Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun *sigh*
Note: Okay I feel like sharing a little story with you lovely reviewers cos it might help you. Let me explain. From the beginning of this fan fic I have been planning to make an original character come and attack Vash and Knives. But until recently I had no idea who, why or how this was going to happen.
I had a bit of writers block on this character's past and reasons for wanting to kill blah blah blah but I was walking home from school by the river and was thinking about my fic and was hit by some really good ideas. So if you ever have writers block try going for a nice little walk it really does help.
Now to thank my reviewers I can't believe how many people I had review the last chapter. Wheeee thankoo.
Snapdragon76 - Don't be upset I'm sure things will work out for Vash and Meryl, I mean it has too, cos if it doesn't I'm going to need to borrow some of those tissues. Thanks for your review, much appreciated *bows*
Dustdragon - mwa ha ha yes I'm evil, but I can be worse. *points to devil horns and tail* thanks for your review
Pammi - I'm glad you like my story so far and I promise I will do some more Knives/Millie, not sure whether it will be in this chapter but if not it will definitely be in the next one. Thanx for your review
Blu and TK - ha your review had me in fits of laughter, it really cheered up an otherwise boring day so thanks for that.
Neptune Butterfly - ahh I'm so sorry bout making this chapter mean, I guess maybe I should have made this fic angst and not romance but I promise things will cheer up...well hopefully...maybe not this chapter. Yeah you can send Kuroneko to attack Knives if you like (=^.^=) mew! Thanks for your review.
Happyjack - thanks for your sweet review, I think you're a new reviewer so hugs all around for you *hugs* mew!
Vashfan311 - thank you I'm glad that you think that, I tried really hard with the emotions in that chapter. Wheeeee I'm happy now, thanks for your review
Darkraven - Don't worry we can't have a Vash Meryl fluffy fic end this way so don't despair little one they will be brought together again, and if not you can just pretend they were. HA HA...::ahem:: thanks for your review!
Silverado6000 - Yay I'm glad I didn't do anything wrong in the last chapter cos I checked it twice through before submitting it @.@ yeah I really wanted to make them leave again so that maybe they would appreciate each other more etc... and I thought I better make the stranger make an appearance sometime or other. I'm glad you liked how I depicted the emotions. When I wrote that section I really tried to think about how I would feel in Meryl's position and partly Vash's. I guess I have kinda been in that situation as well but sadly unlike Meryl I never said anything although I was close too...O.O oo-kay enough about my love life...or lack of it...thanks for your review. ^.^
Bishinjougodess - *strikes Vash-like 'love and peace' pose. Thanks for your review I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Xim-chan - You'll find out everything in this chapter...hopefully. Thanks for your review err reviews *.* hugs for you!!
Rainy-days13 - yeah I agree, even if they did confess their love for each other nothing would be easy and happy because of everything that happened and would most likely happen in the future. Glad you liked the twist. Thanks for your review!
Note to all: If you are freaked out by my weird behaviour it's because I had a hyper day, I got a good English grade in my exam so I'm really REALLY happy. But don't think that means I won't write angst cos I will.... you HAVE been warned...
Chapter 11 - Stranger
The sun was fading behind mountains of gold, casting its dying rays across the darkening sky, which gleamed as if it was on fire. A slight breeze whirled amongst the houses, killing the heat and making the temperature more bearable.
It was Meryl who saw the first star gleaming in the sky that evening. Even though it sparkled it was sharp, exactly like the tears in her own flooded eyes. She sniffed a little and wiped a hand across her face to dry any droplets that escaped. She didn't want to cry anymore, she felt drained and tired as it was but still sleep remained a stranger to her. A small sob escaped her throat and she leaned forward to bury her face in her arms.
A gentle breeze stroked through her raven hair as it pooled around her face like ribbons of silk. Her shoulders quivered slightly from holding back tears and every time her heart felt close to shattering completely another sob escaped.
The words of her confession replayed over and over again as if taunting her. She had known he was going to reject her but the pain of it happening was much worse that what she had expected. 'I went about it all wrong' she told herself angrily. The words she had spoken to him had not even been close to what she felt for him. They had covered hardly one percent of her love for him. She wished that she could just rewind time and try again, to speak what her heart so wished to tell him.
She laughed very slightly - a sound that would break the heart of the coldest man -and drew the scene of them standing in the room again. She would look up into his eyes this time and force him to look at her, trap him in her eyes as he had done to her so many times. Maybe she would be daring enough to lay a hand on his arm, it would be shaking with fear but feeling him next to her may have helped. Then carefully she would choose her words and speak them softly and gentle like a romantic song being whispered to a lover.
"Vash if only you knew how much you mean to me, I still cant believe that you haven't noticed the way I save a special smile just for you to see and no one else. These are my little ways of showing I care about you, no Vash it is more than that, my feelings for you have grown beyond work, beyond friendship. I love you with all my heart and I don't want to let you go but I know that I will." She would pause there to make sure that her voice didn't fail her, maybe increase her grip on his arm a little to show him her honesty in the words she spoke and then she would speak again, "Vash I know you don't feel this way about me but I can't go on living this lie and I cant let you go without telling you. So please don't pity me, it's my own fault for falling for you, stay safe and sometimes if your not busy promise you will think about me."
By the end of the re-enactment Meryl was crying again, that was exactly how she wished it could have been and knew that it never could. She had been given one chance at telling him how she felt and had ruined it by her own stupidity and nervousness. 'How will I live without him?' She thought miserably and closed her eyes; more tears streaming down her face.
A little movement from the door attracted her and she sat up to see Ashley sitting curled up by the door, her large eyes filled with sadness. Meryl turned around in her chair and put on a faint smile for the child who instantly burst into tears and ran into Meryl's arms.
The two remained like that for a while, both sobbing for their loss and taking comfort from each other at the same time. Millie too had been standing outside the door but did not dare go in and ruin their moment, she too felt a pang of loss in her heart but to her shame it was not all directed at Vash but mainly to his brother.
Ashley sat back so she could look up at Meryl and wiped some of her tears away before snuggling down into her lap and joining in with the stargazing. For a moment they were silent, content to be close to one another and then Ashley turned and looked up at the insurance girl.
"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked and she turned back to the stars.
"What for Ash?" Meryl whispered affectionately and stroked a loose strand of the child's hair away from her eyes. Ashley felt so much like her own daughter now that she was glad to have her around to ease the pain of losing Vash.
"I didn't stop him from going, I should have done something." She continued
"No, you did fine it's my fault for not telling him sooner or getting my hopes up about it when I knew nothing could happen."
Ashley gave a small sob and cuddled up with her again, she missed Vash almost as much as Meryl did.
"Still, I wish he hadn't gone."
"Me too but it can't be helped, he has always been like that so don't go worrying or blaming yourself. You are too young to be burdened down with things like that." Meryl told her firmly and Ashley nodded and gave her a watery grin.
"That's better." Meryl smiled too and then glanced out of the window just in time to see a star streaming across the sky, its beautiful, dusty tail trailed behind it and suddenly it was gone and the beauty was lost but never forgotten.
***Knives' POV***
We paused to rest at sunset and glanced back at the village that was nothing more but a tiny speck in a huge desert. I have to admit that I was slightly sad at seeing the place disappear, or maybe it was knowing I wouldn't see that human again, either way I could tell by my brother's silence that he was feeling extremely depressed about leaving. It angered me that he was even considering going back to that human woman but I said nothing.
