PUNISHMENT

With one word, everything came crashing down, Shade feeling as though she'd taken a heavy blow to her chest as her head screamed at her for not realising. No wonder they had an uncanny resemblance.

Suddenly the man embraced Vash, seeming oblivious to the rigidness in his brother's spine.

'Stop it Knives,' Vash growled, pushing him away.

Knives glared at him. 'What's wrong Vash?' he asked, his tone mocking. 'Are you still angry that I sent those bad people after you?'

'Before you killed them!'

Knives growled now. 'They are nothing compared to us!'

Vash levelled an intent glare. 'All people are important. We aren't superior.'

'But we are, Vash,' he yelled, a small smile appearing on his lips for a moment. 'Why won't you see that?'

'Because it's not true.'

Knives slapped Vash, sending him crashing to the ground, his hand slipping from Shade's. She leapt forward to help him but Legato grip on her shoulder so tight that he would have left a bruise if not for the limit breaker that was beginning to build within her, threatening to break through and shine in her eyes before she wanted to reveal it.

'Brother, you have always been so naïve,' Knives said, gripping Vash's collar to drag him to his feet. 'What will it take for you too see the truth that stands in front of you?'

'There is nothing that could make me see your delusions.'

Knives growled, letting go of Vash's collar as he stepped away. 'You bring this upon yourself Vash,' he said, reaching out to wrap his fingers around Shades thin neck, dragging her away.

'Leave her alone Knives,' Vash said, stepping forward, only to be stopped as Legato grasped his shoulders, forcing him to his knees.

He leant close. 'What the Master wants, he will get,' he whispered.

Shade looked into Knives' eyes without even a hint of fear, without even a hint of the anger that boiled deep within her. 'Why are you doing this?'

Knives met her gaze, a crooked smile crossing his lips. His face was close and she could feel his breath against her cheeks. 'Because the human race is worthless,' he said, leaning a little closer until she could feel the heat of every exhalation on her lips. 'You are worthless.'

'Then why haven't you killed me yet?' she asked calmly, knowing that he was beginning to think that his hold on her neck was having no affect on her.

He smirked. 'I want to have a little fun first.'

She sighed. 'Why do I have a feeling that I know where this is going?'

'Because you do know where this is going and do you know what makes it better?' he asked, throwing her to the ground. His eyes flickered to Vash's. 'We have an audience.'

Vash and Wolfwood both tried to lunge for him, screaming. 'Don't you dare!'

Vash nearly cried out as he tried again to reach her, but Legato's grasp held him in place.

'Touch her and I'll destroy you.'

Knives looked over at Wolfwood. Even Vash glanced to his friend before he noticed the twisted smile on his brother's lips.

'A bit defensive are we Nicholas?' he said. 'And why is that?' Wolfwood snarled and the smile twisted further. 'Oh, you haven't told her?' Knives said. 'Sorry, but it's a bit late now.'

He was on top of her in an instant, his hands forcing hers above her head, his hips pinning hers to the cold ground. Shade didn't move. She just stared up at Knives, no expression on her face.

Knives ignored Vash and Wolfwood as they continued their cries of anger, unable to move because of Legato. He lent close to Shade, their noses nearly touching. 'How does it feel to be dominated like this, to have no control over a situation? Does it infuriate you Protector? Do you hate me?'

Shade kept still, her eyes boring into his. Any normal person would have had to look away because of the complete lack of emotion. 'Hate you?' she asked simply. 'No.'

The smile on Knives' face dropped before it was replaced by a sneer. 'Then I'll have to make you hate me,' he growled as he held her arms with one hand, pulling her coat from her body. He bent down, licking her neck, but still she didn't move.

'I have a question,' Shade said, her voice a soft monotone.

Knives sat up again. 'What?'

'If I am so worthless to you, why are you bothering?' she asked, looking into his cold eyes with just as much darkness.

He smirked. 'Because you are worthless. I can do whatever I want to you and then just dispose of you. I thought you would see that,' he said. 'You're weak. There is no way you are a match for me in strength or power.'

'You're very confident.'

He ignored her as he bent his head again, sinking his teeth into her shoulder.

Shade looked over at Vash. He was still on his knees, tears in his eyes. 'Shade…' he whispered, so quietly that only she heard. 'Don't let him, please.'

Pain coursed through her body, not from the bite of Knives' teeth in her flesh, but because of the tears that fell, first just a single drop, followed by dozens as they rolled down his cheeks, dripping from his chin.

She couldn't let this go further.

'Vash, I love you,' she whispered before looking up again. She felt Knives pull at the first buckle on her shirt. She closed her eyes, her breathing almost coming to a complete halt as she focused, drawing on her limit breaker, the power of a Protector. It was time for her to start acting like one, to start acting like the first.

When she opened her eyes again, their black glow pierced through the darkness of the chamber. She tensed the muscles in her arms as she pulled them towards her head, fighting against the firm grasp of Knives' hand.

He looked up as she continued to fight his grip, head tilting in curiosity. 'What are you trying to do?' he asked, unable to fight a smirk.

'Take control.'

With one last push, her muscles burning, she freed her hands, gripping his shoulders to throw him backwards. In an instant she darted forward, straddling him before he could right himself, the tables turned.

