Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ CHECKMATE: A Spiders Beauty ❯ 6...this is the song that never ends la la laaaaa llaaaa LLLLLLLLAAAAAAA ( Chapter 6 )

Knives had another dream that night.

At first it was like any other dream. A dream where just radom images and sounds came together to create a picture in his mind. It was fuzzy and unimportant.

Knives never cared much for dreams.

However this dream slowly began to morph into something different, something more.

It started with him hearing voices. The voices he recognized.

It was himself, Rem and Vash.

The dream opened up with light, much like opening an eye and seeing the world.

Knives looked around again recognizing where he was.

He was in the old wreck room aboard the SEEDS ship.

"I didn't want to kill the spider!"

That sounded familiar. Something he had heard and thought about quite a bit.

He walked over to the voices until he could see them.

His younger self was upset and yelling at Vash and Rem. He was trying to make them see his point.

He wasn't wrong. He knew he was right.

The spider had to die to save the butterfly.

Just thinking about that made him think of the gun holster Millie had given him. Without thinking he let his hand rest on the leather attached to his hip.

He traced his fingers over the cut leather.

The spider and the butterfly. Symbolic in their simple natures.

They stood for so much. Humans and plants…and in a way Vash and himself.

I remember this so clearly. I remember everything about this day. I remember how that spider crunched in my hand as I destroyed its body. I remember the disgusting goo it left on me. I remember casually wiping that mess off on the grass before standing up to face my brother.

"That was the easiest way to stop it."

"You've changed Knives."

Knives gasped as he whirled around. Rem smiled as she walked up to him. The two boys stopped and stared. He was mildly surprised that they could see him.

"This is only a dream. I know it is."

"Of course it is Knives."

Rem giggled softly as she reached out and took his hand. Knives stared in surprise. He felt that, could feel her hand and its warmth. It all felt so real. In fact this whole place suddenly felt so real.

This was no ordinary dream. Dreams couldn't be this real…could they?

"Knives…don't let the past dictate your future."

Rem glanced behind her at the younger Knives. His young eyes were wide as he stared at his older half. Rem's eyes misted a little as she looked at him. There was a sad knowledge in her eyes. Like she knew something but was powerless to stop it.

Knives was suddenly struck with a thought.

Had Rem known about him? Had she known what was going to happen?

"Knives…for the first time since this day I am happy for you."

"What?"
He said confused. What was going on? This was a dream. Rem was dead. Knives firmly told himself that again. The realness of this dream wan unnerving.

Rem's smile faded off her face.

"Before now your future was so dark. You were lost in that terrible dark lonely place. Now there's a light for you to follow. A light you can see and feel."

Knives was vaguely distracted as Vash walked over to where his younger self had killed the spider.

The younder Knives had left, just as he had done in the past. It seemed like they suddenly couldn't see him, or had forgotten about him.

Knives get a grip. This is just a dream!

He watched as Vash picked up what was left of the creature and then gently place it under a rock in some kind of insect burial.

"I don't blame you Knives. Despite all that you did. I still love you. I still think you're an Angel. Remember that will you?"

An angel. She called us that once. Said we were angels sent to guide them.

"Remember Knives. It doesn't matter what you fear. Nothing is as bad as we can imagine. Fear can be conquered and darkness driven away with light."

Knives opened his mouth his eyes flashing in anger.

He did not fear anything! But before he could speak the scenery around him changed. First Rem looked thin and transparent. The she disappeared and the room around him went black

Knives was once again left in the dark.

Alone.

I feel so alone. Rem…Vash?

I don't want to be alone anymore.

Wildly he looked around. It was so dark here. There was nothing, absolutely nothing.

No…I don't want to be alone!

VASH! WHERE ARE YOU!

Vash was his brother. He was supposed to be with him. He wasn't supposed to leave him in the dark. His brother loved those humans more. He would rather be with the spiders than him.

"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAHAHA"

Knives screamed into the darkness around him. It was thick with a pressing air that squeezed him lungs making it hard to breath.

"Just wake me up! Someone just wake me!"

Knives fell to his knees holding his head tightly.

"Mr. Knives?"

Knives felt his breath catch in his throat.

Millie? What's Millie doing here?

Knives looked up toward the sound of her voice.

A light?

"Millie?"

"Have you ever looked at a spider Mr. Knives?"

Knives couldn't see her. But he heard…and he followed the sound.

