Chapter 7: A Family Story


Sakura sat down on a chair while peeling the skin of the potatoes. She was currently helping Gracia with dinner that would be served tonight once Hughes comes home from work. Sakura had insisted to help Gracia with dinner since she felt that she was currently intruding the Hughes family. Sakura bit her lip as nervous thoughts began to intrude her mind. What if Gracia was mad at her husband (the doting parent) for brining her here?

Noticing the troubled look Gracia walked towards the pink haired teenager. "Sakura, right?"

Sakura stopped peeling the potato that was in her hand and nodded. "Yes…?"

"That is a unique name," said Gracia smiling and getting a potato herself then peeling it. "I've never heard it before."

"Oh! It's a flower back in my home country," Sakura smiled as she was having a warm conversation with Hughes's wife. "I'm not sure how to translate it here in this country."

Gracia blinked her eyes in confusion, but she gave a heartwarming smile at her. "I bet it is a gorgeous flower Sakura. By the way, where do you come from?"

"Xing," was the reply.

"Oh, must be a beautiful country."

"Yes… it is."

Knowing that she was heading to a touchy subject, Gracia decided to talk about her daughters' birthday that would be held in four days from now.

"Elysia will soon be three years old," said Gracia carefully watching her daughter play with the new doll that her father had just bought for her. "She is very spoiled by her father, but she is such a sweet child."

Sakura took a glance at Elysia playing. "Hughes-san is an overprotective father."

Gracia nodded. "Yes, when younger boys ask Elysia to play with them, Meas always seems to …well, let say that his actions take over."

Sakura blinked her emerald eyes. "What do you mean?"

Gracia gave a cheery laugh. "You will see once you are in the birthday party."

Sakura nodded, having a small smile plastered in her face. Gracia Hughes was not such a bad person; she was a sweet mother and wife. Meas Hughes was lucky to have such a wonderful wife, who seemed not to hold any grudges at anyone. Not even her own husband!

Sakura took a good notice at the woman in front of her. She was nothing like her mother, who was probably worried by now if Shikamaru's plan had gone wrong. Surely if anything happened to Elysia, Gracia and Meas Hughes would be worried sick if they found out that their only daughter was in another world; filled with ninjas. Sakura tired to shake away the feelings of being nauseous, worried, and homesick. Her friends were trying their best to keep her family and teacher from being worried. All she had to do was have some trust in them. Although Sakura still feels bad for worrying Hinata and making her think that this was all her fault. If she had another chance to talk to the shy Hyuuga, she would apologize. Apologize for making her worry and making her think that this was all her fault (which it wasn't).

"It's funny how she was born," began Gracia staring up a conversation. "She was born the same day we had a few guest over."

Sakura listened closely to the story of Elysia's birth.

"It happened on a snowy day; both Meas and I were celebrating a young boy's birthday. A very close friend to Meas, the boy was part of the family along with his brother. They were young boys … around your age, but a bit younger," Gracia stopped her peeling and took a glance outside the window. "It was a snowy day. Elysia picked the same day as Edwards birthday I suppose."

The name Edward kept echoing in her mind. It sounded so familiar …

"Suddenly my water broke, causing me to fall on the floor. Hughes quickly went to get the doctor since Alphones had commented that there was a snow storm. So he carelessly left me with the young children who almost delivered my baby daughter," Sakura noticed the smile on Gracia's face. "I was put in the couch and well … the pain began. I completely forgot about the abdominal breathing that the doctor told me to practice, so I screamed from the pain."

Gracia began to giggle. "The two Elric brothers and young Nina, the young girl they invited to celebrate Edward's birthday, thought I was going to die."

The Elric brothers that visited Sheska a week ago! That's why the name Edward was somehow familiar; Sheska had mentioned him and the book he wanted her to rewrite. Shaking off the discovery, she listened to the story intensely; it was getting a bit funny for Sakura.

"Well … they were making a real fuss when I kept moaning in pain and screaming. Something about giving away their life's to bring a new one since that's how equivalent exchange works. I didn't understand back then what they meant, nor do I still now. However they finally knew how to help me deliver a baby. Nina was holding my hand while crying, thinking that I was going to die, while Alphones and Edward were telling me to breath in and out. Finally the doctor had come along with Meas."

"All of the men were watching the doctor doing his works on pregnancy. Once Elysia's head came out I could see Edward, Meas, and Alphones faint and fall into the ground. Nina cried harder thinking that they were dead."

At this moment Sakura had burst into laughter. She dropped the potato in the table and clutched her stomach. Her fit of laughter's did not stop and Gracia was giggling at the memory and at the scene of Sakura having a great time.

"Th-That must have been … a scene to watch!" Sakura kept holding her stomach and tried facing Gracia Hughes.

