Fullmetal Alchemist
Under my Skin
Drama, Action, Romance
She tried so hard to hide the truth, she swore she'd never tell anybody, until now...
Author's Note: As any story I write, I sadly do not own any of the original characters from Fullmetal Alchemist. They are sole property of the writers. Anything outside that are, names and ideas, belong to ME!
Story: Takara is a tough, a bit self absorbed 15-year-old from Shiloh, a small town in the countryside. She's an alchemist but after a tragedy that claims the lives of both her parents and older brother Ichiro that came from the result of alchemy, Takara has come to conclusion that alchemy can only do harm and as uses it for harm against anyone who comes across her in the wrong way. She arrives in Central City, living on her own when she comes across the famed Fullmetal Alchemist and his big suit of armor for a brother. To Ed, she appears to be nothing but a cocky, sharp-tongued brat but looks can be deceiving...
When Takara's dark past comes to light, Ed realizes she's in more danger than he thought when the people who after to Takara finally find their target. Ed makes it his duty to protect this girl but maybe protecting a girl who's her own enemy and maybe...doesn't want to be saved makes things difficult...
It's set right around the time where Scar is still wandering around Central, killing State Alchemist officers and after Nina/Alexander die, and in honor of Christmas, around that time. It's rated for language that may be strong at points and for violence that also may be strong at points and for some disturbing scenes.
Please read, review, and enjoy!
GrnDay4ever
Chapter I
Welcome to Central City
It was snowing out. Not a startling sight for 15-year-old Takara who, from the countryside, seen it snow up to 4 feet one winter a long time ago when she was only 5 or so. Sitting in the backseat of the slow moving cab, Takara stared out the foggy window, her arm propped up on the armrest, her face resting into her hand, and was bored as hell as she idly drew little hearts and other shapes. Because the sudden downfall of snow, the traffic was backed up for quite a way and Takara swore that if the cab didn't get moving, she was going to throttle somebody. Well, not literally, but you get the point. In a tattered leather jacket over her navy blue sweater, in denim jeans that went over her Doc Martin boots, and wearing fuzzy black gloves, Takara looked as any teenager nowadays look and on the streets, nobody would give her a second look. The one thing that had bothered Takara for as long as she could remember was the scar that went down from the end of her left eyebrow and down past her eye quite a bit. It was something that people always found an interest of topic when they talked to Takara and though Takara knew she shouldn't blame them for they didn't know, it bothered her more than anything. But other than that, Takara did look like your average teenager. With sleek blond hair that red streaks in it, her normally bright green eyes were more a dull pine color as she hadn't slept in days. Though Takara's body itched and ached from the overload for the past few days, it was as though Takara's brain just kept going, telling her not to sleep. Yawning, Takara shifted about in her seat, shooting daggers at the driver in the front seat. All during the drive, all he did was sing and well, let's just say he was no Elvis Presley. Of course, it was Christmas Carols he sang and no, Takara held nothing against the holidays but after a while, when you hear "Jingle Bells" or "Deck the Halls" one too many times, you too would get sick of holiday songs. Rolling her eyes, Takara looked out the window again, thinking. Normally, she loved the holidays. She loved to be able to wake up on Christmas morning, to go downstairs and see the avalanche of presents that awaited her. To listen to Nat King Cole smooth singing "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." while enjoying it with a steamy cup of hot chocolate sprinkled with dozens of tiny little marshmallows and a candy cane stuck in it to a bit of flavor. Then, later at night, to sit down at a table beautifully decorated and feast on Christmas turkey followed by cherry pie for dessert. Later sit down and listen to the radio, knowing with sadness Christmas was over but it had been worth it...
Takara couldn't remember the last time she actually celebrated Christmas. She was 15 going on 16 now so that would've been...hell, 10 years ago? She was only 5 when it happened, and although Takara couldn't remember that much of her childhood, this memory was still very raw in Takara's mind. The pain of when her head had smacked painfully against the floor, the taste of blood, and the screams...
NO! NO! PLEASE, NO! DON'T DO THIS!
Mommy...? Little Takara was confused. Her mommy sounded so upset and...scared. Why? Takara was stretched across her side facing the wall of the house. On her side like when she watched TV on the floor. Everything was blurry. Was this even home? Nothing looked the same. Little Takara squirmed uncomfortably. Her head was really sore and she had an awful taste in her mouth. She was scared.
You should have done what you were told Sakura. Who was THAT? Little Takara didn't recognize the deep, really scary voice. The blurry sight of the hairy man came into sight. He looked a little like Daddy with the large bushy beard but he was nothing like Daddy. He wasn't nice...
You can't do this!
