AN: (shakes head) Oh boy what am I doing? Well here it is another chapter gone by and I basically still left you with more questions than answers. (evil grin) Um…this almost gets into a R rating but not really. So that's just a small warning for all that need it.

Thanxs to you all that Read and Reviewed MoMo's story Ensueing Chaos.

Both she and I are happy now. Hopefully more of you will get around to reading it, because the truth is. Ensueing Chaos just kicks ass!

Also, I'm working on my site and need some Fanfiction and Art. (hint hint)

Ok that's enough for now.

Enjoy.

P.S.

If I get…oh I don't know 420 reviews I've got a really nice pic of Millie and Knives kissing I might be willing to post. hehehe

Two choices, two paths, each leading into an unknown future.

How can one see into the darkness and know which is truly the right choice?

Is there a difference between what is evil now, and what will become evil.

We are judged according to our actions, our choices. We make our choices.

Yet how will we know how time will see us?

How will we know the right choice?

**************

Akako Hana…she made the cryo sleep section separate from the ship?

Rem looked up in shock at the softly glowing bulb.

She was confused, and scared. She knew what the separation meant. It meant that the ship would most likely either break up in the atmosphere, or be totally destroyed in the crash. Like any creature, she was scared of death. She didn't want to die, and she didn't want Akako Hana to die.

However, in her mind she had hope. The other ships would survive, and the passengers from this ship had a small chance to live. It was extremly small chance, but it was better than what it had been.

For herself and Akako Hana…the odds were not so good.

Sensors from the computer screamed at her that the ship was simply going too fast. There was no way they would survive a crash landing. The impact would liquefy her bones inside her body even before she was killed from getting thrown.

Akako Hana had a far better chance at survival. So did the other plants on the ship. They had special 'force fields' surrounding the bulbs that would keep them in place and protect them from any jarring.

Rem, a simple human, had no such protection.

"Thank you Akako Hana. I know that had to be hard on you."

Rem sat down beside the bulb and closed her eyes as she ran a hand over the smooth surface.

Rem had no regrets anymore. And even though she was scared, she had no fear. Strange how that happens sometimes. A person can feel scared, but have no true fear in them.

Rem knew that her life was going to end. But she was calmed by the knowledge that she had tried her hardest and had done everything she could. She had given her very life so that others would have a chance.

She smiled softly a tiny tear falling from her eye. She could feel the ship shake underneath her. It wouldn't be long now.

"I will miss you my little angels. Despite the fact our lives have changed directions, I know that we will be together again someday. We are all alive and part of something greater. And as we have made our choices, for good or evil…I trust that you will make the right choices in the end."

Vash, take care of Knives.

And the room was filled with a bright light as the S.E.E.D.S space ship hit gunsmoke with enough force to leave a crater hundreds of feet deep.

Metal screamed, sand roared…and the scream of one human was lost in the violence and destruction. Nearly half of the ship was totally destroyed…smashed and twisted into a hunk of metal and plastic that even the builders of the ship wouldn't have recognized.

The other half mysteriously survived with little damage.

After it was all over, after the sand had finally settled and half buried the ship, Akako Hana opened her eyes to see the outside. She was terrified of what she would see.

She had made her choice…and had chosen wrong. She knew this even before the ship had hit the soil. She could still read the computers, even if she wasn't connected to them. She had seen through external camera's her mistake.

The passenger ship had been destroyed in the atmosphere. It had shattered into a millions pieces, and 623 men, woman and children died.

She also could see now, through the computer…that none of her sister plants had survived. They were all silent.

And the most painful part of her sacrifice…of her mistake, the human Rem….

She knew the truth even before she set her eyes on the still form.

Rem SaveRem…was dead. 

She was lying innocently at the foot of Akako's bulb. One arm crossed over her face so that Akako could not see her. Black hair still so shiny and soft looking was thrown about in disarray. And even as she watched, a small puddle of blood grew across the cold floor.

Rem's body had surprisingly suffered little damage. However the jolting impact of the ship had caused internal damage. Her organs and brain had been slammed against bone with enough force to cause bleeding and internal damage.

