LunarFallenStar: Hey guys! Sorry for the late update, I just got SWAMPED homework, had absolutely no free time, and got a massive migraine that lasted for days on end, not to mention howI'm dead tired and falling asleep in a lot of my classes... my teacher almost chewed my head off... *shudders*. Again, I apologize, and I thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you all for the reviews!
Hitman1412: Thanks for the review~! And I'm glad you liked how Ed is beginning to make a larger impact on the story now, but don't worry, he will most likely be fighting pretty soon so just wait!
CrimsonLocket: Thanks for your kind review, and I can't say I really updated it soon, but here's the new chapter!
SunshineAndMoonlight: Poor Yamamoto is right! But don't worry, everything will work out in this chapter!
Archsage328: Thanks for the review~! I'm glad you liked and are looking forward to the first generation's reactions. I can't wait to write it! Oh, and that pun was punny~! (I feel so stupid for saying that. -_-' ) And sadly, Ed's words weren't, but he'll talk some sense into the baseball fanatic yet! Read on and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Wow-chan: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you like my story! Ed will most likely not be able to talk to people from his world, but you never know because most of them are either six feet under (I died a little inside typing that) or really, really, really old. Like over 100 years... Well, here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it!
UniCryin: Ed has a smaller role right now, but don't worry, the time will come for him to SHINE~! It will happen soon (most likely) and he might get to fight a certain albino, mafia boss, marshmallow-addict (Again, a maybe) That previous statement just made me think of Ed busting down the door of the Millefiore base, weapons a blazin' then going up to Byakuran and threatening to destroy the marshmallows of the world~! Man, I need to lay off the candy... well anyway, here's the new chapter and I hope you enjoy it.
~Previously~
The fight began and everyone watched with baited breath, their attention never leaving the two fighters. Ed sighed as he watched the fight. He knew one thing for sure.
Yamamoto wouldn't pass this trial.
The fight raged on and both sides appeared evenly matched, but that's what put Ed on edge. Asari was on a completely different level from the teenager that was Yamamoto Takeshi. Ed saw the deliberate openings and knew how exactly Asari was testing the new Rain Guardian. Sadly, despite Ed's advice, Yamamoto still didn't get the message.
Ed's gaze drifted from the fight, already knowing the outcome of this trial. Soon, the sound of feet plodding against the ground signaled that the fight was over and the next Vongola generation was going to congratulate their comrade on an apparent success.
Ed saw Tsuna's eyes as the brunette ran by and he knew that Tsuna was experiencing an unsettling feeling.
Ed and the Arcobaleno present (minus Colonello who had been flung to the side) slowly moved towards where the Rain guardian was and watched as Asari yet again appeared in a swirl of pure blue Rain flames.
Yamamoto looked up expectantly only to have his fleeting happiness taken away as Asari uttered four simple words, "You did not pass."
Yamamoto looked up at the ancient man in confusion, "W-What? But I won the fight?"
Ed looked away from his student, not being able to look at his pitiful, dumbfounded state for long.
Asari looked at him and spoke once more, "However, I will give you a second chance tomorrow night," Yamamoto's face lifted, but settled into solemness as Asari continued, "But that will be your last chance. If you fail again, you will not receive a second chance. Keep that in mind."
Ed met Asari's eyes and a silent conversation ensued. Asari was making sure Ed would not give the young boy the answer as it was his trial. Ed understood Asari's unspoken words and nodded in affirmation. Asari directed his gaze back to the baseball star and disappeared once more in a swirl of rain flames, muttering a small farewell to the group.
Ed wouldn't have interfered even if Asari hadn't advised against it. He wouldn't guide them through it step by step, he would just help point them in the right direction. This was their test, not his.
~The Next Day~
Ed absentmindedly wrote on the board and watched as one by one, students filed into the classroom, exchanging 'good morning's with them before turning back to his work.
The bell for homeroom to start drew closer and closer and Yamamoto had yet to arrive. That fact irked Ed as Yamamoto was usually the first here as he often had a morning baseball practice or meeting. He knew he wasn't the only one as he watched as Gokudera and Tsuna exchanged words, worry evident. Well, Tsuna was obviously worried at least, Gokudera was muttering something along the lines of 'stupid baseball-idiot, making Juudaime worry so much.'
