For the Love of IF

Chapter 1

Compa's Concern!

My Qatars pierced the blue outer coating as the cries of mercy were heard. There would be none on this day. The slice I made dissipated the dogoo into nothing more than an eviscerated pile of azure goo. As I carefully polished off my Qatar, I clutched my side, the wounds from a three hour long battle with over eighty of these critters. I sighed in a mix of pain and relief. After a long day out and about, I figured it was time to head back to Planeptune and recoup for a bit. I mean, fighting 88 dogoo's was nothing to sneeze at. My body had become tight and sore, and I know I'd need a bit of Compa's fixer up's to get me back on my feet. Nep and Nepgear headed out early this morning, but of course I didn't need their help for such a simple...mission. Alright I lied. The mission was quite grueling and I was cut all over. I'd been out of work for a few months due to all the peace and jazz like that, so, as expected my levels dropped a bit. As I headed back towards the city, my wounds panged, the pain seeming a bit more pronounced. Walking into the city, and slamming through the doors of the guild, Compa met me, hugging me with a passion uninhibited.

"IFFY-!YOU'VE BEEN OUT ALL DAY!"

She yelled, spit flying out her mouth in the direction of my face. Naturally, her concern was at a high level, since I went out on my own. I blushed.

"Haha. I'm alright Compa. Don't yell."

I eased my arms downward, sliding off my jacket and putting it on the coat rack, unintentionally revealing my wounds from the Dogoo battle. Compa's eyes grew wide, and I started to shudder.

"Uh...I can explain Compa. I was just-" She cut me off before I could continue. "Just being reckless again!? Come with me! We're stripping you and bandaging those wounds!"

I turned full on red at the prospect.

"Uh...DONT JUST BLURT THINGS LIKE THAT..."

My black shirt was shorn with various cuts, and my ribs were definitely hurting. I guessed I should comply, she WAS a nurse.

"Fine...lets just...get out of sight. Jeez."

If there was anyone I could trust with my...n-naked body, it was Compa. Wow. What an awkward phrase. Anyways, we proceeded to the back of the room, my face still beat red and my heart racing. "Now tell me what happened Iffy. Why'd you go without Nep-Nep and Ge-Ge?" A pouty face crept up on her.

I had to admit, I was used to this kind of scolding, and frankly, had begun to like it.

"Compa, I was doing what any agent should do. The assigned mission. Nep and Gear went off and did their own thing sooo..."

Compa's expression went from pouty to enraged and worried.

"YOU DIDNT NEED TO DO THAT! I WAS RIGHT HERE IFFY!"

I jumped a bit. I'd never seen her this mad. "Alright. I'll be more careful. Well-I'll just take this Nep Bull and be-" I tried to sneak out, only for her to grab my arm. "No! Strip! You need stiches and bandages!"

I sighed at her remarks. She was right. I slowly slipped off my black top, revealing my sports bra, and slipped down my shorts, to show my boyshorts underneath. "Alright. Fine. L-Lets get to it then Compa."

Compa's warm hands weaved the stiches in and out of me, my face cringing like a little girl. God, I hope no one reads this. I cringed, but the warmth was reassuring, after all she knew my true nature anyways. After the pinching sensation subsided, she wrapped the warm bandages around my body, her touch tingling by body, causing my face to turn beat red.

"Compa watch that! Your all...grabby today!"

I said, trying to act like I didn't like her bandaging me up. As we came face to face as she finished, she pulled up my chin, kissing me on the forehead gently.

"Now get dressed, we're going on the next mission later together." I sighed.

"Fine, Compa. I'm grab something to eat and I'll meet you at your house to discuss specifics."

As I put my clothes back on, she smiled at me and walked out, her needle in hand. That woman would be the death of me yet...As I walked outside to head home, I ran into Neptune, who was apparently out shopping for pudding. I literally RAN into Neptune.

"ACK! Watch where your going Nep! Sheesh!" Neptune looked back at me, rubbing her head.

"Iffy what's the dealio!? You're all, running into ME and stuff. And you're all bandaged up like some thundercats dude." I palmed my face before rubbing my head as well. "This was your MISSION!? Getting pudding. For CPU sake..."

The hand smeared itself down my face, stretching out my lips before they slapped back into place.

"Um...duh Iffy. Its not like I'm gonna...work and stuff. Its all peaceful like here, and you're fighting weird monsters and climbing mountains. You need to chilllaaaxxx..."

I stared blankly at her and shook my head. "Nevermind Nep. Are you heading out with me and Compa later?"

Neptune looked at me, back at the pudding, then back at me. Before she could answer, I held up my hand to interject.

"Nevermind. Just go home and eat your pudding...I'll check you later." As I walked off I could hear her behind me.

"Bye Iffy! Have fun sweatin' without me!"

I groaned to myself as I waved back. I loved Neptune, but she could be a serious thorn in my side when I really didn't need it. Especially hurt like this. As I made my way home, and a humble home it was, I swung open my black wooden door and flung myself on the couch. I was due to meet up with Compa in about two hours and I had forgot to feed myself. I guess Neptune had distracted me. But seeing her pudding only put my stomach into further knots. I'd just eat when I got to Compas. I checked my phone, laying by brown hair on the couch.

