Title: Forsaken
Author: Akima The Stampede Maxwell
Date begun: March 29, 2002
Anime: hahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Like you don`t know!!!!!!!!
Pairings: If this chapter doesn`t make it clear than you need to get your head examined! (
Rating: NR for some suggestive themes and Knivishness
Disclaimers: I own 0 characters….
***Hey there! (Just wanted to say hey….)
Chapter 14: Near Death Experience
Vash yawned as they stepped into Sandsbar.
"It`s kinda quiet here….a little too quiet."
Millerna nervously searched around. The people seemed normal enough. She did not feel any kind of dread but the way that Vash talked made her feel afraid of something.
`Something isn`t right.`
Milly lagged a bit behind. She looked around admiring the simple beauty of the little town. She looked to her right and an icy fear gripped her heart. There not but a few yards away was Legato. That same outfit. Those same eyes. That purple hair. He did not seem to notice her. She could not move. She trembled. He turned to face her. She felt a shriek coming up her throat. He recognized her for he took a few steps towards her.
"You are Meryl`s friend. Am I correct to assume that?"
His voice was so monotone yet still held that hint of arrogance. He smiled. She could not handle this. She brought out her machine gun. People in the street did not seem to notice.
"Stay back!"
Legato frowned.
"Why are you threatening me? I only asked you a question."
"I won`t listen to you! What have you done with Meryl?"
"Why do you assume that I did something to her?"
"You would do anything to cause Vash more harm!"
"That is old news. I am not the same Legato."
"How can you expect me to believe you?"
"She did."
"Milly, where…"
Vash showed up beside her. He grinned until he followed her gaze. His mouth twisted into a frown then into a snarl. He pointed his gun at Legato`s head.
"Why can`t you just stay dead?"
"Don`t kill him, Vash! He has Meryl somewhere!"
Vash`s eyes glowed. He approached Legato quickly. He put the gun to his head like he had done a few years before. Legato did not move. He just stared at him with emotionless eyes.
"You do not really want to shoot me, do you?"
"I would kill you again if it would bring back the people that you`ve killed!"
"Unfortunately that is not possible." Legato stated. He put his hand on the gun and lowered it. He took a few steps back. He smiled.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Thinking about what Meryl would say if you killed me right now without bothering to listen to my story. She is a lot more trusting."
"Where do you have her stashed at?"
"I do not have her stashed anywhere. She went to get us some supplies for when we leave this town."
"You aren`t going anywhere with her!"
He took a threatening step towards Legato. His gun arm shook. Legato shook his head as if amused by his inability to follow through.
"Go ahead and shoot me, Vash. Meryl will not be pleased, I assure you."
"Vash, what are you doing here and why are you pointing a gun at Legato?"
Milly squealed and ran up to Meryl. She hugged her tightly.
"Oh, Meryl! I was so worried about you! Why did you leave? I would have followed you to the ends of the earth!"
"I know. I`m sorry. I shouldn`t have left but…I ran into some friends."
She faced Legato. Milly let go of her.
"Did you join him?"
"He joined with me. He isn`t evil anymore."
"How can you be so sure?" Vash asked "He brainwashed you!"
"He didn`t brainwash me! He explained very simply that he is not the same as he once was! He hasn`t hurt me yet!"
"He could be planning something like Marianne was!"
Meryl`s eyes widened.
"Marianne is the enemy?!"
"Knives saved us."
Meryl`s eyes widened. She trembled. She fell down to her knees.
"Knives was with you?! Where is he now?"
"There was a slight incident on board the ship. He and Marianne fell over the ship."
Meryl put her face in her hands. Legato put a hand on her shoulder. Vash and Milly trained their guns on him.
"He is not dead."
"How do you know?"
"I have a kind of connection with him. I could feel if he was dead."
Meryl reached hand up. Legato took it. He helped her up. Milly lowered her gun. Vash lowered his a few minutes later.
"I still don`t trust trust you."
"I cannot blame you for that. I would not trust me either."
"Vash, please try and understand. He and…."
"He and who else?"
"Meryl, I…" came a voice behind her. Milly dropped her gun on the ground. Her eyes shook and tears poured from her eyes.
"Mr. Priest?"
