InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Eventful Night ( Chapter 9 )

Humanity

By Joyfulmusic

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or Inuyasha. Never have, never will.

This fanfic contains some spoilers. I haven't seen the whole series of either show so I'm not sure how they end. But that's why this is a fanfic

 

Chapter 9: Eventful Night

 

Willa was leaning back against the couch. The shades were drawn against the darkness. A lone lamp, which she had bought at the junk store, was the only light that was turned on. Edward was in the kitchen getting them something to drink. They'd already eaten hours before, and the dishes were done. Relaxation had finally settled in around her.

 

When he came into the room the alchemist held two glasses. He was smiling as he sat down on the couch. Handing her one she found it was the drink mix Alphonse had so kindly thought to pick up when shopping for groceries. “To our new home.” The alchemist toasted, clanging the glasses together and taking a sip. “Where's Al?”

 

She smiled taking a drink, then setting it on the table. “I think he wanted to give us some time to ourselves. So he's up in your room playing with the cat.” She settled back against Ed's real arm, which he'd put across the back of the couch. “Now why do you think he would want to give us time alone?” She coaxed, wanting so much to feel loved again.

 

Edward grinned, slightly uncomfortable. “I wouldn't know.” He sat forward, moving his arm from behind her shoulders. He had never been at ease when unaccompanied with women he liked. Yet something about this one seemed to be drawing him in quicker than most. “I can go get him. He doesn't need to spend so much time by himself.” But before he could stand she put a hand on his arm. Peering over his shoulder at her he saw affection in her eyes so deep that it surprised him.

 

“Don't go.” Willa pleaded, pulling him to sit back next to her. Did it really matter what caused them to grow so close so quickly? “You know perfectly well why he wanted to give us time alone.” She wrapped his arm around her shoulders once more, then sighed closing her eyes. The girl knew Alphonse was upset and wanted to be by himself with his thoughts. She also knew it bothered him that his brother was holding back because of the guilt the alchemist felt for Al's inability to become close with most women.

 

Relaxing a little, Ed felt better. He breathed in deeply. Something was happening that he couldn't explain, but wanted to let continue. “I think he believes I'm in love with you. But he's wrong about that.” The blond teased her. “After all, you would know if I was, and you haven't made a move yet. So that means you wouldn't feel that way about me.”

 

She giggled a little before glancing up at him. “No I wouldn't love you. If I did I would let you kiss me, and I haven't done that yet.” She mused, praying he'd make the next move so she wouldn't have to. Because if she did, it would ruin the good girl game she'd been playing. But he knew she wasn't all sugar, and she loved him for it.

 

“Well.” He pondered, shifting her to lay across his lap with her head on the arm of the couch. A passion he'd never felt before was begging to be expressed. “I suppose the only way to find out is for me to try. Then we wouldn't have to worry about questioning it anymore.” She smiled, rising to meet his lips as he bent down.

 

Alphonse sat on the top step holding their pet and listening to the couple's words. He would have been smiling had he the ability to do so. `Good, brother needs to have someone. He deserves it.' Unfortunately Pharaoh leapt from his grasp and barreled down the stairs, stopping just over Edward's head. `No don't!' He cried silently, but with a pounce the cat jumped at the braid.

 

“Oh!” Ed pulled away from the kiss instantly. He was startled but managed not to throw the feline. Instead Pharaoh balanced on his bent head, deciding to lay down right there. “Alphonse, come get this stupid cat!” His voice sounded more annoyed than angry, which was a good sign.

 

Al came rushing down the stairs and took in the scene. There was Willa, lying across his older sibling's lap. Her face was red, trying to hold back the laugher that beamed from her eyes. Edward's head was down with the feline curled on top of it. Alphonse couldn't help but chuckle as he removed Pharaoh. Willa let loose the giggle which cascaded quickly into a full laugh. Tears poured down her cheeks as she pointed at Ed's scowling face, who proclaimed. “It was supposed to be a romantic moment, not a funny one!” But his words only added to her amusement, which became catching. Soon all three of them were laughing.

