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It had been a quiet night for the girl. A few muggings, a stabbing, breaking and entering. But that was none of Kizuna's concern. According to her companion, none were connected to demonic activity. And the demons themselves had done nothing more than siphon off negative emotions from the homeless, and people in crowded areas.

I don't like it, Kizuna's companion's voice echoed in her mind. On a full moon like this, the stronger ones should be out. Kizuna glanced at her companion, sitting on the rooftop beside her.



"Yeah, I know, Chi," the girl agreed. She took a bite from the snack she'd bought at a convenience store earlier. "Maybe they migrated to one of the neighboring territories. I almost feel bad for the bastards if they did. I enjoy a good fight, but I don't toy with my enemies like that Sadako chick."

Chi blinked, his frilled ears twitching. I think I know why now, he said. There's another magical girl in your territory to the north of here.

"Sadako?" Kizuna knew that the other girl had a bad habit of ignoring territory boundaries during her hunts.

No. Whoever this is has a different magical signature. And the signal is weaker as well. Kizuna gave a quiet sigh of relief. The last time she and Sadako had fought, the only reason she'd got out alive was because the neighboring territory-holders were just as tired of Sadako hunting where she shouldn't have and backed her up.

"Alright." Kizuna stood up. "Hopefully we're just dealing with a lost puppy who wandered too far from her yard. As slow as it's been tonight, I don't want to waste any magic in a fight."

But you always get so excited in a fight, Chi playfully whined. Your emotions taste better.

"Would you rather have a few tasty meals, or a guaranteed supply?"

Why not both?

"Shut it, you dumb lizard. Just show me the way to our intruder."

It was foreboding as one could expect, the location of the little blip on the system. While Kizuna’s outpost had been perched higher up on the city-scape, this creature hid, stationary, below the city. The ever-evolving subway lines, in their efficiency, left a few discontinued stations, abandoned. The trains still ran through, but never stopped. It was in such a station that young Mika stood very expectantly. Hands clasped in front, back straight. Unremarkable and plain, what must have been a boys hoodie draped over her petite form in navy waves.

‘What are you expecting her to say? She might not take kindly to you even being here!’

The soft, open smile Mika had been holding onto crippled immediately. Her brows drew down, narrowing her gaze at this unwelcome nagging. It was always unwelcome, it had been since she’d chosen the life of a magical girl. Her lips were whetted and parted to produce the subtlest of whispers.

“I’m not that fresh. I know how this could end.”

‘It’s a bit bold, though? Just waltzing into another girl’s territory, you’re asking for trouble… you don’t even have an advantage, she’s ranged, like you.’

“Mm, you did give me lacklustre magic.”

‘I didn’t choo—’

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need blaster-beams, cannons or time-travel.” Mika supplied, her hair whipping to the side as a train ripped through the old, musty station like a bullet. Pushing her thick, square spectacles up her nose, the mousy girl regained that smile, eyes watching the stairs expectantly. A few steps were taken towards a tiled pillar, which she pressed her back to, head hung low with her hoodie pulled up to obscure her face.

“What do you think? Do I look mysterious and cool?”

‘…No.’

Kizuna made her way down to the ground, leaping from fire escapes and ledges that she could make out in the darkness. The pact she'd made with Chi had made her body faster and tougher in her magical girl form, and her reaction time had sped up as well. The side effect was that it also affected her in her normal form, to a certain extent. Chi fluttered down and lighted gently on her shoulder. So, will you shoot first and ask questions later?

"Only if she shoots first," answered Kizuna. "Is the signature one you're familiar with?"

It's not any of the neighbors. A clear nictitating membrane flicked over the Fae's multifaceted eyes. Kizuna found that aspect of the little creature somewhat unsettling. Unlike with animals or humans, she couldn't tell what the Fae was thinking or feeling by looking into his eyes. And it doesn't seem like she's moving.

"Think she knows she's in someone else's territory?" Kizuna finished her snack and tossed the wrapper aside.

