Yes! Chapter Ten! Alright, bah-bie! Whoot!
Disclaimer: . . . I'm not even gonna bother.
Crimson stood up stiffly, trying to keep her face from living up to her name. Edward sat on the couch behind him, clenching his fists into his pant legs. Crimson walked over to the door and opened it slowly.
Mustang stood there with Havoc behind him, both sweatdropping at the expression on the girl's face. "Yes?" She asked darkly. "Can I assist you?"
Mustang was the first to recover. He cleared his throat and stood up straight, but didn't look Crimson in the eyes. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the center of her forehead as he spoke.
"I believe I asked you yesterday to report to my office by nine o'clock. It is now eleven fifty-eight." He said, his eyes firm. "Where were you?"
Crimson's gaze softened at his concern, then sighed. "Sorry, Mr. Mustang," She muttered. "I wasn't watching the clock. Could you excuse me a moment?" She turned away without waiting for an answer and went back to stand by Ed.
"The kidnappers are here," She teased. "Get your coat before they storm the room."
Edward nodded stiffly, getting up and grabbing his red jacket off her bed. Crimson raised an eyebrow as he walked right past her, keeping his eyes away from hers.
"Ready," He muttered, walking up to Mustang and Havoc. Crimson frowned, grabbing her sweatshirt and Hawkeye's gun. All times, she'd said.
She slid the firearm into a special holster on her upper left leg, then followed Edward to the two waiting soldiers.
Havoc gestured with his arm for her to go ahead and she nodded, walking past them to stand behind Ed. The men sided up together behind her, forming a sort of protective triangle. Crimson had to resist rolling her eyes.
She hurried up to stand beside Edward. "You okay?"
He nodded, still not looking at her.
Crimson sighed. "You don't look okay," She remarked.
Edward's fist clenched. "Listen, Crims'," He stopped in the middle of the hallway, waving the older men on when they stopped as well. "About earlier, it was probably for the best that we were interrupted."
Crimson's face fell, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. "Wh-what?"
Edward ran an hand through his long, golden hair. "I'm dating Indigo, Crims'. I don't want to cheat on her. I love her-" He paused when Crimson flinched. "You're my best friend, but I don't love you, love you."
Crimson nodded, her face a full porcelain mask. "Yes. I get it. I understand." She turned away from him, and Ed could have sworn he saw her shoulders shaking as she ran to catch up with Mustang and Havoc.
Ed watched as Havoc looked down at her, stopped, then put his arm around her small shoulders. Crimson lifted a sleeve to wipe her eyes, then used her other hand to hug the man's waist. Mustang placed a hand on her shoulder, and the three walked on.
---
"Alince Martyr was my illegal step father. He married my mother by a man who was acting as a preacher . . . Cornello or something . . . anyway, he was cruel to all three of us. Me, my elder brother, Morter, and my mother. Not even six months ago my mom gave birth to Allen, who nearly died of oxygen deprivation. Alince refused to allow my mother to go to the nearest clinic, therefore, I had to assist the delivery. Morter ran away from home about . . . three years ago. He was thirteen. Anything else you want to know?"
Breada looked over the notes he'd collected from Crimson, who gave them all in a sullen monotone. Her eyes were a pale, sea-glass green, that nearly looked right through a person's soul. He shook his head.
"Nah, I don't think so. That's about it, I guess."
Crimson nodded. She leaned back in the plush leather couch, yawning. She looked over at Hawkeye, who was glaring daggers at Mustang, who was cursing under his breath while furiously scribbing away at his paper work. Crimson raised an eyebrow.
"You know, you could always invest in a personalized stamp with your signature on it," She remarked boredly.
Mustang paused, frowning at his papers before smirking up at the girl. "I think you might be onto something, Miss Blau."
Crimson grinned.
"BLAU!!" Falman suddenly yelled. Everyone in the office jumped as he started to rummage around in the State Alchemist record folders. "I thought I heard that name before . . ah-ha!"
He pulled out a small manila folder with the name 'Tomas Blau' written across the edge. "Here, the Blood Alchemist." Crimson got up on her knees to peer at him over the top of her seat.
"The what Alchemist?" She asked, her eyes narrowing.
"The Blood Alchemist: Tomas Blau. He was a state alchemist here at eastern a few years back." Falman handed Crimson the folder, and she took in gingerly as if it were a present from Santa Clause. She turned back around and sat back down, just staring at the cover.
