A/N: I would like to credit Dark Inu Fan for inspiring the idea for the mark... Haha. If I could I would glomp every single one of you in a gurly fashion.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal or Inuyasha. I do own a very disgruntled weenie dog... she may be angry since her names is Minnie... she's lucky, the last dog I named was Kitty.
His usual attempts at alchemy sucked, but he was raw with talent concerning his priest heritage. Havoc had informed Sota that his abilities felt as strong as Kagome's concerning his holy powers, which meant he might have an equally strong gene from Roy with alchemy.
The box of old sutras that had once resided in Kagome's room were free game in Sota's book. Besides, Havoc had already agreed that he was fit for them. Though Sota had no training whatsoever Havoc thought it all the more fun. Said that's what instincts were for and he'd promised to watch from a safe distance otherwise he knew he'd be in the doghouse with his girlfriend. Curiosity killed the cat, but Sota wasn't a cat and knew what he was doing… kind of… sort of... theoretically speaking he had the gist of it...
Sota fiddled with one of the many sutras in the box. He'd been contemplating over this for almost an hour when the epiphany hit him like as hard as a subjugation spell. Would that work? Sota glanced at the holy writing of an ancient monk. Kagome was one of the few people who could combine holy power and alchemy, but here Sota was thinking he might've discovered something. This sutra was a ward for protection. There were about five of them in the box, fifty altogether sutras. He needed to test one of them though. Sota pulled out a pen and quickly scribbled an alchemy rune right over the holy script uniting the duo together. The staff was hidden, lying in the grass next to the garden that lined Kagome's room. Of course his sister of all people would make her part of the building look nice even on the outside.
He stole a glance at Breda who was busy playing chess with Falman under the light of the stars. Fuery was helping Breda since no one could ever beat Falman. They often came outside at night when not patrolling to test their eyes and keep them adept at seeing in the dark. To anyone passing by they were just a couple of soldiers shooting the breeze with conversation at night. However, it was a secluded area of the base that they normally picked, one right next to the gym.
Roy's only son slipped the piece of paper onto the ground right between his feet and quietly lifted up the staff. "Yo! Breda! Hit me with your best shot!" Havoc was leaning against the steps being a good adult and watching after Sota when it was way past his bed time. Besides, if push came to shove he wanted to help.
Breda chuckled and shook his stocky head without sparing Sota a glance. "Sorry kid. I don't think you know what you're asking for."
Oh, so it was going to be like that? Why didn't the grownups ever give him a chance to prove himself? Fine. He reached down and retrieved the staff. "Oh, scared to take on a kid like me. I see how it is," Sota taunted. "You're always used to hiding behind my sister so it makes sense you wouldn't want to challenge me." Breda felt a nerve strike home. The fact that he'd been unable to do much in regards to protecting Kagome in the past was a bone Breda didn't like anyone picking at.
"Look Sota, you may be my uncle but-" And Breda looked up at the jangling sound of something he hadn't heard in five hundred years. "Where did you-?"
Sota raised the staff, repeating a mantra in his head, and brought it down sending a barrier springing towards Breda and knocked him right on his ass. Because Falman was a demon as well he was sent sprawled over on the dirt. Fuery was lucky, he'd noticed in time to duck. Like father like son when it came to avoiding danger. "Don't underestimate me Ship," called out Sota. Breda sprung back up and charged towards Sota who had his staff ready for it. The transmutation symbol forged with the sutra. He wanted to know how far his boundaries could go.
"Fox fire," whispered Breda, not wanting to let on to Havoc that he was a demon. Let Havoc believe he'd taken some of Roy's gloves or something. Breda's hand flung out shooting flames towards Sota who raised his own staff in front of him and concentrated on breaking up that fox fire. Almost immediately the fire hit a barrier upon touching that staff and the dark energy was purified. However, due to alchemy none of that energy was lost. The heat and oxygen was separated. Sota sent out a small amount of the purified heat and oxygen back towards Breda. The oxygen knocked Breda's feet out from under him, making them sting since it was purified. The heat hit Breda's arms he'd thrown up last second and left a good scorch on them.
"Totally cool! Dude that was swu-eet," cheered Sota. He was jumping up and down in his spot like any pumped up teenager. The sutra on the ground was burning to a crisp. "Did you see that Havoc?"
Breda was pulled up by Falman and he grimaced at the little burns. Sota wasn't strong, but he could pack a punch with that staff in his hands. "Where'd you find that thing Sota?"
Havoc stood up and waved a hand like a child happy to tell the teacher the correct answer to the equation. He was practically jumping in place. "I gave it to him. It's a family hand me down." There, trailing along Havoc's hand was a monk's prayer beads. A pair of beads that had once sealed a wind tunnel from opening up and destroying a man's life. Fuery and Falman were confused. They'd never seen Miroku, his short human life had been taken away by the time they were born so they were unaware of the importance between Havoc and the items in question.
"Y-you," sputtered Breda as Sota walked over towards him ready to try his hand at healing burns. "You're descended from Miroku?" The priest was out of the bag.
Havoc shrugged. "What can I say? Good looks run in the family… fox." Fuery and Falman were statues.
The half wolf was the first one to be as loud as his father. "Wait you knew that we're-"
"The entire time Fuery," admitted Havoc with an impish grin.
Not so far away from them a lone figure stood in the dark, his hand balling up into a fist as he watched the little scene. He'd only caught the latter part of it due to hearing Miroku's name of all things. Inuyasha gritted his teeth, double checking all the while that his powers were in check and he appeared human. The only thing he'd gleaned from this scene was that there was a human who knew of demons and holy magic and two guys who weren't so human. One monk descended from Miroku's line and one very much alive Shippo. This mission was becoming more interesting by the minute. That young human standing near them seemed very familiar in the face, but Inuyasha couldn't rightly place him to memory. The way that little human boy talked reminded him of someone.
Kagome finished stirring up a pan of eggs in the morning and set them on the table next to the bowl of rice she'd made. Today felt like such a great day that she'd decided to make everyone a hearty breakfast! Kagome spooned some of the rice into her mouth, smiling when she found it to be done. Rice, eggs, bacon... Ed was the weirdest when it came to mixing his food with odd things. She wouldn't be surprised if he poured a bottle of chocolate syrup over the rice for flavor. Today felt like the sun had risen just for her. Maybe Winry and her could get off on the right foot today.
Pinako sat down at the table and eyed the food, "You're up awfully early and chipper this morning Kagome."