If I can detect her, her Fae can detect you. A chittering sound from a nearby alleyway caught the girl's attention. Several pairs of glowing orange eyes watched her from the darkness. Just some imps. Seems they think there's going to be a show for them to watch.

"I honestly hope we disappoint 'em."

‘She won’t come down here, you know.’

“Yeah, I suppose it looks a little suspect.”

Amidst the flickering, fluorescent lights that bathed the old station in a cold, failing light, Mika turned her gaze to the tracks for a few, brief moments. Lidded eyes regarded the stained track, poker faced. Dark, wet growth spread from one of the abyssal tunnels, black against the rust of the steel lines.

“I shouldn’t be so rude, let’s go see her.”

Scuffed and scraped trainers lead her up the stairs to the city, as deceptively quiet as it seemed to be. What presented itself to Kizuna was plainly dressed, plainly presented, like a student returning home from some night-classes. A smiling, unremarkable girl clutching a pastel pink satchel. Unassuming, with a smile printed on her lips, they parted to speak, in a tone as though this were some pre-planned business meeting.

“Evening. I didn’t want to just barge in unannounced, but… it is the quickest way to draw attention, isn’t it? Ah, my manners though. You can call me Mimi. Care to walk with me?”

Her arm raised to thumb backwards, towards the now barren school grounds in the distance. It stood as a silent sentinel, ready to bustle with life in the morning, but for now, it lay at rest.

“I’ve recently taken over for someone. Poor girl. I’ll get to the point, though. I think we’d benefit watching each other’s backs around here.” A bold thing to ask, and done so with a painfully blank smile, fingers curled tightly around the strap of her bag. Eyes drifting to the side, Mika quickly added;

"I don't mean from the demons, of course not. I'm sure you're more than able to take them down. I mean from the real dangers around here."

Kizuna drew a weapon and pointed the double-barrel at the girl. She appeared quite average, and Kizuna would have written her off as someone who was just out wandering had she not spoken. She was polite, even with a gun pointed at her. Frankly, the girl's calm demeanor was a little unnerving, but Kizuna had to give her credit for being able to maintain her composure with a weapon aimed at her head. She lowered the weapon, but didn't put it away.

"Kizuna," she introduced herself tersely. She didn't think it a good idea to give out her family name to magical girls. Never knew if they'd decide to track down her family and use them against her. "Who died? If you didn't know her name, then tell me what she looked like." Chi's body was quivering slightly. There was another Fae nearby, which settled if this Mimi was a magical girl or not.

Easy, Chi. No need to start scrapping.

“You’re very quick on the draw, but I can’t say I blame you. I kind of like it.”

Footfalls drawing to a stop, Mimi threw her own gaze over her shoulder. It had to be said, while calm, her smile had certainly been wiped away, replaced by the most subtle, neutral of frowns. Safely, it could be said that no-one liked being held at point-blank. “Hm…?” Who had died. Her head lopped to the other side in quiet deliberation, eyes scanning the rooftops of the towering buildings that stood darkly in the distance, intimidating.

“I think she had dark hair, not sure about when she was using her magic. I’d keep an eye on the news, that’ll probably release a photo and name, right? All I know is that a spot freed up. When you come from a small town like me, you don't waste time scrambling to come here.”

Spinning around to face Kizuna, Mimi’s brows furrowed, lips tugged downwards into a much more apparent, serious scowl. Arms folded tightly across her chest.

“I have heard rumours that I can share. Apparently, she had navy hair when she used her magic, but more pressingly, we think another girl took her out. That’s why I’ve come here, there’s no point getting picked off one by one. We could work together, find out who’s doing this… and if they plan to keep doing it.”

One hand extended outwards, invitingly, towards the fellow magical girl.

“What do you say, Kizuna?”

Mimi's sudden change from friendly and cheerful to serious was a good change to Kizuna. Something like this was serious business after all. And even without a name, the description of the girl in question, though brief, made Kizuna sure of who it was. "She never told me her real name," Kizuna said. "She went by Karasu… as in 'crow', but most of us just called her Kara."

