Disclaimer: Don't own. I wish I was creative enough to say it another way, but this'll have to do for now.

Author's Prescript: It is absolutely mandatory to read Manga Volume 11 for this chapter. I have a link in my profile to free manga scans. I suggest reading them - I don't want a hundred comments on how Priscilla is out of character.

"I don't like this."

Yuma looked up from stoking the fire, surprised at Helen's remark. "This is the best we could do - it's close enough to the clearing, but far enough so they won't track us by the campfire smoke."

"It's not that," Helen snapped. She leaned back, arms folded across her chest, gazing across the fire to her fellow warriors. "It's Claire. She was so hell-bent on getting down here to kill Priscilla, but now that she's found the boy, she goes out of her way to protect him."

Tabitha locked eyes with the irate woman. "It's because she's fallen for him."

Helen snorted. "Ha! Fallen for a trap, more like. She should have cut ties with him as soon as they parted ways."

"You can't help who you love."

"Love?" Helen shook her head. "Such mush isn't for the likes of us. Not with humans," she declared, looking accusingly at Tabitha, "and certainly not with other warriors."

Tabitha flushed and turned away.

"Enough," Miria cut in. "Claire may be...incapacitated at the moment, but her spirit is strong. She will come around to a decision, whatever decision that may be. Even now she is doing us a great service."

Helen turned to her leader, puzzled. "She's helping us? How?"

Now she had everyone's full attention. "You've decided on what to tell the Organization?"

Miria nodded. "Yuma, tell them... tell them that we found Isley."

Yuma's brow furrowed. "But what about Pris -"

"Tell them we found Isley and only Isley, understood?"

The Spirits' courier nodded and melted back into the woods to tell the Organization the partial truth.

Inwardly, Miria sighed. Affiliated with the Organization as they were, the Spirits of Pieta knew that Alicia and Beth could hunt them down at any time, as soon as the Organization realized that they had no more use for an independent covert operations force. But if the twins were sent against a superior force and disabled or killed, the Spirits of Pieta would be able to slip out of the Organization's grasp in the confusion.

All that Miria needed to do was to make sure that Isley, Priscilla, and Raki stayed in one place long enough for the Organization's assault to backfire.

And Claire's making sure they stay, although she doesn't know it. Another secret sigh echoed in the leader's mind. Claire, thank you... and I'm sorry.

The sun shone down brightly on the rows of plants in the garden, and it gave Priscilla a distant joy to see the crops bloom such a healthy green. It's good to see life here - there is too much death out in the world.

But the joy was eclipsed by troubled thoughts - thoughts of herself, her husband, and the woman sitting on the porch.

Raki had gone out into the woods again, claiming to go hunting but more likely to think on what has been happening the past few days. Isley took Melissa and Zaki out to train again, which meant Priscilla was alone with Claire, the ruler of her husband's thoughts.

As much as everyone stood in awe of her power, only Priscilla knew the price of it: sensitivity. It hurt to hurt, and it killed to kill. Even fighting off those warriors the day before, Priscilla felt a little part of herself die with every blow to their bodies.

But that was nothing compared to the broken spirit she was now seeing in Claire.

As she glanced up from her fieldwork to regard the warrior with the slumped shoulders, Priscilla thought, how can any soul bear such sadness?

Perhaps... it was time to talk to the woman that Raki loved. Perhaps see if there was some forgiveness that could be offered.

Priscilla braced herself with her hands, rising from her knees and eventually brushing the dust from her sundress.

Yes, it was time to talk.

The here and now were far from Claire's mind as she gazed out toward the Northern mountains across the open plain. Questions hammered at her at such a pace that her sleep-deprived mind couldn't cope.

What was Raki thinking, all those years ago? Did he give up, thinking that she wouldn't come for him? Is this lifestyle deliberate? And why, in all the Hells, did it have to be her?

Claire's questions turned to herself. What was she still doing here anyway? She had seen enough. Perhaps it was best to find the base camp and plan another attack. It sounded better than seeing Priscilla prancing around with her Happily Ever After lifestyle -

"You're angry."

