CM: Hey y'all! Times for another chapter, it gets a little zesty so you have been warned. And we have some new reviewers whom I'd like to welcome. Thanks guys, your support means more than you know. ^_^

Chapter Seventeen: Rising Up a Step

"You need to relax," the doctor told Haku after the dozenth time of trying to hypnotize her. They were sitting in her bedroom while Greed stood against the wall observing. "If you keep your mind closed off this isn't going to work."

"Give me a break, I'm not used to this," Haku said.

"Should I make a penalty to help speed things along?" Greed asked her.

Haku scowled before breathing in deeply trying to find a sense of peace. She asked the doctor to try it again. He flicked on the lighter, and she followed it with her eyes willing herself to just let go and lose herself in his words.

"Try to think back," he told her. As far back as she could remember. What was the first thing that came to her mind when she thought about her childhood. Haku felt as if a door was slowly unlocking as memories came back to her.

"I remember..... the smelll of alcohol.... shouting.... and pain."

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Kat cried out in pain as her father struck once more with his belt. "I'm sorry, daddy, I'm sorry!"

SNAP! SNAP! The leather snapped across her back, the only part of herself she couldn't shield. "Not yet yer not sorry. Little..." he swore as he continued to smack the small child.

Kat shouted for her mom to help her, but her mother just sat on the couch with her face in her hands, shaking her head.

Kat's face was soaked with tears. She couldn't even remember why dad was angry with her. All she knew was that he had something to drink, and he drank a lot of it, then he started yelling at her and hitting her. She cried out as her dad grabbed her up by the hair. "Get up, little snot. Maybe some time in the hamper will do you some good."

Kat pleaded for her dad not to put her back in the dark space, that it was scary and that she couldn't breathe and it was hot and she couldn't move.

"Dad! What are you doing?"

Through her tears, Kat could see that her big brother had just arrived home from school. His face was twisted with horror at what he saw and in less than two seconds he was across the room and trying to pry their father's fingers out of Kat's hair.

"Stop it, you're hurting her!"

Their dad used his free arm to back hand Maes, knocking his glasses off. "Who do you think you are boy?" he demanded, releasing Kat who hurriedly scrambled behind the couch.

"You've been drinking again," Maes said, getting back on his feet with a hand over the cheek that was struck.

"You damn kids, you're worthless. All I've done for you and what do I get in return? A good-for-nothing and a bastard child," the father muttered.

"Dad, you shouldn't take your anger out on Kat. It's not her fault," Maes said angrily.

"You're right." He turned to the wife. "This is all your fault, you tramp!"

The woman sobbed, her face still hidden behind shaking hands.

Dad muttered a few swear words before stumbling out of the room. After a few moments the mother rose to her feet and began to leave the room. "Mom, why didn't you do anything?" Maes asked.

"What could I do?" she said.

"Kat's your child too!" Maes said.

"No... she's my mistake." She left the room after that.

Kat meanwhile, was curled up behind the sofa, trembling. Her body ached all over.

"Kat?" She looked to see her brother peaking in at her. "Kat, it's okay. You can come out now."

Kat crawled out from behind the furniture and into her brother's arms where he hugged her tightly to him, stroking her hair lovingly and kissing the sore spots. As she cried, he kept murmuring that it was okay and that she didn't need to be scared, that he was there now. Kat told him she didn't know why dad had hit her, he told her dad was just sick. But she didn't need to worry, because they were going to go on a trip and they would be leaving soon. He held her for a long time, until the aches didn't hurt so much anymore.

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Kat was sitting under a tree, enjoying her sack lunch while drawing symbols and chemical formulas in the dirt with a stick. She didn't join in with the other girls who were playing softball nearby. Nobody ever spent time with her during recess. No one wanted to be associated with the alchemy freak. The black magic user. The science demon. That was fine with her, it gave her more time to go over in her mind the lessons her master taught her.

She heard the noise of something moving over the grass and looked to see a squirrel approaching her curiously. He was sniffing in the direction of the hand that held a bologna sandwich. She smiled before reaching into her paper bag and pulled out the small packet of nuts that came with the sandwich. She tore them opened and poured some out onto the ground next to her. The squirrel observed her for a moment before coming over and sniffed the nuts before he began feasting on them.

Kat giggled. "You're a cute little guy, aren't you?"

The little creature looked up at her while it nibbled and then darted off as if spooked. Seconds later, it was dangling by its tail from a girl's hand. "I don't understand why this thing is even here," she said mockingly. "It's so ugly and disgusting...kind of like you."

"What do you think you're doing?" Kat exclaimed but as she stood to get up, she felt something heavy strike her into between the shoulder blades and she went down.

She looked up to see two other mean looking girls, one of them holding a bat. "Figures the only friends the freak would have would be rats," the one with the bat said.

"Look at this," the other pointed at the symbols on the ground. "She's been doing it again!"

"You know you're not allowed," the first girl said brandishing the flailing squirrel. "We could tell the teachers about this and you'd get in real trouble...but we won't. Instead we'll punish you ourselves." The other girls picked Kat off the ground and held tightly to her arms.

"We'll start with your little pet," the girl said, wrestling the critter into her bag before she began swinging it around.

