Trigun Special Delivery 11
The six friends awoke the next morning to a hurricane of wind hallowing through the streets. They did not expect many customers to arrive due to the weather but they prepared the Saloon nevertheless. Milly and Iris placed fresh tablecloths, silverware and condiments upon the tables. Vash had been in the back of the building, removing the food from the freezer to thaw and diced the vegetables for later meals. Meryl wandered about the premises with a checklist attached to a clipboard and to survey what supplies were needed for the day. Wolfwood had been at the bar who had stocked it with clean glasses and insured there was a necessary amount of sawdust around each stool.
Justin peeked through the windows to watch for any approaching customers. "I doubt anyone's coming. What's the point of even opening?" he said to Iris who happened to be near by. "Because we have a business to run. We can't make money if we close because of a little dust." Iris replied. "Maybe, but I still say it's pointless." he said in a condescending manner. "Think what you want but we still have to open it." she said and walked away.. The wind continued to howl louder as trash and other projectiles collided into the walls of the building. "I never saw it this rough before." Milly remarked.
"Yeah, look at the people struggling to walk in it." Meryl commented. They watched several men leaning against the gusts, trudging their legs and bending their heads to make their way into the street.
Several hours passed by and the crew struggled to find ways to pass the time. Milly and Wolfwood played chess at one table. Meryl, Iris and Vash played a game of charades. Justin observed them closely, trying to find words to place in his telepathic report in a dark corner of the dining room. He thought What words can I use to describe them? Milly is the sweet one. Meryl is always irate. Wolfwood is the calm one who is brave. Vash is easily swayed by his emotions. And Iris?.... A right hand supported his chin, holding his left elbow as he paused in mid thought. Iris is mysterious with a empathetic nature. Her and that crybaby are as dangerous as each other. Legato does not have any idea what force he is reckoning with. Another voice seemed to intrude into his thoughts and said Is that all the information you have gathered? You disappoint me, old man. I assumed that you would be more observant. Justin's eyes widened, alarmed with the sudden connection. His subconscious spoke sharply and replied There is more if you stop breathing down my neck! Legato's voice said in calm manner I'm waiting...
His face formed into a scowling expression and answered Vash wears his heart on his sleeve but is protective over his friends and over-exerts himself. Iris' outward behavior is different from her inner thoughts and can be unpredictable. One quality they do share is...determination. There had been a moment of silence and Legato's voice said in a sensible manner Seems to me the best solution to this problem is to separate them. Won't you agree? Justin looked to the group and pondered upon the question, I agree. Legato said I'm glad to see that were are on the same track. Justin sighed impatiently and told him: Don't worry I'll get you the information that you need. Just give me more time.
Legato said sternly You have two days. I expect to be told everything I need to know. For the most part investigate their weaknesses. Don't make me do this myself, old man. Death is the only punishment for failure Justin's eyes stared at the floor and nodded, Yes sir. "Hey, Justin! Want to play charades?" Vash's voice called out him. He jumped within his seat as though electrocuted by live wire and said, "Sure." I may not want to participate in such a childish game with such a childish man but I only have two days to figure this guy out. Justin thought while joining the group.
