Chapter 35

"Have you heard anything from Sayaka and Homura?" Hitomi asked Madoka next to their lockers after school had ended. "Kyosuke and I are worried."

Madoka, who had been discreetly taking stock of the equipment she had hidden in her backpack thanks to magic, shook her head. "They told me that they're still waiting for the results."

Three Scattershots, Four Explosives, Two Grapples, One two three- seventeen Regular arrows, and one Piercer as Sayaka dubbed it. The last one was the hardest to make and took the most effort to charge, so that was to be saved for emergencies.

Plenty of shots left for today's hunt but as Mami said, you could never have too much ammunition.

"That's a shame," Hitomi replied with a concerned expression. "I hope they can find what's wrong with Akemi's heart."

The excuse they had given Hitomi was that Homura needed to go to a doctor outside the city due to complications with her heart and Sayaka had gone with her to support her. It had given them a few days of excused absences from school and with Golden Week next week they wouldn't be missing much else. It also helped that Sayaka's were off on their own business to Kyoko, so they wouldn't have noticed her going elsewhere.

"I'm sure they will," Madoka said, mostly to reassure herself. "Homura, Sayaka… they'll be fine."

"Do you want to go with me to grab some cake?" Hitomi suggested. "It's been a while and I have some free time now. We could also go visit Kyosuke in the hospital. With his hand healed they say that he could be discharged soon."

Madoka wanted to go, she really did, but with everyone else gone she was the only one remaining that could patrol the area for Witches. If she didn't… so many people could get hurt.

"I'm sorry," Madoka apologized. "My family has something planned."

It was a bit of weight off her shoulders now that Mama and Papa knew about what she did, but it still didn't make it easier being unable to explain to Hitomi and Kyousuke why she no longer had time to hang out with them.

"You and Sayaka have been busy recently… ever since Homura showed up. Not that I blame her or anything!" Hitomi quickly amended. "But if there's something going on and you three need some help."

"Thank you Hitomi," Madoka said with the best smile she could muster. "But we'll be fine. I… can hang out with you this weekend."

"That… sounds good. Kyosuke could be discharged by then so the four- er three of us can spend time together again."

Madoka was quick to agree. Maybe Sayaka and Homura would return by then. That was a nice thought.

With plans made the two of them went to the entrance of the school only to find someone waiting by the entrance. Someone whose red hair and casual outfit made her standout from everyone else there.

"Kyoko? What are you doing here?" Madoka asked.

Kyoko got off the wall she was leaning on and uncrossed her arms. "Your father wanted me to pick you up… and help out with your," she glanced at Hitomi, "Business." She opened up a pack of Pocky, put one in her mouth and held another stick out to Madoka. "Want one?"

"S-sure," Madoka replied as she took the stick. She didn't put it into her mouth immediately though.

"Kyoko?" Hitomi asked as she looked at Kyoko carefully.

"This is Kyoko Emiya," Madoka quickly introduced her friends to each other. "Her family has been staying at my home for the last few days. Kyoko, this is Hitomi Shizuki."

"Yo," Kyoko casually greeted with a wave of her hand.

"... Kyoko…" Hitomi muttered to herself. "I'm sorry Emiya, but do you know Sayaka Miki?"

"That idiot?"

"So, you are the girl that Sayaka picked a fight with in Kazamino!" Hitomi shouted upon her revelation. "Madoka, how did she start staying in your house? Is she causing you any trouble?"

"Um well, her father and mine knew each other. And they've been perfectly nice. They haven't done anything to me," Madoka quickly defended Kyoko.

"Family friends then?" Hitomi asked while still looking at Kyoko suspiciously.

Kyoko sighed. "My beef is with Blue. I have no issue with Madoka, I actually kinda like her."

"So, you won't cause her any issues?"

"Nah. If anything Archer and her father want me to help her out today. You don't have to worry about me messing with her."

It took a few seconds, several long seconds, before Hitomi finally bowed her head. "Apologies. I should not have accused you of anything. It's just that with Sayaka gone someone has to take the task of watching over Madoka."

"I can handle myself," Madoka looked away and muttered with a light blush on her cheeks.

"Yea I can understand that," Kyoko agreed. "She's a bit too nice for her own good… but she is tougher than she looks."

