It had been a week since Rae was revived, and even though she did not speak, the group continued planning the war. They were in the warehouse, all sitting on the cold floor.
Kaori placed a long sheet of paper and a pen in front of Rae. "Can you draw out a map of the school?" Rae nodded.
Mac furrowed his eyebrows. "Kaori, how're we supposed to get backup? The students won't help us!"
"We can't do this alone, I know," she replied.
Rae poked Kaori with her pen. She then pointed to the paper. She was pointing out that she had finished sketching.
"Good." Kaori said, taking the map. She then studied it for a while. "Rae, are these secret passages?"
X's eyes widened. "S---secret passages!"
Rae opened her mouth to reply, but she then slowly closed it shut once more.
Why can't I speak! She thought.
Kai's ear twitched.
Rae just nodded. Afterwards, she pulled a notebook out of her bag and began writing a message.
Al looked over at her and a rush of guilt shot through his body. He knew that she couldn't speak because of his transmutation.
Rae pointed to the notebook noisily, smiling a little. Kaori picked up the notebook and began reading:
"'I have a plan,'" she began, "'hand me the map...'"
X then handed the map to Rae. Kaori continued to read.
"'All we have to do is...'" Kaori trailed off and gasped. "Rae!" She cried out.
Rae smirked and nodded. Continue on...
Kai gasped and turned to Rae. "Did you just speak!"
Everybody else turned to Kai. "Of course not! She's a mute, stupid!" X cried out. Rae furrowed her eyebrows at that comment. X then hit Kai in the back of her head.
"Ouch!" Kai yelled. "But... I heard her! I really did! She said, 'continue on'!"
Rae's eyes widened. Kai... you're psychic!
Kai gasped. "Rae, I'm psychic!"
Al grinned. "That's great!" He said.
Kai cocked her head to the side. "So... I can say everything Rae thinks?"
Not everything! Rae thought, blushing a little.
Kai smirked. "I'll just say those things when you're not around..."
Rae gasped and stuck out her tongue. No beer room for you!
Kai's brow furrowed. "Damn you to hell."
Kaori stood up. "Can I just continue reading on!" She waved the sheet of paper that Rae had written on.
Everyone nodded. Rae smirked over at a scowling Kai.
Kaori continued reading. "'All we have to do is kill the higher-ups, including Roy, and we can run the military the way we want to. It seems right!'" She then sat down and placed the paper in front of her.
"I agree with that plan." Mac stated.
Kai, hand me the paper. Rae ordered.
Kai nodded and obeyed. Rae then took the paper and grabbed her pencil. She continued writing.
A few minutes later, she handed the paper to Kaori. She then grabbed the map of Cedarcrest.
"'See these secret passages? Some lead to a hidden basement, where unfinished Philosopher's Stones are.'" Kaori read, watching Rae point to places on the map. "'If a few of us can sneak down there during class time, we can steal the unfinished stones and the rest of us can refine them.'"
Kaori, for your safety, you're not going to do any of this. Instead, you're staying with me to make more plans. Rae thought.
Kai repeated, and when finished, Kaori nodded.
I want to watch over Rae, but if it helps the plan, I'll help the others... Al thought.
Kai smirked. "I heard that, Al."
The boy blushed a little bit. "I don't care if you tell her, really." He whispered.
Kai nodded. "I'll just tell her once we get back to her house!"
Kaori shook her head. "We can't return back to our homes," she stated. "All of us are wanted by the military now. This is our new hideout. And, since we're wanted, we can't return to school until the plan follows through."
Rae stood up in silent shock. You're kidding me, right!
Kai repeated Rae's thoughts. Kaori shook her head once again. "I'm afraid not, Rae. This is where we're living for a long while."
Well, at least I'll be living with Al! Rae thought happily. Kai, quit giggling.
Kai stopped. "Fine, whatever."
A few moments passed by, leaving the group to think.
I wonder what Kaori is thinking... Kai wondered.
Get out of my mine or else I'll hurt you, Kai. Kaori thought.
The green-haired girl groaned. How did you know?
I just did, okay, Kai? Kaori yelled in her head.
Jae waved to X, Mac, and Ed. She had a bag strapped to her back and was standing in front of one of the secret passages that Rae mapped out.