"Yes! Indeed it was!" giggled Gracia, and then noticed that her daughter had walked towards them having a confused face.

"Mama, why yu an sakuwa lafing?" the young dirty blond child asked curiosity taking over her.

Her mother Gracia, still in a fit of giggles, picked up her daughter. "We were talking about how your daddy, Edward, and Alphones reacted when you were born sweet heart."

"Uncwel Ed an Uncwel Al?"

"Yes, Sakura and I were talking about your uncles."Gracia stroked her daughters' hair. "Do you want to help Sakura and Mommy with dinner?"

"Ywes!"

The women giggled and began to make dinner before the man of the house came. Both Sakura and Elysia were ordered by Gracia to put the plates on the table. The two younger girls were bonding with each other; Sakura asked questions to little Elysia and Elysia did the same. Sakura could now see why Hughes was spoiling his only child, the girl was adorable! She was pretty smart for a two year old, almost turning three in four days.

It was almost time for dinner and Gracia was now serving the food. Suddenly the young girl ran towards the door and yelled out: "Papa here!"

Gracia and Sakura looked at each other and giggled. Hughes was home, so they could finally start dinner. The noticed Meas Hughes cuddling his little daughter s he walked to the dining room.

"My! The food smells wonderful!" exclaimed Hughes as he put his daughter down and looked at the plate. Potato salad, a steak, and pasta were on the plate. "My did all the girls do this?"

Elysia nodded as she took her seat. "Ywes! Sakuwa and mwe did thwis!"

Meas patted his little girl. "Good job Elysia! You're such a wonderful daughter!"

Sakura smiled at the family. She enjoyed Sheska's company, but seeing a family made her less homesick.


Finally the unit of ninjas arrived in Suna; one normal teacher and three shocked young teenagers. Asuma had told them to meet him in the hotel while he gave the medicine supplies to the Suna hospital. The two boys and one girl were currently right now in the hotel, the words of Asuma still lingering in their heads.

The First Hokage and Alchemy together was either a good sign or a bad one.

Lee and Shikamaru were currently unpacking their things, while Hinata sat near the corner of the window and read the whole time. Shikamaru gave some glances as he noticed the Hyuuga giving a soft smile while reading. He wondered what was happening with Sakura.

"Oi. Hinata, what's going on right now?" the genius of rookie nine asked.

The Hyuuga, startled, stared at Shikamaru then back at the book. She smiled as the book described the father and daughter bond that Meas and Elysia had. She felt jealous that the little girl was spoiled by her only father. If only her father had been so caring then maybe their relationship wouldn't be so … distant.

"Sakura-san is living with another family," she flipped a page. "She's sleeping over at their house for the night."

"Shikamaru-san…" began Lee getting the attention from the two younger teens. "If what Asuma-sensei is true… if the Hokage knew alchemy, then why haven't we heard of it?"

Hinata frowned at the information. It was true; Asuma was serious at what he had just said a day ago. The first Hokage had known alchemy, but how? Why was it that this piece of (useless or important) information was not written in their academy textbooks?

Shikamaru noticed the change of emotions in the Hyuuga. His features gave a sudden scowl. "I'm sure Asuma didn't lie, he's not that type of person from what I know."

But was Asuma misinformed? Did Asuma really believe that the Hokage had known alchemy? What is alchemy anyway? The woman in the story didn't exactly explain it so well for him to understand how alchemy works. All this information was confusing Shikamaru more and more as he got deeper into the topic.

"What I know what we should do is…" the genius sighed. "Go to the Suna library and find any kind of information on the first Hokage and his relations with other clans and countries."

"Perhaps if any of the clans has to do with Alchemy?" suggested the mini Maito Gai.

"Yes, that. Hinata I want you to still continue reading what's going on with Sakura, we'll contact her as soon as we find any information that may relate to the Hokage. Don't worry her now, so don't plan to communicate with her soon," he noticed Hinata nod. "Who knows if we have a limited time to connect with her…"

"S-Shikamaru-san… what of Asuma-sensei…?"

Shikamaru gave a sly smirk. "Hey Lee, how about some training with Asuma?"

Lee, overjoyed, jumped from the ground and gave a victory sign. "Yoshi! Leave this to me Shikamaru-san! I won't let you down! The spring of youth will be by my side!"

Hinata stood up from where she was sitting and arrived next to Shikamaru, she lowered her voice. "Shi-Shikamaru-san … are you sure t-that will be alright…?"

Lee was still rambling on and on of how Asuma and him will have a youthful practice. Shikamaru grimaced at the thought of his old teacher and this overjoyed teen training. He would hope that Asuma wouldn't kill the boy, but it had to be done.

