Chapter Four

Remembered Hope

When Edward opened his eyes and awoke from his sleep, he saw the bright afternoon sun shining in the sky. He had definitely slept late, but then he hadn't gotten much sleep in awhile. He turned to look at Lupa. She shifted in her covers, pushing herself up carefully.

"Good morning Lupa," he said kindly, "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better," she told him blinking sleep from her eyes, "It was nice to get a lot of sleep, I haven't had such a good sleep in so long. I didn't have any more bad dreams either." She smiled brightly, "Thanks to you. Your singing gave me good dreams."

Edward smiled back at her feeling very happy for her.

"I'm glad, and everything always feels a lot better after a good night's sleep. Hopefully the bad dreams stay away. Would you like to have something to eat? Then I was thinking, if you felt up to it, we could go outside for a walk." He wanted her to get outside as it might help her. At the same time, he could sense her nervousness at the idea of going outside where her attackers could be lurking. She has nothing to worry about with me beside her. Edward wanted to take her to meet Alfons.

"So you two are going out today," Gracia said with a smile after they had finished breakfast, "Just be careful alright? Lupa stick close to Edward. Don't worry, you'll have fun."

"Let me know if your shoulder hurts," Edward told her as they headed outside. He was still a little worried about her. "I'd like you to meet my friend Alfons."

Lupa nodded and walked close beside him looking wary and all around her, as if she expected her attackers to be lurking under every shadow.

"Lupa, don't worry," he assured her. "No one's going to bother you with me here, I promise." Lupa nodded, looking relieved. She kept close beside him as they walked together. As they walked, Edward noticed Lupa eyeing his prosthetic arm curiously.

"Your arm.." she said quietly, "The right one is lighter then the left one."

Edward had wondered when she might notice that.

"My right arm isn't real," he told her carefully, "Neither is my left leg. I lost them along time ago."

Lupa didn't seem scared by the fact, but alarmed. "How did you lose them?"

It was an honest question, but Edward knew he couldn't exactly tell her the truth. It might scare her, and she'd never believe him if he revealed the true reasons behind his arm and leg. How did he explain? He was saved from having to answer when a voice called out, "Hey - Edward!"

Edward turned to see Alfons walking toward him, "Gracia told me you might come, and bring your little friend with you. Hi there!" He said, turning to Lupa. "What's your name?"

Edward noticed Lupa looked a little nervous. He gave her an encouraging nod. Lupa looked up at Alfons and replied politely, "Lupa, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too. Where are you two headed?"

"We were going to go for a walk," Edward explained, "I wanted Lupa to get outside for awhile. And you? We were going to come and see how you were, and I haven't been in our apartment for awhile, since I was staying over at Gracia's with Lupa."

"I'm afraid I can't stay long to chat, I have a place to go for work today. But I'll be back later tonight. I'll see you both later then if you come over, unless you are staying with Gracia?"

"I'll probably be staying to keep on eye on Lupa, but your welcome to drop by."

"Thanks, I think I'll have to do that. See you soon then! Nice to meet you again Lupa!"

With a wave at Edward and Lupa, Alfons departed.

"Come on," said Edward, and Lupa followed after him. "Your friend is really nice," Lupa said with a smile. "He is." Edward said. Alfons had been his first friend upon arriving in this world. As they continued on, Edward was grateful Lupa did not ask any more questions about his arm or leg. He could tell she was more relaxed now and less nervous.

They walked on, Lupa looking curiously at different stores and people they passed by.

Suddenly, Lupa froze, looking very frightened. Edward saw why in an instant. The group of boys who had attacked her where ahead of them. Edward was about to turn around, but the boys eyes caught them. They headed toward them.

"Stay behind me," Edward told Lupa, moving himself in front of her keeping her out of harm's way.

"What do you want?" he growled as the group of boys neared them, leering at Lupa.

"We just want to know why in the world your so interested in caring for it, that's all."

Why did they have to come now? Lupa was doing much better, she didn't need to be scared anymore! Why couldn't they leave them alone? Don't they have anything better to do?

