Part 2: Green-eyed Winry

When the troupe arrived at the train station in Arushai they stepped on a large wooden platform surrounded by a wooden fence. Beyond the station they saw tall building incased in a white stone that glistened beneath the sun. They noticed that underneath the platform and the large stone bridge that the train was on was water. Lovely blue water.

"Oooh pretty!" Venus exclaimed looking over the fence into the water below.

"Ah Arushai! Lovely isn't Al?" Ed looked at his brother who still wore a grim look that made Ed's skin crawl. He didn't blame him for being upset; Ed just wanted to stay from the Eastern Command Center as long as possible.

"You know, it is lovely and all. But I believe Al's look says it all Ed." Venus said rejoining the group. She stood in front of Ed with her hands on her hips.

"Awl come on now. It's just a little break!" Ed protested.

"Look. I have business with Roy and I need to get to Eastern Command soon, ok?" She said sighing dropping her head to her chest.

"Why?" He asked tilting his head trying to look at her face.

"My business is my business." She stated walking to the train and gathering her things.

"Ok." He replied following her and Al following him.

"Besides, it isn't important, well to you anyway." She said slinging her leather back over her right shoulder.

"Well we're also going to see Colonel Mustang when we reach the Eastern Command Center. Whenever that will be." Al said glaring at Ed.

"Oh?" She asked turning her head slightly as she led them into the city.

"Yeah, yeah." Ed said in an annoyed tone.

"What was that for?" Venus asked stopping so that Ed was beside her as she walked.

Meanwhile-

Winry Rockbell stepped off the train at Arushai her long blonde hair in its normal ponytail and her normal white top, black skirt and boots adorned her figure. She grinned. She had followed the Elrics from Athenia where she had ran into Major Armstrong and promised to bring the boys to the Eastern Command Center at once. But that didn't mean she would stop at any automail shop she could.

Back with Elrics and Venus-

"What do you mean what was that for?" Ed asked looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"Do you have a problem with Roy?" She asked.

"Why do you keep calling him that?" He growled.

"Well that is his name isn't it?" Venus shot.

"Yes but shouldn't call him Mustang or something!" He yelled stopping.

Venus looked at him her eyes filled an emotion he couldn't quiet put a finger on. He knew one thing, whatever her reason for seeing Roy Mustang it had nothing do with any reason Ed could come up with. That left on thing untouched. Could it be that there was something between Venus and Mustang? Ed shook his head that was ridiculous. Sure Mustang had a thing for girls in skirts…but, Venus was the same age as himself and Mustang, well, he was a lot older. Thoughts raced in and out and when Venus spoke again he quickly shook himself back to reality.

"I'll call him what I like." She said as she began to walk again with Al behind. Ed looked at her for a moment then walked quickly to catch up.

"ED!" The Elrics stopped dead, that voice. They knew that voice. Both turned slightly followed by Venus whose eyes widen when she saw Winry make a dive at Ed and Al.

"Winry?" Al said watching at his brother was tackled to the ground.

Winry stood up smiling.

"Hey! I followed the two of you from Athenia! And I even ran into Major Armstrong and told him I would bring you and Ed back to the Eastern Command center as soon as possible." She said, Ed got up off the ground and began to dust off his coat.

"Well that was a nice greeting Winry, now I'm dirty!" He yelled he looked up to find Winry glaring down at him. He shrank back behind Al.

Winry then turned her attention to Venus who stood looking at her with widen eyes. Without a word Winry turn to Ed with a questioning look.

"She is on her way to the Eastern Command Center too Winry. We ran into her in Athenia and just decided to travel together." He laughed feeling the flames from Winry burning though him as if he had done something wrong.

"I'm Venus Decaffé ." Venus said offering her hand to Winry who took it and shook it.

"Winry Rockbell." Was her reply.

"Venus is an alchemist too Winry." Al said trying to lighten the tension between Winry and his brother.

"Oh really? Are you a State Alchemist?" Winry said looking at Venus with interest.

"Uh well you see…," Venus started but was cut off by a muscular man in a military uniform. He had a blonde mustache as squinty eyes.

"Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric." He said both boy sweat dropped starring at him.

"I told you I would bring them back Major Armstrong." Winry muttered slight hurt that he didn't believe her.

"I know Miss. Rockbell but when I called Colonel Mustang he told me to go ahead and bring them myself." Major Armstrong replied, he looked at Venus and then with a strange tearing of his top was flexing his muscles.

"Alex Louis Armstrong, Major in the military and a state alchemist who are you malady?" He asked while sparkling things glittered around him while he flexed.

Venus stood shocked for a moment before speaking.

"Venus Decaffé ." Her voice shook, the Major looked at her for moment before replacing his shirt.

"Hmm, yes Colonel Mustang did mention you." He muttered.

"He did!" Venus squeaked clapping her hands together.

"Did I miss something here?" Winry and Ed said at once staring at Venus.

"Yes and he said that he would deal with you after the Elrics." the Major replied.

"Deal with me? I didn't do anything wrong." Venus said weakly feeling like she was going to be yelled at. Without thinking she wrapped her arms around Ed and began to cry hysterically into his chest.

Silence (for the most part) fell over the group and all were stunned by Venus' actions.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" She cried. Ed attempting to smooth out the situation patted Venus on the back.

"No you didn't. Mustang is just a jerk." He said trying to be sympathic.

"Ed!" Winry hissed. She wasn't sure what was making her so angry, but she was sure it wasn't anything that had to do with Mustang.

But for the life of himself Ed didn't seem to notice Winry's reaction. In fact Venus lifted her head to look at Ed and he smiled at her. But without a clue Venus punched Ed in the arm rather hard.

"Don't you say that!" She said through her sobs.

"Hey!" Ed yelled grabbing his throbbing arm; she had a decent right punch.

"You don't know him." She muttered to where only Ed could hear her. Her head lowered to her chest. It was confirmed in that statement. Roy Mustang and Venus Decaff were, ok that still wasn't clear to Ed but they were still something. Well whatever it was Ed figured Mustang wasn't worth Venus' time.

"You know, you're kind of cute when you're crying." He said it felt as if the world melted away as she looked up at him with a confused look through her tears.

"Huh?" She muttered.

"Edward!" Winry yelled balling up her fists.

"Winry calm down." Al said hoping Winry wasn't about to attack.

"I get the feeling this is going to be more trouble than wanted." Major Armstrong said.

Ed reached out and touched Venus's left cheek with his gloved covered metal arm. It was cold and caused her to move away a bit. That and fact she was still confused by what was going on.

"EDWARD!" Winry rose higher causing a few bystanders to turn and watch.

"Yes defiantly more trouble than wanted." The major nodded to himself as Winry dived at Ed and a jumble of hard to make out words streamed through the air. With a heavy sigh the major picked up the two and carried them toward the train. Al sighed and followed motioning for Venus to come too. She stood staring blanking at where Ed had once stood.

"Venus?" Al called. She shook from her trance and quickly ran to catch up with the group.

End Part 2-