Me: My sincerest apologies loves! It's been a long time I know but I assure you it was all for good reason. It couldn't be helped but I've gotten this chapter up finally. I only hope you will please enjoy even on such short notice. Song for this chapter is "One Last Breath" by Creed.

Chapter 10: Runaway

Scar/Slade update:

"That red moon was really something," the Ishvalan thinks. The time was eight and the sun was just beginning it's decent behind the horizon. In his lap Selene stirs, her white hair the only thing covering her small chest. He had in turn once again placed his coat over the girl while she was in her human form. She had taken him upriver for the past two days, directing him to Luna. She had stayed up all night the previous night because of the Blood Moon and crawled into his lap directly after the first scream. It startled her, but not nearly as much as the roar of the woman she knew to be alpha of the city. She was terrified to say the least when Angel went on her rampage and just let herself be held and caressed by 'Slade' all night long until morning when she finally let sleep take her. He really didn't mind the new name, he was actually rather starting to like it. It was nice to have something to be called by again and he felt lucky. His guide through a forest of enchantments was the petite creature laying half naked in his lap. He thought her absolutely stunning in her piranha form but when she became fully human once more, he believed her to be the most beautiful thing on the face of the planet. He loved her innocent, doe-like Ishvalan eyes, the heart shape of her delicate face and even her small chested form. Needless to say he was infatuated with the young woman who clung to him so effortlessly.

Her ruby eyes flutter open to meet his, smiling sweetly up at him in good morning or good evening to be more accurate, and sits up in his lap. As the yellow fabric slips from her dark toned body, Slade fights the pain that springs from his groin. He was growing accustomed to controlling his urges around her now, but every now and then she would innocently point out the tent in his trousers. "Did you wanna get started? It shouldn't be long now," she says. When he nods she retreats back into the water, his eyes following her.

At Angel's Estate

The younger Elric joins the group outside to the back of the greenhouse. Angel had changed to more appropriate clothing but had yet to scrub her body of it's tribal paint, her blood amulet resting comfortably between her breasts as it had the day she had first greeted the humans to her haven she was now forced to abandon for it's own safety. "Zampano said he and Jerso were waiting just down the street of the Devil's Nest and Heinkel said Darius had just got them tickets on the next train in Rush Valley so they should get there at around the same time as you," Alphonse explains. "Zampano also said to tell you though that it looked like the bar had been overrun by some gang or group of thugs and didn't look like they'd leave willingly."

Angel beams at him with a bright fanged smile. "Thank you Al. You have no idea how eternally grateful I am. I can't begin to thank you enough." He just waves it off.

"We're happy to help a friend. Also," he begins, leaning in so that he could conceal the piece of paper he was handing her. "I wrote down the address of our former teacher so that you could continue your alchemy training while you're gone. I know you're pretty strong without it but it can't hurt, huh?"

She nods, thanking him again quietly before her demonic eyes land on her adolescent panther housemate. He gives her a crooked half smile, embracing his substitute mother whole-heartedly. "I'm trusting the boss to take care of you okay?"

She nuzzles his chocolaty brown hair. "Don't you let anyone else get hurt." When he pulls back to acknowledge her his mint green orbs meet hers and he gives a firm nod. He then steps aside to allow her brothers to try and lighten her up for the long run, knowing she would be easily agitated for the next week thanks to chimera kinks...

"Hey boss..." The homunculus who had been leaned against the haven for Angel's miniature forest lets his violet eyes flicker up to the teenager, arms crossed boredly. "Keep her safe okay? Please?"

He shrugs. "I guess I owe you at least that much kid," he mumbles. He wasn't really all too thrilled about playing babysitter for the hybrid woman who was supposedly older than him. He did however feel a pull towards his old home. After farewells are said, James approaches Greed with an outstretched hand, which the avarice takes in a firm handshake.

"Watch yourself and move fast. You'll have to carry her in order to mask her scent from this Gluttony as well." Greed inwardly groaned at the icing on top of the cake for him. As if they even wanted to be near eachother let alone cling to one another. That said, Angel hesitantly approaches Greed and wraps her arms around his neck, and action that momentarily makes his breathing rapidly increase. He slips an arm around her waist and lifts her legs up, holding her bridal style as her brother had instructed. Her grip momentarily tightened and he could help the flutter in his stomach at her dependent actions. Nothing more is said and the two runaways dart into the forest, beginning their trek to Dublith.

Two hours and thirty minutes later...

Angel's eyes stayed trained on Greed's broad chest from the moment they had left her home in her precious city. Greed however was tired of nothing but awkward silence. He had been running at full speed from the very beginning in order to avoid a long, silent journey but it seemed his efforts had been in vain. He rolls his eyes and looks down at a solemn Angel for a second before focusing ahead once more. "So...what's up with your eyes and stuff lately? You just tired of changing back and forth between looks?"

She shrugs indifferently. "I guess you could call it a chimera menstrual cycle." Greed stumbles and nearly takes them both down, thankfully landing on his knees. Angel however held him in a vice grip, startled by the sudden fumble and gives a quiet squeak. As he sits there he can't help but get a bit flustered at the situation. "What the hell?! Don't drop me!"

