I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist

This story may be triggering to some viewers, just a warning for people who are sensitive to blood, self-harm, grief, and murder. If you have a cutting problem, just let me say, I do too. (happy face is just to not sound too depressing. Sorry.) Let's continue.

Blood oozed from the pale skin. Ed's automail arm felt heavier than usual with the razor pinched between the metal fingers.

Why? He wanted to say aloud. It still hurts. So why? The fresh cut didn't answer.

The door banged from the outside. Ed jumped, spinning around to look at the exit.

'Brother?'

Ed relaxed at Al's voice. 'Yeah?'

'The colonel wanted you at his office in an hour. He said it was important, remember?'

'Oh- yeah, yeah.' Ed grabbed his long red coat, pulling it on frantically. 'Yeah- of course I did. I'll be out in a bit.'

'Okay! I'll wait outside.'

Ed realized his razor had slipped from his metal hand, getting down on his knees, he searched around before locating it. He quickly snatched it from under the sink, accidentally slicing his flesh fingers before tucking it in his pocket. Ed straightened up in a perfect posture and looked in the mirror. Blonde hair in a braid. Gold eyes blazing with fire duller than usual. Taller? Taller would be nice. The thought made the fire in his eyes a little brighter.

He look a last glance at the long sleeves that covered his arms and walked out of the bathroom.

/

The door slammed open, almost hitting a soldier about to walk out. The small scowling boy stormed inside without casting a glance to the man, followed by a tall armor who held the door politely for the soldier apologetically.

'I'm here, Colonel,' Ed grumbled. 'Hi, Lieutenant,' he said in a less grumpy tone. 'What are you doing here?'

'Hello, Edward, Alphonse.' Hawkeye smiled. She was standing next the the Colonel without a gun in her hands, so she wasn't keeping him from slacking off on his paperwork. Instead of answering his question, she nodded towards Mustang.

The black-haired man smirked. 'Well, Fullmetal. Finally see the hands of the clock pointing to twelve.'

'ARE YOU CALLING ME SHORTER THAN A TINY CLOCK?'

Mustang chuckled smugly before opening a drawer. He handed a folder to Ed. At one glance at its contents, Ed glared at him. 'What's this? You do know this place is miles away, right? I don't have time for this!'

'As you can see,' Mustang continued as if he hadn't heard Ed. 'The pattern seems to be young women and boys, all with long blonde hair.'

The other people in the room turned to look at Ed and Hawkeye.

'The bodies were all discovered stabbed in multiple places. However, the strange thing is the heads and hairs of the bodies were completely unharmed and even cleaned, like the killer's signature.' Mustang paused, his eyes narrowed a little. 'You, the Lieutenant, and I will be posing undercover as a family.'

'WHAT!' Ed wasn't expecting that in a hundred years.

'I will be your uncle, and the Lieutenant will be your mother and my sister-in-law. We will be posing as an enthusiastic and happy family.' Mustang did not look enthusiastic and happy. 'The file contains information about the murders and our undercover identities, after reading destroy them. And you have to meet back here in three hours. Got that, Fullmetal?' He finished.

Al put a hand on Ed's shoulder in case he decided to attack the Colonel. Ed growled furiously, 'No way I'm going to be your nephew! Is this "family" thing even necessary for just catching a murderer?'

'Yes; you will also be enrolled at school.' Mustang's face bore a smirk.

'WHAT! SCHOOL?'

The people in the room stared at their own work determinedly with smiles on their faces.

'Brother.' Al tugged Ed back. 'Come on, it doesn't sound like something that would take the three of you too long. You'll be back in no time.'

Mustang nodded. 'Yes, for the sake of blending it. We don't know who and what this murderer wants, and the officials haven't found a trace on them. As I was saying, you will be a student in the eighth grade, the Lieutenant and I will be working at a restaurant where we will be able to keep an easier eye on the people. Three hours, back here. Understood? he finished.

Ed considered it for a moment. 'Fine,' he agreed. 'Yes.'

Mustang looked pleased. 'Well then, you are dismissed.'

Ed scowled and marched loudly away before Mustang's arrogant voice snatched his attention back.

'Oh, and you could pass for fifth grader, the other students would've been just short enough for you to blend in.'

'WHAT WAS THAT YOU TALKING FIREWORK?'

'Brother,' Al protested, holding him back by his collar as he tried to run in and punch the man. 'Uh, thanks Colonel, Lieutenant!'

The two adults smiled as Ed slammed the door shut when Al was already closing it.

If you can, please review! Further in this story, I will add people finding out about Ed's secret. Thanks for reading!