Sitting down against a tall rock for shelter against the biting sand which was carried by the breeze that had stirred I watched Vash flop down opposite me. The sunglasses he wore kept his eyes hidden but I could tell he had tears in them. I can't believe he would cry over a spider!
"Vash." I decided to break this annoying silence, "are we going to be resting the night?"
A nod.
"Alright then." I growled, what was the point of making conversation when he wasn't going to make an effort to answer back! He was wallowing in self-pity, how sickening. So I decided to try again.
"We will continue north until we reach the next village, is that okay with you."
A nod.
"I have a place in mind for where we could go, it doesn't have many humans if any at all." I saw him wince and hoped he would answer.
Another nod.
By this time I was getting pretty pissed off at my pathetic brother, so what if he loved someone? There are plenty of other humans he could use for playthings; they are like a disease...everywhere.
"If you don't talk to me Vash I'm going to..."
"To what Knives?" He interrupted softly and I saw him wipe away a tear that had escaped and fallen.
"I'll go back and kill those pathetic creatures you call friends." I couldn't help but smile at his expression, he was trying to hide the horror from his face but I could see it and I could sometimes hear an echo of his thoughts of panic and disappointment.
"You would do that?" He looked straight at me now, his face void of expression.
"..." I couldn't answer, I knew my answer would please him...for some reason I didn't actually feel like killing humans anymore. I know I should, but it just seems like all the anger I had trapped inside me has finally seeped away.
"Why didn't you stay with your human?" I decided to change the question and he must have noticed because he smiled slightly.
"Because I want to stay with you Knives."
"Want? Or have to?"
"Both." He answered simply and flopped back against the sand so that his gaze was fixed on the fiery sky.
Drawing in a deep breath I raised my eyes to look at the first appearing stars that gleamed above us, I could tell that Vash was looking at them too and I allowed silence to consume us. Making conversation with my brother when he was in this kind of mood was hopeless.
***Vash's POV***
Looking up at the stars above me brought a strange calm to my otherwise tortured soul. The guilt I had felt seemed to seep away very slowly but still it remained in the back of mind, ready to pounce if I ever forgot or tried to. I couldn't help but wonder how Meryl was getting on and whether she would ever forgive me for acting the way I had.
I took a little joy in knowing that she was safe and sound now, with Millie and Ashley who had promised me she would take care of her. Maybe one day I could go back and see them, visit the place where they worked and make a surprise visit. I mean we are friends after all and friends do visit each other...okay so I'm an outlaw who everyone believes is evil...and that could be a problem, but no one would have to know who I am and as long as I could see Meryl again and apologise for what I had done it didn't really matter.
A shooting star swept across the sky and I smiled slightly at seeing such a beautiful thing on an otherwise horrible night. Then I removed the sunglasses which I had lifted up slightly and closed my eyes to sleep.
"Meryl..." how I wished I could see her again...
Morning came too quickly for my liking and Knives was impatient to get going, I think he was worried in case I changed my mind and decided to go back to the girls. But I knew I could never do that, they would kill me for making them worry and then returning the next morning expecting breakfast.
Ahh talking about breakfast that reminds me, I have those donuts that Millie gave me! Under the scornful gaze of my brother I ripped open the box and started to gorge down the delicious pastries - lets call it comfort eating okay.
"Vash...did you sleep well?" Knives looked up from where he was sitting, his eyes dull from what appeared to be lack of sleep.
"Fine." I lied and I knew he could tell I was lying from the scorn in his face.
"What I mean was, did you sense that something wasn't quite right?" He continued. I blinked and shrugged but that seemed to aggravate him.
"No." I replied quickly as I stood up and stretched, I had forgotten how horrible it was to sleep out in the desert.
***Normal POV***
Millie looked up as Meryl came down the stairs that morning, she looked like she hadn't slept a wink and it had been the same for her. Millie doubted that anyone had slept at all considering what had happened.
She turned back to the pan where three eggs sizzled noisily as if to break the awkward silence that had filled the house since Vash's departure. The heat had risen to unbearable temperatures that day and even the black cat that usually lazed around on the small porch was huddled in the shade.
Meryl yawned and collapsed on the chair letting her head fall back so that her gaze could go to the ceiling above her.
"Good morning Millie." She whispered hoarsely to her friend as she walked over to sit beside her.
"Hello Meryl how are you this morning?"
"Tired." She replied shortly and let her eyes close again.
"Meryl..."
"Yes?"
"Maybe we should go home now." Millie looked over to her friend hopefully, she had missed her home very much and all their old friends were sure to be happy to see them again.
Meryl sat up a little and looked down at her hands in her lap, she didn't want to stay either if she was true to herself. This house and village held many bad memories for her and she doubted Vash would change his mind and decide to come back to them. She understood why he had to go but still she couldn't help but wonder if maybe one day he would come back. Her mind also kept running through her dream, she knew it meant something and if it was true she didn't want Vash to die.
Standing up suddenly she turned to her friend who was looking at her hopefully. She nodded slightly and smiled, although it hurt to do so.
"We have nothing left for us here Millie, I'll write a letter to the chief and let him know that we are coming home." With that said the raven-haired girl left the room and went upstairs to grab her typewriter.
'Just a quick note to let the chief know why we are returning, that should do it' Meryl thought as she threaded the paper and started typing. As she watched the letters as they were pounded onto the paper with every move of her finger she felt the tear in her heart widen. Having it written down made it so much more real and she had to hold back tears as she finished the final sentence. 'I hope we will be allowed back to work after letting him just walk out,' she thought miserably. Her job was the only thing worth living for now.
"So what's going to happen to me?" Ashley asked from behind Meryl's shoulder.
"We're not going to leave you here if that's what you're thinking. I want you to come with Millie and I. The place we leave in is filled with children and fun things to keep you occupied. I'm sure you will love it."
"So you're taking me!?"
"Of course." Meryl smiled at the child's excitement and watched her dash down the stairs to tell Millie the good news. 'Maybe things wont be so bad.' Meryl thought happily.
On entering the living room she saw that the others were already packed, they never carried many things around with them so it hadn't taken long at all.
"I finished the letter." Meryl held up the envelope so they could see and Millie smiled cheerfully.
"So should we walk home?" Millie asked apprehensively.
"We have enough money to hire a car I think." Meryl replied as she dipped into her pocket and found a few crumpled double dollars.
"Well that's good." Ashley dipped past them and out of the door and glancing back only once before making her way to the car hire building on the outskirts of town.
* * * * * *
From where the sun was rising the stranger could see the great shadows rolling across the sand, the most interesting ones of all were the ones from the two figures who were continuing their journey.
Sitting back against a large boulder the stranger watched with intense eyes that seemed to glow with a blue flame.
"Should I wait to make my move?" The voice sounded strangely female and as the figure stood and moved into the light her feminine form was clearly visible.
Long lilac hair flowed in the wind revealing her pale yet delicate features to the harsh sunlight. Freckles decorated her cheeks making her look much younger than she actually was. Her eyes were a whirl of purples and blues and as she gazed down at her waiting victims she smiled slightly.
She had been waiting for this moment for a long time now and she wouldn't ruin it by rushing in and making costly mistakes. She would wait until evening and then strike them when they were tired after a days travelling.
