Needed But Not Approved
Chapter 4 - Meet Tiao Man Song!
He hated the weather. It was unearthly cold. He wiggled his feet in the thin slippers he wore, the proper summer wear in Xing. They felt frozen. He cursed to himself as he waited on the windy roof top, waiting for Xuan to appear and tell him that the mission was a complete success. The Song clan's bodyguards/assassins were highly trained and completed any and all tasks set to them. He growled as the wind blew through his thin silken shirt. He would have to procure better clothing if he were to be stuck in this country, looking for younger brother number twelve! He knew that the lesser clans had no chance against him. As soon as he killed Ling Yao or had proof of the younger boy's death, he would make his way home. Then, and at this he smirked, murder his father.
"Master!"
"Xuan, did you complete the mission?" he turned, looking smug. His bodyguard bowed low.
"No, My Lord,"
That could not be. No one ever told him "no"!
"Why the hell not?"
"He…beat me, My Lord,"
"Beat you? I'll beat you! You are completely useless!" and with that he kicked the other. Sending the black clad body across the roof.
"I guess I shall have to do it myself!" he growled. Completely pissed off that he had to sully his gleaming hands. He cried out in anguish suddenly. Holding his hands before him he glared at the chapped skin.
"I need some lotion! Xuan! Get me some lotion! And warmer clothes! When I am Emperor I am going to make Amestris bow to me!"
- - -
Waking, for what seemed to be the third time, but in reality was merely many more after, Edward finally felt a little bit better. His coughing was still horrible. He was shivering violently, it was as if he was sitting in a snow bank…on purpose!
Snoring lightly was Ling. He hadn't bothered to change into proper night attire, not that Edward cared. His black hair was strewn about the pillow, completely out its pony tail. His jacket was missing for some reason, and bandages wrapped one arm. Edward wondered who had tried to fight Ling. He was a strong fighter. Crafty too. That was mainly why Edward hated fighting Ling in fist-to-face combat. Ling didn't play fair. At least, by Amestrian standards, he didn't.
Edward wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and nestled back into the pillows piled behind him. It was a nice nest. Ling's extra body heat helped too. He knew that his core would have to warm first before his flesh leg and arm could. The Automail was a pain at times like these. He'd never say it allowed, of course.
The memories were rather hard to think about. He wanted to deny them. Wanted to say that it wasn't their fault. How were they to know that their theory, though right, could never be? No one had ever told them. Okay, he took that thought back. They were told, but they were young and stupid. Other teenagers got into drugs and alcohol against the wishes of adults.
They just transmuted their Mother.
Okay, there was a huge difference there too. He realized. He coughed into the blankets. The one time he had been sick as a child. He remember arms holding him, it felt good, he remembered. Mother had even sung to him, she had stopped doing that when Alphonse was born. She said that he had to be the older brother. Though, sometimes, he would sit outside of Alphonse's bedroom while Mother sang to him. He would pretend he was still a little child while listening to the lullaby.
Schlaf, Kindlein, Vater hüt't die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,Da fällt herab ein Trä, Kindlein, schlaf!
Schlaf, Kindlein, Himmel ziehn die Schaf.
Die Sternlein sind die Lämmerlein,Der Mond, der ist das Schä, Kindlein, schlaf!
Schlaf, Kindlein, schenk' ich dir ein Schaf.
Mit einer goldnen Schelle fein,Das soll dein Spielgeselle , Kindlein, schlaf.
Ling woke to humming. He didn't recognize the tune. He could have smacked himself. He wouldn't. It was some childhood song that Edward's Mother had probably sung to him. Through part sleepy eyes he watched the blond. Edward's eyes were closed, he was shivering deeply, and yet he still hummed. Ling sat up slowly and embraced the younger boy. Edward gave him a surprised look before laying his head on Ling's shoulder.
"Don't think I am doing this because I like you or any inane notion like that," Edward whispered.
"I see you are feeling better," Ling's smile was fond.
"Maybe," Edward replied with a yawn.
"What was that song you were just humming? I rather liked it," Ling said conversationally.
"Er….I don't sing," a sudden coughing fit interrupted Edward. Ling rubbed gentle circles along the blonds back till the couching subsided. Edward gasped and rested against the rock solid body. He hadn't realized how strong Ling was, or could be. He felt safe. This feeling he hadn't had for a very long time. The last time…was the one and only time Izumi had tucked him into bed. It was after their month on the island and she was happy with their answer to the riddle she put forth.
She had taken them home, cleaned them up and fed them. She then put them to bed. Yes, Edward remembered it correctly. Even Alphonse had said that he wished she'd do it more often. Just to let them know that someone cared.
It felt like someone cared, now, and Edward examined this feeling and found that he didn't detest it. But why, of all people, did he feel like this when Ling was holding him? His head started to hurt just then and he put it away for further thinking on a day when he felt better.
