Hey party peoples! Sorry I haven't updated this in so long. At first I was just really busy but later on I just kept getting distracted. You know me, I see something shiny and that's all it takes. *sigh* And plus I have problems with procrastination. I should really work on that but, eh, I'll do something about it later.

Chapter 12

(-Serah-)

Serah cocked an eyebrow at the chimera who had introduced herself as Padma. This was certainly unexpected. "I'll be damned. I'm gonna take a guess and say that you escaped from the fifth laboratory."

Padma nodded, "Yes."

She scratched her head, "Small world, eh? How'd you find me?"

The young girl shifted uneasily. Nothing about Serah was making her act this way, the girl just seemed tentative by nature. "I found traces of your blood and followed your scent. I could tell you were a chimera so I wanted to meet you. But you look more like a regular person."

Serah sighed, stuffing her hands in her pants pockets while tilting her head back to gaze at the stars, "I was one of the ones who took to the change better. My DNA was more compatible or some shit like that. Although I never saw anyone else as advanced as I was, I doubt that I was the only successfully combined chimera."

"You're not," Padma said softly.

Serah glanced back at her sharply, "What was that?"

She averted her eyes and fiddled with her fingers as she answered, "The area where they kept me had others that looked like you. They were chimeras but they looked human. When the lab began to collapse, a strange man offered to lead them if they would join them."

"A strange man?" Serah asked. "What, a chimera?"

"No, he was something…different. He didn't smell like a human at all." Padma visibly shuddered. "I was too scared to go with them so I escaped on my own. But I've heard that they fled to Dublith."

"Wait, where did you hear that from?"

"Another chimera named Bido. I found him shortly after the escape. He left to join the group that went to Dublith. He's the only other chimera I've been able to find, besides you."

Serah was silent for several moments. Ideas consumed her mind, ones that could explain her lack of finding Kayla. She could have left with this group. Sure, Kayla never trusted people easily but these were chimeras, like her, save for the weirdo leader. She could have joined up with them out of necessity.

"Say, did you see a cat eared girl with this group?" Serah asked.

Padma shook her head, "No, is she your friend?"

Serah slumped, "Yeah, and finding her is becoming a pain in my ass."

For the first time, Padma's expression turned lively, "So you're searching for your friend too! I've been looking all over for my friend, Gillian. Have you seen her?"

"Sorry, short stuff. You're the first chimera I've seen since I busted out of that joint."

Padma's eyes dimmed in defeat, "I had hoped you would know something."

"So are you a mouse?" Serah asked abruptly.

Padma looked up at her, startled, "Wh-what?"

"You look all mousey. They blended you with a mouse, right?"

She nodded, "Yes."

Serah rubbed her chin in thought, "Maybe it's a good thing you didn't run into Kayla. With her being a cat and all she might have eaten you."

Padma, if at all possible, turned paler, "Oh my…"

Then she waved it away, "Anyway, I guess there's nothing else we can do about it except for keep searching for our friends."

The younger girl nodded, "Alright then." She replaced her hood and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Serah called out with an outstretched hand, "You dummy! I didn't say you had to go. We're a couple of oddballs so why not stick together?"

Padma smiled at her from the shadows of her hood, "I appreciate you're offer but I've grown accustomed to living in the streets. Besides, we'll uncover more information if we split up."

Serah shrugged, not trying to stop her from leaving. If the girl said she could handle herself then she would take her word for it. Plus, she kinda had a point. "So I'll keep an eye out for your Gillian and you'll do the same for my Kayla?"

"Of course!" Padma called back to her. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Serah."

"Good luck to you Serah." Those were Padma's last words as she melted into the darkness.

"Damn, she's a fucking ninja," Serah breathed in awe. She couldn't even hear the mouse chimera anymore. Serah stood there a minute longer until her stomach reminded her of where she had been headed. Putting the brief, yet unexpected encounter behind her, Serah left for the Hughes's home. But she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was going to meet Padma again and, for some reason, that put her on edge.

(-Kayla-)

I awoke to the sound of a door opening and closing. I'm a perpetual light sleeper so it wasn't surprising that the soft noise woke me. Despite being fully awake, I pretended to still be sleeping, keeping my breaths exaggerated to make it believable.

"Hey, did something happen?" Edward's voice reached my ears. I fought to keep my ears still when they wanted to flick at the new sounds.

"Not really. She just went to sleep a little while ago," Alphonse spoke, both of them talking in whispers.

"Did she tell you what happened?"

"Yes." Al then proceeded to explain my condition, how I switched personalities when I became too stressed.

"Is something like that even possible?" Ed asked, baffled.

"You think she's lying?"

"No, no," Ed replied quickly. "I've just never heard of such a thing. I suppose if someone is put through a traumatic enough event something's bound to leave it's mark. I guess this is, in a way, a scar. An emotional one, that is."

I felt eyes on my back but I didn't give any sign that I was aware of them. Al's next question hinted that Ed was the one staring at me, "What are you thinking about Brother?"

Edward sighed, "I was just thinking about how she attacked that lady. That woman had it coming to her, but what if Kayla had switched and acted violently towards an innocent bystander."

