Izumi only left the room to retrieve an apple from the fridge, when she heard the voice of another person, she didn't recognize the voice and immediately transformed into her second form and summoned her halberd, she kicked in the door to the small living area with her halberd at the ready, she saw the contractor and Rose sitting on the couch and looking at the television." What's wrong !? Are we under attack, is someone here trying to hurt us ?" Izumi asked sounding a mix of worried and scared.

"I don't exactly see why you chose to consume your last victim. You know very well how much our research is dependent on your production of Soul Gems. I just don't understand your course of action, Chiyo Kuroke."

The dark haired girl was back in Miso City, having brought herself back from Mitikihara Town fairly quickly. Now she strolled down the darkened streets, arms crossed in front of her. A crimson eye was placed on the Contractor who walked beside her and for a moment both of their gazes met in a sea of unblinking red.

"....I had to feed," she said simply. "You know very well why I chose to eat her instead. After all, you granted my wish remember?"

A pause of silence before the white creature ceded with a, "Yes, I suppose that is correct. However, I expect your next target to be brought to us intact. Is that understood, Chiyo Kuroke?"

"Loud and clear," she sighed.

Away from them, Akame was in her own home with her own Contractor resting next to her in her single living room. She stiffened as she received the message from Emiri, taking her Soul Gem to respond. She could hear Rose's voice on the other end, bringing a sense of relief. Good. The water Magical Girl was better at healing than she was so if anything happened, at least Rose would react. The Contractor watched her movements with one eye open.

"Emiri, it's me. Do you need anything or can you make it for tonight?"

"No, I'm ok. Please don't worry about me. I'm going back home now, though I missed the last bus and am out of magic power so I'll have to walk." Emiri said answering both of her comrade’s questions. Her apartment wasn't too far way from the ramen shop if she took a detour Ayane taught her a long while ago she would be there in no time.

"The thing is that when you're reduced to barely more than a normal girl, the city becomes quite scary at night. Anyway, what do you two think of the new girls? I believe they have a lot of potential. Though Rose seems to have gotten the short end the stick when it comes to personality."

Rose responded quickly to Emiri's comments through her soul gem, " I would have to disagree with your observation. I happen to like the personality I got my hands on. True, they do tend fight, and if I could keep Elise's hands off Izumi then I feel they should make an excellent magical girl duo. Having some personality in my life could be healthy. Not that you two weren't enough personality, but you two were friends even before I met you two. With these two, their fighting could lead to some healthy competition. As for the others, Chiyo seems interesting. I have no idea about her powers and she appears to be more anti-social than I am. Nanako seems a little too young for this life of ours and Miyako needs to be brought down a few pegs. She claims to be the best but I want to prove her wrong.” It seemed she had a lot to say on the subject of the new girls and had prepared what she was going to say.

"I agree," Akame put in. "Though something about Chiyo bothers me. I can't say for sure but...I think there's something about her that we need to watch out for."

She did not tell her comrades about her theory and how the dark-haired Magical Girl had almost let the Primordial take Nanako's life. She wouldn't push it any further than she needed to. As if her namesake evoked the Devil, Chiyo herself crossed into Emiri's field of vision. The Contractor quickly scurried off, leaving her to deal with the awkward and sudden meeting.

Furthermore, she was interrupted by a sudden transmission from her Soul Gem. A familiar voice who's words made her eyes widen slightly. A Magical Girl hunter? That might be a bit much to assume, but the possibility of such was disturbing. Frowning, she cut off her contact with both Rose and Emiri for now.

Back outside, Chiyo's expression was one of surprise, indicating that she had not planned to run into the senior Magical Girl. But then that looked flecked away and her usual smile graced her features.

"Good evening Emiri-san. It's a lovely night for a walk."

"Huh? What are you doing here?" Emiri was surprised by the sudden appearance of Chiyo. Shouldn't she be at Mitakihara? There's no way that she could have already moved from here to there and back again is so little time, "Perhaps she's leaving tomorrow?" Emiri thought.

Emiri didn't wait for Chiyo's answer before asking her next question, "Do you have anywhere to stay the night? I get it that you'll be leaving tomorrow, so if you want you can sleep at my apartment since it's right over the next corner."

"But I have to warn you, I don't have much in terms of refreshments, since I rarely eat at home. Are you ok with tea and rice crackers?" Emiri said apologizing for her lack of skill as a host. Ever since Ayane died, Emiri never had any guests, well Akame and Rose came once in while, but they aren't exactly picky persons so the only thing Emiri made question of always having was tea, to sate Rose's addiction.

"Yes, that'll be just fine," Chiyo said with a wide smile. It seemed things had taken a turn in her favor but only time would tell if her efforts would bear fruit. As they walked in the darkness, making their way to Emiri's dwelling, Chiyo remained silent for the majority of the time. It wasn't until they had entered Emiri's apartment did she finally speak what was on her mind.

"Hey Emiri-san? Do you think this world is fair?"

A pause before Chiyo laughed quietly to herself.

"Ah, apologies. It's just that I've had something on my mind these past few days. A theory really. Just something that I'm interested in."

Chiyo's sudden question brought back memories that Emiri wished that she would not recall anymore, memories about the time before she made her wish and about the person she made her wish for. However, the golden magical girl shook her head and tried not to dwell in the past.

"Why you'd say that? Sure, the world isn't perfect neither for us, nor to anyone else. There's even those among us that believe that our misery is God's punishment for us who dealt with the devil in order and became witches." Emiri said as she remembered a certain someone from her past.

"Speaking of the devil..." Emiri said as she received the mysterious magical girl message, sure it was something to be worried about, but Emiri didn't thought that replying more than a simple "Understood." would be needed.

"A magical girl hunter, huh?" Emiri repeated the words thoughtlessly, thinking if she should have been more assertive about having Miyako and Nanako sleep at her apartment. "At least Chiyo will be safe if anything happens."