Wolfwood could not say anything. Milly looked about ready to burst into sobs. The two stared at eachother without a word or gesture. Meryl grabbed Legato`s arm.
"Come on." she whispered "Let`s leave them alone. They have a lot to talk about."
Legato agreed. Meryl grabbed Vash with her other arm. They left Milly and Wolfwood standing alone on the street. The townsfolk had deserted the area. Neither paid attaention to this. Wolfwood took a step towards Milly. She watched him thoughtfully. Tears ran down her cheeks.
"How long have you been alive?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"I never died."
"Where have you been then? I mean…it had to have been a good reason, right? You wouldn`t just leave me alone. I`ve missed you and now that you`re here I don`t really know how to react."
"I don`t really know what to do either."
"Why did you not come back?"
"I had some business that I had to take care of. I always thought of you."
Milly smiled. Wolfwood mimicked her smile.
"And I never forgot you."
Milly threw her arms out and approached Wolfwood. She threw her arms around him. He encircled her with his arms. He laid his head against hers.
"I don`t care what you did or why you didn`t come see me first! I`m just glad that you came back! I knew that you weren`t dead! I knew it! I tried getting over it but I couldn`t! I…"
"What matters is that we are together again. I promise that I won`t leave you again."
Milly smiled.
"You better not! Next time I`m coming with you!"
" I wouldn`t let you come with me."
"We will be together. That is all that matters to me. I will always be by your side through thick and thin!"
"…Yes. Say…let`s go get something to eat. I`m starving."
"With pudding?"
"With all the pudding that you can eat."
Milly let go of him. She blushed as Wolfwood kissed her on the cheek. He hooked his arm around hers and began walking. Milly became more open as they looked for a restaurant that sold pudding. Meryl watched from across the street. She had her hands over her eyes as she sobbed. She felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Meryl, he`s okay. I know it."
"Even if he is alive why would he find a reason to feel anything for me? I may not be human but I am somewhat of a coward, Vash."
"You are not a coward! If you were a coward you would not of chased after him!"
"I should just go back home. There is no point for me to be here. It`s hopeless."
Vash grabbed Meryl by the shoulders. She cried out. He let go of her and muttered an apology. She turned away from him.
"Meryl, don`t leave. You have to hear from him how he feels."
"Don`t tell me what to do. I am going to leave today. I`m going to go find a market and collect supplies then leave."
Vash stood in her way as she made to move past him.
"Vash….this isn`t like you."
"Please, Meryl…don`t leave. If my brother didn`t feel anything for you he would have killed you. Are you this ready to just assume that he isn`t capable of having feelings for you?"
"I…"
"I need a better reason than that."
"…I don`t have one. Fine. I will stay."
Vash smiled.
"Good!"
"I still want to go get supplies for us."
"Oh! By all means go! Get me some donuts if you please!"
Meryl laughed lightly. She walked past him. She waited until she was out of earshot to begin crying again with fresh tears.
`This was so stupid to go after him! I`m sorry, Vash, but I have to go!`
She turned to walk when a shadow fell over the path in front of her.
"Vash, I told you that…."
A sinister laugh filled the air. She looked up. A tall man with completely white eyes, a black cloak with the hood over his head, and thin black boots stood in front of her.
"Who are you?"
"I am known as Odin the Brave. Just call me Odin."
"Okay, Odin. Is there something that you need?"
"You…for the master Fenris."
Before Meryl could scream he moved rapidly and knocked her out. He slung her over his shoulder. He chuckled.
`That was too easy. Now to report back to Fenris.`
He took a step.
"Hold it. You take one more step with her and I will kill you where you stand."
Odin smiled.
"So…you found her."
A gun barrel pressed to the back of Odin`s head.
"Put her down."
"And what if I don`t?"
"I will put a bullet straight through your head. Put her down now."
Odin laid Meryl on the ground.
"Back away and turn around to face me."
Odin walked a few yards then turned. Knives stood with his gun still pointed at him. His clothing was ripped in some places and filthy. He had some cuts and bruises but other than that he looked okay. He leaned down. He put a hand on Meryl`s back. Suddenly Odin raised an arm.
"You back away from her now."
Knives glanced up at him with angry eyes. They kept their guns trained on eachother. Knives` lips twisted into a scowl.
