Disclaimer: The story written here is based on characters created by Tite Kubo and Norihiro Yagi. All Bleach characters and related material are owned by creator, Tite Kubo. Likewise, Claymore characters and all related material (except for original "Claymore" characters that I created specifically for this fanfic) are owned by creator, Norihiro Yagi. Please remember, this story is only fanfiction and not part of the canonical storyline of both manga.
Author's Notes: For some reason, I'm not pleased with how this chapter turned out either. I can't seem to figure out what's wrong, but more than likely, I'll end up tweaking it after I get the usual advice from everyone. Once again, if you find any mistakes, please don't hesitate to let me know. Of course, I'd like to thank everyone again for your reviews, support and advice to improve this story. It's very much appreciated! Thanks again and I hope you enjoy Chapter 10.
BTW, not that it's of any importance, but I changed my avatar. Tell me what you think :)
*updated 08/23/09* I'd like to thank The Doorstopper, Samurai89 and Yumi Girl 91 for their valuable advice and keen eye. I used a sentence provided by the Doorstopper, changed some words/phrases, added some things to the romance scene and changed the character of Angelica.
Bleach/Claymore: The Yoma Hollowfications
Chapter 10: The Dogs of War
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - William Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'
A town North of Rokut.
It's a cold, dark night with just a slight breeze blowing through the streets and the smell of burning wood coming from the chimneys around the town. The quiet and peaceful setting is somewhat offset by the darkness that blankets the area. A mere hour after dusk, the blackened state of the sky would give even the most hardened of men a moments pause before setting out. The seemingly serene atmosphere is only a facade. In actuality, it's the calm before the storm.
Galiver stands atop a hill near the Inn in which Ichigo and Miria have sojourned. He senses Ichigo's reiatsu as well as Miria's yoki and can smell the several humans within the establishment. He hasn't eaten anything since leaving the mountainous Zakol region in the West and up to this point, hasn't thought of anything else, but exacting revenge on the orange haired boy that killed his friend. But now, the smell of numerous humans in the surrounding area is causing an insatiable hunger to build up within him. His plan at first was to mercilessly attack the Inn and kill every living thing inside, but now he thinks of something better. He slowly turns around to face the small group of Awakened Beings he has gathered for the encounter with Ichigo, six in total.
"There's been a change in plans. We're not going to attack this town...yet."
"Why not?"
"Hunger. I haven't eaten since leaving Zakol, so my strength has diminished. Myself, along with the female among your group shall pretend to be a couple and request lodging. To regain my strength for the upcoming battle, we'll feast upon the humans dwelling inside, save the the boy and the former soldier. When finished, I'll give a signal to attack. Then all of you shall decimate this entire town, leaving no survivors. You are to devour everyone!"
"How do you know they're still inside? I can't sense neither this boy or the soldier."
"Trust me. I felt this boy's energy as far away as Gonahl. He doesn't seem to know how to suppress his...yoki, although it fades at times. Also, it's a different type of energy signature compared to Yoma. Some might think that it's just a random burst of energy created by a type of natural phenomenon, like a storm. But because of my experience, I know the difference. Now, the female soldier is using yoki suppression pills, but I can still sense her due to my...special abilities. Any other questions?"
He recieves no answer but the gentle wind blowing past his ears and the crickets which play their endless song in the night.
"Good. Let's proceed. You...you're coming with me."
The female Awakened leaves the group to follow Galiver as he heads down the hillside towards the Inn. In an area not far from them, the mysterious person which has been following Ichigo since the beginning, watches them with eager anticipation. He surpresses his energy so as not to be dectected and continues to remain in the shadows, waiting.
"Heh, so that's his plan." he thinks to himself, "This should be fun. I wonder though...which one of them is..."
As Galiver and the female enter the Inn, Ichigo and Miria passes them while returning to their room after having dinner. Galiver and Ichigo lock eyes for a split second causing Galiver's blood to boil with hatred, but prevents himself from attacking. I must not deviate from the plan, he tells himself while turning around to make his way to the front desk. As he speaks with the Innkeeper to inquire about lodging, Ichigo and Miria continue their way to the second floor. Ichigo suddenly stops and whispers to Miria.
"Did you see that couple?"
"No."
"Well, that man looked familiar, but I can't seem to remember where I've seen him from."
"Sorry, I wasn't paying any attention. My mind has been on...other things, as of late."
