InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Remember Me ( Chapter 30 )

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 30: Remember Me

 

The slamming the door caused Willa to jump back into reality. She rubbed her eyes and glanced up to see a very upset Elric at the end of the bed. “What is it? Has something happened?” She sat up then crawled toward him on the mattress. Once there she took hold of his arm. “What's wrong?” Her voice pleaded with innocents.

 

He tried hard not to yell at her, though he felt somewhat betrayed. She knew everything about him. Yet he apparently still knew very little of her life before he'd met her. Taking her arms in his hands he held her firmly. “Why didn't you tell me you knew my double in your world?” His words were stern and cold. “Mora said she'd been engaged to the Al back home. What about his brother? You never bothered to mention that.”

 

Distress filled her soul. `Edward… I didn't want to remember. I've tried to forget.' She closed her eyes as tears began to form. “Please, you have to understand. I didn't realize for sure until Al got his body back. I hoped it was all just coincidence. I didn't think it was possible.”

 

“What happened to him?” The alchemist demanded. His heart was breaking. She'd kept something so important a secret from him. How could she do that after all they'd gone through? Why hadn't she told him when they came upstairs the night before? Hadn't she known then? “Why didn't you say something, anything?!”

 

Sobs racked through her body. Pulling away from his grasp she moved into the corner of the bed, her back pressed against the wall. “I couldn't. I didn't want to remember. It was all so long ago. I've been trying to forget ever since.” She drew her knees up to her chest and put her arms about them. Burying her head, she tried to block herself from the world.

 

A pang hit Ed's heart making it shatter. Again he had done something to upset the woman he loved. Without realizing it he'd brought to light a memory that had been buried for a long time. He crawled across the bed and put an arm around her. With his hand he forced her to let her knees drop. Gently he brought her arms around him, willing her to take hold.

 

When she did he rocked her slowly, wishing he'd kept his mouth shut. “Please don't cry Willa. I'm so sorry. Please stop crying.” Her muffled reply against his chest was undecipherable. He kissed her head softly. “It's alright, I've got you. I'm here.” He whispered, though he felt that could be part of the problem.

 

She nodded against him. Then she pulled away, the sobs finally easing. Brushing the salty droplets from her cheeks she felt she had to tell him. Now that he knew there had indeed been another Edward in her world, he deserved the truth. With her head against his shoulder and her eyes closed she remembered the day aloud.

 

 

Sitting around the lake were four young friends. Sixteen year old Edward's hair was cut short for school, although he hated it that way. In the summer his mother had allowed him to grow it out. But the very day his teacher sent a note home his father took him to the barber shop. “I don't see why boys can't have long hair.” He complained, pulling at the strands. “It's not like it's her hair! She shouldn't care what ours looks like.” Frowning he turned to Willa who was nodding. She'd always loved it when his hair grew out. That was part of the reason he preferred it that way.

 

Though she was three years younger she'd always acted closer to his age. In his eyes she wasn't just a child, though the boys in class said so. With her ability to understand people she seemed much older than her peers. It was why they had always been so close. She was the baby of their group but to him she was his equal.

 

“Maybe it's just one of those grownup rules that we don't understand yet.” Alphonse suggested thoughtfully. He was lying on the grass. His hands were folded behind his head as he stared up at the sky. The younger boy had always had a passive nature. “You know, like how we aren't supposed to swim right after eating. Maybe it's that sort of thing.”

 

Mora groaned. “I hate that rule! What difference does it make if we swim after eating a sandwich? It's not like the bread is going to make us sink to the bottom of the pool!” She shook her head at the thought. “I think they just make up things to keep us from having fun.”

 

Sighing Willa picked up a fallen leaf. Soon it would be too cold to even consider swimming. Already the trees were starting to become bare. Yet although the water was cold they would still spend time playing in the small river. “I don't know but I'm bored and if I go home now I'll have to do homework.”

 

A sly grin spread across Edward's face. “Then how about if we go and check out that old school building before they tear it down?” Peering at his friends he could see they would have to be won over. “Think of it as a once in a lifetime opportunity. If we don't do it now we'll always look back and wonder.”

 

Rolling her eyes Mora got up from the ground. “I've already seen the stupid thing from the outside. And I'll have to see the inside of a school tomorrow. I don't want to waist the rest of my weekend looking at some old jail for kids. We go to one every day as it is!” She threw her head back and moaned to prove how dumb an idea it was.

