2 months later
" Lily come here," I called to her. She ran over happily and looked at the plant. " Ok which one is this?" I asked.
" Belladonna and… it's got poisonous berries," she said. I patted her on the head happily. Lilynette was almost like a sister to me now so I couldn't help but nickname her Lily. I was teaching her about the plants so she could survive in the woods on her own, just in case.
" Well here are some not poisonous blue berries. Did you find anything?" I asked.
" Yes, the vegetables we planted are ready. I got some tomatoes, carrots, and onions," she said.
" Sounds like a good night for soup don't you think? Maybe Starrk will share a rabbit?" I asked. Lilynette's eyes lit up and she nodded happily. She was such a kid but it didn't bother me. It was nice, this refreshing innocence. " Well how about you bring the food back and I'll stop by the shop to get some of the necessary herbs."
" Okeedokee. See you soon Claudia," Lilynette said then ran off. I walked towards Kisuke's shop slowly but surely. To earn money, Kisuke would give me jobs to do across the forest. I had just killed a vampire the other night that should be good money. I quickly found myself at the shop and stepped inside. There was one other man already there.
" Afternoon Kisuke" I said casually. I walked up to the counter and stood next to the stranger. I nodded at him and he gave me the up down with a creepy smile.
" Claudia! You finished the job I gave you?" he asked. I took a satchel out of my pocket and poured out the contents: 2 vampire fangs. The stranger gave a frightened look and stepped back but Kisuke smiled. " Always one for the dramatics. This is um… what's your name again?" Kisuke asked.
" Names Grimmjow, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques," the man said holding out his hand. I shook it he had a strong grip, too strong.
" He says he's trying to join the Woodsmen. What do you think?" Kisuke said.
" He almost pissed his pants at the fangs what happens when he sees a real vampire?" I asked. Grimmjow growled and then covered his mouth. I smirked and pulled out my crossbow in a flash, pointing it right at his head. " What are you?"
" Let me show you," he said. With a growl and a quick shred of his clothes he transformed into…
" It's you! You're the werecat!" I said. He was a big one; I'd give him that. Werecats were different from werewolves in that they could change whenever they wanted, no moonlight necessary. He was ten feet tall at least, extremely muscular, and the same fur that I got from the crime scene months ago. He made a swipe at me, which I narrowly avoided then ran for the front door. The moment he ran outside I followed after him. But there was a trap already set. There was a piercing howl and I smiled. I stepped out and Ichigo, who had been standing on the other side of the doorway, made a slash at Grimmjow, making a large gash right down the middle of his chest. Ichigo was going to hit him again but Grimmjow reacted faster, swiping at Ichigo and sending him flying through the air.
I shot at him with my crossbows but Grimmjow ran away. I began running after him. " Claudia stop!" Kisuke shouted.
" Why the hell should I?" I asked.
" Look at Ichigo," he said sternly. I looked over and winced. He was unconscious, bleeding in various places.
" Tch, fine" I said putting the crossbows away. I stepped over and helped bring Ichigo inside. I started tending to his wounds and Kisuke grabbed the medicine and supplies for me.
" Claudia he was the one wasn't he?" Kisuke said. I nodded, knowing what he was going to say next. " He's going to report back to his buddies and then they're going to come back to try to find you. You need to leave, preferably tonight," Kisuke said. I sighed, unhappy with the answer I already knew was coming.
" Where am I supposed to go?" I asked quietly.
" The Vatican has always said they would welcome you with open arms you know that. I'm sure the Woodsmen would take you in as well," Kisuke said. Of course I knew that but did I want to go? I was happy here with Kisuke, Ichigo, Lilynette, and… Starrk. " Look here's your pay for the vampire kill. That should be plenty for a train ticket to Rome right? I can finish up here ok?" Kisuke said.
" Do you mind if I grab some things?" I asked quietly.
" Anything you need my treat," Kisuke said while still taking care of Ichigo. I grabbed the refill of weapons I came for. I paused and looked over at the herbs and grabbed the ones I needed. I refused to leave tonight, I'd make tonight the best night possible. Kisuke had a cake, which I also took, and I grabbed a present for Lilynette. I walked back slowly and quietly, just thinking. I really liked it here. I thought of Lilynette as a little sister and Starrk… what did I think of Starrk? He was handsome, strong, and caring of both Lilynette and I. I really didn't want to leave him.
We've all become so close in just a few months. I shot a few rabbits and was about to go back when I heard a crunch. I spun around and was about to shoot when my eyes widened. A white stag? The majestic creature stopped and stared back at me. We stood there silently, looking for the answer in each other. He quickly ran off and I watched as he became lost in the distance. I fell back onto the ground and sighed. The white stag, messenger of the underworld. I smiled darkly and got up. Looks like I'll be dying soon then hmm? Then let's make tonight the best night possible.
I quickly ran back and waved at Lilynette. " What took you so long!" she said laughing.
" I had to find enough rabbits for dinner," I said waving them around. We sat outside the cave and I taught Lilynette how to skin the rabbit and how to make the soup. I loved her smile, so full and unknowing of her surroundings. As the pot bubbled, Starrk came out, waking up from his nap.
" Hey asshole we did all the work while you were asleep. Stop being so lazy!" Lilynette shouted.
" Ya, ya whatever," Starrk said rubbing the back of his head and yawning. I smiled up at him. He noticed me staring and I looked away. " There's no full moon tonight I can tell. Looks like we can all have dinner together tonight," Starrk said.
