ah ha! the fourth update today! you know, it took me two hours to get these last four chapters up. but it's not like you care. nope, you're probably just skipping this and skimming through the story. bitches, only i'm allowed to do that to people!
i own aka, but not fma. don't sue me, my lawyer can kick your lawyer's ass.
-----Letter-----
Your ears went numb as an explosion of cheers sounded. Ed rushed up behind you and threw his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into a noogie.
"See? I told you ya wouldn't choke!" he yelled over the noise. Laughing, you broke out of his grip, only to be met by a mob of military personal. Hands shot out of nowhere, and you tried to shake as many as possible.
Damn! How many hands do they think I have? Trying to see through the crowd, you caught glimpses of Riza, Hughes, Roy, Armstrong, (now un-paralyzed)Havoc, Falman, Fuery, Sheska, Al and (barely) Ed.
Wow, they all came just for me you thought. These guys...are like my new family You'd never really thought of it before, but you realized that everyone you'd met since reaching Central had something about them that reminded you of Hojo.
Except Ed You thought, Ed has something...different You shook your head, clearing your thoughts. I'm being too serious, I just became a State Alchemist! Finally, after what seemed like an hour, the crowd lessened and you were able to make your way to Ed and Al. Ed was grinning like a maniac and even Al seemed to be smiling.
"I'm so happy for you Aka! Al exclaimed. You smiled up at him, but then turned to poke Ed in the forehead.
"What was Roy saying?" You asked.
"What, that he was an all-powerful alchemist? I hear that speech every day..."
"No, what he said to you before the fight. You were whispering." Ed blinked in surprise and scratched the back of his head.
"Well...we didn't want to tell you, but..."
"But what?"
"Well, since you and I have been training a lot, there have been a lot of rumors flying around that the military would go easy on you. So Roy was telling me not to attack you. That way it would seem more fair." Ed explained. Then he jabbed his finger over his shoulder at the Central building. "But enough about that! C'mon, let's get some victory grub!" He exclaimed. You rolled your eyes.
"Jeez Ed, I become a State Alchemist and you still can't keep your mind off of food." Al laughed as Ed smacked you over the head. "Liar! I just want you to get some rest!" He cried, trying to defend himself. You chuckled at his weak cover-up.
"Fine, let's go."
Upon entering the cafeteria, you were met by...yet another explosion of cheers.
"Is this going to go on all day?" You whispered to Ed. He shrugged back.
"I dunno, probably." You suddenly yelped as something wet hit your head. Turning around, you saw Havoc holding a bottle of champagne over your head.
"Great job kid!" He was yelling. "Drink up!"
"What? He's not old enough to drink Havoc!" Ed yelled. Hughes came up from behind you and Ed and put his arms on you guy's shoulders. "Don't sweat it guys, he's just kidding." He said. "Oh, and Havoc? Don't drink too much, I'm leaving early tonight." You and Ed rolled your eyes as everyone else roared with laughter. Countless people came up to congratulate you. You were so busy saying thanks that you barely got to eat. Not that Ed noticed. If anything, he seemed to be trying to make sure no food would be left for you.
Ah...what a generous friend You thought sarcastically. Finally, as less people started coming up, you saw an opportunity to eat. But then Roy came up.
"Great job out there kid, I won a bundle on you." You smirked.
"Gee Roy, nice to know you care so much." Roy chuckled and pulled out a box.
"Well, if that's how you feel, I could just take this watch somewhere else-"
"NO WAY! GIMME MY WATCH YOU WOMANIZER THIEF!" You yelled, snatching the box out of Roy's hands. Tearing it opened, you grinned as light caught the glint of metal. Ed and Al were hovering over you shoulder in a second.
"This is great!" Al exclaimed.
"Yeah," Ed said, "But mine's better."
"What? Liar, no it's not!" you cried.
"Yes it is!"
"No it's not!"
"Whatever, just put it on your belt!" Sighing, you did as he said.
"Not bad Aka!" Al exclaimed.
"Excuse me Elrics, but I need to talk to Aka in private for a moment." Roy suddenly interrupted. Ed looked at him suspiciously.
"About what..?"
"If he wants, he'll tell you later." Roy said. "Now if you'll excuse us..." not giving you time to protest, Roy grabbed your arm and pulled you out of the cafeteria.
What is with State Alchemists and pulling me around by my arm? I'm not a frickin dog!...Well, I guess I kinda am a military dog now... Roy stopped in a hallway just past the cafeteria and undid a manila envelope from a clipboard he was carrying. You cocked an eyebrow in question, but he just shoved the envelope into your hands. Opening it, you pulled out-
"My dad's letter?" You asked, shocked.Roy nodded.
