Once again I would like to thank all of you for the comments and for your undieing patience. I know I seem to take forever, but I'm trying! Really I am! I like to stay ahead of the game so I've been writing ahead before I update. I'm also a perfectionist so I can't write a chapter in one shot. It takes me a while to edit it and make it and the characters say what I want them too while staying true to them. So with out further ado...here's chapter 10! Finally on the move! 0)
Chapter Ten – The Job
Vash looked at the horizon and then up at the suns, as the first was just beginning to set. He blew out air through his mouth as he pulled the collar of his coat up around his face to keep out the blustery wind. Looking back toward the horizon he could see a dark blob begin to form on the edge. Good, he smiled in satisfaction; It's about time I made it. I almost thought I was going the wrong way. Then he snorted into his coat, One good thing about hanging around with them, Fantus could always tell me where I was headed. Vash looked back up at the sky and squinted at the glare, I should make it there by nightfall. His senses began to tingle, looking to the south he saw an even darker smudge then the one he was headed toward. Damn. Now I really have to make it to town before nightfall. If I get caught in that, I'm done. He quickened his pace, keeping his eyes focused on the blur of town in front of him.
Half way to town he felt a familiar tickle in the back of his mind. He looked up in time to see a large bird-like creature fly over him carrying something in its talons. It was too high up to see for sure what it was exactly, so he shrugged it off, Probably one of those pteranadons with food. But still…he shrugged again dismissing the whole thing as the tickle left just as fast as it came.
Vash had just reached the outskirts of town when the tattered edges of the storm hit. Pulling his collar up as far as it could go, he hunkered into his coat and walked even faster, never stopping. Lightning strikes split the sky in dazzling colors while the thunder that followed boomed loud enough to make the ground quiver. He headed straight for the inn, ignoring the hairs that suddenly stood up on the back of his neck. Who ever that is who's following me I'll deal with them later. Right now I have to get under shelter, quickly. He saw a shadow flit past him out of the corner of his eye. Vash stopped, hand on the door and looked around. No one was out, not even the stray animals that usually accompanied a large town like this. He grunted Don't blame them, as he forcefully opened the door, was pushed in by the wind, and then forcefully shut it again.
"Bolt it!" came a yell from over his shoulder. Vash did as he was told, just as the full force of the storm hit, the wind causing the walls of the inn to shutter for an instant. Vash leaned against the door and breathed a sigh of relief, That was close! I hope whoever was following me made it to shelter too.
"You going to pay for a room? Or just hug my door all night?" asked the same gruff voice. Vash opened his eyes and saw a burly man standing behind a bar at the other end of the room. At least I won't have to go anywhere for food or for drinks! he smiled a big smile, And she's not here to reprimand me! Woo hoo!
"Good evening sir. Yes I am interested in a room. I was just so relieved that I made it out of that storm that I forgot where I was, heh heh." Vash said in his most pleasant voice.
The man at the bar put down the glass he was cleaning and pulled out a ledger, "We have a single room on floor three, will that do?" he asked.
"That would be fantastic."
"Name? And how long will you be staying?"
Name! Think quick Vash! He blurted the first name that came into his head, "Wolf, and only for a couple of days. I plan on going on that caravan. Do you know where I can find Mr. Leonard Smith?"
The man stopped scribbling in the ledger and looked up at him, seeming to be taking in every detail of Vash's appearance. It made Vash uncomfortable to say the least. Then he went back to writing, "Well Mr. Wolf, you can find Smith at the Armed Escorts building near the center of town. Unless you know what you're doing, I suggest you stay away from him. He's bad news. Here ya go. Room 323. Dinner is at 7, breakfast at 8, and lunch is when ever my wife feels like fixing it. The bar stays open until I feel like going to bed. Enjoy your stay." He handed Vash a key and went back to cleaning the glasses in front of him.
"Thank you sir." said Vash and headed for the stairs.
"One more thing," called the innkeeper, "There was a very pretty young lady looking for some one who matches your description. She told me that if I saw you to tell you she's in room 319." without another word he went back to his work. Vash called out "Thanks" and climbed the stairs two at a time.
YES! Today is my lucky day! I beat a storm to town and now I have a pretty girl looking for me! I am the man!
He reached his room and opened the door. Immediately his senses told him something was wrong. Quietly, Vash shut the door, put his bag down and drew his weapon. Muscles tight with apprehension he crept his way into his room. "Who's there?" he whispered into the darkness. The only thing to answer him was the howling wind through the open window, and a tiny black cat, which mewed from a chair next to the bed. Vash let out the breath he was holding and shook his head. Stupid cat! He put his gun away and closed the window. He stood for a moment and watched the lightning dance across the black sky. "Well, I can't expect you to leave now kitty, not in weather like this." he smiled and turned around, "Besides I could use the…AHHH!"
Lightning had lit up the room at the moment he turned around. There where the black cat should have been, sat Jenna, an evil cat-like grin on her face.
"What took you so long? We passed you hours ago! I was starting to think I might have to rescue you from the storm!" she asked him casually.
Vash was practically sitting in the window as he watched her open-mouthed. "You? How? What? Where?" finally finding his tongue, "Don't do that!" he screamed at her, "I could have shot you before I knew it was you!"
She laughed at him, "Yeah I'll bet you could." she said sarcastically.
"I told you not to follow me!" he retorted sullenly.
Jenna snorted, "I'm stubborn and a princess, I never do what I'm told." she added with a sly wink. Then she snapped her finger and Vash felt a slight pressure in the back of his head form as she said "Luminra!" A ball of fire flared above her head and lighted the whole room. "There, that's better." she said, still grinning at him like a cat.
"What the hell are you?" he breathed. Vash had only seen one other person accomplish what she had just done, and that person scared him. Trying to control his fear from his voice, he asked his other question, "And what do you mean 'you passed me?' I never saw anything shaped like a horse only…" He stopped mid sentence and Jenna's smile broadened as she watched comprehension dawn on his face. "That was you!" he exclaimed pointing up.
Jenna laughed a delighted laugh as she got up and walked over to the light switch, turning on the lights. Again Vash felt the pressure at the back of his head as she whispered "Vrifa," closing her hand and extinguishing the ball of fire.
"Yup. I was tired of riding, and we needed to catch up. So I changed to my blood form and flew the rest of the way with Cyric in my claws." Jenna laughed at his perplexed expression and walked over next to him, perching on the tiny desk in the room. "You have wonderful thermals on this world you know that? Perfect for flying!"
"Blood form? Thermals?" Vash asked scratching his head, "Flying! What the hell are you talking about!"
