The sleeping bags provided for them were of much better quality then the clothing provided. Ed had definitely been warm enough. Though, now his back was beyond killing him, because the bed roll did very little to soften the feel of the earth below him. It was because of this that Ed didn't actually get as much sleep as he would have liked. He got a few hours here and there, but not a full night that he had hoped for.

The sun was just peaking over the horizon when Ed crawled out of his tent. Falman and Fuery were both already up and chatting quietly by the smouldering fire. Ed hissed as his back flared with pain.

"Morning," Fuery said cheerfully.

"Morning," Ed muttered back as he limped over to them.

"Didn't sleep well?" Falman inquired.

"Had better," Ed said stiffly. "Fuery, could I ask a favour?"

"Sure," the smaller man said. "What were you after?"

"Could you walk on my back?" Ed grimaced as he tried to stretch out his back.

"Uhhh…" Fuery looked unsure at the idea. "Walk on your back?"

"Yeah," Ed confirmed as he laid down on the ground. "Please?"

"If you're sure," Fuery said as he came closer.

"Very," Ed insisted.

There was silence for a moment. Ed caught Fuery giving Falman an unsure look, but all the same he came over next to Ed. Falman follow. Ed laid his head down on the ground and felt Fuery's boot on the middle of his back. The slight pressure increased as Fuery put a little of his weight on Ed, but did not actually step up.

"Walk," Ed growled softly. "Not just put pressure with your foot."

There was a moment of hesitation before the pressure increased. A small part of Ed's back started to crack, relieving the pressure built up there. A small groan escaped Ed which caused Fuery to freeze and be rather still.

"Walk," Ed repeated softly.

The boots travelled up towards Ed head and back down his spin again. There were a few cracks here and there but that largest was between his shoulder blades. It caused him to hiss in pain and Fuery to jump off. It took many minutes of practically begging Fuery to step on his back again for the man to listen. Eventually, Ed was feeling much better.

Ed got up off the ground and stretched his back again.

"Thank you so much," Ed smiled at Fuery. "I've needed that for nearly a week now."

"Sir?" Fuery said, looking unsure again.

"Just the price you have to pay sometimes," Ed shrugged it off before going back to his tent to grab his rations. "I might ask you to do it again for we go back home."

"No problem," Fuery said in the end. "Glad to help I guess."

"Anything happen overnight?" Ed asked as he started on his breakfast.

"Just heard some wolves howling according to Breda," Falman mentioned. "Not much else."

Ed nodded as he started to eat.

Over the next hour, one by one, the other members of the team slowly crawled out of bed. During this time, Ed had been looking at their options. From the camp, he walked ten minutes in one direction and turned back. He did this for east, south and west to try and determine a water source or anything useful they could use. East has gotten him within distance of a small river. Their rations included two one litre bottles of water. Something they would exhaust quickly, so staying with water was a smart choice when looking for a better place to set up.

Not everyone saw it that way though.

"Don't see anything wrong with where we are," Breda shrugged. "Especially if the water is just ten minutes away."

"I just think we could be located somewhere with better access to more resources," Ed offered.

"Like being right where all the animals are going to want to go," Breda nodded.

"I'm not talking about camping right next to the water," Ed sighed. "Just to have it within eye sight. If we are being watched by the enemy, then they will look for patterns where someone will be either alone or more vulnerable. If the water is within eye sight, then that lessens the risk."

"So does going in pairs or small groups," Breda offered.

"And you're going to enjoy lugging back enough water for everyone to boil?" Ed asked. "Or will everyone just go and get their own water."

"Don't see why they shouldn't," Breda shrugged again.

"Breda," Ed sighed loudly. "I'm not looking to be difficult or controlling-"

"Then don't," Breda muttered.

"But!" Ed continued. "I'm just looking for ways to minimize the risk of something happening to anyone."

"We're not even sure something will happen," Breda rolled his eyes.

"True," Ed agreed. "And if nothing does happen, then it just means we all got some good, old fashion bonding time while camping. Awesome. That would be fine by me. But that's not why I am here."

"Second Lieutenant," Hawkeye stepped in. "I'm sure Edward is just laying out the options. Normally, you like to know your options, don't you?"

Breda didn't say anything.

"It's just hard," Havoc interjected. "Trying to plan for something with so much unknown."

