Undeserved Love Part 3

Reunion

Two Years Later

Ericka got up from her bed and walked into the kitchen/living room area of her house. She went to the table, grabbed a piece of bread -which her neighbor had made for her- and took a bite out of it. She walked to the opening and lifted the curtain. She looked out into the large town filled with housings, food stands, clothing stores, and people. She took a step out and squinted as her eyes adjusted to the bright sun. Two boys of about seven ran up to her and hugged her legs.

"Morning, Auntie!" they said joyfully.

She lifted her eyebrows and said, "Aren't you two supposed to be at school or something?"

"It's Saturday, silly!" the one on her left leg said.

She put her hands on her hips and looked down at the young Ishbalan boys, Samuel (on her left leg) and Michael (on her right). They were twins and both had white, shoulder length hair pulled into ponytails. Their red eyes were always so bright and innocent when she looked at them; the brightness was in complete contrast to the darkness of their skin. They came up to her mid-thigh and, for some reason, loved wrapping around her legs. They called her aunty because their parents were the first to give her a helping hand when she came to the town Shinto two years before. They were barely five, but they clung to her immediately.

"Well, why aren't you with your friends then?" she asked.

"Mommy said we should keep you distracted so she can surprise you tonight!" Michael replied.

Samuel unwrapped one of his arms to hit Michael.

"Stupid! We weren't supposed to tell her that! Our line was 'We wanna spend time with you though, dear aunty!' remember?" Samuel chastised.

"Sorry! But you didn't have to hit me!" Michael said as tears formed in his eyes.

That was the twins: Samuel, the physical one, and Michael, the emotional one. Ericka rolled her eyes and began prying them off her legs. She bent down to them and wiped Michael's eyes.

"Ok, ok, that's enough, you two. I told your mother not to do anything today, anyways," she said.

"But today's your birthday! You can't say you don't want anything," Michael replied, trying not to cry.

"Yes, I can. I have everything I want. I have a nice place to live, friends," she ruffled their hair, "and two adorable nephews. I don't need anything else."

"But you're supposed to celebrate your birthday! It's the day Ishbala put you into this world and gave you life! You're supposed to show him you're thankful for it," Samuel stubbornly said.

"Trust me; I've gone many a year not celebrating my birthday. I show Ishbala that I'm thankful for my life by living it the very best I can every day; just because a day is my birthday doesn't make it any more important than all the others," Ericka coolly replied.

In truth, she was touched by the twins' family's stubbornness in making sure they celebrate her birthday and that she enjoyed her life in Shinto, as she always was.

"Exactly! You've gone too many years not celebrating your birthday! That's why we have to celebrate it!" they cried in unison.

Ericka chuckled at their reply, knowing that they only heard the first sentence she said. She stood up and took the twins' hands.

"Well, I've just woken up and I've only had a piece of bread, so let's make some breakfast," she said before they walked to her house.

"Yeah! Auntie's food!" they yelled in happy unison.

Ericka sighed as they walked inside the house and began collecting ingredients for breakfast.

33

Scar sat in the back of the hay wagon and waited for the bumpy ride to end. It was a nice day in Central Ishbal; bright and sunny with a slight breeze. Another gust of cool wind blew against the back of Scar's neck. He again pulled out the letter his friend Miles, a partly Ishbalan North Briggs soldier, had mailed him. It was an order from Fuhrer Roy Mustang to Scar that Miles had forwarded since Mustang didn't know Scar's whereabouts. He opened the envelope and read it for the thousandth time, making sure he had read it right the other 999 times.

Dear Scar,

I have a favor to ask of you, to which you are fully free to decline. My little sister, Ericka Anian Mustang, has been in Ishbal for over two years and, for the most part, has sent me a letter every week to tell me how she is and if she is in need of any aid. As of 13 months ago, she has ceased to send me these letters. Were it anyone else in my family I would not take this as seriously and as much to heart as I am now; however, Ericka has yet to show anything but the upmost respect and admiration towards me and I, her. You see, she is of a stubborn nature and does not think she needs the help of others, which, in times of need, is a terrible weakness. I am deeply worried for her and, as private investigators have failed, I must ask you if you could find her. I am deeply and sincerely sorry for having to ask you this, as you and I are not on the best terms, but I will be very grateful to you and deeply in your debt. Please, she is my baby sister and it kills me not to know whether she is okay or not. I hope you understand.

