Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun or any other anime - I just like making up stories…oh, and this is my second official fan fic and my first Trigun fan fic so I'll just apologize now if it sucks. Sorry!

Chapter Nine: Vengeance

They say there's nothing closer than a brother. I've never been close to mine. If I've never known him as a friend, as a helping hand; can I trust him to help me now, to be my friend, my help, when I need him?

A series of gasps and mutterings came from the control room as the big man spoke the name of opponent. Knives peered into the room before him, the windowed porthole fogged as he breathed onto it. The control room was still dripping the blood of the Captain of the ship who had so bravely given his life when he refused to give up his vessels goods to the fluorescent thief. His brother Vash, stood before the chief of the bandits who was lit up with neon lights on his shoulders and gun. The man was laughing at Vash. What an idiot. He looks ridiculous. Knives squinted at his brother. What exactly are you doing?

What exactly are you doing? His brother's voice rang clear into his mind.

Oh that should be obvious! I'm watching you.

You should be helping me instead!

Helping you? You don't need help. Vash, why are you wasting time? You could have finished him before he started.

Come on Knives I just can't sta- Vash's voice was cut short because his adversary had begun what turned into quite the soliloquy.

"The last time I saw this man he was bleeding, wounded, betrayed and still he was actually attempting to talk me into a face off, with a steamer and all its contents as the prize." He paused while his minions laughed. He grinned at Vash before continuing. "He actually thought he could save an entire ship by fighting me. The funny thing is –" He paused again and looked around dramatically. "He actually beat me. That's right; this skinny, scrawny daredevil in a red coat beat me. And when he did, I promised him that if I ever saw him again, I wouldn't be so, charitable? Yes, I promised him his death. And what luck! Here he is, just the perfect surprise, too bad there isn't a silver platter to serve him up on!" The big man laughed again. "Shall we try our luck at a face off again, Vash the Stampede?"

"Sure. Why not? I beat you before; I think I can do it again." Vash's cool aqua eyes stared piercingly at Neon.

"Ooooh! That's just delicious! So serious, so – majestic! That's real sparkle boys, the real deal!"

Knives rolled his eyes impatiently. Are you serious? You're actually going to entertain the idea of dueling him?

Yes.

Why Vash? Are you really my brother? Knives smirked.

Neon was eyeing Vash critically. "No, no, no. You look punier than when I saw you last, like you've been out of circulation or something?"

"Well, I've had some family business to attend to." Vash said evenly.

"Well what do you know, the Stampede has family!" Neon was laughing. "They aren't on the ship are they? That'd be an even better bargaining tool than a strange kid."

"As a matter of fact-" Vash paused, did he really want to bring Knives into this? "Your fight is with me, so, I guess we should get to it."

Neon gave his famous flashy smile. "Brilliant! Noble as expected. That's really nice. Let's go boys!" With a wave of his hand, he signaled that the face off would take place on the deck.

Knives debated his next choice for a moment. If he hid himself, he could observe the situation between this fool and his brother without being caught in the middle of it. However, it's not in my nature to run and hide. Of course, Vash did go out of his way to not bring me into this. That thought convinced him. Knives tucked behind the nearest door and watched the entourage pass him by. Giving them a head start advantage, he followed them cautiously until they stopped on the deck. Knives stared intently at his brother and the thief.
On the deck, the winds kicked up the red coat that should have lain peacefully around Vashs' legs. He took a quick survey of the situation. Neon stood in front of him, his henchmen formed a sort of large circle around them. Vash could also feel the presence of his brother on the deck.

"Wanna count off, or just draw?" Neon shouted at Vash.

"It doesn't matter too much to me, remember, I'm the pacifist. I don't want to do this at all."

"Now that's not any good, there's no sparkle for the dead."

"Fine then, I say draw." Vash had an expression of seriousness in his voice.

The tension was thick on the deck. Neon's grin widened as he stared at Vash from across the deck. Vash waited, his aqua eyes meeting Neon's gaze. Exactly why are you doing this brother?

Suddenly the sounds of two shots were fired into the night. The guns had been drawn so quickly that the sound of their fire was noted before the movement of the men had been. One additional sound was made, it was a human calling out a name –

"Knives!"

Meryl Styfe flopped over onto her side. Why can't I get to sleep? She stared at the ceiling in disgust.

"Ugh!" she groaned with frustration and kicked off her covers. What is wrong with me, why-?

she stopped short. A feeling of panic and unrest rushed over her body. Something is wrong!

"What? What is that feeling?"

She was on her feet before another moment passed and across the room; she found a door and was pounding on it.

"Milly! Milly wake up! Milly!"

A sound came from the room beyond and after a moment of silence, it creaked open. A sleepy looking Milly stood looking down at her friend, more than confused.

"Well goodness Meryl, aren't you getting up a little too early, I mean, we only just went to bed a little bit ago and I-"

"Milly – listen to me, there's something bad happening; I think Vash is in trouble."

"Well, what can we do about it?" Milly mumbled.

"We need to go help him"

"Meryl, we don't even know where Mr. Vash is. Perhaps we should just give it a while, see what happens."

Milly yawned and stared blankly at her petite friend.

"I guess you're right, I just panicked. Silly of me, really, isn't it?" Meryl laughed nervously. "Go back to bed Milly, I'm sorry for waking you."

"Meryl, have some faith." Milly yawned again and closed the door.

Meryl turned back to her empty, silent bedroom. Right. I just freaked out because, I'm being silly, nothing to worry about. I hope.

To Be Continued…

Well, whatd'ya think? -lisa