AN: Hello everyone, here is the new chapter! This one is the longest I have wrote, over 10k, but next chapter is even longer. I'm sorry as I said to take more time to post my chapter, next chapter will be also posted in two weeks, same for chapter 11, but after it, i'll post a new one in less one week again! I hope you guys don't mind it. Thank you to always follow my story, I honestly didn't really liked to write this chapter but you know, sometimes you have to write stuff you don't much like to progress something.
Chapter 9: I guess, I overreacted, but he wasn't right to do that.
A young child went out of his house with a basket. His mother told him to be very careful, to which he replied that everything would be alright. The young boy continued on his way and entered the small forest near the village to pick mushrooms so his mother could prepare a dish he loved so much. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, he felt a chill. Even though several other children had gone missing, he told himself that nothing would happen to him because—unlike the others—he was himself and knew the dangers. He knew what he had to do and had confidence in himself.
Too much confidence.
He found a spot under a tree and noticed all the mushrooms he was looking for. He approached it and put down his basket, calmly picking the mushrooms. However, he did not see a little girl who was watching him softly from the side of the tree. She had leaned against the wood and was looking at him with a very mischievous look.
"Hey!" She called out in an angelic voice.
The boy looked up and noticed her, his mouth open.
"Do you want to come play with me?" she continued.
Initially hesitant, the young boy picked up his basket and stood up.
"No, I have to go home," he replied.
The girl's smile disappeared and her expression became much sadder as tears filled her eyes. The boy, moved by her distress, raised his hand.
"Wait, if you want, we can play later," he offered.
The girl quickly smiled again after hearing his words. She directly took the boy's hand before he could say anything.
"No! Now!" she cried out in a childish voice.
With a sigh, the girl pulled the young boy with her, causing his basket to fall in the process. They walked for a while and the boy had no idea where she was taking him. He noticed that the forest was getting darker and a drop of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Listen, I'm not sure if I want to keep going. Are we really supposed to be here?" he said.
The girl stopped and turned around, revealing ruby-red eyes and a hand that transformed into something similar to a black band that rolled along her arm. The boy, panicked, screamed as he felt the band tighten around him. He began to feel short of breath as the band covered his mouth, almost fainting when he saw a man…or rather a Navi, in black and green, approaching him.
Alone in a forest, Netto devoured his onigiri that he had bought in a small village he slept at the night before. Behind him on a branch, Rockman watched his back. The child had to admit that he didn't really like it when his Navi watched him from behind... He had quickly understood that if he looked at him with the same round eyes during meals it was because he, too, was hungry. Unfortunately for him, the young boy had totally forgotten to buy something for him. He had refused to buy him donuts and stated that for a "creature" like him, proteins like meat or fish would be better. However, there is neither a river nor a lake on the horizon, so no possibility of fishing and no animals in sight.
Even though he didn't show it, the young boy was troubled about his Navi. Since they had met the Zoanoroid Punk two days ago, Netto had been thinking about it nonstop. Is Rockman also a kind of Zoanoroid? He would like to think not. He had talked about it to Saito the night before, and the latter had tried to reassure him several times by repeating that his Navi remained a good person. He wanted to believe it, but a part of him couldn't.
Once his meal was finished, Netto packed his things and turned around to find that Rockman was still looking at him, waiting for something from him. This made him a little sad, he really should have bought something for him. He heard Rockman's claws scratching against the rock, making a strident sound that made him almost grind his teeth. He could feel his dissatisfaction.
"Rockman, I'm sorry," was all Netto could say, not knowing how to calm him down.
Rockman's only reaction was a growl, indicating to the child that he didn't like having an empty stomach, but Netto couldn't do anything about it.
"Listen, if we find something, you'll eat it!"
He heard another growl, which gave him a shiver. If the Navi didn't eat, there is a strong chance that he could be more violent than usual. The child reassured himself by thinking that it wasn't his best friend who was angry at him, but the animal instinct that cohabited in his mind. Saito had already explained it to him several times.
Besides, these two seemed to know each other... If Rockman became normal again, what would he really think of Saito? Given how the two sometimes have the same opinions on a subject, there was a strong chance that they would get along very well.
The child set off again, with the Navi following him slowly behind on all fours. Netto tried to forget about his Navi and focus on their next destination. Saito had told him about a city, but it was still too far away and they were running behind schedule. Earlier that morning a beast virus had attacked them and Rockman had fiercely fought back, his bestial side strengthening.
Netto took out his map and noted that there was a village not far from them, but it wasn't their destination either. However, due to the strange growling coming from Rockman, he had to stop and buy him something to eat. He ended up sighing—this was his best friend and no matter his nature, he should not neglect him. But no donuts this time. Looking at his map, he observed the path and saw they were close.
A short time later, they found the entrance to the village...which was dull and monochrome. Netto swallowed his saliva, remembering that the last time he had seen a town with a strange look it had not gone well. In doubt, the child stepped back and then felt something behind him stop him. He jumped when he saw Rockman very close to him, looking at him with his head down and eyes raised up to him.
"Ah... You want something, right?" He asked, forcing a smile.
Rockman took a moment to react before finally raising his hand (paw), and with the back of it he gave a painless tap on the boy's chest, causing him to step back. Netto opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but before he could say a word the wild Navi stood up to climb on a tree branch. He gave him one last look and then disappeared as he moved away. Staying there for a moment, the child felt irritated but he gave up getting angry when he remembered what he had to do. He turned around and headed towards the village, making sure to put his hood on his head.
Everyone around him looked very insipid. The child could see that all the adults seemed to be in bad moods and no one wanted to smile. He lowered his head and looked at his feet, this morbid atmosphere made him want to be invisible. Maybe it was a funeral day. Despite the dead silence, he heard a woman getting hysterical, running and screaming at the people she saw.
"Please, did Yota come back this morning?" She asked in total panic to everyone who responded with a headshake. "Yota... Yota left this morning, he wanted mushrooms, please tell me you saw him?" Netto felt bad for the woman, her son must have been kidnapped by the same people. He couldn't do anything and couldn't even help her. Even though it broke his heart, he looked at the buildings in search of a bakery, a butcher's shop, or even a konbini. However, he heard footsteps coming towards him.
