After writing and re-writing this chapter I think I finally have it to the way I like it. So now I get to see if you like it. 0). In this chapter I make references to food and to things having to do with horse feed. So I am going to take some creative lisencing and try and explain my reasoning. Ok, so the horse feed. I work with hoof stalk aka animals that have hooves, and they all eat hay and grain. Although I don't know exactly what a thomas is, I am going to assume that if it doesn't eat the hay, it at least sleeps in it. Ergo the hay. Maybe it eats grain too, I don't know. As for the food, I don't know what exactly people eat on GunSmoke, but if they are anything like us, I know we like things around us to be similar, so if its not really cow they are eating, then its at least something thats smells and tastes like cow (manufactured or otherwise) to give the presence of familiarity. If any of this contradicts the manga's please let me know. I haven't gotten the chance to read them so i am basing observations off of the Anime.
And now...DUN DUN DUN! Chapter eight! 0)
Chapter Eight – Town (Part I)
They entered into the desert town of Inapolis at around noon that day. Vash was right, the infernal double suns made for a sweltering afternoon.
Jenna looked around in wide-eyed wonder at the new sights around her. The buildings were squat, and made from a material that looked somewhere between stone and clay. Possibly it was both. Some were two stories, with shops on the bottom floors and living quarters above, their brightly colored signs and awnings lining the main street. In what she assumed was the center of town was a large fountain surrounded by benches where mothers sat and watched their children playing.
There were people everywhere. Some walking slowly, others in a hurry, presumably on their way to some where important, while she saw still others haggling with shop keepers or neighbors.
Jenna smiled and laughed. "You know, no matter how many worlds I've been too, towns and the people in them never change." Then her eyes widened at what she saw next, "Except for that! Vash what is that thing?" she asked pointing at a very large metal structure dominating the horizon.
Vash looked to where she was pointing, "Oh that. That's a Plant, like I told you about."
"Ooh. That's what creates your e-lec-tric-ity?" she asked as she sounded out the last word.
Vash nodded, "Yup."
She looked up at the huge structures with awe in her eyes, "When you said 'big' I didn't realize that you meant that big!"
Vash chuckled "Yup, they are that big. They have to power an entire city, its one of the only ways people can survive on this dry planet."
"Wow." she whispered to herself. Then shaking her head she looked back at the town at hand and noticed that people were starting to stare at her. Jenna nudged Vash in the side and asked, "Why is everyone looking at us?"
At first he started to panic, thinking it was him they were looking at, until Vash caught the word "horse." He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Its Cyric. They can't see him as he really is, but horses themselves don't exist on this planet."
Jenna made a small "O" with her mouth and nodded. "What do you suggest we do about him?" she asked him. Both Vash and Cyric's heads snapped up at her question.
"What?" both asked at the same time.
"What do we do with him so we don't draw attention to ourselves?" she asked again, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Nothing! said Cyric in all of their heads, I won't be left out of towns and places because of what I am!
"But Cyric-" she began to protest.
No 'buts.' I will not be treated like an outcast!
"He's right," said Vash
Jenna and Cyric turned and looked at Vash like he was crazy.
"He's Right?"
I am?
Vash shrugged, "Why should Cyric be punished for being different? I say let him stay and go where he wants to." He looked across the street, "There is a Thomas stable over there where he can stay and…" his face lit up, "A saloon! Alright!" Vash started to practically run towards the building that had a brightly lit sign that said "Saloon" in big yellow letters.
"Vash!" Jenna called after him, "Wait!" She began to run after.
Fantus was faster at catching up. He flew over to the blond man's shoulder, getting a few more muttered words and stares. "What's in a saloon?" he asked.
Vash's already big grin got even bigger and he said one word, "Beer!" and kept marching toward the building. This time it was Fantus' turn to let out a whoop of joy.
"Beer! I haven't had a good drink in a long time!" The little Drake licked his scaly lips.
Vash looked down "Hey! No drooling on the coat!" Then as an after thought, "I didn't know dragons drank?"
Fantus snorted, "Of course we do. Its one of my favorite pastimes, when I can get it past her that is." he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of where Jenna and Cyric should have been.
Vash stopped and smacked his forehead, "Jenna!" Just as he turned around, she came barreling into him.
"Would you wait please!" she panted at the two. "Just because I'm healed doesn't mean I can go gallivanting about like you guys yet! And besides, I still have to stable Cyric and I'm hungry!" To emphasize this last point, her stomach rumbled. Everyone looked down at where her stomach was.
"Well that doesn't sound good." said Vash still looking at Jenna's stomach.
"No, and it doesn't feel good either," she answered as she wrapped her arms around her waist.
Vash looked back at her face and said, "Well we'll just have to fix that won't we." He turned and headed back toward the saloon and with a wave over his shoulder, "Follow me! I know the way!"
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Jenna asked him, crossing her arms over her chest..
Vash stopped and turned around, "What?" he shrugged.
Jenna pointed at the unicorn, "Cyric has to be fed first," she said as Vash's shoulders sagged and the grin was replaced with a disappointed frown, "and I only have coin currency to pay with. What am I going to do about money?"
Vash stood up and striking a thoughtful pose, looked around the town. Spotting the bank, he got an idea, "Ah ha! I have it! Give me what you have and I shall go exchange it!"
Jenna looked at him skeptically and said, "You'll do what?"
"I'll go to the bank and I will get them to give me the correct amount of our currency for yours."
"Vash, you do remember that I have gold in my pocket don't you? You just can't waltz into a bank, hand them coinage made out of precious metals and expect them not to question! What are you going to say to them?" she hissed at him.
He grew thoughtful once again, "Hmm, I guess I hadn't thought of that part." Then he brightened, "But it can't hurt to try!" he said extending his hand.
Jenna gave him an "are you serious" look before sighing and handing over her money purse. "Its your jail time my friend."
"Have a little faith." he said with a wink as he walked over and into the bank.
Jenna looked at Cyric and then at Fantus, who shrugged. She turned her attention back to the building Vash had entered, re-crossed her arms, and waited.
Surprisingly, and without any incidence, she didn't have to wait long. Not more than twenty minutes after Vash went in all smiles, he came out the exact same way. With a wave and a "Thank you" to some one inside, he strutted over to where Cyric was shaking his head, Fantus was rolling with laughter, and Jenna's pretty face had an expression of amazement.
"Here you go miss! I even took the liberty of setting up an account for you since the exchange was a bit more than what you should carry around." Vash handed her a wad of cash.
"What? Wh- How did you do that!" she was finally able to spit out.
He winked at her, "all you need is faith in people. Now lets go get some grub! I'm starving!"
She shook the bewilderment from her head and began to walk toward the stables. "You two go ahead and order, I'm going to set Cyric up."
Vash's face split into a huge grin, "Yes ma'am!" he saluted her, and when Fantus had made himself comfortable on his shoulder, "You ready my green friend?" Fantus nodded, licking his lips, "Alright then we are off! See ya there!" he added with a jaunty wave, marching towards the saloon.
Jenna looked at Cyric, Cyric looked at Jenna, both still perplexed. They each shook their head. "C'mon Cyric, lets get you set up before anything else unusual happens."
Cyric snorted. Unusual? This whole damned place is unusual!
Jenna laughed. "True, my friend very true."
They walked to the stables where she paid the stable master for extra grain. Because of Cyric's size, she had to rent out two stalls that were connected. Fortunately Vash had given her plenty of money for just such an occasion.
No doubt he wants me to pay for dinner too. Ah well, it's the least I can do after all that he has done for us.
She finished taking the tack off of Cyric, and then brushed him. While she did so she hummed a riding song.
Cyric turned his equine head to look at her over his shoulder. It's been a long time since I have heard you sing.
Jenna stopped brushing for a moment, then sighed and started again. It's been a long time since I've had a reason too. Her face then contorted in disgust, And it's been a long time since you had a proper grooming too! You have dirt all the way down to your skin!
