Seven Days

Disclaimer: Claymore and all characters are property of Norihiro Yagi.

I was always sure the Organisation knew there were survivors or if they didn't at first, they would have suspected something when Clarice gives her report on finding 17 swords instead of 24. My reasoning for this is that with the villagers of Pieta were most likely killed during the assault and when the story moves forward to seven years later, the villages are all deserted. Who then, could have possibly buried the supposedly dead Claymores? I'm pretty sure the awakened beings wouldn't have bothered.

Not exactly an AU fiction but more of a 'what-if-this-were-possible' due to my fondness for a particular Claymore. This picks up from book 13 of the manga, after the new number 3 and 5 are saved from Riful. This will not be a very long piece but it will be broken up into short sections. Please forgive any major grammatical errors; it's been a very long time since I've written. Oh, just a note, I was educated on British English hence the different spelling for certain words.

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"Oh, are you quite sure about this Audrey?" A low voice echoed around the cavernous chamber where a line of men sat in the shadows on misshapen thrones of stone.

"Our reports clearly state that there were no survivors from the twenty-four that were sent to Pieta. Although," The voice mused aloud, "Number 47 did mention in a recent report that there were seven missing grave markers. Most likely removed for the amusement of an awakened being."

There was an impatient noise from one of the two figures standing in the middle of the room but before she could mutter a single word, the other silenced her with an arched brow.

They were both similarly dressed in armour with swords strapped to their backs and while one was muscular and had hair up in spikes, the other was her opposite with graceful limbs and long flowing locks.

"Please excuse Rachael," The slimmer Claymore gave the briefest of glances towards her friend, "She is still recovering from the wounds inflicted by the Abyssal One." She did not elaborate if the injuries were merely physical or ones of pride that cut far deeper than any sword. Ray scowled at Audrey's words but made no indication of protesting.

Turning her attention back to the question at hand, Audrey spoke evenly, her voice carrying clearly across the space, "We were indeed saved by seven unknown warriors. However, I am uncertain if they were survivors from Pieta." She paused to think before continuing, "All of them kept their swords sheathed and I could not detect or read any auras."

Audrey gave a wry smile, "Perhaps they were truly the ghosts of past warriors."

"I'm surprised that you of all, believe in ghosts, Audrey." The low voice spoke with an edge of mockery but she remained unfazed, with the same small smile.

Audrey shrugged lightly, "After all, we live in a world where monsters such as us exist, why not then ghosts?"

Ignoring her rhetorical question he dismissed them with a wave of his hand and the shadowy council began.

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"Do you trust her words?"

"Mostly, Audrey is incapable of lying to us. She has been conditioned not to." This voice was recognisable as the one that had been speaking during the prior meeting with the two Claymores. From his central position in the dark room, he was clearly the head of the council.

"It is clearly impossible to have any survivors from the assault on Pieta but it is undeniable that they were saved by seven warriors with no yoma auras."

"In seven years, one could have grown a lot stronger to the point where their auras can be easily hidden. Similarly to how Galatea has gone undetected all this time." A man with dark glasses at the far end of the row suggested casually. He seemed amused by the entire discussion.

"Disposing of Galatea will happen in due time now that we have Miata and number 47 to keep her on track in hunting the Deserter."

"The question of importance here," The low voice cut in smoothly, "Is what we should do with these seven warriors whom I assume are also Deserters."

"It would be waste of time to use Alicia and Beth on ordinary Claymores. Miata would have been a excellent candidate if she were not on a mission at the moment. Audrey and Rachael?" There was a low rumble of laughter.

"The two had to be saved by them. I highly doubt they would do any better this time round and besides, they have yet to fully recover from their chance meeting with Riful."

"It seems that Numbers 1 to 5 are unavailable but if we assume these Deserters are those from Pieta, there is one we could possibly send." The man with the dark glasses had spoken.

There was a moment of silence in the room as they pondered the words before the low voice said, "Number 9 is another of our experiments but yes, I can understand the logic behind the suggestion." There was no doubt in his words they had all been
thinking of the very same Claymore.

"Fortunately, Number 9 has completed the hunt for the awakened being and is currently on route back to the Organisation as we speak."

"Very well. We are in agreement then." When no objections were voiced, he continued, "Send for her when she arrives."

The shadows were silent once more.

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Ray had intended to yell at her friend the instant they were out of earshot of the council but as she opened her mouth to speak, the other Claymore raised an arched brow slightly and shot her a mild smile.

"Are you heading back to your region now, Ray?" Audrey said amiably as the pair navigated through the winding labyrinth of dimly lit tunnels towards the exit. The building they were in was the headquarters of the Organisation and at the heart of this labyrinth was the council room that they had left not very long ago.

Ray may have been coarse, impulsive and tactless but she was not stupid. "I guess." She grumbled. "Probably won't be goin' on any hunts till the cuts close up properly."

Recalling the attack, she punched the wall in frustration, her words coming out as a growl, "What the fuck was that back then? She was just playin' and messin' around with us like we were dolls."

"Ray, she could have killed us instantly if she wanted to." Audrey said evenly, her expression serious, "I never realised just how large a gap there was between an Abyssal One and us. It was just… overwhelming to the point that it scared me."

The tunnels were getting lighter, an indication that they were close to the exit.

"Ray."

Ray was mildly taken back at the sudden softness of Audrey's voice.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for freezing and giving up and almost getting you killed."

Ray scowled, a reflex defensive mechanism when she was uncomfortable or embarrassed.

"Nothin' to apologise for," She mumbled gruffly. "It's not your fault, she was stringin' us along in her twisted game and we fell for it. Anyway, we were saved by those ghost warriors."

They were now under clear skies and the Organisation fell behind them as they walked towards the path leading away from it.

Ray turned to Audrey with a frown and said, "You reckon they really were ghosts?"

Audrey laughed lightly, one hand demurely shielding her wide grin, "No, not really. Now, after knowing that there were only seventeen grave markers, I'm certain the warriors were the missing seven."

"Hmmm… I wonder."

"What?" Ray demanded.

"I was just curious as to how the Organisation intends to deal with this. They won't be sending us after them. Would they use Alicia?"

After the attack, Audrey had been the only one to see and speak with the seven. No one else would had known that she had told the one who was obviously their leader about Alicia's completion and Galetea's disappearance.

Ray snorted, "Didn't you hear 'em back there? Questioning the creditability of our report on the mysterious warriors? They won't see any reason to send Alicia on the trail of ghosts."

Audrey had to agree with her friend. "They'll probably send one of the other single digits… oh." Sudden realisation dawned on her.

"What now?" Ray was getting impatient all the talk about secrets and spectres.

Just then, Audrey raised her arm and motioned for Ray to be quiet.

Much further down along the path, figures could be seen heading towards them. Even at this distance, the glint of sunlight on armour was clearly visible.

Ray squinted at the approaching group. "It's just a bunch of Claymores back after a hunt."

Audrey smiled. Her deduction had been correct.

She walked on ahead with a rather confused Ray beside her. Soon, the two groups crossed each other.

The team leader, a girl with short, slicked back hair save for several reluctant escaping strands, nodded politely to the pair. "Audrey. Ray."

Ray acknowledged the greeting with a short nod of her own.

Audrey smiled at the other Claymore, but there was a tinge of irony in it.

"Hello Jeanne."

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To be cont'd.

Thank you for reading. :)