CHAPTER 6: COMMANDING AND TORN
At first there was nothing. Then a soft haze began to spread out from the corners of his mind. Vash squinted his eyes and peered through the dim light. His foggy brain centered on a curved shape, which was moving towards him. It was a woman..
"R-Rem..."
The woman moved forward. Her face slid slowly into the light.
Eyes. Her eyes were so sad.
"Rem?" He leaned foreword anxiously, reaching out for her.
Suddenly, everything froze. Her couldn't move or speak. Rem set her large sad eyes on him once more before she threw her head back and let out a heart-wrenching scream. Vash watched in mute horror as her body burst into flame and she writhed and twisted in agony in front of him. He tried to shut his eyes, but found something forced him to watch. Rem's body jerked and cracked as her flesh and began to fall away bit by bit.
"No..." he chocked out at last, "NO!!" Suddenly his body was free and he fell forward into the ground. He crawled over to the charred form on the floor, shaking with shock and tears. He turned her over and looked at her face.
It wasn't Rem.
"M-Meryl..." Vash gasped, as his heart turned to ice.
Then everything went black, and he felt himself falling through space. At every angle he heard the screams and tortured cries of the woman in his arms reverberate back at him until he had to cover his own ears to block out the sound.
"Stop it, stop it, stop it, STOP!!!" He screamed over the horrible din.
The noise abruptly ceased and Vash slowly uncovered his ears, his eyes darting back and forth. In the back of his mind, he heard the quiet chuckling of a very familiar voice. The laughter began to build until it reached a hysterical pitch. Vash gritted his teeth and clenched his hands.
"Knives..." he hissed, "Why..."
The sky in the east was turning a cold pale color of gray as the dawn crept up over the dull sand dunes. A bitter wind bit into Meryl's face and hands as she clung to the reins of the Thomas in front of her. Knives sat behind her, as still as death. He didn't speak, but she could feel his presence and the weight of his body in the saddle behind her. The only sounds were his random hisses of pain when the thomas hit a dip or ridge. He still isn't close to being fully healed. Her tense body jerked with each step of the animal under her and her teeth chattered from both the cold and her fear.
How do I get myself into situations like this? She thought frantically. Damn it, what am I suppose to do, how I'm I going to survive this?
From out across the desolate sands, Meryl could almost hear Vash's voice calling out to her. Meryl...please...where are you...answer me! Was her mind playing tricks on her? Wishful thinking?
Meryl's brain instinctively sent out a mental cry of help, Vash... I'm here...Vash...help...I'm right here... There was a sudden pressure on her right shoulder as a hand clamped her from behind.
"Don't." Knives' harsh voice warned her.
His hand stayed for a moment, firm on her shoulder and making her whole arm hot. Meryl couldn't help but shiver from his touch before he released her. As her shock wore off, she was becoming hypersensitive to every bump and brush of his body. But even though she knew she should be terrified, Knives' simple action made her feel more angry than scared, like the time she had stood in front of the crazy mob who had wanted to kill Vash. Meryl felt her temper flare. She wanted to turn around and give Knives a big piece of her mind. How dare he treat her like this, after all she had tried to do for him and for Vash? She'd show him who he was dealing with, that freaking loony psychopath.
But then Meryl's brain did a flashback and her rational side kicked in. She may be fiery, but she wasn't stupid.
The three members of the Locos Gang had stood there, shotguns aimed and ready. The large man with the moustache had cut the lights and she had aimed her derringers and prayed. Then she felt a hand clamp over her wrist and she gasped when she saw Knives sitting up in bed looking at her with fire in his eyes.
Her pistols fell to the floor and everything became slow motion.
The gang fired their guns. Meryl shut her eyes and waited for the bullets to rip through her body.
But nothing came. More fire. She opened her eyes. Knives still held her wrist in an iron grasp, but his other hand was stretched out towards the three men. They were all pointing their guns at each other. Meryl saw the terror in their eyes as they cried out to their companions to stop. Knives squeezed her wrist painfully tight as the men opened fire, gunning each other down at close range. The blood exploded in the room as bullets pounded into walls, doors, and flesh.
After that, Meryl was in a daze. Knives had gathered some bags from underneath his bed and then gone downstairs, dragging her along with him. One of the men groaned as they passed by and Meryl knew he was still alive, but she couldn't help him. Knives gave her a few simple orders.
"Get the thomas from the stable and the canteens from the shed. I know you wouldn't do anything stupid."
Meryl complied, finding the thomas already saddled and packed, and the canteens already brimming with water. What's going on? She thought in a stupor, What am I doing?
She led the thomas over to where Knives was looking out towards the town.
"Get on." He rasped gruffly. Meryl did as he said, somehow unable to resist, she climbed up to the back seat.
"In front." Knives commanded sternly.
"I..." she choked, finding her voice, "I don't know where you want to go."
"The beast knows." He growled. "Move."
Meryl obeyed mutely while Knives climbed up behind her. She heard him suck in his breath and grunt with pain as he pulled himself up and was about to look when she felt Knives' hand on the back of her head. Her mind froze with fear for an instant.
"Keep your eyes that way," he whispered through clenched teeth, "if you want to live."
Meryl forced her eyes towards the black horizon as the thomas began its speedy canter.
Neither of them looked back.
Vash's eyes flew open as his lungs sucked in the hot dusty air. Around him were piles of wood, ash and plaster debris. He tried to move but found he couldn't. His arms and legs were pinned. Then he remembered, the feeling, running back to the house, finding the bodies, no Meryl, no Knives...then the explosion. His mind raced with one thought.
Knives. Knives had done this. And he had Meryl.
Something shifted above him and light arched down on him from above.
"Mr. Vash? Are you down there?" Milly's voice called from above.
"Yeah!" Vash grunted, "But I'm pinned!"
"Hold still, Needle Noggin," Wolfwood's voice yelled down at him. "Do it, Big Girl."
There were two loud thumps as Milly fired her stun gun, knocking the heavy beams from Vash's arms and legs. He jumped up immediately and climbed up the timbers to the open hole of light, where Nicholas reached out and gave him a hand up. Vash took in what was left of their house. The second floor had been pretty much blasted away from the explosion, and the first floor was filled with debris and rubble. Luckily, all three companions seemed unscathed save a few minor cuts and bruises.
"Thanks for back there, buddy, I really owe you one," Wolfwood clapped Vash on the back as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket.
"Yes, Mr. Vash, if you hadn't knocked both of us out the way of that blast we would have been goners for sure." Milly added brightly, snatching the cigarette out of Wolfwood's mouth just as he proceeded to light it up.
"This is no time for congratulations." Vash said flatly. "They're both gone. We've got to go after them. They haven't' had much time to get very far, so we've got to get moving right now."
