Substitute Alchemist - Bleach X FMA Crossover [HAITUS]

Chapter 4 - State Alchemist Qualification Exam

This chapter is dedicated to auroran_rose! Happy reading!

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Kiana pov:

"So this is Central City." I mumbled to myself as I exited the railway station. I adjusted the strap of my sling bag in which I had two pairs of clothes as well as basic necessities that Winry had got for me in Risembool and inhaled deeply, feeling a little nervous now.

"Oi....are you sure you want to do this?" Edward asked from beside me.

I glanced at him and smiled. "I have to do this, Edward. You know that too. I need to find a way to get back home and joining the military is the best way in which I can find clues."

"It's dangerous, you know?" He pressed and I raised a brow in mild amused.

"Dangerous, huh? Are you sure it's dangerous for me?" I teased making him blush.

"W-whatever! I'll help you out for a bit but don't come crying to me if it isn't what you expect!"

"I won't....and I can't." I said while looking ahead, confidence blazing strongly within me.

We walked through the city streets and I looked around trying to get a feel of the place. Central City resembled eastern cities of the eighteen hundreds of my world – ones that I had seen in movies and pictures. The buildings looked of old architecture, constructed of stone and tiles and the cars that passed by us were bulkier and slower. The clothing style too was kind of old but many youngsters wore attires similar to the modern fashion of my world – well, not as modern or fashionable but they were clothes that suited my taste well enough. Oh well, I guess I would have to consider comfort first here anyway since if I joined the military, I would have a lot of travelling and walking around to do.

"Onee san, do you mind waiting here for a few minutes? Al and I just need to pick up something." Edward said, coming to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk.

"Oh, sure, go ahead. I'll be waiting here." I replied with a smile and they walked away and disappeared into a shop.

I continued to look around and occasionally greeted some friendly people who walked past me. I glanced up at the sky after a little while, my thoughts floating away to wondering how I would fit in among the people of this world, get used to the military and, more than anything else, keep my true self a secret. It wasn't going to be easy but it had to be done.

I wanted to join the military. It would give me access to information regular people couldn't see and it was possible that I could find some clues about inter-dimensional travel or time slips. But there's no way I could join the military without proper training so my only option was to join as an alchemist – after all, alchemists had special abilities and would definitely have trained in basic hand to hand combat to face off against opponents. So I had spoken to Edward and I had asked him to tell me how I could become a State Alchemist.

Edward was reluctant at first but agreed because he knew that it was the best way to look for information and I wouldn't have a problem with opponents considers the fact that I was a Shinigami. All I had to do well at was use the initial story I had told Edward and the others as convincingly as possible – well, Edward had suggested some tweaks to my story that would prevent any person from doubting it. I was still worried how I would hold out with lying to people but being a necessity to stay safe and out of trouble, I had a feeling that I would be able to pull it off well.

"You." I heard a voice suddenly and I looked away from the sky and up at a man who had come to stand a few feet away from me.

He was quite tall, looked slightly buff and had tanned skin. His hair was a mix of dark grey and silver and eyes were covered behind sun glasses. I noticed a rather big 'X' shaped scar on his forehead that even went over his eyes and ended just a little lower than his high cheekbones. He wore casual clothes – baggy black pants, a loose white shirt and a simple yellow jacket over it. His presence was strong and I was certain that he was an alchemist.