Disclaimer: Well does it look like I have enough brain power to come up with all this amazing plot and details? I think not! Props shall go to Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Full Metal Alchemist, which I do not own.


CHAPTER 3: DEADLY FIRST IMPRESSIONS

"Land!" Kiara Nevina cried, throwing herself on the ground while tossing her luggage aside. Sure people were staring, but she didn't care! It had taken forever to get off that stupid train.

Happily, she pulled herself up and picked up her luggage. "Now the tricky part," she said to herself but aloud. "Finding my guardians, because that bastard Mustang doesn't think he has enough time to give me their name! DAMN YOU MUSTANG!" she shrieked oddly, having even more people to stare at her in utter astonishment. But they always stared; she was used to it by now.

"Someone who hates Mustang obviously must know him," a voice from behind spoke.

She spun around; to see the oddest, offset people she had ever met.

There was a boy, who was so short he looked like he was eight. For some odd reason, his hair was very long in a golden yellow color,long enough for him to wear it in a single braid that rested on his back. He had a boyish round face, and deep golden eyes. Hmm, golden eyes are weird but at the same time amazingly pretty, Kiara instantly thought as he stood and let her study his features. He wore a red coat, with sleeves falling over white gloves. It wasn't closed all the way, but all she could see was a lot of shiny black. A black coat that was covering another shirt, a thick brown belt that stood offset from the rest, really shiny black pants, and black combat (wee combat!) boots.

There was some sort of man standing next to him. She wasn't sure. This would have to be the fact it was a huge suit of armor standing at about six feet, with spikes jolting up every here and there and a loin cloth wrapped around his/her middle. He, or maybe she, looked oddly scary, and people passing by were staring in wide eyes. Kiara turned to the people for a second, and noticed this. She knew how that felt like, to have everyone stare at her like some sort of freak. Kiara frowned for a moment, and sent a small quick gaze of sympathy in his direction, not saying anything though.

After a nice thorough check she smiled freakishly wide- these people were weird looking. VERY weird looking. And she loved weird…

"Umm…" the blonde-haired person stuttered, obviously feeling weird underneath her gaze. "Are you Kiara…N-N-Nevina?" he asked.

"Yeeeeeees?" she extended her sentence, with big eyes. "And who are yoooooou?" she knew she was scaring them, but paid no attention to the fact.

"I'm Edward Elric, but you can call me Ed if you wish. I'm you guardian I believe. This is my brother, Alphonse Elric, but he just goes by Al" the boy named Ed introduced firmly, but never extending his hand. "And if you don't stop that freaky stare I'm going to kill you!" he cracked, trying to lunge at her.

Instinctively, Al grabbed the back of his coat just in time, before Kiara was sure she would be hit unexpectedly.

"Oh, sorry then," she quickly wiped the scary smile from her face. "So, you people are my guardians…you guys are State Alchemists?" she asked raising her eyebrows in suspicion.

"Only brother" the suit of armor replied. It took Kiara back a little bit, she found it eerie, it was so hollow and empty, but full of the child-like aura. But at the same time, the small kid inside the armor sounded sort of depressed in a way, although he wasn't meaning to, it just sounded that way.

"You do realize, you got like, a four year old in that armor?" she questioned.

"What!" Ed yelled angrily. "He's sixteen thank-you very much! Not to mention six feet tall!" Ed tried to call in Al's defense.

"Sorry!" Kiara held up her hands to stop him from doing anything drastic. "He just sounds so…little. Like a little boy" she smiled oddly.

"Really? You still think I sound like I little boy, not a huge menacing suit of armor?" Al asked hopefully.

"A bit…hey wait a minute" she paused, revising what he just said. His voice is hollow, she thought. Odd, how can your voice be hollow? Is there a lot of space in there? Why is he even dressed like that? Kiara wondered again, then snapped out of it.

"Well, I guess we should be er- going" Ed said abruptly, turning around.

"That's it?" Kiara questioned, jogging a bit to catch up.

"Well, what do you want? A freaking cookie?" Ed suddenly snapped angrily, his attitude changing greatly.

"Yes, actually I would," Kiara stated coldly, crossing her arms.

"I er- don't umm…have one" he sent her an odd stare.