Cyric whinnied and stomped his foot, startling the stable hands nearby. I think I've been dirty so long that I don't even feel it anymore.
"Tomorrow," she said out loud, "You are getting a bath! Till then, you'll just have to do with a brushing."
Cyric blew out his nose in agreement. Just the brushing feels nice. I feel clean already. Without warning he shook himself, knocking Jenna off balance and into the hay. Both began to laugh. "Its been too long my friend," Jenna said through her laughter as she stood back up, "It has been way too long indeed."
She began to hum again as she finished. Cyric turned back to munching on the hay in the trough, flicking his tail to ward off flies and every now and then stomping one of his giant hoofs. Jenna put his grain in a separate trough and then stepped back with a smile.
"There, all done!"
Go silly Princess! You have spent enough time on me, its time you took care of yourself. Besides, Fantus will eat your share if you don't hurry! Cyric said to her as he pushed her with his head toward the door of the stall.
Jenna laughed, and her stomach rumbled once again.
She kissed his cheek as he ate then set off to find Vash and her meal.
As she walked back toward the Saloon, she noticed a group of men standing around a gun shop. They watched her with dark eyes as she passed, a few yelling some inappropriate comments. She ignored them and kept walking. Jenna noticed a small man whispering into the ear of a rather large man and gesturing towards her as she kept walking. Things like this weren't new to Jenna, but they were still a threat. Reflexively her hand went to the hilt of her long knife at her side, but she didn't draw it. Instead she kept walking toward her destination and decided to tell Vash of the encounter and see what he thought.
Just then her stomach growled yet again. But first I am going to get some food! She began to whistle as she stepped up onto the porch of the building, her posture never relaxing.
Jenna stepped into the dimly lit saloon and immediately her suspicions about what this place was were confirmed. "Yup." she said as she took a deep breath and let it out in a heavy sigh, "It's a bar." She looked around and spotted Vash sitting in the corner. As she began to walk towards him, he looked up from arguing with Fantus and waved at her. She marched over to where they were and looked from one, to the other. Then she pointed at Vash, "You neglected to tell me we were eating in a bar!"
Vash put his hand to his chest and asked "Me?" as innocently as he could.
"Yes you." she pulled out the other chair and sat down.
"See, I told you." said Fantus to Vash.
Jenna narrowed her eyes, "Told him what?"
Fantus rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, "Nothing."
"Fantus! What did you tell him?"
"What a healthy eater you are haha." interjected Vash. "Speaking of food, it should be here any minute." He said while looking around for the waitress.
"What did you guys order?" she asked. Vash heaved a silent sigh of relief, thankful that he was able to change the subject.
"Whatever it was they had a lot of." answered Fantus.
"Which was?" Jenna asked again with a raise of her eyebrow.
"Roast beef." came a gravely female voice from behind her. Jenna turned around and looked up. A woman in her late forties was standing to the side and slightly behind her chair, carrying a platter of steaming meat and vegetables in one hand and in the other two tankards of what was probably beer. The aroma of the food began to make Jenna's mouth water.
"Right here ma'am!" exclaimed Vash. "Mmmm! That sure looks good!" he said after she placed the platter and the tankards on the table.
She looked at Jenna, "Your tea will be ready in a few minutes."
Jenna's eyes widened a little and she smiled, nodding her head and murmuring "Thank you." to the woman.
Turning back to the other two, she said a little louder, "Thank you."
"No problem" said Fantus with his mouth already full. Vash's mouth was too full to say anything, so he just smiled, his eyes being lost in his puffy cheeks.
Jenna giggled. Then grabbing her own fork and knife took a slice of the meat and some vegetables. She took a bite, the meat melted in her mouth. It had been so long since she had had any. Jenna threw all etiquette to the wind and began to eat. It all tasted so good. Including the tea once she finally was served it.
Vash stopped eating, he swallowed the food that he had in his mouth with an audible "gulp" and turned to Fantus. "She does have a healthy appetite!"
Fantus replied "You would too if you had been living off of way bread for the past four months. I at least got a chance to hunt every once and a while. She didn't. So I don't blame her!"
Vash laughed "Haha! I don't either! Slow down there girl! You'll make yourself sick!"
Jenna looked up at him like she was seeing him for the first time, and swallowed. Looking sheepish she apologized, "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry, just don't eat so fast! There is plenty here."
Jenna laughed, and began to eat more civilized along with her other two companions.
In about thirty minutes they had cleared the platter, save for one piece. Vash and Jenna both stabbed their forks into it.
Glaring at each other, Jenna said, "Plenty eh?"
Vash leaned his arm up against the table, "I didn't know you were going to out eat me."
"You never asked me if I could." she said leaning up against the table to match his stance.
"Didn't your mother teach you to share?"
"Didn't yours teach you to be a gentleman and give the lady the last piece?"
"Children please. Can't we just split it in half?" asked Fantus.
Jenna sighed, "He's right. We are acting like children. We should settle this like adults." She cocked an eyebrow at Vash.
"I'll flip ya for it?" Vash said.
"Done!" said Jenna.
Both went to their pockets to look for a coin. Vash found a coin first, "Ah ha! Uh…" He looked back at the plate and found it empty.
Fantus let out a loud belch. "There, fixed that problem." he said as he rubbed his overly large stomach.
"Fantus!" they both yelled in unison.
"Serves you right for arguing over a piece of meat. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go hang out with Cyric for a while." and he climbed down from the chair and weaved his way through the room, much to the dismay of the patrons, who then turned back to look at the table where Jenna and Vash now sat by themselves. They ignored the stares.
Vash looked at Jenna and quirked and eyebrow, "So, now what do you want to do?"
Jenna looked at him skeptically, "You mean your done drinking?"
Vash characteristically rubbed the back of his neck and leaned back in his chair, then smiled, "For now, the night is still young."
Jenna snorted, "The night hasn't even started yet!"
"Exactly!" he said with a wink.
Jenna rolled her eyes. "Well then if it's all the same to you I would like to find a place where I can take a bath, and perhaps a nap. It has been a while since I have had either."
"Ok. I think I can help with that," he stood up, "Follow me."
"Don't we have to pay first?" asked Jenna.
Vash looked around, spotting the cash register, he jerked his head in that direction and walked over to it, Jenna following. Once they paid for their meal, they walked back outside and Jenna remembered what she was supposed to tell him.
She tugged on his coat and inclined her head towards the group of menacing looking men by the gun shop. "See the Big one?" at Vash's nod she continued, "I think he's the leader, he was eyeing me as one of his lackeys whispered something to him."
Vash looked grim, his hand straying to his gun. Instead of drawing it he took her arm and began to lead her toward the hotel down the street. "Better not try anything unless they try first. Watch yourself. They looked like a group of unscrupulous characters."
Jenna looked at him as if to say "Well duh!" but thought better of it. "I can take care of myself."
Vash looked from her face to her scar and back and gave her a disbelieving look, "I never said you couldn't. I'm just saying be careful. Ah here we are."
They had arrived at a large three-story building. Four windows it had across on each floor except the bottom story, there were two on either side of the double doors. There was a sign in green and blue with fancy letters that read "Hotel."
"Wow, people of this world are really creative." Jenna said sarcastically as they entered into the building.
Vash was looking over his shoulder at the group in front of the gun shop, so he didn't hear her. "Hmm? What did you say?" he asked as he looked back at her and shut the door.
Before she could answer a young voice called out "May I help you?" The voice belonged to a very pretty young woman with large green eyes and black hair.
Vash got a dopey look on his face, which he quickly replaced with his most dashing strut, and using his sexiest voice answered, "Why yes miss. Can I get two rooms please?" He flashed her a winning smile as he leaned up against the counter.
