Another Failed Attempt (FMA AND NARUTO CROSSOVER)

Chapter Three: The Elric Brothers?

Taking in slow deep breaths, Sasuke manages to recollect himself. Wiping tears off his face, he felt as incapable and vulnerable as ever. The dark eyes that were once unforgiving and hateful became sad and distant. The person he hated most right now, was himself. Why didn't he see through his brother's facade? Why did he act like such a child? He had raced blindly, being guided by hatred alone.
Madara was watching Sasuke closely. His lips curled into a sly smirk. It was as if he expected this reaction. Taking advantage of the situation, he offered his hand.
"Why don't you join me? We are the last of the Uchiha clan. Let's help each other out. An alliance for mutual benefit."
Sasuke, forgetting his past ambitions of killing any Uchiha left, agreed. Somehow, he might be able to use Madara. However, something seemed odd about the situation. He remembered Madara's devious character and instantly grew wary. He returned to his usual cold self.
"Just don't get in my way." He warned bitterly, shooting him a threatening look. With that, Sasuke went outside to reassess his ambitions.
Madara watched his retreating figure and let out a low sinister chuckle.
Perfect. Sasuke would make a great puppet. He is clever and has just the right motivation. With him, I can definitely test out the limitations of that forbidden technique.

Outside, Sasuke was perched on a rock, washing his face with cold stream water. Feeling refreshed, he brushed his dark hair aside and opened his eyes. He seemed to see the world for the first time, without being blinded by his hate. He noticed the spiky leaves of the pine trees and the way sediment was carried by the flowing river. The air was crisp and fresh, and the sky was a pale blue, reflected by the water. There was a peaceful silence, only interrupted by the familiar chirp of birds and the occasional falling of a water droplet from a leaf onto the ground. Sasuke sat there for a moment admiring the small things he failed to see before.
He was free from the burden of his hatred. He suddenly remembered Konoha and his old friends whom he wanted to break away from, Naruto and Sakura. He thought of Naruto as an idiot, but at the same time admired his lively spirit and resilience. Sakura could be shallow and annoying at times, but he could tell that she really cared for him. Immediately, Sasuke dismissed these trivial thoughts of his old life in Konoha. Although he sometimes felt a pang of guilt in his stomach for leaving these people who cared so deeply for him, he did have bigger regrets.

Itachi.

A sharp metal clink interrupted Sasuke's train of thought. Startled, Sasuke looked around, trying to find the source of the noise. This wasn't difficult because the noise was followed up by yelling.

" AL! I told you a million times not to bring milk! You know I hate that disgusting substance!"

"I'm sorry brother, but you didn't have to hit me! " came an apologetic voice. "And the reason you're so short is because you don't drink it" he added harshly.

"I'm not SHORT!" Someone exploded. "Ya know Al, it's probably because this mechanical arm Winry made me has been stunting my growth." He said, sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone.

"Well, if you hadn't performed the taboo then you wouldn't even need the mechanical arm. You should be grateful Winry is even making you one. "

"You took part in it too Al" he huffed.

Then there was an unbearable silence, as if some unspoken truth was spoken.
Sasuke was hidden by some bushes, and had overheard everything. He was curious. What was the taboo? He glanced at the two brothers, uncertain whether to approach them. There was a short boy with long blonde hair tied messily into a braid. He was wearing white gloves and a long red jacket with a state alchemist symbol on its back, black pants and boots. Sasuke could see solid metal in the space between his jacket sleeve and his gloves. Judging from the conversation, Sasuke safely assumed that it was a metal mechanical arm.
So losing his arm was a consequence of performing the taboo.
Sasuke saw that next to him seemed to be a much taller and larger man in metal armor.
That must be Al. But the voice of Al seemed to be coming from a child. This doesn't add up..
Sasuke was confused, and very much wanted to learn more about them. Although, he normally wouldn't care about other people's lives, these two brothers interested him.
From behind the bushes, Sasuke stood and walked over, retaining his mysterious nature. Taking the brothers by surprise, he senses their mistrust,
" Don't worry. I'm not an enemy. I simply overheard your conversation, and if you don't mind, I'd like to know who you are. My name is Sasuke Uchiha."
Then after analyzing Sasuke, the short blonde boy speaks, " I'm Edward Elric. I'm a state alchemist", pointing proudly at the symbol on the back of his jacket. "And this is my brother, Alphonse Elric. We are the Elric brothers." He finishes, expecting a look of praise and acknowledgement.
Sasuke looked into the boy's eyes. They seemed to be filled with regret and lingering sadness.

They were eyes that reminded him of his own.