Puella Magi Hunger Games

Chapter 17

Oriko Mikuni stood there, her pale skirts rustling, and her brilliant blue eyes stern.
"Don't say anything." Oriko said, before Homura could open her mouth. As she turned around, Homura watched Oriko, as she summoned silver, vine-patterned orbs, to blast the fog in front of her. The orbs hit the fog like a solid wall, their metallic rings echoing through the air, until finally, a crack was heard, and a gap opened to the outside world.
Oriko stepped out first, Homura following close behind. A figure could be seen, shadowed against the light of the morning sun.
Another more familiar figure stood next to her, one which Homura knew well.
"Madoka!" Homura blurted out, "Why didn't you stay at camp? Who-" Homura stopped, seeing the person next to Madoka clearly.
Kirika stood there, her claws dangling at her sides. Homura wasted no time, pulling out a gun, and backing away, aiming first for Oriko, then Kirika.
"What do you want?!" Homura snapped, "Why would you save me?"
Kirika spoke first, but not to Homura.
"The incubator got away, Oriko. I'm sorry." Oriko nodded slowly.
"Did you succeed in stopping it?" Kirika nodded quickly.
"I attacked it, just as it was about to contract, but it ran away, before I could kill it." Homura frowned.
"I'm asking you, what did you do?" Oriko and Kirika both looked at Homura in surprise.
"Didn't we just say?" Oriko's eyebrows were arched in disbelief, "We saved you, and stopped Madoka Kaname from contracting with the incubator." Homura raised an eyebrow in return.
"Am I supposed to believe that?" Oriko gestured towards Madoka.
"Ask her yourself, you know that I saved you, why don't you find out the rest yourself?" Homura didn't lower the gun, but she made her way slowly to Madoka, keeping her guard up.
"Madoka, are you alright?" Homura asked immediately, as soon as she reached Madoka, "Is it true what they say?" Madoka nodded.
"They're right, Homura-chan. Kyubey came to me, telling me that you was in trouble, he offered to contract, to help you."
"And were you going to contract?" Madoka hesitated, looking uncertainly at the ground.
"Well, I---" Homura reached forward, grabbing Madoka by the shoulders.
"Don't make a contract, how many times do I have to tell you?!" Homura cried, shaking Madoka by the shoulders, "Don't make me worry, okay?" Madoka just looked at her, with her sorrowful pink eyes.
"Homura-chan, why won't you ever let me do anything? I can't help you, and you keep trying to do things alone, but it's okay, I'm here for you, and I want to help you." Madoka's voice was earnest, and it reminded Homura, of anther place, another time. Homura looked down at the floor, seeing the dusty track, where her black heels, and Madoka's brown shoes stood.
"Just don't contract." Homura sighed. Looking up, she turned back to Oriko and Kirika.
"Thank you for helping us," Homura bowed her head, then her eyes steeled, "But the next time we meet, I will not hesitate to fight you, to protect those I love." Kirika glanced at Oriko then. Oriko stepped forward.
"Actually, I was going to suggest a truce. We want to get out of this place, just as much as you do, and we thought, if we could combine our magic, we might be able to break through the barrier." Oriko's voice was persuading, and she actually sounded sincere, but something in Homura didn't trust her.
Homura had to admit though, she wasn't doing much on her own, so some help would be useful. She couldn't endanger Madoka though, but if they hurt her, she would not hesitate to fight back, but Madoka was so vulnerable, but...

As Homura stood there, conflicting thoughts running through her overworking mind, Kirika glanced at Oriko.
Oriko shook her head slightly. She might tell Kirika later, but she couldn't trust her friend's acting ability.
Finally, Homura came to a decision.
"I will accept your offer," She said stiffly, feeling helpless at being unable to help Madoka herself, "But if you make any wrong moves, I will kill you both."

"Homura-chan, why are you so guarded against Oriko and Kirika?" Madoka's innocent and confused voice questioned Homura. They were following Oriko and Kirika to their hideout, their own camp being deemed too derelict. Homura sighed mentally at the question.
"Madoka, I just can't trust them, I won't let anyone hurt you, and if you are hurt or killed because I was too trusting, I will never forgive myself."