AN: Uhmmm I'm sorry. That's all I have to say. (which should really freak you readers out)

I was once asked in a dream. What do I fear?

At the time I had been angered by the question. I was a superior being. I feared nothing. Nothing could truly hurt me and nothing could cause me to tremble.

But I am wiser now.

I know that death is the same for me as it is the humans. I know the dark and I know the winds. And that scares me.

I don't want to go to that place again.

When I had opened the gift from my mother. She knew what I had done. And I knew all that she had done. For that brief moment, not even death was great enough to keep us apart. I had seen her, talked to her and felt the warmth of her body.

She had been so sad.

She had thought that I was like Rem. That I cared for the humans like Rem.

She thought I wasn't a killer.

Her shock was nothing like mine, as I learned the truth about my birth.

To learn that Rem was as much our mother as Akako Hana had been almost more than I could bare. Rem…the same Rem that had contaminated my brother. She wasn't happy with just that. She had to dirty our mother as well. Had to give our mother those stupid ideal's about life.

It was because of my mother, that the humans lived.

And now she was dead.

Dead but not gone.

I am afraid.

When one goes into the dark we all do. When one feels the winds, we are all cold.

I understand that now.

Akako Hana is in a place of neither life nor death. A place that only those outside of time can find. It is the opposite of life, opposite of everything that Rem believed in, but it is not death.

Death is a part of life. Even Rem knew that.

The dark place is a complete nonexistence. The most terrible place you can imagine, but it is not a place. It has no ground, no sky and no air. It is the feelings of terror and hate. It is what life never meant to be.

It is nothing.

I am afraid. But I will not let this fear govern me.

I will kill the humans.

And without the humans, my mother will pass on outside of time. She will finally die. And then everything Rem stood for, humans, love, and life…will finally be gone.

I had once killed a man. He had been a distant relation of Rem's. I had killed him and then told Vash that everything connected to that woman was now dead.

I know now how appallingly wrong I was. Everything was connected to her. Every waking moment, every breath the humans took was connected to her. Rem like our mother couldn't pass on until it was over. Until the humans died.

I don't know why…but I think that Rem is in the dark place as well. That maybe her connection to our mother, to Vash…is somehow letting her stay.

Maybe that's why Vash can't forget her. Because she's not dead yet.

Vash, you are my brother.

Long ago, at the beginning I did what I wanted to do. I forced the ships down. I worked long and hard to create our Eden despite you going against me.

I did what I had to do.

I hope someday you forgive me.

For I'm now doing what I must do.

This has to be finished. And when the story ends, only two humans will be able to see the next sunrise.

I don't know why I'm letting them live. Maybe I've finally seen what a human can be.

And as I thought once long ago

"Millie…you're not a spider, not a butterfly. You're something completely different and I think I've finally discovered what. You're a light in the dark places of the world. You shine and glitter allowing those lost to find their ways again. Its too bad that I can't follow that light."

I can't follow you're light.

I was never about to, and despite the pain it caused us. We are here. You have said you love me, and I believe you.

I don't know why, maybe it's the energies that connect us. The energies that make me hurt when we are apart, and make it so that I can't kill you.

I'm sorry I can't love you in return.

I don't even love my brother.

I can't love.

I'm sorry, and in that dream you took shape asking me. 'What do you fear knives?'

I fear…being afraid.

Knives ignored Millie as she cried. He could hear her, could see her. But he couldn't speak. He was locked inside himself. He couldn't stop what he was doing…even if he wanted to. It was almost like he was on the outside looking in.

He wanted to comfort her. To tell her everything was all right. That he…that he, felt for her. It was more than lust. He was connected to her. Their energies were merged and it was like he was a part of her, and she a part of him. They couldn't leave each other without suffering.

And it seems we can't be together without hurting as well.

"Stop crying!"
He barked, surprising himself with how harsh he sounded.

No no no…stop crying Millie. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to destroy the things I touch. Be all right…please.

But he couldn't speak these things, even through the mind speech. He could do nothing but make sure that everything was going according to plan.

The plant was doing good. The power still inside even after a hundred years was starting to build up. Soon she would explode, and using his own plant powers he would force the energy to become like a blanket over the world, smothering the humans until they ceased to breath.

He didn't think it would hurt the other creatures, the Thomas's or the cats. But he wasn't sure. It might end up that they would become the last 4 living creatures on the planet.

But he didn't care. He couldn't stop.

Soon this shall all be over. The darkness will flee, and the sun shall chase away the bad dreams. Soon…very soon.

He heard, rather than saw Millie move behind him. Frowning deeply he turned around question in his eyes. Millie didn't say anything as she walked up to him, so close that they were almost touching.

He looked deeply into her eyes. Eyes so blue, only a few shades lighter than the sky.

