Planning to Keep Up


"Senpai!" Milly gaped down at her superior as they hurried along the hall to the kitchen. Meryl could almost hear the questions that would be fired at her as fast as a derringer bullet. What happened in his room? Is everything okay? You two made up, right? So are you two together? Senpai, why are you smiling like an idiot?

Perhaps not that last question, but knowing Milly, it could very well be voiced.

They sat at the table in the kitchen in the seats they'd designated their own over the past few days; Milly and Vash sat opposite each other with Meryl in-between, facing an empty chair. Or the chair that would have Knives, if he were healthy enough to join them, and civil. Mostly civil. Meryl propped her chin up with her hand, elbow on the table, and stared at Milly, waiting for her interrogation.

"I'm really happy for you and Vash-san," she said, smiling. "I'm glad you two worked things out. So then, I suppose we should pack our things and rent a car as soon as possible, because I'm sure Vash-san will want to move when Knives-san is ready."

Meryl stared further; this wasn't what she expected, but it would do. "Ah, yes Milly, I suppose that's a good plan." She was about to stand up when she thought of something else. "You know, you don't have to be afraid of Knives-san. He's not that tough, for all his 'power.' He's helpless right now; he's too weak to do anything, so don't worry about it, okay?"

Milly nodded eagerly. "I won't, Senpai!" As soon as the agreement was reached, Meryl stood and went to her room, leaving Milly at the table.

Through the window over the sink, the sun could be seen creeping slowly along its path upon the sky, moving closer to midday. Puffy white clouds drifted over the blue stretch high above a slight breeze that tussled and moved the first thin layer of dust and sand upon the earth. Distant chimes barely tinkled with the wind. Truly, it was a beautiful day.

Milly, however, took no notice of these things; instead, she stared at her hands laced together neatly in front of her on the table.

Am I afraid? She did not shake or tremble, but she knew those sensations came when she approached that man. Everything associated with fear came alive in her when his eyes shot open and stared at her with icy eyes. Something inside her mind clicked at that moment, like a truth unfolding for the first time. Just a small brush of something mentally external, yet it carried with it a vast array of emotions, images, and promises.

A promise? She shook her head. Only fear of a man that Vash-san would take care of, but cautiously. Very cautiously.

"I'm just being silly," Milly said aloud, and smiled. She knew her penchant for silliness too; she now knew it was time to put away and not worry so much.

But still, something bothered her... what?

"Ah!" She remembered.

"It's time for lunch!"



Author's Note: Ahhh, a short second chapter. Well, short for me, I suppose... or something. But anyway, I wanted to focus on Milly, as she didn't get what I would deem "appropriate air-time." Yes, she's a somewhat minor character... but no longer! Not in this fic, at least. (Gosh, can I pack anymore foreshadowing in here?)

Another thing is, I have to keep going back to check what I wrote, to make sure I'm still making things continuous. I don't want to mess up my own continuity, you know? But I figure things are going to get screwed around a little here, but I'm trying my best. Trying not to go overboard on the blossoming V+M, trying not to make contradictory remarks that are only used to cover up what mistakes I make... And most of all, just trying to keep this idea alive @.@ The general layout for this entire work is months old, but hopefully, I'll see it through to the end ^_^v And work faster on the next chapter @.@;