Ok guys! Here it is! The second part of the last chapter. I've hit the busy season at work so its getting harder for me to sit and write again. And some how spell check has dissapeared from my computer and from fanfics edit program. So I appologize for my blunders ahead of time. But I'm trying and I'm always thinking about you guys! So here it is! I hope you like it!
PS. There is a line at the end that Fantus says as he's talking to Vash. I didn't come up with it, JRR Tolkein did. "Not all who are lost wander, and not all who wander are lost." or something like that. But he said it, not me. Just had to make sure we were clear on that. 0) now its 2:00am, I'm going to bed!
Chapter Nine – Town (Part II)
Jenna awoke the next morning feeling more refreshed than she had in a very long time, and for once, her soul didn't feel weighed down by some huge burden. She jumped out of bed and dressed in an old pair of breaches and shirt and gathered the supplies she would need to give Cyric his bath. She also did a few stretches and slowly did some training exercises; the ones that she knew wouldn't damage her still stiff and healing muscles. Throwing her hair up into a ponytail, she left her room. Looking at the door across form her Jenna blushed slightly and then shook her head, ridding it of her embarrassment. Then she remembered that she had forgotten to leave him his key. Jenna fished into her pouch and pulled it out, then as quietly as she could, she slipped in and left it on the nightstand. Both man and drake were out cold. She bit her lip to keep from laughing at them and then hurried out and back on her way.
With a new bounce to her step Jenna entered into the stables and went to where Cyric was being housed. He looked up from the hay he was munching on, 'Bout time. And then he stopped and looked at her, You're different, he simply stated.
Jenna smiled a bright, but sad smile at him and walked over and rubbed his head below the horn. I am, she replied. I put finally was able to him to rest. I still have a lot of healing to do, but I'm going to be ok. Her smile broadened, no longer sad, but filled with triumph.
Cyric whinnied and nuzzled her in his joy. He knew exactly who she was talking about and was glad she was finally able to confront his death.
She laughed with him. "Now my dear friend! Its time we got you cleaned up! I'll be right back." Jenna walked over to the stable master's office to ask him where she could hobble Cyric while she bathed him, not that she really needed to, but a horse as big as he was sometimes could put people on edge. Especially here, where just being a horse was enough to put people on edge. She returned and after placing his bridle and lead on, led him out to the yard where she found a hose and a post to tie him to.
"Sorry Cyric, but he won't let me take you out unless you're securely tied up." Cyric snorted in disgust but held his peace.
Jenna filled her bucket with water, adding soap to get the water sudsy. Then she turned the hose on Cyric, the cold water spraying little crystalline droplets everywhere. She laughed as he began to prance and move around so the water could get every inch of him. Once he was completely wet, she began to lather him up, getting the dirt out of his skin, making his coat soft and silky once again.
While she worked she sang, and Cyric sang along with her in her head. The Stable master and his hands all stopped what they were doing to watch the blond woman washing a giant black monster of a horse. Some of the hands exchanged confused looks, they hadn't been there the day before when they arrived, while others smiled and went back to work.
Jenna finished rubbing Cyric down and then untied him. She placed the bucket in his stall and then turned and mounted up, much to the amazement of those around her. "Come on friend, let's ride around for a bit, just you and me."
Cyric shook his head and began to move forward at a slow walk out of the stables and into the main street. They rode for about half an hour, looking at the community and trying to absorb the life and culture on this new world. Both were saddened by the lack of trees and green life. They came from a place where grass grew everywhere, and trees lined the streets, where people walked in gardens and forests grew on the outskirts of almost every town. Here there was only sand, and more sand. The heat was already intense at that hour of the morning, the double suns halfway to their zenith. But the people were happy. They smiled and laughed and went about their business with out a care in the world. Jenna mentally shrugged, she was going to have to get used to this place whether she liked it or not.
By then they had reached the stables again. She fed Cyric, kissed him goodbye, and headed back the hotel for Vash and Fantus. Halfway there she saw him out of the corner of her eye. Lewic apparently still hadn't gotten the hint. Jenna watchedhim walktowards her. She quickened her pace and was about to walk inside when he caught her arm. It took every ounce of will power she had to keep herself from smashing him into the ground.
"Whoa there miss Jenna! Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Lewic asked her with a casual smile.
"Oh no where really," she answered as casually as she could. "I just finished taking care of my horse and was on my way back to my room to have breakfast with my friends." she tore her arm out of his grip and reached for the door.
Lewic moved her hand from the doorknob and stood between her and the door. "Whats your rush? The morning just started. I'm sure you're friends won't miss you. How 'bout you have breakfast with me instead?" He smiled a charming smile as he began to play with her hand. Lewic stepped closer, forcing Jenna's back up to the post, eliminating her escape routes.
Jenna began to feel like a trapped animal. Training helped her to force her anxiety down as she once again tried to explain things to the idiot in front of her. "Lewic, I have been trying to be as polite as I possibly can, but I don't think you are understanding me." She took a step forward, pushing him backwards and looking him straight in the eye with the same deadly glare as before, she said in an equally deadly voice, "Leave me alone. And unless you want to loose some precious body parts, I suggest you never touch me again." She was able to tear her hand from his grip and step around him. Jenna went straight for the door and was about to go in when Lewic reached out and grabbed her arm in a very tight grip, spinning her around to face him.
"Listen woman," he hissed, "No one dares to tell me what I can and cannot do, or what I can and cannot have. I get what I want and I want you," he hissed at her. Still holding onto her arm tight with one hand he reached up and touched her hair and her face with the other. "We can do this the hard way, or the easy way. It doesn't matter to me."
Jenna shook her head out from under his hand, "Let go of me!" she growled through clenched teeth.
Lewic's look changed from anger to suspicion, "It's the blond guy isn't it? You are all into him aren't you?"
Her eyes widened slightly, "That Mr. Lewic, is none of your business! And I told you, never touch me AGAIN!" Jenna grabbed his shirt at the shoulder, lifted and threw. Lewic landed about ten yards away from the front of the hotel, in a large puddle of mud. The whole street had by now stopped what they were doing to watch the spectacle on the porch. Many gasped when Lewic landed in the ground, others out right cheered.
Lewic lay on the ground stunned. He couldn't believe that someone; much less a woman had just done that to him. He sat up and tried to remove the mud from his perfectly kept hair and turned to glare at her, but she wasn't there. Jenna had already gone inside. He couldn't just go in and get her, too many witnesses; he would have to gain his revenge tomorrow when no one was around.
Jenna didn't wait for anything else to happen, she threw open the door and stomped in, slamming it behind her and startling the girl at the desk. Ignoring the questions from the clerk, Jenna climbed the stairs muttering curses under her breath, walked into her room and slammed her own door. She walked into the bathroom and tried to understand the mechanics of the shower. After about 15 minutes of trying, she finally found the lever that switched the water from the faucet to the showerhead, drenching herself in the process. She stood in the shower with her clothes on and laughed. She laughed at how angry she was, she laughed at how stupid this whole thing was compared to the events of the past few months. Then she took off her wet clothes and showered in the warm water. When she got out she was refreshed and revived. She was ready for a new life in a new world. She was ready to start over, to begin anew.
Jenna dressed in a dark blue dress with a light green under dress, slipped on her sheath and her shoes and marched across the hall and into Vash's room.
As she expected, both he and Fantus were still completely out. Vash must have woken up some time in the night because he had changed into baggier clothes that looked very warn out, but very comfortable. Jenna shook her head and walked over to the window. "Alright boys!" she called out, then she pulled the curtains apart and opened the window, letting the warm breeze and light come into the room, "Its time to get up! It's a beautiful day outside!"
