逆境と戦う:Gyakkyō to Tatakau ~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~ & Sosuke0549

[Sosuke0549]

As Gaara gazed out the window, he felt the others eyes on him. He glanced at Aoi, as he shifts out of bed and begins retrieving his clothes, putting them on with a faint blush upon his cheeks. He looked outside again, it didn't take much time for the other to dress himself and stand beside him.

"So...um...what were you planning we do today?"[/Quote]

His voice quiet. Gaara couldn't help but notice the slight change in attitude toward him. Aoi was being quiet, and a little timid.

"West...We're going to go pay a little visit to the organizations head quarters. I have a few questions."

He said not looking at the other. It was best to keep away from Aoi... He didn't want the other to get feelings for him. He stepped away from the window ready to leave.

"Did...something happen last night after I fell asleep?"[/Quote]

Gaara glanced at the odd claymore, his silver hair falling in his face.

"Why would you say that? Nothing happened.... Are you ready to go?"

-----------------------------------------------

"Ahh!!"

Haruki quickly woke up from his nightmare. His eyes wide and his body slightly trembling, sweat on his forehead. He took in a deep sigh as he ran a hand threw his hair. Ever since that experience he had with the awaken being...he was rather traumatized. He leaned his head back against the tree he had fallen asleep against, his sword clutched in his hands. He wondered how he could still be alive...and...he thought about that girl...that small little girl who had eyes that could see right threw him.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

A confused expression forms on his face. West? Why were they going to the organizations head quarters? What kind of questions could Gaara have for them? But he doesn't ask this, seeing that for some reason, Gaara was being a bit stand offish. However, Aoi does not let this get to him, deciding to let what happened last night slip to the back of his mind, settling on the fact that it wouldn't happen again, and to think of it as just a dream.

 

"Alright then."

 

Was all he said, turning away, not liking the answer he'd been given. Slipping his weapons in their place, he nods at the question. He was definitely ready to go. Without another word, he exits the room, ahead of Gaara, and makes his way out of the building itself, staying a few steps ahead of the other Claymore. Even though Gaara told him that nothing had happened, Aoi couldn't help but feel that something had indeed happened...Sighing, he walks in silence, focusing on something other than Gaara. Emptying his mind of all thoughts.

 

It was hard.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Standing there, on the balcony, looking out at the city below, Amaterasu sighs softly. Her fourteenth birthday had come and gone, and other than her studies becoming harder, she was so bored. And lonely. There was not a moment that went by that she wished Haku was there, not a second passed that he was not on her mind. She always prayed for his well being, for his safety, and for the moment when they would see each other again. She hoped that he remembered the promise they had made, when he would come back. It seemed so far away, the day she turns seventeen, and was free to choose her own path, her own future.

 

"Haku...stay safe. Stay alive..." She murmurs, staring out at the rising sun, tears beginning to sting her eyes. Hearing a voice, she sighs. Time to start the day. "I'm coming!" She replies, and turns away from the sky, and goes back inside. Maybe...she'd ask for a few days to go out...and find Haku. She wanted to see him...

 

No...

 

She needed to see him again.

[Sosuke0549]

Gaara glanced at Aoi. He hadn't spoken to him since they left the inn, and the two of them were walking in silence. He only sighed very softly and tried to focus on the task at hand. He was doing this for Aoi. However even If he wanted to tell the truth... it would go against L's orders.

... I'm actually disobeying him right now if I go to head quarters...Maybe...Aoi has the right to know the truth....and..I can accept the punishment for failing my mission..

He thought to himself.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Silence was still between them, though Aoi could hear the soft sigh that had come from the other Claymore. Glancing back quickly, he wondered just what was going on in the other's mind, though asks nothing, remaining quiet, not wanting to seem like a pestering annoyance. His thoughts wander to what they were going to do, heading towards the head quarters, wondering what exactly they were supposed to be doing there.

 

Aoi felt as if Gaara was hiding something, something crucial, but if it was that important, Aoi did not want to know. Though, the way that the other was acting towards him stung a bit, it was as if last night had not even happened at all. He had hoped that Gaara would feel even a little something, but it was not to be, so it seemed. It was his time to sigh now, and he shakes his head softly, gravel crunching beneath his feet as they continued to walk.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Once her lessons had ended, Amaterasu leaves the room, heading towards the west wing, to ask for permission to leave the castle for a few days. Finding the one she needed to speak to, she explains the situation. At first the old man refused to agree, but after a little begging and pleading, he finally gives in. She was given permission to leave for a week, and jumps to it right away, getting things together, sending out a personal 'mage' to find Haku, and when everything was ready, she leaves, taking off on her horse, which she was given as a gift.

 

Closing her eyes as she rode, she reaches her mind out to the young Claymore.

 

'Haku...where are you? Are you safe? I hope so...please, answer me...'

