'That bastard... acting like as if nothings happened... How can a heartless man... just use his family like that...?'

Chapter 16 ~ Meeting the Sewing Life Alchemist

-Me-

"No!" I gasp for air as I shot up from under the covers of my bed, sweat dripping from my head for some odd reason. I look around to check if anyone woke up from my sudden episode, but I only saw Ed sprawled on his bed snoring loudly like he usually would and Al in a corner with no lights appearing in where he's eyes should be. 'Thankfully no one saw my sudden episode...' my thoughts sigh in relief. I fall back onto the mattress of my bed as I placed my arm over my sweaty forehead thinking, 'That's the fifth time this week since that time in Liore... If Ed and Al knew they would think I have to go see a psychiatrist for help. But why does that have to appear in my head again?'

I could still remember the nightmare I saw from that repeated dream, and it was not what you except to see in nightmares, something that felt more like a memory than your usual scary ass dreams you just shrug off when you wake up. Ever since the incident with Cornello I've been having the same nightmare every single time I shut my eyes. Honestly, I barely remember what happened, all I can remember is Cornello grabbing my body and that's about it until I found myself on the ground in pain.

**Dream**

"Al! Al Wake up! Ed c'mon wake up! Wake the hell up you guys! This is no time to sleep!" I cried continuously as I shake the two boys repeatedly. The building was collapsing, fire was spreading everywhere in the room, smoke was slowly starting to fill the air... and the scent of blood as well. One part of the ceiling fell a few inches away from where the three of us were, making me panic even more and try to wake the two up. "Ed please wake up! You guys can't just sleep at a time like-" I stop at the sudden bloody hand touching my right cheek, it was Ed's. He was finally awake, but Al continued to lay on the floor without moving an inch in his metal body, scaring me even more. A loud ring enters my ears and doesn't stop no matter how hard I tried to block it from my thoughts. Ed was talking to me weakily, but his words were only mute in my ears no matter how hard I tried to ignore the loud ringing, Ed's words never came out of his mouth until his eyes clouded over and also his mouth came to a stop.

My eyes widen in fear as I felt his body go limp in my arms. I tried to call out his name, but nothing came out of my mouth like I wanted to except that horrible ringing in my ears. "You killed them..." an eerie voice echoes at the moment the ringing stops, finally.

"You did it."
"You killed them."
"Your choices came to this end."
"Your responsible for their deaths."
"They trusted you."
"How could you just let them die?"
"It must've been easy to see so many die after what you've done."

I covered my ears to to try and strain of those horrible accustations from getting into my head to make me a mad person. Just the sight of these two has already has caused me to slightly lose it, like I don't even know what's wrong with Al for starters! "You did it...I know the truth about you Catherine... I've always had known who you really..." the voice was closer this time, but it sounded different from the previous ones. Scared as I already am, I had no choice but to see who exactly this person was if I wanted to punch him/her in the face. The sight of her scared me even more than Ed's sudden death, Jealousy's head was right beside me own, smiling at me with that familiar wild smile of her's no matter how many times I tried to forget it, she always pops up in my head everytime. How could I not? She has the exact same face as mine!

I can't tell anymore ever since I've stopped looking the the mirror. She suddenly reappears right in Ed's place, jumps up forward and starts to reach out for my throat to choke me, but I was too fast for her. I used my alchemy to turn her into an icicle at just the right moment when her hands were about get close enough to my neck. I got off my knees so I would be near the frozen Jealousy. Just when I thought I was safe from a sudden near death experience, something warm drops on my face in a single drop. I didn't want to do it, I really didn't want to, I reached up to touch the thing on my face and when I did I almost screamed my heart out. It's blood. I look up immediately when another droplet fell on my face (Me: Don't read this people! Cat: Why...?). "E-Ed...ward?" I gasp as my legs started to go week. He was... dead... a sword sticking out of his body... my sword...

"No... God please no..." I sob quietly as I tried to back away, but I somehow couldn't. I look down at my hand to see them holding the hilt of ths blade, and when I trace the blade up it was sticking inside of Ed's body.

