Aishiteru…Ototo
Prologue
Author's Note: I've had this idea for some time…and I'm just now getting to write it. I know the title is weird…but… 'Aishiteru…Ototo' means 'I love you…(little) brother' It will hold more meaning later, but for now, I'll let it stay. My idea is basically set 5 years after Edward passes thru the gate. Edo(Ed) is 21, and Aru(Al) is 15. This will be on how Ed finds a way back to Al…and things like that. It will show Al and what I think should have happened too, lol, so, just sit back and enjoy. (also…bear with me…I'm not too good at writing FMA fics as of yet)
Disclaimer: I don't own Full Metal Alchemist of any of it's characters. I also wont be adding my own character, so…technically…I own nothing…just this computer that I'm writing this on…but…that isn't mine either…oo…I own nothing!
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"Hohenheim…" Edward spoke as he lazily walked into the kitchen. His dad was at the stove, cooking their breakfast. "Ah…hello Ed." he replied before serving him some food. The man had tried to slip him some milk on quite a few occasions, and Edward would almost drink it in his sleepy state. But not today! Today Ed checked his drink and inspected his bacon and eggs. Once he deemed them milk-free, he ate quickly, intent on getting back to his research.
He was constantly working. Always trying to find a way back…a way back to Al. His little brother was still in their world…and he was determined to find a way back to him. He missed him for one…but he liked to say that it was better then staying with Hohenheim. It was, actually. Al might not have been a good cook, but he knew how to make Ed feel better, and he also knew when to give Ed his time. They understood each other…and they knew how to treat one another. Not like Hohenheim. No…he didn't know anything about Ed. Not at all.
"I was thinking of taking you to the library today." Hohenheim stated while sipping on his coffee. Ed just made a 'heh' sort of sound before poking at the remained of his eggs. "I'm not a kid…I can go by myself…" Hohenheim looked up at him with a look and nodded. "I know, but I'm still taking you." The older Elric then took another sip of coffee before dumping the rest and placing the cup in the sink. "Hurry up…we can go now." Ed nearly growled, but controlled himself and instead got up and deposited of his dishes.
"Fine…but only because I was heading out there anyway." Hohenheim didn't reply but grabbed his jacket and headed to the door. He held it open for Ed and once the boy passed, he grabbed a paper that was laying on the table by the entrance. He slipped it into his pocket and then headed out after his son.
Ed noted though, that Hohenheim walked in front. Usually he would allow Ed to venture first. But today…today he was acting strange. When they got to the turn that led to the Library, Hohenheim kept walking, and pulled Ed along too when he tried to turn in. That was strange…there wasn't another route to the library.
"Alright…where are we going?" Edward asked as Hohenheim continued, not uttering a word as to why he was going the wrong way. "I told you…didn't I?" he asked before pulling Ed into a turn. "No…you didn't." Ed replied before ripping his jacket out of his father's grip.
"The library is back there…don't tell me you forgot…" Ed stopped and looked at his father with an accusing glance. His voice didn't hold the usual amusement either. He was curious and his temper was itching to surface too.
"I didn't…Ed…I need to show you something." Ed frowned but continued walking. "Fine…" he sounded slightly disappointed that Hohenheim 'won' so to say…but he tried not to let it get to him. If his father wanted to show him something, the least he could do was go see it.
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It was dark.
Very dark…
Too dark…
Way too dark…
Why so dark?
What happened?
Why…why was there no light?
It was very dark…
Was that rain?
Footsteps…
Screams?
Blood?
No…why…
Why was it so dark?
Where was brother?
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Niisan?
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Winry was pacing. Why wasn't she allowed in! It wasn't fair! She should have been able to see him! He was in pain…he was hurt…he was…no…he was fine! But…after what happened to Ed…
She seemed a little too protective of the remaining Elric…but to her…he need to be protected. He was the only one left. Out of his family…only him. His father, then mother…then…then…no…Ed…
Why did he have to go! He left Al all alone…and…her…she…she missed him.
But who was she to complain?
Al was alone…he was alone, and in pain now. She could hear him screaming. And she wasn't allowed in why? Because she worried? Because she wanted to hold him? Make it stop? It wasn't fair!
Ed…he never screamed…no…he didn't. Never…he endured it for Al…always because of Al…but…Al…he doesn't have a reason not to scream. He should scream. He should have screamed a while ago…but…
But…now that Ed was gone…Al was distant…and he tried to be tough…strong…
But deep down…deep down Al was scared and alone…crying and breaking. Why was she the only one who saw that!
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"Hohenheim…how much longer?" Ed almost whined. They had been walking for hours! (not really…but that's what Ed's feet were convinced of) And he was bored…he could have been researching! But no…he was going Kami knows where with his father…
For some reason that didn't quite feel so inviting to the young alchemist.
Hohenheim sighed and looked back at his son, who happened to be trailing behind. "Hop to it, Ed! Its not that much farther now." the scientist stuck his hands into his pockets and withdrew the paper before taking a brief glance and then stuffing it back in. Good…they were almost there…
Hohenheim had wanted to wait…wait until he was more certain…but…by the way Ed was acting…it was obvious he missed his world way too much. It was understandable…but…
Ed always seemed so far off. And…perhaps this would only make things worse…but…he thought Ed should see what he discovered…it was only fair after all.