The next part certainly got Kizuna's attention. Skirmishes for territory in Mirai City happened more often than one would think, and it usually ended with one of the combatants getting killed. That, or the Fae they had a contract with getting killed, which meant they were as good as dead.

"Magical girls killing each other is something you hear about every once in a while," said Kizuna. "It's almost always over hunting grounds. One too many intrusions, an active push to expand one's territory, things like that. If there's a pattern to it, then it's a cause for concern.

"That said, I want facts," she continued. "Is it a push for more territory, or some girl who's decided that killing other magical girls is a better use of her powers than hunting demons? The magical girls who have been around the longest know that knowledge is a powerful tool to have. Even if the magical girls don't always talk, the Fae do." Kizuna glanced to Chi, who nodded in agreement.

“Like I said, I’d keep an eye on the news. Someone dying so young, it’s bound to show up.” Mimi craned her head upwards, solemnly looking towards the sky, the moon shimmering amidst the twinkle of millions of dead stars. Hands held stiffly on her hips, she listened, nodding slowly in deliberately agreement.

“Personally, I’d say the latter. If it were territory, whoever did this would have snapped it up. Letting me move into the neighbourhood would have been completely pointless… unless our foe isn’t a particularly sharp one~?” Mimi chuckled, ears idly picking up on one of the subway trains screeching painfully to a halt in the course of a few moments.

“Maybe her Fae died then. Killed, even. It’s sounding more and more like no one got out of this to tell the tale, a troubling development, don’t you think? I want to know why. Why would killing magical girls outweigh killing demons?”

Her brown orbs narrowed onto Chi, a brow raised in an almost suspicious manner.

“Do you know why? If anyone would be able to tell, it should be you.”

The only logical conclusion is competition, Chi said. But you humans aren't logical. Your emotions have a tendency to take precedent over what the most efficient and logical route would be. And if this girl also killed the Fae that Karasu had a contract with, then I seriously doubt that this was a skirmish over hunting grounds. His tail flicked back and forth.

"Then why would she waste time and energy killing another magical girl?" asked Kizuna.

Simple: because she has the will and means to. Sadism is not an exclusively human trait, but it does occur more often than in other species on this little blue and green marble.

"She kills because she gets a kick out of it."

You get your jollies from being in a fight, but you only kill if you have to. This girl might just have an addiction to hunting the most dangerous game.

Kizuna ignored the comment about her fighting. "Okay, it's a theory. But is there a pattern? Magical girls found dead or gone missing over a period of time?"

“Maybe, maybe she’s cruel. She could also have killed the Fae first?”

On the quiet, grey streets, with no drive by witnesses or, at best, the recounts of a heavily drunk businessman, Mimi’s own aura was a short, but expectant flash. Drab garments gave way to a regal pastel-pink coat, lined with white buttons and frills.

“I don’t know about any other girls, that’s why I’m here. I did ask you if you’d like to watch each other’s backs while we find out who’s doing this, after all.”

A more strict, white corset with an extravagant, frilly bow down the middle. Equally pale, finger-less gloves, and rosy skirt followed suit, brought together with a pink bow sat promptly at the small of her back. Gone was mousy, plain hair.

Long, pink tendrils that were twin-tails flanked a rather small, off centre crown. It was clear what her theme was. Royalty, a Queen, something along those lines. Straightening out the creases of her skirt, Mimi took a few precursory steps away, pushing her glasses slowly up the bridge of her nose.

“So what’s your answer going to be, Kizuna? I’m a busy girl, I'm sure you can relate."

Kizuna thought about it for a moment. "Fine," she said. "We share information and help each other if we're attacked. But don't expect it to last beyond us finding out who it is and killing her… or at least spreading the word who she is." She said it without malice, as if stating that the sky was blue. "Word of advice, though: if you double-cross me, I won't hesitate to kill you."