"Then why wold you ask me? Why would you ask me if I wanted one if you don't have one! WHY ARE YOU LYING! I WANT A COOKIE!" she screamed insanely, and Ed had to clamp a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't make a scene.

"You are so freaky!" he hissed, letting go of her.

She smiled slyly, as he walked faster and lost her behind him. With him so close, I just realized he's kind of cute, she thought giddy and giggled slightly.

"What?" Al asked blankly, now in step with her, hearing her girly giggle.

"Your brother is very attractive" Kiara told him plainly, no hint of embarrassment.

"What?" Al practically screamed, this time not asking.

"Well, if you hadn't heard me earlier I said-" but Al cut her off.

"No I heard you, it's just- no one- and he never- I- you- him-" but Al couldn't finish a single sentence.

Kiara laughed, loudly.

"What are you two doing?" Ed spoke loudly, for he was a few feet ahead of them.

"I was just saying how very- well, good-looking you were!" Kiara yelled back, knowing more than just the two had heard her.

"What?" Ed said, exactly like Al had done. "I- er-" he had stopped dead in his tracks, so Kiara and Al were able to catch upwith him. She stared at him with a total innocent face, with no hint of red on her cheeks what-so-ever. "Then- you- but shouldn't- not caring- I- you- er-" he paused for a moment, going purple for he was already so red. In the lowest voice ever possible, with his ears turning scarlet, he whispered, "Thank-you, I er-suppose," with Al clinging to every word that was spoken.

It was very quiet after that, VERY quiet. No one made a sound as they walked back to Central. (Which made Kiara wonder why they couldn't just take a cab) The silence was eerie, and full of tension. Al kept ringing his hands, although no sweat could be seen seeping through the armor, and Ed kept glancing at Kiara, still not believing what she had clearly spoken. Just about forty times later, Kiara saw from the corner of her eye, Ed was a giving a teensy smile- barely visible. Obviously, he must not have gottenflattery like that before, which made Kiara wonder nervously.

There are the good-looking people, and then people we only think are good-looking because we like them. But, heavens in hell I can't believe I just said that! Yeah, I ain't usually nervous, but for Christ's sake! I just told a damn person he was hot! Without getting all flustered! How- I can't believed- erg! Well, look at him, Kiara thought, finally looking all the way over to Ed. You got to admit, he ain't very ugly, and he's got pretty features if you get around to it. You know, golden eyes are an offset feature, but still amazingly beautiful. I'm just wondering why I feel attracted enough to say that aloud three minutes after we meet. Ah, three minutes, that's faster than Samaru, who used to hold the record. Ah well, you've been beaten Samaru, I'm finally over you, Kiara revisited her memories of her old boy-friend. (Bet you didn't see that one coming!) The only problem is he's like, three feet shorter than me. Okay, probably only a few inches...taller... But I'm five four! I know he looks taller now, but he's got boots on and I'm counting that antenna of hair he's got. If we measured his actual height, THEN I would be taller! Mwuahahahahaha! Kiara had awhile to adjust to her new surroundings, which looked just the same as last time.

There were huge buildings standing at about a few stories high, then little stores where you would buy your food. From markets to industrial buildings, all of these were included in Central, and that's what Kiara liked about it. The streets were always buzzing around, full of happy excited people wanting to get to their destination, and all of them seemed to make a roaring noise when put together.Although Kiara had been here many times, and even lived here for a few months, there was always something to see. She had never covered all the ground, so as they walked from the gates, she looked at all the little stores, and listened in on people's conversations.

"I want it mommy!" a screaming, kicking boy grabbed at the window, as a desperate mother tried to pull him off.

"For the last time Matthew, NO!" she cried, still trying to pull the stubborn boy away.

"Mama, if I raise enough money for the windows can you buy me that?" another much less greedy boy asked, in what looked like tattered hand-me-down clothes. He was eying a little lollypop in awe as the mother smiled warmly at him.

"Maybe William, we'll see."

A lot of people had their children with them, and Kiara gave a teensy smile.

It was sort of at peace, even though you couldn't think clearly, and Kiara closed her eyes for a fleeting moment. Only too bad for her, because a fleeting moment was all she needed to run right smack dab into someone, hard enough for her to fall over.

