A/n: This idea has been floating around for so long!!! I had to write it. I've written a few chapters for this already, so I just have to post. I haven't done a fic that wasn't a CanocxOC for a long time, so this will be an interesting change. xD So, in case you're wondering, this story is following the first anime for FullMetal Alchemist. I'm still deciding if I'm going to follow the xxxHolic anime or manga. Probably the anime. What do you think I should do?

Anyways... This story contains MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE END OF THE FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST ANIME SERIES (not Brotherhood, the first one!), and some for Conqueror of Shamballa I guess... Even though this story is taking place of COS!!! It'll also have some spoilers for xxxHolic too, just to warn you!!! Also, I may occasionally reference to the manga of FMA while I'm writing, even though this is the anime... Sorry, but I love the manga... XDD

Disclaimer time! I do not own FullMetal Alchemist or xxxHolic. Those stories and their characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa and Clamp respectively. I just own some bits of the plot that I came up with.

Enjoy!

Chapter One: Sacrifices

"Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them." –Albus Dumbledore
Song Inspiration: "Nothing I Wont Give" by Vic Mignogna, and "Link" by L\'Arc-en-Ciel.

***

Edward Elric touched the transmutation circles that had been etched onto his body slowly. The teen alchemist was not afraid; Even if it meant dying, he was going to bring his brother back to life, no matter what.

It was his fault to begin with. If only he'd listened to the warnings and had not insisted on trying to bring back their mother, Alphonse Elric would never had had his body pulled into that godforsaken place known as the Gate. Edward wouldn't have lost his leg, and he wouldn't have had to sacrifice his arm to bring his brother's soul back, only to be attached to that suit of armor. They wouldn't have had such a tiring, heartbreaking adventure, and they wouldn't have been tortured by the Homunculi and Scar. They would never have had to see all those they cared for fall down around them, and they wouldn't have been put through so much pain and heartache. They would be normal, alchemy-loving boys living in Resembool, Amestris. No terrible prices to pay for that.

As the circles glowed a bright blue/white color, Edward felt an odd warmth in his chest that burned inside him become an odd, numbing chill. Almost a painful type of cold. He vaguely wondered if this is how Al felt when he'd been taken to the Gate. Even more guilt chewed at the older Elric's heart. His brother had truly gone through hellish pain that he couldn't even begin to comprehend on a daily basis…

He was positive that he was making the right choice right now. For once, he was nearly entirely certain. He would offer himself up and bring his precious little brother back, giving him the chance to live that had been taken away for years ago. How fitting was it that he would be the Equivalent Exchange, when it was him who caused all the mess in the first place?

Edward opened his golden eyes and only saw white. It was similar to the time he first visited the Gate.

Turning around, sure enough, there it was. Those ominous stone doors that held darkness, knowledge, and god knows what else.

"This is it," The blonde whispered as the worm-like black arms pulled him towards the Gate. "Goodbye Al. Be safe…"

"Brother!"

Edward blinked and gasped.

Why was Al standing in front of him?!

"Al! Is that you?! Get away! I did this for you!" He shouted, panicking when he realized the little arms had seemed to notice his younger brother as well. "Run Alphonse! Go back to where you belong! I brought you back for this! I wont let you throw yourself away for me!" He shouted.

Alphonse did not struggle as the worms pulled him towards Ed… and the Gate.

"Brother, you can't leave me! I wont let us be apart! Never! You can't just—" Al was cut off as both brothers screamed in absolute terror.

***

There is no such thing as 'coincidence'. There is only that which is inevitable. There is only 'Hitsuzen'.

How many times had Yuko said that to Watanuki? How many times had she said that to anyone? He couldn't help but entertain the curiosity as he washed the dishes and sake glasses, looking out the window nostalgically.

Today was a normal day working for Yuko—that is, if working for Yuko could be considered normal at all.

Watanuki had woken up and had a delightful breakfast before going to school. At lunch he even got to eat with Himawari! Without that jerk, Doumeki, too! How joyous. Of course, the gloom returned when he had to walk home with Doumeki. After that he picked up a few things Yuko had requested (about a week's worth of groceries like usual, beer, sake, wine, and—for some reason he wasn't sure he wanted to know—mechanical supplies such as oil, screws, and wrenches), he headed over to the shop and began the usual chores.

