Hi! I'm back with another chapter! I'm so happy that you guys like my fic. I really tried to make it different from the other ones out there, but I doubt it'll ever be as good as chika1345's. Her fic is awesome and I love it! Anyway, onwards to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or Inuyasha...but I do have a State Alchemist Pocket Watch! I loves it!
Pairings: Kagome/Edward and Winry/Alphonse
Rating: T (subject to change as characters get older)
Summary: Upon witnessing both Inuyasha's betrayal and her best friend's death, a broken Kagome returns home. Now, she's determined to become stronger. Strong enough to protect her loved ones. But finding love was the last thing on her mind.
The Sacred Alchemist
Kagome smiled as she accepted her silver pocket watch, signaling her status as a State Alchemist. Quickly wrapping the chain around her waist, the priestess allowed the watch to hang off her hips like an impromptu belt. Turning to flash Edward a grin, Kagome frowned when she saw Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang toss her friend's pocket watch at him carelessly.
"Here. You should take this with you."
Ed caught the silver watch and sighed in relief when he did not drop it. He turned a sheepish grin to the priestess and clipped the watch to his belt loop and slid it in his pocket. "You know I was expecting a more poignant. Trumpets or something."
Roy looked up from the papers on his desk before sliding one to both of the children. A smirk tilted at his lips. "Congrats, you two. You're dogs of the military now." he turned to the blond-haired man with a cigarette sticking out of his mouth. "Lt. Havoc, take them home."
Havoc pulled the smoke out of his mouth as he rose out of seat and saluted, "Yes, sir."
Edward perched his head up in his hand as he rode in the back seat on the way back to Kagome's uncle house. A frown tilted at his lips when he recalled the smug look on Roy's face as he called the priestess a dog of the military. Just because Kagome was the youngest female State Alchemist did not give the Lt. Colonel the rights to call her that.
Kagome, hearing the low growl the blond gave, stopped talking to Havoc in favor of grabbing Ed's hand and making him look at her. "Hey, don't get upset about what Lt. Colonel Mustang said get to you. Technically we are dogs of the military."
"That's not it." he looked away from his friend. "It's the way he said it."
Havoc took his eyes off the road for a split second. "He's just got his mind on a case now. Teasing you is the only thing keeping him sane now."
The priestess cocked her head to the side, her dark blue eyes staring curiously at the lieutenant. "What case?"
"There's a serial killer around, only targets women."
Kagome grabbed Edward's red cloak and hid behind it, her eyes wide with shock. "Only women?"
Ed smirked down at the priestess. "What are you scared for? You're a State Alchemist now, missy."
"Don't call me missy, Shorty!" the dark-haired girl hissed, pulling on his braid.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT HE COULD BE A HOBBIT!" He swung his hands out at the priestess only to be stopped by her feet as she pushed him back with a grin on her face. Once he calmed down from his agitation, Edward turned back to Havoc. "That sounds like police business. Why does he care?"
Havoc rolled down the window as he flipped another cigarette in between his lips and lit it, letting out a stream of white smoke. "It's the military's backyard. It's dishonorable. Mustang cares about stuff like that."
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest when she remembered how the Lt. Colonel kept Alphonse from taking the exam. "Or he wants a promotion." she said bitterly. Even now, the young priestess was still upset about that. She really wanted all three of them to be State Alchemist. "Itai!" she whined when Havoc suddenly stopped the car, causing her to lurch forward and hit her head on the seat. It did not make things better when Edward crashed into her, his automail grazing her cheek.
"It's true." the lieutenant commented as smoke left the corner of his mouth and he turned around to look at them fully. "Mustang's no political novice. He'll do whatever he has to move up the chain around here. But is that's all he was about, we wouldn't follow him."
The priestess held her head in her hands as she glared up at the older blond and opened her mouth to snap at him, but Edward beat her.
"Tell me then, what else is he about?" he questioned, his gold eyes narrowed.
Havoc stared down at the teens for a few seconds longer before sighing and turning back around, starting the car back up. "You'll learn soon enough."
They rode in silence the rest of the way back to East City. Kagome started fiddling with her pocket watch, adjusting the time and admiring the craftsmanship of the cap. The elegant rise of the Amestrian Dragon circumscribed in a hexagon as a half-circle of little arrow traveled the length below is what made the watch unique and beautiful. A smile spread over her lips. This was a symbol of her strength.
"Hey, Ed?" she said, looking over at her friend. A soft gasp left her lips when the blond glanced over at her. The rays from the sun highlighted his hair, making it look like it was spun from gold and his eyes were bright and lively. He looked much older than what he really was. Willing away the sudden urge to blush, Kagome held up the slip of paper Roy had given her. "Wanna see what's written on them?"
Edward shook his head. "Nah, let's wait until we're with Al. I'm sure he'll want to be with us when we find out our codenames."
Kagome put her finger on her chin. "True." a grin appeared on her lips when she saw the large estate that made up her uncle's house and bounced excitedly in her seat. "Look! We're almost there!" the priestess barely gave Havoc time to fully stop the car before she sprung up out and ran over to the metal suit that made up her other friend. "Al! Alphonse! Look!" she broadcast her watch, unclipping it from her hips to let him hold it.
"Whoa!" Al said, an excited pitch in his voice. He looked back up at the priestess and the glowing red orbs that made up his eyes seemed to shine with happiness. "Is that the real thing?"
Ed grinned as he held up his own watch. "Yep!" he jumped back when Alexander suddenly charged at him, aiming to swipe the silver clock out of his hands. The dog leapt again, successfully snatching the trinket out the older brother's hands and commenced a game of chase. "Give that back, you stupid mutt!" he growled as he ran after the Great Pyrenees. "Does that have a big tag on it that says 'Alexander?' Does it smell like rawhide?"
Alphonse laughed as he gave Kagome back her watch, who quickly snapped it back around her for the fear of having the same happen to her. "Guess he's still Ed."
"Look, I promise to make you something. Maybe a twenty-pound bone!" he smirked when the dog paused for a moment, but growled when Alexander took off again around the courtyard with a happy bark. "Alexander! Give it back!"
Kagome giggled behind her hands as she walked up to the big dog and placed her fingers between her lips, whistling loudly. She placed her hand on Alexander's head when he ran up to her wagging his tail. "Good boy, Alexander." she praised. "Now, give me the pretty watch." the priestess held out her hand, smiling when the Great Pyrenees dropped the trinket in her palm. Kagome walked over to her friend and placed the wet watch in his hands. "Here you go."
Ed held the slobbery trinket with two fingers and away from him. "Gee, thanks."
