Hello my peeps. I'm sorry for the long delay in getting this up. So not only am I going to apologize, I'm going to make excuses. So
A) Sorry, Je regret, gomen nasai, mi dispache ect, ect.
B) Life hit college, work, church, ect.
C) I work at gamestop, so anime has taken a slight back burner to my gaming habit for the moment. But fear not. I have not abandoned my love for anime, nor this story it's just games are so much more easily accessible where I live (we have one store who has a small selection of anime...and it's mostly stuff like Naruto and DBZ...Nothing I watch. I get my FMA second hand here.) Plus, Altair and Ezio...-swoon-
I hope you like it! XD
Kat
Ed plopped down on the bed of their hotel room. They had an over-night wait for the train to their next stop; Youswell coal mines. Ed felt a slight dip in the bed, it was Jessi then.
"Yea?" He drawled glancing at the girl.
"Teach me to fight." Ed sighed,
"Jess…"
"Ed, I don't want you or Al to get hurt because you're protecting me!"
"Jess…"
"I'm not expecting to become a frikin' ninja or anything; just show me how to throw a punch so I'm not defenseless!" Ed sat up and rubbed his face.
"We'll start tomorrow. Be prepared to wake up early." Jessi hugged her friend,
"Thanks, Ed."
"No problem, Jess." Came the reply as the blond returned the hug.
"Get to bed. We start early tomorrow."
"Jess. Jess, get up." The red-head groaned and opened her eyes. Ed was standing next to her bed dressed in warm ups holding a mug of coffee. Sitting up Jessi rubbed her eyes.
"Ed, just how much do you love me?" Rolling his eyes he took one final drink from the mug before surrendering it to the girl.
"I shouldn't be drinking a third mug anyways."
"Oh, so generous as always." Ed nudged the girl with his shoulder,
"Hurry up. You have ten minutes." Jessi hmm'ed and gave Ed the empty mug before heading into the bathroom to change.
After stretching, Jessi found herself blushing at just how flexible Ed was; she stood next to her friend eagerly asking questions. "What now? Throwing punches? Kicks?" Ed shook his head,
"Running."
"But why?"
"Running can save your life Jess. If we get in trouble I want you to run to safety, get help. I don't want you hurt. When you can keep up with me then we will start working on the rest." Jessi sighed, she had seen how muscled her friend was. This was going to take awhile.
Once on the train Jessi glared at the blond. "You about killed me."
"If you had breathed properly you wouldn't have gotten dizzy."
"Great, now I don't even know how to breathe right." She muttered darkly. "I'm going to sleep," the girl said, a bit sourly, before plopping down; using the blond's lap as a pillow.
"Hey!"
"Your fault." Came the prim reply from the girl. Ed blushed, but didn't try to displace the red-head.
Jessi woke an hour or so later. As she sat up she noticed that the train was devoid of all passengers- except for herself and the Elrics of course. "Wow."
"Yea, I had heard it was pretty much a ghost town, but I didn't think it would be this bad."
"Look, brother, we're almost there." As Al had pointed out there was a town just over the horizon. As they got off the train the trio looked around. Youswell looked so…tired. Ed opened his mouth to speak, and was promptly hit in the head by a wooden beam carried by a boy.
"Ed!"
"Brother!" Jessi and Al cried out as Ed crumpled, holding his head.
"Ah! Sorry 'bout that! Are you tourists? Do you need a place to stay?"
"Whaa?"
"Khyle?"
"Dad! Piggy banks!"
"Who are you calling piggy banks?"
After being drug to an inn the friends found themselves being leered at by the owner, a man named Halling. "It's going to be expensive."
"I have enough." Ed stated confidently. After all, he had stayed at countless inns. He knew the going rate. "300,000"
"What? You're off by a decimal point!" Dragging Al and Jessi into a makeshift huddle Ed grinned deviously, "Well, I guess we're just going to have to transmute pebbles into gold…"
"Brother that's illegal!"
"Dad! This guy is an alchemist!" Khyle yelled excitedly. Jessi watched, a bit proudly, as Ed fixed various items. It was going great until…
"State alchemist!" At that they were promptly shown, thrown, out the door.
"We have no food or lodging for dogs of the military…or their girlfriends."
"I'm a civilian!" Al chimed. Ed now matched the color of his coat.
"Ed, its fine, let it go." He was going to protest, she could see it in his eyes; he was beyond pissed.
"It's not worth it, let's go."
"Fine," he spit out. As they walked to the train station he ranted.
"It's one thing they kicked me out; I expected it to happen eventually, but to drag you into it!"
"Its fine, Ed. It's not the first time I've had to sleep outside." Ed paused. "Ed?" Next thing she knew the blond was hugging her.
"But all that is over, you deserve better, Jess."
"Thanks Ed." Jessi replied returning the hug. Ed found himself blushing before releasing the girl.
