Fullmetal Alchemist

Ed & You

Chapter 5

By SakuraSagura

Disclaimer…

I don't own FMA.

Hee hee, looks like I've confused you yet again! Time to answer some questions!

1. Did Dante transfer her soul? Yep.

2. Is Al in his armor? No, he hasn't been at all. He's in his normal, 14-year-old, body. And no, he isn't wearing armor… Be kinda scary for ()…

3. Before any of you ask Edward has ALL his limbs back, okay? Please don't forget…

After spending some time at the Elric's, () realized it was time that she got ready to leave. She said her goodbyes and made her way to the entrance hall. As she was grabbing her things she heard someone walking up from behind. Jumping a little, she quickly turned around to see Edward.

"Yes?" She asked timidly. Edward smiled, in a way she had never seen him before, and handed her a book. It was old looking with its yellowed paper and wearing cover. () took hold of the thick literature.

"Hope you like it," said Edward as he gave her a devilish smirk before continuing, "I've been dying for you to read it." His eyes were dark with a hidden knowing as he turned around and left the entrance hall. That had been weird, () thought, had Edward's eyes changed somehow? () looked at the cover carefully. It had no title, just the olive colored cover and yellowing pages. Carefully she pulled her bag over her shoulder and then slid her fingers over the wrinkled surface of the aged book. Suddenly she felt the urge to open the literature then and there. She opened the book to the middle becoming shocked by what she saw.

"Wh-what is this…?" () gasped in surprise as she looked at the picture. It was so similar to the snake or dragon fountain she had seen earlier but identical to the sign on Envy's car. She stared at the text for a short moment before realizing it was in another language. Before () could figure out what language it was in she heard Edward shout angrily,

"YOU JERK! GO BE SOMEONE ELSE!"

"Fine, wouldn't want to be a shrimp anyways." Came Edward's voice again. That retort was soon followed by a smack to someone's head. Curious, () quietly walked to the edge of the wall to see just what was happening. Edward, with balled fists, was standing in front of Envy, who was holding a bump on his head.

"I DARE YOU- Oh, ()!" Edward jumped and looked at (). His eyes went from her face to what was in her hand. () wasn't completely sure but she thought she saw Ed give Envy a quick, deadly glare before calming his eyes back on her.

"Uh…I…" () mumbled as she felt a sweat drop form on the side of her head. Both Edward and Envy's faces started to turn a light shade of red.

"What? You got something to say, so say it." Envy snapped after a moment of () staring at them. She blinked and turned her eyes away from the brothers. She glanced down at her book for a moment before returning her -- eyes to the floor.

"Eh heh, I heard you two fighting, I just came to check if you were okay." She flushed lightly at being caught. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Envy glower at his little brother as Edward clenched his teeth and glared back at him. "So," () said suddenly, interrupting the two, "I guess I'll see you guys back at school?" At this Edward's eye widened in a stunned happiness. With a hopeful smile he turned to ().

"Hey, ()," He began, stepping forward, "would you like me to walk you home?"

() had the idea that she must have died and gone to heaven.

"So, are you sure you remember where I live?" () asked quietly as Edward, wearing a black fall jacket, with thin white trim on all of the jacket's edges, and a larger oval zipper, over his attire, stuffed his card for the gate into his pocket. He gave a playful smirk and laughed,

"No, that's why I have you walking with me!" () had to giggle a little at that. In the cold night air () looked back towards where Edward's house was. Edward noticed she was almost transfixed on something. "What are you looking at?" He inquired, sounding slightly confused, as he looked in the same direction as (). She turn to look at him and said, with a soft smile,

"You have a very nice home, you know? Two wonderful parents and brothers. Not to mention all the nice things you have." ()'s smile dimmed into a confused expression at Edward's look of discomfort. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?" She asked frantically, clutching the book tightly as if she were hugging it. Edward shook his head, bangs flowing back and forth. He turned so he could walk off down the sidewalk.

"No, no, you just don't see it the same way I do…" He trailed off, golden eyes growing in pain and sorrow. With a mournful face () watched him walk down the smooth cement walk.

