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I waited for Edward to show up with Armstrong. Breda was waiting with me,and our guide ; Mr. Han. When Edward showed up he didn't look too happy. When he saw me standing, he looked shocked.
"Sloane?"
I looked at him like I had something better to do. "Hey, Fullmetal. Let's get going, shall we?"
Armstrong nodded and we climbed onto our horses. Edward rode next to me, I could feel his eyes on me.
"Why did you mean that day?" He asked me. "When you said you're a monster?"
I ignored him and rode ahead, riding along with Han.
-Edward-
Sloane was riding with Han now. I groaned, then looked to Armstrong.
"Hey, Armstrong..." I rode next to him. "Why would Sloane think she's a monster? You and her are close, don't you have an answer for me?"
Armstrong studied me, then looked at Sloane's strong back. Sighing he said. "Before Mustang adopted her... Her other beat her."
I gasped. "So that's why..."
"There's something else, Edward Elric." Armstrong looked at me, almost glaring. "Why General Mustang didn't tell you about Hughes." My ears perked up at my dead friend's name. "Because she saw Hughes die, and she heard his last words. I think it was too painful for her to tell you."
My eyes went to the girl's back, studying it carefully. She was so strong, but so fragile at the same time. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to see through your soul, and her cascading black her complained it beautifully. I hurt her...
"She really does love you..." Armstrong said.
I choked, blushing deeply. I remember the day she told me. She ordered me to get out... I never did talk to her about it. Wait... Was she scared of my answer?! There's no way! Doesn't she know how much I worry about her? When I was Dublith, there wasn't a day I didn't think of her! I was worried she might get herself into trouble, or even more injured. Didn't she know? Of course she didn't because I never told her.
"Dang it..." I lectured myself. "I hurt her, didn't I?"
The blonde glared at me. "Yes, you did..."
After that we rode in silence. With Sloane ignoring me.
-Time skip, Sloane-
It's so hot... My automail feels like it's going to burn through my skin. It didn't help that Edward was whing. But I chose to ignore it until I came to the pool. Edward jumped in with his clothes on, excited to cool off his automail. But I waited out, not wanting to appear weak. I lead my horse to the water hole.
"My automail almost seared through my skin..." Edward looked horrible.
Mr, Fu, one of Ling's older ninja's. "Who's idea was it to bring the kids?"
"It was a direct order." Breda smiled.
Finally getting too Hot I got into the little pool. The cool water felt nice on my burned skin. I felt Edward's eyes on me.
"You okay?" He asked me.
I didn't answer for a moment, then nodded. "Just cooling off, Fullmetal."
He nodded, then got our. Taking of his shirt he started to squeeze out the water. I tried my hardest to not stare at his well built body. Feeling a blush coming on, I dunked under the water, holding my breath. When I came up again, Mr. Fu and Edward were talking about Xingese alkahestry and the legend about it. Not really caring, I got out and peeled off my shirt, leaving me with my strapless bra on. I started squeezing the water out. I didn't really care if the others saw me, it wasn't the first time I had to change in front of Armstrong and Breda. I walked to my horse, and got out the shorts I brought with me, just in case.
"Gah!" I heard Edward fall. "Sloane! What are you think you're doing?!"
I looked over at the fallen alchemist. "I'm changing... What does the female body scare you, Fullmetal?"
His face turned into a tomato, looking away. "No... It's just you- and... Nevermind."
I rolled my eyes, and put my shirt back on, then changed into my dry shorts, then I grabbed my hair and pulled it out of it's ponytail, letting the water hit my legs. I saw the guys walking ahead, and I decided to stay behind, letting them do their thing. I brushed my horse's mane, making it feel less gross. After a moment I heard Armstrong yelling Ross' name. That's when I decided to catch up to them. Armstrong was trying to catch Ross and hug her, while Edward was just smiling. When I came to stand by him and smiled at me sadly.
"I'm sorry..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "For being so..."
"It's fine." I said plainly. "I kept this and Hughes' death from you, or course you would be mad."
Edward sighed/groaned. Then I felt his hand slip into mine. "No, I'm sorry for everything... For every mistake I did, and for uh... when you, uh..." His face turned red. "When you told me you loved me." I felt my heart stop. He was going to reject me, I know it... But I waited silently for him to give me his answer. "And I was stupid to think that you knew... how much I lo-worried about you!"
I stared at him in shock. "Y-you love me?"
"Hmmm." I nodded, looking towards the ground. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, and... I don't think you're a monster, I could never think that of you." He finally looked up at me, then laughed. :"You're finally smiling."
I wasn't just smiling, I had a full wide grin on my face. In one whole movement, I let go off his hand, grabbed his face and kissed him full on the lips.
