It was like been burnt up from the inside. Ed fought back screams as he felt a gradually increasing intensity build up inside his head. All around him were wisps of giggles, embracing him with the same strength as the tiny black hands holding him in a bruising grip. He could feel the Truth trying to force its way into his head, all the knowledge in all the worlds leaking to him...
It was too much.
Ed couldn't take it anymore, he'd been fighting so hard, for so long, but now, his brain and body on the verge of exploding, he just couldn't. He let himself finally relax and slip into the merciful grips of unconsciousness, with his brother's name on his lips and the image of a fox seared underneath his eyelids.
...
Kakashi sighed to himself, hidden high up in the top of the trees watching his newly formed genin team bicker amongst themselves, arguing predictably over Kakashi's own lateness. They had just gotten back from the rather unforeseeable mission in the Land of the Waves, and it seemed what should have been bonding experience, just pushed them farther apart.
It was hard watching them, these three were so much like them in so many ways that Kakashi's heart ached for a moment whenever he saw them. Naruto's animosity, his cheer, his energy, it was too much like Obito had been back then, and Kakashi didn't even want to think about the blond hair and blue eyes. Sasuke reminded him of himself in every way he could think of, and that was what made Kakashi afraid. Sakura was...
No.
He was not going there, not today and possibly not ever if he could help it.
Fate had taken pity on him apparently (or maybe not), because just as Kakashi felt himself start to slip downwards, towards unwanted memories and nightmares, an ear-splitting explosion shook the forest.
He turned toward it immediately, senses on high alert, and instinctively got ready to head over, when he looked down and realized something with a sinking stomach.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were no longer on the bridge.
...
The first thing Ed heard when he woke up was arguing. High-pitched voices raised in anger floated through his pulsing mind, and for a moment he thought he was back in Resembool, with Winry manhandling her wrench towards him. Then, he opened his eyes to a soft green, completely different than Winry's sharp blue eyes that burned with passion.
The eyes belonged to a young girl, probably no more than twelve or thirteen, with long, pink hair pulled back by a forehead protector. She was kneeling in front of him, watching, and her eyes widened comically when she saw him awaken.
" Sasuke! He's awake!"
At her shout, the childish squabbling stopped, and two boys on the other side of the... forest, turned towards them sharply. One of them had spiky black hair and dark eyes. He was staring at Ed hostilely, eyes analyzing him and trying to figure him out. The other had short blond hair, blue eyes, and Ed noticed short, jagged scars on the sides of his cheeks, almost like claw marks or whiskers. He, in contrast to the one standing beside him, grinned at Ed cheerfully, while shooting heated glares at his other captor. They were both around the girl's age, and they also wore the same forehead protector, with an unusual symbol on it he assumed to be a leaf.
The black-haired one, who was probably 'Sasuke' now that Ed thought about it, strode up to them and none too gently pushed the girl out of the way. She didn't even blink though, and just scooted behind him a little to watch. The kid in front of him resumed the glaring, staring directly into his own expressionless gold eyes. Suddenly, a pale hand shot out and wrapped itself around Ed's throat, who didn't even flinch. Dark eyes narrowed and, ignoring the blonde's surprised shout, increased pressure on the already bruising grip.
" Who are you," the kid bit out harshly, forcing Ed's head upwards, " State your name, village, and rank."
Ed just continued to stare back, his already muddled mind struggling to comprehend. He made a move to rip the child's hand away from his neck, when he realized something.
He was tied to a tree.
There was a thin wire wrapped around him, pinning him to the trunk. He should've been able to break it easily, except every time Ed moved, the wire pricked his skin, causing a wet trickle of blood to slide down his chest. He shifted strategically, trying to find a way out of this when he remembered something with a jolt. He had moved his right arm, yet he hadn't felt anything.
Sliding his eyes to the side, he stared at his right arm and saw, through slit layers of clothing the Gate probably provided, the glint of metal. ' A gift, right,' Ed thought bitterly, 'so fucking generous.' He moved his leg inconspicuously, and felt the hard clink of steel. Biting back a groan, he tilted his head back against the tree, ignoring the way it made the kid, still holding onto his throat, lurch forwards.
" That son of a bitch," Ed muttered under his breath, closing his eyes and trying to gather his thoughts.
His three captors eyes widened, but before anyone could do anything, a white and green flash swung into the area. Ed opened his eyes to see the blur, before he felt something pierce his neck and he slid back into unconsciousness.