"Stop it! What you're doing is sick!" Kat shouted. She gave a shout of pain when one of her holders twisted her arm tightly.

"You're the sick one, you alchemy freak," they muttered. "You're no better than a demon."

"I can't believe you're getting so worked up over a stupid creature like this," the first girl said bringing the bag into the air, preparing to start smacking it on the ground. "This thing just eats and runs around like a coward, it doesn't matter what we do to it, no one will care if it disappears."

Kat's vision went red and her body acted on its own. She twisted out of the girl's grips and elbowed one in the jaw while simultaneous kicking the other one in the diaphram. Both collapsed in the ground in pain. Kat ran at the leader who was frozen in fear and grabbed her face, flattening her against the ground which she had been drawing symbols on. There was a spark, suddenly the girl's face was red and steaming. She shrieked and writhed like a banshee. Kat could only stare at what she had done. Suddenly she felt hands grab her shoulders and haul her up. The teachers had arrived, hearing the pained yells of the three teenagers.

"What do you think you're doing?" one of the teachers shrieked picking up the main girl to inspect the injuries.

"This is the last straw!" the one holding her said. "You're going to stop using this alchemy if we have to beat it out of you." With that she dragged Kat off and shortly afterwards, dumped her in a small room with no windows or light, closing the door behind her as she left. "You're going to sit in here until we decide what to do with you," she said. "If that child dies, it will be even worse for you."

"No… no… don't leave me in here!" Kat screamed, beating at the door. "I DIDN'T MEAN TO! I'M SORRY! PLEASE!" She continued pounding the door until she collapsed wracking with shivers, her breathing uneven. "Please… Bro… Ponyboy… Mr. J… someone please…"

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"Lieutenant Kathleen, you're Hughes' sister right?" a soldier asked coming up to the bright female who had been recently issued her state alchemist position.

"Yeah, I just heard about you from the guys...oh, by the way my name is Marcus." He held his hand out to shake and she took it only out of politeness. "Um...I've heard you were really good with you alchemy and thought you'd be a great addition to our investigation team. We already talked to General Heagan and your brother and they said as long as you didn't mind they thought it was a great idea...what do you think?"

Kat was a little surprised but took the offered hand with a smile. "Sure, I'd like to help out in any way I can." She hadn't expected people from the military to be so welcoming. Maybe it was just because they knew her brother, or she was a state alchemist. One or the other. At least here alchemy was welcomed and even encouraged.

He led her to the 10th sector of Central where several soldiers with their guns drawn were all set to go. "Are we all set?" one asked in a whispered tone. "And who's this?"

"Oh, this is Lieutenant Kathleen Hughes...the Ice Cold Alchemist," Marcus answered.

"Oh, well then, welcome aboard. We're going to need your alchemy here," the soldier said looking around a corner at a large factory. "We've got some men trapped in there that went to investigate. Turns out, they already knew we were here. Unfortunately, now we can't get anywhere near it without our men dying," he explained. "What can you do to help us...Lieutenant?"

Well, of course Kat wasn't going to leave them abandoned. Telling the man to stand down, she went in herself with her hands raised. When she got inside, several of the soldiers there looked worse for wear. The captives didn't look very professional. Kat waited, luring them into a flase sense of security before using what Izumi taught her to kick the crap out of the guys and make them think twice about holding people hostage.

"Move another inch and these men start dying," one said holding a gun to the head of a soldier. "You won't do anything that'll put your men in danger. In fact, you're going to become another hostage. We won't let any of them leave until..." He didn't have the chance to finish as Kat hit him with her alchemy and was frozen in place. For some reason the hostage didn't try to escape, though, and was caught up in the attack and freezing to the ground and his captor.

"What in blazes do you think you're doing?" a low, gruff voice demanded and Kat turned to see a general accompanied with the soldier who requested Kat's help.

"It's just like I told you, General Grantz, we were investigating the area and this woman just came in and started picking fights with the men.

Kat couldn't believe her ears. She was so shocked she couldn't even find the speaking capabilities to defend herself.

"You're Lieutenant Kathleen Hughes right?" the General asked glancing around the room. "I'd have expected better from that man's sibling. However, the actions you're displaying right now say other wise." He went over to the men who were frozen and shattered the ice. "In a situation such as this you must protect the hostages, not add them to the body count."

Kat stared down at the floor, not letting her emotions show on her face.

"Come along then," Grantz instructed. "We'll see what the Fuhrer is going to do with you."

After that, she was called into the Fuhrer's office. Even though she didn't explain the situation to him, he seemed to already understand what happened. It wasn't long before those very same guys came back again, only this time...

"So, you're still here?" one of four guys asked Kat as they 'cornered' her against the wall.

"So what kind of favors did you do to get yourself out of trouble?"

"Probably no less than what she did to get in here in the first place."

"I'll bet you she can't even use alchemy."

"Then how did she freeze them?" one soldier asked.

"Okay, so maybe a little, but I'm sure she only managed to get state recognition because she got in real close to the Generals."

"Well that would explain Haegan but what about the others?"

"You only need three...but that would still mean that she was a three time slut." Kat's hand curled into a fist.

