(Takes place during time of wraiths)

It was quite a delightful outcome. The practicing hall for Hitomi's piano lessons was very large, which made her enchanting melodies dance in the school's corridors. Each and every time, it would entice a curious listener. The young teen with olive curls was well aware and would feel a sense of captivity, when she knew that her listener was also watching.

Homura Akemi had been captivated by her tunes for weeks. When Madoka Kaname became an infinite being, she had to let go of a part of her and endure a heartache that gnawed at her. It was lonely, so lonely, now the apple of her eye had ascended to a greater purpose. The only comfort she had was that she was at least watching over her. Often, she'd visit the concert hall as a form of meditation, especially when upperclassman Hitomi Shizuki was performing. 'Ludovico Einaudi's I Giorni' was echoing softly in the walls. Not a sour note was ever hit. Everything felt so natural. She'd never really taken time to appreciate the arts before, but music had now become a form of experience for her. Some emotions and thoughts, not even realized, were being awakened by such beautiful sounds.

Coming to the end of her piece, Hitomi looked up at the balcony to see the raven haired girl watching her. Everything seemed to just shimmer and shine so radiantly in the spot lights. It was if the surrounding world had washed away from the etching shadows and all she saw was all Homura needed to. For a while, she'd been seeking something, someone, to protect. With her dear friend absent, she was starting to lose a sense of meaning in her life. It had become repetitive, dull and lacked anything human. Yes, her soul gem had begun to darken. She'd been conscious of Hitomi for a long while. The adoring upperclassman would pester her relentlessly to visit her home for supper and to meet her parents. For whatever reason, the violet eyed maiden would try to keep her distance from her, scared of getting too close, in fear she may just wind up losing somebody else who would eventually mean dear to her. The only problem was, she already seemed to feel this way.

Hitomi was vulnerable, susceptible to any lingering wraiths, as the relationship with Kyousuke was wearing on her patience. She actually recalled having to save her a number of times. Why did their connection happen at all to begin with? It started with curiosity, then it jumped into a deep, emotional cluster, when Hitomi was discovered on the roof, having broke down into tears over her frustrations with love. At the time, Homura's means of consoling was to prevent any appearance of daemons, but it appeared that Hitomi took to the comforting a little too personally and nowadays, she was seeking her out for companionship. It was hard to judge whether she was looking for a friend, since her others had either joined different groups or, like Madoka and Sayaka, just disappeared altogether. It was easy to feel sympathy, but again, another possibility was that she was looking for someone who had time for her and could invest so much into the relationship as she had intended.

The situation made Homura want to blend into her surroundings like a chameleon, but here she was, sitting to another one of the elegant girl's masterpieces. Seeing the friendly expression, she returned it warmly to her.

'Y-You really mean it? You're free?' gasped the upperclassman, astonished and attempting to mask her excitement.

'Yes' Homura responded plainly, with a small smile. 'No plans tonight and I'd be happy to accept your invitation to seeing your home and meeting your family'

A squeal of delight emitted sweetly from the girl with pear coloured kinks and she was practically jumping on the spot, until she stopped to see Homura, watching her with some amusement. Clearing her throat and straightening her skirt, she bowed with a serious expression.

'I am thrilled at the acceptance of the invitation and will take good care of you in my home' she assured boldly.

Homura couldn't help but roll her eyes slightly.

The dinner was hearty with fresh fish and vegetables and stimulated their taste buds. Homura however remained fairly quiet throughout. She hadn't any intention on budding any discomfort, but nowadays, she was very used to keeping her mouth shut and listening to the world around her. She was pestered by folks who talked relentlessly with no sense of decency and maintenance. Rather perplexed, but kinda expecting the silence, Hitomi started to ponder sadly. Was she here out of pity or did Homura return her affection finally? It was very vague and she eyed her across the table frequently.

Afterwards, they retreated to Hitomi's private room, which she used for reading and her music practice. It had an enormous window that allowed for one to look over Mitakihara City from which ever side of the room. The lights glistened in the ocean of the night outside.

'You're a mysterious maiden, Akemi-san. Your silence fascinates me'

'How so?'

'Well, very often I feel like everyone hasn't a break or a time for silence, You seem to have it very close… as a friend, if you catch my meaning'.

The raven haired teen smiled at the personification and looked about the extensively large collection of books 'I only speak when my mind calls for me necessary to do so. To fill in the air needlessly with ramblings or even pointless small talk can be rather distracting and also doesn't give one space to think'.

'Akemi-san' Hitomi chimed, tutting playfully 'Are you implying chatter boxes are pea-brained?'

