Hello there!
Where are the reviews??? You didn't forget about me, huh?
Well, if I would update more often…*sweatdrops* Sorry…
Ok, here is the chapter, Mamo-chan/Usako, Meryl/Vash fans are not advised to read this chapter! :-) Only if you REALLY want to… lol!
Kei-chan, you are the best! I am so glad I have your support.
I don't own Trigun and Sailor Moon. I hope I am only going to say this for 2 more chapters… :-) The end is near…
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Chapter 19
"No, silly! I am not drunk!" Usagi traced her finger down Vash's bare pale chest and giggled.
"I think you are." Vash firmly took a hold of Usagi's hand.
"No I'm not! It feels different than the last time." Usagi smiled happily and pulled her hand away from the man's grasp.
"Well, how you feel usually depends on how much you drink, something you probably wouldn't really know, Usagi." - Vash tried to sound calm and mature, but he was absolutely terrified inside. - "Come on, Usagi, let's get out of here."
"No." Usagi firmly shook her head and wrapped her arms around Vash's slim waist. "Why are you always running away from me?"
Vash rolled his eyes. "Usagi, we are not having this conversation! You aren't yourself right now... please... let go…"
Usagi ignored him and buried her face in his chest. "I think you're running away from me, from everyone. Why would you do that? Are you afraid to be hurt?" The blonde looked into Vash's face and gently traced his jaw with her finger. "So beautiful… how could anyone want to hurt someone as beautiful as you are…"
Vash licked his dry lips and immediately regretted his action. Usagi's gaze immediately shifted to his mouth. When she leaned closer he tried to protest for the last time. Why did he have to have morals? "Usagi, please stop… what if someone is watching us…"
"Nobody's watching us…"
"Uh… I'm watching us, Usagi…"
"Then close your eyes, stupid…"
************
Haruka looked around, searching for Vash and Usagi. "They can't be too far…"
"Did you find them?" Rei and Makoto stopped, catching their breath. "Where could they be?"
"Those two dummies bring out the worst in me." Rei picked up her blanket and shook off the sand.
"Do you think they went swimming?" Minako's eyes were glittering with mischief.
"No way, I don't think Vash brought any swimming wear, and Usagi refused to go when I asked her… probably because I said that her swimming suit looked bad…" Rei chewed uncertainly on her lower lip, feeling guilty.
"Then… I bet they went skinny-dipping!" Minako ignored the cries of shock from her friends and happily clasped her hands in front of her. "I wish I'd brought my camera!"
Haruka smacked Minako's blonde head. "You have quite an imagination there, my dear. I'll go look for them." Haruka threw her car keys to Michiru. "Get the stuff in the car, I'll be right back!"
************
Vash forgot how to breathe when Usagi's mouth captured his. She gently sucked at his lower lip, then coaxed his mouth open. Usagi moaned when her probing tongue reached the depths of Vash's mouth.
Vash didn't know what the hell he was doing. The fact that he was absolutely inexperienced at things like that at the age of 134 was really depressing. He didn't even have enough courage to kiss the girl back. 'Chicken shit…' Wolfwood's voice in his head was mocking.
'Shut up.'
Vash sighed and wrapped his arms around Usagi, bringing her close. He tried to mimic Usagi, gently stroking her tongue with his and then brushing the sides of her mouth. Usagi had a death grip on Vash's upper arms, her slender fingers bruising his flesh.
'Does she even like it? Oh, I give up!' Vash sighed in Usagi's mouth. His hands moved up from Usagi's waist and his fingers slightly brushed her forehead. Vash opened the link.
Usagi's raw emotions hit him full-force and Vash barely survived the impact. He grinned and matched Usagi's passion well, now more confident and certain of his actions.
In the back of her mind, Usagi slowly realized that this kiss with Vash left all of those with Mamoru in the dust. She had never felt so complete and desirable. This kiss was everything she ever wanted: sensual, intense, and passionate. 'Wow' was her last thought before she fainted.
************
Vash placed Usagi on the sand. He felt absolutely miserable and shaken. 'What the hell did I do this time! I can't even kiss right!'
"What happened?"
