Iris reached July and parked the car in front of the first building in sight. The whole town was silent. Dead. The bar that she stood before had a single light on. It looked newly painted with newly cut wood. Through the windows Iris could see chairs and tables with cups of beer. It seemed as though whoever was in the bar just got up and left. There were no signs of struggle nor was there any blood.

What happened here?

Iris stood up and walked towards the bar. As soon as she walked in, the little light in the middle blinded her and showed nothing but shadows and dark corners. A horrible feeling came across Iris' body. She regretted coming inside, something bad was about to happen. With the darkness came the unknown and Iris didn't like the unknown. The darkness enveloped around Isis and she shivered.

"Hello there."

The voice sounded happy yet old. Very old. Iris looked around with her eyes and noticed something that wasn't there before. A man was hiding in a corner with his feet up on a table. He was sitting face down with his cowboy hat blocking his face. His dark clothing hide him well.

Why didn't I notice him earlier? This can't be good.

"So, you're the one and only beautiful Iris...There right about you. The long hair. . . the green eyes. You really are something."

His voice sounded horrible. A joyous voice mixed in with a killing personality. The old man sounded as though he were seducing Iris. Or at least tiring to. Iris gave him an ugly look and felt anger fill up inside her.

"Who are you and how do you know my name?"

"You truly look like an innocent child, even if your over 50 years old."

I was once innocent. . . but that all changed. Iris thought silently.

"I assume you know Knives, since you know my name." There was a pinch of anger as Iris said Knives.

"Ahhh, you must be talking about my Boss. Yes, I do know him."

"Then tell me where he is, i don't want to kill you."

The man was still facing down.

"Don't worry, that won't happen."

The man suddenly pulled his shirt aside and revealed a pistol. Iris didn't have enough time to react. She looked at the man's face. It looked twisted and misshapen, his smile reminded you of one of those psychopathic murderers that needed to stay in a madhouse. It was wrapped up in loose bandages with scars poking through. Iris blinked and Vash appeared before her eyes. He was sitting on the couch back in Little May. He leaned his head to the side so that only half of his face was visible.

You can't die Iris, not like this. I believe in you Angel.

The feelings that Iris felt came rushing out. Her anger, her sorrow, her despair. As easily as Vash had appeared, he disappeared. Another shot was fired and Iris saw the man standing before her again.

I can't die! Not here.

With all her might, Iris focused on moving towards the bartender table. The next thing she knew, she was hiding behind the bar. She felt light-headed and dizzy. The bottles of beer were still in tact and the mirror on top of them showed the crazy man still shooting at the spot where iris had been.

What just happened? I don't understand.

The man stopped shooting and looked around.

"Where did you go, green-eyes?"

He seemed a little shocked and impressed at the same time.

I didn't expect her to know how to use her strength and speed just yet. All the better. This won't be such a waste of my time.

"So, Iris, how did you survive? You were supposed to have died."

There was silence, no one answered.

"I hear Vash is dead. HA! You let him die didn't you?"

Iris was still staring at the mirror. There was a huge smile on the man, it angered her. She could feel the hot liquid pouring down her eyes.

"YOU let him die! You were to weak to do anything. Vash would have been alive right now, if he hadn't known YOU!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The laugh pierced through Iris. She could feel her anger rising with each passing second. From the mirror, Iris could see the man turn towards the door.

Now's my chance!

Iris stood up from where she was hiding and pointed both of her guns toward the man's chest. She fired a full round only to see a blurred figure dodge every single shot.

"You're not the only one that knows that trick, green-eyes."

The man stopped right in front of the long table. His black pistol was pointed at her head. Iris could feel her fear rising.

"How should I kill you? Shouting you is just to boring. Hmmm...I know. I'm going to shout you in your arms and legs. No wait. . . "

What is going on with this man? No I can't waste any time...

BANG!

The man shot her in the right shoulder.

AHHH! Iris could feel a sharp pain running up and down her body.

"Sorry, I didn't know what else to do." His smile came out again, but this time he showed his teeth.

"Such beauty to go to waste. HAHAHAHA!"

IRIS, NOOOOO!

The man was going to shot again, but in her heart this time. Iris couldn't think. Memories of Rem flashed before her. She seemed to be reaching out for her. Iris reached for Rem's hand. She felt herself move at the speed of light with Rem next to her, guiding her. Iris blinked and stared at the back of a cowboy hat. She could still see herself standing in front of this lunatic. He fired and Iris saw herself disappear. Iris pulled her silver gun up and pointed it at the man's heart.

"I'm sorry."

The man's eyes went wide, he smiled even wider.

