Pride left the room not long after she came in. She was emotionally drained from what happened that day and Netto had told her that she needed some rest. She obliged none to willingly and went to bed.

After that Netto lay on his bed, bored out of his mind and not quite ready for sleep. He didn't want to directly disobey the unsaid rules of not leaving his room but he needed to get out of there. He looked into his PET and saw that Rockman still wasn't back and he flopped back onto his bed with a sigh.

His ears perked as he heard a faint sound from somewhere outside of the castle. He strained to hear it again but couldn't seem to find the same rumble that he had heard just seconds before. Then he got an idea, thinking he could act under the excuse that he heard something outside he pulled on his baseball cap and sweatshirt taking great care to make sure no one could tell the difference in his appearance.

He left his room quietly and stole outside. His sharpened senses welcome the salty wind that swirled around the small rocky town. He looked out and saw the place that he knew Pride and Dhruv must have gone to that day.

It was a quaint town from his vantage point and didn't look any bigger then Densan Square in his hometown. He whistled at how small it was and the sound was carried away in the wind. He smiled and walked down to what seemed to be an outcropping of rocks on the far side of the castle.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ocelot watched Netto sneak outside and decided against following him. However, she was still plenty upset.

"What is he thinking?" she asked her comrades. "What if he gets caught?"

"He's brought back here and has to listen to Dhruv?" Tiger asked. "I don't see what's so dangerous. You'd do the same thing in his position."

Ocelot cast a steely eyed glance on Tiger, glaring her into silence. "What if he gets caught by someone who doesn't know who the Neko Virus is? Or worse, if they do? He's putting himself in danger, walking around like that is telling people that know who the Net Saviors are that he can use Crossfusion. Now why should I worry?" she asked.

"If you're so worried, then why not go after him?" Panther asked in her quiet voice.

Ocelot stopped short and a red tinge showed briefly on her cheeks. "Because it's none of my business."

"Of course," said Leopard.

Everyone else nodded knowingly, but Ocelot continued to pace the room they were in nervously.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Netto went to the outcropping and found it was actually a beach with a high stone wall at the back. Obviously it was to keep floodwaters from coming in when they got too much rain. It was a rocky beach, but nice and quiet and Netto decided to go explore it in the last fading rays of the sun.

He slid down the embankment into a tall sand dune. Then he walked down the dune onto the beach its self. The ocean glittered with ruby reds and bright oranges; it was one of the most spectacular sunsets he had ever seen. How long he stood there he wasn't quite sure, but all too soon it was almost completely dark and he found himself knowing that he had to go back.

Reluctantly he turned his back on the spectacular sight and found himself face to face with another person. He had been so enthralled with the sunset that he didn't hear someone coming up behind him in the sand. Netto jumped and the man looked down on him, not unkindly.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked.

Netto nodded, not quite having found his voice.

"I come down here every night to watch the sun set, I don't think I've ever seen you before, what's your name?" he asked.

Netto pointed to himself and dumbly asked, "Who, me-nya?"

The man chuckled, "I don't see anyone else on this beach, do you?"

Netto looked around just to make sure and laughed nervously. "Right, um my name is Netto, Netto Hikari-nya."

"Oh, so you're Japanese?" he asked.

Netto nodded, "How did you know-nya?"

"Hikari is a Japanese name, is it not? It means light."

Netto blushed, "Yeah. What's your name-nya?"

"My name is Neil Anderson, I am a descendent of Sir Lionel the Brave," the man said.

Netto's eyes widened, "That man's statue in the castle-nya!" he eclaimed.

Neil gave him a strange look. "Yes, he was my great grandfather."

"Wow-nya," Netto said in awe. "Wait, O… I mean my friend told me that he was the ruler before Dhruv took over-nya."

Neil nodded, "Yes, he was. And after him was my grandfather, then my father. I was next in like to rule, but I've never had the chance."

"Why not-nya?" Netto asked.

"Because when Dhruv took over, he stripped my family of all its power," he hissed and clenched his fist.

Netto cocked his head, "Oh-nya," said softly.

Neil held up his hands in an embarrassed gesture, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to space out like that."

Netto shook his head, "No, you're right-nya. Dhruv is a bad person-nya."

Neil laughed, "Yes, I know that."

Netto watched as the very last red rays dipped below the horizon. "How long has Dhruv had control here-nya?" he asked.

