I don't own Naruto, Great Teacher Onizuka, Love Hina, Mahou Sensei Negima, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Inuyasha, or any anime or game that I may or may not mention. I also do not own the character Amber (whom I borrowed from friend's fanfic called Steel and Ice)

Chapter 2

Coming out of the shell

Winry and I made our way out of the dorms and towards the town mall. Just being next to her made me feel ecstatic. I looked at her and smiled widely. One day I'm defiantly marrying this girl. Marriage… what the hell am I thinking? The humungous mall always impressed me. It was one of the biggest structures in the whole town. I opened the door for Winry and we stepped inside.

"Winry over here!" called a girl from the crowd. Huh I thought this was just a date between the two of us. I guess it's not really a date then… I sighed heavily and followed Winry, whom had run over to her friend. Winry's friend is cute too.

"Hello, I'm Amber. Who might you be?" asked Winry's friend. Her soft voice broke me from my trail of thoughts. "Sorry, I'm Marche," I answered uneasily. I gazed around and wondered what we were doing standing here staring at each other's faces. My question was quickly answered when Winry asked where was Al. It was then I noticed Ed, from mech. stalking the arcade with his frustrated gaze. I sensed the sudden tension in the atmosphere and decided to take a short walk.

I saw Alphonse inside the arcade and decided to play a few games myself. Al was playing a well known game called Steel and Ice, where the two alchemist Edgar Eric, known as the Full Metal Alchemist and Ember McPain, the Elemental Alchemist, teamed up against a group of strange enemies called Mucuslie in their quest to find the Atheist Stone. It was a pretty good game but I preferred something with more action like shooting games.

"Stop!" scolded Amber. Even inside the arcade you could hear the conversation heating up. "Leave me alone!" protested Ed. Oh boy I have a feeling a big scene is about to take place. "Kid you better make a break for it." Al turned around confused and nodded as he walked outside. I watched the scene developed from the safety of the arcade's glass wall.

(Third person POV)

"He's fifteen he can take care of himself, is not like the game is going to come alive and eat him," said Amber sarcastically. Ed kept staring at the arcade; you could tell that Amber was growing frustrated.

"Ed, we've been standing here all morning! Come on Winry let's go check on him."

The girls left toward the arcade; Ed just kept staring blankly. As the girls approached the arcaded, Al walked out and towards his brother. "Brother, what wrong with you?" he asked with a mix of anger and concerned in his voice. "I'm not a baby, I can take care of myself."

"No you can't! I…"

Al just turned and walked away. "Come back here, I'm talking to you!" screamed Ed, causing many of the shoppers to stare at him. Al turned around and stared at his brother with tearful eyes; how can do this to me, doesn't he understand? Everyone at school makes fun of me for having an overprotecting brother. I hate him!

People had gathered around to see the brothers arguing. After Al disappeared behind the crowd, Ed glared at them. "This isn't a show move on people, there's nothing to see here!" he snarled. The people kept whispering and staring towards him. It was then that a single comment reached Ed's perceptive ears. "What's going on?" "Shrimp over there was anger issues."

"Alright who the hell called me SUPER MEGA SMALL SHIRMP! Come out here you coward! Suddenly he turned towards a kid about his size with a blue cap on. "It was you wasn't it?" The kid's eyes widened and he broke into a frantic run. Ed chased him around the mall, when the kid was too far away he instantly clapped his hands together but nothing happened. Why did I?

"Stop right there! Mall police!" shouted two huge men in blue uniforms chasing after Ed. Damn mall police. What to do? Ed immediately saw the huge line at the movies and hid himself amongst the gathered crowd. "Hey kid, have you seen anyone suspicious around here?" asked one of the policemen to the girl in front of Ed. The girl shocked her head and the policemen left, cursing under their breath.

"Your already on the line, so we might as well see a movie," sighed Amber. She went to check the featured films, while Winry and Marche sat in a nearby bench. Marche was smiling widely. He never had so much fun at the mall before. Winry tucked some stray bangs behind her ear and giggled softly when she saw his face. "What's with you?" she said imitating his huge smile.

