The Elegant Mother
Chapter II: The Elegant Illusion
They walked steadily to their next destination with haste, Miria walking smoothly and keeping up with her mother. Hysteria decided that the time had come for Miria to learn what yoma were. As she entered the town of Theo, Hysteria could sense no fewer than seven of them. She spoke to Miria,
"What do you feel Miria?" she asked her daughter,
"Strange things Mama," Miria replied, "they feel like they're lights,"
"Good, then you are sensing yoma." Hysteria told her, "They have a distinct yoki, one that differs from your own; they are usually easily spotted, although they can hide themselves too."
Miria looked at her mother in awe; she was quite surprised that it was so easy to sense yoma,
"They look like humans though," she said, confused,
"That's because they take on human form to hide," Hysteria explained to her.
Miria didn't need much more explanation then that. She knew at once what her mother was saying between the information given. The reason people needed half yoma was so that the yoma could be detected, and once the yoma were found, Miria looked at her mother, but it was clear that her mother was waiting for something, since she was hiding in the shadows.
"Mama,-" Miria began,
"Hush young one, just watch and see," Hysteria told her daughter.
Miria felt another light head towards them, this one was different from the other seven, and it was bright, strong, and confident. Miria gaped in awe as a woman with wavy blond hair walked in to the town. The yoma and the humans shifted uneasily,
"It's a Claymore," one of the yoma said,
Miria could see the large broad sword on her back. It looked just like her mother's sword. Without any fuss the half yoma woman killed the first yoma, slashing it from the middle of its body out to its right shoulder. The other yoma yelled and the humans were running about the city square.
"That's one," the half yoma said
"Hey what do you think you're doing!" another yoma yelled
She put her blade in to its head and smirked, "That's two."
She lifted the blade and the yoma's head was cut clean in half.
"It's killing people!" a third yoma yelled, the humans around it panicking and running away.
The "Claymore" was alongside the yoma, "That's three," she said her blade cutting the yoma's head off
"She's gone mad!" yelled the fourth yoma.
"That's four," she said boredly, the fourth yoma cut clean in half.
The other two yoma responded by making their power known and she looked at them for a few seconds,
"What kept you?" she asked, "You should have summoned your power the moment you saw me and prepared for combat, oh well,"
She smirked and as one of the yoma rushed at her she jumped up and cut it in half, landing on her toes and simply shoving the blade in to the neck of the sixth yoma,
"It's pointless to resist," she smirked.
It was after the sixth yoma was killed that people actually started to scream,
"The bodies…they're all yoma!"
"You're one lucky village," the half yoma smiled, "it seems that the yoma did their feeing in other villages and lived quietly here."
Miria gaped at the woman, she was nothing on her Mama, but as Miria looked at her Mama's face, she could see exasperation and other emotions though Miria couldn't read her mother's suppressed yoki.
"Now then, I felt nine yokis in this village, however there are only seven yoma, let's see how many I've killed," Teresa stated, "one, two, three, four, five, six…oh, how careless of me, it seems that I missed one,"
She looked at the crowed and the humans shrunk back, she thoroughly enjoyed scaring the humans at times. She looked in a certain direction, there were two yokis in that direction, but neither were yoma.
"Well, well, what if I don't find it," she looked to her right and pinpointed the yoma easily, "What indeed,"
She rushed forwards and dodged the child by a hair's breadth, and cut the yoma so fast it didn't even know what hit it,
"Did you think you could use the child as a shield," Teresa taunted, "fool,"
The humans screamed as the yoma fell in two halves, blood spraying everywhere and the child looked up at Teresa, her large green eyes focused on her. Teresa looked to the left and noticed that one of the other yokis had spiked in irritation, but it suppressed easily. Something told Teresa that the warrior was hiding herself for a reason, and as she looked at the smaller of the two, Teresa began to wonder why the smaller one was familiar.
Hysteria decided that it was best they leave the town quickly. Miria was full of questions and Hysteria answered them as carefully as she could. It hadn't occurred to her that Teresa would be the replacement Number 1, and having seen what she needed to see Hysteria was slightly shaken. Damn it that warrior was good! Hysteria had watched as Teresa made short work of the seven yoma and had picked up Hysteria's slightly suppressed yoki. She worked on really pushing it down when she heard a commotion.
