Shika stood at the massive gates that lead to the Oda clan's traditional Japanese mansion. Her big Shiba Inu, Yuki, was next to her, panting in the afternoon heat. Luckily, there was no school today as well.

"What are we waiting for, Shika? Just ring the bell already," whined the white dog, nudging Shika's hand.

"I just... I don't know," sighed Shika. "Every time I visit Akira, I get this feeling of inferiority and fear of seeing her stern parents glaring at me, and also of all those butlers and maids pushing me around like trash. Hopefully, her mom and dad are not in today."

Yuki shook herself and grinned wolfishly at the green-haired girl, standing up on her hind legs and jabbing the doorbell with her paw.

Diiiing!

"Yuki!" gasped Shika, pulling her dog away from the doorbell. "Why did you do that?! I'm not even mentally prepared yet!"

"Sheesh. You're just meeting your friend, not some alien monster. You don't need to be mentally prepared." Yuki wagged her tail happily, and her mistress simply buried her face in her hands.

A voice came down the intercom device next to the doorbell. "Who is it?" it barked out in quite an unfriendly tone.

Shika jumped and gulped. "Err... I-it's S-Shika Kiyomizu from the R-Red Garden," she stuttered. No matter how many times she had visited this mansion, she still managed to sound like a complete mouse.

"Shika Kiyomizu? As in Akira-sama's acquaintance and the girl with a white dog?" enquired the tinny voice.

"Yes, yes I am," gushed Shika, relieved. At least the voice lady made a point to remember her.

"You may enter, then." The gates swung inwards smoothly, automated by machinery. At the doorway, a maid tapped her foot impatiently, calling out, "Well, the gates are open, girl. Do you want to come in or not?"

Hastily, Shika hurried inside with Yuki at her heels, pointing her nose in the air excitedly. "Yes! I always like visiting Akira. Her house is full of interesting things to discover and smell!" she barked, stopping to sniff at a dandelion. The seeds came off and she accidentally inhaled them, sneezing loudly. The maid shot Yuki a glare that could melt iron. "Young miss, I suggest that you leave your... animaloutside. It'll leave mud all over the floor."

"But...! She's always allowed inside, why not today?" said Shika, disappointed.

"Because we have just swept, mopped and shined the floorboards, that why. Now come on in, and leave the dog outside." The maid didn't look like she was about to take 'no' for an answer, so Shika patted Yuki's head and told her to stay in the garden. The Shiba Inu looked downcast, but was cheered up immediately when she noticed a bunch of fallen peaches under the large weeping peach tree in the centre of the garden. "Peaches! Haha! Enjoy your time with Akira, Shika dear, I'll just busy myself examining the taste of peach..."

"Don't eat the skin and pits!" called out Shika as she was ushered into the mansion quickly. "They'll give you indigestion and the pits are poisonous!"

"Okay!" barked Yuki jovially, rolling a peach with her paw.

The maid looked at Shika like as if she were crazy. "Really, talking to dogs like how you would to humans," she muttered. "Your dog can eat the peaches for all I care. No one in this household likes them anyways." The girl flinched. Why is it that everyone here treats her so rudely?

As Shika was escorted along the long corridors and past the many rooms - living, dining, work, study - she couldn't help gawking at them. Compared to Akira's home, hers looked like a poorly person's house. Which was not far from the truth.

"Here we are, Akira-sama's room. Knock before you enter, her parents are inside," said the maid snappily as she left Shika standing alone.

Her parents? thought Shika, suddenly feeling incredibly scared. Maybe it was better if she just left and came back another day.

However, there was no need for that. Akira wrenched opened the door while shouting back into the room, "I do not want to get hooked up with him, and that's final!" The tall senior girl almost crashed into Shika had her junior not sidestepped at the last minute.

"Shika darling!" exclaimed Akira, shocked. "I'm so, so sorry, I didn't know you were just outside my door. Did I hurt you?" Akira immediately hugged her friend, looking around to see if there were any bruises.

Shika gave an embarassed grin. "No, I'm okay. Arguing with your parents again...?"

"Akira Oda, come back here, we are not done with you yet!" shouted a stern, male voice from inside.

Akira released Shika and pressed a hand to the side of her head in anger. "As you can probably hear, yes, they are still insisting on me marrying that guy from the Ishida clan, but the problem is that I'm totally not interested in boys and I'm only still eighteen. I've got a whole life to lead before being tied down by some idiot man."

"Akira, I'm warning you. Come back now, and don't you dare run off with that destitute girl from the ramshackle Red Garden!" shouted her father again.