"It's just I've never been happier in my life. You guys really do have a fun life," he said laughing. The pair remained silent for a moment. Winry gazed over at Ed and Amber whom where arguing in the line and then towards Marche whom still smiled truly. He always seemed so serious in school; he was always hiding his face behind a book or just gazing around sadly. Is this really the same person? "I… Um… I really like seeing you smile!" she blurted out, her cheeks instantly turning pink. "In school you always seemed so sad, I'm glad that you've come out of your shell," she said laughing nervously.

Marche's face was flushed. He wrapped his hands around hers. "If I've come out of my shell is because of you." He took a deep breath and gazed into her blue eyes. "Ever since I've been here, I've never had friends, I never wanted them. I always felt as if I didn't deserve them. But being with you has…"

"You might want to wrap that up for later buddy, the movie is about to start," said Ed coldly as he walked towards the glass doors of the movies. Amber stood there watching him walk away shocked. "I'm sorry he's just mad about what happened."

"He's probably right though," Marche said standing up. The threesome ran after Ed and joined him inside the movies. The movie Amber had picked was a romantic movie about two teens that fall for each other, in a world of monster were the only way to get the girl back to her world is to gather some special items that will allow her to summon a beast that would grant her three wishes.

During the movie, Ed had cooled down; he wrapped his arm around Amber and brought her close to him. As passionate or sad scenes came up, they would share a small kiss. Marche tried his hardest to concentrate on the movie but couldn't. He couldn't stop thinking about what he almost said outside the movies. He was glad that Ed had stopped him before it was too late, but still he kinda of wished to know what would have happened if Ed hadn't interrupted them. Damn it! Put your arms around her, get close to her do something you…

Halfway through the movie, Winry's arm laced itself around his and she rested her head on his shoulders. He felt the bomb in his chest ticking loudly; he took a deep breath and loosened up, wrapped his arms around her and rested his head over hers. Her hair smells nice. I wish this moment would…

When the movie ended, everyone exited the theater except for the foursome. Ed and Amber got up slowly; Ed stretched his arms and legs. Winry tugged his shirt and pointed towards their friends. Winry and Marche had fallen asleep in each other's arms. Ed smiled darkly, took out his cell phone and took a picture of the two. The flash from the camera woke up the pair. Marche squinted his eyes and took his surrounding once again. Winry had stood up and was fighting Ed for the phone, but he threw it to Amber whom darted down the stair and towards the mall. Ed ran after them and Marche stayed behind, feeling completely confused. What just happened? Why is everyone running? Oh well; if you can't beat em, join them!

Outside Marche joined the others whom were still fighting over the phone. When they saw Marche, Ed stuffed the phone in his pocket and continued walking forward, snickering whenever he glanced at Marche or Winry. Winry just shocked her head angrily and Amber was walking a happily along Ed. "Did something happened?" he asked Winry. She shocked her head and they continued their trip around the mall.

After walking around to several stores, they walked near the food court and the mouth-watering smell of pizza filled the air. Ed stopped walking and stalked the pizza restaurant as if the god-like aroma possessed him. "I'm starving!" he screamed.

"You always are!" said Amber teasing him.

"I know, lets eat pizza!" said Ed pointing towards the restaurant near the end of the food court.

Al hid himself amongst the crowd and when he was sure his brother couldn't see him, he walked away. He went to the video game store and browsed through their newest collection, but not even that could ease his anger. Just knowing that his brother could come find him there and embarrass him again, made him furious. He checked his phone; he had not received any call from his brother. At least he's not calling me. I better go, before he finds me here.

He walked out of the mall; he took out his cell phone again and checked the time. It's almost twelve, there's nothing to do today. I wanted to see the new Wonderful Professor Angelica (WPA) movie. I guess I better go back home. Before making his way to the apartment he lived with Ed and Amber, he decided to call his friend to see if there was something they could do. Anything's better than sitting at home waiting for him to come back! He dialed the number and waited patiently, come on Tetsu, answer it; his friend didn't answer. Damn it! Ed you ruined my whole Saturday.