[Sosuke0549]

"DDDIIIIIEEEEE"

Haku fell against the ground, being pinned by a Yoma. He had taken a mission were two yoma's had been killing villagers. He had killed one.. but this one was fighting very hard.

"DISGUISING CLAYMORE!! "

"Tch..."

The sword in his hand trembled as he struggled to keep the Yoma's hands off him.

'Haku...where are you? Are you safe? I hope so...please, answer me...'[/Quote]

The boys eyes widened. He took his eyes off the yoma for a moment to check his surrounding. Was Amaterasu here?

... Amaterasu?

"Don't you ever LOOK AWAY!!"

The creature's fingers extended, going around his blade and stabbing him in the shoulders and stomach. Haku bit his lip... blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

"hehe.. let's see what's inside you~"

The monster began to move his fingers around inside him, extending them and exploring his insides. Hauk screamed.

"B...bastard! "

He clinched his sword and used a lot of his strength to swing it, chopping off the Yoma's fingers. The creature shrieked, jumping off him and getting distance.

 

Haku slowly stood up. Covering one of his wounds, the pain unbearable. He was too distracted to respond to Amaterasu. He gripped his sword and charged at the yoma. The two of them being locked I'm battle for what seemed like hours until Haku finally killed it.

 

Haku fell to his knees, leaving a trail of blood behind as he returned to the leader of the village. He didn't care about everyone gasping and staring at him..or the blood and pain...a assignment was and assignment. And he wanted to complete his.

"M-my God..."

"The y-yoma's... have been taken care of--"

He suddenly coughed up blood, wheezing a little.

"P-payment will be given to a women in black... I must l-lea--"

Haku suddenly clasped to the ground. The villagers all hesitated, not sure if they should help a Claymore. If they didn't help...he may die.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

As she rode, her mind extended towards Haku's, she felt pain. Extreme, intense pain. Wincing, she opens her eyes once more, worry etched across her face, and urges her horse into a gallop, heading towards where she felt the pain coming from. Even from far away, she heard the commotion, and knew right away what was going on. She heard screams, yells, the sound of a fight going on in the village just ahead. And Haku was there.

 

At the edge of town, she jumps off her horse, her things in a bag on her back, and what appeared to be a small rapier at her side, clutched in her hands. She begins to run on foot, tears stinging her eyes as the sounds ended, the battle over. She hoped he was okay, that he was alive. He made a promise!

 

"HAKU!!!" She screams, not caring about the looks she was given, though automatically recognition crossed the villagers faces when they saw the insignia on the cloak she was wearing, and the pin at her neck, holding the cloth in place. Dirt kicked up from under her feet, and then she slides to a stop near the center of the village, eyes wide at what she saw.

 

There stood Haku, covered in blood, wounded, and she gasps as he collapses. When no one stepped forward to help, she rushes to him, fury in her eyes, as she fell to her knees next to Haku's side. "Haku..." She murmurs, and right away she begins to treat him, pulling bandages and such from her bags, cleaning him up and making sure he was okay.

 

As she worked, she muttered words, infuriated. "Shame on you. Humans. Fearful creatures, you should be angry at yourselves! He helped you, and all you can do is stand an watch as he slowly dies. Shame on you for being cowards! Shame on you for being pitiful!" Tears fell down her face, as he hands quickly worked to heal Haku.

 

One hand glowed just slightly as she touched the worst of the wounds, healing as best as she could, just enough to keep him from dying. "Haku...don't you die...You made a promise, and you're going to keep it..." The look on the people's faces was of shock. A princess, the Holy Royal Princess, a human...helping a Claymore. And from what it seemed, this Claymore was special to her.

[Sosuke0549]

Death...it's a thing No claymore should fear..and yet why am I shaking. Is this the human side of me.. the desire to live..? It hurts...the pain of being alone...I became a claymore...to protect people..to prevent someone from sharing my horrible fate..--

*Coughs*

Haku badly coughs up blood, staining his armor. He whizzes when he finishes.

I'm I....going to die here...

"HAKU!!!" [/Quote]

Haku' s eyes where half opened and his vision was fuzzy. He stared up at the blue sky hearing someone say his name...

....who's that...Why do they sound so...sad?

He wondered closing his eyes.

"Haku..."[/Quote]

There it was again! Haku slowly opened his eyes half way, seeing a blurry vision of a girl and the soft touch of a human treating his wounds.

"Shame on you. Humans. Fearful creatures, you should be angry at yourselves! He helped you, and all you can do is stand an watch as he slowly dies. Shame on you for being cowards! Shame on you for being pitiful!"[/Quote]

He heared the small girl muttering to herself. Sounding anger, and he felt the drop of tears hit his face.

 

Was she crying for him? What human shed tears for a claymore? And her voice...sounded familiar but Haku just couldn't place it... who was she? Why was helping him? Why did she care?

