Notice: This contains inlets of FMA Manga, FMA Anime, and BBI. (BBI: Bluebird's Illusion so it may get a little confusing. -.-')
WARNING: Does contain spoilers for Manga, Anime, and possibly BBI
Announcement: This is an AU (Alternate Universe for both series)
Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist. Himuro Arakawa does. T.T I do not own Naurto. Masashi Kishimoto does and I'm quite fine with that actually.
Endless Moments
By: Scifijesus
Chapter 2: Morning Glory
Normally Edward would never wear a uniform. They'd always been too big and yet Ed could tell that they'd meaning the military transmuted a large one into his size. They weren't going to make him a new one, and besides it was only for the ceremony. But still, Ed had to murmur, "Lazy bastards…"
One odd thing Ed found was that he did not have to wear the white-cuffed button-up top that all military personal wore, instead Edward was given a black turtleneck. He'd figured that they'd tried to transmute the white shirt into a smaller size and somehow it'd ended up going wrong. When it came down to it, the shirt would've never fit. Therefore Ed was given the black turtleneck and besides Ed preferred it to the white button-up.
It was colder today and that made Edward a bit glad. The long trench coat was heavy as much as it was downsized. If it was hot, he'd be itching and sweating all day. The uniform itself was bad enough because of the heavy material and the very immobility it caused. So Ed decided to do the one thing that would make it so much easier on him: transmute the itchiness and immobility out of it.
He immediately pulled them off, clapped his hands together, and set his hands on the pieces of clothing. Edward was much happier after he did this. The uniform transmutation wasn't perfect, as Ed soon found, but it was only one day. He would deal with it.
Al had gone to get him some food for breakfast even though Ed had told him many times before that he didn't need to. Al could be too generous at times. But Al had retorted with the fact that Al had nothing to do in the mornings anyway and Ed wasn't the best at finding or making himself breakfast. Plus Ed had been stressing himself lately with the travel to the foreign world and not have any real way to continue their search for the philosopher's stone or any other way to get themselves back to normal. Al agreed with him, but Al new all too well his brother and the "Older brother role" as well his brother's thoughts on the situation. They were searching for so long and now? Now they had to stop? It was only for a short time but still, the time they were taking to do this…wasting six months to a year on diplomatic relations that was done through random selection, no. Neither of them liked being away for so long.
"Wasting" sounded a bit harsh, but to the Elric brothers, their goals were far more important to them than trying to get someone as allies in a continent they hadn't really heard about till they were first told about the relations. And truthfully, Ed didn't really care about his country as much as he really should even though apart of the military. He'd found his goal of getting Al's body back to him far more imperative.
Nonchalantly Ed threw on the black trench coat over the uniform and sash, grabbed his watch and proceeded to the main entrance. He was immediately met with a "Good morning, Brother!"
"Morning, Al."
Al had been on his way upstairs to give Ed his breakfast which was a small paper bag containing bagels. Al's voice was cherry that morning; "They didn't have much so I got you some of these."
Ed took them thankfully. He wouldn't have known what to have either, "Thanks, but I told you that you don't-"
"But I want to, Brother. Plus if I didn't go out and get you something to eat, you'd never get anything to eat. You have been pushing yourself lately."
Edward glared at his younger brother, although there was no denying it. All he could muster after that statement was 'Thanks.' Ed continued, "Now where is that bastard Colonel? I have to find out what time the preparations start for the ceremony."
Most of the personal was either outside in front of the lodge they were staying in or inside the main entrance, and as large as it was, it was difficult to view all the personal at once. Al took to looking outside and immediately he found the Colonel chatting it up with some female ninja with 1st Lt. Riza Hawkeye standing only a few feet away looking rather peeved. Al looked on with worry but called his brother anyway.
Ed looked displeasingly at the Colonel, but made his way to him with Al in tow. Roy noticed the Elric brothers, "Ah, FullMetal."
"Sir," Ed grumbled out, "I was-"
"Yes, about that…"
"I haven't said anything yet!"
"But you were and I know what it's about."
"Okay, Colonel," Ed had an opportunity to prove the bastard wrong and he was taking it, "than what was 'it' about?"
"The ceremony starts at fourteen-hundred hours, be hear at thirteen. You're dismissed."