They drew closer to her and one slammed a hand over her head against the wall. "Well, since you're so willing to give yourself to the Generals...why don't you give us a first hand demonstration?"

"Gladly," Kat hissed. A spark of alchemy and all four of the men were iced against the wall with their mouths frozen shut. "All of you are disgusting excuses for soldiers," she said in a voice colder than the ice she wielded. "Just looking at you makes me sick." She approached the man who requested a demonstration and placed a finger on his skin. "You feel hat? That's the feeling of your blood crystallizing. I'm sure you've at least heard of how damaging frostbite can be." He moaned in fright and tried to move away, but nothing he did mattered...he very muscles were frozen stiff.

"Sister, I have something special for you..." Hughes gushed as he entered the room. At the sight of the frozen men, he stopped and sighed. "Kat, you can't just do things like this...you'll end up getting into a lot of trouble. Now let them down."

Kat turned her brother smiling. "Sure thing bro, just one sec." She turned back to the men. "Now listen closely," Kat whispered. "I'm not going to kill you, because I don't want your filthy blood on my hands. But I give you this one warning, try anything like that again, or mention this to anyone, and I swear I will have you begging for death." Then she straightened up and a placid smile took over her features. "Are we all clear gentlemen?" They all nodded hurriedly and she melted the ice in a single spark.

They left as fast as they could and Hughes looked at his sister. "Kat, what was that about?"

"Nothing, everything's fine," Kat lied before leaving herself. She wouldn't place her troubles on her brother. She could take care of herself. She didn't need anyone's help, and she would never trust herself with anyone again.

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"Stop.... that's enough!"

Haku's eyes snapped open and she was back in her bedroom. Her face was beaded with sweat and she was shivering with chills.

"Wow, no wonder she has trust issues," the doctor muttered. "You had one messed up life. My work here is done." He got up and left the room while Greed stayed where he was watching Haku closely.

"Doing okay?" Greed asked from where he was.

Haku opened her mouth to mumble something to the effect of a sarcastic 'never better', but nothing intelligable came out and she gave up the attempt. She was trying so hard to keep herself together. Right now her mentality was like glass that had been heated for a long time and was being cooled down too rapidly. She tried to get rid of the images and the emotions that had come tied with them.

From across the room, Haku heard Greed sigh and he went to sit down next to her. She didn't move from her seated position, but she didn't need to as Greed pulled her head into his chest. "Don't pent it up, or you'll really shatter," he muttered. "You're no use to me if you're broken."

Haku tried not to, but soon her eyes filled with wet, burning salt. The door that she had stored everything behind was finally torn open and now she felt like she was being crushed under the avalanche of it all. She hadn't even realized that she had wrapped her arms around Greed's torso, staining his shirt with her tears. And for the first time in a long time, she REALLY cried.

Greed remained where he was patting her head while he waited for her to finish. When she finally did, she had passed out and the homunculus wasn't too happy about that. But he shrugged off the disappointment and moved her so that she was under her covers, her head on her pillow, and he snuggled up right behind her. He held onto her tightly and fell asleep beside her, without doing anything.


Haku woke up with a pounding headache the next morning. She felt sick and unwell and wanted to vomit but her stomach was empty. Her face was crusted and her hair was matted. She felt so disgusting. She tried to move, but suddenly found that her movement was restricted by a pair of arms.

The arms tightened around her as she moved and a moan sounded from behind her. She shifted enough to see that Greed was lying beside her, his eyes closed and his face was burried in her back.

'So.... I guess even he needs sleep sometimes,' Haku thought. 'But wait... did he... stay here the whole time, and he didn't do anything?' She couldn't help but feel a huge amount of respect for the guy. She looked back down at the hands around her, and she placed her fingers on the hand, tracing the design of his tatoo.

At the touch of her fingers, the hand twitched and wrapped around her even tighter. "Hmm...morning," Greed murmured nuzzling her back. "Did the sleep help?"

"Y-yeah," Haku said feeling a little self concious in the homunculus's grip. "Sorry about that. You didn't have to stay."

"I was going to spend the night with a beautiful woman one way or another," Greed stated. "Last night was just a little tame compared to what I prefer to experience."

Haku choked out a laugh. She felt anything but beautiful right at that moment. All the same, his words touched her. Even though her head felt like it was getting stomped on by Crocidile man, she felt so much.... lighter than before. "So... I'm guessing you're going to want some compensation for taking up your night, huh?"

"Definitely, but first you're going to shower and I am going to get a drink," Greed answered. "You can use the shower from my room, but just this once. And once you're done, you're going to join me for breakfast."

Haku wanted nothing more than to just go back to sleep, but at the same time she didn't want to provoke any sort of punishment at the moment, so she just agreed with his demands. Greed was surprised by her immediate and unusual compliance, but got a shred of pleasure out of it as well. He released her and got up from the bed, giving her hair a quick tussle before making his departure. Haku waited a few minutes before dragging herself out of bed and taking up Greed's offer on a private shower. Once done, she felt so much better, like all the bad stuff from the previous night was washed away.

When she entered the bar area for breakfast, Greed was waiting at a table with the four Greedettes with him. A single chair was empty on his right and he smiled at her when he saw her. "There, much better. Now sit down and eat something."