Havoc walked over to Shou. "Your tenant and niece are becoming quite the stars." he rubbed the back of his head when he watched Ed duck and dodge the big dog from taking his watch again. "Who would've thought that not only a twelve-year-old boy, but a thirteen-year-old girl could actually pass the exam." he elbowed Shou and said slyly, "I heard Kagome brought a tree back as a sapling. She may just steal your codename, eh? Sewing-Life Alchemist."
Shou's eyes widened briefly before a nervous chuckle let his throat. "They are prodigies. Hopefully that's a blessing."
"Alexander!" Edward growled as the dog took hold of his watch's chain and commencing a small game of tug-o-war.
Kagome's uncle clapped his hands together. "So, to honor Kagome and Edward's ground-breaking achievement, we're going to have a feast." he smiled as he looked down at the children. "What do you say?"
Nina tossed her hand up in the air as she bounced around on Al's lap. "Hooray!"
"That's sounds awesome, Uncle Shou!" Kagome grinned, running to hug her uncle tightly.
Ed stopped pulling to look at Shou with wide golden eyes. "Are you serious?" Alexander took this distraction, yanking the chain from Edward's hands and running off the watch once more. "Ah! Get back here, you mutt!"
Shou turned back to Havoc, a pleased smile on his face. "Would you like to join us, Lieutenant?"
"Sorry. Full Schedule."
"Is that so?" the Sewing-Life Alchemist turned on his heels.
Havoc held up his hand, calling out, "Oh, Mr. Tucker, the Lt. Colonel asked me to pass a message along." he paused, waiting for the other man to look back at him. "Your assessment day's coming up. He says he's looking forward to it."
Shou hesitated for a moment, his glasses hiding away the look in his grey-blue eyes. "Yes. I'm sure he is."
Later on that night, the dinner table was stacked full of delicacies from all over Amestris. Medium-rare steak topped with asparagus with a special sauce drizzled around it, shrimp cocktail dipped in sweet butter sauce, apple-cranberry salad topped with chopped pecans, and chocolate French silk phyllo petites. The aroma from the feast made the children's mouths water. Shou Tucker really had outdone himself with it.
Kagome clapped her hands together happily. "Wow, Uncle Shou! It looks really delicious!" she began to fix her plate, taking a little bit of everything with a smile on her face.
Ed took a bite of shrimp. "So, Mr. Tucker, this assessment deal? Is that something the state does?"
Shou lowered his fork, the tender meat of the steak slipping off the tines and back on his plate. "Mhmm." he nodded. "If I don't submit meaningful findings from my research each year; they'll revoke my certification as a State Alchemist."
"Wow..." the priestess commented the same time as Al. "That's a lot of pressure."
"Last year, I didn't exactly get a positive assessment. So this year, it's do or die." he chuckled sadly.
Nina lifted her fork in the air, steak sauce staining the corners of her lips. "Let'em have it, Daddy!" she giggled when Kagome reached over and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Thanks 'Gome!"
Alphonse tilted his head happily at the two females of the table before looking back over at Shou. "I know. Why don't you make another talking Chimera?"
Ed pointed his fork at the Sewing-Life Alchemist, a wide grin on his face. "Yeah, and we'll be around to see it this time!"
Kagome looked up from her plate, a piece of spinach hanging from between her teeth. She pulled the leafy green inside her mouth and chewed it before saying, "What's a chimera?" She narrowed her eyes at the blond when he started to laugh so hard that he choked on the piece of steak he'd eaten. "What?"
"You're a State Alchemist now and you still don't know what a chimera is?" Ed chuckled, holding his sides. He grinned sheepishly when the priestess yanked his braid while telling him to shut up. "Ah, sorry." the blond apologized as he removed her tiny hand from his hair. "A chimera is a creature synthesized by alchemically "marrying" two or more dissimilar living beings into a new, complete form displaying attributes of its "components."
Shou turned a smile down at the older brother, grateful for his explanation. "That's what everyone asks for. I promise that you all will see the result."
The young priestess grinned up at her uncle, holding her plate up for him to see that she eaten everything and reached for the chocolaty treat that she loved. Scooping a bit of the fluffy mixture into her mouth, Kagome wiggled with happiness. "It takes just like Aunt Akemi's!" Spooning another bite, she turned a smile down at her little cousin. "She made the best chocolate French silk phyllo petites ever!"
Upon seeing the pure bliss on his friend's face, Edward hurriedly finished his food. Once he'd finished, he got his helping of the dessert and a wide grin stretched his lips. "It tastes great!" he flashed Kagome a grin.
Kagome blushed slightly at the wide smile on Ed's face. He looked adorable with chocolate smeared across his mouth, like a little kid. "Your table manners are just like a little kid's."
"QUIT CALLING ME LITTLE, DAMMIT!" the blond roared, his eyes dark and teeth gritted. Even though he was glaring at the priestess, Edward continued to eat his treat and soon his happy bliss was back.
Edward opened the letter that Lt. Colonel Mustang had given him and read it out loud. "This official document certifies that the nation of Amestris, prefecture of the Generalissimo appoints the name Fullmetal to Edward Elric in the name of Führer King Bradley. The State Alchemist shall follow all orders and policies of the military. A research assessment examination shall be held once every year. In the case that the State Alchemist does not show signs of progress as a result of the examination, he shall be discharged from the services of State Alchemist. The State Alchemist is entitled to the use of ample research funds, unrestricted access to classified documentation, access to various governmental facilities, and a military rank equal to that of "Major".
- King Bradley" He flashed a grin at his friends and turned the paper around so that they could see the official seal stamped on it.
Kagome arched her brow at the blond. "Fullmetal? That's a weird name." she kicked her feet back and forth, hitting the side of the bed. "If I remember correctly Fullmetal in Japanese is 'hagane', which is a term that denotes someone of obstinate disposition." she pulled her paper out of her pocket. "I wonder what my name is.
An anger mark appeared on Ed's brow as he swiped Kagome's letter out of her hands, ripping the little stamp on it. "My name's weird?!" he barked. "Well, let's see what yours is then!" His eyes scanned over the sheet, mumbling out the words as he read the same thing that his had said. "What! Sacred-Life!" he groaned. "Why'd you get such a cool name?"
The priestess giggled, but on the inside she was holding back tears. Why did they give her a codename that would remind her of her past? Looking back up at her friend, she saw him at his desk scribbling down something. Standing up, Kagome peered over his shoulder. "Who are you writing to?"
"A person." he grumbled as he scratched down another sentence. "It doesn't matter."
Alphonse walked over to Ed's other side, a teasing pitch in his voice. "Oh. I bet it's to Winry, isn't it?"
A blush exploded over the blond's face as he covered the piece of paper with his arms. "It's just a simple report! Passed the alchemy exam! How's the weather! That kind of stuff."
Nina stopped her drawing and smiled up at Ed. "Winry's a pretty name. But I like 'Gome's name better. Is she your girlfriend?"
"As a matter of fact..." Al trailed off.
