Christmas is on its way~

I do not own FMAB.


Just One of Those Days

Chapter Twenty Four: LISTENING To The Beat


"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"That girl there, the one with the bright hair. Did you hear what happened?"

"No. I didn't. What happened?"

"Well, word is that her mother ran off. With a man or for her own reasons no one knows. She just disappeared."

"Oh my, and what of the father?"

"He was greatly devastated. Has been depressed ever since. The poor man, such a shame too. He was so bright"

"The poor girl though! Imagine, having a mother that abandoned you so young. She'll be scarred for life."

"What kind of mother would do such a thing?"

She didn't leave me. Why would she? She loved me. She told me so.

Why would she leave?

...Why?


The sound of blood hitting the floor reached my ears.

I cringed at the sound of another howl coming from Gluttony. The sound of the air swishing by as Lan Fan ran past and continued to slash at him was the only sound in the forest.

I gripped at the tree next to me, narrowing my eyes in an attempt to see beyond the darkness. But all I could grasp was the occasional flash of Gluttony reforming and the glint of Lan Fan's newly equipped automail.

"Geez, because of you..." Gluttony cried, the red electricity crackling over his body. "I'm dying again and again!"

"Ghosty," Ling breathed, suddenly appearing beside me.

I jumped a few feet, whirling around and glaring at the blackened shape before me. "Don't sneak up on me like that, damnit! Not everyone's a ninja like you."

A small grin touched Ling's face. "Are you complimenting me?"

"No. Now what do you want? Isn't there a battle going n here?" I grumbled, tensing my arm and feeling my energy rise as a crackle reached my ears.

Ling's eyes narrowed and he gripped my wrist tightly. "Put that out quickly, Ghosty." Ling ordered and I frowned at him, reluctantly letting the crackle die as I glared at him.

"Don't you dare say I can't fight—"

"You can't fight this time." Ling murmured, his voice reprimanding but soft. "That energy you produce would light up this forest in a flash and Pride would be at the advantage once more."

I opened my mouth to retort but found no words. For once he was right. Grudgingly, a part of me had to admit that he wasn't trying to say I was weak this time. I had nothing to prove. It was just logical that I couldn't do much this time.

Ling seemed to have sensed that he had won this time and I saw a flash of a smile on his lips. "Wait for me here, I won't go far."

"Please do." I retorted flatly and Ling laughed that light hearted laugh of his. As if there was nothing to worry about. When clearly, lives were at stake.

He paused a split second before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. My eyes widened in surprise and I put my hands on his chest, prepared to shove him away.

Ling chose to ignore my protest and let his forehead rest on mine. His eyes were shut in that squinted way of his, and I couldn't tell whether or not he was looking at me. He inhaled deeply and I shivered, feeling his breath exhale against my face.

"You don't know how much..." Ling breathed, resting his forehead against mine. "How much I missed seeing you."

"What are you talking about?" I growled, pushing faintly at his chest to get him to move while shoving away the warm feeling building up in my stomach. "You can see me through Greed can't you?"

Ling seemed to stiffen once the name left my lips but he relaxed. I barely managed to make out a smile flashing over his lips. "Its not the same as holding you close like this."

His finger's brushed past my hair and I watched his face as his fingers entwined themselves in my hair for a split second.

"I forgot you had a hair fetish." I murmured, unable to look away as Ling allowed a soft smile to touch his lips.

Choose.

"Wait for me." Ling grinned, pressing his lips in a fleeting sort of way to my cheek before he dashed off into the darkness.

I stared. Unable to understand the emotions running around in some frenzy inside, I slid downwards and rested my back against the tree.

Slowly, I touched the spot on my cheek that he had kissed and frowned. Something about Ling seemed different. I didn't know what it was, or where it came from, but he seemed...confident.

About what, I have no clue. But he seemed sure of something. And I couldn't help but feel that the 'wait for me' had more than just one meaning.

I felt a hot feeling spread over my face. That stupid idiot. He just had to go and make things complicated.

I paused at my own thought. What was there to make complicated?

I patted the tree behind me. "At least you're not a pain in the ass."

...

...

...

"...well that was just sad."


The sound of an explosion caused Déjà to unconsciously unsheathe her claws. Though she was careful not to hurt Roy, she looked up at the hole they had just climbed down through and mewed quietly.

"Ah, my poor chateau." Madam Christmas murmured, looking up at the sewer system ruefully.

"Forgive me." Roy offered apologetically, tossing the detonator out into the sewer water. "I'll buy you another one, right away."

Madam Christmas smiled softly. "Well then, okay. I have to go underground for a while, anyhow."

"Are the girls in the bar alright?" Roy questioned, genuine concern flittering over his face as he turned to his foster mother.

"Don't you worry." Madam grinned. "By now they're under the skies of a foreign land, enjoying themselves and have long since forgotten about you."

Roy offered a wry smile and Déjà flicked her ears. Madam glanced up at the cat and gently patted her head. "Never mind them, you should be thinking about what's going to happen tomorrow, in this country. "

Roy nodded his head and Madam smiled, beginning to walk off. "If the next time we meet, you're inside a body bag, branded as a rebel, you'll have to answer to me."

Roy turned to the woman. "Thank you, Madam. I will make sure to repay you."

"You'll remember me when you've made it big?" Madam questioned, not turning to face the man. "In that case, I'll really look forward to the next time we meet, Roy Boy."

Déjà noted the small smile on Roy's face as he turned the opposite way. "I wish she'd stoop treating me like a little boy, already."

Déjà let out a light purr of amusement and Roy looked over to the cat. "You're still going to stick with me?"

Déjà's tail swished and she watched Roy intently. He smirked, shaking his head. "We're about to get into a lot of trouble, Ms. Déjà Vu."

If cats could smirk, Roy would've sworn that was what Déjà did.

Without another word, the two began to move down the sewage way.


A chill ran up my spine and I glanced behind me. The sound of blood splattering the forest and another burst of bright red flashed before me and I narrowed my eyes. Something didn't feel right.

A loud crash echoed through the forest and I turned to the right, staring off into the darkness.

Heinkel's with Pride. I turned to my left. Ling and Lan Fan are with Gluttony.

In response an explosion rocked the forest from where Ling was and I looked over into the other direction. Edward was with Darius, meaning they were safe for now. But knowing Ed, he wouldn't stay down for long.

Another chill ran up my spine and the hair on the back of my neck rose.

Something was up.

Gluttony cried out once more and I stared hard into the forest, trying to pin point exactly where Lan Fan and Ling were. The chill unshakeable.

