Ha! The last chapter. Now, I wonder what you will think about the end I have decided on... hehe

Okay, but before we go on I have some personal notifications to make:

Agent -182- since you like my cliffhangers so much ^_- I´m especially curious about what you´ll think of my last chapter… *rubs hands in malicious glee* Ah yes, and I wouldn´t count on this main character-logic because we are talking about me here *smirks* and I´m a sucker for angst and drama (you´ll especially see in my next story).

Kitkat- don´t worry I know what you meant with "keep writing" - and I really thank you for your consideration. Anyway, your english is just fine(!) and I´m really the last person to complain about grammar or spelling as english isn´t my native language as well (I´m just a pure german girl… ^-^) and as long as I understand you everything´s just fine with me… -_^

And I´m sorry for updating so fast as you didn´t want me to (*grins*), but I hope you´ll enjoy my fic, anyway and it didn´t come out too bad after all… ^-^

To sum it up: I appreciate the many reviews from all those kind people out there and I´d like you to know that every single one brings a fat smile to my face(!)… people at home are already wondering…

Enough sentimentalities now!

Here we go! Enjoy!!!

Chapter 9

Jumping onto the leader without a second thought he rolled them both under the horse´s hoofs- just before the loud sound of a gun being fired ripped through the air, the bullet striking lightning-fast towards them, impacting on the ground to imbed itsself into the grainy sand only mere centimetres away.

Exhaling raggedly, Kakarott held onto the leader for a moment longer then necessary, covering the slighter body with his larger one, feeling the other´s heat even through their closes, subconsciously pressing against each other as the bounty hunter spit a curse in their general direction before moving to put another bullet into his rusty barrel.

He never made it to the actual shot though as spherical metal penetrated his skin, slicing deep into his flesh- right into his thumping heart, causing havock on the organ as it struggled unsuccessfully to maintain its rhythm before resigning in the end, ceasing to work properly any longer. The man´s body slumped down heavily, the gun sliding from lifeless fingers to land on the stony ground without so much as a light `cling´.

Kakarott turned his head slowly, his eyes following suit as his orbs locked onto an equally black pair. With a sound akin to a woman´s shriek he scrambled off of the other cowboy, his face heating unnaturally as he nervously fumbled with his fingers, holding his hands behind his back tensely, straining to avoide the leader´s eyes.

An embarassed cough to his side made him look up- hesistantly, catching sight of Vegeta´s well-formed behind as the other man made his way towards the horse, striding away with wide, firm steps, not bothering to turn around.

"God, they are so insistent. How high exactly did you set that reward for my head in the first place?"

No reaction--

The leader´s rough -and rather loud- voice brought him back to reality as he was ordered to get the hell on. Watching Vegeta he growled lightly as said male exchanged a few words with "Wise badger", slapping him on the shoulder companionable before reigning his sturdy animal, Kakarott following behind obediently, soon falling into a light, wordless gallop alongside the darker cowboy.

"Why are we fleeing?" Kakarott finalled asked as they passed a high grouping of rocks, obstructing their view of the natives if they had ever bothered looking back, the question having burned on the sheriff´s mind since they had mounted their horses.

"We should stay and help them, shouldn´t we?" he put his consideration in concrete terms as Vegeta did not move to answer his fisr question. "That would be the most honorable way at least."

The leader snorted.

"It´s my fault they are attacked now." As Vegeta finally spoke his voice sounded exhausted, eyes fixed onto a point fare away. "And since it´s my ware, I´m not going to get them into danger any further by staying there. We have to gode those bounty hunters away- that´s the most reasonable way. Understand?!" The last part brooked no argument, the leader´s face hardening in determination.

The sheriff only nodded- a gesture of silent agreement- surveeying their surroundings in keen concentration while he kept his hearing alert.

Suddenly the sounds of hoofs and yelling got loud, carried towards them with the stormy wind that rushed around them, now and then playing with their closes, urging them on, asking them to dance with it, creating swishing noises with its swift strokes.

Kakarott could just press his horse to the side before something sharp wizzed by him, avoiding the sheriff by mere centimetres. Eyes going involuntarily wide, throat emitting a shrill sound of surprise, he twisted around on his horse, catching sight of their pursuers as they rode after the duo, slowly, gradually reducing the lead their `preys´ had gained by their swift departeur.