"She's not! She's not! She's not! We're friends!" Edward denied over and over again. "Winry's like a sister to me and nothing more!"
Kagome did not know why she felt relief fill her body when the blond said that this 'Winry' person was only like a sister to him. Why should it matter to her if Ed liked someone. The priestess just met the guy a little over a month ago. It was not like she was trying to find love anyway. Her heart was still in pain from witnessing Inuyasha's betrayal. 'I bet he's lying about her being a sister to him. His reaction says he likes her.'
Edward glanced over at the priestess and sad the forlorn look on her face, the pain etched into her brow and shifted his eyes to the floor before sitting back down at the desk. Stealing another look at Kagome, he saw just how much older she looked when she was sad and that was not the Kagome he befriend. The girl he became friends with was bubbly, happy, and maybe a bit of an airhead when it came to certain parts of alchemy. But one thing's for sure, Edward did not like it when the priestess looked like that.
Nina returned to her drawing, coloring in a face as she chirped. "I'm writing a letter to my mom."
"Oh, yeah. Aunt Akemi is living with her parents. Do they live that far away." Kagome kneeled down on the floor next to the child, smiling at the picture of her that Nina drew.
The little girl scribbled in a drawing of Alphonse, picking up a grey crayon. "Yeah, she does." she stopped coloring for a second, her eyes getting watery. "Hopefully, she'll reply this time."
The priestess narrowed her eyes. Why would a mother not reply back to her little four-year-old daughter. As a matter of fact, what kind of mother would leave her child behind? That certainly did not sound like her aunt. She watched as Alphonse rose from his seat on the bed and placed his hand on her cousin's head, making the little girl smile up at him.
A few hours later, with Nina asleep on Kagome's lap, her drawing complete, Shou knocked on the door before entering. He smiled down at his daughter and niece. They looked so cute together as they slept comfortably against the side of the bed. Shou bent and scooped Nina off of the priestess and in his arms.
"I hate to trouble you, but could you take Kagome to her room?" he asked as he shifted his hold on Nina.
"Sure." Alphonse said as he bent and took hold of the picture the little girl drew and handed it to Shou. "Here."
The older man gazed down at the picture, easily signaling out the drawing of his wife and he sighed. "My wife...she just couldn't stand being poor and left us. As luck would have it, I joined the State Alchemists practically the next day." a sad smile appeared on his lips. "The state's been good to me all these years. They've given me this mansion; this entire lifestyle. If I don't pass the assessment, we'll go back to way things were. Sometimes I doubt we could."
"You can pass it, just like Ed." Nina and Kagome murmured sleepily at the same time.
Edward looked down at the priestess and found that she was still fast asleep. With a slight smile on his face, the blond picked Kagome up. "I better take her to her room now." At Shou's nod, Fullmetal followed him out the door. He walked down the hall to the dark-haired girl's room, occasionally stealing small glances at her. Ed noticed that her features had turned back to normal and she did not look like that old, tired Kagome anymore. She looked like the Kagome he knew; all she needed was a smile. "She's much prettier when she's smiling." he said absentmindedly. A blush rose up his neck at the words that left his mouth and looked behind him to make sure no one heard him. He let out the breath as he approached Kagome's door.
Upon entering the room, Ed set the priestess in her bed and pulled the covers up over her. On his way out, the older brother noticed the picture on the bed stand next to her. Edward grinned when he saw that it was a photo of a really young Kagome hugging the legs of a man, who he presumed to be her dad, the man holding a newborn child with his other arm around a woman, who looked like an adult version of the priestess. "Expect Kagome has her dad's eyes." he set the frame back down. "Sleep tight, Kagome."
"G'night, Ed." she muttered when the blond closed the door as she rolled over on her side.
Alexander tugged on Kagome's sleeve, barking happily. The priestess grinned down at the large white dog and patted him on the head. "Okay, I get. You want to go for a walk." When the dog barked and circled around her, Kagome laughed and walked through the dining area to get Alexander's leash from the kitchen. "Huh? Edward?" she said when she spotted her friend holding a charred piece of paper. "What's that?" The priestess took the burnt sheet from the blond and her eyes widened. "This is...?"
It was Nina's drawing. The one she wanted to send to her mother.
Kagome slammed her hands down on the desk of the Central Library as her dark blue eyes narrowed at the dark-skinned librarian. "Please. I need the information about the talking chimera that my uncle, Shou Tucker made two years ago."
The librarian sighed and turned and stopped a chestnut-brown haired woman carrying a large stack of books. "Hey, Sciezka. Know anything about this?"
The woman, Sciezka, groaned under the weight if the heavy books, her green eyes holding a light of annoyance. "The Tucker reports are restricted, ma'am. You don't have access."
Edward walked up behind Kagome, his own golden orbs, flashing with agitation as he raised his pocket watch. "Could you just check on it, please? We're not some normal kids."
Sciezka set the books on the counter and pushed her glasses up higher on her nose. "Those watches got you in here. But you need clearance from the Brigadier General to read those files." she looked down at Kagome. "Even if you are a relative of the Sewing-Life Alchemist." hefting the stack pack up, the mousy looking woman leaned backwards too far and toppled over, the books falling on top of her.
"Brigadier General, huh?" the blond said as he lowered his watch.
The dark-skin woman stopped in her process of unburying Sciezka. "Surely you've heard of him."
"The Iron-Blood Alchemist." Kagome echoed. She remembered reading about him in some of her father's notes and she knew that they were not going to gain access to those files. Grabbing Ed's right hand, the priestess pulled him away from the desk. "Come on. Anything with his name attached is military secret."
"Ah! Kagome?!" the blond questioned as he was drug out of the library. A smirk crossed his face as he placed his index finger and thumb over his chin. "This is getting interesting." Commotion at the bottom of the stairs gained his attention and he saw a tall man with tanned skin with grey hair trying to force his way past a guard. What caught his interest the most was the 'X'-shaped scar on his forehead.
"I'm sorry, but you can't go in." the guard stepped in front of the man again. "This branch is for Military use only." he held his hands out. "Stop! If you access, you'll need to get a pass."
The man gritted his teeth as he shoved the guard out of his way. "I was told this was the only place to find out!"
"Stop!"
As Kagome walked down the stairs, she swung out her hand and caught the man by the arm, stopping his movements. She placed a bright smile on her face that made her dark blue eyes sparkle. "Mister. Please listen to the guard. If you want access you'll have to pass the test like everyone else."
Scar jerked his arm out the girl's hold and proceeded to walk up the stairs only to be stopped again. This time by Edward. "What now?" he snapped.
"You heard her. Pass the test first, then you get access." Ed tightened his hold on the man's sleeve when he tried to pull away from the older brother, ripping the pale yellow shirt sleeve clean off. Edward jumped back, his eyes widened at the black tribal like markings that were inked into the man's right arm.
