Another day another chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist series or the Naruto series. I also do not own the characters belonging to their respective anime.

Chapter 2

Hinata stood outside with Edward and Alphonse – or Ed and Al as they preferred to be called, waiting for Rose to come back with the confirmation of Cornello's permission for the Elric brothers to stay in his temple.

"I've never seen eyes like yours before, you're not from around here, are you?" Al asked, curious. He was sitting on the steps next to Hinata while his brother leaned against a nearby pillar to their left.

"No, I'm not." Hinata said, looking at her folded hands, "I've only just started to travel."

"You look so young though, how old are you?" The young alchemist asked.

"I'm twelve years old," Hinata said, then looked up at him and asked, "H-how old are you and your brother?"

"Brother is fifteen, and I'm fourteen," Al said.

Hinata blinked, "Oh." She said and offered nothing else, she did not want to be on the receiving end of what Ed had done to the men who called him "shorty".

Just then Rose came out of the temple.

"Father Cornello says you can stay," She said, walking down the steps, "I'll lead you to your room."

Hinata gracefully rose from where she had been seated on the steps, she smiled shyly at the brothers.

"I suppose we part ways here, I still want to look around town. I-I'll see you later," She said with a parting bow, and then she was walking away.

The brothers and Rose watched her go until she turned a corner and was out of sight.

"She's a sweet girl." Rose said, fondness evident in her voice.

"You said you found her collapsed outside town right?" Ed asked, looking deep in thought, "Did you notice anything strange?"

"Brother," Al said, exasperated. He knew what his brother was thinking about – rumors of a Philosopher Stone in this town and then a girl with strange eyes appears under unusual circumstances. There was also that ruby gemstone Hinata wore around her neck – though they had yet to see her use any alchemy both he and his brother felt that the stone wasn't natural. It was a little . . . off.

"Other than finding her unconscious outside town?" Rose asked, frowning slightly, "Well, I smelled something strange, it was like . . . burning sand. I didn't pay much attention to it though, Hinata was dehydrated and I could tell she had been out there for a while. I just picked her up and took her to town."

"Hmm." Ed said, pushing himself off the pillar.

"Don't mind Ed, he likes to brood," Al told Rose. In truth he wanted her to dismiss Ed's behavior – the last thing they needed was Rose telling Hinata that they were being nosy about her. It would not make befriending the younger girl any easier since it would be better if they checked whether Hinata had what they were looking for before acting.

XXX

The next day the townspeople gathered in the plaza for a "Miracle Gathering" which in other words was watching Cornello create statues and other treasures out of ordinary things like a block of firewood. The town here, Lior, was a religious one that worshiped a god called Leto. Every citizen, including Rose, was a follower of the prophet Cornello and the god Leto.

Hinata watched from a roof as Cornello created said statue from said block of firewood; even after endlessly pouring over the books her mother had left her about alchemy and memorizing everything in them that she could Hinata was still left a bit in awe of the science.

But not too much, the ninja arts had similar requirements to alchemy in regards to creation. However chakra would naturally be in the place of the "firewood" or "input".

In any case Hinata realized that while Cornello was using alchemy he was also ignoring the law of Equivalent Exchange. He might be her first clue.

As she looked down at the crowd, seeing their happiness and worship for Cornello's "miracles" Hinata bit her lip. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin their peace but it was likely that all of this would only hurt Lior in the long run. Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair and suddenly caught sight of Al.

The armored boy was with his older brother – who was standing on his suitcase so he could see above the crowd – and the two seemed to be talking. Hinata looked at them curiously, she had been wondering about the two since yesterday because they felt . . . off. It reminding her of the energy she felt when she was being carried across that endless white expanse to the Gate.

Hinata debated with herself for a moment and then hesitantly activated her Byakugan. Her white eyes gained pupils and the veins on her temples became visible to the naked eye.

She covered her hand with her mouth when she realized what she was looking at; Ed's right arm and left leg . . . they were fake! Mechanical substitutes took the place of his limbs, but it was Al's body that truly shocked Hinata to the core.

There was no body in that armor, it was devoid of anything resembling flesh and blood, but what she did see left Hinata dazzled.

It was a light located on the neck of the back armor, the light was glowing steadily and pulsing, sending its energy throughout the steel. Its glow was ever changing in color, resembling a rainbow as it flashed from white to pale lavender to pale yellow and then back to white.

It was beautiful.

Marveling at it Hinata tried to figure out what that light was – whatever it happened to be it was obvious that this was "Al" . . .

Hinata deactivated her Byakugan and got to her feet.

She needed to return to her books.

XXX

The young Hyuga rubbed her temples, trying to wrap her head around what her books were telling her.

