August 24, 2011 - As much as I hate to say it, it's clear to me that this fic will never be updated. I wrote this eight years ago. I was still a budding writer with Mary Sues abound, and unfortunately I now realize that Aurora is more likely than not a Mary Sue. I did have this story pretty much planned out, but I don't want it associated with my work now. I've moved on and grown so much since 2003, and I'm worried that she's beyond repair, and thus there is no use in continuing. I'm sorry if anyone actually likes this, but that's how it is. If there's interest, or I feel like it, I may restart, but for now, Love Is Blind is on an indefinite hiatus. Feel free to check out my other fics in the meantime. Thanks for everything.

Disclaimer: Trigun belongs to Yasuhiro Nightow and formerly, Geneon.

Love Is Blind - Chapter One: The Little Lives

"And they all lived happily ever after. The End."

"Thanks for the story, Rem. I really enjoyed it."

Rem smiled at her little listener. "You're welcome, Aurora. I suppose the story gets better every time you read it."

The girl nodded. "Yeah." She looked remorseful. "I'm sorry to make you read it to me so much. I just want to memorize it all since I can't ... you know ..."

Rem chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Aurora. I'm glad to read the story to you. Now, it's about time you get some rest."

Aurora smiled and reached over in an attempt to turn off the lamp that sat near her bed. She pawed around for the switch. Not finding it, she frowned and returned to her sitting-up position in her bed.

"Rem...would you mind...?"

"No problem," Rem replied, still smiling. She reached over, clicked the switch, and helped Aurora lie down. "Good night, Aurora. Sweet dreams." With another smile, she left the room.

Outside, Stephen was coming back from the bar aboard the SEEDS mother ship. He swayed groggily as he headed toward his quarters to turn in for the night. Just as he approached his room, he saw Rem emerge from Aurora's room and lock the door so no one would disturb the sleeping child.

"Putting the white-eyed tyke to sleep?"

Rem turned around to see him stumbling toward her. Knowing Aurora would be able to hear them, she tried to remain calm despite her fellow crew member's drunken insults, hoping to guide him away from the door.

"You mean Aurora?" she asked, pretending to be clueless. "Yes. She was very tired after her bed time story"

Steve shook his drunken head and smirked. "I really don't see why you bother to take care of her. She's just an extra mouth to feed, and she bothers the rest of us 'cause she needs someone to hold her little retarded hand so she won't bump her retarded head." He let out a low chuckle.

"Steve, Aurora ISN'T retarded! She's really smart for a five year old!" Rem cried, still trying not to lose control. "And it would be inhumane to just let her die helplessly."

"Whatever," Steve said, waving her away. He trudged into his quarters and let the door shut.

Rem looked at Aurora's door, then sighed and made her way to the bridge.

The next morning, Aurora found herself sitting in bed for hours after waking up, waiting for Rem to come and help her get dressed, and then take her to the dining hall for breakfast. Finally, Rem rushed in, apologies streaming.

"I'm really, so sorry Aurora," Rem said, helping the little girl out of bed. "It's just that . . . last night, the rest of the crew and I . . . we found these . . . these two babies near a power bulb. The crew wanted to kill them, but I was able to convince them to let me keep them. I was so glad!"

She removed the small girl's nightgown and began to dress her. Aurora smiled.

"You have a nice, big, warm heart, Rem."

"Lift your arms up,"

Aurora obeyed and Rem slipped a little dark green dress over her head. Aurora's wavy golden hair frizzled everywhere and Rem started to brush it. She blushed while doing so.

"I haven't done anything that is all that spectacular,"

Aurora's smile widened. "You're humble, too,"

"Anyhow," Rem continued. "I'll have to ... introduce you to them." She stumbled, looking for a word that didn't mean Aurora would actually see the babies.

"I wish I could see them," Aurora said sadly, her head drooping a little.

"I think someday you will," Rem said with a happy, optimistic smile.

Aurora picked her head up and turned it towards the direction of her care taker's voice. "You really think so?"

"Yes!" Rem clasped her hands together and put them close to her heart. "Once we get to our new planet, there will be all kinds of doctors, nurses, and medical researchers that will be able to restore your sight. I have faith that you WILL see again someday."

"I hope so ...," Aurora whispered.

After dressing, Aurora and Rem ate by themselves in the dining hall. All the other crew members were either piloting the ship or making repairs to it. Later, Rem took Aurora to see the two babies.

As the two entered the room in which the babies were living, Aurora could hear their cries that came form the pen that they slept in. She felt like rushing in the direction of the crying to try and ease their pain, but she was able to restrain herself, remembering she was blind.

Rem allowed Aurora to stick her finger out for each of the infants to grab. She marveled at the feeling of their small fingers and touched them with her free hand.

"They're so small," she whispered. She smiled a small smile.

Rem leaned over and smiled back. "Would you like to hold them?"

Aurora let out a small gasp. "Really? But . . . what if I do something wrong because I can't see?"

"Don't worry," Rem replied. "I'll be right here to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yay!" Aurora cried, giving a little hop, causing her hair to bounce and flutter down.

Rem sat the little girl down in a chair near the pen and brought over the first child.

"This one's name is Knives." She placed the infant in the girl's lap.

Aurora did the only thing she could that she thought would entertain a baby. She waved her fingers in front of Knives' face. The child reacted mildly, showing little or no interest in the "toys" that were before him. Rem quickly replaced Knives with his brother, and Aurora tried her finger play again.

"Oh, Aurora, do you hear that? He's giggling," Rem informed her. "It seems that he likes you. Try making some sounds."

Aurora obeyed and she soon could hear the baby giggling up a storm. "What's his name?" she asked.

"Oh yes, I forgot. His name is Vash."

"Vash . . ." Aurora repeated. "I hope I get to see you someday."