So...I had thought I had posted a chapter but I guess not...but hey, more reading for you! Sorry...I appreciate all your reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own

They navigated through the maze of halls, an instilled silence between the two of them. Ed's brain was calculating all the possible outcomes of this meeting, all the things that could go wrong, the man could be psychotic for all he knew. As Ed's mind wandered to the deal with Truth, his eyes couldn't help but flicker with annoyance. He was practically thrown into this thing blind.

There was still a lot he did not know, about this world or the riddles that Truth kept throwing at him. And why did he keep returning to the gate anyways? Why hadn't he paid a price?

An ominous feeling spread throughout Ed and he wasn't sure if it was because of the thought of Truth taking something of his without knowing it or the impending meeting.

As the light's presence started to diminish, Ed looked around, noticing the lack of torches and the colder air. It sent a chill up Ed's spine and memories of his transportation to Germany emerged.

They flickered by, one after another until his mind stopped to when Envy had pierced his heart in the ballroom with the beautiful architecture. This place almost had the same similar architecture, and thought of it made Ed shiver. The feeling of dying had been burned into his mind. The agony, the feeling of his life slipping away…but the worst was the feeling that he had failed Al.

Ed unconsciously moved his left hand over where the gaping hole had been. Then as soon as Ed realized what he was doing, automatically went to shove the uncontrollable limbs into his coat pocket.

Meeting empty air, Ed let his arms dangle at his side, remembering that his coat was gone. Ed's golden eyes glanced to Konan, and at her blank expression.

He wondered why she was a part of this group, and what her purpose was. He only had suspicions, but it seemed like this was some sort of terrorist group. But what were they fighting for and against? Ed felt the cold literally seep into his mechanical parts, and an almost undistinguishable squeak sounded from them.

Ed wondered if anybody could hear them—the whirring of the cogs and the creaks of metal. But the ninja probably could hear it, the humans of this world seemed to have greater senses although their technology was a bit lacking.

Konan halted in front of a grand wooden door, a grim expression on her face. Her eyes met his and with a bland face, she pushed it open. Ed wondered what she was steeling herself for. His death?

Konan led him in front of a desk, decaying and old with a dimly lit light bulb above it. The rest of the room remained shrouded in shadow. The unmistakable scratch of a quill sounded throughout the room and it did not stop as Konan made a small bow.

Speaking formally and quietly she said, "Pein-sama, this is Elric-sama."

Although Konan treated this person with great respect, she still held some affection in her voice as she spoke to him.

Ed watched the exchange with interest, was this custom? Was he supposed to do the same? Or was this how you greeted your friends?

A pale hand showed on the desk, putting down a blood-red quill and a screeching of a chair could be heard. Then 'Pein-sama' was in the light.

The light bounced off pale, sickly skin. Ed examined the man curiously, because not only did he radiate danger but also death. The beady black eyes also watched Ed meticulously. He was simply waiting for Ed's reaction. There was none.

Ed had seen his share of the dead and the undead.

A pale hand rose and ran through inky dark blue hair. "This is the child that Itachi brought with him?" Pein questioned with a condescending tone, the same that one would speak of a troublesome child.

Konan nodded but Ed sputtered with indignation at being called a child, "I am not a child! I'm only here to—"

Ed lowered his frantic waving arms, ignoring the curious eyes of both Pein and Konan, and berated himself immensely.

What was I thinking? Spouting my mouth off like that?

Pein tsk'ed, "You're here to what?" The tone of the question was a bit threatening if not murderous but Ed was in no way affected, not now. Reason upon reason appeared in his mind and then he settled on the simplest one there was.

"I'm only here to hide from the sand village." It was a fact that could be proven but if Pein was to dig any deeper….

Would he find the mystery of Ed too unpredictable and demand answers?

But this man—this Pein-sama—was not the kind of man to hold any interest in another human being. Only to his own goals and wishes.

But even if they did know his name, they wouldn't be able to find anything incriminating because he never even existed in this world. Pein's eyes did not leave Ed's, for a second it was as if the man was reading his every thought but then it passed.

Did the ninja able to have the ability to read your mind?

The thought was a scary one, since Ed's mind was his greatest weapon and if someone could just slither on in…

He would have nothing to defend himself, only his alchemy and his training with Teacher.

Picking up the quill, Pein dismissed them, "Fine. But, if in any way you interfere with my plans…things for you will become more than unpleasant."

The threat cut through the air, and Ed could feel a tiny spark of fear ignite in his mind. Because this man… no—not a man. Something even more dangerous than a man…something like a Homunculus, because he did not feel human.

Just like the Homunculus, Pein would put his goals before others. And if he had to kill to do it….then so be it.

Ed swallowed thickly, thoughts in disarray as he followed Konan out the door, still feeling Pein's eyes on him. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood up and Ed felt as if a depressing weight had just set on his shoulders.

The spark of fear vanished as soon as the door closed and Ed almost collapsed to the ground in relief. But Ed remained standing, because he was sure that at least would attract concern and questions. Konan was watching him curiously but refrained from questioning him, instead she motioned to follow her through the grand halls.

