Disclaimer: Yes I magically won the lottery since I last updated and bought FMA. Ha! I wish. No I own nothing, but the pictures on my wall, Ash, and this story idea!

Author's Note: Hey people! I'm glad to hear that you think the story is less confusing now that it's been going on some. Thanks for sticking with me through the first five chapters. Anyway, thanks to Hollow Stares for telling me the names of the Homunculi. I also wanted to say, sorry if this chapter isn't very good, its 110 degrees here in Texas and our air conditioner isn't working so it's like 85 degrees in this house and I'm so hot! So it's kinda affecting my ability to concentrate! This all being said, enjoy the next chapter of Lessons in Alchemy! REVIEW!

Lessons in Alchemy

Chapter 6: Confessions

"They were telling the truth. How could I ever have doubted them?" Ash asked herself, staring at her booted feet.

She looked up at the window again, and her eyes met Ed's hurt golden ones. She couldn't stand it anymore. The girl turned and ran away, as fast as she could, away from there. She doesn't turn to look behind her, because the image of Ed's hurt eyes couldn't leave Ash's mind.

She finally stopped, only after the stitch in her side became unbearable, under a Cherry Blossom Tree and sat down in the shade. It was only the beginning of June, but the temperature was well in the nineties. She fanned herself with her hand and laid back, watching the branches sway in the wind.

"It was ironic how Ed and I met, I must admit that. But he did try to save me so many times, even while being hurt," The amber orbed girl paused and watched a bird fly away. "What is this that I'm feeling? My heart…it's fluttering."

She stood up and pushed some of her hair out of her eyes, every memory from the last three days sticking in the tomboy's mind; especially the last one. Sighing, she walked away from the tree and into a forest she had never seen before, even though she'd lived here all her life. In fact, she had no clue where she was.

Ash walked beside the forest for what seemed like hours, but after checking her watch, found out it had only been about thirty minutes. She finally stopped and looked around, seeing a nice pond out in the middle of a field.

She walked over to the lake and removed her boots and socks and pulled up her pant legs before dipping her feet into the cool, clear water.

"Why did you run away? You coulda gotten hurt," said a voice behind her, making her jump at the sudden break of silence. She turned and saw Ed staring down at her, his eyes soft and warm, and his smile bright.

"Ed… What are you doing here?" she whispered, getting up from the ground so she could look him in the eyes. "You…should be at the hospital, getting your wound fixed…"

Ash looked at her reflection in the pastel blue water, and could see Ed's as well, standing right next to her. "He's always stood by me, ever since he has met me," she thought.

He pulled off his shoes and socks as well and dipped his feet in the water, motioning for the tomboy to sit down next to him. She sat back down, moving her shoes out of the way, and stared at the water, not able to look at his face.

"Why…did you come back? After I doubted you and lied?" she asked, finally breaking the silence that enveloped over the two of them.

"Because that's what friends do," was his only reply. Silence. Again. "Wait. What did you lie about?"

"I walked right into that one!" She thought then stood up, accidentally splashing a little water as she did so. "I had never done alchemy until I was captured," she whispered.

"Really! But you can do alchemy without a Transmutation Circle!"

"You do it all the time. Is it special?" the girl asked, clueless.

Ed stood up too, and it was noticeable how his foot was auto-mail like his arm. "Ed- What happened?" Ashton asked, indicating his leg and arm. He looked down at his arm and smiled.

"My good friend Winry gave them to me. I was in an accident when I was little, and lost my right arm and left leg. Winry and her grandmother love auto-mail and such, so she gave me a fake arm and leg."

Ash raised an eyebrow then nodded, as if understanding it all finally. "Is that why Al is in the armor, because he was hurt as well?" Ed nodded.

She let her feet dry in the sunshine. "So Ed, do you know why everyone's after me? Mustang said it had something to do with my blood or something, but I don't understand."

"I'm not sure either. But we'll find out," his voice sounded determined and Ash couldn't help but smile. He was like a knight in shiny armor- though Ash, being the tomboy that she was, had never believed in crap like true love's first kiss and knights and steeds.

Ash sighed and laid back on her hands, letting them prop up her weight. "So…how about we try to get to know each other better?"

The boy nodded. "How?"

"I dunno," the girl shrugged. "How about we just ask each other questions?"

He nodded again.

"First of all, where is Al?" She asked, staring up at the clouds. This was a little weird for her, being alone for the first time with a guy that she wasn't trying to skin alive.

"Apparently there are two Mustangs. So Al went to talk to the 'good' one," Ed replied, he glanced over at her, then wearily put his real hand down so that it was next to hers, but not touching it.

"So, you want me to ask a question first?" Ash asked, and when Ed nodded, she tried to rack her brain for a question.

"Mustang said that you and Al were looking for the Philosopher's Stone. Why?"

Ed finally took his eyes of the sky and looked at Ash. "So that I can get my body back." He didn't say how Al needed a body too, only that he wanted his. It was obvious that Ed wanted Al's problem to stay a secret.

"Have you heard those voices lately?" Asked Ed and she shook your head. "No, but it's weird. When I hear those voices I also see pictures. Is this normal?"

"No," he said. "What are the pictures of?"

"You."

X

"Mustang, apparently Ash says that she was taken captive by you, Hughes, and Hawkeye. How is this possible sir? I mean, you're here. Do you think that maybe the Homunculi are behind this?" Asked Al, standing in front of Mustang's desk. He looked around him at Mustang's office. He hadn't been there in awhile. He couldn't believe that he had made it back to Central already, the train had been moving really slowly.

Mustang was twirling something between his fingers under his desk, that Al couldn't see, but he caught a tint of silver. "It's a possibility. What we need to do is protect Ash if at all possible, or she might wind up dead."

"Also sir, I was wondering if you could tell me why everyone is after Ash. Do you know?"

Mustang pushed his chair back and stood up. "I think Ed might've lost this or something, please return it to him," he said, throwing the pocket watch to Al, who caught it from the air.

"His pocket watch? He actually lost this?" Al was confused, but he gripped it firmly in his hand.

"Yes, and to answer your other question, I'm not entirely sure. All I know is that it has something to do with her father…"

X

"Me?" Ed asked, a little surprised, though Ash couldn't blame him. This was all so confusing.

She nodded, "but I dunno why.

"Well my turn."

She thought for a minute, then a question came to her. "Have you ever had a girlfriend?" Ash was surprised by how needy that sounded, because that wasn't her intention at all.

"Well remember Winry, the girl I was telling you about? Well, she's the closet thing I've ever had, because I've known her my whole life, but technically, I never have," he replied, and it was obvious how important this Winry girl was to him.

Obviously he realized that the questions were getting personal, so he fired on at his friend. "Have you ever been in love?"

She thought back for a moment. 'Ed and Al are the only two guys I have ever gotten close to. But there is that feeling I'm having in the pit of my stomach, and how weird my breathing becomes when he comes around,' she thought.

She paused for another moment before finally saying, "I'm not sure, I think so…"

X

Could Ash really be in love? And what's the deal with her father? How can there be two Mustangs? It's possible for the Homunculi to portray Mustang, but are they? What powers is Lust talking about? Find out soon! Review if you're here!

:Fox Kitsune: Savannah

P.S. I noticed there wasn't a bunch of action in this chapter, mainly talking. Sorry about that, but notice the title of this chappie. Plus, it's starting off yours and Ed's relationship, if there is one… Lol. Sorry if this chapter bored anyone!