Day 342
            The rhythm of days continues unabated. How odd, he thinks, that it should be as such, that habits should be developed over a few months that a century could not create.

            Pete is coming more often now, not only when Vash is away. Tonight, for example, they shall be returning together after a drink at the saloon.

            He feels a little uncomfortable, socialising with Pete around his brother. He's not able to say why; perhaps it is some remnant of his pride that he feels ashamed that he is finally spending time with a human.

            They're late tonight, but Knives remains unconcerned, they've probably just stayed for an extra drink at the saloon, he hopes they will not return too inebriated. It will ruin any chance of a game of chess with Pete; he has the board set up ready for when they return.

            His keen ears catch the sound of footsteps outside and the door opens slowly. Vash has returned home alone, his white shirt is spotted with red.

            Knives knows the sent of blood, the feel of grief, it sends him into an entirely new dimension.

            He acts without much thought, rising from his seat and moving towards his staggering brother, holding him in his arms heedless of the blood stains. Vash is crying deep, wracking sobs, sobs of true misery and not sentimentalism. Between his cries Knives can make out the words, repeated over and over again, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…'

            He wonders where Pete is. Part of him suspects the answer to this question. There is anger in Knives' mind, confusion and fear too, but he ignores these. He cannot act without information, revealing his emotions now would only be counter productive. So he sits Vash down upon a near by chair and fetching the bottle of whisky he knows Vash keeps in the cellar, passing it quickly to his hysterical brother.

It takes many moments for him to calm down enough to tell the tale of that night.

            They, Vash and Pete, had indeed gone to the saloon for a couple of drinks and had been returning home when they were waylaid by a mugger. The boy had a gun, though he scarcely seemed to know how to use it. He'd threatened to kill them unless they handed over their money. Pete had been all for giving in, but Vash had tried to talk to the prospective mugger. He'd stood in front of him, his hands open and tried to persuade the boy that there was a better way, that he needn't fall to crime, that his actions were wrong and that he could do so much better. He'd stepped forward, his hand open ready to receive the boy's gun.

            For some reason, however, the boy had panicked and fired his weapon.

            Pete had leapt forwards, pushing Vash out of the way and taken the bullet himself.

            The rest seemed not to matter much, as Vash had taken the boy down, using the gun in his prosthetic arm to shoot the weapon out of the terrified mugger's hands, then wrestling him to the floor and knocking him unconscious.

            He'd called for help, the sheriff and the doctor had come, the former to take the mugger away, the latter to help Pete.

            But Pete was beyond help, beyond life.

            So, after answering some of the sheriff's questions the shocked Vash had returned home alone.

            At this point Vash brakes out into sobs again, seemingly lost in his well of grief and shame.

            Knives feels dead. He holds his younger sibling, as is his duty, and consoles him, whispering sweet nothings into his ear. He feels like a child again, like he had returned to the SEEDS ship and was, once again, comforting his younger brother, chasing away the nightmares that consumed his own soul, his shirt becoming wet with Vash's tears and Pete's blood stains.

            But any other emotion that was lost to him as yet, the shock was too fresh, there was no time for anger or healing, only for looking after little Vash.

            So it was that, after many hours, Vash uses up all his tears and sobs and falls asleep in his brother's arms.

            Knives picks him up and carries him to his room, settling him down peacefully amongst the blankets.

            When this is done he moves back into the main room and stays there awhile, spending a moment in reflection, a moment alone in the dark.

            Upon the table the chess set remains, set up for a game that will never take place.

            Knives takes his seat by it and examines it, for a brief second he can almost picture Pete sitting in the other chair, grinning, holding a black pawn in his hand and making a move.

            It is just a fantasy though, like many such things in life, a dream that will never come true, that is now lost forever.

            He remains there a while longer, watching the interplay of moonlight upon the board, red light on white and black tiles, the shifting shadows of the pieces.

            After a while he reaches over and reverently places the white king upon its side.

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Readers Replies:

Eeep! Sorry to those I missed last time, and I'm sorry for taking so long, I'll reply to you now…

Communist Penguin: Bald Knives = funny. Bald Vash = funnier! Thanks for your kind comments! Please keep reading and reviewing!

Ron the Future Weasel: Heh, Knives is beginning to realize he's changed more than he'd like to admit… don't worry about the short review, I like long ones but any review is a short one. I'm sorry my replies are so short at the moment, but with such a quick chapter I don't want it to be all replies and no content.

Magnetic Rose: I hoped you enjoyed the glopmed :blush: I spell so badly sometimes… and remember, any review is a good review. The comment on Knives is sweet too, I really appreciate it! I hope my versions continue to impress.

Terrible T: Eeek, so many reviews! THANK YOU! I'm only sorry I can only give a fairly short reply… I might E-mail you with something longer later. I'm glad everything is working well. Who's the big brother? I don't know. I'd say that, in the Anime at least, Knives certainly takes on the roll of big brother, though whether or not he is is debatable. Good point about the blood… I doubt Knives would have been happy to share hair styles again. I'll supply my essay on forgiveness later, BTW… the fact that Vash let him out is meant to show that both brothers are learning lessons of trust. It's not much but it's a start, yeah? Thanks for not flaming me, ten months is a long time, yeah, but Knives needs a long time to get… ah… better. Yeah, it's a good thing he didn't get on the bus, that could have been embarrassing! Thanks for the writing comment. I do my best though some spelling/grammar mistakes slip in here and there… I am very dyslexic after all. Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews, please keep it up!

Angelstryke: Thanks for the review… I think one could argue that, in the Manga, Knives might be the younger brother but in the Anime there are all sorts of comments which point to the fact Knives considers himself the elder. Everything from the crew calling Vash  'mother's boy,' to the way Knives comforts him. Plus there's the fact that Vash followed him around like a puppy for years in the desert before he got the courage to leave. Yeah, in the Anime I've always seen Knives very much as the older brother, in actions if not in fact. Having said that, you do have a good argument too… Sorry about the blurbs, but I don't think I'll be giving them up any time soon! (evil grin!)

Aoi: Yeah, I don't think Knives wants to be alone any more… and I think there are other reasons drawing him back. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations, despite it's shortness. Please keep reviewing!

SanoGirl: I'm so happy that the progression in this is working, though expect some big changes here (for better or for worse…) I'm also glad you're enjoying Pianissimo Butterfly, is it not the best Gravitation fanfic ever? And that goes for everyone here, if you like Gravitation check it out! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Sesshomarus-Girl101: Wow, I'm on your fav's list? Thanks! Ooh, you're in for a treat as writers go. Most of my reviewers write some damn good stuff and don't forget to check out Sailor Lilith Chan, she's awesome too! Again, thanks for the praise about Knives, out of curiosity who's your favourite character? Just wondering. Please keep reviewing!

NEXT TIME: Things finally come to a head and, at the trial of Pete's killer, Knives learns a painful lesson.