Chapter 2

I

Kyubey's body fidgeted before falling completely limp, smoke still raising out of the blood hole in his head. Homura stood over him, the barrel of her gun likewise with a thin ribbon of smoke rising out of it.

Thanks to her innumerable number of time jumps she always knew exactly where to find the rat in these early days of a timeline. He was planning to lure Madoka into the warehouse behind the music store, and had Homura not interfered, that would be happening in just a few minutes.

Of course, she did not actually kill him. One of his copies would be showing up at any moment to complain about her destroying other people's property. She might kill that one as well, or she might not. It did not matter, she just had to keep him distracted long enough for Madoka to finish browsing the music store and start heading home.

In her past lives, if she prevented Kyubey from meeting Madoka here in the warehouse he usually would not try again until Madoka was going to bed. This time, however, Homura would move forward with her plan and Madoka would be nowhere to be found by anyone after parting ways with Sayaka.

"Well now, what was the point of that?" echoed Kyubey's voice from somewhere in the shadows. Homura searched the darkness until she saw his two glowing red eyes peering at her from behind a stack of boxes. "Just who are you anyway?" Kyubey asked as he came forward. Homura didn't respond, and simply watched him.

The new Kyubey walked over to the dead one with small soft steps. He looked at it and then back at Homura. "You seem to understand how easily I can replace them, so what were you hoping to accomplish by doing this in the first place?" He then bent his face over his dead copy and started eating it. The process was quick and sloppy, but when he was all done eating the flesh and licking the blood off the floor the spot was perfectly clean as if nothing had ever been there. He then sat back on his haunches and stared up at Homura with his strange alien eyes.

"Well, you've got my attention," he said. "Is there something you wanted? Or were you simply in the mood for destroying someone else's property?"

"I do want something," said Homura, slowly.

"Well I do have the power to grant wishes," said Kyubey. "In exchange for souls, that is, but I'm sure you already knew about that. However, since it seems that you no longer have a soul I don't know what it is you possibly could want from me."

"I want to deliver you a message," said Homura. "I want to tell you to leave Madoka alone. She is not signing your contract."

Kyubey's eyes lit up at the sound of Madoka's name. "And just what do you know about Madoka Kaname?"

Homura's eyes narrowed and her fist tightened. "I know that she has the potential to be one of the most powerful Magical Girls who ever lived, and with that she could also become the most wicked witch this world has ever seen." All of those horrible memories of past timelines ran through her mind, and of all the pain this little rat had caused her dear Madoka. "I also know that she is a kind hearted person, and tries her best to always do what is right. I know she doesn't deserve the misery you are going to try and put her through. Incubator."

"You're pretty well informed. I wonder how that is." Homura didn't respond, just continued staring intensely at the evil little rodent. "Who are you? How is it that you are a Magical Girl and I have never seen you before?"

"You don't already know?" she asked.

"I have a few theories, but would you tell me even if I guessed correctly?"

"Probably not."

"Then I suppose it is pointless. Well, goodbye then." Kyubey stood up and began to turn around when Homura interrupted him.

"Wait," she said. He looked back to see that she had her gun raised and pointed right at him.

"Doing that is pointless." His innocent little eyes stared at her. His face was angelic, as if it could do no harm.

She said, "I don't care" and pulled the trigger — putting a bullet right between those small red eyes. His little body collapsed and blood began to pool around the furry white mass. "That should slow you down long enough," she said as she returned the weapon to infinitely deep pocket behind her shield.

Now it was time for her plan to begin. Now all she had to do to keep Madoka safe... is capture her.

II

After leaving the music store Madoka had to start heading home. Sayaka bought a CD for Kyousuke and wanted to stop by the hospital to give it to him. Since their neighborhood and the hospital were in the same direction they ended up walking together for a little while longer. Madoka didn't say much while they walked and seemed to have something on her mind.

"Hey Madoka, are you feeling alright?" Sayaka finally asked, just before they were going to part ways.

Madoka suddenly looked up, being pulled out of whatever thoughts she had been mulling over in her mind. "Huh?" She smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, you just kind of seem out of it today. You were totally spacing out back at the music store."

"Eh, It's nothing, really."

"Does it have to do with that Homura girl?" Sayaka asked.

"No, it's not that... Sure, that conversation I had with her was kind of strange, but…"

"Well personally, I don't know if I trust her. I'm telling you there's something really off about that girl. Just saying, I'd just keep my distance if I were you."

"You're being paranoid." Madoka with a smirk which tried to put Sayaka back at ease. "I bet she is actually very nice, let's just try and give her a chance. Ok?"

"Hm… Yeah, I guess..." Sayaka passively kicked up a bit of dirt with her shoe. "It's just that… Well, you seemed really worried about something all day. Especially in the music store; I joked about it, but I really have never seen you like this before."

Madoka didn't want to tell her what really had her distracted in the music store. Mainly because she was sure she was just being silly again, but, she could have swore someone, or something, was calling out to her. She ended up telling Sayaka about it anyway, but then followed up by saying, "I'm sure I was just imagining things." She knocked herself on the head and laughed, "Just silly ole' me imagining things again."

Sayaka looked at her very deeply for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah, that's my Madoka." Without warning, she then leaned forward and kissed Madoka on the cheek, forcing blush onto the pinkett's face.

"W-what was that for?" Madoka said, taking half a step back from surprise.

Sayaka shrugged, "I don't know, I just felt like it." Then she laughed, and started blushing as well as she scratched the back of her head. "Well, I'd better get going. See you at school tomorrow!" She then quickly ran off in the direction of the hospital Kyosuke was staying in. Before disappearing around the next corner, she turned back and waved Madoka goodbye one more time.

