{Standard Header of DOOOOM!
Ok first off, I know this chapter is going to be hated, maybe even despised. and I figure there will be a healthy dose of loathing. I'm sorry. This story has been a necessity since the beginning of the tale. And anyone who read the last chapter already KNOWS what is going to happen in this chapter. Hell if you read any of the story you knew this was coming. Either way, send all hate/love mail or death threats to Chaotichappenings@yahoo.com, I will answer your complaint, I will thank you for your compliment, and I will throw 1 dozen starving crazed weasles onto your face if you have a death threat* other then that, Send suggestions if you want. I mean come on, I'm not writing just to write.... (ok yes I am) but I'd still love some feedback ( and not the crappy kind you get when you put the microphone to close to the speaker).... ok I'm done, enjoy and remember Chapter 10, it can't get any worse.....Right?
End Header of DOOOOM}
-----Chapter 9, Vows-----
The night is long and cold. No sound comes from outside. It is if the world has died. The stillness outside is almost unbroken. Only one person is out in this night. And in the pale moonlight, his red coat looks almost black. This cold is not the friendly nip-your-nose cold that causes couples to snuggle up together on a cold night. No, this is the chilled-to-the-bones freezing-your-ass-off cold, and Vash was feeling it, but only as an afterthought. His mind was on other things then being cold. His mind wanders to what is set to happen today. Today, in a scant 8 hours, he will be letting another person into his life. Looking to the stars he weeps. Tears that are a mixture of sorrow, and joy. Sorrow that he never had the chance to share this sort of event with the first woman he ever loved. Sorrow that Rem could not be here. Joy that soon his centuries old Broken heart can finally start to mend itself, that he will, for at least a short while know peace. In the distance a star falls, and vash makes a wish.
-----Elsewhere-----
In her bed Gina stares up at the ceiling. She wanders if Vash is as nervous as she is. She has never been this close to anyone. She has never let down the shell she created. Now that she has, she is scared, but not in a bad way. True her heart races, and her palms are sweaty, but this fear is not terror. No, it is more akin to anticipation. She is glad that someone will be with her, that someone is able to see her for the woman she is, as opposed to the tough bounty hunter she portrays. She shivers, and pulls the blankets around herself tighter. Outside the window, she sees a star fall, and makes a wish.
-----The next Morning-----
Vash stands in front of a mirror, desperately trying to adjust his bow tie. For this day, he has forgone his regular red trenchcoat and spiky hair. After weeks Of recovery, his hait has grown long, and rests now on his shoulders, which are now covered in a black tuxedo jacket. The jacket, and everything else fits fine, however, for the life of him, he can not get the bow tie to work. In frustration he throws the twisted fabric to the ground, right at the feet of one Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Ex-Gung-ho Gun and Priest Extraordinaire, who promptly picks it up, and advances towards his good friend. Wolfwood is dressed in classic priest attire, black clothes and a goofy white collar.
Wolfwood: "Vash, what's the problem?"
Vash: "I can't get the stupid thing to go on right! It must be defective. {whiny voiced} Do I have to wear one? I'm already wearing the tuxedo... I don't need a tie, right?"
Vash smiles nervously, as he watches Wolfwood advance. The look on Wolfwood's face is a mixture of bafflement, and anger. He holds the crumpled tie in his shaking fist. He tosses it at the gunslinger. Vash catches it and holds it in front of himself like a diseased rag.
Wolfwood: "Vash, it's not that hard to put on..... It's a CLIP-ON for crying out loud. An animal could put one of these on. A drunk, blind animal for that matter. All you do is wrap it around your neck, and clip it."
Vash smiles, and scratches his head.
Vash: "Oh....heh heh heh. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little nervous."
Wolfwood: "Well, shape up. At this rate the ceremony will never end... and the sooner I can get rid of this stupid collar, the better."
Vash lets out a heavy sigh, and clips on the offending apparel. Outside, the clock in the middle of town chime noon. Looking in the mirror one last time, he straightens the tie, and heads towards the door. It seems that he has spent his last day of idly ogling pretty women. From now on, there is only one pretty lady in his life.