Mommy...
Takara, baby, I'll be right there. Little Takara could see the tears in her mommy's eyes, and little Takara wanted to cry...
Sitting in the backseat, Takara felt hot tears slide down her cheeks as the memory burned like a flame in the back of her mind. That memory Takara tried hard to forget but every Christmas, it snuck its way back into her mind. As Taraka gently massaged her temple, she still felt the pain.
It was on Christmas Eve that happened, what a day, Takara thought.
"Hey kid..." Takara doubled back as she quickly wiped her face, breathing deeply as she stared at the cab driver who was looking at her through the rearview mirror. "Welcome to Central City." Takara's eyes grew wide and opening the door, she put her arm up on the roof of the car and leaning out into the brisk air clutching the open cab door, Takara supported herself as she stared at what was ahead of them. Through the heavy snow flurries falling down onto her, Takara could make out the enormous building that was Central Headquarters. The entire town was light by the colored string of lights that hung down across the windows of the buildings leading up the street to Headquarters. With snow covering the roofs of buildings and coming down on the mingled crowds of people going up and down the sidewalk, it looked like something right out of a Christmas movie. Takara smirked to herself, nodding slightly as she dove back into the car and scooping her heavy bag that was on the floor of the car into her lap, she pushed aside different things before coming to her wallet.
"Hey Elvis," Takara started with sarcasm, mainly on the account of his singing. "I wanted to know, are there any good inns around here?"
"Hmm..." The cab driver thought about it for a moment, his brow furrowed before he looked at the young teenager again. "Yeah, about two blocks up to your left, Central Inn. Let me drive ya, ya don't wanna walk in this weather..."
"Nah, it's fine. Thanks for the ride," Takara took out the required amount of money and slapping the dollar bills and change in the man's chubby hand, put the bag strap on her shoulder and climbed out.
"No problem, take care of yourself." The driver called after her and closing the door, Takara started up the sidewalk. Zipping up her jacket and making sure her strap was firm on her shoulder, shoved her hands into her pockets as she strode through the crowds of military status, Christmas shoppers, and the common folk who made their way to their cozy homes out of the cold. As Takara walked past a large group of carolers who stood around a blazing barrel to keep warm, singing "I Saw Three Ships", a band playing along with the singers, past a Santa Claus who rung a bell with a bucket nearby for charity donations, Takara found herself suddenly doubtful. Was there really reason a she left her beloved home of Shiloh for this? Even though Takara could recall spending 8 years of her life in the Shiloh Orphanage and two of them on the road on her own, she vividly remembered that without a doubt the best years of her life was on that farm.
Don't be so stupid, Takara! Takara scolded herself as she shivered, the air freezing that Takara suddenly wished she hadn't gone back on the cabby's offer. You had to get the hell outta there. There was nothing left and those bastards were after you! You want a death wish? Takara shook her head, the topic so stupid and ridiculous and morbid as she came up to a crosswalk. Stopping for a minute, people surrounding her on every side going there own way, making Takara feel a bit claustrophobic, Takara thought of where she was going.
Two blocks up to your left is what he said, Takara thought and looking straight ahead, it seemed like the only place likely and she followed that. After managing to get through the crowds, Takara smirked, more to herself as the neon words "Central Inn" came into the view, the song "Frosty the Snowman" booming over the noise on the speakers. It was considerably big but from the flowing crowd coming and go from it, Takara felt very apprehensive. Hopefully they would have a room but Takara felt more doubtful. It was the holidays for God's sake. The busiest time of year! Sighing, Takara practically had to push herself in as she came into the large stuffy, noisy and with aroma of pine main room. All lights were off except for the enormous 10ft tree that stood in the corner, the lights bright enough that it was light the entire room. Lights were strung up across the doorways and wrapped around the bars on the staircases going up and downstairs. It was bustling with people, greeting newly arrived family members with hugs and kisses, most sitting over in the waiting room on the couches around the roaring fireplace. It was very toasty that Takara zipped her jacket down a ways and looking around, spotted the main desk near the center of the room. Making her way around people, she got right up to the desk before the receptionist looked up at her.
"Can I help you?" He asked. An elderly man was he with white hair on the side of his red balding head, small round glasses resting on the tip of his cherry of a nose, his cheeks rosy and twirled white mustache. In a red and white plaid vest sweater over a white collared shirt, he was a chubby man. He reminded Takara a lot of Santa Claus. A Santa Clause that had gotten a hair cut.
"Yeah, um...There wouldn't happen to be any more vacancies, would there?" Takara asked, not all sounding hopeful for it seemed so unlikely from how busy the place was.
