Hey all, here I am again with the climax *everyone* was waiting for. I really hope this comes out as conclusive and ridiculously wholesome as I wanted it to. As I said at the beginning there like no Uzume Adult Nep goodness, so it felt good to actually be able to write some! But I wont spoil too much here, I hope you enjoy, and as always, I'm curious what you think so please leave a review, even if its just to tell me I suck, because that would be pretty funny. Either way, lets get to it.

-marketvalueneps

Chapter 9

As Neptunes feet continued hitting the ground in quick repetition, she found herself in a strange realm of consciousness. She could no longer feel just how fatigued she was. Not only was she past her exhaustion point physically, what with how little sleep she was going on in addition to what she had done today. Questing was a lot harder than folks give it credit for!

That paled in comparison, however, to the mental strain she had been put under this day. Neptune considered herself a mentally strong girl, not much would phase her, she could roll with the punches and make light of any situation. But this was just too far for her, finally working up the courage to confess her feelings to the woman she loved, and have her seemingly accept them, only to get up and bolt from the scene. The ensuing anxiety, fear, and confusion taxing Neptune even further. She had never felt like this in her life before.

All these factors culminating in an overwhelming sense of numbness throughout the mature woman's body. Her mind was no longer processing where it was she was going, all she could think about was the woman she was determined to bring home. In this state she wasn't really sure where she was even going, relying on sheer muscle memory to lead her to her desired location. The way to the Zero Dimension was easy enough, and in fact she had already found herself to, and through the portal connecting her to the ruined landscape where she first met the woman she was now chasing.

She wasn't nearly as familiar with the geography of this dimension, and in general it was a great deal more difficult to navigate, what with there being very little landmarks to orientate oneself with. But it wasn't as though Neptune was even thinking at this point.

As one of the few landmarks of importance to her slowly came into view Neptune found herself slowing her pace subconsciously somewhat. This place was the central base for Uzume in this dimension. As her pace slowed to a walk, a memory found its way into her mind, back to the time when Uzume's life was in imminent danger, and Nepgear and herself had to act quickly to find and administer the medicine to save the goddess.

"So Nepgear, how does Uzume look?" Neptune found herself asking her sister as she walked out of the tent where she was administering medical attention to the CPU of the world.

"Honestly, I'm not too sure I did all that was on that medical page, but I'm not a doctor, so all we can really do now is place our faith that Uzume will recover" Nepgear didn't seem to be in the highest spirts about her ability to save the life of her friend.

"...Oh I see" Neptune seemed reflective at this, it really was just her luck huh? The first real friend she makes in who knows how long and she's gonna die, terrific! But as she thought to herself another party made their thoughts known to the two girls.

"Gearsy is right, Nepsy. All we can do is put our faith in Uzume, but we should not blame ourselves for the outcome, no matter what it is, Uzume made her decision on her own. Now we must help her in any way we can. Do you not believe that Uzume can overcome this?" Umio was the party responsible for the voice, and his words seemed to have an effect on everyone as they looked at him. "Uzume has been through so much with us, I truly believe that something like this has no shot of keeping her down, will you not join us Nepsy?"

As Neptune reflected on the words, she quickly put on a smile, "Of course Mr Fish, as if Uzume can lose!"

Neptune quickly felt herself snap back to reality, albeit without a disappearing of gravity. She found herself thinking about her words at the time.

"As if Uzume could lose..." It felt more real to her at this moment. She had been right then, Uzume pulled through. They won, they saved the world. So how then can she get about doubting her now?

With this Neptune found herself walking through the base, with the many monsters that inhabited the camp with Uzume. They all seemed to be focusing on her, and eventually one of the baby shrimp slowly walked up to her.

"Uhhm miss?" He quietly asked.

"Oh, uh, yea? I believe your name was Fried Shrimp no?"

"Uhh yes that's the name that everyone calls me" Fried Shrimp squeaked out.

"Is there something you need to tell me? I'd love to play but I'm kind of in a hurry at the moment, I'm trying to find Uzume."

"Oh so you are trying to find Miss Uzume?" This immediately caught Neptunes attention. Did this little creature know something that would help her?

"Wait, did she come through here?" Neptune grabbed Fried Shrimp as she asked.

"Oh, uhhhhh, yes Mi- Miss Uzume came running through here a little while ago, but she didn't even stop to say hello to us… We're all worried about her, is she ok?" Fried Shrimp nervously asked.