"Who the hell do you think that you are? I know about your kind. I used to have gangs like this too."
"That is why our master sends us out. He followed your example."
"Who cares? Go back to your master."
Odin smiled. Knives looked down at Meryl.
"Go now. You do not have a chance of getting her now that I am here."
"You are full of yourself just as the master described."
"Your master is just a follower. He only does these things because I did them. He is a weak excuse for someone who wants to rule the world. At least mine was original."
"And how do you feel about this girl? She is not your species and she hs been as close to a human as one who is not as she can get."
"What does it matter how I feel. This is another one of Fenris` little schemes to get me tohand her over or weaken me in some way. He is a fool to believe that I would let him walk all over me."
Odin`s eyes flashed. He smiled. His mouth was full of sharp fangs now. His white eyes brightened and glowed. His hands grew claws. His shoes tore away as long talons grew from his toes. Muscles rippled along various parts of his body. Knives watched without a change in his stoitic features. Soon the transformation was complete. There before Knives stood a hulking creature that looked like a demon straight from hell.
"Hmmm. This is slightly impressive." Knives said. He pointed his gun at Odin. He fired.
----------------------------------------------------------- --
Vash and Dryden looked up abruptly from their drinks.
"That was a gunshot!"
They both ran out into the street. People screamed. Vash grabbed a hold of one of the men running by him and pulled him aside.
"What`s happening?"
"A huge monster is attacking some really tall guy with a black gun! Apparently it`s over some girl lying unconscious on the ground!"
Vash let go of him. He began to run. Dryden ran after him quickly.
"What is it? You look like you`ve seen a ghost!"
"The way that guy described him."
"Described who? The monster?"
"No. The tall guy. That sounds like my brother."
"Do you think that it`s him?"
"I have a feeling that it is."
They ran until they heard someone cry out. Vash pulled out his gun. He rounded the corner.
"Knives!" he exclaimed as he shot the monster away from Meryl. Knives shot the monster in the arm. He ignored Vash and Dryden completely until the monster was temporarily occupied with escaping his bullets.
"Grab her and get her out of here!" he ordered. Dryden reached down and picked her up. The monster made a beeline straight for Dryden. He did not see it coming until it was too late. He dropped Meryl on the ground as the monster`s fist slammed him in the side. He went flying into a bench and ended up breaking it in half. He was knocked cold. Knives cursed Dryden as he ran over to Meryl. He checked her over. Vash kept Odin away from them.
"Knives, she`s okay! You have to help me here!"
"Hold on a second! Damn it!"
"Knives!"
"Fine!" he growled. He left Meryl where she laid. He fired at Odin and hit him in the shoulder. The monster ran at Knives. Amazingly he managed to dodge every bullet despite his size. He slammed Knives in the gut. Knives doubled over in apin. He fell to his knees. Odin prepared to slam Knives again.
"Stop it now!"
Odin turned to see Meryl standing shakely. Knives growled.
"Get away from here!"
"Don`t hurt him!"
Odin threw all of his weight back to come at her with a flying elbow slam. Vash pushed her out of the way at the last second.
"Bastard!" Odin roared. He came at Meryl again and managed to kick Vash violently away. He gripped Meryl by the throat. She made a small choking sound as he queezed ever so slightly.
"Stop doing that! Let her go!" Knives demanded. He held the gun up. His arm shook. Odin laughed maniacally. He squeezed Meryl`s throat a bit more. Her face began to turn a small shade of blue. Her fighting began to slow down. Knives` lips quivered as his anger rose. His icy blue eyes flashed. Odin laughed.
"You are pathetic! Fenris may hold you as an example but any plant who cannot kill someone due to affection for another species is pathetic to me!"
Knives could not say anything.
"Put down your weapon and I will let her go."
Vash was speechless when Knives put down his gun. He put his hands up.
"Let her go."
"You fool. Did you actually think that I would let her go? Did you not hear what I said before? I will not let her go!"
Knives stood there with his hands raised. He smirked.
"What are you smiling at?"
"You forgot about my brother."
Odin turned to have Vash punch him in the jaw. Odin went flying into the fountain in the middle of the town. Vash caught Meryl. Knives reached down and picked up his gun. Vash met him halfway back to the hotel. Knives held out his hands. Vash placed Meryl in them. She slowly was coming out of her nearly unconscious state.