The girl blushed, Jenna smacked her forehead. Oh no. Please tell me he's joking! Jenna sighed and watched through her fingers at her companion as he continued to flirt with the girl at the counter. Oh boy. Then after rolling her eyes she said inside his head Vash! Get a grip and get on with it! She took a little guilty pleasure is seeing him jump.
It worked though. He finally got their rooms, after assuring the girl that Jenna was only his sister, he gave the girl a wink and headed toward the stairs. Just for added emphasis he yelled over his shoulder "C'mon sis!"
Jenna let out an explosive breath and followed, shaking her head. Once they were up the stair well, and out of ear shot of the girl she looked at him with a reproachful look and said, "Your and Idiot, you know that?"
"What?" he asked innocently. "I was merely giving that nice girl a few compliments!"
"That was not just 'a few compliments'! You were completely hitting on her! I'm surprised you didn't ask her to join you in your room!" she retorted.
Vash stopped and looked down the hall at the stairwell, "Do you think she would?"
Jenna threw her hands up into the air in exasperation, "No! No I don't think she would. Now which room is mine so I can get that bath?"
Vash pointed to the door on the right, second from the end, holding up her key. Then he got a sly smile on his face. "Your just jealous."
Jenna stopped mid reach. "I am not." As she finished reaching for the keys he held them above her head.
Placing one hand on his chest and closing his eyes he struck a gallant pose. Keeping the keys above her head he said, "Yes you are. You have fallen madly in love with the stoic gunman who saved your life out in the desert." he then leaned down, looking her straight in her wide, unbelieving eyes, he put his finger in her face and finished with "Admit it!"
"Admit what?" she said as she tried to jump for the keys.
"That you like me." he stood back up keeping them further out of her reach.
"Of all the stupid…Vash! Give me the key!" she said still jumping.
"Ah ha! That in its self is a confession." He got a smug look on his face, "I knew it. You have a crush on me!"
"I do not! Now give me the key!" She had stopped jumping and was now glaring at him.
"No. Not until you admit it."
"What?" there was a dangerous edge to her voice that he didn't quite catch.
Vash folded his arms and with laughter in his eyes said, "Admit it."
Her eyes went to dangerous slits, "Admit this!" and faster than he could move, she tackled him.
"GAA!" he yelled out as he hit the floor. She pinned him with his arm behind his back and his face in the floor. "OW! No fair!" he mumbled into the floor.
"Now Vash, do be a good boy and give me my key. I'm getting a little cranky with these childish games and would like my bath!" she growled the last part into his ear.
He raised his free hand, "Here you go." Vash said in a muffled shaky voice, still facing the ground.
"Thank you," she said with a chipper voice. Releasing him, she stood up.
Vash rolled over rubbing his arm, "Ooow. That really hurt. And you're really quick!" he whined.
She looked down at him with a huge triumphant grin on her face. Tossing the key up in the air and catching it she said, "Where I'm from, if your not quick, your dead. This almost proved that." She pointed at her scar that ran from her collar bone down into her shirt. She then reached out a hand and helped Vash to his feet, just as the hotel clerk came to the top of the stairs.
"Is everything alright?" she asked innocently.
Vash struck that same dashing pose from earlier and in the same voice answered. "Why yes. Everything is just fine."
The girl smiled, blushed, and nodded at the same time. Then turned and went back down the stairs to her desk.
Vash would have followed had Jenna not smacked him upside the head. "Idiot." she muttered. Then turned on her heel and walked toward her door.
"Jealous!" he called after her.
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Jenna stopped at her door and turned to look at his stupidly grinning face, that playful look still in his eyes. She drew herself up to her full 5'6" height and using her most regal sounding voice said, "Vash, I have been around for nearly five millennia, why do I need to be jealous of a mortal girl who has barely seen twenty summers?" she raised and eyebrow at him in question.
Jenna watched as the significance of what she just said hit him, and then she smiled her most winning smile. "Bye Vash!" she called as she opened her door and walked into her room, leaving a very stunned Vash behind her in the hall.
Vash shook his head. "Five thousand years. Five thousand years!" he kept repeating to himself as he walked over to his door, which was right across from hers. As he opened the door he exclaimed, "She's older than I am!" He turned to look at the door she had just entered into, "Five thousand years! She looks damn good for being that old."
Thank you! Jenna said inside his head with a laugh. He could see her accompanying smile that went with it.
Would you not do that! Vash asked her as he stepped inside his own room and shut the door. He heard her laugh, and then he felt her presence leave. He didn't like how that felt., what was worse was he didn't understand why he didn't like how that felt. Vash leaned up against the door and put his head in his hands. "Get a grip Vash!" he told himself. "You've been all by yourself for a very long time now. Why is this different?" He shrugged, not being able to answer himself, and went into the bathroom to take a shower. He had stripped down to the waist when he realized that his pack, and hers as well, was still right where they had left them, with Cyric. Vash grabbed his shirt and his key, put his boots and his holster back on and ran out the door. Pulling his shirt on as he went, he flew by the girl at the counter and out into the sun, running toward the stables on the other side of town.
When Vash got there, Fantus was curled up asleep and snoring in the hay andCyric was dozing where he stood. Vash quietly tried to sneak in with out disturbing the two, but failed as soon as he picked up the packs. Cyric's tack fell to the floor creating a large ruckus. Vash froze as Cyric turned to look at him. Fantus however, snorted and rolled over.
What are you doing? Cyric asked him as he cocked his head.
"We uh forgot our stuff." he answered sheepishly, holding up the packs.
Cyric snorted and shifted position, re-closing his eyes and saying nothing more.
Vash heaved a sigh of relief and exited the stables.
Cyric re-opened his eyes and followed Vash with his gaze.
Fantus yawned behind him, "Why didn't you warn him not to go into her room?" he asked drowsily.
Cyric shifted position again, "What's the point? He wont listen to me, and besides I think its time our new friend found out some things about our Jenna."
"Like not to sneak up on her?" asked Fantus. Cyric nodded. Fantus stood, stretched and then turned a circle three times before laying down again. "Alright," he mumbled, "She's going to be coming after you my friend." and then he fell asleep again.
Cyric shook his mane and went back to dozing.
Vash meanwhile had made it back to the hotel. He waved a jaunty wave at the girl and winked, then headed back up the stairs. He stopped at Jenna's door and knocked. No answer. Knocking again he called her name. Still no answer. He tried her door and found that it was unlocked; he opened the door and called her name again. He was greeted with silence. Vash was starting to get a bit worried. He placed the packs on her bed and walked over to the bathroom door, listening for the slightest bit of movement. "Jen?" he called softly as he opened the door. He saw the bathtub was full, but no one was in it. He stepped inside and was about to call her name again when he was grabbed from behind and thrown to the floor. Faster than lightning he had drawn his gun. Looking into the dark blue eyes of his attacker from the other end of his weapon, he realized who it was that grabbed him. She had one hand at his throat and another was raised to strike, holding her long knife, her wet hair was plastered to her body and Good Lord! she was naked.
They stayed that way for a moment, one with a gun in her face, the other with a knife above his head, the only sound being their heavy breathing. Then it dawned on them what had just happened.
With a curse she rolled off of him and grabbed a towel to wrap it around herself as he rolled over and stood up, deliberately facing the other direction, both blushing furiously.
"Vash! What the hell are you doing in here!" she screamed at him as she tied the towel around her.
"I uh, I um, uh, you, you forgot your bag!" he managed to stammer out.
"My what?"
"Your bag." he pointed to the saddlebags lying on the bed next to his.
"Thank you, but you could have just left it there! How did you even get in here? And what the hell were you doing in my bathroom?"
"Your door was open." he shrugged the answer, his back still to her, "And I called your name and when you didn't answer, I got worried and I came looking for you." He turned around to look her in the eyes; "If I had know I was going to be attacked I would have left your bags on the bed!"
