I sigh as I hear a knock on my room's door. "You know you don't have to do that. I like to think we're close enough to just enter each other's rooms."

"I just want to make sure you're not doing anything important, Kuroe. C-Can I come in?"

I roll my eyes, though I feel my lips tug upwards fondly. "What did I just say, Homura?"

"I…I need to talk to you…"

"Can't sleep?"

"S…Something like that…" I hear her mumble. The knob turns, and the door slowly creaks open. Homura walks in, already shrinking into herself the way she does when she's nervous.

I decide to get her comfortable. "Do you have those glasses that girl wanted you to wear?"

"Y…Yeah…"

"I was wondering how you look in them. That and that ribbon."

The other girl shakes her head. "I can't wear the ribbon. It's…It's not mine."

"But someone clearly wants you to wear it."

"I'll worry about that later. But as for my glasses…"

"Homura, I've seen you squinting. Sometimes, I even see you hold your phone or a book really close to your face! It can't hurt to try them on."

"I can't even know if they have the same prescription I used that long ago, Kuroe," Homura retorts. "I probably forgot to use my magic to heal my eyes in this version of reality. Besides, wouldn't it be admitting my weakness to wear these?"

I can't help but roll my eyes at that. "You call yourself weak all the time. What would this change? Homura, just humor me."

Sighing, Homura takes out the glasses. I notice the rims are a similar red to the ribbon. Her hands shake as she slowly puts them on. She looks down and away. "I probably look so weird…"

"Probably?"

"Okay, I know I look weird!"

"Did the kids at that Catholic school say that?"

"I actually remember this, so they probably said it in Mitakihara too!"

"Well, if I see how you look, I'll be able to tell you if they're right or wrong!"

"But you'll make fun of me!"

"I wouldn't do that!"

Perhaps I've been hanging around her for too long, because I almost believe her. With a long, loud sigh, I slowly look at her. We stare at each other silently for a while.

"Did your face always look like that, Kuroe?" I ask softly.

"Like what?"

I hesitate. Should I really tell her? Yes. Now's the time. If she wants to be my roommate, she deserves to know what I think of her. "I suppose it's fitting."

"What is?"

I can't help the small smile. "That besides my glasses, our faces are so similar."

"Similar…" I hear her mumble.

"You know…that look in your eyes. Do I really look that…sad?" I ask, my voice trailing off into a whisper.

Kuroe bites her lip a little. Then, she shakes her head. Kuroe looks back at me. "If it helps, I think they suit you. The glasses, I mean."

"Because they make me look weird? Weak?" I scoff, bitter feelings rising up. "Like I always am?"

"I wasn't going to say that, and you know it, Homura!" She snaps. I cannot vocalize a response to that, so I wait for her to continue. "Your glasses look fine. Cute, even!"

"They…do?" I ask softly.

"Yes. I feel like I'm really seeing you, Homura!"

"You weren't…seeing me before?" My head tilts. "Do you need glasses too?" I mumble.

Kuroe laughs, making my face burn. "No, I don't think so. Your eyes really pop now, you know?"

I shake my head. "Is that a good thing? People have told me my eyes are weird too."

"Really? Is it because they're purple?"

I sigh and shrug. "Has anyone teased you about that?"

Once more, Kuroe chuckles. I like making her happy. "I don't know if that's why, but I suppose our eyes are similar, now that I think about it."

"Not quite the same, but in the right lighting, I think they'd look…similar enough. But I don't think that's a bad thing. I was so shocked when I realized…I…like that you look like me."

A heavy silence falls between us. Kuroe has this blank look on her face. I can tell she's processing that. Did I say something bad again? Oh no…

"Homura?"

She's gonna hate me. She's gonna hate me. She's gonna hate me…

"Why…is that?"

"Promise me you won't hate me…" I mumble. Not that it'll do any good. My friend's gonna be creeped out and kick me out! Sure, I could go to Hitomi's for a while, but…

"I've told you a million times I won't hate you. You…You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, though. Believe me, I…I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed. Like I'm being forced into things I'm not ready for!"

