DISCLAIMER: I Do Not Own

AN: Sorry it took so long. I was going to finish this over the holidays, except work gave me a tonne of shifts every week, and I just didn't have any inspiration. Standard warning. If you don't like it, tell me and I may be able to rewrite it as something better.

Orchamus: Thank you kindly good sir :) Hmm, good point, but no, it's not. Riful is with Dauf (Creepy pairing) While I don't know if I'm going to pair Clare with Raki. I have no idea if I'm even going to do any other pairings. Any recommendations?

Nexus the 13th: Good point :) I'm basing the assumption over how large and intense Priscilla's Awakening was. Surely even a normal human would be able to sense something of that magnitude? Even the landscape starts to be affected a little by that amount of yoki if I remember correctly.

Freehawk: Thank you so much, and thanks for reviewing again :)

marc: Thanks :) They established it before, the problem was that Rafaela couldn't contain her sisters mind to protect it from Awakening, and therefore she completely Awakened and went on a prompt rampage. However, now they are both Awakened beings, and Luciela has the main control over the bond, although they can both share feelings through it. So, it's a bit like a empathic twin-bond, although there is potential in it for more. I'll try :)

DBZLOVER: Thanks so much for reviewing :) I'm glad you're enjoying it :) That's good, I tend to ramble and go off on tangents, so I'm always a bit afraid I'm not making sense :P

algebraiya: Ahahaha, really? That's good, I'm glad I'm writing unexpected things :) Surprising people is always fun. :) Hopefully I'll have a few more surprises in store :) Thanks for reviewing :)

storyreaderlovespie: Thank you :) Mmmm, not too sure, it might be seeing as both Luciela and Rafaela are Awakened, meaning the potential for their bond is greater than the Twins. Do you mean Alicia and Beth?

kyuubicannon: Thank you and thanks for reviewing :)

Melchor: Mmm, I regret not updating more regularly, but I tend to fail at writing consistently, or keeping on the same project. Yay, I'm glad I'm surprising you :) I never plan out my stories, but this has been the general idea since before I started writing this :) Thanks for reviewing :)

FantasticThought: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

Taeniaea: Thanks, and thanks for reviewing :)

Remmy: Ok, Garystu, I can accept that. I like OC stories, where the OC is a main character, and is fairly powerful. The Archetype Association is a brilliant example. Sadly, I can't write anywhere near that well, and so my OC is unbalanced, and hasn't shown many flaws yet. Deal with it. I can't change that, unless I rewrite the whole story, and you've apparently stopped reading at chapter four. So you're opinion isn't entirely relevant anyway. And secondly, fuck you. I find the idea that you think this could be a self insert very insulting. I despise self insert stories. If people want to write one, that's fine, I just won't read them. Noah is nothing like me, and was never intended to even remotely resemble me or anyone from my life. You don't know me, so don't assume anything about me.

DON'T MIND ME I'M A LINE BREAK

In this world you tried
Not leaving me alone behind
There's no other way
I'll pray to the gods: let him stay

The memories ease the pain inside
Now I know why

All of my memories
Keep you near
In silent moments
Imagine you'd be here
All of my memories
Keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears

Made me promise I'd try
To find my way back in this life
I hope there is away
To give me a sign you're okay
Reminds me again
It's worth it all
So I can go home

~Memories, Within Temptation

DON'T MIND ME I'M A LINE BREAK

Luciela smirked, tilting her head slightly, "And how exactly do you propose to do that? Isley is the oldest and therefore most experienced Abyssal One. And none of us are known for giving up on what is ours."

Noah leant forwards, a small smile playing across his lips, "What makes you think Isley is the most powerful one in their relationship?"

Luciela stared at him, eyes carefully guarded, "Oh? Do tell."

Noah looked over her shoulder at the still form of Rafaela, "I think your sister should be in human form for this conversation or else she'll miss everything."

The youngest Abyssal One quirked an eyebrow, "I fail to see how I can make her transform. After all, she's only just Awakened." She spoke slowly, patronising the seemingly younger boy.

Noah grinned darkly, "And yet here she is, calmly guarding you against any threats. Don't deny it, Luciela, you can feel her mind pressing against yours, just a hairsbreadth away from merging, can't you? I can feel your yoki mingling."

