AN: Sorry for taking so long. Had a uh…slighty bout of writters block. I'm back though and better than ever.
Also say thanx to Jezzaro. Thanks to the review they sent it, I have finally decieded that 'Yes' this is the final cut of chapter 21. I wasn't sure about…uh…what happens later. (You'll know when you read). I still have some doubts but mostly about what my readers would say about it. I happen to believe it adds to his character and to his unstability.
Ok I'm done talking now. Have fun enjoy…and beware it getts kind of…R ish at the end.
Why do we live? Why are we here in this world only to have our flame's light die out casting the place in which we existed into darkness?
Is there such a thing as a soul? And if so are humans the only ones with them? When you look into cat's eyes, do you see only a cat? Or do you see the basic life force of something greater.
A mother cat goes into a burning building receiving severe burns to save her kittens. Was that Instinct….or something different, something more, something that can only exist in a souled creature? Is it love?
When a dog gives its life for its master, is it only because the animal was obeying some instinct, or is there more to it. Does the dog love, and does he even realize the consequences of his actions. Death is something that goes against everything in the animal's instincts. Yet the dog and cat risks everything to save another.
Do I have a soul?
Does something that lives, but does not truly exist in the same sense as you do, even hope to have one? A creature outside of time, that lives in the now, never in the past or future.
Where do they go…if anywhere when they die?
Do Plants…and the two that walk among humans have souls?
Does Vash the Stamped have that same basic life force…does Knives? And if not…what then?
Over the course of the century Akako Hana wondered these questions. For what must have been a thousand times she tried to find the answers.
Was she really alive? Or was she just a machine programmed to believe that they are something different.
Humans on Gunsmoke didn't even know of her existence. They didn't know of the ones that live outside of time.
To humans they were machines.
To plants they were what they were.
And to Akako…she didn't know.
And so for over a century she simply did nothing but think. She remembered, she wondered, she envisioned and she hoped.
This was all she could do after all. She was damaged, damaged beyond repair and beyond hope. It was her punishment for the terrible things she had done.
She had killed the passengers, she had killed her sisters, and worst of all…she had killed Rem.
She had taken life. And in doing she had gone against everything she held dear to her.
Rem had told her, no one has the right to take the life of another.
She had no right. But she still had chosen a path. And that path had been stained with the blood of innocents.
In this hibernation…she went to places that no normal human could go. She saw colors and strange winds. She heard voices and felt the emotions of others. She couldn't control what she felt or saw and in this place the overload was pain.
She heard screams that made her ears bleed and felt the knives of every murdering and pain giver on the planet. She couldn't move anywhere and she couldn't search to see what was happening.
She simply waited, knowing for sure only what was within a few iles of where she lay. Everything else was lost in the storm.
And for over a hundred year she stayed in this terrifying place.
Rarely, she would allow herself to come back into sleep that her kind usually dwelled in. There she could hear the voices of her sisters. She listened, but never spoke.
She hoped that someday one of her children would run across a plant, and the plant would awaken to realize what he was.
For over a century, not one of her sisters spoke of the plant walkers. Which meant they had not realized they existed. For something such as her children, well they would be a great curiosity to the plants. Akako Hana liked to think that her sisters would awaken to meet them and ask questions. For none of their kind had ever existed in the same plane of life as humans.
And just before Akako had given up all hope, and was even fearing perhaps her children had died…one of her sister spoke.
For the first time in Akako's life she heard one of her sister actually excited.
The plant had spoke of pain and death that was to come…She had said something inside had been wrong and…one of them had fixed it.
She spoke of a blonde that looked-human-but-was-not man that helped her.
Death was nothingness, death was opposite of life.
If they knew anything, it was that they did not want death. They all feared and hated it when one of their own actually did die. Through their connections they could feel each other. Death of one, felt like death to all. They felt the darkness and the cold nonbeing that was death.
So this looked-human-but-was-not creature was something to be excited about.
My child…Akako had seen him then, seen him through the eyes of her sister. It wasn't a very clear picture, and she couldn't make out his features. But she still saw him.
She admired him in his flaring red coat. That was no doubts Rem's influence. Rem had a strange fondness for that color.
