AN: WhooWee….ok, now thank you all for waiting for this. I have to admit I had some serious…well not really writers block. I could have written more, but it wouldn't have had substance. I didn't know where I was going. However….you have my sister to thank now. We talked about this story in great length. She told me what she thought, and I told her some idea's I had, but didn't know how to use.

She was actually the very reason I came to realize an Idea I really liked for a dream, could work for the entire story line.

Well anyway, here ya go.

White-hot hate.
Surging through his entire body. Coursing twisting burning, pain….pain there was nothing but pain.

He couldn't stand it. It fucking hurt! It was tearing through his body, ripping and destroying everything it touched.

He opened his mouth. But to cry for help or to simply scream he couldn't tell. He couldn't hear himself. Couldn't even hear his own thoughts as the roaring white-hot hate and rage boiling in his veins.

"She…fucking lied to me."

The words harsh and guttural in his throat were understandable…just barely.

Images, not belonging to him. Not belonging to anyone anymore, poured through his being.

It wasn't memories, it wasn't thoughts….it was simply knowledge. It was a voice from the grave telling him more about his plant body than he ever could have guessed.

He was by far more unlike a human than he had thought.

So different that it was mind-boggling.

Yet the same…a creature molded after the image, and thoughts, and the very being of a human.

He was the same, yet different, the same yet something more.

And he finally understood….

****

"VASH!"

Tears streamed down Meryl's cheeks as Vash lay on the crawler floor. He wasn't moving…well except for the tremors shaking through his body.

"Please Vash! What's wrong? FRED!"

Meryl's tears turned into nearly hysterical sobs as Vash's eyes rolled into his head and he started gagging.

"Here. Put this in his mouth. Keep his head straight."
Fred handed Meryl a mouth guard that he had apparently gotten from the medical kit he was holding.

Grabbing onto Vash's face, she tried to force the mouth guard into his mouth. It was hard, Vash was fighting her.

"She…fucking lied to me. BITCH!"

Meryl's eyes got wide as Vash started to sputter out curses and foul language. He spoke of killing of tearing and ripping into a body and seeing the blood and gore.

He spoke of killing with such fever that…that is scared her.

He opened his mouth to speak some more and Meryl took the opportunity to shove the plastic into his mouth.

"What's wrong with him!"

Fred frowned as he used his robot strength to hold Vash still. He was convulsing and might hurt himself or Meryl if they weren't careful.

"I'm not sure Miss. Meryl."

And then…suddenly…it stopped. Vash's body just went still.

So still in fact that for one horrifying moment Meryl thought that he had died.

"Vash?"

She shook his shoulders.

Vash opened his eyes.

"We…have to hurry."

Vash spoke his voice hoarse and raspy.

"We have to hurry. He's going to try and hurt Millie."

Meryl blinked and took a deep breath.

"Those were Knives words weren't they?"

Meryl said softly remembering that Vash had a special mental connection with his brother.

Vash sat up and then up straight into Meryl's eyes.

For one horrifying moment Meryl thought that his eyes had changed colors. For that moment in time his eyes were pure black. So black that one couldn't tell where the pupil began or ended. They were dark and deep. And for that second she felt like she was falling.

But then…then he blinked.

 And light blue-green eyes regarded her silently.

"Yes. He…learned some things. But not all of what needed to be known. The box…"

Vash shook his head, whispering to himself that he wish he had thought to bring it.

Fred made a coughing noise and after reaching behind him presented said box.

Vash gave Fred a strange look. Surprise that Fred actually had the box was clearly evident on his face.

"I thought it was best if I brought it."

Vash nodded and slowly took the object from Fred.

"What is it?"

Vash frowned.

"I'm not sure. But its twin…another box that Knives has just opened…it what's caused that."

Vash didn't continue, as he looked the box over. He ran his hand over one of the edges. His fingers stopped and lightly flexed against it.

His face was like Meryl had only seen a few times. Hard and thoughtful, in fact she hadn't seen him like this since he had told her what he truly was.

After a moment, where he seemed to be warring with himself, he made a decision.

"I can't open this now."

He removed his fingers from the edges and set the box down.

"Why not? And why would you want to…that was terrible VASH!"

Vash looked so tired. His shoulder slumped a little as he tried to stay sitting up.

"I will have to open it soon. But not now…we have to wait and see what happens."

