Seeing as the last chapter was only 2 pages long im going to make this one longer. This is where things really start to heat up. No Im not putting a lemon in......I would.......but theres the parents and the stuff......and someone told me ff.net banned them. SO yeah....Sorry.Enough said:On with the chappie! And I have a sequel to this....in fact I may make it a Saga. ^ ^ *evil smile* The sequel to this is going to be called: Fetish (Trapped in a world unknown) Yes. It has a subtitle....so sue me. You'll get over it I swear.

Disclaimer: Now think about it, if I owned Trigun do you think that I would be here now writing this or furthering the series from that frighteningly aggrivating last episode. However if when I take over the world and do own all the cool animes, send me a letter and I might put your character in there ^ ^.

The Secrets She Keeps By: Raven Kaous, formerly R.K.1 (stupid number thing.....grr)

Chapter:(I think its 25) Escape.

Layne awoke to the harsh light of the sun in her eyes. Groaning she went to roll over and felt her bare skin brush against another. Her memory immedeately snapped back.

Grayfall. Kiss.....'Sleep'. She almost blushed at the memory but didn't.Instead she got up and go the fire going, cooking breakfast and drying their clothes. She didnt know how Grayfall could sleep through all the noise. Men. With the breakfast done and her person dressed Layne sauntered over to he sleeping lover and kicked him roughly in the head. Grayfall immedeatly shot up from the covers.

"WHo day.....oh, morning Layne,"he said starting out panicked and ending angrily, rubbing a huge bump on his head.. Layne smiled and practically threw some food at him along with his clothes.

"Up.Dress.Eat." she commanded in between mouthfulls of her food. She had cooked lots, knowing that they would be at the cave soon. She intended to drive faster than the wind today.She was eager to get it done with. Because of her dream last night. She had dreamed of the Eden again.... In it the people had revolted.....Orchid and the other plants were holding Maximus prisoner in his own world. At least until Layne could liberate them. She had a feeling that was when their hold would relinquish and she would actually have to face Maximus.

Grayfall obeyed quickly and within minutes they had gulped the huge breakfast down and had gone to inspect the engine. Clean as a whistle.Half of Layne regretted that fact and the other half was eager to get on with it. She stood there staring at the engine until Grayfall grabbed her arm and guided her to the drivers seat.Blindly she got in, started the engine and floored it.

She felt like she was watching herself drive from above. Watching her own lips move in answers to Grayfalls questions.Watching herself speed towards her evident doom. And then abruptly it stopped.They were in the cave and she was blinking rapidly.

'When did we' Grayfall shook her arm. "Layne......look......." he said pointing his finger at the rows and rows of plant bulbs hanging from the cieling. Layne didn't hesitate, she marched straight over to the shelves of clothing, dragging Grayfall. There were all mannerisms of clothes.

"Grayfall after I free the people......clothe them-" she cast an eye over all the food,"feed them and erm---" she grabbed some paper and a writing utensil of another shelf "and write there names down," With that said she marched over to the first bulb in the row and placed her hand on it, closing her eyes. There was a short flash and a tall female plant came out, naked and bewildered. Layne hoped to God that she wouldnt freak out. And then the woman smiled.

"LAdy Layne.....Savior...." she said, voice harsh from years of disuse. Layne nodded blankly and went on. Over and over she repeated it, each time getting the same response.At first she answered. And then she grew weary, barely nodding. She wasnt even half of half of half way through when she collapsed from fatigue.The plant she had just liberated smiled and picked her up carrying her to a somewhat busy Grayfall. Grayfall looked up at the smiling man.

"Child, tend to your dear one. We may have been inactive but we are not helpless.Tend to her......she will awaken soon....." after saying that the man shoved Layne into his grasp and strode off selecting some clothes for himself.

Grayfall walked around blindly for a few hours, Layne sleeping soundly before sighting a barred door. For some reason he was drawn there.Inside he could here a somwhat soft crying noise.

'Who.......' Grayfall had no time to ponder it, his arms had begun to ache from Laynes weight. Setting her gently on the fourn he picked the latch up and opened the door.Bound and gagged on the floor was none other than Lorienth, dry sobs racking her being. Her eyes were casting about.

"Who----who is there?" she called out, eye casting fruitlessly around. At the sound of her sister's voice Layne rose jumping out of Grayfall's eyes.

"Lorienth.....LORIENTH!" Layne with renewed strenght ran to her sister, severing the bonds and holding her in a fierce hug. Lorienth was trembling but hugged back.

