When I was a little girl, my father took me to the park often. I didn't know at the time why he would, but now that I'm older I remember seeing another young woman always with me. She looked younger than my mom and always smiled at me. Back then, I thought she was just another mother at the park, watching her child play along with the other children. Now, I know all about her.

I faintly see the visions of her go through my mind as this strange little cat stares into my eyes. The question that it asked was confusing and odd. It must've saw this and spoke again. "My name is Kyubey. I'm a being from another world that grants a wish to young girls like you to become magical girls. They then fight witches in return. It is a balance that happens in order for energy to be released. That energy is needed."

I remain quiet as it registers in my brain. Then one thing stands out that I have to ask. "Witches?"

Kyubey jumps on my bed and circles before sitting down. I shut my door and sit next to... it. I still don't know if it was a male or a female. "All of the bad things that happen here, fires, mass killings, even suicide, are mostly caused by witches. And those are just the weak ones. Other witches that are very powerful cause hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and much more. To make a balance, I create magical girls to fight these witches."

And Kyubey wanted me to become one, but... why? Why was I so special? I would imagine girls that had power, like princesses, would be wanted. So why would Kyubey pick a normal, teenage girl to be a magical girl? "You're from another world, right? Why not pick magical girls from there?"

"Well, you see, where I from, emotions do not exist. So if I were to create magical beings from there, they would not be as strong as human girls are."

I wasn't trusting this thing. I didn't know what it was, but when something in me tells me not to trust something, I was going to listen to it. It's something that I developed over the course of my life. Kyubey sensed this and stands on my lap. "I will grant you one wish. Any wish that you want, and I will make it come true."

I know usually that would get to most girls, and it would benefit me greatly, but that voice was getting louder. It was telling me, practically screaming at me, not to do it. I breathe deeply and pick up Kyubey. It allows me to and I place it on my desk. I inspect it, looking closely. It didn't have any other face besides that little smile and those beady eyes. I guess he was right about not knowing emotions. Did he really want to bring balance to the world? "Takiko, will you make a wish?"

"No," I say without hesitation. I walk back to my bed and open my backpack. Hopefully that would be it and Kyubey will leave. I needed to get started on my homework. As I get out my papers, Kyubey jumps on my bed again. I glare at it.

"It would mean a lot if you would become a magical girl."

That statement alone made me feel uneasy. In my whole life, I have never heard "it would mean a lot" with me as the target of the sentence. What was so important about me? "No thanks," I reply, getting out my homework for that night.

"What about your mother?"

I get angry. "What about my mother?"

"She's struggling with your father gone. I'm sure she could use some help."

I know she can, but I am NOT going to use a wish to help her. That would be cheating for me and her. I also know that if she figured out what happened, she wouldn't even be happy about it. It would tear us apart. She needed to get back on her feet without magic, and I'm willing to help her if she needs it. "She'll be fine. I know she will."

Kyubey jumps down and heads towards the window. I thought that would be the end of it, but it turns its head. "There is a magical girl around here. She doesn't go to your school. She lives in apartment 203 on Miki Lane. You can go over there tomorrow and talk to her." And with that Kyubey jumps out of the window.

Miki Lane, huh? That was only 3 blocks away. Tomorrow is Sunday, so I guess I can go and talk to her. I could see what it was like, but it wouldn't convince me to be one. "Takiko! Dinner's ready!" I hear my mother call.

"Ok, Mama!" I call back, putting my homework on my desk and running out of my room. I wonder what this magical girl was like...

~.~

As I get ready in the morning, I hear the doorbell ring. I wonder who that could be. I put my black sash over my hair and head out of my room. "Takiko!" My mother calls. I go to the front door and notice something that made me blush. "Satoshi's here," She says, smiling at me. I nod to her and she goes to the living room, giggling. Satoshi smiles at me and I cross my arms.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying not to sound so rude.

"Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to go out today," He says, smiling widely. I breathe in and sigh. Go out? As in a date? Sure, we were together for a while now, but we've never been on a date yet. And I had plans today. I don't know.

