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Chapter 4 - Amaya's Return

Roy felt for the envelopes in his coat pocket, for, the Collective Coalition's symbol was still embedded in his mind. It horrified him that such a symbol would exist and he oddly wondered to himself, "How could this faction exist? How could the State not know about this? Are they good or bad? Could they be good if the military has not found them out?" He touched the envelopes in his coat pocket, for, the symbol was forbidden.

Roy and Riza walked together as they neared the steps towards the Training Room. He stopped walking when he felt that someone had seen the envelope in his pocket. He put his hands in his pockets as if he had to conceal what was already hidden by several inches fabric. However, he regained his composure when all that the supposed suspicious person replied was a simple hello. Riza stopped ahead of him and sent him an odd look, "Are you okay?"

"Fine." Roy walked ahead and opened the door for only himself and did not think to look back at the perturbed look upon Riza's face. For, Riza believed that gentlemen opened doors for ladies and did not walk ahead of them. He perched himself upon a chair and smirked for the room was empty, "Just as I thought."

Without speaking, Riza sat down upon a chair and cracked open her book. Roy watched as Riza read her book. "She's a strange one, isn't she," Roy thought to himself. "She doesn't talk much. But, she has important things to say when she does talk. I'll probably be her boss one day." A look of confusion appeared on Roy's features as he thought, "Wait, if I'm her boss and she doesn't talk much, what's going to happen then?" Roy looked over at Riza and nodded to himself, "She better follow my orders."

Soon, the hours began to pass and the sky turned from a bright blue to a pinkish orange. "It must be the sun setting," Roy thought to himself as he watched the pinkish orange color of the sunset get its first violet streaks. Riza had not flinched from her position as she eagerly flipped her page. "She's acting as though this is better than reading a fiction novel," Roy smiled as he looked away. He began to unconsciously snap his fingers as though that were the only thing to do. Riza raised her eyes up from her book, "Good. At least you don't have your gloves on this time."

"Huh," Roy looked down at his hands and found that he was snapping his fingers. He grinned, "Nervous habit, I guess."

Riza yawned and closed her book, "I'm getting tired."

"Okay," Roy nodded.

Riza looked at him, "Are you going to come with or stay here?"

"I think I'll stay." Roy looked down, for, he was eager to research the symbol. He knew the meaning of the symbol and knew that it was forbidden. However, he wished to look through the library files to see if there was anything that he could dig up upon this Collective Coalition. "Flowery name ... for a careless institution," Roy thought to himself as he looked down at the symbol.

And soon, the Training Room was empty, for, all had heard the news that the finals had been postponed. For once, Private Mustang could think in peace without the chattering of students and the turning of pages surrounding him. The silence was a relief, for, it made him feel as though his vacation were not over. The cobalt blue tint of the afternoon sky was just showing through as he poured over alchemy books. Roy Mustang could hear the shouts of boys playing in the fields outside. They were playing some sport that they had made up at the spur of the moment. Normally, he would have thought about joining the game, however, his thoughts meandered towards Laiba. "What happened to Laiba," Roy thought to himself. "What has Amaya done?"

"I have been gone for too long," he whispered to himself; scolding himself for his negligence.

He turned when he heard the pounding of quickly paced footsteps. Stealthily, Private Mustang placed the letters back into his coat pocket and as he did so, he pulled out his gloves. For, he was prepared for what was to come through the training room door. He stood up from his chair with his gloves upon his hands; his muscles tense. "I am ready for whatever comes through that door," he clenched his jaw.

Swiftly, the door opened and Jean Havoc entered the training room; his regular clothes smeared in mud. For a moment, Roy looked disappointed, for, he was wishing to actually have a chance to prove himself and become Corporal Mustang. Private Mustang took in a deep breath and sat back down upon his chair. He turned back to his alchemy books, however, he could not focus when another person was in the room. "What is it," Roy kept his eyes upon the passages in his book.

"Hey, Mustang," Havoc took in a deep breath and sat in front of Roy.

"What happened to you," Roy looked up from his alchemy books and at a very much bruised Private Havoc.

"Some game," Havoc shrugged and touched his bruised arm. "Ow."

"Some game," Roy raised an eyebrow up.

"We need a fill in," Havoc laughed, "Private Brosh just got called out."

Roy groaned, "I think I'll pass."

"Okay." Havoc shrugged and then his eyes lit up, "Have you seen Armstrong?"

"No." Mustang smirked, "But, from the looks of it your team is losing and you'd like him on your team, wouldn't you?"

Havoc smiled, "Yeah. That guy is unstoppable. Well, see you around."

Once the Training Room was completely clear, Roy took an envelope out of his coat pocket. His eyes squared in upon the symbol. The symbol consisted of the basic human anatomical drawing that many people had grown accustomed to. However, the drawing was surrounded by a circle. It was surrounded by a very intricate circle.

"Human body in a transmutation circle?" Roy scoffed to himself. "Amaya, what have you gotten yourself into?"

- - -

Meanwhile ...

