Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist
Normal Story
Thoughts
Fox talking/ POV's
"Talking"
Last Time on Iron Heart Alchemist
Upon hearing this, the woman took a closer look at the three, and notices that the smallest one (Al) was about to cry. The middle height one (Ed) had his arms around him, while the tallest (Naruto) just stared at her.
"Well how can I say no to that?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Start Chapter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two years later
The brothers were subjected to Izumi's intensive alchemy, martial arts training, and Japanese [1], growing significantly in both mind and body and gaining a great deal of alchemical knowledge before returning to Resembool. Once there, the boys slowly collected everything they still needed [2]. Then they decided when they were to do it.
Today is that day.
Naruto's POV:
Today is the day we bring mom back. Well she really isn't my mother, but she is the closest thing I had one. It's funny, I almost don't remember Konoha, and the life of a Shinobi. Maybe, it's better that way. I was given one mission, deliver a letter, and I couldn't even do that much. I got all the way here, and then I had all my money stolen. What kind of person steals from a five year old. Then mom came along, and made me part of her family, and soon it became mine as well. I wouldn't change a minute of it. With this last element we will have everything to see mom's smiling face again.
While Naruto was deep in thought, he took the baggie over to his old house. Ed and Al were already waiting for him.
I wonder if Ed and Al are almost done with the circle. We don't have much time before Pinako comes looking for us. If she finds us before we're done, she might try to stop us.
Naruto walked into the study to find that the desk, the bookcase, and all but one suite armor, and a trench coat had been removed. In the center of the room was the human transmutation circle. In the center of said circle was an iron bucket, with several different things inside it. Ed and Al were putting the finish touches on the circle.
"You guys almost done?" After getting a short non from both boys he continued. "Good I don't know how long it will take for Pinako to figure out that we aren't at the train station." While Naruto was talking, he kept looking at the lone suite of armor.
"Naruto, why are you staring at the armor?" Al asked.
"I feel like the eyes are following me. It's been like that for as long as I can remember. Why did you guys leave this one here?"
"First, that's all in your head. The eyes aren't following you. Second, we don't have time to talk about it. Do you want Pinako to find us? Now get over here." Ed said as he walked over to the edge of the circle.
"Wait I forgot something." Naruto said as he ran out of the room.
"We have everything to make a human body. But brother, what are we going to use for a soul? Hey where did Naruto go?" Al asked when he noticed that he was missing.
"Here I am Al. I went to our room to get this. We are going to need it." Naruto said as he showed off the kunai in his hand. He then cut his finger.
Once the red liquid came out his cut, Naruto handed the weapon to Ed.
"Al, give me your hand." Ed demanded. When Al gave Ed his hand to him, Ed cut it, and then he cut his own hand. Once all three hands were bleeding the boys let their blood fall into the bucket. "This is it boys. We are about to get mom back. On the count of three." Ed directed. "One, two, three."
On the word three all three boys placed their hands on the circle.
I hope this works.
There was a blinding flash of blue. All three boys closed their eyes, in hope that when they opened them, they would see their mother again.
However, when Naruto opened his eyes he was in a white void. Naruto noticed that other than him, there were three things in the void. The first was a huge stone door. The second thing was a featureless person, with a black shadow. The only thing that could be seen on the person was a mouth. The last thing was a huge cage. Inside the cage was a red fox, with nine tails.
Where am I? Who, or what, are they? Where are my brothers? Did it fail?
"Hello, Mr. Alchemist, or should I say Shinobi?" The person asked with a grin on his face.
Well this can't be good.
(I was going to stop it here but I thought it wasn't long enough yet)
Naruto's face went pale at the word Shinobi.
"I-I'm no S-Shinobi. I left t-that life long a-ago. No one k-knows my past, not even m-my brothers, so h-how do you?" Naruto asked stumbling over his words.
"Wow kid, you grew a back bone with that family of yours. But, then again they aren't really your family are they?" The fox said with a grin on his face.
That voice, I hear it in my head, though I haven't heard it in a while. Is that thing in me some way?
"A thing, I'm hurt. That's right, you still don't know. Tell me, what do you know of the death of the fourth Hokage?" The fox continued with his grin growing even wider.
"Kyuubi, now is not the time." The featureless person said looking at the fox.
"That's not my name, and you know it." The fox said as he rushed to the side of the cage, making it rattle.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked looking at the pair.
"I am called by many names by the world. I am the world, I am the universe, I am god, I am Kami, I am truth, I am all, I am one, and I am also you." The person said first looking at the fox, then at Naruto.
