The Student, The Typhoon, and The Closet
**Chapter 7**
"One hour! Front of the Disney Store! Bye!"
The brown haired girl shook her head. "Bye then, I suppose." I heard her give just the tiniest of sighs before she turned and looked at me.
"So, it's just us then. So, shirts first?" she said with a tentative smile
"Eh heh... yeah..."
I hate shopping….
"I can tell you're not one for shopping, well neither am I, to tell you the truth."
For once, I managed a relieved sigh. "Good... for a minute I thought you might be one of those girls that gets all crazy whenever they go shopping..." Just what I need… rabid… er… I think 'fangirls' was the term Liz used…
Apparently, the short girl found this amusing, 'cause she just laughed and said, "Merlin no, I'd gag long before that."
Who's merlin?
I offered her a small smile. "Well then... guess we'd better get started." Yeah… you say that… but do you even know what you're doing here?
"Well, we can start by getting shirts for you. I suppose you would be a large. What color do you fancy?" She held out a few different colored shirts, none of them really looked like anything I was used to wearing... but then again... I always did like red...
"I kinda like those..." I said, pointing to three shirts, one red, one black, and one white.
She smiled in a way I thought only Millie could get away with. "Wonderful taste, I say. The changing room is right over there aways" she pointed to a door against the wall behind me, "so go and see if they fit right."
"Do I really have too?" I pouted, hoping that I'd be able to get out of one of the worst parts of shopping.
She placed her hand over mine in what I guess was a reassuring gesture. "Trust me, I hate that part of shopping too, but it would be a waste of time and money if you just bought those without knowing if they fit or not."
How the hell does she do that???
I sighed, I wasn't going to win this one… "Alright..." I whined, taking the shirts and heading for this 'changing room' of hers.
Once I managed to actually get that damned little piece of metal to lock right, I looked through my previous selections. "Okay... let's see here..."
I tried on the dark red shirt first, heh, matches my coat! I grinned at my reflection. "Hey there... lookin' pretty good!" I struck one of my patented 'tough outlaw' poses. "Vash the Stampede!!!" I sighed, shaking my head as I took off the shirt. "No matter how I say it... I can just never get used to that last part…"
After that I quickly tried on the rest of the shirts, happy to have gotten that over with, and headed back out to Stephie. "hey fit fine I guess... anything else?"
I guess I must've moved a little quieter than I thought, because she jumped and let out one those tiny little squeaks before she turned around and smiled at me. "W-well ... we need to get you pants and then shoes later."
She probably hates this as much as I do… I flashed her a grin, trying to be a little friendlier to her. "Well... the sooner we do this the sooner we'll be done, right?"
"Vash, I know you don't like shopping that much so don't feel the need to be overly cheery about it. Be yourself, please." she said with a smile as she handed me a few pairs of pants.
I shook my head, a real smile crossing my faces this time. "I swear... you and Liz must be related..." I guess I'd better try these on too…
Now that I had done it once, getting the door to shut and lock wasn't so hard, but I really didn't want to be in there too long, so I kinda pretended to try them on before I raced out of the tiny cubicle.
I found her standing at the clothes rack, staring off into space. I walked up quietly and tapped her on the shoulder. "Whatcha lookin' at?"
"Oh, nothing ... so, they fit?" she said, pointing at the pants I was holding.
I looked down at the jeans, then back at the girl in front of me. I don't buy it… "They fit fine... but you looked like you were pretty deep in thought there." I grinned, "You know... it's not good to keep things bottled up." You're one to talk.
Oh shut up.
"Ha! I see what you are doing. You're returning the favor, eh?" she declared, quirking up one eyebrow... kinda like Liz does when she's confused...
"Er.... what are you talking about?"
She just laughed. "Never mind. I was just watching the people ... the families ..." she trailed off.
I looked past her to the groups of happy people wandering around the store… They don't know how lucky they are… "Yeah... I think I know what you mean..."
She looked up at me, "Yes, you would." she muttered softly. just how much does she know? "Well, shall we be getting on then?"
I couldn't resist a smirk. "Now who's being 'overly cheery'?"
"Eh heh ... w-well ... shoes then?"
I shook my head in amusement. "Sure."
As I followed her out of the store, I found myself thinking about what she had just said.
Hmm... I wonder what was on her mind... I mentally shook myself. Oh well... better not worry about it too much. But still... she and Liz sure seem pretty similar... wait.. what am I thinking about Liz for?
"I don't know your shoe size, so try these on and see if they are snug. They look like they could fit you nicely."
"Whoa..."