They looked so sad.

Then without warning she wrapped her arms around his neck and forced his head downward to catch his lips into fiery kiss.

"Uhmmphf!"

He muttered startled against her soft lips. He wanted to ask why? He wanted to ask her what she was doing. But nothing came to his mind, nothing but her oh so soft lips seemed to suddenly matter.

Knives wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer.

"Millie?"

"Don't talk, just kiss me Knives. Please."

Knives grunted as he felt her tongue flicker across his lips. It almost had emotions of its own, so shy and so needing. Knives opened his mouth. Letting her do as she willed.

Knives was quickly consumed. His body caught fire like never before. He wanted this, no he needed this.

He felt only slightly surprised when Millie forced his shirt up. He was still wearing the S.E.E.D.S shirt so she was able to find flesh fairly easily.

He groaned, feeling himself swell. Millie pushed against him more. Their bodies touched head to toe as Knives was forced back against the computer. Instinctively one hand went behind him to steady himself and to keep from being knocked over. The other moved to the back of the hospital gown that Millie was wearing. A quick pull and the gown opened in the back.

"It's alright Knives…"

Knives groaned softly into her mouth as his hand roamed the bare skin of her back. She felt so good against him. So good…

Knives eyes got extremely wide as Millie then shifted slightly, shrugging her shoulders.

The movement was slight, but was enough to cause the thin material of the gown to fall to her feet.

He swallowed as he looked down at her. He had never seen her before. Never seen her like this.

"Millie…"

***

Meryl opened her eyes…her body hurt so much. Swallowing hard she looked up, and at her hand, which was tightly grasping a ladder rung, but not the one she had been aiming for. In fact she had fallen nearly 20 feet before she had gotten a hand on the ladder.

She didn't remember much when she had finally grabbed it. The combination of her fear and the sudden wrenching stop had been enough to almost make her pass out.

But in the end, despite the hot white lancing pain in her arm and shoulder, it didn't matter. She was alive and she had gotten to the ladder.

Pulling herself up, Meryl's feet found purchase, thus ensuring her safety for now. For a moment she just let herself breath.

I did it Vash. I'm alive!

Grimacing Meryl reached and started to climb. It was hard. Her body was aching from every nerve, not to mention her hand had been sliced to ribbons by the metal edge of the duct. She hadn't looked at it yet, but the blood was enough to tell her it was bad.

Can't stop now…so little time.

Now that she was on the ladder all she had to do was climb 5 flights up and then get onto the human service ramp. The ladder unlike the service duct was build for humans. And thus it wouldn't be nearly as hard to get off, as it had been to get on.

I see it…that's where I have to get off. Come on Meryl…just a little farther.

Pushing her body like she had never before Meryl climbed up. Every rung climbed was a victory, was a mountain that she had conquered.

As she got to the exit, she paused.

Not really as bad indeed. In fact there was a small walkway for her. It still wasn't safe and she would have to be carefully. But there was a place to put her feet, and a place to hold onto as she moved sideways toward what had to be a door that the elevator would have stopped at.

Moments later Meryl collapsed onto the first steady and real floor that she had seen since leaving the surface. Gasping she just laid there a moment, trying to gain her bearings.

I did it. I really did it!

She smiled, which was ruined by a grimace of pain.

And finally she looked at her hand.

"Oh dear God."

She whispered.

No wonder it hurt so much. Feeling faint Meryl checked the large flap of her hand that had nearly been totally shaved off. Only a tiny piece of skin and tissue was keeping it on. The cut was from the side of her palm, going up slightly and to the left. The cut ran the entire length of her hand and was bleeding really bad.

It had cut, skin, tissue, muscle and arteries.

Swallowing hard Meryl used her good hand to cut more of her cape off. This was made easier since the duct had sliced it up rather nicely.

Never thought this coat would save me so. I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't protected me against the edges like it did.

Quickly she wrapped her hand. It wasn't great, but would work until…well until her job was finished. She had to hurry now. Fred hadn't been sure how long Vash would stay unconscious. And no doubt he would be much quicker to move through the ship than herself. She had to get to Knives and kill him before Vash did.

Ok, now that's out of the way…where do I need to go?

Meryl pulled out of her pocket the tiny piece of paper that Fred had given her.

"Go 120 steps to the 16 door on the left. Turn left go another 4 doors turn left, then a immediate right…."

Meryl stopped and sighed deeply. She had a ways to go. Just from these instructions she could tell the ship was huge.

"I hope I don't get lost."

Slowly Meryl forced herself to her feet. Her shoulder ached terribly, as did her arm, and for a moment she wondered if she hadn't done some serious damage to it.

Can't stop. I can still aim a gun that's all I have to do.

