Escaping 'Eternal Pain and Suffering'
These characters are in no way products of my own mind, they are characters from the anime/manga Trigun. That said, let the story begin.
The man who formally wore the symbolic red coat returned to the small village, 200 isles from the town of L.R, Knives slung upon his shoulder, and his S.E.E.D.S outfit dawned, the clothing he wore under his coat— the coat which he left behind.
"Vash!" Meryl ran to Vash, happiness reflecting in her eyes, and obviously shown in her expression, then glancing to Knives, she looked at Vash curiously. "Who's that?"
"Knives..."
"Oh...oh my" Meryl gasped and nearly fainted at the mention of that name, after all Vash had told her a few months ago.
"Yes...My brother..."
"But...Why...Why...." She couldn't complete the sentence, but Vash, knowing her rather well and reading the expression on her face , answered the unasked question.
"I had to....It was...Rem's last request..."
"I...I see..."
"Yes... Now can I put him somewhere?" he made an exaggerated expression of exhaustion "He's all dead weight!"
Meryl Chuckled slightly
"Yeah, over there" She motioned to a house "We were able to...well....I'll explain later...you need rest"
"Yeah, thanks Meryl" He smiled
"No problem" She returned his smile, happy just in his presence, though she didn't admit it to him just yet, she watched him tread through darkness into the house and sighed, finally able to be relaxed that he was safe.
Vash walked to the house, placed Knives upon a bed, examining him carefully, checking for any signs of consciousness—he found none. Finishing this task, he was able to relax for once, able to be at peace...to think... He was asleep after five seconds.
He opened his eyes, the sun pouring from the small windows, crudely made from wood and latched onto the brick lining by some village carpenter. As he searched the room, he found Meryl cooking donuts, he smiled inwardly at this— She knew his favorite food...she knew him well...
"Heya, Meryl!" He said, walking in happily.
"Oh, you're awake? How did you sleep?"
"Oh, I don't even remember closing my eyes..."
"Yeah, I came in and was about to say goodnight, then I noticed you were asleep"
"Oh" he chuckled "Sorry about that"
"No, it's alright, you've had a long few weeks..."
"Yeah..." His mood darkened slightly, but not without notice of Meryl
"I'm sorry...I didn't..."
"No, It's alright..."
"Oh! By the way, I was going to tell you Milly and I got the money to buy this house, she finally struck water! We weren't rich...but we could finally buy this house"
"Where is Milly, anyway?"
"Oh, she was watching you come back... Then she went off in the direction you came...I think I heard her say something about it being so full of mercy..."
"I see...She went to go get wolfwood's weapon..."
"Oh...I see now...Hey, where's your coat?"
He sighed softly, the expression of a weary mind
"I realized...that I shouldn't live by anyone's ideals but my own...I mean...I love Rem" Meryl Flinched, and Vash, catching this quickly added, "She was like a mother to me, you know?" He watched Meryl smile, acknowledging that she knew what he did
"Yeah, I understand..."
"But, one must set their own rules... I'll find my own path..."
"That's good Vash..." She smiled happily
"Yeah... Meryl, would you mind if I went for a walk to clear my thoughts?"
"Oh, no...not at all... Just be back by the time the donuts are done, okay?"
He smiled
"Sure"
She returned the smile, once more
"Okay, see ya then, Vash"
He walked out of the building, walking with no destination, except for the recesses of his mind.
The peacemaker looked up at the sky, sitting perched atop the hill he once stood before he brought back Knives, enveloped in his thoughts.
Wolfwood...I'm sorry... I wasn't...I wasn't strong enough to save you....I kept trying to show you my way of thinking....I kept trying....I kept trying to make you believe what I believed....But....I...I should've just...shown you that...there was an alternative...not...not force you to take it....I'm sorry, Wolfwood....I'm sorry...
"You ignoramus!" A voice came from the sky
"Wolfwood?" Vash asked, half heartedly believing it
No voice answered
"Wolfwood?!" Vash repeated, now sure he heard a voice...
Once more, no one answered
"Wolfwood....I'm sorry...I..." He stopped... and realized what he had heard... "He...he doesn't want me to feel sorry for myself... That's just like him" Vash chuckled softly
A single tear rolled its way over his cheeks, and as the small droplet fell upon the earth and moistened it, he got to his feet and headed back for donuts.
It's been awhile since I've written a Fanfic, so I'm anxious for reviews, criticism, praise, what ever you need to say, say it. Thanks