The tan-skinned man snatched his ripped sleeve from the young alchemist and glared at him from behind his shades. He took off after shooting another glare, this time aimed at Kagome, and ran down the stairs. The guard gasped before chasing after Scar.
Kagome looked at Edward with confusion in her blue eyes and arched a brow when her friend merely shrugged his shoulders and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Look, Elicia!" Maes cooed at his daughter, his face a picture of pure happiness. "Your big brother Ed and his girlfriend, Kagome are here!"
Kagome and Ed both shot the major an agitated look as red blush tinted their cheeks.
"She's not my girlfriend!"
"I'm not his girlfriend!"
Gracia walked over and scooped her child out of her husband's lap, her eyes holding a disapproving glow. "Honey, they're trying to tell you something." She wagged her finger in front of Elicia's face, making kissy faces and earning a few giggles from the baby. "Take your time. You know I don't mind holding her."
Maes pouted and slumped down on the couch, a look of defeat on his face as he watched his wife and child leave the room. He sighed, "Back to work." Lifting himself back up, Major Hughes set hazel eyes on the children. "You were asking about Tucker's chimera, right?"
Kagome nodded, her face still a little red from the man's earlier comment. "Yeah. With you being in the Investigation Department, we thought you could tell us something."
"You live with the guy." Hughes arched a brow, "Why don't you ask him?"
Edward plastered a fake smile on his face, even though his eye was still twitching in agitation. "You know. He's so busy, with the upcoming assessment and all."
Maes leaned forward, his chin perched up on his folded hands. "I don't know too much about him myself." he looked at Kagome for answers, who merely shook her head. How would she know much about an uncle she has not seen in ten years. "All I know is the chimera he fashioned got him into the alchemy program. First one ever that could speak the human language."
Kagome sat up in her seat, all evidence of her blush vanishing as she said, "You're sure it was real?"
"Definitely." Hughes nodded. "But it only spoke once. It said, "I want to die." " He sighed at the horrified gasp that left the priestess lips as she covered her mouth. Tossing his arm over the back of his chair, the major lifted his hand, "Apparently, it wouldn't eat after that, and died."
The priestess felt tears prick at her eyes as she looked over at Ed, pleading. She sighed when the blond shrugged and let her hold onto his automail arm. Kagome did not know why, but whenever she held Edward's metal hand, she instantly felt better. Clearing her throat, she said, "It was in pain. Why would Uncle Shou make such a miserable thing?"
Maes arched a brow when he saw the Sacred-Life Alchemist grab hold of the boy's hand. They just denied being in a relationship and yet here they were holding hands like it was a casual thing to do. "Who knows? But someone in the military thought it had some sort of relevance. How do you think he got that mansion?"
"And what happened to Tucker's wife?" Ed squeezed the priestess' hand as she braced herself for the words that were about to leave the major's mouth.
"What do you mean? She died before he came to Central."
Kagome let out a choked sob and buried her face in Edward's chest, her tears soaking through his black jacket. Ed looked down at the priestess with wide gold eyes before he slowly wrapped his arm around her, patting her back gently.
The phone rang and Hughes stood up, walking over to pick the black receiver up. "Yeah. Go ahead." his hazel eyes widened. "Serial kill...you sure?" his lips turned up in a snarl. "Ah, hell!"
The sagging grey clouds in the sky casted shadows over the scene below. Police and Military force alike were crowded around a closed off area. An off-white tapestry blocked off one alleyway as the body of the victim was covered with a beige cover sheet.
A little boy, no older than five pressed his hands against the unmoving body, trying to stir a response as second lieutenant Riza Hawkeye held onto his shoulders. "Mommy?" Tears fell down his cheeks.
"That makes five." Roy groaned and ran his hands through his shaggy hair before crossing arms over his chest. "Hasn't Investigations found anything yet?"
Hughes rubbed his temples and pushed his glasses up further on his nose. "Don't blame us."
The little boy fell against the body, tears streaming down his face in rivers as he called for his mother over and over. He screamed when Riza picked him up and grabbed the tarp. The beige covering came up with the child, revealing the mutilated body beneath.
Shock surged through the two young alchemists saw what the tarp was hiding. Blood was everywhere; splattered all around the body and cover the woman like a bloodbath. Edward felt himself go faint as flashbacks of that fateful night traveled through his mind, - the inhuman creature he and Alphonse conjured up - but snapped out of it when he heard a thump beside him. "Huh?" Looking down, his golden eyes widened. "Kagome!"
Kagome whimpered out two words as she curled herself into a ball. "Papa...Sango..."
The priestess gasped as she jolted up straight. "Where am I?" glancing over to her right, she saw Ed still sleeping on the bed opposite to hers. Sliding onto the floor, Kagome noticed that someone changed her into a simple white nightgown. She walked over to where her friend was and finally noticed that his long blond hair was freed from its normal braid and was left to frame his broad shoulders. A blush filled her cheeks when she saw that Edward was not wearing a shirt, but chalked it to the fact that he was sweating profusely. "Ed..." she reached out for the blond.
Edward snapped his eyes open at the sound of his name being called. "Mom!"
"Oh?" Shou's voice came from the doorway. "You're awake." he walked into the room and sat down in the chair that was closest to Ed's bed. "Sounds like you saw something pretty awful, huh?" he looked up at his niece sadly. "You, too, Kagome?"
"It's no big deal." the teens said together.
Shou placed his hand on Kagome's head when she sat down on the edge of Edward's bed. "Kagome, you were crying out for your father and some person named "Sango" the whole time you were asleep." he glanced over at the boy. "And you were crying for your mother. Both of you kept saying that you were sorry." the Sewing-Life Alchemist watched the children clench their hands in the sheets. "I don't know what my niece has done, but I've had my suspicions about you and your brother, Edward; ever since I saw your bodies." his eyes were sharp. "Now I'm sure. What you boys did, it's strictly forbidden."
Downstairs Alphonse stopped playing with Nina and turned to look out the window when a car came to a screeching halt.
"But I can understand." Shou continued, looking the boy in the eyes. "Science is a powerful thing, capable of so much. When you can, it's difficult not to try."
Al's voice brought the three of them's attention downstairs. Kagome quickly went to her room and changed out of the nightgown and into her normal outfit that consisted of a sleeveless white shirt that went down to her thighs and a light blue skirt. She wrapped her silver pocket watch around her waist and let it drape across her hips. Stepping out of her bedroom, the priestess joined her uncle and two friends' down the stairs.
"Who are you?" Alphonse demanded and he tucked Nina close to his chest. "What do you want?"
A dark-skinned, bald man with a prominent black, pointed handlebar mustache narrowed his eyes at the two young State Alchemists. "I don't know what Roy Mustang's been filling your heads with, but the research of Show Tucker falls under the jurisdiction of me..."