Haku sat down and grabbed a piece of toast and began munching on it.

Dorchette tensed. "Something's not right. I think she might be delirious again. Everyone be on your guard."

"Did I do something wrong?" Haku asked after swallowing a mouthful of burnt bread.

"You just...don't seem like yourself," Martel answered.

"You're, a lot more...accomodating," Bido added.

"She even smells different," Dorchette pointed out.

"Well I just took a shower," Haku said, grabbing a muffin once the toast was finished. She noticed Greed wasn't touching any of the food and wondered if he even needed to eat food to stay alive. "And I might have used a different kind of soap."

"That makes sense," Roa muttered.

"So, then you used Master Greed's private shower?" Martel asked with a strange look in her eye. "What did you do to get that?"

Haku flushed. "It... wasn't anything like that."

"Nope, you were so peaceful all throughout the night," Greed stated out loud with a smirk.

"Don't make it sound like something it's not," Haku told him sharply.

"Well, no matter how you look at it, we did sleep together," Greed said slyly.

"No, don't say it like that," Haku moaned frustratedly.

"You know you talk in your sleep."

"Gah, just be quiet before I throw this muffin at you."

"She seems a lot more...." Dorchette began.

"Expressive?" Martel finished.

"She's becoming more open," Roa stated.

"I'm so happy for Miss Haku and Master Greed," Bido said smiling.

"Yes, don't we make a great couple?" Greed asked wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"We are not a couple!" Haku exclaimed shoving the muffin in his face.

Greed laughed and brushed the food off his face. "Looks like you're doing a lot better. Good, now I don't mind taking you out," Greed said with a smile. "You guys hold the fort for awhile."

"Wait… out? As in, outside of the nest?" Haku asked in surprise.

"Unless you'd rather spend all your time down here," Greed replied with a shrug. "I was going to grab some food...and maybe get myself a new shirt...this one is all torn up now, thanks to a certain feisty female."

"That's your own damn fault," Haku muttered.

"Alright, have fun down here," Greed said getting up.

"Wait…" Haku's voice trailed off. She didn't like asking this guy for anything. It always came with a price tag.

"You coming or not?" he asked, his back turned toward her.

Clenching her fists, she finally got to her feet and walked over to him. "I-I want to come," she murmured. "I want to see the sun shining again."

"Good to hear...come on," he replied wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading her toward the exit.

After they were gone Dorchette muttered, "I have never seen anyone in such denial."

"Yeah," Martel said before looking around at them. "Does anyone know where she keeps that diary of hers?"

"I-I do," Bido murmured nervously. "But she'd be very angry if I told anyone."

"Well, you already told us this much...might as well finish it," Crocodile man said as he approached, his smile widening.

"But, Miss Haku will be very angry," Bido whimpered. "I-I don't want to make her upset."

"We're just going to check her mental state, see how far she's come along, no biggie," Dorchette assured.

"Well…. Okay," Bido said before leading the way.

"This seems wrong somehow," Roa thought but followed.

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When Haku took a step outside she was almost blinded but how bright it was. She really had been underground for too long. Her once lightly tanned skin was now almost a glowing alabaster.

"Hmm...where to go first..." Greed murmured to himself as he led the way down the streets. "Here we go...I'd like a slice of that." Haku hadn't even realized where they had stopped until she heard the request and groaned when she saw Greed leaning against a shop door and checking out the saleswoman.

"Can I help you with something?" the woman asked trying to ignore his comment and work.

"Actually, I'm here to get that black shirt there...it looks about the right size."

The woman gave him the price and he pulled out a few coins and handed them to her. Haku waited outside thinking maybe she should just make a break for it while she could. Maybe she could go back to Izumi's place.

"Hey, this isn't just a trip for me...or I wouldn't have brought you along," Greed said coming out of the shop with the new shirt on. "There's a place I want to show you."

Haku dubiously followed him to a place called the Honey Bee. From the looks of it, it was a dress shop that had been merged together with a beauty salon. "Hey there, Greed," one of the girls working greeted him. "What can I do you for?"

"I need you to do something with this," Greed said pointing a thumb at Haku.

"Hmm," the girl said examining her. "He's so pale, and that hair color… I dunno."

"Sorry to bother you," Haku muttered before attempting to walk out.

"Hold on a second...you're not leaving just yet," Greed said placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ladies, my friend here needs this...pretty badly actually. What do you think you can for...a night with me?"

The girls all giggled before taking a hold of Haku. "It may take awhile," one started.

"But we'll have him all fixed up in no time," a second finished.

"We just need you to pick out the look," the third added.

"Hmm, for her, something cute, but sexy," Greed said.

"Her!" they all exclaimed in surprise.

"I already hate this place," Haku thought darkly as she was ushered to the back. For hours she was put through the torture of facial cleansing, measurements, and make up. And several times she just wanted to freeze the place and be gone, but she kept her temper in check.

"Well...I guess this is the best it's going to get," one of the girls sighed after a couple hours of work.

"With this hair and complexion there really isn't much more we can do," the second murmured.

"Go on and take a look," the third said holding up a mirror.