"And I get that," Ed assured them. "I'm not trying to push everyone into extreme decisions. I'm just offering up some choices that could make life a little easier for the next few weeks."

"Fullmetal has a point," Mustang admitted. "Let's investigate the river as a team and then make a decision."

No one argued with that.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Near the creek there was a clear area that was perfect for their new camp. The trees would protect them from the worst of the rain. Due to the slopping of the ground, they had a good vantage point for the river. Then there were the rocks that blocked out the wind. Or, at least it did after Ed built up a wall with the larger ones. He made Mustang do the alchemy for it to keep their little secret in case they were being watched. Plus he got a bit of a kick over criticizing Mustang's mineral based alchemy techniques.

They went back, got their stuff and set up all over again. No one complained. Ed tried to thank Hawkeye for stepping in, but it didn't go down nearly as well as he had hoped. The instant he tried, she shut him down.

"It was the most effective way to reach the end of the argument," she told him stiffly.

"That's it?" Ed asked her. "You didn't agree or disagree?"

"My training and knowledge is focused on desert survival from the war," she mentioned. "So what would I know?"

"Survival training is survival training," Ed frowned at her. "Some parts are different in different areas, but a lot of it is also transferable to. The basics definitely are. Plus, I know you've got a keen eye for detail, so your input is always appreciated."

"Edward," Hawkeye set eyes on his. "I appreciate what you are doing, but you are coming off as a know it all. That's not what the training is about."

"If this training was that simple," Ed said, unsure about where this was going. "If it was purely about the trial and error and letting people figure it out for themselves, I would be more than happy to let it happen. But there is more at risk here."

"He's not yours to protect," Hawkeye said in a low voice.

And there it was. Probably the whole reason Hawkeye was acting off.

"What do you mean?" Ed asked innocently.

"I've seen the looks," Hawkeye stated. "I recognise the looks. I just want you to be very clear he is not yours to protect. He has intrusted that job to me for a very long time. That's not going to change. He's not interested."

Ed was stunned. As far as he had been aware, only Hughes knew about his feelings. Had he been that obvious? So far, Ed was avoiding being too close to the man to try and avoid something like this.

"Just do your job, Edward." Riza said. "Fight off the enemy and be helpful when the situation needs it. Not when everything is still fine."

She walked off, left him standing there. Did no one actually want his help? Or care for his input?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ed kept to himself for the next few days. He did his night watch, he ate his rations and collected firewood when needed. He always kept Mustang in eye sight, but with that came Riza's glare. It left him confused. Once, Ed would have considered Hawkeye to be someone he could talk to if he needed. Especially when he was younger. She had told him things when he was younger, things about her and Mustang's past in the war. She had been so open, helpful and friendly. It was only in the last year that it had really changed. Ed just put it down to the fact he was always on missions and had lost that connection with people in the office. He hadn't considered the fact that his feelings had possibly provoked it.

Havoc had been struggling with his nicotine withdrawal. He was constantly fidgeting, pacing, complaining and all else. Ed took pity on the man and showed him some plants that were safe for chewing that might help. They wouldn't give him the hit he needed, but it would help his fixation.

When Ed wasn't doing the simple things, and Mustang was staying in their base camp, Ed had taken to sitting in the trees. It gave him a vantage point and some privacy so he could think. No one questioned him about it and seemed pretty keen to just enjoy their 'camping' trip. It was day four of their first week. So rations were still lasting them well and there was nothing that had gone wrong. At least it made Ed's job easy for now.

"You know," came a voice from below. "You've got a blind spot."

Ed looked down to see Mustang looking up at him with one hand shielding his eyes from the sun and the other on his hip. Currently, Ed was resting against the bow of the tree, with his legs hanging off either side of the branch he was currently perched on. He rolled his eyes at the observation.

"What do you want?" Ed growled.

"Come for a walk with me," Mustang replied.

Ed sighed loudly and leaned his head back against the tree. There was a silence between them before Ed started to climb down the tree. When he reached a height he deemed jumpable, he did just that. He landed in a crouched position next to Mustang. The man didn't flinch, just smirked at him before walking off towards the river. Edward follow, wondering what exactly it was his commanding officer wanted. Hawkeye was on her way back from getting water from the river. She looked at them with a frown.

"We'll be back soon," Mustang promised her.

"Give me a moment," Hawkeye replied. "I'll come with."

"No," Mustang shook his head. "I need to talk to Fullmetal alone. Relax. We won't be long."

