Geranium Legacy

Summary: Vash's son grows up knowing nothing of what he is. But the time comes when your past cannot be avoided...

Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun, and am making no money from this.

I always knew, growing up, that I was different from the other kids.

I mean, I learned pretty early on that I was just a little stronger, faster, hardier, and probably smarter than all the other kids around. I learned to hide it too, lest I cause resentment. But it was impossible to hide completely; especially the fact that I healed faster than anyone else. Though I never asked anyone, I could tell from people's reactions to things like that that it was not normal. I stood out just enough that I knew I was different. My family was, too.

Well, I guess all my female relations are normal enough. A bit eccentric, to be sure, but normal. Mom was pretty scary when she was mad, but she wasn't srtongerfastersmarter like I was. I don't think she sees or hears as well either...

Aunt Milly is really tall, but otherwise normal. Well, I guess she isn't my Aunt, not in the strictest sense of the word; but she tells me to call her Aunt Milly, and when someone who makes pudding that good asks for such a simple favor you do it.

Her daughter, Annie, is normal too, apart from being a tomboy. The grown-ups all say she's got her mother's looks (easily verified) and her father's attitude. From this, I judge that the near-mythical "Nicholas D. Wolfwood" was impulsive, rude, and got into a lot of trouble. But I don't mind; I like Annie just the way she is.

Heh. Ever since I turned 15 a few months ago, I don't know how to call what I feel for her anymore. I mean, I like her, but I really like her too... and I can't think about her without thinking all sorts of... stuff. Dad says that's normal for a boy my age. But since when has he been one to talk about normal?

Dad is strongerfastersmarter too. He does a really good job hiding it, but he is. The thing is, he looks way too young for someone who's old enough to be my dad. I mean, he looks maybe 30, at most! And that would mean he was 10 when he had me! Something's not right there. And then there's how he reacts to doughnuts. I mean, imagine what a cross does to a vampire, but in reverse. I tell you, it isn't natural...

And finally, on the high end of the not-normal, is my uncle. He's pretty creepy. He's strongerfastersmarter too, and on the rare occasions he tries to hide it he only makes a half-hearted effort to do so. Plus, he's really shut in. He doesn't seem to like talking to anyone but my dad; everyone else he seems to just tolerate. And for the most part, people tolerate him right back. And he gives me the most crucial evidence I have that I'm not normal, too. Whenever the two of us are alone, he'll call me Spiderfly. I have no idea what he means, and I'm too afraid to ask. Besides, I don't think he'd tell me.

He too is part of the silent conspiracy to keep my not normal-ness from me. Oh, the adults all slip up and make vague references to things I know nothing about form time to time, but I don't prod. Well, I didn't prod until yesterday. But I'll get to that. The most direct thing I have is, again, about my uncle. I was talking to Aunt Milly once about how my uncle was so shut off from people, and how wierd that must be. She laughed, and said "Oh, he used to be a lot worse you know! He's been a lot better since - " She then realized what she'd said, and asked that I forget it. I lied to her, but I haven't brought it up or anything.

And it isn't just my family who acts wierd, either. Whenever we go to town, all my dad's friends (which he has an incredible amount of, for someone who looks 30) seem to hesitate as they say his name. They don't say "Alex", they say "... Alex". But the three dots are really smushed up and barely there. I didn't even notice until I started looking for things, but the pause is there. Barely.

So, the whole point of this rambling is, I guess, to sum up why I eventually asked dad what I was. See, we were going into town and...

Huh? Me? Oh, well, I do so hate self-introductions, but if you insist... I am Nicholas Saverem, grand exploer of Life, child of Alex and Meryl Saverem, at your service! Now, as I was saying...

Me, my dad, my uncle, and Annie were going to town. Now, we live in a town so it may sound strange, but what I mean is we were going to a big city to buy things that we can't get at home. I mean, the sand steamers don't even stop at our town! But anyway, we were going to town. At one point, Annie spoke up.

"Uncle Richard?"

"Child, how many times must I tell you I am not your uncle, and I do not wish to be addressed as such." Dad and I watched on in a combination of fear and curiosity.

"Sorry. MR. Richard, can we stop?"

"Why?"

"I need to go, that's why!" Uncle rolled his eyes. Dad jumped (well, not literally) to Annie's defense.

"Come on, bro! You could use the time to strecth your legs!" Uncle rolled his eyes again, but pulled over by a convienent outcropping of rock. As Annie dissapeared to do her business and Uncle left (presumably to stretch his legs) Dad and I were left by the car.

Screwing up my courage, I finally resolved to ask him what had been on my mind for the better part of my 15 years.

"Hey dad?"

He put on his mock-serious face. "Yes, son?"

"... Am I human?"

Well, I normally wouldn't ask for reviews but I would like to know if people want me to continue or not. So please tell me! If I get too many reviews that say "I've read this fanfic a million times, why are you making another one," then I'll probably stop... Of course, encouragement means I'll go on! Oh, and I'd like to know if I made it clear enough who's who without using their real names?