Vegeta glanced at his companion for a second, his brows furrowing as he estimated their chances of escape, calculating them mentally. Finally he emitted a sharp curse, spitting it into their hunters general direction before urging his horse to the side, heading for a large rock bolder to their right he got them out of the sight of their pursuers just in time to hide behind yet another extensive formation of stone. Without thinking Kakarott followed him, both reining their horses as they hid behind the massive walls.

Dismounting, Vegeta indicated for the sheriff to do the same, slowly, gently forcing his horse down to lay on the ground while he pressed himself flat to the ground. As Kakarott adopted the same position, he took the time to actually look around, noting that there was only one, singl, measly grown bush, bearing some dry branches while the leaves were missing completely.

If their pursuers had seen where they had turned off left and made to follow, there was no way they could possible overlook the pair.

He swallowed thickly.

As his thoughts hunted eachother down in his head, a faint `click´ to his side brought him back to alertness as Vegeta released the safety catch on his Colt, readying himself for the final attack-

-which never came as the hollowing group rode past them in a wild tempo, the turned up dust aiding in hiding them from any coincidental glance. Kakarott breathed out a puff of air, not releazing that he had held it up to that point, sweet relief flooding him.

He watched the leader as said cowboy climbed onto his still obediently lying horse, Kakarott immediately trying to mirrow the movement out of pure reflex.

"Here," Vegeta said, pressing down onto the horses neck. "You have to keep it still by holding it down by the neck. If you succeed it will get up with you still seated." The leader advised, while lessening the pressure on his own horse, the mare standing up with Vegeta sitting on its burly back just as he had predicted.

"Alright," the leader announced as they made their way in the opposite direction their pursuers had taken, choosing a moderate tempo as he deemed them save for the moment. "We´ll have to stop soon." He informed his `companion´ without any further explanation, except for the hand that was discretely pressed to the wound on his chest, quite effectively giving away his reasoning to Kakarott.

The sheriff nodded dumbly, patting the horse´s coarse mane while secretly watching the other cowboy, worry settling uncomfortable in the pit of his stomach, growing and blossoming there. His keen eyes followed the other´s every movement as the man began to sway slightly, tiny, shiny droplets of sweat building on his forehead to roll down the planes of his face, some dripping onto his closes while others just evaporated in view of the buring sun.

Kakarott could literally see how the exhaustion wound itsself around the leader, encircling him greedily as the man held onto the reins desperately, his hands lowering gradually, eventually sliding into the mane to grasp it with tense fingers for a better support.

"Maybe we should stop here already." The sheriff suggested helpfully, almost feeling the man´s agony just by watching him. Vegeta said nothing in respond, but halted the mare nontheless, sliding from his saddle, almost falling in the process as weak legs strained to hold up the owners weight.

Fumbling clumsely with the saddlebags, Vegeta came up with nothing, directing his gaze at his `companion´. "Hey, sheriff. Go and see if there his a rope in your bags. Mine are empty." His voice was suprisingly strong in contrast to the state of his body and Kakarott could not hinder his brows from shooting up, marking his astonishment as he turned to the horse. Thoughtfully lifting the light leather lids, he looked flippantly through the contents before turning around once again, shrugging his shoulder.

"Nope. Nothing useful in there."

Vegeta growled, looking around for a solution to the problem. As none presented itsself, he growled once again- just for better measure- the noise luring a smile to the sheriff´s lips.

"How about we omit the rope for today, hm?"

Vegeta gazed at him from under lowered brows, the skin on his forehead wrinkling in thought.

"You just have to trust me…" Kakarott grinned innocently, eyeing the leader who in turn was staring at him intently.

"Remember, greenhorn, I´m the one with the Colt here- one false move…," he warned sharply. " I´m watching you!" The sheriff cocked his head to one side, eyes remaining wide open- beholding a peaceful, all too disarming fashion.

"Well then…" Vegeta secured their horse to a trunk before settling down a good fives metres away from the other man, his gun clenched tightly in one hand, ready to shoot if the need should arise.

Kakarott played around with the dirt for awhile, now and then throwing a glance at the leader, noticing in slight relief how the other man gradually became relaxed, his eyes drooping every so often.

Smiling inwardly, he moved closer to the cowboy, keeping his movements as unconspicious as possible.

A harsh intake of air made him look up at once, turning his head swiftly towards the source, directing his gaze to the man´s bendaged wound, realizing that blood was seeping through the originally white material. The leader was scrunching his face up in obvious pain.