"I'm sorry, a Magical Girl...hunter? As in, someone that kills other Magical Girls? I've never heard of such a thing before and frankly, I don't see why anyone would go through all that needless trouble," Chiyo said with a frown. "Well regardless, let's not dwell on such a negative topic. So you think this world is unjust then? Allow me to further my original question Emiri-san. Since you seem to believe the world isn't fair, don't you think that it should be? I've been thinking the same thing myself," she said truthfully. "It's just...horrible to picture this world like that. Don't you think it should be different?"

Again another question that made Emiri remember her wish. "You know, someone once asked me the same thing. She was a friend of mine, and she was very ill. She asked me the same thing while reading her favorite book, “Alice's Adventures in the Wonderland”. She said that if this world couldn't become more just, she at least wanted to be like Alice and find a new one that was."

Up to today Emiri still don't know why the Contractor had chosen her instead of her friend to become a magical girl. If things were reversed, how would they have turned? She wondered.

Then, they finally arrived in front of her apartment, after Emiri turned the key she asked Chiyo to wait while she deactivated the barrier she placed at her home. Inside of it was a complete different world from outside, safe and isolate. The only creature Emiri knew that could always enter her apartment no matter what was the Contractor.

"Like Alice, hmm? That's quite the interesting comparison there," Chiyo replied with a smile. "Normal people don't have the option of changing the world, let alone considering how just it is. But we're not ordinary people, are we? We're Magical Girls Emiri-san."

Chiyo quickly located the kitchen and politely made herself a seat at the table. As she watched Emiri go about her business, she considered how best to approach her next set of words. A few moments passed before she finally revealed what was on her mind.

"And as Magical Girls, don't you think we have the right to make the world just?"

"Make the world just?" Emiri asked after hearing the strange question. "You certainly aren't trying to tell me that you want to right the wrongs of this world by force, are you?"

"Isn't that what we do already?" Chiyo replied with a small chuckle. "Think about it. We fight the sins of this world. We don't even know the true origin of Primordials or how they even exist. We're already making the world just. But it's too little Emiri-san."

Chiyo sighed before leaning in closer and said, "Please, consider it further. The world doesn't have to be unbalanced like it is. There are others who believe the same thing and want to help. They know how to make the world, no, the universe stable."

The dark-haired Magical Girl was getting excited now, eyes shining with promise. She wanted to know if Emiri thought the same, wanted to know if she could find a potential ally in her unspoken quest. Maybe even a friend.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe in it. True strength lies in being able to help and protect those who you care for. That's what I learned after living in this same apartment with Ayane-sempai for so long. She taught me all that I need to know as a magical girl and I won't betray her life philosophy so easily." Emiri said remembering her former sempai, the person she loved the most in this world.

"Though, I'm intrigued, who are these others that you're saying? Is there so many magical girls wanting to change the natural order of things?"

"I'm afraid that's not exactly the case, Asuka Emiri."

The voice heavily reminiscent of a child didn't even make Chiyo flinch. The Contractor sat as it always had been, watching the two girls from the side of the kitchen counter. Even now, its smile never faded and its eyes showed no emotion.

"Chiyo Kuroke speaks the truth of course. This world is unbalanced Asuka Emiri. Everything about it is a waste. From the simplest concepts you humans call hunger and disposal, to more complex topics such as infinity and entropy. Everything is unsettled. Take the black stones a Primordial leaves behind for example. Don't you think it would be much more conservative and productive if they were used for something...different?"

"Coming from you, I couldn't expect anything different," Emiri said regarding the contractor with unusually cold eyes. "But the days that I spent here with Ayane-sempai, or the days the I spent along Akame and Rose, even the innocent wish that betrayed me, all these things are important to me."

"And... what do you mean by different? We ever thought that the stones were nothing but a byproduct to be wasted."

"The stones are byproducts to be wasted. It's really the embodiment of how unbalanced your universe really is. However, if we were to use these stones for a basis for regeneration, it would be the first step to finding that balance."

"Please just listen to us," Chiyo said, a little more desperation in her voice. "The Contractors only want to help. We've been researching, doing all that we can to find the answer. If things keep going the way they are, there's no telling what would happen."

"On the contrary, the upsetting balance would be so great that entropy will completely envelop all worlds," the Contractor stated objectively. "Our solution may be a temporary one, but we are willing to commit to it. Besides, aren't humans the same way in their own studies for answers? It's almost like human experimentation on animals. All we want is to better the world and sacrifices are always inevitable."

"And you propose we experiment on what, the Primordials? Even if we tried capturing one them, they would find a way to escape and kill humans again."

The Contractor scratched behind its ear as it continued to stare at Emiri.

"Propose? We're already experimenting Asuka Emiri. We have plenty of test subjects," the Creature said with a tilt of its head. "After all, why do you think we contract so many Magical Girls?"

"You're implying that?" Emiri couldn't make the words come out of her throat. Was the Contractor implying that the magical girls were nothing but guinea pigs in some hideous experiment?

"I really don't understand why you're so startled by this Asuka Emiri. As I recall, none of you ever bothered to ask for our title. 'Contractor' is merely a word you labeled us to better suit what you believed to be your true purpose. We are creating new possibilities, new life. With that in mind, don't you find it more appropriate to call us Incubators?"

Chiyo was watching all of this silently. She had really hoped Emiri would see it their way. No, she had almost begged the other girl to open her mind. Nevertheless, no. No, she was just like all the rest. Sighing, she stood up from her seat and moved closer.

"For a moment there, I thought you would understand," she said gravely before a smile graced her lips. "That's too bad. You'll have to serve your sentence early now," she finished, revealing an elongated knife in her left hand.

