Helloooo all I'm back with another action packed chapter of Kaleidoscope I hope you enjoy this new chapter and show your appreciation with some wonderful reviews. I only know you like it if you tell me! So enjoy the chapter and have a great day!
Thank You!
Morlana- Why yes I will and it starts in this chapter!
KelliKatt- Your chapter name was such a good idea that I named this chapter Don't Mess With My Man (really you named it that!). Think you so much for the chapter naming help!
Mimic12355- If you need grammar and spelling help this is the person to go to. Thank you soon much for your help with chapter 9. Hopefully my errors will become lees frequent.
Tsunami Starsheart- your wish is my command.
Hope I get more revues with this chapter!
Disclaimer: If I owned Vash and Wolfwood I'd be way to busy to write this story! Do you know how hard it is to keep those two out of trouble! So I don't own Trigun.
Thank you so much to Mimic12355 Who has once again edited this chapter. You help me make this story wonderful. Thank you so much!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kaleidoscope
Chapter 10: Don't Mess With My Man
It was quiet in Meryl's room as she sat alone in the mid afternoon trying to make heads or tails of the situation she had come into those past few day. It all seemed like it had happened in one short moment of time, all of this was happening so fast. This woman, this new women had just burst in and everything changed. From the first moment she had seen that woman her world started to come apart at the scenes. The memory of the gentle smile of the emerald-eyed woman as she greeted her for the first time was scorched into her mind; she would never forget it.
"This is all been so ridicules! Why is this all happening like this! It wasn't supposed to be this way!" Meryl's body collapsed on the matters of her small twin sized bed. Her problems were finally starting to catch up. The lack of sleep, her love lost, and the sole responsibility for injured Knives was too much. Tears ran down the young woman's beautiful face. "Was suppose to tell him that…that I love him."
The moment Marvel had excused herself; Vash had run out the door behind her. Meryl couldn't forget the look on his face. It was so painful like someone had ripped his heart from his chest. She had to look away from the soft graceful face of that man as it wrenched in pain. What he had done in the past had not only left the memory of a promise broken and a life taken but it now hurt someone he cared about too.
"I don't see what so great about her anyway. She's just some freak who caught Vash's attention by being an attractive woman. What kind of punishment is it to be young and beautiful for eternity any way?!" As her tears soaked the sheets she slammed her fist into the innocent bed. "If it happened to me, I could have lived with it…forever" Ashamed, Meryl was so ashamed of her own thoughts.
"With all Marvel's been through all I can do is hate her and be jealous of her relationship with Vash. The hate I feel is throbbing in my head and I just don't know what to do! I don't care what she's been through. She just can't have him! I won't let her! He has to know how I feel. If Vash knows maybe…I can change his mind, maybe he does love me. "
Knives grinned it was a grin that could scare the bravest of men. He was going to use all of this to his advantage. The broken down woman was just ripe for the picking all he had to do was win her trust and then there would be no problem.
*Humans are so easy to manipulate. You are so naïve girl, you don't really know how much my childish brother cares for you. Not like a lover but more than just a friend. Vash would protect you with his life. He broke his own promise to that meddlesome Rem just to keep you alive. So what would hurt my brother more than the betrayal of someone so important to him? You're so lonely my beautiful Meryl, but I will be here to comfort you and you will help me destroy my brother's love of Humans. * Knives waited for a visit form the woman he would use to destroy his brother.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
He found himself here again, trying to drink away his troubles. When one part of life became clear something else became murky and confusing. Vash just didn't understand anything any more, not since she came into his life. One minute Marvel wanted nothing more then to beat him till he bled, the next she was kissing him all over. It was like she was two completely different people. He had fallen for both sides of her so hard that he drank hoping it would bring some light this dark situation.
"Hey Mr. Bar guy, filler up!" Vash slammed his mug on the bar demanding more liquor with a goofy grin plastered on his face.
"Vash, I would appreciate if you stayed sober since you're still staying in my room!" From the door she gave the intolerable man an angry glare. "Joseph don't give that man any more I'm responsible for his well being and if he gets drunk, I might have to kill him." She sat next to her slaphappy companion. All day she had been coming here between hours to make sure the drunken blond was ok.
