CHAPTER TWO: PLANT CHILDREN (continued1)

Vash cleared his throat and began to explain. "I want to tell you what I think happened to those people you found in the desert.

"About two months ago, a man died. That man was able to control people's bodies, and had been leading distant populations to their death in many parts of the planet. These wanderers must have just avoided death, awakening just as the man died. The one who is responsible for the mass suicides," Vash began, "Was one of Knives' henchmen. I am the one who had to kill him." He began to choke up. "Knives' goal was – is – to kill the human race because he thinks he, and I, are higher life forms. But we're not, I mean not higher, we're just not human."

Vanessa met his eyes, trying to discern if he was lying to bait her. He seemed genuine enough...

"Pretty weird, huh?" he said, trying to smile. "You can't tell this to anyone. I'm really risking my and Knives' safety by telling you this, but I think it's your business, too…If my hunch is right."

Vanessa listened intently as Vash explained his story, about the cause of the SEEDS crash, about the angel arms. Tears rolled down his face as he related to her the chaos, the death, and his frustration. As the story ended, he looked up to see that Vanessa, too, was weeping.

Vanessa sniffled, and smiled at him. "That's the most moving story I've ever heard…It reminds me of another story I know, from this novel called…" she began, stopping when she saw the confused look he was casting her. "I forget. But anyhow, you should be proud. Not everyone can weave a tall-tale that intricate. I mean, I've heard the rumors about the legendary Human Disaster, but never any of that spaceship stuff…"

Vash snorted, insulted. "Hey, I'm not lying. This is for real."

Wavering only momentarily, Vanessa put on a convincing look of ignorance. "C'mon now, you don't really expect anyone to believe such a far-fetched…"

"Don't ridicule me," he asked solemnly. "This is deadly serious, and you know it."

"You were born from the plants?" she asked. "I…I don't think I can believe that."

Vash half smiled. "We call ourselves plant children. And we think we're the only ones. Knives thinks humans are trash because he feared what they did to Tessla and he hates that they use the plants' energy. Because they're family." He smiled at her.

She frowned back. "I can't…" she stammered. "I'm not going to take your word, I can't let myself be…tricked!"

Vash's smile evaporated, and he thought back on how, when his angel arm tendrils had touched people, they could live his memories. And when Knives wished to remind Vash of anything he couldn't recall on his own, he had placed his left (angel arm) hand over Vash's face. He stared down at his own right arm and envisioned himself forcing memories on Vanessa. He shuddered. "I'm so sorry you won't believe me."

Vanessa's pained expression melted his fears. "I'm sorry too. If I could somehow be sure that this is true, then maybe…" she didn't dare reveal any more.

She glanced at Vash, and read his face easily. "Is there…?"

Vash nodded. "You know, it'll be horrible…Real terror and pain. You'll see it how I did."

Her face contorted in confusion. "What are you saying?"

Vash met her eyes and gazed with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"Well," Vanessa stated soberly, "Whatever it is, let's have it. I can handle it."

Vash sighed, then lifted his right hand towards her face. She jerked away. "Hey!"

Vash recoiled, startled.

"No…go ahead. I'm sorry," she softly whispered, leaning forward.

Again, he held up his hand, and placed it over her nose and eyes. He pressed his fingers to her skin and let his arm transform, just slightly. It took all his effort to prevent her injury.

Vanessa felt herself assuming his memories, flooding forth like a tidal wave. She saw everything, and held back screams as tears flowed from her eyes. When Vash finally took away his hand, she was sobbing aloud.

Vanessa attempted to muddle through this overwhelming information. Finally, she relaxed, and wiped her face with her sleeve. She went to the windows, and drew the curtains shut. Vash lit the table lamp knowingly as she again sat before him. She closed her eyes and pulled out the hairpins.

Vash stared at her for a moment, and in a sudden and awkward shift of emotion his eyes lit up.

He hugged her happily. "Oh, that's awesome!" he exclaimed. He held her away to look her in the eyes. "Really, you're safe now!"

Vanessa couldn't smile back. "You'd think so, but I'm never safe. You've got to let me return to my home. I live as far away from people as I can, and that's the only way I can avoid…" she stopped.

Vash again adopted a more solemn tone. "I understand. You've got scars all over, right? Well, I've been beat up and shot so many times…but it's still worth being able to really live!"

Vanessa held back tears. "No, you don't understand, at least you can look normal! I started out life with a huge hump on my back, and…I'll never be like them, and they hate me so much…One day I won't be able to escape in time."

She told him her story as well.

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