[Ed's POV]
"There's no turning back now, Al."
"Yeah."
I gripped my state-issued pocket watch in my right automail hand. I had gotten it that a few months ago from the Furher, through Colonel Bastard, along with my title: Fullmetal Alchemist. When I got these, me and Al wanted to hop onto the first train to Risembool, to tell Winry and Pinako the good news, but we had to wait until we can leave.
We're burning our house down, so that we won't have a reason to give up and come home, 'cause we won't have a home anymore.
Winry and Pinako went with us; Winry's sniffling and crying. I wonder why. There's nothing to cry about anyway.
"What're you crying for, Winry?"
She didn't answer. I let it slip.
Wait. What's that sound? Almost like coughing...
...
There it is again!
"Al, you hear that?" I asked. Everyone became instantly alert.
"Yeah, sounds like it's from behind the house!"
"Right. I go this way, you go there. Shout when you find someone!"
"Okay."
"...boys, be careful, 'kay?" Winry asked quietly.
"Of course!" I grinned at her, trying to reassure her.
Me and Al ran off.
"Hey Nii-san, there's someone here!" Al called.
"Alright go back to Winry I'll meet you there!" I shouted back.
"She's unconscious, but she'll be fine." Pinako said. We're back at their house; we carried the girl here. We'll come back for the other stuff we wanted to keep later.
"When do you think she'll wake up?" I asked. The girl Al found is a redhead, probably around our age because she was my height. She's a cat chimera. I'm surprised! I thought they didn't exist as perfectly as this!
Now's not the time to be curious, I reprimanded myself. There's something familiar about her…
Anyway, her waist-long hair is a bright flaming scarlet. She's restless, she must be dreaming. Right now, she looks like she's in pain.
She has cat ears and a tail. Her mouth's nearly hanging open; must be really tired. She has sharp teeth. Pointy.
Her ears are a darker red at the base and lighter at the end. Her tail, on the other hand, grows darker toward the tip. Al finds her cute. That's just because he likes cats.
"She'll wake up in less than a week, seeing as how tired and frail she is." Pinako said, snapping me out of my reverie. She's now in one of the spare rooms the Rockbell's home; they have a few for their automail patients. There's an IV stuck into her wrist. I'm glad it ain't me; I hate needles.
"Winry, could you please watch our patient for a few minutes while I cook dinner?" Pinako asked.
"Uhm...I'll watch her. It's my fault, I should've made sure there was no one around before I started the fire." I volunteered.
"Nii-san..."
"If it's what'll make you happy, alchemy freak."
I didn't bother on a retort to that mechanic geek. I'm worried about the girl and chewing the inside of my cheek; she looks familiar, maybe we saw her at the school we used to go to before we dropped out? But her golden eyes are confirming some doubts...
The next day went in a haze; I don't know exactly what happened. All I know is that I'm still worried. Still guilty.
She still hasn't woken up. It's been only a bit over 24 hours.
I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!
"Hey Al, I'm gonna take a shower, watch her for me till I get back?"
"Um I promised to help Granny buy more food and medicine at the market...I have to get some stuff done, too. Just be back as soon as possible."
"Fine." I said as I headed to the bathroom. Maybe all I did need was a nice warm shower.
Didn't help much, but it got my head to think straight.
I wore my red shirt and khaki shorts. My hair's still wet; I put it in a loose ponytail.
...
Oh Truth, she's awake!I thought while running to the girl's room.
Al and I got there at the same time, just after Winry. Winry already had a tray with the girl's lunch and medicine.
Her coughing fit was over; damn, that worried the living shit outta me! I almost smacked into Al and Winry in the doorway when I got here. She was awake; healthy enough, given her current condition. When she propped herself to sit straighter, she began to look a bit better, even though she winced.
I was just so worried, if I said things, I don't know what they were. When I calmed myself enough to clear my thoughts, I got fascinated by the unconscious movements of her ears and tail; now I see why Al likes cats. When they weren't feisty and wanted to tear your skin out, of course.
Her hair had changed to a healthier scarlet. I've seen that hue somewhere...I just can't place it.
She was looking at the food Winry brought. It was stew (my favorite), bread, and milk (at least I'm not the one who's gonna drink it).