"What happened to your arm?" Edward asked. Not wanting to share such a precious childhood memory such as this particular lullaby with Ling.
"I just scratched myself practicing, nothing to worry about," Ling replied, he smiled down at Edward.
"Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"No thank you, I'm…" a yawn betrayed him. Ling chuckled and kissed Edward's sun-spun hair gently.
"Woah! Kasane awaseta yume wo daite hateshinai rakuen he
Mou nakusu mono sae mitsukaranai kakenuketa harukana michi
Nani hitotsu utagau koto mo shiranakatta ne…" the language wasn't something that Edward had ever heard before. The tune was haunting, but Ling's voice was….incredible. He relaxed more into the strong but comforting grip Ling had on him. He would like it if this moment would never end.
"We'll say goodbye, lost heaven,
How we longed for heaven,
We're letting go of something we never had,
Times goes so fast, Heaven is lost…
Te wo nobashi tsukanda yume ha sotto kuzureyuku suna no shiro
Tada tachitsuku shiteta wakare michi hohoemi wo nokoshite
Kiete itta kimi ga egaku rakuen he to…
We'll say goodbye, lost heaven,
How we longed for heaven,
We're letting go of something we never had,
Times goes so fast, Heaven is lost…
Hitotsu ni narenai ukanda hoshikuzu hitotsu no shuuen ni akai hanataba wo"
As the tune died down, Ling realized the Edward was hugging him back. He didn't say anything as he nuzzled the golden hair. Edward was probably embarrassed, it would be best to let this pass, but keep it in a secret place in his heart for those times when he needed light and hope at the most prevalent.
"Thanks," Edward whispered after a moment, "Thank you,"
"Any time, my love,"
Edward let the endearment go.
- - -
Ran Fan stood outside with Alphonse, not wanting to intrude on this. Ling wouldn't appreciate it if they were interrupted. Ran Fan sighed. She loved her Master and she had hoped that maybe he returned that feeling, but, alas, it was not to be.
A large hand on her shoulder distracted her, and she looked up - "Do you want to know what the lullaby Brother was humming is all about?"
And with that promise, he drew her away from the bedroom.
- - -
Grumbling as he changed in an empty alley way, Tiao Man Song finally got the zipper to work. The heavy clothing was much better than the summer silk he had worn from Xing. He wanted to go back and finish his plans so much he could taste it!
"Xuan, where is Brother Number Twelve?" he asked. His bodyguard bowed.
"I know that way,"
"Good, take me there,"
- - -
All was quiet. The night peaceful in its serenity of unveiled stars and a bright moon. Ling sipped at some green tea that Ran Fan had made for him. Alphonse was sitting at Edward's bedside. Edward was asleep after another infusion of the sleep drought, which Ran Fan had taught Alphonse to make.
They were amazing, he decided. Both brother's cared for each other more than the Sun did for its lover, the Moon. They sometimes expressed their anger and fright with each other, insulted each other, but neither could be mad at the other for long. Ling knew that if he wanted one brother, the other would come along, willingly even. Just to be by the other's side.
It was an idea that he couldn't encircle his intelligence around. He was raised to hate, despise, or tolerate his siblings. They were all after one thing, and that was not to help the other. They were after the throne, for themselves. But, where Brother Number Ten wanted a water slide to play on, Brother Number One wanted to conquer the known world.
Xing was big enough, thank you very much, to handle on its own. Ling didn't think that he could handle another country doubled in size compared to Amestris. In fact, Amestris itself was far too much trouble for all the brain trouble it would take to conquer it.
He snorted into his cup. Who was he kidding? Brother Number One was a murderer. Ling remembered when Brother Number Three had been found lying in a puddle of his own blood. Everyone thought that he had committed suicide, but Ling knew the truth. He never let on, of course, that would have made him next on Song's list of people to get rid of.
He had survived this long he would….a glint to the side. He moved, and the knife stuck at the wall. His sword in hand he didn't wait for another attack but launched himself out the broken kitchen window. He landed in the garden.
The wind swirled about him and his aggressor eerily playing its own song. Tiao Man Song stood tall, strong, smug. Ling could feel the anger well up, but he quenched it. He couldn't afford to let his feelings get the best of him.
They stood there, for several moments, just looking at each other. Ling was at the ready, Ran Fan, he knew was watching from some advantage point. He hoped that Alphonse knew not to bother them or get in the way.
"Little Brother," Tiao smirked, "Fancy seeing you here,"
"Older Brother, I am surprised Father hasn't executed you as he promised," Ling shot back, coldly, but with a bit amusement. He wouldn't play around with Tiao, he was a worthy fighter. Though, he played dirty. Ling hated it when people played dirty just to win a fight.
"He tried, but he is so old, he needs me," Tiao shrugged. His back foot moved into position and his own blade came up.
"Lets end this," Ling glared across the garden at his brother, "If I win, you have to leave Xing alone. You won't take its crown or kill its ruler, do you understand me? If there is anything about the Song Clan, it is that they keep to their word,"
"All right, and if I win….I get to take your head back home with me, wouldn't that be nice?"
