Haru: Howdy! This story contains a mixture of the manga (brotherhood anime series), the original series, and my own creative twists. Therefore there may be absence of certain characters or plot lines. Some I will explain, others I will leave to your imagination. Thank you ^.^

Also big thank you to my beta Melodie! Seriously guys there would be no story without her and she deserves a round of applause ^.^

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA

As much as it pains me to admit, I have never had the military mentality. It works for some people. They have that cold and strong notion that they always have to be better, that there is no second best. That means always looking out for number one, always following orders, always hiding emotion, always staying strong. Never break down. Never question authority. Never question life.

But as I stood there in the cemetery, clad in black, I started to question everything. The cliché "why me?" rang over and over in my head. Everyone around me was a broken record; "I'm so sorry," they would say. Some said it with regret, others with the sympathy of a brick wall. They were sorry huh? Sorry for what? Sorry that I had lost both parents when I was barely a decade old? Sorry that they were at a loss about what to do with me?

The last thing I wanted was more apologies.

"Raya…" I did not turn my attention away from the grave. I had assumed everyone would have been long gone by now and I'd taken that opportunity to be alone with the grave.

"Major Armstrong," I said flatly to the bulky man behind me. He was sniffling and sighing as silently as he could, which was nowhere near silent, believe me.

"I've been…uhm," Armstrong managed to say through sniffling breaths. "I've been assigned as your legal guardian Ms. Ozear." I didn't reply. The warm June breeze hit my face as I looked down at the calla lily I held. I had been holding it so tightly the flowers stem had made an indention in my sweaty hand. Armstrong said nothing as I let the flower slip from my palm, not in the mood to lean down and place it on the grave. Finally I turned to face the Major.

"Was it dad's idea?" The Major took a moment to respond. Tears continued to stream from his tiny blue eyes.

"That I take you in?" He asked attempting to compose himself.

"Yeah." The two of us started to walk away from the cemetery. We walked in silence for a while before Armstrong finally answered my question.

"It was," Armstrong said somberly. "He told me…he told me what he wanted for you. For your future." I looked down at my shoes as I continued to walk.

"The military," I said softly. It wasn't a question. It had never been a secret, what my father had always wanted me to become

"No need to talk about this now Raya. Why don't we get you settled at the Armstrong-"

"I'll do it Major…" my voice was so small it almost sounded unearthly.

"Do what Raya?" I pushed a strand of my short red hair out of my face.

"I'll follow in my parent's footsteps. I don't mind." It was a lie of course. The last thing I wanted to do with my life was throw it into the military's lap. But at this point, I didn't really have any alternative. Armstrong stopped where he was and looked down at me with a frown.

"Are you sure you-"

"Are you going to train me?" My interruption caught Armstrong off guard.

"Train?"

"In alchemy. Like my parents?"

"Well I suppose so." Armstrong said after thinking about it for a few seconds. "That was the plan. Making you my apprentice seemed like a good idea when I agreed to it," Armstrong said as if in a dream. A pang of pain hit me as I wondered whether he had changed his mind n. I obviously had nowhere to go. I was pathetic.

"You don't want to teach me?" My voice was innocent and teary. The words struck a familiar chord with Armstrong.

"Of course I do!" He said in a low and proud voice. He straightened his back and stuck his chin up. "I shall be the greatest of all teachers! Don't think you're getting off easy because you're a kid either. I shall teach you the ways of the Armstrong family! Take you in as an honorary…." The man went on like that for the rest of the day. I listened to about 10 percent of it.

My mind was elsewhere.

As kind as Armstrong was to take me in, I knew deep down that I was just a burden to him. From that day onward I was determined to distance myself from everyone. That way I would never be a burden. I'd learn alchemy, I'd join the military, and I'd visit my parents' graves with pride. It all seemed so set in stone at the time. I'd like to think that I matured ten years that day, but in reality I was still just a kid and would be treated like one for years to come.

4 years later
Central

When I had been younger, my mother used to be concerned that my imagination was too vivad. She feared my daydreaming would destroy my understanding of reality. Her concern only intensified the dreams. I used to dream of adventures in lands millions of miles from Central. In my head I traveled far beyond the borders of the state. It was my only real escape and in most situations my imagination kept me calm.

This was not one of those situations.

"Are you….You have got to be kidding me!" I yelled as the black haired Colonel kept a straight face.

"Is there a problem Ozear?" My eyes widened as I shoved the piece of paper in the Colonel's face.