"It's alright, I'm probably just losing my mind."
"I hope not, that wouldn't be a good thing."
"Yeah..."
They continue up the stairs and shortly, enter their room. As Ichigo removes his black coat and places it on his bed, Miria quickly glances his way. She just can't seem to figure out why she has this growing attraction towards him. The way he moves, talks and even the smell of his sweat, she finds extremely alluring. This isn't her, this is very out of character for the former single-digit warrior. She has never been attracted to anyone before, but why now...why him. Could it be the dream she had the other night, the one that seemed all too real? If it was a dream, why was she able to feel everything, every wonderful sensation...something she has never felt her entire life. The way he touched her, the way he stimulated certain parts of her body and the way he made love to her...was so wonderful that she can remember every single detail. Her body yearns for more...more of Ichigo. She quickly looks away as Ichigo turns to face her.
"You don't each much, do you?"
"Unlike regular humans, soldiers of the Organization require a miniscule amount of food."
"Really? Is that healthy?"
"I believe that it's...normal for us."
"...By the way, you learn awfully fast. It's kinda scary, to be honest."
"...what do you...mean?"
"Uh, shunpo. What else would I be talking about?"
"No...nothing. Of course that's what you meant. Well, you explained and taught everything quite well. Compression of power instead of an expansion of it. The technique itself is quite amazing. With more time and practice, I should be able to either master it or modify my own technique utilizing its principles."
"Yeah, you're quite amazing yourself."
"Excuse me?"
"Uh...I mean...er...yeah..."
Ichigo looks down, blushing with the clear sign of embarrassment written all over his face then turns back to face his bed. Miria uncharacteristically smiles at him then turns away and begins undressing. Ichigo glances over to her, but quickly looks away, realizing that she's partially naked. As she continues to disrobe, she accidentally knocks over the oil lamp which is resting on top of the table next to her. Ichigo immediatley rushes over there to pick up the lamp before it can start a fire while Miria simultaneously bends down to do the same. Their hands meet once again.
Their bodies are so close to one another that they can feel the warmth of each other's breath and the heat emanating from their bodies. Ichigo's mind is telling him to stand up and move away from her, but his body refuses to do so. The sensation he gets being so close to her is unbearable. She looks into his brown eyes, almost hypnotizing her. She can hear his heart beating, ever so quickly, smell the scent of his skin and feel the strong aura which surrounds him. She grabs his hand with a firm grip and brings herself closer to him. The fluttery feeling she normally gets in her stomach when they touch, is gone. Replaced by an unyielding hunger, a craving to be smothered, caressed and touched by him. Miria brings her lips closer to his, as Ichigo's bare chest touches her uncovered breasts. The soft feel of her skin and the scent of her body is so extremely intoxicating that it's driving him crazy, yet he doesn't yield. Looking down at her midsection, he cringes at the sight of a hideous deformation on her body, just below her breasts. Miria quickly covers herself and turns away.
"What...happened to you? Is that some kind of scar from an injury or something?"
"Or something...this "scar" is our stigma, showing proof that we are half human, half Yoma."
"..."
"Before we become soldiers of the Organization, we are cut open then we're implanted with Yoma flesh and blood. Something resides within us...something that should be avoided."
"Does it...hurt?"
"No."
"...I'm glad."
"Glad? So, you aren't disgusted? Disgusted of my body...of me?"
"No...I could never be disgusted of you." he says, smiling at her.
She hears the sincerity in his words and the look in his eyes. For the first time she can remember, a human wasn't afraid of her, didn't think of her as some kind of monster. He truly has a way with females, including herself. Refusing to hold back any longer, she grabs the back of his head and kisses him. As the light from the lamp goes out and the room turns pitch black, she remembers what Zangetsu told her...Twin Souls.
Miria wakes up beside a sleeping Ichigo. She wonders how a warrior like herself, a leader of soldiers, lost so much control. Does she really believe that the two of them are truly two souls that are meant to be together? If it were true, it would definitely explain her recent actions, but she's always believed that nothing else controls her fate, but herself. Does she regret the things that they've done together? Turning her head to look at him, the answer becomes quite clear...she regrets nothing. Her entire life was filled with sadness, anger, horror, isolation, fear and loathing. Doesn't she also deserve to be happy once in her life, even if it is for a brief time. She understands that eventually, Ichigo will have to leave her when he finds a way home, but as long as he's here, she's going to savor every moment they spend together. As she lay in bed, the sudden sound of a woman's muffled scream brings her back to reality. She quickly stands up, pulls her Claymore from the floorboard and moves back to Ichigo's bed in a split-second.
