I have changed my style of writing yet again: Though instead of only explaining their motives through their actions I am also letting their thoughts show some more- at least `some more´ in contrast to the previous chapters, `cause it´s becoming harder to express feelings the other way now that the more emotional part is eventually taking over, ne. Yadda, yadda, I know- I am rambling, therefor:

Enjoy my work!

Chapter 8

Kakarott remained completely unmoving, dreading his impending fate, patiently awaiting the next move- mostly because he could not change it in his current situation anyway…

And he already imagined, graphically, seeing his fate play out before his very eyes- could almost feel his skin break under the sharp knive´s intensity, drawing blood, forcing the potent life fluid - his life fluid - out of his body, away from its previous occupation, emptying his veins till only the empty shell would remain … the only indication of his existence…

He was overreacting.

And at least for the very victim -as the sheriff stubbornly regarded himself as- everything that followed was purely unexpected.

--

-Because there followed nothing.

Nothing that could match his vivid imagination at least. As the shining weapon struck down swiftly, there was neither pain, nor anguish- only the feel of the biting restrains loosening from around his body, eventually falling down completely, leaving him to move freely once again as the knife cut easily through the thick ropes - leaving his body entirely unharmed.

Strangely uninjured.

Tentatively Kakarott blinked one eye open- soon getting more courageous and liftening the second eyelid as well, his gaze rising to land on his `tormentors´.

Both men were looking at him, two sets of eyes gleaming with different emotions- amusement and curiosity outshining most of them.

The leader lifted his eyebrows, staring at the sheriff before shaking his head and snorting slightly. He turned back to the old Indian, exchanging words in a fluid torrent of vocals, occasionally gesticulating with his hands to emphasize one point or another.

The sheriff in turn stared at both men in open disbelief, flexing his wrists while absently rubbing the sore flesh in some areas. As neither men bothered looking at him again, he stepped back from the poste, twisting his head into several directions, examining his surroundings carefully, keenly aware of his `audience´.

Slowly he went away further from the two conversing, all the while keeping a watchful eye on both- the leader and his companion- moving as quiet as possible.

A sharp intake of breath, the sudden outbreak of noise- several loud voices mixing with each other- made him stop dead in his tracks though. Averting his attention back to the leader, as he had dismissed him in favour of trying to make out the most optimal escape route, he spotted Vegeta lying on the ground. Unconscious.

Eyes widening, he dismissed any previous thought of escape at once, instead rushing over towards the fallen cowboy, getting to his knees beside the slightly smaller male, directing pleading eyes at the Indian opposite him.

The old man only nodded, barking orders right and left, his words bidden-off, his voice a sharp tenor despite its low volume.

A flock of Indians gathered around the obvious leader immediately, two heavily muscled men lifting him up and carrying him towards the fire place, setting him down onto the awaiting blanket, already spread-out for Vegeta before beginning the task of taking off his vest as well as the black shirt he wore underneath it.

The sheriff watched in growing horror as a deep gash was revealed, decorating the left part of Vegeta´s stomach, blood smeared extensive over tanned skin. Despite the sudden wave of emotion that flooded his senses, mainly consisting of anxious apprehension, he did not try to interfere as a shrivelled woman got to her knees beside the leader, reaching out and cleaning the wound up with a wet, ragged cloth, expertly washing away most of the blood with her long, bony fingers.

Suddenly Kakarott became aware of a small-statured man, previously hidden by his taller companions, who was now quickly, importantly stepping forward. He seemed to radiate an air of superiority, a mantel made of utter calmness as he wound his way through the crowd of onlookers, hunching down and pulling several bowls from underneath the wide folds of his long robes, arranging them around his `patient´.

Flexing his fingers and indicating for his audience to keep silent with a long-practised strictness as he managed to glare down at them despite his hunched posture and with barely looking at them at all, he began sprinkling the contents of his bowls over and into the deep wound, smearing pastes into the open flesh, all the while murmuring a lingo of words, his body whipping in a matching rhythm to his chanting.