"Ready guys?" The tanned girl asked. Her small orange kitten mewed softly.
The group walked silently down the stone staircase. The passageway was dark, but they could still see.
Jae led them farther down the staircase. Up ahead, she saw a glowing red light.
"Let's go, I can see it! Come on!" She said, descending faster.
X, Mac, and Ed gasped when they reached the bottom.
Jae looked around. She noticed the room was like Laboratory Five, but it was a bit bigger and had more glass cases full of unfinished stones.
Jae handed Mac and X her bag. "Go get the stones," she groaned, crossing her arms.
Ed stayed behind as the other two gathered everything they could. He rested a hand on Jae's shoulder.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
Jae nodded. "Just... thinking about the war..." She paused and looked down at her shaking hands.
Ed frowned and gently took the girl's hand into his own. "Come on. If it hurts you, you shouldn't be here."
Jae nodded again. "X, Mac, you guys ready?"
The two nodded. Their large sack dragged behind them as they followed Ed and Jae back up the stairs.
Kai started thinking and tapped into Jae's thoughts.
Hey, Jae, you finished yet?
Yup! We're heading back right now!
Kai repeated her words to Al, Kaori, and Rae. The three nodded.
So all we have to do is ambush Roy right in his office. Kai, contact Jae and tell her group to meet us outside Roy's office. Rae ordered.
Kai repeated what Rae's plan to the others in the warehouse. Kaori nodded.
"Good idea," she said, purple eyes glowing.
Rae nodded, smiling.
The group finally met up in the school hallway. They walked just outside Roy's office door.
"Nice of you to come."
...Bradley. Rae thought. She then pulled out a gun from her jacket.
A moment later, a trap door opened under Rae and Al. The others escaped.
Rae fell silently, unable to see anything in the darkness.
She landed hard on the basement floor, then looked around, noting that this was the room full of unfinished Philosopher's stones.
Rae wanted to gasp. She saw Al lying unconscious on the other side of the room. She quickly got up, but a voice interrupted her.
"Stop, Passion. Wrath, hold her down." Pride's voice rang.
Wrath walked out of the shadows, an evil grin plastered on his face. He quickly clapped his hands and touched the floor, erecting an alchemy flamel statue from the cement.
Rae's body was frozen. Pride's gaze was fixed with hers.
He then charged at the girl and pulled out his two blades. Rae tried to evade his attack; but got stabbed in both shoulders, getting pinned to the statue behind her.
She closed her eyes tightly in pain. Kai! Kai! Can you hear me!
No response. Rae wanted to panic, but she kept her composure. She then glanced over at Al's body. He hadn't woken up yet.
Pride gazed into Rae's eyes darkly. "So, tell me, Passion, why were you going to Mustang's office if you were expelled? Nonetheless bringing a dirty Ishbalan with you?"
Rae didn't speak. She only glared at the man in front of her.
"Speak, Passion!" He yelled, pulling out one of his swords to make the girl's body dangle.
Rae closed her eyes tightly, feeling her shoulder ripping from the force of her weight. She opened her mouth, wanting to scream at the top of her lungs.
Pride's eyes flashed. "I said 'speak, Passion'! When I address you, you speak to me!" He then stabbed her in the right side of her body, pulling until the blade was resting in the center of her chest.
Rae began to squirm. KAI! She screamed in her head.
The man then grabbed her dangling wrist and took out the blade from her chest. He slowly cut along her veins.
Rae's eyes widened as she let out an ear-shattering scream.
Al awoke, eyes opening in an instant.
Rae thrashed around. "You won't get a word out of me, Pride!" She screamed as tears flooded down her cheeks.
Al stood up and clapped his hands, then slammed them onto the ground. The cement floor shot out and encased Pride.
Rae watched her blood fall from her wrist and onto the floor. Her vision was blurry, even with her glasses on. Her eyelids felt heavy, so she closed them; just before losing consciousness.
"Rae!" Al cried out. He walked over to her and examined her cuts.
Just then, Wrath dashed out of the shadows and wrapped his arm tightly around the other boy's neck, choking the boy. Al clapped his hands instantly, then touched Wrath's forearm, destroying it.
Wrath screamed and let go of Al, clenching the bloody stump that was once his arm.
Al didn't turn to look at Wrath. "Get out of here," he ordered.