"Come on Marvel, don't kill the party join in! Remember how it ended last night?" His beer mug making contacted with the top of his head answered his rude comment. "Ouch…why does that keep happening to me?" He rubbed the newly formed lump.
"Because you're a jackass!" Crossing her arms she sighed. "Promise if I let you have one more, you'll leave with me Vash. I mean come on, it's the middle of the day!"
"Yes sir! One more drink sir." The absurd blond man saluted to her. It was as if he was a fed and she was his commanding officer.
"I'm gonna go outside before the need to smack you returns." Sliding of the stool, she shook her head in shame. *I actually have feelings for this spiky hared idiot, true mushy passionate feelings. What is wrong with me?!*
"Can I have a kiss before you go?" Turned to her making big wet drunk kissy lips.
"Oh look, feeling the need again." Marvel walked out leaving Vash with a large handprint on his cheek.
"I love you too Marvel!" Vash yelled after her. He went back to gulping down his drink.
Wrapped in a large blanket serving as a poncho and wearing a big floppy straw hat, Marvel leaned up against one of the polls supports on the porch of the saloon. The middle-aged bartender followed her out leaning up against his business.
"Joseph what do you want?" She didn't even have to turn around. The over whelming smell of a mixture of alcoholic beverages hit her nose as soon as he stepped out.
"You never change Marvel, a lot of bark but mostly bite. How long have I known you anyway?"
"All of your life and about half of mine." She tipped her hat up just a bit.
"And in all those years, you'd give that weird guy a chance but not me?" He chuckled a bit.
Scoffing, she answered his remake with one of her own "What do you mean 'give that creep a chance'? I don't even like him; even on a good day!"
"So then what was with the grope fest when he first came in this afternoon?" Poor Joseph had witnessed part of the love hate relationship earlier today.
"So you saw that huh?"
*^*^
It had been about an hour since Marvel had made her grand exit off the top of the inn. She returned to her room and dressed in clothing that hid her identity after yesterdays attack; she wasn't taking any chances. For a few days, she needed to lie low until she was completely sure all danger had really passed.
Making her way to the bar, she hid in a shadowy corner far away from the rest of the drinking patrons. Sanding agent the wall as if she were holding the whole building up, she watched as Vash entered. Covered in his strange leather body armor, his gun sat in its holster pressing against his right hip. After looking around the room, his line of vision fell directly on the woman in the baggy poncho.
Passing all the other people as if they didn't even exist, he made his way over to the lovely woman covered by that heavy blanket. Vash tipped up the brim of her hat so he could look into her soft face and brilliant eyes.
Marvel gave him the most awful scowl she could conger up. "How'd you know it was me?"
A smile graced his face " I could recognize the way you stand from 20 iles away. You know your posture is awful."
"Do you know how irritating you are?! My god can't you just leave me alone just for a little while?! I'm a big girl and I don't need somebody to watch over me!"
"I'm not watching over you, I just wanted to see you! You're always so mean to me! What is your…" Vash didn't even get to finish his sentence. Marvel grabbed him by the shoulders roughly pulling him till their lips met.
Pulling Marvel into his arms Vash held her close as he continued to their lip lock tasting her with his lips.
^*^*^
"I know you like a book woman. You think I wouldn't know where you hide in my own bar? Come on Marvel, give me some credit." Joseph laughed lightly, "I never thought the two of you were going to come up for air!"
"Oh stop talking like that! He's just some guy I've been taking care of since I found him all beat up outside of town, it's nothing more that that!" Marvel covered her face with the brim of her straw hat hiding her expression.
"Well if you were looking at him the way he was looking at you, I don't think I could believe that. I'm going to go back inside and make sure your friend stays out of trouble. Take care of yourself Marvel and stop being so damn serious all the time. Live life like a normal woman once in a while. You'll be a lot more happy and maybe a little bit nicer!" She heard the creek of the swing door as Joseph went back to the job he had known since he was a teenager.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Excuse me sir." An exotic looking woman took the place on the stool next to Vash. She was of Asian decent with long black hair in a high ponytail on the back of her head. Her slender body was covered in a tight fitting black body suit from head to toe. Killer black boots finished off the outfit.