Meryl stood up and began her turn in front of the players and said confidently, "Try to figure this one out." She approached the easel, grabbed the marker from the tray, and began to draw a city on the parchment, her finger pointed at Vash, then took the marker and began to scribble upon vigorously as though the buildings were crumbling. The three of them turned to each other for answers. "What do you think it is?" Vash asked innocently to Justin and Iris. "Well she pointed at you so it must mean something." Iris said logically. "Is it a dust storm?" Justin asked Meryl. She shook her head to indicated a negative response. "Is it a typhoon?" Iris asked. Meryl cocked her head to the side that translated to a "sort of" and pointed at Vash again. "Is it what you look like before you put your make-up and wig on?" Vash asked spitefully. Meryl jumped upon Vash, slamming him into the floor while yelling, "It's destruction you moron!!!! It's what happens to every city you go through and it's what I have to dodge while following a buffoon like you!!!!" Iris and Justin laughed heartily at this event as Vash screamed, "Get off of me!!!" "Who's going next?" Justin asked. "Hmmm....Good question..." Iris said while contemplating, "Let's have Vash go next." Vash pulled himself from the floor and said, "I know what my charade should be. You'll never guess what it is." "Try me." Justin said with a cocky smile. Vash approached the easel, picking up the marker, standing before the blank paper silently for a moment, then the marker began to create the drawing. A tree began to form upon the paper, scribbling the grass beneath the trunk, drawing stick figures of children playing ball beneath the branches. He stepped aside and gestured to the players to challenge them to answer him. "Is it a playground?" Justin asked. "Close..." Vash answered. "Is it a day care center?" Meryl asked. "Nope. Again you're close." he replied. Iris looked at the paper curiously, her eyes traveled to Vash's face, grinned and said, "I think I know what it is..." "What?" Justin and Meryl asked in unison. "It's his idea on what paradise should be." she answered, confidently. "How in the hell did you figure that out?!" Vash exclaimed. "It was just a lucky guess..." Iris said with a wide smile while scratching the back of her head with closed eyes as she blushed. So that's what explains her empathy. She senses the thoughts of those she observes closely. Does she sense my intentions? I better not underestimate this one. Justin thought as he looked to Iris warily. "Maybe I can do one that is really hard to figure out." Justin said as he rose from his seat and approached the easel. His fingers clutched the marker in delicate manner, positioning the marker as though a professional artist would hold it. The point hovered over the parchment as he wore a critical expression on his youthful face. "Hmmm..." he said with a tongue in cheek. "Are you ready, yet?" Meryl asked impatiently. "I'm thinking!" Justin exclaimed. He began to draw a table upon the paper, with a crystal vase resting on it. The marker made a few brushes strokes indicating a breeze flowing by. Inside the vase a stem began to form with a drooping flower inside it of it, the petals flowing in the breeze. Justin placed the marker on the tray, sighed and stepped aside for the players to view. Meryl and Iris gazed upon such beautiful detail from the drawing. "Well, I'm waiting..." Justin said impatiently. "It's just beautiful..." Meryl said with awe. "Showoff..." Vash muttered. Iris nudged Vash and said, "It's natural to be jealous so get over it." "How can that little kid draw better than me?!" Vash shouted, being riddled with envy. "Come on...I'm still waiting for questions..." Justin insisted. Meryl stared at the drawing of the wilting flower and said, "It is death?"
"You're not as dumb as I thought you were. You are correct!" Justin exclaimed sarcastically. "Hey! Take that back!" Meryl shouted. "Geez, can't anyone settle down anymore?" Iris remarked.
"Hey the storm stopped!" Vash said cheerfully. They looked to the windows to see that the wind had ceased to toss any debris on the ground. "It's about time the storm stopped. I'm glad the stupid game is over." Justin remarked. "Then why did you play it in the first place?" Iris asked curiously. "Because I felt like it." he replied. Vash looked to Justin in wonder and thought Maybe he's not ready to show his true self yet. He's hiding something.
Thundering footsteps hammered upon the floorboards of the Saloon, the group paused poised for service of a potential customer, instead a blond man in a blue uniform with a clipboard entered the Saloon. "Which one of ya is a Mr. Nicholas D. Wolfwood?! I've got a package outside for him!" "I'm Wolfwood. What's the package?" Wolfwood asked as he approached the man. "Sorry sir. I have no time to talk. Sign here. The package is outside." he said in a brisk manner. "Okay." Wolfwood said and accepted the pen and signed his name on the sheet upon his clipboard. "Thank you. You have a good day sir." the man said blankly and departed hastily. Wolfwood dashed outside to see what the special delivery had been and saw a large package in a wooden crate sit outside of the Saloon. "I wonder what it could be..." he said, curiously. He returned to the Saloon and yelled, "Anyone got a crowbar?!" "A crowbar?" Milly asked. "Yeah, a crow bar that you use to pry open stuff with. Do we have one?:" Wolfwood asked.
