"Neptune, could you help me with chopping the onions for me?" Lyka asked, her eyes not leaving the work she was doing.

"Of course!" Neptune yelled with a smile as she what was told.

It was only yesterday when she woke up and the first thing she did was introduce herself when Nepgear told her about the people who treated her and to thank them. The first thought that came into her mind when she saw Lyka was that she was a very beautiful woman, and alongside her quirky yet gentle attitude, the older purple haired girl could only think that whoever married her was a lucky person.

The blonde woman was somehow a little bit surprised to see Neptune awake and walking to boot, because apparently getting poisoned by Neith would've render anyone out of commission for atleast a month before they could even walk. But that didn't stop the woman from asking if she was hungry and was replied with Neptune's grumbling stomach.

"Ah, do you want this diced or…?"

"It doesn't matter, my husband and my child won't notice any difference anyways." Lyka laughed. "I'm surprised Nepgear isn't with you right now, from what I could tell, she wouldn't leave your side when you were sleeping."

Neptune chuckled at the thought. That sounds like her little sister alright. "Uni's with her, they're playing outside right now. God knows she needs it." It was a sudden change in Nepgear to be a child in her life and the purple haired girl was happy to know that she was acting like one.

"Ah, I see, then Alyria should be there too." The older woman said with a nod before taking a spoon to taste her cooking and hummed in delight. "To be honest, I've never seen a witch as young as Nepgear."

"What do you mean?" Neptune asked.

"Well, they're mostly older than they look and I could confirm that Nepgear is a youngling." The woman chuckled at the younger girl's expression. "Ah, I see your confusion. Say Neptune how old do you think am I?"

Neptune quirked her eyebrows and looked at Lyka. She looked like she's in her mid-thirties and her soft features made her look more younger…wait is she?

Lyka chuckled at Neptune's bewilderment. "Calm down I'm not that old. But as you have probably guessed, yes I am one. And my age well… a lady doesn't share her secrets."

"I wasn't-! Geez you're making fun of me!" Neptune whined and continued to chop aggressively. The purple haired girl slowed down and contemplated before looking at the other person. "If I may ask, how old is Nepgear?"

The blonde woman hummed in thought. "She's probably thirteen months old in our age calendar, but in human years she's twenty."

The purple haired girl's eyes bulged at the information. "T-Twenty?!" Her little sister was older than her, then does that mean she should address Nepgear as big sister?! No. No!

"Calm down, Nepgear's still a child so you don't have to panic. That child might be twenty in human years, but she's still just a youngling in both mind and body."

But still…

"And besides, with how young your sister is you're doing a great job in taking care of her. So chin up." Lyka smiled.

Neptune had to admit that someone actually thought she was doing good in the older sister department. Purple eyes looked at the widow in front of her and saw that the kids were now playing tag and their peals of laughter as the fox child ran after them. Her eyes softened at the sight, but she can't shake the feeling of hopelessness.

She almost died. Again.

And without Nepgear, she surely would've hit the bucket by now. All those talk and promises about protecting her sister and she couldn't even protect herself. What would've happen if she did die? What would happen to Nepgear? Would she go back to being a slave? Would she…Neptune clench her eyes close, her hold on the knife shaking as she thought of all the possibilities of losing Nepgear.

She wants…Needs to be stronger…

Lyka noticed this. Placing a hand on the younger girl's shoulder, she noticed the jolt that Neptune did.

"Hey, that's enough." She smiled. "You should take a breather. Remember you're still healing, why don't you join your sister out-"

"I'm home." A gruff voice said out of nowhere. Kojiro sighed tiredly as he placed all his gear on the ground and went to the kitchen to find his wife and Neptune looking at him.

Neptune remembered him. He was the man who saved them!

"You're awake, I thought for sure you'll still be sleeping." He nodded at her. The brown haired man hummed in delight as he looked at the pots filled with freshly cooked food and peck Lyka on the cheek.

Neptune stared at him before suddenly bowing her head surprising both adults at the sudden action.

"Neptune-"

"Please teach me!"

Kojiro and Lyka looked at her, perplexed. What in god's name was this child saying?

Neptune stood upright looked the man with a hopeful expression. Yes, she could have him teach her of how to properly fight. That would make it tolerable to protect-

"No."

Purple orbs widened, her mouth opening and closing at the response as Kojiro frowned at her.

"Please, I'll-I'll do anything. I'll-!"

"I'm sorry, Neptune was it?" Kojiro ran a hand on his hair. "You're still a child, you shouldn't be dealing with anything too dangerous. Much less sword fight. Kids like you should be out there being carefree and leaving all the fighting to adults."