"Um, n-no problem." It's just Jessi? Why am I blushing? And did I really stutter? Ed mused to himself. When they reached the station they sat on the platform, looking at the moon as they talked…aka Ed complained. Not too much later Al showed up, having snuck out with the food they had given him at the inn. Happily Ed divided the sandwich before he tore into his piece. They listened as Al explained the town's situation; there was no way for the townspeople to win.
"Brother, the lieutenant comes to the inn every night." Ed stood,
"Let's go."
Jessi could hear the mother's scream "Khyle!" Jessi held her breath as Ed stepped between the soldier's swords.
–clank-
-snap-
"What? It broke!"
"Just who do you think…" Yoki started before Ed cut him off.
"When I heard the Lieutenant would be here I thought I would stop by." Ed flashed his pocket watch and Yoki fell all over himself trying to suck up. Jessi giggled at the sight of an adult kissing ass to a teenager. Ed heard and flashed her a smug grin.
"Cool huh?" he whispered in her ear. Jessi just grinned.
"I apologize for my subordinate's actions. Why don't you…and your girlfriend…come stay at my place for the night? There is no need for you to stay in this pigpen." Ed looked at the man, not liking how he was eyeing either of them. Apparently Jessi felt the same as he could feel her shoulder brush his as she moved closer. Taking the girl's hand, Ed nodded.
"Very well, lead on."
Jessi sat at the formal table awkwardly. She didn't know how to use a formal place setting, so she watched the other two and faked it the best she could; maybe she wouldn't make a fool of herself…
"You seem to be eating well." Jessi looked at the plate of expensive vegetables, ones that had to have been imported and remembered the sandwich from earlier.
"I agree, and the town as a whole seems to be much less fortunate." Ed finished.
"Well," Yoki began, "I'm embarrassed to say it takes awhile to collect taxes…"
"They pay you because you own the town right?" Jessi asked flatly.
"Yes! Yes! Very good! That's exactly right." Yoki chirped happily.
"It's just like alchemy," Ed started off boredly, "Equivalent exchange. With civic rights comes civic duty. It's the way of the world." A servant came and placed a small purse next to Ed's plate.
"I trust you will take this as a way of the world."
"This is what some would call a "bribe" is it not." Ed commented lazily shaking the purse. Yoki smirked.
"It's "gratitude". I trust you will give a good report to your higher ups." Edward said nothing; gazing at the purse a moment he silently placed it in his pocket.
"Excellent! I'll have my men show you your rooms." As they were led down the hall Ed paused as he heard Yoki murmur something to one of his men.
"This is to be your room, Major Elric, Sir. Miss Jessi's is just down the hall." Jessi let out a surprised "Eep!" as Edward wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, their hips touching. Jessi turned pink, which slowly turned to red, as Ed continued, commenting
"Oh that won't be necessary. Good night!" With that he pulled the girl into the room, locking the door behind them.
"What was that about?" Sighing Edward flopped on the bed.
"I don't like the way those soldiers were looking at you; Yoki either for that matter. I figured they would leave you alone if we were together." Jessi nodded mutely.
"Sorry. I should have asked you first, but I figured you wouldn't care. I'll sleep on the couch…"
"No, no. I don't mind. It just…You just startled me...I'm…I'll be right back." With that the girl retreated into the bathroom locking the door, leaving behind a very confused Ed. Pressing her hands to her flushed face Jessi willed her heart-beat to slow down.
"Calm down Jessi, it's just Ed. He's my best friend…Like a brother…right?" Jessi splashed water on her face.
"He likes Winry anyway…" Gazing in the mirror for just a moment longer she sighed and returned to the room. Ed was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. "Fascinating…" She couldn't help but comment, joining him on the bed. "It's right up there with watching paint dry."
"Hm? Oh, yea. Sorry, I was just thinking."
"About?" Jessi prompted.
"O-oh. N-nothing." Ed wouldn't meet her gaze and she could have sworn…Was Ed blushing? The two went to bed, backs facing. Whether by instinct, accident, or design, when the two woke they were wrapped thoroughly in the other's arms.
Embarrassed the two teens kept a large gap between them as they walked to pickup Al.
"They burned it down." Jessi gasped, horrified at the charred remains of the inn.
"Hey, Ed?" He turned to see the tear-stained face of Khyle.
"You can help us right? You can transmute gold or something…" Edward shook his head.
"I can't. Making gold is illegal. Why should I risk my license? It would all get taken to Yoki's vault as taxes anyway. I won't be used just so you can get by." Khyle shook in rage, grabbing Ed's collar. Jessi stepped forward, gently taking the young boy's wrist.
"Stop, please."
"Tch." He let go to go stand by his dad.
"If it's so bad, why don't you all just leave?" Ed asked.
"You may be too young to understand, but these mines, they're our homes and our graves." Halling stated putting a hand on his son's head. Suddenly Ed took off.
"Brother! Wait!" Al called taking off after the blond, Jessi beside him. The stopped behind Ed, who stood in front of two mine carts.
