Disclaimer: I don't own FullMetal Alchemist . . . What? I can't be witty all the time TT;

Note: Sheesh . . . This chapter sure took it's time to get started ¬; School's been crazy and I've barely had time to go on the computer, let alone write. I'm sure you've all heard this before so I'll keep it short! Thanks to all of you who are new and decided to take the time to check out my story and (as far as I can see) enjoy it. All of you from Deviant Art . . . Thanks DOUBLE to you since I haven't been able to get on my DA account lately or update TT--TT yet you still have read this! THANKS! Oh, and Samy-chan, I saw that you read My Little Fox - OMG! That made me soooo happy! Thank you girl! Oh, and I'd like to say HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY on here since I have yet to give you a birthday gift. YOU TOO ILE-NEESAMA! HAPPY BELATED B-DAY! I signed on recently and saw that your birthday had passed and I didn't even say that TTATT GOMEN! Well, now the two of you have my blessings here on for all to see! I'll give you guys gifts soon! I PROMISE! o Love ya!

Now onto the story AT LAST XD Hmmm . . . Wonder why I picked the title "Departure" huh? Mysterious don't ya think? XP Well, you'll have to read and find out why! ¬ ENJOY!


Chapter Nine : Departure

Central, from the point of view of an outsider, had always seemed to be that of a quiet place, which was probably truer at that point in time then any other. For when something quite unexpected happens between two people, and neither of them were prepared for it, distance is the first thing to arise and push it's way in between. Not to say that the days didn't pass as they normally did; on the contrary. The time it took to complete a casual day seemed to have dwindled compared to the days of the recent past. Which is to say that Ed and Roy were able to find their ways around each other and hadn't seen the other for weeks.

It was one particular morning that things started to become a problem, at least buisness wise, and the only one who seemed to care was the youngest of the bunch . . . Alphonse.

"Nii-san . . . I know you've been avoiding going to Central's office, or seeing the Colonel entirely for that matter, but how do you expect to gain the information we need by doing so?" He asked, sounding both annoyed and worried.

Ed didn't respond with anything but a scowl, knowing very well his brother was right.

"Look -" Al continued,"I don't know what it is that possibly made you want to avoid the Colonel this much, but we have more important matters at hand! Or is it . . ." he paused, conjuring up the words he was about to say with a slight hesitation."that you don't care about getting my body and your limbs back any longer?"

The blonde jerked his gaze in his brothers direction,"What are you talking about? Of course I still care! I wouldn't be here if I didn't-" Ed stopped himself when he looked into Al's lifeless eyes, feeling the saddness seep through him with the help of his guilt. He sighed heavily,"Fine . . . Let's go to the office." he responded gloomily.

Alphonse jumped out of his seat and brightened up, grabbing the sleeve of his brothers red coat. As he dragged the small alchemist out of their apartment room Ed grimanced about the awkward atmosphere to come.

With not a moment to spare, the two Elric brothers quickly made there way to the main office buildings of Central and found themselves at the foot of the stairs leading to the entrance. Edward was the one that stopped them both.

Al looked back,"Don't tell me you're backing out now Nii-san? I thought you were one who didn't back out of his word?" the youngest one exclaimed, pouting with both gloved hands resting on his metal hips.

"N-No . . . It's not that. I just-" He paused, sighing inwardly for the uptinth time that day."Nevermind, but you're coming with me!" Ed demanded, looking worriedly stern with a drop of sweat making its way down his cheek.

The metallic boy agreed, and continued to drag the blonde along. After climbing a flight of stairs and waving friendly hello's to aquantinces, the two of them quickly were staring at the articulate red wood that made up the Colonel's door.

"Do I have to?" Ed whined.

"Yes Nii-san, or do you not love me anymore?" Al responded, looking at his brother with eyes like a begging kitten.

Slapping a hand to his forhead, the small alchemist said,"FINE! But just to let you know, that excuse of me not loving you can only work oh so many times."

Alphonse smiled, giggling softly, and knocked on the door. The moment foot steps could be heard on the other side, Al took a step back in preperation and dashed off, leaving Ed alone.

"AL, YOU TIN CAN! GET BACK HERE!" The blonde screetched after his little brother, waving his fists madly in the air.

