Millions Knives could only recall shoving his brother when a human aimed for Vash's head. After that, nothing for a while.
It had been quite sometime after their confrontation, not long after Vash had murdered Legato. After a century of unyielding resolve, Knives had been certain that Vash's first kill—a job done by his own hands—would've made him realize that clinging to sentimental morals was a foolish endeavor. Knives was conceited then. Instead of confronting his brother soon after Legato's death, he had waited for Vash to locate him in Demitrihi. His brother should've been broken—mendable, lost.
Knives was wrong, of course.
His body was riddled with bullets. Knives' brother had practiced since shooting his thigh. Ironic that the cross Vash brought had thwarted his plan; his twin had mentioned that it was full of mercy.
Mercy...
And so the challenge to amend Millions Knives had begun soon after. Unfortunately at the time for the genocidal annihilator, Knives had a determined brother that anyone could have wished for-perhaps cursed for.
It had taken months just for Vash to persuade his brother to try his way of life. Vash had understood why Knives had exercised extreme schemes to convince him of Knives' ideals, but Vash had stated that he followed himself then—his own words at last. That woman... Rem was with him—always had been. Vash became his own man after everything Knives had thrown at him.
Murder was a choice, but it would be his last if Vash ever found himself in such a predicament.
Vash had never given up on his supposedly erroneous older brother. Knives had made mistakes after being convinced to understand not only Vash but the humans as well. The humor in it all was that Vash had framed their scenario as a chance for Knives to conduct sessions of scientific observations. The brutal plant had rarely ever watched the humans in such close proximity before. It had been... a dull yet interesting experience.
Vash had once described with anguish that the abuse they had endured as children wasn't what turned Knives into what he became—it was the killing of the crew. Yes, spilling blood as a one-year-old had perhaps influenced Knives' psyche to affirm that murder was right—always—when at times it possibly wasn't.
Knives thought he had been doing the right thing.
To end one species, the other would multiply and prosper.
Eden.
Forgiveness, Vash? After everything?
It was, once again, time for the brooding plant to venture into the world of the humans with his brother. Vash had praised the service and staff in a local saloon and even implied that a new cute waitress began her first day, and, possibly-very, very unlikely-his older twin would find her to be of his taste. Knives simply ignored her and his brother's endeavors to kindle something between them. The thought of fornicating with another species was revolting. Beastiality. It was unbearable as it was with Vash's insurance women being present where they resided; another woman among them would've aggravated him to no end.
The end...
Despite the truce between them, Vash hadn't trusted Knives with a gun. The accomplished plant could defend himself with poise and grace if the situation demanded it, but it was his first bar fight. Knives had disciplined himself, rigorous exercises had transformed his body not only into the ideal embodiment of physical perfection—a weapon as well.
While Vash dodged and avoided harming others, Knives pummeled humans with such ferocity that noses flattened, teeth with streams of blood flew from mouths, and black eyes were given to those unfortunate enough to challenge the plant.
He nearly blinded one. Knives was sure of that.
When Vash noticed Knives' vehement methods, he focused on his vicious twin—once again criticizing Knives for his brutal ways. Other humans charged, but Vash continued while Knives either overpowered or ignored his brother's attempts to prevent him from unleashing his frustrations on the bottom-of-the-barrel of humanity.
He should have suspected... He should have known... Humans on Gunsmoke rarely fought honorably.
While Vash directed his efforts on calming his brother, a human—a pathetic insect, worse than a spider even—aimed at Vash. Knives attempted to utilize his telepathy, but Vash's tenacious whining and attempts to tackle him broke his concentration, giving the human a chance numerous others would've died for.
When he shouldered Vash out of the way, Knives lost consciousness.
He roused to find that darkness reigned dominant over his environment while he was... floating? A warm fluid surrounded his naked form. He was vulnerable—exposed. It reminded him of his helplessness as a child while Steve severely abused him. Vash as well...
What happened to his brother?
Knives swirled his body. He reached forward and felt a familiar smooth surface. Glass? A bulb? No. It was too flat, lacking the curved of its dome appearance. A... what?
"A cylinder, you monster."
Knives couldn't see. He couldn't speak. He felt himself well enough, but without his sight, the loss of it augment his other senses. Still... he didn't need such an enhancement.
He knew what voice. Even now his body stiffened as if preparing itself for another assault. It had been over a hundred years since his last.
A monster spoke...
Steve.
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Thank you for reading so far. This is my first ever post about Trigun... My first fanfic as well. I have a few more surprises for this story and for the others I've been writing. :)