Chapter 4:

Waking up, middle of the night, beside a guy you were having…perverted dreams about earlier isn't too good. Because, I woke up in the middle of the night, I'd say around two a.m., and he was lying beside me….without a cover on. His shirtless chest was…well, the word "godly" definitely comes to mind. A white happy trailed led up to the center of his stomach, where his abs looked soft. His arms were hugged around each other, and he seemed to be cold. I lifted up looking at him more. His face was adorable…his scar was twitching, and he had a little grin on his face. Drool was coming out of his mouth, a little, and his snoring was like a melody to me. Bazzite was lying against the ten wall, and his tail was hitting Scar's back…and Scar was giggling in his sleep. I pet Bazzite, making him move and stop tickling Scar, then I put my blanket over Scar. Sharing the same blanket was even more awkward, but I didn't want him to freeze.

His arms unwrapped from around his shoulders, and his tensed up scar seemed to relax more. He turned over, and I saw scars on his back and I suddenly felt…sad. It reminded me of my own scar. I reached out, and touched the huge gash on his, that was surrounded by all the little scars. He body reacting by a small flinch, and he let out a whimper. I retracted my hand, and stared at his scars as I fell into my sleep. "Hopefully, he will never see mine." I whispered to myself.

The next morning, we set out. "Two more days till Central?" I asked, petting Bazzite as we walked.

"Yeah, but there is a town up ahead. We can stay there tonight." Scar replied, gruffly.

"Ok…" I noticed he was more tense today, and grouchier. Could it have been because I touched his scar? Or because he woke up in the same cover with me? "I guess I screwed up." I said aloud, meaning it to be a thought.

"Huh?"

"Oh. Hehe…nothing." I ran on ahead, leaving Bazzite and Scar behind me.

Tears came out of my eyes in little dots. "Hey kid! Don't go too far ahead!" Scar screamed.

"Shut up! You're not my master!" I snapped, unsure where the anger came from. Looking back, his face look shocked. I ran even farther. "AH!" I screamed out in pain, once I was out of earshot. I felt my own scar burning. Using the wind, I cut into my arms numerous times, but used the water vapor to stop the blood flow. Turning around, I saw Scar and Bazzite catching up. Wiping away my tears, I waited for them.

The sword cut my shirt before I could tell it was there. I jumped up and backed up, as the guy glared at me. His black hair rustling in the wind, black leather snapping in the furious wind I was creating, and a black sword in his hand. "I've been hired to kill you, Note Tsuki, so don't try and run, please?"

"Huh!" I asked, as he jumped forward.

"DIE!" He screamed. It materialized without me even trying to control my alchemy. A short sword in my hand made out of condensed water vapor into a solid ice, but it wasn't cold. Slashing forward, we clashed blades.

"Note!" Scar screamed, running. I didn't need him. I didn't need him at all. The echoes began to pulsate.

"Who hired you?" I said, my voice deliciously cruel.

"Someone who wants you dead." The assassin answered.

"Fine by me, but I'm not going down easy." Rushing forward, I cut into the guys arm. Blood spilled forward, and I…I….I…loved it! Jumping over hi, I stabbed into his back. His blade caught my shoulder, but I quickly returned the favor.
"AHHH!" He screamed. I noticed Scar stop in his tacks. I had cut the guys arm off, making his useless.
"Now," I smirked, ripping his head up by the hair, "Who the hell hired you?"

"Eh…Asil…" He coughed, his blood rushing down.

"Asil? Any last name?"
"No…she never gave it."

"Ok." I said, grimly. I was going to cut his head off, but suddenly…I changed. "Oh my god, I'm sorry! Here! Lay down!" I screamed. Scar had finally reached me, as I was bandaging the guys arm. With a quick jump, the assassin ran away before Scar grabbed him.

"HEY!" Scar screamed, but he was already gone. "You ok, kid?" Scar asked, looking down at me.

