DISCLAIMER: Hiromu Arakawa; when the novel with words was written, it said in the afterword, 'his.' When she drew her manga and the chapter starter had Gluttoney trying to eat her, it said 'him.' Hiromu even sounds like a man. WHY DO YOU HIDE YOUR TRUED GENDER? Sadly, Full Metal Alchemist can be given complete credit to a woman, and she disowns it...probably because they feel men won't want to read it then, because manga done by girls are usually bad...Oh yeah, I don't own FMA.


A/N: Just in case you're wondering, you people out here are getting my chapters that haven't been revised by my editor yet. (Yes, I have an EDITOR. Props to me friend Liana) and although I have some people in here, they shouldn't, because they either died over the course of FMA, or had their legs paralyzed. (sniff HAVOC, WE MISS YOU!) I should have never done a fanfic AFTER their own adventures...


Chapter 5: And Then Came Another

It seemed weird how a week could pass without seeing Ed or Al at all. Kiara almost thought to believe they had left her, but then she had seen Ed pigging out on a huge plate of food, and Al hissing in his ear to stop in the lobby the next morning. For some odd reason, she had fled from them. Where was she to go in public? She had clothes, they supplied her with food, and she had a separate room with everything she needed. Kiara was very attempted to head up to their room. But what would she say? I'm lonely, entertain me? Uh, she didn't think so. She barely knew these people at all; she shouldn't need to be in their presence daily. Besides, she would soon be spending every second with them; possibly for a few days if Liana would like her to stay, so there was no reason to fret.

"Well Mr. Yuki" she moaned, rolling off her bed in complete and utter boredom. "How about we take another nap? For the fifth time today?" she rolled back over and sighed. "I have to get out," she mumbled, rolling off her bed in a lazy manner.

She swaggered a bit, regaining the feeling in her legs, then walked forward. It was a time biding walk to get all the way down to the first floor, so she hastily took the elevator. Even that process moved slowly, for it was crammed with officials who looked like they would have rather shot themselves them come to work today.

"People said you were coming back Nevina, but I thought they all to be rumors. I can't believe that slipped right by me and Mustang didn't tell me" second lieutenant Havoc told her as she spun around and smiled at him.

"The one and only" she smirked.

Havoc was young for a man, with spiked blonde hair and usually a cigarette set limply from his mouth. He wore the same uniform as everyone else did, and had broad shoulders and a leaned back figure. He was slightly smaller than Mustang, with a much younger tone to his voice also. He was a pretty good person all around and somehow Kiara could forgive and forget every time the much-too-old Havoc asked her out.

"Has the one and only been taken yet?" he questioned slyly, stepping out of the elevator and following in her footsteps. He was either going that way because that's where he was supposed to be, or just following Kiara to see if she'd give in this time.

"Actually, I've got my eye on someone Havoc," she lied quickly, but a little voice echoed in her head. You think you're lying, but not really, it hissed, and she tried to cover a smile.

It was true. But not like she had meant for it to happen…

She was just in a bad mood. Kiara hadn't seen or heard from the Elric brothers in a good solid twenty-four hours, so she decided to follow random people around. At first it was Riza, but she quickly threw her off when she actually had a real meeting to attend to. So she follow Mustang around.

"Nevina, I've actually got a life, why don't you get one?" he hissed angrily, walking much faster than her usually did down the hall.

"I'll make you my life" she answered simply.

"I know you adore me, but find someone else to stalk right now babe" Mustang smiled mischievously, seeing the disgusted look on her face.

"You wish pervert! I am only following you because everyone else is-" she was so busy running to catch up with him and tell him off she ran smack dab in the middle of someone.

"Oof! Sorry 'bout that!" someone called surprised, resting on the floor just like she did.

It was interesting enough to run into somebody, or find out with one sentence he was definitely a full blooded British boy, but to run into someone so good-looking was just her lucky day.