The boy gulped and ran up the nearby staircase.
He just gazed at Rae's body, thankful that she was still alive. Just then, Pride erupted from the concrete shell that Al transmuted.
Back at the warehouse, Jae, Mac, and Ed walked in and saw Kaori looking through what seemed like millions of files and books.
"Where did you get all this?" Ed asked.
"I found it, I also found files on about..." Kaori paused, sighing. "My father, and how he made my mother and I Philosopher's stones; but, some pages are missing."
"That's great! I... think so..." Mac said, trailing off.
"I need these papers that are missing, but I just can't get them..." Kaori said, sighing once more.
"Why?" Jae asked.
"They are kept in many different places... Three to be exact." Kaori replied.
"And they are..?" Ed asked.
"Central Headquarters, Central Library, and in the basement of Cedarcrest."
"What're the problems? Why don't you just get them?" Mac asked.
"The library's all ash, Sloth and or Envy might be at Headquarters, and Pride's at the school."
"So what?" Jae asked. "I understand the whole library deal, but what's wrong with Pride? You guys have fought him before..."
Kaori sighed. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," the girl replied, red eyes darkening.
"Some things are better left unsaid."
"Why won't you tell us? We're your friends!"
"I don't want to tell you guys, and I don't have to."
Even though it was late, Kaori stayed up studying the files, books, and everything else Jae, Mac, and Ed brought from the school.
They would never understand what I've been through... Kaori thought.
"Hey," a soft voice said, "aren't you going to sleep?"
"No, Mac." Kaori said monotonly.
"You know that Jae was just trying to help, right?"
"Yeah, but I don't need any help, not now."
"Just remember, we're here for you, you're a close friend to all of us..."
"Just go back to sleep."
"Fine."
Mac walked off. Kaori sighed, watching him.
Why do they even bother to try and help me when I don't need it? ...I'm gonna find my father's notes and turn myself back to normal... She thought.
Kaori left the warehouse when the others went to sleep. She headed over to Central Headquarters, hoping to retrieve the files. After she got in, she wandered around trying to find the wanted items.
"It isn't very smart to be here by yourself, Mustang." Envy's voice rang as he walked out of the shadows.
"Why do you care?" Kaori asked.
"We can't let our only chance to become human die before we get what we want."
"Why me?"
"You're the only one capable."
"So? What about Rae, Al, or Ed?"
"They're too weak. You're the strongest in your little group."
"I'm never going to do your dirty work!"
Sloth walked out of the shadows. "Don't be too sure about that." She then morphed into water and surrounded Kaori's feet.
"I'll never do anything for you!" The girl cried out.
"Remember how dear old dad punished you for using alchemy?" Sloth asked.
"How do you of all people know that?" Kaori asked.
"I was there with you," Envy said, "remember your father's assistant? That was me dressed as another person."
"You remember the lake and chains, Kaori?" Sloth asked.
"What do you want from me!" She cried out.
"Just make us the stone, girl!" Envy demanded.
"I don't want to! I don't have to!" Kaori shouted.
"You've been studying the stone, right?" Sloth asked.
"Why do you care?" The girl asked in reply.
"I'll ask once more," Envy began, "will you make us the stone?"
"Let me think about that... NO!" Kaori yelled.
"Then drown!" Sloth said, wrapping herself around Kaori's entire body.
The girl squirmed and thrashed around, trying to break free; but failed.
"Don't kill her," Envy said.
"I won't..." Sloth said.
Kaori blacked out just after seeing her life flash before her eyes.
I'm going to die, aren't I...?
Back at the warehouse, Mac woke up and began walking to Kaori's room.
I wonder if she's still awake... It's almost dawn...
"Kaori?" He called out softly. No response.
The boy looked around until a stack of books fell on him.
"What's with all the noise?" Ed asked, rubbing his eyes as he walked into the space.
Mac climbed out of the pile. "What would Rae do if I said I lost Kaori?" He asked, chuckling.
"Hmm... She would--- YOU LOST HER!" Ed yelled.
"Yeah..." Mac mumbled, backing away.
"You idiot!" Ed yelled, punching Mac.
The boys' angers rose, and a fist fight began.
"Nnn... What the hell is going on?" Jae asked sleepily.