Claire jolted at Priscilla's soft voice coming from beside her. The warrior swore silently as she turned to see the Awakened being sitting on her left, sympathetic eyes on her. She had to resist the temptation to grip her sword.

"Why are you so angry?"

There were so many reasons for being angry at the former warrior next to her, but her emotions choked down all the words that Claire could think of. All she could get out was, "You killed Teresa."

A look of mild confusion crossed Priscilla's face, as if Claire had called her by the wrong name. "Really? I don't remember that. All I remember is being at Ilena's feet... then looking up to see Isley."

"Feh." Claire turned away, disgusted. It didn't surprise her that Priscilla had an excuse handy to explain herself.

But the next words out of Priscilla did surprise her.

"I wish I could remember," the Awakened being said wistfully, "then at least I could feel guilty, and know why you're angry."

Claire turned, eyes widening in shock, but the face of the woman spoke true - that or else she was a very accomplished liar.

Even more shocking was the question Priscilla asked next.

"Will you stay? With us?"

Claire stiffened, paralyzed by the question; she couldn't even react when Priscilla put her hand atop Claire's.

After taking a moment to gather her senses, she turned to Priscilla. "Why are you asking me this?" she whispered.

Chestnut-colored hair fluttered in the wind as Priscilla chose her words. "It is because he keeps you in his heart, always. Even with our family, even with my love, he keeps a secret sadness and a closed heart. And when his heart opens, it's always with your name."

Her eyes shifted away from Claire with her next confession. "Even in ecstasy, it's not my name he calls out... but yours."

Priscilla's eyes turned back to Claire, the firm resolve growing in them matching the tone in her simple truths. "I love Raki; I can't stand to see him sad. I know that you and he used to be happy once. And I think , if you'll join us, he'd be happy again."

A moment passed before Priscilla ventured, "What do you think?"

Claire looked at Priscilla's hand, covering hers. Were it a hand of just another person, Claire might have thought it comforting.

But it was Priscilla's hand. And all Claire could think was, That was the hand that killed Teresa. How many more lives did those hands take during her mindless rampage?

She rose, flinging off Priscilla's hand. She made her way down the steps, her back to the former warrior. "Or I could just take Raki and leave, and help him forget all this."

The breeze died.

After a moment of deathly quiet, Priscilla spoke again. "Zaki is Raki's brother's name; Melissa is my sister's."

Claire resisted the temptation to turn around and demand that Priscilla explain the non sequitur.

Priscilla continued on. "I don't remember much of my time in the Organization, but I remember losing my family to yoma. Raki lost his family to yoma, too. We named our children after our brother and sister because we knew our family would live on through them."

A bit of frost crept into Priscilla's voice. "If you take Raki, Melissa and Zaki will go through what Raki and I went through; the breaking of a family. I lost one family to yoma; I won't lose another to you, even if you hold Raki's joy."

The breeze started up again, stronger than before.

"I'm going. Tell Raki...I'm sorry I couldn't stay." And Claire walked into the woods, never once looking back.

In Staff, in the Organization's headquarters, the members of the Council were parceling, reviewing, drafting, and revising the orders for their warriors. They set about this task with the ruthless efficiency of a money counter with a pile of tithes. Orders were weighed and tailored with every single possibility factored into the decision – the strength of the warrior, the cost to the Organization, the risks involved, all calculated for the most gain and the least risk.

As always, when scheduled business was finished Chief Rimuto scanned the room and asked, "Are there any issues that we have not yet concluded?"

On this particular day, Ermita stepped forth, wrapped in robes as she was. "I have news from the Ghosts of the North."

Pale faces turned toward the handler, interest slightly piqued by the turn of events. Rimuto leaned forward. "News, eh? Miria would not report unless it was important. What does it say?"

Ermita skimmed through the note. "It says that they have found Isley," she summarized.

"Not exactly much for news," the eternally smiling Rubel said, crossing his arms, "Isley's known for his quirks. He could be gone in a day or so."

Rimuto held up his hand to forestall any other comments; the background noise died. "And what does our Shadow say?"

Noise started up again, the scrape of feet could be heard as the council shuffled to look at one another; trouble murmurs wafted about the room.

