Beyond Reasoning
Chapter 18
Big Day
(Since this is an important chapter I will be writing both Candy and Vash's point of view. I will give you warning when there is a view change so you won't be left guessing who is talking)
Candy
Yawning I awoke to a knock on my door. Sitting up I held the blanket around me on me as I blinked wondering who it could be knocking on the door so early.
"It's unlocked." I said rubbing my eyes and yawning and sliding myself toward the edge of the bed.
"It's me Miss Candy!" Milly's voice I herd outside the door. "I've come to take you to go and get dressed with Meryl and I." Blinking I remembered it was the wedding day for the two insurence girls.
"Ok, just give me a second." I said quickly rumaging through my clothes and finding a clean pair of pants and a shirt. Wipping off my pajamas I threw on the clothes and brushed my hair and within a few minutes I was standing outside my bedroom door facing Milly who had this hudge smile still upon her face. Though I don't want to believe it I'm a morning person though compared to her I'm a night owl.
"Mr. Vash is going with Matt and Nicolas to get their clothes." Nodding I found myself yawning again. I hadn't gone to sleep as early as I hoped I would. "Then we'll have our hair and make up done so we all look beautiful!" She clapped her hands excitedly.
"Well you should, it's your wedding too." I said smiling at the girl. "The day is for you and Nicolas along with Meryl and Matt." The taller insurence girl nodded as we began to walk down the stairs. Today was hopefully going to be stress free and a wonderful day for the two girls and the men they loved.
Vash
"Wait up Wolfwood!" I shouted glaring at the back in front of me as we headed toward the chapel. "Geez, first you drag me out of bed and then throw clothes. Even before I can finish dressing you've got me out the door and dragging me to the church!" Yawing I ran my hair through the still hanging down locks of my hair. He hadn't given me any time to fix my hair right. I would have to do that at the chapel, hopefully.
"Well if you hadn't slept in Needle Noggen I wouldn't have had to do that!" He said in front of me. "One would think you where up late again..." Frowning I glared at him what he was trying to imply exactly.
"Get your mind out of the gutter.." I stated furmly coming up beside him. "Your a priest. You shouldn't be thinking things like that."
"I was thinking about your drinking problem Vash, what the heck do you think I was thinking.." Frowning I glared at the man who just began to laugh as we entered the church to see the hussle and bussle going on already. The pues had already been lined with flowers. Wolfwood directed me toward a set of stairs as I followed him inside seeing Matt already there and already dressed. His tall thin form was only exaderated with the black his suit held. The shaggy brown hair the man held was still shaggy as he turned around waving at me and Wolfwood.
"To bad it isn't a triple wedding, eh?" He joked finishing off tieing his tie as I eyed him at what he was getting at. Sighing I just shrugged then. Everyone seemed to know the extent of my feelings toward the young brunette who was probably with Meryl and Milly right now besides the girl in question.
"Well lets get ready, the wedding starts in two hours.." Wolfwood said slipping off his jacket. Nodding I walked over to a package that was labled Vash and picked up the box top seeing a suit folded nicely sitting there. Picking it up I sighed. Part of me wished what Matt had said was true. I was meaning to get married once just to see what it was like but with me being over a centrey old I still hadn't really found someone I would ask such an important question. Though most of the time when someone would fall for me like that something would happen and all chances where abolished. Slipping off my shirt that I had just put on not but ten minutes ago I slipped on the shirt that lied underneight the coat I had pulled out. There where a lot of buttons to the blasted shirt.
Candy
Yawning I stood there in the saloon a woman behind me clipping away at my hair. Then there was a woman in front of me doing my make up as I sat there in the gown now that we had picked up from the tailors. Unlike us the guys, which I was informed by Meryl, where dressing at the church where there was a stylist that was going to get the guys's hair ready if they wished to use the help.
"Ahh this is sooo nice.." Milly said who sat to my left and Meryl sat to her left. The manacurist had just got down filing my nails and was now putting a clear coat of color upon them. Never had I been so pappered in my life. That's when someone pulled out a thing of tinfoil and began to get the strips ready.
