RPG Trigun: A New Start (WARNING: Smoking, drinking, and violence involved)

[Hayate]

Shuno:Vash i know you're hereI smell the stench of fear all aroud you come out you yellow bellied S.O.B or I swear I'll kill every living soul in this town.

[COLOR=sienna]He isn't taking you seriously he thinks you're soft a scared little puppy me thinks you should show him your powers show him the demons eye kill everyone show them wh o their king is[/COLOR]

Shuno:Is that it vash you think I'm afraid of you you think I can't kill you and the rest of these people watch me!

[i]Shuno drops his sax and to the horror of the group begins killing every citezen man woman or child in sight and with the demons eye none can face him[/i]

[Artemis]

OOC: Okay, that really sucked...I was half-way through and my internet disconnected on me...grrr....

Stocatta huddled silently next to her pensive bodyguard in another alley. Only a block away, buildings were exploding, and lives were ending.
[color=blue][i]Vash! What are you doing? Get out there! People are dying, and you're meditating![/color]
[color=red]For your information, I'm concentrating on how to get past the demon's eye. It blanks out your normal senses.[/color]
[color=blue]We don't have all day! How'd you do it last time?[/color]
[color=red]I concentrated on the pain of a wound. Now, please, leave me alone so I can work up the concentration I need![/color][/i]
Stocatta remained mentally silent for a few moments then responded, [color=blue][i]I'll do it.[/color]
[color=sky blue]What?! Stocatta, you're not strong enough right now! I can tell that you're wounded![/color]
[color=blue]Which is exactly why this will work. Trust me, Komeko. I've got to finish off Shuno before I can live in peace.[/color]
[color=red]Hey now! I don't want you killin' him![/color]
[color=blue]Then beat me to him!![/color][/i]
Stocatta ran out of the alley and into the street where Shuno was waiting.
"Ahh," he began menacingly, "Not who I asking for, but you'll certainly do, Stocatta. You owe me for the death of your husband, traitor!"
Stocatta simply shook her head sadly at the poor, misguided man but felt no mercy. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the wound in her side.
Simultaneously, Shuno shouted, "Now, you will know the wrath of the demon's eye!!"

[Che]

[color=purple] Stocatta you're crazy. But since you're you and you've got Vash on your side I'm going to trust on this. Good luck[/color]
[color=blue] Why thank you Mai![/color]
Mai had been listening to Komeko, Stocatta, and Vash for a while. [I]Dammit Shuno! It's called respect for those who lost loved one![/I]

**Flashback**

"Legato! Wait up!" A very young girl yelled to an older boy far ahead of her. The girl started running but fell over face first. "Mai!" The aparent young Legato yelled, running to his sister. He helped her up. "Mai! Are you ok? You've gotta be more careful!" He said, dusting the sand off her. Mai nodded and the started walking again. "Where are we going again Legato?" She asked. "We are supposed to be going to Augusta, to meet Dad. Don't you remember?" Legato said. Legato's voice was not eerily calm as it was when he was an adult. It was softer and full of the concern a big brother should have. "Then why isn't mommy coming with us?" Mai asked. Legato looked down and closed his eyes, suprisingly holding back tears. "We're not going to see mommy for a long time, ok Mai?" He said. He couldn't bear to tell such a young girl her mother was dead. "Oh ok. If you say so Legato" Mai said dissapointingly, grabbing hold of Legato's hand.

**Back to the fight**

"Legato..." Kayla heard Mai say under her breath. Kayla looked at her but knew better than to ask. Mai remembered Kayla asking who Shuno was. "Shuno was my brothers henchman. [I]Don't[/I] under estimate this guy. Right now it looks like he's finally lost it after the 'losing his master' scenario." She explained to Kayla. Kayla nodded her head and looked at Shuno. Knives also her Mai speak her brothers name. He looked at her and she looked at him. Mai glared at him and started looking back at Shuno. [I]Damn you Knives...you made a perfectly good soul go evil. No matterr what I am forced to keep my grudge[/I], she thought.
---------------
Legato had a nice side to him! Who knew? BTW sorry I haven't posted!

[Artemis]

OOC: *cries* I lost everything again!! I hated juno... *starts from scratch...once again*

[color=purple][i]Stocatta, you're crazy. But, since you're you and you've got Vash on your side, I'm going to trust on this. Good luck. [/color]
[color=blue] Why, thank you, Mai![/color][/i]
"Death by my sax isn't enough for you, traitor...You'll die by the blade!!"
Shuno began running at Stocatta, his sword raised. Stocatta focused all her attention on the bullet wound in her right side. She waited a few moments and then opened one eye. Shuno was still coming, but in realtime (to her, at least). Before he knew what was happening, a large piece of rubble (from building ironically destroyed by himself) flew towards him, knocking the sword out of his hands and destroying the demon's eye. He staggered backwards for a moment, and then glared at Stocatta, still standing several feet away.
"Alright, bitch," he spat bitterly, "Let's finish this the old-fashioned way!"
He clenched his fists and came at her again. Weak from her previous exertion, Stocatta stood in shock for a moment.
[color=blue][i]That debris should have killed him! It must have gotten knocked aside by something...[/color]
[color=red]Like a bullet, perhaps?[/color][/i]
Suddenly, Shuno was upon her, and his fist contacted with her tender right side carrying the force to knock her to the ground. She lay there for a moment inhaling sharply. The blow had reopened the wound and the blood flowed out profusely.
[color=blue][i]Some bodyguard [/i]you[i] are![/color][/i]
The last sight Stocatta saw was a fist speeding towards her head. She blacked out.