"Yota?" He heard from his right side.
The child froze when he saw the woman come in front of him, kneel down and grab his head. She looked at his face, examining every detail.
"I... " He started to say.
But the young woman lowered her arms, her gaze amplified with sadness.
"No... You're not my Yota..."
Netto remained frozen, a pang pierced his chest and he almost wanted to cry. He wanted to say something to her but refused to, Saito's words repeating in his head that he shouldn't sympathize with anyone. He walked around the poor woman while looking at the ground again. Ignoring someone in distress was not something he liked to do. He had barely walked a few steps when he heard whispers around him and adults slowly approaching him.
"Is...that a kid?"
The child quickened his pace, feeling that this was going to spiral out of control.
"Little one, are you alone?"
"Where are you from?"
Oh no, he hated this situation, being surrounded by people who had to worry about him without Saito. No, he especially hated the fact that he was in this child-sized body, and most of all, he hated Duo. Netto wanted to be alone, he wanted to be left alone, and he wanted to be at home. He ignored all the questions he heard and didn't look at anyone except the ground. He felt a hand on his shoulder that stopped him, an awful shiver going through his spine. Slowly turning around, he noticed another woman speaking to him.
"Oh my god, are you alone?"
"I..." The young boy started to say.
"You shouldn't stay outside!"
Netto tried to ignore her, but the woman took his wrist with force and several other adults had approached to look at the child with distress.
"No, let me go!" He almost yelled as he tried to get away.
But the adults didn't listen to him. He remained trapped in the woman's hand.
"Listen kid, it's for your own good. We're not going to hurt you."
Netto attempted one last time to leave, begging them to leave him alone, repeating the same thing.
"This child is with me." A voice sounded from nowhere.
Everyone looked at him, including Netto who almost jumped. He was a rather small old man with white hair, a very long beard, and a very long nose. The clothing he wore was so different from these dull people. How old was he, over ninety? Even though he could help the child to be freed from these people, deep down something told him to stay on guard. The old man approached and with his hand he made a sign that left the adults undeterred.
"You're a stranger!"
"You could be a monster from one of those sects!"
"Come now, we're just travelers, and this child is with me." The old man said, still in a very calm tone.
Netto felt the hand on his arm tighten.
"As if we're going to believe you! Isn't that right, kid? You were alone when you arrived, right?"
The child clenched his teeth and didn't look at anyone. If he said the truth, he would be trapped here with these overprotective adults... But if he lied, he would be free from these people, although there was a chance that this old man was not an honest person. He closed his eyes and had to swallow his saliva to say what he had to say.
"I'm with him... Please let me go..."
With her mouth open, the young woman let him go and he moved away. No one spoke anymore as the child and the old man left in the same direction. Once the adults stopped worrying about them, the child looked at the old man next to him.
"Thank you..." He replied in a small, timid voice.
"No problem!" The old man replied in a cheerful voice. "Tell me, little one, what are you doing here?"
Netto first looked around before answering with a smile.
"I'm looking for a place to buy something to eat!" He replied with enthusiasm.
"Oh! I also have an empty stomach! Follow me, I saw something."
The old man went ahead and Netto followed him. They saw a small konbini, exactly what the child was looking for. Both entered smiling and looked at each aisle, the young boy finding one that served fresh produce. He found a tray of raw meat in one giant piece, perfect to calm Rockman's gourmet side. He took it and noticed some taiyakis in a packet, taking one with him. He went to the vendor with his things and even though he had put everything in front of him, the vendor only looked at him for a moment before ultimately ignoring him. Netto forced a smile and cleared his throat. The vendor ignored him again and the child stopped smiling, almost getting angry.
"Hey!"
The vendor looked at him for a moment.
"I don't sell to children."
"What?"
"Safety rule, I don't sell to children anymore. I don't want problems."
Netto frowned. The old man who had helped the child earlier had approached, holding something in his hands.
"Excuse me, I am with this child." He added, his facial hair still covering much of his face.
"Oh really?" The vendor asked, mouth open, looking at the young boy.
Netto didn't say anything, but nodded quickly, accepting the help of this man once more. The vendor, surprised, began scanning the items. Then the old man approached and put another taiyaki and a bag filled with food in front of the merchant.
"You'll add that!" He exclaimed.
Netto frowned and the old man turned his head towards him, looking at him with closed eyes.
"My boy, you can pay."
The child, strangely, felt betrayed in a way. So, it was a small trickery, just someone who was taking advantage of his situation. He wanted to protest, but if he did then he wouldn't be able to buy this meat. Netto took out his wallet, grumbling, and paid without saying a word. He put his things in his bag and left the konbini, ignoring the old man. Once outside, he headed out of the village...all the while being followed by the one who had taken advantage of him.
"Hey, kid!" He heard behind him.
Netto picked up his pace, angry at having been so easily parted with his money. The old man managed to catch up to him and walked beside him as he continued his pace.
"Wait for me! Can't you hear me?" The old man asked.
"Even if you helped me the first time, you used me to get something from me!" Netto announced without looking at him.
If Netto had looked at him, he would have thought that he was pretending to be shocked before returning to a neutral tone.
"Oh, see it as a form of repayment. I helped you, and you're offering me a nice treat in return."
Netto finally stopped. His eyes were still furrowed with annoyance but he realized that the old man was probably right... However, he could have told him that before tricking him! (Especially since he paid a lot for the bag of food...) The child looked at the old man who was staring at him, although his entire face was hidden by his beard and eyebrows, making it impossible to understand what he was thinking. Moreover, he could not really trust him. Even if he had accepted his help he could still be hiding something, like being a member of one of these sects...
"Who are you exactly...?" Netto asked suspiciously.
The old man put a finger on the tip of his long nose.
"I am just a traveler. My name is Futenroshi," he announced, raising a finger toward the sky. "And you also are not from here. You are probably a young pilgrim, right?"
The child recoiled at what he had said and then looked away while continuing to walk. "No... I'm not a piru...uh..." He bit his tongue as he had already forgotten the word he had just heard. "I just want to go home, that's all."
"Home?" repeated the old man.