"Ichigo, WAKE UP!"
He slowly opens his eyes and looks up at her.
"What is it?"
"Something is here...something dangerous. I sensed a burst of yoki but it suddenly vanished. I'm sure it's still here."
"What?!"
He jumps out of bed while grabbing Zangetsu from the top of the headboard and quickly puts on his shihakusho. He glances at Miria, but quickly looks away.
"Uh, maybe you should...put something on. I'll guard the door."
"...right..."
As Miria puts on her attire and equipment, a crimson red light begins to glow from beneath the door. They both sense the growing build up of energy as the light gets brighter with each passing second.
"Miria! Move! It's a Cero!"
In an instant, the door and the surrounding wall explodes as the Cero travels through the room and demolishes the other wall and window in its path. The beam continues moving outside towards the hills behind the Inn, lighting up the night sky.
"There's the signal!" An Awakened One shouts, "Let's move! Leave nothing alive!"
All five of them transform and quickly move down the hill towards the unsuspecting town. Splitting up, each one travels in a different direction, destroying several homes and buildings as well as killing several dozen humans still sleeping in their beds. Back at the Inn, the smoke and dust created by the Cero begins to dissipate. Ichigo looks around the room, searching for signs of Miria.
"MIRIA!"
*cough* "I'm...fine. I was able to use...shunpo at the last second."
"Instead of worrying about her, you should be concerned for yourself, kid!"
A large male figure can be seen through the smoke where the door to the room formerly was. Standing at around 6'2", his glowing gold eyes and the "hollow hole" in the center of his chest are the only features that can be clearly seen.
"Just who the hell are you?!" Ichigo shouts.
"He's one of Xeger's men."
"Correction lady, I WAS one of Xeger's men...but no longer."
"What is it that you want?"
"What else, I want to rip that boy to shreds for what he did to Lugar."
"So, you're saying that you're willing to destroy this entire town just to kill Ichigo for retribution? Was bringing that horde of Awakened Beings really necessary?"
"Of course. Not only do these humans provide food for my group, but they also make a great distraction. What will this boy do, engage me in combat or try to save the townspeople? Likewise, you'll be too busy helping these humans instead of aiding him."
"Dammit! If it's me you want, leave everybody else out of this."
"Why should I? We've already devoured everyone in this Inn, we might as well kill the rest of the people."
"You Bastard! Miria, look for the Innkeeper and his family...please."
"I'll take care of it, Ichigo."
"Are you stupid people deaf or something. I said everyone's dead!"
Galiver hyper-extends four of his fingers, propelling them directly at Miria. Ichigo shunpos in front of her, deflecting them with his zanpakuto. Miria touches the back of Ichigo's shoulder then using the technique he taught her the previous day, she instantly vanishes through the smoldering hole created by Galiver's attack and reappears on the ground, outside of the Inn.
"This fight's between you and me! Leave her out of this."
"It's alright, I've got a surprise for her anyway."
"What do you mean?!"
"She'll find out...soon."
"BASTARD!"
Ichigo turns around, planning to follow Miria down to the ground below. But before he can move, he's shot in the back by Galiver's Cero, sending him flying through several trees and finally, crashing into a barn one hundred meters away. The flower given to him by Miata slowly floats down to the ground, landing on top of a barrel behind the Inn. Galiver quickly gives chase, following Ichigo into the barn. Meanwhile, Miria meticulously searches the Inn for survivors. What she finds, are the mutilated and half-eaten corpses of the Inn's guests, but no sign of the Innkeeper or his family. Entering the kitchen, she finally finds the body of the Innkeeper. Most of his internal organs have been eaten while his head is partially decapitated with only a single strand of muscle connecting it to his body. Suddenly, she hears the muffled sound of a small girl somewhere nearby.
"Miata! Are you there?"
Miria hears the sound again, but this time she's able to pinpoint its origin to the pantry. Raising her broadsword, she hastily pulls the double doors open. Inside she finds the Innkeeper's wife and Miata...still alive.
"Pl...Please don't kill us." the wife pleads, while a waterfall of tears fall from her cheeks.
"I'm not here to hurt you. I'm a...Claymore."