"Hold it, Vash," Wolfwood grabbed him by the arm as he passed by, "I don't get it. Knives was out cold, dead to the world. How could he have walked out of here in his condition, much less done any of this? How do we know someone else didn't snatch both Meryl and Knives?"
"I know." Vash said coldly. "Knives did this. I can sense it. Back there, those men. He...he enjoyed it...and Meryl..." he swallowed hard, "Meryl...she's...still alive, I know she's still alive! So, we've gotta move, now!"
The three of them picked their way down through the rubble, gathering some supplies together as they went. When they had everything together they scanned the darkened landscape, trying to locate the direction Knives and Meryl had gone.
Please, Vash tried to reach out to her mentally as he had done earlier that evening, Please be alright...Meryl...please...please hear me...Meryl...answer me...Meryl...I...I need you.
"I found something," Milly yelled, pointing to a scrap of white clothing that had been caught on a jutting rock just south of the house. Vash sprinted over to her.
"One of the thomases is missing," Wolfwood panted.
"Oh, and several canteens were missing from the shed," Milly added thoughtfully.
"Do you mean to say," Nicholas said in a shocked voice, "That this little escape was planned?"
Milly watched Vash sadly out of the corner of her eye, "It certainly seems that way."
"But...but how is that possible?" Wolfwood shouted, "Knives has been asleep this entire time How could he have planed anything?"
"Because, he wasn't asleep." Vash said in a harsh whisper. "Maybe I should have killed him when I had the chance." Milly and Wolfwood both looked at him with open mouths. Nicholas began to say something, but Vash's head suddenly snapped up, his eyes blazed with a fierce blue light as he yelled.
"WATCH OUT!!"
Several shots rang out from a large outcropping of rocks. Vash dove, taking Milly with him and firing three shots from his gun arm in the direction of the sound. Wolfwood grunted in pain and slumped over on his side as Milly screamed.
Up on the hillside, Sean rolled over on his back, smoke rose from his discharged pistol. He was covered in blood, from himself and Louis and Tony. His hand shock violently as he reloaded his weapon.
"D-damn ddemon of m-man," he stammered, "h-he has to d-die." No one could have done those things, the things he had seen, no human being could have done it. He must be the Diablo. He must die."
Sean raised himself up and pointed his gun at the three tiny forms in the distance. Ah, he already got one. Good, that will make it easier to get the others. He centered his aim on Vash the Stampede again. This time he wouldn't miss.
Stop.
A deep harsh voice echoed in his head. Sean shook himself to clear his brain and aimed again.
I said, STOP!
The voice commanded loudly. Sean grunted from the pain in his head. He felt like his brain was being pulled in two. Mustering all his effort, he fought to raise his pistol once more, aiming directly at the blonde gunman's head.
YOU PRIMITIVE MONKEY! STOP IT NOW!
The voice shattered his head, exploding Sean's brain out over the sand and rocks of the hillside.
Out across the shifting sands, already dozens of iles away, Knives sat on the back of the thomas, facing back towards the house. A cruel smile cut his face and he chuckled lightly to himself. "I asked you nicely...piece of garbage." He muttered.
In front of him on the thomas, Meryl clutched the reins as tightly as she could bear as she frantically prayed under her breath, Vash...Vash...where are you...help me...
Milly and Vash had brought Wolfwood into the shed and laid him on a small cot. He was bleeding badly from the bullets in his chest and side. Milly was nearly hysterical with worry as she held his hand and Vash bandaged the wounds.
"He'll be fine," Vash said with a sigh of relief, "but he shouldn't be moved for a few days."
"But, Mr. Vash," Milly sniffed, "what about Meryl? We can't just leave her! And...and your brother."
Vash stood and pulled on a heavy long black coat that lay next to the cot. He had bought it some time ago to replace the old red jacket he used to wear. A deep frown marked face as he slid on his odd yellow sunglasses, and loaded his twin pistols.
"You stay here and take care of him," he told Milly.
Wolfwood grunted as he turned to look at Vash, "Ungh...be careful needle noggin...don't...umph...don't let your heart cloud your judgment..you...you might not be able to save them both.
"Don't worry," Vash answered with a grim smile, "I'll bring her back."
He cocked one pistol and stared at it ominously, "I'll bring them both back."
The hot sun beat mercilessly down on the two lone travelers in the middle of the blinding white desert sands. Even the thomas was panting for breath and laboring with each step.
Meryl had lost count of how many iles they had traveled a long time ago, and Knives had not spoken since they left the house the night before. She could still feel his presence behind her in the saddle and she wondered what was going to happen to her now? Why did he force her to come with him? Why didn't she fight him more? What was he going to do with her? He killed without hesitation...why did he let her live? Was Vash all right? Was he trying to find her?
"Meryl, you know you...you are..."
What am I to you, Vash? Are you going to come after me, or your brother? She sighed and large tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to focus her eyes on the distant horizon. Even though she wasn't leading the animal, Knives had told her to keep her eyes open for signs of a large structure.
Dumb jerk could have been a little more specific, she frowned and sniffed. Knives' silence was getting eerie. What's he doing back there anyway, he's been too quiet. She craned her neck to get a peak at her kidnapper.
Knives was doubled over in his saddle, clutching his stomach, face buried in his arms. Meryl could hear his shallow breathing now, and her eyes widened when she noticed the fresh blood that soaked through his bandages. His wounds reopened! The ride on the thomas is killing him! She thought.
His eyes snapped open at her, causing her to give a little startled scream. Flames burned through his eyes and he barred his teeth as he growled, "Keep your eyes on the desert."
But Meryl didn't budge. Her eyes fixed on his mouth. It hadn't moved when he spoke. "What the..." She whispered.
Knives raised his arm, grunting with anger and pain from his reopened wounds. This time he used his full voice, "I said turn around!" He yelled, and backhanded the right side of her face. Meryl saw stars as she reeled back, clutching the neck of the animal under her.
Vash...! She pleaded mentally as her tears fell into the thomas's mane.
"Don't waste your prayers." She heard Knives say. He was speaking with his mind again. "I've been listening to your annoying thoughts for too long and I'm sorry to tell you that your pathetic attempts to contact my brother are fruitless." He humped. "Besides, I'm counting on him to find us all by himself. You, human, are just the worm on my hook. Do what you're told and I'll let you live...for now. I know you and my brother...are...ugh...hnnn..."
Knives groaned and doubled over in the saddle in pain again. Meryl felt him shift and heard his teeth grind together as he tried to fight for control of his body.
What should I do? She thought frantically. He wasn't going to kill her, he had practically told her that. She was the worm, er the bait. He won't kill me because he needs me for now. Meryl rubbed her sore cheek as Knives inhaled painfully again. He'll die soon if he doesn't stop. But, what can I do? She bit her lower lip, What would Vash do?
Vash wouldn't let Knives die.
Be brave. Meryl steeled herself and turned around again.
"P-please... s-stop it. You're not healed yet...Knives..." She said cautiously, "Your wounds are..."