I swear, if I didn't know where I was I would've sworn this girl in front of me was the reincarnation of Millie Thompson herself. I didn't know anyone else could talk that fast… I suddenly forgot all about the shoes she had handed me.
"Ha! It worked! I couldn't very well have the two of us so introspective, so I resorted to 'Millie Tactics 101' ..."
"Eh heh..." Okay, that's a little scary… "You know, I think you and the big girl would get along great..." That's right Vash… just back away slowly and she won't hurt you…
"Yes, that we would indeed." she said laughing once more.
I muttered to myself as I tied the laces on the boots she had handed me "I'm not sure I can get used to this..."
"What was that? I heard you say something." Great, now she's toying with me...
"Nothing..." I smiled, trying to avoid the subject. "They fit fine."
"You're doing it again. Tsk tsk ..."
I quirked up one eyebrow at her. "Doing what now?"
"That cheerily disarming smile of yours ... I do believe Wolfwood commented upon it before."
Oh…that… I smiled slightly, "So I guess everyone here knows about that..."
"Well, not everyone per se. Just the people who've watched the anime, really."
"Oh... so you and Liz have seen it then?"
"Yes. Liz was the one who introduced me to the anime. I recently got it on DVD as a matter of fact."
"Huh..."
"Double dollar for your thoughts?" surprisingly, she actually looked... well... concerned.
I shook my head, grinning. "I was just wondering why you two would spend money on... well... a show about.. me."
She paused a minute before answering. "Well, I cannot really speak for Liz because I am not her, but I can speak for myself and say that I found myself intrigued with your character in the anime. I had a need to see you and how you survived all that you had. It was cathargic in a way to see someone like you pull through it all. In a way it gave me hope for myself, in my own life."
I gulped… "I... give people... hope?? But... but..."
My next sentence was much softer, I guess my voice just left me. "But... I've caused so much suffering..."
"That wasn't you, Vash. It wasn't. Please, believe me when I say that. You did nothing but want to save everyone, even those who don't deserve it. Please ..."
I was stunned, That's the second time today someone I barely know has hugged me… but how can they think that about me... did I really do the right thing? But... people died... can I really just move on... I don't know...
"Do you really believe all that?"
"It's hard, I know ... I can't know what it must feel like being in your shoes, but you have to move on. It takes time and it takes love, but you can move on. Believe me on this ... it may not seem like it, but I do know of sorrow too, and the only thing you can do is take it a day at a time, but not alone, never alone ..."
I smiled, just a little, I never would've guessed there could be such kind people in the world… "You know... this is the second time today someone I barely know has tried to comfort me... I must be really depressing!" I finished with a slightly more mocking tone.
"Not depressing at all. You have a heart, which is more than I can say for some. You've no right to say that about yourself." she said while she tried to discreetly wipe her eyes.
I shook my head. "I wonder why Liz bought the 'anime' then..."
"Well I don't know, but you might want to ask her about it ..."
Suddenly, I sensed she was toying with me again. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh ... nothing ... nothing at all." Oh yeah, she's about as innocent as the Gung Ho Guns...
"Right. And that friend of yours is really a modest person."
She started laughing so hard I thought she was going to fall over from lack of oxygen.
"Uh... Are you okay?"
She tried to stop laughing long enough to answer me. "I-I'm f-fine ... really ... that was just very funny. You really should take that comedy routine of yours on the road." she paid for the boots and headed out the store, motioning for me to follow.
Suddenly, I had a real interesting idea.. I took a few long strides and caught up to her, snatching the bags away from her before she had a chance to do anything about it.
"Oy! I can carry them just fine!"
I decided to go back to playing dumb. "Carry what?"
"Those bags that you have in your arms right now!"
She's got you there… but maybe if I can just… In a move I knew would be far too fast for her to catch, I tossed shoe bag into the bag with the pants, and then stacked the bag with shirts on top of that. Then, I managed to balance the whole thing on the back of one foot that had expertly crossed behind the other in a seemingly casual gesture.
"I don't have any bags in my arms. I think you're seeing things." I smirked, crossing my arms in front of me. Now if I can just hold this a little longer…
"Wha-" she blinked. "Huff puff! B-but ... y-you had them ... just a s-second ago!" she shook her head. "Oh I get it ... you're using that Vash thing ... that thing you can do. Funny, ha ha, so where are the bags?"
"Bags?"
"Vash, you're not playing fair. I know you have them. Fine, if I let you carry them, will you at least make them reappear and show me that I have not gone daft?"
