Chapter 6: Love and War
Vash timed himself as he ran the two mile mark. As he got faster each time he didn't find it was acceptable.
" He's been like this for three days now," Wolfwood said
" He works himself to the ground," Jessica said
Vash finished up and walked to the locker room afterwards and cleaned up. He walked out and looked at Jessica and Wolfwood standing there.
" Are you mad?" Wolfwood asked, " That or drop dead obsessed with this race?"
" It's important to me," Vash said
" So, is your health," Jessica said
She grabbed his hand and looked at him.
" I'm fine," he replied, " There's nothing physically wrong with me."
" Think about Nationals coming up, you'll wear yourself out?" Wolfwood ask
" I'm doing it for my brother," Vash said, " You should know that by now."
" The only person your doing this for is you, your not saving anyone!" Wolfwood shouted
Vash stood in front of him and narrowed his eyes.
" There are other ways," Wolfwood said
" Like what?" Vash questioned, " Give him a hardy hand shake and said hey can we be brothers again?"
" No, you could just let him hate you," Wolfwood said, " Sooner or later someone's going to act like the reasonable adult."
Vash shook his head and walked off and Jessica followed behind him. She was trying to be reasonable with Vash's sudden arrogance. Vash walked away and on towards the empty school yard. Wolfwood followed and Jessica followed behind him as they trudged behind Vash.
" I don't need your sympathies," Vash said
" We're not giving you any," Wolfwood said, " We're trying to make you focus."
" And why can't you both go your own ways and shut up about it?" Vash questioned
" Is that how you feel about us Vash, we're only your friends when you need us," Wolfwood said
" Perhaps," Vash said
" You're an idiot, Knives will kill you," Wolfwood said, " Why don't you
remember that."
Vash stopped and shook his head and looked at his bag.
" Many years ago, Knives took apart of my life that I can never get back," Vash said
" So, it's revenge you want," Wolfwood said
" I don't know," Vash said, " That's why I have to do what I have my heart set on."
" Alright then," Wolfwood said, " Don't lose the rest."
Wolfwood walked off and Jessica stood there and then sighed. She walked over to him and grabbed his arm. He looked at her and she smiled, then placed her hand on his face.
" I'm here," Jessica said
Vash smiled and then kissed her cheek and walked off. Jessica sighed and walked off. Vash walked down to the bus stopped and someone honked at him. Vash looked up and saw Meryl parking. She got out and grabbed her bag out the back of her car.
" Just finishing practicing for the big race?" she asked
" Yeah," Vash replied
" Damn, I was going to come practice with you," Meryl replied, " It's a shame."
Vash smirked and Meryl looked at her watch and then at Vash.
" So, Mr. Vash, do you have time to tutor me in Physics?" Meryl inquired
" Yeah, you have your things?" he replied
" Sure do," Meryl said, " I know a perfect place around town to get something to eat and you can tutor me."
Vash tossed his bag into her car and he got in. She took off and she looked at him seeing he was deep and thought.
" So, your really going to go through with it….your going to take Knives up on his challenge," Meryl said
" Yeah," Vash said
Meryl pulled up to a very nice house, to say the least she was not without luxuries. She got out and walked in and Vash followed her into her house. Her father was busy at work and her mother was somewhere not to be seen. She lead him upstairs to her room where she had her books laid out.
" Well, I can't say it's the cleanest," Meryl said, " I've been working with school work most the day."
Vash looked at her language stuff out, then her history book and binder, followed by her Physics. She handed him some paper and both sat on the floor next to each other. Vash began to explain what he could. Meryl watched him draw diagrams to help her. Vash looked at her and slightly smiled at her as she figured out a problem.
" I get it," Meryl said
She was so excited she tackled him and fell on top of him.
" Oh, thank you," Meryl said kissing him half on the cheek and lips
" Ah, your welcome," Vash sheepishly said
Meryl smiled and looked at him. Vash smiled, then reached up and kissed her on the lips. She was surprised at first and then kissed him back, which turned into much more. Vash and Meryl were unbreakable at moment, straying from their real purpose. Vash sat up fully and Meryl straddled over his lap, he pulled her close to him as they kissed passionately. Both allowed their hands to do the exploring, while their lips and tongues did the explaining.
" Meryl," Vash said between kisses
" Yes," Meryl replied
" What about physics?" Vash asked
" Isn't this physics?" she answered kissing his neck
" This would be more like Chemistry," Vash stated
" Then new subject," she said
She undid the top two buttons on his collared shirt. Vash took her lips with his own while her hands fumbled with the rest of the buttons on his shirt. She gently pushed back his shirt and felt his muscular chest.
