Raika lifted the blinds to the window in his room. Outside, there was just another street and a few pedestrians standing on the snow covered ground, including a small girl in a lavender coat that spun around in lopsided circles in the flurries. A car slowly made its way by them on the nearby road.

He sighed slightly, letting the blinds fall back into place by the side of the window. He really was not used to being inside for punishment, especially at his uncle's home. However, when his aunt- and especially his chief uncle- had discovered his two-day "escapade", both had been quite angered, to say the least.

At least neither of them had discovered that he had another PET now, or that his usual device given to him by the junior military officials was not quite the same as when he had received it. The security navis would of course have seen when he had moved both PETs from his pockets to another location, but it was quite possible that they did not know the significance of either one. He was not idiotic enough to let his relatives see the extra PET, though.

If the virtual reality had been correct, at least both he and Searchman now knew something not to do with the PETs, though . . .

Raika then frowned, attempting to press away the thought, and sat down on his bed- less conspicuous than randomly standing around in the room again- and closed his eyes. Raika let himself see the inside his PET.

There was Searchman, his navi . . . in a way. He almost winced, but managed to stop the gesture. It was so strange to be able to see Searchman without opening his PET. His navi was standing there, unmoving, ready for any trouble that his net op might come across- like he had been trained to.

Raika grimaced slightly before he then mentally opened up the note-taking program in the device. Moving things mentally was the only part of his "newfound" power that he could use currently without being seen, and that was only inside of the PET. Anything else he attempted (inside the home, anyway), the ever watchful security navis would witness and report.

I wish I could do more things right now, he typed onto the screen, mentally moving one button on the vertical keyboard at a time. It was actually quite easy to do (once he had gotten faster in the virtual reality), and so the words came even faster than he could type.

Fortunately, Searchman understood what he meant, even though he was not usually the type to complain about what might be considered as mere boredom.

Rather than using the same power to respond, his navi reached toward the vertical keyboard, pressing the keys with a swiftness that human hands could never achieve, and actually still faster yet than he had done so in his statement.

Unfortunately, for most things, you will have to wait until you are allowed outside on your own.

Raika nodded slightly, even though he knew that Searchman was not currently looking at him at the moment. The PET moments were the only times that they could "talk" to each other without being seen currently. It would be nearly the same once he was at his military academy again.

At least you are able to practice with what you have without being seen, Raika responded.

He clenched one hand slightly, wishing that he was allowed to cause small winds to appear, or bits of lightning (even though the latter was much harder to control for him). Searchman had been much better in the "reality" at it, and still was. He was not used to having a skill and not training with it, especially something that he still needed to master.

But the worst part . . .

He kept himself from looking at the framed picture in the living room. His aunt had not thought it necessary to take it down, thought fortunately, both her and his uncle had not mentioned Peter since he had come back from the strange excursion. He avoided looking at the frame whenever he entered that room.

Has anything moved in the PET still? he asked, forcing his thoughts away from the photograph.

Contrary to what his navi usually practiced (and what was a standard for the junior military), there were a few loose lightweight data cubes stacked by both walls of the small room in the device. Searchman could easily know if any one of them was disturbed by a stray gust of wind or accidental telekinesis.

They have not moved since I placed them there last, Searchman typed. I would know if they did move.

Raika nodded. At least they are easy to replace after any scanning of the PET.

It was unnecessary to add that he was also glad that nothing unusual had occurred in the human realm where he was, either. Certainly his aunt would be baffled to see something such as a dish cloth hanging from the ceiling. Of course, the security navis would report it first, though no wayward "intruder" would be seen.

He then huffed a bit, then added more. I wish I knew the goals of the ones that talked to us back in the area where the lab was supposed to be. They - he stopped briefly- knew who you are. Somehow.

He saw Searchman's face sadden slightly before responding. I can only hope that they do not tell any others that would want to turn either of us in.

But they know about you- and maybe me, also. Most likely as the ones who set up the virtual reality did.

