A/N: This chapter is stretching the boundaries of PG-13, but I may as well have fun with this story 8). The chapter's also longer than the last. And to Falon, thanks for the kind review and yes, I'm working on a Hellsing fic right now. Thanks everyone!!!

Training

"How the hell did you talk me into this Vash?" Knives growled under his breath, as he walked toward the arboretum.

The previous day, Knives had been cornered by his brother with the proposition to train Erica. The antisocial plant had very reluctantly agreed to the task, though the choice was out of necessity rather than want. Vash had slyly mentioned how her uncontrollable powers could destroy the ship, if left undisciplined. Now he was going to their first session, with his nerves slightly frayed in anticipation.

One hundred and fifty years of desensitizing, and she was breaking him down in a matter of weeks. Now he was going to have to spend possibly several hours with the female, and wasn't sure he'd be able to control these strange new emotions.

Wow, he's really distracted Vash thought, as he silently followed his unstable half. He should have sensed me by now, but he hasn't even touched my presence yet. The blonde gunman was going to watch the preceding lesson, curious as to how the two would react around each other. Especially how he'd told them both how they felt for one another. This could definitely be interesting he snickered to himself.

Reaching the arboretum doors and walking in, Knives saw the object of his confusion standing amongst the vegetation. And strangely, she looked just as nervous as he felt. Maybe she's afraid he thought, trying to fool himself with his plant arrogance. She'd rarely shown fear toward him, and really had no reason to. He couldn't harm her because of the angel's wrath, and for some reason he didn't want to hurt her. In any way. Cursing under his breath at his thoughts, Knives moved toward the awaiting girl.

Erica absently looked up from a flower she'd been admiring and nearly shrieked when she saw the unstable plant standing next to her. As if I wasn't tense enough, he goes and tries to scare the life out of me! she fumed. She gave Knives a scathing glare, before turning her back on him. Right now she just wanted to get the training over with, before her nerves break under the strain and she did something she'd really regret. Like kiss him.

Knives shrugged when Erica turned her back on him, unsure of why she was upset at his appearance. He didn't have time for her temper tantrums, not when the strange feeling in his chest was starting to return.

Sitting down on the grass, Knives placed his hand on the ground. He searched the area for a certain plant, wanting for some reason to impress the spider before him. Finally finding the right seed, he concentrated on bringing the life forward.

At the sound of the plant breaking the surface, Erica turned around and gasped. Near Knives hand a small sapling was growing, faster than she'd ever seen anything grow. She'd never seen something so miraculous, and the fact that Knives was doing the miracle was even more amazing. She settled down beside him and watched with childish curiosity as the plant grew into a beautiful red rose bush, with petals blooming over every inch of the branches.

When the growth stopped, Erica turned to look at Knives. "How did you do that?" she asked quietly, still entranced by the lively bush before her.

Knives didn't say a word, only putting his hand over hers. Sensing her shiver at his touch, his own body responded with a jolt of heat. Maybe there was some truth in what Vash had told him about Erica. Or maybe he was just fooling himself.

"Try to find a seed in the ground, then focus all your energy into the plant." His voice was steady, revealing none of the turbulent thoughts within his mind. Always the practiced indifference in his attitude. "Don't push the being's growth, merely try to coax it."

Erica nodded her head in understanding, trying to hide the blush that had appeared on her cheeks. Knives' body was so close, she could practically feel the heat radiating off him. The feeling was definitely distracting, and she had to put all her attention into listening to what he was telling her.

"Now, concentrate" Knives ordered. With his hand over hers, he tapped into the dormant energy in her body. For Erica to do so herself would be left for another lesson. Sifting through the power within her, the egotistic plant was impressed by how much she had stored. The plant angel had certainly given the girl all she had left.

"Feel the energy I'm pulling out of you" he commanded, careful not to draw out too much. She could have certainly destroyed the small town they were in, and several dozen surrounding iles, had her arm fully formed.

"Alright" she answered, trying to focus on the power she was feeling.

Knives stood up and took a couple of steps back, feeling her energy steadily build. As he watched Erica's concentrating face, the distracted plant suddenly heard a rumbling beneath him.

Shit.

The blond was shot into the air, as a full-grown sycamore sprouted from the ground under him. Erica had pushed too much of her energy into the tiny sapling, causing a sudden growth spurt. And fate saw to it that the seedling had been nestled in the soil where Knives had stood.

The genocidal plant managed not to yell out as tree grew to its full height of 115 feet, but the look of terror on his face showed anyone nearby that he was terrified. Erica watched stunned as her 'teacher' was elevated several stories atop the large maple, and she wondered what he was going to do to her when he got down. Or if he managed to descend.

Sitting atop his leafy perch, Knives had a spectacular view of the arboretum, which thankfully had a tall ceiling. Glancing tentatively below him in an attempt to find a way to escape, he saw movement from down below. Something, or someone, was hiding in a group of bushes near Erica.

