TRIGUN: THE PLANTED ANGEL CHAPTER 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun.
Author's note: Okay, this chapter is longer than the first one and if you missed the first one, here's what happened; Vash and Wolfwood meet a kind stranger, by the name of Isabel Rodriguez, who offers them a place to stay. They, of course, accept the offer. What they don't know is that Isabel has a troubled story and is a PLANT like Vash. She thinks back on her past and the loss of her brother, Dominguez, in the SEED ship crash. Knives has hired her to kill his brother and she is having some emotional problems on whether or not to go through with it.
CHAPTER 2: TWO TIMER
Isabel sneaked into the guest room Vash Wolfwood were staying in, guitar at hand. There was a wide grin on her face her eyes were filled with mischief.
She stood straight held the guitar at ready position. With that, she started playing loud fast, all the while yelling "Wake up! Despierta! Get up, sleepy heads!" in a sing song voice.
Vash nearly fell out of bed because of this. Wolfwood woke with a start but then shoved his head under the pillow.
"Why do you have to be so loud?" Wolfwood complained.
Isabel grinned stopped playing the guitar.
"Because, sleepy head! You two are gonna help me with some errands."
Vash Wolfwood stood up straight looked at her with disbelief. "What!" they said simultaneously.
"It's just what I said. You gotta pay me back somehow for your room food. Not everything in life is free."
Vash's jaw dropped. "But you said you wouldn't mind having us stay here!"
She smiled winked at him. "That was before the roof started to leak. You might not have noticed, but it rained last night, believe it or not."
Wolfwood got up stretched. "So you want us to fix the roof for you, huh?"
"You got it, buddy boy! While you two fix the roof, I'll be at the market getting groceries."
She grinned one last time then she turned around left. Wolfwood picked up his jacket off the floor put it back on.
"I knew it was too good to be true."
Vash looked at him with a sarcastic smile. "And you were the one who said that sooner or later, some 'sweet soul' was bound to come give us a place to stay."
He pulled out a cigarette. "I think I was wrong about the sweet soul part."
Vash sighed stood up, picking up his own jacket slipping it on.
"Well, I guess we better get started before she comes back." Wolfwood nearly dropped his lighter.
"You mean you're actually gonna do it!"
"Well, yeah. That's the general idea. What did you think?"
"Well, I thought we could just mosey on our way before she comes back. You know, take some supplies before we go."
Vash shook his finger at Wolfwood. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Wolfwood, I'm ashamed in you. What the Hell kind of preacher are you, anyway? We can't do that! She was the only one nice enough to give us a place to stay some food. And, besides. We still have no idea where we're gonna go next."
Wolfwood sighed put his unlit cigarette away. "You're right. I hate it when you're right."
Vash grinned. "Yeah, I know. Aint it cool?"
"Whatever, Vash. Let's go." They walked down the stairs looked around. Isabel was indeed not there.
"How are we supposed to know where she keeps her tools, anyway?"
Isabel walked back through the door picked up a wallet that sat on the kitchen table.
"The tools are around back. There's a tool shed back there." She clapped her hands. "Chop! Chop! No, I'm joking. But I'm serious about the roof."
Vash Wolfwood sighed.
"You have a cruel since of humor, Izy," Vash noted.
She grinned. "Yeah, I know. Aint it cool? Well, I'm going now. Tah, tah, boys!"
She turned walked out the door again. Wolfwood walked up to Vash began pushing him out the door.
"You heard the lady. Let's hurry up get this out of the way." Vash shrugged.
"Okie dokie then!"
(CHANGE SCENES!)
At the market, Isabel kept a cautious eye out incase Knives sent any of the Gun Ho Gun after her. She didn't spot any right away but that didn't ease her state of mind.
She wore a Mexican style poncho as she meandered through the market booths. She wore this every time she went out so it could hide the gun holsters at her sides.
There was a Peace Maker in each gun holster. (For those of you not familiar with guns, a Peace Maker is a six shooter revolver.)
She earned a few small glances from the people around her but they didn't last long. They never seemed to bother her. She paid for the groceries, two brown paper bags full of them turned to leave.
She nearly dropped the groceries when she saw a dark figure lurking in the shadows at the side of an old abandoned building. It beckoned her to come forth with a gnarled finger.
She took a deep breath looked around cautiously before walking towards the lurking figure. She knew who it was.
It was one of the Gun Ho Guns. They called him the Reaper. She held the grocery bags tight in her arms. When she was safely concealed from the eyes of the innocent bystanders, she faced the Reaper.
"What do you want now?" she asked boldly.
The Reaper's narrow face split in a sinister smile, revealing crooked stained teeth. He wore a wide brimmed black hat with a black cape like coat about him with tattered ends.