"Well hellooo!" He smiled with an intoxicated look at the woman. Then went back to guzzling drinks as if she wasn't even there. He was drunk not stupid, Vash still had Marvel on the brain.
She placed a hand on one of his gloved hand "Can I buy you a drink stranger?"
"A drink! You sure can lady! Bartender hint me with a one more!" Vash erupted with laughter
"So stranger what's your name?"
"Well I'm the hunter of the mayfly called love...well something like that!" He once again laughed like a drunken fool. "Most people just call me Vash."
"Well Vash do you think I'm attractive?" The woman used her most sultry voice.
"Are you kidding you're a babe!"
"Well then Mr. I'll be right back, I just need to go outside for a second. Just stay right here." She ran her index finger along his jaw. Then sauntered out the door.
"What the hell was that about?" Joseph had watched the whole thing from behind the bar.
"I don't know, but she was a nice lady!" Joseph shook his head as Vash laughed himself silly.
"That man is so strange."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*Well well, look at her. She's familiar, but she's not from around here * Marvel noticed the strange woman as she walked out of the bar and leaned up against the pool opposite of Marvel.
"You're not from around here are you?" The mysterious woman pulled out a cigarette and held it between her lips, looking for a lighter in an odd backpack she had set at her feet.
"Not at all. I'm a bounty hunter. Came here looking for a hot tip on a big bounty." Pulling the lighter from a pocket in the back of the bag, she lit up her cig.
"So who's the bounty?" Marvel gritted her teeth like she always did when something ticked her off. *If she's looking for a fight with me she'll get one *
"You a hunter yourself?"
"I don't waist my time doing stupid stuff like that. I have better things to do with my time." The feline woman kicked a rock that had been sitting next to her foot.
"Well, there a rumor that Vash the Stamped here in this town. He was protection some woman and scared off another hunter away yesterday. I took the tip, now I'm here and I've found him right in that bar behind us." She took a puff of her cigarette pushing the smoke out her nostrils. "He killed the man who taught me everything I know when he destroyed Agusta. My poor brother was an unfortunate loss. I have Vash the Stampede exactly where I want him. He even told me I was beautiful. Stupid man."
"He said you were beautiful?" Marvel's heart clenched.
"Yes he's smitten with me." She puffed he smoke. "Most men are, all men love Rio Dai the Second Blade."
"Your brother was a Gung-Ho gun."
"How do you know of my brother?"
"I beat him in his first training exercise against a nonhuman foe." In one swoop Marvel tossed off the blanked and hat that hid her identity. "You better be ready for a showdown sister because I'll do to you what I did to your brother. Except I wont spare you like I did him! The Demon's coming out to play! "
Out of the strange bag, Rio Dei pulled out a sheath covered sword. "Marvel The Demon! What is you reason for interfering with my business?!"
"So you recognize me now? Last time I saw you, you were only a child." Standing completely calm the older woman intimidated to younger sword toting woman.
"What is your business with me, Marvel!?" She drew her katana from its resting place.
"You want something that's already mine! So back down now before I get angry Rio Dei!"
"NEVER, I MUST AVENGE RAI DEI!" Full of rage Rio Dei charged toward her opponent lifting her blade to strike.
The dodge was simple for Marvel causing Rio Dei's blade to trust towards the ground, throwing up dust into the air. The clouds of dirt dissipated, leaving the two women facing one another.
"I will kill you Marvel, if that's what it takes!"
"Bring it. " With two fingers she urged the girl on.
*^^*^*^*^*^*^*
"Hey everyone there's a cat fight going on outside!" The men in the bar rushed out of the door drinks in hand not wanting to miss any of the action.
"Wow I bet Marvel would get a kick out of this! Hey Marvel! … Marvel?" Vash looked around the empty saloon. "Oh boy…why do you I have a bad felling about this…"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Hoped you liked this fulfilled installment of Kaleidoscope. Tune in next time to find out what Marvel will do to protect her man. How will Knives win Meryl's trust? And what are Wolfwood and Millie up to? Find out in Chapter 11: I'm Not That Monster Any More.
