And Tears Yet Fall CH 9

"How much farther, Teresa?" Ilena asked as they ran through the forest, miles away from the Organization. They were in the North, in the mountains, on a training expedition with a couple of ranked warriors and three other trainees. It was one of the last tasks before their final test. Teresa had woken her in the middle of the night, insisting that Ilena come with her. "If we're not back before dawn-"

"Then we'll get yelled at blah blah blah," Teresa interrupted. "You've already said so. Lighten up, Lena. I've done this dozens of times."

"Yes, and gotten caught how many?"

"That's beside the point." Teresa brushed off her concern with rolling eyes. "We're almost there. Just over this hill." They slowed as a descent sized lake came into view. The moonlight reflected off the water, like hundreds of tiny diamonds. It was beautiful. "I found it last night. I wanted to show you." Teresa turned to her, eyes shining. "What do you think?"

"It's nice, I guess."

"Oh….you guess." Her face fell. Ilena frowned. It was unlike Teresa to be so sensitive. She usually just brushed off the other girl's moods with a smile and a laugh. Instead, she looked…wounded.

"I mean, it's really lovely, Teresa," she amended, confused. "I just don't see why we're here."

"Well," Teresa said, coolly, "I had something to tell you and I didn't want anyone overhearing, but now I'm not so sure I'm ready."

"Stop being so dramatic, Teresa. Did you really expect me to jump with excitement? You know me better than that." Teresa screwed up her face before letting the smile overtake her.

"You're right, Lena, as usual." Her chipperness returned in full force. "But you like it? I know how you miss the lakes and forests of your home territory." She seemed nervous, which confused Ilena further.

"What's this about, Teresa?" She asked gently. "What did you want to tell me?" Teresa grew serious as she regarded Ilena.

"I'm not sure…I don't know how….."She furrowed her brows. "Ugh, listen to me. Why do you make me like this!"

"What? I haven't done anything!"

"You don't have to, Lena." She looked away. "I….You know that you're my best friend, right?"

"Of course, Teresa." She moved closer to her friend. "We've been through everything together." Teresa smiled again, the sight taking away Ilena's breath.

"We've been friends for so long and I just….I don't want what I have to say to...ruin that." Her eyes were pleading.

"What are you talking about?" Teresa's words had scared her. They were the relationship changing type of words. And Ilena was not sure that the change was one she wanted. "Have I done something to upset you?"

"No, Lena! Of course not!" Teresa reached up to tough her cheek, sending little sparks through her skin at the contact. "That's not even close." She took a deep breath. "Ilena….I….IthinkI'minlovewithyou." She blushed terribly, looking down, and Ilena froze, mind going blank.

"…...P-Pardon?" Because Teresa could not have possibly said what Ilena thought she had.

"Please don't make me say it again, Lena," she pleaded. "It was hard enough the first time." Ilena continued to stare at her as her brain struggled to process what had just happened. "Ilena, please say something."

"Oh…Teresa….I…." Her mouth refused to make the words she so desperately wanted to say. Teresa's face crumpled.

"Oh, I see." Her voice cracked. "Just…just forget I said anything. I'll ju-." Her words were cut off as Ilena pressed her lips to Teresa's. The other girl's eyes widened, but then she leaned into the embrace, wrapping her arms around Ilena's neck as they kissed. When they finally pulled back, both were breathless.

"I love you, too, Teresa. I have for years." Ilena smiled, heart lighter than it had been in ages.

"You never said anything."

"I didn't think you were interested." Teresa leaned their heads together.

"I was…scared."

"You? Scared?" Teresa rolled her eyes.

"Shut up, Lena." As she pouted, Ilena gave her a swift kiss on the cheek, feeling emboldened. Teresa turned her head so that their lips met again. "I thought you wanted to get back."

"It can wait." Teresa giggle, pulling Ilena closer to her, and for once, the other girl was not concerned about the rules and regulations. She could only think of how happy Teresa had made her that night.


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"…and if you ever scare me like that again, I'll never eat another vegetable as long as I live!" Clare stood before her, hands on her hips, finishing up her lecture for Ilena. Teresa sat next to Ilena, letting her lean against her. Her fatigue had been somewhat diminished by her night's sleep, but her yoki was still depleted. On top of that, her head felt as though it were about to split open. She thought it was probably akin to what humans experienced the morning after consuming too much alcohol. Her body was healing, albeit slowly, and she just wanted some peace and quiet. But her companions were either too busy fighting or lecturing her to realize that.

"Clare, please," she sighed. "It's not like I wanted this to happen."

"Well, Teresa told you to stay with me," Clare huffed, folding her arms over her chest. "If you'd listened to her, it wouldn't have happened."

"Teresa is not my superior any longer," she retorted. "I don't have to so what she says." The woman in question snorted.

"As if I could ever have made you do something you didn't want to." Ilena turned slightly to glare at her.

"Besides," Clare continued, talking over the adults. "You left me with her." She whipped her head around to indicate Galatea, who sneered in response.

"Galatea protected you, Clare. You should thank her," Ilena said. Even if Teresa was going to indulge Clare's rude behavior, Ilena would not. She knew that beyond her haughty exterior, Galatea was a good woman and would be a valuable asset to them, if only she and Teresa would get along. Their clash of personalities was….unexpected, but, if Ilena thought about it, not illogical. They were both too proud too arrogant, and too similar to get along. It was not helping her mood.

"Do you know how irritating she is?" Clare replied, scowling deeply. Teresa giggled as Galatea's sneer turned into an angry frown.

"I'm irritating? Do you have any idea what it's like to drag around a thrashing child? And one who won't stop whining." She put on a high, squeaky voice clearly attempting to imitate Clare. "'Teresa, Ilena! Stop, put me down! Go back! Go back! Put me down!' Gods, you never shut up, you annoying little brat." At her words, Teresa growled lowly, and Ilena could feel her body stiffen.

"Watch your mouth, girl," she said dangerously. Careful of Ilena, she stood, striding over so that she was nose to nose with Galatea. Or would have been if they were the same height. She was forced to lift her chin slightly to meet the taller woman's eyes.

"Girl? I may not be Teresa of the Faint Smile." She said the words with disdain. "But I was Number Three. I am God Eye Galatea, and I will not be talked down to. Not by anyone."

"You know nothing. You are a child, still," Teresa snarled. "You were promoted simply because there was no one else. The Organization should have been disgraced to call you their Number Three. You have no idea what the real world's like! Clare has more maturity in her little finger than you have-"

"How dare you! That's completely ridiculous! You can't compare her to me! She literally is a child."

"And you just act like one!"

"Stop yelling at Teresa!" Clare joined the argument with elegance.

"You stay out of this, you little monster!" For a moment, Ilena thought that Teresa would strike Galatea.

"Don't you dare call her that."

"I'll call her whatever I like! As Ilena pointed out earlier, you are not my superior, as much as you would like to think so."

"Except for that little ability of yours, I am your superior in every way."

"Oh, really? Then how come you didn't feel Riful coming? I thought your Yoki sensing abilities were unparalleled?"

"Teresa is the best warrior ever!" Her childish reverence for Teresa made Clare's argument lack credibility, even if it was probably true.

"That's enough," Ilena said quietly, head throbbing. None of her companions heeded her words. Teresa continued as if she had never spoken.

"My ability lies in Yoki reading, not sensing, Galatea. Next time, do your homework on who you're coming after, and you might not be defeated so easily."

"If you think I'm just going to sit here and take this, then you've got ano-"

"That's enough!" Her broken ribs protested painfully as she yelled. Three pairs of startled eyes turned to look at her.

"Ilena-"

"Shut up, Teresa!" The former Number One's face at her words would have been amusing had Ilena not been so annoyed. She and Clare, having been exposed to Ilena's temper before, looked surprised, but recovered quickly. Galatea, on the other hand, stood with her jaw hanging open, completely blindsided. Until then, she had only seen Ilena as the controlled and understated former Number Two. She was not prepared for such an outburst. "You are all acting like children! And I would have expected better of you, Teresa. How old are you, again? I do believe you celebrated your thirtieth year this spring." Teresa scowled, the color rising in her cheeks. "One wouldn't know that from your behavior."

