I basically made this story because there isn't enough Ranfan/Edward in the world. This chapter takes place after the big homunculi battle of doom, and the homunculi lost obviously. Italics are for memories and dreams.
.:. Chapter 1 .:.
"I should go now." She said, her raven hair blowing gently in the wind. The train was about to pull into the station, and then the girl would be going back to Xing, with her master.
"Right." The golden haired boy, Edward Elric agreed hesitantly. They'd both been through so much together, and part of him wanted to grab her and beg her to stay. But he knew it would just end up with her refusing, she would never leave the Prince without a body guard, even if he could make himself as strong as a diamond, thanks to philosophers stone the Prince had acquired.
"So, goodbye?" Edward asked, hoping she'd change her mind.
She smiled sadly. "I-"
"Ranfan! The trains in." The Prince, Ling Yao, called from a little bit away.
She glanced back at him and then looked to Edward again, his caramel eyes shining softly in the evening light. There was so much she wanted to tell him, so much she needed him to know, but she couldn't. She couldn't even guarantee she'd ever see him again. But she had to say something.
Ranfan smiled, a determined light coming to her eyes. "Good bye, Edward. Thank you for everything. But will you promise me something?"
Edward nodded, curious as to what she'd ask for. "Promise me, you won't die before we meet again."
Edward laughed. "Okay. I promise." Then, more hesitantly, "So, I'll see you again?"
"Only if you want me to."
He grinned, "I'll always want you."
She looked pleased and looked back at the train. "Goodbye." She repeated.
He nodded. "See ya." Edward said with a wave.
Ranfan beamed as she ran onto the train, joining her master.
_-_-_-_
Ranfan sighed, opening her eyes to the morning light. She frowned to herself slightly. "What am I doing, dreaming of the past like that?" She asked herself quietly, before getting out of bed . She had been fifteen, back when her dream had actually happened, and Edward was sixteen, but that was two years ago.
She looked in the mirror, brushing her silky, ebony hair which had grown a fair bit since then. "If I'd known how it would turn out here, I would've stayed in Amestris with you, Edward." Ranfan now looked more like a woman, no one would mistake her for a boy as a certain blond once had, and despite having an automail arm (Which was now a more feminine design than it had been years ago) she was rather beautiful.
There was a knock on the door and it was gently opened by the woman whose house Ranfan resided in, Lien. Lien had custody of Ranfan, now that her grandfather had died, and much to Ranfan's dismay, had insisted she stop working as a guard and act like a 'real woman'. Which is why Ranfan was thinking about Amestris and Edward more and more often. He'd let her be herself and wouldn't force her to wear dresses and style her hair or wear make up.
"Today's the big day, Ranfan." Lien said, grinning. "Are you excited?"
Devastated, distraught, miserable or despaired, would be more accurate. But instead of voicing this, Ranfan just smiled weakly.
Lien laughed. "Ooh, sweetie, don't be nervous. It's going to be perfect. Just like my wedding day."
Ranfan cringed at the last two words. Today was not going to be perfect, it was going to be horrible, she didn't want to marry some random guy because he had a lot of money and thought she was pretty. She had talked to him only once before, two weeks ago, when he had decided she was perfect to be his bride, which had thrilled Lien. She shuddered at the memory of when they had met.
_-_-_-_
Ranfan panted gently as she kicked at the air and leaped over obstacles, smiling to herself. Some people, especially Lien, thought of her training as silly and unladylike, but Ranfan loved it. Fighting was exhilarating and fun, and way better than cleaning or cooking or anything domestic like that. It was her life.
"Oh, Ranfan, there you are!" Lien called, coming into the courtyard, where Ranfan was training, with a man in tow. "I wish you'd stop doing man's work girl. You could be so talented in the kitchen."
Ranfan dropped her fighting pose and bowed to both people. "My apologies."
Lien smiled. "You're so polite, my dear."
Ranfan tried to hide her confusion, as Lien didn't normally comment on Ranfan's better qualities.
"This, Ranfan, is Shing. He's looking for a wife."
"Oh, I can leave you both alone then." Ranfan said, assuming he was there for Lien, whose husband had died two or three years ago.
Lien and Shing laughed. "No, no." Lien clarified. "He means you, dear. I've already been taken, by my husband."
Lien then has said a few more words and left the two alone.
"So, Ranfan, can you cook? Clean?" Shing asked looking at her in a way she definitely did not like.
"No, I fight." She replied, knowing this was a downfall in most men's opinions.
He laughed. "No matter, my servants do that anyway. You're very beautiful."
And you're not. He looked about thirty, which unfortunately wasn't an uncommon age for a man to look for a young wife in Xing. It was considered lucky if your husband was less than ten years your senior.
"Well, I think I'll go tell your guardian my thoughts. It will be a pleasure when a see you again." Shing said, taking her hand and kissing it, before walking away.
Ranfan shuddered, looking around for a source of water to wash her hands in.
_-_-_-_
Two weeks later, and it was her wedding day. Lien helped Ranfan into a big white dress, which had probably been picked for her because it'd be hard to run away in, she thought sadly. After about two hours, of Lien chattering away, and fixing her hair and make up, Ranfan was ready.
'I'm never going to be able to fight again. Or go to Amestris. Or keep my promise to Edward.' She thought, sadly.