-----In another room-----
Gina sits in her dressing room. She got up extra early this morning to try on her dress, and it fit, a little too well. For this occasion she had chosen a low-cut strapless gown. However, it was a little tight showing off a more then generous portion of cleavage, and accentuating her waist and hips a little more then she would have liked. She thought to herself though, looking like this, Vash won't be able to get his jaw off the floor long enough to complete the ceremony. She ran her white-gloved hands through her hair. Her nerves are deffinately getting to her. just when she thought her nerves would best her, a calming influence enters the room.
Millie :" Miss Gina, how are you today?"
Gina: "Oh. Hello Millie I'm fine....just a little nervous, and you?"
Millie: " Oh no, I'm not nervous."
Gina: {Groaning} "No, Millie, I mean, How are you?"
Millie: "I'm fine, thank you for asking."
Gina: "I want to thank you again for paying for this, you didn't have to."
Millie: " But you and Mr. Vash are like Family. And My mom always told me to do whatever I can for my family. Since I had all that money, I decided to give it to my family..."
Gina wipes a tear away from her eye, even as she stifles a laugh, the sight before her is one of such comedic brilliance it borders on the absurd. This enormous hulk of a woman that is Millie Thompson, in the frilliest pink dress she had ever seen.
Gina: "Millie, Where did you find that dress?"
Millie: "Oh, do you like it Miss Gina? I had it made for today, isn't it something?"
Gina: "It is something alright."
Outside the clock chimes noon. Slowly Gina stands and smooths out the wrinkles in her dress, and pulls up her dress a little, to keep her on the legal side of decency, just barely. She steps toward the door, and prepares to face destiny.
-----Not long afterward in the church-----
Wolfwood stands at the front of the church, on a slightly raised platform, overlooking all the guests at the wedding, many of whom were just townspeople, that wanted to see a wedding, but mingled into the mess are some familiar faces.Vash stands in front of him and slightly below, also overlooking the sea of peopleAnd smiling at all the onlookers. After what seems like several lifetimes the dusty organ in the back springs to life with an upbeat tune, and Millie busts throught the door at the middle of the center aisle at breakneck speed.
Millie: "Sorry I'm late!"
The crowd turns toward her, and shushes her with vehemence. Somewhat sheepishly, she takes a seat near the front of the church. Just as she takes her seat, Gina Parts the doors, and walks down the aisle with great aplomb. Slow deliberate steps, timed to the beats of the song the organ player is playing, carry her slowly and surely towards fate, and the man of her dreams.
Vash watches, as his bride to be makes her way toward him. His heart races, as he imagines spending the rest of her life together. At least for a while he can know happiness, and for that he shall be eternally greatful.
Finally Gina joins Vash at the front of the church. The look deep into each others eyes, clasp hands and turn to look up at Wolfwood.
Wolfwood: "Friends. Today we have come together to join these two together in the most holy of unions. Today, Vash and Gina shall cease to be, they shall become one heart, one mind. Vash, Gina, are you truly prepared to embark on this quest to unity?"
Gina & Vash: "We are."
Wolfwood: "Then we shall begin. {gesturing towards the crowded church} With all of you as witnesses, we shall bless this union. (long pause) There are scant few times in a mans life that he is able to officiate over the marriage of one of his best friends, and today I get that honor. I would like to thank you both for allowing me to conduct this ceremony."
Taking a deep breath, Wolfwood looks down at the couple before him. He scans the crowd one more time before continuing.
Wolfwood: "It it has been said for many years, that for every person, there is one perfect match, a soul mate. This idea has been present for generations, and the finding of that soul mate is what weddings are to celebrate. A wedding is nothing more, then repairing a rift in a single soul, a soul that resides in two bodies. It is the extinguishing of two flames, and the lighting of one. In a tradition as old as our people, I present these two children of god before you the congregation, as their union is blessed by the heavens above. (pause) Now, if the Vash and Gina would please produce the rings."
Vash and gina both produce small golden rings, and hold them in their right palm, presenting the rings to Wolfwood. Wolfwood places one hand on each ring and looks up towards the sky.
Wolfwood. "Oh Lord, today your children present you with these rings as earthly symbols of their unending love. May you bless these rings with your own perfect love. Your children stand before you and all their friends today, to pronounce their love. May you bless this union with your grace."
Everyone bows their head, as they each silently say their own blessings for the union.
