All that's Left behind

By: Prince Marth a.k.a. Xai

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but I do own the story.

Knives stood quietly as a seventeen- year- old Legato repaired a computer system crucial to the plant. Though Knives could easily do this himself, he gave the job to Legato as a sort of test. Legato was eagerly working and accomplishing much. This was the third such test given to him by Knives. Legato had prove competent, as both a worker and a tactician. However, he seemed to hold a heart, still capable of loving, of feeling. Such a thing that got in Knives' way. Though it was clear of Legato's hate for Vash, it was also clear that in the worst case scenario Legato would not be able to bring himself to kill. Actually Knives took some consolation in the fact that when he first found Legato, or Shotoko, rather, the boy would not go near a weapon. Shotoko's eyes were a brilliant Blue, and his hair to match, however, he was named Legato by Knives, the first of many alterations. Legato, a word that is used for smooth playing in piano was used for another meaning. In Knives eyes smooth character and smooth ways of dealing with situations are exactly what Knives wanted in a human. Legato was the only human he trusted and was more than just another spider to be blown away. Legato also gained a power granted to him by Knives. Though Legato had the basis to use such a power born into him, he did not have the discipline, nor the will to use it. Thus, Knives sped up the process, a process that took Shotoko's deep blue eyes and turned them into Legato's captivating golden eyes. Eyes that were capable of traveling past the barriers of the physical world and into the mind of any one who happens to catch a view of them. Legato's power went much farther then simply being able to kill at will, but indeed it allowed him to convince one's mind and control it to his will. Legato's training with Knives had not included killing, not yet, but soon, as Knives would say.

"Are the repairs finished?"

"Yes."

"You have completed them sooner then i thought you would.... very good Legato. Today is the day you learn to kill."

"Master Knives?"

"Yes?"

"I don't know if I ca-"

"You will."

"Are you sure?"

"If you still feel strange about it, then watch me first."

They walked outside, and traveled awhile to the small town of June.

"I will show you first hand the power of killing!"

"Master Knives..... Will you use.... it?"

"Yes, you read my mind Legato."

Knives engaged his angel arm; his eyes grew to a maniacal glare.

"Master Knives!"

"What is it?!"

Knives' voice was savage.

"You... can't.... not here!

"Are you defying me Legato?"

"I-----"

"These are the spiders and they WILL die!!"

"You can't just take away a life like that it isn't right! Not so many, not at once!"

""What's wrong you've always said you wanted to kill!"

"I wanted to kill Vash, because he hurt you, but not all these people!!"

"Legato!! Enough of this!! You're hiding your real point behind glass!!"

"What?"

"I can see what you are trying to say."

"Master, this is...."

"Your home town, and I don't care. The first part of learning how to kill is to lose what means more to you than anything. To ...... harden you... in a way."

Tears burned Legato's face.

"No!! Master NO!!"

"Enough!!!"

Knives engages Angel Arm full Force.

"No!!!!"

Legato goes to punch Knives, Knives cancels the angel arm out, still holding his gun.

"What was that? WHAT WAS THAT LEGATO?!"

"You can't!"

Knives shot off Legato's left arm, the arm Legato had attempted to punch him with.

But all of a sudden knives dropped his gun.

"That..... . . .F..a..c..e.... Not that face.....

Legato wore the same look of horror Knives had shown himself when Vash had shot him in the leg.

"Master.... why?"

"I-- I don't...."

Knives was panicked.

"I- AHHHGGGG!!!!!!!"

Knives runs out his horror showing clear.

"Master, no!! Don't leave me!!"

Knives sat in his room not moving or talking and breathing very loud. His door was locked.

"Master....."

Legato had wrapped his wound Though he still felt immense pain.

"I-..... Why?! Why did you shoot me!?"

Knives did not answer.

"Why did you really want them to die!?"

A day passed. Knives found Legato passed out on the floor of the Plant.

"He has lost too much blood......"

Knives placed Legato into one of the Plant orbs.

"He'll recover here. The only way to repair my fault is to repair what was lost...."

Two days later Knives is seen in the Third City of July.

"Hello Vash."

"Knives is this you're excuse for killing?"

Word of July's destruction spread and Vash's name spread through rumors and fears. Knives, however returned to the Plant were Legato was recovering, and Knives had made sure to keep the wound open, for he had found a replacement.

"Legato, you've finally awoken, I had something for you."

"I don't want it."

Legato's normally calm voice was burning with inner hate.

"I would have rather died then have had to live with this memory of your own imperfection!"

"Legato, you've turned so cold.... you've obviously thought this over."

"It doesn't matter."

Knives held up Vash's left arm.

"Is this a repayment? I told you I don't care!"

"You are pushing limits child. You have no idea!"

"I have plenty of ideas!"

"You should be glad about how much we're alike Legato."

"Don't ever put me on the same level as you!"

"Your face..."

"Huh?"

"You do not understand Legato!"

"Shut up!"

"Why? We are not enemies... I- have regrets about shooting you however, so I brought you this arm."

"I said I didn't want it before."

"I think you lie through you're teeth. I will allow you to think it over. I will preserve the arm until you decide. Oh and, if you do decide we aren't enemies then I'll allow you to know- this arm belongs to Vash!"

"How?"

"He had one of my revolvers anyway, and he got in my way, so one simple shot and....."

"......and yet you didn't kill him."

"You don't understand."

Legato and Knives part ways, Legato returns to the orb, and Knives returns to his room.

Legato refused the arm each day and each night had horrid nightmares of the day he lost it and then the scene would change, portraying Knives standing with his hand out, calmly saying, "Legato, we aren't enemies." He would see Knives' eyes become maniacal and then wake, screaming with his wound pulsing with pain, and even bleeding. These nightmares recurred every night, each time becoming more real, until he finally went to wake Knives in the middle of the night.....

Knives was awake in his room.

"So, you're awake still Legato?

"No..... Master."

"So you finally decided."

"It was as if the arm called to me, these nightmares I've had.... it becomes more real each time and....."

Legato's voice had risen greatly with out him noticing.

"Legato, there is no need to panic, please, you've been avoiding your true feelings, even if you don't forgive me. You wanted that arm, not just as a replacement but because it would allow you contact with Vash. Contact on a very unusual level. You will sometimes feel Vash's emotions, let it be a sign for you to hate him even more. However, take that warning, knowing this, will you still accept it?"

"Yes, master."

"Then let us begin the transplant."

Hey! I know it's been a really long time since I've written anything and I apologize. However, I'm back and for all those who wanted me to update my Gundam Seed story, you have to wait no longer. I apologize for making you wait so long, or seeming like I ignored your requests, don't worry, I just got a bit lazy and couldn't think of a good way to approach the subject. But I have the idea now and I should have the story finished for the holidays! Read, and tell me what you think!