The boys both ignored Jae and continued fighting. They got so mad with each other that they actually tried stabbing each other. One with automail, the other with transmuted knives.
"Stop!" Jae cried out, fully awake and understanding the situation. She then grabbed the thickest books in the room and hit the boys upside the head with them.
Al squirmed, trying to get free from Pride's grasp. "Let me go!" He cried out.
Pride tightened his grip on the boy's shoulders, making him yell in pain.
Rae hadn't woken yet.
"Why did you revive her, boy? You're supposed to keep a sinner dead!" Pride yelled.
Al furrowed his eyebrows. "She's not a sinner! Now let me--- AH!" He cried out in pain once more.
Pride had his sword in hand, but the blade had penetrated through the boy's arm. Blood quickly trickled down the limb.
"I'll let you live for now."
The man then pulled out his sword and quickly flipped it. Al was too weak to notice the hilt was aimed right at him.
In a single move, Pride thrusted the handle into Al's stomach, knocking him down.
He walked off, leaving the teens unconscious.
Kaori was placed in a tank filled with water, but it was shallow enough to allow the girl to breathe.
Eventually, Mac found her in this tank.
Kaori was just wading in the water while songs and memories were playing in her mind.
"Kaori..!" He yelled, but kept quiet to not get caught.
"Mac..?" Kaori asked softly.
"Where's Envy or Sloth?"
"I don't---"
"So, you found her?" Sloth asked, walking towards the two.
"What do you want with Kaori?" Mac asked.
"You'll know, it just takes some time..."
"Tell me!" Mac demanded angrily.
"No. But, answer this: why does Kaori always need someone to save her?"
"I don't know, but I help her whenever I can."
"I'll leave now, but first, I'll give Kaori something to think about... What if you never met Rae and Mac, Kaori? They would never be in this situation if they never met you. You caused them pain every time you left; you made Rae cry and even hurt her. It's your entire fault."
It's true... This is all my fault... Kaori thought.
"Kaori... Are you okay..?" Mac asked.
"... Yeah."
"You sure?"
No answer.
"Don't believe Sloth, we're with you because we chose to be, not because you dragged us into it..." He said softly.
The group met back at the warehouse, Rae and Al included.
Kaori studied most of the time, thinking that ignoring her hunger and lack of energy was best. Ed didn't understand most of Kaori's blunt, one-word answers and was starting to think the girl had gone crazy. Kai wouldn't dare read Kaori's mind again. She saw Kaori's past and was scared out of her mind for about a week. Mac tried to cheer Kaori up, but failed every time. Anyone who looked into Kaori's eyes saw a girl whose heart had been ripped straight out of her.
"Kaori isn't hurt; there are no bruises, cuts, or anything! What's wrong with her?" Ed asked one day.
"She was tortured." Mac stated.
"But, like I said, she isn't hurt at all!" Ed replied.
"It was mental torture." Mac said simply.
"So?" The blonde asked.
"In Kaori's mind, mental torture has a greater effect," The brunette began, "because she has too many regrets from her past; fears she never said anything about."
Ed sent him a blank stare.
"In other words, she's now shy, quiet, and closed-off to others." Rae said, adjusting her glasses.
"Oh." Ed sighed, looking down.
"Mac... how was she tortured?" Rae asked.
"I really don't know all the details, but when I found her she was in a tank of water. She looked as if she was struggling to breathe... Then Sloth said something to her, about us... I couldn't hear it, but it had a huge impact on the poor girl..." He explained.
"Water! Was it deep?" Rae asked, gasping.
"It was to Kaori..."
Rae cursed.
"Why is that such a problem?" Al asked.
"I can't tell you. Sorry." She said quickly.
"And why not?" Ed asked, brow furrowed.
"Kaori just made me promise, okay?" She replied sharply.
"... Mac?" Ed looked at him, smirking.
"Never." The boy crossed his arms and glared at the other.
"Damn it!" He yelled.
All of a sudden, a noise sounded from Kaori's room.
"What the...?" Ed wondered aloud.
He walked into Kaori's room and saw the girl sharpening swords, knives, and all types of blades, including a long scythe.
"What're you doing, Kaori?" Ed asked, knocking on the side of the entrance.
"Bug." Kaori said, eyeing a fly on the wall. She then threw a blade at the wall. "Give it here."