Death had been instantaneous, Rem had not suffered.

It was that moment…as Akako watched with morbid fascination the bloodstain getting larger, that she finally understood.

She finally understood death, truly understood it.

Death was an ending to life. Death was eternal and was filled with loss and pain. Death was as empty as space, and just as cold. It had no mercy and took selflessly from the world of the living.

Death was a dark place.

Akako looked at Rem and felt her heart tear in two. It was an emotional throbbing, but was so intense that it felt like physical pain.

She didn't want to look, but couldn't tear her eyes away. Rem's body was there, but Rem was gone. She couldn't believe it, the knowledge that Rem had been there only moments before, but was gone now…it was too much for her. She couldn't comprehend it.

She didn't want to comprehend.

And She cried…for the first time in her life. Tears never seen before in her kind fell from her humanoid face and dripped down below onto her bulb.

It hurt so much.

Such was her first experience of what living truly meant.

*************

"So that's what happened."

Millie's lip trembled as she tried, without success to keep from crying. Tears were already, and had been for awhile now, flowing down her face in twin rivers.

"Yes, Akako Hana tried but failed to save everyone."

Millie nodded, glad that her thoughts about Akako turned out to be true. She had been half afraid that she had killed everyone to save herself.

"But what does this have to do with my headaches?"

"In the crash, Akako Hana was damaged."
 "Damaged?"

"Yes, in fact she had been so hurt by the impact that she was forced to hibernate to continue living."

Millie frowned; Akako hadn't looked hurt when she had seen her. Nor was she in any kind of hibernation. She had looked wide and awake.

Suddenly Millie gasped as something clicked in her brain.

"What…you aren't saying!"
"Millie, the pains you feel are Akako's pain. She is dieing."

"No."

Millie shook her head, her face that of total disbelief.

"No, she can't die! SHE CAN'T!"

Millie took a step back. However Fred's grip on her arm didn't let up. It was the only thing that kept her from running away right then. Looking at Fred, Millie frantically searched for anything that might say this wasn't true. A lie, or even the glint of amazement that might imply this was a joke.

She saw nothing but his grim seriousness.

"We have to help her! Vash…Knives, they'll know what to do!"

Fred shook his head.

"Miss. Thomson, she will be dead within the next few moments. Nothing, not even her children can stop it."

"No…"

She said again.

"She can't die Fred. She hasn't met her children yet! Knives and Vash haven't seen her!"

Fred shook his head.

"They were never meant to see her. Why do you think she gave you those two boxes?"

Millie's mouth opened, but no sound came out. She had no answer, none that would have made sense anyway.

"I don't understand?"

Millie said yet again. It seemed that she had been saying those words a lot lately.

"Akako Hana has been in hibernation. She knew she only had a few moments of life left when she went to sleep. She had been waiting…putting off her death so to speak all these years waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

Fred smiled sadly. His face was as gentle as she had ever seen it and it made her wonder if he did understand death, even if he denied it.

"For someone to bring news of her children. She had been waiting for you."

Millie's face suddenly fell into an expressionless mask. Fred let go of her arm but Millie made no move to run away. Her lip quivered, but that was the only sign of emotion on her face.

She had once said that Knives had a perfect poker face, well she was blowing him away now. Not even Fred's sharp eye could tell what she was feeling.

"Its over now…"

She finally whispered softly. Fred didn't bother to ask what she meant. He knew all to well what those three simple words meant.

Akako Hana had pasted to the next world.

"Its strange Fred? I didn't notice it until it was gone. I could feel her."

Millie looked down at her feet not wanting to meet Fred's eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Akako Hana ordered me not to. You had to be away when it happened, else Akako drag you into death with her. She didn't want that."

Millie nodded.

"I'm going in now."

Without even looking up, Millie started toward the house. She didn't see Fred turn to look at her with concern in his eyes, nor did she even hear the goings on in the Sand Steamer. Her mind was far away and in pain.

She'll never get to meet them.

Millie shook her head trying to clear it. From what she could tell Akako Hana had been due to die for over a century. Only staying in a deep hibernation, defiantly not living, had been able to save her for this long.