"I fell asleep and I was woken up by my door closing. How was I supposed to know it was you!" She stuck her pretty nose up at him and pushed him aside, "Serves you right for entering the bathroom of a lady!" Walking to the door she opened it and pointed to the hall, "OUT! I want to finish my bath." Then looking at his filthy shirt she wrinkled her nose and said, "And you should do likewise!"
Vash grabbed his pack, "I was on my way into the shower when I thought I would be nice, but if this is the thanks I get for doing nice things then I'm not doing them anymore." He whined as he stormed out the door.
"Thank you!" Jenna said as he passed her.
"Welcome." Vash muttered sullenly over his shoulder as he walked into his room. He shut the door, threw his stuff on the bed, and grinned. "Score one for me!" congratulated himself as he started the process of getting in the shower for the second time.
Jenna shook her head as she closed her own door, and with her face still red, walked into the bathroom to finish her bath that was so rudely interupted. Using her magic, she re-heated the water and felt her tense muscles relax as she sank into the hot water. She cleared her mind and dozed until the water turned cold.
After her bath she dressed and began the process of drying her long hair. Pulling out her brush, Jenna walked over to the window and opened it. Sitting on the ledge she began to brush her hair and hum. She heard Vash's door open and close. Looking out her window, she saw him emerge from the front entrance, place something yellow over his eyes, put his hands in the pockets of his signature red coat, and begin to walk down the street towards the town square. She had stopped brushing her hair and simply watched him walk, using that goofy strut of his. Her sharp ears picked up his whistling as he walked. She smiled down at him and shook her head. What am I going to do with you?
"I saw that!" said a familiar voice.
Jenna's eyes widened slightly, but then quickly returned to normal as she continued to watch him walk down the street. "What are you talking about?" She folded her arms and leaned against the window casing.
Fantus followed her gaze and gave a knowing smile. "You like him."
Jenna looked at Fantus with danger in her eyes. "I do not." she said in a flat voice, turning to look back out the window.
Fantus shrugged and turned to jump out the window, "Fine, suit yourself." He bunched his muscles and prepared to jump, but then stopped. "You know, it's been a while since I have seen you smile like that." he sobered and seriously told her, "It's been over 300 years Jen. Its time to let him go." With that, he jumped out the window and left her sitting there stunned.
Jenna blinked, took a deep breath and let it slowly out. He's right. She told herself as tears began to form in her eyes. Gods! I hate it when he's right! She wiped the tears away with her hand. Stop it Jen! You must gain control of yourself! She laughed out loud. What is wrong with me! This is ridiculous! Why am I getting so worked up about this! I can't like that spikey-haired idiot! I've only been here for two days, one of them I was unconscious for! Jenna shook her head and continued to brush out her hair, trying hard to not think of him, his eyes, his smile, his walk, but her gaze was inexplicably drawn to the direction the man in the red coat had gone. You are starting to have feelings for him and are afraid of the consiquences that's why Her inner voice told her after staring out the window. She sighed. Well, what do I do about it? She asked herself. Jenna's pride took over at this point. Nothing. She clenched her jaw, her eyes turned to unfeeling stone. She placed this conversation into the back of her mind, building her barriers up even higher. I do nothing.
Vash walked out of the hotel and putting on his amber colored sunglasses, decided to go sit by himself for a while. He had a lot to think about, being around her just made him crazy. He walked toward the town square, and as he did so, the little hairs on the back of his neck began to prickle. A quick glance up ward had showed him she was in the window of her room watching him. Vash's lips twitched into a smile as he put his hands in his pockets and began to whistle as he strutted down the street. He felt her gaze follow him until he turned the corner and knew that she couldn't see him anymore. Suddenly being cocky wasn't so much fun anymore.
Vash reached the middle of town and flopped down on one of the benches, spreading his arms out along the back and stretching his long legs out in front of him. He looked up at the sky. The suns were no longer at their zenith. Vash closed his eyes, feeling their warmth penetrate his body. He opened his eyes and looked at the horizon. "Blue, the sky is always so completely blue." he sighed I wish you could see this Rem. You would have loved it.
Vash looked back at the suns through his glasses and smiled. Today has got to be one of the weirdest days of my life. Come to think of it, the last two days have been the weirdest days of my life. Dragons, unicorns, fire drakes. Its like those storybooks you used to read us have come to life! And that woman! I have never in my travels met anyone as beautiful or as annoying! She gets under your skin and drives you crazy. She is unreal. He coughed a laugh, heh, I guess she's the fairy princess in this story; only she's not helpless. He laughed at the memories of this morning and afternoon, blushing at the second encounter and smiling broadly.
Just then he caught the scent of roses on the air again. Vash didn't look to see where it was coming from. He already knew. Vash felt her walk around his legs and sit right next to him. Not moving his head he looked at her through the corner of his eye. She sat straight backed against the bench, leaning against his arm a bit. She had pulled her legs up and sat cross-legged underneath her dress with her hands resting on her knees. Her eyes were now closed. Vash was about to look back at the sky when a sparkle at her ear caught his attention. It was a small tear shaped diamond earring. He watched it sparkle in the light until his gaze began to wander. Up to the tip of her slightly pointed ear, down to the smooth curve of her jaw line, tracing his way along the curve of her beautiful neck that was always hidden by her hair, and finally down her smooth skin to the low cut bodice of her dress exposing her scar and…Vash abruptly looked back up at the sky, visions of earlier coming unbidden in to his mind.
"What's the matter? Cleavage too much for you? You've seen all of it already." she asked him with a hint of playfulness in her voice.
Vash cleared his throat uncomfortably, turning just about as red as his jacket. Looking back at her, and trying not to notice where the blush that was creeping up her neck was coming from, decided to change the subject. "I thought you were going to take a nap?"
She raised an eyebrow, still not opening her eyes, "I was, when I was rudely interrupted, remember? You were there."
Vash coughed. Jenna smiled a mischievous smile. He knew he was in trouble. She was making him uncomfortable and enjoying every minute of it.
"So um, what is it you are doing now?" he asked, trying again to change the way the conversation was going.
"Meditating. It was such a beautiful day outside that I decided to come out here and sit in the sun and relax, and work on keeping my senses in tune. I should have known it was you in my room. Should have been able to sense who it was, but I've been so high strung that I let myself get careless. And you were able to sneek in with out my knowledge. So I'm going to sit here and work on my other five senses."
"Five senses? Shouldn't you only have four other senses" Vash asked.
She opened her eyes and looked directly into his, her sappharine gaze stealing his breath. "I have six senses, and believe it or not, you do too."
"Me?" he said sitting forward on the bench.
"Yes you do. Sight," she touched the corner of her eye, "Sound," she touched her ear, "Taste," pointed at her mouth, "Mind," she tapped her head, "Touch, and smell," at the last she flicked him in the nose.
"Ow" Vash said as he put one of his hands over his nose. "Thanks, I appreciate that."
Jenna giggled, faced forward once again and closed her eyes, Welcome, she said inside his head.
Vash looked at her side long and put his hand back on the back of the bench where it had been, and looked back at the sky, but this time he closed his eyes, trying to figure out what it was she was doing. It wasn't long, however, before his mind started to wander and he began to drift off. The next thing he knew was an elbow in his side.
"Hmm?" he grunted, looking at her through the corner of his eye.
"There goes your friend." Jenna said while she pointed, her eyes not opening once.
Vash followed where she had directed and saw that it was the girl from the front desk. "Oh wow, she's finally off!" and he got up to go talk to her.
Jenna listened to him get up and knew by the disturbance in the air which way he was headed, and felt his presence leave her side. She shivered at the sudden loss of warmth, both inwardly, and outwardly. She berated herself as the feeling of loss and the want for him to come back stirred within her. You can't afford this now, so get over it!
