Okay, if you don't understand everything in this chapter, don't fret! All shall be explained in time!!! Jay

Chapter 14

Vash unlocked the door of his apartment and ushered Moon inside. It was really a two story house he and Knives were renting for the time being. Knives hated staying anywhere inhabited with humans, so Vash had chosen a home far and secluded from civilization, even though he personally loved people to talk to.

"Can I get you anything?" He said, shutting the door behind him with a quiet snap.

"No, I'm fine." Moon looked around with interest. The apartment was small, but well kept and cheery.

They took seats on the couches and Vash immediately began babbling out questions to Moon, who held up her hands to try to slow him down. She found her father could be very talkative.

"So tell me what happened. Where are Jinx and Starr?" The question was one among thousands bubbling at his lips, but Moon clamped an impatient hand over his mouth.

"When the rockslide started, mom teleported us, but because she was panicking, she overdid it. We ended up on a different planet called Kafira, which is also inhabited by humans. It's not too far from Gunsmoke." She explained calmly and slowly.

"Why didn't you teleport back?" He quipped when she had removed the hand.

"She tried, but she didn't have enough energy." she explained, "She and Starr raised me, and then with all the power she had, she managed to teleport me back here to come and find you."

Vash nodded, looking her over slowly as if he were sizing her up. "You have your mother's powers."

"And some of yours." She whipped out a gun that strongly resembled the gunman's. The sleek silver caught the light, and the beam shimmered menacingly. "Being a hybrid I'm not exactly 'by the book'."

Vash grinned and turned his eyes to her face. "You look so beautiful... exactly like your mother. Those eyes are like exact copies." He reached out a hand and softly stroked her cheek.

"She used to say that all the time about my hair. She was right... it really is the same exact shade."

Vash dropped his hand and pulled her into a warm hug. "I feel terrible," the outlaw confessed, "That I wasn't there to watch you grow up."

Her eyes met his saddened gaze. "You couldn't have been there even if you knew we were alive. I forgive you... when we get mom and Starr back we'll all be together again. Speaking of Starr," she paused, "Where's Knives?"

"He's um... upstairs." He said awkwardly. Moon gave him a look.

"Do you really hate each other?"

Vash looked away uncomfortably. Moon sighed and untangled herself from the embrace. She looked back once; the gunman looked anguished and perplexed. What had happened between the two brothers? Moon knew they had never been the close kind, but still. How could they hate each other? She made her way up the creaky stairs.

Moon had never tried to contact Knives; Starr had warned her otherwise. Knives could block out anyone, no matter how powerful or how determined. Starr shared she had tried it only once, and it was enough to keep her from doing so ever again. So Moon treaded soundlessly by each door, listening intently. Her keen ears picked up everything, but with Knives it was a different story. She passed one very silent door, and stopped. Something nagged at the back of her mind. She reached for the knob, and opened it.

Her uncle Knives sat on the bed, sequestered from all around him. His toned muscles were tense and his posture impossibly rigid. Her eyes seemed to wander unwillingly to his pinched, disgusted expression. His icy blue eyes pierced her, and she froze, unable to move an inch. Too late she remembered his other numerous powers.

"Hello, Uncle." She tried to say genially, but it was almost unimaginable with the atmosphere of the tiny room.

He didn't speak, but if possible glared at her even more icily. He rose fluidly from the bed and neared her. Moon couldn't help but feel like helpless prey in front of a very dangerous predator. He circled her, and the feeling increased inside her. She was sure his keen ears could hear her heart beat faster and faster in her chest.

'Who are you?' A voice purred capriciously in her mind. She could feel him probing her thoughts, tying to invade her psyche. She dared a smile and raised the barriers, blocking him out unwaveringly. Knives found this very vexing. He'd never known anyone able to block him out before. Not even his brother.

"I'm Moon." She said out loud. She refused to play his game. She was powerful, and he had to know it. He didn't answer, and started to circle her almost belligerently. She watched him intensely, and he continued to glare at her frigidly.

Then he faltered slightly; she wasn't even sure if it was a trick of the light. But there was no mistake: a tiny rupture in the air around them lay the truth nakedly before them. Knives had recognized her.

"You know me." She churred triumphantly. He snarled and rounded on her, his face but an inch from her own. "Say it."

