The Frozen Heart Alchemist

By The Obsidian Blade

Chapter Three-The reasons and the broken town

Naruto sat in front of Edward. Alphonse was right beside him, looking around for anyone suspicious. The group was now on a train. The sad thing is that there were no other passengers on it. "So Naruto," Edward started. "Why did you go nuke-nin on Konoha?" That was something his friend did not explain. All that was stated in the letter was that he was leaving the village and catching him in the city that he left. They had to stay there an extra day due to the fact that Rose did not want to let go of Naruto. Hell, in her sleep she was muttering something that sounded similar to 'my foxy blonde.'

Naruto sighed as he bent down. "Corruption runs deep in the mighty tree's roots." Alphonse and Edward looked at Naruto as if he was crazy. Naruto sighed again. He looked beside him, looking at Yami no Seishin with a skeptical eye. The thing was propped up against the bench by tilting it so it would stay in place. Unlike most leather sheathes, this one shined when light touched. It was something that the blonde admired about the sheath. It can shine even in the dimmest of lightings. It was like a star in the night sky. He turned his attention to Edward again and sighed. "About a year before the Kyuubi attack there was an organization called ROOT. They were a special task force that dealt with spying on other countries for war efforts. They were some of the best soldiers know to the leaf. The person who was in charge was a man by the name of Danzou. The man was an old war hawk whose idea of an ideal society is to have a dictatorship. The way he got his ROOT was something that was not expectable. He kidnapped them from their homes. What he did to them to make them hollow shells was something that is still unknown to this day. For how he got his troops the ROOT squad was put out and ANBU was forced to take up their jobs as well.

"Then why bring them up if they aren't even around?" Alphonse asked.

Naruto sighed as he sat back and looked at the ceiling of the cart they were riding in. "Like I said before, corruption runs deep inside the mighty tree's roots. The roots are the ROOT squad and the mighty tree is Konoha. The thing is that even after being disbanded the ROOT worked in the shadows. They were now only at Danzou's direct command and his command only. He even had them in ANBU to see what the Hokage was doing. He had so much influence on the council that he could never be convicted unless they had some very hard evidence. I left because the man planned to have me killed. Before he tried he took over the position as Hokage and nominated Sasuke as his successor. Tsunade is dead now do to him. This was my only chance at survival." The two had a look of sickness on their face. How could one man be capable of killing the Hokage? Was he that powerful? Then Naruto continued. "The Naras know I left. They are going to leave a few months after I do. To where I do not know since I have not got the message yet. For right now they are giving me updates on how the village is right now and I send them updates on what I am doing."

Edward and Alphonse nodded before feeling the train stop. "Well, this is our stop boys," Edward said as he got up and stretched. "Let's get going and see what we can find." Naruto and Alphonse nodded before getting up and walking off the train. Naruto's gaze traveled along the terrain of the small town and let out a low whistle. The place was a mining town alright. Pipes ran along most of the buildings and led to the coal mines that he heard about. The train tracks made getting the stuff out of the mine town easy. The thing that perked interest was the fact that very few people walked around. The few that did were moving sluggishly, as if they were worked half to death. "I thought that this place would be livelier but there is nothing going on." Both of them nodded their heads, agreeing with the short blonde. Before they could start moving Edward was hit over the head by a boy carrying a large piece of wood.

The boy turned around and gained a look of excitement as he looked at the three. He started asking random questions about where they were staying. All the group did was look at him with a questionable look. What was with the kid? He smacked someone upside the head and then begins to question them? What was worn with the kid? The kid then called for his father, saying that they had customers. The man looked at them before smirking. "Well, what do you know Kayal, you were right." He then smiled widely at them and led them to an in with food.

Naruto looked around and saw that most of the people that were in here were minors. They had strong builds and had some equipment lying around everywhere. "Sorry if it is a little dusty. The salary for coal miners is low, so I'm working this store at the same time" Naruto nodded before inspecting the people, hearing them bicker about the price for some reason.

A woman with blonde hair and a waitress's outfit walked up them. "One night and two meals for three right?" she asked. Then her gaze landed on the blonde. She had to fight the temptation to break down and glomp the teen, screaming Kawaii. The teen was just too damn cute for his own good.

"How much?" Edward questioned. This might not be too good. They had a limit to money and funds after all or at least on them at the moment.