Neptune let go of the baby bug as she looked down. So even the kind creature of this place seemingly got wrapped up in this. Neptune silently cursed to herself as she thought about how much better everything could have turned out had she just handled the situation better. But she quickly realized that there served no purpose in that line of thought and quickly forced on her brightest smile as she looked at the baby bug,

"Don't worry, Uzume was just going through… a moment, yea. She's going through a little right now, that's why I'm going to look for her. But I promise you, the next time you see us we'll play all the games your little bug heart could possibly want!" Neptune patted Fried Shrimp on the back as she reassured him. Perhaps part of it was to reassure herself, and her aching heart. It really didn't matter either way, it didn't change what she had to do.

"Really?" The baby bug looked up with starry eyes.

"Of course Fried Shrimp! Just leave it to ol Neppy!" She gave herself a point with her thumb for emphasis. As she finished her comforting of the monster, she resteeled her resolve and set off once more. As she left camp she could hear the monster excitedly telling his fellow friends about his conversation with the bug collector.

"Guys! Miss Bug Hunter said shes going to get Miss Uzume! She said that well get to play when she gets back!"

Neptune soon found herself falling back into her own pace, as she passed by the geography of the dimension. After some time she found herself in front of the portal that led to the Heart Dimension. With a deep breath she passed through the portal, and on the other side awaited her the unique dimension that was the Heart Dimension.

The floating islands gave the place its distinct feel. She never really got to simply sit and appreciate the dimension's landscape during her time 'working' for Kurome, and today was no different. But it was fascinating, so perhaps one day she should just go on a walk throughout the place. There probably was no bugs to be found anywhere in here, but Neptune was an outdoorsy person, and she liked to just appreciate the simple blessings of nature and the landscape.

Said landscape did provide its own challenges to Neptune in her current situation however. Simply put there was no way for Neptune to traverse the area, for she was unable to fly like the CPUs. Well at least on any other given day. Today however fortune seemed to be smiling on Neptune. There seemed to be a share bridge connecting the islands, leading to her destination. The likely cause of this was Uzume herself, in her haste to run she did not transform and simply ran, using her delusional powers, amplified in the Heart Dimension, to construct a bridge made of shares underneath her feet. How convenient, and totally not because a certain shitty author totally forgot about that detail before he decided on the setting being the Heart Dimension…

Neptune took a shaky first step onto the bridge to test the integrity of it, finding no issues, she quickly began her trek throughout the dimension. As she ran, she noticed one thing that was different. The centre of the dimension was lacking its large orange share crystal. This was not shocking to Neptune, after all she was present when it was destroyed. But the share crystals missing did prove one thing to her. Uzume was alive because of the efforts of many, including herself. It proved to Neptune that Uzume was not forgotten.

In time Neptune found herself at her destination, Tangram Road. As she took a moment to catch her breath, and steady herself, she looked at the entrance with determination, this was it. Stepping inside she found herself once more in awe of the seemingly infinite space that was occupied inside the place. One other thing immediately made itself known to the adventurer, monsters were littered throughout the entire space. And they seemed none too interested in simply allowing her to pass.

Neptune summoned her twin blades as she once more forced her legs into motion. With reckless abandon she forced her way through the horde that approached her. An attack to the left, a dash to the right. A blast dead centre, a roll forward followed by a salve from her trusty gun. Neptune didn't have the capacity to be cautious, relying on her sheer experience. It certainly didn't hurt that her level was high enough to allow this style to actually work. Still, Neptune was essentially face tanking attacks from monsters left and right, she wouldn't be able to keep this up forever. Neptune didn't care, all she needed to do was make it through. A spawn from the left and right, she quickly slashed to the right, spinning her body to dispose of the extra. Landing and planting to continue her breakneck pace.

Through it all, Neptune did not keep her eyes from scanning the entire area of the dungeon. As floor 1 became floor 2, and then floor 3, still no sign of the girl she was searching for. Panic began to set in for the girl, as thoughts quickly popped in her mind. What if Uzume didn't come here? What if she did, and died to the monsters? Doing her best to shake off the troublesome thoughts she continued forward.

In the distance she spotted the very end of the dungeon, a staircase leading up a sheer drop, the bottom of which, if it even existed, was far beyond what was visible. Sitting on the ledge Neptune could spot red hair held up by two black clips. Neptune gulped, she could feel her heartbeat quickly speeding up. Swallowing, and attempting her best to calm herself, she began walking forward.

