InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Impatient Waiting ( Chapter 22 )

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 22: Impatient Waiting

 

“Brother the sun isn't even up yet!” Alphonse tried to reason with his elder sibling, desperate to keep him from leaving. “Kagome is still asleep in our room with Mora. There's no reason why you can't wait until later to go.” He stood in front of the door watching as Edward dressed.

 

“I've got to get back to Willa.” Ed complained, pulling on a fresh set of jeans that had been laid out the day before. He looked up at the armor and then out the window into the darkness. With a sigh he sat down on the bed and ran a hand through his hair with exasperation. “I just don't want to leave her with that guy Al.”

 

The younger Elric took a seat beside him. “You're jealous brother, but why? Is he really more what she would want? Because I know that when she's with you it's like you two just fit.” He put a hand on his siblings shoulder to try and comfort him. “She loves you brother.”

 

Edward shook his head helplessly. “No Al, she loved me. But now that she's changed… I'm just not so sure.” He could feel a knot forming in his throat as he spoke. “He understands more about what she's become. He knows what her new senses are like, and how to control them. I'm not sure I can compete with that.”

 

Looking at the older Elric, Alphonse felt a pang in his nonexistent heart. “But this Inuyasha, he loves Kagome right? Isn't that what you told me?” He was trying to piece the situation together in his mind, much like a jigsaw puzzle that didn't have all its parts.

 

“I'm not so sure.” Ed hated to admit that, but he knew it was true. “He said he doesn't, but Willa thinks so. Kagome told me, as we were coming back here, that she's not entirely certain. It's like he can't make up his mind. I don't understand him. I know I love Willa no matter what happens. Why is it so hard for him to decide?”

 

With a nod Alphonse tried to give his best guess. “Perhaps he doesn't know much about love in general. If he was an outcast as a child then maybe he wasn't ever shown kindness. Maybe it's something you've learned over the years. You know, by caring for mom and me, and even Winry. He may just not understand what love is.”

 

Ed smirked slightly. “Maybe you're right Al.” He shook his head at the shear simplicity of his brother's answer. It wasn't something he'd ever given much thought to. But growing up as he had, he knew the depths of love. So when he found it with Willa, he knew it was real. “Maybe you're right.”

 

 

A tear streamed down her face as she lay on the cold ground. She felt completely alone without Edward. `I wish he were here now.' She thought sorrowfully, wrapping her arms about herself. Her heart seemed to ache as a breeze passed through the trees. She shivered slightly before feeling something warm cover her.

 

Inuyasha knelt over her, his Japanese over shirt draped across her. Something caught in his throat as those blue eyes glanced up at him. She'd been crying, but he had known that from the salty smell. So why did it affect him like it did? His hand brushed the tear away gently. “Don't worry. Everything will be alright.”

 

She nodded before closing her eyes again. The sun was just beginning to rise, too early to wake the others. She listened as he moved to sit with his back against a tree. `I want to go home. I want to be with Edward.' She knew Inuyasha was feeling guilt over his blood being in her veins. But she also knew that he loved Kagome, even more than he realized.

 

A noise was heard through the forest. It was the ping of Roric working on the ax he'd set aside the night before. It was also a signal to the hanyou and transformed woman that he was awake and ready for their return. Slight moans were also heard as their companions began to rouse.

 

“Uh!” Shippo sat up from where he'd slept, cuddled with Kirara. His hands griped his head as he shook it in protest. “It's too early!” The cat mewed her objections as well, stretching and flexing her claws. She yawned in unison with the young kitsune and blinked sleepily.

 

Quickly Willa brushed the tears away and sat up. As she stretched her ears perked at the sounds around her. Then another loud ping was heard, and they collapsed against her head to block the nose. `It's making my ears hurt.' She frowned but looked to the hanyou who seemed untroubled. `Maybe I'm just not used to this hearing yet.'