Wolfwood: "Now, before the exchanging of the rings, are there any objections, anyone with any reason why these two should not be joined, speak now."
The congregation remains silent, everyone looking to the person next to them, seeing if that person might be the one toend this joyous occasion. No one speaks.
Wolfwood: "Then if there are no objections, Vash please recite your....."
Suddenly from the rear of the church the doors explode inward in a shower of massive splinters. A cloud of smoke rumbles through the church, and the crys of pain ring out from the injured guests. Vash shields his eyes, and reaches for the gun that he almost always carries with him only to find no holster, Gina does the same thing, also finding no holsters. Both are essentially unarmed, and left to watch the smoke clear, as a dark figure makes its way through the cloud. Further dissipation of the cloud, and the shape resolves itself into a human form, and a face is discernable.
Vash: "Meryl?"
Meryl Stryfe stands dressed in an uncharacteristically dark jacket, holding a somehwat modified version of Millie's stun gun. Pointing the gun at Vash, and adjusting for any movement that may come from the trio, she advances.
Meryl: "I object."
Wolfwood: "You can't object, you're dead!..... and I should know... I've been dead myself."
A warning shot goes off, taking out the rafters over Wolfwoods head, showering Wolfwood, Vash, and Gina in chunks of wood, and roofing shingles.
Wolfwood: "Ok. Objection has been noted, any OTHER objections?"
Vash lunges forward to tackle the intruder, only to be caught in the left shoulder with a shot from a stun gun. Thrown back, Vash looks up at the source of the attack, only to see Millie with a large frown on her face, and her stun gun leveled on him.
Millie: "Don't hurt Miss Meryl!"
Meryl smirks, and lowers her own stun gun, preparing to fire it. In desperation Vash plays his one trump card, releasing the locking mechanism on his right hand, and focusing a quick machine gun blast at Meryl's stun gun. The power source of the gun, explodes in Meryl's hands effectively amputating nine of her 10 digits. A scream of primal rage escapes from the lips of Meryl strife, even as her features melt. Some of the members of the church who did not flee after the initial assault now screamed, or retched. Millie just stares dumbfounded. The features dissolve and reform into those of a man of indeterminate age. It is none other then Umbra the Shadow, one of Haryusa's henchmen.
Umbra: "Damn you Vash, Master Haryusa will be most displeased."
At the mention of Haryusa's name the remainder of the crowd rushs out, trampling the weak and wounded in the process. As the crowd bolts, Umbra works to regrow his fingers. Using his newly regrown fingers, he grabs his revolver, and shoosts out Millie's arm, effectively disabling any attach from the rear.
Vash: " Hey priest, continue the ceremony, don't let this hold it up."
Wolfwood: (clears throat)"Ahem. Vash, would you please recite your vows."
Umbra fires off another shot, which slams into Vash's right leg, which erupts into a volcano of blood.
Vash: "Gina Trent. From the moment I laid eyes on you...."
He pulls back his fist, and slams it into Umbra's stomach. Umbra rises from the assault with a swift uppercut to Vash's jaw. A quick kick then sends Umbra into the front row of the church.
Vash: "... I knew that you were the one."
Umbra launches himself from his crouching position, catching Vash squarely in the gut, and knocking him back into the altar. Vash retaliates with twin elbows to Umbra's back.
Vash: "You were my love...."
Vash stands, and kicks Umbra onto his back, Umbra promptly grabs Vash's leg and pulls Vash off of his feet, Vash safely falls into a roll, coming quickly to his feet. Turning to face his adversary, he throws Umbra to the floor and kicks him in the ribs.
Vash: "...and my life."
Umbra sweeps Vash's legs out, and Vash falls to the ground with a loud crash. Struggling to get back up, Vash is too late to block Umbra's kick to his face, which knocks him out on his back once more. Umbra once more aims his gun, this time at Vash's face, only to be struck from behind by Millie's stun gun. Millie gives Vash a thumbs up, and once more falls back in pain. The shot fires horrible off course and strikes A hole through the skirt of Gina's dress. A look that is a mixture of horror, and blood rage crosses Gina's face, even as Vash continues.
Vash: "You are my reason for being...."
