Author's notes: Starting with this chapter, there will be two versions of this story. The first version will be on fanfiction.net, and it will show less sexual content and disturbing behavior. The second version will be at http:// users/ terepetsufic/ 3011.html?mode=reply (remove spaces. Damn fanfiction.net). For the ff.n version of this chapter, I will be toning down Ed's awareness of the pedophiles around him.

Chapter 5

There was a stack of books Edward was not touching. He studied the array printed on paper, trying his best to puzzle out what the full function of it was. He would not look at the stack. The books on alchemy would keep him busy so he wouldn't have to look at... at... those.

Without realizing it, Edward's eyes flicked up from his book. The stack hadn't moved, thankfully. Finally, he sighed. What in the world was wrong with the Lt. Colonel's mind?! He had just burst into his room, dropped the stack of... books... on the floor, and strongly suggested that the boy study them before the party.

One good thing (and the only good thing) about the books was that the content of the books were not erotica or porn, but very clinical depictions of sex.

Very carefully, Edward lifted the cover of the topmost book. He quickly shut it, ears burning a bright red.

The contents also hadn't changed.

The knock on the door was almost welcome at this point. The boy scrambled over, thankful that Mustang had knocked this time. "Sir?"

The Lt. Colonel was still in his uniform. Including, Edward noticed with a nervous gulp, his gloves with the fire array on them. "Have you laid out your outfit?"

Edward just looked at him, uncomprehending.

With a sigh, Mustang pulled out an odd strip of very sturdy leather. "I will not have you embarrass me," he warned. "You will pick out a suitable outfit and add this to it."

"Um..." That leather looked kind of like a dog collar, with the loop in the middle for a leash and the buckle. Edward blinked, horribly afraid that was what it was. "Is that...?"

Mustang just gave him a look. "The party the Baron is throwing is well known for young males to show leashed to their owners. Would you rather be marked as open for anyone to play with?"

The boy spluttered, flushing with anger at the words and the insinuation. "Leashed?"

"Get ready," Mustang ordered. "Or I will drag you out of here with only the leash on."

The instant the door closed again, the boy lifted a choice finger at it. He winced, dropping his right arm as he rubbed the shoulder. Ever since Lady's death, that arm felt like there was something unnatural shoved into the shoulder socket. Only occasionally did it hurt, but the damn joint was constantly uncomfortable. Finally, Edward randomly picked out a pair of black slacks and a shirt so dark green it might as well be black. They would do.

The sound of the front door opening and closing pricked his interest. He hadn't known Mustang had invited anyone over tonight. Of course, it could always be someone higher up in the hierarchy wanting Mustang to work tonight but that would just be too good of luck, wouldn't it? Edward opened the door slightly, trying not to open it to the point of squeaking. He recognized Mustang's voice very easily, but the second male voice was new.

"But look at this one! Doesn't my wife just glow?" Edward snickered under his breath as Mustang let out a long suffering sigh. "Pregnancy has agreed with Gracia. Of course, she's been wondering about you. She knows you've been hiding in here for the last few months, and she's worried about your eating habits."

"Hughes," the Lt. Colonel interrupted, his voice with the edge of irritation, "you said all of this over the phone. Several times. Why are you here?"

Edward wasn't even down there, and he could feel the change in the atmosphere from lighthearted to perfectly serious. "We've heard rumors," Hughes (Major? Edward wondered) told him. "Your staff... Intelligence... we've heard you've taken in a little kid as a slave."

The grinding of Edward's teeth nearly drowned out Mustang's startled laugh. "Edward chose to follow me of his own will," he said casually.

"Edward... any relation to Elric's son?"

The air changed again, tensing. Edward found himself leaning forward, breath held. "I believe he may surpass his father," Mustang finally said, aggressively casual. "He may be worth more to the military as well."

Hughes's laugh disrupted the tension. "Kids now keep getting more and more powerful earlier and earlier. Makes me think how powerful my son's going to be."

