Night to Noon

Chapter 1 Tarri

I ripped myself from my dream and lifted my head back to see the sky blue and clear out my window. That made me very happy. I rolled over on my side and looked at the clock on my wall. I really didn't care what time it was, I just knew that I couldn't sleep anymore. It was nine o'clock and that was the time I usually got up on Saturdays.

I pulled the blankets off of me and rolled out of bed. I had gotten so used to having another bed on top of mine that I didn't even have to think about not hitting my head, it was now just the way I got out of bed. I put my hands on the back of my neck to warm them up and rolled my head back. I scratched my neck and walked out of my room.

I stepped on the hallway carpet and trudged my way down stairs. I sat down on the coach and started to pet my cat. My brother was up and so was my father though, my mother was still upstairs fast asleep. I was board, I had nothing to do and no where to go. My thoughts were still slow and my mind knew how my day was going to go before I had a chance to think of it. I was going to go for a long walk. Of course, taking one of my two dogs would have been a nice thing to do though I was going to go for a walk by myself today.
I looked around the house for my dad and soon enough I found him in the basement playing his guitar. He was very good though, when he tried to play songs that he had heard someone else play he was repetitive.

'Dad, can I go for a walk today?' I said sitting next to him. He looked at me a little confused. I supposed that he thought I was going out for some reason that he couldn't know about.

'Why?' He asked.

'I just want to go walk around and get to get to know this place a little better,' my dad continued playing his guitar softly so he could hear me.

'Yeah, sure.' He was such a reasonable dad, unlike my mother who would want to know everything about why I was going and where I was going. I know she's doing it out of love and worry but I can't give her some of the answers when I don't even know myself.

'Thanks,' I said with a smile getting up quickly and running upstairs. I got to the kitchen and look around to see what it was that I wanted this morning. I decided on toast and jam. I figured I was going to be out for some time so as my bread cooked I started to make a sandwich.

After I ate I ran upstairs saying my usually 'Hup-two, hup-two' as I hopped on every stair. For some reason it's always made me think it gets my up the stairs faster. I closed my door and walked over to my dresser. My top drawer was filled with jewelry and other small things. I opened my second drawer and pulled out my 'baby' top. I called it my baby top because it was baby blue and the sleeves were short and had a cut through the middle of them. There were two long strings made out of the same material as the shirt and were suppose to be made into a bow but I just let them hang. I looked at it then at my gray plaid skirt that was on my top bunk and put it back in my drawer. I instead pulled out my white button-up shirt and pulled my black tie off the handle of my drawer. I opened my third drawer and pulled out a pair of biking shorts. I wasn't going to risk having my skirt fly up and people seeing my underwear. I put my clothes on my bottom bed and opened the top drawer of the dresser across from my bed that had a mirror attached to it. I searched around for my knee high white socks. I found them at the back of the drawer and pulled them out without all of my socks falling all over the floor. My cream colored bra was on the safety rail of the top bunk so I didn't need to get that out.

I got dressed and walked into the bathroom. I questioned how I should put my hair up. My hair was too short to put back in a pony-tail but it was long enough to put back into two pig-tails. I put black hair elastics in my hair which were hard to see because my hair was dark brown, not black, you could still see the elastics clearly if you were looking for them. My bangs flipped out to the sides. I usually let my hair do whatever it wanted, but on the days I wanted it to look a certain way it didn't cooperate. I didn't care much about my appearance but I did like getting dressed up in cute clothes.

I picked up my bag from off my bedroom floor and shoved a sweater onto it. I was still summer brake and the sun didn't set till about nine so I didn't think I needed it but, you never know. I walked down stairs and put my lunch into my bag as well. My back was shaped like a right angle triangle but I still managed to shove all my school books and things into it.

I put my hiking shoes on and yelled goodbye from the door and after I got a bye from my father I opened the door.

'Where are you going?' I turned around with the answer 'for a walk. I don't know when I'll be back.'

'Well, be safe,' my brother was always so kind and I'm glad to have him as my family.

'I will,' I said before closing the door behind me.

I leaped off the steeps and headed down my street. I started humming a small tune I always seemed to recall. I walked until I didn't recognize where I was anymore, which didn't take long because I didn't know much about this place. I didn't even know any people who lived here. My brother is really all I need. He and I always talk about some of the oddest things that more teenagers wouldn't usually talk about.

I looked up and the sky and smiled at how clear it was. I soon found myself lost in amongst a huge amount of people. I must be in the market, I thought. I looked around for a nice shop I could maybe look around in but there were way too many people blocking my view. I got caught in a river of rushing people and ended up fallowing it until I got out of the market area and into another place. I had no clue where I was and no idea how to get home but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

I heard a train whistle off in the distance. I had only been to the train station once when we moved here six months ago. I looked around at all the houses surrounding me and fallowed a path that went through the houses and hopefully towards the train station.