Madoka looked at Kyoko in surprise.

Hitomi nodded before turning back to Madoka. "So, this is the family business you were talking about."

"Y-yea. Sorry," Madoka apologized again.

"That's fine. I know what it's like to have to stay connected with family friends," Hitomi said with a reassuring smile. "I hope you two have a good time." She then turned to Kyoko. "And please, keep an eye on Madoka."

"Will do."

Satisfied with her answer, Hitomi left, leaving Madoka alone with Kyoko.

"Are you really here to help, Kyoko?" Madoka asked.

"Yea," Kyoko admitted. "Archer's still busy checking on Yuma and your parents wanted one of us to back you up."

"Thank you," Madoka said gratefully.

"Let's go patrolling then."

"Actually, there's a Witch close to the school," Madoka informed her. "I had to wait until school ended before I went for it though."

"Lead the way," Kyoko said and let Madoka lead her to the labyrinth.

It was a short walk to the entrance and once they arrived Madoka put her backpack on the ground and began to dig through it. She pulled out her quiver and filled it with all the arrows she had available.

"You're still using the quiver Archer gave you?"

Madoka nodded as she slung the quiver across her back and summoned her bow. "It's a wonderful gift and I've been making arrows like he suggested."

"Glad to see someone's listening to him at least," Kyoko sighed before taking a spear out of a satchel and used it to slash an entrance into the labyrinth. She stepped inside and Madoka was quick to follow.

The labyrinth this time was a technological spectacle. All sorts of machines, gadgets, and equipment made up the walls and were scattered throughout the room. The scattered objects provided convenient stepping stones to avoid what looked like a giant current of electricity that ran on the entirety of the floor. It would hurt to fall into that.

Madoka prepped herself and used her enhanced strength to follow Kyoko as she jumped from platform to platform. Eventually they landed on the screen of a giant monitor where a group of large familiars waited for them. They looked like handheld gaming devices. The same she had seen some of her classmates, and Sayaka, use in class while the teacher wasn't looking.

"Alright," Kyoko said as she hefted her spear. "I'll go first you stay back an-"

Madoka had already stepped forward, nocked her bow, and primed a blue tipped arrow before Kyoko had time to finish her sentence. She shot the arrow straight up in the arrow. At the very apex of its flight it shattered into numerous pink fragments that began to storm down on the familiars below. By the time the arrow was spent only a few familiars remained.

"Or you could just do that," Kyoko mused before she flashed forward in an instant and skewered the remaining familiars. "Looks like you can handle yourself."

"Mami's been training me, and I've been hunting alone for the last few days."

"Good." Kyoko's face took on a wild look. "Means I can go all out without worrying about keeping an eye on you."

Considering what happened to her recently, Madoka was more than willing to let Kyoko release her violent impulses in the labyrinth. "Go ahead."

And go ahead she did. Like a raging bull Kyoko rammed into everything that they ran into in the labyrinth. She actually could have been hurt if Madoka hadn't been watching her back. Thankfully Madoka had become very used to covering for aggressive fighters thanks to Sayaka.

Kyoko hopped off the monitor and quickly descended using the platforms. Rather than follow that same path, Madoka took out a yellow tipped arrow. This arrow though was shaped more like a harpoon and she slammed one end of it into the ground. She then pulled out the top, aimed the shot, and fired. The tip would fly, carrying with it a magic enhanced rope that tightened and went straight once the tip had landed onto the farthest platform she could aim for.

Madoka then dismissed the string on her bow so she could put it on top of the rope, grab onto the ends, and slide down her newly made path. She ended up getting to that platform around the same time Kyoko did despite the lead the Magus had.

"Where'd you get one of those?" Kyoko asked as Madoka rolled on her landing and quickly stood up next to her.

"Mami suggested it, helps me and everyone else get around easier" Madoka said as she straightened her skirt, it had gotten caught in her leg during the roll. She thanked the Goddess that she wore shorts underneath ever since she started doing tricks like that. Apparently Magical Girls didn't have that issue, their outfits or some sort of light diffusing magic made sure of that. Either that or they simply didn't care. Mami had talked about seeing some rather… risqué outfits in the past. Outfits that made some of the doodles of Magical Girl outfits in her notebook look suitable for nuns in comparison. She wouldn't say anything about nuns though. Archer had warned her not to talk to Kyoko about churches, fire, or hanging in general.

