Author's note: To get all formalities out of the way I in no way own Chloe, Kirirka, Mireille, or anything related to Noir. However I do own everything else about this story.

Now that we have that out of the way let's start my favorite part about fanfics. My shpeel! This will mark the second fic I have posted, though by no means is it my second story written. Normally I write a lot and lot and then get bored and move on. But not this one so you are in for a treat. I apologize in advance for ANY resemblances to other fics; I read a few to gather some ideas. And again, I apologize for any OOC-ness that's just my way. So without further wasting of time here is:

The Beast Within – Prologue: Awakening -------------------------

She was alive.

She was not alone.

It was very dark.

Where ever she was Chloe did not feel comfortable. The cold temperature of the room tingled her skin and gave her goose bumps. One of the first things she realized, after the fact that is was very cold, was that she was naked. Thin cotton fabric draped over her body up to her shoulders. She was lying on her back. She did not open her eyes.

Even beneath her eyelids she knew that there was no light in the room, only the person she could her breathing in the dead silence. Her continuous heartbeat was a noise in the background while she waited for something to happen.

Chloe refused to alert the person as to her conscious state, it would be unwise for her to move considering the fact that she was naked and whoever was here was not Altena. Had it been however, she would have been seated next to the assassin and not across the room. Silence remained until distant footfalls echoed into her room.

They stopped and a door clicked open almost silently. A few moments later the door quietly clicked shut as if whoever was there was trying desperately not to wake her. The thick scent of a Cuban cigar invaded her nostrils and she had to remind herself not to cough.

"I came as fast as I could," a man with a deep voice said, "how is she?"

"Stable," answered a man in a youthful tone, "she is doing well all things considered."

"Altena's greatest asset," sighed the first man, "almost died, what a shame."

"It's a miracle too, she had been gone for so lone it was amazing they brought her back."

There was a moment of silence as the three of them absorbed that information, each in their own way. Without warning an image of a teary-eyed Kirika flashed before Chloe's eye only to disappear just as quickly. It was getting harder to remain composed, still she continued to listen.

"What happened out there anyways?" asked the first man.

"From what we gathered it would seem that the two selected for Noir were awaiting Altena when the third sapling arrived. The one named Yumura Kirika and the Corsican child fought it out but when the final blow was about to be shot Kirika dropped her weapon.

'Chloe attacked the third child to defend Kirika and in a bizarre twist was found to have been stopped by Kirika herself." He paused while in Chloe's mind scenes of the battle played in her head.

"Turns out that no one wanted to kill the other but in a fit of rage Chloe attacked the Corsican again. Unfortunately she was fell by Kirika, stabbed in the chest with a tea fork. No one believes that the fork killed her but rather the immense shock she received when she was betrayed."

"And that is that then?"

"This is everything we got, and you know the rest. Altena died at the hands of Noir and we've been watching them ever since."

"Poor girl," the deep voiced man empathized, "but Soldats have no time for emotion. Thank you for waiting for me."

"Anytime," replied the younger of the pair.

"Let's head back to Paris and set Noir back into motion."

The door clicked open, and the shut following two pairs of footsteps. They echoed down the hall into silence leaving Chloe to her thoughts.

Altena was dead! Her teacher, the only person she could ever call mother had died. Slain at the hands of the ones to be Noir. Over and over this thought ran through her mind. Now she was alone, no one left to guide her, no one to tell her adventures to. Altena was dead.

Chloe didn't know when the tears started flowing or when she realized she was curled up into a fetal position but she did know what she had lost. The first person she had ever loved, felled at the hands of Noir.

Noir, the name rang in her ears. Wasn't she the true Noir? To be one with the other child? Did the Corsican and the second one become Noir or did they slay Altena in cold blood? Questions smothered her, wrenching at her heart and poisoning her mind.

"No!" she cried out hoarsely, "I won't believe it! Altena would never die!"

What would she do now? Chloe had to prove Altena's death and what then? She would be left alone, betrayed, heartbroken.

Completely alone.

The thought of her utter isolation made her cry even harder. Behind her tears flowed pictures from a time when Altena was alive and Chloe was still young.

"Dear child," she spoke warmly, "never use your emotions in a fight. They will make you confused and sloppy. Always keep a level head and you will succeed. Never anger or hate, never fear or cower, you will only give your opponent the advantage."

Altena was right, she was always right. When she lost the love of the second child she reacted. If she had just kept a level head she could have slain the Corsican and stayed with her other half forever.

And now here she was slowly gaining control of her sobbing. She needed a plan, but usually Altena was the one who guided her. Maybe if she went back to the Manor she could find some answers there.

With her mind set she sat upright, legs dangling over one edge of the hospital bed. The room was dark and only the glow from the moon gave any light to the place. She could see well enough to realize her clothes were hung up on a coat rack and her knives glistened in the silvery light.

Footfalls down the hall softly echoed into her room, rapidly approaching. There was no time to lose and she really did not feel like speaking to anyone. With superior speed and grace she had all of her clothes on and ready. Something didn't feel right but there was no time to lose. The footsteps were loud now and more were following.

The door opened with a click and bang as it hit the wall but just as light spilled into the room Chloe was gone.


Thanks for taking the time to read the intro chapter to probably the longest project I will ever do. If you like, please review I love all responses except flames. Shivers So please keep flaming to a minimum. I'll do my best to update as often as time will allow. Stay tuned chapter one is on its way. F.N.