Sincerely,

Fuhrer Roy Mustang of Amestria

Scar had written beck that he had met her a while back and that she said she was going to the town where she was born. He agreed to look for her and that he just needed to know the name of the town. Roy had replied that it was named Shinto, or at least that was what he was told when he called his father about it, and he greatly thanked Scar for agreeing to do so and promised to pay him back one day.

"Ok, we're here, sir; we're at Shinto," the old farmer said as he stopped the wagon at the top of the hill.

Scar began to gather his things and take out the money due when the man asked, "Who are you looking for anyways?"

Scar looked back. "Excuse me?"

"Nobody comes to Shinto unless they're looking for someone or they have family here. Shinto is an old town, with old families and almost no religious temples. Most of the families are extremely religious, but due to a priest's daughter becoming impregnated before she was to be married to another man- and to an Amestrian, no doubt- , the town hardly worships together. A very laid back town, but still, nobody comes here," the farmer replied as he walked towards where Scar was.

Scar hopped off and paid the man his due.

"Even if I told you, I don't believe you would know her," Scar replied.

"Sir, I have to go through this town almost every day; I think there's a good chance I know them," the old man replied, counting the coins.

"Well, I suppose it won't hurt to tell you," Scar replied as he slung his satchel over his shoulders, "Her name is Ericka Mustang."

"Oh, Ms. Mustang; yes, I know her. I can take you to her house, if you like, free of charge," the farmer replied, putting the coins in his pocket.

"If you would, that'd be very helpful," Scar said, climbing back on the wagon.

"Yes, yes; I have to stop by there today, anyways; my wife baked a cake for her. Old hag used up all our flour," the farmer grumbled as he took the reins of his donkey and began to drive again.

333

Ericka cleaned up the table as the boys went to her room to take a morning nap. She didn't blame them; it was a nice summer day with perfect napping weather. The fact that she had a window that faced right towards the breeze at the foot of her bed helped. She heard the squeak of her spring bed as the twins nestled into it. She put the dishes into the water bin and added some soap and let the dishes soak. She was just about to join the twins when a knock came from the entrance.

Oh, that must be Mr. Jenzie with my vegetables and fruits, she thought as she went to open the curtain.

She opened the curtain and saw the tall, elderly, Ishbalan man holding a tray with a paper like cover over it.

"Good morning, Mr. Jenzie! Something special from your wife again, I see?" Ericka said politely.

"Yeah; I told her last night of how I heard today was your birthday and she got the idea in her head to make you a cake. Hope it doesn't kill you," Mr. Jenzie replied as he handed her the tray.

He picked up two baskets –one of fruit, the other of vegetables- and put them inside Ericka's door for her.

"And these are my birthday presents; an extra basket with the first pick of yesterday, both free of charge," he said, putting up his hand so that Ericka wouldn't grab some money.

"Oh no, you really don't have to do that, Mr.-"

"No, you don't get to decline the offer of an old farmer. I didn't get you anything last year, and I didn't give you as much of a discount as I would have liked to last year because of economic problems; but this year I can afford to give the baskets to you free, and I will. Besides, it's your birthday, the day Ishbala gave you life; why not celebrate it?" the farmer interrupted.

"So I've been told," Ericka replied laughingly.

"Now, on another note, there's a man that has ridden with me since Kieta. He says he's looking for you. I want you to look at him and tell me whether it's ok that he's here, or if I should shoo him away for you," the farmer said quietly.

Ericka peeked around Mr. Jenzie and recognized the man instantly. Her feelings lightened as she stared at the Ishbalan man with one arm. She came back to Mr. Jenzie and said,

"He's a friend, Mr. Jenzie. Thank you for everything, and tell your wife I appreciate the cake."

"Yeah, I'll tell her you appreciate it now, but I think those feeling will change when you're choking on it," Mr. Jenzie called as he walked off.

Ericka laughed as she placed the cake on the table and the baskets on the stone counter. Priest walked in shortly after and looked around.

"Nice house," he said after a moment of silence.

"Nice house? That's all I get? Even after I almost kissed you?" Ericka replied jokingly, leaning on the table.

Priest blushed as he asked, "You remember that?"

"Girls don't forget things like that," she replied.

"But, please, have a seat," she said, motioning to what was left of her couch.

Priest took a seat and had trouble staying above the floor level.

"Sorry, it's a hand me down from my neighbors," she said nervously as she unwrapped the cake.

