Disclaimer: I don't own Madoka Magica

WHY IS SHE IMPORTANT?

Chapter 1: Homura vs. Kyubey

Homura Akemi was a time traveler on a mission. She was determined to stop the incubator Kyubey from reaching Madoka Kaname from making a contract with him and becoming a Magical Girl. She would repeat the same timeline over and over until she succeeded. But, there were times when she wondered just why she continued to fight. Why she continued to stop Kyubey. Why she vowed to protect Madoka. Sometimes, she felt these feelings in a timeline where she got close to Madoka and she thought that there's another reason why she vowed to protect Madoka besides keeping her from being a Magical Girl.

This is one of those timelines.

Homura was heading to Madoka's house to help her with algebra. Also, Madoka wanted to spend some time with her new friend so she suggested that Homura spend the night. Homura actually kind of liked the idea, so off she went with her backpack and a bag with which she pack some pajamas and toothpaste and other necessities. Homura thought this night was going well until…

"Going to see Madoka Kaname again, I see?"

Homura then saw the bane of her existence. A cat-like creature with a weird smile on his face and long ears. It was the Incubator called Kyubey. Homura knew this creature all too well.

"Funny. I was going to ask you the same question." Homura said coldly.

"You seem to be quite interested in Madoka, aren't you?", Kyubey asked. "Tell me, are you off to tell her to not make a contract with me? Tell her the dangers of becoming a Magical Girl? Tell her to stick to her normal life?"

"And let me just guess what you're going to do." Homura responded. "You're going to go and tell her about her potential and how she's destined to become the greatest Magical Girl ever. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE!" Homura was getting increasingly angry.

"And we will surely go through this again, Homura Akemi." Kyubey replied. "Do you realize that every time you go back, you make Madoka's potential as a Magical Girl stronger? Why do you even keep going back to stop me? What makes Madoka so important that time is worth repeating? You present yourself as just some stoic, cold, distant transfer student to everyone, and yet the only girl that you seem to care about is Madoka Kaname. Why is she so important to you? Why do you treat her so differently? Why do you keep fighting so many witches on your own to protect Madoka? Is one girl worth all this trouble and the risk that you'll become one of the witches you swore to fight?"

Homura had had enough of Kyubey's probing. "Yes she is, and I will stop you from getting in my way every time." Homura then turned into a Magical Girl, which caused a shield to form on her arm. She picked up Kyubey by the neck and she found a nearby dumpster. She threw Kyubey inside and from seemingly inside her shield she pulled out a hand grenade.

Kyubey realized what was coming to him. He simply stated, "We will meet again, Homura Akemi."

Homura coldly replied, "Unfortunately we will. But as long as I'm breathing, you won't reach Madoka." She then pulled the pin and tossed it into the dumpster. As Homura walked away, she only turned to see the aftermath of the exploding grenade: a stream of smoke from the destroyed dumpster. She then turned back to normal before the fire department arrived on the scene.