"Wow… What's with her?" Madoka smiled to herself as she touched the spot where Sayaka had kissed her. "Guess I'm not the only one who's been acting weird. She has been doing that kind of stuff a lot lately." Madoka laughed as she twirled around and started heading back home.

III

Homura had been spying on them from a distance. When she saw Sayaka kiss Madoka on the cheek a certain twinge of anger built up in her. Homura didn't understand why it bothered her so much. Maybe it's because she knew Sayaka was speaking badly of her, and then that kiss was the last straw. Homura had given her life to protecting Madoka, and that blue haired tomboy always got in the way and ended up putting Madoka in more danger. If it were not for Sayaka Miki things would be so much easier. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced her anger was justified.

Yet, she exhaled and let reason refill her mind. It wasn't Sayaka's fault, and it wasn't Madoka's fault either. For at this point in the timeline neither one of them knew about Magical Girls. Nor could they know of the sacrifices Homura had made... If only she could make them understand. If only she could make Madoka understand. Then maybe she would find some resolution after all these years of struggling.

Alas, it was impossible. Homura knew this, and she also knew that no matter how hard she explained the situation to Madoka the true depth of her sacrifice would never get through to her. In past lives she had done just that: she explained everything to Madoka but to no avail. It's not that those past Madoka's did not believe her, it is just that she couldn't fully grasp what Homura was telling her. How could she? Homura doubted anyone who has never experienced time travel could even begin to understand what she has been through. Reliving the same few weeks over and over and over again, for an amount of time that she was sure exceeded what her natural life span would have been.

This time things were going to be different, though. She might not be able to make Madoka understand her sacrifice and return her the love she had been fighting for all this time, but she could at least keep her safe. She might not be able to defeat Walpurgisnacht and save the town along with all of her friends, but at least she would be able to keep Madoka safe.

She watched Madoka walk from the main street and take a shortcut through the park. After the park there would not be another unpopulated area before Madoka got home. If Homura was going to go through with her plan, now was the time to make her move. She set the gears on her shield into motion and time stopped. She walked through the motionless silent world and searched for a good place to catch Madoka off guard.

IV

Madoka walked through the park, reflecting on the day's events. As she thought about it, she wished she hadn't told Sayaka about that strange conversation she had with Homura. She wouldn't have if she knew it would cause Sayaka to start regarding Homura with hostility. Madoka hoped they could all be friends, but things already seemed to be off on the wrong foot.

She decided not to worry too much just yet, though. There would be plenty of time to set things right. Although, Madoka did worry about Homura for other reasons than just that. Homura had seemed very distressed as she spoke with her. She wondered whether or not she should tell one of the teachers about it. After thinking for some time she finally decided she would tell her mother and ask for advice. Her mom always seemed to know the right things to do.

Just as she was thinking about all that she heard someone call her name.

"Madoka."

She looked around and saw Homura leaning against a tree just off of the path she was walking. She was staring at Madoka with that oddly focused expression of hers.

"Homura?" Madoka returned the gaze with a friendly smile and approached her, "I didn't expect to see you here, do you live nearby?"

"No, not exactly," Homura answered, as she started glancing around, checking her surroundings. "I just... had something to do."

"I see..." Madoka was once again finding herself just a little bit uncomfortable about Homura's mysterious ways. "Well, sorry but I can't talk too much just now, I need to get home soon or I'll be in trouble. See you at school tomorrow!"

"Wait!" Homura said, reaching her hand out after Madoka as she turned to walk away.

Madoka looked back at her, questioningly. There was a sense of urgency in Homura's eyes that forced her to stop. "What is it?"

"Madoka, the truth is..." She started looking around as if searching for an explanation. "The truth is, I came here specifically looking for you."

"You did?"

"Yes, please, I need you to come with me." Homura stepped forward and grabbed Madoka's hand, intimately locking it inside hers. Madoka, having just met this girl who was now being far too familiar with her, backed away slowly.

"H-Homura... is something wrong?" She pulled her hand free and continued to back away.

V

It hurt Homura that Madoka was being so reproachful. It couldn't be helped. Homura thought of this girl as her absolute closest friend, but to Madoka they had met only this morning.

Homura didn't know what to do now, she had hoped she could convince Madoka to come along willingly, but it was clear she had already made a mess of that. She should have just come up with a lie to trick Madoka into coming along with her. How could she do it now? She could use force, which she was fully prepared to do, but she worried that Madoka might not forgive her. Plus she would have to waste a good bit of her time magic if she were going to bring Madoka all the way back to her hideout. But, if that was the only way, that's exactly what she would do.

She decided to try one more time to convince Madoka to come willingly. In past lives she had better luck convincing Madoka of things than she had with the other girls. However, this is usually when more of a relationship had formed. At this point in the timeline it would be hard to get Madoka to listen to anything she said. "Madoka, I know how strange this is, but it's important you come with me. Remember when I told you I have a friend who is in danger? Well, you are that friend." Homura looked at her very seriously and gauged her reaction.

"But Homura, what danger? And how could you know something like that? We have only just met."

"It would be difficult to explain, but please, if you would just come with me I'll explain everything in time." Homura stepped forward while Madoka matched each step backwards.

"Sorry, but if you can't tell me what it is..." She bowed her head slightly. "I'm sure I will be safe at my house, I have to go now!" She then turned and started to walk away at a quick pace.

"No wait! You won't! You'll never be safe!" Homura reached forward as she called after her, but ultimately she let her go...

...or so it seemed.

-Atomyst

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