Title: The Everlasting Sins

Rating: Rated T.

Pairings: Canon pairings for Naruto, along with slight NaruHina near the very end of the story.

Genre: Adventure.

Summary: A sin lasts forever, even if other things do not. Naruto's debilitating disease doesn't, nor does his hatred. His past, however, forever continues to follow him. Smart, powerful Naruto. Rewritten in collaboration with The Sin of Justice, the original author.

Regarding Q&A: Any questions regarding the story can be asked via PM or review to either me or The Sin of Justice.

Beta: N/A—Help wanted.

Warnings: Language, violence, and moderate blood/gore.

Category: Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist crossover.

Uploaded: May 12th, 2013

Key:

"Normal dialogue."

Thoughts—for everyone, including Bijū.

/Mental conversations./

Please note that Bijū cannot "speak" unless their host is inside of the seal, and please enjoy the story!

(Section Break)

Edward sighed as he noticed Naruto's energy moving. He waited for a moment and noticed it was because of the Konoha Jinchūriki training. There was also that slight flicker of chakra that he noticed and recognised it as Kurama's own.

So Kurama awoke the kid to gather his own chakra? Ed thought. That's his own choice, I suppose. From the dormancy, however, I suspect Naruto went back to sleep.

I hope either Kurama or Naruto notices the presence in the house that's stirring, though./

(Section Break)

/She's collapsed, kid./

Naruto groaned at being awoken. /Honestly, Kurama, you keep waking me up.../

/You should get going back to Edward. Something doesn't feel right./

Naruto yawned and nodded slowly, stretching his arms over his head and standing up before climbing back down the tree, hopping down for the last few feet.

/Hurry,/ Kurama warned. /Something's coming, I can feel it./

A bit concerned, Naruto searched for the energy of whatever Kurama felt. What he noticed made him cringe before he turned around and began running away from the clearing as fast as he could.

He breathed out in relief as he noticed Kakashi's chakra stirring slightly. Obviously, he'd only been slightly disturbed for his sleep.

(Section Break)

"There you go," Edward announced, wiping his hands off with a towel. "All dyed."

"Thanks," Naruto responded, running a hand through his hair after taking off the cloth. "It's black now, isn't it?"

"Of course," the alchemist replied. "Black's a pretty common hair colour."

Naruto nodded his head before sighing and standing up from the side of the stone bathtub. "You said you have make-up for my whisker marks?"

"Yeah," Ed responded, heading to the counter and taking it out of one of the drawers. "I figured it'd come in handy at one point."

"And brown contacts too, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Ed agreed. "Here."

"I'll make sure to keep my hair straight. Thanks. I'll see you later."

"See you around, kid."

(Section Break)

Naruto strolled casually through the town, observing the orphans and the desperate shopkeepers. Truly worse than I thought.

Approaching the bridge, the black-haired Jinchūriki scratched the back of his head nervously. He awkwardly stood at the edge of the bridge until the bridge builder, Tazuna, noticed him.

"Hello," the old man greeted. "Who are you?"

"A-ah," Naruto stuttered nervously, "I'm Minoru. I'm kind of in a bind and need money, so I was wondering if I could help with the bridge..."

"Of course!" the old man replied eagerly. "Come this way. You can just help transport beams and such. I don't think you have had much experience building, have you?"

"No," Naruto admitted. "Thank you very much."

"I should be thanking you!" Tazuna chuckled wearily. "Most of my workers have abandoned the bridge in fear."

"Why would they do that?" Naruto asked.

"...Gatō," Tazuna whispered. "Apparently his thugs have been attacking the workers' families while they were at the bridge."

Naruto made a small noise to show he was listening. "Where do I need to take the materials?"

"Ask some of the workers what they need and help them out with it," the man replied. "That's all. I'll pay you by the hour. Work whenever you can."

"Thanks," the Jinchūriki responded.

"Again, thank you."

Naruto waited as the man began walking away. He asked the workers what they needed, brought it to them, and continually looked over at a pink-haired Genin who was protecting the bridge. /She's weak, isn't she?/ he murmured to Kurama.