Her announcement was greeted with a jet of fire and a grumble from under covers. She dodged the fire, and walked over to the bed and yanked the blankets from off of it. "Get up Lazy Guts! Its time you got up! Its almost noon."
Vash curled into a ball. "No, don't wanna, and stop yelling! My head hurts."
Jenna laughed at him, "Well that's what you get for drinking so much! And I'm not yelling. Now hurry up! I want to go shopping for what I'll need here, and I need you to show me how things work. So move it Mr.!" She turned on her heel and headed out of the room, "I'll be in the café down the street." She threw him a smile and then closed the door behind her.
Vash sat up and put his aching head in his hands. "Does she always do that?" he grumbled to Fantus.
The drake had curled up on the pillow he had moved to and opened one eye, "Yeah. I think she enjoys watching people suffer. Its her version of revenge for drinking."
Vash sighed into his hands and then got shakily to his feet and walked to the bathroom to take a shower. After he had finished and gotten dressed he headed down the stairs to look for her. Sure enough, there she sat on the veranda, sipping her now ever present cup of tea and frowning at something on the table in front of her.
. "What are you looking at?" he asked her as he sat down in front of her.
"I am trying to decipher your runes." she answered, not looking up from the paper in front of her.
"Runes?"
Jenna looked up at him, "Yes your runes." At Vash's quizzical stare she held up the paper in front of her and pointed at the markings on it. "Your runes, your form of writing."
"OH! I get it." Vash replied. "You're trying to learn our language, but wait," he looked at her funny, "You can already speak it. If you can't read it, then how can you speak it?"
Jenna looked back at the paper in her hand, "Dragons and their cousins have the gift of speech. If we hear a language, we can speak it. It takes us longer to learn how to read it. But I think I finally have it." She picked up the paper in front of her and read, "WANTED! Ace Gunmen to act as guards for merchant caravan traveling to Mercia. Please see Leonard Smith, head of Armed Escorts Inc. in New Oregon for details." She looked at him with a big smile on her face, "How was that?"
Vash snatched the paper out of her hands and read it himself, "YES!" he shouted as he jumped up, knocking his chair over and punching fist in the air, "A job!"
He made to run off when a hand grabbed his collar, "Not so fast Mr.!" she said as she pulled him backwards, "Apparently I read that right or you wouldn't be so excited. But that's beside the point! You made me a promise," she raised a menacing eyebrow at him, "Or did you forget?"
"I uh, that is um well," he said as he looked at his fore fingers that he kept touching together in front of his face.
"Well what?"
"I…don't…remember? Don't hurt me!" he added hastily as he covered his head for the blow that didn't come. Instead she laughed at him and shook her head.
"Oh Vash." She placed her hands on her hips, "I told you not to drink so much last night!" She sighed and crossed her arms in front of her chest, "So, now that you've been reminded, are you going to help me?"
Vash gulped, Not like I have a choice. "Yes Ma'am." he said out loud.
"Good, now eat your sandwich that I ordered for you and lets be off." In his head she said, Of course you don't. And we have to work on your shielding skills. Picking up all your thoughts is getting pretty annoying.
Vash looked at her with a horrified expression on his face, "All my thoughts? Even…from…yesterday?" he gulped.
She quirked an eyebrow at him, "Not all of them from yesterday, you do know how to shield somewhat. You just need to work on it a bit more."
Vash placed his head in hands and said, "Why me?" in exasperated tones. "You know, life was a lot simpler till you fell out of the sky."
She raised her eyebrow at him again and looking over the rim of her teacup, "Indeed?" she inquired.
Vash shook his head and dutifully ate his lunch. When he finished, he began to show her how to navigate a town on GunSmoke.
The group of town bullies was nowhere to be seen, so taking their window of opportunity they entered into the gun shop first. Vash showed Jenna various different guns, the way they were loaded, what bullets they used and how to hold them properly. Jenna listened to her lessons intently, as well as watching him. She knew he wasn't comfortable doing this favor for her, but she also knew that he understood why she needed to do this. She sent him mental thanks and gave him a warm and sympathetic smile when he looked up at her from the current gun he was holding. She was rewarded with a small smile in return, and he went back to business.
After going trough almost all of the different gun models in the shop, Jenna finally chose two .45 Automatic Hand Guns with a double holster and several bullet clips. After paying the man, they left and continued on their way. Next they stopped at the leather store where Jenna placed a special order for new riding leathers and various tack accessories for Cyric. Next they went to the general store where both of them purchased supplies that they were in need of. After they had run all of their errands, and Jenna had chased Vash down several times when he went after donuts, a pretty girl, or sometimes both, they headed back to the hotel with both their arms full and their wallet, or in Jenna's case, money purse lighter.
They unpacked their packages and put the items they each had bought away where they needed to go. While Jenna was still going through her new supplies, making sure she didn't miss anything, Vash knocked on her door and stepped into her room.
"You ready?" he asked her.
Jenna gave him a puzzled expression, "Ready for what?"
Vash smiled his goofy grin at her, "For me to teach you how to use those." he pointed to her guns lying on the bed. "You didn't just expect to know how they work did you?"
"Well I…guess not." She looked at him sheepishly, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Right then, lets go teach you how to survive on GunSmoke." he said with a forced laugh. Vash didn't like having to teach her how to shoot, and ultimately, how to kill. He turned his back on her so she couldn't see the sorrow in his eyes. Jenna had promised that she wouldn't kill and he believed her, at least he so desperately wanted to.
She must have sensed his turmoil because he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard her soft voice behind him say, "I made you a promise my friend. On my world, promises and especially oaths are taken very seriously. Those deemed Oath-Breaker are shunned, and never trusted or spoken to again."
Jenna gently turned Vash around. "Wait." she told him. He watched her with a slight tilt of his head and curiosity written all over his face, as she reach under her bed and pulled out something from underneath, wrapped in a brown sac. As Jenna undid the drawstrings and pulled the wrapping off, Vash saw that it was her sword. She walked back to where he was standing and unsheathed the glittering blade in one fluid movement. Vash looked at her with awe in his eyes, after he flinched away from the naked steel. She flipped the sword around point down, then placed her hands over the 'Stone and motioned for him to then place his over hers. Not quite understanding what was happening Vash cautiously did as he was told.
Vash watched as Jenna closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then let it out. She opened her eyes and looking directly into his said, "I Jenna, only daughter of King Saradin of Dragon Keep, Commander of the Dragon Knights Red Flight, do solemnly swear upon this, the Dragon Stone, that I will not take a life on this world of GunSmoke, unless there is no other option left open unto me. Do ye, Vash of GunSmoke, accept this oath?"
Vash was dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say. He just looked at her, grateful to her for this gesture of kindness. He had heard the loophole, but he believed there was always another way, another solution; and if anyone could find it, it would be her. He nodded his head once in acknowledgement, tears standing in his eyes. No one had ever taken him this seriously before, and finally, after so many years, this stranger did.
"Vash, this is the part where you decide to accept my oath." Jenna wispered to him with a small smile on her face.
"Huh? Oh right." Vash cleared his throat, and standing as straight as he could said, "I Vash of GunSmoke hearby accept thy oath and hold thee to it until such time as I see fit to release thee from it. How's that?" Vash asked her with pride in his voice.
Jenna smiled and laughed, "Very well done fore some one who doesn't seem to have used any formal speech before."
Vash shrugged, "I was just following your lead My Lady." Then his face grew very serious again.
Jenna tilted her head and asked, "Vash? What's wrong?"
In response Vash did something Jenna was not expecting. He removed his hands from hers and drew her to him in a tight hug. Still with her hands on the hilt of her sword; her eyes widened with surprise as she picked up his mental thoughts; She gets it! She gets it Rem! Finally, some one understands! Jenna didn't respond, it was his moment, she let him have it. She let him hold her for a few more seconds then quietly said, Vash, can you let me go please?