A spark flashed in my mind and my eyes widened as I whirled around, catching the faint glint of Lan Fan's automail.

Gluttony.

"Ling!" I shouted, running towards the flares of bright red. "Ling!"

"Ghosty?" Ling questioned, his voice sounding somewhere to my left. "I told you to stay hidden!"

Where there's Gluttony, there's—

"Look out!"

A bright flash of red electricity shot up from the ground, illuminating the forest in a whirling mass of red. Shots of red flared to life all about and crackled against the ground like snakes, flickering up trees and brightening the dark skies.

I grit my teeth as a bolt ran up my body. The overpower of electricity retaliating against my own. I flicked my eyes over to where I could now see Ling, he and Lan Fan taking shelter behind one of the trees, careful not to touch the whirling mass of energy running up it.

The energy died down, to my relief. But a single body stood in the center of the clearing. One pale hand lay gently against Gluttony's head as apple red orbs glared out into the darkness.

"Alacrity." I spat, taking a step forward.

Her eyes flickered over to where I was but she remained silent, red electricity crackling up and down her body and giving off a faint glow. The crackling was like fire crackers to my ears and I narrowed my eyes, feeling energy running up and down my own arm.

"You ruined my surprise." She whined, rocking back on her heels and sticking her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket as she looked at me with a pout. "I was going to make things go boom."

Gluttony clutched her leg with his meaty hands and looked out into the forest fearfully. "Alacrity! Even though it's dark they can still see me! They keep hurting me! I've died a lot now!"

Alacrity looked over to Ling and Lan Fan curiously. "Can they? No use hiding in the dark then. And by the looks of it..." Her eyes flickered over and I followed her gaze, tensing at the sight of flames licking at a bush towards the other side of the forest where Ed and everyone else were. "Pride's covered."

"Ghosty, stay back." Ling ordered, taking a step forward, Lan Fan his shadow. "This isn't your battle."

"That's for her to decide." Alacrity retorted before I could reply. "If anything, Lover Boy, when I'm brought in, this is her battle."

I looked at Alacrity in suspicion. Was she siding with me?

"Don't let them hurt me..." Gluttony whined and Alacrity petted his head, casting a glare Ling and Lan Fan's way.

"Picking on Gluttony..." Alacrity grumbled, the electricity brightening. "That's low."

"He was trying to kill us." Ling began, his eyes narrowed as he stared back at her, clenching his fists.

Her eyes flashed. "Only because he was ordered too. Gluttony, stay back, I've got them."

Without a second thought I lunged forward, fist aimed towards my own face. Alacrity's eyes lit up and she met my speed pace for pace. I felt my fist collide with her cheek as her fist landed a hard blow to my gut.

I felt the air rush out of my lungs as a shot of energy was fired up my body, leaving a scorching trail. Alacrity let out a grunt of pain as my fist left a burn mark across her skin. Red light flared and the injury was quickly healed, though something flashed through her eyes.

I let out a gasp as her foot slammed into my side. I skidded a few feet off and held it tenderly, feeling the searing hot pain go through me once more. Alacrity wasted no time and shot off, aiming another blow to my stomach.

I ducked and brought my knee up into her own stomach. I felt the air rush out of her as she growled, shooting a hand out and swiping at my face.

I moved the side, hearing the crackle sound in my ear threateningly before she leapt to the side. I heard a rustle and Alacrity dodged to the left as a kunai whistled past her ear, leaving a knick in the tender flesh.

Red light flared and it was gone, but that emotion flickered through her eyes again.

Was she... Was she scared?

I blinked at the black coat in front of me and glared up at Ling, his face turned towards Alacrity. "Hey! This is my fight!"

"Not if I have a say in it." Ling answered back, "Lan Fan!"

Lan Fan shot out of the trees and aimed a slash towards Alacrity's side. The homunculus managed to move at the last second, but was wounded with a light gash.

The red light flared. Her eyes flickered once more.

With a growl Alacrity slammed her palm into the ground. Instantly the energy spread through the earth and ran up the trees.

I grimaced at the scorching pain and Ling barely flinched. Once it died he looked back to me, and began herding me back. "Go back and wait for me Ghosty—"

"No." I snapped, standing tall and looking up at him with a glare. "Now that she's here, you are not stopping me from fighting."

"But you'll—"

"Pride's already got light from the fire!" I growled, "And I know Ed can handle him. He has Heinkel and Darius too."

Ling opened his mouth to protest but I cut him off once more. "She has my body, Ling. This is my fight."

A troubled look crossed over his face and he released an annoyed sigh. "Ghosty, I spoil you too much."

"Spoil?" I felt a grin touch my lips. "I don't need your permission to fight. And besides," I pushed a finger into his chest and Ling looked surprised as I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at him. "I still need to kick your ass."

With that, I shot off, energy pumping, towards Alacrity. Her eyes narrowed as she turned from Lan Fan, who had been keeping her busy with her quick slashes, to me. She arched her body and dodged my kick and shot out with her fist.

I took the blow and moved in closer, grabbing her arm and shooting up my own energy. It seemed to have the same affect as hers did on me and she grit her teeth. Alacrity slammed her forehead into mine.

The act caught me off guard and I saw stars for a moment, taking a feeble step back when Ling swept in front of me, aiming blows and kicks and Alacrity.

"You'd hurt me so easily?" Alacrity grunted, cringing from a blow she received to the gut. "Even though I look so much like her?"

"I'm not so blinded as to hesitate over who's who." Ling answered curtly, his face hard. "You're not Ghosty."

I felt a trickle of warmth and I quickly pushed it down, shaking my head at the sudden rush of emotions. Now was not the time!

Ling aimed a kick her way. Alacrity barely managed to bring her arms up into a shield as she was sent skidding a few feet back. "I'm not afraid to hurt you."

Alacrity smirked. "Neither am I."

Ling gave a grunt of pain as he leapt back, energy crackling off of him as he gripped his burned arm, red energy flashing as it healed.

"Young Lord!" Lan Fan called, lunging forward swiftly and dealing Alacrity a blow across the cheek.

The girl was sent flying and Gluttony let out a cry, running forward. Lan Fan swiftly moved in and dealt him a deep gash into his stomach, sending blood flying as he staggered backwards.

"Gluttony!" Alacrity cried and I blinked surprise. The genuine concern caused me to hesitate.

The other me was up in a flash and shot a stream of energy Lan Fan's way. Though she swiftly dodged the blow, the electricity rose up like Pride's shadows and hit her square in the chest. Lan Fan let out a cry of pain as she was tossed back.