"It just feels like one of those days Granny Pinako." She smiled as she brought a plate of sausages to the table just as Armstrong came in.
He sniffed the air. "Those sausages wouldn't happened to be cooked like-"
"The Armstrong family legacy of sausage cooking," quipped Kagome. She'd fixed those just for their oversized babysitter. He'd been quite a help and she'd enjoyed watching him spar with Ed and Al this past week.
"Oh Priestess, you did remember." A sparkly tear came to the corner of his eye as he sat down in all his glory. A huge guy that made the table look like the world's smallest in his presence. Alphonse had also gotten up and was helping Kagome by tossing their dirty clothes into the washer machine. There were many things to do since they'd discussed the night before with Ed and Armstrong that they should be leaving.
Kagome could hear Edward complaining the whole way down the stairs with Winry. A huge smile full of adoration readied itself on her face as she turned towards the commotion, a spatula in her hand and an overly large apron adorning her outfit. Down came Winry in a flower dress with bolt earrings on, dressed all cute and fashionably, pulling Edward's arm along with her. "We're skipping breakfast," called out Winry. "Ed's going to pay me for that automail by buying me tools!" Winry's sky blue eyes were shining brighter than the sky.
Edward caught a glimpse as he was jerked past Kagome in her cute glory and that smile that fell and turned into a gloomy expression. A buffet of food lay before the table and his mouth was watering as he eyed his favorites. He didn't know what looked more appetizing, Kagome or the food. "Wait Winry, we can eat-"
"No we can't! A brand new shipment of parts is coming in today and I want first dibs!" And he was dragged out the door against his will. It is an undeniable fact that no man in the world was strong enough when it came to stopping a woman from shopping... not even a guy with a metal arm and leg.
"Kagome," muttered Alphonse, looking over at Kagome whose body was shaking. He was worried she was crying. Kagome spun around and threw the spatula into the sink her eyes sparked with fury. He swore he saw flames from hell bursting behind those lashes. This wasn't good. Hell hath no fury as a woman spurned and left with leftovers.
"I'm sure as hell not fixing him lunch or supper!" She stomped into the laundry room. Kagome's appetite was lost and she began furiously balling the clothes and throwing them into the laundry machine. Sure she was okay with Ed going out with Winry for the day. It had been her idea to begin with hadn't it that he spend more time with Winry and Pinako? But did Winry have to look like she was going on a date for it? Kagome paused in drizzling washing detergent into the washer machine. She looked over at Al who was slumped over in the laundry room. They really were two peas sharing the same pod. The priestess went over and knelt down beside Alphonse. "I'm sorry Al. I was caught in my own feelings I forgot yours were hurt too."
She touched his hand and Alphonse could feel it again. Skin as if he had it on his hand. He could feel how tired his soul was. Just sometimes when Kagome was with him he could feel human. "It's okay Kagome… Winry is…" His heartbeat, he could feel it just saying his favorite mechanic's name. "Winry." Kagome nodded her head in agreement, a sweet sort of smile on her face. She felt for Al, oh did she feel for him. To love someone who had eyes for another, that had been her first relationship in the beginning. It didn't hurt anymore to think of Inuyasha. She was different from the girl who'd first entered the well and she knew by looking back that had their relationship developed and she not disappeared... well things might not have been right. They hadn't started dating until Kikyou had passed now that she thought about it. "Kagome… you were able to put Den to sleep. It isn't possible for me to sleep but I was wondering if you could try letting me sleep for a few hours?" His request shocked her. But Kagome acquiesced to his plea. She took both of his hands in her own and concentrated on her energy.
The last thing Alphonse thought of before he fell asleep was how pretty those earrings had looked on Winry.
Havoc dutifully toted back two trays from the breakfast line to the table where his edible crumpet Riza waited. If she had any idea how he daydreamed calling her his 'crumpet' she would've seriously injured him. "I don't know why, but I get the feeling he's thinking something stupid," she commented to Breda and Sota after glancing at a starry eyed Havoc. Lover boy sat down right beside her and pushed her a tray of food with his head still in the clouds..
"Where's mom and dad?" Sota asked, taking a quick glance around the room to find neither one of his parents in sight. Riza was digging into her lovely breakfast with fervor.
Havoc snapped out of his blissful dreams and the machine in his brain was working to a tune of pure evil. "Oh, you and Breda should go wake him up. I think he's sleeping in because his alarm's been broken these past few days." Havoc could lie when he wanted to. Breda's face had a look of suspicion as he eyed Havoc, the soldier was wafting with mischief and Breda could smell that a mile away being a fox demon.
Riza however was better schooled when it came to hiding her amusement. "You heard my man, hop to it," she said giving them a pointed look that said if they didn't wake Roy they may suffer the consequences of Roy waking up later than he should. The duo left immediately and once they were out of earshot Riza was covering her mouth to hide the tinkling laughter Havoc found so endearing. Riza glanced over at Havoc to find him just staring at her. "What? What is it?" Riza pushed back a hair that had fallen in front of her face and wondered if she had anything from breakfast on her cheeks.
"My crumpet called me her man," he said. You'd think Havoc was a high school teenager with how he was wiggling. In fact, after dating Riza he might actually get along with Maes. He leaned forward, ready to steal a kiss so early in the morning. A nice breakfast pick me up.
Riza laid a finger over his lips stopping his journey. "Did you just call me crumpet?" Fuery was snickering beside Falman.
Havoc looked at Riza with wide puppy dog pleading eyes. Black Hayate's eyes weren't even that big. "Riza I… is it any consolation that I sent Breda and Sota to Roy's room?"
She stared at him so long and hard that Havoc actually felt himself begin to sweat. "You're forgiven," she finally said. "Will you get me another muffin… muffin?" Starry eyed and putting on a very good impression of Maes Hughes, Havoc strolled off to get his sweetheart a delectable breakfast treat.
Sota and Breda were two men; both considered young even Breda for his demonic age. So of course they lacked all form of refinement when it came to knocking before entering. The door flew open with Breda and Sota both cheerfully calling out their morning salutations completely not cluing in on the grunting and groaning thinking it just the parents hating to get up in the early morning.
"Hey pops-"
"Mornin' Col-"
"Oh my God! Get off my mom!"
"Whoa! You're limber Mrs. 'Stang!" Sota and Breda bolted for the door. They were out in a heartbeat.
Stock scared and amazed the duo shut the door behind them both scarred for life. They didn't care what Roy would do to them. If he burnt them to a crisp it would be a favor after that gruesome scene was etched into their memories to haunt them until the end of time.
