Disclaimer: Standard to all fanfiction, I do not hold property rights to Xenosaga, any of its characters, or story. This is a purely fictional account of events based loosely off events in Xenosaga I & II. Don't sue/hate me, please. Thank you.

Note: This story takes place after the events in Xenosaga I, and before/into Xenosaga II. The time line at the beginning may be differed for the sake of MY plot. But will be kept 90 in-tact, changing the beginning had just sounded better than going right into II.. otherwise, nothing to really be Fan about the Fan-fiction. Then its just a Novelized version of the story. And that's Blah

PS.S: Sorry about the lateness of this last chapter. I've been very busy with a move right now and its eating all of my time. Updates may be few for the next month or so, but I'll do my best! So please continue to support me, as you have been! 3

Inaccessible Memory

Chapter Two- Ready, Steady...

Light sluggishly crept between the folds of the blinds, almost wishing that it -itself- didn't have to arise yet. Dawn was slow in revealing an unsettling sight this morning. Blankets strewn over various objects, from sheets on the floor, to the comforter stuck to the far side of a wall, well over three yards from it's previous nights beginning. It seemingly had been chucked about the room, half-hazardously in a festive manner, but what sensors the walls did have, were not able to pick up the vibes coming from the antique bed's occupancy. Muffled grunts arose in growing intervals as the reluctant light set forth onto a new target, tip-toeing over the elm bedposts which were worn with age, to the slightly rustling form on the mattress who tried in vain to cover the morning's probing with a pillow. "Ngh... Not yet, damn it.. " A hand swatted at the beams of artificial light as if it would retract by touch, only to flail about harder when reinforcements came, overcoming even the shield of the pillow. "... For the love of-- This foundation makes it so a guy can't get any sleep around here! I think he set the weather to Mid-summer again.." The pillow gave one last muffled grunt, before flying off in admission of defeat to the morning's bitter call, revealing underneath a flash of ocean colored topaz. Obviously disgruntled, the silhouette sat up in the bed, back facing the light as he adjusted his eyes grudgingly to the change in environment. A wall clock near-by dictated 6:43am in bold flickering strokes. Seeing this, the same hand that attempted to swat away the light, now met with his forehead in frustration. "Why does he set it so early..? He knows I like to sleep! ... He's gonna get his today, that's for sure."

Tousled crimson locks spilled over the young boy's forehead, poking out which ever way they pleased, which seemed to be as hectic as his previous nights sleep. A yawn eagerly leapt from his lips and he stood from the bed and stretched lightly. No use trying to reset the weather program... they'd have my head if I reset the foundation for my own needs, but its not like its the first time. Looking over the room made him thankful his eyes hadn't quite focused yet, as he didn't need to see clearly to know what a mess he had made since dusk. A few glances cast from side to side was enough to make a hand run through his hair, in an expression of embarrassment over his actions, albeit unknown to him at the time they occurred. " Ever since we've come back to dock from Second Miltia, I've been so unsettled. Well, more so than usual anyway. And what was I so worked up over last night? If Mary sees this, she'll think I threw myself a slumber party!" Sighing, the young man's hands flew to his hips as his kicked a pillow away to the corner, to stay with the comforter, before storming into his lavatory to get ready for the unwanted day ahead.

A short while later, scarlet waves billowed out of the parting doors, past the ever-present aimlessly wandering crowds. Responding to a few salutations of 'good morning' and 'how are you today, Little Master,' Jr. stepped into the connection car heading for the dock and sat down sluggishly on one of the free seats. It wasn't long before Jr. was sprawled over the seats, his feet dangling over the back carelessly while the crown of his head rested on the floor. His brow furrowed slightly as he attempted for the third time that morning to contact his little brother, "Gainun." Come on, answer already. Still focused in trying to make contact, the shuttle docked at the terminal for the bridge, sending Jr. somersaulting to the other side of the car with only the corner of the other seats to stop his head from hitting the wall -- which at this time, Jr. might have preferred. People waiting outside to board the cart jumped responsively to the string of curses that spilled from the young man as he flew out, holding his head tightly, cheeks flushed from embarrassment and frustration. Light chuckling tickled at his mind, causing him to spin around for source.

Having a rough morning, are we?

Another chuckle, this time audible to others than just Jr., who merely glared at the approaching black suit. "I'm not in the mood for your humor this morning. Although I am glad I didn't have to hunt you down like usual.." Cerulean orbs locked in on the taller, and the now serious Sea Green, 'Just WHAT have you been doing, Gainun? You've had me blocked all morning. Whats wrong with you?' A slight smirk crossed the "older" man's lips, light flashing in his eyes momentarily.

I knew I'd have to deal with your mood. Did you even notice how many people you scared onto that car a moment ago? I don't even think half of them intended to get on in the first place.

"That's not even funny, Gainun! You have no idea how god damn confusing my mornings been! So don't you even start with me!" Jr.'s voice echoed in the now abandoned halls as they walked back to the bridge, people having abandoned the walkway in case Jr. decided to work out his aggressions with the firearms that were always present on his back pockets. "I didn't start anything except try to make the mood a bit lighter with a few jokes," mused Gainun, running an index finger over the bridge of his nose, soothing the headache that was forming.

"Yea, well... as rare as it is for you to do that, don't. You're better at playing the tough cold shoulder than the comedy act."

A throat cleared in an attempt to acknowledge what had been said and move past it in a graceful manner. "Well then, what was so important that you had to storm down here to hunt me down for?" Jr. slowed to a stop, eyes fixed on the ceiling suddenly, looking slightly lost.