Suddenly the footsteps stopped and the door knob slowly began to turn. Edwards heart was pounding against his chest painfully and he was beginning to become very nervous. Slamming his eyes shut, just as the door creaked open an inch, he thought frantically, I can't do this!

"May I help you Major Elric?"

Slowly opening his eyes, who he saw standing in the doorway before him was definately not the Colonel . . . Or male for that matter."Uh-um-I was just-" he studdered, waving his hand about.

Hawkeye stared at the blonde before stepping aside, allowing him passage. Without arguing Edward inched through, examining the room carefully for any signs of the flame alchemist; there was none.

"Files on the newest information we've recieved are resting on the Colonel's desk. They've collected quite a large amount of dust if I may add . . ." Riza said, her tone exhibiting her annoyance.

Ed grinned wearily and rubbed the back of his head,"Yeah, about that-"

"I don't need any details. What I'd like for you to do is to read through all of them and report back here when you know what it is we're asking." She interrupted.

Walking over to the empty desk, the small alchemist reached over and clentched the large pile with his hands. As he did so, a small, handwritten note caught his eye that read, 'Important! Meet Fuhrer in the conference room.' As he pulled away, his hearts pace began to quicken.

"If I may ask, where has the Colonel gone and why?" The blonde boldy questioned.

Hawkeye quirked a brow, taking a seat in her small chair and spinning it around so that her back was facing him."He's in a conference . . . That's all I know."

Something in her voice told Edward that the women wasn't being completely honest with him, but he wasn't in the mood to push it any further then that. Bowing deeply and walking out, Ed didn't know what to make of the Colonel's absence. Was he in some kind of trouble? Did the military find out about their little mishap and freak out? Was he next to go into that conference room?

All of a sudden the situation that had been bothering the blonde for sometime now had become ten times as bothersome. It was causing Ed's mind to race, along with the muscle that layed rest in his chest..


30 Minutes Before . . .

Resting his chin on entwined hands, Roy's mind was way beyond his office and all the way at his house, in the very room where the trouble began. Had Major Hawkeye not of rapped at the door, it's plausable that the Colonel's mind would've stayed there.

"Yes, come in . . ."

Inching the door open, Riza peered in before entering completely."I have a few new reports for you sir." she stated, approaching his desk cautiously.

Roy noticed the reluctant behavior and shifted in his chair, placing his palms on the surface of his desk."Oh for God's sake Riza, I'm not going to bite you. Actually, I expected you to bite me . . ."

Hawkeye frowned,"Is that how you see me? Some ravinous women who bites before she barks? Well I'll let you know-"

"Riza, please! Not today of all days! I haven't seen you in what feels like months and our first meeting . . . You want it to be a war?" Roy pleaded, clentching his fists.

The blonde women tore her gaze from his and crossed her arms over her chest to better support the documents."Fine . . . I suppose you're right."

The Colonel's brow raised slightly."You 'suppose' I'm right? Of course I'm right, now, that pile of paper in your hands. I assume they were the files you were talking about?" he asked, his voice raspy as if he had just woken up.

Being her normal, obidient self, Riza nodded and handed him the papers."There's been reports on recent activity in a small town to the east. It's said that there's been a number of murders that all involved childern at about the age of 10; a year older or younger . . . It varies."

Mustang scanned the documents with his eyes as Hawkeye spoke, taking in both the vocal information and written."I see. Is that all? There's no strange attributes to these murders or strange behavior with the inhabitants?" he asked, his voice skeptical.

Riza smirked,"It's sounds just like you to find out the flaws in a mission before you accept it." she spoke lightly, sarcasim dripping off every word.

Roy stared at the women for a moment,"If you're trying to be smart with me, I won't have it. As I said before, I don't want a war between us-"

"Who said anything about us? I was talking about the mission and nothing more. I believe it's YOU who brought into a different context sir and I'd appriciate it if you didn't-" Riza interrupted, only to be interrupted herself.

A man of small stature with thick trimmed glasses and dark, spiked hair came crashing through the door. Breathing heavily, he rushed to solute but ended up only smacking his forhead.

Watching him with a look of surprise, the Colonel let out a small laugh and then asked,"What is so important, Major Fury, that you had to slap yourself?"

