Sound of Life on Planet the Gunsmoke
by Mystic Gohan 4

Part 2: Sandy Shoes Shuffle

   Wolfwood  helped Quinton up and walked him to his bike. He helped him onto the back and then got on himself. Quinton leaned up against Wolfwood's cross as the bike took off toward Mei City.

   "Well. Mr. Wolfwood, how come you need to see the legendary humanoid typhoon?"
   
   "Well...it's a strange story. I died a few days ago and-"
   
   "Yeah, sure...."

   "Shut up and lemme finish already!"

   "............."

   "Anyway, recently, I was brought back to life by some crazy looking machine. I woke up in some underground lab and met this scientist guy. He said his name was Doctor....uh...Doctor Arai."

   "Gramps?!"

   "Oh, so you know him? It's small world after all...."

   "He saved my life a long time ago. But, anyway, he made a machine to bring back the dead?"

   "Yeah. But, he was just testing the thing. After a few adjustments, he tried again and something bad happened. Real bad."

   "What?"
 
   "The machine went crazy and started to glow with strange energy. And then Legato came out with that crazed smile on his face."

   "Legato? Who's that?"

   "A real monster. Nothing satisfies him more than killing people."

   "Wait! What happened to gramps?!"

   "The old man's okay. I pushed him under one of the lab tables before Legato could spot him. But then he saw me. I can't explain why, buy I had one of my .45's with me. I don't know how that happened, but anyway, he used his powers to make me shoot myself in the head. Then he left."

   "That makes no sense. How can you survive such a thing?! Are you tryin' to pull a fast one or what?!"

   "Calm yourself, kid. Anyways, I woke up 5 minutes later and I was totally fine. Arai explained that as a side effect from the resurrection, you gain an ability you never had. Mine is a fast working healing factor. Whatever takes a normal person to heal in a day, I can heal in less than a second. I was lucky, but it still hurt like hell getting shot like that!"

   "O....kay...

   "We're here."

   The duo arrived in Mei City. Wolfwood hopped off his bike and helped Quinton off right after. They immediately went to a hospital to get  Quinton patched up. At the hospital, Quinton was taken to a room accompanied by Wolfwood and a nurse. The nurse left to get the first aid kit, leaving Wolfwood and Quinton alone for a bit.

   "So...you need Vash to help you get this Legato guy?"

   "In a nutshell."

   "By the way....did you kill him?"

   "Who? That freaky snake guy? Nah, I was loaded with rubber bullets."

   "Damn it. You should've killed him!"

   "Sorry, I don't play that game anymore. Get better, I'll see you around."

   Wolfwood put his hands in his pockets and took his leave. He shook his head at the thought of a kid so young talking about murder. It reminded him too much of himself and worried him. Then again, it was a sign that the world didn't change much since he died. Walking out of the hospital, Wolfwood took a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. He lit it up and puffed. When he exhaled, he said to himself, "Welcome back, Wolfwood."

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   Meryl sighed, "Now that the fighting is done, are you two going to find jobs?"
   
   Vash put a big cheesy grin on his face, "Hey, would you look at the time! We have to go, right Knives?"
 
   Knives raised an eyebrow, "Go where?"

   Vash kept his phony grin up and said through his teeth, "To the thing we were going to, remember?"

   Knives had a completely confused expression, "You never mentioned this thing to me, Vash."

   Vash chuckled nervously as he could feel Meryl's glare from across the table. He put his head on the table, hiding his face from Meryl's glare. Knives sighed and shook his head at his irresponsible brother. As Milly chuckled at the whole scene.


   The sun went down in Mei City and the city was in the process of going to sleep until the next day. Knives and Vash were staying at the inn with a room next to Milly and Meryl's. But, they were all in Milly and Meryl's room play cards.

   Milly cheered, "Read 'em and weep! All aces!"

   Everyone threw down their cards, groaning at their losses. Milly opened up her arms and took all the donuts that were on the table. Vash was in tears, watching the last of his donuts being taken away. Meryl stretched her arms and yawned. He stood up and looked out at the window at the crescent moon.

