Chapter Two- "I let everyone die."

The universe. All existing matter and space considered as a whole; the cosmos. The universe is believed to be at least 10 billion light years in diameter and contains a vast number of galaxies; it has been expanding since its creation in the Big Bang around 13 billion years ago. Or so they think..

In this space it was especially vast, its purple and blue colours stretching around a single glorious figure hovering in the thin layer of oxygen.

This girl was not alive, nor dead. Non-existent would be the most accurate definition. This girl was next to a physical god, who was everywhere, she could see everything, from the past, present and the future. Everywhere.

White fabric was woven over her body, the magnificent gown floating in the air. Her long pink hair was stretching across the cosmos, it flowing with all its glory. Her gloves were white, and her heeled shoes had small wings tipped on either side. Her most distinguishing feature was her large golden eyes, and a friendly, warming and affectionate smile.

She was a god known by her subjects as the saviour, a hope bringer, and the world's eyes. Although many thought she was alone, for all eternity, but she was not really. Everyone was with her, always.

"It must be time." The girl's voice was sweet and caring, she raised a gloved hand before closing it, against the pulsing of the sky.

"If I make you go through any pain. I'm sorry."

"Mami!" A redhead ran clumsily across the pavement, her body aching from discomfort. She reached a blonde, who turned, with an innocent expression embedded onto her face. "What is it?"

Kyoko puffed, holding a bag of groceries in her right hand. "You left me at the supermarket, again."

"Oh." Mami put a hand up to her chin, thinking of something to say. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?!" Kyoko nearly roared, earning a few looks from passer-by's. "This is the fifth time!"

"Sakura-san, people are looking." The blonde whispered, before sighing. "Okay, I promise not to leave you there again, it's a habit because I always used to go to the supermarket by myself, so I'm used to leaving by myself."

"I know, I know." Kyoko waved it off. "Just don't do it again okay?"

Mami smiled. "Okay."

The two walked through the town, the bustling of citizens talking around them distracted the two from the silence corrupting their conversation. It wasn't like they didn't have anything to talk about, just their previous conflict prevented them from having something related to a civil conversation.

"Mami." Kyoko said, the blonde turned her head, facing her as her blonde curls bobbed while she was walking. "What is it?"

"Would you like me to go and fight wraiths tonight?" She asked.

Mami smiled. "Of course, we're a team."

"I mean on my own." This statement caused the latter's smile to disappear. "W-What do you mean?"

Kyoko twisted the ring around the finger. "I think you should rest for a while. You gave me a place to live, so how about you take a break while I go fight with Homura for a while."

Mami was surprised, before frowning slightly. "This is unlike you Sakura-san." Is she revealing her soft side? She thought. "You would do that for me?"

"Can you just accept it already!" The redhead snapped. "I'm showing gratitude, and it's rare that I do that."

The blonde laughed, pulled back her fringe while doing so. "Okay, but I need for you to promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"When you get grief seeds, don't give them to me. They were your kill, so you keep them."

Kyoko smiled, her fang bearing under the sunset light. "Sure."

Homura pulled back the string, she let go of the arrow as it flew through the wraith preceding towards her. The smoke fell out, filling the ground at Homura's feet like mist as she lowered her slim ebony bow.

"It looks like Tomoe-san and Kyoko aren't coming tonight." She said to herself.

You aren't. A familiar voice appeared in Homura's mind, she whirled around to see a figure on top of a building that was standing before her. A faint red light formed as the figure jumped off the tower and onto the ground, she walked over to Homura and frowned, spinning her spear. "Sorry I'm late."

"Where's Tomoe Mami?" Homura asked automatically, running her fingers through her raven hair.

"At home."

"Why?"

"I gave her the night off." Kyoko replied, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal.

The stoic girl narrowed her dark purple eyes. "Since when were you allowed to do that?"

"Look." The redhead snapped. "You're not the boss here, are you? Get a grip."

Homura sighed. "Don't let her think she's getting any grief seeds though."

"She refuses to let me give her some."

That's just like her. Homura thought to herself. "Anyway," She raised her bow and pulled back to string, letting it light up. "Are you ready?"

Kyoko stepped beside her, her body falling into a fighting stance, her spear held up high. "Yep."

The shadows cast by the night of the moon edged towards them, forming into white beasts that slumped while walking.

All of a sudden, a red whirl passed Homura, making her jump. "Kyoko!" She yelled.

Kyoko turned her head while running, her light steps moving her forward quickly while her red ponytail whipped the air. "Come on Homura!"

Homura ran after her, letting an arrow form within her wielded bow, she closed one eye while aiming.

