Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Old Acquaintances ( Chapter 45 )

 

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I own my kids (Because I made them) I own my husband, (Because the Marriage License says so) and I own a REALLY big mortgage. (Because I'm stupid and signed on the dotted line.) However I don't own Trigun. (Because if I did, I wouldn't have said mortgage.)

“blah blah” : talking

`blah blah' : thinking

“blah blah” : telepathic talking

blah blah : other misc. stuff.

 

*~*~*

 

Forever Mine

Chapter 45: Old Acquaintances

 

 

 

“Well you see… it was the first word he ever learned and Rem and Mary thought it was sooo cute that they just started to call him Knives, instead of Alex,” Vash said with a laugh before taking a sip from his draft beer.

 

“That's quite enough, Vash,” Knives coldly bit out, through gritted teeth, as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his twin.

 

“Oh come on, Knives,” Vash teased. “It isn't that big of a deal. Besides, I'm sure red here would like to know a little more about what you were like when you were little.”

 

“What… you mean he wasn't always irritable, arrogant, and domineering?” McKenna asked with mock shock before laughing herself.

 

“Oh he was… He was just shorter, back then!”

 

“Enough,” Knives growled, signaling that he was really irritated over their teasing. “We didn't come here for you to tell meaningless stories from our childhood, Vash. We are here to see if we can find more information on this Chaos fellow,” he added, referring to the popular gathering place for lawmen, a saloon called the Tin Star.

 

“Geeez… and they called me the crybaby,” Vash muttered, before taking another healthy swig of his beer. They had only been in the establishment for, maybe, twenty minutes after McKenna's father advised them that it would be the best place to find the most recent news regarding the hardened criminal. Though, Vash still felt a little uneasy about being surrounded by so many officers, even with a silver six pronged star lying over his heart. After all, he had only been sworn in an hour ago.

 

“Vash…” Knives warned, right before McKenna pushed away from their table and rose from her seat. “Woman, where are you going?” he asked, bringing his complete attention to her.

 

“To the restroom, is that okay?” she replied back, annoyed over his attitude.

 

“You may go.”

 

“Whatever,” the redhead mumbled with a roll of her eyes before walking to the other end to the tavern.

 

“Feeling a bit possessive, Knives?” Vash commented, while observing how his brother intently watched her retreating form.

 

“Hardly,” he retorted, before picking up his tall glass of whiskey and downing the entire contents. “I'm going to the bar. I assume that you are about ready for another beer.”

 

“Why sure,” the official ex-outlaw happily exclaimed, watching his brother leave the table and stepping over to the sandstone and steel fixture. Once alone, Vash turned his attention to the discussions going on around him and, unfortunately, the main topic of conversation had been the rumors regarding the earlier attack at New Fort Bragg. He couldn't help but smile, though. The plan had actually worked, far better than he ever imagined, and if the people surrounding him knew that he and his brother were the cause of the event… Well, he knew that it would become quite interesting and really, really quickly.

 

“Well… if it isn't the ace gunman with no name,” said the feminine voice behind him, instantly bringing Vash's attention to her.

 

“Huh…” Vash said as he turned in his seat and saw a pretty blonde woman with amethyst colored eyes, wearing a crimson jumpsuit. “Why… Miss Marianne. What are you doing here?” he asked, giving her a big smile.

 

“That's funny… I was going to ask you the same thing,” she replied with a small laugh. “May I join you?”

 

“Of course,” Vash answered, quickly standing and pulling the chair out next to him and helping her sit. “So how have you been?” he then asked after pushing her seat in and sitting back down.

 

“Busy. I just got back in town yesterday from apprehending the Melendez brothers,” she said, while stopping a waitress and placing an order for a gin and tonic. Once finished with her request, she brought her attention back to the gunman. “I see that you've been doing pretty good yourself,” she brought up, while pointing to his badge.

 

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” he sheepishly replied, bringing his right hand up to the scratch the back of his head.

 

“So does this mean I don't have to call you the no named gunman any longer, Vash?”

 

“Hey… how long did you know?”

 

“Oh… I figured it out right after we parted ways,” she replied with a smile before asking, “Did you have anything to do with Attorney General Madsen being held hostage and the disturbance at the compound earlier?”