He was suddenly angry, and had to force himself to not show any outward emotion. The people that had been determined to remain both unseen and unknown had acted so lighthearted, and even a bit mocking. Did they even know that one slip-up with him or Searchman could cause instant demolition for either of them? Did they truly not even care?

How could someone not care about something that could so easily lead to one's death, after all? (Then again, he- and Searchman, actually- had been trained to not even care about small "insignificant" navis that would be in the way of fulfilling any mission. At least it was in the rules to avoid deaths of civilians, though.)

The virtual reality, however . . .

If the police or someone else actually discovered any sort of critical information from it, then it would not matter what the strange, invisible, laughing people would ever say. Raika did not know how someone (or mostly likely, some people) could be so idiotic in setting up something so obtrusive. However, he and Searchman, not they, had to deal with knowledge and withhold it- from the military, of all people- and alone, at that. How long could they be allowed to remain silent?

Clearly, either the "game" had been interrupted before a critical moment, or it had been severely misjudged in how the net police would act. It did not even seem necessary in knowing about the still almost mysterious Peter Malenkov's past. Certainly it had not done him and Searchman any good- not in Sharo, at least.

He did not know how much the ones behind the reality had known about him and Searchman's shared past. Whether the reality was based on standard coding, or even a combination of that and his reactions somehow that forced the data to shift somehow, he still did not know. Nothing had been discovered by a small team that had investigated the entire building where it had been set up.

The reality had been just as inconspicuous as Peter Malenkov himself- right where no one knew where he was, except his supposed original form as a mere data, and his net op with no evident information of the navi before he had received him.

I have looked inside the other PET- he kept himself from stating that it was his own, but of course Searchman knew it anyway- again, but there is still nothing there other than standard PET programs. I would think that something would be, as a message of some sort. We were alone, after all, after I woke up after those people refused to show themselves.

He watched as his navi quickly typed a response. It would be helpful to know what had gone on during those two days. It is obvious that they at least know some about what happened in the virtual reality. Merely giving us the merged PETs is not enough. They are conspicuous on their own, and it has only been by chance that no one has discovered the initials on your standard PET.

Raika nearly laughed then, though he wondered about the reaction. "His" PET was actually Searchman's, while the other PET was his own. The opposite could be said of each, however. When Searchman was a navi, he could claim the PET his navi resided in as his own as the net op. For the other one, Searchman- in human form, of course- while he would be in data form, which he remembered as despising for multiple reasons- could be considered the net op and claim the PET as his own also.

Generally, of course, two humans were not supposed to be the navi of the other at the same time. He quickly switched the topic, hoping that he truly would never be discovered as his navi self.

I wonder what they meant about survivors.

Raika looked at Searchman then- his navi's eyes turned a bit saddened before he responded. He almost felt that he was unduly spying, even though he knew that his navi would not mind looking at him mentally. He had "talked" with him, both in the virtual reality and afterword. Of course, he and Searchman did not know who had been watching the virtual reality. Since no one in the military had found out, either, his uncle had another legitimate reason to still be rather displeased with him for still not telling more of what had occurred in it, to say the least.

There were others like us, at least at some point, even though I do not recall any that were siblings, Searchman stated.

Raika just kept himself from nodding- the security navis were still watching, after all. If the virtual reality was correct, after all.

I wish I could help more, Raika. So far, I have only discovered only minor differences between the virtual reality and the actual one that do not seem to have any correlation with truths from it, or otherwise.

He frowned slightly, hoping that at some point, there would be something more that he could know- without downright disobeying anyone (again), especially his chief uncle.

Unfortunately, the length of the telekinetic power still the same.

I have looked further distances for other things with my Search ability, but also have come up with nothing.

Raika then had to keep himself from gritting his teeth in sheer frustration. Here he was, hiding from his relatives and superior in the net police department that he and his navi were illegal. He could not hide much more than he was or obviously go on his own again- his uncle would see to that. He did not know what else to do about unearthing more information about the virtual reality or those behind it, or even the project behind his and Searchman's navi forms in the first place.