"Do you wish for the same color highlights as before?" The woman said raising up a piece of hair that they had cut that had my highlight color on it. Nodding I smiled leaning back and closing my eyes trying to enjoy the pappering some more while visions of my favorite blonde ran through my inner eye happily.
"Once we're done here we've got to get going." I herd Meryl say as I just smiled. Yes today was going to be a wonderful day. The day that I would look my best, a best that the blonde outlaw had never gotten to see. It would probably be a shock to him. Giggling a faint blush came across my cheeks as I felt my face heat up. Opening an eye I saw Milly beside me getting her hair pinned up as the hair stylist was placing on her veil. It kind of made me jealous a bit. I always wanted to get married and have a family though I had never found the man to do that with.
"We're going to have to wash your hair now." The woman said who had finished tinfoling my hair about thirty minutes later. NOdding I slowly stood up as they brought me to a sink and began to wash my hair.
"I told you they where the best.." Meryl said ovdously talking to Milly as I sunk my head back and let them wash my hair out. (nfa: Ok so I"m speeding the process up but there is a lot to be done in two hours :P). Soon I was up and they where drying my newly dyed hair off so they could start to style it. Smiling I felt really good today, not even Knives could ruin it hopefully. I felt the stylist begin to start to pin up my hair, curling it slightly and adding things that matched the crimson color of my dress. Sighing I noticed the time and knew they where just about done. Glancing slightly over I saw Meryl and Milly getting up from their seats trying to work the veils that where now pinned to their heads.
"You guys look so beautiful!" I said happily clapping my hands as the stylist stood up and brushed my dress off as the woman took of the bib that caught hair and stuff so it protected my dress. The white dresses that they wore where long and flowing. It was beautiful.
"Well we're not the only ones that look good today.." Meryl said with a smile. "I'm sure you'll make a curtian blonde drop his jaw." Blinking I blushed a bit.
"..I hope so.." I muttered rubbing the side of my neck gently as I looked at myself in the mirror taking in how I looked.
"Well then!" Milly said clapping her hands. "Lets get going!" She headed toward the door where Matt's car was sitting there with a driver he had highered for the day to take them to the church. Smiling I got in first and sat in the back in the middle. It was their day even though I looked beautiful. It was their to shine.
Vash
Sighing I looked at looked at the clock. It was almost time. The girls should be here at any moment. Smiling I thought about how Candy would look out of all of them. I really hoped that Meryl had picked a good dress for this small wedding. That's when I herd the doors beside me open.
"..Gah these shoes hurt!" I herd her exclaim as Meryl and Milly came filling in past me leaving Candy stand there rubbing one of her feet using the wall to hold herself up.
"Just an hour of standing, that's all." Meryl said as I turned to see the two brides standing there.
"Wow...Wolfwood and Matt are going to die when they see you.." I grinned laughing.
"Thank you Mr. Vash." Milly said.
"Well we'll leave you two alone. Milly and I got to go and get ready." Meryl said grabbing her partner and friends arm as she pulled her out of the room to my confusion. Looking from the door where they shut it to Candy I saw her standing up.
"At least you get confertable shoes.." Candy said laughing and standing there in front of me. I was in complete and utter shock. The red dress on her was beautiful, the hair that was up in some fancy bun where strains hung off curled made her look beautiful. I found myself almost speechless gazing at her. That's when the truth hit me about this situation. Meryl and Milly spent some time making her look this way so I would confess..didn't they?! Glaring at the door for a second I turned back to her who was smile.
"You look quite hansome I must say." She said with a slight giggle to her voice.
"Thanks." I said rubbing the back of my head trying to fight off a sever blush that was threating to form. "You don't look that bad yourself." Which was the understatement of the year.
"Thank you." She said with a radating smile. With every passing second I could swear there was an angel standing in front of me. "Well we should get going. These shoes arn't going to get any more comfertable." Laughing she took the arm which I held out for her as we walked out of the room that Meryl and Milly had left us in.
Candy
My heart was pounding and if wasn't for the blush on my cheeks I was sure that he would have noticed the faint blush that was forming under it. We walked toward the isle, me sneeking peaks of his cute face all the way there. Meryl and Milly stood there waiting for me, with the hudgest grin upon their faces. I knew what the smiles where for. They where trying to get Vash to like me that way by showing him I could be as beautiful as the next model or something.