His hair was also sticking up in a spiky mass. For some reason that reminded her of how Rem would describe her Allan.
Akako had been happier that moment than she had been since Rem died.
This was one thing she had done right. She had made life. She had made a creature like herself that was not like her.
That was her child.
She had wondered as she slipped back into hibernation where his brother was. But she didn't worry, if one lived this long then it was likely his brother had as well.
It was many many days later, maybe even years later, it was hard to tell in the world she lived in, she had seen her son again.
This time he was saving a plant that had been injured by a human.
Akako was actually able to watch as the event unfolded because only moments before a sister had been killed.
She had felt death even in the windswept colored world that she had retreated to. It had been like an ache deep within herself. A deathly coldness had stolen over her limbs and she had seen the dark place of death again.
That dark place…it was always the same, whether it be human, animal or plant. All things went into the dark.
That death had forced her to slip into the sleep of her kind. It was there she could see through the eyes of her sister.
He looked exactly the same. The same red coat, the same spiky hair.
And this time she could see his face.
He was beautiful…so very perfect.
She had been forced to retreat then as her sister was killed that moment. The human that had hurt her…took her with him to the dark place.
They died together.
Once again she was forced into her hell. There was nothing else she could do. She had to wait, and hope that someone would come along that she could ask to get into contact with her sons.
As it was she had wasted too much energy even in the sleep of her kind. If she wanted to be able to actually talk to the one she contacted she had to go back.
And there she went…until finally something happened. The day she had waited over a hundred years for, had suffered for in an alternate reality for, had come.
It had come to her in the form of a human girl. A girl so pure and sweet that the very air around her seemed to glow.
She had been hurt and afraid. But even that could do nothing to damper the aura around her. She had the connection.
That had surprised her. Especially since it was so new and undeveloped. No doubt the child had to be in pain, being so far away.
Yet that pain did not degrade her. Instead it made her stronger.
She would live, no matter what happened. The connection even in its infancy could be shattered into a million pieces and she would have lived on.
She was an amazing human.
She Akako had called the child down to her.
She had told her story and had given her gifts to her sons.
Akako Hana had been so very happy.
Millions Knives
Vash the Stampede.
She knew her sons. Despite the fact she would never get to meet them face to face. She knew them. Names had a special power.
With names an individual steps out of the crowd.
She now knew her sons. They were no longer just her children.
They were, Vash and Knives.
They had become truly real to her that moment.
**************
Millie woke up with a start as the car she and had Knives had taken lurched to a stop.
Shaking her head sleepily she yawned and looked around.
Already her strange dreams of strange voices and stranger places was fading from her mind.
She smiled as she watched Knives climb out of the car. It was morning, and the first suns light looked extremly good on him. His features were casted in a yellowish soft and so very gentle shine. It made his skin glow in golden tones and his pale blonde hair seem like it was a source of light itself.
He was so very handsome.
"Where are we?"
She asked as she adjusted her seat to sit upright.
"Barbell city."
Millie raised an eyebrow.
"I've only been asleep for a hundred iles? Felt like longer."
Memories of her dream flashed through her mind. Wind and Darkness…she paused trying to bring the more of the dream back to her. However the dream was like sand through an open palm. And that was about all she could remember.
She shook her head to clear it and then got out as well. They were at a gas station to fill up.
Knives shrugged as he twisted the top off the tank. Of course she really hadn't expected him to verbally comment on that anyway. If Knives was anything, he was a quite man. He only said what needed to be said.
"I want to stop by the plant before we go."
Millie stopped mid stretch.
"Huh? Why?"
Knives shrugged again as gas started to fill the tank.
"She's upset."
Millie turned to look toward the plant. It was glowing softly but in a way that seemed non-threatening. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable she turned away from the light.
"Is that why the bulbs glowing?"
Knives jerked in surprise almost dropping the hose and spilling gas.
"You can see that!"
He asked stunned. Millie frowned not sure what the fuss was all about. After all she had been watching this plant from her house (well the glow it gave off really) since she had moved in.
"Why? Shouldn't I?"
Knives blinked and didn't answer for a moment. She couldn't read his face as he placed his mask on. Millie frowned damning Knives way to good poker face to hell and back.
"No, I mean it's not important."