[duorocks17]

Sarah watched from behind the post as she saw Shuno rush toward the woman whom she saw ealier. She saw the woman just laying on the ground, and her conscience was getting the better of her. [I]You can't just stand here and watch her die![/I] "Oh yes i can!" Sarah replied to the voice inside her head.
[I]You know that man is worth something.[/I] the voice inside her head said.
"Yeah...he is! I can make some more money off him!" Sarah said as she drew out her sword, and entered her stance. "This one is for my baby!" she yelled as she went charging forward.

Just as Sarah had taken her first step towards the to, the sound of a gun came out of nowhere. The sword fell out of Shuno's hand, and he stoped inches away from the woman.

Shuno looked up to where the shot had been fired from, and his face contorted in anger. "You bastard! Why did you stop me!" he said as he started to run at the man.

Sarah looked over to the person who was now coming into the light. Her mouth dropped open as she saw the man she had been looking for all this time.....Vash the Stampede.

[Artemis]

OOC: Well, I was going to wait for someone else to post, but we need to keep moving.

Stocatta looked around, but the darkness pervaded in every direction. All about her was nothingness, not even a horizon. She was lost, all alone...until the voices came...memories...thoughts...feelings...
[i][color=purple]Legato...if only I knew why you want these people dead so much.[/color]
[color=blue]I just want to be a child again...I want someone to look after me and tell me I'm safe...[/color]
[color=sky blue]Stocatta...where are you...I have to find you...[/color]
Why did i just help her? It's not like i care about them or anything.
[color=green]I only do this to protect you. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, love.[/color]
[color=blue]I can't believe how gentle he is...It's kinda creepy. How can one person be so good and so evil at the same time?[/color]
[color=purple]I promise you, the next word you say will be your last![/color]
[color=green]You don't have the courage do you? The courage to shoot your own brother. You don't have what it takes to do what you need to. That is why I abandoned you. Because you are not strong.[/color]
[color=blue]Mai, can you hear me? Please listen to me. You may be the only one who can stop Legato. That gives you a duty to kill him. He has to be stopped. Someone as evil as he is should not have the powers that you two have.[/color]
[color=green]Do know that I can hear you, Stocatta darling. Please do not try to interfere any more. You shame me by trying to plot against me like this. Nothing will come of it, and be sure that you'll be punished, love.[/color]
[color=blue]Mai!! Listen!! Do it now! He's a liar and killer. Whatever else he might be, he's a danger to the races of humans and humanoids. I know it's hard destroying him like this, but you won't be completely alone. You'll still have me, your sister-in-law...[/color]
[color=purple]Oh God! What have I done! Have I truly killed my brother?[/color]
[color=blue]She needs my help and support. She can't do this alone.[/color]
[color=red]Why Legato Bluesummers is lying dead back there?[/color]
[color=blue]Legato is dead because he was both dangerous and evil.[/color]
Revenge revenge on the world for how it betrayed me revenge on all those whove wronged me but most to kill that traitor stoccatta she will pay most dearly for her greivious sin.
[color=sienna]remember your masters last words[/color]
[color=green]Shuno, remember, you may do as you wish after you find and destroy Vash the Stampede.[/color]
[color=purple]Damn you Knives...you made a perfectly good soul go evil. No matterr what I am forced to keep my grudge[/color]
Death by my sax isn't enough for you, traitor...You'll die by the blade!!
[color=blue]That debris should have killed him! It must have gotten knocked aside by something...[/color]
[color=red]Like a bullet, perhaps?[/color]
[color=blue]Some bodyguard you are![/color][/i]
Suddenly, the flow of voices brought her back to the present. In an almost physical blow, Stocatta was shocked by the light of the sun, blinding after so long in dark. She gasped for breath, as though she'd been underwater the whole time. She was lying on the dusty earth, and Shuno was now running, not at her, but at someone else: Vash.

OOC: Okay, so that had an Evangelion influence (even though I hate it). If you didn't get it, PM me.
~art~

[Maximillion404]

This is so sad, my brother gave up on the Otaku boards and left me his screen name. My screen name was disabled so now I have a new one. If it's ok with the rest of you, I want to keep Mike in the story. He'll make it more interesting. Oh yes, since all colors, that I can think of, have been taken, Mike's thoughts will be [b]bold[/b]. He already knows he's a Humanoid. ~JoyKaiba~
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"[color=hotpink]Damnit all Shuno[/color]," Julie said as she ran toward the town, avoiding falling pieces of stone. Knives, Nick, and Mike weren't too far behind her. Suddenly, Julie stopped and looked. The guys stopped running and looked to where Julie was looking. It was Shuno and he was going after Vash.

"[color=orange]Vash[/color]," Knives mentally yelled. Vash looked at his brother and smiled. Both Knives and Julie shook their heads in embarrassment.

"[color=gray]How can you be so calm in such an important battle Needle Noggin[/color]," Nick said sternly. Mike turned to his brother. Nick did have a point. Mike then turned back toward Vash.

"[b]You're the legendary Vash the Stampede, am I right[/b]," Mike said as everyone turned and looked at him, "[b]Why don't you live up to the rumors and show this Shuno dude what you can do. Now don't take me wrong, I don't want you to kill him. I just want you to physically and mentally injure him[/b]." Nick clapped his hands together. Mike turned and looked at him.

"[color=gray]Bravo[/color]," Nick said with a grin, "[color=gray]wonderful speech bro[/color]." Knives and Julie were softly clapping as well. Mike did a little bow and looked back at Vash.