Without rethinking the decision, his instincts kicking in, he scrambled to his knees, crawling towards his `companion´, almost reaching his gole before the click of metal halted his every move, a hard, ice-cold barrel pointing directly at his head, pressing against heated skin.

"Don´t you dare." Vegeta hissed harshly, glaring at the sheriff in open distrust.

Kakarott swallowed hard, muddling the situation over in his head, opting for his first impulse.

"Please, you are hurt, we have to rebind the wound." He informed, a slight wine interlacing with his voice, making it sound almost pityful.

"No." Vegeta narrowed his eyes, pressing himself more firmly against the stone he was currently using more for the support than for the sake of comfort.

He was just about to add something more, probably a harsh insult coupled with an commanding order as big, pleading eyes were directed at him. The most innocent expression entering the sheriff´s features.

"Come on, I just want to help!" the sheriff tried again, a fraction of his strong will showing in his eyes, glittering, gleaming at the leader- leading to mixed results.

"Please." So insistent.

Heaving a nearly silent sigh, Vegeta nodded slightly, still pressing his gun to the other´s head. As the sheriff bend forward to occupy himself with the other´s wound, the leader had to turn his head to the side for better access, therefor missing completely the thriuphant smile on the man´s face.

They sat in silence, Vegeta stubbornly staring straight ahead, while Kakarott gently wiped some blood from his stomach, applying the bandage so that the bloodied part was now bound around his back while the clean side faced his wound.

Kakarott did not let show though when he had finished, instead leaning steadily closer, his nose almost touching the other´s neck as he inhaled deeply, his mind clouding with the cowboy´s unique scent. Heady and strong… decidedly masculine… He could not discern why exactly he acted so strange, but a small groan from above brought him back to reality.

Blushing furiously, he leaned back what he deemed a save distance, looking into the other´s eyes, seeing himself reflected back in their dark depths. They stared at each other, neither daring to move nor speak, an odd tension building between them, the minutes stretching on.

Before his brain could kick in, destroying the moment with logic, the sheriff leaned in again, slowly reducing the distance to mere centremeters, soon evolving to millimeters before skin met skin in a first, chaste kiss.

The contact was brief, almost not falling under the category kiss as they parted, just to repeat the action, this time pressing more firmly against each other, relishing in the feel of body heat and the realization of shared intimacy.

Smiling uncharacteristically, Vegeta moved one hand into the other´s hair, woving his fingers through thick, midnight black strands, using his firm hold to pull the man closer. A moan spilled forth, neither ackowledging it as their own as the tension increased, mouthes opening to further the kiss, bringing them to the next higher level.

Soon tongues joined the dance, Kakarott licking the other´s lower lip shyly, almost hesistantly, the action becoming bolder as the leader answered with his own examinations. As they exchanged slow open-mouthed kisses, the larger male began to stroke his fingers over his partner´s stomach, the touch remaining light, wandering from his chest to one tanned shoulder, retrieving the male of his vest in the process. Gliding down his arm, Kakarott entwined his fingers with the other´s, gently squeezing them together as he nipped along the leader´s jawline, tasting hot skin with fine nips and the occasional, wet licks.

When he nipped the leader´s ear, Vegeta´s mouth distorted into a content smile before a small chuckle spilled forth, his eyelids slowly drooping, shutting out the outside world. The sheriff grinned tenderly, sitting himself beside the cowboy, one hand still joined with the other´s while his free limp draped itsself lazily over the male´s waist, drawing him nearer before he too, closed his eyes.

****

Absently stroking through auborn-tinted locks, Kakarott wonder why he had woken up, rubbing his nose against another´s neck, absently touching soft skin in a tender caress. Suddenly he could hear footsteps approaching them slowly while an ominous `click´ resounded in his ear, startling him awake fully. Straightening carefully, his eyes lingering on the unsuspecting male cuddled against his side, he gradually disentangeled himself, gently standing up, peering over the rock formation they were hidden behind.

Empty space.

There was nobody and even as he dared to stand to his full hight to get a better look, he still could not find anything dangerous. Gradually he began to doubt his hearing, blaming his vivid imagination for this miscalculation.

The sound of small stones rolling and dropping to the ground to his left startled him greatly. Without a second thought he kneeled down, grabbing the discarded Colt-

-just as Vegeta opened his eyes.

Taking in the sight before him, his orbs wandering slwoly from the gun to Kakarott´s features, a hint of betrayal crept into the leader´s unyielding gaze, darkening it to an even deeper shade.

