A/N: If the last chapter sounded weird, it was because I was half-asleep when I finished it XD and I was too tired to proof-read it but I didn't want to wait till the next day to post it. I figured you guys waited long enough for me to update.

TO MY REVIEWERS:

J.D.: Thought out? Really? XD Well, I try but I usually just cram random thoughts together and call it a chapter. Thank you!

Shinigami Akumu: I know, but I was too tired to proof-read it! -cries- Yeah, the ending was a little weird. Hey, I was half-asleep when I typed it, what do ya expect? XD I'll try to do better. -huggles Ed too-

Mika Rieu: WAHH! I know! You have no idea how many times I've cried after reading a FMA fanfic. Has it gotten sad? I thought it was getting a little happier than from the beginning. -shrugs- XD I still have to think on how it's going to go.

FullMiniEdward: Yeah, it's sad that Ed cuts himself, but I thought it sort of fit; I mean, you know how much he freaks out when Al got injured (even if he was amour), think how he's feel if Al died?

Ebony Colmen: Lmao, IT'S ALL MY FAULT! I MADE YOU GIGGLE! -cries- HOW CAN I LIVE WITH MYSELF! XDDD I'm glad that you like my story still. And I totally agree! I'd give up food before yaoi myself!

xEnvious Envyx: I know your review was from chapter 5, but I thought I'd respond anyway. XD I'm glad you like my story. Hopefully, you'll still like it when you get this far! Don't worry, I'm suicidal anymore. I haven't cut in a while either I'm rather proud to say. Only about fourteen days but hey, it's a start. Right?

DISCLAIMER: Awh, c'mon guys! You can't still be mad at me!

Roy: You lied!

Ed: Yeah! How can we trust you?

Me: -stares at floor- I can make sure you guys have a nice steamy scene?

Ed: -blushes-

Roy: … I guess. -whispers- When?

Ed: ROY!

Me: Soon … very soon.

Ed: -blushes even more-

Roy: -smirks- Alright.

Me: Heh, x.x;;; well I still don't own them … so please do not contact your lawyers.

Chapter nine / The Tringhams

"Well, Roy, you've shot down all of my ideas. We have to think of something soon," Maes complained to Roy, who was pacing back and forth in his living room. "Look, it's two hours till 6:00am! If we don't hurry, the train is going to come and go. You know the Fuhrer will have someone there to make sure Ed gets on it."

Roy stopped pacing for a second, then continued. "I know, Maes. It's just that, Bradley isn't a fool; he'd figure it out that we were trying to hide him."

"True." After a few minutes of silence, Hughes snapped his fingers. "I got it! We could give Ed a disguise! Have him look like someone else, and then have another soldier we can trust look like him to take his place!"

The colonel merely stared at his dancing friend. "It won't work."

Hughes stopped. "Why not?"

"Because," Roy answered. "Ed's at least two feet shorter than everyone in the military."

"Awh, damn. That's right," Maes muttered.

It just so happened, that right as that was said, the young alchemist was descending the stairs; and was upon them in less than a second.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A CERTAIN BLONDE SO SHORT THAT EVEN A NEWBORN BABY WOULD BE TWICE AS TALL!"

"Down, Edward," the colonel whispered. "We're just trying to think of a plan … and we're running out of time."

The blonde instantly calmed down. Messing with his freshly showered hair, he stared off at nothing in particular. After a moment, he looked back up. "Hey, the Tringhams came into town the other day. I'm sure they would help."

Hughes jumped back into the conversation. "The younger brother, Fletcher? He's about your height, isn't he Ed?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. But he's also about four years younger than me." (A/N: I honestly don't know how old Fletcher is, but for my story he's going to be 13, okees?)

"Your point?" Maes asked.

Ed shrugged. "Nothing I guess. I think he even grew his hair out too … so he'd looked more like me. But, he's too much like …"

Roy looked at him. "Too much like who?"

"… too much like Al."

Roy and Maes went silent after that statement. It was true; Fletcher was a little too much like Alphonse.

"Your hair isn't in a braid," Mustang whispered as he ran a hand through the golden locks.

"I took a shower and was waiting for it to dry. I can probably braid it now." But when Ed moved his hands back to fix his hair, Roy stopped him.

"Don't. It looks better down."

Edward smiled. "I guess I could leave it down just this once. To tell you the truth, I'm starting to get a little annoyed with braiding my hair … but I don't want to cut it either."

Roy joined him in smiling. "Good, because I wouldn't want it any other way."

While the two gazed into each other's eyes, sparkles appeared (like the pink ones around Armstrong XD). Maes sweatdropped. "Ahem!" he coughed. "As adorable and yet nauseating this scene is, we have to finalize the plan to keep Edward from leaving."

"Right. I'll go call Russell," the blonde mumbled and then left the room.

-Half an Hour Later-

"So, the short Elric brother needs our help, huh?" Russell mocked.

"Brother, be nice," Fletcher scolded.

Ed tried his best to put his famous grin into play. "Heh, yeah well, you guys are the only ones that can help me."

The older Tringham brother smirked. "Why? Did Al finally leave in search for a taller brother?"

Ed quickly switched his stare to the floor. "You … could say something like that."

Fletcher looked around. "Where is Al, anyway? I haven't seen him in a long time."

When everyone averted their eyes, Russell and Fletcher knew something was up.

"Alright, why does everyone look like someone died?" Russell demanded.

Edward flinched. "Because … Al, was … killed … by Scar."

Fletcher's eyes went wide. "WHAT! W-when?"

"About six months ago," Roy murmured while taking Ed into his arms from behind.

"How could this of happened!" the younger Tringham shouted with tears running down his cheeks. Russell pulled him into a tight hug, whispering quiet coos in his ear.

"Al … he-" Ed choked back a sob. "Scar attacked me, but … Al ran in front of me."

Out of nowhere, they were ambushed and separated. Edward fought off as many as he could changing his arm into the dagger, but still received countless wounds. Hearing the sound of metal he knew his younger brother was alright fighting by himself.

Everything was going fine, until Scar showed up. Apparently the attackers were from Ishbal. Out of the thirty that had attacked, around twenty of them were killed; this enraged Scar. Taking up on his oath to kill all State Alchemists, he charged Edward; who was oblivious . However, Alphonse saw it coming.

As quickly as his metal-amour legs would carry him, Al jumped in front of his older brother. Scar had no quarrel with him, but didn't have the chance to stop. His blow went right through the amour; disintegrating the symbol that had been placed there five years ago.

"BROTHER!"

Wiping around, Ed saw right before his eyes, what seemed to him the second death of his brother.

"AL!"

But it was too late. All he could do, was stare at the gaping whole in Alphonse's chest … and to see the symbol crack.

Then … nothing more than a thud of empty metal … that was now truly empty.

"Al …" he whispered. Clenching his fists, Ed tried his best not to cry. However, the tears were threatening to spill. The scene played over and over in his mind; until the tears came flooding.

Turning him around, Roy gently held Ed to him. He couldn't bear to see his love like this. Glancing up, he gave the Tringhams the 'drop the subject NOW' look.

While all of this was happening, Maes was the only one who saw it. Russell was staring at the two of them … at Roy.

It almost seemed as if Russell had this … longing look on his face.

'No way … Could Russell like … Roy?'