Haruka appeared out of nowhere. Vash paled and mused at Haruka's great timing. "I'm afraid she fainted…"
Haruka gave Vash a strange look and wet a napkin in the water to wipe the blonde's face. Her eyes widened in shock. "What the hell were you two doing here to make the water boil!"
"NOTHING!" Vash jumped three feet away from Usagi and sheepishly met Haruka's stern glare.
Usagi groaned, opened her eyes, and a stupid grin immediately appeared on her flushed face. "Wow…"
"Koneko, are you all right?" Haruka gently shook the blonde by her shoulders.
"Wow…" Usagi pulled on her summer dress with Haruka's help and got to her feet.
"Can you walk?" - Haruka shot another look at pale Vash.
"Wow…"
"Will you stop saying that?" Haruka shook Usagi again and took a close look at the blonde's face and rolled her eyes at the sight. "Wait, don't answer that… just keep quiet till we get you home."
"Wow…"
Vash suppressed a chuckle and helped Haruka carry Usagi to the car.
************
Minako spilled her soda on her dress and Rei choked on her salad. Usagi, still grinning, was trying to chew on her sandwich.
"Koneko, dear, you really need to stop smiling, your food is falling out of your mouth."
"Wow…"
Vash shifted nervously under Haruka's deadly stare.
"You think she's possessed?" - Makoto touched Usagi's forehead, - " No fever, strange…"
"Wow…"
Vash let out a sigh of relief when a young girl burst into the cafeteria screaming that there was a monster outside attacking people. Anything was better than watching Usagi eat her sandwich.
The blond outlaw swiftly grabbed Chibi-Usa, locked her in the lady's bathroom, and then pulled out his silver upside-down barrel .45 colt pistol. "Let's party!"
************
Vash was getting tired. "How long does it take for all of them to transform!" His fired all of his bullets at the freaks from the circus and was currently circling around the park dodging the power blasts from Cere- Cere and Palla-Palla.
The tall blond tripped on a well-placed little foot in a pink boot and fell in the bushes, finding himself face to face with an angry Chibi Moon. "How dare you lock the Champion of Justice in a stinky bathroom?"
"Uh, sorry, kid…" - Vash sheepishly smiled, then tried to grab Chibi-Usa's transformation locket. "Hey!" - Chibi Moon smacked his hand with her Moon Rod. - "Stop it! I can fight as good as any other senshi! I don't need you stupid protection!"
Vash grabbed the little pink girl and rolled them out of the blast a lemure sent their way. He hit a rock and bit his lower lip, wincing in pain.
"Vash, hurry, what are you waiting for! Activate your other gun and shot at Cere-Cere and her friend! They're the ones who are doing all that!"
The blond's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't, Little Lady! They're just kids! I won't hurt them!"
The lemure of the day, a tall, ugly-faced female in a cowboy hat and with a lasso, waited for the right moment to blast Chibi-Usa away from Vash's arms and tighten the lasso around his neck.
"Little Lady, run!" Vash activated his hidden gun and shot the lasso from the lemure's hand. When he tried to catch his breath, Palla-Palla aimed at his back, determined to get the dream mirror.
Usagi pushed Vash out of the way without thinking, painfully landing on top of him.
Palla-Palla growled in frustration. "Darn it! I missed! I'm sure he is the one! He holds the Pegasus in his dreams!"
Vash stared at Usagi blinking. "Are you ok?"
Usagi sniffed. "I can't let them hurt you, I promised that I would protect everyone! I can't let them take your dream mirror!"
"My what?"
"The Amazon Quartet is looking for Pegasus in a person's dreams. They take out your dream mirror and search for the magical being inside of it!"
Vash was scandalized. "You mean those little girls will take out a grown man's dream mirror and look into his dreams? I protest! Absolutely not! My dreams are only for mature audiences!"
Usagi sobbed into Vash's chest. "I can't do anything! I hate feeling so helpless, if only I could transform! Stupid Moon Crystal Power!"
A pink light surrounded Usagi for the split second. Vash's eyes rolled to the back of his head when he got a front row view at Usagi's transformation.
************
Sailor Jupiter smacked full-force into Sailor Mars' back. "Rei, baka! What is it?"
