InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Gates Beyond ( Chapter 38 )

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 38: Gates Beyond

 

When her eyes regained focus, Willa was shocked to find herself in a white void. Before her was the figure of a man leaning against a large gate. The strange thing was that she could see his outline and his mouth, while the man himself was invisible. “What is it that you are seeking woman?”

 

Shaking off the feeling of awe, she managed to find her voice. “I'm trying to send my friend back to the world of alchemy. But I want the one he loves to go with him. Can you tell me if that's possible Sir?” She was hesitant but refused to back down from this strange creature.

 

“Possibilities are endless if you know how to get what you want. But that is not the only thing you wish to ask me is it?” When he saw the worried look in her eyes he laughed. “It never hurts to ask girl. That is how humans learn things. Now, what else do you wish to know?”

 

Sighing deeply, Willa realized she couldn't hold back from this creature. Something about it was different from anyone else she'd ever met. Opening her mind, she tried to read his thoughts but found it impossible. “I… I think Edward needs to go back with his brother. They shouldn't be separated.”

 

A smile crossed the invisible face. “Edward Elric. So he's going against the laws of nature again? Well that sounds right. He tried to resurrect his mother, bound the young Alphonse to a suit of armor, and now you're trying to help him get back to his own world?”

 

Nodding the girl was not surprised in the least that he was able to know these things. This was the gatekeeper in Ed's world. He had powers beyond what she could imagine. “I ask something else as well.” The creature motioned for her to continue. “I want to have Edward's memories of me erased. I can't go and so it would only hurt him.”

 

Frowning, the man put a hand to his chin. “I could do that... But something must be scarified in return for sending them home with your friend. There's a law of equivalent trade, as you well know. What is it you offer me in exchange?” He already knew the answer but enjoyed toying with human emotions.

 

Bowing her head Willa closed her eyes. `Sorry Edward.' She apologized silently before lifting her gaze back to the creature. “I give myself as sacrifice. Take me in exchange. Oh…” A thought crossed her mind. “And send my cat, Pharaoh as well.” Al would take good care of him for her.

 

Nodding the man smiled again. “So be it.” With that he made a movement with his hand and the gate opened. She watched with horror as shadowy hands came forth and took hold of her. Regardless of her fear she refused to scream. If this would mean her friends' happiness, then she would go through with it.

 

 

“Brother?” Al sat up with a jolt. The remnants of what seemed to have been a dream hung in the air around him. `But I can't dream.' He thought, realizing the he could also feel the sun beaming down on the earth below. Glancing around, there lay his sibling, looking very much as though he'd been knocked unconscious. “Brother?” He hesitated, reaching out slowly with human hand to touch the other Elric's arm.

 

“Wha?” Edward blinked groggily. When he glanced over to Alphonse his eyes grew wide, sitting up straight. “You're… and we're… Al we made it home! And you've got your body back!” Joy filled him as he stood, pulling the younger man up using his automail arm. Studying their surroundings he knew where they were. “We're at our old house.”

 

And so they were, on top of the hill where their old home had burned years ago. The grass was green and the clouds overhead were white and puffy like cotton candy. Flowers were in bloom. It seemed almost as though the world were alive with energy to welcome them home.

 

Then a frown crossed the youngest sibling's face. “But what about Morrisa? I thought she and I were the ones coming back.” Worry filled his voice as he looked around. “Where is she? And where's Willa?” He stared back at Ed for an answer, searching his eyes for any knowledge they might hold.

 

“Willa?” The alchemist questioned with confusion. But he didn't have a chance to say anything else. Someone was yelling something that he couldn't quite hear. Peering out over the countryside he could see a figure running along the path toward them. In moments a cat was winding between his and his brother's legs, purring loudly.

 

“There you are!” Mora shouted, breathlessly holding her chest. She smiled when she saw Al, who walked over and put his arms around her waist. In turn she looped hers around his neck. She didn't resist the tight kiss he pulled her into. When they parted she spoke. “I don't get it. What happened? I thought she said you and I were coming here. She didn't mention anything about Ed.”

 

Again the alchemist looked confused. Something was definitely wrong. He could feel it deep within his soul. `Equivalent exchange.' He told himself worriedly. But he didn't say so to the others. “Let's go to Winry's. We can figure things out from there.”

 

 

The mechanic welcomed the Elrics into her home readily. As did granny Pinako who puffed on her pipe but said nothing as her granddaughter spoke. “I don't get it. You only disappeared a few days ago. Colonel Mustang called here to see if we'd heard from you. How were you able to get Al's body back so quickly?” The young woman questioned Ed as they sat around the table, eating a light lunch.

 

“It wasn't just a few days for us Winry.” The alchemist tried to explain. “For us it was a year or more. That's why I look different, like you said. My hair's grown out some. And as for Al... Well that's a long story.” He didn't feel like going into details just now. He didn't want to think about them.

 

“It was Willa.” Mora stated sadly. She hadn't spoken and her eyes had been trained on the glass of tea before her. Now however she held everyone's attention. “Willa is… was from my world. But some people changed her so that she didn't look human anymore. That's why she couldn't come back with us.” A single tear slid down her cheek.

