Yay! You like my idea! Well, here's the next chapter. I still don't own Trigun T_T The plot should pick up a little this chappie, too. Enjoy ^_^

**

Wolfwood sighed and looked at their depleted funds once more. He had spent most of the night trying to figure out how to stretch their limited cash into bus fair to the next town and still leave enough for supplies. He counted out the money carefully, handing the amount needed for bus fair to Zazie.

The blonde checked his friend's math and pocketed the bills. "I don't understand why we can't just stay here though, Chapel."

Wolfwood sighed in annoyance. "I've asked you not to call me that. And we can't stay. These boys were well known in this town and now we're all completely different. I doubt it would go over well if we had to be retrained for jobs we've supposedly been doing for a couple years now. You and I could keep up appearances, but what about the others?"

Zazie sighed and looked back at where Legato sat curled in a chair. "I suppose you're right. I sure don't want to explain why Erique suddenly turned all super depressed." The blonde's gaze turned sad. "Chapel, do you suppose Legato's going to be all right?"

"Not sure. You and I feel pretty bad about the death we've caused, and he was dozens of times worse. I don't envy him, that's for sure." Wolfwood looked down at the money still clutched in his fist – an almost nonexistant amount. He would have to try and get weapons and supplies with it. He sighed. "And don't call me Chapel." Slowly, Wolfwood went to the door where Midvally was waiting for him. He handed over some of the cash. "You get supplies. I'll see what I can do about getting some guns." The other nodded and together they went into town.

Parting from his companion, Wolfwood walked resolutely into a small gun shop. His eyes played across the small lumps of brass and crome. He read a sign telling him that no ammo would be given until purchase, and another saying that all damaged goods would be billed. He walked to the counter and asked to see a handgun that was on display. The cashier smiled broadly, looking very much like a rat. "This one? Yes, an excellent choice. Supirior quality, one of the best ranged weapons out there. Superb accuracy, and light – something a slim fellow like yourself will appreciate."

Wolfwood took the gun and raised it to eye level. He aimed it and pretended to fire. "This is a piece of crap!" The clerk's smile dissappeared. "I may not look it, but I know quite a bit about weapons of murder. This thing has a faulty trigger, and the hammer doesn't look to good either. I'm looking for a bargain here, I won't pay good money for a piece of shit."

He tossed the gun back and proceeded to examine others. He needed something small, but efficient for Zazie, the youngest of the new group. Something powerful and fast for Midvally, with enough kick to rival his old sax. And something simple for Legato. The blue haired man seemed to enjoy things of simple beauty with no bangles to detract from it.

He was trying to find one for himself when he heard shouting from next door. "Oh, shit, that's Midvally's voice!" He ran from the store, not bothering to put down the gun he was examining. He dashed next door to see a dimly lit, dingy bar. His eyes focused on the large argument taking place at the counter where Midvally was trying to buy hard liquor in his shiny new fifteen year old body.

Wolfwood ran over to him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He raised the gun, bringing it down not too hard on the boy's skull. "You're fifteen, you moron! You can't buy alchohal! For crying out loud, you're a fucking virgin again!"

Midvally's face paled. "No, that can't be right. Why'd you get to come back all old and stuff?!"

Wolfwood sighed and dragged his friend out of the seedy building. He walked back into the gun store, his eyes falling once more across the 'break it and buy it' sign. He looked down at the gun still in his hand and saw a vague dent where he had struck Midvally. He groaned and walked back to the counter. "I guess I'll take this one too. And some ammo for all of them please?"

The clerk smiled and took the money before handing over the weapons. The two boys walked out, scowling at the money they had left. It was hardley enough to buy ration bars for their trip. They bought what they could and headed back to see if Zazie had gotten the tickets.

**

Zazie smiled as his friends came home. "Got the tickets. We can only get to L. R. on our money, but that's plenty good." He handed one ticket each to the two boys. "We'd better get going though, bus leaves in only half an hour. The two nodded and hefted their luggage – one bag each with just the essentials. Zazie gazed at the remaining ticket in his hand. It was for Legato, there hadn't been enough for him to get his own. He was going to have to try and get one at the station, hoping for better luck than he'd had before.

