(A/N: Here's chapter eight of 'The Flower Princess and the Alchemist'. It seems quite a few want to see those snippet chapters of what's happening in the Bleach world while Orihime's away. So next chapter would be sort of a flashback chapter of how she ended up stranded in the FMA world. Don't expect these chapters to be very long though. Probably a thousand words, at most. And this is the chapter where Edward and Alphonse see Orihime's abilities, the Shun Shun Rikka in action. Can't wait! Well, enjoy the chapter because I'm going to stop rambling now!
ShinyKyu: I'm glad to see your happy!
Spartastic 4: I appreciate your concern. I would say the main reason I reply to reviews here instead of PMing reviewers is because I feel like some reviewers ask legitimate questions that need to be answered for everyone to see. Because the answer might not only affect them, but other readers as well. Though, I would keep the answers as short and sweet as possible, so it won't be as long as last time. And besides, you don't have to read an author's note, if you don't want to. It's not part of the story, after all.
Strike Faster Than Starlight: Thanks for the review! Edward/Orihime seem boring to you? Hmm? Well, I can understand why you think that. However, I also get really tired of Edward end up with some type of tsundere character. No offense, I like tsunderes, but every time [and this is mostly pertaining to OCs] authors make their characters an overall genderbent versions of Ed and...it gets annoying, boring, and predictable. And just imagine Edward's boisterous, snarky, down to earth, science guy personality clashing with Orihime's bubbly, optimistic, whimsical, gentle nature. I find it funny and cute! And the more I work on this fanfic, the cuter I find the Ed/Orihime pairing to be! Although, you don't have to have same opinion. This is just mine.
risedragon0009: Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, I agree. I find it annoying how people who FMA crossovers [mainly with Bleach or Naruto] debunk the strength of Bleach and Naruto characters so much it's ridiculous. I usually just drop the story then and there. Do they seriously believe FMA characters can stand up against overpowered characters, like Ichigo, Naruto, Nagato, Kenpachi, Sasuke, etc.? FMA may be in par with the Inuyasha or Madoka Magica universe in terms of strength. But Bleach or Naruto? Nah. Not happening. And the main reason, out of all the Bleach characters, I chose Orihime [besides my love for her]. She's a powerful healer, but she isn't much of a fighter, so won't overtake the spotlight from Ed, Al, or any other FMA character. At least, not too much.)
Shun Shun Rikka
Edward was on his fifth book, but he couldn't concentrate on reading it as his foot tapped impatiently against the floor. When is that whack job coming back?
"If you are worried about Orihime, brother," Alphonse chimed in. "Then why don't we go look for her?"
"I am not worried about her, Al!" Ed denied heatedly, although there was a small blush adorning his cheeks, indicating his denial of the girl's wellbeing. "That girl said she'll be gone only two hours. Two, Al! It's four hours now, and she's still not back." He crossed his arms over his chest, an angry glare taking over his facial features. "This is exactly why I didn't want her going off on her own. I knew she'll try to make a run for it."
Al shook his head. "Orihime wouldn't run away without telling us," he defended her.
The elder Elric scoffed. "How do you know that? You barely know her."
"She came back to us last time."
He remained silent as he knew that his younger brother was right. Even when she did send them on a wild goose hunt last time… She could've just ran away, disappeared, and they would never find her, but instead she choose to come back.
The blond alchemist stomped out of his seat. "C'mon, Al. We're going to go find that whackjob."
The armor stood up as well, a small clanking noise sounded as he done so. "Right behind you, brother!" he chirped, closing the door behind him as they left the hotel room.
The Elric brothers began their search for Orihime. "Hmph. Knowing her, she probably went off to find another bakery," Edward grunted, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his red coat, a look of annoyance plastered on his face.
They went around asking people if they had seen a girl with orange hair. Humorously, this was starting to become a routine for them.
Orihime vanishes. Ed gets frustrated. They search for her by asking around. They find her. And then they have their 'all's well that ends well' ending. Almost like a hilarious game of cat and mouse.
"People say they saw her walking through this pathway," Alphonse informed as the two brothers walked down the similar road Orihime took hours ago.
"Next time, I'm putting that girl on a least," Edward grumbled, still complaining about Orihime's disappearance.
The brothers came upon the last place Orihime was spotted. However, the smell of blood and rotten flesh made them tense up. Ed's expression turned from annoyance to grim and serious, and Al became anxious. Both brothers gave each other a knowing look before speeding down the alleyway.
