Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist. Those belong to Kishimoto-sensei and Arakawa-sama. I do own the thumbnail, totally mine, made it in paint and used photobuckets nifty toys to make it look cool. lol.
A/N: This is my attempt at a war/army fic and there is many warnings to be taken into account with regards to this story in later chapters. This was written for Cupricanka just because she's awesome.
Additional Warning: Language, dark themes, violence.
Chapter 24
Evil is not an abstract concept. It Lives. It has a form. It stalks. It is too real. -Dr. Tom Dooley.
Secrets are kept secrets for reasons, but when the truth comes out, wouldn't one wish the secret was kept?
Roy woke up fully, though he didn't want to leave the sanctity of having Ed in his arms, the second time Tsunade came through the camp to wake Sasuke. She was sticking to her orders to wake him every hour because of his concussion. Roy let out a gruff groan and shifted so that he could maneuver free from Ed's side and sit up. Tsunade looked up at him from where she had turned to return to where the others that were awake had gathered a little distance away so that they didn't wake their sleeping and worn out companions. Roy brushed Ed's braid off his shoulder and kissed the back of his neck before he eased away and got to his feet. He stretched his arms over his head and managed to pop his back doing so before he returned Tsunade's gaze.
She nodded to him and then glanced towards her right to indicate she wanted to speak with him privately. Roy nodded and followed behind her as she turned and walked away from the camp. Once they had walked for a few minutes in silence Tsunade turned to him with a serious look in her amber eyes, the intense gaze momentarily startling him at how much alike they looked to Ed's own gaze. She let out a heavy sigh, "There's something I wanted to discuss with you without worrying about Ed overhearing me."
Why would she not want Ed to overhear her, did it have something to do with Ed? It took a moment for his sleep muddled mind to recall that moment when Tsunade had said upon Ed's arrival that she wanted to talk to him privately and he met her gaze with his mind sharp and fully awake.
"It does concern Ed," she commented as though reading his thoughts. "It's something he's not going to appreciate my telling you but we don't have time for his stubbornness to wan enough for him to tell you himself."
"What's this about?"
"You recall that fight between Ed and his father?"
Roy nodded curtly, he was there, of course he remembered it.
"Good, that's where it started. I had my suspicions when Ed had that spell back in Berlin," she waited a moment for him to nod at her that he remembered that as well before continuing. "Alyssa confirmed my thoughts on what his father did early this morning when I spoke with her. She's aware that you were suspicious and wary about what could be bothering Ed. It was because of his abilities to actually fend off and destroy those minions that sent it home for me."
Roy tensed, he could tell by the look in her eyes, the sorrowful expression on her face and the sullen hunch to her shoulders that he was indeed not going to like what she was about to tell him.
"I have a book that tells of that particular spell enhanced crystal Hoenhiem distributed through force upon his son. That also nailed any hopes that the man was anything like his true self home that he could seal his son's fate so heartlessly and cruelly. I'm hoping that with Ed's genius and sheer determination he will be able to find away to beat this, but I still have my doubts from my own past experiences with the damn thing."
"What is it and what does it mean for Ed?"
Tsunade let out a sigh and reached into the inner pocket of her jacket taking out an old, tattered, worn, red, leather bound book. Roy didn't recognize it but he could tell from looking at the book that it was ancient. She opened the book and flipped through the pages until she was near the end of it and skimmed her fingers down the page. For some reason Roy felt his chest tighten at seeing that she had to go nearly to the end of the old book to find what she was looking for, it unsettled Roy more as her tone became unemotional and detached as she read.
"The Drakeir Crystal. At first glance the crystal looks like nothing but a beautiful jewel, but with the right amount of power and skilled control of magic it can become much more sinister. When one with skill and prowess comes into possession of the rare jewel found only in the deepest recesses of hell itself it can grant the possessor with the power to hold one's life in their hands. Not only can it give them temporary control over another being, it slowly and painfully destroys the heart, soul, and mind of the one it is thrust upon through use of force and power."
Roy's blood turned to ice as the dreadful definition of this crystal was read to him in that monotone tone of voice not usually associated with the boisterous and lively woman.
"Even should the one who embedded the curse and magic upon the crystal die it's torment upon the one the crystal was inserted into will not cease until they are no more than an empty shell of who they once were. Records indicate that the longest any victim of this cruel fate have survived once the fate has been placed upon them is merely seven years. The process is slow to start, the slowed rate at which their lungs work properly for them, the fevers and headaches and feeling as though something continually drains their strength from them. But it takes only a short time before the crystal begins to deteriorate the body from within and corrode what is there leaving them weak, frail, and feeling as though they suffer from an ailment. Though they will have the ability to heal from mortal wounds their immune system will suffer from the onslaught and make them susceptible to deadly diseases. One with this crystal is immortal to death for a total of five years unless decapitate or otherwise suffering a cranial injury."
Roy's knees felt weak and he moved over towards a raised and thick root coming up through the ground and sat down, a heaviness in his chest threatening to suffocate him. Tsunade paused for a moment to give Roy time to take in what she was reading from the book before she began again after giving him a sympathetic look that hid some of her own pain at what she'd found out to be true. It was this next part that really sent it home and had stolen her breath and broken her heart after hearing from Alyssa tell her of the times Ed had destroyed those minions.