"Who cares if he dies," a male voice taunted,
Hysteria rushed over with Miria, and stopped as she saw a fair group of bandits surrounding Teresa and the small girl who'd been with the yoma,
"I think you should care," Hysteria said as she came out of the shadows, she decided that it was time to show Teresa a little illusion.
The bandits turned and Hysteria flicked away her cloak, revealing in the mind of the Organization, the warrior with the most beautiful technique of all warriors. Hysteria's braided bangs flapped a little as she smoothly executed her technique, needing much less yoki to use it than before, but the effect was still the same, it looked as if she'd slipped through the bandit where he stood.
The half yoma gasped in shock, "It can't be…The Elegant Hysteria!"
Miria rushed over to her Mama, her cloak falling down to reveal a silver eyed girl no more than ten years old. Her pale blond shaggy razor cut bangs fell on both sides of her face, the rest of her hair pulled up in to a ponytail,
"Mama," said Miria, she was truly awed by what her mother had just done, and she gazed up at her mother with adoration,
The half yoma looked at Miria and gasped, she was surprised, but she didn't show it much. The bandit smirked, "So there are three Claymores in my forest. Two of which happen to be mighty fine women."
"If I were you, I suggest you get your filthy face out of my sight, you're making me gag," Hysteria said, "I can assure you I've seen yoma look better than you do, you filthy human,"
The bandits all gaped in shock, and the half yoma was staring at Miria's mother with an unreadable expression.
"And what's a Claymore like you going to do about it?" the head bandit asked, "I know about the iron clad rule that governs your kind, you can't kill humans without the others taking your head."
"My, my, how ill-informed you are," Hysteria replied, "it seems to have escaped your notice that I no longer belong to the Organization, therefore do not have to follow the rules. If I wanted to I could kill you all where you stand and be done with it, but frankly you're not worth my time,"
The bandits flinched,
"You would honestly kill them Hysteria?" the half yoma asked,
"Of course, Teresa, why wouldn't I? I have every right to, they're in my way, and so are you and your little pet, although I don't really care about that, I only want to continue on my way…hmm, perhaps there is something else they desire…" Hysteria smirked, "is this what you want?"
She calmly ripped her shirt off, much to Miria's surprise. The bandits were shocked and disgusted at the same time,
"This is the body of one whom you call a Claymore, if you like a body like this, I'm sure we can come to an agreement,"
"Ugh…is she serious?" a bandit asked,
"Damn," said another,
"Let's go," said the leader, annoyed, "Somebody help Rig,"
Hysteria replaced her shirt and her cloak as the human who'd had his hand cut off glared at the half yoma called Teresa,
"Hey witch, I won't forget this!" the man snapped.
Hysteria took Miria's hand without another word and moved swiftly away.
Teresa glowered in to the forest, damn it Hysteria had slipped away with a child that called her "Mama". Such a thing wasn't possible…or was it? The girl's yoki had been almost the same as Hysteria's and for that Teresa had no explanation, and yet at the same time it felt as if Teresa were facing a monster despite the girl's innocent face. Teresa walked on, intending to follow Hysteria and the child. She wasn't oblivious to the girl that was following her. She hoped that the child would give up and follow someone else.
Miria moved as fast as she could, her mother was setting a demanding pace. Miria nearly fell she was so tired. Hysteria caught her and carried Miria the rest of the way. Miria's dreams filled with her mother's illusion.
Hysteria headed to Rokut, it took her a couple of days despite the fact that she was travelling as fast as Miria could go, perhaps a little too hard on her daughter as Miria would collapse each night and sleep. Hysteria had wondered what sort of reception she would receive at Rokut, she was almost certain that it wouldn't be kind, especially since she didn't have much money and she wasn't there to kill the yoma. Hysteria had already chosen to avoid Teresa as best as she could, given the warrior's skill she didn't expect it to be long before Teresa caught up with her. Hysteria's only hope was that she could begin Miria's training so that the girl would have basic sword skills. She would have to purchase a sword for Miria, there was no choice. Hysteria inspected the blacksmiths swords with a practiced eye, but none of them would last more than a few seconds against a claymore. Hysteria's eyes narrowed,
"Is this truly the best you have?" she asked, "I can't see these being of any real use."
