Disclaimer: Need I say it again? I do not, and will never in my lifetime, own Trigun or any of the characters of Trigun.
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Vash and Saria approached the large two story house in which Knives lived. Vash parked their car and they both hopped out, walking up the steps and onto the veranda, ringing the doorbell and waiting patiently for an answer.
"Vash, I'm scared," said Saria, fear in her voice.
"What are you scared of?" asked Vash, grabbing Saria's hand and holding it tightly in his.
"I'm scared that they won't like me."
"They will like you, trust me."
"Okay, whatever you say."
Vash smiled and returned his attention to the door that had just been opened, leaping with joy and breaking away from Saria to hug the woman who had opened the door to them.
"It's so good to see you Vash," said the woman, hugging Vash tightly.
"I miss you so much Meryl," said Vash, picking Meryl up off of the ground and swinging her around.
"Long time no see brother," said a man coming forth from the shadows of the hallway.
"Knives!" exclaimed Vash, dropping Meryl and rushing into the house to greet his brother.
"Too long tongari," whispered Knives, hugging his brother tightly.
"I agree," said Vash, pulling away from his brother and smiling.
Knives looked past his brother and stared at the blonde girl who stood in the doorway, fear emanating from her body. "Vash, is she your new love interest?"
"She's not my love interest," said Vash, looking behind him at Saria and smiling. "She's my wife."
"Your what?!" yelled Meryl, placing a hand over her mouth.
"My wife," repeated Vash.
"When did you two tie the knot?" asked Knives.
"Yesterday," said Saria, speaking for the first time and stepping into the house.
"Well congratulations," said Meryl closing the door behind Saria and turning the hall lights on.
"Thanks," said Vash, placing an arm around Saria's waist.
"Why don't we go into the living room and talk about this?" suggested Knives. Vash, Saria, and Meryl nodded and followed Knives into the large, bay windowed living room.
Vash couldn't help but notice something different about Meryl when he had picked her up and hugged her. He couldn't seem to place his finger on what it was at the moment, though, so he decided to shrug it off. Whatever it was, he would find out sooner or later.
"Have a seat," said Knives, sitting down on one of two overstuffed sofas that lined the walls of the living room, Meryl joining him at his side. Vash took a seat in an armchair across from Meryl and Knives, Saria sitting in a similar chair next to her husband.
"So, Saria, tell us more about yourself and the wedding," said Meryl sounding a bit school-girlish.
"Well, for starters," began Saria, "my name is Saria Blackwell, but my friends tend to call me the 'Desert Rose' for some odd reason. I first met Vash one day when I had just entered the town and our love grew from then on, and on one not so ordinary day, he proposed to me. I called a friend of mine, whom is a priest, and he gladly agreed to marry us yesterday and here we are, married and happy."
"What is this friend of yours' name?" asked Knives curiously. "I may know him."
"His name is Mi-Malachi," answered Saria. "Does the name sound familiar?"
"No, it doesn't," replied Knives, nodding and smiling at Vash as he eyed the gold ring on his left ring finger and Saria at the same time.
Saria shifted in her chair and stared at Knives, fear filling her body once more. Knives apparently noticed her uneasiness and grew concerned for his new sister-in-law.
"Is anything the matter Saria?" asked Knives.
"Oh, no," replied Saria, folding her hands in her lap.
"If you need anything, just let me know," chimed Knives, smiling at the nervous girl who sat across from him.
"Knives, why don't you tell Saria what you do for a living," suggested Vash, taking note of the uneasiness in the room.
"The government pays me to gather information on notorious criminals," began Knives. "My newest case has been Lorelei Baroque, the most dangerous criminal around. She is a prime suspect in the murder of someone very close to all of us and I am gathering as much information on her as I can."
"We've been trying to find her," added Meryl, "but, sadly, we've had no luck."
"Where do you work at Knives?" asked Saria interestedly.
"My office upstairs," answered Knives nonchalantly. Saria nodded her head and smiled, grabbing Vash's hand and holding it in hers.