The four walked to the bus stop in silence and boarded. Zazie helped Legato on, then stepped aside to talk to the driver. "Sir, I, um, need a ticket." He produced the money he still had – less than half of what he needed – and did his best to look like an innocent little boy that deserved pity.

The driver scowled. "Look, kid, no one rides without money. You're old enough to learn that lesson now."

"But, sir, I don't have it! My friends are already on board, I have to be on this bus. You see that blue haired fellow, dontcha? I'm taking care of him 'cause he's awful sick right now. He needs me."

"Hmph. Touching story kid, really. But no money, no ticket, no ride." He pushed Zazie out of the way to greet the next customer.

"Maybe I can help you?" Zazie turned to see a young girl, about his age, with flowing ebony hair and sparkling silver eyes. She smiled, flashing perfect teeth, and held out a small amount of money. "That should just barely get you a ticket, all right?"

Zazie took the money before she could retract the generous offer. He bowed slightly. "Arigatou. Are you coming to L. R. too?"

She smiled again. "Not now, but daddy said he'd take me soon. Maybe I'll see you there, then you can pay me back." Zazie nodded slightly and backed into the driver eliciting a curse, but also a ticket to ride. The girl waved goodbye to him as he was about to board. "My name is Isabel. I'll look you up when I get to L. R., all right, Zazie?"

The boy nodded, captivated by her lovely smile. It didn't occur to him that he had never tols her his name.

**

Midvalley stood in silence watching Legato. The former leader of the Gun Ho Guns lay unmoving on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling. He hadn't moved to anyone's knowledge in the couple of weeks that they'd been here. Every morning, though, a little more food was missing from the kitchen and Legato's eyes were red-rimmed. Everyone knew that Legato was fairly alert during the night, but during he day, he may as well have been comatose.

Midvalley sighed. "I don't get it. We all feel bad about what happened in the past, but you're the only one who's like this. Are you going to waste your second chance?" Legato made no response.

"Why are you wasting your time on him?" Wolfwood came through the door, staring at his sax player friend. "Let him waste away if that's what he wants. You should be happy to just be alive."

"I heard what Angel said, though. This entire thing is because of him. Don't you think we should try to help him?"

Wolfwood sighed in annoyance. "Yeah, I know we owe him. But that doesn't change the fact that he obviously doesn't want our help. Besides, we have other things to worry about, come on."

The two men walked from the room. Zazie was dozing lightly on the couch and Midvalley smacked his arm until he woke up. "All right, Chapel. What did you want to talk about?"

Wolfwood rubbed his temple lightly with two fingers. "Nick. Nicholas. Wolfwood. Not Chapel. Never mind. Look, how are you two coming with jobs? We're running low on food already, and I don't get paid again for a whole week."

Zazie groaned loudly. "I got nothing. No one wants to hire a kid for real work."

"I'm not doing much better. But, I might have found something."

Wolfwood looked at Midvalley expectantly. "Really?"

"It's a bar. I talked to the owner and he says he's willing to pay for live enter-"

"Not this again! We've already been over this. Until we get some money saved up, you can't even think about getting a sax! You're going to have to live with it."

Midvalley scowled. "I know, I know! But it's good money. If we could just spare a little bit, I can get the sax, get the job, and make it back with interest in no time!"

Zazie placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Look, it sounds like a great idea, and I agree that it'll work. But the simple truth is, we can't. We're not even making enough for the four of us to live on as it is. Unless you're giving up your share of dinner, there's nothing we can do."

Wolfwood sighed. "Even that wouldn't be enough. Try and get a real job. I promise, if we get the chance, we'll set aside funds for you. But we simply can't do it now." Wolfwood watched as the hornfreak hung his head, nodding agreement. "Anyway, you better get something soon, or we're going to be totally broke before my next check." He reached into his coat, pulling a slip of paper from its depths. "I managed to get an advance, but it's not going to last long."

Zazie reached out, taking the check. "This isn't very much. But I guess it has to do. I'll head out for some groceries."

Midvalley nodded. "I might be able to get a job at that bar temporarily doing grunt work. I'd better get to it now though."