"I will avenge them." She whispered again and settled back down to watch them.
***Meryl's POV***
Handing over the money for the car hire I slid into the driver's seat and closed the door and waited for Millie and Ashley to get in. They seemed to be taking far too long for my liking and they had only gone for ice cream. Placing my hands on the steering wheel I gripped it tightly and looked straight ahead into the whirling heat wave of the desert.
As I sat there listening to the sounds of the people in the town I wondered how Vash and Knives were doing and whether they were okay. I couldn't help but worry about them after all that they had been through all ready.
'Don't worry about them.' I looked up, startled at hearing such a quiet voice over the racket in the town. As I glanced around I saw no one who looked like they had spoken to me.
'You wont find me Meryl.'
"Where are you?"
'On the outskirts of town, I'm watching two people you know very well.'
"You can talk telepathically, just like Knives can." I held back my shock and ignored the weird looks I was getting from passers by.
'Yes, I just wanted to let you know that you will not hear from them again.'
"What! Why?"
'You remember that dream don't you?' The voice was so soft, too soft for the male I had seen in the dream.
"Yes, how did you know about that?"
'I was the one who sent it to you.'
"You did, but why?"
'Enough about that, I just want you to understand that I must kill them, if I don't I will never be able to smile again.'
"You were the person in my dream who killed Vash and Knives!"
'That's right, of course I projected a male form to you in that dream.'
"Why?"
'That is not important. What is important is that you move on with your life now, forget about them.' The voice disappeared and I felt strangely alone without her thoughts in my mind.
Then I felt my heart clench in panic, that woman was going to kill the man I love! Looking desperately around for Millie and Ashley I spotted them approaching slowly and yelled at them to hurry. They were in the car seconds later; Ashley sitting in the back and Millie beside me. Both were looking extremely confused.
"Vash and Knives are in trouble!" I blurted out as I started the car and drove out of the town as fast as I dared.
"Wait Meryl, could you explain what is happening?"
"I can't explain it, someone spoke to me, and she said she was going to kill Vash and Knives." I shook my head and hit the accelerator as we reached the dust track, the car bounced violently and dust clouded up into the car momentarily blinding us.
"Maybe you should slow down Meryl." Millie squeaked as she straightened herself in the car seat and looked at me nervously.
Nodding slightly I slowed the car to a decent pace and leaned back in the seat.
"So how do you know where Vash is?" Ashley asked as she leaned forwards to hang between us.
"I don't, all I know is that they walked in this direction and that someone is preparing to kill them...Oh Millie I can't let him die." I held the tears back remarkably well and Millie reached over and laid a hand on my shoulder in attempt to comfort me. I smiled gratefully over at her and spotted Ashley's fearful expression.
"Don't worry, we will find Mr. Vash in time." Millie said cheerfully and relaxed back in her seat. I nodded and turned both eyes to the road ahead.
"You two keep an eye out for anyone even if its Vash or not." They both nodded and I gripped the steering wheel tighter and accelerated the car once more.
I no longer cared that I could annoy Vash by following him but I couldn't let him die, I would rather die myself than let anything bad happen to him. That might sound stupid considering all he has been through in his life but I couldn't bare it if he actually died. I don't know what made me think that this new enemy was capable of it but maybe its because she sounded so confident, maybe I could talk her out of it since she also seemed to have a heart. No totally evil person would have warned friends of what they were doing so they could move on with their life.
***Normal POV***
Vash paused and sat down in the sand, the town shimmered on the horizon only a few iles away but it still looked a long, long way to the two tired brothers who had been travelling all day. They had paused to rest in the shade of some strange looking rocks that stuck out of the sand like giant claws.
The sun still continued to beat down relentlessly upon them and their water was starting to run short. The blistering suns seemed twice their usual size and the shadows were quickly being destroyed in their greedy rays.
Knives stood up and brought a hand just above his eyes so he could glance down at the village, which sparked on the horizon. His desperation to reach it made him forget all bad things about the humans. Leaning back he glanced at the cloudless sky and sighed miserably.
"We didn't pick a very good time to leave them did we." He complained miserably.
"I guess not." Vash drew in a long breath and coughed slightly from the dust that had gathered in his lungs. "We're not far now, lets get moving." He stretched again and felt the scream of complaint in his muscles.
Suddenly a bitter wind rose up from seemingly nowhere and with it was carried a soft laugh like the trickling of a stream and turning to look up at the peaks of the rocks where they had been sheltering they saw her. A woman with long hair glimmering like fresh ice in the sunlight and eyes like deep pools of water stood on the edge of the rock. Her garments were simple, a short blue top with long, wide sleeves hemmed with delicate lace. Her skirt was long and made of a fine silk so that the slightest breeze made it flutter like a butterfly's wings.
Yet beneath all that beauty Vash could tell she wasn't here just to seduce them, he could see in her eyes the hardening of anger and hate and he also sensed a great power within her. Knives took a step back as he sensed her negative emotions directed at them and glared at his brother questioningly.
"Hey don't look at me I don't know her!" He waved his hands in surrender and backed away from his brother's cold glare.
"No, he doesn't know me Knives." The woman interrupted as she jumped from the rock and landed daintily on her feet. Her face was emotionless and her large enchanting eyes hovered over them briefly. "But you know me don't you Knives." She continued in her whispery voice.
Vash's mouth hung open in disbelief and he turned to his brother, aqua eyes widening at Knives's uncomfortable expression.
"I never knew you had it in you." Vash stifled a laugh as he noticed the tension and straightened so he could glance back at the stranger. It was then that he realised this girl was no ordinary person, this girl had an aura unlike any human he had seen.
"I would hope that you would remember me dear Knives." She continued and strode over to stand opposite him her eyes harsh and unkind.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't" He replied, narrowing his eyes to glare at her.
"Well let me enlighten you my dear Knives, one day a cold hearted plant creature came wondering into a town, his heart set on killing and destruction. No one understood him and why he had such a contagious hate buried in his black heart. Maybe it was loneliness from being deserted by his kin or maybe it was just his nature to cause pain to others." Her tone was slow and mocking and Vash noticed his brother trembling with rage.
"Shut up!" Knives screamed at her.
"Well the reason for his evil doesn't matter really, he destroyed the town and everyone inside it in only a few moments and as he was savouring his sweet victory he spotted movement under the debris of a house." She strode past him and Vash caught the glint of a sword strapped at her side.
"I said be quiet!" Knives hissed and tried to strike the strange woman who simply dodged his fist and continued circling him like a stalking lioness.
"On seeing that someone had escaped his wrath the black-hearted man approached and grabbed the living human from the debris. Seeing that she was badly hurt he found himself impressed by the child's will to survive - for that was all she was - a little girl. He took her and told her that her family was dead that she might as well join them but when she refused he found himself intrigued by her spirit. So instead he took her away and even though she cried he ignored her and took her to a place she had never seen before."
Here the woman paused, tears now shimmering in her once emotionless eyes and Vash found himself wanting to comfort her. He still wasn't sure who she was and why she was here telling Knives this story when it suddenly hit him. 'Knives was the one who found that child and that child was this woman!'
