My father was alive, I guess that's a good thing. Though I haven't seen him in...how many years? I stopped counting a while back. Dante was blabbing on about her plan to make yet another philosophers stone and take my body like a prize. That's all well and good, I guess adding just a pinch of alchemic truth dust in the box did the trick.
"Once I have your body and leave this one, the Elrics will think that you killed me. I can waltz around like you and they will never find out!" I swear, swapping bodies makes you stupid and delusional. The hag kept going on and on and I was getting very tired of her crap. "You know, Dante. The part where it looks like I kill you sounds great, how about I add some realism to that?" I said, clapping my hands and touching the box. Its started to shrink just like I did with Envy. Only difference is that this lady can't change her size.
When the box was the size of a dime, I picked it up and tossed it out the window. "No one's gonna miss you, Doll." With that, I tromped down to the basement to see if my father was truly there. Surprise surprise, He was there. In bones. -So much for a family reunion- My bitter thoughts said as I looked around where the man had been kept. Chains and dirt, no dried blood and no signs of a struggle. He was probably dead when he got here. I heaved a sigh and marched back up the steps, visions of my own imprisonment flashing behind my eyes.
Edward, Alphonse and Envy where waiting for me in the living room by the time I got back up the steps. A knowing look crossing all of their faces. "I see that you didn't wait for us, but I'm glad she's gone." Envy said, walking up to me as I nodded. "Yeah, let's get out of here. It reeks." He nodded and we filed out of the small shack and made our way back to the hotel, though not before eating some well deserved lunch. Burgers and fries all around!
After our Delicious meal, we were back in our room taking a break from searching and fighting. (Though not very much of the latter) I was soon drifting off in the seat I had claimed, the other boys crammed on the sofa. As soon as sleep took me, I regretted the need for it.
I was back in the dark room with Eckhart hovering over me. Her blue eyes flashing with malice and a whip ready in her hands. "You will break, you will be mine to control." Pain exploded from my arm as it was once again detached while whip lashed began striking my back. Burns soon followed running down my sides and blood pooled below me. Why do I have to go through this? Why did she do this to me? I have nothing to give to make this pain stop! No matter how loud I screamed no one came to save me. No matted how much I cried, I was always left alone in the dark. Broken and torn, I could do nothing to help myself.
I could feel someone shaking me, yelling at me to wake up. I could hear my name, feel their hands on my shoulders, but my mind refused to let me leave my nightmare. I could hear my friends, but all I saw was blood. My blood, pooling around me and turning black with age. Soon I was drowning in the sticky goo that was once thick and alive. I screamed again for someone, anyone, to pull me out. To save me from this place. Just as I was giving up, a hand grabbed mine and pulled me out and into an embrace. For once, I felt safe.
"KAI! Come on, wake up already! It's a dream, nothing about it is real! KAI!" A voice yelled at me as my heavy eyelids cracked open. A green haired boy was hovering over me with concern etched into his face and eyes. "Thank goodness, you've been screaming and crying for over an hour." He said, helping me into a sitting position on the floor. -Guess I fell off again.- I grimaced as I felt fresh wounds open up. Envy gasped when he saw the crimson liquid seep into my light gray top. "What did you do to get these?" He asked, quickly turning me to get a better look.
It would seem that my nightmares had a new reason to be feared. Not only do remember what happened in great detail, but also get to relive the actual injuries inflicted from that time. I was taken to a hospital by Envy with Ed and Al in tow, each asking what happened at top speed.
The doctor I had was old, tubby and bald. But a nice guy and gentle with my lashes. "You're saying that this was caused in the past and, due to repeated nightmares, opened the scars taht have healed over?" He asked as he cleaned up my back and sides. "Yeah, ever had or hear anything like it?" Envy said, crossing his arms while keeping a sharp eye on what the Doc. was doing. I heard him hum before answering.
"I have heard of it, though very rare and hard to pin point. But, it always leads back to a very traumatic event or memory. This one is the worst I've seen or heard of. I don't know how often this will happen, or if it will stop in time. All I can do is give you some medicine and bandages and hope for the best." The doctor answered as he finished wrapping my injuries. I gave a silent nod and got off the bed, Envy at my side holding me upright before I took a step. "Well, with what you may have been through, no charge. Have a nice day and I hope your nightmares end."
Back outside in the warm air, Envy made a point about not leaving me. He went wherever the brothers and I went, which was heading back to central. Seeing as Ed was still a state Alchemist and Al wanted to take the test to be with his brother, I decided to tag along for the soul reason of having nothing better to do. (Also Ed was still my money bag.) We were on a train heading to Central and Mrs. Gracia, I was not looking forward to that. But I was done running from my problems, so here I come!
