InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ What’s Right ( Chapter 37 )

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 37: What's Right

 

Willa had spent two days walking home, unsure if what she had attempted had worked or not. Shinri had glowed brightly but there had been no sensation of a power leaving the blade. Willa's head was bowed as she made her way through the woods. She knew what her next move would be, whether it had worked or not.

 

`I'll try to send them home.' She thought sadly. `I was able to do it for that jerk back there. So I need to do it for those who matter most, even if it does end up killing me.' She wouldn't commit suicide. But loneliness was something she'd found could be devastating. It could wear a body down slowly and painfully.

 

She didn't perceive the man running around the bend. Her ears and nose had picked up on him but she was too deep in thought to realize it. Even when he rushed past her she didn't pay attention. It wasn't until he had stopped and come back to stand beside her that she noticed she wasn't alone.

 

Glancing up at him she smiled slightly. Relief flooded over him as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. “I knew it was you.” He spoke in a rushed voice, kissing her lips with force. She allowed herself to enjoy the moment. Edward had come for her, just as he always had.

 

When they parted he could see the pain in her eyes. His glance traveled up to her ears which were still furry triangles. He didn't allow it to bother him, though he felt the stab of sorrow as his hopes were crushed. “It's alright. You still managed to change back all those people. You've done your job.”

 

She smiled, laying her head against his chest. `It worked. I actually did it.' Her heart ached with the knowledge of what she still had left to do. The job wasn't complete, not until those she loved were where they should be. But she couldn't tell him what she was planning. He wouldn't allow it if he knew.

 

“We can get that place in the country now. We'll settle down, just like you wanted.” The alchemist could feel how uneasy she still was. Her muscles were tense against his own. “What's wrong? You've released all those people from bondage. Why are you still upset?”

 

Shaking her head she backed up. “It's nothing.” She murmured, faking a smile. “Let's go home.” Allowing him to loop an arm around her waist she felt a stab in her heart. Soon everything would be over and his arms would never hold her again. Once they made it back to the apartment she would use Shinri before anything else could go wrong.

 

 

As they walked through the streets of Fort Promise her mood lightened. There was a visible change in the city around her. People were genuinely happy and the air seemed to have cleared. All the bad, pent up feelings had faded with the red eyes of those who had been enslaved. No one even seemed to care that non-humans were in the town.

 

Making it back to the apartment she was happy to see that Alphonse could stand. His strength was returning quicker than she'd expected. “Willa.” He greeted, embracing her in a brotherly hug. She'd caught the slight pang of disappointment in his voice. It was her ears again. They seemed to cause everyone problems.

 

Swallowing hard she backed up to see Mora rushing down the stairs. “You're back!” Her hug was tighter than Al's. But the same saddened look hung in the back of her eyes, though she'd tried to hide it. “Did you see? The whole town it talking about the strange phenomenon you caused!”

 

Nodding, Willa bit her bottom lip. Something was up. They could all sense it though none of them wanted to say anything. Finally Edward spoke up, rubbing her back with his hand. “We'll be upstairs if you need us.” He informed the others, leading her up to the second floor. She allowed it, only because she wasn't ready to let go.

 

Once they were in his and Al's room Ed closed the door. “What's going on?” His voice sounded worried but seemed exasperated at the same time. She only shook her head and took a seat on his bed. Sitting beside her his hand massaged her neck, loosening the muscles that had been so tight. “I need to know. You can't keep shutting me out like this. If I'm going to stay with you I need to understand what you're thinking. You have got to trust me.”

 

Tears sprung up in her eyes. “I do.” She swallowed hard the lump that was forming in her throat. “I trust you and that's what makes this so hard. I know what you'll say. You won't like it any more than I do. But we have to face facts.” She turned to look at him with frustration and longing. “We can't go on like this. You and Al need to go home. You've got people there who still need you.”

 

Shaking his head, Edward found himself confused. “But there's no way back. Sure we'd like to go home, but it's not possible.” Placing a hand on the opposite side of her neck he pulled her close to kiss the side nearest him. “It's alright though. We've got you and Mora. Going back wouldn't be the same without you two.”

 

Nodding she let out a gasp as he kissed her neck again. She was melting under his passionate touch. “But if you could go back…” She started, but still he caressed her skin making it hard to think. “If Morrisa could go too… Then things would be different back in your world. You could go on with normal lives.” She moaned again, lifting her chin as he moved to the nap of her neck. “Maybe you and Winry would…”

 

He stopped cold, feeling as though ice had entered his veins. This conversation was no longer simple hypostasis. She knew something he didn't, and it was eating at him. He didn't move, his lips were still inches from her neck. “What are you saying?” He breathed, suspicion filling his words.

 

“I was just thinking that…” She hadn't shifted either. Her chin was still lifted, baring her throat to him. “That you could stay with her. Maybe after a while you'd even learn to love her. Then you and she would be able to settle down, like you wanted to do here. Only things would be better.”

 

Ed scowled, moving so that he could study her eyes. “Better how? How could things possibly be any better than they will be here with you?” Her lids closed, refusing to face him. Grasping her chin, he shook her. “Look at me!” Instantly she obeyed and his hand dropped. “We, you and me, are going to find a place in the country. Then we'll go from there.”

 

Shaking her head she turned away, but only for a moment before he put a hand to her chin, forcing her to face him. “I was able to send someone back to their world. I told Shinri what I wanted and it obeyed. All I'll have to do is the same for you, Al and Mora. You'll forget about me with time.”