"As a curse none of the strengths or immunities the crystal gives are without a high price. The ability the stone brings when it comes to strengthening the power of alchemy or magic is quite high given how the crystal came to the plains of the mortal land. Since it hails from the very recesses of hell, one must open the passage to obtain it and taking it from there unsure that the opening remains until the crystal is returned to its' rightful place. However, should one try to remove the crystal from the subject, it will cause them immeasurable suffering and agony and ultimately kill them."
Roy took in a ragged breath and lowered his head into his hands, he was trembling with grief and Tsunade truly felt remorse for him. She did understand why Ed didn't want to share this information with anyone, why he was not looking forward to talking to her. She had spent enough time around him to know he was a genius, to know he enough of legends and magic as much as he knew of alchemy and the magics behind them. He knew the danger of the Philosophers' stone and knew of this crystal from his years searching for the mythical, though very real, red stone. She was sure that he knew exactly what it meant when he was able to destroy those minions, knew what it was that awaited him, knew what his father had forced on him.
Tsunade continued with a grave tinge to her voice she tried to hide but failed to do; "The increase in power as well as the ability to bring harm and truly cast demons back to the depths of whence they came increase the eroding process of the crystal. With each demonic being the subject destroys the poison of the crystal becomes stronger."
"Poison," Roy inquired with a weak, dull voice.
Tsunade sighed, "The poison of darkness that will ultimately corrode and destroy the heart, mind, and soul. Dark thoughts and emotions, nightmares of their life will become vivid and very real to them. It will drive them to madness over time and feel them with guilt, pain, and delve them into a deep depression. The process will begin with their emotions, then their mind, and thus cause irreparable harm to their soul, tainting it, contaminating it, and thus damning it. The crystal must be returned to the depths where it belongs to close the gateway and thus the one suffering its' curse must as well be condemned. The longer the crystal remains in the earthly plane, the more the passage will open, the more the world will suffer, the strong the demons will become, as well as the one who cast the power and curse into the crystal itself."
Roy let out an angry growl that rumbled through him and his hands clenched in his hair as he snarled, "That sick, demented bastard," he hissed between gritted teeth as Tsunade snapped the book shut.
"I wholeheartedly agree. Considering his part in bringing mythical stones into being it is not surprising he came across the Drakeir Crystal. It latter terms, the name simply means Cursed. I wonder how he managed to open the way to hell to begin with, I thought for certain the books containing such knowledge were long since destroyed nearly three hundred years ago. I was very wrong and now there's nothing-"
"The hell there isn't," came a growled and determined voice that caused both of them to jumped and snap their heads towards a very awake and seething Edward. He glared darkly at Tsunade who looked away, "How could you, I didn't want him to-"
"It's good I do know, I'm kept in the dark about most things and I deserve to know what you're going through."
"The hell you do, I can take care of myself and sure as fuck don't need a damn keeper."
Roy rose to his feet but Tsunade walked over to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave him a stern look that made him snap his mouth shut. She turned her gaze to Ed, "He does deserve to know Ed, he loves you and cares about you. You know just as well as I, that keeping things like this from those who care deeply about your well being will only do more harm than good."
Ed let out a heavy sigh through gritted teeth and looked away. He shoved his hands in his pockets, took a few deep breaths and then looked at Tsunade with calculating, guarded, and dread in his golden eyes. "It's what we thought it was, but I still don't understand how he got a hold of 'that' book."
Roy looked at him curiously, his irration and rage from before pushed to the back of his mind as Ed considered him for a moment before answering, "Solomon's Key."
"Solomon's Key?"
"It's a book that was first written in the fourteenth century and later updated during the seventeenth. It is a grimorie that tells of summoning demons, I mostly believed it to be myth and legend but I guess I was wrong considering . . ." Ed trailed off and Tsunade continued.
"Many claim the book was originally written by King Solomon, a high ranking sorcerer from the fourteenth century, but research proves otherwise considering some of the content is after his time. It takes a great deal of learning, studying, and power to work any of the magic and ceremonies encrypted in that book."
"Are daizens the same as demons?"
"No," Tsunade shook her head once, "Daizens hail from another world, another galaxy even, but they are neither demon nor aliens. They simply are. They have many similar attributes, both physically and ability wise to that of demons, but as you are surely able to deduce, they cannot harm demons which proves they are not demons."
Roy could understand that, in some sort of way, but it was still utterly confusing.
"So demons are the only ones that can harm other demons?"
"No. The one who originally opened the way and the one harvesting the crystal can harm them."
"But what is the point of trying to destroy the demons if someone with the crystal ultimately suffers because of it?"
Ed closed his eyes, "That's why the bastard left me with little choice but to do so, he knew I'd do anything to protect everyone regardless of whether I knew what it would cost me to do so."
Tsunade watched Ed for a moment with a clearly maternal emotion in her eyes before she stepped forward and patted his head, to which he scowled and then smiled forcefully in return.
"The circles are in this book," she held it out to him and he stared at it and then glanced at the title and back up looking into her face with contemplation.
