InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Truth ( Chapter 25 )

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 25: Truth

 

As the sun began to sink in the western sky Willa stood. Her muscles ached from having stayed in one position for such a long period. She'd been sitting with the other women, talking about various subjects. Meanwhile the men had done different things on their own, refusing to deal with each other.

 

Inuyasha had argued with Shippo, who'd tormented him relentlessly throughout the day. Miroku had spent most of the time meditating while Edward made minor adjustments to his automail. He had a small screwdriver he'd transmuted and was fine tuning his arm. It wasn't as well made as Winry's work, and therefore needed the extra tweaking.

 

Now as darkness sat in the alchemist glanced up at the one who held his heart. He rose as well, shoving the tool in his pocket and rolling down the sleeve of his jacket. “I guess it's time we got going.” But when she turned to look at him, he paused momentarily. The way the light danced around her features left him speechless.

 

“What is it?” She grinned, strolling toward him. Her mind had finally managed to construct a wall that would keep his thoughts from her. “Cat got your tongue?” She teased, though a slight fear managed to hit her heart. `Is this when he changes his mind and leaves?'

 

A smile crossed his lips, elevating her suspicions. He moved to put his arms around her and pull her close. “You just took my breath away.” He mumbled without bothering to notice any of the others. The guys were watching closely, taking metal notes, while the girls tried to pretend they hadn't heard what he said.

 

Then his attention returned to Willa who was blushing deeply. He hadn't meant to embarrass her. But when she glanced up into his eyes, he saw she wasn't upset. One of his arms fell to his side and he led her toward the path. Over his shoulder he called, “You coming Inuyasha?”

 

The hanyou frowned, but stood and followed the couple. Yet before he was out of sight he turned back to Kagome. The hopeful look in her eyes caused all his unhappy thoughts to fade away. He held out a hand to her, which she rushed to accept. With that he smiled and called to the alchemist. “Hey, wait up!”

 

When she peeked back Willa grinned. She'd wanted him to invite the miko to come along. It would have been awkward with just the three of them. But she hadn't wanted to ask Edward to stay behind. He'd pleaded with her not to send him away. She supposed leaving him with the others would be basically the same thing.

 

His grip on her waist tightened. He'd known she would be uncomfortable with only him coming. Yet he'd taken the gamble on the hanyou asking Kagome to come along. Luckily it had paid off. If it hadn't he would have been the one who'd be the most uneasy. He hadn't come the time before, and therefore would be out of place.

 

They didn't hear the ping that had been going on most of the day. It had been almost like background music. Hopefully the absence of it meant that the weapon had been completed. Of course it could simply signify that the smithy was taking a break for supper, or even for the night. As he looked up and saw the group, Roric was startled. But seeing the two hanyous he knew who they were. He waved to them with a large grin and they greeted him with the same courtesy. “Good evening! I see you have brought some extra people with you this time.”

 

When they'd reached him the alchemist held out a hand, “I'm Edward sir, Willa's boyfriend.” The grip his hand received would have been astonishing, almost disturbing, had it not been his automail arm. The smithy studied him carefully then smiled and so Ed spoke further. “I've heard that you may be able to help suppress her powers.”

 

Roric nodded then held out a hand to the miko. “And you must be Inuyasha's girl.” He started to raise her hand to his lips but the look the male hanyou gave caused him to back away. “And I see he is very possessive of you. But it is the same with me. I am very protective of my woman.” He smiled slightly.

 

“I don't mean to sound impatient...” Willa began in a hopeful tone. When the smithy turned to her she continued. “But we were wondering if you were able to finish the sword today.” She bit her lip, careful not to break the skin. Her eyes shown just how much longing her heart held.

 

He grinned at her, his face beaming with pride. His expression also held an extra spark. “My greatest masterpiece has indeed been completed.” Roric motioned for them to follow him into the cave. “I will have to explain to you how to use it of course.”

