Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Life Thereafter ❯ A Problem and an Idea ( Chapter 20 )

Disclaimer: How I wish I owned Trigun. Sadly, I own it not.

 

A/N: I'm back with another chapter! Yes, `tis a great day! No, not because I posted (although that IS good), but because there's yet another cool pic in my profile by Abo. It's of Vash and based on the previous chapter. It is TEH UBER COOL! XD

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Lots of dialogue between...well, you'll see. Hehehe...

 

 

A Problem and an Idea

 

“Aren't…aren't you going to kill me?” she asked, her voice quivering.

“No. But do not mistake your good fortune,” Knives said curtly.

“I don't understand.”

He glared at her. “Vash's deterioration is gaining speed, and it would appear that keeping you alive is in his best interest, no matter how much I dislike it.”

She paled. “Deterioration?”

“Time is running out for Vash. I must find a cure, and I must find it now,” Knives ground out before turning his back and walking back to the medical bay with Vash in tow, not bothering to help the petite human he was leaving behind.

Meryl watched Knives walk away, his stride strong and confident, but she could see the stiffness in his back. When she saw a few feathers spout in random areas, mostly concentrated on his left side, it did not even surprise her. Too much had happened, and very little shocked her anymore, especially when it came to Vash and Knives.

Or, at least, it should not. She could still see the look in Vash's eyes as he charged wildly at Knives, eyes aglow with feathers whipping around his lanky frame. He had been the very picture of a demon from hell, yet the irony was in the feathers. Since when did demons have wings?

Reality began to set in as Knives's retreating form became smaller. Meryl began to feel panic set in. After all, she was cut and bleeding in multiple places. Her wounds needed to be treated effect of immediately, or infection would set in. Considering how much blood had already leaked out of her, she would be bedridden for a few days at the very least. At this rate, it did not look like much help was forthcoming.

Meryl's heart began to race. I can't believe I'm thinking of this. There has to be another way!

However, she knew there was not. Knives was the only one who could aid her now. Meryl was in no position to help herself, and neither was Vash. She shuddered, knowing all too well the chances that Knives would do anything at all for a human, but Meryl had to try.

“Knives!” she shouted as loud as her voice would allow, still hoarse from shrieking at Vash when he had gone berserk.

Knives, whether or not he heard her call, did not slow his pace nor incline his gaze in her direction. He continued, clearly in a hurry to be rid of his burden with no time to spare for a human, even if he had wanted to, which Meryl severely doubted. Still, she tried again, this time so loud that she felt her throat was going to tear.

This time, Knives did pause. He continued walking, a bit less quickly, and he looked over his shoulder. Meryl swallowed hard, the look in his arctic, disdainful eyes clear. She would receive no aid from him. She was on her own. Then, without even so much as a snide comment, Knives resumed his treck and left the Plant facility.

Meryl could not explain what she felt in that moment. It was true that she had expected Knives to respond like this, but Meryl had hoped in the face of all logic and reason that he would in some way help her since this whole thing was his fault. Yet, blaming Knives for it all, as nice as that would be, was oversimplifying things, and Meryl knew it.

What am I going to do now? Meryl asked herself dismally.

She looked down at herself, clothing in tatters and soaked through with blood. Even the slightest movement caused her to suck in her breath, daggers of pain wracking her small body. Meryl wondered absently about how sad Millie would be if she could see how messy her Sempai's new clothes had become.

The whole thing was wrong. It was not supposed to be like this. Meryl had never believed that anything would be easy once Vash returned with Knives. In fact, she had doubted from the beginning that Vash would be able to “save Knives.” On the other hand, Meryl had not expected Vash to become deathly ill while Knives attempted to save Vash, cutting humans down as he went.

Why did I come on this journey? Why am I subjecting myself to this? I was always a strong woman on my own, but ever since I met Vash, I feel like I'm less independent. Can't I stand on my own two feet anymore?

Meryl rolled over carefully, realeasing her breath in a hiss of pain as she leaned forward, fists curled around the thick blades of grass as she began to push herself up. Her torn muscles screamed at her in protest, the wounds opening once again as blood oozed from the gashes in her flesh. Meryl squeezed her eyes shut, salty liquid gathering in their corners. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself into a sitting position.