Netto quickly placed a hand against his mouth, he had just said something despite himself. In the back of his mind, Saito's voice echoed to scold him and he even saw Rockman judging him with a form of disgust. He closed his mouth and walked without saying anything. The man continued to follow him, to his greatest despair, as they reached outside the village.
"You can leave me alone now, it's fine." He said with an annoyed voice.
Before he even blinked, the old man had disappeared. It was quick. He sighed, feeling the wind caressing him as his cloak gently flew. He looked one last time at the village. Their situation made him feel sick, he would have wanted to help them.
"I was wondering what you were..." Futenroshi's voice echoed behind him. He turned around and saw him sitting on a rock. "A little bird, or a grasshopper?"
Netto blinked, wondering if this man had just teleported. He stopped asking questions and frowned again. "What are you talking about?"
"You feel sorry for these people, but you can't help them. Unless you don't want to. Because deep down, there's something that's stopping you."
Every part of the child's body froze and he finally looked down at his feet. This old man was much more enigmatic than he had thought.
"I just want to go home." He admitted, even though he shouldn't continue this topic.
"Ah, I see!"
The man "disappeared" from his rock to come behind Netto, making the child jump.
"You only see the destination, it's your only interest."
The young boy stepped back, gritting his teeth. As he looked at the old master who had "teleported" again, he bumped into something, or rather someone.
"But my child, the goal of a journey is not the destination that is important! It's the journey we live!"
"I did not want to make this journey!" He finally shouted.
Silence reigned between the two before Futenroshi leaned to the side.
"Really?"
Netto only responded with a nod without looking at him. The old man stroked his beard as he thought, before finding a solution in his head.
"Come with me, my boy, we have to talk!"
Netto hesitated. He wanted to find Rockman, who at this point must be really hungry and needed the meat brought to him. But this man had helped him twice, even if he was very curious about him. What could he do? In the end, he mentally apologized to Saito and especially Rockman as he followed the old man to a small green plain. There, Futenroshi sat on the ground, heating a small camping kettle over a small fire. He invited the child to sit across from him and gave him a cup of tea. The young boy sat with tiredness and took the cup.
"And there you go, a good tea for the afternoon, right?" The old man declared, pouring tea in the child's cup.
Netto did not answer and simply looked at the water in his cup. "Why are you doing all this...?" Netto asked in a small voice, eyes not leaving his cup.
"Have you ever helped someone in the past without any reason?" asked Futenroshi as he put his camping kettle back on the fire.
"Yes, I have done it many times, but..."
"Then you have your answer."
Netto said nothing again and ended up drinking a sip of his tea.
"Why don't you want to help all these people?"
The child looked up, saw the path leading to the village, and then looked down at the ground.
"Because I can't do it... And I have to get home as soon as possible."
"A journey that was imposed on you." said Futenroshi with a poetic tone.
Netto timidly nodded his head, wanting to show that he agreed with him.
"What happened to you for you to find yourself alone and trying to go back home?"
He hesitated to speak, as he shouldn't have followed him...but it was too late. If this man gave good advice, he could help him in some way.
"I was sort of kidnapped, and when I woke up, I was in a forest all alone with my Navi."
Futenroshi raised one of his long eyebrows, surprised.
"And this Navi is not here?"
Netto felt a small drop of sweat run down his skin. He couldn't say more about Rockman's situation.
"He...is somewhere else. He's fine."
The old man didn't respond. He continued to observe the young child who was drinking his tea in small sips. He took out his small taiyaki from its plastic and examined it before putting it in his mouth.
"This small village, do you know what happened to it?" the man asked, taking a bite of his fish-shaped cake.
Netto looked up, visibly startled by the question. He shook his head, making it clear to Futenroshi that he didn't know.
"It's a small village that has seen its children disappear little by little. This morning another child disappeared, it seems that a monster has taken them as its target," he explained in a rather sober voice.
The child opened his mouth, then closed it, not knowing what to say. All he felt was disgust and a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn't dare imagine something similar happening in his own world.
"I don't like seeing them like this... But I don't have a choice." Admitted Netto, still looking elsewhere.
"You have already made a choice indeed." Corrected Futenroshi. "But even if you are forced to make this journey, perhaps you have a lesson to learn from it?"
Netto finally looked up, and his gaze pierced the man in front of him. His eyes filled with confusion.
"They say that when we finish a journey, depending on the lesson we have learned, we are granted a wish. You are making this journey for that specific purpose, aren't you?"
The boy gasped and almost stopped breathing. He suspected that this man knew far too much about him. Even though he was having a hard time containing his emotions, he tried to appear much colder.
"My wishes don't concern you!"
"Your wishes?" Futenroshi asked, but continued without letting Netto elaborate. "With every journey, only one wish can be granted. You must choose wisely!" He almost finished with a small laugh.
But Netto didn't feel like laughing. It was his situation and nothing he was doing was a choice. He had the right to go home in the first place, to see Rockman return to his original form, and finally become the preteen he was again! In his head, it was like an explosion was happening. And what if this man was in cahoots with Duo?
"What do you know about me?" Netto's voice was dull and incredulous.
For the first time since the beginning, Futenroshi raised an eyebrow, allowing Netto to see one of his eyes. It was a look that seemed to be able to read his entire soul.
"I can sense that you're not a child like the others. There's something unnatural about you."
The child almost stood up and backed away but he stayed seated, his legs seeming to have turned to stone. In fact, the shock had petrified every part of his body, preventing him from moving. Fear awoke in his spine, the words taking him aback. Observing the young boy's reaction, Futenroshi hid his eye and resumed the same expression as he took another bite of his taiyaki.
"I don't know anything else, I just happen to sense this. It's one of the abilities I've managed to acquire with the journey I've taken!" His voice was back to normal.
Even though he could feel reassured, it didn't help him. Netto continued to feel these words like a heavy weight inside of him. He cursed Duo again, wishing that no one would see him like this. He didn't care about his "gifts," it had hurt him so much... And what about his wishes? Having to choose just one? Ah! When he goes back home, everything will be back to normal! It will all just be a dream.
"I sense that you're upset." The old man continued as he finished his taiyaki. "But never forget, it's the choices we make that are important."
