InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Shinri ( Chapter 28 )

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 28: Shinri

 

Lying out on the table was that morning's newspaper. Several ads had been circled in blue ink. Turning the page Alphonse began to read another set of classified. He'd been going through them since having gotten the paper. Several of the homes sounded like what they were looking for. However the fact that Edward had not yet returned weighted heavily on his mind.

 

`He's only been gone two nights. I can't expect them to be here already.' It wasn't that Al thought they should have returned, quite the contrary. He assumed it could take several days for his brother to locate Willa and then come back. Yet no matter how hard he tried not to he was still growing impatient.

 

“Yes, thank you.” A click signaled that Morrisa was done with her phone conversation. With a moan she stood from the couch and walked over to the man she loved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her forehead on his shoulder. “The people don't want to sell. They only want to rent and the wife's allergic to cats so Pharaoh wouldn't be welcome.”

 

The armor tapped the paper with one finger causing her to glance up. “This one looks promising. Country home, three bedroom, two bath. Why don't you call their number?” He wrote it down on a piece of scratch paper and handed it to her. “The ad says it's for sale by owner. We should be able to have pets.”

 

With a groan Mora nodded and took the number. She dialed and then held the phone to her ear, waiting for an answer. It seemed like all they ever did was search. The only problem was they didn't do any finding. They hadn't even seen Willa, though she had been located, and now they couldn't come across the right house. It was becoming exasperating.

 

 

It was late when the couple came within rage of Fort Promise. Willa could smell the different foods and perfumes. The sounds of people talking seemed to stretch far beyond the city limits. She could listen to them even though her hearing was muffled by the cowboy hat. Her grip on Edward's hand tightened.

 

Concerned, he peered at the girl. Fear shown in her eyes, though they were watching at the path rather than him. He gave her hand a squeeze, causing her to glace up at him. With a grin he whispered, “Everything's going to be just fine. You look like anybody else with that hat.”

 

But the expression of tension didn't ease, and she couldn't return the smile. She bit her lip slightly, having learned to avoid the fangs. “I'm scared. What if someone notices? What if they try to take me again? I don't want to go back to that place Edward. I don't want to be changed anymore.”

 

The alchemist stopped and pulled her into his arms. “Don't, please don't. Nothing is going to happen to you. No one will notice a thing. You look like anyone else.” But as he stared down into her face he could see that his words didn't sooth her. So leaning forward he pressed his lips tightly against hers. He could feel her muscles ease under his hands.

 

When he backed away she smiled. Her eyes were still fearful, but not nearly as much as they had been. “I'm alright now. Thank you.” Standing on tip toes she gave him a light kiss of gratitude. “You're my strength.” She whispered, taking hold of his hand and allowing him to guide her back along the path. `Just like he was.' She thought sadly.

 

As they reached the walls of the city Shinri pulsed. Willa tried hard to ignore the blades beckons to be unsheathed. Yet as they passed through the gates it seemed to pulsate continuously. It was almost as if nearly everyone in the town had been changed one way or another. However she realized taking out a sword in public wouldn't suit her needs of staying inconspicuous.

 

“What is it?” Ed whispered, leaning close to her. He could feel just how tense she had become. Her face seemed to grow paler as they walked along the streets. But when she shook her head he knew that they wouldn't be able to speak out in the open. His pace increased and soon they were out of the throng of people. He didn't stop once they were away from the crowds. His goal was to get her back to the apartment before she passed out. From the look in her eyes that wouldn't be too much longer. He sped through the back way toward home. Only a few people peered at them with worried expressions.

 

`They don't know.' Willa told herself, trying to calm down. `They can't see my ears or the way Shinri is acting. Everything is going to be fine.' But she could feel the blood rushing from her face. It was beginning to make her lightheaded and disoriented. `Don't pass out. Don't pass out. Don't pass out.' She repeated the phrase continuously as though it were a magical chant.

 

Once they were within sight of the building she relaxed. `Home. I'm finally home.' She let go of Ed's hand and began to run toward her door. She'd been waiting for so long to come back. All she wanted to do was get inside and be able to breathe easily. But once she reached the door she realized she didn't have a key. Knocking she felt she couldn't possibly wait for Edward to find his.