But that knowledge didn't make her death any less painful. Millie had only known her for a few days, yet she felt so much closer.

I had actually felt her death. I felt the pain, and then the nothingness when she died. Why? Is it because of that connection everyone keeps talking about? But what do they mean by that? Why me? I'm human, and up until I met Vash I knew nothing about plants or 'plant walkers'.

Millie suddenly realized that she hadn't got her question answered about the connection. She stopped her hand on the door to the kitchen. She thought about it a moment. It was a big question…and she really wanted to know.

She shook her head and opened the door. She wouldn't be able to listen very well at the moment anyway. Not only that…she didn't want anymore-unwanted surprises. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear why all this was happening.

"Millie?"

Millie startled as Knives cool smooth voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up her heart welling with love as she looked into his blue eyes.

Oh my god. I never noticed before…Knives has Akako's eyes. They are the same color.

Millie's lip quivered again as she thought of the plant woman that had saved her life.

It wasn't fair! This couldn't be happening. She had wanted so badly to be able to tell Knives he had a mother. She wanted to take him to the plant and introduce them. She wanted to explore the ship with him and ask questions about the things she saw.

This was supposed to be a happy time. But instead…

"Why are you crying?"

With a sob Millie suddenly ran into Knives chest. She was crying loudly now as she gripped his coat drawing him closer to her.

Knives made a strange 'omphf' sound as she impacted with his body. He then blinked a few times before encircling his arms around her. Leaning forward slightly he rested his chin of the top her head.

For a moment he just let her cry. He had no idea why she was crying…but he could sense she needed to do this. Sometimes a person just had to exhaust themselves, and immerse themselves into an emotion up to the point nothing else mattered, whether it be anger, hate…or sadness.

Finally after she had thoroughly drowned his coat Knives spoke.

"Why are you crying?"

Millie sniffled (rather cutely Knives thought) and looked up at him. Her eyes normally so pale were sparkling bright with her tears. Her face stained with tears was a flushed red across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

Knives breath caught in his chest, as a familiar hot pang shot through his body.

She was so beautiful.

Gently he wiped some of the wetness off her face with his thumb. He watched fascinated as she blinked slowly. Her lashes were so long and thick, they framed the eyes he loved so very nicely.

"I'm sorry Knives."

"Sorry for what?"

He asked softly. He leaned forward a little and whether Millie knew it or not she leaned toward him in response.

"I wanted you to meet her."

Millie looked away from his face as more tears fell.

"But it seems like it wasn't meant to be."

Knives titled his head slightly in confusion. He wanted to ask her what she meant by that, but strangely enough he found himself holding her tighter. One of his hands almost on its own accord wrapped around her waist, and the other tangled itself in her hair as he drew her closer.

"It's ok."

Millie opened her mouth…and slowly started to tell Knives everything. She spoke of the strange voice in her head, and of the metal box called an elevator that took her deep underground. She spoke of seeing Akako Hana for the first time, of her awe of seeing something so beautiful. She talked about the med-bots and Fred. She even mentioned all the cars she saw.

Millie couldn't see Knives face. But she could feel him getting more and more tense. His body was hard and coiled like a spring about to explode. For this reason Millie neglected to tell Knives about the connection…and about the story with Rem. She knew just from what Mr. Vash said (and her own judgments) that speaking of that woman would only upset him needlessly.

Rem's role in his birth was a tale for another time.

She also didn't mention the boxes yet. Millie wasn't sure what was in them but she wanted to surprise the brothers with them.

"She's dead Knives. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you as soon as you came!"

Millie lost herself in his coat again as she waited for him to say something.

"My true mother…"

Knives lips moved slightly, his eyes darting back and forth. He seemed not able to speak, or more likely did not know what to say. His face was that of some inner fight, inner conflict that he was having. Although of what Millie couldn't tell.

Millie felt his grip on her tighten almost painfully, but she didn't mind. At least he wasn't knocking her aside in anger. She had been so afraid he would be angry with her for not telling them right away.

"I'm sorry Knives."