"Ready!" I said smiling as Meryl and Milly nodded seeing the small band and nodded their heads as the music started up and the small gathering that there was in the church quieted down as Vash and I walked down the isle quietly and carefully, keeping in pace with each other. I couldn't really believe what was going on.
We reached the place where I and Vash would have to split up as he went to stand with the two grooms and I by myself for the moment. Turning I watched as the congritation stood up as Meryl and Milly began to walk down the isle with Meryl's father between them. Smiling I watched them as they continued to make their way up the isle to where they stood beside the men that they loved and the cerimony was underway. Standing there I stood forward at the side of Meryl who was the closest to me smiling happily as I stood there, holding both their bouquets as they turned and began to read their vows. I was really happy for them as I stood there trying not to fidget to much because the shoes I was wearing hurt my feet.
An hour passed in no time as the music began to play when Meryl/Matt and Wolfwood/Milly leaned in, the men raising the vales of their now wives and kissing them lightly. Clapping I cheered a little with the crowd as they turned and bowed thanking everyone. Smiling I turned my head toward Vash who had a hudge grin upon his face as well. They began to walk out of the main part of the church, to the doors that led to the outside. Smiling there was a gathering of the females that where in the pues as I went down the steps following Meryl and Milly to join the crowd. A cheer went up as Meryl stood at the top of the steps turning away from the crowd holding the bouquet in her hand that I had given back. I had never been in the crowd to catch the bouquet mainly because the last wedding that I had been to was the one I was a flower girl in at my aunts when I was ten. Laughing I slipped off my shoes before I got in the crowd so nobody would trip over them and walked in. Meryl turned and threw the bouquet as a bunch of woman jumped up and over me, crowding me and making me fall to my butt as I yelped then covering my head to try and protect myself from the anslout of woman who REALLY wanted the flowers. Sighing I sat there till there was a definite opening above me and slowly clammered back to my feet and brushed myself off as I looked around seeing some girl jumping up and down happily with it. Then it was Milly's turn as she stood up there happily looking through the crowd, her eyes then stopping when she met mine as a grin came upon her features which made me wonder what the heck was going on. Turning she raised her arm up and threw the bouquet before any of the woman had a chance to recover from the last clammering. Blinking a few seconds I realized that the bunch of flowers had landed in my arms as I was trying to get some space around me to leave, having enough of such a tradition. Blinking I looked down realizing what had happend and grinned begining to cheer, jumping up and down. A few moments after that the crowd began to disperse. Smiling I turned toward Vash who came running up to me.
"Geez I saw what happened there!" He said. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I am." I smiled holding out the bouquet out for him to see.
"..I still never got why they throw the flowers that they have during the wedding to the woman who attended the ceremony.." Vash said scratching his head and laughing.
"..Well.." I said picking at one of the flowers in the bunch. "If I remember correctly the ceremony is suppose to predict the next woman to get married." I laughed. "But I think Milly was really aiming at me for this one."
Vash
"..Really?" I asked blinking at the girl. "..So if you caught this it means..."
"Yeah somehow I'm the next one out of the group minus the one who caught the other bouquet to get married.." She laughed again. "I know it's a silly tradition but it's gone on for centries back on Earth." That last part she had said quietly. Glancing over I saw Meryl and Milly talking with their husbands and some other people. One of the couples with them probably was Meryl's parents. I just got that vib from them then I turned back to Candy and looked down at the flowers. Did she have a boyfriend back on Earth or something that she hadn't told me about to make that tradition come true? Blinking I never realized that I hadn't asked her about if she had a boyfriend. She never spoke of a guy like that. Sure she had spoke of a few guy friends when she had told me stories about back on Earth but never of a prominite boyfriend figure.
"..Well good luck finding someone who will put up with you.." I said grinning and quickly taking the flowers from her.
"HEY!" She shouted trying to jump and reach for the flowers which I always kept out of reach. Grinning I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she really looked so flustered and angery.
"Hey Vash and Candy!" Meryl's voice called out. Turning I walked over there placing my hand with the bouquet behind my neck so it was still sorta out of reach for Candy who came beside me as we walked up to the small group. "We're going to be heading to the dance hall now."