Kagome cut him off. "I already know your name, Brigadier General Basque Grand."
"The Brigadier General." Edward glanced up at the priestess briefly before narrowing his eyes at Grand. "So that's you."
Grand folded his arms behind his back. "The Sewing-Life Alchemist is one of my top priorities, and I know you've been snooping around. I can no longer permit you three to take shelter at his estate."
"What!" the priestess yelled. "You can't kick me out! I'm his niece!"
The Iron-Blood Alchemist smirked slightly as he signaled for his guards. "I can and I will."
Kagome glared icily at the two men who approached her. The threat of pain hidden behind those dark blue orbs caused the men to shrink back. If it was not for her little cousin tugging at her shirt, the priestess would have laughed. Two grown men scared of a thirteen-year-old girl. What a laugh.
"Where are you going, 'Gome?" the little girl asked, her big, bright blue eyes shimmering with tears. "Are you leaving?"
The priestess picked her cousin up and hugged her tightly. "Yeah. 'Gome's gotta go now. But she promises that she, Ed, and Al will come back and play with you real soon."
Nina looked over at the Elric Brothers and said, "Really?"
Alphonse nodded as he took the little girl from Kagome's arms and put her on his shoulders. "Of course." he spun around slowly, causing Nina to laugh. "Right, Brother?"
"Yeah." Ed said.
The little girl jumped from Al's shoulder and glomped the blond, tugging at his braid with a wide smile. "Don't forget."
Grand frowned as he watched the three teens walk down the road, the boy carrying his one suitcase, the one in the suit carrying two of the girl's and the young priestess toting a large yellow backpack. "Don't they just eat at you?" he clenched his hands into tight fists as he recalled the events that happened at the exam. "When that kid showed off his transmutation abilities without the use of a circle, the Kind actually opened his mouth and complimented him. And don't get me started on that niece of yours. The Sacred-Life Alchemist? How does the King know that wasn't just a hoax." gritting his teeth, Grand continued. "Now that upstart Mustang's claiming both of them and getting points for them; my points, Tucker."
Shou lowered his head as his shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry if they caused trouble for you, sir. But could you refrain from speaking ill of my niece, Kagome. She's my deceased younger brother's daughter."
The Iron-Blood Alchemist glared at his subordinate out of the corner of his eye. "Ah, that failure of an alchemist, Akio Higurashi, the Lightning Alchemist." he snorted. "He left the military to get married and run off the Japan." Grand looked down fully at the Sewing-Life Alchemist, his brown eyes cold. "I smoothed things over for you last year when you turned in a pile of trash and called it research. Fail it again, and I'll get the heat for endorsing you."
"But General...?" Shou hesitated.
"What Tucker?" Grand snapped. "Would you rather the alternative approach? You want to pass the title of Sewing-Life to that boy or that little girl, and go back to your old life?" he sneered, "Drifting the streets of some backward town with ideas and an empty stomach?" Grand walked past the other man, his shoulder knocking into his. "Your assessment's in two day. It's time to show or roll over."
Nina poked her head through the door when she saw the tall, scary man leave the house, getting into the car and pulling away. "Daddy?" She wrapped her arm around Alexander as she tugged on her father's sleeve. "Are you hurting somewhere? Did that scary man hurt you?"
Shou said nothing as he dropped to his knees, grabbing the little girl by the shoulders and looked into her bright blue eyes before hugging her tightly. "I'm at the end of the line here, Nina."
"Daddy..." Nina sighed as she wrapped her arms back around her father and embraced him back with as much strength as she could.
"You really think this is a good idea?" Alphonse questioned as he watched his brother and Kagome knock out the two guards posted in front of the gate to the Tucker estate. "You, two, could lose your certification."
Kagome turned her watery blue eyes on the metal suit that was her friend. She forced back the tears that wanting to escape. "I need to know what really happened to my aunt. Uncle Shou told Nina that she left when in actuality she died."
Edward grabbed the priestess' hand with his automail and squeezed gently. He'd long realized that Kagome always felt better when she was holding onto his artificial hand. And if it kept her from having that forlorn look on her face, Ed was willing to do that much. "And if that's what it takes to prove me wrong tonight, so be it."
Together the three teens walked down the long corridor and wondered where Shou Tucker was. It was Kagome who suggested that they check his lab and pointed the way there. She remembered from when she'd explored the mansion where it was located. Taking the next right, she led them to a door and had Alphonse open it up. They took the many stairs down into the dimly lit basement.
"What are they?" the priestess gasped as she hid behind Alphonse and tightened her hold on Edward's metal hand.
Edward narrowed his eyes. "Chimeras."
"Over here!" Shou called out, hearing the children's voices.
They walked past the dozens of chimera, avoiding their grasping claws and around the corner to find another door, which Alphonse quickly opened. Behind the double doors, they found Shou Tucker, his body hiding something in front of him.
"Come on in." the older man said and upon hearing the light footsteps that could only belong to his niece, his shoulders fell slightly. "I told you I'd let you see. It's a perfect version." he stepped back, revealing a dog-like chimera with a long mane of brown hair. "A chimera that knows the human tongue." he placed his hand on the head of the beast. "Listen, dear. That's your friend Edward. Look."
The chimera raised its glowing white eyes and looked at the three children. "Edward. Friend."
Shou smiled. "Exactly! That's very good."
"That's ve-ry go-ood."
Alphonse tilted his head to the side. "Unbelievable. It really can talk!" he turned to the priestess who was still hiding behind him, "Look, Kagome!"
"Ahh! I'll have no problem getting the funding now." An insane look entered his grey-blue eyes. "I can't believe I didn't see it. The other one was too old to adapt."
Edward walked forward, pulling Kagome with him - even as she struggled and protested. When a young thirteen-year-old girl with average strength is trying to resist a twelve-year-old with an automail arm...well it's one-sided. "Please come with me, Kagome."
The young priestess gasped at the pleading tone her friend spoke to her in and nodded her head. Slowly they made their way closer to the chimera, who looked up at them with glowing white eyes.
"Edward. My friend."
Ed kneeled down to the beast, placing his other hand on its head. When the chimera sniffed him and bent its head to pull on the silver pocket watch, he smiled sadly. "Yeah, that's right."
The chimera shifted its eyes to Kagome, who shrunk back a little. " 'Gome? Why does it hurt here?"
The priestess eyes widened considerably. Who did that thing know the nickname that her little cousin used to call her. As a matter of fact where were Nina and the dog? Something in her head clicked and Kagome raised accusing eyes to her uncle, the Sewing-Life Alchemist who was still rubbing his chin amusedly. Her hand clenched into a fist and the one that was holding onto Ed's tightened around the metal.
"Uncle Shou?"
