Chapter 4 – "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet

"New mission for you two," said Mustang as he handed the file to Song as Edward reclined on the couch. "This one can only be handled by you two. It's undercover protection detail for two VIPs. They're the children of Lord Burkhardt, who seems to be the target of several failed assassination attempts."

"Is there is a reason, may I ask?" asked Edward.

"He runs a business dealing in cloth. He is starting to have a monopoly on the business. It is suspected that the Textile Guild is behind these attacks. However, that is still unknown, but there is enough motive to want to off someone who dominates your trade."

"That's definitely enough motive for anyone to kill. He's robbing them of any possibility of advancing in the textile industry," Song agreed.

"Now, the file states this, but I really want to clarify your mission so you fully grasp what you are being asked to do. His two children, Marcus and Lilliana, were invited to attend the birthday ball of one Miss Armstrong. You two are to accompany the Burkhardts and make sure there are no attempts on their lives."

"I don't get why that needed extra explaining. We just hang around and watch from afar, trying to make a big scene unless something goes wrong. We could've read that in the report, Colonel," said Edward. Why was Colonel Bastard undermining their intelligence?

"You still don't get it, Fullmetal. You're going as the escorts or their dates. The two of them specifically picked you two out of the possible teams. They claimed you were the best choice out there. That means that you are dressing up and going to a formal ball." Both of them cringed at the thought.

"Sir, evening wear is really not suited for concealing weapons, and I depend on those weapons!" exclaimed Song. How the hell was she supposed to carry her kunai, in a tiny clutch. This was going to suck, she thought to herself.

"Make it work, kid. I told you, you were selected especially for this mission. You're dismissed Lieutenant Uchiha, Fullmetal." Song and Edward bowed respectfully to their senior officer. Once out of the office the complaints poured out of the two soldiers. Well, this sucks thought Song to herself.

"Well let's go get ourselves ready, man this is going to be a pain in the ass," stated Edward, "But it doesn't look like we can't get out of this one, partner," he said that last word with a sense of camaraderie. He was getting used to having her around, especially when she was helping him recover from that last mission. Ed was still curious about that, because when the military arrived they found Buren and his compatriots dead, but no formal investigation was ever done. He thought the military was being lazy for ignoring this matter. There may have been another serious threat out there that they were willingly ignoring. "Song, let's just get this over with, alright?"

She nodded in the affirmative. At least, Ed did not know what had happened that night in Homsfield, and for that she was thankful to the colonel for keeping Edward in the dark about what had happened.

They went out and picked out appropriate clothing for this event. Ed did not have that much of a problem, because he had no need to hide weapons and he was a man. Song was having serious problems. She ended choosing to forego actual weapons and just summon them using a scroll hidden in a cream clutch she found. "This is so stupid," she complained as they were heading back to the dorms, "Why us, really? We just back to Central." Ed ignored her for a moment, "Well I guess this is the last time I have to a mission like this."

Line Break

The night arrived, and Ed and Song headed over to meet up with the Burkhardts. Song had donned a skin tight strapless ruby red number that made her look even more attractive, with her hair loosely curled cascading down her back to her weight, except her blunt bangs straightened. All the darkness of her look made her green pop, especially with the ruby lipstick she chose. Ed just stuck with the typical black tux, because it was easy. He wore his hair in ponytail instead of the braid.

When they arrived they were ushered into the entrance hall. There they would meet their charges, Marcus and Lilliana Burkhardt. Down came a young redheaded girl with ice blue eyes, wearing an emerald green gown, and she then was followed by an older brunette man with the same ice blue eyes in a black tux similar to Ed's. "We really do thank you for doing this for us. My sister Lilliana and I are thrilled that you are willing to take time out of your duties to escort us."

"Major Elric and I are more than willing to do this, " replied Song, thinking at least they were the same age and he was attractive. Marcus did not seem too uptight for being the son of nobleman.

Ed was glancing toward Lilliana, thinking she was pretty just a little too prissy for his taste. He just had to make it through the night. Ed took her arm and led her out of the hall, and Marcus did the same to Song. Once in the car, Marcus leaned toward Song, "May I ask your name, they only called you Second Lieutenant Uchiha?"

"My full name is Song Uchiha of the noble Uchiha clan, wielders of the Sharingan Eye. This is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. That's all you're getting now. We're not here to make small talk, sir, but to make sure there are no assassination attempts."

"But you're so young," he asked.

"You really don't want to tick me off, I've been trained to kill since I was five. Trust me, we can do our jobs just as effectively as any older military men. Don't you dare imply that we are incapable fighters," Song said with steel in her voice that Edward feared.

"You're not a meek little flower then are you? I like that in a girl, most just flatter me, because of my position," he said eyeing her.

"Just don't be condescending and we'll get through this night as painlessly as possible," she said, looking pissed. She thought he had original seemed polite, but she hated when people doubted her because of her age.

"Hey Song, you were able to get all your weapons on your person, correct?" Song nodded, "Even the kusarigama?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed slapping the back of Ed's head, "Do you think I'm stupid? Is this Bitch about Song Day, or what? First, Mustang calling me to remind me not to screw up, then this kid questioning my age, and now you! Don't you have any tact?"

"Do you?" Ed asked in a smart-ass retort. Her eyes instantly turned deep red at this remark. Ed began to scoot away from her in fear, "Why can't you have normal eyes, those things are terrifying."

