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Dema	By : Nightwing Category: +S to Z > Trigun Views: 1669 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Trigun, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Title: Dema
Author: Ryoshan
Summary: A cursed young woman is being persecuted for things she hasn't done and Vash tries to save her
Rating: R
Characters: Vash the Stampede/Legato Bluesummers
Disclaimer: All said characters are copyrighted the original owners not excluding animation studios, marketing firms, and single artists/writers.
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The twin suns beat mercilessly down upon the gritty golden terrain. A warm wind blew up, kicking particles of sand as she wearily fell to her feet. She brought her canteen to her lips and pitifully waited for a drop of moisture to be delivered from the weather-beaten container. It was empty. She cried in anger at being deprived of liquid refreshment as her strength gave out and collapsed onto the heated desert terrain.

She had wandered into town only a week ago but got chased out because she was different. The townspeople called her “demon girl” because a scar on her hand was exactly the same as the symbol for the devil. She had done nothing to deserve the name, save perhaps making a few accurate predictions but that was all. Panic had set in and she was kicked out of town. She wandered haphazardly into the desert and gotten herself completely lost. She had also run out of provisions. Now she lay in the sand and waited to die.

Some time later, a young man with a long red coat and spiked blonde hair came upon her. He picked her up and carried her to the nearest town. He laid her on a bed in a hotel room and placed a damp cloth on her forehead. He opened a window and sat down in a chair. He wondered what had happened to bring her close to death in the middle of the desert.

When she awoke, she got the feeling that she was not alone. A careful scan of the room, proved her theory. A young man with spiked blonde hair and a red trench coat sat sleeping in a chair near the window. She sat up and he stirred. She drew back, frightened that he was some evil person intent on raping or even murdering her.

“Hey. You're finally awake. You were out for a long time. You would have died out there if I hadn't run across you when I did,” he said and she looked at him.

“Perhaps it would have been better if you had left me where you found me,” she said and the young man looked at her.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I'm not wanted. People see me as a demon child. I'm an outcast and I would have only been murdered eventually. I still may be. I know nothing about you and you have the advantage.”

He laughed and she looked at him. He handed her a plate of food and she looked at it and then at him.

“Why should I trust you?” she asked and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, right now, you don't have a choice do you?” he asked and she sighed.

“No. I guess you're right.”

“Want something to drink? I'm sure you got thirsty out there in the desert.”

“You're not going to poison me or anything are you?”

“Of course not. I like pretty girls.”

“You're going to take advantage of me?”

“Me? No.”

“Oh.”

“Just take it. I'm Vash. Maybe a name will help you feel more relaxed.”

“They called me Dema. It's short for demon or something like that. I don't really know who I am or where I came from.”

“Why did they think you were a demon?”

“Well, I made some correct predictions. I also have the ability to heal others.”

“That's a great thing to have.”

“Not everyone thinks so. I was persecuted so bad that I thought of killing myself so many times. It's just too bad that I'm a terrible shot.”

“No one has the right to take their own life.”

“I know that. It just seems to be the only option sometimes.”

“There's always another option besides death. You just have to want to see that option.”

“I suppose that's true. But, what do I do now? I was driven from the city and I have no other place to go. I can't afford the fare for a sand steamer so I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere. I guess that's the story of my life. The first thing I remember is being in the middle of nowhere and it seems that that's going to be the last thing I remember too.”

“Perhaps you can come with me for just a little while. I can get you out of this area and you can start anew.”

“You can do that? Wait, why should I trust you?”

“I saved you, didn't I?”

“You may have saved me only to kill me.”

“That doesn't make any sense, does it?”

“No.”

“Do you have enough strength to stand? Like I said, you almost didn't make it. You were lucky that I came by when I did.”

“I don't know. Arguing with you is tiring enough as it is.”

“Get some more sleep then and we'll make plans later. I'll keep watch over you. That's just the way I am.”

“I can see that, I guess. You seem too nice to be a killer.”

