A/N: Well, here's another chapter! Thanks to my beta, Fuocoso, for being so awesome. Chuck Norris wants to give you a hug, Fuocoso! And that's a good thing!
Ed laughed as he heard the surprised shouts. Served them right. Everybody knew not to approach the Fullmetal Alchemist when he's pissed!
"Brother, that wasn't very nice," Al scolded, rubbing the kitten's head. Ed simply shrugged and peered into an alleyway, wanting to get the 'mission' over with.
As they passed by a house, Al darted up to the doorway and rang the bell. Ed watched, uninterested, as a mousy man opened it.
"Hello, sir!" Al said cheerfully. "Would you mind taking in this cat?" The man looked sadly at the kitten and his frown deepened.
"At any other time I would," said the man. "but I'm afraid that I'm looking for my dog right now." Al cocked his head slightly, mulling the information over.
"Why are everybody's pets missing? It seems like everyone has lost a pet." Ed unconsciously moved closer. He was curious as well.
The man shuffled his feet and stepped back inside his home. He waved his hand towards the door. "Come inside."
Ed and Al walked into a sparsely decorated living room, painted in warm colors and giving off a homely feel. "Please, sit down," their host said, seating himself in an armchair across from a sofa. Once the brothers were situated, he began his tale.
"First, I feel I should introduce myself. I'm Rodger Cartwright, veterinarian." Rodger hastily cut Ed off once he was about to speak. "No need to introduce yourselves. You're quite famous around here."
"I don't remember doing anything particularly noteworthy around these parts," Ed mused, golden orbs staring into space. Rodger laughed weakly, slumping further into the chair.
"Not too long ago, a man came through this town and told anyone who could listen about the famous Elric brothers. We didn't even learn his name before he left."
"What did he look like?" Ed asked after a moment's pause, chin in his hand.
"He was quite tall," Rodger answered. "And he always had a cigarette with him. He was blond, as well."
"Anything else?"
"Well, he was in the military, but you might not know him." Havoc? Ed sat there for a second before the corners of his lips twitched.
"I didn't know he liked me so much." Ed smirked. Rodger looked pleased with the news and leaned forward eagerly.
"Do you know what his name was?"
"Havoc. Chain-smoker extraordinaire." Al looked upset and glared at Ed for a few moments. "It's true!" Ed said defensively. Al just sighed and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like an exasperated "Brother!"
Once Ed and Al had calmed down, an uncomfortable looking Rodger stood up. "May we continue this conversation in the kitchen?" The brothers followed him in.
While Rodger made tea, Ed and Al sat down at the table. Al stroked the kitten while Ed glared distastefully at it.
Rodger sat down at the table, glancing over his shoulder every moment or two to assure that the tea was brewing properly.
"About the pets…" Ed prompted. Rodger nodded wearily.
"Yes…about two months ago, everyone's pets began disappearing. At first, it didn't happen very often, and no one was suspicious. After all, pets go missing all the time in a city like this. However, as more and more pets began disappearing, we began to get suspicious.
"It didn't exactly help that no one could ever find the pets again. The city's occupants began hiding their pets away in the safety of their homes, including myself. This is the state we are in at the moment, but the panic has decreased."
Ed nodded slowly, piercing, golden eyes burning into Rodger's. "Anything else you can tell us?"
"I'm afraid I can't, although I'll attempt to gather more information." Ed sighed and shook his head. This whole 'missing pets' business was suspicious. Who would need a whole city's worth of pets? And why?
Al exchanged a glance with his brother. Pets missing…it could lead anywhere. They needed more information.
"Well…thanks for the information. We'll come back if you need us." Ed led his brother out the door after a half-hearted wave.
They walked along the street, searching for anything out of place.
"Damn it, Al! When did this become an investigation?"
"I think it was like this since the restaurant, Brother."
"That was a rhetorical question." As if in response, the kitten hissed at Ed, fur standing on end. Ed eyed it warily. "You'd better find a home for this beast soon." Al pulled the kitten away from his brother, holding it protectively.
"He's an innocent little kitten! Don't be so mean to him," Al said. Ed huffed in reply and walked faster.
"Colonel Bastard's going to fry my ass when I get back," Ed growled. "But I'll stuff a rock up his ass first." Al gave a long-suffering sigh.
"Brother…Colonel Mustang is just doing his job!" Ed held back a bark of laughter.
"Job? I thought he was just bunking there, and found that the mountain of paper would count as a suitable pillow."
"Wha-?" Al yelped.
"Well, it's true," Ed replied.
"No, no, Brother! Look over there!" Ed followed his gaze to find a giant hound staring hungrily him. Before Ed could blink, the dog had pinned him onto the ground, licking his face.
"Agh! Get this hellhound off of me!" yelled Ed, kicking at the dog. It stayed on his chest, wet slobber continuing to drip on the blonde teen's face. Al giggled softly, holding his hand against his 'mouth.' "It isn't funny!"
"Oh, my apologies!" a voice called, snapping Al out of his giggling fit. "Here, Mastiff, here boy!" The dog obediently jumped off of Ed's chest and made its way over to the man.
He had graying hair, and an expensive tuxedo that screamed, "I'm rich! Rob me!"
Ed pushed himself off the ground, scowling and wiping away the drool. "Are you all right?" the man asked, signaling for the dog to stay. He walked closer and held out his hand. "If I may, young man, what is your name? I am Mayor Stapleton." Ed took the hand offered.
"Edward Elric. Nice to meet you." The mayor's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.
"Why, Mr. Elric! I have much to tell you!" Ed raised an eyebrow.
"You were expecting me?"
"Yes, of course! Now come along, let's continue this in my house." Mayor Stapleton led the pair through the winding streets, and after only a few turns, they made it to a large estate. There was a strip of grass on either side of the large mansion, which was bigger than anyone else's in the city. The mayor walked into a parlor, where a small table was set up. It was much less homely than Rodger's; the walls were a startling white that should have belonged in a hospital.
At that thought, Ed curled his lip in disgust. Now he had to talk to a guy whose house looked like a hospital.
"So…you said you were expecting me?" Ed asked, drumming his fingers on the table.
"Yes! One…Colonel Mustang said to talk to you should I see you." Ed stopped mid-tap, his head slowly turning towards the mayor.
"Mustang?" Al, sensing the waves of anger, held his hands in front of him anxiously.
"B-Brother, I'm sure he had a reason-"
"THAT BASTARD!"