Here's a story that's been bugging me for a few days, so I decided to just write up a chapter, and see how it went over with all of you. Let me know if it's any good, and if you want to see more of this story. (Yes, this chapter is short, I realize, and not very exciting, but I wanted to test the waters first, before writing a long chapter.)

This idea came to me sometime after reading the first volume of the Fruits Basket manga, even though the stories are nothing alike. Heh, I don't even use the same zodiac system. (I'm not very familiar with the Chinese zodiac system. I know the western one pretty well though.)

Anyway, I hope that the story interests you. Leave me some feedback, and tell me what you think if you want some updates.

Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist. I sure wish I did, but I don't.

Edward stepped into Colonel Roy Mustang's office. "You sent for me, Colonel?"

Leaning back into his chair, Roy said, "Is someone there? I can't see you over the stack of papers."

Edward fumed, but decided not to lash out just then. He'd think of a good way to get back at Roy someday, when he could find a way that wouldn't have any consequences.

"I'm just keeping you on your toes, FullMetal." Roy sat up in his chair and looked the boy in the eye. "I have a very important, yet very unusual, missioin for you."

Edward folded his arms across his chest. "I like unusual missions."

"Good," said Mustang, "This one's most unusual. Are you familiar with the zodiac?"

"The zodiac?" said Edward, a little taken aback, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question, FullMetal."

"Well, no, I can't say that I'm very familiar with either zodiac system. Which one are you referring to?"

"I'm referring to the monthly zodiac system. Here," Roy slid Edward a piece of paper. "This is a listing of all twelve signs of the zodiac, their starting and ending times, their elements, their qualities, and their yin or yang energies."

Edward picked up the piece of paper and studied it. After a moment, he looked up at the Colonel and said, "So, why do I need to know this again?"

Roy put his hand on his chin, and studied Edward for a moment, then proceeded to explain.

"There is a creature that we have only recently discovered that is more dangerous to us than the homunculi. Some call them the elementals; some call them the zodiac people. Whatever you call them, they are all extremely powerful alchemists."

"So why are they so dangerous?" asked Edward.

"Each sign has a corresponding element. If one person from each element were to get together, they would be quite a force to be reckoned with. If all twelve of them were to ever get together, they'd be nearly unstoppable."

"But how do we know that these beings are actually a threat? Maybe they're peace-loving creature," said Edward.

"I know, FullMetal, I don't like jumping into this without all the information either, but these orders came directly from the Furher himself, and there's nothing I can do."

"I understand, Colonel. Is there anything else I should know?"

"The only other things I know about these creatures are these two things: They can either be in human form or their native element, and they are weakest during the time of their particular sign."

"Do you have any ideas of how I could find them?" said Edward.

"No, but they each carry the characteristics of their particular sign. You might be able to predict their moves based on that."

"Thank you, Colonel. Will that be all?"

"That's all for now, FullMetal. You are dismissed." After Edward had walked out the door, Roy said to himself, "Roy Mustang would never send the great FullMetal Alchemist on such a suicide mission." He then transformed into Envy. "But I sure would."

Far away, a woman was meditating, and revealing to another woman what she saw. "Scorpio and Cancer are on the move. They will find us soon, and then our circle will be complete."

"Thank you, Pisces," said Aries, "You are dismissed." Pisces got up and left.

As she was walking, she started musing to herself. "I hate working for Aries, but she is powerful enough to control all the other signs. The only way she can be overthrown is if all three water signs unite against her, since even the strongest fire can't compete with that much water."

She kicked at a pebble, then picked it up and threw it into the lake. How she'd wished that she could just jump into the lake and die, but a water sign couldn't drown. She stared out over the lake, admiring her native element. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She had to find Scorpio and Cancer before Aries did, and get them to work with her to defeat Aries.

Roy Mustang went running like mad through the Central Headquarters building. He had managed to get himself untied, since Envy had tied him up, and now he was desperately trying to find Edward.

"Has anyone seen FullMetal? Please, I have to find him immediately!" No one had seen him. Roy tried asking everyone he ran into for information, but no one knew anything.

Roy tightened his hand into a fist. "Hohenheim," he said, "If you ever show up, I will personally kill you for never telling your sons about the zodiac people. Ed is going to get him and his brother killed."

Riza Hawkeye walked up and addressed Roy. "Colonel, sir, may I inquire as to what is going on?"

Roy turned and looked at her. He had to tell someone what he was up to before he took off chasing Ed. She was trustworthy, so it might as well be her.

"The FullMetal Alchemist was tricked into going on a mission to do away with the zodiac people."

"The zodiac people, sir?" asked Hawkeye.

"The zodiac people are twelve powerful beings that each have the powers of their respective signs," explained Roy, "If he goes out and tries to kill them, he'll get himself killed, especially when he discovers that he won't be able to bring himself to kill all of them."

"Does he know some of them?"

"Yes," said Roy, "One of them is even a fellow State Alchemist. I personally know three of these zodiac people, but I think that FullMetal knows more than that, but doesn't realize it."

"How do you plan to stop him?" asked Hawkeye.

"I don't know," said Roy, "But I'll find a way." With that, he left without another word.

Thanks for reading. Now, leave me a review, and I'll be happy to update. Hope to see you soon.