"Yeah… don't worry too much of it," he said having some doubts. "Besides, it'll be a fun story for Kurenai to hear once we get back."

Hinata smiled. "Yes."


Sakura woke up as she noticed there was a body next to her sleeping soundly. She had remembered the previous night on how scared Elysia was of the dark, so Sakura had offered to sleep next to the younger girl. She noticed the relaxed and thankful looks of Elysia's parents. It was noticeable that she was loved by her family. Sakura was feeling a bit jealous of the little girl, but she was also spoiled when she was younger.

"Elysia," whispered Sakura as she patted the little girl, trying to see if she had already been woken up. Not hearing a sound of annoyance or any movement, Sakura decided to let the girl sleep in. Sakura got off the small bed and grabbed her pink sleeveless kimono that went to her knees. The light pink pajamas that Gracia had given her yesterday night were neatly stacked on the small chair. She put on her blue ninja sandals and black tight knee pants, and then she headed quietly to the stairs.

While walking down the stairs, she witnessed Meas and Garcia Hughes kissing as they said goodbye to each other. Sakura blushed as Meas noticed her presence and gave her a cheeky smile.

"Morning Sakura! An early morning person eh?" he asked as Gracia smiled by his side. "Yeah Elysia doesn't wake up in the mornings, so we let her sleep in."

Still a bit pink, the kunochi nodded. "Y-Yes…"

"I'll go make some breakfast for you Sakura," with that Gracia left to the kitchen, leaving Meas and Sakura alone.

"Don't worry! I bet you already had your first kiss eh?" said a cheerful Meas Hughes patting her back.

Sakura stood silent; she was so not going to go with that topic. When she had found out that her first kiss was almost Naruto, who had pretended to be Sasuke at the time by using ninjutsu, she had beaten him to the ground. He deserved it! It took Kakashi and Jiraiya to keep her away from attacking the blond ninja.

Hughes noticed the awkward silence, and then he frowned. The pink haired girl was having some issues with her self, he noticed the bad mood she was currently in.

She felt a warm hand on her cheek, and she stared at Hughes eyes. He had bended down to her level trying to make a good eye contact. He had a sympathetic look on his face. "Hey Sakura, I want to talk to you after I come back from work. You won't mind staying here for another day would you?"

Sleeping over at the Hughes's was fun, so the pink haired kunochi nodded. She was also curious on what Hughes would be talking to her about. Thus the man of the house left and went of to work for the military with his blue uniform.

Sakura headed to the kitchen and noticed a plate of … round bread stacked in the plate. She curiously stared at the food, and then at the utensils. Meals were still different and Sakura was having a difficult time to adjust. Rice, beef, and something to drink were her usual breakfast that she would have in the mornings. Also forks were not so common in Konoha, probably in Suna, but not Konoha.

"Pancakes," Gracia put a glass of milk next to her plate of food. Sakura sat down and stared at it.

"They smell really good."

"Never had pancakes before in Xing?"

"No, but Sheska-san had made me some sometimes."

"Sheska sure is helpful to my husband," Gracia said. "He would usually be home really late, but now with the help of Sheska, Elysia could see her father more often. It's hard for a wife to have a military man as a husband sometimes."

Every female that had a husband in the military would know what Gracia was feeling like. The husbands would miss the birth of their children, or be part of their Childs childhood. Sakura has seen incidents when the wife would break down as the Hokage would tell them the bad news. A family member had passed away, mainly the father, husband, and the supporter of the family. The kunochi bit her lip, she hoped that this type of situation would never happen to the Hughes family. Meas Hughes deserved to be with his little daughter, Elysia.

"Sakura?" Gracia asked getting a bit worried. Sakura glanced up at Gracia, who had a worried expression.

"Are you aright?"

Sakura nodded and silently began to eat her breakfast. Hours passed, and both Gracia and Sakura began to do chores in the house that were supposed to be done. They washed the dishes, cleaned Elysia's room, made breakfast for Elysia, and did the laundry. It was now noon and Sakura had asked Gracia if it was okay to visit Sheska's mother at the hospital. Having Gracia's approval, Sakura got out of the house. Instead of going to the hospital, she went another different direction that would probably lead her to Sheska's home.

Sakura had left her scroll that contained kunais and other weapons that Tenten had given her not to long ago. As she was walking, she felt another persons presence following her. She gave back some glances wondering if someone was following, but nobody was there. She then was on a busy street, where people were walking everywhere. Maybe she had lost the stalker, but she soon felt being stalked once again. Sakura frowned, and then noticed she was getting lost. Just where the hell was she going?

Finally she (somewhat) saw her stalker, she didn't see him clearly, but the man was tall.

