Guess who caught the flu and can spend a few days off school and gets more time to write?! (yay!!!) Anyway about this chapter I don't care what you guys think there is NO Shoujo-ai in this what so ever. If you guys think that you're worse than Helen :P I didn't put much Teresa in this one but you will see her a lot in the next chapter so don't worry. A special thanks to everyone thats reviewed!! This one is kinda long compared to the other chapters so enjoy!!

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Chelsea was amazed how hungry Teresa was. I guess the whole reincarnating process would leave you half starved. When they were finally let out of that terribly dark room Teresa demanded food. They gave her a whole loaf of bread, and apple, and some ale. She shoved them down her gullet in record time. Chelsea found she was almost envious that Teresa could eat so much and not get the strange "I feel fat" feeling Claymores get after they've eaten a lot.

They were led to the training grounds after Teresa's meal. Some of the newbie Claymores were sparring with one another or going threw drills. They all instantly stopped training when they caught sight of Teresa and Chelsea. "I guess ranked warriors don't come here often." commented Chelsea to Teresa. Teresa grunted in reply.

The cloaked man that was their "guide" stopped in front of them. "This spot should be good enough." he snorted.

"For what, sir?" asked Teresa. "To fight of course. We want to see if you're still capable of fighting."

"Wait, what? You want me to fight her. In a full out battle." exclaimed Chelsea, pointing at Teresa. "Of course in a full out battle, not just a petty sparring match." said the man.

"Oh no, oh hell no! Are you trying to get me killed?"

"To be truthful, yes. We've wanted you dead a long time Chelsea."

"That's awfully rude of you, treating one of your single digit warriors like she's scum. You're lucky she hasn't killed all of you by now, they way you've been treating her." said Teresa blankly.

"How we treat out warriors if none of your concern Teresa."

"Oh yes it is. I may not be fighting for the organization at the moment but you made me who I am. Therefore I am one of your warriors. Now I've decided I'm not going to belong to you wretches any longer if this is how I'm going to be treated. Goodbye." she snorted and turned around to walk off.

"W-w-wait! Don't go! We'll… err… find someone else for you to fight with?"

"No, you're not going to give me all your problem children to take care of. If you insist on keeping me then let me fight youma instead of other warriors."

The man chewed his lip nervously. "Fine, I'll discuss it with my superiors. In the mean time just hang around here for awhile"

Teresa smiled. "Fair enough." The man stalked off swearing to himself. Chelsea stood there dumbfounded. "How did you do that?" she gasped, amazed Teresa was able to intimidate a superior. Teresa looked over at her and shrugged. "It's just something I found I was always able to do."

"I envy you." Chelsea sighed. "Ever since I joined they've been giving me a hard time."

"That's obvious enough. What did you do to them to death wish you?"

Chelsea shrugged. "I delay missions as much a possible and badmouth everyone that's sent to give me missions. I think that's why I'm not in the top 5."

"Another obvious one." said Teresa. Chelsea suddenly realized how sleep deprived she was. "I'm going to find someplace quiet to nap. Don't break outta here yet, okay?"

"You got it ponytail."

"I have a name you know."

"Plus a new pet name." beamed Teresa. Chelsea groaned and walked away. The days she was to spend with Teresa would prove to be long ones.

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Clare nibbled at a turkey leg and listened to Helen carry on about some guy that she flirted with yesterday. This was a rare occasion when everyone including their human allies Cid, Father Vincent, and Galk joined them. Clare tolerated Galk and Father Vincent, Cid on the other hand not so much.

She jumped when she felt Helen elbow her in the ribs. "Still zoning out eh Clare?" Helen said beaming. Clare gave Helen a cold stare then turned her attention back to the turkey leg in her hand. "Just leave her alone Helen, this whole thing with Teresa is messing with her head." noted Cynthia.

"No, she just needs to lighten up." snorted Helen. "Now anyway about that guy…"

"Helen! Can you shut up for at least five minutes." groaned Cynthia.

"All the years I've been friends with her, she only shuts up when she's fighting and sleeping. It can't be helped." said Deneve.

Helen smiled and blushed slightly. "It's not my fault I'm the only one here that's not boring." she teased. "No, it's not your fault you're the only one who doesn't know how to shut up." corrected Cynthia. Helen glared at her but didn't say anything else.

"Hey, who won the sparring match between Galatea and Clare? You guys never told us." said Tabatha.

