Winds of Nostalgia-
Chapter 5: Bad Blood
Author's Note: Thank you all for the reviews. I'm honored and very appreciative for all the feedback I've been getting. This chapter came a little slower than the others, I know... I found it to be a very difficult chapter to write and I would not let myself submit a chapter until I was satisfied that it took the story in a direction that would be enjoyable to read.
To the reviews, yes, I was deeply considering Teresa's "rebellious stage" would play a major part in the plot. I imagine that Rosemary might make a small entrance in my story much later, being that she is the current number one, and when Irene looked over at Clare... I don't know if she saw Clare's scars. I suppose she did, because Clare received them before becoming a Claymore, and if I remember correctly, they were nasty, deep Yoma scars, so they're probably still there. I think the confusing part is that I don't remember her having them when she was an adult in the anime. (Probably just one of the show's many continuity errors lol). I meant that sideways glance more as a just minor, kindling sexual attraction coming from Irene.
"Have trouble sleeping?' Noel asked Clare, as they changed into their new set of clothes, side-by-side.
For the first time, Clare hadn't been awake yet by the time the guards rattled the bars of their room. She'd been woken up alongside Noel.
Clare nodded sheepishly. A lot had been on her mind that night. The building frustration about Teresa as well as the fact that Irene was now mad at her.
Clare had hoped that Irene would practice with her again in secret, but Irene never got out bed. In fact, Irene had been avoiding Clare ever since Clare had defeated her in the sparring match. Clare sighed.
"So no midnight sparring match?" Noel teased.
Clare was surprised. "Were you spying on us?"
"Just because I'm snoring doesn't mean that I'm actually asleep," Noel said, giving Clare a wink. "Besides, I promised that I'd keep you out of trouble."
Clare eyed Noel warily. Is Noel going to be able to keep her mouth shut? Sensing Clare's suspicion, Noel gave an offended huff. "I'm no snitch. I'm not going to tell on her or something. Besides what a lame secret anyhow. A stolen practice sword... Oooo."
Clare nodded. "She didn't come out tonight. I think she's angry."
"Seems like wounded pride," Noel said with a shrug. The two of them looked over to Irene's cell to see her sitting in her bed with a serious expression. "She's not the type to take it easy on herself. So when she sees you, it reminds her of how she screwed up. She's mad at herself, not you."
Thinking it over, Clare agreed with Noel's assessment. Irene did hold herself to an almost unattainble standard.
"She was like that most of the time I knew her... total shut in, no damn sense of humor," Noel tilted her head to the side, gazing at Irene as if she were analyzing a strange life form.
"Noel... you're talking a little loud," Clare warned.
"Hahaha, whoops!" Noel said, laughing, "I guess I'm so used to her not responding, that I kinda asusmed she's deaf." Noel took a rare moment to contemplate. "Anyhow, you're both really quiet and super serious and neither of you have a sense of humor. You guys are so cute together," she said, slapping Clare's arm.
Clare sighed.
They made their way to the training ground, but as they entered the training room, Clare saw that the once-open area had been re-arranged. Large walls had been set up, creating the illusion of hallways within the larger room. Random clutter, such as barrels and wagons were also set up at random intervels, like a play town.
Clare remembered this test: "leadership aptitude", also known as team sparring.
"Welcome to leadership aptitude!" Sezo shouted to the entering girls.
"What the hell?" said Noel, looking at how the room had been rearranged. Many of the other girls exchanged confused looks. That's right, they ran this test right after upgrading our Claymores to the larger practice size. None of the other girls have seen this before. Clare recalled.
"This test is going to determine the leadership traits of the strongest warriors among you. We will run ten matches. We will start with the strongest. Teresa and Clare, step forward."
It was odd to be named the strongest when in her previous training she had been the weakest. That part felt good.
And also, to be pit against Teresa. That part felt wrong.
Clare glanced over to the confident-eyed warrior. I'm not sure if I can fight her. Clare took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Focus Clare.
She stepped forwards, wiping any sign of emotion from her face, so only a dead-eyed silver glare remained.
"You will now pick your teams at your own discretion. Teresa has first pick," Sezo added.
