A/N: …Damn you, writer's block. -_-. But, on the bright side, while I was writing, I thought of something that added a whole twist to the story…and basically completely change the storyline that follows :P
Ah well, I guess it's worth it. ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING from FMA…I repeat, ANYTHING.
The air was feeling crimson, tainted with the smell of blood, the clouds turning an eerie red. It was the air similar to that of a battlefield, but there was no war here. It was just an ordinary day, with an ordinary storm. There were no casualties or killings, no cries of combat or the march of soldiers. And yet, even one if filled with such heavy blood-lust, no matter how much peace and harmony exists within everyone else, the world that one lives in will still feel violent and cruel. It's the matter of getting out of that nightmare, and being able to return back to reality. But, which was which?
1ST Person POV:
Trees zipped past me as I torn through the forest at a breakneck speed which I didn't even know myself capable of.
Well, as they say, you learn something new everyday.
I always learned that, apparently, I might be half-vampire with the way that I was hungering for that man's blood to be spilled and scattered all over the woods' soil. I doubt it'd be anywhere near as helpful as fertilizer though. Perhaps it'd rank closer to poison, with all the repulsive savageness he's been near. Perhaps, it's contagious, and since he's been close to me before (I shudder at the horrid thought- the next time will hopefully be his lifeless corpse), I caught some of that bloody fever. With the way my heart was pounding now, and my mind racing through thoughts- some overly dramatic, some random, some not kind at all, and some of them would make the preachers want to burn me at stake- it wouldn't be a surprise if I had developed the same kind of viciousness as him.
Although, it would be quite advantageous to my cause, seeing that the reason all my enmity was directed adamantly towards the death of him.
Speaking of, a little devilish thought popped up in the back of my mind- hasn't revenge been the one thing that has marred humankind over and over again? The cause of all those devastating wars, the immense massacres, the spoiled greed, and abuse of power that has always been a major error in the world, wasn't that the thing Sensei had always warned me of? That sooner or later, when you're chasing a person to kill, a person you truly, purely hate to the ends of the world, a dark monster called Revenge could claw its way into your heart and poison your body and mind. You wouldn't sleep, wouldn't eat, wouldn't talk, wouldn't do anything that didn't benefit the ultimate goal of stopping his heart. And it was only a matter of time until that monster backfired, and all the thirst for murders halted, leaving with the leftovers of an empty shell that beast had ruined.
I was only slightly aware of that same monster that had planted itself in mine.
Up, down, over, under, out, in, whatever I had to dodge and go through, I passed through it all flawlessly in a way that would've made my Sensei cry. It was like the adrenaline had not only pumped up my body movements to a point where agility and speed was just another limb, but also my mind; I was able to think as clear as day.
That is, where the servant was concerned. Anything else appeared as an annoying buzz in my mind; it was there, I couldn't get rid of it, but, it was a like a small, pestering fly, constantly reminding me that somewhere, within all this hatred, lied the Yumi that I was supposed to be.
However, as aggravating as the continuous hum was, it was still just a tiny part of the intricate and unraveling thoughts that were running around in my mind. It was like a bee hive in there, with a poor, lonely mosquito trying to make sense of the entire ruckus that was zooming around.
But, I sensed I was getting closer, and I tried to shut out all other thoughts.
Just a few more yards, I thought. It was odd when my feet instinctively slowed down to a cautious walk. The rustling of the movement ahead of me had stopped, and the forest was eerily silent to my alert ears. A bush moved here and there from the scurrying of small animals, and tree branches bounced up and down as birds took off, flying into the air. Green glowed all around me, alienated by the mass population of the one color. A brown trunk was shown occasionally. I finally emerged from the clearing, a couple feet away from the servant, who was smiling grimly.
"I hate to do this, but I suppose Akiyama-senpai would get angry at me otherwise. He always did have a big issue of telling the truth and being honest and whatnot," he grumbled, sullen.
"How could you even talk about being honest? I'm sure all you've done is lie your entire life!" I spat at him.
He merely stared at me, a mildly amused expression on his face.
"Well, Yumi, dear," he began.