Jenna sighed overdramatically, "I'm a dragon Vash. Or did Fantus not make that clear enough for you?"
"He only told me a little bit. Said it was up to you to tell me what you wanted me to know."
She nodded, "Well he was right." she took a deep breath, "My story is very long and a bit complicated. All I will say for now is that my twin brother Sorin and I were born human. Both our parents are dragons. Our mother happened to be in human form when she went into labor. So I look human, er elfish, but dragon blood flows through my veins." she ended proudly
Vash leaned against the wall and holding up his hands said, "Wait wait. Let me get this straight. You're a dragon, but your mother was human when she delivered you?"
"Yes" Jenna answered in a matter of fact way.
Vash looked at her with an even more confused look, "So, why does that make a difference?"
"Because a dragon cannot keep another form for very long periods of time. The magic contained in a smaller form could overpower and kill the being. I can stay in human or dragon form for, well ever, if I so choose because they are both true forms. One is my birth form, the other, my blood form." She smiled as if that was the answer to everything.
"Oh I see." He pretended to understand, but Jenna could tell quite clearly that he didn't 'see.' Vash then looked at her curiously and asked, "Just how many forms can some one take?"
"Depends on the individual." Jenna shrugged, "All dragons can take human form if they choose to, so we can blend in when we don't want to be noticed. I happened to inherit my grandfather's powers, allowing me to change into different animal shapes, making me an animage of sorts. My brother Sorin, can only take on a couple different shapes. His powers lie in a different realm of magic, same with my older brother Earond, and so on and so forth."
"Different realms of magic? Man is this getting way too complicated for me!" he said in exasperated tones.
She laughed, "I think we should leave the rest of the magic lessons for a later time. Now," jumping down to face him she jabbed a finger into his chest, "I've answered all your questions so far, now you have some explaining to do!"
Here it comes! Vash thought, doing his best to shield his mind from her.
"Why did you just leave me? What kind of friend just leaves a note telling people not to follow them?"
Vash flinched, Ouch, that hurt. "I did it to keep you safe."
"Safe from what?" her eyes narrowed, "Or should I ask from whom?"
Vash flinched; She is too smart for her own good. "If I tell you it will put you in even more danger than you are already in." That's something I can't afford to do.
Jenna stepped back and folded her arms, eyeing him coolly, "You know Vash, keeping me in the dark may be more dangerous than telling me." she looked at his stricken face, "Please Vash!" she pleaded, "If you would tell me then I could help you. Or at least be prepared to help. I have faced many dangers in my life; I can take care of myself. But how can I do that if you won't talk to me."
Vash didn't answer; he just stared at the floor. Old feelings were rising and warring with newer ones. Memories of people who had been hurt, the Count's blood all over the desk and knives waving, the horror of the Great Fall, Rem's sacrifice, but most of all the loss, the terrible loss he suffered over the years. Everyone I come in contact with gets hurt, or dies. What do I do Rem? Do I tell her and hope for the best? Or do I keep running?
He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Looking up he was face-to-face with her again, "When you decide what you need to do, I'll be downstairs at dinner." she said in a soft voice. Jenna reached down, squeezed his hand, and left, leaving Vash alone with his memories.
Jenna sat alone downstairs at a table. Dinner was over, and he hadn't come. She wrapped a napkin around the extra food she had saved for him and prepared to leave when a conversation at the bar peaked her interest. She sat back and closed her eyes, pretending she was relaxing, and focused on the conversation across the room, her keen ears picking up every word.
"…Stampede is here." said one man with a tall hat on.
"Vash the Stampede is here!" said a smaller man sitting next to him.
Vash the Stampede? They can't be talking about my Vash can they? Jenna thought as she listened intently.
"Saw him walk into town this morning! Apparently he's signing up to help Leonard with the caravan rout."
Can't be. Vash came in this evening, before the storm hit.
"That monster is going to help? That will be the day!"
"There goes the caravan." said a hefty man at the end of the bar.
"You sure it was Vash?" asked another man in a brown vest on the other side of the one with the hat.
"Well, no. No one really knows what he looks like. The reward poster only has his name and the bounty price on it." he waved toward a wall with a bunch of papers pined to it.
"Then how do you know it was him?" asked the hefty man, the rest chorused in their agreement.
The man in the hat sighed as if he were talking to a bunch of little boys, "Because he said so that's why!"
"What?" they all yelled at the same time, everyone now speaking over everyone else.
By this point Jenna had stopped listening. She had stashed Vash's food into her pouch and was now unobtrusively making her way over to the wall the man in the hat had indicated. She stopped in front of it and looked at the poster most prominent on the wall. It read in big bold letters:
WANTED!
VashtheStampede
60,000,000,000$$
Jenna didn't know what to think. She didn't even know if this was even the same Vash. He wasn't a monster. There was no way he could have done something bad enough to deserve a bounty on his head.
She laughed a sarcastic laugh, If anyone deserves a bounty on their head that big it should be me.
Looking to see if anyone was watching, she tore the wanted poster down, folded it, and placed it into her pouch. I'm getting to the bottom of this, once and for all, she thought as she clenched a fist and marched up the stairs.
She stopped in front of his door and knocked. No answer. Not again! Please let him be there! "Vash?" she called out and pounded on the door louder, "Vash? Are you in there! Please answer the door! I need to talk to you!" She heard something crash to the floor. "Vash? Vash are you all right? Answer me, please?" she begged from the other side of the door.
He opened the door and stood with a pair of sweats on and a towel around his shoulders, "What?" he asked. He looked tired and haggard. At once Jenna felt horrible for the things she had said earlier and trying to force things out of him.
Instead of confronting him like she had planned to, she sighed and dug into her pouch, pulling out the food she had saved for him. "Here. You weren't at dinner, so I saved you some." Jenna handed him the bundle of leftovers, then looked at him, "Vash, I'm sorry." she whispered, turned and walked away.
Vash looked down at the food in his hands and then at her retreating backside, her shapely retreating backside. Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, he yelled after her, "For what?"
Jenna stopped and turned to look at him, "For following you, and demanding an explanation that you can't give me." she smiled a wispy half smile, "I should leave when the storm is over and let you get back to your life, you've done enough already. Thank you."
Vash stood there stunned and watched her turn to go again. Leave? But you just got here! For some reason, that was the last thing he wanted at that moment. "Wait Jen!" He stepped out of his room to follow her.
Jenna turned and looked at him, confusion on her features, "But I thought…"
Vash interrupted her, "No you were right to ask for an explanation." he reached her and grabbed her arm. "I've been thinking about it and though I can't tell you all, you at least deserve to hear some of it." He pulled her back into his room.