"The Master wishes to speak with you."
"What does he want? I'm working on the mission as we speak."
"Are you, now? No more questions. Follow me."
She really had no need to "follow" the Reaper. He stretched his long, scrawny arms about her shoulders then they were swallowed in darkness.
When the darkness vanished, the two stood inside an old, abandoned cathedral. The sun light poured through the stained glass windows in a colorful array on the stone walls wooden floors.
The Reaper backed away into the shadows Isabel placed the grocery bags on one of the many benches. She looked up from them at the steps before the altar.
Knives sat on the steps, elbows propped up on his knees.
He smirked looked up at her.
"It's funny, really. It's funny how I'm staying in this cathedral. The house of God."
He began to chuckle in a sinister way. Isabel walked up slightly to stand about 10 feet from the man.
"What is it you want, Knives?"
Knives' smirk disappeared.
"You shall address me as Sir if you ever want to see your brother alive again."
Isabel clenched her teeth fists.
"Yes, Sir."
She forced the words out of her mouth with some effort. The smirk appeared again on Knives' face.
"I'd say you are getting kind of attached to your assignment."
Isabel shook her head.
"No, Sir. I'm merely trying to gain his trust."
Knives clapped his hands lightly in a sarcastic applaud. "I see. That's a good strategy. But you've had plenty of chances to take his life. So why didn't you?"
She looked down, away from his eyes said, "I know of Vash's reputation, Sir. I don't think my gun skills can match his."
Knives smiled. "I didn't hire you for your gun skills, Isabel."
Suddenly, he was closer to Isabel than anyone has ever been before. Isabel's eyes went wide in shock as he placed a hand on the back of her head his other arm about her shoulders.
"I've heard of your reputation in botany. You make some of the best poisons in the world. I know. I've decided that I want you to bring him to me alive. Make up an excuse bring him to me. You'll have to drug the priest, Wolfwood, too. Bring Vash behind the building where you met the Reaper. There, you will use your poisons. There's a reason why people call you la Dama Venenosa."
(That's Lady Poison in Spanish.)
Isabel nodded silently.
Knives was so close, her cheek brushed against his chest as she nodded.
"Yes, Sir."
His grip about her shoulders tightened he jerked her head back by her hair.
"Aagh!" she exclaimed in shock.
Knives' eyes were narrow with a burning anger.
"But if I find that I can't trust you, you will never see your brother again, or the world as you see it now, for that matter."
His grip around her shoulders intensified as he pulled harder on her hair.
"Do you understand?"
The pain shot through her scalp shoulders. "Y… yes, Sir." She tried hard to keep her voice calm collected.
He released his tight grip on her shoulders let go off her hair. He held her close to him as he placed his chin on her head in the embrace.
"Good girl. I trust you with this. There is no time limit on your task, but try not to take so long, Isabel."
With that, he let go of her walked back to his steps. "That's all. Reaper, take her back."
She was seething with an inner hatred for Knives. He had been too close for her comfort. The Reaper was suddenly next to Isabel with her grocery bags in his arms.
"Time to go," he said.
His voice was nether worldly sinister. Isabel nodded to show she was ready. His dark coat wrapped around them both then she stood alone in the alley where they met.
Her grocery bags were back in her arms. She took a deep breath leaned against the wall.
She slid down to the ground began to breathe hard as if she's been running. She placed a shaking hand over her face tears welled in her eyes.
(CHANGE SCENES!)
Vash Wolfwood were finished with the roof Wolfwood was sitting at the table, holding his fingers tightly.
"Vash, you klutz! I can't even trust you with a hammer before you go bangin' my thumb like that!"
Vash turned back around from the cabinets with bandages ointments.
"It's not my fault! I told you not to move you fingers!"
"I had to move 'em or else I would've been here with a nail stuck through my finger!"
The front door opened Isabel came in with two brown paper grocery bags.
"What's all the hubbub about?"
Wolfwood pointed his good finger at Vash.
"THIS IDIOT HAMMERED MY FINGERS!"
Vash knocked Wolfwood in the head. "Quit making it out like it's my fault!"
"It IS your fault!"
"Now, now, boys. Calm down. No one got anywhere by arguing."
She walked over to the kitchen placed the bags down on the counter. She pulled up a chair next to Wolfwood.
"Ok, lemme see it."
"Hey, I wanna help," Vash pouted.
"No way," Wolfwood exclaimed.
Isabel sighed. "Vash, could you put away the groceries for me, please?"
"Sure thing, Izy!" Vash seemed pleased now that he had something to do.
Wolfwood glared at him. "Suck up. Ow! Watch what you're doing, woman!"
Izy glared at him. "Quit being such a baby, Wolfwood! It's not so bad. There. All finished. Happy now?"
