Eden

Disclaimer: same as before, I don't own any of the characters except for Sloane. And the credit isn't souly on me, but my partner in crime, Davis-kun take a bow love! In any case, keep reading, I apprechiate reviews, and accept everything you throw at me! Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Dual setting suns and possible gayness

The city was at peace once more, thanks to two courageous gunmen. One had already left, while the other had stayed around to enjoy a night's rest. The inhabitants of the city recognised the fellow as Vash the Stampede, the $$60 billion man. They did well to leave him alone and give him what he wanted; he did save them from the thieves who threatened to take all of their money and gold. Yes, they owed the humanoid typhoon, though the sheriff made it perfectly clear that the invitation extended for one night and one night only. Trouble followed Vash wherever he went, and the city of January didn't need to be reduced to rubble like July.

Vash took advantage of the cheerful hospitality of the people, for once being praised like some kind of hero, even if it was for one day. Naturally, he went to the local saloon, somewhere where he felt a home. The drunks looked up at him, a little surprised to see a living legend standing so near. Vash stepped slowly to the bar and smiled to the bartender. "I'll have some beer!", he said cheerful. She poured him a glass. His lips contorted into a goofy grin as he knocked it back and asked for another.

He brought the fifth glass with him to a table by the window as he watched the dual sun lowering in the sky. He sighed, his mind replaying the events that happened. Who was the gunman that had helped him? He would have liked to have had a drink with him. Vash leaned his head on his palm and looked into the brown liquor before him.

"Yeah, that's the guy who helped us out at the bank. The guy in white was seen leaving town right after everyone was safe.", said one man, a little buzzed from his drink. "Did he? Did he take the money?", asked his drinking partner. "Nope. He just asked for directions to the city of April and was on his way." He nodded slowly. "Did you hear what the thieves called him?", asked the other excitedly. "Sloane. You know, the bounty hunter everyone is talking about, except he doesn't take the bounty. He merely takes the criminals out and moves on to the next city." Vash looked out the window, listening curiously to the conversation. "We need more gunmen like him... Did anyone warn him of the sandstorm?" The drunkard blinked. "No, I don't think anyone did..." With that said, Vash rose up to his feet and shouldered his bag, walking out of the tavern, leaving his glass of beer behind sadly.

He moved slowly out of the town. So much for the idea of a comfortable bed, but he felt that he owed the gunmen in white. He did do the right thing after all, and thus deserved some help himself. He rushed after him, seeing him ahead, on the horizon. He ran after him, catching up rather quickly. He saw the man looking over a strange black devise. A soft smirk crossed his lips as he recognised it.

Taking large strides, he managed to get to the gunman's side. "I think that belongs to me.", Vash said casually. Sloane looked over at him and shrugged. "Is it really? My apologies. Would you like it back then?", he asked, his voice strangely low and soft. Vash nodded franticly. "It was a gift." The gunman in white nodded and handed him the device and continued to walk ahead, towards what he knew to be April. Vash sighed, this guy seemed unapproachable. "Why didn't you stay in town and collect the reward?", Vash asked curiously, looking the gunman over. He was clad in an off-white jacket, which reminded him strangely of someone he knew. A low growl formed in his throat. Legato... he thought angrily.

He grabbed the man by his arms and lifted him off the ground, Vash being a few heads taller. It all made sense, the white, the skill with his gun, why he would leave so quickly. It was all an act to get him away from the city, making it seem like he was helping someone, a trick. Sloane looked at him stunned, kicking franticly, struggling against the stronger man's grip. "What are you playing at Legato!?", Vash nearly yelled, his voice shaking with anger. Sloane's blue glasses slipped down his pale nose, smashing to the ground. "W-what are you talking about?! Has the sun baked your mind? Let go of me!", he glared daggers at him. Vash cocked his head to one side, confused and thoughtful. Glaring at him were the strangest eyes he ever saw. One of a crisp shade of leaf green, while the other was an eerie lavender. He blinked and set the man down, rubbing the back of his neck, a blush overcoming his cheeks. "I'm sorry.... I mistook you for someone else..." He let out a series of loud, if not nervous, laughs.

Sloane shook his head, his raven hair tossed back and forth, pulling a pair of blue glasses from his pocket and putting them on. "You are rather stranger, Red.", he replied in his low voice. He turned around and started on his way towards the horizon, and eventually the city of April. Vash walked quickly behind him and lightly touched his shoulder. "Um... Mr. Sloane, did you know about the sandstorm coming this way?", he asked curiously. The white gunman nodded. "I plan on making it to the ruins ahead actually. I have to make it to April as soon as possible."

A sigh left Vash's parted lips. "You're a determined hunter." Sloane looked over at him. "You don't have to follow me, Vash the Stampede. You will only get hurt. Bad luck follows me..." Vash quirked a brow, not for the statement but for the man's voice; it was stained with sorrow, something he knew a thing of two about, not to mention he called him by name. He smiled, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, trying to think of a way to get out of this. "Vash the Stampede?", he asked, as if he had made a mistake. Sloane rolled his mismatched eyes. "How did you dodge all those bullets then?", he asked coldly. Vash froze, trying to think up a valid excuse. "Just luck I guess. I noticed your skill at the bank. What were you doing there, and how could a bounty hunter like you get captures? It was clear you have skill from that short skirmish that happened...", he tossed back, praying that he wouldn't be countered by the fact that he had shown some skill during that robbery as well.

