Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ An Alternate Ending ❯ Zero Hour ( Chapter 8 )

An Alternate Ending

Part Eight: Zero Hour

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Trigun doesn't belong to me and I am not making any money from this so please don't sue. Vash goes to battle Knives.)

Meryl stood against the wall of the house, waiting for Vash to come out. It had only been a few days since the villagers had tried to drag him to death but he insisted on facing his brother. Nothing Meryl said made him change his mind so all she had left to do was pray he would be okay. Milly and Wolfwood had gone somewhere but they hadn't said when they would be back.

Her breath caught in her throat when she heard the door open and Vash's heavy boots on the porch. He walked past her, his mended coat fluttering behind him as he stepped down to the dusty street. He stopped and decided to speak. " So, you're still going to do it? "

Vash nodded, " Yeah. It's something I have to do. I'm feeling a lot better now so I'm sure I'll be okay. Thanks for everything you did. "

Meryl felt like she had been hit by something heavy but it didn't hurt. He had actually thanked her and it made her feel strangely good. She opened her mouth even though she hadn't quite thought of anything to say but stopped when she saw Milly running up the road with Wolfwood's cross over her shoulder. " Wait, Mr. Vash! " She called, Wolfwood right behind her.

Vash stood still as Milly came up to him and put the cross down on the ground. " Isn't that Wolfwood's? "

Milly nodded, " Yeah. Mr. Wolfwood said you could use it. "

Wolfwood nodded when he caught up, " Yeah. I'm not well enough to go with you but at least I can be there in spirit. "

Vash picked the cross up and smiled, " I still have no idea how you were able to carry this thing, Nick. "

Wolfwood smirked, " I can carry it because I'm one strong bastard. "

Vash nodded, " Amen to that but I still can't get over how heavy it is. "

" It's heavy because it is full of mercy, Mr. Vash! " Milly chirped happily.

Wolfwood nodded, " Exactly and I want you to show some of it to Knives… for me. "

" I'm not going out there to kill him, " Vash looked at Wolfwood, Milly and Meryl. " I'm going out there to save him. "

Wolfwood put his hands up, " At least get a few punches in for me then. "

Vash smirked, " We'll see, Nick. "

" One more thing, " Wolfwood glanced at the girls then back at Vash.

" What's that? " Vash looked puzzled.

" Don't take this the wrong way, " Wolfwood muttered and threw his arms around Vash, hugging him. Vash was shocked for a moment but put his arms around Wolfwood and hugged him back. " Good luck, " He murmured into Vash's ear as he pulled Vash tighter to him. " And don't you dare get killed… I don't want to hunt you down in the next life to kick your ass for screwing up, needle noggin. "

" Whatever you say. Take care of the girls while I'm gone and make sure they don't try to come after me this time, " Vash replied. " Could you let me go now? I think you popped one of my ribs, Mr. Preacher Man. "

" Sure thing, Vash. I'll keep them out of trouble, " Wolfwood said and pulled away from Vash. " You just come back alive, okay? "

After the two men separated, Vash took up the cross and started to walk out of town. Wolfwood, Meryl and Milly watched as he became smaller on the horizon. Meryl took a shuddering breath, " I… I couldn't say anything. There was so much I wanted to tell him. "

Wolfwood looked over and saw Meryl had tears streaming down her cheeks. He threw an arm around her as Milly did the same. " Don't worry about it, Meryl, " Wolfwood said soothingly. " He'll be okay. He's Vash The Stampede after all. "

" Yeah! " Milly smiled, " You can just tell him when he comes back. You can go nuts on him if you want! "

Meryl wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, " Yeah. Everything will be okay. I just have to keep saying that. "

Milly looked at her watch, " Oh my! I'm going to be late for work! They think we're going to reach the water vein today! "

" You go on ahead and go, big girl. I think I can handle Meryl by myself, " Wolfwood patted Milly on the shoulder.

Milly turned and dashed into the house, leaving Meryl and Wolfwood in the street. Meryl sighed, " I guess I lucked out with today being my day off. I probably wouldn't have gone to work anyway. "

" I'm surprised she still has her job, " Wolfwood motioned towards the house.

" The town needs all the help they can get to reach that water vein, " Meryl shook her head. " They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they fired her. "

" True. Hey, can I borrow some money? " Wolfwood looked down at Meryl.

" For what? " Meryl arched an eyebrow.

