Chapter 27 Jealousy

As they walked down the paved streets of Summerville, Knives found himself blinking constantly due to the brightness of the neon lights. People milled by, oblivious to everything but themselves, talking and laughing. The city had quite the nightlife. And Knives found his stomach lurching in protest. It seemed that while he had practically changed overnight with many things, he still abhorred crowded cities.

He grumbled lightly and Blue looked up at him, giving his hand a squeeze. "You ok sunshine?" she asked lightly and he sighed.

"Yeah…I still hate these places though…" his face twisted into a slight scowl.

"I'm sorry…do you want to go back to the room?" she asked.

He looked down at her, and could clearly see that she was enjoying the place and shook his head. "I'll get over it."

She smiled, leaning into him as she wrapped her other hand around the arm she was holding, her head leaning into it.

"There it is." Kiba pointed out the restaurant.

"Looks crowded." Tasuki observed and they nodded.

"It usually is. But they have the best steaks on Gunsmoke. Besides, I'm pretty sure I can get us in quickly."

They gave a questioning look and Kiba smiled as he pushed himself through the crowds and to the door, where they were only letting some people in.

"Hello, I need a table for seven if possible." He asked the man at the door.

The smug looking man gave him a once over, eyeing him disdainfully. "And the name?"

"Saotome."

The man blinked, eyes widening slightly. "Saotome. As in the Saotome's of the Grand Riviera…" he asked, not truly believing it.

Kiba smiled, pulling his deed halfway from his pocket, returning the smug look. "That's me." He smiled widely.

Meryl chuckled as she shook her head. She hadn't seen Kiba act so superior in a long time. He had done this on occasion, if it was called for.

"Right this way sir." The man's tone was suddenly bright and cheerful and Tasuki snorted as the group pushed their way forward.

"Kiba, at his best!"

They chuckled, with the exception of Knives, who was currently glaring at a man next to him, not liking in the least that he was nearly on top of him.

"What are you staring at?" the man asked rudely as he bumped into the plant again. Knives opened his mouth to say a strain of obscenities until Blue spoke up for him.

"Certainly not an ugly guy like you. Let's go Knives."

Knives blinked. Blue was usually friendly to most people she met, and he smiled inwardly, realizing that she was sticking up for him.

"Heh, stupid bitch." The man muttered and Knives pinned another glare on him.

"Asshole." Knives snapped at him.

"Hey, you wanna start something man?"

"Oh, and I suppose that you think a common human such as yourself would stand a chance against me?" the plant bit out and the guy looked like he was going to lunge at him.

"Look, mister, you really don't want to piss him off. Let it go." Blue warned, forcefully dragging Knives away now.

The man probably would have followed them had it not been for the huge crowds of people blocking his way.

Once inside, Blue let go of Knives's arm and sighed. "Knives, you can't just pick fights with people like that." She chided gently and he felt his anger rise in defense.

"Woman, I didn't. He did." He stalked passed her, muttering darkly. "Gods! I remember now why I hate fucking cities full of fucking humans!"

Blue shook her head. He may have changed drastically in a short amount of time, but he still had a looong way to go with his anger problems apparently. Or maybe, he would never change in that aspect…

She picked up her pace to catch up with him, grabbing his hand. He acted like he was going to try and wrench it from her, but sighed as he let her hold onto it. "Sorry Knives. I know you were just defending me."

He looked at her, a 'whatever' look on his face and she smiled, tugging on his arm, causing him to stop and face her. She stepped up on the ends of his boots, to make herself taller. She leaned upwards, placing a kiss to his cheek and smiling softly.

"I mean it. Now lets go eat. You'll probably be in a better mood once you've had a decent meal. I know I will be."

He couldn't help his smile as he shook his head. "Woman, how do you do that?"

"Do what?" she asked and he pulled her back to him, oblivious that they were in the middle of a restaurant lobby, lots of people milling around them.

"Make things…better in the blink of an eye?" he grinned.

She batted her eye lashes cutely, her smile girly. "I'm just good that's all."