She didn't have to yell at herself for very long. Jenna felt a new presence walk in front of her and stop. She knew it was a man, just by his scent on the air, but she also knew that this man was going to be trouble. She could feel the domineering power and malice flowing from him. He sat down next to her where Vash had just been. Instead of feeling the warmth that radiated from him, she felt ice-cold sitting next to this stranger. Jenna shuddered inwardly. She reached out with a tendril of her mind and touched his, then immediately pulled back. He wanted something from her, and was sure he was going to get it. She laughed at him in her head, Shows how much you know you cocky bastard.
He cleared his throat, "My it's a beautiful day outside." his voice was low and soothing, but to Jenna's perfect ears it was like fingernails on slate. Her spirit winced, but her body showed no signs. And she said nothing.
He didn't take the hint, so he kept on talking, "I was walking by and I noticed you sitting all by yourself, and I thought to myself, 'Now what's a pretty girl like that doing all alone on a day like this?' so I came over and decided to join you."
Jenna rolled her mental eyes, Idiot! Still no answer was forth coming. She stayed in her meditative pose and pretended not to hear. Instead she focused on Vash trying to hit on the poor girl from the hotel. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Big mistake. Her unwanted guest had seen the movement.
"Ahh, so there is someone awake in there. I thought for a minute I was merely talking to the statue of Aphrodite, not the real thing."
There was no way around it now, she heaved a mental sigh and opened her eyes, easing her long legs out from under her and onto the ground. She looked at his handsome face and asked, "Who is Aphrodite?" in her coldest and flattest tone, hoping that he would get the message.
"You mean I am not speaking with her now?" he asked her innocently.
She raised an eyebrow at him, Oh real smooth wise guy. I bet that works on all the ladies doesn't it?
"Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty, and may I say that you are defiantly the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. So naturally, I assumed that you were her, I am sorry if I am mistaken."
Ok, its time for the dismissal. "Well I thank you for the compliment, but if you are trying to get anywhere with this I am sorry to say that I am not interested." Jenna brought her legs back up and began to take on the pretense of meditation once again, clearly stating that he was in fact, dismissed. Every fiber in her being was strung on high alert. Jenna sensed him grow angry next to her. Yup, just as I thought. You get what you want or you get even. Then she felt him get his temper under control.
"Well is there anything I can do to change the mind in that pretty little head of yours?" he made to touch her hair.
She flinched and leaned away, reopening her eyes, giving him a look that quenched the courage out of many a seasoned knight. Her eyes quickly went from warm navy, to ice cold frost. "Sir, I would appreciate it if you would be a gentleman and keep your hands to yourself." There was danger in her voice as well.
He backed off of her, his spine straightening and in his eyes she could see the hatred and want rise up and war against each other.
"My mind is well made up and you would do well to adhere to it and leave me alone please. Good day to you." she closed her eyes again and waited.
His mouth snapped shut at being dismissed, probably for the very first time in his life. She heard his teeth grind in his mouth as he decided what to do or say next.
He stood up and in forced politeness said "Sorry to inconvenience you. Good day."
She inclined her head acknowledging his goodbye to her. She could feel the tension in the air rapidly dissipate as he tried to casually walk away. In her minds eye she watched him walk over to the group of men that were staring at her earlier today. He punched one of the men that apparently began to make fun of him, and pulled his gun on another, quickly putting it back when the large man in the middle glared at him. Jenna then felt the whole group look at her, especially the man that just hit on her, and the apparent leader. She shuddered.
"Cold?" Vash asked her. Jenna looked up into his smiling face, only his eyes betrayed any concern.
Jenna shook her head. "No, I just got hit on by some guy who thinks he's very good with women. I told him I wasn't interested." She gave Vash a wry smile, "I think I just made my first enemy on your world."
Vash sat down next to her, "Probably won't be your last." he said with a distant look in his eyes, then he laughed a sarcastic sounding laugh, "especially if you hang out with me."
Jenna looked at him, "What do you mean?" she asked him quietly. Vash wouldn't answer, he just shook his head.
Jenna held up her hand to protest when Leave it! reverberated through her head.
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. That was Vash's voice, I know it was! He sounded so, angry. But why? The last thought she actually broadcasted so he could "hear" it.
Vash turned to look at her, a great sadness in his eyes, "Please," he whispered, "Not here, not now."
"But why Vash? I want to understand!" she replied back.
"Just not now." he looked away from her.
Of all the stupid nonsense! But still… she heaved a large sigh and decided to give it a rest.
They sat in silence for a while, Vash brooding, Jenna sitting normally watching the townspeople. She looked back at his melancholy face, hidden to all but her by his sunglasses, and asked, "So, how did it go?"
Vash startled himself out of his reverie and looked at her in surprise for a moment, then realizing what she meant, he heaved an over dramatic sigh, "Not good."
Jenna raised an eyebrow.
"She already has a boyfriend!" he whined placing his head in his hands, "Why do all the pretty ones have to date such large ugly brutes!"
Jenna bit her lip to keep from laughing at her friend's misfortune. "I take it you were able to meet this 'large ugly brute'?" she asked as seriously as she could.
Vash looked at her over the tops of his hands, his eyebrows remarkably in a straight line, "You think this is funny don't you." he could see the laughter dancing in her eyes.
Still trying to control her laughter, "Oh no Vash, not at all." Jenna placed a "reassuring" hand on his back.
He sat up, fixing her with a hard stare, "Stop mocking me!" he said again over dramatically, and a little too loud, people on the street stopping to look at them.
"Shhh!" she said as she placed a hand over his mouth, "Not so loud you dummy!" This time she couldn't control the laughter in her voice. Vash glared at her over the top of her hand. Jenna smiled at him. He removed her hand and stuck his tongue out at her, then leaned back, crossed his arms and pouted while Jenna's ringing laughter filled his ears.
"Oh come on Vash! I'm only teasing!"
"Sure ya are."
"Hey, at least you were being nice about it right? I bet if she weren't seeing anyone she would have jumped at the chance to go out with a handsome man like you." she told him with her award winning smile.
YES! She thinks I am handsome! Woo hoo! Vash thought to himself, Today might not have been such a screw up after all! His brain began to run through all the wonderful possibilities that could be, especially since he saw…
Jenna watched the corners of his mouth twitch, like they wanted to smile. "I saw that!"
Panic crossed Vash's features for a mere second, and he said, "Saw what?" His panic due to a fear that some how she had just seen his thoughts.
"You wanted to smile!" Jenna said triumphantly.
Vash heaved a small sigh of relief,
"HA! You can't stay mad at me Vash!" she said as she poked him in the shoulder.
This time he let the corners of his mouth actually lift, getting a resounding "See!" from the annoying, but well blessed woman next to him. Vash couldn't help but laugh.
She stretched her arms up over her head, revealing her well-built ivory arms, and she yawed. "So far it's been quite an eventful day, wouldn't you say?" she said with a wry laugh.
Vash snorted, "You got that right. I think I've seen more action with women then I have in a long time. OW!" he rubbed the back of his head where Jenna had hit him.
"Idiot." she muttered under her breath as she blushed furiously.
Still rubbing the back of his head he smiled his stupid grin, "Did I hear that you've already broken some poor souls heart?" Vash asked, trying to re direct her anger toward someone else.
It was Jenna's turn to snort. "One of those thugs over by the shop was hitting on me. Called me his 'Aphrodite,'" she said with a roll of her eyes.
Vash stared at her, "He called you-" and he began to laugh his hysterical laugh.
Jenna looked at him like he was crazy, "Why is that so funny?" she asked him.
Vash was laughing so hard he was starting to fall off the bench. He pointed at her and tried to speak but all he could manage through his laughter was "You…" and a new round of laughs spewed fourth.
"What! What is it? What's so funny?" she exasperatingly asked him.
Vash's laughter halted in a coughing fit. When he finally gained control of himself again he said, "He called you Aphrodite eh? I can see you as a goddess of beauty, but after being thrown around twice today, I don't know about the "love" part of it." He flinched, expecting a smack in the head that never came. Instead Jenna agreed with him.