Wolfwood examined his fingers. Vash had hit more than one in his attempt to hammer in nails. "Hey, not bad. You should be a nurse, Izy."
She shook her head. "Naw. Patients are too whiny. Just look at you for example."
"Gee. Thanks a lot," Wolfwood said with a laugh.
She laughed lightly as she stood up to put the things away.
"Did you guys fix yourself something for breakfast? I kinda left in a hurry."
Wolfwood Vash looked at each other, then at Isabel. Then they broke out in loud laughter.
"AHAHAHA! YOU'RE ASKING US THAT! AHAHAHA!" Vash bellowed.
Wolfwood laughed said, "Izy, it's us you're talking to! Of course we didn't!"
Izy sighed helplessly as a large anime sweat drop slid down.
"You two need help. Well, then, you'd like a good breakfast, huh?"
Vash placed his hands on Izy's shoulders with a big grin. "I'll make breakfast for us all!"
Isabel jumped when he did this. His smile faded as he looked at her with a serious look. "What's wrong?"
"Yeah, you seem jumpy."
Izy stepped away from them busied herself with folding up the paper bags to put them away.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. Really. Vash, I'd like to make breakfast, so… so you two can chill out. I'll make breakfast."
She reached to open the fridge when Wolfwood pulled her away. "You can tell us, Izy. Something's wrong. I can tell."
She looked at him with nervous eyes then at Vash, who was looking just as worried as Wolfwood. She pulled away from Wolfwood continued with the business of making breakfast.
"Nothing's wrong, Wolfwood! I keep telling you. Nothing's wrong, honest. You two go sit in the den or something. I want to get started on breakfast."
Vash sighed shrugged. "If you say so," he said, walking to the living room.
Wolfwood looked down at Isabel, both he Vash were much taller than she was.
"If you're in trouble, Isabel, we can help. Honest." Isabel looked up at him.
Knives hadn't told her about Wolfwood. He hadn't told her about how he was hired to protect Vash. But he changed his mind wants her to bring Vash to him. How was she going to pull it off?
"There's no trouble, Wolfwood," she lied, smiling sweetly up at him. "Really. Now, go! Out of the kitchen!"
"Ok! You don't have to push," he said in a friendly manner.
Vash was seated outside on the small wooden patio, glasses on as he looked out at a small group of kids playing soccer. Wolfwood walked outside joined him, pulling out a cigarette lighting it.
He took a long drag before looking at Vash. "I don't buy it."
"Neither do I. Something's bothering Isabel."
"Yeah."
Vash looked on at the children. "When I looked at her eyes, they were filled with fear. But why?"
Wolfwood breathed out a puff of smoke it tangled itself in the air before vanishing.
"Something happened when she went to the market. Do you think someone tried to mug her? Or… worse?"
Vash shook his head. "No. If that did happen, she would've shot the person."
Wolfwood looked at him in confusion. "Huh?"
"She left with two Peace Makers under that poncho. She would've shot an attacker. It might have been some one she knew."
Wolfwood shook his head with a smirk on his face. "I didn't even notice the guns. How did you notice them when I didn't?"
"It's because you were to busy thinking she was one of those sweet, innocent souls. Besides, I never fail to notice a gun."
Wolfwood nodded his head "True."
The two watched the group of children kick the ball around with really no point. It was just "kick the ball back forth" that's it.
One of the kids kicked the ball too hard it bounced in Vash Wolfwood's direction. It rolled to a stop before Vash's feet.
He picked up the ball walked over to the kid. The kids looked up at Vash in amazement.
"Geeze, mister! You're tall."
Vash smiled. "Yeah, I know. Be careful with this ball, kids."
He handed the ball back to them they ran back to their game, laughing as they went. Vash walked back to the patio sat down.
Wolfwood looked at him with a smirk as if saying, "you weirdo."
"You've got a way with kids, Vash. I could've used you back at the orphanage."
They heard footsteps coming from the door. Looking back, Izy stood behind them, wearing a white apron. She didn't have her on poncho or her gun belt.
"You two just gonna sit out here all day? Breakfast is ready."
"Great! Meal time," Vash said, jumping to his feet.
Wolfwood got up stubbed out his cigarette on the heel of his shoe. "I'm ready. Ready to stuff my face."
She smiled. "Are you two always this hungry?"
Vash grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "We can't help it. We have fast metabolisms."
Izy smirked. "Sure. That's it. Come on, you two." Vash Wolfwood sat at the table as Izy went to plate the food. Wolfwood Vash got into a conversation while she did this.
She pulled a small vile out of the pocket of the apron. It contained a clear liquid substance. She put a few drops of it over Wolfwood's scrambled eggs then put the vile away.