Inside the apartment the hurled his keys to a table and stretched himself on the sofa. I'm so bored! Al got up and walked to the fridge; posted on the door was a letter from Ed reminding he had to eat a healthy dinner. He took the paper and crumpled it. Damn It Ed; leave me alone! I love this place, but I can't stay here anymore! He stormed into his room and gathered most of his clothes and stuffed them into a suitcase. I'm going to go live on the school dorms again! That way Ed can't harass me anymore.

Al left his suitcase near the entrance to the boys' dorms. It had been quite a while since he visited the boys' dorms. His best friend lived with his brother in the university dorms so; he never had a reason to come here. After walking around a few times he saw the office of the person in charge of the dorms. He entered the office; the middle-aged lady greeted him politely and gestured for him to take a seat. He did as he was told and explained his whole situation to the woman.

"I'm sorry son, it's already September, all rooms are filled."

"Please could check!" pleaded Al.

The lady typed something on the computer. She looked around her desk and grabbed a folder from one of the drawers. She opened the folder and handed some paper to Al. "There is one room. Dorm Room 603 currently has one bed available.

"Thank you!" screamed Al happily as he ran to the elevator. When he arrived he knocked the door a few times, there was no response; he checked the door again, it read 603. This is just my luck. He checked the time again, it was already past nine, even though he was embarrassed to admit it, usually by this time he was already sound asleep on his bed. He sat down against the door and closed his eyes. I'm just going to rest here a little.

After eating all the pizza they could muster the foursome split up; Ed and Amber headed back towards their apartment, while Winry and Marche walked back towards the dorms. Since the dorms were just a few blocks apart, they walked together along the way. The night was cold and the pair walked very close to each other. As they neared the girls' dorms thoughts of dates ending with kisses filled Marche's head.

They stopped in front of the structure and remained gazing at each other in silence. A soft drizzle fell from the dark sky. He walked toward her and wrapped his arms around her. "You'll get sick," he whispered when the rain intensified. "You should get going," he said sadly. She simply held on to him tighter and whispered, "Let me stay by your side just a little longer."

They remained in each other's arms for a while. Neither wanted to let the other go. They broke the hug; he took her hand and walked her to the dorm. She pecked his cheek, "Good bye!" he said happily as she entered the building. He remained motionless as he took in what had happened this whole day. He continued walking towards the boys' dorm with a huge grin on his face.

He was still dazzled by all the events that had happened today when he arrived in to his dorm. He was so dazzled that he didn't notice a boy sleeping against the door to his dorm. It was when he almost tripped with the boy's leg that he noticed his presence. What's Al doing here? Are those dorm papers? He bent down, picked up the kid and with great difficulty opened the door. He looked around his messy dorm room and cursed for not being more organized. Since he couldn't place Al anywhere else, he laid him down on the bed.

He walked to the other bed and began to pick up the stuff cluttered on top. He never had a roommate, so he had used the other bed as some sort of desk. Only that it wasn't organized, and he had no idea what was all that stuff cluttered there. He glanced back towards his bed. Al had thrown the sheets over his body and was sleeping soundly on the bed. Ugh, I guess I'm sleeping on the floor tonight.

The next day Marche woke up, and prepared two small sandwiches from the contents of a portable fridge. He turned on the small television set and watched the Sunday morning cartoons while he ate his sandwich.

"Where am I? Marche? Is this Dorm room 603?"

"The one and only! I made you a sandwich, you interested?" He nodded and sat on the floor next to Marche. After finishing his sandwich, Al remained quietly on the floor. "You know half this room is yours, you don't have to be so nervous." He nodded. "Come on let's clean your half of the room!" I hate cleaning…

After working hard on the room the pair sat down on the floor. Once again he had this sulky attitude; he sighed deeply. "You're not going to make me go back to my brother, are you?" Marche stood up and searched the room for something.

