A/N: Um...I started, played through and finished EXE 5 since that first chapter went up, so now we have a setting. XD It's set after EXE/BN5, but of course the events of Us After This took place a year or more previously.

When in doubt about the game use of a name or suffix (I know Yaito uses 'Hikari-kun' for Netto, which is a change from the anime, but I'm not 100 sure which people use 'Rock' versus 'Rockman' or 'Rock-kun') I use the Japanese manga versions rather than the English game. Chances are it's more correct that that or the anime.

This is a sequel to Us After This, which can be located in my profile. It's currently #28, though it gets bumped down whenever I add a new story, so check around that vicinity.

Fall To Pieces

by Shimegami-chan

Chapter 2

Inspirational Music: D.N. Angel - Byakuya -True Light-

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Recess was the first point that Rockman dared to address his Operator aloud since Mariko-sensei had given the brunette a verbal thrashing that morning. Netto, for his part, seemed to have tuned out the teacher's lecture, so used to her voice that he instinctively knew when to nod assent. "Netto-kun?"

The sixth-grader was already halfway through the box of rice that was supposed to be for. "Mm?"

"Who do you suppose that guy was, from this morning?"

"Just some loser," Netto replied sourly. "He had on a junior high uniform, so I don't think I've ever met him. He didn't know my name until Mariko-sensei screamed it."

"You got it a lot of trouble, considering that you never laid a hand on him."

"Yeah. She's a nag - I should have just beat him up anyway if I was going to get yelled at that much."

Rockman fell silent for a moment, watching Netto's face as he shoveled rice into it. It wasn't like his Operator to be so vindictive - particularly towards his teacher. He supposed Netto really was nervous about encountering that bully again. "No, you shouldn't have."

Netto stopped eating. "Yeah...you're right," he agreed finally, propping his chin up on his palm. "I don't know why I was so mad at that guy. He only called me 'loud' - and, well, we know that's true, right?"

"Yeah, I'm afraid it is." Rockman grinned and relaxed, not even realizing how tense he had become. "So, what should we do after school? If you don't have much homework, we could spend the afternoon with Roll-chan and the others, don't you think?"

"That'd be fun. We could go to Oran and have a picnic, or even go swimming - you could swim. It's not hard."

"That sounds interesting!" Rockman was addressing e-mails to Roll, Gutsman and Glyde even as they spoke, thinking about a swim in the ocean. He had only experienced the Oran Net on their previous trips to the island, and though he had swam in cyber-water before, he had never been able to try it in a human body. Netto loved having Rock experience favorite things, so he was usually enthusiastic about just watching, something that the older twin really appreciated. "I'll ask Mama to pack us something good to eat, too, okay?"

"Sounds great!" Netto stuffed his lunch box into his desk as the bell rang before lowering the volume on his PET. "You plan it while I'm in class, okay?"

Rockman summoned a string of text above his head, pleased that his twin's mood had brightened so considerably. -Okay!-

As the students began the English test that Netto had studied so hard for, Rockman went about organizing an afternoon at the beach, complete with picnic, bonfire, swimming and some card games. Since Navis weren't permitted to communicate with their Operators during tests and exams, and therefore Rock would not be needed until at least after lunch, he returned to the house network to arrange things with their mother. Haruka was more than willing to put off her usual housekeeping duties to assist him, and with his direction she packed a picnic basket filled with sandwiches, juice boxes, fresh cookies, tea, and marshmallows and chocolate to make s'mores. In the corner of the basket she tucked a few decks of playing cards and covered the basket with a fluffy blue blanket. Rockman observed from the living room television until the huge basket was complete and sitting grandly on the coffee table. Dusting flour off her apron, Haruka removed it and hung it on a hook before turning to face her Navi son. "How's that, Rockman?"

"That's wonderful! Thank you, Mama!"

Haruka beamed at his enthusiasm. "I hope you get to enjoy some of it too!"

"I will!"

"Are you going back to school, now? I'll leave this out for Netto to pick up on his way home." She pointed at the basket. "I'll be out doing the shopping for dinner."

"Of course." Rockman stepped back from the monitor. "Can you return me to the PC?"

"Certainly." Haruka picked up the SubPET on the table as Rockman transmitted himself back into it, using the infrared receiver. Once the Navi had been restored to his Operator's computer, with its links back to the school web page, he waved and thanked her again before disappearing into a warp. Haruka smiled sadly as she watched him go. "Have fun...take care, you two."

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When the boat arrived at Oran Isle in the late afternoon, Rockman was already secured within Netto's neurological systems, enjoying the pleasant breeze in his tousled hair. "This is so great! But I can't see, my hair keeps getting in my eyes!"

Netto was watching him and listening to his surprised comments with undisguised amusement. "Why do you think I keep that bandanna on?"

"Well...good point."

They laughed as one, Saito's left hand raising to shield his eyes from the sun. Their friends were below deck, learning from the Navi Captain exactly how the boat worked, while Roll, Gutsman and Glyde were able to observe from the ship's big computer system. Saito, having seen plenty of computer systems in his life, chose to spend the ride on the top deck, enjoying the beautiful weather.

"It's really nice out," Netto observed. "You picked a great day for this."

"Thanks," Saito replied in the same voice, but slightly softer.

"There's the dock - look!"

