Disclaimer: Let us all wonder at this one. Why would I be writing fan fictions if I created a series? Hmmmmmmm?

Author's Note: Vacation is over for awhile, and now I can update more regularly. Though I don't really have like a schedule or anything. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews I've been getting. I was planning on writing a FMA fic sooner, but I thought it would be too hard and no one would review cuz I'd suck. But it's easy and thank you all for reviewing.

Lessons in Alchemy

Chapter 9: A Kiss Between Friends Pt. 2

Ash sat in the booth at the restaurant, clutching her sore stomach underneath the table where no one could see. She felt like she was going to be sick. Mainly because most of Winry and Ed's conversation revolved around life back when Ed lived in his old town.

In a way she felt left out.

Finally the food got there, but not soon enough. Ash picked up her pizza and took a bite when Winry turned to her.

"So Ash, how'd you and Edward meet?" she asked, obviously trying to make Ash fit in. She put down her food.

"Ran into each other-literally," she replied, letting Ed fill in the details. She still felt sick.

"I always told Ed that he needs to watch where he's going." She laughed, and turned back towards Ed again. Right now, Ash had mixed feelings about Winry, she was nice, but…Ash just couldn't put a finger on it.

She took one more bite of her pizza before her stomach felt like it was about to explode.

"Guys…I feel…sick. I'm sorry to say…but I'm gonna go lie down…I'll meet up with you later. K?"

Ed finally talked to her in what had seemed like ages. "Ash, are you alright. You want me to go with you?"

Ash shook her head. "I'll be fine, you stay here with Winry. Don't worry about me. I'll see ya'll later k?"

And she stood up from the booth, remembering to put down the money for her food, and walked away. Everything was spinning and it felt like she couldn't grab on to anything. Ed was with Winry now, and she was alone…

X

Al stared at the address on the paper, thinking of what to do next. Finally he turned towards the hotel, down the busy streets. He was only a block away from the hotel when-

"Oh sorry Mister-wait- are you one of those demons?" asked a little boy, staring up at him. The boy was in rags, mud smeared in shambles on his face, his hair spiky and dirt covered. He must've been only eight, and about 38 pounds.

Al looked down at the young boy and patted him on his head, mounds of dirt flying every which way. "No, I'm not one of the demons. Actually, I was hoping that you could tell me about them…"

The little boy looked up at Al with wide eyes, a confused look on his face.

But before Al let him answer, he picked up the little boy. "Come on; let's go get you cleaned up. I think Brother has some old clothes and stuff."

The little boy smiled, his pewter orbs sparkling and latched on to Al.

Lust smiled from the distance, her ebony hair blowing in the breeze. "Soon, Colt's plan will be perfect. Only one more thing…"

X

Ash walked down the streets, clutching her stomach. Everything around her was starting to spin and she couldn't find out why. All she wanted to do was fall asleep until Winry left…

Winry…

Was everything that was happening to her Winry's fault? Everything was fine until she came…

She walked closer to him, stopping by his left side. She grabbed his left hand in hers gently and interlaced their fingers.

By this time it was really dark, and the stars were starting to come out. Ash saw a flash of light go across the sky. "Oh, a shooting star!" she exclaimed. "Make a wish Ed."

She closed her eyes and let the wish flow through her. After a moment, she opened her eyes back up and looked at Ed. She was surprised that he hadn't pulled his hand away.

"I hope my wish comes true…" Ash said, her voice drowning out.

Ed looked at her and smiled. "It will."

"How do you know?" she asked, glad things had gotten back to normal between them.

"Because I wished for the same thing." He said, bringing his face closer to hers. For a moment, she could feel his breath on her face, then he pushed his lips against hers…

The memories from yesterday still rang in her head; she could still feel his lips pressed against hers. The sweet sensation still tingled on her lips; his golden pools still locked her vision.

She finally arrived at the hotel and walked up to Ed's room, hoping that Al and Ed didn't mind if she bunked with them; her shack was too far away. It felt like she were going to die.

She plopped down on the bed, letting herself melt into the silky mattress, not even bothering to cover up. Her head and stomach were killing her; her eyelids were so heavy. Finally her eyes flicker closed…

And she fell into a deep sleep…

"Ed is gone; he has left with Winry. Don't ever expect him to return. He doesn't love you. He never has. He only wants to find the Philosopher's Stone. He only used you… Listen to me Ashton, don't let your feelings for Full Metal cloud your senses. Death shall come to you and anyone close to you…"

She woke up, her head pounding, but her stomach better. "The voices? Again?" she clutched her head.

That's when Al walked in…

"Hey Ash, I've missed you. I found this little boy." Al said, he seemed to be in a panic, but he didn't say anything about Arkilus.

"Hey Al, it's good to see you again," Ash replied, putting on a fake smile. "Tell you what, I'll go find Ed and tell him you've returned and you can take care of-"

The little boy spoke for the first time since Al had gotten back. "My name is Travis."

"Travis," she finished, pulling Ed's coat back on and grabbing a nearby umbrella.

X

Lust returned to her home, slamming the door behind her. "Where's Colt?" she asked. Gluttony shrugged, so she went to the lab to check on the read-outs from Arkilus.

The lab was dark and cold, but Lust didn't notice as she headed to the printer and ripped off the piece of paper attached to it.

"Hmmm… just as we expected, this creature is a chimera…created by Trey McNill? Who the hell is that?" she asked, watching the chimera as his chest rose and fell roughly with every breath, the wires attached to every part of his body.

She pondered for a moment then walked over to the explicate number of books on a nearby shelf. She trailed a long nailed finger over the binding of each book, as she took the title in. Finally she found one to her satisfactory.

"The Famous Inventors and Creators of the 20th and 21st Century." She opened the book and turned to the M's.

"Trey McNill…born in 1959, he attended college for inventing and mechanics. He was the creator of the first chimera, a dog-like creature with a horn in the middle of its head. The chimera was created successfully in 1977 and still appears to look like a puppy. Five years after creating his first chimera, he created a stone of incredible power. The small red stone was then named the Philosopher's Stone."

Lust stopped reading and put the book back. "The Philosopher's Stone was created by Ash's father?"

X

After walking for half an hour, Ash finally stopped her tiring search to take a break. Her head wasn't hurting as bad anymore, and she slowly ate her ice cream. But then a familiar voice caught her ears.

"Ed?" she asked, picking up her cone and walking towards where she heard his voice.

She turned the corner and saw him and Winry talking and laughing together. She took a step towards them, but stopped as Winry's words caught her ear.

"Oh Ed, we should get back together. Don't you think?"

"Back together? Didn't he just finish telling me that he'd never had a girlfriend?" she asked herself. She was so confused, but wanted answers, so she hid in the shadows and watched them.

But no one said anything for a few minutes. Ed scratched the back of his head nervously, as if ashamed or something. "So many secrets he kept from me. Could I have ever trusted him?"

But before Ash could think anything else, Winry wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Their faces were only inches apart when she pushed her lips against his…

"NO!" you yelled, but it was too late. Ed was with Winry, and you were all alone again…

X

OMG! He kissed her! Now before anyone kills me, don't worry, this IS NOT an Ed/Winry fic. Lust finally discovered the secret about Ash's dad, is this why everyone is after her? And who's that strange little boy? Find out soon!

Fox Kitsune