Neptune couldn't believe what she was hearing. If he won't teach her then…Who would? Who would let her protect her sister?

"I…" Neptune bowed once again, desperate this time. She would do anything to protect Nepgear, and that includes lowering her pride down…What?

"Please… Even if just a little, I want…Need to protect my sister…Please…I beg you…" The purple haired girl bowed deeply as she had never done before. She didn't like the feeling of showing any respect to lesser beings-

'What in the world are you doing?' A cold voice echoed through her ears and that alerted Neptune.

Who-

'Stop this ridiculous action and never beg you useless vessel.'

But-

'I would not lower myself to some impudent fucker. So stand up straight and leave here.'

No. No! She can't –

'What did you say-?"

"I'm sorry. Neptune, but it's for the best."Kojiro's voice snapped her out of her daze and the moment she looked up, he and Lyka saw the unusual glow of her eyes freezing them in place.

Lyka gasped and Kojiro took a step back. That look…but it can't be…

"My Lor-

Neptune swallowed and with gritted teeth she forced herself to lower herself once again. Ignoring all the calls in her mind and the sudden rigidity of her body.

"Please…Help me protect my sister…Please." Her voice wavered, fist clenching as she bite back the words the voice was telling her.

Lyka looked at her husband and noting the fear and sadness that overtook his eyes. She placed a hand on her husband's face, gently making him face her. "You're okay." She whispered with a smile.

"Neptune," She called out making the younger girl slowly look at her. "Why don't you take a breather and we could talk about this later. I'm sure your little sister misses you." Lyka said.

Neptune shifted her gaze to the woman's husband who was preoccupied at the moment. She righted herself and nodded solemnly before joining the others outside to leave the two behind.

As soon as the door closed, Kojiro looked for a glass and poured the liquor that was hidden in the cabinet. He took a swig and replenished the alcohol back in the cup before taking another, only to be stopped by the woman he holds dear.

"You're fine, my love."

"It's been…It's been years, Lyka, years!" He looked at her desperately. "And I was…I failed…My Lord." He sobbed as he looked at his hands. "I failed her…let her be killed…Let her…They told me to do it…I had to…"

Lyka frowned at the sight. Don't get her wrong, Kojiro is a strong individual and seeing him breakdown was a heartaching sight. It was this man who would only allow her to see such weakness and that made her feel loved, but what she would do to take it away from her.

"You didn't fail her." She said, placing a kiss on his forehead and resting his head on her bosom, calming the man down. "You've done your best to protect us. She's trying to protect hers, would you really want to let the chance slip by?"

Kojiro buried himself into his wife, taking in the calming scent she emits before shaking his head. Neptune wanted to learn the way of the sword…Just like her. Exactly like her. And that look…

"It seems you'll have to talk to Neptune later. Is that alright with you? You need to give her a proper response this time. I could see it in her eyes, she'd do anything to earn your approval."

Kojiro stayed still at the moment and sighed before nodding. "I love you so much…What would I do without you?"

"Probably trying not to starve to death." Lyka said chuckling and placed a kiss on her husband's lips. "Now why don't you freshen up or the dinner'll get cold."

…

Neptune sat underneath the tree watching as Uni was sat down on the ground, tails flickering and face in a permanent frown as Alyria places a flower crown on her head. Nepgear, who was now passed out on her lap, had a contented look on her face and the older girl could only smile as she pet the girl gently, afraid to wake her up.

Neptune contemplated and asking questions in her head on what the hell was that back then. She heard that voice before….Knows that voice…

'Don't think you can ignore me.' The voice chuckled darkly. 'You've really pissed me off this time.'

Neptune's hand froze, her eyebrows furrowing. 'Who?'She asked in her head.

'Never mind that, why did you do it?'

'Do what?'

'BEG, YOU IMBECILE! We don't do that. EVER.'

'But why?'

'I am not someone who asks for favors.' The voice said as Neptune furrowed her eyebrows, annoyed.

'Can you not be some prissy voice, seriously it's not like it's hurting anyone.'

'You useless-!'

'I can't lose her.'

'What?'

'You asked me why I begged. I'm doing it for Nepgear.'

'The witch?' The voice sneered. 'You're seriously going to lower yourself to some weakling?'

Nepgear gritted her teeth. 'Don't you dare talk to her that way! Why are you even talking to me anyway?'

No response was made and that made Neptune quirk her eyebrows. Was whoever that was done speaking now? Because thank god! Her conversations with herself was draining and annoying.

Why did you even make me talk to her author?

None of your damn business.

Neptune sighed and that seemed to wake the slumbering child. Slowly, a pair of haze filled purple eyes opened and the owner tilted her head cutely to the side.