"You... you can't be serious, can you?" Emiri asked a little scared by Chiyo's attitude. If the other girl were to attack, Emiri wouldn't even be able to defend herself in her current state.

"If you don't stop this game now I'll be forced to send you outside. As well as tell Akame about your true intentions. We can't have someone like you on our group."

"I really am sorry about this Emiri-san," Chiyo said with a shred of genuine emotion. "But if you can't understand, then you're of no help to us. I'm only doing what's right for all of us. That's all."

With that, she grinned widely before fading away from sight for the briefest of moments, only to appear right behind Emiri. On instinct as well as an unconscious desire to defend herself, Emiri had transformed into her Magical Girl garbs one last time but it would prove futile. Little to no effort was put in as Chiyo forced the blade into the girl's chest. She held it in there for a good few second, making sure the bleeding would not be staunched before moving away at last.

"I understand that we can't truly die without first destroying our Soul Gems," Chiyo said with no emotion. “That's why I'm taking yours with me."

It took Emiri a few seconds after she felt the cold blade penetrate her chest from behind for her brain to process what was happening. Was she seriously going to be killed by another magical girl? One of the allies of justice turning her blade treacherously against a peer?

That didn't made sense, but she also hadn't neither the strength nor the will to struggle anymore. Transforming not only proved to be useless, but foolish also as the only thing it made was draining her magic even more.

When she couldn't hold the transformation any longer Emiri turned back to her normal form and reached inside her skirt pocket grabbing both her soulgem, in an attempt to call for Akame and Rose's help, as well as a small paper bag that contained two matching bracers that she bought on the way home as a gift to her would-be pupils.

Bending down, Chiyo located the golden Magical Girl's Soul Gem before gently plucking it away from the dying girl's grasp. The Contractor bounded off its perching spot to take a better look at the now heavily corrupted remnant.

"Miyako-chan... and Nanako-chan, I'm sorry to having failed as your sempai...." Emiri said as the last light finally left her eyes.

"There's no need to give into despair Asuka Emiri," the Contractor said as his parting words to the girl. "One day, you too will understand our mission. For now, you can rest with your wishes fulfilled!"

"Sorry about it being so dark," Chiyo commented, taking the time to transform into her own Magical Girl attire. "I didn't think she would become our next subject so soon."

"It's quite fine Chiyo Kuroke. Actually, this is most convenient for us. Now we can fully test out the purification process using a Soul Gem on the verge of collapse. Ordinarily, a Magical Girl's Soul Gem would burst as soon as it succumbs to this much corruption. Let's see if we can reverse that process to create a more stable system."

"Understood," Chiyo said, taking the once golden Soul Gem and holding it up to her face. She gently opened her eye-patch to reveal a gaping hole where her right eye should have been. A slight whooshing sound was heard as the Soul Gem was sucked into the gaping space for storage.

"You better leave soon. The others might have sensed her fading presence."

"Alright."

Chiyo took one last glance at Emiri's corpse before shaking her head. This time, her whole body contorted in on itself as she was sucked into her own devoid eye socket and leaving the now silent apartment. The Contractor titled its head at her departure, not even sparing the lifeless Emiri a second look before disappearing off to its own devices.

Rose sat back and watched her anime with her contractor in her lap. When Izumi asked if anything was wrong Rose smiled, "Its nothing. though you seem eager to fight. It would be foolish to try and fight me in the middle of my domain. I have defenses upon defenses here. Not to mention the water below the glass. So put your halberd away and get into some casual attire like me. Anything you want to watch? I might have it no promises, just let me finish this episode."

A moment had passed. Rose leaped out of her seat with startling speed. The contractor was flung by the sudden movement. It twisted in the air like a cat and landed on its feet. Unlike a cat however, It did not bolt out of the room. The contractor remained emotionless. It was not insulted that Rose so rudely knocked it to the floor. "Is something the matter, Rose." It asked as it leaped up onto the back of the couch.

Rose just watched the contractor's movements but said nothing. She felt Emiri's presence fade and she did not know how to react. There was no primordial presence. She would have been able to detect the magical residue of the primordial from the water flowing below her since it flowed through all the city. Emiri was low on magic maybe she got so low she could not broadcast her presence anymore. Then, again, the message she got earlier mentioned a being hunting magical girls.

Rose sat back and watched her anime with her contractor in her lap. When Izumi asked if anything was wrong Rose smiled, "Its nothing. though you seem eager to fight. It would be foolish to try and fight me in the middle of my domain. I have defenses upon defenses here. Not to mention the water below the glass. So put your halberd away and get into some casual attire like me. Anything you want to watch? I might have it no promises, just let me finish this episode."

A moment had passed. Rose leaped out of her seat with startling speed. The contractor was flung by the sudden movement. It twisted in the air like a cat and landed on its feet. Unlike a cat however, It did not bolt out of the room. The contractor remained emotionless. It was not insulted that Rose so rudely knocked it to the floor. "Is something the matter, Rose." It asked as it leaped up onto the back of the couch.

Rose just watched the contractor's movements but said nothing. She felt Emiri's presence fade and she did not know how to react. There was no primordial presence. She would have been able to detect the magical residue of the primordial from the water flowing below her since it flowed through all the city. Emiri was low on magic maybe she got so low she could not broadcast her presence anymore. Then, again, the message she got earlier mentioned a being hunting magical girls.

Izumi transformed back to her smaller form and stared at the two asking of she wanted to watch any anime or if she had any of her favorite." No, not really, I tend to read more than watch television. I rather not fight you, I just met you today." She explained. Suddenly Rea jumped up from the couch and knocked the contractor to the ground, but the small cat like creature landed straight on it's feet without messing up, it then asked Rea what's the matter as it leaped back up to the couch.

