Disclaimer: I still don't and never will own FMA.
Hey all, sorry for the long wait! (Wow, its almost been a month since my last update!) gasp I'm sorry! But here's the final chapter of Innocence Can Never Last. I'll work on my other stories... or if I suddenly decide to start another one (which wouldn't surprise me at all. I have many stories I'm writing currently.) I'll be sure to try and update them once I get the plot or the next chapter idea. My next story, I'm hoping to actually write out the plot, and then write the story from that. We'll see how that goes.
I'd like to wish a big "THANK YOU!" to all my reviewers from chapter four. You guys are awesome! To: rizahawkeye21, insanely unstable (I love your penname!), pheonix224, MoonStarDutchess, and greenish orange (she's my weird stalker friend at school.laughs just kidding.) . You guys rock my socks!
And now, chapter 5.
Riza hugged Izumi as they stood outside the train. Sig was loading the baggage on the train with Roy and Jean's help; though it was rather haphazardly between Roy and Jean as they continued to drop bags.
"Stay in touch. I'm glad to have met you, Izumi," Riza smiled, pulling away from Izumi.
"Yes, we need to stay in touch. You must tell me how Roy and you are doing," Izumi winked, causing Riza to blush faintly. "You know you love the attention he gives you," she whispered.
"Yeah, I do," Riza replied, and then they both laughed as Sig returned.
"Take care of yourself Riza. If those two give you trouble, you know how to handle them," he smiled, hugging her much like a father would a daughter.
"I will. You two keep up with your meat shop, and Mason," Riza grinned, turning to look for Roy and Jean. They were hanging out of the window in their compartment, both smiling.
"Well, are you coming Riza? Or are you going to miss the train so you can continue having your girl time?" Jean said keeping the cigarette well balanced between his lips. Riza shot him a glance that caused him to sit up and away from the window. Hugging Izumi and Sig one last time, Riza boarded the train and found the compartment the guys were at.
She sat next to the window after getting Jean to move over with Roy, and waved to Izumi and Sig. "I'll write to you once we get to Central!" Riza yelled as the trains whistle screeched.
"Oh! Before I forget! I made this for your trip!" Izumi said, grabbing the basket that was sitting at her feet. "Its some food for the ride," she explained, handing the basket into the window.
"Thank you, for everything," Roy said, taking the basket and smiling. He knew there was no way any of them could thank Izumi and Sig for all they had done. The train started to pull away and the three continued to wave as they watched the station in Dublith get smaller and smaller.
Reaching up, Roy closed the window after setting the basket down next to Riza. Jean was surprisingly enough, already asleep; cigarette still in his mouth as he was bent over against the compartment wall. Shaking his head at his friend, Roy grabbed his jacket, and put it on Jean.
"We'll never be able to thank them. I still can't believe we've been here for so long, and yet, it seems like we just met them," Roy sighed.
"Yes, I'm more amazed that they would take in three fleeing soldiers when no one else would. Especially when soldiers aren't all that appreciated around these parts," Riza nodded in agreement. "It just shows that some people look past the dirt and grime, and see real people with feelings, and hearts."
Roy laughed. "A cliché line to explain it all… but it makes sense," he said, leaning his head back.
"It's the only way to explain what they have done for us. I know the endings of stories are all written like that, but none the less. Stories always have happy endings."
"Not all stories have happy endings. The guy doesn't always get the girl. Sometimes, he just gets a friendship," Roy said, shaking his head. He wanted more than friendship with the girl; he wanted a life. Military restrictions always ruined such things for him.
Riza's smile was small as she shook her head. "True, the guy doesn't always get the girl. And the girl may not get her wish; or the princess her prince, but at least it's an ending everyone likes."
"All princesses need a prince, and all kings need queens. So why can't the guy get the girl for once?" Roy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because, that would be cliché," Riza said, laughing at their conversation. Roy looked down, smiling. He loved to hear her laugh, to see her smile; all he wanted was to see her do that more often. Returning to the headquarters would change that. All three of them would have to become serious once again, and forget what had happened the past few days.
Riza looked at her superior officer, and noticed the shift in mood as his smile slowly faded. "It's unfortunate that Fuhrer Bradley wants to continue this war. I can imagine that neither side wants to continue. This war is tearing apart this country and its people. Brother against brother, father against mother. I fear that if this doesn't end, we'll end up divided," Riza sighed, turning her gaze out the window.
"I want to change that. Will you follow me? Will you be my princess and follow me to obtain the crown?" Roy asked, looking at Riza.
"I'll follow you, but not as your princess. As your friend, and guardian," Riza nodded, looking at Roy in his dark eyes. Roy smirked, understanding what she meant, though somewhat saddened that she didn't understand his meaning. Jean opened on eye, and looked at them both.
"I'll follow you to Captain," Jean said, sitting up, and handing Roy his coat. "If you're going to change this country, then I'll follow you to the end of the earth." Roy smiled at Jean; glad to have such a good friend for support.
"We'll both go to the ends of the earth with you. No matter what," Riza nodded.
Well, that's the conclusion. Thank you for reading, and sticking with me all this way. I'm sure it was a rollarcoaster trying to wait for my updates. Once again, THANK YOU! to all my reviewers! I look forward to hearing from you guys on my next story!
Later days,
:Flava Sava: