"I love you, sister."

Rafaela looked at the body of her elder sister, and quickly closed those lifeless eyes and lips. She laid the body down into the stream. Though shallow, the waters should eventually carry her away, she thought. She then grabbed the symbol on her chest, and ripped it clean. From now on, Rafaela, the no. 5 warrior of the organisation, would cease to exist. As the cloth drifted away, there was a massive surge in Yoki. After a while, it subsided. The lady observed the results in the stream. For the first time in months, she smiled again. She looked at Luciela. It was as if she was sleeping peacefully, awaiting someone to wake her up. But, Rafaela knew that she was already in the world beyond. The younger sister left the scene without another word...

During her trekking, she thought about the girl who inherited Irene's arm. Clare... Somehow, she couldn't believe that the kid was the one who contained within her Teresa's flesh and blood. But, there was no mistaking that arm. While Rubel's tongue did its verbal sniping, Rafaela was sizing up the young one. Her chances of surviving the North are slim at best, she thought. However, Clare's spirit was strong. That would count for something. Rafaela remembered another strong-willed warrior, the one whom she would be meeting soon...

The months of isolation passed surprisingly quickly for Irene, for her mind was occupied between regenerating her arms and suppressing her Yoki. She lost track of the number of times the sun rose and set. Her only companions, were warm rays in the day, and moonlight at night, and that was if the sky was clear. She had plenty of time to think about her unlikely saviour. Rafaela reminded her that she too had unfinished business with the organisation. Although she was never close to Noel or Sophia, she should at least do something for them, she thought. She wondered about her protege. Although Clare would not rest until she had killed Priscilla, Irene worried about her temper. Her skills were not yet perfected, and her lack of tact would only get her into trouble which she could not get herself out of...

The knock came one night. By now, Irene's sleeping patterns were totally out of sync with the time of day. She snapped out of her thoughts, and opened her eyes.

"Come in." A figure walked unhurriedly towards her. As the moonlight shone through the window behind her, Irene observed Rafaela.

"It's been a while, Rafaela."

"It's good to see that you've kept your promise, Irene." She took one look at Irene's arms.

"Your regeneration is going on smoothly. However, we must leave tonight." The visitor wasted no time in stating her purpose. Irene looked at her arms. The palms were only partially formed, and were missing their fingers. No matter, thought the warrior, as she concentrated. Her Yoki is impressive, mused Rafaela, as she observed the process. After a while, the arms were whole. Irene panted. It was a strange feeling, having to use so much Yoki after years of non-usage. She rose from the bed. But the strain made her a little unsteady. Her visitor offered a hand.

"Thanks."

"After months in here, you must be hungry. Let's find you something to eat and drink," said Rafaela. As the pair left the hut, Irene remembered to grab her claymore. Like it or not, she would be doing some hunting of her own...

Some wild fruit and nuts, together with sips from a stream was all Irene needed. Having satisfied her hunger, she took time to observe her new companion. She noticed something different.

"Your eye is healed. I take it that you've accomplished your mission?" Rafaela pointed to the hole near her chest.

"I'm no longer part of the organisation. You and I... are now their enemies." Irene nodded her agreement. Rafaela then recalled something.

"That girl who received your arm. I'm afraid that she's dead." Irene's eyes narrowed.

"How?"

"I don't have any evidence. But, she was sent to the North to join a task force which was hunting a large group of Awakened Beings. Given her strength, I won't bet on her survival."

"Perhaps, we should travel to the North. Besides, my new arms require a lot of training. I would advise against attacking the organisation now."

And that was how it went. As they trekked north, Irene tested out her new limbs. As expected, they were weaker. However, Rafaela reminded her that this may be a blessing in disguise. As Yoki was now no longer a gift, but a curse on them, she would have to find new ways to fight without using her Flash Sword. This was going to be tough...

Several days later...

Irene's claymore flew out of her hand, to a grass patch nearby.

"You still have a long way to go," said Rafaela, as she sheathed her sword. She decided that they have had enough practise for the night. Irene retrieved her blade.

"I must say that I'm sorry to make you wait. You must be eager to begin your revenge." She sat across from her companion. Although they were now partners, there was still some apprehension.

"Not really. I know that to even have a chance of succeeding, your help would be invaluable. But, the time is not ripe yet. Besides, I am a little curious about Clare."

"How did you know her name?"

"After we parted company, I was eventually sent to track her down. Rubel mentioned a boy who used to travel with her. When he said that the kid may be in the North, her expression completely changed. That boy must mean a lot to her."

"Her own experiences were something like that as well." Irene then told her companion what she knew about Clare's relationship with Teresa. Rafaela smiled.

"I see. When I saw her as a trainee, I knew that she was special. But, I certainly didn't expect her to be touched by a little girl."

"Clare saw Teresa as a saviour, and would do anything to hunt down her killer. I'm not convinced that she had perished."

"We'll soon find out, won't we?"

After more days of trekking, the pair found themselves outside some ruins in a bleak wasteland. The ladies frowned. The snowstorm they were in was an annoyance.

"So, this is Pieta, the first town in the northern lands of Alphonse," mused Irene.

"Or at least, what's left of it. Come." The pair then walked through the rubble. After a search, they could find nothing useful. Irene suggested that they should travel further.

"You haven't given up hope yet, have you," asked Rafaela.

"There is always hope, even when you least expected it. Besides, my Yoki is now well hidden, although it's still not as good as yours. If we're spotted, we can only blame our luck."

"Then, let us continue."

After even more travelling, the pair reached the outskirts of Dabi. Despite combing through the areas where they walked, they found nothing. Irene's hopes began to fade.

"We found nothing at Pieta, despite the devastation," reminded Rafaela. The pair decided to push on, searching every mountain they could reach. Finally...

"Look." Irene followed Rafaela's finger. The sight before them offered tantalising clues. Irene walked towards the array of erected claymores. As she looked at each symbol on the blades, her hopes rose.

"Clare's sword is not here," she said at last, her ever-calm voice hiding her immense relief. Rafaela couldn't resist a grin.

"Then, our work here, is done." Irene nodded. Clare would almost certainly follow in her footsteps. Further searching would be futile.

"Now that your mind is at rest, it's time to concentrate on your training," said Rafaela, as they headed south.

"My training had never ceased even during our travels. My arms would have to get the basics right before I would even think of how to recreate my Flash Sword without using Yoki."

"Relax. I was just joking. We have all the time in the world." Suddenly, Rafaela stopped. She turned around to face the north.

"Do you think Clare would ever return south?"

"I don't know. I only hope that she's not the only survivor of the battle. That girl will need a lot of guidance, if she wants to avenge Teresa."

"Yes, she would. Come. This bad weather is getting on my nerves." Rafaela knew that the winds and snow, harsh as they were, were merely excuses. The north held painful memories for her. Now, with a new companion, she was ready for a new phase in her life...

Afterthoughts

-I guess this is it for now.

-RnRs are welcome!