Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ The Resurrection Of Nicholas D. Wolfwood ❯ Showdown On The Roof ( Chapter 26 )

The Resurrection Of Nicholas D. Wolfwood

Part Twenty-Six: Showdown On The Roof

By Bekka Mouri

(Trigun doesn't belong to me and I am not making any money from this so please don't sue. Wolfwood finally meets Nagato and Knives has to deal with Cathy once again.)

Cathy eased herself out of the air duct next to the door that led to the upper floor of the building. She had seen the plans for the building before she left and had a rough idea of where she was going. She braced herself for the jolt she would feel when she hit the floor but nearly cried out when hands wrapped around her waist. She looked over her shoulder and down into Knives' face, " I thought you weren't going to help me. "

" I thought I wasn't either. I found your gun and I don't have any bullets for it but you do. We need one another but I still think your kind is garbage; " Knives said and eased Cathy to the floor. He had found a pair of plain black pants but he was still naked from the waist up. " Perhaps it would be a good idea for us to work together on this but my mind will never be changed. "

" Then why work with me? " Cathy arched her eyebrow.

Knives looked sideways, " I could just kill you and take the bullets but I… I might… " Knives let his word trail off before he admitted that he wasn't back up to full strength. He looked back at Cathy, his eyes narrowed. " I still think your kind is trash and I just might kill you once this is all over with. "

" How can you say that? We aren't all bad, Mr. Knives. Not everyone… " Cathy wrapped her arms around Knives' waist and pressed her face into his chest. " I want you to give me a chance to show you we're not all trash. "

Knives looked down at the top of Cathy's head and didn't know what to say or do although his first thoughts were to push her away, strangle her for having the nerve to touch him with her filthy human hands and take the bullets from her. He put his hands around her slender neck and shook his head, " You don't know what I have been through. You would understand if you did. "

" You don't know what I have been through either… " Cathy whispered, no fear in her voice at all. Knives applied a little pressure but she still looked at him with determination. " I have seen a lot in fourteen years. "

His hands fell away from her neck, unsure of why he could not make up his mind about killing her. She was annoying but he secretly noted her fortitude. " And I have seen a lot in the over hundred and thirty I have been alive, Cathy. "

Cathy pulled away and looked up into his eyes. She looked like she was a bit surprised about Knives' true age but the surprise softened into sympathy and understanding. " Then you know that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? "

Knives nodded, " I guess that is why my brother is so strong… "

Cathy reached up and placed a hand on Knives' cheek. " We can stop Nagato… We have to stop him because he IS the trash that you hate so much. I hate him too. "

" I know we have to, " Knives shut his eyes. " But I still may kill you once this is over… "

" I don't care if you do but I want to save the others. Let's save them and then you can kill me if you think all human are still trash once this is over, Knives. Please? " Cathy asked, her voice cracking. " We don't have time to waste and, like you said, we need each other. "

Knives opened his eyes and looked into her face. She was crying and pleaded for an answer with her eyes. " Yes, I did say that but don't think your simpering will change my mind about anything. "

Cathy pushed herself up on her tiptoes and kissed Knives on the mouth. She pulled away and ignored his surprised and nearly disgusted expression. " Thank you… Now, let's go. They're waiting on us; " Cathy grabbed Knives' hand and pulled him with her as she went towards the stairs…

**

Wolfwood stepped out on what could have been considered a roof. There was still a lot more of the mountain to go but it seemed this was the point where the building stopped. A large opening had been carved around the outer edge making a balcony with a view of the horizon. It would have been a nice view but that wasn't what Wolfwood was paying attention to.

" Wolfwood! Look out! " Vash called out. He was tied to Milly and Meryl and all three of them looked like they were floating in mid-air. They fell a couple of feet and gasped in unison.

" Shut up if you value your lives! " A voice called from a far corner of the roof. " I am not going to ambush him. It is too barbaric. "

Wolfwood pulled both of his guns from the gun belt. He narrowed his eyes as he scanned the shadows, " Show yourself Nagato! Your little game is up and I'm tired of playing it! "

The sound of heels clicking on stone could be heard and black clad legs could be seen in a shaft of light that was cast by the balcony's opening. A black coat fluttered in a slight breeze but Nagato stopped before he was completely illuminated. " I see you made it to the party, Nicholas D. Wolfwood. I don't remember saying that formal dress was… optional. "

" Your little immature wannabes must have thought stripping me was a funny thing to do, " Wolfwood said.