"Lan Fan!" Ling exclaimed, shooting forward and dodging Alacrity's attacks. "Lan Fan!"

I rolled to the side and tried to copy what Alacrity did, shooting the electricity into the ground. But all that came up was a few fizzled sparks and I cursed, choosing instead to run towards her and attempt to land a blow to her face.

Apple orbs narrowed. "Why don't you quit already? You and your rag tag heroes aren't going to do anything to Daddy's little plan."

"What we do is none of your business!" I snapped, annoyance flaring up. "I don't want to heat anything from some copy cat like you!"

Her eyes flared. "I'm my own person!"

"Look at yourself!" I snarled. "You call that being your own person?"

Her energy began to spark. "Shut up."

"You have my body!"

"Shut up!"

"You're me!"

"Shut up!" Alacrity screeched. The energy crackling off in resounding waves, creating a crater where she stood. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You don't know me! Who are you to tell me who I am when you don't have a body of your own!"

"Ghosty, look out!" Ling exclaimed, lunging forward and slamming me to the ground.

I opened my mouth to yell at him when a wave of red flashed a few inches above us. Resounding waves of red electricity crackled in the air as Alacrity took in deep breaths, the energy flashing viciously around her.

Her lips moved silently in some sort of mantra, I tried to make out what she was saying but Lan Fan leapt forward, keeping her moving back and froth as she slashed at the homunculus.

Alacrity narrowed her eyes and attempted to land a hit, but Lan Fan managed to dodge, slashing at her left and right.

Ling slowly raised himself up on his arms and looked back at Alacrity, his eyes watching carefully as he moved to a crouch in front of me. "You have to be more careful, Ghosty."

"I don't want to hear that from you." I grumbled, rubbing my head gingerly. Ling looked back at me worriedly.

"Are you alright?" He questioned, moving forward and reaching a hand out towards me.

Choose.

I slapped his arm away. "I'm fine!"

Surprise flittered over Ling's face and a faint flicker of hurt seemed to reveal itself before moving away. I hesitated and looked away, suddenly feeling guilty.

"I missed you."

"Sorry." I murmured quietly, looking down at the darkened earth beneath me.

I felt eyes on me and dared to look up. Ling's face was focused solely on me, and I was unable to see what he was thinking.

Something in me seemed to clench in pain. Half of me grew silent while the other half cried out at me, asking why I was being so soft to him.

Why was I?

Why was Ling suddenly so...different?

Why did I...

Greed.

I blinked back out of my reverie. What was I thinking? What was going on? Why were Ling and Greed suddenly the most important things on my mind? This didn't make any sense!

"Ghosty," Ling breathed, leaning forward. His hands gripped my shoulder tightly. "Do you—"

"Mrrow!" A black bundle of fur shot forward and latched itself onto Ling's face.

"Gilbert?" I questioned, bewildered at the cat's sudden reappearance. "Where on earth do you keep running off to?"

"The Demon Cat." Ling muttered crossly, holding Gilbert by the scruff as he pulled the cat away from his face. "I can't say I missed him too much."

Gilbert let out a hiss, scratching at the air with his claws as he glared at Ling.

A cry of pain sounded from Gluttony and I snapped my head their way. I spotted Alacrity clutching a missing arm tightly, blood seeping from the wound as it began to reform. Lan Fan stood poised and ready, her arm's blade up threateningly.

Apple red orbs were narrowed in anger, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes as she slowly took a step back. "Gluttony, we need to go now."

The larger homunculus looked at Alacrity and nodded, beginning to move away when a flash of light flared overhead.

Gluttony looked up curiously and Alacrity cursed. She gently pushed Gluttony towards where the flash had gone off and the two shot off into the forest.

The white flare flashed up brightly overhead. I moved my head up to look when a hand moved in front of my eyes.

"Don't look," Ling ordered, pulling me closer. "It's a flash bomb. Fu must have let one off."

"Fu's here too?" I questioned, not having realized that with Lan Fan here, the older man must have followed. "Where is he?"

"With Edward." Ling answered, slowly standing up and herding me along in front of him, Lan Fan following through the trees.

Gilbert bounded after us at my heels, occasionally brushing up against my leg to show that he was still there. I ran to keep up with Ling, who wouldn't seem to let go of my hand.

The thought caused a small flicker of annoyance to run through me as we ran through the forest, the white light still illuminating the area. "Would you let go of my hand?"

"You need me to navigate." Ling answered smoothly, his fingers tightening around my own as he lead me forward. "I can sense chi remember? And besides," He looked over and flashed me a grin. "We need to make up for the time apart!"

I gave him an annoyed glare, fighting the hot blush spreading on my cheeks. "Stop being so...stupid."

"You're losing your touch, Ghosty. Could it be that you're finally starting to fall for my charming ways?"

"Hell no!"

There was a clank of metal overhead and Ling paused, turning around and looking up at Lan Fan, who had stopped and was clutching her arm tightly.

"Lan Fan, what's wrong?" Ling called out, but Lan Fan ignored him, instead jumping from tree to tree. "Lan Fan!"

"You fail with women." I stated flatly, though my eyes trailed after Lan Fan worriedly. I hadn't seen her in ages, and I couldn't help but worry for the girl I had come to befriend.

Well, sorta at least.

Ling rolled his eyes as he continued forward, refusing to release my hand. "I have you don't I?"

"You don't have me!"

"Silly Ghosty, you're just in denial~"

"I am not!"

The flash of white light suddenly disappeared and the glow of the fire burning began to grow brighter. I narrowed my eyes and matched Ling's pace, spotting the faint outline of the others through the trees.

There was another flash of white light and I shut my eyes in that moment. Ling's hand was the only thing keeping me from falling on my face as we burst into the clearing, the light having faded away.

A fire flickered behind us as I looked over what had gone down. Heinkel crouched on one knee, in his chimera form and heavily bleeding. Fu stood beside him, the old man's eyes flickered over to where Ling and Lan Fan stood and visible relief flickered over.

Edward was standing in front of the two, his eyes narrowed at a small boy who stood in front of them, shadows flickering around his form.

"Pride." I whispered, recalling the small boy in Mrs. Bradley's arm when Greed had attacked Wrath. "Who would've guessed?"

Darius and Al's body were nowhere in sight. I stood beside Ling; Lan Fan crouched in his shadow. Gilbert was at my heels, his fur fluffed up to make him look twice his size. Pride, Alacrity, and Gluttony stood before us, eyes narrowed.

I looked over at the group I was standing with and felt the faintest hint of amusement. Talk about rag tag. The world expected a group like this to save the country of Amestris from doom?

...

...

...

Apparently.