/Small chakra reserves,/ the Kyūbi answered dully, /physically weak. I would suspect she has very good chakra control, however. She probably at least can preform Genjutsu well./

/I would hope so,/ Naruto replied, struggling as he carried one of the larger metal beams. /Otherwise it's just a waste of a place in Konoha's ranks./

/Do you sense that?/

/What?/

/I feel like something's watching us./

/I don't sense anything./

/It's probably nothing,/ Kurama sighed.

Naruto nodded in agreement. Eventually, he went home and then came back the next day and the next day and the next day, each time observing the pink-haired ninja guarding the bridge. She definitely wasn't strong, but he didn't have a doubt that she was stronger than the average civilian. She probably wouldn't survive an ambush, though.

It was several days later that the whole team, minus his sister, came to the bridge. Naruto had stopped working after the other workers left—his work was useless without them. He had continued, however, being near the bridge, observing to see if anything had happened. And one day it had.

It was a bit slow at first. Nothing really happened except for them standing there talking to Tazuna until a sudden mist filled the area. The two kids had immediately began guarding the bridge builder and the Jōnin had also raised a kunai in defense. Naruto went a bit closer to see what was going on. He couldn't see much, but the words said all.

"Zabuza," the silver-haired ninja growled, Sharingan spinning as he pulled his forehead protector up.

"Kakashi," the voice rumbled back mockingly. "I see your pathetic excuse of a Genin team is still here. No matter. Haku."

Haku was obviously a someone, Naruto decided. He heard Kakashi order the Uchiha who was so, so cold to fight the new arrival. Naruto observed their energies as they moved. Haku, it appeared, had something a bit different about him. Naruto felt the same aura as the Uchiha, but it wasn't a bone-chilling ice. It was more of a snow-like ice, a certain coldness that wasn't quite malevolent. A bloodline, Naruto expected.

Reaching out his senses, he noticed the other ninja there. It had been the person from earlier who commanded this "Haku" person to take care of the Genin. Kakashi, it seems, had begun fighting him. He felt Haku's chakra expanding and making odd, rectangular-shapes in a dome. He figured that, at this point, no one would notice him, so he went closer.

However, being closer may not have been the best decision in the world. He was able to see the pink-haired girl terrified out of her mind while protecting the also-terrified bridge builder. He could see the bloodline-user fighting the Uchiha, though it seemed fairly one-sided, especially with the large amount of what looked almost like thick needles sticking out of the kid. He couldn't really tell what they were at first—it was too misty and he was far away. It got progressively worse, he noted. He tried finding his sister to see if she'd show up anytime soon.

He nearly had a heart attack, to be frank.

She was just barely out of his seeing range, preparing herself to jump into the Uchiha's fight. Naruto bit his lip in anticipation. She created a loud entrance unbefitting of a ninja and was scolded by her teammate, then went into the ice-dome and was scolded once more. She, then, was also impaled by what he now identified as senbon.

He watched a while longer as the duo used an odd tactic of fireballs and clones until he felt the Uchiha's chakra pulse wildly. If anything, it seemed to become colder. The fireballs' accuracy seemed to become much better and he could see the small burn in the tormentor's clothing. He had to admit he was a tad impressed. He continued watching until he saw the Uchiha fall.

Until he saw his sister snap and unleash the Kyūbi's unpurified chakra.

(Section Break)

Who is that person watching us? Haku wondered, confused as he threw another senbon. He is merely just watching. What is he doing?

He threw several more at the black-haired child with the bloodline. He looked on impassively as he fell down. Haku felt sympathetic towards the child he had met a while ago. She looked so devastated at the "death" of her friend.

He didn't expect, however, her to nearly explode in an evil power.

(Section Break)

/Naruto!/ Kurama snarled, wide awake. Naruto nodded and ran up to the side of the dome, pinning his back to the side of it and looking around the corner.