Haku looked, and it took her several moments to realize that she was actually looking at herself, the change was THAT dramatic. She saw a face, slightly thinned out from not eating as much as she was used to, with a soft blush on the cheeks, and lavender color on her eyelids. Her lips were glossed with pale rose. The silver hair was pinned back with clips, the ends curved up delicately, and a bright red ribbon was tied in the back. It match perfectly with the dress she wore, bright and dark red combined, with a corset fashioned top with white lace and a hem of the dress stopped just above her knees.

"I think he'll like it," the girls said, sounding very pleased with themselves.

At first, Haku didn't want to be seen. But the girl shoved her into the main room where some of the other girls were flirting with Greed as he waited. When they turned and saw Haku their painted lips dropped. Haku flushed in awkwardness as Greed lowered his sunglasses and gave her a good look over. Then he smiled as he glanced around. "Whatever happened to the grungy kid I dragged in here?"

"Oh, shut it," Haku muttered. Though she couldn't help but feel he meant it as a compliment that she looked nice.

Greed slipped a hand around her waist before he began leading her out. "Let's go."

"Huh? But the dress...."

"Already been paid for."

"What? But it was so expensive."

"Don't worry, I'll just take it out of your payment."

"How is THAT fair?"

The girls watched the two of them leave with some curious and some jealous stares. As Haku walked through the small area of town with Greed, she noticed they kept getting looks from people as the passed. "Everyone is staring," she murmured.

"Don't worry about it," Greed murmured, his smile growing wider. "They're just jealous of our looks."

Haku wasn't comforted by this. She wasn't used to people looking at her in such a manner. And also.... "You know, you don't need to be so close to me when walking."

"But if I don't, someone might try to snatch you from me," Greed replied. "After all, I'm sure the guys aren't staring at me." He glanced around, spotting a small cake shop off to his side. "How about a snack?"

"Sweets, my one weakness, next to animals," Haku thought with a sigh. She allowed herself to be led to the small shop and stared longingly at each one by itself.

Greed smiled at her expression and called over the shop keeper. "A pie for the doll here."

"Right away, sir," the shop keeper complied. She quickly went about preparing the pastry, but not without getting a good look at the pair. "By the way, you two make a cute couple."

"Um, you're mistaken, we're not..." Haku began but she was interrupted before she could finish.

"Why thank you," Greed said to the woman. "I'd have to agree wouldn't you say, babe?"

Haku glared at him and the woman just giggled before boxing up the pie and the purchase was made. She told them to have a nice day and come back soon as they left.

"Would you STOP letting people think that we're together," Haku said to him after they were out of the shop.

"Why, there's no harm in it," Greed replied.

"We are NOT a couple," Haku protested. "Not even close."

"What would YOU define as being a couple?" Greed asked.

"Couples hold hands and things like that," Haku muttered lamely. She was going to have to really think on that question. She herself didn't know what it meant to be a part of a pair.

"Really?" And Haku froze when she felt her hand grasped by his. "So this is all it would take to make you happy?" Haku felt her cheeks glowing red through the make up as her heart gave a small flutter. She couldn't understand why she was getting worked up over something so small. Greed chuckled before saying, "You're really easy to please, aren't you?"

"A-as if," Haku snapped irritably. But she couldn't bring herself to pull her hand away.

"Did you have fun at least?" he asked.

"It was nice to get out," Haku admitted.

"That's good, but it's time to go back. Say goodbye to the sun for awhile." Haku turned towards the afternoon sun with a rather forlorn look and gave a small wave, as if she was saying goodbye to a dear friend that she might never see again. Greed laughed. "You really are a rare find."

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When Greed brought Haku back, several of the chimeras almost didn't even recognize her. And she knew what they were all thinking, 'So that's what the master was seeing'. And then in front of God and everyone he kissed her and told her to grab some food and meet him in his room later before leaving her to the crowd.

"Ah...Miss Haku...you look...really pretty," Bido stuttered, his face turning red.

"I honestly didn't think I'd see you in a dress," Martel commented. "But I have to say it suits you."

"I'd ask you something...but I'm sure you or Master Greed would hurt me for it," Crocodile man murmured, drool sliding down his mouth.

"Tch...now you actually look like a girl," Dorchette muttered.

"You look nice," Roa stated.

"Th-thanks," Haku mumbled in embarrassment.

"What's wrong?" Bido asked. "You don't look well."

"Nothing... just... sorting through some stuff," Haku replied trying to force a smile.

"Like your feelings for the master?" Dorchette asked.

"Ugh... not a chance. I don't like him that way," Haku insisted.

"Of course not," Martel said smiling. "That's why you went through with all that and are still wearing it. Just a few days ago you would have refused it no matter what."

Haku sighed. "I have to go." She walked off leaving them to their gossip and leaving herself to her thoughts.

Not feeling very hungry, she went to Greed's room and leaned up against the door in despair. What was she to do? She appreciated him letting her go outside and for the dress and all that, but she didn't see why she should be forced to pay for it in such a manner. Maybe if she just asked him for a different way to repay him, he would cut her a break. As she was thinking this, the wooden surface she was leaning against gave way and she stumbled backwards into the room until her back hit something else, something a little softer than the door but just as rigid. She looked up to see Greed staring down at her and she quickly straightened up to face him, rambling something about just feeling a little tired and the door was there.

