AN: I'm back from my writer's block… as usual… Please enjoy the fanfic.

Fullmetal Philosopher: Yup… the scary sensei… I pity Roy. If I wasn't the one who made this story, I would feel the same way you feel.

Lt. Hawkeye: Of course. What do you think I'll do? End the story this way? XD

rizahawkeye01: No, I can't seem to take Britney Spears these days… And no… your new boyfriend is Keisuke Takahashi the second.

Fluff Freak: Everything will make sense soon enough. Just stick to it. And by the way, all these threats are just for fun. XD

Blackrosewitch: Nah, just continue reading. I think I'll place something about her next chapter.

Cain's-Angel14: Yeah and as I said, I'll just type it down and you people just read.

Gundamsforever: Yo! Well, seeing that you're shouting everything out loud… ah never mind. Just read and you'll see.

Bissful Dreams: Don't worry. I 'try' to make everything fine. XD

Mr.kusagani: I got over it for now. I'm finished with two chapters I've got to post. Well… yeah, I have another WB. (sweatdrop)

AN: Oh and this chapter is another part of those flashbacks. The main part of the story is in the next chapter.
And to add another, from this point, all the chapters have to be long for some things.

Chapter 17- His Reasons

An explosion was heard, accompanied by maniacal laughter, probably Kimbly. Then there were several huge gunshots, like cannons shooting with absolutely no mercy. Probably the colonel, she thought.

There were bodies of Ishbalians in a small pile. Beautiful crimson red glimmered from her view. But it wasn't beautiful in fact. Corpses lay slumped by the wall to the ground. She was there to see it. After all, she was one of those who caused this.

She threw glares of disgust to soldiers who were actually enjoying the scene and what they have done. She then continued to gaze at the corpses on the ground that still shined with the crimson called blood. There were men, who have fought and protected their families but they died in vain. There were women, who led the way with their children to escape but they failed to find their sanctuary. And there were children who cried in fear but in the end, met their fate. And there were even pets, especially dogs that died by their side.

Riza hated it to the highest point. She dumped her rifle to the ground and abandoned it, slowly pacing off. When she figured that she was out of anyone's sight, she dropped to her knees, slumping down.

'Why?' Riza asked herself. She again questioned on why she joined the military again. She instantly wiped the wet salty drops that threatened to fall. She refused to cry.

"Hate wearing that uniform and taking some fucked up orders?" a voice asked.

Riza's eyes widened, realizing that she wasn't alone and from the unexpected presence. She stood up, whipping out her handgun and placing the stranger on gunpoint. But she lowered her gun, realizing that it was another military officer. State Alchemist, actually. Jet black hair and slanted charcoal black eyes and a cocky smirk, the Flame Alchemist Roy Mustang. But Riza didn't reply to his comment. Roy looked at her, his face darkening.

"Then welcome to my life. You don't know what kind of shit I've been through." Roy spoke lightly, a hint of sadness and regret hidden behind his words. Riza placed her gun back to her pocket and gave complete eye contact to the Lieutenant.

"Then why did you become a State Alchemist?" Riza questioned. Roy scoffed out a laugh.

"Can't answer that one. Maybe one day, I'll tell you." Roy headed for an opposite direction but looked back to see Riza. He offered a gloved hand.

"Come on. I'll lead you back to base. The other State Alchemists are sharing with the military." Roy grinned, "Don't worry, I'll protect you. Did you run out of bullets?" he laughed. Riza sniffed in annoyance as she strode off past the Flame Alchemist, leaving him surprised. Riza turned to see him shrug. He guessed that she wasn't the type who liked to have a good laugh.

Riza flinched. She continued to watch the taller man as she walked by his side. Outlines of the orange sun encircled Mustang, making almost, if not all women who saw him right now fall for him. His looks, the way he speaks, Riza smiled. This man, Lieutenant Mustang, he really is something. She couldn't control herself. She slowed down a bit, making her walk slightly behind war hero. She sniffed the air. His scent… it smells nice… Perhaps walking with him towards base wasn't so bad, she thought.