   "Well, it's getting late. We should all be getting to bed."
   
   Vash nodded, "Right! I'm beat." He jumped right into the bed and snuggled up against the pillow.

   Meryl gritted her teeth in rage as she marched over to Vash with a raised fist. "I meant YOUR bed, you blonde lech!!!"

   Knives and Milly covered their eyes as the sounds of hard pounding and Vash's screams for mercy filled the room. Knives looked to Milly and said, "I think it's time for us to leave. See you in the morning."

   As Knives walked into the hallway, "Milly called, "Goodnight, Mr. Knives!"

   "YAHHHHH...UGH!" Vash flew out the door and slammed into the hallway wall, upside down, and dropped to the floor. Knives looked down at his brother and sweat dropped.

   "Good night, Mr. Vash!" Milly cheered.

   Meryl glared at Vash and said, "Rest in peace, pervert!" Then she slammed the door.

   Knives asked, "Vash, are you still alive?"

   Vash replied in a dazed, cracking voice, "I summon thee, Suzaku! I love you, Tamahome!"

   Knives sighed, "And here I thought knocking someone's brain loose was just an expression...."

   He picked his brother up over his shoulder and walked back to their room. Vash shouted, "Put me down, Gou! I am Elle Ragu! You cannot beat up my Shadow Skill! I am invisible! Or am I invincible? Wait! I'm Elle! I'm both! Mwahahahaha! Lalalalala...!"

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"So glad you came. Ms. Collins. Please, come in."

   The girl stepped inside of Donovan's hotel room. She had on her waitress uniform, still. She had shame written all over her face. But, to help her family, she was willing to go through with it. Or so she thought. She really didn't trust this man. Something inside of her told her to question him, so she went with her heart.

   "Excuse me, but you said you would give me the money after we're done, right?"

   Donovan smirked, "What money?"
   
   Adrian shouted, "The ten thousand double dollars for my family's debt!"

   Donovan chuckled, "Just kidding. I remember. You'll get it after we're done."

    "I want to see it first, please."

   "You don't trust me?"

   "No, I don't."

   "Well, you're going to have to. Now come over here."

   "Not until I see the money....its my first time doing something like this. I don't want it to be for nothing."

   "Heh."

   Donovan shut the door and locked it behind him. He took the key and dropped it down his pants with a devious smirk on his face. He looked at Adrian with sex crazed eyes.

   "You were right not to trust me. There was never any money. But, it's too late now. I'm going to have fun taking away your innocence and turning you into a horny little slut!"

   "Someone, help me!"

   "No one can hear you. I put sleeping powder on all the beds except for mine. It's so strong that even if there are in the room, they'll be effected. Now, come here. You don't have much of a choice."

   "I'll jump out of this window and kill myself, I swear!"

   "Go ahead. Then your family will have to live without you, don't they?

   "Why? Why are you doing this?!"

   "Why, you ask? I'll tell you. Because humans are worthless. To me, humans are just play things for being like me to be entertained by. So now, I'll make you entertain me. My pleasure will be your pain."

   Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

   "Room service!"

   Donovan raised an eyebrow, "What? I didn't order anything!"

   The voice from the door then replied, "Haiiiii-YAH!"

   Donovan looked confused, "What the hell is Hai-yah?"

**CRASH!**

   The door came of the hinges and fell onto the floor as Quinton flew through the air with a flying karate kick. He landed beside the frightened Adrian and asked, "You okay?"

   She was too shaken up for words, so she simply nodded. Quinton nodded and flashed her a quick smile before turning back to Donovan. He sneered as his opponent smirked cruelly.

   "You tried taking advantage of her for your own amusement. Parasites like you make me sick."
 
   "So, what are you planning to do?"

   "I'll give you a clue. The best way to get rid of a parasite it to eliminate it immediately."

   "Not in your condition. You're just beggin' for me to kill you, aren't ya?"

   "Try it."

   Quinton reached for his guns....but just remembered that he forgot them while sneaking out of the hospital. A huge sweat drop materialized on the back of his head as Donovan smirked, pulling out a black desert eagle.