"Cool!" Candy shouted out happily clapping and instantly forgetting about the flowers I still had beside my head. Turning her head she smiled at me making me wonder what was going on. "Don't you forget your promise!"
"..What promise..?" I asked blinking and wondering what she was talking about.
"You don't remember Mr. Vash?" Milly asked blinking and looking at me like I was nuts.
"What is everyone talking about?" Meryl then said turning her head towards Candy and I.
"O just Miss Candy here made Mr. Vash promise that the first dance at the reception would be with her!" Milly said clapping. I had completely forgot about that promise. With everything that had been happening the past few days and my relization that I loved the brunette the promise had been pushed so far back in my mind that I had indeed forgot about it.
"Yeah!" Candy said beside me as she reached up and swipped the flowers from my grasp while I was busy wondering why I hadn't remembered such a thing.
"Well then we'll make sure the first song is a slow one." Meryl said smiling. "Though the first song usally is considering it's the first dance of the husband and wife."
"Well then the second song will be as well!" Milly said. "I'll request it."
"You really don't have to guys.." Candy said waving her hands about laughing a bit. "It can just be a nice dance. That's all I really want." Smiling I laughed a bit as well as Matt walked away to get the car again. A dance with Candy...I wonder if it would be like being in heaven for a bit. All these things made me really forget about Knives. Actully I plum forgot about my brother till that moment. That wasn't a good thing considering I had left my gun back with my stuff in the changing room. Matt had told me that all our stuff would be delivered back to Meryl's house. Sighing I smiled anyway. I could risk it. Knives would be stupid to attack so many people just for me. And if he did I was sure there would be some way to defend my self there anyway. Right now I just wanted to think about Candy and the first dance I would share with the girl. It would be something that I could treasure even if Candy left before I could say good bye or confess.
"Lets go!" I shouted seeing the car pull up as everyone began to pile in it once again. Turning I found myself in the back with Milly and Wolfwood who where cuddling like newlyweds where suppose to. Candy was up in front of me sitting beside Meryl and Matt whom was driving. "Where is the dance hall exactly?"
"Just up ahead.." Matt said turning a corner and pulling to a stop in front of a brick building. Getting out I looked up and smiled. "Here we are!" He turned and looked at everyone as they began to walk in ignoring the cars that where pulling up and parking. Turning I finally followed them in smiling again seeing how beautiful the place had been decorated. There was food to one side on a nice white table and tables scattered about the dance hall though none of them where in the dance floor part of it. I noticed there was a band as well up on the small stage. Yes this was a nice place.
"Wow!" Candy said beside me as I laughed at her expressions. One would think she had never been to a reception.
"Well then we sit over here." Milly said pointing to a table with two big chairs side by side in the middle of it. Of course I knew it was for the couples that had gotten married and then there where other chairs lining the table. Walking over I sat to the left of the chairs. Candy came beside me.
"Do I sit to the right or beside you since we walked down the isle together?" She asked blinking.
"I don't really think it matters.." I said smiling. Nodding she sat down beside me claming her spot on the table.
"My feet still hurt.." She laughed slipping off her shoes once again and kicking them under the table.
"Now do you really think you can dance with bare feet?" I asked eyeing her.
"Of course...unless you want to trade the shoes.." Candy added picking one up. "I'm sure they'll fit you."
"You don't have THAT big of feet.." I laughed.
"Wanna bet?" She asked but before we could say another word I herd a ring of some glass. In the few minutes that we had been arguing the place had filled up already and people where chatting and laughing.