" Look! Claudia taught me how to make this," Lilynette said. Starrk bent down behind me and grabbed my shoulders then leaned forward. He was so close to me right now that I could smell him. I blushed darkly as he took a whiff of the pot.
" Smells great. Good job ladies. I'm going to go nap until dinner's ready," Starrk said turning back.
" Hey get back here! You just slept all day you can't sleep now!" Lilynette said tackling him. I watched on as the two of them argued and fought playfully. See, they would be fine without me. They really didn't need me any more. They didn't even need me in the beginning I just forced myself into their lives.
" Claudia?" Starrk asked. He was right in front of my face. I shrieked and fell back. Starrk smiled lightly and looked down on me. " We kept saying your name but you didn't respond."
" In my own thoughts I guess," I said smiling lightly. Starrk gave me a look but nodded. Dinner was ready soon after and we all sat together and ate happily, not a care in the world. " Ok I've got a surprise," I said pulling out the cake.
" Wow I haven't had cake in forever!" Lilynette said happily.
" How much money did you make off of that vampire?" Starrk asked.
" Enough," was all I said. We all quickly devoured the cake and sat around the small fire afterwards.
" Lily I got you something from the shop," I said handing her the gift.
" It's my own book of plants!" she shouted happily.
" Not that you need it. You're an expert now. This one tells you how to make potions and medicine though," I said showing her. She was gone though, now immersed in the book. She ran into the cave to read her book in peace. Starrk and I chuckled and sat back. We sat there peacefully for a while, just enjoying the silence. I wrapped my cloak around me tighter and shivered at the wind.
" Are you cold?" Starrk asked.
" Ya but I'm fine," I said. Starrk sighed and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him.
" You never are one to ask for anything. Always helping others before yourself," Starrk said rubbing my arm. I nodded, unable to say anything else. We were so close right now. I was blushing like crazy, the shivers gone. I laid back against him, slowly, and happily sighed. It felt so nice, so safe, in these arms. Everything about him calmed me down when it should have made me fear him. I wanted to tell him, I had to tell him how I felt.
" Starrk I need to tell you something," I said quietly.
" I'm listening," he said. I pulled back and looked at his face. His eyes were closed, relaxing obviously. I raised my hand and gently cupped his face. He opened his eyes looking surprised.
" I think I… I mean I… What I'm trying to say is-" I began but Starrk growled. I turned around and saw Grimmjow.
" Aw look at you two so cute," Grimmjow said. He stepped closer then abruptly stopped, looking at us closer. " That you Coyote?"
I looked at Starrk who was glaring at Grimmjow. " I don't know who you're talking about," he said gritting his teeth.
" Holy shit that is you! Wow ha-ha I can't believe it. Aizen thought you had died! Wow wait until he gets a load of this," Grimmjow said amused, " Don't you know who this guy is? He's killed more people than the entire population of Germany! He's the poster boy of werewolves."
" Shut up Grimmjow," Starrk said gritting his teeth.
" So you do know him," I said pulling away and getting up.
" What he didn't tell you?" Grimmjow said smiling.
" Tell me what?" I asked confused.
" I said shut up Grimmjow!" Starrk said getting angrier.
" The werewolves who killed your dad, that great priest Giordano? That was him! Well it was a team of us actually, I was there, but he finished him off," Grimmjow said. I looked at Starrk who held his face I his hand.
" So it's true then," I said hoarsely.
" Claudia you have to listen to me. I was a different man back then I-"
" You're not a man! You're a monster!" I shouted. Starrk got up and moved towards me but I pulled out my crossbow. " Stay. Back." I said sternly.
" Aw come on just shoot him! He killed your father, he was on the team who killed your mother and friends, face it he's evil," Grimmjow said. I looked at Starrk angrily but he just looked back at me sadly. He looked at me with that stupid face and stupid hair blowing in the wind and… those blue-grey eyes that bore into soul. Those sad, mesmerizing eyes that looked so soft and kind.
" Prepare to die," I said slowly. I quickly turned and began shooting at Grimmjow.
" Fuck, fuck, fuck!" he said running off. I swiftly began running after him.
" Claudia wait!" Starrk said running after me. I turned and pointed the crossbow at him.
" Stop," I said sternly. He halted and held up his hands defensively, " I'm letting you live because you have a job to do. I'm going after him and you're staying here. You can't do anything in this state. Lilynette needs you."
" He's going to kill you!" Starrk shouted.
" Then I'll die like the rest of my family. Anything's better than being with you," I said running away. This time Starrk didn't follow. I ran faster and faster until I finally caught up to Grimmjow, who had now transformed into his werecat form. I shot after him but he kept narrowly avoiding my attacks. We arrived at a waterfall and lake. Grimmjow ran around the lake and towards the woods again. I followed, that is until a woman jumped from the water and tackled me. But it was no woman; it was a mermaid trying to bite me with her razor sharp teeth. Hallibel? She was the original mermaid, the first one, what was she doing here? I couldn't really think about that right now given I was about to have my head bitten off. I was able to kick her off but when I got up Grimmjow was there. I stumbled back into the arms of a vampire, who now held onto me tightly, squeezing the air out of me.
" Who…killed… my mother?" I gasped out.
" Don't worry, you're going to get to meet him," Grimmjow said back to normal. Hallibel handed him a bag and he quickly got changed.
" I… don't understand," I said with the last bit of air.
" Unlike your sisters, you don't just get to die. No we're going to make a show out of you," Grimmjow said with a crazy smile. I gasped and clawed but I couldn't do anything. The block dots closed in and my arms fell to my side. What was I thinking? A good wolf, a good monster? There's no such thing. All they want is flesh and blood, that's it.