   "Meet my special hand cannon. I don't usually kill before I victimize cute teenage girls, but I'll make an exception tonight."

*POW*

   Donovan's gun was knocked from his hand by a speeding bullet that came from the hallway. His eye narrowed as he look toward the direction in which the bullet had came and saw Wolfwood with a .45 in his hand. The barrel was smoking from a fresh shot.

    Wolfwood sighed, "It sure is noisy in here. I didn't even get to room and I already get a disturbance."

    With a sneer, Donovan said, "Another traitor....Chapel."

     "I wish you people would quit callin' me that. Especially since I don't even know you."

     Donovan's sneer changed into a smirk, "You'll know soon enough, my friend." He turned to Adrian with a smirk, "You got lucky today, girly, but don't think that means I won't come back for ya!"

    With that said, he jumped backwards through the window, laughing evilly the whole way down. Quinton ran to the window to see if he was dead. No person could do that without at least being seriously hurt. When he looked out the window, Donovan was nowhere in sight.

    "Thank you both for saving me, how can I repay you?"

    Wolfwood put his gun away and smiled, "No thanks needed. Just be more careful from now on. As for YOU, aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?"

    Quinton shook his head, "Nah. I'll be fine. Besides, I can't afford to stay in bed all the time."

    Adrian stared at Quinton for a while and said, "He looks like he'll pass out if he moves around anymore....."

    Wolfwood sighed, "Whatever you say. Anyway, I'm going to bed. You should walk the girl home."

    Quinton shrugged, "Fine, but tomorrow we have to talk."

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    As Wolfwood parted ways with Quinton and the girl, in the corner of his eye, he saw a man with tall, blonde hair walk into a room and close the door behind him. He turned toward the door and thought, "Could it be him?"

   Walking to the door with caution, Wolfwood reached for the knob. He slowly turned it, surprised it was unlocked. He then slowly opened the door and stepped inside the room, making as little noise as possible. He then quietly shut the door behind him. He saw that it was Vash who was sleeping soundly in one of the beds. In the other bed, he couldn't tell who it was. He crept over to the bed where Vash was sleeping and jabbed his side with his finger.

   "Wake up, bonehead."

   "Yes, Mr. Duncan. We shall feast on donuts and get fat for all eternity..."

   Wolfwood then jabbed Vash's ribs with his fist, "Get up, moron!"
   
   "Watch out, Mr. Duncan! I think Homer Simpson found our stash!"

   Wolfwood sighed in annoyance. He decided to use a rubber band that he found in his pocket. He stretched it is far as he could pull without breaking it and aimed for Vash's ear. He then released it.

*POP!*

   "Ahh! Something bit my ear! Please don't kill me, Mr. Tyson!"

    Wolfwood gritted his teeth and punted Vash out of his bed, causing Vash to wake up in mid-flight.

    "Huh? Hey, I can fly! What the?!"

*CRASH!*
*THUD*
*CRACK!*

   Vash was now nothing more but a wall decoration. His head was stuck in the wall and sticking out of the wall right above Meryl's bed. Meryl's eyes slowly opened to see Vash's head locking down at her in her night gown.

    "Mr. Vash.......HOW DARE YOU!!!"

    Wolfwood heard Meryl's scream and uppercut which sent Vash flying back across the room and into his bed again. He was asleep again with a black eye. Wolfwood's irritation soared to new heights now. He decided to just drop on Vash's gut with an elbow.

   "P-ugh! What the hell's wrong with you?! Go to bed, Wolfwood....Wolf....wood? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

   As Vash's scream sounded through the entire floor, lights in other rooms came on, including Milly an Meryl's. Knives sat up in bed, still half asleep, "Vash, what's all this screaming about?"

    "A ghost! There's a ghost by my bed! This room is haunted! Can we switch beds, Knives? Please?!"

    Knives groaned, "There's no such thing, Vash! Grow up!"

    Wolfwood walked over to the switch and cut on the light. He then smirked at Vash and said, "Long time, no see. Vash the Stampede."