"Hey, Al. Just how much Culm do you think there is?"
"I don't know, one ton. Maybe two, why?"
"Ok, I'm going to do something slightly illegal right now so…"
"Only slightly." Jessi commented dryly.
"Oh, boy. You're making us accomplices? Aren't' you supposed to be setting a good example for me?" Jessi whistled at the pile of gold.
"Now what?"
"Now we take it to Yoki's."
"What! You want to buy the mines!" Ed nodded once.
"All the way down to the train routes." Yoki was practically salivating over the gold.
"Is it not enough?" Ed chirped.
"Oh, no! Not at all." Let us draw up the papers."
"Alright, but making gold is illegal…So if you could make it say 'rights were peacefully handed over free of charge' that would be great."
"Oh you're so devious Mr. Alchemist."
"No more than you Lieutenant!" Jessi looked at Al.
"Ed is enjoying this way too much…"
"Tell me about it."
"What's with the grumpy faces?" Ed cheered as he burst into the tavern.
"What are you doing here?" One man growled.
"Now is that any way to treat the new owner of this joint?" Ed tsked.
"But who are we but a group of vagabonds who travel from place to place? I don't need the extra burden…"
"What so you're going to sell it to us?" Halling growled, voice trembling with contained rage
. "Of course! It won't be cheap though." Ed started some long winded explanation about the parchment or something or other. Jessi clamped her hand over his mouth about halfway through.
"Ed, no one cares, get to the point." Rolling his eyes, he removed her hand.
"300,000" Halling laughed.
"You're right. That is expensive. I'll take it."
"Sold!" Ed cheered.
About that time who should slither up, but Yoki. "Mr. Alchemist! What is the meaning of this?"
"What? I just sold the mines to the Chief here!"
"What! That's not what I meant, the gold you gave me turned into rocks!"
"When did you change it back?" Al whispered. "Right before we left." Ed spoke aloud again. "But right here it says that the rights were handed over for free."
"What! That document lies!" Yoki summoned his soldiers.
"It's not nice to take other people's property." A couple of miners commented cracking their knuckles.
"Oh and Lieutenant? I'll be sure to tell the higher-ups about you incompetence and corruption too!" Ed cheered as Yoki and his soldiers ran from the miners. They let out a cheer and drug Ed, Al, and Jessi to the newly built (courtesy of Ed) inn for a celebration.
Ed laughingly turned down the offers for drinks, pushing away the glasses. "Don't give alcohol to minors!" Ignoring their calls
"What, I was drinking at your age!"
"It will make you grow big!" ect, ect. Ed scanned the room for Jessi. Stopping Halling's wife Ed asked,
"Excuse me, have you seen Jess?" Smiling knowingly she nodded.
"She's in the kitchen." Grinning in thanks Ed made his way to the mentioned room.
"Jess?"
"Huh?" the girl started, then relaxed at seeing her friend.
"Why are you in here, all by yourself?" Jessi grinned tensely,
"I don't care much to be around alcohol."
"Oh, yea. Want some company?" Jessi gave a sad smile.
"You can go back to the party, Ed. I wouldn't want you to miss it on my behalf." Looking at the girl for a long moment before sitting next to her,
"Want to play cards?" Beaming Jessi nodded.
Al looked around the room, people were passed out, strewn all over every surface.
"Ed? Ed?" Al sighed. "Jessi? Just where are they?" He heard a soft laugh. Turning Al saw Halling's wife point into the kitchen, holding the door barely open. His brother and Jessi were asleep on the table, foreheads touching, playing cards strewn everywhere. "Oh, Brother." Al sighed shaking his head. Man, were those two dense.
"Live Free Or Let Me Die"
Death until the dust, and we're waiting
Ruined in the rust, of our craving
It feels like, it feels like
Don't you know the cost, of your betrayal?
You're the one that's lost, you're gonna fail
It feels like, it feels like you're gasping with all your might
You can't take away my strength
Fix these broken veins
There's nothing left to fight (Live free or let me die)
You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied
There's nothing left to fight (Live free or let me die)
Insects walk below, I'm on a wire
Fire will burn below, but I am higher
It feels like, it feels like
Don't you know the cost, of your betrayal?
You're the one that's lost, you're gonna fail
It feels like, it feels like you're gasping with all your might
You can't take away my strength
Fix these broken veins
There's nothing left to fight (Live free or let me die)
You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied
There's nothing left to fight (Live free or let me die)
Do you remember how
You became who you are now?
Do you remember how
It felt to breathe without
Gasping with all your might?
You can't take away my strength
Fix these broken veins
Nothing left to fight
You can't take away my strength
Fix these broken veins
There's nothing left to fight (Live free or let me die)
You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied
There's nothing left to fight
Nothing left to fight (Nothing left to fight)
Live free or let me die
Live free or let me die
Live free or let me die
.