"You can use my sword." Iris offered. "Good idea." he said. Iris gave him the sheathed sword and said, "Don't cut yourself okay?" "I'll be careful." he said and left the Saloon.
He unsheathed the sword, plunged the blade between two boards and preyed open the box. "Angelina?..." he said in surprise, dropping the sword to the ground.. The boards of the box fell to the ground to reveal the red motorcycle sitting before him with a red ribbon tied to the handlebars. He sprang upon the motorcycle's gas tank, embraced it tightly and shouted with joy, "Angelina, I missed you!!!" His friends left the Saloon to see the commotion and observed him hugging it and kissing the metal as though it were a person. "An old friend of yours?" Vash asked, while approaching the motorcycle.
"Yeah, I thought she was gone for good! She broke down about 150 iles away from here. It's a miracle that she's back!" Wolfwood said, cheerfully. "I'm happy that you got your bike back, Mr. Priest!" Milly said, happily. "Do you know anyone who would send it here?" Meryl asked, suspiciously. "No, not anyone I know..." Wolfwood said while scratching his head in puzzled manner. Iris approached the handlebars and examined the tag attatched to the ribbon, "That's funny, it does not say specifically who the sender is. It just says 'From a friend'." "Are you sure you don't know anyone that would send it to you?" Meryl asked once more in the same manner. "Again no. I absolutely don't know who would send it." Wolfwood said. Iris gave Meryl a nod that indicated that she agreed with her suspicions.
Throughout the day, Wolfwood gave Angelina an oil change and tune-up, whistling while performing the tasks in the back lot of the building. Vash decided to go the general store at the other side of town to get cleaning supplies for the Saloon and returned shortly as the women did their necessary shopping for food and conveniences. It had been a peaceful day since not one customer arrived at the Saloon which gave Justin more time to expand upon his report and change the lightbulbs in the lamps.
The suns began to set, as the women began their return with their arms full of paperbags and sweat saturated foreheads. To their shock and horror they noticed a swarm of panic stricken people with buckets water rushing past them several yards away from their Saloon. "I wonder what's going on?" Milly asked, curiously while tilting her head in their direction. "It could be a disaster." Meryl suggested. "I don't like the looks of this..." Iris said uneasily. "Let's go find out!" Meryl shouted and followed the swarm in a running pace. "Wait up, Meryl!" Milly called. Iris and Milly chased Meryl, panting from the heavy weights of the shopping bags and running in the heat. They stopped in front of the Rockerfeller to find it enveloped in orange flames. "HOLY SHIT!!!!" they yelled in unison and dropped the bags to the sandy ground. They watched the people attempting to douse the flames with their water buckets frantically. "Who could have done this?" Milly asked with teary eyes. "I don't know, Milly...." Meryl said quietly. They ran further to the Saloon to discover Vash and Wolfwood laying face down on the ground. "Vash! Wolfwood! What the hell happened?!" Meryl asked angrily. "It turned out that my bike was a death trap..." Wolfwood said solemnly as they sat upon their haunches.
"I smelled nytro glycerin right when he revved the engine and it exploded, which lead to the burning and us on the ground." Vash added. "I knew that bike was no miracle!" Meryl said, being astounded. Iris, without hesitating, took the rose designed handkerchief and made it into a make-shift mask bound behind her head. "What are you doing?" Vash asked. "Justin is still inside. I'm going in..." Iris said, boldly while soaking her being with the water from a nearby bucket on the ground. "Oh no you're not!" Wolfwood disagreed. Iris did not listen nor heeded the pleadings of her friends as she dashed inside the inferno of a building. Wolfwood and Vash sprang to their feet momentarily with stern facial expressions. "Women..." Wolfwood muttered. "Yeah, I know..." Vash agreed. "Oh shit!! The gas stoves!!! I better get in there or we'll have a crater!!!" Wolfwood shouted frantically and dashed inside. "You girls stay put. I'll be back with a sand tractor to smother the fire!" Vash said and quickly took off at lightning speed.