"I'm sorry!" she cried quickly, looking at the other person.

A little girl was on the ground, with her mother, who had stopped to watch as the little girl stood up. She wore her hair in a braid that reached all the way to her waist. It was almost white it was such a light blonde, and she had pale, pale skin to go along with it. She had big mysterious gray eyes and a petite figure. If she would have had red eyes, Kiara might have mistaken her for a little Ishball girl. No more than six or seven, she gasped when she looked at Kiara.

"Are you alright?" Kiara asked worried, taking her hand.

The girl in return just stared at her, with no words.

"Umm…well, I'll be going" she gave a nervous laughed and stood up.

Ed and Al eyed her weirdly, as they stood there waiting for her to keep moving, which she did. But as soon as she was at least two feet away from the awkward scene, something small and merciless pulled at her shirt. Kiara looked down again to see the little girl, hanging off her shirt with a weak grasp.

"My name's Arianna!" she piped up in a squeaky voice. "What's yours?"

Kiara smiled widely, this Arianna did not only have the most beautiful voice she had ever heard, but was just absolutely adorable. "Well, I'm Kiara Nevina" she responded, feeling like a child herself when she spoke.

"That's a pretty name!" Arianna squeaked again, sounding small and insignificant.

Kiara sent a gaze over to Ed and Al, and found Ed smiling at the girl. She knew if she could see Al, he was probably smiling also. Not even men themselves couldn't admit that this was cutest scene to ever take place, with her big wondering eyes and sudden features.

"I just want to say your pretty!" Arianna shouted without a hint of embarrassment. "Why are you so pretty?" she asked again, with a furiously blushing Kiara. "Do you have to do a magic spell? Or do you drink a potion? Because I want to look just like you! Just like you!" Kiara could tell Arianna had a big imagination, which would get her far.

So Kiara leaned down to her height and smiled gingerly. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" she began. "Which means everyone sees someone else in a different light. And even though you want to look like me, I think-" -Kiara paused again, and looked up to her mother, who was smiling greatly- "You are just as beautiful as you are. In your own a unique way" Kiara explained.

"But I want red curls and pretty eyes with different colors" she whispered, her little fist grasping onto her hair.

"Everyone is beautiful, remember that" Kiara smiled and stood up. "And if I see you again Arianna, I'll be sure to say hello" she smiled and turned around.

"Thank-you!" the girl cried after her, but Kiara knew her mother had ordered her to say that in respect.

It was again silent, until Ed smirked and scoffed.

"What?" Kiara asked, as Al trudged on her left.

"Everyone is beautiful eh? You really think that?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes, I do. I have strong beliefs. If you didn't exactly catch the line, I didn't say everyone is physically beautiful. You could be some sort of beast with horns for all I care, but you would still have a beautiful heart" Ed smirked again at this ridiculous saying. "You think its funny but I didn't pull it out of some book! People like me don't get this pretty by thinking they're ugly, now do they?" she snapped in a cocky way.

"Whatever you say" he shrugged.

Oh, Kiara thought, realizing a shocker. He was probably talking about Al… she looked over to Al, tracing her eyes up and down him. Yes, actually, I believe Alphonse is beautiful. Even if I don't know him yet, everyone starts out beautiful. It's up to them if they want to stay that way…Hmm, Kiara smiled, and suppressed a laugh that would lead to questions. It does sound like I pulled that out of a book, she thought good heartily, and continued to walk the rest of the way with them.

After a good solid while, Kiara ended up moaning. "Seriously, we can't grab a freaking cab!" she complained.

"Left me wallet at home" Ed replied casually, with a shrug.

"Erg! TAXI!" she shouted in the street, pulling her hand out.

The one thing she loved about Central was the people. They were obsessed with making money, so regularly, six cabs tried to pull up next to them. She heard a triumphant cry from the driver on the inside.

"Though a lady shouldn't have to pay," Kiara emphasized; "A lady shouldn't have to walk so freaking long!" she jumped in and slid over.

"Umm…" Ed paused, as he sat down. "We can't exactly do this," he replied hastily.

"Why- Oh, Al" she realized bluntly.

"I won't fit" Al explained; though she already noticed this.

"Yes" Kiara stated simply.

"Uh, no" Ed replied angrily.