"Sailor Moon! Usagi's power is back!"
With shaking hands, Chibi-Moon called upon the power of Pegasus and the lemure disappeared, destroyed by the large pink heart.
Sailor Venus enveloped the Moon Senshi in the bear hug. All the girls were speaking at once and Usagi felt lightheaded. Chibi-Moon tugged on her skirt. "How did you transform, Usagi? You still don't have your locket!"
Usagi paled and grabbed the red bow on her fuku. Indeed, the locket with the Ginzuishou was not there. The blonde's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know how this happened…"
Vash got to his feet with a loud moan and clasped his head with both hands. He felt drained. His eyes softened at Usagi's small form surrounded by her friends. He gently enveloped Usagi into his strong embrace and lightly kissed the young blonde's forehead.
Chibi-Usa was the only one who noticed the pink glow that appeared around the couple.
Usagi's transformation slowly faded and Vash's eyes rolled to the back of his head for the second time.
Sailor Mars furiously smacked him. "You know, you could've just closed your eyes, ecchi baka!"
Usagi flushed a bright pink. "It's so irritating when he does that!"
************
On the way back home Chibi-Usa stared intently at Vash with her cinnamon eyes.
The blond outlaw and Usagi were busy trying to ignore each other. Usagi played with her fingers and Vash was looking in the window.
Chibi-Usa kept thinking of the glow that had been around Vash and Usagi. The pink-haired girl had some ideas on her mind, but decided not to share them with anyone.
Usagi helped Vash place the dry dishes in the cupboard. The little blonde chewed on her lip. "I'm sorry, Vash. I don't want to you to think that I'm angry with you or anything… I am just so embarrassed… you know… with my actions at the beach…" Usagi felt a blush creep on her face.
"That's ok, I was actually afraid that you were mad at me…" - Vash smiled and ruffled Usagi's hair. - "I can't stand the silent treatment. I'm used to being yelled at... mostly by girls. Especially this one insurance girl. She hates my guts, honestly."
"Mamo-chan and I were always fighting before we fell in love. I guess that way we just were hiding our true feelings. Maybe this girl really likes you." Usagi forced herself to smile, ignoring the jealousy she felt towards the mysterious insurance girl.
Vash shifted uncomfortably. "It doesn't matter." He strode out of the room but Usagi stopped him. "You're avoiding talking about her."
"You're right, I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more chores to do."
"Are you afraid that she'll find out that you're a plant?"
Vash froze. "I said I don't want to talk about it, Usagi!"
Usagi threw her arms around his waist and whispered softly, "I'm sure if she loves you, she'll accept you for who you are."
Vash closed his eyes in pain. "The only girl who would accept me for who I am already has a boyfriend." He gently removed Usagi's hold on him and left the room.
Usagi sat in the kitchen trying to comprehend what have just happened. She couldn't figure him out. She wasn't sure that she knew the real Vash. It looked like his cheerful personality was nothing but a façade.
************
Vash tried to avoid Usagi all evening. Deep in her thoughts she didn't even seem to notice that. As soon as Vash was able to get into his room he got in the bed and fell into a restless sleep. He dreamt of Rem and Usagi. Rem with her hair flowing behind her gently smiled at him and then suddenly revealed Usagi who was hiding behind her back.
Both girls laughed and ran away from him, surrounded by rose petals. "Vash… you are so serious." Rem giggled and placed a flower in Usagi's hair. "Why can't you just accept the fact that she is as important to you as I am?"
Vash woke up screaming.
"Vash?" Usagi was frantically shaking him by his shoulders. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine… just tired… I guess. I had a weird dream…"
She sniffed. "It's all my fault! I do everything wrong: first I lose the Crystal, then I become dependent on your power, then I can't help you! I feel so helpless! I am so sorry! Oh, Vash, I wish I could do something to help you…" - Usagi pressed his hand to her feverish face. - "Vash… I don't know… I think… I love…"
Vash placed a hand over her mouth. "NO! STOP IT! For the love of the God, Usagi, don't say it! Please!"
