Breakfast the following morning felt more subdued and quiet then usual to Yuka. But there was no awkwardness, nor apprehension between them. And yet, something seemed off. She attributed this to the fact that they eating with one less person this morning. When Nana still had not awaken after Kohta, who was generally the last one up, Yuka decided to check on her and see if she was ok. It certainly was a good thing she did, as she found Nana's clothes soaked through with her sweat, her forehead running a high fever. No doubt she was sick and Yuka demanded she spend the rest of the day in bed, assuring her that she would bring soup up to her later. And of course Lucy, sick or not, ate her breakfast alone in her bedroom. So it was only herself, Kohta, Mayu, and Tomo at the table.

"How's she feeling," Tomo asked after taking a sip of his tea.

"Nana's not feeling good today," she replied solemnly. It was very strange indeed. In the short time Yuka had known her, Nana had appeared to be extremely healthy and not one to get sick often. But Yuka was just worrying too much. It was only a small fever, and everyone got sick once in a while, no matter how healthy. "I'm going to the store to get her some medicine and a few other things," she informed the others as she made to pick up some of the empty plates now littering the table. Kohta was about to jump to his feet, assisting Yuka with the dishes and speed their departure. She always drug him around whenever she went on errands, even if she didn't need his help. But Kohta couldn't deny he enjoyed her company, however overbearing she could be at times. "Tomo, do you want to join me?"

"WHAT," Kohta shouted, causing Mayu to jump, while Tomo choked on his most recent sip of tea. This was surprising to the others to be sure. Yuka never invited anyone else to join her, preferring either Kohta or just going by herself.

"Why me," Tomo protested after a coughing fit.

"Because we need to get you some new clothes. The stuff Kohta is lending you looks too small." Due to his being taller and having a wider build, Tomo was a bit bigger and the clothes were truthfully a bit on the tight side. But he never complained, content with what he was given.

"They feel just fine," he said despairingly, lifting his arms and turning side to side, as if modeling the fact that they fit him perfectly. But Yuka would hear none of it.

"What about all the weeds in the flower beds," he further protested, hoping for an excuse to stay here.

"You can do that when we get back," she shrugged off easily.

"Why don't you take Kohta?" Kohta looked hopefully at Yuka, silently begging her to agree. It had been awhile since he and Yuka had done anything together just the two of them. He knew he'd been ignoring her as of late, and wanted the chance to make up for it. And while he and Lucy were in a serious relationship (more or less), he still really liked Yuka.

"He has work to do here. Now your coming with me whether you want to or not," she commanded, pulling Tomo by the forearm to his feet. She continued to guide him along as she placed the empty plates on the kitchen counter with her free hand, went for her purse hanging off the coat tree in the hall, and stopping at the foot of the stairs to call up to Lucy. "Since Nana's sick do you think you could manage to do some of her chores today," she asked a little too aggressively. There was a weak reply which she took as a yes before calling to the others still in the dining room to finish up clean up for her, then walking out the door, dragging Tomo close behind her. Kohta watched them as they left, a small hint of regret and jealousy in his eyes.

Given the fact that going to the store is usually such a simple and monotonous task, Yuka had never had so much doing shopping before in her life. Dragging Tomo all around the store, asking for his opinion about market sales while he pouted about being forced to come was oddly relaxing. She shrugged off his constant complaining, enjoying the pleasure of his company. The most interesting part about this miniature journey was when they reached the clothes department. Yuka felt like a little girl again playing dress up with a life size doll. She would nearly clean the racks of any clothing, forcing several types of shirts and pants for him to try on. And every time he came out of the dressing room, hoping to be finished, she would force a new selection upon him, insisting that they were almost done. After about what felt like the millionth time saying that what he had on look good for him, his face was nearly as red as half the shirts he tried on. Unfortunately, their budget wouldn't allow for them to purchase half the things she had hoped for, instead settling for some moderately priced shirts, pants, and most importantly...underwear.

"And some of that stuff looked really good on you too," Yuka complained as the left the store, both their hands carrying bags full of groceries.

"Can we talk about something else please," Tomo scoffed at her gently, his face even redder with embarrassment.

"Did I embarrass you," she asked jokingly.

"EMBARRASS," he shout in a whisper, "You wouldn't even let me pick out my own underwear!" Yuka snickered at this, thinking it did sound a bit mortifying for a girl to pick out a boys underpants, however unintentional it may have been. Tomo's face was starting to turn a even sharper red as she continued to laugh.

"Stop laughing at me," he demanded of her.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping a tear from her eye, "It's just that Kohta's never been very comfortable with other people wearing his clothes." This appeared to have settled the matter because Yuka had stopped laughing, and Tomo's face gradually turned back to its normal color. The two walked side by side in silence until Tomo, now half way home, spoke up.

"Can I ask you something Yuka?"

"Sure," she replied politely.

"Are you in love with Kohta?" She stumbled on her feet, blindsided by the unexpectedness of the question. He swung his arm around to catch her from falling to her knees, his bag swing in the air from the momentum. "Is that a yes?"

