I OWN NOTHING BUT THE STORY LINE AND THE CHARACTERS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW FROM THE ANIME/MANGA!
Chapter Two
Truth of Mistake
There's something that cannot be expressed in words; human emotion. Emotions of the heart can't just be tucked away in a closet. There's a way to know the emotions. Look into the eyes. The girl lied to me and I believed her. The gentleman lied to me when I trusted him. But the moment that I looked into his eyes, the Angel of destiny began to unravel the truth. Just look into their eyes. There is only one truth.
"Have I ever told you how much I hate the desert?"
"Yes, Alex, you have."
"Well, I hate it. A lot."
"Yes, Alex, I know. And I tell you every time to get used to it because the sand is everywhere. We're stuck with it."
The man hung his head. "I know. But I need water! Now!"
Alexia gave a huge sigh as she placed a hand over her brow. Alexander, Milly, and Meryl were all currently complaining about not having water as they stood before the dried up well of some new town that they had come across. The twins were going to go off on their own again after the events from before, but Milly had talked her brother into going with them. Alexander truly was a sucker for helping women in need and with Milly chasing after The Humanoid Typhoon, well... Alexia didn't complain, until Meryl started her stuff. For some reason, that woman just annoyed the hell out of her.
She opened her eyes as the elder man and his grandson passed them, talking about Vash the Stampede now being employed at Cesar Mansion. That seemed to lighten up Meryl and Milly's attitudes as the brother and sister exchanged unhappy looks. As said before, Vash was the last person that the two of them wanted to deal with.
Meryl began to knock on the manor's door. "Excuse me, is this the Cesar residence? My name is Meryl Stryfe and I'm here to-"
"You guys again…" The voice cut Meryl's words off from Alexia as she and her brother turned to glance behind them.
"You," Alexia sounded surprised.
"Oh, thank God," Alexander sighed in relief. "I was afraid that it was going to be the real Vash the Stampede this time."
Kyri stared at the twins before her for a moment before a smile spread across her face as the door to the manor opened and her companion gave Meryl and Milly something to drink.
"Hello!" Alexia glanced back at the door to see Kyri's companion standing there with that goofy smile on his face.
"Hi," Milly and Alexia responded back together as Meryl shot off her mouth again.
"Hey, what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here!"
Vash gave them a smile. "I work here now. I'm Mr. Cliff's hired bodyguard and I'm his exclusive Ace gunman. Hey," He took in the notice of Meryl's box of donuts. "Is that for me? How nice! Oh, you shouldn't have."
"Does he always do stuff like that?" Alexander asked Kyri.
The black-haired woman gave a chuckle. "Almost."
"I think it's adorable," Alexia giggled herself. "Such a goofy character."
"Hey, Kyri!" Vash called over to his partner. "I think these may even be better than yours!"
Alexander turned to her as she frowned. "You bake?"
"When I can," Kyri nodded as she continued to glare at the man in red. "Ericks there ALWAYS needs something to eat so it's good to have something on hand."
"Well," Alexia pulled an evil grin. "If he thinks those donuts that Meryl bought from the store are better than what you make then I say you don't make him any anymore."
Vash began to choke. Swallowing everything, he looked at the three of them worriedly. "No, don't tell her that! I wouldn't be able to survive without Kyri!"
The woman chuckled and Alexander held a hand out to her. "Alexander Rush, and this is my sister, Alexia."
"Kyri," She took his hand.
"What, no last name?" Alexia asked.
She gave a small smile. "No." ~If you wanted to give me a last name, I guess it would be…~ She glanced at the man in red.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt you, but are these young ladies and gentlemen friends of yours, Vash?" they all watched as a short, elder man walked out to greet them, a pipe in his hand.
"What?!" Meryl cried. "Vash? He's not Vash. What the hell are you talking about?!"
"In any event," He cut the woman off. "You four seem to be here for a reason. We shouldn't be discussing this out here. Won't you please come in?"
"Works for me!" Alexander grinned as he moved into the house. They were led to a sitting room were a warped record was playing for them. "Not too bad of a place," He smiled as he took a seat on the couch. Alexia sat on his left side as Milly took his right. Meryl dropped into a chair. The elder man sat in another couch as Vash sat beside him. Kyri stood behind them all, gazing out the window as if she didn't really care about the conversation that was about to take place. Alexia watched her for a moment as the sun was covered in sunlight. She looked…
"My name is Cliff Cesar. I make my living selling water in this town but recently somebody's been trying to kill me. That could be bad for business and my health. So, I advertised for a good bodyguard. For someone tough and smart like Vash the Stampede. I originally put his name down as a joke. It never occurred to me that it would be taken seriously and the real thing would actually show up." Cliff gave a laugh. "Isn't that right, Vash?"
