Alrighty then, this time the Elric Bros. are in this chapter, I promise. Okay go read now, I won't hold you back.
Chapter 3: Full Metal Meets Cat Girl
Amber grabbed her backpack and went east. She was heading for the new and unfamiliar town; which where Ed is suppose to be.
Just as soon as Amber said, "Man, I wish I had a horse" she arrived to her destination. There was a sign that read "Bushburg Town". Amber made her way onto the busy streets. It was more clustered than her hometown. She went around asking people if they had seen the boy she was seeking; no luck. It was noon and the sun's rays were making Amber hot and tired. She sat in a dark alley to cool off, while drinking a bottle of water. A strange sound caught her attention; It sounded like meowing. She found a box of little kittens behind her. There were at least five and were a bit skinny. She frowned and wondered, "Who'd leave them here like this?" Amber picked one up and sat it in her lap. She poured some water in her hand and fed the gray kitten. "So cute!" she giggled. All of the other kittens scrambled out of the box and surrounded the girl. They wanted to play and were hungry.
Just a few feet away, the Elric Brothers were walking in Amber's direction.
"Man, this place is crowded. All these people in one place just make it hotter" Ed complained while fanning himself.
"So let's find a place to stay" Al suggested.
"Wish we could, but our money's low…Arg! Damn Mustang! Making us work on a hot day. Can't he search for the Chimera himself!"
"Do you think we can defeat it once we find it?"
"I dunno. But If we don't find it here, then we'll have to check that town in the west…Ya' know, I hope this isn't no wild goose chase. 'Cause if it is-"
"Oooh, kittens!" Al cut him off.
Amber looked up at the two. "Huh?"
"Do you mind? I'm trying to complain here!" Ed spurted.
"Look Brother! Aren't they cute?" said Al, holding one up. Ed gave him a I don't care look. Al turned to Amber, "Are these your cats?"
"Huh?-No, I just found them. You wanna adopt them?"
"Please Brother, can I? Pleeeease? They're so adorable!" Al begged, shoving two kittens in Ed's face.
"Get that dirty flea-bag away from me!"
Right at that moment, Amber and Al gave him evil glares. Amber muttered, "I bet they're cleaner than you." Al sniggered and whispered, "Yep." They gave Ed strange grins.
"Come again!"
"Hey wait a minute! Aren't you Edward Elric?"
"Yeah so?"
"I've been looking for you. So who're you?" she turned to Al.
"I'm Alphonse Elric; Ed's little brother."
"Little?...No way, he's the little one."
Ed's eyes grew big, "Who're you callin' little! How dare you say that, you're no taller than me!"
"Oh my, such a big temper for a shrimp."
"Whaaaaaaat!" Ed's face turns red and steam blows out of his ears, making a toot sound. "Raaaah!" He lunges at Amber but Al holds him back. "Wait'll I get my hands on you! I'm gonna rip you to tiny pieces and feed you to the CATS!"
"Brother please, control yourself!"
"I can't take it anymore! Everyone's always making fun of my height! I'm at the end of my rope! And she's askin' for it! I'm gonna kill her!"
"You don't mean that; you're just angry 'cause you're hungry!" Al whined.
Once Al had said that, Ed's stomach growled. Amber watched, a bit taken aback. "Uh-um, I'm sorry for teasing you, Edward. I wouldn't have done it if I'd known you'd get this angry. My name's Amber." She held out her hand. Al released his insane brother and he shook the girl's hand. "Yeah, pleasure" Ed replied with a lil huff.
"Nice to meet you, Amber" Al shook her hand too.
"Same!" she smiled.
"To show my apologies, I'd like to treat you to lunch."
"Fine by me! But, Al can't eat; only his soul is in the armor, not his body."
"I see, sorry. Well, anyway, let's go!"
They found a nice, air conditioned restaurant to eat out. Amber sat the box of kittens outside and they entered. It was full of people but that didn't stop them from eating. Amber picked out a seat for them and the sat down. Amber opened her menu, "So what do you want?" she asked Ed.
"A cheese burger with fries and barbequed chicken, and an orange soda"
"That was a quick decision"
A waiter came by a few minutes later and asked if they were ready to order. Amber told him what they wanted, well more what Ed wanted. He left to go prepare the order.
"So Cat Girl, why were you looking for us?" asked Ed.
Amber paid no attention to the name and made up an excuse, "I need you to show me how to improve my alchemy skills."
