Author's Note: I do not own Claymore. Now that that is out of the way, can you gues which movie I quote? I'll have you all know that I do not own that material either. In the coming chapters, there will be action, not to worry, lol! Uplifting comments will keep me going.

"Heh, call me strange, but I wonder if we'll be put into songs or tales, y'know like the great ones of old," Raki said, his mind wandering as they had been traveling for a long space. Weeks had passed since the last village, and the journey had been slow at best. Despite that, however, the conversations Clare and her charge (who had become very capable) had become more and more involved, perhaps to take up time. But then, it felt as though they were, if slowly, growing closer.

Was it him, or had the corners of his lady's mouth up-turned in the slightest of grins? He had been noticing that more and more (or thought he had), and if it was indeed the case, it would be a delight. She almost never smiled, much less grinned, always so grim-faced; somewhat sad, even.

He continued. "I wonder if children will say, 'I want to hear the story about Miss Clare and her epic journey."

She surprised him then. "You're leaving out one of the instrumental characters: Raki the Brave. I want to hear more about him." He turned to see those mysterious silver eyes gazing at him. "For without him," she said, the monotone never wavering, "she would have likely died too soon."

Long moments of silence passed between them. "C'mon, Clare, I wasn't joking."

Clare's initially incomprehensible gaze then betrayed her fondness of him. That struck him to the core. "Neither was I, Raki."

Their journey lead them to a wide plain (as they had been traveling through woodlands prior) that stretched for miles and miles. Raki left mometarily to relieve himself, and upon returning, found Clare resting against her claymore. Her mood seemed to be that of contemplation; he could not tell. Clare was not easy to read, even for a Claymore.

As his usual pattern was when he saw her like that, he plunged his own sword into the ground, sat down and leaned against it, mimicing her as in times past.

Again, long moments of silence passed between them. Clare risked a glance his way. She could not help but note the growth that had taken place in her once young charge. He had become strong, as to the strength of men, and more. He could face yoma and weak Awakened beings alike without a problem. Indeed, he had lived up to Galk's command to become strong enough to protect her. She often felt, against all her trained control, that she was, in fact, the protected.

He had grown into a rather handsome man, comely in stature, and quick in the wits. There was little Clare could do against the odd, warm tingling sensation she felt whenever he flashed his sly grin, or even touched her, even just to get her attention. Sometimes, it was almost maddening.

She almost jumped when he tapped her shoulder. How could it be that such a simple act could cause her to react so? Of note also was the frequency at which it was happening. More and more, she was becoming endeared to that touch.

An exponential display of control, however, Clare merely glanced his direction, a questioning look in her eye.

Raki looked unusually serious. His eyes betrayed a yearning that could possibly spell danger. Nonetheless, Clare did not waver in her attention.

"I've been meaning to tell you..." His eyes went ground-ward, his face flushed all of a sudden. What was he about?

"Yes? Out with it," Clare commanded calmly.

"You are..." He flushed a deeper red, and let out a deep sigh. "You're a great example, Clare. I'm pretty sure that sounds strange coming from me..." When she said nothing, he continued. "Because of our...uh...companionship, I've learned a great deal about trust and all that."

He was silent, likely gathering his thoughts. Nonetheless, Clare urged him onward. His words had piqued her interest.

"Go on."

"Oh, uhh, and, well, I'm..." As his eyes had been to the ground, they arose to find her staring directly at him. Those eyes, those mysterious, beautiful, intoxicating silver eyes, met his, and his heart pounded within his breast.

"I'm rather fond of you."

Again, he swore he saw the corners of her mouth lift the slightest. As soon as he thought he saw it, her face was once again the grim, expressionless visage it always had been to date. Well, except for those small moments.

"Fond of me..." she mused, her gaze leaving Raki and looking somewhere far off ahead of them. "And what, might I ask is there to be fond of, aside from my apparent example?" Strange. She did not anticipate asking such a thing.

