Disclaimer: Trigun is sadly enough not mine, or there would have been way more episodes!

Chapter 7:Vash's POV
It had been fairly early in the morning when he had left town for what was left of the oasis that they had fought in. It had only taken him a couple of hours to get there. Once he was there it had been really simple to get the coat and guns. However he was having a hard time getting the Punisher, his arms are still achy and making it difficult to lift it up. Upon realizing that he was not going to lift it the normal way, he stopped to think it through.

On the edge of the oasis' remains the Thomas the bays impatiently and he suddenly smiles realizing that he can use the Thomas to carry the Punisher. Walking over to it, he grabs its reins, and returns to where he has the Punisher. After mounting up he grabs it and returns to the city, he has packed the red coat into the saddle bag, preferring not to wear it. If he can pull it off he wants to sink into obscurity, though he does not actually think that it will work.

The trip back goes smoothly and it is early morning as he reaches the small house that the girls have rented on the edge of the city. Dismounting slowly, he realizes that his body is aching worse now than it had when he had carried his brother, which is very frustrating, standing by the house watching the sun come up over the horizon, a soft echo of music drifts through his mind.

Hello brother, you should rest, your weariness is noticeable. Tala's soft hummingbird voice floats through his mind.

Projecting a mental smile towards her he responds. I was just on my way in to do just that. It's been a long couple of days.

We'll sing for you, rest well, she informs him before breaking the contact off in the same fashion she had been for years.

Since their landing on Gunsmoke years before a small set of the plants had always made it a point to keep in touch with him. Tala was one of those plants. According to her it was in order to reassure him but he was never sure what she was reassuring him off. There had been several times when he was injured that she or one of their other sisters had tried to get him to come to their bulb but he never did. Each time the one in question would sigh like they were talking to a child who was not listening, he never did get that.

Sitting down on the porch, his thoughts turn to the lavender eyed woman who was sure to be waking up soon. It was time to have that conversation with her, but he was not looking forward to it. Not only was it going to be painful to cover his past, but there was a really good chance that she would hate him afterwards. After all, what reason would she have to not hate him? Still, he had promised her the truth so he was going to give it to her.

Before he was able to think anything past that, Merra chimed in, her voice much like a set of low tone bells, Go to rest brother, bring your female by when it is time for your conversation, we wish to speak with her first. Bring our other brother while you are at it, I am sure that you will successfully do so without any situations arising. For a moment she pauses, he can almost feel the processing going on, tonight, or tomorrow depending on how you view it. Both of you need proper healing, and it will make the conversation easier on all parties if she has background information. Now I believe both Tala and I have ordered you to rest, sleep well.

A smile curved his lips that he projected to her, Alright, I am on my way to bed now, see? He replies with a hint of sarcasm as he gets to his feet. Turning to open the door, he is almost startled when it is pulled open before he can open it. Meryl is standing just on the other side of it, her eyes widen when she sees him but he is not sure if it is because of happiness or shock. "Hey short girl, can I come in?" he greets her jokingly, but not sure he is actually joking.

She nods but doesn't say anything, instead she is just staring at him. For a moment he is not sure what's going on. Why is she just staring? Why hasn't she moved so he can come in? Suddenly, she moves faster than expected, throwing her arms around him in a quick hug and bolting before he is even fully able to grasp what she is doing. Talk about confusion, why does she keep taking of like that? Giving a quick shake of the head, he steps in and shuts the door, as he does so Milly comes stumbling out of the girls room.

"Morning Mr. Vash," she mutters in that half asleep way that she has every morning. Milly is not a morning person until she has had her coffee.

Nervously smiling at her he replies, "Morning tall girl, I'm going to lay down now okay?"

She nods, not really paying attention as she heads in the kitchen for that coffee. Looking down, he shakes his head one more time, amused by the small things that don't seem to change. Walking over to the room that they gave him with his brother, he is surprised to see that Knives is sitting up in bed and that both the beds have had the bedding changed out.

They're odd, his slightly maniacal brother tells him. I thought that I had a temper problem, that shorter spider has a bigger one than me. Then the tall one wasn't going to leave me alone, something about keeping an eye on me.

Vash can't help but chuckle, Milly had taken him literal apparently when he had mentioned that his brother needed to be watched. He should have realized that she would, oh well. "Get a new prospective did you?"

I think so, that and the plants here in this town spoke to me. I have never heard them as clearly as I did yesterday. Comes his twins response, frustration coloring his mind voice.

His chuckling deepens as he sprawls on his bed, "I can see Tala and Merra deciding that you need to be lectured. I know they enjoy lecturing me often enough."

Like when you're not resting? Merra's ringing voices enters into the conversation, startling both brothers. Which part of rest did you miss?

I'm getting there, I can't just drop off to sleep you know. He replies, glancing at a wide eyed Knives. The shock in his face is absolutely hilarious because Vash is sure he is not used to other telepaths just interrupting him. Stretching out he actually finds it easier to rest than he expected, particularly when a pair of soft voices begin to sing, a feeling of warmth and comfort being intentionally projected on him.