InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Metal Work ( Chapter 21 )

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 21: Metal Work

 

“So this is Fort Promise?” Kagome questioned, looking around in wonderment. It was much more advanced than she had thought it would be. This city was closer to what towns were like back in her own world and time. It even had electricity, running water fountains and telephones.

 

Edward nodded slightly. “Yeah, this is home. First we'll check the apartment to see if anyone's there. Though, they're probably out searching the city.” His eyes darted down the different paths for any sign of the armor which was his brother. It would stand out, were it anywhere within his visual range.

 

He led the miko toward the group of buildings where he lived. The crowd was dense in spots and when he turned to look back, he saw she was starting to lag behind. “Here, take my hand so you don't get lost.” He offered and she accepted gratefully. “Where we live isn't too far from here.”

 

She didn't say anything, but held onto him tightly. Gradually she was able to catch up so they were walking side by side. Coming out of the throng of people, she could see an apartment complex. They picked up speed as they neared one of the buildings, but stopped cold when one of the doors banged open.

 

“Edward Elric!” A very mad Morrisa stood in the doorway. Her black hair was hanging loosely about her face. She was wearing a pair of loose jeans and a regular tee-shirt. She stormed to stand before them, her cheeks red with anger. “What do you mean coming back here with some other girl? You're supposed to be looking for Willa, or have you forgotten?” Her voice was curt with the alchemist.

 

He frowned deeply before releasing his grip on Kagome's hand. “Nice to see you again too Mora.” It was evident he was displeased by such an outrageous accusation. “I know who I was looking for and I found her. Now, if you'll calm down and tell me where Al is, I can explain.”

 

The girl glared at the miko but spoke to Edward. “He's out looking for any sign of Willa. He'll be home around sundown, so why don't you explain it to me while we wait?” She turned back to Ed and with a frown added. “And it had better be a really good explanation or…”

 

Then she noticed his missing arm, which changed her mood to one of concern. “You're hurt! Why didn't you say something? We have to get that looked at.” She ran back into the apartment, grabbed her purse and keys. Locking the door she turned to find them staring at her. “What's the problem? I found an automail shop not too long ago. They should have what it takes to have you fixed up in no time!” She smiled at Kagome. “Sorry about that greeting, I'm Mora, Willa's friend.”

 

The miko nodded with relief. “I'm Kagome. But maybe we should get to that shop you were talking about.” The other nodded and began to lead the way down the crowded streets. “This was why Edward was holding my hand, so I wouldn't get lost.” She shouted, loud enough to be heard.

 

“Oh.” Mora nodded, grabbing the miko's arm. In turn Kagome took Ed's so they wouldn't loose him either. “It's not too much farter. It just seems like it when you have to go through this many people.” They had created a short chain that weaved through the masses. In truth it wouldn't have been nearly as time consuming had it not been for the sea of bodies. It seemed as though everyone and all their family were out shopping. Something about this side of town meant that it was always crowded at this time of the day. It was noon and most were looking for a place to have lunch.

 

“Here we are.” Morrisa sighed, pushing a hand through her hair after having entered the small building. She peered back to make sure both companions were still with her. Luckily none had been lost along the way. She wasn't sure how a mother of more than two would have handled it. `With great difficulty.' She supposed.

 

There was a counter directly in front of them which ran the length of the room with a small area on each end where it lifted, allowing workers to pass though. On the wall behind it, stood two closed doors, each leading to a small fitting room. A few chairs sat along the front wall where a large window was.

 

There were no pictures or magazines and only one attendant at the counter. It was a young boy who was busy with a book report which was due the next day. He was glancing quickly through the pages of a novel and jotting down notes in a spiral. It was obvious he had waited until the last minute. “May I help you?” He questioned, without even glancing up at the customers.

 

“I need to have a new arm made.” Edward told him in a voice that caused the boy to look up. “It's kind of urgent, so if you wouldn't mind doing your homework some other time, it would really help.” His expression got the attendant up and over to the filing cabinet.

