Trigun Fanfic

Summary: Why did it all go wrong? When did it all go wrong? He has a vague sense that he isn't where he's supposed to be, that he's being held by invisible bonds that he cannot see. Great sadness engulfs him as he looks upon the glowing bulbs and one thought reigns in his mind as he looks at the people looking back at him: You can't take me! I'm free!

Trigun © Yasuhiro Nightow Shonen Gaho-sha Tokuma Shoten JVC Pioneer Entertainment (USA) Inc.

The following fan fiction was written by me (Chiruken) and is intended for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.

I'm Free

By Chiruken

Prologue

On Board Project SEEDS, 132 Years Ago:

He was excited. He could barely contain the sense of elation thrumming through his body as he approached the familiar doors. Skidding to a halt, he bent forward, resting his hands on his knees and gasped to catch his breath. Shaking his head ruefully, he laughed breathlessly at himself. He'd run the whole distance from one end of the ship to the other, unable to wait even the few minutes that merely walking would have added to the time between then and now. Straightening, he looked around, blue eyes wide and bright with excitement, lips curved upwards into a happy grin. He was alone, the others having not caught up to him yet. Turning back to the large double doors he bounced on the balls of his feet, impatient to enter, yet also knowing that he'd be in a lot of trouble for doing so unsupervised. Glancing over his shoulder once again, he clasped his hands behind his back and bit his lip in indecision before facing front again. Finally coming to a decision, he reached out and pressed his palm flat against the control panel set in the wall beside the doors. The next instant the doors swooshed open and cool air rushed out to meet him, brushing against his cheeks and causing his breath to form tiny puffs before his face. He just couldn't wait anymore and rushed inside, the doors sliding closed with a nearly inaudible whoosh.

This was, by far, his favourite place on the ship…even more so than the lush greenery of the Recreation Room he spent so much time in with his brother and their surrogate mother. Staring with wide-eyed wonder at the rows upon rows of capsules walked slowly, his steps echoing in the quiet of the room. Looking from side to side, he studied the faces that were visible through the clear, glass-like encasings of the pods, ignoring the chill in the air. Stopping at a computer console, he looked over his shoulder again towards the door before seating himself in the comfortable chair. Within moments his face was illuminated by the glow emanating from the screen as he stared at it intently. There were so many people, thousands of names listed, yet he spent as much time as he could perusing each and every file, memorizing the data spread before him. His goal was quite simple, to his young mind at least…he wanted to know every one of the people who were currently placed in cold sleep. He wanted to be able to greet each and every person by name when they finally arrived at their final destination.

His brother was skeptical, not entirely convinced that they could be friends with everyone. But he was hopeful. He felt very strongly that no matter what the differences between them, they would somehow be able to understand each other and live together in peace and happiness. Absently tugging on his long, pale blond hair, he frowned thoughtfully as he studied the pictures in the profiles on the screen. So many faces, so many different expressions. To him, they were all beautiful…fascinating…and representatives of hope and the will to survive.

The doors opened with a soft shushing sound, but he was too engrossed in his perusal of the screen and his own imaginings to notice. It wasn't until he felt something being laid across his shoulders that he became aware that he was no longer alone. Looking up in surprise, he smiled brightly at the woman looking down at him indulgently. It wasn't until he slipped his arms into the coat she brought for him that he realized how cold he actually was. "Thanks, Rem." Her only response was to lean down and hug him before straightening to ruffle his hair affectionately. Squirming, he frowned up at her and smoothed his hands over his messed hair. The frown didn't last long, however, and was almost immediately replaced with another of his bright smiles. Facing forward again, he rested his elbows on the console, lacing his fingers together before lower his chin to rest on his hands. "Hey…Rem…" He didn't take his eyes off the screen as he spoke quietly. "When can we meet them?"

Kneeling, she placed one arm along the back the chair and leaned forward with a smile. "It won't be for some time yet, I'm afraid." Seeing his disappointed look she lowered her arm to hug him close to her side. "Don't make such a face." She laughed softly and rested her cheek against the top of his head. "We need to find a suitable place to make our new home, first."

Sighing, he nodded slowly before reaching forward to blank the screen. "I know. But still…I really wish I could meet at least some of them."

Smiling indulgently again, she straightened and stood. "All in good time, I promise." Leaning one hip against the console, she folded her arms across her chest. "Now…what have I told you about coming in here?" She raised one eyebrow when he looked away, avoiding her direct gaze.

"I know, Rem, and I'm sorry. I just couldn't wait, that's all." He squirmed in his chair before slowly raising his gaze to meet hers. She was still smiling which meant he wasn't in too much trouble.

Shaking her head with a soft laugh she stood straight and nodded towards the door. "Let's go the Recreation Room and have lunch, all right?"

Nodding happily, he swiveled the chair around and hopped off to the floor, running towards the doors. Pausing to look back at her he grinned. "Come on, Rem! Hurry!"

"Ahh…always in such a hurry."

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