"Improve? Wait, you're an alchemist?"
"Yeah"
"Hah, you're kidding!"
"No I'm not!"
"Yeah sure, well anyway; I can't actually show you how to make improvements. You have to learn for yourself."
"You just don't want to help."
"Please don't start arguing" Al commented.
"We won't. In any case; it's time to turn the tables. What are you two doing here?"
"Geez, you're a nosy one. We're looking for some killer Chimera that some guy created."
Amber froze; he couldn't be talking about the one her dad made. "W-what was the guy's name?"
"Uhh, I think it was John…No James Smith, yeah that's it. Do you know him?"
Amber couldn't find any words to speak. She was a bit glad that they were going to try and stop that Chimera; but the thought of her father upsets her.
"Feh, crazy guy; I don't know why he'd make something like that. He must be a real nutso."
"NO HE'S NOT!"
A couple of people turned their heads and stared at her.
Amber cooled herself, "I-I mean…you don't even know him." She sat there staring down at her hands in her lap. She was restraining her tears, trembling a bit. Ed stared at her for a moment but didn't answer. He knew it be best if he didn't upset her more. He looked over at his brother, who looked back as if he was trying to tell Ed to do something. And he did; Ed placed his arm around Amber's shoulders, nearly making her jump. He stared at the table, too shy to look at her. "Hey, I'm sorry."
Her eyes shifted to him, "Why are you apologizing to me? I yelled at you."
"Because I probably said something wrong" he grinned at her "So, cheer up!"
Amber smiled slightly. Then the waiter came over with the food. Ed went right to it. Amber ate a ham sandwich and had a glass of root beer. When they were finished, Amber paid the bill and they left.
"I have to find someone who will adopt these kittens" she said as she stood outside the restaurant.
"Just leave 'em."
"No way!" Al and Amber said at the same time.
"Man, you guys love cats don't you?"
"Yes" said Al.
"Why don't you sell them?" Ed suggested.
"That's an idea!" said Amber. She shuffled around in her pockets and her bag but couldn't find what she was looking for. "You have some chalk?"
"Yeah" Ed handed it to her. She drew another transmutation circle on the brick covered ground and clapped her hands on it. A wooden stand shot up. She then made a sign that read "Kittens for sale! $10"
"Oh, Cat Girl really is an alchemist" said Ed, feeling a bit stupid for judging her. Amber poked her tongue at him. At first, nobody came to purchase the little animals. But then a few kids came running over with their parents. Soon, all of the kittens were sold, except for the gray-striped one. It was the one that Amber first picked up.
"I guess I'll keep this one" Amber smiled. She cleared everything and counted the money. "Fifty bucks, not bad."
"You mind splitting that with us?" asked Ed, his eyes fixed on the money.
"Brother, you're being rude."
"Its okay" said Amber "I have an idea: Let me be your friend and I'll pay for whatever you need; I have lots of money on me."
"That's it? Alright, fine." Ed laughed a bit.
"You guys need a place to stay, right?"
"Yeah"
"Then c'mon, let's find an inn!"
It was hard, but the group found an inn for a reasonable price. Amber paid for a three night stay. She got her own room, while the brothers shared one. Each room had two beds, with a lamp and bathroom. That evening, Amber sat on her bed, going over the plan in her head. The gray kitten snapped her out of her thoughts when it hopped onto her lap and meowed.
"Hello, little one. I need to give you a name." she checked it's gender. "A boy, eh? Hmm…How about Little Damien, or Kuroki, or maybe…Edward."
"Did you call me?" came a familiar voice.
Amber was freakishly surprised. She held the kitten up to her face and said, "Did you just speak?"
Ed walked into the room, "Of course I did!"
"HUH! Oh! Ha ha, I thought the cat was talking!"
"Oh, were you calling me just now? I heard you say my name."
"No no, I was trying to think of a name for the cat."
"You were going to name it after me?"
"Ew no! I meant Edward Scissor Hands!"
"Who?"
"Never mind…"
Ed picked up the kitten and examined him. He handed it back to Amber and said, "He's a handsome fellow." He left the room. Amber sat there for a moment to think. She looked at the kitten and said, "I'll name you Elk."
End of chapter 3
Me: Hah! Kind of funny that she didn't name him after you!
Ed: mutters
Me: The next chapter is going to get juicy! Envy is going to start showing signs of affection for Amber. Whoooo! Please review!