"It's not that!" I reply, way too quickly and high-pitched for my liking. Well, she seems to believe me more when I'm not putting on the lower pitched voice, so I suppose this will help. "I…want to tell you. I'm just…I don't want you to hate me, is all. It's not the same as…you dying, though I don't want that either. I'm just…I don't want to lose any more friends, Kuroe. If I lost you, be it to death or some stupid mistake of mine, it would tear me apart. And I'd have to do what I always do. Pack up and run away, never looking back…or I'd see you. I'd hear you. You and the people I've…let die." I clench my fists, choking back a sob. I start shaking. When did it get so cold?

"That's why…I'm going to be honest with you, Kuroe." I try to calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out. In. Out. When I can focus on something besides my panic and fear, I continue. "You are one of the most remarkable, brave girls I have ever met."

"Homura…"

"You are! And…and it took me a bit to realize why you don't fit in with your family because…because it's been so long since I had a family. My parents are dead, the Magical Girls who trained me are also either dead or hate me, and I just…" I finish hollowly. "I have no family to speak of. And I didn't realize just how…how much I hate that. I was focused on…on other things. And then…Kuroe…I met you. You understand me, Kuroe, and I like to think I understand you. From the beginning, I felt like…l-like we…"

"…Like our meeting was a long time coming. As if we'd met before."

I laugh a little, though it comes out empty. "I must sound so silly, saying it out loud, right? Thinking that? I suppose part of me hoped that…that…please don't hate me for this…That you had some secret past…that I knew, but that I'd forgotten. But I also wanted to learn more and more about you, no matter what the answers were. I'm glad your family is alive, even if I wish you had a family that truly…that was more in sync with you."

She starts laughing. Why is she laughing? Did I actually say something stupid. "Homura," she says between chuckles. "You don't need to worry about that. Because I…I've found someone that can do that for me. Someone…who really does feel like family. I…I've never been that close to my brothers or my…um, my…sister." I notice the way she says "sister" is a bit strained.

"So…it's a girl?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I found…a sister."

"Who?" I tilt my head, wracking my brain to try and find out who she could be talking about. "We've spent most of the time I've been here together. Did…Did you meet someone while I was taking those exams?"

I can see the sadness in her eyes as she looks at me. "You really don't know…" she mumbles. "Someone could literally be trying to say they're in love with you, and it'd fly right over your head! Or…Or that YOU are the girl who's changed their life! They could say that they're so eager to go to school with you because parting with you would be just as devastating to them as to you! Homura…You…You've been hurt so much." Kuroe starts to cry. "So many people never gave you a chance! They never saw how kind and strong you really are! Yeah, you…you've made mistakes, but so does everyone! I can see in your eyes that you want to be better! And I…want to help you!"

"Kuroe…" I mumble.

"I know you're smart," the other girl says. I gasp as she looks at me. I can see the determination in her eyes. "I know you learn things quickly. That when you know something, you're quick to apply it. But I know sometimes, you just need someone to come out and say what they mean. No…dancing around it. No avoiding it. Homura Akemi…the girl I met who changed my life…who I see as the twin I never had…"

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

I jump as I hear the sudden, harsh noise. But it's not…coming from this door. And Kuroe's family don't knock like that.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

I look out the window. No…not her. Not now! Not when Kuroe and I are in the middle of something important! But even if the bright red hair and the harsh, rude knocking I can hear all the way from here didn't give her away, I take out my Soul Gem and scry. I groan.

"Homura? Who is that?" Kuroe asks.

"We…We have to go and greet our guest, I suppose. Before she wakes your family up…" I mumble. "What's she doing here?"

"Homura…" I feel a soft hand on my shoulder. "I'm here. If this is one of those Magical Girls…I'll stand by you."

I shake my head. "I won't let her hurt you, Kuroe. Just…Just follow my lead, okay?"

She nods. We walk to the front door. I tell Kuroe to wait for us. Slowly, I open the door. I feel my face contort to its more guarded form. "Sakura. You're not looking well."

"Shut it, Akemi," Kyouko growls. "I've come a long way for ya!"

"Couldn't let it go, could you? Couldn't let me hide until I was ready to come back?"

"Unlike Sayaka, I didn't take ya for a coward," Kyouko replies.

"Still trying to live up to S…to Miki's example," I say. "What a role model. Coming in at the middle of the night, probably scaring the neighborhood to death. What would Miki say if she could see you now?"