Knives studied Saria intensely, trying to read her aura or her mind. There was something about her that troubled him, but he couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe it was the fact that Vash married her so soon. That had to be it.
"Meryl, where is your bathroom at?" asked Saria.
"It's upstairs next to Knives' office," replied Meryl. Saria nodded and left the living room leaving the three alone.
"Meryl, what happened to the desserts?" asked Knives.
"Oh dear!" exclaimed Meryl. "I forgot all about them. I'll go and get them now."
"You stay here," said Knives, "and I'll get them." Meryl nodded and Knives exited the room in pursuit of desserts and coffee, leaving Meryl and Vash alone together.
Meryl stared at Vash's wedding band and felt a pang of sorrow fill her body, a raging river about to break through a dam. She hated to admit it, but she regretted ever leaving with Knives and felt a pang of jealousy towards Saria. She resented Saria and wanted to rip the ring off of Vash's finger. She had been happy with him and she let him go, falling for Knives and leaving Vash in the cold. Who could blame the man for getting married?
She finally came to the conclusion that she was just angry that they had married so soon. Yeah, that was it. But she couldn't help but remember that one time with Vash, that one time when he had wanted to ask her something but she didn't have time to stay...
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"Meryl, I have something I want to ask you," said Vash, grabbing Meryl's hand as she walked up the steps and onto the sand steamer.
"Vash, I can't stay," said Meryl, pulling away from Vash and continuing up the steps.
"This won't take long. Please Meryl, give me two seconds."
"Vash, we're about to depart. I'm sure that whatever it is can wait until I come back."
Meryl turned around and kissed Vash tenderly on his lips and ascended onto the sand steamer, leaving her love alone.
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Oh my God! He wanted to propose but I blew him off...damn me and my hastiness...
"Meryl, what's bothering you?" asked Vash, finally breaking the silence.
"Nothing," replied Meryl, staring at Vash's boots and avoiding his gaze.
Vash knew something was bothering Meryl, but he decided not to pester her about it. After all, she was known to be very irritable and pissy when pestered about an issue. He figured that if she wanted to tell him what was on her mind then she would tell him.
I could prod through her mind...wait! What am I thinking? Her thoughts are hers alone, not mine to view for my pleasure. Damn, I wish I knew what she's thinking...
Vash folded his hands and twiddled his thumbs, praying for Knives to hurry with the damned desserts and coffee. He sighed and caught Meryl's glance, silently pleading for her to speak.
"Oh, Vash," she sighed, "are you sure that you're not making a mistake?"
"What do you mean?" asked Vash, anger building inside of him.
"You two have only just met and now you two are married. All of this seems to rushed."
"I know what I'm doing."
"I'm sorry; it's none of my business."
The awkward silence that had filled the room before had returned again, this time filled with anger and frustration. Knives entered the room again, bringing with him a tray of donuts and tiny pastries.
"Meryl made the donuts just for you, Vash," said Knives, placing the tray on the coffee-table. "I'll be back with the coffee." Knives left the room again, leaving Vash alone with Meryl once more.
"Aw, Meryl," said Vash as he leaped from his chair and grabbed as many donuts as he could, "I'm sorry for being short with ya."
"It's okay," she replied. "I made your favorite donuts: glazed, chocolate glazed, and jelly-filled glazed."
"VOR DA VEST!" exclaimed Vash through a mouthful of donuts. Meryl couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the Humanoid Typhoon acting like a four- year-old child.
Knives walked back into the living room carrying a tray with four cups of coffee, placing it on the coffee table next to the tray of desserts and taking his and Meryl's cups. He sat down next to Meryl and handed her her cup of coffee, taking a sip of his own.
Vash took his cup of coffee off of the tray and rested back in his chair, waiting for Saria to come back into the living room and beginning to worry whether or not she was feeling well. Saria finally walked back into the living room and sat next to Vash, taking her cup of coffee and resting back in her chair.
"Saria, are you feeling alright?" asked Vash, leaning closer to his wife.
"I'm feeling kind of sick," answered Saria, taking her hand from under Vash's and placing it on her forehead.