Vash let her go very quickly and stepped back rubbing the back of his head, smiling at her sheepishly, "Sorry about that Jen. I guess I got a little carried away in my gratitude."
Jenna laughed at him. "Its alright. Do you feel better now?" He nodded. "Good. Tell you what. I'll make you a deal. You teach me to shoot, and I'll teach you to use those mental powers of yours." she tapped him on the forehead as she said it.
Vash stuck out his hand, and she clasped it in hers, "Deal." he said. "Now pretty lady, lets teach you how to play with those new toys of yours."
Jenna's smile turned into a grin and with a whoop of joy she grabbed her guns, the belt, and Vash's arm and ran out the door. On the way she stopped at the stables to get Cyric. When Vash looked at her funny she simply replied, "How would you like to be kept inside with only four walls and hay to talk to." Vash shrugged in agreement.
By the end of the afternoon, Vash had taught her how to properly hold the weapon and successfully aim. Jenna could almost hit every one of the old cans he had lined up on the rocks a few yars ahead. Fantus and Cyric stood a respectful distance away from the area and watched.
Vash stood behind her, "Ok, remember what I said. Breath in, aim, let out half your air, pull trigger, and release the rest of your air. Ready?" She nodded, her concentration now fully on the cans ahead of her. "Alright, whenever your ready, go." Vash told her.
Jenna knew how it worked, but she let him keep telling her anyway. She knew it was part of the learning process, even if she didn't want to hear it anymore. Besides, the annoying little voice inside her head said, This is one opportunity to be close to him. So you know you're not minding this at all. Tightening her grip on the handle she took controll of her emotions, Oh shut up. Jenna told herself as she aimed, took a breath, let it half out and fired, repeating it for each shot. This time she hit all the cans.
"I did it! Did you see that Vash! I did it!" she had spun around so fast she had forgot her gun safety he had taught her earlier and the gun went off at his feet. Vash yelped and fell backwards.
"Jenna Watch it!" he said in a pained voice.
"Oops! I'm sorry! I just got excited I guess." She put the safety on the handgun and placed it back in its holster before reaching down to help him up.
While Jenna pulled Vash to his feet Fantus yelled, "You think that's bad you should have seen what she did to her father when he taught her how to shoot an arrow!" and he fell into reams of helpless laughter, Cyric shaking with mirth as well.
Vash hid his smile as Jenna turned on her friends. He went over to the rock where the cans had been and put a new set up, and then watched Jenna argue with her companions.
Placing her hands on her hips Jenna yelled back, "As I recall that only happened because a certain Drake flew across my range and distracted me as I released!"
Fantus struck a dignified pose, "I was helping to train you to shoot with distractions. As YOU will recall, that fly by helped save your life!"
Jenna fisted her hands together with an "OOO!" of frustration. Then with out warning drew one of her guns and shot all the cans off the rock in one fluid motion, replaced the gun into her holster and turned on her heel and walked away, leaving every one stunned, and Vash twitching.
"Does she always do that?" he asked Fantus and Cyric in a shaky voice.
Both of their eyes were wide and they nodded. Then Fantus shook his head to clear it. "That girl is going to give me a heart attack one of these days!"
Vash looked at Fantus with a bit of surprise still on his face, "You? What about me? I haven't even known her a week and she's already thrown me around, pulled a knife on me and now shot at me! She's dangerous to my health!"
Fantus laughed and Cyric snorted, "You have no idea lad." the big stallion said as he shook his head, "You have no idea."
Fantus swooped down to help Vash pick up all the cans that had been shot down that afternoon. There were quite a few. "Wow, you two went through a lot of these didn't you?"
Vash nodded. "Yeah. And I am beginning to suspect that we didn't really need to."
Fantus looked at him quizzically, "Why do you say that?"
"Because I could feel her holding back. Plus she neatly knocked those last cans off with out hitting me. A beginner would have been very wild in their shots, especially as ticked as she seemed to be. By the way, what were you talking about?"
Cyric began laughing behind them. Fantus grinned his toothy grin and stuffed another can into the trash bag they were using, "She was about 10 at the time. Her father was teaching her and her brother to shoot an arrow at a target at about 50 paces, much in the same way you were. Her father stepped aside, still in human form, to talk to someone. He told Jenna and Sorin to continue practicing. Jenna aimed, and…"
Fantus stopped picking up cans and began to laugh very hard, so Cyric finished for him, "Jenna aimed and this idiot flew out of the tree he was perched in and scared her half to death! She let the bolt go out of reflex and it hit her father in the rear."
Vash stopped mid stoop, "She shot her father in the butt!" Then he began to laugh as hard and Fantus. "No wonder she was so mad at you!" Vash shook his head and finished cleaning up.
They walked back into town slowly. Not sure if Jenna would still be angry, and none of them wanted to take their chances that she was. They stopped by a recycle bin and Vash threw the bag of cans in, then they headed for the stables. Vash looked around and noticed that people were still nervous when the big horse was out. I don't blame them either. I'm not sure he likes me enough for me to not be nervous myself.
Cyric snorted, Jenna is right; you really need to work on that.
Vash jumped and looked at the horse swallowing hard.
Don't worry lad. I still don't completely trust you, but she does, and right now that's enough for me.
Vash breathed a sigh of relief as they walked into the stables. Cyric allowed Vash to lead him into his stall and told him what he needed done. Vash was feeling pretty good about himself as he walked out of the stables with Fantus on his shoulder.
"There's Jenna." Fantus said and pointed to where she stood in front of a window admiring what ever was in it.
Vash was about to call out when he saw him, Jenna's shadow. Before he thought that the man was just interested in her, but now, Vash could tell that it had turned from curiosity, to menace, by the way the man was stalking her, like she was prey and he the predator. It made Vash very uncomfortable, and he wondered if Jenna knew he was there.
Fantus had apparently noticed the same thing, when they made eye contact, they nodded and Fantus took off into the air. Vash watched as he circled higher and higher, till he was only a tiny speck above the town. Vash walked over to where Jenna was standing and rocked back and forth on his heels with his hands behind his back. "Anything interesting?" he asked her out loud. In her head he said Your friend's back, and looking for trouble. What happened?
Jenna looked up at him for a moment and then went back to looking at the coat in the window. "I just saw this coat and thought it looked like something useful to have. The shop is closed for the evening so I can't go try it on yet." He tried to seduce me this morning, and when I politly said no, he still didn't listen. So I had to use more forceful means to get my point across.
Vash raised an eyebrow What did you do?
I threw him into the mud. "Come on, I'll check it out tomorrow. Lets go find something to eat." she turned and headed toward a restaurant down the street.
Vash caught up to her and she surprised him by linking her arm in his. He raised and eyebrow at her in question.
Just indulge me. she replied.
Vash had no problems with that request. He placed his hands in his pockets and began to whistle as they walked toward the restaurant down the street. He could still sense the menacing presence behind them, but it was backing off. Vash figured that it was because she wasn't by herself anymore. Doesn't that idiot realize that she can kick the crap out of him! I didn't even do anything and she almost killed me twice already! Sheesh!
"Alright Vash," Jenna said from his side, "Lesson number one, be aware of what and more importantly who is around you. Your broadcasting again and fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, I am the only one besides Fantus and Cyric who can pick up on them." She looked up at his wide-eyed stare. "You're a telepath, so unlike humans, your thoughts can leak out of your mind. You need to shield them and keep them close to you. Thoughts can often times be your worst enemy." She smiled at the confused look on his face, "I'll teach you how after dinner. Right now I'm really hungry!"
