Reflections

A/N: Most of this chapter’s author’s note is located at the END of this chapter. It’s a **very** short chapter. Sorry dears. Also, there was some controversy over how to spell “Dhimitri.” I was told it was both “Dhimitri” and “Demitrihi.” One according to subtitles, the other according to the manga, I believe. I went with the first one. Sorry if it’s wrong or bothers anyone. Let me know if anyone has an “official” spelling.


*No, I don’t own trigun. Maybe in some lovely alternate universe I do. I sure wish it was this one.

Previously:

Vash felt around blindly for his jacket, apparently too tired to get up to look for it. Upon locating it, he dragged the red material towards them and covered them up the best that he could. Wolfwood smiled contentedly as he pulled the fabric the rest of the way over himself, his guilt and concerns temporarily dissipated.

They drifted off to sleep.

Reflections, Chapter 5: Tension

One Day Ago, erdaerday.

//Nicholas D. Wolfwood.// (cold.pain.fear.panic.)

Nick gasped, waking up with a start. His spine went rigid and sweat broke out in a fine mist all over his body. His nerve endings were tingling painfully under his skin.

//My, my, what have we been up to?//

Nicholas could hear it inside his head. A voice that sounded as soft as fur, as smooth as water running between your fingers and as malicious as the Diablo himself. Only one man could sound so soothing and so very terrifying at the same time, almost causing the hearer of that voice to want to simultaneously curl up comfortably in his arms and run screaming into the night.

“Legato.” Nick whispered, the breath barely escaping his lips to form the word, as if saying the name would cause the world to come crashing down around him. The feeling deep within his bones told him that it was about to.

With lead in his stomach, Nick sat up slowly, blinking and taking in his surroundings. It was still dark out, though it was a dark filled with the promise of the coming sun, blue instead of black. It must be some time close to the first sunrise. He glanced to his side, where Vash the Stampede still lay quietly beside him, gloved hand resting gently on Nicholas’ own. Wolfwood quickly slid his hand out from underneath the gunman’s with a nervous glance around. The sudden exposure of skin to the chilled nighttime air made him want to put it right back underneath Vash’s. He rubbed the top of his hand to warm it up and erase the memory of Vash’s touch.

//Now Nicholas did you really think I wouldn’t notice that? Did you really think that I wouldn’t have something to say about your little rendezvous?// The cool voice sneered inside Wolfwood’s head. //Honestly. Tsk, tsk.//

“Legato, it’s not what you think. He... I...” Nick muttered, barely audibly. It was possible, he assumed, that he could communicate with the telepath without speaking at all. It made the priest rather uneasy thinking about that though, as if by simply talking telepathically with Legato would provide him access to his inner thoughts and memories. He certainly didn’t want Legato any nearer to the flashes of last night that kept projecting themselves behind his eyes. (heat.hands.lips.neck.back.) Naturally, Nicholas was aware that if he so desired, Legato could tear each and every memory from his skull. But he did not want to make it any easier on him if he could help it. And he suspected that if taken too forcefully, there was a possibility that the person on the receiving end of that telepathic blow would have an awfully hard time recovering from whatever side effects that sort of thing had.

//What? Did you think we didn’t know? Of course we know. And Master Knives is none too pleased. It’s an interesting turn of events, wouldn’t you say?// Wolfwood could hear the amusement creeping out of the voice in his head, which reverberated off of the inside walls of his skull and seeped out onto his skin, making him feel despely ely unclean. He wanted to scrub himself clean or scratch at his flesh with all his might, but he refrained. It took every ounce of will he had not to rub the disgusting feeling crawling across his body away.

His heart was practically beating its way out of his chest, threatening to speed up to a constant buzz and explode. He made moves to stand up, to take this conversation away from the sleeping Vash, but was stopped. A thick pressure curtained his body, weighing him down, moving his limbs without his consent. His betrayindy ldy lay back down next to Vash; no part of Nicholas’ skin or clothing was touching theepieeping man.

**”Goddamnit. This is so fucking wrong.”** Nicholas thought, trying franticly to move any part of his body. It was no use- he could hardly even force his lungs to expand and contract in order to breathe.

//This is the closest Master Knives will EVER allow a mere spider like you to get to his brother. You WILL NOT touch Vash the pedepede again, do you understand, priest? You will bring him to Dhimitri and that is all. Your new directions are to guide him on the right path instead of simply accompanying him. Master Knives is beginning to tire of waiting for him to figure it out on his own. And the fewer days you spend together, well... all the better, I’d say.// Anger had replaced the mild amusement in Legato’s voice. Each word spoken ripped through his mind like electricity, causing Nick to wince in pain, screwing his eyes shut and clenching his jaw to keep from crying out.

//Take him to the small town Northwest of here where you will receive your formal punishment for this indiscretion. After that, you two will begin your journey to Dhimitri. That is all.// The fierce stinging became less and less with each mildly spoken word, until Legato was barely whispering inside Nicholas’ brain and a dull headache thrummed at his temples.

//Oh, and remember, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, one more mistake, one single dark hair out of line, and you will meet the same fate as anyone else who stands against Him. He has been very understanding thus far. He believes that your current punishment should take care of the situation, and discharge any more silly ideas in your head concerning his brother. Should this occur again, should you step out of line one more time, I will take personal enjoyment in destroying you and your...// Legato’s voice spoke so faintly that Nick almost couldn’t make out that last word past the drumming of his heart and the sound of his own blood coursing through his body. The sinking feeling in his gut gave him the sense that even if he hadn’t heard it he’d know what it was.

//children.//

The tension in his muscles eased slowly, and he regained control of himself. He opened his mouth and inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly through his nose, trying to calm his nerves.

“FUCK.” He whispered firmly and with complete conviction.

---TBC---

*A/N: Ok, first off, I don’t think major conflict is my forI doI don’t really know what else to say about this chapter except that I hope you enjoyed it as much as the rest of the story thus far. Writing Legato makes my brain hurt. People are extremely picky about him being in character and I agree 100 percent. It’s just a bit overwhelming to try and live up to it. Second, this is a VERY short chapter. I’m sorry. I really think I needed to get thiapteapter posted and done with so I can get back to my flow of writing. The next chapter will still take place on the same day, thisthis event was sort of an entity of it’s own, writing-wise.

I don’t know. If you guys think I could have done a better job with Legato, or with any aspect of this chapter I suppose, let me know. Suggestions are welcome. Obviously this story is a work in progress, and going back to change something is as easy as 1, 2, 3. So review, my darling readers, review your little hearts out. And remember when reading this chapter, or any chapter in my stories, I HATE repetitive descriptive sentences. If I EVER use repetitive descriptions closely together, PLEASE point it out. I cannot stand it in other people’s fiction, and I will not tolerate it in my own. I try to avoid it and correct it, but there are always things I miss (chapter 2 for example, has something like that in it. I forget what it is specifically, though.)

I’d also like to say thanks to my loyal and FAR too kind readers. Punkrockqueen1, Alucard2, and Gunslinger03 (look, you go in numerical order!! Eeee!) for reviewing over and over. And to Edoras and kimbo-demonica for also kindly reviewing my story. I REALLY appreciate it. Reviews are what get my lazy butt in front of this evil piece of machinery every night to write. Well that, and the story that’s forcefully trying to gnaw its way out of my brain. I guess that helps too.