"And in the night he changed her into a demon and left her to fend for herself." Her voice was louder now and boomed like thunder in their ears. "The cold man left her alone for a year and then when he returned he found her gone. Filled with anger that the girl had gone against his orders to stay he went in search of her. It did not take him long and he was infuriated by the sight that he saw, the girl he had turned into one of his kin had betrayed him and had gone to live with humans."
"You're a plant?" Vash interrupted.
"I am." She declined her head sadly and turned back to face Knives who was by now, seething with anger.
The woman laid her hand on the hilt of her sword and drew in a deep breath. "I have come to take revenge on my family, the ones you murdered that day Knives. You shall die as they did and I shall finally be at peace." She tightened her grip on the sword and Vash dived forward just in time to catch her hand before she unsheathed the weapon.
"What do you think you are doing?" She snarled viciously and tugged free from his grip. "You want to protect that murderer and get in the way of justice?" Her eyes sparked with fury.
"He is my brother." Vash spoke softly and she nodded.
"I thought as much, you would defend him even after all the pain he caused you. Well I'm afraid that if you stick up for him you must die too."
"What makes you think you can kill us?" Knives snarled and the woman simply laughed and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"You are both tired out from travelling that's what." She laughed almost sweetly and took a step towards them holding out the glimmering blade so that it blinded them.
"Oh and don't worry about Meryl and the others." She added sweetly. "I have told Meryl that she will not hear from you again, she took it quite well considering." She smiled at Vash's horrified expression and sighed melodramatically. "You shouldn't have left her Mr. Stampede." She wagged a finger at him and with one swift motion cracked Knives behind the knees to knock him to the sand.
***Vash's POV***
She knocked my brother down so easily that I realised that we were in trouble, this wasn't just like fighting some normal bounty hunter, she was a plant! Okay so Knives changed her into one - and I'm still a little confused about how - but she was just as powerful and if I didn't somehow talk her out of it she will kill him and me as well.
I was also a little confused about how she knew Meryl and I hoped that she wouldn't be in danger after all of this. It just didn't make sense that after all this time this stranger would appear from nowhere.
Snapping back to reality I saw that she was already winning over my brother, she had the tip of the blade pressed to his throat and whispering something that I couldn't quite hear.
"STOP IT!" I yelled and drew my gun shooting at the sword so that it moved away from my brother. She looked up angrily and I saw the blood slither down the blade. Angrily she kicked my brother in the side causing him to splutter and roll over in the sand. I knew how much he hated pain and guessed that he was probably thinking of ways to kill this stranger.
"Listen umm whoever you are, can't we just talk this over?" I grinned and she blinked in surprise, obviously I was not what she had expected.
"My name is Violet, and I'm surprised that someone with a reputation such as yours would want to just talk."
"Well you shouldn't listen to all the rumours about him." Knives growled as he sat up and wiped the blood from his chin. I grinned sheepishly and laughed but realised that she was not amused.
She swung for Knives again and he barely managed to dodge the lethal blade, sand billowed up around us and suddenly I heard the roaring of a car. I tried to turn and see who it was when my brother cried out in pain. Forgetting everything else I dashed forwards blindly to find Violet leaning over Knives with the sword buried into the flesh of his shoulder, blood pooled around on the sand beneath him.
I dashed forward and knocked her aside to the ground ignoring her angry scream and kneeling down beside my brother who was writhing in pain and clinging to his wound. My heart clenched in panic as I pressed my hand against the gaping wound to stop the flow of blood when I heard a sound behind me. Turning back I saw Violet, her eyes flaming with anger at being knocked away at the most vital moment. I could tell she was set on killing and I knew I couldn't protect my brother, her and myself at the same time.
She lunged again and caught my arm as I dodged sideways, the blood sprayed up into the air and I let out a sharp gasp of pain. I knew that I couldn't hurt her, she had reason enough to be angry and there was nothing I could say that would make her feel better. It was yet another situation that I had no idea of how to get out of.
I leaned back and watched the sun glint white fire off of the blade as she loomed over us.
"P-please don't do this." I choked.
"Begging for your life?"
"No, but killing us wont bring back your family."
"How dare you say that?!" She screamed and brought back the sword to strike. I closed my eyes and waited for the lethal wound that would soon be inflicted on me. I heard sounds, people running and felt my brother tense beside me. It was only when I heard a pained gasp that I opened my eyes.
For a moment I thought I had gone blind when I realised that something was blocking my view of the woman who had been ready to kill just moments before. Then my heart faltered and ran cold as I realised the something was actually a someone - a someone I knew all too well.
I opened my mouth to call out to her when I realised that she had been stabbed lethally. I opened my arms just in time to catch her as she fell back and her head hit my chest lightly. Her eyes were still open but I could see the life rushing from them as the violet gave in to lifeless gray.
"Meryl..."
***Normal POV***
Vash ignored the pain in his arm and the blood, which flowed from the open wound as he cradled the dying woman in his arms. The blood from her horrific wound pooled around her body and stained her clothes badly; Vash too became soaked in it. He never would have believed that she had so much blood inside her and he was pretty sure she had lost too much already.
She smiled faintly and drew in a ragged breath, her eyes sparkling slightly with joy at seeing him for one last time. His tears rained down on her face and joined with her own tears and blood.
Vash was only barely aware of Millie and Ashley who were now approaching them and Knives who was sat like a statue not too far away. Violet did not even enter his mind as he held the precious woman tighter in his arms.
"Why?" He whispered, his voice hoarse with grief and sand.
"B-because...I wanted to." She smiled and choked, a little blood spilling from her mouth and trickling down her chin.
"Please don't leave me!" He begged and she shook her head slowly and forced her eyes to stay open.
"I'll always be with you Vash..." She drew in another ragged breath and her face creased in pain and she groped for the wound in her stomach to try and ease the torture in her body.
"I'm sorry." He whispered and pressed his hand over hers.
"For what?"
"For being a jerk." He held her tighter as he felt a wave of pain shoot through her. She smiled a little and sighed as she realised that this was the best way to go. Dying in the arms of the man she adored, it was better than any other way she could imagine.
She reached up a hand to stroke away his hair that blocked her view of his eyes and felt suddenly lighter; he caught her hand and held it gently for a moment.
"Meryl I have to tell you something." His voice was almost a whisper and she nodded and closed her eyes, to weak to keep them open.
But Vash never got to finish his sentence as Meryl had fallen limp in his arms and it was only then that he became aware of Millie and Ashley who were crying softly as they looked on. Violet too had eyes filled with tears and was shaking violently; the sword had long dropped from her grip and was lying on the ground.
"This was not supposed to happen!" She yelled. "No more humans were supposed to die by the hands of a plant!" She fell to her knees in the dust and Vash buried his face in the lifeless woman's hair, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent. The pain in his heart was too great and the feeling that she had lost her life to save him made it all the worse.
* * * * * *
Sooo...anyone want a tissue?
Okay you may have noticed a drop of quality in my writing, it's because I wrote this chapter all at once with hardly a break and towards the end was just desperate to finish. I did warn you that I was going to write an angst chapter.
So is Meryl really dead?
Will Knives be a good guy from now on?
Can Vash cry himself a river so that the water problem will be fixed on gunsmoke?
Will that cute black cat ever get a decent part in my fic?
Will these questions be answered in my next chapter? ...Possibly not.
Okay I'm shutting up now so plz review for me *puppy eyes O.O* thankies and goodbye for now. 'Love and Peace!'