He just chuckled. "You're awfully excited." He gave the door a single push and it snapped closed behind Haku, shutting her in with him. "So what's got you up in a bind this time?"

"I'm not," Haku said shaking her head hurriedly.

"You're breathing really fast," he pointed out. "Are you anticipating something?"

"I'm not anticipating anything," Haku replied quickly.

"Really now?" Greed said taking a step forward into her space bubble causing her to impuslsively take a step back. He kept doing this until he had her trapped between him and the door. "You seem to be anxious about something."

Haku fidgeted under his gaze. "Isn't there some other way?" she asked him. "Of payment, I mean."

"You said it yourself, you don't have anything else," Greed murmured. He stared down at her from his position directly above her, his breath brushing against her face as he spoke. "Besides, you don't seem to mind it as much as you'd like to believe."

"O-of course I mind it," Haku replied, trying to emphasize anger into her voice. Why else would she want him to stop?

"You do?" Greed asked in a whisper, lowering his face towards her and stopping less than an inch from her mouth. "Then tell me you don't want it."

Haku stood there, mouth slightly parted as she try to make some sort of sound. "Tell him!" an urgent shout in her head. "Tell him to stop. If you don't tell him now then you'll lose your one chance to escape!" "Please," another voice said, condescening. "How long are you going to keep running away?" "Just say you don't want it!" "Why do you keep lying to yourself? You know you want it as badly as he's willing to give it." "Stop before it's too late." "It's already too late."

When she didn't answer, Greed brushed against her lips before moving down to her neck and shoulders. He nipped and kissed along the delicate skin and nuzzled against her jawline.

"C-can't you just move on and get this over with," Haku asked.

"Just say please and I might," Greed replied biting into her neck.

Haku's fingers curled into her palm. "Go to hell."

Greed snickered. "Already been, didn't much like the company."

Haku tried to raise her hands up to push him away. But before she could lift her hands too high, he caught them and placed them over her head against the door, synching his fingers with hers. She held in a gasp as he continued to nibble on each side of her neck and up to her ears.

"Say please," he whispered enticingly into her ear.

Haku's heart felt like it was going to explode. Every part of her felt red hot, like she was standing in a sauna rather than a cool underground chamber. She couldn't think straight. She never felt so light. Higher than a kite was the expression that came to mind. Haku cursed her own weakness, but she didn't think she could take much more of this. "Ngh... fine. P...Please."

Greed was a little disappointed that she didn't fight more, but he didn't complain. Instead he worked his way back up to her face and stopped over her mouth. "Show me you want it."

The peppermint on his breath was making her head spin, and she knew she should be really pissed off at him. She wanted to scream at him, hit him, smash him through a wall until he couldn't get up. But for once, there was something she wanted more than that. She tried to lean forward, and as she did, he pulled back.

"You're really slow," he said, doing nothing to surpress his amusement.

Now she WAS pissed. "Bastard. I hate you."

His grin widened as he moved forward and pressed his lips against hers. "Are you sure?" he asked, pulling back.

"More than anyone else I've ever met," Haku answered, though not without difficulty.

Greed chuckled and kissed her again, "Maybe, but you're still mine." He pressed against her lips yet again, and this time he stayed there, moving her mouth with his own and trying to urge a response out of her. He didn't have to wait for too long. As her mouth shyly but steadily fell in synch with his, he decided to try something new with her, and after managing to persuade her lips to part just enough, he slipped his warm appendage in, sampling the inner confines. He immediately felt her body tense and she broke contact from him.

"Too much?" he asked. "Don't worry, I won't go too fast." As he said this he slowly went back to his work and coaxed her mouth open again. This time, his appendage slid in ever so slowly barely touching her lips at first and then little by little moving farther in.

Feeling that it might help her if she were more comfortable, he released her hands and easily plucked her up off the floor before carrying her to the bed. He set her down gently as she tried to get her breath back, but the reprieve didn't last long as he positioned himself atop of her and picked up right where he left off, as his hands did some mild exploring. The dress truly was a good fit, though Greed felt that it would look just as good piled up on the floor of his bedroom accompanied by his own clothing.

Just as she was growing accustomed to the new practice, Greed pulled back a bit to give her another breather. Her flush was in patches across her face, neck and collar bone, and her eyes were unfocused. The expression on her face was a picture of virginal innocence, something Greed had never seen on someone of her age. How easy, how simple it would be to continue on. She would get scared at first, but he would make it feel so good that all her fears would be drowned out by the bodily lust.

The hands gripping her body shook slightly and he quickly released her before moving off of her and sat at the edge of his bed. He breathed in heavily, using his 100 years of experience to calm his hormones down. As nice as all that sounded, he knew it would not have a happy ending. Even if she did allow it, the next morning she would regret it, and then she truly would hate him. She would never let him touch her again. She was still sensitive, and he didn't want to chance breaking her.

"Greed?" Haku sat up, somewhat recovered from her lightheadedness.