Iris squinted her eyes from the brilliant flames and walked in a squatting position in order not to inhale the black smoke. She focused on finding Justin's presence and traced the frightened emotions up the stair case. Her senses also told her that Wolfwood was downstairs in the back room, shutting down the gas stoves in order not to increase the inferno. "Thanks Wolfwood...You've always been there whenever it was ugly..." she said quietly. "Don't mention it, red! Just get the boy out of here!!!" Wolfwood called out to her as loud as his lungs could project. She had been surprised to hear him respond to her and continued her rescue. "JUSTIN!!!! HANG IN THERE!!! I'M COMING!!!!" Iris yelled over the roaring blaze. She busted the door open with a sweeping kick to the door and ran into the room to find his leg pinned beneath a fallen support beam. "Go! Get out of here while you still have the chance! You have a long life ahead of you! It's time for this old soul to meet his Creator!' Justin shouted to her. "Don't talk like that! I'm going to rescue you wether you like it or not!" Iris shouted while squatting before him. Her hands grasped the beam, gently lifting it from his leg, and dropping it the floor with a loud thump. Why did he call himself an "old soul"? Is he older than he seems? His appearance does make a convincing disguise. I'll get my answers later but for now I have to make sure he lives Iris thought logically. She faced her back towards him and lifted him upon her back. "Whatever you do, don't let go!" she shouted while making her way to the window. "Just go already before we both die!" he shouted in return as his legs wrapped around her torso and gripped her shoulders. She opened the window and crawled out onto the roof that had been thirty feet above the ground. "MERYL!!! MILLY!!!! GET US SOMETHING TO CATCH US WITH!!! HURRY!!! THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!!!" Iris called out them. The women ran to a nearby wagon and snatched a tarp, then stretched the cloth below them. Wolfwood had emerged just in time to see them form their net and assisted them. "Hold it tight, girls! Don't let it slack at all!" Wolfwood said. Meryl and Milly gripped the cloth tighter and nodded to him. "It's safe now! Jump!" he called out them. "You ready to jump, little guy?" she asked. "You got to be kidding me!" Justin exclaimed in fright. "Just go before me. I'll come after you." she said gently. He released his grip from her shoulders, landed on the roof upon one foot and simply jumped. He successfully fell into the tarp and been lowered to the ground. "COME ON, IRIS!!! JUMP!!!" Milly called out to her. Iris jumped from the ledge and landed upon the tarp perfectly. "I'm sure glad that's over!" Iris exclaimed, removing the mask from her face and being lowered upon the ground. Justin's eyelids grew heavy as he fell unconscious to the sandy terrain. Iris lifted his sleeping form into her arms and heard the rumbling engine of a sand tractor. She cocked her head to the left to see Vash driving the vechile towards the blazing building and depositing the sand. The crowd cheered to see the fire being completely smothered. Iris sensed Wolfwood's distemperment and had been ready to utter a lecture, until she said, "You can yell at me later. We need to get him to a doctor to have him be healed." "Yes...you're right...Come on, it should be at least a quarter of an ile from here." he said solemnly. They ran together to their destination with tears streaming down Iris' face. I don't care what you say...I won't let you die yet... she thought in desperation.
