugh, she's really good at that huh?"

Rockman smiled, "Yeah, five years olds can be very manipulative."

Netto got into his pajamas and went into his room, finding Maki half asleep on his bed. Netto smiled and put Rockman's PET into it's holder by the computer, turning on the stasis program. "Night Rockman," he said.

"Night Netto-kun," he said back.

Netto went over to Maki who was sprawled out on the bed and picked her up and pulled back the covers allowing both of them to slide in between the sheets without being uncomfortable. He pulled the sheets up to Maki's chin and whispered "Goodnight, Maki-chan."

Maki nodded and curled up into Netto's arms, "Night-night Netto-chan, promise tomorrow is just us?"

Netto nodded and yawned, "Yeup, I promise."

"Good, night-night Rockman-chan," she said quietly.

"Night Maki-chan. Have good dreams," he said.

"Thanks you too, and Net-chan, you have good dreams too."

"I will, now go to bed."

"Okay, night-night Netto-chan and Rockman-chan."

Netto and Rockman sighed, "Good night Maki-chan."

"Have good dreams too!"

"Maki-chan, just go to bed," they said to her simultaneously.

"Okay okay, jeez, night-night."

Netto and Rockman rolled their eyes and didn't reply.

"Are you there? I said night-night…" Maki said.

"Maki, night-night and go to bed," said Netto.

"Okay," Maki shut her eyes and curled into Netto's arms. "Night-night everyone."

/That took forever…/

Rockman giggled mentally/Night-night Netto-kun/ he said.

/Shut up/ Netto cut off the thought connection and went to sleep.

A shadow left the PC in the Hikari residence and Obsidian prepared to deliver the latest bit of news to her boss. "Night-night, Hikari twins," she laughed.

Mejin appeared in Maha-ichiban that night right before it closed. Mahajorama heard the small bell ring and called out, "Welcome, we are about to close but you have enough time for one bowl, may I suggest the spicy pork cu…" he turned around and saw who it was. "Well well, what brings you here?" he asked.

"Some very important matters let me assure you. Is your apprentice present?" Mejin asked.

"Dekao-kun? No, he and his navi are out getting this week's order of spices. How can I be of service?" he asked.

"Where are your other subordinates?" Mejin asked.

"In the back room, what's this about?" he asked, getting a little suspicious of the Net Savior leader.

"Take me there and I'll tell you."

Mahajorama nodded and motioned for him to follow. He opened a door behind the kitchen that let them in on a little rec room where Madoi, Elec Hakushaku and Hinoken were playing a racing video game of some sort with their navi's cheering them on.

"Go Madoi!" Coloredman cheered as she cut Hinoken and Elec Hakushaku off in one move.

Mahajorama cleared his throat and brought all attention to himself and Mejin. "We have a guest," he said.

Madoi stood up and dusted off her pants. "Hey, Mejin long time no see," she said. "What brings you here?" she asked.

"Very pressing news, I'm afraid. We have a new net mafia and I'd like to ask for your help."

Hinoken laughed, "We're convicted criminals. Since when do you need our help?"

"Since Hikari Netto's and Rockman's lives are in danger."

He heard a gasp from Madoi and smiled. "Do I have your interest?"

"What did they do this time?" Elecman asked.

Mejin shook his head, "Nothing, in fact what happened wasn't their fault by any means. However, what I'm about to tell you must never leave this room, understand? Netto-kun and Rockman are going to get very upset at me for telling you this, but I see no other way. I can't watch them all the time and I know against most everyone's judgment that he trusts you. Will you help?"

Hinoken was the first to answer, "Of course, now what's wrong."

"Some very important papers were stolen yesterday and some very important files were taken as well. Can I trust you all to keep this to yourselves?" Mejin asked.

"What about their friends?" asked Magicman.

"Dekao and Gutsman? No, Netto-kun and Rockman have the right to tell them when they see fit. The only reason I'm telling you is to make sure a repeat of what happened today doesn't happen again."

"We promise we won't say anything, now tell us what's so damn important!" said Madoi.

Mejin sighed and told the story, making sure that nothing was left out. When he finished he looked at the stunned ex-WWW members. "Can I trust you?"

Madoi smiled shakily, "Yeah, just tell us where and when."

"As soon as possible at Net Saviors HQ."

"We'll be there tomorrow," said Mahajorama.

A thunderstorm started up later that night causing Maki to wake up, in an alien bed and terrified to within an inch of her life.

Netto groaned and put his arms around the shaking body. "Maki-chan, it's just a thunderstorm, go back to sleep."