"I don't see why we had to skip breakfast," whined Edward as they walked down the dirt road for town. His hands were shoved in his pocket and his stomach was grumbling. He still couldn't get the sight of Kagome out of his head. She'd look so forlorn when they'd left. It was an ego boost sure enough that she'd cooked all of his favorites, oh had he noticed, but he'd caused that sinking look on her face. And knowing her there will be hell to pay for it, he somberly thought with a hang of his head.
"Like I said, I wanted to get there when that shipment got there," huffed Winry. They walked on in awkward silence for a while.
He was trying to do what Kagome had instructed. Spend time with Winry. But did she really have to dress up for town? Eh, maybe her mechanic uniform was dirty, it was always dirty. "So Winry, what have you been doing these past few years? Going to school?" A sorry opening for conversation, but it was something. Edward hadn't been in a school in forever. It wasn't like he'd needed it. Ed and Al had been playing with alchemy since they were children. Solving high school math problems was a breeze compared to finding solutions for alchemic equations. School was for some people and school was for others.
Winry had stayed in school though, attending the small school that took up the space of about six small houses. "Yeah, I was thinking of dropping out to do mechanics full time but gran's been getting onto me about getting my diploma." She'd been reminded by her lecturing grandmother about how smart her parents had been and how they'd wanted her to go onto school as a child. "A year or so and I'll be done. I'm thinking of opening a shop in town." Town would definitely suit Winry considering not a trip passed that she didn't want to go there. "What about you Ed?"
"I'm thinking of staying in the military," he sighed. Since Kagome had asked him he'd figured he'd better think long and hard on it to give her a better answer than he had before.
Winry stopped in her tracks and for a time he didn't notice until he couldn't hear the sound of her footsteps. "You're never going to stop are you Ed?" At his confusion she went on. "Stop searching, just stop and settle down."
He shrugged. "I may when I've met the right person."
Out of all of the words he could've said that struck Winry to the core. "You haven't found her yet?"
He gave a foolhardy smile, one of pure ignorance to the heart breaking in front of him. "I'm not sure, but I'm not ready to settle down any time soon." He spun on his heel and began walking away. "Come on Winry. If we don't hurry up you won't get to blow all of my money." His red cape flicked behind him and she caught the small imprint of a black heart sewed into the cloth that seemed to stand as testimony that no matter what she did he as unobtainable.
Awkward as hell. That's what it was. Every chance meeting Sota and Breda came across Rina or Roy either Havoc would freeze up and redden or Sota would search for the closest bathroom due to nausea. Roy was sporting a smug grin that none of the men in the military could miss for a man who'd spent the night in a very warm bed. Rina would blush every once in a while, but mostly she had this girlish smile pasted on her face. She was lucky to escape the wolfish grin of her estranged husband when she sat down in front of Riza.
"So… dish," ordered Riza as Rina transferred a phone call to Roy's office. Rina looked with pure amazement at Riza. Their friendship had definitely blossomed.
"Just because I'm in uniform doesn't mean I don't want all the gory details," stated the offended woman.
Rina burst out laughing and the two chattered for about half an hour on Roy and Rina's relationship. "You don't think it was wrong?" Rina asked after she'd described her views on what happened and how she felt. It was like he'd never left her. she felt so whole again. Scared at moving so fast, but she felt so alive.
"How'd it feel?" Riza meant heart wise and she knew Rina knew it, but it appeared Roy's gutterhead had rubbed off on Rina.
Rina was all fluttering eyes and simpering smiles. "Which time?"
"Now you're bragging Rina." Riza shook her head, her nose perking up and said, "I don't think it's wrong Rina. Technically you two are still married. But you're in your rights to beat him to a pulp if he does something stupid." Rina's face went white as she thought over that. They were still married. He'd left her once before in this marriage… Riza grasped onto her hand knowing her train of thoughts. "Rina, I didn't mean it like that."
"I know, it's just hard to forget the past."
"But easy to love the present," finished Riza. She knew how much Rina loved Roy even now. He wasn't the same guy he'd been in the past and she knew her friend loved him all the more for that reason.
"That marriage was the best thing that ever happened to me, but it became so rocky and neither one of us could deal with it," she sighed. Though Rina still loved Roy it was clear she couldn't help but harbor bittersweet emotions over their marriage.
Not so far away in Roy's office Sota stumbled in ready to talk with his father about his own alchemic abilities. "Look dad, I need to talk to you about something. You're going to think its too much for me though, but hear me out." Sota shuffled his feet and cast his father a quick glance.
Roy sighed and shut the file he'd been reading. "I knew this day would come one day." Sota looked at Roy as if he had a screw missing. Did his father know already about his awesome hard work and determination? Roy came around to perch on the edge of his desk with his hands folded nicely over his lap. He concentrated seriously on Sota for a moment. "Look Sota, when a man loves a woman…" Fuck my life, thought Sota. Like Edward it seemed that God loved picking on Sota as well.
Winry and Ed had been arguing like a couple since they'd gotten back and it was raking on Kagome's nerves and heartstrings. She'd felt more often than not the green eyed monster trying to rear its ugly head in her. Luckily, she'd been schooled in doings of jealousy after Kikyou and she knew Edward hadn't designs of that type for Winry. She just wished he'd tell Winry that.
Kagome was up in their room. She'd just finished packing her bag as well as Ed's. Despite the fact that she was irritated with him from the morning she knew that his traveling legs were getting to him and that when he got back he'd probably tell her that he picked a day for them to leave. She was already restless. The last load of laundry was probably done by now. Doing Granny Pinako and Winry's landry was the least she could do for them putting their group up for the nights. Alphonse lay on the bed sleeping like a log. She'd gotten Armstrong to carry him up for her. Apparently Alphonse had been a snorer when he was human.
She sighed and went to the bedroom door when she ran right into Edward who was coming in from the shopping trip. He stepped in the other direction and so did she, then he side stepped again and she did as well, both getting in the others way and neither able to move past the other.
"You packed." She nodded. The air around them felt electrically charged and Ed feared for his life. An angry Winry was tame compared to a furious Kagome. He leaned against the door with an arm stretched out to block her departure. "Kagome talk to me. If it's about this morning skipping your breakfast I'm sorry-"
"No, it's not that Ed." She looked down and felt embarrassed for what she was about to say. "I just wish I knew where we stood in this."
"In what?"
