Chapter Eight

Author's Note: I am sorry for the long delay. I ran into a couple of homunculi disguised as exams and projects so we fought and I came out victorious! Mwahahaa! Anywho, in this chappy Ed meets an old friend. ?

"I will see you all on Monday, dismissed." Colonel Mustang saluted his men as they headed home.

"Enjoy your day off Colonel!" Furey said, walking the opposite direction with Falman and Breda.

Mustang nodded and continued on his way. A hollow clang of metal against concrete followed as Al accompanied him.

"Um, Colonel, I have been thinking. The Chimera my brother fought said that he was "reborn" underground. Where is there an underground system big enough to hold people and animals?" Alphonse asked looking down at Mustang.

"There are large tunnels that run down from the commercial and military districts. All conduits drain into these two channels and flow into a vast system of pipes and cesspools, this lies under the Central Park." Roy told the boy as his house came into view.

"Can we search there for the culprit? It seems like the most logic place to do so?" Al asked, feeling anxious.

Mustang stopped outside the door and turned to face the two ruby red eyes gazing at him. He placed a hand on Al's steel shoulder. "I am doing as much as I can to help your brother, but you've got to…" As a scarlet sun began to rise, the rays reflected off of Al's eyes allowing Mustang to get a glimpse of the unyielding bond between these two boys…

Set them a world apart, put up every sort of obstacle and place the opposition against their favor, yet the might of their hearts could conqueror even the fears of our dreams, the unthinkable. This is why Mustang cared, because deep down he knew that these children held the future, not only of the military, but of the hopes of everyone longing for peace.

If only the world could love each other as these two do… Mustang thought and was brought back to the present. "I have requested for an investigation… They will have to bring in a replacement troop to cover our former route, but I am sure it will be granted to me in the next day or so."

"Thank you Colonel." Al replied, he bowed and looked over Mustang's head. "Lieutenant Hawkeye has returned!"

>>>>>>>>

Ed lay stretched out on the couch, he had his shirt off, revealing several healing cuts and bruises. He rolled onto to his stomach, mumbling something about a cheese monkey or other. On some sudden impulse he furiously scratched the back of his unkempt hair with a paw. Flipping over again, a familiar aroma entered Ed's nose. Golden Stargazer Lilies, denim and a very faint trace of… axle grease. Edward's eyes shot open.

"AAAH!" Ed shouted and jumped off the couch, his head nearly hitting the ceiling. There staring at him were four pairs of eyes. Mustang's, Hawkeye's, Al's and Winry's. "Why the Hell are y'all staring at me!" Edward said, straightening himself up and pulling on his coat. "You could've at least told me she was coming today." This statement was

directed toward Mustang, but he didn't acknowledge. There was still a tension between them. The silence in the room was broken by the thud of luggage against the carpet and the hurried stride of feet. Winry embraced Ed in a hug.

"Oh, Ed, I'm so glad you're ok… No one would tell me what happened… and I thought… I-I thought… I- didn't know to think, but at least you're…" She gripped him tighter. Ed could feel her warm tears falling onto his cheek and neck. His face turned a cherry red.

Hawkeye grabbed Mustang's attention with her keen eyes and they walked into the kitchen, leaving Al, who seemed to be at a loss for words, behind…

"The trip went well, but these Chimera attacks are affecting the economy more and more. Even out in Resembool, people are getting edgy towards strangers, military or not." Hawkeye said, wiping away a bang from her weary eyes. "I have made the arrangements for an additional dormitory to be prepared for occupancy."

Mustang nodded. "Thank you Lieutenant, you're dismissed."

Hawkeye turned to leave. "Any news on your request, sir?"

"Not yet."

Mustang walked his subordinate to the door and entered the living room to see Ed, arms folded sitting on the couch and Winry hands on hips.

"Well, how do expect me to fix your automail if I can't measure you!" Winry shouted.

"Guess or something! I don't care! Plus, I don't have any shorts to wear anyway!" Ed replied.

Winry turned to Roy. "Excuse me Mr. Mustang. Do you have any shorts that Ed could borrow. You know, from when you were about twelve."

"WHAT WAS THAT!" Ed roared.

"I'll see what I can find." Roy chuckled and left the room. About two minutes later he came out holding a faded pair of black shorts. "From my first year in the military." Mustang said, pretending to reminisce. "Hey, where's Alphonse?" he asked.

"He said he wanted to get some more air." Winry replied. Mustang tossed the shorts to Fullmetal and he went to change.

The two of them sat in the living, staring at the floor silently. Ten minutes passed by and Ed still hadn't left the bathroom. Mustang got up and hesitantly knocked on the door.

"Fullmetal…?" There was no answer. He knocked again… Nothing. Mustang slowly turned the knob and shuttered at what he saw. Ed stood in front of the mirror, shame and tears filled his eyes again, not as if they had ever left…

The shorts fit very loosely on Ed's small frame. Mustang could see that he tore a hole in the back for his tail. But it was bizarreness of Edward's limbs that continually amazed him. One metal and the other golden fur with black stripes. Before the incident, Ed at least had one normal arm and leg, but now. Now he has to fight twice as hard to become whole again. Edward looked up at the Colonel. Emotional pain filled his face as he pushed pass Mustang.