"Well, ok if you say so."
Millie said not really convinced, but also not really curious enough to press the moody plant.
After paying the spider (well Millie did it really, Knives would have had no problem just taking off) they started toward the plant. Knives didn't speak and Millie seemed more than willing not to talk.
And that was a good thing right now. Because Knives was deep in thought.
She can see the plants energy? But…humans aren't supposed to be able to see that. What the hell is going on here?
Knives remembered what Millie said about the strange plant she had spoken with.
Millie spoke of being able to talk to Akako Hana.
Knives knew what that name meant, and what her having that name might mean. So he harshly slammed the thought down. There was no way in hell he was going think about that right now. Besides it couldn't be true…it just couldn't be.
What he did want to think about was the fact that Millie was…well he wasn't sure what was going on.
Maybe I should ask the plant. There's a chance she might know. Maybe Millie will be able to talk to her as well?
A human talking to a plant, and the plant answering back. That was just strange.
Although…Akako was our mother. Maybe she was different from the plants here.
Knives frowned deeper as he glanced at Millie. She was already asleep again.
He wondered briefly if she was dreaming, and if so what about.
His own dreams had been strange the last few months. He wondered if Millie's dreams were weird.
What am I thinking? My dreams have nothing to do with her. Dreams are nothing more than the brain firing nerve endings in sleep.
Knives gripped the steering wheel more tightly than was necessary. He watched as his knuckles turned white and the metal of the wheel actually gave a little.
He flinched slightly and, not wanting to break their car, loosened his grip.
He was feeling so confused and on edge.
And what really got him was he didn't know why?
He was antsy, feeling like he should be doing something, yet he didn't know what that was.
It was strange really. He had never felt this way before. Never felt so emotionally uncomfortable.
I should calm down.
He took a deep breath to try to take his own advice. It didn't work.
I don't know what is going on.
After all there was no real reason for him to be so anxious. He had his Millie, and he knew where Vash and his pet were. No doubt Vash would follow him in the sand crawler the moment he realized they were gone. So once he got a few things, which he should be able to find in the underground ship, his plans to destroy the spiders could be carried out.
Maybe he was just excited to finally be moving toward his long time goal. Sure Vash and Millie would be mad at him, but they would get over it after a year or two. He knew nether would kill him, for if they did there would only be three instead of four.
Knives glanced at Millie again and felt his body flush a little.
He really wanted to pick up where they had left off before being interrupted. He didn't care anymore that she was human.
He just wanted…
Well he wanted to be with her. He wanted her. But then again on the same note he wanted more than that. But that didn't make sense, what more to this was there than sex and lust?
I'm getting nowhere here. Well fuck it! This is lust I know. What else could it be! Only lust…and soon I'll fix this problem. Just not right now.
Hell maybe after he had slept with the human, maybe then he could kill her. If that happened he would kill Vash's pet as well, and then Eden would be as he had originally planned it.
That would be nice.
A small cruel smile touched his lips.
That would be very nice indeed.
Knives stopped the car as he came up on the plant. He climbed out not bothering to awaken Millie. Right now he wanted to talk to the plant alone.
He looked around carefully, there didn't seem to be any spiders around.
Carefully strapping on his gun he started toward the plant. His blue eyes turned hard as he started up the steel steps, which would lead him into the plant. He took note of a steel door that lead into the plant. Most likely it was locked and he would have to break in. That always-just plain pissed him off! The plants were his people, and to think that those disgusting spiders locked him out!
With a snarl he ripped the door off it hinges, lock and all. With the same violent motion he toss it behind him in a strangely never less graceful motion.
For a moment he just stood there in the doorway. His eyes and ears open for the sounds of an alarm of the scurrying of spiders.
He heard neither.
Despite the fact the place seemed deserted Knives made his way carefully through the maze of hallways. He had never been to this plant before and didn't really know how to get to the main bulb. However he could sense his sister and could take pretty good guesses where to go.
Finally he came upon the plant bulb. He could hear her hum softly although he couldn't really make out what she was saying.
He looked around again. He still didn't see any humans. That was kind of bizarre and suspicious.
It was unusual for spiders not to be at a plant. Plants were important; they were usually guarded…or at least had engineers on site 24 hours.