Edward glared at Colonel Mustang and grumbled out a "Yes sir." Damn, his chance was gone and past. The bastard colonel was a true bastard. Ed was walking off with Al when he heard the Colonel speaking to him again, "Oh, and FullMetal…thank you for following orders for once."
Ed acted as if he didn't hear the man, but Roy knew all too well that Ed did. Roy shook his head. It was more than obvious that Ed did not want to be there, but it couldn't be helped anymore.
---
Sakura was sitting on a bench on a small side street. It was quiet there and nice, peaceful too. Not many people knew the spot. It was early morning and she hadn't known why she wanted to get up that early. There was no meeting of their cells that day. The ceremony was the one thing keeping missions from happening. But tomorrow, there would be missions. The younger ninja, the ones who had just gotten out of the academy a few weeks before or the Genin would more thank likely show the foreigners who weren't seeing the town today tomorrow. The Chuunin, her rank they'd continue what they'd always done…more training. She, Naruto, and Sasuke were all working toward Jounin level. Thinking of Sasuke, where was he? What was he doing? Sasuke, oh Sasuke…
"We are not lost!"
Sakura snapped out of her thoughts to view two people, very odd people: a man in a suit of armor and a short blonde kid, although he was taller than herself. What struck her odd about the boy was that he was wearing one of those foreigner's uniforms.
"Face it, Brother, we're lost."
"We are not lost! How many times do I have to say that?"
"Oh Brother…"
"I know where we're going. Don't worry."
"And when will that be?"
The blonde frowned. He'd obviously been dreading that one question. He immediately came up with a vague answer, "Soon."
"How soon is soon?"
"Soon. I promise."
"But Brother, promises are made to be kept."
"Have I ever broken any promises before?"
"Too many."
"Al!" the blonde punched the armor but was immediately blocked.
"Brother…"
"Where are you guys headed?"
The two foreigner's looked at a girl with short pink hair. The blonde lowered his hand, "The sites."
"And we're lost," finished the other.
"We are not lost!"
"Then where are we brother?"
The blonde cringed. He was about to open his mouth to say something but Sakura spoke, "You want to see the sites? There aren't many, but if you like, I can show you them."
"Really?" the armored one asked in a cheery voice.
Sakura smiled and jumped off the bench, "Yep. I've got nothing better to do."
The blonde grinned, "Thank you miss…"
"Sakura Haruno. And you two are?"
"I'm Edward Elric and this is my little brother-"
"Alphonse Elric," the armored one finished.
Least to say Sakura was a little surprised about the 'little' part.
---
It was around noon when the trio stopped. There hadn't been many 'sites' in Konoha as Sakura had said. Konohagakure was not a tourist town. They'd finally settled down for lunch at a ramen joint, the Ichiraku Ramen. Ed hadn't had ramen in a long time, besides the night before and the Ichiraku Ramen was the only ramen joint in the little part of Konoha they were in.
It was Naruto's favorite place; she'd noted as one of the many places to avoid, but Ed and Al had gone ahead of her and walked right into the restaurant.
Sakura's thoughts shifted to Edward, or Ed, as he liked to be called. Surprisingly he was sixteen and she twelve and Ed was but 10 inches taller than herself. She was 4'10 and Ed a lowly 5'5. His younger brother was a mystery 6 even and wearing armor. They'd told her it was a hobby. But anyone, Sakura figured would be insane to have that as a hobby, but Al seemed more sane than his older brother, Ed. He was sensitive about his height and it ignited his ire at the tiniest mention of 'small', 'tiny', 'short', or anything similar to those words. Sakura had asked about the differences in height between the two and that's when she learned. Ed was furious at the question and took it rather personally and Al kept his older brother back from attacking anything or anyone in the proximity. At least when he regained himself that Edward gave a somewhat grumbled out apology.
The Ichiraku Ramen was small but it was good, one of the very best ramen joints in all of Konoha. Sakura figured that it was only right for Naruto to like only the best. She only hoped not to see him there. Naruto was so very annoying, even though she'd gotten to…respect him a little bit. He'd actually deserved it for all he'd done and how much he'd actually grown up, if at least a little.
Sakura chose a booth next to the window near the front of the joint. Ed and Al slid into the seat opposite of her. They'd ordered and finally Sakura finally asked, "So how do you like Konoha so far?"