Palefaced Rado turned to Rimuto. "You sent Luna after them?"

"Luna has suppressed her aura to such a degree that the Ghosts wouldn't notice her," Rimuto retorted, "And she's also above par in her yoma detection ability - it makes her the perfect scout." Turning back to Ermita, the chief asked again, "What news?"

She plucked out the piece of paper from the folds of her robes; even with her face hidden under a swath of cloth, the council could see her surprise. "Luna confirms that they have found Isley, but there's more; they have found Priscilla, a human... and their brood."

As one, the entire Council stiffened. Ermita had their full attention now. "'Their brood' meaning?"

"Exactly as it says. Priscilla's and the man's offspring."

In the ensuing silence, a hushed whisper; "Natural hybrids... after the operation, such a thing should be impossible."

"The impossible has been known to happen from time to time." Rimuto leaned forward. "What details?"

Ermita drank in the report, reading it over more carefully each time. "Luna was very thorough about her findings. There are two children, about eight summers old, twins to be the look of it... and judging by her descriptions of strength, they're each as strong as a Creature of the Abyss."

Rimuto leaned back in his throne, musing. An urgent gleam grew in his eyes. "As young as they are, Priscilla's offspring will grow only more powerful with time. Left unchecked, they could overrun the entire continent. On the other hand, if we retrieve them and educate them in the Organization's ways, they would be powerful assets to our cause. But this must be done quickly; their strength grows with each passing day."

The Chief of the Organization rose from his seat. "By privilege of rank, I am calling upon the Ordinance of Bartholomew to take full control of the Organization. A…specialized force will meet at the base of Mount Shire, to march south upon Priscilla's position – twenty handpicked warriors, Alicia, Beth, and six others whom I will specify."

That was when the uproar started.

"Mount Shire? But it will take days for the forces to arrive and organize! Their regions will be exposed at that time!"

"Summon our ally to the task," Rimuto ordered, "She can gather the warriors together within hours. Be sure to give her our seal so that our warriors won't be alarmed."

"She'll never demean herself to such a menial job."

"Promise her our strongest. Once we take the children of Priscilla, they will be obsolete." As an afterthought Rimuto added in to the clamor, "Tell the Ghosts of the North to meet us at Priscilla's location for the battle."

"After Isley is slain, they will petition for freedom."

Rimuto cracked a rare grin. "And they shall have it, if they can get past her."

More objections added to the din:

"It's madness to think that Priscilla's brood can be controlled!"

"Priscilla herself is enough to slay our force - what makes you so certain that we can stand against three-?"

Rimuto held up his hand, calling for silence; the uproar ceased. "The simple facts are this; with the Ghosts of the North, our allies, and several of my personal ...projects, we are at the peak of our strength; theirs is just emerging. We have one chance to be victorious, and victory will mean holding the link between Yoma and Human; unlocking the secret to the Ambrosia of the Gods, what this very Organization has been searching for during the past millennium. We can do this." His grin grew. "For Priscilla does indeed have a weakness; the human that she keeps in her thrall. Kill him and her will to fight will follow. Her offspring, still young, will be easily molded to our indoctrination. But it all relies on this one chance."

He sat back in his seat, lacing his fingers together. "Send the word. Gather the forces. And prepare to journey – the Council will direct this operation from the field."

The world will know; Priscilla's days are numbered."

To be continued...

Author's Postscript: Saint Priscilla to the fore! Her characterization is based on the fact that she was in tears as she felt the last of the Claymores disappear from her senses in their "death" at Pieta, which is why I suggest you read Volume 11 first to get a sense of where her character's at - aloof and infantile perhaps, but still sensitive to those around her. I find myself amused at the fact that in this fic, the Awakened are trying to push Claire and Raki together, but the participants themselves won't do it. A little irony on my part, I suppose.

While I was making the conversation between Priscilla and Claire, I had this one thought: If Adolph Hitler was found in a secluded area somewhere, having lost all of his memories of his crimes and was now a benign, charitable monk, would he still be held accountable for his crimes?

Much props to Sideris, Ikarus Onesun, Wanderer and Avalas for Prereading.