Human Transmutation.

It was a forbidden practice in alchemy to bring the dead back to life, no one had ever succeeded for a very simple reason.

Alchemy was ruled by the law of Equivalent Exchange, to obtain something, something of equal value must be lost. It was a simple rule.

In Human Transmutation the problem was that no one had been able to completely fulfill that requirement.

The "ingredients" for an adult human were easy enough to obtain and almost embarrassingly could be bought by a child with their allowance. The requirement that couldn't be satisfied involved the human soul.

There was nothing on this planet that held the same value as a human soul; it also could not be created by a mere human.

Ed and Al had to have broken the taboo, there was no other explanation for the condition of Ed and especially Al's bodies. While Ed lost his limbs Al had lost his entire body and in desperation his brother must have pulled his soul back to the living and bound it to the armor before it crossed over.

That only left one question . . .

Who had they tried to bring back?

Hinata put the book back in her backpack and leaned back in her chair thinking about her mother. If she had known about alchemy back then would she have tried to bring her back?

No, the answer came back to her immediately, she would not have tried Human Transmutation. Her reasoning was simple; first Hinata knew once she read the warnings she would have been frustrated but stayed away from it. The girl was one who heeded the words of her elders. Second, with her low self-esteem she would not have believed herself capable of performing such science. Thirdly, and perhaps the most important – Hinata would have been terrified of the price her mother might have to pay in exchange for returning to the world of the living.

As she was thinking this there was a knock on the door, startled Hinata looked up and heard Al's voice.

"Hello, Hinata are you there? It's Alphonse, can I come in?"

"Y-yes, come in, the door is open." Hinata said after making sure her books were out of sight.

The door creaked open and Alphonse came in, looking once around the room before his gaze settled on her.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you," He started to say.

Hinata shook her head quickly, "N-no, I was just l-lost in thought. Did you need something?"

"Oh, well . . . Rose said you haven't eaten since this morning so . . ." Here Hinata noticed the bag in his hand, "I brought you something."

As if on cue Hinata became aware of how hollow her stomach felt. She had been so absorbed in her books she hadn't notice time ticking by, a glance at the window showed her the sun ready to retire for the day.

Hinata blushed when her stomach growled loudly and quickly rose from her chair, subconsciously pushing her index fingers together.

"T-thank you for bringing me dinner." She managed to say, embarrassed.

"It's no problem," Al said setting the bag on the table that happened to be between them, "I wanted to do it, and maybe we can talk a bit. I have to admit I'm curious about you."

"O-okay."

It was silent for a few minutes as Hinata took out the food Al had brought her – it was a salad with fresh lettuce leafs and cut fruit. She smiled at him once more, and then asked him if he wanted any.

She knew he'd say no – he didn't need to eat after all nor did he feel hunger – but Hinata felt it would be rude to not at least ask.

As expected Al declined, claiming he had already eaten.

Once again silence pressed around them as Hinata ate, Al finally broke it with a question.

"So, do you have a big family?"

Hinata swallowed what she had in her mouth and searched for the right way to answer his question.

"Yes and no, I'm a member of a clan with high standing. M-my immediate family and extended family is small – just me, my sister, my father and my cousin. Outside of that are other Hyugas who have distant blood ties with but n-no close relation." Hinata explained.

"That sounds interesting, where are you from?" He asked.

Starting to fib Hinata said, "You probably couldn't say it in your l-language." Now that she thought about it Hinata realized that it was a stroke of good fortune there was no language barrier for her to overcome. "It's across the sea, I actually just k-kind of happened into Amestris, I was sick and brought here for treatment, I don't remember much during that time. I – I'm not sure where my family is at the moment."

"I see," Al said, "Are . . .are you traveling around looking for them?"

Hinata shook her head, "No, my clan and I . . . we've gone our separate ways. I was left behind."

There was an unmistakable sadness in her voice and Al saw an old depression settle into her face. Apparently Hinata had not been blessed with an easy home life.

"What do you mean "left behind"? Al asked, his voice sounding like he would be frowning if he could.

"There's something I have to do, something my mother wasn't able to finish. I'm mostly doing this for her." Hinata explained. Her salad sat on the table, half finished.

"Why isn't she here with you then?" Al asked, confused, "I mean, why can't she finish whatever it was she left undone?"

"Mother died, a very long time ago." Hinata said simply. She didn't break into tears or get emotional – this was an old grief she had accustomed herself to. It was a sad but old fact of her past.

The following silence took her words, shook them, and then scattered the letters into the air, repulsed by them.

"That must have been hard, losing her I mean." Al finally said.