'I couldn't understand you back then. You had a lot of secrets behind your charm, the charm that can gather many close to you if you wished. You had that cool and calm personality and that sarcastic smirk. But you killed many… and you had dark secrets right behind that smirk… What are they?'

Riza arrived at the military base, accompanied by Roy. He was right. There were other state alchemists in the area.

There was Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong arm Alchemist, posing in front of others who looked like they were suffering from sore eyes. There was Basque (Bastard) Gran who was dictating frustratingly at some clueless soldiers who carried his items to his tent with no end. Then there was Zolf J. Kimbly, the Crimson Alchemist. Apparently, he was having a heated glare contest against another State Alchemist. That State Alchemist was the Lightning Alchemist, Lt. Blake Helmsley. His cold eyes were distracted from the presence of the newly arrived. The First Lieutenant came walking by and he saw the Sergeant Major beside him. A glint of jealousy and grudge sparked in his eyes. Roy seemed to notice this. There came the sarcastic smirk that gives people the impression of Roy craving for a fight with someone. That someone was only one step away.

"Roy!"

Riza heard Roy's name yelled from a distance. Lt. Hughes came running with excitement, glad to see his best friend again even during the war. But he stopped by Riza, studied the situation and sighed. Riza looked beside him, puzzled.

"Ah nothing." Hughes scratched his back head, laughing but turning anxious. "Roy just loves picking fights with that guy. Tends to piss him off, works a lot." Hughes explained.

"Why's that?" Riza asked. Hughes looked at her and paused.

"It's something I really can't tell… but it's for one goal…" he made a slight grin and a sweat drop. "You really shouldn't know." Riza just looked at him in disbelief.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't the Lightning Asshole." Roy slapped Blake in the back, laughing. Blake stiffly turned away from Kimbly and redirected his glare to Roy. Nearby military soldiers began watching the scene with interest. Moments like these, especially from these two, were interesting.

"What does the Flaming Bastard want this time?" Blake muttered the same tone in return.

"Just wondering how you got back here after today." Roy replied coolly. He waited for his answer. Riza half-expected a comeback not that she didn't support Roy but because she knew this fight will turn pandemonium.

"I walked. What? Your brain turned to ashes?" Blake shot the comeback. Everyone who was there, expect some close to Roy, gave a laugh. Riza saw Hughes flinched, looking disappointed and looked at Roy's expression. But that side comment didn't crush Roy just yet.

"Well, at least I walked back with someone." Roy raised his voice slightly and intentionally for everyone around to hear. Even if no one else, especially Riza knew what he meant, Hughes and Blake obviously got the picture. Roy looked at his rival with full confidence plastered to his face. But then it shrunk back down to a straight face as he noticed Blake's expression lighten.

"Too bad you won't be together. Just like your father and mother who fraternized, Mustang." Blake smirked. Eyes turned towards Roy who stood still. Even with a straight serious face, he looked slightly pale. This time, it was the Lightning Alchemist who was in control.

"I know the truth, you can't hide it. Both you and the Brigadier General are brothers. And it's obvious Mustang isn't a very common name here in Amestris." Blake continued on. There were many nods, shakes and exchanged murmurs. Riza looked around and saw Hughes growing tense. She could hear an 'Oh no' from him but even she had to agree. She doesn't know anyone else who carries the name Mustang except for two people in the entire military: Roy Mustang and Brigadier General Mustang. For the remainder, Roy remained silent. Not a word or a sound came from his mouth and his face remained straight, thinking of how to respond to this.

"And where's General Porsche Bridgestone?" he asked, closing in on Roy. The Flame Alchemist's teeth gritted.

"What about her?" he asked. There was a small flame inside him ready to burn.