I day dreamed about how maybe I'd see a famous person there. It was huge here and the biggest tourist's attraction I've ever been to. People are always talking about a place called, um, some place with 'Aqua' in its name. Apparently some great thief lives there.

I hear another whistle and keep fallowing it. I see smoke rising from above the houses. It was black smoke so it must have been from a train. Soon enough I reached a sign that read, 'Train Station'. I was so close and as I continued to walk towards to station I kept dreaming about the people that I might meet there and how I might get to meet someone like the Führer. That would be so cool!

I looked up at the clouds growing large over the city. They were big, black and scary though, I didn't pay much attention to them.

I bumped into a couple on my way into the station who were clinging to each other like they've been apart forever. I looked around amazed at all the people waiting around for they're train or for the people who are on it. There was no train at the station at the moment and I wasn't going to leave until at least the next one came. It was funny, I had no business being here but I thought this place was great. One day I was going to ride that train and go home.

I didn't like it here, it was too big. Xenotime was my home and I want to go back there. Everyone was starting to get sick there and mom was afraid we'd get sick too, that's why we moved. The epidemic ended after the Elric brother found a cure. I'd only seen them once, the older brother was really cute and the little brother was adorable. But now I'm here stuck in this busy mess of a city.

A train pulled up into the station and many people got off. They all just looked like simpletons and I wouldn't get much of a story out of any of them. I started to walk out of the station only to see large dark clouds hanging over the town. 'When did those get there?' I asked myself expecting an answer from someone around me. Then I remembered the clouds I did see traveling in from the east. 'Wow,' I said watching as rain started falling from the sky. I had really bad luck. I had to walk home, it was a good thing I brought that sweater or my shirt would be see-through. I watched as everyone started to run for shelter and a lot of people came to the station's roof for cover. Now it was twice as packed and no body wanted to leave. I looked over at the large clock by the head of the train it read, twelve thirty. I can't believe it was that late already. My day had just begun.

I wasn't hungry yet but I would be soon. I pushed my way over to the closest bench only to see a mother with four children sitting on it. I squeezed back to the entrance of the station. I stopped as I laid eyes on a huge suit of armor who head stuck out from the crowds'. It was huge the person inside must be very strong. I watched as he went to exit the station and he must have seen the rain because he stopped. I worked my way closer to him and soon I got close enough to see his tiny companion. He kinda seemed like a sidekick but he had a very large 'top dog' sort of aura about him. This made me smile and chuckle, though I couldn't hear my laugh because of all the talking. I never though that places could get this loud, it was astonishing.

The two started walking out into the rain. I wanted to fallow them, seeing something like this don't happen everyday, this would be the adventure of a life time. I swung my bag across my body so I could reach into it without taking it off. I pulled out my sweater, zipped up my bag, took off my bag and pulled my sweater over the top of my head as fast as I could. I picked up my bag again and ran after the armored man and his little sidekick. I ran past them and slid under an overhang of a door. I kept my eye on them until someone opened the door behind me it startled me. I was an old lady that was about five feet tall and had her hair up in a bun. 'Rainy today, isn't it?' I turned around and looked down at her, it seemed like she was talking to the streets instead of talking to me. 'Yes, it is,' I replied quietly. I didn't know what to do, how was I going to get away now? I couldn't just leave that would've been rude.

A boy came up behind her and looked up at me then at the lady. 'Come on, grandma,' he said pulling on her hand, 'it's cold outside.' He was right it was rather cold outside. She nodded at me and turned around and walked into the house with the boy. They closed the door and I quickly remembered the two I was perusing. I looked around for them. Now that is was raining not to many people were walking around and the people that were had umbrellas. I spotted them and chased after them. They turned down a smaller path then the main roads that were used for automobiles. I continued to run after them until I had to turn the corner witch I slowed down to turn. I was getting tired and soon stopped running after I ran past them. I was back on a main road that went in two different directions. I stood at the end of the path with the armored guy and sidekick behind me. I looked both ways panting trying to figure out which way the two were going to go. The two came up behind me and I moved out of the way so that they could pass.

I looked at the sidekicks back it had a cool design on it. I thought that it might mean something significant but I didn't really have time to think about stuff like that, this was too much fun. They both headed right on the main road. I looked the other way before walking after them. I looked back at the two and I saw the sidekicks head turn. It made me jump but I pushed it aside for now.

I started to walk slowly after them. My hair was heavy and my pig-tails stuck to the back of my neck. I didn't like being wet but it didn't matter at the moment. They both turned onto another path. I quickened my pace and turned the corner only to come face to face with the sidekick. I could feel this surge of energy pumping through me that allowed me to turn and run but before I could bolt a hand grabbed my right elbow and stopped me from running. He spun me around and the sidekick grabbed my right arm to keep me from running. He looked mad yet proud that he caught me, well, that's what I saw.

