Legato, Part III

Like usual, Legato was unable to shed a tear for the murder he had committed against his father. After turning away from him, handing the gun back to his new Master and resuming his position on his Master's back, Legato never gave a thought more to his father or his childhood.

Finding a place far from where humans had the technology and will to reach Knives created the smallest of sanctuaries where his servant would live for the time being. It was already nearing the end of the week and Vash would expect him back soon. Legato's wounds, though still noticeable, caused him no more pain. Even though his father had gotten what he felt he deserved, he was still numb from the idea that he had killed.

"You will get used to it," his Master had told him. Knives had not talked much to his young servant as he could tell the boy wasn't ready for the destiny that Knives was going to bestow him to. Knives left Legato and the boy made no protest or complaints when Knives commanded he stay in this oasis.

"When I return your training will commence, so get lots of rest Legato, for when we start sleep will come last."

Legato nodded and watched as his new Master took leave.

When Knives returned to his brother, Vash seemed to be buzzing about with anxiety.

"Knives! Oh good, you're back."

"Yes... what is troubling you brother?"

"Nothing is troubling me but I've got to part from you now."

"You, have to part from me?" Knives frowned. "Why is that? Where could you possibly have to go?"

Vash hesitated to answer his brother. "I'm just going to meet with someone."

Knives raised a brow in suspicion. "Who? One of your beloved humans?"

"..."

A smirk escaped the shorter haired twin. "When will you realize that the only reason we ought to meddle in human affairs is to get rid of them!?" Knives demanded as he watched his brother squirm at his question.

"You know I how feel about them. They're good people Knives, if you'd only meet some of-"

Vash was cut off. "Not this again, I'm tired of hearing your pleas in defense of such beings." Knives shook his head as he began to pace the room, stopping at the doorway. "I suppose this is where is shall come down."

"Come down?" Vash asked curiously.

"Yes, Vash." Knives turned back to face his brother. "This is where you choose what you cherish more. Your only family, or those pathetic humans."

Vash bit his lip, carefully avoiding his brother's gaze. "Cant I-"

"And no, there is no way to have both. I will not tolerate it." Knives gave the only defeated sigh his brother ever heard him give after a moments silence passed between the two. "I see. You've chosen." Knives gave his brother a sad smile. "You disappoint me Vash." His smile vanished as his eyes turned dull and his face gave way to a look that had always been reserved for those he loathed.

"Knives its not that I don't chose you, but I cant be around you if you're going to continue to kill innocent people. It isn't right."

"A monologue brought to life from the very much dead Rem Saverem. Well then Vash, so we part."

Vash watched as his brother stepped out of the door of the home they had shared together for years. He made no attempt to go after him.

'I guess we are parting now Knives. But I have a feeling that we'll see each other again soon. As for now, I need to find Rem's only living blood relative.' Vash thought to himself.

Fuming in his anger, Knives made his way back to the oasis where he had left his new servant. Nearing the place he stopped suddenly. 'Will you forever be stuck in Rem's ideal Vash? What do I have to do to get you to focus on what needs to be done?'

"Who could he be going to see?" Knives pondered the question he had asked himself out loud but nothing came to mind. He made a quick executive decision. Legato had to be taught but he was still a human and could therefore wait. First things first. He needed to figure out who Vash dubbed important enough to be willing to finally leave his side.

There were a few humans, none he knew the names of, that his brother favored and frequently visited. Of course Vash didn't know that he knew of such people. His brother wasn't the best liar and he wasn't good at hiding anything from Knives. Normally, as he had in the past, he would kill such things that got in his way. But Vash had grown an attachment, and to kill those humans would have been to kill their relationship as siblings.

Knives, unfortunately, was past the point of caring. What ever human Vash was going to see, would indeed be killed. Turning from the direction of the oasis, Knives retraced his steps and quickly scanned his brothers mind. Vash' thoughts laid out before him. Knives studied the path in his brothers mind and his destination.

Seeing it was just the ordinary human town he flung deeper into the more well stored visions of his brother. A man, somewhat chubby, brownish hair with a fair complexion was the first image Knives came across. Trying to find out more, Knives withdrew from his brother's mind as Vash started to focus on less than interesting things.

Though the man in Vash's mind was in a distinct town, it was clear Vash neither knew the mans name or his exact location. Knives tutted at his brother's lack of information. It would be best if he himself came across this man first in order to determine why he meant so much to his twin.

The man, who ever he was, was a traveler. Getting to him before he changed locations would be difficult for Vash, luckily for Knives he wasn't his brother and mapped out a quicker route to the man. He could be there within a few days time.

He thought momentarily again of the young blue haired boy who lay waiting patiently for his return. Wondering if perhaps, bringing him along would be a good learning experience, but no. This was only going to be research. Knives had no intention of killing the man when he got to him. Such an action would have to wait until Vash found him. It would be an internal lesson from Knives to Vash.

Restarting his walking, Knives headed towards the sandy town.

Legato sat bored at the edge of the tiny stream that had been miraculously created by his Master. He had left him with few words and he was still filled with questions, though he had a faint thought that questions irritated his Master. He seemed to prefer for him to simply do as told without questioning.

It could be said that Knives wasn't exactly better than Legato's original older influence but Knives was seen as a mysterious angel to the child. With his magical powers and ability to know and create things that humans could not. Yes, his Master was not human, as to what he was Legato did not know. He hadn't been able to ask.

The oasis he resided in had all the forms of green nature that Gunsmoke did not possess as a whole and Legato had marveled at them silently when Knives had left. He had already played in the water, rolled in the grass and climbed the two trees. It was beautiful, but he was used to the solitary of his old bedroom not of the vast outdoors. Walls had brought him comfort and now he was exposed to the world. Something he had been concerned about when his Master had insinuated that he would be left alone in this place.

He had almost longed to go off to his plant angel when he remembered two things. His angel had died and his Master had told him firmly not to move from this oasis. Legato already knew not to disobey the Master. He wasn't sure what he would be capable of, but Legato was sure it could be things he could not even imagine. Not that he was scared of his Master. Fear had been longed beaten out of him, but he didn't know anything about him and yet found himself trusting him.

A grumble of hunger released from Legato's stomach. Hunger. He shifted in the place he sat. His Master hadn't said anything about where he would get his food and looking around there was nothing he could feed on, though there was plenty of water.

A couple days later...

Knives listened to the voices of the humans in the town, and watched with a careful gaze at all those who visited the humans his brother was determined to meet. He had only entered the town a few moments when he figured out who the man was. The name was not the same as her but there was physical evidence. Within that man lay the same genetic material that Rem Saverem carried. A relative. Rem's very last living one.

'So this is why you're so interested Vash. Well when you finally come across this man I'll return and you can discover just how displeased I am with you and your meaningless attachments.'

Knives headed immediately back into the desert quickly making his way back to his servant boy. He was able to return to the oasis within a day and found Legato laying against one of the trees. Knives looked around at the patch of earth on Gunsmoke. The boy seemed to have kept it in perfect condition.

"Legato." Knives called for him and Legato turned his head to face him weakly. Knives frowned.

"If you want food you're going to have to fend for yourself, but I warn you not to become a petty human thief... there's a town ten iles from here. If you're truly hungry I'd hurry, a sandstorm will be setting in soon."

The young boy rose slowly without a sound, took a few gulps of water and made his way into the desert to following the suggestion given to him.

End of chapter 3

Faery Goddyss :)