"Cut the bullshit, Mustang. That's your and the Brigadier General's cheating bitch mother. Still probably getting fucked from General Anglia Mustan-"

Before he could finish, there already a fist purged across his face. The Lightning Alchemist stumbled to the ground, his nose already bleeding. Riza watched in the crowd. She knew this would happen but she couldn't help but get irritated from some military men who were cheering for the fight. Others still continued to what Blake has stated. She decided to help but Hughes pulled her back. He shifted uncomfortably but held her strong.

"Don't. They're State Alchemists. They can use alchemy anytime. You should know that." Hughes muttered, stating reason. And like he said, it already turned to an Alchemy face off. But Riza found it ridiculous. Someone should stop this. But she needn't say longer. There were gasps of panic coming through in a straight line. The colonel emerged from his tent. Basque Gran came charging with fury, his face turning a deep shade of purple as he stormed closer and closer to the Lieutenants in question. He didn't even have to look at the tongues of fire or the sparks of lightning to know the cause of the clutter. When he first heard cheering, he already knew who they were.

"MUSTANG! HELMSLEY!" the Iron Blood Alchemist transfigured his arm to a cannon. He shot one blast to the sky, which purged a hole in the clouds as he roared. Roy and Blake broke off and ceased. The last tongue of fire marked a burn on one side of his moustache (AN: XD I had to do that!) but he didn't mind.

"I don't know what the fuck-" Basque Gran was already cut off his words as Hughes intruded.

"Sir, I can explain-" Hughes was then accompanied by other soldiers' protests. Most of course were in Roy's side. Some who appreciated him like Armstrong and even some that hated Roy's guts but hated Blake's guts more than his like Kimbly.

"SILENCE!" Another deafening roar and a loud cannon shot lunged to the air for the second time. The colonel turned to Hughes menacingly.

"Lt. Hughes, I advise you to keep your mouth shut or I will be forced to give you a punishment probably even more severe than what I'm going to give those two." He threatened. Hughes gulped, taking a few steps backwards behind Riza. The two watched them in horror as Roy awaited his judgement.

"I can see that both of you seem to like attracting attention. Well! I don't care who the fuck started this. I'll court martial you, cut your salaries, demote and strip you of your ranks and have you arrested on the streets for- DO NOT question me, Mustang or even answer to me, Hughes! I have every power to do so!" Spit was flying to Roy and Blake until a voice came.

"That's enough, Gran." Basque Gran turned to see a woman walk in, wearing the military uniform. A straight pale face, deep sea-blue eyes and flowing silver hair, Colonel Winoa Airstorm, to some that recognize her, has arrived.

"Ah Colonel Airstorm, what good timing. How's about you help me file a report to the Fuhrer about these two-" Basque Gran smiled maliciously at the two lieutenants who still frowned. Blake carried a heavier one when he saw the female colonel, Riza has noticed.

"Enough, it's rather unfair. You're also threatening to abuse your power, colonel. Didn't expect that from you." her eyes rolled from Basque Gran to the State Alchemists in question.

"But it's still not in your power to decide for them, Airstorm. They are not under your jurisdiction, they are under mine so I can do anything under my power to get them off my hair and-" Before Basque Gran could say any longer, Winoa made a small smirk.

"You aren't the Fuhrer, Gran. And besides, the Fuhrer has hair… you don't." She shot the side comment with a laugh.

From that remark, many soldiers dared to laugh. Riza made a smile in bemusement while Hughes was on the edge of breaking to tears. Roy smirked but Blake still kept his frown. Riza saw him looking at Winoa and she looking back at him. Her face turned heavy.

Basque Gran's anger targeted Winoa and his face instead turned a deep rash of violet. Before Winoa could tell, she was knocked to the ground. She rubbed her cheek, which revealed a severe bruise mark.

"Stupid bitch." Basque Gran muttered. Riza watched as Winoa struggled to get up, groaning. She looked at Blake and saw him create slight movement. An intuition came to Riza. It was as if… Blake wanted to help her but couldn't.