 

“Brother.” Al managed. “I'm sorry, I thought I had a tight enough grip on him, but he got away.” At that Ed's amusement ceased, causing Alphonse to worry. `Uh, I really shouldn't have said that.' But now it was too late. Why on earth had he mentioned the fact that he'd known what was going on?

 

Willa smiled at the armor to show him she wasn't upset with the fact he'd been snooping. “Oh Edward, don't worry. Al wants us to be together. Don't you?” He nodded to her but didn't say anything. She placed her hands on Ed's chin, turning him to look down at her. “So don't worry about it.” With that she wrapped her arms around him, dragging him down into a tighter kiss.

 

Edward was startled but allowed the movement, embracing her in return. If his brother was going to watch it may as well be a good show. He'd known his sibling wanted them to get together. But the thought of actually going through with it had bugged him. Now however, he didn't have much choice. His heart was already in too deep to turn back.

 

Gasping, Willa let him loose. She smiled, her arms still looped behind his neck. “There, now was that really so bad?” He shook his head, smiling. She shifted to sit up, tucking her hair back behind her ears. “Alphonse, don't worry about everything. It's going to be fine, you'll see. We'll find a way to get you back to normal without the stone.” She seemed to be more at ease with the situation then they were.

 

Al stared at her questioningly. “How did you know I was worried about it? I haven't said anything. Have you brother?” Turning to look at Ed he saw the alchemist shaking his head while shrugging. Apparently he was just as confused about her knowledge. “We didn't even tell you about the Philosophers Stone.”

 

Grinning Willa explained, but only because she knew they accepted her as she was. “I heard you two speaking about it last week. And as for knowing you were worried… you should know better than to try and keep things from me. Oh by the way, I did know you flinched.” Seeing the bewilderment in Ed's eyes she clarified. “When you first came to my house and found out about what I can do. You flinched, and so did Al, even though it couldn't be seen.” Stretching she stood and moved to the landing on the stairway.

 

“I'm sorry Willa.” Alphonse apologized with his head down. “I didn't mean to, it was just… strange. I suppose I was concerned about you finding out about the truth. It wasn't just brother, we both worried about it.” He was ashamed of his reactions. How many times had he been hurt by someone doing the same to him?

 

She was still smiling, noting that Edward was also regretting his reaction. “Oh don't worry about it! It doesn't make any difference. I worried about you two when I first saw you, there at the gate. It's just a normal human reaction I guess. It doesn't matter.” Looking to Ed she nodded. “Good night, don't stay up too late. You're grumpy when you don't get enough rest.”

 

He frowned as she climbed the stairs. After hearing her door close he turned back to the armor. “You sure you don't mind? Me and Willa being together, it doesn't bother you?” Edward didn't want to do anything that would hurt his younger sibling. He'd done more than enough to destroy him over the years. Yet through it all Alphonse had stayed with him, trusted him, and even followed him into the alchemy accident that brought the Elrics here.

 

While moving to sit down next to him, Al spoke up. “It's fine brother. I know you feel bad because I can't really be with anyone. But I don't mind.” He only wanted his older sibling to be happy. In his mind he was holding Ed back, keeping him from the life he deserved. He was the reason the elder had been forced into becoming a dog of the military. It seemed obvious to him that he'd ruined the alchemist's life. Yet still Edward stood beside him, defending from anyone who would speak against his humanity, even if that person were himself.

 

Moments later there was a light knock at the door. Willa came rushing down the stairs, almost tripping at the landing. But she quickly regained her composure and made it to the door. She had already changed into a pair of shorts and the sleeping shirt Ed had bought her. Opening the door she smiled weakly. “Are you alright? I wasn't expecting to see you so soon.”

 

A girl came through the door, tears running down her face. Although her short black hair was held up with a rubber band, it was beginning to fall. “Oh Willa!” She latched on to the other woman, sobbing into her shoulder. “He kicked me out! He's changed because of that tramp!” The sobs continued as they moved from the doorway.