"I said TURN AROUND!" Knives roared, raising his fist again.
Meryl didn't flinch. She held his gaze with determination on her face. Knives' fist froze in midair and his eyes widened for a moment. He smirked and lowered his arm. "Brainless woman! Don't you know I'm a superior breed? I don't need my hands to kill you."
A sudden pain shot through Meryl's head. "Ugh!" She clasped her hands to the sides of her head. Her brain felt like to was going to burst and she clenched her teeth. Brave...be brave...Vash would...Vash wouldn't give up...he's just trying to scare me...got to save him...
Slowly Meryl raised her eyes back up to his face and choked out, "Pl- ease...l-et me h-help you.... Stop it...you'll...die...PLEASE!" She yelled.
Knives frowned. Why is she doing that? Who is she trying to fool? He puzzled.
He had seen her with Vash over the past two weeks when he snuck out of his room and peeked in through the windows and doors of the old house. It was easy enough. Everyone there thought he was asleep, and as long as he blocked his mental signal from his brother, he wouldn't be caught. Knives had seen the two of them in the kitchen...on the porch...he had seen her disgusting human dreams and his brother's reaction to them. That was how he came up with his plan of snatching Meryl to lure Vash out to the old settlement and plant. He knew Vash would not come out to the wrecked ship otherwise. Too many memories.
But...why was this woman pretending to be concerned about him? He had kidnapped her, slaughtered in front of her, and was nearly killing her now. And yet, he could plainly see the fear in her eyes, fear for his safety. It...it couldn't be. He was an angel of destruction. No one could care for him...
"Ridiculous." Knives scoffed, "Pretending to care what happens to me in order to save your own skin. You humans never cease to amaze me with your insolence." Knives grabbed Meryl's wrists and twisted her fully around. The pain increased and Meryl screamed in anguish. "I've been watching you. You and my brother for weeks! Disgusting! Why should I stop! You death is just being postponed a little! You'll die with the rest of the trash!"
"P-please..." she gasped. "Don't...d-die." Her hand reached up had covered his hand that was grasped around her arm.
Knives stopped breathing.
A vision shot through his brain. The feeling of smooth skin brushing past his lips, gentle hands caressing his face, soft breathe on his neck, and the eyes...
The pain in his wounds came back and he wretched from the sensation.
The world around him changed until his vision was filled with a soft blue light, like water. The burning pain was coming from her hand, which was clamped down with a force he couldn't fight.
What.. is she doing? My energy is coming back...at me!
Knives cried out harshly and pulled away from Meryl, falling back off the saddle of the thomas and onto the hard packed sand. Instantly his vision cleared and the blue disappeared, but the pain remained from the fresh wounds his fall had opened. Blood pooled around his body, as he lay stunned on the ground.
Suddenly, Meryl found herself free from the pain, gasping in surprise and relief. She quickly slid of the back of the thomas and knelt down by Knives.
"Leave me...alone, if you want to live." Knives told her weakly when she attempted to prop him up under a blanket.
"You...you won't live to do anything if you don't let me help you, you asshole." She said in a slightly pissed and breathless voice.
"Why you insolent..." He started to rise, only to black out, losing consciousness and falling back on the sand.
Meryl breathed a sigh of relief. Well, at least I can patch him up while he's passed out. She thought as she rummaged through one of the knapsacks for extra bandages. Vash, you better get your butt here pronto, mister. I don't know how long I can do this before I kill the jerk myself.
Blue water swirled around him again, dancing with brilliant glints of light. He felt his body float and sway in the gentle current, and the peaceful calm of the plant chamber.
But this time was different somehow.
"The edge." He thought, "This time I'll see past the edge."
The instant his mind registered the thought; the calm water became a raging whirlpool again, sucking him down into the darkness. Knives fought again to swim to the light. There it was! The change in color, and the purple hint of the sun.
"There!" He mouthed as his fingers scraped the surface, and for a moment he felt the cool breeze of air move across his outstretched hand beyond the edge. Suddenly, two strong hands wrapped around his ankles and started to pull him back down. Knives breathed in the water around him and his lungs began to burn. Wide eyed, he fought against the hands and his constricted lungs, struggling to reach the light.
His head throbbed with a sudden burst of electricity.
"What's going on?" He clutched at his head. "What's this pain?" The soft purple light was disappearing, and he was falling into the darkness. He turned his head to look behind him and to see what was dragging him down.
All he could do was scream.
Knives jumped up like he was on a spring. The water and the plant were both gone. He was sitting on the sandy ground on a makeshift cot. There was a fire a little distance off which cracked brightly in the pitch black of the desert night.
It was just a dream. He exhaled slowly. That damned dream. It means something, something more, I know it.
"You're awake," said a voice, "finally."
Knives started in spite of himself, still skittish from his nightmare. Meryl sat behind him, her back to a small boulder. "I was hoping you would wake up soon." She said calmly, "Supper's ready."
"Tch..." Knives spat. Snatching up the blanket, he thrust it roughly into a knapsack. "I already told you I'm letting you live...for now. You're egotistical human attempt at bribery is sickening."
Meryl bristled with anger in spite of her better judgment. "Fine!" She fumed, "I was just trying to be nice."
"Nice?" He scoffed, "In spite of the fact that I kidnapped you, slaughtered some human garbage in front of you, and nearly killed you and your friends? Illogical human. You say you're just trying to be nice?" Knives sneered. "I stopped being that naive a long time ago. Why would you be so "nice" to me?"
The fire cracked in the silence that followed as Meryl shifted uncomfortably. She remembered being nervous that Knives would kill her, but never really being afraid of him. Vash, of course. She was just doing what he would do if he were here. The memory of herself kissing Knives hit her brain again and Meryl snapped out of her thoughts, visions of the soft smooth taste of his lips and the feel of his skin flying out of her head. She looked back up at Knives and was about to say something.
He was staring at her with an astonished look in his eyes.
Shit, she thought, going red, Does he remember that? Eek! Well he does now! He can read your mind, stupid! Meryl slapped herself on the forehead. She gave Knives as sideways glance, but he was already glaring down at the ground and not looking at her. Meryl sighed in frustration and filled a bowl full of soup, which she set roughly down in front of Knives.
"I'm being nice to you," she huffed, "because Vash prefers you alive. I don't want to see Vash upset so I'm doing my best to keep you alive no matter how much you want to bleed yourself to death!" She folded her arms and sat down crossly, "So, you better eat your soup while it's still warm or you'll go passing out again, and I can't carry you to wherever it is we're going!"
Knives grit his teeth together, "Arrogant woman, you know I could..."