"Lena, that's not fa-"

"Not fair? Now you really do sound like a child. And you, Galatea. An intelligent young woman like you should not let the words of a little girl get to you." The shame on the youngest Claymore's face looked out of place on her proud features. She looked away, equal parts angry and embarrassed. "Honestly, I would have thought the Number Three would have more control than that." Ilena shifted uncomfortably. Each word she spoke stressed her ribs, which were not yet done knitting themselves back together. She winced as she put her weight on her hand, shoulder protesting. Momentarily, she was glad that she had been unconscious for most of her recovery time from her battle with Priscilla. She was not skilled in healing, having not had many opportunities to practice. As such a powerful and highly skilled warrior, she had rarely encountered opponents that challenged her, let alone ones that could severely injured her. The last month had brought her closer to death than at any other time in her work as a Claymore.

Galatea had tried to heal her that morning, but the defensive warrior was still depleted herself. She had already been weakened by her fight with Ilena when they had encountered Dauf and Riful. Even though she had been able to heal herself, she had not had enough left to help Ilena. She had promised that as soon as she was refreshed, she would help Ilena.

"I'm tired. I'm in pain. I got thrown around like a child's toy, and I would just like you three to shut up for a few minutes." They looked away, all three avoiding her eyes. Galatea shifted uncomfortably, and Teresa ran a nervous hand through her hair.

"I'm sorry, Ilena." The first to apologize was Clare, the one who had to least to apologize for. She was, after all, just a child. Her dislike for Galatea was only because the Claymore had hurt one of her parental figures, and Teresa kept rewarding her behavior. If properly guided, she would come to accept Galatea as part of the group. The other two, however, should have been able to exercise a little more self-control.

"Thank you, Clare." The girl came to sit next her, expression apologetic.

"I'll try harder, I promise." Ilena carefully lifted her arm to lay it across Clare's shoulders, reassuring the girl. Clare was always affected by Ilena's moods, and did not like when the woman was upset, especially when she was part of the cause. It was a trait she did not share with Teresa, who could, occasionally, be completely oblivious. Most of the time, she was able to read Ilena very well, but not always. Clare was much better at picking up on her moods, even if she did not always know how to express her concern.

"I'm sorry, too, Lena," Teresa finally said, very reluctantly, still unable to meet Ilena's gaze. "I don't know what's come over me."

"Your pride," her partner supplied. Teresa grimaced, but nodded.

"I'm sorry Galatea. Again." She looked down at Clare. "And from now on, we're both going to be nicer, okay?" Somberly, Clare nodded.

"I suppose I could…try, too," the youngest Claymore ground out, the words obviously tasting sour in her mouth. "Besides, she's hardly worth my time."

"Galatea!"

"Sorry." Ilena sighed. These three women may be the death of her.

"Now, can we all be quiet for a while. I have a splitting headache." She closed her eyes against the morning sun. "This much healing is taking its toll."

"I am sorry I can't help yet, Ilena," Galatea said. "I depleted my Yoki more than I had thought."

"Don't worry about it. I'll manage." She held out her hand, Teresa taking it silently, and pulling gently. Ilena grunted as she rose.

"We can wait to leave, if you need more rest, Lena," she suggested gently, careful not to provoke her partner.

"I'm fine, Teresa." She took a steady step forward, satisfied when her legs did not shake. "See. Let's go." Frowning, Teresa placed herself close to Ilena, ready to catch her should she falter. "Quit hovering," Ilena growled. "I'm not going to fall."

"You are so…..infuriatingly stubborn." But she backed off. They had decided to travel North, away from Riful's territory. There were not as many towns in the North to help, but they did not want to run the risk of encountering Riful again. The Abyssal One would be less likely to let them escape without a fight now that she knew their strengths. Though one of the other Creatures of the Abyss, Isley, reigned in the North, he had much less of a reputation for collecting Claymores as playthings. He would not be a threat to them as long as they did not threaten him.