"The Sharingan is the sacred skill of the Uchiha, it is a proud thing to wield it," she said as their car arrived at the Armstrong Estate. "Look, here's the deal we make nice for tonight. What really matters is making sure no one attacks these two," she said with an even tone, "I'm sorry for my outburst earlier it was disrespectful. I just get frustrated a little easily. I do apologize." It was at the point Marcus really looked at Song, and he liked what he saw. She was a beautiful and independent woman, with a deep sense of pride for who she was.

"I'm sorry, Miss Uchiha for ever implying you are too young for this mission," said Marcus offering his arm to her.

"Th-thank you," she said out of complete shock as he took his arm as he led her inside.

"Now, the fun begins," whispered Lilliana to Ed, "Brother is such a stiff sometimes. He only came, because I wanted too. He needs to let go, and though it may not seem this way to you, he's quite taken with Miss Uchiha."

"Most men are, she seems to have that effect on them, but to me she's more like an older sister. Well, shall we?" Ed asked as he offered his arm to the lovely little Lilliana. Lilliana could see the respect he had for his older partner. They bickered yes, but it was in no way out of hate.

The ballroom was lavishly decorated with twinkling chandeliers and deep red rugs surrounding an open floor. A small string group was playing a lively number while many elegantly dressed couples danced around the floor. "Welcome Mr. Burkhardt and Miss Burkhardt," said a plump gentleman with a long blonde beard.

"Thank you, for inviting us Lord Armstrong. My sister and I are delighted to be here," Marcus replied with a slight bow.

"Who are your lovely guests?" asked Armstrong.

But before he could respond a burly man approached, "Major Elric, a pleasure to see you again!"

"Good evening Major Armstrong," Ed replied.

"You know my son?" asked the head of the Armstrongs.

"We worked together on many occasions before and after the Promised Day. How is Alphonse doing?"

"He's well, he's currently in Risembool with the Rockbells recovering. He's done with the military life. So, Mustang assigned me someone else to work with. Major this is Second Lieutenant Song Uchiha."

"A pleasure to meet you. I hope we get to work together at some point in the future, Major," she said offering her hand out to him. Armstrong accepted in agreement.

"May I ask then why you two are here? It just seems a bit odd," asked the major.

"Well, if you must know, sir I'm a bit odd and therefore I like to do odd things once in awhile, and Ed just happened to get dragged right in," this strange reply shut the group up at once. "Well, then I do thank you ever so much for letting us join, and I hope it is in no way an inconvenience to you."

"It is not in any way," replied Major Armstrong. The four of them left their hosts.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. They noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Song had located all the logical locations for a potential attack against the Burkhardts, and kept her well-trained eyes on those spots. May be they were overreacting a little Song thought to herself. Edward was thinking something similar, he saw no threat, no suspicious party goers, or the remotest sign of assault. However, he thought the second they let their guard down they may attack. Negligence was not an option in this case, because there was still a threat until they got the Burkhardts home.

However, it was then that Song saw him, a late guest. A late guest with weapons. "EDWARD!" she bellowed to her partner. She whipped out her scrolls containing her weapons and summoned her kusarigama and used to cut off the skirt of her dress revealing tight black shorts. The remainder of her dress she tore to reveal a white top. Then she summoned more kunai knives. Edward then appeared keeping Lilliana behind him. "So now the party really begins," she muttered to herself, "What do you what?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

"Them," he pointed Ed and her.

"Sorry, not going to happen," said Ed.

"You see that causes a little problem, because there is a little problem we have with the two of you. You see you killed our comrades in Homsfield, remember Buren?" at this remark Song quickly threw one of her kunai behind him. "Wow! Terrible aim."

"Not really," she said now appearing with the kusarigama's chain around his neck. God she's fast thought Ed. "Gotcha!"

Then the man began to furiously laugh, "You really think I came alone?"

"I was wondering about that," she whispered. Then ten men crashed through the windows of the ballroom, which left Edward alone to guard the Burkhardts, but she had a bargaining chip. Let's hope his men are loyal she thought. "Take one more step towards them, and he dies. Ed get them out of here."

Ed grabbed the two and herded them toward Major Armstrong, "Watch over them, Major, please. We'll be fine," Ed assured the older alchemists. Edward turned to face the man that Song was holding, "Look we didn't kill Buren. He attacked me the day before his death, we were both in the hospital in East City. We are not responsible for his death." As Ed was speaking three large men approached Ed.

"Behind you, ED!" shouted Song. Ed transmuted and his arm and began to fight. They were too slow for him, but he was hopelessly outnumbered. He was able to hold them off for several minutes. However, they managed to pin him on the ground with his arm behind his back. "Let him go," begged Song, "He didn't do anything, I did." All eyes now shifted to her strained face. "I killed Buren and his comrades that night. I slit one man's throat, scorched the other two, and slowly tortured Buren before stabbing him. Your grievance is with me and not with Ed," taking a deep breath to calm her anxiety and shaking body, "Let him go and take me. You can take me, and I let him go," she said indicating to the man she held captive. Her mind continued to swirl, "Major Armstrong will act as a mediator. You send Ed to him, and when he's safe, I'll give myself and him over to you."

"Sounds fair, miss," said the man she held captive, "We agree to your terms." He gestured to them to release Ed to the Major. Once Song saw that Ed and the Burkhardts were safe, she released her captive, who in turn made her his captive. "Oh, we're going to have some fun, missy. You will pay for what you've done," he whispered in her ear.