"Yo Wendy? Any problems?" another voice arrived. Instantaneously, soldiers began a salute to a dark haired man. Riza peered in close and noticed that this person was like an older clone of Roy. It was the Brigadier General Ford Mustang. Winoa gave a salute, slightly peeved.

"No problems here, sir. But please sir, call me Winoa, my nickname…" Winoa's eyes narrowed from the sound of her real name.

"Brigadier General… Lt. Mustang and Lt. Helmsley are unfit and incompetent to my rules and orders and cannot stop from keeping their hands of each other. I'm suggesting court martial-" but the colonel stopped, seeing that the general was plainly looking at the sky with absolutely no sign of attention or interest. But Riza continued to study the both of them. Is he really related to Roy, she wondered. Like Blake said: 'Both you and the Brigadier General are brothers. And it's obvious Mustang isn't a very common name here in Amestris.'

"Dude, just give them some action. The guys here in Ishbal are like way under their level. One duel right here and now won't hurt." Ford suggested. Gran looked furious.

"General, I don't mean to question you but we're in Ishbal. All Ishbalians are sure to attack." Gran informed.

"Covered. We aren't that stupid to come alone." Winoa stepped in. "The both of us sent 2 of our battalions to surround this entire base."

The Iron Blood Alchemist couldn't find any other loophole for him to point out. He bowed down his head, nodding scornfully.

As if two vicious chimeras ran to each other, Roy and Blake were already in the offense. They started snapping their fingers to know end, not caring about the future blisters they'll probably get. Sparks and Flames were flying towards the opposite side as everyone else watching were heading for safety. Hughes pushed Riza away for the both of them to see from a safer view. Both State Alchemists managed to avoid the other's attacks, but barely.

Roy ran for a brick wall to his right. Beads of sweat fell as his left arm swelled in pain. He gave it a short glance and saw a blue and black mark that lightning gave him, much like the flames which consumes only little. Roy sighed, at least giving Blake a burn in his arm himself. He must be feeling the same as well. But the Flame Alchemist had to run back to battle. A bolt of lightning blasted its way to the brick wall, shattering the bricks to pieces of stone.

Roy rolled and collapsed to the ground for cover, breaking his fall in the process. He tilted his head quickly to find two bolts of lightning heading for him. Roy dodged the first one with difficulty but then snapped his fingers for the next one. Both fire and lightning collided and a small explosion was created.

Roy's teeth gritted. The pain stung more in his arm as he continued on. The Lightning Alchemist just stood there stationary. Everything seemed easy to him. Roy snapped and this time, it didn't miss. A burst of fire burnt his arm. Luckily for Blake, it was small enough for him to his swing his arms and for the fire to blow away. But of course, it was painful. He was screaming in pain and agony as the fire began to consume all it can from his arm. When the fire was gone, his arm was still intact but his uniform sleeve was burnt and his glove was close to ashes. It hung there, useless. Blake used his other arm to take out the burnt glove, aware that he was in a big disadvantage. Roy of course, thought the opposite. Both couldn't use the other hand, only now depending on one.

Blake stood furious. He snapped his fingers. This time, small sparks of lightning surged to Roy and this time, paralyzed his hand. The First Lieutenant groaned in pain as he tried to snap his fingers. No use, he couldn't even clutch or let his hand twitch. But it got worse for the Flame Alchemist.

Blake gave a strong punch to Roy who collapsed on the ground, helpless. He landed a kick on Roy's stomach and Roy spat out blood from his mouth in return.

Riza watched the entire thing. She had the sudden urge to step in and stop Blake from torturing Roy. She was of course about to do it but two things stood in her way. Hughes of course, who held her tight to restrain her from doing something she'll regret and the question of what her power was over a State Alchemist?

Then, she saw Blake pick up Roy by strands of Roy's jet-black hair. Roy's eyes were closed as he hissed through the growing pain.