"No!"

**End of Dream**

"Cat? Are you okay?" I jump at the sudden question. Al was giving me a worried look by the time I finally calmed down enough to straight out to turn my full attention to the younger boy. "You've been talking in your sleep almost the whole time," he tells me as he was about to get up. I reassure him with a fake smile saying, "I'm fine Al. I just had a nightmare that's all." "Brother also has those too sometimes," and that made my smile fade. "He tries to hide it but I can always tell it's about- um..." "You don't have to tell me it you don't want to Alphonse. I know you both don't entirely trust me just yet," I said to the boy to make him feel a little more comfortable. I really don't wanna push them into telling me what happened to them in the past. I would really feel touched to know they would trust me a little more, but I don't want them to regret in the future for ever trusting me with such a secret like that in the beginning.

"We all have our share of scars, just not ready to be revealed yet to the world," I recite out loud, closing my eyes a little as I tilt me head upwards. "Where did you hear that?" Al asks, curious at my own words. I open my eyes so I could look back at him still smiling at him honestly, "I actually don't know... I've always remembered those words since I was a little girl. I think it was my parents that told me that before when I was I child."

"How old were you exactly when you became an orphan?" "I think I was about 5 or 6 when I was left alone... Sorry I really can't remember much of my childhood, I never really liked thinking about it." "How did you come up with your name?"

"A man gave it to me. He's the reason why I even got to live a small bit of a normal life and met Ali-" I stop my self before the name could eve slip out of my mouth. 'I'm sorry Cat! I didn't mean to ask you all these question right after you woke up!" Al apologizes as he flails his arms around, noting my sudden silence. "It's okay Al! I just still can't believe that she died like that... after I thought I would never see her again..." I stare down at my hands, gripping my blanket as I balled the into fists. "She was killed by that chimera, right?" Al asks me, unsure whether or not it was the right thing to say. "Yeah..." I mutter silently while thinking, 'So that's how they saw it, or atleast with Al.

Ed is really hard to read no matter how close I get to him. As long as one of them thinks she died because of the chimera we were after I can atleast relax a little since I know they won't bring up a talking chimera to the topic with Mustang.' "Do you want me to stay up again with you, Al? You need a little company before the sun rises?" I ask out of nowhere in order for us to forget about the earlier conversation. "No it's fine Cat," I watch as the armor boy leans back against the wall behind him, "I'm used to not having anyone to talk to. Besides, you need your sleep for tomorrow morning when we meet the Colonel to report about what happened in Liore." "I guess your right Al... Night! And stop pretending to sleep Ed! Your snoring is starting to sound too loud to be a real snore!" I add as I plopped myself back under the protection of my warm blanket. I hear shuffling beside me accompanied with shouts of disbelief from both brothers, "How did she know!?"

-Normal-

"How's the radio doing?" Falman asks the younger soldier, who's still trying to fix the old radio. "The receiver's still broken... We'll need to replace some parts..." Fuery answers as he continues to mess with the broken machine. There was a loud clap and then a jand was placed ontop of the machine, making it light up for a second until it completely changed. Fuery look at the thing in surprise and looks at who transmuted his now band new looking radio, then see's the familiar trio. "Edward! Alphonse! Catherine!" he exclaims happily at the three smile at everyone in the room. "Welcome back you three," Hawkeye greets. "The colonel's waiting for toy in his office," and when she told them that Ed's face twisted into a disgusted look. "Oh! I have to meet with Brigadier General Raven! I'll see Mustang later! See ya!" Cat informs the two as she prepares to make a dash out of the room.

"Wait-" but it was too late to stop the blonde girl, she had arleady went out the door by the time Ed was about to stop her from leaving. he sighs saying, "Geez... I can't believe I have to face Colonel pain in the ass all by myself..." "She has to finalize her transfer to East HQ brother," Al reminds his brother as he muses to himself at the disappointed look he saw. "How should I know!? It's not she ever told me anything about her stupid transfer! I don't even know why she has to go through the trouble of making her transfer in the first place!" I argued. I hear a sigh from him, "You were too busy arguing with her..." 'Although I do hope she'll be alright talking to that guy,' Ed thought worriedly after remembering Cornello's words to Cat.

