It wasn't easy living in the strange world at least not to Ichigo. He and Octavian shared a room while Yoruichi and Rukia shared another. Whenever they went out he could tell they were being watched which was making it difficult to search for the Espada. On top of that none of them could sense any spiritual pressure anymore so it was like searching for a needle in a haystack, a really tiny almost invisible needle. Ichigo spent most of his time with Octavian since Rukia was beginning to get very serious about alchemy. The other night she had managed to create a wall though it crumbled within seconds. Though Octavian was older than him, he was a goofball and didn't seem to take anything seriously. He had spent most of that first week ducking and dodging the President who finally found him after three days of searching and dragged him off leaving Ichigo by himself until later. He didn't hang around Yoruichi too much because she would manage to escape the army's watchful eye and search the city. It was on a day like this with Rukia learning alchemy, Yoruichi in the city and Octavian with Bradley that Ichigo found himself lying on a bench outside staring up at the sky. Suddenly something was standing over him
"Hey Al"
"Hi, can I sit down?"
"Sure" He sat up and scooted over so the younger boy could sit. They watched as some birds flew overhead.
"You know…I don't have a body in here" Al said suddenly
"Sorta figured. Whenever Ed would hit you it sounded hollow"
"You seem so calm about it, you don't wanna know why?"
"You'll tell me when you're ready. I've seen weirder" There was a pause before Al started talking again
"You and your friends seem trustworthy Ichigo. I don't believe you're spies neither does my brother"
"Wish your president guy felt the same way". Al nodded in agreement
"What exactly are you looking for anyway? Maybe we could help"
"Its like a…" He crossed his arms and tried to think of the right words "… powerful weapon. This traitor back home wanted to use its power for his crazy shit but before he got the chance there was huge battle…"
"You don't have to say anymore" Al could see a wave of emotion wash over his new friend.
"No its ok. It might do me some good to talk about it" He answered quietly "We lost some people. In fact when we left there were still those who we weren't sure would make it"
"How did you end up here?"
"Octavian. He was tryin to find the weapon and ended up opening some freaky portal thing or something. He's still not sure what it was exactly"
"So you guys have to get this weapon back before the other guy?"
"Basically"
"Its like an arms race then, whoever gets this weapon first will have the upper hand. Ed and me were trying to bring our mom back from the dead using alchemy. It's a dangerous thing to do. In the end Ed lost his arm but then he brought back my soul and lost his leg for it. He bound it to this armor"
"What are you guys looking for then?"
"Its called the Philosophers' stone and we'll be able to get our original bodies back with it. Its why he became a state alchemist"
"Ed really cares about you but hell I'd do the same thing for my sisters too"
"You have sisters?"
"Twins, Yuzu and Karin. They're younger than me. I really miss 'em" He sighed.
"Im sure you'll see them again. Dont give up hope" A strange roar sounded through the air causing Ichigo to jump up
"Impossible" He muttered before taking off in the direction he'd heard it.
"Whats wrong?" Al asked but didnt receive an answer. The only thing he could do was chase after his friend.
"I wonder why you refuse to fight now, could it be because no one you love is in danger?" King Bradley said as Octavian fell backwards. He allowed himself to fall on his back as he tried to catch his breath. Bradley had been pushing him today to see exactly what kind of fighting skills he had but Octavian didnt want to fight. He only did it when he had to and technically he didnt have to play around with the President. "Tell me young man, in order to get you to fight me whose life will I have to threaten?" O clenched his teeth. Bradley chuckled "Dont worry. I have no intention of doing that...yet. I expect you to be cleaned up and in my office in an hour. Lets go" He ordered his two bodyguards. Octavian remained where he was. Soon he heard voices coming closer. The talking stopped as whoever it was saw him.
"Octavian! What happened?!" He turned his head slightly to see Rukia kneeling next to him. Edward was with her. Both took to examining him.
"How did you do this?" Ed asked quietly "It looks like you were cut with something sharp in several places". O remained silent. If he told Rukia, she would go back and tell Yoruichi and that was the last thing he needed. He moved to sit up
"I have to go work for that creepy guy with an eye patch"
"I forgot about that. I wonder why he wants you as an assistant" Ed said helping him up "Im sure he wont mind if you're late. Im gonna get some bandages. I'll be right back. Rukia dont let him move" He said then raced away.
"He did this" She stated quietly "Why didnt you want to say anything?"
"Because I know you'll go back and tell Mom. Then she'll have more to worry about. This is my problem, I'll deal with it"
"Why did he do this?"
"He wanted me to see some of my fighting skills but I didnt want to. Im not some toy for that asshole's amusement"
"How will you explain this to her?"
"I'll think of something"
"Got it!" Ed said rushing back with bandages along with a few other things. He gave some to Rukia and the two started their work.
Ichigo had given up trying to be sneaky since he had Al clanging behind him. He came to a stop in a deserted alley( isnt that always how it goes?). He scanned the area but didnt see anything.
"If you told me what we're looking for I'd be able to help" Al stated. There was no answer from Ichigo. He was about to come to the conclusion that it was all in his head when he heard someone say
"Come here". Apparently Al heard it too because he shouted
"Who's there?"
"Come here please, you can bring your friend if you want". Ichigo motioned for Al to follow him as he went further into the darkness. He stopped when he saw a pair of eyes not too far in front of him. The figure stepped forward to reveal Stark.
"What the hell?!" Ichigo jumped back "Whats going on?!" He started looking around again, thinking it was a trap. The Espada didnt say anything except smirk and fell forward. His face wouldve hit the ground had Al not caught him.
