Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ As the Rose Falls ❯ The Elusive Mayfly ( Chapter 1 )

As The Rose Falls

Chapter 1. The Elusive Mayfly

By: Hellions K. and Dashing V.

Double suns beat down on the desert landscape, although it's not as desert as what it had once been. For now small clumps of trees and green could be seen here and there. It had taken a very long time and hard work for the twin travelers to achieve this and both were feeling more like that 'Eden' that they had yearned for was becoming more in reach.

"I find it hard to believe that this past plant was so well kept. It is a rare sight to see, even with all of the knowledge that humans have gained over the centuries," a man with long fair, almost white hair spoke to the man walking next to him. The pair of them both clad in tattered brown cloaks. "What do you think dear brother?" He shook his head, this was definitely a mystery to him, one that he would love to solve but it would take quite some time.

He looks at his brother through his yellow sunglasses and nods in agreement, "Yes, dear brother, that plant was very well kept up. I wonder what it means..." he trailed off as something that only he could see caught his eye. His face suddenly brightened, the plant forgotten, as he takes off in a run. The bulky brown cloak and his pack flew out behind him as he waved his free arm, "Hey wait up a minute there!" he called frantically, "Don't go! Not yet!"

The other man walked along listening to his brother as his thoughts still whirled about the plant and it's up keep. Usually when the plant is kept up there is no attention heeded to the growing geo groves about it, but this plant had been different it was both well maintained in both it's machinery as well as the growing plant growth out side of it. 'Normally the humans that take care of plants are too taxed to take care of the groves as well,' he thought.

He was just about to say something when his brother's sentence trailed off, when the other tall man adorn in the yellow sunglasses and bulky cloak took off, he stopped to blink in almost mild shock. Then he took off after the man at a quick and steady pace. "What pray tell has come over you, dear brother?" The fairer haired man asked when he caught up to the now mildly elusive man.

The elusive man stopped waving his arm a moment and yelling as he looked at the man next to him. A goofy grin spread across his face, "I'm chasing the elusive Mayfly called love, my dear brother." His attention was then diverted back to his task as he sped up and started waving his arm again, "Won't you please come back!" he shouted at the empty air.

The man looked after his brother for a moment before placing a hand to his forehead as he muttered, "Why me, why am I plagued with his odd excursions." With a sigh he dropped his hand and continued off after the man. The wind causing the dusky cloak to billow slightly as he moved. As much as he was looking forward to being among humans, he was dreading it at the same time. Not necessarily because he despised humanity, as least he found them to be more tolerable now a days. But that he was going to have to deal with his dear brother in one of what he considered to be one of his outlandish moods which did not always sit comfortably with the analytical minded man.

"Please come back!" he continued shouting as he ran, his knee length blond hair flowing out behind him. Seeing a city arise before him just over the horizon, the man got a more desperate look on his face he must catch this Mayfly before the city or it will be lost again. Speeding up he continued after it, not seeing the rock that lay in his path. That is until it was too late, as he went head over heals and pack and glasses went flying, finally coming to a rest as his butt was in the air and he would've been looking out between his legs if it hadn't been for the cloak in his face. "Ooooh maaaaan!" he whined loudly.

Thankfully the other man was out of his brother's way when he took his tumble over seemingly the only rock around in the desert right now. The sight of his upended brother was a little to much and the man actually got a good chuckle out of it as he walked up and knelt down next to him, causing his fairer blond hair then his brother's to pool out about him, as his hair was knee length as well. Picking up the corner of the cloak he lifted it up to peer in at the whining man. "Next time you should be more careful when you chase the Mayfly of Love now shouldn't you, dear brother." He said this with a smile on his face and the laughter still lighting his crystaline blue eyes. He was not a man that laughter came easily to, there were few that could actually bring him to do so. Then he dropped the cloak and stood up and collected the objects that his brother lost in the process of the fall, meaning his pack and sunglasses.

The upended man frowned slightly at hearing his twin laugh at his predicament but when he saw the smile in those clear blue eyes he couldn't help but smile as well, "I guess," he sighed, in answer to his brother. After his brother had let the cloak fall back over his face the darker blond headed man sighed again as he did a half somersault. He looked at the clear blue sky a moment before he sat up and rubbed his head, sand may look soft but when you hit as hard as he did... Finally climbing to his feet, with his back to his brother, sand now embedded in his long hair, he searched in a pocket for something and grinned when he pulled out a pair of black rimmed glasses that had bushy black eyebrows, a big nose and a mustache attached. Putting them on he finally turned to his twin, speaking in more of a gangster tone, "So whadya say? we hop into the next town and take it for all their pretty women?"