 

Hurt filled him. `Forget about you? Do you honestly think that's possible?' Did she truly believe his feelings for her could be turned off by something so simple, as the passage of time? That he would be able to continue on as if she'd never been a part of his life? “I don't want to. Even if I could I wouldn't.”

 

Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks. Why was he making this so difficult? `Then I'll make him forget.' With that thought in mind she forced herself to do what she believed was right. Placing a hand on Shinri she told it, `Edward needs to forget me. That is truth.' Before lifting the sword from its place at her side she murmured a soft. “Sorry.”

 

Before the blade was halfway exposed, a light filled the room. It was bright enough that it blinded both of them. She couldn't see what was going on, couldn't see the orb that surrounded him. She wasn't able to see the power that was erasing something so precious, as true love. But she was grateful for that.

 

When the light faded she didn't bother to open her eyes. She didn't want to see the horrified expression on his face when he realized he was alone, with a monster. She could hear his sharp intake of breath. Yet then there was something she hadn't expected. His lips pressed tightly against hers, and she struggled to pull away.

 

Staring at him, she was in a state of shock. What could possibly have gone wrong? His arms wrapped around her tightly. “You can't do anything about a truth that's set in stone.” His voice was filled with authority as though he'd known what she tried. “My love for you is stronger than any sword.”

 

Shaking her head she looked down at the blade helplessly. It was in its sheath at her side. He'd pushed it back down after the attempt had failed. “But you shouldn't. Can't you see that? You shouldn't love me. I'm all wrong for you. I can send you home but can't go back with you. Please understand.”

 

Kissing her neck gently he tried to make her realize just how much he cared. “I don't care if I never go back there. Wherever you are, there is my world. You're all I need, all I want.” Caressing her cheek he realized what was going through her mind. “Don't send me away.” He pleaded, knowing she had the power to do so against his will.

 

Her thoughts traveled back to the day he and Kagome had found them in the woods. She had been crying, a side effect from having contained her emotions for so long. “Don't send me away. Ask me to do anything, but don't tell me to go.” He had pleaded with her. Now it was those same words that tugged at her heart so desperately.

 

Closing her eyes she tilted her chin upward, showing her throat as a sign of submission. Smiling he moved to kiss it. She moaned softly and he could hear the pain that was still in her heart. He wanted so badly to please her but if he left, he feared she would kill herself. That wasn't something he would simply allow. Sighing, he backed away.

 

This kind of surrender wasn't what he'd wanted. He needed her to be happy, to love him and allow his love for her. But she simply refused to compromise. If she felt she could sacrifice something more she wanted to do so. It didn't seem to matter if that thing happened to be herself. “You think you can pull it off?” He asked, laying back to stare up at the ceiling. She nodded then laid back, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. It seemed he was stuck no matter what he did. “Promise me that you'll only send Al and Mora. If you don't I won't go down there with you.”

 

Willa frowned but nodded. It seemed he was wrong, she was willing to compromise on some things. “But if you want to go later, I'll send you then.” She placed a finger over his lips as a sign that he shouldn't say anymore. She didn't want to hear whatever it was anyway.

 

But he took her hand in his and kissed it gently. “Not without you.” He murmured, turning onto his side so that he was looking directly at her. “I don't ever want to be anywhere you aren't.” His lips brushed the top of her head while his hand caressed her neck, melting her will instantly.

 

Her breath softened as she fell into a deep sleep. Things had been so hard on her for so long. All she really wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare. But if that meant leaving Ed behind then it wasn't what she wanted after all. Parting with him wasn't something she wished to do, and yet would do if she had to. It all came down to the necessity of the situation.

 

 

When she did wake it was dark, and she found that he'd been watching her slumber. She yawned slightly then frowned. “I've still got a job to do.” She murmured sadly, remembering her friends downstairs. When Edward nodded she sat up, stretching the muscles that seemed to have tightened while she lay on the bed.

 

Standing, the alchemist pulled her with him. This would mean saying goodbye to his brother. But he realized that it was the best thing. At least that was what he tried to convince himself of as they made their way down the stairs. Yet, seeing Al's face made him loose confidence. `I've got him back and lost him already.'

 

Willa didn't want to explain but felt that she had to. Glancing between the couple sitting on the couch she felt her heart sink. “I've found a way to send you back to the world of alchemy.” She announced, trying to sound as though it were a good thing. After all, it was, wasn't it?

 

Frowning, Alphonse looked at his sibling. “Brother, what's going on? Something about this isn't right.” He stared at the girl who had the ability to weald a sword of truth. As realization crossed his face his frown deepened. “You're not coming with us, are you? Neither of you are.”

 

“What?” Morrisa glanced between her three companions with confusion. “Why aren't you? We can find some way to hide your ears. It would be the same as living here. And Ed,” She turned to the alchemist with worry. “You can't just leave Alphonse like that! You've always been together.”

 

Nodding, Edward couldn't deny that fact. They had always traveled together. The few times they hadn't had been hard on the both of them. “But I can't leave Willa here alone. She needs me as much as he needs you.” His words were direct and seemed to lack emotion. For if he showed any, he'd loose his composure.

 

Seeing that things were about to get more difficult Willa closed her eyes tightly. Her hand gripped the sword's hilt. `Alphonse and Morrisa belong together. They belong in the world of alchemy, where the Elrics were born. That is truth.' Opening her eyes she gave a short grin. “Be happy.” Was all she said before unsheathing Shinri and the light took over.