**Author's Note** Wow! All good reviews for the last chapter, I'm so happy! Well, I can only hope that they continue, so just please be patient whenever you see someone new or something seems strange because as I said, nothing is done without purpose. Everything will eventually be explained…

Donkey Kong- I'm glad you saw it my way, only because you hadn't given me the chance to have Wolfwood's reappearance be explained. Oh and…Wolfwood apologizes for being so…scary.

*Wolfwood* "Huh? I do? You're putting words in my mouth! I never said-"

Hush Wolfwood, go back to the story like a good revived priest…

ShinyFairyLights- Thank you! *hugs* I didn't think Artemis was a Mary Sue either…and I hope people see that Lily isn't a Mary Sue either- she'll be having a place in the story as well. I think Midvalley will be the only one of the Gung-ho Guns to return, only his resurrection as well as Wolfwood's will be explained the same way…heh…enjoy. ^_^

Gayle- I meant to respond before, sorry. ^_^ I'm glad you're enjoying the story- I hope you stick around for the whole thing J

Disclaimers: I do not own Trigun or any of the characters nor am I affiliated with them in any way.

Claims: I DO own Artemis Fawn (aka Arrow Goddess), Lily (she's co-owned…hush up Lily :P), Gemini Mimic, and any other new character that might be added later.

~Under the Sky so Blue: Aftermath~

Part Twelve

            "Mr. Wolfwood, it's you? It really is you?" Meryl Stryfe blinked with utter disbelief as her partner gaped in silent awe. Nothing more had left the big girl's lips, and the petite insurance girl had hardly blinked in the last few minutes.

            The priest shuffled his feet on the ground and nodded once, a sheepish smile on his face. Man was this weird or what? He had a lot to explain, a lot to tell…well maybe it wasn't really a long story, but it wasn't hard to see why they thought his being there was inconceivable. He waved a hand then gestured toward the bar.

            "Give me just a moment ladies and I'll be right back," he turned and moved to the bar, feeling their dubious gazes on his back. Hey, if he were in their place his eyes would've bugged out of his head by now, at least twice, but he needed a drink before getting into any details.

            Wolfwood came up beside the two women he'd met on the street going to the saloon and asked for a beer, placing down some double dollars on the counter. As he did, the black cat seemingly snoozing there batted the back of his hand, scratching it with a sleepy meow, then got up and walked away.

            "Ow! Damn cat- I mean, aren't God's creatures great?" He quickly changed his tune as both women eyed him after his brief outburst.

            "Yeah…right," they both replied in unison before going back to their conversation. Between them both there was about four bottles of liquor, drained.

            Snorting, Wolfwood thought about Vash for a second- that needle-noggin couldn't hold his liquor if his life depended on it.  Nah, he'd figure his way out of that mess too.  Somehow, Vash found a way out of everything…the man was simply amazing, which made up for being hare-brained most of the time.

            Taking his beer, the priest returned to the table where the insurance girls sat, pulling up a seat for him self. Milly and Meryl gawked as he gulped down the liquor then slammed the bottle down with a sigh of satisfaction.

            "Well, I'm guessing I've got a story to tell you- but before I begin, where's that needle-noggin? Is he around? Of course he is, you two are always following him, so he must be here- what's with the faces? You look like someone's died." He stopped with an arched eyebrow then leaned across the table, "Other than me, I mean! He is okay, isn't he? He came out of that fight with Knives alive, right? I hope he destroyed that…aw, come on, and tell me!"

            Meryl drew a sharp breath seeing that Milly was still rendered speechless, and replied to the drill of questions thrown at them.

            "Vash is here, yes, and he is safe. As safe as any of us can be, that is."

            "Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Is he still causing trouble? Boy, he hasn't changed much." Wolfwood chuckled softly, glancing at Milly. He felt a faint smile cross his lips- he would deal what was going to be something of an awkward situation with her later.

            "What I mean is…"

            "…Meryl are you sure you should say anything? I mean, shouldn't Mr. Vash see him first before we say what happened?" Milly cut in softly, turning her still perplexed gaze to the raven haired woman.

            The big girl was right- it was something Vash should explain.  Besides, the insurance girls did an awful lot of explaining for him, it was probably time for the blond man to speak for his own actions for once.

            "Yeah, you're right Milly. Mr. Wolfwood, if you're willing to wait here I'll go and get Vash and bring him to meet you. Milly, come with me."