The light of the moon never hit Laiba's home. To see the light of the moon from her bedroom window would have been a blessing, however, her window was surrounded by trees. These trees had forever frightened Laiba. It seemed to her that at night they came to life; their branches growing talon-like claws that scratched upon the windowpanes. The home had always been shrouded by a dark veil of shadows. There were several trees that surrounded the home. These trees, during daylight hours, would block out the sunlight as well. During the morning, Laiba could be found seeking refuge from the darkness. She would come to visit Mr. and Mrs. Mustang. She was always welcome at the Mustang home. However, even their home seemed emptier now that Roy was at the Base.

Her full name was Laiba Grey. Her father was Doctor Grey. However, Doctor Grey did not believe in living in a large estate. He wished to live in a humble home. Doctor Grey's study was the only window lit at this moment. He could be found reading and re-reading his patients' records while running his hands through his bone-white hair.

Tonight, Laiba slept peacefully in her room. Her room was the opposite of Roy's personality. In fact, this room was Roy's worst nightmare. The blanket that surrounded her had lace frills upon it. Everything had a feminine touch to it; right down to the doilies upon her nightstand. A sound outside her window broke Laiba from her sleep. Laiba took in a deep breath, for, she was afraid. She walked towards her window and only saw the night rain.

"Amaya," Laiba whispered as she looked out of her bedroom window, "is that you?"

"Yes." Amaya emerged from the shadows of the night, "I need your help."

From behind the closed window, Amaya looked like an average eighteen year old girl. However, she wore a black and white pinstripe suit with the forbidden symbol embroidered in red upon the lapel. Amaya's black mane tumbled from underneath a fedora. Her blue eyes were consumed in darkness, for, the shadow of the hat fall across her eyes. From underneath her fedora, Amaya's eyes narrowed as though she hated the sight of Laiba. However, Laiba did not notice Amaya's hatred.

Laiba hesitated as though she were truly afraid of Amaya. Amaya repeated, "I need your help."

"No. Do you not see the way your work has affected me? Roy is very concerned."

"If he were truly concerned," Amaya held her chin up, "don't you think that he would be here?"

"He was here yesterday."

"I know." Amaya smirked, "And so, that is why I have come today."

"He is at the military base," Laiba's voice quavered as she placed her hand upon her phone.

"Is that a threat," Amaya tilted her head to the side in mockery. Amaya smiled, "As I said before, if he cared then he would not be at the base."

Laiba clenched her jaw, "I will not stand in his way. I know him better than most."

Amaya scoffed, "I suppose he doesn't care then." Amaya moved closer to the window, "I wouldn't be calling anyone." Amaya's sharp eyes diverted to the phone as she continued, "We were so happy to hear of Roy's engagement to you. However, to hear that he doesn't care --"

"I never said that," Laiba angrily spat out. "I thought that you and I were good friends."

Amaya rolled her eyes, "Yeah."

Laiba's brow furrowed as she opened the window, "Last time, you told me that what you did was safe and problem free."

"I lied," Amaya smirked.

Laiba's parents awoke, for, all they could hear was a shrill scream. Laiba's mother ran towards her daughter's bedroom and noticed the open window. She called out to Laiba's father in a state of panic. Oddly enough, Laiba's father stayed calm and continued to read his patients records.

- - -

A Few Hours Later ...

Roy slept in his cot and took in a deep breath, for, he had a feeling that something had gone wrong. "Private Mustang," a voice called out. It was the Drill Sergeant Hendricks. "Private Mustang, are you present?"

Roy sleepily replied, "Present? Is it my birthday already?" Roy looked up and saw Drill Sergeant Hendricks looking down at him. He groaned and raised a tired arm up. He proceeded to bury his in face in his pillow as he turned over, "Present."

"You have an urgent phone call."

"Not urgent again," Roy groaned with his face in the pillow. "Bring the phone here."

"Private Mustang, does this look like a bed and breakfast to you," the Drill Sergeant Hendricks shouted.

"In my dreams, this place would be a bed and breakfast." Roy groaned and pushed his tired body off his bed. "Some day," he turned towards his drill sergeant, "I'm going to remind you of this when I'm your superior."

"You start giving me sass and --"

Roy yawned and tiredly waved his drill sergeant away, "No sass." Roy sighed and saluted, "I mean, no sass, sir."

Drill Sergeant Hendricks smiled down at Roy and fluffed his hair much like he would do to his own child. The vein in Roy's neck protruded as he clenched his jaw, "Are you done yet?" Drill Sergeant Hendricks laughed, for, he knew that Private Mustang meant well. For, Drill Sergeant Hendricks looked upon him much as he would look upon a son.

Roy mumbled angrily to himself as he pushed himself off of his cot and walked towards the phone. He picked up the receiver and yawned, "Hello?"

"Roy?"

"Mom," Roy rubbed his eyes and squinted at the clock upon the wall. "Why are you calling this late?"

"Laiba is missing." Mrs. Mustang sobbed, "Mrs. Grey has checked all over town."

Roy's eyes widened and darted towards his coat that was hanging above his cot. His eyes squared in upon the pocket where the envelopes were. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. I'll check on it myself."

"Roy," Mrs. Mustang gasped, "don't do anything reckless."

"I won't do anything reckless." Roy whispered into the mouthpiece, "I'm just doing my duty. Bye mom."

Roy put the phone down and thought things over for a few minutes. Finally, he placed his uniform on and grabbed his coat, for, he was ready. He was ready for whatever came his way.

Please review! Wonder where Roy is off to?