The Descent of the Second Sun
Author's ramblings- err, notes: Okay, here's the next chapter. I'm glad you guys seem to like it so far, partially because I was so convinced of its crappiness. ^_^; To update my thanking list, an arigato to Mali (wouldn't we all want to be all alone with Knives-sama? ^___^) and Lady Shadowcat. Now, on with Chapter 4.
CHAPTER 4; Revelation
"Go ahead, preacher," Knives' tone was smooth, and rang with satisfaction, "Why don't you tell your 'friend' why you were really with him all that time?"
Wolfwood looked down, and didn't say a word.
"Legato," Knives nodded at his minion, and in response Legato narrowed his eyes at Wolfwood. As a result, Wolfwood's right arm was suddenly compressed very tightly, as if it were being squeezed very hard. He screamed out in pain. Vash nearly flinched and yelled out to Legato to stop, but caught himself at the last second.
"Well?" Knives was addressing Wolfwood coolly once more, "Go on and tell him already. There's not a way out of it now."
Wolfwood was breathing a bit more heavily now, despite the grip on his arm having been loosened. Knives smiled at him, giving him a moment to recover from the pain. Legato was sporting a very satisfied grin.
"I…" Wolfwood began, looking at the ground.
"Surely you don't mistake the ground for my brother?" Knives pestered of Wolfwood, "Why don't you look at him when you're speaking to him?"
Wolfwood groaned, and turned to Vash, making his expression as apologetic as possible, and began, "Vash… I work for Knives."
Vash's light green eyes widened and his jaw hung slightly open as Wolfwood continued.
"When I was a kid, one of the Gung-Ho Guns, Chapel the Evergreen, trained me as a gunman… years after I had grown and left him, I was approached at my orphanage, and told it was time for me to pay them back for my training. So, Knives ordered me to go find you, stay with you and protect you, and then bring you to him so he could deal with you… personally."
Vash continued to stare at Wolfwood, his expression still shocked, but stinging of anger and hurt. Wolfwood sighed and looked down at the ground.
"Why, isn't that the most heart-wrenching scene?" Knives uttered from his chair, evoking a grin from Legato. Vash ignored the comment, but Wolfwood was now glaring at the ground, fists clenched.
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"What are you going to do with us?" Meryl demanded of the Gung-Ho Guns, though she was in no position to be demanding anything; she was, at the moment, tied up along with Milly.
There was no response. The Gung-Ho Guns picked them up and carried them across the desert. As they walked, they passed through a fertile, lively garden.
"What is this place?" Milly wondered aloud.
"Silence," commanded Rai-Dei.
They were carried straight to an entranceway just outside the garden, and down into some sort of underground complex. They were greeted by Midvalley.
"I see you've got them," Midvalley commented, smiling.
"What are we doing with them?" Dominique questioned.
"Legato says that Master Knives has a special plan for these two," Midvalley responded, leaning down into Meryl's face and grinning. She only glared back at him.
A glance over to Milly told Meryl that her partner was close to tears. She, herself, was terrified at the moment as well, but she never showed her emotions quite as clearly as Milly did. Milly turned to look at her, and Meryl gave her the best reassuring smile she could manage, though she needed to be reassured every bit as much as Milly did.
To be continued…
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Gomen for the mega-short chapter! I'm uploading this at the same time as Chapter 5, though, so maybe that'll make up for it, just a little? ^_^;; Read and review, please?