'What do you think your doing, fallowing us?' The sidekick yelled. The rain seemed louder after he shouted. I looked away from him and put my left hand up to my mouth putting a fist to my lips. It made me feel like I didn't have to answer him. I looked up at the armor and I relaxed a bit. There was something about him that made me feel safe, as for his companion, I try to pull his fingers off my arm. I'm not very strong so I didn't get anywhere but he lets go and I slip and land on my bag. My knees are up and I feel happy for wearing my biking shorts. I sit up look at both of them. I glare at the short one and get to my feet and run off. I head in the direction that they were headed and don't stop until I get to tired to even walk. I had no clue where I was now. I looked around. I'm worried now, how am I going to get home? I was close the end of the street and just up ahead the road split into two directions and straight ahead was a huge building. It had a huge flag with a silver dragon or dog printed on it. There was a large gate outside it, which must mean that it is a very important place.

I looked behind me and saw the armored man and his sidekick. I was frustrated at the fact that I let myself get caught by that shorty. I sighed and decided to start heading home, if only I knew where that was. The rain refused to let up in the slightest way and I was lost and drenched. My fun was over and I just wanted to go home. I started to shake and I couldn't help but notice how freezing I really was. I wasn't used to being out in the rain for this long. It must have been at least an hour or two. That means it'll take me two hours to get home. I grab my shoulders and looked at the two roads I can take. I had no idea which on to take. My stomach tightened then growled relieving the pain. I was hungry now, and I'm sure that my lunch was wet. I pulled the elastics out of my hair and stroked my fingers through the bottom to flatten it out across my neck. I looked behind me again and saw the two about five meters away from me. I looked at them sadly and walked off to the right, I didn't want anymore conflict with them, especially not the short one.

I continued to walk slowly, I was too tired to run or even walk at a normal pace. I looked back at the two and saw that they stopped at the gates of that large building. I couldn't believe it! I managed to fallow them all the way to where they were set out to go. A small amount of pride filled me and I smiled. But it didn't take long before I thought of my situation and frowned. I watched as they walked pasted the gates.

I really did hope that they would take pity on me and invite me into that warm and dry building. When nothing happened a great amount of shame crashed over me and I knew I'd be yelled at be mom when I got home. I saw the short one look back at me with an angry expression on his face. This cased my eyes to fill up with tears. I saw how all of this happened because I was stupid enough to go out into a city I didn't even know.

I covered my face with my hands and sobbed into them. I heard foot steps getting louder and louder. I silenced my sobbing and opened my eyes while keeping my hands over my face. It was the blonde sidekick. I turned my head and whipped my eyes with my palms. I turned around and started to walk away but I felt a hand on my shoulder. Everything was spinning around and around and soon I had a hard time keeping my balance. I started to fall backwards but I didn't hit the ground.

I open my eyes and find myself staring at ceiling fan. I'm filled with panic, usually that stops once I realize where I am but this time I have no clue where I am. I sit up and look behind me at the wet coach that I was lying on. I'm still trying to put together what's going on but can't seem to do it. I see this small dog beside the coach I was lying on. He was black and white and the cutesiest thing I've ever seen. He makes me smile which quickly gets me confused again because I still have no idea where I am. I look around the room and see a short man with black hair and glasses, a tall, gray haired older man, a chubby red haired man, a blond haired woman and a blond haired man with a cigarette in his mouth.

I put my hand on my face and my fingers feel my soft dry bangs. I slide my fingers through my hair and find that not all my hair is dry but the shorter parts are. This means I've been here for much to long. I go to grab my bag strap that is usually across my chest but it wasn't there this time. I was gone! What if someone had stolen it? I started looking around the room hectically and find that the five people were looking at me. I look back at them and feel my face getting hot. I put my hands over my cheeks and look for my bag.

I check over the shoulder of the coach and when I come back up I see the woman holding my bag with two hands. 'Is this what you're looking for?' She asks with a soft tone. I nod my head and she hands it to me. I open it up and see how wet it is inside. I zip it back up and stand up just to fall back down again. I hold my head with my right hand and wait for the room to stop flashing different colors.

'What is your name?' The woman asks me. I look up at her still confused as to where I am.

'Tarri,' I say quietly.

'Well, Tarri, my name is Riza Hawkeye.' She points to the one wearing glasses 'that's Kain Fuery,' she points to the old one 'that's Watteau Farman,' she points to the chubby one 'that's Heymans Breda,' lastly she points to the blond man, 'and that's Jean Havoc.' I can't help but look at the gun strapped to her hip. 'Don't worry,' she says grabbing my attention 'the Elric brothers brought you here.' The Elric brothers are here? But wait, the last thing I remember seeing is that blonde haired sidekick. I look away from Riza and sit on the coach with my bag on my lap. I don't want to be here, I want to go home.

