Sayaka was in a bad mood and for a change, this was not related to homework.

That Hitomi has a crush on Kyousuke, too...

She did not expect that so it had been a real surprise when her friend told her a few minutes ago. The well-mannered girl gave her time to sort out her own feelings until the weekend was over so the blunette had two days to decide on what to do.

But Sayaka had no idea right now; yes, she thought about confessing to her crush herself, but that might not be a good idea with her being a Magical Girl fighting Witches. Yuri made it very clear that she could die every day now if she was careless. And she understood that.

"Oi, what's with the long face?"

As an unknown voice called out to her, Sayaka lifted her head and stopped brooding to find out who that might be. Just... there was no one in front of her, so she looked around... and found a seedy looking redhead sitting on a wall right next to her. That girl was about her age, too.

She was eating an apple but flashed a grin at the apprentice Magical Girl that showed a pointy canine between bites. Her eyes were as red as her long hair and those shorts she wore were even shorter than reckless Sayaka would be comfortable to wear. What business did this delinquent have with her? And that she was for sure, her whole appearance screamed it at everyone that looked her way.

"And who might you be?"

Her cold tone was very well deserved, or so she thought. However, the other girl just sighed and jumped down from the wall with ease, coming to stand in front of her. "You're... Miki, was it?"

As this question indicated that this girl knew her name and who she was, Sayaka cautiously took a step back. Who was that?

The redhead raised an eyebrow about her reaction. "Wanna know how I know your name?"

She did not even wait for a response before continuing. "Your classmate told me. There're not that many people with blue hair running around, too."

Classmate? Which... one...

Sayaka got an idea who was meant, who that might be and she did not like either of the two. Nonetheless, she responded while eying the other girl warily: "So would you be Sakura Kyoko, then?"

Now she got a more surprised reaction before the redhead measured her a bit more seriously for a moment. Then she shrugged. "Yup, the one and only."

So that was the one that held Kazamino. But what was this Magical Girl doing here? Her senior said that she kept to her own territory and they got by without having to talk to the other. Could it be...

"Wait... you're not here to take Mami-san's territory, right?"

She already took a more aggressive stance but Kyoko leaned against the wall and snorted. "Just how stupid d'you think I am? Geez, is it really that unbelievable that I'm just visi... well, okay. It is. And I'm not just here for a courtesy visit anyway."

With a smirk, the other girl went past her and turned around. "I've found out something interesting I wanted to tell Mami. Mind showing me where she is right now?"

It sounded like an excuse... but then again, she did not know this girl.

"Um... okay..."

At least she was not hostile even though Sayaka did not really like her. But then again, she wanted to wait for what her teacher and senior had to say especially since she had been told that this girl was strong, so the blunette did not want to pick a fight on the streets. Instead, she started to lead the way to where she wanted to meet the others. Kyoko followed her with her hands in the pockets of her jacket.

The silence became a bit strange after a while though, so she decided to break it with something she was curious about anyway. "Say... what did Yuri tell you about me?"

It was obvious that it could only be the younger Akemi-twin. None of her other classmates would casually stroll over to Kazamino and get in contact with someone as suspiciously looking as this girl.

It took a few seconds before she got an answer and it was nothing she liked to hear: "Nothing good, that's for sure."

When she turned around, she noticed that Kyoko still wore that smirk. "I never thought there're so many words to call someone stupid, y'know?"

Hearing that made her mood became even darker. This girl was talking about her behind her back... Just wait for it, you...

This would have consequences for Akemi Yuri, that was for sure; however, her current companion was not finished yet. "I actually wondered if what she said was true. Mind telling me if you really wished for someone's arm to heal?"

Just... what kind of question was that? How would someone tell if she was stupid based on what wish she made? Still, she could very well tell the truth; this was nothing she needed to hide. Quite the opposite, actually: Sayaka was proud of how good a wish she found so she nodded and looked at the redhead questiongly, although it was more of a challenge. "Any problem with that?"