He did not know what to do about the situation. Generally, he could search more about a topic after a difficult mission, or even ask someone in his military school about something (though he preferred more to research things more on his own if he could). He had tried simple internet searches that might seem offhand enough if his PET was ever thoroughly scanned in the near future, but had come up with utterly nothing. He simply did not know if there were any other plausible- and safe- leads to follow at the moment.

He was not used to being so helpless . . .

Raika briefly opened his eyes, then winced a bit at the seemingly bright light around him, even though lighting inside the PET was the same as always.

At least you never had to die to become a navi, he typed next.

I would never wish that on anyone. No one should have their human life taken away from them, especially you.

Raika resisted rolling his eyes. There was the same argument again, with Searchman utterly insisting that he, as the human net op, deserved a human life more than his older brother. Of course, Searchman now did not recall any times when he was Peter, unlike his and Raika's relatives (though that very correlation was still an odd thought).

He remembered with a bit of wistfulness that Searchman had seemed to embrace his human form a bit after "remembering" some things about his and Raika's shared past. That connection had been taken away from them after waking up from the "reality"- then again, it had not existed in the first place. It seemed likely perhaps his navi could recall at least a few memories at some point.

Would you ever remember more about your past? It seems that it is truly in actuality now.

He swiftly shifted his "gaze" toward his navi again, attempting to ignore a small pang that he was somewhat acting like a navi in the gesture- he was able to see his navi his "home realm" of the PET, similar to a regular navi being able to regularly see their net op through the PET's monitors.

Searchman again hesitated before responding. I do not know right now. Unfortunately, I am not sure what would be helpful, other than any possible recollections about the project or anything else useful.

Raika frowned slightly, then typed a bit more, wishing that he could physically send the message. I still do not remember anything about you, either. I am almost not sure if I want to.

Raika, it is fine if you remember something about you being unkind to me or anyone else. Sibling rivalry is common, after all.

He smiled a bit, then remembered the ever annoying navis that would be watching him. Of course Searchman would know what he had meant with the comment, though.

He then heard a light knock on his door. Raika frowned, opening his eyes and wincing again with the brightness.

Reluctantly, he stood and went to the door. His (and Searchman's . . .) aunt was there. She was not smiling, and Raika wondered if he was to be interrogated at last again about the virtual reality, even from "just" his aunt.

"Raika, I need your help with supper," she said instead.

He attempted to not show his relief as he mutely nodded, then followed her down the stairs. Even as he carefully cut up the yellow squash for a casserole, though, he knew that he would never be allowed to stay free of any questioning about the topic indefinitely. At some point, he would be asked again, and he wondered what his uncle would do when he still did not answer.

Of course, if he knew his him and his aunt well enough, the subject of his missing older brother would also be mentioned again soon. Almost strangely enough, for now, that was actually less worrying at the moment.

He was struggling to move forward in snow merely a few inches high. Peter was right beside him, lugging him by his arm toward somewhere else- just somewhere else that was not where they had been. The fire in the building had been huge, that he could still smell the smoke in the frosty air as they trudged through the powdery snow.

Raika could not let himself cry- the tears would freeze on his face, anyway, and he did not want another problem to deal with. He would not.

Finally, he dared to look a bit more upward. The sky was not greyish red here, but just a bit misty from actual clouds. He did not know how the police had not found the building yet, but he just had to keep on going- somewhere. The bad people could soon find him even before any police did if he dared to stop, even just a little bit.

His right foot then slipped a bit on a rock hidden in the dusty powder, Peter hefted him upward. Once again, Raika fought against the urge to wail out loud. Even though he rarely attempted to throw any sort of tantrum, he had to stop himself from crying here, even with the danger. He was still weak, and could hardly walk. Peter was acting stronger than he was, even though he could also hardly move. He did not even hear a single sniffle.

"Just keep on going," Peter then urged him quietly, his voice slightly strained.

Raika resisted yelling aloud just then. Could Peter not see that he was trying?