Wolfwood and Iris made it to the hospital, panting. Wolfwood ran to the nurse's desk, ringing the bell violently and yelling, "We've got an injured boy here! He needs help!!!" An elderly woman in a white uniform approached the desk and asked, "What happened?" "He nearly got burnt alive and one of the rafters hurt one of his legs." Iris answered, teary eyed. The elderly woman stepped aside to examine Justin and called out to the doctors at the end of the hall to assist her and they responded by pushing a bed towards them. "Place him on the bed and we'll do what we can to help." she told Iris. Iris settled him gently on the mattress and Wolfwood watched them take him to the end of the hall. She continued to stare into the direction that Justin was escorted to, trying not to cry. A middle aged doctor approached them with the name Dr. Fairbanks scrawled upon his name badge. "Are you the people that brought the boy in?" he asked. They nodded in response. "Well, the good news is that his condition is not serious and there are no fatal injuries. But the bad news is that he has a fractured leg in two places and that crutches are needed." Dr. Fairbanks said, seriously. "Thank you, Dr. Fairbanks. That's all we needed to hear." Wolfwood said while shaking his hand. "You can visit him at the room to the right at the end of the hall." he said while leaving them. "It's too bad that we don't have anything to cheer him up with." Iris said while looking to the floor. "Oh crap! I forgot the toys I got him a few days ago." Wolfwood exclaimed. "Where are they?" she asked. "I put it in the storage closet when if was really busy. I forgot all about it!" he exclaimed. "Do you think that you can salvage it while I go check on Justin? I'm sure the toys are fine because the bin was metal." Iris suggested. "I'll try but there's a chance that they could have melted from the heat, but I'll look anyway." he said doubtfully. "I wish you luck." she said. "Thanks!" Wolfwood yelled while bolting out of the hospital wing.
Iris walked down the hall and entered Justin's room quietly. He slept peacefully upon the mattress next to the open window. She watched him sleep and turned away to leave until his voice stopped her within mid-step. "Where am I?" he asked, dryly. "You're at the town hospital. Your leg was broken so you need to stay off of it for awhile." Iris replied. calmly. "Why did you bother to rescue me?" he asked while sitting up. "Because I did not want you to die this way." Iris answered as she wiped a few of her tears away with her fingers. "But you could have died that way instead." he objected. "I just felt sorry for you and I did not want your life to end in sadness because you've been through too much." she said and sat in a chair next to the bed. "Why would you even bother to care about someone you don't know?" he asked. "I just care for anyone. Don't ask me why or how I just do." she replied and smiled. "You're even stranger than Milly!" he exclaimed. She chuckled and remarked, "I'll take that as a compliment."
Wolfwood finally made it to the charred remains of the Saloon and rummaged through the former storage areas. "I know it must be around somewhere..." he muttered while shoveling through the debris. He came across a toppled metal storage closet and withdrew a pistol from his black jacket and shot the lock off with a single shot. "Open sesame..." he said and preyed open the doors. The brown bag of toys rested from within and he snatched the bag, opened it and released a sigh of relief that they are in good condition. "Wow! I think this is the real miracle here!" he said cheerfully and left the debris with a smile. He noticed Vash approaching and heard him ask, "Is Justin okay?"
"His leg got broken but the doctor says that he'll live." Wolfwood replied. "I'm so glad that he's alright!!!" Vash exclaimed happily. "Me too. Believe it or not Iris actually cried for that little brat." Wolfwood said as they walked to the town's hospital.
Fifteen minutes past by and Vash and Wolfwood entered Justin's room with the toys.
"Oh good you're back!" Iris exclaimed happily. "We got something for ya." Wolfwood said and approached the bed. "Is it painkillers?" Justin asked hopefully. "No, something better." Vash said and pulled out a paddleball from the bag. Justin gave them a forged smile and said, "Well, at least I can kill boredom." "Yes, and we have tops in here and a yo-yo." Wolfwood added. "I don't know how to play paddleball." Justin said. "It's easy just watch." Vash said and began to smack the ball back and forth on the paddle.