He didn't answer at first, but the sound of his forced breathing made her wonder. After a moment, he lied down next to her facing the ceiling. "You've paid up," he said. Then he turned over placed his arm over her, pulling her back onto the bed. "But you're not done. Stay here for the rest of the night and you'll be debt free."

At first it didn't sound like an unreasonable request, but as Haku felt herself pulled up against him, she felt a pressure against her backside and her already frazzled brain went into panic mode as she understood what had been wrong with him moments before. "Um… I think I'd rather sleep in my own bed," she mumbled. She had heard stories of men being unable to control themselves, and it was likely he was holding back a lot more than was letting on.

"Nope, you're staying right here," he said pulling her closer. "I promise not to do anything."

Haku relaxed a little. He hadn't lied to her so far, thus she decided to trust his word. After a while, she was able to set her mind at ease and she closed her eyes to invite the calming veil of sleep.

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The next morning Haku turned on the bathroom sink and began rinsing off her face and hair, the slightly baggy clothes she took from Greed's dresser occasionally getting splashed in the process. Once again, she slept rather peacefully. Even when she woke up in the middle of the night, Greed was there and her fear quickly evaporated. But Haku was still frustrated at herself for letting him get the best of her, even if he hadn't taken it as far as he could have. The fact is, slowly but surely, she was giving in.

"Bro…. what do I do?" Haku asked hunching over the sink. "I don't know what to think anymore. Help me, please."

"Of course I will, if it's for my dear sister!" a voice exclaimed. She looked up to see Hughes' face in the mirror. "I'd give you my big brotherly hug if I was able to as well...but I can't."

"Bro…" Haku whispered touching the mirror with her hand. "It's really you, right? I'm not just dreaming?"

"Yes, Kat, I'm here. I've always been here," Hughes said with a warm smile.

Haku's eyes began to fill with tears which mingled with the water already on her face, but she hurriedly wiped them away. "Bro… I'm… so sorry."

"For what?" he asked in confusion.

"For everything," Haku said. "Not being able to save you, running away, what I'm doing now…"

"Do not blame yourself for my death," Hughes cut in. "I knew what I was searching for was dangerous and was prepared for anything that might happen...as long as my family was unharmed. That's why I didn't want you to go with me that day...I didn't want you to get mixed up in it as well."

Haku stared at his image, wanting to glance away but at the same time not wanting to lose a precious second that she would be able to view it. "Bro… be honest, am I doing the right thing here?"

"I can't be angry at you for trying so hard to gather the same information that I desired in order to help those you love, but I can't say I'll condone for your method," Hughes replied. "As for that guy, if he ever crosses over I'll make sure he can never be reincarnated."

Haku burst out laughing. "That definitely sounds like something you would say."

"Kat, there's still so much that only you can do," Hughes told her. "So don't give up, and don't let anything stop you. Just keep following that fighting spirit you've always had and you'll be fine. Whatever you do though, don't lose yourself."

"Okay, bro," Haku promised. "I won't let you down."

"You're up rather early." Haku glanced away from the mirror. Greed had finally gotten up. "Is there a reason you're wearing my clothes?"

"I wanted to get out of that dress asap," she replied grabbing a folded hand towel from the corner. She glanced back at the mirror but there was only her reflection. "Anyway, I've been doing some thinking, and I've realized something. I finally figured it out." She began to giggle, though it wasn't a happy one, it was crazed and almost maniacal. "All of this crap I've been going through, meeting you, it's all a test. That's all it is, just one more trial for me to triumph over."

"You've given this quiet a bit of thought haven't you?" Greed asked with a deadpan look.

"And now know this…" She pointed at him and he raised his eyebrows. "I refuse to be bested by you! Just you wait and see, I'll be the one standing victorious! I'll take it all, everything! I'll gain my freedom, but before I leave, I'll squeeze out every last bit of information I can get from you until you're nothing but a dry husk! I may not know what I'll do afterwards, but for this moment, that is my goal and I WILL reach it no matter what! SO BRING IT!"

"Pfft… hehe… hahaha…. GYAHAHAHAHA!" Greed's head was thrown back in laughter as Haku continued to stand there soaked from the shoulders up glaring at him with blazing determination. "What a declaration! Well said, well said," he commended once his laughter toned down. "But the price will only keep escalating. You sure you can handle it?"

"Hn, my brother gave his life for this," Haku stated with a vicious smile. "Compared to that, this is nothing. My greatest desire right now is to finish what he started."

"There it is again, that look in your eyes. I haven't seen it since you first came here," Greed simpered before reaching up and ruffling her wet mop of hair. "You've just taken your first real step. Well done."

Haku covered her hair with the towel, but still kept her face viewable. "It's not like I was seeking your approval." She paused for a moment before glaring up at him once more. "I just refuse to let this chance slip by." Even if it did mean leaving her pride at the door.

"Alright then," Greed said withdrawing his hand. "I'll take you up on that. Just don't think for a second I plan to go easy on you."

"I'll take anything you throw at me," Haku asserted. "And then some."

"Then close your eyes and hold out your hands," he directed.

She did so, readying herself for anything. She felt something, no, two things land into her hands with a soft clanging noise. She opened her eyes and saw that they were her alchemy bracelets. She looked up at him questioningly.