"Yeah, yeah I know," Meryl interrupted, "you could kill me in a heartbeat, right? But you won't. You said it yourself that you need me for your plan, so stop threatening me already and let me help you! How often do you get a helpful hostage? I don't like what your up to, but for Vash's sake I'm going to keep you alive wither you like it or not." Meryl grabbed a bowl of soup and attacked it with a vengeance. Hearing nothing from Knives for a few minutes, she glanced at him out of the corner or her eye and nearly choked. To her surprise, he was eating his soup with a moody look on his face.
Damn it, he thought, why am I doing what she said? She's right, I can't kill her. I need her for the plant to work, but Christ she's a bitch. What does Vash see in her?
Still, he couldn't help being the tiniest bit impressed by her attempts to intimidate him. He glared at her from behind the steam rising from the bowl of soup. She was busy eating and wasn't paying any attention to him. Knives trailed his eyes from her furrowed brow to her jaw that was violently chewing away. He followed the line of her neck down to her past her torso coming to rest on the strong muscles of her thighs, which were barely visible from under the hem of her skirt that had hiked up slightly when she had sat down.
Knives felt something in his chest constrict and he looked away, his face turning pink. What's happening to me, I haven't felt this way since...no, that's not it. Something stopped me from killing her. But I have to do it. I don't have a choice. I have to use her as the link. She's not Rem, remember. You're only using her because Vash is attached to her for some odd reason. Once she's gone, he won't have a choice anymore. She's just a stupid piece of human garbage and I only have to put up with her until we activate the plant.
When the two had finished, Meryl packed up their supplies and they reloaded the thomas. Knives made sure to hide any evidence of the campsite before they left.
"Why are you doing that?" Meryl asked, "I thought you said you wanted Vash to find us?"
"Not yet," he snapped, "Not until after we reach our destination."
"Then I'll shut you up for good you irritating harpy," he muttered to himself as he climbed up into the saddle.
Arrogant asshole. She thought, setting the thomas in motion.
"I heard that!" He thought back tersely.
Vash stood on the top of a high cliff that overlooked the eastern desert. The sun was setting behind him, causing the sand to glow with a fiery light. The receding orb sent long shadows that reached across the dunes like fingers that were searching for something. Just past the horizon, were the ones he was searching for, but he wouldn't be able to track them in the darkness, so the humanoid typhoon sat down and began to bed down for the night. He'd been following his brother's tracks for two days now, and he felt like he was getting farther and farther behind. He even stopped sending out a mental signal. Knives wasn't answering him and was blocking any attempts he might make at contacting Meryl.
You're planning something big, Knives, I know it. Is that why you took her too? Are you trying to get me to go back there? Do you still think that old plant will work? Vash thought as he stretched out on his blanket, eyes fixed on the darkening landscape. You managed to fool me into thinking you were asleep by blocking me mentally for nearly two weeks. You planned this whole escape, right down to the thomas and canteens. I thought I had the feeling I was being watched during that time. Maybe I should have tried harder. I guess there wasn't anything I could have done for you, but I had to try, you are my only brother after all. Vash sighed, "I thought I could make you see them as I do."
He turned over on his back and gazed sadly up at the stars. The memory of sitting on that cliff above that town and looking at the stars with Meryl came back to him. She had tried so hard to snap him out of his depression after he'd been forced to kill Legato.
I guess I know now how you felt back then, Meryl. It's hard trying to help someone who doesn't want it. I wish you were here right now. I want your help now, I want... I..need you. Wolfwood was right. I should have told you before. Maybe if I had I wouldn't have left you alone then. I hope it's not too late. He breathed in the night air deeply before closing his eyes and dropping into a dreamless sleep.
Her hands tugged at his shirt buttons, eagerly trying to undo them. He chuckled into her open mouth as he eased her frantic fingers away and undid the buttons himself. The crisp fabric slid down his shoulders and fell to the floor as her fingers trailed down his bare back. He deepened their kiss, opening her mouth to bury his tongue inside it as she fought it passionately with her own. He skillfully, lifted the back of her white undershirt up and slipped his hands underneath to feel her warm skin, stroking his hands up and down her back. The front of their bodies molded as they rubbed themselves together, hands touching every bit of exposed skin. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, body alive with the erotic sensations he was awakening in her again.
Meryl had a sudden moment of clarity. This is my dream. I remember it. Oh crap, that's right, it's only a dream. For a moment she was disappointed in the fact that none of it was real. But then, she felt him move his hand around to the front of her shirt and caress the sensitive skin under her breasts. His tongue nibbled on her ear and she felt his hot anxious breath against her neck. Meryl gasped.
If this is a dream, she thought slyly, then there's be no harm in taking it as far as I can...is there? After all, this may be the only time I ever get with Vash, or at least imaginary Vash. And with one swoop she attacked him, knocking him down.
Now they were on the ground and she was on top of him. Meryl attacked his neck; pressing kisses up and down along his collar and chin. He arched himself up into her, and she moaned again when she felt his need for her thrust up against her thigh. His hands pulled at the hem of her shirt again, inching it up over her shoulders and head and tossing it aside. Meryl felt their body temperatures increase dramatically as their naked skin came in contact. Their mouths locked in a heated searching kiss as he rolled over her so he was on top, straddling her, his gentle hands lightly touching the sides of her breast. She gasped and learned into his hands, silently begging for more.
His mouth left hers and made a path down the beating pulse of her neck. When the stubble on his chin scraped and tickled her chest, Meryl giggled breathlessly, until she felt his tongue slide over her breast and circle lazily around and around, closing in on its center. She sucked in her breath and clutched at his back when his lips surrounded her, and she ran her nails down to the waist of his pants.
Sliding her fingers beneath the elastic band, she grasped his backside and pressed their hips together. He moaned around her breast when his hardness pushed against her again and she shivered from the vibrations, tightening her grip on his butt. His mouth sucked on her neck again as she felt his hands slide down to her legs and spread them apart, taking time to gently tease her inner thighs.
"Unnm.." Came a sound from the back of her throat when he lifted her hips to rub himself between her legs through their clothing. Meryl wrapped her legs around him and rose her hips up to meet his dry thrusts that pressed into the thin material that separated them. She felt her resistance fading fast as he throbbed against her flesh with an insistent pressure and need. She needed to feel him. How could he ever think his scarred and tortured body would ever turn her away from him?
Her hands slipped around the sides of his pants as she brought the waistband down over his hips. Soon she would...
Wait a second! Her hormone-crazed mind screeched to a halt.
Scars...
She blinked dumbly, what happened to his scars? Her hands felt up the sides of his back. His skin was whole and smooth, without a blemish or mark. No scars!
"Vash...?" She whispered hoarsely.
The man above her stopped, still breathing heavily. Meryl craned her neck to the side to get a look at his normally gentle face and kind eyes. Her hand came up to brush the long bangs away from his eyes.
He turned his head to face her and she found herself eye to eye with...
...Knives...
ILLUSTRATION: Dreaming You (http:)
To be continued... whew...pant pant that was a rough one!