As the boat pulled up to the wharf and used its magnet-lock settings and tether to stabilize in the water, Netto took over their movement and leapt from the deck to the dock, the huge basket clutched in both hands, then set it down at his feet. A moment later, Meiru, Yaito and Dekao disembarked as well, carrying their backpacks and wearing wide grins. "Yahoo!" Dekao shouted, pulling off his shirt. "I can't wait to get in the water - and this time, I don't even have to change on the beach!"

"Thank goodness," Yaito mumbled, slinging her inner tube over her shoulder. "I wore my bathing suit under my clothes."

"Me too," Meiru said.

"Let's get the fire started, then!" Saito said excitedly, clapping his hands together. Neither of the girls reacted to the un-Netto-like behaviour, being well-used to Rockman's sporadic appearances as a human, but Dekao stared for a moment before catching on. "Well? Come on, everyone!"

The ex-Navi led the way down to the beach, spreading out the blanket on the sand and placing the basket nearby. By the time he had removed the vest and long-sleeved shirt he wore (it was always a slow process, especially disentangling from the arms) the others were already in the water. He placed a clear rubber seal over Netto's tiny heart monitor - it was watertight in up to thirty metres, but it never hurt to add a little extra protection - and waded slowly into the surf, enjoying the shockingly cool water.

"How do you like that?" Netto asked, their face grinning broadly.

"It's...interesting!" Saito replied. "It's so cold!"

"Well, this isn't a pool!"

"Can you swim, Saito-kun?" Meiru inquired.

"Yeah. Well, kind of; I've been in a cyber-pool before. They're supposed to be pretty accurate, but I don't know," Saito laughed and wiped salty water from his eyes. "I don't think I'll go out too far, just in case."

"Good idea," Yaito told him.

On the shore, Dekao was already getting the bonfire going, adding pieces of driftwood that had washed up on the beach. Meiru and Yaito swam together, discussing an upcoming school festival, while Saito floated lazily on his back, his younger twin observing the bright sky through shared eyes. "This is great."

Netto felt much more peaceful than he had in weeks, the excitement and pressing feelings that had plagued him ever since Nebula had surfaced finally subdued. The water was calm and quiet, and he could still feel it washing over his skin, cleansing him, almost. He tried to lift a hand to brush hair out of his eyes and found it was under his control, just completely relaxed. "Yeah..."

They drifted aimlessly for several moments, Rock's control loose enough as to allow freedom of movement to his twin, but experience every sensation the water had to offer. Netto became more and more relaxed, tempted to close his eyes and sleep, but hesitant to startle Saito or take away from his enjoyment of human sight. He was still thinking about it when Saito closed their eyes himself.

Netto became even more comfortable, withdrawing completely from their shared sense of touch and concentrating only on the sound of the ocean, letting it lull him, gently, like a child in a cradle. He was so content all of a sudden, so sleepy…

"It's really something, isn't it?" Saito commented finally, noticing that he was completely in control of their sense of touch. "I could get used to this."

Netto did not reply. Jerking slightly, Saito turned upright and began to tread water, calling aloud for his twin. "Netto-kun?"

A quick external check of the monitor indicated nothing amiss, and Saito directed enough memory at his Navi form within the tiny computer to ensure that all was fine internally as well. Netto had withdrawn before when they had been sharing a body, reassuring Saito that Netto had probably done so again on purpose. Probably. "What did you do, fall asleep?" he joked out loud, but the younger Hikari failed to answer again. Deciding to do a more thorough check of the computer and its connections, Saito leisurely made his way to shore and flopped onto the beach towel they'd laid out. Dekao was roasting a marshmallow over the blazing fire.

"That looks great," the Navi announced, watching Dekao's movements with great interest as he sandwiched the marshmallow and a piece of chocolate between two marshmallows. The bigger boy pointed at the picnic basket to his left. "They're in there if you want one."

"Okay. Thanks," Saito said politely, earning another suspicious look from Dekao. He pulled on a hooded sweater and skewered a marshmallow upon a nearby branch before holding it somewhat uncertainly over the fire. It was very hot, and decidedly uncomfortable. Saito wondered if Netto and his friends were just used to this kind of thing.

"It'll burn if you hold it so close," Meiru-chan warned from behind, and as if on cue the marshmallow burst into flames.

"Uwaa! Oh, no!" Saito pulled the stick out of the fire and waved it helplessly, trying to quench the flame. The marshmallow continued to blacken, orange flames dancing on its tip. He brought it close and blew until the flames were extinguished, the black object smouldering angrily. Disappointed, Saito held the stick aloft with one hand and tried to remove the blackened marshmallow with the other.

It was hot.

"Oh! Ow!" he howled, pulling away burned digits coated with the melted stuff. Before he could do more, though, suddenly he could not feel the burning sensation or even the fingers anymore. Someone else spoke instead, as his mouth let loose a string of profanity that turned three heads to stare at him in disbelief.

"Rockman! Are you stupid or something? Of course it was going to be hot!" Netto continued to swear, sucking on the injured digits and muttering under his breath. Saito tried to apologize, but found that somehow his access to their voice was blocked. He could see and hear the outside world, but could not speak or even feel a fraction of the pain in their fingers. Feeling awful, he plugged-out of the monitor and returned via infrared to his PET, lying inert on the picnic basket.

"Good. And stay out," Netto said loudly, glaring at the device.

"Netto-kun…I'm sorry…" Rockman tried to hide how much the order had stung. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Whatever." Turning his back on the Navi,Netto left the firepit and stalked away, disappearing up the wooden steps that led to the main area of the island. Meiru and the others watched in shocked disbelief, letting him go without a word.

-to be continued….