The desert air beat cool against his bare chest, the moonlight illuminating his numerous scars. He traced them subconsciously, remembering how each one had been aquired.

...Accident in the village...
...Got caught up in a barfight...
...Mine...

He couldn't recall his exact reason for leaving the village, but he had the nagging feeling it had to do with the absence of his brother. Despite deep and unforgivable betrayal he still felt something akin to love for his murderous sibling. Not that he desired to seek Knives out, there was far too much anger Vash still felt towards him. No, he wanted to prove him wrong. Humanity was more than what Knives thought it was. It was more than something seen or felt. It's the actions they took, what they are. Vash was determined to be what humanity meant.
For Rem. For Knives. For humanity.

——————————————————————————————————

"Hey Mishter, could I have s'more funa sanmwiches over here?" Vash smiled, mouth half-full with the remnants of the last devoured delicacy.

"What? Finish the first one before you start asking for more. (Idiot...)" The bar tender growled before going to shout at the early morning drunks desperate to cull their hangover with more alcohol.

The innkeeper/bartender was a nice man, unusually thin for his occupation and had a short temper toward those that couldn't handle their liquor. Where he lacked machoness he had kindness instead, even accomodating work for Vash when he had a family of four to feed and Vash had little money to his name. What he had accrued he had decided to put into a bank, by the innkeeper's force. Personally he would have kept it to himself but if the room, board and food were relatively free, he didn't mind having to follow a few rules.

Neglecting to remember his former request for more sandwiches, he straightened his plain cotton shirt, brushing the many crumbs that lay on it before exiting the building. The suns beat down as they always did, softened by a perpetual gale that blew through the town of August. It's geographical location gave it a respite from the harsh heat of the desert. It was no wonder why it was most often referred to as the resort oasis of the wild desert. At least, that applied to the inner city. Walking through the outskirts it wasn't as resort-like, though people were plentiful on the streets, chatter suffusing the air.

He found himself at the bank, though he didn't quite remember why he was walking this way in the first place. Maybe it had to do with that adorable cat...
Well, he was already hear so he might as well withdraw some money for...emergencies or something. Probably booze.

The bank was unusually crowded, with at leat two dozen people in front of the counter and more idling to the side. Some of them looked shiftly from side to side as if they were waiting for something. Vash felt a strong urge to check his handgun only to find it wasn't there. That's right, he'd left it at the inn after he'd done his morning practice. He brushed his panics aside, blaming it on old habits. Taking his place in line,he tapped his foot silently while he thought of how quiet the place had become. Then he noticed the guns and sighed internally. His instinct never lied. He went through the motions of a hostage, his back pressed against the wall as he was forced into a sitting position.

"Alrighty, ATTENTION ALL COMMONERS, THIS IS A ROBBERY. ANYONE TRIES ANY HEROICS, THEY GET SHOT. ANYONE SPEAKS OUT OF TURN, THEY GET SHOT. ANYONE TRYS TO ESCAPE...WELL, YOU GET THE IDEA. ANY QUESTIONS? GOOD." The leader, a scraggly sharp man in long coat and covered in small arms proceeded ro group half his men in similar attire to take the goods. An adverage, if audacious operation in this town, but nevertheless a tough spot to be in.

Well, it could be worse...

Avery was looking at the sun above them as Bane drove the car thru the sand, her purple shades sparkling in the sun light. Bane looked at her and asked "so where are we going boss? You hadn't said a word about this job offer since you got it in the mail" Avery sighed and looked forward, pulling her cowboy hat onto her head and said "not much to talk about...we aren't taking it. I don't take blood money" bane sighed and nodded. "so it was from him again...we will be in august in a few minutes. Maybe we can pull some cash out and resupply and look for a better gig" Avery nodded, pulling the hat over her eyes. Always a new gig. Seemed the pair of fighters had not much to really live for. Well, Avery didn't. Bane had a girl he was looking for. And Ave was trying to help her old war buddy find her. But ave kept thinking...why was she still around?

The car drove into town just as shots rang out and Avery shot up, pulling her hat from her face. Bane stopped the car as people gathered around the bank, Avery jumping over the door. Her trench coat flowed about her as she landed on the sandy street, her silver eyes almost glowing. Bane looked at her and said "you better go do your thing, boss. I'll park the car and get 'lady red' ready" Avery nodded and walked towards the bank, walking past the cops and lawmen. One stopped her and she looked at him. "I can end this...unless you want someone getting shot" he looked into her eyes then stepped back and she nodded, walking forward again and moved to the front door and opened it.