Next Time on Edge: Chapter 7 Surviving and Plants
At first there was nothing. Then a soft haze began to spread out from the corners of his mind. Vash squinted his eyes and peered through the dim light. His foggy brain centered on a curved shape, which was moving towards him. It was a woman..
"R-Rem..."
The woman moved forward. Her face slid slowly into the light.
Eyes. Her eyes were so sad.
"Rem?" He leaned foreword anxiously, reaching out for her.
Suddenly, everything froze. Her couldn't move or speak. Rem set her large sad eyes on him once more before she threw her head back and let out a heart-wrenching scream. Vash watched in mute horror as her body burst into flame and she writhed and twisted in agony in front of him. He tried to shut his eyes, but found something forced him to watch. Rem's body jerked and cracked as her flesh and began to fall away bit by bit.
"No..." he chocked out at last, "NO!!" Suddenly his body was free and he fell forward into the ground. He crawled over to the charred form on the floor, shaking with shock and tears. He turned her over and looked at her face.
It wasn't Rem.
"M-Meryl..." Vash gasped, as his heart turned to ice.
Then everything went black, and he felt himself falling through space. At every angle he heard the screams and tortured cries of the woman in his arms reverberate back at him until he had to cover his own ears to block out the sound.
"Stop it, stop it, stop it, STOP!!!" He screamed over the horrible din.
The noise abruptly ceased and Vash slowly uncovered his ears, his eyes darting back and forth. In the back of his mind, he heard the quiet chuckling of a very familiar voice. The laughter began to build until it reached a hysterical pitch. Vash gritted his teeth and clenched his hands.
"Knives..." he hissed, "Why..."
The sky in the east was turning a cold pale color of gray as the dawn crept up over the dull sand dunes. A bitter wind bit into Meryl's face and hands as she clung to the reins of the Thomas in front of her. Knives sat behind her, as still as death. He didn't speak, but she could feel his presence and the weight of his body in the saddle behind her. The only sounds were his random hisses of pain when the thomas hit a dip or ridge. He still isn't close to being fully healed. Her tense body jerked with each step of the animal under her and her teeth chattered from both the cold and her fear.
How do I get myself into situations like this? She thought frantically. Damn it, what am I suppose to do, how I'm I going to survive this?
From out across the desolate sands, Meryl could almost hear Vash's voice calling out to her. Meryl...please...where are you...answer me! Was her mind playing tricks on her? Wishful thinking?
Meryl's brain instinctively sent out a mental cry of help, Vash... I'm here...Vash...help...I'm right here... There was a sudden pressure on her right shoulder as a hand clamped her from behind.
"Don't." Knives' harsh voice warned her.
His hand stayed for a moment, firm on her shoulder and making her whole arm hot. Meryl couldn't help but shiver from his touch before he released her. As her shock wore off, she was becoming hypersensitive to every bump and brush of his body. But even though she knew she should be terrified, Knives' simple action made her feel more angry than scared, like the time she had stood in front of the crazy mob who had wanted to kill Vash. Meryl felt her temper flare. She wanted to turn around and give Knives a big piece of her mind. How dare he treat her like this, after all she had tried to do for him and for Vash? She'd show him who he was dealing with, that freaking loony psychopath.
But then Meryl's brain did a flashback and her rational side kicked in. She may be fiery, but she wasn't stupid.
The three members of the Locos Gang had stood there, shotguns aimed and ready. The large man with the moustache had cut the lights and she had aimed her derringers and prayed. Then she felt a hand clamp over her wrist and she gasped when she saw Knives sitting up in bed looking at her with fire in his eyes.
Her pistols fell to the floor and everything became slow motion.
The gang fired their guns. Meryl shut her eyes and waited for the bullets to rip through her body.
But nothing came. More fire. She opened her eyes. Knives still held her wrist in an iron grasp, but his other hand was stretched out towards the three men. They were all pointing their guns at each other. Meryl saw the terror in their eyes as they cried out to their companions to stop. Knives squeezed her wrist painfully tight as the men opened fire, gunning each other down at close range. The blood exploded in the room as bullets pounded into walls, doors, and flesh.
After that, Meryl was in a daze. Knives had gathered some bags from underneath his bed and then gone downstairs, dragging her along with him. One of the men groaned as they passed by and Meryl knew he was still alive, but she couldn't help him. Knives gave her a few simple orders.
"Get the thomas from the stable and the canteens from the shed. I know you wouldn't do anything stupid."
Meryl complied, finding the thomas already saddled and packed, and the canteens already brimming with water. What's going on? She thought in a stupor, What am I doing?
She led the thomas over to where Knives was looking out towards the town.
"Get on." He rasped gruffly. Meryl did as he said, somehow unable to resist, she climbed up to the back seat.
"In front." Knives commanded sternly.
"I..." she choked, finding her voice, "I don't know where you want to go."
"The beast knows." He growled. "Move."
Meryl obeyed mutely while Knives climbed up behind her. She heard him suck in his breath and grunt with pain as he pulled himself up and was about to look when she felt Knives' hand on the back of her head. Her mind froze with fear for an instant.
"Keep your eyes that way," he whispered through clenched teeth, "if you want to live."
Meryl forced her eyes towards the black horizon as the thomas began its speedy canter.
Neither of them looked back.
Vash's eyes flew open as his lungs sucked in the hot dusty air. Around him were piles of wood, ash and plaster debris. He tried to move but found he couldn't. His arms and legs were pinned. Then he remembered, the feeling, running back to the house, finding the bodies, no Meryl, no Knives...then the explosion. His mind raced with one thought.
Knives. Knives had done this. And he had Meryl.
Something shifted above him and light arched down on him from above.
"Mr. Vash? Are you down there?" Milly's voice called from above.
"Yeah!" Vash grunted, "But I'm pinned!"
"Hold still, Needle Noggin," Wolfwood's voice yelled down at him. "Do it, Big Girl."
There were two loud thumps as Milly fired her stun gun, knocking the heavy beams from Vash's arms and legs. He jumped up immediately and climbed up the timbers to the open hole of light, where Nicholas reached out and gave him a hand up. Vash took in what was left of their house. The second floor had been pretty much blasted away from the explosion, and the first floor was filled with debris and rubble. Luckily, all three companions seemed unscathed save a few minor cuts and bruises.
"Thanks for back there, buddy, I really owe you one," Wolfwood clapped Vash on the back as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket.
"Yes, Mr. Vash, if you hadn't knocked both of us out the way of that blast we would have been goners for sure." Milly added brightly, snatching the cigarette out of Wolfwood's mouth just as he proceeded to light it up.
"This is no time for congratulations." Vash said flatly. "They're both gone. We've got to go after them. They haven't' had much time to get very far, so we've got to get moving right now."
"Hold it, Vash," Wolfwood grabbed him by the arm as he passed by, "I don't get it. Knives was out cold, dead to the world. How could he have walked out of here in his condition, much less done any of this? How do we know someone else didn't snatch both Meryl and Knives?"
