Author's Notes:  See chapter one for disclaimer and explanation.

Desperate Child By Annie-chan Chapter Four:  Catch-22

Legato Bluesummers, twenty-five years old, walked back to Headquarters.  Not too far behind him was his right hand, Midvalley the Hornfreak, and the musician was uncommonly quiet.  No surprise.  Earlier today, he had witnessed the entire city of Augusta completely flattened in a freakish display of power.  The fact that a huge crater on the Fifth Moon had been created, so large it took up nearly a fourth of the visible surface of the moon, just added to the human's shock and alarm.  If Vash the Stampede, completely untrained in the use of the Angel Arm, could do that, the Hornfreak was extremely nervous over what Knives could possibly do.  Knives was more skilled in wielding the inhuman weapon, and was much more willing to use it.

Legato ignored his lackey's mental unease.  He was too busy thinking.  How would Master react to this?  Legato had been the one to instigate the event, and Master could have one of two reactions.  He could be pleased that his brother had been made to realize the true power he possessed.  On the other hand, he could be greatly upset.  Since Vash had lost most of his memories of times after his early childhood after the July Incident, then it stood to reason that this recent incident might bring those memories back.  He would remember everything, from the separation in values and morals the twins had on the Seeds ship, to Master's destruction of the fleet, to the ten years they spent together in the desert, to July City itself.  Vash would no doubt be tormented by the sudden return of such memories.  Legato's mission was to cause eternal pain and suffering to Master's accursed brother until the outlaw finally realized his true place at Master's side, but Master could feel every nuance of pain his brother went through, and he hated every bit of it.  He loved his brother beyond anything else in existence.  He sometimes flew into a rage when Legato caused Vash pain, and took it out on the super-psychic for daring to harm his flesh and blood.  Master was a bit fickle like that, punishing his chief servant for following orders.  It was a risk Legato had to take.

Legato smiled just the slightest bit.  If I get a punishment, I wouldn't mind at all.  For the past seven years, he had welcomed the possibility of pain, injury, physical punishment…all the more if they were at the hands of his master.  Every little bit of pain he felt always reminded him of when Master had given him the gift of the left arm of Vash the Stampede.  The agony he had gone through had been by far the sweetest feeling his pathetic human body had experienced, and he knew he would treasure that memory for as long as he lived.  He didn't know just how that incident changed his perspective on physical pain, but he didn't question it.  Never look a gift horse in the mouth, as some humans would say.

They were here.  Legato opened the door and walked through, hearing the Hornfreak close it again when he entered as well.  Neither spoke.  The rest of the Guns—the ones that hadn't been killed, anyway—were either in the nearest town or already here.  The two went their separate ways, heading for their respective quarters.  The Hornfreak wouldn't be called on by Master, and Legato knew that he was to wait until Master specifically gave him the order to come to him.  He would know that Legato was here, but may not want to speak to him right now.

Legato, a sudden voice sounded in his head.

Legato froze.  That was sooner than expected.  He hadn't even gotten to the door to his quarters yet.  Not one to question Master, he immediately changed direction and went straight to where Master was waiting for him.

Master was on the far side of the building, staring out a window at the endless desert.  His back was to Legato as the human entered the room, his arms folded in front of him.  His posture was stiff, and he stood completely still.  Legato walked up to him until they were about five feet apart, then knelt in respect.  It was not his place to speak first.  He must wait until Master deemed it time to begin.  Master did not speak for a long time.

"Legato," he began quietly, after many minutes had gone by.  "Earlier, I felt my brother's energy skyrocket, then a release that could only be an Angel Arm going off."  He turned around and regarded Legato's bowed form, his face and voice expressionless.  "Care to explain?"

"Yes, Master," Legato answered.  The question was no question at all, but a demand for an explanation.  "Vash the Stampede was in Augusta, where Raidei the Blade had just issued a shiai ofuda to him.  Your brother was refusing to accept the challenge, and was immovable, as usual, in his refusal.  I, for once, got fed up, and forced him to use his Angel Arm, destroying Augusta.  From where I watched up on a cliff overlooking the whole thing, the entire city was destroyed.  A crater was put in the Fifth Moon as well, for Your brother shot straight upward toward it."  He paused for a moment, but Master made no reply.  Legato continued.  "The only casualties were the Blade and E.G. Mine.  Vash the Stampede managed to clear all Augusta's citizens out beforehand, for he apparently anticipated a confrontation.  The Mine was killed by the Blade, who apparently thought him more a hindrance than a help, and the Blade was killed by the younger Chapel after Augusta was destroyed."  Legato's eyebrows drew together slightly.  "It seems we have a malcontent among us, Master.  I understand the Blade dispatching the Mine, because the Mine wasn't very competent in the first place.  However, the Blade was very good at what he did, and his death was completely unprovoked."

"Hm," Master replied, almost absentmindedly.  Legato was unsure if Master really cared at the moment about the younger Chapel's conduct.  Master seemed preoccupied.

