DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fire Emblem, Hyperdimension Neptunia and its characters belongs to Compile Heart and Idea Factory International.
This story is a collab between YuriLover567 and I.
Noire had a headache. This whole child murderer dilemma has been nothing but frustration. Of course she didn't mean to yell or walk out, but Noire was at her breaking point. 5 cases in the last month alone and nothing. Just nothing.
Noire was beginning to lose hope.
Letting out a deep sigh, Noire got in her car and started the drive home. The whole time she couldn't stop thinking about the murders. And how couldn't she? She was the lead investigator after all! The fact that this guy was still on the loose was troubling enough, but they had NO LEADS. Nothing that could point them in the right direction. Not even a fingerprint to speak of. It was just getting worse, and everyone was starting to lose faith in the police department. That was bad for them and for business.
Riding into the outskirts of the city, she approached her house. It was a large two story house with a garage at the side. The grass of the front garden was neatly cut, with a few flowers growing here and there.
Finally making it back to her house, Noire parked her car and unlocked her door. Awaiting her was her Butler, Kei Jinguji.
Kei is a short girl with pale skin and boyish-cut silver hair. Her eyes are a bright aqua blue color and she wears a near-formal black suit with gold lining with many buttons and shorts, instead of jeans or pants.
Below the black high socks with white detailing, and slip on black shoes with small blue and silver detailing on the top. Two long tails come from the jacket and have blue coloring inside.
"Welcome home Miss Bouchard" Kei said in her usual polite tone.
"Kei, I've told you a million times, just call me Noire."
"And I told you a million times that it would be unethical of me to do such a thing, Miss Bouchard."
Noire sighed in defeat. She considered Kei as family, and she thought it was weird for her to call her "Miss" all the time. Oh well, maybe next time.
"Has Uni arrived from school yet?" Noire asked as Kei removed her coat.
"Miss Uni will be home soon, you have been asking this for the last week. Is something bothering you, Miss Bouchard?" Kei asked with concern.
"It's the child murderer. We've just had our tenth case and we're no closer to finding him since the first." Noire said dejectedly.
"So...you worry that Miss Uni will be targeted next?"
"..." Noire didn't answer, but the look on her face was enough to confirm her feelings. With each kidnapping, Noire had grown more and more concerned for her little sisters safety. She was only 13, but it still counted.
"You don't need to worry. Her friend walks her to and from the bus stop everyday. She will always tell us if something happened to her."
Ah yes, that Nepgear girl. She was Neptune's, her next door neighbor, little sister, but they would always get mixed up as Neptune looked young for her age. She could easily pass of as a child with the way she looked and acted. Fortunately, her sister was much more mature than her. She reacted whenever something as miniscule as Uni stubbing her toe happened. She always had an emergency med kit in her backpack at all times in case such a catastrophe happened.
It was quite adorable.
At that point, Noire and Kei heard the door open, revealing the subjects of her thoughts, Uni and Nepgear.
Uni is a light skinned girl with long black hair with most of it worn down reaching her chest with some of it worn in pigtails held with light blue and black ribbons. Her eyes are red like Noire's but are darker in comparison.
In terms of appearance Nepgear seems to be older than Neptune, and is noticeably taller than her older sister. She is a fair-skinned girl with long lilac-purple hair almost waist in length with few loose strands of long hair curling down. Her bangs are usually kept neatly brushed. Her eyes are slightly darker than Neptune's.
Both of them were wearing school uniforms consisting of a black jacket with three golden buttons on the right side, a white undershirt and a black and blue striped skirt with white lines running over it horizontally and vertically that reached the half of their thighs.
"Hi Sis!" Uni greeted.
"Noire..." There was Nepgear, being her usual awkward but protective self.
"Hello you two." Noire said as Kei took their backpacks "How was school?"
"Good, I aced my Math test, see?" Uni gleamed with pride as she showed Noire the paper, with a perfect 100% written on the top right corner.