Luciela gritted her teeth, cursing the boy for being a sensor. It had been her plan to keep Rafaela in this form for as long as possible, let her become accustomed to her new form. Without some practice, she'd struggle to adapt from sword fighting to fighting as an Awakened being, which would leave the former Number Two far more vulnerable if Noah decided to attack.

She glared at him for a few more seconds, but the male Abyssal One refused to back down, and with a feeling of trepidation, she gently pushed thoughts through the soulbond. Rafaela's own thoughts came back, basic and almost animalistic.

It took a few minutes for Luciela to properly convey the message of what she wanted to her sister, but eventually Rafaela fully grasped the concept. With a painful sound of bones crunching and reforming, Rafaela's form shrunk as her armoured skin was reabsorbed into her body.

The former Number Two stood straight as the last few bones in her seemingly delicate form cracked back into place. Her short hair was a brilliant red, a shade darker than her sisters, and her eyes were the exact same jade green.

Luciela smiled as she felt her sister's mind slowly emerge from the haze of hunger and bestial instincts that every Awakened being was enveloped in after transforming for the first time. Ordinarily, the new Awakened being would promptly go on a rampage, fighting to sate that endless hunger for human flesh and guts. Depending on the power of the Awakened being, they might eat dozens to hundreds of humans, and this was normally where the Organisation would send out a squad to deal with them.

But if the Awakened being managed to whet the edge of their hunger first, then the haze would start to lift, and they would start to be able to function on a more human level. Most of the smart one's would return to their human form and go into hiding, sometimes joining groups of yoma or other Awakened beings.

Luciela had always been the stronger one of the two, even when had been unranked trainees. And the Organisation had seen that, and as they rose through the ranks together, selected Rafaela to be the anchor, hoping to have an Abyssal One in their ranks. But predictably, it had failed. Maybe if they'd allowed Luciela to be the anchor like she had wanted, then the experiment would have been a success.

Luciela always had been able to harbour Rafaela's mind, but the Organisation had been adamant that Rafaela could do the same, even as the weaker partner in the soulbond. And look what the cost of their mistake had been, the destruction of much of their facilities and almost half their warriors.

The two of them stood together, presenting a united front against Noah. If both of them had been at full strength, and Rafaela had more experience as an Awakened being, they would most likely have even been able to beat him. But, as they were, it was merely a symbolic gesture.

Luciela linked her hand with her sister's, entwining their fingers together. Both of them had missed the other, missed the familiar feel of the other's yoki. Rafaela felt guilty for not being able to anchor her sister, and for Luciela's subsequent Awakening. Luciela, on the other hand, felt guilty for abandoning Rafaela, for almost killing her and tearing out her eye.

But now that they were reunited, soulbond re-established, they could feel everything, the guilt and the forgiveness they held for each other, and it all didn't matter, only the fact that they were together again was important. Rafaela's scar had been erased by her Awakening, the star burst of scar-tissue nothing but a painful memory as four sets of identical jade green eyes stared at the male Abyssal One.

Noah stared blankly at the newly Awakened warrior, wondering if they would come to blows again. He was confident he could win, but another fight would only delay them, and cause tension with Luciela that could hinder them later on. Surprisingly, Rafaela just nodded sharply at him, tightening her hold on her sister's hand. Noah gave a small nod back and tried to get his mind back on track.

Riful glared lightly at the boy, and walked over to his side, Dauf not far behind. The Claymore's had been released, but warned not to run, or as Riful said, she would 'cut off their legs, drag them back and see who could manage to fully regenerate the lost limbs.'

The former Number Three was unashamedly staring at the two naked Awakened beings standing before him. The bulky man grunted in pain as a series of deep gashes opened up across his bare chest. He looked up and saw Noah glaring at him icily, and he glared back weakly before looking away to find Riful giving him a disappointed look. The male Awakened being decided it would be better if he just kept his eyes on the the ground . . . . . and maybe just peeked every now and then.

She stood and gave Luciela an assessing glance, "Are you entirely sure that we need them, Noah? I'm sure that the two of us can deal with Isley and his woman if we fight them separated from each other."

Luciela smirked, giving Riful a haughty, superior look, "And I suppose that idiotic lump of flesh is your man, Riful?"

Riful's usual calm mask dropped, and she hissed at the taller Abyssal One, "Back off, Luciela. Dauf may be an idiot, but at least he's not useless, like your little fledgling."