Yuka righted herself before answering, but instead of directly saying yes, she found herself having to think about it for a moment. It was true she did love Kohta romantically, but had long since given up on the prospect of it ever being requited. Or at least, she thought that was how she felt. Normally when anyone asked her this she answered with well practiced instantaneous reflexes and would become very emotional. But now, standing here with Tomo, it felt rather silly to feel so emotional over a boy who would never return her feelings. It felt like a story that had been told so many times that it now became uninteresting. "I used to," she finally answered plainly.

"What do you mean 'used to'," Tomo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you know...he likes Lucy," she said casually.

"Do you like anyone else?" Yuka felt even more girly as she felt the heat in her face rise, now trying to hide the fact that it was now her face turning red with embarrassment. But why did the question embarrass her? It was a perfectly fair question for some to ask in this type of conversation. Deciding it wasn't important, she went with the first thing that popped into her head.

"Nope." They spent the rest of the walk in spirited conversation, Yuka, for the first time in a long while, not thinking about Kohta at all.

Were it not for the faint hue of light radiating from the computer screen, the room would have been shrouded in a veil of blackness. The white light was surprisingly illuminating for the rooms titanic size, as Arakawa could visibly see a good portion of the computer lab. She typed furiously at the keyboard, breaking past firewalls, security locks, and all other manners of protection a computer could possibly have. One of the benefits of being a scientist she guessed. You become pretty adept with technology. In her early days, she'd already been a "techno geek" some would say, even before discovering her talent in the natural sciences. That being said, it only seemed natural that she also became a fairly skilled hacker at an early age. She used to enjoy pitting her skills against any system she could find. Nothing criminal of course, just your average pranks for a net diver. Hacking into personal files on the internet, breaking past restricted sites, and things of that nature. Now, as a scientific researcher, her knowledge of the high-tech world had only increased, though she'd given up her hacking days.

She smiled reminiscently that her skills had not rusted over the years of neglect. She typed with practiced speed on the buttons of the keyboard, searching through the machines limitless mainframe for any kind of clue as to what Kakuzawa might be up to. All files pertaining to the diclonius had been deleted, according to the computers memory banks. But she knew better then that. Another fact she learned as a scientist was that information, even from a failed experiment, was too valuable to just simply throw away. All that meant was that the files were being hidden somewhere, being protected from unauthorized eyes.

After what felt like hours of breaking into many different systems and turning up empty handed, Arakawa was coming exceedingly close to giving up. Then there, discreetly placed in the bottom left corner of the screen was a small folder with the heading Subject Files, the title reflecting in her glasses. Feeling a sense of anticipation, she moved the mouse to the small icon and double clicked. Instantly, the screen filled with information. She read the first file, a picture of a despondent looking young girl with pink hair looking tearfully back at her.

Subject: Silpelit

Gender: Female

Age: 5

Serial Number: SP 113-4816

Designation: Number 3

Status: Terminated

Subject is discovered near the Kanagawa prefecture. Obtained cooperatively from parents at hospital. Subject displays the usual physical characteristics of a diclonius, including horned protrusions. Vectors are also confirmed. Research commences to study the qualities of her vectors. Length still stands at average two meters in length. No changes. Subject is unable to reproduce like other silpelits. Study was being conducted to study subjects strength. However, during study, Number 3 broke free of her restraints. Several personnel are killed in the process. Subject is terminated. Believed to have been masking true potential. Intelligence far surpasses age. Autopsy forgone due to cranial damage suffered from Chief Kakuzawa to subdue her. Body is burned. Two research members come into physical contact with vectors, but appear to have no side effects as of yet. Research soon to begin on sibling, Number 7.

She read on, ignoring the fact that the professors name had just crossed her eyes. The file went on into more detailed aspects of the research, but nothing of super interest that Arakawa didn't already know. She knew about the research being done. What she needed to know was why? But she didn't lose hope. This would be a good place to start. Using the mouse, she scrolled down to read the next subject file.

Kakuzawa stood erect, looking at the video monitors that covered the wall before him. He was paying special attention to the one focused on a young, dark haired women as she sat inside the computer lab on Level 3. He smiled at her, both surprised and amused by her boldness. When they first met, he thought she was far too mousy and never seemed like the one to take such initiative. But she was still foolish to think he didn't know what was going on inside his own laboratory. Here, he was God. And like God with his earthly kingdom, nothing happened without his knowing. But still, her attempt amused him. She continued to scroll down the forbidden information that was beyond her clearance to access. Normally, this would be the time when he'd act on his instincts to kill this person who dared to go against him. But the situation had changed. She held something precious inside her now, and he needed her to continue his son's search for the virus. Besides, even if she found the whole truth, there was nothing she could do about it. And he had his little "trump card" to play against her should she become a threat. So for now, he'd let her do as she pleases.

He caressed the smooth glass screen as it projected a tiny version of her face close up, feeling those masculine desires again. It had been years since he allowed himself the pleasure of a women. The touch of bare skin, the sound of her groans and grunts, and smell of her hair. These were stirrings he'd almost forgotten about. And to relive them, was very pleasant. However far below him she may have been, he still felt those old, somewhat boyish longings of sexual lust. But he could not give in to them yet. There were far more important things that needed to be done first. Turning off the wall of screens, he turned to leave, thinking that she should consider herself fortunate. After all, no many mothers get to say their child will be the future ruler of the world.