"Hmnn..." Teresa mused, placing her finger to her lip. "Who will I pick..." she reached out with her hand, moving her finger to all of the various girls. Noel is the strongest, but she's built up a rapport with Clare... if I chose Noel, would she take it easy on Clare? Teresa considered it. No, Noel is too competitive to take it easy on anyone. If I chose Noel, I deprive Clare of a natural ally and also gain the strongest warrior under my own command. She is ideal. "Noel."
"Aw shit!" Noel exclaimed bitterly, stepping beside Teresa. "No hard feelings if I kick your ass, right Clare?"
Clare nodded, coolly. "I won't hold it against you if I lose, Noel, but I don't intend to."
"Ohhh? That's what I like to hear," she replied with a wolfish grin.
My pick, Clare thought. The next choice was clear. "Sophia!"
"Oh... your first pick, captain? You're going to make me blush," Sophia said warmly. "Let's kick Noel's ass," she whispered as she joined her.
Teresa pondered her next pick for a few seconds. Who is next in line as far as combat potential? "Elda." Elda seemed surprised to be picked by Teresa, considering that Elda had spent a few hours healing the injuries she'd recieved fighting Teresa. Still, she went to Teresa's side without a comment.
Clare already knew her next pick. "Aria."
The soft-faced, ponytailed Claymore walked forward and joined Clare's side. Clare had seen Aria's match. She was quick, clever, and determined, and had a very strong thrusting attack. Her strong thrust will be invaluable in the team fight. If she gets an opening, she can jab and wound an enemy who isn't expecting it.
"Christina." Teresa's last pick stepped forward. Christina was tall, lanky, had short hair with long bangs, while normally friendly, she was graceful and dangerous with a practice claymore.
It was now Clare's turn. In order of strenght, Jenna was the logical choice, but Clare had a different Claymore in mind.
"Irene."
Her pick took nearly everyone by surprise. "Captain... are you sure?" Aria questioned softly.
All eyes turned to Irene as she walked forward. A few muffled giggles came from the crowd. To the other Claymores, the choice of Irene seemed idiotic. She was awkward and her form was poor. But they also don't know that she's been sleep deprived for the last few weeks, practicing all night. Today however, she's well rested.
Irene eyed Clare with mixed confusion and contempt. "If you think that picking me to fight above my level will earn my favor, you're mistaken," Irene said coldly.
"What this team needs is a leader," Clare said to Irene. "We have a minute to plan. How do you want to use your minute Captain Irene?"
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After the minute to plan passed, Teresa led her group forwards, taking the lead. Noel flanked her, while Elda and Christine stayed a few steps back, playing more of a support role. It was a simple plan and a simple formation that was designed to utilize Teresa and Noel's fightig ability.
Walking calmly through the maze of makeshift walls, Teresa headed directly towards the enemy team. Soon, they were in sight.
Clare and Irene stood shoulder to shoulder. But there was no sign of Sophia or Aria.
"I'm on Clare. Noel, you're on Irene! Elda and Christine, there are two enemies out of sight. When they show themselves, engage them!" Teresa ordered.
As anticipated, Noel rushed forward recklessly, closing in on Irene. Noel leapt into the air, bringing her Claymore down. "YAHOO!"
Clare leapt in the way, teeths clenched, blocking the strike, which struck with surprising force. "Irene, you can't handle her, fall back!" Clare called out before pressing the attack on Noel. Irene nodded and began to backstep.
"I'm your opponent!" Teresa said with a cold grin, leaping towards Clare. Facing the prospect of fighting both Teresa and Noel, Clare backed up, parrying attacks from Noel and trying to keep away from Teresa. Irene gauged the distances. We've lured Teresa and Noel far enough from the other two.
"SOPHIA, NOW!" Irene shouted. With the signal given, Sophia, on the other side of the makeshift walls, swung her practice claymore into one of the supports, toppling the wall section inwards. The wall section fell down, cutting Teresa and Noel off from the rest of their squad. Sophia and Aria charged through the newly created gap. For the moment, it was a two versus four.
"Elda! Christine! Get here now!" Teresa called out, seeing that she had been trapped.
"Focus all efforts on the enemy captain! We only have seconds!" Irene shouted.