He didn't want to be alone anymore. He didn't want to be in the dark.

"Yes."

"And what did you see?"

Knives stopped his heart racing in his chest.

He couldn't lie here. He couldn't hide the truth from the dark, or from the light.

"I saw you."

Knives woke up with a start, covered in sweat and breathing hard.

That place, that dark and lonely place.

Gods he hated it when he dreamt about it. He hated that place.

Trying to control his breathing he looked around gathering in everything around him.

Outside the double suns were just starting to rise their red and gold rays bathing the desert sand in splendor. The camp fire was out although it was still sending a small lazy trail of smoke rising toward the cave ceiling. And Millie was right beside him asleep.

UH?

Knives looked down slightly taken aback at Millie's sleeping form. She was curled up against him much like a cat.

She looked rather peaceful and strangely young as she slept. Her hair was a mess but still beautiful. A few silky strands stirred as a gently breeze from outside entered the cave.

Prompted by some inner dream or something she smiled gently and actually snuggled closer to him. One strong yet still oddly feminine arm wrapped itself around his waist.

Ok…

Knives thought unable to think of anything else.

With a deep sigh he relaxed and just let Millie sleep. He really didn't feel like getting up right now anyway.

As he settled back into his pallet Millie instinctively moved also. When it was all said and done Millie had somehow traded in her own pillow for Knives chest.

Knives felt annoyed for a second, not so much to the fact that Millie was using him as bedding but because he was starting to feel a little aroused.

Millie felt so soft against him. And that making him rather uncomfortable.

His mind then betrayed him as he remembered the night before. The passion in their kissing and touches.

Knives breathed in deep taking in Millie's scent.

Strange as it was…his relationship with Millie was coming easier for him to accept. Before he had fought with himself over his feelings. Millie was human. He should hate her because of that. But he couldn't hate her. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't force himself to hate her.

So he was without hate toward someone for the first time in his life.

What did he do now?

Knives shifted trying to relieve some of the pressure in his loins. He silently thanked whatever god there were that he was still wearing his pants. If it wasn't for the confining clothing he would be tenting the blanket that covered both him and Millie.

Knives glanced downward cursing his lower parts. And the circomstances that kept him from relieving that pain.

Why now? Why did he have to start feeling lustful now?

Knives had always know that Vash was how should he put it…well he was a pervert. Even Knives could do nothing but admit to that. As much as it had disgusted him at the time Vash would rut with any human that passed his ideals of pretty.

Thankfully that had slacked off once he started to accumulate scars and now it hardly ever happened. But like their feelings on humans, Knives was vastly different when it came to sex. It was simple he didn't do it. Humans had disgusted him. No matter how beautiful or whatever. He had no interest in them.

Suddenly though it seemed his body had changed its mind.

He had kissed Millie and would willing do more.

What am I thinking?

Well the wrong thing for one. Thinking about sex and Millie wasn't helping his condition any. In fact it was starting to get worse, a low throb that was starting to become rather painful.

"Knives?"

Knives startled at the unexpected sound.

He glanced over and saw that Millie was now awake. Her blue eyes were focused on his face.

"Good morning."
She said with a warm smile on her face. She didn't seem to be in a hurry to get up and even laid her head on his chest again.

The hand that was draped over him started to trace lazy circles on his chest.

Just when I thought it couldn't get worse.

"I guess we should get going."

Knives nodded and waited until Millie was up and about before getting up himself.

With Millie not pressed against him he felt better.

Although far from be back to normal.

"AH man it feels good to be back!"

Vash the stampede stood up in the car that he and Meryl had stolen and stretched.

Now that, stealing the car, had been an adventure all in its own.

Buildings blowing up, the street literally splitting open with huge crack's. And one Vash the Stampede looking on in confusion at the chaios.

And don't even get into the problems that came about when Vash was forced to take cover in Delli's Donutes.

All in all it had been a difficult last day of traveling. And all were glad it was over, at least for now.

After Vash stretched he looked around the town carefully and then at the house.

"Looks like everything ok. Don't see any gunholes."

Meryl chuckled at Vash's parnoid nature.

"I doubt he's even out of bed yet. Those wounds you gave him were nasty."

"Ya you're probably right…but then again you don't know Knives."

Suddenly Lina jumped out of the car.

"Are we going to be staying here Eriks?"