Folding her arm to her body to help with the stabbing pain Meryl started at a fast walk. She didn't run, no…she couldn't risk not paying attention and getting lost. Better this than that. She had to be careful. So little time.

I can feel it. Can actually feel the tension in the air. It's so thick and hot in here.

Looking around Meryl kept a keen look out for anything dangerous….mostly Knives. Just because he HAD been in the plant room, didn't mean he was still there. He could be anywhere really. Meryl had to be ready.

Meryl took out one of her many guns. The slight smell of gunpowder and leather calmed her a little. The smell reminded her of Vash.

She laughed softly.

Funny how I can't get Vash out of my head at a time like this. But then again…I'm here because of…no I'm here for Vash. So I guess it's not that strange.

The 16th door.

Meryl turned toward it…it was closed.

"How do I get through?

She couldn't see a doorknob, or anything kind of control panel.

"Damnit, Fred didn't say anything about this."

Meryl placed her hands against the door. She tried pushing it, sliding it and even ran her fingers along the entire edge of it. Opening to find something…anything.

However nothing she seemed to do did anything.

She growled as her anger started to rise. There was no way in hell she had gone through all this to be stopped by a stupid door. She was not going to sit down and wait for Vash now.

"WHY WON'T YOU WORK!!!"

Meryl suddenly screamed out, forgetting that Knives could be anywhere and might hear her. She didn't care. She was mad. She didn't want to fail now. She couldn't fail now. She had nearly been killed in the elevator. She could barely move her arm, and she was still bleeding from her two cuts.

"OPEN!!!"

She yelled out, kicking the door as hard as she could.

Swooosh

And the door opened.

Blink blink

What in the world?

Meryl stepped through the door. Her toes hurt a little, but it was ok. She didn't break them on the door so it wasn't something to worry about.

"Why?…"

Suddenly it hit her. She had told the door to open.

Voice activated then? I read about that, I didn't know you could do that to a door too. I can't believe that still works. This ship is amazing. In such amazing condition even after a hundred years.

She shook her head and once again took off in her fast walk.

Fourth door on the left. There it is.

"Open…"

Meryl said with something less than confidence in her voice. True she thought saying open opened the doors. But what it if had been a fluke. Or worst yet, what if she had to kick every door. She didn't know if her toes could take that.

However much to her relief the door opened with a loud whooosh.

She looked down at her map.

Once I get to the plant docking area, I have to find the right one. Fred said there were seven, not counting the main plants on the second floor. I'll have to be careful. Their so close together if I make to much noise in one, Knives will hear in the next.

I have to hurry.

***

"Millie…"

Millie stepped back slightly and looked down. Her face looked so sad as she crossed her arms around her stomach. Other than that she made no move to hide herself.

Knives blinked as looked at her. She was beautiful. She was perfect.

She was so much of what he wanted, and so much that disgusted him at the same time. Human flesh, but flesh nevertheless, something he wanted, but something he hated. He wanted to kill her, but he couldn't.

Millie was a contradiction to him.

They weren't right for each other. In fact what he was doing now was tearing her apart. He could sense this. Through their connection he could see into her soul and see the turmoil within.

Millie's arms dropped, and finally she looked up at him.

A storm raged in her eyes.

"I don't want to think. Make me forget….just for little while."

She was crying again. And Knives couldn't say anything about it.

After a moment he stepped forward again and softly touched her bare shoulder.

The skin shivered, but she made no move to stop him as he brushed his hand down her arm.

Her skin felt so warm, so soft.

He leaned and kissed the place where her neck and shoulder met. He felt her tilt her head giving him more of her neck.

He closed his eyes as he let his hand run down her arm and then further to touch the side of her hip. He breathed onto her skin, feeling the pulse, her life force in her neck.

He shivered his breath starting to come out ragged. He couldn't believe what was happening now. It felt so good, so right to be touching her. He felt like he could stand like this forever and be happy.

A hand cupped one of her breasts. He marveled at its softness and at the intense heat of naked skin.

"Millie…"

"I remember when we first kissed."

Knives froze as Millie's mind voice echoed through his head. He wasn't sure if she meant for him to hear. However he couldn't help but listen to her sad voice.

"It had been wonderful. So pure and innocent. How have we come to this Knives."

What did she mean by that. Knives paused, his lips resting against her skin. His mind raced. Something was wrong, something…he was forgetting.

Glancing up, Knives looked at Millie's face and saw…saw that her eyes weren't on him…but on the computer behind him.

His eyes widened suddenly he…he remembered.

"SHIT!"

He suddenly screamed.

"YOU BITCH!"

Pushing her away he ran to the screen. It was blinking red.

To late, to late…I can't get the plant power level to overload now. Shit shit shit…

Knives suddenly froze and slowly turned.