Fury took in a large breath and let it out, obviously catching his barings, and then replied,"I have a message from the Fuhrer himself for you sir! He's asked me to give you this . . ." His voice faded as he searched his pockets frantically for the note he had been given. When he finally found it, sighing in relief, he walked to the front of the raven haired man's desk and handed him to tiny piece of paper and waited for dismissal.

Waving a hand for Fury to leave, Roy read the note over."Important! Meet Fuhrer in the conference room." he repeated, raising an eyebrow."What the hell could he want me for?"

Riza merely shrugged and took a seat in her neat, leather chair."I'd suggest you go and find out."

Without any argument, Mustang arose from his seat and walked out of the office room, making his way through the corridor with his thoughts to keep him company.

Let's think this over . . . I haven't DONE anything wrong that I can remember. That is, unless, they've found out about . . . that . . . accident. Oh crap.

For the sake of his own sanity, he haulted all inner monologue and shoved his hands into his pockets as Ed normally did when he was pouting. Realizing the similarity, he slowly pulled his gloved hands out and stared down at them, stopping dead in his tracks.

Suddenly, for no reason at all, Roy clentched his heart and frowned."Even the smallest thing makes me think of you, idiot." and with that, he continued his small journey to the conference room.


"What could be taking so long? He's been in there for more than an hour and it's starting to make me nervous!" Havoc asked the croud of officers that surrounded him, all wondering the same thing.

"Beats me . . . Maybe he did something to piss the Fuhrer off? Mustang's never been one to hold back any lingering thoughts-" Heymans began, taken off his train of thought by a sudden, high-pitched yelp and a ball of fur flying into his lap.

The four of them glanced over to find Riza heading in their general direction."Status report?" She asked coldly, looking, or more along the lines of glaring at Vato, who shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Freeman shot out of his seat and saluted, despite being of the same rank, and stated,"Colonel Mustang is still in the Fuhrer office 'mam! We were just discussing as to why and-"

"I'd suggest you cease wondering about it and get back to work. This office isn't a place for social gatherings. No if you'll please-" At this point, Hawkeye reach over to Heyman's lap and pulled Hataye from his comfortable postition, placing him against her left shoulder."I'd like the updated missions reports so that I may do MY work."

The four men saluted and walked away, except for Fury who ran across the room in order to retrieve said report. The moment he was gone, the blonde women sighed heavily, taking a seat in the nearest chair and placing Hayate in a small pillowed bed, made by Alphonse for a birthday gift."Even though I said that . . . I really don't feel up to looking over these." She said softly, gently tossing them on the surface of the desk she was at. After a moment of silence, there was a light knock on the door and Riza turned her head to face it."Yes! Come in!"

Surprisingly, a familiar blonde headed face stuck inside and blinked awkwardly."Major Hawkeye? I thought you were in the other office? I could have sworn-"

"It's true, you and I had a remote conversastion in a different location, but being the busy woman that I am I came to this office to complete my work. Now, may I ask as to why you have come here?" She interrupted, sneering slightly.

Ed gulped back a nervous lump in his throught and stepped in slightly."Uh, I was just looking for Al is all. He ran off awhile back and I can't seem to find him."

Riza sighed as she had before and looked out her window, the library in her sights,"I'd try looking where he normally goes when he comes here, wouldn't you?"

The boy smiled and rubbed the back of his head,"I-I guess you're right. For some weird reason it didn't come to mind." he stated, followed by an odd laughter.

The woman stared heavily at the alchemist, her emotions unreadable, making it even harder for the boy to say calm."Are you hiding something?"

FullMetal jumped, Does she know? Or is this just her usual sharp nature surfacing? I wish she'd be more expressant! he thought intensly, laughing again and rubbing the back of his head to the point of partial baldness."H-H-Hiding something? What ever would I hide? Nothing weird's gone on to make me avoid anybody like the Colonel recently, I swear!"

There was an awkward silence, followed by a gallon of sweat falling from the boy's face.

IDIOT! What the hell did you go and do that for! It's like holding up a sign that says," The Colonel and I kissed and I'm scared to see him! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME! His thoughts ran wild for another good two seconds before the blonde was forced to a hault by a sudden hand ruffling the top of his head.

"If you're looking for Alphonse, I just ran into him a minute ago in the halls. He's looking for you."

Edward's expression froze, the voice going through one ear and out the other with the speed of a sloth. His eyes slowly found their way upwards, being met by dark pools that stared down at him curiously."C-Colonel . . . I thought . . . you were with the Fuhrer?"