"I would like to have your attention please," The man said. Turning my head I looked ahead waiting for the speech that was going to come out of the mans mouth. "I would just like to give a toast to the two best workers a boss can get. Ever since the day I sent them out the find the legendary outlaw they had done nothing but do as I asked even though I knew it would send them in life threating situations. I'm just glad that now they both have a wonderful husband to call their own and things with the outlaw seem to have calmed down so they can stay here with them.." People nodded and gave a cheer to it. I guessed that Meryl and Milly hadn't told their boss who I was exactly or he wouldn't have said such things with me in the room. Laughing a bit I turned to Meryl and Milly who just where grinning my direction as to say their sorry for what he had said. It didn't bother me much. Then another person stood up and began to give a toast to the couples. It went on like that for at least ten minutes. I herd from Meryl's brother, Milly's big big sister whom she invited to represent the children of the family since the church was to small for her whole family, Meryl's mother, Milly's father and mother(once again to represent), and a few co workers at the insurance agency who wanted to give their two cents about the woman. Then there was Matt's family who congratulated both and a friend that I didn't catch the name of. Smiling I guessed it was my turn as really Wolfwood's only friend out of the group there. Standing up I smiled holding out my wine glass.
"..Well ever since the day we met up those three years ago my life wasn't the same." I started. "For once in my life I wasn't alone anymore on my journey across this desert planet and though I threw you two into dire situations you came out of it not hatting me any less then the start. I want to congratulate you two and thank you for all the memories you have given me and continue to do so. I also want to wish you the best and happiness though out your lives." Then I cleared my throught turning to Wolfwood more. "Since I really am the only person here who knows you I figured that I should be the one to say something as well. Since the day we met on the bus you've annoyed the heck out of me." I paused as a light laughter went up. "But also since that day I also got the greatest best friend a man could have. Not only did I drag you into the dangerous situations..you also seemed to bring them as well. I just want to wish you and Milly the best along with Matt and Meryl. Treat them right or I'll come knocking at your door.." There was another laughter that went through the crowd as everyone clapped and appolded I think most of them figureing out who I was exactly.
Candy
I clapped for Vash's toast and smiled. It seemed his was the last of the toasts for the time being as the music began to start up and chatter went through out the hall as people began to talk. Of course Milly/Wolfwood and Meryl/Matt had their first dance down at the dance floor as it was cleared off for the happy couples. Grinning from ear to ear I watched them go across the dance floor, never leaving their loves eyes. It was quite beautiful and romantic. Once they stopped everyone cheered and clapped as the couples bowed a bit. Smiling I sighed happily loving the romance that was just seeping from the air. I was really happy and excited. It almost made me want to put on my shoes again. I said almost on that part. Wiggling my toes I sighed happily feeling no pain ebb from them like it had been in the shoes. I herd the music beginning to start up again after the pause for the celebration of the first dance.
"Well then.." Vash said beside me. "I did promise a first dance, did I not?" Turning my head I smiled feeling a blush come on my features happy that Vash didn't mind doing this for me.
"Yeah you did and you can't step on my feet!" I said poking him in the chest. "With your boots you'll crush my toes and that will hurt!"
"Well then.." Vash laughed as he bent down and began to do something. Blinking I wondered what the heck he could be doing as he continued to lean down there since he was facing away from me. After a few minutes he pulled up a giant boot making me blink in the realization at what he had exactly done. "Just give me a few more minutes..these boots are hard to lace up and take off."
"..You didn't have to.." I muttered in shock and disbelief at what Vash was doing for me. I just assumed he would go out on the dance floor with his shoes on and dance with me, with my shoes off. I knew from an episode of Trigun that he was graceful so I knew he wouldn't step on my feet. I was just poking fun.
"Well better safe then sorry I always say.." He laughed standing up after removing his other boot. Both socks where off as well to match my feet. Laughing a bit I couldn't help but think how this was going to look out on the dance floor. A grin was spread across his face as he held a hand out to me. Nodding I took it as he slowly led me out to the dance floor. My eyes couldn't leave his backside as he led me out there as we where about to join in on the dance already in progress when the music abruptly stopped.
"..By request of one of the Brides we'd like to play a special song.." Was herd by the lead band singer. Laughing I looked over at Vash who was laughing as well about this whole situation. Milly said she was going to and she did...
"..We'll have to get her back later.." Vash laughed whispering it quietly to me. Nodding I wondered which song they where going to play. The music began to start up. Of course like MIlly had said it was a slow song. I knew it too...
Geez Milly you're trying to hard... Looking up I saw Vash shrug as he turned to me, taking my other hand into his as I rested the one by his hip. I was growing nervous with each passing note that they started to play...