 

Willa prodded her to take a seat on the couch, which the men had already vacated. “Hush now. I hadn't realized he was brought here too.” She stroked the new girl's back lightly. A deep frown crossed her face making her look extremely dismayed. “Please Mora, don't cry so. Leo isn't your only friend.”

 

The black haired woman backed away scowling. “But we've known each other since we were kids in pre-k. I didn't expect this from him. I never would have thought he'd do something like this!” She began crying again, covering her face with her hands. Willa shook her head, trying to comfort her friend once more.

 

Then she saw the puzzlement in the Elrics faces. Sighing heavily she decided to try and explain. “This is Morrisa Cristan. We were friends back in our world. I heard someone say her name so I looked her up in the phonebook. Then I gave her a call.” Glancing back down, she apologized. “I'm sorry I didn't expect her to come over tonight. I had to leave a message with our address on her machine.”

 

Mora shook her head, raising it to stare at her old friend. “But I don't have anywhere else to go! What am I going to do? He moved that little witch in!” The sobs returned. Leo hadn't been a close friend, but he'd always been there for her whenever she needed him.

 

Stepping forward Alphonse knelt down on one knee before the broken woman. He moved to place a large hand on her shoulder. “It's alright. You can stay with us. We have plenty of room.” His voice was so familiar and kind that it cut though all the sobs, allowing his words to be heard clearly.

 

Without hesitation Mora stared up at him in wonderment. Her eyes glistened with the tears. “But… how is that possible? You're… you died. It's been four years. Willa…” She turned back to her old companion. “How is it possible? It can't be, can it?” Her mind was spinning with a thousand questions as hope entered her heart.

 

The other girl bit her bottom lip nervously. She'd been thinking the same thing, yet she hadn't been sure. But if Morrisa heard it too, then she couldn't be wrong. `So it has to be them. They are…' Shaking her head she tried to clarify things for everyone. “He's not from our world. He isn't really our Al. Mora please, you have to understand…”

 

But the woman was already looking at the armor again, her heart pounding quickly within her chest. `How can it not be him? He sounds so much like my Al. But the wreck… He's been gone for so long.' Slowly she moved her hands to either side of the helmet. She had to see for herself, had to know if this was her lost love.

 

“No.” The suit put his hands against hers. “Please, allow me to explain first.” She moved her hands away and nodded. He was worried but this girl had to know, something in those brown orbs told him that for her the truth was imperative. “I'm not… This armor, it's all there is to me. My soul is bound to this suit, but it's empty.” Slowly he lifted the helmet, reveling himself to her.

 

She trembled as fresh salty droplets rolled down her cheeks. Broken eyes watched as he replaced the armor's head. She had to swallow the knot in her throat before speaking. “Then you don't know me. You're not my Alphonse?” He shook his head, but she managed to stifle the small cry which threatened to be let loose. “You sound so much like him. I… I've wanted so much to hear his voice again. But… I suppose it's not the same.” She slumped back against the other woman as the realization took hold.

 

Willa decided she would have to tell the brothers some of what had happened. “Our Al was in a car wreck up in the icy mountains. They couldn't get to him in time, before he… It was too cold to be stranded out there. He and Mora were engaged to be wed the following spring, after she turned eighteen.” The girl shook her head solemnly. “I wasn't sure by your voice. I thought you might be but, I figured that it was just wishful thinking.”

 

Edward nodded then motioned for his brother to go upstairs. The armor did so, but stopped at the top to listen to the alchemist's comments. “I'm sorry for your loss. But if you want, you can stay here with us. You girls can sleep in our room since there are two beds. We'll stay in Willa's.” He studied the woman's eyes. She seemed grateful, as he moved away.

 

“I was so sure.” Mora whispered, heartbroken. “He sounded so much like him. I thought maybe he'd made it here. But I suppose that would be too much to hope for.” Pulling herself together somewhat she continued. “We did attend his funeral. Still… I did hope.” She allowed her friend to lead her up the stairs to the bedroom they would now have to share.