    Just then Milly and Meryl came into the room. They both gasped at the sight of their favorite giant cross toting priest. He turned around with a smile and said, "Hey, girls. It's been a while."

    Milly's emotions were barely under control as tears began to fall down her cheeks. Despite her tears, her smile was as bright as ever. Meryl's expression was one of complete shock. No doubt, she felt a heart attack coming on.

    Wolfwood's Monologue:  It's funny how life leads you into situations. From death and back to life again. What a ride. Now I'm seeing people who I never thought I'd see again. The people that I died for. It wasn't clear to me until near the end that these were my friends, but I can say that now that I know who my real friends are...I'm glad to be alive again. But....why was Knives there? And why didn't Vash seem to mind him being there? In fact Milly and Meryl seemed more surprised to see me than seeing him. Then again, I did die. From the looks of things, it was gonna be interesting  from here on out.

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As the Trigun crew dealt with Wolfwood's reappearance, Quinton and Adrian were currently walking to Adrian's house. Quinton walked along side her with his hands shoved in his pocket and bandages around his right arm.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue tonight. I don't know wht would have happen if you and our friend hadn't shown up," said Adrian with a shy smile, slightly blushing.

Quinton shrugged, "Don't worry about it. You're not hurt, that's all that matters."

Adrian's face turned a deeper read as she spoke once more, "Well, im....sometimes when a girl is saved by a guy....it leads to other things...."

Quinton raised an eyebrow, "Other things? Like what? You're not asking me to be your personal bodyguard, are you?"

"Oh, no! Nothing like that. I mean something in a romantic sense. You know, love."

".....AND PEACE!" cried Vash's voice from the inn.

Adrian and Quinton both sweat dropped.

Quinton sighed, "Sometimes, people get love and gratitude mixed up, especially when their lives are in danger. You should be more careful, Ms. Adrian. Anyway, you know the way back to yor house from here, right?"

"Yes...." Adrian looked sadly down at the ground as if she wanted to cry. She was turned down so carelessly and he didn't even seem to notice her feelings at all. She simply turned her back slowly and waked away, "Goodnight. Please have a good rest."

Quinton waved, "You, too. G'night!" He smiled a little and though to himself, "She really is a nice girl. Maybe I'll visit her tomorrow."

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"LEGATO?!" cried Knives, "How?! When?! Who?! What the hell is going on here?!"

Wolfwood took a puff from his cigarette and exhaled, "I already said it twice. There's a scientist out in the desert who made a machibe. He named it the Lazurus Gate. It collects souls from the plain of spirits and restores the life of that soul. I dunno how he could create such a thing, but I'm not complaining. Anyways, the ressurection gives a person abilities the never had when they were alive. The doc also said the ressurected person has an immunity to what ever killed them, no matter what it was."

Vash raised his hand, "I have a question, teacher."

Wolfwood acknowleged him, "Yes, my noodle brained student?"

"So, if you died from the plague or something that would mean you could never get sick?"

Wolfwood shrugged, "I guess. Anyway, Legato can do more than just control thoughts, he can actually hack into every part of your mind. Subconcious thoughts, memories, everything."

Milly looked absolutley freaked out, "That's horrible! This means he can do worse than he did last time!"

Vash gritted his teeth and turned his back to everyone, "Legato...he must be looking for me...."

"Surely you're not about to excuse yourself to go alone, are you, Vash?" asked Knives who leaned up against the wall, making himself out to seem like the most calm of everyone in the room. In fact, he was. "The best thing to do now is sleep and sort everything out in the morning. We can't be fully alert if we're all tired."

Meryl nodded, "Mr. Knives has a point. We should all rest for now."

Milly clung onto Wolfwood's arm, "I'll be sleeping with my Wolfie-chan!"

Vash and Knives both struggled with puffed cheeks to hold in their laughter. Wolfwood gritted his teeth with a vicious frown. He narrowed his eyes at the pair of blondes, "Something FUNNY, fellas?!"

Vash and Knives shook their heads with cherry red faces.