Before I start the story, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed! It really means a lot to me. Thanks to emmablk1, vashluver1, KeNsHiNsGuRL, Meryl Stryfe, :-), fairsyke Neptune Butterfly Trip Machine Survivor, somebody (yeah, I hated school) Kitsune and DarkGoddess29. Thanks everyone, I honestly thought that this story sucked. With your belief, Tinker Bell will live once more! starts singing a random song Anyway, please, enjoy this chapter!
And I owe everything to Kitsune for beta-reading my story!
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Gunsmoke Alabama -- By SWT
Chapter II: Cousins
Location: Gunsmoke International Airport (GIA)
4: 25 PM
The ride to the airport was a short one as Nicholas Wolfwood parked his motorcycle in the semi-crowded parking lot. He took his helmet off his head and made his way to the entrance of the airport, taking out one of his signature crooked cigarettes. He lit it and took a long drag. "Ah, my one salvation," he murmured, leaning up against the side of the building.
"Hey, Wolfwood!" a voice called out a little further away from him. Nicholas turned around to see Vash making his way over. He arched an eyebrow.
"Vash? What are you doing here?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Well, instead of waiting until seven to see your cousin, I thought I'd come here with you. So, where is she?" he asked, looking around.
Nicholas put out his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe and headed inside the building, Vash following behind. It didn't take long before Nicholas noticed a dark-haired girl with a pink suitcase coming into view. "There she is!"
Vash looked up with his signature grin on his face to see his best friend's cousin when his jaw dropped to the ground. He had never in his young life seen anyone so...so beautiful, so amazing looking, and so...so...short! He stared as the girl looked up at the two males, and instantly their eyes locked. Something sparked inside of Vash that he couldn't quite place. He shook his head as the girl turned away and smiled at Nicholas.
Nicholas walked up to her and gave her a big hug. "Hey there, short stuff!"
The girl returned the hug. "What took you so long? I was waiting for at least an hour." she said once they had released each other.
Nicholas shrugged, taking out another cigarette. "School, ya know, mid-day traffic. Anyway, that needle-noggin' over there is my best friend, Vash. Vash, this is my cousin, Meryl." He introduced the two.
Vash was speechless as he stared at Meryl. She stared back nervously, not used to being stared at like that. "What are you staring at?"
Vash snapped back to reality and smiled sheepishly. "Uh, nothing! So, y'all ready to go now?"
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Meryl, why don't you let Vash carry your bags?"
Vash gave Nicholas an "are-you-outta-your-right-mind" look. "Why me?!"
The dark-haired boy smirked. "'Cause, it's the gentlemanly thing to do. Be a boy scout and help out."
Meryl glanced from one boy to the other before handing her suitcase to the taller blonde. "I hope this isn't too much trouble for you, Mr. Vash."
Vash shook his head as he took the pink suitcase. "No trouble at all! And, uh, it's just Vash."
Meryl nodded, heading out the door following behind her cousin. Vash trailed behind, carrying the girl's suitcase, looking like a lost puppy. Once they were outside in the parking lot, Nicholas headed Meryl a helmet. "Here, put this on."
Meryl gave him an incredulous look. "Nicholas, I told you I don't like motorcycles. Why didn't you bring your dad's car?"
The priest-in-training sighed. "Because, I came here right after I got out of school. I didn't have the time to stop and pick up the van. But if you don't want to ride with me on my motorcycle, you could always get a ride with Vash." He glanced at Vash.
Vash grinned as usual. "Sure! My car's over there." He pointed to his red Corvette Convertible.
Meryl sighed. 'I'm only here for a few hours and already things are getting complicated. Well, I'm sure it's better than back home.' "Okay..." She headed over to Vash's car with the boy in tow as Nicholas put his helmet over his head and waited for the two. Vash popped the trunk to put Meryl's suitcase inside before opening the door for the girl, being the gentleman that he was. Once Meryl was inside the car, with her seatbelt on, of course, Vash rushed to the driver's side and hopped in, starting the engine. Soon, both he and Nicholas were on the road to home.
