XVII.
When she feels better, She's met face to face with the sound of Sakura Kyoko stuffing her face of cake. Not that it's much of a sound, but it's better than thinking of her own foot smashing through a red soul gem.
Why does it bother her? THey aren't Madoka, they don't want her around and never have. Why does this mean anything at all? It can't. It shouldn't- They weren't the ones who supported her or had confidence in her. That was Madoka. It had always been Madoka. That was why she'd been doing all of this!
THese people would be willing to sacrifice Madoka, so why -
"You did a number on Mami," Kyoko says. Her voice is deceptively mild, as are a lot of things with her. She pretends not ot care, then cares too much.
Homura knows them better than they know themselves, really. "It was the truth, and the incubator said it. It's not my responsibility what she does with it."
"It's not," Kyoko agrees with good cheer. "However, lil sympathy might be nice, right? Or, I dunno, surprise? Anythin' could make a person wanna help you with that big monster."
"You'll get plenty of grief seeds out of it. That's all you want, correct?"
"They help," Kyoko allows, tossing an apple slice into her mouth and chomping it down with relish. "But you can't do it alone, and you and I can't do it alone, yeah? You know that. IF ya didn't, you wouldn't be doing lone wolf martyr shit, yeah?"
Homura stiffens.
"C'mon," Kyoko's grin turns too sharp and cold. "I protect a whole city. I know a real loner. You? You're just scared."
You don't know anything!
Why is she so angry?
This question haunts her all the way home.
As she walks, Homura passes Shizuka Hitomi. There's a tense line to her mouth. The girl makes to speak and all Homura can think of is rock star guitars and a determined, angry boy and she-
Runs. She has to run, hands knotted together.
If she doesn't run, Homura is certain of one thing: she will kill Madoka's friends. And that still means something. That has to still mean something.