Chapter 8: A Man Who Never Cried
2 months and 1 week later
Knives stood out in the night sky and stared at the stars. His suave face no longer showed, but now it was rough. He gave him a more demanding and handsome look. His moments alone became very little since that day, he was learning to cherish the moments Karen often embraced him. His edgy side was slowly dying away, it was like he was becoming a new man. He sighed watched as the dust devils blew past the sleeping town. Knives walked along dusty grounds of the town then sat down on the well. He looked at his left hand at the ring and sighed.
" Do you still want to kill the human race?" Vash's voice came from the back
" These humans are making we weak," Knives said, " What else can I do?"
Vash walked over to where Knives was stand and placed a hand on his shoulder. Knives looked at Vash and sighed.
" You've been around these humans for some time, don't you think maybe it's you who is adapting to them," Vash said
" I'm not like you brother don't your remember I was the one who tried to kill you," Knives said, " I still have the idea in my head."
Vash chuckled and looked up at the stars. Knives sighed and walked a little and Vash followed behind him.
" In less than two months I'm going to be a father," Knives said, " It bothers me to think so."
" What, that you've betrayed yourself?" Vash questioned
" Yes, I've managed to stay away from humans most my life," Knives said
" And now that you are noted amongst humans you can't handle it," Vash suggested
Knives shook his head and sighed, then continued on.
" I think your changing, more understanding," Vash said
Knives sat on the well, Vash looked at Knives with a slight concern in his eyes.
" It's a good feeling to soon have someone else you have to protect," Vash said, " It just shows your ready to be a true man."
Vash join Knives on sitting on the well and both brothers looked at the stars.
" Do we have anything to worry about now?" Knives said
" With Kaijin dead…again, I don't believe so," Vash said
" What about Legato?" Knives said
" He can't survive, he already smelt like the dead, those two would have continue adding plasma and blood of a plant in Legato to keep him alive," Vash said, " I'm not worried."
Knives nodded and rubbed his rough chin and looked at Vash seeing he had his 5 o'clock shadow. It suited them both and Vash even let his hair grow out, but Knives continued to keep his style, it was apart of his features he didn't want to lose while changing. For the first time since Knives had been brought here to this town, he's felt comfort and a little bit of happiness he never knew he could express.
" It's getting late you should go tend to Karen, she's going to need a lot of help in the next month or so," Vash said, " Go be a good husband."
Vash jumped down and walked back towards his house and entered and Knives sighed.
" I don't understand you Vash," Knives said, " I've managed to torture you for years and send assassins to murder you, but you show to much of a will to live."
He jumped down and walked towards the small home, he entered and smelt the fresh herbs and spices fill the air. Karen had been cooking and cleaning all day and Knives could only wonder why she was. He was confused for once in his life and Karen walked into the room.
" Knives you've come back from outside," Karen said
" Yes," he said
" Are you hungry, I've made us some dinner," Karen said
" I would like that," Knives said
Karen smiled and served him, she walked over and sat the plate down and Knives looked at it. It seemed she had over done herself this time, but it smelt delicious and he wouldn't waste one bite. Karen sat down and both ate together and Karen told him she had bought some things for the baby. Knives stared at her as she explained what she got, getting caught up in Karen's gentle voice.
Later that night Karen fell asleep early and Knives stood there watching her sleep. He pushed off the door frame and went and took a shower to wash the daily residue off his skin. He closed his eyes feeling the water just run down his body. He looked at the scars he had received within the last few months, from the bullets to the slash across his chest. He had been clean from scars until his fight with Vash. Once he finished he went on to bed and slipped in beside Karen. She immediately got close to Knives and he wrapped his arms around her.
" Why do I feel this odd feeling?" he thought
The next morning Knives got up early and started early and let Karen sleep. He looked at himself in the mirror and rubbed his chin. He sighed and splashed water on his face and walked back into the room and changed. He sighed and walked outside feeling the hot sun touch his face. He watched the people pass by and then saw Meryl and Vash walk to work with Vita at hand. They seemed to live a life that just welcomed everyone, but it wasn't easy to see this. Knives sat down and Karen walked out looking at Knives. She walked to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
" What's wrong Knives? You've been acting strange," Karen said
She rubbed his shoulders and then sat beside him. He looked at her and she placed her hand on his face.
" Your worried aren't you?" Karen said
" No," Knives said, " it's nothing."
" Please, Knives tell me," Karen said
He grabbed her soft hands and placed one hand on her stomach feeling the child kicking. She placed her hand on his hand and smiled at him.
