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(A/N-Guys, It just dawned on me that I turned Vash into the typical donut- eating cop. LMFAO! X'D
Anyways…I am SO ecstatic that I have so many people who like my story T_T
So, I will soon be presenting art from this story, done by myself, on my deviantart and my NEW tumblr. A gift for you all!
If you want, I already have a few trigun works in my DA gallery. Just look for me. My username is mau5kateer.
Thank you all! Enjoy!)
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"Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Rem sighed in relief as she closed her flimsy, worn paperback. She and the boys had finally finished the whole story. It had been over a period of a few days, Rem lost count. The way it was written made her tongue feel tired and sore. People just didn't speak like that anymore.
"That's such a sad story, Rem." Vash said, his eyes wide and eyebrows drawn tightly together. Knives nodded in agreement, but had no comment. Rem smiled, Vash was the sensitive one out of the two of them.
"Yes, but it's also inspiring in a way." Rem responded, setting the book aside in the grass.
"How so?" Knives asked, leaning in closer simultaneously with Vash. Rem giggled quietly. They were both so inquisitive and eager children. She laughed that they'd take her of all people so seriously. She knew sometimes people thought her beliefs were a bit silly. She didn't want to give the boys the wrong idea about anything. She struggled to find the right words appropriate for such impressionable boys.
"Well," she began slowly, gathering her thoughts as she directed her eyes at the synthetic sky.
"The Capulets and the Montagues were feuding families. Despite all the hatred instilled in them, they were able to put that aside and love each other for who they were. It's very sad that they had to die before their families could see that their hate was wrong."
Rem paused and looked back at the two blonde headed children. They hung on to her every word.
"They say love conquers all. So it was 'Love' that stopped the families from fighting. You see, even if people pass away, their loving actions can continue to change the world."
Rem suppressed a fit of laughter as the boys sat silent. She wasn't sure if they were confused, or thinking of a proper response. She brushed her hair back behind her ear nervously.
"You two must think i'm silly." She laughed.
Knives smiled, "You're not silly Rem."
"Yeah, you're not silly! You're smart!" Vash agreed wholeheartedly.
"You've been in love, right Rem?" he asked, resting his head on his palm.
Rem smiled, running one hand through Vash's blonde spikes.
"Of course." She said. "I may have told you about him. It's still kind of hard to talk about him. I wouldn't like it if you two saw me cry."
She laughed again.
Vash realized he really never did see Rem cry, ever. Even though she's had bad things happen to her, and lost people she loved, she still put on a big smile and joked and laughed about everything.
But Vash always saw it. Her sad smiles, and sad laughs. Especially when she spoke of the past back on Earth, and this man, Alex. It was a sadness Vash couldn't even fathom.
"I loved Alex very much. When I lost him, I didn't know what to do without him there with me. I was frightened, and alone, but then I realized I was given a second chance, because I was still alive. It was my chance to carry on with the life I was given. It would be selfish of me to just give up. Alex would be counting on me to carry on no matter what. That's why I believe love conquers all. It's like a ripple in the water, reverberating through time, endlessly."
She paused again; she didn't want to lose the boys attention by talking so much.
"How do you know when you're in love?" Vash spoke up again, afraid to ask Rem anymore about Alex. He really didn't want t make her cry…
Rem repositioned herself on the grass, sitting more comfortably. She looked each of them in the eye.
"Well, love is a lot different than feeling attracted towards someone for their looks, but they can be mistaken for the same thing. True love is unmistakable. Your heart beats fast when you're near them. And when you're away from them, you can't stop thinking about them." She paused again. "When you love someone, you can't imagine how your life would be without them."
"I can't imagine life without you." Vash said.
Rem looked down at both the boys smile up at her.
"I can't imagine life without you two either." She laughed, wiping a small tear from the corner of her eye.
"I love you boys very much, but that's a different kind of love."
"Will I ever love?" Vash wondered.
"Ew! Love girls? Yuck…" Knives protested, making a gagging gesture that made Rem laugh.
"Don't worry, someday you boys will understand." Rem picked up her book and stretched her legs. She had been sitting there reading for hours it seems.
"Let's go get some lunch." She sighed. The boys were happy to oblige.
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Meryl awoke in the middle of the night; again. She sat upright, trying to catch her breath. Her mouth felt full of cotton as she struggled to wet her dry lips.
That dream; or rather, that nightmare she had returned. The one where she watches as Vash guns her down. It was so vivid. There was no mistaking that it was Vash in her dream. It was such a bizarre dream when she rationalized it. Meryl kicked her covers off her legs to relieve her hot, clammy skin.