Al was first to speak, "It's really nice. It kind of reminds me of how Lior used to be."
Ed didn't move but rather just looked away for a few seconds.
"Lior?" Sakura asked.
"Lior," Ed sighed, "Was a lot like this. The people mainly. But things happened."
Al nodded, but switching the subject before Sakura could ask what happened he went on, "You kind of remind me of Rosé. She was really nice. Wasn't she taking care of a baby in Resembool the last time we saw her, Ed?"
"Don't know who you're talking about."
"Come on, Ed. I know you think about her every time we talk about Lior."
Ed only gave a slight 'humph'. Sakura supposed Ed wasn't denying it, but didn't want to talk about it either. Sakura was glad they'd ordered early since the endless moment of silence seemed to bring doom down upon all three. The food, which was three bowls of ramen, was set down on the table. Ed had ordered two, she only one, a small one. She was curious about why Al didn't order a thing. He said he wasn't hungry, but to Sakura she assumed that he wore the armor for more than just a hobby. She'd noticed no chakra flowing from the kind fifteen year old. But Sakura soon found that both brothers kept secrets and neither would tell. She had no right to know either and would be left to wonder.
A loud shout took her from her thoughts "More please!"
Sakura immediately recognized the voice as Naruto. She'd only hoped that they wouldn't meet him there, and if he was, that he wouldn't look their way, but what were the chances of that? Her card tower of hopes tumbled and fell when she heard Naruto say, "Hi Sakura! Ed and Al!"
Al waved fondly, "Hello Naruto."
Naruto smiled cheekily, "You like ramen? I love it. I could eat it all day if I could, but I don't have the money. What I hate most about ramen is the three minute wait for it to be heated up and served before you get eat it."
He'd said all this in one breath. Ed twitched. It seemed all this kid thought about was ramen and for the next twenty minutes that was all he could talk about. Ed glanced from Sakura whom was annoyed from the very beginning to Al who was beginning to get annoyed. His little brother getting annoyed, come to think of it, Ed had never seen him in that mood. The three of them had never said much and Ed and Al were given a chance to talk about themselves, but rarely. And somewhere out of nowhere they'd landed on the subject of dreams.
"I am going to be Hokage someday and then everyone will respect me!" Naruto boomed loud and clear. He obviously wanted everyone to know. "That's my dream!"
Sakura didn't really say anything about dreams, although she seemed to blush at the thoughts leaving Ed and Al, as well as Naruto clueless. Sakura quickly asked about Ed and Al, "Do you guys have any dreams?"
Both fell silent. After a near minute of silence Ed sighed, "The pleasure of a dream is that it is a fantasy and it wouldn't be a dream if it came true. Neither of us have dreams."
Ed recalled the words from the old man he'd met when he'd been trying to find Al who'd been mistaken for cargo. No, they didn't have dreams. They had goals, whether by ignorance or defiance, they had goals and not dreams. And yet Ed remembered his response: "I still have to try" and he wondered if Naruto or Sakura had the sense to think up or say something of the like.
Naruto looked crushed; Sakura looked surprised in a sad sort of way.
"Well, I have to go," Ed said quickly, flipping open his watch seeing it read 12:42 pm. He needed to be back by thirteen-hundred hours, or else eighteen minutes exactly. He turned to Al, "You coming?"
"Oh yes, Brother."
Both brothers stood and maneuvered around the booth and left the Ichiraku Ramen joint. Sakura and Naruto were left to their own devices. What the young ninjas thought of the brothers, the brothers did not care. To Ed and Al, it was best that they stay out of their way, out of their business and far from the philosopher's stone.
Once the pair where out on a side street with no one there, Ed got the oddest feeling of being watched. It'd been there all day, but he'd figured it was normal for all of people of Konoha to stare and wonder about foreigners. Yet this time it was different. It was nothing sinister, but distrust. Ed glanced at Al. Although he had no facial emotions, Ed could full well tell that Al was getting the strange twinge as well, though it be more 'spiritual' than gut instinct. Ed had to stop. This was getting annoying.
"Brother?" Al turned to stare at his brother who had just stopped in the middle of the street, "Are you not feeling well?"
"All right, you can come out now. I know you've been watching us all day. We don't bite."
"Brother?" Al stared even more awkwardly at Ed. Yet the curious state of Ed was replaced by surprise as a young kid with short spiky hair jumped down in front of them.