Shrugging to himself he walked up to the plant and placed his hands on the bulb.
Instantly he felt the power of his sister. She was upset and saddened.
Why?
He probed…although he wasn't sure where to look. Sure he might be a plant himself, but over the years he had very little physical contact with his kind. There had always been to many humans around them. And up until recently he had avoid (or killed) humans.
The dark placeHer words echoed through his head.
My sister went into the dark, never to return. We are sad. For when one goes we feel the coldness, when one goes we all see the darkness.
Knives took a step back.
She must mean Akako Hana. That's the only plant I know of that died. Strange…I didn't feel it. Usually I do if something happens to a plant.
The plant did not descend. Nor did she answer any of his questions.
Finally with a mental curse he gave up and stepped away from the bulb.
Maybe she's in mourning?
That was the only explanation he could come up with why she wasn't responding. The plant was still upset, and the power reading only proved that.
Walking over to the computers Knives started to work.
There wasn't anything he could do to make the plant feel better. But he could keep her from harming herself.
In only a few moments he had realigned the plant power fields and had set a safe level for the plant to rest in without causing problems to the city. Not that he cared about the cities. But if something strange were to happen, like a power outage then people would demand it to be fixed. Humans did not like being without power for any amount of time.
No matter if their demands harmed their plant or not.
Knives stopped typing.
He could…shut the plant down totally. Keep the humans from getting any power ever!
It wouldn't harm the plant now, although all the excess power might harm her in the long run.
Knives eye twitched.
No…plants had to give out power. It was in their design. It was their make, and it was unhealthy for them not to do their 'jobs'.
So he set the parameters to keep the power discharged from her emotions at a low. There would be no more spikes…that if powerful enough could cause an explosion.
Finished but not satisfied Knives let himself plop down into one of the computer chairs spread throughout the room.
Well that was even more than a waste of time. Not only did he not find out anything about Millie, but also the plant wouldn't even talk to him.
He glanced at a clock. It was still early morning. Knowing Vash the baka wouldn't get up until after noon. However, Knives had no idea how his pet spider slept. She might be an early riser. And if that were the case then his lead would be cut shorter than he would like.
As it was they only had about two hours on his brother.
"Yo Jake. Are you sure someone's in here?"
"Well the silent alarm went off dumbass!"
Knives head jerk up as he heard the voices of two spiders. Security guards from their talk
He whipped out his gun and pointed it at the door, right as the two men came out.
Instantly they stopped and gulped as one. There really wasn't anything they could do. They hadn't even taken out their guns.
Dumbass's! They go looking for a break in and aren't even ready.
"Throw you're guns down on the ground."
****************
Millie frowned as she tried to find her way through the maze of hallways. She had no idea where she was going…or how to even get back.
Should have waited in the car.
However at the time she hadn't known these plants were so large on the inside.
Millie rubbed her arm. It was starting to hurt again; a deep hurt, the kind of hurt that scared her. Those kind of hurts always spoke of worse things to come.
Of course she had been taking care of it, but she was still afraid of an infection.
An infection could be worse than bad. She had seen gunshot wounds just suddenly flare and the doctors not being able to do anything else…amputate.
She had a cousin on her fathers side that that had happened to. He had lost half his right arm below the elbow.
Millie shuttered. A mental image of Vash's fake arm in her mind. She would not lose her own arm. She would have the Med bots fix it up good as new. They had special medicines and stuff that could help.
Millie took a left as the hallways she was walking in came to a T.
She stopped a moment and tried to concentrate of the humming sound she could hear. It sounded vaguely like Akako Hana…so she assumed it was the plant.
I never knew they made noises.
But then again she knew hardly anything about plants. No one in her family…or even anyone she knew were plant engineers.
She supposed she would be learning a lot if things with Knives went well.
Millie blushed brightly, glad that no one was around to see it.
Last night had been so wonderful. Knives was a great kisser. He made her feel so wanted and beautiful. And he was so good at setting her body on fire.
Even now she could feel his hot breath on her neck, his passionate kisses against her lips.
"I want you."
He had actually said that. And the…uh…thing she had felt against her leg had only proved to her how much he meant it.