"You are a child that was never meant to be born into this world! A sin born from another sin against the nature of the one who watches over this world! You shall perish by my hands under the order of ridding you from this world completely as the Nameless Child!"

-Me-

The arranged meeting with Raven wasn't easy, but it was good that he came all the way from Central just so he could meet up with me about my transfer. "So you see sir I'd like to go under Colonel Mustang's order from now on as to follow the approval of my transfer to Eastern Head Quarters," I say in a serious tone as I tried to keep my mature posture in front if the elderly man. "I see then... it will be such a waste to allow something with so much potential to go to a back side area like this," Raven said to me as he looks down at his paper work with a disappointed expression crossing his face. 'Something? I'm a person you bitch,' I thought angrily as I replied back to his answer, "I have many comrades here in Central that have a higher level of skills in than I, sir. My old partner wants me to join him in his expedition, and I think I should participate if I want to hone my skills as an alchemist. The only way I could do that is if I transfer to that same area he's been assigned to."

"And what may this expedition be?" he asks me with his usual plastic smile. I froze at the sudden topic and in fear as his smile seemed to grow bigger at my sudden hesitation to reply to such a small question. 'If I tell him it's about the philosopher's stone, Raven will never let me go! I have to think of something quick before he questions me even further!' I thought, gritting my teeth as I grip onto my pants nervously. "I cannot tell you that sir," I almost shrank at the sudden eye contact he was giving me, "he told me its classified under the orders Colonel Mustang. I don't have the right to say anything, especially to a higher up."

That was sort of simple, I had no other choice but to drag Mustang in if I wanted to get out of here alive, that bastard always knows how to make a perfect lie that can avert any suspicion away. A small droplet of sweat rolls down the side of my head as I nervously gaze at Raven, who was looking down at my transfer papers as he ponders on my words, searching in his head for an excuse to counter my own. To my delight, he lifts his puts up his pen and starts signing the piece of paper in a fast manner. Raven hands it to me after he finishes saying, "I wish you the best of luck in the East." I tried my best to hide my smirk as I took the paper out of his wrinkly hands. I stand up and salute, "Thank you sir!"

||Heading to Mustang's office||

"That was easier than I thought..." I mutter in relief as I took a few steps towards the door of Mustang's office. While I was walking I began to compile everything in my head that's happened, 'Still I don't get how come Raven actually accepted my transfer like that on a whim... I know I accomplished on the second step of making sure the nothing doesn't change for everyone, but Cornello's actions yesterday was slightly different than how it was suppose to go than how I anticipated it. Jealousy must've done something to him before our confrontation. Right now I have to worry about what's to come next, the Iron Blood Alchemist must be dead by now so I need to make sure things go smoothly until Scar appears. At that point I'm completely useless... Especially if Jealousy is working for Father.'

That fact kept bothering me for a while, if Jealousy is actually with Father than that means a lot of higher ups already know who I really am, they just can't do anything right now since Bradley hasn't given any order related to me yet. The slump my shoulders as a depressing aura surround my head while thinking, 'I said his fucking real name during my examination... Only a desperate moron would do a stupid action like that!' An arrow struck the back of my head saying - I'm the moron.

I knock on the door as soon as I get right in front of it, I called out, "Hey Colonel! Raven has approved of my transfer! He said that as long as I'm following under your troop I can stay under your supervision!" Without waiting for his answer, I pushed the door open. "Ah Catherine you're here," Mustang said in a blunt manner, as if he didn't hear me knocking on the door few seconds ago. I walked towards his desk, ignoring the two's stares, and placed the papers on his desk calmly beside some files he probably took out earlier. "It didn't really take too long to persuade the old fa- I mean... brigadier general for allowing me to transfer," I correct myself before the insult could slip out of my mouth.