Kagome blushed madly but steeled her courage. She leaned forward and planted a soft sweet kiss on his lips. She'd kissed him a lot lately, but this kick was just a quick tasteful peck from a shy girl. His eyes were still wide open and a little hazy. "In this." She kissed him once more and just as his hand left the doorway reaching out to curl into her hair she pulled away and ducked out of the doorway leaving him standing there. He blew his bangs out of his face. Little annoyance. And he couldn't get enough of her.
Edward popped open his bag to pack. He was itching to get a move on. As he opened his bag there was quite a transformation from the messy way the clothes had been sloppily thrown in there that morning. All of his clothes were already washed, dried, folded, and placed into his bag with the upmost care. She'd done it without being asked. He smiled. It was the little things that made all the difference. And she never asked for him to repay her at all. She was always trying to help them.
Alphonse roused himself from his spot on the bed. "You heard all of that didn't you Al?"
"Not really I was sleeping most of the time." Alphonse even yawned.
Edward froze on the spot. He was one of the few privy to the fact that his brother couldn't sleep. "You were what?"
"Kagome was able to help me actually sleep brother and I had a dream!" A dream that he was a guy again, a flesh and bone guy, holding Winry's hand and taking her out on a date. Oh what he wouldn't give to feel the son and to taste food again.
Ed couldn't refrain from the goofy grin on his face. Kagome was their little magic maker doing the impossible. He was sure that she would be the one to help him and Al return to their bodies. "She really is our good luck charm," murmured Edward.
He shut the top of his bag and began fastening it, his mind on what she'd said. Could he move forward? Oh he wanted to. But there was Al to think about… "I think you should tell her you care about her brother. If you don't, how will she know?"
Alphonse was perceptive when it came to the flitting emotions across his brother's face. Ed was an easy read. "You don't mind Al? I'm going to be honest, she might be a distraction-"
"Big brother, Kagome could never be a distraction. She reminds us all the time why we have to keep on." Alphonse wanted Kagome to have a happy relationship with his brother. He felt that she'd been brought to them on that train station for a reason other than finding her father. "You should tell her," he prompted.
A slow smile lit up across Ed's face and he nodded. "You know what, you're right." And with that the alchemist took a path to Winry's to ask her on female advice. She was his best friend so she'd help him right?
Pinako rocked in her wooden rocking chair knowing what was coming as she watched Edward storm out after Winry. An argument would ensue… but Pinako had a suspicion this may be the argument of all arguments. It was clear that her granddaughter had feelings for the alchemist; however his feelings from childhood had wavered from Winry straight to Kagome. Whatever had been once possible in the past was now shot to hell with him growing up. First loves were always the hardest.
Pinako sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, fingers pushing her glasses up. At one point Winry and Ed would've been great for each other… but as soon as he'd become a state alchemist he was in a whole different world compared to Pinako's sheltered granddaughter who would never understand what life he led unless he let her in or she forced her way in. And watching Winry brush aside the fact he was in the military it was easy for Pinako to see that Winry had lost him. It wasn't Winry's fault, after all, her parents had died by the hand of some military soldier so she ignored all forms of the military.
At that moment the daughter of the one who'd murdered Winry's parents was hanging up laundry with Armstrong. Knowing how Edward was Kagome had used all of her spare time to patch everyone's clothes, wash them, restock her medical kit, and gather more provisions. She was exceedingly good at this chore since she'd done it so often in the past. Al was holding out a finger and watching a butterfly land on it. Den was chasing his shadow with his new leg. It seemed as soon as he'd been blessed with one the dog couldn't stop running and jumping despite his old age. Overall it was the most peaceful afternoon they'd ever seen. The trio heard the two angry teens exit the house, but they didn't see them for Winry and Edward were on the other side of the house. The two had no idea the trio was in hearing distance.
"Why do you keep messing up my armor? You 'adjust it' and now the elbow joint is loose." Ed yelled loudly causing the butterfly to flutter away off of Al's finger. Al moved his shoulders as if to sigh in his suit of armor and glanced at Kagome with a 'Here-we-go-again' look. Winry seemed to be picking more fights with Edward on today all of a sudden. As if she was trying to keep him angry enough at her to stay behind and argue. She'd been checking over his arm when he'd asked on advice about girls and she knew who she was asking for so she'd loosened his armor by accident.
Armstrong just shook his head and pinned up another blanket. Kagome blew her bangs out of her eyes in aggravation. Kagome's hands gripped onto a blanket she'd just plucked off of the laundry strings. She hoped he'd been thinking since she'd kissed him earlier that day. She wasn't going to deal with anything at all that resembled a Kikyou and Inuyasha situation.
"Maybe if you didn't spend too much time mooning over someone your armor would stay in place!" Kagome stopped what she was doing and looked over to a shocked Alphonse. Winry was bringing Kagome into the conversation? What on earth did Kagome have to do with it? "Ever think about that! You're having to chase her down-"
"Of course I'll be there to save her if she needs me! Kagome's saved my neck a bunch of times too you know!" Kagome smugly nodded her head in agreement as she picked up the laundry basket of clothes that were already dried. Armstrong continued hanging the wet clothes.
"No I don't know because you never talk about it!" Winry argued, though she didn't rectify that she didn't really want to hear about the military. "And of course you show her thanks for the things she does! What about me? Without me you would be hobbling on a crutch!"
"You're my damn mechanic! It's your job to fix me up," he thundered. He'd even paid for Winry this time around. All the money that was laid out for him to take that he rarely used. He figured Winry needed it if she wanted to open up her own shop someday and spread her enterprise.
"Well, I hate having to redo something that I wouldn't have to fix if you played it safe," grumbled Winry. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. If there was a wrench within her sight she would've chucked it by now at Ed. She did happen to have a screw driver in her back pocket, but she was restraining herself because it was new.
"I can't play it safe Winry. I'm in the damn military! Everyone else understands."
"Well I'm sorry if I'm not her. What's so great about her anyway?" Kagome's eyes became livid for one moment and she began to march with the basket in her arms towards that side of the house when she felt a metal hand pull her back. Kagome blinked questioningly at Alphonse who shook his head. Winry needed to vent. However, that didn't stop Al and Kagome from sneaking over a few feet to hear the conversation even better. Thick as thieves those two. Both of them were feeling slighted out of the conversation, Kagome because it focused around her and Al because the woman of his affections was jealously arguing with his older brother. "She's just some stuck up know it all and when she's sad it's like the whole frigging world has to be sad-"
"Shut up Winry." Ed growled out, getting angrier with every time Winry slandered Kagome's good name. Winry just didn't know what the hell Kagome had done for him time and time again. What she'd seen. Kagome had seen him in his worst of times! She'd comforted him and stood beside him.