As quick as lightning, my hand shot into my belt, grabbed one of my knives, and flicked it at him without warning. The servant didn't move. My knife flew centimeters beside his head.
"Don't call me that," I hissed. "Or next time I'll aim to the right a little."
His eyebrows rose in interest, but his amused and laidback look stayed put, to my dismay. The way he looked at me was like I was just a small child, ranting on about some new toy she wanted.
"Before we start again on this "hatred for life" thing," he said, putting finger quotes in the air, "I want to put out that my name is Tatsuya."
"Like I care about your name."
He shrugged, "Well, "assistant" just doesn't have nearly the same effect. Not quite catchy either."
His blow-it-off attitude made me want to hurl myself at him. But, something kept me back. I had a feeling in my gut that there was a trick to all this.
He put his hands up in a mock truce.
"Hey, Yumi, seriously now, no need to be pointing a poisoned arrow at anyone," he warned. "I'm not planning to go all evil-masochist on you. I hope not, at the very least. There's only one thing I want, and then I'll be off."
I didn't respond.
"That picture you took earlier? Yeah, apparently it has "great sentimental value" to Akiyama-senpai," he rolled his eyes, imitating my dad. His voice sounded so familiar, so close to the original. It was like he was my personal devil from hell. Maybe he was- it wasn't like I did anything angelic to deserve any gratitude from heaven.
"Why let me chase you? Why didn't you just take it from me back there?' I countered.
"Your boyfriend back there," it seemed like he had barely choked out the word, but to my annoyance, still came out stressed, "was planning on killing me." He smiled a sly grin, "We wouldn't have been able to have this pleasant conversation, would we, Yumi?"
"Coward."
He scoffed, pretending to be offended, though his act was obviously transparent. He had meant it to be.
"Please, Yumi, I just want that picture and then we can forget this all happened. That stupid flame alchemist nearly roasted my ass off."
"You mean the Fuhrer," I retorted.
This time real surprise reached his face, but he tried to cover it up. "The Fuhrer? Oh, that was him? My, my, am I really that dangerous that the Fuhrer himself came? Give him my regards; I'm honored."
I narrowed my eyes. His heart wasn't in the jeer as it was the last time we met. It showed a sliver of uncertainty.
Come to think of it, his whole personality had changed dramatically. Last time, he was all for the "evil-masochist" he claimed not to be. Anger started to die down in my heart, when I realized the person I was angry at wasn't here anymore. Instead, there was a strikingly similar, yet not as villainous and sadistic as the old one. Although he made the same taunts, they weren't didn't consist of pure hatred anymore. They were like how a middle school bully would tease a younger child. It was on a whole lower scale. Most of all, he didn't want to fight.
Now that rhyme and reason had settled back into their usual place in my head, I studied his expression more carefully. It wasn't the wicked sneer that was there before; now it was only boredom, impatience, and what looked like a little fear on his part.
Hah, fear? He feared me? However, now knowing that something was off here, I didn't take as much pride in it as I would have before.
"Who are you?" I asked again, genuine curiosity entering my voice. He seemed pleased that I was taking on a much more calm tone now, and returned the mood.
"I'm Tatsuya Riy, a student of your dad."
"No, that's not what I meant. What have you done with the normal, malevolent bastard that looks exactly like you?"
He chuckled, intrigued by my question. "Funny you should ask that. Multiple personality disorder?"
I snorted, "Yeah right. You shouldn't be lying. What are you, 17 years old? You're practically an adult!"
He stared at me, not with the contempt kind I used to know, but instead, a look of wholesome disbelief.
"I'm not 17!" he protested, almost pouting. "Jeez, if I was that old, I wouldn't be a "student". There he went again, making the air quotes.
"Then what are you?" I raised my eyebrows skeptically.
"15," he sniffed.
I rolled my eyes. "So, let me get this right. You have multiple personality disorder, which explains you being oh-so-very-violent one moment and Mr. Cool N' Calm the next. You're a student of my kidnapped dad, whom I never saw being a good teacher- but of course, I probably don't know him well. I mean, it's not that I'm his daughter or anything," I drawled sarcastically.