"OK, but what am I doing here, where are my brothers?" Naruto asked
"You dared to knock on the door. Now, the door has opened. Quite child, this is what you wanted, isn't it? I will show you the truth." the person said smiling. At that moment Naruto learned more information than he could ever hope for. He dropped to his knees, closed his eyes, and screamed in pain. When he opened them he had knowledge of Alchemy, he could only dream of learning.
"How was it?" The faceless being asked.
"I see now, I need to know more." Naruto said looking at the pair.
"I've already shown you all I can for the toll you've paid." The person said looking at the stone wall.
"Toll, what toll?" Naruto said looking around him.
"Foolish child, did you think that information was free?" The fox said not looking at Naruto. The faceless person suddenly had a left arm. Looking down, Naruto saw he was missing his.
"Since you are a special case and all. I will allow you another look, but at the other side of information, for a toll of course." Naruto again was filled with more information. He again fell to his knees, screaming with his eyes closed. This time however, he was back in the study. The room was empty, except for an unspeakable horror.
What is that thing? Where are Ed and Al? Naruto then felt something warm on his waist, looking down he notices that he is missing his left arm and his chest from his collar bone to he waist. He still has his right arm and everything below his waist and also his two inches of his right side. What the fuck … where is everything? At that moment Ed came back, and he was missing his left leg. Naruto had a gut feeling that Al wasn't coming back like Ed. Naruto got up on shaky legs and grabbed the coat and put it on, covering his hole. He then kicked the armor near Ed.
"Ed, bind Al's soul to that armor, NOW!" Naruto yelled I can't let him lose two brother's. I don't know how long I will still be alive. How the hell am I still alive, and moving for that matter?
"Calm down kit. You are still alive because I wish it to be. At first you were not worthy of being my container, but you grew strong, strong enough to meet truth. So, I will help keep you alive, become weak and I will stop! Now hush, this isn't as easy as it looks."
When was pulled from his little conversation with the fox, when he heard Al scream Ed's name. Turning around he saw Ed had lost his right arm, and had passed out. Al was kneeling over him.
"Al, Al listen to me, Ed is still breathing. That means he is still alive. Take him to Pinako, she will know what to do." Naruto said as he fell to his knees. Al picked up Ed and dashed out of the house. He got to the front door, when he ran into Pinako.
"Who are … is that Ed?" She said when she saw the pair.
"Please help him. Naruto is still inside, I think he's hurt as well." Al said looking over his shoulder.
"Al? Alright, hand him over, we need to stop the bleeding." Pinako said as she grabbed him. Al then ran back for his other brother. When he got there, he found him, he was also passed out. Al picked him up and ran towards the Rockbell's.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Break Line~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few days later
Riza, and Roy walked off the train and headed towards the house of the Elric's. Once there, they searched the whole house, except one room, to find nothing.
"They aren't in back either" Riza said as she joined Roy as he opened the last room, only to find the thing that was left behind. "What is this?" she questioned upon seeing it.
"Where are they? Where are the Elric brothers? I want them found!" Roy demand as he left the room. After asking around town, they discovered that the trio were being taken care of by Pinako. So, they headed over to her workshop.
Meanwhile, Pinako and Winry were getting over the fact that Naruto was missing most of his torso, and still alive, that and Ed was missing body parts as well. Both boys had been wrapped up so nothing could get into their wounds.
"Naruto Uzumaki-Elric, how the hell are you still alive?" Winry yelled looking at the male, who was lying in bed.
"Your guess is as good as mine. And, I'm not an Elric!" Naruto said looking towards the left. No one but Ed seem to catch it. [3] At that moment Den [4] started to bark.
"Hey Al, can you hand me that pillow over there. I want to fill this hole, it looks creepy, and I think we have visitors." Naruto said as Al walked over and picked up said pillow. When Naruto got it he put it under the blanket where his body should have been. "What?" he asked when he saw every one's weird-ed out looks. "I don't want people to see this." at that moment there was a sharp knock on the door. Pinako went to answer it.
"Den, stop barking at our guesses. Yes?" Pinako asked as she opened the door part way. Before the door was opened the rest of the way however, Roy forced it open the rest. He stormed in and marched to the boys room. "Hey, what is this? You can't just barge in here." Pinako yelled after him. What he saw was Naruto lying in a bed with Ed in a well chair next to the window, and Al next to him.
"We went to your house. We saw the floor. What was that. What did you do?" Roy shouted at Ed as he pulled him up by his shirt. Ed just looked down and said nothing.
