A small noise from the hallway startled Homura, reminding her to get her emotions into check. She quickly wiped her eyes and took deep breaths to calm herself down. Before long, footsteps could be heard slowly making their way into the room Homura was waiting in. By then, her mask had fallen back into place. Slowly, but surely, Madoka had entered the room. They stared at each other, one with denial in her eyes and in the other, indifference. Eventually, Homura broke the silence, "I called your mother and told her you would be here with me so she wouldn't worry." Madoka continued to stare, almost like as if she didn't hear anything.
Homura looks away and sighs "I am sorry that you were ever involved. I warned you time and time again not to get involved to at least spare you the pain. Kyubey knew there was no way to change a Witch back into a Magical Girl but allowed Kyoko to get you involved for a lost cause." Homura shakes her head and stands up facing Madoka, " I told you to give up on Sayaka Miki the moment she became a Magical Girl. Now you know why. I never lied to you when I said I saw many people die...Horribly."
Madoka continued to stare and Homura was starting to get slightly uncomfortable. She was about to turn away when Madoka's voice interrupts her thoughts. " Is…. Is Kyoko ok?" she asks hesitantly. Homura had hoped to avoid that topic, but she now had no choice. "No. She sacrificed herself to destroy the witch that was once Sayaka Miki." Her voice softened when she saw Madoka flinch, adding "Kyoko told me to get you out and to apologise for getting you involved. She considered you a good friend, Madoka Kaname." Homura looked up at the clock, mainly as an excuse to avoid seeing the look on Madoka's face. Her eyes widen in surprise as she realises what time it is. "I am sorry Madoka, it has gotten quite late. I should take you home."
Homura turns to see Madoka with her head bowed. "Madoka?" Homura asks. Madoka doesn't reply or move. "Your parents will be worried. I will tell them you came over for tutoring. That way, they will not question you." Madoka lifts up her head and slowly nods.
"The police will find Sayaka Miki in the hotel room Kyoko Sakura was residing in tomorrow. And her funeral will take place the day after." Homura states, as they slowly walked back to the Kaname residence.
"...Will you come to the funeral Homura?"
"No. I will be unable to attend." Madoka looks down. "I see. Is it because of that powerful witch that is coming?" Homura was surprised Madoka knew about Walpurgisnacht, but refrained from asking, only stating a simple yes. As Madoka was about to ask another question, her father appeared. "Ah there you are Madoka! And is this your tutor?" Madoka's father asks. "I am Homura Akemi, pleased to meet you." Homura says politely. "Would you like to come inside?" He asks. Homura shakes her head, "No, I am sorry, I must get back home before dark. Thankyou Mr. Kaname." she answers with a polite bow and turns away, walking back home.
'The funeral is today. I wonder how Madoka is faring. She seems to be reacting worse this time. I wish it never came to this. I hate seeing her in pain like this. I only hope this is enough to stop her from contracting-'
Homura's writing was interrupted by a knock on the door. She was a little confused, wondering who could be at her door in this weather at this time. As she opened the door, she was surprised to see it was Madoka. Due to her experience with hiding emotions, her stoic mask never slipped.
"Mind if I come in?"
Homura looks at her, soaked from head to toe. Her heart went out to the girl, knowing how upset she must be. 'For her to come here in this weather, it must be important' Homura thinks to herself, not that she would turn Madoka away anyway. Wordlessly, she steps aside.
As Madoka enters the living room, unlike last time where it had hardly anything, this time she sees images large and small displayed everywhere. One in particular catches her eye."That's… Walpurgisnacht isn't it? Kyoko told me about it. She said you were teaming up. She also said that it's so strong, one magical girl couldn't beat it by herself. Is this where you're getting ready?" She asks, flinching when Homura suddenly glares at her. Undaunted, Madoka continues to speak to her, needing to confirm what she already had suspected "The city's in danger isn't it?".
Homura lessens her gaze, realising there's no point in denying it. "This witch is different from the others. It's so powerful, it doesn't need to hide in a labyrinth. And when it appears, thousands of people are going to die. Just like that. Ordinary humans can't see it, they'll think the destruction was caused by an earthquake, tornado or another disaster."
"Ok, so it has to be destroyed no matter what." Madoka declares with a smile. Homura quickly turns to look at her and closes her eyes. 'I've never seen this many reactions from Homura. Maybe I can help somehow...' Madoka thinks to herself and with a fresh wave of confidence, continues on, "Now that Kyoko's dead, you're alone. You're the only magical girl left and you're going to need someones help to beat it! What if I-"
"I can handle it by myself." Homura snaps out. "Maybe Kyoko couldn't do it, but I can certainly defeat Walpurgisnacht on my own." Homura pauses and looks away. "To tell you the truth, I never really needed her help. I just agreed so she wouldn't feel bad."