"It's rightfully yours, and the contents may effect where you will be posted."
Numbly nodding, you started reading the letter. Which each passing line, your eyes got wider and wider. By the time you were done, Roy would have called you a bug if you hadn't been wearing your glasses.
"Do you understand now?" Roy asked softly. Shaking yourself back into reality, you looked up at him.
"I need to talk to them before I make my post location official. I have to make sure they're okay with me helping them." Now it was Roy who cocked an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that you won't go if they don't want you to?" He asked. You smirked.
"No, I'm going whether they like it or not. I just thought I'd give them a warning." Roy chuckled.
"I see. You're dismissed then." Nodding, you made your way back to the cafeteria.
Walking in, you saw that everyone but the Elrics had left the party. Ed rushed over and started jabbing questions at you.
"What did Roy want? Was it a threat? Was it about me? HE SAID I WAS SHORT, DIDN'T HE?" You laughed and flicked at Ed's nose.
"Yeah, he said he'd accidentally given me the 'Ed sized' watch and that he'd have to order the bigger one."
"WHAT? WHERE IS HE, LEMME AT EM!" Ed yelled. Laughing again, you grabbed Ed's arm as he tried to rush out the door.
"I'm kidding Ed, he didn't say anything like that."
"Oh. Wait, you mean you're calling me short?"
"Give it a rest Ed." Al interrupted. You gave Al a grateful smile as Ed grumbled to himself about 'everyone being out to minimize him.'
"So did everyone leave?" You asked. Al nodded.
"Yes, but they wanted to congratulate you." You gave a low chuckle.
"Yeah, I kinda gathered that. So what do you guys think you will do now?" You asked. Ed shrugged. "I dunno, I kinda wanted to go sleep, but-"
"He means the Stone Brother." Al interrupted quietly. Ed's grin faded and he looked at the ground.
"I guess...it's about time we got going again..." He said softly. The three of you stood in silence until you said,
"Can I come with you?" "
WHAT?" The Elrics yelled in unison.
"I want to come with you guys." You repeated. Ed shook his head vigorously.
"Aka, you don't get it! Weird stuff happens to us all the time! You could get really hurt!" Al nodded in agreement.
"He's right Aka. It's safer for you not to go. Besides, you need to find out why your dad was killed. You looked at the ground and smiled faintly.
"They may be the same thing."
"What do you mean?" asked Ed. You held up the manila envelope.
"Roy gave me my dad's letter. You guys should read it." The Elrics looked at it hesitantly. "Are you sure you want us to?" Asked Al.
"Of course!" You exclaimed. "You guys are my best friends, who else would read it?" Ed and Al exchanged a surprised look before grinning.
"Okay then, open it already!" Ed exclaimed. Pulling out the letter, you re-read it over Ed's shoulder.
Dear Roy,
This letter is very likely the last time I will ever speak to you. If I am not there to see you in person, this letter will be delivered by my adopted child, Aka. Do not worry, Aka can be fully trusted. But Aka does not know the the contents of this letter, as it would cause danger. Because it concerns the Philosopher's Stone.
I know I asked for a rest from duty, but it was really a reason to research the stone. I'm sorry for lying to you, but after Marcoh was so prosecuted for the stone I swore I would help him escape and bring down the people who so wanted him to suffer. I thought that by researching it further, I'd be able to understand what Marcoh's enemies were trying to do. But it seems that they are the ones who foresaw my actions.
I was approached by a man who revealed to me that he was an electricity alchemist who could easily kill. He has threatened to harm Aka and the town that we live in if I do not give him the information I've learned about the stone.
I will not let these crooked men have the information, but I cannot let the town me harmed either. I will try to give them a false lead, but I am not sure they will accept it. But whether or not I die in this task, I will not let my information die with me.
By researching many different types of hybrid plants and comparing them with red water, I have learned that a plant called Virvaine can cancel the affect of red water. I am aware that this has nothing to do with making the stone, but it may mean that red water is in fact not a necessary ingredient after all. And after the threat made by the alchemist, I am sure that Marcoh's enemies want this information to disappear. I won't let them have there way. So I entrust this information to you, my friend. Use it well.
Goodbye,
Hojo
When the three of you were finished, Ed slumped back into his seat. He and Al were silent for a while before Ed said, "You were right Aka, they are similar." You nodded sadly.
