DISCLAIMER: I don't own Trigun

Author; Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate knowing that someone is taking an interest. As long as people appear interested, I will continue to write it out to its conclusion.

Knive's Dream

His laughter rang in his ears. Then amongst the barren landscape she appeared. Her long Auburn locks flowed on the wind like water. Her silver eyes cried blood. She hovered above a patch off dirt, and with each tear that hit the ground more life resurrected itself. He watched the life sprout out of the ground in a circle around her. When it touched his feet he looked up at her again. His breath caught with surprise.

She looked withered, and her long red hair had gone completely white. Still, she looked content. She fell to the ground and he ran to her. He cradled her in his arms. Her scent was so vivid, even in this dream. He pushed the hair away from her face and she smiled up at him. She was so beautiful, even withered and white, but he wasn't concerned with that.

This was a dream, and dreams have meanings. Certainly the saintly way his dream portrayed her could not mean he was falling for a human. The strange powers that spilled out of her in his dreams, were they representations of the things which he desperately wanted to know about her?

Come to think of it, how had he ended up asleep anyway? She had touched him, and something had happened. She had some sort of power, just like the power she displayed when she attacked him. He winced as he remembered the pain. She would pay for that.

What did it mean? She was human. He knew she was. She was nothing more. She was just another insect that had somehow affected his beloved sisters.

He felt warmth from where his wounds would be if he was awake. Then he felt the restraints on his wrists. He was waking up. Just as he felt his eyes start to open he saw a picture of a pretty little red-headed girl being mercilessly beaten by a group of older boys.

His eyes focused slowly, and her face came in to view. Her silver eyes looked... tired. He could feel her hands on his chest, they were radiating warmth. Then there was a flash, something so minute he wasn't sure if he had really seen it. A single strand of red hair that dangled in front of her face had turned white? Before he could examine it, she tucked the stray hair behind her ear and walked over to the nightstand where she busied herself cutting his food.

Had he really seen it? It was just like in his dream. He wasn't sure why, but it disturbed him. Had a strand of her hair actually turned white? No, he was just groggy. He wasn't looking forward to the numbness of sleep wearing off. He was sure the stinging pain of his wounds would announce itself any minute now...

Nothing, I know I ripped them back open, but I don't feel anything!

"What did you do to me, human?" Knives growled, "Did you drug me?"

"You asked me for my name just so you can continue to call me human?" She scoffed, "I haven't drugged you. Now open wide. I've got your lunch."

"I can feed myself," He spat back at her, "Just let me up."

"I'm sorry, I can't do that," She said plainly, "I told you I would remove your restraints as long as you didn't hurt yourself. You broke your promise, so for the rest of today I'm going to have to feed you myself. We'll try again tomorrow."

Knives's face burned with rage. His body went is rigid as a board as he barked, "I am not some CHILD you can discipline! Let me up this instant!"

"I know you're not," She said with that soft hypnotic tone, "But you hurt yourself, you need to stay in bed for the rest of the day or you might rip them open again."

She turned back to his food like the discussion was over in her mind. Knives was somewhat disoriented from the helmet being on again. He took and moment to retrace the circle she had just talked around him. My injuries? Did she really answer that question?

"You are pretty good at answering questions without really saying anything," He said, "But I caught it this time. You didn't tell me why I can't feel my wounds. What did you do to me?!"

She dropped the fork. Her face shone with surprise. He'd done it; he had grasped a strand of control. He had to keep it, but how? Her powers. He had to use that to back her into a corner.

Renee's head spun. She had checked Vash's invention, she was sure it would keep Knives too disoriented to put the pieces of the puzzle together. It was unraveling. She couldn't let it unravel, but how can she answer that question without giving away to much or just telling a lie?

"You're not normal," Knives said in a whisper, "You're human, but my sisters have given you some sort of powers. Perhaps they hoped it would defend you from me? Your ability to attack me if I open your mind, the way your touch caused me to pass out, and now my wounds. I hope you realize that no power in the world could protect you. I hold you as the worst of the trash. You have infected my sisters and used them to benefit yourself. I need no power, when I am healed I will kill you with my bare hands!"

Her head hung and tears dropped from her eyes. He had done it, he had gotten in. He had broken her outer shell and hit upon something soft and malleable. Something he could use to manipulate her. He smiled at her tear-soaked cheeks with triumph. Them she spoke.

"Death is my destiny," She said strongly, "You have little control over THAT, Knives Millions. You can only bring my end rushing toward me, but for all your power you are powerless to extend my existence. Some day, you will realize the tragedy in that."

She stared at him coldly. It was the first time he had ever seen her eyes on the edge of an emotion so close to hate. There was a nerve there. He had exposed her soft underbelly. She didn't know it yet, but that came as close as he needed to making her his tool. Death was too good for her. She would be his weapon. He would drain her powers and spirit until she begged for death. He would-

"So, I take it you are not hungry?" She asked flatly.

"I would rather starve than have my food contaminated by your filth," He answered smugly.

"So be it," She said with a smile, picking up the tray as she stood.

What was that tone in her voice. It was something mischievous, almost childish. Yet another side to her? Or was it just her frail human sanity cracking in front of him. He smiled sickly at her as she opened the door, but when she looked back at him with laughter in her sparkling diamond eyes he felt his hard won victory slip into defeat.

She smiled and said in a low, almost husky voice, "In case you missed it... I still haven't answered your question."

The door closed quickly behind her. Knives gaped at it. His mouth worked wordlessly. Focus, he had to focus! She may have avoided his move this time, but she had still retreated. This was a stalemate, not a defeat. He reminded himself with a low growl. Next time she would find it far more difficult to avoid him. You will be mine, human. You and all your powers. I will use you until you call death mercy. I will crush you until my sisters beg for your deliverance.

In the kitchen Renee dropped the tray on the counter with a loud clank. She toweled the sweat from her forehead. Why did she feel like she was in a chess match for the fate of the world? Oh yeah... She was. She slumped against the counter, mentally exhausted. With her head against the cold countertop she tried to mentally prepare herself for dinner.

Author; Thoughts, Anyone?