"Is that true? Madoka asks. Homura stayed silent. "I want to believe you, I do. I don't know why, but I guess I- I guess I don't want to think you'd lie to me." Madoka's voice starts to quiver "But I don't think you're being honest with me right now. And I don't think you're gonna be alright on your own." Madoka ends with tears running down her face. Homura grits her teeth after hearing Madoka's plea, trying to keep herself together and stamps her foot down. "How can I be honest with you? You wouldn't believe me anyway."
Madoka is confused by this statement, "Homura..."
"The thing is… I'm...You and me… We're not even from the same time!" Homura cries out and spins around, her resolve crumbled, with tears flicking from her face and to Madoka's surprise, runs up to her embracing her. "Ah…" Madoka is in utter shock especially since the way she hugs her is the way close friends would and is too stunned to return the gesture, causing Homura to tighten her embrace.
"The truth is, I'm from the future. I've met you over and over. And every time- in every time- I had to watch you die. What do I have to do to save you? What do I have to do to change your fate? I kept doing this month over and over again searching for the answer."
"Why you…Huh?!" Madoka starts to ask as she tries to make sense of it all. This reaction only causes Homura to tighten her grip. "I'm sorry. I'm not making any sense. I'm scaring you aren't I? I mean, you barely know me. I just started going to your school, so it's not like you really know me." Homura's voice starts to break, "But I know you. I know you so well. Everything's messed up. The more I redo this time, the further apart we get. My feelings, my words, nothing gets through to you. I'm out of options. I don't know what to do anymore."
"Homura…"
"I will save you. That's the one thing I wished for. That's how it started. And now it's the only thing I have left to guide me. And it's okay if you don't understand anything I'm saying. But please, please let me protect you." Homura requests, releasing Madoka from her embrace and instead, resting her hands on Madoka's shoulders.
Madoka looks at her, still trying to make sense of everything Homura just said. 'Why is it so important to her to protect only me?' she thinks to herself. 'Why did she use her wish for me? I just don't understand.'
"Madoka? Please promise me you won't make a contract. Please let me protect you!" Homura begs. Madoka looks down, breaking eye contact with Homura. "I….Can't." she replies. Homura steps back with confusion clearly showing in her eyes. "What? But-I mean- why?!"
"You tell me you've met me before and that you're from the future. You tell me that I'm the reason you became a magical girl. How do I know it's true? As I said before, I don't wanna think you're lying to me, but you said that you know me so well and yet you've been cold to me and Sayaka since you transferred and threatened to attack us when I tried to rescue Kyubey. You said you'd do anything to prevent me from making a contract, but I don't understand how I could be so important to you. Why did you wish to save me?" Madoka asks. "Please help me understand".
Homura sighs. "Does it really matter? As I said before, you wouldn't believe me anyway."
"No no. I want to understand, Homura! Maybe if you show me something from the past or future, since you can time travel, that might help? I suppose it's easier to believe something when you see it." Madoka suggests. Homura looks away, sighing again. "My powers don't work that way. I can't take you to the future or past or show you anything from my past-." Homura stops as she notices the opened book on the table. "Then again...Perhaps there is something I can show you. You might want to sit down." Homura suggests, gesturing to the couch. Madoka wordlessly sits down, looking at Homura expectantly. "I am going to make some green tea. Would you like some?"
"Yes please." Madoka politely replies. Homura nods and goes to the kitchen. Madoka looks around realising how much research has gone into tracking this witch. At the same time, she notices how barren it actually is. "Not one photo of her family… or her friends, or even any artwork." Madoka says to herself. "How can she survive like this? I wonder if she was like this even before making her wish…" Hearing footsteps, she turns to see Homura placing her cup of tea in Madoka's hands. "I know it isn't like Mami Tomoe's tea, but I hope it will suffice." Homura says. "I'm sure it will be fine Homura." Madoka assures with a smile.
Homura walks over and picks up a small book from the table. She gazes at it for a moment and then offers it to Madoka. "What is it about Homura?" Madoka asks not noticing any apparent title or marking of any kind on the cover.
"It isn't your typical novel as such. In a way, it is a story of my life. A diary if you will. I kept notes from every timeline and records of good and...unpleasant memories. The purpose of this book is to help prevent me from making the same mistakes and also… to remind me of who I was and why I'm doing this." Homura softly says. She then stands up and states "I will be in my bedroom. Take as much time as you like to read it. I need to continue preparing for Walpurgisnacht." She stops and without turning, she continues, "It may not be time travelling, but that book is the only proof I have besides my soul gem that reminds me that all this is not a dream. I hope it makes things clearer for you." And with that, she walks away.
Madoka looks down, noticing the handwriting and the style of writing changing throughout the book. She turns to the first page and begins to read.
'What can I say?
I'm just a transfer student...'
A/N: ...
Anyhow... I'm hoping this was an improvement from chapter 1... As always, constructive criticism is appreciated!
