InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Reality ( Chapter 29 )

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 29: Reality

 

The apartment was filled with tears of mourning. In anger Morrisa rushed at her friend. Slapping the other woman across the face she cried, “How could you? How could you take him from me like that?” But then she collapsed into Willa's arms. “I've lost him. It's happening all over again!”

 

The sounds of sobbing were loud. It seemed like he was trapped, unable to move, in a sickening void. The voices sounded muffled to his ears. He was confused and distraught because of it. His mind was spinning and his brow furrowed. Could this really be happening? “Hello?” He called softly, his voice echoing in his ear. His muscles felt too weak to try and move. “Brother? Are you there?” He thought he could hear Ed's voice, but it sounded strange. Was he dead? Had he finally crossed over? But then why could he still hear them?

 

Willa's ears perked up. She looked down at the armor and opened her mind. `Where am I? Did I die? Is this the other side?' Subduing her powers again she pulled away from Mora's grasp. Crawling over to the suit, she pulled Edward off of it. Her heart was frantic with hope and anticipation.

 

“What are you doing?” The alchemist demanded as the woman pushed him back. `Hasn't she already done enough damage?' He thought it, but he didn't say it. In his heart he knew that would only make her feel worse. But as he watched her start turn the suit over, he became intrigued. “What is it? Is he still in there?”

 

She shook her head in wonderment. “I'm not sure… but I think so.” Once she'd moved the armor onto its back she put both hands on the helmet. She hesitated momentarily, knowing full well the other two people were watching her. The trio held their breath as she carefully removed the helmet.

 

Gasping, Alphonse gazed around in bewilderment. “Brother?” He questioned, the realization dawning on him. He could feel again. He was able to smell the world around him, and taste the saliva in his mouth. “I'm… I'm still here.” He breathed, glancing around to Mora. “I'm alive.”

 

The woman nodded, tears still streaming from her eyes. She glowed with happiness. “You're back.” Her voice left her as she moved to stroke his cheek. He looked so much like her fiancé had years ago. His body had been restored to the age he rightfully should have been.

 

Willa smiled slightly before rising. She glanced at Edward who in turn gave her a contented grin. “I'll go and get him some clothes from your closet.” She said, touching Mora on the shoulder. “Ed will have to help him out of the suit. So you need to come with me.”

 

Nodding, the girl rose and followed her friend. But she peered back over her shoulder at the man she loved. He was pale but his grey eyes shown brightly. His light brown hair was short, making him look exactly like her lost love. As they reached the top of the stairs she whispered. “They look the same.”

 

Willa smiled and nodded to her friend, suppressing the memories that threatened to come forth. She continued on into Edward's bedroom and rummaged through the closet. Pulling out a pair of pants and a shirt she moved to the dresser. Grabbing a pair of boxers she hoped they would fit Al. “I'm gonna just toss them down the stairs!” She called to the Elrics.

 

“Alright go ahead.” Edward yelled up to her. His voice was full of joy. Unfortunately he was too excited to figure out how to get Al out of that suit. “I'm not sure how people could ever wear these things. It's impossible to get off!” He frowned, and with a clap of his hands touched the armor.

 

Immediately the front of it peeled back from the chest plate, allowing Alphonse to pull his arms and legs from their spots. The younger sibling smiled and pulled the elder into a hug. It was a wonderful embrace, one they had waited years for. “I missed being able to feel you brother.”

 

Ed nodded into the pale mans shoulder. When he shifted back he was smiling. “I missed it too.” He admitted. How many times had he longed for the warmth of his brother, or the simple softness of his skin? He rose slowly, pulling the younger into a standing position beside the armor. “You'd better get dressed before the girls come down.” He laughed, shifting away from him.

 

But without the support to hold him up Al began to fall back to the ground. Edward's heart stopped as he managed to catch him before he hit the metal suit. Slowly he guided his sibling to the couch. Only after having settled him did the alchemist move to pick up the clothing from the bottom of the steps.