They stopped in the far end of one of the stone like hallways, and Konan opened a large wooden door that led into a small room.

She did not enter, only beckoned for Ed to look in. "This is where you will stay, Itachi brought you here so from now on you are his responsibility."

Ed would have opted to argue but Konan had already continued. "You won't have many problems with the Akatsuki unless you cause them or….you spike their interests."

She ruffled his golden hair and Ed muttered as he attempted to fix it back into place. "But be careful Edward, most are here because of their own agendas, and sometimes boredom can drive a person's curiosity to new levels."

Ed wondered if she was perhaps giving him a fair warning, was something going to happen with one of the members?

Then Ed blinked and Konan wasn't there anymore.

Must be that ninja thing again…

Ed wondered if he would be able to do that, was it a possibility? Didn't Truth say something about evolution and his body changing?

The thought of being human but not disturbed him. But if it was evolution—didn't that mean he would just be a better version of himself than before?

Truth had mentioned that he would be changing. But he did not say to Ed when he would change.

Deciding to take a break from that thought process, Ed took a step into the room, shutting the door behind him.

It was a small room, only a place where you would rest or sleep temporarily. There were two beds across from each other, side by side and positioned against the walls.

Ed sat on the one on the right, hearing how the wood creaked at his weight. It was not made of the most comfortable mattress but Ed had slept on worse.

How long would he be here? Weeks? Months? Years?

The thought of it threw him into a melancholy mood and Ed wondered at that moment if Al was doing okay. Then a thought that frightened Ed appeared in his mind, what if time worked differently here?

Here it could go slower and every minute could be a year in his own world. It twisted at his heart and Ed considered the thought that Truth was once again messing with him. Betraying him.

Then the creak of wood dragged Ed out of his contemplations. A hundred memories of attack upon attack entered his mind and Ed instinctively set into a fighting stance. Prepared to defend himself.

There in the doorway, with a raised raven eyebrow was Itachi. Dressed in black garb, with boots instead of sandals adorning his feet and the horrid cape gone-Itachi looked more like a normal person. Ed relaxed his stance and ran a hand through his fair-haired locks. He wondered where his red coat was.

"So…I guess we're rooming together…" Ed said aloud, and instantly regretted sounding so stupid. Itachi probably had already known before he did. But the words could not be taken back. So Ed watched as Itachi closed the door behind him and gave a "Hn," in response.

What the hell did 'Hn' mean?

Ed's eyes followed Itachi's every movement, his gracefulness, and the way he was alert about everything around him.

It reminded Ed of the Roy.

Roy was always alert and never seemed to rest. His cobalt eyes had held a deep dark pain inside them and when Ed would catch him unaware, stuck in the memories of his past, the remorse would show through.

Ed knew that what had happened to Roy had happened to Itachi. He could see it in Itachi's eyes and the very way he moved. Itachi had killed but it was not without reason and not without a searing pain engraved into his very soul.

Itachi was now sitting on the bed, appraising Ed with those coal eyes. Dead eyes.

A flash of a hazy delirious moment, of dead eyes, and warm comforting arms.

Ed felt his face flush at the memory, because Itachi was probably the one that had carried him to the base. It was an embarrassing memory that Ed wanted to lock into the back of his mind forever.

Itachi did not question why Ed's cheeks had flushed pink and curiously just watched him.

Ed's eyes then caught sight of the headband, wondering if it was another part of the culture of this strange world. Ed's eyes linger on the headband before meeting Itachi's, who seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.

"I'm from the hidden leaf village." Itachi said, voice monotone but a flash of something went through his eyes and before Ed could decipher what it was—it was gone.

Ed made sure not to put too much interest into his voice as he asked, "Do the headbands symbolize what village you are from?"

Because the sand nin had different symbols than the one on Itachi's forehead, even the people he had met at the table had different symbols.

So they all could be from different villages.

Itachi nodded almost absent-mindedly, "The headbands show others that you are a village nin, the symbol represents a village that you are from or loyal to."

Ed focused on the leaf like symbol, examining it and then the silver gleaming line that went right through it. Itachi's eyes hardened as he went on, "A line through the symbol represents a nin whom are no longer loyal to that village."

Ed's eyes lingered on the silver line, wondering what had happened to make Itachi no longer loyal to his village. But Ed knew his boundaries and now, he did not want to overstep them. So Ed settled into his bed, hearing Itachi do the same and asked, "I'm getting my coat back aren't I?"

There was a small amused chuckle from Itachi, "I will retrieve it for you tomorrow, Edward."

Ed awoke to an empty room and his most treasured red coat draped across his stomach. Rubbing at his eyes and sitting up, Ed let everything sink in.

Trapped in a world he did not belong to until he had fulfilled Truth's mission.

This world did not treat strangers kindly.

Somehow, Ed had stuck himself between a rock and a hard place. Or a rock and a criminal organization.

Then there was Al. His poor, poor brother who was worried to death (hopefully not literally) and probably scouring through books for a way to get him back.

But this was all for Al. For the both of them. There was no other choice.

Ed drew on his coat, and a thought of a shower appeared in his mind before he exited the room. But for all he knew they did not have showers but some sort of weird ninja way to clean themselves. Ed sighed, rubbing his head and wished for some coffee...