"Alright, but in the mean time, are you going to tell me what you really did to your friend back there?" Vash asked, "You had to have done more than just throw him into the mud." They had reached the restaurant by that time and he opened the door for them to go through.
Once seated she said, "While you were recovering from your sudden illness," Vash winced at the way she said that, "Mr Lewic decided it was the right time to make a move…" While they ate she told him everything that happened that morning while he and Fantus were still in bed.
"When you found me at the window I was actually trying to see if he might give something away about what he was planning to do next." Jenna stabbed her fork into a vegetable, "Cause I know he is going to do something stupid, I can feel it." She put the offending bite into her mouth.
Vash nodded, "That's what me and Fantus thought too, that's why he's not here. He's watching your friend from the sky. Which reminds me, we had better get him something to eat or else he might roast me alive."
Jenna snorted, "He may just do that anyway. He seems to like lighting things on fire for no apparent reason." she took another bite of her food.
Vash laughed and then leaned back in his chair a minute and thought about the situation. He leaned forward, all seriousness in his aqua eyes. "We need to leave here" he said to her in a quiet voice.
Jenna looked at him in surprise, "Leave? Why?"
"Lets just say that I don't want any trouble."
"Trouble? How are you going to be in trouble? He's coming after me remember?"
"There extenuating circumstances that you don't understand." he said very quietly.
Jenna looked him straight in the eye, "Well why don't you tell me so I can understand."
Vash looked at his hands that were on the table, "I can't." he whispered sadly. He pushed himself up from the table and after putting his sunglasses on so she couldn't see his eyes said, "I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, come or don't, its up to you. Goodnight." He then turned and left her sitting at the table, stunned.
Vash sighed and placed his hands in his pockets as he walked back to the hotel to pack. I should have told her. She deserves to know. But she doesn't deserve to die; after all she's been through. And he'll surely go after her if he finds out. Vash shook his head as he pushed open the door to the hotel and walked up to his room and continued to argue with himself. If she knew, wouldn't that give her a chance then, a chance to fight him back? Maybe, but I would rather not risk it. He began to pack his stuff so he could leave when the first sun began to rise. I've taught her what she wanted to know. She'll be alright. "Aww man! Why did she have to be so cute though! A little longer and I might have been able to score." Cause she's hot!
Just then there was a knock at his door. Jenna opened it and walked in calling his name, a blush creeping up her perfect neck. "Vash? Um did you still want to work on shielding?"
Vash panicked. Oh no. Did she hear all that?
"Not all of it, just the last part." Jenna said with an embarrassed smile and a shrug. "Thank you." Why does he affect me like this? Coming from anyone else I wouldn't care, or I'd knock him out. She thought to herself. Then seeing his scarlet features, she realized she had been staring at him. Clearing her throat she put all of her thoughts into the back of her head and got back to business. "Well, do you want my help or not?"
"I…er…yeah, sure. Then maybe I can stop getting into trouble with you."
Jenna smiled a reassuring smile at him, and he returned it. She sat down on the bed and motioned for him to do likewise. "First you need to understand what you are doing."
"Apparently I'm broadcasting." Vash said sarcastically.
"Yes you are. Did no one teach you to even shield?" she asked him.
He shook his head, "Not really."
Jenna bit a knuckle as she thought about how to start the lessons. She looked back at him, "Do you even know how you are broadcasting?"
Again Vash shook his head.
"Alright then, we start at the beginning." She positioned herself closer, making Vash just a little nervous. She didn't seem to notice.
"Ok, I want you to close your eyes and concentrate on you."
"On me?" he questioned.
"Yes you. If you don't know where your thoughts are coming from, how are you supposed to control where they are going to?"
"Good point." He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on what was happening in his mind, but all he seemed to be able to think about was the warmth of her body that was so close to his. Mentally he sheed his head and tried again, this time doing a little better.
"I'm going to show you how it works. It's easier to understand than if I just tried to explain it." She placed her hands on either side of his head.
Vash took a deep breath, breathing in her intoxicating scent. "You ready?" she whispered.
Vash nodded slightly.
"Ok." she replied. Taking her own deep breath, Jenna closed her eyes and showed him how to shield by allowing him into her own mind. It was dangerous, she knew. Too many things could be unlocked that neither one of them wanted to share, but it was the fastest way to explain to him how shielding was done, and how to do it right. Jenna showed Vash how to find his own power, and to imagine a shield wrapped around his mind in order to create it.
Jenna released her hold on him and opened her eyes. Vash simultaneously opened his as well. She could see that he was a bit perplexed at what she just showed him, and a bit overwhelmed.
"Don't worry. I can show you again. It's really not that hard once you get the hang of it. Eventually you'll be able to do it subconsciously." She cocked her head to one side, her eyebrows coming together in an expression of concern, "What's wrong?"
While she had been talking Vash had began remembering. Remembering a time when some one else had begun to teach him the same thing. When things were simple. Before the Great Fall, before…"Hmm?" he blinked back to reality, "What did you say?"
"Are you ok?" she repeated the question, he could see worry in her eyes.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About the past?"
"Yeah. Some one else tried to show me this once before. Once when I was younger."
Jenna quirked him a half smile, "Really? Just earlier you said no one had." He got a guilty look on his face and shrugged. She decided to let it drop. "Why didn't it take?"
Vash looked her in the eye for a moment, the pain she saw before he looked away made the smile disappear, and her heart ache for him.
"We were interrupted, and it wasn't possible to finish." Vash tried to hide the emotion from his voice, but he knew she had heard it. Her eyes told him so. She can read me like a book, even without reading my mind. He hoped that he had done his shielding right, because he really didn't want her to hear the thoughts and memories that were now cycling through his head.
Jenna placed a comforting hand over his, smiled, and then stood up. "If you need anymore help, or want me to show you again, let me know." She said quietly and walked to the door and opened it. Turning back around she looked at Vash over her shoulder, "Goodnight Vash. I hope you sleep well. If you ever need anything, I'm right across the hall." Then she gave him a reassuring smile, "See you in the morning." Jenna left, closing the door behind her.
Vash sat in silence with his head in his hands and his thoughts tumbling over themselves. Did she not hear? Or did I block it? She didn't ask me this time. What did she mean 'I hope you sleep well?' Does she know about the nightmares? Or does she know because she has her own? He shook his head to clear it, stood up and finished packing. Vash got ready for bed, turned out the light and flopped onto the mattress and tried to sleep. It was a very long time before sleep came to him.
He opened his eyes and squinted in the bright light.
"Finally awake are we Vash?" she giggled. "I thought you were going to sleep forever!"
He turned his head to see where she was and saw her back to him, black hair blowing in the slight breeze.
He smiled, "Sorry Rem. I was having a really weird dream about this world and these people. And I saved this woman with the deepest eyes I've ever seen that seemed to look directly into your soul." He looked back at the bright sky, covering his eyes with his arm, and smiled, "I think you would have liked her. She loved life as much as you do."
Rem giggled again, "Oh Vash, you have such a wonderful imagination! Don't ever loose it."
"Thanks Rem. I'll try not too." his smiled broadened. Then he froze. The atmosphere had changed. He didn't see it happen, but he felt it. He sat up and turned to look for her, but she was gone. Vash looked around and saw he was back in the escape pod, "Rem!" he called. "Rem where are you!"
"Vash!" he turned at the sound of her voice and saw the door closing. He got up and ran to it and saw her through the crack, dressed in a space suit. "Vash, take care of knives!"