He had just picked up his brother's pack and was turning around to face his darker haired brother as he put on the yellow sunglasses. The expression on his face was probably quite classic as he jaw dropped a moment and the glasses nearly slid down to the end of his nose, before his mouth snapped shut as he tried not to laugh. He managed to keep his mirth down to a chuckle instead of all out laughter as a smile broadened on his face. 'The last thing that I truely need to do is to encourage this,' he thought. But he still couldn't help but chuckle a bit more. "Now now dear brother that would be no way to win a woman over now would it," he said as he pushed the glasses back up. "I must admit that it may be a lot of fun though." He mused as he put a hand to his chin. "But I doubt that looking like this is suitable for wooing women." He looked down at the scruffy state that he and his brother had become. It didn't mean that the two of them still were not handsome looking by any means, they just looked a little ruff around the edges so to speak. With that he turned and started walking. "If we don't get there soon, dear brother, someone may beat us to it," the man teased as he walked along still carrying his brother's pack slung over one shoulder.

A smile split his face as he could tell that his brother was trying to with hold the laughter. He blinked his blue green eyes, "But woman like that kind of stuff, dearest brother. They like a man who will take action," still wearing the goofy looking glasses, the man nodded his darker head, "It would be a lot of fun, brother," he had a hopeful look on his face. He looked down at his state of dress at his brother's comment, "What's wrong with it? Maybe the cloak could go but we have such lovely blond locks of hair," he brought his own sand filled hair around in front of him, a goofy grin lighting upon his face. He looked up at his brother's comment a distressed look on his face, "Well, then we must hurry, dear brother!" he stated loudly as he took off after his twin in a dead run. Then taking hold of his brother's hand he towed him along behind.

The man in tow couldn't help but laugh a little at his brother as he was drug along towards the city. 'What was it with this city that made Vash act this way?' He thought, 'it's only this particular city in which Vash decides that he has to chase the Mayfly of love.' He guessed that it would be one of life's little mysteries at this point in time.

"I think that you should slow down dear brother," the man said, with mock seriousness, as his cloak and long fair hair streamed out behind him. "We wouldn't want to take the chance of running over one of those beautiful women that you are so looking forward to take hostage."

He knew if they kept up this pace they would be to the city of October in no time but there was no guarantee that the two of them weren't going to be exhausted by the time they got there. The city was still a good 15 iles of if not more.

Vash looked back at his brother, "But, Knives!" he frowned, "Oooooh aaaall right...." he heaved a big sigh as he slowed to a fast walk, "I doubt that i could run over a woman, my dearest brother. I can stop on a dime!" He grinned broadly as he still held his brother's hand, just to make sure that Knives didn't fall behind.

His grin broadened as they neared the city of October it wouldn't be much longer and they would be with in its limits. 'Lots and lots of pretty women,' was the thought that ran through the tall man's mind.

"I know that you can stop on a dime, dear brother. But there would be no guarantee that I could with you dragging me along, so we'd just crush the first woman you tried not to run over," Knives retorted back, logic leading the way.

His thoughts turned to what was needed for there travels as the city of October began to rise before the pair of them.

The tall man is headless to his brother's words as he lets go of Knives' hand upon entering the city. He looks around the bustling streets, there is some sort of celebration going on, obviously. A balloon stand catches his interest and he makes his way over to it, people giving him odd looks as they notice his glasses. Digging into one of the pockets of the cloak and he pulls out a coin, he wants a balloon. A mischievous light is in his blue-green eyes as he purchases a red balloon. Making his way back to his brother he beams at him, "This place sure is bustling today, brother."

"Yes," Knives responds. "It appears as if there is a festival of sorts going on right now." He placed a hand to his stubbled chin. "That is odd, I have never heard of any festivals in our travels. What about you dear brother?" His eyes then traveled up to the balloon in Vash's hand and he cocked a pale brow. "What pray tell dear brother possessed you to by that?"

Vash just nodded his head, acting more like a little kid than anything at the moment, "Well, it serves lots of fun, brother." the gunman grinned, "But no I have never heard of one before." He just shrugged, it didn't really matter to him at the moment anyhow. He looked back at Knives upon hearing the question about his balloon, "Why do you want one?" he asked, then turning with out a word the tall blond man made his way back over to the stand and bought a white balloon. Coming back with an idiotic grin on his face he tied it to one of his brother's wrists, "There now you don't have to be jealous."