"Yes, Kagome." the older man questioned, cocking his head to the side as he looked down at his niece.
The priestess lowered her head, so that her long bangs hid her eyes and made her look so much older that what she really was. "Remind me again when was the first time you made one of the human-speaking chimeras?"
Shou narrowed his eyes at the dark-haired girl. "That was two years ago. Why do you ask?"
Kagome ignored her uncle's question and continued, "And when did Aunt Akemi leave you?"
"Again. Two years ago?" the Sewing-Life Alchemist turned stern eyes on his niece. "Answer me, Kagome. Why are you so interested in knowing all this."
She felt Ed clench his hand up as the metal arm she held onto tightened to match her grip - nearly hurting her, but Kagome ignored the pain. "One more thing. Those letters that Nina wrote, did any of them ever reach her?"
The glare of the orange lamp hid away the expression in her uncle's eyes. "Where are you getting at?"
Edward rose to his feet, his golden eyes glaring coldly at the older alchemist. "She wants to know where Nina and Alexander have gone to."
Shou sighed, not feeling the least bit sorry for what he'd committed. "I hate prodigies like you, Ed. Kagome, you're too damn perceptive."
An enraged cry left the priestess' throat as she lunged at the person she used to call uncle. "You bastard!"
"Kagome!" Alphonse moved over to stop the dark-haired girl but was stopped by his brother.
Edward looked at Al with cold emotionless eyes. "Let her. This guy used his own wife."
"And...And this time?"
"He used Nina and Alexander!" Kagome screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. Bile rose up in her throat when Shou smirked down at her. "He transmuted them into...into that thing!" She glared at her uncle through her tears, her mouth twisted up in a scowl as her hand clenched into a tight fist. She would not hit him. No, Kagome knew she did not have the strength to. "It was an easy process when you use human beings, huh, Tucker!"
Shou stared down at his niece, a crazy gleam in his grey-blue eyes. "Why are you getting so upset, Kagome? It's the nature of scientific progress. Animal testing, experimentation, trial and error, all advancements have a price."
Kagome shut her eyes tight, trying to ward off his words. Alchemy was not supposed to be used like this. "Shut up! I refuse to let you use Nina like this! She was your daughter! You shouldn't be toying with people's lives!"
"Toying with lives?" he tilted his head as he looked over the girl at Edward. "Like your friend's arm and leg there? Or his brother's body, or them trying to bring their mother back?" Grinning when he felt the young priestess' grip on his shirt loosen, Shou continued, "Isn't that toying? You don't really think they're different from me, do you Kagome?"
The young girl removed her hand from her uncle's shirt, dropping to her knees. She did not register when Ed ran forward and punched the older man in the face; did not register Al's voice questioning why he did it; did not register the crazy laugh her uncle gave and his response. Her eyes went blank as she blocked out everything that went on around her. It was not until the chimera nudged her with its nose, whining softly. "Nina?" she croaked.
"Stop, big brother...he's hurting Daddy..." it said.
Kagome looked up and saw Edward punching her uncle repeatedly with his right arm until blood splattered out on his face. Gasping, the priestess rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around the blond and held him tightly. "Ed, stop! You'll kill him if you keep going!"
Edward paused mid-strike, his eyes wide as he gazed down at the priestess. "Kagome..." he dropped Shou and looked down at his bloody gloves before clenching his fists. Turning around, Ed wrapped his arms back around Kagome and said, "I'm sorry."
The priestess looked up at her friend, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Are you calm now?"
"Yeah." he let go of Kagome and moved over to the Nina-Alexander hybrid, placing his hand on its head. "Nina..." he smiled faintly. "Just bear with me for a little bit. This might hurt." he clapped his hands together.
Kagome dropped her hand on his shoulder. "Don't. You don't know how they were combined."
Shou laughed cruelly. "The chimera is a perfect transmutation; fused to the core. There's no way to separate them now." he sneered at the blond. "Careful. You'll do to them what you did to your mother." he cringed when the priestess finally snapped, slapping him across the face.
The young alchemist glared down at Shou, her dark blue eyes filled with hate. "Shut up!" she snapped, curling her fingers into a fist as she threw them to her sides. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Kagome pointed a finger at what used to be her little cousin, "What you did to Nina is hundreds times worse than what Edward and Alphonse did! They committed Human Transmutation just to see their mother's smile one last time, but you Tucker; you used my little cousin just to see if you could create this thing!" the tears that were locked behind her eyelids spilled down her cheeks, dripping off her chin and onto the floor. "You're a sad man, Shou Tucker." she turned on her heel and walked over to where the chimera was.
"You promised you'd come play with me, 'Gome..."
"I know." she whispered as she pulled the chimera into a hug.
Grand ran down the stairs and into the lab, his eyes narrowed at he saw that Tucker was on the floor and blood was splatter on the young boy's face. "Assaulting army personnel? What the hell's going on?"
Edward lowered his head, his long blond bangs shadowing his eyes. "Spare me, sir. He used his own daughter."
"Mr. Tucker will face a court-martial, and we'll take the chimera with us." Grand announced before turning cold brown eyes down at the three teens. "Naturally, you're to tell no one what you saw tonight."
"What?" Kagome and Edwards echoed at the same time. They looked at one another briefly before slanting their eyes at the Brigadier General. "You want to cover it up! You knew about this!" The guards grabbed the children by the waist, but Ed managed to grab Grand's uniform. "You want to make some half-beast..."
The young priestess eyes widened when she saw the bright flash of transmutation and before she could warn her friend, he was already doubled over in pain. "Ed!" Kagome snatched herself out the man's hold and went over to check on the blond. "Are you okay?"
Grand lifted up his left hand, a silver gantlet covering his knuckles before a flash of light transformed it back into his black gloves. Twisting on his heel, he tossed, "Let's go."
"Yes, sir!"
Edward wrapped his arms around his stomach as he struggled to sit up. "Dammit. I'm not gonna let them turn her in a test subject." Clapping his hands together, the Fullmetal Alchemist slammed his palms against the ground, the light for his transmutation surging up from the road and making waves. The humps tipped over the prison truck and it crashed on its side, the door bursting open. Ed's eyes widened when the dog-like chimera crawled out of the back. "Nina!"
"Nina! Baby girl, come here." Kagome pleaded.
Confused about what to do the chimera took off without warning, running away from the children. It ran and ran until it found a secluded alleyway and padded inside. Raising its glowing white eyes, the chimera walked towards the man hiding in corner, panting slightly. It lowered its head when the man reached out and placed his hand on it.
Scar's right arm flashed red a moment. "Your makeup." when sighed when his arms returned to normal and he dropped his hand. "Yes, you're made of one part human and one part beast. But I don't understand." he looked down at his tattoo. "Brother, how do I know that. You poor thing." he said softly as he placed his hand back on the chimera's head. "You're a sin against nature, and your body's in so much pain. Oh merciful God, who shapes us all. Please return these scarred souls to your unending womb." the tribal-like tattoo on Scar's arm began to glow red.