Shika flinched again. "Destitute girl...?"

"... Ignore that... Let's get out of here before my parents decide to make an appearance and... throw you out of the house." Akira took Shika's hand and together, they walked away as fast as possible.

"Where's Yuki? I thought you both were inseparable," said Akira, hurrying along the corridors as maids and butlers alike bowed to her.

"Oh... A maid didn't let me take her in because she said Yuki will get mud all over the shined floors..."

"She said what now?" said Akira, almost shouting and halting abruptly. "Which one is it? I'll give her a piece of my mind."

"No, no, please don't!" replied Shika, flustered. "Yuki doesn't mind, and since we're already going out..."

Akira gave Shika a long hard stare. "You're too soft, you know that?"

The green haired girl dipped her head. "I know..."

Once outside, Yuki bounded up happily to the two girls and licked Akira's hand affectionately. "Woof!"

Akira's silver-flecked grey eyes twinkled with merriment. She smiled and petted her head, crooning, "Who's a good girl? Yuki's a good girl, aren't you?"

"Woof! Woof!" Yuki's tail thumped happily on the floor. At that moment, Akira's parents appeared at the doorway, her mother with her hands on her hip and her father with an expression that could kill.

"Akira, don't you dare try and escape with that girl, and get away from the dog, it's an infectious fleabag!" yelled her mother with a death glare.

"Uh oh... We better scram. Like, now," said Akira, grabbing Shika's arm again and making a dash for the open gates. Yuki ran after them, barking insults at Akira's parents that made Shika want to close her ears.

"Freaking bastards! How dare you call my mistress a destitute girl? And you called me an infectious fleabag? I'll rip your innards, eat your tripes, gut your intestines and suck your brains, you hear that?!" snarled Yuki, fur bristling as she ran with the girls.

"I don't know what your dog said, but I have a feeling it's not good," panted Akira as they finally ran out of sight of the mansion.

Shika shuddered. "No, it's not good. Save your ears, you don't want to know what she said."

Catching their breath, the two girls and the dog made their way to the Kazamino City Centre, intending to go to the park. Cars whizzed by on the busy road as pedestrians hurried along, and even though it wasn't peak hour, there were still plenty of people.

"So, why did you walk all the way to my home today? I told you that if you ever want to see me, I can always drive to your house. Saves you from walking that long distance, and in this heat too," said Akira, concerned. A teenage boy who walked past them suddenly gave a wolf whistle at Akira, winking at her seductively and hurrying away. Akira snorted, glaring at him. "Boys. Disgusting creatures who go for looks..."

Shika laughed nervously. "You get that a lot, as in attention from boys... No one wants me though, I'm too plain and quiet..."

"Huh! Believe me, you don't want that sort of attention. Besides... you've always got me," Akira said, then noticing the look on Shika's face, she hurriedly added, "And Yuki. You've got me and Yuki."

Shika smiled, suddenly feeling very shy. "O-oh, yeah. I always have you and Yuki... You guys make me feel tons better."

Another guy passed them and hooted at Akira. The white haired girl shot him a murderous glare and he quickly ran off. Akira sighed. "Its always like this whenever I go out. Boys stare at me like I'm some supermodel and go wolf-whistling all the time... I feel like kicking them in the groin. Hard."

"That's because you do look like a supermodel, Akira," said Shika, sighing.

"Woof! Woof!"

"See, even Yuki agrees."

"Fine, whatever you say, Shika darling," grunted Akira, straightening the ribbon threaded at the base of her head. "Anyways, why did you visit me?"

"Oh, I wanted to discuss something important with you... I-if you don't mind, that is!" said Shika, feeling nervous.

"Shika darling, why do you still act like a mouse around me? We've known each other for eight years."

"Oh. I don't know... It's just that... I don't want to bother you..."

"Bother me? Hah! You never bother me, you're my best friend ever, you know that? It's always fine to vent to me, I'll understand," said Akira kindly, taking Shika's hand as they walked. Shika was surprised at the gesture, but made no move to remove her hand from the clasp.

"So, there's this problem with Kyubey," began Shika. "He keeps coming to find me, and tells me all sorts of creepy stuff..."

"Creepy stuff?" enquired Akira.

"Yeah, like how my karmic destiny is so great even if I'm painfully normal, and that I'm destined to lead a war against a Demon which I don't know about. And he wants me to involve you and another unknown Puella Magi in it. And if I don't listen to him... he'll kill me."