"Uh, brother…," Alphonse's shakingly voice rang out, his body trembling, fearing the worst.
"I know, Al," Edward simply said, fists clenching at his side. His gloves wrinkling under the pressure. "I know."
They found a half eaten corpse of a human, but Orihime was nowhere to be found.
Orihime stirred and her gray eyes fluttered open. The room was completely dark, so it was hard for her to adjust. Once her eyes got used to the lighting, which was very little one might add, she realized how cold, damp, and dark the place was.
"Where am I?" she wondered to herself. Her mind travelled back to her most recent memory. She remembered saying goodbye to the Elric brothers because she wanted to investigate an unsettling spiritual pressure on her own without telling them. Then she recalled coming to a dark alleyway where the spiritual energy was most prominent, encountering two non-human beings, then being ambushed and knocked out.
"Does that mean they took me here?" the ginger haired girl asked herself, as she glanced around her confined room.
"I see your awake," a sultry woman's voice resound throughout the darkness. Out of the shadows emerged the same woman who attacked her. "If you simply must know where you are, you are below the city. Nothing more."
Orihime regarded the woman cautiously. "Why did you bring me here? And who are you?"
The woman gave her a sly smirk. "We don't want the Fullmetal interfering with our business, do we?" she inquired, crossing her arms under her bosom. "As for your second question, my name is Lust."
Orihime sat up straighter. It was at this point she realized her hands were tied behind her back. She began to panic as she couldn't assure herself if she still had her precious hairclips on her person or not.
"Are you scared now?"
Gray eyes looked up too see Lust giving her a malicious smile.
"Don't worry. We won't kill you. Yet."
The ginger haired girl gulped, keeping her fears at bay. What does she plan to do with her? She racked her brain for ideas, but nothing came up.
"You said, I was your sacrifice, right? A sacrifice for what exactly?" she asked the question. She just had to know what they need her for. What was so important they needed her alive?
Lust posture straightened as she sneered down at her, as if she was staring down at an insignificant insect. "There's no reason to tell you that. Only that you are the sacrifice among sacrifices," she replied cryptically.
Hardened gray eyes stared into the woman's cold red ones. She won't give in! She would survive! She would return home. Her friends are waiting for her. Ichigo is waiting for her!
"What's your goal?" Orihime asked, her voice filled with determination.
"To make ourselves human." The statement was so simple, so plain and basic. However, it held so much depth and emotion behind it.
The burnt-orange girl's eyes searched the woman in front of her. She was always perceptive of other people's feelings and emotions.
The woman's face still held that cold, sly, vicious overtone. But underneath… She could actually see underneath the surface...that there was something more.
What was it?
It was some deep, seated emotion she was trying desperately to hide.
Loneliness? Unacceptance? Or something more?
Orihime tentatively licked her dried lips. "Why would you want to become human?"
Lust's eyes dangerously narrowed at the girl. "That's none of your business," she hissed.
Orihime's shook her head, the woman's obvious threat falling on deaf ears. "Sacrificing others isn't going to make you human. All you're going end up with is the skin of those you used to achieve your goal. Their anger, their sadness, and their grief." Gray eyes stared into the Lust's red ones somberly. "Can you really live with that?"
Lust paused for minute, as if she was processing the young girl's words before she erupted in a fit of maniacal giggles. "You are such an amusing girl. I'll give you that," she mused in between laughter. "Why would I care about the lives of such insignificant and pathetic creatures?" she sneered.
The ginger haired girl shook her head, dolefully. "I think you are the sad and lonely one."
As soon as the girl uttered that sentimental statement, she felt something slice across her cheek. She winced at the pain, feeling a trail of blood trickle from the wound. The burnt-orange haired girl looked to see the woman's fingers projected into long sharp nails, almost like narrowed spears. They pierced through the concrete wall behind her.
"Your constant blubbering is really starting to annoy me, girl," Lust drawled. "I really don't want to kill you, but I will if you keep making anymore idiotic assumptions like that. Us? Sad and lonely?" she scoffed, retracting her nails. "Don't make me laugh."
Orihime sat up straighter, trying to loosen her hands free from the rope, but to no avail.
Just then a sudden flash of spark caught the ladies' attention. They both turned to see the wall being transmuted into a doorway. Moments later, it was slammed open to reveal the blond alchemist and his metallic brother.
Orihime was both thrilled and worried to see them here.
"Orihime!" Alphonse cried out, dashing towards the tied up girl. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, checking her for injuries. The only one he could see was the scratch on her right cheek. Even so, it still left him feeling a little guilty for not getting here sooner. God knows, she must be terrified to encounter an inhuman being known as a homunculus.