Again, Netto didn't reply. He just lowered his head, not wanting to continue the conversation. Finally, he got up and put his half-empty cup down.
"What are you doing, my child?"
"I have to find my Navi." He announced in a very low voice. To show a little bit of respect, he leaned forward. "Thank you for helping me earlier."
He turned around and started to walk away. He heard Futenroshi get up as well.
"The bird or the grasshopper... Which one would you be in the end?"
Netto turned around to look at him. Even though he seemed to not care about what he just said, he remained curious.
"What are you talking about?"
"The bird flies... The grasshopper jumps... They each have their own way of reaching the sky." He began to say and lifted his head upwards, his nose pointing to the blue sky. "But one of them is only food for the other. There's at least one that represents you the best, right?"
The child sighed. He didn't particularly like the life riddles of old sages like Futenroshi, especially since he didn't want to think about it after what he had just told him.
"I don't care what you think I could be. I'm just Netto."
He didn't wait for a response and turned to leave. The old man had annoyed him and he didn't want to see him anymore. Now, he had to find Rockman and maybe Saito. The old master watched him walk away, his half-closed eyes scrutinizing his back.
"Netto, huh?"
Netto walked away far enough from Futenroshi to sigh. He had to go back to the forest and feed Rockman. He hoped that his hungry Navi wouldn't be angry with him for taking so long... And if he saw him taking tea with an old man, he would be just as angry. He walked deeper into the forest and came face to face with the bestial form of his Navi. Standing on two feet, Rockman appeared to be a giant the size of a five-story building to the child, but Netto remained unmoved. The Navi got down on all fours and approached very slowly, stopping at a distance. His round eyes were fixed on his operator. Without saying a word, the young child finally put down his bag and took out the package of meat. He opened it and placed it in front of his Navi.
"I found this, I hope it gives you more strength."
Rockman looked at the meat on the ground and examined every detail, including its juicy smell. His mask disappeared and he quickly took the meat in his mouth, using his hand to press it against the ground and tear off a piece that he ate like a tiger. He continued eating wildly and he noticed that Netto was still there. The Navi's eyes narrowed and he let out his usual howl, hoping the child would leave. But Netto didn't understand his reaction. Before he could ask, Rockman took the meat in his mouth and walked very far away. He also didn't like being watched while eating. The young boy sighed, one hand on his temple. What could he do except let him eat?
He listened carefully and heard a scream in the other direction. Netto turned around and headed back towards the village, having thought he heard a woman scream. He arrived at the outskirts of the forest and hid behind a tree. He could see that the entrance of the village was being attacked by Beast viruses. People were trying to defend themselves with sticks or even shovels. They didn't have a Navi? Or even a weapon?
As small as he was and without cross fusion, he couldn't do anything to help these people. He couldn't even call Rockman, who was currently eating and only attacked when his operator was in danger... Oh? He turned to the other side and a sneaky idea took root in his mind. He began to imagine himself in the middle of these viruses, hoping that Rockman would come. But he quickly realized that it was a bad idea; he could be seriously injured if Rockman didn't come in time. He wanted to help these people from the bottom of his heart, just as he had wanted to help Glyde and Yaito some time ago.
It was his choice to go.
Before he could take a step, a red light shot out at full speed like a sniper's bullet. An unknown Navi appeared and charged towards the Beast Virus, attacking each one of them. It was imposing, much larger than Rockman, and Netto could only feel the power of this Navi. Its long-nosed mask reminded him of the old man he had met earlier. He gasped as he saw the old man approach. The Navi, with the force of the wind, easily dominated the situation and erased all these viruses, bringing peace.
At least, it would have been if the village people hadn't started throwing vegetables at the Navi. Netto's eyes widened as he watched the scene, incredulous.
"We don't want Navis here!"
"Leave!"
"Let them disappear and stop taking our children!"
The Navi did not react, he let it pass without doing anything. Futenroshi approached him, ignoring the threats from the people around him.
"Let's go, Tenguman, we have nothing more to do." Netto heard from the old man's voice.
The Navi named Tenguman nodded his head and with a swipe of his arm he helped his operator climb onto his shoulder to sit. The duo turned and left in one direction. The child watched them, staying hidden behind his tree. At least he had confirmation that this Navi was not a villain. Hardly had he had time to move away when the imposing Navi turned his gaze in his direction. The young boy stepped back a few steps and felt a shiver down his spine. He finally walked away, wanting to find his Navi.
After walking for a while, the child felt the wind join him, almost making him fly. It was getting colder. He felt something fall against his head. He picked up the foreign object and noticed a leaf, half brown and half green. Netto finally realized that autumn was here. When he disappeared, it was some time after his summer vacation. Too much time had passed. And the sky was already darkening...
This triggered an alarm in his head. The child started running very fast, trying to find the Navi he had left behind. He screamed his name several times, returning to the place where Rockman had left him. But there was no one, not even a piece of meat on the ground. Netto looked at every nook as the wind rose again. He was still alone and night was falling. He felt his chest tighten and his eyes become blurry. He shook his head, it wasn't the time to give into these childish emotions but a flashback of him at six years old suddenly resurfaced. He remembered that at that age he had indeed lost his mother one evening, and even though he knew the way home, the thought of being alone scared him.
"Netto!" A voice and a comforting hand landed on his shoulder.
The child screamed as he turned, seeing the older boy facing him almost stepping back. Netto quickly wiped his eyes and threw himself against him.
"Saito!"
The former Navi blushed, it was rather rare for Saito to have Netto be so close. He reassured him by petting his head.
"Netto, everything is okay, I'm here."
At first the child smiled, but the wind picked up a bit more. He curled up on himself and lowered his eyes, ashamed.
"I wasn't able to get to where we were supposed to go..."
Saito smiled, reassuring him.
"It doesn't matter, the most important thing is that we're together again! Let's try to find a place to sleep!"
Saito pulled the child close to him and widened his eyes as he heard him cough. He had to find a cave for them to be sheltered. Walking, they saw a light through the woods and headed towards it. They found themselves facing a building that was the only source of light in the area. At first glance, Saito stepped back with fear but Netto wore a big smile, quickly recognizing what he saw.
"A ryokan!"