See ya,
Nova
Thank You!
Morlana- Why yes I will and it starts in this chapter!
KelliKatt- Your chapter name was such a good idea that I named this chapter Don't Mess With My Man (really you named it that!). Think you so much for the chapter naming help!
Mimic12355- If you need grammar and spelling help this is the person to go to. Thank you soon much for your help with chapter 9. Hopefully my errors will become lees frequent.
Tsunami Starsheart- your wish is my command.
Hope I get more revues with this chapter!
Disclaimer: If I owned Vash and Wolfwood I'd be way to busy to write this story! Do you know how hard it is to keep those two out of trouble! So I don't own Trigun.
Thank you so much to Mimic12355 Who has once again edited this chapter. You help me make this story wonderful. Thank you so much!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kaleidoscope
Chapter 10: Don't Mess With My Man
It was quiet in Meryl's room as she sat alone in the mid afternoon trying to make heads or tails of the situation she had come into those past few day. It all seemed like it had happened in one short moment of time, all of this was happening so fast. This woman, this new women had just burst in and everything changed. From the first moment she had seen that woman her world started to come apart at the scenes. The memory of the gentle smile of the emerald-eyed woman as she greeted her for the first time was scorched into her mind; she would never forget it.
"This is all been so ridicules! Why is this all happening like this! It wasn't supposed to be this way!" Meryl's body collapsed on the matters of her small twin sized bed. Her problems were finally starting to catch up. The lack of sleep, her love lost, and the sole responsibility for injured Knives was too much. Tears ran down the young woman's beautiful face. "Was suppose to tell him that…that I love him."
The moment Marvel had excused herself; Vash had run out the door behind her. Meryl couldn't forget the look on his face. It was so painful like someone had ripped his heart from his chest. She had to look away from the soft graceful face of that man as it wrenched in pain. What he had done in the past had not only left the memory of a promise broken and a life taken but it now hurt someone he cared about too.
"I don't see what so great about her anyway. She's just some freak who caught Vash's attention by being an attractive woman. What kind of punishment is it to be young and beautiful for eternity any way?!" As her tears soaked the sheets she slammed her fist into the innocent bed. "If it happened to me, I could have lived with it…forever" Ashamed, Meryl was so ashamed of her own thoughts.
"With all Marvel's been through all I can do is hate her and be jealous of her relationship with Vash. The hate I feel is throbbing in my head and I just don't know what to do! I don't care what she's been through. She just can't have him! I won't let her! He has to know how I feel. If Vash knows maybe…I can change his mind, maybe he does love me. "
Knives grinned it was a grin that could scare the bravest of men. He was going to use all of this to his advantage. The broken down woman was just ripe for the picking all he had to do was win her trust and then there would be no problem.
*Humans are so easy to manipulate. You are so naïve girl, you don't really know how much my childish brother cares for you. Not like a lover but more than just a friend. Vash would protect you with his life. He broke his own promise to that meddlesome Rem just to keep you alive. So what would hurt my brother more than the betrayal of someone so important to him? You're so lonely my beautiful Meryl, but I will be here to comfort you and you will help me destroy my brother's love of Humans. * Knives waited for a visit form the woman he would use to destroy his brother.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
He found himself here again, trying to drink away his troubles. When one part of life became clear something else became murky and confusing. Vash just didn't understand anything any more, not since she came into his life. One minute Marvel wanted nothing more then to beat him till he bled, the next she was kissing him all over. It was like she was two completely different people. He had fallen for both sides of her so hard that he drank hoping it would bring some light this dark situation.
"Hey Mr. Bar guy, filler up!" Vash slammed his mug on the bar demanding more liquor with a goofy grin plastered on his face.
"Vash, I would appreciate if you stayed sober since you're still staying in my room!" From the door she gave the intolerable man an angry glare. "Joseph don't give that man any more I'm responsible for his well being and if he gets drunk, I might have to kill him." She sat next to her slaphappy companion. All day she had been coming here between hours to make sure the drunken blond was ok.
