Epilogue: Kittens don't have owners, they have staff!

The officers had returned to their normal duties once back in good old Central City the next day. This of course included the usual debriefing with Fullmetal which required mocking at his expense. This single element was key in providing some entertainment in Roy's mundane office life. But today he was in no mood for such pleasantries. His youngest subordinates had endangered themselves as well as each other. Therefore they had been enduring a heavy lecture on the consequences of impersonating a soldier.

"Again I ask what were you thinking? Did you think that by combining forces with each other you could reach that man's eyelevel?" Roy questioned pleased that he could at least work some of his usual routine in. He could tell they were all finally in understanding so he thought he would lighten up a tad.

"Who the hell are you calling so short they could drown in a rain drop!" Ed screamed and raved flailing his arms around in madness. Alphonse made good timing in jumping to the Colonel's rescue to secure his brother tightly in his arms. However there was nothing Al could do about Edward's blatant potty mouth, which had started spewing a few very colorful adjectives.

"Sorry sir," Al apologized before opening the door for Aakarashan. They would be getting now where now with the state Ed was in, so he assumed it would be safe to excuse themselves.

"Just be sure not to do something so foolish in the future. Remember to return those reports in before tomorrow so I can hand them over to the officials."

"Yes sir!" Al and Aakara answered as Ed calmed down. The exited the office in a hasty retreat. They emerged from the stuffy HQ building feeling instantly better as they basked in the warm rays of the sun. The color had finally returned to Aakara 's face. She wasn't used to such behavior as she had seen from Edward. Nor had she expected to receive such a lesson in French. She was amazed at the sheer strength and fury that emanated from someone who was no taller then she. The Fullmetal Alchemist really was a legend.

"Thank goodness that's over," Aakara rejoiced stretching her arms in the air to feel the full effects of the sun.

"Yeah, whatever. There's a café not too far from here. Let's get some lunch, I'm staaaarving," Ed confessed practically drooling in spite of himself. His stomach growled echoing his request.

"Do you ever stop thinking with your stomach Brother?" Al teased until Aakara's stomach also protested making them laugh even harder.

"I guess I'm low on fuel too," she said, slightly embarrassed.

Amidst their laughter the soft mewing of a kitten could be heard causing Ed to turn to Al abruptly before he even had the chance to hide it. There was no mistaking the fact that Al was minus one stomach. Even if he had had one, it certainly wouldn't meow.

"Alphonse…" he growled wondering why these things always seemed to happen to him.

"I'm sorry, I really am. But Angel was cold and lonely-"

Ed smacked his forehead with his gloved flesh hand. "You've named it already! You know that only makes it worse!"

"Actually, it was my idea," Aakara said, attempting to take the blame off her newfound friend. Al looked grateful, but Ed was furious. 'Great. He's gonna transmute me into a fish and feed it to Angel,' she thought hiding behind Alphonse with a protective arm around the kitty.

Then he smiled. Somehow that was even creepier.

"Great! You name it, you own it," he stated point blank and turned to head towards their destination.

Alphonse was overjoyed. That was one less stray he would have to return to the cold dark streets. "Would you? Thank you so much!" the boy proclaimed depositing the small ball of fur in her hands. He had never expected to find Angel a home, let alone with someone he already trusted.

"But, but…." She stammered. 'What just happened?'

"Last one to the café buys lunch!" Ed yelled in the distance as he moved through the streets in warp speed.

"Brother, wait for me!" Al called frantically not wanting to be left behind. Metallic footsteps picked up pace and left her in the dust. The boy practically pranced after his brother in his happy state.

Now it all registered in her mind. Using Alphonse to abandon the small life form on her was low, and Aakara wasn't about to let Edward get away with that. Even if he was one of the world's most renowned state alchemists.

"Alphonse! Edward! You cheaters! Come back here!" she shouted not giving a darn about the strange looks they received as they ran past. The kitten perched atop her head mewing happily at its new owner. Aakara laughed blissfully passing shops and townhouses.

Ever since she had heard of the famous Fullmetal Alchemist, all she had ever wanted to do was meet him. Now that she had gotten the chance to be him, she wasn't sure that such a wild and powerful boy was her cup of tea. The fact that he always seemed to be swindling her didn't help his case either.

But as she ran through the streets of Central, Aakarashan couldn't help but notice the kind and caring boy sprinting in front of her. A knight who's armor wasn't nearly large enough to contain his enormous heart. The one who had inspired her to give the name Angel.

Fin

A/N: This is the first time I've finished a multi-chapter story. I feel so relieved and a little empty at the same time. I'm coining the phrase post author stress syndrome. Thank you all for sticking with me through this wonderful experience, you've all helped me a great deal. This ending came way too fast, but there will be more fics from me in the future, I'm sure of it. I'm including a section on my homepage for announcements and updates, so stop by if your curious. Happy reading and writing everyone. Peace out!