"Where the hell do you think you`re going?" came Odin`s enraged voice "No matter what you do we will take her! Fenris will have her! He…"
Knives moved Meryl in one of his arms. He grabbed his gun with the free arm and pointed it behind him. He fired. Odin screamed then collapsed to the ground dead. Knives put the gun away again. Vash stood silent for a moment with a somewhat mystified look. Meryl was waking up more now. She bagn to panic as she was suspended above ground. Knives quietly told her to stay still.
"Here." Vash said. He placed a key in Knives` hand. Knives stepped inside the hotel. He stopped in the doorway. He did not turn around.
"Thanks." he said. He continued walking.
------------------------------------------------------
Meryl woke up with a start. She remembered slightly waking up a little then going back to sleep again. She sat up slowly.
"Lay back down. You need to rest."
She turned her head to the left. Knives sat in a chair propped up against the wall. They stared at eachther for awhile. Meryl looked away.
"Why did you leave us? Why did you leave me?"
Knives stood up. He approached the bed. He sat beside her. She blushed.
"I left for my own reasons but…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"…I…well I`m back so that question is irrelavent."
Meryl looked at him. She put her hand on his shoulder.
"You know that I…"
Somehow the words would not come to her as she had previously been rehearsing. She just sat there with her hand on his shoulder. He studied her with his eyes. She blushed deeply and pried her eyes away from him. She pulled her hand away from his shoulder. She tilted her head down to keep from looking at him.
"I think that I will sleep now."
"Good."
She turned away from him and laid down. She closed her eyes.
"You will stay here with me at least until I go to sleep?"
"…Okay."
She fell asleep. Knives stayed there for a couple of minutes then he got up and left. He looked back at her from the door. He closed the door behind him.
*Isn`t that CUTE?!?!?! I`m sorry to the people who wanted a longer Wolfwood/Milly scene but this fanfic is obviously not centered around them I am going to give them scenes later. I thought that the short scene made sense b/c Milly would keep it simple. Anyways…Chapter 15 very soon!
Author: Akima The Stampede Maxwell
Date begun: March 29, 2002
Anime: hahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Like you don`t know!!!!!!!!
Pairings: If this chapter doesn`t make it clear than you need to get your head examined! (
Rating: NR for some suggestive themes and Knivishness
Disclaimers: I own 0 characters….
***Hey there! (Just wanted to say hey….)
Chapter 14: Near Death Experience
Vash yawned as they stepped into Sandsbar.
"It`s kinda quiet here….a little too quiet."
Millerna nervously searched around. The people seemed normal enough. She did not feel any kind of dread but the way that Vash talked made her feel afraid of something.
`Something isn`t right.`
Milly lagged a bit behind. She looked around admiring the simple beauty of the little town. She looked to her right and an icy fear gripped her heart. There not but a few yards away was Legato. That same outfit. Those same eyes. That purple hair. He did not seem to notice her. She could not move. She trembled. He turned to face her. She felt a shriek coming up her throat. He recognized her for he took a few steps towards her.
"You are Meryl`s friend. Am I correct to assume that?"
His voice was so monotone yet still held that hint of arrogance. He smiled. She could not handle this. She brought out her machine gun. People in the street did not seem to notice.
"Stay back!"
Legato frowned.
"Why are you threatening me? I only asked you a question."
"I won`t listen to you! What have you done with Meryl?"
"Why do you assume that I did something to her?"
"You would do anything to cause Vash more harm!"
"That is old news. I am not the same Legato."
"How can you expect me to believe you?"
"She did."
"Milly, where…"
Vash showed up beside her. He grinned until he followed her gaze. His mouth twisted into a frown then into a snarl. He pointed his gun at Legato`s head.
"Why can`t you just stay dead?"
"Don`t kill him, Vash! He has Meryl somewhere!"
Vash`s eyes glowed. He approached Legato quickly. He put the gun to his head like he had done a few years before. Legato did not move. He just stared at him with emotionless eyes.
"You do not really want to shoot me, do you?"
"I would kill you again if it would bring back the people that you`ve killed!"