Kyouko glares at me. I glare back as best I can. "She'd understand. In fact, she's the one who told me to make sure you don't tear shit apart again!"

"Yes, yes. Because she can trust you."

"She can!" Kyouko yells. "Cuz it's the least I can do to repay her!"

"Do you feel the debt is repaid? Can it be?" I shake my head. "You never really answered my question. You could have waited until I was ready. Are you really so rabid and impulsive, you couldn't wait to fight me?"

"Impulsive? Look who's talking!" Kyouko laughs harshly, smirking at me. "People know what they're getting with me! I don't bullshit with people. You? I used to think you were this badass who planned for everything! Now I know you just…go by your first instinct! You never stop to think! Madoka's suffering? Better become the Devil and hurt the people who TRUSTED YOU! You think just cuz you're wearing those glasses, it makes ya look more innocent?!"

I look away. Sure, I know all of that, but it still hurts to hear it, especially from someone I thought…still think of as a friend. "I am sorry to disappoint you. Is that all you came for? Because I thought the kid was supposed to be at her grandparents' place."

"She is," Kyouko replies. "If she got lost, the last person I'd want Yuma to hang out with is you!"

"Of course."

Kyouko's smirk returns as she starts to crack her knuckles. "You're lucky. If you'd pissed me off in front of her, I'd have to tell her to go home!"

"So we are fighting? Or are we continuing this chat?" I ask, trying to make my voice sound bored. I'd prefer not to fight. As stupid as it is, I find myself hoping I didn't anger her enough for her to jump to fighting me. That shocks me, but then, I think about Kuroe. How sad she'd be if I died, and how I'd never find out what she wanted to say.

"Course I'm gonna wail on ya! About time someone knocked that smug look off your face!" A scarlet light envelops Kyouko, and when it clears, she's in her Magical Girl outfit, pointing that lance at me. I sigh. Of course I can't be lucky. Is this it? Is it my time?

"Can we at least do this outside? I really don't want the people I'm staying with to have to clean up after me."

Kyouko rolls her eyes. "Didn't think you cared that much. Fine." She steps aside. "Come on out, Akemi."

I summon my Soul Gem, feeling my power course through me. I go outside, looking at Kyouko with my usual neutral expression. "You're just taking the chance to fight me now, while you can…"

"Damn straight. You don't fight fair! But then…" Kyouko smirks. "I don't either! You're already way stronger than last time I talked to ya! Pretty soon, you'll be too strong for me or anyone to fight!"

"You exaggerate," I mumble. I can't really be that strong, right? Kuroe just helped me get more creative.

Kuroe…just exited her house…in that cloak and outfit I swear exposes her a bit too much. I look at her in a panic. "What are you doing out here?!"

"Isn't it obvious? This girl wants to kill you, and I'm not going to let her." She points her batons right at Kyouko.

I groan. She has no idea what she's in for. "When I train with you, I don't do it so you can put yourself in danger when MY mistakes come knocking!"

"So you expect me to watch her kill you?!" she shouts.

"She won't kill me," I reply simply.

"I know you can fight her. But the way you talk to her…it's almost like you want her to fight you! To beat you! To…To kill you!"

"That's…ridiculous…" I say, and even I don't believe me with my tone.

"You do, don't you?" Kuroe says, glaring at me. "Was all that talk about going t school together a lie?! About our connection?!"

"Kid, you're gonna learn that Akemi lies a LOT," Kyouko says suddenly. "You'll trust her. Give her a chance. Then BOOM! She stabs ya in the back! You and everyone else who thought she wouldn't!"

I shake my head. "I wasn't lying, Kuroe. I…I really do want that with you."

Kuroe sighs. I can tell she's shaking. Poor girl "Do you really want her to kill you? Right here and now?"

"I…" Thinking about it starts to hurt my head. I groan and hold it. "I don't…know…" I mumble.

"Homura…what do you want? Right now? Ask yourself that, and tell me what comes to your mind."

I sigh, trying to think past the headache. Yes. That doesn't shock me. I sigh. "I want…to protect you…"

"Of course," Kuroe says. "And the safest place for me is fighting alongside you!"

"Kuroe…"

"Listen to me, Homura. I…I can tell you won't kill her! Won't that be easier if I can help make sure of that?"