Kyoko just sighed and shook her head while taking a bite out of a taiyaki, curshin the poor fish's head under her teeth. "Don't challenge me, rookie. If you pick a fight with me, I'll beat you to a pulp."

The statement only managed to infuriate the blunette even more, her anger now almost seething and no longer focussed on Yuri alone. But again, they were in public and she had to hold back no matter how hard that was.

So instead of provoking more comments like the last one, she kept quiet and failed at concealing her anger miserably. At least she managed to find the others where they were expected to be.

. . .

When she saw Sayaka approaching, her heart skipped a beat at the familiar red figure behind her and Lilly almost cursed. Just what exactly did that mean?

There was no real chance to think it through, so the human-shaped Witch just held her blank expression as the other Magical Girls came closer, her 'sister' next to her doing the same even though she sent her a quizzical stare to which she slightly shook her head. No, this was not her idea.

Mami was talking to them and had her back turned to the two newcomers, so when she heard Kyoko's voice, she froze in place with an amusing expression... amusing to Lilly, that was.

"Yo, Mami. Has been a while, hasn't it?"

The blonde turned around slowly as Sayaka went over to Madoka's side and stopped there, still looking as if she would stab someone at any moment. Though the Witch had to compliment her mentally for not charging the redhead for the first few words she said. On the other hand though... the look she gave Lilly promised nothing good, either. It even had a chill run down her spine. Kyoko did not... no, of course not. The blunette would have come accusing her if that happened.

Madoka on her part was watching with a bit of a lost expression, so the Witch whispered to her what happened: "That girl is Sakura Kyoko, Magical Girl veteran and as powerful a fighter as Tomoe-san herself."

She was given a surprised look with a note of fear; that was to be expected, though. The only thing the pinkette heard of this redhead up until now was that she should stay away from her and how bad a person she was.

"Sakura-san... I... did not expect you. But at the same time... you do have some nerve to come here."

The last part had a bit of venom in it, although the other girl just grimaced and shrugged. "I wouldn't have normally, but I found out something juicy so I figured you'd want to know, too."

Neither of them could see it but Mami should be glaring at the other fifteen-year-old warily by now, even when the tension subsided slightly. It almost exploded when something came flying at her, but she catched it instead and looked at it. Lilly could hear the blonde gasp in surprise but before she could say anything, Kyoko spoke: "I'm not expecting you to bear with me for free. So those and what I have to say and in exchange you'll turn a blind eye until I leave... won't stay for longer than two days anyway."

Mami kept quiet, apparently thinking that through. Behind her, Lilly almost had a mental breakdown in trying to suppress her desire to flee. The only thing this girl could mean with 'juicy information' was the part about her being a Witch. If she spilled that...

Fortunately for the eldritch being, only Homura noticed her hands shaking, seeing that both Madoka and Sayaka were watching the encounter of two veterans.

"Yuri?"

As she was spoken to by her 'sister', she almost jumped. However, she did not and turned around, knowing that the others were looking at them now as well. A piece of paper was held out to her. "This might take a bit longer than I expected. Could you go and buy those for dinner?"

It took her a moment to process what was said but when she did, she flashed a thankful smile and took the paper. "Okay."

When she turned to leave, she nodded at the others. "See you."

And walked off, not bothering with her rudeness. All she could do was not to just dash away at high speed.

. . .

When Yuri was out of sight, Miki looked after her with narrowed eyes. "What's with her today?"

If she was honest, Mami wondered about that as well. However, Kyoko had priority right now, especially since the blonde still needed to answer to the offer the redhead made. It sounded nice to have a chance to talk to her former partner but that was exactly why she was cautious; this girl in front of her knew how to push her buttons, so this might be... no, it was not a trap. Even when this person was no longer the kind-hearted Kyoko she knew back then, deceiving people like that did not suit her after all. She had always been open about what she wanted. But then again, those Grief Seeds...

"I take it you got these out of Familiars that grew into Witches?"

