AN: I'm back! My God, the frustration just runs over me since I had a writer's block… --;;; So annoying… Anyway, I heard from my friend in school, Riza () chatted with some of the readers of this fic. And there was the major request of more RoyxRiza hints. Hmm… I know! I have the perfect idea! Also, I think I should put RoyxRiza hints in almost every chapter I make. What do you think? Please hand down some suggestions to your reviews.
KagomeMarie: Thanks! Sure, I'll update as soon as ideas come to me!
Kiyuu-Chan: Yeah, you'll see more flashbacks and more clues as the story goes on. Nah, I won't blame you. I guess some of us are busy and all. XD Sure, I'll send you every chapter by e-mail. XD Thanks for the assistance.
Fluff Freak: Well… Roy's thoughts and POV was mentioned every time each chapter ends. Yes, I think it was some how obvious… actually not… XD I'm kinda slow too actually. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's alive now. Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill him… YET. (evil laughter) Do I always end up threatening Roy's life in almost every chapter?
Shadow Dreamer 27: I know! I love flashbacks! One of the best parts in the damn story! Yeah sure. I'll make him win… but not always! I need the bad guys to win as well. XD I'm sooooo bad. On with the story…
Warning: OC's are included from this chapter 'till on. No… I won't make them crappy… .
Chapter 9- Of Family and Riches
Blink… Blink…Roy's eyes slowly fluttered open. His eyes cast directly on a pearly white ceiling. Roy moaned. Every part of him felt so sore.
Roy gazed at his stiff hand. It was wrapped in some bandages just as most of him was. He sat up clutching his stomach as the pain inflicted him. Another moan escaped his lips.
Roy studied the room, surprised. The last thing he remembered was that he passed out in an alleyway… with the homunculus above him.
'And remember… Riza's mine… got that?' that was the last threat he heard before he lost awareness. The rest, he could hardly recall. The main point, he managed to survive that massacre.
Roy's eyes then led themselves in a night table that stood beside the bed he lay. Nothing much was there, only a small portrait that displayed itself.
A small photographed picture of Riza and he himself. Roy laughed as he continued viewing the precious memory. That was the day he and Riza had their first date. They had to force Hughes into using his last piece of film. He sighed, knowing that he was safe. Nothing would harm him. This was only Riza's apartment.
"Roy?"
Roy turned and saw Riza by the doorway Black Hayate ran around the room enthusiastically as it saw that her mistress' lover was awake. Riza walked in the room, setting aside a small basin of water. She carried a small washcloth and dipped it entirely in the clear water. She squeezed and stretched it and began rubbing Roy's face gently. Silence, nothing was said as Roy lay down and let Riza continue her work.
"I found you passed out in an alley… what happened?" Riza asked, continuing her work. Why was she asking? She knew perfectly well without even guessing on what happened to him. He was massacred and tortured by that sin. He didn't have to say it. And he doesn't have to say no to this, she was a burden.
Roy made a slight frown. Should he tell her what he's been through? Ambushed by someone who was madly after her? No, he made a promise. He didn't want to make it seem like it was her fault that he's been through hell and actually made it out and he never will. Roy stared at Riza and the expression she carried. The sorry and sad expression Roy saw was unbearable. 'Shit… I prefer death there than see her like this…' Roy thought as he slowly turned away.
"Thugs ganged up on me. I couldn't pull out my gloves on time." Roy kept his voice casual as he said this. It wasn't exactly a lie. Some thug did gang up on him, consisting that the gang only had one member. But the Flame Alchemist highly doubted that Riza would actually believe a vague explanation like that.
Roy turned to see Riza's face again but was slightly surprised to see Riza's face close to him. The pair looked straightly in each other's eyes. Unconsciously, they were coming even closer…
But the prized moment was interrupted as Black Hayate bit the hem of Riza's clothing. She somehow remembered something.
"Excuse me, Taisa." Riza cast for the door. Roy shot daggers at the small creature. One of the things he hated about the military dog, it had lousy timing.
"Yo, brother!" Roy looked at the doorway and saw the least person he expected to see.
A man slightly older than him stood by the doorway. He looked exactly like Roy. Jet black hair and charcoal black eyes, the only difference was the facial built. While Roy had a smooth built, this man had a rugged face. He even had a slight beard. The man, at first sight, seemed to be the cool one.
"Ford! Long time no see!" the colonel rose up to catch a better glimpse of his older brother, Ford Mustang. (AN: Haha, get it? Couldn't think of anything else… it was fun to make Roy's bro a car, isn't it? Besides… he could be one of the makers of Ford! XD)
"Hey cousin, don't forget about me." This time, a woman accompanied by Riza came in. Just by appearance, she didn't have much of Mustang blood.
Long silver hair that was left there to flow and hang, paired with ocean blue orbs. She was as old as Roy and was younger than Ford.
"Winoa, it's been a while." Roy grinned.
"Indeed it has." Winoa made a slight smile. "By the way Roy… nice girlfriend." Roy and Riza flushed furiously as Ford and Winoa laughed.
"Stop it Winoa! We're not-"
"You don't have to lie to me, Roy. I know all too well." Winoa stopped laughing and gave a smirk as she said this. Roy glared a thousand daggers at his cousin. Winoa Airstorm was a bitch.
"Never mind… so… I'm supposed to be Aunt Porsche Mustang's and Central Headquarters' representative…" Winoa suddenly inspected Roy as she was referring to Ford and Roy's mother. She then turned her eyes on Riza.
"Hm… skinny… military rank must be high… First Lieutenant in East HQ… you are Riza Hawkeye, right? But she seems… hmm… never mind! Roy, you pick such good choices!" Winoa smiled.
"Only thing now are promotions! Mom's flipping over why you're still a colonel. That's why we're here to help… besides the fact that Hughes and Havoc told mom about you getting beaten up and all…" Ford fastened his tone as he said this. But it was enough for Roy to hear it. Roy cursed under his breath. He was definitely going to kill the both of them when he's back in the office.
"So… dude, gonna show us your mansion now?" Ford asked. There was silence as Riza turned to face Roy.
"You have a mansion?" Riza questioned with slight disbelief. "And you lived in an apartment after all this time."
"I was going to tell you anyway… Long story…" Roy mumbled as he struggled to get up. Winoa and Ford grinned.
AN: And this is the prelude to the now interesting chapters of the story. From here, the arrival of Ford and Winoa, I'm making the exciting and even more serious parts here.