"Almost 20 years, his dad conquered my lands when he was power hungry. But we were allowed to rule ourselves until Dhruv took over."

Netto sighed, "That doesn't sound like a happy life-nya."

Neil shook his head, "No, it's not."

Netto looked back to the castle whose windows had started to glow in the night. "I have to go home now-nya," he said.

Neil nodded. "I think that's best. Good luck to you."

Netto nodded, "You too-nya."

Neil nodded as Netto climbed agilely back up the steep slope and made his way slowly to the castle.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Netto walked back to the castle as slowly as he could without getting caught by the security. He snuck back into the castle through a small door on the side of the castle. Taking great care to be silent he walked down the halls, but apparently he wasn't silent enough.

"Where have you been?" a voice purred dangerously.

Netto jumped and turned around looking very guilty, "Out-nya…" he said.

"What were you doing?" Ocelot came up to him. "What if you were caught?" she asked.

Netto shrugged, "I thought you didn't care. You're the bad guy remember-nya?"

Ocelot glared at him, "Listen, I may be a bad guy but I have feelings and right now I'm feeling like next time I should lock the door."

Netto glared at her, "You wouldn't dare-nya."

Ocelot matched his glare for glare, "Oh yes I would. You seem to be taking this whole, 'Net Savior' thing too lightly Koneko."

Netto dropped his gaze. "I just heard something, that's all-nya."

Ocelot scoffed, then softened. "Well, you're just lucky I didn't tell you navi. Something tells me he could chew you out much worse then I did."

Netto winced, he had forgotten about Rockman. "Y-yeah-nya…" he admitted.

"Promise you won't do that again?" Ocelot asked.

Netto nodded.

Ocelot rubbed his ears, "Good. Now, come with me, I have something I want to show you."

Netto was wary, "Are we going to another place we shouldn't-nya?" he asked.

Ocelot laughed, "No. I actually have something I want you to have, just in case."

Netto was curious and followed her to her quarters. In her rooms he saw Panther, Tiger, Cheetah and Leopard all curled up in their seemingly respective areas of the room. "Why are you always in the real world-nya?" Netto asked.

"Because it's more comfortable," Ocelot answered and rummaged around in a small box filled with little knick knacks.

"What are you looking for-nya?" he asked.

"Aren't you the curious one?" Tiger laughed.

Netto made a face, "I'm just wondering, that's all-nya."

Even Panther smiled at that remark.

"Wondering, curiosities, when all is said and done, cats are just nosy," said Ocelot.

Everyone in the room but Netto laughed. "It's true," said Cheetah.

Before Netto could reply Ocelot found what she was looking for. "Ah, here it is?"

Netto peered over her shoulder to see what she was holding. It was a battlechip. "Aqua Tower-nya?" he asked dubiously.

"I know your battle chips were taken away earlier. When the time comes, this may come in handy," she said.

Netto blinked, then took the battle chip gratefully, "Thanks-nya."

Ocelot nodded, "Okay, now you go back to your room."

"Awww, but-nya…" Netto started.

Ocelot shook her head, "Nuh uh, none of that. Besides I think your navi is looking for you."

Netto stuck his tongue out at her and left the room.

"Well, he's certainly a handful," said Leopard.

Ocelot nodded and smiled, "Kinda like you guys." She laughed as three pillows came her way.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The next morning Netto woke up as he usually did. Rockman yelled at him to get out of bed, and playing his part, he did his best to ignore it.

Easier said then done, with his more sensitive ears.

"Netto-kun, get up-nya," his navi pleaded.

"Go away-nya," he mumbled, shoving his head further under his pillow.

"Netto-kun, will you please get up-nya?" Rockman couldn't remember the last time Netto was so stubborn about getting out of bed.

Netto didn't even reply and Rockman knew he had probably fallen asleep once again. "Netto-kun-nya?" he tried.

"The kid isn't a morning person?" Tiger asked from the doorway.

Rockman looked up, startled, "Um, well, no-nya. He…" Rockman paused, "What are you doing here-nya?" he asked abruptly.

Tiger laughed, "To get you two, we're going to the next part of the kingdom," she said.

"O-oh-nya," Rockman dropped his gaze. "So where are we going-nya?" he asked.

Tiger winked and put a paw to her lips, "It's a secret," she said in a mysterious voice.

Rockman frowned, "Well, if it's such a secret then why are we going there-nya? Is it dangerous?" he asked.