"Shika darling! How come is it that it's only now that you tell me of this crazy problem? How long has he been disturbing you?" said Akira, thoroughly horrified.

"Err... Ever since I became a Puella Magi..."

"That's like freaking eight years ago! Why didn't you tell me?" said Akira, upset.

"I was afraid to burden you..."

"What? That's not a reason to keep it a secret!" yelled Akira. Shika recoiled at the exclamation, and Akira immediately regretted shouting at her friend. "I'm so sorry, Shika. I shouldn't have shouted... it's just that I can be blunt at times."

"I know. No need to apologize..." Shika trembled slightly, and Akira squeezed her hand tight. "You can tell me anything, you know. Anything at all - from school to money problems to death threats from Kyubey."

"Woooof!" agreed Yuki, wagging her tail hard. The seventeen-year-old smiled. She had such wonderful friends. "I'll tell you once we're at the park, okay?" said Shika.

"Sure," replied Akira, flashing Shika with one of her rare smiles.

The Kazamino Central Park soon hovered into view. Since it was a hot day, no one was there - the swings were hanging limp, the see-saws were bored and the slides empty. Not a breeze stirred the large, ancient trees that flanked a beautiful lake of lotuses. The many gazebos that were scattered around the picturesque park were devoid of any human beings - an ideal condition for private talks.

The trio walked by the lake, with Yuki scampering off every now and then to check out mushrooms, flowers or small insects. After a while, Akira and Shika took a seat on a bench facing the lake, shaded by a large weeping willow whose leaf fronds tickled the water surface ever so gently. The Shiba Inu ran off to explore the park, barking happily.

"Okay, now we're alone," said Akira. "Tell me everything, and don't leave stuff out just because you're scared to reveal them."

Shika took a deep breath. "Okay. Kyubey always visits me, ever since I contracted with him. He has been telling me that I will be the next Messiah, the one to topple the Demon, Homura Akemi, and become a... goddess."

"What did he say? Goddess? Who's Homura Akemi?" interceded Akira, grabbing Shika's hands.

"Err... I'm not sure myself, but Kyubey told me that Homura Akemi is a Demon that aims to destroy the world, and thus must be stopped. He wants me to gather the elemental Puella Magi, which are extremely rare and are all currently in Kazamino City, which is you, me and another unknown girl. And after I've located her, Kyubey will start his... plans to get rid of the Demon."

"Elemental Puella Magi? You mean Puella Magi that can harness the power of the elements?"

"Yes. Like me, I can control earth, and you can summon ice at will. According to Kyubey, I'm the most powerful Puella Magi in existence... after the Demon. But I don't feel powerful at all. I feel... useless." Shika hung her head sadly.

"You're not useless, Shika Kiyomizu!" retorted Akira, giving her friend a fierce hug. Shika was stunned. Akira slowly said in a low voice, "If it hadn't been for you, I would have broken down long ago from the pressure that my parents kept aiming at me. You keep me sane, you cheer me up... you are my one and only best friend," she confessed.

Shika blushed. Akira had never sounded that sincere before. Sure, she had her perks for being blunt with speech and all, but deep down inside, she cared for her junior with all her heart. Shika started to tear up, much to her horror. She couldn't cry, and not while in public with Akira next to her.

"A-Akira... I think I need some time alone..." she choked, stifling her tears.

Akira held her shoulders and looked at her dolefully. "Oh... Okay..." She turned her gaze towards the placid lake, knowing very well that her friend did not like to cry. In fact, she hadn't seen her cry ever since they had met. A sob suddenly escaped Shika's lips, and Akira whipped her head around at once.

"Shika... Are you alright?" she asked, genuinely worried.

The girl shook her head. "No... I'm not alright... I just... I just...!" Tears began to flow down her face. Shika was aghast, she tried to wipe them away, but Akira stopped her.

"It's okay to cry, Shika," said her senior reassuringly while looking at her straight in the eye. "We're only human, we can only take so much grief, and I know that what you've gone through borders the line of hope and despair."

Shika's lips trembled. "I... I can't... Crying is weak, it won't solve anything... It won't help my problems...!" She began crying in earnest then, letting loose eight years of pent-up grief in a torrent of tears.

Akira hugged her close and stroked her head softly, murmuring, "It's alright... It's alright, Shika... Yuki and I are here for you."

"I don't want to die, Akira! Kyubey is going to kill me if I don't follow his orders! He'll c-crush my Soul Gem!" she sobbed brokenly, pressing her head against Akira's chest and wrapping her arms around her tightly. "If I don't do as he says, h-he'll kill you and Yuki as well! I don't want that to happen... N-no... I don't want to lose anyone anymore...!"