He certainly wasn't Japanese. And not to mention his accent couldn't have been anymore poor. He had almost orange tanned skin in the light they were in, with deep red freckles scattered amongst his rosy cheeks, and reddish-orange thick hair that fell into his eyes carelessly that he didn't bother to brush away. The boy had to be no more than seventeen; there was no doubt about it. He wore a simple loose maroon sweater that sagged over a pair of dark navy blue jeans and torn up old black sneakers. His eyes were small and narrow, tinted in a beautiful shade of forest green, while above them stood a firm dark brown brow. His face was slender, his ears were small, and she could have sworn a slight clicking of metal against his teeth was a tongue ring.

She was so disappointed at the last thought. Great, a piercing where there shouldn't be. That's a turn off for me, she sighed with the thought.

"I had too many bloody papers that wouldn't go in one stack" he explain, and much to Kiara's delight, pulled a paper clip out of his mouth. "I'm going to need a bigger one of these" he smiled, holding up the paper click and Kiara laughed.

"Quiet alright," she said as he gracefully lifted her up in a polite manner.

She looked passed his shoulder to see Mustang standing there, waiting. He then realized he had wanted to get rid of her all along, and noticing he was standing like an idiot, took off, but not without looking back at least seven times.

"But why exactly are you here?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm sorry, me bad," he apologized. "I originally came here to seek my real father, which is kind of interesting I suppose. I ended up realizing I should have never come, and ended up working as his damn secretary. It's so miserable, it's like he has no respect for me. Excuse me if my Japanese is poor, I only just mastered all the words. I'm trying to learn how to write now. My name's Austin Dunstan. Well, listen to me rant on about nothing" he joked and laughed nervously.

"No, actually, it's pretty interesting. Who's your father Mr. Dunstan?" she asked sweetly, giving him a charming smile.

"You wouldn't know him, he's a in a lot lower class than you. I think that because you were just walking around with Colonel Roy Mustang, one of the top people around here. My dad's just a low rank William Dunstan, second in command to military sight officials," Austin replied. "Oh, and call me Austin, I'm not old enough for all that formal stuff," he added.

He started to follow her. Not in that way, he just started walking in step with her and heading in her direction. They didn't really notice, because Austin had so much to say, and Kiara eagerly listened. Besides, who would want to get rid of him? His British accent was very attracting.

"And what might your name be Miss?" he asked, and Kiara blushed embarrassed.

I was ignorant enough to forget to tell him my name! How foolish, she scolded herself and quickly spoke. "Kiara Nevina, but I go by whatever anyone wants to call me. Except Kiki, but that's another story for a different time," she laughed. "I guess it's only fair to tell you my story. I'm an expelled Alchemist, and the military thinks I've been in wrong doings, so they imprisoned me here with the shortest talking idiot in the world- Edward Elric. And his brother, Alphonse Elric, but Al is much nicer. I've only been here two days, but I'm sentenced to three weeks or possibly longer if Mustang orders it. I have two have freaking guardians; I can't even leave this place if I wanted to without them having to follow. So that's me, pretty interesting I suppose" she added the line he had spoken, and they exchanged smiles.

"You mean THE Edward Elric? The Full Metal Alchemist!" Austin chirped up excitedly.

"Yeah, the one with a huge reputation around here," Kiara sighed. "I had slightly heard of him when I was an alchemist, but he was out, and so was I. The stories everyone would rumor about never reached me until like, a week ago. I was surprised myself I'd never heard of him," Kiara admitted.

"But he's nothing like what they say. He's really short. Like, barely taller than me and that is with his platform shoes thank-you very much! But what's shorter is his temper. He's nice looking though, but lets not go to that 'handsome man' thing. Just like a really cute kid. And yep, that's the idiot Edward Elric, who could never say anything polite in his life if he wanted to" Kiara summed up.

"Oh, so you hate him" Austin stated blankly. "I never get to see him, he's always out, alwaysNo one talks about where him and his brother go either. I heard rumors he had come back and was staying for a good while, but I've been so frantic lately I haven't had time to even take a break," said Austin, saying a lot as usual.

"Yeah, I hate that moron. I'm thinking, as I already have the title of an alchemist, I should be given a little credit around here. I mean sure, I wasn't eleven like Ed was, but I did earn my license at age seventeen!" Kiara fumed, clutching her fists together.