Knives smirked as he looked up at her. 'This could be more fun than I thought. You're not a normal human after all.'

The tone startled Shade. There was, of course, amusement in it and the usual mocking tone that seemed to be carried with his voice at all times, but something stunned Shade. Beneath it all, there was that hint of lust that he was attempting to hide. For someone who despised humans so much, he was certainly acting like one, trying to regain the dominance that he had lost. She smiled down at him. 'I'm as human as they come, just a little lucky.'

He looked into the complete darkness that shrouded her eyes. 'I think we know that isn't quite true.'

The tears in Vash's eyes were slowing, the sadness slowly turning to anger, burning his very blood. He looked at his brother, his eyes filled with rage. He hated the way he looked up at her, lust in his eyes. He had never been like this before. He was punishing Vash for loving her, a human. That he could tell as he took control over her again, his frame shifting to be on top of hers. Shade gritted her teeth as she continued to fight against Knives as he undid another buckle on her leather shirt, his crooked grin bearing down on her.

Vash desperately began to strain against the invisible force that held him back. Every muscle in his body ached as he inched his knee forward, trying to reach Shade's side, to help her.

Knives looked over at him, raising his free hand. Vash was thrown onto his side, crying out in pain as he slammed onto the floor. 'Knives, please stop,' he cried as he brought himself onto his knees again, his body begging for mercy. 'Punish me in any other way; just don't punish her as well.'

Knives laughed, ignoring his pleas as he unbuckled the third buckle on Shade's shirt, his ears greedily awaiting more desperate cries from Vash as he dominated his brother's lover. 'I'm having so much fun though,' he taunted. 'You need to see this so you can see how weak this race is.'

'Knives, stop this you egotistic maniac,' Wolfwood yelled, seeing Vash fight against the invisible bonds successfully giving him new hope as he strained against the bonds as well.

'Stay quiet Nicholas. I can't have you trying to ruin this for me now,' Knives said as he undid the last buckle of Shade's shirt slowly. She remained silent, continuing her fight against him as he reached for the zipper. He gripped the small piece of metal and began to slowly guide it down her slender frame.

Shade cried out as she tore her arms from his grip once again, gripping his neck with crushing force. He coughed, eyes bulging as she tightened her grip until he released the zipper of her shirt. She lifted him as she got to her feet, arm high above her head, the darkness of her eyes locked with the surprise in his. He stared down at her with wonder, feeling her thin fingers crushing his vocal chords until she threw him backwards into Legato, sending them crashing into a heap behind Vash and Wolfwood.

Vash shot to his feet, running to Shade to embrace her. He held her tight. 'I'm sorry I even doubted you for a second,' he whispered, claiming her lips between each word.

'I know.' she said.

'Now isn't exactly the time for that,' Wolfwood said as he came to stand beside them. 'They're a little pissed off.'

Shade picked up her coat, swinging it over her shoulders and pulling it on. 'Wolfwood, take this,' she said, handing him a gun from under her coat.

Wolfwood took the gun, checking that it was loaded as Knives and Legato approached them. 'This is it?'

'Unfortunately yes, but at least it's something,' Shade said calmly as she took the other gun from under her coat. 'Vash?'

He was shaking his head. 'I don't think I can,' he said, his voice low, quiet.

Shade took his hand tightly. 'We have too. No one will be safe if we do nothing.'

Vash looked into his eyes, finally he nodded. 'Okay,' he said, pulling his gun from under his coat. 'I'm ready.' But she could see his hands trembling.

'Good, because here they come,' Wolfwood said, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

'Give it up Vash,' Knives said as Legato handed him a gun. 'It isn't worth it. They're not worth it.'

'Yes they are,' Vash argued, cocking his gun.

Knives raised his weapon, aiming it directly between Shade's eyes. 'You don't want me to kill her, do you?'

Vash clenched his teeth, raising a shaking hand. 'Don't hurt her anymore than you already have.'

Knives laughed. 'Oh give it up,' he said, making no attempt to hide his amusement, the pure evil in his soul.

Vash stopped shaking. 'Never.'

Knives smirked. His finger tightened and the shot echoed around the chamber, reverberating off the ceiling and walls. Knives already had his victory smile on, but it faltered as he saw Legato reach up, a hand gripping his chest. He pulled his hand away as all eyes turned to him, deep red creeping over the white of his coat. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed, a smile on his face.

Knives head snapped to look at Shade, seeing only the mask that covered her face. He opened his mouth to talk but no words came out, leaving him quiet for a moment, only one question on his mind. 'How?'

'Remember the part about me being a Protector?' Shade asked, her black eyes staring out. 'Well, I am like nothing you have ever faced.'

'She's not exactly what you were expecting, is she?' Wolfwood asked as he took aim. 'Not feeling so high and mighty now, are you?'

Knives suddenly smiled, a bubble of laughter rippled though him, increasing in volume with every second until he finally managed to catch his breath, looking straight to Vash. 'You certainly do know how to pick them,' he said, stepping forward. 'I might just kill you and the priest quickly so I can have her for myself.'

Shade crouched slightly, preparing to launch herself at him as he took measured steps forward, a predator on the prowl. 'Try it,' she challenged, aim steady.

Knives smirked. 'As you wish.'