She continued to weep in Akira's arms, and Akira just sat there and hugged her, tears threatening to invade her as well. "Cry it all out, Shika... You will feel better, trust me..."

Shika sniffed, choking as she said, "Akira... W-what should I do?"

"For now, just... Hush... Don't think about it. I will listen when you are done crying..."

"T-this is embarrassing... I d-don't cry as a rule... Crying just shows t-that you're weak..."

"Crying is not weak," said Akira firmly. "Everyone cries, men, women, prime ministers, Kings and Queens, they all cry no matter how powerful they may seem. Crying is what makes us human, so never say that crying is weak."

Shika didn't dare raise her head to look at Akira. Her face must be seriously messed up right now. "I haven't cried for eight years..." she whispered, her head still on Akira's chest. She let go of her hug and put her arms against her friend's shoulders. "And I'm sorry for ruining your shirt with my tears..."

Akira couldn't help giggling. "A shirt is replaceable, but a friend is not. Always know that I'm here for you, Shika. You can cry all you want in front of me, I won't judge. I know all the pain you've went through, and all I can do to help is to constantly support you and be there for you when you need me..." Akira brushed aside Shika's bangs and kissed her lightly on the forehead, much to Shika's astonishment. "Feeling better now, kouhai?" smiled Akira.

"Yeah... Thanks... senpai," Shika raised her head and smiled a watery smile, blushing.

Shika finally felt relieved. It was good to just pour out her feelings to someone who understands her. "I'll go wash my face now... And for the record, I'm never crying ever again."

"Haha, we'll see about that, Shika darling," teased Akira, walking with her towards the washroom. Yuki saw them and pranced up with a peach in her mouth. Then she noticed Shika's teary face.

"Shika! What happened?" whined Yuki, dropping the peach. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I've never felt better, Yuki," she said, still with a slight sob in her tone. "I'm just going off to wash my face, that's all."

"Oh, at least you're no longer sad. Then I'm happy for you!" barked the Shiba Inu, grinning.

Akira simply stood by and watched them converse, though she did not understand what Yuki was saying. When Shika had become a Puella Magi, she had wished that she could understand animal speech so as to communicate with her dog, which was, when she was younger, her only friend. She had almost committed suicide, but Yuki had stopped her. Akira, who happened to be out Witch hunting, detected a Witch in Shika's house that was causing her to have suicidal thoughts and quickly eradicated her, saving both Shika and Yuki. It was then that their friendship began. Akira smiled, thinking about it. Fate had a very weird way of bringing two people together, but really, no one can decide fate as much as they want to.

While waiting for Shika, Akira's Soul Gem suddenly flared up, pulsing in the pattern that indicated a Witch was nearby. Her stomach dropped. Why on earth do Witches always pop up at the worst times possible?

She ran into the washroom and was about to tell Shika, but her junior already knew. Her deep-green Soul Gem was pulsing as well.

"Guess the Witch isn't giving me time to recover, nor letting me tell you the whole story of Kyubey's plots, isn't it?" said Shika, turning her Soul Gem around in her fingers.

"Nope. It's being plain rude," said Akira. Then, with a smirk, she said, "Therefore, we shall punish her with all our might! That Witch should know better than to mess with us elemental Puella Magi."

"Woof!" (I can't wait to smash some Witch brains!)

"Haha, I know, Yuki, you're itching to fight as well. Payback for the last time a Witch hurt you, eh?" said Shika, placing her Soul Gem on Yuki's head. A green light enveloped the dog, making Yuki grow larger until she was about the size of a Siberian tiger. Armoured plates ran down her spine, and a visor covered her face. Akira whistled. "Damn, your dog is still cool no matter how many times I've seen her transform."

Yuki snarled, the very picture of a terrifying monster. "Let's get this over with quick!"

(For some reason or another, half the chapter deleted itself, so I'm republishing it. If any of you meet any more complications like this, please do tell me.)

Hello people ^^
How did you guys like Akira and Shika? I intended this chapter to explore their relationship XD I didn't expect it to be so.... tearful though. Anyways.... Hope you guys liked the chapter! Please vote and comment, especially what you think about Shika and Akira ^^ I'm interested to know haha XD
(I might personally ship them, they're so cute together)
Oh, and I've made a profile about Akira which I will publish simultaneously. Check it out ^^

~ SaitheVivana