He cleaned, washed, cooked, poured, screamed at the twins and Mokona for annoying him, and wondered what sadistic god he had ticked off in a past life to deserve this. But because of lunch with Himawari, he actually was able to endure it all, even when Yuko's mindless teasing was thrown on top. Heck, he even hummed happily while he cleaned the storehouse a bit and smiled slightly when he had to fight off that crazy pipefox that loved him so much.

Now, he was washing dishes from 'snack time' and was getting ready to make dinner. Tonight's meal was going to be fairly simple, yet all the same, it would be delicious. He'd even got more food than normally, just to make sure there was a plentiful amount. Heck, he'd even bought Yuko's favorite expensive wine as a treat.

Other than his better-than-usual mood, this was just a normal day for Watanuki.

Yup, a super average, everyday, normal day…

Watanuki was so caught up in his drifting thoughts, he didn't notice Yuko come stand by the door with a stern yet slightly amused look on her face.

"Watanuki," She said, making the boy jump. "Be sure to make lots of food. I believe we'll be having company tonight…"

Watanuki blinked, curious. "Company? You mean like, a friend of yours? Or is it a customer?" The teenaged boy asked in a confused sort of way.

"Yes, in a way…" She said, looking past him out the window. "Two children. They'll be very hungry when they arrive, possibly injured… That place is so unpredictable, not even I understand how it truly works…" Yuko murmured almost incoherently. She blinked as if realizing something and flickered her crimson eyes to the confused part-timer. "You bought those mechanical supplies that I requested today, correct?"

"Yeah, of course. They were on your list." He stated obviously. Watanuki wasn't stupid enough to ignore a request on a list from Yuko or Mokona, even if it was the stupidest thing in the world. He'd learned long ago that that was just a stupid thing to do… "But really Yuko, who are they? Wait, no, let me guess, more travelers from another world, like those four that came a little while ago?" He questioned sarcastically, putting his hands on his hips.

Yuko smiled wryly. "Watanuki, how did you know?"

The boy jumped back. "WHAT?! SERIOUSLY?! MORE PEOPLE FROM OTHER WORLDS ARE COMING?! BUT- BUT THAT CAN'T BE!"

"Maybe they're from another world, maybe not…" Yuko said teasingly. "Just put on something nice, make sure that there are clean beddings, and have lots of food ready." Wait for it… "And makes sure there is plenty of sake!"

Watanuki wanted to scream, but she was already gone. With an indignant huff, he returned to preparing for tonight.

***

The Elrics both felt like the air around them was crushing them. It was an odd, disorienting sensation. They couldn't tell whether they were being plummeted by darkness or light. Were they falling, flying, or floating? Could they see, breathe, hear, feel? What was an illusion and what was real? Were they dead, alive, or something else? What was going on?!

Alphonse… Where… Where are you, Al? What happened? Al… Edward's mind cried out towards his brother. He thought he could feel someone holding his flesh hand, but couldn't be sure. He was so confused. Was he in pain or not? He couldn't tell.

It was all so very blurry.

Brother… I… Where… Brother! Al's mind raced, yet it was slow and sludgy at the same time it was quick. It didn't make sense in any way, and yet it did make perfect sense at the same time.

Is this death, or just 'life' inside of the Gate? Both wondered painfully.

It seemed like thousands of years in a painful silence and blackness, when suddenly they felt the faintest feel of light on their skin.

They next thing they heard was the sound of pounding, pouring rain.

***

At the exact moment Watanuki finished dinner, Yuko had appeared at the doorway to the kitchen with Mokona on her shoulder and the twins behind her. He noticed that Yuko was wearing a rather luxurious dress that was a deep shade of red. It had a hood that covered her black hair (which flowed freely around her neck and what was exposed of her chest). It seemed to layer over a black and gold silk oriental shirt that had a buckled collar. The red dress had wide sleeves that went to the middle of her forearm, and the black and gold silk sleeves from the shirt under it widened and went past her wrists. The dress itself was rather long and pooled around her feet elegantly. There was some sort of odd black design on her shoulder—Was it called a flamel or something? He couldn't recall, but it was odd either way.

Maru and Moro wore their normal clothes, no surprise there.

"Are you ready, Watanuki?" Yuko asked. "Our guests will be arriving any time now."

"But what about the rain?" Watanuki asked after nodding, following Yuko, the twins, and the puffy black bunny-like creature outside. "It's pouring."