The man named Boss smirked at them. "What, afraid you can't afford it?" The short blonde just motioned for the man to tell him already. "300,000!" Boss declared. Edward, Alphonse, and Naruto fell to the floor. What the hell was with the prices around here?

"That price can't even be in range of you guys," Naruto said in a drawl. "Let me guess, the people who live here get a discount, am I right?" the man nodded before Naruto sighed.

The three were crouching beside one another, trying to see how much money they got together. Edward pulled out his wallet and hung his head. He did not have enough for their stay. "In this situation, I could change this rock into gold through alchemy." In his hand was fist sized stone.

"Gold transmutation is illegal by national alchemist law, isn't it?!" Alphonse practically yelled out. Sometimes Edward could be so evil.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders slightly. "What they don't know can't hurt us in the long run. It's a lot better than staying out in the freezing night. It's a lot better than risking getting eaten in the mountains by coyotes"

Alphonse looked appalled at the two for thinking this. "You too?! You are usually more sensible than this!" Naruto's ears twitched as they looked at Kayal. He had some interest held in his eyes as he shot up and started to yell about Edward being an alchemist. The short blonde was then drug to a table were there were several people gathered around with broken items. The people gathered around him as he clapped his hands and started to work.

It went on like this for a little while. Edward finally sat down at a table with Naruto at his side. The taller blonde had his head rested in his arms, looking as if he went to sleep. The golden eyed kid then poked Naruto, gaining a groan of discomfort from the kitsune. "You know if you keep sleeping like that then alchemists might come and try to use you as a lab rat. Naruto lazily rolled his head to look over at Edward before glaring at him.

"You know if you keep bothering be like this then I will freeze your balls off." Edward gulped at the thereat, knowing at the teen would follow through with it, no matter how disbelieving his voice was.

Boss walked over to the two with a happy smile plaster d to his face. This was something that he was glad for. This was something that happened only once every so often. It rarely ever did occur that a customer was an alchemist. "Well, it has been a long time since I've had an alchemist as a customer." He grinned some more at the two. "I used to do a little bit before. I had no talent so I quite studying it." it was true, nothing ever came out right. It was as if he was not capable at all. I'll give you a discount as a favor to a fellow practitioner." Edward smiled brightly as the food was handed to him. "That will be 150,000 with the huge discount."

Naruto rolled his eyes before sitting up and slouching in his chair. "Don't you think that is a little expensive?"

The man shook his head before asking Edwards name. "Edward Elric," the small blonde replied as he tried to eat his food, only to have it swiped away from the large man. His eating utensils hit the wood table with a dull thud.

"If you are an alchemist named Elric, wouldn't that make you a state alchemist?" the man asked.

Edward nodded slightly as he reached out for the cup, leaving the fork sticking out of the table. "A little on the side." Before he could touch the cup it swiped out of reach, leaving some hot liquid as a trail. "Hey, what's the problem?" Naruto turned his head around to find some people glaring at them. He sighed knowing what was going to happen next. The blonde casually got up and walked outside the door, waiting for the other two to get booted out of the in by the angry towns people. The two of them landed outside after being thrown out of the building, literally. "Hey, we're customers!" the short blonde yelled. What kind of place kicks out their own customers for heaven's sake, seriously?

"We don't have any meals or beds for a dog of the military!" Boss yelled at the three.

Alphonse raised his hand in protest. "I'm a normal person! I'm not a state anything!" Edward and Naruto looked at him with glaring eyes before the suit of armor was allowed inside.

Edward turned to Naruto. "Why didn't you go in? You are not even known in these parts."

Naruto sighed. "I did not like the look of most of the women in there," Naruto reasoned. "I did not want to end up in as shot gun wedding because one girl managed to get me drunk." Edward broke out laughing at what the blonde said. It was always like that with the blonde.

"Yeah, and Winry would be pissed that someone nabbed you," the shorter blonde made out in between chuckles. Naruto sighed as he leaned against the wall and admired the stars.

Alphonse was lead to a table by Kayla. "Ed's now like an awful lot," the armor commented as he heard people start talking about his name in spite. None of them were saying what they said when they came in the place. It was unnerving to him. It was not like Edward and Naruto deserved any of what was being said about them.