 

“Uhhh… maybe…”

 

“I figured as much,” she chuckled, while shaking her head. “You were just about the only person that I knew who was insane enough to pull a stunt like that! Of course, granddad did tell me that Vash the Stampede was involved.”

 

“Vash, who is this?” Knives asked, frowning at the intrusion before sitting.

 

“Knives, this is Marianne Aura-Cayzen. Miss Marianne this is my brother Knives,” Vash said, introducing the two to each other. After the greetings were complete, he decided to ask her if she had heard any information regarding the Bringer of Chaos.

 

“Well… he's actually been pretty quiet,” the blonde woman informed him as the waitress set her drink in front of her where Vash insisted on paying. “The last I heard he was out in Neo Colorado and that was, I believe, a week ago. Why do you ask?”

 

“We're going after him,” Vash murmured, a hint of resentment in his tone before finishing off his first beer and taking a drink of his new one.

 

“Why him?”

 

“Well…” he started, before noting that his bother was sitting rigidly in his seat. Then a low growl escaped his taunt lips, making Vash look up to his brother's face. Knives appeared to be absolutely furious, with his ice-blue eyes practically glowing, and the muscles in his jaw twitching as he fixedly stared at something across the room. Following his gaze, Vash saw what had his brother so riled. It appeared that McKenna was having a heated conversation with another man, an officer in the military if the uniform was any indication. Without looking away, he asked, “Hey Miss Marianne, do you know who that guy is talking to red over there?”

 

“Where?” she wondered before spotting the two he was talking about. “Wait… is that McKenna Madsen? Then… oh crap, that's her ex-fiancé, Captain Michael Ward. He's a complete ass.”

 

Knives was pissed, to the point of becoming violent as he watch the other man talking to his woman. And he could feel that she wasn't too thrilled about the situation either. Then she tried to walk away from him. Apparently not liking the rebuttal, the Captain grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him where he wrapped his free arm around her waist.

 

“Fucking bastard,” Knives seethed as he rose from his seat and strode over to them.

 

“Oh Shit,” Vash breathed as he rose as well, following his brother.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Looking into the mirror, McKenna decided to pull the binding out of her hair before running her fingers through the ever lengthening mass of unruly tresses. “Ugh… I need a hair cut,” she groaned before starting to replace the restraint, but stopping. Knives had always said that preferred it loose and she thought that she would go ahead and humor him. Besides, she liked doing little things to make him happy. He deserved it, even more so, since he agreed to become a Federal Marshal.

 

She never would have thought that he'd consent to the arrangement once her father made the offer, but he did. And he didn't even put up a fuss about it, which really surprised her. Mac thought, for sure, that he would adamantly refuse, stating that a superior being would never serve another. Instead, he simply looked to her with his penetrating gaze and said fine. It almost seemed as if he agreed to do it because of her.

 

“Could it really be possible?” she said to her reflection in the mirror, wondering if he felt something more for her than a physical need. With a shake of her head, the redhead realized that it wasn't the time to ponder over his reasoning and turned, exiting the bathroom. As she made her way to the other side of the bar, a masculine voice stopped her.

 

“Hello McKenna.”

 

Pivoting on her heels, she turned to see a young man with short black hair and grey eyes staring at her. With a roll of her eyes and a groan escaping her lips, she shortly replied, “Captain Ward.”

 

“Now Mac is that any way to treat your fiancé?” Michael said, with a feral grin, as he slowly looked her up and down. Licking his thin lips, he salaciously added, “I see that traveling abroad has done you a world of good!”

 

“Ugh… that's ex-fiancé. God, you are such a prick,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest to show that she was extremely annoyed. “What do you want?”

 

“At the moment you, gorgeous,” he suggestively advised with a small wink.

 

“Well… you are going to keep on wanting then, because it's never going to happen,” Mac bit out before turning to leave, only to be stopped as Michael grabbed her.

 

“I don't think so…” he said, wrapping his left arm around her waist. “Come on baby, I know you missed me.”

 

“Actually… no… she hasn't,” another voice, filled with venom, cut in. “I suggest that you take your hands off of my woman now, or else I will rip them off, with my bare hands, and shove them down your fucking throat!”

 

“Who in the hell are you?” Michael incredulously wondered, turning his attention to the taller platinum blonde man, who was seething with absolute rage. Letting go of McKenna, he stepped over and stood directly in front the man before him, finally noticing Silver Star on his overcoat. “Federal Marshal, huh? No big deal, I'll kick your ass and then get back to wooing my fiancé.”