"Edward," She said sadly. Edward stopped, jacket's trim flowing a bit, and asked what it was. () sighed, stretching her arm in the opposite direction, "You're going the wrong way again. I live this way, remember?"

The two were walking down the right way, occasionally being passed by cars. They had passed a few houses and stores with people gathered around, many giving Edward a hello and a almost surprised look at (). It was mostly quiet until they were halfway to ()'s home. It was () who started it all with,

"So, what did you mean by me not seeing it the same way as you?" If Edward was taken off guard then he sure didn't show it. He replied simply,

"You can't judge things by the way it looks. Not all is what it seems. You probably wouldn't understand." () looked up at him, -- eyes filled with sad emotion for this teen. Edward didn't seem to want to look at her as he adjusted his jacket a bit. His eyes only had care for what was in front of him, which was mainly the sidewalk. () walked on, biting her bottom lip and furrowing her eyebrows. After a short silence she questioned,

"Why would you say that?" She noticed that Edward had just given her a inquiring glance before going back to the sidewalk. She thought for a moment before going on, "You sound like Mrs. Curtis, always philosophizing. You're right, you can't judge a book by its cover." ()'s hand tightened on the book she had been given as she said this, still puzzled by it, "But I… want to help you if you're having a rough time. I don't have a perfect family life myself. I'm sure, if you let me, I could understand-"

"No, you couldn't." Edward jilted sternly. They both stopped, () shocked by his sudden outburst. He shook his head, seemingly trying to rid something from his troubled mind. "You have no idea." He mumbled before tilting his head away from (). He balled his fists as they shook vibrantly. All of a sudden he felt something on his right shoulder. It was quivering and cold with a soft feel to it. A hand? He slid his head around to see () telling him in her own way that she was there for him. He looked from her hand to her face several times. After the notion of shock was gone. He gave an indignant huff and jerked his shoulder, shoving her comforting hand from him with his nearest hand. (), although hurt, couldn't help but smile. He did look a bit better. His eyes had their usual light again () noticed. "You're such a…" Edward started sharply before completely losing his choice of words. () chuckled and supplied for him,

"A good person?"

"Yeah, in your dreams."

"Hmm, you aren't an angel yourself."

"You're right about that." Edward said, smirking. They both got a soft chuckle out of that. They continued to walk, the sound of footsteps echoing as they passed an alley. It was between two brick buildings, both fairly old, the cement ground having weeds and grass creeping up here and there next to garbage and out of cracks, the trash cans rusted with age stood silently as the blonde and young girl passed. Stopping for a moment, Edward looked over his shoulder at the alley with a faintly staggered stare. () saw this and turned around to see. She gave a glance in his direction before shifting her eyes toward the alleyway.

"What are you looking at?" () asked in a hushed voice, afraid someone might overhear her. Edward shook his head, saying coolly,

"Nothing really, just a cat." With his reassurance () turned back around and slowly began walking again. Edward continued to glare, even as his ears heard her footsteps start to leave, she notice. () stopped and asked if he was coming. "Be right there." He called in a soft but loud enough to hear voice. His eye brows twitched into a fearful stance before returning to his normal annoyance. Backing up slightly () watched the alley.

"Ed… ward?" She said his name like a child in pain at the look in his eyes. She couldn't quite place the emotion she was seeing. The was a rustle of something between trash cans suddenly, causing one of the tops to fall to the ground with a loud clatter. () let out a small shriek and jumped back, her bag nearly falling off her shoulder, at the abrupt sound.

"Heh, you think so, huh?" () heard Edward's voice faintly as he whispered to empty space. After saying that Edward turned back around and almost stomped up beside (). The next thing to happen took () completely off guard. Edward took her hand in his and pulled her along. Shocked, () followed, pleased at the feeling from the entwined hands. After a few steps Edward gave her a kind of smile he had never given her.

