The clouds had filled the city in rain for weeks. Homura sat perched on top of the edge of a skyscraper, overlooking the entire city of Mitakihara with Kyubey beside her. The city below contained many bright lights, faint noises of quiet alertness, and the sound of constant downpour. Homura took out the soul gem that lay flat on her left hand, examining it. It shone a bright purple color. Soul gems were a large cause of trouble. Why would their souls be placed in something so small? Something so easy to lose, and breakable? Homura would prefer to use her real body as the vessel to her soul. Having a real body would make her feel less dead than how she was. Maybe then she could still be called 'human.' Kyubey tilted his head with that same fixed stare and smile of his. The one that he always displayed.
"The demons have multiplied greatly in recent time. I don't think this territory is worth dying for. You're useful to us, Homura. It would be unfortunate for you to die over something as trivial as a mass of land."
Homura gripped her soul gem tightly. "I can't just walk out of here, this is important to me. You know full well why. I want to protect it for her. It's what she would want me to do. It's what she would do," she bluntly stated.
"The odds of this 'Madoka' girl existing is extremely low to nonexistent. Do you really think I can believe such a daft story?"
"Of course not. I don't expect anyone to believe me or understand, but as long as I know that she was..." She paused, "that she is real, then nothing else matters."
"You're very strange, Homura Akemi. Your very existence is irregular. I don't remember ever making a contract with you."
Homura gazed back at Kyubey. "This isn't the first time you told me that."
A long yellow ribbon attached itself to a pole on the right side of the building's edge. A blonde girl slung up it into the air, gracefully landing on her feet. The ribbon changed into flowers that faded away into the sky. In her hand, she held a clear umbrella, holding it over herself and Homura.
"Didn't I tell you to bring an umbrella with you? You're completely drenched in rain," Mami said with a faint smile.
"Yes, I know," Homura said, slight annoyance in her tone.
"You'll get sick, you know. Or do we get sick anymore?" Mami turned her head to Kyubey.
"Did you really think that you would be able to take on demons with a normal human body?" Kyubey said.
"I suppose not." Mami continued to smile, while Homura remained impassive. "You know, Homura, I wish you wouldn't go wandering off on your own all the time. The demons have been restless, and with Kyouko not here, I'm worried about you." Mami's smile disappeared. "You know you can rely on me so take it a little easy. After all, there are two of us."
"I'll try." Homura frowned. "I know I can come across as awkward and distant. I'll work on it."
"Homura, I know you'll work on it, but don't forget, you aren't the only one who's had it rough. We're Magical Girls. We all have difficult lives. You, of all people should understand that."
"I do."
She knew it all too well. Seeing people die over and over. If only Mami knew about the past timelines. Maybe she would believe Homura. Maybe she wouldn't. Homura wanted to tell her about them, but who would believe such an insane story? Maybe, deep down, Homura too doubted herself. After all, any sane person wouldn't believe in such a thing as witches or time manipulation with this world's new system of laws, right? How did Homura know it wasn't all just a big dream that she had, lying in the hospital bed in a coma? She wanted to change the subject. "So, any word from Kyouko?"
"Nope. Not since two weeks ago." Mami sat down beside Homura, frowning. "Sayaka's death really got to Kyouko. I keep trying to call her, but she won't answer. The last time I talked to her she said that she needed some fresh air. I hope she's alright."
"Kyouko's fine," Homura said. "She's a big girl."
"Well, I can't help but worry over my younger friends," Mami said. "I can understand how it feels for her now. I miss Sayaka a lot too." A smile of sadness was present on her face. "She may not have been the wisest person in the world or a skilled Magical Girl, but she was strong. I remember when Kyouko fought with her the first time they met. Kyouko tried her best to change Sayaka's ideals of the world, but Sayaka stubbornly clung to them. Before she became a Magical Girl she accompanied me every time I went demon hunting. I asked her why she'd do that for someone she barely knew, and she told me it was because she admired what I was doing. She called me, someone like me, a knight of justice." Mami smiled shortly before frowning.
Homura put her hand on Mami's shoulder. She was a little new to this whole 'comforting' thing. Madoka would've done it, so Homura tried to follow suit. "Sayaka was a fool, but at the end I believe she was likely satisfied with the outcome." Homura and Sayaka never really talked much or agreed on things, but Homura tried helping her the best she could. In the end, Homura couldn't help. Sayaka always died. Homura didn't even like her, but she knew that like everyone else, Sayaka was not perfect. Homura couldn't hold anything against her for that.
Mami stood up, her lips smiling. "Well, it's getting late, and tonight's a school night. We should probably get going."
"I sense demons!" Kyubey wagged his fluffy, large tail around. Mami's fist tightened.
"Of all the times…" she muttered under her breath. "Well, let's hurry this up. I'd rather finish this off quickly, so I can get back to drinking my tea."
Homura sighed. "I'll take care of this. Leave it to me." She placed her soul gem back on her left hand and stood up.
Frowning, Mami put her free hand on Homura's shoulder. "Homura, Homura, what did we just have a chat about? We're in this together, whether you like it or not, so please just bear with me."
"Fine." She could handle it on her own, but Mami was so insistent on helping out. Homura wasn't used to working with people. In the past, before Madoka altered the world, working together always ended up badly. Now, there was a future so Homura decided to put up with it. Giant, angelic wings of light sprouted from her back. She faced Kyubey. "What direction are the demons in?" He hopped on her shoulder.
"They're west of here."
"Okay." Homura turned to Mami. "Come on, I'll give you a ride."
Mami closed the umbrella and put it down. "Actually, how about a race? Loser gets to do the others homework for a week. Fair enough?" She confidently smiled.
"You're on." Homura smirked.
"On my mark. Three, two - see ya later!" Mami jumped off the building and conjured up ribbons to form bridges to cross buildings and swing across the city.
That was... unexpected, Homura pondered, a quick smile breaking out. "You're gonna pay for that, Mami!" she yelled in flight. Mami turned to face Homura and stuck her tongue out at her.
A/N: I would like to thank The Moiderah of Writing for beta reading this chapter and being A BADASS! THANK YOU!
And thank you to all who got this far. :)