" Don't worry Knives, everything will be ok," Karen said
" I know it will," he whispered
By afternoon Knives had managed to do some work helping Karen around. Less than two months and he would be a father of yet another part of the new race. Human and plant, was it possible to have two races come together? Knives looked at Karen as she made her way around the home. There was hardly enough to do to keep him busy, but there was also no time for him to do work and get money for the soon to be born child. He was already feeling like a weak father, and unable to care for anything.
2 weeks later
Knives sat outside watching the sunset and people leaving their shops to return home. He watched Meryl and Vash left the saloon with the sleeping child on Vash's back. Vash looked over and saw Knives sitting there, he gave a wave. He kissed Meryl's cheek and let her take Vita inside.
" Once again your out on the porch," Vash said
" Fresh air," Knives said
" Only you would make that same lame excuse," Vash said, " What's really bothering you?"
Knives shook his head and leaned back. Vash looked at him and looked at the scar on his left eye.
" Knives, you never told me how you were able to heal so fast," Vash said, " So, tell me now."
" My daughter," Knives said
" What do you mean?" Vash asked
" She healed me every time I was hurt," Knives said, " I can't explain it."
Knives touched the scar over his eye and sighed and then Vash nodded.
" I see you were afraid all this time," Vash said
" What do you mean afraid?" Knives growled
" Don't get offensive, I'm saying that it's just like any parent. They worry about each day. What their child is doing, how they might grow up. Your afraid that this child will be brought up wrong," Vash said
" I am not, I know that I am not a weak person and will never be. I won't let my child be either," Knives said
Vash rubbed his eyes and sighed, then Knives turned away.
" I'm afraid for my wife's well being," Knives said
Vash looked at Knives as he said that. For the longest time there was silence between the two.
" Why are your worried about Karen's well being?" Vash asked
Knives shook his head and said, " I don't know, it's strange."
Vash was curious now, Knives was speaking to him about his wife and how he didn't feel as though she was herself. She was always tiered and she sometimes didn't feel like getting out of bed. Vash told him Meryl was like that, but Knives gave him a look. It wasn't look Knives often gave his brother, it was a look of true fear. Knives pushed himself up and Vash looked at him.
" I don't think she can handle this child," Knives said, " This child is making her weak."
" She'll be fine, it's just a phase," Vash said
Knives shook his head and Vash couldn't understand why Knives was so upset about it.
" Vash," Meryl called, " Dinner."
Vash nodded and looked at Knives and placed his hand on his shoulder.
" Don't worry, she has less than a month to go and if she's early by a week she should be fine," Vash said
" I hope," Knives said
Vash nodded and walked off, it was something new to Vash to hear his brother even say the word, hope. Something truly was wrong if Knives was that worried about Karen.
That night Knives couldn't sleep, things were on his mind. He sat up and looked at Karen, she slept fine. He placed his hand gently on her stomach feeling the warmth.
" How do I know you will be fine?" he thought, " I won't be there."
He got up and opened a window letting the cold desert air in. He sat there letting the sweat that fell from his face dry, he touched his left side of his chest and breathed deep.
" I can still feel the pain," Knives whispered
He cringed at the painful sound he heard last before blacking out. It was there that he had heard voices all around him. He was given a task at hand to take care of his daughter. The voices didn't say why he should be the only one taking care of her. The voice also spoke of finding comfort within others.
" I don't understand," Knives whispered, " What do they mean?"
Knives balled up his fist and felt his heart beat pick up. He looked at Karen as she stirred a little and then sat up startled. Knives stepped down from the window sill and watched her. He felt his heart beat pick up and he heard hers too.
" Karen," he whispered
" Knives," she replied, " I…I…I think it's time."
" For what," he whispered
His heart picked up another pace and Karen touched her stomach. Knives nodded and reached for her hand and then helped her out of bed. He placed a shirt on and she dressed, then he lifted her into his arms. He could hear her heart beating fast and out of control. He ran her to the doctor and as if they knew, took her in, he sat down and breathed.
Vash sat up in a suddenly and Meryl looked at him. She sat up and put her hand on his back.
" Did hear that?" Vash whispered
" I heard nothing," Meryl whispered
Vash got up and ran down the hall and opened the door. He looked at Vita as she stood up in her cradle. He walked over to her and lifted her into his arms.
" You heard it too didn't you?" he said
Meryl walked down the hall and leaned against the door.
" She's ok?" Meryl asked
" She's fine," Vash said
He kissed her head and Vash looked at Meryl.
" You looked like a scared rabbit Vash, mind explaining it to me," Meryl said
" I'm going over to see Knives," Vash said
" This late?" Meryl asked
He nodded and walked back to the bedroom and dressed them walked out and walked over to where Knives was staying. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He opened the door and called to Knives, then saw neither Karen nor Knives was there. It then came to him that Karen probably went into labor. He ran and told Meryl and then ran over to the doctors. He was right Knives was sitting down and had the same look on his face that he had when he awaited the news.