"Knives always said you and Vash were pathetic bitches. I guess he was right."

Iris fired and saw the body fall sideways, hitting the wooden floor hard. Everything became blurry and Iris felt herself fall to her knees. This was the first time Iris had ever shot a person, a human being with a living heart. She felt her tears fall, each filled with sadness.

Why? Why did I shot him?

"Don't feel sorry for me, HA, I've killed more people then you can count. Ahh. . . . "

The man was silent, not breathing. Like lightning, Iris received visions coming from the dead man. People being tortured, women being raped, children hanged and this man smiling with each victim beside him.

AHHHHHHHHH!

Iris could hear herself screaming. It was deafening.

Everything went dark and silent. For the first time July was quiet with no signs of returning to the way it once was. A happy place where people laughed and smiled. . . and made memories together.

Vash opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. His bed was soft and fluffy. It had been some time since he had slept in a warm bed. He had been traveling in the desert for what seemed like ages. He knew better though. The little town known as Kenda was about 400 iles from July. The people here weren't really that friendly. Vash had reached the southern side of town when he had noticed people surrounding him. Finally two men with guns stopped him.

"Who are ya and what do you want?"

Vash stayed cool, keeping his hand up and staring slightly down. His yellow glasses covering his eyes and any fear that he might have been hiding.

"I'm a helpless traveler trying to find some food and a warm bed."

The men both shoved their guns in his face.

"You sure don't look like a traveler. How do we know you ain't gonna try and kill us, huh?"

Vash lifted his head up, lost in his thoughts.

What would make a little town like this stop a traveler at gunpoint?

"DID YOU HEAR ME, DUMBASS!"

"Please, I just want to rest here a bit. Besides, I'm not that good with guns."

The two men were getting ready to shot when an old lady popped out of the forming crowd to stop them. She was short with a white shirt and a long skirt. Her hair was tied back in a bun and she was wearing small glasses.

"Stop this nonsense. He's a helpless traveler, for crying out loud."

She turned towards Vash and smiled.

"We are very sorry, mister. But nowadays we have to be careful with who we let into our town."

Everyone stopped looking and went about there business. The two men eyed the old lady and left curing her name.

"Please, follow me. I own a little bed and breakfast on the northern side of town."

The old lady was even nice enough to make Vash some dinner since it was getting late.

"So, tell me son, what is your name?"

Vash stayed quiet and finally answered.

"Dan, what about you?"

"You can call me Ms. Rosy. Everyone does."

Ms.Rosy set a plate full of chicken and steak in front of Vash. Vash took one look and began chowing down. His eyes where big with joy.

"Wow, lady. You sure know how to cook."

Ms.Rosy smiled happily.

"Where you headed to Dan?"

Vash's stopped smiling and stared at his plate.

"I'm headed to July."

A sad expression came across Ms. Rosy's face. She stayed quiet for some time.

"There's no one out there. You might as well turn back."

Vash stared at the lady confused.

"I guess you still haven't head have you. . . . Everyone disappeared. . . Not one trace of a human being left."

Vash felt a pain inside of his heart. A deep, sad pain. His eyes widened with horror.

"No one knows what happened, but there's men out there trying to investigate."

Ms. Rosy walked across the kitchen and to the refrigerator. She lifted a picture of a young girl in her mid 20's. She had black hair with light brown eyes. Just like Ms. Rosy.

"She got married in July and had started a family. . she was my only niece. I told her not to go, to stay here with me. But she refused. She wanted her own life. She promised me she would come to visit."

Vash stayed quiet and got up.

"I would like to take a shower now, if you don't mind."

The old lady snapped back to reality and smiled.

"Of course Dan. It upstairs to the far left. And your room is right across. Good-night."

Vash went upstairs and started the shower. The warmness hitting his pale skin. He put his head up and let the water hit his face. Vash was strong, but even he cries. He cried in the shower, sobbing is more like it. Now here he was leaving for July. No one lived there any more, but he had to go. Ms. Rosy was downstairs waiting by the door.

"Please, son, don't lie to an old lady. What is your real name?"

Vash looked at the old lady sadly. Her eyes were wrinkled with age and sorrow.

"My name's Vash."

"You are the one that is wanted, aren't you?"

". . . Yes."

The old lady smiled weakly.

"I knew right away, yesterday. I also know that your not a bad person. Somehow I know deep in my heart that you could never hurt a life form, son. Please take this to July and put it in the center of the city."

Ms.Rosy handed Vash a single red rose.

"They say that flowers can't grow, but me attic proved them wrong."

Vash left the city and headed towards July without looking back. There was to much pain, the only thing to do was go forward