"I know." Vash said coldly. "Knives did this. I can sense it. Back there, those men. He...he enjoyed it...and Meryl..." he swallowed hard, "Meryl...she's...still alive, I know she's still alive! So, we've gotta move, now!"
The three of them picked their way down through the rubble, gathering some supplies together as they went. When they had everything together they scanned the darkened landscape, trying to locate the direction Knives and Meryl had gone.
Please, Vash tried to reach out to her mentally as he had done earlier that evening, Please be alright...Meryl...please...please hear me...Meryl...answer me...Meryl...I...I need you.
"I found something," Milly yelled, pointing to a scrap of white clothing that had been caught on a jutting rock just south of the house. Vash sprinted over to her.
"One of the thomases is missing," Wolfwood panted.
"Oh, and several canteens were missing from the shed," Milly added thoughtfully.
"Do you mean to say," Nicholas said in a shocked voice, "That this little escape was planned?"
Milly watched Vash sadly out of the corner of her eye, "It certainly seems that way."
"But...but how is that possible?" Wolfwood shouted, "Knives has been asleep this entire time How could he have planed anything?"
"Because, he wasn't asleep." Vash said in a harsh whisper. "Maybe I should have killed him when I had the chance." Milly and Wolfwood both looked at him with open mouths. Nicholas began to say something, but Vash's head suddenly snapped up, his eyes blazed with a fierce blue light as he yelled.
"WATCH OUT!!"
Several shots rang out from a large outcropping of rocks. Vash dove, taking Milly with him and firing three shots from his gun arm in the direction of the sound. Wolfwood grunted in pain and slumped over on his side as Milly screamed.
Up on the hillside, Sean rolled over on his back, smoke rose from his discharged pistol. He was covered in blood, from himself and Louis and Tony. His hand shock violently as he reloaded his weapon.
"D-damn ddemon of m-man," he stammered, "h-he has to d-die." No one could have done those things, the things he had seen, no human being could have done it. He must be the Diablo. He must die."
Sean raised himself up and pointed his gun at the three tiny forms in the distance. Ah, he already got one. Good, that will make it easier to get the others. He centered his aim on Vash the Stampede again. This time he wouldn't miss.
Stop.
A deep harsh voice echoed in his head. Sean shook himself to clear his brain and aimed again.
I said, STOP!
The voice commanded loudly. Sean grunted from the pain in his head. He felt like his brain was being pulled in two. Mustering all his effort, he fought to raise his pistol once more, aiming directly at the blonde gunman's head.
YOU PRIMITIVE MONKEY! STOP IT NOW!
The voice shattered his head, exploding Sean's brain out over the sand and rocks of the hillside.
Out across the shifting sands, already dozens of iles away, Knives sat on the back of the thomas, facing back towards the house. A cruel smile cut his face and he chuckled lightly to himself. "I asked you nicely...piece of garbage." He muttered.
In front of him on the thomas, Meryl clutched the reins as tightly as she could bear as she frantically prayed under her breath, Vash...Vash...where are you...help me...
Milly and Vash had brought Wolfwood into the shed and laid him on a small cot. He was bleeding badly from the bullets in his chest and side. Milly was nearly hysterical with worry as she held his hand and Vash bandaged the wounds.
"He'll be fine," Vash said with a sigh of relief, "but he shouldn't be moved for a few days."
"But, Mr. Vash," Milly sniffed, "what about Meryl? We can't just leave her! And...and your brother."
Vash stood and pulled on a heavy long black coat that lay next to the cot. He had bought it some time ago to replace the old red jacket he used to wear. A deep frown marked face as he slid on his odd yellow sunglasses, and loaded his twin pistols.
"You stay here and take care of him," he told Milly.
Wolfwood grunted as he turned to look at Vash, "Ungh...be careful needle noggin...don't...umph...don't let your heart cloud your judgment..you...you might not be able to save them both.
"Don't worry," Vash answered with a grim smile, "I'll bring her back."
He cocked one pistol and stared at it ominously, "I'll bring them both back."
The hot sun beat mercilessly down on the two lone travelers in the middle of the blinding white desert sands. Even the thomas was panting for breath and laboring with each step.
Meryl had lost count of how many iles they had traveled a long time ago, and Knives had not spoken since they left the house the night before. She could still feel his presence behind her in the saddle and she wondered what was going to happen to her now? Why did he force her to come with him? Why didn't she fight him more? What was he going to do with her? He killed without hesitation...why did he let her live? Was Vash all right? Was he trying to find her?
"Meryl, you know you...you are..."
What am I to you, Vash? Are you going to come after me, or your brother? She sighed and large tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to focus her eyes on the distant horizon. Even though she wasn't leading the animal, Knives had told her to keep her eyes open for signs of a large structure.
Dumb jerk could have been a little more specific, she frowned and sniffed. Knives' silence was getting eerie. What's he doing back there anyway, he's been too quiet. She craned her neck to get a peak at her kidnapper.
Knives was doubled over in his saddle, clutching his stomach, face buried in his arms. Meryl could hear his shallow breathing now, and her eyes widened when she noticed the fresh blood that soaked through his bandages. His wounds reopened! The ride on the thomas is killing him! She thought.
His eyes snapped open at her, causing her to give a little startled scream. Flames burned through his eyes and he barred his teeth as he growled, "Keep your eyes on the desert."
But Meryl didn't budge. Her eyes fixed on his mouth. It hadn't moved when he spoke. "What the..." She whispered.
Knives raised his arm, grunting with anger and pain from his reopened wounds. This time he used his full voice, "I said turn around!" He yelled, and backhanded the right side of her face. Meryl saw stars as she reeled back, clutching the neck of the animal under her.
Vash...! She pleaded mentally as her tears fell into the thomas's mane.
"Don't waste your prayers." She heard Knives say. He was speaking with his mind again. "I've been listening to your annoying thoughts for too long and I'm sorry to tell you that your pathetic attempts to contact my brother are fruitless." He humped. "Besides, I'm counting on him to find us all by himself. You, human, are just the worm on my hook. Do what you're told and I'll let you live...for now. I know you and my brother...are...ugh...hnnn..."
Knives groaned and doubled over in the saddle in pain again. Meryl felt him shift and heard his teeth grind together as he tried to fight for control of his body.
What should I do? She thought frantically. He wasn't going to kill her, he had practically told her that. She was the worm, er the bait. He won't kill me because he needs me for now. Meryl rubbed her sore cheek as Knives inhaled painfully again. He'll die soon if he doesn't stop. But, what can I do? She bit her lower lip, What would Vash do?
Vash wouldn't let Knives die.
Be brave. Meryl steeled herself and turned around again.
"P-please... s-stop it. You're not healed yet...Knives..." She said cautiously, "Your wounds are..."
