Everyone stood in awkward silence as Arfoire pointed an accusing finger at Neptune and stared daggers at the girl, but she didn’t say another word. Neptune’s lower jaw dropped in awe.
“Hey Nep?” IF said, making her way over to Neptune. “Do you know Arfoire?”
“I… Don’t think so.” Neptune said, crossing her arms in front of her chest and closed her eyes. Neptune tried to remember if she had ever seen Arfoire before, but she drew nothing, but blanks. “I don’t think we’ve ever met before. Normally you start hating people after you meet them.”
Arfoire dropped her arms to her sides and clenched her hands into tight fists. Without saying another word, Arfoire turned on her heels and walked away. IF wanted to run after Arfoire, but she wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do or not.
“I’ll be right back.” Compa said, running after Arfoire.
“That was weird.” Nepgear said.
The sounds of light sobs came from a nearby television. Purple Sister was standing and was looking sorrowful at Neptune. “P-Poor Neptune. Why would anyone say something so horrible?” She asked, as she ran around the table and threw her arms around Neptune. The sudden hug nearly caused Neptune to fall over.
“Whoa there little missy!” Neptune said. “I’m alright! Nothing to get upset over.” Neptune patted Purple Sister on the back, hoping to calm her down.
A few moments later Compa returned to the house, but Arfoire was nowhere to be seen. “Hi. I’m back.” Compa said, in a sad voice.
“Is everyone okay?” Falcom asked.
“Uh…” Compa began, trying to find the right words. Compa looked at Neptune and forced a smile. “I’m sorry about that Nep-Nep. I’m not really sure what happened back there, but Arfoire decided to go home.”
“That’s okay.” Neptune said, who was still hugging Purple Sister.
“Did Arfoire say anything to you?” IF asked.
Compa slowly shook her head. “She just said that she was sorry and she needs to go home.”
“Well…” Nepgear began, clearing her throat. “Let’s not let it get us down. Okay? Let’s celebrate.”
“Yeah.” IF, Compa, Neptune and Falcom said in unison.
“So strong…” Purple Sister said, still hugging Neptune tightly.
***
Arfoire felt incredibly ticked off, but what really bothered her was the fact that she had no idea why she felt so angry. “Why did I do that? Why did I yell at that Nep- stupid little girl like that? Why does her name tick me off so much?” Arfoire wondered to herself, as she made her way to her apartment.
Instead of going into the building and up to her room however. Arfoire stood in front of the door and eyed it angrily. “This isn’t the first time I felt like this.” Arfoire muttered, in a low voice. “Every time I look at Purple Heart, I feel the same way! All I want to do is crush her under my heel, but I don’t know why!”
Arfoire turned and walked away from her apartment building. Instead she made her way to the gate of Planeptune. After summoning her sword she started attacking the dogoo that were bouncing around outside. Her sword sliced and hacked through the gelatinous creatures as though they were made of nothing.
“I hate Neptune! I hate Neptune! I HATE NEPTUNE!” Arfoire screamed, as she continued to cut down the monsters. “But why? Why do I hate her so much?” The girl asked herself.
Arfoire’s screams and sword swings managed to tire her out and soon she was breathing hard, while laying on the ground. As Arfoire breathed, she looked up at the night sky. The dark sky was filled with bright, twinkling stars. “Maybe… I need to figure this out for myself. IF and Compa have been great to me, but I need to distance myself from them until I can figure this stuff out.”
The moment Arfoire made up her mind about this, she heard a low groaning noise. Lifting her head, Arfoire noticed a strange figure walking towards her. The figure held out it’s arms and it groaned loudly.
Getting to her feet, Arfoire eyed the figure angrily. “Were you listening in to what I was saying?” She demanded.
The figure only groaned in response.
“Hey! I asked you a question!” Arfoire said, annoyed.
The figure still didn’t respond. Instead it continued to groan loudly as it got closer and closer to her. Arfoire furrowed her brow in confusion. “Are… You hurt or something?” She asked.
Arfoire gasped when the figure suddenly grabbed its head and threw it as fast as it could at her. Arfoire quickly leapt out of the way. The moment her feet touched the ground she leapt at the creature and swung her sword. With a single slice of her weapon, she managed to kill the monster utterly.
“That was weird.” Arfoire said, sighing deeply. “I’m going home.”
***
The following morning Nepgear had woken up early like she always did and made her way to Neptune’s room. She wasn’t surprised to see Neptune hiding underneath her blankets, sound asleep. She was surprised to see Compa was sleeping beside her though. “Neptune? Compa” Nepgear began, making her way into the room. “Time to get up.”
Compa groaned loudly, before she opened her eyes and sat up in bed. “Good morning Ge-Ge.” Compa said, before she yawned and stretched her hands high over her head. “Neptune wanted me to sleep with her last night.”
“I get that way sometimes too.” Said Nepgear. “Do you mind waking her up? I’ll get breakfast started.”
“That’s okay.” Compa said, turning to wake Neptune. “IF said she’d do it.”
“Oh? Thanks.” Nepgear said, turning to leave. Nepgear headed into the kitchen where IF was busily cooking breakfast for everyone. “Morning IF.” Nepgear said, making her way to the kitchen table.
“Morning Gear. Is Compa and Nep getting up?” Asked IF.
“Yeah. Compa’s waking Neptune up right now.” Said Nepgear.
IF had finished stirring a few things, before she set down the wooden spoon she was using and turned to Nepgear. “Nepgear? I’m sorry again about yesterday. I wouldn’t have suggested Arfoire meet you two, if I knew she was going to act like that.” IF said, sighing deeply.