"You did that on purpose. You…you were distracting me."

Knives eyes were wide. He couldn't believe this was happening. Millie had…she had tricked him using his lust for her.

He watched as Millie bent over and picked up her hospital gown. Without a word she put it back on, covering herself from Knives.

"You do what you have to do. I do what I have to do."

Millie paused as if unsure of her mind.

"I love you…but I can't let you do this."

Knives closed his eyes, his fists clenching in fury.

You think you can stop me! NO! I won't fail this TIME!!

Suddenly Millie screamed as Knives eyes snapped open and started to glow. They glowed bright and harsh as he concentrated.

"There is more to me than my Angel ARM! Its time that the humans learned THIS!"

Millie screamed again, her voice sounding like broken glass as she clutched her head. She fell to her knees, unable to take the sudden terrible pressure that threatened to make her head explode.

Stop it KNIVES IT HURTS IT HURTS SO BAD!!!

Knives ignored her; he ignored her as he used his true power. The power that could very well leave him dead on such a grand scale. Human's….humans everywhere on the planet started to drop. Started to scream, started to die.

Vash…my brother. You spent too much time with humans, and not enough studying your own body. We have other weapons. Weapons that don't need an outside source to activate.

His eyes shifted, shifted so he could see the place of colors, of the winds and the shifting worlds. The place where all went before passing on.

He knew now…this was where his mother had stayed most of the time when she was waiting for him. She stayed in these winds, winds that could easily have swept her to the dark place. Stayed waiting for them, waiting to see if they had turned out like she had hoped.

Rem I hate you. I wish you had never existed. Even if that means I never would have been. You have done nothing but ruin my life, corrupting my people…my family.

Die you bitch.

Cease to be!

Knives choked, it felt like he was trying to breath under water. He almost fell, but caught himself on the computer desk.

He could see everything, every breathing human, to the smallest child. He could also see the plants.

They were screaming as well.

They will hurt. Like Millie's hurting but they will survive.

His eyes turned black, bottomless pits with no pupil and no whites. Just black, like that of the great white sharks on earth. Soulless eyes that saw nothing, yet missed nothing that passed them.

He looked at Millie and saw what connected them. The tiny stream of power holding them together. It was glowing bright as it twisted and screamed at him.

So small, so little energy. But it had been enough to make my life a living hell these past few months.

I think I understand now Vash.

I understand what I felt when I saw you looking at Rem. You didn't lust after Rem like I do Millie. You're love was that of a child to a mother. And I hated that. I hated it to the bottom of my soul. Especially when she returned her love to you.

Only to you.

The colors began to change, began to thrash and shake. He was tearing everything apart, it was tearing him apart. A small trickle of blood dripped down from his nose….followed by a steadier stream from his ears.

His eyes, still black and lifeless continued to kill.

When Rem died, she was different than a normal human. The emotions of you Vash, and our mother…hell my emotions have kept her soul from moving on. That's why neither of us can forget her. She's still here, still just beyond our reach. So is our mother…

Knives fell to his knee's…he barely even registered that Millie had stopped screaming.

They are dieing Vash. I am killing them. Killing by forcing the world they cannot see against them. Forcing their own energies against them.

They are literally being killed by their own bodies.

Somewhere on Gunsmoke a child named Thomas fell. Not the first, and not the last…his mother a hefty woman, a woman that wouldn't buy her son a gun screamed out in sadness and pain as her life was taken as well.

In a small town…in a small house. A young girl with red hair clung to her grandmother. Praying that the pain would go away, and that Eriks would somehow save her now dead grandmother the same way he had once saved her.

15 grandchildren and not one a girl…fell beside their parents. The grandfather closing his eyes peacefully for the last time.

On the surface above him Vash withered in agony in his sleep. A red tear…stained with blood escaped his eye and fell down his cheek. He could feel what was happening but he couldn't stop it. Hell he couldn't even wake up.

Meryl…no please God. Let Meryl be all right. KNIVES!!!!!

No one, not even Knives heard Vash's scream.

Oh god Vash it hurts.

Knives slumped against the computer desk, but he did not stop. He wasn't finished yet…just a few more. Just a few more humans and it was done. He didn't care if it killed him. He had to do this. He wouldn't fail. This was his life's mission, this was what he was created for…whether his mother believed that or not.

He did this for the good of his brother, for the good of himself…but he also did it for Akako Hana and Rem.

Even in his hatred, he wanted to free them.

No one deserved that place, the place that frightened him.

Knives closed his eyes as they shifted back to normal ice blue. He blinked sleepy as he felt unconsciousness beckon him. He wondered if he would ever wake up again.

He hurt so much. His head felt like lead, and he could smell his own blood.

…It's done. Millie…I did it.