"Oh.. W-Well, I already have plans today..." I say, hugging myself.

His smile fell and I already felt so guilty for saying that. "Oh, no! Not like that! I mean, I'm going to see a person... Who is a girl! A friend of mine."

He looks at me weirdly and I know what he's thinking. I have a friend other than him... It was weird of me to have another friend. He smiles. "Really? Cool! And I was hoping that we could go out today..." He starts to think.

"H-How about tomorrow? It's a holiday right?" I say, hoping to make him happy once again. He looks at me.

"Yeah, it's a holiday. That's perfect."

He smiles softly at me and I blush. "Oh, great." I kind of smile back.

It was awkward for a moment before my mother interjects. "Alright then!" She says, going next to us. "Satoshi, I will be seeing you tomorrow, yes?"

He nods. Was she spying on us? "Ok, good! I'll see you then, Satoshi," She says, waving as he walks out of the door.

"See ya, Takahashi-san! Bye Takiko!" He says waving. I wave back and my mother closes the door.

"A friend? Who is she?" She asks suddenly, crossing her arms.

"She's from school. We got paired for a project at school."

She eyes me up and down, looking for a sign that I was lying. Technically, I was lying, but she couldn't see it since I actually was going to see someone. She smiles. "Alright, I'll see you at...?"

Dang it! What time will I be back? "Uh.. Well, I didn't really plan well on the time. I'll say 3?"

She nods and smiles. "Ok, Takiko. Be safe."

I give her a small smile. "I will, Mama."

She gives me a kiss on the forehead and I head on my way.

~.~

I walk towards the east where Miki Lane was. I was wondering how she was, this magical girl. Was she nice? Was she mean? How did she look? Just so many questions running through my head. I look around, seeing kids with their families, and teenagers walking past me. They were smiling and having such a good time. The trees next to the small houses start to decrease as I get close to the city. The thing about where I live, it was between a suburban place and a city. Miki Lane was more in the city, making me a bit afraid. I didn't know what to expect since my school was more in the suburban neighborhood and I've only ever walked to school.

I turn on Miki Lane and look for the apartment building. I see one that was right on the corner, so I quickly go to the door. There was a ringer there and I push the button that had 203 next to it. Only a moment later when someone answered. "Hello?"

"Hi," I say, my hands going to my sides quickly. "I'm Takahashi Takiko, I was looking for-"

"Come on inside!" She says, the door unlocking. "The elevator's on the right, but if you prefer the stairs, they are at the end of the hall straight ahead. I'm on the second floor."

I go inside and gulp. I hug myself as I look to the elevator. It looked secure enough, but my fears still overcome me. I go straight towards the sign that said stairs. I open the door, seeing the stairs going up and down. The basement of course, but still, not knowing exactly what was down there was something that made me feel uneasy. I go up the stairs, hearing my footsteps echo through the large staircase. I try to focus on my breathing as other noises get to me. A door closing, the wind swirling through, endless silence, a ringing in my ear; I was shaking by the time I got to the second floor. I feel something behind me and I turn around quickly. Seeing nothing, I gasp and quickly open the door. I run through and close it behind me, breathing very fast. I try to calm my beating heart. I couldn't go to her like this!

I breathe in and out slowly, calming myself. As my breathing evens out, I start walking through the hallway. I get to 203 and knock on the door. It opens and I see a girl there was was a little shorter than me. She had light brown, curly hair in high pigtails and it flows past her shoulders. She had kind, light blue eyes and a small smile. "Hello, Kyubey told me you were coming today. I'm Chuujitsu Yume." She smiles kindly at me and bows. I bow back, saying my name quietly. She nods and gestures. "Would you like to come inside?"

~.~

AN: Woo! Another chapter is done! Takiko has paranoia if you already didn't realize... I tried to make her seem like she was scared from nothing and I hope I did it justice (I don't think I did). Anyway, the next chapter is about her meeting Yume and her date with Satoshi! ^.^ Please review! It bring me happiness~