"Sorry..." He stands and dares not look down at her until he had mentally composed himself once more. To his relief she didn't seem to piece together her words with his actions. "Menstrual cycle huh?" he asks, giving a grunt and pushing forward once more, grateful for his speed.

She just nods. "Once a month my body shifts into a partial transformation and remains that way for a week straight. Everyone can see my true eyes, fangs, and claws. Plus, I naturally get a bit..." He quirks a brow as she fades off.

"Okay, I'm interested. You get what?" She looks away, light silver tinting her cheeks.

"Well?" he prods. He was insanely curious now.

"I get...emotional..."

"So?"

"Emotional Greed. EMOTIONAL," she emphasizes with timidness. He has to think for a second before it finally registers to him and he chuckles inwardly.

"Emotional, gotcha babe." She doesn't bother responding this time, just looks ahead. He too decides to not say anything, images running through his head wildly. They came upon the edge of the forest not minutes later, time seeming to have passed quicker now that he had something to think about. "Looks, like we're here doll." She looks up and follows his gaze, gripping his fur collar tighter as they emerge from the forest. She was bracing herself for life away from home for longer than even she was used to. Standing fifteen yards from the nearest building was Jerso and Zampano she assumed, two large men smiling warmly. Greed looked down at her as she tensed, not recognizing the Angel he knew and hated. He sat her down but watched her as she stays close at his side. She seemed...shy.

Jerso was the first to speak, nodding to Greed. "Al said you were hidin' away the queen of chimeras or somethin', what he didn't mention was how pretty she was." And it was true, in the moonlight fog of the night she was absolutely stunning apart from her unnatural eyes. She smiles at the compliment though, a bit reassured by it and quietly gives thanks. Honestly she was scared. Yesterday morning she had awoken to a normal day, going out and doing her rounds before joining Alphonse and Mai for alchemy and alchehestry training. Now, she was on the run from a life she thought she had long left behind and was in control of, from the man she once loved.

Greed frowns as he sees her eyes become even less lively than before. He didn't think it was possible. His thoughts were broken by someone calling to him however. "Hey BOSS!" It was Darius. He and Heinkel had just arrived and were anxious to start on their 'mission' they had been assigned and accepted gladly.

"Sorry it took so long," the lion chimera says. The gorilla was focused on Angel though.

"Pretty young thing isn't she?" She grins softly in dry humor.

"Young? I'm older than you," she tells him gently. Before he can respond she turns to Greed. "Which way to the Nest?" He slips on his shades and hooks his thumbs in the brim of his pants before walking on.

"This way. Oh, one more thing." He pulls out some smaller framed black sunglasses, tossing them to her. "These should hide your eyes." After slipping them on he saw he was right, they completely blacked out her eyes.

"Hey Greed," Zampano starts. "What are you gonna do about the occupation of the bar?"

"It's Boss, and that depends. They look like a bunch of kids and just a few old geezers?" he asks.

"Well, yeah."

"Diablos of Dublith, not even an issue really. I am a bit pissed they moved in so quickly after the military released the property though..." He looks back at Angel, who seemed distant to him. "Hey, I need a favor."

She looks up questioningly, wondering what in the hell he could want from her. "Huh?"

"You'll know when the time comes." She just shrugs, not really wanting to argue. Greed failed to mention the heads of the Diablos were ex military and WERE actually a problem for civilians. The rest were kids they picked up off the street and gave small jobs, leading them into false loyalty. Sometimes they even got a big boy assassination if they were good... As the avarice stands in front of the aging bar Angel falls behind, trying to stay out of what was to come. The four male chimeras huddled together to appear bigger, a trick taught in the military, not sure what to expect since only Greed was familiar with the town and this bar. From within 'whoops' and yells can be heard over loud music. An angry smirk plasters Greed's face. "Take what's mine will you? I don't think so..." Angel's gaze shifts to him as he rears his foot back and it goes crashing through the door, sending it off it's hinges and down the entry steps, skidding to a halt before an older male with half naked women in his arms. The only thing visible to him as he yells is Greed's silhouette. "Well, well, well," he begins. "If it isn't my old pals from the Diablos. Been a long time huh boys?" He takes several steps into the building, grinning sinisterly at the blonde man. All around boys in their teens and early twenties spring up with knives and guns directed at the avarice. Panicked whimpers come from the women on the homunculus' favorite old couch.

"Who the hell are you?!" the blonde yells.

Greed cackles in sick amusement. "What, you don't recognize me? I figured I was pretty popular with your bosses. It's a shame they don't talk about me anymore, and to think they sent you to take my place too." He lifts his hand, showing the I.D. that was his ouroboros as his middle finger adjusts his shades and makes the blonde shrink back.

"N-no way, it can't be...It's impossible!"

"I believe I specifically told your superiors before that nothing is impossible." Angel, smiled to herself at his mention of his catch phrase. She also marveled at this side of him she'd never seen. Never seeing him look so amused yet serious at the same time, like a cat with mice.

"B-but you were dead! They saw the military drag out the bodies!" Greed laughs again as Zampano and Jerso fan out to the right and the other two to the left, puffing up and intimidating the younger men. Angel is left at Greed's flank.