Vash
I didn't know what to think of Milly's choice from what I could here with the slow piano beginning. Of course I knew it was going to be romantic, but I didn't realize how romantic it was truly going to be and how close to reality that that girl had come when the lead singer had begun to sing...
"Remember when we never needed each other
the best of friends like sister and brother
we understood we'd never be alone.." I blinked feeling a twing in my heart realizing where exactly this was going to go...
Candy
"Those days are gone
now I want you so much
the night is long
and i need your touch.." The lead singer continued to sing as I inwordly cringed. It was an old Backstreet Boy's song. I wanted to laugh about the whole situation. Milly had really outdone herself with this. One would think she would be more focused on her own wedding instead of trying to hook myself up with the outlaw.
Vash
"don't know what to say
never ment to feel this way
don't want to be alone tonight..." Gah I could just fall down with embarrassment. This was like reading out of the pages of my own heart. Glancing over I noticed Milly with Wolfwood's arms wrapped around her as she gave a thumbs up to me as I frowned slightly trying to focus on anything other then the woman who was dancing with me. It was really nerve racking. My heart was in my throat pounding the hardest it had ever done. It was so loud I was sure that she could hear it...
"what can i do to make you mine
falling so hard so fast this time
what did I say what did you do
how did I fall in love with you..." That's when I noticed a small voice. Glancing down at her she was looking straight into my chest and mumbling the words to the song. So she knew the song that Milly had picked out. Yeah she would, wouldn't she? All the songs that most the bands played like this where songs that people had learned from the data on some of the fallen SEEDS ships that we learned from about Earth songs.
Candy
Mumbling the song seemed to keep myself a bit calm about everything.
"I hear your voice
and I start to tremble
brings back the child
that I resemble
I cannot pretend
that we can still be friends
don't want to be alone tonight.." That's when a felt a hand on my chin. Since I didn't have the nerve to look him straight in the face in fear that my deepest secret would be revealed to him once he glanced at my face I was bound and determined to look everywhere but there. I mean the blush that was all over my face just screamed that I liked the blasted outlaw.
"Hey my face is up here.." His voice cut gently in as I felt his hand push my chin up to meet his gaze. My eyes locked instantly with his as I tried to control my emotions about the whole situation.
"..Sorry.." I laughed a bit trying to make light of how dir this was for me.
Vash
"what can i do to make you mine
falling so hard so fast this time
what did I say what did you do
how did I fall in love with you..." The song, gotta love Milly for picking it, was driving me crazy. Looking down I saw her gaze at my face as I began to blush a little not moving my hand from her face. I didn't even realized that we had stopped dancing and where just staring into each other's eyes out on the dance floor.
"who would want to say this right
if it has to be tonight
I just need you to know
I don't want to live this life
I don't want to say good bye
with you I want to spend the rest of my life..." O God how that ran so true to me. I felt tears welting up in my eyes as I still wouldn't break my gaze from her. I felt her hand come up and clasp my wrist not wavering from her stare at me.
Candy
"what can i do to make you mine
falling so hard so fast this time
what did I say what did you do
how did I fall in love with you..." That's when I noticed it. After I had grabbed his wrist not knowing what to do...he was slowly coming at me. His eyes where closing too...he..he was going to..
He was going to kiss me?! With that thought I felt my heart leap out of my thoat and lost forever in the stars. He was so close I could feel the breath upon my skin..as if he was waiting for something...like he was waiting for me...
"what can I do to make you mine
falling so hard so fast this time
everythings changed we never knew
how did I fall in love with you..."
My head was realing..this couldn't be happening. But...I couldn't...my heart...Slowly my eyes fluttered down as I was about to answer his plea...
Vash
The next thing that my mind registered was screams...Quickly my head shot up as I glanced around realizing people where rushing from an explosion. My previous thoughts where lost in the mad panic to find out who exactly had done it. Though I knew already who..
My brother Knives. He stood there with a grin upon his face..his midnight black colt in his hands pointed at Candy and I. Looking down I noticed the panic as well in her as she spotted my brother. I thought he wouldn't be stupid.
"Knives stop this!" I shouted at him who still had the wild crazy look in his eye.