"Galatea won." mumbled Clare. "Oh, so that's why you've been so depressed." jeered Helen. "I admit it's surprising. Miria is the only one that's beaten Clare in a while."

Galatea sniffed. "Have you all forgotten I was number 3?"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever almighty one." said Helen rolling her eyes, then chugged down a glass of wine, her fourth one that night.

"You should lay off on the drinks Helen, you'll get drunk again." said Miria, shuddering at the past memories of Helen drinking huge amounts of alcohol and refusing to let her body filter it out. "Again, whatever." she snorted and poured herself another glass.

Miria shook her head and rested her head in her hand and let out a sigh. Miria loved her comrades like sisters, but jeez could they be a pain. When it was vital, like in battle, they would listen to her and obey her commands. Anything other than that they would run wild and do whatever they want. Miria was too soft to give them severe punishment, but she knew how scary she could be when she got ticked. That was enough punishment for them.

Miria stood up. "I'm going to bed. I suggest you all do the same in a little while." she said while walking towards the door. "Goodnight Miria!" they said quietly in unison. She made her way threw the moonlit halls, glad to finally be alone. She stopped at a small window and gazed out of it. It was a full moon tonight. My parents were eaten by youma on a full moon. She realized. Knowing if she stood there any longer it would bring foul memories, she continued down the hall.

Too late, the memories hit her like a wall of water. The screaming, blood everywhere, yellow eyes, guts, and the terrible youma and the gruff laugh it gave when it spotted her. Miria bit her lip and did her best to block out the memory. She arrived at the room they all shared. Sleeping mats were strewn everywhere. Hers was in the back left corner, the most isolated besides Clare's.

Miria lay down on her back with her sword next to her, gazing at the ceiling and running her fingertips along the metal blade of her sword. Like all Claymores she was attached to her sword. It was her lifelong companion and her gravestone so she had a reason to be attached to it. She heard the quiet slap of bare feet on wood floor. The door creaked open. "Miria?" it was Clare.

"Yes Clare, what is it?" she said as she sat up. In the dim moonlight Clare looked worried and her eyes watered slightly. "Are you crying Clare?"

"No!" she snapped, showing obvious signs she was lying. Miria raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it you have to tell me?" Clare took extra care to close the door and make sure it was shut before she looked directly into Miria's eyes. "I'm… sorry." she whispered.

"What on earth for Clare?"

"For everything Miria… for telling that Claymore where we are, for avoiding everyone, and for losing to Galatea." Clare still talked in a whisper, her head bowed in shame. "Oh Clare don't be. You did nothing wrong." Clare shook her head, her fists where clenched now.

Miria sighed. "Come here Clare." Clare shuffled toward Miria then knelt down next to her. Miria put her hand on Clare's shoulder. "I have no doubts in you or the others Clare. If you think it was the right thing to do by giving that warrior information, then I believe you. As for your fight with Galatea I know it's hard for you to go all out in battle without using yoki. If we were in a different situation I have no doubts you would have won."

Clare was trembling now, fighting to hold back tears. Despite being warriors Clare was still the youngest out of all of them. Miria snaked her arms around Clare's shoulders and held her in embrace. Clare tensed, shocked by the sudden gesture. Finally Clare let herself burry her head in Miria's shoulder and relaxed. Slowly Clare folded her arms around Miria's waist.

A warm feeling spread threw her at Clare's touch. Yes, Clare was like a little sister to Miria. Even though they shared the same desire of isolation, they felt more kinship toward each other than the rest of their allies. They entrusted secrets with each other because of this, something they didn't do among the others. "Clare… from now on in a real battle, don't lose to anyone but me alright?"

Clare nodded. Miria felt her shoulder grow wet from Clare's tears. Miria felt the sudden need to cry too, something she hasn't done in years. She chose to hold back her tears, she was too proud of a leader now to cry. "Teresa use to hold you like this didn't she?" whispered Miria. Clare forced her head up and down in reply. "I'm sure you miss her. Who knows, maybe in a few days you'll find yourself face to face with your guardian."

Miria knew what she was saying was only making Clare sob harder. In a way she wanted to make Clare let out all her emotions out, considering how long she's kept them to herself. She continued to hold Clare.

"Miria-san… thank you, for listening and everything." said Clare after she stopped sobbing. Miria smiled. "You're welcome Clare. You needed a good cry."

