A/N: Sorry it took so long with this chapter. Depression, exams, birthday, alcohol poisoning, and a bad cold kept me from writing.

Conversing With the Devil

The group merely stood there for a few minutes in silence, each pondering what the stranger had said and what Vash had agreed to. The two men exchanged glances of worry before turning their attentions to the women by their sides. Millie and Meryl were slightly shaken by the surprise encounter and sudden departure of the monster, but both hid their fear from their male counterparts as best they could.

Meryl's mind was buzzing with questions as she tried to organize her usually ordered thoughts. The meeting had been more than she had expected, and the danger they had all been in was blatantly obvious from what the stranger had shown them. She had no knowledge of anyone being able to use the sand as he had and the idea made her uncomfortable, crumbling her reality with the possibilities of even stranger encounters.

Suddenly she noticed a tugging at her arm and Meryl realized he was asking her if she was alright. The question almost made her laugh, but there was genuine caring in his voice and she opted for an interrogation.

"Who was that?" Meryl asked, turning toward Vash and pointing to where the swirling vortex of sand had been but moments before. "And why did he call you the Stampede?" The small insurance girl had heard of a growing insurance liability to her company nicknamed 'the Stampede,' but surely this idiot couldn't hold the title.

Vash 's eyes slowly looked to her own, their depths filled with many emotions. The most prevalent was worry, and the Meryl knew he was putting their safety ahead of his own. Possibly the only reason he had agreed to meet with his psychotic brother was to insure their lives.

"His name is Legato" Vash finally spoke, after a minute of watching Meryl's questioning eyes. "He's Knives' personal servant, probably he found him on his search to prove the faults of humanity to me. I don't know if he was like he is now before or after he met my brother. I hope before."

"Is that why your brother has threatened us?" Meryl questioned, catching a part of his explanation. "Because he wants you to see how cruel humans can be?"

The blond gunman nodded his head, looking toward his friend and the big girl. Wolfwood was also trying to explain the situation as best he could to Millie, though by the sounds of their voices she already knew just as much as them. How she knew so much when her actions showed so little understanding was a mystery to Vash. But then, isn't that what he had done most of his life?

Sighing, Meryl took charge of the situation and quickly assembled the group, marching them home for some much needed rest. After returning, everyone retired to their rooms and reappeared late the next morning. Even Vash emerged from his room earlier than his usual time, showing he had not slept well, or maybe at all, since the encounter. The confrontation last night rested on everyone's minds and Millie and Meryl would have gladly tried to persuade Vash to stop his intended meeting if they believed they could. Unfortunately, both knew he would go see his brother, regardless of their pleas, to try and coerce the homicidal twin to stop his death threats against them.

When night fell on the uneasy house, Vash said his good-byes and quickly took his leave. They all watched him leave from the porch, as if this were the last time they would see him again. Meryl's tense form stood beside Wolfwood's, her body and mind both telling her to run after the blond and force him to stop his foolish journey.

"It'll be alright. Vash can take care of himself if something goes wrong" Wolfwood spoke, lighting a cigarette. "Besides, Knives doesn't want to kill him, so he won't."

"Why won't he kill him?" Meryl softly asked, turning her head toward the priest and raising a brow. "I thought Knives hated him." The relationship as she understood was complicated and, with the introduction of threats, had more dire involvement for the gunman. She believed, given the chance, the insane brother would more than not murder his human loving sibling for the blond's stand against his ideals.

"No" Wolfwood said firmly, taking a breath on his cigarette. "Knives wants Vash to join him. Though whether as a vampire or what he is now needle noggin hasn't told me."

Meanwhile, Vash proceeded down the dark and mostly deserted streets, following his senses Knives allowed himself to be found. He was thankful for the lack of human population during the night, making the coming discussion all the more easier without interruption. His brother would surely kill anyone who would accidentally or purposefully stumble across their talk.

Vash turned down a side street and entered the darkened territory, carefully watching his surroundings. Reaching the end, the way opened to a few small houses around a small square, their darkened windows and dusty boardwalks showing they had not been used for a long while. His eyes wandered to a lone light lit opposite him, a simple lantern hanging from a pole. Then a cloaked figure stepped out of the darkness behind the lantern, stopping at the edge of the light, a hood lowered over the face. Darkened shadows stared at the blond gunman closely, as if trying to understand what his intentions were.

"Greetings, brother" the figure finally spoke, the figure slightly raising its head to show two clear blue eyes peering amusingly at the blond. "I see you did not bring any human filth with you, a sign of your loyalty to me."

"Knives, humans are not your enemy!" Vash exclaimed, stepping toward the darkened form. "You were one once, don't you remember?"

"Vash, we have had this discussion before" the voice hissed, the body visibly tensing. "I do not care to recall those times, and wonder what you see in such filth when you are above them. They care for no one but themselves, feeding off one another, hoarding and consuming resources." Then the figure paused, as if considering his next words with great care. "If you believe the one's you now travel with are different, then you are a bigger fool than I have taken you for."

Vash looked toward Knives in confusion, his mind not believing what his ears were telling him. Had he heard a tinge of jealousy in those words?

A low, mirthless chuckle echoed in the air around them.

"You must be more careful, dear brother, your thoughts are slipping" the figure spoke. "Do you truly believe I would be jealous of those creatures? And jealousy, one of those foolish humans emotions you seem so intent on keeping alive. Such detestable creatures to have so hostile of feelings."

"They're not all like that, and you know it. At least" the blond gunman added, "you used to believe so." The last few words came out as a whisper, as if Vash himself hardly believed what he was saying. The time seemed so long ago since they had been playing in the streets with other children their age, the sun shining brightly over them like a watchful parent.