"Yes, that's nice..." Unfortunately, her big sister didn't seem to be paying attention. Uni frowned.
"Well, um, me and Uni are going to do our homework now." Nepgear grabbed Uni's hand, making the girl blush, and went to her room. Noire waved to them.
"Well, I guess I can relax now..." letting out a sigh, Noire plopped on the nearest couch. The sensation of not being on her feet anymore was marvelous.
"Shall I make you some Oolong Tea, Miss Bouchard?" Kei asked.
"That would be lovely." Noire answered wistfully.
Kei bowed in respect, then headed off to the kitchen.
(Uni's Bedroom)
"How come Sis never notices me?" Uni, who was discarding her homework, was sitting on her bed, slouched and pouting.
"What are you talking about?" Nepgear asked as she sat by her friend. She was worried about Uni's current state, and the fact that they weren't getting any homework done. She was a straight A student after all.
"You saw how she completely ignored me when I showed her my paper! I just want some attention from her, is that too much to ask?!" Sighing, Uni fell backwards and hit her pillow.
"Well, I'm sure she's just busy. She's an Investigator for Homicide after all. And you know she's the lead Investigator for...you know."
"Yeah..." Of course Nepgear was referring to the child murders. Noire had been keeping her away from anything relating to it, but the news told her everything. Ten whole murders in the last two months and not a single trace of evidence. And that guy was still out there. Uni was scared. She AND Nepgear were still technically kids themselves, and that made Uni a paranoid mess whenever she walked to school. It was a good thing Nepgear was with her, or she would never set foot out of her HOUSE. "But it just feels like we get more distant everyday. She's all I have left..."
Uni trailed off, tears in her eyes. She never wanted to bring that day up again. It was the most traumatic thing she and her sister had ever witnessed. Even bringing it up in passing reduced the both of them to tears. Talking about it was basically illegal in the house.
The only ones who knew about it, where Kei, Nepgear and Neptune. Noire trusted Neptune enough to never say a word to anyone, and Uni was the same with Nepgear. Said girl gave her a sympathetic look.
"It's Ok Uni. I'm sure once these...cases are solved, she'll make time for you." Nepgear said reassuringly.
"And how long will that take? Noire is practically on a wild goose chase trying to find the guy."
Nepgear climbed over and gave her friend one of her famous reassuring hugs. That didn't mean the young teen wasn't blushing.
"Everything's gonna be fine. I know things look bleak now, but I promise everything will work out in the end." Nepgear whispered comfortingly into Uni's ear.
Blushing wildly, Uni hugged her friend back. Nepgear always knew how to make her putty in her hands. That, and she had a weakness for hugs.
(Living Room)
Noire sipped her tea as she sat comfortably on her couch. This was the most rest she's ever gotten in the last two months. She might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow will be another busy day after all. She flipped through the channels mindlessly, until finally settling on a News station.
"...In breaking news, what could've been the 6th and 7th child homicides this month was miraculously prevented just an hour ago."
Noire nearly spit her tea out upon hearing. Setting her drink down, she frantically grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
"...The 2 children in question are 10 year old twin sisters Rom and Ram Leafvale, who had been visiting from Lowee with their elder sister, Blanc. Authorities say that their sister had been in a bookstore with them, and the 2 wandered out without her noticing. It was then that the supposed murderer had made his move from a nearby alleyway and drugged the 2. Authorities say that the two sisters would've likely been kidnapped, had their elder sister not noticed their absence and ran out the store screaming their names. The supposed murderer fled the scene, and the 3 are currently under custody of the Planeptune Police Force."
Noire was wide eyed as she watched the screen. She couldn't believe her luck. They had WITNESSES! Her first major clue in 2 months! This was game breaking! This could turn the whole case around! They could FINALLY get the guy! Noire had half a mind to just go down to the station right now!
But, her body was WAY too tired for such a thing. As much as she wanted this case solved, she knew she needed a rest. Sighing somewhat in defeat, Noire turned off the T.V and prepared for bed.