"I don't-there's no point in handing that to me."
Tsunade sighed, "You're memory of our discussion grate on my nerves at times. If this is in your possession there may be a way for you to save yourself."
"That's besides the point."
"The hell it is, a minute ago you were growling that you refused to do nothing and now you're singing another tune and resigning to your fate?"
"I never said that," Ed snapped back in anger.
"Take it, look it over, try and figure something out."
"I don't want to become the guardian of that damn book."
"Too damn bad because its' the only chance you've got."
"Guardian?"
Tsunade refused to look away as she answered Roy's question, "Only the person charged with guarding this book can read it. There's a protective spell on this book. Unlike the earth bound grimorie that can be read by many, understood by few, and used by even fewer, this book comes from somewhere else. It tales of the Daizens, the land they come from, the spells of their ancient home, as well as the magics of this world that are dangerous and detrimental to humans existence."
"That book doesn't look thick enough to hold all of that."
Tsunade chuckled in resigned mirth at Roy's dubious comment, "No, I don't suppose so. That's another of the magical things about this book. It presents the reader with the knowledge they seek as well as knowledge they already know in their own minds, even if its' only subconscious knowledge."
"A book like that can just be handed from one to another."
Tsunade did look at Roy then, "No. This book can only pass hands to a particular individual and only a pure blooded, pure hearted Daizen may lay hands on it."
Roy was completely startled by this information and it showed clearly on his face how shocked he was as his eyes gazed over at Ed who refused to meet his gaze. As Roy thought about it, it did make a little sense that Ed was more than human. His power with alchemy, his great understanding and intellect, the way he could use magic as easily as he seemed to use alchemy. The way he fought, the strength behind each delivered blow, Ed was truly someone with a lot of power and strength but to learn that Ed was not only a daizen, but a pure blooded one as well was still startling as he'd never though that as a possibility.
"You have a big mouth for someone your age you old hag," Ed muttered under his breath. That comment was followed by a loud smack to the back of his head and a groan of pain from Ed. Tsunade glared at him and he glared right back before he rotated his neck on his shoulders and popped it. "Might as well enlighten him since you're telling him everything else then."
She smirked at him, "Actually, I think its' high time that we bring this discussion to everyone's attention." She was still holding the book out to him but Ed stubbornly kept his hands in his pockets, turned around and walked back towards camp. Tsunade scowled after him and waited for Roy to stand before following with an aggravated huff, "Stubborn damn brat," she grit out irritably.
When they made it back to camp, Sasuke and Naruto were sitting by the fire with Alyssa across from them. Ed was sitting down next to Alyssa who smiled at him before noticing the heavy expression on his face and turning to regard Tsunade and Roy walking back into camp. Alyssa jumped to her feet and ran over to her grabbing Tsunade's hand. Tsunade smiled down at her, "Have Kakashi keep watch, and seeing as how you know everything and will be eavesdropping via Ed, you keep watch with him. Send Riza, Hyuga, and Nara back this way, its' time all of laid everything on the table."
Alyssa nodded, glanced over at Ed with concern then ran off to do as she was told. Ten minutes of tense silence followed as they waited for the three to make it back and for Roy to settle at Ed's side. Tsunade resumed her spot on the log from before and Riza took residence at her side upon arrival while Neji and Shikamaru sat across the fire from the two women. Naruto and Sasuke still looked worse for wear and exhausted but were watching and waiting attentively none the less, well you could tell as much with Naruto, the Uchiha had resumed his indifferent, stoic nature once more even as he leaned into Naruto's side and his head lay on Naruto's shoulder.
"It's time we enlightened one another of our leniency, including, of course, one not known and long since thought to have become extinct," Tsunade began looking pointedly at Ed at her last words. Ed, for his part scowled while gazing intently at the fire. He was still pissed that Tsunade took it upon herself to enlighten his lover of his current situation and what it was the bastard had really done to him. The pains in his chest was really what had woken him this early afternoon, after only a few sparse hours of sleep with all that was on his mind. He doubted he'd be getting any sleep now that the damn woman was resigned to tell them about the other secret he'd only discovered about himself the last time he'd been cornered in the tunnels years ago. It wasn't explained to him until Jean introduced him to the Namikaze family and he'd finally met Alyssa and her family.
Old, ancient, daizen families and their damn know-it-all knowledge on everything recognizing his physical appearance for what it was and what he hadn't known it to be. After his memories of his other life bombarded him at thirteen he also found that he was much more than human in this world and he was severely pissed to find out why that was. His fucking father was always good at keeping shit from him and their life in Amestrius was the only way to keep that damn daizen blood from rising up in his family. That was why Hoenhiem had left and gone to that world, to hide himself and his family from all those that would hunt down the last remaining, pure blooded, royalty of the Leonzen clan.
Ed looked up at the intense gazes aimed at him and flinched back under the scrutiny. Figures. Knowing what I know I just automatically jump to conclusions. After finding out his true leniency Ed was informed by both Jaraiya and Tsunade that he was to never use his daizen abilities or take his true form, not that he could or knew how anyway, lest another daizen since it and come after him. He looked closer and noticed that it wasn't the blood lust, hunters' intent, just accusation such as how could you hide that from us, sort of thing and maybe shock and awe.