Clare led the attack, pushing hard on Teresa with heavy swings in order to prevent her from escaping. Teresa could barely parry Clare's attack and was pressed back. She is just as good as I guessed, Teresa thought. Teresa looked for an opening, any means she could use to turn the situation around.
Taking steps away from Clare's rapid swings, Teresa couldn't establish proper footing to make a withdrawl. Soon, she found herself against a wall. The situation was progressing badly. Teresa grit her teeth. Aria and Sophia, attacking from both sides, began to take swings at Teresa as well, and even as Teresa tried to release her powers in order to increase her speed, she quickly fell under the combined attacks.
Noel, on the other hand, quickly fell an excited craze. She focused all of her efforts on Irene, deciding to eliminate her quickly. Heart pounding and electrified with adrenaline, Irene frantically dodged and blocked Noel's strikes. Compared to Clare, Noel seems slow... is this really Noel's top speed? Irene wondered.
Irene ducked another attack and side-stepped a slash. I can easily evade these, Irene realized. Why am I even on the defensive? Dodging another set of attacks, Irene saw a window and took it, striking Noel in the hip.
As Teresa fell unconcious from the attacks of three warriors, Clare and the two others turned to Noel and Irene's battle. "We need to support Irene!" Sophia urged, as Noel's attacks continued to drive Irene back.
"No!" Clare commanded, stopping Sophia with her sword. "Irene needs to do this alone." Clare could see that Elda and Christine finally had made their way over the ruins. "Aria and Sophia, engage Elda and Christine. I will render support when needed."
With Teresa down, Clare watched her three team-mates in their respective battles. But most closely of all, Clare watched Irene struggle against Noel. You can do it, Irene.
Irene stumbled backwards as Noel's power knocked her off balance. Breathing heavily, Irene calmed the chaos in her own body and regained her footing, blocking Noel's next attack. Irene remembered what Clare had done to her in their match. Clare anticipated my attack, evaded it, and swung, knocking me out.
Irene cleared her mind. Blocking Noel's swings, Irene anticipated her third, evaded the overhand slash, and swung.
CRACK
The wooden sword made a sharp sound as it smacked against Noel's jaw. Irene couldn't believe her eyes as Noel crumpled to the ground. It worked! The sound of practice swords clashing in the background shook her from her moment of celebration.
"Clare, assist Aria! I will support Sophia!" Irene bellowed.
Soon, all four members of Teresa's squad were either knocked out, or close enough to knocked out for the match to be over.
"Good plan, Irene," Clare said.
"That was awesome! Did you see how confused Teresa got?" Aria exclaimed happily, laughing with Sophia.
Irene stepped away from the other two and towards Clare. "I underestimated you as a comrade, Clare," Irene said appreciatively.
Sezo, who had been watching the battle, approached the girls. "While I don't appreciate you wrecking my course, I do appreciate the ingenuity. That was a well executed plan. They say that one of the greater talents of command is recognizing the talents of your subordinates. In that respect, you have done well, Clare. However," Sezo said turning to Irene. "The real command talent came from a most unexpected source. Irene, you've made quite an impression for yourself. Congradulations."
Clare eyed the unconscious Teresa, blood seeping from her scalp. As Irene led the others back to the entrance and the other girls, Clare stayed, and knelt beside Teresa.
"It's nothing serious," Sezo said, walking beside her, "You girls have resiliant bodies. These three will wake up in about a minute."
Clare ignored him, placing her hand on Teresa's chest. Her breathing was irregular. Collapsed lung. She could heal this herself, but it would be incredibly painful. Teresa looked smaller than Clare remembered. She was just in her training outfit, lacking the steel shoulder-pauldrons she'd worn back then. Her hair, rather than let down, was drawn back in a ponytail, with two small collections of hair hanging down on either side. A lot about Teresa was different than it was back then.
Clare felt her Yoki, already synchronized with Teresa's. Clae was surprised by just how easy it was. But it made sense. Clare's Yoki had originally come from Teresa. Closing her eyes, Clare assisted Teresa's healing. The gash on Teresa's head sealed itself in seconds. A few moments later, Teresa opened her eyes. Clare could feel Teresa's wounds on her shoulder and back. Focusing her Yoki, Clare helped to quickly fix them, taking away the pain.
