Chapter V: Past Forgotten
Location: Kuroneko High
8:20 PM, Monday
With the weekend over and done with, the children of KHS must now report to school. The weekend was fun for some...except for one Meryl Stryfe (does she have a middle name?). It wasn't as bad as some, but worst than most. Her Aunt Janet did, in fact, find out about the broken vase, which resulted in 'no roughhousing IN the house', and limited Nicholas privileges, such as no after school activities, no hanging out at the arcade, and babysitting David when their parents were out. Her Aunt Janet made sure that they were out often. Oh, the most cruel punishment in the book.
David, of course, played the 'innocent kid' act, which only got him no dessert after dinner. Man, was Nicholas steamed after that...
And for herself, they gave her a second chance since she was Aunt Janet's favorite (and only) niece, and she had just moved in...so, she got off pretty good.
As of now, she was walking down the hall towards her first period class. So lost in her thoughts was she, she didn't notice a person standing in front of her, and so smacked right into that person, knocking the both of them off their feet. Her books and papers went flying about in all directions.
She closed her eyes to brace herself for the fall, and the pain that was sure to come. After a moment, she realized she felt no pain; in fact, she hadn't fallen at all. Opening her eyes, she stared into the bright blue orbs of the teenaged boy who had caught her around the waist.
He blinked. "Are you...okay?"
She blushed. "Um, yeah...I'm fine. Thank you..." He released her and she stumbled back a bit, reclaiming her balance. She kneeled down to pick up her fallen belongings, quite embarrassed at running into someone.
The guy knelt down to offer his help. "Would you like some assistance?"
Meryl shook her head. "No, it's fine, but thank you, um...?"
"Legato, Legato Bluesummers." He answered with a bow of his head, then finished helping her gather her belongings.
"Legato? That name sounds familiar..." she murmured, getting up with the help of this nice young man. She paused in thought before saying, "Oh, now I know...you're Vash's brother's friend, right?"
Legato nodded. "I am. Would you like me to walk you to--" He was cut off as a voice shouted at the two.
"Meryl! Hey! Meryl!" It was Vash's voice that called out to them.
Legato frowned as he turned around to see not only Vash, but also Nicholas, Millie, and Knives trailing behind.
Meryl turned around and smiled at the small gang. "Hi, everyone."
"Meryl! I missed you so! This weekend was the most dreadful! Please, Meryl, don't ever leave me again!" Vash cried as he clung to Meryl for dear life.
The poor girl only blinked in confusion. 'Did I...miss something...?'
Nicholas smacked the boy upside his head. "Dude, chill out."
Legato's eyes moved from the boy whose arms were wrapped around the short girl, to the short girl who was staring in confusion. "Are you two...dating?"
"NO!"
"YES!"
Legato stepped back as he got three 'no's and two 'yes's. "Huh?" He turned to Knives. "Master Knives?"
Knives crossed his arms. "My reason is pretty obvious. My brother can do much better than that female."
Meryl glared at him, but most of her attention was on trying to pry Vash off of her.
Millie giggled. "I think they make a cute couple!"
Nicholas growled, "My cousin is not allowed to date!" (And yet, he was the one that left poor Meryl with...that boy...)
Vash whined. "But we are in loooooove!"
Meryl was ready to blow a gasket. "I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!!"
"Wanna get to know me? I'm very lovable and irresistible once you do!" Vash said, finally releasing her.
Legato nodded in thought. "Meryl? Is it alright if I ask you to accompany me to a dinner date this Friday?"
Everyone turned to Legato in either shock or amusement.
'Wow, he really has some manners...' Meryl thought. Aloud, she stammered, "Um...well..."
Vash glared at Legato as electricity shot through them and took Meryl's hands into his. "Meryl, if it's not too much to ask, how about accompanying me to dinner this Friday?"
"Uh..." She was speechless.
Dominique, who was just passing on by, happened to hear the whole thing. "Aw, I wish guys would fight over me like that." .
Knives looked upon the scene with disgust. "I find this whole scenario repulsive. I'm ashamed of you, Legato."
Legato frowned at his master. "I'm sorry, Master. But I would greatly enjoy the opportunity to take out this lovely creature."
Vash shook his head. "Knives, you're my brother! Meryl should go out with me!"
Knives put a hand under his chin. "Hmm...well, this is interesting. My brother and my best friend, decisions, decisions...ah! I have the perfect idea. How about we settle this with a...duel?"
"Oh! What a wonderful idea, Mr. Knives!" Millie clasped her hands together as she jumped up and down.
"Millie, honey, calm down," Nicholas said, grabbing a hold of Millie's shoulder.
"Children, get to your classrooms!" Principal BDN bellowed as he marched down the hall.
Knives grinned. "After school...is when the battle begins..." And so, they all went their separate ways.