 

He just sneered at the human's overconfidence. Without hesitation, he pulled his right fist back prior to letting it go, instantly connecting with the Captain's face. But, before Michael could fall to the ground, Knives grabbed a hold of his uniform jacket to keep him upright. Then with sharp glare, the Plant spat out, “There is absolutely no way that such a minuscule member of the arachnid genus could ever kick my ass!” The very next instant, he delivered a punishing uppercut, with his left fist, sending the now unconscious man flying a few feel away, where he landed, in a heap, on the floor.

 

“What garbage,” Knives then muttered, ignoring the curious or shocked expressions on the fellow bar patrons' faces. He simply looked over at McKenna as she closed the gap and stood before him. “Are you okay?” he asked, lightly touching her cheek with a gloved hand.

 

“I'm fine,” she replied as he lowered his hand to grab hers and led her back to their table. For the first time, she noticed that Vash was standing only a few feel behind, watching over the situation, fully prepared to step in if needed. She gave him a grateful smile as they passed, with him falling in step right behind them. Once there, McKenna saw the newest member of their party, sitting on the opposite side of the table, expectantly watching her with a big smile on her face. “Marianne… hello. How are you?”

 

“I am just fine,” she answered as the three returned to their seats.

 

“Wait… you two know each other?” Vash asked as he looked amongst the two lovely ladies.

 

“Our families have been friends for a very long time and we practically grew up together,” Mac explained with a warm smile, while Marianne nodded her head in agreement. “And Marianne is the only person that didn't care when I decided to study medicine. But, unfortunately, we never really saw each other much after she went to the academy to become a Federal Marshal. How long has that been now?”

 

“That was almost seven years now,” she replied after taking a sip from her drink. “So, what have you been doing Mac? Other than finding yourself a real man and dumping the creep,” she added with a playful wink as she glanced over at Knives.

 

“Well… up until a few days ago, I was practicing medicine in New Oregon on the fallen SEEDS ship. That's where I met Knives and Vash. Now, we are looking for Caden Walker.”

 

“That's right,” Marianne remembered as she turned her head, returning her attention to Vash. “So Vash… you never answered me. Why are you going after him, anyway?”

 

“Well… it's a long story really,” he answered as a sad smile formed on his face. “But, he has two of my friends following him…” he supplied before trailing off.

 

“Wait… those two women from Bernardelli. I'm right aren't I,” Marianne interjected, while watching the play of emotions cross the ex-outlaw's face. “So, I guess it's pretty safe to assume that the smaller one finally realized that you're Vash the Stampede, huh.”

 

“Yeah, she figured it out,” he mumbled before swallowing the entire contents in his glass.

 

“So… did she also figure out that you are a good man and someone that a girl could really fall for?”

 

“Not exactly…” Vash started, staring at the remnants of foam in the beer mug. “Meryl fell for me alright… but, instead she found out what a complete bastard I am.”

 

“You love her, don't you?” she simply asked, but already knowing the answer. The good ones were always taken.

 

“Yep.”

 

“Well… Vash the Stampede, I'm sorry I couldn't help you further, but, I do wish you luck on your search,” the blonde woman stated right before rising from the table and saying her goodbyes. Then as she started to walk away, she turned back around and supplied, “You know… I still think you are a good man and any woman would be extremely lucky to have you. Oh… and one more thing... Doesn't she have to send progress reports to Bernardelli that include their location?”

 

And with that she was gone.

 

Vash simply sat there for a moment, digesting what Marianne had just said. She was right. Meryl was always typing up reports and sending them to Bernardelli HQ in December, progress reports that included everything about their assignment, especially their whereabouts. Looking up to his twin, he gave him a big smile and asked, “What do you say to heading over to the Second City of December, brother?”

 

“I say that we had better head back to McKenna's father's house so we can prepare to leave first thing in the morning. Besides, I am getting tired of being in the company of such putrid creatures,” he replied, referring mostly to McKenna's ex-fiancé, before the three rose, leaving the saloon.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Knives stood outside of the closed door and simply stared at it. It was late and he should be in bed, sound asleep. Unfortunately, sleep was eluding him and he knew exactly why. It was because he didn't have a little fiery redhead cuddled up next to him, something that he had grown quite accustomed to. She said that it would be best for them to sleep in separate rooms, for propriety sake, of course. So, here he was, thinking propriety be damned and standing outside of her bedroom door, wanting nothing more than to open it. But, he couldn't do that either. He was to preoccupied replaying the conversation that he had with her father after dinner earlier that evening…

 

“Alexander, if I may have a moment of your time,” Theodore said in a tone that meant it was more of a command.

