Birth of the Water Weaver

The next morning Katie found Kat and Elly passed out on top of each other next to a large wall of rocks. Upon closer inspection Katie found clear water sitting at the top of the hole they had dug the night before. "I see…so that is what they were doing," the elder said coming up behind Katie. "Why don't we get them somewhere out of the sun and let them rest? They had a hard night."

Kat and Elly didn't wake up again until the late morning. And when Kat awoke, she found that the attitudes of many of the people had changed towards her. Several of the people who had been sick in their beds the days before came to her half recovered in order to thank her for the medicine and fresh water. The children no longer seemed frighten of her and they started calling her the Water Weaver.

"I apologize for my words yesterday," the mother of the sick child Kat had met told her. "Even though we treated you poorly, you still helped us. Thank you."

Kat couldn't remember feeling so warm inside. She felt like she had really made a difference. "I'm just glad I could help."

Elly was beaming that the people had finally seen the kindness that Kat always brought with her. She and Kat went about their day playing with the children and helping the adults whenever it was needed. Several times the children would ask Elly questions about how she escaped the siege and what had happened to her brother. Every time Elly would kindly explain that these were secrets and she refused to tell them no matter how much they begged.

"So how come you and the Water Weaver are such close friends?" one child asked as the sun started to go down again.

"Well you see, she saved my life once. Every since then I've been her partner making sure that she didn't lose her life like I almost did," Elly explained.

"Wow you two must be really close."

Meanwhile Kat was speaking with some of the adults nearby who asked her questions about what the army was plotting or if there was any change. Kat found it difficult to answer these questions since she wasn't very high up in the ranks and therefore knew nothing about their big plans if there were any. And then questions as to how she came to know Elly which led to stories of their adventures.

"Elly is probably the closest friend I've ever had," Kat said. "She's like a sister to me."

"I guess that explains why she'd stand up for you even though you are a soldier. You know you're lucky she was with you when you came, if it had been anyone else you probably wouldn't have gotten within 100 yards of this place," one of the men said.

"Oh you're being too hard on her, besides she did help get us clean water," one of the women retorted getting mad at him.

"You're right but we didn't know that when she first walked up."

"As I've said before, I'm just glad I could help," Kat repeated with a smile.

Meanwhile the children were staring at Elly with rapt attention as she divulged to them a particular story that had involved the two of them going to the mountains in the middle of winter to locate a laboratory that had been rumored to be producing illegal alchemy.

"What did you find in that lab?" Katie asked her mouth fully open.

"Not much really, just some alchemical symbols and a few weirdoes. Other than that there wasn't anything there," Elly explained.

"What did you do with those weirdoes?" a little boy named Jack asked hanging onto her every word.

"Well what we did was…." Elly started.

"Okay I think that's enough stories for tonight. We need to get some sleep, the elder says that we'll continue our journey tomorrow."

"Really? That's great, I hope nobody minds if Kat and I tag along to help you get to the encampment."

"After what you two have done for us, we would be honored if you would travel with us," the Ishbalen told her warmly.

"We have spare clothes for your journey until your originals get washed," a woman added with a smile.

"Thanks, I was wondering what we were going to do about our sweaty, stinky clothes," Elly said scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

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Late that night the group picked up their stuff and headed East for the other Ishbalan encampment. "Elly, where are you and Kat going?"

"We need to take care of something real fast," Elly shouted behind her. The two headed for the well and took a quick look around themselves to make sure no one was nearby. "Right let's take care of this thing before the group gets too far ahead," Elly said squatting down beside the well.

Kat gave Elly the thumbs up. "You got it." She placed her hands on the ground near the well and the water inside drained back down into the ground. "We wouldn't want anyone else finding this out here."

"Yeah, really," Elly agreed using her own alchemy to force the well to return to its original state. "Now that that's done let's get back to the group," Elly said getting up and leading the way. They reached the group in no time and traveled all night, reaching the encampment just as the sun was starting to rise.

Thanks to the new clothing that she was wearing, Kat was not met with the same hostility and mistrust as she was the first time around. She couldn't help but look around in admiration.

The encampment was very well made, with sturdy houses. Not far off there was a lake and fresh green grass was growing all around. It was a completely different setting. "It's beautiful," she murmured.

"It isn't really much," the leader of the encampment said walking up. "I'm very glad that we are able to help more of our people."

"We are very grateful for your hospitality," the elder told them taking the hand of the leader.

"Elder where would you like us to set up camp?" Elly asked with Katie standing next to her.

"I'm sure we can find some free spaces," the elder said to them. "For now, relax and we'll settle ourselves in, and be sure to watch over the young ones."

"Will do," Kat said grinning as one of the younger boys whom she had become acquainted with took a hold of her hand and began dragging her through the village, excited by the prospect of exploring his new surroundings.

Elly saw Kat disappear through the village and smiled to herself. "Hey Elly, I need to find my Mom. We got separated during the move," Katie said tugging on Elly's cloak.

"Alright, don't worry about it. I'll help you find your Mom," Elly told her taking her hand and leading her through the encampment in search of Katie's mother.

