Well, seems like I've started on a new fanfiction after abandoning my last one for what, years? Ah, well…

Anyway, this fiction will be AU and I'll probably bring the characters OOC, but I'll try not to. I've set Claymore as a hired gun/mercenary organization that completes jobs for a high fee. Sutafu will be an unknown island where the organization has its HQ. Irene-centric, of course… Maybe a little yuri later if I feel like it…

Edit: Ok, I've decided to base this story in an alternate universe that is similar to the world in Claymore, but with modern technology. This gives me more freedom to shape how I want this world to be so it can suit my needs, since I'm probably going to go laissez-faire with this story... So please pardon the name substitute for Russia here. Thanks.

Enjoy…


Chapter 1: Prologue

My name is Alexei Levitsky, one of the four founders of the second largest weapons dealing organization in Ruyleia. The other three are Yegor, Dmitri and Nikolai; partners I have found while gang fighting in the streets, brothers who I could rely on for solid support. In our late twenties, we grew tired of the little gang we belonged to and the violent skirmishes that broke out at every little whim. We wanted more. We wanted to make a name for ourselves, to make filthy loads of money with minimal risk of us getting our ears cut off or our bodies marred. So we sneaked out of the pathetically small gang we belonged to and started selling weapons, for we knew the underground would need a constant supply of it. Between Dmitri's small family inheritance, which helped us secure our first batch of weapons to sell, my brains and Yegor's and Nikolai's muscle, we managed to get the little business running. What we couldn't get with money, we got it with strategy. What we couldn't get with strategy, we got it with violence. Over the years we have expanded, employing more underlings to take care of menial tasks while keeping total control amongst the four of us. Everything led to where we are now, Ruyleia's second largest.

Sighing softly, I slowly closed my eyes and leant back further into the leather seat of the limousine. In my left hand, I gently swirled the aged Ihirlan wine in its glass as I thought over my current situation. The head of the largest weapons organization had just passed away and apparently, he had not made clear which of his children or family member should inherit the business. Though the Jakovs put on a strong façade of a grieving, tightly-knit family, I know better. I know there was scheming and backstabbing within the family. I know how the wife was desperately trying to get the four Jakov brothers to work together, how the brothers were unwilling to share the power amongst them and how relatives of both the late husband and wife were trying to claw for their portion of the big, fat pie. I smirked slightly. The internal strife could not have been more perfect. It was the most opportune time to insert myself into the fray and tear down the organization that was blocking my way to the top. But before I do that, I needed to take care of matters more personal. To be more specific, I had to take care of the three partners I have.

My brothers had been the best partners I could have while we were clawing our way to the top. They were reliable, unhesitant, unorthodox and loyal. That was what I liked about them. In the past, we could get anything done. They did not think twice about following the plans I made and were always on their toes. But it seems like the vast fortune we have amassed has made them conceited and all too comfortable. What remained of the steely-nerved compatriots, the comrades always pumped for action, was laziness, self-gratification and the taste for luxury. Yegor had married a well-known slut who slept around with rich men for the money, and it seemed like he cannot get himself untwisted from her fingers any time soon, giving her all the luxuries she wanted. Dmitri was chasing almost every skirt he came across, the playboy in that expensive suit with muscles that women couldn't wait to molest. He was spending money everywhere, and the business was his main source of income. Go figure. Nikolai fell into the habit of gambling and the worse habit of losing seventy percent of the time. Now he wanted to set up his own casino, his own gambling den, thinking his love of gambling would help him get even more money. The best part was that he wanted to use money from our business. Idiot.

I sighed even more heavily this time, as the driver announced through the intercom, 'Sir, we are about to reach the hotel in five minutes.' I downed the rest of the wine from the glass, trying to sooth the slight nerves that have worked up. Incompetency will not stand in my way to the top. That was a vow that I have made to myself when the business has started, and I will not go back on it now. That's why I have arranged this meeting with my brothers. Tonight, I will remove my final obstacle to my ultimate goal.