Ed's eyes flickered over to us. "Are you alright?"

"Of course," Ling grinned, "What else would you expect of the future emperor of Xing?"

Edward rolled his eyes and he blinked at our joined hands, a questioning look poised on his face.

"He won't let me go." I answered before the question could be asked. "There's nothing going on."

Edward raised an eyebrow but kept silent, while Ling looked to me in confusion. "I thought we had something going..."

"There was never anything going! Now let go of my hand!"

Pride turned his head to Gluttony and Alacrity. "You two are a real mess aren't you?"

"Well, it's because that girl and Greed are acting funny!" Gluttony cried, pointing towards Ling and Lan Fan. "They could tell where we were even when it was so dark."

"What did you expect?" Alacrity grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes.

Pride narrowed his eyes and Alacrity kept her stance. I frowned at the odd tension crackling. The relationship between the two seemed...colder.

But why?

Pride glanced back to Ling and Lan Fan, his eyes flickering over me for a second before his boyish face hardened. It was odd, honestly. Looking at such a young, innocent face and seeing it turned into something so twisted.

Like talking to a creepy doll.

Pride had a thoughtful look on his face and his eyes flickered over to Gluttony. He licked his lips and I felt myself freeze.

Something bad was about to happen.

Alacrity seemed to have the same thought as she tensed; her arm began to crackle uncertainly.

"Gluttony," Pride began, the small boy turning to him. "How many times have you been killed?"

"I don't know." Gluttony murmured, looking troubled. "I've been killed a lot, though."

My insides were suddenly screaming to run. To get as far away from the small boy as possible. I suddenly didn't mind Ling's hand holding my own, the comfort he gave off was all too enticing at the moment.

Alacrity's eyes narrowed. Her fingers twitching as electricity ran along her hands. The shadowy tendrils behind Pride grinned as they slowly moved about, the multiple eyes glimmering darkly.

"I've been beaten up pretty badly myself." Pride murmured. "The way things are headed, we could be wiped out by them."

Ling and Ed tensed and my eyes widened. Gluttony looked to Pride in excitement. "Then, we could have Father fix us—"

Gluttony paused, looking down at him in child-like confusion. "Eh?"

The black tendrils were now surrounding the homunculus in a swarm. The arm like shapes hovering about him at all sides, leaving no route for a possible escape. Alacrity's face grew pale and she took a step forward, eyes wide with horror.

"Pride..." She warned, taking another step forward.

The small boy smiled, eyes lowered darkly as the shadows began to advance.

"No..." Gluttony began, fear in his squeaky voice. "No...Pride—"

"Pride!" Alacrity exclaimed, her eyes wide. "What do you think—"

Pride smirked.

A large black shadowy mass lunged forward, mouth opened up and eyes glimmering brightly as it scooped Gluttony up into the air. Ling and Ed's eyes widened beside me and I watched, unable to stop shaking as Pride split Gluttony in half.

"No... Don't eat me..." Gluttony cried, the upper half of his body slowly crumbling away into ash. "Help... me... Lust... Alacrity... It hurts!"

And then he was gone. The ash crumbled away into dust and flew off into the wind. The lower half of Gluttony's body hit the floor and the shadows swarmed, engulfing it within seconds.

I found myself unable to stop shaking. My eyes wide as I watched, unable to believe what had just happened. My heart clenched, despite who Gluttony was, I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Out of all the homunculi, he was, at most, the least evil.

"Gluttony!" Alacrity cried, lunging forward only to come to a halt, the shadows swarming over the body and leaving no trace behind. "G-Gluttony? Gluttony!"

"He devoured his own kind!" Ling snarled, his eyes wide with fury as his fist clenched and the hand around mine tightened painfully. I noted the darkening of his other hand and looked up at his face.

I realized, with a strange flicker of disappointment, that his eyes weren't the dark black I had remembered them to be. Instead, they were Greed's amethyst. I frowned at the flickered of sadness. Why would I be sad about something like that?

My head shot up when I heard a cry of anger.

Alacrity had launched herself towards Pride. Body a whirling mass of energy as she aimed a fist at him, eyes wide with fury.

Pride's gaze didn't even look over as a tendril shot out and impaled her through the stomach.

Alacrity breathed heavily, blood pouring down from where the tendril shot through her. She gripped it with bloodied hands and glared, eyes filled with hatred at Pride.

"You bastard." She snarled, face contorting in rage. "You bastard! You sick, twisted—"

A second tendril shot through where her heart would be if she had one. Alacrity's eyes widened and she coughed up blood, looking at Pride with wide eyes. The older homunculus' gaze had flicked her way and he watched calmly.

"What your place, Zeal," Pride murmured, though his voice was cold, "Unless you wish to suffer the same fate. Gluttony was an honorable sacrifice to our cause."

"We could've gone back." She coughed, eyes filled with hate.

"And waste such an opportunity?" Pride questioned calmly. "Father would have wanted this."

Her grip on the tendrils currently impaling her tightened, though red electricity flashed about. I realized she was unable to heal due to the tendrils still impaling her, and she seemed to have realized it as well, a trickle of fear running through her eyes.

Pride caught it as well and he smirked. "You have but a few lives to loose, do you not? I wouldn't go about so easily if I were you."

Alacrity's eyes narrowed and she grit her teeth as the tendrils withdrew. The girl fell to the ground as she clutched her wounds, the energy flaring as it began to close them up.

"You bastard." She breathed, eyes looking at the black mass that was once Gluttony with pain in her eyes. "Father won't—"

"Father would have said something had he cared." Pride cut her off and Alacrity's eyes widened. "You are becoming soft, Zeal. Surely you must realize that Father doesn't care for one or two loses along the way to his goal."

The sharp tongued homunculus grew silent and I stared at her with wide eyes, somehow finding a trickle of pity for the girl who had taken my own body. Despite being enemies, this was just...wrong.

You don't see me go and eating Ling, now do you?

"Ah, this is more convenient. I can detect your scents quite well now." Pride mused, the swirling black mass of shadows behind him grinning at us. "I could do without the feeling of hunger that comes with it though."

Pride blinked, his eyes were a lighter shade of purple, and were large for his child-like body. He closed his eyes and sniffed the air before a smirk touched his lips. Alacrity had her eyes trained hard on him.

The familiar robs glittered so intensely, I found myself unable to look away at the torrent of emotions on her face. Eyes were narrowed, teeth were bared, but a reluctant understanding seemed to dawn on her.

With a low growl, a bolt flickered out at Pride before she flashed a bright red and disappeared. Pride looked to where she had stood blankly; he soon turned towards us and smirked.