He suddenly noticed that Tsunade had yet to continue speaking and glowered at her, she smirked and then resumed what she'd planned to say. She opened her book, to which she recieved widened eyes and shocked looks. If Ed hadn't spent time around Neji and Sasuke he wouldn't have noticed. Roy remained calm and thoughtful as he looked at Tsunade, but Ed didn't think much of it simply because of what Roy had just found out.
"I guess I'll start with the obvious ones. The Uzumaki and Namikaze clans, or as the texts say, the Woson (woh-sahn) and Shiteai (Sheh-teh-I) clans. Among other clans both of these clans had many allies and were known to be allied with each other. Woson translated into English from the ancient words literally means Fox. How they came to later translate it to Uzumaki is beyond me," Tsunade commented airily before returning to the text of the book. "The reason behind the clan being called the Fox clan was due to the similarities in appearance to a great Fox, Kyuubi no Kitsune, the clan worshiped and deemed guardian of the clan. The clan even believed that those of the royal blood line that possessed great power, healing and regenerative abilities as well as immense stamina were direct descendants from Kyuubi. There is even witnesses to claim that a very rare few even took on a fox-like form when empowered and determined to protect the clansmen or other innocents. The Woson Clan was best known for their fun-loving, cheerful, optimistic view on life, strong sense of justice, wills of fire, and their devotion to family and friends. They were strong and revered among all Daizen clans, even those they were at odds with. One of their elements is wind."
"The Shiteai Clan was very similar, though more discrete. They had a strong sense of Justice, which was one of the many reasons they allied with the Woson clan. They were known for their superior skill as well as their short tempers. The name translates to Hurricane, another thing to ponder when considering the name Namikaze that was chosen here. The element of their choosing is Lightning and Water, water being an element they have in common with the Uzumaki clan. They were known to have a fierce rivalry with the Zaikon (Z-I-kohn), or Uchiha clan."
"How in the hell do you know all this stuff anyway old woman?"
Tsunade glared over at Naruto, "I'm reading what's in this old book baki, now shut up and don't interrupt me."
"Could you possibly get to the damn point of all this?"
Tsunade's glare darkened at Naruto's commentary to which he returned. She glanced back at her book, "These two clans are you're own."
"I know that, but is there a reason you're telling all us together about one anothers' clans?"
"Naruto, just shut up and let the old hag get it over with," Ed said with irritation. Naruto turned his glare at Ed who was stubbornly avoiding everyone's' gaze and set on staring into the fire. Naruto sighed, "Fine," he finally said after a few moments of watching his best friend.
"Every clan has a true form that they take when fully transformed. Much like the Baselet (bah-seh-leh) Inuzuka clan who can turn into large dogs, the Namikaze and Uzumaki clan can as well. Those of Namikaze leniency can transform into large eagles, I mentioned earlier what Uzumaki's turn into."
"Are you going in any particular order here," Ed muttered under his breath. Tsunade smirked, "You could always come over here and read it for me you know." Ed groaned and crossed his legs then rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his folded hands and continued watching the fire.
"Petulant brat," Tsunade muttered before looking back to the book. "The Nasien (nah-see-in), or Nara clan take on the form of deer when in their true forms. They are known as thinkers, intellectuals, and analysts. They are among the few viewed as true scholars. They are adept at survival instincts and have a fierce sense of justice and vengeance despite their usually aloof and lazy attitude. The element they work with best when it comes to magic is Earth."
Nara didn't seem too interested at all in what was being said, he was sitting with his legs crossed, his hands folded in his lap and his eyes closed. Naruto had spent enough time around him to wonder if he was napping as he seemed or thinking and taking everything in. As Naruto continued to watch him he noticed Shikamaru wince just slightly when Tsunade said the name of the next clan and Naruto turned his gaze back to her interested only so he could find out why Shikamaru had reacted the way he did.
"Flagasan (flah-gah-sahn) or Akimichi, is among one of the clans thought to be extinct. There has been very little evidence that any of this clan have managed to survivor all this time. It was a great blow to the Nasien clan to lose it's brethren and close comrades as it was well known the two clans were allied for generations and the members of the clan grew up around one another. It was common that members of both clans were known to be best friends, the last notes of any members were less than three years ago when the last remaining survivor was killed in the war ravaged here, on Earth."
Shikamaru let out a long, suffering sigh, but his eyes remained closed and only the tense set of his shoulders belayed he was truly effected. Tsunade was quick to move on when her grandson leveled a glare at her to which she gave an apologetic look. While he knew the reason for his friends' reaction he still didn't like to see him suffer anymore than he liked seeing anyone suffer. He was grateful when Riza got to her feet and moved to Shikamaru's side, sitting next to him on the other side of Neji silently.
"The Visiean (Viz-shi-ahn) clan, or Hyuga clan, translated as Avian," Naruto was already watching everyone around him, Ed still refused to look up at anyone and this time it was Neji's turn to flinch involuntarily. If not for all the time Naruto spent observing and in Sasuke's presence he wouldn't have noticed for the stoic man return to his former stoic self.