The limo rolled to a smooth stop, and I stepped out of it, my leather shoes making a satisfying sound as it hit the pavement. I checked my watch, 7.49pm. The driver stepped out of the car, 'Sir, what time would you like me to pick you up?'

'At 8.40, Viktor. Don't be late.' I gave him a small smile. I did not try to be intimidating to my underlings, not in the least. It would do no good for resentment to build up in them and give them an incentive to try any funny business. Besides, showing respect to underlings would in turn earn respect from them. Having good rapport with your subordinates also meant that your business would have a good foundation. Something that most businessman forgot, including my three partners. At the thought of the three waiting for me up in the hotel, my heart grew somewhat heavier.

'Yes, sir!' Viktor grinned and hopped back into the car, driving it away.

I strode into the hotel's elevator and pressed the button for the 24th floor. As the elevator moved steadily upwards, I took slow, deep breaths, calming myself down. What happened later would change my life forever… A 'ding' from the elevator announced my arrival at the 24th floor, and I walked briskly to the suite where I have arranged the meeting. When I opened the door, a familiar sight greeted me. All three men were in shirts, untucked of course, and trousers. Yegor lounged on the cushy couch, chuckling at some variety show on television. Dmitri and Nikolai were playing cards, with beer bottles beside them on the table. All three turned their heads as I walked in.

'Hey, Alex.' Yegor gave a casual wave. 'What took you?'

'Heavy traffic.' I lied. The truth was, I was late on purpose. I needed more time alone before I came into this… meeting.

Dmitri examined my crisp attire, a long-sleeved shirt and black pants. 'Man, you look stuffy. Grab a drink.' He motioned to the kitchen.

I gave a little roll of my eyes, then grabbed a bottle from the fridge. I took a chair from the dining table, and carefully placed it in front of my friends, making sure that I was not sitting too near to any of them. I looked out of the window, at the building across the street. I let my mind wander for awhile, and then Yegor broke the quiet, somewhat relaxed mood in the room. Well, 'relaxed' may not accurately apply to me…

'So, bro, what did you call us out here for?'

I examined him and my two other friends before answering. 'The Jakovs.'

Nikolai gave a triumphant 'Hah!' I looked to him quizzically, eyebrows slightly raised.

'I told them that you wanted to talk about taking over the Jakov business, but they insisted that you wanted to announce that your wife's pregnant.' The three of them were grinning at their joke, and I rolled my eyes once again. Then I glanced at my watch. 8.13pm.

Yegor got serious first. 'Alex, I know you want to expand our business as quickly as possible. But I don't think this is very… ethical… or nice.' He pursed his lips together.

'Well, you are one to talk about being ethical.' I retorted. 'After all we did in the past, the last thing I thought we'd discuss about was ethics.'

Dmitri joined in. 'What if they're not really as disorganized as we thought, Alex? What if they're waiting for us to make our move, then when we're in, they'll spring a trap on us?' The uncertainty was clearly reflected in his voice. My eyes narrowed slightly, and I moved my eyes to Nikolai's face, where I saw a similar doubtful expression. My grip on my bottle of beer tightened. They really have degenerated into foolish cowards, I thought to myself as I took a swig from my bottle.

'Ah… forget it.' I gave a dismissive wave of my hand. Then I glanced at my watch again. 8.22pm. Then I leaned into my chair, crossing my legs and trying to exude the aura of total relaxation. I did not succeed, of course. The time was approaching fast. The time when everything will change. I tried to calm my jangling nerves with another large gulp of beer. Yegor must have noticed my unsettled demeanour.

'You okay, bro?' He looked concerned. 'Look, I know the Jakov business is important, but I really think that we should think it through first…' His words trailed off. So he thought I was troubled about the Jakovs. I almost let out a nervous chuckle at that. Delicious irony was playing out right in front of my eyes. Yegor was actually concerned about the Jakovs' lives, when his, along with Dmitri's and Nikolai's were the ones that was about to change totally. I have him a small smirk, 'Fine, whatever.' I drank some more beer.