" I see that. I wanted them to wear you out, not strip you. It doesn't matter though. "

" What have you got planned? " Wolfwood asked as kept his guns trained on Nagato.

Nagato laughed, " You'll see but I suggest you not shoot until you have heard your choices. I know you will choose wisely. "

" Tell me, " Wolfwood snarled. " What are my choices? "

Nagato stepped a little more into the light; " Choice number one is that you shoot me dead. Of course upon doing that, your friends will plummet to their deaths on the rocks below. "

" That choice sucks. What's my other choice? " Wolfwood could see Nagato smile evilly.

" Choice number two involves letting me kill you, " Nagato said smoothly.

Wolfwood felt his hand tighten around the guns, " You bastard! There's no choice there. "

" Actually there is. If you kill me, you will live but you will have to live with the fact that your friends died because of you. However, if you let me kill you then you and your friends will all die together. "

Wolfwood growled, " You are one sick bastard. "

" I know. It's rather wonderful. "

" What is your sick little game all about, Nagato? What did I do? What did they do? " Wolfwood glanced towards the others.

" Don't you understand? When my brother was killed, I gained his memories and the need to avenge his murder, " Nagato smiled. " All of you had something to do with it so you all have to die. "

" It doesn't matter what choice I make… four people will still die, " Wolfwood shook his head.

" Yes but one choice will let you live, " Nagato reminded him.

" But I wouldn't be able to live… I would suffer knowing that I decided to save myself and not my friends. They are a part of me and I won't be whole without them. I would rather die than live without them, " Wolfwood said.

Nagato sighed, " Then I guess you have made your choice. Hold still and I promise that I won't make this hurt too much. Say your goodbyes but make it quick. "

Wolfwood looked at his friends and noticed they were all looking at him. " I'm sorry, " He mouthed to them.

Vash shut his eyes, tears pouring down them as he mouthed, " It's okay. "

Meryl looked at Milly and the two of them leaned against each other, shutting their eyes and bracing themselves. Milly opened her eyes for a moment and mouthed, " I love you, Nicholas. "

Nagato sighed as he started to reach into his coat. He had a pained expression on his face that puzzled Wolfwood. " Are we quite finished? This sentimental bullshit makes me want to throw up. "

Wolfwood shut his eyes, " I hope you burn in Hell, bastard. "

" I'm sick of people telling me that, " Nagato muttered then narrowed his eyes. He scanned the darkness as his stomach clenched. He made a quick grab for the inside of his coat but didn't make it. He screamed and clutched his left arm as a bullet bit into it.

Several more gunshots rang out and Nagato collapsed to the floor. Vash, Milly and Meryl screamed but stopped when they realized they were moving towards the balcony instead of falling. Wolfwood looked to see if he could locate where the gunfire had come from and he could hear boot heels clacking on the stone floor.

Vash and the girls reached the window and were turned so they could make it through the opening. Once they were inside, they moved towards the floor and landed with a soft thud. " Who's there? " Wolfwood called out.

Vash gasped, " Oh my God! Knives is here! I can feel him! "

" It's okay, guys… He's helping me, " A female voice said as the footsteps stopped just short of the light. " He said he wouldn't at first but I had all the bullets. "

Wolfwood narrowed his eyes, " Cathy? Is that you? "

There was a long silence before the answer came. " Yes, Mr. Preacher. It's me. Catherine Marie Harry, the stray dog of The Second Generation Gung-Ho Guns. I never wanted to hurt any of you, I swear. "

" Cathy? You were one of them? " Vash said as the girls gasped.

" Yes. Mr. Preacher found out and I ran away from him. "

Wolfwood nodded, " Yeah… it's a long story… I don't want to get into it here. "

A gun clattered to the floor and the sound of the boots could be heard again but they were running. Cathy hit Wolfwood as gunfire erupted and grasped onto him as she jerked. " Get down! " He screamed as he dropped to the floor, taking her with him. A single gunshot came from where Cathy had been standing and Nagato collapsed back down to the floor, blood flowing from a bullet wound on the side of his head.

Knives stepped out of the shadows, " Stupid jerk. That's what you get for everything you did to me. "

Wolfwood looked down at Cathy; she was bleeding from two wounds on her back that were right on her scar. He held her and looked down into her face. She was motionless and panic washed over him. " Cathy! "

Knives went to Vash and the girls as Wolfwood tried to bring Cathy back to consciousness. Vash noticed he was very pale as he leaned down and went to work on the ropes. Vash looked at him, ~you weren't behind this, were you? ~

~Not this time brother… I was one of his victims as well. Let me untie you and the humans. I only have a little strength left… ~

~Why are you helping a human? I thought… ~ Vash narrowed his eyes.