"So you're an alchemist!" Austin quickly changed the subject. "Alchemy has always intrigued me, but I dare not try it, in fear of losing something too valuable. Equivalent Exchange, you know? And I was too lazy to find a book and learn simple transmutation circles. Oh well for me," he chuckled, and they soon reached the lobby.

"So where are you going Kiara-chan?" he asked politely. "I thought you weren't allowed to go into public without the famous Elric brothers."

"I'm not, but-" she smirked, knowing exactly what she was going to say. "We could go outside, and I could teach you some alchemy. You know, you said you wanted to learn…" Kiara left her sentence unfinished, sending him her flirtatious smile.

"I'm sure you've got more important things to tend to, I shouldn't waste your time…" said Austin, but she could hear the disappointment wavering in his voice as he spoke.

"Not really. Well, there are some things, but I'd much rather be here," she smiled as he turned a bit red, which was hard to tell with his complexion anyway.

"I er- well…" he stuttered, scratching his head.

It wasn't long until Kiara was showing simple transmutation circles on the ground on a beautiful spring day, laughing with Austin as they took his papers and transformed them into little origami figures…

"Kiara!" a hand waved in front of her face, as she snapped out of the memory.

"Er- sorry Havoc. Just thinking" she supplied her answer quickly.

"So, who actually snagged you?" he asked.

"I was not 'snagged' for your information! I've just taking a liking to someone! We aren't snogging or anything!" she yelled irritably.

"What the hell is snogging?" Havoc asked in a loud shout.

"It isn't a made-up word you know! Just a British term…" she trailed off.

"Oh, so it's that one kid around here! The only kid besides the Elric brothers your age! Uh, what's his name?" Havoc fell into thought. "Oh yeah, Austin!"

Kiara blushed profoundly. "I have to er- go" she replied quickly, going even redder as she rushed off quickly.

"OH YOU HAVE A THING FOR HIM!" Havoc shouted obnoxiously after her, and she cursed under her breath.

"I'm an alchemist! Wait…that isn't reason…" Kiara realized. "But just because I made a male friend everyone has to jump to conclusions!" she fumed.

"'Ello Kiara!" Austin's great British accent sounded out as she slowed down to a halt. "Who you running away from?" he raised his eyebrows, watching her huff a bit.

"No one. Just thought I should run for exercise," she lied quickly.

"You sure don't need it" he replied slightly quiet, with a small smile.

She huffed with a smile and stood all the way up again. "Well, you ready? Today we're going to learn a bit more complex formula. But first, revise over from what I told you yesterday" she felt like a teacher, but she didn't mind being in control.

"Alright" he agreed with a quick firm nod. "Transmutation is basically the conversion of one object into another. It is most commonly used in reference to extremely basic objects, for example turning lead to gold, or gold to pure energy, it can also be referred to more complex objects as well. As in transmogrification," he recited steadily.

"Whoa," Kiara blinked once and snapped out of the alluring passage. "You managed to remember exactly what I read out of my book," she held up her copy of Transmutation For Beginners.

"You read it over so many times for me to understand, how could I forget?" he asked breathlessly, chuckling with Kiara.

"Well…great job. Once you learn this, we can easily move onto the laws of it," she sat down, and he repeated the action.

She opened up her book and flipped to the page they had left off on.

"The basic idea of a transmutation circle is the power of the circle. A circle represents the circulation of power," she read in a dull tone, feeling very bored as she recited what she already knew too well. "By drawing a constructive equation on it, the power is able to manifest by itself. By knowing the flow of the power and its laws, you can cope with many things. One who accepts all of that, understands it, and creates…that is what an alchemist does," she finished the passage and breathed in deeply.

"So by the time we're finished you should be able to transmute 30 lbs. of matter at one time.
You can only transmute matter into a different form of the same chemical make up though. For example, a rock can be transmuted into a sword, but must be made of rock and can't be changed into steel. So let's start shall we?" she asked. "Take a look at this formula, it's got the lettering equation of…" and so Austin loomed over her shoulder, paying very much attention.