I can't exactly let everyone in the room know I hate my previous superior. If they found out, I might end up saying unnecessary things about him that's suppose to be revealed in the near future, or worse having to be confronted by Raven if he found out about this. I plopped myself on top of the Colonel's desk, much to his annoyance, so I could take a better look at them and see what exactly Mustang was discussing with the boys while I was away. Who was I kidding? I already knew who it was the moment I put my papers down, they were the documents that held information on Shou Tucker, also known as the Sewing Life Alchemist, and his research for the military.

Tucker seemed so different in the photo if you compare himself in real life, he kind of seems less insane at that time when he had his picture taken, depressed in my eyes for someone who just killed his own wife. "Oh... Your talking Shou Tucker?" I blurt out, shocking all three at my sudden presence. I sigh as I explained to them, "I met the guy one time by chance a year ago in HQ when I was turning in my research paper to Brigadier General Raven. I saw the man in person by chance, but we didn't really talk." That was actually the truth for once, I saw him in person and Raven introduced me to the man after I turned in my report. I had to ignored every nerve in my body to punch the four eyed man, Raven even made me see... that.

"But why are you showing them this?" I ask in fake curiosity. "He's a biological alchemist who might help you three on getting your bodies back. His research might help," Mustang said. "You're going to go out of your way to do that?" Al asks, shocked of what Mustang was doing for us. Ed jumps off from his, jabs his finger in the man's direction and yells, "I-It's a trap! There's definitely more than meets the eye!" "Don't look at me with those suspicious eyes! We're even after the case in Liore!" Mustang yells back, slamming his hands on his desk as he did. He turns his head to the side with a pissed off kind of smile, "It feels disgusting to know that I owe you." 'You're just embarrassed that a guy like Ed defeated an all powerful preacher and you didn't,' I secretly smirk at the thought.

"Besides I don't think Cat should be involved with this. I mean she did only lose her arm in an accident, right Cat? " Ed questions me as he turns his gaze to me. "O-Of co-course Ed!" I stutter in my agreement as I held my hands up in defense, my smile twitching nervously. A sweat drop formed at the back of my head when Mustang looks at me with a suspicious look. "Mercury didn't tell you? I thought she'd tell you both the truth since you've been contacting each other a lot for the past 3 years," and that made me explode. "Don't blurt unnecessary things like that Colonel! I'm not the only one who's keeping secrets from others! The only reason why you know was because of the situation I was forced into if it wasn't for that stupid incident!" I yell at the top of my lungs. After I finished I slap my hand over my mouth when I realized I had gave out too much for the boys to hear.

||On our was to the Tucker's Residence||

We sat in the sad excuse of a car in silence as we rod our way to the Tucker residence, well I was the silent one during most of the ride since we got inside. I've been trying to get as comfortable as I could, but with a certain Colonel sitting right next to me it's a little hard to hide the fact I wasn't used to this kind vehicle, especially one that is still out dated in my eyes no matter how long I've been stuck in Amestris. 'Still,' I felt my back crack a little as I adjusted myself in my seat once again, 'I'd rather take a stupid train than this piece of crap! If only this wasn't based on the 16th or 17th century and I wasn't a stupid idiot, I would've created the first gas powered car with actually air conditioning installed! The only reason I'm not sweating my ass off is because I'm a water alchemist using my own automail arm and jacket as a conductor to allow cold air to spread inside.' Although, the idea of doing this transmutation was slowly starting to bite me and make me feel like an actual idiot for even thinking of it in the first place.

Underneath my jacket cold air was travelling inside thanks to my arm, but as one last blue spark of alchemy flashed the frost around the automail slowly began to turn into solid ice. I realized this when Mustang brought up the question, "Hey guys, is it just me or is it starting to get cold in here?" "Now that I think about it," I watch Ed from across exhaled a small cloud from his mouth, "it's like as if we're inside a freezer." I immediately placed my real hand on top of the frozen arm and transmuted the cold into heat as fast as I could. When I felt something wet through my glove, I tore my hand away without notice so the two wouldn't notice I was the cause of the sudden change in temperature.