Panting slighty, she glared at the exit of the Plant facility, the same place where Knives had gone. The burning sensation that ripped through her began to subside, still there but forced to the side as a different burning sensation began to overtake her: rage.

Knives might think he's a superior being, but he isn't! Meryl thought fiercely. He's just as fallible as any human! I don't care what kind of powers he has. He is not going to win this! I'll show him that Meryl Stryfe isn't someone who rolls over and dies!

Meryl braced herself and then forced herself upright, grimacing with the pain as she made it to her feet. Tears threatened to come once again, but she fought them off, determined not to show weakness of any sort, despite the fact that Knives was nowhere in sight. It did not matter. Being able to handle anything did.

Taking one wobbly step towards the door, Meryl wrapped her arms tightly about herself, suddenly chilled. The places where Knives had decided to “have his way” with her throbbed dully, going numb.

That's not good...

Moving as fast as she could for one who had not long ago been subjected to torture by blade, Meryl stumbled across the field, nearly falling several times. When she finally did, new pain assaulted her as the wounds were jolted completely open. As the edges of her vision began to blur and fade to black, Meryl could not see how it was possible for her to do this alone.

 

 

Dream Sequence

 

Vash was floating in the void again. Oddly enough, he could still see out the way he had come in, but when he tried to cross back over, he could not. Peering out from his prison, Vash could see the rust colored earth, the color of dried blood. It was decay personified, and this time, Vash knew what it was.

A glimmer of light drew his attention away from the sight before him. It was the river again. Vash watched as the silvery liquid was drawn into the vacuum. Not long after, it turned black, hardening until it crumbles into dust. Vash knew at this point, although it still saddened him, that nothing lasted forever.

Not even me...

Shifting his gaze back to the hole through which things could enter but not depart, Vash could see far and beyond. The rust crept forward inexorably, gaining speed slowly but surely as more glowing water passed through into the void, and there seemed to be no way to stop it. At this point, Vash had no idea what he could do.

Sighing, he sat down, resting his chin on his knee. It had taken a while, but Vash finally understood why he had come here. This place, everything, was not a trick of his subconscious. It was all a very real metaphor. He felt like a fool for not realizing sooner, but it was no use beating himself up about it now.

This paradise that had somehow some into being in the depths of his consciousness represented not only his state of mind, but also his state of health. In both cases, he was deteriorating. Vash still did not know the specifics, but if he gave it more thought, he was sure everything would become clear.

However, Vash could not help but feel frustrated. He could think clearly enough here, but the real world was another story. For some reason, he could not remember anything that occurred when he was awake when he was in this place, which was grating on him because Vash knew that things had happened, bad things, even though he could not remember the specifics.

Perhaps the worst thing was that Vash knew Meryl was there somewhere in the midst of all of this. She had involved herself in this, and Vash worried whether or not that was a wise decision on her part, considering Knives less than sparkling record. It made Vash feel a bit less ill at ease, knowing that he was not alone with Knives, but he also felt guilty because it was selfish of him to want Meryl near when he knew it would put her in danger.

Then, as Vash sat there pondering, he began to notice that his surroundings were beginning to fade. He scrambled to his feet, whirling about as things began to disappear one by one. This was certainly different.

Am I waking up?

 

End Dream Sequence

 

Vash's eyes slid open, nearly blinded by the bright lights beaming down from above. He moaned as a wave of nausea overtook him, and he rubbed his eyes with his prosthetic hand. It felt like his skull was throbbing, but Vash knew a splitting headache when he felt one. While waiting for his eyes to adjust, Vash made several observations.

 

He was lying on a hard bed of some sort.

He was strapped down and covered in blankets at the same time.

It was way too bright.

He felt like his brain had been pulled out through his ear, battered, and shoved back in via the opposite ear.

He felt like hell in general.

 

Vash groaned, trying to move but his limbs felt like lead, especially his right arm. His eyes widened, and he tried to twist his head around to get a good look at what exactly was going on with his arm now, but the sheer amount of light prevented him from seeing much more than his torso. Vash was not sure whether to be grateful or annoyed.