"The bug!" Ed asked, surprised.
"No, you idiot. Those knives over there."
He looked around and saw two different looking swords. He grabbed and handed them to her. "Who got you these?"
"Made 'em myself."
"Huh? How?"
"Go away."
"Fine."
Kaori looked out a nearby window. "Damn it..."
"What was that..?" Ed asked, head popping back into the entrance.
She ignored him and sharpened some more blades.
Rae and Al were sitting in a corner of the warehouse, bandages and research papers surrounding them.
"By using the circle inside the school building---Al, they're too tight--- the homunculi can turn every single student and teacher into Philosopher's stones..." She read.
X walked over, tails swishing. "There's a mistake in that, Rae."
The couple looked up at her.
"The homunculi can't use alchemy." X said, smirking.
"Wrath can. Envy uses it to change forms." Rae replied.
X didn't have a reply.
"Plus," Rae began, lifting a finger, "some will follow the new Fuhrer's orders, and can be manipulated by him, to just be used for the stone!"
"You beat me, Rae." X stated, walking off with her ears and tails lowered.
The next day, Danielle showed up at the warehouse, being greeted by a glomping Kai.
Rae walked over, not even caring that she was walking around with only bandages covering her torso.
"Hey, Danielle. What's the reason for stopping by?"
"No reason, just got back from an assignment from Mustang. Did you know he's the new Fuhrer?"
"... Tell me about it. Come in." She led Danielle to a corner in the back where she had been researching.
"So, you said Mustang's the Fuhrer?"
"Yup. Got promoted when King Bradley was murdered..."
"I see... So, what was the assignment?"
"Oh! They asked me to start investigating some people."
Rae nodded, signaling for her to continue. But Danielle shook her head.
"Sorry, that's all I can really say..."
Rae frowned a little, but then smiled. "Yeah, I know how those assignments are." She commented, chuckling slightly.
"So, how's life living in this huge ware---whoa, how'd you get so bloody?" Danielle asked, eyes widening.
Rae blinked and looked at her bandages. "Nothing. Al..?" She called out for him. He walked over to her immediately.
"You cuts split open again..." He sighed softly and grabbed some medicine and bandages.
Rae nodded to Danielle, dismissing her. The other girl stood up and walked to Kai and X, who were playing a game of poker.
"Can I join you guys?"
"Next game." The girls said in unison.
That night, Kaori was still studying. Everyone else was sleeping. Kaori looked outside her window and saw a woman with light purple hair. She walked out of the warehouse and up to the woman.
"Who are you?" Kaori asked.
"Kaori-chan? You don't remember me?" The woman asked, looking downcast.
"No... Was I supposed to..?"
She looks familar, though...
"I don't blame you... I'm sorry I left you guys. How is Chiyochan?"
"Who are you? And how do you know my sister's name?"
"I'm your mother, Kaori..."
Kaori kept quiet, letting the words sink in. "Why are you here..?"
"That doesn't matter. Look, General Hakuro is paying your father to find you and your friends. I guess it's to take you to Central Headquarters for questioning..."
"And then?"
"Execution."
"Anything else you know?"
"Danielle is a spy sent by Roy Mustang."
The two then heard noises, so they hid behind the nearby bushes. Danielle and tons of soldiers marched by. They then stopped in front of the warehouse doors.
"Alright men!" Danielle called out. "I have clear knowledge that Kaori and her accomplices are in this building. Now, let's go, go, go!"
Rae had awoken a while before the troops stormed in. She had already alerted the others so they could be ready to fight.
Kai and X teamed up to fight ten soldiers at once. X clapped her hands and touched the floor, creating a black ring of fire around the soldiers. Kai then snapped her fingers, which created a large storm cloud. It then sent out a large thunder that shook the warehouse; and then sent out a lightning bolt. The two then ran to other soldiers and repeated their attacks.
Rae fought with all her strength, not even caring that she was losing blood in the process. She quickly clapped her hands and touched her chest, temporarily stopping the blood. She alternated between doing this and shooting at the soldiers.
Some soldiers explored through the building. They then walked into Kaori's room.
Kaori ran into the warehouse after making sure her mother could get away. "Rae!" She called out. "If they touch or take anything in my room, they could find out about the stone research!"