 

“Well then fine. You don't have to go with us.” Ed frowned, moving to stand as well. “You'll just have to miss out on all the fun. But don't beg us to tell you what it was like after we get back. Maybe it's just cuz you're scared.” He gave Willa a wicked grin. “You're not still a little baby, are you?”

 

Shaking her head she glared at him as he pulled her from the ground. He knew that he could always count on her support. Turning to his brother he questioned. “What about you Al? Are you going to stay here and be scared with Mora? Or come with us for this once in a lifetime adventure?” His smile faded as he saw the oncoming answer.

 

“I'm not scared. It's just that… well if Mora goes home alone the adults will suspect something.” The young teen tried to make his excuse sound somewhat authentic. “They always say there's never just one of us by ourselves. So I'll stay here to keep them from wondering.”

 

Nodding Edward decided he was wasting his time trying to convince them. Anyway, as long as he had Willa at his, side he would be fine. She was his secret strength. When no one else believed him she would. And when he'd decided he wanted to know what kissing was like she had been the one he'd tried it with.

 

Now with her hand in his they raced through the fields. Soon the sun would go down and the building would be even too scary for their nerves. “We have to hurry.” He huffed, pulling her along as fast as they could go. “Otherwise I'll get in trouble for keeping you out too late.”

 

Willa nodded, her long red hair flowing behind her. She knew her parents worried about her having older friends. But the simple fact was, these were the only people who tired to understand her. And so they'd allowed her to go around with the older teens. Though, as all parents do, they did worry when she was alone with one of the brothers.

 

Once they reached the old school house they stopped to catch their breath. The sign informing people the place was condemned had long since fallen, obscured by tall grass. It was a two-story wooden building that should have been torn down long ago. Slats were nailed across the windows. The doors to the front were broken, the locks rusted so that a simple shove would allow someone inside.

 

With a push of his weight the door swung open, almost causing the teen to fall. As soon as Ed had caught his balance he held out a hand to Willa. “Come on, let's check this place out.” As her hand slipped in his he pulled her through, then closed the door behind them. “It's dark in here, but if we leave it open someone will notice.”

 

Nodding, the girl walked further into the dim hallway. The floors were wooden rather than concrete. Paint was peeling from the walls. She looked around in wonderment before smiling back at him. “They're really missing something great.” She laughed, allowing him to lead her into one of the offices.

 

Finding the old principals desk he took a seat in the chair. Sitting up dignified, he gave her a stern look. “Now then young lady I've heard that you've causing some disturbances in class.” He smiled and started to lean back. With a crack the chair broke and he went crashing to the floor. “Whoa!”

 

“Edward!” Willa screamed rushing around the desk and falling to her knees. But upon seeing his bright face she slapped him lightly. “Don't scare me like that! I thought you were really hurt.” She frowned as he sat up and gave her a pathetic look. “Don't you dare give me that face. I'm not going to forgive you.”

 

Something in his eyes changed. “Oh yeah?” He queried, crawling over close to her. “You won't forgive me huh?” His arms slipped around her and pulled her close. His face was close to hers when he breathed. “Please.” His eyes closed as he pressed his lips against hers.

 

She didn't resist at all. She had always been in love with him. Ever since she'd first started thinking boys were cute, he had been the one on her mind. She pulled him into a second kiss, glad the others had decided not to come along. Being alone with him was worth coming to this creepy old building.

 

The wind outside picked up without warning. They could hear the branches of the old tree brush against the side of the schoolhouse. A loud creek resounded along the old wooden boards. Suddenly something over them snapped loudly causing the couple to jump.

 

“Come on.” Edward grabbed Willa's hand and pulled her up off the floor. Looking around he rushed toward the doorway. His heart raced as he heard the sound of the roof caving in. Relief flooded over him as he saw the front door. But he had to let go of Willa's hand to pull it open.

 

Her terrified cry could be heard as the boards she was standing on broke through, sending her into the basement. “Edward!” She screamed, from where she'd landed on the broken wood. “Help me! Please! Get me out of here!” She was frantic and her eyes shown just how scared she was.

 

“Hold on!” He called down, fear gripping his own voice. Carefully he climbed down the hole which was close to the front doorway. He didn't know where the stairs were and didn't have the time to find them. The upper floor was still groaning with the weight of the fallen roof.

 

Once he made it down he rushed over to her. “Are you alright? Can you walk?” She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “It's ok. I think I can carry you. Just stay calm alright?” She nodded, unable to find the voice she needed to speak. Bending down he scooped the girl into his arms. He could see at a glance that her ankle had been either broken or very badly sprained. Other than that she was bleeding from where she'd hit different splinters and nails. “It's alright. I'm going to get you out of here.”