"I... don't really know...," he started, blinking a few times before casting his glance towards his brother. "I guess its just a bad morning... I've been so wary since we came back from Second Miltia, yet I don't know why. It's probably because Albedo's still on the loose. We don't have any idea when he'll appear again, or where, or who he'll attack.. That, in itself, is infinitely frustrating!" A medium platform boot kicked scuffed at the floor before shifting forcefully downward on the tile.

Gainun mused this over for a bit, rubbing his chin lightly as his eyes scanned over the youthful form next to him. A small smile formed over his usually cold lips, unseen to his conversation partner. "So... that's what this is about. You know, you need to train more. Your words say one thing, but you just gave what your true meaning was, up here," retorted Gainun- tapping the side of his head lightly as Jr. stared up at him, trying to choke down a light flush.

Finding it useless to try and fight the heat forming on his cheeks, he casually walked ahead, looking to the side away from Gainun who was now matching pace only slightly behind his own steps. "And what do you think I could have meant by that, if you're so good at mind reading, Ma'dam Gainun." The last part was playfully spit out with a grin to match, thrown over his shoulder. Gainun stopped once more, eyes locked onto the 'R' insignia on the back of Jr's trench, shaking his head slightly at the insinuation that he was some gypsy with a crystal ball.

"You know well enough that we're both talking about the 100-series Observational Rea--"

"MOMO. You've been talking with the doctor again, haven't you," Another glance over Jr.s shoulder warned Gainun to mind his words on the matter, but something else was there. It was as if, having heard someone call her that-- had driven a peg through his own heart. He had made a promise to someone. A promise to treat MOMO like she were a real girl; and he intended to. He just wished others would show the same respect, even if they hadn't been made aware of the consequences of not treating her like one. It was just how he wished to be treated too, like a real person. On that level, he was acknowledged and treated as such, but he was lucky-- only a few of people close enough to him knew his real classification, and even fewer than that knew what he had been and was capable of... Jr. thought over this privately so Gainun wouldn't take notice of his musings, not taking note of a hand tapping the top of his head until the fingers wrapped around his left ear's dangling silver earring and tugged ever-so lightly.

"--all her. When was the last time you did, anyway?"

Jr. shot up, eyes widening slightly to find Gainun's brilliant eyes staring him down at his own level-- Gainun was on his knees.. kneeling before him to get his attention. "I..! Eh... sorry, what did you say..?" Another tint of red found Jr.'s cheek, this time unable to hide it from his brother, who was standing up to brush off his suit at the knees, still watching his companion intently, amusement playing over his facial features. "I said, 'Why don't you call her.' When was the last time you two spoke?" Inquired Gainun, a brow raising lightly when he thought he could hear Jr. squeak.

"Ehh..heh.. heheheh...I --- haven't. I haven't called her since we came back. I really should have. I'm.. just not sure what to say to her. What can I say? 'Hi, MOMO? Oh, good to see you're still alive and sane after Albedo mind-raped you!'" Gainun's eyes fluttered for a moment at the term, having been informed after the incident in the Song of Nephilim, but having never heard it put that way. Jr. continued to act out his conversation with MOMO, even going as far to mimic MOMO's responses in an eerily feminine voice.

"Oh, Jr! Nice to hear from you again. I was worried you had dropped off the face of the galaxy! You might as well have, seeing as you haven't bothered to call me... You don't like me now that Albedo did that to me.. do you. It wasn't like anyone could help it... and you hadn't gotten there in time to stop it!" A hand reached out and smacked across Jr.'s face. Only problem was, it was his own hand he was slapping himself with. Gainun watched with rarely seen wide-eyes as Jr. assaulted his face and continued on with the conversation in his own voice.

"...MOMO. I'm so sorry. I couldn't have done anythi--"

"Save it, Jr... Its over and done with. I've been altered and there's nothing anyone can do about it!"

"-- But MOMO..! I don't care what he did to you--- well, I care what the bastard did to you, but you're still you, right?"

"I'm sorry, Jr., but I can never be me again. You know that by now after you saw what he did... Goodbye."

Jr. hit the imaginary connection switch to his one-sided conversation, and peered over at the shocked Gainun, a weak smile on his face. "... It'd prolly be something like that. Well, no. She'd be too nice to actually say that stuff. Shes too... pure, to be mean to others. Still, I can't call her. If I did, I'd just make an ass out of myself in front of her, and she'd cover it up by smiling sweetly at me or something, like she always does...," Pausing to run a hand through his chopped locks, Jr. turned away, looking straight ahead stiffly. "Anyway, I just remembered I have some things to attend to. So, I'll head to your office later to go over some of the Foundation's documents, ok?" With a parting wave over his shoulder, Jr. casually made his way back down the halls they had just came through, to the connection car leaving a stunned and slightly confused Gainun to wonder over what had occurred.

'He shouldn't be so hard on himself, but.. I suppose he can't help it when hes in his situation. Caring more than he lets on to others, including himself.' Turning back towards his destination, Gainun shook his head and began to start forward to the bridge of the Durandal, only stopping to examine something glittering on the floor where Jr. had just turned from. Thinking it was one of Jr.'s accessories, Gainun bent over to pick it up, but couldn't. 'Water? ...no. A tear...' Sea green eyes scanned the floor past where Jr. had strolled down, to find a small trail of them surprisingly. 'But how.. he never cries..' Eyes narrowed a fraction before he shook his head again, standing and heading towards the bridge, his finger running back over his nose.

"I guess... this will change things a little around here."