Hi, peeps. Honestly, I was shocked when Death's Scythe just handed me a floppy. Just...how does she write that fast? Well, this chapter kinda shocked me, I think it will shock you too…Oh! Random fact! It's my little brother's birthday!

Um…Hi? Lea brought up a good point earlier while we were talking. This story takes place four years after the anime ends. I did see CoS, but I decided that I didn't want to write a fic that would take place after it. Umm…well, the plot expands here…

Dream

By Death's Scythe

5/21/06

"No, no, this is all wrong!"

A crumpled wad of paper hit the wall and fell to join its comrades on the hard, wooden floor.

"It has to be something else…"

"Edward, its been four years, you should slow the pace down before you wear yourself out."

"I won't stop until I get back."

"It won't do any good to hurt yourself in the process. Take more care of your body."

A growl. "Don't tell me what to do, old man."

A sigh, as Hoenheim admits defeat to Edward's stubbornness. "…Just don't kill yourself…"

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Edward was abruptly startled awake by a door slamming. Rubbing his head with his hand, he stared at the ceiling as he remembered his dream…no, memory. He stared at his hand. "Was that really only three days ago?"

"Nii-san? Are you awake?" Al asked as he opened the door a crack and stuck his head in.

"Al? What is it?" Ed asked in return, lifting his head slightly.

"Can you get up? Winry wants you to join us for breakfast…" Al said hesitantly.

"Sure." Ed swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. The world began spinning, and as the dizziness faded, he became aware of Al's voice calling him.

"Nii-san! Take it easy, don't overtax yourself! Lie down, I'll bring you breakfast." Al told him, worried.

"I'm fine, Al!" Ed insisted. "I can go to breakfast without fainting!"

"No! You nearly fell over! You are not fine!" Al argued.

"Stop arguing!" Winry abruptly yelled, slamming the bedroom door. Ed and Al jumped, startled. "Al, Ed is standing up, he's fine! Ed, you overtax yourself, and you'll wish you'd have stayed in bed. Understood?" Winry glared at both the boys.

"Yes ma'am!" They chorused, snapping into a military salute.

Winry nodded in satisfaction and said, "Hurry up, then! Breakfast is getting cold."

The moment she disappeared, Ed stared at his right hand. "Since when have I saluted…?"

"Winry can be scary." Al agreed with Ed's unsaid statement. "Now, let's go. No running and no walking too quickly."

"You worry too much." Ed grumbled.

"One of us has to worry. You're too reckless." Al joked. "After all-"

"-we need you in one piece."

Ed froze. "Nii-san? What's wrong?" Al asked worriedly from farther down the hallway.

Ed shook himself out of the stupor. "I-it's nothing, Al." Nothing was wrong, he was just hearing voices.

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"Drink it."

"No!"

"Drink it."

"I am not drinking some opaque, white foamy crap, madwoman!"

"You did not just call me a madwoman. Now, you are drinking this milk, even if I have to pour it down your throat!"

Al sighed, as Ed and Winry glared at each other across the kitchen table…with a glass of milk sitting between them.

Luck seemed to like Ed this morning, as the phone rang right before Winry tossed her wrench. Still glaring at Ed, she got up and stomped to the next room to answer the phone.

Ed took advantage of this and dumped the milk in the sink. Then, he made a stealthy disappearance.

"Now, Ed-" Winry stomped back into the room, glaring until she realized Ed was gone. "Huh? Where'd he go? Al! Where's Ed!" She demanded, turning her glare on Al.

"Knowing Nii-san, he most likely went back to sleep." Al replied, flinching a little when Winry began tapping her wrench.

"…I guess he managed to weasel himself out of this once. I'll let him sleep, he's probably still exhausted." Winry caved, showing her soft side.

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"So, Edward. Do you like being home again?" The voice Ed had heard before sneered. He couldn't seem to block it out: it echoed all around him in the pitch darkness. "Well, I can guarantee you won't be there for long…"

A knife lodged itself in his left shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. The knife was pulled back out by an unknown shadow.

"I guess I'll allow you to enjoy your 'victory', however short it may be."

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Ed woke up to intense pain in his left shoulder. Reaching over to rub it, thinking it was a cramp, he winced when he touched it. Bringing his hand back, he stared as moonlight reflected off the dark liquid that dripped off it.

The blood made an ominous sound as it hit the sheet.

Ah…Lea totally wanted to kill me for that…um…Al doesn't have the memory of their journey, but Ed doesn't know that yet…

Um…I'm shy…Eep! I'm sorry!

Death's Scythe