Hey there thank you for being so patient. Let me just tell u something- next time the doctors tell u to take an easy after an injury believe me u better listen. I found out the hard way. But then again I never was big on listening to doctors.
Thanks to my reviewers::
vegetassj4jj- now that's a different name- thanks for the very nice review. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. By the way your review didn't suck. Only flames suck in my book.
Magnet-Rose- Thanks for the review. I like knives too...he's my #1 fave on the show.
AnonymousTrigunOtaku- Thanks for the review. I like the stories that you have.
Anyways here is the next chapter. It's not VERY action packed but it still it's a chapter. I swear action will be coming but first everything has to be set up.
Just a reminder- "talking", 'thoughts'
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Chapter 2:: Nikki
Vash's aquamarine eyes stared at the long black gun. As his eyes traveled back up to Knives blue eyes there was not an ounce of fear. Instead there was an unwavering look of determination. Mingled with the determination was a look of pity.
Pity for the knowledge that his brother did not have. The knowledge that though humans could be vile there were some that were not. Vash had learned this from his friends, some of the best friends in the world. His life had changed the moment that he had met them. Staring at his brother now, Vash could only hope that the same friends would show Knives what he now knew.
"Please put your gun down Knives. You do not want to do this." Vash's voice remained strong as the gun aimed between his eyes. "Just put the gun down."
"You're a traitor. You conspire with filthy spiders and after what they did!!" Knives voice got harsh as he stared at his brother's eyes. His right hand shook slightly in anger. His brother was a traitor. He betrayed his kind for spiders. 'Spiders!! How could he?'
Vash took a step back. He just could not help it, the look in Knives' eyes was just so terrifying, so full of hate- pure hate. Not hate for all humans but hate for him. His own flesh and blood.
A scarred right hand lightly rested on the gun that hung loosely on his side. Ever since Knives' had been stopped there was no need for it. Mass disappearances and demolished towns had abruptly stopped. Even the most loyal bounty hunters had given up on the hunt for the legendary 'humanoid typhoon.' The mystery man was now a well-known ghost tale. A tale told by parents to their children in hope of keeping them in school. Now the gun hung at his side more for looks, Vash just felt empty without it hanging at his side.
Knives' eyes shifted from the determined eyes of his brother's to the twitching right hand. 'If I could get one quick shot in I could kill him before he has a chance. The other girl wouldn't be able to do anything about it. I can do this, I know I can.' Knives' stared right into Vash's eyes. They locked on each other. 'He's a traitor. All traitors must die' rang through Knives' mind. Taking a deep breath he cocked his gun and shot.
Two gunshots rang out throughout the house. Meryl gasped and ran to the bedroom door. There she saw Vash on the floor holding his arm. Looking towards the bed she saw Knives half sitting and staring at his arm. Bright red blood oozed from a new hole on his arm.
Swearing a muttered curse Knives bent over the side of the bed to retrieve his fallen gun. It was easy to see from his speed and facial expressions that he was still in a lot of pain.
Tears welled up in Meryl's eyes and threatened to escape. Did he really shoot her love? Growling with anger Meryl flew towards the gun. Two hands reached for the gun, fingers fighting for the long gun. Knives long fingers reached out and grabbed the handle. With a confidant grin he started to lift the large black gun off of it's wooden resting place.
Panic filled Meryl's face as her nails dug into Knives' hand. He hissed out in pain as his fingers let go of the precious item. The gun clattered as it fell to the floor.
Faster then lightning Meryl grabbed the gun. She pointed it right at the pale forehead. She would make that bleached blonde hair bright red if he moved. Still sitting on the floor, Meryl scooted back to her beloved.
She had never killed a man before but for their safety Meryl would break that record. She cocked the gun and waited for the monster to move. Silently Meryl begged for the soulless man to move so that her itchy trigger finger could be satisfied.
Vash looked up with a clouded gaze. He saw Meryl right in front of him trying to stifle the sobs as her hands shook. 'I cannot let her kill Knives. Rem would not like it if he died. No killing is always wrong. This cannot happen, not this way.' Moaning his hand reached out and touched Meryl's shaking shoulder.
Meryl looked back and hugged the blonde haired man with all of her might. She was certain that they were going to die.
A wince from the man caused her to break away. "Oh my god Vash are you ok? Oh my god I cannot believe I just did that."
"I'm fine. Just a flesh wound. It's just been so long since I've been shot that I almost forgot what it felt like." A half hearty laugh emerged from the man's smiling mouth.
Almost as suddenly as his good mood came it left and was replaced with a serious look. "Meryl give me the gun. Don't shoot him. Instead we'll have to think of another way of keeping him out of harm's way. Hand me the gun now."
Meryl half reluctantly gave Vash the gun. Deep inside she was almost wishing that she could have killed the man that laid on the bed. But somewhere in her she knew that it was wrong. Standing she helped to pull Vash up. The entire time muttering under her breath about how he really needed to go on a diet soon. As soon as he was standing Meryl ran out into the kitchen. She did not want look at the vile man before her anymore.