"You still very well could have a daughter, Major."

"You've been talking to Gracia." A short pause, then, "Well, best of luck. You too, Edward!"

The boy proceeded to plant his nose into the ground amid the sound of the two men laughing. "It's not funny!" he yelled, rubbing his face. He slammed the door shut, and quickly dressed. "It's really not funny."

Just as he started down the stairs, the front door closed again. Edward peeked around the stairs, seeing Mustang sitting on the couch, sipping a drink. He watched with great amusement as the Lt. Colonel rubbed his forehead. Mustang looked up at the stairs, straight up at Edward, expecting. With a sigh, he came down the stairs the rest of the way and held out the collar. The man fastened it around Edward's neck, working quickly. "There." Mustang tied one end of a leash to the collar. "I suppose that is the best I can do," he said, looking over the boy critically.

"Oh, I feel very safe, sir," Edward told him, sarcastic.

That look was certainly getting a workout today. "You haven't filled out completely, but I am hoping your potential will overshadow that." At Edward's confused look, he let out an angry breath. "You have great potential to be simply stunning, Edward. A little taller... your face a little better defined... but it is all potential right now."

"I don't want to know," the boy grumbled. "Let's just go."

Mustang gave the leash an experimental yank. "How tight is it?"

"Don't..." Edward stumbled slightly, surprised at the pull. "It's fine. I can breathe."

"Mm." Mustang pulled on the leash again, starting to walk out. "Come along. The car won't wait forever."

Edward stumbled along, growling at every yank. Finally, Mustang stepped into the car, pulling sharply on the leash. The boy managed to catch himself before he fell face first into the Lt. Colonel's lap, and glared up at him. "What the hell was that for?!"

"You will be silent unless spoken to."

Edward blinked, surprised at the sudden cold tone of Mustang's voice. "What," he sniped, "is that some sort of rule about slaves?"

The slight flinch of Mustang's shoulders was greatly appreciated. "You are a whore, Edward Elric," he nearly spat out. "In situations such as this party, you will not speak unless spoken to. This is only your debut, and you will give off a good impression. With any luck, you will reach high circles." His eyes slid over, carefully looking over him. "And it will take luck."

Edward folded his arms, muttering dark things under his breath. "Also," Mustang continued, "you will be pleasant. If you embarrass me, I will not hesitate to have Second Lieutenant Hawkeye send your file to the higher ups. The complete one, detailing how you attempted human alchemy. This is that important."

The boy gulped, feeling ill at the thought. "Yes sir." He turned his head to look out of the window, his hands trembling slightly. His right shoulder hurt again, but he wasn't about to rub the joint in front of the Lt. Colonel. It would just have to hurt.

Finally, the car came to a stop. Mustang stepped out, talking to the driver. For some reason, the driver's face was hidden. Edward tried to take a closer look, and nearly fell as Mustang pulled hard on the leash. "Not so damn hard!" he hissed.

Gently, Mustang threaded a hand in his hair. "What was that?" he asked, voice dripping with faux sweetness.

"If I fall on my nose," Edward whispered, frantic, "won't you look like an idiot? And that isn't my fault!"

Mustang's hand tightened. "Then get used to it, boy." He pulled Edward's head back slightly, whispering into his ear. "Get used to it fast." He suddenly released him, stepping forward to take a glass of wine.

Edward tried to look at everyone as the Lt. Colonel led him around. There were too many people looking at him with hunger in their eyes... Too many knowing smirks.

I'm only twelve! Edward thought, sickened. These guys here are... old. Perverts.

Mustang pulled on the leash, causing Edward to stumble into the man. "Ashley," the Lt. Colonel said pleasantly. "This is rare. You live in East City, do you not? What are you doing in Central?"

A man with blond hair tied tightly back waved at the party. "I was visiting, and I heard the Baron was giving one of his famous parties," he slurred, sloshing his wine. "Mm. A new pet of yours?"