"Hello boys! I believe we need to talk" she looked around, studying everything she could. She had hightened senses which she used to get all the info she needed as one of the robbers walked up to her, gun up.

Vash looked up at the guy in front of him. Strong, arms bulky with the telltale signs of thuggery all wrapped up in a desert cloak. He had a thug's face too, ugly and most likely on a lower rung of intelligence. Vash smiled. He couldn't help it. He was happy this guy's day was going well. But he couldn't abide his occupation, how it put other's lives at risk. So he kept smiling. He kept being so irritatingly cheerful that the guard would have to take notice. He drone approached, beligerant and confused.

"What are ya so happy abou'?!" the man shouted, waggling his firearm near Vash's face. He slowed it gently, pushing it aside.

He continued to quietly smile, only causing the other to grow more irate.

"Explain or Imma shoot!" He screeched, drawing the attention of some of the other guards and most of the hostages. He took a deep breath and prepared himself.

Then swift, swifter than one could see he snached the gun from the thug's hand. He knocked him aside and made a mad dash for the police buzzer that was left unguarded in the room.

"I AM VASH THE-" gunfire drowned out his words as he danced around to the back.

Once, twice, three times nicked before he managed to hit the buzzer. The police would be here in a few minutes, but for now he had the collective attention of the entire thug squad.

" Umm, why can't we be friends?" He inquired sheepishly.

Thankfully he didn't get to hear the answer as the loud siren of the sheriff deafened all other sound.

" What are you guys doing? Which one of you thought it was a good idea to play with the police buzzer!" The leader shouted from behind a door. He walked out into the front room, his face displaying mixed anger and amusement.

" Say, what have we got here? A hero, huh?" He cocked his pistol, slowly sauntering towards Vash."

"Ya got gall kid. I mean, I told ya what would happen and ya still did it. And my goodmen haven't even killed ya yet. Got a give ya some props, you've some skill. But now this little show of yours has to come to an end. It's curtains for you." He drawled emphasizing each word as if it were his last. The gun pressed against Vash's head as the doors gaped open to display a fabulous female.

"Hello boys! I believe we need to talk."

The leader paused before walking towards the woman, leaving Vash to be leered at by a crowd of thugs.

"Don't you know it's rude ta intterupt a murder?" He spat angrily, gun pointed at her face.

Avery walked inside, shutting the doors behind her as she almost floated in, pulling her purple shades off and slipping them into her inside pocket. "I do beg pardon, but really boys, can't you think a better way to get money then this?" She kept walking, noting everything, including the striking young man on the floor about to be shot. "I mean, whatever happened to come mercy you know" she pulled a chair out and sat down, pulling the chair infront of Vash and sitting, crossing her legs and looking at the gunman. "It's a pure waste of good metal and blood to earn money this way, don't you think? Bullets, wounds, killing....there has to be a better way...." One of the goons said "and what way are you thinking lady?" Avery smiled and said "I'm so glad you asked...." She pulled out a small blade and threw it at the light, cutting the light and clouding the room in darkness. Suddenly there were a couple gasped before the light came back on. All the goons but the boss were either across the room out cold or laying in what was left of the furniture they were smashed into. Avery hadn't moved a inch as she looked up. "See? Isn't that better?" She smiled again, knowing she was next to get shot.

Vash looked up at the strange, alluring woman as she sat down. He could almost see recognition in her eyes. Had he met her before? No, that type of wear was not something he'd soon forget. She spoke confidently, with no fear to the goons that surrounded her.

"Its a pure waste of good metal and blood to earn money this way don't you think? Bullets, wounds , killing...there has to be a better way..." she spoke almost whisper soft, but she didn't need to be loud. The meaning was understood. Vash nodded, though he was a bit confused. Did she truely have the same opinion as him? Or was she only trying to capture everyone's attention?

He was about to ask her intention, but then one of the thugs did it for him.