Note: Okay I feel like sharing a little story with you lovely reviewers cos it might help you. Let me explain. From the beginning of this fan fic I have been planning to make an original character come and attack Vash and Knives. But until recently I had no idea who, why or how this was going to happen.
I had a bit of writers block on this character's past and reasons for wanting to kill blah blah blah but I was walking home from school by the river and was thinking about my fic and was hit by some really good ideas. So if you ever have writers block try going for a nice little walk it really does help.
Now to thank my reviewers I can't believe how many people I had review the last chapter. Wheeee thankoo.
Snapdragon76 - Don't be upset I'm sure things will work out for Vash and Meryl, I mean it has too, cos if it doesn't I'm going to need to borrow some of those tissues. Thanks for your review, much appreciated *bows*
Dustdragon - mwa ha ha yes I'm evil, but I can be worse. *points to devil horns and tail* thanks for your review
Pammi - I'm glad you like my story so far and I promise I will do some more Knives/Millie, not sure whether it will be in this chapter but if not it will definitely be in the next one. Thanx for your review
Blu and TK - ha your review had me in fits of laughter, it really cheered up an otherwise boring day so thanks for that.
Neptune Butterfly - ahh I'm so sorry bout making this chapter mean, I guess maybe I should have made this fic angst and not romance but I promise things will cheer up...well hopefully...maybe not this chapter. Yeah you can send Kuroneko to attack Knives if you like (=^.^=) mew! Thanks for your review.
Happyjack - thanks for your sweet review, I think you're a new reviewer so hugs all around for you *hugs* mew!
Vashfan311 - thank you I'm glad that you think that, I tried really hard with the emotions in that chapter. Wheeeee I'm happy now, thanks for your review
Darkraven - Don't worry we can't have a Vash Meryl fluffy fic end this way so don't despair little one they will be brought together again, and if not you can just pretend they were. HA HA...::ahem:: thanks for your review!
Silverado6000 - Yay I'm glad I didn't do anything wrong in the last chapter cos I checked it twice through before submitting it @.@ yeah I really wanted to make them leave again so that maybe they would appreciate each other more etc... and I thought I better make the stranger make an appearance sometime or other. I'm glad you liked how I depicted the emotions. When I wrote that section I really tried to think about how I would feel in Meryl's position and partly Vash's. I guess I have kinda been in that situation as well but sadly unlike Meryl I never said anything although I was close too...O.O oo-kay enough about my love life...or lack of it...thanks for your review. ^.^
Bishinjougodess - *strikes Vash-like 'love and peace' pose. Thanks for your review I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Xim-chan - You'll find out everything in this chapter...hopefully. Thanks for your review err reviews *.* hugs for you!!
Rainy-days13 - yeah I agree, even if they did confess their love for each other nothing would be easy and happy because of everything that happened and would most likely happen in the future. Glad you liked the twist. Thanks for your review!
Note to all: If you are freaked out by my weird behaviour it's because I had a hyper day, I got a good English grade in my exam so I'm really REALLY happy. But don't think that means I won't write angst cos I will.... you HAVE been warned...
Chapter 11 - Stranger
The sun was fading behind mountains of gold, casting its dying rays across the darkening sky, which gleamed as if it was on fire. A slight breeze whirled amongst the houses, killing the heat and making the temperature more bearable.
It was Meryl who saw the first star gleaming in the sky that evening. Even though it sparkled it was sharp, exactly like the tears in her own flooded eyes. She sniffed a little and wiped a hand across her face to dry any droplets that escaped. She didn't want to cry anymore, she felt drained and tired as it was but still sleep remained a stranger to her. A small sob escaped her throat and she leaned forward to bury her face in her arms.
A gentle breeze stroked through her raven hair as it pooled around her face like ribbons of silk. Her shoulders quivered slightly from holding back tears and every time her heart felt close to shattering completely another sob escaped.
The words of her confession replayed over and over again as if taunting her. She had known he was going to reject her but the pain of it happening was much worse that what she had expected. 'I went about it all wrong' she told herself angrily. The words she had spoken to him had not even been close to what she felt for him. They had covered hardly one percent of her love for him. She wished that she could just rewind time and try again, to speak what her heart so wished to tell him.
She laughed very slightly - a sound that would break the heart of the coldest man -and drew the scene of them standing in the room again. She would look up into his eyes this time and force him to look at her, trap him in her eyes as he had done to her so many times. Maybe she would be daring enough to lay a hand on his arm, it would be shaking with fear but feeling him next to her may have helped. Then carefully she would choose her words and speak them softly and gentle like a romantic song being whispered to a lover.
"Vash if only you knew how much you mean to me, I still cant believe that you haven't noticed the way I save a special smile just for you to see and no one else. These are my little ways of showing I care about you, no Vash it is more than that, my feelings for you have grown beyond work, beyond friendship. I love you with all my heart and I don't want to let you go but I know that I will." She would pause there to make sure that her voice didn't fail her, maybe increase her grip on his arm a little to show him her honesty in the words she spoke and then she would speak again, "Vash I know you don't feel this way about me but I can't go on living this lie and I cant let you go without telling you. So please don't pity me, it's my own fault for falling for you, stay safe and sometimes if your not busy promise you will think about me."
By the end of the re-enactment Meryl was crying again, that was exactly how she wished it could have been and knew that it never could. She had been given one chance at telling him how she felt and had ruined it by her own stupidity and nervousness. 'How will I live without him?' She thought miserably and closed her eyes; more tears streaming down her face.
A little movement from the door attracted her and she sat up to see Ashley sitting curled up by the door, her large eyes filled with sadness. Meryl turned around in her chair and put on a faint smile for the child who instantly burst into tears and ran into Meryl's arms.
The two remained like that for a while, both sobbing for their loss and taking comfort from each other at the same time. Millie too had been standing outside the door but did not dare go in and ruin their moment, she too felt a pang of loss in her heart but to her shame it was not all directed at Vash but mainly to his brother.
Ashley sat back so she could look up at Meryl and wiped some of her tears away before snuggling down into her lap and joining in with the stargazing. For a moment they were silent, content to be close to one another and then Ashley turned and looked up at the insurance girl.
"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked and she turned back to the stars.
"What for Ash?" Meryl whispered affectionately and stroked a loose strand of the child's hair away from her eyes. Ashley felt so much like her own daughter now that she was glad to have her around to ease the pain of losing Vash.
"I didn't stop him from going, I should have done something." She continued
"No, you did fine it's my fault for not telling him sooner or getting my hopes up about it when I knew nothing could happen."
Ashley gave a small sob and cuddled up with her again, she missed Vash almost as much as Meryl did.
"Still, I wish he hadn't gone."
"Me too but it can't be helped, he has always been like that so don't go worrying or blaming yourself. You are too young to be burdened down with things like that." Meryl told her firmly and Ashley nodded and gave her a watery grin.
"That's better." Meryl smiled too and then glanced out of the window just in time to see a star streaming across the sky, its beautiful, dusty tail trailed behind it and suddenly it was gone and the beauty was lost but never forgotten.
***Knives' POV***
We paused to rest at sunset and glanced back at the village that was nothing more but a tiny speck in a huge desert. I have to admit that I was slightly sad at seeing the place disappear, or maybe it was knowing I wouldn't see that human again, either way I could tell by my brother's silence that he was feeling extremely depressed about leaving. It angered me that he was even considering going back to that human woman but I said nothing.