The lesson continued, but not with as much progress as Kiara hoped. He couldn't draw anything exact, so things like paper being transmuted into a simple rock kept turning out as just a crumpled piece of paper, or the paper lighting on fire. She had tried not to hint that he had forgotten the fourth number to the second power, it was quite unnoticeable. Finally after looking at the side, he realized it, changed it, and then the piece of paper…lit on fire- again.

"Ugh!" he cried frustrated, burying his face in his hands.

"No, that's okay! We're moving at an alarming rate! You have to write down equations instead of just shapes, that's huge process! Really, really it is!" she tried cheering him up. "And, we've only been at it for six days! Speaking of six days…" she trailed off into thought about the Elric brothers.

Where were they? What were they doing? Were they avoiding her? When were they to see Liana? These questions swam through her mind day and night; but she would never go to their room. There was such an easy solution to the curiosity, and she was allowed to do it! Why wouldn't she go up there? Well, she had planned to yesterday, but she had run into Austin.

"Hey Kiara?" Austin asked suddenly, pulling her out of her gaze.

"Huh?" she replied weakly, trying to focus her attention back on him.

"Well, just asking, if maybe you'd like-" but before he could finish someone called out so loudly, Kiara winced.

"Nevina we're leaving in an hour, get moving!" she spun around to see Ed and Al standing a few yards off.

"Oh, they're getting a piece of my mind" Kiara muttered, and Austin laughed as she stood up and rolled back her sleeves.

Now she had realized why she wouldn't visit them. She wanted to yell and shout at them for not talking to her! Not telling her when anything was going to happen! Her eyes were fixed in a death glare she couldn't get rid of, her walk was straight and fast, and her determination was swelling at that point. And she let them have it.

"You stupid raging idiots!" she yelled, pounding her fist as hard as she could into Ed's skull. "You just decide that you'll let Kiara wander alone for a week straight? And just hope she doesn't take off?" she then kicked Al in the knees. Yeah, she knew it didn't hurt him, but she was too lazy to bend over a punch Ed again, so she kicked what was closest in contact with her foot.

"Owe…everything's ringing and vibratingggggg" Al rung out, as he shook vigorously.

"And hey, while were at it, lets not wait a few days to get moving, lets take our sweet ass time!" she had seen Ed from the corner of her eye clapping his hands together.

She didn't even take the time to notice that he didn't need a circle, she just shoved her foot in the middle of it. It made a blue spark, which stung a bit, and Ed looked at her.

"I-I-I wasn't going to hurt you I swear!" he whimpered, standing up and backing away. "I was only going to hold you down so you couldn't hurt-" but once again her fist encountered his face.

"Kiara-chan, please, we our deeply sorry!" Al called out, grabbing a hold of her arm. "We've been dead busy studying, we haven't left our room in days, we lost track of time!" he apologized, as she tried to kick her way out of his huge hard grasp.

"That's no right to forget the human being who's been sitting in her room! You can't just put me on a bookshelf and hope I stay there! You're watching over a living organism, not a plant you forgot to water yesterday," as she ranted, she started to calm down. Her brain wasn't flashing with danger, her muscles had begun to relax, her shoulders began to sag, and her breathing started to steady. "Just because you don't have to feed me or clothe me doesn't mean you just leave me! No matter how much I get on your nerves!" Kiara just acknowledged, from the corner of her eye, Austin had since long joined behind her, staring in awe at Ed and Al.

"Who's who?" he quickly whispered in her ear, once Al had finally agreed to let her go.

"The blonde one is Edward, the other is Alphonse" she spoke hastily, then averted her attention back unto them.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?" she huffed, placing her hands on her hips.

"You hit harder than Winry for Christ's sake!" Ed stifled a cry, furiously trying to cover the part where his head was bleeding and the bruise on her lower left cheek at the same time.

"We mean!" Al intervened, sending Ed a glance. "That's we're dreadfully sorry. We never meant to hurt your feelings, or make you feel abandoned. We'll never do it again, we don't know how the make it up to you," he apologized repeatedly, trying to hold Ed upright as he staggered greatly.