I sigh. "You're stubborn, you know that?"

"I learned from watching you," she replies.

We look at Kyouko, who looks between us. "So who's the kid? One of your brainwashed slaves, Akemi?"

"I do not do that," I mumble. "When I used my power on you, I simply made you remember a life inside my world. Personality was kept intact. But even that was too much."

"If I was brainwashed, I wouldn't be here right now," Kuroe adds, twirling her batons. She tosses one at me. Surprisingly, I catch it. "You heard her tell me to leave."

"Whatever she promised ya isn't worth it, then!" Kyouko shouts. "You'll live with a target on your back, when everyone learns you're pals with Akemi!"

"If that's what it takes for her not to be alone, so be it," Kuroe replies.

Kyouko leaps above me and lands right in front of Kuroe. Before I can react, they start fighting. I start to freak out. Kuroe's way out of her league! Kyouko blocks her blows expertly, whereas her own blocks are more clumsy. I can tell she's panicking too.

"I won't…let you…hurt Homura!" Kuroe manages to get out, even after Kyouko disarms her. Still, she's determined. She lunges at Kyouko, and to her credit, she manages to land a solid kick to Kyouko's face. Guess that time doing gymnastics paid off. I feel a slight wave of pride, though I make sure to remind myself to tell her how reckless that was after we get through this

"Ugh…" Kyouko holds her thigh, where Kuroe kicked. "She really knows how to choose the girls who'd so eagerly give their lives up…" Kyouko mumbles. "I thought you'd've learned by now not to do that! What'll happen when this girl or Shizuki die on ya?"

Something in what she said made something snap. I swing Kuroe's baton wildly at Kyouko, burning with rage. "Kuroe will not die, and neither will Hitomi! I will not allow it! Hurting someone I…care about won't bring Sayaka back!"

That seems to do the trick. Kyouko's eyes burn with the same fury I feel as she and I trade blows. "Sayaka deserved to live! Not one of your lies, but in this world! The real world! But you…You took away any chance at that!"

"She chose…to go with Madoka. You know that," I reply, trying to catch the baton as Kyouko knocks it out of my hand. Sadly, I fail. Still, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. I release my power, and my wings come out. I leap up into the air. "I may have driven her to that point, but she chose. Unlike me, she was given that choice! She wasn't forced to stay here like I was! Forced to live in a world she doesn't understand!" I glare at Kyouko, then I lunge at her. I make her hit the wall. I glare at her. I feel the tears leaving my eyes. "Sayaka never had to deal with everyone thinking she's crazy for talking about a girl who brought her such joy and happiness! You and Mami didn't even remember Madoka! I couldn't talk about her with anyone! Especially after what I did to her!" Slowly, I release Kyouko, shaking and sobbing. "Do you have any idea what it's like, knowing your friends hate you?! When you WANT to talk about something, but you're scared people won't take you seriously! 'Oh, she's delusional again! Talking about that dream like it really happened!'" I look away from her. "Do you think I WANT us to hate each other, Kyouko?"

"Kyouko might…" a voice comes from the roof of Kuroe's house. "But I had more faith in you…Homura…"

"…Mami…" I mumble, my eyes widening. What's SHE doing here?!

"Kyouko, I told you not to fight her," Mami says.

I see Kyouko scoff. "Coulda told her not to piss me off!"

I feel a tug at my shoulder. "Are we going to fight Mami Tomoe too?" I hear Kuroe whisper. She's recovering quickly. Good. Kyouko didn't wind her that much.

"No," I reply firmly. "You could barely hold your own against Kyouko there. With Mami? I doubt it'd be much of a fight even if we used everything we learned." I can't help the involuntary shudder. I choose not to mention to Kuroe that I also don't want to be tied up again. The very idea sends an uncomfortable chill down my spine. "Let's see what they want, Kuroe."

"Can't a girl just want to check on her friend?" Mami asks.

"You've seen me with Hitomi," I reply. "You could have just asked her if that's what you were worried about."

"Well," Kyouko says suddenly. "You know how everyone hates ya, even if they don't know all you did?"

"Thanks for the reminder." I can't hide the bitterness in my voice. "I don't need to be told you two hate me."

"We don't—" Kyouko shouts before she's interrupted.