"Sir?" Hawkeye frowned and glanced at Ed. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"We'll be fine," Mustang assured her. "It's just a walk."

Reluctantly, Hawkeye seemed to accept that, but the look she gave Ed was suspicious. Ed gave her a small shrug. He had no idea what was going on. It did nothing to lessen the intensity of her stare. Ed had to break eye contact and catch up to Mustang.

For a while, they walked in silence, heading up the river. At first, Ed didn't mind, but the longer it went on for the more uncertain Ed had become.

"We shouldn't be wondering this far away from the others," Ed said as he glanced back in the direction they had come in.

"I just figured a walk would help your sulking," Mustang said as he stopped walking.

"I'm not sulking," Ed frowned as he crossed his arms.

"Brooding in trees," Mustang corrected himself.

"I'm not brooding either," Ed growled. "I'm just giving everyone their space so they can learn some of this stuff on their own. Or at least that was what they seemed to want."

"And who lead you to believe that?" Mustang inquired.

"Does it matter?" Ed shrugged. "Everyone seems happier for it."

"Well I know certain people are," Mustang agreed. "But there are also some that wouldn't mind talking to you more. Maybe learning something."

Edward just frowned at him.

"You came on a little strong is all," Mustang as he leaned against a tree. "This was a little more than they were expecting."

"It wouldn't have been if you gave them some warning," Ed remarked. "You knew this training was possibly going to have more danger than expected. Why didn't you at least give them some clue about the possibility of this all going very badly?"

"Didn't want to worry anyone," Mustang smiled a little, though it looked sad. "I figured I could handle it. I didn't want some idiot pulling some stupid stunt and getting hurt because the terrorists came for me."

"Well someone was worried," Ed reminded him gently. "Hughes was really worried. He met me at the train station at two in the morning the day this all started. He looked so tired and worried, Mustang."

"So worried he sent me the one person who is the king of stupid, rash mistakes for the sake of others," Mustang sighed.

"Hey!" Ed frowned. "That's not fair."

"But it's true, Fullmetal." Mustang said. "You get hurt, normally protecting someone else, all the time."

"You're not helpless," Ed reminded the man as he moved closer. "You're smart and a fighter. Not some stupid girl looking to make this a romantic scenario."

"Romantic?" Mustang smirked, causing Ed to blush. "What do you get up to on those missions you don't tell me about or put in your reports?"

"Cut it out," Ed growled as he moved away again and turned his back to Mustang.

"Just remember," Mustang said as he came up behind Ed. "Hughes said you're here to protect us, not die for us."

Wrong. Hughes may have said that, but he knew better then to believe Ed would obey that order. If he could do something to keep everyone, especially Mustang, safe then he would.

"How did you-" Ed spun round and froze, but not because he hadn't realized how close Mustang was.

"Hughes' letter," Mustang said gently. "I-"

"Get out your gloves," Ed whispered as his eyes were glued on something behind Mustang. "Don't make any big moves, just do as I say."

Mustang didn't argue. Instead, he went very still for a moment before he got out his gloves. He spared a glance over his shoulder to see what Ed saw. A very large, brown Grizzly bear probably about two hundred metres from where they were standing.

"Do you think it sees us?" Mustang asked before swallowing.

"If it doesn't," Ed as he took hold of Mustang's arm. "It sure as hell can smell us. He's downwind from us."

"What do we do?" Mustang asked, sounding unsure.

"Walk away slowly," Ed said as he tugged at Mustang's arm. "If he comes running at us, scare him away with fire."

"Why not kill it?" Mustang said as he followed Ed's lead, but kept his eyes on the bear.

"We're in his home," Ed said. "They normally avoid people, but if it feels you're a threat to its family? That's when they attack. That's why we're leaving. Plus, if there is one, there are bound to others. Don't want to provoke its family. Just scare it if all else fails."

"Normally?" Mustang asked as they continued down the path. "I've heard of the attacks in the north."

"They're aggressive when threatened," Ed admitted as he noticed the bear was following them. "Hunters are idiots. They provoke the attacks with their stupidity and running around with guns."

"So what do we do?" Mustang started to raise his hand.

"Nothing unless we have to," Ed insisted. "It's probably just making sure we're not going to touch or hurt their family. I can't tell it's gender from here. Hopefully, it's a male."

