SECRETS
Chapter Three: Back To Headquarters
"Niisan." Ed was snapped out of his trance. He had been pending on whether to say goodbye or not to her. "Niisan, we need to head out." Al reminded his brother as Ed nodded. Today they were to return to the capital after being called back suddenly by Mustang. The train came to a halt and Ed climbed onboard. Taking a seat next to his brother, Al watched as he let one hand support his chin as he stared out the window. Al recognized that look. It was one Winry gave when she was thinking about his brother. The train began to roll and soon they were travelling through the countryside. Ed had been so enwrapped in his thoughts that he nearly had a heart attack when a boom split the air, causing the train to shake. He knew it was a bomb. "How many times has it been now?" Ed asked, sighing. "Three." Al sighed too. Ed could already hear the booming of the intruder's voice shouting something to his lackeys. One entered the compartment, waving a gun around. Normally Ed would have no trouble subdueing him - but he then pointed it at a little girl and her mother, causing him to stop. "Anyone who tries to come forward will be shot along with this pair of lovely gals." The man sneered.
"Niisan..." Al whispered. Ed grunted in frustration. There was a yell from one of the compartments ahead which caused the lackey to turn away. Buying him enough time, Ed lept at the man and hit him in the gut with his elbow, causing him to pass out. "You two alright?" Ed asked as the scared mother and daughter nodded. "Al, look after these people." Ed said as he hurried on ahead. "N-Niisan!" Al cried. Ed was already ahead, subdueing men as he went. Finally reaching the front of the train, Ed was caught off guard when he heard a gun clack from behind him. "Move another inch and ill blow your brains out." A man said in a serious and cold tone. Ed grunted. Trying to think of a way to subdue his attacker, he heard silence and then the clack of the gun on the floor as it fired off a bullet. It ricoshaed off the walls and nailed Ed in the shoulder. Crying out in pain, Ed hit the wall, holding his shoulder. He almost didnt see the black shape that was near the man. Eyes widening, he realized it was Asami. The bandage still around her shoulder, it was what she was doing that caught his attention. She had her jaws clamped around his throat, blood spilling out. With a sickening snap, the man was dead.
"You..." Ed stared in horror as Asami turned her gaze towards him, a wild look in her blue eyes as blood trailed down her muzzle. "You killed him..." He said as Asami turned and moved towards him, only to have him curl back against the wall. "Stay away from me." He said coldly. Clapping his hands together, he turned his metal arm into a blade and held it out threatheningly. "Im warning you." He said as Asami limped forward, eyes wide and without fear. He closed his eyes shut, expecting her to kill him next but instead, he felt something cold lick his shoulder. Opening one eye a sliver, he watched as she licked his shoulder tenderly, ears pinned, eyes closed. He then realized what she was doing all along - she was protecting him. She had killed the man to save him. "You didnt have to kill him you know." He said as she opened her eye a sliver while she continued to lick his wound. "He was serious." Asami pulled away, licking her muzzle. "He was about to pull the trigger." The train came to a stop with a steam of smoke. Guards rushed on board, securing the intruders while ushering people off.
Ed hurried off board with Asami clad in his overcoat and the hood over her ears while the back of the trencoat hid her tail. Sorrounded by people, Ed spotted Al who waved and hurried over. "Is that-" Ed shushed him and Al realized that his brother had been shot. "W-We should head to headquarters..." Al said as Ed nodded. Asami remained quiet as Ed took her and his brother back to that familiar place where the military dogs worked. People stared as the hooded girl was led to the back room where Mustang and his fellow co-workers were waiting. "Well if it isnt the fullmet-" Mustang was caught off when he saw the hooded figure next to Ed. Eyes narrowing, he looked to Riza who nodded. "Ed, im going to need you to step a-" "No chance in hell." Ed said as he pulled Asami close. "Ed...do you have any idea who this is?" Riza asked. "I know plenty." He retorted. "Then you know that she carries the rite of immortality without need of a philosopher's stone?" Mustang asked as Ed's eyes widened. Asami stepped away from Ed and pulled down the hood to reveal her ears which caught a few of the men in the room off guard.
"You're..." "Yes." Asami said looking to Ed. "The military has been looking for me since I descended. They want to use me in their experiments for immortality since the philosopher's stone looks out of reach." She said closing her eyes. "The philosopher's stone isnt out of reach!" Ed yelled. He was determined to get his brother's body back, no matter what the cost. Al was just generally shocked, saying nothing. Ed had little time to think as Riza stepped towards Asami, grabbing hold of her. "You've done a great job, Fullmetal, fufilling your duty for once." Mustang mused. Ed clenched his fists. "What are you going to do to her?" He demanded. "Thats not up to me to decide." Mustang said as he studied Ed's behavior. He had never seen him like this. Riza gave Ed a sympathetic look. "You dont have to worry about me, Edward. I knew this was coming all along." She said as her tail flicked a little. "You..." Ed stared at her. Riza led Asami away, "Ill return your coat to you once shes dressed." Riza said as Asami calmly closed her eyes. Ed watched with a distressed look. He was confused beyond belief.
As Riza led Asami down the hall, Asami glanced up at her. "You humans are so naive, following orders blindly..." Asami said as Riza remained quiet but eventually she stopped, causing Asami to stop too. "That may be true, but what choice do we have? We are what we are." She replied in a cool tone. "You could rebel." Asami suggested. "Im a dog of the military - as a dog, I cant disobey my master." She said eyeing the wolf girl. "Touche." And with that, both girls moved down the hall as Asami was led away. Back in the office, Ed held his head in his hands, frustrated and confused. "Never knew you would get so attached to a girl, fullmetal." Mustang said in a teasing manner. "I am not attached!" Ed retorted. "Hm...if you're not, then whats with the looks?" Mustang asked. "I..." Ed looked away. "Hm...Y'know, theres a little lab by the restricted area. I'm sure its nice this time of day." He said as Ed caught the hint. "Hm, maybe ill just have to check it out then." Ed said as he took off out the door with Al close behind. "Good luck, fullmetal." Mustang said watching them go.