Chapter Nine - "Meet again in this world."
That moment. Pure silence. The faint breeze faded so that no sound was left.
The two magical girls stared at the altar in the Sakura Church.
That crimson hair.
That pale skin.
It was equally horrifying to see her like this, lack of nutrition leaving her body slightly thinner than before.
"Kyoko!" Homura exclaimed. But before she had the chance to stand up, she was pulled by the blonde carrying her. Homura glanced up at her comrade; Mami's expression was pure wonder, a slight hint of pain sparking in those yellow eyes.
Homura was dropped off at the edge of the table, she held herself steady by holding onto the edge of the altar. Mami raced to the edge beside her and stared at the state of their companions body.
Her skin was not coloured like normal, and her hair was surprisingly not messed up. How did she get in those clothes? Homura thought when she spotted the red dress.
Mami, in a state of panic, shook the red head. "Sakura-san! Sakura-san! Wake up! Please!" Then she paused and felt for a pulse.
Homura watched as Mami's face fell and a shadow cast over her face as her hand moved. "She doesn't have a pulse." She stated bitterly, the blonde clenched her teeth in frustration. The dark haired girl was silent for a few seconds until she saw the logic in it. "Of course." Mami lifted her head.
"Of course she doesn't have a pulse," Homura faced Mami, "This body doesn't have her soul."
The blonde's face lit up. "Do you have her soul gem Akemi-san?" Mami watched in relief as her companion pulled out a red gem, having a reaction as it pulsed a bright red.
Homura carefully placed on Kyoko's chest above her hands and waited.
Colours of purples, blues and silvers filled space, it's alternate meanings twisting the colours, the bright shining, individual stars scattered across it.
Long pink hair floated around aimlessly through dimensions. She eyed the problems of the world with those golden eyes. Her eyes fell over Earth, the planet that was so small, but meant so much to this girl. All the suffering, she could see it.
The Goddess felt a disturbance and acted immediately, her 'body' split off to a world filled with silver. She stood in the centre of it, seemingly waiting. Her expression turning stern. "Come on out." Her echoing voice whispered.
Almost immediately a dark figure appeared in front of the Goddess. His cloak floated down before him, a tall man's red and blue eyes stared into gold ones.
"You took your time." The Goddess haired girl stated, her lips curving slightly.
The man crossed his arms in ignorance. "It takes a lot of energy and time to transfer between dimensions. You of all people should know that."
"What did you call me over for?"
The man faced her again. "You should have noticed that Akemi-san and Tomoe-san have found Sakura-san's body."
"Yes I know."
"And what do you plan on doing about it?"
The golden eyed Goddess paused. "Kyoko-chan is going to come back."
"How?" Her eyes her suspiciously. "She's suicidal. She won't let her subconscious out of that gem unless something or someone gives her hope again." The man reminisces over those hollowed red eyes. "And that's something that's going to take some time."
"Don't worry, I have somebody taking care of that." The girl said casually.
"Don't worry? I'm not worrying, we're enemies remember?"
The Goddess smiled at him, her body glowed again the silver world disappeared. "I know."
The man scowled. "Don't get cocky Goddess, I'm not easy to beat. Neither are my plans."
Kyoko rolled over onto her side again, it was a bother, her subconscious was tired and she couldn't feel anything.
"I'm going to die in this world aren't I?" She whispered to herself. "Inside my own soul gem, with no body." She chuckled. "That doesn't make any sense, I don't need any food here do I?" The depressed red head sighed.
"I'll never be able to see them again. Homura, Mami." She felt her eyes get hot. "Even..."
"Kyoko."
The redhead froze at the familiar voice. It was soft and persuading. Kyoko pushed herself up with most of her strength and turned around.
Standing in front of her was a girl, she wore a long and thin blueberry coloured dress that reached down to her ankles. Her eyes were a darker shade of blue that had a tint of navy. Her hair was cropped short and up to her shoulders, coloured sky blue. A little yellow clip was tucked behind her ear.
Kyoko's heart skipped a beat. "Sayaka?!"
Sayaka kneeled down in front of Kyoko. "Man you haven't changed at all! You need to grow up still! And I'm younger than you for cripes sake!"
The redhead put her head down in shame.
The bluenette sighed in annoyance and lifted Kyoko's chin up with her hand, she stared the red head in the eyes. "Stop blaming yourself. It's useless and doesn't help anyone."
Sayaka lost her gaze and smiled sweetly at Kyoko to show she was trying to help. "I'm sorry, but nobody is going to be your emotional crutch in this situation. But I'm here."
"Sayaka..." Kyoko breathed.
Suddenly a vision appeared beside the two, Sayaka pointed at it. "That is your body."
"My body?" She repeated. Kyoko was surprised at how different she looked. "I look so pale, and thin."
"Your body is on the altar of the Sakura Church, Homura and Mami-san have found your body and have got your subconscious aka soul gem."
"Then why aren't I waking up in my own body?!" Kyoko demanded.
"You've denied it. You know that guy? He's racked your brain. The despair has overcome you and your subconscious can't be brought back to a body that doesn't want to live." Sayaka gave her a cold stare. The redhead paused. "I guess that makes sens- Wait how do you know this?!"
"I have my ways. Anyway the way to get your soul back to your body is to find some hope inside youself. How do you plan to do..." The bluenette trailed off as she noticed Kyoko was glaring at her. "Kyoko? What is it?"
"Did you come here because you were told to? Were you taking orders?"
Sayaka smiled apologetically. "I was told to, but not ordered. I was given a choice wether to do it or not. I am sorry of my actions made you think that."
"Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? I thought you hated me."
"Idiot! I don't hate you!" Slight hurt was hidden in Sayaka's tone. "I just..." She put her hand behind her head bashfully. "I want you to go back to your body. So we can meet again in this world."
Kyoko's eyes widened. "You really think that? But you despised me. What made you change your mind?"
Sayaka fell silent, she looked like she was reminiscing about something. "We don't have time to talk about this right now!" She stammered. "He's going to be back any minute now and I need to get you out of here before it becomes impossible for you to get back out again!"
Kyoko realised the situation again and nodded. "What do I do?"
The bluenette stood up, bringing Kyoko along with her. "It's simple really. Think about why you want to return to that world. Get a really good reason conjured up in there."
The redhead closed her eyes. She thought about everything. Her family, her past, her Senpai Mami, and even Homura, but one thing stood put the most.
So can meet again in this world.
Kyoko snapped her eyes open. Everything around her was twisting and turning, like passing dimensions. She spun her head in various directions. "What's happening?! Sayaka! Sayaka!"
"I'm right here."
Kyoko gasped to see Sayaka in front of her again. "You did it Kyoko." The bluenette' body was slowly dissolving in thin air. "You found a reason." Kyoko became horrified. "Sayaka! Don't go!"
Sayaka smiled warmly. "Don't worry dummy, I'll come back. Just wait okay?"
The redhead paused before nodding as worlds rushed around her. Sayaka then disappeared in a flash of light.
A spark came back in Kyoko's eyes that day.
In the deep universe, the goddess stood before the great beyond. A flash of light filtered the space in front of her before a gleaming Sayaka.
The pink haired goddess smiled at Sayaka, who grinned and held a thumbs up sign.
"It's done."
Kyoko gasped, her eyes snapped open as fresh air filled her lungs. She stared for a few seconds before she felt her eyes sting, so she blinked them.
She was staring, an old and wooden ceiling that brought back nostalgia. Her body felt strange and unhealthy.
Wait. My body? She gasped again. My thoughts!
"Sakura-san!"
Kyoko suddenly saw another girl above her, she had blonde drill hair and her face was pale. The redhead instantly recognised her. "Mami?" She whispered.
Mami smiled in relief and embraced Kyoko, the redhead gasped and blushed in embarrassment. She was about to push her off until..
"I was so worried." Mami said tearfully, "I'm glad you're back Sakura-san." Kyoko felt something wet fall onto her bare shoulder. "Mami..." Kyoko whispered, before slowly wrapping her arms around the shaking blonde and burying her face into her shoulder. "I understand. I'm sorry."
Homura stood at the altar, slightly astounded by her redhead companion's sudden display empathy. Part of her was wondering what happened to her while her subconscious was inside that gem. But... Homura felt herself smile slightly. Most of me is just glad she's back.
Kyoko and Mami pulled away, the redhead looked down at herself. "I look so pale, and so thin."
Homura walked towards Kyoko. The redhead faced her. "Homura!" The dark haired girl glared. "Um... Thank you for.. um.." Kyoko stammered.
Homura raised her hand.
"How do I put this... Um thanks for-"
Kyoko felt a sharp pain in her cheek that immediately made her head snap sideways.
Mami gasped.
Homura put her hand down and glared furiously at the bewildered Kyoko.
"Why must you be so selfish?!" She yelled. "Do you know how much Tomoe-san and I were worried about you?! It was your fault your body disappeared! Stop putting so much trust and your own burden on yourself and stop causing trouble for the people around you!" Homura took a deep breath.
Kyoko stared at the purple eyed girl. She was slowly realising just how selfish she had been.
You can't help but cause trouble for other people, can't you?
Kyoko put her head down, a shadow casting over her depressed eyes as she felt her reddened cheek. She nodded. "Sorry, I'm sorry for being selfish, I'll try to not cause you guys any more trouble."
"Sakura-sa-" Mami started.
"Sorry isn't going to change anything." Homura interrupted, turning around. "It is not going to change what you've done or said."
Kyoko clenched her fist. "Sorry."
Homura sighed. "Never mind that." She flinched slightly as she felt her ribs heal completely. "It's good you're back." She whispered.
"?" Kyoko lifted her head and stared at the dark haired girl. What's wrong with her? She thought.
"Akemi-san?" Mami pondered.
Homura turned back to the redhead. "You'll explain everything once you're healthy and well. Got that?"
Kyoko glanced at her ribs. "Well, I am a little thin."
"Exactly." Mami grinned. "Let's go home Sakura-san." She held out her hand.
"Right." Kyoko took her hand and stood up off the table, she wobbled slightly before standing sturdily. The two started walking after Homura out of the church.
"Mami."
The blonde faced Kyoko. "What is it?"
"Kyoko."
"Huh?"
"Call me Kyoko." The redhead said softly. Then she grinned, bearing her fang. "We've gotten closer right? You don't need to call me by my surname anymore."
Surprise filtered in Mami's yellow eyes, glowing slightly before she smiled warmly at her companion.
"I agree, Kyoko."
A/N: Was this too short? I can't tell really. I can't count the words haha.
Now I didn't end up getting 4 reviews. (I only got three ha) but I decided to continue anyway so there.
And I know everybody is confused, about those flashes of light in the last chapter, and how Kyoko's body appeared there in the first place. And who the hell that cloaked guy is. And why the golden eyed goddess knows the cloaked dude.
Well, the info about the Kyoko's body disappearing problem will hopefully be revealed very very soon. So stay TUNED!