Netto ran towards the building while Saito was on edge. Although he could believe they found a ryokan in the middle of nowhere, he mostly thought they were extremely lucky. Upon entering, an old woman greeted them with closed eyes. Fearless, the young boy approached the woman.
"Hello, there's two of us! Do you have a room?"
The old woman observed the child despite her closed eyes. With a big smile, she raised her hand and abruptly stroked his head, causing Netto to feel shaken.
"Oh, for lost children we always have rooms! It's even free!" She turned to fetch a basket with clothes and towels inside. "But while we prepare your room, you can wait by taking a bath in the onsen!"
Netto's eyes lit up, he loved onsens! For Saito, he felt reluctant…it was all too good to be true. How could a ryokan afford to not charge its customers, even if they were just children? For the young boy, though, he couldn't deny him this moment; they could always run if anything went wrong. He watched the young boy grab the basket and approach Saito with a smile.
"Saito! Come on, let's take a bath!"
Take a bath?
How did it come to this? Netto dragged him into the changing room, asking him to strip completely, the young child only wearing a towel to cover his private parts. He ran outside while Saito still hadn't removed anything. He had heard so much about onsens, his operator loved it and often went there with Meiru and his teacher. And now he could finally go... He wasn't bothered about "revealing" himself to Netto—they had the same body after all—but he was concerned if there would be anyone else around. He still remembered the embarrassment he had when he became human for the first time.
"Saito?" He heard from outside.
Saito took off all his clothes, keeping only a towel, and went outside to find the large steaming pool. Netto was inside, red from the heat and having a good time. There was no one else, not a soul in sight. He felt reassured, he really didn't want to show himself to anyone else. He wasn't used to it yet.
Noticing Saito, the child waved at him. He forced himself to smile and then sighed, slowly approaching and putting one foot in the water. It was so strange. By getting into the water, he could feel his body lightening. He had already felt this with gravity effects when he was in the Net. It was similar, but more enjoyable. The effects of the bath were much better than just a shower and the heat soothed him. He sat in a corner and closed his eyes. He heard a noise, Netto was getting closer to him.
"So Saito, what do you think?"
He opened his eyes and looked at him with satisfaction.
"It's probably the best experience I've had," he replied softly.
Netto settled next to him, eager to continue the conversation.
"It's true, it's your first time in an onsen!"
Saito nodded with a noise. Netto crossed his arms behind his head, leaning against a rock.
"I'm glad we're in an onsen. I feel less out of place."
Saito looked at the child who suddenly had a more serious look.
"Since we've been here, I really miss home. Nothing's like before... But at least seeing an onsen like in our world reassures me a little."
The former Navi nodded, understanding the child's feelings. Although it was different for him, he was discovering not only another world but rediscovering the real world too. It was this reality that was his true origins.
"It's great that you finally discovered onsens, it's truly a must-have in life!" Netto added with his eyes closed. "I love onsens!"
Saito knew his operator like the back of his hand, better than anyone. He expected to hear a story he knew, but it didn't bother him.
"I have a friend and a teacher, they are both onsen fans. Thanks to them, I know the best places to go!"
Netto turned to him.
"I should introduce you to them!" He widened his eyes when he said this, another idea emerged. "I should introduce you to all my friends! We would all come to see you and you wouldn't feel alone in the hospital!"
Saito, blushing, hung his head sadly. He knew that, once back in their world, Saito...would no longer exist, and there would only be Rockman. Netto didn't know he would probably never see him again. Noticing his reaction, the child was worried for him.
"Saito?"
"I'm touched... But I regret it's impossible." Saito's head remained bowed, seeing his own reflection in the hot water.
"Why?"
Saito bit his inner lip. He couldn't lie to Netto, but telling him he would probably never see him again wasn't the moment to inflict negative emotions on him.
"Because I...do not accept any visits."
He hadn't turned around and Netto continued to stare at him, his eyes wide with shock.
"You can't tell me that now, I wanted to see you with my friends! With Rockman! ...I wanted to see you!"
He still didn't turn around as his shoulders trembled slightly.
"The doctors don't want me to see anyone else because I'm quite fragile... If I catch an illness..."
"Then we'll all come wearing masks and we'll all be clean!" Netto added insistently. "We can't leave you all alone with just doctors for company. You need friends, Saito! What about your family?"
He hadn't really lied to him. When his illness began to deprive him of all strength, even to get out of bed, the doctors had limited visits. His family did indeed come to see him wearing a mask, afraid that the poor child would catch another illness. He remembered his younger brother, a mask on his face, and his warm tears flowing down his cheeks. He would always see Netto at a much younger age.
"They don't come," was his only response without showing any emotion.
Netto didn't answer, only feeling sad for him. He couldn't leave his new friend alone, forever living an eternal suffering. No one deserved it.
"I'll come see you, Saito! I swear I will, even if you don't want me to!" The older boy did not respond, he remained motionless and still did not look at him. Netto grumbled, waiting for a response from his elder. He leaned against the rock and felt something rise in his back. He began rubbing against the rock to soothe it. Saito finally looked at him and wondered what he was doing.
"Is everything okay, Netto?"
"Y-yes!" He replied as he continued to rub his back. "It's just itching me from behind!"
Saito tilted his head to look at him, seeing the child's tired expression and turned to him.
"Can you...scratch my back?"
He remained silent and then finally nodded. The child turned around and Saito raised his hands to scratch his back. He could hear Netto moan slightly.
"Higher please..."
Saito tried not to scratch too hard given that he didn't know his strength very well, but the child didn't seem to hate it. He noticed that on the top of his back were small red marks, probably caused by the way he had scratched it on the rock. Continuing to examine with curiosity, he poured the warm water over him to try to make them disappear.
"Thank you..." Netto said in a nearly relieved voice.
The former Navi nodded, accepting the child's thanks. Although Netto seemed relieved, he had a thoughtful look.
"Say Saito… Do you find me...unnatural?"
Saito furrowed his eyebrows, perplexed.
"What?"
"I met an old, boring man who helped me. He said he found me unnatural... " He lifted his head, confronting his eyes. "Is it because I was turned into a child and come from another world?"
