~Under the Sky so Blue: Aftermath~

Part Five

            "Gee thanks for breakfast Mr. Vash it was really delicious!" Milly beamed as the four began their way out of the restaurant.

            Vash smiled brightly in response, one arm around his brother to keep him standing as they walked. "Hey no problem Milly, we should do this again sometime…wasn't it fun Knives?"

            Knives, who wasn't at all very keen on being aided when it came to walking but knew he had no choice because it was really painful to do it alone, only nodded in response. His pale blue eyes turned over the people bustling about the town of Demetri, conversing in the small marketplace or gathered around the well.  How badly did he just want to swing an arm and have them all blasted away, evaporated into nothingness?  It was so wanted, so desired, he could taste it…but it had to wait.  In his absence, he could only hope that what remained of the Gung-ho Guns would somehow gather a few more members and continue with the plan he'd laid out.  Surely by now they would notice something was awry upon his not returning.

            "Knives? Are you alright?" Vash asked worried, resuming their steps toward the motel again. His brother needed more rest- it was probably foolish to bring him out like this so quickly.

            The pale blond man took only a moment before responding, "I'm tired. I don't think this breakfast was a good idea, dear brother.  I need my rest you idiot."

            Completely disregarding the insults, Vash agreed with his brother and silently moved on until they reached the room in the motel. By that time Knives had already left the aid of his brother and crossed to his bed, sitting down heavily to stare out the window. Fatigue washed over his body and mind, his eyes drooped slightly as he sighed and reluctantly lay backward onto the slightly lumpy mattress.  Sitting next to that strange lumbering human girl drained what energy he had left in him- she was really quite bothersome.  And that other girl, the little human, it struck him humorous that she had very strong feelings for his brother.

            In fact…it made him laugh.

            "Huh? What is it? What's so funny?" Vash queried, arching an eyebrow in curiosity. No one had said a word.

            Knives let on a very faint smirk, "That little human girl is in love with you dear brother, it strikes me as funny.  A simple being such as she couldn't possibly ever have a chance with superiors such as ourselves."

            The blond spiky haired man took several moments to register what his brother had just said then blinked and laughed hysterically.

            "Meryl? In love with me?! What are you talking about she just follows me all the time, its part of her job, she has to do it ya know!"

            Without cracking a smile or saying anything more, Knives closed his eyes, leaving Vash to wonder some more upon the simple statement of truth. It just wasn't possible, that's all- Meryl couldn't stand him anyhow, she proved that time and time again and left bumps and bruises on Vash constantly to remind him of it.  But it was really eating at him, and so he shook Knives violently to wake him up.

            "Knives, you weren't serious were you?"

            "I'm not answering that brother, you should know the answer to it yourself. Now, I'm tired, so would you please leave me to sleep in peace?"

            Vash shook his head, "I'm not leaving you here alone, what kind of idiot do you take me for?"

            "So you don't trust me to simply be resting in your absence? Dear brother, I am quite insulted." Knives opened one eye a slit to glance at Vash's expression.

            "Uh, umm…" Vash frowned, his eyebrows narrowed as he raised a hand in the air with his pointer finger extended as though he were about to make a point. Realizing that it would be difficult to change his brother if he couldn't even display a small act of trust, Vash gave in and nodded. "Fine, but I'm going to have Milly outside of the door to make sure you don't go anywhere."

            Knives chuckled, closing both of his eyes once more and folded his hands over his stomach comfortably.

            "With that oaf of a human mistake outside my door I'll be sure to stay here lest she annoy me to death."

            Not quite sure on how to reply to that, Vash put his hand on the doorknob, pausing only when he heard his brother speaking to him again.

            "You might want to be careful opening the door, Vash, I think we have eavesdroppers."

            Sure enough, the moment the door was opened, in tumbled Meryl and Milly, grinning sheepishly at him.

            "Oh! Vash would you be more careful you idiot, we were just coming in and you had to go and open the door like that!" Meryl immediately scolded in an attempt to save face, though all the while she was looking rather nervous.

            As they stood, Milly raised an eyebrow, "But Meryl, we weren't just coming in, you told me to be quiet so you could hear what Mr. Vash and Mr. Knives were talking about."

            A deep blush spread over Meryl's face and she clenched her fists, "Milly…oh never mind. Where are you going?"

            Vash had already begun to move out the door but stopped mid step with a foot in the air, turning his head to look at the insurance girls. He grinned slowly and stood normally, bringing a stiff hand to his forehead in a salute.

            "I am leaving the premises in order to allow my brother to get some rest Miss, Sir, Miss!"

            Not at all amused with his antics, yet somehow relieved to see Vash hadn't changed after the ordeal with Knives, Meryl gestured to Knives.

            "Who's going to stay here to watch him?! You can't just leave Knives alone!"

            Once again irked at being rudely awakened, this time by volume, Knives spoke from his bed. "Believe it or not human, I am capable of watching myself- I do not require a babysitter. However, since my brother seems to think the same as you do, something I believe degrades him greatly, he suggested having the big strange human girl on guard duty."

            Milly tilted her head as all eyes were focused on her and she smiled broadly, "I can do it, no problem Mr. Vash, I'd be more than happy to!"

            Knives sighed, "How wonderful…now that my babysitter has been decided may I please be allowed some sleep?"

            Vash nodded, ushering Meryl out of the room, leaving Milly to keep watch, then proceeded to walk toward the outskirts of town.  It wasn't until he was just a few yards from the edge when he noticed Meryl was walking alongside him.

            "Did you need something?"

            The petite insurance woman stared straight ahead, "Not really no, but I thought you might like some company, is that alright with you?"

            Knives' words echoed in his mind about Meryl but he didn't let that on.  Instead he nodded and smiled lightly.

            "I'd like that."

                                                                                                            ~End Part Five~