Author's notes:
Wow, that was a fast one. Nothing much to say, but...
Since it has been a while: No, don't own Claymore, don't own it's Characters.
Enjoy!
Chapter 11 – Bad news
"Hop, hop, hop, hop" Lillaine constantly kept on saying whenever she jumped from one tile of the floor to another while carefully paying attention to not step on any of the gaps between them. In the ruins she had to live in there weren't many fun things to do for a girl of her age, but she still managed to find an activity to make time pass faster.
One of those activities was randomly leaping around on the plaza amidst the ruins that once might have been a marketplace. However, there was more to her game than it seemed to a possible spectator: actually Lillaine enjoyed that game and the rules it went by (yes, there were rules) to even have made a scoring system for it. She played it several hours a day and constantly got better.
The rules were as simple as to not being allowed to step onto the gaps between the tiles as well as to not being allowed to rest on a single tile for more than a second. The scoring was easy as well: every gap that was crossed while in mid-air was worth one point. Her personal record was thirty-two-thousand five-hundred and seventy-three. It had taken her nearly an hour to accomplish that record.
What looked like mere child's play was also, even though she did not do it consciously, a good way for Lillaine to learn how to judge distances correctly, trained her mental math as well as her muscles and her equilibrioception. And, even though she lacked opponents, she never tired of chasing after her own record.
What she never tired of doing her guardian never tired of watching. Risa always enjoyed watching her fosterling play around like that because that way she was able to have a childhood most of the other warriors hadn't had. Also during that time Risa could relax because, for whatever reason, Lillaine could keep her Yoki under control like it was nothing when she was enjoying herself. But when sitting around, being bored or annoyed, she could easily drift away – and for situations like that Risa had always been close to her during the prior three months.
Here gaze then wandered to the closest entrance of the Organization's headquarters as she felt Raftela's Yoki to see her and Marco, as well as another Man in Black wearing black clothes, a black hat and darkened glasses who she hadn't seen before come out of it.
"They're way too early" she muttered to herself.
Lillaine, who had also noticed the familiar Yoki, while in mid-air, pointed towards Raftela and joyfully shouted: "It's Raffy!"
She then barely missed a gap and instantly leaped again to continue her play. 'Nearly screwed up that great run' she mused shortly before paying all her attention to her game again.
###
Half an hour earlier a certain Man in Black had a conversation in confidence with the Organization's chief Rimuto...
"So what is it that you want, Rubel?" a bored appearing Rimuto asked of his subordinate.
"It surely is inconvenient to have our only protection take care of that little girl all day, isn't it?" he stated with played regret in his voice, gaining no reply from Rimuto.
"You see, chief Rimuto," he began to explain, "if we were to be attacked now, who would protect us? Leaving that girl alone is out of question, no matter what the reason."
After considering what to say for a few moments Rimuto answered calmly: "I can see your point, but it can't be helped, so discussing it is unnecessary."
"I hate to disagree with you, but I think that we will soon have the chance to get number 3 onto jobs without having to fear her Awakening – neither here nor anywhere else."
That slightly got Rimuto's interest. Having Risa watch over a loose cannon all the time was indeed bothersome, not to speak of the constant risk of failure – and therefore Lillaine's Awakening. However, knowing Rubel, he might actually have had a good idea, so Rimuto decided to listen.
"You see, chief," he began his explanation, "according to Dae's thesis Jacqueline might still have her human mind. If anyone has the ability to take care of number 3 besides Risa, who else could it be?"
Rubel was right with what he had said, Rimuto had to admit that. Still there were two big ifs: "You certainly are right, but there are two concerns: Firstly, what, if she has awakened and secondly, what if she refuses to work with us again?"
"About the first concern you mentioned, I think that it is safe to say that Dae doesn't spout nonsense and his thesis actually might be true. Also, even if he is wrong, who are we to say that she did not survive by pure chance?" he convincingly described his views before continuing: "As for your second concern, I have to apologize, but I acted on my own accord here."
"Huh?" Rimuto wondered. "What did you do?"
"I sent number 5 together with number 2 in order to secure her approval of your generous offer of a full pardon" he explained.
"You should know that I don't like people deciding such things on their own accord, Rubel. Explain your actions!" Rimuto demanded, still in a calm manner.