"That wont be a problem, trust me." Yuko chuckled. She stopped on the porch and pointed to a large wooden box with elegant carvings on it and gemstones placed in an enchanting design. "Watanuki, carry that out. We'll need it when they get here."

"Why do I have to do all the damn heavy work?!" Watanuki shouted, but walked over to the box and lifted it anyways. "THIS THING WEIGHS A TON!!! What the hell is in here, Yuko?!" The witch just laughed at her part-timer's rage, but otherwise ignored him. This only served to make Watanuki angrier, but shut him up despite.

Watanuki thought he was going to collapse. They stood in the rain for seconds that turned into minutes, and the box only seemed to get heavier. He growled and mumbled profanities and words of disdain and fury under his breath. Yuko wouldn't even let him sit the box on the ground for god's sake!

Suddenly, in less than the blink of an eye, Watanuki found himself and Yuko surrounded by bright white light. He squinted in an attempt to see, but all he could make out were large stone doors with disturbing designs and letters in a language he'd never seen before in front of him. He noticed that there was ivy draped on the door as well, and there appeared to be runes of some sort on the frame area.

What the hell? The high schooler thought in shock and confusion. How did that possibly get here?!

Suddenly, the doors opened and he almost screamed. In an endless darkness behind the doors, he could make out glowing eyes and sadistic grins. All seemed to look at him longingly… especially at the box in his hands.

"Watanuki," Yuko said in a stern, commanding tone. "Give the box to the Gate."

He blinked, his eyes flickering from his boss to the box in his hands, then the 'Gate' as she'd called it, and back to the box. With much effort, he held out the large heavy oak box as if it was an offering to the weird door. He almost screamed again when black worm-like arms snaked out and latched onto the box, pulling it away from him and sucking it inside.

As soon as the doors closed, the light faded and they were back to standing in the rain.

But now, in front of them, were two boys.

One was rather short and had medium length blonde hair of the purest variety. He was rather handsome, and through his tattered, ripped back clothing, Watanuki could see he was well toned and had scars that showed he'd been through a lot in his life. He couldn't be much older than twelve, judging by the height, but his looks said he might even be older than Watanuki! But the most shocking thing about the unconscious blonde was that his right arm and left leg seemed to be made of… metal?!

A sobbing boy of maybe ten years of age (also good looking) held the blonde boy's upper body in his arms. He had blonde hair as well, but it seemed a few shades closer to brown. He had an innocent, childish look to him, and was slender and also toned. He looked up through teary eyes, his greenish-gray eyes begging.

That was when Watanuki noticed the weird markings etched in the unconscious one's skin… They were all over his body and bleeding severely, although the thin width made him wonder just how painful they were.

"Please!" The ten year old looking one begged. "Help him! He's hurt! Brother is hurt! He tried to bring me back I think…" He choked back a sob. "It's all my fault!"

Watanuki could barely believe his eyes. He'd seen some pretty weird things in his life, considering he had the sight that could see spirits, but he was pretty positive that this came close to being the top weirdest thing ever.

Yuko stepped forward and crouched down.

"Alphonse Elric, and Edward Elric…" She said. "From another world you've come to me, sacrificing yourselves. You've suffered much. I can help you… for a price."

The younger looking one that Watanuki guessed to be 'Alphonse Elric' nodded, his eyes reflecting pain and sadness.

"Equivalent Exchange…" He whispered. Yuko nodded.

"You may call me Yuko Ichihara, but some would know me as the space-time witch or the dimensional witch." She said before uttering the words Watanuki had heard so many times before.

"Shall I grant your wish?"

A/n: Okay, it may not be the best yet. But I think that was pretty good!

Now before I forget, I want to talk about the name of this story. "Alchemist Kaidan".

Kaidan (怪談) is a Japanese word consisting of two kanji: 怪 (kai) meaning "strange, mysterious, rare or bewitching apparition" and 談 (dan) meaning "talk" or "recited narrative." In its broadest sense, kaidan refers to any ghost or horror story, but it has an old-fashioned ring to it that carries the connotation of Edo period Japanese folktales. --Wikipedia

I think we all know what the Alchemist part is. ^^ Of course, this title is subject to change, but for now it's the best I've got. xD

Anyways. Please review, no flames. :D

Until next time,
Dice-chan