/Kurama?/ Naruto murmured. /That's your chakra, isn't it? Unpurified by the seal./

/Yes, it is,/ the Kyūbi replied. /I didn't expect this to happen. She obviously cares about the damned Uchiha quite a bit./

/The chakra is summoned like this by strong emotions, then,/ Naruto muttered, filing the new information away. He grimaced as the first of the unpurified chakra began trickling into his own seal. /This hurts, Kurama./

/I could always knock you unconscious,/ the fox suggested, /but I doubt you want that./

/That's true,/ Naruto sighed. /Would getting closer help you?/

/Yes, but it would give you away with no chance of redemption,/ Kurama responded. /Do as you wish./

Naruto didn't reply. After a few seconds of adrenaline being rushed through his veins, he breathed out heavily and walked inside of the dome, observing without much care as ice mirror after ice mirror was destroyed by Natsuki. He cringed slightly in pain as Kurama's chakra burned the skin around the seal.

Naruto noticed Haku's eyes upon him. He smirked a little and rose a hand in greeting. He smirked a bit wider when the ninja was forced to look away towards the Kyūbi-influenced Natsuki. He grimaced as a particularly large amount of chakra was forced into him.

He watched as Natsuki twisted around and threw a claw of the Kyūbi's chakra towards the bloodline-user. It impacted with Haku and he was thrown back into the side of the bridge, chakra burns covering the front side of him. He crumpled to the ground before attempting to stand back up, but was quickly punched.

"What are you?" the ice-user whispered fearfully.

Natsuki didn't say a word, merely hit him once more.

"You killed him," she snarled angrily. "Sasuke...you killed him!"

"He i-isn't dead," Haku murmured, choking slightly. Natsuki grabbed him by the throat.

"That looked pretty damn dead to me," she hissed.

"I-I only m-made it...look l-like he...died," Haku struggled to say, sympathetic. "H-he i-is...alive."

Natsuki stared down at the ninja. The mask he wore crumbled.

"H-Haku?" she whispered. Her eyes turned blue again and the chakra began receeding. "W-why are you here?"

"I'm sorry," Haku replied sadly. "However, my reason for living comes first."

"Reason for living?" she repeated softly. "You mean Zabuza, don't you?"

"Yes," Haku responded, closing his eyes. "Please kill me, Natsuki."

"Kill you?" she cried out. "Why would I do that, Haku?"

"I am a failure of a tool," he said, void of feelings. "I let the enemy defeat me and my emotions interfere with my work."

"You didn't do anything wrong!" Natsuki insisted desperately. "You...you cared! What's wrong with that?"

"I am a shinobi," Haku replied slowly. "We are not allowed to show emotions. We are not allowed to show mercy. We are not allowed to lose."

Natsuki bit her lip. "T-that's inhuman," she mumbled sadly, "those rules."

"We are weapons," Haku said evenly. "I am a failure of a weapon. Natsuki, please kill me."

The daughter of the Yondaime Hokage's eyes teared up. "No!" she cried. "I won't!"

"Please," Haku pleaded quietly. "I would rather die than be of no use."

Naruto watched as this all happened. /Is that all you needed, Kurama?/

/Yes,/ the fox answered. /No more will come out of this meeting./

/Okay./

Naruto tuned back in to see Natsuki crying and shaking her head. He sighed at her refusal.

"It's the kindest thing to do," he said loudly. Natsuki's head swivelled towards him, eyes red and puffy.

"You're that person..." Haku muttered, surprised.

"Who're you?" Natsuki sniffed.

"Minoru," Naruto introduced. "You are Natsuki, I take it?"

"Y-yeah," she responded. "I'm not killing Haku."

"What happens when you don't have a choice later, Natsuki?" he asked. "When you're on an assassination mission or your teammate is going to die. Will you do it then?"

"O-of course!" she replied indignantly.

"It's the same thing in this situation," he said. "You don't have a choice. If you don't, I will."

Natsuki bit her lip again. "You're a civilian, aren't you?" she inquired.

"Mostly," Naruto answered.

"A-as a ninja, I c-can't let someone l-like that d-do that to themselves," she choked out. "Alright."

Haku looked at Naruto suspiciously, then shook his head in resignation. "Please go ahead, Natsuki."