--------------------
After School
Location: Kuroneko High Parking Lot
4:25 PM
Everybody who was anybody was out in the parking lot that afternoon. Every last one of these kids was waiting for the fight to begin. Meryl sighed, Millie cheered (for both sides, she couldn't choose), Nicholas went for his cigarettes, Knives was selling tickets for ten dollars each (people actually bought some), and the Gung-Ho-Guns were cheerleaders, rooting for Legato.
"Go Legato! Go Legato! GO, GO, GOOOO!" the GHG cheered, kicking their legs up and down with their colorful pom poms swinging all over the place.
Now to our contestants...
Vash glared into the eyes of his competitor, a wild fire blazing inside. His hands went into his pocket, pulling out a pair of his infamous yellow-tinted sunglasses and placing them on his face.
Meryl blinked. "Where did he get the sunglasses?"
"Beats me," Nicholas said, shrugging.
His opponent, Legato Bluesummers, stared into Vash's aqua-blue eyes. No emotion was displayed on either party. Legato glanced down and smirked as he said, "You cannot win, Vash the Stampede."
Vash grinned as he narrowed his eyes. "Oh, on the contrary, I already have."
"Ah! Beat this, I summon fourth Red Eyes Black Dragon©!" Legato yelled as he placed the card on the mat.
The tall blond continued to grin. "I hate to break this to you, Le', but your Red Eyes Black Dragon is no match for my Ultimate Blue Eyes White Dragon©!" With three BEWD, Vash has created the ultimate Blue Eyes White Dragon©. What will become of our Legato? Stay tuned for the next episode of...VASH-GI-OH!
Nicholas frowned. "Who invited the announcer?"
"Oh, Nicky, dear, didn't you know? They invite themselves!" Millie said with a smile as she continued to watch the duel between Vash and Legato for the heart of our very own Meryl Stryfe. What will she do? Who will she choose? And who are you? Where am I? What am I?
Millie giggled. "I think the announcer is broken again."
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Ya think?"
"Will you please be quiet?! We are trying to concentrate!" yelled both Vash and Legato in perfect harmony.
Knives growled. "Someone, please, shoot the narrator."
Meryl sighed in annoyance. "I can't stand this, I'm leaving." She turned around and started walking through the crowd.
Both guys stopped what they were doing and hurried after Meryl, giving each other death glares. "Meryl!"
Meryl stopped in irritation and turned on the boys. "What is it now?"
Before either could speak, Knives yelled out, "Are you two gonna finish the duel or what?!"
Neither one of them answered, keeping their attention on the frustrated Meryl. Meryl shook her head. "What do you think you're going to achieve from battling each other?" she asked, irritation plain in her voice.
Vash and Legato glanced at each other before returning to her. "A date with you?" they both said simultaneously.
Meryl's left eye started to twitch as her face turned a slight shade of red.
Nicholas ducked for cover. "Man, I know that look. My mother gets it all the time when David or I screw up..."
Millie giggled. "Nicky, you're so silly!"
"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you...you better find shelter soon, honey..." Nicholas said from his hiding spot behind a trashcan.
Meryl tried to calm herself down, but to no avail. She blew it. "I AM NOT A PRIZE TO BE WON! I AM A HUMAN BEING! I DESERVE SOME DECENCY AND RESPECT!" she yelled at full blast, her head becoming twice as large and blowing everyone away, including a familiar, randomly-appearing black feline.
"Nyaooooo!" the cat went as it flew into the distance.
Once the storm known as Meryl Stryfe settled down, everyone was in disarray. Their hair was standing on end, their clothes were practically blown off, and their eyes were as large as saucers.
Meryl stormed off back home, muttering and cursing to herself. Everyone continued to stare as the young girl disappeared from sight.
Vash blinked. "So, does that mean no date?"
Everyone groaned and threw whatever they could at Vash.
--------------------
Meryl glared in front of her, just walking with no particular destination set, fuming inside. 'How dare they do that? Fight over me like I'm some sort of prize...Ugh! Men! That's all they think about, always competing with one another, always trying to be the dominant one, always thinking that they can do whatever they want when they want! It isn't fair...' By the end of her mental outburst, tears were cascading down her face in a gentle stream.
She glanced up at the sky, still lost in her thoughts. 'Why did you have to leave me, mom? I needed you...and I still do...I wish you were still here with me. Why?'
"Why?" she repeated in a whisper, casting her head downwards. She paused in her steps, wiping away any trace of tears. She took a deep, steady breath and glanced up, finding herself in the middle of a park. Her mother always took her to a park like this when she was younger where they played until sundown.
Meryl smiled tearfully. "I remember mom..." she said softly as she sat down on a swing, her past fluttering to her like a beautiful butterfly...
--------------------
It was one of the most beautiful days of the year. The sky was the bluest it could be, and the birds flew overhead, singing their lovely song. The wind gently blew through the lush trees in a nearby park as children played and ran around, thoroughly enjoying the day.