“No. It’s okay.” Nepgear said. “Though I would be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. I’m just wondering why Arfoire hates my sister so much.”
“She said the same thing.” Said IF.
“What do you mean?” Asked Nepgear.
“Well Arfoire sent me a text and told me that she was sorry about what happened. Said she wished she knew why she hated Neptune so much.” IF had pulled out her cell phone, pressed a few buttons before handing it over to Nepgear. “She also said that she was going to keep her distance for a little while.”
“Oh no. I’m sorry!” Nepgear said, shocked.
IF shook her head. “It’s her choice.” IF said, shrugging. “To be honest with you. I think it’s for the best. Neptune is… and don’t you dare tell her this… my best friend. I didn’t like how Arfoire snapped at her either. That was completely unacceptable in my book. With that said, I do believe she had a reason for it.”
“Huh? But Neptune and I’ve never met her before.” Said Nepgear, handing IF’s phone back to her.
“I believe you, but remember what you two told us. Our memories are being restored every time you activate a new Fairy Tower. With that said, it’s hard to imagine what kind of relationship Neptune and Arfoire had in the past.” IF said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “What if Arfoire and Neptune were mortal enemies or something?”
“True…” Nepgear said.
IF took a deep breath, before she turned back to the stove. “I should tell you something. You know those symptoms you described? Headaches and feeling dizziness when remembering something?”
“Yeah?” Said Nepgear.
“Everyone all over the city has been reporting it.” Said IF. “Compa told me when she went to the hospital the other day.”
“The hospital?” Nepgear said, concerned.
“She’s a nurse, remember?” Said IF. “She’s been taking the last few weeks off though.”
“Oh right.” Nepgear said.
Compa and Neptune made their way into the kitchen. Both girls looked completely exhausted, but Neptune did wear a small smile on her face. “Morning everyone.”
“Good morning.” Compa said.
“Morning Nep. Compa.” Said IF.
Neptune suddenly staggered forwards, she held her arms up as she walked. She moved around the table and once she was close, she grabbed IF from behind. “Hi IF!” Neptune said, happily.
“Whoa Neptune! I’m cooking here!” IF said, blushing a little.
“You know what IF?” Neptune began.
“What?” IF said, annoyed.
“You’re my best friend too!” Neptune said.
IF’s cheeks grew even redder than before. “Wh-What are you saying! Get off me!” IF said, pushing Neptune away.
“Aw! I love you so much IF!” Neptune said, giggling.
“Get out of here! When I’m cooking this kitchen belongs to me and you’re not allowed in it!” IF said, trying to sound more annoyed than she really was.
Neptune giggled mischievously, as she took a seat next to Neptune. “Morning Nepgear.” She began, throwing her arms around her sister. “I love you too Nepgear!”
“Thanks Neptune.” Nepgear began, blushing a little. “I love you too.”
“What about me Nep-Nep?” Compa asked, sitting next to Neptune.
Neptune giggled as she hugged Compa close. “You know I love you too Compa!”
IF turned around and whacked her own hand with the wooden spoon. The sound of the spoon hitting the palm of her hand caused a shiver to run down Neptune’s spine. “Alright Neptune!” IF said, annoyed. “That’s enough of that! If you keep it up I’m going to-”
Neptune grabbed the side of her head as pain ripped through the front of her brain. She also felt incredibly dizzy. So dizzy that she nearly fell out of her chair. “Nep-Nep!” Compa cried, catching her friend before she fell.
“Neptune!” Nepgear cried.
IF sat down the spoon and ran around the table and placed her hands on Neptune’s shoulders. “Are you okay?” She asked.
Neptune took a deep breath. “I’m fine, but I remembered something.” Neptune said, rubbing the place between her eyebrows.
“What did you remember?” Nepgear asked.
“I…” Neptune began, but her cheeks grew bright red. “I think IF spanked me once.”
“HUH!?” IF, Compa and Nepgear all shouted in unison.
Compa and Nepgear turned their eyes to IF. “You know…” Nepgear began. “I can kind of see that happening.”
“Me too Nep-Nep. I don’t believe in spankings, but sometimes you could use one.” Compa said.
“Hey!” Neptune said, annoyed.
IF sighed deeply. “I’m going to finish breakfast now.” She said.
After the girls were served their breakfast, they talked happily with each other. Neptune did feel a little nervous since she remembered that embarrassing memory involving IF. After they finished eating, Nepgear and Compa did the dishes together.
“So what’s the plan for today?” Asked IF.
“Were going to play videogames and eat pudding!” Neptune said, cheerfully.
“Or you could go on a few quests with Compa and I?” Said IF.
“Nah.” Neptune said, waving her hand dismissively.
“Hey Neptune?” IF began, patting her knee. “Want to make a fresh memory?” She asked, smiling evilly.
Neptune’s eyes went wide and she quickly stood up. “Nope! I’m going to be busy looking for a quest.” Said Neptune, as she strolled over to the door. “Nepgear? Why don’t you relax today while I go and find some work?”
“Okay!” Nepgear said, cheerfully.
Neptune opened the door to the house and stepped outside, but her smile faded when she heard a familiar groaning sound. That sound was quickly followed by the sound of a dish breaking.
“Nepgear? Are you alright?” Compa asked.
Neptune poked her head back inside the house and saw Nepgear standing in front of the sink. Her eyes were wide and her hands were shaking. “Neptune… Neptune?” Nepgear cried. “Did you hear that noise?” She asked.
More groaning noises drifted through the air. “What is that?” IF asked, getting to her feet.
Neptune sighed deeply. “That dear IF, is the sound of trouble.”