"Haku...don't you die...You made a promise, and you're going to keep it..."[/Quote]

A promise?... I made a promise?

 

The inside of his body was practically ruined. It would take a day for him to fully recover, he hoped that when he woke up...he'd be alive still...and he'd be able to see this same girl once more.

 

Haku passed out in Amaterasu's arms.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

As she knelt there, Amaterasu looked at Haku's face, noticing that he'd passed out. She held him in her arms after finishing what she could do for him, hugging him close, burying her face against his hair, and closes her eyes for a few moments. Kissing his forehead like the night they parted, she looks up, and over at some of the people who were standing there.

 

"You, help me move him to the nicest inn you've got. And be gentle with him, he's still healing."

 

The person she pointed to moves quickly, carefully picking Haku up and doing as she'd told. It didn't take took long, and Haku was soon laying on a soft bed, his head resting upon a fluffy feather pillow. Amaterasu had already payed the innkeeper, and now she sat on a chair that was placed next to the bed, her things laying on the ground by the wall. She continued to take care of him, gently wiping the young Claymore's face with a damp cloth, the look on her face caring and filled with compassion.

 

"Haku...I've missed you so much..." She murmurs, unsure if the other could hear her or not. Even so, she said it. Sighing softly, she sets the cloth down, her eyes beginning to droop slowly. She hadn't slept well the other night, having been on the move for over 24 hours. It didn't seem that way, but it definitely had been.

 

Eventually she drifts off to sleep, her head lowering to the pillow next to Haku's, breathing slowly, the breath leaving her lips warm and sweetly scented. A tiny smile could be seen on her lips, as she slept, it was obvious she was happy to be at Haku's side once more.

[Sosuke0549]

{ 3 days later }

It took much longer for Haku's wounds to heal. It was a miracle the Claymore didn't die. I

 

t was around noon When Haku slowly opened his eyes. He realized he was in a bed... He couldn't help but wonder how he got there and how he was still alive. He slowly sat up, spotting objects around the room.. most of it wasn't his... who was the person taking care of him all this time? How long was he unconscious?

Who's voice pulled him away from deaths door?

 

Haku stood, his eyes dull and his face expressionless, and yet deep down inside He was feeling some kind of human emotion. He turned to the door as he heard foot steps drew near, He watched as the door creeked open and his eyes fell on a small human girl, one he realized from years ago. She was still short but her appearance had changed slightly. Her hair was a bit longer and her attire was different but He couldn't forget the human who saw him as a hero rather than a monster. The human that saw the sorrow and pain behind his mask.

"..a... Amaterasu.."

He stared at her surprised. It was her voice that he was hearing all this time...

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

It had been three days. Three days that Haku had laid on the bed, unconscious, with Amaterasu taking care of him, making sure he was okay. That morning she had gone out to get something to eat, wanting to be independent, despite having several people offer to get her food and things that she needed. Her thoughts constantly wandered to Haku, hoping that he would heal and wake up, she wanted to see his eyes open, not closed, looking as if he was in pain.

 

As she returned to the room, a small bag of food containing an apple, a small loaf of bread, cured meat, and a chunk of cheese, she was surprised as she opened the door, dropping everything from her arms as she saw Haku standing up. Her eyes open wide, tears stinging them, and she smiles a huge smile, though filled with tears, as she hears the Claymore say her name.

 

"Haku...You're awake!" She hurries forward, ignoring the fact she'd dropped her bag, and goes over to him, reaching up and giving him a soft, warm, gentle hug. "I was so worried that you would not wake up..." Her voice was muffled slightly, as she had her face against Haku's chest, eyes closed, trying not to cry.

 

"I...I missed you...so much..."

[Sosuke0549]

Amaterasu looked...surprised seeing him, so much that she dropped everything in her arms

Her eyes open wide and watering, such a big smile on her face to see a disgusting claymore like him.

"Haku...You're awake!" [/Quote]

She hurries forward, ignoring her scattered food and runs to him,hugging him gently. He stared at her unsure if he should touch her. He gently touched her hair.

"I was so worried that you would not wake up..."[/Quote]

Her voice muffled slightly, as she had her face against his chest, struggling not to cry.

"I...I missed you...so much..."[/Quote]

"..I apologize for worrying you.. no one...worries for...claymores.."

He ran his fingers threw her hair.

"How did you find me...I don't understand how your here... your people need you..princess."

He took her chin- and forced her to look up at him.

"...Why do you...cry."

He touched the soft skin under her eyes.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

She sighs softly, enjoying the soft touch of the fingers running through her hair, which had grown quite long since the last time they'd seen each other. Physically, she had changed. Her hair, her body shape, she was starting to turn into a young woman. Hearing the question, she was about to speak when her chin was taken by Haku's hand, her face turned up to look into his.