"And I am curious as to know who in the world is so interested in taking care of you,"Edward growled, "How your families can stand taking care of you is beyond me."

His comment made Lupa laugh and grin in spite of her fear, but made the boys furious.

"How dare you?" the boy snarled.

"How dare you be such a hypocrite?" Edward snapped. He couldn't stop himself. He was noticing it was almost always the same boy talking, there little ringleader. The others probably can't even think for themselves.

"I don't get how you can treat her so nicely. My parents say that without the Gypsy's and the Jews and all the other scum, the world would be a much better place. A lot less thievery. Not to mention Germany would never be in this state if they weren't here."

"The world would be a much better place without inhuman people like you,"Edward hissed. "How you can see yourself as such a good person is beyond me. And why you believe everything your parents say too. How old are you? Now leave us the hell alone, or I won't be as nice as last time and you won't leave at all."

The boy glared at him. "Fine. Care for it all you like. You'll regret it. One day, all the Gypsy's and Jews will be killed, along with Jew and Gypsy lovers like you, who associate yourself with such filth. You'll regret it."

"If you think that scares me, think again." Edward said through clenched teeth. With a grunt, the boy turned to join his group. He paused, turned to look over his shoulder and added, "And you, Gypsy, I have a warning. Your friend can't always be around to protect you. Stray from him and we'll finish you off."

With that, he turned and headed off with the others, rounding the corner.

Edward shouted after him, "Don't you ever come near her again!"

Edward wanted to chase after him and fight him for his last remark, shaking from rage at his comment. But he couldn't, not with Lupa here. He could see she was scared, no longer relaxed but frightened. She pressed close against him, quivering.

People had stopped to look, as the confrontation hadn't gone unnoticed. A few people looked alarmed, some concerned, some talked amongst each other, but none had stood up for Lupa's defence. Some looked as if they agreed with the boys words towards Lupa.

Ignoring them, Edward turned to Lupa.

"Listen to me Lupa, I won't let them hurt you. They like to sound tough. It's all talk. I won't leave you and they won't come near you with me here, not again."

He wasn't so sure how true that was. Those kids might have killed her when they first attacked her. He knew, horribly so, that they would try to kill her, just as they had gotten riled up in their disgusting beliefs the first time they had hurt her. But their cowards. When they see me here ready to protect her, all they do is try to talk tough, but they won't do anything to her, even though they outnumber me. He could only imagine how much that had to hurt Lupa, hearing these horrible comments so much. It must hurt her, hearing speeches like that..being threatened for no reason.. treated so unfairly.

"I want to go back," she sniffed.

Edward didn't blame her. It seemed his hope for a walk wasn't such a good idea. But she couldn't always be scared to go outside. He was almost about to say they keep on their walk, but he could see Lupa was much to shaken. I promised nothing would bother her. I didn't want her to come out to frighten her anymore..Damn them to hell. He thought furiously. She was such a sweet girl. Why should it matter if she was Gypsy? How could you classify someone as something with knowing them? It was like how people had always seen him as a "military dog" and hadn't trusted him. He had learned you couldn't judge someone before you knew them. After seeing her attackers once more, Lupa could hardly stop shaking.

"Come on." He gently took her hand, and led the way back. "They're gone. Relax. I'm here."

She was by his side as they walked, keeping close. "If you hadn't been there.." she trailed off, her voice breaking. Edward noticed what Gracia said was very true, Lupa really did trust him. I promised, I won't let them hurt her. "Don't think like that. I was there, and I always will be. They won't hurt you."

"I know," she said softly, "Scared as I was, I knew you'd be there to protect me if they tried.." She didn't say anything else, falling silent.

Edward kept an eye out for the group of boys. There was no other trouble, but Lupa was very quiet. She held tightly onto his hand as they walked. At last they returned, and Gracia's eyes filled with concern. She asked what happened when Lupa had gone upstairs. Edward had wanted to go with her, but she said she wanted to be on her own for awhile.