"This clan is able to change shape, they are special in a sense of not being reserved to one particular kind of bird. Though the size and power of the bird is based upon the Visiean clansmen. They must have power, control, and knowledge of the aerial being they change into. They are known to rival the Zaikon clan in power and even posses an eye ability known at the Byakugan. This ability allows them to not only see their opponents energy flow but also the points that empower their energy. They can strike these places to disrupt or stop the flow of energy and are therefore deadly."
"Should ones' energy points be hit they can die or become seriously injured. Those with energy need that energy to live and if the right points are hit it can cause serious and fatal internal injury. To add to their abilities they also possess an inane ability to control the wind element seeing as how many of their clan wish to be free of the Zaikon clan and the isolated land on which they are ordered to live by the rulers of Avalon, the planet all Daizens come from. The Visiean clan is an esteemed and accomplished clan both on Earth and Avalon. They are highly intelligent, intuitive, and proud. They also believe in living privately amongst themselves and not allowing others to trespass or know much about their clan."
Naruto was starting to understand the tension between Neji and Sasuke now that he knew such rivalry was centuries old. Sasuke stiffened next to him and Naruto absently put his arm around Sasuke's shoulders. He knew Sasuke was still immensely tired and still just as sore as before as well as wary and defensive in his weakened state. Naruto looked over at Tsunade once more at the next clan she mentioned tensing himself in understanding.
"The Zaikon clan, or Uchiha clan, the name translates to Crow from the ancient texts. Many Daizen clans would rate this clan as having a very close amount of power that could rival the Darkai Godelsa, which is why many fear them. The Zaikon clan was known to prefer privacy and remained only in the presence of their own clan. They were quick to avoid getting involved with other clans and rarely ever assisted in any manners not concerning them directly. They were also quick to depose of any clan that challenged them directly"
"They are known to have the power over the elements fire and lightning. Their true forms is very close to that of the Dark Angel clan, they have dark red wings, deadly, sharp, black nails like that of a demon, and possess red eyes known through many books as the Sharingan. They can copy the abilities of their opponents as well as thrust them into an alternate reality that makes their enemy live through their most fearsome nightmares. They cannot copy magic or alchemy without some knowledge and training with the two things and cannot copy abilities that those of clans people possess unless they have a deep bound and connection with a member of the clan."
"What the hell does that mean," Naruto inquired.
Tsunade sighed and looked directly at him to explain, "In laymen terms, since you and Uchiha are lovers, he would be able to copy some of your regenerative abilities, which is something that is a Woson clan ability. However, it would be at a great cost to both of you and might possibly end your lives because it takes a great deal of energy to copy the abilities reserved to a clan bloodline."
Naruto had blushed crimson at the casual way she'd called them lovers and had looked away to gaze into the fire Ed was still adamantly staring into. There was a thoughtful, serious look on his best friends face that sobered Naruto up from his embarrassment. Naruto looked back at Sasuke who had his eyes closed and looked to be asleep but the grip he had on the front of Naruto's shirt discredited the assumption.
Tsunade let out a heavy sigh, "I feel like a damn history teacher."
"You are the best one for that job, considering how old you are," Ed retorted casually without looking up. Tsunade growled in agitation, "You smart ass little shit, come here a minute."
"No. Just keep reading, you haven't even really revealed anything not know to any of the Daizens."
"I'm going to leave out the most important of them if you don't get your ass up and take this book."
A heavy silence Naruto and Riza were both let out of fell upon everyone. Naruto glanced towards Riza who seemed rather unsettled and lost in all the information being hoarded off on them. After a few tense moments Ed finally turned his gaze to Tsunade, glaring heatedly at her in accusation that Naruto couldn't figure out what for. He watched in confusion as Ed got to his feet suddenly and stomped over towards her only to mutter something Naruto found was in a language he'd never really heard before.
"Esu gonsta (goh-stah) vagere (vah-gehr-eh) casere (cah-seh-reh) esar (eh-sahr) stirez (steh-rehz) bogier (boh-gehr) erroga (ehr-ogah)!" He stopped off with those final words, seething anger radiating from him as he went. Roy rose to his feet to chase after him but Tsunade put a hand up and said, "Alyssa will take care of him," there was a definite clipped tone to her voice and Roy reluctantly sat back down but he didn't look very pleased to do it.
Patience was never Naruto's strong point and he'd been wandering what was up with his best friend ever since they'd met in the tunnels. He looked sharply at Tsunade, "What the hell was that about? What did he just say, better yet, what language was that anyway?"
"It was Avalanian dobe," Sasuke muttered next to him drawing Naruto's attention back to his boyfriend. "Yeah, alright, but what did he just say?"
"He told her she could shove that book up her ass," Shikamaru said indifferently. Naruto snickered, he couldn't help it, Naruto always got a kick out of Ed snapping at people. He recieved a dark glare from Tsunade but shrugged it off and went back to the first question he'd asked and was yet to get an answer, "What was that about? I mean, hell I know Ed's temperamental and snappish, but you two usually get along Baa-chan." Now where the hell did that come from? I've never called her that, something in the back of his mind told him he had. He sighed, he couldn't take it back now and from the way Tsunade's lit up at the endearment he really didn't want to. Naruto did always like to make people smile.