Vash cupped his chin in his hand with a cool, smooth look. "Yeah, it's me all right. Now that I am here you have nothing to fear." He then broke the cool look as he jumped to his feet and performed goofy stances. "The man that will slaughter the innocent. Does the evil of most evil deeds with the price of 60 billion double dollars on his head. Yes I am that man."
"A nice, dependable guy. Modest as well." Cliff laughed; Alexander and Alexia joined in as the man continued to give his stances.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Milly smiled. "With Vash the Stampede around the people of the mansion will be safe!"
"This may sound rude," Meryl hissed. "But I think you should have your eyes checked!"
Cliff leaned forward. "Now listen young lady, it's very important that I have a good bodyguard. Let me explain to you just how important it is." He pulled a cord and a curtain spread, revealing a blonde woman in a dress standing there.
"What the hell is she behind the curtain for?" Alexander asked in confusion as Vash dropped into his chair again in a serious manner.
"Her name is Maryann Aura Cayzen. She's the granddaughter of the Stantal Federal Bureau and she's staying at the mansion as my guest. The truth is we had an attempted break in about five days ago, and frankly I'm a little worried." Maryann gave a chuckle at the look on Vash's face as he gave a kiddish wave. "I wouldn't have hired a bodyguard if I was the only one in danger but I want to avoid anything happening to her. That is why I need your help," Cliff smiled at Vash. "You and your companion's." Kyri glanced from the window, her face blank.
"You can count on us, Mr. Cliff." Vash pulled a cool look again. "I don't let anyone in my sights get away and my bullets never miss their mark. Especially if it's the heart of a beautiful lady." Meryl pulled a horrified face and Alexia pulled a face as she gave off a weird sound. "Bang!" Meryl collapsed to the floor.
"What the hell?" Alexia pulled her foot from under her. "Jesus, I'm gonna kill her."
"Meryl, are you okay?" Milly demanded.
"I-I know I can depend on you, Mr. Vash." Maryann smiled.
"A lot of people say that!" Vash smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "I hear it all the time."
"Is that right? I believe it!" Cliff gave another laugh.
"Yeah, they really do!"
Meryl dragged Cliff behind the curtain and began to screech about Vash being a moron and Alexia slapped a hand to her face again.
"This woman is going to kill me! Does she really have to act like this? Being a bitch all the time is just going to make so many people hate her more and more."
"I agree." Alexander sighed. "How can you put up with her?"
Milly gave a worried chuckle. "Oh, Meryl's not that bad! You just have to get used to her!"
"I don't WANT to get used to her." Alexia hissed as Meryl continued to yell at Cliff. She glanced at Vash. "If you want to pull out that gun of yours, Ericks, I won't stop you."
At that name, the man looked shocked before he gave a nervous chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. Only Kyri ever called him that. "Well, I, uh…"
"Let her say what she wants," Kyri turned fully from the window, sitting down on the sill. "It won't matter; not in the end."
"Did you hear that, Milly?" Meryl jumped back out to face her partner.
"Yes I did. Every word."
"This is an absolute godsend!"
"What humorous people they are." Maryann smiled.
"Yeah, it's usually the best to leave airheads alone." Vash replied.
Alexander gave him a look. "Milly's not an airhead," He glanced at the look on the woman's face before frowned. "Okay, not all the time." His sister gave him a look. "Okay, she is."
In the end, Meryl had gotten her and Milly to become bodyguards as well to try and find out if the 'true' Vash was the one threatening the elder man. Alexander planned on just leaving before Cliff found out that he and his sister were the infamous Rush bounty hunters. They ended up being begged to stay as well. $$500 was a good way to drag Alexander into anything.
"Where are you going?" Alexia asked as she stood from the couch.
Kyri paused in her steps and turned from the door. "Me?"
"Yeah, you. You're the only other sensible woman here." Alexia moved up beside her and locked arms with her.
Kyri stared at her in shock for a moment before a small smile spread across her face. She hadn't had another woman around her since her sister. For the longest time it had just been her and Vash. "Just going to go bake, that's all."
"Then I'll join you," She then scowled as Meryl's voice hit her again. "Please let me join you."
Kyri smiled. "Of course."