 

“Yes sir.” He said, quickly grabbing the necessary paperwork. He looked back to the threesome them down at the sheet before him. “If you ladies would wait right here while we go back into the workshop.” The boy hurried to open one of the side panels, allowing Ed to walk through. “It may take a while.” He added before going into one of the two doors.

 

“Do you think it will hurt him?” Kagome whispered to Mora. She didn't know anything about automail. Where she had come from it didn't exist. But it looked like it would be a painful procedure. Of course most things evolving nerves seemed to be. According to what she'd been told, this would require attaching the limb to the nervous system.

 

Morrisa shrugged. “I'm not sure. Al, his brother, said that it does. But he's kind of gotten used to it by now I think. Back in their world he always had to have it worked on and adjusted. So maybe it's not as bad for him since he knows what to expect.”

 

The door to the shop jangled open and in walked a tall suit of armor. It peered down curiously at the two girls. “What are you doing here? I saw you through the window, why aren't you at home? Have you found something?” Alphonse had learned not to get his hopes up in this matter.

 

However, Mora nodded with a smile. “Edward came back and he brought Kagome with him.” She pointed to the miko who shook hands with Al. “He's found Willa but got his arm broke. So I brought him by here to get a new one.” She couldn't see it in his frozen face, but she knew that information upset the man she loved.

 

“A new arm? Then brother has broken his completely?” With a nod from both girls he shook his head. “Winry would kill him.” He tried to laugh it off but anyone would have been able to hear the worry that laced his voice. “So why isn't Willa with you? Is she at the house?”

 

Sitting down Morrisa motioned for the others to do the same. She ended up sitting between Kagome and Al but her eyes were trained on the miko. “While we're waiting, why don't you tell us what happened?” Turning to look at Alphonse she added, “I haven't heard the story either.”

 

 

By the time Kagome had explained everything Edward was coming out of the back room. The pain on his face was evident. To the surprise of all, he had a workable arm already attached. He paid without looking up. Only after doing so did he turn around to glance at the others. Upon seeing Alphonse he smiled and his soreness seemed to ease, just a bit. Somehow, knowing his sibling was safe made everything better. “Hey, what are you doing here?” His voice was weak with pain but he walked over to greet him. “I wasn't expecting to see you so soon.”

 

“Brother, what would Winry say?” Al stood and put a hand the alchemist's good shoulder. “Always have to play the hero don't you?” His own voice seemed to have become more cheerful at seeing Edward's condition wasn't as bad as he'd supposed. Of course, he usually feared the worse.

 

Ed grinned up at the armor. “Yeah well, I guess Kagome told you what happened?” The threesome nodded in unison. “So you know I couldn't just let that guy take Willa again. Anyway now we can go and find her. The sooner her powers are controllable the sooner she can come back home for good.”

 

Shaking her head, Kagome stood. “You need to get some rest first. Besides we don't know where they are exactly.” Then she turned to address Mora. “And anyway I'm dying for a nice long shower and some real food. We can try to find them in a day or two, after he's better.”

 

His scowl was evident, his mouth open, but Alphonse stopped him. “Brother, you do need to rest. She will understand why you're not there. Besides the sun is already setting, you can't look for them in the dark. Let it wait, at least until tomorrow.” His voice, as always, was enough to win the elder over.

 

 

It had been a long walk, and the sun was just beginning to set. It had taken two days to find the smithy. Darkness would soon be closing in around them, but they refused to stop. They were close. All of them seemed to be able to feel it. The ping of metal on metal resounded though the trees, echoing in the distance.

 

Inuyasha motioned for the group to stop. He turned to look at the collection of friends. “We'll make camp here.” Sango started to protest but he held up his hand. “Willa and I will continue alone. Make a fire and wait for us here. The rest of you don't have any reason to go any farter. Come on.” He grabbed Willa's arm, making it obvious there was no room for argument.

 

But she understood why. It would be harder for her having everyone else around when the memories hit her. It would also make blocking thoughts more difficult. So she didn't say anything. Once they were close enough she stopped. Clutching her head she knelt down as the sequence went racing mercilessly through her mind.