"I am not ready to be here." I grumbled as Edward practically drug me to the Hughes house hold. "Quit being baby and get you butt over here!" The irate blonde yelled as he knocked on the door. "How about you be held accountable for killing her husband and see how you take it!" I yelled back and pulled at my automail arm, debating on detaching it and bolting. "Kai, just get it over with." I heard Envy sigh behind me, earning him a glare from my red eyes.
Before I could take a breath, the door opened and a small girl was standing there with a huge smile. "MAMMA! SOMEONE"S HERE!" She screeched out and ran for her mother, light brown pigtails bouncing as she ran. "Who is it Elisia? You know it's rude to run from them." A woman said while walking to the door. "Edward? My has it been a while. I see that you brought others, come in and rest." She said, her eyes passing right over me without pause. -Yup, still hates me.- I thought as Envy shoved me into the house.
I was pulled down beside the green haired palm tree as Gracia brought a tray of tea, passing one cup to each guest. "Would you mind introducing your friends to me?" She smiled as I shrunk into my seat. "Well, you know most of them. My little brother Al, he finally has his body back. Kai, who you seem to be ignoring. And this is Envy, he kinda just tags along." Edward said, reclining into a chair as he spoke. "I see, that's nice." She said, still pretending that I am not in the room. I couldn't stand being ignored and blamed for something I could prevent. "Look Mrs. Gracia. I'm sorry that I was unable to protect Hughes, I would have done anything to be there and help him. But my life and luck suck out loud and I live with it. Again, I'm sorry. Good bye."
With my little speech done, I was out the door and down the street before Envy caught up to me. " You know, she actually looked at you when you left. I could tell that she was about to say something. How about we go find out what?" He said, placing his arm over my shoulders with a small smirk on his face. "She might just be afraid of what you would say if she said anything." I shook my head as we continued to walk. "If she was scared, she would have smelled differently. Her scent clearly said 'blaming anger' when she would walk past me. It's not like it's important for her to forgive me, I just... I want her to know I would have died in his place. Like I would for anyone else that I have come to know." I said, lowering my head as my mind replayed the night of Mrs. Gracia and Elisia walking home. Her words still echoing in my ears.
I heard my friend sigh as he turned us back towards the Hughes house. "You two need to talk this out else Ed will give us both an ear full." I huffed as I let him lead me back to my doom. Edward going angry chibi filling my thoughts and kicking the past out for the moment.
Before I could prepare myself, Envy and I were back on Mrs. Gracia's porch. My hands shaking as I pictured the woman verbally tearing me apart. "What I would give to be in those nightmares instead of here." I mumbled as we heard Edward clamor to the door. "I was wondering when you would bring her back. Come on Kai, go upstairs and talk it out." Once again, I was shoved to where I need to be.
I knocked on the wooden door and waited to be let in or yelled at for existing. "Come in, Kai." Well my luck has changed, though probably for the worst. "Hi again. Mrs Gracia..." I said, closing the door behind me. The room was brightly lit and spacious, a few book cases and a desk were there along with a few chairs. Gracia was in the chair by the desk, looking right at me with a steady gaze. Swallowing heavily, I walked over to the woman and sat on the floor. (Typical chairs have a bad memory) She raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I gave Gracia my full attention as she started to speak.
"You know the details of Hughes's death, how he was shot by a phone booth?" I shook my head, never getting any details on the man's death. "Well, that is how and where he died. What I want to know is where you were." Gracia said and waited for my answer. One sigh later, I dove into what transpired with Envy and Colonel Mustang. Keeping it short and to the point, no sense on dragging this talk out. The woman was quiet throughout my story, her eyes scanning me for any signs of falsehood. I finished with her blame of me and my run, though I am still unsure as to how far I actually ran that time.
Gracia sat and pondered over what I had told her, her gaze misted over in thought. I sat on the floor with my knees tucked under my chin, once again my thoughts on the woman and here words. Soon I was snapped out of my bubble by Gracia standing. "It seems that my grief clouded my judgement." She said, her honey voice filled with regret. "I have blamed you for something you obviosly had no control over. If you wish, there is enough room for you and your friends to stay. Please think it over." With that, she left the room with me in my place. -She didn't forgive me, just understood the circumstances. Hopefully this will satisfy the shrimp for the time being.-
I made to get up but my vision started to swim and I was soon curled on the floor with pain exploding in every fiber of my body. My voice refused to sound as my muscles contracted and my back arched, making my body feel as if it were on fire. What felt like an eternity, but was really just a few moments, the pain ebbed away and I was left exhausted and limp on the floor. -Wonder when the boys will check on me?- Was my last thought as inky blackness covered my eyes.
(A/N: Hey Hey! Chapter 11 Finished and posted! I hope you guys are enjoying the continuation of my story, I was planning on ending it with Dante's death. But realized that there was a lot of unfinished business that needed to be cleared up. Hope you keep reading and loving! R&R!
Till next time! Bye~Bye!