Al looks around in confusion saying, "I think it's just you guys. Cat seems perfectly fine, she hasn't said a thing the entire time." I turn my head to the side silently muttering to myself, "Atleast they don't know it was me..." "Well any I need to tell you three about Shou Tucker before meeting him," I hear Mustang state as he took out the files to read them. I sat there quietly, along with the other two, and waited for the upcoming information. "Tucker became a State Alchemist two years ago after transmuting a chimera that understood human language," Mustang began as he held the documents in his hands, reading some of the details to explain the important parts to the brother about the man we'll soon meet with.

"Understood human language? Wait, you mean it could talk!? The chimera!?" Ed asks in disbelief from the information we were told. "Yeah. Apparently it it did," Mustang's answer made me wince, knowing the last part of his answer would be a reminder of what's going to happen, "Just one sentence... 'I want to die.'" I flinch at the familiar line. 'Why did it have to be like this...?' my thoughts wonder as I leaned closer against the window, watching people and house pass by so I could calm myself down a bit. "Did you happen to know anything about talking Chimera?" Roy asks me. I slightly jump at his sudden question, but I regained my posture and answered, "Actually I saw the thing in person before it died."

(A/N: Remember she's been in Central for 3 years, so of course she got to see the thing.)

"That's amazing! Then it must be true about it being a talking chimera!" Al gasps in delight. "You have to tell us the details Cat! If you saw it, there must've been something particular about the chimera!" Ed exclaims enthusiastically, leaning a bit forward closer to me. I didn't exactly know how to react to see their enthusiasm- I mean I don't blame them, hearing about something that's suppose to be impossible in alchemy practices, it's just that I don't have the right to tell them yet about the truth of how Tucker created a talking chimera. "Guys it's not something I like talking about," I pointed out while finishing in the back of my head, 'especially since it's about a chimera in the topic.'

I didn't want to say anything or it might bring up the topic where I kept the true reason why I wanted the stone from Ed and Al right when we finally revealed to one another each others past. Well kinda. I watch Al lean down and whisper into his older brother's ear, "Brother... remember that's another sensitive topic with Cat... You have to be careful when asking stuff out loud when she's around...!" Ed just sat there with his arms crossed, sinking in on the words like as if it was something vital related to me. I sweat drop at this as I butt in on their little conversation, "I love that you two are concerned about me, but how 'bout you guys talk in a sound proof room if you guys want some private time."

"Hmm... sound proof room... That sounds like something we could use," Roy spoke up as he began to write it down, intrigued at the sudden idea for him to use for probably a promotion. I wanted to face palm at the stupidity I was surrounded with, but i have to remember this, this is the late century where technology is still mostly focusing on steam engine power and trying to figure out the extension of the use of electricity. I couldn't help but smile when I took in the hilarious scenes I was seeing. 'Atleast these scientists have a comedic side to them. Watching them makes it feel like none of the things I've seen were real, that the past three years were actually with Ed and Al. I don't even want to remember such a horrible sight like that again,' I thought as the image painfully flashes in the back of my mind.

++Two Years ago++

"Catherine I want you to accompany me to the research lab," Raven requests right at the moment I turned in my mission papers on his desk. I look at him blankly and nod at his order, not caring anymore about every petty thing he wants me to do, just as long as it's short I won't complain anymore unless it has something that might threaten me and my existence. Ever since I joined under Raven's supervision, I barely had time to look for the stone and not blow my cover in every damn mission he sends me on, and every mission rips a part of my should every time I follow the orders of my superior.

As we walk out of his office side by side I couldn't help but feel conscious as other soldiers of my appearance, who pass by us every now and then, look at me with wary eyes the moment I come into sight. 'What's wrong with me!? It's not like I haven't stared at before with my weird style if clothing! "Now as soon as we get to the lab I want you to observe the chimera closely when we get there. I need you to check if there's any flaws to the creature we don't know about," this wasn't one of the usual requests I get from Raven it sounded more like an order by the tone of his voice. When we got there I couldn't help but let a small gasp escape my lips as I laid eyes on the chimera, which sat in in its cages placed in the middle of the dark room.