"YES!" she leaned over Ed's lap and tugged fiercely on Al's arm.

After at least a good five minutes Kiara found herself crushed in place, but felt even worse for Ed, who happened to be in the middle.

"Are you done yet?" the driver asked irritably, wanting to get a move on.

"Yes, we- are" Kiara managed to choke out.

"I would rather have walked" a wheezy voice came out from Ed, who sucked in his cheeks. But, the road wasn't too bumpy, and in a good solid twenty minutes of bone crushing they were finally filing out of the car. "Half and hour and I already hate you" Ed barked grumpily, rubbing his aching sides.

"Love you too good-looking!" she winked and ran up the steps, leaving Ed and Al to deal with her luggage. She knew if she would haveturned around Ed would be blushing profoundly, because her remark hadn't been sarcastic, and Al would be trying to carry all seven ridiculously heavy bags all by himself.

Kiara knew the halls all too well; it was just so simple for her to wind her way up to Mustangs office, hoping Ed and Al were tagging behind. (Because she wouldn't look back) Right after she explained herself a couple of times to some military officials, she was barging through the door, and jumping on top of Mustang's desk, scaring the crap out of him.

"Jesus!" he cried, practically falling out of his chair.

"Roy, my good fellow, I see they haven't fired you yet!" she called cheerfully, as an angry Ed and Al walked in with her suitcases.

"Make a nice comment and run off so we'll carry this crap eh?" Ed shouted, with Al placing a hand on his shoulder in caution. "I can't believe we are stuck with you, for three weeks," he sighed, giving Mustang an evil glare.

"Well, at least you took the comment as a nice one" she said slyly, only doing it to watch him go quiet and maybe turn a bit red. She spun back around to face Mustang. "So anyway, I would like to have a word with you, Mr. Don't-tell-Kiara-practically-anything-even-though-it's-her-life" Kiara fumed, gritting her teeth.

"If you would remove that lovely ass of my desk, we shall" he smirked mockingly, making Kiara scowl. "That's suppose to mean leave Full Metal" Mustang rolled his eyes at the Elric who didn't understand.

"Fine! Tell her everything but not us!" Ed shouted angrily.
"It's my life God damn it, I am suppose to know everything!" Kiara cried dramatically, throwing her hands up in the air.

"I- er-" Ed faltered.

"We'll be in our room if you need us Kiara-sama. Let us know if you need to go somewhere," Al said respectfully, forcing Ed out of the room, who was reluctant to leave.

"Now that they're gone," Mustang paused, making sure no one was listening in. "I think we should discuss the matter, sit down" he ordered.

"Why do you have to have your dogs watching me?" Kiara hissed, instantly changing her attitude greatly.

"Oh, but you know!" Mustang laughed cruelly. "After what you did it seemed almost stupid to let you go. But now that I've heard your name as a witness to the latest crimes, I can have enough proof to put a watch on you" he spitted hatefully, leaning back in his chair.

"You should know I had nothing to do with those!" Kiara hissed again venomously. "The woman involved is a damn friend, and she knew I had it in with the military from earlier records. She isn't a good friend to have, because she finds it amusing to add random people to the scene for enjoyment" Kiara lowered her voice, making sure no one could hear now. "Sure you can't keep me under your eye, but you know those damn rules I have to live by. I have been stationed just outside of Rush Valley, and you know that" she snapped quickly. "Unless shopping and fresh air are included, I have been nowhere near those places!"

"And exactly how do you expect me to believe that?" Mustang asked cruelly. "No proof, and certainly not even a witness to where you were supposedly 'stationed.' How do you make me believe?" he asked casually.

"Well, I do know the woman responsible" Kiara rolled her eyes, not believing Mustang hadn't learned that yet.

"Name?" he asked blankly, pulling out a pen and a piece of paper.

"I told you, she's a friend" Kiara ground her teeth together hardly.

"You just said she was a horrible friend! She added you for amusement!" Mustang cried, not believing Kiara was taking the woman's side.

"You don't understand"

"Make me understand"

"I can't. Just, maybe-" Kiara paused for a second. I have to beat her at her own game, but she knows I'll be the one to go fetch her…might as well play along with her. If she wants to see me bad, then I should see what's going on, Kiara decided. "Liana, Liana Kong" she answered finally, with pride.

