I
"I wish for me and mom to eat..." She stopped talking and looked down the hall. "Um... can you wait a second?"
Kyubey's head turned as he watched her get up and start walking down the hall "Where are you going?" he asked, before padding along after her. "Don't you want to wish to eat cheesecake with your mother?"
"I do! Just wait a sec."
She could hear music playing - it sounded like a violin. There was a weird kid in the hospital room just a few doors down who loved classical music, and if Nagisa remembered correctly, he said that he used to play the violin before his accident.
Over the last few months Nagisa had spent a good amount of time here in the hospital, so she was fairly familiar with most of the people here. She had been particularly interested in that boy because she never saw anyone else his age here before, and it's for that reason she started visiting him and talking to him from time to time.
He was nice, but he had a really weird taste in music, which is why she often referred to him as the weird kid. He let her listen to his CD player once before and she thought it was really boring. Music should be fast and exciting! His music was pretty, but it was so boring! Nagisa thought it sounded like something only really old people would listen to. She liked him anyway, he seemed like a nice person, and it was nice to have someone at least a little closer to her own age to talk to when she was stuck waiting around the hospital.
When she heard the violin, it made her think of him. She was thinking if her cheesecake could help Mama, maybe it could help him out too. That's why, before she made her wish, she just wanted to invite him to come eat cake with her and Mama. Cheesecake was always good, but eating it with friends made it even better! Maybe she could even invite some of the nurses who had been nice to her as well, and have a little party. She thought that would be fun for Mama too.
As she got closer, she realized the violin was coming from the weird kid's room, and her first thought was that he must have gotten a new radio or something. Great, she thought, now he is going to force everyone to listen to that boring music! It was okay, though, she wouldn't change her mind about inviting him to the party just over something like that.
She went through his doorway, and her eyes widened with surprise. It wasn't a radio that was playing, it was the weird kid himself! He held a violin in his hands, his eyes were closed, and his body rocked back and forth with the slow rhythm of the music he was creating.
II
When the song was over, Kyosuke set his violin to the side, and the room filled with clapping. He felt a tear softly stinging the corner of his eye. He never thought that he would be able to feel this kind of happiness again. "Thanks, everyone," he said, then noticed Nagisa standing in the doorway. "Oh, hey Nagisa! Look." He held up his hand and wiggled his fingers around.
"Hey, weird kid!" Nagisa said, coming into the room. She was teasing him, but looked seriously at what he was doing with his hand. She thought that his body had been paralyzed and he shouldn't be able to move his hand like that. Moreover, she thought actually playing an instrument was supposed to be way beyond him.
"I asked you to stop calling me that..." Kyosuke sighed. "Besides, I'm three years older than you, why are you calling me kid?"
"Who is this?" Sayaka asked Kyosuke.
"Oh, sorry. This is Nagisa, her mother is staying in the room a few doors down," Kyosuke explained. "And Nagisa, this is my friend Sayaka who I told you about, and her friend Mami."
"Oh, so you're Sayaka?" Nagisa asked. "You're the girl who likes that boring music too?"
"Boring music?" Sayaka scratched the back of her head and grinned humorously, not sure what to make of this girl. "Well, I guess it's not for everyone..." then she felt Mami tug on her sleeve and point to the doorway. Kyubey had just padded into the room right after Nagisa and stationed himself just inside the threshold.
"Anyway, how are you able to do that with your hands?" Nagisa asked. "I thought you said you were paralyzed."
"No one really knows yet," Kyosuke said, staring at his hand and moving his fingers around more. "I guess you could say it was kind of like a miracle, or something..." His words trailed off as he looked over to Sayaka, remembering what she had said to him the day before. Sayaka noticed the way he was looking at her, and she blushed.
His mother saw this, then walked to the other side of the room. "I was just going down to the cafeteria, Nagisa, would you like to join me? And, Mami was it? You're new here right? Why don't I show you around a bit?"
"Oh, sure, that would be lovely," Mami said with a smile, understanding that Sayaka and Kyosuke should be left alone for a little while.
"Huh? But I wanted to..." Nagisa started, but Kyosuke's mother put her hand on the young girl's shoulder and led her out the door. Kyubey moved to the side to avoid being stepped on, and then turned to follow his new client as she was led out the door.
Before leaving, Mami looked back to Sayaka and spoke telepathically. "I'll get to the bottom of this," she said, referring to Kyubey and Nagisa. "I'll let you know what's going on."
Sayaka gave her a nod, and then went to take a seat by Kyosuke's bedside.
Before being led too far down the hall, Nagisa broke away from Kyosuke's mother. "Oh sorry, just one sec, okay? I forgot to ask Kyosuke something." Kyosuke's mother started to tell her to just be quick, but Nagisa was already gliding down the hall. She stuck her head into Kyosuke's room. "Hey, I'm throwing a party in my mom's room soon! I made a cheesecake and everything! You're welcome to come! You too, Sayaka."
"Um, sure, that sounds nice," said Sayaka.
"Yeah, thanks! We'll be there," Kyosuke agreed.
