Ch. 2

Konoha

Sakura had just returned her old books and was looking through the shelves to get new ones. She reached up and plucked a likely-looking volume from the shelf. And then this weird light wrapped around her. And then she was gone.

All around Konoha, the other genin were experiencing the same phenomenon, as they paused in whatever they were doing; they were surrounded by streamers of light that flowed like water, enveloping them. And then they disappeared.

Koui paid for her new clothes and left the shop. As she opened the door, she was enclosed in light, and then she was nowhere to be found.

Amestris

"What the heck is this?" Ed was shocked awake by a pulling sensation, and then he and Al were gone.

Japan (Negi's World)

"Magic!" Negi didn't know what to do; he'd never seen this type of magic before. He drew the staff-like wand that his father had given him, preparing for whatever lay ahead.

Elsewhere

The sky was a soft blue, but the sun could not be seen anywhere. The tall, old trees all looked the same, as did all of the shallow, round pools that dotted the even landscape. The only feature that stood out was a small shop surrounded by a wooden fence. A shop that hadn't been there the day before. Suddenly, something else that hadn't been there before appeared. From the sky fifteen large bulges developed, drooped toward the ground, and burst. Fifteen people who had never been there before stood looking around warily, trying to figure out what happened.

Suddenly they all began talking at once.

"What the heck is going on here!?"

"Naruto, What did you do?!"

"I didn't do it!"

"Where are we?"

"Who are they?"

"Who are you?"

"What happened?"

"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?!"

This last was said by Ed. Everybody turned and looked at him.

"Um, does anyone know what happened?" asked Hinata.

"I was surrounded by a weird light, I felt a pull, and then I was here." said Shikamaru.

"That's what happened to me too.'

"Same here."

"That's right."

"Me too."

"So we all had a similar experience, does anyone know what it was?"

"I think I do" They turned and looked at Negi, who was still holding his wand. "I think someone used magic to summon us here."

"Pfft, magic isn't real." said Ed.

"Yes it is; I'm a mage."

"Okay, fine, so let's say magic exists." Ed said sarcastically. "Who do I choke to send us back?"

"Uh, I don't think that'll work, but we might try asking whoever lives there." Negi pointed at the shop, which no one had noticed until now.

"Fine, let's go." Ed smiled diabolically and walked toward the house, cracking his knuckles.

"Um, big brother, you might want to let them explain before you choke them…" said Al.

At that instant, Watanuki came out, a welcoming smile on his face. "Welcome, you must be the ones Yuuko-san was talking about. I'm glad you're finally here."

Ed and Naruto pounce on him, trying to simultaneously strangle him and rip his head off.

"IYAAA! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!" the part-timer yelled in protest.

"What the heck are we doing? We're gonna kill you if you don't tell us what's going on!" the two aggressive blondes threatened.

"Well, if you'll get OFF OF HIM, I'm sure he can explain better." said Sakura.

"Fine." Ed dropped him, but continued to pop his knuckles menacingly. "Explain."

"Eh-heh-heh." Watanuki stood up unsteadily and began brushing himself off. "Actually, I'm almost as clueless as you are. But I'm sure Yuuko-san would be more than happy to explain. So if you'll just come inside…"

They all looked at each other and nodded.

"Lead the way."

They went inside and paused, looking at the figure in the room.

Yuuko wore a slinky black dress with butterflies on it, which circled from up from the hem, wrapping around her waist to stop at her left shoulder. She sat on a low couch, leaning against the arm indolently, her head propped on her right fist.

"Well?" Asked Ed expectantly.

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to explain what this is all about?"

"Hmm…" she thought for a bit, "…no."

"What do you mean, no?" Watanuki was furious. "The fifteen 'guests' you told me about have no idea why they're here! And two of them almost killed me! You owe us an explanation!"

"Hahaha! I was just kidding! Of course I'll tell you what's going on! Sit down and I'll begin."

They all sat down around the low table which took up most of the room.

"Start bringing in the food and drinks, Watanuki. It's rude to keep our guests waiting."

"I'M being rude?!"

"Hahaha! Hurry up!"

He left, grumbling. "Dammit Yuuko, always picking on me…"

He returned a few seconds later with large trays balanced on each hand. He set them on the table; then went back for more. Three trips later, the table was full of food, including, among other things, a large pot of ramen and another of super-spicy curry. "I didn't know what you all would like, so I made a bit of everything."

"Ohh! Curry!" Lee almost knocked the table over before remembering his manners.

"OOOH! RAMEN!!" Naruto threw his hands up excitedly. "Ramen! Ramen! Woo-hoo! Ramen!"

"YOSH! Food! Itadakimasu!" agreed Chouji.

Watanuki sat down and began passing the food around. Everyone began picking out things they liked and filling their plates.

All except Ed and Al.