"[color=red]I agree with Wolfwood[/color]," Vash said with another smile, ",[color=red]but I'll only listen on one condition[/color]." A sweat drop appeared on the back of everyone's head. Mike stepped forward.

"[b]What would that be Vash[/b]," Mike asked calmly. Vash looked at him and grined. Julie and Knives looked at Vash and then at Mike. Mike shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"[color=red]Just tell me who you are[/color]," Vash said with a grin. Mike put his hand to his face. He then looked back up at Vash.

"[b]My name is Michael G. Wolfwood[/b]," Mike said with a sweat drop at the side of his face, "[b]and I'm Nicholas D. Wolfwood's twin brother. I'm a friend[/b]." Vash looked at Mike and blinked. Mike put his head down and stared up at Vash with his eyes. Vash nodded.

'[color=red]Alright[/color]," Vash said happily, "[color=red]I'll do it then[/color]." Mike let out a sigh of relieve. Julie went to step forward, but Mike stopped her. He shook his head. The best thing they could do was let Vash handle this.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Yay, JoyKaiba's back with a new/old screen name!!! :D

[Flo]

OOC: Sorry I haven't been posting in a while.

SHonya stared out she was looking around. Shadow crouched by her side he hadn't let her out of her site sence the wild shotting had been going on.Shonya spotted Julia a while away. Shonya perked up and ran towards Julia and the others with her. There were alot more than there had been befor Shadow was running with her. She stopped and looked closer at the crowd with Julia. Her eyes widened and she smiled.
"Vash".Shonya shouted as she ran towards him she hugged him. Julia and some of the others looked a little confused. Vash looked down at her.
"Shonya how have you been"? Shadow barked and Vash laughed,"I haven't forgotten about you Shadow"!
Shonya smiled up at Vash the others looked at her and Vash standing together like close friends.Shonya then frowned at Vash.
"Your not your going to leave me again are you Vash"?
"Not if I have to".
Julia was even more confused now.

[Artemis]

OOC: Did Shonya show up before or after Vash's battle with Shuno? If it's before, well, I don't think Shuno could keep running at him this long. They weren't [i]that[/i] far from each other. I think I'm going to wait 'til that's answered b/c I don't want skip Vash and Shuno's battle if it's supposed to be right now. I probably won't get write again for a week. I'll be out of town for awhile.
~art~

[Che]

hmm...I'll answer this question...I hope correctly. Just read my post *sighs*
----------------------------
"That's it you've stalled long enough!" Yelled Shuno, a bit closer than before he started running. He got so distracted by Mike and Shonya that he forgot what he was doing. He charged at Vash again. Vash wass busy talking to Shonya. "Vash! Shonya! Look out!" Mai yelled. Vash's eyes widened, he suddenly remembered Shuno. "Shonya, get outta here!" Vash said, pushing her to the side, and raising his gun to Shuno. Vash lowered his aim to Shuno's feet and shot. His bullet stopped Shuno in his tracks. "Its not polite to try and attack when your opponent is speaking." Vash said, seeming a bit more serious.
[color=red]Who are you, anyway?[/color]
[color=purple] Mai. Mai Bluesummers[/color]
[color=red] What relation do you have to Legato?[/color]
Mai winced at Legato's name, but went back to the conversation.
[color=purple]I'm his sister, as well as his exicutioner[/color]
[color=red]You killed him, eh? For shame. But it seems to me, you miss him.[/color]
[color=purple] What's it to you? You may be legendary but you don't have to pry into my personal life.[/color]
[color=red]Bitter much?[/color]
-----------------
Please post, I have plans for after the battle with Shuno...really freaky/retarded plans...

[Artemis]

OOC: Well, swordmaster13, we could come up with a little battle for Vash...lol :p ;)

Stocatta slowly got up and found a wall to lean against. She was still peeved at Vash for preventing her from killing Shuno.
[i][color=blue]Now what's your excuse for not stopping Shuno before he got to me, Mr. Bodyguard?[/color]
[color=purple]Stocatta, he's the one who stopped him from doing any worse.[/color][/i]
Stocatta looked at Vash in surprise. She'd thought that he'd betrayed her. She took a moment to consider the recent events.
[i][color=blue]Alright, Vash. Take care of him your way.[/i][/color]

OOC: It's all yours, Mai!

[Che]

