Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Delicate Butterfly ❯ Troubled Dreams ( Chapter 5 )

Vash lay awake in his bed in the hotel. He could hear the soft sobs in the next room. Meryl's soft sobs. Nicholas was sitting in a chair smoking his 6th cigarette in the night. Milly was in the other room comforting Meryl.

Vash growled with anger at the thought of Knives taking his and Meryl's adoptive daughter away. But his anger soon led to a sleep of nightmares.

~~Dream~~

Vash could see a little girl curled in a ball, floating in mid air. He recognized her as his little Aerith. He reached a hand out for her but was then stopped when a pair of slender hands gently wrapped themselves around her.

Vash looked to see a silhouette of a woman with extremely long hair gently pull Aerith to her like a mother holding her infant baby. Her face lifted and Vash could see her mouth words. He understood her.

Find Knives! I'll do my best to protect Aerith with my body…

A flash of light and she was gone with Aerith.

"Wait?! Who are you?!" Vash yelled.

Could it be Rem? No, that woman's hair was too long. She also appeared to be very young. What the hell has Knives done to Aerith!

~~End of dream~~

Vash awoke in bed. Nicholas and the girls have already gone to sleep.

~~Morning~~

The gang was silent through breakfast. They all couldn't believe that Aerith just slipped out of their protection like that.

Meryl was about to cry again, which made Vash reach his arm over the table to comfort her. But instead, it knocked down a tall glass of orange juice all over the table. They all just stared as Vash's face turned redder than his trench coat. Meryl sighed.

"Smooth one needle noggin," Nicholas said with his cigarette bobbing up and down with his mouth. Vash glared, but then his face softened. He couldn't get mad at a time like this.

Vash got up from his seat and walked out of the diner. Meryl got up and quickly followed them. Milly was about to get up too but Nick stopped her. She looked at him

"Let them go," he said.

"Okay," she responded. She looked after them and sighed.

Outside the diner, Vash found a bench and sat on it. He put his yellow sunglasses on and sighed. He was startled when Meryl sat down beside him and hugged his arm for some comfort. A tear escaped from her eye. Vash wiped it away and put his arm around her so he could hold her. Meryl's face turned a light pink.

"Sh-sh-sh," Vash whispered as Meryl dug her face into his chest. A sobbing sound started to come from Meryl.

"How are we going to get her back? Alive?"

"We'll figure out something,"

"When?!"

Meryl's face turned into a frown as she lifted her face to meet his. She glared into his turquoise eyes.

"I don't know," Vash said turning his gaze away from her.

"But knowing our Aerith, she'll be fine," Vash said with a slight smile. Meryl slapped him.

"Were not just talking about her going to a friend's house! Knives took her! MILLIONS KNIVES!" Meryl yelled at him. She clenched his coat as more tears rolled down her cheeks.

Vash rubbed were she hit him. His eyes were full of sadness, but no tears. He couldn't cry. He wanted to, but couldn't.

~~Around mid-day time~~

Nicholas was in the hotel room on the bed and smoking again. His mind wandered around. He sighed as he thought of Aerith came into his mind. One he cherished. The first time he taught her about God.

Aerith. The lord is Our Blessed Savior. You can pray to him for guidance.

Only at bed time?

No, you can pray to him at anytime anywhere. He'll listen to you and take your troubles away.

Will he talk to me?

In your heart he will.

(pause from Aerith)

He's talking to me now!

What does he say? (chuckle)

That you're a good priest and friend.

Oh really?(chuckle)

Yep! And it's the truth!

Nicholas sighed again. He did the sign of the cross and began to pray for her safety.

Milly was in the same room as Nicholas. She was reading a book and paused when she came to the word "Eden".

Milly, what's this word mean?

(Looks at word)Paradise?

Yah. What does it mean?

Paradise is a very peaceful, beautiful, and safe place to be.

(Aerith paused to digest the new information)

Do you know a place of paradise Aerith?

(thinks)

Yah I do! I read it in one of your books.

What is it?

Its called Eden. I want us to go there sometime. Can we Milly?

(pauses) Someday we will.

Milly stared at the word for minutes on end. Aerith was an intelligent girl. She'll be home soon.

Meryl was inside the bathroom of the next room. She combed her hair and set it down and noticed a pink hair comb with a yellow flower painted on it. It was Aerith's.

Mama? Can I look pretty too?

You're already pretty Aerith, beautiful.

No. You're prettier.

(Takes pink comb)

Here, let me do something with your hair. Then you'll be a knock-out beauty!

Really?

Yep.

(Giggles) Make me pretty Mama!

Meryl picked up the comb and held it to her chest. Trying to smile.

Vash was in the same room but on the bed. His mind was full of Aerith. She was strong. But most of all, she didn't judge.

(Vash gets out of shower and dries himself off)

(Puts a pair of pants on and leaves the bathroom)

(Pauses)

(Little Aerith stands before him, staring)

(She reaches out and gently touches one of his deep scars)

Does it hurt? Do you need a Band-Aid?

No, these are just scars.

They don't hurt?

Nope.

(smiles)

Then I still can hug you?

(shocked)

S-Sure sweetie.

(Kneels on knees and lets Aerith embrace him)

Aerith was never afraid of his torn up body. She loved him enough to not mind the scars. He had to get her away from Knives. God only know what he might just do to her…