 

Edward gave the others a quizzical look as they trailed behind the demon. “How to use it? I thought it was only supposed to suppress her powers.” As they reached where a fire was burning for light and warmth he continued. “You're saying that there's going to be something more to it?”

 

Nodding the smithy laughed. “Yes of course. It's going to have powers of its own. Things that Willa will be able to use.” He motioned for them to sit down while he picked up a long box. “She told me that she didn't want to intentionally harm others. And so I gave it powers other than Inuyasha's weapon.”

 

He sat down beside Willa and slowly removed the lid. Inside was a shining sword, with a golden handle. Its blade was long and resembled that of Sesshoumaru's Tenseiga. “You mentioned that Inuyasha's brother had a sword of healing. With yours however, I decided to create a blade of truth. Thus the name I've given it, Shinri.”

 

Gently he lifted the weapon from the box and placed it in Willa's hands. As she took hold of the handle the blade pulsed. Immediately the whispering of thoughts were silenced. They had been so soft she hadn't realized they were there, until they had vanished. She smiled as she turned it over in her hand.

 

Edward watched her carefully. The alchemist hadn't seen it pulsate, nor had any of the others. So he finally voiced the question they were all thinking. “Is it starting to work? Are you still able to hear what we're thinking?” His eyes watched as she studied him with a surprised expression.

 

“Didn't you see it?” She asked, and was astonished when he shook his head. “As soon as I took hold of the handle a power came from the sword. And then the whispering stopped.” Ed's look of confusion led her to continue. “No matter how hard I tried, your thoughts were still being whispered in my head. So low I didn't even notice it. But now it's stopped, though I think I can still hear them, if I want to.”

 

Roric nodded attentively. “We could not see the power because the sword has accepted you as its owner. I was hoping it would. I've never had to make one that special before.” He smiled at it. “But you should be able to use your extra sense if you want to. Why don't you try it?”

 

She looked at Inuyasha who shook his head vigorously. `Don't you dare read my thoughts!' His mind screamed, causing her to laugh. He scowled so she turned to Kagome who was watching him. `I wish I could hear what he's thinking.' Lastly Willa gazed at Ed. `You already know my soul. Everything I am belongs to you.'

 

“Oh Edward.” She murmured with a contented smile. Leaning over she whispered in his ear. “And all I am belongs to you.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek before turning back to the sword smith, but not reading his mind. “You were right. I can use the power if I want to.”

 

He smirked at her. “Good. There are a few other things Shinri can do. But one thing that it will not do is harm a living creature. I was fairly sure that was what you wanted.” She nodded in response. “Now then, one of the things it can do is to show someone as they truly are. In other words you can help the people, like you, who've been transformed.”

 

At that Edward perked up. “Then it can be used to change her back into a human?” His heart was pounding but sank quickly as the smithy shook his head. “But I don't understand. If it can change others back, why can't it do the same for Willa herself?”

 

“Because,” Roric explained with a frown. “It's her sword, and will only work when she wields it. Unfortunately that means that it can't be used on Willa herself. However she will be able to help many people who've had the same problem she's facing. Many want their humanity back, in whatever form they originally had.”

 

Willa shook her head sadly and studied the weapon in her hand. “But at least it keeps me from hearing everyone's thoughts. And it should do the same for their memories.” She turned to the smithy with a smile. “Thank you very much. It is a wonderful sword, and you've done a marvelous job. But how can I repay you?”

 

He grinned and put a hand on her shoulder. His eyes seemed to hold knowledge of years long since past, and even some of those yet to come. “No payment needed. Just use it as it was meant to be used. Do the thing for which you were born. Go out and help the people who need it.”

 

He stood and led them to the outside of the cave, carrying with him the box Shinri had been in. “Always remember, that humanity is not what you are on the outside. It's who you are on the inside.” With that he removed the fake bottom of the box and pulled out a sheath and belt. “Wear these and you'll be fine.”

 

It was a starry night, allowing Willa the light to put the sword in the sheath and put both on the belt. Having done that she slipped it around her waist and fastened the buckle. Edward put his arm around her. Yet something was on her mind, which she pondered aloud as they strolled along the path. “Do you suppose he's able to see into the future?”