Rae nodded after throwing a soldier into the cement wall. She ran through all of the rooms, only to find each ransacked.
"What the hell!" She cried out, looking into Kaori's room. "Damn it..."
Research papers were scattered everywhere. Two soldiers were reading through some blueprints.
"Bastards!" She yelled, pulling out two guns and shooting them both in an instant.
I shouldn't tell Kaori now...
X and Kai then cried out, interrupting her thoughts.
"Let go, Danie--!" Kai's voice sounded.
Rae ran over to find Danielle holding onto X and Kai by their bleeding wrists. They were both unconscious.
She immediately charged over to the other girl, only to be kicked in the stomach when she got close. Rae flew back from the force.
She then looked around, wondering why nobody else was helping her. Kaori, Mac, Al, Ed, and Jae all seemed to be gone.
Rae pulled out a gun and pointed it at Danielle. "Drop them! And get out!"
She didn't budge. "Do it, I dare you."
Rae's eyes narrowed as the pulled the trigger. She was then shocked to see Danielle move her arm in front of the lightning-fast bullet and making it ricochet off the limb. Her jacket tore, revealing an automail forearm.
Rae immediately ducked, barely avoiding the speeding bullet. "Why you!" She then charged toward the other girl.
Danielle easily dodged Rae's attacks. She noticed her shirt was becoming drenched in blood, so she decided to make the girl fight until she couldn't any longer...
Which wasn't long.
Rae dropped to the ground, panting and bleeding. "Why... did you do this..?"
Danielle kicked Rae in the ribs, causing the bones to break under the pressure.
She screamed in pain. "Answer me!"
She didn't answer, but picked Rae up and slapped her. Rae grunted and winced, but did not fight back. "A... nswer... me..."
Another slap.
Rae's cuts continued bleeding, but she didn't mind it. The loss of blood was starting to make her dizzy, though.
"Answer me. This is a direct order from a higher ranking soldier."
Danielle's eyes narrowed. "Never. Once you were wanted, you were nothing but a criminal."
She then kneed Rae in her already broken ribs. "Nothing more than that."
Rae was already on the ground after Danielle had spoken. Her vision faded away.
As Danielle walked into a room, she was hit in the shoulder by Kaori.
"Bastard! What did you do with Rae!" She yelled.
With no reply, Danielle started to throw punches and kicks at Kaori with no effort; the other girl dodged them all.
"Come on, you're going to have to do better than that!" Kaori said, smiling cockily.
"Damn" Danielle yelled, still trying to hit the purple-haired teen.
"You shouldn't even try."
A moment later, Rae was thrown into the room. She opened her eyes and groaned. "H-hey guys…"
Danielle took advantage of the moment and grabbed Kaori by the neck and threw the girl at the wall. She quickly clapped her hands and destroyed the concrete before crashing into it. She flew threw the newly-created hole and landed on Mac in the opposite room.
Great… She's unconscious and lying right on me… He thought, groaning.
"What the hell?" Ed asked, cocking his head to the side.
A minute later, Rae's body flew through the hole.
"Ouch…" She groaned.
"Are you okay?" Al asked, kneeling next to her.
Danielle jumped through the hole and almost landed on Rae, but Al quickly lifted her up before Danielle could land on her.
Danielle glared at Al. "Her ribs are already broken. Not to mention a lot of blood has been lost lately. There's no hope for her." She then pulled out a knife and began slashing at the boy.
Kaori woke up the next day in a room that looked very familiar to her. She tried to stand up, but noticed she was tied to a chair. After thirty minutes, Roy and Hughes walked in.
"So, little sister, how have you been?" Roy asked.
"I'm not so little anymore, flame in the ass." Kaori replied, glaring.
"Danielle told me you and your friends are trying to plan something. What is it?"
"So, what hasn't Danielle told you?"
"Just answer the question, and you can leave" Hughes said calmly.
"No." Kaori replied firmly.
"Answer the damn question!" Roy yelled.
Keep calm, Kaori… He'll get pissed eventually and let me leave without letting him know anything…
"I'll never tell you." She said.
"What about Rae?" Hughes asked.
"Who is that?" Kaori asked.
"You know who she is, damn it!" Roy furrowed his brow, face turning red.
