A/N: Well I've made it to chapter 4! I think this will end up being to longest thing I have written and I'm really getting into it. Already chapter 5 is nagging to be typed out!

Chapter 4: Fairytale Memories

"So, Miss Yamashita, do you have any skill with persocom repair or programming?"

Tokimi still wasn'taccustomed to being called that. Briefly she regarded the man stationed across to table, he wasn't the same person who'd been working in the persocom store on the previous occasion but he had agreed to look at her resume regardless. "Yes, I've worked in two other persocom stores before and my father was a software designer for NAC International." She'd been practicing half the night in order to keep her composure and retain all the information.

He scratched the short dark hair on his head, just behind the receding hairline, and nodded, "Ah, very good so you have quite a bit of experience and I see that the university you attended is quite renowned for their advancements in persocom technology." With a grin he set the paper on the table, "I think you're in luck, our regular maintenance man is having problems and about a week ago one of my employees got hitched then decided to move. We are getting short on help and it seems like you could be an excellent addition, I guess my only question is then, when can you start?"

Minoru wassettled on one of the couches in front of the glass coffee table, he looked over as the study's door swung ajar. Tokimi entered fighting the huge smile that wanted to spread across her face, her eyes twinkled, "I got the job, I'm going to start working tomorrow morning." She held her emotions in check but the excitement was present.

"I'm happy for you Tokimi and I'm glad you've returned." He glanced beyond the table, "Motosuwa, I'd like you to meet Maehana Tokimi."

She now realized that there were two additional people in the room, the dark haired young man stood up and greeted her, still seated on the sofa was a girl with long ivory colored hair, white and pink ear ports were visible on the sides of her head. After the initial shock, Tokimi recognized her. She'd never actually seen Elda or Freya, but Genji had often described her and there was no mistaking who the persocom was. An original chobit. Tokimi casually nodded back a greeting to them.

"This is my friend Motosuwa Hideki and sitting on the sofa is Chii." Minoru motioned to each one respectively. When he motioned to Chii he closely obseved Tokimi's face for some kind of reaction. Knowing her experience with persocoms and chobits in general she may have some insight. "I was just telling them about you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." She approached and took a seat on the sofa near Minoru but she couldn't take her eyes off Chii, it waslike being drawn into a trance. All the tales that flooded back further seemed to mesmerize and entrap her focus. "What exactly were you discussing?" She slowly questioned.

"Just trivial things, then I began telling Motosuwa how you happened here." He noticed the transfixion of her gaze on Chii, she assuredly knew something. He looked silently over at Yuzuki who srood stonily by the fireplace. She roused and crossed the room then gently touched Chii on the shoulder.

"Chii, let's go and wait in the hallway for a bit." She smiled softly down and began walking towards the door.

Chii nodded and quickly stood, "Chii will wait for Hideki in the hallway." She chimed as she passed and followed out of the room.

Tokimi watched her go, her gaze lingering on the door after it had closed, "Which one is she?"

"Elda... What do you know about her Tokimi?" Minoru asked, glad that she'doffered the opening.

She shook her head, "Not much besides a few stories, Genji loved to talk about her whenever I asked." While most children spent their lives growing up on fairytales, Tokimi's life had been mystified by persocoms. In adulthood her fairytale was that of the two beautiful girls named Elda and Freya, but the stories had never gotten an ending, her storyteller was never able to finish. "Where is the other... Freya?"

"She was deactivated." Minoru stated.

Tokimi looked first to Hideki then to Minoru, "You called that girl Chii... what happened?"

Minoru's attention shifted to Hideki, "I believe that is your cue to begin."

"Genji?" Tokimi looked up from the computer screen to the man at the center of the room. He was hunched over a white-cloth covered table, tediously working on a persocom whose frame lay motionless and half-completed.

"What is it?" He ventured, not looking up from the task or faltering in the least.

"Can you tell me about the chobits again?" She sounded like an eager little child.

"Right now?" Surprise was in his voice but his face hinted at amusement, "Alright, but only because it is for you."

Tokimi smiled, "Thank you."

"Fascinating..." Tokimi murmured as Hideki finished speaking his piece. "How long ago was this?"

"Just a little over two months." Hideki replied with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Tokimi nodded, her mood visibly changed however. "I see... Hideki, be careful. If what you've said is true then this isn't over for you either... They won't stop if they find out that Chii is still running."

Hideki seemed takenby the remark, sitting up straight as a board, "But she isn't a threat to them anymore!" He said indignantly, worry laden in his voice.

"It won't matter, it will probably make them want her that much more. If she is as powerful as you two have said then... I have no doubt in my mind that someone is looking for her." She said solemnly.

Minoru frowned, "Maybe you should keep Chii from work for a while Hideki."He stated gravely, "It doesn't seem wise to parade her about if there is the possibility thather safety will be compromised."

Hideki sighed, leaning back he let his head sink down into his hands, "Okay." He said sadly, with a sigh he rubbed his head. "Just when I thought things would go back to normal for us."

Minoru's eyes were sympathetic, after all the hardship Hideki and Chii would continue to live in worry. It didn't seem like fate was on his side. Nor anyone's on this particular day. "I'm sure everything will be all right Hideki, I'll do what I can to help you."

"Thank you, you really do too much for me Minoru." Hideki's mood lifted fractionally as he stood and stretched.

Minoru only smiled slightly and walked over to the doors. Chii and Yuzuki stood waiting outside and both smiled when Minoru appeared for them. Returning to the study, Yuzuki took a place by the computer desk and Chii hurried to Hideki's side.

"Are Chii and Hideki leaving now?" She questioned, looking up at him and obviously noting his sorry mood.

He nodded, "Thank you, Minoru. It was nice meeting you Maehana."

Tokimi smiled, "It was nice meeting you, and Chii as well." Her eyes wandered to the fair-haired girl, "We'll talk more the next time we meet."

For a moment Chii was quiet, her face devoid of emotions, Tokimi felt her body freeze in that short instance, but Chii's mouth soon gave way to a contented smile, "Okay." Shepiped cheerily. Tokimi watched as the fairytale persocom with the gorgon's gaze turned and left the room, she couldn't explain the sensation but something had been off with Chii's eyes.

As the door closed a deep silence settled all around, smothering all that stood in its wake. Minoru regarded Tokimi slowly, "Now that they have left there is something I think you should see." His voice was cold and forlorn as he stepped to the computer desk. After a moment he motioned her over and allowed her to look at the screen.

Tokimi's heart stopped, it felt like ten-thousand needles had just been shot deep into her chest. Her coffee colored eyes quickly searched Minoru's face for answers but she knew he had none to offer. Looking back down a choked sob escaped her throat, "Genji, no."