Just as I promised, chapter 2 not a few hrs after chapter 1.

Ed's P.o.v.

I hadn't noticed the girl sitting on the bench until I sat down next to her. Is that natural? Now that I look at her, I'm surprised I didn't spot her from down the street.

She was...odd.

She was like nothing I've ever seen before, for a human at least. Her bright, burgundy hair brought out her deep golden eyes, looking like the precious metal itself. There was a certain grace to the way she sat, something I couldn't place. It was like someone took a timeless spirit and trapped it in the body of an adolescent girl, no older than I.

She stood, allowing me to get a full view of what she was wearing, clothes that I hadn't really seen much of before now. She was wearing a short sleeved, puffy armed blouse. It was a pale gold that rested lightly, almost airily, over what could have been a short, black - or perhaps dark, dark blue - pleated skirt with a single, decorative white lace stripe around the end. On her right hand, ring finger, was a shiny, metallic ring and around her left ankle, just above her low cut boots, was a thick, matching anklet. Around her right wrist was a thick band, made up of the same shiny metal. I also notices, somewhat late, she was wearing a thick, black ribbon choker that supported a round pendent. The same metal.

The only thing I could think to say, despite the circumstances, was "What's with all the metal?"

The girl laughed lightly and the metal pendant that hung from her choker danced. following the small movement. Simply, she answered, "It secures that I always have a weapon." This only confused me further. "Edward-"

"Ed." I interrupted, but she didn't seem angry. Instead, her wistful eyes showed humor.

"Ed." She corrected. "Please, follow me. I really need to talk to you." She finished, picking up her bag from the bench and slinging it across her shoulder.

"I don't think..." I began, not sure if this was a good idea. "My brother is waiting for me." I said, trying not to be rude, and started to walk off in the other direction, muttering a quick apology. The girl, however, remained at my side, following closely behind me. She grabbed at my arm and out of instinct I retaliated, starting to spin around so that my hand would land millimeters from her face. I would not attack her, but if she showed aggression I would depend myself.

She stopped my hand halfway through the maneuver, leaving my back still to her, but my head turned to send a glare straight into her eyes. She surprised me twice, once by countering a move meant to warn her, and once again by looking completely calm, her gaze steady, as she stood completely still, straight, her arm hardly bent to stop mine. I relaxed my muscles and she lowered her arm, but I didn't drop my guard mentally.

The few people still left in the market stared, but the glare I sent them caused them to carry on about their buisness.

"Who are you?" I asked. It was clear that she was far from my normal, day to day company of local townsfolk. She could be dangerous.

"My name is Hotaru." She answered, still keeping her voice calm, though her eyes revealed slightly her irritation. "And please, can we talk before you try and attack me again?"

I felt bad, but she was the one to grab at my arm. Sure, I did walk away, but what would you have done? "I wasn't going to hit you." I retorted.

"I didn't know that." She replied. She did have a point. Crap... Al is going to kill me for being late.

We settled for walking and talking, something that Hotaru didn't seem to mind. At least I wouldn't be that as late meeting up with Al...

"I need to ask you something." She began, following close enough so that she could speak softly.

"Go ahead." I said, trying to speed this up so I could get back to Al. What did she want anyway?

"Take me with you and Al." She said, rather bluntly, causing me to freeze in my tracks. Was she insane? Did she think I was some kind of baby sitter. The road I took was dangerous and I already had enough trouble looking after my own self.

Then, how does she know so much about me? Sure, I was the Fullmetal Alchemist, pretty well known, but that didn't stop nearly everyone else from confusing the facts and getting me mixed up with my little brother. How did she even know where to find me? I was on vacation for a few days, no one but Mustang and a few other higher ups knew that.

Finally, after a moment of hard thinking of how to answer, I decided on, "That wasn't a question." She sighed.

"I know, but I need your help...and you need mine." She said, sounding almost desperate, her calm facade starting to crack. I pitied her, but that didn't change the facts. It was still too dangerous.

"Why?" I asked, crossing my arms and raising my eyebrow, curious at least to her reasons, even though I already knew my answer.

"The Philosophers Stone." She said, making my blood run cold. Did everyone know what I was after these days? Or was she just following me...or working for someone else...?

"How do you know.." I began. "Who are you." I asked again.

She didn't say anything for a while. Finally, after a long, deep sigh, she answered, "Look. I can help you. We are both after the same thing and we need each other if we ever hope to find it. I can take care of myself. I'm not what I seem, Edward Elric." She finished, then, almost angry, though with the same calm as before, she added, "Don't underestimate me."

I thought for a moment. What if she was right? "How exactly would you tagging along and slowing me down help either of us?"

Almost immediately she answered, "I have gifts," she whispered, almost reluctantly. "Much like yourself. But I can't do this alone. Neither can you." Then, at the plain look of disbelief set firmly on my face she added, "If you don't believe me, then just watch. Ill prove myself." With that she crossed her arms and firmly stood her ground, looking even more stubborn than Al when he wanted his way.

I ended up caving.

'She would end up following me anyway.' I thought, reasoning with myself.

"One week." I decided. "You have one week to prove to both me and Al that you can survive on your own and help us out." I told her firmly, making my terms clear right then and there.

She smirked, her calm fading into a rather mischievous posture, "One week?" She questioned. "Please, give me more of a challenge." And with that said, she brought her hands together, creating a familiar blue glow.

Hope this isn't moving to fast...but I wanted to get this out the way...and Idk, if this is going to be a uber long fic...

Review, tell me what you think.

Btw, chapter 3 starts the real story

And Ed and Hotaru will NOT be pared..just wanted that to be clear.