Okay, this chapter is a little shorter, but at least I am posting it on time ;) Enjoy

Golden Sunset

Chapter 10 – Shot

"That wall over there is lavender. We can't paint this one orange!" "Are you colour-blind or something you stupid twit?" The poor racoon was becoming smaller and smaller, as if Brooke's and my insults were weights that were pulling him to the ground. The owner of the general store was more than just a little confused, I think, as to why we weren't happy with the colour he had brought us. But it was true. You couldn't paint one wall a soft lavender colour and the other one a bright orange!

"O-okay. A-and what's with them p-paints over there?" Lucky for the shabby looking racoon, he had also brought us some different paints and Brooke, who was currently resembling a fury rather than a badger, stalked over to them and started inspecting them, while I peeked over her shoulders.

"I like the light green Brooky. It would fit." Brooke nodded slowly at my comment. Never would have thought that I had a sense for colours. A pat on the head would be nice, but oh well.

"You're right. Anything's better than the orange. 'kay! We're talking the green." With that the badger grabbed the bucket of paint and carried it inside the building, leaving the dirty racoon alone with me outside.

When he didn't leave I puffed up a little and narrowed my eyes, before snarling a vicious "Git!" causing the poor thing the squeak and run away as fast as his stubby legs could carry himself and the rest of the not bought paints.

"Gosh Rox. You've really got a way with people, you know that girl?" Was the first thing I got to hear as soon as I entered the big to be saloon.

"I have my –" However I didn't get to even really start my sentence, for suddenly the loud screech of her mental dad broke the rather quiet atmosphere.

"BROOKEIRA! THE ALIENS ARE ATTACKING!" Immediately Brooke set down the paint and stormed upstairs, while I simply rolled on the floor laughing my head off. Mr Greystone was absolutely hilarious when he had his fits, which mostly revolved around aliens and such stuff. It really never got boring.

After a couple of minutes Brooke came walking down the stairs, rubbing her forehead. "Sometimes I swear I wanna toss him out the window!" She grumbled, causing my smile to broaden.

"If you need a hand, well tail in that, just say the word, but it would be a pity. It is rather entertaining." She just shot me a flat look and once again both of us picked up our paint brushes and started on the last wall. Man would I be happy when it was over.

"Sooo…" Brooke started, not looking up from her job.

"Sooo?" I copied her and also just kept my eyes on the paint job.

"Jake hugh?" Now I did look over at her and could detect a little smirk on her mouth.

"What's with him?" I narrowed my eyes, not liking where this was going.

"You could have told me that you two had a thing you now. And there I thought we were friends!" She said accusingly, while I just stared at her wide eyed.

"WHAT? HELL NO! Brook – URGH – just NO!" I shook myself and shivered in horror, well, at least I really really hope it was horror.

"Now don't you give me that! I have a head on my shoulders and two eyes attached to it. I know what I saw!" She kept on painting, but was now watching me, wanting to see my reaction I suppose.

"And, pray tell, what did you see?" My eyes were narrowed into slits and I had stopped painting, glaring over at Brooke, daring her to keep talking.

"You were flirting." She stemmed her stocky arms into her sides.

"What? You missy, are out of your mind! I was not flirting! I don't give a rat's ass about that moron!" By now I was huffing and puffing in anger, but somewhere, deep down, I was asking myself if that is what it actually was.

"So you don't care about him, ey? So then tell me why you brought him some drink after I left the night before and then lay down next to him for a little chat?" She sounded accusing, but all I could do was stare at her with wide eyes and an open mouth.

"How – no – that – you little shit! You spied on me!" I practically slammed my brush into the paint bucket, before looking out a window, too ashamed and confused to think properly.

"I wasn't spying on you. I simply saw you two together when I took out the trash. If you really wouldn't like him, A: you wouldn't have teased him the way you did in the bar, B: you wouldn't have asked him to stay when he wanted to leave and C: you wouldn't have gone and chatted with him later on." When listening to Brooke list all those things, I really had to think. Sure. Whenever I thought about Jake, some murderous thoughts were also involved, but else? Of course I had told him that he was number one on my favourite person list, but I was half unconscious due to severe blood loss and pain, but could it have actually really been true? Could it be, that after I realised what he had actually done for me once I had passed out, that I had developed some like – like … no. I couldn't say it, couldn't even think it!