I laughed, and pulled the bags out from behind me. That was getting difficult… "Now... would you mind telling me where we're going?"
"Well, we've a half an hour before we have to meet Liz and my egocentric guest. What would you like to do? Anything in particular you'd like to see here in the mall?"
I flashed her what I thought was a wicked grin. "Donuts." Oh mes amies… je t'aime!
"Sounds fine by me. I was wondering when you'd ask. Liz and I even nicknamed you Donut-boy for that precise reason." she stated, smiling widely as she led the way to a nearby donut shop.
"I was kinda wondering about that... she's a really interesting person..."
"Yes she is, but that is what makes her quite lovable."
I smiled… riiiiiiight. "So.. you two seem really close.."
"Yes, which is quite funny because we've only known each other for three months, but it sure feels longer."
"You know... Liz seems really.. well... she seemed to trust me almost the moment she met me..." I shook my head. This had really been bothering me. Why didn't the red-haired girl ever run away? I mean… it's not like she didn't know who I am… what I'm capable of… "I just don't get it."
"Well, Vash, you do remember that she knows quite a bit about you from the anime and for that matter so do I. She trusts you because she knows you, even though you don't per se know her."
I smiled slightly. "It's kinda nice not having to hide everything for once..."
"Yes, it is nice."
Funny… I didn't think I said that last bit outloud… I simply gave her a quizzical look, thinking that maybe she had more to say.
"Oy! Not that again!" she said with a laugh. "I was just saying that you of all people must appreciate that the most."
"Yeah, I do." I said, joining in on her laughter. "So.... what were we going to do again?"
"Oy!" She smacked her head. That looked like it hurt... "Not you too! You cannot be addled. I already have an addled wizard on my hands. We were going to get donuts remember." she shook her head and entered the shop.
"Oh Right! DONUTS! how could I forget?" I said, laughing at myself, though I couldn't help but think, You forgot because you were too busy thinking about how nice it is to be accepted for who you are... for once… "Well... Let's GO!"
"Woah now ... patience." She pointed to the display counter. "So what'll it be?"
I have never in my life seen so many kinds of donuts….
"Well, since Donut Boy here can't seem to choose, why not some of these sprinkled ones?"
"Sp- SPRINKLES????????"
"Yes, precisely what I said: Sprinkles. How many would you like? A dozen?"
"You really mean it??"
"Now that is a real smile! Yes, I do mean it, however on the condition that I have one out of the dozen."
I pouted, just as long as I get the rest… "Alright...."
"Aww come one Vash, you're getting eleven donuts all for your own . Cheer up!" she said, handing me that wonderful pink cardboard box that had come to hold everything I loved about life.
"THANKS!!!" I downed them all at once. "That was great!"
"Duude, you REALLY can snarf. That's the stuff of legends, it is." she muttered, a wicked grin on her face.
"It's a gift."
"Yes, apparently so." She gave a soft laugh and then, "You know, you really are quite adorable."
"Uh.. thanks!" I replied, scratching the back of my head in nervous habit as I grinned.
She simply beamed up at me. "You're quite welcome. Oy! There's Liz and Gilderoy! Let's go!" She grabbed my arm and suddenly I found myself back in a group of four again.
"Hello you two!" she greeted them cheerily.
Liz grinned. "So... you two have fun?"
"Yes, much. You?" she asked, looking up at me.
"Yup."
"Great... so... do you want to look around some more, or should we get out of here?" Liz questioned, I bet she already knows the answer to that one…
"Nooo! Home! Please??" Stephie practically begged.
Liz just laughed at her. "Alright. Vash... do you need some help with those?" she asked me, noticing the bags in my hands.
I grinned and flashed the other girl meaningful look. "No... I'm fine. What about you? You really shouldn't be putting any weight on that you know." Sigh… why didn't she have that other guy carry the bags for her, she could really hurt her hand that way…
"Er... right...."
I sighed and grabbed the bags from her hands. Guess I'll just have to do it myself…
"HEY!"
I grinned, "What?"
"You..."she glared at me for a minute before sighing, defeated. "you win..."
"Soooo, can we go now???" Stephie asked.
"Yes... lets." As we began to walk out of the 'mall', Liz grinned up at me. "So.... what did you two talk about??"
I merely grinned right back at her. "Nothing… nothing at all."
A/N: ::insert evil laugh:: So…. what did you think? Enough Vash for you? Or did I not do him justice? Please, please, please R&R for me… as I said before this chapter was very difficult as I've never tried to do anything quite like it…. So flame me for all I care… because at this point all criticism is greatly appreciated!