"Rem no! Don't go! REM!" The door closed, and the pod was launched. He watched in horror as the SEEDS ship blew up with Rem still aboard. Then he heard the laughter. That maniacal laughter that could only belong to him. The room went dark, but the laughter never stopped. "Knives! Knives stop! Please! Stop this!" he pleaded with his twin. The laughter only grew louder and more hysterical sounding. Vash put his hands over his ears and yelled, "STOP!" and woke himself up.
Panting, Vash looked around the hotel room with panic still in his wide eyes until he remembered where he was. Though the nightmare was over, traces of the laughter remained to haunt him. He turned and looked out the window to see the dark of night beginning to lighten with the edge of dawn. He knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so he got up and got into the shower. Getting dressed he decided to go for a walk to clear his head and to see if he couldn't find something for breakfast.
Making sure he had his key, he walked out his door, then paused in front of Jenna's. "If you ever need anything, I'm right across the hall." The memory of what she said the night before surfaced in his muddled brain. He stood debating whether or not to take her up on her offer, he even went so far as to grab the door knob. Vash leaned his head against her door. Damn it! What the hell am I doing? He thought to himself. She can't ever find out. He'll kill her too. Letting out his breath he made his way down the stairs and out into the street. Taking a deep breath of the pre-dawn air, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and began to walk towards the bakery, hoping it would be open. Vash was in luck, the baker was just opening up his shop.
"Hello sir!" Vash called out cheerily, putting on his idiotic grin that he always used to hide himself from the world.
The baker looked up from pulling out the first loaves of bread from the oven and smiled back, "Well hello! It's been a while since I've had a customer this early in the morning!" He placed the newly baked bread on the counter next to the oven. Wiping his hands on his apron he asked, "What can I do for you?"
"I am leaving early this morning so I thought I would come and beat the crowds. I would like a whole box of your freshest donuts please!"
The baker smiled. "I just finished the new batch." and he left to get Vash his box.
Vash waved and said "Thank you" to the baker as he left the shop, his precious cargo safe in his arms. "Mmmm! Warm donuts! That's the best thing in the world!" He opened the box and inhaled the sweet aroma of its contents. "Just the thing to start the day with! Oh boy!" He began to stuff his face with his favorite food.
Ten minutes, and half a box later, he was approaching the door to the hotel when some one yelled out, "Hey Blondie!" Vash froze. He knew that voice. He had been too preoccupied with his nightmare, and then the donuts that he didn't sense the danger that had obviously been there from the start.
"I'm talking to you broom head!" Vash heard the click of the hammer on Lewic's gun being drawn back and dodged the bullet just enough so it only scraped his shoulder. Vash turned and faced his assailant with his hands in the air and the donut he was eating in his mouth.
Lewic was pointing the gun at Vash's chest, his eyes not quite sane, "You Sir, are the only thing keeping her away from where she needs to be, with me."
Jenna awoke with a start. Something was wrong; she could feel it in the air. The window was open and there was a breeze beginning to blow, and the first sun was just shedding its light on this side of the planet. She sat up in confusion for a moment, then she remembered what it was that woke her up. Her eyes grew wide, "A gunshot!" Then she sucked air in between her teeth, "Vash!" With a curse she jumped out of bed and ran out the door, barely stopping long enough to put her shoes on.
When Jenna reached to porch, she saw Lewic standing in front of Vash, gun cocked and pointed at his chest. Vash had both hands in the air. In one hand he was holding a donut box, one of which was still in his mouth. If the situation weren't life threatening, she would have laughed at the site. Still in her nightdress, she ran to his side.
"What the hell is going on here? Lewic! Put that gun away, you're only going to get yourself into trouble." Jenna yelled at the crazy man in front of her.
Lewic looked at her and smiled, "Good morning my Lady," he said in conversational tones, "I'm taking out the garbage, give me a minute and I'll be right with you."
Vash choked on the donut in his mouth while Jenna jumped in front of him, "Like hell you are!" she said in the same conversational tones, making Vash shudder as he spit out the rest of the pastry. Her voice turned grim with her next statement, "I told you to leave us alone." Vash didn't know which voice was worse.
"Now don't be that way sweetheart. Let me get rid of this distraction for you and then we can discuss how you are going to apologize to me." he said as his greedy eyes looked her up and down.
Vash could feel Jenna tense in front of him, and saw her hands ball into tight fists. "Your crazy." she says quietly and calmly, a little too calmly for Vash's taste.
He's definitely got a death wish, Fantus said from his perch on the roof.
Or at least the need to have something broken, Jenna added, remembering the oath she swore to Vash.
Vash grunted behind her and added Or something, in agreement.
"Stop this Lewic," Jenna continued, "We don't want to fight you. We're leaving now. It's not worth it. Save yourself the trouble of being beaten and go home."
"Not worth it? NOT WORTH IT!" Lewic screamed. His eyes were blazing with insane hatred as he raised his gun once again. Vash immediately pushed Jenna behind him to shield her from an attack.
"Bitch! You've insulted me and humiliated me. I'm giving you one last chance, leave this fool and be with me, or I'll kill you with him! This insult to me will not be tolerated!"
Jenna snorted as she stepped from behind Vash's protective stance, "Oh grow up boy!"
He's going to fire whether I go with him or not, Jenna said to Vash
I know, Vash responded as he bunched his muscles, ready for action.
Just then Jenna caught movement from the corner of her eye. Damn! He brought friends! Fantus!
I see them, Fantus responded, but before he could take off, Vash stopped him.
Wait! Nobody move till I say go. Vash watched the movement of Lewic's goons in his peripheral vision, never once removing his complete attention from Lewic himself. Vash slowly moved his hand towards his holster. Taking a deep breath, he watched as Lewic's finger began to pull the trigger. Ready… he called to Jenna and Fantus. "GO!" he shouted just as the gun released the bullet.
Everything happened all at once. Vash dashed left, drawing and firing faster than the human eye could see, each bullet never missing its mark. Jenna did a neat set of back flips out of range and Fantus dove and disarmed the men on the right
One of Lewic's men saw Jenna as she paused to evaluate the situation. He started to go towards her, gun ready, when Lewic stopped him "Leave the girl!" he said as he reloaded his gun and walked towards her. "She's mine." he said grimly, with a sadistic smile on his face and narrowed eyes.
Jenna saw him coming and waited for him, calmly staring him down. "Bitch!" he said as he hit her across the face, knocking her to the ground. As she got on all fours shaking her head to clear the stars, Lewic kicked her in the side, causing her to roll away from him.
"Jenna!" Vash yelled. No! Not you too! He tried to make his way to her, to save her, when he felt himself get hit twice, once in the arm and once in the side. That didn't stop him. He had to get to her before Lewic could hurt her again.
Vash! No! She yelled at him. I've got it under control! Worry about youself and the other guys. This one is mine, she growled. Vash could swear that she no longer sounded human. He nodded, turned and fired, going back to helping Fantus with the other men, ignoring his wounds.
Turned out, Fantus didn't need any help. Vash watched as the crazy drake chased the rest of Lewic's men. Yelling insults, and laughing with delight, Fantus swooped and dodged, spitting fireballs at the heels of those he persued. Finally the men gave up and deserted Lewic, escaping from the tyrannical flying lizard.
Meanwhile, Jenna got to her feet as Lewic reached her. Wiping blood from her lower lip with her fist she grimly smiled, "Thanks Lewic. I needed that."
First Lewic looked at her in surprise, then he gained control of himself and laughed insanely. "Stupid woman. Are still going to try and fight against me? I'm stronger than you are and I will win. And I will get what I want from you. Resisting is futile. If you do what I ask now, I'll spare your friends."
"Right. Like I haven't heard that one before." Jenna replied sarcastically.
Lewic's face contorted in anger and he fired. Jenna neatly flipped out of the way once more.