"It was unfortunate that all that happened yes, and death certainly wasn't kind to me. Then again, I don't think that would change in your case either." His ultimate shield spreads up his arms to his biceps, the blonde dropping to his knees, frozen in fear. Angel can't help but focus on his shield, wondering if he's always been that muscular. Out of the corner of her eye she does notice a younger blonde with multiple piercings sneaking by the boys, gun pointed at Greed but eyes on her.

"What's the problem boss?" he stammers. "These guys aren't anything to be scared of. Hell they're travelin' with a chick!" Greed notices a shorter boy to the side, not listening. He had spiky white hair and emerald green eyes, curled behind the bar in the corner. He didn't look a day over 14 and might have been a decent kid before he was picked up by the gang. He reached for a knife, stammering at his older pierced comrade speaking.

"Y-y-you should leave her alone S-Spike." A single look at the kid and Jerso felt pity for him, he seemed so pathetic.

"Shut the fuck up street worm! Did I give you permission to talk?!" He cringes back, unsure who to be more afraid of. Greed merely scowls and calls to the hybrid female.

"Hmm?"

"That favor? I'm calling for it. I think Spike here and his buddies need to be shown that even a woman can pack a powerful bite, AND that it was wrong to steal." She understood now what he wanted. She had agreed to work under him while he hid her away and this was her first order: use her current state to scare the Diablos shitless and get them out of the Devil's Nest. There was a problem though...she was lacking in nourishment. She hadn't hunted in weeks.

She removes the shades Greed gave her, emitting a predatory growl. Spike stops laughing, her eyes freezing him for a moment. In the dim lighting it was almost impossible to see her skin change to a diamond hard structure. The chimeras take the doorway, blocking the exit as the hybrid drags her dagger like claws against the wall malevolently before lunging a hand at the guy's throat. As her palm closes around his neck he shoots his pistol on reflex, the bullet ricocheting off of her face and heading towards Greed who deflects it once more with his shield. "What the-?!" He's cut off by the crushing of his windpipe, the iron grip shattering it and making his body limp. Without even a second thought she brings his lifeless form closer and clamps her jaws onto the nape of his neck, fangs digging into his jugular artery. The once trigger happy teens and men drop their weapons in utter fear and surprise, backing up frantically and screaming. Once Spike is snow white and completely drained of his essence, she lifts her crimson stained lips and they stare horrified as blood trickles from the corner of her mouth. The body is released and crumples to the floor, pink tongue darting from her mouth and licking the remnants of the red from soft lips and bi colored orbs staring daggers at the vermin.

"Who's next?" Her voice is so soothing, so hypnotic in her exotic beauty, they all freeze for a second. "Well?" She snaps them back to the situation at hand and all at once they race for the door, the four ex military letting them pass with heavy hearts. Their first impressions of the chimera queen were quickly being altered since she had taken a life. Last to leave is the women and the head man, who Greed grabs before he can get past, slipping him an angry smile.

"Be sure to let your bosses know that Greed's back to reclaim Dublith and the rest of his possessions. If they have a problem with it they'll have to deal with the angel guarding the Devil's Nest." He nods frantically, anything to get out of there as he shuffles from his grip and stumbles out.

When the gangboss turns back to Angel, he's genuinely shocked at the usually gentle hybrid. "Was that really necessary?" Her cold emotionless glare flickers to him momentarily, making him shudder.

"They didn't believe we were a threat, I proved them otherwise."

"You didn't have to kill him though!" Darius shouts.

"I haven't fed in weeks, he was food that was available. Better that criminal than an innocent pedestrian wouldn't you agree? Besides, do you really think he would've hesitated to kill ME if our positions were reversed?" They stop, pondering her words. He HAD shot her, and obviously he had no problem doing it. It could've been someone else.

Sniffling behind the counter can be heard, making Angel disappear in a flash and reappear at the source, the silver haired boy who had tried to defend her. He hadn't gotten out. Tears streamed his face and he was curled up still in the fetal position. Upon noticing the woman above him he hiccups. "P-please! *hup!* D-don't hurt me! *hup!* I p-promise I won't say anything!" He stops though, seeing that the once cold eyes that had killed his superior were soft and sad as they gazed down at him. For an instant, he sees that same look his mother once gave him... Greed sighs, stepping up.

"You should've left with your friends kid. Now-"

"Don't make me do it Greed." His eyes flicker to Angel, the sorrow and desperation in hers clear. He was entranced, unable to issue the command now. With another sigh, he gives in reluctantly.

"Which room you been staying in kid?" He sniffles, wiping away tears.

"The basement." He could've punched a hole in the wall, furious that his henchmen's death site was being used to house a 14 year old.

"Go upstairs and pick out a room, from now on I'M your boss. Got it?" The teen nods, looking to the only female once more before scampering upstairs. Without meeting his gaze, she then places a hand on Greed's arm in an almost gentle manner.

"I'm turning in too Greed. I'll clean up my mess in the morning." He looks after her incredulously. At the foot of the stairs though she stops before continuing. "Greed?"

"What?"

"Thank you."

Me: Hope you enjoyed!