Kyoko plunged her spear into the ground, she leapt into the air with the spear propelling her higher. She stayed into a penetrating move while going down. She closed her eyes tight before opening them again, revealing her wide glowing red eyes as she shouted;

"Rosso Phantasma!"

Homura opened one eye. "Where have I heard that before?"

Out of nowhere ten copies of Kyoko formed from the mist, each wielding spears. They hit the ground expertly, crouching down.

"Kyoko?!" Homura exclaimed, baffled.

The original Kyoko shot a look at the raven haired girl and grinned. "My old power."

Homura watched as the copies of Kyoko, as well as the original were fighting masterfully, spears swinging everywhere and smoke flying.

The Black haired girl focused on her own battle, firing arrows and creating more smoke. Homura fired one more arrow into the sky to create light to see through the smoke, and with that thousands of arrows poured from the sky and onto the wraiths. Piercing their weak spots.

Homura saw a red light from inside the smoke and it faded when the light did, leaving only the crescent moon to do its job.

Kyoko stood in her green hoodie, frowning at the grief seeds scattered across the pavement. She reached over to pick them up before throwing them at Homura, who caught them instantly.

The redhead stuffed her hand inside her hoodie, before pulling out a box of pocky. She tore open the top, and handed a piece of strawberry pocky to Homura.

"You want one?" She asked, almost smirking. Surprisingly, Homura took one, staring at it with her same emotionless expression before taking a bite.

Kyoko grinned.

Mami sat inside her flat, pouring the tea for her companion that was coming home soon. She watched the liquid rippled while staring with her amber eyes. She sat in a green sweater and a denim shirt.

"I should be fighting out there." She whispered, her body was shaking, she hugged herself and glanced up at the dim light of the room.

Mami heard steps heading closer to the door, a creaking sound was made as the door opened and a crimson haired girl walked in. Mami's face lit up. "Sakura-san, welcome home, I prepared some tea for you."

"Thanks." Kyoko said groggily and weakly before sitting on the ground. She picked up the teacup tenderly and drank it in under five seconds. She sighed and held her head.

"Are you alright?" Mami asked, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Yeah." Kyoko said automatically, but Mami knew that she wasn't.

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

"Really?"

"Yes!" Kyoko snapped. "I'm fine, okay?" Mami frowned sadly, hurt appearing in her amber eyes.

"I…" The redhead trailed off, before standing up. "I need to sleep, goodnight."

Mami didn't look at Kyoko as she left, she clasped the cup tight so that her knuckles were white in frustration.

"Well, there's something we've got to talk about Sakura-san."

Kyoko looked down from the tree she was sitting in, letting go of its twisting branches. "What is it?"

Mami made a gesture, pointing at the ground. "Come down."

Sighing, Kyoko jumped down.

The blonde's amber eyes looked stern. "Change into your magical girl form."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it please."

After a few seconds of a glare, Kyoko gave in and hold out her hand. From her ring, her red soul gem formed out of it, and she changed into her magical girl attire in an instant.

Mami smiled innocently. "Now do your cloning move."

"Why that?"

"Please?"

Kyoko realised this wasn't at all serious and formed a spear. "Fine." She held the spear in front of her face and she closed her eyes, and suddenly two more copies of Kyoko appeared beside her. She let go of the spear as it dissolved back. "There, I'm finished, now why did you want me to do that?"

Mami smiled slightly and held something behind her back, then she revealed a piece of paper that said in her own handwriting.

SAKURA-SAN'S FINISHING MOVE

"ROSSO PHANTASMA"

TRANSLATION: RED PHANTOM

Kyoko stared at it. "You are kidding right Mami?"

Mami smiled. "No."

"This is my finishing move name?"

"Yes."

Kyoko was silent before crossing her arms into a 'X'.

Mami looked heartbroken. "Why not?!"

"Sorry Mami, I just don't want a finishing move name."

Mami looked upset before smiling. "It's alright Sakura-san."

Kyoko smiled back.

Mami put her hands on her hips. "I'll just keep using Tiro Finale then!" She shouted cheerfully and walked off.

Kyoko sweatdropped.

Kyoko stood in the white glistening snow, she looked defeated and distraught. Her ragged breath pierced the cold air.

A white creature sat behind her, smiling innocently. "Kyoko, aren't you going to go and defeat witches? You haven't purified your soul gem in a while. If you don't defeat witches and get a grief seed, you won't be able to fight anymore."

Kyoko didn't respond, the shadows across her pale face prevented anyone from seeing her upset expression. "I don't need this power anymore. I was dumb relying on the power of a miracle." She spoke bitterly.

She glanced at the scattered remains in the snow. "All it did was wreck my family." The redhead paused, lowering her head. "A power that can't protect a single thing I truly hold dear is useless to me."