Edward explained to her. "Oh Edward.." she said sadly, "I'm sorry. It makes me so angry..she can't even go out for a walk without people being such immoral, despicable excuses for human beings. Maybe I can speak to Hughes, maybe he can do something. They should be charged for what they did to her!"

Edward sighed, "If he did, could he really arrest them? Their behaviour seems to be pretty accepted."

Gracia's eyes clouded. "That has to change! I am so scared sometimes.."

She looked deeply worried as she spoke. "There's a lot of talk right now. She could be in danger, more then she is now. God forbid it ever happen, but their are men saying they want to reshape the country so it's just Germans and kick out everyone else. The most terrible things are said about how that could be done.."

Edward didn't want to believe her, the very idea scared him, reminding him to much of the Ishbalans. It sounded like they had a genocide in mind. How did this happen? They were so crazed with hate.. They saw themselves as so great. So blind to their own cruelty, so proud of themselves and their race, hating anyone different. If I've learned anything in my life, it's that people are scared of what they don't understand, what is unknown to them. It terrifies them and brings hate to them, and they can't see how irrational their thoughts become.

"You should go check on her," Gracia said softly. "She needs you."

"I thought she was doing better. But I can only imagine how hard it is for her. Being treated like that. I didn't want this to happen. I thought going outside could cheer her up.."

"Don't beat yourself up Ed," Gracia said gently. "Check on her, you seem to have a good way of comforting her. She's a strong girl but it's hard for even the strong to face this kind of evil all the time. If anyone can cheer her up, you can."

As he headed upstairs to talk with Lupa a thought came to him. If he ever had the chance to return to his own world, what if he could take her with him?

She would be free from this place. Safe. He could imagine how much Al would love her, like a little sister. She could stay in Risembool with Winry and his Aunt Pinako..and Den too. She could meet Rose..

He remembered what Al had once said, "So if a another girl like Nina ever comes along, we'll know how to safe her.."

It was different of course, this girl wasn't in the same situation as Nina had been. But the words that rang most clear where the last ones, we'll know how to save her. He couldn't let her be hurt, or to be in danger. He couldn't let her die like Nina. I can protect her, I can save her. I can keep her safe. Maybe one day, he could take her to his world..

But for one thing, he thought, he didn't know if he'd ever be able to return to his world. And if he did, was it right to take Lupa away from her own world?

But if that time ever comes, and I have the chance, to return home and to Al, how could I leave her behind if she has no one? Who would protect her? It's either go back home and leave her, or go back and take her, or not leave at all. What choice could I make if that day came? What is the right choice? I promised her I'd always be there to protect her. I can't break that promise.

If a another girl like Nina ever comes along, we'll know how to safe her..

The words rang once again in his mind, bringing back a remembered hope.

Thank you so much for reading Chapter Four! I wrote this one tonight, trying my best to write all that came to my mind, edited afterward, but mostly kept it the same. I find it helps a lot to write and stick with what I have and not worry about changing it.

I hope you all feel I am staying true to Edward's character and can see him in this situation. I am trying to write him as feeling older brotherly and fatherly toward Lupa. I hope you all feel I am portraying Edward very believably and that you can picture him doing just this.

I hope you catch the messages I am trying to send in this story.

Replies to the reviewers! And thank you for those who also favourited and alerted the story! Means a lot to me!

Shigur3: No worry! Thank you for coming back and subscribing! I have updated again at last! I am glad you are growing to like this story, and I'm glad to see I've made people really like the story. I really did want to represent guys differently. Edward's a really caring guy, and he represents the good in guys and all people.

Heehee, yes I imagine you do not as I do of course. =D Yes it would be fun to meet him and call him short and see him have one of his rants.

Thank you so much, so happy you find it beautifully written and heart-warming! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

September: Thank you so much and your wish is my command! Another chapter!

Orange Singer: Thanks you so much!Oh yes me to, he is hot! Heehee, he is in the manga too. In both the manga and the anime!

Hope you read and loved this chapter, let me know what you think, much appreciated!