"Level D mission...a couple horsebirds and a Crescent Dragon. Great." I brushed my hair back in stress and sighed. Without Nep, I had to admit this mission would be critically hard. I rolled over to go to sleep, unleashing my brown hair from its bow. My eyes started to shut, only to woken up by the alarm what seemed like a short time later. I stretched my arms up, tying the bow back elegantly, something I wouldn't want anyone to see. But, I am still a LADY after all. I gently adjusted my coat, which had slightly wrinkled a bit since I laid my petite body on the couch. I adjusted my boots and made my way out of the front door, locking it carefully with my keychain and sliding it back into my overcoat. I headed towards the Compa's house, the mission solely on my mind. When I reached the pink door, strewn with stickers and nurse signs, Compa popped out.

"Iffy! I'm sooo glad your early!" I blinked a few times, rubbing my eyes. "Yeah Compa. I'm here. Are you ready?"

Again, Compa needed to remind me of my own needs.

"Um, Iffy you need to eat first. You look thin as a rail! My grandpa always says the early bird doesn't get the worm if she doesn't try!" I blinked, trying to ascertain the information. "Um...I'm not sure that's how it goes, but ok, lets eat, what'd you cook?"

I raised my eyebrow precociously. As Compa scurried inside I followed, her house neat, concise, and adorned with various medical supplies. As we walked to the kitchen, I could smell the sweet aroma of...Chicken Parmesan?

"OH WOW CHICKEN!" I exclaimed, uncharacteristically. "I-I mean. This looks pretty good Compa!" Compa's eyes twinkled as I said those words, her cooking gloves now on, flipping the chicken on the oven and mixing in the noodles. "Sit down, it'll be ready in just a minute Iffy!"

A bright smile beamed across her beautiful face, and I winked reassuringly, taking my seat at the black and white table not too far from our location in the kitchen. As Compa waltzed into the dining room, the smell of the chicken wafted off the tray, tickling my sensitive nostrils. She slid the parmesan gently down onto my plate smiling.

"Enjoy Iffy!" Man, she knew how to cook. I quickly, and rather barbarically went at my food, while Compa sat in the kitchen watching me intently, nibbling at the food herself. My mouth stuffed, I looked over at her. "Compa arph you goingf to sift downft?" My mouth was cluttered, and realizing I was being rather rude, quickly swallowed. "No...I think I just wanted you to eat If-If." I leaned back in my chair, fully stuffed. "Oh. Alright then. I guess you'll be ready to go soon then? Its a dragon so its a tough one." I nodded, ever serious. Compa looked down, leaning on her arm in the kitchen. "Yea..."

I quickly turned to her, my expression changing for serious to concerned. "Um. Compa. What's wrong?" I inquired. She turned to me, her eyes welling up. "Well, its just that you keep putting yourself in all this danger Iffy. I'm worried one day you won't come back. That's why I'm going with you." The concern in her voice caused it to waver slightly. I pushed my chair back, and walked up to her, my overcoat dragging slightly on the floor. I placed my hand on her shoulder and rocked her gently. "Look. Its gonna be fine lets get -" I couldn't even finish my sentence before she had pressed herself against me, her lips pursed, gently meshing onto my own. My face quickly flooded with red, the shock flowing through my body instantaneously. I quickly backed away, my green eyes wide and in shock, before placing my hand on my lips.

"Compa..I-I..." I couldn't get any words out of my mouth. "It's alright IF. Let's get going eh?" She leaned forward, her tear laden face nudging against my shoulder. She briskly walked past me, the salt of the tears staining my overcoat. This was the first time she ever called me IF. Usually it was Iffy. Iffy-chan. If-If. The shock still held my body as she prepared her syringe for the mission and packed the medical kit. "We'll talk about it later, just come on Iffy." I turned around slowly, the red on my face still plastered. "Uh...Uh...o-ok..." The walk to the door was filled with awkwardness, until honestly, I couldn't take it anymore. I threw off my coat, pinning Compa against the wall, causing her to drop her bags. "Y-You can't just kiss me like that and leave me hanging..."

I whispered, surprisingly seductive. I felt so embarrassed doing this, but it WAS Compa...we'd grown up together. I pressed my lips up against her, my black shirt and bandages rubbing up against her sweater. "I'm not going to let anything happen to either of us. Alright? Y-Your...my best friend." Before I could finish, the door swung open, and Neptune, pudding plastered all over her face, entered. "HEYA guys! I heard you were gonna go fight that dragon so I-I-I HOLY SMOKES!" She exclaimed, the pudding flying out of her hands. I leapt back in surprise, tripping over my overcoat and sliding on the floor hitting my butt. "Ow...Nep you can't jus-" I started, but Neptune quickly cut me off. "Um..were you guys, just...getting smoochy face!? Holy moly guacamole canole!"

Neptune placed her hands on her hips, still neglecting to pick up the pudding. "Haha! I seen it comin'. Start a love train, start a love train! Choo Choo!"

She exclaimed gleefully. Compa's redness didn't fade as she clutched her hands against her face, looking between me and Neptune. "Now Neptune. Let's not tell anyone about this. Its like...r-real complex and..." Again, Neptune interrupted. "Come on Iffasarus. I got this. My lips are sealed like Tut's tomb." I shook my head at the reference, got up, and dusted myself off before placing my coat on.

"Alright...uh...Nepasarus? Let's get moving. This mission isn't gonna wait for us. " I nodded at Compa, reassuringly, silently communicating we'd talk about this later, in private. Neptune simply giggled. "Alright man, whatever. Let's go Compa." Compa nodded, picking up her things and adjusting the medical bag. "Y-yeah. We should go."