Kagome ran ahead of the Elric Brothers, searching for signs of the chimera that used to be her little cousin and dog. "Nina! Where are you?" she turned down an alleyway, thinking that she was hiding in a corner and her blood ran cold with what she saw splattered against the wall.
"You found her?" Alphonse's voice called from around the corner. He and Ed followed the priestess down the alley and came to an abrupt halt when they, too, saw what was on the stone wall.
It was the bloody remains of what used to be Nina and Alexander. Blood dripped down the stone and pooled on the ground. Her body was blown to pieces, leaving behind nothing up a few brown hairs and the bits of her internal organs clinging to the wall. The priestess took a step towards the remains, her hand stretched out. She began to scream and kick when Edward rushed forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, stopping her.
"Let me go, Edward!" she screeched, clawing at his arm only to find that it was his metal one. "I can...I can...I can save Nina!"
Ed turned emotionless eyes down the priestess. "Tell me, Kagome." he whispered softly. "Can you really bring back a human being with your alchemy?" he continued when the girl stiffened. "I saw how you struggled to bring that tree back as a sapling." The blond turned her around, grabbing her shoulders, "Do you actually think that you're ready to try something so complicated as Human Transmutation? Do you want to end up like me and Al?"
Kagome looked at Edward with large, watery blue eyes. "Edward...I...Nina..." she lowered her head as her tears broke free, streaming down her face like rivers. Lunging forward, the priestess wrapped her arms around the blond's shoulders and sobbed into his chest.
And as the clouds opened up and rain began to fall, a single teardrop fell from Edward Elric's eye and down his cheek.
The priestess looked blankly at the wall of her new room in Central. Ever since that fateful night where she found Nina's deconstructed body so cruelly splattered against the wall in an alleyway, Kagome has been in a state of depression. She would not eat; she could not sleep; and she cried every night. The young girl was absolutely miserably.
'Why?' she questioned herself. 'Didn't I become a State Alchemist to become stronger? To be able to protect my loved ones.' she buried her face in her hands as her tears began to fall one more. 'Then why couldn't I save Nina?!' a sob racked through her body as she let out all her sorrows about her little cousin's death. Sure, her alchemy abilities were that similar to that of a miracle, such as giving life, but they were still developing. A knock at her door caused the young priestess to look up. "Go away."
Edward pushed the door open with his foot anyway, his hands carrying a tray of food. "Kagome..." he said softly. "You have to eat. It's been weeks since that night." Placing the tray down on the nightstand, he grabbed the priestess chin with his fingers and made her look at him. "You can't keep doing this. You're wasting away."
Kagome jerked her face out of the boy's hold, shifting her eyes back to the floor. "I couldn't save her. I couldn't save Nina..."
"Dammit, Kagome!" the blond cursed. "As much as it kills me to say this, but Mustang's right! We can't keep trying to save every living thing that dies! It's not healthy!"
"But!" the priestess protested but quieted when Ed turned those burning gold eyes on her and brief second she saw Inuyasha. Shrinking back, Kagome looked away from the younger boy.
Edward softened his eyes when he noticed the fear that flickered across his friend's face and curled his hand into a fist. "Look, Kagome. I know you've had it rough and so did I, but we have to move on." he walked over to the door, pausing to say, "Try and eat. Mustang wants to see us."
Kagome watched her friend leave her room before sliding her eyes over to the tray he'd set down. Her eyes widened and mouth watered at what was fixed for her. It was her all-time favorite ever. Oden! A smile spread over her lips. "Ed." she said. Picking up her chopsticks, Kagome began to eat.
"You wanted to see me, Lt. Colonel?" the priestess said as she poked her head in the room. She easily found the blond head of her friend already sitting in one of the chairs and made her way over to him.
Roy patiently waited for the young girl to sit down in the seat next to Edward, noting the color that was beginning to come back to her face. "Yes. You and Edward have a mission. Now that you're a real State Alchemist, you have to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. It's out life." he shifted his eyes over to the blond-haired woman. "Second Lieutenant Hawkeye."
Riza saluted the colonel as she rose to her feet. She walked the short distance over to the children and handed them a folder filled with papers. "Here are your orders and case file."
Edward took hold of the parchment and looked over at Kagome before flipping the file open. "Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric and Sacred-Life Alchemist Kagome Higurashi. You are hereby ordered to inspect the coalmine at Youswell."
Kagome arched a brow at Roy, her eyes holding a light of disbelief. "Is this kinda thing really a job for a State Alchemist?" To the priestess the mission seemed more like a laidback job that an inspector could easily do.
"It entails inspecting the mine resources." Riza explained the young girl, "As an alchemist, you do have knowledge of minerals, don't you?"
Roy smirked as he folded his hands together and rest his nose above them. "As it's your first mission, I decided to keep the training wheels on, but that won't mean that you can take it easy." he glanced over at Kagome. "Be happy that I was there when they ordered this mission. They almost sent you to Liore, Kagome." he sighed when they girl looked up at him with those large eyes of hers, "You want to help Ed in his quest, right?"
The priestess nodded slowly. "I told them that I would go with them."
Alphonse looked out the window of the train, his hands tapping on his lap happily. "It feels like we've got our own private car, huh?" he turned a happy tilt of the head at the two young State Alchemist as he referred the empty car they were seated in. "You can just sit and watch the world go by out..."
"Al." Edward cut him off. "Kagome and I have to do this now that the state has us on a leash, but there's no reason you should suffer, too."
Kagome yanked on his braid, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Will you shut up! You and Alphonse are brothers. If you don't help each other, no one will." a sneaky look appeared on her face as she said, "Although no one can help you grow, short-stuff." she jumped out of her seat to avoid being caught by the enraged blond.
"DAMMIT, KAGOME! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A BEAN-SPROUT MIDGET!" Ed roared as he chased her around the car. Just as he cornered the priestess, the train jerked forward and caused him to crash to the ground. Kagome took this chance to hop over his head and hid behind Al, giggling all the way. Edward pushed himself off the floor, cursing about rickety trains and their sudden lurches. He dusted off his clothes and returned to his seat, shooting Kagome a glare, "You're right though."
"Look!" Alphonse pointed out the window. "I think I can see it!"
The priestess pressed hands against the window, her eyes bright as he gasped happily. "So that's Youswell!"
Ed grinned at the young girl. "Yep. The last town to the east." Grabbing her bag, Fullmetal held out his hand for her. "Come on. We got a job to do."