"I said TURN AROUND!" Knives roared, raising his fist again.
Meryl didn't flinch. She held his gaze with determination on her face. Knives' fist froze in midair and his eyes widened for a moment. He smirked and lowered his arm. "Brainless woman! Don't you know I'm a superior breed? I don't need my hands to kill you."
A sudden pain shot through Meryl's head. "Ugh!" She clasped her hands to the sides of her head. Her brain felt like to was going to burst and she clenched her teeth. Brave...be brave...Vash would...Vash wouldn't give up...he's just trying to scare me...got to save him...
Slowly Meryl raised her eyes back up to his face and choked out, "Pl- ease...l-et me h-help you.... Stop it...you'll...die...PLEASE!" She yelled.
Knives frowned. Why is she doing that? Who is she trying to fool? He puzzled.
He had seen her with Vash over the past two weeks when he snuck out of his room and peeked in through the windows and doors of the old house. It was easy enough. Everyone there thought he was asleep, and as long as he blocked his mental signal from his brother, he wouldn't be caught. Knives had seen the two of them in the kitchen...on the porch...he had seen her disgusting human dreams and his brother's reaction to them. That was how he came up with his plan of snatching Meryl to lure Vash out to the old settlement and plant. He knew Vash would not come out to the wrecked ship otherwise. Too many memories.
But...why was this woman pretending to be concerned about him? He had kidnapped her, slaughtered in front of her, and was nearly killing her now. And yet, he could plainly see the fear in her eyes, fear for his safety. It...it couldn't be. He was an angel of destruction. No one could care for him...
"Ridiculous." Knives scoffed, "Pretending to care what happens to me in order to save your own skin. You humans never cease to amaze me with your insolence." Knives grabbed Meryl's wrists and twisted her fully around. The pain increased and Meryl screamed in anguish. "I've been watching you. You and my brother for weeks! Disgusting! Why should I stop! You death is just being postponed a little! You'll die with the rest of the trash!"
"P-please..." she gasped. "Don't...d-die." Her hand reached up had covered his hand that was grasped around her arm.
Knives stopped breathing.
A vision shot through his brain. The feeling of smooth skin brushing past his lips, gentle hands caressing his face, soft breathe on his neck, and the eyes...
The pain in his wounds came back and he wretched from the sensation.
The world around him changed until his vision was filled with a soft blue light, like water. The burning pain was coming from her hand, which was clamped down with a force he couldn't fight.
What.. is she doing? My energy is coming back...at me!
Knives cried out harshly and pulled away from Meryl, falling back off the saddle of the thomas and onto the hard packed sand. Instantly his vision cleared and the blue disappeared, but the pain remained from the fresh wounds his fall had opened. Blood pooled around his body, as he lay stunned on the ground.
Suddenly, Meryl found herself free from the pain, gasping in surprise and relief. She quickly slid of the back of the thomas and knelt down by Knives.
"Leave me...alone, if you want to live." Knives told her weakly when she attempted to prop him up under a blanket.
"You...you won't live to do anything if you don't let me help you, you asshole." She said in a slightly pissed and breathless voice.
"Why you insolent..." He started to rise, only to black out, losing consciousness and falling back on the sand.
Meryl breathed a sigh of relief. Well, at least I can patch him up while he's passed out. She thought as she rummaged through one of the knapsacks for extra bandages. Vash, you better get your butt here pronto, mister. I don't know how long I can do this before I kill the jerk myself.
Blue water swirled around him again, dancing with brilliant glints of light. He felt his body float and sway in the gentle current, and the peaceful calm of the plant chamber.
But this time was different somehow.
"The edge." He thought, "This time I'll see past the edge."
The instant his mind registered the thought; the calm water became a raging whirlpool again, sucking him down into the darkness. Knives fought again to swim to the light. There it was! The change in color, and the purple hint of the sun.
"There!" He mouthed as his fingers scraped the surface, and for a moment he felt the cool breeze of air move across his outstretched hand beyond the edge. Suddenly, two strong hands wrapped around his ankles and started to pull him back down. Knives breathed in the water around him and his lungs began to burn. Wide eyed, he fought against the hands and his constricted lungs, struggling to reach the light.
His head throbbed with a sudden burst of electricity.
"What's going on?" He clutched at his head. "What's this pain?" The soft purple light was disappearing, and he was falling into the darkness. He turned his head to look behind him and to see what was dragging him down.
All he could do was scream.
Knives jumped up like he was on a spring. The water and the plant were both gone. He was sitting on the sandy ground on a makeshift cot. There was a fire a little distance off which cracked brightly in the pitch black of the desert night.
It was just a dream. He exhaled slowly. That damned dream. It means something, something more, I know it.
"You're awake," said a voice, "finally."
Knives started in spite of himself, still skittish from his nightmare. Meryl sat behind him, her back to a small boulder. "I was hoping you would wake up soon." She said calmly, "Supper's ready."
"Tch..." Knives spat. Snatching up the blanket, he thrust it roughly into a knapsack. "I already told you I'm letting you live...for now. You're egotistical human attempt at bribery is sickening."
Meryl bristled with anger in spite of her better judgment. "Fine!" She fumed, "I was just trying to be nice."
"Nice?" He scoffed, "In spite of the fact that I kidnapped you, slaughtered some human garbage in front of you, and nearly killed you and your friends? Illogical human. You say you're just trying to be nice?" Knives sneered. "I stopped being that naive a long time ago. Why would you be so "nice" to me?"
The fire cracked in the silence that followed as Meryl shifted uncomfortably. She remembered being nervous that Knives would kill her, but never really being afraid of him. Vash, of course. She was just doing what he would do if he were here. The memory of herself kissing Knives hit her brain again and Meryl snapped out of her thoughts, visions of the soft smooth taste of his lips and the feel of his skin flying out of her head. She looked back up at Knives and was about to say something.
He was staring at her with an astonished look in his eyes.
Shit, she thought, going red, Does he remember that? Eek! Well he does now! He can read your mind, stupid! Meryl slapped herself on the forehead. She gave Knives as sideways glance, but he was already glaring down at the ground and not looking at her. Meryl sighed in frustration and filled a bowl full of soup, which she set roughly down in front of Knives.
"I'm being nice to you," she huffed, "because Vash prefers you alive. I don't want to see Vash upset so I'm doing my best to keep you alive no matter how much you want to bleed yourself to death!" She folded her arms and sat down crossly, "So, you better eat your soup while it's still warm or you'll go passing out again, and I can't carry you to wherever it is we're going!"
Knives grit his teeth together, "Arrogant woman, you know I could..."