"A fine job well done Shou Tucker," I hear the Furher speak up as I watch him step out of the shadows, "it seems this creature is clearly able to talk the human tongue as you reported. I hope in the near future your research will help the country and its' government." 'Shou Tucker!?' my eyes scan the area for the four eyed man. took a step into the room so I could get a better look at every man that was inside the lab, either looking at the chimera or having a small chat about the thing, I didn't care as long as I get to see the bloody bastard. "Ah yes thank you so much," spoke the bashful alchemist, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment from the compliment he got.

I glare at the man right when my eyes finally found him as I thought, 'There you are you damn excuse of a scientist...! I can't believe I have to stand here when I can just walk up to the man and shove a fist in his face!' Who wouldn't think that!? After seeing what he did to Nina, oh anyone would have the feeling to punch the daylights out of the Life Sewing Alchemist. Raven walks towards the alchemist, forcing me to follow so I wouldn't stand out on being the only person in the room that is not interested on what's going on at the moment. "So this must be the wonderful Shou Tucker! Congratulations on passing the state alchemy exams!" praises Raven with wide open arms to congratulate Tucker for his accomplishments in such a short amount of time.

By the time I came to my superiors side, he suddenly introduced me when he notices my presence, "This is Catherine Cairo! She's been here for almost a year now and has accomplished so much for a girl her age! I think you two should have a little chat about our chimera here before things get really fired up!" The moment he said that, Raven leaves our side to talk with the other generals that came to see the chimera in person. We stood the in awkwardness, well to me it was awkward, I was unable to pick out any topic that would sound scientific without letting out my inner rage burst out. "So you must be the famous Mercury Alchemist! My daughter has always wanted to meet you in person," I watch in near disgust under through the darkness of the room as Tucker extends his hand towards me.

I didn't want to take it, I really didn't want to take it, but seeing as how he still kept his hand in the air I had no other choice but to comply with his greeting gesture. I shook it once saying in a fake-enthusiastic tone, "That's very nice to here Mr. Tucker! You're probably the first person I've met that actually knew I was the Mercury Alchemist! I can truly see you have a bright future as an asset to the military, I'm glad I'll be able to work with suck a man like yourself~!" In reality, I was cursing at the man inside my head, 'Get your grubby mitts off of my you son of a bitch! I can't wait to see you in the next two years you'll be working for the military so I can beat the hell out of you and make sure you will never be able to use your hands again!'

Any moment now Mustang should be here since I know Tucker is under his jurisdiction, not under Raven, Basquegrand (Me: I can never spell his name right!), or any other person that I know in the military. While he was trying to disregard my enthusiasm, I was secretly preparing to steam this guy the moment I decided to make move on tricking him. But what stopped me midway in activating my alchemy was when I heard the whimpers of the Chimera which continued to sit in place in the middle of the lab inside its cage, motionless to everything around her. My hand, previously curled up in preparation of using my alchemy on Tucker, drops to my side. I couldn't help but freeze in place in shock.

"I see that you are intrigued by the specimen," without realizing it, I had been staring at the chimera for a while before Tucker snapped me out of my trance. To make things even worse even Raven seemed to notice my stares and finally makes the decision to walk up to the two of us. "Why don't you take a closer look? It's not everyday you get to see a real life talking chimera," Raven offers, making me give him a confused look by the sudden gesture he gave me. I silently obliged and walk towards the cage, ignoring the stares and whispers I felt that were directly aimed at me as I walk inside the room. When I got to the cage I couldn't help by let out my look of sympathy to it- no not it- her, I crouched down to the eye level of her as her own eyes follow my movements.

Her mouth opens up and says those painful words repeatedly, "I want die... I want to die... I want to die..." I covered my mouth to stop myself from letting a single noise come out of my mouth, but the one thing I did was let a single tear fall out, and when she saw this I could tell by the look in her eyes I knew something about this. "I'm so sorry... Your daughter misses you greatly... I can't turn you back to normal... Mrs. Tucker..." I mutter under my breathe, loud enough for only her and I to hear alone. I stood up and turn my back on her, in fear of what I said had affected the woman greatly after my sudden apology to her, but the silence made me feel relieved knowing she might've understood what I meant. 'I'm sorry I won't be able to save your daughter in the end... I'll make sure that her final days will be the happiest time of her life...' I thought as I took a few steps away from the cage, without even once thinking of looking back.

