hello all! it's your lovely writer, zago! back from the grave! with wepons! er- scratch that last one. anyway, let's go through this so my ass doesn't get sued-

i don't own FMA

Hiromu Arakawa does.

she's fucking awesome.

and so am i. but she's even more fucking awesome.

beacause she gave us Ed.

-----Days At Central-----

A hand came down on your shoulder. Giving a small yelp, you whirled around to see-

"Al! Dammit, you scared the crap out of me!"

"Sorry." said Al. "You seem kind of jumpy, are you alright?" asked Al. You glared at Ed, who had somehow put many feet between you.

"I dunno, ask Mr. Stabbing-you-makes-you-better-crap." You said, glaring at Ed.

"You attacked him? Brother, what were you thinking?" Al asked, shocked. Ed groaned and rubbed the back of his head.

"Gimme a break Al! You know that acting on impulse is the easiest way to learn something! Look how I became a State Alchemist!"

"So you never think things through, you just act on impulse? That explains a lot." You said flatly. Ed looked up and glared at you.

"Hey, that's not exactly the kind of tone I'd take with you tutor!" He hissed. You snorted and started to walk off.

"Whatever, this pupil's going to eat. Some dimwit tutor didn't let him sleep long enough."You called over your shoulder.

You heard Ed give another angry growl. Stopping and turning to look at him, you said, "Uh, Ed?"

He just glared at you.

"Thanks." You said before entering cafeteria.

Ed's POV: You stared at Aka as he disappeared through the doors.

"What's with this guy?" You asked. Al turned to you.

"What do you mean brother?"

"One minute he's acting like Colonel Jackass, and the next thing I know it he's acting all damn thankful. He needs to make up his mind!" You said angrily. Al just sighed.

"Don't forget what Aka's going through. A lot has changed in such a short time. It was only two days ago that his life was normal, I'm surprised he's made it this far." You blinked and looked at the ground.

"Yeah, I guess we weren't too easy to be around after Mom died." You said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, but Aka's handling it better than we did. But he needs us, and I don't want to lose him brother." You looked up at Al and grinned.

"You're beginning to like him, aren't you?" Ed asked. Al nodded.

"He seems like a great friend. I want to be his." You shoved your hands in your pockets and headed for the cafeteria.

Yeah...me to.

Your POV: Well, at least I found the cafeteria you thought. But maybe you should've waited for Ed...

A lot of the guys were giving you strange looks.

"Akaro!" Came a yell. Looking over, you saw Hughes waving at you from a faraway table. You waved back and walked over to him.

"So, I heard you and Ed did some training this morning." said Hughes as you sat down across from him. You looked at him surprised.

"Really? I didn't think anyone would notice." Hughes broke into a grin.

"Are you kidding me? It's not everyday that an alchemist as well known as Full Metal takes a student. Now everyone is expecting you to pass the exam." You groaned and let your head fall to the table.

"Oh, that's just great, because I wasn't nervous to begin with!" You whined. Hughes laughed and patted your head.

"Just hang in there kid, if worst comes to worst, you'll be the most well-known failure!" You lifted your head a bit to glare up at him.

"Gee, you sure do know how to cheer a guy up." You said sarcastically. Hughes laughed again, but quickly stopped when he heard your stomach growl.

"That's a pretty impressive sound kid, when's the last time you ate?" He asked. Despite your anger, you were touched by his words.

"I dunno...yesterday afternoon?" You guessed.

"What? Ed's even more nuts than I thought!" He cried.

"Hey, you're not so sane yourself Hughes!" Came a voice. Looking up, you saw that Ed had finally decided to follow you. Hughes waved a finger in his face.

"Honestly Ed, how do you expect your poor student to learn alchemy on an empty stomach! He says he hasn't eaten since yesterday afternoon!" You blushed and quickly intervened.

"N-no! I mean, I was just guessing, I probably ate more than that!" You said hastily. Ed frowned. "The last thing I remember seeing you eat were those peaches, and you only had-"

But his voice was cut off as another growl came from your stomach. You blushed again and quickly looked away.

"Aka, you should have said something if you were hungry, we'd be happy to get food for you." Al said, but you shook your head.