Usagi jumped off his bed and fled the room sobbing. Vash groaned, placing a pillow over his head. "This has to end. I've stayed here too long. I can't become attached to them. I've been a fool, playing 'house' and pretending that I have a family. I hurt people. Usagi is wrong, I'm the one who can't do anything right!"
************
Usagi was hitting herself over the head with her shoe. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"Is it working?" Vash quietly appeared beside her.
Usagi hid her face in her knees.
Vash picked up the blonde and placed her in his lap. "Look. I'm sorry. I don't know how to deal with this."
"No, no, Vash!" Usagi threw her arms around him and buried her wet face in the crook of his neck. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I just care about you so much! I want you to be happy, I can't stand seeing your half-smile all the time and knowing that you're madly hurting inside, Vash! It's hurting me too! I can't help it! It's like you're a part of me now! I just… I just… I don't know myself anymore!"
"I'm sorry, I should've stayed in my world, refused to come with you and Setsuna. I bring disaster everywhere I go." Vash took Usagi's small hand in his and kissed the inside of her palm. "I never meant to get so close to you, Usagi, to you and Chibi-Usa. But it's so hard. You both are so bright and cheerful, full of love and life. It's like the perfect family that I can never have in my world… Speaking of my world, Usagi, I will have to go back, sooner or later."
Usagi gently wiped the hot tears off his face. Vash tried to smile. "Give me that shoe of yours, will you?"
Usagi sniffed and let out a muffled laugh. They looked at each other and began laughing, still crying at the same time.
Vash pulled Usagi into a tight hug. "I can't jeopardize your future, Usagi. You will be happy; I know that for sure. Because you are a good person and you deserve all the happiness in the world. And I… I'll be ok, don't worry. I'm ready to face my brother now." The tall blond gently kissed Usagi's golden locks. "I'll be happy too. I already am, just by holding you like this…"
Vash carried Usagi to the bed she shared with Chibi-Usa and tucked her in. She whimpered in her sleep and kissed his hand before he pulled away from her.
He went back to his room and sat on his bed till sunrise, trying to ignore the dull pain in his chest. Where on Earth was Setsuna? He was ready to go home.
Where are the reviews??? You didn't forget about me, huh?
Well, if I would update more often…*sweatdrops* Sorry…
Ok, here is the chapter, Mamo-chan/Usako, Meryl/Vash fans are not advised to read this chapter! :-) Only if you REALLY want to… lol!
Kei-chan, you are the best! I am so glad I have your support.
I don't own Trigun and Sailor Moon. I hope I am only going to say this for 2 more chapters… :-) The end is near…
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Chapter 19
"No, silly! I am not drunk!" Usagi traced her finger down Vash's bare pale chest and giggled.
"I think you are." Vash firmly took a hold of Usagi's hand.
"No I'm not! It feels different than the last time." Usagi smiled happily and pulled her hand away from the man's grasp.
"Well, how you feel usually depends on how much you drink, something you probably wouldn't really know, Usagi." - Vash tried to sound calm and mature, but he was absolutely terrified inside. - "Come on, Usagi, let's get out of here."
"No." Usagi firmly shook her head and wrapped her arms around Vash's slim waist. "Why are you always running away from me?"
Vash rolled his eyes. "Usagi, we are not having this conversation! You aren't yourself right now... please... let go…"
Usagi ignored him and buried her face in his chest. "I think you're running away from me, from everyone. Why would you do that? Are you afraid to be hurt?" The blonde looked into Vash's face and gently traced his jaw with her finger. "So beautiful… how could anyone want to hurt someone as beautiful as you are…"
Vash licked his dry lips and immediately regretted his action. Usagi's gaze immediately shifted to his mouth. When she leaned closer he tried to protest for the last time. Why did he have to have morals? "Usagi, please stop… what if someone is watching us…"
"Nobody's watching us…"
"Uh… I'm watching us, Usagi…"
"Then close your eyes, stupid…"
************
Haruka looked around, searching for Vash and Usagi. "They can't be too far…"
"Did you find them?" Rei and Makoto stopped, catching their breath. "Where could they be?"
"Those two dummies bring out the worst in me." Rei picked up her blanket and shook off the sand.