When suddenly a long sharp knive gleamed in the brightness of the afternoon sun, the light reflecting off the blade and blinding Kakarott´s eyes momentarily, stunning him for short, panick-filled seconds, the sheriff was only hindered from an ill-considered, unplanned rescue attempt by a pair of strong, sinewy arms, winding itsself around his body, effectively keeping him still.

"Don´t."

Eyes going incredible wide, he stared down at the smaller Indian, standing so unbothered- so absolutely indifferent- by his side. He recognized the man from earlier, seeing in him the same Indian Vegeta had conversed with only a couple of minutes ago. His brows furrowing, he leaned forward slightly, as `forward´ at least as his "living restraints" would allow, intend on getting the desired information- now.

"What´s wrong with Vegeta?"

The whisper was answered with a faint snort, the native not once turning his eyes from the obvious leader.

"Did you not notice?" His voice swung with purely concealed incredulousity, a hint of an accusation hidden within.

" Not even a mole´s eye could have missed the wound inflicted by an angry firearm. The bullet has practically torn into his stomach as the wolf would into its destined victim."

"Mole… wolf--- huh?" Kakarott blinked, one hand subcounsciously finding its way to the back of his head, his fingers winding into the thick, black hair he found there, confusion and scepticism blending into one another.

After staring at the Indian for a period of long, silent seconds, he finally just shook his head, resolutely cutting off his previous train of thought, opting for yet another approach.

"Will he be okay? I mean, the wound isn´t too deep, is it?"

`Wise badger´ did not answer to this one right away, only turning his face back to the man kneeling, his gaze meaningfully remaining there for a couple of seconds before he eventually decided to speak.

"It´s severe. He would not have lasted for much longer." A small smile, almost imperceptible in its measly development, crept into the native´s countenance: "But wolfes are not known to to be brought down so easily."

Kakarott had a hard time keeping his facial expression from faltering, trying hard to remain fairly serious as all that animal-talk gradually got on his nerves.

"Well, uhm… I guess that´s positive then, ne?!" Stepping aside a few paces as those annoying arms loosened from around his waist, he clenched one hand into a tight fist, staying silent as the minutes dragged on, his attention completely captivated by the strange ceremony playing out before his very eyes- with Vegeta being the center of attention.

****

"They hadn´t had to tie me up - again." Kakarott groaned, glaring grimly at the rope confining him to the trunk. "I wouldn´t complain if I were you." Vegeta replied, his voice low and preoccupied as he was busy settling into a more comfortable position on his blanket. "It´s not as uncomfortable as one of those posts over there- or would you rather stand throughout the night?"

Shooting a nasty look at the other - mark you unbound other - cowboy the sheriff tried to tug one last time at his shackles, one final effort to get rid of his restrains, fruitless though, before settling for a childish pout and a haughty expression that seemed so completely out of place on his usually friendly and harmonious face that Vegeta was sorely tempted to laugh out loud.

After awhile of stubbornly maintaining his expression, Kakarott dared to glance at his companion, astonished by the lack of reaction, looking for the usual snort of contempt or the exasperated lift of an eyebrow. He was met though, by the curled up form of his capturer, the rhythmical intake and exhale of breath his only movements.

Realizing Vegeta´s nearly comatoes state of sleep as the much needed rest a proper recovery required, Kakarott settled for watching the still figure, laying so peacefully only a few paces away from him, suddenly not able to tear his eyes away.

Staring down at the man, taking in the hard lines of a strict face- sleep having a hand in softening them somewhat- the proportions remaining well-balanced by planes as well as slopes, only partially visible through the thin, ragged blanket that covered Vegeta´s body, Kakarott could feel a small smile tug at the corners of his lips, could almost see how his own face softened, his eyes warming for the other cowboy.