Vash stood up and quietly left the room. She had fallen asleep again and Vash knew that she needed it. He walked out of the hotel and onto the street where a group of people stood, conversing about something. He walked to the back of the group and listened to the conversation.

“That damned bitch has got to be in this town still. Three of my animals just up and died last night. My profits are going to be cut in half because of that demon girl,” a man said.

“Strange things have been moving around the outskirts of this town. They've driven all the tourists away. I'm sure they're spirits from the demon world, come looking for her,” a woman said.

“We should have shot her when we had the chance. Running her out of town wasn't good enough,” another man said.

“Too bad that Vash the Stampede isn't here. We could hire him to kill her. Then our problems would be solved,” the first man said.

“But then what would we do about Vash the Stampede?” the second man asked and the first one looked at him.

“That's easy. Soon as he comes back for his reward, we ambush him and kill him. Then we all split the reward money.”

“Now that there's a damned good idea but how do we go about locating Vash the Stampede?”

“Never thought of that.”

“He's got to be a pretty slippery character since no one's collected the reward money yet,” another said and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

“Well we need to do something. Our plant is dying because of that damned girl,” the first man, who appeared to be the leader, said and a few of the group looked contemplative. How were they going to solve all of their problems?

“I heard it overheated,” Vash said and the people turned and looked at him.

“Who the hell are you, stranger?” the leader demanded and Vash shrugged his shoulders.

“Me? Oh, nobody important. Sorry for eavesdropping but I just find it hard to believe that a mere girl is the cause of all of your problems.”

“Mister, that girl ain't natural. She's got the devil in her eyes. I've seen it,” the woman said and the other women in the group nodded their heads.

“She's made predictions about people and she can heal herself when she gets injured. She's a charge of the devil I say,” a second woman said and Vash looked at them.

“Perhaps it's all coincidence,” he said.

“Mister, this ain't all coincidence and it seems to me that you know where that damned girl is. You've got two minutes to tell me or I'm going to let some air into that head of yours,” the leader said as he raised his gun.
***************************************************************
Dema awoke to silence. She glanced around and noticed that the room was empty. Should she have expected anything else? She supposed not, as she stood up and walked to the bathroom. She gazed at herself in the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. Her hair was cut short and close to her head except for long, wild bangs that hid part of her face. Her eyes were a pale blue and they had a look about them that unnerved a person. It was a look that seemed to speak to people's innermost feelings and that was something that most people did not care for. She brushed back her mauve colored bangs and sighed. She had dreamt that the man who had rescued her would turn out to be a friend, but she should have known better. She had never had friends before so why should now be any different? She turned and walked back into the other room and noticed the tip of a gun that lay on the floor. She picked it up and looked at it. It was the gun that the young man had been carrying. He didn't seem to be the person that would leave weapons lying carelessly about but she took his carelessness as good fortune. She picked the weapon up and aimed the barrel at her face. She stared at the cold, metallic object and hoped that her aim had improved. She pressed down on the trigger then felt the gun jerk upwards. The bullet flew upwards, shattering the incandescent light bulb and Dema opened her eyes. Vash pulled the gun out of her hand and looked at her.

“There's always another option besides death. You just have to see that option. You have to want to see that option,” he said and Dema turned away from him.

“Look, they're going to kill me when they find out that I'm here so why should I wait for death? Why can't I take my life right now instead of having to wait for them to take it for me? I don't have a choice in this matter,” she said as she glanced out the window.

“Death is never a solution. It only worsens the problem.”

“You can say all that just fine. You've never had to go through what I've been through. All I remember is persecution. I don't know who I am or what I am but I know that I'm hated. You can't identify with that.”

“Perhaps we are more alike than you know.”

Dema glanced out the window then drew sharply back. Vash looked at her questioningly as she fell to her knees. She closed her eyes and began to mutter some words that Vash strained to hear but could not. He heard the click of a weapon and his eyes narrowed. He ran towards her and pushed her out of the way just as a large bullet sailed through the window, taking part of the building with it.