 

“I think that's your signal Inuyasha.” Miroku mumbled, sitting up and yawning. He turned lazily, allowing his hand to slip under the covers and stroke Sango's thigh, trying to move toward her buttocks. Within moments there was the thunderous sound of her hand on his face. “Morning Sango.” He murmured, rubbing his red cheek.

 

“Lecher!” The slayer grumbled, moving from under the covers to stand before the dying embers of the fire. Another ping echoed off the trees. “I think the metal worker is calling you Inuyasha.” She glanced at the hanyou with a frown. `Calling too early.' She thought bitterly.

 

Willa nodded then started for the path. “Come on, let's get this over with.” She was trying hard to sound sleepy rather than sad. All she wanted was to get the sword finished so that she could return to Edward. “See the rest of you later.” She called over her shoulder carelessly.

 

It wasn't long before they were down the path, out of the group's earshot. “Why do you want to go back with that guy?” Inuyasha questioned in a rough voice. “You said yourself he didn't understand you. That's why you were running away. What makes you think he'll understand you now that you're changed?”

 

She growled slightly, hating having her own words thrown back at her. “That was before. Now I know that I was wrong to leave like I did. Maybe if I would've given him the chance we could have worked things out.” Her eyes were concentrating on the path before her. “He loves me. That's how I know he'll understand me.”

 

“He doesn't know what it's like to be a hanyou.” Inuyasha persisted curtly. “He hasn't got any idea how hard it's going to be on you. People won't accept you as you are now. They'll think you're a monster as soon as they see those ears. It's not going to be as easy as you seem think.”

 

Willa's head snapped around at him. “You think I don't know that?” She hissed. “You think they accepted a human that could read people's emotions and thoughts? I know it won't be easy! I know you've been through hell! But if I have to go through all that I want to do it with Edward!”

 

The hanyou growled at her, his eyes furious. Here he was trying to help her and she wouldn't accept it. “What makes you think he'll stay by your side? Sure he could deal with your difference in front of us. But my friends have had to go though all this before. What makes you so sure he can stand by you in the real world, out there in front of all those other humans?”

 

A ping rang in their ears, making them realize they had arrived at their destination. Roric had heard enough to know what was going on. “Maybe this Edward is a good man. Maybe he'll stay with her when all others would run, because he loves her. Let her take that chance.” His eyes shone with the hardship he'd had to endure.

 

“That's right… you're seeing a human girl from around here. Aren't you?” Willa smiled as he nodded. She turned her attention back to Inuyasha. “Kagome stays with you and so do Miroku and Sango. They see you for who you are on the inside. If you wouldn't act like such a jerk maybe others would too.” She was too bullheaded to let him have the last word.

 

“Hey!” He started to protest but decided it wasn't worth the energy. Turning his attention back to Roric, the hanyou managed to suppress his anger. “Have you figured out how to make her sword yet?”

 

The metal worker nodded before turning to pick up one of his tools. “I'll need one of each of your fangs. If I am right, the Tetsusaiga was made from the fang of your father, correct?” Inuyasha nodded so he continued. “Then I shall use one of yours and one of hers to make this new sword. But what powers should it posses?”

 

He was looking at Willa now. She paused a moment before speaking. “I don't want to kill anyone. It's just not in me to do harm like that on purpose.” She glanced toward Tetsusaiga. “Perhaps you could make one that is like his brother's. It's a sword of healing. Maybe that's what I need.”

 

Roric glanced between the two. “Fine, I'll see what I can do. Now give me your fangs.” He held out a hand but saw the nervousness on the girls face. “Don't worry. It'll grow back before tomorrow. Now open your mouth.” She did so reluctantly. With a quick movement the tooth was out. “Now, yours.”

 

“I can do it myself.” Inuyasha huffed. He placed his fingers on either side and quickly jerked it out of place. He winced a little but said nothing. He'd gone through this before to repair his own weapon. Dropping it in the metal worker's hand he asked. “When do you think it'll be done? We're kind of in a hurry.”

 

Roric frowned and shook his head. “It will take some time Inuyasha. Something like this cannot be rushed. You'll just have to put up with her a while longer.” He smiled at Willa and gave her a wink. “You could stay here and watch if you want. Or come back tonight.”