"Hey, hey, the MPD was only a guess. I have no idea what the hell is wrong with me either. But, yes, other than that," he motioned for me to continue with my ridiculous observations. If it wasn't for his straight face, I would've sworn he was laughing on the inside. Curse that poker face.
"Then, you look 17, and yet your 15."
He sighed, "It's not my fault I'm tall."
"And muscular," I pointed out. "And all grown-up."
"No, I'm no-"He looked down at his clothes. "Oh, I see."
"Uh-huh."
He heaved a great sigh, like an employee that was asked to do more work.
"Be right back."
And before I could mouth another word, he was gone. I blinked. He had just disappeared from that spot. Sure, I could feel the gust of wind that had rose when he sped off, but I couldn't even leave that abruptly. And that was speaking of my good days. Humph, rude much?
Suddenly, just as swift as he left, Tatsuya was there again.
However, this time, he had changed out of his tux- where, I didn't want to think. Now, he was wearing something more contemporary. Instead of looking like someone who had accidently tripped and fell out of those black-and-white movie films, there was no mistake that these were his normal clothes. It fit him much better, and it made him look…mundane almost, if I could get that major-massacre-causing-man out of my head.
Now, he was wearing faded blue jeans with a green tee behind his black, combat jacket, giving him a subtly dangerous air. His hair was loose, neither spiky mohawk and gelled, nor those long kinds like Ed; it was in between. Just right. His eyes had lost any previous blood-lust and anger, with only shiny orbs in its place. Almost enchanting…
Gah, what am I thinking? Why was I even having a regular conversation with this dude? This man…teen had sanctioned Mask in taking my dad away from me.
"So?" he got my attention again by snapping a few fingers in front of my face. "What do you think? Eh?"
"Um…," I stammered, looking up into his eager face, which was only a few inches away from mine now; he had moved up to give me a closer look.
His face fell when I didn't answer. It surprised me- I had got used to the feeling of an empty, cold heart that never felt anything in him. He, too, could be disappointed.
"It's nice," I added hastily. He wasn't convinced.
"I mean it- you look practically normal now!" I put some more enthusiasm into it. Astonishingly, it came easily.
Then, he smiled. I bit my lip from gasping. Nowhere in his dazzling, white teeth or friendly grin did you suspect even a hint of the snarl that used to take its place. With his orbs shiny brightly, his eyes didn't seem all that gloom-and-doom anymore. It was almost adorable. My heart pounded harder now, but it was not because of the fear or adrenaline, yet instead for a nervous, fluttery feeling I hadn't experienced in a while. Looking at his aesthetic smile, I could hardly remember to breathe.
"Thanks. Sorry, your dad makes me dress like that. He says it's more professional," he mocked my dad in a falsetto tone, but it was funnier, rather than mean this time. In fact, I heard a laugh burst through my lips.
He looked genuinely delighted that I had shown a sign of happiness around him. I almost choked in the middle of my giggles when his smile grew wider and his orbs bouncier. It was insanely different. Perhaps an alien abducted him, and left his amazing twin behind?
A small voice chimed in the back of my head- or was it more of a gut feeling you had in your heart?- don't question it. Let it be.
I almost did, honestly. I could've easily given it without question and accept this fascinating new twist. But, the overwhelming desire on the other end was also great. I had to ask.
"Wait, so why are you serving Mask, and if you're a student of my dad's, then why aren't you helping him escape?"
Even as I said this, I did it with a relaxed grin; his attitude was just too contagious. It left me talking about things that were dark and murky the same way I'd ask for the daily weather.
It was impossible not to notice a frown starting to tug on the corners of his lips, but still, his eyebrows never reached that angry point, his eyes never became slits, and his smile never completely disappeared.
"Yumi, I'm sorry. I can't tell you that. It's Akiyama-senpai's secret." His tone was so melancholy and apologetic that I did nothing but believe it. With all my heart too.
"So, you can't explain anything? Anything at all?"
"Damn it," I cursed. "It's probably all because of Mask, isn't it?"