He had just gotten out of the shower. Jenna could smell the soap he had used and his hair was still wet, so it flopped over his head like a mop. She looked at his bare chest and saw that the wounds he had received earlier were healing nicely. "See, I told you I could do a better job with those bandages." He looked at her funny. "You're not wearing a shirt," she pointed out with mild humor in her voice.
Jenna watched in amusement as his face reddened, along with the upper part of his torso. "You made it sound like it was an emergency." Vash said as he shut the door behind them. "So I came to the door as I was." he shrugged and went back into the bathroom. He came back out with a shirt on, drying his hair with the towel. It was Vash's turn to be amused as he watched the disappointment flicker across her face.
Vash sat down at the small table in his room and began to eat what she had brought him. Jenna sat down opposite him and waited patiently for him to finish. When he was done, she just looked at him expectantly, cocking an eyebrow in a silent inquiry.
He leaned back in the chair and gathered his thoughts. Jenna watched Vash filter through what was going on in his head. Finally when he looked at her, the intensity in his eyes stole her breath. Jenna hadn't realized before just how beautiful they were.
"I've been thinking a lot about what you said." Vash started off slowly, "And I think you were right. Keeping you completely in the dark could put you in more jeopardy then if I told you." He smiled a wry smile, "I keep forgetting that you're not like most people."
She laughed sarcastically, "Got that right. Even on my world I'm not considered normal."
He smiled at her joke and continued, taking in a deep breath and releasing it. "I have a past. One that I'm not proud of."
Can't be nearly as bad as mine. Jenna thought to herself.
"Everyone I come in contact with always ends up hurt, or worse, dead." Vash shook his head, "I ran away to protect you. To keep you from getting hurt."
Millions of questions popped into her head. Who was he running from? What was he so afraid of? What could have happened to him to create so much distress? "Why do people always get hurt?" she finally asked him.
"Because I have an enemy that likes to torment me." Vash laughed humorlessly.
He could see the next question written all over her face, Who? He couldn't tell her who. That was something he felt she didn't need to know. Vash shook his head at her silent question, "No, that's something I hope you never have to find out. Sooo, now you have been officially warned. Staying with me could bring sorrow, pain and death. I leave it up to you." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms and watched her think about what he just said.
"All right, if that's all I am going to get for now, then thank you for at least giving me some idea of what is going on." Jenna reached into her pouch and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She unfolded the paper and passed it to him, asking the simple question, "Is this you?"
Vash stared at the Wanted poster in front him. His face visibly paling under his mop of wet hair. "Where did you get this?" he quietly asked.
"Some men down stairs were talking about a 'Vash the Stampede' being in town and one pointed to the poster." Again she repeated her question "Is this you?"
Mutely, he nodded. Jenna sighed, "I'm not going to ask what you did, even though I want to," she placed her elbows on the table and leaned towards him, "There is a man in town claiming to be you. He's got everyone riled up." Vash looked up at her, "Apparently he plans on helping out the caravan too." She casually leaned her head into one of her hands, "So Mr. Stampede, what are we going to do about it?"
Vash looked up at her in surprise, "We?" he asked.
"Yes we. I don't care what you did or why you're running. You saved my life, so I owe you." Jenna leaned back in her chair looking into his wide eyes and shrugged, "Can't be anything worse then what I've done in my life time, and believe me, I've done some things…well, nevermind." Jenna waved away the thought. Her eye's widened a bit as she looked back at Vash, "I don't really think you could have done something as bad as they say you have. You could see Cyric for what he was as soon as you met him!"
"Huh?" Vash asked, more confused than ever.
Jenna leaned forward, excitement in her voice, "Unicorns can only initially be seen by the pure in heart, or children. Since your obviously not a child," she quirked an eyebrow at him, "that can only mean that you have a pure heart, and therefore, did not do what they say you did. At least, not on purpose."
Vash looked at her for a long moment, taking in exactly what she just said. He knew he did what he was being blamed for, the nightmares showed him. What was worse was his heart told him he did it. But here she was, not blaming him, not judging him, not asking the questions anyone else would ask him, and giving him hope.
"You still didn't answer my question. What are we going to do about the fake you?" Jenna interrupted his thoughts.
"We do nothing. I'm still Mr. Wolf until this job is over." he said with a smile as he saw Jenna's eyes widen at the name.
"Wolf huh? That wouldn't have anything to do with me chasing after your bus would it?" She asked.
Vash pretended to think about it, "Maybe, but it was also the first thing that popped into my head when I was asked for my name."
"Going incognito are we?" she said with a half smile, glad that the mischievous glint was back in his eye.
Vash picked up the poster, "Lets just say that this," pointing to the offending paper, "makes it a little hard to actually tell people my name with out a fuss being made."
They both turned as laughter came from the bed. While they had been talking, Fantus had snuck in and placed himself on Vash's pillow without them noticing.
"You think you have to give out false names? Ask Jenna how many she has collected over the years!" the Drake said through his laughter.
"Fantus." Jenna growled at him.
"Really?" said Vash in a sly voice, "I see I'm not the only one with secrets. Why do you have to change your name?" he leaned back in the chair and folded his arms, an expectant look on his face.
"Thanks Fantus." I'll get you for this later! Jenna growled in Fantus' head.
Oh I'm sure you will. In the mean time, he's waiting for an answer. The drake said back with a wicked smile.
With an exasperated sigh and a guilty look she said, "Because my father is a King, and cause over the years I've kinda gotten myself in trouble a few times." Vash began laughing at her. "Oh shut up. Most of the names I have aren't ones I gave myself." Jenna stuck her tongue out at Vash and Fantus.
Fantus glided to the table and landed at Vash's elbow. He placed a paw in front of his mouth as if to tell Vash a secret, but still said rather loudly, "And not all of them are nice either." He ducked and flew off the table as Jenna made a grab for him. Still laughing he yelled out, "Mahiza Rhai!" and flew out the door.
"Lizard breath!" she yelled back.
"Mahiza Ray?" Vash asked with a mischevious grin.
Jenna sat with her arms crossed as she pouted, "Mah-eezah Rrah." she corrected him. "She's the goddess of bad fortune to the people of Curitha, a superstitious country on my world. It means 'bad luck.'"
Vash laughed even harder. "And here I was thinking I was the only one with disasterous names."
Jenna rolled her eyes and stood up. "You are just as bad as Fantus." she said as she walked towards the door. When Vash finally took a break to breath Jenna said, "By the way, we have an appointment with Leonard Smith tomorrow at 10, that is if this storm lets up. I'll come get you at 9:30. You got that?" she placed one hand on her hip; with the other she opened the door.