 

She could see a young demon boy, working with his father over a fire. Images of his mother welcoming them home passed before her. Then there was the accident which led to this man being brought here. It was in a mountain avalanche that sent him through a random portal. She saw how he covered his slightly pointed ears by wearing his hair to his shoulders. His bat wings were hidden under a cape which he always wore.

 

As the images stopped she glanced up at Inuyasha. With a nod she let him know this man was not evil, as they had feared. The hanyou pulled her into standing position, a hand around her waist allowing her to steady herself again. “He's alright, but don't ask about his past.” Inuyasha nodded, and then continued along the path toward a large cave.

 

Inside it, a fire glowed brightly. The sound of a hammer banging against metal resounded off the walls and out into the night. The figure of a young man was bending over a stone table which was above the fire. He looked up with a frown before halting his work. Setting the ax he'd been working on aside the strolled out to meet the newcomers. It was obvious by their ears that they weren't human. `Hanyou.' He thought, though to him that wasn't much of an issue. He wanted peace with the humans which meant no deals with demons.

 

“Hello.” Willa greeted rather nervously. “We were told that you might be able to make me a sword.” She could hear what he was thinking and that bothered her. Yet she couldn't suppress her power. “I'm needing to…” But he didn't allow her the time to finish.

 

“I don't work with demons.” He said rather curtly. His eyes were cautiously gazing at the sword at Inuyasha's side. “I'm sorry if you were misinformed but I can't help you.” With that he turned to go, his cape swaying about him. He could hear the male's low growl but stopped only when the girl spoke again.

 

“Please sir.” She pleaded, a hand on her companions arm to quell his temper. “I'm needing one to suppress my powers. I was human so I can't seem to control them very well.” The man turned to peer back at her, so she continued. “Some people kidnapped us and added his blood to mine. Now I can't control these new senses. I need your help.”

 

The story sounded familiar, though most had come to find a way to gain more strength. None had ever wanted to go back to the way they were before the transformation. `Yet her eyes are not like the others. They are not red.' He motioned for the couple to follow him toward the cave.

 

“I'll need to know,” He explained, taking a seat on the ground and having them do the same. “what your powers are exactly. That way I'll know how to craft the metal and what needs to be added. By the way I've apparently lost all manners, I'm Roric.” He grinned slightly.

 

“I'm Willa and this is Inuyasha.” She explained, nudging the hanyou slightly. “Show him Tetsusaiga.” Her attention turned back to their host. “It's what keeps his demon nature from taking over. We were hoping maybe you could make one like it. But it would need to block my extra abilities as well.”

 

Inuyasha pulled his sword from its sheath, transforming it into its larger version. He laid it on the ground before them. But when Roric tried to pick it up Tetsusaiga rejected him. He was a full blood rather than a half breed and therefore could not touch the weapon. He nodded in recognition. “I see. It refuses to be wielded by anyone without some human blood running through their veins. Very interesting sword you have here.” Studying it carefully he smiled up at his guests. “But you say that it would need to have even more power than this one. To block your sense of mind reading as well I assume?”

 

The woman looked at him with shocked eyes. “But how can you know that? Neither of us told you. And when I saw your memories I didn't see you with that kind of power.” She shook her head in confusion. “So how do you know?” Her voice trailed off as he gave her a knowing grin.

 

“Simple.” He laughed. “I can feel you taking my thoughts from me. My mother could do that so I acquired the ability to sense when she was reading my mind. I can also put up a barrier, much like your own. Only mine keeps my thoughts out of your reach.” His smile was infectious. “I knew that much about you before I even saw you. When you were hit with my memories I put up a wall especially for you.”

 

“So can you make a sword or not?” Inuyasha was growing impatient. He wanted to get this done and get back to his Kagome. `I shouldn't have let her go with that jerk to begin with.' He still regarded the alchemist as a human with too much pride for his own good.

 

The smith nodded before setting to the task of finding the right supplies. It would be a difficult job, though he was sure he could do it. The real work would begin the next day, so Inuyasha and Willa returned to camp to rest until then. Meanwhile Roric spent most of the night trying to figure out exactly how to do what he'd promised he could, but never had before.