"Yeah, my dad was killed for info about the Philosopher's Stone. That means you guys are in danger to. Ed rolled his eyes.
"Heck, we knew that from day one."
"No, I mean I want to help you guys so you won't get hurt."
"Aka, that's cool that you want to help us," Al said,
"But we can take care of ourselves." Now it was your turn to roll your eyes.
"Riiiight. You're telling me you can keep an eye on Ed twenty-four seven?"
"What does that mean?" demanded Ed.
"I'm serious guys! This information puts us all in danger. So I say we all be in danger together. Besides, I want to help you guys get your bodies back." Ed smiled faintly.
"Aka..."
"I mean it Ed." You said firmly.
"So what you're saying," Al said, "Is that we should travel together so we can watch each other's backs?"
"That's the idea." You answered. Ed sighed.
"Well I guess there's no point in trying to stop you now...you're to stubborn." He said, murmuring the last part. You snorted and hit him over the head.
"Look who's talking." Al laughed as Ed groaned, rubbing his head.
"You know Al," he said, "I actually think that we're in more danger now then we ever have been."
"Hey, are you-"
"Um, Aka? Can I talk to you outside for a sec?" Al interrupted. At first you thought he was avoiding a fight, but from the tone of his voice you could tell he was serious. Nodding, you followed him into the hallway. Al started to say something, but then Ed popped up behind you.
"Ed! This is a private conversation!" You scolded. Ed gave a fake pout.
"Fine." He grumbled, walking off. "I'll see you guys in the dorm." Shaking your head at his childness, you turned back to Al. "What's with you?" You asked.
"I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about you." He answered.
"About what?"
"Well, now that you're a State Alchemist...I mean, if you're going to be traveling with Ed...don't you think-"
"You want to tell Ed I'm a girl?" You interrupted. Al shook his head.
"No, I want you to tell him." You looked at the ground.
"I'm sorry Al, but...I can't. At least not yet."
"Why not? He already knows you're an Ishbalan!"
"Al, shush!" You hissed, "Someone might hear you!"
"Sorry." Said Al more quietly. "But I still think you should tell him." You sighed and looked up at Al with a sad expression.
"I know, and part of me wants to tell him, but- I lied to him Al! Ed's been one of the only friends I've ever had, and I lied to him! He'll probably hate me if I tell him..."
"And if you keep waiting, you'll be lying to him even more."
"But-"
"Listen Aka, before you couldn't tell him because you wanted to be a State Alchemist. Now you can't tell him because you don't want to hurt him. Those are both good reasons, but I really don't think Ed will hate you for not telling him."
"But what if he does?" you cried. Al sighed and put his hand on your shoulder.
"Aka, I know okay?" "
Know what..?" you asked suspiciously.
"That you like Ed."
"Well yeah, he's my friend. Of course I-"
"No, I mean that you like Ed." You turned bright red and quickly shrugged off Al's hand. "N-no I don't!" "Gimme a break, I know when people do and don't like my brother. Since you're not trying to kill him...you like him."
"Your logic is amazing." You said sarcastically, giving Al an annoyed look.
"I was kidding, I've noticed other things as well." Al retorted.
"Really? Like what?" You demanded.
"You let him steal your food, you like wearing his jacket, you're always smiling when he's around, you-"
"Okay! Okay! But that doesn't mean I like him!"
"Sure...well anyways, I think you should tell him."
"I-I will...just not yet."
"Aka-"
"I have to think about this Al! I don't- I don't want to lose him." You said sadly. Al sighed. "Okay, I'll stop bugging you. Just promise to tell him soon, okay? Anyway, let's get to the dorm. Ed's probably waiting." You laughed.
"Yeah right, he's probably asleep by now!" The two of you laughed as you returned to the dorm.
To your surprise, Ed was still awake, but barely. He was sitting on the couch, his head was hovering over a large stack of books. Al went to his bed to sleep as you looked over Ed's shoulder to get a better look.
"Plant Alchemy?" you read.
"What's all this for?"
"Trying to find out more about that plant your dad mentioned." Ed answered.
"Really?" you asked, "Did you find anything?"
"Naw, must be some rare plant, I've gone through two books and found nothing."
"Need some help from a State Alchemist?" You asked teasingly. Ed grinned.
"Yeah, know any good ones?" You glared.
"Don't be a jerk." Chuckling, Ed passed you a book.
"Here, if you look hard enough, you might find a wax print. There was a jelly smudge in mine..."