"Unfortunately that is not possible." Legato stated. He put his hand on the gun and lowered it. He took a few steps back. He smiled.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Thinking about what Meryl would say if you killed me right now without bothering to listen to my story. She is a lot more trusting."
"Where do you have her stashed at?"
"I do not have her stashed anywhere. She went to get us some supplies for when we leave this town."
"You aren`t going anywhere with her!"
He took a threatening step towards Legato. His gun arm shook. Legato shook his head as if amused by his inability to follow through.
"Go ahead and shoot me, Vash. Meryl will not be pleased, I assure you."
"Vash, what are you doing here and why are you pointing a gun at Legato?"
Milly squealed and ran up to Meryl. She hugged her tightly.
"Oh, Meryl! I was so worried about you! Why did you leave? I would have followed you to the ends of the earth!"
"I know. I`m sorry. I shouldn`t have left but…I ran into some friends."
She faced Legato. Milly let go of her.
"Did you join him?"
"He joined with me. He isn`t evil anymore."
"How can you be so sure?" Vash asked "He brainwashed you!"
"He didn`t brainwash me! He explained very simply that he is not the same as he once was! He hasn`t hurt me yet!"
"He could be planning something like Marianne was!"
Meryl`s eyes widened.
"Marianne is the enemy?!"
"Knives saved us."
Meryl`s eyes widened. She trembled. She fell down to her knees.
"Knives was with you?! Where is he now?"
"There was a slight incident on board the ship. He and Marianne fell over the ship."
Meryl put her face in her hands. Legato put a hand on her shoulder. Vash and Milly trained their guns on him.
"He is not dead."
"How do you know?"
"I have a kind of connection with him. I could feel if he was dead."
Meryl reached hand up. Legato took it. He helped her up. Milly lowered her gun. Vash lowered his a few minutes later.
"I still don`t trust trust you."
"I cannot blame you for that. I would not trust me either."
"Vash, please try and understand. He and…."
"He and who else?"
"Meryl, I…" came a voice behind her. Milly dropped her gun on the ground. Her eyes shook and tears poured from her eyes.
"Mr. Priest?"
Wolfwood could not say anything. Milly looked about ready to burst into sobs. The two stared at eachother without a word or gesture. Meryl grabbed Legato`s arm.
"Come on." she whispered "Let`s leave them alone. They have a lot to talk about."
Legato agreed. Meryl grabbed Vash with her other arm. They left Milly and Wolfwood standing alone on the street. The townsfolk had deserted the area. Neither paid attaention to this. Wolfwood took a step towards Milly. She watched him thoughtfully. Tears ran down her cheeks.
"How long have you been alive?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"I never died."
"Where have you been then? I mean…it had to have been a good reason, right? You wouldn`t just leave me alone. I`ve missed you and now that you`re here I don`t really know how to react."
"I don`t really know what to do either."
"Why did you not come back?"
"I had some business that I had to take care of. I always thought of you."
Milly smiled. Wolfwood mimicked her smile.
"And I never forgot you."
Milly threw her arms out and approached Wolfwood. She threw her arms around him. He encircled her with his arms. He laid his head against hers.
"I don`t care what you did or why you didn`t come see me first! I`m just glad that you came back! I knew that you weren`t dead! I knew it! I tried getting over it but I couldn`t! I…"
"What matters is that we are together again. I promise that I won`t leave you again."
Milly smiled.
"You better not! Next time I`m coming with you!"
" I wouldn`t let you come with me."
"We will be together. That is all that matters to me. I will always be by your side through thick and thin!"
"…Yes. Say…let`s go get something to eat. I`m starving."
"With pudding?"
"With all the pudding that you can eat."
Milly let go of him. She blushed as Wolfwood kissed her on the cheek. He hooked his arm around hers and began walking. Milly became more open as they looked for a restaurant that sold pudding. Meryl watched from across the street. She had her hands over her eyes as she sobbed. She felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Meryl, he`s okay. I know it."
"Even if he is alive why would he find a reason to feel anything for me? I may not be human but I am somewhat of a coward, Vash."
"You are not a coward! If you were a coward you would not of chased after him!"
"I should just go back home. There is no point for me to be here. It`s hopeless."
Vash grabbed Meryl by the shoulders. She cried out. He let go of her and muttered an apology. She turned away from him.