The blacksmith blundered and shook in place as Hysteria calmly left the shop, she had decided that she would find the strongest sword that the humans could make…or she could just steal from Sutafu, but that was risky and it might not end well. Hysteria carefully considered the options that were before her and she sighed. If she wanted Miria to be able to protect herself the girl had to learn on a claymore, there was no other option. Hysteria carefully negotiated the pass towards Sutafu, keeping to the shadows, and hiding as well as she could. Miria followed her mother's carful movements like a hawk. Hysteria managed to get about half way to Sutafu when she heard the most interesting of rumours. It seemed that Teresa of all people had disobeyed her commands. Hysteria snuck in to Sutafu and managed to catch a glimpse of what they were sending after her. It was a young warrior who was a complete novice if there was one. Hysteria found what she was looking for, a claymore. The blade lacked a symbol although Hysteria could most likely get one engraved if she wanted to. Hysteria took the blade; she figured that it didn't matter if a sword went missing if it didn't belong to a warrior in the first place.
Hysteria took Miria and swiftly travelled towards where she thought Teresa might be. Hysteria carried her daughter and the second claymore on her back. She made it to a town, though she couldn't tell if Teresa was there or not. Hysteria felt a little odd doing what she was about to do, but then again, she had deserted the Organization, so it didn't matter anymore.
It turned out that Hysteria had beat Teresa by a good day and a half. Teresa was travelling with a small human child. Now Hysteria knew why Teresa was so slow, the human was limited in how fast she could travel, but with a human Teresa could hide, at least for a little while until warriors caught up with her. Hysteria knew that if Teresa was going to hide with that human, someone was going to have to intervene, and if it was up to Hysteria then so be it. She would help Teresa and the human child. It was what she would do as a mother, and a quick look at Miria revealed that the girl hadn't sense Teresa yet.
"Come Miria, it seems that our help is needed," Hysteria told her daughter.
Miria looked up at her mother tiredly, Hysteria knew that Miria had travelled hard so she picked her daughter up, and carried her in her arms.
"You're sure that you don't mind if you have to sleep on hard ground Clare?" Teresa asked the small girl.
Clare nodded at Teresa and the warrior's eyes tightened with pain. Teresa felt such a strong instinct telling her to protect the child from the Organization that she turned her back on them and now was running away with Clare. She was shocked that it even come to this, but now Teresa wondered if she was going to be able to protect Clare, even if she was the strongest of the warriors there was no telling what the Organization would have planned if they got their hands on Clare. The thought made Teresa sick to the stomach and she shuddered inwardly. She ripped of her cloak in spite of her negative vibes and prepared to face the yoma like always.
"Humph, you yoma are such a nuisance, everywhere I go there is always one of you're kind floating around," it was Teresa that revealed herself and Hysteria paused, it just wouldn't do to be shown up,
"Oh, please, allow me," Hysteria called, "you've been travelling."
Teresa gaped as Hysteria and Hysteria smiled, raised her yoki and cut the yoma's head clean off. Of course it looked like she'd just slid through the yoma. Hysteria held Miria tighter to her and sheathed her blade once it was clean from the blood that had gotten on it. She turned towards Teresa and Teresa looked at her,
"I believe we need to talk, away from hu…" no sooner had Hysteria started to talk than did the entire town come out cheering. Miria yawned as they woke her. Hysteria blinked in shock, she'd never had this happen before. The Elegant hastened to shake her head. Never in her time, except for in Rabona had she ever been remotely thanked for killing a yoma. And yet here these humans were cheering. It made no sense to her. Teresa eyed Hysteria warily, as if waiting to see what Hysteria was going to do.
A man came up to them and he was smiling,
"Thank you," he said, "You've saved this town from the yoma, here is your fee,"
"Oh, dear," said Hysteria, "you don't need to pay me, your happiness made it all worth my while," she smiled, "if you would be as kind as to prepare a room for four, I'd be much obliged,"
"Of course," said the human,
Teresa raised her eyes,
"A room for four?" She asked,
"That human that you're travelling with will need a place to sleep, and you and I will need to talk," Hysteria replied
Teresa shook her head and followed Hysteria.