Edward tried not to flinch as the man gripped his chin, forcing him to look up at him. "Quite lovely," the man purred. "And he looks to be half tamed. It would be worth buying him for the night to break him."

"Ah, but broken wouldn't be as much fun, would it?" Mustang placed his hand on Edward's cheek, flaunting the array on his gloves. "It is the best when they still have a little fight in them. Mm, Ashley?"

"True, true." Ashley traced the boy's lips, smirking. "How much, Roy?"

Mustang pulled Edward away. "Tonight is out of the question. This is his first outing, after all."

Edward was up to "Way to Kill Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang: What Weapons to Use" at this point. "Of course. I will send an offer soon." Ashley bowed slightly, almost tipping over, as he walked away.

Mustang lowered his hand, frowning. "Come along, child. We will leave shortly after this." He turned, walking off to a specific point in the crowd.

"This is gross," Edward muttered. "He was... what, in his thirties? I'm only twelve. How can someone of that age find someone so damn young..."

Mustang whispered softly to him, "These people are well known for their love of young flesh. They are also known gossips."

"So what!" The boy shuddered. "I keep thinking about if Al was here instead of me..." His hands twitched. "I'd kill them if they looked at my brother that way."

"Oh?" Mustang yanked on the leash, hard enough to cause Edward to fall onto his knees. He turned to cuss out the Lt. Colonel, rules be damned, when the man grabbed his hair and hauled him up. "You wished to see my new acquisition, Baron?"

Edward froze, gripping onto Mustang's pant leg for balance purposes. This was the person that held the party. In other words, this was not the time for cussing Mustang out. Another person took Edward's hair from the Lt. Colonel, pulling his head up to look at him.

And Edward's breath caught in his throat.

The Baron was unnervingly attractive. His eyes were so dark a blue that the only way Edward could tell they were blue and not black was the faint bluish glow around them. Long black hair bound loosely in a ponytail framed almost unnaturally pale skin. His outfit was black, with the trim and handkerchief in the breast pocket a bright and shimmering blue silk. Something half expected, half frightening built in Edward's stomach, causing him to tremble. The Baron smirked, his eyes left cold and promising great pain. It was that look that caused the fluttering in his stomach to quiet, leaving Edward feeling trapped.

"He is a very attractive child," the Baron said, his voice holding the slightest hint of an accent. "And about the correct height." He shook Edward's head, causing the boy to grimace.

"He is also not your for the evening, sir," Mustang told him, voice even.

"Of course, of course." The Baron tossed Edward back towards the Lt. Colonel. "Still, he is a beautiful child. Is he old enough to have had a sexual response?"

Edward clung to Mustang's knees again, shaking. "Would that stop you?" the man said mildly, one hand resting on top of the boy's head.

The Baron laughed. "Oh, you know this group well."

Mustang bowed slightly. "It was an honor to be invited, but we must retire now."

"Already bedding your conquest. You move quite quickly, Mustang." The Baron bowed as well. "Thank you for showing us such a lovely specimen."

"Stand." Mustang pulled his hand away from Edward's head, coldly ordering him. "We are leaving."

Grateful, Edward stood on shaking legs. He followed the Lt. Colonel out, staying very close to him. It was a relief to sit on the seat of the car, and have Mustang take the leash off. "That..." Edward rubbed his neck, his voice harsh. "That was disgusting."

"I know." Startled at that almost apologizing tone of voice, Edward looked over at Mustang. The man had paled, his hands trembling slightly. "They are still the best place to start." Slowly, he reached out, holding the boy to him. Edward lifted a hand, gripping the military uniform. "Grow up soon," Mustang whispered. "Past... their tastes."

Edward just laid against him, laughing bitterly. "Yes, sir." His hand twitched as his eyes closed slightly. For some reason, he was completely wiped out by those encounters.

Mustang released him, but didn't push him away. It was almost if he needed the comfort of a warm body next to him as well. Edward sighed, and slowly fell asleep.