Luciela growled, and began to walk forward, when suddenly the earth in front of both Abyssal One's exploded. They both stopped, and everyone turned to face Noah.

The green haired boy's head was bowed as his tendrils shrank and morphed back into normal human hands. He raised his head and glared at the assembled Awakened beings, "Enough! Arguing like this will only ruin everything. We don't need to like each other, but we need to be able to cooperate at the very least. You can return to your little territory wars after Isley has been dealt with!"

He glared at both of them, and Riful reluctantly nodded, moving back to stand by a now healed Dauf. However, Luciela glared back, "Watch yourself, boy! I'm not some lowly minion you can push around." She turned to leave, still outraged by Riful's barbs.

However, there was a faint blur as Noah appeared in front of her and grabbed her arm. His tendril's lashed out and restrained Rafaela from moving or attempting to attack, wrapping around her arms and legs.

"I wouldn't need to reprimand either of you, if you two would just remain civil at the very least. But apparently that's too much to ask for." He said sharply. glancing at Riful as well to make his point.

She gave him a long measuring look, before pulling her arm free with a strength that surprised Noah. He retracted his tendrils and moved away.

She sighed haughtily, "Very well, I will refrain from arguing with the runt, at least until Isley is dead. But I want that little girl and her brutish minion to stay away from me and my sister. And don't think I've forgotten." She glowered at him, "You and I will be having words."

Riful opened her mouth to retort, when Noah silenced her with a venomous glare. She gave a sigh and settled for glaring petulantly at the other female Abyssal One.

Noah sighed, "Now, we just need the last player in the game." He glanced over his shoulder.

"Clare."

The mentioned Claymore stiffened momentarily before walking forwards to stand next to Noah. Flora and Undine both looked at Miria for guidance, a little unsettled that the lowest ranked warrior had been chosen over the highest. But Miria shook her head, already have suspected that Clare had something else to contribute, something that she herself lacked.

The lines were clearly drawn, Luciela and Rafaela standing close together opposite Noah and Clare, with Riful, and Dauf slouching behind her, standing off to the side. The rest of the Claymore's were standing behind the male Abyssal One, some with swords drawn.

Noah glanced between the other two Abyssal One's, and sighed. "We're not enemies here, so stop acting as if we're all here to kill each other."

Reluctantly, Riful and Luciela seemingly relaxed, while Rafaela stayed tense and wary. Noah just Clare a measuring look before he ploughed on ahead. "I know that there isn't a lot of trust in this group, but we need to move past that if we're going to succeed." Seeing grudging agreement, he continued. "Clare, what do you know about the One Horned Woman?"

She stiffened, reluctant to share anything. In her mind, this was her mission, something she had to go on alone . . . . but with the Abyssal One's help, it became much more a much more realistic goal. After a few moments, Luciela grew bored of waiting, "Hurry up, girl! We don't have all the time in the world."

Noah glared at her, and turned to Clare, "Clare, I don't know how personal this is to you, but we need all the information you have on Priscilla. Anything you know may help us."

Clare closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, pushing her emotions down, suppressing them, "Priscilla was the Number Two warrior in a party containing Numbers Two through Five, sent to kill the Number One warrior, Teresa of the Faint Smile."

No one made a sound as Clare bowed her head, "Priscilla was defeated along with the others, but attacked Teresa again, and after faking surrender, killed Teresa. She Awakened, and killed Numbers Four and Five, and seemingly killing Number Three, Irene."

Noah glanced at her, "Teresa of the Faint Smile?"

Riful gave a shaky laugh, "Supposedly the the strongest Claymore to have ever lived, Teresa was nick named that because she supposedly never released her yoki, and she always wore a faint smile while slaying yoma. If Priscilla killed her before even Awakening . . . . . . ."

Clare whipped her head up, eyes slitted and gleaming gold, "Priscilla would have never beaten Teresa in a fair fight! She cheated!"

Riful put her hands up, "Be that as it may, she still won, and to have killed a Number One warrior is no small feat, you know."

Noah frowned, and narrowed his eyes in thought, "Clare . . . . . . how exactly did you become a Claymore?"

The short haired warrior lowered her head for a second, "I had the Organisation implant Teresa's flesh and blood inside me."