To Uzume, this seemed like the perfect place to be. She doubted anyone would actually think to look for her, and if they did it would be awhile before they would show up. She had no clue why but she found this particular space to be almost relaxing. She had gone there once before, right after she regained her memories of her time as Planeptunes CPU, that time Umio was able to help her. This time? It felt different, that time she was scared of what she didn't understand. She didn't understand what her memories meant, or if they meant anything at all.

This time she still found herself scared. But not because of what she didn't understand, no, this time she was scared of what she knew. She knew deep down that she wasn't able to be there for anyone when they needed her. That all her life she had been unable to be a person that could be relied on. It was true during her time as CPU of Planeptune, and it was true during her struggle in the Zero Dimension. She would have been unable to do anything without the help of Neptune and Nepgear.

Uzume could feel it in her conscience. She had always failed. She had always been forgotten. She didn't want to put Neptune, the woman she loved, through any of what she would do to her. Neptune deserved better than a failed CPU saved out of pity.

As Uzume sat alone, her thoughts devolved further and further. She thus found herself ignorant to the approaching figure behind her. Until the last possible moment, wherein she felt her blood run cold as ice as she slowly turned her head.

"Nepsy…" Her voice began, barely audible.

Neptune however had no words. No words felt appropriate to communicate what was in her heart. She just kept her steady walking.

"Nepsy, get out of here, you don't need me…"

The words hurt Neptune. But it did nothing but strengthen her resolve.

"LEAVE" Uzume yelled as tears began flooding out of the broken woman's eyes. "Uzume is terrible, I fail at everything I do, I always end up forgotten…"

Neptune could feel tears of her own well up in her eye. Soon they flowed without restraint.

"Nepsy is such a good person… She deserves to have so much better than Uzume…" Uzume could not stop the words that left her own mouth. "Nepsy deserves to have someone who will always be able to be there for her, not someone who couldn't even take care of their own nation, look at you Nepsy, you're all bloody because of Uzume… "

"STOP IT!" Neptune couldn't take it anymore. With unrestrained emotion Neptune pulled Uzume to her feet, and engulfed the girl in the strongest hug her body allowed her. "Please… Stop… Uzume ho- how can you say that about yourself?" In between hiccups Neptune asked the girl. "Uzume, you are who I love. How can you say those terrible things about yourself, when I hear you say that it hurts me more than any monster could ever. I don't want anyone but you!"

"Bu- But you deserve better!" Uzume began to let out all the fears that plagued her heart.

"I don't care about any of that! No one is better for me then you!"

"Uzume will fail you!"

"Then I'll pick you up!"

"Uzume will use you"

"Then I'll allow myself to be used!"

"Uzume doesn't know how to be honest"

"Then Ill teach you how!"

"Uzume won't be able to show how much you mean to her…" Uzume found her resistance to be becoming weaker by the second.

"Then I'll do enough for the both of us"

As the words left her mouth, Neptune placed her hands around Uzume, and as she looked into her eyes, words began to feel meaningless. Soon Neptune closed the remaining distance between them and soon found her lips locked against Uzumes. The two girls, now joined, found themselves in bliss. To an outside observer their kiss would be generously described as ridiculously sloppy and unorganized. But to the two that didn't matter. They had each other.

As they released themselves, Uzume found herself clutching to her lover's shoulder, letting out everything she kept locked up in her heart. Neptune gave her all the time she needed. Neptune lovingly petted her head to remind her of their closeness.

However, no matter how much time passed, Uzume could not shake the thoughts in her mind. She still heard the voice, in her mind it spoke.

Do you truly believe that? Do you truly believe it's right to let Nepsy carry your burden?

"Whaaa shut up! Shut up! I love Nepsy! Shutupshutupshutupshutup!" Uzume shook her head as she was assaulted by herself once more.

Seeing this Neptune felt her heart pang once more. She didn't know how much of this she could take, but she had to be strong here. If for the only time in her life, she had to be the one to take matters into her own hands. She found herself acting before her thoughts even reached her. Gently placing her hands around Uzumes head, she began, "Uzume, she's still in there isn't she?" Receiving a gentle nod, she continued, "let me talk to her"

Uzume sharply inhaled. This was her biggest fear, she couldn't let Neptune see her real self. If she did- if she did then she wouldn't love her anymore.

"Uzume, please, I promise you, I'll still be here" Neptune pleaded with her kindest smile, and with that a few moments passed until Uzumes head slumped down. When it raised once more Neptune felt a chill. She recognized the face in front of her. "Hey, Kurome"

"Why hello, Nepsy, it has been some time hasn't it?"