Thankfully, there were not many people around and none of those present were in earshot. So they could talk rather freely. Kyoko raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What, you wouldn't take 'em if I got them this way? Well, you're wrong. Wait..."

For a moment, her expression became more thoughtful as she looked down at the orbs in Mami's hands. "Actually, I don't know. I didn't kill the Witches myself."

So this meant...

Mami paled and her eyes narrowed, though the redhead seemed to be confused by that. Before she could say anything about what her thoughts on killing other Magical Girls were, Homura chimed in from the sidelines with her usual cold tone. Interestingly and somewhat surprisingly, it cooled her own temper as well. "I assume that what you want to tell us is that another Witch did the killing?"

Being reminded of the other veteran's presence, both of them turned her way and Kyoko tried to stare her down... only to fail at that. This lancer could be a terrifying being, but the stoic girl just stood there and returned her gaze blankly. After a while, the redhead nodded. "That's what I meant, yes. Haven't expected two of you, though."

This statement had the blonde look between the two until she understood: Yuri was in Kazamino, so she did encounter the redhead. But as it seemed, she did not tell her about having a twin.

Homura on her part just flicked her hair as usual. "From what my younger sister told me, you got along so I have no problem with your presence. In fact, I am curious about what you want to tell us."

Of course Mami was curious as well and after this interjection, she finally made up her mind. With a sigh, she pocketed one of the Grief Seeds and returned the other one. "I am not that greedy a girl, Sakura-san. As long as you do not go and harass the people in this city, I do not mind you staying."

Then she looked around, especially regarding that there was barely a chance to talk without someone overhearing them, seeing that the streets became fuller with every passing minute.

"Would you mind joining us for tea?"

Going by her smirk, the answer to that question was obvious.

.

. . .

.

She still wondered what kind of person this Kyoko might be, but there was hardly a chance for her to find out. Whenever either of them even looked in the other's direction, Sayaka would quickly step between them. Actually, it slightly annoyed her even when she knew that her friend only wanted to protect her.

But is there even anything about this girl that I needed protection against?

Of course Madoka could not know for sure but from the look of it, one could talk to the redhead. So if she actually listened, why was there such a problem? Besides, why was her childhood friend stabbing the other Magical Girl with her gaze? Just what happened before they met up?

Maybe she should try... yes. Carefully, the pinkette sent a thought towards Kyubey. Even when she did not really like the idea of having him connected directly to her mind, she did not want to stir up trouble. And after a moment, she got the connection she wanted.

'What is it?'

The calm, stern voice echoing in her head should have been intimidating... but especially after what happened a few days ago, Madoka found hearing Homura's voice to be more soothing and reassuring than anything else. Slowly, she formed a coherent thought to reply: "Um... could you tell me a bit more about this girl? Sakura-san, was it?"

A few seconds passed as the Magical Girl sent her a blank look while the other three kept quiet. So Kyubey might only transmit between the two of them just as she asked him to do.

'Very well. Is there anything specific you want to know?'

That was a good question, but from what she had been told up until now... Madoka decided to go with that: "Could you tell me about what kind of person she is in more detail?"

This time the answer came in without delay. 'If I had to use a single word, I would call her pragmatic. Sakura Kyoko generally does things where she can gain something in return and goes through life her very own way. But in difference to Tomoe Mami and Miki Sayaka, one can talk to her even when she's not of the same opinion. She will listen to reason. I go by what Yuri told me: Sakura Kyoko is loud, a glutton and does what she wants and when she wants to do it. However, she is also the most forward person you might ever meet.'

This was... strange. It did not sound like a good combination of character traits at all but the mysterious girl's mental voice had a tone akin to fondness in it as she spoke about the redhead. Did they meet before? But then again, Madoka's hopes were up; if this person could really be talked to, she would get along with the other girls for sure, although Homura seemed to doubt it. Of course, Madoka knew that her tomboyish friend could be pretty unreasonable once she formed her first impression of someone, but she was sure that it was alright.