"Hope you don't mind." Edward laughed, his nervous, golden eyes looking down into her -- eyes. They kept walking, () nearly transfixed on those beautiful orbs, even after he turned his face so he could see what was in front of him. His left hand, although flesh, was so cold () noted as they continued walking. She loved the feeling she was having but she just couldn't tell what that odd feeling she was getting from Edward was. () smiled, simply brushing it aside, and happily kept walking with Edward in hand.

All to soon they were at her apartment complex. Reluctantly she admitted she had to let go of his hand. As she began to untangle her fingers from his she felt him tighten his grip. A new blush washed over her as she looked from her hand to his eyes several times.

"Edward…?"

"You asked me before what kind of people I liked, didn't you?" Edward questioned tenderly. () could only nod and give a timid response. Edward grinned breathtakingly as he said, "Well, you're the kind of people I like."

"What? What do you… mean?" () asked in a fluster of emotions. Edward looked from her eyes to the side of the building quickly before he did something () only dreamed of. He leaned forward, gently brushing his lips against her forehead. (), totally surprised, dropped her things. They hit the ground with a small thud. When Edward pulled back he turned his face downward, () already knowing he was blushing. After a moment he bent down, picking up her bag and the book. (), still a red as red could get, watched as Edward took her hand, palm up on his, and placed the strap of her bag on it. He gave her a quick smile before saying his farewell.

"S-see you l-lat-ter." () stuttered, not sure if her mouth was even working. At that he turned and ran off, his footsteps fading as he did so. () walked into her apartment complex, getting her keys out to unlock the door. She made her way by her mom, who had fallen asleep on the couch, and to her room. () tore out her diary and started to write. Pausing at the word 'kiss' she lifted her right hand to feel her forehead. Had he meant it? She grinned wildly as a thought crossed her mind. Her grin only grew until she finished her entry and gave a happy scream into her pillow. This was a dream, it had to be! Nothing this good could ever happen, or could it?

() smiled as she rolled over to push her diary back under her mattress. She got up, and went over to flip out the light. Yawning, () mumbled a goodnight to herself as she crawled into bed.

Edward stopped running only when he arrived at his front door. Holding the aging book in one hand he took his right hand and wiped his forehead of sweat. The feel of flesh against flesh greeted him. He stopped and stared at his jacket sleeve for a second before swinging his arm back to his side in a fist. He hated himself at the moment but, with his rage building, he hated his stupid brother, Envy, even more. Before he could conjure many thoughts on how to painfully kill his older brother he heard the click of the door. Looking up he saw his father, who was leaning against the doorway, tired eyes studying his son.

"I see you stole back the book… how is she?" Hoenhiem asked calmly. Edward stared at his father for a short moment before retorting,

"None of your business you ba-"

"Hush, you'll wake the neighborhood if I let you go on your yelling rampage. And we don't want to be scaring any children again, do we?" The older man replied in the same calm voice. Edward's frown deepened as he fought the urge to lash out. "I've already punished Envy, if you're wondering. So I don't want any blood on the new carpet, understand?"

"That's not fair! If I kill him he'll come back!" Edward grumbled before adding without thinking, "Besides, I can just transmute the carpet back to normal-"

"What. Did. You. Say?" Hoenhiem said each word as if it were a sentence by themselves. Edward nearly choked at the furious stare he was given by his father. He repeated the question again, making sure his tone was one his son couldn't refuse to answer.

"Nothing, I wouldn't transmute anything anyways…" Edward said quietly. His father didn't seem to buy it.

"Edward, you transmuted a vase back to normal, didn't you?" Hoenhiem inquire stoically. Edward gulped and took the chance of looking at Hoenhiem. When his father continued to stare Edward nodded. "You know I forbid it." Hoenhiem continued coldly. Finally the dam broke for Edward.

"But why? Why can't I use alchemy? Why do we have to-"

"Do you want to go home?" Hoenhiem shouted, not exactly angrily but more so caringly. Edward stopped and gawked at his father with his mouth open a bit. He snapped his mouth shut and gave the question a little thought. Biting his tongue, Edward nodded. His father nodded as well as he said coolly, "I know you don't like this… But we can't have anyone find out. We have to do what we have to do to get home."