Natsuki's eyes refilled with salt water. "G-goodbye."

"Goodbye, Natsuki."

The kunai flew towards Haku's heart with surprising speed and resolve.

"Stop!" Naruto yelled. Natsuki's concentration broke.

"Why are you interrupting this?!" she snapped loudly, eyes fresh with new tears. "You just told me to do this!"

"Haku," he started, ignoring her, "look over at Zabuza."

Haku complied, then immediately formed a mirror and disappeared as his eyes grew wide with surprise.

"What...?" Natsuki muttered, bewildered. "Why did he—?"

Naruto glanced towards her before heading over to where Kakashi, Zabuza, and Haku were. Once there, his eyes widened at the sight of Kakashi's hand nearly in the ice-user's chest.

He felt like laughing and crying when a loud clapping sound filled the area and a thick wall appeared between Haku and Kakashi. Naruto saw Edward stroll into the area, red cloak swaying in the sea breeze. "Yo," he said.

"You," Kakashi ground out, glaring at him. "Why are you here?"

"'Cause."

"You're in the way of Konoha business," Kakashi retorted. "You have a lot to answer for."

"Yeah, well," Ed grumbled, "I usually do."

(Section Break)

What is he doing? Haku wondered. He saved my life and then says nothing as to why?

Haku pulled a few senbon out of his pouch. He brushed a few stray strands of his hair that had fallen into his bloody face out of his way. "Why are you stalling, Konoha ninja?"

The silver-haired ninja, Kakashi, narrowed his eyes further. Suddenly, he rushed forward, ignoring the man who interrupted them. Haku was taken slightly by surprise and threw several senbon at him, each one deflected by a kunai. He jumped back as Kakashi rushed forward. Glancing to his side, he saw Zabuza readying himself to attack once more. Haku fell back and decided to confront the blonde.

Sneaking around him wasn't easy. The male seemed constantly on alert. Finally, he was able to stand near the man close enough to talk.

"What is it, Haku?" he asked, bored.

Haku stiffened. "How do you know that name?"

He laughed. "I've been watching this entire fight."

"Why did you save my life?"

"I'll tell you later," the man replied. "I'm Edward, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too, Haku."

(Section Break)

Natsuki froze and realised something.

Sasuke.

Rushing over to the ice dome, she felt for his pulse. It wasn't there.

She knew Haku had said that he hadn't killed him, but Sasuke... He seemed dead. Honestly and truly dead. He was cold, his lips were tinted blue, and he had no heartbeat.

She cried out in anguish despite her brain telling her that no, he wasn't dead and yes, he'll be okay.

Her tears began falling before she even knew what was happening.

(Section Break)

Naruto glanced at Edward out of the corner of his eye. /What a bastard./

/Don't get me started./

/What do I do now? Edward didn't say anything about this.../

/Act like you're not with him. Attack Haku, but make sure to make it clear to him that you're not being serious./

/Is that a good idea?/

/Best one that we can make up on-the-spot./

/Alright. Let's see how this goes./

"I'll take care of the ice-user," Naruto announced to Kakashi, who was breathing hard alongside Zabuza. He noticed that the silver-haired ninja nodded. I think he figures that I wouldn't be here unless I had some sort of reason.

Walking up to Haku, who had moved away from Edward, he raised a hand in greeting once more. He looked directly at the boy's eyes, trying to convey his message.

This is all an act.

Naruto thought he got it when Haku nodded almost imperceptively. Naruto grinned and brought his hands together, pressing the transmutation circles on each glove together. He held them up in the air and allowed dull bullets to form in the air, barely visible. Haku's eyes widened.

Is that a bloodline? he wondered. He brought out a shield of ice and stopped the gusts of air from hitting him. Large chunks of frozen water were scraped out of the shield when Haku disbanded it. "What was that?" Haku murmured.

"Secret of the profession," Naruto replied, grinning madly. "By the way, this might hurt, so just deal with it."

Haku prepared himself for the attack when suddenly he realised he couldn't breathe. Naruto's hands were still in the same position from earlier. What are you doing, Minoru? He began struggling for air. "Y-you..."