" First time?" Vash questioned
Knives looked up and then shook his head.
" What are you doing here?" Knives questioned
" Moral support," Vash said
" I don't need it," Knives snarled
" Your face sure showed it," Vash said
He sat down and looked at his brother, seeing he didn't want his support. Knives stared out and continued to wonder.
" Knives," Vash said, " Don't worry."
" Go away," Knives said
2 hours later a doctor walked over to Knives. Knives looked up and stared up seeing the doctors face.
" How is she?" he questioned
" You're a father of a beautiful baby girl," the doctor answered
" How is my wife?" Knives breathed
The doctor didn't answer right away, Vash looked at Knives seeing a sadden look, but also an angered look.
" Answer me," Knives growled
" She passed on after giving birth," the doctor said
Knives pushed the doctor aside and Vash grabbed Knives' arm.
" Get your hands off me Vash," Knives growled
" Stop it," Vash said
" I want to see her," Knives said
" I can't, let you see her," the doctor said
Knives grabbed the doctor by his shirt and narrowed his eyes.
" Let me see her now," Knives growled
" Knives stop it," Vash said pushing him away from the doctor
Knives breathed deep and the doctor sighed.
" Alright," the doctor said
The doctor walked them back to where Karen was and Knives stared at his wife. He breathed deep and walked over to her, then knelt down beside her. He grabbed her hand and stared at her.
" Leave Vash," Knives growled, " I want to be alone."
Vash patted Knives' shoulder and then left, but waited just outside the room. Knives kissed Karen's hand and breathed deep. Vash looked in and saw Knives just kneeling beside Karen. He then saw Knives bring a hand up to his face, and it seemed he was crying.
" A man who never cried before, certainly can pick up on it," Vash thought.
A nurse walked past Vash carrying the baby and she stopped.
" Here she is sir," the nurse said
Knives stood up and turned around and looked at his daughter. He took her into his arms and looked down at her. Her big round blue eyes matched his own and her fair skin matched Karen's. Her features had both parents', but many were Karen's most noticed.
" Why?" he whispered, " Why did you take her from me?"
Vash looked at his brother and sighed. He knocked and Knives looked at Vash as he stood there. He turned away and looked at the child in his arms.
" Why did you say everything would be fine?" Knives questioned
He walked to Karen and knelt down.
" Knives," Vash said
" Does everything look fine Vash?" Knives shouted
" Sir please," the nurse said
" Does it Vash!" Knives growled
Knives stood up and looked at Vash and Vash saw the crazed look in his eyes. Something he hadn't seen for months, but now it was once more returning.
" Knives don't be like this, Meryl and I can help you," Vash said
" How? Can you bring this woman back? Can you heal eternal pain?" Knives questioned
" We can't bring her back, but we can help you raise your daughter after all she is apart of you. She is your flesh and blood," Vash said, " You should be happy that Karen gave her life for this child."
Knives looked at his daughter and breathed deep. His daughter looked at him and reached out her hands toward him. He gently grabbed her small hands and stared at her, trying to fight back the anger that he had already gained from losing Karen to her. This new life that he held in his arm was what he had been waiting for, for 9 months. Tears fell from his face and he pulled the child close to him.
" I'm your father and I will protect you," Knives said, " What ever the cost?"
Vash looked at Knives and then nodded and walked off. He knew now that his brother was learning how to feel remorse and love for someone. This to him was the beginning of a new beginning.
2 weeks later.
Knives brought his daughter home and held her in his arms. He looked at Meryl and Vash as they stood there.
" We want to help you," Meryl said, " It's the least we can do."
Knives nodded and looked at them. He looked at his daughter and gently kissed her head. Meryl looked at Vash and smiled as they watched Knives gently embrace the child.
" Come this way, we want to show you this," Meryl said
She walked to the bedroom and opened the door, there a cradle stood. Colorful baby blankets laid in the cradle and the sounds of soft music played. Knives looked at the cradle and nodded.
" Some of the towns people heard about your loss Knives and to show their sympathies they've given something to you for the child. Karen was more than an average girl that want to help you Knives," Vash said, " She was a good woman who helped many people. The town owes her a lot and they decided to help you out."
Knives looked at Vash and then looked at his daughter.
" So, did you think of a name?" Meryl asked
" Salus," Knives whispered
Meryl and Vash smiled and looked at Knives holding Salus.
" A new generation has begun," Vash thought
END OF SOMETHINGS NEVER CHANGE