A/N: Okay…I know that I said I would try to update once a week, but the week right after that, our school musical started and it was giving me hell…6 hours a day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) the first week and then 4 hours a day (Wednesday through Saturday) the second week. On top of that, I had a whole bunch of homework and tests and I was drawing Easter cards for my friends too, so yeah…I really didn't have time to write. However, now that I am back, I am going to try to write more...maybe update once every other week instead though. That sounds more realistic for me. Anyway, thanks again for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter too.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or Shaman King.


A Second Chance

Chapter 4: Fitting In

"Sugoi…" Al whispered, jaw slack with admiration at the multitude of skyscrapers and businesses surrounding them. "This is amazing."

Ed, on the other hand, had nothing to say, or if he did, he kept quiet. Silently, he watched the people walk by and the cars rush past, mouth hanging slightly open with disbelief. This was by far the most industrialized city that the Elrics had ever been. Not even Central was as high-tech as this place.

Hao watched the two and laughed inwardly to himself. He enjoyed their awe at the simple sight of the intersection immensely and almost wished he had a camera. There was nothing more entertaining than two people practically worshiping a tiny junction. Barely containing his amusement, he picked up his suitcase and got into the nearest taxi

Ed noticed Hao leaving them just as the shaman disappeared into the vehicle. Hurriedly, he picked up his luggage and followed, Al trailing behind. Once they were in, the taxi turned into the mass of traffic and inched its way along the road.

The ride was long, yet somehow Ed and Al managed to stay awake, staring out the windows for the whole trip. However, unlike them, Hao had no reason to stay awake so he slept instead. Finally, after nearly the whole day had passed, the car stopped in front of a huge estate and announced that they had reached their destination. Hao paid the man after their luggage was out and soon he was gone, driving off into the distance. Hao smiled, watching the car disappear down the slope and through the trees that led up to the mansion. "Well then, why don't we go inside?" He grabbed his suitcase once again and headed through the gates into the compound. He was just in front of the doors of the estate, when he noticed that the Elrics were still standing at the gate. "Don't you think you've done enough staring for today?" he called.

Ed came back to himself with a start and frowned. "Well, it's not like you told us anything about this Tokyo place. I mean, how were we supposed to know that it was ten times more industrialized than anything we're used to. And what the hell is up with this place? Why didn't you tell us you were filthy rich? God…make us pay for the whole trip and then bring us here. This place is big enough to house the whole military I bet," he ranted.

Hao smirked. "Maybe it just looks big to you because you're so small," he taunted.

"WHO DID YOU CALL SO SMALL THAT EVEN A BUG COULD SQUISH HIM?" Ed fumed. He clawed at the air and jumped up and down erratically, but was somehow held back by Al's ethereal hands. Finally, he calmed down and snatched up his stuff. Grumbling under his breath, he stormed passed Hao into the house, not caring which way he was going. The house was enormous, a huge maze of hallways, passages, and rooms. However, it seemed to be completely empty. After nearly ten minutes of wandering and having no idea where to put his stuff, Ed made his way back to the front where Hao and Al stood, apparently waiting for his return. "Where the hell am I supposed to leave this stuff?" he demanded.

Hao smiled. "Choose a room. It doesn't really matter which considering we won't be staying here much. After all, we are supposed to tour the city." Still smiling, he sauntered off through the hallway that Ed had just come through.

Ed shivered. "Damn he's creepy." He looked at Al. "So, which room d'you want?"

Al shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"I guess not." Sighing, Ed shoved their stuff into the closest room and collapsed onto the floor. He was about to drift off into slumber when Hao walked into the room. He leaned against the wall and watched as Ed went from seconds-until-sleeping to wide-awake-and-staring-back-suspiciously.

"How long you planning on laying there? We have to go sometime you know," Hao asked after a few seconds of silence.

Ed got up, grumbling yet again. "Fine, let's go already."

"Like that?" Hao's voice was quizzical if not outright disbelieving.

Ed looked down at himself. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Well…nothing if you want to look like an idiot."

Ed snorted. "You're one to talk."

Hao sighed. "I'll change later. Now, are you going to change or what?"

"Fine," Ed snarled. "What the hell am I supposed to change into though?"

Hao smirked. Reaching through the doorway and behind the wall, he produced a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt and handed them to Ed who eyed the garments wearily. "They're practically the same as the stuff I've got on."

Al sighed. "Nii-san, just put it on."

Hao nodded. "It's a hell of a lot less formal and probably more comfortable too. That suit thing looks stiff."

Grumbling under his breath about people who were too picky about looks, Ed entered the bathroom attached to the bedroom they were in. He changed quickly and exited, his original clothing draped over one arm.

After Hao had looked Ed over carefully, he smiled. "Much better, but you should probably take the gloves off too."

"Better?" Ed breathed, annoyed. "This is the itchiest thing I've ever worn in my entire life." Scowling at Hao, he dumped himself on the floor and began scratching his legs. "What the hell are they made of anyway?"

Hao's eyes crinkled with mirth. "They're jeans."

"Right…" Apparently, jeans weren't a part of Ed's vocabulary. "So now what?"

"Now I go change and then we leave."

The shaman turned and walked into the labyrinth of corridors that made up the house. Once his footsteps died away, Ed let out an enormous, heartfelt sigh. "Finally! Stupid Asakura is getting on my nerves."