"Meryl, don`t leave. You have to hear from him how he feels."
"Don`t tell me what to do. I am going to leave today. I`m going to go find a market and collect supplies then leave."
Vash stood in her way as she made to move past him.
"Vash….this isn`t like you."
"Please, Meryl…don`t leave. If my brother didn`t feel anything for you he would have killed you. Are you this ready to just assume that he isn`t capable of having feelings for you?"
"I…"
"I need a better reason than that."
"…I don`t have one. Fine. I will stay."
Vash smiled.
"Good!"
"I still want to go get supplies for us."
"Oh! By all means go! Get me some donuts if you please!"
Meryl laughed lightly. She walked past him. She waited until she was out of earshot to begin crying again with fresh tears.
`This was so stupid to go after him! I`m sorry, Vash, but I have to go!`
She turned to walk when a shadow fell over the path in front of her.
"Vash, I told you that…."
A sinister laugh filled the air. She looked up. A tall man with completely white eyes, a black cloak with the hood over his head, and thin black boots stood in front of her.
"Who are you?"
"I am known as Odin the Brave. Just call me Odin."
"Okay, Odin. Is there something that you need?"
"You…for the master Fenris."
Before Meryl could scream he moved rapidly and knocked her out. He slung her over his shoulder. He chuckled.
`That was too easy. Now to report back to Fenris.`
He took a step.
"Hold it. You take one more step with her and I will kill you where you stand."
Odin smiled.
"So…you found her."
A gun barrel pressed to the back of Odin`s head.
"Put her down."
"And what if I don`t?"
"I will put a bullet straight through your head. Put her down now."
Odin laid Meryl on the ground.
"Back away and turn around to face me."
Odin walked a few yards then turned. Knives stood with his gun still pointed at him. His clothing was ripped in some places and filthy. He had some cuts and bruises but other than that he looked okay. He leaned down. He put a hand on Meryl`s back. Suddenly Odin raised an arm.
"You back away from her now."
Knives glanced up at him with angry eyes. They kept their guns trained on eachother. Knives` lips twisted into a scowl.
"Who the hell do you think that you are? I know about your kind. I used to have gangs like this too."
"That is why our master sends us out. He followed your example."
"Who cares? Go back to your master."
Odin smiled. Knives looked down at Meryl.
"Go now. You do not have a chance of getting her now that I am here."
"You are full of yourself just as the master described."
"Your master is just a follower. He only does these things because I did them. He is a weak excuse for someone who wants to rule the world. At least mine was original."
"And how do you feel about this girl? She is not your species and she hs been as close to a human as one who is not as she can get."
"What does it matter how I feel. This is another one of Fenris` little schemes to get me tohand her over or weaken me in some way. He is a fool to believe that I would let him walk all over me."
Odin`s eyes flashed. He smiled. His mouth was full of sharp fangs now. His white eyes brightened and glowed. His hands grew claws. His shoes tore away as long talons grew from his toes. Muscles rippled along various parts of his body. Knives watched without a change in his stoitic features. Soon the transformation was complete. There before Knives stood a hulking creature that looked like a demon straight from hell.
"Hmmm. This is slightly impressive." Knives said. He pointed his gun at Odin. He fired.
----------------------------------------------------------- --
Vash and Dryden looked up abruptly from their drinks.
"That was a gunshot!"
They both ran out into the street. People screamed. Vash grabbed a hold of one of the men running by him and pulled him aside.
"What`s happening?"
"A huge monster is attacking some really tall guy with a black gun! Apparently it`s over some girl lying unconscious on the ground!"
Vash let go of him. He began to run. Dryden ran after him quickly.
"What is it? You look like you`ve seen a ghost!"
"The way that guy described him."
"Described who? The monster?"
"No. The tall guy. That sounds like my brother."
"Do you think that it`s him?"
"I have a feeling that it is."
They ran until they heard someone cry out. Vash pulled out his gun. He rounded the corner.
"Knives!" he exclaimed as he shot the monster away from Meryl. Knives shot the monster in the arm. He ignored Vash and Dryden completely until the monster was temporarily occupied with escaping his bullets.