"We found papers about the Philosopher's Stone in your room. What are you going to use it for?" Hughes asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kaori stated simply.
"The stone, why do you need such power?" Roy asked.
"I have no clue what you're talking about." Kaori said.
Silence.
"Short." Roy said.
"Flame boy." Kaori replied.
"You're shorter than Ed. Now, that's sad."
"You're less talented than Ed. Now that's sad."
"Alchemic tool."
"Lazy bum."
"Street rat."
"Dog of the military, checkmate. I win."
Roy got pissed.
"What if I made you a deal?" He asked.
"What kind of deal?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You will be able to leave and study the Philosopher's Stone…"
"Go on."
"If you just come back to the military; but Danielle will be watching over you."
Hmm… Kaori thought, if I study the Stone I can help the others, but Danielle… I guess I'll do it, but I have to find a way to tell Rae or Mac.
"I'll do it." Kaori said, smirking.
"Good. You're first task is to…"
Danielle bursted through the doors. "Someone escaped!"
"Who?" Roy asked.
"Mac!"
"Did you try to catch him?"
"How could anyone keep up with that boy!"
"Kaori, go get him."
Danielle untied Kaori, letting the girl free to run off.
"How can you trust her, sir?" Danielle asked.
"She'd do anything for the Stone, Danielle, it'll all work out in the end. No go follow them."
Meanwhile, Mac was still running. Where's Kaori! He thought. He then heard steps behind him, so he stopped, then turned around. "Kaori!"
"Shh… I don't have much time…" She said, putting a finger to her lips.
"What?"
"Just keep running, I'll explain."
The two set off and she quickly explained everything. She finished at great time, because they then saw Danielle up ahead.
"Hurry up!" Kaori whispered to Mac. "And tell Rae and the others everything…"
Mac ran faster, and Kaori tried to keep up with him. He looked back at her confusedly.
"What do you think you're doing, Ka?"
"I need you to make it look like I'm trying to catch you…"
After a few minutes, Mac started to run faster and Kaori slowed down. Eventually, Kaori slowed to a stop and Danielle caught up with her.
"Damn, I need to start running again," Kaori said, panting.
"What is he going to do?" Danielle asked, scowling.
"I don't know, but I think they're planning something that I don't know about…" She lied.
"So what do we do now?" Danielle asked.
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be the one giving the orders?" Kaori asked, hiding a smirk.
"Kaori is working for the military… She betrayed us just like that tall freak, Danielle!" Ed yelled, back in the warehouse.
"I know!" X cried out.
"That's not what happened!" Mac said, frowning.
"What?" Rae asked, being bandaged by Al.
"She's studying the Philosopher's Stone, Roy trusts her again." Mac explained.
Al tightened Rae's bandages, causing the girl to groan; and looked towards Mac. "How does he know that Kaori won't betray him?"
"He doesn't, Kaori is making up false stories about us so Danielle and Roy won't catch on to her plan." Mac said, grinning.
"Well then, what do we do when she's gone?" Kai asked.
"I don't know… All we can really do is wait." Mac said, grin fading.
"But hey, what if Kaori gets hurt?" Jae asked.
"She'll make it through any pain. We know her better than that." Mac smiled again, sure of his response.
"And if she doesn't?" Ed asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, come on, Ed, after what Pride did to her, do you really think she's going to let herself get killed? And she made a promise…" Mac said.
"What!" X stood up in rage. "What kind of promise is greater than her life!"
"She doesn't want to be known as an Alchemic Tool or just Roy's Little Sister. She wants her own name to be known." Mac replied, trying to smile.
"That's just stupid!" Ed yelled.
Rae sighed, still allowing Al to bandage her. "No, Ed, it isn't. when we were younger, Kaori and I would go places and people would point and say, 'hey, that's Mustang's little sister'. Everywhere we went, the same exact thing…" She sighed again, closing her eyes and turning her head, ridding the memory.
There was a loud banging on one of the front doors. Rae furrowed her eyebrows and mouthed to Al, "should I?"
Al shook his head and stood up, then walked to one of the large metal doors and opened it slightly. The heavy door immediately swung open.
"Where's Kaori!" A man called out.
Rae stood up, pulling on her uniform jacket. "Who are you? Who did you bring!"
"I brought nobody… I'm Kaori's father. Now where is she!"