 

She sobbed into his chest as he made his way up. A terrifying thought came to her mind as she heard the building creek again. “I love you Edward. Even if we don't make it, you have to know that I love you with all my heart.” Her grasp around his neck tightened as he slipped.

 

“Hey.” He forced his voice to sound light. He had to make her know she'd be safe. “I'm gonna get you out of this. But just so you know.” He strained to lift her up into the doorway. With his usual grin he started to pull himself up. “I love you too Willa.”

 

Then he heard the noise above him. Instantly shoved the girl hard, forcing her to roll out of the way. Unfortunately at the same time he lost his grip and fell back into the cellar below. There was no time to do anything as the rest of the building came crashing down around him.

 

 

“I screamed. It was all I could do.” Willa explained, tears streaming down her face. “I couldn't even get back to him. If only I hadn't fallen. If he wouldn't have tried to get me out of that basement… He would still be alive. So many things I could have done, but I didn't do any of them.” Her heart was starting to break all over again.

 

Using his automail hand Edward brushed back her hair. “But if he hadn't done it, you would have been the one who died. He knew what was going to happen, that's why he saved you. That's why he climbed down into that hole. Otherwise he would have been the one feeling guilty.”

 

She shook her head. “But I could have told him no. I could have kept him from going in there at all. He wouldn't have gone if I'd only asked him not to. It's my fault. It's because of me that he died.” Her embrace around the alchemist tightened. “I should have been the one lost, not him. Not Ed.”

 

He didn't know what to do, didn't know how to comfort her. But when an idea came to him he spoke it aloud. “It's a lot like the way I've felt all these years. I've always thought that if it had only been me who lost more than just a leg. It was my fault that we tried to bring mom back. My fault Al was stuck in that armor.”

 

“But it wasn't.” Willa interrupted. “You both chose to try. Each of you made the decision to…” She allowed her sentence to trail off. Sadly she admitted, “I see what you're trying to say. That he chose to go in there too. He could have easily called it off but didn't. I understand but it's still so hard.”

 

“I know.” Ed breathed, kissing her head softly. “I can't seem to get over my guilt either. We sure do make a pair don't we? Both of us blaming ourselves for something in the past.” She nodded and he stroked her hair. “Maybe we just need to move on. Forgive ourselves and go on with life. After all, we have each other, right?”

 

Nodding again Willa still felt bad. “I didn't mean to keep it from you. I just didn't want to think about it. It just never occurred to me how much you resembled him.” Then a pang struck her deep inside. “He would have looked just like you.”

 

Taking her hand in his Edward kissed it. “Sometimes things just happen. You can't keep blaming yourself. You have to move on.” Then a question came to mind which he couldn't suppress. “Willa, I need to know the truth. You're not in love with me because I'm his double, are you?”

 

Shaking her head she moved so that she could study his eyes. “I've always had a suspicion. That maybe, somehow you were the same person.” She paused for a second, hesitant to continue trying to explain what she herself didn't quite understand. “Edward, I love you for so many other reasons. Maybe deep down it's why I trusted you at first, but it's not why I'm with you now.” She took his hand and held it to her chest. “I love you because you accept me as I am. You see the girl within. It's like you said, we're one, two sides of the same coin. Please understand.”

 

With a slight nod he moved forward to kiss her. Something tugged at the back of his mind, begging to be remembered. Slowly it revealed itself to him. “Watch.” He whispered, and that was enough to let her know he wanted her to help him find the memory.

 

 

Mrs. Elric was holding the hands of her children at a fresh gravesite. Alphonse had just barely learned to walk. “I'm so sorry for your loss.” She was soothing a grieving woman, who only nodded. Slowly Trisha lifted her youngest in to her arms and took the other by the hand, leading them away. Her face showed how distraught she was over the death.

 

“But who was it?” A young Edward asked, tugging on his mother's arm. “Who was the girl that went away?” His confusion was mirrored in his siblings face. Neither of them were old enough to understand the subject of death. It was something that was new and strange.

 

“It was that woman's daughter. She got very sick around the same time you did.” Kneeling down Trisha embraced both her boys. “Her name was Willa, she was little, like you and wasn't strong enough to... Remember how sick you were?” The child nodded. “Well that's how hard it was for her. Only… she didn't get better.”

 

With that she stood and led the brothers toward their house. Edward peered back over his shoulder and waved to the couple. The woman gave him a sad smile and waved back slightly before she fell to her knees sobbing. He hadn't understood at the time, that death was something final.