Disclaimer: I love Trigun, and I don't want to offend anyone with my zany antics, but this is just a love of mine. I love Trigun and I wanted to put my favorite character in it, Ryoko. I sure hope you like it, because I know I do!! =^.^= !!! Mew! Enjoy!









Chapter Four: Something about Vash.

Every now and again the Blue Haired Demon would catch a glimpse of the Humanoid Typhoon's sea-green eyes as they were fixed with concern on the other wise putrid-smelling, foul-mouthed, and assumingly retarded drunk. She thought she caught a glimpse of something lying dormant in those eyes, but quickly shook it off.

---This guy's a dunce, that's all. There's no philosophical meaning beyond or embedded into his persona, quit being so damn difficult--- was her response to that unruly feeling that was stirring like slimy, writhing eels in the pit of her stomach.

After they had left the putrid smelling apartment of the Low-Life they walked together down the dark, deserted street of what appeared then to be a ghost town. A cold wind swept past them from the East, but neither of them seemed to flinch as the harsh wind tugged at their lanky forms.

Ryoko hardly noticed that The Stampede was staring at her.

"Thanks for helping me back there; it was really nice of you." He said in a soft tone that could be mistaken for being sheepish.

She looked over at him with surprise as she saw him wearing a kind smile. She replied with a smug one as she looked down to the ground.

"You don't have to thank me." she said quickly darting her eyes to him, a happy grin on her face and her eyes turned to crescent moons.

".but you can buy me a drink!" she cried happily.

He almost went into an anime fall before looking at her with false distress.

"Your relentless!" he cried, a comic look of being disturbed filled his features.

She smiled broadly before reaching her arm around his shoulders and then started heading him towards the nearest bar.

"YES I am!"

They sat in the bar for a couple of hours. She ordered the drinks so it was only a matter of time before they were both talking incoherently and laughing manically at jokes that didn't even make sense.

"Orry bout dat dunk guy, he juz seemed so hepless, know whatta mean?" Vash asked her with a slight sway.

"Zat's kay, but da guy wuz soooooo freakin smelly. I taut I was gonna pass out. know whatta mean?" she replied, her composure was stiff yet lucid.

She then downed another glass.

Vash giggled wildly.

"Yeah! Really MELLY!" he said then laughed a high pitch cackle.

Another hour went by and Ryoko was soon passed out on the table. Vash blinked sever times at her, his face confused as he watched her unmoving form and her steady breathing. Her hand still grasped the bottle before her.

His once swaying form became still, his goofy position was replaced with a calm composure. He suddenly looked the same as he had before he had even entered the bar. His eyes softened and a distant smile formed on his lips. He watched as she stirred slightly on the table.

He slowly pushed the chair back from the table, stood and then rummaged through the pocket of his red trench coat. He pulled out several double dollars to pay for the drinks they had ordered, plus a generous tip.

He then walked around the table to Ryoko. He lifted the hand from the bottle, grasped her wrist and then used it to pull her up. He then pulled her up and over one of his shoulders. As she dangled behind him, he had an arm wrapped around the back of her thighs, holding her firmly in place.

A couple of people looked at him, their eyes cold and convicting. He waved at them happily, a slight blush formed on the bridge of his nose and across his cheeks.

"My friend seems to have had one too many drinks." He said; the convincing sheepishness was firmly present.

The men then went back to whatever it was they were doing, not paying him any more mind.

He then walked to the nearest motel, walked up the receptionist's desk and ordered a room. He paid for a night's stay and then took the keys from her with a grateful smile. Before he left he saw the concern in the young woman's eyes.

"She'll be fine, but she'll have one dozy of a hang-over when she wakes up!" he said, the sheepishness still conquering its victims.

She then gave a humorous smile and nodded fervently.

He then took the elevator to the third floor and slowly walked to the room whose number matched that of the one on the key's tag.

Unlocking the door he walked in and then used his foot to easily close the door again. He then laid the motionless figure onto the bed gently. He then removed her cloak and hung it neatly on a coat rack beside the door. He then went to her and unzipped her knee-high leather boots and placed them neatly beside the bed.

He then picked her up, once again, and then pulled back the covers of the made bed and then placed her on the bare sheets. He looked up and down her form once more always stopping on her face. He then reached over and pulled the covers over her, tucking her in snuggly.

He reached over and ran a hand over her forehead, pushing back her bangs.

"Sleep well Ryoko, you'll catch up with me again in no time. You always do." He said smiling slightly before walking to the door, locking it and just before stepping out looked back at her once more.

"You're not as bad as everyone thinks you are. I kind of like that." He said and then shut the door quietly.

Ryoko only stirred slightly in her drunken sleep. She felt his presence leave and, even though she was in the warmth of the covers, she shivered from a sudden chill from deep within her.