"Well?" Edward asked in annoyance. "Are you gonna open it or what?"
Crimson turned to glare at him across from her across the couch. He stuck his tongue out in response.
She rolled her eyes at his oh-so-mature behavior, then sighed. "No. I can't. I'm scared of what I'll see."
Edward huffed and reached for the folder, but Alphonse snatched it before he could get it. With a small icy stare toward his brother, Alphonse turned to Crimson.
"That's alright. You don't have to if you think it'd be too painful, here, Colonel," The boy trapped in armor handed the folder to Mustang, who hid it somewhere under his desk.
Crimson looked down at her hands, wishing her eyes would change so Edward would stop avoiding eye-contact. She loved it when he looked at her. When his hands gently grazed her skin, be it on purpose or not. When he whispered a few comforting words into her ear to gently bring her tears to a slow stop . . .
"YO!! CRIMS'!" The subject of her thoughts snapped, startling her. She wipped her head around, her eyes locking on Ed's bright yellow orbs.
"What?" She asked shakily. Edward frowned, squinting at her eyes.
"What color is deep, forest green?" He asked suddenly. Crimson's pale complexion darkened.
"I-I-I-I d-d-d-dunno," She stammered, looking away. She had been too lost in her thoughts to feel her eyes shift.
"Oh, Fullmetal, before I forget," Ed turned back to Mustang, who was smirking wryly. "I believe there is a new rumor on the stone."
As if the word flipped a switch in the boy's brain, he was in Mustang's face, yelling unintelligible babble.
Crimson yawned, leaning back on the chair to fall into a fitful sleep.
---
Edward walked closer, his hair down and framing his handsome face perfectly as she knelt before her. The golden orbs he called eyes stared deep into her, making her almost melt.
He leaned closer, his hot breath fanning down her neck. She shivered at how it felt, so intoxicating.
Edward placed a soft kiss on her ear, whispering into it.
She closed her eyes, so the only thing she felt were his words.
"Give me the gun, Crimson," He whispered. "And come away from the edge,"
"CRIMSON!!"
Crimson sat up with a jolt, her body aching and head spinning. "Wha-What?! Wh-who's getting shot at?!"
Mustang stood above her, a frown on his face, but a deep amusement shone in his dark eyes. "Are you enjoying nap time?" He asked sarcastically.
Crimson felt her face get hot. She turned away, crossing her arms. "Whatever." She muttered.
There was a snore of to her right, and Crimson and Mustang turned to find a sweatdropping Alphonse and an out-cold Edward.
Crimson's face once again started to live up to her name as the dream came back to her. She looked out the corner of her eye as Mustang said the infamous 'S' word, causing Edward to flip his lid and just about beat the crap out of his superior officer. A slightly cool hand laid itself down on Crimson's shoulder.
She blinked, looking over to find Indigo standing behind her with a small smirk.
"Walk with me. Talk with me."
The girl turned and moved back to the door, then looked back at Crimson pointedly.
She stood, not liking this at all, and followed the older girl outside.
After about six minutes od walking, Indigo stopped. She turned around to glare down at Crimson with cold, angry eyes. "You insolent child!"
Indigo reeled her hand back and slapped Crimson dead across her face.
Crimson stumbled back, holding her cheek. "What the hell?!" She exclaimed. "What was that for?!"
Indigo growled, grabbing her shirt collar and dragging her closer. Crimson's feet dangled in the air as she pulled her up to eye-level. "Listen to me and you listen good, kid. Ed is mine, alright? Mine. M-I-N-E. You better not be going around trying to steal my man."
"I'm not!" Crimson yelled. "He's just my best frie-" Indigo shoved Crimson roughly to the dirt.
"No. He is nothing, to you. If I see you near him again, I'll kill you."
Crimson sat up slowly, rubbing blood from her busted lip. "You think that you would be able to get away with my killing? Listen, I know from experience that Ed is very protective. He would never let my killer go living."
Indigo smirked evilly and kicked Crimson in the side, making her cry out.
"I never said anything about how the person who would kill you would be me," And with that, she turned and walked back to the office.
Crimson rolled herself over onto her stomach, coughing. "Damn it," She muttered. "What is it with me and not being able to fight back?" She sighed, standing up. "Might as well head back. If I stay near Ed or Al I could-"
She stopped short, thinking. Crimson shook her head sadly. "No. No, I've already gotten into their way enough," She kicked a small rock down the side walk as she went back to her room in silence.