"Of course. Warriors still have human hearts, filled with all sorts of feelings. Feelings such as friendship or even love are possible for them as they are for every other human. However, as you may or may not know, it appears for Jacqueline and number 5 to have a bond of that kind. In other words, no matter, how much Jacqueline may be against working under the Organization again, if it is number 5 asking, she will approve. In addition to that, since we don't get many requests due to Jacqueline's doing, Hysteria and the Single Digits will be enough to handle the requests left. Furthermore, even if Jacqueline were to turn down our offer, she won't go against number 5 but number 5 will against her if she goes against number 2. So she basically has not that much of a choice."
The Organization's elder then rested his chin on his folded hands to think about Rubel's words and then explained: "I see, so you acted in the Organization's interest. For future decisions of that kind I'd like to be informed beforehand."
"I understand, chief."
"Good. So, if she returns you propound to put number 3 under Blankface's care?"
"Exactly."
"Well then, please get Raftela to watch over number 3 for a while. I'd like to speak to Risa in private."
"As you wish."
###
As Rubel, accompanied by Marco and Raftela, was walking towards the ruins where Risa and Lillaine were nearly all day, he mused a little about Rimuto's reasons to talk to Risa: 'That surely is rare for him to privately talk to a warrior. Ah, well, they have known each other for nearly thirty years now. I guess that even those monsters still have some sort of emotions left in their rotten hearts.'
As the three of them had reached the ruins Risa already was awaiting them while Lillaine still kept on playing her game.
"How come you are so early today?" Raftela asked with no visible expression. Even though she was a rather foulmouthed warrior she was able to tell if something was off – and that always had gotten her into a more earnest way of talking.
Marco then explained the situation: "It is no big deal, just that Rimuto wants to have a word with you, so for now Raftela will take over. Rubel," he slightly flourished that he was talking about the other Man in Black, "will guide you to Rimuto's location."
"I see" Risa said. Turning around to the still playing girl she called out to her: "I'll be back soon! Don't give that brat too much trouble!"
Waving in mid-air Lillaine shouted back "All righty!" before barely missing a gap again.
At that Rubel and Risa left the ruins to head back to the headquarters.
"So, Rubel, was it?"
"Yes, you are Risa then, if I am not mistaken?"
"Yes. So, what does the old man want?"
"My, do you really think it is okay to speak like that of the chief?"
"That's none of your business. Answer my question!"
"A lively one are we? As for the chief's motives, I could only speculate, but I think it is better for you to ask him yourself, don't you agree?"
The both of them entered the headquarters as Risa said: "You don't have to guide me, you know? I know were the main hall is."
"Really?" he answered with slight sarcasm. "And who said that he is there?"
"Huh?" the anti-warrior said a little surprised. "Why wouldn't he be there?"
"Because he is waiting in his private rooms" Rubel stated, making Risa's eyes widen. It had been a while since she was asked to come there.
"You don't happen to know the way there, too?" her guide said with a catty grin.
That, however, led to Risa blushing, grabbing his black cloth sweater with both hands and pulling his face close to hers, before she angrily shouted: "What kind of woman you think I am, bastard?"
Rubel, keeping his cool and seeing the signs on Risa's face, simply asked: "So, do you?"
Risa's face became even redder as she pushed him away and sheepishly stated: "I do."
"I see" Rubel said, slightly chuckling. "I guess you'll find it alone then" he said and left, waving a few times while walking away.
"Insensitive klutz" she muttered with tightly folded arms and a still red face.
###
A few minutes later, after she had calmed down again, she stood in front of the door to Rimuto's private rooms. After taking a few deep breaths she knocked a few times.
"Come in" a deep voice from inside demanded.
So Risa opened the door and entered. In front of her a bright and spacious room unfolded. Being approximately six meters wide and almost eight meters long it was more of a hall than a single room, but it was the chief's private chamber after all.
Left and right of the entrance there were arranged couches that were covered in fir green velvet. Between them there stood a table of four meters width and three meters length that was covered in maps, rulers, compasses, and small tin figures of warriors and monsters, probably Awakened Beings. All of it looked very untidy, so at that moment it most likely didn't serve any purpose. In the farther end of the room there were black book shelves to the right and a door to the left that led to the bedroom. Between the door and the book shelves there stood an old fashioned study that was, compared to the table with all the maps, really clean. The wall opposite of the entrance was nothing but a window that enabled the rooms owner an ocean view.