~Let's just say I am paying back a debt I owed you, ~ Knives replied. ~But don't think this means things have changed. ~

The ropes loosened and Knives' legs started to shake. Vash wiggled from the ropes and grabbed his brother as he collapsed. The girls freed themselves and Meryl stayed with Vash. She looked at Milly and nodded toward Wolfwood.

" Cathy! Damn it, girl! You better hang on until we get you some help! " He said to the girl as Milly crawled to him as fast as she could and sat down on the other side of Cathy.

Cathy smiled as Milly got to her and Wolfwood. " I thought I was a pain in the ass to you... Why do you want me to live? "

" Cathy… I never said you were a pain in the ass, " Wolfwood felt a lump in his throat. " You need to live because you are really a good kid. You may be mischievous but most kids your age should be. "

Cathy let out a weak giggle, " I'm not a kid… I haven't been for years. The Gung-Ho Guns stole my childhood from me. "

" They stole mine too, Cathy. I grew up when I was seven, " Wolfwood sighed. He tried to look serious for a moment, " You are going to make it… do you hear me? "

" I don't think so, Mr. Preacher… " Cathy shut her eyes and coughed. Some blood spattered on Wolfwood's chest. She reopened her eyes and saw what she had done. " I'm sorry… "

" It's okay. Another thing; you call me Wolfwood, okay? You can call me by my name you know, " Wolfwood shook his head and mustered up a smirk. " You've seen a little too much of me to keep calling me Mr. Preacher. "

Cathy laughed but Milly looked puzzled. She looked down at Cathy, " You need to save your strength, Cathy. Be quiet now, okay? We'll get you taken care of when we get out of here… "

" Get out soon… leave me if you have to… " Cathy grabbed Milly by her pajama top and Wolfwood by his shoulder. " I saw my sister setting a timer when I was in the air ducts. I think it may have been for a bomb. "

" What the hell? " Wolfwood looked at Cathy then at Milly. " How long ago was this? "

" Thirty minutes… maybe more. I don't have a watch, " Cathy sighed. " Leave me… I'll just slow you down. "

Vash got to his feet and put Knives over his shoulder. " I think we all need to get the heck out of here. "

Wolfwood rose to his feet and helped Milly to hers. He picked Cathy up and she looked surprised. " You don't have to take me… "

" I want to, " Wolfwood said quietly. " I owe you. "

An explosion rocked the building and everyone's eyes went wide. " Oh shit. Come on! Let's get out of here! "

" Don't stop to look at ANYTHING! " Wolfwood told them all. " The path down is stained with blood and death. "

" Did you do it? " Vash asked.

" One, okay? We'll discuss it later, needle noggin! Let's just get the hell out of here! " Wolfwood shouted.

The four of them dashed as fast as they could down the stairs as several smaller explosions happened in succession. Rock and dirt fell all around them but they kept moving. There was nothing to stop them on the way down since Wolfwood had eliminated all of the obstacles on the way up. The only worry anyone had been someone falling behind. Especially Vash since he was carrying the heavier of the two wounded.

The foyer of the building came into view as they cleared the last flight of steps. Another explosion rocked the building but Wolfwood kept going, " The exit is right in front of us! Come on! "

" You don't have to tell me twice, " Vash said and Meryl screamed as he scooped her up. He threw her over his other shoulder, wrapping his arm around her rear.

Meryl blushed but she didn't say anything. She had been slowing down but she didn't know Vash had noticed. She sighed when she could see sand under their feet and the presence of sunlight. Vash patted her hip, " I don't think we're out of the woods yet… "

" Over there! " Wolfwood ran towards the large boulder her had parked the Angelina II behind. It had an outcropping that made it a perfect shelter. " That'll make for good cover if that place is going to do what I think it will! "

As soon as they were behind the outcropping, Vash put Knives and Meryl down before he started gasping for breath. Wolfwood eased Cathy down and glared at Vash as he partially covered her and Milly with his body. " Cover them! "

Vash let out a little whine but quickly threw himself over Meryl and his brother the best he could when a huge explosion rocked the ground around them. Fire and rock rained down around them, some of it making it under the makeshift shelter. Wolfwood and Vash grit their teeth but would not cry out for fear of scaring the girls. The rain of stone and fire seemed like it wasn't going to stop when things finally got quiet.