"Master?" Legato ventured.  He usually wasn't so bold as to speak first, but he became alarmed when he noticed Master grip the windowsill tightly and bow his head forward.  His entire body was shaking.

"My brother was unconscious for a while after it happened," Master answered through clenched teeth.  "He's woken up now, and he's in agony!  He remembers everything he forgot!  The Seed's ships crashing, our falling-out, July City, everything!"  His breathing was deep, as if he was struggling to keep boiling emotions under control.  "I can feel everything he is feeling right now.  He hasn't been in so much pain since I brought the fleet down and killed that woman, along with so many others."

"Yes, Master," Legato said, his voice soft.  "Eternal pain and suffering to Vash the Stampede until he takes his rightful place."

That was a mistake.

As soon as he said those words, he felt himself jerked upright in the air, his feet dangling a few inches above the ground.  He barely had time to register what was happening before he was slammed down flat on his back.  An intangible, yet devastatingly heavy, weight pressed down on his entire body, threatening to crush him where he lay.  His lungs found themselves compressed so much he couldn't breathe, and his heart was struggling to keep beating, now pressed up against his sternum and ribs.  A cry forced its way from his throat.

"How dare you?" Master demanded, his voice dripping with fury.  "How dare you take such action without direct orders from me?!"

Legato tried to answer, but all he could do was choke from lack of air.

"My brother," Master whispered, sounding like he was struggling not to cry.  "My brother…oh, God!  Vash!  I feel every bit of anguish you do!  Vash, why are you so insistent in resisting me?!  Why must you keep running from me like this?!  It only makes us both suffer!"

Pain was shooting through Legato's body, not just from not being able to breathe, but he felt his bones straining under the pressure.  Any more, and his skeleton was sure to be crushed into powder.  He moaned, in both pleasure and pain.  Part of him was reveling in this punishment Master was dealing him, but the other part was screaming that, if he wasn't released soon, he would surely die.  The self-preservation instinct still kicked in every once in a while, no matter how self-destructive Legato was otherwise.

Suddenly, the weight was gone.  His body arched upwards automatically.  He had been unconsciously fighting against it.  He fell back against the floor, gasping for breath.

Master turned away from the window to look at him.  His ice-cold eyes burned into Legato's spirit, and the super-psychic almost cringed at the potency of the anger he saw within them.

"Get up," Master ordered.

Legato complied, forcing his weakened body to obey.  He managed to push himself to his feet, though he swayed a bit, almost falling to his knees as he straightened up.  He watched, his breathing shaky, as Master walked up to him and grabbed his chin in his hand.  Their faces were mere inches apart, and Legato could feel Master's hot breath against his skin.  Those impossibly beautiful blue eyes seared into Legato's golden ones, their gaze so intense Legato felt the sting of tears.

"Don't ever do anything like that without my orders again," Master hissed, his teeth again clenched.  "Do you understand me, or do I need to convince you?"

Legato faltered.  His desire for Master to "convince" him was very strong, but he got the feeling that this particular "convincing" just might end in his death.  He couldn't die yet.  His mission was incomplete.  There were still so many things he could do to further Master's plans concerning his brother.

"I understand, Master," he whispered.  He shivered at the feel of Master's hand coming up to stroke his cheek.  The palm was warm, but the fingertips were cool.  He felt a thrill when he saw a smile cross Master's perfect visage.

"Very good, Legato," Master said, satisfied with his servant's answer.  His voice was now so very soft and gentle.  "You learn quickly.  See that you don't forget."

"Yes, Master," Legato replied.  He almost cried out when those hands were taken away, but stopped himself.  No matter how much he craved this exquisite creature's kindness—as well as his cruelty—he had no place to ask for it.  He was to be satisfied with what he got.  He felt a twinge of sorrow as he saw sadness return to Master's eyes.

"Now, go," Master said, turning back away from him.  "I wish to be alone."  He returned to staring out the window, his stance showing the mental hurt that was assailing his senses.  No doubt all he could concentrate on for more than a few minutes right now was his brother's current emotional state.  Legato bowed in respect and left without a word.  Master needed time to himself right now, and the young human had no right to encroach on his privacy.

Legato walked straight back to his quarters.  There was nothing else for him to do at the moment, so he might as well just sit and brood for a while.  He did that quite well.

"Sir?"

Legato turned around.  "What do you want, Hornfreak?"

"Nothing in particular," the Hornfreak answered.  "Just that you're bruising all over."

Legato lifted his hand up to his face.  The skin was indeed sensitive, and he felt a whit of pain when he touched it.  It must be a side effect of Master's recent punishment.

"Would it be too much to ask what exactly happened?" the Hornfreak inquired.  There was no concern in his voice, only that annoying curiosity common to almost all humans.  They always had to know every bit of information about everything around them, as if it could make up for their general lack of intelligence.