"Put him down, you bastard!" Naruto yelled at Roy. Al grabbed Roy's wrist lightly.
"We're sorry … we didn't mean it … we're sorry … we're sorry … we're sorry." Al said shaking.
"Al, it's not your fault. It was my stupid idea, and I take full blame for it." Naruto said looking at the man he thought was there to punish them.
"Wait are you ..." Roy said looking at the tin man by Ed.
"Winry, why don't you taking this woman here and go make some tea." Pinako said looking at the girl.
"Yes grandma." Winry said before leaving. Riza looked at Roy, after getting a nod from him, followed the girl.
"Is there a reason you are here, or do you just like picking two cripple children?" Naruto said looking at Roy. Upon hearing the question, Roy let go of Ed and turned to the bedridden boy.
"Two?" Roy asked, after seeing Roy's face, Naruto sat up and the pillow fell, showing off his wonderful hole.
"Don't ask, 'cause we don't even know." Naruto said when he saw that he was going to ask the question.
"This is a surprise to say the least. I heard reports that there were a great Alchemists living in this town. So, I came to check them out. The last thing I excepted to find was some boys skilled enough to try human transmutation, or advance enough to bond a soul to a suit of armor. I say the two of you are more then ready to become a State Alchemist. Should you chose to accept the position, you would be required to sever the military in times of national emergency. In return you will receive privileges, and access to other wise restricted research. Given time you may even be able to get your bodies back, or even more ..." Roy said before he was cut off by Pinako who slammed the door shut.
"Right after Winry and I patched up these boys, I went over to their house to see what had happened. What was there? What ever that thing was, it wasn't human. Alchemy created that thing. It nearly killed them. Hell we don't even know how Naruto is still alive, or if he will give out at any minute.
"Hey!" Naruto said
"And you want to throw those boys head long into it. Would you really have them go though that kind of hell again?" Pinako asked looking at the man that stood over her.
"I'm not forcing you. I am mealy offing you the possibly. Will you stay in bed, and sit in that chair wallowing in self pity, or will you stand up and grabbed the chance that the military can give you. If you believe the possibility that exist for getting your bodies back, you should seek it out. Keep moving, what ever it takes. Even if the way ahead lays though a river of mud." Roy said and turned and walked towards the door.
Meanwhile, Riza and Winry were sitting at the table drinking tea.
"Say, ah Lt.?" Winry said looking at the older woman.
"Just Riza, Riza Hawkeye. Nice to meet you." She held out her hand for Winry to shake, when the younger one didn't take it, she placed it back on the table.
Why does it sound like I have heard that name before. Winry thought to herself.
"Lt. Riza, have you had to shoot anyone?" Winry asked. Riza was taken aback by question.
"Yes, I have." Riza answered.
"I hate what you soldiers do. Solider like you are the reason my mom and dad left during the war. And, soldiers like you are the reason they're dead. And now, you're here to take the boys away too." Winry said looking into her cup.
"If they go, that decision is there's, and there's alone. Yes, it's up to them now. Wither to move forward, or to stay still. It's they're choice. They chose their own path."
"Miss Riza, why did you become a solider?"
"Because, there is someone I have to protect." With that answer, the door opened, and Roy came out. With a 'We're leaving' they left. Winry picked up both up and headed to the sink, when her eye caught sight of a yellowed letter, addressed to Riza Hawkeye. Winry grabbed it and ran out side.
"Wait" Winry yelled.
"Well I guess this is good bye, young lady." Riza said as she saw the girl.
"It's Winry." Winry said as she held out her hand.
"Right, bye Winry. I hope we meet again some day." Riza said as she shook Winry's hand.
"Wait, I think that this is for you, it has your name on it, see." Winry said as she handed the letter to the woman. "It was on Naruto when we found him, when he was five."
"Found, you mean he wasn't born into the Elric's like Ed and Al?" Riza said as she opened the letter.
"No ma'am, he was found at the train station, crying. Their mother asked where his parents were, and he said he didn't have any. She invited him for lunch, and he has been with ever since." Winry said as Riza read the letter. Her eyes got big, she dropped the letter and ran inside.
"Lt." Roy called after her. Winry picked up the letter before it blew away, and handed it to Roy. "Damn." He said after looking at it. On the paper was only four lines. It read 'Minato is dead. This is his son. Keep him safe. Sarutobi' Roy then snapped his finger and the paper he was holding turned to ashes.
Upstairs
Riza walked into the room where the three boys were.