" Meryl," he said
" Yes," she replied
" What about Knives?" Vash asked
" What about him?" Meryl asked
Vash pulled away and looked at her. She stared at him and both breathed deep staring at each other.
" What about Knives?" Vash asked, " Your still dating him?"
" Yes," she said removing the ring from under her messed up blouse
Vash sighed and shook his head.
" Why are you doing this?" Vash asked
" Because, I'm in love with you Vash not Knives," Meryl replied in a whispered
She traced his chest with her hand and Vash grabbed her hand. He entwined his fingers with hers and kissed her.
" Do you really?" he questioned
" Yes, of course. Why would I play you?" Meryl said
Vash turned away and Meryl looked at him. She reached over and turned Vash's head towards her gaze.
" Vash?" she questioned, " Do you think I would play you just because Knives asked me too, so you would be distracted?"
" I don't know would you?" Vash questioned
" That's what I thought," she said, " You would think that."
Vash buttoned his shirt and stood up. She stood up and followed him downstairs.
" Why Meryl? Do you really need help in Physics?" Vash asked
He started towards the end of the driveway when Meryl grabbed his arm. He looked at her and then turned away. He reached into her car and grabbed his things then took off.
" See you around," Vash said
Meryl sighed and walked back inside then growled. She stormed up to her room and shut the door and then began to cry.
" How did I get mix up with him?" she shouted in a pillow, " He's ruined my life!"
The next day at school Vash walked into the school yard and saw Meryl standing there with Knives. He narrowed his eyes and walked a different direction and sat down.
" So, what happened?" Wolfwood said
" She never needed me," Vash whispered, " She only needed to make an excuse to see me so she could distract me. So, when I went up against Knives I would lose, cause I would be to distracted."
" Well, if you had gone through with it, you'd a least be relaxed," Wolfwood said
Knives looked at Meryl and lifted her chin.
" Did he fall for it?" Knives asked
" No," Meryl whispered, " He knew it was to good to be true."
" Try harder," Knives said
Meryl looked at him and said, " No, I can't and I won't."
" You will," Knives said lifting his hand up as to slap her
Vash looked over and narrowed his eyes. He sat his books down and ran over to stop Knives. As Knives hand came down to hit Meryl, Meryl winced and shut her eyes. Vash grabbed Knives by the wrist.
" What do you think your doing?" Knives growled
" Saving someone who's innocent," Vash said
" Or, perhaps your in love with her," Knives said, " Laying a hand on my girlfriend."
" More like she was playing by your rules. I think that's called using your girlfriend….you were also trying to find a reason to break up with her," Vash said
" Bullshit," Knives said, " Get your hand off me."
Meryl looked at Knives and Vash threw his hand down. He narrowed his eyes then turned away, Meryl smiled and he walked off. She frowned and Knives narrowed his eyes.
" I'll get him," he said
Meryl looked at him as he walked back towards where he was standing. Wolfwood looked at Vash and saw an unpleasant face.
" It went well?" he asked
" You would think respect came natural to a rich boy, but apparently its something my asshole father never taught him!" Vash shouted
Knives flipped Vash off with another gesture and Vash smirked.
" Now, do you see why I have to do this?" Vash questioned
" Ah…no not really," Wolfwood said
The bell rang and the school day began. Vash started his classes off with an ok attitude, that was until after lunch when he had P.E. Knives came up to him and grabbed Vash by his neck.
" Let me make this clear Vash, you can't over power me….you didn't join me when you had the chance…so like everyone who's tried to beat me, you will too meet your end," Knives said, " Unfortunately it will have to wait after track cause that has become my life."
He pushed Vash against his locker on the open door and then pushed him out his way. He walked off with his fellow teammate punks. Vash rubbed his head and slammed his locker door.
" How am I not surprised?" Vash growled, " Damn it."
Vash walked out and both Knives and Vash warmed up working on their event.
" Don't fall Vash," Knives said, " I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself before I can hurt you."
" Kiss my unforgiving ass Millions," Vash shouted taking off before Knives
Knives followed behind him chasing Vash from behind. The coach watched the two and sighed.
" Millions, Vash!" the coach shouted as the boys ran
" Take him down Millions!" a few of Knives' punks shouted
" You better say your payers!" Knives shouted
" Why your going to kill me with your pathetic excuses of words…Ow I'm hurt…I need my buddies to pick me up!" Vash shouted
" You will once I get a hold of you," Knives growled
As the boys got neck and neck the subject of Meryl.
