A/N: I tried to write a little more Al-centric...not sure if it worked or not...

thanks to my best friend, chibi neko-dono, for her marvelous editings!!!

READ AND REVIEW!!! criticism welcome, no flames please as my computer is not flame-resistent.

SMUGGLERS, INC.

"GREAT SCOTT! LOOK AT ALL THESE KITTENS! I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY CAME FROM, NII-SAN!"

Lying certainly wasn't one of Al's strong suits. Listening certainly wasn't one of Edward's. This situation was a result of these weaknesses.

Edward and Alphonse had returned to Resembool to get Ed's automail adjusted. For once, the alchemist hadn't broken his artificial limbs; but, unfortunately for the Elric's quest, there was only so long Edward could walk with one leg longer than the other. His fate had been a merry jest to many, so it was no surprise when his childhood friend had joined in the effort to patronize Ed for his height (or lack thereof). This circumstance, however, was unexpected.

Winry and Pinako had removed Ed's automail (ouch) and given him some spare limbs to use while they adjusted the machines to match Edward's latest growth spurt. The mere adjustments took little time at all, and the Elrics were looking forward to restarting their journey early the following day. But when Den began curiously sniffing around Al's armor, Ed realized something was off. Sure enough, upon approaching Alphonse, Edward found that his brother was meowing. With multiple voices. It wasn't long from then until Edward and Alphonse began arguing—again—over the fate of strays Al all-too-often picked up off the street.

"ALPHONSE, YOU HAD BETTER PUT ALL OF THOSE CATS BACK WHERE THEY BELONG!!! WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEM AND NOW YOUR ARMOR IS GOING TO STINK OF CAT!!!" Ed exclaimed.

"YOU ARE SO HEARTLESS, EDWARD!!!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LEAVE THESE POOR CREATURES ALONE ON THE STREET WHERE IT'S DANGEROUS??!!!"

"I'M NOT HEARTLESS! I JUST DON'T ENJOY HAVING TO WASH YOUR ARMOR!!!"

"COLD-HEARTED!"

"PUT!!! THEM!!! BACK!!!! ALPHONSE!!!!"

Disturbed by the noise, Winry poked her head down the stairs. She quickly deduced the problem, grabbed her favorite wrench, and proceeded to clobber the two alchemists until they stopped shouting.

"Edward, Alphonse. Since you two can't take care of the cats, why don't you find them homes?" she asked, easily finding the solution.

"Oh, so you think we have the time to go door to door and find cat-lovers, do you?"

Winry shot him a glare. That shut him up.

"If you are in such a dire position, I guess there's only one option left." Winry sighed. "I'll take the kittens and see if any of the people around here need a barn cat. This way, Edward, you don't have to worry about taking care of them; and you, Alphonse, won't have to worry about abandoning them on the street."

Edward marveled at the simple solution. Alphonse was silent.

"Now, I have to finish Ed's automail, but I'll take these guys with me until Den gets used to them," Winry continued. Perhaps a little too quickly, she snatched the kittens up and lovingly carried them up into her room.

Suspicion mounted in Edward. Before Al could stop him, Edward leapt up the stairs and barged into Winry's room without knocking.

"I KNEW IT!!!" he bellowed triumphantly, "YOU TWO HAVE BEEN SMUGGLING KITTIES UNDER MY NOSE!!!"

For there, in Winry's room, littered about on the floor not only automail plans, screws, wrenches, and various tools of her trade, but also tens, no, hundreds of cats. Many of which immediately began climbing Edward's pants.

Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist, age fifteen, had single-handedly uncovered Amestris' largest cat smuggling company.

-----A/N: omygosh!! There's two of them!!!