"Thank you for telling me, Homura-chan."

'It was nothing.'

With that the private conversation ended and the pinkette flashed a smile at the raven-haired girl walking by her side. It was not returned, but she could see how some warmth filled those cold, purple eyes, if just for a few seconds.

However, she herself noticed someone else looking at her: red eyes were directed her way, not really hostile, more... curious. And there was no Sayaka blocking her from view this time. As Madoka became aware of that, she returned a quizzical look. "Is... something wrong?"

Now the others became attentive as well, especially her friend tried to step in front of her once more... which was not this easy, seeing that everyone was still walking. The redhead just shrugged and showed another smirk. "Just wondering why you're around all those Magical Girls, that's all."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she measured Madoka again. "Though I don't even need to wonder. Just realised where this strong aura comes from."

A strong... aura? What exactly was she talking about?

Apparently, the pinkette was not the only one that was confused. Sayaka looked just as surprised. "What do you mean with that? What aura?"

This time however, Homura was the one to reply: "Madoka-san emanates a magical aura even us Magical Girls can sense. It may be because of your inexperience that you can't."

Kyoko's smirk just widened but she made no remark. Instead she focussed on Homura. "And you are Yuri's twin? Figures, you even have the same stare."

She was not given a response, just said blank look. Actually, Madoka was amazed by how easily her newest friend seemed to handle the redhead. And with the interaction started, she noticed that...

"Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot."

She stopped and so did the others while Kyoko eyed her curiously. That curiousity turned into surprise when the pinkette held a hand out to her. "It's my pleasure to meet you. My name is Kaname Madoka."

With a bright smile as to take the uneasiness away from herself mostly. The other girl blinked at her a few seconds while the others sans Homura were mostly dumbfounded. Then she smirked again.

"The name's Sakura Kyoko. Nice to meet you, then."

However, when she moved to take her hand, she actually placed a bar of chocolate in it that Madoka looked at curiously. As did Sayaka, who seemed to be surprised by the gesture.

.

.

.

It did not take much longer until they reached Mami's flat. As the blonde prepared tea and cake for everyone, the other girls had already taken a seat around the table... with Sayaka sending glares at Kyoko who in turn was measuring Homura with an interested expression. Madoka wondered what the redhead might want to ask.

After a moment, a thought crossed her mind and had her cheeks became more like her hair. Wait, maybe Kyoko-chan is interested in...

She started to chide herself before the thought was even finished. Silly me, something like that does not happen so fast... or... does it?

Then another question presented itself. Why would she even want to know whether another girl was attracted to her friend?

With an inaudible sigh, Madoka's expression fell slightly. She was not sure on what to think about that right now. Maybe she should talk to her mother sometime soon. Kaname Junko always knew what to do, after all.

Thankfully, no one paid her any attention. Or if anyone did, they did at least not react to the changes in her facial expression.

Then a platter with cake was placed in front of everyone, closely followed by a cup of tea. Mami took a seat next to them not much later, right between Homura and Kyoko. "Now that everything is served, I would like to hear what you came to tell me."

The blonde was friendly but even Madoka could hear the edge in her voice. Just why did she not like the redhead? Maybe they met in the past?

Kyoko on her part had already wolfed down her first slice of cake, much to her and Sayaka's surprise. As she licked her hands clean from cream, she sighed. "So as I said, this strange Witch was in Kazamino. Don't know if she's still there and no, I haven't tried to fight her. Haven't even seen her... at least not how she looks like."

Confusion rose up with the last part, but Kyoko already continued without giving them a chance to ask questions: "That one's good at hiding, you see? Buuut... well, she talked to me."

"What?!"

That was Sayaka, who leaned forward to eye the redhead a bit more closely. Mami wore a confused look and sent the same to Kyubey while Homura's expression remained blank. Madoka just figured that it was unusual for a Witch to speak. However, the blonde drove the conversation further while ignoring her junior for the moment: "And what did you do, Sakura-san?"