" A least I can get some action by a woman that was suppose to trick me in sleeping with her, unlike you," Vash said
" Oh, yeah," Knives said
" She hates your guts Knives, and I hope she kills you in your sleep with that nasty right fist of hers. Speaking of right fist how's that fractured nose of yours, ruined the real bad boy image," Vash stated
" That's it Stampede," Knives said
He pushed Vash out of his lane and Vash pushed Knives back until both were shoulder to shoulder. The coach balled up his fist and grinded his teeth.
" Vash, Millions!" the coach shouted, " Front and center now!"
Vash and Knives ran over and the coach wacked them both on their heads with his clip board.
" Ow coach that really hurt," Vash said
" Good maybe it will tell you something," the coach said, " Now get set up on with 3 lanes between you….Midvalley and three others get between them now."
" Yes, sir," Midvalley said
" I only want hurdles in their lanes, the rest set them up," the coach said
The coach shook his head and looked at Knives and Vash. He then walked off and drank some water to cool off. They got ready and both Vash and Knives took off focusing on what they were suppose to.
By the time school ended they changed into their track uniforms and Knives walked to the fence. Meryl looked at him and then walked over to him. She kissed his forehead.
" Sorry," Meryl said
" I forgive you," Knives said, " You have to do one thing for me though."
" What's that?" she asked
" I'll tell you after practice," Knives said
Meryl nodded and leaned against the fence to watch him practice. Vash looked at Meryl and she waved at him, he didn't even acknowledge her. She narrowed her eyes and gave him a look.
" Jerk!" Meryl shouted
" What do you expect, you used him," Wolfwood said
" Oh now the voice of reasons comes to grace me with his wisdom," Meryl said
" Oh, get over yourself Meryl, Vash apparently doesn't want anything to do with you right now since one you were doing as Knives said," Wolfwood said
" How do you know all this?" Meryl questioned
" If you ask me, that favor Knives wants has something about something he has gotten," Wolfwood said, " So, how much is he paying you?"
" Nothing," Meryl said
" Come on Meryl, he's Knives and you don't even like Knives," Wolfwood badgered
Meryl slapped Wolfwood with her bag and walked further down the fence. She sighed and Wolfwood shrugged and then walked off.
Practice ended and Vash showered and cleaned up then changed into his other clothes. He packed his bag and headed down to the bus stop.
" Vash," Meryl called
" I don't want to talk to you," Vash said, " I'm ignoring you now."
Meryl grabbed his hand and Vash looked at her.
" I was wrong," Meryl said, " I should have lied to Knives."
" Your becoming one of his slave girlfriends," Vash said, " He hits you and probably already has away to get his way with you."
" That's not true," Meryl said
Vash continued to the bus stop and Meryl continued to follow him. She stepped in front of him and looked at him. He stopped and looked at Meryl with staggered breaths. Meryl reached up and kissed him fully on the lips. Vash breathed deep and then kissed her back. His luck was perfect when it came to screwing up because at that moment Jessica walked by. She saw Vash kissing Meryl and she breathed deep.
" Vash," she said
Vash pulled away and saw Jessica standing there.
" Why?" Jessica whispered
She took off and Vash ran after her, there he grabbed her by her arm.
" Jessica," he said
" Let me go, you were playing me the whole time," Jessica said, " No, wonder you every time I called your mother said you weren't there. Or you said you were busy. You were with her the whole time."
" No, that's not true," Vash said
" You kissing her proved it to me," Jessica said, " I'm sorry I even met you."
Jessica ran off and Vash stood there and breathed deep in anger.
" Vash I'm sorry," Meryl said
" Don't talk to me," Vash growled, " This is your fault."
Vash walked past Meryl and caught the bus before it left him. Meryl sighed and got into her car then drove off. She pulled up into the drive way and saw Knives' car parked right outside. She walked in and set her things down in the study then walked into the kitchen.
" Oh, Meryl your home, Knives is here," her mother said
" I noticed where is he?" Meryl asked
" I believe in the living room," her mother said
She walked off and walked into the living room and saw Knives sitting in the shadows.
" You know you can turn on some lights," Meryl said flipping on the switch
" It's more mysterious to sit in the shadows," Knives said
He stood up and kissed her cheek, she looked at him and then wrapped her arms around him.