Roy found his way past the boy and plopped down in the nearest seat."I was, for the past hour and a half! I wish that old fart would just give me his job already. My feet ache from standing up all that time!"

Before the small alchemist could ask, Hawkeye jumped at the oppertunity and took it herself."So what was it exactly that he needed to discuss so badly that you had to leave me to do your work?"

The raven haired man sighed,"Unfortunately I'm not at liberty to discuss that, but I will say this-" At that moment he glanced over at Ed, startling the blonde."It has to do with someone that's close to me . . . and not in a pleasant way."

The two alchemists shared a moment with their eyes, giving Ed the impression that Roy was speaking of the person he least wanted to think about. When he asked with his eyes, Roy nodded and Ed's head sank."Oh . . . " he whispered to himself.

Bringing his head back up with a stupid grin plastered to it, Edward announced,"Well, I should go look for my brother so I'll be off now-"

"I'll escort you."

The blonde was taken back,"You don't need to Colonel. I'm sure a walking piece of metal like Al won't be hard to find."

Getting up from his seat and slowly approaching Ed, Roy bent down so that his lips were lightly touching the tip of his ear."I need to talk to you. Perferably without Riza or anyone else around." he whispered, breathing ever so gently on the boys skin.

With chills jet-rocketing down his spin, the small alchemist nodded and walked out first, his heart pounding against his chest.

"I'll be off then Major. See to it that any additional work makes it's way to my desk."

Without question or thought, Hawkeye closed her eyes and said,"Yes sir."

With that, the Colonel stepped out and began to walk down the hall oposite of his last meeting place with Al, but Ed didn't know that. The two of them walked silently next to each other, the atmosphere as tense as a battle to the death. Needless to say, the younger of the two wish he could've just exploded and been done with.

Stopping without warning, the blonde bumped into the taller man's back and was forced to cling tighty to the back of the man's jacket."U-Uh, Colonel? Is there a reason you make a better wall then a door?"

Staring to his right at a wodden door, Roy merely dragged the boy inside and pinned him to a wall, hoving his upper body over Ed. With the newly formed situation blantantly obvious reasons wise, the blonde found his gaze trying it's best to stay away from the other man's. Using a hand to lift the boy's chin upwards, their eyes met.

"Would you like to tell me why you've been avoiding me for the past few weeks?" Mustang questioned, his tone deep and dripping with anger.

FullMetal's lower lips began to quiver uncontroably, leaving the boy without anything to say, that is until something clicked."I-I was . . . afraid."

The Colonel lifted a brow,"Afraid? Afraid of what? Me? Am I that bad?"

The boy's heart felt like it's pop,"N-No! That's not it! I was afraid of this-" he waved a hand in the space between them, meaning them as a "pair".

"How can you be afraid of that? It's not like I got on my knees and proposed! All I did was kiss you, even if I'm not sure as to why . . . Look."

Edward found the courage to look up at the man, his eye exhibiting his confusion."What?"

Roy sighed gently, his head sinking so that his face was practically out of sight."You've done something too me that I can't control no matter how much I try to understand it and I admit, it's abit frightening. However, if this feeling of mine isn't a fluke and it's what my heart is telling me, then I believe I've developed feelings for you that I can't seem to discribe."

It seemed as all the heat in the boy's body rose to his face, making his hard for Ed to breath."W-What're you-"

"Whether or not you accept these feelings of mine id your choice, but if I don't get something out of you anytime soon-" Mustang slowly rose his head, bringing him face-to-face with the blonde."-I feel like I'm going to go crazy."

With their faces so close together, Edward felt himself slipping into a deeper hole than the one he was already in. Although, something in his mind made his heart ache horribly when the Colonel spoke, causing tear to well up at the edges of his eyes.

"I-I don't know . . . I mean, I'm confused about what I'm feeling . . . and I just lost Winry, Al's depressed whether or not he shows it, Tobias is after me for some weird reason . . . I just don't know if I deserve any happiness after all that-"

Without warning, the raven haired man pulled the blonde into a deep embrace, his hands clentching both his back and head, fingers entangled with his hair."Don't say speak that way. You don't know how depressed you make me when you talk like that, do you?"