"I was always willing to welcome you back with open arms. But also, Madoka wanted me to keep an eye on you. Protect you, if I have to," Mami explains.

"I don't need your protection," I reply before I can stop myself. "And Sakura would not have let you."

"I don't recall Kyouko being the boss of me," Mami replies, a slight glimmer in her eye. "And sure, she's furious with you, but to say she hates you?"

"Miki hates me," I point out. "She's always hated me. And she'd rub off on Kyouko, so it was a reasonable assumption. Even before Sakura was all, 'Grr, I'll kill you if you try anything funny!'"

Kyouko looks away from me. Slowly, she replies, "Just cuz I can't trust ya like in that weird dream world doesn't mean I…hate you," I hear Kyouko say.

"I know we can never again be what I remember," I reply. "I've caused too much pain. If it weren't for me, we would never have met Bebe, so you," I look at Mami. "Wouldn't have been devastated when it was time for her to go."

I can see the pain in Mami's eyes as I say that. Despite that, she smiles. "I'm actually grateful to you. I'll always cherish the time I had with Nagisa. And when it's time, I'll meet her again. Same with Kyouko and Sayaka. But you know that pain all too well, don't you, Homura?"

"…You're lucky. You get to be with them again, when you die. The only other time I'll see Madoka again…" I choke back a sob. I can't cry in front of them. "Will be the last time. I can't imagine she just hangs out with the other girls. Even if she does…why would she bother with me? I've hurt her more than any other Magical Girl or human in history. She probably wants nothing to do with me."

"…You're kidding, right?" Kyouko asks me, much to my confusion. What is she talking about?

"Um, Homura?" I hear Kuroe ask. Then, she points to my glasses. "Didn't she say she wanted to see you again?"

"That could mean many things. Like when it's time for me to die."

"It…didn't sound like she wanted you to die anytime soon, Homura. Besides…I don't want you to die anytime soon either."

I let out a soft sigh, turning towards Kuroe. My gaze is probably as weary as I feel. "I'll try my best. But…with people calling for my blood, after everything I've done, when does it all end? When will I be able to find a place where I won't be so hated? Where I'm not constantly reminded that I'm a disgusting monster?"

"I thought you found that place…with me, Homura." My heart clenches. Why does it make you so sad to hear me say that, Kuroe? Don't you know that makes me sad? "When I'm with you, that's how I feel."

I continue my weary gaze. "When I'm with you, yes. But it's still just the two of us versus the world, Kuroe. I'm just…tired of it all. I hate that I put you and everyone I care about in danger. I hate the idea that I'll have to keep on fighting, even if I do lose you. But I don't know how I'll be able to…"

"I…" She finally meets my gaze. "I cannot pretend to know all you've been through, but you don't have to bear the weight of the world alone." Softly, she puts a hand on my shoulder. "You're not alone anymore. You never have to be again. And if you're gonna say it's still a burden I shouldn't bear? It doesn't have to be just the two of us."

Hearing that shocks me. Doesn't it have to be? Isn't it how it always turns out, in the end?

Don't I always end up alone?

"Won't that friend of yours stand by you too? From what you tell me, she's probably worried sick."

"…Hitomi. Yes. Yes, I suppose she would be worried, having to look after me…"

"And Tomoe over there seems willing to give you another chance. Um…a-aren't you?" Kuroe asks Mami nervously.

"That's why I came to find her," Mami says softly. "I'm supposed to protect her. But I was just…worried about her. Without Shizuki, I didn't know if she was eating or resting properly."

"Or if Akemi there wasn't just chargin' in with her death wish every time she fights!" Kyouko adds. "She pisses me off, sure, but I…" Her voice gets softer. "I wouldn't actually have killed her." Do I detect guilt in her voice? And…And how does she sound so damn sure?! I anger her! I goad her! I…

I still don't know if I'd have killed Sayaka if she hadn't stopped me. Oh no. No no no no no.

'I don't give a damn whether you live or die…'

My voice echoes through my head, as clear as the day I said that. I start shaking. I close my eyes tightly. "No!" I can't bear to see this again. Out of the many things that haunt me, the only things worse than this…are all the times I've seen Madoka die.

'You're always spouting empty words.'

