Hello everyone. This one was actually a bit more difficult to write than the others so far. I've never really wrote Hoenheim, let alone him while he was young, but I hope that it manages to capture him well.

Theme: Past
Characters: Hoenheim
Summery: Well, it seemed like his life was about to get a lot more interesting from now on. What a strange thing he was, that little one inside the flask.
Verse: Manga
Word Count: 336

Bright Future

Slave number 23, no wait, Von Hoenheim now, he reminded himself, went over the events of the day in his head as if they had been as normal as any other, although he knew for a fact that was anything but true. That creature, Homunculus he called himself, sure was an interesting one. The pain from when Master had forced him to give his blood would definitely be worth it if he went through with his promise of giving him knowledge.

Walking down the long hallways of his Master's home Von casually swung his mop, in a much better mood then normal as he thought of the possibilities Homunculus had offered him. Sure, he'd been perfectly fine with his position before, but that was when there was no way for it to change. Now, he could only imagine where he might end up. After all, the little homunculus was right about him not wanting to spend his whole life in a cage.

"Well, someone looks happy today," one of his fellow slaves, although not for long, said as he walked by him. Von just flashed him a smiled and shrugged as he flung the mop over his shoulder.

"Eh, I've been having a surprisingly good day," he said, and the older man jokingly made a face of shock.

"Surprising and good, will wonders never cease?" he said, and Von just laughed. "So, what happened anyway?" he asked, and Von just flashed him another smile as he started walking down the opposite direction.

"It's a secret!" he said happily, and the other slave didn't bother to press him, just shrugging slightly and continuing on his own way. Yes, it was a secret all his own, but hopefully not for long. Homunculus had promised him knowledge, and despite what he'd said, he knew he wasn't stupid. He would learn as fast as he could, and actually find a way to move himself up in the world.

Yes, soon number 23 would be nothing but the past to him.