The younger man gave an elegant shrug. "Rather simple, actually. I wanted to get caught. I have been hunting those bastards for a few days and I wanted to be rid of them. Sadly, the plan didn't go as well as hoped, and they recognised me... Knowing what I was capable off, they made sure to tie me up rather intensively." He gave a short sigh. "I think the real question would be, with a record like yours, why would you make yourself seen in public with such skill. Sure, you come off as a bumbling idiot, but then if you really are who I think you are, you might as well make it seem like an accident. Most wanted people stick to disguises and fake names, and try to resume a normal life. It's much easier to get around when no one is looking for you." Sloane switched his bag shoulders and looked back at Vash. "Well Red, I should get going. The sooner I get to the ruins, the safer I'll be. Best of luck to you." He bowed his head and continued forward.

"Well then, I'll just go with you, it's a lot easier travelling the desert in someone's company than alone. The dunes can get pretty lonely. Believe me, I've travelled them enough to know.", Vash intervened as he rushed to catch up with him once again. Sloane blinked as he looked over his shoulder at him. Alright... Let me get this straight here... A hot guy wants to follow me through the desert... Well, that could mean he's friendly... or gay. So, if I hit on him, he'll think I'm gay and be repulsed, unless he's gay... He doesn't look gay... His shoulders sag as Sloane contemplated the matter more. He adjusted his glasses, pushing them higher on his nose. "If you want to come along, go ahead. They're free dunes. Besides, the company is always appreciated, even if it's from Vash the Stampede."

Behind the glowing yellow disks of his glasses, his emerald eyes gave off a slight tinge of worry, denied to his companion's vision, thankfully. His mind shifted slightly as to find some way to stop him from waking to the realization of who he really was. To deny one of such perceptiveness would be difficult... also, so some odd reason, Vash found the shape of the man's hip and the look of his face rather attractive. This thought struck hard. Was ladies' man Vash leaning towards the other team? How could this have happened? Pushing homosexual thoughts aside he had to find a way to hold back the realization that he was indeed the legendary humanoid typhoon, Vash the Stampede. "I still can't believe you believe I am Vash, I mean I'm sure he doesn't look a thing like me."

Sloane gave another one of his elegant shrugs, a sly smile playing of those alluring pale lips. Vash shook his head, this was not the time to get distracted. "Fine Red, believe what you want." I might as well humour him. It really doesn't matter who he is, company is welcome... especially such attractive company...What? I have been travelling the dunes for ages; I think I am due for at least some half decent eye-candy. Sloane smirked from behind his glasses, looking him over unnoticed. Definitely eye-candy. With that, he turned his attention forward, only to be confronted with a large dune. "Wonderful... it has to go uphill....", he muttered to himself.

Vash's feet shifted as the sand under them began to take an upward slope. He wasn't fond of the desert himself. This place is dry, just like the people's hearts... at least there are a selected few that believe that this place can be transformed into some kind of paradise. Eden... He looked to his companion who was a little ahead. It had been a long time since he had travelled with anyone, in fear that they might discover his secret and try and turn him in for the $$60 billion reward on his head; a bounty he couldn't even recall how he gained... he was the lucky in a sense, at least he didn't have to remember the horrors he must to have caused to earn so a high price.

Suddenly, he lost his footing. An arm slipped under Vash's elbow, steadying him, saving him a tumble down the side of a hot dune. Sloane let him go quickly enough, when he was sure Vash could stand without falling. He returned to the climb like nothing happened. Sloane reached the top, panting softly, sweating from the heat. He was definitely not built for the desert. He scanned the horizon for the ruins, an oasis, anything... His eyes shone as he saw the ruins of a white city. "Shade....!", he moaned softly.

Vash came up next to him; a grateful smile came to his lips as he saw the city. His eyes drifted to the horizon, upon which the two suns were setting. A sign escaped him as he saw the marvellous sight. The sky turned a deep red and dark purple from the last few lingering rays. "Dual suns setting at the same time over the dunes... lovely...", he whispered. Sloane looked over at him and looked on at the sunset and fell into the same daze. "Yes, it's very lovely. I never get sick of seeing it.", he replied softly. He snapped himself out of it quickly enough. Two men shouldn't be talking about lovely sunsets... No... He would pretend nothing was wrong with this. Vash smiled as he looked over at his partner, as if sensing the unease. He gave a shrug. "And they'll be another one similar to it tomorrow. But the dark clouds are rolling in quick. We should really make for that ruin.", the blonde said as he slid down other side of the dune making his way to the ruins. Sloane followed after him, his eyes lingering on the majestic sight. Another one similar to it tomorrow. He smiled; what exactly would the evening bring?