 

"I found you...well, my heart found you really...I don't know how to explain it. It's something I've been taught. They might need me...but, Haku...I need you. I cry...I cry because I am happy. These aren't sad tears, they are happy tears. Haku, these tears are my joy in seeing you alive and well."

 

Her cheek was brushed gently against, and she blushes ever so slightly, but looks straight into Haku's eyes, a smile upon her lips. She had truly missed him. Amaterasu did not care what others thought, those stereotypical bastards saying that humans and Claymore could not get along. To her, that was just nonsense.

 

She wasn't thinking straight, her heart so happy with seeing Haku again, that she didn't realize what she was doing until after she had done it, standing on tiptoe and kissing Haku on the cheek. Realization sets in, and she blushes deeply, and looks quickly away.

 

"S-Sorry..."

[Sosuke0549]

Haku listened to her explanation. Finding it odd that you could cry when your happy. He was a little surprised and confused to hear her say she needed him... no one had ever...needed him before. Let alone wanted him. And being ranked as the lowest level claymore- many thought he was useless.

"I don't understand --''

He stopped feeling the girl kiss his cheek. He stared at her,covering the place she kissed. And for once he felt something..some emotion that he couldn't place and he thought he lost.

"S-Sorry..."[/Quote]

"..what is that.."

He asked. He didn't understand what a kiss ment. He had seen people do such things before but he didn't understand why...or better yet...remember why. The organization had erased most of his memories and emotions He had once felt.

Interested, he touched her lip with his thumb. He could hear her heart beat..it was faster then normal.. and her face was...pink.

 

He didn't understand why but...he liked seeing her like this..she had changed, no longer the small little girl who once stunned him. She was becoming a young women.

 

Suddenly screams filled the town. Haku stopped- letting Amaterasu go to quickly look out the window. Fire was spreading.

 

Bandits.

 

Haku stared and watched as the men started running into homes, inn and, business, stealing and dragging the women out, killing the men with your sword.

Haku looked back at Amaterasu. The men were coming into the inn.

"You must go. You are not safe here...and I can not... protect you."

He said looking away- he grabbed her hand- and slipped his sword on his back.

"When you get outside run..do not look back.."

He said emotionless. As he suddenly took her in his arms and jumped out the window, shattering glass. The bandits yelled seeing him.

"A claymore!''

He landed on the ground with ease, and put her down.

"Do not let these men catch you..run.."

He turned his back to her, just as the leader of the bandits approached him. The town was now completely on fire. The men all dead and the women and children and the young were cowering in a group, scared. There were even a few young boys in the group.

"A claymore~ what's that behind you?"

Haku said nothing.

"Men- go get her!"

"Yes sir! "

Two men quickly left the group to chase after

Amaterasu. Haku didn't move or did he stop them.

"Trying to hide a girl from us... we take all the women and make them into our personal bitches~ granted killing all the old bags, men and babies are quiet annoying...but we get to celebrate for days~"

Haku clenched his hands into fists. He hated humans like these but Claymores were suppose to protect humans- even humans as awful as them and no matter what a claymore must never interfere with human affairs. He glared at the men. His eyes wondered over to one of the leaders followers. The man was dirty and was grabbing a small girl, pulling her by her hair, pinning her to the ground. He stared and watched as the man yanked off the screaming girls clothes...and began rapping her.

 

Haku didn't do anything. The small girl was looking at him, knowing he could stop this but didn't. She was crying for help but he ignored her.

He looked back at the leader...

"..I'm just passing threw..."

He said coldly. Hoping Amaterasu got away in the back of his mind.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Just as things were about to get a bit more intimate, Amaterasu's cheeks turning darker than before, her heart beating fast as her lips were touched by Haku, things had to go and ruin what was happening. Her eyes flick towards the window as screams reached her ears, and she follows Haku to look outside, shock on her face at what met her gaze. There were bandits, running around and wreaking havoc, killing and stealing and doing as they pleased.

 

When Haku spoke to her, she shook her head, not wanting to part ways so quickly, not wanting to leave his side, never again. Her hand was taken, and then she was picked up into his arms, before Haku jumps out of the window, landing nimbly on the ground below. Good thing she had thought to wear her weapon when she had gone out that morning to gather supplies, or she would have been in trouble.

 

Haku sets her down, then tells her to run, but she does not move. She stares at him, and then the bandits arrive. His body hid her from view, so they asked Haku what he was hiding. Before anything else happened, she took off, and began to run, tears stinging her eyes. She didn't want this to happen, she wanted to spend time with him! Why, why must bad things always do this?!

 

Hearing yells, she glances behind as she ran and gasped as two of the men from before made their way after her, and despite her quick footed pace, they were gaining on her. One throws something at her, making her stumble, but right as he caught up, she unsheathed her sword and swung back, cutting a large slash across his chest, though not deep enough to kill, making him scream in pain. The other man then moves quick, and Amaterasu couldn't block, and ends up getting smacked across her face, a cut forming on her cheek.