He then looked toward his older brother, who still had a strong grip on his arm. Peter's face was determined as he trudged onward- and even with his own tiredness, he could see that Peter was also still very much weary.

He resolutely looked forward again and tried taking a longer step in the snow, but managed somehow to tumble downward, bringing Peter with them. The fall was cushioned by the white powder, but they still had to keep on going, so that no one would catch them. They were escapees, after all.

He managed to shakily get up- with Peter's help. Raika was not too worried then about needing aid in such a simple task. He could trust his older brother.

He huffed, ignoring the stinging crystals on his face, then moved onward again, attempting to quell the fear of getting captured again. If larger steps would not work, he could do smaller steps, then. Smaller steps, and not fall anymore. A step toward somewhere else that might be a whole lot safer than where they had just been . . .

Raika woke suddenly, wondering why he was suddenly so afraid. He blinked in the darkness, knowing that he was safe in his uncle's secure home.

He then frowned. The home was a "bit" too secure for his- and Searchman's- circumstances currently. Of course, at night, though, he and even his uncle were supposed to be asleep. His navi might be charging, even. Nothing was supposed to occur at night due to mistakes he might need to watch out for, no matter how much he tried to correctly fulfill any task he was given.

(Then again, he had been on several night missions before, but none had come up for him while he had stayed at his uncle's home yet.)

He turned on his other side, resisting the urge to pick up his PET and look at the small screen- and remembered that he did not even have to do that. He wondered a bit if it would be counted even slightly as being lazy he used one of his "new" abilities..

Thrusting the thought aside- the security navis could see the lit screen of any PET if it was in a proper viewpoint, after all- Raika simply closed his eyes and concentrated. The view of inside of the device as it was currently was came into view. Searchman was not charging, but he seemed to be reviewing information for a future assignment that his net op was due to participate in about half a month. Raika recognized the layout of the old building that was set to be destroyed in a few months, and rebuilt into something else more worthwhile. His navi could be useful for searching in the cyber part with his search ability, but that was not deemed necessary until later on.

He could see parts of the map as his navi's swift fingers flipped through the layout. He recognized the outdated main computer room; another room that he knew had slightly broken equipment for healing navis . . .

Raika shifted his mind's gaze slightly toward the icon for the note taking program. He could so easily now just open it up, and Searchman would instantly notice. Even slightly shifting the stacked data cubes nearby would get his attention.

Raika then opened his eyes, suppressing the urge to start another word conversation with his navi. He certainly did not want to interrupt his faithful navi's work.

. . . His faithful brother's work.

Raika frowned heavily in the dim lighting of the room. He had no idea if the dream he had just had was any sort of memory or anything else of the sort, but surely it did not matter much. From what it seemed, he and (Searchman- so odd, still) had been much younger than they were now. He was not even sure if he would even recognize any sort of memory of Peter- if any came at all.

He cast out his vision instead outside. Raika frowned, resisting the urge to sigh. By now, the "newness" of being able to see elsewhere was not quite as exhilarating as it somewhat had been the first few times. Generally, when all he could see was snowy air around him and other such outdoor surroundings, he liked to actually feel that he was there. (Of course, he would have wished otherwise for a few random missions that had seemed rather long and tiring, including one where he had managed to drop an entire sled down a large mountain hill, and he had had to drag it back up- alone.)

There were only a few cars on the road, as well a few guards, but not too close to the housing areas. The only sounds were generally from the cars, as well as a few Sharian flags flapping a bit in the occasional gust.

He spotted something odd on top of slightly trodden snow in front of a townhouse not too far from his uncle's home. Raika honed in on the different colorings, easily seen in the light from the pole nearby. He was somewhat disappointed to only see a cloth doll, much like a young girl might carry around (or if they were very small, carry then drop randomly as he had seen some young nieces do occasionally).

Apparently there had not been too much snow that night yet, since there were only a few melting large flakes that only slightly covered the doll's blue and violet dress. Raika huffed, about to look somewhere else, then chastised himself. Since the doll was there, he might as well do something. Unlike his uncle's home, the streets were not quite as well guarded- by security navis, at least. Some human guards did come every now and then.