[color=royalblue]Okies, I'll try...*puts her headphones on and listens to Good Charlote* WHEEE! *ish hyper but ish eating bacon flavored crackers*
---------------
Vash didn't look at Stocatta, though he heard her perfectly. He only stared at Shuno, and Shuno to him. It looked as if neither was going to attack. Finally, Shuno took the first step towards Vash. Everyone was watching the two as if it was the most important thing in the world. Even some pedestrians hid behind debri (sp?) and watched. Shuno's few steps broke into a run. He was right next to Vash when he swung his fist, aiming his punch for Vash's spikey haired head. Vash doged it, and aimed his gun. BLAM! Though it only sounded as one shot, two bullets hit each of Shuno's legs. He fell straight to the ground. Shuno was losing blood, fast. Soon he blacked out. Vash gasped. "Oh my God! I didn't mean for him to black out!" He said running to him. Everyone else sweatdropped (mwahaha) and watched helplessly as Vash bandaged up Shuno's legs. "Uh, be right back!" He said as he picked up Shuno. "Gotta take this guy somewhere where he won't find us, and where he can sleep for a while." He left, and after a half hour he was back, Shuno-less. "Lets get going. Shuno will wake up soon, and when he does I don't think we should be around to say 'Good Morning.'" Vash said. Mai walked over to the others, soon followed by Sarah. "Just a second. When he wakes up, he'll be wanting his sax. And I believe we all know what he does with that." Sarah said. Mai nodded. She took out her gun, and shot three times at the woodwind instument.(OOC: I'm in band so I know oodles bout the sax) "Ooh! Let me do something!" Vash said, taking out a napkin and a pencil. He went against a wall and drew something, then put it on top of the saxaphone. "Are we done?" Mai asked. Everyone nodded, and they made their way out of the town. Shonya went up next to Vash. "Hey Vash, what did you put on that napkin?" She asked. Vash smiled. "I drew something and then at the bottom I told him to get well soon." He answered. Everyone sighed and shook their heads as they crossed the desert.
-------------
*Sings to her CD* "Don't say a word, I know you feel the same. Just give me a sign. Say anything, say anything! Please don't walk away, I know you wanna stay. Just give me a sign. Say anything say anything!" *starts dancing, luckily avoiding the tomatoes* Oh, and just so you know, this isn't my plan, this is the conclusion of the Shuno/Vash battle...[/color]

[DDG]

[color=navy][size=1]Kayla ran up next to Vash and walked next to him smiling. She glanced at him every once in awhile as did he glance at her.

[i]Finally! I've met Vash the Stampede![/i] she thought to herself. She looked up at him and then looked back behind them at the rest of the group. [i]This is so cool! I can't believe all of the cool stuff that's happened today.[/i] She dropped back next to Mai.

"Mai, do you wanna talk about what happened?" she asked.

Mai looked at her and tears welled up in her eyes. "No. I don't."

"Mai, you can't keep that inside. You need to talk about it." Kayla said.

Mai shook her head. "No. Not right now. It's too soon." she ran ahead of Kayla and walked next to Vash.

Kayla sighed and dropped back with Julie and Nick.[/color][/size]

[Che]

[color=royalblue][size=1]"She's right you know." Vash said, appearently litsening in on their conversation. Mai gave a cold glare at Vash. 'Listen Vash. I already hate your brother for things I shall not speak of, so don't make me hate you as well." She said quietly to him. Knives walked up next to her. "You hate me? Why? I just met you." Knives asked her confusidly. He looked her over for a few minutes, ignoring the sharp glare she gave him. "Oh my god. Are you---you aren't---you can't be---" He studdered. Mai frowned at him. "Yeah that's right. I'm Legato's sister. Don't you remember me Knives? I remember that day like it was yesterday." She said to him angrily. She dropped back next to Kayla, muttering some cuss words to Knives. Then she was forced to think about that horrible day again.

[center][B]----------
Flashback
-------------[/B]
"Legato! Please don't do it!" a ten year old Mai cried. Tears were streaming down her face. Legato, fifteen years old or so, was aiming a gun at their father. "I'm sorry Mai, but my Master has demanded this man dead." Legato said, with the creepily empty voice he had as an adult. "Legato! Stop! Put the gun down!" Their father told him. Legato didn't listen, he merely aimed the gun higher up his father's body, near the chest area.

It hit Mai then and there. [I]This 'Master' of Legato must've planned this whole thing. Mommy dying, us moving here, and now Legato's change of heart. This whole thing was his master's fault.[/I] She thought. She plucked up every ounce of courage she had and tackled Legato seconds before he pulled the trigger. The bullet nearly hit its target but was off by a few inches and hit the wall.

"Dammit Mai back off!" Legato yelled at her, pushing her off him and shooting her in the shoulder. "Mai! No!" Her father cried. Despite his fear of being shot, he moved to Mai. Two feet from her, and he was shot in the neck. Tears didn't stop flowing then. Her brother was now evil. After all these years of protecting her and sticking up for her, he had actually shot her. Her vision was now blurry. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was Legato leaving the house, spitting at both her and her father.

[B]End of Flash back[/B][/center]

Mai wiped the tears rimming her eyes. it was more than she could handle, all these memories. [I]Kayla's right. I need to talk to someone, but someone who'd understand.[/I] She thought. Mai dropped back to the end of the 'parade' next to the limping Stocatta. "Listen I want to talk. It's about Legato. But I don't want the others to listen. Next time we stop, can we find some place deserted so we can talk?" She asked her. Stocatta nodded. She felt like talking about Legato to. they were after all, married at a point in time.[/color][/size]

[DDG]

[color=navy][size=1]Kayla sighed as Mai dropped back with Stocatta. [i]Well, as long as she talks with someone...[/i] Kayla thought. She quickly caught up to Vash.

He looked at her and smiled. "You are a lot more sensible than you look, you know." he said.

Kayla smiled back at him. "Yeah, I know. I just like to look out for my friends. I don't like to see them hurt and stuff." she said looking up into the sky as if in a daze.

[center][b][u][i]Flashback[/i][/b][/u][/center]

"No, Mai! Don't go, he's not right!" A young Kayla said to a young Mai.

"But, Kayla, he's my brother. I can trust him, can't I?" Mai said looking at Kayla.

[b][u][i][center]End of Flashback[/b][/i][/u][/center]

Kayla shook the memory from her thoughts and looked ahead of them. Vash glanced at her again. "So, why are you here?" he asked.

She smiled widely. "I'm only here to meet you! I've been searching for you for a long time." she answered brightly.

"Oh? Really?" he asked, looking suspicious.

