Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the concepts of the Xenosaga games. I'm just playing with them, and then I'll put them back in their boxes, Mommy, I promise. I'm making no profit out of this story, and if you sue me, you'll only get a few lint balls. I wouldn't bother with it, really.

I do own this story, and plagurizing it would make you a sad, sad, creepy little person. It'd also make me angry, and I bite. So save yourself some rabies shots and don't even try to nick it, okay?

Currently unbeta-ed. If you'd like to volunteer for the position I'd love you forever.

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Chapter One : Of Crushes and Kittens

"Ne, Momo-chan! Momo-chan! Guess what?" Maki crowed as she scampered up beside the peach-haired Realian, who was playing the new dance game that Layla had gotten to replace the quiz game Revenge Runner that had so frustrated Simon. The quiet, serious girl had also bonded with MOMO, who often helped out around the Treasure by cleaning up the rooms after visitors. Currently, Layla was trouncing MOMO at "Butterfly" on double Heavy Mode while one of the ladies that seemed to flock to hover over the orphaned girl watched the Inn's desk. "Yatta!" MOMO exclaimed as they both passed the second round, Layla with a slightly better B than MOMO's. "Wow," Maki breathed, "Momo-chan, sugoi! You're really good at this even though you just started playing a week ago! I still can't get past Light!" Layla nodded, hopping up to sit on the back bar of the game's dance platform easily. "Your reflexes are unreal!"

MOMO blushed, glancing away. "It's nothing," she said shyly, then leaned on the bar beside Layla. "Ne, Maki-chan, what's up?" Though still the proper little Realian lady, MOMO had loosened up considerably after a month in the company of the Foundation's gang of youth, and was now comfortable using slang. The little sailor suits and dresses, however, had yet to be exchanged. Today, in fact, MOMO was wearing a maid uniform from Lavare; it was black, rather than Caito's favored pink, however. Dominic's mother had given all the Foundation girls multiple maid uniforms after one of Dominic's pranks had shrunk a good portion of her stock. Fortunately, MOMO had managed to pull Dominic's fat out of the fryer -- or perhaps dryer would be more appropriate in this instance -- with her Layla's Special Maid Service idea. Dominic had been extremely thankful. MOMO was now the only girl on the Foundation except for Claudy that was never ever pranked by the impish boy.

"Dom's cat had kittens!" Maki bounced excitedly, "Dom's mom won't let him keep 'em, since they've already got two, and Dom says if you want one, you'll get first pick!" Maki leaned forward, conspiritorally. "He says it's just 'cause he owes you, ya know, for the maid uniform thing, but I think he likes you, Momo-chan!" Layla clapped her hands together, sliding off the bar to giggle and bounce with Maki, "Yeah, Momo-chan! Go for it!" Layla sighed wistfully, glancing out the window at Pitt, who was playing cards with Theodore on the steps to the Treasure. "I wish certain other boys would notice girls..."

MOMO's blush had gone from soft and genteel to full-blown tomato face. "N-nani? Guys, I'm sure you have it all wrong, I mean, Dom's just a friend, and I--" MOMO's hand went up to clutch the bracelet that Jr. had given her the day that they first met automatically. Since that day, the bullet had been joined with a few other charms; gifts from her new Foundation friends on Children's Day, a festival that Johnny had thought up after reading about it in an old paperback book on culture. This festival, unlike Johnny's previous tries, had garnered a tremendous response. MOMO had hoped to see the red-headed URTV there, but only Gaignun had come. MOMO frowned slightly. Gaignun had been charming as ever, but there was something off -- maybe she should try again to get a call in to Jr., to make sure everything was all right...

"Dom will just have to find another girl to like, I'm afraid," Claudy appeared by MOMO's side, settling to sit comfortably by the peach-haired girl's feet. Claudy, in contrast to MOMO's pristine clothing, already had mud spattering the hem of her skirt, and a rip in one sock. "I think our Momo-chan already has a crush."

"EH?" MOMO's fading blush returned full force. "Claudy!"

Layla and Maki looked at each other, "It must be true!" they decided in unison. "No fair, Momo-chan!" Maki squealed, tugging the Realian's hand, "You can't tell Claudy and not tell us!" Layla nodded firmly. "That's like playing favorites! Besides... how will we know who to help you catch if you never tell us?"

"Ah..." MOMO looked around, feeling trapped. "I have to go ask Mommy about that kitten, now... Bye guys!"

MOMO darted off, despite her friends' loud protests.

It doesn't matter if I do like you, does it, Jr...

My heart is optional. You could turn it off if it offended you..

Claudy narrowed her eyes as a wet drop hit her cheek, blown back by the wind as MOMO opened the door. "I think we have our newest mission, girls."

Layla and Maki, who had been watching MOMO's retreating back through the window sadly, turned to look at Claudy curiously.

"Operation Make Momo's Tears Vanish! What do you guys say?"

"Un!" The three girls nodded seriously, stacking their hands together in the Foundation tradition of sealing a pact.

"First things first... we need some ideas... Anyone got anybody in mind?"

"The Little Master!" Layla cried, snapping her fingers. "He helped me when I was sad, and didn't Momo-chan first come here with him? He'll know for sure!"

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A/N: One of the big things in XS2 that bugged me was while MOMO was obviously upset that her "heart", her entire personality was essentially programming, they never dealt with it further. Well, I am! Muahahaha. And... for some reason I have become rather fond of little Claudia, "Claudy". I have no idea why. XD