She actually laughed, "I think he is thinking the same thing about now." Jenna shrugged, "I guess that's one of the curses of being an immortal," she gave him a knowing smile, "Isn't it Vash?"
He looked completely baffled, "How did…?" he stammered out.
She laughed again, "I've been around people like us for my whole life, I know how to recognize it." She looked ahead and her voice grew distant, "There is a certain look in the eyes of an immortal. A look of aged wisdom, and experience gained from long perseverance through many trials." She sighed, and then looked at him through her lashes, getting a mischievous look in her eye. He hated it when she looked at him like that. "Besides, a pretty face like yours can only belong to an immortal," she crinkled her nose, "Unless you are a troll, theirs are the only ones that aren't so pretty."
Vash just looked at her dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say. He began to wonder about this woman at his side. If he couldn't hide his age from her, how was he going to keep the rest of his past a secret? Would she be able to read the rest of him? And if she did, would she stay? Wait, why do I care if she stays? That thought floored him more than her figuring out that he wasn't mortal.
"Vash? Are you ok?" she asked him, her eyebrows meeting, crinkling her perfect forehead.
Vash smiled a weary smile, "Yeah," he said, "You just startled me, figuring out that I'm not mortal and all. How long have you known?"
"Since I opened my eyes this morning." she stopped and laughed, "Goodness! That was only this morning? It already feels like I've been here for ever!"
Vash stopped and thought about it, it really had only been a morning since he had first been able to look into her pretty eyes. He blew out a long breath, "Your right, it does." he smiled a half smile at her.
They sat contemplating this new thought for a while, and going over the events of this busy day, when Vash looked up and noticed that the suns were almost to the horizon. "Wow, we've been here for a while."
"Hmm?" Jenna asked. Vash pointed up; Jenna followed his gaze to the setting of the suns. "Oh. Well, now what?"
"You hungry? We could go find a place for dinner?"
"OK, but I need to go check on Cyric first. Make sure he has what he needs."
Vash stood up, stretched, then said, "Lets go then," he reached down a hand "My Lady?"
She giggled, placing her hand over her mouth before reaching out to take his, "Why thank you kind sir!" she said as he pulled her up off the bench. Both were laughing as they headed toward the stables to check on Cyric.
Jenna could feel his eyes on her, "Bleck." she said.
Vash looked at her, "What?"
"My new friend is following us."
"Oh?" Vash said with a smile as he turned around to look. He saw the person she was talking about step into an ally. "Your right, he is scary." Vash said as he laughed at her.
"Shut up! It's not funny!" she said, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him.
Vash was about to answer her when they heard a shout, "Heads up!" Both turned and saw a ball heading towards them. Jenna put up her hands to stop it from hitting her, but Vash was faster. He caught the ball inches from her nose. Thrown off by the lack of impact, Jenna fell down with a squeak.
Vash looked at where she was, then down to where she now sat, "What are you doing down there?" he said with a sarcastic smile.
Jenna gave him a flat stare and Vash laughed at her. "Just like you my friend I have the reflexes of a cat!" He stood up proud and put his empty fist to his chest, striking a heroic pose.
Jenna raised her finger and was about to make a retort when they heard a boy shout, "He's got our ball! Get him!"
A squad of boys came running towards them. Vash screamed a high-pitched scream and began to run around the town square, much to the delight of his pursuers.
Jenna sat wide-eyed and watched the grown man run from a group of 8 year olds, her finger still in the air and her mouth open.
Fantus came and landed next her, and just as perplexed asked "What is that idiot doing now?"
Jenna snapped out of her surprise and started laughing hysterically, pointing at the screaming Vash as he ran past. When she was finally able to gain control, she stood up, Fantus flying to her shoulder. She told him what had happened through her laughter as she watched the silly charade.
Vash ran past yelling, "Help me! Save me!"
"Give them back the ball Pin Head!" Jenna yelled back.
Vash stopped and looked at the ball in his hands, then gave her a stupid smile, just as the group of boys crashed into him.
He let out a mock scream of horror as one of the boys yelled out "We've got you now!"
Jenna collapsed into peals of laughter, Fantus joining her from his perch on her shoulder.
As one of the boys managed to get Vash into a chokehold, the ball now completely forgotten, Jenna stepped over them. Leaning down she said "I am going to go the stables and check on Cyric, I'll meet you at the Saloon!" All Vash could manage was a strangled yell of what she thought sounded like "Help." She smiled at him, patted the top of his spiky hair, turned on her heel, and started walking towards the stables.
"Gaaa! Don't leave me!" he managed to choke out before the boys jumped on him again.
She waved over her shoulder, "By Vash! Have fun!" and kept walking.
"Cold, so C-Ack!" he said trying to fend off his attackers.
Both were still heartily laughing as they entered Cyric's stall. He looked up from munching on hay as they entered.
What's so funny? he asked.
Fantus and Jenna looked at each other and began their laughing fit all over again. Eventually, between the two of them, they were able to relate what had just happened.
Cyric snorted Idiot. He tried to hide his laughter from his voice, but Jenna caught the outlying humor in the word.
She smiled and shook her head at her large companion, Oh Cyric, why can't you just admit that you are starting to like him?
Cyric shook his head and stomped at the ground, but didn't answer.
Jenna sighed and let the subject be. She then told them the events of the day, from Vash making a fool out of himself with the girl at the counter, to "her new friend."
Fantus laughed, "Sounds like you've had a busy first day!"
Jenna nodded as she crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe.
"But I wouldn't worry about 'Lover Boy,'" Fantus continued.
Jenna rolled her eyes at him;
"We've dealt with many of his kind." Fantus said as he sloughed off the problem.
Cyric shook his head, That may be true, but this is a new world, and we still don't know what exactly we fell into. He turned his head and looked at Jenna, Be careful Jen, I mean it!
I know. Jenna sighed, and then she brightened, I can handle it. Fantus is right. Besides, I have Vash to teach me how things work around here.
With that Fantus fell off of the ledge he was sitting on because he was laughing way to hard. "Vash! Vash can teach you!" Fantus managed to spit out while gaining his perch.
"Well he is from this world. I mean, do you have some one better in mind?" Jenna defended her friend.
"No, I guess not." Fantus said as he wiped the tears from his eyes and snuffled. "Speaking your new protector, I think I am going to go find him and make sure he's ok." He turned spread his wings and jumped.
"No your not!" Jenna called after him, "Your just going to make sure you get to drink tonight!" Fantus flicked his tail at her, but didn't respond.
Jenna shook her head. "The little monster." Turning back to Cyric, "Well Sir, what would you like before I go and baby-sit?" She walked to his face and stroked the front of his muzzle.
Cyric's frame shook with laughter. I am fine. I have enoigh to eat and it is nice to sleep someplace warm for once. He shook his head and nuzzled her palm. You, my little princess, need to watch yourself. Be careful.
Jenna looked in his liquid eyes. I promise my dear friend. I will. You know I will. Then she snorted and said out loud, "It's the lizard we need to worry about. He's the one who always gets us in trouble." Jenna heard Cyric's mental laugh and smiled. "Speaking of which, if I'm not there to make sure he stays out of trouble, this may be a very short stay." She patted his head right below his horn. "I will see you tomorrow for your bath!" Cyric whinnied as she left. Jenna turned and gave him a wave and a smile, then proceeded on her way back to the saloon.
When she got there, the night had already begun. Vash and Fantus were already making friends with the bar tender, and the rest of the tables were already crowded. It seemed to Jenna that the whole male populace of this town must be at this saloon. Men were laughing, some were singing, there were card games, darts, and billiards.
She saw a table in the far corner that was empty and decided to go sit down. The waitress from earlier saw her and went over to ask her for her order.
"What will you have tonight?" she asked in the same gravely monotone.