Taking off at a run, Gina jumps on top of the dazed Umbra and begins to pummel him in the face mercilessly. Her hands sink into the malleable surface of Umbra's flesh, but still do visible damage.
Vash: "....and for that reason, I ask you to be my wife."
Grabbing Gina's left hand Vash places the ring on her ring finger, and then allows her to continue pummeling her victim.
Wolfwood: "Gina, would you please recite your vows."
Gina: "What Vash said."
She tosses Vash his ring, he places it on his right hand. Gina continues her pummeling. There is no longer anything human to Umbra's face, just a bloody tangled mess.
Gina: "There you go Vash"
Wolfwood: " Ok then. With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Gina and Vash steal a quick kiss, and then the pummeling resumes.
Gina: "You ruined my wedding. You ruined my dress, and you tried to kill my husband. You son of a bitch! I'm gonna fuck you up so bad yer mother is gonna need help to identify your damned corpse."
Vash and Wolfwood sit back and watch the spectacle, greatly amused at the violent reaction Gina had towards the intruder.
Vash: "That's my wife! Now please remind me to never forget our anniversary."
-----Not long afterwards-----
After Gina had taken out her anger, the trio go forward to tend to Millie's wound, which turns out to be only minor. Visibly limping they make their way to the exit, stepping over the pile of rubble that was the door, they step out into sunlight, and see the crowd hiding in alley's and various buildings accross the street. When the foursome come into view, a great cheer arises from the town.Vash and Gina descend the steps, hand in hand, while Millie stands back with her beau. Wolfwood, meanwhile stares out at the crowd, then down at Vash and Gina.
Wolfwood: "May I present the new Mr. and Mrs. Vash....er.....uh..... what is your last name anyway Vash?"
Vash turns around and looks up at Wolfwood, a mildly perplexed look on his face.
Vash: "Actually I don't have one."
Wolfwood scratches his head, puzzled. Suddenly he is struck by inspiration.
Wolfwood: "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Vash Stampede."
-----END CHAPTER 9-----
*offer of weasles void where prohibited by law and good taste. No actual weasles shall be harmed.. Instead I will use Dryer Lint** , Evil Dryer Lint!
**No dryer lint, evil or otherwise, will be harmed either.
Ok first off, I know this chapter is going to be hated, maybe even despised. and I figure there will be a healthy dose of loathing. I'm sorry. This story has been a necessity since the beginning of the tale. And anyone who read the last chapter already KNOWS what is going to happen in this chapter. Hell if you read any of the story you knew this was coming. Either way, send all hate/love mail or death threats to Chaotichappenings@yahoo.com, I will answer your complaint, I will thank you for your compliment, and I will throw 1 dozen starving crazed weasles onto your face if you have a death threat* other then that, Send suggestions if you want. I mean come on, I'm not writing just to write.... (ok yes I am) but I'd still love some feedback ( and not the crappy kind you get when you put the microphone to close to the speaker).... ok I'm done, enjoy and remember Chapter 10, it can't get any worse.....Right?
End Header of DOOOOM}
-----Chapter 9, Vows-----
The night is long and cold. No sound comes from outside. It is if the world has died. The stillness outside is almost unbroken. Only one person is out in this night. And in the pale moonlight, his red coat looks almost black. This cold is not the friendly nip-your-nose cold that causes couples to snuggle up together on a cold night. No, this is the chilled-to-the-bones freezing-your-ass-off cold, and Vash was feeling it, but only as an afterthought. His mind was on other things then being cold. His mind wanders to what is set to happen today. Today, in a scant 8 hours, he will be letting another person into his life. Looking to the stars he weeps. Tears that are a mixture of sorrow, and joy. Sorrow that he never had the chance to share this sort of event with the first woman he ever loved. Sorrow that Rem could not be here. Joy that soon his centuries old Broken heart can finally start to mend itself, that he will, for at least a short while know peace. In the distance a star falls, and vash makes a wish.
-----Elsewhere-----
In her bed Gina stares up at the ceiling. She wanders if Vash is as nervous as she is. She has never been this close to anyone. She has never let down the shell she created. Now that she has, she is scared, but not in a bad way. True her heart races, and her palms are sweaty, but this fear is not terror. No, it is more akin to anticipation. She is glad that someone will be with her, that someone is able to see her for the woman she is, as opposed to the tough bounty hunter she portrays. She shivers, and pulls the blankets around herself tighter. Outside the window, she sees a star fall, and makes a wish.