“Come on!” Vash cried as he yanked her to her feet. Before Dema could protest, she found herself running behind him with angry townsfolk on their heels.

“Let go of me, will you? You're just endangering yourself,” she said and Vash looked at her.

“I would never leave someone in danger like that. They blame you for their own problems. That isn't right. They're just putting the blame on you because you're an outsider and you showed up just when things were turning from bad to worse. You're not the cause of their problem. You're not the cause of the plant's malfunction.”

“It's their own fault for relying on Lost Technology. What happens when it all fails or dies? I don't know much about plants and their system but there's bound to be a mass failure somewhere. What happens then? How are people going to survive?”

“They'll have to rely on themselves instead of a machine or something like that. It can be done.”

“I don't think so. People can't be forced back to bread and water once they've tasted cake and wine. People don't want to give up their luxuries and they'll fight to keep them.”

“Can you run a little faster while you're talking? We're slowing down and they've got more bullets than we do.”

“If only I had a weapon. I'd show them a few things.”

“Let's just concentrate on running right now, okay? I don't want to die yet. I don't know why people always chase after me. Am I that popular? I must be, don't you think? To have all the women and men…chasing…after me. You know, I don't think I want to be that popular.”

“Do you know something?”

“Well, I know that I'm very handsome but I like to hear girls say it.”

“You're a complete idiot. I can't believe someone like you rescued me.”

“Hey, just give me a chance. In here!”

“But…”

“Shh.”

They watched the townsfolk run past them and Vash glanced at Dema, who stood glaring at him. He removed his hand from her mouth and laughed nervously.

“Sorry. I think we've gotten rid of them for now. Boy, I'm getting hungry. I don't suppose you have anything on you, do you?” he asked and she looked at him.

“Do you think I'd carry food around like I'm some sort of grocery bag?” she asked and Vash drew back.

“Ooh, you get scary when you talk that way. So where's the market?”

“On the other side of town and do you think they'd give you anything since they saw you with me? Hell, no.”

“Gee, I guess you're right. Well then. There's only one choice. We've got to move on.”

“I still think you're a complete idiot.”

**************************************************************

A cold wind blew up and Dema folded her arms in a vain attempt to keep herself warm. She felt hands on her shoulders and glanced at Vash. He had taken his coat off and had draped it over her body. She said nothing as she clutched the crimson trench coat close to her body.

"If we keep this pace up, we'll be able to reach the next sand steamer stop by mid-morning," he said and Dema looked at him.

"You must think I have money or something. I don't. It would be nice; I think to collect on that bounty that's out there for that Stampede guy. I mean he's the real villain. Taking advantage of women, killing people, mass destruction..." she said and Vash said nothing.

"People believe the rumors abyou you as well. Are those true?" he asked and she looked at him.

"Of course not. Do you...do you know that guy that everyone's after?"

"He's a really nice guy and I can't figure out why all these people want to kill him. He's done nothing wrong."

"He must have done something to have a sixty billion double dollar bounty on him. Those don't get posted just for someone's amusement."

"Perhaps it was all a misunderstanding."

"Sixty billion double dollars is NO misunderstanding. You're sticking up for him like he's a good friend or something. I don't understand that. Of course, I'm the only one I've had for so long. I've been so mistreated by people that I can't trust anyone any more. I'm surprised that I'm still here with you. I guess the fear of death places loyalties into the strangest people. Oh, why are you out here? You're not from the town. You're a traveler by the looks of this coat."

"I'm searching for someone. I'm searching for answers."

"Aren't we all searching for answers? I wish I knew why I had to be so different. It's almost as if I wasn't human because of the way I am...but if I'm not human, what am I?"

"I don't know. You look like a normal person. Better than a normal person, actually."

"Is that a compliment? I've never had one of those. I've only had insults. I don't remember much, but the times I remember are bad. I didn't think that there could be good times as well."

