Notice: This contains inlets of FMA Manga, FMA Anime, and BBI. (BBI: Bluebird's Illusion so it may get a little confusing. -.-')
WARNING: Does contain spoilers for Manga, Anime, and possibly BBI
Announcement: This is an AU (Alternate Universe for both series)
Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist. Himuro Arakawa does. T.T I do not own Naurto. Masashi Kishimoto does and I'm quite fine with that actually.
Endless Moments
By: Scifijesus
Chapter 5: Be My Escape
Roy never wanted to face the moment he was at right then. Between the General Comanche and Alphonse. He couldn't tell the fifteen-year old kindness in a can that his older brother had been captured and many other things. Things like that Ed was possibly hurt. Ed was a supposed hostage from their long-time enemies the Homunculi and a possible toy used for diplomatic negotiation that would in the end would more than likely hurt Edward more than they wanted. Not only that but Ed was a supposed weapon or tool that manipulation would only allow. Ed was in a terrible situation. And they had no way of actually tracking him down and finding them without risking the safety of the village. Yes, Edward mattered and so did the two other children that were captured. They had no idea what was to become of them and what plans the enemy had. If they only took the three to lure out the strongest so an attack would take place was a number one option on the bad side of cases.
"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst," Roy told himself numerous times. Maybe it was good at this time in confronting Alphonse about Ed.
NO! What was he thinking? Hope for the best, that AL wouldn't pummel him and/or any other person in the near vicinity for their incompetence in the situation? But Al wasn't like his brother. Ed was more likely to do that sort of thing. Al would…what would he do? He'd gotten to know Ed a whole lot more than Al in the past years. Roy's heart sunk at that, but maybe AL trusted him more than he first thought. Al had come to him instead of someone else such as Riza or Havoc or Kain Fuery or Falman who were also here working. Al had come to him, knowing full well that he couldn't just turn away Ed's younger brother.
General Comanche had seen the look of horror and sadness and confusion on his face and excused the Colonel to tell the suit of armor Edward's predetermined fate. Roy wanted an escape.
It was probably one of the hardest things he could ever tell Al, all those things and various descriptions and possible outcomes. It was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to tell anyone. That was for sure.
Al stood a good foot and half taller than Roy and Roy felt very, very small in Al's shadow. He was sure he felt like Ed… short. He was terrified of Al at that moment. It wasn't really all that dramatic and it wasn't the time he was about to go quaking in his shoes, but Al had turned his head downward and asked, "So, my brother was kidnapped right before your eyes?"
Roy nodded.
Al's voice was more sad than angry. Come to think of it, Al barely ever got angry, and it would be s new side no one had ever saw before.
"I have one request," Al continued.
Roy looked at Ed's younger brother, "Go on."
"I want to help with the investigation. I…I feel I can help."
Roy stood stunned. It was a reaction he was not, of all things expecting right after the cruel information.
He shook his head, "No. I'm sorry Al, but I cannot allow that."
"But why?" Roy swore he could feel Al's tears.
"This is a military matter. You could get hurt. You are only a civilian and only a minor. I cannot allow it."
"But-"
"I said no. What would your brother say? Would he want you to go out and hurt yourself just for him? He'd want you safe. Isn't that correct?"
Al was silent.
"I suggest you go back to the lodge and wait for more inform-"
"Ed doesn't rule my life."
Roy looked at Al surprised," What?"
"I know my brother cares about me and would do anything to keep me from harm, but even then, he doesn't rule me. I cannot and will not just stand by and watch as help for my brother just sits around and wait for information! I'm going to help no matter what, even if I have to do it on my own."
With that Alphonse walked away leaving Roy Mustang standing stunned in his shoes. So that was Al angry? It didn't matter right now. He'd have to get some guards. He hadn't told Al that he was a susceptible target for capture as well, and as well as another kid. He wouldn't allow Al to get into danger. Ed would have his head, if he hadn't had his own first.
---
They were in a wagon, the three of them: Naruto, Edward, and herself. Sakura and Naruto were sitting on one side while an unconscious Ed lay on the other side. The wagon was covered and there were four ninja, two on the back and two driving the wagon. It was also very cold. Sakura had a great sense of direction so she knew that they were going northwest, which lead out of the leaf country and sound country and mist country. There were a few minor countries but Sakura also knew that the former countries had more grievances with Konoha than the others. What made Sakura a bit more scared was that she felt that they were in some way diplomatic hostages taken by the people of The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Mist. Everyone from Konoha knew of the dangers that Amestris had created when they didn't allow The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Mist and The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Sand to be allies with them. The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Sand was still picking themselves up from the failed invasion of Konohagakure.