"Yeah, that's right," the little boy replied. "Everybody here really hates anyone in the military. First Lieutenant Yoki controls this place. He's really money crazy. He's the worst." Alphonse looked at the kid before motioning him to continue. "He bought his way here. When people come to check up on him, he bribes them to give a good word in for him." Alphonse growled at that. He really hated people who were like that. It seems corruption is everywhere, even in the places that you least expect it to see." He used to be just a coal mining proprietor but he got greedy for promotion." Alphonse pieced together the given information and stiffened.

"That would make this place his private property." Everyone hung their heads solemnly. It was as if they seen a ghost or someone thought long dead. This place as given up its power and broke down for this Yoki guy.

"Alchemists live for the sake of the people," Boss said as he approached Alphonse. "A practitioner has common sense as well as pride." He hung his head slightly. "I can't forgive anyone who would sell their souls to the military for its many special privileges.

Edward was moaning as his stomach growled out for food. "I'm, hungry," the short blonde complained. Naruto grunted as he looked up at the night sky, or more specifically, the stars that were out. He lazily turned his head towards Edward and got up, his bones popped back into place, making a resounding sound.

"You know the more you complain the more you are going to feel it right?" the taller of the two asked in a lazy voice. Edward looked at him with a pout. He opened his mouth to say something but was stopped when food and a drink appeared in front of his face. He followed the hand to find Alphonse their. His face brightened before he hugged Alphonse like he was a savior. Naruto shook his head before walking towards him. "So what brings you outside Alphonse?" The suit of armor handed him the second plate of food that he managed to smuggle out before motioning Naruto to sit down.

"The person in charge of here is part of the military," he said as he took a seat. "The way he got power is by buying everyone here and when people come up to check on him he bribes them to put in a good word for him in hopes of a promotion." His silver eyes stared up at the stars as he spoke more. "He was once only here to be a coal mining proprietor but he wanted more than that."

Naruto shook his head before taking a bite out of the sandwich he had in his hands. "So that is why everyone is so down around here eh?" The blonde stretched his arms before he got up and looked around.

"You know, when I joined the military I was not expecting this," Edward voiced out as he looked at his drink, as if studying it, trying to see if it had the meaning of life in its hot liquid depths. "When I decided to become a state alchemist I was prepared for a little criticism but not to be hated like this."

Naruto shook his head. "It could be a lot worse. You could go to sleep wondering if you will even wake up in the morning." The other two bowed their heads. Each one of them was paying the price for sin. It was unbearable at times and it could brake even the strongest of men. All they had to look forward to was the hope that the next day would be less bearable.

Alphonse looked over at the two. "Maybe I should try to get a sate alchemist license." Naruto shook his head.

"That would not be a good idea." He got up and stretched. "From what I could gather you to have a living body. I am sorry for what I am about to say to you but you don't have one." Naruto held up his hand before the suit of armor was to protest about it. "And if you did get one, they have to do a physical on you. If that happened then you will be exposed and made a lab rat to the people. We don't want that to happen to you Al."

The suit of armor bowed his head. Every word of the lazy blonde was true. They would only use him for experiments. It was something that people would say was moral-less but worse has happened in the name of science. To the people he would just be another corner stone in extending the cycle of life. Then a thought rang through his mind. What would happen if Naruto joined? He was already on grave danger due to the fact that he refused to put up a genjutsu. 'What about you, what would happen if you join?"

Naruto sighed. He should have seen that remark coming. He did not think that he would have to explain it so he did not think of a way to do so. He brought up his hands and rubbed his temples with his thumbs and his forehead with his index fingers as he sat back down on the step. "I already know what could happen Al, but don't you think I am already in hot water for looking the way I do. You can say that you are a person inside a suit of armor for fear of people catching you bit I don't have anything. I can easily put up a genjutsu but what good would that do if they found out that I was living behind a lie. I prefer to be honest with the people and wreck my life by running away from people who think I am a chimera than lie in a relationship with a girl that I know and have them exposed to her. I learned a lesson a year ago from a dead comrade of mine. His famous last words were this 'live a life with no regrets.' It's something that is hard for us but it has to be done. If we let regrets consume us then what are we? Are we hollow or are we even there anymore? Think about it." Alphonse bowed his head. Their lives were filled with what ifs and what could have happen. It was a regretful life that they led but it had to be done.

"What would sensei say about what happened to us?" Alphonse asked out loud. Edward took a sip of his drink before trembling slightly.