"Impossible." It was nothing more than a sigh really, a huff of air out of my mouth, as I just stared down at my coils.

"Think about it Rox. It wouldn't even be too surprising. After what I have gathered, you two are the only snakes around town and when last did you – you know – get closer to someone? Furthermore, Jake is fine. Okay, a little bit on the 'I can kill you with a look alone' side, but still very good looking! And, I think he likes you too!" At that I actually had to laugh. "No really! I was there, I watched. He wasn't looking at you with the same bored expression as he did with the others. He was really concentrated on what you were saying and doing. He is the freakin' Grim Reaper of the West sweetie! If he wouldn't like you, I'm sure he would have shot you the moment you opened your big fat mouth!"

"Well thank you very much. Good to know that I have a big and fat mouth. Really helps pep up my ego, you know." I replied sullenly, not knowing what to make of the entire situation. Never before had I talked to someone about something like this. I never had had a friend whom I could do it with and never had I really – what? Liked someone? Ach, what the hell did I know…

"I – I really don't know Brooke. This is all so confusing. I want to scream and shout and tell you that something's wrong with your brain because I could never get too friendly with the likes of such a stupid ass, but I just don't have the energy and I have the feeling I would be bullshitting myself." I'm sure my face must have looked rather comical, but really, at that moment I didn't feel too comical, more like a drowning rat on a sinking ship.

"Ach, don't worry about it girl. Just keep it in mind in the future, 'kay? Now. What do you say about going for a swim? I'll get my things and then we go check out that lake. I haven't gone for s proper swim in ages!" Without even waiting for my answer, Brooke silently ran upstairs, careful not to wake up her dad, while I simply wallowed in my own self-pity, in not being able to even start figuring out, what Brooke and I had actually been talking about.

"Oh don't be such a sissy, Rox! Get in the water, it's great!" Brooke shouted, while floating on the water like a cork in her bright green costume.

"I'm not a sissy! I just don't really like swimming. I kinda went off swimming when I was on a sinking ship you know." Warily I eyed the water. It was crystal clear and not very deep, but still.

"Sinking ship? That one's new. We seriously have to have a bonfire night or something where we tell each-other stories and what not!" – "Like a sleep-over?" – "Yeah!" – "I'd rather die." – "Oh stop being such a grump and now get your scaly behind into the water missy! It'll get rid of that foul mood of yours!" Brooke exclaimed, while trying to splash me with water, but failing.

"I don't have a foul mood. Sleep-overs are for gossiping bitches!" I said, while dipping my tail into the water.

"You see! We are gossiping bitches!" At that I had to laugh and then finally let myself slip into the cool water.

"See. Not so bad after all! Now why don't we –" the distinct sound of a bullet being fired cut her off.

The second I heard the gunshot, I was wide awake. Sadly. I could have used a little bit more sleep. Oh well, I wouldn't hurt to just go check it out. In any case. Whoever woke me up would have some explaining to do. I was in no mood for chit chat and if that stupid chameleon had once again stumbled over his own feet and fired his gun accidentally, I would strange him and hang up his sorry carcass for everyone to see!

"Mister Rattlesnake Jake Sir! Mister Rattlesnake Jake Sir! You gotta come real quick!" Priscilla came bursting into my room, which had once been the mayor's office, shouting at the top of her lungs. If it had been anyone else, that person would be dead, but with the kid I tolerated it, well, to an extent.

"What now?" I grumbled while putting on my hat and slowly moving for the door.

"There's this sidewinder and his gang and they're looking fer ya, 'caus of some bounty. They told sheriff Rango te hand yer over but he said they could all go te hell and that ya were under protection of this 'ere town, but them fellas didn't like that an' now their trying ta shoot sheriff Rango and Wounded Bird!" The little girl said while drawing in big gulps of air, but all I could do was stare at the kid.

Rango had refused to let bounty-hunters come after me? He had said that I was under protection of this town? I really didn't know what to make of it, but I sure as hell wouldn't hide up here. Those guys would rue the day that they decided to come after me.