"He's pissed off because he has a lot to deal with, but I will get to that in a minute."
"Basically," Shikamaru once again proved to know more than everyone about most things; "I'm betting he's pissed about having something shoved at him without any time to actually chose to accept it. The major comes off that way. He prefers to have control over his own fate and I believe Tsunade-sama just thrust the guardianship of that particular book she has upon him."
"What's so special about the book," Naruto asked, he already knew Ed wouldn't take lightly to having a responsibility shoved at him if he hadn't chosen it himself. He was well versed with that fact.
"The book is magical, it has some sort of protection spell that makes it so only a few can becomes the guardians of it and with all the facts the books has it will give the possessor access upon request."
Naruto looked at Roy stunned, How the fuck does he know about it?
Tsunade sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "That's basically the gist of it, now let's finish this before-"
"Baa-chan! How could you throw that at him? You've been around him long enough to expect Ed to react that way, I thought you knew how to read people you old hag!"
Tsunade let out an exasperated sigh, "Gaki, will you please shut the hell up so I can get all this reading out loud crap over with?"
"At least lower you voice," Sasuke said dryly, his ear drums were still ringing from Naruto's outraged shout.
"Fine, but I've got a bone to pick with you later."
Tsunade huffed but turned her attention back to the book in her lap with a nod. "The Leonzen Clan, translated to Lion and then known here as the Elric clan."
Naruto straightened at that and Roy was watching Tsunade intently as well. It seemed their attentiveness was catching as everyone looked at Tsunade intently. Naruto and Roy both wandered why every was suddenly so interested, but he shrugged it off for now, he was about to find out anyway.
"This clan, when they remained on their home planet were held to rival the Darkai Godelsa clan more accurately than even the Zokai clan. However, they left their homeland centuries ago in search of the scientific, alchemical, and medicinal discoveries here on Earth. As the clan's daizen blood was thinned out with exposure to humanity and the breeding with humans their true form was long since forgotten and never truly sighted here. Before they left they were the true discoverers of alchemy and the truth behind magic. They are also a very ancient clan."
"That naturally makes them pretty powerful, doesn't it?"
"Once upon a time, since their bloodline has thinned out hardly any of them possess any amount of the power anymore. There is one physical attribute that sets apart those with power and those without among the Leonzen clan. This attribute is also a way of sorting out which is from the royal blood line and who is not. One thing to keep in mind is their short tempers, their ruthlessness when it comes to revenge, their dangerous and deadly anger, and their high intelligence. They were known to possess a strong sense of justice, will, determination, and at times were very selfless, especially in regards they cared for and valued."
"What's this trait you keep mentioning," Roy asked before Naruto could.
Tsunade looked over all of them, three of which knew the answer, the other three she knew would be rather shocked by what she said next. "Golden eyes."
"Like Ed?" Naruto asked quietly, indefinitely shocked.
"What's their true form you kept mentioning?"
"They have many," Shikamaru again seemed able to answer Naruto's questions.
Shikamaru continued with a bored sigh as everyone turned to him, "They can take the form of any wild cat known to exist, even prehistoric. The name of their clan was due to the regularity they changed into Lions, which is what Leonzen translates to as Tsunade-sama mentioned before."
Naruto huffed at the this-should-have-been-obvious tone Shikamaru answered him with and glared but Nara just shrugged casually before turning his gaze to Tsunade.
"Now that we know something about why Elric is so strong, don't you believe that perhaps you should inform us of our adversaries Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade's answer was to snap the book closed and get to her feet, "I believe that stubborn brat should inform you of that, he is the leader most of you follow after all and its' his responsibility overall. Not to mention, I've given all of you more than enough to dwell on for a few days."
"That's not fair nor right you old hag," Naruto declared angrily.
"Sometimes I think your relationship with Ed belies your judgment gaki."
"I think you're cold heart impedes yours," Naruto replied heatedly. Tsunade was a little surprised at the quick and smart retort. It caught her off guard at when Naruto actually displayed parts of his true intellect but it was the venom and accusation in his words that resulted in her replying despite the slight surprise.
"As a mother I hardly doubt I have a cold heart. I'm being logical, which is something you never managed to do, regardless of how much you-"
"Bullshit. I've grown up plenty but that doesn't mean I'm going to go against my gut feelings. From how Ed reacted earlier I assume he knew all this before, probably because you and ero-senin shoved it down his throat," Naruto's voice had taken on a deeper tone showing just how angry he was and Sasuke barely steadied himself when Naruto got to his feet suddenly and stalked over to her stopping only a few feet away with a glower evident on his face.
"I know something else is up, I'm not a damn idiot, despite popular belief. Then, on top of whatever else he's going through you went and threw some guardianship crap over a fucking book that supposedly knows everything on him. That's a heavy burden and he already had enough on his plate before all this freaky supernatural shit was dropped in our laps. For you to put more weights on his shoulders is heartless, cruel, and downright cold for someone that claims to care about him like family. You're supposed to be really old and know a lot of shit and you pulled something childish and wanted to shuck the responsibilities you've been dealing with forever on him before he had time to think about it or decide for himself."