She looked at the cake and realized how simple it was. It was a white cake, the only form of icing being a white glaze that read "Happy Birthday, Ericka!" She laughed whole heartedly at the old woman's efforts. She walked to the fruit basket and looked for something to serve with the cake. She saw strawberries, kiwis, and grapes that were to her liking. She took these out of the basket and decided that a few orange pieces would be good with it as well.

Scar watched Ericka from the corner of his eyes, trying to pretend to be looking at the living room. He watched her every move with a keen awareness that was strange even for him. He couldn't help it, it was like he could feel her presence but couldn't believe it without seeing her. He felt her every move, heard every sound she caused, every breath she breathed. When she laughed he felt his whole body fill with joy and almost joined her laughing.

She cut four pieces of cake and placed fruit on each. She placed them on the table and crossed in front of Scar to the bedroom area.

"Sorry, I'll just be a sec," she said to Scar before entering the room.

She came out a few minutes later with two boys who sleepily walked to the table and instantly woke up when they saw the cake.

"Cake!" they happily announced in unison as they picked up their forks and begun cutting bites off.

She slapped their hands and said, "You know the rules; everyone has to be at the table before we start eating."

She beckoned Scar to come to the table. He had trouble getting up and, as he continued to fail, Ericka came over to help him up. With some effort, Scar was finally up and practically hugging Ericka. They were giggling when the boys yelled, "Go get a room!"

"Alright, boys, you've made your point," Ericka said as she backed away from Scar.

They walked to the table as Ericka tried to keep a distance from Priest. She couldn't understand why her defenses fell when he was around. She wanted so badly to be with him, but she knew that would be impossible. She sat across the table from him as they ate the cake. The twins ravished it and soon held their plates towards her.

"More please!" they demanded.

Ericka eyed their untouched glasses of milk and the pieces of kiwi left on their plates: two things the boys hated to consume.

"Not until your milk and kiwis are gone," she chastised as she ate another piece of cake.

"But-"

"No buts. It's either eat your kiwis and drink your milk, or no more cake." she interrupted before putting her glass to her lips.

"Are they yours?" Scar asked before taking a bite of cake.

Ericka choked on her milk and started coughing. She raced to the sink and cured it with water. She looked up towards Priest, gasping from the short lack of air.

"What the hell gave you that idea, Alchemic Priest?" she asked.

"You just seemed to act like their mother to me," he replied.

"Well, I'm not," she replied, walking back to the table.

Scar noticed she was wearing a silver ring on her left ring finger.

"But you are married?" he asked, nearly knocking Ericka out of her chair.

She stood up before saying, "Ok, that's it; get all your questions out so I don't nearly die over here."

The show seemed to amuse the twins because they were laughing. She glared at them.

"One: no, I didn't give birth to these brats, they're my neighbors' kids; and two: I'm not married, nor do I ever plan to be, ok? Anything else?"

"But you're wearing a silver wedding ring," Priest replied, pointing at the ring.

Ericka looked down at it and put the hand out of sight.

"It was my mother's ring; a promise ring my father gave her. I found it when I was led to her house. It was burned down, you know; she wasn't somebody's favorite, apparently," she soberly said, trying to not think too much of the image.

"Oh, sorry," Priest said, creating an awkward silence.

The twins quietly ate their kiwis and drank their milk (reluctantly, of course), reading the air. Ericka sat back down and finished her food. She smiled after a last gulp of milk.

"Who wants to go take a walk to the market?" she said, trying to energize the twins.

The twins brightened up and said, "We do, we do!"

Ericka stood up and smiled at Priest, who had finished his food a while before.

"How about it? Wanna go to the market with us?" Ericka asked.

Priest smiled.

"Sure."

3333

Roy Mustang sat in the back seat of the car. It was a long drive to the entrance of Fort Briggs, and then it was a five mile walk to the actual Fort Briggs. Mustang sighed as he contemplated how utterly tiring it would be to walk all that way in the freezing cold; but he was Fuhrer now and he had a duty to keep on good business terms with every station, or at least try. He shuddered as he imagined General Armstrong's death stare pointed in his direction.

"Are you alright, sir?" Lieutenant (now General) Hawkeye asked from across the back seat.

"Must you still call me 'sir', Riza? We are engaged now, you know; you don't have to be so formal," Mustang complained, placing his hand on Hawkeye's leg with a seductive smile.

Hawkeye swatted his hand away, causing a pout from his face which was answered with a stern look.

"We may be engaged, but we're still working. I will stop being informal when we are off duty, understand?" she replied, always being the responsible one; a trait Mustang loved.