Crap! Vash thought, noticing his brother's gaze fall upon his hiding spot. The blond gunman's spying backfired in his face, literally. One of the branches he had held came snapping back at him, slamming between his eyes. "Ouch" he mumbled, rubbing his bruised nose.

"Vash" Knives growled in his brother's mind, having noticed the fixed stare Vash had been giving Erica. "Have you forgotten your spider so quickly?"

"Nooo" Vash said slowly, looking up to face his brother. He was glad Knives hadn't realized his true intentions, and that he was able to control the laughter rising in him at the sight of mankind's would-be destroyer stuck in a tree. "But you have to admit, she is cute. And you don't have a spider of your own yet."

"Vash" Knives growled, his cheeks growing red. Though Vash didn't know whether the facial color was from embarrassment or anger. "Get out."

Getting the not so subtle hint that his presence was no longer wanted, the blonde gunman made a hasty retreat.

Erica turned at the sound of the doors opening, but saw no one come in. Mentally shrugging, she stared up at the tree, only to meet with a pair of striking blue eyes looking into hers. How long has he been staring at me? she thought nervously.

Strangely, he didn't look away when their eyes met, and a smirk seemed to appear at the corner of his mouth. What's he planning? she now wondered suspiciously. Whenever Knives smiled, that usually meant someone was in for pain. And being the only person in the vicinity made her a prime target.

"Um, Knives? How are you going to get down?" Erica asked hesitantly, trying to contain the sudden laughter threatening to break out. The sight of mankind's destroyer stuck in a tree, looking very much like a helpless kitten, was just too funny.

Knives had been pondering whether he should show off by simply jumping from one lower branch to another, or to return the tree to the seedling stage. But his smile and ideas were quickly pushed aside as he watched Erica finally succumb to the sight of his predicament, laughing hysterically and clutching her sides to stop the pain. Now he had the urge to accelerate the tree's aging and drop the overgrown bush on top of her head.

"Shut up" he growled, finally losing control as Erica's laughter refused to cease. She snapped out of her amused state immediately, his tone having the slight edge of insanity hidden in the depths. Knives placed his hand on a branch and slowly released the energy which had given the tree it's growth. He descended with the ever shrinking maple, finally reaching the ground a few moments later.

Erica stepped back from him. Though she didn't see a glint of anger in Knives' eyes, she didn't trust his sporadic temperament.

But Erica couldn't help but be reminded of the strip poker, with him standing tall before her. She could imagine the well-toned biceps underneath the shirt he wore, the evenly muscled arms she ached to have around her, the rounded ass waiting to be squeezed. The memories caused her to blush, but she took an uneasy step toward him.

Knives watched with some regret as she flinched from him, although he knew he should be furious with her. Her lack of control had nearly got him catapulted into the dome's glass ceiling. But his battling thoughts were quickly swept aside as she stepped toward him, a strange glint in her eyes.

"What are you looking at?" Knives asked, trying to sound angered. But he was sinking fast, with his emotions exploding within him. The way she was looking at him was distracting. Knives suddenly thought of a few moves to show her, though the training was of a rather different sort than what he first intended.

But Knives knew he couldn't have feelings for the spider, the mere thought was disgusting to him. But that didn't stop their faces from edging closer, or from him losing himself in her sky blues eyes. So like his own, and holding answers he desperately wanted to find.

Knives was now practically looming over Erica, wondering how her lips would feel against his. Surprisingly, she didn't flinch from his approach, merely watching him move closer. Vash, you had better be right about her feelings or I will personally see that you don't ever have children he thought, as their mouths met.

Her lips were soft against his, softer than he imagined they could be. As her body pressed closer to his, he could feel her heat through the clothes. His own body felt on fire and he could feel his muscles tighten under the strain. Gripping her back, he gently pried her lips open with his tongue and explored her mouth. Finding a very willing companion within, their tongues twisted and turned with each other, battling for more contact.

Erica quickly realized the standing position they were in was uncomfortable for her, considering their height difference. So wrapping her arms behind his back, she gently sat down in the grass with Knives following willingly, never breaking the kiss.

Suddenly Erica leant backward, causing Knives to land on top of her. The more intimate position was definitely more pleasing for both of them, as their clothed bodies rubbed against each other.

How long can a kiss last? Erica thought breathlessly. She pushed him away slightly to get some air, and heard an immediate growl of anger. Her lips were almost ruthlessly pressed back to his, having fortunately gotten more air in her lungs to continue.

I should stop this Knives told himself. I should be hating this contact! But a certain part of his body was saying differently, as the bulge in his pants slid over Erica's hips.

Knives straightened up suddenly, causing Erica to emit her own sound of protest from the abrupt pause. Before she could ask him what was wrong, the plant was up and out the door, leaving a very confused and disappointed girl behind him.