"It was the hardest time of my life," Hinata sighed, "I miss her, every moment of every day, but I try to live my life remembering the good times I had with her. My memories of Momma are my happy place."

Though she had yet to realize it the young Hyuga's stutter had vanished during the course of the conversation.

"That's a good way to cope with it." Al said softly.

Detecting the change in his voice Hinata looked at him, while there was no way for her to tell what his expression was Al's voice sounded nostalgic.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Huh, oh I'm fine! I just got lost in thought," Al said quickly. He looked toward the window and added, "I wonder where Brother is, I should go find him and make sure he isn't causing trouble."

"Does he cause a lot of trouble?" Hinata asked.

"More than you can imagine." Al said, sounding half exasperated and half fond of his older brother's tendency toward immaturity.

Hinata smiled, thinking of Hanabi though her younger sister differed greatly in personality to the older Elric brother.

"I-I could help you look for him if you like. I actually want to talk to Rose but I don't know where she is." The Hyuga offered.

"It would be quicker if we looked together," Al confirmed, getting up, "Alright, let's go, and thanks for the help."

After Hinata took care of the remains of her salad the two headed out.

xxx

Hinata tracked down both Ed and Rose in the temple, she and Al had separated outside to cover more ground due to the building's immense structure. She hung back, not wanting to interrupt them but feeling more uncomfortable as she heard the details of the conversation.

Ed, for lack of a better term, was mocking Rose for believing that Cornello could bring people back to life. The young alchemist also brought up the fact that the materials to create an adult human body could be bought with pocket change.

Rose, getting agitated and defensive, told Ed to bring back someone from the dead if it was so easy.

"It's only a matter of time Rose," Ed said cockily. "Science will find a way, science has the answer to everything. If I were you I'd drop the scriptures and pick up an alchemy book. Alchemist are the closest things to gods there are."

He had rose from his seat on one of the benches and walked up to the offering alter to stand beside Rose.

"You're no god," Rose said with disdain, "You're nothing close to it."

"Neither is the sun, it's just a mass of hydrogen. Try to get close to it like Cornello says and you'll just burn up." Ed replied easily.

Rose looked down, her hands balled into fist.

Seeing the conversation had lulled Hinata slowly walked up to the pair.

"Edward!" She called, gaining their attention.

"Oh, it's you." He said. Rose looked slightly surprised to see her new friend at the temple.

"Your brother is looking for you, h-he should be nearby." Hinata said quickly.

"I see, well then I better find him. Thanks." Edward said and started to walk down the steps . . .then there was a "bang", Hinata squeaked, feeling her heart hammer in her chest as Al's helmet tumbled into view on the alter floor.

Ed and Rose looked at someone who was out of her vision and Hinata started to run to the scene.

"Cray, what are you doing?" Rose demanded.

"Those two are enemies of God Rose, this is his will, not my own." The man said as Hinata ran up the steps, she yelped in shock. Despite knowing that Al's armor was empty it was still a shock to see it with normal vision and especially without being able to see that light.

"I don't think so mister." Al said, his "headless" body rising, shocking Cray and Rose while also horrifying them at the same time.

Ed acted quickly and kicked the helmet at Cray who was hit in the head, Al easily caught it when it rebounded off the man's head.

As his brother replaced his helmet back onto the armor Ed laughed and said, "Strike!"

Hinata blinked, not knowing what to say when Rose's scream got her attention. She turned and saw the girl standing stiff, terrified, with her hands covering her mouth.

"He doesn't have a head!" Rose, whispered, horrified.

"Yeah, that's Al." Ed said sheepishly, as if he was trying to make light of the situation.

Please don't be scared," Al pleaded, and Hinata realized that he was wasn't just talking to Rose, "This is just how I am."

"B-but you're not there," Rose said.

"Yes, I don't have a body, but I'm still here. This is my punishment for walking on holy ground where mortals are forbidden. We made a mistake, and we're paying for it." Al said, his voice sounding tired and old.

Rose backed away, her face twisted in horror and denial. With a scream she turned away from the brothers and ran to the staircase that happened to be in the archway behind her.

"Rose, wait!" Ed called out.

"S-she's scared." Hinata said softly, getting the boys' attention.

"Are you scared?" Al asked.

"Y-yes, but not of you or your brother." Hinata admitted, only stuttering slightly.

"You don't look surprised." Ed said, looking at her steadily.

Hinata pushed her index fingers together subconsciously, and looked at the floor. What could she say?

"We should follow Rose, Brother." Al said when Hinata didn't offer his brother any answer.

"Fine, but don't expect to be left off the hook so easy." Ed warned and turned toward the staircase with Al at his heels.

Hinata looked at their retreating backs, steeled herself, and followed.

Hope you liked it!

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