After much discussion in which Hysteria told Teresa of her deal with the Rabonians, it was decided that for Clare's safety she would be made a quarter yoma. The risks were just too great even in Rabona, which was why Hysteria had left for a while. Hysteria told Teresa of the strange child she'd seen in Sutafu, once Miria and Clare had gone to sleep. Teresa listened intently to what Hysteria was saying and realised that the former Number 1 was speaking, not because she wanted to be nice to Teresa, although she certainly didn't seem to mind it, but because she knew how Teresa felt about Clare, she knew that better than anyone else. Teresa still couldn't believe that Miria was even born from Hysteria, but at the yoki level they were just too close yet different at the same time to ignore. Teresa asked Hysteria if there was a reason that Miria's yoki was so strange. Hysteria looked around and lowed her voice,
"I would have thought you'd have heard of the Silver Eyed Lion King," Teresa looked dumb, for a fraction of a second and something registered in her mind,
"You mean to say that her father is an awakened being?!" Teresa cried, and they both shot a glance at the sleeping girls, neither having been disturbed by Teresa's outburst.
"That is exactly what I mean," Hysteria whispered, "and she hasn't shown any rising of her yoki, so I guess that she is no different from another warrior, perhaps she is like a warrior that has gone over the limit and maintained control."
"I'm sensing three warriors," Teresa said suddenly,
"That means that there is four of them," Hysteria said, "The child that I saw had her yoki suppressed beyond suppressed."
"So what do we do?" Teresa asked,
"We do what we can, we'll have to kill the inexperienced warrior, she's too dangerous to leave alive." Hysteria said calmly. "It will be our only hope of keeping Clare and Miria safe."
Teresa was forced to agree with Hysteria, and the Faint Smile didn't like it a bit. She was loth to kill a comrade but if Hysteria was right then the child was dangerous. Teresa mentally prepared herself for what was to come. After all it would be four of her comrades and if Hysteria was to be believed. Teresa looked at the sleeping Clare, and she felt the feelings tug at her heart. She wanted Clare to be safe and happy. If this was the price that she had to pay then so be it Teresa decided, she would do what was best for Clare.
The warriors walked in to the town, Irene lead the team. She paused as she realised that Teresa wasn't alone, she could smell another, more powerful warrior's scent mixed with Teresa's. This warrior was something that Irene had never seen before although she had heard of one such warrior getting away from the Organization. The odds had shifted. Irene knew that if Teresa wasn't on her own then perhaps this mission was going to be harder than the Organization had assumed. Indeed if it was an experienced warrior then she might kill Priscilla and ignore the rest of them. Irene took a breath,
"Sophia, Noel, Priscilla!" she called sharply, the three paused and looked to Irene, "It seems that Teresa isn't alone,"
"WHAT?" yelled Noel, "Oh come on, who'd want to be with Teresa, we all know that if Irene had a choice she'd be the one running off with her."
Sophia faced palmed, and Irene's eye narrowed dangerously,
"If you would listen to what I tell you Noel, you'd stop fooling around and realise how much difficulty our mission has taken," Irene struggled to keep her voice level, "as I have said, Teresa isn't alone…the warrior that is with her is powerful, there is very little hope that we can take on Teresa and this other warrior."
"Well, we can all go home now," said Noel, until Irene grabbed her arm, "OW IRENE WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"
"You can't just leave Noel," Irene reminded her, "We must complete the task that has been set,"
"Oh, shit," said Noel,
And her assessment was about right. Irene gaped in shock as none other than Teresa of the Faint Smile stood, and she wasn't alone, standing next to her with her braided bangs flapping in the breeze was The Elegant Hysteria, a former Number 1. Irene was right about the powerful warrior bit, but nothing could have prepared her for what was behind Hysteria, a small girl with an X shaped scar on her face and pale blond shaggy bangs down the side of her face. That wasn't the real reason that Irene's jaw dropped to the ground. The real reason was that the girl's eyes were pure faultless silver. No warrior had eyes that silver, not even the warriors with the palest blond hair. And yet this girl had pure silver eyes. It was frightening to say the least. Priscilla shot forward and attacked Teresa, the latter blocking the girl and protecting herself from the more serious blows. Hysteria took the three of them on. Irene cursed as she realised that this was the plan, Hysteria was to hold them back whilst Teresa saw to it that Priscilla was killed. It was a simple yet effective plan, no sooner did Irene try to break then did Hysteria easily catch up to her and cut her down so that she couldn't do anything except watch as Priscilla was struggling to match blades with Teresa. Irene cursed at the perfect timing of Hysteria, sliding through them and cutting them down. Irene now knew why Hysteria was given the title of the most beautiful technique; she was truly elegant in every way. Sophia and Noel fell easily; they weren't even a match for the former Number 1. Hysteria then turned on Priscilla, who was already being overwhelmed by Teresa. All it took was a single strike from Hysteria to bring Priscilla down, and another blow to the girl's head by Teresa to kill her. Irene truly knew fear, and as Hysteria, the small silver eyed girl, Teresa and the small human child walked over to them, Irene thought she was as good as dead. So when they passed without a fuss, walking away as if they had other more important things than to worry about the three warriors lying on the ground, Irene was too shocked to react. She lay there with a look of shock on her face.