"Nah.." Was all he said as he pulled back the hammer of the gun not wavering one bit from his aim at me. Shifting my weight I pulled Candy to my side trying to push her away from me as I was figuring what the heck I could do. My gun was at Meryl's house and..that's when I noticed Meryl, Milly, Matt, and Wolfwood standign there with their signature guns in their hands pointing them at my brother. No I couldn't let him die..I had to save him.
"Stop this!" I shouted to all the parties.
That's when Knive's fired. Everything was slow motion from this point out. I could see the bullet coming toward me. I was about to try and dodge it when I noticed someone coming at me...
"Vash!" She screamed pushing me out of the way. Blinking I barley registered the gunfire that had happened there when I felt her body jerk in my arms...
Candy had been hit.
Candy
I..I couldn't let him..Knives..he wasn't going to kill Vash...I felt the shock of the bullet enter my side as I pushed Vash out of the way. I had been hit. It was a burning sensation in my side as I grabbed at it my knees giving out. Though his strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground. Pulling my hand back I noticed the blood coating it as I began to cough and weeze realizing that I could bearly breath and where gasping for air...it must have hit a lung.
Vash
Tears trailed down my face like a river as I saw her look up at me gasping for air...a trail of blood going down the side of her lips. God not again! The look in her eyes told me she was slipping away. Her eyes where staring out almost beyond me.
"...I..I..I'm sorry..." She muttered gasping her hand going to her chest.
"Candy!" I shouted. "Just hold on...please..hold on!" But by the time I had finished that..she had gone limp in my hands. Falling to my knees I clung to her body weeping uncontrollably. This did not just happen...It couldn't have. It had to all be a dream. I would wake up and everything would be fine, Candy would be standing there not dead smiling at me and telling me how much I bothered her, how I was an idiot and if given the chance she would go across Gunsmoke with someone else. Then we would laugh and go and bother the local kids.
She couldn't die like this! Not before...
"..Vash.." A voice called out to me. Glancing up I saw Meryl there trying to keep herself calm while Milly was crying in Wolfwood's shoulder whom was trying to comfort the poor girl. Matt had his hand on Meryl's shoulder as well. "...You've..you've got to let her go now.." She said bursting into tears at the end of the second as I looked down at her lip body in my hands, reality finally sinking in. Candy was gone. I let go of her body all at once noticing my black and white tux was coated in her blood as I threw my hands to my face and began to sob again. No...she was just trying to protect me..like everyone else I have come in contact. Glancing over I saw Knive's body. I didn't have to go over there I knew the truth to him too. He was dead as well. The barage of bullets that they sent after he shot Candy would have killed anybody. Today I lost two people very dear to me.
"..I never...never got to tell you....that.." I dropped my hands to my side and through my bloodshot eyes I gazed at her body that was there laying there, her head away from me, her eyes closed and her stomach to the ground as she laid in her own blood. "I love you..."
Milly's wailing turned louder just then after I said that.
Blinking that's when I noticed something on her back. It was growing...Sitting there I stat there puzzled what could possibly be happening. Wiping the tears from my eyes, probably leaving a trail of blood behind my eyes never left her. That's when something burst through her back, tearing the dress in the back to shreds. A light began to over come my vision as I raised a bloody hand to shield my eyes from the blinding light. Something blew and stuck to my hand as I sat there. Reaching out I grabbed what had stuck to my hand and found a white feather..well not so white anymore since it was now partally covered in blood. Frowning I squinted toward the light wondering what the heck was going on. The breath in my throat caught as I noticed there was a figure standing there now as the light faded, though there where two gigantic things behnd them. As the light faded I noticed that Candy now was standing there, slightly hunched over, her knees about to buckle and her arms hanging limply at her sides. It wasn't that that had my attention...it was the two giganitc wings that where upon her back as she stood there. They where at least five times the size of the woman, though the ceiling of the dance hall was to low and the top of the wings followed the ceiling till they ended. Her hair hung loosly at her sides cript slighty from how her hair had been done for the wedding. The dress hung loosley off her since there was now no back to keep it from slidding forward. The dress it's self even though was tore in shreds in the back also was covered in blood from the bullet wound she had indured and somehow was healed from. I also noticed the part of her wings just behind her back, that where attached to her back where tinted red. I just sat there gapping at what I saw in front of me. Candy's breaths where slowly calming down.