"Do you think they went swimming?" Minako's eyes were glittering with mischief.
"No way, I don't think Vash brought any swimming wear, and Usagi refused to go when I asked her… probably because I said that her swimming suit looked bad…" Rei chewed uncertainly on her lower lip, feeling guilty.
"Then… I bet they went skinny-dipping!" Minako ignored the cries of shock from her friends and happily clasped her hands in front of her. "I wish I'd brought my camera!"
Haruka smacked Minako's blonde head. "You have quite an imagination there, my dear. I'll go look for them." Haruka threw her car keys to Michiru. "Get the stuff in the car, I'll be right back!"
************
Vash forgot how to breathe when Usagi's mouth captured his. She gently sucked at his lower lip, then coaxed his mouth open. Usagi moaned when her probing tongue reached the depths of Vash's mouth.
Vash didn't know what the hell he was doing. The fact that he was absolutely inexperienced at things like that at the age of 134 was really depressing. He didn't even have enough courage to kiss the girl back. 'Chicken shit…' Wolfwood's voice in his head was mocking.
'Shut up.'
Vash sighed and wrapped his arms around Usagi, bringing her close. He tried to mimic Usagi, gently stroking her tongue with his and then brushing the sides of her mouth. Usagi had a death grip on Vash's upper arms, her slender fingers bruising his flesh.
'Does she even like it? Oh, I give up!' Vash sighed in Usagi's mouth. His hands moved up from Usagi's waist and his fingers slightly brushed her forehead. Vash opened the link.
Usagi's raw emotions hit him full-force and Vash barely survived the impact. He grinned and matched Usagi's passion well, now more confident and certain of his actions.
In the back of her mind, Usagi slowly realized that this kiss with Vash left all of those with Mamoru in the dust. She had never felt so complete and desirable. This kiss was everything she ever wanted: sensual, intense, and passionate. 'Wow' was her last thought before she fainted.
************
Vash placed Usagi on the sand. He felt absolutely miserable and shaken. 'What the hell did I do this time! I can't even kiss right!'
"What happened?"
Haruka appeared out of nowhere. Vash paled and mused at Haruka's great timing. "I'm afraid she fainted…"
Haruka gave Vash a strange look and wet a napkin in the water to wipe the blonde's face. Her eyes widened in shock. "What the hell were you two doing here to make the water boil!"
"NOTHING!" Vash jumped three feet away from Usagi and sheepishly met Haruka's stern glare.
Usagi groaned, opened her eyes, and a stupid grin immediately appeared on her flushed face. "Wow…"
"Koneko, are you all right?" Haruka gently shook the blonde by her shoulders.
"Wow…" Usagi pulled on her summer dress with Haruka's help and got to her feet.
"Can you walk?" - Haruka shot another look at pale Vash.
"Wow…"
"Will you stop saying that?" Haruka shook Usagi again and took a close look at the blonde's face and rolled her eyes at the sight. "Wait, don't answer that… just keep quiet till we get you home."
"Wow…"
Vash suppressed a chuckle and helped Haruka carry Usagi to the car.
************
Minako spilled her soda on her dress and Rei choked on her salad. Usagi, still grinning, was trying to chew on her sandwich.
"Koneko, dear, you really need to stop smiling, your food is falling out of your mouth."
"Wow…"
Vash shifted nervously under Haruka's deadly stare.
"You think she's possessed?" - Makoto touched Usagi's forehead, - " No fever, strange…"
"Wow…"
Vash let out a sigh of relief when a young girl burst into the cafeteria screaming that there was a monster outside attacking people. Anything was better than watching Usagi eat her sandwich.
The blond outlaw swiftly grabbed Chibi-Usa, locked her in the lady's bathroom, and then pulled out his silver upside-down barrel .45 colt pistol. "Let's party!"
************
Vash was getting tired. "How long does it take for all of them to transform!" His fired all of his bullets at the freaks from the circus and was currently circling around the park dodging the power blasts from Cere- Cere and Palla-Palla.
The tall blond tripped on a well-placed little foot in a pink boot and fell in the bushes, finding himself face to face with an angry Chibi Moon. "How dare you lock the Champion of Justice in a stinky bathroom?"