 

Alphonse wiped it away gently before turning to the others. “She was transformed, like a chimera. So it wouldn't work for her to come back because the military would want to experiment on her. But she had a sword of truth that was able to return others to the way they should be. She used it on me. That's how I got my body back.” He fell silent, missing his friend.

 

“So what happened to her then?” Winry persisted, glancing between the two brothers and the woman they had brought home with them. She could feel the cat rubbing against her legs but didn't move to pet or shoo it. “Did she have to stay behind without you? Is that how it worked?”

 

Shaking his head Edward didn't make eye contact with anyone. “No. She isn't back there either.” He swallowed hard before continuing. “We all know that the first law of alchemy is equivalent exchange. She offered herself in return.” His face held no emotion at all. His golden orbs no longer held any emotion.

 

Once the first wave of joy had passed it hadn't returned. In fact, nothing had. There was no remorse, no sadness, nothing that gave away even the slightest hit of his mood. If he did remember Willa and his love for her, it wasn't evident by his actions.

 

 

It was like that all throughout the day. Even when they went up to the guest room that night, he didn't smile or cry. A dreaded nothingness had taken over his mind. “Brother, are you alright?” Al ventured, touching him lightly on the shoulder as he sat on the edge of one of the beds.

 

Shaking his head, the alchemist didn't know what to say. He couldn't explain the feeling that was so deep it didn't have any way to show itself. All he was able to do was stare out the window, as if waiting for something, though he didn't know what. `The rain perhaps.' He thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.

 

Giving up, Alphonse moved to get under the covers of his own bed. He watched as his the older Elric simply sat there. Nothing he had done had worked. He'd tried to make him laugh or smile, but it was to no avail. He'd even gone so far as to try calling him a shrimp, but even that had failed.

 

When the young man had drifted off to sleep Edward glanced over at him. `He's so worried about me… so am I.' Turning back to the window he thought he saw something in the distance. It was dark and hard to tell but he was certain something had moved out on the horizon.

 

Standing, the alchemist crept out of the room silently. Mora was sleeping in Winry's room. The mechanic had offered to sleep on a pallet on the floor to allow the girl her bed. It was a nice gesture and kindly received. Fortunately that meant he wouldn't have to pass a person snoozing on the couch.

 

Once outside he began to walk along the road. It was chilly and he was in sleeping shorts and a shirt, but didn't care. He hadn't bothered to put on shoes either and the road beneath him was cold. It seemed as though he were moving in a daze through his mind.

 

Hearing sobbing in the distance he quickened his pace until he'd reached a jog. As the sound got louder he began to run at top speed. Coming over a hill he could see in a low spot that someone had fallen on the road. Hurrying he moved to kneel over the body. “Are you alright?”

 

Glancing up, she couldn't believe the face that peered down at her own. `Can it truly be him? Or is it another double?' She hadn't been able to figure out where she was and had assumed she'd been thrown into a new world. “I just tripped. I'm Willa.” She stretched out a hand to him, which he took, helping her to her feet again.

 

His eyes were the same color as those she'd known. Could this be the world of alchemy? But she'd requested his memories erased. Had that wish been granted only to come back and haunt her? “I know.” He murmured, smiling slightly. A salty droplet rolled down his face as he caressed her cheek with his real hand. “I thought I'd lost you.”

 

Nodding was all she could do. With a sudden movement she pressed against his chest, tears pouring from her own eyes. If this were a joke then it was an extremely cruel one. “I… I thought… that those hands… I thought I was going to die. Then I thought I'd been thrown to another world again.” She sobbed slightly. “And when I saw you I was afraid your memories would have been erased.”

 

Rubbing her back, the alchemist understood. She'd seen the same creature he had as a child. Kissing the top of her head relief flooded over him. “It's alright now. Everything's going to be fine.” Putting his hand under her chin he raised her lips to meet his, tasting the salty tears.

 

Backing away he studied her for a long moment, taking in her very essence. “So that's what was taken in trade.” He mumbled, smiling once more. When she gave him a questioning look he leaned forward once more. He kissed her ear before blowing against it softly.

 

Her eyes widened and her hand came up to the side of her head. There, where they were supposed to be, were her ears. Willa smiled and gave a gleeful yell, throwing her arms around his neck. Ed squeezed her tightly before lifting her into his arms. His own face glowed with happiness as he spun around. He bowed his head to kiss her lips once more.

 

Everything would be alright. They would tell the others and celebrate together the next morning. But tonight would be just for them. They didn't have to read each others minds to know what their companion was thinking. Her power had disappeared with the sword in trade. The walk back was a slow one, taking time to simply enjoy being together.

 

Hand in hand they would take on this world of alchemy. Nothing it had to throw at them could be any more difficult than what they'd already been through. Shinri was no longer in the form of a blade, but was the love that bound them together. And as two souls with one heart, they would spend their lives together, just as fate had always intended.

 

 

Author's Note:

I hope everyone enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought. Review and tell me if you want a sequel or not. No guarantees through. If I try and it doesn't flow right I'll stop writing. But let me know if you want me to bother trying or not. K? Thanks for reading!

Joyfulmusic