"And if it's not?" Mustang turned to look at Ed.

"We're going to have to scare it or worse," Ed explained. "Females are the more aggressive ones. They are the leading cause of injury and death from bear attacks."

Mustang stopped dead in his tracks as he saw something over Ed's shoulder. Ed tried to keep walking, but Mustang grabbed his arm and forced him to stop. Ed looked over his shoulder to see another Grizzly bear probably about a hundred and fifty metres ahead of them.

"Fuck," Ed breathed as he drew his supplied knife from his belt.

"What now?" Mustang said as he continued to whip his head round from one bear to the next.

There was a slight size different between them. The first bear was larger, probably the male while the new ones smaller, probably a female. They continued to advance on the two alchemists. Ed looked up at the tree they were currently under.

"Climb the tree," Ed told Mustang. "Or get snapping, Sparky."

Roy pulled out his other glove and put it on his other hand. Both hands were raised. The bears didn't recognise the warning for what it was.

"I thought you were meant to be the one protecting me," Mustang teased as he snapped his fingers.

The flames in both directions made the bears rear up in surprise. They tried to go around the flames to get to the men, but Mustang continued his snapping to try and scare them off. Ed kept looking from one bear to the other, trying to gauge if he would have to use his own alchemy.

"I said," Ed hissed as he took his knife out. "That you could hold your own. I'm just here for when that fails."

The female bear broke through the fire and came charging at them. Mustang increased his fire, but the bear wasn't slowing down. It roared loudly as it reached its full speed.

"Focus on getting rid of the other one," Ed yelled as he ran at the bear.

"Don't!" Mustang yelled at him.

The bear was on Ed in a second. A massive paw swiped at Ed, but Ed ducked under and got right in the animal's personal space. He drew his right arm back and slammed right into the bear's gut with the knife in hand. The other paw came across and knocked Ed to the group, the knife out of the bear's stomach as he was forced away.

"Edward!" Mustang's voice was heard in the background.

Ed rolled away from the bear. The blood was pumping loudly in his ears, his heart was racing, but he didn't feel any pain. He noticed the bear was charging for Roy now that he was out of the way. Ed launched himself at the bear from behind. He landed on the bear's back with his hands on its shoulders. He pulled back his right hand and thrust the knife into the neck of the bear. It howled in pain and took off running in another direction away from Mustang.

The bear was running at full speed, smashing into trees as he went. Ed was being banged around as he was taken for the ride. He ripped his knife out and jumped off of the bear's back. Ed didn't land so gracefully on the ground, but instead skid along the ground and rolled to a stop. For a moment, he just laid there and groaned. That hurt.

His back and side burned. He looked down to see he had some small scratch marks from the bear. It didn't seem to be bleeding too much. Nothing felt broken. Maybe a bruised rib or two though. Damn bear was strong. If his master were here, she would have beat the crap out of him for letting the bear get the drop on him at all.

Carefully, Ed got up. He could hear Mustang calling for him in the distance. Ed looked around to see the bear was well and truly gone. Thankfully. Carefully, he pressed his hand against his sore ribs and grimaced. Just a bruise he confirmed. He would just need to clean it and wrap it when he got to camp. Thankfully, they had all been given a few bandages and swabs for this type of thing. The military wasn't completely hopeless.

Ed turned to locate which way the bear had taken him. It was a pretty easy track to read thanks to the violence of the bears run. Ed took his hand away from his side and picked up the knife he had dropped to put it away. He started to walk towards Mustang's voice. The man sounded frantic. Ed couldn't help, but smile a little. He might not care the way Ed would want him to, but Mustang did care a little about him at least. Felt kind of nice.

When Mustang came into view, the other bear was long gone. The man himself was running along the track the bear had left behind.

"Edward!" The man sped up until he reached him. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"You're welcome," Ed rolled his eyes and went to walk on.

"That was so stupid," Mustang grabbed him and forced him to stop. "You're hurt…"

"It's nothing," Ed tried to shrug him off. "A few scratches and bruises. No big deal."

Mustang tightened his grip on Ed, not allowing him to move away. The older man brought up his hand and touched the right side of Ed's head. Ed flinched away when it hurt a little. Roy pulled back his hand to show Ed the blood on his hand.

"Tell me again how this isn't a big deal," Roy growled.

"Oh," Ed said as he reached up to feel the tender area on his head. "Didn't notice that one."