"Hey you two! Can't it wait until we get back to the hotel? We're starving here!" Tasuki's grating voice pierced the air and Blue laughed as Knives winced.

He turned his head in Tasuki's direction, an 'I'm gonna kill you' look on his face. "And can't you see that we're busy!" he grit out between clenched teeth.

Blue laughed louder, her cheeks red with slight embarrassment as she stepped down and away from him, grasping his hand again and leading him to where the others sat grinning.

"I told you before! Make out later, when we're not around!" Tasuki poked as they seated themselves at the circular table.

"Whatever fire-crotch." Knives said smoothly, almost casually as he picked up a menu and held it up in front of his face.

Sniggering could be heard all around as Tasuki scowled, grabbing a menu and doing the same. Meryl had buried her head in her arms, Vash and Kiba grinning as they chuckled quietly.

Blue was giggling as she glanced behind the Knives's menu to see him smiling, looking very proud of himself.

"You'll never live that one down man." Kiba patted his irritated friend, who just grumbled.

Milly smoothed her hand up and down his back, in an attempt to calm him.

"That doesn't really work if you're laughing with them!" Tasuki poked his indignant face out and looked at her as she giggled.

"I know honey, I just can't help it!" Milly chirped.

"Aww, come on Tasuki. It's the truth, isn't it? Just admit it and we will leave you alone!" Vash winked and Meryl made a sound from her arms, where her face was still buried as she tried to control her laughter.

From behind his menu, Knives breathed loudly as he tried to maintain a straight face, feeling laughter in his throat. "Oh, he'll never admit it, just leaving us to speculate, brother."

"I hate you Kiba." Tasuki announced flatly and Meryl couldn't help it as she threw her head back and laughed loudly, the others joining in.

Kiba winked at him, grinning from ear to ear. "Glad to know how you love me so, Task. The feeling is mutual my friend. I'm just paying you back for all those times you embarrassed me!"

"Yeah, like that one time when he gave you a wedgie in front of a group of really important officials." Meryl chocked on her laughter and Milly guffawed.

"Oh yeah! I was there too! And what about the time he dumped noodles on Kiba's head when he was on a date with someone?" Milly said in between laughs.

By that point Tasuki was laughing too, grinning as he wrapped his arm about Kiba's shoulders. " She was a raunch! I had to help him out! Best friends till the very end huh?"

Blue was giggling, happy to see that Knives was chuckling as well, shaking his head slowly.

"Why hello ladies and gentleman. I'm Laura and I'll be your server tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?" A tall blonde and rather busty waitress approached the table, smiling through her heavily done up lips.

After starting with Blue and making her way around the table, she came last to Knives. She bent towards him flirtatiously, saying, "And what'll it be for you handsome?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Water."

She grinned, batting her eyelashes briefly as she wrote it down. Flashing him a brilliant smile, she winked, saying, "You got it honey." She walked away, glancing almost seductively over her shoulder at him and he shook his head.

"Well, she looked quiet interested in you Knives." Vash grinned across the table at his brother, who responded, "Nothing but a stupid human to me.

The group started up a conversation about sand steamers and he glanced to Blue, who sat by him, her face buried in her menu. He could tell by her body language alone that she was irritated and he nudged her. She looked at him and he raised both eyebrows. She almost looked jealous and he smiled, making a connection with her.

'Jealous woman?' he thought, an almost cocky air to his voice and she scowled slightly, huffing and looking back at her menu.

It actually surprised him, to tell the truth. She didn't seem like the jealous type. He was, most definitely.

'Come on woman, you know that I didn't even look at her. First off, she's nothing but human garbage to me. Second, she's not my type.'

She locked eyes with him. 'Oh really? So what is your type Knives? You've only ever been with one woman, now haven't you? So, how do you really know?'

Knives was seriously surprised that Blue was acting this way.

"Psst…what the hell are they doing?" Tasuki leaned over Kiba to Vash, indicating to Knives and Blue.

Vash glanced at them and a look of understanding crossed his face. "They're talking."

Tasuki looked confused. "Uh…really…" he said, nearly sarcastically and Vash smiled.

"Telepathically."