 

“Tonight?” She sounded overjoyed at the news. “It'll be done that quick?” Her heart raced at the thought of getting back home. She missed Mora and Alphonse, to say nothing of her longing to be with Edward unaccompanied. As things were she couldn't exactly spend quality time with him.

 

A grin passed over the metal worker's face. “No guarantees, you understand. I may still have to make a few adjustments. But anyway it should be done no later than tomorrow night. By the way, how exactly were you going to pay for such a fine sword?” His gaze had returned to the hanyou who shrugged.

 

Willa felt her heart fall. “I hadn't thought of that.” Absentmindedly she bit her lip, causing it to bleed. Quickly she wiped the blood away with the back of her hand. `I don't have any way to pay for something like this. What on earth am I going to do?'

 

But her fears weren't as necessary as she'd thought. “We'll work something out.” Roric murmured, turning to tend the fire he had started that morning. “Maybe some sort of payment plan. Don't worry about it right now though. You need this and it's a challenge I'd like to take on.”

 

With that he nodded to them and gave a short wave. It was their signal that the discussion was over. But as they walked along the path toward camp Willa couldn't help but feel distressed. She didn't want to take something so precious for nothing. However, she didn't have anything of value to offer in return.

 

 

Edward paced the living room, unwilling to sit for any length of time. He was worried about the woman he loved. She was with a man that could possibly be falling for her. What made things worse was the fact that he didn't know for sure where they were. All he knew was that they were looking for a metal worker to make a sword.

 

“If you're that worried we can go ahead and leave.” Kagome told him from where she sat at the table, finishing her breakfast. She'd already taken a nice hot shower that morning. They had told her the day before about Alphonse's predicament, and so didn't question why he wasn't eating.

 

The alchemist turned to look at her and then to Mora, who hadn't said a word. But when she glanced up her expression spoke volumes. “I want to go with you.” She told him, as though there were no logical reason why she shouldn't. “Al and I have been searching here for so long. I want to see her with my own eyes, to make sure she's ok.”

 

He frowned and shook his head. “No, she doesn't want to have to know your memories. That was part of the reason she didn't come back yesterday. Right after she gets the sword made I'll bring her back. Then we can discuss where to go from there.” He didn't know what else to say.

 

“Brother's right. If Willa would be uncomfortable knowing our memories then we shouldn't force them on her.” Alphonse tried to sooth his love by placing a hand on her shoulder. But those sad eyes didn't brighten with his words or touch. “It would be wrong to make her go through that. Besides, it won't be long before she'll be able to come back for good.”

 

Kagome nodded. “In the meanwhile you could look for a place in the country. I think she said something about wanting to move out of town.” The miko gave Morrisa a slight smile. “So she won't have to cover her ears all the time. Inuyasha hates having to wear hats. I think it bothers his hearing.”

 

“Right.” Edward agreed, and then turned back to his sibling. “See if you can find somewhere secluded. Like the house close to Wick.” Noticing the frown on Mora's face he added. “You two will have to make a decision on whether to move or not. But still try to find a place, at least for me and Willa.”

 

The armor shook his head. “I'm not going to stay here without you brother. Though, I think you already knew that.” The expression on the alchemist's face gave an affirmative answer. Bending down on one knee Alphonse became level with Morrisa. “It's your decision, to go or not. But I hope you will.”

 

She smirked slightly and nodded. Then her attention moved to Kagome. “Tell Willa that Al and I are going to find the perfect place. And tell her to hurry home, we both miss her so much.” A shadow passed over her eyes. “I don't care if she doesn't get the sword you were talking about. She can see my memories. She knows most of them anyway. Let her know that for me, ok?”

 

“Alright.” The miko agreed with a smile. Turning to Edward she found him already standing outside on the porch, waiting impatiently. She shook her head then told the others, “I hope to see you again soon.” And with that she left the apartment to follow Ed back through the crowded streets.