No! Stop! I…I only wanted to scare her! She was so close to becoming a Witch, but she wouldn't use a Grief Seed! She never believed me when I told her so! This was the only way! At least…that's what I thought going into that. I was so desperate! She wasn't listening! She never listens!

But I feel what I did then, even with my eyes close. That feeling I felt that long ago. It only lasted an instant, but I'll never, ever forget.

'I should just kill you right here and now!'

The smallest part of me…WANTED her to die. Could I have convinced myself it was the only way?! Could I?! What if Kyouko hadn't stopped me?!

'Everything has to do with Madoka.'

Why? Why this memory? Why now? Is it because of what Kyouko said?!

'I don't give a damn whether you live or die…'

Would…Would I really have killed her? No matter how much I ask that, I am no closer to knowing for sure.

"…ra…"

Scared. So scared. So cold. Shaking.

'Empty words.'

'Kill you right now!'

"…mura…"

Make it stop!

"Ho…ra…"

'You, Homura Akemi, are a demon!'
'You're always spouting empty words!"

Help…Help me! HELP ME! Make it stop! Please! I…someone…help me…

"Homura! HOMURA!"

That voice. "K…Kuroe…?"

"Homura! I'm here! Open your eyes!" I can feel her hands on my shoulders.

"Kuroe…" I slowly open my eyes. To my shock, I don't see Sayaka's face contorted in fear, shock, and rage. I see…the girl I've become so fond of. Such fear. Of…what happened to me? "I…fainted…?"

Kuroe sighs, smiling in relief. "Not this time. But you were mumbling, 'Help me. Make it stop.' You were also screaming."

Slowly, I look to Mami and Kyouko. Kyouko looks shocked, and Mami…looks absolutely horrified. As if…as if she really did come all this way because she was worried about me. "Does…does this happen a lot?" Mami asks, clearly having chosen her words carefully.

"It's not a big…" I try to reply, before Kuroe squeezes one of my shoulders a little and shakes her head.

"It happens every now and again," Kuroe says. "But she's been getting better! The first time it happened, she acted like she could barely hear me. And…yeah, sometimes, she faints. But…But she knows I want to help her! It's the least I can do, after all she's done for me."

I see Mami smile a little. "All she's done, huh? So you would say you two are friends, Miss…Kuroe, was it?"

"I…I…I'd like to think she and I are friends, yeah," Kuroe mumbles.

"Thank you for finding Homura and taking care of her. I mean it." Mami lets out a sigh, then she looks at me. "What are you going to do now?"

That's a good question. What do I do? "Well…if you two found me, someone who doesn't even have to bother acting like she doesn't want to kill me might," I reply. "But…if they realize I'm training Kuroe, they could use her or you two to get to me. Though I suppose that won't change. I've just been running away…That's all I ever seem to do. But if I stop running…I may have to fight. And Kuroe…"

"I told you, I'm willing to face anything by your side, Homura," Kuroe states firmly.

"You'd be risking your life, coming with me. I know all of this can still be overwhelming. I won't let you die."

"It'll be easier to make sure of that if I go with you."

"You can still back out. Pretend like you don't know me."

"Why would I do that? You've been nothing but kind to me."

"I just…" I shake my head. "I don't know. Do you really want to come with us?"

Kuroe nods. "You're not getting rid of me that easily. Someone has to watch your back." Is that a smirk I see? "Besides, if I'm gonna live with you this next school year, shouldn't I get to know the city?"

I shrug. "It's up to you."

"I want to go with you."

"There's just no convincing you. Fine. Hitomi's curious about you anyway. How quickly can you have everything ready to go?"

"We can leave tonight. Is…Is it okay if Tomoe and Sakura meet us at the train station? Would…Would it be too awkward?"

"Not at all, Kuroe," Mami says.

"If Mami's okay with it, I can't argue," Kyouko adds. "Strange that Akemi trusts ya. She doesn't trust anyone!"

"Not now, Sakura…" I grumble. Then, I look back to the girl. Despite not being able to fight Kyouko very well on her own, a cursory scan of her magical signature shows just how much stronger she's gotten.

This feeling is so strange. Is this…pride? Am I happy that I got to help her?

What am I saying? This is the girl I think of when I think of the word "sister". Of course I want to see where she's going. And if possible…be a part of that. I need to tell her soon, before it's too late.