Suddenly the two got into a stare down with each other, Rea and the contractor looked at each other and Izumi could feel the the intensity of the situation and wondered what was wrong. But fatigue got to her and she let out a giant almost cute yawn and tried to cover her mouth as she did it, but the two would hear it." Ms.Haragrove, is everything okay ?" Izumi asked as she rubbed her eyes showing that shes tired. The small girl then walked over to the couch and sat down next to the contractor and slowly petted the creature, and as she kept petting she felt more and more tired, soon she was asleep letting out soft snores like a child.

BGM: Janne da Arc - Messiah

The following morning...

"Hmm..." A lone white haired girl woke up thanks to the rumble of the bus she was in, she had headphone on her head which she was using to listen to some of her favorite songs before she went to sleep last night. After retrieving a c-Pod that was in her shorts pocket she looked at its screen and said, "I've slept for too long, the playlist is already past its half. It must be only a short while before I reach Miso."

About an hour later...

"Yuna Yukino! It's been a long time since we had news of you for the last time. May I inquire what brought you back to Miso City? A Contractor said just as Yuna stepped out of the bus. The small creep must have been waiting for her at the station for the whole night, knowing that this was bound to happen eventually.

"I have no business with you, devil. Get out of my sight." Yuna answered coldly. If there was a thing that she hated inthis world it was the beings that they called Contractors. After, giving in to her sins and signing a deal with them, Yuna's life went from bad to worse. "A fitting reward to a sinner." She thought.

"We'll never understand concepts such as faith and sin, Yuna Yukino. You humans place so much value is in imaterial things that we can't even begin to fathom. But let me ask again, what brings you here?"

"I've told you it's none of your business, but if this doesn't work, just follow me to know." Yuna said after leaving the station.

"I'm back at Miso, Akame and Rose. I'll be waiting for you behind the school since I'm still a run away student. Also, where's Emiri?"

---

@TheWindel@MarsAdept

Rose was quiet for the moment. Senarios raced through her head. All being the worse case senarios. Some not even based on logic. Rose did not answer the Contractor. She knew the creature knew what she knew. She had to assume that it was watching to see her reaction. Rose could do a great many things right now but she had to pick carefully.

She did answer Izumi's questions, " I lost track of Emiri. I no longer feel her presence. She was low on magic from her last engagement." Rose looked over to see Izumi was alseep. It was unclear if Izumi had heard what Rose had said. The peaceful look of Izumi sleeping was in contrast to Rose's internal turmoil. Rose did not want any part in it. That was when a dark, mischievous smile came to Rose's beautiful face. Carefully and gently, as not to wake Izumi, Rose picked up the little girl. Rose carried her to her guest room and placed her in the same bed as Elise. She then pulled a blanket over the two. Inside Rose laughed.

Closing the door behind her quietly, Rose turned to head back out into the living room. The contractor was standing in the hall waiting. Rose was startled so bad by him being there she nearly jumped out of her skin. "I did not mean to startle you. But what are you planning on doing now." it asked without emotion.

"Emiri is a big girl. She is possibly fine. However, even if she is in trouble or dead, it is pointless to leave these two who I know are living here defenseless. I will investigate tommorrow what has happened. This is the most logical course." Rose explained with some hesitancy. Rose made her way back to the couch and fell asleep watching anime. The contractor went on his way to do some task only he knew.

@Spriggs27

"..."

"......"

"...Uughhh..."

Elise moaned as her eyelids slowly opened, and she woke up in a less-than-comfortable state. She had a massive headache, and she was feeling sick in her stomach. "...That was a crazy party last night...I think I took one grape rocket too many..." she mumbled to herself half-conscious. "...Now I know what 'being hammered' means...Ow, my head..."
Needless to say, she had a hangover of epic proportions. She turned from her side up, and looked at the unfamiliar ceiling.
"Where am I? I...don't remember..." She was trying to piece back her alcohol-fuddled memories.
"This is Razor's house...I took a ton of grape rockets, and then...I..." The last part was still clouded to her, and as she tried to remember it she turned to her side. Her face ended up only inches away from Izumi's sleeping one, and she realized they were sharing the same blanket, almost clinging to each other. A lot of thoughts and questions instantly sprang in her mind, but her whispered words clearly conveyed her feelings at that exact moment: "Oh. Hell. No."

She stood up from her bed, and held her ached head. She struggled to remember what she did in her heavily drunken state.
"Did I...Did we...No, I couldn't have been THAT wasted...Still..." She sniffed her fingers and clothes. "I can't smell anything but this alcohol. Damn." She then grimaced. "Well...this is going to be awkward." The sick feeling in her stomach was now rising up, and she felt an urgent need to vomit. She walked out of the room holding to the walls and door-frames, trying to keep her balance, but tripped and woke up Rose on the couch. Before she could ask or say anything, Elise immediately asked while covering her mouth: "Where's the can?" Rose pointed to the bathroom, and Elise rushed there. A moment later she stumbled out, after having made a mess of it.

"Uhh...I guess I overdid it. Whoops."

@Spriggs27@MarsAdept

When Izumi awoken she, she slowly leaned up stretched her arms towards the ceiling, when she groaned and rubbed her eyes waking up, she caught a glimpse of Elise running out of the room with a hand around her mouth, Izumi then noticed that she was under the covers of the same bed that Elise was sleeping, she crawled out the bed and wandered out of the room, remembering which was which she headed back to the living room like area and found Rea laying on the couch and Elise stumbling around the bathroom with vomit on her clothes saying she over did something.

" Elise you missed the toilet, all of the vomit landed on your pants and shirt, even on your shoes." Izumi informed the other magical girl while holding her nose." Ms.Haragrove, why did I wake up in Elise's bed ?" She asked sounding like a curious child asking a mundane question. Like a small child her eyes lit up brightly and she bit the tip of the nail on her thumb looking like she was sucking her thumb after she asked Rea her question.