"Ok, but leave Mihiza Rhai at home please?" and Vash started laughing again.
"Stupid!" Jenna said as she rolled her eyes and walked out of his room, leaving Vash to laugh by himself.
Jenna knocked on his door at 9:30 the next morning, ready to give Vash a lecture for not being ready on time when he didn't come to the door immediately. The lecture died on her lips. Vash was dressed and ready to go.
"Well this is new. Last couple of times I've had to practically drag you out of bed." she said sarcastically as they began to walk down the stairs.
"That's because the last couple of times I really had no reason to get out of bed."
"OW." they both said at the same time.
"What did you do that for?"
"What is your arm made of?"
Jenna was shaking her hand like she had hit something hard, Vash was rubbing his arm where she punched him.
"Its synthetic. I had an accident a while ago and lost it." Vash lied, still rubbing his arm.
"Synthetic? What does that mean?" she asked, rubbing her sore knuckles.
"Its not real. I have a friend who was able to make me a cybernetic arm." He flexed his fingers, "It works just like a normal arm, only it's made of synthesized muscle fibers and metal."
"I thought so!" she exclaimed.
"Thought so?" Vash asked as he opened the door and they stepped out into the cloudy morning, walking towards the Armed Escorts Inc. offices.
Jenna looked a little embarrassed, "Well, when I first woke up I was, sorta, well, watching you, trying to figure out who you were and I noticed that one of your arms didn't have a sleeve of your coat over it. So I sent out a tendril and felt a metal aura around your arm. I was going to ask you about it later but…what?"
He was grinning wildly at her, the playful look in his eye, "You were checking me out!" he poked her in the arm.
" I was not!" Jenna said a bit to quickly
Vash laughed at her, "Yes you were! You just said so yourself!" He got a stary-eyed look on his face, "A pretty girl likes me."
"Oh will you shut up!" she said as she rolled her eyes towards the sky, "Why did I have to fall on you?"
This only made him laugh harder
A few minutes later they were standing in front of a three-story brick building. It had a large sign out in front of it that read "Armed Escorts Inc. & Associates."
"Well I guess this is it, where to now?" asked Vash.
"We go in. And Vash," he turned back to Jenna as he reached for the door, "Let me do all the talking please."
Vash opened the door and she walked in, "Why? Afraid I'm going to blow my cover? Fat chance of that." Fantus flew up and landed on his shoulder right before he entered into the building behind her. "Where've you been?" he asked the drake.
"Oh out and about." Fantus answered evasively.
"Come on you two, lets get this over with." Jenna called from the entryway.
They walked up to the front desk where a woman sat reading a magazine.
"HEY!" cried Vash as he passed Jenna and leaned up against the desk.
"Um, can I help you sir?" the woman asked.
"Why yes miss. I am here to apply for the job of Ace Gunman for the caravan." he struck a heroic pose and talked in his most impressive voice.
Jenna smacked her forehead, Not again.
"Do you have an appointment?" the woman behind the desk asked him turning to her computer.
"Yes, it's with Mr. Leonard Smith at 10:00." Vash answered.
"Name?" she asked after typing in the information he had given her.
"Saradin," Jenna said as she came up from behind him, "Jenna Saradin."
"Ah yes, here it is, Mr. Smith will be expecting you. Second floor, office number 265."
"Thank you." Jenna said to the woman at the desk. "C'mon Wolf." she growled as she grabbed Vash's ear and pulled him towards the elevators. "This is why I said to let me do all the talking." She muttered under her breath.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow," Vash repeated until Jenna let him go. Putting a hand over his ear he whined, "What'd you do that for? I didn't do anything wrong."
"Yes you did. I told you to let me do the talking. Now how does this contraption work?"
Vash reached out and punched the "UP" arrow with his fist. "Meanie." he said under his breath.
"What was that?" Jenna asked him. Fantus was biting his tail to keep himself from laughing at the whole situation.
"Nothing." Vash replied and he grinned and waved at the girl at the desk.
"Uhg." Jenna said as she rolled her eyes in disgust.
"What?" he asked.
"Your hopeless."
The elevator came to a stop in front of them with a "Ding."
"Get in." Vash told her as the doors slid open.
With a scrupulous look on her face Jenna slowly stepped aboard. "Ok now wh…Vash!" He was waving at the receptionist again. "Get in here!" she grabbed his coat and hauled him into the elevator as the doors began to slide shut.
"Whoa!" he said as he was pulled unceremoniously into the elevator.
"Will you please stay focused here?" Jenna asked him when the doors had finished closing.
"Sor-ry! I was only trying to…"
"Get a date, I know!" Jenna finished for him with a roll of the eyes. "Get your date after we get the job please." She looked at the panel before her, "Now what?" she asked, seeming to have completely forgotten why she was lecturing him.
Vash reached out and pushed the button with a picture of the number "2" on it. The elevator lurched as it began its ascent. The sudden movement caught Jenna and Fantus off guard. Fantus squawked and flew upwards, while Jenna lost her balance and fell backwards into Vash, causing him to loose his balance, both falling to the floor. They were a tangle of arms and legs, both trying to get up, both being unsuccessful.
"Vash," Jenna said dangerously, "I would hate to think that you fell just so you could feel me up."
"No I didn't I swear!"
"Then get your hand off of my ass!"
"AH! Sorry!" he pulled his hand away.
"No your not."
He grinned at her in response.
They had finally untangled themselves and were beginning to stand back up when the elevator lurched to a quick stop.
"Ahh." Jenna cried as she fell back onto Vash.
"Oof!" he grunted as she landed on him again. "Will you stop that!"
"I couldn't help it I…" the doors opened before she could finish her sentence. The people in the lobby stopped what they were doing to look at the two of them lying on the floor of the elevator in a rather inappropriate position.
Jenna quickly jumped up, brushed her pants off and walked out. It took Vash a little longer to get up and out of the elevator with Fantus back on his shoulder. As he followed her down the hall towards the offices, he could hear people snickering and could feel their stares. He knew what they were thinking, and the large grin on his face didn't help. Vash didn't care; he was proud of the fact that he got that close to her and didn't loose something important.
They reached the door to an office with "Leonard Smith; Head of Securities" written in gold letters on it. Jenna politely knocked on the door and glanced up at Vash, who still had that foolish grin on his face. She snorted under her breath and rolled her eyes. Men! she thought.
"Hello? Mr. Smith?" she called knocking on the door a second time.
"Yes miss? What can I do for you?" asked a deep voice from her left.
Vash and Jenna turned to look and the man who had answered her. He was portly, with graying hair and a mustache.
"Mr. Smith?" Jenna asked, still a little unsure.