"No!" Winry objected. Her first bout of jealousy had made a monster come out in Winry. She reached back for her screw driver and brandished it like a weapon. At any moment she might chuck it at him.
"Shut the hell up," he said through gritted teeth. "You don't know what you're saying." Edward's voice was steady again. He was done arguing like a petty child. The mature solution was to let this go and leave Winry to stew. He knew that's what Kagome would suggest if he'd asked for her advice.
"I'm not going to shut up until I prove to you that she isn't so great-" Winry had no idea she was trespassing into forbidden territory and had just activated a weapon. Edward's fists balled up. There would be no letting this go now. And he finally recognized the green eyed monster of jealousy in Winry over Kagome. "-as everyone makes her out to-"
"She's my girlfriend dammit!" he shouted. "Why can't you accept that?"
There was a loud thud on the ground of something being dropped. It wasn't Winry's screw driver being dropped, it was Kagome's basket. Ed's head swiveled over to stare at Kagome, who'd moved from hiding behind the house while Al peeped over the edge, and Edward's body immediately froze as his face heated up. He gulped.
"I'm your girlfriend?" Kagome asked, staring blankly at Edward as her mind tried to convince her that she'd really heard that from Ed of all people. She'd known right off the bat that he wasn't one for sharing emotions like most people, but she'd never expected him to come outright and say it. Say that she was his. She'd expected him to skirt around the topic and slowly get around to saying those words. It made her heart fill like bursting. She could run miles and she wouldn't be tired with the energy that was bubbling up inside of her.
"You're dating?" Winry asked in disbelief and anger.
"Well, I don't just kiss any girl," he yelled out, waving his arms around in the air, in a normal bout of Edward hysterics! Kagome began walking towards him while he raved and while Winry yelled.
"She's not good for-"
"I was going to tell you in a more romantic way! Don't hate me because I'm no damn romantic Russell-" Kagome shut Ed up in the simplest way possible. She launched herself at him, tackling him, arms wrapped around his neck as they fell backwards, her lips connected to his while his arms were outstretched in shock and eyes open in disbelief. Yup, that was a sure fire way to get him to shut up.
Winry hadn't come out from her room in over an hour. Edward had threatened to bust the door open, but Kagome's gentle hand on his shoulder had reined him back. She knew her fair share of heartache and pain. The last thing Winry needed was for Edward to be speaking to her when he'd just declared his intentions for Kagome. The couple had been talking outside, sitting under a tree watching the sun set.
It was at that time that Al cautiously made his way up the steps. He lightly knocked on the door and when she said, "Don't come in," he went in anyway. Kagome and Edward's happiness had gotten to him and he wanted exactly what they had. So the only thing he could do was be there for her as a friend. At least for the time being until he wanted to tell her his own feelings. His voice was as soft as a kitten. "Winry." She sniffled from her bed and pawed at her face failing to look presentable and instead earning a black oil smudge on her cheek in the process. Alphonse sat on her bed and the frame seemed to creak under the weight.
"I know I did wrong Al," she sighed. She slumped with her knees drawn up to her chest, leaning against her pillow and her eyes downcast. "I shouldn't have said all those mean things but he made me so mad. I just…" She fell sideways onto the bed and hung her long blonde head over it, the strands danced across the dirty floor and her bandana flipped over her eyebrows. "I thought maybe one day he would come back and look at me. Really look."
"I'm sorry that Ed didn't… but I did," he mumbled the last part.
Winry looked up all stages of shock. "What did you say Al?"
His shoulders slumped. It seems he hadn't had the courage enough to say it as loud as he'd of liked. Maybe one day he would. "Winry you're a very special girl. And someday I hope someone sees that."
She scooted so she leaned against the cold metal of his body and let out a soft sigh. "Thanks Al." He patted her hand and just sat there in her room comforting Winry.
Edward decided that the next morning would be the best to leave. So while Alphonse was consoling Winry, he and Kagome were walking out in the dark through the reeds and stalks in the meadow. The sun had set but they weren't ready to go in just yet. Ed tugged on her hand and in a moment they were sitting in the rushes where a house used to stand. The tall grass hid them from ever being found in the dark. No one was worried over them because they knew eventually the duo would return. Ed felt content. Sure they had work to do, a stone to find, but Kagome was good for him and Al. She was reminding them how to be human. "I still don't know if I'm willing to do a transmutation on humans. If it hadn't been for that stone I took from Russell..."
"It actually worked Kagome. That just proves that those stones may be our clues leading to the philosopher's stone."
"But," she chewed on her bottom lip, "that stone wouldn't have worked without my purifying it. Meaning the stones they're making is missing something, some property. When I performed that on Den the stone needed my help even then." She didn't like the idea of getting another one of those rocks. Sure it had done the job, but she didn't think getting any more of those rocks would help Al turn human. Kagome was more than sure that there was a one in a hundred chance of that rock getting things rock with Den and they'd been lucky to get the one time.
He mulled over that before saying, "It's still something." He stretched out on the grass, leaning back with his hands keeping him up as he watched the stars glimmer in the sky. "Hopefully Marcoh's clue will help us. I'm ready to get moving to Central."
"I expected as much," she laughed. "When you're not moving you get finicky like a horse." Kagome leaned up on her knees and peered around the swaying grass. "This is a really nice spot Ed."
"Glad you like it. Al and I used to live here." He watched her eyes suddenly sharpen, as if trying to take in as much of the sight as she could of this area now that she knew how special the place was for him and Al. "What happened to your house?"
He could still smell the ash and fire if he tried from that day they'd torched the place. Sure he missed his former home, but what they'd done had been done for a reason. No shame in crying over spilled milk. Even as the analogy came to mind he made a face at the thought of the white beverage. "We burned the place down."
"Why?"
"We didn't want anything calling us back from our mission to make a philosopher stone." He didn't need to remember that there was a house full of memories waiting for him and Al anytime they wanted to return. They didn't need something to anchor them when they needed to be pushed forward. His words actually made Kagome feel even more connected to him. Many a time she'd been upset and had come close to torching the well down for her own selfish reasons. If she hadn't found out about Roy she might've come close to finally getting rid of that symbol of her past.