"It's all how you view a situation. Man, I wish those people weren't so hostile back there. I could at least go for a beer right now and maybe a sandwich."

"You've got a gun, why can't you shoot something?"

"I prefer not to kill something that can't defend itself."

"There's logic in that, I guess. Hey, there's a house over there. Maybe they'll let us stay the night. I certainly don't want to hear you complain about hunger the entire way to that steamer thing."

An elderly gentleman opened the door shortly after Dema had knocked on it and she smiled pleasantly at him. Vash glanced behind the gentleman and eyed hungrily the dinner table that had just recently been laid out. Dema glanced at him for a moment, and then rolled her eyes. What sort of rescuer was he to stand and drool over someone else's food?

"Um...good evening, sir. My..." Dema said, trying to figure out the best way to put Vash. He wasn't a friend; she hadn't known him long enough to consider him as one and she didn't like the sound of acquaintance...Companion. That's what he was.

"My wife and I were wondering if you'd be willing to put us up for the night. We're on our way to catch the next steamer back home. We came out here to try our luck at making a fortune but things turned bad and we need to go back home anyway to help her poor mother out," Vash said and Dema stared at him. What WAS he talking about? She wasn't his wife. Why was he making things up?

"What's wrong with her?" an elderly woman, most likely the owner of the house's wife, asked as she walked up behind the old man.

"We don't know. That's why we came out here to try and make some money."

"Come in, come in. Don't stand out in the cold like that. We were just sitting down to eat. Please, join us."

"Thank you very much."

"You're too young a couple to be traveling by foot in this place. I'm surprised he couldn't provide you with some better accommodations, dear."

"Yeah...well, like I said, we're out of money. All we have left is the fare for the steamer."

"Eat some, my dear. You look like you could use some more meat on that thin frame of yours. Does he feed you well?"

Dema looked at Vash, who was filling his plate with food, and then at the elderly woman. She smiled awkwardly and nodded her head.

"Yes, thank you," she replied as the elderly woman filled a glass with water.

"You look tired, my dear. Are you all right?" the woman asked and Dema nodded her head again.

"Yes. It's just been a long day for me. I'd like to get some sleep soon."

"I'm sure you both are tired. Here, dear. You look more tired than hungry. Let me show you where the bathroom is and you're welcome to use it. I'm sure you'll feel much better once you've had a shower."

"Thank you."

Vash watched her stand up, suddenly realizing that she had an attractive body. He wondered if it was just as good without clothes on as it was with clothes.

"So, what do you do for a living?" the elderly gentleman asked and Vash turned his attention back to him.

"Me? Well, I've done odd jobs a lot. I've been hired as a bodyguard, a cook, a farm hand...lots of stuff. I guess I just haven't found my trade yet. This is really good. Can I have some more?" Vash asked as he held out his plate.

"I'm sure glad you and your wife stopped by. It's been kind of lonely without our son. He got killed going after that Vash the Stampede. People said he never had a chance. That Vash the Stampede had him shot so full of holes that the wind blew right threw him. He never had the chance to draw his weapon. I'll be glad when someone catches that damned menace to society. We'll all breathe easier once he's dead, don't you think?"

"Um...yeah."

"You've got a mighty strange lookin' gun there. You a part-time bounty hunter?"

"Me? No, this gun was given to me a long time ago. Just can't get rid of it, if you know what I mean."

"I know how that is. My wife has lots of stuff she can't get rid of. Well, I guess it's about time that you go and get the bed ready for your wife. I know you both must be pretty worn out. This ain't the prettiest or easiest country to travel around in."

"Yeah, you're right. I guess I'd better take care of the sleeping arrangements."
***************************************************************
Dema ran a towel through her damp hair as she walked to the extra room that the elderly woman had shown her on the tour of the house. She opened the door and stopped short at what she saw. Vash stood in the center of the room, pulling off his shirt. His chest was covered with scars and unhealed wounds. He laid the shirt on the bed and glanced at her.