One five-year-old girl in particular giggled in excitement as her mother gently pushed her on the swings. "Higher mama, higher!" she yelled in excitement as her mother gave the swing a good push. She squealed happily as the swing went a little higher, but not high enough to throw her off. "Mama, watch me jump!" she yelled, ready to jump from the swing.
Her mother gasped in surprise as the girl leapt from the swing. "Meryl, no!" she cried in vain, but the young girl landed on the ground, swiftly and skillfully. Her mother grasped at her heart, taking a deep breath.
The girl turned to her mother. "Mama, you saw that? I jumped! I jumped!" She hopped over to her mother, giggling a bit.
Her mother grabbed her in a tight hug. "Don't you do that again, Meryl! You almost gave me a heart attack!!" she said, trying to calm her racing heart.
The young Meryl looked shamefully down at the ground. "I'm sorry, mama..." she said, tears threatening to fall from their place behind her bluish-gray orbs.
Her mother only smiled softly. "It's alright, sweetheart. How about we go see your cousin Nick?"
The girl's bright smile returned to her face. "Yay!" She ran off to their parked car, waiting for her mother.
--------------------
Meryl choked on a sob as the next memory came back to her, not as cheerful as the first...
--------------------
This memory was set on a much gloomier night, as a now seven-year-old Meryl sat in the back seat of an old car, sleeping soundlessly. Her mother smiled from her place at the wheel as she glanced at her sleeping daughter in the small rearview mirror.
Rain poured mercilessly upon her window-shield as she turned on her wipers. Waves washed over the car as Meryl's mother drove cautiously through. She never did like driving in such weather. Suddenly headlights blinked at her as a speeding car, not even a yard away, came roaring down the wrong side of the road. The driver of the other car was obviously a drunken man; he roared with laughter, holding a bottle of some strange brown substance. Other equally drunken people were hanging from the window, yelling, cheering, and laughing.
The light from the other car blinded the old Ford Focus driver as she swiveled away, but it wasn't fast enough...
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, the car careening off-course, the lightning flashing above them, the noticeably loud sound of the rain pit- patting against the icy steel of the car...
The scene instantly changes to hours later, as red and blue lights flash around the overturned car...voices whispering...
'She's lucky to even be alive...it was a miracle...'
'And her mother...?'
'She...wasn't as lucky...'
'You mean...?'
'Yes...she's...dead...'
--------------------
"Meryl...? Are you okay?"
Her mental turmoil was cut short as a familiar voice broke into her thoughts. She moved her eyes up to stare into the beautiful aqua orbs of Vash Saverem.
"Are you okay?" he repeated.
Meryl blinked, clearing her eyes. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine..."
"You sure? You looked like you were crying..." he said, noticing the traces of tears on her beautiful, pale face.
Meryl quickly tried to cover it up. "I wasn't crying! It's, uh, allergies!"
Vash wasn't convinced, but decided not to press on the matter. "Well, if you say so..." He sat down in the swing next to hers, pushing himself back and fourth with his long legs. "But anyway, I, uh...wanted to say I'm sorry about earlier...you know, with that duel battle against Legato..."
Meryl smiled. "It's fine..."
Vash looked up into her smiling face, instantly getting lost in her wonderful grayish-violet eyes. "Really...?" His heart rate accelerated, his palms started to sweat, and all he could see were her eyes. Her beautiful, almost hypnotic, eyes. All he wanted to do right then and there was kiss her. To feel those soft lips against his own would be like pure heaven. He knew it would be risky to do so right now. She would never talk to him again...but the temptation! It was so difficult to keep control.
Meryl raised an eyebrow. "Vash?"
Vash blinked and squeaked, "Ye-yeah?"
"You look a little pale...are you alright?" she asked in concern.
Vash stumbled back and fell from his swing. "Uh, I'm-I'm fine! I gotta go!" 'And take a long cold shower,' he finished to himself, taking off towards home.
Meryl blinked after him. "He is one strange guy." She shook her head. She glanced in the direction Vash had run off to and softly smiled. ' But it's strange, when I'm with him...I feel...safe,' she thought, beginning the long walk home.
--------------------
Previews of the Next Episode: They arrived to Vash's room and slowly peered in. The room was dark. "It's so dark. I can't see anything!" David cried out.
Katherine rolled her eyes as she turned the light on.
The little boy sighed in relief. "Much better."
"I can't believe you are still afraid of the dark!"
"Hey, I'm only seven!"
Next Episodes: Snoopers
--------------------
Man, that trip down memory lane almost made ME cry! Anyway, please, review! The more reviews, the sooner the chapter will be posted!
Unfortunately, I'm outta ideas for rhymes.
Also, more Vash/Meryl will come soon! You remember the saying, "Good things come to those who wait", right?
And, finally, I like being weird, it goes with the personality.
SapphireWhiteTigress