Memory of Piano

After a few days wandering through the desert, Vash and his wary band came upon a town. Although they weren't completely out of supplies they had been hoping to restock, and find a place to stay for the night.

Those hopes were dashed as soon as they got into the little town.

There was nothing . Not a single form of life. The only sound echoing in their ears coming from the howling of the wind.

Roberto and Meryl protested, while Wolfwood grumbled words that were probably best left unheard. Vash did not blame any of them. Even he had to resist the urge to vent out some of his frustration.

Yet, upon closer inspection, Vash realized that he recognized the town. At some point in the past he has drifted through. And Vash was certain that the town was a lively one. Not only that, but he was certain that there was a plant

So why is it ...?

As Vash asked himself that a sharp, heavy feeling constricted his chest. He could not feel the presence of the plant.

Vash's chest tightened more and his fists balled at his sides.

The realization of that absence hit him like a speeding vehicle, sending him crashing into the memory of what happened at Jeneora Rock. The guilt burned him more than the Scorching heat of Noman's Land ever could. But what made that feeling worse was the fact that the one responsible for everything was none other than his twin brother.

When Meryl had wondered out loud what could have happened, Vash chose to remain silent. Roberto mused that maybe the town had been raided by bandits, or by the Bad Lads gang themselves. Wolfwood was skeptical about that theory, but he offered none of his own. Instead, he suggested checking the buildings to see if there was anything salvageable, and that they could still take refuge since it was going to get late soon anyway.

Vash was grateful that Wolfwood's suggestion effectively dropped the previous subject. Vash would have even dared to say that Wolfwood had done it on purpose ...

He knew that the man was keeping a close eye on him; that it was Wolfwood's purpose to not only watch him, but protect and deliver him safely to July. Although sometimes it seemed like Wolfwood's observations come from a place of understanding rather than just a secret mission.

Nevertheless, Vash shook that line of thought out of his head. He didn't wait to be told to split up and search the area. With just a few words of acknowledgement, and a forced smile, he slipped away into the empty dusty streets.

As he sauntered about the images of rubble and debris around him kept bringing him back to Nai and his motives. And, even more so, to just how was he, Vash, going to get through to him and stop his own brother ...

If only things were that simple ...

A hundred and fifty years did not stop him from wishing that they were. And as if to taunt him the ghosts born out of that desire came to torment him; shadows of happier times when he, Nai and Rem were a family.

He wanted to protect and help humanity, but what happened at Jeneora Rock made him question his capability to do so. And that was, of course, without having to kill Nai. He vowed to never kill anyone, let alone his own flesh and blood.

It tore Vash's heart to even think about, the pain running so deep it made his chest ache and he had to rub it. He and Nai used to be so close, despite their differences in personality and tastes. Walking around the small desert town made Vash remember the times he would play cowboys with Nai, even if he himself didn't like it.