Tsunade looked downright red in the face now as Naruto finished, "Listen here you insolent brat-"
"The hell I will, I listened to you lay all that shit about the different Daizen clans on us like its' supposed to define who we fucking are or something, so I think it's time I got a damn say. I'm also betting that whatever grudge you, Neji, or anyone else for that matter harbor for Sasuke is based on shit in history books and not on anything Sasuke has actually done and that's fucking bullshit too. To top it all off, you're not telling us about whatever clans our enemies are from, and I know those bastards are not human since they nearly killed all of us and have this damn power to send demons and chimera's after us, because you want to be immature. That's you forcing something on Ed again, but being even more damn childish about it."
Roy sat there silently watching Naruto lay into Tsunade who remained silent when Naruto finished and didn't say a word when the angry blond turned and stomped out of the camp. Roy smirked, he felt smugly satisfied at Naruto's words and how they obviously hit home for the woman. Now that he was starting to work all he'd learned today in his head and was trying to put all the pieces together he had to say he agreed with Naruto and truly respected him for what he'd just done. He could see why he and Ed were best friends and was finally seeing that devotion shine through as well as some of the influence the two had on each other as he watched after the blond. He got to his feet and glanced at Sasuke as he tried to do the same, most likely to go after his boyfriend.
Roy moved over to his side and held out his hand in front of Sasuke who had only managed to get up to a kneeling position. The dark bruises under his eyes and paleness to his skin as well as the bandaged gash on his head were more than enough for Roy to know Sasuke had no choice but to accept the offer. Sasuke took his hand and allowed Roy to pull him to his feet and put his arm over his shoulder to lead him out of the camp and after Naruto.
No one broke the thick silence that fell over the camp, they were all taking in Naruto's sharp, cutting words on top of what Tsunade had read from the book. Most of it was basic knowledge to other daizens, but it was still informative given that it gave them some insight as to what was bothering Ed, even if it didn't tell the whole story. Riza patted Shikamaru's shoulder before she got to her feet and decided to follow after Roy, Sasuke, and Naruto but Shikamaru didn't hold it against her. She was concerned and he really wanted time to thinks everything over at the moment anyway.
Ed looked down at the ground from the high branch he was sitting on, he'd climbed up the towering tree and knew he was good twenty feet off the ground, but he didn't want to be around anyone at the moment anyway. He had a lot on his mind. The memories from his other life were becoming painfully vivid and he couldn't shove them away and focus on the life he's lived in this world, in Germany, nothing he tried was working. On top of memories that threatened to rip his very heart and lungs from his chest, the pain from that damn crystal was back with a spiteful vengeance. His entire chest was burning like acid, his throat was dry and sore for whatever reason, and his head was pounding relentlessly. He was leaned back against the trunk of the tree with his legs dangling over the side of the branch, his eyes closed to the daylight peering through the branches and the cloudless sky.
It was colder up here, but his skin also felt feverish so he welcomed the chill. It was cruelly ironic that after Tsunade had explained to Roy, more or less, what Ed was looking forward to and dealing with because of the fucking crystal embedded in his chest and out of sight, the pains had started to come back. He knew his hands were shaking with the internal abuse his body was assaulted with but he only thought about that for a moment before he was once again in the grips of memories he'd rather forget he had.
Flashback
Ed was in the mansion of the underground ruins of Central. He was aware of himself in the present as much as he was aware of how he felt in the past. This place was a hellish place he didn't want to return to, a place he didn't care to ever have to see again even in his mind. But no matter how hard he tried to stop it from happening he still couldn't break free. Torrents of pain would rip through him should he try. First reliving that day their mother died, then the failed transmutation, the automail surgery, the fucking day he became a dog of the military and now this. Why did he have to live through this fateful day again and again, the day he'd lost the life he'd once lived, the day he'd lost everything and was grateful in an blissful ignorance of not knowing why he was grateful?
His footsteps on the floor of the mansion rang through the empty building, but Ed knew, he knew it strongly that he was far from alone. Hell waited him ahead, a hell he had to face or die trying, no matter what. This place was where he'd watched his father ripped away and replaced with a monster that took the lives of his remaining family without feeling. Ripped Ed away from what he had truly wanted, a family of his own, happiness, contentment, and peace. He had that waiting for him back in his hometown but still his elder brother had dragged him here, they had to stop him.
Tsunade, Jaraiya, and Minato were already gone, already swept to another world or killed and Al . . . a sob passed through both the past and the present Ed's lips at the thought of how he'd lost Al. The memories merged and beat at him incessantly, above ground in the ruins of Central he'd lost everyone. The father figure he'd known in this other world and the man who was his lover in the world he was presently in. The subordinates that were like an extended family, older siblings to him while in service to the military in Amestrius and whom he saw and worked with in the 'real' world.