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"Whoa, slow down," Kat said laughing as she was dragged along. She looked back behind her to see that a couple other children had followed her and she couldn't help but feel like an older sister taking care of her younger siblings. She had always wondered what it would be like, being an older sister. It was a good feeling…

Suddenly she bumped into someone and stumbled backwards. "Sorry," she apologized. Then she started when she realized who she had bumped into.

"You," the man said staring at her. His right hand twitched, but he stopped at the sight of all the little children around her. "If you're here then Elinora must be," he added staring her down.

"Oh, so you remember me," Kat said with a weak smile. She hesitated before saying, "Well, yes. Elly is here with me. We were just escorting a group of travelers here."

"Elly and the Water Weaver helped us out lots," the little boy said grinning. "I was really sick but she made it all better."

Scar looked at her with a hint of surprise on his face. "I see. I'm glad you kids made it here okay," he finally said skipping over Kat entirely. "If you see Elly, tell her I'm looking for her."

"Sure," Kat promised. "I'll let her know."

"Know this, alchemist," Scar said walking by her. "I'm letting you go this one time as repayment for helping my people. But if we meet on the field of battle, I will not hesitate."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kat said with a smile. "And you better give your sister a hug when you see her."

Scar ignored the last comment and went looking around for his sister.

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"Oh there she is Katie," Elly said pointing out her mother as she moved back and forth from a recently set up tent.

"Mom," Katie shouted running to her mom's side.

"There you are. I was wondering where you disappeared to," her mother scolded.

"I was having fun with Elly Mom."

"I see, well thank you for helping her get back to me."

"No problem. If there is anything you need just let me know okay," Elly said turning around and going to find Kat.

"If you're looking for the alchemist girl, she's on the other side of the village," a hard voice said from behind her.

Elly spun around to see Scar standing there with bandages on his chest. "Nii-san. I didn't expect to see you here."

Scar's eyes darkened. "Nor I you. I thought you had abandoned our people. Never did I think our paths would cross in a place like this."

"What made you assume that? I didn't think I did anything that would make people think I betrayed my people," Elly said slightly put out.

"You sided with the alchemists," Scar said through clenched teeth. "After what they did to our people. And all this time, when I thought you were dead, I come to find out you've been with them this entire time."

"I haven't been with them the entire time. I haven't sided with all alchemists….only those that I have become friends with will I side with," Elly amended. "I think it should make you happy to know that I have not joined the army and never will. I will only help my friends and my family."

"I see," Scar said closing his eyes. "It would seem you've found a new life then. Very well. Do as you wish." And he turned away from her and began to walk off.

Elly grabbed his arm stopping him in his tracks. "Just because I have more to look forward to in this life doesn't mean that I've forgotten what I used to have."

Scar stood still for a moment, an ominous figure in the dying light of day. "What we used to have is gone," he told her and tore his arm out of her grasp. "Forever." And he left to continue his own personal quest.

Elly spent the next few hours and all that night staring into space thinking about her brother and what she was doing with her life. "Elly you haven't moved from that spot for a long time. What's on your mind?" the elder asked coming into her tent.

"It's nothing really. I can deal with it on my own," Elly responded with a small smile.

Kat came in stretching a little bit. "Ah, I trust you're enjoying your stay?" The elder asked politely.

"Yes, thank you," Kat said with a small bow. "Thank you for all your hospitality. But I'm afraid I have to depart tomorrow. I have a niece who is turning four and I would like to be there to celebrate the occasion."

"Understandable," he said nodding. "Will you be leaving as well, Elly?"

Elly took a moment to answer thinking everything through carefully. "Not this time. I think I'll stick around here to help where I can. Tell your family I said hi okay? And do me a favor and tell Roy that until further notice I'll be out of his overly greased, egocentric hair."

Kat gave a laugh. "I'll let him know."

"Your help has been much appreciated," the elder told her placing a hand on her shoulder. "No doubt stories of the Water Weaver will be passed amongst our people. We are in your dept, both of you."

Kat rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I don't know what else to say except, thanks."

"I couldn't have done it without you Kat, we should all be thanking you. Have a safe trip and don't let those Elric brothers give you any grief," Elly said waving goodbye.

"Are you sure you didn't want to go?" the elder asked as soon as Kat was out of earshot.

"At first I wasn't….but seeing the problems that are here makes me realize that this is where I am needed the most. Kat can take care of herself…and if she get's into too much trouble her brother can always find a way to bail her out."

"In that case, would you like a more permanent residence?"

"No thanks…this is just fine with me."

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"Water weaver where are you going?" a little voice asked running up to Kat.

Kat stopped and crouched down so that she was more eye level with him. "I'm going to go visit my family," she told him with a smile. "They live close by and it's been a while since I've had time to spend with them."

"You'll come back right?" The boy asked almost tearfully. "We'll see each other again won't we?"

"Of course. I'll come back the first chance I get," Kat promised, ruffling his hair. "Until then, take care of your sister, okay?"

The boy made a little salute, "I will." He waved and shouted after her as she walked away from the encampment. "I will see her again I know I will," he declared as he lost sight of her. Then he turned around and continued to play with his friends and sister.

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CM: Aww...that's so sweet. ^^ Next time...three parties in one. Stay tuned. ^^ And if you have the heart...PLEASE REVIEW. T_T