Shaking his head, mire to himself than his opposite, Vegeta´s eyes hardened in no time, his features changing rapidly, recent softness dissolving in the face of harsh determination.

"Now, what is it. What are you waiting for?! You have me in your hands…" Black and black clashed as he stared at the sheriff. "What are you going to do now?" The words were spit out in a vicious hiss underlayed with bitter resignation.

Kakarott stared at the man stunned, opening his mouth, about to explain himself as a shadow fell across Vegeta, submerging his features in a play of shade and light.

Slowly turning around, his gaze fell upon the source of their interuption, small, wrinkled eyes staring at him from under a large, worn-out hat while thin lips were adorned with stubbles, giving the intruder an appearance of severe neglect.

At the man´s sight, Kakarott´s features mutating back to the sincere sheriff he so fiercely claimed to be. Grabbing into his pocket to retrieve the star, the source of his granted privileges, he held it into the cowboys face, trying to appear as unthreatening as possible.

The man titled his head, a gun stuck in his hand as he eyed the two men in consideration. "I´m not going to give up one the reward for that one." With a quick jerk of his head, he pointed to the smaller cowboy, his fingers clenching around the gun´s handle more firmly, ready to defent his `rightful possession´.

Kakarott gave a startled laugh, lowering his own Colt. "Don´t misunderstand me. I´m the one that has signed you on and I´m of course willing to pay out the money I´ve promised to any man who could present me `the prize´. How would I be looked upon if I wouldn´t reward a honest man such as you for their effort, now, hm?"

The bounty hunter grinned maliciously, nodding his head in approval. "That´s the right attitude, dude. Well, then," he turned around, heading towards his horse. "You cover him while I go fetching some ropes then, ne."

Kakarott smiled at him reassuringly, directing the Colt at Vegeta for better measure.

As the man disappeared behind some rocks the false smile fell from his lips instantly, the gun sinking as he crouched down before the leader, trying to grab his arm in his haste.

"Come on, we have to hurry before he comes back--"

"No."

Kakarott stared at him in disbelief before dismissing the answer as unimportant, once again reaching for Vegeta´s arm.

"I said `no´," he looked into the sheriff´s eyes, shaking his head at him, pressing his back more firmly against the solid stone wall. " and I meant it!"

"What? But- why?"

"Because," Vegeta moved away a few paces, staring the taller man dead in the eye. "You can still hand me over and I think it would be for the better."

"No." Kakarott cried out, his hand flying to cover his mouth as he looked around frantically. As nobody seemed to have heard his sudden outburst, he averted his gaze back to the leader.

"I won´t."

"Insistent, aren´t you?" Vegeta grinned ruefully, a small, sad smile finding its way to his lips. "But I won´t have it! I´m not going to be responsible for destroying your life. I want you to remain as idealistic as I have met you-"

Before he could go on, Kakarott leant forward unexpectatly, his lips pressing demandingly against Vegeta´s in a final kiss.

As they parted Kakarott looked deeply into the other´s eyes, trying to understand all those emotion swimming in darkest black.

His face hardening, he gave an almost imperceptible nod, having made up his mind--

Crunching footsteps approached them, Kakarott instanty bouncing up, taking a few steps back to bring some distance between him and their prisoner. Still not taking his eyes from Vegeta´s form, his gaze awash with a deep conflict and anguished guilt, he merely acknowledged the bounty hunter with the slight inclination of his head before abruptly lifting his Colt, the safety catch giving a sinister click, the loud `bang´ that followed resounding in the distance, as a limp body slid down the stone wall before slumping to the ground- lifeless.

Thin rivulets of blood trickling down the side of a sharp-angles face, tanned skin tainted by the crimson liquid as it dripped in a steady flow onto the sandy ground…

Kakarott had made his decision.

~Owari~

****

Wow, that is most certainly my longest chapter... *bows to audience* and the last… *bows yet again*

Gah, but I am evil! Mwhuhahahahahaha!

Wonders never cease though as we have really come to an end now (though I have yet to improve the story by probably having it beta-read ). But do not worry, there is a epilogue to follow… at any time now

--and then I can finally work on my R/V-fic! ^-^

I´m sorry for those of you that expected any lemons, but I am not too good at writing them and the outcome is often more embarassing then rewarding- for the both of us (reader and author), so don´t be too hard on me and please don´t try to strangle me or try out any other physical attacks, ne. Thanks! ^-^

State your opinion here, please. I really need the feedback to keep going! And thanks for reading. ^-^

-kodachi-

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