Jenna was still somewhat full from the big lunch she had had earlier, so she ordered soup, a glass of water, and a cup of tea for later.
The waitress gave her a knowing smile, "We're the designated driver tonight aren't we?" she asked.
"Pardon?" asked Jenna.
"Your friends from earlier, the one in the red coat and that genetically engineered lizard, they've already started in and I assumed from what you ordered, you get to be the sober one tonight."
Jenna laughed, "Actually I'm the sober one pretty much all the time. Don't like drinking really. The morning after really isn't worth it." she quirked the waitress a smile.
The waitress smiled in return, excused herself and went to go work on Jenna's order.
Jenna watched her friends at the bar while she waited for her food to turn up. By the extra loudness of their arguing, she concluded that they were well on their way to getting drunk. She sighed and put her chin in her hands. "It is going to be a long night. Maybe even a long stay, Fantus found his new friend, I don't think we are going anywhere now." She smiled a half smile, she really didn't mind that.
"You like him?" Jenna was startled out of her reverie by the waitress.
"What? Him? How could I possibly like that idiot." Jenna said a little too fast, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks.
The waitress laughed as she set down the dishes, "Sure could of fooled me." she said, then turned and left to take care of the other customers.
Jenna sat staring at her soup that was put before her. Then she shook herself and began to eat, her attention returning to the two at the bar. She watched as they laughed and carried on. She sighed wistfully and she finished her soup. She wished she could go join them. Idiot! Why are you moping? Go join them if you want too, she silently yelled at herself. She picked up her teacup and looked at the steaming contents, Because I can't.
Bull Shit. Jenna's head snapped up and she glared at the drake. You're just scared. Give it up lass! It's over! Come and have some fun! He's dead. We're safe. What more do you want? With that Fantus cut off the connection to leave her in a stunned silence.
"He's dead." Those words reverberated through her brain. Jenna knew that he meant Mirva, didn't he? Too busy trying to figure out her warring emotions; she didn't notice the man sit down next to her until it was too late.
Jenna stiffened her spine and put her untouched tea back on the saucer. Turning her gaze to the man next her she put on her brightest smile, "Can I help you?" It was the same man from earlier. She mentally rolled her eyes. Don't they ever learn!
"I think we got off to a bad start this afternoon. How 'bout we start over?" The man said in an off handed way.
Jenna raised an eyebrow in question.
He took that as a sign to move on. Smiling he stuck out his hand, "My name is James, James Lewic."
Jenna thought about stiffing the guy, but based on earlier observations she decided against it. Instead she took his hand in a firm grip that betrayed her delicate look, "Well Lewic, its nice to meet you." she lied. Inwardly she was still repulsed by him, and flinched when she shook his hand, and he still wasn't letting go. "Um, can I have my hand back? I would like to finish my tea before it grows cold." Jenna said as sweetly as she could manage.
Lewic looked down at their hands and with an embarrassed laugh released her hand.
Jenna picked up her teacup and took a sip. It was good tea, just bad company. She lowered the cup from her mouth, "So Lewic, what can I do for you?"
"Well I would settle first for your name." He said in a suave voice.
Nice, it's only cute when Vash does it. She kicked herself and forced her mind to pay attention, even if it didn't want to.
"I then want to know if you would like to join me in having a drink." Lewic finished.
Jenna took another sip of tea and as she did so, made eye contact with her half drunk companion at the bar. It only lasted for a split second, barely noticeable by anyone paying attention, but it was enough for Vash to catch her message.
Turning back to the man next to her she said, "My name is Jenna, and I'm sorry Lewic, but I don't drink, but thank you for the thought."
Disappointment and anger flashed in his eyes for a second, then he seemed to collect himself. "If I can't buy you a drink, then can I get you another cup of tea and join you?" he said with a very charming smile.
She put down her cup and was about to answer when Vash came stumbling to her table.
"Jenna!" he shouted. He had on a ridiculous smile and an orange and green tie tied around his head. Before she could ask where it came from he grabbed her by the hands, "Come 'n dansss wid me!" he slurred.
Wide eyed she began to protest when he pulled her out of her chair, wrapped one arm around her waist and began spinning her away from the table over to where Fantus sat on a stool with a tankard in his paw. Laughing and out of breath he stopped and let her go when they reached the drake.
"Where did that come from?" Jenna asked through her laughter and gasping for breath. Then she sent him a mental Thank you.
He shrugged. "You asked for help so I came to your rescue, again." he added with a large smile.
Still laughing, she rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, "My Hero!"
"Damn straight!" he said with pride and then took a long pull of beer. When he finished he slammed it on the counter and called out "Bartender! Fill 'er up! OW!" He looked over at Jenna, "What was that for?" he whined.
"You didn't say please. If your going ot get drunk at least be polite." she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Vash looked at her for a moment, then laughed his maniacal laugh, "Bartender! Fill 'er up please!"
"That's better," she murmered.
After the bartender had filled his tankard back up Vash raised it with Fantus, "To Hero's! And for love and peace!" then they both chugged the whole thing.
"Woo!" Vash cried out when he was done.
Fantus belched, causing people to jump out of the way or get singed by the sudden blast of flame. "Scuse me!" he said with no hint of remorse.
Jenna shook her head. What was she going to do? She learned a long time ago to let things like this pass, for you never knew when a time such as this would come around again. Instead she said, "You two are horrible. And where in the Nine Hells did you get that?" she pointed at the absurd tie around Vash's head.
Vash shrugged, "Don't know." He rolled his eyes around to look at it, then looked back at her and gave her his trademark grin.
Jenna couldn't help but laugh. She flicked at the tie and said "Your hopeless."
Vash's smiled lessened a little, but his eyes still twinkled, "Probably."
"Hey Jen. Who's the loser staring at you over at your table? He looks awfully mad!" asked Fantus, not at all being subtle about who he was talking about.
Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my gosh! Lewic! I forgot all about him."
"Obviously." said Fantus with a smirk as he took another drink to hide his smile.
Jenna glared at him.
"Ahh so that's his name then." said Vash, and then he hic-upped and took a drink from his re-filled tankard.
Jenna sighed and sat down on a bar stool, placing her head in her hands. "Yea, that's his name."
"Poor bugger. He doesn't have a clue does he?" said Fantus. Then his reptilian face split into toothy grin, "Still he gets credit from me, he took you on twice, that takes balls!"
Vash was laughing. Jenna was far from it. "Fantus! Watch your mouth! This is why I don't let you drink!" Turning to Vash, "I'm so glad that you find this whole thing funny. What am I supposed to do now?"
"Eh don't worry about it." Fantus replied.
Jenna shot him a sharp look, "What do you mean?"
"Well for now, he's leaving."
Jenna looked over her shoulder at the table where she was sitting. It was now empty. Looking around the room she didn't see Lewic anywhere. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Shee. Stall right. HICK He's gone now." Vash slurred.
Jenna looked at Vash, he was beginning to sway, his eyes were starting to loose focus and that ridiculous grin was plastered all over his face. The alcohol was finally starting to affect him. She rolled her eyes.
"Just how much have you had to drink tonight?" she asked him, a suspicious look on her face. Not ten minutes earlier he was acting drunk to get her away from Lewic, then he was sober. Now he was drunk again? She was beginning to wonder if all of it was an act.
Vash just smiled and wagged his finger in her face, "Tsk. Thads snot somth'n you ask a man when he's drink'n. Right my Friend?" he turned to Fantus.
Fantus raised his glass, nodded, and chimed in "Right!"
Vash turned back and his smile broadened to the point where it hid his eyes.
Jenna rolled her eyes, threw up her hands in the air in surrender and said, "I give up!" Then she laughed as the two carried on.
By the end of the night, Vash and Fantus had managed to make friends with half the population in the saloon, and piss off the other half. Jenna had now gone through three more cups of tea and fended off a handful of dunk would-be suitors. The last wouldn't take "No" for an answer, so Jenna had to use other physical means to make him understand, which ended up causing a huge bar fight, thus causing the owner to close the bar.