"I thought I was going on a mission by myself?" My voiced cracked with frustration. Colonel Mustang smirked slightly.

"Obviously, the Fuhrer has other plans," Mustang said thoroughly amused. "You really didn't think we would send you on a solitary mission did you? You're only 14-"

"I'm aware of how old I am Colonel," I said through my teeth. The man cocked his head to the side.

"Well you would do well to remember it Ozear. Even if you are a member of the military now," he gestured to the silver chain hanging out of my pocket. "You are still a child." I ground my teeth together. He was my superior and would most likely have no problem punishing me for talking back. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Yes sir," I said as calmly as I could. Mustang stood and for a second I thought he might actually pat me on the head. He may have had the ability to get under my skin, but I could never get over how handsome he really was when I saw him up close.

"Don't take it out on me Ozear. I'm not the one who came up with the policy. I merely enforce it." He walked past his desk over to his bookshelf. Apparently he was no longer interested in the conversation. I looked down at the half crumpled paper in my hand.

All new state alchemists will be assigned to experienced officers or fellow alchemists chosen for them by their superiors. This is by order of the Fuhrer

"Are you said 'superior; then?" I asked exasperated. Mustang didn't seem to notice I was even there as he fingered through one of his books. "Colonel?" He still didn't answer. I sighed and plopped myself on his desk informally. "Could you at least just tell me who I'm assigned to? I'll leave you alone after that." Mustang slammed his book shut making me jump from his desk.

"Fullmetal," Mustang spoke so quickly I missed what he said..

"Sorry who?" I said shaking my head. Mustang pivoted on his heel and straightened.

"You have been assigned to the Fullmetal Alchemist." Mustang and I stood there staring at one another, my mouth agape, and my brows an inch above where they should have been. Then it came; that bubble of amusement that can overcome someone within seconds. It boiled deep within my stomach at first. Then it slowly crept through my veins, up my spine, consuming my composure.

"HAHAHAHA!" I couldn't help it. I leaned over and held my knees as the laughter burst from me. Who cared if Mustang looked less than amused? He was pulling my leg anyway. "Oh Colonel! That's just….that's hilarious!"

"I'm sorry. I think I missed the joke," Mustang said coolly. I slapped his desk.

"For a second there," I said through laughter. "I thought you were actually serious." Mustang watched me as I coughed from laughing so hard. I put up my hands. "Okay, but really, who am I assigned to?"

"Fullmetal." Mustang said emotionlessly. My laughter stopped immediately. No…he couldn't be serious! Fullmetal was only a year older than I was? That was most definitely not what I would call "more experienced". My face fell.

"But Colonel-"

"You will be following him for one year," he interrupted curtly. My mouth fell.

"What?" I yelled in a high pitched voice.

"One year. Beginning the day after tomorrow."

"You mean twelve months?"

"That's usually how many months are in a year, yes." He picked up a stack of notebooks as I rolled my eyes and scowled. "You'll take these." He handed me the stack.

"What are these for?" I asked, running my hands along the books' creases. "Studying?"

"They're empty," he said as he picked one back up and showed the inside to me. "You're encouraged to document your experiences, findings, anything you learn-into these notebooks. There's one for each month." He gave the notebook back to me and looked me in the eye. "Don't screw this up Collision." I flinched at the name the Fuhrer had bestowed upon me.

"Yes sir," I said softly but respectfully. "But can I ask something?" The Colonel shrugged.

"Sure." I swallowed hard trying to find the right words.

"Don't take this the wrong way Colonel but…" I couldn't find the correct wording.

"Well?" Impatience was getting the best of him. I had to be fast before I completely lost his attention.

"With all due respect sir, why was I placed with Fullmetal? Out of all the experienced State Alchemists, why Fullmetal?" I asked as respectfully as I possibly could. Mustang looked me over slightly before narrowing his eyes.

"Because I think it would be good for both of you," he announced sternly. "Well that and I kind of wanted to see how long it takes for the two of you to join forces." He smirked as I crocked a brow.

"What does that-"

"That's all Collision!" He yelled forcefully. I took a step back at his sudden remark. He saluted me and I returned the gesture with a sigh. This was ridiculous. "I expect you here tomorrow at 8 am sharp."

"Yes sir," I mumbled and turned away from the Colonel.

"Oh and Ozear," he called to me as I opened the door to his office. I looked over my shoulder and saw him look down at my shoes before he gave me a crocked smile. "Wear your heels."

Thanks for reading and please please please….

REVIEW!