"Don't worry," Naruto said quietly. "You won't die."

Haku closed his eyes and nodded, then passed out. Naruto immediately let his control over the air disperse. He looked towards the immortal blonde, who shrugged. Naruto sighed. He looked back towards Kakashi, who was rushing towards Zabuza again. He muttered under his breath and didn't move.

Edward suddenly clapped his hands together once more and trapped Kakashi in a large metal hand. The silver-haired ninja struggled around for a moment before settling to glare at Edward for a long, long while. Zabuza's laugh rang through the clearing until Naruto finally sighed in exasperation and cut the air supply around Zabuza until he passed out, too. He saw his teacher's grin before the man picked up the two bodies before undoing the metal hand. "Thanks for killing them," he said. "They really weren't helping out my plan."

What the fuck is he doing.

(Section Break)

Kakashi breathed heavily for a good while after Edward had left. Naruto went up to the man's side.

"Are you okay?" he asked concernedly. The ninja nodded.

"I didn't get to ask," he panted, "but who are you?"

"I'm Minoru," he introduced. "I'm an undercover ninja from one of the smaller villages. I heard that they were here and thought you could use some help."

Kakashi hummed. "Which village?"

"That's classified," Naruto laughed. "Your Genin may need some help. I think the ice-user said that the Uchiha isn't dead, but I would check just to be sure."

The Copycat Ninja nodded. "Would you care to accompany me? I'm afraid if we're ambushed by anything I wouldn't be able to protect my cute little students."

"Ah, of course," Naruto replied. "You may want to check on the pink-haired girl first, though. She seemed very scared."

"Sakura," Kakashi supplied. "Her parents aren't very high-ranking ninja; it's to be expected."

Naruto nodded. He went up to scratch his face and suddenly was reminded of the make-up he was wearing to hide his whisker marks. He prayed the mist didn't mess with it. They walked for a little while until Sakura came into view. She was still trembling slightly, but was very relieved when she could see her teacher in the fading mist. A lone tear streamed down her face and she reached up to wipe it off. "Where's Natsuki and Sasuke?" she asked.

"This way," Kakashi responded, beginning to walk in another direction. She and bridge builder began following the pair. "This is Minoru, by the way."

"Nice to meet you," Sakura said politely. "I'm Sakura."

"It's a pleasure," Naruto agreed. They walked in silence for a little longer until they came upon a few puddles and Natsuki, who was crying her eyes out.

"Natsuki?" Sakura asked softly. Natsuki turned to face her. "I-is that Sasuke?"

She nodded, devastated.

Sakura brought a hand up to her mouth, eyes growing wider. "I-is he...?"

"No," Kakashi interrupted, kneeling down and taking the boy's pulse. "He's alive, if barely. The hunter-nin probably used the same technique he used on Zabuza to put Sasuke in a near-death state."

Sakura nearly crumpled with relief, but then was very confused. "Why would he do that?"

"Haku was a nice person," Natsuki sniffed. "He didn't want anyone to die. He wanted everyone to be happy..."

Sakura kneeled down by Sasuke as her teacher stood up. "Why are you here, Minoru?"

"Ah, I heard there was a fight between ninja here and me, a ninja myself, figured it would be good if the Hokage's daughter and the last Uchiha lived through it."

Sakura blinked at him. "How'd you know that?"

"Village secrets," he chuckled. "Anyway, it might be a good idea to leave the senbon in until you get him home. As for me, I need to leave."

"Already?" Kakashi murmured.

"Yes," Naruto replied. "However, this won't be the last of me, no worries. There's something coming up soon that I fear you'll see me in."

Kakashi nodded. Sakura and Natsuki were confused, but didn't question him.

"Oh, and Tazuna," Naruto began, "thanks for building this bridge. I hope this town sees prosperity once more."

The bridge builder nodded happily. Naruto began walking off, raising his hand in a silent farewell.

Damn, I hate Konoha.

(Section Break)

Naruto sighed as he entered the underground home. "Edward?" he called, walking into the living room.