Miria walked close to her mother and by the time they were half way out of the town, three lights or yokis followed them,
"Teresa! Wait!"
The four turned to see the longhaired warrior, she wasn't alone, there were two others with her, their hair was short.
"Please hear me out," the front warrior panted, having run to catch up to them "as far as I am concerned, there is no need for the three of us to return to the Organization,"
Teresa looked at the three, "And Irene?"
"I don't think that it would hurt to have five experienced warriors, the Organization would be less likely to attack us, that is if you'll have us with you,"
"The more the merrier I suppose," said Hysteria,
Irene lowered her head, "Thank you," she said.
She was grateful that she had a chance at survival, even if it meant turning against the Organization. It hadn't taken them long to see it, and experienced warriors always knew that if they lived too long the Organization would eventually some after them in some way.
And so the warriors travelled together. The young human was cut open and made a quarter yoma out of Teresa's flesh. Irene Sophia and Noel got to know both Miria and Clare. All while the girls got to know their protectors. Hysteria began Miria's training. Hysteria pushed her daughter and Miria learned surprisingly quickly. Clare was still changing, so she spent most of her time clutching Teresa and when convulsions ran through her, Clare would scream and Teresa's eyes would tear up and she would hold the child close to her. Of course in the end it was all worth the effort, despite Irene's reservations. Clare soon turned out to be quite sensitive to yoki, as sensitive as a low ranked single digit, though the child lacked Teresa's power. They stole another mark-less claymore and started Clare's training. Irene watched as Miria quickly caught up to her mother's skill level, while Clare was a little slow on the blade, she made up for it by sheer will power and determination. Irene wondered what would happen if the Organization had have gotten their hands on either of the two girls. It was a thought that made her feel oddly sick, and one that she didn't want to dwell on.
Hysteria guided the others to Rabona; it would be the only place that was safe for now, although she knew that staying in Rabona had its risks. Hysteria changed their course, just in case they were being followed. She settled near the river that ran near Rabona; close enough to make people think that she was heading for the town, but far enough away that they couldn't be too sure that it was her destination.
Once the camp was set up, the girl's collective training began for the night. Clare was panting and Miria swung the claymore with pure determination. Once they had finished their drills, Hysteria herself ran through them. She sparred with Teresa and it was the collective cue for all of the warriors to practice. Noel sat with Miria and Clare. Hysteria had insisted that at least one warrior was to sit with the girls, especially if the others were sparring. Clare and Miria were watching intently as the matches wore on through the night. Both of the girls would benefit from watching the more experienced warriors. Eventually the matches were finished and the sun rose again. Hysteria made a spur of the moment decision to head away from Rabona, so they walked up the north side of the city, avoiding it for the time being.
They had been travelling for about a week when Teresa sensed that they were being followed. The warrior wasn't very strong, but she was shadowing their movements. Hysteria continued forwards and they kept an eye out for the warrior. She seemed to be nervous and despite that fear she was following them. Hysteria called a halt. They would wait and see just who this warrior was.
