InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Freedom ( Chapter 36 )

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 36: Freedom

 

Tears refused to fall though her heart was breaking. Willa had followed the monster at top speed through the woods for two days until they reached a lab, hidden away in the dense trees. It was the same one she'd been to with Inuyasha. The very same building she'd escaped from, she was now entering willingly.

 

Once inside her hand reached for Shinri, taking hold of its hilt. She'd been planning this since before she'd knocked Edward out in the bakery. But in a moment someone grabbed her from behind. His arms wrapped around her tightly. It was the catlike creature who'd been stocking her and watching when she left the city walls. “No hanyou.” He growled into her ear, his lips brushing against it. “You're mine.”

 

She struggled against his grip but he was too strong for her. Willa shuttered as he kissed her neck and then nipped it lightly. “You'll be a cat demon soon enough.” He hissed, his arms tightening. “Then that sword will be as worthless as those human friends of yours.” He kissed her again, allowing his tongue to move across her skin. “But you'll take care of that my dear.”

 

Pushing against him she growled. “What are you talking about you stupid feline?” She found herself sounding like Inuyasha had in so many of his memories. Her heart pounded in time with Shinri's pulses. “They won't be taken by anyone again. Edward will see to that.” Her voice was full of a malice she'd never felt before.

 

“Oh really?” The cat began dragging her down the hallway. A grin spread across his lips showing his fangs. “You think he'll be able to kill the woman he loves if she's the attacker? I don't think he'd have the heart to do something like that to his soul mate.” His laugh could be heard echoing around them. “He should have let you die when he had the chance.”

 

She wanted to scream but resisted the urge, knowing it would only bounce off the walls and back into her sensitive ears. “He'll know it's what I want him to do. He isn't as stupid as you seem to think.” Willa was saying it aloud, to not only convince the monster but herself as well. Surely Ed wouldn't let her kill him and the others. Of course he would know what she would wish him to do, wouldn't he? It was a distracting thought which worried her deeply.

 

The creature laughed as he drug her into the room she'd been in before. A nurse who looked human but had red eyes stuck a needle deep in her arm. She bucked against the woman though it was futile to do so. Her mind told her to fight the urge to fall asleep. But the medicine was too strong for her system to resist. Soon she passed out completely, leaving her in total darkness.

 

 

The next day Willa could feel the straps that bound her to a cold metal table. Already there were tubes connected to her arms. One of which was a serum that would change her blood once more. She could feel her body fighting against the mutation. It was resisting with all its hanyou power.

 

Shinri pulsed at her side. They'd known what would happen had they taken it from her. With that much power nothing they would have done could have stopped her. There were other people in the room, and she was certain they were the ones the sword was sensing. But as the power grew she could tell that something more was happening. The blade was trying to work of its own accord once more.

 

Wiggling, she managed to grasp the hilt without anyone realizing it. They all seemed to be busy, looking at charts and discussing various chemical reactions. Therefore none of them noticed her sneaking the sword from its sheath. That is, no one realized until there was a blaring light that flooded the room.

 

An orb of energy formed around each person. They seemed dazed as the power took over, reforming them into who they truly were. Slowly hair and ears began to change to their original shapes and colors. Things returned to normal as the light faded. Once the process was complete their eyes were no longer red, their memories were restored. Because they knew they had been controlled, they were understandably agitated.

 

However one of the men managed to shake off the feeling and take control of the situation. “Quickly, everyone take different routes out of the building. Bow your heads. Don't let them know we've been restored.” His voice was hushed but still very commanding. As the others nodded, they made their way slowly out of the lab. Though some of them had changed in the way they looked, none were discovered.

 

“Thanks.” The man mumbled, his purple eyes seemed to glow as he removed the straps that bound Willa to the table. His fingers were that of a doctor, knowing exactly how to remove each of the tubes and wires that connected to her body. “You've got to get out of here too.” He whispered, helping her off the table.

 

She could sense that he was part dragon and possibly from the same world as Inuyasha. “They'll know me.” Her voice was full of worry as she rubbed her arm. Her insides ached with the drugs they'd pumped into her. The weakness was easing, but only slightly. It would take a few minutes for her hanyou blood to restore itself. “Everyone saw me when I came in. You get out though.”

 

He shook his head, still steadying her with an arm behind the waist. He was taller than Alphonse had become in his human body. His silver hair was a dead giveaway for his demon heritage. But other than that and his eyes, he looked human. “I'll get you out.” He murmured helping her cross the room. “Just use that power of yours and we'll be fine.”

 

Nodding Willa pulled Shinri from its sheath and held it tightly in her hand. As they passed through the door the blade glowed brightly. As each creature came close, a sphere of light would surround them, transforming the person back into themselves. It was a slow journey, going through all parts of the building to allow Shinri the closeness required to work its magic. Luckily they managed to make it unhindered until they reached the offices.

 

While the secretaries and other workers all transformed and fled, the boss, who had come to his door to look out, did not. “What's going on here?” His eyes were a cold red, natural and unnerving. He seemed human, though Willa could sense he was a full blood changeling. “So it's you again.” He growled, glaring at his homemade hanyou.