When Clare opened her eyes, Teresa was looking up at her. "What are you doing?' Teresa asked suspiciously.
Clare didn't respond to Teresa's question. Instead, she rose to her feet. "I'm sorry we hurt you, Teresa," Clare said softly.
Clare turned towards the exit, passing a confused Sezo.
Yoki healing? A trainee learning such an ability should be impossible, Sezo thought.
Teresa sat up and watched the new girl leave. Sorry? Despite the beating she'd recieved, there was no pain. She healed me... and apologized.
"You've been given a rare gift of kindness, Teresa," Sezo said with a bemused grin.
Teresa hid any surprise from her features. "I didn't need nor ask for her kindness. I owe her nothing," she replied. Still... she gave me her kindness nontheless. Why? Teresa's eyes went distant as she considered it. It made no sense. It was different from the childish infatuation that Teresa had warded off from the weak girl, Marielle a week before. It seemed deeper, somehow. She must have some ulterior motive. What is she after? Perhaps she is just weak and irrational? Is some silly sentiment driving her to do this? If so... maybe it's something I could turn to my advantage.
Teresa knew one thing: she would find out exactly what this new girl, Clare, wanted with her. She had sensed something faintly during the battle, but when Clare had put her hand on Teresa, she knew it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Her Yoki mimicks mine. Clare had gone from a nusiance to becoming a threat and a complete enigma. I need answers.
Clare exited from the maze to see the other trainees offering congradulations to her team. Many of them look at us like we're heroes. Looks like, for the moment, I am number one, Clare thought. She looked over to Irene who was withdrawn and quiet as ever, but in her serious expression, she wore her pride openly. It was the closest Irene looked to the Irene that Clare remembered.
Sophia and Aria had a small crowd of fans and friends around them and were laughing happily. "What can I say... I'm just a natural," Sophia said, waving her hand with faked humility.
Clare made her way to Irene, who leaned against the wall, alone. "Irene, we're done for the day, let's get out of here to somplace quieter," Clare said, motioning for the doorway.
"Very well," Irene said with a nod.
The two of them were questioned by the guards, but once it was confirmed that Clare and Irene had already completed their combat, they were allowed to return to their cells, where food was waiting for them.
Clare entered her cell and found a bowl of soup, thick with vegetables and beans. It was a good meal. "May I come in?" Irene asked, standing at the doorway to Clare and Noel's cell, her food in hand. Clare nodded.
Irene sat down beside Clare and the two of them ate. Irene ate her soup in silence, "I owe you two things," Irene said firmly, putting her spoon down into the bowl.
Clare wanted to tell Irene that she owed her nothing, but she knew better than to question Irene's sense of duty. "What things?" Clare asked.
"First, my gratitude, for allowing me that oppertunity when no other girl would have trusted her team to my judgment, you did so. I don't know why you did it... and I don't know why you had so much faith in my abilities. I feel like..." Irene stopped, her eyes wide with curiosity "I feel like you know me better than you should. You are powerful, but you don't weild your power like an immature girl. You weild it like a warrior. And you show me respect, even though I've done little to earn it. You honor me, Clare."
Irene's eyes showed a great appreciation, which soured to regret.
"I also owe you my apology for acting the way I did after you beat me yesterday."
"Irene," Clare answered. "It's all right. We face these trials, and whether or not we move forward or run away. That seperates those of us who are fit for battle from those who are not," she quoted.
Fascination filled Irene's face. "You're right," she said. "Still, I shouldn't have acted that way to... to well..." Embarassment and indecision filled Irene's face as she continued, "a friend."
"I consider you to be a friend as well," Clare said with a smile.
The two enjoyed their time together, away from the other Claymores. They continued to talk as they ate, talking about potential tactics for fighting in team battles and various ideas for sword and Yoki techniques. Irene even smiled a few times. When they were finished, they snuck to Irene's room, into the corner, and practiced with the practice sword together. Irene had improved greatly.
Clare caught herself as she joked and smiled with Irene. Is Teresa any better than Irene? Teresa hurts and uses those around her, while Irene is dutiful and loyal to her comrades.
As Irene talked, Clare looked at Irene's serious expression and her long hair, which flowed down from her head like a shimmering silver stream and thought to herself, I never noticed just how beautiful Irene was.