When she saw the bottle of white liquid though...
"Milk? I hate milk." she said, making a face at the horrible drink.
"Yes! I knew someone felt the same out there!" I grinned; who knew that I would meet another person (well, she does count as one) who also hates this offending gross liquid from a cow.
Everyone stared like I was mad; I'm just relieved that the girl was fine. Then they all laughed, too. The redhead's ended in a cough, though.
Her ears were relaxed, and her tail was swinging lazily as she finished her meal. That's when she actually purred.
At first, Al thought it came from outside and began to look for a cat, but realized it was too near to come from outdoors, so he asked the redhead.
"Did you just purr?" he asked. Leave it to my brother to be attentive when it comes to cats.
"I guess, never knew I could do that." she blushed.
"By the way, what's your name? I'm Alphonse, that's my Nii-san, Ed, and she's his mechanic, Winry."
"Oh. uhm...I'm Raied. Thanks for taking care of me. You guys can call me Rai." Her face is turning as red as her hair.
After taking her medicine, we asked her about her past. Later, Pinako called us to help with supper; Winry wanted to stay.
We went down and asked Granny what we were gonna do.
"Hm, Ed, you can get the fish to thaw and Al, please help me cook the soup for ramen."
"Okay" me and Al said at the same time.
The fish is now out and I'd put it under running water to thaw it faster.
Al was sautéing onions and was about to add the milk and cream cheese. Pinako is julienning the carrots and zucchini. The fish is nearly thawed.
A few minutes later, the milk and cream cheese mixture now smooth, Granny said she'll take over the stove so that Al can get the laundry. She added the vegetables then told me to slice the fish. She added that in, too.
While I watched the stove, she took out the noodles and put them in, and began to stir.
"Ed, call your brother and Winry down to get dinner. It's nearly done."
"'kay." I said, rushing up the stairs.
Huh. Why is the laundry on the floor?
"Ok fine, just don't tell Ed." Rai?
"Al? Rai? Don't tell me what?" I called out, going into her room.
Rai looked at Al and Win, as if communicating silently.
"Well? What is it?" I scowled at them. I don't like not knowing something that may involve me.
"Rai, I think it's about time you tell him. Nii-san does deserve to know." I knew I was involved.
"Fine. You tell him. I'm tired." What the? She's just gonna sleep? Just like that?
"Hell, what is it?" I yelled.
After a few more minutes, Al finally told me. Winry helped get him to start talking.
The facts are still sinking in. I knew I saw her somewhere. One day, when we were in the study, I noticed a glimpse of her red tail in the oak tree just outside the window.
I also saw Al pet a cat once that has the same shades of red.
And those eyes. A mirror of mine. That rare golden hue that I've seen in only one other person. That bastard's eyes.
She's my sister. My younger sister.
And she never told anyone? She knew about us. She knew about Winry. But she still lived in the forest? I believe the tree house she found was our old one...
After what seemed to be minutes, which were actually just seconds...
"WHAT? How come she didn't tell me? Rai!"
"I'm sorry!" she yelled back, scared. She was faking the sleeping act.
"You idiot! Why didn't you tell me sooner? We could've helped you, dammit!"
"I'm sorry..." she said quietly.
"Nii-san. Call me that." I hugged Rai, careful of the IV. "Always knew I had an Imoto." I grinned.
"I'm no baby." she grumbled.
"Dinner's ready!" Pinako! Oh yeah! I forgot! She must've gotten impatient.
Winry and Al left to get the food. I didn't notice when they got back.
"Yay, fish!" Rai called out.
"Fish? Oh yeah! The ramen!" I remembered. I facepalmed mentally.
After dinner, Win left for bed. Al and I stayed with Rai.
Al sat beside us, and we lay there, my baby sister in my arms, me still careful of the tube into her wrist, telling each other secrets in the dark.
"Hey Rai, there's one more secret I wanna tell you."
I felt that her breathing had deepened and her shoulders had relaxed; her tail had stopped swaying. A look of her calm face said that she was indeed asleep.
"Nevermind." I smiled. "Good night Rai. Night, Al." I kissed her forehead and Al pet her ears; she twitched, but didn't wake up.
I soon drifted off to a dreamless sleep.