The next day Netto woke up with a yawn. "My head…" he groaned.

Laika walked into his room with a bowl of soup. "You're finally up," he noted.

Netto rubbed his head, "Ow…"

"Your fever's gone down," Laika told him as he handed him his soup.

Netto groaned, "Why do I have such a horrible headache?" Netto asked while taking the soup.

Laika shrugged, "I have no idea, but you should probably rest some more."

Netto made a face as he took the first spoonful of the hot liquid. "I'm not tired," he pointed out.

Laika shrugged, "You still have a pretty high fever, so you shouldn't give your body any excuse to rely on the virus again."

Netto sighed, "All right, all right."

Laika gave Netto a half grin, "No sneaking out now," he said.

Netto looked to the side, "Wouldn't dream of it," he murmured.

Ten minutes later Laika looked into Netto's room to find him fast asleep with the half eaten soup on the floor. He picked up the bowl and sighed, Netto was getting better but he was still prone to exhaustion. Obviously Netto couldn't fight the virus at all times, especially when his body was sick.

Some time later Netto woke up and he walked out of his room into the hall way for the first time in two days. He made it to the couch where he flopped down next to Laika who looked somewhat surprised. "Tell me to go back and I'll punch you," Netto growled.

Laika sighed, "I don't mind."

"Laika?" Netto asked.

"Yes?" Laika replied.

"Have you heard anything on the virus getting captured yet?"

Laika shook his head, "No, not yet. Last I heard it was in the Undernet."

Netto groaned, "Of course it is!" he said sarcastically.

Rockman gave Netto a small grin, "Well, at least you're feeling better," he said.

Netto yawned and leaned further into the couch, "Yeah, I guess," he admitted.

Laika watched him and when Netto finally fell asleep he pulled Netto's body over so that his head was resting in his lap. "Afraid he was going to fall off the couch, Laika-san?" Searchman asked with a hint of a grin.

A small blush tinged Laika's cheeks, "Yes," he said softly.

Truth be told ever since Netto had allowed Laika to scratch his ears, he had wanted to do it again. Not that he'd admit it to anyone, ever. But for some reason it just held charm to him that doing something so simply could make one feel so relaxed. Finally he worked up his nerve and began to scratch the large ears.

Netto stirred a little but relaxed after awhile as Laika continued to scratch his ears. Finally, after ten minutes Laika said suddenly, "How long have you been awake?"

Netto yawned, "A few minutes, how could you tell?"

"Your tail was moving," Laika said. "When you're asleep it doesn't move."

"You notice a lot of things," Netto said thickly. "Is the Neko Virus really that interesting?"

"The fact that you have ears and a tail," Laika pointed out. "Yes."

Netto coughed, "Okay, you have me there."

"Besides, it's not a matter of interest it's…" Laika paused, "It's more of concern."

Netto sighed, "I can't believe that a virus has so much influence on my body," he said with a scowl.

Laika raised an eyebrow, "Does it upset you?" he asked softly.

Netto sighed heavily, "In a way, yes," he admitted. "It like… I don't have complete control over what I do or how I do it. It's kinda…" he paused, "scary."

Laika blinked, "Does it frighten you?"

Netto sighed and let his eyes slide shut, "Yes," he admitted.

'Having something alien control your body,' Laika mused. 'I must be frightening enough for net navis, but for a human…' he couldn't even begin to fathom the experience.

"I mean it's not like I don't know what it feels like," Netto said suddenly. "Whenever Rockman gets wounded, or hurt I feel it too. And I know when I'm really upset, or angry my emotions conflict with his. Its part of the link, we can't help it. But this is not only pushing all that to the limit but it's really damn annoying."

Laika let a grin grace his lips as he continued to stroke Netto's ears. His expression changed to thoughtfulness as he pondered his friend's words. "Does it hurt when Rockman is injured? I rarely see you with wounds," Laika noted.

"Because Rockman heals so quickly, I think it influences my body as well but…" he trailed off.

"But?" Laika pressed.

Netto sighed, "But when he is hurt, especially when his data is corrupted through a virus or something it…" Netto took in a breath, "It can be the most excruciating experience you could ever face."

Laika looked concerned and brushed Netto's bangs out of his face to see his expression. The boy looked slightly worried and concerned but mostly just… thoughtful. "Does Enzan know of this?"

Netto nodded, "Enzan and Blues both found out about it awhile ago. When Rockman was almost deleted by Forte."

Laika let an unknown breath escape his lips. "What a burden…" he murmured.

Netto shrugged, "If it lets me stay with Rockman," he said with a grin, "Then it's worth it."

Laika shook his head, "You amaze me sometimes."

"Really?" Netto asked.

Laika nodded, "More then you know," he said under his breath.

Netto finally drifted off to sleep later on and Laika was left to ponder Netto's words. Surely it was something to think about, especially because Netto had just voiced concern to him that he didn't always feel like he was in control. When he voiced this to Searchman the tall navi let out a sigh. "I, have no idea how to respond to that," he said finally.

Laika nodded, "Neither did I. Did Rockman ever voice concerns like that to you?"

Searchman looked thoughtful, "He mentioned not being able to control his emotions once or twice. And he's almost in a constant state of worry about Netto-san these days."

Laika laughed hollowly, "I don't blame him."

Searchman shook his head, "And from what you said, Netto-san worries about Rockman."

"I wonder what other secrets they may have," Laika mused.

Searchman shrugged, "Who knows," he said. "But I don't think we should search for them."

Laika nodded, "Agreed. So, what is our plan now?" he asked.

"Wait?" Searchman asked.

Laika gave Searchman a smile with no humor in it, "I was afraid of that."

Netto yawned and woke up the next morning with his head on Laika's lap, his fever completely gone and no headache. He looked up to see that Laika had actually fallen asleep sitting upright the night before with his hand on his head. "Laika?" Netto asked.

Laika stirred and opened his eyes, "What time is it?" he asked.

"8:30," Netto answered automatically.

Laika looked around but there was no clock in sighed, "How did you know that?" he asked.

Netto blinked, "I don't know… I just did."

Laika shrugged and stood up, stretching. "Well, it's too late to go to work, what do you want to do today?"

Netto gave him a dry glare, "I'd like to do a lot of things you tell me I can't."

"All right, fair enough," Laika said. "What about…" he was cut off by a knock at the door.

"Hey Laika!" Neil's voice came through the door. "I got some info on the Neko Virus, can I come in?"

"Oh no…" Laika said.

Netto blinked, "He got what?"