 

The man regretted this though, as he had not time to react, and the lights leave his eyes as her sword was shoved through his chest. The first man had gotten over his pain, and tackles her, slamming her into the ground and knocking the air from her lungs, making her cry out in pain. Tears stung her eyes, and she gasps for breath, as the man's weight continued to put weight and pressure on her.

 

At the sight of the crest upon her neck, recognition and a slight dirtiness forms in the man's eyes, a smirk on his lips. "Royalty, huh? I bet you're untouched..." She couldn't move her arms, as they were pinned down, and she felt the man begin to feel her up, cringing as she was touched in her most private area. She then screams as he begins groping her hard, then without thinking, bites him on the neck, ripping through his arteries and killing him almost instantly.

 

Blood was everywhere, and she struggles to get out from under the man, wincing and cringing, tears staining her face, which was quite dirty with dust and sweat. "HAKU!!!" She screams, unable to free herself, she feared she'd broken something in the fall and having the man on her. "HELP ME!"

[Sosuke0549]

"What's the matter Claymore? Not going to intervene? Oh- wait...that's right You can't~ "

Haku looked at the leader expressionless. He had no intention of stopping them. Why should he? He was ready to leave when he stoped hearing a girl scream from outside of town. With his intense hearing- he knew it was Amaterasu's voice.

"HAKU!!!" [/Quote]

His eyes widened. Was set caught? Hurt? He could hear the fear in her voice.

"HELP ME!"[/Quote]

He took a step toward the direction of her voice ready to intervene but stops himself.

no...I must'by interfere...I...I have to obey the rules...

He suddenly pictured The bandits having their way with Amaterasu's body..the thought of them ripping off her clothes...violating her body....beating her...made him angry. With out a second thought he ran to were he had heard her, his eyes changing to that of a yoma's. Yellow with black slits.

When he found her she was under a man, wincing and cringing, tears staining her face, which were dirty with dust and sweat. She was screaming , unable to free herself, and their was blood...blood on her cheek.

 

Seeing her blood sent Haku over the edge. He grabbed the man's body and easily lifted him off her, slamming him down into the dirt where he climbed on top of him and punched him, OVER and OVER and OVER again. Hate in his monster eyes. He had broken the man's face with the first punch...but now the man had no face and blood was splattering everywhere. He was now just beating up the corpse for the hell of it.

 

It was as if he forgot Amaterasu was there watching. When he finally stopped. He stood up slowly , his face expressionless but dark, his eyes still holding anger. Blood stained his face and body. He pulled out his sword...and in a flash he was gone. Running back to the village that was burned to the ground and held the rest of the bandits. Even from this distance Amaterasu would defiantly hear the cry's, screaming, and begging of the bandits...

 

Haku killed them all.

---------------------------------------------

Haku stared up at the dark sky.. he was completely red now...there was no place where there wasn't blood on him. The young children and the women of the village stared at him in horror too scared to move or run.. they had seen him ruthless kill all the bandits.

 

A wicked grin appeared on his lips...his vain's now visible on his face. His jaw snapped- as his teeth became sharp and a dark glow surrounded his body as he fell to his knees.

 

All the killing...all the anger...had awaken the yoma inside of him.. and it was dying to take control.

"Ha...ahh...ahhh-... AHHHHHHHHH"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Haku was there...he was helping her. But something was different. Off...strange. Within a matter of moments the man's body was off of her, and her eyes widen with shock as the Claymore began to punch the human's already dead body, apparently he hadn't noticed that. She had sat up, and was now sitting there, trembling, scared at the scene that as unfolding before her eyes. "H...Haku...?" Amaterasu murmurs, pretty sure he wasn't able to hear her.

 

And that was proved true when Haku takes off, going back where he'd run from, and where she was, Amaterasu could hear the screams of agony of the bandits, until all had gone silent, nothing left except for the women and children crying. She forces herself to her feet, feeling something had gone terrible wrong, and goes to where Haku was, and when she saw him, she nearly cried out in terror, but not only that...

 

Her eyes looked at him...with pity.

 

"Haku..." She murmurs again, and slowly moves forward, knowing he had to be in pain from the mental struggle he was going through. Reaching out to him, she continued to move towards him, using not only her voice but her mind as well to reach to him.

 

'Haku...listen to me...Haku, I am fine. You are fine. You will be okay. Please...calm down. It makes me so sad...seeing you like this. Please, PLEASE, fight it! Haku...I need you. I need the Haku I know. Don't let the monster take over, don't let it ruin you. I know you're stronger than this. Haku! Fight!'

 

She'd reached him, and with tears falling, she throws herself forward, falling to her own knees, embracing the changing Claymore.

