A/N OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!!! *runs around all frantic* new house!! I moved! I'm scarred for life!! *hits the low vaulted ceiling**falls over eyes twitching and drooling*
I'm soooo sorry it took this long to get the new chapter posted, but I moved and I had writers block. Icky!! Anyway, sorry if you think the last two chaps. sucked, but it's stuff that needed to happen then. ^_^;; Well, I hope you all like this chapter. I do! And Tanx to Mistress Hotaru for the reviews. Luv and Huggies!!^_^
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The suns glittered brightly over the planet Gunsmoke, their heat turning the distant sand dunes into wavering mirages of water. Even though it was only early afternoon, most of the planets inhabitants had already retired to the cool recesses of their homes.
But one man wanted to be nowhere else than it the blistering heat of the twin Sols. He wandered thru the streets of a little town, paying no attention to where he heading, only glad to be going there. When he next looked up, the tall man found himself in front of the local chapel.
A breeze blew lightly as he sighed wearily as he slowly fell onto the lone bench in front of the self proclaimed 'House of God'.
It figures I would end up here, I suppose.
Vash the Stampede, the man with a $$60 billion bounty on his head, tilted his face back and stared up at the almost cloudless sky, his eyes glistening with unshed tears in the remembrance of a friend.
Wolfwood…
He sat for several minutes, absorbed in memories.
* * *
"Hey, Needle-noggin!"
The harsh voice and familiar endearment jarred in Vash's mind. His head shot up and he looked around, almost frantically, for the source of the shout.
"I'm right here, Vash."
The gunman slowly turned his head to the right, his stomach giddy with fright and anticipation.
And there he sat, totally at ease. A cigarette hanging lit and limp in his smirking mouth.
"Hi there." Was all he said.
Vash's eyes bulged slightly, his mouth forming words, but unable to make the sounds to go with them.
The priest, clad all in black like always, laughed lightly at his speechless friend.
"Somethin' wrong? Cat got your tongue?" He asked sarcastically.
As if in answer, a small black cat with an abnormally head and eyes jumped into the priests lap, totally unaware that the place of his new occupancy belonged to a supposed dead man. It sat calmly, rubbing it's head against Wolfwood's chest and quickly went to sleep.
Vash sat and observed this quite calmly, considering. Finally, he took his eyes off the cat and regarded the smoking man next to him.
"What is this?"
Wolfwood regarded the gunman coolly for a moment, and then turned to look at the almost vacant streets of Slater.
"I don't know what you mean."
Vash also regarded the streets.
"Don't give me that. I saw your body. I want to know what is going on."
The priest finally looked over at the blond plant, who gave Wolfwood his full attention in return.
They both just sat for a moment, Vash being quite confused but trying to refrain from acting like a maniac, and Wolfwood debating on the best way to handle this.
"I'm dead Vash."
The Humanoid Typhoon blinked at this unexpected explanation.
"I know that. But, I can see that you're right here. That's what I want explained."
Nicholas sighed. "Life isn't always what it seems my friend. I just came here to talk to you about that fight that just happened with your brother."
Vash leaned back, surprised.
"How did you know about that?"
Wolfwood resumed his examination of the dusty town, a thin-lipped smirk playing over his features. "Those of us in the Other World have our ways of keeping up with those in the world of the Living."
"Other World?" Vash's eyebrows drew together in confusion.
"The world of the Dead, needle-noggin. Now, tell me what happened with that brother of yours."
Vash shifted, uncomfortable at being interrogated by a dead man.
"…I guess, things have just been building up between us lately, and I just couldn't handle it any more."
Wolfwood raised his eyebrows. "To say the least."
"…"
"Come on, what really happened?" He turned back to the streets.
The Stampede eyed the smoking man beside him, finally sighing in resignation.
"Lately, things have been reminding me of all the shit Knives has done to me, and to those I care about…"
Vash paused and glanced over at the priest. Wolfwood didn't say anything, or even seen to be aware that his blond companion was looking at him, so Vash continued.
"And when I got back to the hotel, and he was reading the Bible, he just seemed to be taunting me, reminding me that nothing, not even God could stop him, or save anyone."
He finished and sat watching Wolfwood for any reaction. The dark haired man seemed content to contemplate the streets and absentmindedly pet the small black cat in his lap. Vash watched the priest, uncertain if he had even been listening.
"You're a terrible liar Vash."
The plant blinked in surprise. "What do you mean? That's what happened." He answered warily.
Nicholas D. Wolfwood blinked slowly and turned to look his friend full in the eyes.
Vash blanched at the serious look in the man's eyes. A long silence stretched between them, almost tangible with all the unsaid feelings. The Humanoid Typhoon fidgeted for a moment and finally broke the contact. Before he could say anything, Wolfwood spoke.
"You've got to get over my death Vash. You're only making things harder on yourself. Put it behind you and start doing something about Knives!"
Nicholas put a hand on Vash's shoulder, causing the blond to look up, and the unshed tears to finally be relinquished.
"But…I miss you…"
The priest gave a small smile. "I know. I miss you too. But, I'm fine. Dead, but fine. It's time to stop worrying about me and worrying about those in this world. These people still need your help."
The Stampede nodded, saline tracking down his face.
"But, what am I supposed to do?"
Wolfwood shook his head. "I can't tell you that. I'm only here to set you on the right course." He smiled. "Just like Rem was before."
Vash gave a little start. "Rem? But…how did…"
Again, the priest shook his head, but this time with a smile. "Don't worry about that. Look, you've got to do this. Others will help you, but you must do something about Knives."
Vash sat up, wiped the tears away and grinned. "Alright. I'll do it then."
Wolfwood grinned and stood up, causing the cat to leap up and scamper away in agitation. "I knew you would."
From within his jacket, the priest drew out his black glasses and put them on.
"I've got to go now Vash. I'll see you later, Ok?"
Vash's eyebrows drew together in half confusion, half panic.
"Go? But you just got here! Can't you…"
The black clad priest shook his head and smiled, a single tear peeking from beneath his glasses.
"Sorry needle-noggin." He said quietly. "My time's up."
And with that, the black clad priest known as Nicholas D. Wolfwood, was gone.
* * *
Vash sat up, frantically looking for his friend.
"Wolfwood?!"
A few passersby glanced at him for his sudden outburst.
He continued to look for a moment more, but came to the realization that it had been just a dream.
Vash slumped back into the bench, sadly examining the ground at his feet.
And then he saw it. His eyes widened in disbelief.
What?
On the ground at his feet lay a newly lit cigarette, crumpled a little as though it had rested inside a jacket too long.
Vash stared at it.
Did it really happen then?
The slight breeze that had been blowing, picked up, blowing the sand, and in the distance, the Humanoid Typhoon swore he heard the familiar laugh of a long dead priest.
He sat a little longer, regarding the still smoking cigarette at his feet. Finally, Vash smiled and stood up.
Well, even if it was a dream, Wolfwood was right. Time to get over it and work on changing my brother.
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The people out on the streets that morning, all looked up as they felt an odd air surrounding a lone man striding purposefully to the hotel, seeming bent on some great quest. Each had their own thoughts surrounding the origin of this man's air, but each unconsciously agreed that whatever the source, it had the possibility to change the world.
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A/N awwwwww. Isn't it sweet?!
I'll let you all interpret 'unsaid feelings' for yourselves. (and the whole freakin' chapter I suppose! \_/) He he. If you think it's too short, too bad! The next one will be up soon, promise. *wonders when soon is* No, no. it will be this week. =P
-Later Dayz and Tanx!! ^_^