Madoka didn't know what exactly happened to Kyoko, just that it was some sort of tragedy from what she could get from Mami and Archer, but those three topics didn't paint a pretty picture.

"Always coming up with new ideas," Kyoko sighed. It wasn't weary or annoyed though, it was somewhat wistful. "Did she have you call out your attack names yet?"

"She suggested it…" Madoka blushed. "But I don't think I can do that."

"Good. Once you start it's almost impossible to stop… also it really gets annoying when people around you expect you to shout it out every time you have to use that move."

"How long have you fought with Mami?"

"Long enough."

That wasn't much of an answer, but before Madoka could ask any further Kyoko had already gone ahead. Madoka simply followed.

She really did want to know more about Kyoko. Yes, she and Sayaka fought a lot. But seeing how she cared for Yuma and Archer, how she was willing to help her with her patrol, well she couldn't be a bad person at all.

If Kyoko and Sayaka could just talk… then maybe they'd be able to get along. Maybe even be really good friends. That was what Madoka wanted. For all her friends to get along.

It wasn't long until they finally got to the Witch, some sort of giant toy robot. One that Madoka could imagine Tatsuya playing with. Its hands were long, sharp claws, its feet were spiky blocks, and its eyes were a crystalline red.

Madoka yelped as she ducked underneath the laser shot in her direction, the heat of it singing a few strands of her hair.

And apparently it could shoot laser beams from its eyes. Tatsuya would definitely love this if it hadn't been out to kill them.

"Don't wimp out on me now, Madoka!" Kyoko shouted as she somersaulted over a swinging arm and jammed her spear into its chest. It cracked slightly before Kyoko's weapon bounced off. "Tch, tough."

"Just keep aiming for that spot!" Madoka shouted as she knocked and fired a red tipped arrow at the same spot. It went off with the force of an RPG, which Madoka was very familiar with at this point considering how much Homura liked to use those, and caused the cracks to spread even further.

"A little hard to do with it swinging at me," Kyoko shouted as she ducked under another swing and angled her spear to deflect the laser beams that were shot at her. "Just keep firing, I'll distract it."

That meant Madoka had to work quickly, before Kyoko risked getting herself hurt. She quickly unloaded her remaining Explosive arrows one after another. The three consecutive explosions blasted an ever increasing hole into its chest and the Witch stumbled back on the third.

With the Witch now forced back, Kyoko twirled the spear in her hands, gripped it with her underhand and took a wide stance. Flame erupted from the spear and enveloped the weapon just before Kyoko threw it with all her might. The flaming projectile slammed straight into the hole, piercing through the chest and coming out the back of the Witch.

"It's no Gáe Bulg," Kyoko muttered as shook her wrist. "But that definitely works."

"That was really cool!" Madoka praised.

"Took me months to get that working… You've pretty good with your powers, how long have you had them?"

"Almost two months now."

"That's it?" Kyoko asked as they watched the Grief Seed fall to the floor.

"Mami says I learn quickly," Madoka admitted. "B-but's it not that fast and it's only because I have her and Homura to teach me."

"Mami must love teaching you then," Kyoko reached down to grab the Grief Seed. She then began cupping it, staring deep into the blackness behind the clear crystal.

"Is everything okay?" Madoka asked.

"I know it doesn't do anything for me," Kyoko suddenly began to mutter. "Shut up."

"Um, sorry?" She wasn't even sure what she was apologizing about.

Kyoko looked at Madoka, as if she just remembered that she was still there. "It's nothing, just talking with Archer."

"You can talk to him with your mind, right?"

"Yea. Comes with the whole Master, Servant Contract," Kyoko showed off the red marks on your hand. "Actually, if you're a Semi-Servant could you be someone's Servant… Could you also be the Master of a Servant?"

"That…" was actually a really good question. "I don't know. Maybe you could ask Archer?" Madoka suggested.

"Nah, he's out of range."

But didn't she just say she was talking with Archer?

"Anyway," Kyoko tossed the Grief Seed. "You can have this."

"Are you sure?" Madoka asked after she caught it.

