Hello! :3Tailschan here, from Doki Doki! boy howdy, Am I happy with the way this fic is coming along. Oooh. I have so much SHIT TO SAY! Uhm...yess..AHA!

Disclaimer: Vash, Wolfrood, and all assorted TRIGUN Charachters are (c) and TM to Yasuhiro Nightow and not me. However, Aiko and Bridey ARE copyrightand TM to ME. Tailschan.

A/N: I DO realize that this is an AU. I guess I should've put it up somewhere XD I'm so dumb. And other stuff,

Next: Many many thanks to my love-aly beta reader, whom I could just KISS for putting up with me, Sethriel Jager. LOVE YA, HUN!! Nowthen..on with the fic! WHEEEE! XD

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x-20 iles later-x

"NIIICKIE!!"

"What, Bridey? WHAT NOW!?"

"You got any water left?"

"No, I just told you that a half an hour ago."

"Well...can we stop to rest? I'm bushed.."

"I...guess...."

The group of four sat down in the hot mid-day sand for a rest. Vash yawned and stretched out, leaning back. He looked into the horizon, and watched the setting suns. He smiled at the view and sighed heavily. He shut his eyes and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see Wolfwood smiling at him

"Beautiful sunset, isn't it?"

"Yeah....beautiful.." He grinned as a soft gust of wind blew across his face.

"Hey..wolfwood?" Vash said as he caresses the other man's hand with his own.

"Yes?"

"How long have wee been walking for?"

"About...five hours.."

"Hm..it seemed alot shorter than that.." The blonde man looked up at the Priest as he pushed himself closer, their lips touching. From a distance, Aiko watched this spectacle and felt her face heat up. She didn't know that....it was okay to do that...males kissing other males?

"Mmm...Vash..." Nick said, almost inaudibly.

"Come on...before the girls see us. They probably wouldn't understand."

"Right. Only 20 iles to go..."

Vash walked over to Aiko and bent down beside her, smiling softly.

"Ready to go, Aiko?"

"Y-yes.." She looked down at her feet and sighed.

"You know, you've been really silent this entire trip. What's wrong, hm?" Vash asked as he ran his fingers through the smaller girl's hair. She grabbed his hand and pushed it to the side.

"Nothing...It's nothing."

"Ah...Aiko.." Vash watched the girl as she got up and began to walk toward Bridey and Nick, who were already quarrelling over who should carry the cross punisher.

"I wonder if...she saw.." Vash frowned slightly and followed her. Soon, the four resumed their journey to May city.

x-15 iles to May-x

'Hey, Nick?"

"Yeah?" Responded the priest as he lit a disfigured cigarette.

"I'm..worrried, about Aiko.."

"Why's that? She sick or somethin'?"

"No..I think she saw us...last time we stopped."

"So? Why would that worry you?"

"I think maybe she's a bit confused."

"About what?"

"Maybe she thinks..oh...never mind.."

A few yards back, Aiko and Bridey were talking as well...Actually, Bridey was doing most of the talking. Aiko listened.

"Hey! Aiko! Whassamatter?" Bridey questioned as she bounced in front of the Auburn-haired girl. Aiko said nothing.

"What, can't you talk?"

"I...uh.."

"Come on, girlie! Tell me. What's on yer mind?" Bridey slung an arm around Aiko's shoulder and smiled at her.

"I thought Vash...loved me.."

"Hm? Whattaya mean? Of course he does!" Bridey grinned. "He and Mr. Priest-man saved us!!"

"But...I saw him.."

"Saw him what?"

"I saw him kissing Nicholas..doesn't that mean he loves Nicholas more than me? He hasn't kissed me.."

"Oi, girlie, you're worse off than I thought...You don't remember a single thing at ALL do you? You gotta be retaught how to LIVE??" Bridey laughed as she tightened her grip around Aiko's shoulders.

"I suppose..I do.." Aiko said, with a surprised look on her face.