Rose shook her head in disgust at Elise. Very disappointing. Rose never got that bad when she drank, but then again her body wouldn't exactly allow it to get that bad. She called out to Elise, "Go take a shower, and clean yourself up. I hope to leave in twenty minutes. There are extra towels in the bathroom. Make haste. I have things I need to do. And yes I will be dragging both of you along."

Rose then took note of Izumi. She looked completely clueless sucking her thumb the way she was. Rose kept a completely straight face but inside she was laughing. She tried to look amused and lied, "Izumi, I do not know why you were in the same bed as Elise. That was entirely your doing. You left me alone to watch my anime and walked away."

Rose then heard a familiar voice call out to her through her soul gem. She knew the voice and her cheerful mood dropped. This magical girl mentioned Emiri. It validated Rose's fears. Rose still could not sense Emiri and now another girl could not sense her either. Rose replied the the girl through her soul gem, "Lady Yuna Yukino, it has been a while. I read you loud and clear. I have not heard from Emiri. I am on my way to her apartment as we speak. I might be a little late for a meeting. I will send two allies to ahead of me directly to the school. Akame, are you hearing me to. I am going to check up on Emiri, Izumi and Elise will meet you behind the school."

Finishing her reply to Yuna, Rose turned her attention back to the two magical girls before her, "Change of plans, Izumi and Elise, we are going to have a meeting in the behind the school we met in yesterday. I am certain you will all know the way. Please, Find Akame when you get there. Go together and leave as soon as you can. I am going to depart. Do not explore my lair outside where I have shown you. I am afraid in my paranoia I set a lot of traps. Please leave the way you came in."

Without any thing more, Rose left the two magical girls in her lair and ran back out the stairs to the outside.

@Spriggs27@Ariamis@KoL@TheWindel

Sun shone through the windows, filtering past the dropped shades and onto the snoring girl there, who had successfully managed to shift her blankets until they were contorted and perilously close to falling off. Which admittedly was better than her old bed, a loft in the basement, but Miyako preferred that one.

Regardless of her current height, she grumbled as she shifted, trying to avoid the light and subsequent heat, up until the alarm clock went off to remind her that she had to go to school soon. She awoke with little hassle, quickly turning off the alarm and sitting up in bed.

"Hwaah," she sighed to herself, rubbing her eyes and stretching a bit in place. If she were to be honest with herself, it was only the magic she had that made her able to keep these sorts of hours in the first place. Of course, if she wasn't a magical girl then she wouldn't have these sorts of hours at all, but that was besides the point.

She rose after a few moments, walking over to the dresser and grabbing some clothes. With those in hand, she headed off to the shower, taking a short, yet hot one to wash away the built up grime, and to waken her up. She didn't doubt that they might be aware of her sneaking off, but she didn't want her family to know of what she did. That would just prove awkward and an issue she didn't want to deal with right now.

Her shower was soon done and she headed downstairs to make herself breakfast. "Good morning," she said to those there as she went about getting some cereal. Specifically, her little sister, and her parents. Not her brother though, since he was still asleep. He tended to do that, though he always cut it so that he wouldn't be late. But she couldn't exactly approve.

"Morning," they replied in turn. It didn't take long for the questions to start though. "So, how late did you get in," her father ashed in between eating his own breakfast, before he went off to work.

Miyako shrugged, pouring herself a bowl in the process. "About midnight or so,' she lied, fudging the number somewhat. To be honest she wasn't sure, though she knew that it was late. It didn't really matter past that point anyway, since she had magic on her side to make sure she could handle both academics and fighting.

Her father sighed, one of resignment more than disapproval. "I don't think you should be out that late on a school night," he said in return, whilst her sister stayed silent for now, focused on her own breakfast. She didn't know, though Miyako had warred with telling her.

Another shrug came from Miyako as she got a spoon and moved to sit down at the table. "I guess," she admitted. "But I do have good grades, and you said it was alright as long as I kept my grades up. Besides, I was with friends." She knew what to say by now to placate them, after becoming a magical girl.

"Well, I'm glad that you're making friends," her mother said after glancing at her father. She knew that they both felt the same way, but at least her mom was more willing to be compromising, or to simply leave things to her father. "Just don't let it affect your schoolwork, okay?"

Miyako nodded almost absentmindedly, now digging in. "Yeah, I know," she replied automatically. She'd heard it before. And really, if they knew what she was doing then they would more than agree with her. She was a hero after all, and that was something they could be proud of, much like they were proud of her brother for his sports, or her sister for her work with animals and plays and stuff. It was an area she could at last excel in and be on top.

They fell into silence at that point, her father leaving for work, and Miyako finishing breakfast before going to make her lunch. Once she wads done with that she could head off for school, her sister soon to follow afterwards. It wasn't the worst start, and she was looking forward to the day and what might happen.

Akame had slept peacefully all throughout the night, even though she really shouldn’t have. She knew she should have been more concerned with the sudden lack of Emiri’s presence through her Soul Gem. She knew she should have been more involved with her contact point last night as well. But she had been like Rose, had assumed that their friend was simply recovering from a long day of working herself too much.

That same assumption carried over to the morning. The flaming Magical Girl quickly got herself dressed in her school outfit with packed lunch and completed homework all tucked in neatly in her bag. It was a Friday, meaning that today would be ideal in taking their newfound students out for a day of training. Hopefully Emiri would have recovered enough to join them as well.

Then she got the message from someone she was honestly surprised to hear from again. The same one that had warned her and the others last night of a Magical Girl killer. Yuna Yukino was asking about Emiri, only for Rose to answer the question.

“I understand Rea. I’ll be sure to contact Nanako and Miyako on my way to school right now. Also, welcome back Yuna. I hope to hear whatever news you bring later today as well.”

