Author's note: Aaaaaaand I'm back. It's been a while since I made an update. I never thought that this chapter would turn out the way it is. And I'm also sorry if this chapter's quite short. Hopefully make up with the succeeding ones. Do R&R. Enjoy!

Fünf

"No…"

She kept saying this, her vision already blurred by tears. An image of a certain someone slowly faded away and blended with the cosmos.

"Madoka!" Homura called out over and over as the image continued to fade. She felt so grief-stricken and fell on her knees.

"Madoka…" The black-haired girl covered her face with both hands.

"I've failed…to…protect you…" She said in between sobs. "I'm…a failure."

Images of Madoka dying or becoming a witch started playing in a loop. The pink-haired girl's cries of anguish and pain caused Homura's gut to churn. Whimpers filled the bedroom and that caused Mami to awaken.

Homura threw her head from one side to the other and her body thrashed helplessly. The blonde girl couldn't stand seeing the agony painted on Homura's face. Mami tried calming her down by giving her a hug. Somehow, it worked. Homura calmed down and Mami felt relieved when her breathing relaxed. She suddenly felt warmth in her chest while holding the younger girl close to her.

So fragile. The first thought in Mami's mind. The girl in her arms felt so fragile.

Mami slowly released Homura from the hug and tried going back to sleep.

A few moments later, Homura started jerking about in her sleep. The younger girl breathed heavily and sweat dripped down her forehead. Mami tried calming her down but to no avail. She was completely at lost and didn't know what else to do.

The looping images of Madoka's death from different timelines overwhelmed Homura too much and it caused her to scream. Her body trembled, still feeling the aftershock of the nightmare. As her eyes caught the sight of the ceiling, she felt tears brimming from them. She obviously tried her hardest not to cry, but it was hard…for she kept hearing the faint sound of Madoka screaming in pain. She looked to her right, only to see a worried Mami staring at her.

"T-Tomoe…san…?"

To her surprise, the older girl found herself locked in an embrace. It caught Mami off-guard, but she soon cradled her friend in return. Homura cried really hard, the tears were overflowing from her eyes. Mami's hand somewhat rubbed the other girl's back to calm her down. Kyoko could be seen outside the room, near the door. The red-haired girl was obviously disturbed, having heard that scream. Mami gave Kyoko a nod, reassuring her that the situation was under control. Kyoko closed the door and the sound of footsteps faded away.

"Please…" A soft plea escaped Homura's lips. "…don't…leave…me…please…"

"Shhh, it's okay. I'll be right here…" Mami whispered as she tried putting Homura back to sleep. The warmth of Mami's embrace felt soothing. Her eyes soon closed and she slowly drifted off to sleep. Mami remained by her side that night and eventually fell asleep while watching over her.

Mami awakened, feeling the warm sunlight on her cheeks. She looked to her side and saw the sleeping raven-haired girl. Homura seemed at peace while she slept and this sight made the older girl smile. Mami slightly moved the pillow and rested Homura's head on it. The movement caused the younger girl to whimper. Mami quickly brushed her hand away as she thought Homura got disturbed. But surprisingly, the younger girl was still fast asleep.

She looks peaceful. How cute. Mami giggled inwardly as she thought. She got off from bed, fixed herself and went downstairs.

"Mornin', Mami."

"Good morning." Mami greeted the redhead gleefully. "I'll go and get breakfast ready, just please bear with me."

"Woohoo!" Kyoko exclaimed. "Watcha makin'?"

"Just something simple," replied Mami. "How does toast with bacon and egg sound?"

"That'd be really great!" Kyoko followed Mami to the kitchen. "Need help?"

"Hmm, you can probably have some butter put on the bread first." Mami handed over the bread and butter to her red-haired friend. "Just get the bread knife over there. Once you're done, you can toast by two's and make sure they aren't too dark."

"Alrighty!"

"I'll take care of the rest." Mami said as she started frying bacon strips in the pan.

"Wow, smells really good!"

"You're excited about food as always." Mami said with a chuckle.

"Hey, Mami." Kyoko already finished putting butter on the first pair.

"Yes?" The blonde girl continued with her work.

"What happened last night?" Kyoko closed the lid of the toaster. "I heard Akemi scream. What was that all about?"

"Oh, that…" Mami carefully tossed the bacon strips to let the other side cook. "She…had a pretty bad dream…" The blonde girl's mood suddenly changed, remembering how pained Homura looked as she was having that dream. It must be something so awful. Mami felt quite worried at the thought.

"Any idea?" Kyoko had the first pair on a plate.

"I'm not really sure." Mami had another pan put on the stove to fry the eggs. "Oh, sunny side-up or down?"

"Either way's fine." Kyoko answered. "But, seriously. Ever since…you know…that happened, Akemi seems like she's always spaced out."