 

Inuyasha nodded from where he walked in front of her with Kagome. “His kind has always been able to see part of what is to come. They don't know everything, but they can tell if something is possible or not.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “Why do you ask?”

 

“Oh I don't know.” She shrugged. “Something in his eyes I suppose. It just seemed as though he knew more than what I saw in his memories. Of course he did say that he was able to put up a barrier so I wouldn't see it all.” She shook her head and sighed, but didn't continue.

 

 

Back at the campsite Shippo came rushing at them with a smile. He jumped into Kagome's arms with glee. “Did you get it? Does it work?” Then he saw the sheath at Willa's side. He jumped from the miko's grasp to take a better look at it. “Can you pull it out and show it to us?”

 

Nodding Willa unsheathed Shinri, holding it before her. The kitsune gazed on in amazement murmuring, “Wow, it looks like Sesshoumaru's sword. It's all narrow and shiny. Not like Inuyasha's blade.” His eyes gleamed with excitement as he reached to touch it.

 

However the sword pulsed, shocking the boy slightly. Not enough to hurt him, but enough to keep him from laying a hand on it. Kagome watched thoughtfully. “Maybe it's like Tenseiga, only someone with human blood can touch it.” But when she stretched out a hand she too was shocked.

 

The hanyou frowned. “Let me see that thing.” He started to grab it from Willa but was not allowed to. “I don't get it. The stupid thing only answers to one master! What if you drop it? How are we supposed to be able to get it back to you if we can't even handle the dumb thing?”

 

The girl shrugged and looked up at Edward. His eyes were focused on the sword. Slowly he stretched out his hand. She started to stop him but was intrigued by how close it was allowing him to come. Gradually he touched the blade with his fingers. Then he moved his hand to take the hilt from her.

 

“It's letting him hold it.” Sango murmured in a hushed voice, as if speaking too loudly would break the spell which was being cast. She watched, amazed, as he examined the blade in his hands. As he returned it she asked aloud, “Why would it allow him to touch it but not anyone else?”

 

Miroku held his hands together as if in mediation. “It senses something between their spirits. The blade knows that they are intertwined. Though I wonder what would happen if they were fighting.” He shook his head. “Still, it knows something we do not. Perhaps in time the meaning will become clear.”

 

 

That night, after everyone else was asleep Edward and Willa were still awake. His arms were wrapped around her as they sat, leaned back against a tree. She was comfortably situated in his lap. Their eyes watched as the fire dimmed. Everything was quiet. Even Inuyasha was dreaming peacefully from his spot on a high branch.

 

Willa shifted so she was looking into the alchemist's face. “Why do you think Shinri let you hold it? I mean, it wouldn't allow anyone else to even touch it.” Her eyes were trained on his features, able to see them well with her hanyou vision. “I don't understand why it did that.”

 

“Because.” Edward murmured sleepily. “It knows that we're one.” He yawned, the stress of the day finally catching up with him. But the puzzlement in her face forced him to elaborate. “You and I are one person Willa. We're soul mates. Without each other we aren't whole. That's why it let me hold it.”

 

Slowly she leaned so that she could kiss his lips. After that she moved to recline back against his chest, her head on his shoulder. “How do you know so much when I'm not sure of anything?” Her eyes closed as she listened to the sound of his heartbeat, noticing it was in time with her own. Could cupid's arrow possibly strike twice?

 

“I just do. Like I knew that Inuyasha would ask Kagome to come with us tonight. I'm just a genius I guess.” He heard her soft giggle and relaxed. “To be honest I know because you complete me. Without you I feel like I'm missing something. I always have, that is until you came.”

 

She smiled “Mmm.” Was all she managed to mumble, drowsiness quickly overtaking her. The day had been long and stressful. Yet now, with Edward close by, she knew everything would work out. She wasn't sure how, but then again, she didn't really care.