Classroom-Mid-Afternoon

As expected, Sayaka didn't come back to class today.

Rumors began spreading of what could possibly be affecting her, not even having circulated the classroom before the story would somehow chance. A new idea, a new truth, a new possibility.

Madoka could see it in Homura's eyes: The wish to tell everyone that none of it was true. Of course, that would spurt everyone to start questioning Homura instead, a new insider perspective. As a result, she kept silent.

Thankfully, class was eventually dismissed, and Madoka and Homura found Sayaka leaving the nursing room on their way out of the school. She didn't look sad. Nor did she look annoyed anymore. If anything, she looked...happy.

"Hey, you're looking better." Madoka stated. Sayaka skimmed her fingers through her hair, distracted almost.

"Yeah. Sorry to make you all worry like that, but I'm fine."

Neither knew what to say.

"Really, I am feeling better. Oh, Homura, sorry for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to come off that way."

Homura shared an uneasy glance, again looking to the girl's face, but eventually relaxed herself.

"It's fine. I understand that you may have been a...little...emotionally unstable." She examined the girl further, now casting glances over her entire body. Sayaka made a move to cover herself up, even though she really had no idea what she was covering up.

"Sayaka, can I ask you a question?" Homura had a very curious look over her face.

"A-ask away. I'm ready to hear it."

Her face grew more and more red, struggling to ask what she wanted.

"Are you...b-by any chance…" She didn't finish what needed to be said, but Sayaka put the pieces together. If Homura's embarrassment was anything before, it was nothing compared to Sayaka's.

"H-h-how could you assume something like that?"

"It's okay if you are. My family has a lot of books on this kind of thing, and if you need someone to talk to-"

Homura felt herself being lifted into the air by Sayaka, her grip very surprisingly strong.

"I'm. Fine. Understand?"

"Are you-ah, yes yes, I understand. Just please put me down-"

Sayaka and Homura looked to Madoka, who was now in hysterics on the floor. The two couldn't help but laugh with her. Sayaka took notice of the crowd that was gathering to make sure she was okay along with the eager wait to ask her questions, confirm rumors and stories. She didn't care. For the moment, she was truly happy.

When everything began to settle, Sayaka felt the crowd close in on her, all three trapped in the enclosing circle. The end was nowhere in sight, and endlessly expanding.

"Is this how it ends?" Sayaka asked.

"Looks like it." Madoka responded. "There's so much more of life I wanted to see." They huddled together, embracing their imminent demise, but in their darkest moment, a brilliant yellow light burst from the crowd.

Mami stood before them in full magical girl gear, wielding two muskets to push through the crowd.

"Come with me, we'll make our escape together-"

That's so cool

Can you make me an outfit like that?

Where'd you get those toy guns from?

I've never seen anything like that before

I just love yellow

She's so cute

Slowly, the crowd opened up, allowing the three girls to blend in and make their way outside. From the center, Mami could just barely be seen.

"Hey, you'll all come for me, right? I came to rescue you, after all."

The three looked at each other, huddling together for a moment before meeting Mami's eyes. They all saluted her.

"Your sacrifice will be remembered and honored. We'll make sure you live on in memory." Madoka responded, running off and out from the crowd.

"Don't leave me here like this. Somebody, help me…"

But nobody came.

From outside the hospital, Madoka and Homura patiently waited for Sayaka. She had offered for Madoka to come in with her to see Kyousuke, but she had turned her down, saying that she didn't want to be getting in the way of their conversations. While she had been disappointed at first, she quickly went in with a smile on her face.

The two stood outside for a while, making various conversation to pass the time: About their day, weekend plans, other little things. When there was nothing left to ask, Homura asked the question that had been on her mind and had been avoiding asking.

"Why is Sayaka in the hospital?" She faced Madoka, now evidently a little uncomfortable, even though she probably knew the question would come up.

"She's visiting someone very close to her. I don't want to get into the really deep details, but...it's bad. Very bad."

"Oh…"

Another pause in the conversation.

"Is that why she's been so angry lately?"

"I can't say for sure, but it's possible. Even so, I'm sure it's not helping her stress. I wish I could do something for her to heal him."

"You could make a wish-" She stated excitedly, but quickly fell away from it. "Sorry. That was probably bad timing." Madoka thought about it for a few moments.

"I think it should be her wish, if anything, but she's a stubborn girl."

"I think I understand."

As if by fate, Sayaka rushed from around the corner, ducking behind Madoka. Fear struck over her face.

