A/N: Sorry for the wait! Chapter 8 isn't much. It's just the beginning of the fight between Vash and Melody. And you do meet whom Karen has been waiting for. B.G.L.I., thanks for reading again and Happy Birthday Cj! . Ok, on with the story.
Chapter 8: Fire Shower
Milly woke up the next morning to see Karen sleeping in rumpled clothes and messy hair. "It must have been a long night." She got up and got dressed as Karen slept. Creeping out of the room and down the hall, she started to make breakfast. Meryl joined her shortly after, staying quiet. They knew it was a big day for Vash and they didn't want to dwell on it too much. Milly wanted to tell somebody everything Karen told her, but she kept silent.
Out of your dreams and into the hush of falling shadows
When the mist is low and stars are breaking through
Milly perked up as she heard Karen's voice drift down to the kitchen. "She's singing again."
Then out of your dreams you'll go
Karen turned into the kitchen. Her clothes looked better and she was putting up her hair.
Into a dream come true
Karen finished putting up her hair. "Good morning, Milly." She started to hum. "Good morning, Karen." Karen sat down and hummed the same tune patiently. Milly looked over her shoulder at her. She seemed distant. Just then, Vash walked into the room. "Good Morning all!" Karen looked up at him. "Good Morning Vash." Meryl began to set down plates. "You better eat Vash. It's going to be a long day." Vash looked down. "Yeah, I know" He pulled out his chair and looked straight down at the table.
For the first time since Karen got there, everyone ate in silence except for a few coughs. Everyone had their own thoughts. Finally, Vash finished and stood up. "Thank you for breakfast Meryl." He bowed his head. "Now, if you'll excuse me." He walked out of the Kitchen and down the hall. Meryl looked down the hall after he closed his door. "Poor Vash." Karen took one last bite of her eggs and wiped her mouth. "He needs to think. Just leave him be."
Meryl looked at Karen and nodded. "You're right. C'mon Milly." Milly nodded and stood up. Before she went out with Meryl, she leaned over to Karen and said, "Look after him, ok?" Karen stared at Milly for a second and nodded. Milly smiled and walked out. The door closed and Karen was left alone at the table. "I'll try my best, Milly."
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Vash leaned back in his bed and looked at the ceiling. "Rem, what am I suppose to do?" He rolled over to his side and stared at the wall. For some reason, he was frightened at the thought of fighting Melody. And she wasn't even as powerful as Legato was. He was so confused. Then, there was a light knock at his door.
"Vash?" It was Karen. "Vash, can I come in?"
Vash sat up. "Yeah, come in." Karen slowly opened the door and looked at Vash. "Hey, Needle Noggin." Vash chuckled a bit. He missed Wolfwood calling him that. "Hey yourself, Angel Face." Karen shook her head and sat by Vash. "Are you scared Vash?" Vash slowly nodded. "Yeah, I am." Karen squeezed his shoulder. "It's ok. You can be scared."
Vash looked at her. "I know, but it just seems like there's more to Melody than her looks and her guns, and I'm less than who I used to be." Vash leaned back onto his bed and groaned. Karen put her fist in his gut. "Listen Vash, you were made famous because of your red coat and your silver gun. Just because you left those behind doesn't mean you're any less of a gunman!" She removed her fist and Vash popped back up. "I guess you're right."
Karen gave a smug grin. "You'll be fine. I promise." She stood up and started to walk out. She then turned around and looked at Vash. "Just remember that you got a lovely group of angels behind you." Vash was confused, but Karen only winked at him before she turned around and left the room. Vash blinked. "What lovely group of angels?"
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Later that day, almost sunset
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Meryl leaned against the doorway of the kitchen. "He doesn't have to do this." Milly took a sip of her coffee. "He said he was going to be there and he can't go back on it." Meryl bowed her head. "I guess you're right Milly." She looked at Karen who was tracing shapes on the table with her finger. "You haven't said much Karen."
Karen looked up at Meryl. "I'm thinking, ok?" Meryl rolled her eyes as Vash opened the door of his room and walked into the hall. Meryl walked into the kitchen and Vash came in after. "Well, I'll be going now girls." Meryl walked over to Vash and hugged him. "Please come home safe." Vash hugged her back and kissed her head. "I'll try Meryl."
Milly smiled at him. "Good luck Mr. Vash!"
He looked at Milly. "Thanks."
He finally looked at Karen. She looked up at him. "Just remember what I said." Vash nodded. He walked towards the door. He hesitated for a second, then opened the door. Just as he left, Karen ran to the window and watched him. She then ran over to the closet. Milly watched her. "What are you looking for, Miss Karen?" Karen didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out Meryl's Derringers and Milly's stun gun. "Take 'em girls. You're gonna need them."
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Vash saw the church ahead. Right outside the doors was Melody, but she didn't look the same. She had a black and red trenchcoat and a black hat. (A/N: She's supposed to look a little like Beyond-the-Grave from Gungrave) "So you did show up, Vash the Stampede. I never figured you would." Vash stared at her. "I don't want to kill you Melody, but I will if I have to."
Melody grinned evilly. "Not if I kill you first." As she said that, she pulled out a sliver gun and started shooting at Vash. He dodged her shots, rolled up his sleeve and brought out his machine gun. Aiming for Melody, he began to shoot. She was fast though. Just as she ran out of ammo, she dropped her gun and pulled out two more. One was black and the other was silver. It was starting to become a real firefight. Vash rolled to the ground and tried shooting for her again, but there was one problem. He was out of ammo. "Damn it!"
Melody walked over to him and pointed her gun at him. "Goodbye Vash."
Bang!
A bullet cut Melody's cheek. Both her and Vash looked up to see Karen with her smoking revolver and Milly and Meryl behind her. "I'm starting to suspect I'm the master of good-timing" Melody started to growl. "Can you never come alone?" She pulled her gun away from him. "No matter." She pointed it to the girls. "I'll kill them first."
Vash gasped. He looked at the girls. Meryl and Milly seemed frightened, but Karen only smirked. "You have to get though me first." She pointed her gun towards Melody.
"Karen, don't!" Vash began to stand up but he was quickly knocked down by someone. "You fool!" ,shouted a female voice, "You're not suppose to die today!" Vash looked up at the girl. She looked liked Rem except shorter, a little younger and she had black, square-framed glasses. "R-r-rem?" The girl rolled her eyes. "No, I'm Aria! Your guardian angel!" Aria stood up and dusted herself off. "Really Vash, you haven't changed."
Vash couldn't help but stare at her. Neither could Melody. "How many friends do you have, Vash?" She pointed her other gun towards Aria. "I'll just kill you all!"
Bang!
A bullet cut at Melody's arm. She turned around to see a girl with waist length, curly brown hair holding a military-type gun. She had on a dark blue pleated skirt, black boots, a white halter top and a black trenchcoat. Everyone turned towards her except for Karen. "You're late Jazz." Jazz looked at Karen through the side of her head. "Sorry, I got held up trying to sneak out."
A/N: Alright, next chapter, the end of the shootout and the appearances of two more angels! The end is nigh! Please review