Okay, out with a new chapter. Thanks for the reviews, people. I 'preciate it. n.n

Roy: I don't like where this is going, girl.

Well, duh. If I made my muses happy, chances are I'd be doing something wrong. Because if you like it, it means I'm not doing anything to you. And…what fun is that? I mean, come on, dude.

Roy: Do remember who I am, and what I do to people I don't like.

Yeah, well, do remember that I'm the author, and thus have those special and sacred Author Powers that make me capable of blowing you to little bits.

Roy: Just try it. I dare you.

Some other time, maybe. I still need you for meaningless banter before and after my chapters.

--

This was something he needed to discuss with Riza. At the very least, he needed to make sure she was aware of it. If he didn't tell her now, she would only find out later and then demand to know why he hadn't let her know sooner. Safer to get it out of the way immediately.

"Kota, take your mutt for a walk. He's going to have a nervous breakdown." Roy looked at the dog, who was excitedly jumping all over his daughter, welcoming her home with sloppy kisses and anxious yapping. It would not only shut Kernel up, but get the girl out of the house for a time, as well. He had worked this hard to conceal his observations from her – he wasn't going to run the risk of being overheard now.

When Kota had managed to clip a leash to the hyperactive canine's collar and trotted out after him, Roy entered the kitchen to speak with his wife. "Riza."

"Did she wear you out already?" asked Riza, not glancing up from the sandwiches she was preparing. "You're getting old, Roy."

Roy replied gravely, not feeling it appropriate to continue this banter at the moment. "We may have a problem," he stated. "Kota was nearly hurt in the park today while her back was turned, and it was not an accident. It's undeniable – it was an assault, using alchemy. I watched as the branch above her was severed from the tree. There was no one in that tree, and the break was too clean to be natural. It was almost as if it was sawed off. …She has no idea what happened out there, and I intend to keep it that way. But I have a bad feeling about this."

During this story, the woman had paused in her work and met his gaze evenly. She was quiet for a moment after he had finished speaking. Then, "Did you see anyone anywhere who might have been responsible for it?"

"No. That's another thing that makes me nervous. I don't know who's behind it, and I don't know why. I have no idea why Kota would be a target, other than to somehow get to one or both of us, but I can't dismiss it as a coincidence. I had to exert much more power than I would have liked to disintegrate the limb."

"You're probably lucky you didn't singe her anyway," she said, a little reproachfully. When Roy Mustang went overboard even for him, it was bad.

"I'm not that irresponsible of a father, Riza. Give me a little credit."

"In any case, we'll have to keep a close eye on her until we know a little more." Riza paused, then gave a start. "She's out walking Kernel by herself…" She blinked somewhat wide-eyed at her husband, leaving the sandwiches forgotten on the counter to pass through the kitchen and out to the front door. Just as Roy followed her and they got there, however, their daughter opened the door and Kernel darted inside in a rush of fur. Both parents relaxed a little.

Kota raised an eyebrow, looking at her mother and father, who both stood unoccupied right next to the door. "…Something wrong…?" she asked slowly, shifting her gaze between the two.

Roy glanced at his wife briefly before shrugging at the child. "We were looking at a picture." He nodded to the closest framed photo there was, which happened to be of Kota as an infant.

Riza gestured her agreement, then guided Kota toward the kitchen. "Your lunch is ready."

Didn't have to tell a child twice about food. After unclipping Kernel's leash and tossing it carelessly onto the couch, she trotted away to retrieve the anticipated sandwich. Roy watched her go, shaking his head. "I'll take her back out after lunch for another training session."

"Just be careful. Don't neglect to keep watch. And, Roy… Don't get carried away with this 'training.' It's nice that this is something you share with out daughter, but... I don't want her hurt – not by this mysterious villain, and not by you, either."

"You worry too much. She'll be fine with me around," he replied casually, smirking a little with that old cocky confidence. "I'm just getting her into shape for this duel with Ed. She won't beat him – let's face it. She's twenty years younger and as much less experienced than he is. But I think she can hold her own against him for quite some time."

"Whatever you say. Just make sure you look out for her."

"You're not her only parent, y'know." Roy strolled for the kitchen to get his own lunch. "I won't let anything happen to her." He paused, a more serious expression overtaking his face again as he glanced back at her. "You might want to mention this to the military, just in case this guy is out for generic mayhem and not targeting Kohaku specifically." Granted, they didn't know anyone was seriously aimed at violence, or trying to really hurt anyone; not for certain, in any case. But he knew alchemy when he saw it, and his years of military service made him cautious and a touch paranoid. The fact that his daughter had nearly been flattened by a tree branch did not make him a happy camper.

Riza nodded, but said no more. It was understood that they wouldn't let the child in on this bit of information, suspicious as she might already be. She didn't need to be justified in her fright, or start to worry seriously about it. If it got out of hand, they might have to tell her. But it was still a premature accusation, and it might never happen again. They would rather have it that way, and if that were the case, she would never have to know.

So they pur on passive masks and joined Kota in the kitchen together, proceeding to eat good naturedly as a family, with Kernel sitting at the latter's feet and gazing upward with his tongue hanging out. Yeah, she spoiled him with table scraps every now and then, and Roy turned a blind, disinterested eye to it. Riza wasn't so lenient most of the time, however, and prevented the dog from getting his prize this time.

"Honestly, Kohaku. You're shortening his lifespan."

"He likes it," protested Kota.

"Yes, and he'll continue to like it – until he drops dead. Eat your own food, and let him eat food made for him."

Kota heaved a sighed apology to Kernel, who whined disappointedly when she finished off her sandwich without so much as a crumb spared for his benefit. When Roy had finished as well, he ushered her from the room again, following close behind, to continue their exercises. He gave Riza a vague, would-be reassuring wave of his hand as he disappeared, meant as a sort of silent, "Don't sweat it. We'll be fine." He did catch the sigh she replied with, but chose to pretend like he hadn't.

--

Did that chapter seem weird to anyone? Like, poorly written or something? Tell me whatcha' think, please.

Roy: -Opens mouth-

NOT you, matchbox. The readers.

Roy: It was disgusting.

Hey! I told you not to say anything!

Roy: Actually, you simply stated that the target of your request was not me, but the morons who read your stories. I supplied my opinion without being asked.

Gee. Thanks for the input.