Ling didn't reply. He launched himself at Tiao without a cry of warning. Blades clashed in the dark. Their sparks of silver in the grey moonlight could hardly be seen by the naked eye. The blades moves so fast that not even Alphonse, who stood at the bedroom window, could see what was going on.
Ran Fan had better luck, but not much. Nonetheless she watched Xuan. Her Mother had wanted her to marry the young boy. Ran Fan fought against that notion with all of her strength. She trained day and night at beat the others ass plenty of times, if he tried anything now, she would stop him in his tracks. The Song's bodyguards were nothing against her.
Wind in his ears, a frown on his fair face. Ling knew when he was outmatched. He had to persevere. He had to win. He could not lose. He was thrown backwards and the wall broke his trajectory. He hit his head so hard that he saw stars. That wasn't a good sign. Somewhere in his confusion he had also lost his sword.
Tiao stood above him, cackling in ecstasy; "Now, you will die!"
The sword came down and Ling closed his eyes, he didn't want to see the killing blow, he didn't want that to be the last thing his soul remembered. There was a giant clash and harsh breathing. He looked up to see a body of armor standing in front of him.
"I won't allow it, no matter what deal you two have made. This isn't the sort of behavior Brother's should have with each other. Leave now, or I'll make you!" Alphonse Elric could be scary when he wanted to be. Tiao growled and backed away. He looked at his sword and sneered.
"You must be the formidable Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Pft, of course Brother Number Twelve would choose you as a lover….well….I guess I shall take your head back home with me as well…"
Ling didn't know what happened in the next few moments. All he knew was that Alphonse had scared Tiao into screaming like a little girl when his helmet was chopped of…and Tiao didn't see a body inside. He had fled as if the dogs of hell were going to eat him. Xuan followed his Master.
"Young Master! Where does it hurt?" Ran Fan was by his side.
"Just a headache, don't worry about it, Ran Fan," Ling replied. She helped him to his feet and inside the house. Alphonse followed. Ran Fan pushed an ice pack onto his head and Ling held it there, next he took some pain pills for the headache.
"Why did you do that, Alphonse?" Ling asked.
"He was going to kill you," Alphonse replied.
"I know that, I wasn't strong enough to defeat him," Ling replied with a shrug.
"I think you'd make a better ruler of Xing than he would. He isn't a good older brother, he isn't like Edward. All older brother's should be like Edward," Alphonse replied.
"Why do you trust him? He led you to transmute your mother and you lost your entire body while he lost an arm and a leg," Ling said. He blinked at Alphonse who took a seat at the table.
"Edward….when he was getting his Automail installed for the first time, was in a lot of pain, I wasn't allowed in the room, but….I heard him say to Winry and Granny Pinako that he didn't want me to see him in pain. That his pain was nothing compared to what I had to endure now," Alphonse's voice was gentle.
"He's never screamed when it comes to Automail and he never complains. When he's limping because his ports ache, or he can barely hold himself straight because his arm is weighing him down, no matter how light Winry makes it…that's Edward at his strongest. I admit that I want him to tell me when he hurts so that I can take some of the burden. He won't though, because he blames himself for what we did. Even though I went along with it. He's told me that he wishes he had listened to me, but, that he's going to fix the wrong we did,"
There were several moments of silence, then Ling took a deep breath; "I wish that I had an older brother like that,"
"Do you really love Edward? Or is it just a sexual thing?" Alphonse asked. Ling groaned. Were all younger siblings so…perceptive?
"I admit that I would like the sex, but no, that isn't why I love Edward. He is strong and capable and he isn't afraid to yell and curse at me," Ling smiled.
"He is also gentle and loving. He wants to help people, even though he acts as if he is only doing things to help his own ends," Ran Fan put in.
"That's brother. If you…do….become his boyfriend…and you hurt him, I will beat your ass," Alphonse said. The threat was gentle, for Alphonse only ever was. He then stood, bowed to the both of them politely before leaving the room. Ling thought about that last for a moment before turning to Ran Fan.
"Why do I get the feeling that you would let him too?"
She giggled; "Edward was very understanding when I lost my arm. He referred me to his mechanic, if he didn't want to help me, if he was a horrible person as he thinks he is, he'd never do that,"
Ling nodded; "of course, you are always right,"
- - -
A/N - Okay, so I couldn't find any Chinese Lullaby's so I had to pick "Lost Heaven" by L'arc~en~ceil. The German song is a real lullaby. So I am stuck on the German, so sue me! At least the chapter is longer than usual.
Translation -
Sleep, baby, father tends the mother shakes the branches small,Lovely dreams in showers , baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Across the heavens move the little stars are lambs, I guess,
And the moon is the , baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
I'll give to you a it shall have a bell of gold
For you to play with and to , baby, sleep.