Wolfwood looked down at the ground, " Cigarettes. "

" No! You don't need them! " Meryl snapped.

" How can you be so cold? I can't even remember when I had my last one, " Wolfwood started but stopped. " Oh wait. I remember… never mind. "

" You need to start taking better care of yourself, " Meryl said. " Now, come inside and I'll fix you some breakfast. "

**

Meryl heard a loud thud come from Wolfwood's room and dashed in there to see what had happened. It had been several hours since Vash had gone to fight his brother but she was trying to stay positive. She opened the door to Wolfwood's room and found him in the floor. " Mr. Wolfwood! " She gasped as she went to the floor to check him over, " Mr. Wolfwood! "

She checked his pulse finding his heart was pounding like he had been doing something strenuous. Sweat dotted his skin and his breathing was ragged. " No! No! " He gasped.

" What's wrong? " Meryl brushed his bangs out of his face as he started to jerk. " Tell me what's wrong! "

" Arrrggh! My leg! " Wolfwood shouted his hand going to the place Meryl assumed the pain was coming from. His left arm jerked and he whimpered when it slammed against the floor.

Meryl felt a lump rise in her throat, ~He's having some kind of nightmare but he's not asleep! What's going on? ~ She thought as tears came to her eyes.

Wolfwood threw his right arm to protect his face from some unseen threat before jerking again as he tried to get up and move across the room. Meryl grabbed onto him but he was too strong and dragged her with him. His hands convulsed and he fell backward, nearly landing on Meryl but she moved just in time. He gasped and tried to move again but Meryl held on to him tighter.

" What's wrong with you? " She cried. " Mr. Wolfwood! You're scaring me! "

Wolfwood was still for a long time, panting for air. " Don't wimp out… keep your guard up, " He muttered.

" Whom are you talking to? " Meryl cried. " Why are you acting like this? "

Wolfwood panted for what seemed like an eternity before crying out in agony, tumbling backward and pinning Meryl's legs under his back. She winced in pain because he was pressing down on them hard. " Bastard! " He shouted. " You bastard! "

" Mr. Wolfwood! Snap out of it! " Meryl cried, tears streaming down her face. He outweighed her by several pounds and could feasibly hurt her if he continued to thrash and convulse with her hanging on to him.

" Why does MY shoulder hurt? " Wolfwood cried as his left hand went to his right shoulder. " What is going on? Why am I seeing this? "

Meryl's heart stopped in her chest. Was he experiencing everything Vash was in his fight with Knives? If so, how was it possible? What had happened to connect Vash and Wolfwood on such a level?

" Oh shit! " Wolfwood shouted. " You better think of something quick, needle noggin! "

Meryl braced herself as Wolfwood jerked again, this time moving off of her legs. She quickly covered her ears as he let out another gut wrenching scream. He fell silent, panting like he wasn't getting any air at all and she stared as he held his right arm to his chest. He looked at the floor and started to laugh in short gasps.

" Damn good move. You sure surprised the shit out of him, didn't you? Bet he didn't know you could do that! I told you that you were the stronger one, didn't I? " He said between gasping chuckles.

Meryl pulled her legs underneath her and watched Wolfwood. Whatever was happening to Vash was definitely affecting Wolfwood somehow. ~What the hell is going on here? I wish Milly were here… she would be able to hold him down at least. ~

Wolfwood groaned, " No! Not again! " He gasped before clutching his arm tighter and screaming. He panted, his brow furrowing, " What the hell… no more bullets? "

" No! " Meryl cried, putting her hands over her face.

" Damn it, needle noggin! How are you going to get out of this one? " Wolfwood shouted. He started to jerk like he was being shot, clenching his teeth in pain.

Meryl cried harder, ~Vash is losing! Oh no! He's losing! ~

" This looks bad! I guess I'll be kicking your ass in the next life, " Wolfwood panted. He jolted to the side like someone had kicked him. His eyes grew wide and he shouted, " Oh shit! "

Meryl tried to plug her ears because she knew what was going to happen next. Vash was going to be killed and Wolfwood would act it out in front of her because of the strange bond they had. She didn't want to see it or hear it but her legs refused to move. She was stuck and she would have to face the reality she would never see Vash again.

Wolfwood shot up, " What are you doing, needle noggin? It's right next to you! Use it, damn it! "

Meryl opened her eyes, wondering what had happened. She could tell it was a turn for the better because Wolfwood had the most insane grin she had ever seen on his face. " That's right! Show him some mercy! " He gasped out.

