Disclaimer: I don't own Claymore and its characters. They all belong to Norihiro Yagi.

Anime: Claymore

Title: Now, I know why

Warning: shoujo ai and some minor spoilers

A/N: You'll know the timeline after reading.

The day I heard you killed that group of bandits. I was having all these maddening thoughts about you. I never really wanted to fight you, despite the fact that there really is a big gap between you and the rest of us claymores. . . I wish you didn't have to break any of the rules. For deep in my heart I have always admired you and that one mistake of yours made me lose you. . . forever.

Back then, I always wonder why you chose that young girl above everything else. What could such a small fragile girl do to someone as indestructible as you, Teresa? How could you prefer to live with her whom you just accidentally met in a mission? You could have just abandoned her but you didn't. Instead, you took her with you like she was your own.

Honestly, I'm really jealous. I could hardly control myself when I saw her with you. But I also couldn't help myself falling for you more when I saw how alive and how driven you are to protect her. You may have gone soft because of her and for that you have opened yourself to risks. . . risks that actually lead to your demise.

However, despite that you didn't regret anything with what you've done. The proud Teresa allowed herself to become vulnerable. . . and for me that was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Even though that was the first and last time I saw you genuinely happy, it was one of the most precious memories of you I've ever had . . . though regrettably at that time, it is inevitable that we crossed swords.

It's been how many years since I allow myself to succumb in fear. Hiding from the ominous being that is Priscilla and the eyes of the organization, I still feel that I continue to live because of you.

I realized that when I saw her. . .

I wish you could see how Clare has grown. She has taken your flesh and became a warrior like you. And even though she may have lost her arm in battle like I did, she continued to move forward and fight, not minding the risks. I am quite ashamed that I, a former rank number 2 I cowered in fear but she a Claymore who is weak in all fighting levels chose to carry on the battle even though hopeless.

How ironic were the things Clare did to your life. She lost her voice yet she could say everything to you with just a touch. She suffered more and yet she was the one who comforted you. Despite her fragility she was not afraid to be broken. Despite her weakness, she was much stronger than you. Despite her small figure she has taken you down.

In that kind of battle, I know that I already lost.

While I was looking at her in her sleep, I found out something that I never did when I first saw her with you.

I was not only you who changed, Teresa, you also changed this girl. You gave her a goal in life. You made her choose a thorny path to cross. It may have been foolish but her mind seemed so focused on it. And I must admit that I also cannot contest in that kind of unbendable will and loyalty to you.

Now, I understand why you like this girl so much. Now, I understand why you chose to give up your life just for her.

Now, I know why. . . I felt like doing the same.

- - Irene