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Knives paced around his little 'hideout', where his minions, Legato, Midvalley, Chapel, Caine, Dominique, Rai-Dai, and Zazie watched him as he continued to walk back and forth, murmuring to himself. Why they hired a twelve year old kid to be in their group is beyond me.
Zazie raised an eyebrow. "What's his problem?" he whispered to Legato, who should know almost everything about Knives, since they had been friends (well, Knives had been bossing Legato around) since they were babies.
Legato shrugged. "Obviously, he's plotting world domination again," he explained, and the others nodded in agreement.
Dominique shook her head. "He will never give up, will he?"
Knives turned his cold blue eyes on them. "WILL YOU SHUT UP?! YOU'RE RUINING MY CONCENTRATION!" he yelled at the small group before him.
They all sighed, but further conversation was cut off as a voice called through the door that was at the top of some wooden steps. "Knives!"
Knives paled. "Uh, um...Yes, mother?!"
The others snickered as Knives made a mad dash up the stairs. Chapel chuckled. "The price he must pay for having a 'secret hideout' in his basement." The others laughed at that.
Knives ran up the stairs to see his mother, Rem, staring at him with a leash in her hands, "Now, you know that you have some responsibilities to take care of, and one of them is taking Duchess for a walk."
Knives grumbled, not waiting to take the Rottweiller for her daily walk.
Rem shook her head and handed him the dog's leash. "Now, she's your dog. You need to take care of her." She was talking to him like he was a five-year-old!
Knives sighed. "Yes, mother." He grumbled some more before walking past his mother to the kitchen where a large Rottweiller was sitting by the door. "Come on, Duchess..." he murmured. The dog barked before jumping up on Knives and licking him. "Ah! Damn mutt!" he growled, clasping the leash on the dog's collar.
Rem walked into the kitchen. "Oh, Knives, where's Vash?"
Knives shrugged. "What am I? My brother's keeper?"
"As a matter of fact, you are, mister. Well, if you see him, tell him to hurry home. And don't forget to pick up Katherine!" she said as she started making dinner. "Are your friends staying for dinner?"
Knives rolled his eyes before opening the door. "No." He closed the door, not wanting to hear any more from his mother.
Rem shook her head. "That boy, what am I going to do with him?" She shrugged and started stirring some stuff that was in a large pot over the stove while humming her favorite song.
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Vash cruised down the nearly deserted road with Nicholas following close behind. He glanced at Meryl, not exactly knowing what to say. He cleared his throat, wanting to start a conversation with the girl. "So, uh, why'd you decide to come down here?"
Meryl, startled by the sudden voice of Vash, looked up at him. "Oh, uh, I needed to get away from my old lifestyle..."
Vash nodded, accepting that answer. "Sounds good to me."
Meryl shrugged. "So, how long have you known Nicholas?"
"We've been friends since, well, forever. So, where are you from? Do you have any friends back at home?"
Meryl glanced out of the window, resting her right elbow on the door and placing her chin in the palm of her hand. "Washington State. And no, I never really had many friends."
Vash stared at her in shock. "What? A pretty girl like you? You're bluffing."
Meryl smiled and shook her head. "Really, I don't. I've always been a loner by nature."
"Well, that's gonna have to change. You're gonna love it here! Say, how old are you, anyway?" he asked, eyes turning back to the road.
"Well, I just turned seventeen two weeks ago," she stated somewhat shyly, folding her hands in her lap.
Vash grinned. "Well, happy belated birthday." He turned the wheel, making a left.
Meryl smiled at him in thanks and turned to look out the side window. 'Well, he seems pretty nice. I guess it won't be so bad living down here.' Already she was making friends, well, one anyway. But hey, it's progress. Meryl glanced back at the boy she had just met and thought, 'Besides, he is kinda cute.'