"Hmm. You're betting a lot, aren't you?" The old man asked with a slight chuckle as he opened the large leather bound book that was in the center of the desk and with his feather quill, began to look through the lists. "This is a busy time. You're not meeting any family, are you?" He glanced up at Takara, still bent down over the book.
"No, I'm on my own this year," Takara explained. The old man mumbled something that Takara didn't understand but he then looked up at her with a coy smile.
"You're in luck, little lady," Takara slowly started to smile. "A family just left and I'm assuming you want that room..."
"Oh, yeah...!" The elderly man chuckled warmly, his enormous belly jiggling from his chuckle that was more of a 'ho, ho, ho!'. Maybe he's Santa's relative, Takara thought with a shrug, knowing well that there was no such thing as Santa Claus but still... Takara did remember the times the orphanage had the town candy store owner, who happened to be very large and round, dress up as Santa and visit the orphanage at this time of the year, just to cheer the children up and would give them enormous candy canes and presents. This thought made Takara smile as the man turned to her, holding a gold key, studying Takara as though seeing if she was trustworthy, peering at her over his the rim of his glasses.
"The room is B200, two floors above and is the door across from the stairwell. We have morning, afternoon, and evening services. The buffet table is open every other hour, starting at 7 in the morning and goes to 11 in the evening. Please, if you have any questions, feel free to use the service phone...Sedwick!" The old man looked up at across the room and snapping his fingers, a young man, obviously a butler, looked up and came to the desk.
"Oh, no that's..." Takara started but the old man payed no attention, smiling at Sedwick.
"Please take this young lady up to room B200," The old man instructed and Sedwick nodded.
"Yes sir," Sedwick said.
"Enjoy your stay, Takara," The old man said with a wink and turned away. With a shocked expression, Takara turned and went to ask the old man how he knew her name but he was gone.
"Weird..." Takara muttered. How could he have possibly known?
"Please, let me carry your bag," Sedwick offered politely and handing it to him, Takara followed the young man up the stairs.
The inn was very nice, the walls made with maroon wallpaper and fine oak boarders, like that up and down every hallway with oak doors with the room number hanging from the door. Finally, after walking up the two floors, Sedwick showed Takara to her room and Takara felt a wave of relief.
"Here you are. You'll find there's a kitchenette, TV and phone so you can order breakfast in the morning should you prefer staying in your room. We hope you enjoy your stay at Central Inn," Sedwick said politely and handing Takara her bag, Takara handed the butler a tip of $10. He thanked her and handing her the key, bid her a good night and left back down the stairs and vanishing out of sight. Unlocking the door and going inside, Takara felt secure as she closed the door behind her and looked around at her surroundings. Like the butler explained, there was a kitchenette complete with a microwave, stove, refrigerator and cupboards. A door was visible behind the island that likely led to the bathroom with two sliding doors on the corner wall, the wardrobe. Into the room, a medium sized TV sat propped up on a stand, the twin-sized bed across from it against the wall and against the wall near the window, a recliner. The room itself was a dark shade of peach with red curtains drawn across the window and on the coffee table by the recliner was an ornamental miniature Christmas tree that was all light up. Coming, dropping her bag to the ground with a loud thump against the carpeted floor, Takara felt some of the stress she was feeling before slowly start to fade away but it didn't make a difference as she walked across the room and resting on the window sill, looked down at the main area of Central City. All light up like the kind of ornamental town model you find in Christmas stores, Takara sighed heavily. It really didn't make a difference where she went. As long as they were out there. Rubbing her forehead, Takara knew the only way she could ever think clearly was to walk it out and well, she had her room and at least she wasn't going to be sleeping out on the streets...
Good thing she didn't take off her boots and turning, she walked out her room and making sure it was locked up, she went back downstairs and went back into the cold to clear her mind.
There you have it. Until I can think of something new for My So-Called Life, I'm leaning for a Christmas story involving my 2nd favorite anime, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST! (Fan fare) As always, I am SOO open to ideas and what you think I should change or not. Hope you enjoyed and here's what's coming up next time:
Next time on Fullmetal Alchemist
The Girl, The Boy, The Suit of Armor
TAKARA (screams): WHO THE HELL ARE YOU! (transmutes a garbage can lid into a large dagger, WITHOUT a circle)
ED/AL (shocked): SHE CAN TRANSMUTE WITHOUT A CIRCLE?
MUSTANG (voice over): This changes everything.
TAKARA: YOU'RE the Fullmetal Alchemist? (Stares incredulously at Ed) You're so...(stares at him, considering his height)
ED (incense): I'm WHAT?
AL (warningly to Takara): Don't say it!
FUNimation really is fun!