The sound of the engine starting and the crawlers lunching forward slightly was the only indication that Fred had left them to continue driving.

Meryl hadn't given the robot a second thought really.

All her concentration was on Vash.

"Meryl…will you do something for me?"

Vash smiled. It was a tired and slightly sad smile, but it was a real one. And even for her his wife that was a rare thing from him.

"Anything Vash."

Meryl breathed as she helped steady him.

"Will you fall asleep with me?"

Meryl frowned, not that she wouldn't. But just because it was an odd request. However she felt a strange drawing to him. She wouldn't…no she couldn't say no to him.

"Ok."

She said softly. Vash smiled again, and leaned forward capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

"I love you Meryl."

And even as he said these words his eyes drifted lower in sleep.

"Don't' you want to get to a bed Vash?"

Vash didn't answer as he laid back. Only Meryl's hold on him kept him from just slumping over and possibility hitting his head.

Meryl started to stand up. Vash's hand with inhuman speed shot up and grabbed her arm.

"Don't…Meryl."

Meryl smiled.

"I'm just getting a blanket Vash.

"No…don't go."

He didn't open his eyes. But she could see his want for her to say with him.

So with a shrug she laid down beside him.

She really didn't need a blanket after all. Vash was warm enough for her.

She snuggled against him, throwing an arm around his chest.

She wasn't tired…at least she hadn't been when she laid against him.

Yet the moment she relaxed she felt her eyes grow heavy.

Yawning wide…she slipped into a calm and peaceful sleep.

****

Millie woke up startled. Sitting straight up she looked around with wide eyes. She turned in bed, looking at every inch and dark corner in her little room.

Her breathing was short and sharp, and her hands were fists on the bed.

Something had scared her. But she didn't know what. She could not remember her dreams for once.

"Just a dream. It must have just been a dream."

Still that did not stop the feelings that something was wrong.

Something in the back of her mind was screaming at her. She had to go…she had to do something.

"Knives?"

Millie spoke into the semi-dark on her room.

He was not here.

Carefully Millie turned her legs off the bed and stood up. She was surprised that her ribs were only sore. And not the same kind of pain, this was a healing pain.

Her wrist still hurt, but it was in a cast. So nothing to worry about there.

Millie nodded to herself, as she was able to stay standing without much pain, or dizziness.

Move. Run…hide.

Millie startled again as something spoke into her head.

She remembered this voice. It was the same one that had spoken to her when Knives had been hurt during that sandstorm at her parent's house.

Millie opened her door, looking both ways before she continued. She wasn't sure what the hell was going on. But something was defiantly wrong.

There was something in the air that she could almost taste. A tension, a thickness in the air that all but screamed out danger.

No not that way. Turn left.

Millie swallowed hard. Was she going crazy? Only crazy people heard voices in their heads.

Millie turned left.

There wasn't much she could do. It wasn't like she knew where she was going.

And something inside told her to listen to this voice. It was important.

It was a matter of life or death.

For the next 10 minutes Millie listened to the voice as it gave her directions to some place unknown. She was farther in the ship than she had ever been.

Needless to say she was totally lost.

However she still walked quickly, not a run and not quite a jog, but a steady fast walk.

Stop…here.

Millie stopped in front of a door. It was one of those doors that was locked and would only open when she said for them to.

In fact, now that she thought about it most of the doors she had gone through were locked like that.

Millie gave that a moments thought before telling the door to open.

"Oh my God."

Millie blinked, rubbed her eyes and blinked again.

"I must still be asleep."

Millie walked forward, her bare feet walking onto cool and slightly moist grass. It was so soft that she couldn't resist bending down and touching it.

"This…this is the place I've dreamed about."

The rec room.

Millie continued up a small hill until she came to the tree that she had dreamed about. It was exactly the same. Reaching out she placed her hand against the rough bark. She could feel it, feel the texture and the slight warmth of the living plant.

"Knives had sat here. And Rem was over there cutting Vash's hair."
She whispered to herself, remembering on of the more vivid dreams about this place.

"This can't be real."

It was impossible. A person couldn't dream about a place they had never been. They couldn't see the future or the past (if they hadn't been there to begin with)

It was impossible, it was crazy.

But yet…

It was here. She was here. And this place was just like in her dreams.