Edward, no longer able to hold back his tears tightly wrapped his arms around the other man as best he could, weeping into his blue uniform."R-Roy . . ." he sobbed, loosing control of his own emotions. It's hard to believe I hated this person . . . This kind, gentle person . . . Even if he can be an ass. He found himself thinking, doing his best to wipe away the tears from his face.

The Colonel's hands intervened, brushing away the trail of tears from the boy's face, their eyes locked sentimentally. Without even thinking about it, the older man leaned over, brushing his lips against the blonde's gently, taken back when Edward's arms wrapped themselves around his neck and deepened the kiss. For the first time their tongues touched one another, exploring the other's mouths. As if possessed, Roy slipped one of his arms past the boy's coat and began to find its way underneath his shirt, his body pressing against the small alchemist's passionately.

Suddenly a scream of horror echoed loudly throught the building, catching the attention of both alchemist's. Without a second thought, the both of the shot out of the room, Ed shoving his shirt back into his pants, and down the halls until a large croud of military officers was in sight.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Edward whispered, pushing his way past the croud behind Roy, who, once again, stopped suddenly."You reall ought to-"

"Ed . . . You may not want to see this." Mustang stated, his voice shaking slightly.

Being the curious person that he was, the blonde made his way around the raven haired man and found himself before a utterly horrific scene. There before him was the armored body of his younger brother, leaning against the Colonel's desk with his head laying unorderly on the ground next to it. Inside the suit was the smeared alchemist circle staring Edward in the face, the word DEPARTURE smeared on the floor with blood.

Just then the boy's knees lost feeling and collapsed underneath him, his eyes plastered to the scene widely."A-Alphonse . . ." he muttered, his voice quivering terribly. Glancing back at Roy, he smiled wearily,"T-This is some kind of joke right? A-Al's not-not really-" Ed threw his head forward, throwing his hands to his face as he began to cry heavily, wailing his brother's name.

Riza took a step forward towards Edward, but the Colonel threw his arm up, stopping her from getting any closer."Now's not the time. And speaking of time-" He glared at the surrounding croud,"-you all are wasting plenty of it by merely standing there, gawking. GET TO WORK!" he yelled, scaring 95 percent of the mob away. Few lingering slightly before leaving.

"W-What should we . . . do?" Hawkeye asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"At the moment, we let him cry . . . That's all we can do." he mumbled, his expression seeping with both hate for himself for being unable to do anything and, of course, sorrow for the loss. He glanced up at the blonde, the shaking form filling his gaze. Ignoring his own advice he stepped forward, making his way to the boy's side, and softly placed a hand on his shoulder, surprised when he recieved no rejection. On the contrary, the small alchemist pushed his way into the man's arms, burying his face in his chest. Roy wrapped his arms around him as he had only moments ago, Riza watching there every move.

She hung her head, allowing a shadow to emerge upon her face and cover her eyes."I see . . . So that's what was going on. I'm a fool." and with that, she walked away, dropping a clipboard of papers along the way recklessly.


After Talk

OAO . . . . . . . Okay, how many of you hate me now? W-Well, don't hate me ok? IT WAS TOBAIS! I SWEAR! TAT But as to the time it to to get this damn thing posted, yeah, that's my fault! GOMEN! I finally was given sometime to work on this lovely fanfic so HERE YOU GO! Chapter nine at last! XD Quick note : I won't do replies in this one since it'd just take more time for me to finish this and I'm kinda tired at the moment. Tests are absorbing my energy, oh, and watching OutLaw Star to insane hours of the night (day by the time I stop) and then going to school the next day. Yes, I HAVE gone mad. I've also been busy with working on my art so you'll have to forgive me on that. In fact, I'm working on a request at the moment that has the blonde, ponytail Akatsuki guy from Naruto. (HI NICKY-CHAN!) If you want to check out my art you can go to cruel-alchemist. only with http/ infront of it you know. doesn't like to allow sites posted in fics so I'm improvising X3 Well, love you all and I hope you like it!

Heh . . . I finally got some Roy and Ed action going on in here! YAY! I hope it works with the fic . . . I wanted them to make out abit but I also wanted them to take it slow? Is it alright? TTATT I hope so . . . Oh, and if there's a mistake, I'll re-read this sometime soon so I'll fix it! Daijobu desu!