"You are Jinx's daughter." He spat furiously. Her amused expression did not calm his anger.

Abruptly he pushed past her, and she found she could move. He stormed down the stairs at an improbably speed. Moon caught up with him in the living room, where the twin Plants were having a silent conversation. Vash was trying to explain everything, but Knives was making it difficult. Finally he rounded on Moon.

"What's your proof?" His eyes pierced hers. "That you're his daughter? That she's alive?"

Moon gave a heavy sigh. She pulled at something around her neck. With a swift movement, she unclasped the silver chain around her neck. Vash and Knives leaned in to get a better look at the glittering objects that dangled from it.

They were the wedding rings the brothers had given Jinx and Starr all those years ago.

Meryl was suspicious. She had not liked the turn of events at all. Who was Moon? and Why did Vash react that way? Were only a few of the questions jumbled haphazardly in her head. She began pacing, trying to sort out the irritating mass of unanswered mysteries that surrounded them.

Milly was sitting silently across from Meryl, and spoke. "What are we going to do, sempai?"

Meryl continued to pace. Her thoughts jumped back and forth in her head. This was all Moons' fault. Why did she have to show up now, when she was finally starting to get over the loss of the outlaw, and find Vash? It was like ripping old wounds open. And that power... she definitely wasn't human.

"We're going to get to the bottom of this, Milly. No matter what it takes."

Milly stared intently at her partner. "Do you still like Vash, sempai?"

Meryl started. "What? The broomhead? No way!" Her heart began to beat out a painful rhythm.

Milly gave her a knowing smile. "Uh-huh."

"He told me to let go. He should do the same." Meryl snapped bitterly.

Milly gave a sad sigh, which was worse than if she had done nothing at all.

The next morning, the Insurance girls spotted Vash and Moon shopping in the town square. Vash had cut his hair and wore his brilliant red coat, topped off with his strange, enticing orange specs. Moon herself looked downright exotic: she wore a silky lavender dress that flowed to her calves with two slits cut high up her thighs. Two silver bangles encircled her arms just below her shoulders, and her golden hair fluttered gently in the wind. She also wore a leather brace on her right arm that reached up to her elbow, and a thin silver chain glittered from around her neck.

Meryl found that she was jealous. The emotion came out of nowhere, hitting her hard. She felt angry and rejected... but why? As if the Humanoid Typhoon could have feelings for her.

Vash and Moon were laughing; Moon danced around him. She pulled a donut seemingly from nowhere and flashed it at Vash, whose already hyper mood worsened as he jumped at her. She was fast, faster than seemed possible. She dodged him diligently, until he gave her his puppy eyes. She handed the pastry over and the outlaw devoured it on the spot. Then he smiled and hugged her warmly.

Meryl felt torn. She couldn't understand it. Who was she? Why did Vash act this way? He'd never acted like that around her. Or had he... and she was too blind to notice?

Suddenly Moon turned and starred off into the distance. Vash did too, listening with ears much keener than their own. The pair began gently pushing through the crowd, and then vanished into a dark alley. Meryl motioned for Milly to follow her, and they sprinted through the people toward the alley. They stopped and gaped.

The alley was a dead end, and Vash and Moon were gone.

"Ready?" Moon asked, holding out a delicate hand.

"I was never fond of this." the outlaw said miserably, taking it.

"Mom said you weren't. Would you rather we go by thomas?" She said coyly, flashing him a broad grin.

"No! No. This will be fine."

She smiled, and they began running, till their feet left the ground, and they were soaring. She smiled as the wind whipped her face. Of all her powers, flying was her favorite. She couldn't explain why... there was just something inside her that told her it was very important. She pondered for a moment upon this subject, trying to make sense of the strong, unidentifiable emotion. It seemed like in no time at all they reached the canyon, and Moon stowed the thought away for later. She dove into battle with the demon.

'Like mother like daughter.' Vash thought as he stood atop the rocky outcrop of the canyon. Moon reminded him of Jinx in every way possible, save her golden hair, as Jinx's was a sweet, chocolate brown.

'Vash!' Knives' words scattered his thoughts, and he started, momentarily disappointed. He would have liked to dwell upon Jinx a moment longer.