"I guess it had, when was the last time we spoke 1 on 1? Oh yea! Wasn't it when you tried to kill me?" Neptune asked somehow in a joking tone.

"Oh? You mean after you betrayed me? Or should I say I figured out your little scheme"

"Ha I really thought I was a good actress too… guess I need to work on my acting skills." Neptune scratched her head with a chuckle.

"But I assume we're not here to discuss old times?" Kurome said with dwindling patience. To this Neptune felt her face form into a serious face.

"I guess so"

"So what? What is it?"

"I guess I just have one question for you, why?"

"Why what?"

"Why don't you want Uzume to be happy?"

"What an odd question to ask to Uzume"

"You know exactly what I mean" Neptune did her best to remain calm, although she could feel herself losing patience.

"I suppose I do. You and 'me'. It almost makes me feel happy, but this is a story whose ending is already written. The story of Uzume is always the same. The forgotten CPU"

To these words Neptune felt something inside click. She remembered a conversation she had one time with Uzume.

"Hey Uzume, when you fought off against Kurome, did, did she have any last words?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Just curious teehee"

"Uhh, well, the last thing she said to me was 'No, I will not be forgotten, not again' and after that is when I accepted her and revived in the Hyper Dimension."

It finally all made sense to Neptune. As she turned to face the woman in front of her she thought about how she wanted to phrase what she wanted to say. Carefully she began, "Forgotten… Is that what you think Kurome? All your life no matter what you did people always forgot about you. But look. Kurome, look outside, there's no share crystal here anymore. You're here because people remember you. Because people believe in you. I believe in you, you're not a bad person. You were just lost here for so long that you don't even remember why you even did it in the first place. When I told Uzume I love her, I meant I love every part of her. And that includes you. You don't have to be alone anymore, you don't have to be forgotten." Neptune finished and she opened her arms to the ancient CPU.

Kurome did not know what to feel. She could not remember the last time someone actually spoke to her with such kindness. It had been so long she didn't remember. As she felt herself confused by the rush of emotions, she looked over to the woman responsible for her state. Even after all she had done. Even after she tried to have her killed. She still accepted her. She said that she loved her. Kurome was baffled.

Apprehensively she inched her closer, until she slowly reached her hands around the larger woman. Soon she felt herself melting into the hug, and she felt for the first time in what could only be described as a lifetime, an emotion that had seemingly become lost on her. Joy.

Kurome soon found herself encapsulated in the feeling. Soon nothing else mattered to her, even as she felt the core of her being melting away. This wasnt the first time she had ever felt this. When she had been defeated by her other self she felt it then, but this time, she didn't feel upset, it didn't matter. Everything would be fine as long as she held onto the woman in front of her. She truly felt at peace.

As Uzume began to regain consciousness from her other half, she felt something wash over her. She felt a release, and as the fragment of what used to be her faded, she swore she heard her speak one last time.

'Me' perhaps our story is yet to be fully written. Perhaps, perhaps the only way out of delusion is through dreams, perhaps we are able to turn dreams into reality, and use that to lift people up, instead of bringing them down. Uzume. Please. Use your power to lift others, dreams are meant to be achieved, and to be lived through. Please live it for me as well, it probably means nothing from me… but- Im sorry.

"You idiot, I already accepted you once, how many times do I have to do it?" Uzume softly spoke.

"Is she gone?" Neptune asked.

"No. She was me, and I am her, but were finally whole again, thank you Nepsy" Uzume spoke reflectively.

"Aww no biggie, how many times do I gotta say I love ya" Still feeling a high from all she had accomplished and feeling empowered by it Neptune leaned over and gave Uzume a quick peck on the cheek.

Uzume quickly became a blushing mess, until she looked around and remembered the position they were in. "Hey Nepsy"

"Yea"

"Sorry for makin you run all over lookin for me n all, that was really lame of me I'm sorry for running. I'm sorry for being a coward."

"Don't sweat it! I'd do it a thousand times over for you! There's no wall I couldn't climb! Now come on, lets go home! Everyone is waiting for us!" Neptune enthusiastically offered her hand to partner.

As Uzume looked to the girl beside her, she felt something inside her. She finally felt at peace with everything. She felt the new beginning that lay in front of her. The chapter in the story of Uzume yet to be written.

AN: This is not the end by the way, I still have more planned to stay tuned!