"Uh, sorry, kid…" - Vash sheepishly smiled, then tried to grab Chibi-Usa's transformation locket. "Hey!" - Chibi Moon smacked his hand with her Moon Rod. - "Stop it! I can fight as good as any other senshi! I don't need you stupid protection!"
Vash grabbed the little pink girl and rolled them out of the blast a lemure sent their way. He hit a rock and bit his lower lip, wincing in pain.
"Vash, hurry, what are you waiting for! Activate your other gun and shot at Cere-Cere and her friend! They're the ones who are doing all that!"
The blond's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't, Little Lady! They're just kids! I won't hurt them!"
The lemure of the day, a tall, ugly-faced female in a cowboy hat and with a lasso, waited for the right moment to blast Chibi-Usa away from Vash's arms and tighten the lasso around his neck.
"Little Lady, run!" Vash activated his hidden gun and shot the lasso from the lemure's hand. When he tried to catch his breath, Palla-Palla aimed at his back, determined to get the dream mirror.
Usagi pushed Vash out of the way without thinking, painfully landing on top of him.
Palla-Palla growled in frustration. "Darn it! I missed! I'm sure he is the one! He holds the Pegasus in his dreams!"
Vash stared at Usagi blinking. "Are you ok?"
Usagi sniffed. "I can't let them hurt you, I promised that I would protect everyone! I can't let them take your dream mirror!"
"My what?"
"The Amazon Quartet is looking for Pegasus in a person's dreams. They take out your dream mirror and search for the magical being inside of it!"
Vash was scandalized. "You mean those little girls will take out a grown man's dream mirror and look into his dreams? I protest! Absolutely not! My dreams are only for mature audiences!"
Usagi sobbed into Vash's chest. "I can't do anything! I hate feeling so helpless, if only I could transform! Stupid Moon Crystal Power!"
A pink light surrounded Usagi for the split second. Vash's eyes rolled to the back of his head when he got a front row view at Usagi's transformation.
************
Sailor Jupiter smacked full-force into Sailor Mars' back. "Rei, baka! What is it?"
"Sailor Moon! Usagi's power is back!"
With shaking hands, Chibi-Moon called upon the power of Pegasus and the lemure disappeared, destroyed by the large pink heart.
Sailor Venus enveloped the Moon Senshi in the bear hug. All the girls were speaking at once and Usagi felt lightheaded. Chibi-Moon tugged on her skirt. "How did you transform, Usagi? You still don't have your locket!"
Usagi paled and grabbed the red bow on her fuku. Indeed, the locket with the Ginzuishou was not there. The blonde's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know how this happened…"
Vash got to his feet with a loud moan and clasped his head with both hands. He felt drained. His eyes softened at Usagi's small form surrounded by her friends. He gently enveloped Usagi into his strong embrace and lightly kissed the young blonde's forehead.
Chibi-Usa was the only one who noticed the pink glow that appeared around the couple.
Usagi's transformation slowly faded and Vash's eyes rolled to the back of his head for the second time.
Sailor Mars furiously smacked him. "You know, you could've just closed your eyes, ecchi baka!"
Usagi flushed a bright pink. "It's so irritating when he does that!"
************
On the way back home Chibi-Usa stared intently at Vash with her cinnamon eyes.
The blond outlaw and Usagi were busy trying to ignore each other. Usagi played with her fingers and Vash was looking in the window.
Chibi-Usa kept thinking of the glow that had been around Vash and Usagi. The pink-haired girl had some ideas on her mind, but decided not to share them with anyone.
Usagi helped Vash place the dry dishes in the cupboard. The little blonde chewed on her lip. "I'm sorry, Vash. I don't want to you to think that I'm angry with you or anything… I am just so embarrassed… you know… with my actions at the beach…" Usagi felt a blush creep on her face.
"That's ok, I was actually afraid that you were mad at me…" - Vash smiled and ruffled Usagi's hair. - "I can't stand the silent treatment. I'm used to being yelled at... mostly by girls. Especially this one insurance girl. She hates my guts, honestly."
