New Years

Mitakihara City felt rushed, the people pushed against each other during a very important day. It was New Year's Day in Japan – a very industrial day for businesses. Stores were filled up, packed with dozens of shoppers.

In the middle of it was a familiar red-haired girl, Kyouko Sakura. She pitter-pattered through the huge crowd, dressed in winter clothes with one of Homura's old purple scarfs. The clothes Homura had were from all kinds of weather – rain, heat, snow, casual, and all other kinds of clothes you could imagine.

Kyouko once saw an actual wedding dress, garbed in a light purple color. Totally Homura's type, the redhead snickered as she recalled a good memory.

When she opened the closet, and found such a set, the stoic raven-haired girl immediately shut it back, clearly flustered in embarrassment. It was one of the few times Kyouko ever saw a flustered Homura.

"Hahah…ahhh…" It felt like so long ago to her.

Kyouko's destination was her favorite arcade in the middle of the busy Mitakihara streets, and while she was a block away, "Huh?" A slightly dumbstruck expression made its way to Kyouko's lips. From the corner of her eye, she swore she saw a familiar black-haired girl moving through the crowd.

It was only a glimpse, but she grew frantic at the familiar sight. Scurrying through the busy streets with as much speed and strength she could muster, Kyouko cut the distance between the two. She felt desperation. If Kyouko missed this chance to reunite with her, will she ever get a chance to see Homura again?

With her long-awaited reunion, Kyouko reached out to the stranger's hand, grappling it with as much strength as she could, pulling against her long black coat sleeves.

"Homura!"

Slowly, the raven-haired girl turned her head to see Kyouko. Her cool amethyst eyes gazed into Kyouko's fiery crimson orbs. Homura curved her lips in a small surprise, but it quickly faded to her regular stoic look, and muttered, "Kyouko."

"Hi, Homes," Kyouko smiled, awkwardly. Homura noticed Kyouko's grip grow considerably tighter.

She looked down on the hand that held her down. Sighing, Homura wore a simple sheepish smile, "Do you want to go to a ramen shop nearby?"

"You're buying."

[]

Kyouko kept quiet until the bowl of ramen reached her. The heat from it hit her blushed cheeks. She relished in the warmth, and immediately dug in without any manners.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Homura said bluntly, "It's been a while, Kyouko. I wasn't expecting to run into you so soon."

Dropping the chopsticks in front of her, Kyouko gulped, and asked her raven-haired friend a question, "Were you just going to pass by the city without saying hi to any of us?"

Homura shook her head.

"Not even to Madoka?"

"No."

Saddened and infuriated, Kyouko slammed her fist on the table, gaining the attention of every other customer, "Why?! You could've told us where you were! Where you've been! If you were still alive! We were worried about you!"

Homura stayed silent.

"We've wanted to see you again. Madoka wanted to see you again. I wanted to see you again!" Kyouko screamed out from the top of her lungs as Homura's eyes wandered cautiously to the other customers, who were glaring at them to shut up. "Why won't you say anything?"

Homura tilted her head at Kyouko's question with honest confusion. "What exactly do you want me to say? I didn't contact any of you back because I did not want to do so. Walpurgisnaucht's defeat and Madoka's survival was all I ever really wanted. Right now, I'm simply on borrowed time," She sighed, and looked up at the brightly-lit ceiling, her eyes visible with nostalgia.

"She was my very best friend. It's a shame she doesn't remember – I stand corrected - how none of you remember. I can't continue staying here, Kyouko. It's just too much for me." The raven girl placed her palm on Kyouko's, and spoke in a soft voice, "But it was good to see you again, Kyouko. It brought me some closure."

"Why…"

"Why what?"

"Why did you come back?"

"I left a stash of weapons hidden in the city. I wanted to go retrieve them. They were very difficult to obtain. Even in magical girl standards." She was cut and clear to the point.

"Is that all?" Kyouko sounded dejected. Homura closed her eyes, and refocused them on Kyouko.

"No. I felt nostalgic, and I came back," This time, a genuine smile crossed her face, but faded slowly.

"What does tha-" Two hands placed themselves on Kyouko's cheeks, and forced her to look straight into Homura's eyes.

Her dark amethyst eyes had an allure to them, so much so that Kyouko felt a sudden dizziness just from looking at them. Whatever resolve Kyouko had faded into nothing as she stared into Homura's hypnotic gaze. The raven-haired girl started to speak.

"I was never here. The reason why you are here is because you got hungry right before you went to the arcade. You will not remember meeting me, nor what we've said in this conversation. Goodbye, Kyouko Sakura."

Kyouko's eyes had a dull painting over them as a spot of drool dropped from her lips. Her face was filled with stupor, as though something went into her mind and sucked out all of her intelligence.

Homura stood up, and dropped the money for both ramen cups. "I'll pay for it," She whispered, as she donned her coat, and left the restaurant without turning back.

The snow fell on Homura's cheek. She smiled. "I'm glad to have met you, Kyouko."

For the second and last time, Homura Akemi, the time traveler, left Mitakihara City. Her hair flowed through the freezing cold wind. She placed her hands in her coat side pockets, and wrapped around the black scarf around her neck. "Take good care of that old purple scarf for me."

Homura had no purpose now. What she wants to do now is rekindle the flame that once kept her going. Will she succeed?

Chapter End

Author Notes

Here's another chapter of Pilgrimage. I sort of rushed it, but that's because I wanted to submit it before New Year's Day ended.

If anyone has questions about the end, read the Wraith arc manga. Homura gains a few new abilities in that manga that explains the Rebellion ending a bit. I used the Wraith arc as a bit of a template for this Homura.

Happy New Years!