"Edward Elric!" He called out, the swirling shadows peered at him darkly, canine teeth reveled in a smirk. "If I capture you, Hohenheim will be forced to come forward."

Ed's eyes narrowed and he tensed. Within seconds, black tendrils shot out quickly. I leapt to the side as they slammed one after another into the ground after Ed, who was beginning backed into a tree.

The tendrils spit into two and Edward's eyes widened as Pride smirked, shooting down a single blade to attack.

The tree Edward had been pressed against was split into two as the shadow chomped down. Edward had ducked to the floor and shot off. Ling tensed beside me, but something seemed off.

Shifting my eyes to him, I examined him carefully. His eyes were now wide open and his teeth that sharp canine like edge.

Don't tell me...

I blinked in shock and surprise as a tendril shot straight through me. Glancing down, it glared up at me menacingly. Grateful that my body chose to be nonexistent, I leapt away and slammed back into the trunk of a tree.

Lan Fan and Ling stood above me and I looked up at the sound of a clash.

"Young Lord!" Lan Fan called, glancing back while Ling smirked.

Damnit.

"Afraid not." Greed smirked, looking up at her darkly. "I'm Greed."

Lan Fan's eyes widened in surprise before they narrowed, a glare aimed at Greed. "Why you... Give the Young Lord back his body!"

"Yeah, really." I muttered, half of me relieved and the other half suddenly silent at Ling's sudden departure.

I wouldn't deny that part of me was suddenly saddened by the abrupt leave. What was I expecting, a goodbye? This wasn't the situation to be thinking so...so...unlike me.

Ling.

"That's something I'm afraid I can't do." Greed sneered before whirling around. "Here he comes!"

The shadow shot out and bit flat into the tree. Bark and twigs scattered about as it was split in two like the other. A second shot out and grasped Greed tightly between the jaws.

Lan Fan stretched out an arm to assist when she gasped in pain, falling to the floor. I caught sight of a bob of blonde hair and continued onward, knowing that Edward had her taken care of.

Gilbert hissed beside me, launching himself upwards and slashing at a tendril. It whirled around and opened up its jaws. My eyes widened and I lunged, grasping Gilbert tightly in my arms and out of harms way.

"Go." I ordered, setting the cat down.

Gilbert looked startled by this command and he let out a hiss. I shook my head. "As much as I would never mind having you fight by my side, these shadows aren't safe. I can't risk losing you."

His ears flattened against his head before he let out a low meow, brushing against me before he darted off into the darkness. My heart ached as the small black shape disappeared within the shadows, I already missed his rugged fur beside me.

A tendril whizzed by my arm, creating a deep gash. The blood-like liquid seeped through and I glanced down, hesitantly touching the purple-red liquid.

Blood? I know when I was injured before, it came out...But... it doesn't look like it... I ducked to the side as a tendril clamped down where my head had been.

The eye peered at me menacingly and I glared, feeling electricity crackle at my feet as I launched a kick up at the pupil.

Instantly, it retracted. I grinned triumphantly and got to my feet, the sound fighting made me turn, spotting Greed slashing a mass of black away from Fu and Heinkel.

I pivoted on my left and dashed off in that direction, ducking and shooting bursts of energy at the shadowy masses. When I found myself but a few feet away from Greed, I planted my feet and sent a bolt Pride's way.

It was easily blocked and I frowned, wondering if I could produce a high enough blast. My eyes couldn't help but flicker back to Ling, no, Greed's form and my frown deepened.

"So Greed's back?"

"The one and only."

"Terrific."

A smirk plastered itself across his face. "Eh? No warm hug and a welcome back?"

"In case you haven't noticed," I drawled, looking to him flatly. "Lives are on the line. And I'd welcome back Ling any day."

Something flashed in his eyes. "Dumb brat," he muttered. "Doesn't know what's mine."

A shadow suddenly slammed hard into my gut. I felt the air rush out of me instantly, causing me to hit the ground. I cringed at the tough surface colliding with my own body and gingerly propped myself up.

Edward had dashed forward, only to be knocked aside as well. Greed had been slashing at a group of the tendrils before he was knocked backwards. I grimaced and slowly began to rise, eyes trained on the small boy in the clearing.

"You alive?" Greed called out, slowly getting to his knees as he looked Edward's way.

"More or less." Edward responded gruffly, slowly pushing himself off the ground like I had done.

I held back a whimper as a searing hot pain hit me. I gingerly touched my ribcage, feeling the unnatural angle of one of the bones. I felt myself beginning to repair, but it did not stop the burning pain of having one of your own bones broken.

"Is this any time to be worried about others, Greed?" Pride questioned, his face shadowed against the fire. "I wonder how much longer it will be before you are dead."

Greed snarled. "Monster."

Pride's childish eyes grew round. "That's a rather rude thing to say about your brother, Greed." A smile touched his lips as he titled his head cutely. "May I eat you now?"

"Greed?" I echoed, feeling a faint laughter escape my lips. "Not even Gluttony could stomach something so sour."

"Vile, was more what I was thinking." Edward piped up.

"Funny." Greed sneered, looking annoyed at the both of us.

A glint caught my eye and I stared, transfixed as the key necklace dangled freely from his neck. The small item being my chain instantly caught my attention, and a chill ran down my spine as I realized it had caught Pride's too.

His eyes narrowed as he regarded the item. "That's a rather...interesting accessory, Greed."

Greed blinked, looking down at the necklace before smirking. "This? Had it on when I took the body. What, like what you see?"

A thinner tendril rose like a snake, body weaving this way and that as Pride eyed it. "Father would be most interested in it."

I felt myself stiffen. Why would Father want a necklace? Let alone my chain?

I felt like a brick had hit me. That couldn't be it, could it? How could he possibly know the importance of such an item to me?

Pride's nose twitched and he glanced to the side. My gaze followed and I blinked in surprise at the sight of none other than Hohenheim walking towards us, the fire flickering in the trees behind him and casting a looming shadow.

"Ah, you're finally making your appearance." Pride commented. "Hohenheim."

"Heroes always arrive late, you know." Hohenheim answered, his hands placed in his pockets as he continued to trudge forward.

"Hero?" Pride echoed. "Are you saying that you mean to defeat me?"

Hohenheim came to a stop. "No, I couldn't do that." He admitted, a sheepish smile on his face. "You really are a fright, after all."

Despite his looks, there was an odd sense of power and wisdom beneath it all. I stared, curious. Edward's father may have seemed somewhat like an idiot, but he was definitely someone you shouldn't mess with.