Kagome's hand settled over his metallic one. If he had flesh on that arm he knew that hand would've shivered at the contact. "Even without a house you still have a home and family. As soon as this is done we can build you two a new house." He could see it as Kagome envisioned it. A nice two story with a front porch. Windows peering out over the hill and cheerful curtains beckoning people to come and visit for a while. For once he could see himself settling down. The surprising thing was, in his imaginings he could very clearly see Kagome planting a garden along the side of the house.
When she settled those beautiful blue eyes on him, looking so tantalizingly innocent in the night that Edward felt his throat dry and lost all ability at speech. Edward was reminded all too well of Kagome showering under the pail of water when she tilted her neck as white as the moon and as soft as a flower. "I'm glad you're my boyfriend." Her glowing smile put the stars to shame. Damn it all. He leaned forward cautiously, watching her eyes widen a fraction at how close he was getting. Kagome knew exactly what he was going for and smiled. She reached out, grabbing a fistful of his black shirt, and tugged him forward until his lips crashed on hers. Well, he was quick with alchemic equations so she might as well have been the one to help him along when it came to their dating. Safe to say Kagome really was Roy Mustang's daughter when it came to instigating things now.
Ed needed no prodding to lead after that. His lips pressed against her own, nibbling tenderly before his tnogue prodded at her mouth and the kissing really began. With every minute that passed making out he felt himself become bolder. His hand slid down to her waist and trailed under the bottom of her tank top touching flesh and bringing a gasp out of her. His adrenaline was pumping as his thumb rubbed a small circle along her stomach and her fingers threaded over both of his arms. Chills washed over his body from her nails raking over his fleshy arm. The brush of her chest against his as he moved against her to deepen the kiss drove him insane. He'd become fascinated quite recently with that part of her anatomy, ever since he'd seen her in a bikini that image hadn't left his head. Kagome in a bathing suit was permanently cemented in his mind. Edward's real hand danced over her ribcage making his sweetheart giggle in the process. He hovered over her with all of his leg strength, which wasn't much since she was turning his whole body into a mass of jelly with every kiss.
Their tongues did a little dance with warm pants and gasps of air. He pulled away briefly to find the most alluring sight, Kagome with her lips parted and hair very tousled. When her neck tilted he couldn't refrain himself from latching his lips onto that spot. For some unknown reason he wanted to do nothing more than to lap at that pretty neck and lap he did. Kagome tilted her neck better for access and gasped when she felt him nibble her skin. The feelings he was causing to spiral in her were nothing at all like she'd felt before. He was inquisitive and at the same time losing his shyness with their explorations. She could practically feel his heart beating against her own from the weight of him leaning down on her enveloping her in his scent. "Edward," her whisper could've been a yell it was ringing in his ears so, it inspired such wicked thoughts. Kagome leaned up and bit onto his earlobe, causing his metal hand to clench into the grass practically digging a small whole. Kagome was causing such reactions in his body that he was more than sure she could tell by now. Though he felt a bit embarrassed at the tent his pants were making he couldn't stop himself since she hadn't refused him. His lips captured the bottom of her mouth and she arched against him causing his problem to get a bit more apparent if it hadn't been already. They were nothing but moving limbs and lips wrestling in the grass at that moment. His hand began to inch even closer upwards towards the mounds that had been tantalizingly brushing against his chest when...
Through the haze in their minds broke a bell ringing off in the distance as Pinako shook it to call them in for a very late supper. Edward pulled away from Kagome and fell on his rump while she lay there taking in air. She felt her heart thrumming under her chest and from the looks of it Edward was just as affected by that kiss. The look he was giving her like a cat eyeing a mouse said it all. If they didn't leave now she would let him pounce again, not that she minded. "I'll race you in," she whispered before jumping up and taking off towards the house, slowing down to turn and wave for him to come on. Her father's genes, that's what she blamed. The hot blood rolling in her wanted nothing more than to skip supper and let the others wander while her mother's genes told her to scram in the house like a good girl.
Edward slowly stood up, shifting his pants as he did so. There was no way in hell he was going to run after her with the fix he was in. And from the wide smirk on her face and the pink hue of her cheeks it appeared she knew exactly what she'd done to him. Ed blew out a stream of air that brushed aside one of his bangs.
Sexual frustration. Ed finally knew the full meaning of those two words. It wouldn't be so frustrating if someone didn't interrupt them!
The best train ride of his life. The entire trip Kagome had leaned against him with his arm thrown around her shoulders. Alphonse was crumbling up balled paper after balled paper trying to figure out how his letter to Winry was going to go. She'd happily accepted his promise to write every week, though she'd refused to come down to say goodbye to the others out of embarrassment for the earlier charade. Kagome had chided Edward and told him that every girl needed a little time to blow of steam and that when they returned things would hopefully smooth over. Armstrong had jovially told stories about his family legacy to Kagome and Edward who were too comfortable knowing the other one cared to really be irritated with Armstrong's long winded tales. They were stopping in East Headquarters just to get some lunch and Kagome was determined to request Sota and Shippo follow them before they hit Central trailing after their lead. Although, the four was a little worried since the last time they left. Would they still be in trouble for the 'pregnant Kagome' scare?
Edward steered Kagome's elbow out the cart and helped her down the train. Their eyes met and it was like watching the pink hue of the sunset being painted on her face. A contented smile spread over his lips and he tucked her arm into his as he led her out of the train station. Was this really what it felt like to be a couple? Warm and happy for no reason whatsoever than the fact that he made her blush? She leaned against his arm and for a brief moment he acutely felt the curve of her chest against the knuckle of his fingers. He took a deep breath of air and kept walking. He would not attack her in broad daylight with Armstrong and his brother following them. Why did Pinako have to ring that damn bell? He thought, thinking like an actual teenage boy for once. Just inches away from discovery!
What they found at East Central left them confused. Riza was actually smiling with Havoc trailing after her. Sota was training outside with Breda in perfect harmony with Falman and Fuery trying to help out as best as they could… And Roy was leaning down to kiss her mother on the lips right when the quartet walked into East.
"Go mom," Kagome cheered. She preened against Ed. Roy straightened up his jacket and quickly pecked Rina before he went with open arms towards his daughter. Kagome shot straight out past him and jumped into the welcoming embrace of her mother. "Should've seen that coming," Roy mumbled as Sota came walking in with the three demonic stooges.
Sota scowled at the happy lovey picture. "They come back after pulling a prank on you and she gets hugs and kisses. I had to clean the floor," he whined. "In a frilly pink apron!"
"Son, if your sister wore a frilly pink apron we'd be facing an army of suitors," stated Roy, watching Kagome hug her mother like she hadn't seen her in years. She was supposed to be daddy's girl not her mother's!