"Lead the way." That was all it took and already the little girl was off, running downstairs. Once outside however, I could clearly see where the action was taking place.

The kid – of course – made an attempt to accompany me to the show down, but I quickly wrapped my tails around her and lifted her back inside. I may not have cared much for the people of the town, but the day that I let a kid follow me into a fight would be the day I lost the last bit of honour that was buried deep in my black soul.

"Ya stay right here!" And with that I was off, making my way over to where I could see the sheriff and his deputy seeking fire protection behind a building.

"Someone wanna update me?" Rango nearly jumped out of his skin when I suddenly spoke behind him, while trying to keep myself out of sight of the bounty-hunters.

"Ah, Jake, there ya're. The dark brown sidewinder's the leader, Derek Brown or somethin' and he's got four men. A bobcat, two rats and a hare. Do ya know this Derek guy? He wants yer head purdy bad ya know." I just shook my head and observed the entire situation with narrowed hellfire eyes.

"No. But that don't mean a thing sheriff. Everyone wants my head 'purdy bad'. It's a given with ma job." At that the green lawman just nodded his head, before quickly ducking, as a bullet whizzed past his head.

I really wanted to ask him why he was helping me out, but it would just have to wait. With a growl I cocked my gun, loading it with that one fluid movement. Without another word I slithered out from behind the house and immediately all five bounty-hunters came to a stop. There was a quite big space between me and them, but not enough for me to miss them if I shot.

"Well well well. Ain't that the Grim Reaper of the West. Seeking shelter behind a pathetic little sheriff. Now ain't that just sad." The sly voice of the sidewinder drifted to my ears, but I decided to ignore them. Instead in one quick movement I pointed my gun and shot the rat who was standing next to the snake. They greyish black rodent slowly sank to the ground, a pool of blood starting to form around him, before any of his friends could even move a muscle.

"Now that the formalities are over with, get lost! If I ever see any of ya pathetic hides around these parts, I'll drag the rest of yer pitiful hides down te hell!" I hissed, my eyes glowing fiercely.

But then a bullet shot passed me, nearly nailing me in the side, if I hadn't moved out of the way in a flash. "I'll show ya! Killin' off ma men! Yer dead, ya hear me Rattlesnake Jake!"

And then the bullets started flying. The rest of the bounty-hunters had quickly moved behind a wagon, while I ducked out of the way and behind the house, where Rango and the Indian were waiting.

"Didn't go so well, ey brother?" – " Shut yer trap sheriff!"

Suddenly a few men of Rango's posse arrived with a wagon of their own and in its fire protection, we moved out onto the street, so that we had a better chance at nailing them.

'How strange to say we.' I had never fought alongside anyone. Never ever in all my years. And these people didn't even like me. Hell, I had killed so many of their sheriffs, I had stopped counting after a while, but yet here they were all helping defend me.

'Who am I kidding. They're not helping me, they're helping their sheriff to whom they are loyal and who stupidly enough is the one standing up for me.' However any more thinking was cut short when I started firing, but the evasive little shits kept on dodging my bullets and hiding behind the wagon like the cowards they were! If they wanted to shot me, the damn bastards should get out there and try it already, then I would finally be able to fill them up with my bullets and it would be over and I could go back to sleep.

The swarm of bullets that had been whizzing past, above our heads, suddenly stopped. Rango sighed in relief next to me, but I tensed up. They hadn't run out of bullets so why had they stopped sho-

A starlet scream echoed through the houses, quickly followed by an outraged: "Get your slimy coils off of me you perverted little asshole! HEY! I said LET GO!"

A strange iciness took hold of my heart, while Rango whispered a silent "Oh no." from besides me. I would have recognized that voice anywhere. 'Why can't that woman just stay out of trouble for one day?'

I turned and looked over the wagon, just in time to see Derek or whatever his name was come from behind one of the houses, with a struggling, pissed off and strangely wet Roxette in his brown coils.

"Okay. I've had enough of this! Sheriif, hand over that there outlaw of yers and I won't have te slit the pretty throat of one of yer town's inhabitants." The sidewinder was pressing a thin knife to Roxette's throat and something about the situation made my blood boil and freeze at the same time.