"Mamo-chan and I were always fighting before we fell in love. I guess that way we just were hiding our true feelings. Maybe this girl really likes you." Usagi forced herself to smile, ignoring the jealousy she felt towards the mysterious insurance girl.
Vash shifted uncomfortably. "It doesn't matter." He strode out of the room but Usagi stopped him. "You're avoiding talking about her."
"You're right, I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more chores to do."
"Are you afraid that she'll find out that you're a plant?"
Vash froze. "I said I don't want to talk about it, Usagi!"
Usagi threw her arms around his waist and whispered softly, "I'm sure if she loves you, she'll accept you for who you are."
Vash closed his eyes in pain. "The only girl who would accept me for who I am already has a boyfriend." He gently removed Usagi's hold on him and left the room.
Usagi sat in the kitchen trying to comprehend what have just happened. She couldn't figure him out. She wasn't sure that she knew the real Vash. It looked like his cheerful personality was nothing but a façade.
************
Vash tried to avoid Usagi all evening. Deep in her thoughts she didn't even seem to notice that. As soon as Vash was able to get into his room he got in the bed and fell into a restless sleep. He dreamt of Rem and Usagi. Rem with her hair flowing behind her gently smiled at him and then suddenly revealed Usagi who was hiding behind her back.
Both girls laughed and ran away from him, surrounded by rose petals. "Vash… you are so serious." Rem giggled and placed a flower in Usagi's hair. "Why can't you just accept the fact that she is as important to you as I am?"
Vash woke up screaming.
"Vash?" Usagi was frantically shaking him by his shoulders. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine… just tired… I guess. I had a weird dream…"
She sniffed. "It's all my fault! I do everything wrong: first I lose the Crystal, then I become dependent on your power, then I can't help you! I feel so helpless! I am so sorry! Oh, Vash, I wish I could do something to help you…" - Usagi pressed his hand to her feverish face. - "Vash… I don't know… I think… I love…"
Vash placed a hand over her mouth. "NO! STOP IT! For the love of the God, Usagi, don't say it! Please!"
Usagi jumped off his bed and fled the room sobbing. Vash groaned, placing a pillow over his head. "This has to end. I've stayed here too long. I can't become attached to them. I've been a fool, playing 'house' and pretending that I have a family. I hurt people. Usagi is wrong, I'm the one who can't do anything right!"
************
Usagi was hitting herself over the head with her shoe. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"Is it working?" Vash quietly appeared beside her.
Usagi hid her face in her knees.
Vash picked up the blonde and placed her in his lap. "Look. I'm sorry. I don't know how to deal with this."
"No, no, Vash!" Usagi threw her arms around him and buried her wet face in the crook of his neck. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I just care about you so much! I want you to be happy, I can't stand seeing your half-smile all the time and knowing that you're madly hurting inside, Vash! It's hurting me too! I can't help it! It's like you're a part of me now! I just… I just… I don't know myself anymore!"
"I'm sorry, I should've stayed in my world, refused to come with you and Setsuna. I bring disaster everywhere I go." Vash took Usagi's small hand in his and kissed the inside of her palm. "I never meant to get so close to you, Usagi, to you and Chibi-Usa. But it's so hard. You both are so bright and cheerful, full of love and life. It's like the perfect family that I can never have in my world… Speaking of my world, Usagi, I will have to go back, sooner or later."
Usagi gently wiped the hot tears off his face. Vash tried to smile. "Give me that shoe of yours, will you?"
Usagi sniffed and let out a muffled laugh. They looked at each other and began laughing, still crying at the same time.
Vash pulled Usagi into a tight hug. "I can't jeopardize your future, Usagi. You will be happy; I know that for sure. Because you are a good person and you deserve all the happiness in the world. And I… I'll be ok, don't worry. I'm ready to face my brother now." The tall blond gently kissed Usagi's golden locks. "I'll be happy too. I already am, just by holding you like this…"
Vash carried Usagi to the bed she shared with Chibi-Usa and tucked her in. She whimpered in her sleep and kissed his hand before he pulled away from her.
He went back to his room and sat on his bed till sunrise, trying to ignore the dull pain in his chest. Where on Earth was Setsuna? He was ready to go home.