---
"CRIM-CHAN!!"
Crimson jumped as Alphonse started to pound on her door frantically. She set aside her book and opened the door for him. "What's wrong, All-AAH!"
Alphonse reached down and grabbed Crimson, throwing her over his shoulder. (Mindful of the spikes) He ran down the hallway and skid to a stop.
Crimson banged on the back of his armor while flailing her legs in the air. "Al!! Alphonse Elric put me down!! Al! I'm serious!!"
Alphonse put Crimson back down on the floor and pointed. She glared up at him darkly. "All I want to do is read my book! Can I at least do that without being-"
He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, then pointed again toward the open door. Crimson's words died in her throat.
The room was dark, the lights were out and the window was blocked. But there was enough light so as to not trip over anything. Inside, there were pictures and newspaper clippings tacked up all over the walls, all with a common subject, Edward Elric.
Crimson walked inside, her eyes wide with shock. She turned back to Al. "How did you find-"
"T-the door w-was open. I looked i-in a-and, here t-this w-was," He stuttered.
Crimson looked back into the room and spotted a desk. Papers covered just about every inch of the space, and she started to rummage around.
"Crim-chan, you shouldn't-!" Alphonse began. Crimson sighed. "We need to find out who this person is, Al. They could just happen to be your brother's stalker. Guard the door for me, okay?"
Alphonse nodded, Edward's safety in mind. Crimson sat down and looked over the papers. They were a collection of letters and documents.
One, stood out beyond all the rest.
Alphonse,
Please forgive me.
I know that we have been able to work things through before, but not anymore. I'm sorry.
I can't continue on with this. The burden to carry is just too, too great.
You are a great brother, and a wonderful companion.
Forgive me, but I cannot get your real body back.
I love you, my brother, my friend.
Edward
Crimson's throat closed as she read the letter. The suicide note. Blinking back horrified tears, she moved other papers out of the way. There were more. Others that looked more and more sloppy than the one she held.
Then, this one made every blood cell in her body come to a total standstill.
Operative: Indigo Carmine
Mission: Eliminate Edward Elric
Motivation: I said so
Task assigned: June ninth, nineteen-fifteen
Task completed:
Personal notes:
Edward Elric is a slippery one. He had been able to elude me for a good month, but I've managed to catch him eventually. His brother was easy to fool, but Elric was a challenge. He did not trust as easily as I had thought. Even then, I knew I needed to earn my keep.
Elric needs to get his eyes clawed out from their sockets. And his lips ripped off his mouth. For him to continue to trust me, I must continue the charade that I enjoy his company. But his touch is so sickening!
There is a new obstacle in my plan. A child. She has known the Elrics since childhood and they have been able to trust her right off the bat. I need her out of my way to ensure that my mission in not in any way being jeopardised. I don't know how to get rid of her, she is so difficult to understand. One moment, she is shy and sweet, the next, she's ripping someones head off. I heard she was abused as young child. This knowledge will prove useful.
"Crim-chan!" Alphonse hissed. "Someone's coming!!"
Crimson broke out of her trance and stuffed the note and assassination assignment into the back pocket of her dark jeans. She hurried back over to Alphonse and the two ran back to the Elric's room.
---
"I . . . I don't believe this . . . !"
Alphonse read the suicide note with shaking hands. Crimson sat on the coffee table, her head bowed. "Don't," She whispered, holding up the other paper. "Believe this one."
Al reached over and took it, letting the note fall to the floor weakly like the broken wing on a dove. He read the next one, as Crimson kept her head down.
"This . . . this can't be true."
"It is," Crimson sighed, running a hand through her long brown locks. "Indigo wants to kill Ed. And me, if I get in her way."
"But- . . . but why?!" Alphonse stuttered.
"Because her boss said so," She said, rolling her eyes. "But really, we need to warn Ed. If this suicide note means what I think it does, then we had better hurry."
She stood up and went to the door, then frowned back at Alphonse, who hadn't moved.
"Come on, Al. Let's go."
"Crim-chan," Alphonse whispered. "Brother already left. With Indigo."
Crimson stared at him for a good six or seven seconds.
"Fuck."
Oh-hoooo, snap. What's going to happen next? You tell me, and I'll see whether you're right or not. xD