Ed directed his attention to the door as a solemn Yamamoto walked into the classroom. As the young teen walked in front of him, Ed absentmindedly hit the dazed teen over the head softly with a folder. Yamamoto looked at him in absent-minded shock, "Edward-sensei."
"That was for almost being late to class," Ed said, smiling softly before continuing in a more hushed tone, "Get your mind out of the gutter, it's not helping you at all."
Yamamoto stared at his teacher for a few moments before turning to walk towards to his desk. Tsuna immediately came up to greet him, "Yamamoto-kun! I thought you weren't going to come to school today."
"Oh, sorry for making you worry," Yamamoto said softly, "I just overslept by accident."
Ed's golden, hair antennae twitched slightly at hearing that. The baseball nut, early riser... overslept? That was not normal.
The bell sounded and Ed didn't mind that his students continued to talk quietly among themselves as he continued to make preparations for the lesson. A few minutes later, Ed flinched as the door slid open heavily, revealing a teacher, "Students, the bell for homeroom has sounded. No talking. Elric-san, please control your class."
"Ah, stop being so up-tight," Ed said happily, "It's not like they're hurting anyone. No blood means no worries, right?"
"That's for fights Elric-san," The teacher replied snidely.
"Well, I think it applies to this situation perfectly," Ed said indignantly in response, ignoring the small amount of laughter that came from his class, "Anyway, care to explain why you're here? Don't you have a class to take care of? You never know they might be... talking!" Ed said, putting emphasis on the last word.
The teacher muttered under his breath about how kids shouldn't be teachers, causing Ed to defend himself by saying that he was an adult, before he stepped to the side to reveal a young girl standing behind him, "She's a new transfer student into your class. I walked her over here."
Ed nodded and waved a hand, signaling that the teacher could leave. He walked over to the door and invited the young girl inside.
"Class, as you've heard, this is the new transfer student that will be joining this class," Ed said, gesturing to the girl beside him, "Her name is Yuni."
Yuni bowed to the class and smiled softly, watching Tsuna and co.'s shocked expressions, "As Elric-sensei said, my name is Yuni and I hope to have a good time with you all!"
"Oh, Yuni, feel free to call me Edward or Ed, I don't like the formalities. It makes me feel so... old," Ed said, fully aware of the irony of that statement. He is over 400 years old...
"Well, Yuni, feel free to take any empty seat you like and we'll get class started!" Ed smiled and walked over to the board.
Ed began the lesson and wandered around the classroom while doing so. He noticed that Yamamoto was paying absolutely no attention to the lesson. Well, that wasn't really irregular for the baseball fanatic, but now the boy looked completely withdrawn from society, blankly staring ahead.
Time flew by and soon the bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. As the students filed out, Ed picked up one of his books and walked over to where Yamamoto sat, unmoving from his spot. He briefly noted of Tsuna's and Gokudera's presence by the door in his peripheral vision.
Ed tried to get Yamamoto's attention, but having no luck, he raised the book and brought it down on Yamamoto's unsuspecting skull. It caused a chain reaction for as the back of Yamamoto's head met the edge of the book, his head shot forward and downward, soon colliding face first with his desk-top, which earned a muffled groan of discomfort from the mafia member.
Ed closed his eyes and opened one to look at the still-groaning Yamamoto when he spoke up, "What now, Edward-sensei?"
"I told you to get your mind out of the gutter. You aren't helping anyone right now. All you are doing is wallowing in your self pity which only ways you down and prevents you from succeeding. The rain is meant to wash away the blood of the battle, sending all of the sorrow away. You are obviously forgetting your role as a guardian, that is something unacceptable. Did you forget what I told you yesterday? If one loss or mistake sealed our fate then we'd all be royally screwed. No matter what happens, you must keep living and grow stronger both mentally and physically. If only one loss get's you down, you won't be able to succeed."
Ed said no more and left the room, saying no words to the duo standing by the door who stared at him in disbelief.
~Time Skip~
Ed sat on the roof of Namimori shrine, planning to watch the fight from afar. He looked up as a swirl of rain flames appeared beside him and quickly formed into the appearance of Asari Ugetsu.
"Good Evening, Ed," Asari said, looking down at the alchemist.