"Gee, nice to know you're so serious about this." Ed just chuckled again and turned another page. Sighing, you opened your book. You finished quickly, (fast reader, remember?) but didn't find anything about Virvaine in it. Annoyed, you picked up another book and started reading. Just as you were getting to the middle, you felt a weight fall on your shoulder. Looking aside, you blushed as you recognized Ed's golden hair.
"Uh...Ed?" You whispered. Soft breathing answered you.
Fell asleep... You thought, still blushing. I guess...I could let him sleep... Returning to your book, you quickly finished it. But when you reached for another, Ed snuggled closer to you. You stopped to look at him.
He looks so relaxed. I wonder- You stopped yourself, realizing what you'd just thought. Is Al right? Do I like Ed? Reaching over, you brushed some hair out of his face. Ed smiled in reaction, but then frowned in his sleep.
"Aka..." He mumbled. You jumped slightly.
He's dreaming about me?
"...I'm not that short you traitor..." Ed murmered. You stared at him and stuck a fist in your mouth to keep from laughing.
He's dreaming I'm teasing him! Taking your fist out of your mouth, you grabbed another book and started flipping pages. Can't find Virvaine in this one either... was your last thought as you fell asleep.
Al's POV: Central was unusually quiet when you woke up. The normal sounds of people working was not heard. It's either really early, or everyone's tired from the party You thought.
Standing up, you were about to leave the dorm to see if you could find anyone. But as you passed by the couch, you stopped in your tracks and stared. Aka's head was resting on the couch arm, her dangling arm holding a book. Ed was sprawled out over Aka's back, his head laying on her shoulder.
Thinking fast, you grabbed Ed's shoulders and pulled him off Aka, dragging him to his own bed. Ed of course stayed asleep during the whole process.
At least they didn't wake up like that You thought in releif. Aka murmured something in her sleep and rolled over...falling off the couch.
"Ahh!" She yelped as she hit the floor. She didn't cry out very loud, but Ed was jumping out of his bed like it was on fire.
"Aka!" he cried. "Are you-oh." He finished, realizing she was fine.
Oh, now you wake up You thought, amused. Aka groaned and sat up, rubbing her head.
"Ow...why haven't I ever done that before?" She whined, using her disquised voice.
It's kind of sad how easily she makes herself sound like a boy You thougt.Outloud, you said, "Morning guys, are you hungry?"
"Oh yeah...I guess I should get some breakfast." said Aka. Ed grinned at the thought. "Yeah, let's go!" he exclaimed, rushing out the door. Aka turned to you and cocked an eyebrow.
"Has he always been like this?"
"As long as I can remember. You should go get some breakfast to."
"Yeah, I'll-wait, what are you going to do?" she asked suspiciously. You laughed. "Nothing! That's Ed's thing, remember? Actually, could you tell Ed that I'm going to order train tickets?"
"Sure," she said, "But...can we get on a train legally this time?" You laughed again, remembering your last train ride.
"I'll see what I can do." You told her. Aka grinned and quickly left to find Ed.
It's been more fun since Aka started being around you thought as you located a phone. I hope nothing bad happens to her
Ed's POV-You had already gotten your food and was sitting at a table when Aka came in and slid his tray besides yours.
"Took ya long enough. I'm almost done!" You said. Aka smirked.
"I didn't take that long, you just eat faster than Roy's eyes on a mini-skirt."
"Gimme a break, it's impossible to be that fast in anything."
"Did someone say something about mini-skirts?" Came a sleepy voice. Turning around, you nearly choked on your food as you saw Roy...wearing purple pajamas with frilly pink cuffs.
"Nice...pajamas Roy." You said, trying not to choke. Besides you, Aka had erupted into a fit of laughter.
"Did you borrow Riza's clothes again?" Aka said between laughs. Roy frowned and picked at one of the frilly cuffs.
"Funny...I don't remember putting these on..."
"Of course you don't, you were too drunk." Came a disappointed voice from behind Roy. Leaning to the side, you saw Hughes walking up. Roy glared at him.
"Are you the one who made me put these on?" he asked accusingly. Hughes waved a hand at him.
"Don't get mad, it's not healthy. Besides, these were the only pajamas I could find. All the others were blue..."
"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE?" Roy yelled.
"Because these ones suit you soooo much better." You told him. Roy glared at you and Aka broke out laughing again.
"Oh, hey guys!" Said Hughes. "Nice to see you up. Where's Al?"
You suddenly jerked up and looked around. Turning back to Aka, you asked, "Wasn't he with you?"