'I'm here, Knives.'

'I've found where the portal will be.'

His heart quickened it's pace, and emotions threatened to spill. 'Where? When?'

'It will pass over Tarret just before sunset, in the town square.'

Vash frowned. 'There's going to be a lot of people, Knives.'

'There isn't anywhere else more precise.' he pressed, 'We could wander around fifty years and never find a better chance.'

Vash was forced to agree. 'Alright. I'll tell Moon. Make the preparations.'

'Got it.'

Moon had finished with the demon and landed next to Vash. "Any news?" She asked, noting his troubled features.

"The portal. It will be over the square tomorrow at sunset."

Moon smiled and took his hands, and they disappeared.

Meryl and Milly stood staring blankly down the alley for a long time. What could have happened? They had seen the two turn down this alley with their own eyes! Where could they have gone?

"Where'd they go, sempai?" Milly finally asked in an awed, fearful voice. Meryl opened her mouth, but shut it. She was at a loss for words.

"Hey, Insurance girls!"

The two whirled around in horror. Vash and Moon were standing before them, smiling happily, oblivious.

"Whatcha doing?" Vash laughed. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"You were there... and now you're... here..." Meryl began stuttering hysterically.

Vash's eyes widened, and his normally bright, energetic expression melted from his face. Moon passed a weary hand over her eyes and her shoulders sagged. The two slowly exchanged a long glance, and Vash shook his head once or twice.

"I want and explanation!" Meryl yelled once she regained her voice. Vash cringed and tried to calm her down, but she wouldn't have it.

"Ever since she got here things have been crazy!" She pointed a belligerent finger at Moon. "Mystic powers, disappearing people...!"

'Run.' The thought boomed in Vash's head. He didn't hesitate. The Humanoid Typhoon bolted.

"Hey!" Meryl shrilled, and raced after them, with Milly in her wake. They pounded past the shops, their shoes thudding noisily on the dusty ground. Moon leaped over a fence, with Vash not far behind. But Meryl couldn't be shaken. She clamored up the rough wood and skidded down the other side. Milly followed with some difficulty, and they were running again. Vash and Moon had been resting around the corner, but they both sped off at the site of the two determined Insurance girls. They were on the run again, dashing down another side street.

"Why does this town have to have so many dead ends?!" Moon burst out in outrage, slamming her fist against the wall. Vash pulled her gently away, and she shook him off irritably. She looked down at her hand with a sour expression on her face as the crimson blood seeped down her wrist. For a moment her thoughts lingered on learning to control her anger better.

"We'd have to tell her eventually." He pressed, his features mundane.

Moon switched to telepathic thoughts and waved the comment aside. 'She loves you, Vash. It'll break her heart.'

'It's too cruel to keep on like this, Moon.'

Moon hated to admit it, but the outlaw was right. It was too evil to make Meryl suffer. It wasn't fair. 'I could make her forget about you...' The stray thought whispered coyly.

'Don't you start!'

Meryl stormed angrily towards them. Once she was within reach of the outlaw, she threw a strong, well aimed punch at Vash's jaw. His head snapped skyward with the force of the blow, and he careened over onto the dust. Moon dropped down at his side.

"Dad!" She couldn't stop the word from escaping her mouth, and she clamped her hands over it in horror. Vash's eyes widened, too.

"DAD?!" The words echoed awkwardly off the walls surrounding them and Meryl's eyes snapped beck and forth between the two. "I knew it! I knew she reminded me of someone... it was you!" She pointed and accusing finger at Vash. "Why didn't you tell me?!" she screeched.

Vash reached out to touch her. "Meryl, please... let me explain..."

"Don't touch me!" she spat. Her words stung him and his face fell. Meryl instantly regretted her tone, she hadn't meant it to come out so harsh, even though a thousand different emotions were rampaging throughout her person. She tried to calm herself, taking several deep, shuttering breaths.

Moon helped Vash gingerly to his feet. The gunman rubbed his bruised jaw absentmindedly, and faced Meryl. "Why don't we go someplace more cheerful... and we'll explain everything?"

"That would be great." Milly answered for her partner, smiling. "How nice that you have a daughter, Vash!"

Vash gave her a sheepish smile and Meryl rolled her eyes.