-----The next Morning-----
Vash stands in front of a mirror, desperately trying to adjust his bow tie. For this day, he has forgone his regular red trenchcoat and spiky hair. After weeks Of recovery, his hait has grown long, and rests now on his shoulders, which are now covered in a black tuxedo jacket. The jacket, and everything else fits fine, however, for the life of him, he can not get the bow tie to work. In frustration he throws the twisted fabric to the ground, right at the feet of one Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Ex-Gung-ho Gun and Priest Extraordinaire, who promptly picks it up, and advances towards his good friend. Wolfwood is dressed in classic priest attire, black clothes and a goofy white collar.
Wolfwood: "Vash, what's the problem?"
Vash: "I can't get the stupid thing to go on right! It must be defective. {whiny voiced} Do I have to wear one? I'm already wearing the tuxedo... I don't need a tie, right?"
Vash smiles nervously, as he watches Wolfwood advance. The look on Wolfwood's face is a mixture of bafflement, and anger. He holds the crumpled tie in his shaking fist. He tosses it at the gunslinger. Vash catches it and holds it in front of himself like a diseased rag.
Wolfwood: "Vash, it's not that hard to put on..... It's a CLIP-ON for crying out loud. An animal could put one of these on. A drunk, blind animal for that matter. All you do is wrap it around your neck, and clip it."
Vash smiles, and scratches his head.
Vash: "Oh....heh heh heh. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little nervous."
Wolfwood: "Well, shape up. At this rate the ceremony will never end... and the sooner I can get rid of this stupid collar, the better."
Vash lets out a heavy sigh, and clips on the offending apparel. Outside, the clock in the middle of town chime noon. Looking in the mirror one last time, he straightens the tie, and heads towards the door. It seems that he has spent his last day of idly ogling pretty women. From now on, there is only one pretty lady in his life.
-----In another room-----
Gina sits in her dressing room. She got up extra early this morning to try on her dress, and it fit, a little too well. For this occasion she had chosen a low-cut strapless gown. However, it was a little tight showing off a more then generous portion of cleavage, and accentuating her waist and hips a little more then she would have liked. She thought to herself though, looking like this, Vash won't be able to get his jaw off the floor long enough to complete the ceremony. She ran her white-gloved hands through her hair. Her nerves are deffinately getting to her. just when she thought her nerves would best her, a calming influence enters the room.
Millie :" Miss Gina, how are you today?"
Gina: "Oh. Hello Millie I'm fine....just a little nervous, and you?"
Millie: " Oh no, I'm not nervous."
Gina: {Groaning} "No, Millie, I mean, How are you?"
Millie: "I'm fine, thank you for asking."
Gina: "I want to thank you again for paying for this, you didn't have to."
Millie: " But you and Mr. Vash are like Family. And My mom always told me to do whatever I can for my family. Since I had all that money, I decided to give it to my family..."
Gina wipes a tear away from her eye, even as she stifles a laugh, the sight before her is one of such comedic brilliance it borders on the absurd. This enormous hulk of a woman that is Millie Thompson, in the frilliest pink dress she had ever seen.
Gina: "Millie, Where did you find that dress?"
Millie: "Oh, do you like it Miss Gina? I had it made for today, isn't it something?"
Gina: "It is something alright."
Outside the clock chimes noon. Slowly Gina stands and smooths out the wrinkles in her dress, and pulls up her dress a little, to keep her on the legal side of decency, just barely. She steps toward the door, and prepares to face destiny.
-----Not long afterward in the church-----
Wolfwood stands at the front of the church, on a slightly raised platform, overlooking all the guests at the wedding, many of whom were just townspeople, that wanted to see a wedding, but mingled into the mess are some familiar faces.Vash stands in front of him and slightly below, also overlooking the sea of peopleAnd smiling at all the onlookers. After what seems like several lifetimes the dusty organ in the back springs to life with an upbeat tune, and Millie busts throught the door at the middle of the center aisle at breakneck speed.
Millie: "Sorry I'm late!"