Maki hesitated then snuggled deeper into the sheets apprehensively. Just a thunderstorm? She wasn't too sure.

Maki woke up the next morning curled in Netto's arms. She shifted gently and Netto stirred and groaned in his sleep. "Netto-kun is the world's heaviest sleeper," came Rockman's voice from the computer. "You can get up now Maki-chan."

Maki grinned at Rockman, but she had other ideas. She broke herself from Netto's embrace and stood up on the bed.

Rockman immediately understood what she was going to do. "Maki-chan, I don't think that's a good idea," he said.

Maki ignored him and dive-bombed Netto, right in the stomach. Netto was jolted awake by the sudden extra weight and he sat up gasping. Maki jumped to the floor giggling and ran out of the room before Netto could yell at her.

Netto watched her run out the door, somewhat stunned. Rockman giggles, "I tried to stop her," he said.

Netto glared at Rockman and sat up, "Gee some security you are," he scoffed.

Rockman shrugged, "I swear Netto, she's like a ninja," he joked.

Netto muttered and got out of bed, he grabbed his clothes from his dresser and walked out of the room without saying a word.

Maki came back in and sat on Netto's bed, waiting for Netto come back in. "Where's Netto-chan?" she asked.

"He's getting dressed. He'll be back in here in a few minutes," Rockman said.

"Was Netto-chan upset?" asked Maki.

"Nah, he's just not a morning person. He'll be happy and hyper in a few minutes," Rockman winked at Maki.

Maki giggled and Netto walked into the room tying back his messy brown hair with his powder blue bandana. "What about me?" he asked.

"We were just talking about how crabby you are," said Rockman.

Netto crossed his arms, "I am not," he said.

Maki laughed and catapulted herself from Netto's bed on to Netto's back, latching herself on for a piggy back ride. "Yes you are," she said.

Netto was almost knocked down from the force behind the jump and it took most of his self control to just stat breathing properly again. "Whatever," he breathed and carried his cousin downstairs to the kitchen.

"Netto-chan, are we going to the big building again today?" Maki asked.

Netto shook his head and said, "Nope, it's just you and me today. Rockman called me off from duty, right Rockman?" Netto called out.

Rockman appeared in the kitchen monitor and gave Netto a thumbs up, "All done Netto-kun."

"See?" Netto said to Maki, "So what do you want to do?" he asked.

Maki put a finger on her lips and adopted a thoughtful look on her face. "I want tooooo… make pancakes!" she said brightly.

Rockman could immediately sense the impending doom. "Maki-chan, that might not be the best idea," he said.

Maki crossed her arms, "But I want to make pancakes!" she said sticking out her lower lip.

"Well, I just meant that it might be a bit messy…" Rockman started.

Netto cut him off, "Ah, its okay Maki-chan, we'll make pancakes."

Maki threw her arms into the air in celebration. "Yay!" she said.

/Netto-kun, this is just begging for disaster/ Rockman said.

/You worry too much, what could go wrong/ Netto asked.

/Many, many, many things/ Rockman groaned.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WWW, Enzan and Laika sat around a long wooden table with Mejin at the head. Mejin looked at his watch for the third time in the past ten seconds. "Where is he?" he asked.

"Sleeping?" Enzan offered.

"Most likely," Laika said.

Madoi laughed, "Good to know some things never change."

"Well can't you just call them?" asked Blues.

"Rockman's not in his PET, I tried earlier," Mejin replied.

"That's unusual, Rockman's always in his PET," said Enzan.

"Do you think something could have happened?" asked Fireman.

That question hung heavily in the air for a few minutes while everyone thought it over. "Should we go check?" asked Elecman.

"Well if something really did happen, and I'm not saying it did," said Mejin, "I could be a trap."

Enzan grabbed his PET from its port in the conference table, "I don't care, if he's in trouble we need to help him, and if he's not then he will be."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Netto went around the kitchen and began to take things out of various cupboards carefully following the directions in his mother's cook book. Maki and Netto had on aprons and put all the ingredients around the large blue porcelain bowl they were going to mix it in. Rockman hesitantly regulated the heat under the frying pan to what the directions said and the flame low so as to make sure neither one got hurt. Netto sensed Rockman's worry early on.

/Relax, nothing will happen, I know how to make pancakes you know/ he said.

/Yeah, but never with a five year old before/ countered Rockman.

/So? It's not like she's going to blow up the kitchen/ Netto said.

Rockman wasn't so sure.