Sitting down against a tall rock for shelter against the biting sand which was carried by the breeze that had stirred I watched Vash flop down opposite me. The sunglasses he wore kept his eyes hidden but I could tell he had tears in them. I can't believe he would cry over a spider!
"Vash." I decided to break this annoying silence, "are we going to be resting the night?"
A nod.
"Alright then." I growled, what was the point of making conversation when he wasn't going to make an effort to answer back! He was wallowing in self-pity, how sickening. So I decided to try again.
"We will continue north until we reach the next village, is that okay with you."
A nod.
"I have a place in mind for where we could go, it doesn't have many humans if any at all." I saw him wince and hoped he would answer.
Another nod.
By this time I was getting pretty pissed off at my pathetic brother, so what if he loved someone? There are plenty of other humans he could use for playthings; they are like a disease...everywhere.
"If you don't talk to me Vash I'm going to..."
"To what Knives?" He interrupted softly and I saw him wipe away a tear that had escaped and fallen.
"I'll go back and kill those pathetic creatures you call friends." I couldn't help but smile at his expression, he was trying to hide the horror from his face but I could see it and I could sometimes hear an echo of his thoughts of panic and disappointment.
"You would do that?" He looked straight at me now, his face void of expression.
"..." I couldn't answer, I knew my answer would please him...for some reason I didn't actually feel like killing humans anymore. I know I should, but it just seems like all the anger I had trapped inside me has finally seeped away.
"Why didn't you stay with your human?" I decided to change the question and he must have noticed because he smiled slightly.
"Because I want to stay with you Knives."
"Want? Or have to?"
"Both." He answered simply and flopped back against the sand so that his gaze was fixed on the fiery sky.
Drawing in a deep breath I raised my eyes to look at the first appearing stars that gleamed above us, I could tell that Vash was looking at them too and I allowed silence to consume us. Making conversation with my brother when he was in this kind of mood was hopeless.
***Vash's POV***
Looking up at the stars above me brought a strange calm to my otherwise tortured soul. The guilt I had felt seemed to seep away very slowly but still it remained in the back of mind, ready to pounce if I ever forgot or tried to. I couldn't help but wonder how Meryl was getting on and whether she would ever forgive me for acting the way I had.
I took a little joy in knowing that she was safe and sound now, with Millie and Ashley who had promised me she would take care of her. Maybe one day I could go back and see them, visit the place where they worked and make a surprise visit. I mean we are friends after all and friends do visit each other...okay so I'm an outlaw who everyone believes is evil...and that could be a problem, but no one would have to know who I am and as long as I could see Meryl again and apologise for what I had done it didn't really matter.
A shooting star swept across the sky and I smiled slightly at seeing such a beautiful thing on an otherwise horrible night. Then I removed the sunglasses which I had lifted up slightly and closed my eyes to sleep.
"Meryl..." how I wished I could see her again...
Morning came too quickly for my liking and Knives was impatient to get going, I think he was worried in case I changed my mind and decided to go back to the girls. But I knew I could never do that, they would kill me for making them worry and then returning the next morning expecting breakfast.
Ahh talking about breakfast that reminds me, I have those donuts that Millie gave me! Under the scornful gaze of my brother I ripped open the box and started to gorge down the delicious pastries - lets call it comfort eating okay.
"Vash...did you sleep well?" Knives looked up from where he was sitting, his eyes dull from what appeared to be lack of sleep.
"Fine." I lied and I knew he could tell I was lying from the scorn in his face.
"What I mean was, did you sense that something wasn't quite right?" He continued. I blinked and shrugged but that seemed to aggravate him.
"No." I replied quickly as I stood up and stretched, I had forgotten how horrible it was to sleep out in the desert.
***Normal POV***
Millie looked up as Meryl came down the stairs that morning, she looked like she hadn't slept a wink and it had been the same for her. Millie doubted that anyone had slept at all considering what had happened.
She turned back to the pan where three eggs sizzled noisily as if to break the awkward silence that had filled the house since Vash's departure. The heat had risen to unbearable temperatures that day and even the black cat that usually lazed around on the small porch was huddled in the shade.
Meryl yawned and collapsed on the chair letting her head fall back so that her gaze could go to the ceiling above her.
"Good morning Millie." She whispered hoarsely to her friend as she walked over to sit beside her.
"Hello Meryl how are you this morning?"
"Tired." She replied shortly and let her eyes close again.
"Meryl..."
"Yes?"
"Maybe we should go home now." Millie looked over to her friend hopefully, she had missed her home very much and all their old friends were sure to be happy to see them again.
Meryl sat up a little and looked down at her hands in her lap, she didn't want to stay either if she was true to herself. This house and village held many bad memories for her and she doubted Vash would change his mind and decide to come back to them. She understood why he had to go but still she couldn't help but wonder if maybe one day he would come back. Her mind also kept running through her dream, she knew it meant something and if it was true she didn't want Vash to die.
Standing up suddenly she turned to her friend who was looking at her hopefully. She nodded slightly and smiled, although it hurt to do so.
"We have nothing left for us here Millie, I'll write a letter to the chief and let him know that we are coming home." With that said the raven-haired girl left the room and went upstairs to grab her typewriter.
'Just a quick note to let the chief know why we are returning, that should do it' Meryl thought as she threaded the paper and started typing. As she watched the letters as they were pounded onto the paper with every move of her finger she felt the tear in her heart widen. Having it written down made it so much more real and she had to hold back tears as she finished the final sentence. 'I hope we will be allowed back to work after letting him just walk out,' she thought miserably. Her job was the only thing worth living for now.
"So what's going to happen to me?" Ashley asked from behind Meryl's shoulder.
"We're not going to leave you here if that's what you're thinking. I want you to come with Millie and I. The place we leave in is filled with children and fun things to keep you occupied. I'm sure you will love it."
"So you're taking me!?"
"Of course." Meryl smiled at the child's excitement and watched her dash down the stairs to tell Millie the good news. 'Maybe things wont be so bad.' Meryl thought happily.
On entering the living room she saw that the others were already packed, they never carried many things around with them so it hadn't taken long at all.
"I finished the letter." Meryl held up the envelope so they could see and Millie smiled cheerfully.
"So should we walk home?" Millie asked apprehensively.
"We have enough money to hire a car I think." Meryl replied as she dipped into her pocket and found a few crumpled double dollars.
"Well that's good." Ashley dipped past them and out of the door and glancing back only once before making her way to the car hire building on the outskirts of town.
* * * * * *
From where the sun was rising the stranger could see the great shadows rolling across the sand, the most interesting ones of all were the ones from the two figures who were continuing their journey.
Sitting back against a large boulder the stranger watched with intense eyes that seemed to glow with a blue flame.
"Should I wait to make my move?" The voice sounded strangely female and as the figure stood and moved into the light her feminine form was clearly visible.
Long lilac hair flowed in the wind revealing her pale yet delicate features to the harsh sunlight. Freckles decorated her cheeks making her look much younger than she actually was. Her eyes were a whirl of purples and blues and as she gazed down at her waiting victims she smiled slightly.
She had been waiting for this moment for a long time now and she wouldn't ruin it by rushing in and making costly mistakes. She would wait until evening and then strike them when they were tired after a days travelling.