"She would kill us!" he shouted out. Alphonse started to panic and run around, hoping that they never have to run into her. Naruto shook his head before his ears started to twitch. He looked behind him as he heard ruckus going on. He motioned for the other two to follow him inside and walked beside the door. He saw three men military uniforms. Tow seemed to be the centers lackeys. The center one however looked week. He had a face cut of stone. His features were rigid and unappealing. He had a thin weird mustache and an arrow like nose that pointed down. His chin was more profound then most and his hair line seemed to recede a little. "Such a dirty store, as usual Hulling," he commented as he inspected the place. His eyes were more like a hawk's at the moment, looking for some prey that he could feast off of.

"It's you, first lieutenant. Welcome to this filthy place," Boss greeted as he leaned over the bar he was cleaning. The man just had to show up. First the state alchemist, now him? What was with the state today? Was this now a military hot spot or something?

The lieutenant pointed his finger at the man as he looked at him through the corner of his hawk like eyes. It seems that this place isn't paying its taxes," Yoki informed. "This does not stop at you." That manes eyes looked at everyone as he pointed at the people who were drinking and playing cards. "I could say the same of everyone in this town."

Boss snorted as he looked at the man. His hands were now placed on hi ships as he inspected the lieutenant. "I apologize. I can't do anything about our pay being low."

The first lieutenant snorted as he inspected the people even more. "Yet there is more than enough to just enjoy alcohol? Which means, it would be acceptable if I lowered your income a little?" Everyone started to rant and rave. How could this man be so low? Why does he have to torment them? Why is it just them? Did he not have a heart? Kayal through a rag that he was cleaning the tables with at the man, hitting the man in the face. The kid's face was contorted in anger as he looked at the man pull the rag off his face and walk up to him. He was shocked as the man back handed him to the floor.

Yoki motioned for his men to move forward and draw his blade to kill the kid. "Kill the kid; don't show him any mercy because of his age." The man nodded and rushed forward with his blade drawn to strike the kid. Before the blade could strike the kid, a silverfish blade moved in front of the blow and blocked it, snapping the sword in half. The assailant looked shocked as he saw a black clad blonde teen with a bandaged left arm, wielding the sword in an unknown kenjutsu stance.

"You know attacking kids is a little low, don't you think lieutenant?" they heard a voice come from the doorway. The people looked towards the source to see Edward leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest and Alphonse behind him. Naruto shook hid head as he slipped out of his stance and sheathed Yami no Seishin. He steeped back and helped the kid up to his feet and to the crowd.

The lieutenant looked at the short blonde with anger in his eyes. How dare this kid question hi? Did he not know who he was? "This is none of yours or his Business! Stay out of it!"

"Nah, I saw the first lieutenant, so I figured I would stop by." Edward pulled out his watch and showed it to the lieutenant. The man's face was shocked. This kid was a state alchemist and the one with the sword was one of his friends? This was a great thing that has accrued to him. Maybe he would get a promotion. It would be worth the money he would have to give him. Oh yes, every last cent. One of his bodyguards asked who he was, using the word pipsqueak. The lieutenant quickly reprimanded him and informed him of his status and started to formulate a plan with the man. The lieutenant got sickeningly sweet and apologized to the short blonde and led him to his mansion.

Edward sat in front of the lieutenant with and expressionless face. "I am eating good stuff, even when the town is like that?" the blonde questioned, feeling disgusted with himself. Sometimes he wondered if he should have been an assassin like Naruto. Then he remembered why Naruto came to here in the first place and scowled. After he and Alphonse got their bodies back he was going to settle down and get a family started. It was something that probably needed to be done in the near future.

The man in front of the blonde smiled as he folded his hands in front of him. He had the best maids serve them as to try and set a good impression on the blonde. "It is embarrassing to talk about, but I am having difficulty collecting taxes." Edward mentally scowled at the comment. Did this man have any shame at all? "In addition there are many ruffians like the ones earlier. Yes, it is really embarrassing."

"So they insist they have rights, while not paying their taxes?" Edward asked as he took another bite of food.

"That is correct. Sir Edward, you are rather smart." The lieutenant smiled happily as he thought his plan was coming into full effect faster than he thought.

"All logic in the world could he represented by the basis of alchemy, equivalent exchange privilege comes with duty right?" Edward asked.

"I see, I see." The lieutenant rang a bell and waited for the bribe to come in. a man walked in holding a tray with money on it, Edward held it up with out looking at it and jingled it slightly while asking if it was a bribe. "I do not want to end my life as a petty official in a hick town like this. You do understand right?" Edward nodded before being escorted out.