++Present++

"It got it's wish in the end," Mustang told us. "It starve itself to death until it finally got what it wanted." I sunk in my place after having to hear the re-tell of what happened to the talking chimera that Tucker made two years back, and the worst part about this, I know the actual truth of its making. "I wouldn't blame it for dying..." I blurt out loud by accident. "What do you mean?" Ed pushes further on the topic from my sudden blunt attitude. I sigh and replied, "When I looked into those eyes behind those bars... I could see nothing but sadness in her eyes... No matter how many times I tried to figure out what she's feeling, I could only see no other emotion except sadness..."

::Later::

We stood in front of the large Tucker Estate, and as soon as we stepped out of the car the three of us gawk at the large house/mansion in amazement. 'Holy shit! This man really doesn't have a life to live with! A huge mansion + a suddenly semi-successful man mixed together shows that there isn't something right about all of this,' I sigh in a disappointed manner as I shove my hands in my pocket, 'and sadly I'm the only human being in this world that knows about this man's secret.' I'm still kind debating over here whether I should let Tucker transmute Nina into a chimera, or use my knowledge of what I know so far of what's going to happen and save the little girl, kicking Tucker's ass in the process. The moment I snapped out of my thoughts and came back to reality, Mustang already rang the bells.

"What a huge house," Ed compliments out loud as he gazes up at the front of the mansion. My head perks up a bit as I look at him, coming to realize that I was standing right next to him a little too close. 'If I'm next to him then-' and you all can tell what happens next to me and Ed. "WOOF!" We both look up with the same terrified expressions as a giant mutt leap above our heads, then ends up landing on Ed who lands on me in the process, and I do not understand how we both ended up landing on each other.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

The next thing I knew, I was crushed by three tons of painstaking weight and my face close... to Ed's!? My eyes locks on the pair of large anime golden eyes, which I secretly think are beautiful no matter how much I try to reject it, while Ed stares into my own in shock from the sudden closeness of our faces. It took me a few moments to realize this, and when I did, my face was slowly turning pure deep red along with my heart beginning to race at an abnormal pace, enough to make me scared that he might here it. 'God no! I act like as if I'm a love struck tsundere that has a stupid high school crush on a guy that hasn't noticed me until now! Please I hope my old crush for Ed won't re-submerge now!' I prayed inside my thoughts as my heart continues to race the longer our bodies stayed crush together.

Ed's was also turning pink until a certain man coughs for our attention. We look up to see Mustang smirking down at us with crossed arm and Al looking from side to side innocently, acting as if he hadn't noticed a thing. "What?" we both ask at the same time, a tint of pink still covering our cheeks. Al whistles as he steps away from my view, while Colonel Pain-in-the-ass over here was smirking at the sudden revelation of how I was reacting to this. Although, since I've been contacting them for almost 3 years straight and getting to know the metal boy in person, I figured out he actually has a dark-side to these types of things. Just like the Colonel... Oh Joy~! "Look daddy! Guests!" My face drops at the sudden familiar voice of a happy four year old little girl.

She holds the door open as her dad, Tucker, steps out behind her with a distraught look on his face when he see's the two of us tackled by the giant pooch. "Nina I told you to keep the dog on a leash when you leave him outside! I'm so sorry for this," the man apologizes after slightly scolding his daughter for a small mistake. "It's okay... Just make sure to put the dog on a leash next time..." I groan in sarcasm as I tried my best to breath under the huge weight. I turn my attention to Ed saying, "Go on a diet shrimp...! I can tell the dog is lighter than you are...!" He smirks at this as he teases, "What's wrong Kitty? Can't handle the weight?" "Shut up!" I scream at the top of my arms as I struggle even more to get out of our current situation.