"Whoa, you guys can do that?" the redhead was impressed and Meryl giggled.

"Yeah, it's pretty interesting." She looked at Vash and felt a small blush rise to her cheeks, remembering her first experience doing it.

Knives sighed audibly. 'Woman! Seriously! I don't know what you want me to say!'

Blue was becoming increasingly frustrated. She really didn't know why she was acting this way. She knew how Knives felt about her, but still felt a little insecure, she guessed. After all, the ball was now in his court, after she had made her confession to him, and it didn't seem that he would be passing it back anytime soon.

'Whatever Knives.' She severed the connection as the waitress came back, bearing their drinks. As she bent over to hand Knives his, Blue's eyes nearly popped out of her head when the woman slipped a piece of paper discreetly in front of him, whispering something in his ear.

Her eyebrows furrowed together as she watched the woman glance to her, a conceited look on her face.

Knives picked up the paper and looked at it, raising his eyebrow again as he looked up to the waitress. "I don't think so." He tore the paper in half, letting it drift to the floor and the waitress smiled.

"Hard to get, are we? We'll see." She winked, turning to the rest of the group and taking their orders. When she got to Blue, the plant had to contain herself as the blonde woman batted her eyelashes smugly at her.

When she sauntered off, Blue crossed her arms, looking away from Knives. "Hard to get, are we?" she mimicked the waitress very quietly and Knives chuckled as he reached out to wrap an arm about her.

Making another connection, he said, 'Now I know you're jealous woman. It's kind of fascinating, knowing someone as confident as you could act like this.'

Her shoulders stiffened. She wasn't feeling too confident at the moment. For some odd reason, the presence of another female who showed an interest in him made her crazy. It was stupid, she knew, but she couldn't help it. The relationship was just too new.

'I don't know what my problem is. I've never felt this way before. It's a little unnerving.' She answered back, some of her anger subsiding.

'I told you; she's just no comparison, Blue.' It felt strange to him, having to be the one assuring her, instead of the other way around. But, he found it came easier to him than he thought it would. It was like it was natural for him.

'What did the paper say?' she asked bluntly.

'Nothing.' He lied and she crossed her arms.

'Oh really? Knives…' her thoughts held an edge of warning and he mentally sighed.

'It said, 'I think you're good-looking. Meet me here later tonight.' That's all.'

'That's all huh?' she snorted. 'And how did that make you feel?' she questioned with a bit of sarcasm.

Knives adopted a 'no-duh' look as he locked eyes with her. 'It made me sick. Blue, she's a filthy human! As if I would ever get involved with the likes of that wench! It's disgusting!' he sounded almost pleading and she shook her head.

'I thought you didn't hate them anymore?' she nearly accused and he felt his temper rising steadily as she wasn't going to let it drop anytime soon.

'Woman, yes, I do! There are a select few that I find appropriate and that's it!' he all but snapped.

Blue looked down at the table, an angry look on her face. 'I bet she's one of them…'

'Ugh! You are maddening woman!' He severed the connection, huffing audibly as he crossed his arms and looked in the opposite direction from her.

All eyebrows rose as they saw both plants, arms crossed, irritation written all over their faces.

"First argument, huh?" Tasuki whispered to Vash and Knives snapped his gaze to him, a scowl on his face.

Tasuki shrunk back in the slightest, arms held out in front of him defensively as Knives looked away again.

Vash cleared his throat loudly, getting everyone's attention but the other plants. "Uh, so brother, how do you like the city? Pretty cool huh? Not so many lights where we usually are…" he tried to start friendly conversation with him and Knives's scowl deepened.

"Yeah, just fucking great." He bit out quietly, not looking over.

Vash breathed in, looking at the others, knowing when to leave Knives alone. "So guys? How about those lights?" They all broke out into conversation again.

Blue felt embarrassment rise inside, knowing that she was acting utterly stupid. But she couldn't help it. She just felt vulnerable and it was upsetting to her, so she was taking out on Knives, evidently.

She made another connection hesitantly with him, relieved when he allowed it. "Um…I'm sorry…I'm acting stupid. I guess…" she trailed off and he turned to look at her, his irritation still there, but softened up around the edges.