"I can't, you got dorm papers, that means that you are my roommate and I can't do anything about it. But you should at least tell him where you are. He must be about to blow a fuse." Marche sat back down and handed him a phone. "Here call him!"

Meanwhile, in Ed's apartment, he was furious. Amber tried to cool him down, but she wasn't very patient, especially when Ed acted like this. Ed sat on the couch next to the phone. It finally rang, but before Ed could answer it Amber took it.

"Remember, subtle. Nicely…"

"Just give me the damn phone," he barked.

"Ah, ah, ah," scolded Amber.

"I'll be nice," he said in unconvincing tone. He answered the phone. "Where the hell are you!"

"Brother…" whispered Al.

"How dare you run away!"

Al was so scared he was about to hang the phone, but Marche gave him a menacing look and he decided not to. "I'm not a kid," he screamed back at his brother. "I'm living with Marche in his dorm room." Marche eyes widened.

"MARHCE! PUT HIM ON THE PHONE!"

"I think he wants to talk to you," he said handing the phone to him with a smug look. You'll pay for this… Marche took the phone and sat on his bed. "Hello Ed, how are ya?"

"WHAT THE HELL, ARE YOU DOING TO MY BROTHER!"

"Nothing, your brother has dorm papers there is nothing I can do. He'll be fine."

Marche ears were ringing from Ed's screams. He didn't want to, but he just hanged the phone. He glared at Al, whom was snickering in his bed. You'll definitely pay!

It was Monday morning, the day of the weekly school's faculty meeting. Onizuka kicked the door open, startling most of his fellow teachers. Most of them hated him; he always came in late and did whatever he pleased. "Sorry I'm late, but I had a hell of a weekend!" He sat down in the back, stretched his legs and rested them atop a nearby desk.

Sitting nearby were fellow teachers Neji Springfield, and Jiraiya. The latter scooted his chair closer to Onizuka. They had a common interest, young girls… "So… You an all those student teacher," he whispered in a perverted manner. Onizuka gave him the thumbs up and a small pat on the back. "All in good time, my friend."

"I'll be leaving now," said Neji to his fellow teachers. "My students should be gathering around the classroom about now." The director nodded and Neji exited the meeting room. Nobody respected him at first because of his age. But in time, the ten-years-old's determination won everyone's respect and admiration. He was and all around nice guy, but he was no one's push over.

He walked towards his classroom. Just as he had predicted, most of the students had already gathered around the door. Upon seeing him the greeted him happily and some even offered to open the door for him. He handed them the keys and waited for everyone to come in. Two of his students still hadn't even noticed he arrived, Ichimura Tetsunosuke and Elric Alphonse.

"Are you really living in the dorms now?" asked Tetsu happily.

"Yeah, room 603."

"I'll go by this afternoon, kay!"

"Are you two planning on joining the rest class?" asked Neji, tapping his foot furiously.

"Sorry Sensei!" said Tetsu. This guy doesn't act like a ten year old at all!

Most of the school day passed uneventful. Tetsu and Al walked out of math and set a meeting outside of the school after the next period, which so happened to be the last. It was the only course that Tetsu and Al didn't take together.

Al headed for Mechanics, while Tetsu ran towards the dojo for Sword fighting. Just like Mechanics, this class had few students, but for totally different reasons. The teacher, Kyo, was a very rude and violent man. He tormented the students so much, that most of them didn't even dare to go near the dojo.

Before entering, Tetsu took off his shoes and grabbed a bokken. Inside were only the other students, Motoko Aoyama, a moody guy named Inuyasha and Sakurazaki Setsuna. Motoko and Setsuna were sparing, while Inuyasha rested on the floor; Tetsu was so bored, the only person from his class in the whole dojo was Setsuna and even though they've taken a lot of classes together they've never really spoken.

Tetsu was growing impatient. Kyo was always late and then he always made everyone stay after school hours to make up for his tardiness. Tetsu really wanted to leave early to see Al's new dorm room. "Baka-Sensei! Why does he always have to be so late? Oh look at me I'm Kyo-Sensei and I can do whatever I want cause I'm a drunk and I don't care!" he screamed furiously.