Looking around she noticed that people were crossing the sidewalk. Running to catch up with the people, she didn't notice that a metallic vehicle was heading right towards her.

The pink kunochi stopped her tracks and just watched as the vehicle was heading towards her. Her mind wasn't acting fast. Suddenly she could hear some people scream as it was getting closer to her. Sakura quickly put her arms in front of her face, which was the only reaction she could give. So much for being a ninja with reflexes.

She was going to die right here!


Blond haired boy slowly opened his golden eyes as he noticed that he was in the hospital. The events of last night flashed in his head. He had seen some dark green head insulting him as he was on the floor, his auto mail not functioning properly. He winced as he tried to sit up, it began to hurt like a bitch! The blond haired, known as Edward Elric, carefully sat up this time. He tried to remember why he was here and covered in bandages. As much as he tried, he remembered nothing but the figures of the green palm tree head and a woman with a very distinct dress.

"Damn … where am I…?"

Grumpily he looked around the room and then just stared at the wall in front of him. Suddenly the door opened and Sergeant Brosh had stepped in, looking rather nervous. Edward had not seen the tint of red in his hand.

"Ah Mr. Edward!" both Brosh and Ross entered the room together wearing their blue military uniform. "You're finally awake!"

Ross looked rather relieved by seeing Edward, her face looked so pale. She gave him a soft smile. "…"

Edward glanced again at the room and questioned them. "Where am I?"

It was weird to wake up in a place that was a total different scenery than last night. Too weird.

"Oh this is a hospital that Second Lieutenant Ross is an acquaintance of," began Denny Brosh, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We thought that it would be a bad idea to place you in the Military Hospital since … we might get questioned on the events..."

Ross cleared her throat. "You'll get peace and quiet here. So you can relax."

Edward sighed and leaned in a bit forward. Pain was brought back from his side. "Ah! Crap that hurts! "

Both Brosh and Ross took a glance at each other while Edward mumbled about almost finding out the truth in the Philosophers Stone. The two adults suddenly had their backs straight and looked forward causing Edward to look at them in a 'WTF' expression.

"FullMetal Alchemist sir!" began Ross giving almost a salute.

"Please excuse us what we will be doing next!" ended Brosh as he mentally prepared himself.

Edward blinked. "Huh…?"

SLAP

Edward Elric was never been slapped (okay maybe a couple of times because of his teacher), but it was the first slap he had received in years! He forgot the pain that long ago his teacher had given him, right now his cheek that had been slap was stinging. Slowly his hand reached his cheek and lightly touched it, it had hurt! Slowly he rubbed his pink cheek.

"Ow…" he mumbled, but then stared at the two adults beside him.

Second Lieutenant Ross took a deep breath then began to yell and point an accusing finger at the blond. "Major Armstrong told you two not to act on your own! However you completely disobeyed him! Even when he told you to stay at the inn and behave because it was dangerous outside! Not to mention you almost died last night!"

Second Lieutenant Ross once again took another deep breath as Edward had a stunned expression plastered on his face. The woman rubbed her forehead getting a bit frustrated with the whole situation. "You are still a child, and please recognize that…don't try to do everything yourself, put a little trust and faith on us … adults."

Edward blinked his golden eyes once when the two adults began to go stiff, awaiting their punishment.

"That is all!" the two of them yelled at the same time. "Please forgive us for our violent actions and words!"

Edwards, being stunned by the formality, stared at the two officers. "Ah, no…I'm the one who is at fault."

He didn't notice the nervous (too nervous that they were sweating) officers. "And the punishment for the slap sir?"

"No, I won't do anything," said Edward still shocked by the officer's actions and words. Suddenly he noticed the relaxed expressions as the two of them sighed, not knowing that they were holding their breaths. "Why are you two so worried?"

"Even though National Alchemist's are not regular soldiers well…" Ross looked back at Brosh.

"We could be fired by you…" finished Brosh feeling a little uneasy.

Edward grinned at them. "You guys don't have to worry or be nervous; I didn't get a national license to get status in the military. Also you don't have to be so formal… to a kid."

The two adults took a glance at each other and smiled. Suddenly Edward could feel the atmosphere to drastically change.

"Oh really?!" said Ross feeling happy.

"You know it was really annoying to have to talk so formal to a person who is younger than me!" said Brosh not really caring how Edward was feeling.

Edward's eyes twitched in annoyance. 'These two … are damn fast adapters!'


YEY! Chapter 7 DONE. Haha, well yeah, because I feel REALLY nice… (: Also the last scene took me … 4 days to write. I was debating to put Edward or not. So har har for the shrimp! Please review, also there are so many hits which makes me so proud! X) Thank you to those who review too! Happy Thanksgiving also!