Tiger shook her head, obviously suppressing laughter. "No, truth is, I don't know where we are going. Are you always this paranoid?" she asked.

Rockman crossed his arms and looked away, blushing. "No, I just have problems trusting the person who kidnapped me and my operator-nya."

"But I didn't kidnap you," she pointed out.

Rockman gave her a withering look. "You know what I mean-nya."

Tiger gave him a nonchalant shrug, "Well, not that it matters now. You should probably get your operator out of bed, we need to go."

Rockman shrugged, "I can't wake him up-nya."

Tiger shook Netto's inert form, "Hey kid, wake up."

Netto was completely buried under his sheets and pillows so everything he said was unintelligible to Tiger and Rockman.

"We're going to a new place today. Let's go," she said a little more forcefully.

Netto finally poked his head from under the protective sheets, "You're all really annoying-nya," he said.

Tiger took the opening and pushed him out of bed. "Glad to hear it, kid."

"Hey-nya!" Netto protested.

Rockman laughed, "I hate to say this-nya, but you have no idea how many times I've wanted to do that-nya."

Netto glared at his navi and Tiger laughed loudly, "He's hard to wake up?"

"You have no idea-nya," Rockman said.

Netto sat up and pulled the covers from his body. "I'm right here you know-nya," he said crossly.

Tiger looked down at him, faking surprise, "Oh, you're awake."

Netto gave her a dirty look, "Ha ha-nya," he said sarcastically.

Tiger continued to mock him, "Good, now that you've finally awakened get dressed and go down stairs." She turned on her heel and walked out the door.

Before she shut the door Netto stock his tongue out at her. "Just for reference, I saw that." Netto gaped at her and she shut the door laughing.

Netto cast an uneasy look on his door, "Creepy-nya," he said.

Rockman laughed and pointed at the door. "Netto-kun, there was a mirror in the hall-nya," he said.

Netto blushed and grabbed his clothes, "I knew that-nya," he muttered.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ten minutes later Netto appeared in the main hallway with his PET in hand. Dhruv saw him and gave a wide poisonous grin. "And, we're all here, time to go to the province on Denaht."

"Just where is this place?" Pride asked.

"A bit north from here, so bundle up," Dhruv winked at her.

An angry blush tinged Pride's cheeks. "I meant how far away."

Dhruv waved a hand, "Of course, of course. About two days, I'd say."

"By plane?" Pride asked, surprised.

Dhruv shook his head, "No, by boat."

Ocelot saw everyone but Panther shift uneasily. "May I ask why?" she growled.

"I wish for the Princess to view my waters," Dhruv said, not missing a beat.

"I don't need to see a puddle," Pride sniffed.

"But I insist," Dhruv said with a low warning tone under his light voice.

Pride opened her mouth but Ocelot placed a paw on her shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered.

"Excellent!" Dhruv clapped his hands together. "We sat sail in 30 minutes, let's get a move on." He walked briskly outside and everyone else reluctantly followed.

"Can we go in our PET's?" Cheetah asked.

Ocelot stuck her chin out stubbornly, "We will take whatever he hands to us. We stay in the real world."

Even Panther gave a silent groan to these words.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

The boat was a beautiful vessel, well built and it looked very comfortable. Netto had not yet been directly confronted with his hated of water. He didn't like showers but he put up with them and for the most part he just avoided all other contact with water. As he crossed the bridge onto the boat he cast an uneasy glance at the water below.

Rockman noticed his glance and gave one of his own. "You okay-nya?" he asked in a tight voice.

"Sure, you-nya?" Netto replied in his own quivering voice.

"Fine-nya," answered Rockman in a small voice.

Ocelot put her paw on Netto's shoulder and he jumped. "Don't kid yourself," she said tightly ad gave Netto a half grin. "You're terrified and rightly so."

"So-nya?" asked Netto.

"We'll just get though this and kick Dhruv's butt when the time comes," said Ocelot as they moved onto the boat.

"She's afraid-nya," said Rockman.

Netto laughed nervously, "For some reason that makes me even more afraid-nya."

"Well, all we can do is just hope for the best I guess-nya," said Rockman in a doubtful tone.

Netto laughed nervously, "Easy for you to say, you're in a PET-nya."

"Something tells me this part of the trip won't be easy for either of us-nya," Rockman replied.

Netto sighed, he had the feeling that Rockman was right.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So…. Tired… hope you liked the new chappie. I need to go sleep now, night all