Noah blinked, stunned, unable to think of anything to say. Luciela laughed at the speechless boy "You're far too naïve, little boy. The Organisation is willing to do anything to create more powerful warriors. A chance to recreate the most powerful warrior to have ever lived is something that they would have seized eagerly." She gave Clare a disdainful look. "An experiment that obviously failed."

Clare tensed, and clenched her hands, but even she recognised that she would most likely lose in a fight against Rafaela, who would leap to her sisters defence at the first sign of a threat.

Noah nodded uncertainly accepting the point that the weakened Abyssal One was making before turning to Clare, "If you plan on being there, then you need to train harder than you ever have before. You're going to have to reach entirely new levels, stretch your abilities to their fullest."

He blurred closer to her, and caught her chin in his grasp, looking straight into her eyes, "You'll need to be prepared to sacrifice everything for this, perhaps even your humanity." He ignored the sounds of protest from the gathered Claymores. "Are you willing to do this? To avenge Teresa?"

Clare stayed silent for a second, before she gazed back at Noah, determination shining in her eyes.

"Whatever it takes."

The male Abyssal One smiled, "Good." He walked around her assessing her, "You're going to need that determination if you want to gain even a fraction of Priscilla's strength."

Riful sidled closer, "Maybe I can help, I'm sure I can have her ready to fight on a much higher level in a few days-"

Noah didn't even look at her, "Back off, Riful. Clare doesn't need your 'help'."

Riful huffed petulantly, "Fine, you know how to find me." There was a massive burst of yoki, and the Abyssal One and Dauf were gone.

Luciela glared at the sky for a second, resisting the urge to sneer at the long gone, childish Abyssal One. She looked down and stared at the gathered Claymores. "And what of the weaklings?" She nodded towards them, linking her fingers with her sister again.

Noah blinked in surprise and turned towards the warriors, "What of them?"

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "What are you going to do with them? None of them will be even remotely useful against Isley or his woman."

Before he could reply, Jean stepped forwards, sheathing her sword as she did so. "I will be coming with you." Clare opened her mouth to protest, but the Number Nine ranked warriors glare silenced her.

Luciela sighed loudly, but didn't say anything. If any the weak little warriors wanted to come along and get slaughtered, it wasn't her problem. As long as they stayed out of her way, then Noah could deal with them.

There was a tense silence as Miria and the other Claymore's looked at Clare and Jean, some disbelievingly, while the Number Six and the other partially Awakened warriors gave her looks of reluctant understanding.

Miria looked around her, "Anyone else wish to follow them?"

Instantly there was several refusals, and Miria looked back over to Clare and Jean,, "Are you sure this is what you want? There are other ways . . . ." Everyone could hear the slight doubt in her words, but Clare smiled slightly and drew her sword.

"No, I have to do this. But we will meet again some day." It was a promise that would most likely be broken, with both the Organisation, Isley and Priscilla out there, but it was reassuring none the less.

Helen and Deneve stepped forwards, holding their swords in the air in front of them. The four of them joined the tips of their swords together, silently promising to do whatever they could to survive, and meet again.

A few moments passed before they sheathed their swords, and stepped apart, with Clare moving back over to Jean and the Awakened beings, and Miria, Helen and Deneve moving back to the group of warriors.

Undine opened her mouth, rage flashing across her face, but Miria cut her off. "Undine! We're leaving."

She turned and started to lead the group away, ignoring the growl the Number Eleven ranked warrior made as she walked past the muscled warrior. Undine threw one last glare at the Awakened beings before turning to follow after the group.

Clare and Deneve watched as they moved away, walking along the twisted paths through the mountains. They turned to face the three Awakened beings once the other Claymore's had moved out of sight.

Clare raised an eyebrow slightly, "What now?"

Noah turned and smiled lightly, "We're going to move further West, deeper into Riful's territory and beyond the reach of the Organisation while we wait for Luciela to recover, and for you two and Rafaela to become an asset instead of liabilities."

Rafaela bristled slightly, but Luciela calmed her with a look. It was true, although much more so for the weak little warriors rather than her sister. She gave Noah a warning look, and he gave her a grudging look of acceptance. He turned and began to walk out of the clearing, although heading another way to where the Claymore's had gone.

"It's time for some training."

DON'T MIND ME I'M A LINE BREAK

There, done, enjoy :)

Please review, tell me what you think or if I need to rewrite it.

Phoenix