"Yea. I'm human. Don't need to use it," Kyoko replied. "You might not either, but your friends do. Besides, I owe you anyway."

"That's really nice, thank you."

Kyoko scoffed. "It's not that nice... Just delaying the inevitable."

Yuma opened her eyes to an unfamiliar room. Once again she wasn't entirely sure how she ended up in this or how she got there in the first place.

And then she remembered.

She didn't panic this time though. Somewhat because she was already used to ending up like this and mostly because, excuse her language, she felt like absolute shit.

Everything hurt. And she meant everything.

It was a struggle to turn her head much less try to sit up and get out of bed. And when she did turn it she found herself looking at a pair of large brown eyes looking at her excitedly.

"Mama!" the boy, a toddler apparently, began shouting. "Y'ma awake now!"

"Meow."

And there was also a cat at the foot of her bed. That was nice. She liked cats.

The first one to open the door and step into the room after the toddler called was Archer and then a woman right behind him, who Yuma could only assume was the boy's mother.

"Tatsuya! How'd you get here?" The mother asked. "I was sure he was in his crib."

"Crafty like his father I'd imagine," Archer replied before he kneeled down next to Yuma and looked her in the eyes. "How do you feel?"

"Terrible. Everything hurts," Yuma admitted she tried to sit up and was able to do so this time with Archer's help. Her back and neck were propped up by several pillows laid against the head of the bed.

"Well, that's what happens when you overuse a Magical Circuit. It produces too much heat and ends up burning your body from the inside out."

Yuma had a feeling that was what happened. She knew what she was doing the second she had picked up that hammer. "Where's Kyoko? How is she?"

"She's fine. Out hunting right now."

"By herself?"

"With Madoka, do you remember her?"

"Pink Girl with Ribbons."

"Yes," Archer nodded. "We've been staying at her family's house. They know about Magecraft and Servants."

"That's nice." Yuma tried to get out of bed only to have Archer stop her with a hand. "Ow…"

"You still need to rest," Archer said as he sat down and put his hand on top of her chest. His magic spread through her body, leaving her feeling tingly and a bit cooler than before. "Should help with the pain, but she shouldn't move around too much."

"Can you… heal me more?"

Archer shook his head. "I've done what I can. There's no permanent damage but your body needs to heal by itself. Is there anything you need?"

"Thirsty," Yuma croaked.

Archer turned to the woman. "Junko, could you get us some water? And also start heating up that light broth I have stored in the fridge."

"Of course, Archer," Junko agreed before grabbing Tatsuya and carrying him out of the room.

"Anything else?" Archer asked.

"Bathroom?"

"… I'll go get a pan."

After that embarrassing situation had been dealt with, mostly by Junko constantly reassuring her, Yuma was finally allowed a drink of water. It did wonders on her parched throat and the broth soon after was a welcome addition to her tongue. Light and tasty, she swallowed it easily and she could feel it warm up her stomach slightly.

"We'll get you some solid food in a few hours, once your body's adjusted," Archer informed her as he stood up and stepped aside. "Also get ready for some visitors."

Visitors?

Loud, heavy footsteps could be heard down the hall. They rapidly converged onto the room, until Kyoko rushed into the doorway, took one look at Yuma, and quickly threw herself in that direction.

Yuma barely had time to prepare herself before Kyoko had already completely enveloped her in her arms.

It hurt, a lot actually. But Yuma didn't mind so much. She even returned the hug with her own, in spite of how much her arms groaned when she did so.

"I'm fine, Big Sis," Yuma tried to reassure her. "I'm better now."

Kyoko remained silent and continued to hold onto Yuma's body. It was only after some time, when Archer had put a hand on her shoulder, did Kyoko finally let go.

Her face, her eyes. They seemed more… tired.

"Kyoko, have you been sleeping?" Yuma asked.

"I have," Kyoko replied. "Don't worry about me. How do you feel?"

"My body hurts, but Archer says I'll get better."

"Archer told me that… but it's nice to hear it from you."

"Kyoko… are you mad at me?" Yuma finally decided to bite the bullet and ask Kyoko the question that remained at the back of her mind. "For overdoing my Magecraft? For practicing behind your back."

"No…" Kyoko replied, much to Yuma's relief. "You did what you had to, and that's what saved us. In the end what happened to you is my fault."