 

"Haku! I NEED YOU! I...I...I love you so much! HAKU!" Tears fell freely, as she held on to the Claymore she cared so much for, not wanting to allow him to slip away. She wanted to stay with him, forever...She wasn't going to give up, not ever.

[Sosuke0549]

It hurts... It hurts...It hurts...

Haku had did something horrible. He had killed humans... he had broken the rules! And he could not get that image of Amaterasu bleeding out of him mind. Why did he care so much? Why was it driving him crazy with anger?

 

Haku screams in agony, the transformation he was going threw was extremely painful- the longer you fought against it...the dreadful it became. Haku didn't take knowest of Amaterasu coming toward him. He was too distracted- the light around him grew bigger- as his face expanded- becoming that of a Yoma's... his fingers began to turn into claws.

It hurts....It hurts....It hurts!!!

Haku...[/Quote]

That voice....

listen to me...Haku, I am fine. You are fine. You will be okay.[/Quote]

Haku thought he had failed the princess. He was so relived to hear her voice... to tell him He that she was okay and that...perhaps he would be ok... but the pain...it was slowly tuning her out.

Please...calm down. It makes me so sad...seeing you like this. Please, PLEASE, fight it! Haku...I need you. I need the Haku I know. Don't let the monster take over, don't let it ruin you. I know you're stronger than this. Haku! Fight!'[/Quote]

Haku opened his eyes eyes- feeling something touch him, He realized it was Amaterasu. She was crying, falling to her knees as she embraced him. Why was she still here?

"Tsk- n-No.. uhghh..r-run- "

Haku! [/Quote]

"J..just argh! Just leave me!!"

I NEED YOU! I...I...I love you so much! HAKU!"[/Quote]

His eyes widened. Love?...

 

Haku was scared inside...

I... I don't want to be a yoma ... I don't want to hurt people...I want her...I want this girl to stay by my side, for as Long as she can...I... I just want....her...

He suddenly dug his claws into the girls back. Struggling to fight back as he screamed. And in a bright flash.. it was all over.

----------------------------------------------

Haku laid on the ground. Blood covering his body...But he back. Back to being a claymore. He was out like a light. Physically and emotionally drained from fighting back his inner Yoma.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

It seemed to her that Haku was finally starting to get control, finally the monster within was subsiding, giving up the fight...for now anyways. Tears continued to fall, and she screams out when claws suddenly dig into her back, making spots of crimson red blotch the fabric, blood dripping down her skin. She grimaces, but does not fight to free herself, her trust in Haku was strong, she knew he'd win the struggle. He had to.

 

Within moments it was finished, and Haku now lay on the ground, Amaterasu by his side, her chest heaving, tears, dirt, and blood staining her face, sweat dripping down her brow, body trembling from the pain racking every inch of her very self. She weakly looks to the Claymore's face, and through dimming vision, she saw he was back. Back to the Haku she knew, the Haku she loved. Weakly, she takes a hold of his hand, and then she too passes out.

 

The women and children still around were amazed by this, some were scared as well. No one did anything until a few minutes later, realization sets in. A woman steps forward, and makes some orders, her voice shaking as she told people what to do, and soon enough Amaterasu and Haku were being taken care of, moved to a safer, more comfortable place, their wounds healed, and in Amaterasu's case, her clothing changed, as it was ripped. They would have changed Haku's, but fear held them back.

 

Amaterasu now lay next to Haku on a blanket set on a patch of soft grass, wearing a simple short sleeved, knee length button up blue and white dress, her hand holding lightly to Haku's. A young woman sat nearby, keeping an eye on them. "Why...why would a human, and a Royal at that...care so much about a...a Claymore...?" The woman mutters, looking at Amaterasu's hand, holding to Haku's. "It makes no sense..."

[Sosuke0549]

Haku stirred, his head falling to the left and then the right as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Uhh-"

He saw the dark sky...and felt something warm holding onto his hand...but what?

 

He turned his head- seeing Amaterasu's beautiful face. He stared at her... she was ok! And she was right beside him!

"..Amaterasu.."

He slowly sat up, and glanced at the women beside her. Why was she here? He looked to the smaller girl.

"Are you..alright. "

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

The woman looks over at Haku, who had begun to stir, but says nothing, instead she looks away quickly, not wanting to make eye contact with him. Amaterasu moves a bit, feeling the Claymore moving beside him, and slowly opens her eyes when she was spoken to. Everything was slightly blurry, but it clears up after a moment, and her gaze turns to Haku, who was staring at her as if he'd never seen a human like her before.

 

"H-Haku...I'm...I'm fine. How about you? Are you okay?" She sits up carefully, not letting go of the hand she was holding onto, it felt so natural, her hand in his. A dull pain could be felt in her lower leg, back, and in her ankle, but she does not let her pain show. From what the sky showed, it was rather late, and the sun was low on the horizon. Also, dark clouds were starting to form, signalling there was a storm coming.