Kyoko held her dark soul gem tight, somehow hoping it would crack slightly due to her immense grip. "It's just like Papa said, as of now, there is no difference between me and a witch." She said softly as she lifted her head.

"Kyubey…" Kyoko started. "If I stopped hunting witches, will I be able to die, like the rest of them?"

Kyubey stared, somewhat unable to register what she had just said.

Kyoko moved her eyes back to the creature, her dark red eyes were dull and hollow. "That was a joke, obviously."

The next thing Kyoko knew was that she was lying in the fresh white snow, her figure was worn-out and weak as her mind refused to lift her up, and her face was pale while her eyes were lowered slightly. 'Why couldn't I use my powers?' She thought.

Kyoko heard light steps in the snow, her curiosity forced her head up to see who it was. Running through the snow was Mami, tears on the brim of her bright amber eyes with her cloak and red scarf fluttering in the wind, the blonde kneeled down and wrapped her arms around the redhead.

"Mami…." Kyoko breathed softly, her breath seen as cool air above her face.

"You're so cold, you're trembling!" Panic was engraved in Mami's tone. She glanced at the snow stained with white and held Kyoko tighter. ""You're hurt too! It was a witch wasn't it? I'm going to heal you now, so don't move."

Kyoko listened to Mami calm down, as she let her go slightly. "I'm glad you're safe. I hadn't seen you in so long, that I was worried." The blonde whispered softly, anguish in her eyes.

"Sorry Mami, I can't keep…"

Mami sobbed. "I'm so sorry, it must've hurt being all alone. I'm a failure as your Senpai. I should've come rushing to find you right away. Thank goodness that at least you're alive."

Kyoko's crimson eyes widened before she lowered her head, torment finally gave in, and she clutched to Mami's shoulders and lowered her head. As tears started to fall from her eyes as she wept.

"It's all… It's all my fault… I… I let everyone die."

Gasping, Kyoko sprung up, knocking over the lamp as it came with a sickening crash on the ground. She grabbed the sheets with both hands as they curled into fists. She breathed heavily, clasping the sheets hard, sweat dripped off her forehead.

"What…" She stammered. "What….was that?"

Feeling around her, Kyoko knew that she wasn't lying in the snow, she was in Mami's spare room in her apartment. Still in shock and eyes widened, she remembered something about that dream. "What… are witches?"

Suddenly the door flew wide open and light from the corridor shone into the room, making Kyoko squint from the light. Mami rushed up, worry in her face as she sat down on the bed next to the stunned redhead. "Sakura-san, are you okay?"

Kyoko calmed down slowly, before letting out a half laugh, almost bitterly. "I'm fine."

Mami glanced over at the lamp. "The lamp is broken." She got off the bed and started picking up the pieces of glass. Kyoko gasped and kneeled down to help her. She unfortunately cut herself on some of the glass. "Dammit." She muttered.

"Don't worry I'll heal you." Mami fretted.

"I can heal myself, don't worry."

Mami smiled. "Okay, I'm going to get a dustpan and brush, I'll be right back"; she ran off.

When she got back she handed the pan to Kyoko and she put it on the ground, Kyoko watched blankly as Mami swept up the glass from the lamp. Kyoko put the dustpan on the table and sighed.

"Hey Mami."

"What is it?"

"I've got to ask you something."

"What's that?"

Kyoko faced her. "Have you ever heard of 'Rosso Phantasma'?"

Mami looked confused before giggling. "No I haven't, where did you get that from Sakura-san?"

Kyoko blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, I thought I'd heard it somewhere."

"Oh, that means 'Red Phantom' doesn't it?"

Kyoko nodded.

"You know," Mami smiled and snapped her fingers, "That should be the name of your finishing move."

She stared.

"Sakura-san?"

She snapped back into realism.

"What's wrong?"

Kyoko thought of a good answer, "It's just, I used an old power of mine today, and I found myself calling 'Rosso Phantasma' when I used it."

"What's that old power?"

"I used to be able to make multiple copies of myself, but I lost it."

"When did you lose it?"

Kyoko paused. "I….. Don't know."

Mami smiled cheerfully. "I'm sure you'll find it out one day Sakura-san." She stood up and picked up the glass filled dustpan and the brush. "You should go to sleep now, remember its school tomorrow!" Mami walked out of the room and disappeared from sight. "Goodnight Sakura-san!"

Silence filled the room, "Goodnight…. Senpai." Kyoko whispered into the darkness.

Kyoko sat, kneeling on her legs as they started to go numb, she didn't even notice that the crimson blood was pouring out of the wound. She had her head down and looked at the ring where her soul gem was, it was silver and had runes of her name written on it.

"I keep causing Mami trouble, I don't deserve to be saved."