"Congrats, you earned them," Greed said smiling. "Just know they can be taken away again at any time, so don't go misbehaving."

"Sure thing," Haku said putting them back on feeling happier than she had in a while.

"You're going to need them as there's something I need you to do for me."

"And what's that exactly?" Haku asked warily.

"Something I think you'll find to be quite enlightening," Greed said placing a hand on her shoulder. "Dorechette and Roa will fill you in on the details, but what I need you to do is...."

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CM: Oho! What's this task Greed has planned? And will Haku have the courage to discover all her brother was trying to dig up? Stay tuned to find out! Again, the board is still open for ideas, so feel free to shout em out. :)

And now for the after chapter funny. ^_^

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Roy sat as his desk work through some of his mundane paperwork. He took a sip of some coffee in an attempt to supply himself the energy and focus needed for this task. He suddenly felt a tugging on his pant leg and looked down to see the kitten trying to climb his pants. If you don't stop that, I'm putting you back in the desk drawer." The only reason he had let it out was because it had made such a racket. He was too afraid to leave it at home for fear he'd come back to a big… well, bigger mess to clean up.

The cat stared up at him and mewed, showing its desire to have his attention. Instead he ignored it and returned to his work. Slowly, the cat continued pressing at his leg. When he didn't look at it, the cat placed its paw directly on the leg and slowly allowed its claws to dig into the pants...and then the leg. "Argh...what?" Roy exclaimed looking down at his attacker. "Meow," the cat said leaping into his lap.

Roy placed a hand to his head. As if his work wasn't difficult enough, now he had this little nuisance to make it even more difficult. "Fine, but you better stay there," Roy said and attempted to get back to his work. A few minutes passed without interruption, but then the kitten sprung from his lap to land right on top of the paper he was working on. "What did I just say?" he growled at it.

The kitten ignored him and instead went over towards his coffee mug, sniffing at it curiously.

He suddenly got a horrible flash of memory of the last cat Kathleen Hughes had brought in that had climbed in and out of his coffee. As soon as that flash ended, he grabbed the kitten before the incident repeated itself. "Why don't you go find something else to play with?" he demanded setting the cat back on the floor. "You're driving my insane."

"Oh, did Kat finally make it back?" Havoc asked joshingly as he walked into the office.

"No, Havoc, she didn't," Roy replied. "But another annoyance came to take her place."

"Mew!" the little kitten rolled over and began playing with its own tail.

"Aww…. She's so cute," Havoc said with a bright smile.

"It's worse than the Lieutenant," Roy growled. "Take it."

"Excuse me?" Havoc asked confused.

"Take it with you...I don't want it."

"Sorry, Colonel, but I'm allergic to cats. Good luck with her until Kat returns."

"Good luck with who?" Fury asked coming in with Breda and Fulman.

"The little newcomer," Havoc stated pointing.

They all looked and saw the little kitten who was now attempting to bathe herself but doing it rather clumsily. "AWWW…" the all stated with misty expressions. In point two seconds they were all surrounding her.

"You like her?" Roy asked. The three of them nodded. "Great then one of you take it home."

"Can't, I'm in the dorms remember," Fury answered reluctantly.

"Same here," Breda sighed. "I can actually put up with cats."

"I am unable to take her either," Fulman spoke up. "My apartment won't allow it."

Roy groaned as it seemed fate was truly out to get him.

"So what's her name?" Fury asked as he bent down to tickle her tummy.

"She doesn't have one," Roy muttered.

"You didn't even name her?" Breda asked in astonishment.

"Why should I? It's not mine," Roy muttered.

"Hmm, then maybe we should," Havoc suggested.

"Oh I know...Fluffy," Fury said happily.

"No...how about Karen?" Breda said.

"Maria," Fulman stated.

"No, no, and definitely not," Roy stated. He had dated a Maria once before.

"Okay, Colonel, then what would you suggest?" Havoc asked him.

"I don't care," Roy stated. "Just let Lt. Kathleen name it when she gets back."

An 'ahh' of understanding swept over the men. "But if you don't name her right away then how will know when to come when she's called?" Breda asked.

"I never call it," Roy muttered darkly.

"Right," they all said sweat dropping. Glancing over at the feline, they saw it somehow managed to get into a bag of cocoa and was now rolling in it.

"Hmm...how about...Koko?" Havoc murmured watching the cat play.

"Huh… yeah, that fits," Fury said.

"Definitely sounds like something Kat would call her," Breda agreed.

"It is a perfect representation of her appearance as well as her nature," Fulman added.

Roy had reached his limit. "Don't you all have work to do? Because if not I have plenty here I wouldn't mind handing over."

"No, that won't be necessary," they all replied.

"Mind if we take her with us? Just for the day at least...she looks she could use the exercise," Havoc asked hopefully.

"By all means, take her," Roy replied.

"Thanks, Colonel," Fury exclaimed picking up the playful furball and taking her with him out of the room.

"We'll get out of your hair now, have fun," Breda said following Fury out with Fulman right behind him.

"Have a good day, Colonel," Havoc said with a salute and he too left.

"What kind of men have I recruited being enamored by a useless ball of fur like that?" he sighed.