 

She managed to pull away from the dragon and stand on her own. “Get out.” She whispered to him, nodding he did as ordered. Sliding the sword back into its holder she turned her attention to the shape shifter. “Why are you doing this? Why control so many people?”

 

His smirk was one that would well suit an evil imp. “Why not? Back in my world I was at the top of the government. So naturally I would try to give order to this place of chaos as well.” His eyes narrowed on the woman angrily. “But you have been an extremely annoying female. Changing my people and ruining all I've worked so hard for. I can't allow this to continue.”

 

Willa frowned, unsure of what she needed to do about such a pompous jerk. Shinri was a sword of truth not of death. This man was dominating by his own belief. Nothing the blade could do would change that. But her strength was returning and with that, her courage. “I gave those people back the lives that you stole from them! Controlling a population isn't how to lead.”

 

Again he smirked. “Then kill me if you can.” He made a movement with his hand, transforming his own body into that of another. “What will you do now Willa?” His voice had changed, becoming familiar and unsettling. “Are you going to kill the man you love or let him do so to you?” Edward's eyes were staring back into her blue ones.

 

She shook slightly, not having prepared herself for this. `I said that Ed would be able to kill me. But could I do the same?' As his arm transformed into a blade she backed away in terror. Those golden orbs were burning with anger as he came at her. She dodged, but only barely.

`He isn't Ed… he isn't Ed!' She repeated the phrase in her mind while dashing out of his way. Then an idea came to her and she smirked. Opening her mind she allowed herself to hear her opponent's thoughts. This would let her not only know his moves, but prove to her heart he was not the same man. She turned and glared at him with a smirk.

 

`She wouldn't dare.' His face beamed with assurance. But as she cracked her knuckles and bore her fangs they changed, becoming uncertain and scared. `She couldn't.' Quickly he leapt out of the way, barely dodging as the hanyou he'd made came at him with those sharp claws. `Hell hath no furry…'

 

“Like a woman's wrath.” She completed, jumping onto the desk and towering over him. Another smile crossed her lips as she looked down onto his shaking form. `He is not Edward. That is truth.' Grasping the hilt of her sword she drew it from its sheath, causing a blinding light to fill the room.

 

When it faded the changeling had been transformed back into his true form. Glancing down at his form, his eyes grew wide with shock. He backed into the nearest corner and looked up at her. “You wouldn't kill me. You don't have the heart for it.” His words were shaky though he tried to make them sound strong.

 

“I wouldn't have.” She corrected, baring her fangs once more. “But that was before. You're the one who changed me. What's wrong, don't like what you've created?” Anger was quickly filling her but when Shinri pulsed her temper cooled. This was not who she was. She would not kill someone. Especially not a man who was cowering in such a manner. `He has to be stopped. That is truth.'

 

The thoughts relayed to the sword and as an orb glowed around him, she knew what it had in mind. His screams would have been heard throughout the building, but there was no one left to hear them. When the light had faded, she gave a slight smirk. He hadn't been killed, simply taken back to his old world, but known for the criminal he was.

 

Sliding the sword back in place, she sighed and let herself down off the desk. Looking about, a single tear crept into her eye then streaked down her face. The tension had broke, as did her composure. Kneeling down she allowed herself to cry. Her one chance at being returned to normal was this lab, and now it was as good as destroyed.

 

`But there's still hope. If Shinri can return a jerk like that then it can send Edward and Alphonse home too.' Another sob came through her, though she tried to suppress it. `I'll try to send Mora with them. She's meant to be with Al. She always has been. That way they'll be happy.'

 

Standing slowly, she wiped her eyes. With a heavy heart she walked from the room and then excited through the front door. Another thought crossed her mind. Standing outside the building she pointed Shinri toward the sky. `Those who were affected by this place and that man should return to their true forms. Your power can reach them from here. That is truth.'

 

All over the land people were caught off guard when orbs of light surrounded them. Each were changed back, their memories restored. The people around them watched in awe. Loved ones were overjoyed at having their families returned to them. The birdlike woman in the demon town became herself again while in her husband's arms. Neither would try to go back to their clan, but instead would stay with the people who had accepted them, even with their differences.

 

Edward was also able to witness this event. He'd been gazing out the window sadly when it happened. He was too afraid to leave his brother and Mora alone in the house. But as the spheres of light faded around the people in the streets he rushed to tell his roommates.

 

“She's done it!” His voice was overjoyed as he explained rapidly. “Orbs of light were everywhere! Just like when she used Shinri on you Al! She's managed to change everyone back! I've got to go find her.” He didn't wait for their response, didn't wait for the look of shock and awe to pass from their faces.

 

“Do you think that means she's back?” Morrisa asked quietly, glancing at the man she loved hopefully. “It might have changed her back too right? I mean it is possible. Isn't it?” Her heart was pounding wildly as the question was conveyed. She wanted to believe it so much.

 

The younger Elric only shook his head helplessly. “I don't know. They said it couldn't be used on her. But if she was able to do something so powerful…” He glanced out the window to see the cheerful faces that raced into their homes to spread the good news. He smiled at the shocked expressions of those who hadn't known what happened or that anything had been wrong to begin with. “Maybe she managed to find a way.”