After the eggs, flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, water and vanilla was added Netto let Maki take over the mixing. He had enough sense to not let her use and automatic mixer, and Maki didn't make too much of a mess, to the very great relief of Rockman. However the sticky batter still did splatter over the sides and on the counter and some mysteriously found its way into Maki's hair.

Netto laughed and took over after awhile, stirring the batter until the lumps were gone. Then he took out a cup and poured some of the batter into the frying pan.

"Wait Netto-kun! You didn't spray the frying pan!" Rockman yelled.

"Oops," said Netto and he set to work trying to scrape the burnt gooey mess off the pan and into the sink.

Rockman groaned and prepared to lecture Netto when the door bell rang. Rockman left the kitchen monitor and appeared in the entry way monitor. "Who's there?" he asked.

"Rockman?" asked a voice.

"Laika-san? What are you doing here?" asked Rockman.

"Coming to make sure nothing happened to you. What are you still doing here?" he asked.

"I called us off today," said Rockman. "Netto-kun has to baby-sit Maki-chan all day."

"It would have been nice if Mejin told us that," said Enzan a little peeved.

"Sorry guys, why don't you come in? The door's unlocked," Rockman said.

Enzan opened the door and the odd group walked inside. They heard a cheer coming from the kitchen and everyone walked over cautiously.

"Be careful," Rockman warned them.

Everyone stopped dead at the entrance of the kitchen. It looked like a war zone, flour was everywhere and there was a concentrated amount of batter on the counter top. In the center of it all was Netto and Maki who were over the frying pan making decent looking pancakes, save the smoldering mess in the sink.

Madoi put a hand over her mouth and immediately began cracking up. Netto looked over in their direction and at first his eyes lit with puzzlement. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Mejin didn't get your message apparently," Enzan said dryly.

"Oh, well I'm with Maki-chan all day," he said.

Maki crossed her arms, "That's right; Netto-chan is with me today! He promised!"

Netto blushed and in all the confusion forgot that there was a pancake in the pan until it started to smoke. "Netto-kun, watch it!" said Rockman.

Netto looked at the blackened pancake and quickly flipped it before it could catch fire.

Madoi smiled and said, "Don't worry, we're just here to give him a message, he's all yours today."

Maki gave Madoi a big grin and nodded at her. Netto blushed even more and said, "Maki you should go take a shower, when you come downstairs you can have breakfast."

"'Kay!" Maki said and ran upstairs.

Madoi chuckles, "You should take a shower too," she said to Netto eyeing the flower in his hair.

Netto glared at her and started to put the dirty dishes in the sink. "What are you doing here?" he asked, ignoring Madoi's comment.

"Well, we're supposed to help you find the new bad guys," said Hinoken.

"I'm watching my cousin," said Netto.

"Ne noticed," said Mahajorama, grinning ever so slightly.

Netto sighed, "Let me clean up in here, you guys can wait in the living room."

Once they were in the living room Madoi started to crack up even more. "And to think he was our worst enemy!"

"I heard that!" Netto called.

Netto finished cleaning the kitchen when Maki finished her shower. Netto had managed to clean himself up pretty well as well as clean up most of the kitchen. Netto placed a plate of pancakes on the table and went into the living room, but before he could sit down Maki called, "Netto-chan?"

"Yes?" he answered.

"Can you cut this for me?" she asked.

"Uhhhh, sure," he said and walked over to the table. He cut the pancakes into small pieces and handed the fork back to Maki. "Here you go," he said.

"Thanks!" she said and started to gobble down her breakfast.

Netto walked back into the living room and sat down on the couch, "So why are you here?" he asked.

"Apparently, Mejin-san never got our message," said Rockman.

"Oh, well I can't go anywhere because I'm watching Maki-chan and mama is at the onsen with aunt Sakura.

"How about we research here then?" Madoi asked. "A day off; even though we're at work."

Netto laughed, "That's a great idea. But we're not going to do much," he said.

"It's okay, I think everyone deserves a break," she said.

Enzan scoffed, "You haven't even done anything!" he said.

Netto laughed again, "Who cares?"

Hinoken nodded, "I agree with Netto."

Enzan shook his head, "We should be out there," he said.

"Well, until there is a lead, it's not like we can find anything," Netto answered.

"So let's wait until there is an opportunity," Elecman said. "It's not like we can do anything, but we should tell Mejin."

"Already done," said Elec Hakushaku.

"My e-mail?" Enzan asked.

Elec Hakushaku nodded.

"What is he doesn't get it?" Enzan asked.

"Then it teaches him to read his e-mail," said Netto.

Rockman nodded, "I agree."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Newest chapter! Hope you liked!