Disclaimer: I really really don't own this anime… really. I'm not kiddin ya.

A/N: Now then, I thank you people that reviewed me… it was tons of fun to read your opinions. I swear I'm typing this up as fast as I can cause like I said, it's already written I just gotta get it up on the screen for you guys. Only problem is that the school's summer reading list is startin' to breathe down my neck right about now (I REALLY hate plays, no offense for those of you who like 'em). But, here's a bit more, hope you enjoy!

Oh, by the way, I'm going to make people's thoughts italic and I'm going to put apostrophes around them. Like this… 'I think that someday the world will be overrun with garbage, and we're all going to choke to death on the putrid smells that emit from the slowly decaying matter!'

Early Encounters

Glancing down at the crumpled paper in my hands I again check the order of my classes for today. We have eight periods in a day, though I don't know how these teachers expect us to remember anything with so much force-fed to us every day.

1) Athletics- basketball

2) Japanese- homeroom

3) World History

4) A.P. Algebra II

5) lunch period (woo hoo)

6) Physics

7) A.P. English III (of course)

8) Free Period

I silently walk into my class, after successfully finding it on my second sweep of the hall, and take a seat in the last row, at the very back. I watch as students enter the classroom talking loudly to their friends nearby. Finally, when the bell rings, the last student scampers into the room and shoots into his seat before he can get counted tardy.

The teacher slowly approaches the front of the room; looking up at his students, he adjusts his stylish glasses. 'Must be reading glasses. He doesn't look like the type to have horrible eyesight 24/7,' I think silently to myself.

"I believe we have a new student with us today…" He glances down at his attendance chart. "…Elric-san, would you please come up here?"

As I walk through the rows of desks I feel all the eyes upon me. I must admit that it makes me a little uncomfortable, but I eventually make it to the front. When I'm standing beside the teacher, Mustang-sensei, I look up at him to ask what I'm supposed to do.

My eyes widen slightly as I take in his appearance. 'He's absolutely handsome as hell!' His hair is the soft color of a raven's wing and it seems to glitter in the sunlight streaming in through the windows beside his desk. And his eyes… his eyes are deep oceans swimming with forbidden emotions that cause me to want nothing more than to dive into them and experience the adventure laying beyond those rocky shores. I'm captivated as I stare at his lean, muscled body. He seems to move with the danger and grace of a wild animal, and I can barely breathe as I look away.

His silky smooth voice seems to leak through a wall and into my ears. "Hello? Are you there?… You do speak Japanese, don't you?" Pausing he mutters to himself, "If you don't I'm in one hell of a rough spot, and I don't like that at all."

Coming out of my appreciative reverie I stutter, "Uh… y… yes, sorry, what?" 'God, I sound like an idiot.'

"Introduce yourself. Tell the class your name. Where're you from? What're your hobbies? Etc, etc…" As he finishes questioning me he goes to lean back against the blackboard, leaving me all alone and feeling highly out of place.

Blushing lightly, I begin, "Ok… My name's Edward Elric, but everyone calls me Ed… that's how we do it back in the states anyway. I'm from Seattle, Washington in America. I'm seventeen years old, and my favorite sport is basketball." That's about all I can come up with about myself that sounds remotely interesting. 'Just get the basics done with and go sit back down.'

No hands are raised, but numerous questions are hurled at me and I have a hard time answering them all.

"Are you on the basketball team?"

"Umm… yes, we had try-outs this morning, and me and my best friend, Russel, made the team."

"Are you any good."

I blush slightly, though unnoticeably. 'That's not a very nice question,' I think and decide not to answer.

"What's America like?"

"Do you have a gun?"

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

"Are you on drugs?"

"Are you in a gang?"

"Do you have…"

"ALRIGHT! That's enough, no more questions. It's time for class," breaks in Mustang, successfully snapping all further inquiries to a halt.

The whole class moans aloud, and I sigh in relief as I quickly stride back to my seat and open my Japanese textbook to page three. 'Today is going to be a long day,' slips unbidden into my mind, but I can't help agreeing with the pessimistic voice.