"If I'm not mistaken… I think you need to cry too Miria." This made Miria laugh to herself. Yes, Clare you're right. That's what Miria wanted to say, but her pride got the best of her. "Don't be silly Clare, I'm fine." Clare slowly withdrew from Miria's embrace so she could look into her eyes. "I mean it Miria, I can see it. Something's saddened you."

Why must it be so easy to read my emotions? Miria complained in her head. "Alright I admit it, something has. My parents were killed on a full moon and since the moon is full it's brought back bad memories. There, happy now?"

Clare sighed and leaned back. "That's something we all have to bear isn't it? The memories of when are families were slain by youma. I can't remember my parent's faces anymore. Even though it's very faint, I can still remember most of the incident." Clare paused and shuddered. "The youma put one of their guts in my mouth and made me eat them. Then it took me hostage to use me as a future shield against Claymores. All it fed me were guts."

That made Miria feel a little better. She could have been threw a lot worse, like as much as Clare had. "That must've been awful." was all Miria could manage to say. "It was. If you don't mind telling me, what happen with your family?" Miria sighed and forced herself to think back to the incident. "I was asleep in my room when I heard screaming. The youma had disguised itself as our neighbor. It was eating my mother's guts alive when I walked into the room. It had father pinned down and was forcing him to watch."

Miria was fighting desperately to hold back tears now. "Father told me to run, but I couldn't. I was frozen in fear. The youma didn't need to pin me down as he turned towards my father…" She could help it now; tears were spilling down her cheeks. "and ripped his stomach open. Then came the Claymore… she came much too late… she was unable to do anything about what had already been done to my parents."

Miria buried her face in her hands and sobbed. She felt ashamed of herself for crying. "I could have done something… but I was still human… too small and weak."

She felt Clare's arms wrap around her. Miria clutched the cloth on Clare's back as she desperately tried to control her sobs. Miria cried herself to sleep in Clare's arms. Clare felt slightly proud of herself that Miria was able to ignore her pride as their leader in front of her.

Clare set Miria back down onto her sleeping mat. She was going to crawl back to her own mat but she found she couldn't after she realized Miria was still sobbing slightly in her sleep. Oh what the others would think if they came back and saw their great leader crying her eyes out in her sleep. Miria's pride would be flattened for sure. Clare took a risk she knew she might regret, she laid next to Miria and fell asleep, shielding the glistening tears that fell down Miria's face from view.

"OH SNAP!" Helen bellowed. Miria groaned and forced her eyes open. Her eyes were still swollen from the bawling she has been doing. Since her cheeks were still wet maybe they found her crying in her sleep. No, Clare's arms were around her waist and her head lay on Miria's shoulder.

"Whaa?" Miria forced herself to sit up. Sure enough Helen stood in the doorway with a huge smirk painted on her face. "Hey, Tabby!" she called over her shoulder. "Your lover cheated on you!" Clare was awake now. "Was I still…" Miria whispered to Clare. Clare nodded. Miria felt her face flush. "You didn't have to do this you know." She said as quietly as she could. Clare shrugged and sat up. They both braced themselves for Helen's taunts.

Tabatha stood next to Helen now, her face pale and her hand over her mouth. "You lesbos!" shrieked Helen in laughter. "Oh man! This is just too funny! Looks like Tabby isn't the only homo!" she snickered. "What's all the-" Deneve had joined Helen and Tabatha at the doorway now. She sighed in annoyance. "Helen, you're immature. Didn't we sleep next to each other like that up north?"

"But this isn't the north Deneve! We don't need to huddle together to keep warm!" laughed Helen. Deneve shook her head and pushed past Helen and Tabatha and walked over to her sleeping mat. Tabatha still looked horror struck. Helen slapped Tabatha on her back. "Eh now don't worry. They might let you in on a threesome someday."

"Helen, Deneve's right. You're being immature." sighed Clare. "I had things to discuss with Miria-san and my emotions got the best of me. So I ended up crying myself to sleep." For a moment Helen looked like she might believe her. "Oh, you had things to 'discuss'." she finally said with a smirk.

"Helen!" groaned Deneve. "Just let it go. If they did it they wouldn't be fully dressed." Tabatha looked convinced and walked over to her sleeping mat. "No way, I'm not letting this go for a long time." said Helen with a huge grin. Clare sighed and crawled over to her sleeping mat.

Was Miria embarrassed? Oh yes. It was better than having her ego crushed though. She lay back down on her mat. Silently thanking Clare for letting herself be humiliated for her sake.