"Master thought it necessary to punish me for taking the liberty of dealing with Vash the Stampede as I did," Legato replied tersely.  "Now, leave."  He didn't wait for a reply, only entering his quarters and shutting the door before the Hornfreak could say another word.

Legato stood with his back against the door, staring into the darkness of the unlighted room.  He had failed, once again.  Yes, he caused extreme suffering to the enemy, but he had not pleased Master.  The desire for his approval stood above all else.  Deep down, he knew that he would never have Master's true approval, being human as he was, but he at the very least didn't want Master's outright disapproval.  He cursed himself for being so stupid.  Master had told him never to use the transplanted Angel Arm unless ordered.  Why, of all things, did he have to choose to trigger the Angel Arm of Vash the Stampede?  It had the same physical results on the city, plus made Master distraught, because of his brother's distress.  He knew very well that his task was to make the Stampede suffer, but not if the method of doing so was against orders.

Stupid, Legato berated himself.  Stupid human!  Causing Master pain was even worse than having Master's disapproval.  He should have known the consequences of his actions!  He walked over to his bed, removed his overcoat, shirt, shoes, and gloves, changed into the pair of slouch pants he slept in, and lay down.  His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he looked at his left hand.  Vash the Stampede's left hand.

Why is it so difficult? Legato thought, as if addressing the former owner of the arm.  My mission is to cause you suffering until you join your brother as you should, but every time I cause you any real suffering, I make my dear master suffer as well.  Why must I constantly choose between two evils?  Every time he came up against Vash the Stampede, directly or indirectly, he was forced to make a choice.  He must either let Vash off easy and spare Master some pain, or give Vash hell and make Master hurt as a result of his brother's hurting.  Either way, Legato hated the outcome.  Choosing between following his mission and pleasing his master—which should be one and the same—was not something he was happy about in the slightest.  How did the saying go?  He was between a rock and a hard place.  Some humans called it "Catch-22," though he had no idea where they got that phrase.

Legato continued staring at the Plant's flesh, his gaze wandering slowly up and down the length of the arm.  He was remembering the year after he first got it.  It had been nearly six months before he could use it as a normal arm, not gingerly choosing what to do and what not to do, as to not hurt it.  The first few weeks, spent entirely in bed, for he was too weak to do anything at all, were spotted with periods of exquisitely intense agony.  The arm was coming alive again with the blood pumping through it, and the returning sensation made itself known quite sharply.  Master had been right.  It was like the pins-and-needles sensation after a limb falls asleep, only on a much grander scale.

After he was able to function normally, Legato had taken Master's advice and made a point of building up his muscle mass.  At eighteen years and ten months old, Legato had been a willowy young man, almost looking bone-thin in some lights.  Master had told him that exercise would speed up his total recovery, as he was still on the delicate side from the enormous physical trauma of six months earlier, as long as it was kept within reason.  So, Legato had complied, and was now much different that he was as an adolescent.  He wasn't enormously muscular, rather having a sleek, well-proportioned look.  He had never understood why some men bulked themselves up to an almost unnatural physical state, so he kept himself slender.

By the time he was nineteen-and-a-half, Legato was totally recovered, and physically stronger than before.  That was six years ago, and not much had changed since then.  Only that he had recruited the Gung-Ho Guns since then, and he was now actively pursuing Vash the Stampede, instead of just shadowing him, observing from afar.

Well…I guess that could be considered as a lot changing in the past six years, Legato thought, correcting his recent musings.

He felt himself growing sleepy.  He had been lying here longer than he thought, and was starting to feel the effects of the progressing night.  He slipped beneath the bedclothes, letting his eyes drop closed for the night.  As he slid into unconsciousness, he let one last thought flit through his mind.

Vash the Stampede, he mentally swore, I will find you again, and…I'll find a way to bring you to Master's side!  I swear on my loyalty, I will!

Owari

Author's Notes:  Yes, I know this last chapter seems rather anti-climactic (unless you consider Knives' punishing Legato a climax), and the ending was rather abrupt, but I didn't want to delve too much into the story of the anime.  I wanted this to fit in with the anime story, and if I went too much into it, I may end up changing some things.  I probably changed some things anyway.  I don't know if Knives was in the plant the whole time from the July Incident to the present, and I had him out of it quite a bit.  There's also the thing of Legato's age.  I read on more than one website that he's a lot older than he looks, and that overexposure to the Plant energies froze his body in time, making it unable to age any more than early- to mid-twenties.  I have no idea whether that's true or not for the anime (or the manga, for that matter), so I just decided he'd look his age and be twenty-five.  I'm sorry for any discrepancies, but this story was done as accurately as my knowledge allowed.  I'm also sorry if you would have preferred a more exciting ending to the story, but I already explained why I wrote it as I did.  I hope I didn't disappoint too many of you!  Please let me know what you think of this in a review or at mangareader@hotmail.com, onegai shimasu!  No flames, though.  Be constructive, not destructive, if you can.