I was ok, for a moment. Just a brief moment, seeing Scar all concerned about me made me happy, until the natural wind ruined me. My shirt, being cut on both shoulders and down the center of my chest, ripped off in the harsh wind and flew away. I sat there…at first speechless, then I felt shame and guilt come on me. Scar looked at it…his eyes wide in disbelief. Though he didn't freak out about my Ouroboros tattoo…this was something different.

"Note." He said, barely able to say my name. "I…wandered why you were able to use alchemy without a circle."

"Please….don't….look." I said, shame in my voice. On my back, was an engraved scar. It was known as the Alchemic symbol of Wind. The lines were etched in deep….and the scar traced itself around my back. Above it, like on the Ouroboros, were small wing shaped scars. I was sent into a flashback.

Lying in the woods, I was on my knees. Kazu was behind me…his fingers tracing my scar. I moaned in pain…and he hugged me from behind. "How did it happen?"

"Hehe…on my seventh birthday, my dad chained me up and carved it into me. He then dumped me into a tub of boiling water, searing it into a scar, and…as he put it…"self-baptized" me. He drowned me, and I was dead for a moment. But, due to my ability as a homunculus, I came back. Later that night, he killed himself." Kazu's arms wrapping around me…he licked the scar on my back.
"I don't want you to feel pain." He said softly, tracing the scar with his tongue. I screamed out in a moan…but he just held me closer.

"Kazu-kun…" I said…unable to bear the pain and pleasure.

Waking from my dream…I felt Scar's fingers on my scar, his rough hands contradicting his soft touch. I almost moaned in pain…but he stopped before touching the center of it. "Here," He said, reaching me his jacket. "Don't freeze to death."

"Thanks." I said, still shame filled. Sliding on his jacket that was too big for me, I felt warm. Clutching my shoulders, I walked slowly.

With his warm jacket around me, I walked silently beside him. The emotion in his eyes was of pity and shock. My scar itched…and I felt like burning alive. Bazzite pouted, probably feeling the tension, and began licking my hand. I petted him, trying to not let Scar see my hand shaking. My body felt weak…why? Scar's growling, that adorable sound that expressed his anger at the silence, eventually calmed me, and the way his jacket hugged around made me smile. I began drifting into another day dream…no, I passed out and hit the ground.

I awoke, being carried by Scar for the third time. This time was different though, he was carrying me "princess" style…and some reason my body refused to let me. I was sad…because staring up into those dedicated blood-crimson eyes that glared ahead on the path, I saw sorrow and pain. His growling sounded more like how a dog whimpers now…and I sighed. "Why…it's all my fault…I should die…" I thought to myself.

Hours late we reached the small town, Asiur, and I could move. Dropping down, Scar grunted, sighed, and growled. I pouted, and ran on ahead to the Inn. Walking in, I saw a crowd of people sitting around laughing. I approached the man who looked in charge. "Can I get a room?" I asked, as the man turned laughing.
"Sure. Is it just you?" He asked, getting a key ready. "Oh, and that'll be forty dollars."

"Um, no. I have a friend with me." I said, getting into my wallet. Pulling out the money, I handed it to him and he gave me the key.

"Whom?"

"Him." I said, pointing as Scar walked into the Inn.

The laughter stopped. The silence almost killed my ears. "A…Ishballan." The man said…growling. His growl was deep with hate, unlike Scar's light melody. "Sorry kid, he can't stay at my Inn."

"But…why?"

"Reasons, kid. Anyway, I'll set him up with a bed in my shed outback, if you want."

"Um…" I wanted to argue, but I guess the hate for Ishballans ran deep. "Thank you." I said.

Scar left, realizing what was going on, and I suddenly felt very ill. My heart dropped. I ran after him, opening the door just in time to see him enter the pub. As I walked into there, the drunken smell of alcohol making me sick. The smell itself wasn't too bad, as it was musky…and I loved musky scents, but the fact that it was everywhere made me want to hurl. I saw Scar gulping down a bottle of whiskey, and sighed.