Blearily, Ed walked down through halls before remembering that he had no idea how to navigate through them.

Ed's stomach rumbled and he sighed. Now he was lost and starving. Deciding that nothing was going to happen by just standing there, Ed continued on.

Sharply turning a corner, Ed bumped into hard muscle. Rubbing his nose, Ed glared at the offender only to falter at the deathly gaze directed at him.

Ed appraised the man in front of him. White hair, clothing that would fit a monk more than him, and pale skin that resembled flour.

Wasn't this guy named Hidan? The immortal?

Ed scoffed at the thought and froze as a harsh sounded voice reached his ears. "What are you laughing at punk?"

Ed clenched his fists, eyes furious with the way this guy was talking to him but reasoned that it would be best not to start anything, just in case the guy was immortal, "nothing, I'm just….looking for the kitchen…"

Hidan gave a snort, beady eyes staring at him before pointing a thumb behind him. "Keep going that way until you hit a dead-end, turn right, and second door on the right."

Then Hidan pushed Ed into the wall, disappearing behind the corner. Ed clenched his teeth as he made his way to the kitchen.

Ed was glad that he was able to control himself to some limit but still…If somebody here pushed his buttons just right…..

Ed was still scowling when he entered the kitchen and surprised to see it empty; he quietly raided the fridge and prepared some scrambled eggs.

Ed learned early on that living on your own, if you wanted good food, you had to make it.

Al had tried but….there was complications. Al had seemed depressed over the act but Ed had cheered him up by saying that Al could just instruct Ed on what to do.

Ed was shoveling down the last of the eggs, when Itachi and Deidara appeared in the kitchen, Deidara noisily complaining.

"I mean seriously Itachi, Why don't you just get Sasuke to…." Ed was frozen and everything else drowned out, the name kept repeating inside his head. Sasuke. Sasuke. Sasuke.

Damn it.

Why had he not noticed earlier? This was the Itachi and Sasuke was his brother. Maybe he had better luck than he thought but just refused to see what was staring him in the face.

Deidara halted when he spotted Ed frozen and his plate of eggs. He obnoxiously pointed a finger at Ed, "Hey! Who made that for you? Konan's busy and nobody here can exactly cook." Then Deidara muttered under his breath, "at least anything edible."

Itachi gave a scoff, and Deidara gave him a questioning look, "what?"

Itachi undid his cape, and said with steel in his voice as he rolled up his sleeves, "I can cook." Deidara gave a mocking laugh, "When you're trying to poison somebody!" Then in a hushed whisper adding, "Remember what happened to Kisame? He still has nightmares over that stuff—and remember that Konan had you banned from cooking anything!"

Itachi's eyes narrowed but Deidara gave him no mind as he poked at Ed's forehead, who had watched the banter with amusement. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" Deidara asked as if Ed had stolen and eaten a cookie from a jar.

Ed swallowed the last bit of egg, annoyed at the poking but reluctantly giving into it, "I cooked it, I hope nobody minds but there wasn't anyone here exactly."

No need to offend a den of criminals, thank goodness for self-preservation.

Deidara shook his head, and sat in front of Ed, "Not unless you make us some, I'm starving."

Ed snorted, I know how that feels.

Ignoring Itachi's eyes on him, Ed went on with cooking up some more eggs. An awkward silence stretched but Ed ignored it, and focused on his thoughts.

If that was Itachi, then shouldn't the other brother be somewhere nearby? He and Al were nearly inseparable; surely, it was the same for the two of them?

And how exactly was he supposed to fix this out of balance thing? Ed tightened his hold on the spatula, a crack sounded and Ed was left holding pieces of wood in his automail hand. Ed gave a nervous chuckle and set it down; he then turned to get another spatula but froze when his eyes met Itachi's.

Dead eyes.

Ed shook his head, trying to shake off the memories and retrieved a new spatula from a nearby drawer.

Mouths. You have mouths in your hands.

Ed stiffened as the memory surfaced, he refused to turn around and look at Deidara's hands. But there was a biting curiosity in his mind, and Ed made sure to focus on the cooking so he wouldn't give in to it.

Minutes later Ed set down plates of scrambled egg in front of the two nin and sat a safe distance from the two.

That's right Edward. You're the true monster.

Ed shut his eyes, and hands covered his ears as if it would block the words from entering his mind. Then there was the searing heat inside of him. It hurt so much that Ed couldn't help but collapse to the floor.

You turned me into a monster Edward.

The words rang in Ed's mind but the heat just got hotter and hotter—God, it hurts!

(Screaming someone was screaming and God—was it him?)

Hands were grabbing at him but nothing stopped the pain.

(Who was calling his name? Was that Al? No….Konan?... Itachi?)

But then Ed felt it, the pain receding slightly and his lungs were begging for more air. The stone floor was cold beneath him and Ed relished in it. Opening his golden eyes, Ed saw Konan and Itachi watching him. Konan looking at him with worry and Itachi watched him with eyes burning in curiosity.

His eyes weren't dead anymore.

Exhausted, Ed took one last look at the curious eyes before letting himself be claimed by sleep.