"...clay...claymore?..."
"Yes. What happened here?"
"A woman...I mean a...Yoma started killing the guests so my husband and I took our daughter and ran here. He locked the door and pushed us into the pantry. The Yoma broke down the kitchen door and my husband tried to stop her, but...but...then I heard an explosion and she left."
" I see. Now come with me, I'm going to take both of you to safety."
"S...sure."
The wife picks up her daughter and begins following Miria.
"Cover your daughter's eyes."
"Why?"
"Just do it!"
Covering Miata's eyes, she sees her husband's corspe sprawled on the floor. She stops and begins weeping.
"Oh no...no, no, no, no..."
"I'm sorry, but we have to go...now!"
Her eyes erupts with more tears as she steps over his remains and gives one last glance before leaving. Miria leads them to the back door and takes a furtive look through the opening before stepping outside. She points to a group of trees located a few hundred meters South of their position.
"We're heading in that direction. Follow me and stay close."
"OK."
Before they can move, a sudden explosion erupts from the barn, shattering every nearby window and blowing the barn door apart. The shockwave from the blast hurls Ichigo like a cannon ball, sending him crashing into the stack of barrels and crates next to Miria. The flower which rested atop one of the barrels is flung into the air then slowly floats back down, landing on the ground.
"Ichigo!"
As Miria goes to his aid, she hears a frantic scream coming from behind her. She quickly turns around to see a female awakened clutching the Innkeeper's wife by her neck as Miata kneels on the ground, covering her head with both arms.
"My, my. What a predicament you're in. Should you help your companion or these two humans?"
"Let them go."
"Sure. they're no fun anyways. I'd rather kill Organization soldiers, especially someone of your caliber."
"I'm no longer with the Organization."
"I really don't care. I just want to have a little fun with you."
"Do you truly believe it'll be that easy?"
"Actually...yes I do."
"Who are you?"
"Does it matter?"
"No, not in the least, but I'd like to know your name, none the less."
"...Angelica, former number eight."
"I've never heard of you before."
"Of course not, I was a warrior decades before your time. Although, I have heard of you...Phantom Miria"
"How do you know my name?"
"Now that we've finished with the formalities..."
Pulling out a sword from underneath her cloak, Angelica throws the Innkeeper's wife to the ground then launches herself forward with so much force and velocity that Miria is violently pushed back, hundreds of feet as she blocks the attack with her claymore. Seeing Miria's situation, Ichigo quickly rises from the demolished crates and barrels.
"MIRIA!"
Before he can act, Galiver suddenly appears and blocks his path.
"Where do you think you're going, brat? If you don't pay attention to our fight, you'll loose your head, among other things."
"Get...OUTTA MY WAY!"
"NO. If you want to help her, you'd have to go through me first."
At that moment, Miata finds the flower which she gave Ichigo and picks it up from the ground.
"I SAID...GET THE HELL OUTTA MY WAY!"
"And I said no."
"BASTARD! GETSUGA TEN..."
"Itsygo! You dwopped yer flowa!"
She runs over to Ichigo, holding the flower in her hand. Her mother stands up and chases after her.
"Miata! Don't!" her mother yells, screaming frantically.
Before Miata can reach Ichigo, her mother quickly grabs her. Ichigo turns his head and in almost slow motion, Miata's mother drops to her knees as her head rolls off her body...blood spraying in all directions.
"NO!" Ichigo yells.
"Mama?"
Miata and her mother's body drops to the ground. She gets up and stares at her mother's lifeless corpse and begins crying as tears begin to fill her big, blue eyes.
"MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!"
Ichigo runs over, but before he can reach her, she gets lancinated in the abdomen by Galiver's hyper-extended index finger, pinning her up against the wall of the Inn. Ichigo's eyes widen as he sees blood spurting from her mouth.
"NOOOOOOO!"
Galiver retracts his finger, dropping Miata to the ground.
"How irritating. Stupid humans..."
Ichigo kneels down, picking up the motionless little girl and holding her tight in his arms. Tears start flowing from his eyes as he looks up at the night sky and begins screaming. His reiryoku explodes like a volcano, demolishing part of the Inn as black reiatsu quickly engulfs the immediate area and hurricane-force winds sweep through the town. A single voice can almost be heard amidst all the chaos.
"Heh, it's time to raise some hell..."
End of Chapter 10