Sakura looked over at Naruto. He was struggling to get out of their bonds again. All there were bound and tied at the wrists, mouth, and feet. They were good escapers, but somehow any technique they tried just would not work. Not only that but there was something glowing on the ropes binding their feet. Sakura could see on Ed's bindings that the glowing also came from his wrists. She only figured that she and Naruto had the same. Something wasn't right and really out of place, but she couldn't think of anything… especially with the glowing bindings. Well, the bindings weren't actually glowing; it was a circle or something of another with dashes and shapes that were glowing. Edward had said something about binding or sealing arrays. Sakura only could only think it alchemy.
That was what really bugged her. They were, she had no doubt, going to The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Mist or somewhere extremely close by. How did the ninja know Alchemy? Edward had said that they'd known The-Village-Hidden-in-the-Mist had no knowledge of their art, save stories. Could there be people from Amestris knowledgeable in Alchemy teaching them?
Sakura shook her head. Maybe this was getting to her head. The three of them had been there for a day. Edward had only woken twice. She was extremely worried about him. Naruto and she hadn't done really anything and but stare straight ahead and think. The ninja came in twice that day to give them some bread and water, never saying anything. She couldn't even see their faces since they were all covered. Sakura's throat was sore. All she wanted to do was talk but no one could speak because of the gags. Sakura could only think on how bad Naruto must feel, talkative as he was. Whenever they gave them water or food, Naruto would try and speak, but they'd jab him in the throat, only stunning his vocal cords. That was the extent of the damage done to the two Chuunin Konoha Ninja. But Edward. He was often hit with Senbon. They'd taken a special liking to drugging him to unconsciousness. Was it because they'd known Edward would be able to get out of the bonds and fight back? She'd watched how well he fought and well, she couldn't blame him being as high as he was. But that left no right for these ninja to just do that.
And yet she'd often found herself studying Edward. The wall was beginning to get boring. He was short, shorter when she'd really thought about it. The little antenna of hair he couldn't seem to tame made him seem a few inches taller, but when you actually looked at Edward. He was very short. Edward had a right being sixteen and have a vendetta against anyone who called him such a thing. Sakura would have to say sorry later for thinking such thoughts, but Ed was short. Besides his height Ed had long blonde hair, much longer than any Male Amestris officer. She supposed it wasn't natural for such things, but then again Edward wasn't normal. Where there any nice thoughts she had about Edward?
She thought. Edward had a nice face. Boy was that terrible compliment. A nice face. When Ed's stature and attitude didn't impress her much, she'd resort to looks. But of course, he wasn't as good-looking as Sasuke. Sasuke, oh Sasuke…
A twist of pain and a light mumble escaped from Edward. Sakura wanted to jump forward and make sure he was all right. He blinked his eyes several times, regaining any lost senses. Ed looked up from his spot on the floor of the wagon to see Sakura staring at him. Naruto had just turned his head to stare as well. Sakura made a muffled sound behind her gag. Ed looked at her with a patronizing stare to tell her not make a sound. Sakura slapped herself mentally. That was stupid. The ninja could come in at any moment.
Edward hadn't sat up. Rather he found it easier to maneuver his hands into an actual clapping position to make an array without a circle then break the bonds sealing him. Just looking at his feet, he knew it was all Alchemy.
It was easy enough breaking them. After untying himself silently, Ed moved to free Sakura. She let out a sigh and gasps of real breath enter her mouth. The gaga had a nasty taste to it. Ed was about to free Naruto when Sakura stopped him. She whispered, "Naruto, you had better not speak. We're dead if we do."
Naruto only stared at her with an obvious frown. He looked up at Edward. He nodded in agreement.
"You promise?" Sakura wanted his word before releasing him. She knew that Naruto would go by his word. Sakura was thankful when she ended up with an obvious nod.
But even happiness doesn't last long. Naruto let out a nice long and loud sigh. Sakura immediately slapped a hand over his mouth. A muffled "MUGHT?" came from Naruto.
Sakura was about to beat the pulp out of her companion, but this was neither the time nor the place. "WHAT" was his question? How could he? Naruto promised not to say a word… but then it dawned on her. "Not make a sound" and "not say a word" were two different things. It wouldn't have really mattered if Sakura blew up at Naruto and beat him to a pulp. The two ninja from the back and the one from the front came in, noticing the odd noise echo from within. They were dead. There was no doubt about it.
Ed sighed and clapped his hands, "It seems we have to do this the hard way."
He set one hand on the covering that concealed the people from the outside and blue light flashed. The material snapped and twirled bringing into Ed's hand a large whip. He glanced at Naruto and Sakura, screaming with his eyes to get up and get a weapon. Ed looked at one ninja to the next, "Well, come on. Let's get this fight on."