"That would be me. Do you have an appointment?" the man answered.
"Yes we do. About the positions for the caravan?"
"Ah yes. Please step into my office." Smith said as he opened the door and led them through.
Remember, let me do the talking, both of you! Jenna mentally told Vash and Fantus. Both of them just rolled their eyes at her when her back was turned.
Leonard Smith walked behind a wood desk that sat in the middle of his office in front of a large window. As he began to sit he gestured for them to do so as well. "Now," he began once they were seated, "What can I do for you miss?"
"Jenna Saradin and this is my partner…"
"Pierre The Wolf at your service." Vash finished for her.
Fantus leaned around Vash and mouthed "Pierre?"
Jenna shrugged, Ask him later.
"Ah yes Miss Saradin, you must be the one people are talking about." Jenna raised an eyebrow and looked at Vash, who shrugged, and then back at Mr. Smith.
Smith chuckled and answered her unasked question. "Rumors were circulating about a woman who wanted to help with the caravan. How she was planning on guarding it and all." He chuckled again, "Now I see the confusion. You were making an appointment for Mr. Wolf here."
Vash and Jenna exchanged glances, "Ah no, actually, the rumors were true. I do want to help with the caravan, we both do." Jenna answered.
"You can't be serious! A woman guarding a caravan? That's ridiculous!" Smith snorted.
Vash watched Jenna's jaw clench, as well as her fists, "What do you mean its ridiculous! I can shoot a gun and fight as well as any man!" she had begun to rise out of her seat. Vash reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to sit back down, much to the relief of Mr. Smith. At that moment Vash realized that Jenna was not one to be told she couldn't do something, especially if she felt you were saying it because she was a woman. Filing it away for later he decided it best to stick up for her.
"Mr. Smith, I can vouch for my partner here. She is a very good fighter and a great shot. One of the best I've seen. If I were you, I'd snatch her up in a minute." Cause its safer for me to keep her close than make her stay. Learned that one the hard way. Vash added to himself, or so he thought until she kicked him. Vash bit his lip and fought back a grimace, and the urge to kick her back.
Mr. Smith still looked skeptical at letting a woman on the team of gunmen. "First Vash the Stampede, now this." he muttered under his breath. Then he sighed a heavy sigh, "Since I am low on men, and the caravan can't be delayed any longer, I feel I have no choice. All right, you're hired, both of you." Smith's face then became very grave, "However, before you agree I'm afraid I must warn you. Vash the Stampede is part of the team you'll be working with." Then he looked at Jenna, "I'm afraid miss that if he goes after you, there won't be much your partner or the other men can do for you."
Jenna took a sidelong glance at Vash, Vash gulped. "Oh really? Why's that?" she asked.
Mr. Smith looked at her like she should have known why and answered, "Because he is the worst womanizer around! And you are definitely not hard on the eyes. I'm warning you to be careful around that man. He's very dangerous."
"Huh." Jenna said and pretended to look thoughtful. Vash looked at Smith and saw that he wore an expression on his face that clearly stated he wished she would drop out. Don't hold your breath Mr., She's not going anywhere. Vash watched the corners of her mouth twitch. Damn! I'm losing it aren't I?
Jenna flashed him a quick smile and to Mr. Smith said, "Thank you Mr. Smith for your warning. I will do my best to be careful." Vash knew that smile, and inwardly he shuddered. Jenna, whatever it is you are planning, don't! She seemed to ignore him and continued to talk to Smith, "Don't worry about me. I can take care of Mr. Stampede."
This time it was Vash's turn to smack his forehead and Fantus huffed, shooting out fire. Leonard Smith looked like some one had just hauled off and hit him.
"Are you crazy Lady? You can't take on Vash the Stampede! He'll kill you!"
Jenna crossed her arms and took on the air of a teacher addressing an unruly child, "All the same, I think I can handle it."
Smith seemed to give up, "All right, but I will not be held accountable if something happens to you." Jenna smiled another one of her smiles at him, and Vash groaned inwardly, This is going to be trouble.
Smith sighed and finished the meeting. "Meet here at 8:00 tomorrow morning. The caravan is leaving at 8:30. Don't be late. You'll be paid when we get to Mercia, Safely!"
Jenna and Vash stood up along with Leonard Smith. He shook both of their hands and walked them to the door of the office. "Thank you for your help in this. We at Armed Escorts appreciate the service you will be rendering us. We'll see you at 8:00. Goodbye Mr. Wolf, Miss Saradin." and he shut the door.
Jenna and Vash walked back into the elevator and headed down. Jenna was prepared now for the lurching motion, so this time she didn't fall when it began to move.
"'I can take care of Mr. Stampede' huh? What are you planning Missy?" Vash asked her as they began the decent to the main floor.
"I'm not planning on causing trouble if that's what you're asking. I'm just making sure that I have a plan when the imposter causes trouble, that's all." She raised her hand to for stall the rest of his objection, "Vash I promise I'm not up to something. But we really seriously should think about what to do about that wanna-be-you that's coming with us."
Vash shrugged, "I usually let them keep the name until they do something bad."
"Which I am going to guess by Smith's reaction is all the time?" she asked him cocking an eyebrow.
Vash winced and rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, unfortunately. Then I do something about it." Then he grinned, "I prove that they can't be me."
"How do you accomplish that?" asked Fantus.
"I beat them." Vash answered elusively. The doors to the elevator opened and he walked out leaving Jenna standing confused in the elevator. Waving to the secretary Vash called out "Later!" and walked through the exit, putting his sunglasses on as he went.
Jenna jumped out of the elevator just as the doors began to close and ran to catch up. "What do you mean you beat them?" she asked him when she reached him.
Vash shrugged, "I am the Huminoid Typhoon, able to get out of any situation. Which would pretty much mean I'm invincible right?"
"Yeah…" she answered slowly.
"If I'm so unstoppable then reason should suggest that a bumbling fool like myself shouldn't be able to beat me."
"What?" Jenna asked, not sure where his logic was going.
"If I can beat who ever it is pretending to be me, then they obviously can't be me because I beat them." he finished proudly.
Fantus began laughing, "Makes sense to me. Show them they can't be you because they aren't unstoppable. Very nice." he said patting Vash on the shoulder.
"Thank you my green friend." Vash's stomach rumbled and he remembered that he hadn't had breakfast yet. "All this thinking has emptied my reserves. I'm hungry, lets go get something yummy to eat!"
"Emptied your brain is more like it." Jenna mumbled under her breath, still trying to puzzle out her friends logic..
"What?" Fantus and Vash both asked her.
"Nothing." she replied shaking her head and giving up, "Lets go get some food."
