**Author's Note**  I'm guessing it isn't difficult for you to figure out who the man smoking the cigarettes is, but I would like to say…this is indeed a fan-fiction, is it not? Meaning I can write things the way I see fit without taking credit from the original makers…now see…I thought that meant I had artistic and poetic license.  Hmm…some people must not know this…

donkey kong- *sighs heavily* I'm well aware that Wolfwood died at the end of the series, but you know what? It's my story and I've brought him back because I don't think he should've died at all.  He doesn't die in the Manga so why should he in the anime? Besides, I'm betting there're a lot of people who have written Wolfwood back into the storyline because they think very similarly to me. 

*A figure in black treads up carrying his Cross Punisher on his shoulder. Lifting an eyebrow he smirks at Donkey Kong* "So what're you sayin' buddy? Just because I died I can't come back? Who are you to say whether or not I can come back? I have fans here- so I died, no reason to call this lovely young author an ass!" *flips over the Cross Punisher and aims it* "If anyone is an ass, it's-"

WHOA! Wolfwood, down boy! *tackles Wolfwood* Heh, I think he gets the point, ok?

*Wolfwood* "Does he?"

Uh…sure he does. *sweatdrops*

*Wolfwood looks suspicious, but lowers the Cross Punisher* "Fine, but only because of you I'll let him go…keep this in mind, needle-noggin- if you can't say something nice, shut the hell up. May you go with God's protection…now get outta my sight."

*raises eyebrows* Hoo-wee…note to self, do NOT make Wolfwood angry…

*Wolfwood* "Aw, you can't make me angry."

*glomps Wolfwood* Thanks but uh, you have to go now.

*Wolfwood* "What? Where?"

Back to the story of course ^_^ Byes!

Disclaimer: I do not own any Trigun characters, the Trigun title, nor am I affiliated with them in any way. (But a girl can dream…)

~Under the Sky so Blue: Aftermath~

Part Eleven

            Meryl and Milly sat at their table well hidden in the corner of the saloon, each with their own special order; a banana sundae for Meryl and Ceylon tea for Milly, their favorites.  Neither had spoken a word since they sat down- both were preoccupied with their own thoughts. The shorter woman was likely thinking about the opportunity she'd blown with Vash when they took that walk, or perhaps thinking about what Vash was going to do about Knives. She had no idea what her partner could possibly be thinking- that was near impossible most of the time.

            The saloon was pretty much quiet, only a few chatterboxes playing a game of cards at another table occupied the establishment.

            "It sure is quiet in here," Meryl said softly, her large grey-blue eyes flicked about.

            Milly smiled brightly, "Yeah it sure is! It's kind of nice isn't it? I mean, now that Mr. Vash has no trouble following him."

            This time Meryl didn't reprimand her partner- the people knew who Vash was, but they didn't bother him anymore. In fact, most of them found him quite pleasant company, especially since nothing horrible had happened in all the time he'd been there.

            "I'm not so sure about that. Bringing his brother here…who knows what that man will do when he's better?"

            "Well," Milly replied thoughtfully, "It's like my big brother says, sometimes you just have to wait and see."

            The sound of the doors opening caused both girls to quiet and look in curiosity. A young woman, tall and blond, donning a red coat, had walked inside, her boots thumping solidly on the floor. The woman didn't bother taking a look around, but made a beeline for the bar, pounding her fist on the counter.

            "Got any chocolate doughnuts?!"

            Blinking with puzzlement, Meryl and Milly watched the blond woman with wide eyes. Chocolate doughnuts? What was this woman thinking?

            The bartender stopped washing a mug and set it down. "I've got doughnuts, but they're not chocolate, and they're reserved for someone else. Sorry no can do, but I can get you something to drink."

            The young woman's jaw fell, "No chocolate doughnuts?! What kind of place is this?"

            At that moment another young woman entered, this one wearing a slightly revealing blue top ending in gloves at her hands and black pants. Her hair was the most eye-catching feature- it was bright red, tied back and ending at the small of her back. She smiled brightly and placed a hand on her hip.

            "Lily, are you patronizing the poor man? I swear, you cause trouble wherever you go."

            The blond woman turned around and grinned from ear to ear, inviting the other woman over to the bar.

            As the two made small talk, Meryl and Milly took their eyes from the pair and looked at each other.

            "Do they remind you of anyone Milly?"

            "Yeah, they kind of do…but I can't place them. It must not be that important, oh well." She smiled and sipped at her tea happily until the door opened again. The cup clattered to the floor, shattering and spilling the contents.

            "Milly, what on earth is wrong with you?"

            Meryl failed to realize that her partner had turned as white as a bed sheet and was at that moment staring over her shoulder.

            "M-Mr. Priest…" Milly whispered, trembling visibly.

            "What?" The raven haired woman turned her head to follow the big girl's gaze and nearly knocked over her sundae in accordance.

            It was impossible. The man who had just walked in stood there casually, turning his blue eyes about the small scarcely populated saloon. He lifted his hand to put out the stub of a cigarette left before reaching into his breast pocket for another one. However, he stopped, arching an eyebrow toward the two women at the bar- those he had run into just moments before.

            "It can't be…there's no way," Meryl stared in disbelief, slack-jawed.

            The blue eyed gazed then turned upon the insurance girls, and an unsure grin crossed his lips as he saw them. It was so nice to see them again…

            "Mr. Priest…" Milly repeated, a little louder, more confident of who it was but completely confused as to how it came to be. Nicholas D. Wolfwood was supposed to be dead.

            "Ha-ha, well hey girls, long time no see."

  **Author's Note** Yes, again. I'm up for ideas on how Wolfwood can explain his return. I've only had a couple of ideas, but I knew I wanted him back in the story coz I hated that he died in the first place.  Also, I'm aware that the Gung-ho Guns all have died, but for the story's sake, I've brought back Midvalley (though I'm wondering if somehow miraculously Legato should have returned instead. Oh well).  I just want to say that if anyone thinks the story is getting too Mary Sue like, as you can see from the above- I don't put in new characters unless I have a reason for them to be there. I looked up the definition of a Mary Sue (or Marty Stu) in a fan-fiction, and what it says is that it is a character displayed as more perfect than the characters of the original story. Well now- Artemis is far from perfect- nor is she here to steal the limelight away. I promise she has a purpose, and to DK- I simply am annoyed by the fact that you were not bothered by the presence of Gemini Mimic (who is a new character), yet you are by the presence of a FEMALE character. *sniffs*…