            The brunette girl stood up, clasping her hands in front of her, nodding, returning her gaze to Wolfwood. She was a little afraid to leave, only because she was afraid that when they returned, the priest would no longer be sitting there.  Regardless of her feelings, Milly knew why she had to go with Meryl- Knives couldn't be left alone, after all. 

            "It takes both of you to drag him here? I was sure you were perfectly good at doing that alone, Meryl," Wolfwood smirked lightly.

            "She has to come with me for reasons I can't yet disclose to you, I'm sorry. You'll find out soon enough. We'll be back." Meryl replied and led her partner out of the saloon to go back to the motel, leaving Wolfwood with his beer, a new cigarette, and the two strange women at the bar.

            *                                                          *                                                          *

            Knives stared out of the window to the moons in the sky and smiled grimly. He knew Vash was just waiting for him to say something, and of course he was going to.

            "It looks like its very nice outside, dear brother, the moons are very bright. Why, you can even see the crater in the fifth moon so very clearly tonight. I must say, you did a wonderful job making your mark."

            The incredible calmness in his twin's voice irritated Vash, but not to the point where he would resort to doing something drastic like knocking him out again.  The spiky haired blond man simply kept his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, watching Knives and thinking. There was little change in the way Knives acted, yet nonetheless, there was still something about him that had given Vash some new hope.  Injured or not, Knives could have done a lot of damage, and yet he hadn't done so. Just thinking about it brought the tiniest of smiles to Vash's face.

            "I wouldn't have thought I'd find you smiling over it, Vash." The pale blond said without turning around. Of course Knives would know…he and Vash shared the same gift of some telepathy only Vash rarely used it. Leave it to the spiky haired guy to want to be as close to human as possible.

            "I have other reasons to smile. Knives…do you ever think you can learn to accept humans as equals?" Vash asked the question that had been on his mind for ages. "Do you think you could learn to live with them in peace?"

            "You should know the answer to that brother- humans are not equal to us, nor will they ever be. You shouldn't compare us to them…well, you've already stooped to living as one, but you shouldn't compare me to them. They will never be the same as us." Knives replied curtly, lifting his chin.

            Sighing, Vash pushed away from the wall and stared at his brother. Rem wanted what was best for them both, and while Vash would now live by his own words, he could not completely push away what she had taught him. He could remember the days when Knives looked up to her as much as Vash did, when they would always spend time together in the Rec. Room having picnic lunches and playing games, or simply walking around to talk. What on earth had happened? What could have happened to make Knives hate people that much? Could it have been Steve? That man never appreciated the twins being on board- in truth he was frightened of them and used his fear as anger against them both.

            "Not all people are like him," Vash murmured quietly to his brother.  Knives would know of whom he spoke. "There are good people out there, ones who work hard and try to live every day to the fullest. Nobody is perfect Knives, including you and I."

            Before the response could be made, which might've been very sharp indeed, the motel door swung open, hitting Vash in the back.  In that moment the blond man found himself sprawled on the floor and dizzy. He rubbed the back of his head with his left cybernetic arm and sat up with a goofy expression on his face as Meryl and Milly burst inside.

            "Gee, sorry about that Mr. Vash, I didn't know you were right by the door." Milly apologized, giving a smile to both he and Knives.

            "Don't worry, I'm sure the stars will go away soon," he groaned as he stood up. "Why did you come bursting in here like that anyway?"

            "It's…well…you need to come with me, Vash, I can't really explain it here." Meryl grabbed onto his sleeve. "Milly will stay here with Knives, come on."

            "I'll go with you, but Milly doesn't have to stay. I'm trusting that Knives won't try anything funny…" Vash glanced to his brother as he was being tugged out of the room.

            Hearing the words and ignoring Meryl's protests, Milly followed them and shut the door. In some odd way, Knives had actually felt something give way…his brother was displaying trust. It was probably very foolish, and yet, Knives would not run out and destroy everything and everyone as the little black haired human thought he might. He knew what it was that Meryl needed Vash for…or rather, he knew who it was. Knives felt it long ago but never said a word. He also felt the presence of another- someone he'd been hoping would show up. With a smirk, Knives turned his blue gaze back to the sky and waited for the inevitable.

***Dun, dun, dun! Well, what'd you think? There'll be another part up soon enough…^_^ Please, nice reviews. If you're going to critique, do it nicely thanks. J