Their progress was slow. Ilena could not travel at her normal pace, and she still needed to rest more often than even Clare. As always, she shrugged off any attempts to help her until Galatea happily announced that she was ready to heal Ilena. Giving them some space and privacy, Teresa took Clare into the woods off the path to do some light hunting. Ilena thought it was probably because Teresa did not want to have to watch as another woman touched her. For some reason, Teresa was not bothered in the slightest when other Claymores had tried to flirt with Ilena, or when men looked at her, but she sometimes had an intense reaction to touch. She wanted to be the only one to ever lay a hand on Ilena. It was completely ridiculous, but also endearing, in a somewhat annoying way. So she had casually wandered off, to avoid being tempted to hurt Galatea when she touched Ilena.

"Are you ready?" Galatea asked as she stretched, and Ilena clinically appreciated the curve of her body as her chest arched out. She was certainly one of the most beautiful women that the older warrior had ever seen. All Claymores tended to be more attractive than the average human, but Galatea held herself with such confidence and pride, that it enhanced her natural beauty to the point that it was almost distracting. Or would have been to anyone else. But not Ilena. Though she enjoyed occasionally looking at other women, that was all. She had never wanted any of them. Not when she had Teresa, who was more lovely than any of them, even Galatea. For the longest time, she had found it hard to believe that someone so beautiful would want to be with her, and she never wanted to give Teresa a reason to doubt her. Ilena had not been tempted to stray, not once in their years together. As horribly cliché as she knew it was, she only had eyes for Teresa, even if she sometimes just….enjoyed the view.

"I am ready," she said. She had removed her cloak so that it would not be in the way, draping over a low lying tree branch to keep it out of the dirt. Confidently, Galatea sauntered over, and Ilena wondered briefly if she was even aware of how enticing she was. Most likely, yes, she decided.

"Alright, then." Galatea gently laid her hands on Ilena, careful to not cause any more pain. First, she placed them lightly on Ilena's shoulder, calling on her Yoki to solidify the bones and knit together the torn muscles. Next, she moved them down, more slowly than Ilena thought completely necessary. She paused as they ran over Ilena's ribs, close to the swell of her breasts, healing each fracture as they passed. Ilena took a deep breath, letting her lungs fully expand again, trying to ignore her aversion to having the other woman's fingers so near her chest. As her sides rose, they pushed into Galatea's hands, increasing Ilena's discomfort, but she held herself still. When she was convinced that the bones were completely healed, the younger woman moved on to Ilena's left side, where the muscles were still weak and tender, the hole only closed on the surface. Ilena was even less comfortable with Galatea's hands that low on her body, but she knew that it was necessary. By concentrating her Yoki to only the affected areas, Galatea was able to save her strength. The offside was that she needed to be in contact with each injury individually. "Is there anywhere else?" she asked, voice low, as the last wound finished healing, hands lingering on Ilena's body, a familiar fire in her eyes.

"N-No. That's all." Ilena stepped away, putting a more comfortable distance between them. She tried to hold herself in such a way that her body language would show that she had no interest in anything outside of friendship. For a brief moment, Galatea looked disappointed, but her face recovered quickly.

"You sure you don't want me to see if I can't do something about that arm?" she asked. "I am quite powerful. I might be able to get it to regenerate. Or we could find another one for you and just reattach it. I'd even give you mine. It wouldn't be that much of an imposition. I can regrow it in a few hours."

"No, thank you." Gala ta looked surprised.

"Oh, why not? It really shouldn't be too hard. No need for you to keep struggling."

"I have learned how to fight just fine with just this one. And I do not want to have to learn a new limb now."

"My yoki is enough that the arm would not get in your way," Galatea pressed. "It would be strong, perhaps not as agile as the one you lost, but certainly more powerful in terms of brute strength. You would be a stronger fighter for it."

"I was strong enough to beat you with just the one," Ilena reminded her.

"True enough," the other woman admitted with a small smile. "But wouldn't it have been easier with two?"

"I…..It's a reminder of my mortality and of my ability to betray those I love," Ilena told her quietly. After her first failed attempt to regenerate the limb, she had decided not to try anymore, even though she has still wanted to. The false hope would have just delayed her mental healing process, and now that she had come to terms with the loss, she was oddly content with her situation. It seemed to her to be just compensation for all of her failings. No, she did not want a new arm. Not anymore. "Getting it back after all this….it would feel…..cheap. I will be content to carry this burden the rest of my life. If the day comes that not having the arm puts Teresa or Clare in danger, then I will reconsider. But for now, my abilities have been adequate. Even against Riful, the reason for my defeat was not my lack of limb."