'What is it woman? You can say it.' He sounded a bit rougher than he wanted, hoping that she would answer anyways.

'I guess I'm feeling vulnerable at the moment, that's all.' She let out a little quickly, feeling a blush come forward. 'It's just…still so new, you and me, you know?'

She really hated this! She had so much confidence, it would make someone sick! But when it came to Knives, she felt weaker, more susceptible to these negative feelings. She guessed that's what happened when you fell in love…with all of the happiness came the uncertainty.

Knives continued to stare at her, really not sure what he could say. He wanted to make her feel better, but didn't know the right words. So he settled on the first words that came to mind. It seemed that he had done well in the past with that…

'Blue, I've already chosen you. All I see is you.' He made sure she looked at him, so she could see the truth in his eyes before he looked away again.

Blue saw the sincerity on his face and smiled softly when he turned away, feeling some of the negative emotions melting away. 'Thank you Knives. I'm sorry…I'll try and stop this, ok?'

He looked back at her, a warm smile on his face as he squeezed her shoulders with the arm that was still around her. 'And I'll make sure that she knows that I'm taken, ok?'

Vash glanced up, smiling when he saw them looking much happier.

"Here you are folks!" Laura came and set their food in front of them.

"Damn this looks good!" Tasuki grinned as he looked at the steaming plate in front of him.

"And here you go handsome!" The blonde set Knives's plate I front of him. Blue tensed again, but waited to see how he would react this time.

The waitress leaned into him, smiling. "So, did you think about my offer?" she said quietly and he shook his head.

"Nope. Didn't even give it a second glance." He said coolly.

"Well. If meeting here doesn't work, we could go to my place…or perhaps yours…" she smiled again and he felt his irritation rise. She really wasn't very bright was she?

Purposefully bringing attention to Blue beside him, he said, "Look human, I have absolutely no interest in your kind whatsoever. In fact, your mere presence makes me want to vomit. So, if you could step away from me, I will be eating now with my woman." He nearly scowled and she blinked, surprised by his cold words. She straightened, an angry look on her face as she turned on heel and stomped away.

"What good service they have here…" Tasuki said sarcastically and Kiba couldn't help the laughter that was bubbling inside of him.

"Wow, Knives, you're really nice, you know that?" he chuckled.

Knives, sat back, adopting a cocky air. "Yeah, sometimes you just have to be blunt with that species." He said, his voice dripping with superiority.

Kiba laughed again. "Hey, you talk as if we're not humans over here or something."

Knives shrugged as he leaned back forward, picking up his fork to eat. "Yeah, but I approve of you. So it's different."

Tasuki shoved a bite of steak in his mouth, talking around it. "Glad to know that we have the stamp of approval from you man. I would hate to be on the other end." He grinned.

Knives raised an eyebrow at him, grinning back. "I could show you what it means to be on the other end if you'd like…" he teased lightly.

Tasuki shook his head quickly and Knives chuckled. "Dude, Vash, your brother's scary."

Vash nodded in response, smiling as well. "Yeah, you don't have to tell me that."

Meryl locked eyes with Blue, smiling as she saw the amusement in the other plant's eyes. She was happy for the amethyst-eyed woman, knowing how she felt about Knives. Secretly, she was a little jealous. Sure, she and Vash had admitted their feelings, and it was great. But…the fact that Blue and Knives had moved even farther before they had disheartened her a bit. But, then again, when would she and Vash have had time for that?

"Glad to see that you've lightened up some man." Tasuki looked to Knives, who grinned again.

"Yeah, I guess a woman will do that to you. Who knew?" he winked at Blue, who smiled in return.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Bet you're glad that you have a room tonight, huh?" Tasuki went on and Knives's grin turned wicked.

"Yeah, we don't have to find another cliff to hide behind this time…"

Blue let her head fall to her arms, hiding the ferocious blush that painted her cheeks as Vash, Kiba, Tasuki and Knives all laughed.

Sheshook her head from where she was. Who knew just how forward Knives could be at times?