"Hey," Ed greeted. "They're here."

Naruto looked at the two people lying on the couch. "They'll wake up soon, won't they?"

"A couple of hours maximum," Edward reassured. "That was impressive, you know. I continued watching after I 'left,' too."

"Thanks," Naruto mumbled, grimacing. "What'll we tell them?"

"Let's figure that out when they wake up, shall we?"

And, of course, just then, the pair woke up.

"That was convenient," Naruto muttered. "Hello there, Haku."

Haku slowly sat up, unalarmed. "Hello, Minoru."

"It's Naruto," Naruto corrected. "Sorry 'bout that."

"It's alright," he replied. "This is Edward, right?"

"Yup," Naruto responded. "Hey there, Zabuza. Yes, your sword's fine."

Zabuza grunted, sitting up. "Who are these people, Haku?" he asked, stiffening.

"Naruto and Edward," Haku said calmly. "They appear to want to help us somehow."

"Yup," Ed affirmed casually. "Zabuza, you became a missing ninja because of the Yondaime Mizukage, did you not?"

"I did," Zabuza replied, looking around the room. "What of it?"

"And Haku here is a result of the bloodline purging," Edward continued. "You see, I think there's something we could help you with, isn't there?"

"What, overthrow the Mizukage?" Zabuza laughed. "Good luck, kid."

"Underestimating anyone is generally a bad idea, especially when it comes to me. My appearance merely belies my true strength, and you should know that I'm already a formidable opponent if I could beat Kakashi so easily. And Naruto here ain't no slacker either, if his fight with Haku is anything to go by, don't you think?" Edward asked blankly. "Besides, I'm the first to say that war isn't a good thing. Civil wars are even worse. Too much betrayal."

Zabuza looked at him for a long moment. "Alright, I guess I can believe that, though I don't like your secretiveness," Zabuza muttered. "This is all unbelievable anyway."

"Don't worry—in time, we can reveal ourselves. We're not being exactly trusting, either, but we won't pry into your personal lives. We really only know the things you've shared and the public's general information."

"I know," he replied.

"So, want us to help?"

"What?"

"Want us to help overthrow the Mizukage?" Edward inquired, grinning. "It'd be all in good fun, Zabuza."

Zabuza continued to stare at him. "I presume I'm dead to the world?"

"As far as the world is concerned, a mysterious blonde that has repeatedly committed crimes against Konoha has taken away your dead bodies."

Zabuza chuckled. "Sure, why not. I've nothing to lose at this point anyway."

"That sounds great," Ed laughed. "The best course of action at this point is to contact the rebels. They'll love help."

Zabuza grunted in agreement.

"Ah," Edward interrupted himself, "I almost forgot. There's something you need to help us with first..."

(Section Break)

In response to Guest: I missed it too, damn it! Poor browser D; Are you gonna get a new computer soon, then?

In response to the other Guest: Eep, thank you! And yes, of course it is, which is why Edward is having Naruto do it after he learns stuff. And honestly, at this point, I feel it's more of a point for them to make their daughter happy because she's pretty sad her brother hates her, yeah? Plus, unless he shows evil intent, they probably wouldn't kill him. Perhaps it'd just be easier for you to read the story and ask questions later since I'm not even sure what I mean when I type this. It makes sense in my head, you know? :P Oh, it's no problem. I hate when people ignore my reviews and people who don't review on anonymous get PMs as a reply. Thanks for reviewing!

In response to Peter Kim: Ohhhhh, that's what you meant! Thanks for clarifying, haha.

In response to solekeymaster: Ah, thank you for the explanation. ^^

Testing just passed. That was a pain, haha. I hope the chapter was satisfactory. There's been a lot of tension in my family lately, so it's probably not as good as usual because of stress from just about everything.

Anyway, thank you for reading! If you review, virtual cookies. If not, that's fine too. As long as you like the story, everything's all good!

Shameless advertising: If you're a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and Harry Potter crossovers, I have a story called Molten up. It's a bit drabble-y. I also have a Naruto one-shot called A Way to Win, if anyone's interested.