"Suit yourself." She gave a curt nod, hands on her hips. "Just in time. They're coming back." A couple of minutes later, Teresa and Clare returned, with the girl carrying a small, dead rabbit, face sorrowful.

"Clare, what's wrong," Ilena asked. The child's eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head, unable to speak.

"She killed it herself," Teresa answered for her. "And learned that taking a life, no matter how small and insignificant, is never something to relish." Teresa looked down at the girl, and Ilena thought she saw a bit of pride in her expression. "And now she's going to skin it and clean it and cook it herself, too."

"Teresa, are you sure that's-"

"Yes, Ilena." Her eyes were hard. She had wanted to protect the girl from the hardships of life, but it seemed as though Teresa was realizing that she could not do that. It would be better for Clare to be prepared. Perhaps now, they would finally be able to teach Clare how to handle the knife Ilena had bought for her. Teresa had been stubborn on insisting that the girl only needed to know how to use it for domestic purposes.

Clare held up the carcass, and her face pulled on Ilena's heart strings. "Show me how?"

"Of course." She turned back to Teresa. "Should we just call it a day and camp here?"

"I suppose so. We should move off the path a bit." She gently ushered Clare into the woods, stopping at a small clearing in the trees. They all set down their packs, and Ilena pulled out the rolled up piece of leather that she used for the purpose of gutting the animals they caught for Clare.

"Galatea? Could you go find us some firewood?" Ilena asked. "The stuff around here is too green."

"Alright," the woman replied, but she sounded suspicious. Teresa watched her go silently while Ilena let Clare lay out the rabbit.

"Something happen while we were gone?" Teresa asked once it was just the three of them.

"She offered me her arm." Ilena would not mention how Galatea's fingers had lingered on her body longer than they should have, or how the younger Claymore had looked ready to take her then and there. That would have caused an explosion, one with which she did not want to deal. Teresa's jealousy could be very ugly.

"Did she now? And?"

"I declined." Teresa and Clare both waited for more. "I don't…..I don't want another arm." While Clare frowned, confused, Teresa's face held understanding. Clare may have been more in tune with Ilena's moods, but Teresa knew her inside and out, better than anyone. She would understand, even if it made no sense to anyone else.

"I see."

"Why, Ilena?" Clare inquired, curious, but not shocked, as if, even not knowing the reasons, she had expected such a decision. She, too, was quickly learning what made Ilena tick. She was a smart young girl, and incredibly empathetic.

"I …..I'm not sure I can adequately explain this to you, Clare," she said almost apologetically. "I know it doesn't make sense to not want to be…whole again but….."

"But it would make what you've gone through less…..significant," Teresa supplied. "You're taking it as punishment for…." Ilena looked away and nodded. "Lena, it's your choice, but…..no. I won't try to convince you to change your mind. If you feel this is what you need to do….If staying like this will help you feel atoned, then I will support you fully. Just remember that I don't blame you for anything."

"I know, Teresa. But I do. You've put the same guilt on yourself, so let me have mine."

"Alright." And she let the subject drop. "Teach Clare how to clean the rabbit so she doesn't have to look at its poor little face any longer." Smiling softly, Ilena did just that. With as much delicacy as she could, she showed the girl how to remove the skin and organs, and how to clean the skin so that they could use it for something else later. They were almost ready to cook the rabbit when Galatea returned, arms full of wood.

"Took you long enough," Teresa said. Ilena gave her a sharp slap on the arm and a disproving frown.

"I thought I told you to play nice."

"What? I would have said the same thing to you!" Ilena let out a small 'hmph,' but accepted the explanation.

"I took a little walk. Thought I'd give you guys some 'family time,' or whatever." She dropped the wood in the center of the group and plopped down. "There's a Claymore about six miles from here. She's heading away from us, so no need to worry, but I thought I'd let you know. She's a low rank." She began setting up the pieces of wood. "Probably in the thirties. Nothing to worry about even if she does decide to change course." She pulled two rocks out of her pack, and Ilena realized that one was not a rock at all but a piece of flint. After finding some leaf litter to catch the spark, Galatea scraped the flint across the rock, lighting the kindling on the second try. "Ha! Look at that!" Her excitement was almost childish, and it nearly brought a smile to Ilena's face, reminding her that Galatea could not have been more than nineteen years old, despite her high rank. "I don't usually make fires all that often."