"Ichigo do you know him?". The other boy simply nodded. He wanted to tell Al to get away from him, that he was a monster but nothing came out. "He needs help. We gotta take him back with us. Are you listening?". The blond happened to glance up at the roof in time to see none other than the number two Espada, Barragan glaring down. In the blink of an eye he was gone.
Yoruichi had seen many shocking things in her long life but this current situation had to be up there at the top. She was in an abandoned building with a pacing Ichigo, a worried Al and an unconscious Stark. It had been coincidence that she had seen them earlier and followed them. Ichigo had wanted to take the Espada into one of the nearby abandoned buildings until they could sort things out. Al was wondering why neither of them wanted to help him. He had tried asking questions but the two had been absorbed in their own thoughts so eventually he had given up and had relegated himself to just sitting and watching over the person they'd found.
"And Barragan was on the rooftop? Are you sure?" Yoruichi was asking Ichigo
"Yes! I know what he looks like"
"None of this makes sense. Why would Stark be in an alley in the first place? And why wouldnt his teammate help him? He easily couldve grabbed him"
"Hey guys he's waking up!" Al announced. They all gathered around as the dark haired man's eyes began to open. He took in their faces.
"Look Espada asshole! You better tell us whats goin on right now!"
"Ichigo!" Al hissed.
"What are your names?" Stark asked. Yoruichi didnt miss the confused expression on his face.
"You know damn well who we are, Im Ichigo and thats Yoruichi...oh and thats Al. Now tell us what you guys are planning. Octavian told us about your conversation"
"Who's Octavian?". At this point Ichigo was starting to lose what little patience he had so Yoruichi stepped in
"Dark haired kid , bit of a goofball, looks like the former captain of squad six, Byakuya Kuchiki. None of this is ringing any bells?"
"Nope sorry". She paused before saying carefully
"Do you know what your name is?"
"Actually no and whats an Espada?". Yoruichi passed a worried glance to Ichigo while Al stated the obvious
"So he's lost his memory, what will you guys do now?"
An hour later the three had managed to smuggle Stark back to the dorms using Al. Yoruichi didnt even ask questions when she saw that he had no body inside of the armor. Stark, fortunately, had gone back to sleep. He was apparently a hard sleeper since he didnt wake up at all as he was being moved. Not even when out of frustration Ichigo kicked him which got him a slap on the head from Yoruichi. They sat around trying to think of their next move when Ed burst through the door
"You guys need to come quick!"
"Why?" Al asked
"Some old guy is messing with Rukia. She told me to come straight for all of you well not Al but you know what I mean"
"What did he look like?" Ichigo was ready to run out the door
"Sorta big, creepy, beard, wore some kind of thing on his head"
"Al stay here with him" Yoruichi ordered "Ed show us where!"
"Yeah but ummm who's the guy on the bed?"
"We'll explain on the way, lets move". Ichigo groaned, it seemed like they had been running all day
"Guess I'll sleep when Im dead" He grumbled "Oh wait...probably not" The thought made him even more depressed as he ran to catch up to the others.
Ed and Rukia had been practicing alchemy in the park since it had been a nice day. She had been on the verge of creating a large horse out of the ground when Barragan had showed up. Automatically she stood to face her enemy and sent Ed away who at first refused to leave her. He said nothing for several minutes, apparently sizing her up then without warning he shot a cero at her. She narrowly dodged it. Apparently the other people there didnt see anything but her fall to the ground. A few gave her questioning looks before walking in the other direction. Rukia didnt care if she looked crazy, not when her life was on the line.
"Shooting a cero so soon? Usually you guys like to fight and show off first" She said getting back on her feet.
"No time for that" Barragan stated before shooting again "After I kill you, I will kill your friends. Theres no telling what Stark let slip". Rukia didnt dodge as easily this time. The blast grazed her arm. She clutched it in pain. "Third time's the charm" Rukia decided now was a great time to put her alchemy to the test. She quickly drew a circle on the ground. As the blast came towards her, a wall came up stopping it.
"So you've learned some new tricks huh?" He laughed "Still wont save you". A couple walking by gasped and started whispering about their hatred for alchemists especially ones who practice in such a nice park. Rukia ignored them. She tried to keep her wall up but it began to crumble.
"Shouldve practiced more" Barragan shouted as he sped towards her to deliver the final blow. He was stopped short however when a wall of fire surrounded her. He growled in anger "Looks like one of your human friends decided to intervene. Dont worry, I WILL finish what I started" He disappeared. The fire soon went down and standing on the other side was none other Colonel Mustang wasnt very happy.
"Rukia you want to explain what that was about? Why could I see that...that...thing and no one else could?". She averted her eyes. They had tried telling the truth before and it didnt exactly work out. She didnt have to worry about saying anything though because the pain soon caused her to black out. Roy caught her as she fell. "Havoc did you see it too?" He asked his blond haired subordinate. The man nodded as he walked up
"Yes sir, what do you want to do?"
"We'll get her back to the dorms for now" Roy scooped up Rukia "Sorry everyone, she was practicing. I was trying to help her out" He said to the curious bystanders. With a reassuring smile he and Jean Havoc headed back.
AN: sorry for the length, i know this chap is shorter than it should be and i wanted to post sooner but went through my first writer's block. ive heard of it happening to other authors but its never happened to me before. usually i have a story planned out and everything but for this one i didnt. anyways i think im over it now and the next chapter will be longer and hopefully will come sooner. also i will be incorparating more of the fma manga as the story progresses. :)