"What exactly is this again?" asked Ed poking his ramen skeptically with his chopsticks. "And how exactly are you supposed to use these things?"

"I'll show you, said Koui kindly, "Like this…"

"Like this?"

"That's right, though it may take you awhile to get it down pat."

"Thanks."

"Aren't you going to eat?" Watanuki asked Al.

"Um, no thank you. I'm not hungry."

"Suit yourself."

After everyone had had at least one serving Yuuko said, "Now then, I believe you wanted an explanation?"

Immediately everyone stopped and looked at her, waiting.

"I believe it would be best to start with introductions. We'll go around the table. Everyone say your name and occupation, all right?" Everyone nodded. "I'll begin. My name is Ichihara Yuuko, and I am the proprietor of this shop." (sultry little string-pulling smile)

"I'm Watanuki Kimihiro, I work here for Yuuko-san." (polite expression)

"YOSH! I'm Uzumaki Naruto, a genin of Konoha, and someday I'm going to be the Hokage!" (crazy grin)

"Haruna Sakura, I'm training to be a medical ninja." (smile)

"Yamanaka Ino, genin. I also help run my mother's flower shop." (how-do-you-like-THAT look)

"I'm Akimichi Chouji, genin." (still stuffing face)

"Nara Shikamaru, chuunin." (bored look)

"I'm Tenten, and I'm a genin too." (smile)

"I'm Konoha's beautiful green beast, Rock Lee! I'm a genin." (big grin, intense)

"Hyuuga Neji, genin." (steady, evaluating look)

"Um… I'm Hyuuga Hinata, genin." (looking down)

"Yosh! I'm Inuzuka Kiba, a genin, and this is Akamaru." (confident grin)

(Akamaru) "Bark!"

"Aburame Shino, genin." (no expression whatsoever)

"My name is Koodori Koui, I'm a dancer." (sweet smile)

"I'm Alphonse Elric, the younger brother, I'm an alchemist." (armor shows no expression)

"I'm Edward Elric, older brother, State Alchemist, also known as the Fullmetal Alchemist." (challenging look that says 'don't piss me off' or 'call me short and I'll KILL you.')

"I'm Negi Springfield, and I'm a language teacher at an all-girls school." (earnest expression)

"What the heck!" yelled Naruto, "There's no way you're a teacher! I mean, you're even younger than me!"

"He is." said Yuuko, sipping her tea.

"But, but…"

"Negi is a linguistic genius, as well as a fine magician; for all that he's only 10 years old."

They all stared at him, as he squirmed in place at the praise.

"Could you just tell us why we're here, Yuuko-san?" he pleaded.

"Very well." She set down the cup of tea. "Among my many titles are the Dimension Witch and the Space-Time Witch; I used my powers to summon all of you here."

"But where is here?"

That was Sakura.

"This is a very special place, called The Wood between the Worlds."

"The Wood between the Worlds?"

"That's right, there are multiple worlds, each with its own people, rules, languages, and habitats. This place connects all of those worlds together."

"Connects?"

That was Shikamaru.

"Like a hallway. It's not a part of any room, but from it you can get into any of the rooms."

"I see, but why bring us here?"

"Because I need your help."

"Huh?" said Chouji, once they had all finished blinking in surprise. "Our help?"

"That's right. One of the worlds ended, and it threw the other worlds off balance. All of the worlds are connected to each other, though most are sealed off from contacting each other. When that one world ended prematurely, it caused flaws to appear in the other worlds."

"Flaws?" asked Al.

"Events that weren't supposed to happen, did, and those that were, didn't. Sometimes it's a small thing, like a girl forgetting her books. But sometimes it's a big thing, like a massive war. No matter what they are, they need to be fixed."

"Why? Why does it matter?" Ed asked.

"Because if it isn't, the symptoms will worsen, until the worlds start destroying themselves. Not all of them will die, some will merely be changed, but all of them will be affected, and not for the better."

"But why us? Why did you summon us out of all the people in all the worlds?"

"Many reasons. Firstly because none of you are from worlds that will be destroyed…"

"Then why should we help you?" said Ed angrily. Naruto nodded.

"I hate to say it, but I agree." added Negi.

"Because," replied Yuuko, "although none of you worlds will be destroyed, they will be changed for the worse. For example, Naruto-kun; in your world, Sasuke does not spare your life when you two fight. He kills you, and goes on to become both more powerful and more evil than either his brother or Orochimaru. He later returns to destroy Konoha, and eventually, all of the Country of Fire."

All of the Konoha ninja look shocked. (except for Shino, emotionless as usual)

Naruto looked down, clutching his knees tightly. Sasuke… he thought.

"Edward-kun, in your world, you never manage to save Alphonse-kun. You commit suicide in grief."

Ed reacted in the same way as Naruto. (except for the Sasuke… bit.)