Her voice seemed to draw him out of whatever conflict he seemed to be having. He looked into her eyes and Millie was surprised to them that they had a slight tinge of moisture in them.

"Its not your fault. Even if we had left the moment we came…even then we wouldn't have made it."

Millie nodded glad that he was taking this so well. She leaned against him again for a few silent moments. Each thought their own thoughts and listened to each other breathing.

"Millie?"

He said finally his voice low and husky. Something in the tone of his voice really struck a cord in Millie. She instantly swallowed hard as her mouth went dry. Suddenly out of breath, at what that tone might mean, she looked up at him again. If it was possible Knives brought her closer to him. They were now touching feet to chests.

"I have a question for you. Do…I mean, do you think of before, about us?"

Millie blushed slightly as she thought about the dreams and thinking she had done. There was hardly a day (hell there was not a day period) that she didn't think about him.

However she didn't tell him this, instead she simply nodded.

Knives smiled and Millie's heart fluttered away.

How could she have such feeling for this man, she didn't understand it. Everything he did just cemented her feelings deeper and deeper. It felt almost now that his name had been engraved in her heart.

"Millie, I thought of it often too. Can we…"

Knives broke off as Millie suddenly grabbed his head and brought it down to meet her lips.

Electricity jolted, mountains crumbled, and Knives very being was shaken to the core as he felt the soul-searing kiss melt into his lips.

With a harsh groan he forced Millie's head closer to his as he plunged his tongue into her warm cavity. Millie didn't protest the rough motion and in fact responded just as unforgiving as her tongue waged war with his.

He could taste her; it was exactly like he remembered…so sweet and so very unique.

For two and half months now he had dreamed and thought of this and now he couldn't get enough of it. Drawing back a little Knives bit into Millie lips, almost but not quite hard enough to draw blood. She moaned at the pleasure pain he was causing.

She found herself opening his coat so she could be closer to him. Her hands roamed his wide chest and sculpted abs through his shirt. She wished fervently that she could take that off as well. But that would require they stop kissing long enough to remove the cloth. And well…she didn't feel like doing that right now.

Finally the need to breath overrode all other senses and Millie and Knives broke apart.

Both their faces were flushed, and they were out of breath. They looked at each other in wonderment and question.

Both had questions…but neither of them knew the answers.

Knives was first to break out of whatever had come over them. He took a deep breath the blush still flaming across his features.

"Will you…take me to her?"

Pain flashed across Millie's face as she remember the reason why she was in the kitchen to begin with. However surprisingly the pain was more bearable now that her and Knives were together.

We're together now. But who knows for how long. I don't know what Knives feels.

Millie forced the unpleasant thought from her mind. She didn't think she could live without Knives now.

It was so strange. She had always considered herself a strong person. A girl that didn't have to have a man to get through life.

And that was true in a way. She could still live. She would survive if Knives left this house right now and never came back. Her Momma had taught her better than to live her life whining over what might have been. But if he left…if Knives just took off, she would be hurt. And she had no idea how long it would take her to get over him…if she ever did. Ya she would go on with life, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Momma taught me better…but she also taught me to fight for what I wanted!

Millie knew what she wanted. Getting it would be difficult she suspected, but as far as she could see her only obstacle to getting what she wanted was Knives himself. And that was an obstacle she was going to overcome.

She was a strong woman, and a strong woman does not take no for an answer!

Millie smiled at Knives as she made up her mind. Knives was hers…she didn't care what she had to do. But he was not getting away!

"I will."

She said simply smirking at the knowledge that Knives had no idea what he was getting into.

Smiling back Knives nuzzled the side of her neck making Millie gasp. She could feel his breath against her skin, making the little hairs there stand up and prickle.

It tickled and she couldn't help but giggle, and squirm slightly against him.

"Stop it, that tickles."

"hmmm"

Was all Knives said as he kissed her neck, slowly trailing up the graceful lines to her chin and face. He left tiny peeks all along her cheek and a few small kisses to her mouth.

Millie smiled; leaned back slightly and just enjoyed the attention.

"When do you want to go?"