That night the bar was burnt down. Everyone looked at the wreckage with solemn eyes. How could they do this to them? That was one of the few safe heavens that they had. Bow it was gone. Everything was gone and the alcohol only fueled the fires. This was not supposed to happen was it? This could not be happening. Everyone looked at Edward as he refused to transmute things into gold.

"I don't have any obligations or responsibility to make money for you," he reasoned. The kid yelled at him and grabbed the short blonde by the jacket.

"You are supposed to be and alchemist!" he shouted in rage.

"Alchemists lie for the sake of the people eh?" Edward asked as he looked at Kayla with an expressionless face. He shook the kid away and started to walk off. "In any case, even if I give you the money, it will be wasted on taxes and then it's gone. I won't get a thing either if I do anything for your problem. If you have that many problems, get out of this town and look for a different job" the blonde with golden eyes did not even look back as he left.

"This is our home and our coffin," Edward heard Boss say as he walked of into the crowd. Edward stopped and looked up at the sky for answers. He sighed and walked off toward the coal carts with Naruto and Alphonse trailing quick behind. Naruto stayed quite as Edward made the coal into gold. He and Naruto grinned and quickly brought it to the lieutenant.

"I would like to buy the deed to this town," Edward said with a smile. The man nodded and took out the deed and signed it. Edward smiled and walked off to town.

Everyone was gathered in an alley. It seemed to contain all theirs supplies and everything. Naruto looked around it and sighed. It would be easy to steel stuff room a place like this. Everyone was conversing on what happened. Everyone turned to the group and had a scowl on their faces. It was sickening to look at them

"Why did you come here," boss growled.

"Hey, hey. You would not say those kinds of things and drive off the owner of this place would you?" Edward asked as he pointed to himself. He quickly produced the deed in front of Boss. "Mining management sales, etc. the deed for all business."

Everyone looked at it shocked. How could the blonde take this away? Why would he take it away? This was the lieutenant's land and yet he took it way legally. "The signature is Edward Elric!"

Edward smiled at them. "In short, presently the coal mine is mine!" The town's people looked at him with shocked faces. He owned them. He really did own them now. "We're wandering though so something like this would be a nuisance."

Are you saying that you are going to sell this to us?" Boss asked. "How much?"

Edward smirked. "Afraid you can't afford it?" he laid the deed on a near by barrel that they used as a table. "If you want something you got to pay a price. This is vellum embossed in gold. And its storage box has a wonderful design, finely carved in jade. Yes the works of a craftsman. Oh, and the key is silver. Well to the untrained eye, all of this lumped together equals the price of one night and two meals for three at Boss's place. Is this reasonable?" everyone looked at the blonde as if he was psychotic. They were expecting something outrages. This was not on the list of things they were expecting. It was the exact opposite they were expecting.

Boss laughed out. "Yes, that is expensive.' He slammed his hand on the table. "Bought!" he shouted.

The lieutenant then walked in with his lackeys following. "What is the meaning of this?!" he looked shocked as he saw the interaction of Edward handing overt the deeds to Boss.

"Well if it isn't the first lieutenant. I just sold the deed to this man

The man shook his head and pointed to some coal that he had in his hands. "No, more importantly! The gold bricks you gave me all turned into stone! Why did this happen, please explain?!"

Edward looked smug as Naruto asked when he changed it back. "I don't know anything about cold bricks."

"Don't pay innocent with me. Didn't I trade you the certificate for that mountain of gold?! This is fraud!"

Naruto shook his head as he lazily spoke. "No, we paid you in rocks. We did not pay you in gold."

The man growled and sent hi men after the three. "This transaction is invalid!" before they could move they were blocked by a large man with bulging muscles.

"You shouldn't take our private property by force/ isn't it abuse of authority or something like that?" the lieutenant shook with fear. How could they turn the tables on him so quickly? This was supposed to impossible. The man in front of him cracked his knuckles and smiled viciously at him. "Not taking coal miner power seriously is a no-no," the large man said as he and a few other coal miners beat the crap out of the lackeys. He cowered in fear ear as Edward said he would tell everyone about the first lieutenant's incompetence.

A/N Sorry if the last part seems rushed but I am really tired. Please leave your reviews. I am not sure so could you guys help me with this. Should I add Winry and Hawkeye or just Winry? If it is Hawkeye along with Winry please help me. I seriously need help. Till the next chapter people.