Chapter Title: Water
Characters: Scar, Al, Ed, Winry, Pinako, Armstrong
Pairings: None! I can't write romance for the life of me!
Spoilers: None
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I don't own it! Waaaaah!
A/N: Ah, man, I'm starting to run out of days…something is telling me to stall for time…
The next two days passed without much incident. Scar's strength was coming back by inches, and he was now able to walk mostly on his own, although not for very long periods. He had also become somewhat accustomed to Armstrong's presence, but it was doubtful that he would ever be truly at ease with him.
On the eighth night, there was a terrible thunderstorm. Rain pounded on the roof and windows, and the wind howled. Lightning split the sky, and thunder crashed after it. Sleep was near impossible for Scar, so he stared out at the howling storm through the window. Eventually, though, it died down and sleep came at last.
Despite the terrible weather the night before, the ninth day was bright and sunny, although a bit wet.
"Niisan, that was a really bad storm. We should go down to the town and see if there was any flooding," Al suggested after breakfast, "They might want some extra help, if there was."
Ed shrugged, "Eh, I guess so. Not much to do around here anyway," and stood, heading for the door.
"Hey, niisan, should we bring Scar-san with us? I mean, he hasn't been outside except for once…" Al turned to Scar, "Would you like to come? It's a really nice day out."
Scar didn't even need to think twice before nodding. He hadn't enjoyed being trapped indoors for so long, and any chance to go outside would be taken right away.
The four of them (Armstrong had come as well) slowly walked down the dirt path towards the river. Scar was wearing his regular clothes again, and he was rather pleased about that. And even though they had to stop every once in a while so that he could rest for a short time, which made Ed slightly impatient, Scar was content enough just to be walking outside again and didn't mind much. Finally they reached the banks of the river, which, although quite swollen from the rain, didn't seem to have actually overflowed its banks. Ed walked up to the very edge of the steep bank, looking into the swift, murky water with something akin to curiosity. Scar, wondering what could possibly be so interesting in that water, walked over to where he stood. That bit of the bank, soft and weakened by the rain, could not hold the combined weight of the two of them and collapsed.
It seemed to happen in slow motion. One moment, Ed and Scar were standing on solid ground, the next, they were falling. Al rushed forward to catch them, managing to get hold of the hem of Ed's red coat, but the hand that had tried to catch Scar closed around empty air.
"Scar-san!" Al cried as the Ishbalan hit the water with a splash and vanished beneath the swift current. He pulled Ed back onto solid ground, eyes scanning the surface of the river frantically, but there was no sign of Scar at all. Another splash was heard, and Al saw that Armstrong had dived into the river.
The second Scar had hit the water, he had been pulled under by the fierce current. He flailed his arms and legs desperately, unable to tell which way was up or down, unable to see, unable to breathe…he was being tossed and turned, completely trapped in the grip of the current. His frantic hands found nothing but more water to grasp…he couldn't find the surface, or even the bottom. His lungs felt like they were about to burst, and he knew that, short of a miracle, he was going to drown. 'Ishbala…'
Suddenly, he felt a strong hand grasp the collar of his trenchcoat and pull him backwards. Out of pure instinct he latched onto it, clinging like a limpet, and then within seconds he and his rescuer broke the surface of the water. Scar coughed and gasped, gulping in air and thanking Ishbala with every fibre of his being. He then looked up at his rescuer, and discovered that the arm he was currently clinging to like his life depended on it (which it did) belonged to Armstrong, who thankfully still had his shirt on.
"Don't let go, whatever you do."
Scar gave a small nod and clung harder. At this point, he didn't care if he was holding onto the Fuhrer; there was no way in hell he was going to let go. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to calm his rapidly pounding heart as the deadly waters rushed around them.
After Armstrong had gone into the river, Ed and Al had run along the bank after him. He dove underwater, where he remained for several minutes. The brothers had just begun to fear that both Scar and Armstrong had drowned when the Major broke the surface of the water, Scar clinging tightly to his left arm and thankfully still very much alive. Now the only problem was getting them both out. Then Ed had an idea. He clapped his hands together and slammed them into the ground, forming a strong net out of the mud and rock in the riverbed. It stretched all the way across the river, so there was no way Armstrong wouldn't be able to grab onto it. He managed to use the net as a ladder to climb out of the water, even though Scar remained attached to his arm the whole time. Only once they were on entirely solid, dry land did the Ishbalan let go, simply sliding off onto the ground and not moving. He looked rather pathetic, with his hair plastered to his head and clothes looking like they had their own little rivers coming out of them. Not to mention he still had a kind of panicked look in his eyes.
"Hey, Scar, you all right?" Ed asked, his tone neutral. Scar gave a tiny, almost invisible, nod. He seemed to be in shock. Ed leaned forward, "You don't know how to swim, do you?"
Scar's reply could barely be heard, "No…"
"Thought you were going to die?"
"Yes…"
"But you didn't."
"Yes…"
"And you aren't injured."
"No…"
"So get up. You'll be fine."
Scar didn't say a word, but took Al's offered hand and pulled himself off the ground.
And so the group went back along the path to the house in silence. Until they had nearly gotten there, and Ed commented nonchalantly, "By the way, Scar, you look like a drowned rat."
A/N: You know, I don't think Scar-san can swim. I mean, he grew up in the desert, and he didn't really have a reason to learn after that. And not to mention the fact that in the manga, there's one bit where he's fighting Lust and Gluttony (kinda like an extension of the 1st Library Battle) in the sewers, and gets knocked in the water, and there's only three panels there before the scene ends, but in one of them he really looks like a person who's trying to swim but doesn't know how. Scar-san, we need to teach you how to swim.
Scar: What? Why?
Envy: This chapter is why. Do you think you would've come so close to drowning if you had known how to swim?
Scar: …Point taken. Fine.
Oh, and by the way, the next chapter is probably going to be fairly difficult to write, so I'm not quite sure how long it will take. It might even turn out to not take long at all. But I think that it'd be a good idea to warn you all, just in case. Now, to answer reviews!
Anasazi Darkmoon: I bet he is too. X3 Well, yeah, it's getting to the end, but I have a nice sequel idea...
ImperialJedi: Yeah, I have tons of fireflies during the summer where I live. They're so pretty...Anyway, I'm sure Scar-san has been able to have a bath at some point, even if I didn't mention it. I think it'd be funnyif hehid in Al again too (of his own free will, this time).
Moonglitter2: Thank you!
no one's friend: Thanks! I have a fat cat too (actually I have three, but only oneof 'em is fat)
D.C talk: XD That you would be. Good thing he IS in the TV, or I'd be in for a world of hurt right along with you. I read your crossover; it was nice. :)
crazyanimefreak15: Hehehe... (Scar: -reading over shoulder- Heeeey...)
Wind Wanderer: Joy! Scar plushie! -hugs- (Scar: How'd you get those pictures? -sulks- )
LadyRiona: I don't think it will ever resurface, much to Scar-san's joy. Yes, now I can have good rice, and normal, regular, Western food. -sigh of relief- I'll put upall the pictures I've drawn so far just as soon as I can make my scanner work.