With that said and done, Akame strolled out of her small apartment and headed in the direction of Miso High School. The Contractor showed up as sporadically as ever, bounding over to land on the girl’s shoulder and rest there like a content cat.

“Komatsu-san, Toujo-san,” Akame mentally voiced through her burning bright Soul Gem. “Please meet all of us behind Miso High School as soon as you can. Assuming you have classes on your own, it would be most ideal for us to meet in the afternoon.”

Yuna was laying at the service platform of a cellphone tower that was located right behind the highschool that Miso City's senior magical girls frequented, listening to a mix of European alt music that she picked up here and there, she couldn't understand a single word of it of course, but music isn't about the words anyway and these songs were the kind that soothed her soul. The wind blew mighty atop the forty meters tower and its gentle caress seemed to lull Yuna into an early nap.

The Contractor was balancing unnaturally at one of the support wires, standing motionless even in face of the considerable wind, "Yuna Yukino, wouldn't it be easier if you met them at the school grounds? We don't understand why you humans always choose the most contrived ways to deal with a problem. Why is it so hard to just say what you're thinking without using roundabout ways?"

"But none of us has ever expected you to understand it, my dear Contractor."

The unknown voice surprised Yuna, "When..." the frost magical girl began to say before she was interrupted by the other girl.

"Did I get here? If the question is that, my answer is, just a while ago, in fact." Came the the answer from dark haired girl sitting atop the antenna that was directly above Yuna.

"Chiyo Kuroke, we didn't felt your presence. Do you have any business with Yuna Yukino, per chance?" The contractor asked, all the while keeping his tiny little eyes on the commotion around the school gates. It wasn't even hard to guess at what it was doing right now.

"Actually no, I just noticed an unknown magic signature nearby and came to check on it, that's all. Are you scouting new candidates again? You know that they won't allow you go in there and make more girls at their school into magical girls, don't you?" Chiyo answered the Contractor's question and immediately placed one of her own.

"Actually not, now at least. We're just curious, how come only a single place hold so much potential? It's like many threads of fate are converging here, perhaps this place will become the stage for something much greater in the future."

"Indeed this place is rather unusual, but I'd say that its more about the ones that frequent it than about the building per se." Chiyo commented as she finally stood up when she saw Akame arriving at the school. She straightened her skirt before turning and throwing a school bag at Yuna's feet, "However, pulling the strings of fate a little once in a while isn't bad either. It was pleasure meeting you, Yukino-san, I hope we can become more acquainted in the future." Chiyo said before jumping from the tower and inconspicuously joining the waves of students going in the school's direction.

"What are you going to do now, Yuna Yukino?" The Contractor asked, turning to face Yuna for the first time since they arrived at the tower.

"I guess that I don't that much of a choice now, do I? That girl went even through the trouble of getting me a fake student ID, that's only lacking a photo." Yuna said as she picked up the things that Chiyo dropped besides her and placed the photo of her old student ID on the fake one. After that, Yuna stuffed her belongings inside the school bag and began changing clothes there on spot, wondering how Chiyo could even guess her measurements so accurately. However, when she noticed that the Contractor's gaze was still turned in her direction, just as she was removing her shorts, Yuna said, "Could you please turn around, you creep?"

"We'll truly never understand you humans..." The Contractor said, exasperated, as he turned to face the gate again.

To say that Akame was surprised when she found Yuna not only inside the school, but also wearing one of their uniforms after going on one of her self-imposed pilgrimages a year and a half ago, would be an understatement at the very least. "It's been a long time, Akame..." Yuna said, taking off her headphones, just as the Contractor that was on her shoulder jumped to the floor and climbed Akame's body before resting on her right shoulder.

---

@TheWindel

Rose shook her head in disgust at Elise. Very disappointing. Rose never got that bad when she drank, but then again her body wouldn't exactly allow it to get that bad. She called out to Elise, "Go take a shower, and clean yourself up. I hope to leave in twenty minutes. There are extra towels in the bathroom. Make haste. I have things I need to do. And yes I will be dragging both of you along."

Rose then took note of Izumi. She looked completely clueless sucking her thumb the way she was. Rose kept a completely straight face but inside she was laughing. She tried to look amused and lied, "Izumi, I do not know why you were in the same bed as Elise. That was entirely your doing. You left me alone to watch my anime and walked away."

Rose then heard a familiar voice call out to her through her soul gem. She knew the voice and her cheerful mood dropped. This magical girl mentioned Emiri. It validated Rose's fears. Rose still could not sense Emiri and now another girl could not sense her either. Rose replied the the girl through her soul gem, "Lady Yuna Yukino, it has been a while. I read you loud and clear. I have not heard from Emiri. I am on my way to her apartment as we speak. I might be a little late for a meeting. I will send two allies to ahead of me directly to the school. Akame, are you hearing me to. I am going to check up on Emiri, Izumi and Elise will meet you behind the school."

Finishing her reply to Yuna, Rose turned her attention back to the two magical girls before her, "Change of plans, Izumi and Elise, we are going to have a meeting in the behind the school we met in yesterday. I am certain you will all know the way. Please, Find Akame when you get there. Go together and leave as soon as you can. I am going to depart. Do not explore my lair outside where I have shown you. I am afraid in my paranoia I set a lot of traps. Please leave the way you came in."

Without any thing more, Rose left the two magical girls in her lair and ran back out the stairs to the outside.

@Spriggs27@Ariamis@KoL@TheWindel

Izumi somewhat didn't believe what Ms.Haragrove told her and listened to her tell Elise to take a shower and clean up, she released her thumb's nail from her teeth and pointed to the contractor who was sitting on the arm of the couch taking in the atmosphere and relaxing." So If I ask the contractor what happened they will tell me the same thing as you did ? " she asked still sounding like a tired child.