"Come on Marvel, don't kill the party join in! Remember how it ended last night?" His beer mug making contacted with the top of his head answered his rude comment. "Ouch…why does that keep happening to me?" He rubbed the newly formed lump.
"Because you're a jackass!" Crossing her arms she sighed. "Promise if I let you have one more, you'll leave with me Vash. I mean come on, it's the middle of the day!"
"Yes sir! One more drink sir." The absurd blond man saluted to her. It was as if he was a fed and she was his commanding officer.
"I'm gonna go outside before the need to smack you returns." Sliding of the stool, she shook her head in shame. *I actually have feelings for this spiky hared idiot, true mushy passionate feelings. What is wrong with me?!*
"Can I have a kiss before you go?" Turned to her making big wet drunk kissy lips.
"Oh look, feeling the need again." Marvel walked out leaving Vash with a large handprint on his cheek.
"I love you too Marvel!" Vash yelled after her. He went back to gulping down his drink.
Wrapped in a large blanket serving as a poncho and wearing a big floppy straw hat, Marvel leaned up against one of the polls supports on the porch of the saloon. The middle-aged bartender followed her out leaning up against his business.
"Joseph what do you want?" She didn't even have to turn around. The over whelming smell of a mixture of alcoholic beverages hit her nose as soon as he stepped out.
"You never change Marvel, a lot of bark but mostly bite. How long have I known you anyway?"
"All of your life and about half of mine." She tipped her hat up just a bit.
"And in all those years, you'd give that weird guy a chance but not me?" He chuckled a bit.
Scoffing, she answered his remake with one of her own "What do you mean 'give that creep a chance'? I don't even like him; even on a good day!"
"So then what was with the grope fest when he first came in this afternoon?" Poor Joseph had witnessed part of the love hate relationship earlier today.
"So you saw that huh?"
*^*^
It had been about an hour since Marvel had made her grand exit off the top of the inn. She returned to her room and dressed in clothing that hid her identity after yesterdays attack; she wasn't taking any chances. For a few days, she needed to lie low until she was completely sure all danger had really passed.
Making her way to the bar, she hid in a shadowy corner far away from the rest of the drinking patrons. Sanding agent the wall as if she were holding the whole building up, she watched as Vash entered. Covered in his strange leather body armor, his gun sat in its holster pressing against his right hip. After looking around the room, his line of vision fell directly on the woman in the baggy poncho.
Passing all the other people as if they didn't even exist, he made his way over to the lovely woman covered by that heavy blanket. Vash tipped up the brim of her hat so he could look into her soft face and brilliant eyes.
Marvel gave him the most awful scowl she could conger up. "How'd you know it was me?"
A smile graced his face " I could recognize the way you stand from 20 iles away. You know your posture is awful."
"Do you know how irritating you are?! My god can't you just leave me alone just for a little while?! I'm a big girl and I don't need somebody to watch over me!"
"I'm not watching over you, I just wanted to see you! You're always so mean to me! What is your…" Vash didn't even get to finish his sentence. Marvel grabbed him by the shoulders roughly pulling him till their lips met.
Pulling Marvel into his arms Vash held her close as he continued to their lip lock tasting her with his lips.
^*^*^
"I know you like a book woman. You think I wouldn't know where you hide in my own bar? Come on Marvel, give me some credit." Joseph laughed lightly, "I never thought the two of you were going to come up for air!"
"Oh stop talking like that! He's just some guy I've been taking care of since I found him all beat up outside of town, it's nothing more that that!" Marvel covered her face with the brim of her straw hat hiding her expression.
"Well if you were looking at him the way he was looking at you, I don't think I could believe that. I'm going to go back inside and make sure your friend stays out of trouble. Take care of yourself Marvel and stop being so damn serious all the time. Live life like a normal woman once in a while. You'll be a lot more happy and maybe a little bit nicer!" She heard the creek of the swing door as Joseph went back to the job he had known since he was a teenager.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Excuse me sir." An exotic looking woman took the place on the stool next to Vash. She was of Asian decent with long black hair in a high ponytail on the back of her head. Her slender body was covered in a tight fitting black body suit from head to toe. Killer black boots finished off the outfit.
