Ahh, my muses have attacked yet again. This chapter may feel a little choppy (though I hope not). I have great story thought out practically word for word for chapter 9. But I still have to get there, so I'm forcing my hand a little. I hope this and the next chapter don't suffer too much because of it. Well, enjoy!
Ah, my lovely reviewers. I love you all! *is munching her heart cookie* And I love cookies. OK, Beauty, I'll try and get more info on the Hornfreak look alike. I hope I haven't missed him. Anyway, big shout out to Jennifer!! And the rest of you, of course.
Ooops. Posted this wrong the first time. Gomen nasai, minna-san!
**
~~Legato~~
The sky is rather beautiful. Certainly a lot more interesting than the wall opposite the couch I've been staring at for the past few days. I rest my chin in my right hand, staring off as Vash goes on talking about something or other. He insisted on taking me out to lunch yet again. Though, there wasn't much choice for either of us this time. No one wanted to stay in the house now that Millie had discovered her priest was awake again. I had insisted on sleeping downstairs again last night when she first made the discovery.
But really, the sky is quite lovely, a wonderful blue in the early afternoon heat. "It matches your hair," Vash jokes at me, obviously tracing my own thoughts. "You all right? You haven't been paying much attention."
I nod and quietly return my gaze to the being across the table from me. "I'm sorry, Vash-sama."
The gunman visibly cringes. "Legato, I'm glad we're at least on speaking terms, but do you have to call me that?"
"I don't understand. A superior being should be respected."
"Legato, please. No honorific title. Just Vash."
I mentally grin to myself. Who knew Vash the Stampede knew how to use such big words. I nod again and stay silent, my focus now on the beautiful face before me. I catch myself immediately at look away, hopefully before he noticed. Honestly, what am I thinking?
"Dr. Simonson?" Vash stands, catching sight of a short, balding man in a blue overcoat. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you actually." The two smile and exchange pleasantries and then the conversation turns to me. "Is this the young man you told me about, Vash?"
"Yes. Legato, this is Dr. Simonson, one of the researchers I talked to about your injuries." The man offers his hand but withdraws it as I stare coldly into his eyes.
He gulps and takes a folder full of papers out of his briefcase, handing it to Vash. "I brought you copies of the work, I hope it can be of some help. You said he has feeling in his leg, correct?"
Vash nods enthusiastically. "Yes, is that good?"
"Yes. Since there is some feeling, it's likely all feeling can be returned."
I feel my throat constrict slightly. Vash has a similar reaction and swallows hard before continuing. "And if there is no feeling?"
The doctor looks over at me with what can only be pity. "I'm sorry. But the odds are not good in that case." My face falls, suddenly finding the ground just as interesting as the sky had been earlier. My power, useless. The only thing setting me apart from these worthless spiders, gone. "That's not to say there is no hope, there's always a chance." The doctor hastily adds, seeing my distress.
I stand slowly and begin to shuffle away from the table. Vash follows, quickly thanking the doctor for all his help, and offers his shoulder as my crutch once more. I have to admit, I've gotten fairly used to his strength helping me stand, even in the short time it has been forced upon me. "Hey," he whispers in my ear. "It'll be all right. You'll be at your full strength again in no time, I just know it." Kind. Untrue, but very kind.
Suddenly, my head jerks up, an almost indescribable sense of foreboding sending my heart racing. "Legato? What is it?" I look around the street, trying to identify what had triggered my reaction, but I can find nothing. I shake my head and we continue on our way. Not far though.
Almost as soon as we started walking again, Vash's own incredible precognition kicked in. He tensed and shoved me to the ground, barely dodging the bullet racing towards us. I look up from the dust, watching as the blonde gunman fought with a boy no older than seventeen. I watch in quiet fascination. That boy had caused my earlier reaction, I'm sure, though I'm at a loss to explain it.
The two exchange one powerful blow, Vash stumbling back slightly, and the boy falling to the ground right in front of me. He spins, seeming to feel my eyes boring into him. A bounty hunter, young and unskilled, but he may be the answer to my current problem. He raises his gun to me and I see Vash freeze in mid rush, not willing to risk my well-being.
I focus all my being on the gun in front of me as it takes aim in a shaking hand. The boy cries out slightly, not knowing what is happening to him. I ignore him and focus on the firearm. My heart this time, more sure than a head shot as I've learned. I don't want to be here, no purpose in this world. Vash is kind, but that is merely more proof of my inadequacy that I would have ever believed otherwise. I can't go on with my loyalty torn between two such perfect beings even if I did have a reason to live.
"Please, don't" The boy's voice is small and frightened. I look up and lock eyes with him, silently pushing his finger to tighten on the trigger. "I don't want to . . ."
Shoot!
The explosion sounds loudly in my ears, but I feel no pain. I open my eyes to see Vash holding the gun barrel. The bullet missed by less than a foot thanks to him. He stands and grips the boy's shirt tightly. "What do you think you were doing?!"
"I'm sorry! I needed the money. I thought . . .Please don't kill me."
The blonde lowers him to the ground. "Explain."
"Some blonde guy hired me. He said to kill Vash the Stampede and anyone with him. He said I could keep the reward. But, just now, I didn't . . ." Vash drops him and the frightened child runs as fast as he can.
And now I'm the topic of the humanoid typhoon's interest. "You almost made him shoot you." The realization is only now sinking in. He's right. I did all that, with the power I supposedly can't access. Why did the idiot have to stop me?!
He wraps his arms around me, lifting me partly off the ground. "How could you do that? Legato, please. You have so much to live for, a whole new life. Don't give up, we'll make this work." He's crying. Real tears, cried out of fear of losing me. "Please. Don't make me go through it again. I already watched you die once."
Vash picks me up and literally carries me back to the house and up to my room. Only then does he allow me to stand as he pushes open the door. Millie is curled up on Wolfwood's bed, her face buried in his neck. They are both asleep and Vash leaves me with a final hug. "Please get some rest. Legato, I know this is hard, but try. For me?"
I nod slightly and limp into the room. He closes the door and I stand for a moment, staring at my bed. At his bed. Knives. My master slept in those very sheets. He had once counted me among his favorite servants. One of the few humans worth tolerating on this miserable planet. And just now he had sent someone to kill me. I couldn't sleep there.
I back away and sink to the floor to lean against Wolfwood's bed. My hand goes to my tired eyes and my shoulders shake as my emotions war within me. I feel a light touch on my shoulder and look up. Wolfwood returns the gaze with a sad look. We don't speak in the darkened room, yet somehow I feel he knows what I'm feeling right now.
I should not be alive.
**
Another chapter and another mushy-ish scene between Vash and Leggy. And it looks like Wolfwood understands. But Legato's going back to hating life, not that he ever really stopped. Poor Bishie. I can't wait till next chapter, my fav bishie narrates. Anyway, I must be sleeping, very tired. Hope you all like this.