"For a couple of days. At least till my brother gets better. Then we're off to a new life in Enepril City."

Meryl went around back to get her luggage not even bothering to ask Vash to help.

Vash and Lina had somehow already got into a wrestling match. Which predicable Vash got his butt whopped. So Meryl knew right away that Vash wouldn't be much help.

He was screaming out mercy when Meryl finally got her luggage out and started toward the house.

"Millie, we're back! Millie? Now this is strange."

Meryl looked around the living room which had also served as Knives hospital room.

The bed was there and everything, but one class A evil guy by the name of Knives was not.

"God no…MILLIE! WHERE ARE YOU?"

Hearing her yell out Vash ran to the door. Took in the scene and with tears running down his eyes started to look for the body. If Knives wasn't here then that meant that he probably had killed Millie.

"MILLIE!"

Meryl's voice was starting to get a hysteric egde to it.

Lina and her Grandmother were in the door way looking in with grim looks on their faces.

"Hey what's this?"

Asked Lina as she noticed what looked like a letter on the table.

"ERIKS!"

Vash yelped as Lina screamed his name and then promptly whacked his head on the underside of the bed he had been looking under.

"Eriks it's a note from Millie."

Vash's eyes grew wide as he took the note.

Dear Mr. Vash and Meryl.

Did you enjoy you're trip? I hope so. I'm really sorry but somethings come up and I have to go home. Don't worry Mr. Vash, Mr. Knives is coming with me. I'll make sure he doesn't hurt himself or get into trouble. You wouldn't believe Mr. Vash how well Knives is doing. He can walk on his own now…granted he can't walk far but that's still amazing.

Anyway I'm going back home, you're welcome to come as well. Knives says that you probably won't believe this letter, and will come looking for me thinking he kidnapped me or something.

I just hope I haven't worried you.

Again I'm really sorry but this is an emgerncy.

Love forever and ever

Millie Thomson.

P.S.

I almost forgot. Tell Meryl I want to talk to her about something personal when I see her.

Vash read the letter over again before handing it off to Meryl.

Finally Meryl spoke after reading it.

"This doesn't sound like something she would write if in danger."

Vash's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked around the room.

Nothing seemed out of place, and he could smell no blood, or gunpower. There was no signs of a struggle or anything. Vash somehow doubt that Millie would be taken down easily. He had felt her punch before, and knew how tough she was. Knives was in no condition to do anything to her.

"You think its real then?"

Meryl thought a moment.

"Yes. If something was wrong Millie would have said P.S. Tell Meryl not to worry."

Meryl handed the note back to Vash.

"It's a code we use in case anything happens and we can't say. Knives wouldn't have known that."

"Smart…and very clever."

Vash suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her up and placing a kiss on her lips.

"That's why you're my girl!"

"Uhg let go! Not in front of the kid Vash."

Lina rolled her eyes.

"I'm 13 now you know. It ain't nothing I haven't seen before."

Both Vash and Meryl blushed as he let her down.

After smoothing down her ruffled feathers so to speak Meryl asked.

"Now what Vash? Should we follow them."

Vash nodded his face suddenly grim.

"Yes. Millie may have left on her own free will, but Knives is dangerous. She shouldn't have done this."

Vash then turned to Lina and his Grandma.

"Hey Grandma, do you think you two could stay here while we go and get them?"

Lina frowned an angry look on her face.

"WHY!? I want to come!"

"It would be quicker if just me and Meryl went. Besides we'll just be turning around when we get there."

Grandma smiled her wrinkled face brightening as she placed a weathered hand on Lina's shoulder.

"Sure Eriks. Me and Lina need a rest anyhow. Traveling for the young and old isn't easy you know."

"Thanks Grandma."

In little less than an hour Meryl and Vash were waving good by to Lina and her grandmother.

Meryl sighed as she sat back in the passenger seat and looked at the letter again.

"What could have possibly posessed her to do this? Even Millie isn't that dense."

"Millie I'm sure knows what she's doing."

Vash said with a smile in his voice. Ever since he had met Millie he had been admiring her observational skills. That woman was sharp.

"You're right. Millie is extremly smart and observent. She just doesn't know it."

Vash smirked but kept his eyes on the road.

"Its because everyone else see's her as a big innocent child. They don't give her time to show them anything else."

"That's true."

Meryl remained silent a moment.

"What do you think you're brother is going to do?"