"Yay!"
"Woo hoo!"
"You guys are idiots." she said smiling.
"Yeah, but you know you love us!" said Vash, winking at her. "C'mon!" he grabbed her arm and began to haul her off down the street to find, what else, a donut shop.
All the rest of that day they spent wandering around the town. Curiously, Jenna watched as the people went about their business, and noticed that everyone seemed to be just a little bit on edge. When she voiced it out loud, Vash just shrugged.
"Must be because Vash, er, the imposter is here." said Fantus.
Jenna watched Vash flinch and turn away after Fantus' comment. She put a comforting hand on his shoulder and was rewarded with a small smile. "C'mon goof, I'll buy you a drink."
Instantly the smile turned to a large grin. "All right!" Then he poked a shocked Fantus in the nose, "And you said she was against drinking! HA!"
Fantus snapped his teeth in front of Vash's finger. Vash yelped and pulled his hand back quickly. Fantus' eyes narrowed as he watched the two begin their usual bantering, trying to confirm his already arising suspicions.
"I am," she answered smiling, "but I've been around long enough to know when some one could use one, so just this once. But!" she paused and stuck a finger in his face, "NO, I mean absolutely NO getting drunk! We have a big job to do tomorrow and I want your wits about you when we leave. You got that Pierre!"
Vash Looked at her funny a moment, then straightened and saluted her, "Yes Ma'am!"
Jenna tried to be the stern general that she was known for being, but something about him standing there at attention in his flamboyant red coat and spiky blond hair made her laugh. She lost all of her control and just laughed at him, Fantus joining her.
"C'mon, lets go." she said as she wiped away her tears of mirth.
"It wasn't that funny." Vash whined as they began to walk their way towards their hotel where the only bar in town was.
"Yes, Vash, it was." she said, trying to control her laughter that was threatening to spill forth again.
"How is it that funny?" he asked her, looking at her suspiciously.
She just shook her head, "Vash, you wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain it to you."
"Maybe if we got him drunk he might get it!" asked Fantus slyly
Jenna made a grab for him, but being on Vash's higher shoulder, Fantus easily dodged her and laughed.
"Didn't you just hear what I said lizard breath! No getting drunk!" Jenna yelled at him.
"Fine." Fantus grumbled as he settled himself back on Vash's shoulder just in time for them to enter into the hotel.
The common room was smoky from way too many cigarettes, and it smelled greatly of beer, and unwashed bodies, but mostly, fear. Jenna and Fantus' sensitive noses sent the rest of their senses reeling. Fantus covered his snout with both hands and buried his face in Vash's collar. Jenna covered her mouth and desperately tried to keep from throwing up.
"You guys ok?" Vash asked then.
He felt Fantus shake his head "No," but it was Jenna who answered.
"UHG!" she said through her hand, "You would think after five thousand years of traveling with armies, groups of mercenaries, and sleeping in the worst kinds of hovels you'd get used to this kind of stuff!"
Vash looked at her quizzically, "What's wrong with you two?"
"The smell! It's a bit over powering."
Vash looked at her like she was crazy.
"Remember all that 'heightened senses' stuff I was telling you about in that last town?" he nodded slowly, "Well this is it. What you are smelling is ten times as bad for me and Fantus!"
A dawning light seemed to creep into his eyes and he nodded his head with an understanding "Oh."
"Lets get you that drink I promised and get out of this stinking Hell hole!" Jenna said.
Vash looked at her shocked at what had just come out of her mouth. Before he got to say anything about it she was dragging him through the crowd of bodies towards the bar.
Vash pulled her back. They were in a large group of men, presumably the rest of the guards for the caravan, all of which were looking at the new commers very suspicously. It was making Vash very nervous. Just then he decided he could do with out the alcohol.
Pulling Jenna close and spoke right into her ear so she could hear him over the noise, "Jen, if its that bad for you and Fantus, lets go ahead up stairs. I like to drink with fewer people around anyway."
Jenna turned to look him the face with that determined stare of hers, but before she could mutter a word he clapped his hand over mouth and leaned in again, "You can owe me that drink later. Right now you both look like you are going to pass out." Vash looked around the room and Jenna could tell he was beginning to feel uncomfortable, "I think we are starting to draw too much attention to ourselves."
She nodded in understanding and allowed him to take her by the hand and lead her to their rooms and away from the miasma and commotion down stairs.
Once safely away in her own room Jenna let go of Vash's hand and ran to the window, flinging it open and letting the fresh evening air rush over her. Fantus flew over to her and took a deep breath and let it out in a contented sigh.
"Much better! Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to go check on Ol' Four Legs and see what he's up too." Then he added with a wry laugh, "I think it smells better in the stables than down there!" With a flip of his tail he took off and glided towards the edge of town where the Thomas stables could be found.
Vash came over and leaned his elbows against the windowsill. "Sorry about that. I had forgotten how bad it could get when the room is small and there don't seem to be any windows."
Jenna stood for a long moment with her eyes closed, letting the breeze sweep through her and wash the taint from her. Then she sighed. "Is it always like that for you?"
Vash looked up at her, then back out the window, "Its just a bit unnerving when you walk into a room and everyone stares, even when you know they don't know who you are. Fortunatly, no one really knows what I look like. Those that do keep it to themselves"
Jenna folded her arms across her chest and leaned on the window casing next to him and laughed a small laugh, "I know how that feels all to well. Back home it was always hard walking into an inn or a bar and not feeling the same as you just did. Always the chance that some one might recognize you…"
"…And start something that you don't want to finish." Vash ended.
Vash looked up as Jenna looked down both cought in each others gazes for a moment. Vash thought he saw, for a moment, something in her eyes that wasn't there before. But before he could really see, she broke the contact and looked out the window.
Clearing her throat Jenna said, "I think we need to be careful Vash. Fantus and I smelled quite a bit of fear in that room downstairs." She looked intently back at Vash, the hint of whatever it was he saw earlier completely gone, "Watch yourself, I get this feeling that its not going to be me that has to worry about the imposter."
Vash stood up, mentally shaking his thoughts into order. "I do this a lot Jen, don't worry about me. Everyone's already afraid of me. Its you I'm worried about."
As he turned to leave Jenna caught a glimpse of the emotion that he always tried to hide from her. She reached out, grabbing his arm, "Vash, whatever happened to you, I'm sorry."
Vash smiled a sad smile and placed his hand over hers, "Its ok. Don't worry about it." He walked to the door and as he closed it over his shoulder said, "And get some rest! We're going to need it!"
