Sorry for the delay. I really do welcome any advice or correction. Thank you for reading. :)
Chapter Four
How could she blow the whole mission? She was sent here to save the woman closest to anything she would ever consider a slice of family. The one person that fueled her life-long obsession of revenge. Why did Rubel have to screw everything up? It's like he wanted her to expose all secrets. Clare glanced around. The fire flickered on the two faces watching her. Both looked confused although Teresa definitely appeared hostile now.
Pointless, roundabouts games of who's who got old quickly. Clare spoke…the exhaustion evident in her tone, "I didn't mean to intrude. This is a private mission. Although I did abandon the Organization, they allowed me to do them one more mission. By acting on their behalf, I save the people I care for. I really could care less if you never return to the Organization. I hate them, but Rubel will hound both of us. You still have free will despite the annoyance though. I will not pressure you."
She sidestepped the identity part of the revelation. She intentionally offered up an abundance of half truths to overwhelm Teresa. Teresa, however, showed better prowess and focus. She resolvedly pressed, "What was the mission?"
Clare stood up with a stiff demeanor. She felt snubbed and angry. Oh, she just wanted Teresa to trust her. She should have saved Teresa when she was a child. Then, Teresa would have recognized her and definitely trusted her. Ah…Clare felt ready to just surrender. However, Clare began to stroll away. She called out to the irate woman and the clueless child, "Completed…to my standards. Please take care of yourself. Things will change now. Please obey the rules. Avoid the Organization especially the warriors."
Clare didn't stay for a response. No, she didn't even glance around for one. She dashed toward the darkness and fled through the trees. She couldn't tolerate Teresa's hostility any longer. She needed to preserve the pleasant memories, not this monstrosity.
She set up a small camp a few miles away. Just far enough to separate her scent from theirs.
The next morning when the sun aroused her. Clare decided to sleep late. She didn't have anywhere to go, and she certainly didn't wish to cross paths with the duo. She closed her eyes with her back to her claymore. She would probably just hide out in the past until she died.
A light thump against her stomach startled her a couple hours later. Her right hand crept up and grasped her Claymore. When she opened her eyes, she peered at a mischievous looking Clare. A rock - the girl had thrown a rock. Big Clare chuckled softly and lowered her hand. Perhaps there was hope for the girl. Briefly Clare's mind pondered over a human life. She shook her head though. She couldn't imagine anything but fighting. For too long her life had revolved around her search for power to kill Pricilla. She still didn't have that strength. Clare could sense Teresa standing behind her.
Clare muttered playfully, "At least you kinda like me." Clare picked up the rock and aimed it at little Clare's feet. She didn't land the hit intentionally. She would never hurt Teresa's pet.
"It's not that I don't like you, child, but I need to know more. Clare insisted that we find you if you're wondering. I need to know what your mission has to do with Clare," Teresa said.
Clare snorted. She couldn't stop herself. The irony kept gnawing at her. "Paranoid. Paranoid for the wrong person. Dear Teresa, the mission solely concerned you. As I stated last night, I completed it. I prevented that man's death. You were going to kill him. Killing him, led to killing the rest, which led to numbers 2-5 assigned to your assassination.
You're an asset. Be proud. Teresa of the Faint Smile, the Organization deemed your survival of such a high priority that they created a time travel device. Even if I tell you my name and rank, nothing will change." Yeah, she lied a tiny bit. Everything would change. She would be scrutinized with a maternal eye instead of that of an enemy. Her words thwarted Teresa for once.
Teresa understood, but still the whole situation perplexed her. Yes, last night she had toyed with the idea of murder. She even briefly considered the consequences and outcomes. Still, as the stranger said, she would have killed regardless of knowing. She would do anything for Clare. "Still, I'd like to know who has saved me. Tell me how far in the future you come from."
"Over a decade. I can't recall exactly," she really couldn't keep up with time very well in Pieta. She could tell Teresa would ask more questions though even with her cooperation. Teresa seemed too intrigued not to. Clare noted that Little Clare only watched silently. The entire situation baffled the child. First yoma and now time travel, really?
A sheepish frown graced Teresa's face. She asked uncertainly, "W-what happened to Clare when I died?" Little Clare's face contorted into grief. She never wanted to think of Teresa's dying. In fact, the idea of Teresa's death terrified the girl.
Clare didn't want to answer, of course. She wanted to think about anybody but herself - the child sitting in front of her. "Do you want the truth or a sweet lie?" Teresa glared sharply. "Ah, the truth. Well, she joined the Organization. Lowest of the them all. And lived her life to avenge you."
Teresa asked another oddly emotional question, "Was she ever happy?" Slowly Clare nodded. At times she was.
"Since I know you'll never return. They'll probably take me back soon." Clare stated quietly…just to warn them. She needed them to understand why she would leave.
"Well, you should stay with us then. I know what happens when you fail a mission, so maybe we can hid together. Is that fine with you, Clare?" Both Clares glanced up. Luckily Teresa didn't notice. Little Clare nodded softly. She trailed over and clung to Teresa's waist. Clare couldn't believed she had ever been that attached to anybody. The act embarrassed her now…maybe only because she wanted to be that little girl again.
"Thank you, Teresa and Clare." Clare looked into Teresa's eyes, "Thank you for your trust. I will protect you with my life." She couldn't avenge the woman, but she could at least protect her. A new mission…a newfound trust. Perhaps Clare could deal with this much smoother.