As I spoke the words, a trigger in my brain released all the information that I've gathered so far, and I finally made sense of it.
"Wait," I gasped in a low tone. "Mask is forcing you to do this!"
The anger started to rise again, quicker than I expected.
"I can't believe I didn't-"
"Yumi, hold on a minute," he protested, trying to get me to stop my unreasonable fuming. I dashed around the clearing, back and forth, as if pacing, but the speed was way to fast to be any comfort. Worry began to form in my head.
No doubt Mask would be holding my dad hostage, I've realized the person I had deemed to be my nemesis, where my hatred for him could only be contested by Mask himself, had turned out to be a pretty decent guy. Of course, ruling out the MPD excuse that I was still trying to figure out.
Well, there goes the plan of, "get Dad, blow the place up with the deadliest fire/poison available, and try and act innocent as you walk away." I would be hard to grab two people, especially if that person constantly turned into a psychopathic killer ever now and then, for an absurd reason. And, it would definitely not work if he chose to turn into the psychopathic killer at the time of my break-in-and-rescue.
"Yumi, listen to me," he begged. His composed smile now had vanished into a firm, stubborn thin line.
"What?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
He hesitated, and then said, "Just saying, I don't think you'll want to kill Mask as much when you actually meet him. Be careful."
"Why?" I inquired.
He pursed his lips and his shoulders sagged in defeat as he tediously repeated, "I can't explain."
At any other time, I would've rolled my eyes and snickered at his warning, perhaps even hit him in my frustration, but his eyes portrayed everything. It was so easy to read him- to see whether he was angry or disheartened, happy or sad, stubborn or relaxed. Yet, so many questions buried deep in my brain about him. How could such a plain, flat character create so much bewilderment?
I laughed lightly, but bitterly. "Why should I trust you again? How do I know you're just saying that and acting this way in order to get me to lower my guard?"
Instead of being offended, like I thought he would, he seemed exasperated.
"Yumi, do I look like I'm lying?" he pressed. He had such an intense stare that it forced me to look into his eyes.
I found it incredible that, with the shadowy dark color his eyes were, he managed to pull of a concerned and innocent look. With anyone else, with any other personality, it would just look like a deep black-hole, waiting to suck me in.
Instead, I wanted to be sucked in, to melt on the spot.
"N..No," I stuttered. "But, still…,"
He sighed and stepped towards me. I wished he would hear how close I was to a heart-attack, and back away. Because, I certainly wasn't able to do it. I just stood there, transfixed by his mesmerizing eyes.
His hand caressed my cheek. It was warm and gentle. He brushed a lock of my hair back and murmured,
"I am sorry, Yumi. I can't explain any of this."
"No, it's okay," I was compelled to mutter, even though I honestly felt the opposite.
"No, it's not. I can tell your bothered by it."
"There's nothing you can do though," I pointed out, still continuing on my comforting lies.
His brows furrowed as he tried to think of an answer. Actually, even I couldn't think of anything else to say; that was the absolute truth the way I saw it- he couldn't do anything about his weird disease.
"You're right," he confessed. "I can't explain why I sometimes turn into a horrible monster at times. II can't explain why I'm still here, talking to you. I can't explain why I'm still serving Mask, while I'm obviously on your dad's siside. I can't explain anything to you , Yumi."
My hand twitched; it felt like gravity was reversed, pulling it upwards instead of down- up to touch his hand.
"I can't explain it either, why I trust you so much," I whispered. I felt my back brush against a tree trunk. But, it wasn't that I was backing away, rather he was pushing forwards. And, like the moon around earth, I went with him.
His eyes were sad beyond compare. I couldn't take it like that- with those pitiful orbs shining down on me. It made my heart sink.
"I also can't explain why I love you."
"And I can't explain why I'm falling in love with you."
A/n: So, how about that surprise? ^^ So, same as always- review, put it on your faves, alerts, etc.
To tell you the truth, I was actually going to make this chapter much longer, but it already took a little more than 6 pages, so I decided to cut it in half….6 pages! My first few chapters were only 2-4 pages! O.o