She nodded. "Yeah! You're my lifelong idol!"

An Anime sweatdrop appeared on the back of Vash's head. "Well, I never knew I had fans..."[/color][/size]

[Che]

[color=royalblue][size=1]Soon after nightfall, they reached a small town. They found a cheap hotel and split up for roommates. Kayla and Mai, Vash and Knives, Julie and Nick, Dragus and Terran, Sarah and Stocatta, and Shonya had a room to herself. "So who's paying for the rooms?" Asked the hotel 'manager.' Everyone looked at Vash. "Wha? Oh alright, here." He said, handing the manager some money. They all went to their rooms, but Mai couldn't wait to get out.

"Kayla, I'll be back later. I need to go find Stocatta." She said, leaving her room. Kayla noded as she crawled into her bed. Mai walked over to where Stocatta and Sarah were sleeping. "Stocatta, are you still awake?" She asked quietly as she gently knocked on the door. Stocatta came out, looking very sleepy. "Oh, its nothing, I can talk to you tomorrow." Mai said, seeing how tired Stocatta was. Stocatta nodded and went back into her room.

[I]Everyone was asleep, probably happy as well. This sucks. I try and be good, but whenever I'm around that jerk Knives, I have a sensation to kill. Dammit. I hate him.[/I] She thought, trying to find a desolate place around there. Mai eventually found a way to the roof. She sat there, hours on end, just thinking about how her life turned out.

"Ok. Lets recap here. As far as I know, Knives killed Mom, forcing us to live with our dad. I met Kayla there, and Legato met Knives. Knives turned Legato evil, and comanded him to kill Dad. Legato shot me, and I tried to follow him but Kayla stopped me. A few years later, I shoot Legato." She said aloud. She banged her fist on her knees as she sat down and cried. "Why the hell is my life like this? Why me? Why am I so alone, even though I'm surrounded by people?" She cried to herself.

"You shouldn't feel alone." She heard someone say. SHe wiped her tears away, and looked towards the passage. It was Knives. He apparently heard her talking. "You're right. I did do all those terrible things. I'm sorry too. I ruined your life..." He said to her, looking very sad as well as sincere. Mai didn't care, she gave him a cold glare and walked to the other side of the roof. Knives stayed put. "You have every right to be angry at me. I deserve whatever you do to me." He said, siitting down and pulling his knees to his chin.

"Don't give me that crap. You don't know what its like living my life. Having a gentle caring soul that loved you more than anything, shoot you. Do you know what Legato did when he shot my father?!" She shouted at him. She was too angry to even cry.Knives shook his head. "Legato didn't help me up, like he would've, nor did he even say goodbye. All he did was spit at me and my father's lifeless body and leave. I passed out for five days, not only from my should wound but from my emotional pain as well. My only salvation back then and still today is Kayla. She's the only thing left. And its all your fault Knives. I won't ever forgive you." She yelled at him, walking back to her room right afterwards.

Knives just sat there, thinking of what he just heard. [I]She's right. Its my fault she's miserable. Its all my fault.[/I] He thought as he went to his room as well.[/color][/size]

[DDG]

[color=navy][size=1]Kayla had been half awake half asleep as Mai left room. She was almost asleep when my came back, seeming to have had a fight with someone.

Kayla sat up. "Mai, you look mad." she noticed, even in the dark room.

Mai sat down on her bed and looked at Kayla. "I am mad, Kayla, I am."

"Why, Mai?"

Mai looked down at her feet. "Knives, it's all Knives' fault. It's his fault that Legato turned evil. It's his fault that my mother is dead. It's his fault that my father is dead. It's all his fault."

Kayla got out of bed as she saw tears fall slowly to the floor. She sat next to Mai and hugged her comfortingly.

Mai looked up at her. "I should have...listened to you. You knew he was going to do something evil, because he was evil." she looked back down at her feet. "Now you're the only one I have left..." she mumbled.

Kayla sighed. "I know, I know and I promise I'll never leave you. No matter what." she smiled as did Mai. "Now, let's get some sleep, or try to." Kayla said as she walked back over to her bed.

Mai nodded and layed down. Kayla did also, and quickly fell asleep.[/color][/size]

[Che]

[color=royalblue][size=1]Mai laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Kayla was in the bed next to her, snoring peacefully. Mai got out of bed again, and took out her gun. It brought back memories as well.

[center][b][u]Flashback[/b][/u]

"You're not going to change your mind about this are you?" Kayla asked Mai. They both looked identical as they were right now. Mai nodded. "I have to find him. It doesn't matter if he's evil or not, he's my brother. Its been so many years, you never know if he's changed." Mai answered.

Kayla looked at her and smiled. She rumaged through a bag that she had. "Well, if he hasn't changed, you might want this. For protection." She said taking out a shiny black gun. "Be careful. I'll meet you sometime in the future. I promise. I have something I need to take care of myself."

Mai smiled. "Let me guess. You're going to try one more time to understand your family. And after that you're going to look for Vash. Am I right?" She asked. Kayla nodded and they laughed a little. This was the first time they were seperating in years. "Well, see you around then." Mai said. "See you around..." Kayla answered as Mai turned and left.

[u][b]End of Flashback[/u][/b][/center]

Mai put the gun away and crawled into bed. She slept a few hours before the sun rose. Kayla woke her up. "Mai, get up. We've gotta get ready so we're not the last ones to the resturaunt!" She said, shaking Mai. Mai opened her eyes hesitantly. "Is that all you think about in the morning?" She asked as she got up.

