It had been ninety-four years since the legendary Vash the Stampede fell into a quiet life with minimal trouble. The legend was that he had put the hole in the fifth moon, and brought the city of July to rubble without killing a single soul. They say he is an ageless man, the ones that live out side time. Ninety-four years ago they say Vash battled his brother, Knives; who had been known to be the cause of the disappearances of hundreds. Some even believe it was Vash's fault. Not many know what had happened to Vash after that. It's also rumored that he now roams the planet clad in red. He's rarely seen… until now.

Ninety-four years ago a child was born in a strange manor but the people of Little Saturn never speak of it. The child grew rapidly within one year and many rejected the little girl. All accept the woman who took care of her. The towns people had given the child the name Loki, because she always seemed to get into trouble, though she was blamed for many things the children of the town had done pretending to be her friend. The name the woman had given her was lost and forgotten.

But now many years later Loki had left that town, wandering the planet trying her best to stay out of trouble, which was kind of hard due to her physical appearance. Her chin length white hair and violet eyes made her stand out in a crowd too easily, but she could run like the wind and could always slip out of sight easily because of her petit size.

Loki had managed to live an ok life by pick pocketing from wealthy men who wouldn't notice a few double dollars missing. But the day she decided to pick two pockets at once would change her life forever.

The town square was busy with people that day and Loki knew it was perfect conditions to make some extra cash. Loki had been eyeing a very rich man who couldn't seem to keep track of his money but something else caught her eye. It was the gun of a very tall blonde and brown haired man in a red coat. Loki knew she could get a ton of cash for a gun like that and so she decided to take on two jobs at once. The men were standing by a doughnut cart ordering when Loki pretended to bump into the rich man, who then bumped into the tall man. As Loki apologized she snatched the man's wallet and walked away but then grabbed the tall man's gun with the greatest of ease. After she had snatched it she took off swiftly to an abandoned building she had been staying in to count the money she had stolen and look over the strange gun too. She thought she was in the clear but the tall man had noticed her run off with his gun and he had followed her. She had counted the money and was now looking over the gun when she noticed she was not alone. She stood quickly, gun in hand taking aim at the intruder. She was very shocked to see the tall man, but she wasn't going to give back the things she had stolen.

"You should give back the wallet you stole."

The man said, but Loki got angry and aimed at him, the gun trembling in her hands.

"No! I need this money more than he does!" She said.

"I'm sure you do, but stealing isn't the answer." He said as he got a little closer.

"Back off! I'll shoot you I swear!" She said but he kept walking.

Loki trembled even more, not wanting to shoot him.

"Stop! I'm warning you!" She said with a shaky voice, but he still kept coming.

Loki fired but missed, though she knew he had stepped out of the way. She was so shocked she dropped the gun and sat on the bed behind her. The man picked up his gun and sat on the bed next to her.

"Who are you?" She asked softly.

"Vash." He said and Loki was stunned.

"Vash… the Stampede?" She asked.

"I haven't been called that in a long time. What about you? What's your name?" He asked and she stared at the ground.

"Loki." She replied and Vash was surprised.

"That's your real name?" He asked.

"It's the only name I've ever known. It's what the people of the town I was born in called me… among other things." She said sadly.

There was a silence for a moment but then Vash spoke.

"I remember. We were passing through your town when we saw those kids being so cruel to you. We tried to help you but when you woke up you got startled and ran off… That was over ninety years ago, you were still young."

He said softly and Loki stared at him, but he was looking at the ground. After a moment he looked at her and smiled.

"How about I get you something to eat? I know a place that sells great salmon sandwiches. I get as many as I can eat for free!" He said cheerfully and she smiled.

"Okay."

She said and stood with him to leave, but he picked up her bag and the wallet.

"But you give this back, and not stay in a place that doesn't belong to you. Abandoned or not."

He said and she reluctantly took the wallet, pouting as she walked out side with him.

"Okay fine. But those better be some damn good sandwiches."

She muttered and Vash laughed as they approached the crowd of people in the square. The rich man still hadn't noticed his wallet was missing and Vash nudged Loki to go up to him. She pouted as she walked over.

"Excuse me sir. I think you dropped this." Loki said sweetly as she held out the wallet.

The man looked shocked but smiled at her.