 

“Of course,” Knives simply answered before the older looking man motioned for him to follow.

 

Once leading him into the study, the Attorney General stepped over to a table holding a brandy decanter and several glasses. After pouring two generous helpings into snifters, he picked up the fine crystal containers and walked back over to the Plant. Handing one over to Knives, he finally spoke, “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

 

“My intentions?” he asked back, accepting the drink.

 

“In her more recent letters, she would always complain about a certain brash young man named Knives. Now, McKenna really isn't the type of person to complain about much of anything. Her upbringing saw to that. However, that all changed after she met you…” Theodore stopped there as a small chuckle escaped his lips. After a moment, he brought the glass in his left hand to his lips and took a sip before changing the direction of his words. “She is my only daughter, son, and I want what's best for her. Alexander, to put it bluntly, I want to know if you are the man that will be able to meet my expectations. I thought that her previous love interest was…”

 

“I will exceed them,” Knives highhandedly interjected, essentially cutting off the older looking man. He didn't want to hear about the cretin that he had the pleasure knocking out earlier that afternoon.

 

“I have a feeling that you will,” Theodore said with a warm smile. “I can see why she is quite smitten with you,” he then said knowingly as he stepped over to his desk. Setting the glass down, he pulled a small box out of the top drawer. Opening the container, he took a deep breath and looked at its contents before closing it and his eyes. Then, after a moment, he reopened his aurulent orbs before walking back over to the younger looking man. Finally, handing the box over, he advised, “This belonged to my wife and I know that she would want you to have it...”

 

With a sigh, Knives reached into the pocket of his blue pajama bottoms and pulled out the box. Opening the lid, his eyes were instantly drawn to the way the dim light set the row of lucent stones afire. It was a ring made of gold with brilliant cut diamonds set in a channel completely encircling the band. And he knew exactly what it was for…

 

It was a wedding ring.

 

He just didn't know if he could give it to her and that was why he found himself standing outside of her door in the middle of the night. She was his mate. He knew that much. But, the very idea of conforming to yet another one of the humans' customs was leaving him a little uneasy. Didn't he conform enough already? After all, he not only decided to forgo his plan for their demise, but, he also agreed to become one of their law enforcement officials.

 

Although, if she were to wear the ring, then it would show physical proof that she belonged to him. Then other unworthy spiders would think twice before trying to ensnare his little mate in their web. Besides, she could just wear the ring. It wasn't like they actually had to go through with the ceremony. After all, she was his mate and the future mother of his children. Didn't that prove that their relationship was binding? What more could she ever want?

 

With his mind set, he gently opened the door before slipping in.

 

“I was wondering how long you were going to stand by the door,” McKenna said with a small smile. She was standing out on her balcony, looking back through the opened French doors into where he stood by her now closed bedroom door. Turning her attention back to the sky, she commented, “It's a lovely night don't you think?”

 

“Exquisite,” he breathed as he took in her form as the five moons' reflective rays fell upon her. She was positively glowing as her auburn locks shimmered and the white nightgown became translucent in the moonlight. It gave him yet another reason to make his claim on her public knowledge. “Why aren't you asleep?” he asked, while closing the gap, only to stop once he was standing immediately behind her.

 

“I… ahhh… guess you could say that it felt strange sleeping alone,” she replied with a small laugh, making Knives wrap his arms around her and pull her securely against his chest.

 

“Hmmm…” he muttered in agreement.

 

After a few minutes of just holding her, he moved his right hand to his pocket where he finagled the box open and pulled the ring out. Breathing deeply, he loosened his hold with his left hand as he used it to grasp hers, while simultaneously bringing the ring up to her left index finger with his right. Finally, he carefully slipped the band down the slender digit and over her knuckle. It fit perfectly.