“I see you're awake,” a familiar voice said.

Vash squinted into the brightness, unable to see the speaker, but he knew who it was anyway. “Knives.”

“Indeed,” Knives replied, stepping closer so Vash could see him.

“What is this, Knives?” Vash asked cautiously.

Knives raised his eyebrows. “It would appear you have regained some of your senses.”

Vash stared up at his older twin. “I don't understand.”

“Well, as I'm sure you have noticed, you have not been your normal self recently. I never thought I would say this, but your behavior has been even more irrational than usual, to the point of it being dangerous,” Knives said impassively.

Vash blinked, trying to remember. His eyes grew large and round as images from today's events flashed before him. He remembered the dream, waking up, stumbling into a grassy area, and then...

...Meryl's torn body while Knives stood over her, grinning maniacally as her blood dripped slowly off of his Angel Blades.

Everything after that was a haze of bits of wings and feathers flying everywhere.

“What...have...you...DONE?” Vash bellowed as he tried to leap at the older Plant, barely kept in check by the straps despite his weakened state.

“What have I done?” Knives growled dangerously. “Ask youself that, brother, before you point the finger at me.”

“Me? You're the one who's been killing people! And you almost killed Meryl today, too!” Vash shouted, glaring daggers at Knives.

“Well, then, you should be proud of yourself, brother,” Knives spat. “Your timely intervention saved her miserable life and put yours in jeopardy at the same time!”

“And just how did I endanger my life more than it already is? Or has been?” Vash glowered.

Knives's eyes flashed dangerously. “If you are referring to the Gung-Ho Guns, they have nothng to do with this.”

“You're right, Knives. It has nothing to do with them, and everything to do with you!” Vash countered.

“You...you fool!” Knives fumed. “Do you have any idea what you did to yourself today?”

Vash stopped, unsure now. “What do you mean?”

“Do you want to see, brother? Do you want to see what is happening to you?” Knives hissed, the light shutting off abruptly a few moments later.

Vash winced, expecting at the very least to be smacked by his brother. Nothing was forthcoming, though, leaving Vash to adjust to the change in lighting. Everything was hazy for a little while, but he was able to distinguish the medical facillities computers, and equipment eventually. Then, taking a deep breath, Vash turned his head and looked at his right arm.

Nothing had prepared Vash for this. He remembered what his arm had looked like when he had woken up earlier, and while it had exhibited some of the same characteristics, it had now gotten completely out of control.

There were wings sprouting from his right arm, covered in downy white feathers. Vash gaped at the sheer length of them as they branched off, nearly touching the floor. The way they moved was also disturbing, a swaying motion that would have been more reasonable if there was a breeze. Just looking at them made Vash's stomach feel queazy.

Vash looked back up at Knives, whose face was twisted with so many different emotions that Vash could not determine them all. Disgust? Jealousy? Anger? Concern? He could not tell.

“Now do you understand?” Knives grated. “No, don't answer,” he said. “You don't yet understand. I want to show you something.”

Vash stared, still a bit dazed from what he had just seen, as Knives snatched two mirrors off of a table. He came back, one in either hand.

“Lift your head,” Knives said. It was not a request.

Vash hesitated before complying. Knives manuevered one mirror behind Vash's head and then positioned another in front of the other.

“Look.”

Vash did. As the the mirrors reflected off of each other, Vash could see the base of his neck. There was a streak of black, not too big, but large enough to be unnatural. He looked at Knives quizzically.

“That is a sign of decay,” Knives said softly. “Do you see?”

Vash's eyes widened. “You mean...”

“Yes,” Knives murmured. “It would appear that when a Plant has exhausted the energy stored inside of it, the hair begins to turn black until eventually, the Plant dies.”

Vash paled. “A hair-darkening effect?”

“Yes, for lack of a better phrase.”

“So, I'm dying?”

Knives narrowed his eyes. “Not if I have anything to say about it. I will not permit you to die, Vash. Understand?”