Millie shivered as she felt Knives unzip the front of her jumpsuit a little. Just enough so he could kiss her collarbone. The sound of the zipper was strangely exciting.

"hmmm whenever. As soon…as possible."

He said his voice muffled against her skin.

Millie chuckled as she tugged on his shirt a little so she could feel his skin. She felt him quiver slightly as her fingers brushed across his side and stomach. She could feel he muscles underneath respond to her, jumping under her fingers.

"Well, that means we would have to stop."

Knives licked her then and the feeling of his wet tongue against her skin was almost more than she could bare. She moaned softly digging her nails into his skin.

"Stop?"

He asked as traced an outline on her skin.

"No, don't stop."

She answered breathless.

Millie squeaked in surprise as Knives suddenly grabbed her bottom and lifted her up and sat her down on the table. The motion was effortless, despite the fact she probably weighed about the same as him. It was another reminder at how terrible strong Knives was.

However she didn't dwell on this as Knives stepped in-between her legs and kissed passionately her. She was further distracted from any and all thoughts as he brushed his tongue across her lips. She opened her mouth again to welcome the battle of the tongues that ensued.

After a few heated moments, Millie stopped kissing his lips and instead moved to his ears. She seemed to remember an earlier encounter with them in a certain cave. :)

She heard Knives quick intake of breath as she exhaled pointed against his ear. Smirking to herself she nipped it before letting her tongue explore the sensitive lobe.

Millie could feel his body shake against her as his breathing became very ragged.

She held her breath in surprise as Knives very timidly brushed his hand across her still clothed breast. It was a surprisingly unsure gesture from a man she had always assumed just took what he wanted.

"I want you."

Knives suddenly blurted out taking Millie unaware. She just wasn't used to someone being so blunt and honest.

Millie suddenly became aware of something pressing against her inner thigh. Something hard and throbbing…two guesses what it was, and the first didn't count.

She blushed bright red as she started to stammer a little. This had been unexpected. Granted she loved Knives and wanted him…but was she ready for THAT.

She wasn't sure.

"uh…I..um.."

Suddenly the door to the kitchen opened.

Knives head shoot up with a snap so quickly it was audible; his eyes were the widest she had ever seen.

Millie twisted around just in time to see Fred blink in mild surprise. He raised an eyebrow at them but didn't seem disturbed in the least.

"You know people eat there right?"

He said simply before turning right back around and leaving.

Millie buried her face into Knives neck and couldn't help but giggle.

She was so embarrassed that she was sure she would die.

Knives seemed just as put out if the blush spreading across his face was any indication.

"Well…"

Millie said to try and lighten the mood.

"At least it wasn't Meryl or Vash."

Knives looked so mortified as he cleared his throat trying to get control over himself.

"Grab some things…we'll be leaving."

Millie blinked up at him confused.

"Aren't we going to take Mr. Vash along as well?"

Knives shook his head a strange expression fluttering across his face.

"No doubt he'll follow us whether we want him to or not. But…I want to see this place first."

Millie nodded and slipped off the table once Knives stepped back. She was a little saddened that Fred had interrupted them. But then again she was relieved as well, she just wasn't sure if she was ready for what Knives was asking.

Now, she had a little time to think about it and decide.

********

Knives watched as Millie left to get her things. They would be gone a few days at least. Luckily there was already food, water and some camping supplies in the car. He didn't think they would stop until they got the ship…but one never knew. It was better to be safe than sorry.

He took a deep breath, wishing with everything in his being that he could take the time for a shower before they left. A very VERY cold shower. His deep breath hardly did anything to calm the fire raging through his veins.

Who knew that a woman could do that to a person? He certainly hadn't known.

And it surprised him to no end that…he MILLIONS KNIVES had been willing and ready to strip her right there on the table and have his way with her.

He hadn't cared that his brother and the baka's pet where only meters away.

What was it about that woman that totally striped him of any sort of brains and self-control?

Knives shook his head still embarrassed that he had lost control like that.

Ok…first things first. Fred.

Knives adjusting his cloths so a certain still excited part of him wasn't visible went after the robot.

He needed to tell the thing a few things before they left.