Al gasped, "She wouldn't do that!"

"From what I heard she has no control over it. We already know she's strong. She even stood toe-to-toe with Scar. She could potentially hurt someone if she wasn't careful. There's no telling when she'll snap. And when she does she could go after anyone, even us."

"But we're her friends!" Al argued, firmly placing his faith in me. It warmed my heart to hear him defend me so passionately, but every one of Ed's words were hitting me like physical slaps.

"That doesn't change the fact that she's dangerous."

I'd had enough. I sat up, no longer caring if they knew I was awake. I heard Ed's breath hitch and when I turned around he was looking at me in alarm.

"Kayla!" Al exclaimed.

I just shook my head at them with an expression filled with sorrow and anger. I was angry at Ed for not believing in me, but at the same time I could understand. Edward had comprehended the severity of my condition better than Alphonse had. That didn't make it any less painful.

"I get it," I said, my voice somewhat strained with emotion. "I could switch at any moment and end up hurting you guys. Neither of us want that so I'll just leave." Rather than going past them to use the door, I opted on fleeing through the window. I slid it open with ease and jumped out before they could say anything more.

(-Al-)

"Wait!" Al called, him and Ed rushing to the window. Kayla stood in the alley down below. She gave them a parting glance and then disappeared around the corner.

"That went well," Ed said sarcastically.

Al clenched his fists, trembling in fury. Completely catching Ed off guard, he reared back and punched him.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" Ed complained, sitting on the floor where he was knocked down.

"You didn't have to be so mean to her Ed!" Al shouted.

"I wasn't mean! I simply stated the facts." Ed defended himself, standing up.

"You could have been nicer about it. We're the only friends she has right now and you had to turn her away."

"I didn't turn her away! I just didn't think she'd get up and walk out." he sighed and went to the door.

"Brother?" Al asked as to where he was going.

He turned back to him, "We should leave now if we're gonna catch up to her."

Al stared at him in confusion, "But I thought you…"

"I meant what I said when I told her we'd help her. I don't go back on my promises, you know that Al." Ed smiled at him and left. Al followed hurriedly behind him.

"Alright, then why were you saying all of those things earlier?" Al questioned as they left the hotel and went towards the direction Kayla had gone.

"Al, you're too trusting of people. That's gonna get you hurt one day," Ed muttered.

"We can trust Kayla," Al said stubbornly.

"But we can't trust that she'll keep control of herself," Ed refuted. "That's what I was trying to tell you. We need to be careful when it comes to Kayla and this alternate personality she has. If not, then we won't be prepared for when she loses control. That's the only way we can help her control it."

Al said nothing, choosing instead to ponder his brother's words. He had to admit, it made sense. But he wasn't going to forgive Ed until he apologized to Kayla. Even if he was right, Ed could have handled it better instead of with his usual tactlessness.

They paused at an intersection, glancing all around to see which way Kayla might have gone. The cat chimera could have went anywhere.

As they were trying to decide on a direction, Ed growled to Al, "Alright, cat whisperer. Which way did she go?"

"Why are you asking me?" Al exclaimed.

"Al, you can sense a stray from a mile away. I think you would know where to find her."

Al sweat dropped. That was sort of true…kittens tended to call to him often. But still, it's not like he was psychic or anything. They'd just have to pick a direction and hope for the best.

"Let's try this way," Al pointed down an alley leading towards a less populated area of Central. He was just going on instinct, figuring that Kayla would avoid people if she could.

They set off down the alley, all the while Ed muttering about how they had to hunt Kayla down twice in one day.

Ignoring his ramblings, Al asked, "Do you think she might have turned into a cat?"

Ed stopped his mutterings and shrugged, "It's possible. It would be harder to find her that way and…" He trailed off and looked around. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

Something sounded in the distance. A growl? Al wondered. And then some definite barking followed

"You don't think…?" Al asked Ed.

He grinned, "Oh, I do think. Come on!"

The two rushed down the abandoned street filled with houses of sleeping families. They followed the sounds to one of the homes' backyards and found a Doberman barking viciously at something in a tree. The large dog growled at the figure perched in the tree, the girl hissing back down at the canine.

"Bingo!" Ed grinned, hopping over the fence that sectioned the yard off. He had barely landed when Al practically flew over to the dog.

The dog stopped its wild howls and glanced up to see a terrifying suit of armor looming over it. The Doberman whimpered and scampered away with its tail between its legs.

Ed watched the dog and whistled, "You sure can be scary sometimes, Al."

"Is it gone?" a shaky voice asked from above.

The brothers turned to look up, finding Kayla crouched on a branch. Her eyes glowed from the dim lighting of the street lights reflecting off of them. The rest of her was hidden in the shadows of the leaves.

"It's gone. There's nothing to worry about anymore," Al told her, making his tone as reassuring as possible.

"What are you doing up there, Kayla?" Ed asked with a frown.

Al wanted to knock some sense into him, "Brother, there was a big dog after her."

He shrugged, "Big deal. It was just one dog. If she can face Scar then she can handle one lousy mutt."