~Oh God! The cross! That's right… Vash has the cross! But how are they connected? ~ Meryl thought.

~How can this be happening? What is connecting them? What? ~ She shut her eyes and hoped she could figure it out.

" Whoo-hoo! Yeah! I knew you had it in you! " Wolfwood panted. " He doesn't know what hit him! "

Meryl blinked. Had the tables turned? The cross gave Vash an advantage, hadn't it? Something was happening but Meryl couldn't tell because Wolfwood was bent over and not saying anything, just smiling and panting.

" Ouch! Damn! " Wolfwood's hand suddenly went to his left cheek. " Huh? What's going on here? "

Meryl watched as Wolfwood fell to the floor, his body limp because he had obviously passed out. She waited for a few moments in case he started to thrash again before going to his side. She checked him again and she found that his heart was still racing but his breath was gradually slowing. She pushed him so he was lying on his back and opened his shirt so he could get cooled down more quickly.

She went to the kitchen, getting some bottled water and a washcloth before going back to Wolfwood. She wanted to get him cooled off and wash some of the sweat from him before she left. He had sweat quite a bit and he felt rather warm to the touch. The least she could do was clean him up since she couldn't lift him into the bed.

She brushed his bangs from his face and went to grab the water when a flash of blonde caught her eye. She looked to see if she could locate it, finding a patch of hair just above Wolfwood's chin but below his lower lip. She hadn't really noticed it before but the hair was very fine and seemed to vanish when he inhaled. Upon closer inspection, she was able to discern that the little patch of hair was exactly the same shade as Vash's own blonde locks.

Meryl shook her head trying to get her mind to work, ~Snap out of it, Meryl! ~ She thought as she squirted some water on the washcloth. ~We need to go tell Milly as soon as possible in case we have to go get Vash. If Wolfwood felt everything Vash did, he's going to need some help. ~

**

Meryl ran through the crowd towards the well, looking for Milly as her sore muscles protested with each movement. She needed to find her friend in case Vash was hurt but had been delayed when she had passed out after cleaning Wolfwood. She hadn't realized how much wrestling with the man had taken out of her until she woke up stiff and found out three hours had passed. She had to find Milly because there was no telling what kind of shape Vash would be in or if he was even able to walk.

The ground rumbled and everyone stopped, looking towards the well in the center of the town. A moment later, a column of water shot skyward, raining back down on the people. Some cheered while others stared in awe, happy to see the town finally had water and no longer had to bring it in from other towns.

Meryl couldn't help but stop too and watch as the water fell back down to the ground. " Meryl! " Milly called as she ran to her. " Meryl! We hit water! "

" I see, " Meryl nodded. Her expression changed from happiness to seriousness as she grabbed the younger woman's hand, " Milly, we need to get going. "

" What? " Milly's expression changed from joy to bewilderment. " But why? "

" It would take too long to explain here, " Meryl grabbed Milly's hand. " We have to go find Vash. "

Milly blinked, " Do you know where he went? Do you think something is wrong? " She looked around, " Where's Mr. Wolfwood? "

" Just come on! " Meryl tugged at Milly. " I'll explain on the way. "

" But he told Mr. Wolfwood to make us stay here and not leave until he came back! " Milly dug her heels in the ground.

Meryl stopped pulling, " Milly! I think Vash might be hurt and we have to go find him. "

Milly looked over Meryl's shoulder, " I don't think we'll have to go looking. Isn't that him right there? "

Meryl turned and looked towards the edge of town. She saw a man dressed in a dark outfit but he was still too far away to make out any features. She could tell he was carrying something over his shoulder but that was about it. She felt her heart in her throat as the man came closer and she could make out it was Vash.

" I guess that's his brother, huh? " Milly said as he continued to approach. The something over Vash's shoulder looked like a man but all the girls could see was his backside and bandages.

Meryl nodded, speechless because she was happy to see Vash was alive. When he was close enough, he smiled and waved at her. He then motioned for the girls to come to him. They didn't hesitate, running for him like they would to a long lost friend. " Hey you two… what's up? " He said, his voice sounding tired.