The young girl walked forward. She was scared, she knew that these warriors were all powerful; however Hilda had heard that there was a group of warriors that had escaped the Organization, making it possible to escape them. She was shaking, they travelled hard, but it wasn't the hardest Hilda had ever travelled but it was still a gruelling pace. Hilda was doubled over panting. It seemed that they had stopped for a breather, so Hilda would catch her breath with them. Once she caught her breath she quietly continued forward, sure that they would have pushed further ahead. She caught a shock when she almost walked in to blade. Hilda thought she was lucky to stop when she did, and a look revealed that the warriors hadn't moved on at all. Hilda was frozen in fright.
"So you're the one who was following us?" said a tall warrior with braided bangs, she was amused almost.
Hilda struggled not to flinch, she was like a rat caught in a snake's coils, a rat that knew it was going to be bitten if it moved. Hilda was shaking visibly, she didn't have the power to take even one of them on and live to tell the tale. And yet she despised the Organization for her friend that was killed. All because she'd spoken out against them for a joke. Hilda knew that the Organization was terrible and that they did terrible things to young girls like her but she was powerless to do anything…or so she'd thought. When she heard that a group of warriors had left the Organization, she realised that she could possibly do something, even if it was just to escape, although a warrior of her rank wasn't worth the Organization's time, especially at 47. She was sure that if she was to leave they wouldn't care, but she'd never heard of a 47 doing it on her own, so she'd come across the group of warriors and decided that if they were the escaped group, she would ask if she could join them, fear seemed to be a small price to pay for escaping the Organization. All Hilda had to do was tell the truth, the real reason that she was following them, and let them make up their minds.
She wasn't prepared for Miria to hug her around the middle, but returned the hug gently. Miria could sense that this girl was nice, without any meanness about her. Hysteria huffed irritated but Miria ignored her mother, a sure fire way to get into trouble,
"I like you," said Miria, the girl blinked, her eyes wide,
"Uh…thanks…you're very kind," the girl blushed.
Hysteria glared at her daughter, but it went unnoticed of course,
"My name's Miria, what's your's?" Miria asked,
"I'm Hilda, the Number 47," the girl, Hilda replied, shaking slightly,
"Oh is that all," Noel smirked,
"Shut up Noel," hissed Sophia,
"You shut up!"
"No you!"
And soon the age old fight broke out, until Hysteria snapped, "Both of you get a grip, that's not how former single digits ort to behave in front of their lower ranked comrades!"
The two promptly pulled apart and looked to Irene and Teresa, both however weren't going to support them against Hysteria.
"Agreed," said Irene,
"If anything you two are worse than Miria and Clare," Teresa added,
"Can we keep we keep Hilda Mama?" Miria begged,
Hilda for her part hadn't said or done a thing and was a little white faced, until Miria asked her mother about Hilda staying and then she blushed.
"Please Mama," Miria begged again, "please,"
Clare joined in,
"Please, please, please, please!"
Hysteria looked at both of the children and sighed,
"Alright, you can stay," Hysteria told the Number 47.
Hilda's eyes widened and she felt the overwhelming urge to hug the tall warrior,
"Thank you," Hilda hugged the tall warrior, crying.
Hysteria sighed and waited until the girl had calmed down before introductions could commence. Hilda explained what caused her to leave the Organization and she told them what she'd seen in Sutafu, so cunningly hidden from the warriors. Hysteria's eyes went wide as Hilda went on saying that the men were interested in what they called the ability inheritance experiment. However they hadn't found a subject to test it on. Irene asked Hilda what she meant and Hilda took a deep breath,
"They were wondering what would happen if instead of yoma flesh being put in to humans, what would happen if they used a warrior's flesh instead." Hilda replied, "It sounded really complicated,"
"I see," said Hysteria, "in other words they want some like Clare, or perhaps even Miria, because Miria certainly has my blood in her,"
Hilda looked at Miria, asleep on her side, blond hair fanning out, framing her face making it appear longer than Hysteria's.
"I'm not sure," said Hilda, "Miria seems stronger than Clare, and Clare's yoki is almost identical to Teresa's."
"That's because I bore Miria, while Clare had Teresa's flesh and blood put in her," Hysteria replied.
As expected Hilda found it hard to believe that Miria was indeed born half yoma, however once she like the others saw the vast difference of Miria's body to their own, it was clear to Hilda that Miria was indeed born half yoma. She was a lucky child, although apparently her eyes were unaffected by the eye colour changing medication. Hilda realised that was the price that Miria had to pay. It made Hilda appreciate that at least she could hide her eye colour, but the cut on her body, roughly sewn together was her give away. Even if it was easy to hide, Hilda knew that no man would ever want to bed her, her body was just too horrible, too revolting for any man. Clare's was neater than Hilda's, as if she'd been carefully sewn together; it wasn't as bad as Hilda's.