Vash frowned his eyebrows coming together as he pondered the question.

"I don't know. Something seemed off by that letter. I just can't put my finger on it. He may not try anything."

"Its almost dark, and we're at least half a day behind them. Are we going to stop tonight?"

"I can handle it if you can."

Meryl nodded her face set in determination.

Millie stopped the car just outside of town.

"Something wrong?"

Knives asked casually. He didn't bother to look Millie's way and instead studied how the sand whirled in the wind. Both parties had hardly talked during the last 6 hours of driving. They both were a little embarressed over last night. Not to mention a little shy about it as well.

"No…I'm just worried I guess. I'm scared that…"

Millie's ever present smile faded as thoughts of her father fluttered across her mind.

"I'm scared for my father."

Knives didn't comment. Not because he was being rude or didn't care. He just didn't know what to say. He had never had any experience with family other than his brother.

Millie quickly shook herself out of her funk and smiled brightly as she pointed toward a rather large farm house just outside town. Around it dotting the landscape were several smaller houses. They were definatly a part of the farm but still far enough away to be separate.

"That's Home."

Knives raised an eyebrow that basically said, is that so. Millie giggled at the look and started the car again.

In no time at all they were in front of the house.

Knives frowned.

He had a feeling deep in his gut that he was not going to like this.

Millie was ok. She was human but she wasn't a spider. Her family was another story. He wasn't sure if he was ready to meet with humans yet.

He wasn't sure if he was ready to 'give them a chance' like he told himself he would.

Millie suddenly honked on the horn.

"MOMMA I'M HOME!"

Knives flinched at the booming voice. He shook his head half in pain and half in awe that a female could be that loud.

Millie jumped out of the car and waved like a lunitic at the large woman that suddenly appeared in the door way.

"Millie! HONEY!"

Knives just watch slightly amused as a horse of a woman ran toward Millie and grabbed her in a bone crushing hug.

The woman was an older human with brown hair streaked heavily in grey highlights. She had large brown eyes and the same smile as Millie.

She was, if that was possible a head taller than Millie. Not only that but she looked rather muscular. Millie he knew was a strong woman but this one had the muscle mass of a man…a large man.

She wasn't a bad looking woman, just different.

"Momma this is Mr. Knives. Knives this is my Mother Terri."

Knives seriously considered completely ignoring the woman. However just one look at Millie's face confinced him not to. Millie might be just a human but he was still injuried. He really didn't need anymore pain that was nessisary.

So Knives was forced to acknowlegde this woman.

"Hello."

He said simply before looking elsewhere.

"Friendly chap ain't he?"

Millie's mom said her voice dry.

Millie sighed but still looked pleased that at least Knives had said a word.

"Mr. Knives can you walk to the house?"

Knives eyed the distance. It shouldn't be to bad although the three steps that lead onto the porch might cause problems.

He opened the door and with a little help from Millie got to his feet. He winced as his thighs protested the movement. They were sore and stiff as hell.

Terri stepped back allowing her daughter and the blonde man to stumble by. One could almost see the questions running through her mind, however she kept her mouth shut and followed her daughter.

Millie took Knives to the living room and gently helped him sit in a large leather chair. It was plushy and comfortable. A huge difference from the broken seats in the car. Knives liked it instantly.

"Are you hungry? Good I'll fix something."

Millie with a huge smile on her face went into the kitchen to fix Knives something. Her mother was waiting for her.

"What in the world happened to that man."

Millie sighed. Figures she would have to explain.

"Mr. Knives was shot."

Terri gasped as tears pooled in her eyes. Much like Millie Terri was a gentle woman and hated it when people got hurt.

"Oh that's terrible."

Millie nodded as she grabbed some ingredients.

"I'm sorry to say but it had to be done. He's a lot better than when he first woke up. He refused to even ecknowlegde I exsited the first few days."

Terri stood beside her daughter as she started to help by cutting some carrots. Her daughters words confused her. What was that man's problem?

Millie acted as if his simple hello was a good thing. Personally she had thought it was rather rude.

"So…why haven't you written lately Millie? Little Anthony is heartbroken."

Millie smiled at the thought of her little nephew.

"I've been busy."

Millie then proceeded to tell her mother all that happened.

Vash's brush with death…his own and Legato's. She told her about Wolfwoods death and about Peter the little boy Nicolas had shot.