"See? It's like your own game of tennis." he added and offered it to Justin. Justin gave him an evil grin and said, "Okay...I get it now..." He took the paddle, and smacked it several times and "accidentally" hit Vash between the eyes with the rubber ball. "Owwww!!!!" he screamed. Wolfwood and Iris could not help but laugh heartilly. "Hey! That was a cheap shot!" Vash shouted. "Sorry...I'm still mastering it.." Justin said innocently. "Would you like to see a trick?" Iris asked Justin. "Okay." he said with a nod. Iris grabbed the yo-yo from the bag and said, "Here's a few tricks my uncle taught me. Watch carefully." They watched her tie the yo-yo to her finger and performing the walk the dog move and the baby in the cradle. "Here comes the around the world shot!" she said cheerfully. Iris tossed the yo-yo, twirled around as the orb at the end of the string glided against the walls, and returned to her hand faithfully. Justin, Wolfwood, and Vash applauded as she took a bow and tossed the yo-yo onto the mattress. "With patience you can do those tricks." she said and grinned to him.
Wolfwood looked to Justin, being happy that they got the child to smile for once.
"It's about time that you smiled. I was starting to worry." he remarked. "You should stop worrying about other people so much." Justin said. "Why shouldn't I?" he asked.
"Sometimes strength can be your weakness." Justin replied. "That's the attitude that's making the world worse." Vash said firmly. Justin to turned to Iris, whom he assumed would be the voice of the reason in room and asked, "Come on. You're on my side right?" She gave them each a critical expression and said, "Both of you are right."
"How can it be both?" he asked. "At times your strength can be your weakness but together as one voice with other people your goals reign supreme." Iris replied.
"Oh I get it! So what you're saying is that other people's strengths can be together as one and they would depend on each other when necessary." Wolfwood said, figuring it out.
"Correct!" she chimed. Justin to looked to them individually and remarked, "You people are strange!" "We're not strange. We're just gifted." Vash said with a smile. Iris, Wolfwood and Vash again laughed hysterically.
Justin began to recall the times when he used to live on the streets and stole food to feed himself. His parents were not the best guidance figures and threw him out of their house when his body refused to age. It had always been the survival of the fittest and any type of compassion was non-existent. These people that took him in, fed him, clothed him, and saved him seemed like the mystical people that you meet in fairy tales. The concept that amazed him was meeting them in the flesh which he had a difficult time accepting.
Being alone was my strength and it is also my weakness. Indeed these people are gifted.
he thought and joined their laughter. The three of them paused to hear Justin laughing.
He stopped his laughter and said sternly, "Why are you guys looking at me for?"
"We've never heard you laugh before." Vash answered. "It has been a long time since I had a good laugh. It is even a surprise to me." Justin said and grinned. He then looked to Iris thoughtfully and said, "I never did thank you for saving my life So thank you Ms. Bloodworth for coming to my rescue." "You're welcome. I couldn't have done it without Vash and Wolfwood. We worked together as a team to get you out of there alive." Iris modestly and gestured to the men standing by the bed. Justin looked to them and said, "Thanks to all three of you then." "We're a bunch of heroes aren't we?" Wolfwood asked sarcastically. "Yeah, a tremendous trio!" Vash exclaimed. "With three times the charm!" Iris added. "Oh brother..." Justin muttered with a hand to his forehead.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Meryl's voice suddenly asked. "No, come on in." Vash said cheerfully. "We came to see if Justin's alright." Milly said as they entered the room.
"I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking." Justin said and grinned to them. "You? Using manners? This is news to me!" Meryl remarked. "I do have a nice side." Justin said defensively. "You should show it more often." Milly said and approached the bed.
"The hotel owners were thoughtful enough to give us several rooms to for free tonight." Meryl said. "That's nice of him. At least we have a place to stay for awhile." Vash said and leaned against the wall. "Who do you think sent that motorcycle here? It can't be just a coincidence." Iris asked. "I think I might know who it could be." Vash said while contemplating. "Who?" Meryl asked. "Someone with a grudge...That's all I know..." he replied solemnly. "I wish this person would have the balls to show themselves in person if they have something against any of us." Iris muttered. "Hey! Don't use that language in front of the kid!" Wolfwood said sternly. "Sorry...Lost my temper..." she said apologetically. "But she does have a point. Whoever this person did this is a coward." Vash said with a hint of anger in his tone. "I've got to go outside and blow off some steam." Iris said quietly and left the room.