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Knives sighed as Duchess pulled him down the street. He hated walking the dog, almost as much as he hated high school. But he would train this dog to be ruthless, to obey only him. It somewhat worked, against his brother, Vash. This dog loved almost everyone, except for Vash...it was weird...
Knives grinned down at the dog, thinking of her hatred towards his twin, "I've trained you well, Duchess."
The dog looked up at him as if she knew what he was saying, and barked twice. 'Master Knives is one of the most awesome owners in the world! Now, if only I can get rid of that blabbering idiot View, eh, Val, uh...Vash! Yeah. That's his name! Oh! Bathroom break!' The dog pulled Knives towards a tree and sniffed it, circling around it a few times before crouching down to do her business. Before, uh, going to the restroom, she gave Knives a look that called for privacy. Knives sighed and turned away to allow the dog the solitude she needed. When she was done, Knives headed towards a large house and knocked on the door.
Soon after, an elderly woman opened the door. "Hello, who are you?" she asked, squinting at Knives to see him better.
Knives rolled his eyes. "It is I, Knives, Mrs. Johnson. I am here to collect Katherine." 'I really do hate my life...why couldn't I be born on a spaceship and go crazy killing everyone onboard except for me and my idiot brother? Oh well.'
Mrs. Johnson blinked at him. "Oh! Knives! You're Rem's boy, right? Hold on while I get your sister." She disappeared back into the house.
Knives sighed in annoyance. 'And why couldn't I be an only child?' he thought miserably.
"Knives!" a voice shouted as a ten year old girl rushed out of the house. She had long blond hair and blue eyes. "So, what'cha get me?" was the first thing she asked as the two, with the dog, made their way back home.
Knives growled. "Nothing," he said firmly, hoping she would shut up.
Katherine pouted. "What? How could you not get me anything! I'm telling mom!"
Knives shrugged, not really giving a rat's a--eh--butt. "So? What can she do?"
The girl grinned. "Nothing, but she can do something when I tell her about the time you set her famous painting on fire. Or the time you snuck out of the house, or even the time when you ruined her lovely evening gown. I mean, come on! You knew you couldn't fit into it!" She laughed at Knives' reddening face.
Knives glared at her. "You'd better not! And I wasn't trying it on!"
Katherine continued to grin devilishly. "Whatever you say, bro, and I still haven't told Vash that. He would've died laughing! I can't believe mom never found out her precious gown was missing! Wait until she finds out, AND Vash!"
Knives paled and hurriedly reached into his pocket. "Okay, here's ten bucks, now stay quiet!" He forcefully handed her the money and she took it with a grin, showing off a missing tooth.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" They were now in front of the house and Katherine skipped inside and went straight to her room, saying a brief hello to their mother before closing her bedroom door.
Knives unleashed the dog and made his way to his room, knowing that his little crew were long gone by now. Gosh, he hated siblings. (Don't we all?)
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Vash slowed his car to a stop as they finally got to Nicholas' house. "Well, here's Nick's place. I live down the street." He pointed to a house that was across from Nicholas' home and further down the street.
Meryl nodded before getting out. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Vash." She smiled as Vash popped the trunk again so she could get her stuff. Behind them, Nicholas pulled up to the driveway.
Vash watched as Meryl got her stuff and headed towards the house. He waved to them both. "See ya, Wolfwood. See ya, Meryl!" Then he moved the car down the street into his own driveway.
Nicholas and Meryl headed into the house as Nicholas called out. "Mom, Dad! I'm home!"
Suddenly, a noise was heard as a young boy of about seven with dark hair and brown eyes came running into the room holding an airplane, pretending to be flying. He stopped as he saw the young girl standing with his brother. "Meryl!" He ran up to her and gave her a big hug as she knelt down to his level.
Nicholas rolled his eyes, "Let her breathe, nimrod." He tapped the boy on his head.
Nimrod, eh, David, the young boy, released Meryl and stuck his tongue out at Nicholas. He then turned around and ran up the stairs. "Mom! Dad! Meryl's here! Meryl's here!" he yelled as he ran, his fondness for his older cousin apparent in his voice. "And Nicholas is being a jerk!"