"What did you say, runt!" came a powerful voice from behind him. Tetsu turned around nervously to gazed into his sensei's crimson eyes. He was so afraid he turned pale and was sweating furiously. "I'm sorry Kyo-Sensei!" he pleaded as he bowed before him crushing his own face against the wooden floor of the dojo.

"You little bastard! Okay class is about to begin, everyone pay attention as I teach this runt a lesson. You better run!" he screamed as he took a bokken from the sword rack. Tetsu squared himself and tried to soothe himself. I must get rid of all my fear; fighting with a sword filled with fear is the same as fighting without a sword at all. Kyo rushed towards him without warning he swung his sword hard, but Tetsu blocked it with his and rolled out of the way. This was repeated several times, the little guy was fast but Kyo was just toying with him. "Are you just going to run away? Pathetic! All I see is fear in your eyes. You're despicable!" he spat turning around and walking away.

Fear in your eyes… You're despicable. "IT'S NOT OVER!" He rushed towards his sensei quickly and jumped into the air. Kyo blocked the attack with ease. He continued a series of combos against his sensei, but still he couldn't hit him. After he grew tired of blocking attacks, he found and opening and slammed his sword hard on the little guy's shoulder. "It's over," he said coldly, turning his back once more. He jumped from the floor to attacked Kyo's back, however he sent him flying with a powerful back kick. "You need to do better than that, runt."

Tetsu's body ached from the powerful kick. After catching his breath he assumed a defensive stance and waited for Kyo once more. They stopped, each locked in a battle of wits, trying to predict the other's movement. Although, Kyo just looked as if he was toying with Tetsu, he was taking him seriously. The crimson-eyed man darted towards the red hair boy. He jumped and slashed powerfully; Tetsu blocked but the impact destroyed the bokken. Kyo continued his torrent of slashes. Tetsu dodged expertly until his back was against the wall. There was no escape now. He closed his eyes and waited for the blow, but it never came. When he opened his eyes he saw Kyo's bokken on the floor.

"You can't kill our students, Kyo; we'll get fired!" said an amethyst haired man that appeared to be a woman.

"Okita-San!" exclaimed Tetsu.

"Hey Tetsu!" waved the longhaired man with a soft smile and a light giggle.

"Soji," growled Kyo.

"You two know each other?"

"Maybe," said Okita casually as he walked away.

Mech. was as dull as ever, especially because Winry wasn't there. I wonder where Winry is. Is she all right? Maybe she doesn't want to see me again. Maybe she thinks that I got the wrong idea and is afraid that I think of her as more than a friend. I was so sad that afternoon that I went straight towards the boys' dorms. On my way there Al approached me and asked if he could invite a friend over. I rather sulked by my lonesome, but I have a roommate now. "Half the apartment is yours, you can do whatever you want."

"What's wrong? You're not like this! Are you okay?"

"It's nothing…"

Al ran off, to some other place and I continued dragging my sorry ass toward my dorm. As I stared at the floor, my mind replayed everything that had happened to me during the weekend. I guess love really is a crushing emotion. Suddenly I bumped into someone and we both came tumbling down.

"Naru, What are you doing here?" I asked as I gather my things from the floor.

"Winry is…"

"Mad, I've ruined it. She didn't come to class. I'm going to change classes so she can take Mechanics, cause I know she loves it so much." I bet she can even look at me and that's why she sent Naru. I'm sorry but I can't stay. I'm going to cry if I keep…Struggling to hold down my tears I ran past her without looking back.

"But…"

As I ran away I heard her scream something to me, but I was too determined to make it to my dorm without crying in front of other people that I couldn't hear what she said.

"Oooo, what did Naru say? No one knows…. Yet…. Not even me!… Weeeee!"

Crazy author moment #1 of the many more to go. And hopefully you'll read the next chapter of this exiting adventure.