The group travelled on and carefully negotiated through Riful's territory, making sure that they kept hidden. Hysteria found a nice place for them to stay, even if for a little while, and the warriors all trained to get stronger.
By the time Miria was 17 she had achieved a level that was easily that of a single digit ranked warrior. Miria, Clare and Hilda had all gotten quite strong. Hysteria knew that it was time to travel on, as Miria and Clare would need to start fighting monsters now. They left for Doga, as Teresa had sensed a yoma there. It was Clare that raced on ahead, Miria had wanted to go, but Clare insisted that she could handle the yoma. Clare's long hair swung in the wind as she walked forward. She would make Teresa proud.
Clare walked into the town, her mark-less claymore in her back. The humans were all gathered, expressions ranging from shock to horror and even fear.
"It just goes to show that it takes a monster to kill a monster," a man said.
Clare looked him in the eye, had Teresa taken such mean comments? Clare now understood, if this was what Teresa faced all the time it was small wonder that she held a dislike for humans, and it was most likely why she was so cold and uncaring, under such harsh words you had to be. Clare gained a new respect for Teresa and the other warriors. They really had a horrible time. Clare headed towards the centre of the village, lost in her own thoughts. She walked in to the door and the village elder looked up,
"Ah, thank goodness you've arrived," he said, turning to his attendant he said, "You go get it,"
Clare tilted her head as the other human ran and brought a large sack,
"Here is the payment for your services, please check that it's all there," the elder said, he was nervous, the poor man, thought Clare. She was willing to bet that the whole town had scraped their entire savings and earnings to make enough for an Organization warrior to kill the yoma
"You don't need to pay me," said Clare gently, "I am simply passing through, and since I know that there is a yoma here, I'll get rid of it for you."
"Oh," he said, visible relief on his face,
Clare smiled kindly, "I'll do my best, don't worry, I'll find it."
She left the elder.
The man starred as the Claymore left, closing the door behind her. She was kind, although he'd heard rumours that her kind were monsters and almost as bad as the yoma themselves. He was surprised that she didn't even ask for payment, and she was so kind, her long hair framed her face. She wasn't even wearing amour, instead wearing a black outfit that gave her maximum movement and a strap to hold her sword to her back. Her long blond hair had swayed as she left, a blond curtain flowing out behind her as she walked.
Clare walked among the humans and tried to sense out the yoma. She focused on the scent and was so caught up in it that when a human boy ran up behind her smelling like the yoma that she was tracking, she swung her blade hard, stopping short of the boy as he was a human,
"What was that for?" the boy asked, "I was only following you,"
"Sorry about that," said Clare,
She turned and sniffed the air carefully, the yoma was here, but where was it.
"Are you a Claymore?" the boy asked,
"No," said Clare absently, she was more focused on the yoma's sent than anything else.
"Oh, ok," said the boy, he sounded confused,
Clare felt guilty and turned to face him,
"I don't work for the Organization, and by the way, they don't have a name," she told the boy, "you are a strange human, aren't you scared of me?"
"No you're just like a normal girl," the boy replied, "actually you're prettier than the girls here."
Clare's eyes widened and she turned around to hide her blush. It was embarrassing that a human boy even liked her.
"Uh it didn't mean it like that!" his eyes were wide, "I meant to say that you look pretty,"
Clare's long hair swayed around her as she turned to face the boy. As she did so she felt the yoma's yoki.
"Sorry, but we'll have to talk later," she ran off.
Teresa was trying not to bite her fingernails and had annoyed Hysteria for the last hour and a half about how Clare was going. When Clare came back it was Teresa that hugged her tightly, the warrior stepped back and only then did they notice the young boy that was behind Clare,
"Who is this?" Teresa asked Clare,
"His name is Raki," Clare replied, she looked sadly at the boy, still dazed from what had happened, Clare's voice dropped to a whisper "They threw him out, even though I told them he wasn't a yoma, they still threw him out,"