There was a light knock on the door. "Ranfan, can you get that for me dear, I'm getting changed." Lien called from her bedroom.
Ranfan sighed and walked to the door, opening it with no interest in who it was.
Ling smiled at her, on her doorstep, and appraised her. "You look beautiful."
Ranfan scowled slightly. "Thank you master." She murmured, without the usual sincerity.
Ling had long ago over come Greed, and was now himself most of the time, although he had told Ranfan he could still hear him talking. Now Ling would be emperor once his father died.
"Ah, Ranfan, I assume you're still against the marriage ordeal?" Ling asked. He had seen her about a week before, crying her eyes out and had asked what was wrong.
"Yes, I am still opposed to such an idea, Master." She sounded sadder this time.
"Well, that's why I'm here. Remember our conversation?" He asked.
_-_-_-_
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm sorry. I just have to get married to someone I barely know. Don't worry. I'll be fine, master."
"You looked happier when you cut off your arm."
"I was."
"Didn't you expect this?"
"I just... I'll never be able to keep my promise, now."
"Promise?"
"I told E-Edward I'd see him again."
"You still love him?"
"Still, master?"
"It was obvious how you felt from the start. I had almost expected you to stay behind in Amestris."
"I wish I had."
"Well then, I promise Ranfan. I will do whatever is in my power to help you keep that promise. I owe you for everything you've done for me."
_-_-_-_
"Yes, I remember our conversation." Ranfan replied. It was the only thing that kept her with some form of hope.
Ling grinned and handed her something. "Excellent. You have just enough time to cancel the wedding."
Ranfan looked at what he had given her. A train ticket to Resembool, leaving that day. Ranfan looked up at Ling in awe. He smiled.
"Let's go."
He led Ranfan through the streets, alot of people glancing at them, considering the future emperor doesn't go walking down the streets with a girl in a wedding dress everyday.
They eventually stopped outside a mansion-like house. "This is Shing's house. He'll be there."
Ranfan nodded.
"I'll wait here." Ling told her, smiling gently to urge her on. Ranfan smiled weakly before walking up the long driveway by herself. The house was big and magnificent, the type of house many of the girls in Xing would want to marry their way into. But Ranfan would rather be with someone because of love rather than assets, and so she made it to the front door and knocked on it.
The door was opened by a maid, who looked a little surprised to see Ranfan. "How may I help you, miss?"
"I urgently require to speak with Shing." Ranfan said, trying her best to sound confident.
"I will inform him."The girl said timidly, before closing the door.
A few moments later the door was opened again, but this time by Ranfan's supposed fiancé.
"Ranfan? Is there a problem?" He asked.
Ranfan nodded. "I'm sorry, but I can't marry you."
"You try to back out today? Where is your honour?" He yelled, angrily.
"I believe I am following my honour by refusing to marry you."
Shing growled and grabbed her flesh arm roughly. "Listen here. YOU should be happy that someone as high class as I am willing to marry someone like you. You don't even come whole!" He roared, looking at her automail arm. "Face it. If you walk away today, then you will get nobody. You're damaged. And no one will want you!"
"I'll always want you." The line Edward had said on the last day she had seen him ran through her head, and Ranfan scowled at Shing.
"I'd rather be alone, then with you!" She replied, venomously, and in a tone that was rather out of character for Ranfan.
"I will NOT stand for such disgrace. Leave NOW you little bitch." Shing yelled, roughly throwing Ranfan to the ground.
"With pleasure!" She replied, getting to her feet and running down the driveway, where Ling was waiting.
He was looking at her concerned, but it all washed away when she smiled at him.
"To the train station?" Ling asked.
Ranfan grinned brilliantly. "Of course."
They walked in silence to the train station, avoiding Lien's house. When they arrived, it was only a few moments before the train was scheduled to arrive.
Ling turned to Ranfan and handed her a black bag. She looked at him questioningly and he grinned. "I got one of my servants to buy some female's clothing. I didn't tell her why though, so she probably thinks I have a pretty weird hobby."
Ranfan smiled, feeling touched. "Thank you." She whispered, looking almost tearful, thinking she was going to be leaving her master and best friend.
"Aww, hey now. This is all on the condition, that when I'm Emperor, you come back and visit and let me know how wonderful your life is." Ling said.
Ranfan dropped the bag, so she could throw her arms around him, something she never would have previously dared to do.
The train pulled noisily into the station and Ranfan stepped back from the hug.
"Thank you." She repeated.
"Ranfan?" Ling said. "If you ever need anything, I'll always be here for you. You're my best friend, I love you."
Ranfan nodded. "I love you, too."
Ling smiled gently, then stepped forward and kissed Ranfan on the lips. "Goodbye." He said, as he stepped back, turning away.
"Good bye." Ranfan agreed, picking up her bag and stepping onto the train, still in her wedding dress.
She sat at a window seat and peered out at Ling. He smiled heartbreakingly at her and waved.
She waved back and the train started, and Ranfan watched her old life disappear.
Well, that took a couple of hours. I was gonna use this account to write horror stories, but my inner romantic took over. So review and let me know what you think, and if i get enough reviews i'll post the next chapter tomorrow. Thank you. ~Little-Miss