~Lost in the Darkness
Hoping for a sign
Instead there's only silence
Can't you hear my screams?~
Kyri didn't attend dinner when Alexia left for it. She didn't really feel like putting up with the events that were going on with the Cesar Mansion right now. She just wanted to get this all over with and continue on their way. She liked it being just her and Vash…but if other people made Vash happy, then she supposed that she was just going to have to deal with it.
As she laid there in her bed, reading through a book, she lifted her head as there was a knock on her door.
"Ki," Vash's voice reached her. "It's time."
"Finally reaching the end, huh?" The woman stood up and grabbed the Gunblade leaning against the wall beside her.
"Indeed. Let's go."
"So, finally decided to join us again?" Alexander teased as they entered the room together. Meryl and Milly began to converse as the trio spoke.
"Hey, don't be mean, Alex." His sister told her.
"You're wrong!" Vash's voice cried out. "It can't be. Maryann just isn't that kind of girl!"
"How can you be so sure?" Meryl asked.
"Ahem." He pulled a sparkling look that made the twins double-over. "From the moment I saw her, from the looks in her eyes, Miss Maryann has a beautiful heart."
"You're the easily deceived type that cries himself to sleep every night, aren't you?" Meryl asked him.
"Thanks a lot, dream wrecker." Vash growled.
"Do you HAVE to be such a bitch?" Alexia asked the short woman, placing a hand on her hip.
"I don't think she knows how to be anything but a bitch." Her brother commented.
"I know," Milly began before Meryl could reply. "A ghost must have gotten Miss Maryann." She looked at Vash. "You said yourself that there were spooks on the roof when I saw you by the window?"
"By the window?" Kyri gave Vash a blank look as he looked extremely nervous as he began to back up from his companion.
"That was…what I mean was…uh…"
"Caught red-handed, right dude?" Alexander chuckled, clapping a hand on the other man's back.
"What's this about the roof?" Meryl asked as Vash drew circles on the windowsill with his finger.
"He was hanging outside the window by Miss Maryann's bathroom."
"Hah!" Meryl growled.
"Yes!" Vash turned from the window.
Meryl stomped up to him. "Just what the hell did you think you were doing peeking into a lady's room you disgusting sicko!" Vash tried to get her to stop but she ignored him. "You may think you're slick, Mr. Hot-Pants, but you're not going to get away with it this time."
"I swear, it's not what you think!" Vash cried. "I was looking for Kyri's room!"
Kyri blinked, unsure if she had heard the man right. Meryl glared at him. "You think it changes with what woman you spy on?"
"Well, I was trying to surprise her!"
"Oh? And just how?"
"I believe what Ericks and I do in our own private time is none of your concern and nor will it ever be so I'd be pleased if you kept your nose out of our business." Kyri had moved her face into a frown as the man in red grabbed the cord to the curtain and revealed the passage they needed not that the other woman had stopped badgering him. "Now, before you really get on my nerves, let's get this over with so we can go our separate ways once more."
Vash gave a smile as the woman moved down the secret passage, leaving all the rest of them to follow her.
"Your friend there is quiet the catch, my friend." Alexander grinned, happily watching the woman disappear into darkness.. "If you ever get tired of her, let me know. I'll gladly take that." He winced as Alexia popped him in the back of the head. "Stop hitting me!"
"Then wait to talk like that until AFTER I leave."
Vash gave a smile as the twins argued more as they followed Kyri. ~I doubt that'll ever happen.~
"Ahh! Look out below."
Alexia watched as Vash tumbled down the water trough before glancing at Kyri. "Is there any reason why he did that?"
The other woman gave a small smile. "Need there be a reason?"'
Alexia studied the other woman for a moment before giving a silent shrug. Everyone was different. This guy apparently did it to entertain the woman traveling with him, right? Right?
"Great. Under these conditions. There's absolutely nothing that we can do now." Meryl sighed.
"Then you ladies just stay here," Alexander placed a foot on the railing. "Vash and I'll take care of this!"
Alexia sighed as her brother moved down to help the other man. "Alex never does like to be outshone." She leaned on the railing and glanced at Kyri. "If we split up again, I'm going with you two."
Kyri's answer was neither an agreement or disagreement; it was merely a smile.
"Well, very brave." Cliff grinned at the two men with his gun. Alexander was smart and moved to the left before he pulled the trigger.
Vash just stood there, barely moving an inch to the left with a serious look on his face. He then pulled a ridiculous face. "SCARY!"