III
Kyoko tailed Mami and Sayaka all the way back to the hospital and hid around a corner down the street. She waited for a little while, hoping they wouldn't be too long, but after some time passed she finally got bored. She figured she learned all she needed to know about them for now. She was hoping to find out where the rookie lived, but supposed it didn't really matter. She was fairly certain of the general area, at least, and figured that would be enough for her purposes.
She was preparing to put an end to her stakeout for the day so she could go get something to eat, but just before she would have turned away she noticed someone - It was Homura!
Kyoko quickly ducked back behind the corner before she was seen, then cautiously peeked back out. It was Homura, alright. That long black hair wasn't easy to mistake. What was she doing here, though? Was she also stalking the other two Magical Girls?
Kyoko watched as Homura paced around in front of the hospital. She kept glancing up at the clock stationed above the front entrance, and at one point she pulled out her SoulGem and watched its glow as she crept around to the side of the building. Was she looking for a witch? Kyoko didn't know what the deal was, but figured this was her lucky day. She thought it would take weeks to track down the black haired Magical Girl, but now all she would have to do is start tailing her, and hopefully she would lead her right back to her hideout where she was keeping her pet girl locked up.
IV
As Kyosuke's mother led them through the hallway, she explained a few random things about the hospital to Mami, but Mami listened with only half a mind. She glanced down to Kyubey who was paddling along right behind their group; he would be invisible to everyone except for Mami and Nagisa right now.
'Nagisa, is there anywhere we can talk privately?' Mami asked her telepathically.
Nagisa jumped, a bit startled, and Mami quickly explained 'Kyubey can transfer our thoughts to each other so we can speak telepathically. Since he is following you around I assume you can see him, is that correct?'
"Um..." Nagisa spoke aloud, feeling a bit befuddled by having this girl speak directly into her head.
'Just think about what you want to say, and I'll be able to hear it,' Mami explained.
'Wait... Did she just say she knows Kyubey?' Nagisa thought.
'Yes I do,' Mami smiled. 'I've actually known him for a long time.'
Nagisa flinched back again. 'Woah! What! The girl with the big chest totally just read my thoughts!'
Mami blushed and smiled a bit awkwardly. 'I'm not reading your thoughts, you're sending them to me... um... you'll get used to it… Listen, is there somewhere we can talk privately?'
"Nagisa? Are you alright?" Kyosuke's mother asked. "You seem a bit distracted all of a sudden."
"Um, yeah, I'm okay!" Nagisa laughed. "Actually, I was just thinking I wanted to show Mami the roof. There's a really good view from up there so..." She turned to Mami. "Want to go?"
"Sure, that sounds lovely," Mami said with a smile.
"Now, Nagisa, you shouldn't force people into things like that."
"Whhaat? But she says she wants to go!" Nagisa complained.
"Yes, it's really all right," Mami assured her. "I'd love to see it."
"Oh, well alright then. Have fun," Kyosuke's mother said, but Nagisa had already grabbed onto Mami's hand and was leading her down the hall.
V
"Kyubey, would you mind transmitting this conversation over to Sayaka?" Mami asked.
"Of course. She is not too far away so that would be no trouble at all," Kyubey answered.
Nagisa looked between Mami and Kyubey with wide curious eyes and one finger held to the side of her mouth. After a moment, Mami asked, "Sayaka, can you hear us?"
'Um, Mami? Is that you? Yeah, I can hear you loud and clear!'
"Woah!" Nagisa said out loud. "Is that the weird girl?"
'Hey, I heard that! And why am I weird girl?'
"Because you like that weird music! And you're weird kid's girlfriend."
'Hey, first of all there's nothing wrong with classical music. A-and, second of all, I'm not his girlfriend!' There was a pause before Sayaka's thoughts continued to come through again, but it quickly became clear that she wasn't meaning to send them. 'W-well, then again, we do spend a lot of time together. And we have so much in common, I mean, I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend. But does he feel that way about me? I mean, he hasn't asked me out yet, but maybe he is just being shy? Well, we always were close… oh speaking of close, right now we are like, REALLY close. Oh crap! Is he going to make a move? Oh man! I'm totally not ready for this! Am I blushing? AH! he totally just touched my leg! Well, his hand just brushed it by accident, but still...'
Mami cleared her throat. "Sayaka… We can still hear you."
Nagisa started laughing and singing. "Weird girl and the weird kid, sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
'Oh what the hell! Get out of my head damn it!'
"Anyway, Nagisa," Mami gave her a smile. "Were you planning to make a contract with Kyubey here?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! He says he can grant a wish for me… um… how do you know Kyubey anyway?"
"Well, I'm a Magical Girl myself. I'm actually a bit of a veteran, I've been doing this for two years now. Sayaka is also a Magical Girl but she contracted only yesterday. Before you make a contract yourself, I just wanted to make sure you understand that being a Magical Girl is a dangerous lifestyle."
"It is?" Nagisa asked.
"Yes, did Kyubey explain to you that you would have to start fighting witches?" Mami looked at her very seriously. "The truth is, many Magical Girl's die at a young age in their battles against witches, so you have to be sure that whatever wish you make is something you are willing to put your life on the line for. Understand?"