His nose wrinkled slightly as he caught a whiff of something, sniffing again he started to drool slightly as a big grin lit up his face, "I smell...donuts!" Not bothering to wait for his brother Vash turned and ran towards the smell, making his way quite quickly through the throng of people.

Knives blinks at his brother as he walked away and there was almost a surprised look upon his face when his twin tied the white balloon around his wrist. That was actually the last thing that he was worried about. He was just about to say something when Vash called out about the donuts and took off, so instead of saying a word he brought his leftt hand up to his forehead, mumbling something under his breath. Which in many ways had to be a humorous sight since the balloon was tied to his left wrist. He then took off after his twin through the crowd, he wasn't to hard to spot due to having hold of a balloon. He paused long enough to remove the white balloon from his wrist and handed it to a child before trying to get a hold of his idiot brother. Glad to have the balloon gone since he had felt like an idiot himself with it tied to his wrist.

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"I think that you had better take that back friend," A figure said holding a man up in front of him by the collar of his shirt with both hands. The figure looked surprisingly like Vash, same height, same hairstyle, same glasses, same coat, and surprisingly enough the voice. Eyes narrowing behind the glasses at the man in front of him.

"What are you gonna do make me?" The man replied in a gravely voice. "You know if you do that you're nothing like the genuine article."

This new Vash nearly shook with anger and there was nothing that could be done about it for the bastard was right. If he did anything he'd be throwing everything that Vash stood for right out the window.

"Well, well what do we have here. Looks like someone has strayed from the flock. Why don't you let me handle this one, Vash," a man joined the fake who was a carbon copy in looks to the original Wolfwood, in look, demeanor, voice and the smoking habit to boot.

The gunman said not a word as he dropped the filthy man in the street and started to walk away. Anger seethed through him but there was nothing the he could do but bite his tongue, while in this outfit.

The man fell to the ground with a heavy thud and looked up at Wolfwood. "Nice costume kid but you'll never amount to the real thing," the guy said with a laugh.

That was when the man dressed up as Wolfwood kicked the man in the face. "Have you no decency? This is a time to celebrate those that we have lost not pick on peoples beliefs. Now get out of here before I do decide to do something drastic," Wolfwood responded in anger and the man scurried away believing him quite well.

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Reaching the vendor that was selling donuts he frowned slightly as he read a sign that said, "Stampede Donuts". Shrugging and not thinking much of it he got to the front of the line and ordered $$20 worth of plain donuts and $$20 worth of glazed. Upon receiving the bags of donuts Vash happily turned and walked away, now looking for his brother through his fake bushy eyebrows. Spotting him Vash called out and held up the bag of glazed donuts, "Brother! I got you some donuts!"

At the sound of Vash's call, Knives turned and threaded through the crowd of people. He was nearly knocked off his feet by a couple of children just as he emerged from the crowd, boys dressed up as Vash and Wolfwood chasing two girls dressed as Milly and Merle. He watched the group of children run by as he regained his balance one pale blond brow cocked in confusion. "This is an odd celebration, dear brother." Knives comments to Vash as he comes to a halt next to him, taking the bag of glazed donuts in the process. "Thanks, dear brother." He caught sight of the name upon the bag just as he went to take a bite of one of the delicious smelling cakes and he frowned slightly before shrugging the name of "Stampede Donuts" off as well. "Maybe we should find out what exactly is going on," he added almost as an after thought as he was thoroughly enjoying the donuts.

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The other Vash walked by the donut stand without so much looking the vendor's way which is odd since normally he stops by to get a few. Truthfully he thought the name Stampede Donuts was a bit much.

"Why the long face, dear brother?" A man dressed up to look like Knives asked as he came up and draped an arm around the other tall gunman.

"Leave me alone," the other gunman retorted, definitely not in the mood to handle the prick that posed as Knives. Why he ever agreed to allow him to join the group was still a mystery.

"Come now, Vash. You don't honestly mean that," the man replied, then a sly smile slid across his face. "Don't tell me someone said something mean to you again," he spoke in a bit of a mocking tone.

That was all it took for the other Vash to shrug off the other man's arm and turn on him like lightning. Lashing out a fist he hit the man square across the face, causing him to stumble back.

"Oooo temper, temper..." Was all the other Knives could get out before the other gunman pounced on top of him and a massive fight broke out.