I noticed Pride's eyes narrow as the shadow began to sway this way and that. They looked amorphous, constantly moving in different ways before settling on a menacing look.

There was a tense, heavy silence for what seemed like years before Hohenheim took a step forward. Pride's shadows rose up instantly, but the sudden clang of metal armor thundering through hit my ears.

I looked back in time to see that Alphonse had charged at Pride. The boy's movements were easily constricted by the shadows as Pride glanced back, a bit of a bemused look on his face.

"Alphonse!" I exclaimed, surprised at the sudden reappearance of the boy.

"Al!" Edward shouted, eyes equally wide. "You're okay!"

"Oh, what a pathetic strategy." Pride commented, tightening his hold on Al. "You just don't know when to give up!"

Alphonse's body was instantly contained, his knees hit the floor and I bristled, as his head hit the floor.

"Al!" Edward exclaimed, moving to aid his brother when Hohenheim held out an arm to hold him back.

I moved my gaze questioningly to Hohenheim's face, only to find it focused intensely on Pride, a sort of confident air wafting around him.

"Hmph, to think that you would come back here to be my hostage..." Pride began, jutting a finger towards Al. "What a curious boy your son is."

Hohenheim remained silent, moving the arm he had used to block Ed back to his side. "Don't you put..." He began and I tensed.

Hohenheim looked back up, golden orbs darkened and face contracted in a look of fury. "My son down."

Not even a finger was lifted.

Red electricity shot through the ground at an alarming rate. I took a step back in surprise as the ground began to shake, groaning painfully as chunks of land slowly began to curve upwards.

Pride's eyes widened in shock and a look of anger settled over his features as the dome like structure began to close in on him. "Hohenheim!"

With a final burst of rebellion, a shadow shot out through the closing gap. But it never hit its mark, halting but an inch from Hohenheim's neck.

I stared, unable to believe the sight that had just played out before my eyes. A shuffle was heard behind me and I glanced back, a thoughtful and rather serious expression on Greed's face.

"Amazing..." Greed breathed, looking up at the vast structure before us. "He confined him."

A sudden smirk hit his face and he grasped my hand. I looked up in surprise, "What do you—"

Before I could utter a protest, Greed was running off. Unable to escape his grasp, I was suddenly sent running after him. My eyes widened in shock and I looked back from Ed to Greed. "Greed! What on earth are you doing?"

He said nothing. That annoying smirk still plastered across his face as he maneuvered us through the forest. I glanced back.

The fire was growing further away and I looked ahead. Greed finally let his hand slip from mine, and for fear of flashing out again, I was forced to keep up with him. "Greed!"

The white bob of the ribbon tying back his and Ling's hair was my choice of focus as he ran ahead. "Where are we going? What about—"

"Lust is gone. Envy is gone. Gluttony is out of commission." He began, the smirk widening over his face. "Wrath is at the training ground in the east, and Pride is stuck here!"

I blinked in shock as he leapt over a cliff. My body flickered and I groaned, the light flashing before me. I soon found myself standing precariously over a broken tree branch.

I instantly braced myself against the trunk and looked up. Greed's arm was above my head, grasping the rough trunk to steady himself as his eyes glimmered with something I couldn't quite figure out.

"Right now," Greed continued. "The only ones here in Central are Daddy and Sloth."

I looked up at him in confusion. "Greed? What are you doing?"

"Hmph, I told you!" Greed answered, and I had the odd feeling that it wasn't just me he was addressing.

Lights flickered in the corner of my eyes and I turned my head.

I stared, mesmerized by the sight of Central splayed out before us. Lights lit up the city in a vast glow as it illuminated the darkness behind us. I hadn't realized that we were so...close.

"I'm going to be king of the whole world!"

"The time is approaching, my dear toy." The voice whispered and I stiffened. "I cannot wait to see how exactly things will play out. You humans always do surprise me."

I stared out at the vast city. My chest tightened as I looked at greed from the corner of my eye.

His face had a wide smirk stretched across, and his eyes glittered with this brightness that brought a chill down my spine. As if my thoughts had been heard, he looked to me.

Amethyst met apple red and we stared.

Ling's face was now a vibrant alarm in my head, half of me crying out that he was what mattered most right now. Not this imposter before me.

The other half was completely mesmerized. The vibrant glint in his eyes reflected off the light coming from the city. Half of me was unable to look away from the energy he seemed to give off. The confidence that was quickly accumulating as a plan of sorts seemed to form in his head.

"Kitten," Greed began, smirking at me. "Are you ready?"

Ling. I need Ling back.

Greed. I want to stay with Greed.

But Ling...I can't just leave him.

Greed was the one from the start, wasn't he?

I...I...

My gaze met his, stronger now as I looked up at him. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Greed's smirk widened. Something inside told me, that no matter the outcome, as long as I was with him, I would be fine.

Which one, exactly, was him?

I had no idea.


Déjà looked at the grave before her.

Her tail moved faintly as it brushed over the grass, her eyes never leaving the grave stone before her. Roy stood behind her, staring intently at the gravestone of his beloved friend.

Déjà's eyes softened and she brushed up against the other man, purring lowly in her throat in some form of consolation. Roy offered a faint smile, staring at Maes' grave.

Unknown to Roy, Maes stared at his friend, a sort of wry smile on his lips as he watched his friend.

His eyes flickered and he looked down to the feline at his feet, eyes curious behind glasses as he stared.

To his initial shock and surprise, Déjà looked up at him.

Eyes of every shade of blue imaginable watched the ghost before and she flicked her ear, whiskers twitching in amusement. Maes narrowed his eyes and his breath caught in his throat as realization sunk in.

The ginger furred feline was no longer a feline. A woman stood behind the cat, eyes warm as she smiled at Maes. The man's eyes widened in surprise and she smiled, eyes twinkling as she flashed him a wink and put a finger to her lips in a hushing motion.

"Colonel." Riza's voice broke in and Maes blinked, the woman disappeared.

The blonde haired woman stood behind Roy, opening her mouth after a moment hesitation, only to be cut off as Roy turned to face her. "Let's go, Lieutenant."

Roy brushed past the woman, but halted, turning his head to the left. His eyes scanned over the rows and rows of graves before his eyes landed on a silver one.

His body turned towards the grave, and he contemplated dropping a visit. Riza watched him silently, offering him space. His feet slowly began to move in the direction, and before he knew it, he was standing before the grave.

Déjà sat at is heels, looking up at the man with curiosity, but a hint of sadness in her eyes as she stared at the grave, than at Roy.

"I may be joining you soon." Roy voiced aloud, looking down at the grave with a fond smile. "If all goes well, I'm afraid you'll have to wait."

