Author Note: I wanted to complete another chapter before I put this up but I haven't been able to find the time and I've kept you guys waiting long enough.

I found when I got back from Japan that there were two chapter 35s instead of a chapter 35 and 34. I fixed it now but it might have just been a glitch on my end. However, if it wasn't you guys can look back and read chapter 34 now.

Chapter 36: Before the Promised Day

Edward stared at the dome for a moment in stunned silence then he began yelling at Hohenheim. Hohenheim stood there ignoring Ed's outburst. He looked in Ed's direction, his eyes landing on Sarah. He then walked over to the two.

"How could you do that? Alphonse is in there with that monster!" Edward yelled at the approaching man. Hohenheim joined Edward at Sarah's side. He kneeled down and looked her over.

"It was Alphonse's idea. He's going to stay there with Pride until the Promised Day is over." Edward didn't like the idea at all but he realized that it was effective in limiting the enemy's forces, as Pride wouldn't be able to join the fight. Edward looked back at Sarah and cringed once more at her state; she looked terrible. It looks like she's dead…or at least dying. Edward thought fearfully. Edward suddenly looked up at his father when he remembered that his father could do alchemy without having to worry about the law of equivalent exchange.

"You can heal her right?" Edward asked obviously worried about the girl. "Please…help her." Edward pleaded. Hohenheim looked at him then back down at Sarah.

"I'll see what I can do." He said before telling Edward to give them some space. Edward reluctantly stood and walked some distance away, keeping his eyes on them the whole time. Hohenheim looked at the pieces of wood embedded in Sarah and frowned. These need to be removed before anything else can be done. "Turn away Edward." He advised his son, knowing that his son cared for the girl.

"But-"

"You don't want to see this." Hohenheim cut him off seriously. Edward hesitated then turned around. Hohenheim checked to make sure he wasn't looking then moved to grab one of the pieces of wood. He stopped when he saw dark eyes staring at him. She's conscious…poor thing... she must be in so much pain. Hohenheim thought. Her being in such pain encouraged him to heal her sooner but…he hesitated. Her energy is similar to mine…if I infuse her with my energy to heal her, our energies might merge…that would not be good. Hohenheim contemplated what to do. After a moment he leaned towards the girl and whispered to her. "Can you heal yourself?" He was pretty sure that she could but he needed to make sure. Sarah head moved slightly in a way that he figured was supposed to be a nod. She flinched and shut her eyes tight as agony ripped through her. "Okay…I'll pull the wood out and you heal yourself…you think you can do that?" There was no movement this time but her answer was visible in her eyes so Hohenheim carefully grabbed onto one of the pieces of wood and after a second he swiftly yanked it out. Everyone flinched as Sarah let out a scream. Edward had to restrain himself from turning to look. He then proceeded to cover his ears as more screams were heard, one for each piece of wood that was removed; it was too much for him to hear her in such pain. As soon as all of them were out, the wounds glowed red and slowly closed bringing Sarah instant relief. She was still lightheaded but she was able to move. She slowly got up on her hands and knees, preparing to get to her feet.

"Wait…maybe you should…" Hohenheim went to discourage her. Hearing his father's words, Edward risked turning around. He was instantly relieved to see Sarah all healed but he didn't like that she was already pushing herself too far. Knowing that there was nothing that could be said to convince her to remain still, he quickly walked over and helped her to her feet. He supported some of her weight and went to move forward. He froze when he felt the dampness of her coat. Slowly and with much reluctance, Edward looked down to where Sarah had been lying. He paled instantly at the large pool of blood; he hadn't realized that she had been bleeding that much, as it had looked as if the pieces of wood were embedded in her too deep for the blood to seep out but apparently...they weren't. Face still very pale, Edward looked away from the blood and started leading Sarah back towards Kanama. However, they didn't get very far before Sarah's legs gave out. Edward held her up while looking down at her. He saw that she could barely keep her eyes open.

"Sorry…" Edward said in advance as he scooped her up into his arms; with her pride, he knew that she would have preferred to crawl rather than be carried like she was helpless but he wanted to get her to town as soon as possible. Sarah didn't protest though, as she didn't have the strength to at that moment. She stared blearily up at him then her head fell against his chest as she passed out. He stopped a moment and looked back at the dome, hesitant to leave his brother there. Inside the dome, Alphonse had heard Sarah's cries and knew that Edward would be occupied with Sarah so he called out to Hohenheim who was standing near the dome. Hohenheim heard him and pressed his ear against the rock to better hear him.

"Tell Ed to go ahead…we'll talk later."

"I will." Hohenheim said. Hohenheim looked at Edward and saw him standing there torn between talking to Alphonse and getting Sarah somewhere she could rest. "Go Edward…you can come back later." Edward nodded and began his trek back to Kanama, gently cradling Sarah in his arms. Later, after Sarah woke up, the two returned because Sarah insisted on getting ready for the Promised Day. As it turns out, the little nap helped her out a lot, as she wasn't lightheaded or unsteady anymore. The two were surprised to see Scar and his group there. Edward went over and started talking to Marcoh while Sarah wandered around looking for her sword, which had fallen out of her hand when she started smashing through the trees. She turned when she felt a tap on her shoulder and saw Scar. Scar stood there a moment then held her sword out for her to take; he had found it earlier when they had first got there and decided to hold onto it till he could return it. Sarah smiled softly and took the sword from him. She sheathed it then thanked him. Scar nodded then walked back towards the others who were waiting for them. Darius noticed that Fu was going off ahead of them and asked why. Edward explained that Fu was going to scout on ahead since he was technically the only member that the enemy was unaware of. He also said that this would make it easier to learn what was going on and to monitor Mustang's troops. Edward was aware that Fu would try to find Greed, who had run off, while he was at it and that this would also be beneficial to them. They all turned to look at the horizon as the sun slowly rose. Edward glanced to the side when he felt Sarah move to stand next to him. They looked into each other's eyes mentally preparing themselves for the battle ahead. Both were thinking the same thing…the promised day had begun.

Author Note: It will probably be awhile before I can upload another chapter because of all the projects and tests but I'll try to get it up as soon as possible.

I don't remember if Hohenheim can heal other people or not but here I made it so that he can…even though he didn't.

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