Millie stopped a moment to study a map placed on the wall. It was one of those 'in case of emergency' maps…it didn't tell her much. Although she did know where the closest exit was. So at least she could get out.
I've never done that before? Am I really ready for that kind of relationship?
After all she had only known Knives for a few months. They weren't even going out.
He had said nothing about long-term commitments, or love.
Just lust.
Millie shifted from foot to foot uncomfortable.
What if it was only that…only lust? What if he just wanted to fuck her and leave her?
I don't think I could handle that.
But then on the other hand, Knives didn't seem to be the type to do that to a girl. He hated humans. From what she could get from Vash…Knives avoided humans unless he was killing them.
Millie frowned, suddenly more confused that before.
Knives hated humans.
She was human, but he didn't hate her.
In fact he was…well he was overly happy last night.
I'm running myself into the ground. Just take this one step at a time. Nothing more nothing less.
She nodded to herself as went through an open door.
It was then she became aware of a sound…well sounds more like it.
Gasping Millie suddenly started to run toward the voices. One she was sure was Knives…and the other…well the other sounded like he was dieing.
Millie came running down the hall and came to a shocked and horrified stop as she suddenly found herself in the plants main room. She was on a balcony that wrapped around the room on the second floor. Looking around wildly she found some stairs and ran toward them.
"NO Knives STOP IT!"
Millie took the steps three at a time until she was on the sub floor.
Knives didn't seem to hear her as he continued to beat some poor man into a bloody heap. His fists over and over pummeled the man's face, making disgusting cracking…and wet noises, that even from where she was she could hear.
Millie took note of another man in the room. He was lying on the ground a thick puddle of blood laid out on the floor around his head.
He was obviously dead, so for now she ignored him. The one thought on her mind was she had to save the other man…unless it was to late already.
"KNIVES!"
Millie screamed as she ran into him full force. The shock of the collision stole her breath, and even Knives made a strange airy Oomph sound. Both went down hard onto the cold concrete floor.
"What are you doing Knives!"
Tears ran down Millie's face as she took notice of all the splattered blood on him. It covered him. On his face, his neck, his arms and his cloths. He was covered in a layer of blood, and she doubted that any of it was his.
Millie squeaked in surprise as suddenly Knives rolled them over.
It was then she got a good look at his face.
The breath stopped in her chest, and her heart froze.
His eyes were wide and staring…a crazy gleam in them. His face was twisted into some kind of monster. She didn't know what was going on, but she did know one thing.
This was not Knives.
"Bitch!"
He snarled at her before claiming her mouth.
Millie started to struggle instantly. The taste of Knives was still the same as he forced his tongue into her mouth. But the metallic tinge of blood made her stomach roll.
Yanking her head to the side she screamed. Her arms and legs thrashed out as Knives tried to hold her down.
This isn't Knives. This isn't him! Stop it please!
That god-awful strength of his however was being well used and Millie couldn't seem to get away. Although to her pride he seemed to be having trouble.
"Let go of me!"
Millie eyes widened in shock and horror as suddenly Knives unzipped her S.E.E.D.S jumpsuit she was wearing. The zipper betrayed her as it went down easily all the way to the middle of her stomach.
She tried to scream but Knives was kissing her again.
His hands went inside her clothes feeling things he shouldn't be touching.
If he had done this last night, she wouldn't have minded. But now…
OH god he's going to rape me!
Millie suddenly used all the strength in her body, which was quite a lot, to lift up at Knives. Legs and arms worked together as one, as Knives was pulled away from her.
Taken by surprise Knives made a grunting noise as he fell on his side.
Luckily for her…(although not so lucky for the men Knives had killed), their blood made the floor slippery. Knives wasn't able to get his balance right away.
And that gave Millie a few seconds to try and get away. She didn't take heed of what direction she headed. She just went!
This wasn't Knives. This wasn't the man she was in love with.
She knew that…and she would go to hell before she let this stranger violate her!
Sadly her new found freedom didn't last long. Knives…or monster he had become right now was simply too fast for her. She had gotten maybe ten feet away by the time he caught up with her.
Millie screamed in pain as he literally grabbed and threw her up against the plant's main platform. She winced as she tried to fight off unconsciousness. Her side hurt…and she was sure her arm was bleeding again.