 

The alchemist was already at the steps when the door opened. Alphonse stood there. Shock would have covered his face had it been able to. As it was he held out his arms allowing the girl to fall into them. “Welcome home.” He hugged her tightly, relief gradually sinking in. `They made it. They're back.'

 

As the armor moved aside Mora came rushing down the stairs. Seeing her friend brought tears of joy to her eyes. “Willa!” She screeched, rushing up to embrace the other girl. They were like children again, hugging and dancing with glee. “We've missed you so much!”

 

Pharaoh, not missing a beat, ran from his place on the upstairs bed, down to brush against the legs of his master. His purr seemed loud and joyful. He could smell the change in her scent but didn't seem to mind. Nothing could keep him from the woman who had taken him in off the streets.

 

“Oh my darling Pharaoh, did you miss me?” Willa asked, scooping the cat up into her arms. He mewed a small affirmative, making her laugh. “My dear baby. I'm so sorry I left you.” She kissed his head and nuzzled him close. It seemed that perhaps everything would be alright after all.

 

Ed closed the door and drew the front curtains. His brother watched him, and then went to do the same in the dinning room. They both realized that the shades would have to be drawn most of the time now. It was not something that couldn't be avoided if Willa were to live in peace.

 

However she frowned at the realization, still holding on to the cat. Then with sad eyes she turned to Morrisa. “I'm sorry. I know how much you like to have the sun shining in.” She looked away in distress. `It's my fault we'll have to live like we're in hiding. This is what people must have felt like during the wars.'

 

But her friend placed a kind hand on her shoulder. “Don't worry about it. Having you back means the world to me. Besides, once we find a place in the country it won't matter at all. We can do whatever we want then.” She gave a hopeful smile, trying to ease the tension.

 

With a sigh Willa took a seat on the sofa. Peering up she beckoned Edward to help her. He did so by sitting on the arm of the couch and draping and arm around her. It seemed to give her the strength she needed to overcome her fear. Taking off her hat she could hear the breath catch in her friend's throat. But glancing at Mora she realized the girl wasn't upset, or afraid.

 

With a smile Morrisa sat down beside her and examined the ears. “Can I touch them?” She questioned softly. With a nod of approval from Willa the girl gently ran her fingers along one of the edges. She jumped slightly when it twitched. Then she laughed lightly. “Does it tickle?”

 

“Yes.” The other woman admitted. “But Edward thinks it's funny to tease me by blowing on them.” She rolled her eyes and glanced at the alchemist. Then she felt Shinri pulsate. Looking down she frowned. “What is it now?” She questioned aloud, earning her a puzzled expression from Mora. “It's my sword. When something's not real, it kind of gives me a signal, letting me know I can use it.”

 

Al studied the sheath at her side. “What do you mean use it? I thought it was only supposed to suppress your powers, not hurt anyone.” When understanding came to him, he became worried. “Brother, could it be sensing me? That I'm not really like everyone else?”

 

The alchemist nodded. “That could be it. But I don't think I want her to use it on you.” He peered down at the woman he loved. Her eyes were full of questions. “I'm afraid it may want to release his soul from the armor. It could want him to go on to the… afterlife.”

 

The words seemed to darken the room. Everyone was thinking the same thing. Al's spirit, having been tied to the armor, was much like a ghost. The blade could be seeing him as the walking dead, which, to the group, seemed morbid. Hadn't Edward given his arm to save his brother's life? Wasn't Alphonse still considered a living human? Hadn't he survived the transmutation of their mother?

 

Shinri throbbed again, harder this time. Willa placed a hand on the hilt to try and calm it. But it refused to be quieted. With each pulse the power became stronger. She shook her head. “It's a sword of truth. So I can't stay here.” Her voice broke as she glanced up at Ed. “I'm sorry, but I have to go.”