---
Al had gathered all the information he could on his brother's kidnapping. Well, of what had actually happened. All he needed to know was what direction that "the-village-hidden-in-the-Mist" was located. Every map that was in town was being used for some or another reason for "defensive-attack" plans. All Al wanted was to get his brother back safe and sound along with Sakura and Naruto. He cared about them and the military in his eyes was being difficult and slow.
"Hey you in the armor."
Al turned to see the strange boy that had been following them and Ed apparently loathed.
"What would you like?"
"You want to go after your brother, right?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"My … teammates," the boy said rather forced, "Were also kidnapped."
Sasuke would never say it to their faces, but Sakura and Naruto were the closest people he did have to friends. Alphonse replied back suspicious, "That sounded like a lie."
"That they were kidnapped?" Sasuke felt awkward. Was Al really this-
"No, that you call them friends. It makes me question whether you're here to stop me or if you are actually telling the truth."
Sasuke frowned. He turned avoiding the statement, "Fine, if you don't want help finding your brother, then do it without me. We'll both go on our own."
Al stood for a second. He called, "Wait!"
Sasuke turned back, looking rather unimpressed at Al.
"I believe you. I would like help knowing which way they went, and maneuvering through this land of yours."
Sasuke grinned slightly, "Good. I believe both of our skills will come in handy," he held out his hand, "I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
Al took it, feeling himself smile, "Alphonse Elric, although I bet you already knew that."
They'd shook then Sasuke lead Al to a part of the town that opened up into the forest and wasn't all that guarded. They took off, not letting anyone see them or leaving any tracks behind them. The military would not stop them. Konoha would not stop them. No city, no person, no other person, no enemy was going to stop Al from getting to his brother and Sasuke to his well…friends.
---
"Führer President King Bradley," Colonel Roy Mustang saluted his superior.
"What is it, Flame Alchemist?"
"You are secluded to leave within he next two days, sir. We do need to know if you do plan to leave or if you plan to stay in Konoha. It-"
"That is enough."
Roy had stopped short.
"I do plan to leave, but I will not take as many men back as I had planned. There will most likely be an attack on Konoha and I am assuring you and the General to take care of everything."
Roy nodded.
"I do hope that it is explanatory enough that I am not abandoning the people of Konoha to the enemies we created, but that if they find that I am gone, the enemy will not turn their gaze upon Konoha. No doubt I am one of their targets. I do suggest that everyone should be on his or her toes. I will also have the people know that if I deem it appropriate, I will go out and defend and attack, but for now my presence is unneeded. If that is all, Colonel, I do have a bit of business to attend to."
Roy saluted, "Yes sir." And left. The Führer was a brick wall. Roy just couldn't figure him out.
When Roy returned to Main Hall HQ, he was immediately met with General Comanche and Kakashi.
"Sir?" he asked.
"Did you or did you not send for 4 troops to go out and find and guard Alphonse Elric as well as the Konoha ninja, Sasuke Uchiha?"
"I did," Roy said confused. This seemed like an interrogation.
"Why," he asked then stopped, "Both of them took off?"
"We received word that several people saw them walking together to a desolate part of town. When the troops scoured the area as well as several others, the two were not found."
"DAMMIT!" Roy pounded a fist on a nearby table, "Permission to give orders, sir."
"Of course," General Comanche frowned.
"I want search parties organized, one third of all the troops of Konoha and Amestris. I want them to span out and cover seventy-five percent area to the-village-hidden-in-the-Mist, and the other twenty-five percent to follow at a slower pace. During I want the rest of the troops not working to span out along the edge of the village and a fifth on the inside to monitor all going in and out as well as keep a check on the activities inside the town. It's 6 hundred hours. I want this down within the next two hours."
"Agreed, I will order the troops," Comanche trotted off, barking out the orders agreed left and right.
Roy was staring at the table, not bothering to move his fist while he spoke the whole time, "Dammit, Elrics, I swear you'll be the death of me."
ANs:
(1) I have to say, I sacrificed my homework time to write this today. Oh well, at least I got it done. I think I did better on grammer. What would you say?
(2) I have a warning, which I do happen to forget to put up these type of things. THIS IS AN AU FOR NARUTO AND FMA! (more for Naruto than FMA since I'm more FMA versed than Naruto... -.-') And if you don't know what AU you is, it's: Alternate Universe, meaning it's similar, but doesn't follow the exact storyline to the series.
(3) Characters. How was Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto? I think I did better.
(4) Another Character question. Should I put Hohenheim, Ed and Al's father in? I do know quite a bit about him. -.-'
(5) Review Responses can be found here: http: (DOUBLE SLASH) www (DOT) anzwers (DOT) org (SLASH) free (SLASH) scifijesus (SLASH) fmamerr (DOT) html
-Scifi Out