"Well Knives, what are we going to do with you." Vash placed his hands on his hips and stared that his brother. His mocking tone almost sounded like a mother scolding her son for trying to dig to China. Holding up the large gun he continued, "Guess we cannot leave this baby with you." Quickly he walked out of the room and placed it on the kitchen counter.
Upon returning to the room he reached into a small drawer in the bedside table. Smiling he pulled out a silver pair of handcuffs. "I bought these soon after bringing you here. Somehow I had a gut feeling we would need them." Quickly he cuffed Knives left hand to the bed post. "There now to take care of that new wound." Humming softly Vash started to bandage yet another wound on Knives body.
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In the tiny kitchen Meryl tried desperately to calm herself from the ordeal. The plates rattled as she placed them away. Just the sight of the gun on the counter made her shake. Meryl felt as though she could die any second.
The sound of a door banging caused Meryl to jump. 'Calm down Meryl,' she scolded herself, 'it's just Millie coming home form work. Calm down before she sees you like this.' Only after taking a few deep, really really deep, breaths was she able to calm back down.
"Ohh Meeerrrryyyl," an overly happy, squealing voice called from the hall, "look at what I found on my way home." Millie appeared in the kitchen with her yellow hard hat on and a white bundle in her hands. "It's a baby kitten. She was almost squashed but I saved her in time. Oh please can I keep her. She doesn't have a home or anything."
"I don't think so Millie. We don't have enough time, money, room, or patience for another animal. Besides we have that stupid dog that you rescued a week ago. We also have Vash, you, Knives, and me. No, no possible way. We cannot have four people and two animals." Meryl held up her hands and shook her head.
"Fine Meryl the dog can be your pet. Knives can be Vash's and the cat can be mine. She has no where to go." Millie started to pout. Her lower lip was stuck out and started to quiver.
"Arrgh. Fine. The cat can stay." Meryl began to rub her temples; she was starting to get a headache. With a sly smile she added, "but only if I can keep the dog."
"Sure thing. I'll name her Nicki. I was going to name her Nicholas but that's a boy name more then a girl's so I decided on Nicki." Millie's voice started to trail off as she thought about her dead lover.
Dead and cold in the ground in the crude grave that they had made for him after he had been shot. Nicholas D. Wolfwood another causality of Knives.
"Millie are you ok?" Concern crept into Meryl's voice as she looked with tender eyes at her friend.
"Wha-. Oh yeah. Can't stop and think about the past. It doesn't help, just makes you sad." Millie's eyes perked up and she looked at the small white bundle in her arms. "So what are you going to name your dog Meryl?"
"What dog that Meryl has?" Vash entered the kitchen wearing a large fake smile worry was written in his eyes as he glanced over at Meryl. She had gone through such a shock with Knives. Vash was worried about her after all he loved her with all of his heart.
Millie seemed totally oblivious to the worry filled eyes of Vash. "Oh Vash, I got a new cat. Her name is Nicki and Meryl said it was ok but only if she got to keep the dog as hers. So come on Meryl what are you going to name it." Millie's bright eyes went from the anxious faces of her friends to the long gun that lay on the bright yellow counter. "Oh Vash is Knives awake now?"
Raising an eyebrow Vash stood there trying to understand how someone could change the course of conversation so much and never lose track of what was going on. "Yes, but why?"
Shaking her head as though it was the most stupid question in the world Millie exclaimed, "So he can meet Nicki. After all if he sees her he has to know what to call her." And with that Millie was out of the kitchen and down the hall.
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Slowly as to not wake any sleeping occupants Millie opened the door and snuck over to the bed. Smiling she whispered, "Hey are you awake?"
"What do you want bitch." was the curt answer.
"Oh good your awake. I wanted to show you my new cat, Nicki." Much to Knives horror the tall woman dropped the spider's animal onto his bed. His only haven. Angered by the intrusion Knives glared at the tiny bundle of white. If guns were not going to work then he would scare it away. As long as he glared his most horrible look at it, maybe the creature would run away.
Nicki looked up into the eyes and slowly walked over to smooth hand. Her pink coarse tongue licked gently at the hand. Millie looked down and cooed, "Oh look she loves you."
Partly intrigued Knives' eyes traveled from the creature that was feasting off of his hand to the female spider that sat beside him. What was with this girl she showed no fear of him. Sighing he allowed the fatigue from the day sweep over him.
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Back at the kitchen Vash and Meryl were trying to decide what to do next. As soon as Millie had left the room Meryl had collapsed into Vash's arms. For a month now they had been keeping their true feelings a secret from Millie. After all she had lost the man that she had loved and respected. They did not want to throw their love into her face.
"We'll have to play it by year I guess. But I have a feeling if anyone can change him it is her. Millie has a way with people. All we can do is hope and pray for now." Vash gently kissed the head as he stared towards the door.
Mutely Meryl nodded. After all what else could they do? Smiling for a second Meryl snuggled deeper into the warmth. How she loved his scent. How she loved him.
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Sorry for the delay. I kept getting banned whenever I tried to post this stupid story. I tell ya I'm cursed or something...anyways please read and review soon... thanks...