"I will avenge them." She whispered again and settled back down to watch them.
***Meryl's POV***
Handing over the money for the car hire I slid into the driver's seat and closed the door and waited for Millie and Ashley to get in. They seemed to be taking far too long for my liking and they had only gone for ice cream. Placing my hands on the steering wheel I gripped it tightly and looked straight ahead into the whirling heat wave of the desert.
As I sat there listening to the sounds of the people in the town I wondered how Vash and Knives were doing and whether they were okay. I couldn't help but worry about them after all that they had been through all ready.
'Don't worry about them.' I looked up, startled at hearing such a quiet voice over the racket in the town. As I glanced around I saw no one who looked like they had spoken to me.
'You wont find me Meryl.'
"Where are you?"
'On the outskirts of town, I'm watching two people you know very well.'
"You can talk telepathically, just like Knives can." I held back my shock and ignored the weird looks I was getting from passers by.
'Yes, I just wanted to let you know that you will not hear from them again.'
"What! Why?"
'You remember that dream don't you?' The voice was so soft, too soft for the male I had seen in the dream.
"Yes, how did you know about that?"
'I was the one who sent it to you.'
"You did, but why?"
'Enough about that, I just want you to understand that I must kill them, if I don't I will never be able to smile again.'
"You were the person in my dream who killed Vash and Knives!"
'That's right, of course I projected a male form to you in that dream.'
"Why?"
'That is not important. What is important is that you move on with your life now, forget about them.' The voice disappeared and I felt strangely alone without her thoughts in my mind.
Then I felt my heart clench in panic, that woman was going to kill the man I love! Looking desperately around for Millie and Ashley I spotted them approaching slowly and yelled at them to hurry. They were in the car seconds later; Ashley sitting in the back and Millie beside me. Both were looking extremely confused.
"Vash and Knives are in trouble!" I blurted out as I started the car and drove out of the town as fast as I dared.
"Wait Meryl, could you explain what is happening?"
"I can't explain it, someone spoke to me, and she said she was going to kill Vash and Knives." I shook my head and hit the accelerator as we reached the dust track, the car bounced violently and dust clouded up into the car momentarily blinding us.
"Maybe you should slow down Meryl." Millie squeaked as she straightened herself in the car seat and looked at me nervously.
Nodding slightly I slowed the car to a decent pace and leaned back in the seat.
"So how do you know where Vash is?" Ashley asked as she leaned forwards to hang between us.
"I don't, all I know is that they walked in this direction and that someone is preparing to kill them...Oh Millie I can't let him die." I held the tears back remarkably well and Millie reached over and laid a hand on my shoulder in attempt to comfort me. I smiled gratefully over at her and spotted Ashley's fearful expression.
"Don't worry, we will find Mr. Vash in time." Millie said cheerfully and relaxed back in her seat. I nodded and turned both eyes to the road ahead.
"You two keep an eye out for anyone even if its Vash or not." They both nodded and I gripped the steering wheel tighter and accelerated the car once more.
I no longer cared that I could annoy Vash by following him but I couldn't let him die, I would rather die myself than let anything bad happen to him. That might sound stupid considering all he has been through in his life but I couldn't bare it if he actually died. I don't know what made me think that this new enemy was capable of it but maybe its because she sounded so confident, maybe I could talk her out of it since she also seemed to have a heart. No totally evil person would have warned friends of what they were doing so they could move on with their life.
***Normal POV***
Vash paused and sat down in the sand, the town shimmered on the horizon only a few iles away but it still looked a long, long way to the two tired brothers who had been travelling all day. They had paused to rest in the shade of some strange looking rocks that stuck out of the sand like giant claws.
The sun still continued to beat down relentlessly upon them and their water was starting to run short. The blistering suns seemed twice their usual size and the shadows were quickly being destroyed in their greedy rays.
Knives stood up and brought a hand just above his eyes so he could glance down at the village, which sparked on the horizon. His desperation to reach it made him forget all bad things about the humans. Leaning back he glanced at the cloudless sky and sighed miserably.
"We didn't pick a very good time to leave them did we." He complained miserably.
"I guess not." Vash drew in a long breath and coughed slightly from the dust that had gathered in his lungs. "We're not far now, lets get moving." He stretched again and felt the scream of complaint in his muscles.
Suddenly a bitter wind rose up from seemingly nowhere and with it was carried a soft laugh like the trickling of a stream and turning to look up at the peaks of the rocks where they had been sheltering they saw her. A woman with long hair glimmering like fresh ice in the sunlight and eyes like deep pools of water stood on the edge of the rock. Her garments were simple, a short blue top with long, wide sleeves hemmed with delicate lace. Her skirt was long and made of a fine silk so that the slightest breeze made it flutter like a butterfly's wings.
Yet beneath all that beauty Vash could tell she wasn't here just to seduce them, he could see in her eyes the hardening of anger and hate and he also sensed a great power within her. Knives took a step back as he sensed her negative emotions directed at them and glared at his brother questioningly.
"Hey don't look at me I don't know her!" He waved his hands in surrender and backed away from his brother's cold glare.
"No, he doesn't know me Knives." The woman interrupted as she jumped from the rock and landed daintily on her feet. Her face was emotionless and her large enchanting eyes hovered over them briefly. "But you know me don't you Knives." She continued in her whispery voice.
Vash's mouth hung open in disbelief and he turned to his brother, aqua eyes widening at Knives's uncomfortable expression.
"I never knew you had it in you." Vash stifled a laugh as he noticed the tension and straightened so he could glance back at the stranger. It was then that he realised this girl was no ordinary person, this girl had an aura unlike any human he had seen.
"I would hope that you would remember me dear Knives." She continued and strode over to stand opposite him her eyes harsh and unkind.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't" He replied, narrowing his eyes to glare at her.
"Well let me enlighten you my dear Knives, one day a cold hearted plant creature came wondering into a town, his heart set on killing and destruction. No one understood him and why he had such a contagious hate buried in his black heart. Maybe it was loneliness from being deserted by his kin or maybe it was just his nature to cause pain to others." Her tone was slow and mocking and Vash noticed his brother trembling with rage.
"Shut up!" Knives screamed at her.
"Well the reason for his evil doesn't matter really, he destroyed the town and everyone inside it in only a few moments and as he was savouring his sweet victory he spotted movement under the debris of a house." She strode past him and Vash caught the glint of a sword strapped at her side.
"I said be quiet!" Knives hissed and tried to strike the strange woman who simply dodged his fist and continued circling him like a stalking lioness.
"On seeing that someone had escaped his wrath the black-hearted man approached and grabbed the living human from the debris. Seeing that she was badly hurt he found himself impressed by the child's will to survive - for that was all she was - a little girl. He took her and told her that her family was dead that she might as well join them but when she refused he found himself intrigued by her spirit. So instead he took her away and even though she cried he ignored her and took her to a place she had never seen before."
Here the woman paused, tears now shimmering in her once emotionless eyes and Vash found himself wanting to comfort her. He still wasn't sure who she was and why she was here telling Knives this story when it suddenly hit him. 'Knives was the one who found that child and that child was this woman!'