With a shake of his head, Hohenheim allowed his ranting to leave him as he stopped. Ed had trailed behind, and the father thought it wise to wait for his son. "Oh come on Edward! Don't tell me your really this slow!" When his son didn't show he grinned. "Ah…I see…not only are you short but also slow." Before he even finished, Ed was on top of him.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE'D FIT ON A KITTEN!"(1) Hohenheim blinked and laughed nervously. "eh? I don't believe you used that one before…anyway…it's just over here, Ed."
Edward stopped his yelling and grunted. "Fine, fine…but let's hurry! I have books on hold at the Library that I need to check out today." he said before following his father into a forest like place. He was led until they made it to a cave. And once they did, Hohenheim stopped before it and looked him in the eye.
"Son…Edward…I have to ask you something." Hohenheim began. "Do you miss your Ototo?(2)" that was a stupid question. "Of coarse I do, baka!(3)" Edward replied, face in a scowl.
"I see…" Hohenheim muttered. "Very well…do you wish to see him?"
"Nani?(4) see as in…see!" Edward asked, eyes widened in confusion and shock. "How is that possible?" he asked at Hohenheim's nod.
His father just sighed and looked away. "I discovered this place a while ago…it…well…" he hesitated and Edward growled. "Well?"
"It…allows you to see into our world…" Hohenheim looked back to see Edward's priceless expression. It left and was replaced by anger soon after. "YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE BEFORE AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!" Hohenheim sighed and nodded. "I didn't know how'd you react…" but before he could finish, Edward was hugging him.
He could tell Ed was crying…so he wrapped his arms around the boy. "Ed?" his son looked up at him and grinned. "Thanks…dad…" he said, tears brimming his eyes and the thought of seeing Al again.
"Edo…this place…it doesn't allow them to see you…understand?" At Ed's nod he smiled. "ok then…are you ready?" At the second nod, Hohenheim touched a small circle on the large boulder covering up the cave, he then led Edward into it and sealed it shut with a transmutation circle that was already placed on the inside of the caves walls.
"It's a lake sort of thing…" Hohenheim stated before disappearing farther into the lit cave. Ed noticed many torches as he followed behind his father. It was obvious Hohenheim had known about this awhile. "you know, Ed…I used to check in on you and Al…it was a while ago…before you came here…obviously…" Ed looked at the man, a weird expression on his face.
"I haven't checked up on Al…I didn't want to until you were ready. And so now…now I'll allow you to see how he's doing…we can see Winry…Pinako and…Roy even." at Ed's small frown Hohenheim laughed. "Or not…"
"Thank you…" Ed muttered to his father as he looked around the damp cave. It wasn't fancy at all…the lights were outdated…but Ed guessed that when his father touched that seal, all the torches were turned on.
"Don't mention it, Ed…" Hohenheim smiled and touched a wall, a compartment opened up and them he stepped into it, Ed following closely behind.
It led to a beautiful room with a magnificent lake. The water seemed purple to Edward, and there were many things drawn on the walls…transmutation circles perhaps? Anyway…it didn't matter at the moment…Ed was going to see Al again…and that was all that mattered.
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Al squeezed his eyes shut and allowed a whimper to escape his mouth. Pinako wasn't helping much with the comfort…and the only other one in the room was Armstrong. Everyone else had been told to wait outside. But…right now Al wanted someone…
He was scared, hurt, tired…and alone. But…the person he wanted wasn't outside the door, ear pressed again it like he knew said person would be. No…Niisan(5) wasn't outside the door, waiting…he was thru the gate…waiting for Al to come for him…or…at least, that's what Al thought.
Of coarse…Ed thought Al was waiting too.
But because of Al's thoughts on the matter, he had become a State Alchemist. It had been around the same age Ed had become one too. 12...but he would have joined sooner, had Izumi allowed him. (not like she allowed him in the first place anyway)
But…he was one now. He knew about state alchemist's chance to view files and things ordinary people couldn't. So that would help him get thru the gate. But…the fact that Ed had joined…and that so many people from the military knew his brother and what they had been through helped his decision too. He knew nothing of the 4 years they had together.
It was what he paid for his life. His memories…his brother.
But…anyway…like Ed, he knew that the military would send him out to war, be there one. But…unlike his brother…there was a war…and he was called out…
And in the process…he lost his left arm. And that's why he was here, in Rizenbul, getting all his nerves attached to automail, so he could go out again. Aside from needing to do research…the war was still going on…and no matter how much he didn't like it…he had to return to the battle field.
It was his duty…
As a dog of the military
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Demi: Well, I think that's a reasonable Prologue, don't you? It didn't take me long…and I know I tried the whole 'post a new story' thing…but, I like this…and, I think I should have some FMA up. Lol…I hope you all like it! Flames allowed…this is my first FMA fic by the way, lol.
Footnotes:
(1) I just thought it would be cute to add that, he mentioned a kitten…and Al loves cats. Makes it seem like he's thinking of him.
(2) Ototo - (little) brother
(3) Baka - Idiot
(4) Nani - What
(5) Niisan - (older) brother
Equivalent Exchange…
I write the fic…and you review…
…That's just the way it goes…
Ja!