"Yeah, yeah I know," Meryl interrupted, "you could kill me in a heartbeat, right? But you won't. You said it yourself that you need me for your plan, so stop threatening me already and let me help you! How often do you get a helpful hostage? I don't like what your up to, but for Vash's sake I'm going to keep you alive wither you like it or not." Meryl grabbed a bowl of soup and attacked it with a vengeance. Hearing nothing from Knives for a few minutes, she glanced at him out of the corner or her eye and nearly choked. To her surprise, he was eating his soup with a moody look on his face.
Damn it, he thought, why am I doing what she said? She's right, I can't kill her. I need her for the plant to work, but Christ she's a bitch. What does Vash see in her?
Still, he couldn't help being the tiniest bit impressed by her attempts to intimidate him. He glared at her from behind the steam rising from the bowl of soup. She was busy eating and wasn't paying any attention to him. Knives trailed his eyes from her furrowed brow to her jaw that was violently chewing away. He followed the line of her neck down to her past her torso coming to rest on the strong muscles of her thighs, which were barely visible from under the hem of her skirt that had hiked up slightly when she had sat down.
Knives felt something in his chest constrict and he looked away, his face turning pink. What's happening to me, I haven't felt this way since...no, that's not it. Something stopped me from killing her. But I have to do it. I don't have a choice. I have to use her as the link. She's not Rem, remember. You're only using her because Vash is attached to her for some odd reason. Once she's gone, he won't have a choice anymore. She's just a stupid piece of human garbage and I only have to put up with her until we activate the plant.
When the two had finished, Meryl packed up their supplies and they reloaded the thomas. Knives made sure to hide any evidence of the campsite before they left.
"Why are you doing that?" Meryl asked, "I thought you said you wanted Vash to find us?"
"Not yet," he snapped, "Not until after we reach our destination."
"Then I'll shut you up for good you irritating harpy," he muttered to himself as he climbed up into the saddle.
Arrogant asshole. She thought, setting the thomas in motion.
"I heard that!" He thought back tersely.
Vash stood on the top of a high cliff that overlooked the eastern desert. The sun was setting behind him, causing the sand to glow with a fiery light. The receding orb sent long shadows that reached across the dunes like fingers that were searching for something. Just past the horizon, were the ones he was searching for, but he wouldn't be able to track them in the darkness, so the humanoid typhoon sat down and began to bed down for the night. He'd been following his brother's tracks for two days now, and he felt like he was getting farther and farther behind. He even stopped sending out a mental signal. Knives wasn't answering him and was blocking any attempts he might make at contacting Meryl.
You're planning something big, Knives, I know it. Is that why you took her too? Are you trying to get me to go back there? Do you still think that old plant will work? Vash thought as he stretched out on his blanket, eyes fixed on the darkening landscape. You managed to fool me into thinking you were asleep by blocking me mentally for nearly two weeks. You planned this whole escape, right down to the thomas and canteens. I thought I had the feeling I was being watched during that time. Maybe I should have tried harder. I guess there wasn't anything I could have done for you, but I had to try, you are my only brother after all. Vash sighed, "I thought I could make you see them as I do."
He turned over on his back and gazed sadly up at the stars. The memory of sitting on that cliff above that town and looking at the stars with Meryl came back to him. She had tried so hard to snap him out of his depression after he'd been forced to kill Legato.
I guess I know now how you felt back then, Meryl. It's hard trying to help someone who doesn't want it. I wish you were here right now. I want your help now, I want... I..need you. Wolfwood was right. I should have told you before. Maybe if I had I wouldn't have left you alone then. I hope it's not too late. He breathed in the night air deeply before closing his eyes and dropping into a dreamless sleep.
Her hands tugged at his shirt buttons, eagerly trying to undo them. He chuckled into her open mouth as he eased her frantic fingers away and undid the buttons himself. The crisp fabric slid down his shoulders and fell to the floor as her fingers trailed down his bare back. He deepened their kiss, opening her mouth to bury his tongue inside it as she fought it passionately with her own. He skillfully, lifted the back of her white undershirt up and slipped his hands underneath to feel her warm skin, stroking his hands up and down her back. The front of their bodies molded as they rubbed themselves together, hands touching every bit of exposed skin. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, body alive with the erotic sensations he was awakening in her again.
Meryl had a sudden moment of clarity. This is my dream. I remember it. Oh crap, that's right, it's only a dream. For a moment she was disappointed in the fact that none of it was real. But then, she felt him move his hand around to the front of her shirt and caress the sensitive skin under her breasts. His tongue nibbled on her ear and she felt his hot anxious breath against her neck. Meryl gasped.
If this is a dream, she thought slyly, then there's be no harm in taking it as far as I can...is there? After all, this may be the only time I ever get with Vash, or at least imaginary Vash. And with one swoop she attacked him, knocking him down.
Now they were on the ground and she was on top of him. Meryl attacked his neck; pressing kisses up and down along his collar and chin. He arched himself up into her, and she moaned again when she felt his need for her thrust up against her thigh. His hands pulled at the hem of her shirt again, inching it up over her shoulders and head and tossing it aside. Meryl felt their body temperatures increase dramatically as their naked skin came in contact. Their mouths locked in a heated searching kiss as he rolled over her so he was on top, straddling her, his gentle hands lightly touching the sides of her breast. She gasped and learned into his hands, silently begging for more.
His mouth left hers and made a path down the beating pulse of her neck. When the stubble on his chin scraped and tickled her chest, Meryl giggled breathlessly, until she felt his tongue slide over her breast and circle lazily around and around, closing in on its center. She sucked in her breath and clutched at his back when his lips surrounded her, and she ran her nails down to the waist of his pants.
Sliding her fingers beneath the elastic band, she grasped his backside and pressed their hips together. He moaned around her breast when his hardness pushed against her again and she shivered from the vibrations, tightening her grip on his butt. His mouth sucked on her neck again as she felt his hands slide down to her legs and spread them apart, taking time to gently tease her inner thighs.
"Unnm.." Came a sound from the back of her throat when he lifted her hips to rub himself between her legs through their clothing. Meryl wrapped her legs around him and rose her hips up to meet his dry thrusts that pressed into the thin material that separated them. She felt her resistance fading fast as he throbbed against her flesh with an insistent pressure and need. She needed to feel him. How could he ever think his scarred and tortured body would ever turn her away from him?
Her hands slipped around the sides of his pants as she brought the waistband down over his hips. Soon she would...
Wait a second! Her hormone-crazed mind screeched to a halt.
Scars...
She blinked dumbly, what happened to his scars? Her hands felt up the sides of his back. His skin was whole and smooth, without a blemish or mark. No scars!
"Vash...?" She whispered hoarsely.
The man above her stopped, still breathing heavily. Meryl craned her neck to the side to get a look at his normally gentle face and kind eyes. Her hand came up to brush the long bangs away from his eyes.
He turned his head to face her and she found herself eye to eye with...
...Knives...
ILLUSTRATION: Dreaming You (http:)
To be continued... whew...pant pant that was a rough one!
Next Time on Edge: Chapter 7 Surviving and Plants