As the bell rings for the end of the school day I hastily make my way to my locker and throw in my offending books. 'I really hate carrying these damn things around.' Slamming the door shut, I run the short distance to meet up with Russel, who's locker is on the next hall over.

"How was your first day," he asks the instant I skid to a stop beside him.

"Eh, I'll live," I say nonchalantly while running a hand through my hair. "It wasn't too bad, but I need to see my Japanese teacher before we leave," I say quickly before I forget.

Throwing a couple books into his bag he turns to me. "Alright, I'll just meet ya at the apartment later. K? See ya," he calls as he runs down the hall.

I slowly walk through the quickly dissipating halls towards Mustang's room. When I reach the door I hesitate before quietly pulling it open.

He's putting away papers to grade and stacking others as I walk in. Shyly I approach him and force myself to speak. "Uh… Sensei, I need to talk to you."

Turning around, his midnight kissed gaze falls on me, and he studies me for a moment before sitting down on the edge of his desk, swinging one leg back and forth casually. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Sensei, I need extra tutoring on writing and reading Japanese. I can't quite get it down… could you help me?"

"Well of course, that's what I'm here for, isn't it?" I duck my head and look at the floor as he smiles charmingly at me.

"When… when should I come in, Sensei?" 'Why do I get nervous every time I see him? I mean, I know that he's the most gorgeous man that I've ever seen, but that's just it… he's a MAN! And as far back as I can recall I've always like girls. Hell, I've even had two girlfriends already. So what is this?'

I look up again to see Mustang staring at me intently.

"7:00."

"Sorry, what?" I snap out of my inner conversation and return to the one I'm having with someone besides myself.

"I said you should come here every other school day at 7:00 P.M. and I'd tutor you for an hour or two, depending," he finishes with a hint of something in his voice, though I don't know quite what.

"Depending on what," I inquire.

Smirking down at me he replies haughtily, "On how fast a learner you are. For instance, if you continue to space out every ten minutes like you've been doing, it may take us up to three hours."

"Sorry, that's all my fault," I say half laughing as I scratch the back of my head in feigned innocence. "When do we start?"

"I can start this evening. Can you?" He quirks an elegant ebony eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, oh, but I won't be able to come on Fridays because I've got basketball games," I inform him, hoping he'll understand.

"Are your practices in the morning?"

I nod in response. "Well, I'll be back here at 7:00, if I don't cook something Russel will starve himself…" Pouting slightly I continue, "… don't know how he got on without me these last two years… Well, see ya."

I turn and walk out of the classroom, closing the door behind me. Once I've reached the apartment I throw my backpack on my bed and head towards the kitchen. Grabbing a microwaved potpie (all we have is American food) I sit down in front of the t.v. and turn on the NBA game in the U.S. As I chow down Russel walks into the room with a towel around his waist and his hair dripping.

"So, what's with the Japanese teacher, and why are you eating so fast," Russel asks as he walks towards me.

Between bites I explain, "Well, he's going to tutor me every other day at 7, every other school day I mean, and we're starting today so I gotta hurry."

"Oooooh. I see… Did ya leave me anything?"

"Yeah, your potpie's on the counter. Just go get it," I say offhandedly while still watching the game.

"Aww, won't you get it for me? Pwweeaase." Russel moves closer and runs his hand up my arm while grinning seductively at me.

"Dude, stop that… you're freaking me out," I snap as I shake my arm loose.

Smiling, Russel just knocks me in the shoulder and turns around, walking into the kitchen, calling over his back, "Yeah yeah, you know I'm just playin' around."

"yeah," I whisper to myself.

Russel's always been that way, just playin' jokes like that all the time. I used to, too, but now… now it just feels wrong.

A/N: Ok, that's the end of that chapter. I know it's longer than usual, but that should be cause for rejoicing not crying. I hope you don't mind too much the fact that Ed's personality is a tad different, as in he's not such a raving control freak! He's just a lot softer, and thinks more… he's not as impulsive, but I think this kind of Ed is a relief. Well, the next part up is called Private Lessons and we're gonna get some intimate moments so I hope you want me to write more. ….. You know I'd be spurred on to type faster if I got some opinions on whether or not you cared for what I've written so far. Well, till next time… have fun doing whatever it is that you do.