"How many times do I have to tell you guys?" You asked, "I know I'm kinda a freeloader, but that doesn't mean I have to be lazy. If I'm hungry, I'll get food myself. Actually, I wasn't really hungry until a few minutes ago."

Hughes smiled and patted your head again. "Whatever you say kiddo. Just call me if Ed looses it." He said, before walking off.

"I think someone else already lost it!" Ed yelled after him. You laughed and turned to Al.

"So um, how do you get food around here?"

"Just stop by the kitchen window and tell them what you want. They'll give you the food, but you have to return the tray when you're done." Al told you. You nodded and followed Ed, who was already halfway to the kitchen window.

"Just a chicken sandwich or something." You heard him say. The cook nodded and slid him a red tray with a sandwich. You were up next.

"Umm...just a cheese and roast beef sandwich please." You said, a little worried they wouldn't have it. But a few seconds later, a tray was slid to you, and you went to join Ed. Al sat down next to you.

"You're coming along faster than I thought you would Aka." Said Ed between chews.

You nearly choked on your food. "Really?"

Ed nodded. "Yeah, if you keep this up, you'll be ready for that test in no time!" You sighed and put down your sandwich.

"I hope so, because we don't really have time."

"It's okay Aka, I'm sure three weeks will be enough time. You're already a good alchemist." Al said encouragingly. You smiled up at him.

"Thanks Al, but- you do realize that you've never even seen me try alchemy, right?"

"Well-uh-" Al stammered, making you and Ed laugh.

"It's no big Al, trust me, you're right on the mark." Ed said. You looked down and blushed a bit.

"You guys don't have to make up a bunch of crap for me..." You muttered. Ed rolled his eyes and nudged your shoulder.

"C'mon! It's a compliment! And when it comes from your tutor, you'd better believe it!" Ed scolded. You smiled weakly and finished your sandwich.

This is going to be an interesting three weeks

A week and a half later, you were beginning to believe Ed. Ed had set up a schedule with you:
Alchemy Practice before breakfast,
Research until Lunch,
Hand-to-Hand combat until Dinner,
and then whatever Ed felt like having you do.

You didn't want to brag, but you could tell that you were improving- fast to. And your fighting had gotten better as well. You'd been okay before, but your strategies had always just been to try and beat the other guy to a pulp. Now your strategies were more thought-through, and your attacks were becoming more and more effective.

Ed had even let you use your sword a bit- which you loved. You soon realized that your sword could be used in the frontlines as well as shoot long distance attacks. Most of these attacks were lightning based, and Ed soon realized that anything you would conjure without a circle would probably be lightning-based.

In fact, to conjure up something without lightning, you needed a circle. You were worried about this, but Ed said it was fine.

'Look at Roy- He can't do anything without his glove and he still passed.' He'd said. You couldn't tell if he was trying to encourage you, or was just trying to insult Roy.

Either way, you were still a little nervous. No, scratch that, you were really nervous. You hadn't gotten much sleep because of it either. You and Ed always went to bed kinda late, but you could never fall asleep, so you'd sneak out to do some late-night studying in the library. Every day the test got closer, and everyday Ed's lessons got harder. Al said you were passing with flying colors so far, but you still wondered about the final test.

You figured that with less than two weeks left, Ed would be pushing really hard now. So you were surprised when he announced that today was a day off.

"What? What about training? I can't take a day off!" You exclaimed. You were sitting in the dorm with Ed and Al. Black Hayate was curled up on your lap because Riza had asked you to watch him. You didn't mind, you really liked dogs. And Black Hayate was so cute!

"Ed, the test is right around the corner! If I'm not ready-"

"You're going to be ready for it whether or not you take the day off. But you'll never be able to pass it if you're so nervous!" Ed interrupted. You glared at him.

"I'm not nervous!"

"Yes you are Aka, and I don't blame you." Al said. Ed nodded.

"Yeah, we were scared as hell for our exam, and we had months to prepare for it."

"All the more reason for me to-"

"Take a day and relax." Said the brothers in unison.

"But-"

"No buts Aka. Besides, you won't get very far if your tutor isn't here." You gave him an annoyed look.