Saito didn't understand. He could understand if he were the one to be called unnatural, but Netto too? He was totally confused. He could never see his younger brother as an anomaly, he was probably the most normal person there was.
"Don't listen to him." He rubbed his hair. "Even if he's felt that you don't come from here, that doesn't make you an unnatural person."
The child smiled, feeling comforted by Saito's kind words. Later, the old woman gave them the key to their room. Once out of the onsen and dried, they headed to their room. The interior was typical of a traditional room, with two futons set up on the floor and a kotatsu. Lazily, Netto dropped onto one of them, as was his habit when he saw a bed. Saito, holding the bag, sat on the tatami, taking out the notebook he still used. He slipped into the kotatsu and the heat of the table made him relax. After a good bath with hot water in the fresh air, nothing beats relaxing in a kotatsu!
After a few seconds of relaxation, Saito placed his notebook on the table and started writing the characters he had not finished. Behind him, Netto looked over his shoulder, observing what he had done. If, originally, the writing of the older boy was very awkward, he could see how much it had improved over time.
"You seem to be doing well!" Netto exclaimed.
Saito stopped writing and looked at him with a smile.
"Yeah, it's because I have an excellent teacher!"
Netto felt delighted. After all, it was mostly thanks to him that he had learned to write, he was very good at calligraphy. He also slipped into the kotatsu, the heat warming his legs, and took out of his bag the bag containing the taiyaki that he still had not eaten.
"Here... This was supposed to be my snack but I forgot to eat it, so the best thing would probably be to give it to you..." he admitted with some timidity, putting it near Saito's hand.
The older boy looked at the pastry curiously, took it out of its packaging, and sniffed it. It had no real scent as it was a mass-produced cake, however, he felt a certain appetite—the piece of raw meat he ate as Rockman wasn't enough. He observed the little boy next to him who was looking at him with envy. Why was Netto giving him his snack if he wanted it too? This child had a big heart... He decided to cut the cake in half, leaving crumbs everywhere as he gave the other half to his friend.
"Eh?" He raised his head as he saw the cake in his elder's hand. "But I gave it to you."
The former Navi shrugged at his response and bit into his own piece. Netto, with a bit of reluctance, slowly took the cake and eventually ate it quickly. Crumbs all over his mouth, he wiped his hand against his sweater.
"I know it's your first taiyaki, but I hope we'll discover a better one."
Saito nodded in response to his statement; he was right after all, even if he had enjoyed the appetizer. Netto had gotten up from the kotatsu, wanting to let the boy work, and had moved closer to the futon when an idea crossed his mind.
"Hey, Saito?"
The addressed boy raised his head from his notebook and was hit with a cushion in the face. He first felt a sudden pain accompanied by a small anger that fueled him. He turned his head towards the child who was looking at him with a very pretentious smile, a cushion in his hands.
"Netto, what—" He didn't have time to answer when he was hit again in the same way.
He heard the child laughing, which made him bite his own lip. Saito had no choice. He got up, almost dragging himself, showing apparent annoyance of the child. Worrying about his reaction, Netto followed him and a drop of sweat pearled on his temple.
"H-hey, I was joking, Saito! I just wanted to play!"
However, Saito in turn took his cushion and quickly turned around to give him a blow to the face. The poor child fell to the ground. After wiping himself off, he finally gave a determined and provocative look.
"Ah, that's how it is! You want war!" He exclaimed in a fake threatening voice.
"I was only answering your actions!" Saito replied with a false haughty air.
Afterwards, they gave pillow blows everywhere, Saito avoiding hitting him in the head and not going too hard. Netto ended up falling to the ground again and crawled on the futons, but the older boy threw himself onto him to catch him...and tickle his stomach. The child started laughing with all his might, unable to hold back, while the other took almost sadistic pleasure in it.
"S-stop! I can't breathe!" Netto cried out between several laughs, a tear falling from one eye.
Saito calmed down and allowed the other child to breathe. The two started laughing sincerely, all roleplaying forgotten. Sitting next to each other, they shared a look and laughed some more. The heart of the former Navi warmed in his chest. He remembered the many times when Netto had made jokes, often in bad taste, and he felt satisfied to have been able to "get revenge" in the real world. When they were children they used to play like brothers, but not violent games like this one.
Fatigue was starting to make itself known in Saito's head as he calmed down. Netto did the same and felt just a little frightened.
"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Netto asked quietly.
"Like every morning."
Netto turned away, looking elsewhere with a certain sadness.
"I don't want you to leave me."
"You won't be alone, Rockman will find you and protect you," added Saito, with a comforting smile.
Netto furrowed his brows and looked at the boy next to him.
"How do you know he'll do it... It seems like you know him well."
Saito twisted his mouth as he faced his gaze.
"I sometimes meet him and talk to him. Earlier, I crossed paths with him before I found you."
Netto opened his eyes wide in shock at what he had just said.
"And he doesn't threaten you? He stays kind to you?"
"He's calm with me."
The child made a noise with his mouth.
"He's always strange with me, and since he doesn't talk, I never know what he wants... I miss having conversations with him..."
Saito smiled sadly. He understood as he missed talking to Netto like before too.
"Still, I don't miss all his comments and the fact that he wants me to behave." Netto added without flinching.
Saito furrowed his brows and grinded his teeth as if he had just been punched in the arm.
"Why is that?" he asked while keeping the venom inside.
Netto looked at him without much emotion.
"Because when it comes to that, you replace him very well."
Saito was bewildered. Although Netto considered Saito and Rockman as two separate people, did he see him as a replacement? No, he couldn't believe that, he understood that Netto wanted the presence of both of them by his side.
"I suppose..." was his only response.
Finally, as the two boys ended their discussion and the light went out, they let themselves sleep. Although they felt safe, they were unaware that someone had been watching them from the beginning.
Saito felt a kick against his leg. Netto's foot had accidentally hit him, a consequence of having slept next to each other. He opened his eyes with a grumpy expression and got up. He looked around the dark room they were in, wondering what time it was. He realized it was still early and he had to take advantage of leaving before the other woke up. Lazily, he walked over to the kotatsu to pack the child's bag so he could be ready when he woke up. He left out the map and looked at the next destination he could leave behind, taking out his pen and writing down the name of the city he had seen. Afterwards, he packed all his belongings, putting on his socks and shoes.