Apologizing as she tried to hold up a completely drunk Vash, Jenna offered to pay for the damage that she caused. The owner told her to keep her money, and refused to take any, stating that as long as they never came back, that was good enough for him.
So instead she helped Vash stagger back to the hotel room. Fantus followed behind walking on wobbly legs.
The whole way to the hotel Vash was trying to sing a ridiculous song. His happiness was contagious. When she should have been yelling at him Jenna was laughing at him. On one occasion, when they had almost reached the door to the hotel, Vash started to get loud. Jenna tried to quiet him, but that only proved to make him louder.
"Shhhh Vash!" she whispered through a giggle, "Not so loud!"
"Don't shush me woman!" Vash yelled.
Jenna flinched and put her hand over his mouth, "There are people sleeping you Pin head! Keep it down!" She couldn't help but laugh. "Besides, we are almost back to your room."
Vash looked up and squinted at the doors of the hotel they were staying at, "We're there already?"
"Shh! And yes, we are there, now help me open the door." Vash didn't really help to open the door, he couldn't even stand up straight. So Jenna leaned him against the post of the porch and opened the door to the sound of some one retching behind her. She hung her head, placing her hand over her eyes and gave a sigh and asked the question "Why me!" She then turned around to see her friend leaning over the rail puking his guts out. Biting back an "I told you so." she walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on his back. "You gonna be ok?" she asked him.
"Yeah I will be. Thanks." Vash smiled a weary smile at her.
Jenna shook her head and led him back to the door, "C'mon, lets get you to bed. What ever possessed you to drink so much?"
"Its fun!" piped a small voice from behind them.
"Puking your guts out is fun?" She directed her question to both the drake and to the man. Vash just shrugged, Fantus laughed, "I should clarify, drinking is fun when you can hold your liquor. I guess our new friend can't do that!"
Vash shot Fantus a dirty look and Jenna came to his defense. "Well it also isn't fair that you can't get drunk."
Vash looked at her in surprise, Fantus swiped at her foot with a forepaw as they began to climb the stairs. "Thanks Jen!" he said indignantly.
Vash pointed over his shoulder, "You mean to tell me that he doesn't get drunk?"
"Can't get drunk." Jenna replied, "Because of our ability to create fire internally, our blood is hotter than most creatures. So hot in fact, that we burn off the alcohol before it can really do much damage."
"So all that wobbling and slurring he did was an act!" it was more of a statement, not a question. Jenna nodded and confirmed it. Vash shot the pouting drake another dirty look. "That's the last time I ever play a drinking game with you!"
Fantus flicked his tongue at him.
Jenna smiled and shook her head, then took out Vash's key and unlocked his door.
"Hey! Where…" the rest was said behind Jenna's hand covering his mouth.
"I told you to be quiet! People are sleeping!" she hissed at him. Removing her hand she answered his question, "I have been trained in many different areas for the council; sorcery, fighting skills, and…" she held up his key in front of his nose and moved it around so it made noise, "thievery!" she said with a large smile, "I picked your pocket while you were leaning over the rail."
"You…did…WH-?" again the rest was said behind her hand.
"Calm down! I had to. You couldn't make it up the stairs much less try and open your door!" Jenna looked at him with a matter of fact stare. Then she grabbed his arm and led him into his room, "C'mon Vash, its time for bed." she said to him as if he were an unruly five-year-old.
She helped him to stumble onto the bed so he could at least take his boots off. He didn't even make it that far. Jenna turned to shut the door, and upon turning back, she found that he had already passed out across the bed. Sighing, she pulled his boots off the rest of the way and clumsily put him into bed, pulling a blanket up over him. "Your lucky," she told Vash's sleeping form, "that I have learned patience by doing this so many times through out my life." Jenna stopped and looked at Vash, ignoring the drake that had crawled up on the bed and curled up next to him. With out thinking she had reached out and was gently tracing his jaw line with her fingers. "Idiot." she sighed, then realizing what she was doing, she snatched her hand back like it had been struck at. Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Jenna turned and fled the room.
The drake wisely kept his mouth shut and feigned sleep. He knew that now was not a good time for one of his remarks. Fantus also knew that he did not want to be in her room right now, she needed to be alone. Instead, he was content to stay with his new drinking buddy. Fantus opened his eye a crack and found that the man had also been faking sleep. Vash lay with his hands behind his head, his eyes wide open and his thoughts obviously somewhere else. Fantus could guess where they were, chuckled to himself, and shut his eye again. This was between these two. What right had he to become involved? He was just glad that some one new was in the picture. Maybe now we can all get some peace for a change. She needs some happiness, if only she would let herself have it. He growled to himself. And besides, I like him. With that, he snuggled into the covers and promptly fell asleep.
If Vash had been paying attention, he would have seen the smiling drake at the foot of his bed, and maybe even wondered why he was smiling or at least asked him what he was doing there. Right now, the little green dragon wasn't his concern. It was his mistress. Vash rubbed his face where it still tingled from her touch, and wondered why he missed it so much. He also wondered why his stomach was still doing flips. What the hell is wrong with me? I've only known her for a couple of days, one of which she was unconscious for. It's got to be the alcohol. Yeah! That's it! Idiot, you're drunk, she felt sorry for you and felt she owed you. Yeah that's right. He nodded his head as he tried to rationalize the way he felt. He turned over and faced the wall, his eyes were growing heavy, and he was starting to feel dizzy from the nodding. Vash closed his eyes, but he didn't feel any better. His skin still tingled, along with every nerve in his body when he thought of her. Then why…? He was asleep before he could finish the thought.
Jenna leaned against her door, her head in her hands. Jenna! Get a grip! She looked up at her room with haunted eyes. The moment she realized she was touching him, she also realized that it wasn't his face she saw. It was Kale's. She had done the same thing for her love for so many years that her memories took over. When she realized what she had done, she had recoiled from her thoughts and from Vash as quickly as she could and ran from the room. Fortunately he had been asleep, or so she thought.
Jenna straightened her dress and began to move about the room getting ready for bed in a sort of numb state. She was trying so hard to keep her feelings and thoughts under control. She was almost successful until she picked up her dressing gown and saw the shirt that Vash had loaned her earlier. She couldn't hold it in anymore. She had been so busy getting her life back, tracking Mirva, and finally healing that she had not had the time to think about Kale, about his death, and to figure out if Mirva's death brought her the closure that she thought it would. She hadn't even thought of Kale until that morning, when Vash had asked about him. Now his face was back, haunting her. Why now? Then it hit her, He's dead, and he's not coming back! She had never faced that reality. She had wrapped herself up in her mercenary work and then her revenge that she had forgotten to mourn and had refused to except that one simple fact. Now that she had finally stopped moving, finally stopped hating, she could put it behind her and let it go. She fell to her knees and sobbed, uncontrollably. She cleansed her soul with her own tears, and finally, after three hundred years, she was able to mourn the loss of her love.
She stayed at the edge of the bed, even after her tears had run dry, trying to figure out why it didn't hurt nearly as bad as she thought it would. He's dead, and he's not coming back. The hole that he left behind is still there, but why doesn't it feel as empty? She drew her legs to her, resting her chin on her knees. Because Vash is with me. Jenna answered herself. Her mind was too fuzzy from lack of sleep and from the wealth of emotion that she had let finally come out to argue with herself. She was drained and tired, but ultimately she was finally starting to feel like she was getting herself back. She didn't feel close to a hundred percent, but she could see the light at the end of the tunnel and knew that she was going to make it out of the darkness that had consumed her heart for so long. She smiled a contented smile, one that hadn't graced her face in a very long time, and crawled into bed, falling into a peaceful sleep almost immediately. The nightmares were gone for now.