"It isn't-"

"Oriko is my problem. My responsibility. She still is. You… you shouldn't have been forced to get involved with that."

"But she was after Archer." Yuma quickly looked at Archer. "Not that I blame you bu-"

"He is my Servant. My responsibility," Kyoko replied. "You both are. Whatever happens… I'll do whatever it takes to keep you two safe."

The look on Kyoko's face… Archer couldn't see it from where he stood, but Yuma could. It wasn't the confidence, the determination that she normally showed, instead it was resigned. As if she had already accepted whatever she would have to do next.

"You actually can act as a Master of a Servant or even be summoned as a Servant of a Master, though for the latter it won't likely be the you as you are now. Probably a future, if not alternate version of you," Archer informed Madoka as he helped Papa in the kitchen. They were cooking a special dinner now that Yuma was awake. "It can get very confusing. Even I'm not fully informed on this because of how rare they show, even across the multiverse."

"Multiverse?" Madoka asked.

"Multiple timelines. A Servant like me can show up in a countless number of them. I can count on my hand the number of times I've actually seen a Semi-Servant. When they do show up though… Well, unbelievable things happen. There was one Semi Servant that inherited the Ame-no-Sakahoko once held by Izanagi and Izanami, though I didn't really talk with her much back in Cheldea. You taking on the power of a Goddess doesn't seem that strange anymore considering the context."

"Erice and Voyager always were an interesting pair," Papa commented as he roasted vegetables in a pan.

"Still have no idea what sort of Servant Voyager actually was." Archer cut up the potatoes he peeled and dumped them into boiling water. "I would've used my Tracing on him, but his old Master was incredibly possessive of him. Didn't want to risk getting consumed by her demons."

Papa shivered. "I've seen it. It was not pretty."

"Well, they always had you cleaning up the messes the Servants created," Archer commented.

"And they always had you working in the kitchen. Tell me, how often were you actually brought in for combat?"

"They had more other Servants more suitable… and worthy of such a role. Neither of us were very suited to the limelight."

"… Fair enough"

It was strange whenever the two interacted. They liked to bicker a lot and argue… but they worked surprisingly well together. Even Mama commented how compatible the two were whenever they worked around the house.

"Does Ereshkigal remember anything?" Papa asked.

"Not about that time, no."

"So, you do know Ereshkigal," Madoka commented. "She always seems so comfortable around you."

"Building up your Harem again, Emiya?"

"Really? In front of your daughter?"

"She's kind. Not stupid. And back in Cheldea there was actually a betting pool on who you ended up with."

"Do you know anything after I was dismissed?"

Papa shrugged as he added salt. "As much as you do. Most of us were sent back to the Throne after Solomon was dealt with. If something else did happen after that, then I haven't received those memories yet."

"I guess it doesn't matter in the end," Archer said as he took out an ice bath, which he then proceeded to dump the cooked potatoes into. "We have our own issues to deal with now."

"You do," Papa replied. "I don't have any powers and I have my family to think about now."

"You've changed."

"And you haven't… are you sure you should be going to Kamihama?"

After taking out patting dry the potatoes, Archer began to crush them with a masher. "As long as Oriko remains a threat, Kyoko and I won't have peace. She needs to be dealt with."

"I understand why your Master would have to go… but what about Yuma?"

"…"

"You were going to have her stay with us? Weren't you?"

Madoka looked at Archer in shock. "You were going to leave Yuma with us?"

"She'll be safer here," Archer replied. "Oriko is clearly aiming for me, and Kyoko won't ever let them take me without a fight. Yuma on the other hand has little to do with this."

"But she's your family," Madoka replied.

"And that's why we have to keep her safe. We don't aim to abandon her but if something happens to either of us, it'd be nice to have some reassurance that she'll be taken care of."

"I'm fine with taking in a child in need." Papa looked at Archer carefully. "But only if they want it."

"I don't think Kyoko would like it either," Madoka commented.

Archer shook his head. "I'll convince Kyoko. She'll understand why we have to do this. As for Yuma, I'll give the news to her gradually. We won't leave anyway until she's sufficiently recovered."

A/N

Next chapter will be slightly delayed due to a busy schedule this coming week.