Bells and Uniforms and Flowers, Oh My
Chapter Seventeen
"We are here to lay to rest a fallen solider. A member of the Amestris State Military has laid down their life so that we may live in peace and be able to tuck out children into bed without fear..."
In the front of a large crowd, a man known as Fuhrer Roy Mustang the Flame Alchemist, stood silently. Colorful badges and rank bars adorned his navy blue jacket. White gloves with red alchemy circles on them, covered his hands and his black hair was slicked back. A large eye patch covered one eye and the other eye was black, distant and empty. His right hand was raised to a respectful salute, while his left hand was holding that of a small child's. This child was dressed in a mini version of the skirt dress uniform, the only difference, no rank. Her long black hair was brushed and tied back into a bun and she too was wearing white gloves, and in one hand was a single flower the other was an oversized military hat.
"We stand here today to wish our fallen comrade peace, serenity and happiness. Forever you will be remembered in the lives of those who live on. Please, may you rest in peace."
Navy blue dress uniforms arranging in all sizes; some skirts but mostly pants, stood behind and next to Roy Mustang. Matching blue Military hats were tucked under their arms, while their white gloved hands were raised into a salute. Every single personnel who had anything to go with the military of Amestris was saluting.
In the front of this VERY large crowd, stood three men. Two were slowly filling a hole with dirt, and the other, was holding a book, reading the final speech for the fallen. After the speech was over, the man with the book, closed the book and slowly walked away, heading to the back of the crowd. The men with the shovels finished filling the hole and then, they too left, following the other man.
"Rest in peace."
"Rest in peace, sir."
"Find rest, now."
The military personnel slowly began to leave, filing out of the cemetery slowly, but not before stopping at the grave to say a final good-bye. The little girl watched as the final person said 'good-bye', then leave. She released her grip on Roy's hand and walked to the stone. Then, like all the other's had done, she placed the hat on her head, and because of it's size, it fell over her eyes a little, causing her to tilt her head up slightly to see. She looked at the flower in her hand, then dropped it atop the fresh dirt. She looked at the flower, then the stone. She said a silent 'good-bye', looked back at the flower then ran back to her father where she gripped his leg tightly. He looked down at her.
"It's okay."
Roy spoke as he put his hand on her back. Death scared his child. She knew it meant the end. No more returning home to awaiting families. She clung tighter to his leg, turning once more to the stone, then back to his leg.
"Sir..."
Roy turned to his right and smiled. There standing next to him, was his beautiful wife Riza. Her hat was pulled slightly over her eyes, like everyone else. He smiled.
"Do you need a moment?"
"Just a small one."
"Trinity, come here, dear."
Riza bent down as the child ran to her mother. Riza picked her up and began to walk from the cemetery like all the other had done. Roy stood behind and watched his family walk away as rain clouds rolled in. His eyes then fell to the stone.
"Thanks. If it wasn't for you. I wouldn't have Riza today. You deserve more then a promotion of two ranks, but they wouldn't let me. Again, thanks for everything. May you now rest in peace."
A memory from the recent war came flashing into his mind...
FLASHBACK
BANG!
BANG!
In a small military campsite, many personnel sat up straight and turned to face the forest. Emerging from a small tent was the Fuhrer.
"Report!"
He called out as he pulled on his shirt, carrying his jacket in his hands.
"Gunfire, sounds like enemy!"
The Fuhrer, Roy Mustang, ran to the edge of a forest path. Behind him, three soldiers appeared, aimed and ready.
"Sir! I saw a Brigadier General on that path getting water!"
Roy's face lost all expression. His eyes quickly scanned the crowd as he put his jacket on.
"Let's move men!"
And with that, the three soldiers and Roy ran down the path, guns pulled and ready. The path was dark and long as they ran. Soon, the sounds of the campsite and the glow of the fire disappeared in the back as the sounds of the rushing stream and glow of the moon became visible in front. As they rounded on the stream, Roy noticed a body lying on the ground in a puddle of blood. His pace picked up as he ran closer and closer. The body was that of a military officer. Then, he reached the stream. The results of a very small battle were seen along the edge of the water.
"On guard men!"
Roy ordered as he came to the water's edge. He looked quickly around. A dead officer and a dead Ishballian. He continued to look and he saw water bottles and a bucket kicked about.
"Brigadier General?"
Roy turned as he heard one of the men call. There, sitting on the ground leaning on a tree was Riza. She looked like she had just seen a ghost. Roy left the fallen men and ran to her, kneeling down next to her.'
"Are you hurt?"
"N...no."
"Men, check the other's."
The three men walked to the fallen and checked for life. There was none.
"Tell me, what happened?"
Roy put a gentle hand on her shoulder and she began to slowly calm down. She was amongst friends and was now protected. Roy scanned her body for injury and thats when he noticed her gun laying at the bottom of the stream.
"It...was empty."
She said out as he took a cloth from his pocket and wiped her face of sweat.
"Your gun? You said you had one left."
He helped her stand and she leaned on the tree, staring up between the leaves into the full moon's face. She was calmer now and was slowly relaxing. The other men left the Ishballian and all carried the body of the other solider. They stopped next to Roy and he turned to look at the fallen man. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. He then removed his jacket and placed it over the man's face.
"Bring him straight into my tent and cover him completely with a blanket. Speak to no one of this, I will explain when I return."
The men nodded and continued to walk back to camp. Roy turned back to Riza. She looked down at him. Her eyes changed, they showed... fear. He stared with concern, deep into her eyes. Then, without notice, she leaned forward and fell into his arms. He held her close and let her lean on him, total un-military like behavior.
"It was a surprise attack. That one man."
Riza leaned her head on his shoulder, not crying. She held her dignity in as she told him the basic of what happened.
"He had me at gun point, and then I had him. I pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. Then, Lieutenant Ha... a Lieutenant came and took the bullet for me. As the Ishballian fired, he jumped in front and saved me, then with his dying strength, he shot back and killed the Ishballian."
Riza closed her eyes as the whole scene flashed before her.
"It's okay. Everything will be okay."
They stood like that for a while longer. Roy knew why she was scared. He was scared too, and probably for the same reasons. Number one, they had a four-year-old waiting for them at home. Number two, they didn't want to die and leave her alone. After a moment more, Roy picked up her gun and helped her back to camp.
END FLASHBACK
Roy smiled and saluted once more. Then he turned on his heels and walked away after one last glance at the stone...
Jean Havoc
Loyal Brigadier General
Died Protecting And Serving
"Thanks."
A/N - Please review. Constructive criticism accepted. No FLAMES (Thats Roy's job only). Please look in my profile oo0AnimeChild0oo for all my other stories. And again, thanks for reading.
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever"
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