"Yeah..." Mami set the stove to low heat to make sure the bacon strips didn't get burned. "Do you think…?"

"Do I think what?"

"Do you think it has something to do with that 'Madoka' person?"

"Oh, you mean her imaginary friend?" Kyoko got the second pair of toast on a plate. "Do you even believe that story, Mami?"

"W-well…" Mami had a second thought.

"I mean, what gives?" Kyoko laughed. "Magical girls turn into witch-like beings when they fall into despair? Her imagination must be wild."

Mami was just silent.

"For all we know, we disappear from this world once we fall into despair. That's what you said, right? We'll be guided by the Law of the Cycle one day once all of our magic is drained." Kyoko tapped her feet on the floor while waiting for the last one to be finished.

"But you do remember Homura saying that name after Miki-san disappeared." Mami said while she drained the oil from the bacon strips.

"Yeah, that came just out of nowhere." Kyoko heard the beeping sound and got the pair of toast out of the toaster.

"Well, yesterday afternoon while she slept on the couch I also heard her calling out that name." Mami said while frying the second egg.

"So what are you suggesting?" Kyoko raised an eyebrow.

"I could tell that 'Madoka' person is…someone special to Homura." Mami concluded. "She'd become so sentimental whenever she talks about that…person."

"I don't know." Kyoko sighed. "She probably just needs a break. I mean, who could ever keep up with the kind of life we have?"

"You're probably right." Mami finished with having all the bacon strips and fried eggs partnered with each toast. Maybe she just needs a break. I hope it's that simple.

Homura eventually woke up, her eyes twitched when the sunlight hit them. She quickly got off from bed and went to the bathroom. After washing her face, she changed back to that set of clothes Mami lent her. Peeping from the door, she saw Mami and Kyoko sitting by the low table. The redhead was already eating, obviously.

"Oh, you're already awake." Mami said as she set the tray down. "Join us, please."

Homura approached them and sat down.

"I apologize. This person right here couldn't wait but to eat her share." Mami said with a giggle. Kyoko was busy munching on her toast. "I helped out, y'know."

Homura said nothing at that and began eating her breakfast. She found the smell of the food really nice. Mami-san's really a good cook.

"Aaahh..." Kyoko savored her milk up to the last drop. "That was delicious!"

"Finished already?" Mami was obviously amazed.

"Yup, yup." Kyoko patted her stomach. "Hey, sorry. I need to get going. My city needs protecting too, y'know."

"Get some cookies from the jar. You can eat them while walking." Mami offered.

"Nah, I'm good." Kyoko winked her eye. "See yah!"

"Take care, Sakura-san." Mami waved a hand at Kyoko who already left for the door. Homura continued eating her breakfast in silence. She noticed the time and realized that she woke up pretty late.

"How is it?"

"It's…really good." Homura answered softly.

"Sakura-san helped me out earlier."

"Yes, I think I heard her say that." The raven-haired girl's voice was the usual monotone. They continued eating their meal in silence. When they finished, Homura offered to help Mami with the dishes.

"Just soak them in the water for me." Mami smiled. "I'll take care of them later."

Homura nodded simply and soaked the dishes on the basin.

"Umm…Mami-san?"

"Yes?"

"I-I'm…really sorry about what happened last night…" Homura sounded apologetic. "I…guess…I must've freaked you out…"

Mami shook her head and tapped Homura's shoulder. "It's fine. Things like that happen."

Homura didn't say anything. For her, that wasn't just an ordinary bad dream or nightmare. That dream kept haunting her ever since that day…the day when Madoka sacrificed herself.

"Just remember, if you feel like talking to me about it, you know I'm here." Mami looked at Homura in the eyes. Somehow, when her eyes met Mami's, she felt a fluttery feeling in her chest. "I-I'll…keep…that in mind." Homura stammered at her words.

Mami also felt a pulsating sensation in her chest. For some reason, she couldn't explain what it was. One thing she was certain of, the feeling was really warm…

"I really need to get going." Homura stopped for a moment and realized she was still wearing the clothes Mami lent her.

"Oh, it's okay." Mami seemed surprised. "You can just return them at your convenience."

"Thank you, Mami-san…for letting me stay over."

"You're welcome." Mami said happily. "Here's your book, by the way."

"Oh, yes."

"And some cookies while you're walking." Mami handed a small, brown paper bag to the younger girl.

"This is...too much." Homura found herself bowing her head down.

"It's fine." Mami smiled. "See you at school, then?"

"Yes." Homura smiled faintly. "Thank you again, Mami-san."

"No problem." Mami said while leading Homura to the door. The two of them bid their goodbyes, finally leaving Mami alone in her apartment once again. Her hand was on her chest, still feeling the warmth of it.

What was that all about…? Mami couldn't understand it herself.