"Maybe we should go home," suggested Vash.
"I don't want you to go through the trouble," said Saria. "I'll be fine."
"No, you two should leave," said Knives, placing his coffee cup on the coffee table and standing.
"I said that I'll be fine," snapped Saria.
"Saria, you look pale," said Vash. "We should go. I'm sorry Knives, but she isn't well."
"I understand," said Knives, helping Saria out of her chair.
Meryl removed the shawl from around her shoulders and threw it around Saria's for warmth. Vash pushed himself out of his chair and walked with Saria to the front door. Knives rushed past them and opened the door for the couple, walking them out onto the veranda.
"Thanks for everything," said Vash, smiling at his brother and Meryl.
"You two are welcome here anytime," said Knives, smiling back at his brother.
"I hope you feel better," said Meryl.
"Thank you," whispered Saria.
"Call when you get home," commanded Knives. Vash nodded his head and walked to his car with Saria, driving away into the town.
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Knives closed the door and pressed his palm against the smooth wooden surface, staring at the floor.
"Do you think that she'll be okay?" asked Meryl.
"Yeah, she will," answered Knives. "I'm going up to do some work. You get some rest."
Knives turned on his heel and rushed up the stairs and into his office, leaving Meryl alone in the hallway.
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Vash and Saria drove through the town and quickly approached their house, Vash sweating nervously. He turned off the engine and leaped out of the car, rushing to the passenger side and helping Saria out. They walked to the door and hurried inside and up the stairs into their room.
Vash sat Saria on the bed and pulled her pajamas from the dresser drawer next to the bed. He tossed them to her and felt her forehead again to see how bad her fever was, if she even had one.
"You get some rest," whispered Vash. "I'm going to run out and get you some soup and ginger ale. I won't be long."
Vash kissed Saria on her forehead and rushed out of the room and down the stairs, running out of the house and leaving Saria to fend for herself.
A/N: I made it to chapter 22!! Yayy!! The next two chapters are going to get more interesting, I promise, along with the rest of the story. Now, you have a job to do, and that is to review review review!!!
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Vash and Saria approached the large two story house in which Knives lived. Vash parked their car and they both hopped out, walking up the steps and onto the veranda, ringing the doorbell and waiting patiently for an answer.
"Vash, I'm scared," said Saria, fear in her voice.
"What are you scared of?" asked Vash, grabbing Saria's hand and holding it tightly in his.
"I'm scared that they won't like me."
"They will like you, trust me."
"Okay, whatever you say."
Vash smiled and returned his attention to the door that had just been opened, leaping with joy and breaking away from Saria to hug the woman who had opened the door to them.
"It's so good to see you Vash," said the woman, hugging Vash tightly.
"I miss you so much Meryl," said Vash, picking Meryl up off of the ground and swinging her around.
"Long time no see brother," said a man coming forth from the shadows of the hallway.
"Knives!" exclaimed Vash, dropping Meryl and rushing into the house to greet his brother.
"Too long tongari," whispered Knives, hugging his brother tightly.
"I agree," said Vash, pulling away from his brother and smiling.
Knives looked past his brother and stared at the blonde girl who stood in the doorway, fear emanating from her body. "Vash, is she your new love interest?"
"She's not my love interest," said Vash, looking behind him at Saria and smiling. "She's my wife."
"Your what?!" yelled Meryl, placing a hand over her mouth.
"My wife," repeated Vash.
"When did you two tie the knot?" asked Knives.
"Yesterday," said Saria, speaking for the first time and stepping into the house.
"Well congratulations," said Meryl closing the door behind Saria and turning the hall lights on.
"Thanks," said Vash, placing an arm around Saria's waist.
"Why don't we go into the living room and talk about this?" suggested Knives. Vash, Saria, and Meryl nodded and followed Knives into the large, bay windowed living room.
Vash couldn't help but notice something different about Meryl when he had picked her up and hugged her. He couldn't seem to place his finger on what it was at the moment, though, so he decided to shrug it off. Whatever it was, he would find out sooner or later.