The crowd turns toward her, and shushes her with vehemence. Somewhat sheepishly, she takes a seat near the front of the church. Just as she takes her seat, Gina Parts the doors, and walks down the aisle with great aplomb. Slow deliberate steps, timed to the beats of the song the organ player is playing, carry her slowly and surely towards fate, and the man of her dreams.
Vash watches, as his bride to be makes her way toward him. His heart races, as he imagines spending the rest of her life together. At least for a while he can know happiness, and for that he shall be eternally greatful.
Finally Gina joins Vash at the front of the church. The look deep into each others eyes, clasp hands and turn to look up at Wolfwood.
Wolfwood: "Friends. Today we have come together to join these two together in the most holy of unions. Today, Vash and Gina shall cease to be, they shall become one heart, one mind. Vash, Gina, are you truly prepared to embark on this quest to unity?"
Gina & Vash: "We are."
Wolfwood: "Then we shall begin. {gesturing towards the crowded church} With all of you as witnesses, we shall bless this union. (long pause) There are scant few times in a mans life that he is able to officiate over the marriage of one of his best friends, and today I get that honor. I would like to thank you both for allowing me to conduct this ceremony."
Taking a deep breath, Wolfwood looks down at the couple before him. He scans the crowd one more time before continuing.
Wolfwood: "It it has been said for many years, that for every person, there is one perfect match, a soul mate. This idea has been present for generations, and the finding of that soul mate is what weddings are to celebrate. A wedding is nothing more, then repairing a rift in a single soul, a soul that resides in two bodies. It is the extinguishing of two flames, and the lighting of one. In a tradition as old as our people, I present these two children of god before you the congregation, as their union is blessed by the heavens above. (pause) Now, if the Vash and Gina would please produce the rings."
Vash and gina both produce small golden rings, and hold them in their right palm, presenting the rings to Wolfwood. Wolfwood places one hand on each ring and looks up towards the sky.
Wolfwood. "Oh Lord, today your children present you with these rings as earthly symbols of their unending love. May you bless these rings with your own perfect love. Your children stand before you and all their friends today, to pronounce their love. May you bless this union with your grace."
Everyone bows their head, as they each silently say their own blessings for the union.
Wolfwood: "Now, before the exchanging of the rings, are there any objections, anyone with any reason why these two should not be joined, speak now."
The congregation remains silent, everyone looking to the person next to them, seeing if that person might be the one toend this joyous occasion. No one speaks.
Wolfwood: "Then if there are no objections, Vash please recite your....."
Suddenly from the rear of the church the doors explode inward in a shower of massive splinters. A cloud of smoke rumbles through the church, and the crys of pain ring out from the injured guests. Vash shields his eyes, and reaches for the gun that he almost always carries with him only to find no holster, Gina does the same thing, also finding no holsters. Both are essentially unarmed, and left to watch the smoke clear, as a dark figure makes its way through the cloud. Further dissipation of the cloud, and the shape resolves itself into a human form, and a face is discernable.
Vash: "Meryl?"
Meryl Stryfe stands dressed in an uncharacteristically dark jacket, holding a somehwat modified version of Millie's stun gun. Pointing the gun at Vash, and adjusting for any movement that may come from the trio, she advances.
Meryl: "I object."
Wolfwood: "You can't object, you're dead!..... and I should know... I've been dead myself."
A warning shot goes off, taking out the rafters over Wolfwoods head, showering Wolfwood, Vash, and Gina in chunks of wood, and roofing shingles.
Wolfwood: "Ok. Objection has been noted, any OTHER objections?"
Vash lunges forward to tackle the intruder, only to be caught in the left shoulder with a shot from a stun gun. Thrown back, Vash looks up at the source of the attack, only to see Millie with a large frown on her face, and her stun gun leveled on him.
Millie: "Don't hurt Miss Meryl!"
Meryl smirks, and lowers her own stun gun, preparing to fire it. In desperation Vash plays his one trump card, releasing the locking mechanism on his right hand, and focusing a quick machine gun blast at Meryl's stun gun. The power source of the gun, explodes in Meryl's hands effectively amputating nine of her 10 digits. A scream of primal rage escapes from the lips of Meryl strife, even as her features melt. Some of the members of the church who did not flee after the initial assault now screamed, or retched. Millie just stares dumbfounded. The features dissolve and reform into those of a man of indeterminate age. It is none other then Umbra the Shadow, one of Haryusa's henchmen.
