DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST!

A BROTHERS BOND

CHAPTER ONE

Edward Elric sat on the window sill of the Central First Branch Library. His automail arm draped across his real leg, a book in his hand He was here yet again to search for a new lead for the Philosopher Stone. A stone that would return him and his younger brother back to normal. Letting out a long, tired sigh, he looked up at the starlight sky. Had it really been almost three years? Three years since Edward had become a state alchemist a "dog of the military" due to the simple fact that they had attempted and failed to resurrect their mother? Three years since he screwed up his younger brother's life? Ed leaned his head back, his eyes tired yet determined to fight for hope. A hope to fix what he had broken. A soft knock interrupted him from his thoughts. Turning to the door he watched as it opened and a large suit of armor walk in.

"Brother, the Lieutenant Colonel wishes to see you."

Scooting down from the window sill, Edward looked up at his younger brother with a small sad smile.

"Alright"

He muttered. Studying the large suit of armor in front of him. It was his fault that his younger brother Alphonse was in this state. His fault he no longer had a physical body. A body capable of feeling the warmth of hug. To be able to eat, drink, or sleep. A body capable of even recognizing fear. No. Now he was just an empty suit of armor with only a blood seal to tie his soul to this world. People who now met them did not know what a warm, caring smile Alphonse had. They could not see the glow that shone in his eyes. They couldn't see anything except for the suit of armor.

"Brother? Is anything wrong?"

Alponse asked, concern in his voice, looking down at his older brother. More then anything, Alphonse desperatly wanted to take a hold of his older brother and hug him tightly. But he stood there, rooted to the spot. If he attempted to hug Ed, he could possible hurt him. He still did not know the strength he might have in this new body of his. He looked down at his hand, staring at it for a moment before turning his attention back to his brother.

In his mind, Edward saw this as silent cry from Alphonse. A cry that wanted to scream out "I hate you brother! You put me through this hell! You should of let me die!" Shaking his head, Edward was quick to push back any tears that was threatening to escape. Even if he did hate him, he had to be strong. He had to keep the promise he made. No matter what it took.

"No Al, everything is fine. So Mustang wants to see me huh?"

Letting out a sigh, he headed towards the door.

"He probally wants to yell at me again for wasting the military and "HIS" time in the search for the stone. Lets see what he wants."

Walking past Alphonse, Edward kept his sight straight ahead. He was afraid that if he were to look at his brother again, he wouldn't be able to keep up the fiasco of being the brave older brother. When in truth he was actually scared to death. Scared of letting his brother know that he, the oldest was afraid. Afraid that he would finally have to ask Alphonse how he truly felt in all of this. But mostly afraid of what the response would be.

"Ed..."

Letting out a sigh, Alphonse turned and followed his brother out of the library and to Lieutenant Colonel Mustang's office.

Edward starred at the doors for a few moments before knocking gently on them. When he was given the response to enter, he opened the doors and disappeared behind them, leaving Alphonse alone in the hallway.

Several minutes passed as Al waited patiently outside of the office. Earlier, First Lieutenant Hawkeye had stopped by and asked if Al wouldn't mind watching her puppy, Black Hayate, as she attented to some military business. Al bent down to pet the rambuncious puppy.

"Hi there Black Hayate! Are they treating you okay here?"

Black Hayate responded with a playful yap and growl, jumping around Alphonse, delighted by the attention. Al laughed, as he played with the pup, glancing every now and then at the closed door behind him.

OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR

"Look! Nothing is wrong okay! Would you just drop it?"

Edward spoke out angrily, leaning back against the chair, glaring at Mustang.

"The lead we got was bogus thats all. It turned out to be a fake."

Linking his fingers together, Mustang rested his chin on the curve of his knuckles, watching the young alchemist before him. The youngest State Alchemist in the military history.

"Fullmetal"

Mustang began, speaking Edwards, State Alchemist title.

"I did not call you in here to hear you whine about your failures!"

Edward glared, the dislike clearly in his eyes for the man before him.

"You have been called here for a new assignment."

Looking as if he was about to protest, Mustang help up a hand to silence the teen.

"You do remember the terms you set? I would allow you to search for the Philospher Stone. But at a moments calling, you would drop everything and serve the military you are bound to. You do recall that don't you Fullmetal?"

"Yes."

Edward replied through clenched teeth. His fist balled up tightly.

"Yes what?"

"Yes...sir!"

"Good. Now here are your orders."

With that, Mustang threw a folder at Edward.

"What the hell is this!"

Edward stammered after reading the file. How could the military possible expect him to follow these orders. Discusted, he threw the file down.

"I can't...I won't!"

"Are you refusing an order from a superior officer Fullmetal?"

"That is EXACTLY what I am doing SIR!"

Mustang let out a sigh. He really did not want to resort to this.

"Then I'll have you arrested. You will be tried, found guilty and sentence. Then the military will learn the secret about your brother and he'll be shipped off to a labatory."

Edward quickly sucked in his breath looking quickly up at the Lieutenant Colonel.

"You wouldn't"

A command more then a question.

"I can and I will. Fullmetal. I will not tolerate anyone in my presinct to disobey an order. Is that clear?"

Edward growled the dislike slowly turning to hate. He stood up quickly, his arms tightly to his side, his hands still clenched, desperate to hit something or someone. His entire body shook with anger. How dare this man threaten him or his brother.

"Yes sir."

He spat out. As desperate as he wanted he could not hit the man before him. He would be arrested for assalting a superior officer. Then Al would be taken away. No he had to stay on the military's good side. At least for the time being.

"Good. And your orders?"

"I will follow them."

"Excellent. You are dismissed."

With that, he turned his back to Edward, staring out the window. A smile on his face as he heard the door open and slam shut. He continued to stare out the window until he heard the door open a second time.

"How did it go?"

A soft voice asked. One that shouldn't of existed any more.

Lieutenant Colonel Mustang turned around still smiling.

"Ah...Ms. Douglas. It went as planned. The Fullmetal Pipsqueek will create the stone for us wether he wants to or not."

Letting out sinister laugh, Mustang quickly changed his form, his true form back to that of one of the hummonculus. Envy.

"Good."

Ms. Douglas replied turning to walk out of the door.

"Master will be pleased to hear this."

Envy stayed where he was, watching as Ms. Douglas walked out of the room.

"He'll help us and then I'll kill him!"

TO BE CONTINUED!

Hehehehehe! My second Fullmetal Alchemist fanfic. First one (Winter's Worry) didn't go so well so I'm trying it again. This time with suspense. What are the orders Edward was given? What is in store for him and Alphonse. Only time and reviews can tell. (Yeah I know I should finnish my other stories, but my head is blank on them. This is my new love. Those were old loves. But I'll finnish them eventually.) Well, please review. Oh yeah and sorry if it's short.