 

She was glad that everything had turned out okay. Leaning softly against Haku, she sighs quietly, wincing a tiny bit from the movement, feeling the bandages that were around her chest, covering the wounds she'd gotten from being clawed at on her back. Two lines of what appeared to be shallow stab wounds lined her back, and even now the bandages that she wore were dotted with red.

[Sosuke0549]

"H-Haku...I'm...I'm fine. How about you? Are you okay?" [/Quote]

Haku watched her moments carefully. Not really convinced that she was ok. She sits up, still holding his hand.

He hesitates, not sure if he should touch her.

"..I am fine... Its unnecessary for you to worry about Me.."

Something was off about Amaterasu... Haku could feel it. She was hiding something. She leans against him, sighing quietly, but wincing a tiny bit.

 

She was hurt...but where?

 

Haku slowly took the others chin- looking deeply into her eyes.

"...What you did.. was dangerous."

With out another word Haku gently puts Amaterasu back on the blanket, coming on top of her and pulling up her dress- pinning both her hands above her head with one arm. He flinched seeing her bandages.

Sorrow in his eyes. The bandages were around her chest. Two lines of ( what appeared to be shallow stab wounds) lined her back, And she was still bleeding.

Haku examined her body, with gentle fingers touching her skin, and once he had finished he let her go, sitting on his knees as he felt something wet on his face. Tears ran down his face. And he didn't know why.

 

"I did that?..I hurt you...?"

He covered his face.

"W...what is this...why..."

His chest hurt...but why? Why did seeing this girl hurt...bother him so much? He didn't understand these emotions!

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Amaterasu shakes her head, she couldn't help but worry. She always did, especially about Haku, whom she cared so much for, he was, all in all, her world. Looking back into the Claymore's eyes, her eyebrows pressing lightly together with concern. "I'm sorry..." She murmurs, knowing well what she had done was quite indeed dangerous. She could have gotten herself killed, but when she'd done what she did...she wasn't thinking about herself. She was thinking about Haku, and how she cared about him.

 

Suddenly she finds herself on the ground, with Haku over her, who had pulled her dress up, exposing everything beneath, her arms being held in place above her head by the Claymore's hands, and her eyes grow wide, her cheeks red, and the woman sitting there gasps, before quickly looking away, and getting to her feet, hurrying away from them. "H-Haku?" She questions.

 

What was he doing? Then she noticed that he was looking at the bandages that covered her torso, he'd seen that blood that dotted the white cloth. He moves, and she sits up too, pulling her dress back to cover herself again, noticing that Haku was...crying.

 

"Haku...please, don't...don't worry about it, okay? I'll be okay, I'm fine..." Seeing him crying was enough to make her own eyes start to water with tears, and she moves over to him, softly placing her arms around him and hugging him gently. "Please...don't cry..." She murmurs, closing her eyes, she places her head against his shoulder, consoling both Haku and herself.

[Sosuke0549]

Haku didn't care about the other human, leaving, or if she was their. He only cared about Amaterasu.... and the fact that he didn't realize he hurt her.

The young girl sits up as well, pulling her dress back down, and seeing the strange liquid fall from his eyes. Haku had forgotten this human emotion... but here He was experiencing this...awful pain in his chest that just wouldn't heal or go away. What was this pain? Why was he continuing to weep?

"Haku...please, don't...don't worry about it, okay? I'll be okay, I'm fine..." [/Quote]

"..f...forgive me..I...I didn't know I...hurt you..forgive me...p-please forgive me.."

He muttered. His voice cracking just a tiny bit.

 

Haku takes knowtest that Amaterasu's eyes start to water, she moves over to him, And softly places her arms around him, hugging him... it was such a nice feeling...one he had forgotten. The warmth of another person was so...comforting.

"Please...don't cry..." [/Quote]

She murmurs, her eyes closed and head against his shoulder. Crying? Was that what he was doing???

 

After a few minutes Haku was alright. Regaining his composer and emotionless exterior, however...he held Amaterasu in his embrace for as long as he could And for as long as she would let him

 

He realized this girl had changed him...He was feeling emotions that he thought were gone...and he found himself now...finally attached to her. Princess Amaterasu was now.. His purpose for living. Not the organization ( who would be coming after him soon to kill him) but Amaterasu. He decided he'd give her every moment of his life from now on...until the organization took care of him.

------------------------------------------------

"I've come for answers."