 

“Knives…” McKenna muttered in confusion as she watched him place a ring on her finger. Then she recognized the ring. It was her mother's and her grandmother's before hand, a family heirloom that had been passed down for generations from husband to wife. But, she wasn't sure how he got it. Then she recalled the private conversation he had with her father. He approved of their relationship. Realizing just how significant the moment really was, the redhead's eyes started to glisten as she breathed, “Oh Knives…”

 

“It's nothing,” he gruffly murmured, trying to down play the moment, as he rewrapped his arms around her. She knew better and he knew it, too. “You're father said that it used to be your mother's and that you might like it if I gave it to you. So I did…”

 

“I love the fact that you gave it to me,” she whispered before turning in his arms and standing on her toes so she could kiss him. Soon the kiss increased in intensity, making the enamored blonde scoop her up, taking her to bed.

 

…

 

Feeling exhausted and, not to mention, extremely satisfied from their most recent round of lovemaking, McKenna slipped her left leg over Knives's thigh as she delicately ran her fingers on his abdomen. She loved this sensation, the feeling of completion she felt ever since the first night they made love. But tonight, it was different. There was something else there that made their coupling seem all the more sweet. It was because she now knew that he harbored deeper feelings than just a physical need for her.

 

And she could not forget the fact that he just gave her the ring.

 

He surprised her, yet again. And even though there was absolutely no way to get Knives into a church to recite matrimonial vows, she knew that he silently said them to her, just a little over an hour ago, by simply placing the ring on her finger. In his eyes, they were already married and it wasn't necessary to say the words. It wasn't necessary for her, either. She loved him too much…

 

“I love you, Alexander Knives Saverem,” she whispered sleepily, nuzzling her face into his chest right before drifting off to sleep.

 

The once homicidal Plant smiled over the admission. He couldn't help it. And even though they were only three little words that should have absolutely no meaning to a superior being, such as himself, they did. Nobody, other than Vash, had said them to him in over 130 years. And it felt better than he could possibly imagine finally hearing her say those `meaningless' words. Looking down to her sleeping, form Knives softly kissed the top of her head before thinking, `I love you, too, McKenna Etain… Saverem.'

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

A long dawn out sigh broke the silence in the room right before the rhythmic clicking of a typewriter took its place…

 

We have been following this man for ten days now and he is still just as much of a mystery as he was upon our first meeting. So far, all he has said is that he needs to get back to Inepril City, because he left something there. Unfortunately, he has not mentioned what that something is. Nor what he is going to do, once he acquires it. However, I do have the utmost confidence that Milly and I will have more information on Caden Walker with our next report.

 

In conclusion, our bus heading to Valdour is leaving today, where we will pick up another bus that will take us directly to Inepril City in eight days. Therefore, if everything goes according to plan, our next report should be written in route to the now prospering city.

 

Until our next report,

 

Meryl E. Stryfe

 

Senior Disaster Investigator

 

Once the typing ceased, Meryl efficiently pulled the sheet of paper out of the typewriter before folding and slipping it into the already addressed envelope. It was complete. The second official report that she had finished since she and Milly started following the Bringer of Chaos, Caden Walker. And just as the report stated, they haven't really learned much about the handsome man, except for a few little character traits that intrigued her, making her want too get to know him better. Of course, he being tall, dark, and handsome didn't hurt, either.

 

No, he was gorgeous, no mistaking that and he had an aura around him that exuded a natural confidence, but it wasn't arrogance. He would never blatantly show off or even talk himself up, like other men she knew. She had distinct feeling that his upbringing saw to that. For what she did learn was that he had a loving father who taught both him, and she assumed his brother, kindness and respect until he passed away a few years ago. When she asked about his mother, he simply said that they had to leave her when he was very young. So, he grew up not knowing her. However, when she would mention his brother, Regan, Caden would immediately close up, becoming almost angry, stating that he didn't want to talk about him.

 

Another thing that made Caden different from other assignments was how he allowed them to follow. He didn't complain about it, other than the first night they officially met, and even then, he didn't put up that big of a fuss. Nor did he try to elude them, which Meryl knew he could have easily done at anytime. It seemed as if he was tired of being alone and liked the idea of having them around. Not to mention, he was always watching out for them, something that she repeatedly told him he didn't have to do. It felt as if he had become their self proclaimed bodyguard. Like a shadow, he would follow behind at a safe distance, while keeping a look out for danger.