"Life isn't fair," grumbled Sota.
Roy nodded his head in agreement. "Want to go move your sister's furniture on the roof?"
Sota looked up at his male rolemodel as if the very Heavens would move for him. "She isn't going to stay the night though."
Roy shrugged. He was a bit stung that he wasn't receiving such profound hugs as Kagome was giving her mother. He knew there was a strong relationship but was it too much for a dad to get a little hug? "I know, but she'll freak out regardless if she's anything like your mother."
A grin lit up like wildfire on Sota's face as father and son shared a bonding moment. "Sure dad."
"Hey Syn," called out Kagome. She was actually running after him in the hallway just to speak to him. The homunculi should've expected her of all people to remember him, but it hadn't even crossed his mind that he'd actually be important enough for someone to notice. Most of the time his disguises worked to be under the radar. "I haven't seen you in a while, so how have you been?"
Just great, I have your insane ex-boyfriend here to keep me entertained. The ingrate is reading all the files on Fullmetal. I'm withholding the Priestess files just because that would take away the fun. Right now I need you to get out of my way so I can go find that mass of muscles and make sure he doesn't squeal. If I get to kill him than my day will be all the better. "Works work," he shrugged with a scowl. Did she always have to be so damn peppy?
She made a face. "If you keep frowning like that you'll never get a girl," she teased.
Envy wrinkled his nose. "Why do I need a girl? They get in the way of things." He needed to scare that priestess away. He still had to find that Armstrong guy and deter him from Roy. Besides, the fact that she annoyed him and he didn't readily scare him off bothered him to no end. Like hell he would have anyone state he was going soft.
"So do guys," she commented.
Envy leaned in suddenly, his dark eyes going over her form from top to bottom very slowly in a way that not even the biggest simpleton could mistake. "You're the only girl I can see benefiting me." A blush started in her cheeks and she quickly put a hand up to push him away startling the overconfident sin.
"Sorry Syn, but I'm with Edward." Oh that was an interesting tid-bit of information he hadn't expected so soon. His bitter resentment for Edward rose ot an all new high. Not that he wanted anything to do with this human but why the hell did that shrimp get such a sickeningly sweet girl? "Well, I'm leaving again today," she said nervously, stepping away from him. "We just stopped for a meal before we leave for central-" Right where Lust and Gluttony were. "I'm going to see if Sota and Breda can come with us. If you want you can join us at lunch." And she smiled brightly and left him behind in a daze. Envy ran a hand over his face cooling his composure. Those two would fall right into the spot where he needed them. And if his 'siblings' failed to get them to produce a stone he'd get her to do it. He'd had long enough time to make plans concerning that little priestess should she not fork over a stone with Edward.
Armstrong came into Roy's office and stood at attention waiting for Roy to say something. Finally the Colonel looked up his way. "What is it?"
"About the phone call I made concerning the successful transmutatoin of an arm-"
"What? I never got that phone call," exclaimed Roy.
Armstrong's mood shifted to a foul one for once. "It's just as I thought sir... I think someone's infiltrated the base." Armstrong began his tale and shared with Roy the conversation on the phone that Roy had never been a part of.
Syn sat nearby at the lunch table. He sat all the way at the end, conveniently 'out of ear shot' as most would assume. It appeared he'd flupped up and he was beyond pissed with that fact that Armstrong had gotten to Mustang. He chowed down not tasting a single thing. Roy and Armstrong had yet to leave the office.
"I really hope you come with us," began Kagome. She knew Edward didn't want her to voice exactly what happened, they didn't want any higher ups in the military getting wind of why they were heading to Central of all places. "I've got questions that I know you can answer Ship."
Oh he knew his mom wanted him to do her bidding when she called him by his original name. "I'll think about it." She squealed and he slumped in his seat. Kagome knew he would refuse her request. Besides, they needed more bonding time.
Breda chewed over his lunch, glancing over towards Edward who got up, taking Kagome's tray for her, his red cape flurrying out. Lo and behold Breda's eyes caught upon something on the bottom of Edward's cape. Breda tilted his head and looked over at his mother who was humming as she straightened out her skirt, about to leave. His hold on her wrist kept her back. "Yes Ship?" Kagome asked him taking a spot beside her son.
"Why is it I see a mark of possession on Edward?" Kagome's eyes widened and she immediately looked over at Fullmetal. What type of mark of possession would there be? They hadn't been leaving hickeys, nothing like that; they were still stuck on little innocent things… well, open French kisses weren't too innocent, but they were still on the kissing part... not that she wasn't open to other parts should they undertake them. Kagome blushed recalling their kissing in Risembool.
"The heart on his cape," said Breda, eyeing his mom over the brim of his cup. She ducked a little embarrassed that he'd noticed that. Something was off about her scent and he couldn't tell what. "Why'd you mark him?" He wasn't going to chase around the bushes.
"I didn't mark-"
"In our culture you know what it means," sang Breda. He was living it up teasing his mother.
"And the human culture isn't so different in marking what's their's," stated Falman.
"It's just a heart," she admonished. Her embarrassment belied how significant it was to her.
"On his cape that he wears all the time," piped Fuery.
"That's a tad on the territorial mom."
"Technically speaking it means that he's yours," added Falman. Great, the three stooges were ganging up on her. Why couldn't they all be lovelorn like Havoc? He was out of her hair and had taken Riza out for lunch today.
Kagome's face flushed at those words and she mumbled out, "It isn't my fault I got jealous." They burst out laughing.
Ed came to stand beside Kagome wondering what they were talking about and the men laughed even louder in their chuckles. That was until Ed's hand covered Kagome's, his aura reaching out to her own, and they caught a good whiff of the duo and froze up. Unknown to the couple discussing the work they had to file away before they left, the demons were petrified by shock. Kagome sighed and stood up following after Edward, their scents left behind them while Breda and Falman stared at their wake. They hadn't noticed during lunch because they'd thought the scents were mixing from the duo being so near to each other. Now they could tell the difference and there really wasn't a difference!
"She isn't but she is," murmured Breda wondering how the hell that happened. "Falman did you-?"
"Yes. I smelt it and sensed it. Their auras somehow got melded together at some point." That was something that demons did, some humans did it without their knowing, giving body, mind, and soul into the relationship. But it appeared this was just soul and possibly mind. But when had she let her aura meld with his? They were unaware of the incident involving Ed's arm being placed back on so their minds were left to wander astray in the filthy gutter. Joining souls was just as intimate as joining bodies. For a brief instant Breda entertained the thought of either chasing after Edward and forcing him to marry Kagome or beating him senseless for becoming so intimate with his mother figure.