"Good" Mustang scribbled down her name hastily.

"But," Kiara added, "Since I gave you the name, I get something in return"

He rose his eyebrows a little bit, then thought it over. "Alright" he decided.

"Give me the case. At least I know I won't just try and arrest her, I'll interview her."

"First of all, you are not a State Alchemist Nevina, you have no authority. And second, you aren't allowed to take jobs, and you can't drag Full Metal and Alphonse with you" he snapped hatefully.

"First of all," Kiara mocked in a high voice, making fun of him. "You give the position to Ed, he has to take it by order. Second of all, I believe I get anything I want anyway."

Mustang huffed, she could see he was giving in. "Fine, I might have the wrong name anyway" he gave in, letting his shoulders fall down in defeat. "But, keep in mind, you arrest her if she's guilty, no friendship crap. But, knowing you that most likely won't stop you" Mustang smirked, knowing he hit a weak spot with the last sentence, and knowing a little bit about her past.

"I am loyal to the ones I love" Kiara growled lowly. "You can never again say that, I would protect anyone with my life" she whispered dangerously, clenching her teeth repeatedly.

"What about your poor old mother?" he asked quietly, thinking he had won.

"She was no family or friend of mine" Kiara spat venomously. "And you don't even know the rest!" she yelled, feeling her temper rise.

"Well, if you would just tell me…" Mustang asked slowly, sensing her rocket to go off any minute. This was the part where he mentioned Kiara telling him, and for some odd reason she'd go ballistic on him. It was her short fuse, and no one knew why.

"I TOLD YOU FOR THE LAST TIME, I WILL NEVER BRING UP THAT HORRIBLE SCENE AGAIN! YOU SHOULDN'T KNOW, YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW, AND I AM MOST CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO LET YOU KNOW! HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK YOU HAVE TO RIGHT TO THAT PRIVATE INFORMATION YOU BASTARD! JUST DROP DEAD AND GO TO HELL SO I CAN CELEBRATE! AND IF YOU EVER, EVER BRING THAT UP AGAIN AROUND ME, AND TRY AND BLAME ME, I'LL SHOVE MY FOOT UP YOUR ASS! AND I WILL! I DON'T WORK FOR YOU ANYMORE!"

Although every second she was fuming with rage, feeling the heat rise off her face, the steam coming out of her ears, it felt great to vent out her stress. It might have seemed odd that Kiara was like this, and you might even accuse her of being a drama queen, but such wasn't the case. Her life used to always be filled with happiness, laughing, fun, and just plain weirdness. But over the past few years, her life was getting too serious and dark for her to act that way; giving her short tempers and violent actions. She didn't like it this way, but she couldn't help it. Now, that it was so natural, she was getting worse with her emotions. They would go up and down like a roller coaster even if the problem wasn't too big.

Before anything could move or speak, Kiara was out of that door like a magician in a puff of smoke. But, unlike the magician who stays silent, she sent Mustang a nice loud surprising bang of the door being slammed in his face.

"Deadly first impressions are going around" Kiara scowled, still feeling too angry to smile and joke.


Yes, well, review my little readers! What the hell, no one is reading these...grumble Shame too, I think I'm a decent writer. Just pointing out, the people that add like, a shit load of detail are crappy writers. When you spend six paragraphs describing on how the Sun rises up, it BORES your reader to death. It isn't fancy and emotional, it's confusing! Who agrees with me! Then when you add such little all the events go flying by and the reader has no idea what is going on, because the whole story was explained in one paragraph.

Well, listen to me rant...I only put this here so I could tell you I don't own Arianna. (ar-e-on-uh) Well, actually, I do, but in a way I don't. Airianna is my best-friend, so I wasn't mimicking Edward's looks if that's what you think. (the blonde braidedhair..) She's actually Albino, (hence the gray eyes...sheused to have red. Don't know why theydisapeared...)and thirteen years old instead of five. Anyways, I thought she would be such a cute little girl- anime style. CHIBI! But unlike the shy Arianna in my story, the real one is so obnoxious. I don't remember a time when she has shut-up, it drives me crazy...love ya Death! (it's her nick-name for being so pale...)