 

Caden was a walking puzzle, one that she and Milly didn't even know where to start putting the pieces together. So far, the petite woman observed that he basically had two different personalities. The first being when he was out in the public. He was cold, aloof, and very wary of his surroundings, portraying exactly how a despicable outlaw should act. But, when behind `closed doors,' the man became warm and gentle, even a little flirtatious, something that still made her blush. She also noticed that he had the appetite of a growing fifteen year old boy (or another outlaw that she refused to think of) and his favorite food, other than peppermint candies, was any Chinese, but especially Lo Mein noodles.

 

“Sempai are you done yet?” Milly called out after opening the door to their room, instantly breaking Meryl from the thoughts. “Come on… the bus is leaving in fifteen minutes and Mr. Caden is waiting.”

 

“Gosh I'm so sorry, I didn't realize that it was almost eleven already,” she answered in a rush, while quickly closing her portable typewriter. Picking it up from the table, she strapped it to her pink suitcase before grabbing the envelope and exiting the room with her luggage in tow.

 

“It's no problem, Sempai,” Milly happily said as the two turned to head down the steps that led to the open space of the hotel's bar and exit. “We've already checked out and Mr. Caden is waiting for us outside.”

 

“That's good. Thank you for checking us out, Milly,” Meryl replied with a smile as the two proceeded to walk out the swinging double doors.

 

“Well, there's our lovely little insurance girl,” Caden commented with a lazy smile as he leaned up against the hotel's wall with his cowboy hat tipped down over his emerald orbs and a black nap sack resting at his feet. “Did you get your report finished?” he asked before flipping the peppermint in his mouth and straightening his lean form. Picking the bag up, he slung it over his shoulder as he walked over to the lovely ladies.

 

“I did,” the raven-haired beauty simply murmured with a blush apparent from his compliment before stepping over to the mailbox resting up against the hotel a few feel away. She then inserted the envelope into the receptacle before stepping back over to her traveling partners. “Are you two ready?”

 

“Yep… ladies first,” Caden answered as he motioned for the two to walk ahead of him. Once they started toward the bus depot, he fell in stride a few feel behind, keeping a constant lookout for trouble. It had been quiet, almost too quiet, and he had a feeling that their good fortune was about to come to a screeching halt. It was a sickening feeling telling him that `they' were close and the insurance girls were going to be in danger. Something he had, so far, been successful in keeping them from. Then they turned the corner and that's when a felt it, the cold shiver that slithered down his spine.

 

“Hello Chaos,” a voice called out right before the sounds of safeties being taken off of semiautomatic weapons rang through the air.

 

“Fuck me,” he muttered, stopping in his tracks and dropped his bag. Without turning around, the outlaw coldly spat out, “I told you before that I would never give it to you, Snider. So go back to your little boss and leave me the hell alone!”

 

“Now Caden… is that any way to treat an old friend?” Snider sarcastically retorted before adding, “Besides, I believe that I still owe those two lovely ladies accompanying you for the last time we met. And I know that you don't want anything too happen to them so… I would be more than willing to overlook their involvement if you agree to hand the map over!”

 

`Damn,' he thought as he focused in on the two women, who stood a few yarz ahead and looking back at him, realizing the position he was in. Knowing what he needed to do, Walker sighed deeply before calling out to the insurance girls, “Why don't you two head to the bus and I'll catch up. This will only take a minute.”

 

“Mr. Caden?” Milly questioned as both women prepared draw their weapons.

 

“No… Go! I will catch up with you later!” he yelled, instantly prompting the women to stop.

 

“But…” Milly started with the full intention of ignoring his warning.

 

“No Milly…” Meryl interrupted as she grabbed a hold of her partner's arm and practically dragged her down the street, while stating that Mr. Caden was right, they had to go. Then once the reached the next corner, Milly stopped in her tracks, instantly halting Meryl's forward momentum, since she was still pulling the big-girl.

 

“But, Meryl we can't leave him back there!” she stammered, very worried about their new assignment.

 

“Of course we can't!” Meryl immediately agreed as she let go of her friends arm. “We just needed to be temporarily taken out of the equation, so Mr. Caden wouldn't have to worry about us!”

 

“Temporarily, Sempai?”

 

“Yeah temporarily,” Meryl repeated with a devilish grin spreading across her face. “Now let's circle around and find a secure place where we can offer assistance.”

 

“Right, Sempai,” the big-girl replied as they both turned down the next alley, heading back where they came from.