He kept walking even with the grief and guilt weighing on him heavily and another raw sob tore through his throat as the flash of Al's crumpled, mutilated body flashed in his mind, all the blood, the pain, the death in the air coming at him in waves with each shaky step forward. Before long he stood at the bottom of the stairs and his hand reached out, the cold, hard steel of automail constructed by the woman he'd loved, married, and fathered a son with in this world he was now trapped in, in Amestrius. She waited with their son back home in Resembool and he wondered, even his present self, if she'd survived, if they were safe and well and alive and happy even with everyone but each other gone around them.
He ascended the stairs, the throbbing in his head immense, the fear great, his heart racing, his breathing quick, but still he pressed on. He had to do this, Will was waiting, was already fighting, he had to try and save at least one more sibling. But what awaited him at the top of the stairs wasn't going to be something he'd ever forget, the sight would be forever seared into his mind as surely as the sight of Al dead, the sight of his mother dead on her death bed, the sight of his crazed father standing over Will at the top of the stairs where he'd refused to look up until he got there.
Ed shook his head in denial even as tears welled up in his eyes blurring his vision, when he blinked they rolled down his cheeks but his look at his father was murderous. How could he? How could he kill his own son, destroy his family, Amestrius even, how could he take so many innocent lives and feel nothing at all but satisfaction. They fought, Ed too enraged by another great loss to remember much of the fight. Alchemy distorted the building as they tore at each other and Ed knew he'd landed plenty of blows that just healed after they landed. He suffered physical blows as well as sharp, heart shattering ones.
"Do you actually believe you can stop me? The son that became a dog of the military because he was ignorant enough to step on God's toes? You couldn't save your mother, your little brother, nor could you hope to save William. You always calmed much more harm than good, look at what you did to your family. You tried to bring your mother back and instead brought a monster into existence, then confined your brother to years in a suit of hollow armor."
Ed had tried to ignore the cruel words, but they were true and they stung and bled in his chest and enraged him further. But this time he didn't land any blows, he was avoided and countered and found himself in a heap on the ground and then alchemy erupted and he was blinded, surely he had died, he'd thought, but then he was born again and grew up again and thirteen years of not knowing, but struggling through life anyway, went by. Did it ever end, didn't the pain ever fucking stop!
***End of Flashback***
Ed rested his chin against his chest as he took in deep breaths trying to shove the raw pain back inside and away and calm himself. His hands were clenched in his lap and his heart was racing and he could feel the wetness of his tears and the rawness of his voice and it made him want to dig his hand in his chest and rip that damn crystal out. But he couldn't he couldn't die, not yet, he had things he had to do, he was going to stop that bastard before he died. He looked down when he finally heard the shouts in his direction and noticed Naruto standing there on the ground below yelling up at him.
"ED! DAMN IT ED! WILL YOU COME DOWN HERE?"
Ed sighed and moved around on the limb so that he had his hands gripping the branch and was hanging from it. He let go and let himself fall to the branch below only five feet down and then repeated the process this time swinging to the branch just to the left and three feet down. He dropped from that branch and turned just in time to see Naruto turning towards him with a grin, "How the hell do you do that?"
Ed shrugged, "Gravity does most of it, what are you doing out here, shouldn't you be listening to the old hag enlightening everyone about the different clans?"
"Why? It's all horseshit anyway, that books tells of a bunch of old farts that are long since dead, it's not really about us anyway."
Ed laughed despite himself and Naruto's grin threatened to split his face, "Either way, its' still good to know the basics."
"I'd rather learn those first hand to tell you the truth. It's better that way. Besides I'm not going to judge anyone by some prehistoric knowledge some dude with no life wrote in a book, magical or not. Just cause' we're daizens and shit doesn't mean it can gives us anything that defines us in particular."
"You never cease to amaze me."
"Huh?"
"You and you're simple minded logic, it really sets things in perspective."
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck at the compliment of sorts from Ed and chuckled, "Well someone has to be logical I guess."
Ed laughed and clapped him on the back hard enough to make Naruto stumble then grinned in return to the half-hearted glare he received in return.
Ed started off through the forest not heading back to the camp but more towards wherever Alyssa was. Naruto smirked when he noticed the slightest of limps to Ed's walk but decided he'd keep that bit of information to himself. It wasn't long before they managed to locate Alyssa and then Roy who was supporting Sasuke. Naruto was at Sasuke's side immediately and it was still unsettling how the proud Uchiha easily let Naruto drape the ravens arm over his shoulder, slip his arm around his waist, and help him walk through the forest. But, Naruto was know to be optimistic and even if he was pissed at the old hag that was his grandmother, he wanted to believe her when she said all Sasuke needed was a lot of rest.
Up until dusk cast upon them and the shadows began to fall that whatever had occupied their minds fled to listening to the growls, shrieks, and scurrying of those demons. With only the few that knew of the cost to the only one who stood a chance against such things there was some hope they would survive the night gleaming in the minds of those not in on that secret.
After thought: It may have become noticed that I've thought this out quite a lot to come up with all the information presented in this chapter. As for the Avalanian language as well as clans (Daizens) they are creations of my own making. The actual clans had to have some editing done to fit with this story but the concept is originally from my pre-existing work. The only aspect that is not solely from my own imagination is of course the mention of Solomon's Key. That's about it, thanks for reading as always.