Millie brushed her hair out of her eyes, and slowly sat down against the tree. She remembered in one dream of sitting in this exact spot as the full grown Knives had walked up to her.

Millie crossed her arms placing them on her knees and rested her chin of them.

She didn't know what to think anymore. Everything was so strange.

Millie blinked as a yellow butterfly fluttered over to her. She watched it a small smile on her face as it landed on the ground in front of her.

"So you're a butterfly. I've never seen one before…well other than pictures."

Millie reached out…and very very softly touched one of its wings. Surprisingly the butterfly didn't move, just flapped its wings lightly.

"You shouldn't touch its wings. They are delicate."
Millie gasped and whirled toward the voice.

"Knives."

She breathed startled.

Knives was standing only a few feet away. How he had gotten in her without her knowing she didn't know. 

Run, hide, danger!!!

Millie's eyes grew wide as the voice screamed at her. It was so loud. It rang through her head, making it hard to think. She winced slightly, raising a hand to her head at the pounding headache that was forming.

"Are you alright?"

Knives asked his face twisting into something that was the closest to concern that she had ever seen on his face.

See there is nothing wrong. If he meant me harm he wouldn't be concerned.

She smiled as she rubbed her temple.

"Its nothing. I just have a headache."

Millie ignored the voice. She had never been scared of Knives before. And she wouldn't start now. Especially it some crazy voice was telling her to.

Knives didn't say anything as he kneeled beside her.

Millie swallowed hard as she noticing something was different about him. She couldn't put her finger on it but it was unnerving her never the less.

Knives stared at her hard, as if he wanted to see into her soul and more.

"How did you know that Vash got his hair cut here? Did he tell you?"

Millie opened her mouth, and then closed it.

So Knives had been her the entire time.

"No."

She said simply.

"I dreamt it. I've been dreaming about this place a lot."

Knives eyes widened for half a second, before narrowing in disbelieve.

"How can you dream of this place. You've never…"

"Seen it before, I know. But I have."

Millie shook her head unsure how to tell Knives about her dreams.

"I had this one. You were sitting there watching a dark haired woman cut Vash's hair.  You were both kids. You had an apple…"

Something on Knives face made her stop.

"I…threw it at you."

Millie gasped her eyes now very wide.

"But it didn't hit me. You then yelled at me."

Suddenly Knives rushed forward and pressed his lips to hers.

Millie was so taken unaware that she fell back. However Knives didn't break the kiss as he went with her.

Knives didn't let up as he deepened the kiss. His tongue darted in through her lips, taking its time as it ran sensuously across those lips.

Millie moaned suddenly feeling very warm.

"I want you Millie. Let me….please."

After that one kiss Millie found it hard to find her breath. She stared wide-eyed into his face. Searching for any emotions, anything to help her make her decision.

She saw lust there.

There was no love, no caring, just lust.

What did I expect? I may love Knives, but he doesn't love me in return.

Knives was halfway on top of her. She could feel his erection through the thin gown the bots had given her to wear.

She wanted this. Even if Knives didn't love her. She loved him, and he felt attracted toward her. And if that was all she was going to get, well, then she would make that enough.

She could be contended with Knives like this. Maybe never blissfully happy, but she could live contented in his arms.

She simply had to decide. Yes or no.

But…something was still wrong. Something in his eyes made her stop. It was subtle, and she hadn't noticed it at first so bent on her decision.

His eyes weren't focused on her.

He was looking at her, but not at her. He was seeing past her.

"Knives? What's the matter?"

"Its too late."

Millie blinked as she realized something.

He was no longer thinking about her. She wondered if he had at all just moments ago. Was he just moving on instinct? Doing but not thinking about what he was doing.

That's what wrong.

She thought to herself.

I have his body and lust. But his mind, his thoughts were somewhere else.

"What's too late?"

Knives eyes brightened, becoming an ice blue of such intensity it scared her. Millie swallowed as she looked upon him.

"Let me up Knives."

She whispered softly.

Knives focused on her face. And for one terrifying moment Millie thought he wouldn't do as she said. But finally he nodded and got off her. Millie sat up, never taking her eyes off Knives.

"What's too late Knives?"

She asked again.

"Everything."

He said softly.

"I'll show you."

With that he stood up and then offered his hand to her. Millie took it after a moments hesitation. Her misgivings about this was great.