Heaving a silent sigh, he allowed his eyes to roam the well-muscled physice of the smaller male for some time longer before closing them slowly, his breathing calming out, his mind falling into dreamless oblivion as he allowed his own body some rest.

****

Strange…

Unrecognized sounds, a mixture of voices reached his ear, penetrating his sleep-muddled brain. He could not clearly make out what exactly they were saying, though he could not even destinguish why that was such a problem in the first place even so he did try to extract the voices from each other.

So far away they were and yet so very near…

Strange…

Cracking open one eye with sheer unhuman effort, he came face to face with a pair of greenish eyes, twinkling oddly at him. Not realy having decided yet wether they were still part of his dream or existed in reality he gave a startled yelped as something wet and rough came in contact with his cheek.

Opening his mouth in a silent scream that seemed to be irrevocably stuck in his throat, never to be heard by his audience, he moved away slightly, directing his gaze to the source of suddenly, erupting laughter, finding his eyes pinned to the very person he had been thinking about the better part of the previous night.

Cocking his head to one side, Kakarott watched the rather happy leader sitting on a thick trunk, surrounded by a group of children, his black orbs shimmering with mild amusement as he told them about something apparently rather gripping, as his arms emphazised his words in a torrent of fluid- and simultaneously rather wild- gesticulation. The sheriff even noticed some adult Indians standing off to one side, also listening to the leader´s stories, some women smiling as they watched their spellbound children in mild amusement while at the same time following the events- laid out so intricating by Vegeta- just as fascinated.

Something furry pressed against his leg and Kakarott looked down to find a large dog, panting up at him, droplets of spit dripping steadily from its rough tongue to land on the ground, occasionally also hitting Kakarott´s pants.

The culprit of his rude awakening stared up at him with round, greenish eyes, its tail wagging exitedly before a loud bark sprang forth from the hairy muzzle and the dog turned to run back and forth between legs and tents in an almost neck-breaking, mad tempo, sprinting to wherever it had come from in the first place.

Kakarott leaned back against his trunk, wishing he could at least move his arms as suddenly a baritone voice cut through his self-pitying thoughts.

"Morning sheriff."

Despite the ever resonating roughness Vegeta´s voice sounded less grumpy today, even assuming a conversational tone.

The sheriff smiled despite himself, noting the outstretched hand that held a bowl out for him to take, the contents undefinable by the sheriff´s examining eyes, but from the smell Kakarott assumed it was at least edible- in spite of its mushy structure. Vegeta kneeled next to him, his upper half only clad in a vest so that a good portion of his bandaged chest became clearly visible.

Kakarott watched the leader´s face, stealing hidden glances here and there, trying to determine the other´s condition without looking too curious about it.

The cautious, circumspecting nature of his movements Vegeta so carefully sought to conceal though were indication enough to his health as were the `Wise badger´s eyes, every so often resting on the leader´s form.

With a swift motion of his wrist, Vegeta cut through the rope confining Kakarott´s arms, pushing the bowl into the awaiting hands. Standing up briskly he strode back towards the fire place, though not without throwing a warning bachwards glance at his captive first.

Not intending to plan his next escape any time soon, Kakarott dug into the steaming foot, the mushy substance tasting suprisingly good on his appreciative tongue as his stomach constantly kept demanded for more. While he ate his meal his gaze settled onto `Wise badger´ and the leader, both occupied with their own respective bowl of mush. They were once again involved in a heated discussion, eyes gleaming and faces slightly reddened in all their eagerness.

Kakarott suddenly did not feel like eating anymore as his eyes locked onto the leader, watching his face contort while he spoke, seeing the fine muscles rippling under his tanned skin as Vegeta gesticulated wildly with the full usage of his compact body. Becoming aware of a strange knotting, originating from the pit of his stomach, the sheriff rubbed nervously at his arms, trying to quench that obscure feeling of anger- unintelligible at least for him- he felt towards everyone coming into contact with the smaller male- especially that `Wise badger´…

A loud yell to his left provided an end to the conflicting thoughts, duelling in his head as his attention turned to the more palpable situation at hand. Springing up from his trunk swiftly he shielded his eyes with one hand to find an Indian riding towards them at full gallop, enveloped in a large cloud of swirling dust. He turned his head slightly to find Vegeta and the Indian looking in the very same direction, having discarded their bowls in favour of standing up, Vegeta instinctively fumbling for his Colt.