"Layne.........?" her eyes stated the opposite direction from Laynes head. Layne's brow creased and she turned Lorienths head towards her own. Lorienth's eyes were a milky blue.Layne gave a startled cry. Lorienth was blind.

"Lorienth..." she cried. Lorienth smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"It's ok imouto, its ok......ill be fine...now you should go free the plants........"Lorienth replied. Grayfall was startled at how strong Lorienth was.....being blind and captured.....and then comforting her sister. Grayfall walked over and rubbed Laynes back.

"Welcome back Lorienth, and as always your right,"he said gently leading both of them into the room of plants.Layne was reluctant to leave her sister but Lorienth somehow coaxed her into it. Grayfall made a mental note to ask Lorienth how she did that when they got our of here.

And so, at 4 a.m in the morning the second day after reaching the cave and 2 hours after finding Lorient Layne commenced in freeing the rest of the plants. One by one, bit by bit she worked through them all. A tense silence blanketed that room, liberated plants waiting for loved ones, Lorienth helping to calm nervous people.And an ever present thought was in Grayfalls foremind at every second during the day: When will I see my mother... But Grayfall pushed it away. He didn't want to be slefish.......he knew Layne was only doing the best she could.

A week passed. Layne achieved half way on the last day of that week. Her whole world revolved in the same routine: Free the plants, eat, free more plants, eat again sleep and then 4/am begin the same process. It was wearying but Layne shone through like a beacon of light.

And every day more plants rejoined their families.Grayfall had set up a little desk for himself, writing down names of the freed plants, getting them established. Everytime a new plant came there was always the same question: ARe any of my loved one's freed?

Grayfall had a solution for that too, he had carefully organized the names into famly names and everytime someone asked him that question he would check the list and let them know. It seemed that Knives' son was pretty good about keeping families together and so after a famliy was completed they would leave, thanking the 3 teens for their hospitality, recieving their belongings, which Maximus had kept for them in a 'thoughtful' gesture after killing them and went on their way. They actually had very few plants that stayed in the cave. They were to wary and grudged against the place to stay.

Nixie didnt think she could be of much help, but she was, acting as a counselor to the liberated people. She didnt do it alone though. The kind faced male plant, who was named Coron Chilt, the one who had carried Layne to him had stayed and was helping her. It seemed that those two were getting along VERY well. He had alot of patience, and Grayfall had the suspicion that he was waiting for something.

Right now they were off in one of the side caves. Grayfall had no clue what they were doing but couldn't give it much thought, busy as he was. It seemed that Layne was getting faster at liberating the captured. And she could last longer in between bouts to.

Layne came trudging over, carrying a small child, smiling and walking over. Her eyes sparkled with mirth and she walked over.

"It seems you were right my friend," she murmered after the lady she had just freed rejoined her family in a tearful runion and walked into the other big cave that served as sleeping quarters for most. Grayfall stared at his girl-friend, puzzled.

"Nani? What are you talking about Layne,"he asked, somewhat annoyed at the smirk she was giving him.

"Coron, he was wating for something.....rather someon, this is his daugher Analese," she replied smile sparkling with mirth. At first Grayfall was happy but then his face fell.

"But that means that Lorienth cant get together with Coron..." he said in a low whisper.Somehow the little girl had fallen asleep.Layne frowned.

"Her mother is dead...she died before Maximus attacked their family...."she whispered back.It was selfish of them but they both smiled. Lorienth deserved happiness after what she had been through, going blind and all. There was a shout and the afore mentioned came bouding towards them at top speed. Layne panicked. Lorienth was blind, she would surely crash into something.... Layne quickly gave the child to Grayfall and ran to stop her sister.

Much to her dismay Lorienth tackled her and wrestled her to the ground.

"I SEE YOU!" she screamed in delight.Layne looked confused and then caugth sight of her eyes. They were back to their originaly dark hue.Layne laughed and pushed her sister off of her.

"That's great.....how?"she asked. Lorienth smiled and shook her head.

"Maximus had a film layered over her eyes. I noticed it the other day when we were talking to a particular person......I removed the film and now she can see," Coron replied for her. Layne smiled.

"Thank-you.....and we have a little surprise for you to!"Layne said smirking mischeviously. Grayfall released Analese who ran to her daddy hair streaming behind her.

"DADDY!" she screamed leaping on him. Coron was confused before he scooped her up and hugged her fiercly.

"ANALESE!" he said into her hair, tears of happiness coming down both of there faces. Everyone around them smiled and left, all going back to their tasks.

K.....sappy must wash tongue and brain. But we need the sappiness for what is to come.....soon,....grrr.Please review it would be much appreciated.

Ja

R.K.