"You know, if you keep shooting at people, your going to run out of friends." She said when she had landed.
"Shut up!" he screamed at her, and fired again.
She was able to dodge the bullet once more.
"We are acting like children my love! Please, stop making me hurt you." he said to her while his gun was still aimed at her. His eyes were fully insane now.
"Uh huh." was all she said. She popped up from her crouched position and spin-kicked him in the face, causing him to drop his gun and stagger backwards. While he was still off balance, she walked up to him and kneed him in the stomach, causing his eyes to widen in pain as he spit up blood. To finish him, she laced her fingers together and drove her fists into his back, rendering him unconscious.
Once Lewic was out, all movement stopped. She bent down to check his pulse to make sure she didn't do any permanent damage. Looking up at the men who had stayed loyal to Lewic she said, "I think your friend is going to need a doctor. He'll live, but he needs help." She walked over to where Vash stood panting, blood making his crimson coat even darker in some places, Fantus sitting on his unhurt shoulder. Jenna placed a hand on his cheek, You alright? She asked him.
Its nothing I can't fix. I'll be ok. He answered somewhat untruthfully. He hoped she bought it.
Liar. She said as she moved her hand to his side and watch Vash flinch.
Turning back to the men they had just fought she said, "Tell him next time, heed my warning."
Placing Vash's arm over her shoulders, Jenna slowly helped him make his way back to his room in the hotel. Behind them, Fantus swooped down and picked up the bent box of donuts.
He had watched the whole spectacle from the shadows. His eyes narrowed as they followed the woman and the blond haired man into the hotel.
"What do you think boss?" asked the shorter man at his side.
"That's him alright. Only the Humanoid Typhoon could shoot like that. But the girl…" He stood in silence, crossing all of his fingers except the two first ones, which he placed over his pursed lips and closed his eyes, letting what he had just seen play over in his head.
"Boss?" the other man asked in confusion, "What do we do now?"
"Nothing." he answered.
"Nothing? What about Lewic? Don't we need to finish them off for his sake?"
He laughed, "Why would I want to exact revenge for that idiot. He served his purpose." He shook his head, "No, I have higher orders."
The smaller man looked up at his boss in utter confusion.
He laughed at him, "Come on. I have a report to make." He turned and with his assistant at his side, melted back into the shadows.
Once they were inside and headed for their rooms Vash looked and Jenna, his suspicions written all over his face, "You were toying with him weren't you?"
"Not toying, experimenting." she said matter of factly.
"Experimenting?"
"I was trying to feel out where his weakness were. It helps to win a battle safely and quickly."
"So you let him beat you up so you can figure out how to beat him." Vash said in a flat tone. "That's the same as toying with him."
"How is that the same?" she asked him.
"You let him believe he could beat you and you kicked his ass." Vash said.
Jenna gave him a dirty look and changed the subject, "What were you doing up so early anyway?"
"I couldn't sleep." he said quietly.
She raised an eyebrow, "And?"
"And I went for a walk, and for something to eat." he pointed at the pathetic looking box of donuts in Fantus' hands.
"I think I startled your friend into reacting quicker than he wanted to." Vash shrugged, and then winced.
"No, I don't think so." Jenna looked at him, "Your hurt more than your letting on aren't you?" she said it more as a statement, not a question.
"Its nothing I can't fix myself. I'll be alright." They had reached their rooms, Vash disengaged himself from Jenna and waved, "See you later." he walked in and closed the door, leaving her alone in the hall.
"Liar." she whispered. She turned and opened her own door and went to her pack. After digging through it for a minute, she found her medical bag. As she turned to go back to his room she caught site of herself in the mirror. "Good Gracious!" she said to her reflection in the mirror. "I wasn't helping my cause any by being in my nightdress!" Jenna looked at the blood on her hands and turned towards the door, "But I don't have time to mess with trivial things right now." She left her room and crossed to Vash's.
While Jenna was getting things together, Vash had begun his own patch up job. He thought he did a pretty well, and since he always did it himself, he didn't think too much more of it.
"You know, she's in her room getting her stuff together to come fix you." Fantus said from his place on the pillow where he was curled into a ball. "I'll bet twenty of your money that in less than ten minutes she's going to come through that door and do it again herself."
"How do you know?" Vash asked him indignantly.
Fantus opened one eye, "Because I can tell how hurt you are by how much of your blood I smell, and if I can smell it this strongly, then I know that she did."
Vash gingerly sat back down on the bed, blowing out air as he did so. This can't happen again. I know this time it wasn't my fault, but next time it will be. He looked over at his pack; I can't risk her getting hurt. His face changed from sad regret to grim determination, Next chance I get, I have to leave her. She'll come with me if I ask her to, I know she will. Hell, she'd come even if I didn't. So I have to go when she's not ready. It's the only way, he sighed again, to keep her safe.
"Your leaving aren't you?" Fantus raised his head from the pillow as he asked.
Vash smiled a sarcastic half smile, "Was I broadcasting again?"
"Well actually no, surprisingly you weren't. It was the way your face changed when you looked at your stuff over there." Fantus inclined his head towards Vash's things.
Vash was about to reply when there was a knock at the door and Jenna stepped through.
Fantus grinned his toothy gin, "Told you! Pay up!" he said as he reached out a paw.
"Pay what? Fantus?" Jenna asked from the door. Then she looked over at Vash, "Vash? What's he talking about?"
"Nothing." Vash said out loud to her and to Fantus, I never took that bet fire-breath.
Fantus growled and Vash slid farther down the bed.
"Alright boys that's enough." Jenna said as she made her way over to the bed. "You, take all that leather and your shirt off. That's a horrible bandaging job you've done there." she pointed at Vash's middle, where he had taped the bandages over his armor to fix the wound for now.
"No. I'm fine." Vash said defiantly.
Jenna gave Vash a nasty look, "Take it off so I can do it properly. Your wounds won't heel with that kind of bandaging."
Again Vash stubbornly repeated his objection, "I'll be fine."
"No, you won't
"Yes, I will."
"No! You won't!" Jenna's voice went up slightly.
"Yes! I will!" Vash stood up as he tried to assert his will over hers. Instead of making his point, he made hers. He stood up too fast and began to sway so that Jenna had to catch him.
"Easy there tough guy." she said soothingly as she helped him to sit back on the bed. "Stubbornness will get you no where with wounds like those. Your still bleeding, I can smell it and that bandaging job isn't going to help you." she stood in front of him now with her hands on her hips. "Now, take off your clothes, or I'll sit on you and remove them for you!"
Vash thought about letting her do it for a moment, a small smile playing at the edge of his mouth until she smacked him. "OW! I'm the injured one remember?" he said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh grow up!" she said as she rolled her eyes.
"I'd do it lad. It would save you a lot of unnecessary suffering in the end." Fantus said. Then he cocked his head to one side, "Why are you so obstinate in taking your shirt off anyway? You'd have to do it if you were to get her in bed."
Vash's jaw dropped, and Jenna let out a squeak.
"Fantus!" Jenna yelled, "You take that back right now Mr. or I'll…"
Fantus laughed, stretched out like a cat, and said, "You'll what?" he challenged.
Jenna's hands balled into fists at her side as a growl came from deep in her chest.
Vash looked at her in surprise, "Did that just come from you?" he asked as he pointed at her.
At the same moment, Fantus' eyes got bigger and he muttered an "Uh oh." and began to scramble away from her grasp.
"Fantus get back here!" she yelled as she began to chase him around the room, knocking over things as they went. She tripped over the blanket as she tried to leap over the bed and landed in Vash's lap, causing his already irritated wounds to flare with pain.
"GAAA!" he yelped as she knocked into him. Fantus used the distraction to escape out the window.