" Hey, " Meryl replied. " I see you won. "

" Uh-huh, " Vash looked at Milly, " I hate to ask you this… but could you give a hand? "

" I'll help you carry him, Mr. Vash. You look tired; " Milly got next Vash as he eased Knives from his shoulder so he was between them. Milly put his right arm across her shoulder and noticed a hole in his skin-hugging shirt when she looked to see if he had the other side secure. " Oh! You're bleeding! "

" I'll be okay, " He looked down at the ground. " Knives is going to need a lot of help though. I did what I had to do. "

Meryl nodded, " It's okay. Come on; let's get you both taken care of. "

" Sounds good to me, " Vash sighed. He looked up and around, " Where's Wolfwood? I thought I told him to stay with you two when I left. "

" Vash, " Meryl started but stopped. She sighed, " I don't know how to explain. Just come back to the house and I'll tell you what happened while I tend to your brother's wounds and yours. "

" The bullets passed right through Knives so he should be okay. We may need to clean him a little better and put some medicine on him but I think that may be all we can do for him, " Vash said, looking at Meryl. He went cold when he saw the serious look in the small woman's eyes.

Vash frowned, " What's wrong? What happened? "

Meryl shook her head, " I'll explain when we get to the house… "

**

Meryl sat down behind Vash after he had taken off his shirt and she winced at his new injuries. Vash had won but not without gaining new marks to show for it. She reached into the first aid kit and got out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to wash the wounds out. Vash jerked involuntarily when she squirted the antiseptic into the gash on his shoulder, hissing in pain as the liquid started to bubble.

" Does that burn? " Meryl asked quietly. Vash nodded his head just slightly but didn't say anything. He had been silent since seeing Wolfwood and the shape he was in. He was covered in bruises and was sleeping so deep, Vash was afraid he was dead. Meryl didn't even have to explain what had happened because he already knew.

Ignoring his own wounds, Vash had lifted Wolfwood onto the bed and made him as comfortable as possible. He clenched his fists at his sides and stared at Wolfwood for a long time, the muscles in his arms taut as his shoulder shook slightly. Meryl didn't know what to do but finally found the courage to urge him to leave so she could bandage his wounds. Vash looked at Wolfwood for a few moments longer before leaving the room, heading for his own.

Meryl chewed her lip as she carefully cleaned the wound with a gauze pad. She wanted to speak but couldn't find the words to say and hoped he would say something… anything to break the silence. She could hear Milly rummaging around in the other room, probably getting Knives situated so she could take care of his wounds. Vash had actually done a good job with the bandages and wondered where he had gotten the cloth for them.

Meryl realized that she hadn't seen Wolfwood's cross when Vash returned and guessed the bandages on Knives had once been the cloth that covered the gun. Vash hissed again as Meryl applied some medicine to the gash she was working on. " Sorry, " She murmured. Vash twitched his hand as if to say it was okay but still didn't speak.

Meryl pulled out a fresh pad and placed it on the injury, holding it in place as she rummaged around in the first aid kit for the roll of bandage cloth to secure it. Vash leaned forward and placed his hands over his face, the motion causing the pad to shift. Meryl moved it back where it was supposed to be, " Tell me when you're going to move. "

Vash exhaled, " Okay. "

Meryl couldn't believe her ears when he spoke but it was just one word so she didn't get too excited. She secured the pad and went to another wound, repeating the process until almost all of his wounds were covered. He had one left but he would have to turn around for her to get to it. " I need to see your face, " She said quietly.

Vash moved in what seemed to be triple slow motion as he turned to face Meryl. She put a hand over her mouth when she realized Vash had been crying the entire time. He had been so quiet she had no idea he had been weeping and felt horrible because she hadn't noticed. His tears had smeared the blood on his cheek and some of it had run down his chin.

" Vash? You were crying? " Meryl whispered, reaching for a pad to wipe his face with. He caught her wrist in his right hand when she reached for him. " Let me clean that up. "

" Don't touch me. I might hurt you… I hurt everything I touch or touches me, " Vash muttered.

" Vash… " Meryl started.

Vash shut his eyes, " It's true. That's why I can't get close to anyone… as much as I would love to. "

" That's all over, Vash. The reason all of that happened is lying unconscious on my bed in the other room, " Meryl lifted her other hand and placed it on Vash's cheek. " He can't hurt you anymore. "

Vash opened his eyes and looked into Meryl's, " But what if I can't get him to listen to me? "

" We'll deal with that if it happens, " Meryl said.

