Yuzuki ★ Magica: A Madoka Magica Fanfiction

Awakening : Chapter 1

"Yuzuki! Are you listening? What are we going do for the student cultural fair? I signed us up, thinking that we would have an idea by now! Are you even paying attention?!" I turned at the sound of my obnoxious best friend, Hanayuu's, voice. I thought for a second, then returned to my absentminded staring out the window. That didn't seem to bother Hanayuu. She just kept on going. She could talk forever. It didn't matter to her whether or not the person she was talking to was listening; she just wanted to talk. That was why she fit in well with me. I usually was just as loud as her, maybe even louder. But lately, I had been so busy with the witches in this town that I came to school exhausted. She went silent when the teacher walked into the room and the bell rang.

On the way home from school, we both had to take a train. It made sense, as we lived quite close to each other. She looked up and smiled. "Guess it'll be good weather for a while..." I raised my head but noticed something out of the corner of my eye. I turned and Hanayuu looked where I was looking. "Oh no." She raised a hand to her lips and I was too scared to move. In the corner, there were a bunch of older-looking boys and they were crowding around a girl. She looked scared stiff, rooted to the spot, and could only whimper as they taunted her. In her hand, clutched firmly, was a tainted soul gem. She's wearing our school uniform... But it's covered in mud. She looks like she might become a witch any minute! I made an impulsive decision: to save that girl. I just couldn't bear to see her, tear stained and whimpering. I ran and pushed my way through the crowd of boys. Hanayuu, ever faithful, followed closely behind, beating anyone who was in our way. I stood in front of the girl, arms outstretched to shield her, while Hanayuu wiped her face. "Leave her alone!" I screamed. The guys only started to laugh. Not much time left! We have to hurry! "Yeah! Pick on one of your own kind: disgusting scum!" Hanayuu retorted in response to the outbreak of laughter. I heard a crack behind me and turned to look, fearing the worst.