"Well hellooo!" He smiled with an intoxicated look at the woman. Then went back to guzzling drinks as if she wasn't even there. He was drunk not stupid, Vash still had Marvel on the brain.
She placed a hand on one of his gloved hand "Can I buy you a drink stranger?"
"A drink! You sure can lady! Bartender hint me with a one more!" Vash erupted with laughter
"So stranger what's your name?"
"Well I'm the hunter of the mayfly called love...well something like that!" He once again laughed like a drunken fool. "Most people just call me Vash."
"Well Vash do you think I'm attractive?" The woman used her most sultry voice.
"Are you kidding you're a babe!"
"Well then Mr. I'll be right back, I just need to go outside for a second. Just stay right here." She ran her index finger along his jaw. Then sauntered out the door.
"What the hell was that about?" Joseph had watched the whole thing from behind the bar.
"I don't know, but she was a nice lady!" Joseph shook his head as Vash laughed himself silly.
"That man is so strange."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*Well well, look at her. She's familiar, but she's not from around here * Marvel noticed the strange woman as she walked out of the bar and leaned up against the pool opposite of Marvel.
"You're not from around here are you?" The mysterious woman pulled out a cigarette and held it between her lips, looking for a lighter in an odd backpack she had set at her feet.
"Not at all. I'm a bounty hunter. Came here looking for a hot tip on a big bounty." Pulling the lighter from a pocket in the back of the bag, she lit up her cig.
"So who's the bounty?" Marvel gritted her teeth like she always did when something ticked her off. *If she's looking for a fight with me she'll get one *
"You a hunter yourself?"
"I don't waist my time doing stupid stuff like that. I have better things to do with my time." The feline woman kicked a rock that had been sitting next to her foot.
"Well, there a rumor that Vash the Stamped here in this town. He was protection some woman and scared off another hunter away yesterday. I took the tip, now I'm here and I've found him right in that bar behind us." She took a puff of her cigarette pushing the smoke out her nostrils. "He killed the man who taught me everything I know when he destroyed Agusta. My poor brother was an unfortunate loss. I have Vash the Stampede exactly where I want him. He even told me I was beautiful. Stupid man."
"He said you were beautiful?" Marvel's heart clenched.
"Yes he's smitten with me." She puffed he smoke. "Most men are, all men love Rio Dai the Second Blade."
"Your brother was a Gung-Ho gun."
"How do you know of my brother?"
"I beat him in his first training exercise against a nonhuman foe." In one swoop Marvel tossed off the blanked and hat that hid her identity. "You better be ready for a showdown sister because I'll do to you what I did to your brother. Except I wont spare you like I did him! The Demon's coming out to play! "
Out of the strange bag, Rio Dei pulled out a sheath covered sword. "Marvel The Demon! What is you reason for interfering with my business?!"
"So you recognize me now? Last time I saw you, you were only a child." Standing completely calm the older woman intimidated to younger sword toting woman.
"What is your business with me, Marvel!?" She drew her katana from its resting place.
"You want something that's already mine! So back down now before I get angry Rio Dei!"
"NEVER, I MUST AVENGE RAI DEI!" Full of rage Rio Dei charged toward her opponent lifting her blade to strike.
The dodge was simple for Marvel causing Rio Dei's blade to trust towards the ground, throwing up dust into the air. The clouds of dirt dissipated, leaving the two women facing one another.
"I will kill you Marvel, if that's what it takes!"
"Bring it. " With two fingers she urged the girl on.
*^^*^*^*^*^*^*
"Hey everyone there's a cat fight going on outside!" The men in the bar rushed out of the door drinks in hand not wanting to miss any of the action.
"Wow I bet Marvel would get a kick out of this! Hey Marvel! … Marvel?" Vash looked around the empty saloon. "Oh boy…why do you I have a bad felling about this…"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Hoped you liked this fulfilled installment of Kaleidoscope. Tune in next time to find out what Marvel will do to protect her man. How will Knives win Meryl's trust? And what are Wolfwood and Millie up to? Find out in Chapter 11: I'm Not That Monster Any More.
See ya,
Nova