" What's that favor you wanted, you told me you'd tell me after practice," Meryl said
" Can we go somewhere private?" he asked
" Yes, of course," Meryl replied
She grabbed his hand and walked upstairs to her room. There she shut the door and Knives looked at her. She stared at him in complete confusion, but then relaxed. He walked over to her and gently lifted her chin and kissed her fully. Meryl kissed him back and he pulled her closely. She was trying to forget about Vash even though it was hard since Knives was his twin and they kissed the same way. Knives let his hands explore and pull Meryl further away from reality as he pleasured her with his touch. Meryl felt her knees lock and she fell towards Knives. He lifted her up into his arms and laid her down on her bed. There he continued to stroke delicate skin, Meryl was losing focus on who she was with at the moment. Knives smiled underneath each kiss. He undid her skirt and slid it off her. He undid his shirt while he kissed her passionately.
" Knives," she moaned, " Stop please."
" It's alright," Knives said, " trust me."
He gently removed her shirt and kissed her on her stomach feeling she suddenly got tense.
" Please, I don't want to do this," Meryl said
She pulled away from his kisses and she looked at him. Knives looked at her and ran his hand through her hair.
" You said you'd do me a favor," Knives said
" I didn't think you were going to do this," Meryl said
Knives knelt down beside her and trailed his hand over her almost nude body. He looked at her leaned over and kissed her neck. She looked at him and pushed him away and sat up.
" No, Knives, I won't go through with this one," Meryl said, " Your favor wasn't suppose to be this."
" You agreed before I even stated," Knives said, " It will be fulfilled."
" Get out," Meryl said, " Get out of my room and out of my house."
Knives stared at Meryl and grabbed her by her shoulders and pushed her down.
" Let me go," she said
Knives looked at her and stared at her in her eyes. They showed fear and sadness something Knives hadn't seen before. He ignored it and Meryl desperately tried to break from Knives' strong hold on her before it was to late. She reached for a small vase on her bed side. She then grabbed it and hit Knives on the head with it, shattering it to pieces, but not with out it's true purpose. Knives growled and Meryl got up as she grabbed her skirt and shirt. She looked at Knives as removed his hand from his head.
" Come here now," Knives growled
" No, I told you I didn't want to," Meryl said, " If you force someone to do that it just sucks the romance right out of it."
She breathed and Knives wiped the blood from the cuts from the shattered vase.
" I'll clean it for you," Meryl said
" No," Knives growled
Meryl walked into her bathroom and pulled out some medicine out. She came with a wet cloth and walked over to Knives. She knelt down next to him and gently cleaned the blood. She picked the pieces of glass out, then dabbed it with a cloth. She placed medicine on his head and put a couple of band aids. She then reached up and kissed his head.
" I'm sorry," she whispered, " I just can't sleep with you Knives. I can do everything else with you, but I can't sleep with you."
Knives looked at her and then got up. He lifted his shirt and slipped it on, then buttoned it. He tucked in and looked at her, she slipped her skirt and shirt on before walking out.
" Knives," she said grabbing his hand
" What?" he questioned
" I'm just not ready for this, I don't want to screw up my life before I've lived it," Meryl said, " I'm sorry."
Knives looked at her and lifted her chin up.
" There's always next time," Knives said
He walked to his car and got in, he pealed out and Meryl watched. She folded her arms and sat down on the steps.
" Why couldn't I do it," she thought, " I'm such a baby, I probably just lost a chance with either guy I liked. Ironically enough twins."
Vash stared out his window as he balled up his fist. He had lost Jessica, the second girl he ever truly cared for. He was letting people get hurt that didn't need to get hurt. Vash breathed deep and pulled his knees up to his chest, then leaned his headd down on them.
" I'm such an idiot," Vash thought, " How could I have let that happened?"
" Vash," his mother's voice came from the hall
She opened his door and she saw him sitting in the windowsill. She walked over to him and stroked his head.
" What's the matter?" she asked
" I've lost them both," Vash whispered
" Oh sweet heart," she said, " How important were they?"
Vash looked at her and said, " I really cared for both of them, Meryl in her own way and Jessica in hers. I end up hurting people more each day. I can't go on living this way."
" Vash, your still young," his mother said, " I believe if your say the right words you can get them both back, but then you will have to decide which one you truly care for."
Vash nodded and his mother embraced him in her arms. She kissed his head and looked out the window.
" Alright get warmed up boys," the coach said at practice
" Hey Millions, I have new bet," Vash said
Knives got ready and looked at Vash and said, " Oh, yeah, what would that be."