"Al, can you take Ed into the other room, I would like to talk to Naruto alone." Riza said looking at him.
"No, anything you have to say, you can say it in front of my brothers." Naruto said looking at said boys.
"Alright, does the name Minato Namikaze mean anything to you?" Riza asked looking at Naruto to see if he showed signs of knowing him. Seeing the boy brighten, Riza put on her own smile.
"Yeah, he's the Fourth Hokage, but what does that have to do with anything?" Naruto said looking at Riza then at his brothers.
"So, you're from the Shinobi lands. According to the law [5] I have to test you to see if you have chakra." Riza then put her hand to her gun, pulling it out it's holster, to reach the small pack of thin paper. She then reached towards his head.
"What the hell are you doing?" Naruto said jerking his head out of reach.
"I'm going to put this paper on your forehead." Riza said as her reached for his head again. Again he pulled his head way from her.
"Could you put that thing away first?" Naruto said looking at the weapon.
"No, I will use it if you don't let me put this paper on your head. Now, hold still." Riza said as she once more reached for his head. This time he allowed her to push his hair away from the area. She placed it on his forehead and waited ten seconds. Pulling it off, Riza saw a green dot on in the center.
"What does a green dot mean?" Al asked coming up behind Riza.
"It means he did well." Riza said smiling a sad smile. She ruffled his hair. She then folded the paper and put it, and her gun, away. She then left the room.
"She's lying to you." The fox told Naruto
I know was his reply.
"Sorry sir. We may leave now." Riza said as she saw Roy in the kitchen. The pair left the house without another word. Once they got down the road Riza turned to to Roy and said.
"Will they be coming?"
"They'll come." came his reply
"That boy, I have never seen anyone look so defeated."
"That's what you saw? No, there was fire in those eyes, both of them." Roy said with a smirk on his face. It quickly left as he turned to Riza.
"The other boy did you test him?" Roy said looking at her gun holster.
"Yes, as I thought it was positive. Here take a look for your self." Riza said holding the paper out to him. Roy opened it and saw three blonde hairs inside.
"I take it that the hairs in here are Naruto's?" Roy stated as he handed the paper back.
"What ever do you mean? That paper, as well as those hairs, don't belong to Naruto." Riza said putting the paper away. Not another word was said the rest of the way to the train station.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Line Break~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are you sure you won't regret this, either of you. I mean I we never made auto-mail organs before." Pinako asked looking at Ed and Naruto who were sitting on some beds with the auto-mail parts not far away.
"My mind is made up." Ed said looking at Naruto.
"Mine too, I want to get off this IV and go places. That and look somewhat normal." Naruto said looking at what Pinako and Winry were planing on putting on his body.
"How long will the everything take." Ed asked
"I say, about three years, for you Ed, and I don't know for Naruto since this kind of thing has never been done before." Pinako said looking at said boy.
"It will take about the same amount of time for me to transfer your chakra over."
"I'll do it in one!" Both boys said at the same time.
"You'll have your self spitting blood, both of you, you know that?" Pinako said looking at each of the boys.
"Al, just hang in there just a little bit longer, OK. Then we will get you your body back I promise." Ed said looking at Al who was sitting next to his bed.
"I promise as well, you tin can." Naruto said smiling.
"Right, and while we are at it, we will get both of yours as well." Al said looking at Naruto's hole.
"Nah, I kind like this look, don't you?" Naruto asked looking at Al with a smile on his face.
"Easy for you to say, you don't have to do all the work."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for reading.
[1] The world is broken up into two parts, the Alchemy and the Shinobi. The Alchemy part speck mostly in German while the Shinobi talks in Japanese. Each side acts as if the other doesn't exist. The reason Naruto knew both was because the Third Hokage wanted him to learn so he could talk to his aunt if he ever got a chance to meet her.
[2] They still had the things they gathered before they left.
[3] Fun fact, when people lie they mostly look towards their left, when they are telling the truth they will mostly look to their right.
[4] The three legged dog that has auto-mail
[5] When a child is born in the Alchemy side of the world they are tested to see if they have chakra, if they do they must be turned over to that side of the world. Minato was one of these people.
Naruto Fact
Orochimaru shares his blood type with his former team-mates, Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Quote
(To Suigetsu about Sasuke) "It's just like the time when I planned on crushing the Konohagakure… He has chosen a divergent path from the village… But even so, it'll always have some sentimental value. He's soaking that all in and coming to terms with… The consequences of his future actions and reaffirming his resolve."