Sitting down beside him, his eyes closed. "What?" He said, growling like the hotel owner.

"Are you ok? I…know it's bad. But the guy's gonna set up a bed in his shed, want me to sleep out there too?"

"No. Now, a kid shouldn't be in a bar, leave. Go by something to eat somewhere." With that, he pushed me away. Leaving, I turned around watching him hang his head. I sighed.

After taking the time to get some bread and soup from the Inn, and grabbing some extra bread for Scar, I waited outside the bar door. When it burst open and Scar stepped out…his eyes were flushed with rage and he was cussing. When he saw me, he grabbed me by the hand and dragged me behind the Inn, where I had already told him where the shack was. He pushed me in the shack, and threw me up against the wall, choking me and hitting me in the stomach.

"It's all your fault!" He screamed; his voice so filled with wrath. "You're a monster. A homunculus half breed. You shouldn't exist! Ah! You got me exiled…and caused me to get exile. I was just now gaining their trust back." He screamed, tears dropping. "Ah! Why did you have to come along! I SHOULD'VE LEFT YOU TO DIE!" His voice was loud, and when his face came close to me, as he pushed me against the wall with both hands, I smelt the musky alcohol on his breath.

He started hitting me in the stomach…and I just took it. Every word he said was true. "I'm sorry." I said…crying. He fell to his knees and hugged his arms around my waist, resting his forehead on my stomach. He started balling out.

"Why me! Why!" He cried out…his tears hitting my jeans. I felt sorry, because I knew a little what he's gone through. Losing his brother, his normal life, and his country. Then being hated by everyone…even his own people. Then, I cause an explosion, and he gets exiled again.

"I'm sorry." I said, putting my hands around his shoulders as I slid down the wall.

Face to face, he hugged me to him. His red eyes seemed to lose that glazed over look, and his breath steadied. "Note…" he said, he voice shaking.

"Shut up…baka." I sighed, still crying. I hugged him close…after wiping away his tears.

"I…uh…" he started to say.

"I agree with everything you said…but let's not worry about that right now." I whispered in his ear, hugging him close. My green hair twirling as a jolt of wind blushed around us.

"But…" He argued, his growl coming back…hiding his emotions again. "Why did Ishballa have to curse me…?" He whispered, his tears stopping as he growled.

"I don't know…" I said, petting the back of his head now.

After a moment without growling or words, I heard the soft snore of scar against my body. His chest heaved and I felt his breath against my neck…it was gentle and sweet. It was difficult, picking him up and carrying him slightly to the bed. Once at the edge, Scar fell forward, landing on the bed with me underneath his arms. Laying on his side, after some uncomfortable turning, Scar finally settled down. We were face-to-face, and his arms were still wrapped around me. Unable to get up…or move due to my bodies reaction to his touch, I simply lifted the set out blanket over us, and leaned my hand onto the one pillow. My lips rested inches from his and my body lying against his chest, with my arms still around him too. His face was blushing, probably from being drunk, and his breath was sweet scented. Closing my eyes, I sighed…resisting the urges to kiss the soft lips in front of me.

The morning…was awkward. During the sleep, Scar and my limbs had untangled, but we had shifted closer. I woke up, my forehead resting on his chest, and his hands gripping mine under the pillow. My legs were against his, and his head was rested on top of mine. When I opened my eyes, the tan shirt against my forehead leaned back. "Um…" Scar whispered, as I looked up into the red eyes filled with shock…yet the slightest hint of joy.

"Its…ok. You, um, got drunk…and things happened. After we finished talking, you passed out…so I helped you back to bed, and ended up pass out with you." I said, not entirely a lie.

"Yeah, I remember our "talk"…" He said with shame in his voice. "I'm…sorry…"

"Shh…you've got nothing to apologize for." I said, my hands, still in his, gripping tighter. He returned the pressure, then pulled my hands behind my hand and pulled me into his chest.