"Oh Vash I'm sorry! Are you ok?" she asked as she lifted herself off of him.
"No" Vash said in a shakey voice.
"Here. Let me help with the pain. I'm so sorry!"
Kneeling in front of Vash, Jenna placed both hands on his chest and "felt" his wounds with her mind, alleviating some of the pain by taking it onto herself. "Is that better?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.
"Yeah actually, it is." Vash said surprised and how much less it suddenly hurt. Then he looked at her eyes and saw the pain etched in them. His face grew serious, "What's wrong? You weren't hurt too were you?" he said as he grabbed her shoulders.
Jenna looked surprised at his question for a minute and then laughed, shaking her head, "No, I absorbed your pain to lessen the stress on your body," she passed a weary hand across her eyes and smiled, "Don't worry, it will pass. Now," she stood up and placed her hands on her hips, business-like expression on her face, "Its time you stop being so stubborn and let me look at those wounds of yours. That's a horrible bandaging job if I do say so myself."
"Wha-What? Oh!" Vash said, Fantus' comment coming back to the forefront of his mind. "I uh, I uh…" he stammered as his face began to turn red again.
"Will you stop being such a baby and take your shirt off so I can fix you!" She said in exasperated tones.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes. How else am I supposed to fix you up? Telepathy?"
Well that would be nice… He thought.
"Now Vash!"
Grumbling, and with some extra help with the buckles of his armor, he took off his shirt. Then he flinched, not because it hurt, although it did, but because of what he looked like underneath.
"Wow." she breathed, "You've been through a lot of battles!" Involuntarily her hand reached out and touched the scars on his chest. Realizing what she was doing and how uncomfortable it was making him, she pulled her hand back. "Sorry." she said again. "Is this why you were being a pain about taking off your shirt?" she asked as she busied herself in her medical pack, trying to forget about the stupid move she had just made and the blush that was creeping up her cheeks.
"Yeah. Its not a pretty site, rather embarrassing actually." he looked down at his mutilated torso and sighed, "Its not really something I want people to look at." he smiled a sarcastic half smile, "Might frighten them away."
Jenna looked up from the mess of bandages perplexed, "Why would they do that?" she asked him sincerely.
Vash looked surprised, "Your kidding right? You wouldn't run away from this?" he said as he pointed at his chest.
Still confused she said, "No. Where I come from, there are people who believe that the more scares a man has, the better the fighter he is. You would be considered a great warrior and hero."
Vash looked thoughtful, "A great warrior huh?"
"Oh yes," she said as she began to clean out his wounds. It turned out they were superficial, and not nearly as bad as everyone thought they were. She continued, "Scars remind us of the past, good or bad, and the stories that go with them. You would never have to prove yourself to them, you have all the proof you need of your strength and prowess right here." She made a disgusted face, "as for me, I have to prove myself in battle for every new generation."
Vash looked at her as she began to bandage him up, "Why? Because you're a woman?"
Jenna laughed, "Woman are able to be warriors as well as the men. No, it is my inability to retain scars because my body heals itself. I have no proof of my strength and prowess. So I have to win every new generations loyalty."
Vash snorted, "Well that's no fun!"
"Tell me about it." Jenna said sarcastically. "There, all done." she handed Vash a clean shirt that was lying on the bed.
As she began to clean up, her hair fell back from her shoulder and Vash saw the scar that her last major opponent gave her. "Wait a minute." he said as he put his shirt on, "If your body can't keep scars, then how come the one that that one guy gave you is still there."
Jenna looked down and touched the scar sticking out of her shirt. She looked back at Vash and smiled a wispy smile, "Because his weapon was imbued with darkness. My body has done its best to heal, but a blow from something like that will leave scars on anybody." In her mind she could see it, going from her right hip, across her chest to emerge out of her clothes and end at her left clavicle. "This scar will stay with me," she said quietly as she could feel tears behind her eyes, "Just like the other one he gave me."
Vash looked at her with eyes of sympathy and understanding. Her eyes were unfocused. She obviously was somewhere else. He sadly watched a tear escape them and trickle down her face. Vash reached out and held her hand. His touch must have brought her back because she blinked her eyes back into focus. Removing her hand from his she hastily wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and finished putting her things away.
"Well, if you don't need me anymore, I'm going to take a shower now and go check on my order at the leather store." she said all business again. Vash knew she was hurting, he could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice, even though she was trying to cover it up. He nodded his head and gave her a bright smile. "Thanks for fixing me up, and not running away." he added.
She smiled, "Your welcome, and your not scary! Just think of it as being a story teller with your stories written on you." She walked to the door, waved and said, "See ya later!" then left.
Oh boy. I know I'm doing the right thing by leaving. I hope she can take it. Placing his hands on his knees, Vash slowly got up and walked over the small desk, took out a sheet of paper and wrote her a note. Next to where he placed it was the flyer for the guard job in New Oregon. He picked it up and read it again. At least I have a job to go to, I'm running low on cash! he said as he crumpled up the paper and threw it into the trash Hopefully that will help me to forget all this, and her. Then he looked around the room one last time, Well, if I'm going to go, I had better do it now; this may be my only chance. Vash put on the rest of his clothes, made his bed, gathered what little of his things he had and headed out the door. He stopped long enough at the front desk to turn in his key and pay his half of the bill.
"What about your friend?" asked the girl at the counter.
"Oh she's decided to stay for a bit. She likes it here." Vash lied. I decided she needed to stay.
"Oh alright! Well then safe journey to you Mr." she said as she handed him the receipt.
"Please call me Vash, and if you ever decide to leave that guy, give me a holler!" he winked at her. Then he turned and left, leaving the girl at the counter blushing.
Vash headed straight to the bus depot and bought a ticket that would take him as close as he could get to New Oregon on what cash he had left. The bus wasn't leaving for another twenty minutes, so he sat down to wait.
"I was right. You are leaving." came a voice from behind him. Vash turned and saw Fantus perched on the edge of the bench he was sitting on.
"Yup." he said as he put his sunglasses on.
Fantus sighed and flew down to sit next to him on the bench. "You know, your causing more trouble by doing this."
Vash ignored him, so Fantus continued.
"She's going to follow you. Even on one of these crazy contraptions…what is this called?"
"A bus." Vash told him.
"Right, a bus. She is one of the best trackers on our planet. She'll find you lad." Then he jumped onto Vash's shoulder, "Running gets you nowhere. It only leaves you lost and lonely in the end." Fantus looked down at his claws for a moment, then at the people, "There is a saying on my world, 'Not all who wander are lost, and not all who are lost, wander.' I wonder, which one are you?" Then he launched himself into the air, calling back, "Till we meet again Wanderer!" and he was gone, leaving Vash alone to ponder what he had said.
Jenna stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed. She dressed in breeches and a shirt, and brushed he hair out, putting it into a bun at the nape of her neck. She put her boots on, grabbed her keys and walked out the door.
She headed towards the clothing shop that she was looking at the previous night. There was a long coat there that fit her style perfectly. She figured that for this new world, a new look was in order. She walked into the store and all commotion stopped. Looking around she saw that everyone was staring at her. Some with confused looks, others were fearful, while still others looked almost, grateful. She smiled a nervous smiled and waved, giving a cheerful "Hello." to everyone. Only a few people responded nicely.
She shook it off and walked over to the clerk at the counter. He looked rather nervous with her presence in his store.
"Um may I help you miss?" he said in a jumpy voice.
"Yes, I am interested in purchasing that coat in the window, the leather one? How much is it?"
"Its 100 double dollars ma'am." he said still shakily.