The door opens and it grabs everyone in the room's attention. The small boy walks through the door with the armored man behind him. They both walk into the room and leave the door open.

'Hey, you're awake,' the sidekick says. Riza looks and me and introduces the two to me.

'This is Edward and Alphonse Elric, Tarri. The ones who brought you here.' The one in the armor waved when his name was said. I look away from them and look down at my shoes. There is no way that those two are the Elric brothers, Edward stood tall and Alphonse wasn't in a suit of armor, these two where imposters. I glared at the smaller one calling himself Edward. I got up and walked to the door. I look at Riza and thank her by one nod of my head. I exit the room and walk to the left. I had no idea how to get out of here but I'm sure I'll find it sooner of later.

I sling my bag over my back and hear an 'oaf' sound come from behind me. I was sure that I had hit someone. I turned around to see the small boy rubbing his nose. 'What was that for?' He yelled. I just turned and walked away without another word. 'Hey!' He runs in front of me stopping me from walking. This really frustrates me. 'What do you think you're doing walking away from me like that?' He looked mad he sounded mad but he didn't seem mad. I just signed and walked around him. He grabs my arm like he did before and spins me around just like before. I held my head to help stop everything from spinning. I look at him with a stubborn look on my face.

'And quit looking at me like that,' he looks right into my eyes. I grab the strap of my bag and look down at my shoes. My sock had fallen down from everything that happened today. I turn around and walk away.

He grabs me again and this time holds on to my arm after he spins me around. 'What is you're problem?' He looks ticked off. I'd be ticked off too by the way I've been acting. I look him right in the eye and say quietly, 'I just want to go home.' He lets me go and I finally notice the man in the armor is standing behind him. I look up at him but turn away before my face turns red. I walk off in a quick pace. A lot faster then I should be walking. I trip over my own feet but keep walking.

I turn many corners and still can't find a way out. I stop and look out a window and see that I'm at least two stories up. I had to find stairs and walk down them. Wait a minute, that boy had to carry me all the way up here. I should thank him but I doubt that I'll ever see him again. I look at a clock on the wall and it reads three o'clock.

'Oh, no!' I need to get to a phone. My mother is probably really worried about me. I walk up the hall still looking for stairs. I walk pass a few officer but don't bother to ask them where a phone is. Every hallway in this place looks exactly the same and I find myself even more lost then before.

I sit down in the hall and put my hands over my face. I sit there for awhile just panicking about everything.

'Need help?' I hear a deep voice say. I look up and see a tall black haired man with a slender face. I was sort of lost for words. I did want his help but I couldn't say anything. I just nod. He offers me a hand but I can't take it. I just look down at the floor. I was still very upset at the fact that I'm lost in a military building. He crouches down sitting on his toes and says, 'What can I help you with?' He asks with a very kind look on his face.

'I need a phone,' I say in as little words as possible.

'No problem,' he stands up and says 'fallow me.' I get up and fallow him. We walk down a few halls until we stop and he opens a door. He steps in and turns the light. The room was pretty big, it had a few filling cabinets, two coaches and a large office desk. He points to the phone and says I can use it. I walk over to it pick it up and dial my number. My brother picks up.

'Hello?' He says.

'Van?'

'Tarri? Where are you? Mom's worried.'

'I'm okay. Though, I don't really know where I am.'

'Oh, were you caught in the rain?'

'Yes. I was at the train station,'

'Is that where you are now?'

'No'

'Where are you then?' His voice sounds worried and angry.

'I'm at the military building.'

'Alright, I'll be there soon, okay? Just wait at the front gates.'

'Okay.' He hangs up and so do I. The man who helped me is looking at me like I should tell him what's going on.

'My brothers coming to pick me up,' I pause then say 'where are the front gates?' A smile appears on his face and he leads me out of the room.

'I'm Roy Mustange,' he says suddenly. I look up at him surprised. We were walking like he was leading me to death and his voice startles me. I look down at my feet.

'I'm Tarri.'

'Nice to meet you, Tarri,' he smiled down at me.

Once we reach the front gates Roy waits with me until my brother comes. The rain had stopped for now but who know when it'll start up again. I hold on to my bag like it's the last thing I have left of myself. I see my brother running up the road and I run up to him. I'm so glad that he's here. I look behind me at Roy and smile brightly and nod my head to thank him.

'You know you're going to be in a lot of trouble when we get home,' my brother says looking down at me. I was happy just to be walking beside him. Now that I look back on it, my whole day was a good one. It was full fun moments. Nothing about today was boring and I'll remember it forever.

'I'll be okay. I just wish I could thank those two who helped me.' My brother was confused, 'What happened?' He asked.

'Well, a lot of things. First there where the mysterious strangers I found…'