"Will that boy ever learn not to press his luck," the vendor at the donut stand breathed in disgust.

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Now that he had a free hand Vash quickly starts stuffing donuts down his gullet, so his voice came out a bit muffled, "Not a problem, brother. Hmmm...these aren't bad," he paused to stuff more in his mouth, "A celebration is going, dear brother that's all." He then blinked his blue eyes as he caught sight of the Knives and Vash fight, he choked on the his donuts, "What the hell?"

Knives too blinked in shock as he paused in his eating of the sweet cakes. He was not eating them quite as voraciously as his brother but at a time like this even a slow pace eating can be hazardous to ones health as he chokes on a bite. "I have no idea, dear brother," he replies to Vash after he could breath again, as he blinks.

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Surprisingly enough the fight didn't last long and it ended with the other Vash holding the other Knives by the front of his body suit with both hands. "Listen friend, I have tolerated enough slander from people today. I really don't need to have you heap more shit upon me. Do you understand me? If not so help me god I am going to beat the ever living daylights out of you after the festival is over, when I can do it with a clean conscience." The words were spoken in a deadly serious tone, causing the man held captive to nod his head vigorously in acknowledgment. Seeing that done the other gunman dropped the man into the dirt, turning he walked away.

The other Knives looked up from where he fell upon his arse on the ground wiping away the blood that streamed from his bloody nose with the back of his hand.

It didn't take long for Wolfwood to appear at the scene to see the other Vash walk away and he chased after the gunman. Shouldering the huge wrapped up cross he slowed his pace to fall into step with the other gunman. They could be seen talking till the gunman sat down upon a bench by the fountain in the center of town, where he dropped his head into his hands. The man who looked like Wolfwood sat down next to him, patting the man upon the shoulder, a concerned look upon his face as the cigarette in his mouth is soon forgotten.

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Finally swallowing the donuts so that he wasn't choking, Vash nodded absentmindedly at his brother. He watched with keen interest as the fake Vash, although it really did look the way head years ago, got up and walked off, then he gasped as he saw Wolfwood? Curiosity piqued the gunman quickly set off through the crowd and only stopping long enough to survey the scene at the fountain. Grinning he dug in his cloak with his free hand and brought out a dog puppet, incidentally named spot.

Then walking quickly over and sitting down next to other Vash, Spot suddenly BARKED!

"OH, Hey there, friend!" the gunman beamed through those goofy glasses, "Spot here noticed that you were looking rather down."

"BARK!" said Spot as he nodded his head.

"And he wants to give you these to help brighten your day!" he held out the bag of donuts with his left hand, a good half of them still left.

"BARK! BARK!"

"Now, don't be shy, dear friend, they're really good!"

The other Vash looked up slowly, tears staining his handsome face as he had removed the golden glasses, which were slid over one his knee to keep from dropping them. There was a blink of blue-green eyes as the fact that he had a bag of donuts nearly scraping against his nose. "Thank you for the offer friend, but I don't think that even the heavenly taste of those honey cakes can help," the other gunman replied to Vash, with half hearted smile before dropping his head back into his hands.

"Thanks for trying, kind sir," the man looking like Wolfwood replied as he put out his cigarette, blowing a smoky halo that dissipated slowly. He still left a comforting hand upon the distraught gunman's shoulder as he sat there.

Knives stood there in disbelief at first as Vash walked away with that stupid puppet of his. He had half the mind to go over there and grab the blond man by the ear and drag him off. Seeing the reaction of the one who looked quite a bit like Vash had several centuries ago, he had a feeling that things were not going well. That and for all intents and purposes it looks as if he broke his look alikes nose. That would appear to make this an important situation, about what he had no clue. With a heavy sigh and a shake of his head he wandered off in the direction that Vash went to see if he could make sense of what exactly is going on.

Vash frowned slightly and then set the bag of heavenly donuts beside the distraught one, "Well, I'll leave these just in case you change your mind, dear friend.," the long haired gunman said.

"BARK!" agreed Spot.

Then getting up Vash looked at the Wolfwood, "Hey, Preacher man, would you do a favor for me?" He didn't wait for an answer as he walked over and took off his goofy glasses and putting them on the man's face, "Cheer her up will you?"

He then turned to the Vash, "And please don't beat up my brother if you see him."

Then with a little wave and one last bark from Spot Vash was gone in a swirl of blond hair and brown cloak.