"And both auras accept it," cut in Fuery. He hadn't felt any rifts at all between those two joined auras. As if the souls truly wanted what had happened. In fact, the souls were even stronger than they had been without being so connected. He fidgeted with his glasses trying to figure out how this phenomenon occurred. It was rare and unheard of for humans to be able to do that.
"But she's innocent. Completely untainted," groused Breda. He needed a heavy drink. Now.
"Yeah," agreed Fuery. He'd never heard of anything like this before. "And they aren't exactly far in dating-"
"But their auras are melded meaning…"
"They're mated," Breda cut into Falman's sentence.
"For life," murmured Fuery.
"Hnn." Falman was a good impression of his father sometimes.
"Shit," cursed Breda. "Someone needs to tell her-"
"Not it." "Not it!" "D'oh! I'm it," muttered Breda glaring at a triumphant Fuery and a smug Falman. The two immature demons smirked in glee as Breda stiffened his back and decided to take it like the elder demon he was. He was leader and the oldest of their group. Surely he was mature enough to address this situation calmly to Kagome and tell her that technically she was married with all the clarity and advice of an adult… d'oh dammit! Why didn't he say 'not it' first?
Meanwhile, Syn was wondering just what connecting two souls together could do to people. It appeared he'd be talking to that mutt very soon on demonic relations. If there was a way he could lord something over Kagome and Edward's heads he would use it to his advantage.
Kagome sidled up beside her mother who was chewing on the bottom of her lip. Ed was talking to Sota and advising him on techniques to try and use. It was interesting having Ed, Al, and Sota working together. Her heart felt warm just watching them from the open window where she peeked out at them. This was the room her mother and father stayed in. Already it had some homey touches that were signs of her mother's work, for example the flowery robe hanging up on the coat rack. "You're dating him aren't you?" Kagome was surprised as her mom wrapped her arms around Kagome.
"How do you-"
"I think I know my own daughter," whispered Rina, giving Kagome a loving squeeze. "Besides he hasn't been able to take his eyes off you," she sang into Kagome's ear. Her daughter blushed bright red and ducked her head before looking back out the window and sure enough Edward's eyes had swiveled to her for a moment, which caused Rina an endless amount of laughter. "Told yah so. You're lucky your father is blind to these things." Luck was an understatement. If Roy ever found out that Kagome was dating he'd go ballistic.
Kagome elbowed her mother gently and turned around. "What about you and dad? I know you too mom, chewing your lips is a dead give away."
"I'm just worried is all. You remember what happened last time..."
"Well mom if you're not happy why don't you two just get married again?" suggested Kagome. And Rina knew there was a reason her daughter was her shining star and the apple of her eye. She reached out and placed a sloppy kiss on Kagome's forehead before she said, "You're so smart," and promptly left to go talk to Riza for help leaving Kagome standing there wondering what she'd just said.
Kagome's eyes turned back to the window and lingered on Edward. They'd gotten permission to bring Sota and Breda. She was determined to speak to her son along the trip and ask him for information. Edward's long braid swung as he glanced back over to her with a look that made her blush while Sota and Alphonse were fixing a transmutation circle in the dirt. She would not be outdone by him when it came to embarrassing the other. Kagome swept a heated look that Syn had swept over her that day. By the time her eyes met his again he was red in the face. Edward brought his hands together and transmuted the ground beneath him to form an exact sand replica of her... in a swimsuit. Al and Sota weren't blind to the antics by now, they were actually laughing as Edward leaned his chin on the false Kagome's shoulder and stared the real one down. His metal hand was resting on the sand copy's stomach, his thumb making circles in the spot he'd touched just the day before. Kagome could feel the warmth of that spot on her body all over again. His eyes swept over her, lingering over her finer attributes, and Kagome felt shameless because all she wanted to do was stand there and preen for his eyes only. "Why don't you come out and help Kagome?" He shouted. It was an invitation as any that she really wanted to take up.
"I've got to talk to Breda. Maybe I can see if he'll help me sniff out the culprits who moved my bed to the roof," she called out the window. She didn't miss the way her little brother quickly took on all pretenses of innocence and began seriously working on the sand. Kagome stuck her tongue out at Edward and brought her hand up making the wind blow the likeness into nothing but a pile of dirt. She laughed as he complained about her getting sand in the eyes. "You can't be the original Ed." Not that he didn't already know that.
Almost immediately Kagome closed her eyes and expanded her aura, stretching a bit to see how far she could go. She really needed to keep her powers tuned up. She was just seeing if she could find Breda on her own. What Kagome felt brought her aura reeling right back to her.
Kagome's whole body tensed up. She could feel something she hadn't felt in a very long time. No. No! There's no way in hell! Kagome glanced around before chasing after the aura that she'd felt. She scurried down the halls and ended up right in the greenhouse where she'd first began learning about her alchemic powers. There stood a tall figure with the same bone structure as him. His hair though was dark black and his eyes were brown, at least when they snapped up to her she could see they were. Human ears, no fangs, nor claws. She sighed relieved at this figure before her. He may be a reincarnation, she thought. Her heart was jumping in her chest, more out of fright than anything else. If she really did run into the real Inuyasha there would be a mess-
"Stop being such a bastard Envy. That's the worst imitation of Kagome I've seen of yet," he scoffed. A fang lengthened and he growled at her. "You don't even smell right. More like metal and grease." Kagome blinked back at him and felt her stomach drop in a sickening way. Sometimes life wasn't fair at all.
At that opportune moment Edward came crashing in through the door having noticed her quick departure like a good boyfriend who'd been checking out his sweetheart through the window. Alphonse and Sota were bringing up the rear having gone to chase when they saw Edward high-tailing it. Somehow Edward had known exactly where Kagome was heading too. It was odd, but he'd felt a tugging on his chest guiding him to her. He could swear he'd felt her moods, and now that he saw her face he figured whatever it was had been right. Kagome was scared. "Kagome you okay?" Inuyasha's eyes fastened onto her and the blood drained from his face in disbelief.
A/N: Doncha hate cliffys? I'm gonna be honest, Ed and puberty is fun to write. Poor Edward, just a few inches shy of second base. Bloodcherry the idea I got from you will probably be in the next chapter. ^_^
Next Up: Central. Shippo explains the birds and the demons to Kagome. Also... what is Rina planning? Betcha can't guess.