"Everyone get down!" Vash yelled and ducked for cover. His friends obeyed him and threw themselves to the floor as Justin hid beneath the blankets. A large rock crashed into the window, shattering glass in every direction. "Is everyone okay?" Wolfwood asked. "Yeah, we're fine..." Meryl replied. "So am I." Milly said and looked to Justin emerging from beneath the blanket . "I'm alright. No glass got on me." he assured her. Vash crawled over to the gray rock to see a message painted in red "Death is your only salvation". His eyes widened in horror upon reading this message and that it had smelled of blood. Obviously someone is out to get us. I bet it's Knives. It's me he wants. I'm only putting these people in danger because of me. I won't let this happen no matter what it takes! he thought with an enraged expression on his face.
The hospital finally admitted Justin and gave him crutches to walk upon. Vash had remained silent with his yellow sunglasses concealing his sorrowful eyes as he walked among the group to the hotel. He continued to think of the dreadful deeds Knives had done in the past and how it disgusted him. Iris noticed his silence and kept her distance from him, assuming that he needed time for himself to calm down. The six friends were each wary of the possible dangers taking turns standing watch over the hotel with their weapon of choice, except for Justin. It had been the hour of midnight as it had been Vash's turn to stand watch and stepped outside to relieve Iris from her duty. He had been one foot away until she suddenly spun around and pointed a Magnum .357 at his face. "Oh...it's you..." she said and released a sigh of relief as she placed the gun in her large right leg pocket. "You've got quick reflexes. I would feel safe with you around." he commented. "Just doing my duty.." she said modestly. He stood silently for a moment, she gave him a curious look and asked, "Do you have something important to say?" "In a way I do but it's hard to say it." he admitted. "Take a deep breath..." she said in a motherly tone. Vash inhaled deeply with his cheeks inflated. "Exhale..." she instructed. He obeyed her and slowly released the air between pursed lips. "There! Feel better?" she asked with concern. "Yes, now I can think clearly." he said and gave her a sad smile. "Now...What do you have to say?" she asked, in friendly manner. "First off, I've been exposing you to these dangers and I don't want you to be involved in them any further." he said seriously. "I can handle it, Vash. I've been exposed to enough warzones to call them playgrounds." she said confidently. "I know you can but it can be something beyond your abilities. I just want to protect you from this person who has this heavy grudge and hurt the people I'm close to." Vash explained. Iris looked to him with watery eyes and faced the floorboards "So... Are you saying good bye?" she asked, solemnly. "Yes, until I resolve this grudge match." he answered. "Will we meet again?" she asked once more. "Of course we'll meet again, Iris. I promise." he said assuringly. "Just be careful and come back in one piece..." she said, trying to hold back her tears. "Iris..." he said quietly. She did not look away from the floorboards. "Iris, look at me sweetie..." he said gently and lifted her chin with a thumb and forefinger. Her teary eyes met his and he said, "Please don't cry. You need to be strong. I want you to promise me that you'll protect the girls until I get back." "I promise.." she said softly. His arms enveloped her in a warm embrace as she sobbed quietly into his red coat. She returned the embrace generously, hearing his heart beat steadily from beneath the sternum. A leather gloved hand stroked her hair as her voice had been muffled that said, "I'll miss you, dandelion..." "I'll miss you; too, rainbow girl." he said in response. He released her from his embrace and kissed her upon the forehead. "Goodbye..." he said softly and stepped off the floorboards. She watched him leave with widened eyes while touching the spot where he kissed her. "Goodbye..." she said softly in return.... .