"Just a nightmare…" she whispered in the dark. She lay back down and stared at the ceiling fan that lazily whirled around. It didn't do much good, even on its highest setting it never went fast enough to create any sort of draft. She debated whether or not she should get up and open a window. She felt claustrophobic all of the sudden.
The sound of Vash shifting in his sleep caught Meryl's attention. She turned her head to see if she had waked him, but his eyes remained closed as he shifted his position to face towards her. She smiled as he let out a sleepy sort of moan and sank into his pillow.
Meryl took the opportunity to steal a kiss from him. She gave him a light peck on the cheek, as to not wake him. She caught a whiff of his signature scent as she leaned in. She brushed back his unruly blonde locks as she leaned in for another peck. She couldn't resist. And neither could he, since he was asleep.
Meryl looked out the window, trying to judge what time it was. It was still dark, no sign of a new day yet. She finally decided she wouldn't be able to sleep any longer with all these thought buzzing in her head. She got up and opened the nearest window in the bedroom. The night air rushed in, cooling the collective sweat off her skin.
"Ahh." She sighed. "Much better."
Meryl suddenly heard an odd noise coming from the hallway. She thought maybe she was just hearing things from outside. She withdrew her head from the window and heard the sound yet again. It was coming from the hallway. She tip-toed out of her bedroom to investigate. The sound was defiantly coming from the bathroom. She heard the noise again and knew there was no mistaking that sound…
"Millie?" she asked quietly, tip-toeing closer to the bathroom door. She only heard another retch and a toilet flush.
Millie sounded really sick. Meryl flinched at her horrible noises.
Poor Millie…
Moments later, she emerged from the bathroom. She held her stomach with one hand as she staggered out. Her hair was a mess, and her forehead was slick with sweat. Meryl swore she looked sort of green.
She quickly rushed to Millie's side to help, though when comparing their differing sizes, seemed futile on Meryl's part. Meryl wrapped her friend's arm over her shoulder for support.
"Are you okay?" Meryl asked, quickly realizing that was a stupid question. "I mean, do you need something? Water?"
Millie seemed too exhausted to answer. Meryl made sure her friend was comfortable back in her own bed before retrieving a bottle of water from the pantry. Millie quickly downed the entire bottle and tried to regain composure. Meryl sat at the end of Millie's bed, patiently awaiting any command.
"Thank you, Meryl." Millie finally said in a cracked voice. She cleared her throat before continuing.
"I guess I got a touch of food poisoning or something." She said, running her hands through her long hair before tying it back in a loose pony tail. Meryl scooted closer.
"Maybe." She responded. "But we all ate the same thing last night. Vash hasn't been sick either. Maybe you just caught a bug."
"Yeah." Millie agreed. "Better call in sick, first thing.."
"I think it's already that time." Meryl said, looking out Millie's window. The sky was beginning to lighten.
"Just get some rest." She assured her friend. "I'll call in work for you."
Meryl couldn't replace Wolfwood, but Millie deserved to have someone take care of her no matter what.
"Thank you, Meryl." Millie's smile peeking just over her covers.
"Think nothing of it."
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The sound of Meryl stirring throughout the house caused Vash to wake, slowly. He turned his head, trying to focus his eyes on the alarm clock on the nightstand. He wouldn't have to wake for another fifteen minutes. He contemplated whether or not he should get up early or savor the time he had left being cozy in bed. He finally decided if Meryl wasn't lying beside him, it wasn't really worth staying in bed for fifteen minutes longer.
He kicked off the sheets, placing both feet flat on the floor as he stretched his arms high in the air. He scratched his chin, noticing he was in desperate need of a shave. He was holding out until he bought a new razor. The one he had was getting old, and of course, it would irritate his skin. He figured he'd just have to tough it out for one more day. Maybe Meryl would have some lotion he could borrow.
He made his way to the bathroom, stumbling sleepily the whole way. It never once occurred to him to knock first.
"Hey! Occupied!" Meryl shrieked, poking her head out from behind the shower curtain. Vash found himself in a cloud of soapy-scented mist. He blushed at the sight of Meryl scowling at him, only a thin shower curtain separating her body from his eyes.
"Aw, but I gotta shave." He whined innocently.
"You can when I'm finished." She snapped back, yanking the curtain back so he couldn't see.
"But I can use the sink." He insisted, waving his razor around in the air.
"NO!"