In front of the window there stood Rimuto, just looking at the Ocean's blue color. From behind Risa walked towards him to stop just a meter behind him. Without letting her say something, he demanded of her to stand next to him, and she obeyed.
After the both of them had done nothing but to stare at the Ocean for a few minutes, Rimuto suddenly asked: "What do you feel when looking at it?"
Caught a little off guard by that question Risa blinked a few times to process it, to give her answer shortly afterwards: "I see a vast, lifeless world, just like a desert. To look at it like this fills me with anxiety. All I know is the land I was born and have lived in, Sutafu. Looking at something so big makes me feel small and unimportant."
Her look had gotten a little melancholic, as she continued: "And still, it somehow gives me a feeling I can't name. It feels like I just want to go away, to a place far away from here. No matter how it is there, if it is for better or for worse, I just want to go there, even if I have not the slightest clue where there is."
Rimuto then directed his gaze towards the slightly taller woman left to him and said: "It is called wanderlust. Everyone gets that feeling every now and then. I guess it is part of being human. Do you have it often?"
She then directed her gaze to the right to meet his and stated: "Only when I am in the rare position to look at the Ocean together with you."
A faint but visible smile appeared on Rimuto's face. A smile that, up until then, only Risa had ever seen.
He than took his seat in the armchair he always sat in when doing paperwork or planning strategies, as well when he received orders or giving reports from or to the mainland's Organization. Without meeting Risa's eyes again he slightly patted on his lap two times. Risa then doffed her pauldrons and her waist armor, placed them on the ground and sat on Rimuto's lap.
The latter then gently caressed the woman's blonde, curly hair and asked: "How is Raftela doing?"
Both her arms slid around the Organization's chief's neck to pull him closer, as she stated: "She's getting better every day. She is really talented."
"Will she become as great as you?"
"Rather not, but she'll be able to do the job."
"I see."
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Do I need a reason to want to see you?"
"He," Risa chuckled, "most certainly not."
She then closed her eyes and rested her right orbit onto Rimuto's head. "But there is something you want, isn't there?" she said knowingly and, after a short pause, added: "And I won't like it."
"You know me far too well" he sighed in regret. "So yes, you are right. It is about Lillaine. You have come to like her a lot, isn't that right?"
At that Risa raised her head from its position and let her left hand slide down onto her own lap again. "What about her?" she asked with an honest tone.
"You see," Rimuto began his explanation shortly after having found to his earnest, bored look again, "your job is to protect the headquarters against rebelling warriors and Awakened Beings. You are our last line of defense. However, you are busy with taking care of Lillaine nearly all the time. If an attack were to come it would take far too long to get Raftela to cover for you, way too much time would pass. Worst case would be having Lillaine unguarded and awakening. So, even if this is not absolute yet, we thought of putting her under the care of another warrior."
"Impossible!" Risa spouted out. "You know how her condition is! She needs someone like me and Raftela is not ready to care for her the whole day! Who else would..."
She got silenced by the tip of Rimuto's index that he gingerly had put onto her lips.
"I understand your concerns," he said, "but there is a warrior that might be able of ensuring her staying human."
He then moved his fingertip away from Risa's lips.
"Might?" she asked disbelievingly.
"That is why I said that it is not absolute yet," he explained.
Risa's view turned sad all of a sudden and she turned her face away from Rimuto. "How much time do I have left with her?" she asked with a slightly sobbing voice.
"Two, maybe three months, I think."
"I see" she answered.
Rimuto then gently grabbed her chin and turned her face towards him, before he tried to convince her: "The woman we are going to entrust with taking care of Lillaine is strong enough to take out two to three Awakened Beings on her own and she has, in addition to that, the ability to mend Yoki. Lillaine will be in good hands."
Risa blinked once, leading to a tear rolling down her cheek. "Can she... prove that?"
Rimuto closed his eyes for a moment, before he opened them again to ask: "What proof would you need?"
A deep breath later Risa explained her wishes: "If that woman really is going to take care of Lillaine then I have three conditions. The first one is that she has to watch over her for a whole month, the same way I'd do it, without losing control of her once. The second condition is that she can defeat one of the top ranks while watching over Lillaine. And the third condition is for Lillaine to accept her as her guardian. If all those conditions are met, I will not complain."
