Chapter 1: Crazy Cat Lady?

Edward Elric was walking down the hall in East Central HQ (is that how you say it?) with his hands in his pockets. He dreaded visiting Colonel Mustang…every time he goes to his office; he always ends up with some worthless mission just so the colonel can see if Ed will bark like a good little dog of the military. All Ed wanted to do right now was to be with Al and Winry, and even Pinako, celebrating Christmas in two days. But he was kept here just because the colonel has a new mission for him!

Ed stopped in front of Mustang's office and before he could even knock, Lt. Riza Hawkeye op0ened the door, looking like she hasn't slept in days. "Get in here, Full Metal." Riza pulled him over to Mustang's desk and sat him in one of the chairs across from the colonel.

"That will be all, Lt." Mustang said, staring at Ed.

Riza saluted then left the office, closing the door behind her.

"So what do you want this time?" Ed relaxed in the chair.

Mustang put his elbows on his desk and crossed his fingers. "I'm sending you on a rescue mission."

Ed sighed. "So who am I rescuing?"

"Her name is Kaara Hart, she's valuable to us for many reasons, one being she's Riza's…half-sister." Mustang finished quietly, hoping that Ed didn't realize the pause in his voice.

Ed stood up after a few minutes. "Alright, where is she? When do I leave?"

"Not that fast, Edward…I haven't assigned you your partner yet."

Ed's face went blank. "A…p-partner?" He sat back down. "Can't I just bring Alphonse?"

"No, now your partner's name is Lauren Nakura, she's call the Feline Alc-"

"What! You're partnering me with a girl? And the Feline Alchemist? What is she…some kind of crazy cat lady!" Ed yelled at the top of his lungs as he stood up.

"Lower your voice. And she was named the Feline Alchemist because she has the stealth of a cat, for example…you didn't even hear the door open, or notice that there's someone else in the room, did you Ed?" Mustang smirked.

Ed turned around and saw her…leaning against the door.

Her jet black hair was tied up in a high French braid that came down to her waist. She had emerald green eyes and somewhat tan skin. She had a smile played across her glossed lips.

Ed was in awe by her beauty. The girl standing there didn't wear the usual state alchemist uniform, instead she had a black super-mini skirt on with white nylons under that, her right leg nylon cut and pulled up over her knee. She had on a dark green, almost black, long sleeve shirt with a white cloak that came to her knees. Her shoes were black flat ankle boots. (loose boots that hang around the ankle) When she walked, she moved with grace, but anyone who looked at her could tell she was dangerous, though only being about an inch taller than Ed, he didn't see her as much of a threat.

"So you're the famous Full Metal Alchemist then." Her voice sent chills down Ed's spine, it was so…exotic…so beautiful…

"What's it to you what my name is?" Ed hadn't meant to sound so rude.

Mustang smirked again, waiting for Lauren to 'make her move'.

"Well you don't have to acknowledge my comment; I was just saying it for the sake of saying it." Lauren said sweetly.

"Oh shut up, you prim…prissy…"

"…….Ed……" Mustang started to warn him.

"Don't tell me to shut up, or I'll make you shut up." Lauren clapped her black gloved hands together and a thick smoke filled the room. Usually, she wouldn't use alchemy, only in emergencies, but the colonel gave her permission earlier.

Ed couldn't see a thing, He didn't hear anything, but just seconds later, he felt the cool tip of a dagger to his throat from behind.

"Still don't like the idea of being partnered with a girl?" Lauren whispered in Ed's ear.

"I…never…sa-" Ed struggled to breathe, but the smoke seemed to suck all of the oxygen out of him, along with his soul.

"Don't! Don't say you never said that, I heard you."

"Lauren." Mustang's voice came softly from in front of them.

"Yes colonel." Lauren backed away from Ed, slipped the dagger back into her braid, and clapped her hands again, the smoke immediately vanished.

Ed looked from Lauren to Mustang. "What was that stuff?" Ed held his throat, looking slightly annoyed.

"That was an unfinished poisonous gas mixture." Mustang answered.

"Well why aren't you affected by it?" Ed asked the colonel.

"Because the gas can fill a room, but target only who I choose." Lauren sat down on Mustang's desk.

Ed sighed and took a seat in one of the chairs again.

Mustang sat up straight. "Now…Kaara Hart is eight years old and blind. We've gotten information that she was kidnapped by former state alchemist, Shou Tucker. ((is that the guy's name who made the chimera with his dog and his daughter?))

Ed swore under his breath. He had a feeling he knew why Kaara was taken now…for the same reason Nina Tucker was gone.

Lauren glanced at Ed then looked back at the colonel.

Roy continued, "We also heard that Tucker's in league with a few Homunculi. They call themselves Lust, Envy, and Gluttony."

Lauren's face darkened, Ed noticed. She stood up and walked to the office door. "We're leaving tomorrow at seven a.m., the colonel's already told me the town which Kaara was last seen in. Be on the front stairs or you left behind. Got it, Full Metal?" Her hand rested on the doorknob.

"Got it…Feline." Ed answered.

Lauren exited the office and started the walk back to her hotel room.

Ed stood up and stretched. "Well goodnight colonel, see you later."

"Hold up there…I want to warn you Ed…" Mustang started.

"What about?"

"About Lauren…"

"What about her? She's nothing but a crazy cat lady with a name to match."

Mustang glared at Ed. "Just stay away from my niece and we won't have a problem."

"Ed laughed a little. "How can I stay away from her when we're part-----DID YOU SAY YOUR NIECE?"

oooooooo….whats gonna happen now? Read the next chapter when I post it to find out!