Before she came to answer that, Sayaka chimed in again, showing signs of distrust. "And why didn't you fight that Witch?"

At the accusing question, the redhead leaned over the table until her nose almost touched that of the blunette, who flinched backwards out of surprise. "Now listen here, Rookie: if you want to go fight something that killed a dozen Witches in less time than any of us would need to even find this many, go ahead. I won't if I don't have to. And one more thing: You're really getting on my nerves, so shut the hell up until you've got something helpful to say."

The display of aggression had Madoka silent. She did not know what to do. If she chimed in, would Kyoko talk to her like that as well?

However, Mami apparently had no such worries. She sent the redhead a chiding stare. "Sakura-san, would you..."

"Yeah, alright, alright. Sorry."

With those words, the other girl sat down again and shook her head. "Good god, keep that Kouhai of yours under control or I'm really going to beat her up."

Sayaka wanted to spit back, but Madoka quickly got a hold of her arm and covered her mouth with her free hand. "No! Be nice, Sayaka-chan."

The other girl squirmed against her, but she could have a firm grip if she wanted. So after some struggling against her, the blunette gave in and grumbled into her hand. The pinkette could only hear Kyoko chuckle. "Really, now? You... what?"

As Madoka turned her head, she saw Homura staring the other veteran down with an icy stare. "You should behave as well. I am rather sure that Tomoe-san has a few interesting ideas on how to use her ribbons if you don't."

For a moment, the redhead looked dumbfounded. Then she leaned a bit forward with another smirk. "Oh, so Mami's into Bonmhpf..."

Whatever she wanted to say, she could not finish it as a yellow ribbon wound itself around her head and covered her mouth.

"I agree with Akemi-san. Please be nice."

As Madoka slowly let go of her friend, she saw a slight tinge of red on her senior's cheeks. Just what did Kyoko want to say, she wondered. Maybe she could ask her later.

After a bit of squirming, the redhead was freed as well and wolfed down another slice of cake with a sigh. "Now I remember why I've stayed in Kazamino... no one here can take a joke."

Sayaka opted to say something, but she gave her a warning look that had her stop. Actually, Madoka was a bit angry with her friend right now and from the look of it, the blunette did not want to risk her getting really angry. So she kept quiet.

Madoka never realised she had that much of an influence. But going back to the times where she became mad at the other girl... the pinkette did not like to think about it.

"Ahem. However, Sakura-san. You were saying?"

Kyoko swallowed the cake she had been chewing on before continuing. "I had a little chat with that Witch. Asked some questions, got some answers..."

Kyubey's head perked up over that statement, but he kept quiet. Madoka wondered why, at the same time being glad about him sitting over at Mami's place. She was still a bit uncomfortable with how he looked at her with those piercing, red eyes.

When no one replied, the redhead nodded and her expression became a bit more serious. "For one, that Witch seems reasonable. I never got her name, but she knows a lot of stuff. Also... well, you never wondered about stuff like that, so you're in for a surprise."

With a smirk, she held up her red Soul Gem and showed it to them. But still, no one answered. They were alle waiting for what she had to say. However, Madoka noticed that Homura's eyes were narrowed now.

"Guess what, Kyubey rips out our souls and makes them into these when we contract."

Silence. However, it was no longer expectant but completely shocked. Both Sayaka's and Mami's expressions had completely fallen into surprise and several other emotions, their mouths agape while Madoka inhaled with a start. This... did this mean...

"No way...", her friend whispered as she looked down on her own trinket. "So we're..."

"You got it, rookie. We're zombies. Nice, huh?"

To have it spelled out had Madoka cringe. Just why did this happen? Was it even true?

As her gaze wandered to Kyubey who was busy with cleaning his fur, she wondered if this was really the truth. She was apparently not the only one, seeing that Mami slowly turned towards the cat-like being as well and looked at it. "Is this true, Kyubey?"