"You don't hurt my feelings! I just-" she faltered for a moment, thinking of the right words. "I was just disappointed you had forgotten your job" she said, and dropped her one finger that she had been holding up.

"Hmph, whatever. Edward and Alphonse Elric, meet Austin Dunstan. Austin Dunstan, meet the idiots," she finally introduced them negatively.

"I've heard a lot about you two" Austin said respectively, shaking Ed's hand.

"I doubt they were positive" Ed murmured, hastily shaking his hand.

"While you were gone with no reason I found him. I'm teaching him alchemy," said Kiara crossly, as she folded her arms.

"Really? How well does she teach?" Ed asked him.

"Very good. It's only been five days and I'm learning formulas on a transmutation circle" Austin boasted, making Kiara feel good.

"Don't you think that's a little too fast Kiara?" Al asked worriedly.

"Absolutely not. If Austin can learn Japanese in six months, he can most certainly learn the laws of Equivalent Exchange," Kiara spoke nobly, standing up for him.

"Well…whatever suits you" Al shrugged.

"Austin's from England, aren't you?" Kiara asked him flatly, with a sharp tone to her voice.

"Er- yeah. Me dad's British with the best Japanese accent known to man, and me mum's Scottish, but has only lived in Scotland for three years," Austin explained, sounding as though he had just been put in the spot like; which no doubt he had.

"Oh, I wondered about that. So yeah, you're a fast learner" Ed replied, but it was very bitter.

"Yes, his father is William Dunstan, do you know him?" she asked Ed, but not sounding like she cared.

"No, actually I don't" Ed replied, having an unreadable expression on his face.

"Er- he's a lower rank. A MUCH lower rank from you" Austin said as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"So now that my time is wasting away, I'll have to run up to my room" Kiara huffed. "Well, you guys chat or something, I'll be back in this exact spot in exactly forty-five minutes" said Kiara, running off.

"So, um- you're the Full Metal Alchemist?" Austin asked awkwardly.

"Yeah," Ed replied loosely.

"Umm…and do you- know Kiara from the past?" he randomly asked, trying to start a conversation.

"No, we've just recently met her" Al answered after Ed would not.

"Oh, then, you aren't…close or anything are you?" he asked uncomfortable.

"Barely. But if you're trying to see if we can protect her, we will, with all our life…" Ed replied coolly, making sure not to look him in the eye.

"No I wasn't asking that! I was just sort of wondering if she had anyone 'close' to her, if you know what I mean" Austin went really red, wishing he hadn't said that.

"Oh, you meant that" Al asked blankly, as Ed realized it also and his face became surprised.

Ed quickly lost the surprised expression and it turned hard and cold. He look Austin with a dark look. "I don't want to chat" Ed hissed at him quickly, and turned around and began following Kiara for some odd reason.

"Brother…?" Al called weakly after him. "Brother come back!" he tried to call, but Ed was to far off into the distance. "He's really nice, he is!" Al told Austin, shrugging his shoulders.

"OH! John, Jacob, JingleHeimer Schmidt, his name is my too! Whenever we go out, the people always, "There's a John, Jacob, JingleHeimer Schmidt!" La da da da da da da! John, Jacob, JingleHeimer Schmidt…" Kiara belted out nicely, listening to the sound of her voice as she started to gather some stuff in a small bag. "La da da da da da da!" she finished her little song then ended.

"Fernando Yuki, I shall count the days that we are separated!" Kiara cried dramatically, reaching out her hand in distress, then letting out a loud, heavy, long "ha…"

"Fernando?" somebody asked.

"Now that time the door was shut!" Kiara snapped angrily. "I could've been getting dress you idiot!" she yelled, throwing a pillow at Ed.

"Hey, I just came to help!" he held out his hands in defense.

"You should do more than reason, especially when you can't lie worth crap," Kiara replied bitterly, putting her hands on her hips. "You don't like Austin, I could see it on your face. What's wrong with him?" Kiara cut straight to the point.

"You barely know him!" Ed blurted out, not making any sense.

"Neither do you!" Kiara shot back.

"But, you actually know that my intentions are good!"