"Have a seat," said Knives, sitting down on one of two overstuffed sofas that lined the walls of the living room, Meryl joining him at his side. Vash took a seat in an armchair across from Meryl and Knives, Saria sitting in a similar chair next to her husband.
"So, Saria, tell us more about yourself and the wedding," said Meryl sounding a bit school-girlish.
"Well, for starters," began Saria, "my name is Saria Blackwell, but my friends tend to call me the 'Desert Rose' for some odd reason. I first met Vash one day when I had just entered the town and our love grew from then on, and on one not so ordinary day, he proposed to me. I called a friend of mine, whom is a priest, and he gladly agreed to marry us yesterday and here we are, married and happy."
"What is this friend of yours' name?" asked Knives curiously. "I may know him."
"His name is Mi-Malachi," answered Saria. "Does the name sound familiar?"
"No, it doesn't," replied Knives, nodding and smiling at Vash as he eyed the gold ring on his left ring finger and Saria at the same time.
Saria shifted in her chair and stared at Knives, fear filling her body once more. Knives apparently noticed her uneasiness and grew concerned for his new sister-in-law.
"Is anything the matter Saria?" asked Knives.
"Oh, no," replied Saria, folding her hands in her lap.
"If you need anything, just let me know," chimed Knives, smiling at the nervous girl who sat across from him.
"Knives, why don't you tell Saria what you do for a living," suggested Vash, taking note of the uneasiness in the room.
"The government pays me to gather information on notorious criminals," began Knives. "My newest case has been Lorelei Baroque, the most dangerous criminal around. She is a prime suspect in the murder of someone very close to all of us and I am gathering as much information on her as I can."
"We've been trying to find her," added Meryl, "but, sadly, we've had no luck."
"Where do you work at Knives?" asked Saria interestedly.
"My office upstairs," answered Knives nonchalantly. Saria nodded her head and smiled, grabbing Vash's hand and holding it in hers.
Knives studied Saria intensely, trying to read her aura or her mind. There was something about her that troubled him, but he couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe it was the fact that Vash married her so soon. That had to be it.
"Meryl, where is your bathroom at?" asked Saria.
"It's upstairs next to Knives' office," replied Meryl. Saria nodded and left the living room leaving the three alone.
"Meryl, what happened to the desserts?" asked Knives.
"Oh dear!" exclaimed Meryl. "I forgot all about them. I'll go and get them now."
"You stay here," said Knives, "and I'll get them." Meryl nodded and Knives exited the room in pursuit of desserts and coffee, leaving Meryl and Vash alone together.
Meryl stared at Vash's wedding band and felt a pang of sorrow fill her body, a raging river about to break through a dam. She hated to admit it, but she regretted ever leaving with Knives and felt a pang of jealousy towards Saria. She resented Saria and wanted to rip the ring off of Vash's finger. She had been happy with him and she let him go, falling for Knives and leaving Vash in the cold. Who could blame the man for getting married?
She finally came to the conclusion that she was just angry that they had married so soon. Yeah, that was it. But she couldn't help but remember that one time with Vash, that one time when he had wanted to ask her something but she didn't have time to stay...
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"Meryl, I have something I want to ask you," said Vash, grabbing Meryl's hand as she walked up the steps and onto the sand steamer.
"Vash, I can't stay," said Meryl, pulling away from Vash and continuing up the steps.
"This won't take long. Please Meryl, give me two seconds."
"Vash, we're about to depart. I'm sure that whatever it is can wait until I come back."
Meryl turned around and kissed Vash tenderly on his lips and ascended onto the sand steamer, leaving her love alone.
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Oh my God! He wanted to propose but I blew him off...damn me and my hastiness...
"Meryl, what's bothering you?" asked Vash, finally breaking the silence.
"Nothing," replied Meryl, staring at Vash's boots and avoiding his gaze.
Vash knew something was bothering Meryl, but he decided not to pester her about it. After all, she was known to be very irritable and pissy when pestered about an issue. He figured that if she wanted to tell him what was on her mind then she would tell him.