By the time they got to the resturaunt, Nick was trying to get a waitress to take his and julie's orders, and Vash was pigging out. Everyone else was there, eating quietly. Knives was sitting in front of Vash, not eating much. He was just poking at his eggs. Kayla sighed as they got into the nearest booth

"What can I get you ladies?" Asked a waiter. "I'll take a stack of pancakes." Kayla said. "I'll have two scrambled eggs please." Mai told him quietly. The waiter nodded. "Alrighty I'll be back in a minute." He said. Soon everyone had their food and was done eating. A waiter or waitress came to each of their booths, asking the same question. "Who's paying for the bill," They asked. Instantly, everyone's hand pointed to Vash. "Not again!" He said, letting his head hit the table. He gave the waiters their money and got up to leave. "Next time, Wolfwood's paying!" He said.[/color][/size]

[Artemis]

Stocatta awoke feeling rather refreshed. Her wound seemed to be mostly healed, and she walk without limping. She and Sarah sat down in the restaurant together. They both ordered bacon and eggs and ate in silence. Stocatta closed her eyes for a moment. There were emotions flying all about the room. As Mai and Kayla entered, she sensed the raging emotions nearly double.
For Nick, it was frustration with the waitress. For Kayla, it was exhaustion and concern for Mai. Knives was dwelling in confusion and guilt with a hint of love for a certain young woman. A ghost of a smile appeared on Stocatta's face. The intrique in the group fascinated her. Especially as she sensed Mai's all consuming hatred for Knives. Vash, however, was particularly difficult to read. He had originally struck her as a lady's man, but the number of girls who'd become obsessive about him seemed to scare him.
Vash chose that moment to stand up and belch quite loudly. Stocatta rolled her eyes and concentrated on the tray of food behind him. It floated up above his head about to tip over on him. In a split second, his arm flashed around, gun in hand, and a quick bullet knocked it away. In the next moment, he turned and met her with a piercing gaze. The room had gone silent with the gun shot. Stocatta glared back at the spiky haired man, choosing to ignore the room full of people staring at them.
[i][color=blue]You could be more polite, Vash. Your burping like that is quite unbecoming.[/color]
[color=red]You're mad at me aren't you?[/color]
[color=blue]No, just bored. They told me that you stopped Shuno from killing me. I wish you'd stopped him before he'd punched me, but I am grateful.[/color]
[color=red]Well, I couldn't bear to see such a beautiful young woman be hurt. Of course, I had to stop him as soon as I could.[/color]
[color=blue]"Don't feed me no lines, and keep your hands to yourself", Vash. Don't give me that crap. Waste your cheesy pick-up lines on one of your starry-eyed little fans. I prefer serious men.[/color]
[color=red]And Legato was about as serious as they come.[/color]
[color=blue]If you're trying to piss me off you're doing a good job, Spikey.[/color]
[color=red]Oooh, low blow.[/color][/i]
Stocatta rolled her eyes and turned away to find Sarah looking at her with amusement.
"You two sure know how to cause a scene."
Slowly the lull returned to the room as people began talking again.
"You've got it bad for him, don't you?" Sarah continued with a grin.
Stocatta turned red, "I don't know where you got that! The man annoys the hell out of me!"
Sarah shrugged nonchalantly, "I won't pretend to know what you guys told each other since I can't read minds, but that prank you pulled on him is a clear indication of a classic schoolgirl crush."
"I wouldn't stoop to that level," Stocatta replied, glaring at the woman.
She stood up and announced to the room: "I'm going for a walk."
She strode past Vash without glancing at him. When she reached Mai she asked quietly, "Would you like to come with me?"
Mai nodded and stood up, momentarily shooting daggers at Knives. (no pun intended...) Kayla sighed as the two women walked out together, their blue and silver hair flashing as they entered the sunlight.
"She's at least talking to [i]someone[/i]," Kayla muttered to herself, "even if she's a psychotic freak."

[Maximillion404]

OOC: Has everyone forgot about Mike! T.T
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nick was staring at Julie as she quietly looked around. Julie suddenly stopped looking around and looked at Nick. She turned bright red as she looked at Nick's blue eyes. Nick shifted his position. Vash looked over at his sister and Nick. Mike leaned over from where he was sitting.

"I hope your not the overprotective type," Mike whispered as he started rocking. Vash glanced over at him. Mike had a smug smirk on his face.

"I'm not the overprotective one," Vash said with a grin, "Knives is." Mike's eyes shifted from Vash to Knives. Knives didn't seem to be paying attention. He was still poking at his food. He then suddenly stood up and stormed out the door. Julie looked away from Nick and watched Knives storm out.

"I'll be back," Julie said as she stood up. She walked out the door as well. Vash was confused. He decided to follow his brother and sister. Nick decided to follow him. Mike just watch them walk out. He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Sarah and Kayla.

[Che]

[size=1][color=royalblue]"He's following us isn't he?" Mai asked. Stocatta nodded. Mai clentched(sp) her fists. "Dammit, he just won't leave me to my suffering." Mai said. Stocatta looked at her. "Soemthing happen...between you and Knives? Other than the main issue." Stocatta asked as they turned into an alley. Mai leaned against the wall. "Yeah. I was on the roof, trying to sort out my life, and he came up. He tried to apologize. I guess he thought that I'd be happy again if he said sorry." She said. Mai looked at Stocatta sadly.