Jenna, who had dealt with situations like this before, ignored his obvious discomfort and chose to act her sweetest, hoping it would make things better, "Hmm." she said as she chewed on her knuckle, then she flashed him a smile, "Can I try it on please!"
He smiled a shy smile at her, blushing slightly, "Well ok. I guess it will be all right." The sales clerk walked to the window and pulled the coat off of the dummy and helped Jenna put it on.
With a little magic, she tailored it to fit her just right. "Perfect fit!" she said proudly, as she twirled in front of the mirror. "I'll take it!" She smiled at the clerk.
He smiled back and helped her out of it. Then he walked to the register to ring her up. By the time he had finished, most of the people in the store had gone back to what they were doing. Some still threw weary looks her direction, but most now ignored her.
"Have a nice day miss!" he said cheerily, all apprehension gone.
"You too! And thank you!" she said as she waved goodbye and headed out the door.
"One stop done, one more to go." she said to herself. Jenna walked over to the leather shop across the street to inquire about her special order. Her luck didn't hold out here. The shop keeper told her that it would still be at least one more day for her leathers to be ready, and two more for the tack that she had to special order for Cyric. "All right, thank you." she said as she left, feeling a little down.
"I guess I had better go tell Vash that I can't leave yet." Jenna said as she kicked the dust at her feet. She walked back to the hotel and knocked on his door. "Vash?" she asked, "Vash are you in there?" No response. She opened his door and found that the bed was neatly made and all was in order. That's funny; he never made his bed before. Something's not right here. Jenna stepped inside and made her way over to the desk. On it was a piece of paper addressed to her. She picked it up and read the first line, swore, and dropped the paper as she began to run. Two steps outside the door she began to change form. A blue haze surrounded her and a moment later a large silver wolf that stood as tall as a thomas' shoulder emerged .
Down the stairs and out the door she ran, trying to catch him before he left. Jenna stopped on the main street and looked around, her ears rotating to gain any sound she could. She needed to find this thing called a station where carriages called buses took people places. She lifted her muzzle to the breeze, trying to find his scent. Turning in a circled she sniffed until, There! She howled in triumph and ran towards the edge of town.
When she reached the station she was too late. Vash sat at the window of this yellow contraption that she assumed was a bus. She watched helplessly as it pulled out and began to pick up speed. She growled deep in her chest, bunched her muscles and took off after it. It wasn't moving very fast yet so she would at least keep pace with it until it did.
As she came along beside it she was able to catch his eye, along with everyone else on the bus. She watched him place his hands on the window and stare at her wide-eyed. He knew who she was even without her telling him, she saw it on his face.
Vash! What the hell do you think your doing? she yelled into his head.
I have to go. I'm sorry! he called back into her mind.
Wait! Don't leave me! She knew Vash didn't hear her because by now the bus was going faster than she could and had left her behind. She slowed her pace to a jog, then to a walk; finally stopping and sitting on her haunches, pink tongue hanging out of her mouth as she panted. She sat for a long time watching the dust trail the bus left behind. Letting out a long howl of frustration, she watched as the bus travelled farther and farther away.
Jenna snorted into the dirt, got up and began walking back to town, her head hung low, tail between her legs. She wasn't angry; she was hurt. The only friend she managed to make and he left her with out saying goodbye. Didn't even give me a good reason, she growled, making the people around her jump and back away. Then she stopped, and looked up at the sky. I'll make him give me a good reason! She began to run back to the hotel. I'm tired of all this nonsense, I'm going to track him down and make him tell me why he can't be my friend because this is ridiculous!
Upon reaching the hotel she saw the crowd of people outside. Apparently her change had frightened the poor receptionist. First I had better change back! She spotted an alley close by to where she now stood. Ducking into the shadows, Jenna quickly changed back into her human form and stepped back out as if nothing had happened. She walked up through the throng of people, keeping her eyes down; she really didn't want to have to talk to anyone now.
Jenna walked back up the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief. No one had asked her any questions; in fact no one had even noticed her at all. She went back into Vash's room to finish the letter he had left her.
She picked it back up and began to read the whole thing.
Dear Jenna,
I'm sorry. I have to go away. Please don't follow me. It's the only way to keep you safe. Good luck with your knew life here on GunSmoke. I hope you find love and peace here. Stay safe and stop breaking hearts.
Vash
Jenna read it several times, trying to pick up some kind of clue as to why he left. Keep me safe? Safe from what? Loosers like Lewic? In case you hadn't noticed Vash, I can take care of myself!
Frustrated, she balled the letter up in her fist and lit it on fire. She watched it burn in the palm of her hand until all that was left was ash. She walked over to the trash and was about to throw it away when she noticed the crumpled piece of paper in the wastebasket. She reached in and picked it up before throwing the ash away. Un crumpling it she saw that it was the same add she had read the day before. Jenna laughed and evil laugh and smiled. So you did go to New Oregon. She threw the add back in the basket, and walked to her room with a smile still on her face.
Two days later, she was back in the leather shop, this time she was paying for her purchases. By this time, all of the events of the past were forgotten. Lewic had learned his lesson and left her alone. The rest of his gang gave her a wide berth, for the most part, but she still felt as though some one was following her. She didn't care though, just so long as they left her alone.
Jenna walked back up to her room with a triumphant smile on her face. "Well boys, its time we are on the move!" she announced to Fantus, who sat on her windowsill, and she sent the same thought to Cyric.
"'Bout time! When do we leave?" snorted Fantus.
I hope soon. I'm tired of this stall. I need to get out of here. added Cyric.
Jenna rolled her eyes. "Tomorrow at first light. Can you boys last that long?"
She got them to agree, "All right, then it's settled. We leave tomorrow at dawn for New Oregon."
Jenna arose before the suns did. She dressed in her new leather pants, and vest. She put on her gauntlets that held two throwing daggers along with her boots and their daggers. Lastly she put her newly modified gun belt on. During her stay she had added crossing sheaths for her long knives, and pouches for four extra clips for her guns, two on each side of her belt. Nodding in approval to her reflection in the mirror, she put on her new coat, a brown leather trench coat with a hood and many pockets. She grabbed her bag that she had packed last night and headed out the door. Jenna had paid the night before, so she put the hotel key on the desk where the clerk would find it later that morning.
Cyric was already awake and ready to go when she got to the stables. Jenna placed his new tack on and secured her bag to the back of the saddle. Mounting up she said, "All right, lets go find ourselves a runaway." Cyric stomped his hoof and began to move forward. Slowly they made their way out of the stables and onto the main street. There were a few shop owners that were out and about, but for the most part, the city was still asleep. She breathed in the dawn and let it slowly out. "It feels good to be on the move again doesn't it?"
Cyric shook his head in return and shifted his gait. Jenna could feel the tenseness in his muscles. He was itching to run. She smiled a half smile and whistled a birdcall. Looking up she saw Fantus slowly beginning his decent down to where she and Cyric were. Fantus landed on Cyric's rump just as they reached the outskirts of town.
Cyric stopped. Jenna pulled out the map she had purchased earlier. Fantus moved to her shoulder and pointed to dark spot that represented New Oregon. "That's where we are headed?" he asked. Jenna nodded. "Then we go that way." he pointed to the east.
Jenna nodded again and put the map away, "East it is." She waited till Fantus settled himself on the back of the saddle, "Ready?" he grinned at her and she grinned back. Turning forward she patted Cyric's neck, "Alright Big Guy, lets do this. YA!" she yelled as she kicked his flanks.
Cyric leapt from standing still into a full gallop, the powerful unicorn quickly picking up speed with every stride. Nothing could out distance a unicorn in full gallop, not even that horseless carriage called a bus. Jenna smiled a grim smile I'm coming Pin head, and when I get there, you had better have some answers!