"Yo," Ed replied.
"You're here rather early, I would've thought you'd be showing up late like you always did back then," Asari chuckled and Ed's antennae twitched irritably.
"I'm here early because I don't want them to know I'm here," Ed said.
"Why's that?" Asari asked, intrigued by the blonde's behavior.
"I just want to gain a perspective on what's going on in Yamamoto's mind. He can fight up in the sky now, where the people below can't here him... I just want to know."
"Still the mind of a scientist," Asari smiled, before turning more serious. He asked a question he honestly wanted the answer to, "Ed, do you ever wish that you weren't immortal?"
Ed tensed slightly, but sighed, "Of course I do... I still don't understand why people want the secret to eternal life... it's not all it's made out to be. Out-living the people you love, never able to settle down... constantly moving so no one ever finds out. But it's a blessing as well. If I was never like this, I would've never met such great people," Ed smiled softly as he watched the group slowly walk up the steps, "Guess it's your time to get to business!"
Asari smiled at his friend before disappearing to go to test Yamamoto once more.
Ed looked as yet again, Yamamoto drew his weapon. He sighed, "Did he not compute anything at all?"
The fight started just like the previous one, with both appearing to be evenly matched as well as Asari providing many openings. Yamamoto was blocking and countering the attacks with ease and continued to look for an opening to strike.
Ed watched as Asari yet again prepared the attack that left his back wide open, the one that had caused Yamamoto to fail previously. Yamamoto jumped up, readying his sword for attack and Ed couldn't help but pay extra close attention to Yamamoto. He searched the boys eyes for any sign of a difference.
Just when Ed was about to look away, something flashed in Yamamoto's eyes. Ed smirked as Yamamoto's movements slowed and he came to a stop, lowering his sword before it came in contact with Asari. Asari smiled at him in approval, "Good job."
Ed smiled at his student, a good opinion beginning to form about the swordsman, "It's about time you figured it out."
"Congratulations Yamamoto Takeshi," Asari said, "You pass."
"What? But I didn't beat you..." Yamamoto began, but was cut off by Asari.
"You pass because I was testing you to see if you would strike a defenseless person, never once did I begin any invitation of battle, you just assumed it was a fight. I purposely left those openings to see if you would truly harm a defenseless person."
"That's why you looked confused," Yamamoto said, the dots in his mind finally connecting.
Ed and the others watched as the two continued to talk, soon laughing as if they were old pals.
Asari and Yamamoto returned to the ground and Yamamoto pulled out his Vongola box, soon earning the proof of passing Asari's trial.
After Asari left, Yamamoto turned to the group, "I wonder why Ed-sensei isn't here... he made such a big deal out of everything in school."
Tsuna and Gokudera nodded in agreement.
"What are you two talking about?" Reborn said, "He's been here the whole time."
"What?" They all asked in confusion.
Reborn didn't respond, but merely pointed to the blonde alchemist who sat comfortably on the roof of the shrine, grinning widely and waving at them, "Hey! You guys finally noticed!"
Tsuna just gaped at his crazy teacher while Yamamoto laughed like he usually did.
Ed continued to watch their interactions with each other as they huddled up once more. He smiled at the scene and looked to the side as Asari appeared once more on the roof, a little ways away from where he sat.
Ed smiled at Asari who smiled as well as they both watched the scene. Ed noticed Asari's eyes darting behind him and quickly flipped up his hood out of reflex. He listened in as Asari talked to G who had yet to notice his presence because a section of the roof blocked Ed from view.
"You're really too soft, Asari,"G said as he watched the tenth generation, "You should've just let him not pass the trial."
"I couldn't do that, and anyway, they're exactly like we were," Asari said, smiling at the group again.
"They are not," G responded indignantly.
Asari just chuckled and faced the red-head fully, "I hope you give your trial soon. You're in for a surprise!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" G asked.
"You'll find out, trust me," Asari replied, not telling G the answer.
"I don't see what could be that much of a surprise here," G stated indignantly as he checked his pocket watch.
Nearby, Ed stifled a laugh. Oh how wrong G was. He was really looking forward to this.
LunarFallenStar: Okay, and done! Hoped you guys liked it! R&R Please and stay tuned for the next chapter.