“I don't usually allow women to see me this way,” he said, his voice tainted with the bitter sound of pain. She closed the door behind her and Vash put on a shirt that the elderly gentleman had given him.

“I guess in some ways, we're very similar,” she commented as she walked over to the window.

“There's some clothes for you as well.”

“Thanks, but I'll pass.”

“I won't say anything. To them, we're married.”

“That doesn't mean we are.”

“Oh so you wouldn't want to marry...someone like me.”

“What? No. I mean...You're sleeping on the floor.”

“On the cold, hard ground while you're up on that warm, soft bed? Come down here with me and we can be miserable together.”

She walked over to the bed and angrily threw him a blanket and pillow.

“There. Are you happy?”

“Scary. I bet you're really beautiful with long hair. Short hair is cute but long would really suit you.”

“I don't remember ever having long hair,” Dema commented as she sat on the bed. She lay down and switched off the light. “And you'd better not try to climb into be next to me. I may not have good aim with a gun, but I can kick really good in the most painful places.”

“Who, me? Get into bed with you? I wouldn't even think of it.”

“Good. Good night then.”

“Good night, honey,” Vash said and Dema stared at him.

“What?” she asked and he grinned.

“Well, we ARE supposed to be married.”

“I can't believe I'm stuck in YOUR company.”

“You wouldn't have gotten any other help back there, would you?”

Dema said nothing as she pulled the second blanket up over her head. If she had to be stuck with someone, why couldn't it have been someone a little less idiotic?

******************************************************************

Dema awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking and that was a smell she had never experienced before. She glanced at the floor, where Vash lay all sprawled out on his makeshift bed snoring, and sighed. She felt sorry for him but she wasn't about to share a bed with a stranger. She stood up and stretched, then bent over to touch her feet. Vash sleepily opened an eye then propped his head up with his hands and watched her intently.

"Black is a nice color on you," Vash commented and Dema sharply stood up.

"How long have you been awake?" she demanded.

"Well, actually, I just woke up."

"And here I was feeling sorry for you. Well I hope you slept miserably."

"Actually, I slept really well. I guess that's because I was in your company."

"Don't try to flatter me. I can't believe I got stuck with you."

"At least you're alive."

Dema said nothing and Vash stood up and pulled off his shirt. He then remembered that she was in the room and glanced apologetically at her.

"I'm sorry. I've gotten so used to being in a room by myself that I forgot you were here," he said softly and Dema shook her head.

"No. Some scars can never be healed," she said. "I'm sorry. I've been so harsh. Trust is a difficult thing to me. I've only seen people who want to kill me, not people who want me to live."

"It's all right. I understand. It's just that it's hard…to let someone see the way I really am. Women especially."

"I'm sorry. I won't comment about it any more."

"Where are you going?"

"The bathroom. I still have to change back into my clothes and I'm not going to do it in front of you."

"I won't say anything, I swear."

"Nice try, but no."

"Maybe later then?"

"You're going to stay right there. Man, I should be traveling with a dog. He'd listen a lot better."

"I can be a dog."

"Look, just go eat, will you? You're getting on my nerves."

"It'd be a pleasure to oblige you ma'am."

Dema watched him walk out of the room and sighed. What had she done to deserve such a companion? How in the world had he rescued her? The answer to that question was an enigma to her. Maybe that Stampede guy rescued her and the idiot she was with was just a decoy. She nodded her head as she unbuttoned the shirt that she wore. That had to be the answer. She took off her shirt and bra and glanced at the keyhole.

"If you're on the other side of that door, I'll really hurt you!" she cried and Vash quickly drew away.

"Boy, she's really scary when she's mad. She's not that bad looking either. Maybe I can get her to like me a little more. Oh well, I'll worry about that later. Now it's time for breakfast," Vash said to himself and walked into the dining room.
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Dema