"You sensed me, that takes skill," the stranger said.
Ed waved him aside," No, just gut instinct. Just stop following us. It's rude."
Ed walked right past him and Al in his wake. The stranger was left frowning. These two were strange, very strange. He had been watching them all day. They seemed normal enough in public, just a regular pair of brothers, although he wouldn't exactly know since his own brother, Itachi wasn't the best of them. Yet they were even more strange, the chakra flows of both, the one who 'wears armor as a hobby', the differences in height, and the fact that the shorter one was in the military. Their idea of 'dreams' struck him dumbfounded. If he thought about it hard enough, he could see their point of view, as dreams nothing more than a fantasy, but what did they have and he knew there was something they wanted. What was it though? It was only the first day, the young boy reassured himself, and it's not even over with yet. There are more chances to find out about them. He, Sasuke Uchiha would find out about Edward Elric and really see if they were at all trustworthy. Sasuke watched as the pair disappeared down the street and around a corner. A second later, Sasuke was gone.
---
Ed and Al arrived back at the main hall only seconds before Ed would have been reprimanded about being late. The Colonel was there to greet them, " You made it FullMetal. You're so tiny I thought you'd get lost in this enormous maze of a village."
Ed's ire erupted, "WHO'S SO TINY-"
Al slapped a hand over his brother's mouth, "Colonel…he's been getting comments about his height all day and I was just wondering if, well, you could…"
Roy looked down at Ed who was glared like the devil at him, "I see. We must be going anyway. Al, it's best you stay out here. It's going to be hectic in there."
Al nodded and released his older brother. Ed glared at the two of them straightening his jacket that had ruffled on the attempt to attack the colonel and in escape. Al only sighed, thinking about his brother's short temper. Ed had followed Roy inside, leaving Al to his own devices.
The ceremony started at two o'clock pm so Al had an hour. Maybe he could explore a bit more than he and his brother could. So he did and he soon found that the hour passed faster than he'd expected. He headed over to the main hall and there he found notice stating that the main part of the ceremony would be held in front of mountainside images of all the Heroes of Konohagakure. There would be a half hour break, and then the ceremony would be continued in the large field next to the lodge the Amestrians were staying. There was something about demonstrations.
Al shrugged it off and found his way to the "mountainside images of all the Heroes of Konohagakure" easily. It was circular with the Führer's men on the right side and Hokage's ninja on the left. Behind them were regular Konoha civilians and lower ranked ninja. Al was one of those civilians. There were seats, because the ceremony was supposed to take till at least five in the afternoon, then break till 5:30 then end at around seven o'clock.
"Alphonse," Al turned to see Riza Hawkeye standing on the far right, "Over here. I saved you a spot."
Al understood seeing the position of the seat. It was out of the way, but had a wonderful view. All he wanted to really see was Ed. It wasn't something big, but his older brother never ceased to amaze him. And he was also curious what role his brother would be playing, if there was any severity to it at all. From where Al was, he could see that Ed was in the front row, fifth from the center isle. The colonel sat next to him and the other state Alchemist, Joliot Comanche in the third seat. The Führer's secretary, a new one. Sloth was long gone and the first seat was empty, obviously reserved for the Führer himself. Everyone else was organized by rank.
On the left side there were all sorts of interesting looking people, obviously all ninja. The only piece of uniform they all seemed to bore was a green jacket. But that was only for the highest ranking ninjas or Jounin, as Al soon found out. There were more behind them, Sakura had said something about 'Chuunin' and he saw her with Naruto and the strange kid in the middle of the group of ninja. She'd also said something about ' three-man cells'. Behind them was the last group, even younger, Genin she'd talked about. And after that was the civilian area along with the academy students.
Al glanced to the front. Off to the side the Hokage and the Führer were conversing. That's when Al noticed the amount of ninja and Amestrian military personal circling the place. Of course. There were still problems with the others outside the country. Only a few minutes passed after that and the Hokage stepped up to the stand at the very front and the ceremony began. It was long; it was boring, but the relations were done, at the very least. At the end of the Führer's speech, whom was very last to speak, the clapping erupted in an enormous applause. After it all died down, the Führer continued, "Now we will take a half an hour break so we can set up for the demonstrations. Thank you."