"What happened to you? Are you hurt?" Sayaka simply mumbled incoherently, her words a mess of nonsensical ramblings. Moments later, everyone felt the ominous presence approaching them. The footsteps in her boots were slow and shook the earth with every step. Her costume was dirty, pieces were wrinkled, and a crooked smile crossed over Mami's face. The muskets at her side, looking truly ready to fire at will, didn't help her image in any way.

"Hey, you think you can just leave me there and get away with it? I barely managed to escape from there intact, but my magic eventually saved me, of course."

"That's great." Sayaka quietly whispered.

"But nonetheless, I'll have to punish you all later for this treachery. For now, though, we have a witch to hunt." She responded, regaining her composure terrifyingly quickly. She had a certain air of tiredness to her, almost unfocused.

Homura rushed into the hospital, emerging minutes later in full gear and a few of the staff giving questionable glances where they thought she couldn't see her. Mami grabbed her cat plush and let it sit on her shoulder.

The group of 4 made their way through the small area outside, fighting off whatever they could come across. Homura scooched herself up beside Sayaka. She moved away a little, but seemed to return to her side shortly after.

"Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but I just wanted to ask you something."

"Is it another question like before, because if it is…" A burning wildfire lit in Sayaka's eyes, digging into Homura's very soul.

"Of...course not, but I wanted to remind you to be hopeful, for your friends sake."

Sayaka grew tense for a moment, but relaxed and took a deep breath.

"Listen, I appreciate what you're getting at, but I don't really believe in magic, and I don't need to make a wish."

"That's not really what I was getting at."

"But it was, wasn't it?"

Homura didn't answer.

"Even so, thank you."

"It's no problem. Just looking out for you." Homura looked forward, stopping dead in her tracks. She could see Madoka doing the same, followed by Sayaka. In the parking lot, Nagisa stood in a full black bodysuit. Decorative spots covered the suit, and 2 little fake eyes sat on the sides.

"I, the sweetness witch, have come to destroy you." Mami took aim at the figure, who was obviously in embarrassment, even for what she normally did. The other girls remained speechless.

Is this what a witch is supposed to look like? Madoka thought.

Homura gave her a look that said "I'm not even sure myself." Maybe telepathy was real.

"What...have you done to Nagisa?"

"She's long gone now. I am all that remains."

Mami ran forward, guns blazing, but quickly shifted her focus to a nearby patch of grass where she sat down, exhausted. Nagisa took off the suit, feeling her forehead. It was Mami's turn to be embarrassed.

"I told you that it would be too much for you, didn't I?"

"I'm fine. I can continue fighting." She lifted herself off the ground, but anyone who wasn't blind could see that she was struggling.

"Please, don't do this to yourself. You're going to make it worse."

Mami ignored her, slowly firing fake musket shots into her. Nagisa didn't bother to react, but rather continued to try to approach her.

"I thought you wanted to play along." Mami stated.

"No, not like this. We can do this another day, but please. For once, take things seriously."

"Like I said, I'm perfectly fine." She pushed her two muskets together, taking aim towards Nagisa.

"Ti...ro Final...e"

Mami fell into the grass, not bothering to get up this time, softly laughing. Nagisa lightened up a little.

"The witch is down. This area is safe. Are you ready to go home yet? I can put on a nice movie once we get back, if you'd like."

"Yeah, I think I'm ready."

Nagisa helped Mami off the ground, additionally using her muskets to help in that task.

"Sorry to do this to you girls. I should have just told her not to come to school today." She stated to the three worried girls.

"Don't blame yourself. Knowing her, I'm sure she would have gone anyways." Homura responded.

"You're probably right. I'll make sure she gets proper rest for the next little while." Slowly, she started to move.

"You're more mature than you look." Madoka stated. Nagisa smiled, looking at Mami.

"Yeah. Often times, she's the one taking care of me, but every once in a while, something like this happens. Isn't that right?"

Mami just nodded.

Homura approached them both, grabbing Mami's hand and helping to take her home.

"I think I can help you here. You're still young, and I don't want to see you getting hurt trying to walk her back."

Together, the three pressed onwards. Once again, Madoka and Sayaka were alone together. This was short lived, however, as Sayaka quickly went her own separate way. She was sure she had a lot to think about, and she didn't blame her for it.

In that parking lot, she wondered if she had the kind of dedication that Mami had for herself, pressing on for everyone else's sake.

She decided she didn't. Not yet.

Alright. Another update out. I hope you keep enjoying the story. On a side note, wow, I wrote a lot here.