Vash ignored her request and turned the faucet on full blast. This caused the cold water from Meryl's shower to run out quite abruptly. She leapt out from the shower howling in pain.
"You asshole!" Meryl cried, quickly wrapping herself loosely with her towel. But it was too late, Vash already got a good eyeful. Vash merely smiled mischievously as he stood over the sink, lathering shaving cream between his hands.
"I hope you're happy now." Meryl said, taking notice to the deep blush enveloping Vash's whole face. She busted out laughing. She didn't have enough energy to be angry.
"If you want the shower too, I'm finished." She offered, opening the bathroom door to leave the blonde to his morning routine.
"Meryl?"
She whirled around on one heel, readjusting her towel.
"Yes?"
"You don't have to work at that place anymore." He said, picking up his razor. He grimaced at its dullness as it dragged along his skin. Meryl shot up an eyebrow; confused.
"What do you mean?"
"If you want, you can quit your job at that pub. I can tell you don't like it there."
He rinsed his razor and repeated the process of bracing himself first. Meryl's heart fluttered.
"I can take care of you now."
Meryl glanced down at her watch; she would be running late if she stayed to think about it much longer.
"I'll think about it." She finally responded. "But I have to finish this day first."
Meryl turned away and hurried down the hallway to get dressed. Vash sighed disappointedly, unable to get Meryl off his mind. He hung his head as he pouted.
"Aww. No hanky-panky? But I'v been a good boy.."
He whined with the likeness of a sad puppy.
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Vash's favorite perk about being a cop were the donuts. Everyone brought their own box each morning, so there was quite a variety by the time their shifts began.
Everyone was sent to different parts of town; usually according to rank. Since Vash was new on the force, he patrolled on foot around the south part, around where he resided with the girls. That made him happy; knowing he wasn't far away if he was needed at home.
Everyone was about to disperse from the station, when it happened.
"It can't be!"
"There's no freakin' way!"
Vash hastily stuffed another donut into his mouth before rushing to see what all the commotion was about.
His blood ran ice cold when he saw what everyone was gawking at in the front office.
A twin set of suspicious looking guns was found, and turned into the police station. A large red duster was also found not too far away from them.
"It's a miracle they found these things before they got into the wrong hands!"
Nearly everyone was crowded around a table to get a good look.
Vash's eyes went wide, his heart began to pound. But naturally, he played it cool.
"What is it exactly?" he asked out loud, casually. Playing dumb.
Phillip responded first.
"Some guy and his wife were traveling here to visit family when they found this half-buried in the sand." He said, gesturing to the coat' neatly folded up with the guns resting softly on top.
"We believe they belong to none other than Vash the Stampede."
Hearing Phillip say his true name made him flinch.
"Red coat, and two huge hand guns. Custom made. Sounds like the legendary man to me, right?"
He asked, turning to Vash, known as Alex to the rest of the force.
Vash nodded furiously, trying not to look nervous. He wasn't sure if it was working.
"Sure does, Phil! Sounds like him to me. But, why do you think he'd just leave his most important assets out in the middle of the desert like that?"
"Its hard to tell, but we think he got lost and abandoned his belongings. Its likely he perished in the heat. No one would just kill him and NOT claim the bounty."
He chuckled, shoving a cigarette to his lips.
"Just in case, we're all on alert for a tall, skinny guy with blonde, spiky hair. We have no other ways of identifying him other than the red coat."
Vash nodded again, fearful of saying something suspicious. Phillip looked Vash up and down carefully. Vash gulped.
"Haha! Hey, you kinda look like him, Alex!"
Vash nearly jumped out of his skin, but obviously, Phil was joking. He pointed it out to the other officers, who took part in the teasing.
"Naw, he's way too skinny to be him!"
Followed by howling laughter.
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Vash had to work a late shift again. It was no problem, because he was raking in the cash for all the extra hours; more than enough to pay for the bills and take care of the girls' needs.
He was always a nervous wreck though, he could hardly focus on keeping a close eye on people. The suns were gone, and the streetlights came on. He passed by the pub where Meryl worked. He could see through the window that Meryl was still there; which was odd, because her shift should have ended hours ago. Vash felt slightly panicked of Millie's whereabouts.
He decided to inquire inside. It was a full house, damn-near. Meryl was busy taking orders at the register. Also odd, because Meryl usually served and did dishes.
As the line shortened, Vash seized his opportunity to speak up.
"Why are you still here?"
He caught Meryl's eye as she handed a customer change.
"Someone didn't show up, so I'm taking the hours."