Orihime gave a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Hmm," Lust mused, eyes darting between the Elric brothers as they got into a fighting position. Her cynical eyes landed on Orihime. "It seems our 'chat' is over for now."
Without warning, her fingernails extended in an attempt to pierce Edward. The alchemist immediately dodged by doing a cartwheel to the right.
"Al" Ed shouted out to his brother. "Take Orihime and get out of here!"
"Right, brother!" Al went to grab Orihime, only for Gluttony to burst from out of nowhere. He had to quickly jump out of the way to dodge the gluttonous homunculus from nearly taking a bite out of his arm.
Orihime watched, helplessly, as both brothers engaged in fierce battle against the enemies. Darn! If only her hands were free, she could help them. She watched helplessly as the boys were fighting what seemed like a losing battle. There were few cuts and bruises across Ed's face and torso, and Al was having a hard time keeping up with Gluttony's speed.
Edward clapped his hands together and slammed them on the ground. He alchemically created a long spear, twirling it in his hand, testing its weight. He started paring Lust's relentlessly attacks.
The ginger haired girl noted how good the boy was with a spear. Ever movement was precise and accurate as far as she could tell. She wasn't much of a spear expert, let alone any type of weapon, but she could see how skilled Ed was with the weapon.
Lust retracted her nails.
"What did you want with Orihime? Why did you bring her here?" Edward demanded, gripping his spear tightly.
"We didn't bring here her. She followed us," Lust simply stated.
"Why would she follow you?"
The female homunculus gave a sly smirk. "I don't know. Why don't you ask her?" she inquired, giving a sideways glance towards the girl in question.
Orihime watched as Edward's golden eyes were gazing at her questionably, as if he was saying that she'll have some explaining to do later. She bit the bottom of her lips nervously. She wasn't even sure if she should tell them she was able to track Lust and Gluttony down by their spiritual pressure.
Just as she was contemplating her situation, the ceiling was beginning to cave in. It cracked up and began to open. She heard Al yell her name in fright as a large building began to fall on her. Then she suddenly felt herself being pushed out of the way before she could be squished to death.
"Orihime!" Alphonse shouted her name out in fear, in fear of the girl's life. As he raced towards her to save her, he stood in awe and amazed as the flash of bright orange light suddenly emerged and pushed the auburn haired girl out of the way.
"Brother? What was that?" Al asked his more knowledgeable brother, as he saw Edward jogging up to him as they both watched the strange phenomenon happen before their very own eyes.
After the dust cloud disappeared, both sides watched in anticipation, trying to gauge the girl's condition. The Elric brothers jaws dropped in disbelief as what seemed like little fairies hovering the girl.
Edward pointed a shaking, incredulous finger in her direction. "Tell me I'm not seeing things, Al, but are those fairies?"
"No, brother," Alphonse responded, equally shocked beyond belief. "I see them too."
"Orihime! Are you okay?" the blonde female fairy, Shun'ou, asked, checking her master for injuries.
Orihime winced a little. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little surprised is all. However…" Gray eyes glanced towards the Elric brothers to find both staring at with wide eyed filled astonishment, well Ed was, but she was sure Al was staring at her the same way as his brother. She sighed in defeat. She definitely had some explaining to do later. "I wish you guys stayed hidden a little longer."
The scarf wearing fairy kicked her across the head.
"Ow! Why'd you do that?" the ginger haired girl pouted.
"Don't be so stupid! As if we sit here and let you get yourself killed, you stupid woman!" Tsubaki yelled irritably.
Edward couldn't make out what was being said. Both Orihime and those weird fairies were talking in some foreign language. From what he could make out, there were six of them. A blonde one, one wearing a scarf, a man with an eyepatch, a bulky fairy, a female fairy in a revealing bathing suit, and finally another female wearing an outfit found in Xing.
By the sound of their voices, they were ones Orihime was conversing with earlier today.
Dammit!
He could almost pull his hair out in frustration.
This doesn't make any sense at all! Fucking fairies?! That was scientifically impossible! What he was seeing was impossible! But he couldn't deny what was in front of his very own eyes. And, not to mention, his younger brother could see them as well, so they weren't a figment of his imagination or a temporary illusion.
Ed could hear one of the fairy-like creatures yelling at him, but he could only raise a questionable eyebrow as he couldn't make out what he was saying. He was talking in that non Amestrian language of his.
