First off, let me say how so really sorry I am about the long hiatus. D:

Ok, now, back to the story: It's kind of a short since I'm wrapping up Ed, Al, and Aysa's stay at the Rockbells and this little time set back thingy. You know, how the trio are all 13 and 12? Well, in the next chapter, they will all be 15 and 14.

But, even though the next chapter will be in Lior, Aysa will not always be with Ed and Al throughout the story. Sometimes, she may/will do different assignments or other things that do not involve the brothers. Just trying to let you know that.

TaysGoinGhost/HayateIzumi---Thanks for the review and help that you've been giving me!! You really helped me with this fic!! You guys are uber great :D

Also, no matter how "romantic" this chapter might start to seem…IT'S NOT SUPPOSE TO BE!! mmkay?

Declaimer---I own nothing!! Nothing from FMA!! But Aysa and any other OC characters I have put into this story!!

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Chapter Seven: Aysa Gets a Dose of Reality

The sun was beginning to set as Aysa stomped through the grass. The heat that the girl was in right now could have probably burst the meadow into flames immediately if it were possible. She had no idea where she was going, but could care less now.

All that was running through Aysa's mind as she flattened grass was how angry she felt.

Aysa finally came to a stop to take a deep breath. She dared herself to look back to make sure no one was following her. All was clear. Turns out her anger didn't take her far away – she could still see the Rockbell's house not too far off. She then turned back to look ahead of her. Seeing the sunset give off an atmospheric orange and red glow and color the horizon gave Aysa a little more peace. A small breeze from the wind made Aysa summon up a weak smile from her lips as she took in the air. All she wanted was to be alone for a bit and have some time to think. Putting her hands together, she transmuted the ground into a stone bench from a collection of rocks that she had just piled up. Making sure that it faced the setting sun, she seated herself on the cool, rock area. Then without any other consideration, she just began to ponder…ponder some more …and ponder further.

She pondered about how unforeseen this day turned out to be. She began to ponder how many new things she learned about the Elrics. She began to ponder how much she despised Edward.

Moreover, she pondered that if collaborating with Ed was either for better or for worse.

Aysa failed to notice that her deep thoughts had taken her all the way into the dark, starry night. The mysterious moon gave off its luminous moonbeams, which was the only source of light for the female alchemist.

"What did you do to that girl, Ed?"

"I didn't do anything to her! Like I said before, we were sparring and then the next thing you know, she knocked me down and went ballistic on me."

"It's true, Winry. Aysa did get angry at him for no apparent reason."

Ed and Al had just got through with explaining to Winry and Pinako, again, on what had happened with Aysa. It was starting to get dark, and the girl still had not returned to the Rockbell's house. Winry sighed and looked out the window, wondering what could have occurred to make Aysa just storm off. In fact, everyone in the room was wondering that same thing.

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Aysa looked up, finally noticing that the sunset sky had now turned into a dark, starry night.

'Geez, I've been out here for that long?' she thought silently to herself. Time sure does fly fast when your mind seems to be so concentrated on so many different things. However, she really didn't want this tranquil peace that she was experiencing to end. She didn't want anyone to disrupt it. Out of the blue, she sensed another person's presence nearby from the sound of rustling grass. She turned her head to see none other than Edward. She groaned to herself, regretting that she ever jinxed the thought.

"What the heck are you doing out here for? Because of you, Winry and the others are blaming me on everything that happened."

"So…?"

"So, I'm not gonna get yelled at again just because you don't want to come inside!" Ed said as he emphasized the word, "again."

Aysa sighed loudly, "Just leave me alone Ed…I'm not really in the mood to argue, ok?"

Ed came up to Aysa, now in front of her. "What's your problem?"

No response. Only the rustle of grass from the breezy wind broke the silence. "Hello? I know you hear me talking to you."

"Ed, I told you to leave me alone!" Aysa's voice rose a bit louder and carried a firm demand with it. She was beginning to get very annoyed with him.

"And I told you to tell me what was wrong!"

That was it. If Ed wanted to hear the truth, then Aysa would give him the truth. "Fine! You wanna know what is wrong!? The truth is that…. I'm jealous of you, Ed….." There was another moment of silence before Aysa added in, "There! I said it! Are you happy? Now go away!"