"Grab her and get her out of here!" he ordered. Dryden reached down and picked her up. The monster made a beeline straight for Dryden. He did not see it coming until it was too late. He dropped Meryl on the ground as the monster`s fist slammed him in the side. He went flying into a bench and ended up breaking it in half. He was knocked cold. Knives cursed Dryden as he ran over to Meryl. He checked her over. Vash kept Odin away from them.
"Knives, she`s okay! You have to help me here!"
"Hold on a second! Damn it!"
"Knives!"
"Fine!" he growled. He left Meryl where she laid. He fired at Odin and hit him in the shoulder. The monster ran at Knives. Amazingly he managed to dodge every bullet despite his size. He slammed Knives in the gut. Knives doubled over in apin. He fell to his knees. Odin prepared to slam Knives again.
"Stop it now!"
Odin turned to see Meryl standing shakely. Knives growled.
"Get away from here!"
"Don`t hurt him!"
Odin threw all of his weight back to come at her with a flying elbow slam. Vash pushed her out of the way at the last second.
"Bastard!" Odin roared. He came at Meryl again and managed to kick Vash violently away. He gripped Meryl by the throat. She made a small choking sound as he queezed ever so slightly.
"Stop doing that! Let her go!" Knives demanded. He held the gun up. His arm shook. Odin laughed maniacally. He squeezed Meryl`s throat a bit more. Her face began to turn a small shade of blue. Her fighting began to slow down. Knives` lips quivered as his anger rose. His icy blue eyes flashed. Odin laughed.
"You are pathetic! Fenris may hold you as an example but any plant who cannot kill someone due to affection for another species is pathetic to me!"
Knives could not say anything.
"Put down your weapon and I will let her go."
Vash was speechless when Knives put down his gun. He put his hands up.
"Let her go."
"You fool. Did you actually think that I would let her go? Did you not hear what I said before? I will not let her go!"
Knives stood there with his hands raised. He smirked.
"What are you smiling at?"
"You forgot about my brother."
Odin turned to have Vash punch him in the jaw. Odin went flying into the fountain in the middle of the town. Vash caught Meryl. Knives reached down and picked up his gun. Vash met him halfway back to the hotel. Knives held out his hands. Vash placed Meryl in them. She slowly was coming out of her nearly unconscious state.
"Where the hell do you think you`re going?" came Odin`s enraged voice "No matter what you do we will take her! Fenris will have her! He…"
Knives moved Meryl in one of his arms. He grabbed his gun with the free arm and pointed it behind him. He fired. Odin screamed then collapsed to the ground dead. Knives put the gun away again. Vash stood silent for a moment with a somewhat mystified look. Meryl was waking up more now. She bagn to panic as she was suspended above ground. Knives quietly told her to stay still.
"Here." Vash said. He placed a key in Knives` hand. Knives stepped inside the hotel. He stopped in the doorway. He did not turn around.
"Thanks." he said. He continued walking.
------------------------------------------------------
Meryl woke up with a start. She remembered slightly waking up a little then going back to sleep again. She sat up slowly.
"Lay back down. You need to rest."
She turned her head to the left. Knives sat in a chair propped up against the wall. They stared at eachther for awhile. Meryl looked away.
"Why did you leave us? Why did you leave me?"
Knives stood up. He approached the bed. He sat beside her. She blushed.
"I left for my own reasons but…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"…I…well I`m back so that question is irrelavent."
Meryl looked at him. She put her hand on his shoulder.
"You know that I…"
Somehow the words would not come to her as she had previously been rehearsing. She just sat there with her hand on his shoulder. He studied her with his eyes. She blushed deeply and pried her eyes away from him. She pulled her hand away from his shoulder. She tilted her head down to keep from looking at him.
"I think that I will sleep now."
"Good."
She turned away from him and laid down. She closed her eyes.
"You will stay here with me at least until I go to sleep?"
"…Okay."
She fell asleep. Knives stayed there for a couple of minutes then he got up and left. He looked back at her from the door. He closed the door behind him.
*Isn`t that CUTE?!?!?! I`m sorry to the people who wanted a longer Wolfwood/Milly scene but this fanfic is obviously not centered around them I am going to give them scenes later. I thought that the short scene made sense b/c Milly would keep it simple. Anyways…Chapter 15 very soon!