"Oh? So you can't understand me, huh?" Tsubaki questioned skeptically. "Then understand this…! You are a useless midget whose only purpose is to show off and get his ass kicked like the pathetic pipsqueak you are!"
"Tsubaki!" Orihime scolded the spirit in embarrassment at his blatant rudeness.
It took a moment for Edward to register what Tsubaki said, and once he did, his face turned several shades of red in absolute anger.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A TINY, LITTLE PIPSQUEAK WHO AVOIDS CONFLICT BY HIDING UNDERNEATH THE SOLES OF PEOPLE'S SHOES?! YOU'RE FUCKING TINIER THAN ME!" he roared. Al held him back from lunging at the amused fairy. He seemed to take great pleasure in watching his brother rage.
"You could speak our language?" Alphonse asked curiously, still holding onto his struggling older brother.
"Of course we can!" Shun'ou piped up. "Any language Orihime can speak, we can speak as well, and that's including yours."
"Then can you tell us who you are and where you're from?"
"Listen, kid," Tsubaki cut in. "Who we are doesn't really matter. Don't we have more important things to worry about?" He gestured towards the two homunculi who were watching the spectacle before them.
Lust gave an amused, knowing smile as Gluttony stared at the little sprites hungrily. "It seems Father's theory was correct. The girl is powerful enough to manifest her powers into talking beings with thoughts and emotions of their own."
It took a minute for Ed and Al to register what the female homunculus was insinuating.
"Powers? Those fairies are your powers, Orihime?" Alphonse questioned. Once again he was left feeling awestruck. He had a ton of questions he wanted to ask the auburn haired girl.
And judging by the look on Ed's face, he did too. He always has that look when he's trying to decipher and understand a subject. That pure look of concentration and innerly dissecting something.
Orihime sent the boys a sheepish, apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'll explain later. Tsubaki! Koten Zanshun, I reject!" The fiery sprite glowed a bright orange color, cutting the rope that bound the girl's hands together. She rubbed her sore wrist soothingly once they were freed from their confinements.
"You should really pay attention to us, boys," Lust stated wickedly. Before the Elric brothers could blink, her fingers projected into her signature spears. The boys didn't have time to dodge the attack or transmute an object to protect them. They shielded their faces, waiting in anticipation for the spears to pierce their bodies.
However, that pain never came to pass. Edward slowly opened his golden eyes to see, much to his surprise, a triangular shield protecting him from Lust's attacks.
"Edward, Alphonse! Are you both alright?" Orihime called out to them in concern, her arms held out in front of her.
"Yeah, we're fine, Orihime," Alphonse called out, sighing in relief. "Thanks for that."
"Offensive, defensive, and healing abilities...," Lust mused, analyzing the girl. "C'mon, Gluttony, let's go."
The two homunculi began turning around to leave their prey behind.
"Hey! Wait!" Edward picked up his forgotten spear and charged at the two sinners. Lust started attacking him with her own spears, making no choice but to do a backflip to avoid the onslaught.
"Brother!" Al cried out worriedly.
"I'm fine, Al," Ed panted out, standing from his crouched position.
Gluttony punched the wall, sending tremors throughout the passageway. The wall caved in, large boulders blocking the trio from pursuing the homunculi.
"Damn, they got away," the blond alchemist grunted, annoyed and frustrated. He turned his attention towards Orihime, pointing a demanding finger in her direction. "You… You have a lot of explaining to do."
Orihime gave a sheepish laugh while nervously scratching the back of her head. Her Shun Shun Rikka already returned to their sealed state as her two hairclips located on the right collar of her blazer.
The trio, already packed their bags, made their way to the train station. Edward, finally losing his patience, decided to book a late night train ride. The train was schedule to leave at nine o' clock P.M. He was hoping that this would be the last delay and they would be in East City late tomorrow morning.
"Your powers are so cool, Orihime!" Alphonse praised the ginger haired girl, still completely at awe at her prowess. "We've never seen alchemy quite like it before."
Orihime inwardly sighed. "It's not really alchemy, Alphonse."
"Then what is it then, Orihime?" Edward asked, joining in the conversation.
The girl paused for a minute before erupting into a fit of joyous giggles, causing both boys to stare at her in confusion.
"What's so funny?" Ed questioned, raising a curious yellow brow.
Her face broke out into wide, happy grin. "You called me by my name. You never said my name before. That makes me really happy!" she chirped.
Both brothers looked even more confused.