People began moving and pushing this way and that. All were anxious to find out what these 'demonstrations' were. Al stayed where he was. Ed hadn't really been apart of the first half of the ceremony save a little speech of which was all about the relations and how Konoha deemed worthy and the like. Al knew it was a load of bull. When it came down to it, his brother didn't give a damn. It was all for the purpose of playing the right stings and not getting screwed over by the military for being an inconvenience. Ed need his position in the military. That's how the brothers had gotten so far in their search anyway. Al then again considered becoming a state alchemist, but his brother's words echoed back at him, "It's not worth it! One person sitting on a bed of needles is enough!"
A half hour later Al found himself standing off to the side of the field where a large half wall was built in a square. By 'demonstrations', did they mean controlled battles? There was only one way to find out and that was to ask Ed, but Ed was nowhere to be found. He'd probably just have to wait.
"…For demonstrations we are having controlled battles, 3 of which will take up thirty minutes each. These controlled battles will take place between one Jounin of Konoha gakure and one State Alchemist of Amestris. The winning side will receive an award at the end," a man in the middle of the field stated. He was from Konoha, but there was something about him that reminded Ed of Hughes. Ed remembered the time he'd chosen to fight the Colonel for the State Alchemist exam, his first one to be precise. Hughes had shown a picture of his daughter and later he'd ran out of the field as if his life depended upon it, and it did. Ed smiled softly at the memories of his now deceased friend.
The man continued, "The first controlled battle will consist of Special Jounin Genma Shiranui: The Nidaime Ninja and Brigadier General Joliot Comanche: The Ice Alchemist."
And so the fight commenced. Ed took to interest in it. He was far more interesting in wallowing in his own hate at the time being. Well, he didn't hate Konoha, but he hated being there and the fact that the Colonel wasn't allowing he and Al to go back with the Führer.
It wasn't long, an actual thirty minutes had gone by and Genma Shiranui had won over Joliot, but Joliot had put up the best fight Genma had ever had or so they said.
"And now we have Maito Gai: The Taijutsu Ninja and Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang: The Flame Alchemist. Commence fight!" a half second later, the man was off the field. Ed perked up a little. Maybe the bastard Colonel would finally get beaten. If only I would start raining. This one nearly took overtime as well. Maito Gai proved difficult for the Colonel, but in the end to Ed's dismay the bastard Colonel won.
Shrugging off his cloak and sash as well as the over shirt, Ed was left with the turtleneck and the military pants. He'd taken off his gloves as well. He'd probably be needing his automail blade. Now all he needed was that announcement to be over and done with so the fight could begin and then end. Ed was looking to end this as soon as possible. He really didn't care if he won or not, but then he could just hear the bastard colonel's remarks.
"As for our last controlled battle, we have Hatake Kakashi: The Copy Ninja and MajorEdward Elric: The FullMetal Alchemist."
Ed walked in even more disinterested in this fight as he'd ever been. It was just a stupid demonstration. He met Kakashi at the center, they shook hands as all the others had done and resumed their positions.
"Commence fight!"
ANs:
(1) Alright, I was totally lost on some of the Naruto stuff here. I didn't really mention in the first chapter that I didn't know much about Naruto. Well, I do know quite a bit, but I guess not enough to write a story, I guess that's why this is FMA centre. I guess I was clueless what to call Genma and Gai for their "Ninja" names.
(2) What does Sakura do in her spare time? I was totally lost on that. And anything about Sasuke would be wonderful too. I would like to know more anything about Itachi, his older brother. I know a few things, but not enough to actually enter him as an actual character, which I do doubt I will end up doing.
(3)I'm also looking at the geography of Naruto's world. Any help with that would be wonderful. That is somewhat imperative to the plot.
(4) I am writing what I do know about FMA and Naruto. I'm sorry if I get either off, although I bet anyone I'm cleared on all FMA stances, but not Naruto. I feel kind of bad for writing that I don't know much about Naruto and I'm writing a story with it. -conks head on desk- and I do wish the excuse I could use was that I wanted to write and this was the only idea I had come up with in a quite a long time. I really need help...mentally.
(5) Review Responses can be found here: http: (DOUBLE SLASH) www (DOT) anzwers (DOT) org (SLASH) free (SLASH) scifijesus (SLASH) fmamerr (DOT) html
-Scifi Out