"Knives…please…"
Millie said tears running down her face. However…that crazed angry look didn't leave his face as he walked up calmly to her.
"Take off your clothes."
He said taking out his gun and pointing it at her.
Millie tried to sit up…but a flaring sharp pain in her side convinced her not to move.
"No."
She said…
Knives left eyes twitched!
"No?"
His gun suddenly went off and Millie screamed as she felt the very wind from the bullet whiz by her.
"TAKE THEM OFF!"
He screamed his eyes starting to glow blue. Millie gasped, but she had seen this before so she wasn't too scared by it. (Unless of course you counted scared by what the glow meant)
"Fucking human bitch!"
Millie winched as another bullet went dangerously close to her.
She had to do something…but what? Knives was to strong for her. She couldn't out run him either.
Its like he doesn't even reconise me. He hasn't said my name once.
Millie's eyes widened.
That's it! I have to make him remember who he is.
Millie didn't understand what was going on. But it seemed that Knives mental unstablibly was really hitting him right now. It was just like when he freaked out because of Wolfwood. Only this time…he was being slighly more dangerous to her.
"Say my Name Knives! You know my NAME!"
He seemed suddenly confused; his face became something that more closely resembled the Knives she knew.
"I don't know you! You're just a disgusting spider! Nothing but a spider!"
"Yes you do!"
She said breathless, it was starting to hurt to breath.
"You told me, my eyes were a few shades lighter than the sky! REMEMBER…I gave you that hostler so you could protect both!"
When nothing he didn't say anything or even move. Millie tried again, taking this as a good sign.
You said you wanted me!"
He was obviously confused…like he could almost remember…but it was beyond his grasp.
"Spider's lies!"
He smiled cruely.
"But I still want you spider."
He suddenly said reaching down to grab her arms and hauled her up to her knees.
Millie once again was locked into a struggle as she tried to keep him from taking off her clothes.
"Stop it!"
She screamed trying to knock him away. She wasn't very successful as the jumpsuit fell free from her shoulders uncovering her from the waist up.
Another cold smile touched his lips. The blood of the two men he had just killed still stained his face. He knocked her down onto her back. And then grabbed at her jumpsuit, pulling on it down hard. Millie kicked at him as she felt the suit pulled all the way down ot her ankles.
She was now naked before him, except for her underwear. Running out of idea's she slashed at him with her nails. 4 ugly and surprisenly deep cuts welled up with blood on his neck.
He did seem to notice as he suddenly left her clothes alone…to start to take his own off.
Millie's eyes went wide in fear as she saw him working on the buckles to his pants. She could see the bulge pressing against the fabric.
God NO!
She suddenly reached out. Hoping against hope to find something to hit him with. Maybe even find the gun that he had laid somewhere.
However…nothing but smooth glass meet her probing fingers.
He ripped her underwear. And Millie didn't bother to look at him. She knew what he wanted was very close at hand.
NOOOOO STOP IT PLEASE STOP IT. NOT LIKE THIS!!!!!!!
Millie screamed inside her mind.
Suddenly Knives screamed in pain. Millie looked up in surprise as he jumped back away from her. He was holding his head and screaming. It was agonizing screams. Screams like he was dieing and worst. Like the worst tortures all done at once.
Those screams sent shivers down her spine.
Looking around in shock Millie instantly became aware that the plant was glowing.
It was glowing a fierce and angry pure white. Inside she could barely make out the form of the plant inside the bulb.
Knives fell to his knees.
Her heart contracted feeling for him. She hated to see him in pain. Even after this.
"Knives."
She screamed as she pulled up the jumpsuit so she could get up. Stabbing pain in her side almost made this impossible. She briefly wondered if she had broken some ribs.
Knives apparently heard her because he stopped screaming so suddenly it was eerie and looked up.
"Millie?"
He asked confused. He then noticed how she was half undressed…and his own state of undress.
His eyes widened in horror.
"I…I…Millie."
Millie looked away as he fixed his pants.
She kneeled beside him and suddenly she flung her arms around him and started to sob in his shoulder.
"God Knives….I was so scared. You wouldn't stop. You just wouldn't…stop."