Vash blinked. This was Knives? This was the same Knives who had vowed to destroy the human race, sent killers after his own brother, and caused misery to so many? It was hard to believe,

As if sensing Vash's thoughts, Knives scowled. “You act as though I'm incapable of feeling anything, don't you, brother? It makes it easier for you to shoot me, doesn't it? Just because I don't share your love of the human race, do not presume I am a villain who cannot feel. I merely chose our own siblings over creatures who abuse them for their own selfish gain!” Knives finished, his eyes flaring angrily.

Vash flinched. Knives would never convince him that Plants were superior to humans, but his words did have some truth to them. Vash had spent more time with humans than his Plant siblings. On the other hand, Knives had spent almost no time with humans, unless he was slaughtering them. Neither was completely in the right, but the problem was that Knives wanted to kill of an entire species while Vash wanted both to coexist. Even though Vash still had some hope that Knives would give up his planned genocide, that prospect was looking inceasingly less likely every day.

“In any case,” Knives stated, “there is only one problem with this situation.”

“Besides the fact that you haven't told me why you won't tell me what happened to Meryl when she needs medical attention?” Vash retorted.

Knives narrowed his eyes. “Your fixation on that piece of vermin is what got you into this predicament in the first place, brother. Try to remember that.”

Vash gritted his teeth. Won't you ever change?

“As I was saying,” Knives continued, “there is a problem. I can't get near you.”

Puzzled, Vash asked, “What? Why can't you?”

Knives lifted his left arm moved it forward until Vash was about two yarz away. Suddenly, to Vash's shock, Knives's arm burst into feathers. A split second later, Knives jerked his arm back, a grimace on his face as the feathers receded.

“What happened?” Vash exclaimed.

“Apparently, our two Angel Arms resonate with each other,” Knives said, sounding irritable. “When I get too close to you, my body begins to react as well against my will. Do you see my dilemma? How can I help you when I can't touch you?” Knives growled.

Vash leaned back, trying to relax despite the fact the he was more or less tied up at the moment. He had an idea, but the chances that Knives would agree to it were somewhere between one and zero percent. The chances that he would like it were even less than that. Still, if Vash put it the right way...

“Well, I do have an idea...” Vash wheedled.

Knives narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Why do I get the feeling that I am going to detest this `idea' of yours?”

Vash smiled slightly. “Well, how often do I enjoy ideas you come up with?”

Knives frowned. “Very well! Tell me.”

“Well, since you can't get near me, and I can't really help myself because I'm...er...not well and strapped to my bed-”

“For your own protection!” Knives interjected.

“Um, right. Anyway,” Vash said, ignoring the glares Knives was sending his way, “since neither of us are candidates, the only other person around here is-”

“Hold it right there!” Knives raged. “If you mean that stunted female than you really must have taken leave of your senses!”

“Knives, just think about it,” Vash pleaded. “There's no other way!”

“I will not have her here!” Knives shouted. “That trash has no right to be here!”

Vash was getting angry now, too. “Look, you keep saying you want to help me, but now, when there is only one option left to you, you would rather cling to your grudge against humans than allow a human woman to offer me the only help that I can get! Do you want me to get better or not?”

At that moment, Vash began coughing violently. The sound of his hacking cough was abrasive, and to Vash it felt like he was about to lose part of his lung. The only things preventing him from falling off of the bed from the force of his coughs were the restraints.

When the episode finally died down, Knives stalked out of the room, a muscle twitching in his jaw, his eyes burning. Vash smiled weakly.

Looks like that's a yes...

 

 

Awww, poor Knives. He gets thwarted every time!

Knives: You are so cruel, child.

O.o Cruel? Me? AHAHAHAHAHA! Coming from you, that's funny! XP

Knives: Do not deny it. You take sadistic pleasure in making your characters suffer.

o.O Ahem, well, it depends on the character... -points at Knives-

Knives: Grrr...

You want cruel? I'll give you cruel! -sics Kuroneko-zilla on him-

Kuroneko-zilla: NYAAAAWR!!! (Translation: A mix between “nyah” and “rawr” that means “I shall devour your brains!”)

Knives: ARGH!

Well, Knives is once again occupied, and I am, too, so now all that's left is for you to REVIEW! XD