Ed stood there frozen for a second. It was a while before he responded in a vacant voice, "So…that's the reason…Why?"

Aysa went on with a calmer voice than before, "Why not? I mean, look at you, then look at me. My brother is gone because of my stupid mistake. You on the other hand…You still have Al. Even though he isn't exactly the same Al he was before…At least he's still alive. I guess…seeing you makes me wish that I still had Zane right here with me." Aysa paused before saying, "So there you have it."

Edward looked at Aysa. He now finally understood why she was acting the way she was. Nevertheless, even though all this happened to her, it still didn't mean that she should go into despair over it. He crossed his arms and said blankly, "So what're you going to do? Keep beating yourself up about it? Instead of focusing on the bad times that you had with your brother, try and focus on the good times you had. Same goes with your mother."

Aysa thought that she had been hit in the head with a ten pound weight that spelled the word "Reality" onto it. Out of all the years that she had been pining about how it was all her fault her brother was gone, she never concentrated on the good times she had with him.

She should try it. Who knows? It might even work.

Aysa's tone lightened as she said, "Hmm. Guess I never thought of it that way…" Aysa half smiled as she looked up at Ed. "Guess that mind of yours is useful for some things!"

"And what is that suppose to mean?!" Ed said in an irritated tone.

Aysa rolled her eyes, but inside, she was grateful for the advice Ed had given her. No matter how well she hid it.

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After the talk, Aysa realized that Ed was indeed quite right regarding thinking about positive things instead of the bad. During the rest of the stay at the Rockbells house, Aysa never did flood herself with tragic memories as she did before. If she ever did start to think about Zane and her mother, it would be about the good times. The times that they had shared together as a family. And this was only if she thought about it.

Aysa also learned to not hang on to the past, and to move forward. Sure, she would occasionally recollect on Zane and her mom, but it was never for long like before. However, Aysa wasn't the only one changing. Ed was finally starting to accept the fact that Aysa was his partner. He was even starting to regret ever thinking that she was sort of a setback of any kind. Both Aysa and Ed had changed greatly throughout their time at the Rockbell's house, and everyone could tell.

However, it came time to when the trio had to leave Winry and Pinako. "Colonel's orders," Aysa commented. The sun was setting, signaling the end of a long day and week. Winry, Pinako, Den, Ed , Al, and, lastly, Aysa, all stood outside, saying their farewells to each other.

"Now, don't be strangers. Fill free to come by any time you'd like," Pinako said.

Ed, Al, and Aysa all nodded with Al replying, "Don't worry. We will."

"So…when will be the next time we see you guys back?" Winry asked in a low voice.

"Soon…"It wasn't the exact answer she wanted from Ed, but it would have to do. She sighed and smiled. The three alchemist smiled back – Aysa's and Ed's could be seen, but Al's could not. With that, Ed and Aysa grabbed their bags and the three turned to head off. However, not before Aysa could get any further, Winry stopped her in her tracks.

"Aysa?"

The female alchemist turned as the Elrics continued to walk. "Hm?"

"Make sure you take care of Ed and Al for me, ok? You know their bound to get into some trouble sometime…"

Aysa paused, then smiled, "Sure. No problem. Thanks for the automail, by the way. Really looks good!" The automail that Winry had replaced for her had fitted perfectly. And this comment that Aysa gave Winry made her feel happy.

Winry nodded.

"Hey, Rookie! Lets go!"

The two girls turned to see Ed waiting impatiently with his suitcase flung over his shoulder and Al standing next to him. Both looked as if they were shadows while standing in front of the setting sun's sunlight. Aysa turned back to Winry, ignoring Ed's eager comment and taking her time with her good-bye. "Well, see ya, Winry. It was nice getting the chance to meet you."

Then, with that, Aysa Lockhart joined Alphonse and her new partner, Edward, to their next journey.

Whew! Glad that's over with! Well, people, you know the guidelines! Give me some feedback to help improve this fic! Crit is always appreciated (and needed)since this is my first story:D