As Cliff continued to fire on Vash, who moved like a psycho, Alexander snuck up behind him and knocked him forward, ripping the gun from his hands.
"And that is that." Alexander twirled the gun on his finger before tossing it into the water.
"What the hell are you!?" Cliff demanded of Vash.
"I'm your bodyguard and ace gunman, just as you advertised." Vash answered him.
"Not bad. I was right when I chose to hire you. Don't you agree?" Cliff ripped is jacket open to reveal four more guns, ready to fire.
"Isn't that a bit much?" Alexia sighed.
Alexander grabbed Maryann and pulled her out of the gunfire as Vash took care of the stupid little man.
"As requested, I have protected your guest, Mr. Cliff." Vash shot the woman Alexander was holding a thumbs-up.
"But look!" Maryann pointed at the water pump behind Vash. The bullets that Cliff had fired had hit the machinery.
"That doesn't bode well." Alexia sighed as the machine continued to smoke.
"It never does," Kyri shook her head. ~Bad luck. Always just bad luck!~
Vash gave out a scream.
"Meryl, we did it!" Milly smiled.
"Now is not the time to say that!" Meryl cried.
The machine exploded, destroying everything. The only reason the group survived was because the water flooded out and carried them to safety. It was morning as the group stood over the flooded city now, staring down at it.
"It's all right," Maryann was saying. "The dammed water just overflowed all at once, that's all. It's not your fault. It will return underground eventually and make the town prosper again. And I'm sure everyone who had left will be able to return to their homes. I'm very grateful."
Vash gave a smile. "You're welcome."
"Come on," Meryl crossed her arms. "It was just incredibly dumb luck."
"You know, the sooner you get the laid the less of a bitch you'll be." Alex told her.
Maryann stared at Vash longer. "Was that bullet-dodging also luck, or did you plan it that way?"
"I'm afraid that we can't answer that," Kyri grabbed the man's sleeve and pulled him after her. "We'll be on our way now." She didn't like how this woman was staring at her companion.
"Aww, but I want to talk to Maryann some more!" Vash cried, trying to move back to the others.
"I got some donuts for you." She told him in a happy voice. Instantly, Vash stopped struggling and turned around to follow her loyally; she let go of his jacket and pulled out a large back for the blond man. He gave a cry of happiness before beginning to stuff his face, trying to give her food compliments as he ate them.
"I actually like the two of them," Alexia smiled.
"Yes." Maryann nodded. "I could really fall for a guy like that."
"That guy is completely irresponsible." Meryl cried.
"I'm afraid you have no eye for men." Maryann told her.
"Says who?!"
"Someday, you'll see."
"I'd rather not see, thank you!"
"Now, Meryl, don't let it get to you!" Milly smiled.
"Why are we traveling with her again?" Alexia asked her brother.
"I don't think I know anymore…"
"I was so sure that it would work out this time," Vash moaned as he continued on his path, his bag on his shoulder. "She was such a cutie…but I guess there was no way it could have worked out. I don't want to get arrested. This one will probably be blamed on me too. Aww, man." He gave another sigh.
Kyri wore a frown as she moved next to the man. She knew that Vash could be quite the flirt when it came to women but she had been hoping that he would grow out of it over the years. Apparently her wish wouldn't come true. The very thought of Vash...
She shook her head, forcing thoughts like that out of her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about something like that.
Don't worry, Vash," She told him with a smile. "I won't let anything happen to you. They can blame things on you all they want. In the end, it won't matter."
Vash glanced at the woman beside him, a smile across his face. Whenever he felt down, Kyri knew just how to make him feel better. He didn't know what he'd do without her.
"Here, these will make you feel better." Kyri seemed to summon up another bag of donuts like magic and Vash gave a squeal as he took them from her, nearly dropping his large bag from his shoulders.
"You're the best, Ki!" He received a hum of amusement as her reply and he glanced at her from the side as he took a bite of one of the donuts. Having a though, Vash held the donut he had bitten into to Kyri's mouth. She glanced at him with a raised brow but he just gave her a goofy grin, urging her to take a bite of her own. She gave in and did so before he pulled it back and stuffed the rest of it in his mouth. "You know," He said around a stuffed mouth. "What I had said earlier had been true."
Kyri raised her brows even further as the man beside continued to shove the donuts in his mouth."And what is that?"
"It really had been your room that I was looking for, not Maryann's."
Kyri felt her steps pause, only able to stare at Vash's back as he continued to walk on ahead of her. She didn't know how to respond to that. Just...just why had he been...
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