'Perhaps. When everyone is talking, no one can really listen. It turns into noise that doesn't mean anything'.

'I agree'.

'They're scared of silence'.

'How do you mean?'

The girls skimmed the shelves, side by side, Hitomi withdrawing an old book with poetry by Keats.

'Silence is another language altogether. Some people can't really read it, but you don't have to be a genius to. There are Awkward silences, Stunned silences, Peaceful silences, Thoughtful silences, Fearful silences, etc. Folks forget you don't need words to communicate'.

With that, one was introduced and Hitomi considered whether or not to break it. 'The cafe, downstairs, sometimes I see elderly couples with drinks and meals, very comfortable in each others company but not exchanging a single word'.

'Yes, sometimes a silence can simply imply your comfort around someone. I'm sure you've seen that sorry, nervous wreck at school. When a girl or boy confesses their crush to someone and they begin blubbering needlessly in attempts to make the situation better, but it just makes the scenario uncomfortable'

It was a wonder to hear the upperclassman deliver a hearty chuckle at that. It wasn't the kind that was restrained to be modest, lady like and polite, even if the joke wasn't funny, it felt real and Homura felt a strange concept of appreciation at that.

'Oh, dear. Yes, I have'.

The quiet snuck into the room again and it was gradually becoming a little discomforting, perhaps because in the back of the raven haired gals mind, she still wasn't too open to having a close connection yet. She was nervous. After all this time, after having saved Madoka, her closest friend, she was still socially awkward. The seaweed haired teen, shuffled closer and the silence was now ringing in Homura's ears. With this she finally spoke.

'Yeah, I've seen it a lot. Without many people to talk to, I just absorb and observe the world around me'

'You do appear very lonely' Hitomi cooed worriedly.

'I am'.

'Why were you hesitant to accept my invitation for so long then?'

Sighing, Homura turned and walked over to the piano, staring into her own reflection in the pitch black.

'I'm kinda just used to my own company at this point. Also. I'm scared. So many people have left me behind and I can't bear the idea of getting hurt again'

'I won't hurt you. I wouldn't dream of such a thing'.

'You're very kind, Shizuki-san, but I think my heart has been played with enough and… I feel tired. I'm so tired of all these promises and these memories. I just think it's better for me If I'm alone. No one can hurt me then and the person I can rely on and depend on is myself. I've spent so long, fighting for my feelings to reach people. For them to be understood and even reciprocated, but that just seems to be a dream. Everyone just keeps leaving me behind'.

Fumbling with her hands, Hitomi looked to the floor, feeling helpless and also a lot of weight on her shoulders having listened to that.

'You sound very strong to me'.

'No… I'm not really. I'm… so weak'.

This verbal break was painful, blunt and hard, that hit you between the heart and stomach. Keeping her back to her host, Homura didn't realise she had moved, until a familiar tune rang in her ears, the tune she had heard Hitomi play earlier in the performance hall at school. The beginning always started off slow and the notes lingered, tugging a certain spot at her heart. She couldn't explain it. Once it had sped up, the mood seemed to flip and she'd feel an inner sense of peace. Perhaps with the slowness, it emphasised the idea of drifting off into nothing, becoming nothing. Being alone. Maybe it's why, when she heard this tune, she was so magnetised to it, her emotions, her thoughts, everything she was experiencing was put into this song. She knew full on well it wasn't the intention of the composition, but it was the impact. Sometimes mid way, approaching other fragments of the tune, it would touch upon silence. But in that moment, theres no way to think. You can only feel. Feel the music, as it made the hair on the back of your neck and along your arms stand on end, goosebumps, a chill. Inside, her stomach and heart would tug and twist in their place. It was true art. It explained everything without having to write or say a single word. Maybe Hitomi really understood her pain.

The upperclassman lifted her gaze to her, a sad smile seated on her delicate face. Nothing needed to be said, they were both sure of it and it resumed until the tune had come to an end.

For some time, the girls sat together in the room. Hitomi was happy to be able to expand the use of her library to someone who greatly appreciated it. It must've been two whole hours passing, before Mrs Shizuki drummed her fingers at the door.

'Come in!' called the upperclassman gleefully.

'Hello there, girls' Mrs Shizuki addressed happily 'I was just wondering, Miss Akemi, if you'd be interested in spending the night. It is awfully late now'.

'Oh, I couldn't possibly-'

'That'd be great' Hitomi interrupted gleefully.