"And in the night he changed her into a demon and left her to fend for herself." Her voice was louder now and boomed like thunder in their ears. "The cold man left her alone for a year and then when he returned he found her gone. Filled with anger that the girl had gone against his orders to stay he went in search of her. It did not take him long and he was infuriated by the sight that he saw, the girl he had turned into one of his kin had betrayed him and had gone to live with humans."
"You're a plant?" Vash interrupted.
"I am." She declined her head sadly and turned back to face Knives who was by now, seething with anger.
The woman laid her hand on the hilt of her sword and drew in a deep breath. "I have come to take revenge on my family, the ones you murdered that day Knives. You shall die as they did and I shall finally be at peace." She tightened her grip on the sword and Vash dived forward just in time to catch her hand before she unsheathed the weapon.
"What do you think you are doing?" She snarled viciously and tugged free from his grip. "You want to protect that murderer and get in the way of justice?" Her eyes sparked with fury.
"He is my brother." Vash spoke softly and she nodded.
"I thought as much, you would defend him even after all the pain he caused you. Well I'm afraid that if you stick up for him you must die too."
"What makes you think you can kill us?" Knives snarled and the woman simply laughed and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"You are both tired out from travelling that's what." She laughed almost sweetly and took a step towards them holding out the glimmering blade so that it blinded them.
"Oh and don't worry about Meryl and the others." She added sweetly. "I have told Meryl that she will not hear from you again, she took it quite well considering." She smiled at Vash's horrified expression and sighed melodramatically. "You shouldn't have left her Mr. Stampede." She wagged a finger at him and with one swift motion cracked Knives behind the knees to knock him to the sand.
***Vash's POV***
She knocked my brother down so easily that I realised that we were in trouble, this wasn't just like fighting some normal bounty hunter, she was a plant! Okay so Knives changed her into one - and I'm still a little confused about how - but she was just as powerful and if I didn't somehow talk her out of it she will kill him and me as well.
I was also a little confused about how she knew Meryl and I hoped that she wouldn't be in danger after all of this. It just didn't make sense that after all this time this stranger would appear from nowhere.
Snapping back to reality I saw that she was already winning over my brother, she had the tip of the blade pressed to his throat and whispering something that I couldn't quite hear.
"STOP IT!" I yelled and drew my gun shooting at the sword so that it moved away from my brother. She looked up angrily and I saw the blood slither down the blade. Angrily she kicked my brother in the side causing him to splutter and roll over in the sand. I knew how much he hated pain and guessed that he was probably thinking of ways to kill this stranger.
"Listen umm whoever you are, can't we just talk this over?" I grinned and she blinked in surprise, obviously I was not what she had expected.
"My name is Violet, and I'm surprised that someone with a reputation such as yours would want to just talk."
"Well you shouldn't listen to all the rumours about him." Knives growled as he sat up and wiped the blood from his chin. I grinned sheepishly and laughed but realised that she was not amused.
She swung for Knives again and he barely managed to dodge the lethal blade, sand billowed up around us and suddenly I heard the roaring of a car. I tried to turn and see who it was when my brother cried out in pain. Forgetting everything else I dashed forwards blindly to find Violet leaning over Knives with the sword buried into the flesh of his shoulder, blood pooled around on the sand beneath him.
I dashed forward and knocked her aside to the ground ignoring her angry scream and kneeling down beside my brother who was writhing in pain and clinging to his wound. My heart clenched in panic as I pressed my hand against the gaping wound to stop the flow of blood when I heard a sound behind me. Turning back I saw Violet, her eyes flaming with anger at being knocked away at the most vital moment. I could tell she was set on killing and I knew I couldn't protect my brother, her and myself at the same time.
She lunged again and caught my arm as I dodged sideways, the blood sprayed up into the air and I let out a sharp gasp of pain. I knew that I couldn't hurt her, she had reason enough to be angry and there was nothing I could say that would make her feel better. It was yet another situation that I had no idea of how to get out of.
I leaned back and watched the sun glint white fire off of the blade as she loomed over us.
"P-please don't do this." I choked.
"Begging for your life?"
"No, but killing us wont bring back your family."
"How dare you say that?!" She screamed and brought back the sword to strike. I closed my eyes and waited for the lethal wound that would soon be inflicted on me. I heard sounds, people running and felt my brother tense beside me. It was only when I heard a pained gasp that I opened my eyes.
For a moment I thought I had gone blind when I realised that something was blocking my view of the woman who had been ready to kill just moments before. Then my heart faltered and ran cold as I realised the something was actually a someone - a someone I knew all too well.
I opened my mouth to call out to her when I realised that she had been stabbed lethally. I opened my arms just in time to catch her as she fell back and her head hit my chest lightly. Her eyes were still open but I could see the life rushing from them as the violet gave in to lifeless gray.
"Meryl..."
***Normal POV***
Vash ignored the pain in his arm and the blood, which flowed from the open wound as he cradled the dying woman in his arms. The blood from her horrific wound pooled around her body and stained her clothes badly; Vash too became soaked in it. He never would have believed that she had so much blood inside her and he was pretty sure she had lost too much already.
She smiled faintly and drew in a ragged breath, her eyes sparkling slightly with joy at seeing him for one last time. His tears rained down on her face and joined with her own tears and blood.
Vash was only barely aware of Millie and Ashley who were now approaching them and Knives who was sat like a statue not too far away. Violet did not even enter his mind as he held the precious woman tighter in his arms.
"Why?" He whispered, his voice hoarse with grief and sand.
"B-because...I wanted to." She smiled and choked, a little blood spilling from her mouth and trickling down her chin.
"Please don't leave me!" He begged and she shook her head slowly and forced her eyes to stay open.
"I'll always be with you Vash..." She drew in another ragged breath and her face creased in pain and she groped for the wound in her stomach to try and ease the torture in her body.
"I'm sorry." He whispered and pressed his hand over hers.
"For what?"
"For being a jerk." He held her tighter as he felt a wave of pain shoot through her. She smiled a little and sighed as she realised that this was the best way to go. Dying in the arms of the man she adored, it was better than any other way she could imagine.
She reached up a hand to stroke away his hair that blocked her view of his eyes and felt suddenly lighter; he caught her hand and held it gently for a moment.
"Meryl I have to tell you something." His voice was almost a whisper and she nodded and closed her eyes, to weak to keep them open.
But Vash never got to finish his sentence as Meryl had fallen limp in his arms and it was only then that he became aware of Millie and Ashley who were crying softly as they looked on. Violet too had eyes filled with tears and was shaking violently; the sword had long dropped from her grip and was lying on the ground.
"This was not supposed to happen!" She yelled. "No more humans were supposed to die by the hands of a plant!" She fell to her knees in the dust and Vash buried his face in the lifeless woman's hair, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent. The pain in his heart was too great and the feeling that she had lost her life to save him made it all the worse.
* * * * * *
Sooo...anyone want a tissue?
Okay you may have noticed a drop of quality in my writing, it's because I wrote this chapter all at once with hardly a break and towards the end was just desperate to finish. I did warn you that I was going to write an angst chapter.
So is Meryl really dead?
Will Knives be a good guy from now on?
Can Vash cry himself a river so that the water problem will be fixed on gunsmoke?
Will that cute black cat ever get a decent part in my fic?
Will these questions be answered in my next chapter? ...Possibly not.
Okay I'm shutting up now so plz review for me *puppy eyes O.O* thankies and goodbye for now. 'Love and Peace!'