"Oh… I see, but… I really do need a wish right now."
Mami saw the sad expression that came over Nagisa's face. "What exactly do you need a wish for? If you don't mind me asking."
"Well, you see, my mom has been very sick lately. It's getting bad, and the doctors have no idea what's causing it… but…" Tears started to force their way out of the corners of Nagisa's eyes. "I-I overheard my aunt and uncle talking, and they said the doctors are saying she won't make it much longer. Th-that's why I don't have a choice! I need to make this wish for Mama!"
"Oh, you poor dear," Mami said, kneeling down so she could put an arm over Nagisa's shoulder. "Listen, being a Magical Girl can be dangerous, but if you do become one you can team up with Sayaka and I. I've been doing this for a long time so I'll be able to keep you safe while we are fighting witches, and it really won't be so dangerous."
Nagisa let herself be hugged, but her face went red with the effort of holding back the tears. This was the first time she spoke openly about her mother's condition. She supposed because it's the first time she said it herself, and actually acknowledged the fact that her mother was going to die, that it was causing her to break down.
Mama was going to die, and never come back and leave Nagisa all alone with an aunt and uncle who weren't too bad, but they weren't very nice either, and they didn't really care about her the way her mother did. She would die and never come back and Nagisa would never get to cook with her, or tell her about her day, or eat cake with her ever again!
The tears finally came out in full force, and Mami hugged onto her tighter. "Oh, you poor thing," Mami said, squeezing her into her breast. "There there, it's okay." She spoke soothingly, rocking her back and forth and patting her head, trying her best to comfort the poor little girl.
It wasn't just that her mother was dying. There was something else that was making Nagisa cry, something she REALLY didn't want to acknowledge. It had to do with that conversation she overheard between her aunt and uncle. When they were talking about her mother's condition, they didn't sound sad… They didn't exactly sound happy either, but it was almost as if they were waiting for it. Nagisa's young naive mind wasn't able to fully grasp what it meant, but something in their tone of voice just sounded wrong. Something wasn't right. She didn't think they were bad people, and they could be mean sometimes but… but… no, they actually were bad people. They were bad BAD people, and nobody knew it! Not even Mama!
Kyubey padded along in front of her. "Your mother's condition has stabilized downstairs, but there is a very low possibility of her lasting more than a couple days. Honestly, it's possible that she could go at any minute, so if you want to make a contract with me, you better do it soon."
Mami shot Kyubey a scolding look. She didn't like it that he was trying to pressure her into a contract while she was in this condition, but at the same time she supposed it was important information to have.
Nagisa pulled away from Mami, and wiped her eyes off on the backs of her sleeves. Nagisa stood in front of Kyubey and nodded, her mouth was frowning and though her face was red and wet there was strength in her eyes. "Kyubey, I'm ready to make my wish." His little red eyes glistened as he stared back at her. "I wish that me and mama can eat chee-" … "Oh, wait a second." She turned back to Mami with a smile. "Hey Mami, I'm throwing a cheesecake party for Mama, I almost forgot to invite you. So you want to come to?"
Mami had a flabbergasted look on her face. "Um… N-Nagisa, dear… What exactly are you planning to wish for?"
"I was going to wish to eat cheesecake with Mama, of course." She blushed and folded her hands behind her back with a proud smile on her face. "I made a cheesecake all by myself today for the first time ever! I wanted to share it with mama, but she was too sick to eat. So that's why I'm going to wish to get to eat the cake with her!"
'You've… got to be kidding me…' Sayaka thought.
"Hey! Shut up, weird girl!" Nagisa shouted. "Don't make fun of my wish! Stupid weird girl!"
"Um… Nagisa, honey," Mami started slowly. "Shouldn't you wish to cure your mom's illness instead?"
"But Mama's sickness is making her sad, and the cheesecake will make her happy. That's why if I wish for her to eat cheesecake it will make her better."
"Um… Nagisa… how should I put this…" Mami spoke calmly. "Listen, you don't know for a fact that the cheesecake will cure your mother, but if you actually wish to cure her it's a guarantee that she will get better. Understand?"
"But, if I do it my way, she will get better AND we can have cheesecake!"
'What are you dense?'
"SHUT UP WEIRD GIRL!" Nagisa shouted, and started stomping on the ground. "Stupid weird girl! You big idiot!"
'You're the idiot! If you wish for her to get better, you can still eat the cheesecake with her! You don't need a wish to eat freaking cake!'
"What do you know! Weird girl! YOU BIG DUMB- um… oh wait…" Nagisa stopped shouting and thought about it for a moment.
Mami smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, but Sayaka's right! I mean, it does make much more sense to just do it that way."
"Um… okay then…" Nagisa stepped towards Kyubey and nodded. Her mouth was frowning and though her face was red and wet there was strength in her eyes. "Kyubey, I'm ready to make my wish!" His little red eyes glistened as he stared back at her. "I wish to cure Mama's sickness!"
-Atomyst
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