When he was gone Jenna turned to the window and punched the casing, "Damn it! What the hell was that?" She looked out over the buildings and thought, What is wrong with him? Hell, I should be asking what is wrong with me? She stood up and folded her arms, How can I be falling for a man that I have only just met? I don't even know anything about him! "Damn it!" Jenna cried and she flopped onto the bed, "Fantus is right, I do like him. I hate it when he's right!" she said into the pillow.
Jenna arose before the suns did, dressed and headed for the stables. Upon reaching them she heard Cyric whicker at her from his stall. Smiling she headed in to find him awake and restless.
"You sense it too eh?" she asked him as she rubbed his powerful neck.
How can you miss it! It's all over! I don't like this Jen, I don't like it one bit!
Looking out over the stall door she said, "I don't either, but what choice do we have? We can't just leave him. Besides," she added with a mischievous smile, "We haven't been in a good skirmish in a while."
Jenna rubbed Cyric down and brushed out his coat until it produced a silvery sheen like moonlight. Then she braided her colors; red, black, and silver, into his mane and tail.
Cyric flicked his head at her, What are you doing that for? We aren't in a parade are we?
Jenna laughed and continued to braid, "No, we aren't in a parade." She sighed and looked sheepish, "Actually its a lot more selfish than that. Mr. Smith made it clear to me that he didn't think that a woman was fit enough to guard this caravan."
Ahh, Cyric said in understanding, So we are going to play dress up in hopes we intimidate the rest of the group.
She smiled and got an evil look on her face, "I want no one thinking that I am just some mere woman out pretending she can do a man's job." she laughed a bitter laugh as she finished the last knot.
Cyric knew not to argue with her. This had always been her soft spot. Jenna never liked being told that she couldn't do it because she was a woman. He shook his head and blew out his nose softly. Cyric was thankful that Vash didn't see her like that, otherwise, there could be trouble.
Are we using the usual battle regalia?
Jenna snorted a laugh, "Yea right. Could you imagine the look on their faces if the Black Knight rode out? They would scatter like leaves on a breeze!" then she sighed and went over to the packs on the floor. "No, just the saddle blanket and the ribbons. I'm wearing my leathers with my circlet."
Are you going to carry your sword like that?
Jenna looked down at the sword that she had automatically buckled onto her belt, just abouve her left hip. She thought about it, then shook her head, "No. I would be too tempted to use it should something happen, and that would break his heart." she added softly And mine.
Cyric looked at her sharply, but what ever it was that had just run through her head was gone. He watched her wrap the DragonStone and hilt in an old piece of leather and place it in the sheath on his saddle. Jenna stood up and began to put his tack on. First went the pad, then the red saddle blanket that had her crest sewn into it, silver dragon with its mouth agape, holding a sword in one hand, and a black rose in the other. On its head it wore her father's seven-point crown, a marking of her rank and her heritage. Jenna took a step back and admired her work. "How does that feel?"
Cyric shifted about on his hooves, "Good." he said out loud.
Jenna raised an eyebrow at him. Cyric just shook his head like nothing was wrong. Shrugging she grabbed the bridle and slipped it over his head, the black leather blending into his fur perfectly, making it look like the silver dragons embossed in it and the red stones on the forehead and nose straps were directly painted onto him. "Now you look like the true warrior you are." she said rubbing his head below the horn. "Lets go, I still need to get myself ready."
Jenna walked with Cyric to the hotel, making a pretense of securing him to the rail outside as she went to get herself together. "I'll be out in a bit. I can send Fantus down to keep you company. Got to make sure they are both awake anyway." she rolled her eyes, then smiled and kissed the side of his head. Before the door shut behind her she turned and waved.
Once upstairs she by passed her room and went to Vash's and banged on the door. Then without waiting for a response, she used her powers to unlock his door and opened it. "Get up you two! This is your wake up call! The first sun has just risen above the horizon and the clock downstairs says its almost 7:15!" She heard two grumbles and placed her hands on her hips. Then she grinned evilly. GET UP NOW! she shouted in both their minds.
Fantus fell onto the floor and Vash sat bolt upright. "Good. Now get a move on. Cyric is waiting downstairs for us. I'll be out in a bit." She turned and left the sleep stunned males to fully wake up.
Vash shook his head trying to clear it. Then he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. It's way too early! he thought.
"Damn it woman!" came the out raged grumble from the floor on the other side of the bed. "Why does she delight it tormenting so much?"
"I don't know, I was about to ask you the same question." Vash replied. Then he sighed an over dramatic sigh, "Since I have now been scared witless and am fully awake, I guess I'll go get ready." He stood up and looked at the door, where moments before she had stood, "It's going to be a long trip." he said shaking his head as he walked into the bathroom.
Fantus jumped onto the windowsill and stretched while he yawned, showing his long needle like teeth. He reached up and opened the window. "Vash! I'm going to go for a hunt, I'll meet you down by Cyric." Without waiting for a reply, he jumped out and took off into the dawn sky.
Vash stuck his head out of the bathroom and called "What?" Seeing the open window and Fantus gone, he assumed he had left. Shrugging, he closed the window and went back to his shower.
He finished in the bathroom and got dressed. Vash checked his bullet supply as he packed everything up and found he was running low. "Well, if Jen's right, I might need to get some more of these." He sighed. "I sure hope she's not." He packed what he had in various pockets and threw everything else in his pack. Stepping to the door, he took one last look around and left his room. Vash paid the owner and walked outside into the dawn air. Taking a deep breath he let it out in an explosive sigh, "Ah! What a beautiful day!"
To his right, Cyric snorted. "Well hello there my four footed friend! I haven't seen you in a while. How are you on this fine morning?" Cyric regarded him with his liquid eyes, making Vash squirm. "Well, um, yeah. I am going to go purchase some extra bullets," he said uncomfortably as he set his bag down near the rail, "So I'll be right back. Later!" He waved a nervous wave and bolted for the gun shop around the corner.
Cyric shook his head and stomped his foot.
"You know, that really wasn't very nice." Fantus said from his usual perch on Cyric's rump.
Cyric turned his head to look at him.
"I don't see why you don't like him," Fantus continued around a large chunk of meat the had just torn off of a rabbit-looking carcass, "I mean he's not that different from us." he swallowed and took another bite, "sure he's a big baby and all, but look what's around him!" He gestured at the buildings with the carcass, "No war, no evil sorcerers, no dark god. He just has to worry about stupid crack shots taking aim at him." takes another bite, "He's just a bit soft." He swallowed his last bite and grinned, "Jenna will shape him up real nice won't she!"
Cyric snorted, Just what are you getting at you green imp?
Oh nothing. Fantus tried to look as innocent as he could.