"Well, I have to admit, you did it faster than I could have," Ilena told her, indulging her pride.

"That's only because you used those stupid rocks," Clare said archilly. "That's like cheating. Ilena taught me how to do it with just some sticks." Galatea's lip rose in the beginning of a snarl, but she regained her composure.

"Well, perhaps you can teach me how to do that." She leaned back against her sword as the flames consumed the wood. "It would come in handy if I ever lose the flint."

Surprised, Clare gave a small nod, contemplative. "Fine, I guess. It's not that hard." Ilena silently handed her a sharpened stick, which she used to spear the rabbit carcass. Teresa then carefully placed it over the fire, letting the flames lick it. They sat in rather awkward silence as it cooked. The night before, everyone besides Teresa had been exhausted and fallen asleep quickly, leaving no time for conversation, and that morning they had all been wary of Ilena and more potential outbursts. This was really the first time they had had the opportunity to just talk. And no one seemed to know how to start. Conversation always came easily to Clare, and Ilena and Teresa were so comfortable with each other that they could talk about anything, or just sit and listen to Clare ramble on and on. With Galatea thrown in, their dynamics were completely changed. Despite her efforts to be cordial, Teresa could not seem stop acting cold towards Galatea, and Clare chose to sit in silence rather than include the young Claymore in conversation. Ilena looked between them, frowning. They were all staring at the fire, refusing to look at each other. As she was becoming fed up with the silence, which she did note was ironic since she had snapped at them to be quiet earlier, Clare opened her mouth.

"Teresa?"

"Hmmm?"

"What color were your eyes and hair before you became a Claymore?" An odd question, but it did not seem to bother Teresa.

"Both dark. And my skin was tan, if you can believe that." She held up one pale arm, rolling up the sleeve to expose the alabaster skin. "And now I'm white enough to be blinding." She sighed, putting her arm back down. "It was such a pretty color, too. So shiny and black. I guess it can't be helped."

"What about you, Galatea?" The other Claymore did seem surprised, not by the question, but by the fact that Clare had addressed her.

"Me? Well, my hair was pale, not this pale, of course, but blond, the color of wheat right before it's harvested." She tilted her head as she thought. "And…..my eyes were the clearest blue you can imagine! Like sapphires. So lovely." Teresa rolled her own eyes, but said nothing. Clare nodded, her expression serious. Ilena did not know for what she wanted to know all this, but she hoped it was just curiosity and not some fascination with Claymores.

"Ilena?"

"Hmmm, I had pale hair, as well. Almost as pale as it is now. That's probably why it turned silver. And my eyes…." She frowned, disturbed. "I…oh...I can't …seem to remember." It had been so long. She could not recall how her face had looked before the transformation. "I'm sorry….I…"

"They were green." They all turned to look at Teresa. "They were pale green, striped with emerald, and there were flecks of gold in the inner ring. And the left one had a sliver of brown in it. They were so beautiful."

"Teresa, how…..?" Ilena knew that Teresa had only seen her briefly in her human form before she had been dragged away to have the Yoma blood and flesh infused into her body. "We were only together for a few minutes before they took me away." Teresa smiled softly.

"I know, but you were so…..lovely. So scared, yet so proud at the same time. I memorized your face then and there." She looked down, slightly embarrassed. "Even as a young girl, I think I knew you were the one for me." Ilena's chest hurt with how much she loved Teresa in that moment. It was a silly, inconsequential thing, but knowing that Teresa had remembered what color her eyes had been touched Ilena deeply. She reached over, heedless of Clare sitting between them, and grasped her partner's hand tightly in her own. Galatea looked away, her expression pained.

"Can you guys take it easy? My ability is not just limited to sensing auras. I can read your emotions and reactions, too. All this…" she waved her hands around vaguely, "is making me feel weird." She stood and shook herself. "I think I need some air." She stalked off into the trees, leaving Ilena blushing with embarrassment and Teresa smiling triumphantly.