"Oh thank you miss I didn't even realize! You're so kind please let me give you a little something for your trouble." He said as he started looking through his wallet.

"Oh no, that's not necessary."

Loki tried to tell him but he insisted on giving her twenty double dollars. She walked back to Vash who shook his head.

"What? He wouldn't take no for an answer." She said as they walked into the diner.

Vash found them a table and greeted the owner.

"Hungry again Vash? You had ten this morning. At this rate you'll eat us out of business." The woman said and Vash laughed in embarrassment.

"Actually could I have some for my friend?" He asked and the woman smiled at Loki.

"Sure Vash no problem. I haven't seen you with a girl before… I was starting to worry." She said, giving Vash a hard time.

Vash laughed nervously as he scratched his head. Loki laughed a little, as a plate of sandwiches was set on the table before them.

"I brought a little extra cause I know you'll start eating to Vash. You're always hungry." The woman said and Vash grinned.

"Yeah." He said as he grabbed a sandwich.

Loki started eating and as soon as she tasted how good the sandwich was she started scarffing them down.

"Whoa she eats like you Vash."

"These are really good!" Loki said with a full mouth and they laughed.

A while after they ate it was getting late and Loki offered to buy Vash a drink with the money she had gotten from the rich man.

The bar was loud and full of people, including a shady bunch in the back, but after a few drinks Vash and Loki were having a great time. Vash even offered Loki a place to stay the night and after giving him a hard time she agreed and thanked him. It was getting late and Loki excused herself to the bathroom before she and Vash went to his room at the inn. As Loki passed the shady men in the corner she could tell they were eyeing her but didn't think they'd try anything because she was with Vash, though she was still fearful. As she exited the bathroom she quickly tried to get back to Vash but someone grabbed her arm and held their hand over her mouth pulling her to the back corner of the bar. She was thrown to the center of a large group of men who appeared to be no more than thugs and petty bandits. She was picked up off the floor and immediately tossed around being fondled by the men. She tried to cry out but the noise in the bar was too loud and Loki couldn't get away because the crowd was too thick. Luckily Vash had noticed she was taking too long and walked to the bathroom. He then noticed the group of men. When he walked closer he could see Loki being pinned face down by the leader of the gang. He was trying to lift up the back of her shirt but Loki was struggling. Vash pushed a few men away to get to the center of the circle.

"Let her go."

Vash ordered in a threatening voice, which made the noise die down, but the gang leader didn't get up.

"Why should I?" He asked.

"Because I saw her first." Vash said in a deep voice but still the man did not get off of Loki.

"Yeah well finder's keepers pal." The man said.

Vash drew his gun and shot at the man. The bullet missed him by centimeters as it whizzed passed his cheek, drawing a little blood.

"I don't like repeating my self." Vash said angrily.

The gang leader was terrified and quickly got off of Loki. The group of men thinned as the whole bar got quiet. Vash put his gun away and kneeled down to Loki as she started to sit up. He picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. He paid the bartender, grabbed Loki's bag and exited the bar, going straight to the hotel he was staying at.

Once in his room Loki jumped down from his arms and Vash sat on the couch as he tossed her bag on the table.

"Home sweet home." Vash said, trying to lighten the mood but he could tell what had happened that night wasn't the first time.

"You okay?" Vash asked softly and she nodded.

Vash could tell she was trying to hold back tears.

"That happens all the time. They pass out by the time they drag me to their room. I take their money and leave town… But no one's ever stood up for me before." She said as she started sobbing, unable to hold back her tears.

Vash felt terrible and leaned forward, taking her by the arm pulling her to sit by him. She ended up sitting in his lap, barring her face in his chest as she sobbed, but Vash didn't mind. He held her close, letting her cry her eyes out. He didn't know what else he could do for her, he was angry that this had happened to her so many times but he knew there was nothing he could do about it except prevent it. Though, he wasn't sure if he should ask her to travel with him. He had been alone for many years but her life interested him. He wondered if she were like him, his sister; a plant with free will. Or something else.

After a while Loki had cried her self to sleep. Vash knew he could have laid her down and slept on the bed but he didn't feel like getting up and laid on the couch with Loki sleeping on top of him. He lay awake for some time still wondering about her. He knew she was something like him because of how old she was, but he knew the answers wouldn't fall out of the sky. At least not any more… and so he decided to sleep.