There were certainly not any patrol cars that he could see now, though, that he could see. The doll itself was easy enough to slide ever so slightly above the powdery snow so that it would not become even wetter than it already was. He then brushed the snow off of the swing hanging from the porch roof above it, then placed the doll sitting up as if it had walked up to the house and was waiting for it's friend to come reclaim it.

Raika frowned, casting his vision around the snowy yard, then the porch again. He then wondered about his luck when he spotted a small, broken crayon and a few crumpled up sheets of yellow parchment paper underneath the rocking chair across from the swing. Less than a minute later, the doll had a note tucked into its front pocket for the owner, assuring that it had come back after a fun adventure during the night.

He nearly laughed, but caught himself as he opened his eyes to see the darkness of his room again. How strange- him, a military cadet, worrying about dolls!

Yet, he and the others in his classes had all been taught to work for civilians, including helping them if necessary- of course, always abiding to their strict school behavioral codes. One did not want anyone to think that even the junior cadets were not taught any discipline, after all. Not all civilians were in favor of their country's army, for various strange reasons of their own.

He rather doubted that any of the other military cadets or older members with actual rankings actually were able to move things without being nearby them, though. Of course, if the situation was different and it was actually safe to reveal the ability, undoubtedly the military would want to take full advantage of it.

Raika frowned heavily at the thought. He really preferred actually fighting net battles instead, useful as the ability could be. Searchman had been created with many valuable skills of his own . . .

Then again, it had not been the military that had created his own navi, as he had thought. Somehow, someone had made sure that Searchman had ended up in the military- and then further, someone else had made sure that he was paired with Raika. Them being together was too coincidental to be anything else.

He wondered about the strange, laughing invisible people again. Surely they were not the only ones that knew about him and Searchman- especially now with two certain missing PETs. Surely there was someone somewhere else, waiting for a time that they would be easily able to capture him and Searchman without even his uncle knowing . . .

He woke suddenly at his PET's alarm. Raika blinked a bit as he sat up and manually turned off the alarm. Apparently he had managed to fall asleep after all. He then cast his vision outward again.

To his surprise, the home with the doll had the door slightly ajar, held by a small girl around one or two years old. He looked around- small children were not to be alone outside, let alone in a military base. Thankfully, he saw someone that was surely the mother closing the mailbox near the street.

Raika looked toward the girl again, and when the mother opened the door more, he glimpsed the doll held in the child's arms.

The girl held out the doll gleefully to her mother. "Look, Brinny has present!" she exclaimed, holding out the piece of paper (Raika decided that she was at least two-years-old).

The woman, still with her thick coat on, took the small "present", and unfolded it. Raika saw her smile at the words and the few pictures that he had been certain that a young girl would like- a small horse, a quickly drawn outline of a castle, and a few random rainbows.

The mother showed it to the girl, who then giggled, and then spun in a few circles while holding the arms of her doll.

"Brinny is unicorn princess!" she babbled happily, dancing in more circles.

Raika could see where the child could get the idea, but wondered about other nights when it was certain that the doll would be left outside again.

He then decided to not worry too much. Surely the girl could have fun with her doll during the day, anytime.

He then opened his eyes back to his room again, where he knew that he should start his morning routine. Surely Searchman was wondering why he was just sitting on his bed (and certainly not "talking" with him again).

He attempted to "see" the place where the invisible people had been, but still his vision could not reach even close. He frowned slightly, settling for a quick mental check inside his actual PET. As he had expected, nothing had changed. Of course, Searchman would have also checked the extra PET at some point. There were no messages, or anything else that revealed something about why he and Searchman now had their new PETs (or at least Searchman's had obviously been merged from the original and the updated one supposedly from the military. He was not sure about his own.)

Raika hoped that he would be called on a mission quite soon, and not just due to his confinement. Surely, there would be someplace that he- and Searchman- could use their "newfound" abilities more easily, and discover more about their situation, with much less of a chance of being seen.