"That's something to be happy about?" the blond alchemist asked, dubiously. He could never understand girls. They were always a mystery.
Instead of answering, the auburn haired girl took off in a run in a random direction.
"Hey! Where are you going, Orihime?" Alphonse cried out to the girl, a little startled by the girl's enthusiasm.
"Yeah, you dolt!" Edward yelled out. "You're going the wrong way!"
Omake:
Edward, Alphonse, and Orihime were on the train ride to East City. The only female of the group was sleeping soundly, her head resting against Al's shoulder. He tried to be careful that she didn't hit his shoulder spikes.
"She must've been really tired," Al whispered.
"Yeah, well, encountering two homunculi would do that to you," Ed responded. "Remember how tired we were after battling them for the first time, Al?"
The suit of armor nodded his head, a look of recognition on his face. "Yeah, they were very strong."
Golden eyes glanced back at the sleepy girl. "But I am still curious about her powers though. I've never seen or heard anything like it before. This may be the discovering of the century!"
Alphonse gasped. "Tell me, you aren't trying to use Orihime as a science project, brother?" he gaped at his older brother in utter disbelief, getting ready to give his brother a serious scolding.
"Wh-what?! No! I mean… You can't deny that this a huge, Al! Scientists, like us, are always looking for new things uncover. To dissect the secrets of this world. This shouldn't be any different," Edward tried to reason with his younger brother.
Al was about to offer a rebuttal, telling his foolish brother how wrong it was to use another human being for his own curiosity and entertainment. That was until Edward let out a startled yelp, slapping his hand to the back of his neck.
"Who were you planning to use as an experiment, you damn midget?"
Tsubaki was angrily pulling on Ed's hair.
"Who are you calling an insignificant pipsqueak?!" Ed growled out, trying to swat the pest away. "You're smaller than me!"
The small sprite let go of the Fullmetal Alchemist's hair, flying in his face to glare at him. "When people look at me, they admire how much my small stature makes me cuter. But when they look at you, they think 'eww, look at that growth stunted ant man'."
Edward's face turned several shades of red. There was steam practically flaring through his nostrils. He went to grab the little pesk of a fairy, only for him to disappear in a flash of bright orange light.
Ed let lout an angry huff, his face still a light shade of red. "That damn pesk. I already know he's going to be a real pain in the ass!"
(A/N: That's the end of chapter eight. I tried to show off a little bit of Orihime's powers without showing too much. At least, not yet. And how did you like the omake at the end. I just love writing Tsubaki annoying other characters. It's just so funny! Anyway, I got several things to discuss.
I'm trying to keep the 2003 FMA version of the homunculi. At least some of them. Father still exist, but some of the homunculi desire to become human, like their 2003 selves. I believe the 2003 homunculi had better characterization and development than their Brotherhood counterparts, for the most part. Of course, I'm also putting some of my own development for them since this is my story.
And I know I'm going to get some rip for Orihime not activating her powers sooner. But the thing is… Orihime didn't know if her hairclips were taken away from her not. Remember? Her hands were tied up for the most part, so it's not like she could check if she was wearing them. And I doubt anyone's eyes could gaze at the side of their head or the collar of their shirt without using a mirror. And her powers activate on their own when she's in mortal danger. But you go ahead and correct me if I'm wrong and chastise me for my mistake.
As for the Shun Shun Rikka, I'm also planning to make them be a little more prominent in the story. More than they were in canon. I was really disappointed when we didn't get to see more of them. They just stopped making appearances as little sprites after the Soul Society Arc, for the most part. And completely disappeared during the Hueco Muendo Arc. I'm going to try to give them more screen time. I don't know how much screen time, but I know it'll be enough to give each little fairy their own personalities and their own development [could be minor]. To me, I couldn't get grasp of each of the sprites characters, except for Tsubaki's and Shun'ou's [since they are the ones who talk they most] and a little bit of Ayame's [since she's part of Orihime's Soten Kisshun, her most used ability].
Well… That's it. Oh, and since several people requested, they'll be little snippets of what's happening in the Bleach world here and there throughout the story until the Promised Day. I don't know how many chapters, all I know is that they would be really short chapters. So they next chapter would be sort of a flashback of how Orihime ended up in the FMA universe. So you guys finally get the answer you were looking for! But I'm not sure if you should be too excited. I believe the summary of the story already spoils it. I'm just elaborating. But don't worry! The main focus would Orihime's adventures throughout the FMA world.
Anyway, please leave any comments, questions, or suggestions in a review and I'll see you next time!)