 

“Wait.” Al protested, holding out a hand. He was scared but at the same time wanted to know. Questions, that had plagued him for years, could now be answered. “Brother, if it wants to be used then let her use it.” Every head turned to him with worried expression. “If I am… dead… then I don't belong here.”

 

“But Al.” Edward was becoming frantic. “You're not dead! You're alive, we both know that! We all know that!” His heart began to race uncontrollably. This discussion was leading to something he didn't want to face. “You can't be dead because you're still here! Just because you don't have a body doesn't mean that you aren't alive. It doesn't mean that…”

 

But his younger sibling stopped him. “I'm not so sure brother. Maybe I am just a poltergeist, nothing more than a ghost in this shell. I can't feel, or taste. I'm not able to cry or even sleep. If a sword of truth thinks I shouldn't be here, then maybe I should go. That way you could get on with your life. You've spent so much of it trying to get my body back.” Many times he had considered what, for him, would be suicide. All it would require would be to break the seal. Holding his only family member back wasn't something he wanted to do.

 

The alchemist shook his head fiercely, tears of rage and fear coming up in his eyes. He stood, taking a firm stance and facing his sibling, through the younger towered over him. “I can't loose you Al! We've worked so hard. It can't have been for nothing. I don't want to go on living like normal if you're not around!

 

Willa rose Salty droplets were already streaming down her face as she looked back at Mora, who was also crying. Swallowing hard she put the hat back on and began to walk past the Elrics while speaking. “I can't do it Al. I can't take you away from your brother. You two need each other. You're a set, like night and day. We can't have one without the other. I'm sorry.”

 

She was about to open the door when a large hand stopped her. “No, this is what I want. Shouldn't you use the sword to make things right? Won't doing this make everything like it should be? You can't just ignore it every time you don't want to make the change.” His words were strong and resolute through a shaky voice. “Please, use the sword on me.”

 

Sobs racked through Morrisa's body as she heard his words. She shook her head and rushed to hug him. “Don't! I can't loose you too. I've been alone for so long. Let's just stay as we are. Please Alphonse, don't make her do this.” She moaned as he pushed her into his brother's arms. “But I love you!” She cried.

 

“I love you too Mora. But things aren't supposed to be like this. We can't go on pretending.” He saw the horror on his brother's face and it broke his heart. “Please understand. I can't just go on existing like this. If I'm supposed to be on the other side then that's where I want to be.”

 

The thought of his already being dead was weighing heavy on his mind and had been since he'd heard of Kikyou. If it was true then he'd caused his brother's childhood to be wasted. So many years of searching had all been in vain. Things needed to be set right; even if that meant leaving the people he cared for. Mora deserved better, deserved to be loved by someone real.

 

Turning back to Willa he took off the hat, signifying she needed to stay. Kneeling before her he pleaded his case again. “Do this, for me, for you. Set us free from the game we've been playing. Then everyone will be able to move on.” He gently wiped a tear from her eye. “Please.”

 

With a nod she drew her sword, a lump catching in her throat. It felt as though she were in a dream state with no control. She could see the expression of horror in her beloved's eyes as he started to race forward. Helplessly she swung the blade across the armor before her. It cut straight through, as though the suit were nothing more than an illusion.

 

Tears filled her as she replaced the weapon. An orb of light formed around the armor that had housed the soul of Alphonse Elric for so long. She could hear in her mind his thoughts of gratitude as the light consumed him. After a moment, it was gone, the orb had vanished.

 

Slowly the suit seemed to fall forward at her feet. Mora screamed as she watched it go. Sinking to her knees Willa began to sob, regaining control of her body. She hadn't wanted to do it, didn't want to be the one to take him from them. Once again she was responsible for the death of a friend. The power of the blade had called to her, and he had begged. She couldn't resist the pull of Shinri any more than she had been able to refuse the demon blood.

 

Edward rushed to the suit, crying out his brother's name. “Alphonse! Al get up!” His heart broke as he dropped to the ground, crying over his fallen sibling. “You can't be gone! You can't!” Sobs rushed through him. He'd given his arm and years of his life for his sibling. And now in an instant the younger Elric was gone.