Then suddenly things begin to change, and the childish antics needed to stop, when Rea told them where to go and when, Izumi began pushing Elise back into the bathroom." I'll clean her up, we'll meet you there." She told Rea, Izumi continued to push Elise weirdly with enough strength into the bath tub and turn on the water." Hurry and clean your self we can't be late to meet the others." Izumi told Elise as water began to spray on her.

Nanako was already in class when she heard her Magical Girl senpais' voice. The school she went two was a preppy cram school that started early and ended early, filled with over privileged snooty children who normally just bought their way into a successful career, kids unlike Nanako that were rude, proud and arrogent. So far obsessed with themselves, they'd never talk to a girl like her. It'd take a few moments, bug Nanako could sneak out, it's not as if she would be noticed, or that the school cares that she's gone... It's strange that she would have that thought... Nanako never thought of something so bold before, certainly not before making that contract...

Holding onto her soul gem, she wasn't exactly sure how, but she managed to send a message back to Akame with her mind.
"O-okay! After this lesson, I'll be over as quick as I possibly can. Nobody will notice me leave if I sneak out around the back way, so you can count one me being there soon senpai!" She said with a reassuring voice.

"Ughh, this sucks," she said after Izumi helpfully informed her of her current situation and she took a look over herself. And as she expected, she was ordered by Rose to go clean up. "Yeah yeah, I'll get to it. My head hurts like it's been split open." She went to the kitched to get something to eat, and did find some bread to chow on. Sounds like Izumi was in the bed of her own volition, which did ease up the tension a bit, but it didn't explain if she did anything yesterday. As much as she hated it, she had to ask about it at some point. Rose then told their plan changed. They had to go behind the school and meet up with Akame. Elise remembered the place, and wasn't as hasty in her preparation as the others were, since she was sure the two of them would be there on time due to a plan she had. Izumi however, didn't stand for Elise's lollygagging and, taking advantage of her vulnerable state at the time, forced her into the bath tub.

"Ouch! Hey, what do you think you're-" she managed to say before she was blasted with water from the shower faucet, not even having a chance to undress. Just as well, she then thought, she had to clean them up anyway, and could at least get most of the smell of alcohol off in the process. After her clothes turned completely wet, she took them off and had them dry off while she got clean herself. At first she didn't care about Izumi watching her the entire time if she chose to stay, since she wasn't the type to be bashful about that sort of stuff. However, she was starting to get a bit uncomfortable about it, especially considering the alcohol-induced adventures from yesterday she still had trouble remembering.

"You know, it's rude to stare," she finally gave up and said to Izumi. "Anyway," she paused for a moment before she continued, "do you remember what I did yesterday? After I drank those alcohol drinks, I mean. My memory's a bit fuzzy about that."

After a short time of bathing, she wiped herself dry using the towels Rose informed her of, and borrowed some of Rose's spare clothes to change into. There wasn't time for her own clothes to dry before they had to go, and the clothes she wore were the only ones she had with her. She didn't like doing this either; Rose's choice of fashion was very different from hers, and she was out of her comfort zone wearing something so frilly and blue. She blushed in embarrassment after stepping out and seeing Izumi again. "This is only temporary, okay?" She lashed out after seeing her expected reaction. "So don't you laugh or I swear you'll regret it." She grabbed Izumi's arm. "Now hold on. This might feel weird for a bit."

Elise concentrated, and Izumi's view of the world distorted and spiraled as her physical presence shifted in space. She then saw that they ended up at the back of the school, and realized Elise teleported the two of them there. Elise smiled smugly. "No need to thank me. Next time I'll charge you for travelling expenses."

Rose was transformed as she made her way through the city. It was a good thing that while transformed normal folk couldn't see her. The sight of a little girl jumping from building to building would draw unneeded attention. Rose remained in her magical girl form until she got to Emiri's apartment. She transformed back into a normal girl and began to walk up the apartment's stairs. Finally reaching Emiri's door, Rose took a breath and knocked. Her response was was a eerie silence.

The landlady came around the corner and saw Rose standing there. With a smile she says, "Good morning, Ms. Rockwell, Come to see your friend. If you don't hurry, you will be late for school." When she spoke, Rose nearly jumped out of her skin. Calming herself, Rose returned the smile and said, "Yes, I understand ma'am, Emiri wanted to walk to school together today so I hope she didn't decide to leave without me." The landlady smiled said something about friends and having a good day. Rose wasn't paying attention as she looked at Emiri's front door. Rose however did see the landlady water a plant in the hallway before continuing with her round. Once Rose was alone, She stole some of the water from the poor hallway plant. Using magic, Rose put the water into the lock and made it unlock the door for her. Quietly, Rose opened the door and stepped inside.

Rose was greeted by silence. The hair stuck up on the back of Rose's head. Slowly making her way through the apartment. A small ball of water floated by her side as a weapon. Finding the nearest sink in the kitchen, Rose set the facet to drip. That made her feel safer. Finally Rose walked into the living area. She saw Emiri laying motionless on the ground. Rose dropped her ball of water and ran to Emiri. She shook Emiri trying to wake her. Rose felt Emiri's wrist for a pulse before checking her neck. She leaned forward to try to hear Emiri's breathing. There was nothing. No signs of life. Emiri's body was stone cold and slightly stiff. Fighting back tears, Rose stood back up and tried to look objectively. There were no signs of forced entry to the apartment, or exit. There was a stab wound but no weapon. There was no real sign that Emiri struggled and fought back. Rose, in the starting stages of panic, began to search Emiri's pockets for her Soul gem. The only thing she found were two bracelets. Rose could not hold back the tears. She did not cry aloud but the tears flowed out.

“Yuna Yukino?”