 

As his brother helped him dress Alphonse laughed slightly. “I guess I'm just weak. It feels like my muscles aren't very strong yet.” He smiled when Ed looked at him with concern. “It's alright. I think I just need to use them. You know, build them up before I try anything too strenuous.”

 

Edward didn't speak as he finished helping Al dress. The man before him was pale. His skin was that of a newborn. It seemed odd compared to his age, and yet the body was new. The alchemist tried to brush away the awkwardness of the situation. Here was a man before him in his early twenties, and yet was as weak as a baby.

 

After he was fully dressed Alphonse felt tired. He didn't seem to have the energy he needed to stand. “You can call them down now brother.” He offered, seeing the worry in his sibling's expression. “I'll be alright. It'll just take some getting used to is all. You'll see.”

 

Ed nodded and moved to the bottom of the stairs. “Alright, we're ready.” He called, glancing back to the strange new man on the couch. `He seems so fragile. And his skin is so different. I'm almost afraid I'll hurt him.' But he pushed the thoughts aside as the girls descended the steps. This was still Alphonse Elric after all. The same boy who'd studied alchemy with him. It was the soul of the armor who'd followed him all those years.

 

Mora was simply beaming as she rushed to sit next to her beloved. Her hand rubbed his cheek gently, noticing how soft it was. She smiled, seeming to light up the whole room. “I was so afraid I'd lost you.” She murmured, laying her head on his shoulder. Her eyes close and she was finally content.

 

She felt him raise her hand to his lips and gently he kissed it. Everything seemed so new and wonderful. Pharaoh jumped into his lap and began to purr loudly. Stroking the cat's fur he was surprised how soft it was. Then he looked at Willa, who'd been observing him quietly, sitting on the coffee table in front of him. “Thank you.” He whispered.

 

The girl shook her head. “You're the one who asked me to. I was so worried that I'd destroyed you. Now I'm just glad Shinri knew what it was doing.” She patted the sword to show who, or rather what, she was speaking of. “But now you're back and everything will work out alright.”

 

Edward came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “He's still weak. Why don't we go upstairs and let him and Mora rest.” He could see that the girl would have refused to leave his brother's side. So gently he took Willa's hand and led her up the stairs into the smaller room.

 

She took a seat on the bed and frowned. The worry she'd been hiding now came out in full view as Ed shut the door, closing off the outside world. She gazed up at him, and with a sigh spoke. “I'm sorry that I went against your wishes. I know how heartbroken you would have been if things had turned out differently. But he was begging and…”

 

Pressing his fingers against her lips Edward silenced the girl he loved. He glanced to the window, noting that the curtains had indeed been shut. He'd have to check the others later. For now he simply let his hand fall from her mouth to press against the side of her neck. Pulling her into a short kiss, he forgave her. “Don't worry.” He murmured, stroking her hair gently. “He's back and everything will work out.” But he could see the concern as she pulled from his grasp. Something was definitely troubling the woman. “Tell me what it is. Don't just pull away and not tell me why.”

 

She shook her head and held her hands out helplessly. “When we were coming through town this morning Shinri kept pulsing. It seems like everyone here is living a lie. What am I supposed to do, draw my sword in public? That wouldn't work. They'd hall me away to the nuthouse for sure.”

 

Falling back across the bed she sighed heavily. “And Alphonse is in no condition to go anywhere. He's so weak and helpless. I can't ask you to leave him, not now.” She closed her eyes as Edward laid down beside her. “I just wish I knew what it is I'm supposed to do. I feel like I should have the answers but I don't. I'm not even sure I know all the questions.”

 

Ed prodded her to move on up the bed long ways. She shifted without question, her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck gently. “You don't have to know all the answers, or even all the questions. We'll just take it one day at a time. For now we can stay here and get some rest while Al gains strength.”

 

She started to say something but he continued. “Since the first day I met you, everything has been complicated. We've been running from monsters and dealing with new people.” He sighed and tightened his grip on her. “I've lost and had to search for you. Meanwhile you've been worried about what I'd say and do since you changed.”