Al gave his brother an understanding look. "I know, but he could be the only way we'll be able to see okaa-san again." Ed nodded. "Demo…nii-san?"

Ed looked up at Al, laying himself back onto the floor. "Hai?"

"I've been thinking. You know how he said that I can be your spirit?"

Ed nodded again, but his eyes were questioning.

"Well, I've been wondering where his spirit is," Al continued, his eyes unfocusing as he stared into space. "I mean, we've never seen it and he hasn't mentioned it so I was beginning to wonder if he has one at all."

Ed waved his hand at Al absently, dismissing his worries as trivial. "Of course he does. I'm sure we'll see it sooner or later. He just hasn't needed it yet. Why does it matter if he has one anyway?"

Al looked down. "Because if he doesn't, how will we know if he can bring okaa-san back or not?"

Ed froze. Al was right. However, as of now, there was nothing the two of them could do about it, so Ed just shook his head. "It'll be fine, Al. Don't worry."

Al smiled sadly and nodded. "Hai," he whispered. He was about to say something else when he was cut off abruptly by Hao's voice calling out.

"Alright, let's go!" A second later, Hao walked passed the room, waving them to follow with his hand. The two trailed after him and walked outside. It had gotten considerably darker since they had gone inside and the ground was now bathed only in a warm orange glow. The sun was setting and could be seen sinking beneath the high-rise buildings. Ed and Al gasped at the sight as they watched the soft tangerine light shine between the gaps of the buildings. Hao shook his head at them. "And here I was thinking that you two had finally gotten used to this place."

Al hung his head in embarrassment, but Ed just glared at the shaman. After a few seconds, his glare turned into a thoughtful gaze. Now dressed like Ed in jeans and a t-shirt, Hao seemed out of place in the clothes. It seemed he too was more at home in his original apparel.

"Are you quite finished staring?" Hao asked after a moment, his voice taunting.

Ed's glare returned. With a slight huff, he began walking purposefully down a path that he found among the trees.

"Ano…nii-san, are you sure that's the right way?" Al called, worry evident in his voice. When he received no answer, he turned to Hao. "Asakura-san, is that the right way?"

Hao smiled. "It's as good as any." With that, he began down the path as well, Al floating along behind, uncertainty written on all of his features.

They walked for nearly ten minutes when Ed stopped suddenly. "Why the hell haven't we seen anyone or anything yet?" he demanded, eyes fixated on Hao.

"This is a scenic route," the shaman replied nonchalantly as if he thought Ed was aware of that the whole time.

"THIS IS WHAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING EARLIER?" Ed seethed.

Hao shrugged. "You seemed to be rather intent on going this way. I doubt you'd have listened anyway."

"You should have said something anyway," Ed admonished, indignant.

Hao shrugged again. "Makes no difference now." He began walking again, leaving the two brothers behind him, staring as he walked off.

"Nii-san, it's fine. Calm down."

Ed sighed. "Fine, let's go." Shoving his hands into his pockets again, he followed Hao down the meandering path. Al shook his head and did the same, all the while wondering if they would ever complete their mission. As they walked, they passed by trees and streams, which by that time had all become nothing more than a blur of color and a splash of sound. Once it began to get darker, a slight breeze came and the leaves rustled as it pulled at them gently. Soon it was completely dark out aside from the light of the moon and Al's soft glow.

"Ano," Al began, "shouldn't we go back now?"

Hao nodded. "In a bit, I think I hear something." His mysterious smile returned to his lips and he walked towards a clump of trees.

Glancing at each other, Ed and Al moved closer to the clump of trees as well. Then, breathing softly, they heard muffled voices that seemed to get louder and louder. After a minute or so, they could tell that whoever was talking, was either extremely loud or screaming at the top of their lungs. They could almost make out a few words, but then another voice would drown the former out. The screaming increased in volume and Hao stepped away, moving to the far left. Ed furrowed his brow in confusion, but stood where he was. Suddenly, a mass of people came flying through the air and landed on top of him. He gasped and tried to tell them to get off, but the sound of his voice was dominated by their groans and complaints. Unable to breathe, Ed's vision began to black out. He nearly passed out when all of the weight on him was lifted. Scowling, he jumped to his feet immediately. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE?"

"Depends. Who are you anyway?" Ed heard a voice ask.

"Doesn't matter," another voice replied.

Ed was starting to get annoyed and being temporarily blind wasn't helping either. "Asakura, what the hell is going on?"

Ed heard a fast intake of breath in front of him. "You know an Asakura?"

"What's his first name?"

Ed scowled. "Hao! Get your ass out here."

"Hao!" all of the voices asked, incredulous. Ed heard a whoosh and then wind began to whip at him. The clanging of metal on metal followed soon after and then there was silence.

"Asakura-san?" Al's voice sounded nervous as he whispered the name.

Confused, Ed waited until his vision began to clear and then looked around. The vision he saw was the thing he least expected to see.

Hao's voice rang out in the silence as he smiled at the congregation in front of him. "Long time no see, Yoh…"


A/N: So…I know that I probably should have made this chapter longer to make up for not updating in more than a month, but I'm writing three stories at once, plus drawing a manga and making pictures for my friends so my creative spirit is dying. Nonetheless, I will try very hard to update soon so please review. Criticism is gratefully received and flames will be read, thought about, and most likely, laughed at, so yeah…REVIEW! You know you want to…