I looked at my watch again, and found that I could not take my eyes off anymore. 8.28pm. I could practically feel my heart at my throat. The minute hand moved excruciatingly slowly to 8.29pm. After what seemed like an eternity, the minute hand finally moved to signal 8.30pm. I quickly looked up at my friends. I had to witness this moment.

The first two shots came after ten seconds, and it came so fast that I would have missed it, if Dmitri's and Nikolai's head did not exhale the blood violently. Their bodies jerked sideways and the beer bottles on the table got smashed on the floor. Yegor stood up quickly, but the bullet quickly stopped anymore movement as it entered his left eye and exited out the back of his head, bringing bits of brain along with it. After that, deadly silence for a full minute. I sat rooted to my chair, shocked out of my mind. I was expecting this, hell, I was the one who engineered this whole thing, but fear stuck me to my chair. The ringing of my phone in my pocket almost shocked me off the chair. I yanked it out with trembling hands and answered the call on the cheap, throwaway phone.

'Mr. Levitsky,' a cool, deep female voice came from the phone. 'I recommend that you get your senses back together and start acting. Run out of the room and yell for help. When the police arrive, tell your own story and don't divulge anything. You know the consequences of leaking the truth out, don't you?' The woman did not seem to have any emotion in her voice, and the question sounded like a threat. I managed a strangled 'Yes.'

'Good,' the woman continued. 'So start moving now.'

With that, she hung up.

Suddenly, it felt like someone poured a bucket of ice water over my head. I jolted back to reality. Taking a deep breath, I barged out of the suite's door. 'SECURITY! HELP! MURDER! SECURITY!' As the security personnel came running, I slid down the wall opposite the door and held my head in my hands. The entire weight of the situation sank in, and I felt tremors start taking over my body. I murdered the three friends I have suffered with. I felt worse than a sinner. A few female staff came by the room, and then screamed after seeing the scene in the room. The scream, however, did not register in my brain. I had gone numb. It felt like everything was happening in a blur. Another staff kneeled beside me and said something I could not hear. Then the police arrived and started questioning me. I went through everything in a daze.

-1 hour later-

I climbed slowly back into my limousine. Viktor had arrived on time and waited for 43 minutes. I was tired. My genuine shock helped me play my part as a traumatized and innocent friend very well. They decided to stop the barrage of questions and told me to go back home, and that the questioning would continue another day. I sat back onto the leather seat, unbuttoned two buttons on my shirt and closed my eyes.

I slowly took out my cheap phone and dialed back to the number that had called earlier. The same voice as before answered curtly.

'Yes.'

I remained silent for awhile, searching for words. The woman on the other end of the line remained quiet, patiently waiting.

'Thank you for your good job,' I racked my brains to remember the woman's name. I thought for awhile, then got it. 'Irene. Is it?'

'Yes.' Apparently she wasn't a woman of many words.

'I will transfer the agreed amount to the account given.' I thought for awhile then added, 'I will also include some extra payment for you.' The generosity probably came from relief that almost everything had blown over.

'That would not be necessary.'

'I insist.'

'Very well. Thank you, Mr. Levitsky. Feel free to contact us for our services again.'

I gave a small laugh. It may be quite awhile before I engage their services again. 'I do hope to meet you one day, Irene.'

'Beware what you wish for, Mr. Levitsky.' With that, she hung up.

I cracked open my eyes and stared at the dull phone.

Claymore. Hired guns that would do anything at an admittedly high price. But they were terrifyingly efficient, as I witnessed from earlier in the evening.

I gave a large sigh, then thought about the success that was just within my reach. The weapons industry would soon belong to me, and only me. There will undoubtedly be more competition and ruthlessness to deal with. I smirked. Claymore. Maybe I will engage their services more in future.


Ok, I know this guy has no relevance to the Claymores whatsoever, but this chapter gives me some ground to work on. Please pardon grammatical or any other errors as I did this whole chapter in one shot after studying. HAHA.

May make some changes to this later.

Please review, criticize, flame, whatever. If any of you want to submit ideas please pm me… Thanks.