Gaara said as he stood before the leaders of the organization. They sat high above him, looking down on him with bitter expressions. He told all 5 of them about Aoi.. everything he knew and wanted to know.. He hoped they'd give him answers but that was highly unlikely and they may just kill him for knowing too much.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"It's alright...I forgive you...Haku." She was happy to be there, in Haku's embrace, warm and comforting, a shield from the harsh reality of the world. Amaterasu never wanted this to end, from now on, she wanted to stay by Haku's side, not caring that he was a Claymore, and she, human. To her, their differences didn't matter. It was what was inside that counted. After a few moments, her eyes close, and her breathing slows as she falls asleep, leaning against the warmth of the body, the person she loved so much.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Aoi had tried. Tried to stop him, but Gaara had insisted on going to see the organization. And now, he stood by himself, wondering just what the hell Gaara was doing. He doubted it was going to end well, considering he had a feeling that this whole encounter was to get answers. And if his guesses were right, those answers were about him. Aoi. Sighing in annoyance, he leans against a brick wall, ignoring the looks and glances he was getting from people passing or standing nearby. He really couldn't care less about what they thought, obvious by the cold look upon his face.

 

The leaders look at each other, hearing what Gaara told them, staying silent. One speaks up, voice cold. "And why do you think we should answer you? It seems you already know more than you should...you're quite lucky we don't strike you down where you stand." Another begins talking. "Yes, you know quite too much. Lest you wish to see an early end, I suggest you cease this pointless nosing about, and leave with you life."

 

Standing in a corner, out of view, a nasty smirk on his lips, eyes glowing dangerously, watching from the shadows, was L. Leaning slightly against the wall on one shoulder, arms crossed and seemingly relaxed, his attention switches from Gaara to one of the leaders, who had spoken up. "What I want to know is how you learned so much. Did you somehow get into contact with Lucifer?" However, they quickly put up their hand, as if stopping Gaara from answering. "No, do not answer. Instead, leave. We wish not to lose such a valuable asset, a warrior like yourself should only focus on completing tasks and the such, not concerning himself with meaningless nothings. We're finished here."

 

L simply smirks more, knowing Gaara would have no idea who was being spoken of. And it was obvious the discussion was over, if he pushed any further, the Claymore would get into much more trouble than just being told off. 'Just turn around and walk away, I trusted you with Aoi's life, so you better keep yours, damn fool.' L thinks to himself, glancing in the direction of the Claymore, and then towards the door, where no doubt, on the other side, Aoi was waiting.

[Sosuke0549]

Aoi had tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen. He stood before the leaders. No fear in his eyes.

 

The leaders look at each other, before one speaks up, voice cold.

"And why do you think we should answer you? It seems you already know more than you should...you're quite lucky we don't strike you down where you stand." [/Quote]

Another speaks.

"Yes, you know quite too much. Lest you wish to see an early end, I suggest you cease this pointless nosing about, and leave with you life."[/Quote]

Gaara bit his lip clenching his fists.

"..Is th--"

"What I want to know is how you learned so much. Did you somehow get into contact with Lucifer?" [/Quote]

Lucifer?.... is that...L?

Gaara opened his mouth to speak but is quickly hushed before he could get a word out.

"No, do not answer. Instead, leave. We wish not to lose such a valuable asset, a warrior like yourself should only focus on completing tasks and the such, not concerning himself with meaningless nothings. We're finished here."[/Quote]

Gaara quickly weighed his options. This was not in his favor but... he had a theory. And if he was correct then... he feared the worst. He takes a deep breath, controlling his anger, his face emotionless.

"..With all do respect.. it is not meaningless nothing's... This is a claymore you assigned to not only complete his tasks like every other, but take care of Aoi, rank 30. If I may speak freely, my knowledge of Aoi was learned from having him as a partner. His rank is poorly chosen, and has different abilities from your average claymore And a different weapon given, outfit, and fighting style. He's strong and struggles controlling himself and has odd markings on his body that tend to glow. "

He looked at the leaders with firm eyes.

"I assume Aoi is your new claymore. One your testing out...That Or a failed experiment... if he doesn't meet up to your standards. You'll kill him and try again...If he does meet your standards. You'll kill all of us, And make Claymores just like him.... However... I don't understand why you see a need to make new Claymores... we are not flawed. Are we?"

He questioned them.

 

The only explanation for Aoi's existence was their leaders wanting new claymore's... a better And improved claymore. And once they had that would they throw away the other 50 something claymores away?

 

The leaders glared at him, as if he hit the nail on the head. One was about to speak when a guard came running in.

"Pardon the interruption! But I have urgent news. Claymore Haku, rank 47 has broke one of the highest rules.. He has killed humans... massacred over 60 men who where bandits."

 

"Haku... "

A leader looked down at Gaara.

"Gaara rank 28... kill the traitor Haku.. and return here. You seem so interested in what we are up too... such.. emotions that I assume you wouldn't posses... If your so concerned about Number 30... then will you take his place?"

-----------------------------------------------

Gaara came out of the room, his face emotionless.

"New mission.. I'll fill you in on the way.."

He smiled a tiny bit as they left.