As he walked towards the door, the walls lit up like a projector that had just turned on. Panicked by the event, Saito looked around the room with wide eyes. The child, who was quietly sleeping, quickly got up while rubbing his eyes.
"Saito, why did you turn on the light...?"
A bright flash blinded the child, giving him a headache. Saito approached him and grabbed him, wrapping him in his arms. They heard a cackling laugh that they immediately recognized. The older boy had hoped that when he "disappeared for good," the two boys would not cross his path again. It seemed that this was not the case.
"Ah no! The camera isn't cut off! There's no way my main role is going to leave!"
The old woman who had welcomed them the day before entered the room, wearing a sickly smile. Her eyes finally opened, revealing blood-red irises. She quickly removed her yukata, revealing that she was not an old, aged woman, but a black being with green patterns and wearing a helmet shaped like an AV type analog plug. Saito gritted his teeth as Netto first expressed his astonishment then an overwhelming anger.
The two children knew all too well about the Navi, having faced him several times beforehand... In front of them stood Videoman, a Navi they had fought once when he was a Darkloid and then again as an Asteroid. Upon observing his emblem, the two boys noticed that he was wearing the emblem of Gregar...
"A Zoanoroid..." Saito muttered.
Videoman stepped towards them, his green teeth shining under the light of the overhead projectors.
"Yes!" He confirmed in his cynical voice. "And Gregar's filmmaker! At your service!" He bowed and rose. "Now it's time to finish this film!" He pointed at the pre-adolescent. "You there, you will be my next star!"
But Saito only felt disgust as he felt Netto's little hands gripping him.
"Well that's out of the question! Everyone knows that you're a very bad director!" Netto shouted as he confronted him.
Videoman made a face upon hearing this and started turning his head like a diva.
"You filthy brat! You have no comedic talent! Kids like you..." He raised his arms, brandishing his reel at them. "They deserve to be in the basement!"
Saito took the child against him, protecting him from the reel that was thrown, and absorbed the attack on his back with a cry of pain.
"Oh no, my future star!" cried the black and green Navi.
Saito, despite his moans, tried to reassure the child by smiling. He faced their enemy with courage, despite Netto's bulging eyes.
"Yeah... Your star... I thought that stars had to be treated better than that!"
Videoman shrugged.
"Listen, the important thing in a game is that everything has to be natural. That's why I found you so spontaneous in your behavior. Someone who seems to discover life with sweetness!"
Saito, worried, frowned when he heard the last sentence and put his guard up.
"What are you talking about?" He started. "Have you been spying on us all this time?"
Videoman pointed a finger at him, confirming that his hypothesis was almost right.
"Oh, but not only that! I filmed you for my new movie!"
The word echoed in his head over and over again. Had Videoman been filming them from the beginning? Since they were in the onsen? Netto said nothing, just puffing out his cheeks. But for Saito, it was a whole other reaction. His head gradually reddened, hundreds of sweat drops flowing down his body.
"Filmed...?" He repeated.
Smoke came out of his head, his teeth grinding. Netto looked at him with surprise. He had never seen him react like this, Saito had always been calm and controlled.
"You dirty pervert!" Saito yelled, pointing at him.
But Videoman only responded with another shrug.
"It's just part of the job, my boy. You have to know how to perform for the camera!"
Saito closed his fist, which smoked even more, and rushed toward the Zoanoroid.
"I didn't give any consent for this!"
As Saito ran towards Videoman, Netto just looked at him, dumbfounded. While he would have probably made a similar reaction, he was surprised to see him act so impulsive. The former Navi sent his fist towards the face of the evil Navi, but his fist was caught with his hand. The preteen was not intimidated, managing to use enough force to raise his foot and direct it towards Videoman's shoulder, who let go and fell backwards. Instead of being angry, the Zoanoroid practically smiled with pride.
"Oh, I see that you have a talent for fighting! Great, you will be the star of all my martial arts films!"
As he continued to hit him, Saito felt a taste of disgust in his mouth.
"Who watches your films anyway?!"
Although he was avoiding each blow from the boy quickly, Videoman could feel the sweat falling off of him (can a Navi sweat?). For a human, the boy was giving him a run for his money.
"Every VHS enthusiast. After all, I am one of the few who makes different films!" He replied, still in the heat of the action. "Real blockbusters! Luckily, the DVD sales have fallen and people prefer the old way!"
Saito found a counterattack while Videoman had let down his guard, managing to hit him on the head and almost making him fall over. Behind him, he heard a groan from the child. For a few seconds he had completely forgotten about Netto, who had been watching the scene from the beginning.
"Netto, get out of here and join Rockman!"
Initially hesitant, the child took his bag and boots and headed towards the door that led outside, but videotapes appeared on the door, preventing him from leaving.
"Sorry, but you're not going anywhere! You're just one more package for my buddies!"
With his arms, Videoman took a leap to send his tape towards the child to catch him, but Saito intervened by grabbing it with both hands. With a mysterious force, he managed to knock him over with an elbow to the back and propel him forward. Holding the tape tightly, he began to spin around like a hammer thrower. He finally let go of the black Navi, who flew into the sky, taking a piece of tissue used for the backdrop with him. The ryokan turned out to be nothing but an empty tent and every detail disappeared, revealing that it was only an illusion.
Saito watched Videoman's silhouette fade into the sky, his eyes still squinted. Netto, on the other hand, showed a triumphant smile.
"I've always preferred Laserdisc quality to VHS anyway," Saito said darkly.
"Yeah!" Netto added cheerfully...until he realized what he had just said. "What's that?"
Saito sighed, he didn't blame him for not knowing. He gently placed his hand against the boy's back, leading him along.
"Come on, Netto, let's find Rockman."
The boy nodded in agreement. As he put on his boots, the child set off first, followed slowly by Saito. The sky was becoming a weak orange. However, the flap of the tent opened, revealing a scratched Videoman, surprising the two boys.
"Oh no, you're not going anywhere!"
If Saito had jumped, Netto let out a scream that was too high-pitched, reminiscent of a squirrel. The child retreated, taking refuge behind the legs of the preteen who went on the defensive. He growled so loudly that he started to roar slightly.