And you wonder why you don't have many allies, Chi snarked. Kizuna could almost feel the Fae rolling his eyes.

"Better to be cautious than dead." Kizuna sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Are those terms you can agree with, Mimi? If not, then feel free to back out now and find someone else."

“Likewise. Don't mistake manners for friendliness... but you might not have that problem, anyway.”

Make that two girls who had trouble making allies. Albeit, perhaps one was a little more willing to do so than the other… at any rate, Mimi gave a moment of faux-thought, eyes flickering to the abandoned subway station just for a last courtesy glance. A small hum, one of pondering, escaped her pressed lips.

“That’s a lot of effort to go to on my part, huh? Let’s just shake on it. We’ll have a fight to the end if the other one pulls something funny.”

A girly, lacy hand was offered outwards, free to take, or leave, but it would remain there stubbornly awaiting either an acceptance or rejection. Light, sandy brown eyes lidded slightly, gaze all but transfixed and focused on the fellow girl.

“Just tell me something, before we part ways for the night. Why… did you become a magical girl?”

Kizuna reached out, pausing at the question. "It's… a long story," she said simply. "Besides, every one of us has a sob story. Mommy and Daddy were murdered, the bullies were getting to be too much to deal with, your best friend decided to NTR the boy you like. It doesn't matter. We made a deal, and we had our wish fulfilled." She gave a humorless chuckle.

"What we never stopped to consider was how that wish would cause a domino effect. Mommy and Daddy's killer had friends who think you went to the police; the bullies pull what seems to be a suicide pact, and fingers point to the people they tortured; the friend you were hurt by dies in a horrible accident, or worse." Kizuna gave a bitter smile. "Everything has an equal-but-opposite reaction. Everything balances out eventually."

She shook Mimi's hand. "And if that weren't bad enough, we hunt demons that can kill us, and deal with other magical girls that aren't afraid to kill you if you piss them off. If we were physically able to, I'm sure that many, many magical girls would have killed themselves a long time ago if it meant getting out of this line of work."

One had to wonder if Mimi was actually absorbing anything Kizuna was saying, she had a basic expression that could irritate a man with how plain and simple it looked, even when she was done up like something from a pre-teens maho-shojou show. The current conversation, frankly, did not merit it.

“They didn’t think hard enough about what they were willing to give up.” Spoken so matter of factly. Once their hands shook her head lolled to one side, a grin spreading slowly across her face with a certain glint that twinkled in her eyes, like a cat who’d got the cream.

“We do what we need to. If a girl can’t at least keep her head above the water, well…” Hop-skipping away, Mimi gave a two-fingered salute in her exit. “We should come up with cool code-names, hm? I’ll let you think of yours! See you tomorrow night!”

…Apparently.

Once Mimi had crossed back into her own little 'safe' zone, though the term could be thought of loosely, her eye-line was captured by the flicker of the televisions stacked in a window nearby. Closing up shop, they were the last things to get switched off by this particular owner. The screen showed a crime-scene at best.

[ The body of a girl has been found in the abandoned Minawa Station, police suspect suicide, but a forensics investigation is being carried out. ]

'What are you plans for Kizuna?'

"She seems nice."

'That's not what I asked.'

"I've found the less you vile little freaks know, the better."

Kizuna watched Mimi leave before turning and starting towards home. You sounded like some edgy OC for a little bit there, Chi commented.

"I regret letting you use my laptop," Kizuna growled.

Seriously, though. That was some edgelord stuff. All it needed was some edgy background music and we could make it a meme. Kizuna was silent. So are you going to tell her how you found out about the suicide clause?

"Only if there's a need to, which I seriously doubt will happen." She was quiet for a moment. "Her Fae didn't come out. Doesn't seem very polite of him."

Indeed. It was nearby, though. Probably watching us.

"Just being cautious, perhaps?"

A likely idea.

Kizuna sighed. "Well, if the demons aren't active tonight, think we can take the night off?"