"General mustang?" I heard Ross. "Why are you-"
I ignored her, and continued to kiss him. Edward was shocked at first, but relaxed and wrapped an arm around my waist, bringing me closer to him. Once we had no more air, we parted. But as soon as we did we turned red. We heard the snickers of the others around us.
"I think we should fill in the Major and Edward!" I exclaimed, taking Edward's hand and walking towards a spot to sit.
Mr. Fu filled them in, with the help of Breda. I was too embarrassed to talk, so I just sat there, with my hand in Edward's.
"So we all agreed to rendezvous here," Breda explained to Edward. "In one big effort to aid the lieutenant's escape."
Armstrong nodded. "I see..."
"You've gotta be joking." Edward smiled. "I can't believe the Colonel-"
"And me!" I cut in.
"Was able to pull one over on us like this." he continued without missing a beat.
Breda laughed"He knew it'd be easier to convince you if you actually saw Lieutenant Ross."
Edward raised his hands, forgetting my own, and made a gesture of bowing... Sorta. "Fine, I'll admit it, alright? He actually knew what he was doing this time."
"You forgetting me, Fullmetal." My eyebrow twitched.
"Sorry, sorry..." He laughed. "You're pretty smart yourself!"
I rolled my eyes at the blonde.
"He mentioned something else." Breda smirked. "He said he didn't want to take a chance on some hot-tempered kid endangering the operation... so he sent you out here."
"HOT-TEMPERED KIIIIIDDD!?" Edward looked ticked off.
"You said operation..." Armstrong ignored Edward. "Is there a phase beyond liberating Lieutenant Ross?"
Breda nodded, still smirking. "Indeed. He's got a plan to reel in the puppeteer... the one that's behind the conspiracy."
"No one calls me a-" Edward stopped his ranting. "Wait, what'd you say?"
"You remember Barry from the Fifth Lab, right?" Breda asked Edward. "he went on one heck of a rampage. They're bound to send someone to reclaim him."
Edward nodded. "Pretty clever..."
In the corner of my eyes I saw Ross mumbling something to herself, as Armstrong drew pictures of the Homunculi.
"We've collected a fair amount of intelligence." Breda informed us. "And once we properly piece it together we'll have the general's killer."
My heart did a solid skip as they talked about Hughes.
Armstrong, finished with his drawing folded his arms and looked to Ross. "I promise you this. Lieutenant... we will absolve you of this crime!"
"Lieutenant col-" Edward stopped himself, looking at the pictures. "I mean General Hughes... It's just hard to accept that he's dead."
I nodded, grabbing Edward's metal hand.
"And what shall you do now, Edward Elric?" Armstrong asked the blonde.
My blonde alchemist was silent for a moment then answered. "Al and I committed a taboo... but we still have people that help us. Some people get angry at us... And others support us silently. Each one of them has tried to help me keep my promise to my brother." Edward's hand tightened around his metal wrist, his fingertips touching mine. "So I have no choice... I can't turn back. Which means, all I can do is move forward, right? And I'll protect everyone I can along the way. I refuse to let another person become a victim...Not while I'm alive." Edward let go of my hand and stared down at his own. "I know that's a hard promise to keep...It's hard enough just trying to take care of myself. And to think that I'm even capable of it... Maybe I'm just arrogant. But... It's the only thing I can think of... So I have to do it... I have to." He looked up with fierce determined eyes. And it made me proud to know him.
"And you Lieutenant?" Armstrong looked at the woman. "Where do you intend to seek asylum?"
Ross smiled. "Well... I think that I'm gonna give Xing a shot."
I felt myself blush as I remember when Ling kissed me not just a day ago. I didn't think they would notice, but apparently Breda did.
"Hey, General Mustang?" He asked me, concerned. "Why so red? Are you hot?"
Edward now looked at me. "Do you need water, Sloane?"
That caught Mr. Fu's attention. "Sloane Mustang?"
"Yes..." I nodded. "Who else would I be?"
"Well..." The old man smiled. "The young Lord was just telling me about a 'Sloane' that he fancied. and how he stole her first kiss from her!"
Edward shot up from his seat. "Ling did what?!"
"Oh, so Edward wasn't your first?" Breda Laughed. "That makes two people the Colonel has to kill."
"Honestly..." Armstrong sighed. "Young girls should keep their kisses sacred! And far from the boy's reach!"
Edward was fuming. "When I get my hands on that good for nothing prince, I'll give him a good beating! I'm gonna-"
"As the commanding officer here, everyone but Edward, leave!" I ordered, standing up. They all got up, and started walking towards the horses. Once I thought they were far enough, I looked to Edward. He was sitting down with a not so pleased expression. Sighing, I walked over and sat down next to him. "Ed-"
"I know it's not your fault..." He cut me off. "It's that stupid's prince."