He sighed a soul deep sigh, wishing that an engagement could give him a free pass to do whatever he wanted with Hawkeye (he tried his best to call her Riza, even in his thoughts, but he was too used to Hawkeye); and yet, he knew that she wouldn't let anyone, not even her fiancé, stop her from being a responsible and stern worker.

Just wait until the wedding night, Riza Hawkeye, he thought to himself.

"I will, sir," Hawkeye said, as if reading his thoughts.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Mustang exclaimed.

"I've known you that long, that's why, sir," she replied.

"Actually, you said it out loud, sir," the driver said, trying not to laugh.

Hawkeye smiled; a small smile, but still, a smile.

Mustang turned from the both of them so they wouldn't see him embarrassed. He soon felt a feminine hand. He recognized it instantly and laced their fingers together. He peeked a glance at Hawkeye who was smiling to herself. Mustang smiled to himself and looked out the window as the car stopped.

Fort Briggs, here I come.

33333

Miles walked down the main hall to the outside guarding area. He looked out for the two figures that were expected to make an appearance: Fuhrer Roy Mustang and (future) Lady Fuhrer/ General Riza Hawkeye Mustang. He looked out into the white wasteland and soon found the dark figures. He ordered an alert be made to the men at the entrance to be waiting for them with free coffee and warm wrappings. His order was followed as he looked out and watched the figures come closer. He smiled as he noticed they were a little closer than necessary to emit body heat to each other.

Newlyweds; well, almost, he thought.

He walked back to Major General Armstrong's office and awaited them at the doors. They came up the stairs sooner than he expected, but he knocked on the doors nonetheless.

"Come in," the strict female voice that belonged to Major General Armstrong said.

Miles opened the doors for the couple and stood at attention. He soon followed in and stood at attention in front of the doors, in the room but not quite.

"At ease, Miles," the General said from her seat.

Miles relaxed and went to stand by her. He watched as Mustang took off the layer of electric blankets and sat down in that confident way of his. He grinned at the Briggs General as he crossed a leg over the other. His grin annoyed the General.

"Wasn't being blind supposed to make you more humble?" she asked, not entirely polite.

"Not necessarily, but I do appreciate things more now," he replied.

Mustang had become blind when he was forced to open the portal, but his sight returned when Doctor Marco used the philosopher's stone to heal his eyes, after healing Hawkeye, of course.

Hawkeye shot a stern look at him, sending some message he could read without having to look at her. His manner left it's confident and carefree posture it had before and traded it for a more serious and stern look.

"Actually, I know I'm only supposed to be here for inspection, but I have a favor to ask of you, Major General Armstrong," he said, straightening his back and uncrossing his legs.

"And that would be?" General Armstrong asked, smiling as if she were now intrigued.

Mustang looked at Miles.

"I would like to borrow your Lieutenant, if you don't mind," he said.

"To do what?"

"Show me around Ishbal. I don't know the country too well, at least for where I need to go."

"And your reasoning for going there is?"

"My little sister has ceased to send me feedback and I am very worried for her."

"My soldier is not a detective, Fuhrer."

"I know; which is why I'm asking politely. Decline, if you must, but I would really appreciate you allowed me to use him."

"If you were still a General, I would decline in a heartbeat; but since you are Fuhrer now, I suppose I must agree," she replied after a moment of silence.

"Great, glad you understand," Mustang replied, smiling.

He soon stood up, followed by Hawkeye, and left, motioning for Miles to follow him. Miles did so without hesitation and quickly grabbed an emergency leave bag from the front before leaving to take the five mile walk.

333333

Ericka woke up lazily and realized there were a couple of small bodies stretched over her.

"Damn sleep movers," she muttered in annoyance.

She got up, managing to keep from waking the twins, and realized she had stayed the night at her neighbors' house. It was the morning after her "surprise" birthday party and her stomach still hurt from the massive amount of cake she had eaten. She walked outside of the room and looked for her bag of gifts. She found it by the couch where Priest was sleeping. She stopped and started trying to wake him up. He brushed her off with a turn of the shoulder.

"Deep sleeper, huh?"

She was about to trust fall him awake when she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to the window and saw a cat walking in the alley.

"Cat!"

She jumped out the window and managed to catch the cat while turning to land on her back.

"Well, finding you was easier than expected," a familiar voice said from the beginning of the alleyway.

Ericka looked over and smiled while petting the cat (who was strangely calm after what just happened).

"Hi, Roy!" she said happily.