"I'm so angry, my dear little star...so I think I'll specialize in another type of movie with you: Snuff Movies!"
Saito, not having much of an idea of what those were, did not change his reaction. He felt annoyed by all this, so he rushed towards the Zoanoroid to attack him again, but this time Videoman was better prepared. He grabbed the adolescent's arm with his tape and gave him several knee strikes to the stomach. Then, using the reel of his tape, he struck his face. The boy stepped back, covering his face, but the Navi's tape rewound to hit his body with a big blow, propelling the former Navi out of the scene and no longer visible.
The child screamed his name as he tried to find him, but eventually, the Zoanoroid's video tape grabbed his ankle and made him slip to the ground.
"I told you you're not going anywhere! There are people I work with who are going to come get you! Stay still!"
Netto's eyes widened. Was this really the end for him? And for Saito? He tried to get up with difficulty, but the tape holding his ankle grew by wrapping around his legs, imprisoning them in a roll of brown film.
"Plug in! Tenguman! Transmission!"
With a sudden burst of wind and surprising speed, the bands holding his body were cut into pieces and Videoman was thrown back. Netto saw the tall Tengu-masked Navi he had seen the day before. Behind him he recognized his operator, Futenroshi, with that same impassive face.
"Are you the Navi responsible for all these missing children?" He asked with that sober voice, still keeping control.
Videoman rose, his green teeth bared.
"Listen to me you old blimp, I have nothing to say to ignoramuses like you!"
Futenroshi waited several seconds before giving a response, raising his head.
"Wrong answer."
Tenguman charged straight at the Zoanoroid, punching him straight in the chest, using the three leaves of his right arm to give several stab-like blows. Netto tried to move away, hoping to find Saito and help him. The sun was already starting to rise…
As soon as he had set foot outside the tent area, Videoman roared towards him, managing to outrun the Tengu Navi and head towards the child like a wild wolf. But he was confronted by another creature that had jumped over the child to attack him like a roaring tiger, pinning him to the ground. Everyone looked at what had just happened with shock, but Netto felt reassured. Rockman was on the black and green Navi, Videoman looking at him almost frightened while Futenroshi, with the same expression, seemed stunned.
"W-what..." For the first time, Videoman's voice trembled in the same way as his eyes. "Are you...a soldier from Gregar?"
Rockman screamed at him without his mask, revealing his sharp teeth while holding tightly to the emblem against the chest of the Zoanoroid.
"Did I... Did I do something wrong?"
Once again, the ferocious Navi screamed at him. Netto watched the scene and could feel all the fear coming from Videoman. If he were human he would have certainly cried.
"Listen to me, my Lord, even if I don't know who you are, but... Please, I was just doing what I had to do, and I just wanted to have fun!"
The grip on the emblem tightened suddenly. Tenguman himself appeared to tense up, as did his operator.
"I beg you! I will do my best! I will bring you more children and better-quality films!"
But that was too much, Rockman pressed on his emblem and it started to shine.
"No!" Futenroshi growled as Tenguman approached to allow the Navi to move away. But before he could attack, the light was absorbed by Rockman who began to scream. Feeling all that energy being consumed within him, he slowly backed away, his face very dark—even Netto dared not approach. His body was smoking strangely and he growled several times. The child felt a wave of fear in his being and turned his head to where the former Zoanoroid stood.
Videoman was still there, but he no longer had the Gregar mark on his Navi emblem. He was free. He opened his eyes and looked around, his eyes trembling when he saw the other imposing Navi with the Tengu mask.
"I..." he began.
"Futenroshi, I do not detect any trace of Beast Factor in this Navi," Tenguman cut in.
Futenroshi turned his head, looking at the strange Navi who had moved away, then to the child. Videoman knelt down before them, begging for mercy.
"Have mercy! I am no longer a Zoanoroid! I feel nothing anymore, so please, can I return to my operator?"
At the moment they heard this, Futenroshi pulled out a strange machine resembling a PET and pointed it at the black and green Navi.
"Not until you've revealed everything you know!"
As he pressed a button, a light enveloped Videoman, trapping him inside. Once the Navi was gone, the duo turned their attention to the strange Navi with the intention of doing the same to him.
"This Navi..." Tenguman started. "It is filled with Beast Factor... It's almost frightening."
With a simple growl, Futenroshi approached, but he was stopped by the child with his arms raised, making him stop.
"I won't let you!" he cried.
"Kid..."
"This Navi is my best friend! He's not a Zoanoroid! He won't harm anyone unless you bother us!"
Navi and Operator said nothing. Netto was not ready to move.
"So that's why… That explains your lack of choice?"
Netto gasped, not answering. He still showed resistance, not wanting to let him approach.
"It is to protect him?"
Lowering his arms while searching for an answer, he remained as sincere as possible. "I would do anything to make sure nothing happens to Rockman! I choose to protect him!"
A long silence settled between them, then Futenroshi raised his head towards Tenguman who crossed his arms across his chest.
"I suppose we have no choice..." Futenroshi resumed as Netto remained on guard. "Netto... The purpose of a journey is to learn. When I saw you enter this village all alone, I wondered what you were between a grasshopper and a bird... I just realized you were only a bird fallen from the nest, unable to fly...needing the wild wolf for protection."
Netto growled in anger at this revelation, unable to tolerate the morality of this man. "I will let you go, you and your...friend. But if I ever cross you again, I'll have to arrest you...both of you."
Tenguman crouched down to be at the height of his operator and allowed him to climb onto his shoulder. Perched on top, Netto looked at him like a sacred being. The two of them walked away in silence. When the child turned to locate the spot where Saito had fallen, he found nothing... Not even a single trace of the older boy. He had disappeared. Despite his Navi's efforts to calm down in the distance, Netto cried out the name of the preteen.
Futenroshi wondered how special this child and Navi were. They were certainly strange, but to what extent? He couldn't deny that this little boy, despite his innocent appearance, was too irregular for him... He had already said it, he found him unnatural.
To be Continued
AN: I hope you guys liked, I liked mostly to write Videoman, he is one of my fav villainous navi from the anime, really sadistic as I love them.