"I was weak" the figure countered, turning from the blond. "And I see you still are, so I believe we have nothing left to discuss. But maybe soon you'll change your mind." With that mysterious statement, the cloaked form disappeared into the darkness before Vash could stop him.

Vash looked sadly at where his brother had stood, a heated breeze releasing the tears he had managed to hold in his eyes during their conversation. He'd failed again to change his sibling's mind, an exact repetition of each of their encounters. His shoulders slumped in weariness as he slowly turned away from the darkened shadows. He trudged back to the house forlornly, his head hung low and his attention deep in his thoughts.

Meryl was sitting on the porch when she saw Vash come in sight of the house. She knew by his posture the talk had not gone as well as he'd hoped. Watching silently as he reached the edge of the boards, he gave her a small smile before sitting down on one of the plank steps. With his back now turned to her, the small insurance girl had time to register what she had seen in his eyes. Pain and disappointment had been reflected in his aqua-green eyes, emotions she never thought to see on his face. She stood and moved over to his distraught form, seating herself a step above his person.

Vash felt her move closer, her silent effort to comfort him giving a thrill to his saddened heart. He felt infinitely grateful for her calm understanding and willingness to accept what he was. Inching closer to her still form, he boldly settled his head down upon her lap. Breathing in her alluring scent, he relaxed his body and sighed.

Meryl didn't stop his actions as he leaned into her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Rather, she willingly cradled his head in her lap, rocking slowly as she finally felt him relax. For all his goofy antics and shows of bravery with his gun, he was still so lost in this world. An innocent trapped in a world full of sin, but trying his best to make everyone's lives better. She sighed and began to stroke his long hair, the softness surprising her.

One of her eyebrows suddenly twitched when she felt him nuzzle even closer to her body, his hands moving down to rest on her hips. She looked down to give him a piece of her mind when her eyes widened in surprise, then softened while a smile crept onto her face. The ordeal of the two nights had apparently taken their toll, and his body had finally succumbed to a deep sleep.

Meryl watched as the sun rose in the distance, still gently stroking Vash's hair. The light crept toward them slowly, the touch of warmth reaching them before the rays. She basked in the welcomed day as her eyes turned toward the face of the angel she held.

Vash's eyes suddenly shot open, their normally green-tinged glow now a startling red. Meryl pulled her hands away as he sat up, his eyes blinking painfully in the strong light. Turning his head toward her, his gaze softened for a moment before he tightened his arms around her waist and stood, lifting her with him. He quickly strode into the house and up the stairs, still carrying her in his tight hold. Reaching the bedroom he used, the blond quickly slammed the door behind them and walked over to the bed.

When he gently set her down, Meryl had time to look at her surroundings. Vash had been given the room to himself shortly after they'd moved in, Wolfwood not wanting to disturb him and gladly taking the couch. She noticed the windows, situated on the left wall, were covered by thick blankets, blocking most of the suns rays and casting the room in semi-darkness. His bag had been placed atop the dress to the right wall of the bed, with the door to the bath situated closer to the main entrance.

Meryl turned her attention back to who had brought her here, her breath catching at the sight before her eyes. Vash was leaning to the right of the door against the wall, his back slightly hunched and his unblinking eyes watching her carefully. She shivered when he pushed himself off the wall and slowly walked toward her, his stride leading slowly to her left. She had the distinct feeling of being stalked and tried to rein in the rising fear, knowing well she had to bring Vash out of his uncontrolled state.

Growing tired of the situation and gathering her strength, Meryl stood from the bed and placed her hands on her hips. Vash saw her movement but merely stopped his stalking, standing a mere foot from her location. Stepping toward the still red eyed blond, she observed his reaction to her movements. Apparently she had entirely captured his focus, his bright orbs merely watching her body with an enamored look. Seeing the perfect opening, she quickly raised her hand and brought the fist upon the back of his head.

Vash promptly grabbed the back of his head with a whimper, his eyes slowly fading to the usual aqua-green.

"Thanks" he muttered sincerely, rubbing the swelling bump growing on his head.

"What was that, Vash?" Meryl questioned, her hand still raised in an offensive pose. She realized he was once more in charge of his faculties, but she feared the attack would once more come as suddenly as before.

Vash sighed and walked over to the bed, seating himself on the edge. He rested his forehead in the palms of his hands, his back slightly bowed as his eyes turned toward the floor.

"I lost control" he whispered, flinching when he felt her tense at his statement. "I haven't let the monster out for several years, but I guess the talk with Knives and the sun kinda crumbled some of my walls" he continued, listening as Meryl moved slowly over to his form. He stiffened as a hand slid around his shoulders and a small head rested itself on his arm. Turning in some confusion, he saw the small insurance girl leaning against him. Her eyes were shut and her breathing was even, and for a moment he thought she was asleep.

"Everyone loses control sometimes" she suddenly whispered, startling him slightly. "We just have to move on and try to correct any mistakes. It's all we can do."

Vash smiled as he turned and hugged the woman next to him, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. But this time, they were tears of joy rather than sorrow.

Suddenly a mischievous idea came to his mind and he clutched her tighter to him. Then he proceeded to move back further onto the bed, taking his prize with him. Meryl opened her eyes and shot him a dangerous look, but he merely quickened his pace. Soon they were against the headboard, the pillows stacked behind them and a sheet tossed over their clothed bodies.

"Comfier?" he asked with a grin.

"I guess" Meryl admitted, resting her head once more against his shoulder and drifting off to sleep. Vash joined her only moments later, an arm wrapped around her shoulders and a sly smirk on his face.