She smiled at first.. The whirl of dust that came between them slightly clouded her vision, and she could only make out a faint outline of Vash… They stood towards each other from a distance… It was a timeless moment.

It was as if time had stopped and paused.. knowing that the two of them had seen so much, been together through so many things - and loved each other so much that they were both afraid to admit it.

They stood there and watched, staring into each other's eyes…

It was a barrier, that always lay between them, no matter the occasion. She had loved him always, but was unsure whether he was able to return the love.

Meryl began to rush towards him, ready to hold onto his clothes and bury her head into his chest - until she saw the motionless body hanging over his shoulder…

She let out a breathless gasp.

Milly felt no different. Her eyes were wide open, staring at the limp figure that was Vash's twin brother.

Vash looked at them, and lowered his eyes. A sharp pang of guilt took over him.

He had hoped that they would never have to see him like this… carrying his brother's body, bearing it like a prized possession - as if he had claimed it from a hunt. Deep inside of him, he had a feeling this was going to happen.. There was no other way.

He felt like a butcher - No ordinary butcher.

A butcher that was dishonoured from society - brutal, murderous, and shameless. Someone who was shunned upon by everyone in the world.

As if he had not felt enough pain, he watched in silence as Milly broke into tears before him, crying softly… before she screamed.

'You killed him! How could you?! He's your own brother!!'

They could tell from the bandages, wrapped around Knives - all soaked in blood…

Vash could do nothing but watch as she stormed towards him and struck him across the face. His sunglasses snapped on impact, flying far and tumbling on the ground.

He did not make a move. Because his heart was already broken…

What had he done to deserve all of this. It wasn't the first time Milly had hit him. He had played the villain back in Demislad, when he had faked a couple's death without Milly knowing. This, still, was different.

Milly began sobbing loudly, and he could not tell how long it was before Meryl finally spoke. There were tears in her eyes.

'Did you… kill him?'

The crying paused as Milly looked up, to find no emotion on Vash's face. There was silence between them, and Vash's eyes stared blankly at the sky above them.

Meryl waited for an answer, but there was none. She did not have to ask again. She already knew the answer.

Vash's eyes flickered to meet Meryl's eyes, and he could tell how much he had hurt her. Only then did Milly began to drop to her knees, sobbing quietly.

What alternative did he have?

He began to walk away, brushing himself by Meryl's sleeve… They did nothing to stop him, not even turn around to watch him.. He had seen her eyes, filled with sorrow.. but hardly was there contentment. He chose this path because he did not want to hurt her, but he did... and now he became the Devil.

Before he made it out of the hearing of the two girls, one last question gave way from Meryl's lips. She spoke through the tears that streamed from her eyes.

'Is it.. over?'

Vash stopped to stare at the town that opened before him. They faced in opposite directions. It was silent, even with the gentle wind.

'..Yes.'

Slowly, he turned around, and Meryl did the same.

'…Will we ever see you again?' asked Meryl, fighting back her tears.

Vash looked at her, his eyes filled with sympathy, then looked away. There was still one last place he had to go to.

'I just need some time.. alone…' he said, before he turned and walked away.

-

Somewhere close by, a stooped figure, hidden in obscurity, remained motionless at the square window that gave view to the world outside. He leaned forward in curiosity, watching the blond haired man dressed in brown and black carry a white body into the village. Other than the insurance girls, only he had seen the small speck of light approach the village. Only he was watching when the blond haired man placed the body in the passenger seat of a car, leapt in and turned on the ignition, before driving off into the distance.