Wolfwood nodded and stood. "I've got to get to work myself. Today's supposed to be my day off, but we need the cash. See ya, guys."

Zazie walked into the single bedroom of their pathetic house. He looked at Legato on the bed and forced a smile into his lips. "Are you going to be all right by yourself for a while?"

"If you're having that hard a time with money, maybe I should leave."

Zazie gaped at the blue-haired man. This was the first time he'd spoken since they'd gotten off the bus. "No! No, we're fine. It'll work out. Just, get better. We could really use your help."

"You don't want my help. I'll do something horrible. I don't want you three to suffer because of me."

Zazie frowned. "Then you should get over this thing and go try to get a job. If you want to help us, then help us." Legato raised onto his elbows, staring at Zazie. "Just don't do anything stupid. Is that a deal?" Slowly, Legato nodded before laying back down.

Zazie wandered the town for a few hours, going from store to store until the money had vanished. Coming out of the last shop, he struggled with the bags as he walked down the street. "Hey there, can I help you?" Zazie turned to the friendly voice. His eyes slowly traced up the long legs hidden behind a familiar red coat. After a short eternity, his eyes met the face of Vash the Stampede. "Those look pretty heavy. Want a hand?"

Zazie stared open mouthed. "You!"

Vash scrunched up his brow. "Um, yeah? Do I know you?"

"You . . . You don't recognize me?" Vash seemed to think a moment before shaking his head no. Zazie was frozen a moment in time before he catapulted into action. He ran. What else could he do, faced with the humanoid typhoon?

When he got back to the house, Zazie was surprised to find Legato sitting on the couch with Midvalley across the way. Zazie slammed the door, sinking to the ground in front of it. Midvalley walked over to the boy. "What's going on?"

"Vash. He's here, in this town!"

That got Legato to his feet. "What are you talking about?"

All three froze as they heard someone step onto the porch outside. There was the rustling of bags and then a light knock on the door. "Hello? Hey, kid, I'm sorry I scared you. Whatever you've heard about me isn't true, all right? I brought your bags, I'll just leave them out here. Maybe I'll see you later, all right?" There was a pause where none of the three boys breathed. "Well, all right then. Bye."

No one moved for several minutes. Finally, Zazie stood, opening the door and retreiving the groceries. "Told you." The others nodded in silent agreement.

            **

"NANI!!!! He's here? As in, here, in this town?" Zazie nodded at Wolfwood, who had come home late in the night and been told of the afternoon's events. "Well, we have to go talk to him!"

Midvalley frowned. "Are you sure that's such a good idea?"

"What are you talking about? If Vash and the girls are in town, of course we should go see them!"

"But, Chapel. He killed us, wouldn't it be strange to see us again?"

Zazie frowned at that. "Actually, he didn't kill any of us. Chapel shot me."

"And Chapel killed me," Wolfwood added.

Midvalley frowned, but he nodded. "I guess you're right. He tried to stop me."

Wolfwood pounded his fists together. "So we should go see him! He'll be thrilled that we're alive!"

"I don't know." Zazie looked carefully at Legato, who had stayed quiet and gone quite pale throughout the conversation. "Maybe Midvalley's right."

"Damnit, we're going to see them. I want to see my Big Girl!"

The room fell into silence for a moment before Midvalley broke into laughter. "Your Big Girl?"

Wolfwood felt a distinct blush creep over his cheeks. "I, uh, I meant my cross. I left it with Millie, it'd be great to get it back."

"Yeah right, Chapel. You're just hunting for your piece of tail!"

"Shut up, Hornfreak! You're just jealous that you don't have a girl."

The two growled at each other and likely would have killed each other if Legato hadn't spoken up. "We'll go tomorrow, first thing."

All eyes focused on Legato. Zazie was the first to find his voice. "Are you sure? I thought he'd be the last person you'd want to see."

Legato stood and walked back to the bedroom. "We will go see him tomorrow."

**

Heh. Legato speaks. I did warn you this would be angsty. Hope you like. Keep up the reveiws, please. And I'll need your input after next chapter, so keep an eye out.