"Oh I get it, you're cutting my studies so you can go blow off the day in the city." You said scornfully. Ed gave you a cheesy grin.

"Yep! And you're comin' with me!" He said.

"WHAT?" You cried.

"You heard me, you haven't left Central since we got here! It's about time you actually saw real people!"

"Oh, so you don't count as a 'real person?' I already knew that." Ed just smirked.

Damn, he's getting used to my sarcasm, it was kind of fun pissing him off You thought.

Over the last few days, you'd found yourself enjoying Ed's company more than his lessons. And even after his lessons, the two of you hung out and talked with each other. You'd never really had friends back in Trezanga, but you felt like you and Ed were close friends now. You were close friends with Al too of course, and a lot of he other military personel like Riza and Hughes, but Ed just felt...more special. You sighed.

"Fine, let's go then." Wait- You suddenly thought, Hanging around town with a guy? Some girls in Trezanga did that...what'd they call it...? It was something like a...date?...CRAP!

"Uh...Ed?" You asked as he dragged you through the halls of Central.

He didn't stop walking, but looked back at you. "Hm?"

"Uh...where exactly are we going...?" You asked. Ed just grinned.

"Can't tell ya!" He said suspiciously. You groaned. Oh no, he's planning again... You'd learned from a few 'pop quizzes' that whenever Ed planned something, it was either

A: Painfull, B: Illegal, or C: Both.

Ed led you outside and nearly made you trip as he dragged you down the many white steps.

"Jeez Ed, slow down!" You muttered, narrowly avoiding another fall.

"Huh?" Asked Ed. Raising your voice bit, you said, "I said slow-ahh!" You suddenly triped on one of the steps and fell forward...right on top of Ed.

"Ow!" He yelled as he hit the ground. You let out a small 'umph' as you fell onto Ed's warm back. A wave of tiredness suddenly came over you, making you regret all your late-night studying.

"Uh...Aka?" You heard a groan. Snapping back into reality, you blushed and quickly rolled off of him, standing up. Ed gave another groan and sat up, glaring up at you.

"What was that for?" He demanded. You glared back.

"I didn't do it on purpose! If you hadn't been dragging me so fast I wouldn't have fallen!" Ed grumbled and looked at the ground. Then, he suddenly reached up and grabbed you hand. You blushed as you felt his fingers lock in yours.

"Ed, what're you-" You squeaked. Ed just grunted and tried to pull himself up using your hand. You quickly shifted your weight backwards to keep from falling on top of him again. After standing up, Ed just brushed himself off and acted like nothing had happened.

Maybe it is a good thing he doesn't know I'm a girl You thought, realizing how embarrassed you alone were.

"Aka, you comin?" asked Ed. You quickly nodded and jogged up to him, trying to act like nothing was wrong.

You and Ed were now quite a ways from Central, you couldn't even see the building anymore. And so many people! You thought. You were a little more used to being around a bigger group of people, but it still made you dizzy. Or maybe that was the tiredness. But you weren't about to let Ed know that. Trailing him like a lost puppy, you tried to make him tell you where the two of you were going.

"Give it up Aka, I'm not tellin!" Ed finally yelled. You rolled your eyes.

"You have to tell me something! What if I get lost?" Ed looked back and grinned.

"Then this trip will be fun after all." You glared and smacked his shoulder.

"Not funny!" Ed just chuckled and kept walking. Eventually, you came to a marketplace that bordered the river. You couldn't stop gaping at all the strange things.

I'm definitely not in Trezanga anymore... To your surprise, you realized that Ed had suddenly disappeared. Looking around frantically, you didn't see him anywhere.

That jackass ditched me! You thought angrily. Just as you were about to throw the nearest person into the river, you felt a tap on your shoulder.

Whirling around, you saw Ed standing there with a strange package in his arms. Glaring at him, you socked him hard in the stomach.

"Where were you? I'd thought you'd left!" You practically screamed at him. To your surprise, Ed actually looked guilty.

"Oh...sorry. Didn't mean to...here." He finally said, shoving the package into your arms. You blinked in confusion.