As it turned out Fred hadn't gone far. Only a few feet away from the door.

Knives eyes narrowed as he regarded the robot. He didn't like Fred! Well actually he hated the thing. Looking like Rowen was a dirty undermined trick if you asked him. It was just something the cybog used to unsettle him. And the thing was…it worked.

And although Fred acted nothing like the Rowen he had know as a child…he still couldn't help but see Rowen.

Knives closed his eyes. He could still see Rowen crazed face. He had been screaming inside his mind. Screaming for Knives to let him be and to stop it.

I had forced them both to lie about Steve. Although they didn't know it. They didn't suspect I was manipulating them until I forced Rowen to shoot Mary. Only then did he realize he wasn't in control of his muscles.

Knives smiled at the pleasant memory. True, Rowen hadn't done anything to him, and was actually rather nice and pleasant…but he was only human.

It's amazing what I could do on those ships. Each one had up to 10 different plants on board. The power I could control when they were together like that. Amazing…

The only bad thing about the experience was a mistake he had made. Still being new to his mental powers he hadn't withdrawn quick enough from Rowen's mind when he died.

It was terrible…so much pain and suffering, the screaming and the suffocation. All that Rowen felt he had himself.

That was part of why Knives was so uncomfortable around Fred. His face forced Knives to remember his mistake.

It could have killed me if I stayed with him any longer. If I had been just a little slower that human would have dragged me into death.

Knives shuddered slightly. Dieing was one thing, but having a human kill him…that was just plain embarrassing.

"Fred!"

Knives wanted to scream at the robot, but kept his voice down to avoid alerting his brother.

The robot sighed annoyed.

"If you are afraid I shall 'tell on you' then just stop now."
Fred turned toward him.

"I won't tell."

Knives let his eyes narrow a little. However he knew enough about robots to know they couldn't lie. They could keep things to themselves but if they promised not to tell then they wouldn't.

"We're are going to the ship."

Fred looked mildly surprised. Knives frowned deeper at this. Fred's calm programmed emotions were really starting to get to him.

"What is the password to get in!?"

"There is no password. Its voice coded."

Knives twitched…that was not a good answer.

If it was voice coded, without the particular voice, or the plant, they couldn't get in.

"Is it your voice?"

Knives asked hoping against hope. However he could already see his plan of exploring a basically un-tampered with S.E.E.D.S ship being crumbled before his eyes.

"No."

Knives cursed.

"Its Millie-sama's voice."

"WHAT?"

"My former master the Plant Akako Hana has passed everything down to Millie-sama."

"Akako Hana…my mother?"

"Yes Knives-sama."

Knives ran a hand through his hair trying to understand.

"So she gave everything to Millie…like in a will?"

"Yes sir. Nothing will work without Millie-sama's permission."

Knives shook his head. He couldn't imagine why the plant would do this. It would have taken some major energy to reprogram the computers to recognize Millie as its owner. Energy the plant shouldn't have used because of the damage. She had basically sped up her death by at least half a day if not more.

"Alright then. Don't tell my brother where we're going!"

"Is this Millie-sama's wishes as well?"

"Yes, it's your masters wishes!"

Knives snapped annoyed at the machine. It was then he made up his mind. If the facilities still worked, he was going to give Fred a new body. He just couldn't stand to see Rowen form anymore! And if they didn't work, he would fucking destory this damn thing!

Without another word to the robot Knives went over to the car. A quick check proved that Meryl had taken the keys out. He knew it was Meryl because his brother wouldn't have bothered. Vasj knew there wasn't a car on this planet he couldn't jumpstart!

However he didn't start the car right away. Instead he put it in neutral and pushed it out in the direction he planned to go.

Noticing Millie come out of the house he waved to her. She came jogging up to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Vash is still awake. I don't want him to hear me start it."

"Oh."

She said before throwing her stuff in. He faintly noticed a small black box. He wondered a moment what it was but was then distracted. As to his surprise Millie put her shoulder into the back of the car and helped him push. He was once again impressed by her strength as his own workload was lightened considerably.

She was full of surprises his tall human.