She told her about the battle with Knives although she left out the part that Knives was actually Legato's boss. No need to scare her mother with the knowelegde that a homicidal maniac was in her house.

By the time she was done talking Millie was crying.

She still missed Wolfwood terribly.

"Of my…shh shsh its alright dear."

Terri took her daughter into her arms for a firm hug.

Millie returned the hug just as feriously. She felt so much better now that she's told her mother about Wolfwood and gotten her feelings off her chest. She had been feeling lately like a bottal over filled and corked off from the rest of the world. She had felt like she was going to explode.

"Momma…how is Papa?"

Terri sighed as she let go of Millie and went about chopping more carrots.

"He's better although not fully healed yet. The doctors think he had a light stroke. He's talking alright but doesn't seem to be able to move his left arm."

"Is he here?"

Terri shook he head no.

"He's at the doctors office. The doctor didn't want him coming home yet."

Millie sighs a relieved smile touching her lips.

"I'm so glad. You wouldn't believe how worried I've been. I even dragged Knives out of his recovering bed to come up here."

"Knives hmmm…so that's Vash the Stampedes brother."

Knives sat in the extremly comfortable chair waiting for Millie to come back. No doubt she was talking up a storm with that horse of a mother of hers.

He didn't mind waiting. He was after all rather good at it. Knives had perfected the technique of waiting while recovering from Vash's Angel arm. It had taken 23 years just for him to be able to walk again.

So waiting a few minutes was nothing.

Knives took the moment to study the house around him.

One thing that stuck as odd was how much wood was in this place. There was wooden furiture and wood accents on the walls, hell even the floor was wooden.

Everything around him spoke of spider wealth.

The room was suprisenly clean and devoid of the usually sand dust. It was also cooler than he thought it should be. That spoke of carefull planning during the constuction of the house and uses of air venilation.

He had no idea that Millie had come from a place like this.

I'm amazed at every turn when it involves Millie.

Knives eyes suddenly narrowed as someone…several someones walked through the front door. They were all very noising, laughing and carrying on with each other.

They didn't even notice Knives at first.

"Uh? Oh hi."

A tall man with brown hair said when he finally noticed the glaring blonde.

If Knives had a gun he would have probably shot the man right then. He just looked so overly cheerfull that it made Knives sick. He instantly disliked the guy.

Knives glare fairly burned holes through the older man.

While the man seemed not to notice the glare the woman behind him did. She swallowed and hide behind the smiling idiot. There was a great pack of children also following the man. The oldest didn't seem to happy and glared back. The others either were scared or didn't have a clue like their father.

"Big Big Brother!"

Knives heard Millie suddenly scream in happiness. Knives blinked as Millie went flying by him and attacked the man in a crushing hug.

Knives smiled evilly at the way his eyes bulged from the pressure.

"Little Baby sister"

He croaked out.

Millie finally let go of him and turned her attention to the others. She huged each one starting from the oldest looking one to the youngest. She called out their names as she went.

"John, Bryan, Kenny, Mitchel, Tony Jr., Jordon oh look how you have grown!"

"Aunt Millie!"

The one that she had called John said with a smile.

Knives frowned as he studied the group more carefully. After a moment he could see the family resemblence. That sickened him because he had really disliked the father spider. Now he was going to have at least tolerate the man.

Millie smiled so brightly at Knives, he was sure the room brightened. It was such a dazzling smile that Knives felt his breath catch.

"Knives…I want you to meet my Big Big brother. Big Big brother this is Knives.

Knives allowed his face to go completely deadpan. He did not attempt to take the hand that Millie's brother offered him.

Millie's brother didn't seem offended more than he did embarressed. He took back his hand and rubbed the back of his head. Knives noticed that the oldest 'John' and the second oldest 'Bryan' was glaring at him now.

Millie just looked concerned.

"Knives are your shoulders hurting you? Please excuse him Big Big Brother. Knives was shot in both shoulders and legs not long ago. It was only two days ago that he even tried to walk."

BB (big big) smiled and nodded.

"That's understandable."

Knives closed his eyes fighting with the overwhelming urge to forget about his wounds and choke the spider to death.

He tried to remind himself yet again that he had said he would give spiders a chance. He wouldn't live by a dead mans influence. He never imagined it would be so difficult. He felt nothing but an overpowering hatred and disgust toward these spiders. Only the fact that they were Millie's family kept him where he was sitting.