"Open it!" Ed said excitedly. Carefully unwrapping the package you gasped as-

A beautiful picture frame came out. It was black with silver words at the bottom that read: 'Never Forgotten.'

"Ed..." You gasped, unable to say anything else. Ed smiled.

"I noticed how you kept looking at that picture of you dad, I figured you'd want a safe place to put it so it wouldn't get broken. You looked at him, surprised.

"Do I really look at it that often?" You asked skeptically. Ed nodded.

"Yeah, but don't sweat it. After our mom died, Al and I pretty much tore up three scrapbooks looking at her pictures." You knew he was trying to reassure you, but instead you felt guilty. "What's wrong?" Asked Ed, seeing your face take on a sad look. You met his gaze with worried eyes.

"Have I...made you and Al...remember you mom...too much?" You asked slowly. Ed looked shocked for a moment, but then gave you a faint smile.

"I guess so, but it's okay. I don't mind thinking about her. So, cheer up, kay?" You nodded and gave him a weak smile. Just then, you heard a loud shout and many cries of 'THEIF!'

Ed's POV: "THEIF!" Someone shouted. You and Aka quickly turned around to see a man running in your direction, carrying a lot of expensive-looking things. Gritting your teeth, you were about to charge in and stop him, but Aka was way ahead of you. You watched as he ran towards the theif. Just as he came within a few feet in front of him, Aka ducked down and swung his foot in a circular motion, kicking the thief in both ankles and making him trip.

The stolen items flew out of the thief's hands, and Aka stumbled backwards trying to catch them all. But as he tried to catch the last item, his foot slipped on the edge of the street, and Aka went tumbling into the water.

"AKA!" You yelled, throwing off your coat and quickly diving in after him. Ignoring the pain in your eyes, you scanned the water, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aka. Finally, you saw him, floating a few feet from the surface. Swimming over to him, you pulled his arm over your shoulders and grabbed his waist, kicking upwards.

You hit the surface and pulled Aka with you as you swam to shore. Climbing up, you pulled Aka after you. Slumping against a nearby wall, you let Aka fall on top of your chest as you gasped for air.

Aka's POV: You heard Ed scream your name before you plunged into the freezing river. Everything seemed to go dark, and you couldn't seem to move your body. You tried to swim, but your tiredness suddenly increased, making your body numb. With every passing moment, things grew colder and darker. Just when you thought you couldn't get any colder, something warm touched you, engulfing your cold body like a fire under an ice cube. Your body eventually heated back up, but you still felt so tired...and the warmth was so soft. You wanted to just relax, but a nagging voice in your head told you to stop being a weakling and wake up already.

Using as much strength as you could, you opened your eyes and tried to focus where you were. The sound of the river was farther away now, so you had gotten out of there. But now where were you? And why was your body moving up and down...?

AW SHIT! Full realization smacked you hard as you recognized Ed's coat under your chin. Blushing furiously, you tried to move off of him, but your body was still tired, so you failed miserably. Finally giving up, you slumped back onto Ed, getting ticked off as you felt his laughter through his chest.

"Take it easy Aka, the fatigue is probably just catching up with you from all the training. See? I told you ya needed a day off." He said. You sighed.

"Yeah cough and all it gets me...is a dip in the river." You gasped out, coughing in-between words. Suddenly, you remembered something. "My cough frame...?"

"Don't worry, it's safe." Ed assured you. You nodded into his chest and tried again to get up, only to be brought back down by Ed. "Cut it out Aka, if you keep pushing yourself like that, you're gonna get sick! Hang on, I'm taking you back to Central." Ed said forcibly. Before you could say (or cough) anything else, Ed had pulled you off of his chest and slipped his coat around you. Then, turning around, he pulled you onto his back. Grunting a bit, he stood up and started walking.

"Ed...no, I'm too...heavy." You said weakly. Ed shook his head.

"No you're not. Go ahead and rest, I'll worry about getting to Central." He said. You tried to say something else, but already felt yourself nodding off. Burying your head into Ed's shoulder, you fell asleep to the rhythm of Ed's walking...

aww... wasn't that cute! and check me out- two updates in one day! whoot whoot!

-zago