"You never met Legato...before he was evil did you?" She said. Stocatta shook her head and noticed how much this conversation was affecting Mai. "You should've. He was the nicest person you would've ever met in your life. He was sweet and caring. He always protected me, and stuck up for me. He was never mean and he always helped me. Our mother died when we were still little, or should I say killed." Mai explained softly. She didn't have to tell who killed her mother, because Knives came into the alley at that moment.

"I killed her mother, forcing them to move to Augusta. Which was where I met Legato. I turned him evil over the years but told him to act normal around Mai and their father. When Legato was fifteen, I ordered him to kill his father. Mai was their at the time and was shot as well because of her nobility." He explained/

Mai pounded her fist on the wall. [I]Too much. I heard too much too soon. Too many memories are coming back,[/I] she thought. "Knives stop it. Please don't say anything else. I can't take this." She cried, falling to her knees sobbing. Stocatta rushed to her and started comforting her. Knives made a motion to her but he heard whispering behind them.

He turned around and saw Vash, Julie, and Nick poking there heads from behind the corner. "Get out of here! This doesn't concern you!" He yelled at them. Vash and Nick went immeadietly but Julie stayed behind for a moment, looking at the sobbing Mai. She turned and left. Knives stared at Mai and Stocatta as if he was about to burst into tears himself. The three of them stayed there, feeling sorry for one another.[/color][/size]

[Artemis]

Stocatta looked at the sobbing Mai and then at Knives. She sighed and pulled him aside.
"Look, Knives, I know you really care about Mai, but she's not ready to be close to you. She may not be for quite awhile. Right now, she needs time to grieve. She had to kill her own brother."
"I know," Knives hung his head looking very crushed. "You're right though. I do care about her a lot. I wish I could make it all up to her. It's so hard for people to trust me now."
"It's going to be like that for awhile. You've caused great evil in your very long lifetime. Even once people believe you've truly been converted, it'll take more time for them to completely forgive you for your transgressions."
Knives shook his head dejectedly, "You hate me, too, don't you?"
Stocatta smiled at him warmly, a rare occassion for the young woman, "Knives, I've caused just about as much evil as you have. Besides, what have you done to me that could really make me hate you? So, you gave me to Legato to be controlled, but if you hadn't taken me in, in the first place, then who knows where I'd be now? I have no memory of anything before you. I can't hold Legato's demise against you since I never knew before he was under your wing. And Mai's not a saint either. No one's perfect. Some just have fewer sins than others. And yet, human nature leads us to judge each other. I believe that you have the strength to hold out until people can trust and appreciate you. Do you believe that?"
"Yes," Knives rewarded her with a small smile.
"Good. There's a quiet church down the road a bit if you'd like somewhere to think alone for a while."
"That'd be nice. Thanks, Stocatta," Knives hugged her like a sister.
She watched as he headed down the road. After a few moments, she braced herself and began walking towards Mai.
[color=blue][i]Why am I suddenly everyone's counselor? With my history and lack of normal human interaction, how can I be of any help?[/color]
[color=red]Not only do you read minds, but you also sense emotions. You can tell what people are feeling without them having to find words for it.[/color]
[color=blue]Did I ask for your opinion, Spikey?[/color]
[color=red]Oh, come now, is name-calling anyway to treat your bodyguard?[/color]
[color=blue]I already admitted my gratitude for you saving my life. Besides, the one who offered to work for doughnuts! I'll get those when I'm done with Mai, but right now, you need to leave me alone. I'm sick of you getting into my head like this![/color]
[color=red]Perhaps, you want me in here, and you just don't know it...[/color]
[color=blue]Stop acting like there's something going on between us! I have absolutely no attraction to an idiot like you![/color][/i]
However, Stocatta began blushing inspite of herself. She forced herself not to mentally acknowledge this and let him know.
[color=red][i]Fine. I'll leave you alone. But don't forget that you owe me a doughnut date.[/color][/i]
Stocatta tried not to acknowledge the hint of dejection in his thoughts and turned her concentration to Mai who was now sitting passively with silent tears running down her cheeks. She heaved a sigh and prepared to begin conversation, but Mai beat her to the punch:
"Thanks for getting rid of Knives."
Stocatta nodded, "We've got a lot to talk about."

[Che]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=SeaGreen]Mai stood up, wiping her face from tears and the few specks of sand that blew on to her face. Mai had a sad look on her face. Stocatta had to tell Mai how Knives felt, even if she didn't want to hear it. "Mai...um, Knives..." She couldn't do it . It would tear her to bits.

"Knives what?" Mai asked sternly. Stocatta shook her head. "Never mind. I forgot what I was going to say." She lied. Mai shrugged, and folded her arms trying to remember her childhood. "When I was about four or so, my parents divorced and my dad moved to Augusta. About a year late, my mother was found dead when me and Legato came home from the store.

"After that, we were forced to go to Augusta to live with our dad. Since we couldn't drive, and our good-for-nothing dad couldn't pick us up, we walked there. Somehow, we made it and lived there for about five more years. Now within those five years, as you know, Legato turned evil. On the last day of the fith year, Legato killed my father and almost killed me. If Kayla didn't live in Augusta, I would've died because she's the one who found us.

"I spent five more years with Kayla, preparing for a fight with Legato and hoping he'd come home back normal. But he didn't, so I spent this year looking for him...and you know the rest." Mai told Stocatta.[/color]

[color=blue]I'm so sorry Mai...[/color]
[color=purple]Don't worry...I'm over most of it. The only thing I can't get over is that I killed him. I killed Legato. It was wrong of me to do so. I know he did such horrible things but...[/color]

[color=seagreen]It had finally hit Mai. She was hoping for the exact same thing that happened to Knives would happen to Legato. She was hoping that Legato would become good, just like Knives did. [I]Knives was actually apologizing. He really ment it! Knives is good...so if he's good, and he's been so depressed since I yelled at him, does that mean...[/I] Mai thought.