She smiled and pulled out a knife, throwing it into the solitary light fixture above. The room plunged into a darkness where not even Vash could see. However his years of ear training paid of as he could hear the disticnt blows of flesh against flesh and sometimes wood. In mere seconds the light cut back on but that was enough. All of them but the leader, who now looked morbid, were out cold. Vash was impressed. Not many could handle a situation so quickly.

The leader stumbled towards the woman, quivering with fear.

"W-what the h-hell?..." he muttered, finger shaking on the trigger.

She tilted her head and said "I'm a special kind of girl, sir...and if you don't want to see how I am...I would give.." One of the woman bolted for the main doors and the leader turned and the gun went off. Avery was out of the chair and across the room, tackling the woman as they hit the floor. The young lady gasped, turning to see her protector on the floor, blood appearing under her. " I'm so sorry! Oh no what have I done!" Avery gasped, slowly getting up, holding her wounded side. "What...did I say...about using those....bloody...bullets..."

She spoke snidely to the leader, as if she looked down on a lesser form of man. Suddenly one of the women, aperently taking after Vash but lacking the skill, decided to try to flee the vicinity. The vicious leader, true to his word, fired his gun. But instead of its intended target, it hit the lovely woman who was helping him out. He couldn't condone that. He couldn't condone much of anything harmful, which was especially true now.

He stood up swiftly before dashing up to the bandit, twisting his firearm out of his hand and pinning both arms behind his back. Walking carefully so as to not lose his grip he exited the building and silently handed him over to the law before going back in. Despicable. He had kept his word.
He knelt down gently before the glorious woman whose name hid did not know, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Thanks for the help. Are you alright?" he said softly, eyes twinkling.

The other woman was crying and Avery flinched and rested a hand on hers. "It's alright...no need to cry over me...I'll be fine.." Bane ran in and cursed. "Boss..." Avery shot him a look and said "bane, mind showing my friend out of here?" Bane nodded and helped the lady up, leading her out of the bank. Avery gasped and held her wound, closing her eyes. "No problem...I had to do something...I hate people who use bullets and...blood to get by.." She tried to stand up, blood dripping to the floor. " I'm fine...names Avery Shade...and who might...you..." She flinched again, swaying on her feet with sweat running down her face.

"My name's...Vash." he said hesitantly. He usually made up a name, this wasn't like him. However, she was a pretty woman and he always had a soft spot for pretty women.

Her pain showed itself as she flinched from him, swaying to keep her balance. He steadied her, firmly grasping her shoulders.

"Err.. We should really get you to a doctor, miss." He keened, trying to move her towards the door.

Avery nodded, knowing she was in no shape not to get checked out. She let Vash take her out of the bank just as bane went back over to pull her free arm around his shoulders. "We have to get you checked out and fast....hey buddy? Know any doctors around here?" Avery opened her eyes for a moment and said " his name is Vash....bloody..." Her legs buckled and both men kept her upright, bane looking more worried then before. But he looked at the gunmen and said "names bane...."

Avery buckled and Vash's eyes momentarily flashed with concern. The man beside him helped catch her before she slumped to the ground. He was grateful for that as he didn't like showing his strength. The strongman turned his head and spoke in a gravelly tone.

" Name's Bane."

Fitting for a man such as him. Vash nodded slowly, focusing on carrying the beautiful women between them. Where exactly was the hospital? At that thought he would have slapped himself if not for more important matters. Hospitals were simply places he never went to because of his healing capabilities. He looked to Bane, wondering if he knew. No,of course he wouldn't, he's not from around here.

They got out of the doors despite Vash's absorption into his own thoughts. The cops had thinned out, with only a few left to assist the hostages. One of the officers noticed them and approached. He was a scraggly man, hair slicked back in attempt to tame the rampant curls.

"That woman! She needs a doctor, doesn't she?" The man exclaimed. He walked back towards his car, beckoning us.

Bane nodded and said "Thanks man...my partner likes to get into things that involve bullets..." Avery flinched and grabbed Vash's hand as they got to the car. "Bane...get the jeep and...follow us there...can't leave the gear out and...about..." Bane nodded and looked at Vash. "Can I leave her with you?" Avery nodded and said "You can trust him now get going bane...and hurry" Bane nodded and ran back towards where he came, Avery opening the car door and started to get in. But then the world spun and she slipped to the side, her hand missing the car door to keep herself upright.