Raki found it hard to respond, then, and so chose his words carefully. "I don't know about you, but when it comes to your kind, it seems that there's this...wall, and it's almost somewhat intentional."

His lady raised an eyebrow. "I don't quite follow your meaning."

"Yet," he assured. "That wall seems to bar - or protect, one of the two - your..." He couldn't quite grasp the word, though it was on the tip of his tongue. That flaw of his annoyed him beyond anything.

Waving his hand in a circular motion, trying hard to think of the word, Clare caught on. "Humanity?"

"Yes, thank you. Your humanity." How grateful he was for her intuition. "You, though, seem to show, mmm, a little...more? than most others I've encountered."

She hugged her knees to herself. "And what makes you think that?"

"Well, you took me in when you could've chosen not to, and instead of leaving me in some village, you kept me with you; you saved my life countless times; heh, even kissed me;" at that, slight coloration spotted the Claymore's cheeks, "promised to meet again after leaving, and did. It's gotta be more than just obligation that drove you."

"Perhaps," she mused, distant. "But then, there's not much you know about my kind, not unless you are one of us." She seemed to consider something. "At the same time though, we have been together for quite some time."

"Yes," Raki replied, "and due to that I've gotten to know you well. More so than any other full human can say, I wager."

"Why me, then? There are plenty of other women out there - much more worthy consorts than I could be, if that is what you seek from me." She didn't quite understand why she had said that. It seemed to have just...spilled out.

Her words had a profound effect. Raki was taken aback. Eyes turning ground-ward once again, silence emitted from the young man for several long moments. Clare feared inwardly that she had upset him. His next statement proved her wrong.

Still fixated on the dirt, Raki spoke. "If I went with any of those others, I wouldn't know the comfort and solace I feel when I'm with you. That's all there is to it: I'm seriously at peace when you're near. I mean, I feel like I can take on the world!"

A pause. "You've done much for me, like I said." Patting her forearm gently, he spoke again. "Don't know what it would take to repay you."

That sensation, the warm, tingling that spread throughout all facets of her being returned at that touch. Just like all the other times, but this one was intensified one hundredfold. Never thinking in the least that anyone would have such a profound effect - not even Teresa - Clare was beginning to think the title of "Big Sister" he had given her seven years prior was waning.

"There is nothing to repay. It is I who owes the debt, Raki. I just wish there was a better way to pay it than dragging you aimlessly along on my selfish journeys." Her expression became distant as she once again faced the distant horizon.

"I don't consider that a burden, if that's your meaning," came the dismissive reply accompanied by a slight wave of the hand. "If anything, it's an adventure, y'know? And I would share it with no one else."

Silence a moment, then, "You are too kind, Raki."

"Don't mention it. I just try hard."

"Indeed." Gazing once more at the young man, Clare spoke, saying, "You ought to sleep. I'm sure you'll need it in the coming days." Though it was obviously subdued, her care for her charge was did not go unnoticed by all who saw her, and the way she treated Raki. The way she looked at him, expressionless visage aside; the way she handled him; the way, even, that she addressed and spoke to him; it was clear to so many others. What, then, had she to hide?

Everything, came the inward thought. If she loved him, or expressed any love, she feared that her adversaries would latch onto that, using it as a way to get to both of them. At the same time, however... How she wished to tell Raki of these newfound feelings, feelings he had awakened. Only he could have done so.

"You're right," said he. "I'll turn in for now." A pause, then, "you ought to rest too, Clare. Can't have my fearless leader tired." Again, that sly grin. This time, Clare could not help herself. She returned it with a distinct one of her own. It was faint, but it was there, clear as day. Raki smiled the wider, and emptied his pack of bedding.

When all was set out, he peeled off his armor. Clare basked in a moment of pride: the overall weak boy that she once knew was now strong enough to kill most yoma and weak Awakened beings. His growth made her heart swell.

She shut her eyes as he did his, and let herself rest. Gods knew she needed it.