"Oh yeah," Aka said, "He wanted me to tell you that he was looking for train tickets." "Train tickets? Aww...don't tell me you guys are leaving already!" Hughes whined. You gave me a weak smile.
"We have been here for a while..." you said faintly. Hughes sighed.
"Poor Aka, you're leaving him all by his lonesome to be eaten by military dogs."
"Actually, I'm going with the Elrics." Aka told him.
"Huh?" exclaimed Hughes. "When did that happen?"
"Last night." You said, "But I'm still trying to find out how..." Aka glared and hit you over the head.
"Not a good way to treat your fellow traveler." Roy put a hand to his chin in a dramatic pose.
"Hm...Full Metal and Aka traveling together...I wonder who will kill the other first?" Grinning, Hughes copied Roy's pose.
"I'll put my bet on Aka killing Ed." Hughes said, also copying Roy's speech. You glared at him as Aka beamed in victory.
"Traitors..." You hissed. They just smirked back. Suddenly, you felt a tap on your shoulder. Looking up, you saw Al standing besides you.
"Brother! I ordered- oh, hi Hughes! And um...Colonel..." Al trailed off. This time you joined Aka in laughter as Roy looked down at his shirt and made a face.
"Don't ask..." Was all Roy said.
"Oh, okay." said Al. "Anyways-I called the train station and reserved three tickets. We're leaving on the 2 'o clock train."
"That gives us a few hours...why don't we try to find Virvaine in the library?" Asked Aka. You nodded at him.
"Yeah, there's gotta be something about it here at Central."
"Virvaine?" Asked Hughes. "Isn't that-" Roy cut him off by kicking his leg. You looked at them suspiciously, but they just looked up at the ceiling like there was a pretty picture up there. You gave a heaving sigh.
"C'mon guys, let's go..."
Aka's POV-What was that about? You wondered, reacalling Hughes' words. Do they know something? Reaching the library doors, you decided to think about it later.
Ed opened the door and started scanning bookshelves. You and Al followed suit. Plant Alchemy...Plant Alchemy...ah! Maybe this one will work Pulling out a book, you quickly flipped through the pages. Not in this one... You thought, reaching for another.
Five books later, you still hadn't found anything. Looking around, you saw the Elrics weren't having much luck either. Al kept flipping back and forth between the same book, and Ed had resorted to glaring at the bookshelf.
"Guys, why don't we get Sheska or someone to help us?" You asked. Ed looked in your direction and smirked, cocking an eyebrow.
"You sure you're not just looking for an excuse to see Sheska?" He asked teasingly.
Oh crap, not this again... You groaned inwardly.During your study time in the library, you'd run into Sheska a lot. You didn't mind, Sheska was the only other person at Central who could read like you did. But Havoc had taken it the wrong way and started a rumor that you had a 'thing' for Sheska. You'd been so worried about your identity slipping that you'd resorted to avoiding the girl. You felt bad, but was too determined to become a State Alchemist to think about it much. Shooting Ed an annoyed glare, you tossed one of your books at his head. It hit him straight on.
"Give it a rest Ed!" You yelled. Ed clutched his head in pain and back.
"Sheesh Aka, be quiet! This is a library, remember?" Ed hissed.
"Then choose a more appropriate place to make false accusations!" you hissed back. Ed was about to retort, but Al interrupted him.
"Guys! I think I found it!" Abandoning your argument, the two of you rushed to his side. Putting the book on the table, he stood back to look over you and Ed's shoulders.
Virvaine-
A rare plant used in early alchemy. Highly efficient for enhancing alchemic abilities. Now extinct.
"Extinct?" You gasped. "You've gotta be kidding me!" Ed shook his head, dumbfounded.
"It can't be...Al, how old is this book?" Al reached over your shoulder and flipped to the front of the book.
"...About sixty years..." He read.
"Maybe they found more since then." You said.
"How could something that's extinct just come back?" Ed asked, "It's not possible."
"It must be!" You cried. How else could my dad have studied it? And why would people kill him over and extint plant?" Ed got a strange look on his face and looked away.
"Aka...I'm sorry." He muttered. You sighed and looked at the ground sadly.
"I guess...it does seem impossible..."
"But it's got to be true!" Al retorted. Ed nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, maybe there's something special about it...anyway, I don't think we're going to find out anything more about it. We might as well go pack, the train leaves in two hours." Nodding, you followed him and Al out of the library.
I hope they're right Dad...
gawd! that was a fucking long chapter! i'm tired just copying it! see, look how hard i try for you all!
the over-worked writer,
-zago