"Well, that showed her."

"Be nice," Ilena hissed.

"She fancies you. It's so obvious." She cocked her head. "Well, I'll say this for the girl. She's got good taste."

"Do you feel threatened?" Ilena asked coyly. "Is that why you two butt heads so often?" For a brief moment, Teresa looked ready to argue, but then smiled.

"I don't know. Maybe. Not in so many words, though. I mean," she shrugged, "she is very pretty. And young. A good catch, I suppose. She needs more life experience. But gods, Lena, the way she looks at you. Like you're a prize to be had."

"You know that you have nothing to fear, don't you," Ilena asked quietly. "I belong solely to you." Teresa kissed her knuckles, smiling against the skin.

"Ilena, you belong to no one but yourself. I'm just lucky enough that you return my affections." Chuckling, Ilena gently touched Teresa's cheek, caressing the soft skin.

"Uh, Guys?" They both looked down at Clare, having completely forgotten that she was sitting between them. "The rabbit's on fire." Teresa let out a comical yelp of surprise, and jumped up to snatch the spit from the fire, waving it around to extinguish the flames while letting out a string of profanities.

"Teresa! Language!" Ilena reminded her, mindful of the child.

"Sorry. Don't say any of those words, Clare," Teresa said. "They are very bad. And rude." She held up the spit. What was left was a charred, smoking lump that could maybe have passed for a rabbit carcass if the person looking at it had very poor eyesight. Clare glowered at them both.

"Maybe the inside is not that bad," Ilena said hopefully. "If we just cut off the charred part….."

"I don't think I'm hungry anymore." Clare wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'll just….have an apple." Teresa winced.

"Uh….remember, Clare, we gave the last apple to Ilena."

"…Oh. Right." She stared at the burnt rabbit unhappily. "Maybe….Is there anything else?"

"I'm sorry, Clare." Teresa looked guilty. "With all the excitement lately, I….I haven't been able to forage as much as usual." Looking away, she closed her eyes. "I really am sorry." At her apology, Clare's face lost a lot of its hardness.

"It's alright, Teresa." She gave a small smile. "I'll try the rabbit." Nodding, Teresa began cutting off the worst of the burnt flesh. There was not much meat left when she was done, and she handed the pitiful amount to Clare, uttering another apology. The girl stared down at the food unenthusiastically, but she lifted a piece to her mouth and took a bite, grimacing as she chewed.

"You don't have to eat it, Clare," Teresa said. "I'll go try and find another one."

"No need." Galatea strode back into the clearing, another rabbit carcass in her hand.

"How did you…?" Teresa began, dumbstruck. Galatea rolled her eyes.

"You were yelling so loudly that I could actually hear you," she explained. "And even if I hadn't heard you, I could sense that something had happened to the food." She sat and began skinning the animal with skilled hands. "I thought I'd just get another one so that the kid didn't starve and whine all night about being hungry." Clare was eying the rabbit with hungry eyes, too excited to care that Galatea had insulted her.

"Well, that's very….thoughtful of you," Ilena said as Teresa glared. Her reasons may have been selfish, but Galatea had gotten food for Clare, which was all in all, a good thing.

"Yeah, whatever." She gutted the rabbit quickly and thrust it onto the spit, gently laying it across the flames. "And I'll watch it to make sure it doesn't burn, because, apparently, you two can't handle that."

"I guess you've finally found your calling, then," Teresa said with a dangerous smile on her face. Suspiciously, Galatea narrowed her eyes.

"And what's that?"

"A cook!"

"That's very funny," Galatea snapped, glaring. "See if I try to help next time." Teresa's face fell, and she glowered.

"Sorry. You've been a big help." She sighed. "I mean it. Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks, Galatea!" Ilena was proud that Clare had not needed any prodding. For her part, Galatea looked pleased that Clare was so happy about the rabbit. Perhaps now, Ilena pondered, they will start getting along. If she could just get Clare and Galatea to be friends, then Teresa would fall in line behind the girl. Maybe they would all stop fighting and she could finally get some peace and quiet.