"Even if it hurts someone?"

"Yes, even if it comes to that."

"Even if… it kills someone?" Edward asked, looking away, knowing the answer. It came all to soon as his father answered sadly,

"Yes." Edward stomped passed Hoenhiem into the house, not caring to take off his shoes. He just ran to his room, bumping into Envy on the curling stairs, slamming his door behind him. Envy, fairly mad at Edward's behavior, ran up to Edward's door and kicked it.

"Watch where you're going!" Envy barked from outside before going downstairs to talk with his father, since he had been eavesdropping the whole time. Hoenhiem was standing outside of the doorway, looking up at the stars when he heard Envy behind him. Hoenhiem looked at his first son, who was in his nightclothes.

"A homunculus in hippo pajamas, now I've seen everything." Hoenhiem chuckled, scratching the back of his head. Envy frowned, sticking out his bottom lip, and raised his fist to show he wasn't afraid to hit him.

"Shut up, they were the only ones left!" Envy shouted indignantly and threw a mock punch to the side of Hoenhiem's head. His father didn't even flinch.

"All jokes aside, did you hear?" He asked his son quietly. Envy smirked and nodded. "Then you know I'm serious about your punishment."

"What are you going to do again? Ground me?" Envy asked, giving off an 'as if' sneer. Hoenhiem's expression turned to a thoughtful one. He shook his head lightly and said,

"Sounds like an unfair exchange… I know what'll make it fair!" He said, snapping his fingers at the thought. Envy raised an eyebrow and asked what on earth he was thinking. His father turned to the door and said over his shoulder, "You're grounded and no TV for a week."

"WHAT!" Envy yelled, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! I HATE YOU! I'LL KILL YOU, YOU-"

"Goodnight Envy!" Hoenhiem called from inside the entrance hall.

"DON'T IGNORE ME! DIDN'T YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID? I'LL KILL-"

"You're getting double chores now mister! If you keep yelling I'll take away you're allowance!"

"ARGH!" Envy raged and slammed his fist against the side of the house, leaving a large indent and several cracks. Envy furiously walked inside, ignoring the car alarms, barking dogs, lit windows, and complaining neighbors. He slammed the door behind him, cussing under his breath as he locked it swiftly as well.

"What are you doing?" Alphonse asked, rubbing his tired gray-blue eye with one hand as he held a book with the other with the other. He was in his light blue pajamas, a soft, long sleeve shirt and pants. He was standing next to the couch on the first floor next to the entrance hall. Envy frowned at his youngest brother.

"Nothing you nosey, little brat." Envy spat, still angry at what had transpired just a moment ago. Al yawned, covering his mouth with his book wielding hand. Noticing the book Envy asked what it was.

"Just another book on how to get us home." Al mumbled tiredly. Envy rolled his eyes. Of course, what else was anyone reading?

"Whatever, I'm going to bed." Envy sighed as he made way for the kitchen. Al saw this and inquired bluntly,

"Isn't your room up here? Last time I check you didn't sleep in the kitchen." Al waited as Envy stopped and gave that question some thought. Slowly, Envy turned around with a murderous smile and darkened eyes. Al got the shivers just looking at him. With small, beady eyes Envy said sinisterly,

"Hey, Al, wanna play kick the can?" At this, even though he was fully flesh, Al decided he rather go to sleep than spend another minute with this psychopath. Once Al was gone Envy stretched his arms over his head. As he was doing that he transformed into Edward. He walked over to the nearest mirror and peered at it. A smirk crossed Edward's face that one could easily tell was Envy's doing.

"Well, I may not be able to get out of the house to screw around," Envy said, twisting Edward's face into a deeper and more evil smirk, "But I know a pipsqueak who can."

YAY! Another chapter down! I'm sorry it takes sooooo long to update, but I've been running low on inspiration due to a certain queen (you know who you are!). Well, I hope this chapter was okay. You got a kiss and a bit of a peek at what's going on behind the scenes… Aren't you happy little reader?