 

Again she tried to interrupt but he wouldn't allow it. “You've been kidnapped and transformed. Had to deal with Inuyasha and then been asked to bear someone's child.” She giggled at that. “But when I found you, it made everything worth it. Of course then I broke my arm and you had to have a sword made. But now because of Shinri Al has a body. I think after all that we deserve some vacation time.”

 

Willa smiled and nodded. “But you left out the most important part.” He gave a questioning grunt. “The part where we fell in love. Not to mention that Alphonse and Mora are now blissfully happy downstairs. I'd say that those two facts are well worth all that we went through.”

 

She felt his lips press against the back of her head. A smile spread across her face. It was true that she was no closer to the answers than a moment ago. But the fact that she was in his arms was enough to brighten her mood. “I love you.” She whispered softly, almost where he couldn't hear.

 

His lips pressed against her head again, then made their way to the back of her ear. “I love you.” Ed breathed, softly enough at the base so as not to make it twitch. Then gently he kissed it earning him a contented mumble from the woman he loved. “I love you with all I am.” He whispered.

 

With her eyes closed Willa felt as though she were drifting off to sleep. The warmth around her was so inviting after having spent so many nights in the woods. The soft pillows beckoned her to dream. And so gradually she allowed herself slip into a peaceful slumber, Edward doing the same, his lips still pressed against her ear.

 

 

“They're sleeping in my room.” Mora giggled as she made her way down the stairs. She and Al had fallen asleep on the sofa for the night. Sitting at the opposite end of the couch she patted her leg. “You look like you need to lie down for a little while longer.” She soothed, allowing him to shift so that his head was in her lap.

 

His eyes closed as she stroked his face. He felt as if senses he never new he had were returned to him. “I wonder if this is what Willa felt like.” He mumbled. When the woman's hand stopped moving he explained further. “When she was first changed, all her senses were enhanced. And now that I've got all mine back it feels strange.”

 

It was hard for her to understand, but Mora tried. “I suppose it probably is. I'm just so glad her sword saw you the same way we did. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you.” His eyes opened and his hand reached up to touch her cheek. “After loosing the other Al, I felt like I wanted to die. It seemed like my whole world was gone. Willa's the one who kept me going. She stopped me from ending it all.”

 

Alphonse frowned. “You were going to commit suicide after your fiancé died?” She nodded causing him to worry a bit. “You do see me as a separate person, don't you? You're not just trying to regain what you lost with him, are you?”

 

Suddenly shock came over her. “Oh no Al! Please don't think that. I love you for you. It's just… well you're so much like he was that it's hard to tell.” She shook her head trying to explain what even she didn't comprehend. “It's almost as if you're the same person, even though you're not. So… but I love you, as you are. Understand?”

 

He shook his head. “Not really. Apparently we sound a lot alike. And from what you've said I look like him. But we're not the same because we led different lives right? He didn't know alchemy or…” Al sat up slowly, scowling with concentration. “You've never said if he had a brother or not. Did he? Was he the same as mine?”

 

Clenching her teeth Mora wasn't sure how to tell him. But eventually she nodded. “When we were all little, he did have an older brother. We would always tease him and Willa about them liking each other. But when he was sixteen there was an accident.” She frowned and turned her head. “Ed didn't make it out of the building in time.”

 

They heard the squeak on the stair and looked up. “What are you talking about?” Edward questioned, his eyes full of apprehension. “The boy you teased Willa about… he was my double in your world?” When the girl nodded he turned away and started back for the second floor. `How could she not tell me something like this? Why hide it from me?' Jealously was quickly over taking logic for control.

 

“Please don't ask her!” Mora begged, but the alchemist wouldn't listen. She started to get up but felt Al's hand on her arm. Glancing back at him reviled the desperate worry in her eyes. “He doesn't understand! We were so young then. And he's changed so much. She's tried so hard to forget. If he asks her…” A sob stopped her in mid sentience.

 

“What is it?” Alphonse questioned, taking the woman by the shoulders. “Why would his asking her be such a bad thing? What happened in that accident?” But she began crying harder and so he pulled her to his chest. Whatever it was had hurt the girl deeply. Looking back to the stairs he hoped his brother knew what he was doing.