Cyric let it go. He didn't feel like arguing with him, and he had an idea of what he was talking about anyway.
"What she got you all dressed up for?" Fantus asked pointing at the saddle blanket.
Cyric snorted, "She wants to make it loud and clear that she's not just a trophy. So we are going into battle mode. Not that it will make a hell of a lot of difference on this world."
"Well, what ever makes her highness happy." Fantus shrugged.
Just then Vash came strolling back up. "Hey guys. Is she not down here yet?"
Cyric shook his head and Fantus answered, "Nope, Her Highness is trying to make an impression." he pointed at Cyric's saddle.
For the first time that morning Vash noticed that Cyric looked very different, very regal, very, "Is she planning what I think she is planning?" he asked shrewdly, his eyes narrowing at the ornate bridle and saddle, braids and saddle blanket.
"Oh you better believe it. She plans on making sure that that this group of miscreants know exactly what she can do…" Fantus answered.
"And that she means business." Vash finished for him. Then he sighed and looked thoughtful, "But why all the elaborate stuff? Cyric looks like he's about to ride off to some crazy battle, not guard a caravan?"
Fantus shrugged and Cyric said, "Mr. Smith must have said something to rile her up yesterday. If showing her rank makes her feel better, then let her do it. What harm could it do?"
"None that I can thing of off hand." came a voice from behind them.
All three of them looked up to see her standing on the porch. Vash caught his breath. She was standing with one of her hands on her hip; the other was holding her jacket and a long pole. She was wearing a form fitting leather vest, leaving her muscular arms bare, except for a silver armband in the shape of a dragon, with a large flat red stone for a body. She also wore the tightest leather pants he had ever seen before in his life, showing off every curve and muscle in her lower body. Easy Vash. he said to himself.She wore her usual brown boots and at her waste was the double gun belt he had helped her buy earlier, only it held two long knives criss-crossed behind her back along with the pockets the extra rounds were placed in for her guns. Her hair was neatly braided and flung over one shoulder; the silver circlet with the two intertwining dragons around the small ruby was back on her forehead.
"Oh, would you three stop gawking at me like I'm some kind of exotic bird! For heaven's sake!" She stomped down the stairs to where they were standing, leaned the pole in her hands next to Vash's bag, and put on her jacket, much to Vash's disappointment. She glanced at him and stuck her tongue out and went back to rummaging in her saddlebags.
Vash rolled his eyes and decided it was best to ignore her. Instead he watched curiously as she slipped a type of harness over her head and one shoulder so it laid flat against her back. "What's that for?" he asked.
Jenna smiled a wicked smile; "This." she picked up what Vash had thought was a pole and handed it to him. It was a fighting staff, an expensive one too by the look of the silver inlaid within. It was made of a dark wood that was almost black, with silver dragons etched into it, the same as found on Cyric's bridle, only each of them had a small ruby for an eye. The silver dragons ended about half way down the staff at a strip of more silver about 8 inches wide. Wide enough, he realized, for a two handed grip. The bottom of the staff was plain, save for a single spiral of the silver that continued to the base, which was capped in yet more of the silver. Vash let out a low whistle, "Man, you must have paid a pretty penny for this!" He handed it back to her, "If I were you I wouldn't flaunt that around."
Jenna grunted as she slung it in her back harness, "Don't worry, they won't get near it, and if they do, its because I hit them with it."
"Looks more decorative than effective if you ask me." Vash said cynically.
"Well its not. I mean it is, but it isn't." Jenna pulled it back out and held it in her hands. "The silver metal is actually called Silveron. The dwarves mine it and covet it above all else. It's stronger than dragon scales and lighter than air. Having it woven into the ebony of the actual staff has made it nearly impossible to break the wood. So actually, it is quite practical." She spun the staff in a circle and slung it back on in its harness and grabbed Cyric's reins. "The dwarf who made it for me took some liberties when he created it. It is a little extravagant to my taste. Could have done without the rubies," she made a sour face then shrugged, "But to a dwarven craftsmen, the finished product is everything."
They began to walk towards where they were supposed to meet the rest of their group. Vash was still admiring her staff, among other things, when Fantus called out from the air, "In coming!" All three of them looked up in time to see the green drake come barreling toward them. Cyric took steps back; Vash jumped out of the way with a squeak, and Jenna stood and rolled her eyes. At the last second he unfurled his wings to land perfectly on Jenna's shoulder, a huge grin on his scaly face.
"Show off." Jenna said as she poked him affectionately in the nose. "What was all that about. I didn't even know you took off."
Fantus shrugged, "Went to check things out. Our wonderful 'Vash the Stampede' is there already with the rest of his cronies. I think you are going to have a tough time convincing them that you're serious." Then he looked at the real Vash, "Other than that, everyone is waiting for us."
Jenna growled, a sound coming from deep within her chest, but said nothing. She put on a determined look and began to regally march her way over to the rest of the guards for the caravan.
Fantus flew up and landed again on Vash's shoulder, sighing. "I wish that girl would just let it go! Her one weakness has always been her pride. One of these days she might just take on someone who can best her." he shook his head, "I hope for her sake she never does."
Vash and Fantus stood for a moment watching her march off to face the rest of the men. I won't let that happen. Vash thought fiercely to himself. Which surprised him. Didn't seem to surprise Fantus however. He laughed a knowing sort of laugh.
She's got you under her spell now too I see.
Vash shook his head and glared at the drake, What are you talking about?
Everyone who meets her feels they have to protect her. Her family, her people, her men, Cyric and I, and now you. There is just something about her that draws you in, wanting to keep her safe. Fantus looked off into the distance remembering something from the past. Then he laughed, Then she goes and does the same for you.
It was at that moment that Vash realized, for all of his mischievous antics, sitting on his shoulder was a being much older and wiser than he was. He didn't know what startled him more, the fact that Fantus was old and wise, or the undeniable truth that he was right about Jenna.
Before Vash could comment he heard Jenna's impatient voice in his head.
Come on slow pokes! We are going to be late if you don't move your asses!
Fantus snorted, "Yes your highness." he said sarcastically so only Vash could hear. As they he started walking Fantus continued, "My she's in a fowl mood today." Then he flashed Vash a grin, "Sounds like it could be a fun trip!"
Vash ran to catch up to Jenna and when he reached her, she wasn't pleased.
"Bout time! What were you two doing back there? Figuring out why the sun rises? Com one, they're waiting for us!"
Vash and Fantus looked at each other and then at Cyric.
Don't look at me! I don't know what's wrong! Cyric said defensivly
Shrugging they all followed her the last few yars to the outside of town where they were supposed to meet Smith and the rest of the men that were guarding the caravan.