"I told you, you could quit." Vash smirked, leaning against the counter.
Meryl rolled her eyes.
"Well, now is not a good time."
Vash stood outside, at least trying to look like he was keeping watch and doing his job, even though he was just waiting for Meryl. Since he was apparently being an 'embarrassment' while she was working, it was best he waited out of sight. The wait was absolutely killing him though.
His ears pricked at a strange sound. It sounded like arguing coming from inside the pub. He turned to look through the window as the noise got louder.
It was Meryl; she was having it out with a man, who didn't seem happy at all. Vash turned and rushed back inside just as the man became lewd.
"You gave me the wrong change, bitch!" The man slurred, obviously, intoxicated.
"I'm telling you, you gave me a $$10 not a $$20. If you wanna stand at my register while I count, you're more than welcome."
"Maybe I can get my money's-worth from something else, eh?" the man babbled, suddenly reaching for Meryl's breast. She turned to get away, but the man grabbed her with his other hand to hold her still.
"Stop!" The man cackled as he groped Meryl, like it was just a big joke.
In an instant, Vash saw nothing but red. Vash rushed to Meryl's side in the blink of an eye. Without any warning, Vash threw a punch and hit the man square in the nose. It made a sickening crack as the man flew backwards, howling in pain. The man writhed on the floor, holding his hands to his bloodied face.
"Women aren't toys." Vash growled as he stood over the man."Do you understand?" He realized everything went completely silent, except for the man's childish whines over his nose.
"You broke my nose, you bastard!"
Vash looked around at all the people who stopped to stare. His blood ran cold. He didn't mean to cause such a scene. He did what was only proper while in uniform; he leaned over and put the man in handcuffs before radioing Phil to the scene.
Vash and Meryl were relieved of duty, and had a nice, quiet walk home together.
Vash was troubled by his own actions. It wasn't like him to throw punches, even if someone is an annoying-ass.
"Vash?" Meryl whispered, reaching for his hand in the dark.
"Yes?" Vash responded, lacing his fingers around hers and pulling her closer to his side.
"Thank you. Thank you for what you did for me back there."
Meryl's eyes were wide with wonder; her eyes glistened softly in the dark. Vash smiled sheepishly.
"No, really." Meryl insisted, sensing his guilt.
"No one has ever beaten someone else up over me before." She smiled. "It was awesome."
Vash sighed. ".And I've never beat up anyone over a woman." He laughed, "So you must be pretty special."
Meryl blushed, thankful Vash couldn't see it in the dark. She leaned her head softly against his arm.
" I did tell you that you could quit, remember?"
"Yeah. I think I'll take that offer now, if it's still a valid one that is."
Vash nodded, "Of course! You should quit right now!"
"Haha, I'll call them in the morning instead."
Vash and Meryl finally got home, the house enveloped in a soft moonlit-glow. All the lights were off, except Knive's room upstairs. Why?
Instinctively, Vash sensed there was something out of place. Meryl seemed to feel the same as she opened the door. Darkness greeted her, making her suddenly feel very frightened.
"Millie?"
Meryl stood, as Vash went to flip on a light. Millie lay passed out on the couch, but the sudden intensity of the light caused her to rouse.
"Meryl?"
Meryl's eyes were immediately drawn to the sight of blood. Blood everywhere. It soaked Millie's pajama set that she had worn all day. It was soaking into the couch. There was a trail all over the floors.
"Millie!" Meryl cried. "Oh my God! What happened?"
Both Meryl and Vash rushed to Millie, trying to examine where the blood was coming from. Millie was dazed from the loss of blood. She held her chest tightly. Vash struggled to pry Millie's hands from her own wound. He tried to remain calm, and not panic in front of the girls. Vash could only think of one person responsible…
"He-He came at me…" Millie struggled to speak. "He had a knife."
Meryl's eyes were filled with tears as she held her friend close.
"Who did? Was it Knives? Was it?"
Millie it seemed had no more strength to speak. Instead, she pointed across the room, where Meryl and Vash had failed to see upon entering. Knives lay face down, sprawled out on the floor, unconscious; laying in his own pool of blood.
Millie had obviously fought back harder than Knives.
"It doesn't look fatal, but Millie needs help right now."
Vash reassured Meryl calmly. Meryl was hysterical at this point as she used one of her handkerchiefs as a tourniquet, wrapping it tight around Millie's shoulder.
"I'll call for help." Vash said, reaching for his police issued walkie-talkie.
"Everything will be alright."
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