"If good has been what you've been calling them, you certainly have low standards," Kiara scoffed.

"I'm just saying…" Ed took a deep breath. "How easy is it to find a seventeen year old kid who works for the military? You yourself most likely don't even know his supposedly 'father.' Hell, I don't even know his father! All I have to say is be a bit careful, I don't trust him."

"Well I do! He hasn't tried to do anything except alchemy, and I was the one who wanted to spend more time with him, not the other way around! As for you not knowing his father, that shouldn't be a surprise. From what I hear you're barely around to even know who runs this damn place! And when, out of nowhere, do you suddenly care about my well-being?" she yelled frustrated, throwing all her things in forcefully as she spoke.

"Because you're my job! I at least have to keep you alive!"

Kiara rolled her eyes so far her sockets started to sting. "Oh yeah, let me tell you, Austin plans to chop me into pieces!" she said in a heavy sarcastic tone.

"Just don't get too close," Ed warned.

"I can't believe I should even fight with you about my life. You have to opinion to state in it, so keep your mouth shut! As for all this Austin business, whether you like me or not, you just sound jealous!"

"Of what? A person who can't even speak our language properly! Who can barely change a piece of paper into a rock? A guy who's a lower social class than you?" Ed ranted.

"Jealous because I actually have proven to you not everyone hates me! Some people enjoy my company, unlike the time I'm spending with you right now!" she yelled, threw her stuff behind her back, and stomped off before Ed could even walk out the door.

"Wow, that was quick" Austin said relieved as Kiara hurried up next to him.

"Where is Edward?" Al asked worriedly.

"Why should I care!" Kiara snapped. "Besides, I though he was behind me. Not my fault if that egotistic son of a bitch comes anyway, we can leave without that- that- undeniable, self-centered, insufferable-" Kiara clenched her fists together and ground her teeth hardly.

"Let's be gentle, shall we?" Austin asked carefully, grabbing her hands in caution.

She calmed down a bit, and sat back down on the ground. "Well, we aren't going anywhere, so let's keep learning…" she patted her hand on the ground, signaling for Austin to sit down.

"Do you have the book?" he asked, sitting down as Al watched them.

"Does it look like I need it?" she asked with her eyebrows raised.

"No…" he murmured.

"Ok then, start writing," she said, and Austin pulled out the chalk they had been using earlier. "Explain while you write!" she commanded, and Austin nodded quickly.

"Not only is chalk easier to write with on just about any surface, it makes the chemical reaction spark better," he supplied, finishing a very round and perfect circle. "In order to obtain something, something of equal value must be lost. This is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange, and although it seems simple it isn't. It must be constantly reminded, and set to the right scientific terms. And to learn from such a skilled sensei is more than this one could ask for" he added, smiling at Kiara.

Her cheeks tinged a bit red. "Do a simple one, and show it to Alphonse," she spoke, then stood up.

She watched him finish the basis of the triangular star intertwining with the two ringed middle as she dusted her pants off. "Austin, put your hands together and let's see what we got. Or grab something if you aren't going to transmute stone" she ordered.

Austin actually stood up, and ran off a bit to go find some things. He came back a few seconds later with twigs, leaves, and much to Kiara's dislike, a few bugs.

"You had to bring bugs?" she demanded disgusted, staring at a worm.

"Well, this little guy was falling off the branch, I had to save him! And then I almost squished this one, and this guy-"

"Just put those things down and show me what you've learned!" Kiara snapped impatiently as he threw the insects on the ground hastily. Then he placed the items on the circle, placed his hands together, and pressed lightly on the ground.

It glowed for a few seconds, then brightened and Kiara could no longer see what was in front of her. But as quickly as it came, it quickly faded, and she then saw a very eager Austin holding a wooden carved doll, with a bit of elegance to it. It was simple though, and it wasn't satisfying.

"Ehehe, it's progress…" Austin shrugged, holding it limply.

"Erg, you aren't trying you're best, I know you aren't!" Kiara barked.

"You put on too much stress!" he whined, handing her the doll.

"You can make better things! He can make better things," she added quickly to Al, who had been suddenly put on the spot.