"Sorry I wake you Nep jr."

Nepgear shook her head and sat beside her sister. The comfortable silence easily engulfed and a slight breeze passed between the two of them.

"I'm really sorry, Nepgear."

The younger purple haired girl looked at her sister, wondering why she was saying that. Her ma-sister had done everything she could to help her, what is this now?

"I couldn't defend both of us and I'm afraid of what will happen if something way more terrible were to happen to us…I want to be able to protect you and myself, but I don't know how."

Nepgear frowned. "Could I speak ma…sister?" She saw Neptune nod. "I'm also partly at fault. If I were stronger then… Then you wouldn't have gotten hurt…" The child said, tears now forming in the corner of her eyes. "If it weren't for me then…"

"Don't say that. We protect each other, remember? You were amazing out there, Nep jr., the best assist I could ever ask for." Neptune said, giving a side hug. "We're sisters now, and if you want to be stronger I'll do my best to be strong as well."

Nepgear could only nod, clinging to her sister as they both share a moment. Just enjoying each other's presence.

…

Uni watched solemnly at the 'sisters' just a few feet away. Alyria was called by her mother inside, leaving her siting on the grass by herself. Her ears flattened slightly and her tails pressed closer to her as she hugged her knees to her chest.

It was unfair.

She misses her sister too. But where was she?

Granted she ran away from her when her sister was in a diplomatic meeting with the ruler of Leanbox, but…Was she even looking for her?

It's been a day now and still no sign of her… Did she forget about her?

Uni whimpered, her ears flattening further in her head. She can't cry now. Not when she's surrounded by these people, that's what her sister always tell her. Never show signs of weakness.

But the fox kin couldn't help it. Where was Noire? Her brave and fearless sister? Did Noire even care about her? Why wasn't she here?

Uni silently sobbed on her knees, her hold tightening and tails pressing further to herself. She misses her.

Noire where are you?

I'm right here.

Come find me please.

"N…Noire." She whimpered.

Just as she said her sister's name, a will o' wisp appeared before her. The tiny fox kin's eyes widened at the sight and then the wisp surrounded glided in the air as it gave out a coo.

Noire…

Noire's here.

The tiny fox kin immediately stood on her feet and followed the will o' wisp, her action catching the attention of the sisters and followed after her.

A number of wisp surrounded the quaint house and Uni was nothing short but ecstatic. Her sister was actually here! She didn't forget about her!

Uni stopped at the number of wisps and waited.

"What is happening? This is bonkers!" She heard Neptune shouted, but she paid her no mind. Because a large black fox appeared out of nowhere. It's nine tails following gracefully behind her, four red lines framed it's face and walked slowly towards the tiny fox kin.

It circled Uni, while its tails circled affectionately around the child. The fox gave a series of yip at her sister before liking the smaller one's face. Uni could only hug her sister's tails before taking a much smaller form and ran around her with a couple of yips of her own.

Neptune and Nepgear could only watch in bewilderment at what was happening. Because they seriously just watched a big fox appear out of thin air and Uni transforming into a tiny fox? What?

"That's enough, Uni. Let's go home." The fox sternly said, much clearer to the two other people that was watching them and that made the tiny fox cower. The fox's red eyes looked at the other individual and growled when they fixed themselves on Neptune.

"How unsightly." The fox growled before whisking her sister away. But Uni stepped away from her sister, causing the larger fox to growl at her. The younger fox cowered once again, but that didn't seemed to stop her from walking towards Nepgear and let the child pet her for a moment.

Well, it's not like she's doing this because she likes her or anything!

"Are you leaving, Uni?" Nepgear asked and was met by a yip, she could only interpret it as yes. "Oh, is…Is that your sister?" Another yip. "I…It was fun! It was fun playing with you…" The younger purple haired girl said.

Uni, even in her fox form, turned her head bashfully and Nepgear could only chuckle at the sight. She hugged her friend and the fox seemed to freeze at the contact. "I-I wish we'll see each other again s-someday?"

Uni didn't say anything, she couldn't because she hasn't learned to do it in this form. But she wanted Nepgear to know that she will, but she wouldn't make it too obvious.

As Nepgear separated herself, the tiny fox suddenly bit her hand. Drawing a small amount of blood making the child flinch.

The tiny fox harrumphed and ran back to her sister, who was looking at her disapprovingly. Noire looked at the other pair once again and glared at Neptune before disappearing.

Noire has spawned.

It's really hard to write a conversation with the self, I don't know why I'm torturing myself.

As always, very slow update and thanks for reading this. Reviews are very much appreciated.