The air remained silent and Roy shook his head. "Wish me luck."

As the man turned his back on the grave, a breeze fluttered by him. Roy paused, mid step as he breathed in the sudden scent of flowers around him. His heart clenched in memory as he turned slowly, half expecting that person to be there.

There was no one.

A smile touched his lips as he shook his head. "Wind playing tricks on me I see."

But as the scent of flowers faded and the breeze died, a hushed whisper just barely reached his ears.

"I'll be waiting."


Omake: What if... Envy Was a Therapist?

"The doctor is right inside," the accountant called out, pointing the nervous man inside.

He nodded, a small smile on his lips as he fumbled with his fingers. Stepping into the room, he noticed that the room seemed to be vacant.

The man stood awkwardly in the doorway, not sure what to do. The room was normal, save for the swaying palm tree in the center.

Wait a minute...

"Just take a seat," The palm tree ordered and the man blinked in shock, not having realized that the mop of hair was the doctor.

The man nodded, taking a seat on the long chair.

"Alright," Envy began, swirling around and staring blankly at the man before him. "What kind of a screw up nut job do I have the honor to meet this time?"

The man stared. "E-Excuse me?"

"What? Are you so messed up that you don't have a name?"

"It's D-David..."

"David, huh? Stupid name."

"I-It was my grandfather's..."

"Well he must've been stupid." Envy concluded, looking at his clipboard boredly, he began to tap his pen against the metal piece. "So what's so messed up about you?"

David swallowed the lump in his throat. "W-well, lately I've been rather depressed."

"You call that a problem?"

"I had thought it was one..."

"Oh, really? Huh. Keep going."

"L-last month my wife left me—"

"No surprise there."

"And she took my only daughter with her."

"Poor kid. Probably going to grow up all messed up in the head because of you."

David paled. "I l-lost my job—"

"Jeez, you can't keep anything can you?"

"And now I'm living with my mother—"

"Momma's boy, eh? No wonder your wife left you."

"E-excuse me, doctor?"

"What?"

"Aren't you supposed to be making me feel better?" David asked tentatively, looking up at Envy.

The therapist stared blankly at him. "I honestly could care less. I hate humans. You should all go and die for all I care."

"But you're a therapist! You're supposed to make people feel better, help them through their lives!"

"Why should I give a shit about humans?"

"Aren't you one?"

"Listen, Daden—"

"D-David."

"Like I care. You're a bum with no life. There's nothing else I can do for you."

Crestfallen, David stood and quietly left the room.

The next week, headlines had made the Amestris Weekly, covering an article about how a man who had lost it all, now owned millions in his new line of business, and was married to a model.

Envy stared blankly at the paper and tossed it into the trash.

"Stupid humans."


Haha, oh, Envy. You never cease to amuse me with you and all your palm tree glory.

WASSUP GUYS?

:D

It seems that things are beginning to develop, feelings are pushed to the surface, and the mystery of Déjà Vu is beginning to come together! I hope you all haven't been waiting long, but here's the next chapter!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WE HAVE HIT IT PEOPLE. SIX HUNDRED AND SIX FLIPPING REVIEWS. MY LORD. I. LOVE. YOU. ALL.

There are no words to describe the immense happiness and thankfulness I feel towards you all for making this possible. Even though this story may be coming to an end, I hope you all know I couldn't have done it without you. :,D But fret not. A sequel is on the horizon!

Speaking of sequels, is anyone looking forward to the next Star Trek as much as I am? James Tiberius Kirk, how I adore thee~

My heart and prayers go out to the victims of the Sandy Hook elementary incident. Honestly, to know that something so...unbelievable as that has happened...it scares me. Especially since I have to younger sisters in grade school, and I don't know what'd I do if something like that were to happen. I can only hope that for the poor families who have lost their loved ones, that everything's going to be alright.

Tailsdoll123: Aw thanks. :D I do plan on making a sequel now.—Haha, good ol' Gilbert. I just can't get over how much I love that demon cat. It's amazing. I hope you've seen it by now! Thanks for the review!

ToriB66: Yay! New review! Haha, thanks! And thanks for the review!

Yami Mizuna: Loving her! Haha, things will clear up, I promise! Thanks for the reviews!

Musiclover1072: You reviewed! –happy dance- It could be~ I reveal nothing! Haha, I'm glad you can't wait! –swipes marshmallows- I am now motivated.—Ah, but Déjà's going to be away for a little while longer I'm afraid! All will be revealed my dear reader, all will be revealed. Fear not, I have fallen in love with the white haired hottie as well. Thanks for the reviews!

Certified Chocoholic: I'm honored that my story is up to such standards, that it can make you feel better when you're down. :D I fell in love with that. Writers live to write and authors write to live. That is now my new motto. Well, if you're every in the southern cal area near a nice little place called Orange County, meeting me may not be so hard to believe~Oh! I love that anime! Thanks for the reviews!

Ink Asylum: The replies are going to be a little confusing, since I'm doing it to three of them, haha, but hopefully you'll get the gist! It did make me laugh. Wipeout is just one of those shows that even though the people are injured, it's just too funny. Of course not! I love a good critic every now and then, and it always helps me improve. I'm glad you like 'em long. :) Haha, creepy line. I'm glad that it's not to painfully obvious. I'm holding back, and I plan to slowly lead you guys all up to what I have planned, and then bam! Realization! Haha, I'm glad to see a neutralist amongst my reviewers. I'm glad that you can't wait; it makes me smile to know that so many of you love this story. :D I haven't gotten a chance too, but I plan on watching it! Thanks. I do my best to try and make them seem just right. I never like it either when an author changes the way a character acts, it just throws me off. I do understand your concerns for Ling though. I don't want him to be pushed out. That's the last thing I want. But I'm not surprised, considering the lack of attention he gets in the anime for a stretch; it's hard to incorporate him without tossing things off. But fear not! Ling will not be forgotten! This is a love triangle! Hopefully this is long enough to make up for three chapters! Haha, and hopefully that 'more Ling' was in this chapter. Thank you for all your reviews!

Annadrujok: Of course I will! Haha, I can't wait for it either. Thanks for the review!

The Alchemy Goddess: Yes, Ed is back. :D I can't wait till someone hits home as well, I have faith in you! Wet grass? I applaud you my friend, I managed to trip over carpet in class. I luckily didn't fall. But I did manage to get all of my classmates looking at me like I was an idiot...which I may as well be, but oh wells! Thanks for the review!

Eeveegirl36: I am too. It'll make writing this both easier and harder! I plan on it. :D Thanks for the review!