At that, the raven haired teen sunk back into her chair. She was unsure if this should persist. She was afraid she'd have to leave at some point to fight the wraiths. How on earth was she to explain that? Did she need to? Could she sneak out successfully then return quietly to the room?

Nothing is gonna last forever. It's a grim, hard reality. Something bizarrely missed about her time travelling venture was that she could have so many chances to do the right thing, attempt it over and over. That just wasn't the case now. Something for definite could sweep away in the blink of an eye now, with no chance of recapturing it. Homura laid wide awake beside Hitomi, who slept contently. Is it worth having a friendship, or any connection for that matter, knowing someday it'll be taken away? She'd never felt so conflicted with herself.

'Akemi Homura'

Her orbs of violet fell to the floor, when they met a familiar shade of pink staring back at her intensely.

'There are wraiths in the city center. Sakura Kyouko is there right now, but she needs help'.

'I'll be right there'.

Homura glanced over guiltily at her dreaming company. Stroking Hitomi's hair delicately, she got up and gently slipped out of the covers. Stepping over to the window, she gazed out over the victimized population. Not too far ahead, she saw the droning beasts of china white, sliding across the concrete, jaws agape and projecting beams towards a red figure, slashing and cutting at them with a lance. Withdrawing her soul gem, only then, as she looked into it, did she notice the clouds swirling about the center constantly.

The battle was painless and quick, a rarity, but confirmed due to the presence of the fierce redhead. Homura sneaked back in through the study, still in her Magical Girl dress. As she crept soundlessly across the room, she caught a glimpse of outside and stopped to take in its beauty. The night lights twinkled as assuredly as the stars and the outside rush of wind wrought a shiver down her spine, prickling her skin with goosebumps. It was nice to be warm again.

'People leave me behind too' rose a weary voice.

The charcoal haired girl froze. She'd lingered there too long. Hitomi was awake and had found her.

'Did I do something wrong? Why do people keep drifting away? Is this the world? Is it something I should just get used to?' her sweet voice trembled in the dark.

Homura kept her back to her, looking out at the city. She wasn't sure if Hitomi could see her outfit, but remained still.

'It's the way things are. Things come and things go. Everything is temporary, just as you or I'.

'So, you're saying nothing matters!' Hitomi shot, marching over to her. Her fists clenched, her outburst more from fear than any sort of anger. Homura kept her cool tone. Hitomi was indeed fragile. Sheltered. Perhaps it was time to open her up to the real word.

'I didn't say that'

'Should it be assumed?'

'Life garners as much meaning as you desire to put into it. It's up to you to make your decisions and find your path, not anybody else'.

'I… dunno where I stand… I want to know what my meaning is'.

'You meaning is whatever you want it to be, providing you act upon it'

The rich girl quietened for a brief moment before coming closer. Homura tensed slightly, feeling the girl's arms wrap around her from behind. Her hands clasped securely onto each other and the raven haired girl was gobsmacked, blushing, as she felt butterflies in her stomach. Feeling the kinks and curls of the rich girl tickle her neck slightly, she realized Hitomi was resting her head on her shoulder, staring intently at their reflection in the glass. Gulping, Homura remained still.

'W-What's your meaning?'

The Magical Girl shook a little, coming up with an answer.

'My meaning is to help others, to save others from their own thoughts, that consume them into a bottomless fall of despair. I bring resolution, comfort and peace to folks who are troubled and agonized by their situation'.

It was to the point, a little cheesy, but delivered the message pretty clearly she gathered.

'What are you, a superhero?' Hitomi mocked, a grin sneaking onto her face. She giggled a little, hugging the taller girl to her closer and beamed, when in the reflection, she caught her smiling back.

'I just came out here to look at the scene' she lied.

'It is a nice view at night'.

Soon, curiosity wore at the teen and she pondered aloud, softly.

'Hitomi Shizuki, what do you want your meaning in life to be?'

'I... I want to matter to someone'.

That sentence alone tugged at the raven haired girl's heart strings and she brought her hands up to hold onto Hitomi's still clenched at her belly. The butterflies were a vicious lot and she heard her 'friend' gasp quietly, feeling their warm contact.

'You do.'

END

(This was a hard one. The relationship here is more for friendship, but you can also kinda see it as a one-sided love. Sorry it's been ages since I uploaded. Been mega busy with coursework. I might come back to this later and fix it. I'm still not 100% sure with it in general. Hope you don't find it too heavy in the philosophy department, but I wanted to focus on the idea that these two people just kinda have everyone around them slowly disappearing and how insignificant they feel in all of it. Oh well, comment as always. Toodles!)