"That was my other side fighting him though," Kayla told him. "I loathe fighting, and I don't even know how to. But my other side likes to fight and knows how to very well. It, she, whatever you want to call it, is the complete opposite of me…and I hate it." Her voice had turned resentful, but then it quickly changed as an almost comical gloomy cloud hovered over her. "But I hate dogs even more. Even before I was turned into a cat chimera they always freaked me out."

Ed scratched his head as an awkward silence filled the area. Al nudged him, wanting him to get on with it. Ed sent him a glare but complied.

"Look Kayla, about earlier…I didn't mean to upset you."

The girl's head tilted as she asked, "That's why you're here? To…apologize?"

He crossed his arms and pouted, "Yeah, Al made me." Al saw Kayla's expression brighten at this as she looked to Al. Ed went on, "But I'm not taking back what I said. I meant it. You're other side is dangerous, especially without proper control. If we're not careful you could end up seriously hurting someone."

Kayla curled in on herself and Al could scarcely see her ears fold back against her head, "It's not like I asked to be this way. It's those stupid scientists that did this to me. It's their fault." Al felt a pang of sympathy as he heard her words because it sounded like she was trying to convince herself. It was obvious that she held some amount of guilt for her actions.

"That's why we'll do everything to help you, Kayla," Al told her encouragingly. "We can help you learn how to control your switches, right Brother?"

"Right!" Ed grinned as they gave each other a thumbs up.

"But…what if it's not possible?" she asked hesitantly, almost as if she were afraid to hope.

"It won't stop us from trying," Al said, "and we won't give up. We can do this together."

Kayla, rendered speechless, closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. But the small smile told Al that she wasn't refusing their help.

"Alright then. Let's head back," Ed said confidently.

Kayla nodded but lingered in the tree.

"What is it, Kayla?" Al asked.

"Um…you're sure that dog's gone, right?" she asked, glancing around fearfully.

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you hate dogs," Ed commented. She nodded but refused to come down.

Al held his hands out to her, "It's okay. I'll protect you."

She eyed him with an unreadable expression. Then she hopped into his waiting arms. He was about to set her down when she said, "Don't." Al looked at her questioningly and, if he wasn't mistaken, she actually blushed, "It's just that I like high places better and this neighborhood is crawling with dogs. So, if you don't mind…"

"Oh. Sure, it's fine," he said, letting her perch on his shoulder. He caught a glimpse of Ed giving him a cheeky smile before they set off.

As they walked back, Kayla struck up a conversation with them, "I can't believe you guys actually came looking for me…again."

"Well, if you would stop running off we wouldn't have to," Ed retorted.

Kayla sulked, and Al yelled, "Brother! Stop being rude."

Ed grumbled but otherwise ignored his brother's scolding.

"So Kayla," Al began. "About what you said earlier…do you really hate being a chimera."

She stared at him in confusion for a moment, then said, "Oh, when I said I hated being this way I didn't mean being a chimera. I just meant the switches. I don't mind being a chimera. In fact, I love it! It's really cool and my senses are so much better than when I was normal. And I have so much energy and I barely have to sleep and-oh, sorry. I'm babbling." She looked away, embarrassed.

"It's alright, I like seeing you this way," Al told her with a smile in his voice. She looked back at him and gave him one of her small smiles. The more time they spent with her the more she seemed to trust them, and the more she trusted them the more her true personality was showing… And the more of herself that she showed, the more Al began to really like her.

(-?-)

She scanned over the numerous files, inspecting each document for any useful information. All of the files here had either been stolen or copied from the military's personal reports, all dealing with the incident at lab five and the follow up information regarding the chimera sightings. The woman and her team had been working at the fifth laboratory when the commotion began. Luckily, some of the workers were able to escape. She herself had been one of the prominent alchemists stationed there and it wasn't all that simple to gather what was left of her team, but she was ambitious and prided herself at being the best at what she does. She didn't stop until she had regained a sufficient team and afterwards she set out to finish what they started at lab five: to make the perfect soldiers. First they would have to recapture their specimens so that they could resume their research. Some had died in the lab's collapse and some had escaped the city but there were still more in Central and she would find every last one of them.

"Ma'am," the door flew open as her second in command rushed into her office.

"What is it Gerard? You know I don't like to be interrupted," she replied, not bothering to look up from the piles of papers on her desk.

"Alpha team has located a chimera in the northern precinct of Central. How do you wish to proceed?"

She smiled, glancing up at him. Her long curtain of thick black hair swayed at her movements. The woman leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and tan arms as the smile turned absolutely manic.

"Tell them to follow it but do not approach. Keep an eye on it for now."

"Yes ma'am, but Miss Ana, why not capture it now?" he asked her, puzzled.

Ana glanced out the dark window, a sadistic grin pulled up her lips as she gazed into the reflection of her own dark eyes, "I have something more entertaining planned."

So, a new player has entered the mix and it looks like she's stirring up trouble. Also, there's Padma who we haven't seen the last of either. Things are starting to get interesting...

Thanks for this chapter goes to Rokuchuchu, who has helped me plan out the rest of my story as well. You rock dude!