"Well, then! We've got quite a bit of work to to!!" Bridey yelled out as she laughed happily.

x-5 iles to May-x

The group had been walking for another three hours, and Bridey had been working diligently on re-educating Aiko, though Aiko didn't seem to care, much. Her eyes were focused on Vash and Mr. Priest. Aiko watched them talk, laugh about things inaudibly, and occasionally, Vash's fingers would brush against Nick's softly, making the priest smile. Aiko looked down at her own hands. She remembered the feel of Vash holding her hand, and his smile conforting her. He was the first person she saw when she woke up, so it was only natural that she felt some sort of attraction to him..but that was the predicament she had. What kind of attraction was it? Did she...love..him? Or what was it? Aiko looked over to Bridey and spoke.

"Bridey, I'll be right back...I have to talk to Mr. Vash about something.."

"M'kay."

And with that, she ran over to the blonde man and softly tugged on hus coat tails from behind. He turned around and saw the small brunette, still covered in his old cloak. Her eyes were highlighted with silver because of the fifth moon which had risen.

"Vash?" She asked quietly.

"Yes, Aiko? What is it?" He stopped walking and bent down in front of her.

"Are you tired? I can carry you, if you'd like."

"No, I mean..ah..yes, thank you, Vash.." She smiled sweetly at him, just as Bridey taught her to do.

"Alright, then. Hop on!" Vash turned around, so Aiko could get on his back. She laced her arms around his broad shoulders and rested her head next to his.

" Sweet kid." Nicholas commented.

"Yeah, she is."

Before Nicholas could get another word out, he felt a great force on his back, which was quickly followed by Bridey's loud girlish laughter.

"Nickie, If Aiko gets a ride, shouldn't I get one too?"

"AH!...Eh, yeah, I suppose.." Nick looked over to Vash and the now sleeping Aiko.

"Vash, I like kids as much as the next good Samaritan, but JEEZ! Did you put sugar in that healing serum I gave her?" Vash shook his head no and grinned sympathetically.

"Come on, Wolfwood. Only four more iles 'till May."

"I'm trying, honestly, I am..."

Within the next two hours, the Outlaw, the Priest, and the two girls entered the city of May, and checked in to an old run-down looking hotel. When they got to the front desk, they were greeted my an old, tired-looking man who was balding severely. Vash set Aiko down in a chair nearby, and spoke to the manager.

"Excuse me, sir, but My friends and I, we need two rooms for the night, if you don't mind." Vash said while smiling.

"Sorry, sonny. All's we got is the basement room. We're full-up! There was a Sand-steamer came into town a few days back, and some folks don't wanna meet their check-out times."

Vash sighed, and looked at the man with sad, pleading eyes.

"Please, Mister, I'm begging you! Can't you do something? We really need these two rooms.."

"Look, I'm real sorry, son, but unless you can afford two $$900 rooms at this hotel a little ways down from here, your only choice is the Basement here for $$50."

"But..eh.." Vash sighed heavily and nodded, handing the man $$50.

"Alright, alright, we'll take it..."

"Thanks. And, again, son, I'm real sorry 'bout this."

Vash looked at the man and smiled half-heartedly, then went over to the sleeping girl and Wolfwood. Bridey was sitting atop wolfwood's Punisher, whistling and trying to cross her eyes.

"Hey, come on, everyone. We have a room."

"Hmm? Wha--Oh, Vash...so, you got us a room, hm?"

"Well...yeahh...something...like that..eheh.."

Wolfwood raised an eyebrow at him and then went to go get Bridey and the Punisher. Vash went over to Aiko and shook her slightly.

"Aiko, wake up..we've got a room.."

"Oh..mm..alright.." Aiko got up clumsily and leaned on Vash, as she rubbed her eyes. Vash led her down the stails, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Pleasepleasepleaseplease review! Flames welcome! Constructive Critisism is greatly appreciated! I feed upon it! ARGH!