Rimuto looked into her gaze for many minutes while thinking about what Risa had said just then. He knew exactly that she would not be pleased with anything else and that she had named the minimum requirements for someone else to take care of Lillaine. On top of that, he could hardly knock back anything she said.
"I see," he said with closed eyes before opening them again, "if that is what you want we will go with that then. The safety of the one you care about that much has to be ensured after all."
Though another tear rolled down her cheek a wide smile formed on Risa's face as she hugged Rimuto to thank him.
She then arose, took his hand and pulled him out of his armchair to lead him to his bedroom.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked.
"What about it, old man? Afraid you can't anymore?" she tried to mock him.
Though she was still concerned about Lillaine and the woman who would become her new guardian she trusted Rimuto more than anyone else. To her his thoughts and opinions were the one and only truth. It had been like that since the first time she had come to the Organization, a day, that she would never be able to forget.
"He," he chuckled, "don't you dare to complain afterwards!"
"With you," she playfully said, "I have never regretted anything."
So the both of them entered the bedroom. It should take a while.
###
Even though she did not remember much of her human life, there still were some fragments left in her head that made themselves felt from time to time. One of them was the day that would change her life forever, something she was not aware of back then.
The village she lived in was only a few miles east of the lands of Toulouse. It was like many others, just a bunch of buildings inhabited by a bunch of peasants. And, like many other villages, it had problems with Yoma.
A few of them had appeared there and had begun to prey on the village's inhabitants. One after another vanished. Risa's parents were amongst the first people to get eaten, so she got cast out just to be safe.
She was forced to aimlessly walk around in the deserted lands of Sutafu in the hope of finding a place to stay but it was in vain. The farther east she got, the lesser signs of life were to be seen.
Luck had it, that, as she was at the verge of death, a woman picked her up. Risa herself did not remember anything about her, just that she wore bright clothes and a big sword.
Said woman brought her to a place she later only would call the Organization's headquarters. The first person she met there was a man named Rimuto. She had been put in charge of him and basically he was the one who ensured her survival.
After having been cast out by the only people she knew and after having been in a dead-alive state for several days his face was the first face she was able to trust because he was the one to give her food, water and a roof over her head.
She later got to know that the person who had brought her to the Organization had been a warrior called Licht. However, as Risa got to know that, Licht was already dead, so she never got the chance to thank her.
Under the constant observation of Rimuto, at that time a handler in the Organization, she became a Claymore, a man-made weapon meant to defeat Yoma, Awakened Beings and Descendants of the Dragons. Through all the pain connected with that huge change Rimuto had always been with Risa to ease her pain. At his insistence Risa became the successor of the number 10 of that time.
He knew what fate was awaiting most of the warriors to fight at the front lines and since Risa was his favorite he convinced the leader at that time to make her into the new anti-warrior.
That choice was, even if he did it out of affection for Risa, one of the best in his life: Risa had a talent in reading and mending Yoki as well as controlling others senses that was, up to that date, unheard of.
After the former chief had passed away Rimuto became the Organization's new head. And Risa became his loyal, personal bodyguard.
###
Under the constant treatment by Anna Liara finally got back to her senses. She tried to get up instantly but was pushed back by Anna who was telling her not to rush it and that everything was okay.
Liara's gaze wandered around a bit until she became aware of Hitomi and Vectra.
Addressing them she asked: "The two of you... have saved us?"
The first reaction she got was from Vectra who, meeting her gaze, declared: "Basically Hitomi did save you, I merely noticed that you were in trouble."
"I see" Liara said smiling. "Thanks anyways. We really were in a" 'pinch here' she wanted to say, but started coughing.
"Don't overdo it" a caringly smiling Anna reminded her of her condition.
After having calmed her coughing Liara whispered smilingly: "Sorry, sis."
After having watched for a while Hitomi asked, being interested: "Exactly what are you doing there, Anna?"
The latter, without detention, explained to her senior: "By keeping my own Yoki at the same wavelength of hers I am able to support whatever she is doing. In this case, it is healing her injuries."
"Oh," Hitomi responded in an astounded manner, "I did not know that something like that was possible. Guess I'll need to refine my skills in sensing and controlling Yoki. A lot."
Teresa, who was already completely healed, stepped towards them, closely followed by Irene.
Having her trademark smile on her face she friendly said: "You saved the day already, that is enough, isn't it? Thank you very much!"
"Same here" Irene added.
