Yeah, another chapter, finally! Sorry it took me so long to update anything. I've been trying to get a job, and interviews kind of cut into my day. Heh. I still try to update when I get the chance though. Enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: Yeah, like I've been saying again and again and again…I don't own FullMetal Alchemist!

Izumi set down on a grassy spot beside a river and formed her cyclone again. "Boys," she said, "Make sure that you're in your watery forms, so that you can come out. You can only move in or out of me while I'm forming a cyclone."

The boys had been mostly in their watery forms already, since there was no way that three humans could fit inside Izumi's human form, but they made sure that they converted completely to their watery forms, and then stepped out of the cyclone.

Everyone converted back to their human forms, and the water signs stretched their arms. "It feels so good to be out again," said Ed, then quickly added, "Not that I didn't appreciate the lift."

Izumi chuckled. "I understand that it's a little cramped inside my body. You simply depend on me for my speed, since water signs are relatively slow."

Edward wasn't sure that he liked being called slow, but how could he argue against it? It was a true statement, after all.

He lifted his eyes and looked around. "Wait," he said, "This isn't the circle, this is Rizenbul."

"Of course it's Rizenbul," said Izumi. "I can't just go and seek out Aries, or she'd know what was going on. The fact that I can carry the three of you is the only possible threat that I pose to her, and she knows it. The only way to surprise her is to let her capture me while you three are inside me without her knowledge."

"But why are we at Rizenbul?" asked Edward.

"You need to take you time and plan things out before going into a fight, especially in your time of weakness, Scorpio," Izumi narrowed her eyes as she said his sign name, almost in a derogatory manner. "Since your family is here, I figured that they could help you by giving you moral support."

"Are you crazy?" shouted Ed, "I can't let them know what kind of monster I turned out to be!"

Izumi stood up, grabbed Ed by the shoulder, then flipped him over her shoulder and slammed him on the ground. As soon as he came out of his dazed state, she said, "We are not monsters, Ed. We may not be human, but we're not monsters."

"Then what do you say we are?" said Ed as he sat up and rubbed his head.

"We are a special kind of creature put here to protect this world, thought, unfortunately, some of our members abuse their power. It's quite unfortunate that the one abusing their power in this generation is Aries, since Aries is supposed to be the leader of the circle."

Edward nodded. He didn't funny understand yet, but he was trying to at least accept his role in the cosmic scheme of things.

Suddenly, Edward stood up. "I think I'm going to go and play a trick on Winry. She doesn't startle easily, but I think that this'll do it." He chuckled and ran off to the Rockbell house. The others rolled their eyes and followed him to see what he would do.

Back at the house, Winry was working on some auto-mail, when she suddenly noticed that she was standing in a puddle of water. "What the heck?" she said as she turned around to go and find something to clean it up.

When she turned around, however, she saw a watery form rise up out of the mass of water, and come toward her. Her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped. What was going on?

The watery mass backed her up against the workbench and pressed itself to her face. Then, slowly transforming into human form, she could see that it was Ed, stealing a kiss.

She picked up her wrench and whacked him over the head, sending him flying to the ground. "I don't know how you did that, Ed," she said, "But don't you ever do that again."

Ed was chuckling while rubbing the sore spot on his head. "You should have seen the look on your face when you realize it was me!" he laughed.

"Geez!" said Winry as she turned around and stomped out of the room. He had really gotten her good that time, and it was worth every bit of the pain.

Naturally, the Rockbells hadn't expected guests just then, but they managed to adapt quickly by throwing in a few side dishes. Ed sat in the living room cradling his still throbbing head in his hands, trying to decide if it was worth having Winry clobber him again if he were to transform into his elemental form to heal the headache. He decided against it, since he would just be trading an old headache for a new one.

"So," said Winry, running into the room, out of breath, "Is it just you and Al that are visiting?"

"No," said Ed, "Sensei's here too, and so it another lady you haven't met yet." He paused for a second and said, "Al is back in his normal body as well."

"WHAT?" yelled Winry, excitedly, "You found a way to get Al's body back?" She grabbed him and hugged him for a second, and then let go of him with a start. "You don't have auto-mail anymore."

"No, I don't," Ed shook his head, "I'm sorry, Winry. I hadn't expected to get either of our normal bodies back so soon, but the lady you're about to meet knew a way, and she kind of…imposed it on us, without warning." Edward chuckled.

"What are you talking about? Tell me what happened!" begged Winry.

"It's a long story," sighed Edward.

Winry was about to press him for more information, but she heard a knock at the door. "That's probably the rest of the group," said Winry, who proceeded to get up and start towards the door. She turned around and eyed Ed, "But you're still not getting out of telling me what happened."

She headed to the door. Edward could hear shrieks of joy which he guessed were over seeing Al in his normal body again. After a few moments, the whole band came parading into the house, with Winry at the lead.

Pinako came out and announced that dinner was ready, so everyone rushed to the table. They hadn't eaten all day, and they were starved.

A few minutes into the meal, Pinako asked, "So, what brings you boys here?" Edward put down his chopsticks and sighed. This was going to be quite a long story. He just hoped they could take it.

Hope you enjoyed it. Now, review, and I might update sooner! Hehe