Some distant space-Unknown time

"Madoka, Hitomi and I were thinking of going out later today. Do you want to come? It'll be fun." Sayaka asked with joy.

Madoka slowly shook her head.

"Sorry, I just don't have time anymore. I promised Mami and Homura that I would go witch hunting with them later. If we don't, they will bring disaster and ruin to Mitakihara. You don't want that, do you?"

Sayaka looked around, taking notice of the fact that Hitomi was no longer beside her. In the background, a mermaid-like creature stood overtop of them. A dark cape sat on it's back, and a large crown rested on her head. It was oddly terrifying.

When she looked back, Madoka was in a full dress, Homura clutching her close. Sayaka seethed with rage.

"What the hell is this? Who do you think you are?" She screamed in a fit of rage, drawing a sword she didn't know she had.

Homura cocked her head to the side, seemingly confused.

"Why, she's my best friend of course. Isn't that right, Madoka?" She clutched her tighter.

"Of course, Homura." Madoka replied. "Don't worry, Sayaka. You won't be left out. We'll see each other around."

Mami appeared at Madoka's other side, also in full uniform.

"Relationships like that can be dangerous, though. Never know when they may get hurt. Better to keep with us and not get her involved."

Sayaka gripped down the sword in her hand harder, to the point where she thought the handle would shatter to pieces.

Nagisa appeared behind Mami, rushing in front of her and looking up at Madoka.

"Come on, I want to kill the witch already. This is boring."

Sayaka pushed off the ground, rushing towards the girls with sword in hand. With a few strides, she was just in front of them. She targeted Homura, still beside Madoka, visibly nervous.

"I've got you now-"

Madoka raised her hand, swatting away the blade like it was a piece of paper. She fell to the ground, her body unable to stand.

Madoka drew Homura in closer to herself.

"I won't let anyone hurt you. I'll protect you until the end of time itself." Sayaka wished those words were for her, but she knew.

"Shall we get going? That witch can cause real havoc if nothing is done." Mami asked. Everyone agreed, slowly walking away from her.

Mami and Nagisa vanished into the air. Sayaka clutched to Madoka, still on the ground.

"Please, don't do this. Think about everything we've done together. We can go wherever you'd like to go. I heard there's an amusement park opening up soon, or maybe we could go to the beach together. Just please…"

Madoka kneeled down, eye-to-eye with Sayaka. Her eyes were tearful, literally on her knees begging.

"I'm sorry, Sayaka, but I have a responsibility to protect this city. It's too dangerous for someone like you. Please understand.

Sayaka blinked her eyes, and the two of them were gone. She was alone.

She didn't know when she woke up, but she vividly remembered the feeling of extreme pain in her stomach. It had been crippling, destructive, unmerciful, uncaring.

At some point, she managed to get out of bed, slowly making her way to the other side of the room. Her steps were slow and shaky, her body barely able to walk straight. By whatever miracle, she managed to put on her uniform and walk out the door of her bedroom door.

She tried to eat, but no food had any taste to it. Neither did the juice she tried to drink, which simply slid down her throat. Deciding not to bother with it, she left her breakfast unfinished and went off to school.

Down the road she met Madoka and Hitomi. Sayaka rushed ahead to see them.

"Good morning, Sayaka-" Madoka's face grew to visible concern. "Sayaka, you look horrible. Are you sure you should be going to school like this?" Madoka asked.

She went to give her a piece of her mind, but quickly stopped herself.

It was just a dream.

"I'm perfectly fine. Come on, we'll be late." She responded, unconvincingly. Madoka grew more concerned.

"Sayaka, I still think-"

"I'm fine" She blurted out angrily. Madoka stepped back, a little afraid of her now.

"We can talk about this more later, but for now, Sayaka is right. We'll be late soon." Hitomi added.

Deciding not to argue and worry everyone more, she dropped the subject, the three continuing in silence towards the school in the distance.

.

.

.

The day seemed to pass slowly, but Sayaka couldn't remember anything. No matter how much she tried to get rid of it, that dream still plagued her. She didn't want to believe it, that Madoka and Homura would become closer to each other than they were, that she suddenly wouldn't have the time to be with her anymore, and yet…

She shook the thought. No, Madoka wouldn't abandon her. The two had been friends since they were children. She would never do that.

Lost in thought, she didn't notice that everyone was getting up. Maybe a little food would do her good.

She met Madoka in the hallway, and she offered to eat on the rooftop. Sayaka agreed, telling her that she would meet her up there soon enough, and Madoka ran up ahead. In the meantime, she wandered to the nurses office. Madoka was right. She wasn't okay. She needed to talk to someone about this. As she approached the office, she bumped into Homura in the hallway. She carried a small cardboard box in her hand.

"Sorry to bug you, but do you happen to know where Madoka is?" She asked, nervously fidgeting with the box in her hands.

She really didn't need this right now. However, she still put on her best act.

"Sorry. Madoka ran off when class ended. I'm not sure where she is." She responded.

Homura was visibly disappointed.

"Oh...well, if you happen to see her, can you give this to her? Tell her it's from me." She shyly replied, smiling and running off into the hallways.

Sayaka opened the box, and a small cupcake sat in its center, decorated with pink icing. A small candy heart sat in the middle of it.

Her mind grew blank, thinking of how Madoka would react if she knew it was from Homura.

The two…Inseparable...

Sayaka picked up the cupcake, eyeing it from every angle she could. It had been delicately made, the icing looking so fluffy that the smallest breeze would carry it into the wind.

It was beautiful…

Sayaka looked around to make sure nobody was nearby. As she had thought, Homura had been long gone. Where she was, she couldn't say, but that wasn't important.

Sayaka slowly peeled off the paper, not caring about how selfish she was being right now. She threw the paper away, a moment of hesitation passing over her. Alas, it was short lived.

"I'm sorry, Madoka." She whispered to herself, biting into the cupcake, and then another, and another. Before long, all that remained was the icing on her face.

It tasted so delicious, and yet it was so horrible.

She spent the rest of the day in silent agony.

A/N: Well, that's another one done. I hope you're all enjoying the story. I may be updating much slower, depending on how things play out IRL, but I hope you continue to read and enjoy.