A simple fan: I'm glad that you are now refreshed. :) I'll get an update for that one up soon! Not to worry! Possibly five, is what I was estimating. But your guess is as good as mine. I can't wait to see it all play out as well, my fingers are itching! Thanks for the reviews!

Hopeless Alchemist: Replying! Haha, hopefully he'll grow on ya! But I adore Ling to pieces as well. Oh, why must creators be so cruel and taunt us so? I'm glad that there may be some Lingsty supporters out there! I can't wait to see your review when the sequel comes out. :D Thanks for the review!

Neusuada: Hopefully they've had some kisses for ya~ I'll try! Thanks for the review!

DoctorWhotaliaandtheOlympian s: It is time...for a battle of epic proportions to begin! Actually, I have as much of an idea as you. :D Jack Frost...would be the best husband ever. Haha. Thanks for the review!

Shadow Realm Triforce: Greed won't, but can you blame her? Haha, I love his determination too. That guy never ceases to amaze me. Greed is definitely not going to be happy~ But he'll get over it. XD A SEQUEL I AM MAKING! If you guys get me to a thousand, I will cry. I mean it. It seems that when they all feel screwed, that's when they all get together and laugh, haha. I couldn't choose either. It'd be too hard. :( It might be. But I won't spoil! Go Ling! Fight! Fight! I would be confused too, haha. Green eyes indeed. What could this mean? Thank you! And thanks for all the reviews!

Wapahani Raiders: I was thinking, but Halloween's passed. Haha, guess I took to long. But at least I have a different special on the mind... Thanks for the review!

Akira45: Thanks! And thanks for the reviews!

FireDragonX23: Thanks! Hopefully the fight was good enough! And thanks for the review!

Molly Grace 16: Hoho, who knows? Me! Haha, I'm so evil. I hope you'll like the ending then. I'm glad you think so! It may~ He may not know what's going to happen, but he just might have one of those gut feelings, you know? Could be! Or maybe someone else? Thanks for the reviews!

Narutowolf: Thanks! And thanks for the review!

153alira: Aw shucks, you think so? You have Ghosty's thanks. Haha, I hope the update was soon enough! Thanks for the review!

MeshaSunshine: I love that you love it! Thanks for the review!

I3anime: I'm making more! Haha, thanks for loving it! Thanks for the review!

Crazyquilt: Thanks! And thanks for the review!

Fuher King Greed: LOL AT THE NAME. Haha, thanks for the review?

: What about Ling? Don't you like him too? D: I get depressed to, actually. Especially when I think about how I'm going to make this all play out. I wanted it to be! Haha, though sadly, that's what they're relationship is. It's strained, uncertain, and filled with the underlining sadness of what had happened between them. I honestly get sad thinking about their past. WATCH THE MOVIE WATCH THE MOVIE! Thanks for the review!

IAteYoSocks: Aw, thanks! It means a lot to me to hear you say that. Or well, review that. Thanks for the review!

Rei13Reaper: I'm glad that she didn't turn out Mary-Sue. I never wanted her to be, and knowing that you all think she's far off the radar warms my heart. I'll keep those ideas in mind! Thanks for the review!

LeoInuyuka: Hey! Got it, haha. Hopefully you didn't die for real, because then I would miss your reviews. :( I do have it planned, haha. I'm just keeping you all in the dark like the mean author I am. If he even knows it! Haha, well my school's not as bad, luckily. Worst we get is the occasional druggie, and lots and lots of girl drama. I know! I saw it coming, but I was hoping that it wouldn't be so. It just seemed so typical that he be Madara. Haha, it does make me feel better looking at it that way. Thanks. And thanks for the reviews!

Kuroda Foxe14: Glad it brightened your day! And I'm happy that you were all touched by this chapter and were able to grasp the emotion I was hoping to let you all feel. Thanks for the review!

WitchFlame15: Don't worry; I need to update more often, haha. I'm glad that you think so. I was worried it wasn't too good. Thank you! And thanks for the reviews!

An Echo In Time: Would you really? :D Aw shucks, I feel loved~ Thanks! And thanks for the reviews!

Reaper. death: I'm glad you're still motivated. :D Never lose sight of your passion! How is Hilda? Tell her I said hi! I'm sorry I haven't been replying much, but life is keeping me in its clutches. And I'm glad! Let's hope we all stay there. XD I'm sorry for not updating it in so long, it's just that I've been really unsure with that story. And I love you and your motivational reviews! Thank you for the reviews!

HomunculusInsanity: Haha, no Ling? Thanks! And thanks for the reviews!

WhiteTiger BlackWolf: Aw, man. I made you cry? :( But at least its tears of joy! Frying pans. The ultimate weapon. Thanks for the reviews!

Tokyorose627: Everyone's talking about it because it's so epic! :D You should see it! Thanks for the review!

The Fire Rain Alchemist: I loved it too! I saw it with my little sisters. Thanks for the review!

ShizukaRen-Hime: I would never leave it. I love this story way too much. :D Haha, you'll just have to wait! Because I'm keeping that secret with me till the end! I'm honored and beyond grateful to know that you think my story is that good compared to some of the better ones out there. I've found it. Thanks to all of you. I miss him too. Ling's bubbly personality is just waiting to show up again. But sadly, the anime doesn't give him as much time outside as I'd like. Thanks for the review!

Diclonios57: Whoa! Thanks for all the reviews! And I'm glad my story has you wanting to read more! :D Thanks again for all the reviews!

Guest: Review? Yay! Thanks for the review!

Fyuro: Your feelings may just be correct. :D I'm glad that you think so. One thing always on my mind is whether or not someone is in character, and I never want to make a character out for something that they're not. Thanks for loving it so much! And thanks for the review!

Guest: Thanks! And thanks for the review!

Spot'sGalFrom1899: I'm glad you will! I'll always love seeing your reviews! Thanks for the review!

Nadzuke eno mono: Oh, cake? That's a new pairing. XD Did it? I hope it didn't make it any worse! Thanks for the review!

Angelhaidi: Here's more! Thanks for the review!

Kiterious: Haha, those two, they're just one of the same. Especially when it comes to a certain ginger~ Thanks for the review!

Obsessivesyndrome: I'm glad you've gotten back into it! Fma is one of my favorite animes, and it's a shame to ever forget about how awesome it is. Thanks! And thanks for the review!

Nekolover3: That would be something funny! XD Thanks for the review!

I love you all for all these reviews. I really do. This is the best Christmas present ever. Thank you all.

REVIEW?

Marshmellow-

-OUT!