Striding towards his captive, Vegeta gave him a warning glare, his fingers tightening around the gun´s grip. He said nothing though, relying on his unequivocal body language.

Unexpectadly there halled a loud `bang´ through the air, screams coming from a dozen throats, echoing out from several direction as the forms of horses and men became visible in the distance. His arm liftening high in the air to present the spear he was currently holding, a mop of feather fastened to it to billow freely in the wind, `Wise badger´ gave a long, loud shout, resembling more the howl of a wolf in its volume and intensity as several other voices joined in. Nodding at Vegeta shortly he indicated for the fellow Indian´s to mount their horses, preparing to storm towards those invasive strangers.

The leader had other plans whatsoever. Running forward, Kakarott in tow, he talked insistenly to the eager native, every so often shaken his head, his voice rising and flunctuating steadely. Finally the Indian gave a resigned nod, bellowing shortly to a group of men that were awaiting his commands readily.

Turning towards the sheriff Vegeta rose an eyebrow, wordlessly. After seeing the other´s enquiering expression though Vegeta allowed himself to shortly commend on the situation.

"We´ve come under fire. The bounty hunters I strongly believe." Pulling a fresh rope from his vest-pocket, Vegeta was just about to demand the sheriff´s wrists as the one in question shook his head in open resistance, setting his jaw firmly.

"There is no use tying me up again. What danger could I possible provide for you?"

At the leader´s dubious look he went on hurriedly: "And as you so kindly pointed out before: they do think I´m your complize and therefor any resistence on my part would just result in digging my own grave, ne?!"

Vegeta titled his head in consideration, locking eyes with Kakarott, pinning him with the intensity of his midnight black orbs.

"Besides-" Kakarott opted for his third - and last - approach. "you have the only Colt here."

Full success. That one sure had struck home.

Nodding curtly Vegeta indicated to a pair of horses, already waiting for their riders, standing fully sattled and snorting in their lust for activity. "Hop on there!" the leader ordered, going to mount his own horse as Kakkarot took possession of the other one.

Suddenly a body went down right next to Vegeta, falling onto the ground with a hard thump, landing face-down to remain motionless afterwards. Eyes widening the leader kneeled down next to the native, touching their shoulder and turning them onto their back. Quenching the gasp that threatened to spill forth he stared into the man´s face, his hand shaking slightly as he stroked a flat palm over the man´s eyes, the lids closing in the process.

As Vegeta maintained his hunched position, Kakarott got sight of a bulky cowboy nearby, most part of his body hidden by a series of ragged rocks as he lay purched against the stony survace, firmly holding onto his gun. Eyes widening the sheriff recognized the face, assigning it to the bounty hunter he had made the deathly deal with in that smokey bar only a few days ago…

And the barrel of his gun was pointing directly at Vegeta-

****

Gah, I´m evil!

But I intend to dish out the next part soon as it´s already half finished and besides- I have lost interest in this story and want to get it over with fast…

And as I work on this story a Radditz/Vegeta his on the go as well, though it will still take me a great amount of time to write the first chapter belonging to the Prologue which is already waiting and then to finally poste them both for your reading pleasure, phu… ^-^

(Well, that oughta be a good enough excuse for the slow updates up to now, is it not? ^-^ )

Thanks for reading my story and I take it you like it so far as you´ve already made it to the 8th chapter!

-Congradulation-

Almost there now! Please send me your opinion. It woulnd´t hurt now, would it?!

-kodachi-