I couldn't help but crack a smile. "I know..."
"And... I'm fine with it, but under one condition." Edward was bright red, not really looking at me.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow.
The blonde slowly looked at me. "I g-get all t-the rest."
Now I was red, but smiling. "I can live with that."
Edward grinned, wrapping an arm around my waist and bringing me closer to him. I looped my arms around his neck, and rested my forehead against his, breathing him in. I always dreamed of this when I was growing up, Hoping that this man, would eventually become mine. Your mine... All mine and no one else's. The blonde finally closed the space between us and placed his lips over mine. He kissed me lovingly and gently, showing me he really did care for me. I felt so fragile in his arms, so small. But, at the same time... I felt so beautiful and complete. Finally out of breath, we parted, resting our foreheads against one another.
"You're amazing..." I sighed.
I heard him chuckle. "I should be saying that to you..."
"You make me blush, Edward Elric." I pecked his lips, then went to stand up. "We should say our goodbyes to Ross."
Edward nodded and got up, grabbing my hand.
"Any parting wishes?" Armstrong asked. "Shall I tell your parents?"
Edward was looking down, sad to see Ross leave. She was petting her horse and after a second she turned around.
"No, sir..." She smiled. 'As much as I want them to know I'm okay, I'm scared it would be too much of a risk... I just don't want to put them in that kind of danger."
Armstrong nodded. "Very well."
"General Mustang, Major armstrong... Lieutenant Breda." Ross sounded serious. "Please deliver a message to the Colonel... I need him to know how grateful I am for what he's done. If there's any way I can help him, tell him to send for me... I owe him a great debt," She saluted us. "And I am willing to put my life on the line to repay it."
"Right!" The three of us saluted back.
Then, Ross walked over to Edward, who was raising his own hand to salute, but instead looked shocked at the outstretched hand in front of him, and smiled. "Goodbye, Edward... Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I still owe you..." The blonde smiled sadly. "For slapping me, that is."
"You can get me next time." She laughed.
Edward grabbed her hand and shook it, after letting go she looked at me. "It was a pleasure, Sir."
"The pleasure was all mine." I laughed. "Now you better get going to your new home, Lieutenant."
Ross nodded then hopped onto her horse, and they left. As they got further away, Edward said. "Alright... Next time then."
I groaned, and stretched my shoulders. "I wiped out!"
"I wanna go look around." Edward stated.
"I'll come with!" I smiled.
Edward gave me a look. "I don't need a babysitter..."
My smiled vanished, and I frowned. "Fine... I'll stay here and rot, thinking 'why didn't I just choose Ling instead of Edward?'. I mean he is a prince of a different country, and is planning to become Emperor. That would make me queen of a whole country! and what do I get with-"
Edward stopped my ranting with a kiss. after he was done, he glared at me, with a smirk. "You wouldn't dare..."
"Maybe I wouldn't..." I smirked. "But, maybe I would."
The blonde groaned and turned on his heel, walking towards somewhere I didn't know where. Sighing, I turned to Armstrong and Breda. "Let's start to pack up."
After we got it all packed and Edward came back, a sharp pain went through my right shoulder, then my automail went slack. "What the crap?! I just got you check! I can't believe I'm going to have to go all the way to Rush Valley and get this stupid thing fixed!"
"Well, maybe we can see if Granny Pinako will fix for ya..." Edward smiled at me. "She's best in the business!"
Sighing, I nodded. "Well, might as well take it off..." I started to reach for the the bolts, but Edward beat me to it.
"Your going to hurt yourself..." He help take it off, and then put it in one of the packs.
I smiled, and pecked his cheek. "Thanks, Ed."
-Time Skip-
We said our goodbyes to Breda and Armstrong. Edward started to lead me towards the Rockbell's, with my left hand in his metal right. Edward carried my automail in his free hand.
"This is nice..." I smiled.
The blonde nodded. "It's nice to come out here once and awhile, getting out of all the noise of the city."
"I actually plan to retire soon..." I told him. "And build a house out here."
"You're going to leave your dad like that?" Edward raised an eyebrow.
I sighed. "I would go and visit from time to time, but... I don't know how much I can take of this government. I can feel my body getting more tired and weak. My Dad knows my plan, and he agrees."
"Why would your body be getting more weak?" Edward asked me.
"Did I ever tell you that my real father died?" I looked down at my feet. "Well, I was only seven at the time but, the slow death of my father drove my mother crazy... Ed, I have-"
Edwards stopped and gasped. I looked up at him, and followed his gaze. At a tombstone there was a blonde man with a brown trench coat.
"Hohenheim..."
Will Edward find out what is wrong with Sloane? What will eh do when he does find out? Review!