I could prod through her mind...wait! What am I thinking? Her thoughts are hers alone, not mine to view for my pleasure. Damn, I wish I knew what she's thinking...
Vash folded his hands and twiddled his thumbs, praying for Knives to hurry with the damned desserts and coffee. He sighed and caught Meryl's glance, silently pleading for her to speak.
"Oh, Vash," she sighed, "are you sure that you're not making a mistake?"
"What do you mean?" asked Vash, anger building inside of him.
"You two have only just met and now you two are married. All of this seems to rushed."
"I know what I'm doing."
"I'm sorry; it's none of my business."
The awkward silence that had filled the room before had returned again, this time filled with anger and frustration. Knives entered the room again, bringing with him a tray of donuts and tiny pastries.
"Meryl made the donuts just for you, Vash," said Knives, placing the tray on the coffee-table. "I'll be back with the coffee." Knives left the room again, leaving Vash alone with Meryl once more.
"Aw, Meryl," said Vash as he leaped from his chair and grabbed as many donuts as he could, "I'm sorry for being short with ya."
"It's okay," she replied. "I made your favorite donuts: glazed, chocolate glazed, and jelly-filled glazed."
"VOR DA VEST!" exclaimed Vash through a mouthful of donuts. Meryl couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the Humanoid Typhoon acting like a four- year-old child.
Knives walked back into the living room carrying a tray with four cups of coffee, placing it on the coffee table next to the tray of desserts and taking his and Meryl's cups. He sat down next to Meryl and handed her her cup of coffee, taking a sip of his own.
Vash took his cup of coffee off of the tray and rested back in his chair, waiting for Saria to come back into the living room and beginning to worry whether or not she was feeling well. Saria finally walked back into the living room and sat next to Vash, taking her cup of coffee and resting back in her chair.
"Saria, are you feeling alright?" asked Vash, leaning closer to his wife.
"I'm feeling kind of sick," answered Saria, taking her hand from under Vash's and placing it on her forehead.
"Maybe we should go home," suggested Vash.
"I don't want you to go through the trouble," said Saria. "I'll be fine."
"No, you two should leave," said Knives, placing his coffee cup on the coffee table and standing.
"I said that I'll be fine," snapped Saria.
"Saria, you look pale," said Vash. "We should go. I'm sorry Knives, but she isn't well."
"I understand," said Knives, helping Saria out of her chair.
Meryl removed the shawl from around her shoulders and threw it around Saria's for warmth. Vash pushed himself out of his chair and walked with Saria to the front door. Knives rushed past them and opened the door for the couple, walking them out onto the veranda.
"Thanks for everything," said Vash, smiling at his brother and Meryl.
"You two are welcome here anytime," said Knives, smiling back at his brother.
"I hope you feel better," said Meryl.
"Thank you," whispered Saria.
"Call when you get home," commanded Knives. Vash nodded his head and walked to his car with Saria, driving away into the town.
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Knives closed the door and pressed his palm against the smooth wooden surface, staring at the floor.
"Do you think that she'll be okay?" asked Meryl.
"Yeah, she will," answered Knives. "I'm going up to do some work. You get some rest."
Knives turned on his heel and rushed up the stairs and into his office, leaving Meryl alone in the hallway.
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Vash and Saria drove through the town and quickly approached their house, Vash sweating nervously. He turned off the engine and leaped out of the car, rushing to the passenger side and helping Saria out. They walked to the door and hurried inside and up the stairs into their room.
Vash sat Saria on the bed and pulled her pajamas from the dresser drawer next to the bed. He tossed them to her and felt her forehead again to see how bad her fever was, if she even had one.
"You get some rest," whispered Vash. "I'm going to run out and get you some soup and ginger ale. I won't be long."
Vash kissed Saria on her forehead and rushed out of the room and down the stairs, running out of the house and leaving Saria to fend for herself.
A/N: I made it to chapter 22!! Yayy!! The next two chapters are going to get more interesting, I promise, along with the rest of the story. Now, you have a job to do, and that is to review review review!!!