Until We Meet Again, My Angel

Chapter 8: The Huntress

   Every head in the room immediately rotated towards the window, through which a group of five vampires was visible. Sam and Dean stared at each other for a split second, then rushed for their weapons, arms reaching under their beds. Dean was already looking for his dead man's blood when he realized Cas and Claire hadn't moved. Staring at them, Dean asked, "What, are you waiting for, a parade? Go hide!" Claire crossed her arms and replied, "I don't hide. I hunt." As Dean paused in confusion, Cas said, "Dean, she knows what she's doing, I trained her." Sam stopped his quest for weapons and stood up, offering Cas a disbelieving gaze as he inquired, "You- you trained her to be a Hunter?" "Huntress," Claire corrected, "and a damn good one at that," she turned to Dean, "any and every monster, ghost, and biblical being you've ever hunted, I can handle."
   Dean, eyes darting rapidly between Cas and his daughter, sighed and asked Castiel, "Are you sure?" The Angel nodded, "She's got this." Dean narrowed his eyes at Claire, threw her his syringes of dead man's blood, and said two words: "Don't miss." Claire nodded, grabbed her machete, and headed out.

   The first two vamps were easy- they were standing in front. All Claire had to do was slide her backup machete out of her boot, and she criss-crossed the blades, the heads coming clean off. Claire glanced over her shoulder and, seeing Dean's approving smile, grinned and turned back to the vampires. "What's the matter," she taunted the remaining vampires, "mad I killed your mommy? I guess your leader wasn't as strong as you thought." One of the bloodsuckers began advancing, Claire grinned hungrily and slid her second machete back into her boot. Standing at full height, Claire narrowed her eyes and shouted, "You want revenge? Come and get it!" She moved with grace, every movement fluid as if it came naturally.
   The advancing vampire lunged for her, teeth bared, but she was ready. Ducking beneath the monster's grasp, Claire sliced across his abdomen, causing him to falter in his pursuit for a nanosecond. Taking the opportunity, Claire twirled behind the vamp, her machete lobbing off her attacker's head as she spun. Claire stopped on a dime, now facing the other vamps as her latest victim's body his the ground.
   The remaining two vampires seemed hesitant. To her left, the larger of the two charged, followed by the redheaded female on her right, despite her clear reluctance. Claire whirled to her left, cutting off the arm of the male. She had turned her back on the female, and pain exploded through her right side. Claire turned to find the ginger fledgling's claws buried in her flesh. Crying out in pain, Claire swung her right arm, her assailant's fiery skull tumbling to the pavement. As Claire slashed at the last vampire, Dean was reminded of another scene...

   Slashing. All day long they'd slash at his skin, cutting little shapes and words, laughing as he cried out in pain. He cried and screamed and begged but nobody listened. They laughed at his agony. Anula loved it. She'd laugh and laugh and wouldn't stop until Dean's voice was too strained to make a sound. Every day, a laugh, a smile, and her outstretched hand. "Do we have a deal, Dean?" He always refused. Anula grimaced as he spat at her and repeated, "Never, you black-eyed bitch!" She'd pick the knife back up and start cutting again, angry now. Why? Did she really think Dean would break so easily? That he'd say yes? That he'd agree to-
"Dean!"
   Hearing Castiel's voice pulled Dean's thoughts from Hell and back to reality. As his vision refocused, Dean saw Sammy and Cas staring at him, but his eyes were searching for blonde hair. Dean scanned the room, finding Claire laying on Sam's bed, covered in bandages. Panicking, he ran to her, kneeling by her side, and asked, "Claire? Claire, are you okay?" Turning his head up towards Sam, he interrogated him, "Is she okay? Did she kill the last one? Why is every inch of her covered with bandages? Why-" Dean stopped short as he felt a light touch on the back of his hand. His head swiveled to see Claire had placed her hand on top of his.
   Dean found Claire's eyes, his breath ragged with concern, as she said, "Easy, Hasselhoff. I told you I could handle it." Dean laughed out of pure relief, then responded, "You've got guts, kid." Cas spoke up, "She killed the last vampire- "I slaughtered that loser." Claire corrected. Cas went on, "But the redheaded one got her pretty bad, and tore a few minor veins. The male cut her a few times with his claws, but she'll be okay." "Speaking of," Claire grunted trying to sit up, Dean assisted her as she finished her thought, "Dad, I'm ready." Dean stepped aside, confused, as Cas came forward, and placed two fingers on her forehead.
   Recognizing the move, Dean started, "Hey, what are you-" he stopped himself as Claire's entire body flashed white for three seconds. Once the light had gone, Claire still lie there, but was now completely healed, and stood up, perfectly fine. Sam and Dean stared at the Angel, amazed. He shrugged, explaining, "Yeah, I can do that, too." However, Dean still seemed concerned.
"What's wrong, Dean?" Sam asked.
"She's a great hunter. But she was still hurt. And next time this happens, Cas might not be around to heal her." Dean answered.
"But he was," Claire butted in, "and he did."
"You would have died if he hadn't been there." Dean scolded her.
"No I w-" Claire began, but Dean interrupted her.
"Cas, you lied to me."
"What?" The Angel seemed offended, "No I didn't."
"Yes you did. I can tell when you're lying. Those 'minor veins' weren't minor at all, were they?"
   Cas gave a defeated sigh and dropped his gaze to the floor as he confessed, "No, the vampire's claws severed about three major veins," he met Claire's eyes guiltily, "if I hadn't healed you within two hours, you would have died." Claire's face washed over with shock as Cas stood to face the boys and said, "You're right. Claire isn't safe here. But she has nowhere else to go, we can't just leave her here." Sam glanced at Dean, "Well, there is one place she can go."

   Claire exhaled nervously as Bobby's car pulled up to the motel the next morning. They'd spent the time before Bobby's arrival assuring Claire she was safe and in good hands. The men stood next to each other, all facing Claire. It was time for their goodbyes.
   Sam was first. Claire stood where she was, but offered a smile as Sam told her, "You're a tough kid, Claire. Stay sharp." She laughed and replied, "Thanks, Sam. By the way, next time Dean spaces out, put makeup on him. The pics would be worth a few laughs."
   Claire took one step to her left in order to face Dean. He gave an approving chuckle, then said, "You know, blondie, that was some fine blade work. You've got a Hunter's blood, all right. But promise me you'll either hunt smarter, or not at all." Claire smirked and announced, "I solemnly swear not to hunt... like a dumbass." Dean laughed and pulled Claire into a hug. Once she broke free, she said, "See ya 'round, Hasselhoff."
   Castiel was last. He stood with his spine erect, proud of his little girl. Claire's gaze was full of love as she struggled to speak, "I- I'm gonna be fine." Cas smiled, tears suddenly brimming his eyes as he confirmed, "I know you are." A tear broke free from Claire's eye and she hugged her dad. Cas returned the embrace, whispering, "I'll keep checking on you to make sure you're okay. And if you ever need anything, just send a prayer." Claire nodded, gave her father one last squeeze, and released him.
   Bobby entered the room, asking Claire, "Ready?" Grinning bravely, Claire nodded, picked up her bag containing all her hunter's gear, and walked out the door. Dean turned to Bobby, ordering, "Take care of my girl. She's my daughter now, too." Bobby nodded sincerely and exited the room, shutting the door behind him.