"No, it's-it's- it's very neatly carved, really it is" Al lied, as he accidentally broke off it's fragile arm while taking it from her grasp.

"You better not slack off while I'm gone," she warned him. "Even if this is just a hobby for you, your teacher is going to make it a very skilled hobby," she instructed, fixing the shoulder strap more tightly.

"You're leaving?"

"No freaking dip moron" Kiara replied angrily. "Where have you been for the past like, hour?" she asked, adverting her attention away from her back and back to his eyes.

"I er- well…when will you be back?" he inquired, completely ignoring her rudeness.

"Not sure. In a few days I suspect. Whether or not I come back with these two is another story," she added, being totally serious.

"Be careful…umm, then," he stated, and out of no where hugged her.

"FINALLY!" she shouted, but Austin couldn't back away in surprise as she hugged him tightly back. "Somebody gave me a hug!" she cried gleefully, skipping around. "Make love, not war!" she shouted insanely, running around.

"Uh, Kiara, don't go to far!" Al advised her, but she just ignored him and kept going around in circles while she skipped.

"Waffles, waffles, waffles, waffles, moo, moo, moo!" she yelled happily, and started to spin around in circles.

"Did she just say…-?" Austin faltered.

"Yeah, she just did. What, you've never seen her like this?" Al questioned surprised.

"Never," he replied.

"Hmmm, I guess it's just us then" Al shrugged. "Did you know on our way here she stuck her head out of the taxi cab and waved to random people, hoping they would wave back?" Al asked, and Austin looked disturbed.

"Well, that's a side I've never seen," he stated blankly.

"I think even though everything and everyone around her tries to crack her into line is why she's so open minded and free" Al explained. "She'd rather be serious when she wants to be, and happy as much as she can. Do you know anything of her past?" Al started to catechize him, hoping to get any information about this strange girl as he could.

"Now that you mention it, I've brought it up several times, telling her about me dad and me mum. But every time I ask her she won't tell me anything. The only thing she'd say is she would always remember how her mother would take her to a big blossoming cherry tree in the spring. It always entranced her. But then something weird happened" Austin explained.

"What was it?" Al asked, paying close attention.

"After that she said that, the tree always made her cry. I don't even know where it came from. It was quiet after that, and I heard her cry silently, but we didn't say anything," Austin recalled. "I-I-I kept trying to comfort her, but-but well, I froze on the spot," he admitted shamefully.

"Wait...Kiara, cried?" Al questioned incredulously.

"Sort of, she was holding them back," Austin replied, watching her twirl around and around, getting further and further away from them.

"I never thought she'd give into something like that," Al told him, sounding surprised.

"I know Kiara enough to know she's got frantic emotions, but crying? Nah, that ain't Kiara at all. She'd rather stab herself than cry, especially in front of something. She's a warrior, that one is," Austin replied, shaking his head.

"Why do you say that?" asked Al, as he saw from the corner of his eye a glint of a blonde-haired person.

"Well whatever it was must've been horrible, eh mate? Enough to make Kiara fall apart pretty fast. Although you don't want to upset her you're curiosity strikes even higher. Be careful what you ask her mate," Austin gave him a weak clap on the back.

"What in Sam's hell is she doing?" was the first thing to protrude from Ed's mouth as he reached both of them.

"What does it look like? Dancing but of course!" Austin answered proudly, and began to walk off.

Kiara had long since noticed Ed in the distance, but she continued anyway. That was until she started to see Austin walk off. "You're not getting away that easily!" she yelled, as he tried to silently walk past her. "I want a hug mister! From now on too, because I know you'll give them to me!" she snickered as he gave in a loosely wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled back.

"That's going to get tedious," he sighed.

"Well then maybe we should do the funky chicken, grab each other's pinkies and shout 'Hu, ha!' and then beat are chests!" Kiara piped up, as she then did this.

He laughed at her hilarious reaction. "You go ahead and do that, I'll make sure I'm already far, far away from you…"

"Well, I'll see you around Austin," she tipped off her hat to him, (although she wasn't wearing one) and started to walk over to Ed and Al.