Vash sighed, " What about Wolfwood? That happened because of me. "

" How? " Meryl whispered. Had they really been in the middle of something when she walked in on them at the hot spring (see High Speed Romance, Part 5)? Were they, as she feared, lovers? That couldn't have been possible but then again she didn't know that much about either of the men.

" In the church… " Vash shook his head. " It happened in the church. "

" What do you mean? " Meryl recalled when she had found them at the church in Tonim Town. She had thought they had done something there too but knew better… at least thought she knew better. She found out later that was where Vash had healed Wolfwood… and where Milly later found Wolfwood's rib.

Vash held up his right hand, " Look at the tip of my index finger. "

Meryl stared at a scar across the pad of the digit. It looked like it had been made by a jagged object and she had first noticed it when she had to patch him up after the incident on the hilltop outside of LR Town. It took a few moments for it to register in her mind and he jaw dropped open. " You… you… " She sputtered.

" Got it when I removed Wolfwood's rib, Meryl. I didn't think I had bled that much into him but I guess I did. This is why I could hear him in my head and he could feel my pain up until I shot Knives… the connection broke right after that. He had a little bit of my blood running through his veins, " Vash lowered the hand.

" I must have drained that little bit of energy from him when I was fighting Knives. Meryl, I hurt him again… " Vash looked at her, his eyes wide with panic. He looked like a frightened child, confused and overwhelmed by the weight of his own thoughts.

Meryl shook her head, " But he isn't dead. "

" I know that, " Vash sighed, the guilt in his eyes not lessening. " But he got hurt the first time because of me. He was trying to walk away from the man who ended up shooting him. "

Meryl got on her knees and wrapped her arms around Vash. " Please Vash, " She whispered. " Could you please believe that everything is going to be okay? "

Vash leaned against Meryl's chest, " Do you really think so? " He murmured.

Meryl pressed her chin into the crown of his head, " Yes. It may not be tomorrow or the next day but we can work our way towards it. "

" I think you could be right, " Vash moved his head so he could look into Meryl's eyes. A flash of insecurity went through them as he moved closer to Meryl, his breath tickling her lips. He turned a little so he could face her a little better and she shivered when his lips touched hers. She could tell he still wasn't very sure of himself as he kissed her but she savored the kiss anyway.

Vash pulled away for air, " That was… "

Meryl eased two fingers under his chin and made him face her. " A good start, " She whispered.

Vash scanned her eyes and she scanned his. They each sensed the other wanted to say something but couldn't. Instead, they kissed again. Meryl parted her lips slightly and Vash copied her, his hands going to her shoulders.

She let him push her down to the bed and his hands went to her waist. Her hands went to his forearms, grasping them as the kiss intensified. He pulled away for air and she looked up at him. " Um, maybe I shouldn't have done that. " He smiled sheepishly, his cheeks blushing a little.

" It's okay. I'm not hurting quite as bad as I was earlier, " Meryl eased her hands up his arms to his shoulders. She had mentioned that she had tried to restrain Wolfwood but wasn't very successful. She had made a little noise of pain when Vash had pushed her down but she didn't think he had heard it. She was about to mention that Vash had just fought for his life when she heard the front door open.

" The joys of a small house, " She muttered, rolling her eyes.

" Meryl! " Milly called from the hallway. " The village elder is at the door! "

Vash moved off of Meryl, " Better go see what he wants. "

Meryl sighed and got to her feet. She walked towards the door, turning before she opened it. " You lay down and rest. You need it. "

Vash saluted her, " Yes ma'am! "

Meryl rolled her eyes but smiled as she did it, trying to stifle a chuckle. " You big goof, " She muttered and left the room.

Meryl walked down the hall and smiled at the village elder. " Is there something wrong? " She asked.

" I have come here to ask you to be ready to leave once the well project is finished, " The elder said solemnly as he looked down at the floor. " There are a few things that need to be finished now we've reached the water but once they are done, you need to go. "

" What? " Meryl and Milly said at the same time.

" But our friend… " Meryl stammered. " He's injured and his brother… "

" Yes. I saw him. What about the black-haired man? " The elder asked, his gaze not leaving the floor. " Is he injured as well? "

Milly stepped in, " Yes sir. He's injured too and they might take a while to heal! "

" I see. Perhaps those men were too rough on them the other day. In that case, " The elder looked side to side but not at Meryl. " You can stay until they are well enough to move around. "

Meryl nodded, " I understand, sir. Thank you. "

" Good night then, " The old man said and walked away.