"Am not!" Nicholas' denial trailed after him.
Meryl smiled at the sight of her cousins. It has been so long since she was in a warm, loving home. She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on unwanted thoughts. Two figures then emerged from the top of the staircase, followed by little David. The woman, obviously Nicholas' mother, smiled down at Meryl when she saw her.
"Meryl! It's great to see you again!" She rushed down the stairs, quickly engulfing her young niece in a tight hug. It had been so long since she saw her last
Meryl's eyes grew wide as the feeling of numbness took over her body. "Ack! Nice...to...see you too....Aunt Janet..." she gasped out.
Nicholas sighed, smacking his hand to his forehead. "Mom, you're killing her," he said calmly as Meryl's face started to turn a disturbing shade of blue.
Nicholas mother, Janet, released Meryl as the realization drawn on her. "Oh, dear, I'm so sorry!" She smiled apologetically at her.
Meryl gasped for air, grabbing her chest as she wheezed a bit. Once she had finally composed herself, she smiled at her aunt and uncle. Her uncle, Demetrius, walked up to her and gave her a soft, non-bone-crushing hug. "It's good to see you again, Meryl." After about two seconds, he released her, much to Meryl's relief.
"You too. So, um, where do I sleep?" she asked them.
Janet grabbed her bags. "Oh, you can have Michael's old room."
Meryl nodded. "Where is Michael?"
Nicholas shrugged. "Overseas someplace."
David pouted. "Oh man, I was gonna make Michael's room into a game room! Now where am I gonna keep all my games?"
Nicholas made a thoughtful face. "How about the trashcan?"
"That's not funny, fart-for-brains!" The younger child stuck his tongue out at his brother.
"David, no name calling." Mrs. Wolfwood scowled the youngest Wolfwood child.
"But Nicholas started it!"
Mrs. Wolfwood shook her head. "Nicholas, don't provoke David."
Nicholas' eyes widened. "But--but--but I didn't do anything! Why do I always get blamed? Why do you always take his side?"
David grinned. "'Cause, I'm the youngest."
"And I'm the oldest!" Nicholas challenged back.
"I'm cutest!" The child stuck his tongue out at his older brother.
Demetrius sighed. "Those two will never get along."
Meryl laughed at her cousins' bickering. 'It's been so long since I've laughed.' "I don't want to impose, I could just sleep on the couch." She said, earning looks from them all.
"Absolutely not!" they all said in unison, and Meryl took a step back with her hands up.
"Eh, okay then..." she said with a nervous grin on her face.
David sighed. "Fine, I guess I can store my games in Nicholas' room." He raced up the stairs to his room to carry out his plan.
Nicholas growled as he ran after him. "You are NOT bringing your garbage into my room!
Meryl grinned at her aunt and uncle. Her Aunt Janet smiled lovingly at her. "It's great to have you here with us, Meryl."
Meryl nodded. "And it's great to be here." She made her way up the stairs to her new room, her uncle and aunt trailing behind her.
Outside the house, the fight between the two brothers could be heard clearly through the windows, where a certain black cat lay sleeping on the window sill. The cat lifted its head up, showing large yellowish-green eyes. "Nyao?"
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Previews of the Next Episode: Vash stared at the picture in complete shock. He blinked. And blinked again. And blinked a third time. "Knives...is that a picture of..." He trailed off, looking at the picture in amazement.
Knives beamed, in a slightly scary way. "This is one of the best things my brilliant and incomparable mind has come up with!"
Vash continued to stare, still not able to believe that his brother, the crazy one in the family, would draw something so...so...so..."
Next Episode: Love at First Sight? Are You Kidding Me?
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Heh, that black cat is like Porky Pig, "Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-that's all folks!" lol.
I really hope no one minds the fact that I gave Vash, Knives, and Wolfwood siblings. Sorry if no one likes the idea... :-(
Roses are red, violets are blue, I like reviews, won't you?
SapphireWhiteTigress