Umbra: "Damn you Vash, Master Haryusa will be most displeased."
At the mention of Haryusa's name the remainder of the crowd rushs out, trampling the weak and wounded in the process. As the crowd bolts, Umbra works to regrow his fingers. Using his newly regrown fingers, he grabs his revolver, and shoosts out Millie's arm, effectively disabling any attach from the rear.
Vash: " Hey priest, continue the ceremony, don't let this hold it up."
Wolfwood: (clears throat)"Ahem. Vash, would you please recite your vows."
Umbra fires off another shot, which slams into Vash's right leg, which erupts into a volcano of blood.
Vash: "Gina Trent. From the moment I laid eyes on you...."
He pulls back his fist, and slams it into Umbra's stomach. Umbra rises from the assault with a swift uppercut to Vash's jaw. A quick kick then sends Umbra into the front row of the church.
Vash: "... I knew that you were the one."
Umbra launches himself from his crouching position, catching Vash squarely in the gut, and knocking him back into the altar. Vash retaliates with twin elbows to Umbra's back.
Vash: "You were my love...."
Vash stands, and kicks Umbra onto his back, Umbra promptly grabs Vash's leg and pulls Vash off of his feet, Vash safely falls into a roll, coming quickly to his feet. Turning to face his adversary, he throws Umbra to the floor and kicks him in the ribs.
Vash: "...and my life."
Umbra sweeps Vash's legs out, and Vash falls to the ground with a loud crash. Struggling to get back up, Vash is too late to block Umbra's kick to his face, which knocks him out on his back once more. Umbra once more aims his gun, this time at Vash's face, only to be struck from behind by Millie's stun gun. Millie gives Vash a thumbs up, and once more falls back in pain. The shot fires horrible off course and strikes A hole through the skirt of Gina's dress. A look that is a mixture of horror, and blood rage crosses Gina's face, even as Vash continues.
Vash: "You are my reason for being...."
Taking off at a run, Gina jumps on top of the dazed Umbra and begins to pummel him in the face mercilessly. Her hands sink into the malleable surface of Umbra's flesh, but still do visible damage.
Vash: "....and for that reason, I ask you to be my wife."
Grabbing Gina's left hand Vash places the ring on her ring finger, and then allows her to continue pummeling her victim.
Wolfwood: "Gina, would you please recite your vows."
Gina: "What Vash said."
She tosses Vash his ring, he places it on his right hand. Gina continues her pummeling. There is no longer anything human to Umbra's face, just a bloody tangled mess.
Gina: "There you go Vash"
Wolfwood: " Ok then. With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Gina and Vash steal a quick kiss, and then the pummeling resumes.
Gina: "You ruined my wedding. You ruined my dress, and you tried to kill my husband. You son of a bitch! I'm gonna fuck you up so bad yer mother is gonna need help to identify your damned corpse."
Vash and Wolfwood sit back and watch the spectacle, greatly amused at the violent reaction Gina had towards the intruder.
Vash: "That's my wife! Now please remind me to never forget our anniversary."
-----Not long afterwards-----
After Gina had taken out her anger, the trio go forward to tend to Millie's wound, which turns out to be only minor. Visibly limping they make their way to the exit, stepping over the pile of rubble that was the door, they step out into sunlight, and see the crowd hiding in alley's and various buildings accross the street. When the foursome come into view, a great cheer arises from the town.Vash and Gina descend the steps, hand in hand, while Millie stands back with her beau. Wolfwood, meanwhile stares out at the crowd, then down at Vash and Gina.
Wolfwood: "May I present the new Mr. and Mrs. Vash....er.....uh..... what is your last name anyway Vash?"
Vash turns around and looks up at Wolfwood, a mildly perplexed look on his face.
Vash: "Actually I don't have one."
Wolfwood scratches his head, puzzled. Suddenly he is struck by inspiration.
Wolfwood: "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Vash Stampede."
-----END CHAPTER 9-----
*offer of weasles void where prohibited by law and good taste. No actual weasles shall be harmed.. Instead I will use Dryer Lint** , Evil Dryer Lint!
**No dryer lint, evil or otherwise, will be harmed either.