The Descent of the Second Sun
CHAPTER 5; Betrayal
"Well, Vash," Knives spoke coldly, his back facing the other three that stood in the room, "Now I suppose you know the truth behind your so-called friend… I imagine you see even more clearly now, brother, that your previous defense of the humans has been wasted. Even this one, whose masquerade of friendship you were drawn into so easily, is no more than one of my servants."
Vash's face was still in a combination of shock and horror, but it was rapidly turning to nothing but pure anger.
"Why don't you show him to his room, Vash?" Knives suggested as he turned to face them, "I'd like for him to stick around for a bit."
Vash nodded solemnly, and grabbed Wolfwood's wrists, pulling his arms behind his back, and leading him out of the room. Knives watched the two leave, his expression blank.
"Legato," he spoke, his gaze unmoving, "I want you to check on our human guest later tonight. Make sure my brother hasn't been to kind to him. In the meantime, have Midvalley guard the room, and have the rest of your vermin bring the females to me."
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"So, is this the life you've finally chosen?" Vash chose not to reply to Wolfwood's accusing questions, "Whatever happened to love and peace? You sure changed your tune fast."
Vash continued to ignore Wolfwood. They reached a large, steel door. In front of the door stood Midvalley, who nodded at Vash and stepped aside. Vash shoved Wolfwood into the room, and slammed the door behind him.
"Why didn't you tell me you were working for Knives?" Vash asked, his back to Wolfwood, who was now standing in the center of the small, unadorned, octagonal room, staring fiercely at the outlaw.
"It's not exactly something I was proud of," Wolfwood responded, "And just how exactly do you think I would tell you and still be able to stick around you? You'd have gotten rid of me as soon as you could."
"I would have understood," said Vash quietly, the slightest tone of anger coloring his voice, "if you had explained to me. I know Knives, Wolfwood, I know him better than he knows himself. He has ways of making anyone follow his command."
"I see that includes you," Wolfwood retorted, still unsatisfied that Vash had ignored his earlier questioning.
"That's what I would have him believe, yes," Vash spoke softly.
"What?" Wolfwood was puzzled now, though he saw the beginnings of hope, "What do you mean, Vash?"
"Look," Vash said, now turning to face Wolfwood, "I don't know why I'm trusting you after you've lied to me for so long, but… all I'm saying is that I'm not exactly on Knives' side. I haven't changed my views about a thing, and I don't plan on it, either."
Wolfwood smiled, "Well, that's a relief…"
Vash was still looking at him coldly. Wolfwood sighed in frustration.
"Just what do I have to do to convince you that I'm not on their side?" the exasperated priest demanded.
"There's not a thing you can do now," Vash replied solemnly, "But I imagine you'll get your chance, soon enough."
"What are you going to do, anyway?" Wolfwood inquired, "You've said you haven't changed your views, so you're not going to kill them. What other way can you intend to stop them?"
"I'll find a way," Vash's voice was soft, and he still wasn't being very kind towards Wolfwood.
Wolfwood groaned, "Look, Tongari, I don't know where you got this stupid idea about saving everybody into your head from, but killing people like Legato and Knives is not a bad thing. They've killed more than their fair share, and the deaths you'll prevent by ridding us of scum like them are countless."
"It's not my decision," Vash spoke, clearly fighting back rage from his voice.
"Then who's going to make it?" Wolfwood retorted, "If you don't stop them, who do you think is going to? You can't just turn your back on it, Vash, because it's not going to go away. You're going to have to abandon that nonsense if you want anybody at all to live-"
A black-gloved fist smacked straight into the right side of Wolfwood's jaw, cutting him off in the middle of his sentence. He staggered a bit, and then brought a hand up to his face, not really able to believe what had just happened. He slowly raised his eyes to meet Vash's, and found that the gunman was glaring furiously at him, his fist still clenched tight.
"Vash…" Wolfwood's voice was a mixture of shock and regret as he uttered the name of the man who had been his friend. But no more words could come to his mouth. Vash's glare remained steady on him, and the blonde turned from him without a word, and slammed the door shut on his way out. The dark-clad priest was left alone, slumped on the floor, with a badly swollen cheek, feeling very much like the entire population of Gunsmoke wanted him dead.
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"Legato," Midvalley greeted his superior with the proper amount of respect as he neared the room in which a certain Nicholas D. Wolfwood was being held.
Legato nodded at Midvalley, and entered the room. Upon hearing the door open, Wolfwood raised his head. When he saw his newly arrived company, his expression dropped. This was probably the last person he wanted to see right now… no, wait, make that second to last, as long as Knives was still around.
"Hello there, Priest," greeted Legato, his tone a cruel mocking of kindness, "And how are we feeling? Cheery and pleasant, I presume?"
Wolfwood narrowed his eyes at the newcomer, but kept any comments to himself.
"Oh, look at that," said Legato, reaching out a finger to touch Wolfwood's injured jaw, which caused Wolfwood to twist his mouth into a scowl, "My, did your dear friend do that to you? What could have made him so very angry?"
Wolfwood glared at Legato, "Is there a reason you came or are you just here to make whatever's left of my life hell?"
"Actually," Legato spoke, still all grins, "Master Knives asked me to see that his brother hadn't been too nice to you, but I can see that he hasn't."
Wolfwood's frowning demeanor intensified.
"I'm also here for my own reasons," Legato went on, "Such as getting some valuable information from you."
"And what makes you think I'll tell you anything?" Wolfwood nearly growled rather than spoke.
"Oh, but my dear preacher," Legato replied, with a smug grin, then pointed a finger to Wolfwood's forehead, "You already have."
This caused Wolfwood to stare at Legato in terror. That meant that… he knew about Vash, didn't he? Legato's wide grin as Wolfwood thought that was answer enough for him. Legato rose slowly and left the room without a word.
"…shit," Wolfwood muttered to himself.
To be continued…
Aiee! Chapter 5 is now complete. Actually, parts of this chapter were among the first scenes to spring to my mind when considering writing this fic. Hope you guys liked it. There's a lot more of this fic on the way…