The three teens unboarded the train and exited the station. Edward handed the priestess her bag and she opened it and pulled her long dark hair into a high ponytail. He, then, saw how pale and smooth her graceful neck seemed to be and a blush tinted his cheeks red. Why the hell was he thinking about that kind of things? And about Kagome, no less. His friend!
Lowering his head and shoving his hands into the pockets of his red cloak, Fullmetal said, "It's supposed to be a coal-mining town, but it looks more like a ghost town to me."
Alphonse nodded. "Everyone here looks so worn down."
Ed sighed, his eyes showing his annoyance. "Looks like there's not gonna be much to do here." he grinned over at Kagome. "Let's hurry and finish so we can blow this..."
"Edward, look out!" Kagome warned just a second too late. A wood beam struck the blond in the back to the head hard, knocking him to the ground as he held his bruising skull tenderly. "Are you okay?" The priestess sighed when she saw the thin line of blood that fell between his eyes and dug through her bag. Pulling out the first-aid kit, Kagome tended to his wound.
"Sorry about that." the boy who hit Ed with the support beam said sheepishly. His warm brown eyes widened when he noticed the suitcases they were carrying. "Wait, are you guys tourists? Where are you from? Have you eaten? Where you staying?"
Fullmetal flinched when Sacred-Life dabbed at the swelling knot that formed with the alcohol swab. "Hell of a welcoming committee." he jumped when something cold dripped down his spine. "Dammit, Kagome! Warn me when you're gonna pour that stuff!"
The boy grinned and called out, "Pop! We got visitors!"
"What are you going on about?" a tall man wearing a construction hat called back.
"Over here! Big spenders!"
Kagome looked up at Alphonse, her eyes questioning. When the metal suit that was her friend shrugged his shoulders, the priestess sighed a returned to dressing the bleeding bump on Edward's head. She glanced back up when the man removed his helmet and introduced himself as Halling, stating that he'll take good care of them. The priestess rolled her eyes. From the large smile on his face, this Hallings man was going to overcharge them.
"So what do you think?" Halling questioned, a large smirk on his broad face. "I know it's not much, but since the coal mine's wages are so low; at least with this place I can keep two irons in the fire."
A pretty woman with pale brown hair tied back into a bun smiled as she wrote down their purchase. "So two rooms for one night?"
Kagome shook her head as she grabbed the boy's hands with a large grin on her face. "Nope. It's one room for three for one night!" her smile widened when the woman took a sharp intake of breath. "Don't worry. These two knuckleheads are only my best friends. They don't see me in that light." he nudged Ed with her elbow. "Besides, this little munchkin already has a girl he likes."
Edward turned red with both embarrassment and enragement as he yelled, "WHO ARE YOU CALLING A MUNCHKIN!"
As the blond began to chase Kagome around the inn, Alphonse placed his hands on the counter, laughing nervously. "What are your rates?"
Halling grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Well they ain't cheap."
"I'm sure we can cope." Ed said before growling when Kagome slipped away from him. One of these days he will catch her and she will not like what he would do to her. No one makes fun of his height and gets away with it! He finally gave up on catching her, when the priestess hid behind Al and stuck her tongue out at him childishly. "Despite our appearance, we've got plenty of cash."
"Two hundred thousand." the older man said, holding up his index and middle fingers.
The three teens felt their jaws drop open at the price of the room. Kagome's presumption of Halling was right. That man was trying to scam them out of all their money! Rip-off! She heard Ed flabbergastedly asked why was the price so high; were they gonna put gold bars on their pillows?
'Idiot. Why would they charge that much if they're gonna give us gold?' The priestess rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the older man.
"It's a fair price, seeing how ours is the finest inn in all of Youswell." Halling grinned, placing his hands on his hips.
His son slid in front, a wide grin plastered on his face as he said, "Not to mention that it's the only one."
Halling leaned forward, his lips pulling back until they were taunt against his face. "We ain't had any guests in some time. So we've gotta milk you folks for all you're worth."
Kagome felt a drop of sweat roll down her cheek from her hairline and yanked her two friends over in the corner, pulling her wallet out of her pocket and counting money inside. She barely had fifty hundred yen. Glancing up at the brothers, the priestess saw the dejected look on their faces and knew that they did not have enough money either. Sighing, Kagome clapped her hands. "Guess we have to go to plan B!"
Edward grimaced as he clapped his hands and pressed them on the table near the broken pickaxe. A sheepish grin broke out on his face at the compliments he got and he flashed Kagome a smile. "What else needs fixing?"
Halling's wife approached the young prodigy, a broken pink vase clutched close to her chest. "Well, if it's not too much trouble, this is special to me, but it's broken."
"You still got that old thing?"
"Well, if you bought us some nice things once in awhile."
Kagome held out hands for the broken pink vase, a smile on her face. "I'll take care of this one." She drew her transmutation circle and placed the urn down upon it. Her grin widened when the soft pink glow of her alchemy sprung to like and danced over the container, encasing it. When the light faded away, a perfectly fixed vase was revealed.
The woman gasped before bowing. "Thank you so much.
Halling slapped the two State Alchemists on the back, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Who would've thought that out first tourist in age would be a couple of real live alchemists." he pointed his thumb at himself, "I took a crack at alchemy myself once, but never went anywhere with it."
His son walked up at Kagome with a small blush on his face. "So what brings you to Youswell?" he peeked up at her, his blush deepening. "There's not much here for someone like you."
Ed grinned. "It's business. In fact I've come here to inspect the coalmine."
There was an immediate silence when those words left Edward's lips. Everyone's happy expressions turned cold and intimidating. Seeing this, Kagome took a step back and grabbed the person closest to her, Alphonse, by the hand.
The innkeeper narrowed his cold brown eyes at the blond. "Inspect." his voice was no longer that happy carefree tone, but an emotionless growl, "Then you're part of the military?"
"Well yeah." Fullmetal said, looking confused. "I'm a State Alchemist. Cool huh?" His eyes widened when the men suddenly surrounded him, picking him up by the air and all, but kicked him out the door and tossed his suitcase out with him. "Hey!" he barked. "What was that for?"
Halling glared down at Ed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "We have no food or beds to offer any dogs of the military!" he turned his piercing eyes to the priestess and Al. "You one of them, too?"
Kagome hid closer to Alphonse. "Ah..."
"They've got nothing to do with it!" Edward claimed, defending his brother and friend. He was not going to let Kagome sleep out in the cold. "I just met them on the train on the way here!"
"Fine then." the older man said icily. "You can sleep on the streets like the rest of the dogs." With those words spat out coldly, Halling turned around and pulled the door shut with a loud slam.
I'm loving how my fic is turning out! Many thanks to everyone who reviewed and too all my silent readers: Let yourself be known! I really want to know what you think of my story. Although flames are not appreciated! Constructed criticism? Yes. But a flat out, your story sucks? Not at all!
~Kirei Ai Tenshi