Okay… so much for my goal to finish the other ones first, writer's block is a nasty thing. Besides, I want to get to the Christmas party bit by Christmas… so I have to introduce all the characters within the next week… so that's like four chapters at least. –sweatdrop-

Kaa-san: Mother

Gomen nasai: Sorry; a deep earnest apology, from the heart

Café Elric

By: KatYoukai

Chapter 4: Enter Winry Rockbell

' I swear I am going to kill that man. I'll stab him a thousand times, pour salt water in his cuts then feed his corpse to the vultures.'

You might be wondering why such evil thoughts could be running through dear, sweet Alphonse Curtis' mind. But then again, wouldn't you be thinking the same things if you were stuck in a smelly old costume that you see people advertising with in clichéd old movies? Oh, but this wasn't any regular old costume. This costume resembled a large armor which bore a cat-like face with big circular eyes. Sound familiar? He also held a large sign bearing the words: "Come to Café Elric" on it.

" Some people deal with grief by gorging themselves on sweets, some hurt themselves… but he deals with grief by tormenting his employees," The teen muttered under his breath.

Two teenage girls that went to his school walked by giggling and covering their mouths with their hands. Al ignored them until they had passed him then looked over his shoulder glaring. The next person to do that was going to get a sign in the face.

" You should try to look more lively, man; a tree looks more enthusiastic then you. You're going to get fired at this rate."

Al merely glared at the Japanese boy that had just come down the sidewalk," Piss off."

Takeshi's only response was a good-natured grin," You only talk like that when you're in a bad mood."

" Do I have a big sunshine of a smile on my face right now?"

Before the other could reply, a voice interrupted their little conversation," Excuse me."

The two looked up to meet a pair of light blue eyes belonging to a teenage girl around their age. Long, pale blond locks were tied back in a ponytail leaving only her bangs which ended at eyebrow length and two strands framing her face. Her lips, the bottom fuller than the upper, were set in a stubborn and set line.

Alphonse and Takeshi immediately stepped to the side. Without another word the girl stormed up to the doors, yanked them open and stormed in leaving the two teens blinking as the doors slammed shut.

The two friends looked at each other," What the…"

They jumped as heated yelling met their ears. Turning at the same time, they went over and opened the door just a crack and peeked in.

" Why do you insist on living here alone?"

" It's none of your business."

" We keep asking you to come live with us! After all Kaa-san and Tou-san have always been friends with Hohenhe--."

" Don't you dare say that bastard's name!"

Silence. Our two eavesdroppers leaned farther against the wood trying to get a good view of the scene. The door flung open and the two fell forward landing painfully on the floor. Al looked up to find angry tears in those crystal blue eyes. The girl gave the young man that was standing some ways back staring intently at the ground one last glare before she stalked out.

After a moment –he was still lying sprawled on the ground- grayish hazel eyes lifted to look up at the blond young man that had now turned around and was busying himself with wiping the counter. Then, Al looked around the small café. Everyone was acting as if nothing had happened. There were very few people here at this time of day and the ones who sat here were frequents.

' That must mean this happens a lot… to the point where it doesn't surprise them anymore,' the teen thought, bewildered.

Slowly Takeshi got up and yanked the younger boy to his feet. Al blinked at him. The Japanese boy merely offered him a small smile and headed out the door. The golden-brown haired teen followed suit. Alphonse didn't question Edward till later that night.

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" Who was that girl that came in earlier?"

Ed didn't even look up at the sudden question. He had probably been expecting it. The older teen sighed.

" That was Winry Rockbell. She's an old friend. Her parents and my father are close friends."

Al looked at him in bewilderment," You were talking about your father earlier?"

" Yes."

" How can you hate your own father so much?"

Edward looked up at him for the first time since the conversation had began, a look of utter hatred and agony on his features.

" Just because he's my father doesn't mean I can't hate him," The hold the blond seemed always to have on his emotions had broken," If it weren't for him, Kaa-san would still be alive now! She only started getting sick after he left! Everything that's happened to me up till now is his fault! So what if he is my father? What does that mean to me?"

Al was taken aback by the sudden outburst. He'd never seen the young man so animated with his emotions before; but maybe it was because he'd only known him for a short time and not very well at that.

" I… gomen nasai…," the teen muttered, looking down.

Ed just made a small sound in reply and returned to his work, face gradually smoothing out all traces of anger once more. The rest of the time before Al left was spent in silence.

And it's done! Winry's in… now I just need to figure out how to get Envy and Lust in… guh anyone have any suggestions? They'll be greatly appreciated! I actually have the next chapter written down somewhere in my notebook so this should be quick to update... but then I need to get my two Christmas Elricest OneShots in... and I might do a little RoyxEd holiday ficlet if I've time left over before Christmas... yup, I'm definetely in the holiday spirit... anyways... much to do... so long for now! ( I'll get lots of chapters done tomorrow if it turns out to be a snow day and I don't have to go to school)

You can expect many updates form me before Christmas! Consider it a Christmas gift from me to you! XD