"..my God.." I herd Wolfwood say all of a suddenly like had just found his tongue again. I still was shocked silent as my eyes still studied the girl that was standing there trying to comperhend that this was indeed Candy, who had died just moments before.
"...Miss Candy.." Milly said as well. Blinking I swallowed trying to remove the dry lump that had formed in my throat.
"...Candy..." I finally found myself saying as her head turned slightly so her eyes could gaze at my face. A flush came to it. She then turned slowly as the set of wings behind her began to knock things over and around as she turned fully around. She then began to bend down over my brother's corpse placing her hands on his chest as the light that has shown itself the first time she met the man began to radiate from them again. I watched in disbelief as I saw my brothers chest jump once. Then it began to jump another and another as I finally herd a gasp come from him. "Knives!" I shouted tears once again trailing down my face as I saw my brother slowly began to sit up, his eyes not moving from the woman that he had just killed.
"..my God..." He also muttered in shock as the woman smiled lightly. That's when her wings began to fade slowly just leaving feathers to blow away as the girl began to fall forward falling on my now sitting brother's lap. He turned his head to look at mine, confusion written all over his face. Quickly I rushed to both their sides wondering what was going on..if Candy was ok...if she was still alive. Taking her into my arms I felt her heart beat again radiating from her chest as it fell up and down. I don't know what exactly had happened there but I was thanking God a million times over that she was not dead and Knives was standing there, completely unharmed, the look still on his face from when he awoke to see Candy over him, slightly glowing. She looked like herself now, like nothing had happened, exept there was a lot of blood about her.
"..W..we should probably have a doctor check her out.." Meryl said as I looked up seeing the smaller insurence girl standing there a somber look on her. I barely registered that she had spoke as I just stared at her face, tears filling my eyes. Once again I could have sworn that the girl had been taken from me...my heart had screamed and the world around me had shattered.
"Here I'll take her..I think you've been through enough.." Wolfwood said reaching down to grab her. I wouldn't let him. I was afraid that if I let her go that she would disappear. That she would finally be taken from me.
"..No.." I mumbled touching her cheek lightly as she breathed lightly still out. "I'll take her." Slowly I stood up, scooping the rest of her up in my arms. Matt quickly rushed away as I began to walk outside the door to see everyone standing there as the calvery stood there. Behind me following was Meryl, Milly, Wolfwood...and Knives. He hadn't said anything besides the words he had muttered after Candy had somehow revived him. The car came pulling up as I sat down in the front.
"I'll quickly take them to the hospital.." Matt said. "I'll be right back."
"Wait!" Milly said pushing Knives toward the back door and inside. "He should be checked too." Matt nodded beside me as he took off toward the hospital.
Not a word was said in the car. We just sat there looking ahead, though I mainly looked at the sleepign woman's face. I wondered how her back looked with what those wings looked like they had done. I hadn't felt anything wet so I was hoping that by a miracle of God that she was healed.
The car pulled up to the front of the hospital as I got out along with Knives and walked inside. Quickly I rushed inside to the desk sitting there. The nurse quickly went back and came out a few minutes with a bed. I dropped her on it gently and watched them wheel her away. Though I had questions about what had happened back there, and the wings, they could wait. Right now I wanted to make sure that she was ok. Looking over at my brother I frowned. He still had a blank expression upon her face.
"..Well..?" I asked looking at him.
"..I..I'm sorry Vash.." Knives muttered turning his head away from me. "..I don't know what happened all these years..but..I'm sorry.." Blinking I watched as Knives's barrior was breaking down in front of me. "..S..she showed me...what would have happened..I grew scared.."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"..Nothing.." He muttered then took a deep breath. "I'm sorry again." Looking ahead I felt a wave of peace pass through me for the first time. Knives..he seemed different, the murderous glint in his eyes that he had always held for the past 130 years was gone finally and what I had set out to do so many years ago seemed finally done.
I had saved Knives. Well actually..Candy had saved Knives. She had done the one thing that I couldn't somehow.