"Stocatta! I've made a huge mistake about Knives! I'll talk to you later. Thanks a million!" Mai said as she raced down to the church Knives was sitting in. She walked in through the door, serching the back of the few heads for the one that looked like Knive's head. She walked over to him, and sat down next to him. "Nice church, huh?" Mai asked, starting small.

Knives nodded, thinking Mai still hated him. Mai looked down at the ground. "Knives, I want to apologize..." She started to say. Knives looked at her. "You apologize? For what? I'm the one who destroyed your life." He argued. Mai looked away, as if embarrased to be even talking.

"Well, I acted silly, out there on the roof. And when we were traveling away from Shuno. I just wanted to say sorry because of it. I reallize now that...that you just want to comfort me. Right?" She asked. Knives looked at Mai, noticing she was blushing more than slightly. He smiled for the fitst time in a while. "Don't worry about Mai. I understand. Want to go back to Vash and the others?" He asked. Mai nodded and they left the church together.

They were soon back at the where everyone else was. As soon as they walked in with each other,everyone stopped their conversations to look at the two not hating each other. Mai and Knives sat down where Stocatta and Kayla were speaking to each other about what happened in the alley. "Hi. Stocatta. Kayla." Knives greeted happily as Mai sat closely next to him.
--------------------------------------------------
I wanted to keep this moving and get Mai & Knives together...they make a good couple![/size][/font][/color]

[Artemis]

Stocatta watched with mild shock as Knives and Mai began walking back from the church.
[i][color=blue]So, you've got her now, eh, Knives?[/color]
[color=orange]Oh, shut up, Stocatta, or I'll set you up with my brother.[/color][/i]
Knives laughed as Stocatta's face turned bright red, though he wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger.
Vash approached to give Knives a hug, careful not to shove Mai aside.
[color=red][i]Who are you setting me up with, Knives?[/color]
[color=orange]I think you and Stocatta would make a nice couple...[/color][/i]
"Don't even go there," Stocatta shot heatedly at Knives.
She sat down with Kayla and Sarah again, and pretended to ignore Vash as he turned to approach her.
"You know, I think I'm ready for those doughnuts."
Stocatta rolled her eyes and stood up again, "Fine. Let's just get this over with. Knives, take care of Mai, for me."
She winked at them and amused to see them blush.
"Ok," she continued, "where are we supposed to get your doughnuts, Vash?"
He began leading her down the street of the town. Clearly, he already staked out the perfect doughnut shop. The two approached the woman at the counter of a tidy store.
"Is one dozen enough?" Stocatta asked Vash.
"Only if they come with a kiss," he replied mischieviously.
Stocatta turned away from him quickly and said to the woman, "Two dozen glazed doughnuts, please."
"That'll be $$15, ma'am."
Stocatta scowled as she pulled her wallet out of one of the pockets in her cargo pants. As she handed the woman the money, Vash whispered in her ear.
"A kiss would be cheaper."
Stocatta dropped the wallet slammed her left fist into his face while receiving change from the shopkeeper.
She turned back to the woman, replied, "Thank you, ma'am," as the doughnuts were handed over, picked up her wallet, and began walking away.
"I'm leaving the doughnuts in your hotel room," she called back to Vash who was on the ground in pain.
Stocatta had gotten halfway to the hotel when she sensed an air of betrayal.
[i]Vash is just up the way, injured. It'll be an easy catch for some big reward money.[/i]
Stocatta spun around to see a figure looming behind Vash, who was now sitting on the ground dejectedly like a lovestruck schoolboy. The shadowy figure held a large sword over his head ready to strike.
Stocatta's eyes grew wide. [i][color=blue]Vash's about to die![/i][/color]

[Maximillion404]

Suddenly a shot rang out from behind Stocatta. Stocatta spun around to see Julie standing there with her gun smoking and her jacket moving in the wind. Stocatta let out a sigh and turned back around to see what Julie had done. Apparently, her bullet hit the sword and scared the person off.

"I think someone's trying to betray us," Julie said as she walked up next to Stocatta. Stocatta nodded as Vash stummbled to his feet and ran over to the girls. Vash grabbed Julie's shoulders and started shakeing her. Julie's sunglasses were coming off her nose.

"What did you do that for," Vash asked as he continued to shake his sister, "You almost shot me!" Julie grabbed Vash's shoulders and made him stop shakeing her. She cleared her throat and pushed her sunglasses back up. Vash looked at her with his usual dumbfounded look.

"Someone is trying to betray us," Julie said as she looked out of the corner of her eye, "and they want you dead." Vash gasped as Nick walked up to the group. Nick raised an eyebrow at Vash's gasp. Vash hugged Julie and started swinging her around.

"No,no,no," Vash said as tears started streaming down his face, "I don't wanna die." Julie rolled her eyes as Vash stopped swinging her. She pried Vash's hands open and took his arms off her waist. Vash looked at her with completely dry eyes. Julie shook her head.

"You won't die," Julie said as she turned around, "we'll protect you, but for the meantime, lets go back to the hotel." Vash saddly nodded and started following his sister. Stocatta and Nick looked at each other, shrugged thier shoulders, and started following Vash and Julie.