"I don't have proof to back it up." Riza heard what Blake was whispering to Roy's ear. She heard a scoff of defiance from Roy. Everyone didn't make even one side, intent of listening. Even the superiors had to listen. Blake socked one punch to Roy in the face.

"But I know all about you. You took everything away from me. My family, my happiness, my 'everything'… so I'll take everything away from you, Mustang. Everything." He seethed through anger and hate. Roy managed a smirk and muttered the words 'When hell freezes over, jackass'. Blake couldn't handle it. The thought of killing Roy right here and now was pleasurable enough for him. He placed his fingers in snap position close to Roy's face as he still held Roy.

Riza made a silently panicked and broke free from Hughes' grasp, running to the Flame Alchemist's aid. But someone was already there to step in.

Blake tilted his head backwards, ready to electrocute the idiot who interfered. But he didn't expect (and so did everyone else) to see Winoa clutching his hand like it was a lifeline. There was pain written in her face as she still held on to his hand tightly, overcoming the sparks that were crawling through her own hands.

"Yo, we didn't call for a death sentence, dude." Ford said as he walked towards Winoa's side.

Blake pulled away from Winoa's grip and straightened up. He released Roy who was still paralyzed but fell to the ground, almost unconscious. He then gave Winoa serious eye contact between his navy blue eyes and her ocean blue orbs. He sniffed and turned, walking away from everyone else. He gave one last look back and left. Soldiers literally got out of his way, not wanting to be in his business.

Riza approached Roy. She didn't have to wait any longer. There were military doctors pulling Roy to a stretcher and sending him off to a tent. She watched unconsciously as they did so. She didn't know why but she had this sense of worry and security for the First Lieutenant. And they weren't that close to have those types of feelings for him yet.

"Well! Back to your positions, all of you!" Gran's command rang in the air and everyone else were running back to their positions and duties.

'I didn't need to ask for your reasons about why you decided to serve the military or your family relations. I figured that if I did, most of them would be vague answers and half-truths. But what Blake said… are you really a fraternized child? Is he right? Tell me, I won't tell anyone else. I want nothing more from you than the truth that's all…'

Riza sat by an unconscious Roy Mustang who lay there in bed. The doctor said the effects of the lightning were temporary anyway so he'll be fine and his infected parts will take effect in one's hour time. Riza sighed, knowing that he'll be okay. The doctor asked whether she liked him, Riza denied that with a blush and the doctor laughing.

She pressed her index and middle finger to his functional arm, finding his arm strangely soft. She brushed her fingertips, traveling them towards his upper arm then to his slightly curved shoulder. She closed in on him. His scent was attracting and tempting… Riza liked to stay where she was for eternity but then her paradise broke down when she could hear argues and a conversation outside.

"I'm telling you! You have to stop this!"

"Winoa, don't come near me."

"Blake! Stop this, it'll be something you'll regret someday!"

"Winoa, if you just…"

Riza turned her attention to the people outside. She could see the faded silhouette of Blake and Winoa outside the tent.

"I know you're about to march into that tent and kill Roy. Don't."

"You're only defending him because he's your sweet cousin."

"That's not true! I just don't want you to continue on like this."

"…"

"Blake… can we… just live like we did when we were young?"


"Winoa… we can't… not with those two."

"Blake!"

"Winoa, don't make me hurt you."

"Yo Wins." A third silhouette came. "This guy giving you problems?"

It took Winoa sometime to answer. She eventually looked at Blake one more time and then turned to Ford.

"No, he isn't. Come on General, I think we're needed back in our bases." Winoa strode off aimlessly. Riza could hear a silent sniff and cough coming from her. The Brigadier General's silhouette looked at Blake until he went off with the colonel.

"Yeah, let's go back." He walked off. It took a while then until Blake left too after standing there for what Riza thought was hours. Riza remained silent shocked on what she just heard. She looked down to see Roy wide awake from what he heard as well.

AN: Now that that's over… Leave a review or I'll let Izumi's husband take over your bedrooms and POSE! XD XD XD