"Ok, boys. Prepare to have your taste buds delighted. I'm the best cook in this part of town."
She placed her plate down, and then Vash's, then placed the drugged plate before Wolfwood. She seated herself after setting the drinks down on the table.
Wolfwood Vash dug in immediately. Izy smiled sweetly at them, laughing lightly. "Slow down, you two, or you'll choke."
Vash started to choke quickly took a gulp from his drink.
"Too late," Wolfwood said. By the time they were finished, the drug started to kick in.
Wolfwood placed a hand on his head. "Man, why am I so tired?"
Vash smirked. "You probably wore yourself out eating," he said sarcastically.
"Very funny, Broom Head!"
Isabel stood up gathered the dishes. "Maybe you should go lay down? Take a nap."
Wolfwood nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that." Wolfwood walked up the stairs dropped down on the bed. He was asleep instantly.
"Hey, Vash, after I finish with the dishes, I've got to get something at the market."
"But you just came from there."
"Yeah but I needed to make a second trip. I saw a neat table that could replace this rickety old dining table," she lied. "It'll take two to bring it here."
Vash nodded. "Sure, I'll help. I'll help with the dishes, too, so we can get through them faster."
"Thanks, Vash." She said this half heartedly because she felt bad for lying to him.
After she washed the dishes, she handed them to Vash so he could dry them. They were finished in no time Izy pulled the poncho back on after putting on her holsters.
She saw Vash looking at them smirked. "A girl's gotta have some protection in this world," she said, patting her guns.
Vash smiled. "Of course. Are you any good with guns?"
"Well, I'm not that bad. My aim is great but I'm not that quick on the draw. Not as quick as you, of course."
"Don't be so modest, Izy." They were out of the house on their way to the market.
(TIME PASSES THEY'RE AT THE MARKET!)
They walked through the crowded market place, looking about. Isabel was looking for the place where she met the Reaper.
"How much further is it, Izy? We've been wandering through here for a while. And I swear I saw that same old chicken twice already."
Isabel spotted the abandoned building sighed. "It's right over there. It's right behind that old building."
"I guess there was no room on this street for it, huh"
"Yeah. That's right. Come on." She pulled him along by his hand.
Vash looked around at the abandoned building. "This is a rather dangerous place for a market booth to be around."
Izy shrugged. "You can never figure these people out."
They stood behind the building Vash looked around. "I thought you said it was behind this building?"
"It is. I can't believe you don't see it. It's over there." She pointed Vash turned to see.
She pulled out another small vile from her shirt pocket opened it. "Where?" She passed the vile under his nose he grew woozy.
"Whoa I'm feelin' kinda funny. G'night!" He dropped to the ground.
Knocked out.
She closed the vile put it back in her pocket. "Please forgive me, Vash," she whispered.
The Reaper appeared out of the shadows Isabel Vash were wrapped in the darkness again. They were back in the cathedral.
Considering the fact that the Reaper was very scrawny, he lifted Vash onto the front bench with ease.
Isabel stood away from him, silent distant, holding back tears. Knives was behind her. She jumped with a gasp looked back.
Knives placed his hands on her shoulders smiled down at her. "Good girl. I will keep my promise, as I said." He snapped his fingers the Reaper vanished away in the shadows. He reappeared with a man in his arms.
The man had dark brown hair skin like Isabel's. He wore a black shirt with dark blue pants black shoes.
The Reaper came forth towards Isabel lowered Dominguez. Tears spilled freely from Isabel's eyes as she fell to her knees next to her brother. She lifted his head onto her lap as she brushed his bangs out of his eyes.
His closed eyes opened appeared hazy glazed over. They were a dark brown, almost black.
"Is… that you?"
She smiled hugged him close. "I found you."
"I'm glad."
Her smile faded she released her grip on him. She stood up helped Dominguez to his feet. She looked at Knives.
"What are you going to do with Vash?" she asked him. Knives smiled coldly.
"That's none of your business. You've done your job received your payment. Now it's goodbye. Reaper, take her back."
"Wait! No! What are you going to do with Vash?" Dominguez held her back from charging at Knives. Also from reaching for her guns.
"Isabel! Enough! You're going to get yourself killed!"
"I don't care! What are you going to do with Vash, Knives? Tell me!"
Knives sneered maliciously. "You should keep your mouth shut, girl. Listen to your dear brother. I'll be settling old brother issues with Vash. Reaper! Didn't I tell you to take them back?"
The Reaper bowed his head turned to the brother/sister pair.
"Time to go."
His coat wrapped about them they were once again enveloped in the darkness. They appeared behind the old building Izy fell to her knees.
Dominguez squatted down next to her, his hands on her shoulders. "Izy… Izy, what did you do?"
To be continued . . .