"And Negi… you are never born."

Same reaction again.

"So we have to do it, whatever it is that you need us to do." said Ino.

"Unless you want your whole lives to be ruined, yes."

There was silence for a while, and then Ed summed it all up with one word. "Damn."

"Yes."

Shikamaru sighed, "This is so troublesome… what do you want us to do?"

"I'll be monitoring the various worlds to see what needs to be done in each. I'll be assigning you to missions according to what specifically is needed. The only ones going will be those absolutely vital, so as to reduce the chances of a fatality."

"Fatality?"

"This isn't a game. Any wounds you receive are real. If you are fatally injured, you will die. The only bonus is that, if you all survive, you will be returned to your worlds at the exact instant you left it, so your absence won't throw off your worlds. Also, you'll remember everything that happened."

Watanuki glanced at Yuuko sidelong. After so long a time as her assistant, he could tell that she was hiding something, despite the fact that none of the others seemed to notice. Shikamaru's acceptance of Yuuko's proclamation interrupted his thoughts, however, and he soon forgot his apprehension.

"I see." The lazy shinobi sighed.

"So, what's our first mission?" asked Sakura.

Yuuko gave them all a serious look. "Before I tell you that, I'd like to say one more thing. Some of you have secrets that need to come out in the open, or your teamwork may suffer. It would be a good idea to say them now, before trouble arises."

They looked at each other.

"Watanuki, you first."

"Um, well… Don't laugh, but… I see spirits."

Everyone just stared at him.

"My eyes are capable of seeing spirits, ghosts, demons, fairies, sprites, and the like. And these same things are attracted to me… to my blood… like iron to a lodestone. Furthermore, I'm half-blind in my right eye. And I'm pretty much a wimp, physically."

"So you're useless." Naruto said bluntly.

"You don't have to say it like that!"

"Hahaha!"

Yuuko just smiled that string-pulling smile of hers.

"You next, Naruto-kun."

His laughter immediately died.

"The Kyuubi, the nine-tailed demon fox that attacked Konoha the year I was born, is sealed inside me." He said flatly, not looking at the others. "It lends me chakra, because if I die, it does too."

The Konoha genins were so shocked, even Shino twitched with surprise.

"So that's why you heal so fast!" exclaimed Sakura. "I was wondering."

"That actually makes more sense than it doesn't." added Neji "And it explains the weird chakra I saw in our battle."

"You mean you guys don't hate me?" asked Naruto, incredulous.

"Of course not! We always knew you were a freak, now we just know why!" said Ino.

"Thanks a lot, Ino."

"Hahaha!"

Yuuko just smiled again and said, "Alphonse-kun, your turn."

"Do I have to?"

"Of course, and even if you don't say, there are four people here besides myself who can figure it out."

"Okay, I'll just show you then."

He lifted the helmet off of his shoulders to reveal… nothing.

"OH MY GOD WHERE'S YOUR BODY??" yelled about half the room.

"I don't have one. I lost it during an experiment; Ed transmuted my soul into this armor."

"So that's why you said you weren't hungry; you don't eat! I was worried that you didn't like my cooking." said Watanuki with relief.

"You're not freaking out?" Al seemed both surprised and happy.

"Trust me, I've seen weirder while working with Yuuko-san."

"Oh."

"Ed," said Yuuko, "You're last."

Instead of protesting, Ed stood up and removed his jacket, displaying his prosthetic arm. "This is what I traded to transmute Al's soul into the armor. The same accident that took his body also took my left leg, but I don't think you want me dropping my pants."

He sat back down.

Yuuko waited for a few seconds to let everyone absorb what they had seen, then began.

"The first mission is in the Country of KuFei. There has been a breach in the barrier between worlds, and creatures are leaking over from another one. You'll need to defeat them and seal the leaks. I'll be sending Lee-kun, Chouji-kun, Naruto-kun, Kiba-kun and Akamaru, Negi-kun, and Watanuki-kun."

"I noticed you focused on those with skill in high-powered taijutsu." said Shikamaru. "Why is that?"

"Because taijutsu will be necessary to defeat those creatures."

"In that case," exclaimed Watanuki, "Why are you sending me? I'm hopeless at any kind of fighting! I can't even run fast!"

"Your ability to see spirits will be necessary, as will Negi-kun's magic."

She looked at them. "Now follow me. I'll show you which pool to enter."

"Pool?" asked Negi when they were outside. "We can use these pools to enter other worlds?"

"That's right, but you can't use them without the help of this little guy." She held up the black mokona, who cried, "Puu!"

"Also, I'm the only one who knows which pool leads where, so you'll have to consult me first."

They had reached a pool which, to them, looked just like any other.

"Now, go. And good luck."

As they stepped into the pool, the black mokona's eyes glowed.