" I win this race at Nationals, Meryl's mine. You break up with her," Vash said
" I think that's a little to late Stampede, Meryl doesn't want to break up with me for a guy like you. In fact you lost your chance," Knives said
" She hates you though," Vash said
" Not if you give her what she wants," Knives said, " if you know what I mean…she's only human."
" You sick bastard," Vash said
" Sorry," Knives said
" Millions, Vash get set," the coach said
Vash got ready and looked at Knives.
" She will be mine, your lying through your teeth," Vash said
" Am I now? I didn't know you could lie through your teeth…oh well," Knives said, " She did taste good Vash…happy running."
" Go!" the coach shouted
Vash took off and Knives followed, both of the boys were not showing mercy at all, the coach could see both were focused and not letting any other runner come between them. In fact every time they came close Knives and Vash pushed harder and let them fall behind.
" Man I give up!" Midvalley shouted, " Their too obsessed with themselves!"
" Your telling me, this is the third set of shoes I've gone through since we've started this separation," another guy said
" That's why I stick to music," Midvalley said, " No one's trying to out run you."
Vash and Knives jumped the corner hurdles as one, there was no break between them now. Their hearts were racing as they came to a stretch of non hurdles. Vash pushed a head and Knives pushed forward. Seconds in time turned to a minuet to what then seemed like an hour. Vash looked ahead and forced what he had left into winning, that practice race. Vash crossed seconds before Knives, once more and Knives narrowed his eyes.
After practice Vash took a shower and then changed, he walked over to the second set of lockers and saw Knives wrapping his left knee up with heavy duty bandages then placed a brace on it. Midvalley happened to pass by and Vash grabbed him by the shoulder.
" Horn freak what happened?" Vash asked
" Knives blew out his knee two years ago, nationals I believe," Midvalley said, " He was coming around the corner to finish the two mile race. He was ahead of the other schools and his knee just decided that was it. Knives fell and couldn't get up, he had felt he failed not only the team, but himself. Spent 5 months in rehab, ices that sucker than puts heat on it. Wraps it up and doesn't bother him."
" So, how did he manage to stay on the team with a knee that bad?" Vash asked
" Daddy's money comes in handy, three surgeries," Midvalley said, " I would know my Dad's the one who did the surgery."
" Damn that sucks, I guess that's why he's such a snot nose bastard and wants to beat me all the time," Vash said
" He's jealous that's all," Midvalley said
Midvalley walked off and Vash looked at his brother, he had no idea. Knives never was truly the one to talk. Even when they were kids, he would just always try beat to him. Vash sighed and went off, there he took the bus and went home, to his surprise Meryl's car was parked out front. He sighed and walked to the apartment and opened the door. His mother looked over and smiled and he walked into the living room to see Meryl sitting there.
" Do you have any dignity?" Vash asked
" Yes," Meryl said
She stood and walked over to him and Vash looked at her. She leaned her head against his chest and Vash looked at her.
" I'm sorry," Meryl whispered, " I didn't believe you…I didn't want to see it. I was so angry at you that it hit me."
Vash looked at her and lifted her chin up and he saw pain in her eyes. He stroked her cheek with his hand.
" What happened?" Vash whispered
He grabbed her hand and lead her into his room so they could talk freely. She sat on the floor and Vash knelt down next to her.
" Knives was going to force me to sleep with him. I told him to stop and I told him I couldn't," Meryl said, " He forced me down so I hit him with a glass vase."
Vash smiled and looked at her seeing tears fall from her face. He wiped them away and embraced her in his hold.
" I couldn't focus, I was thinking about you," Meryl said, " It was hard because you and Knives are twins and you kiss the same, you feel the same. The only thing different was how gentle you touch me. I realized it as he was going to force me into something I didn't want to. Vash, I'm in love with you."
" You can't be," Vash said, " I'm someone you don't want to get involved with."
" Stop pushing people away," Meryl said, " Let me have a chance."
" Did you break up with Knives?" Vash asked
" No," Meryl said
" Then I won't be able to give you a chance," Vash said, " I'm sorry Meryl."
" I understand," she said standing up
Vash watched her walk to the door and he sighed. He stood up as Meryl began to open the door.
" Meryl," he said
She looked at him and opened the door, but Vash walked over and shut it. She looked at him as he stood there. One arm on the door and he leaned towards her and put one arm around her. He kissed her and Meryl kissed him back wrapping her arms around him. Vash kissed and then looked at her.
" Where'd we leave off," Vash whispered
Meryl smiled and kissed him.
" I don't remember, why don't we start from the beginning," Meryl whispered