Indeed, Akame was surprised. Not so much so by the fact that their old ally had returned so suddenly but because she was actually here in her school’s uniform. She wanted to question where she had got such a thing but figured she had just passed herself off as a new transfer student or something. The Contractor on her shoulder wasn’t going to give her answers any time soon.

“It has,” Akame finally said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “It’s good to have you back in Miso City. How goes your journey? Did you find what you were looking for in the Japan region?”

“Yuna Yukino came to share some interesting news with all of you,” the Contractor finally spoke up, staring at the ice Magical Girl. To this, Akame frowned as the fluffy creature had never once lied to them before.

“What is it then?”

Back in Emiri’s apartment, the grieving Rose would be interrupted by the same being currently perched on Akame’s shoulder. This time though, the white creature padded along Emiri’s bloodied corpse before nudging Rose’s side gently, as if in comfort. Its next words directly contrasted with its seemingly perceived actions.

“Why exactly are you crying? It’s not like you didn’t know that she was going to die. All humans eventually perish so we don’t see the point in wasting your body’s sodium levels over a possibility that cannot be reversed or denied.”

"Ughh, this sucks," she said after Izumi helpfully informed her of her current situation and she took a look over herself. And as she expected, she was ordered by Rose to go clean up. "Yeah yeah, I'll get to it. My head hurts like it's been split open." She went to the kitched to get something to eat, and did find some bread to chow on. Sounds like Izumi was in the bed of her own volition, which did ease up the tension a bit, but it didn't explain if she did anything yesterday. As much as she hated it, she had to ask about it at some point. Rose then told their plan changed. They had to go behind the school and meet up with Akame. Elise remembered the place, and wasn't as hasty in her preparation as the others were, since she was sure the two of them would be there on time due to a plan she had. Izumi however, didn't stand for Elise's lollygagging and, taking advantage of her vulnerable state at the time, forced her into the bath tub.

"Ouch! Hey, what do you think you're-" she managed to say before she was blasted with water from the shower faucet, not even having a chance to undress. Just as well, she then thought, she had to clean them up anyway, and could at least get most of the smell of alcohol off in the process. After her clothes turned completely wet, she took them off and had them dry off while she got clean herself. At first she didn't care about Izumi watching her the entire time if she chose to stay, since she wasn't the type to be bashful about that sort of stuff. However, she was starting to get a bit uncomfortable about it, especially considering the alcohol-induced adventures from yesterday she still had trouble remembering.

"You know, it's rude to stare," she finally gave up and said to Izumi. "Anyway," she paused for a moment before she continued, "do you remember what I did yesterday? After I drank those alcohol drinks, I mean. My memory's a bit fuzzy about that."

After a short time of bathing, she wiped herself dry using the towels Rose informed her of, and borrowed some of Rose's spare clothes to change into. There wasn't time for her own clothes to dry before they had to go, and the clothes she wore were the only ones she had with her. She didn't like doing this either; Rose's choice of fashion was very different from hers, and she out of her comfort zone wearing something so frilly and blue. She blushed in embarrassment after stepping out and seeing Izumi again. "This is only temporary, okay?" She lashed out after seeing her expected reaction. "So don't you laugh or I swear you'll regret it." She grabbed Izumi's arm. "Now hold on. This might feel weird for a bit."

Elise concentrated, and Izumi's view of the world distorted and spiraled as her physical presence shifted in space. She then saw that they ended up at the back of the school, and realized Elise teleported the two of them there. Elise smiled smugly. "No need to thank me. Next time I'll charge you for travelling expenses."

When Elise began to undress as she washed, Izumi crossed her arms and tapped her foot onto the ground several times quickly while she waited, like an angry impatient mother waiting for her child, when Elise said that it was rude for someone to stare at another while they bathed, Izumi looked away from Elise while still keeping her arms crossed." It's not like I care about your form or anything, and there's nothing impressive about you anyways, idiot." She told Elise. When Elise began to straighten up and ask what she did." You were on the couch and tried to touch me inappropriately and called me a pain in the butt, your a jerk." Izumi insulted her again.

When Elise began to put on Rea's clothes and said that the clothes were temporary, Izumi didn't really care about Elise wearing the other magical girl's clothes." I don't care we gotta go ! Stop messing around and let's go already !" Izumi yelled at Elise, and right when she was finished yelling Elise was fully clothed wearing Rea's clothes. The hot headed magical girl snagged Izumi by the hand and pulled the short girl by the wrist." Be careful, you could dislocate my shoulder." Izumi complained before Elise teleported to the back of the school, Izumi brushed her clothes off and glared at Elise." You don't fit Ms.Haragrove's figure." She just told the other magical girl. "It's not like you've got any goods that anyone wants to see, you'd just confuse and disturb everyone Elise. Plus her outfit makes you look weak really."

Rose was not surprised to see the contractor here. He seemed to show up whenever magical girls were together. Rose did not mind the contractor until it spoke. Its words were a dry objective statement based on observation of the situation, but it spoke without considering Rose's feelings. The Contractor's words hit Rose's nerves. Rage immediately shot through Rose's soul. She transformed without thinking and backhanded the small creature. It flew across the room and hit the wall with a good thud. It slide down the wall to the floor. Before it could recover from the shock of being hit, Rose stepped on it pinning it where it lay. Rose had her face covered with her hand. She wanted to kill the contractor for his cold words, but she caught herself.

Rose spoke to herself but loud enough for the Contractor to hear, "Calm down, Rose... You are supposed to be the calm one... There is no need to get angry at him. He will never understand. He observes yet does not understand..." Rose calmed herself but still cried. She bent down and picked up the contractor. She held the contractor in her arms tightly. She felt sorry and wanted to apologize but knew the contractor did not care. She grabbed the two bracelets that were in Emiri's pocket and left. She left the door unlocked and slightly opened. Hopefully someone normal would find Emiri's body soon. Rose made her way to the school.