With very little effort, Knives yanked her up. The force of it almost caused her to over balance, however Knives caught her shoulder with his free hand.

Their eyes met, and the world stood still for them.

Millie felt the power between them. Felt the attraction and her own personally feelings toward Knives like a lead vest around her chest, making it hard to breath.

Knives smiled softly.

Before he brought up his hand from her shoulder to caress her cheek with his thumb.

Millie's eyes flickered down, as she watched the motion. She then looked up into his eyes again. A shaky breath escaped her lips, as said thumb moved across her lower lip.

"You feel it to?"

"Feel…feel what?"

Knives didn't answer as he continued to softly explore her face with his hand. Soft fingers, brushing against her skin following the contours.

"I have something to show you."

And with that he abandoned her face, although he kept a tight grip on her hand. He turned sharply around and led her out of paradise.

****

Vash…wake up Vash. You have to hurry. You have to be quick. Stop him Vash.

He was dreaming. He knew he was.

So why was he so scared. Why was he feeling such dread?

'Rem…what do I do? Help me.'

He opened his eyes, to see only darkness.

'Rem are you here somewhere?'

God he hoped not. It was so dark, so cold. It hurt to think that his Rem was in this place.

Vash tried to take a step forward, and nearly fell. Something was wrong with how his feet moved. They did move, but it was slowly, sluggish. Like he was walking through something.

He couldn't see, so he reached down…his fingers touched wetness.

Water? But where would he find water like this, so much in one place that it came up to his waist.

Not water Vash. Blood.

Vash's eyes grew wide as he then smelled it. He could smell that sweetly sick metallic smell. The smell of blood.

He wasn't wading in water. It was blood, a sea of blood.

He screamed, jumping up to try and get away. But he still couldn't see anything. He couldn't even see the blood.

So he tripped, and fell. He screamed again, only to choke as his head ducked under the sticky, slightly thicker than water liquid.

Surging up he reached out, and by some miracle found something solid. He grabbed onto it and forced his body out of his hell.

Crawling up onto, what had to be land Vash retched. He couldn't help it. He always hated the sight of blood. And the taste of it in his mouth was more than he could stand.

His body was racked by violent upheavals as he tried to empty his stomach. It felt like he was trying to rip out that very organ.

Struggling with himself he managed to roll over, he dry heaved a few more times before he finally stopped.

Vash truly shaken to his core, looked out from where he had come. In the far distance a small amount of light from a rising sun started to shine across the bloody water.

The water shimmered and sparkled, in a morbidly beautiful way. And Vash found himself captivated by the site.

The sound of footsteps on the gravel beside him was the only sign that anyone was there with him.

Blinking still in shock he looked up.

"Beautiful in its own way isn't it Vash."

"Rem?"

Rem smiled as she lowered herself gracefully to the ground.

"I am the memory of that woman yes."

Vash frowned as he studied the woman beside him. She looked like Rem, sounded like her. The only difference that he could see was that she was wearing a light blue dress. It was long and flowing, and gently moved in the slight breeze that was blowing.

Rem never had worn a dress. She always wore either S.E.E.D.S uniforms or a white t-shirt and jeans.

"Just a memory?"

Vash asked.

"That woman is gone, gone into the darkness never to return."

"Oh."

Vash said sadly as he looked out toward the sunrise again.

"Is this a dream then? Or have I died?"

"Perhaps a little of both."
Rem smiled.

"You will have to be strong Vash. Strong for Knives, and strong for yourself. If you do not hurry everything will be lost."

With that she stood up again and started toward the water. Vash sat up straight startled as she walked out so that her feet became wet. He watched horrified as the bottom of her dress, and her feet, which he just noticed were bear, became soaked red in blood.

"Soon this sea of blood will become real. The blood of thousands of humans will soon be shed. Their screams will shake this world. Remember Vash, when one goes into the darkness we all do. When one goes into wind we all feel the cold."

'Vash wake up. Please Vash."

Rem looked up, which cause Vash to as well.

Confused Vash looked back at Rem.

"Meryl? Is that Meryl?"

"Wake up Vash."

Rem voice because thin, and echoed. A ghostly sound that didn't seem like it could come from any creature that breathed.

"Rem? REM!"

He screamed out as she started to back up. To Vash it didn't look like she was walking back, but instead the bloody water was swallowing her.