"Nah, it's nothing" Hitomi stated honestly. "As I said, we were heading here anyways. As Vectra noticed that you were in a pinch I just hurried a little. No big deal."
###
Later that day, as everyone was healthy again and the sun had set already, the six of them had decided to light a campfire and spend the night together. Hitomi had gotten them a boar to eat (even though everyone of them only took a few bites) and the nearby creek served as a place to bathe as well as a source of drinking water.
After everyone was sated, not thirsty and clean, they sat around the campfire to talk about all the world and his wife.
One of the questions that should crack the peace of that evening was posed Anna: "Hitomi, Vectra, why are you here anyways? It is rare for two top ranks to be on a mission together."
Vectra took the initiative to answer: "A little more than two years ago a warrior went missing on a hunt. It was a common assumption that she had awakened, but there never was a proof. Dae, the Organization's scientist, however, had a thesis that makes it likely for her to still be human and alive. We are searching for her right now, to return her to the Organization, if she agrees, or to kill her, if she does not agree."
At that Hitomi chimed in: "After I have given her a good beating."
Her statement left everyone puzzled, before Liara, who had suddenly become tense, piped up: "What is her name?"
"Jacqueline, why?" Vectra asked.
Liara literally shot up and, with clenched fists and a mad look in her face, yelled at Vectra: "She is alive?"
Everyone could feel a rise in Liara's Yoki. The first one to react was Anna who arose, took Liara's hands and said: "Calm yourself! I know about your reasons to be upset, but for now, please stay calm!"
It only took Anna's words to get Liara to restrain herself. Still, she declared: "You know... that I will never forgive... that I will never forget..."
"I know" Anna answered. "I know."
###
After having finished another boring mission, Liara sat, as always, close to a small campfire, waiting for Orsay to assign a new mission to her.
After a certain incident concerning Liara's political incorrect ways of getting higher ranks their relationship had become more open in no time. To Liara Orsay had become something comparable to an older brother.
Whenever she had finished a mission, she always looked forward to meeting him. Sometimes it felt to her like meeting him was the only thing she completed her missions for. In fact, Orsay scolding her had had such a big impact on her, that her rate of growth had nearly doubled. In no time she suddenly had become able to enter the ranks of the Single Digits.
That evening, however, should be one of the worst in her life. She, unaware of the news to come, excitedly sat at the fireplace, waiting for Orsay.
Eventually he showed up. His face clearly suggested an honest mood, something Liara had nearly forgotten about him. Without greeting him properly, she asked: "What is the matter, Orsay? You look so honest."
"Arise" he said after having taken a seat himself.
Without questioning him Liara arose.
"No, better sit down" he said.
So Liara sat down.
"Well, maybe it is better if you stand, after all."
So, slightly annoyed, Liara stood up again.
"Actually..."
"Cut it out already!" she yelled at him. "What is it?"
He sighed. "You see, I was just thinking in what way it would be best to deliver that message to you. But I guess you'll hate it either way."
Liara sat down then. "Bad messages are best heard while being calm, isn't that right?"
"Yeah, most likely."
"So," she sighed, "what is it, then?"
Orsay rose his head to met Liara's gaze. And then, as calmly as possible, he said: "Neerie and Vanessa are dead. This has been confirmed by the Retrieval Squad a few days ago."
Liara's jaw dropped, her eyes widened and she turned into a totally absentminded state. She tried to process what Orsay had just said. Her best friends, dead? Just like that?
Her breath began to become heavy and her pulse rose. Orsay was joking, that had to be it! There was no way for them to die!
"The one with them," Orsay continued, catching the pig-tailed woman's attention, "Jacqueline, that is... there is no trace left of her. If you want to know more, and I can see that you want that, you will have to ask her in person."
"So they're dead?" she whimpered as tears began to flood her face.
"Yeah, sadly" he answered.
Afterward agonized screams filled the surrounding forest.
###
"Voice in my head, I feel unimportant" Jacqueline said.
Why is that?
"I got ignored the whole chapter. That sucks."
Poor thing!
"Fuck your sarcasm!"
My, my, get along.
"I am the main character here!"
So?
"I am supposed to have screen time every chapter!"
Ever read Claymore? Your argument is invalid.
"I hate you."
Whatever.
Author's notes:
Poor little Jacci. Guess she'll get a little more attention next time. But not too much, I don't want it to get to her head.
Until next time!
kstefan88