Tears ran down my cheeks…the hot liquid stinging against the dirty shirt Scar wore. He sighed, releasing his grip as my tears ended. I lifted up…and realized I still had the key to the room. "I…um…have to take this back to the manager." I said, sliding my jacket, which fell off during Scar's assault, back on.

"Ok…I'll….get ready." He said, gesturing to the thrown out bags he had through into here with me.

Opening the front door, I saw the hotel manager with a tired look on his face. His beard was grizzly, and he had a grin as he watched me approach. He was handsome, young, and looked cocky. "Um…I didn't sleep in the room last night…um…here." I said, offering him my key. He grinned. "Nah, keep it. You can stay an extra night." He laughed, lust in his eyes. I was wandering why…the I realized. I was shirtless, and the only thing I had on was Scar's un buttoned jacked. I blushed…and sighed. "Ok," I said, planning to sleep in a comfy bed tonight. "Well…I'll be back here around sundown."

"Take care." He said, winking at me.

The first thing I did was tell Scar we were staying another night. He groaned, and growled, but eventually accepted after I begged him and convinced him we both needed sleep. Next, I sat out for the clothing store in town. There, I bought the coolest set of clothes. Three sets. The first was a tight green t-shirt, with tan cargo shorts. The next was a tight, black long-sleeve shirt with grey skinny jeans. The last, I was a bit shameful of but it was too cute to pass up, consisted of a tight white t-shirt, stomach less and…a small green skirt that barely came down to my knees with green tights underneath. All three of these came together with my tight light green jacket, which, being me, I had enchanted with alchemy to be able to "swap" my outfits at the flip of wind. It cost me a hundred bucks all together, but that still left me with about eighty dollars to spare.

I decided to where the girly outfit, I've named as "Melody suit", out of the store. Everyone gave me weird glares as I walked down the street…but some of the guys looked at me with grins. I felt so weird, blushing every time I looked at someone. As I made it back to the Inn, I heard a commotion from inside. The echoes vibrated as I opened the inn door, and it just had to happen at a time like this.

I opened the door, blushing and shy. I felt so frail and…masochistic. Scar stood there, his fist charged, the hotel owner opposite of him, fist also charged. "Ah!" I screamed; my voice high-pitched and girly. As they punched each other in the chest. They both looked over at me, the hotel owner having a nose bleed, and Scar blushing, his red eyes glaring with shock.

"Note?" He asked.

"Um…no….um.." I said, unable to clear my throat. His angered look turned me on…like he was about to throw me against the wall and start making out with me. "I'm…Melody." I whispered…just noticing the bar tender had approached me. His rough hand lifted my chin gently, his blue eyes sparkling in the candle light. He had pushed me back against the door…with his spiky brown hair waving in the wind I had begun creating. His lips came down…almost touching mine…

"I don't think so." Scar said, ripping the guy off of me, and onto the ground. The rage in his voice made me happy, because he was defending me. "We're not done." He lifted the guy up. They…well…fought. I don't know what about, but Scar kicked the guy's ass. After that, he…literally…picked me up, and carried me out the door. I had thrown the key back to the guy before we left. Scar already had his bag, and I had taken mine with me to the clothes store.

The rough grip around my waist was…so attracting. The way he was being rough with me…made me want to make out with him. But, eventually he sat me down. I pouted as he made me start walking on my own. Sadly, I still had the same old green Nikes from before. "So…" He asked, barely able to look at me. I had realized, along with my personality transformation, my hair had straightened itself and my eyelashes were longer. "When…did um…you become…"Melody"?"

"Um…well. As I entered the in, um…" I pondered, looking up into the sky and spinning around him. "Um…my head aches increased, then it stopped and I became her." I said, giggling.

"Her?"

"Can't you tell?" I giggled, expressing my outfit. "'Melody', me, is the girl-person of Note. Hehe." I laughed, feeling weird talking a sort of third person point of view.