Vash looked at Wolfwood, " Do you think it's safe now? "

Wolfwood listened carefully before sighing, " I think it's over now. "

" The could you please get off of me? You're a little heavy, " Meryl said.

Vash moved off of her quickly, " Sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I? "

Meryl shook her head, " No. Are you okay? "

" I'll live, " Vash smiled as his eyes locked with Meryl's. " How about you? "

" A little shaken but that was nothing compared to what you've put me through, Vash. "

Vash blushed a little, " Sorry… "

Meryl kissed him and Vash really blushed, " It's okay. "

Wolfwood got off of Milly and Cathy. He leaned against the boulder and reached into his pants for a cigarette. He pulled it out and lit it, fully intending to check Cathy's wound while he smoked. Milly plucked the cigarette from his fingers and pitched it away.

Wolfwood glared at her for a moment then sighed, " I'm sorry, honey. "

" Wolfwood? " Cathy whispered.

" What is it, girl? " Wolfwood scrambled to the girl.

" Tell Mr. Knives that I appreciated his help but I'm sorry he didn't get to do what he wanted to me, " Cathy smiled. " And I want to thank you and Mr. Vash for everything you did too. I didn't deserve any of it. "

Wolfwood furrowed his brow, " Why are you talking like you're going to die? I will get someone to fix you up as good as new… we'll even get you a new eye cover... "

" I'm not going to make it, " Cathy coughed and more blood spattered on Wolfwood's chest. She frowned, " I'm sorry… I got you bloody again. "

" Its okay. Cathy, you're going to live, " Wolfwood said even though he knew she wouldn't make it unless they started moving. He looked around for the cross and his stomach dropped. He couldn't recall if he left the money in it or not and he couldn't pay a doctor if he didn't have it.

" Where's the closest town? " Milly asked.

Wolfwood shut his eyes as he tried to remember. " Clara Santa, " Cathy whispered. " It's just on the other side of the mountain. "

Wolfwood nodded, " Yeah. I used to stop there all the time for supplies. Come on, maybe they weren't damaged too much by the explosion. "

" But how? " Milly looked at the motorcycle. " That's all the transportation we have, isn't it? "

Wolfwood nodded, " Damn it… "

Cathy coughed again and cracked a tiny smile, " Don't worry about it. I won't make it. "

" Yeah you will. I know how stubborn you are, " Wolfwood kidded her or at least tried to.

" Not stubborn enough, " Cathy said and started to choke. She stopped and looked at Wolfwood, " Thanks again for everything. "

Wolfwood felt tears well up in his eyes as Cathy's breathing became labored and she started to cough up more blood. The coughing subsided for a moment and she lifted her left hand feebly, wiping away the first tear that fell. " Are you still mad at me? "

Wolfwood shook his head, " No. I forgave you a long time ago but I never had the chance to tell you. "

Cathy smiled and gasped. Her head fell against Wolfwood and blood came out of her mouth, staining his skin. He ignored it and hugged her. " Damn it, kid. Why the hell did you have to go do that? "

" What happened? " Vash tore his attention away from Meryl.

" She's gone, Vash, " Wolfwood shook his head.

Vash hung his head and looked over at Knives. He was conscious again but still looked paler than usual. " Knives… What happened? "

" I was kidnapped, " Knives whispered. " Nagato was going to kill me too. The human saved me though… she said I could kill her if I wanted to… "

Vash and Meryl looked over at Wolfwood and Milly as they held Cathy. Both of them were crying and Vash felt a lump rise in his throat. " She's gone… she sacrificed her life for all of ours so I guess you won't be doing that. We would have been blown to bits if she hadn't told us about the bombs… "

" I know. She was a good one, Vash… I would have considered letting her live, " Knives' eyes fluttered closed. " She wasn't a spider… "

" Oh Knives… " Vash sobbed and held his brother.

Wolfwood looked at Vash, " Is he? "

Vash shook his head, " No but he's sapped whatever strength he had… " Vash glanced towards Cathy's body. " He… said she wasn't a spider… Do you think this will make him think about changing his mind about humans? "

Wolfwood eased Cathy to the ground, " Only time will tell. "

Meryl and Milly looked at each other then at the guys. " So, " Meryl started.

Vash looked over, " So what? "

" Are we going to Clara Santa? " Meryl arched an eyebrow.

" I'll go and come back with a car or something that will hold all of us but I think we should bury Cathy first, " Vash looked at the girl. " She deserves it. "

Wolfwood nodded, " I agree. Where do you want to put her? "

Vash looked around then at the area where they sat. " Why not here? "

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