**Author's Note** Ok! It's been a day or so from my last update, so to make sure this story keeps on going, I'm just going to thank my reviewers collectively rather than one by one. So…THANK YOU!! For the wonderful reviews! It's very much appreciated, and I'm really glad you're enjoying the story so far. Stick with me- there's still a ways to go! J  (Ok, one person I WILL thank alone- Konig, you are a big help! That long review made my day…err, night, heh, and I'm really, really, REALLY glad that you put that much thought into it. I try my best- just because it is a fan-fiction doesn't mean I should slack when it comes to story development and whatnot. I think I might use some of those suggestions- they might just help me out in the plotline. Though…I have to ask you, ALL of you…would it be horrendously wrong of Knives to actually change as Vash wanted him to? *sighs*).

Disclaimers:  I do not own Trigun or any of the Trigun characters, nor am I affiliated with them or the Production Company, creator, or directors in any way. (Though it would be pretty cool!).

Claimers: All newly introduced characters are owned or co-owned by me, including Artemis Fawn, Gemini Mimic, and Lily. ^__^

~Under the Sky so Blue: Aftermath~

Part Fourteen

            Artemis leaned against the well speaking quietly with Lily, noticing a young blond man stepping out from the motel some way down the road. She hardly gave him a second glance, or a second thought as the two conversed. There were more important matters at hand to think about rather than pay attention to some easy on the eyes type of guy.

            "So you think that Vash the Stampede could possibly be in this town?" Artemis inquired to her blond friend who was pulling up a bucket of water from the well.

            "Definitely," Lily replied with a nod, placing the bucket on the edge of the well and turned her blue eyes to the red-head. "I've heard people saying he's staying here, people on the road on my way to this town said it too.  Why? Are you looking for him?"

            The priestess leaned against the stone well, crossing her arms. "I'm not looking for Vash, no, but I am searching for someone who is bound to be here if the so called legendary gunman is. I must be in the right place then…I just wonder…"

            "Whoa, wait! Who are you looking for?" the second woman put a hand on Artemis' shoulder. "Tell me who it is."

            "I can't really tell you why or who right now, I'm sorry. Maybe that'll change after we've met."

            Swinging out her arms in mild frustration with her friend, Lily managed to knock the bucket of water right back down the well, the rope jerking away from the bar and going down with it.

            "Damn! I'll be back, I have to ask for another bucket…that's the third one in twenty minutes…" the woman sighed and walked toward the family restaurant to ask for another bucket, leaving Artemis alone.

            As she stood there, a strange feeling of eyes watching her back slowly overwhelmed the young woman. She didn't want to turn around, and yet she imagined the person watching her to be the very same young man standing outside. Why not? He was the only other person out there. Slowly, Artemis turned around to find that her belief was true. The blond man gazed her way steadily and stoically. For an unknown reason, her feet began to move, taking her closer to him until they stood directly across from the other with about five feet between them.

            "Do you have a staring problem?" The red-head snapped sharply, annoyed that she couldn't figure out why she moved from her place by the well.

            The blond man simply blinked, his expression remained unchanging. "I am free to look wherever I please, it was your choice to approach me, woman."

            Arching an eyebrow, Artemis shook her head slowly. Woman? Who did this guy think he was? However, she found she couldn't really argue with him on that- she had no idea why she'd walked over to him and therefore couldn't place blame on him. So naturally she made up an excuse.

            "I came to tell you to quit staring at me."

            "That is not all you are here for." The man replied, unwavering.

            Artemis had the idea that he did not only mean where she stood, but in Demetri in general. He continued.

            "You are searching for one named Vash aren't you? You search for him because when you have found his location, you'll have found the location of your mission. Am I correct?"

            Staring, a little puzzled, the red-headed priestess was speechless for a few moments before it clicked in her mind how this man knew her objective. That night in the bar, when she and Lily spoke, the priest at the edge of town sat with a blond man and two young women at a corner table. The blond man had spiky hair but his face…his face strongly resembled the one she stood before at this moment. Twins…

            "You're Knives, aren't you?" she asked, a little unsure.

            He smirked in amusement, "You ask me with hesitation, woman, are you afraid?"

            Artemis made a face, "No, but I don't like to sound like an idiot making such direct assumptions. So are you or are you not Knives?"

            "I am; you are Artemis Fawn, the Arrow Goddess and newest addition to the Gung-ho Guns. A simple human woman with exceptional skill with a primitive weapon."

            She glowered…her eyes narrowed from the moment he had confirmed who he was and remained so. There was no other way Artemis could bring herself to gaze upon him…she knew the stories about Vash and Knives, she knew who it was who destroyed those towns, who was responsible for it. However…

            "I'm supposed to bring you back, though I'm not sure why you couldn't just fend off for yourself. You appear to be able to walk on your own two feet." She said quietly.

            Knives chuckled ruefully, turning his ice blue gaze to the sky. "It is only all part of a plan…a grand plan, revised from the old one…"

            "Well then why don't we go while there's still nobody around? It's the perfect chance to get started, when everyone is still inside."

            Artemis' eagerness to get back on the road toward the New Gung-ho Guns' hideout proved to cause a bit of suspicion in Knives. He shook his head…if she was not such a vital part of his scheme, he probably would have killed her by now. Already she managed to annoy him.

            'Stupid human garbage,' he thought with a slight sneer to his lips, which transformed into a sly smile. "You must have misplaced your mind, woman- you are not prepared to leave town at this moment. You have no supplies and you're not even dressed to travel. By the time you are ready, the street will slowly begin to fill with people. It is not the ideal time."

            She hated to admit it, but Knives was right. It would take her too long to gather supplies of food and water, pack, and meet him back here before there were people out on the road. Huffing heavily, Artemis nodded and clenched her hands into fists then spoke.

            "Would it be better to meet tomorrow morning then, earlier?"

            Knives had no intention of leaving Demetri just yet. This quaint town was where he wanted the first reign of destruction to begin again.  Let the others rebuild their towns…if there were any survivors left, anyhow, and then Knives would crush them all over again. He smiled grimly…this time he'd do it personally; forget using his incompetent and emotional brother, that fool only muddled things more.

            "No. I will say when it is time to leave Demetri. Until then I suggest that you remain in town and enjoy it while you still can, woman."

            "But…"

            "…That is how it will work, otherwise I can end whatever your agreements were and I warn you, it won't be a pretty sight." Knives cut her off with a sharp glare. He didn't like being contradicted…ever.

            Defeated for the moment, Artemis reluctantly agreed. She wanted to leave town as soon as possible- she had other things to do beside wait around doing nothing and spending time with Lily. She didn't even know how long Lily intended on staying in Demetri.

            "Fine, agreed." She nodded, turning to head back to the well. Lily's form was already moving from the restaurant.

            As Artemis walked away, Knives watched briefly then turned, slightly startled to find Vash standing in the doorway, aqua green eyes curious. Knives usually was not one to be taken by surprise, but he silently hoped that his brother hadn't heard a word of the recent conversation.

            "Good morning brother- I trust you slept well." The greeting was monotonous.

            Vash smiled faintly, "Who was that girl? She was kind of cute…what did she agree to Knives? Hey, are you going on a date?"

            "Enough questions Vash, don't be foolish…" Knives trailed off, pushing past his twin brother and moved back into the motel.

            Vash stretched, glancing at his brother then turned his gaze to the street. It was still empty and the red headed girl had gone off somewhere with that other one by the well. He shrugged but couldn't help thinking there was something strange going on. Knives was not one to talk to humans, and Vash didn't think he'd be so inclined to start mixing with them so soon…something was up.