He could imagine how upset and hurt Millie would be if he killed her family. Just imagining that was enough to stop.

He never wanted to see her cry, and it would crush him if he was the one to cause it.

Knives sighed. When had Millie become so important to him? When had what she felt matter?

He thought about it a moment and couldn't remember. It had happened before he had even realized it. Somehow Millie had wiggled her way past his hate and was logded firmly in his feelings.

He watched as Millie quickly went into a recount of her adventures.

Knives listened carefully. He only knew the following events through Legato's point of view and even then he didn't know everything that had happened.

Somethings that she said were old news some was new. He hadn't know for exsample that Wolfwood had died in a church leaned up against his cross punisher.

As Millie talked something about the way she spoke about Wolfwood bothered him.

She got so sad and hurt sounding.

"OH Millie."

Said Big Big brothers wife.

"I'm so sorry. I know how much he meant to you."

Knives stiffened in shock as something powerful ripped through his body. He knew all to well this consuming and hated emotion. He felt it every time Vash had talked about Rem and was with humans instead of him.

It was jeolously!

Knives suddenly was furious. Wolfwood that lowly traitor had meant something to Millie! Millie HIS Millie had feelings toward that spider!

It was disgusting! Millie was to good for a human like Wolfwood! That damn priest had no right to even be in her memories much less in her heart.

Knives clenched his hands in rage. He was so angry it hurt! His nails dug into his palms blooding his hands.

Knives didn't trust himself to stand up. He didn't trust himself to even move.

Closing his eyes he felt his power inside throb in time with the raged beats of his heart.

The only time he ever remembered being this angry was when Vash had shot him. First with the gun he had given him and then with his Angel arm.

Inside his mind he felt his brothers panic. No doubt he felt Knives anger and was in turn reacting to it. A part of Knives mind that wasn't comsumed in hatred right now took note of how far away Vash was.

Not to far only a day away or so. Under normal circustances the brother couldn't feel each other at this distance. Only in times of extreme emotion did their powers expand like it was now.

Knives blantly ignored the soft and distant questions.

Knives heard Millie talking again. Talking more about Wolfwood. Telling her family about some of the stuff he had done.

She talked way to emotionally about him.

"Wolfwood…"

Knives finally said. The word was spoken softly, much quieter than Millie was talking. However the way he said it caught everyones attention. There was something so very cold and hateful about the tone of his voice then.

"Wolfwood doesn't deserve your mourning. That ugly spider worked for me! You think he followed my idiot brother for no reason!"

Suddenly Knives stood up. The movement played havic on his wounds but for once pain was the last thing on his mind.

"He followed Vash because I ordered him to! I personally order him to follow and protect Vash. He was a traitor to you Millie!"

Millie blinked as her relatives remained silent. They all sensed…even the youngest child that this was important.

"What?"

Millie asked her voice breathless.

Knives smiled…not the smile that Millie liked. But the smile he always wore when he caused his brother pain.

"Wolfwood was a Gunho Gun. His mission was to protect my brother until I was ready for him!"

"THAT'S A LIE!"

"I don't lie."

Millie jumped up as well, her face red.

"Wolfwood would never do that!"

"AND what do you know about the priest?"

Knives yelled at her. His face was a storm of emotions that he couldn't quite get under control.

He wanted to soil Wolfwood in Millie's eyes. He wanted her to hate the priest. Yet telling her this also made her hate him. It hurt her.

He could see it in her eyes.

But his jeolous wouldn't allow any other thoughts. And he couldn't stop the words from flowing out of his mouth.

"What kind of priest can shoot like Wolfwood. Tell me Millie, why then was he good? Why did he follow Vash around? And how did Wolfwood know I was in Burdell! That's because he worked for me!"

Millie couldn't take it anymore. With a sob of denial she turned and ran.

Knives watched his heart clenching at the tears in her eyes.

"That was uncalled for."

Millie's mother said her voice centuring.

Knives spun toward her so fast that they all gasped in surprise. A man wounded like he was wasn't supposed to be able to move that fast. Hell a man wasn't supposed to move like that period.

"SHUT up you spider! I don't care that Vash won the battle! It was a battle not the war! And when I get my gun back I'll take great pleasure destorying each and every city on the planet, starting with this one! I won't wait for Vash this time!"

With that and a terrifing look that made little Jordan the youngest of Millie's brothers children start crying, Knives walked out the door.