"Urgh! Have you never heard of tic tacs before? Because seriously, your breath stinks, as if something's dying in there! So, just turn your head when speaking okay, else I'll die of air toxification or something!" If the situation had been any different, I might have actually cracked a smile, when hearing Roxette insult the sidewinder, but sadly the situation wasn't another one and her words just caused him to tighten his coils around her and I could visibly see her gasp, while he pressed the knife even tighter to her throat.

A angry hiss started to form in the back of my throat.

"Shut up, bitch! Yer not the only hostage that I can use!" The bastard hissed into my ear, which I simply replied with by making a gaging sound and scrunching up my face, when his foul breath washed over my face.

"So? The outlaw or the girl! What's it gonna be, wonder sheriff?" The desert snake had straightened up again a bit and was now looking back at Rango and a very pissed off looking Rattlesnake Jake. Well, it was understandable. If someone wanted to kill me for money, I think I would also be pissed.

"That's not very fair you know." I muttered, once again catching the bounty-hunter's attention. "No one here can stand me. Like, they really hate my guts. Making them decide who they hate more, me or Jake is really low, you know. Why do you want him anyways, blubber butt? Did big ol' mean Jake steal your toys or something?"

The snake started at me with narrowed brown eyes. "Yer insane, ain't ya."

I shrugged as well as I could, in his death grip. "Yes. Yes I am. Now try to forget that you are a pathetic asshole, be a gentleman and let me go, okay. I won't even hold this whole thing against you. Well, maybe. Deal?"

The big snake just shook his head. "I was willing te give ya folks time te think this through, but truth be told, this woman is driving me crazy and I'm tired of it. Now hand over Rattlesnake Jake an' nothing'll happen to the loony bitch."

I knew he was lying. I knew that he would kill me, even if Rango did turn Jake over and suddenly I had to think about the chat I had with Brooke and I realized, that I didn't want anything to happen to Jake.

"Nobody's handing anybody over, asshat! I'm telling you. Jake is gonna beat you up so bad that you'll never be able to sit again! You're nothing in comparison to him and there should be a bounty on your head, not on his! Moron!" I hissed at my captor, who now stared down at me with an unbelievable look on his face.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jake slowly aim his gun.

Five bullets came shooting towards us.

The sidewinder whirled around with me in tow.

Three bullets hit their intended mark.

Two didn't.

I felt my captor sink to the ground lifelessly, but all I could do was stare down at the two blood leaking holes in my chest.

The last thought I had, before everything was black, was a simple: 'You can't be serious…'

Three of my five bullets pierced the bounty-hunter's chest, before he whipped Roxette around, causing her to catch the last two of my bullets. The brown snake sank to the ground, thick streams of blood running down his chest. His eyes glazed over, empty and dark, as if the light of life had been extinguished.

As soon as his fellow hunters saw their boss go down, they ran for their runners, jumped on and high-tailed it out of town, but I didn't care. Didn't even try to stop them, for my red eyes were trained on the red and golden body on the ground next to the dead sidewinder.

Slowly, so slowly I approached the fiery red woman, searching for a sign that she was alive. A sign that I hadn't killed this testy woman, who mere minutes ago had been insulting the guy who had a knife pressed to her throat, telling him that I would 'beat his ass' how she put it. A feeling I couldn't place made my heart grow heavy and light at the same time, when thinking about it.

Carefully, as if she was a porcelain doll, I wrapped my thick coils around her spikey body, before lifting her up and away from the other dead snake, before – without thinking – cradling her in my coils.

The barely visible rising and sinking of her chest was the most beautiful thing to me right then and for a second, the thought crossed my mind, that I might be growing mad, but then my mind was blank again, the black clump that once had been my heart, tightening painfully in my chest, when seeing the two holes in her body, leaking the way to familiar crimson fluid.

I had shot her. I had shot Roxette.

Roxette really is a magnet for trouble and near death experiences. But oh well. Sorry for the shortness of this chapter and the suckyness of the fighting scene, but it wasn't supposed to be all too grand in any case. (lame excuse, I know)

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