"NO REM DON'T LEAVE ME! PLEASE COME BACK!"

Vash…take care of Knives.

"NOOOOO!!!!"

Vash screamed reaching out, trying to catch her and…….

"VASH WAKE UP!!"

Vash startled awake, breathing hard with tears streaking down his face.

He blinked as he looked around and instantly recognized the inside of the crawler.

"Meryl?"

He said confused as Meryl wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel her shaking as she pressed her body to his in a desperate half frightened, half pure knee shaking relief embrace.

"You were screaming. And then you wouldn't wake up."

"I had a bad dream."

Vash said breathlessly. As he wrapped his arms around her to hold her as well.

Closing his eyes he took a moment to take comfort in her closeness.

But was it only a dream? Is what Rem said true? Is Knives really…going to finally try and destroy mankind?

Meryl let go of his neck to look into his eyes. She frowned worried as she reached up to wiped away the wetness from her husband's eyes.

"Don't worry Vash. It was just a dream."

Was it just a dream? Was that sea of blood spanning as far as I could see just a dream? Or is it true?

Vash took Meryl's hand into her own.

"I'm not so sure about that."

Shaking his head, he tried to remember what 'Rem' had said to him.

"When one goes into the dark we all do. When one goes into the wind, we all feel the cold."

Meryl blinked leaning back a little.

"What does that mean Vash?"

Vash shrugged as he stood up. With a quick gesture he brought Meryl to her feet as well.

"I'm not sure. But…I think Knives is going to do something terrible."

Meryl took a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves.

Everything was happening to fast. First Vash starts to seizure and not even an hour later he had woken her up screaming. His screams had been terrifying. Like he was being tortured or something worse.

I can't stand much more of this. This has to end. I don't care what I have to do. I won't let Vash suffer anymore.

"Fred…"

Vash yelled toward the front of the crawler where Fred was driving.

"Yes, Vash-sama."

"We have to get into the ship. Do you have the access codes?"

There was a moment pause.

"No Vash-sama. The ship is voice-coded."

Vash frowned a moment.

"But how…?"

"The ship was coded to Millie's voice sir."

Vash hissed as he rubbed his head to ward off the headache.

"Damn it!"

He cursed loudly as he allowed himself to fall backwards onto the pillow Meryl or Fred had gotten him.

"What does that mean?"

Meryl asked rose onto her knees.

"Its mean's that unless Fred has some brilliant idea, we won't be able to get into the ship."

"Well…."

Fred said after a moment's thought.

"There is a service door. Its only purpose was for the bots to use if need be. I might be able to access it."

Vash's face broke on into a wide relieved smile.

"Good. We'll aim for that. If it doesn't work…well we'll think of something."

With that Vash stood up. He then surprised Meryl by going straight to his gun and holstering it on. She stood up and went to stand beside him as he checked the rounds.

"Vash?"

Vash flinched slightly as he soft tone. His eyebrows were drawn together, his eyes shining brightly with total anguish.

"I don't want to hurt my brother Meryl. I love him. Despite everything he's done. But…"

Vash looked down at Meryl, as a tear rolled down his face.

"But, I also love you. And I can't let him kill anymore. He has to be stopped. No matter the cost."

Vash looked down at his gun. It shone in a dully in the dim light of the crawler.

The gun looked cold and harsh. Its very presence symbolized something that went against everything Vash stood for.

Meryl had never hated that gun as much as she did now.

With a quick flick of his wrist the gun snapped into place.

"I dreamed that I was wading in a sea of blood."

Vash's voice broke, and he had to take a moment to gather himself.

"The sun rose over that blood, painting the world in red. Rem told me that…that Knives caused this. And that when one went into the dark we all did."

Leaning forward Vash kissed Meryl softly on the lips.

"Meryl, you were right. He is a monster."

Meryl blinked and opened her mouth. However nothing came out. She was to overcome with emotions.

No no no!! Damn you Vash. You can't do this to me. You can't do this to yourself. You don't deserve this. Please…god no.

Meryl clinched her fist as Vash turn around to get ready. His trademark red coat was put on and the gun put in its hostler.

She held back tears of rage by shear will alone.

Knives was doing it. He was making Vash chose. He was making him choice between humanity and family.

No Vash. I won't let you do this. I won't let Knives do this. I don't care what I have to do!

You will not have to kill Knives!

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"