Upon being spoken to, he looked up and seemed to be completely oblivious of the tensed atmosphere. 'There is nothing that needs to be corrected.'

So it was...

Slowly, the pinkette looked back at her friend who was still eyeing the Soul Gem on her palm. Then however, Sayaka smashed her hands on the table that the cups were shaking and stared at Kyubey. "Just what do you mean with that? What did you do that for?! Why!?"

He just tilted his head. 'Isn't that obvious? Those human bodies of yours are way too fragile to fight Witches. So as a means to increase survivability, I take out your soul and give it a form. Like this, it is compact and very durable. As long as it remains intact, you will not die; not even if you're cut into pieces or bleed your last drop of blood. As long as you have magic, you can regenerate.'

Sayaka flinched backwards at the nonchalant answer and Mami's expression had already become unreadable. However...

"Doesn't that bother you at all, Homura-chan?"

As she spoke to the raven-haired girl, the other two looked her way as well. Only for her to sigh and put down her cup. "I couldn't care less."

That gained the others' attention, but it did not really surprise Madoka. This stoic girl was strong... or maybe she just meant what she said...

"What do you mean with that, Akemi-san? Why would you not care about what happened to your soul?"

And Mami was shaking even when she seemed to try to suppress it. Homura returned her gaze nonchalantly. "Because I exchanged everything for a single wish of mine. 'Everything' also includes my humanity. The moment I came to hate or despise what I have become, I would betray my devotion to my task."

Her voice was different this time... Madoka needed a moment to understand and when she did, she flinched: While the expression remained unreadable, her voice was filled with determination.

Just what kind of wish did Homura-chan make...

She wondered about that before, but the other girl would never answer her if she asked. The other Magical Girls did not know, either.

Silence engulfed them once the raven-haired girl was done speaking. Not even Kyubey said anything. Looking around, Madoka saw that Kyoko was still impressed by how determined Homura was while Sayaka and Mami looked a bit sick... and the pinkette had no idea what to say to cheer them up. She felt so useless...

"Anyway, I've got to get going", Kyoko noted while getting up. "Sorry to bring that kind of news in the evening. See ya."

As she stood and walked around the table, Homura sighed. "Where will you stay for the time being?"

"Hm?"

As the redhead turned her head and stopped moving, she seemed to think about it. "What do you care?"

In truth, Madoka had wondered about that as well. She thought about asking why Kyoko could not stay with Mami, but the answer to that question was obvious. She would have offered the older girl to stay at her place, but her parents would have asked a lot of questions if she did... and she could not answer those.

However, the way her stoic friend adressed the topic... maybe she wanted to...

"For the time being, you can stay at my place. I don't mind, seeing that you seem to get along with Yuri. Besides", the raven-haired girl added with a sideway glance at Mami and Sayaka, "someone has to make sure that you won't go and harass Miki-san."

They looked at each other for a few seconds, but Homura's blank, unnerving stare won once again. Kyoko shrugged and leaned against the wall. "I don't mind. Hadn't planned on harassing anyone, though."

As Homura got up as well, she cast another glance at the still brooding Mami, then nudged Sayaka with her foot to get her out of her own thoughts. Madoka got up around that point, seeing that it really got dark outside. She needed to get home as well.

When they were a bit away from the blonde, the other veteran spoke to the blunette: "Stay here for today."

At the... not suggestion but order, Sayaka looked at her in surprise, then back at Mami. After a few moments, she nodded slightly without saying anything and took a step back as a means of not hindering them while they put on their shoes.

When they went for the door, Madoka smiled at her childhood friend warmly. "Good night, Sayaka-chan."

"Y-Yeah, good night..."

The reply lacked a lot of her usual enthusiasm... but when she wanted to comment on that, Madoka noticed Homura shaking her head, indicating her not to do it. So she did not. This girl knew more about Magical Girls than her, so maybe those two just needed some time to take in what they learned?

Whatever it was, they left through the door without a word. The silence was the only thing that remained.