"I'm sorry for the mess. We haven't had a woman's touch in years since my wife left," Tucker apologizes as he hands each of us a cup of tea. I was probably the only one that didn't really seem interested on his back story, but there's nothing I can do about my deep hatred for Tucker, he has been one of my problems on how to deal with some future events that I still have troubling dealing with, well maybe until Scar shows up. I didn't finish watching the brotherhood series nor finish the manga, the only thing I finished in the old anime series in 2003 and that's just about it. All the people showed in the near future, like Father, was because I did some research on them so I wouldn't over react like how I used to in my old apartment. "So," he began, "why is it you three want to know about the talking chimera?" 'None of your damn business...' I thought with a sour look on my face.

Tucker turns his attention to me after noticing how silent I've been the whole time, saying in surprised tone, "And here I was wondering if I'll ever get to see my first colleague again after our first encounter in years. I almost thought you'd left the military without me knowing!" "Well I was kinda busy with missions and all," I glance to the side with an expressionless look in my eyes, "besides I never really got the chance to talk to anyone besides my partner and his little brother whenever I got the chance to answer their calls. So don't be surprised Mr. Tucker if you don't see me again in a while." "I see..." Tucker seemed disappointed by my information.

I wanted to scoff out loud if it wasn't for a certain blonde haired boy watching me from my left side. "Although I've been wanting to ask you three about the conditions your bodies are in." All four of us tensed up at his sudden request. "It's the law we alchemists follow, I tell you want you need to know if you tell me what happened to your bodies," Tucker's glasses gleamed as he reminds us of the laws of equivalent exchange, leaning into his on the table. "Well... You see-" Mustang began but was stopped by Ed who reassured the older man, "It's okay Colonel." Ed looks at me with a look that was clearly asking me, 'Do you wanna be around for this?' I know that I told him it's okay to not tell me, but the way Al and Ed were looking at me made me a little wary since this isn't the right moment for me to find out.

The bigger problem for me is when I have to tell what happened on my end since the boys don't know my story either. "I'll just wait outside for a bit," I excused myself as I got up from my seat. "Wait," I abruptly stop before I could make my exit out the door when I heard Tucker speak up. "Please allow me to see your arm at least before you go," was his shocking request. I turn a bit as I demanded, "How did you know?"

"Back when we first met and we shook hands, your left arm seemed a bit too hard to be that of a average human. So either you have a very strong grip, or you don't even have a real arm at all to begin with."

Oh how much I hated that this guy was smart.

Cat: He's an alchemist. Duh!
Me: Oh and you didn't even think of which hand to use before shaking hands?
Cat: I-I was busy trying to control my temper!

"Tch!" I grit my teeth at the sudden feeling on defeat bashing down on me, forcing me to comply to his request and rip my left glove off my hand in anger. Revealing a metal hand for all of those to see with their very own eyes. "I'll just say this just to make sure you don't get too curious... This wasn't my choice to begin with," and then I marched out of the room and made my way to where the library is.

-Normal-

While the three talk to Shou Tucker in the dining room, Cat keeps herself occupied outside of the room eaves dropping on their conversation as she waits. She didn't want to, but it was better than waiting alone in front of the and get questioned on how she knew which way the library was, it's not what she felt like dealing with now that she's trying to control her inner emotions against Tucker. "I see... attempting to bring your mother that cost you your leg and body and then sacrificing your own arm to attach your brother's soul to a near by armor, it must've been horrific for you two at such a young age," Tucker spoke as he tried to comprehend the story we all just heard.

She just stood there covering her mouth so a single sound would escape from her mouth at every detail Cat heard from the two, which I have to say was very well explained compared to what I remembered in the anime years ago. "How about Catherine's story? I know I shouldn't be asking something behind her back," she nearly jumps when she heard Tucker asking about her background, "except I find no equivalency on her end. You two told me in exchange of my help and I am pleased to know you understand the situation, but Catherine doesn't seem to follow the laws we run by as alchemists." "We'd like to help you sir but we both haven't told Catherine yet either about what happened to us. Even she hasn't told us about why she lost her arm," Al tells Tucker truthfully.

Ed nods in agreement as he finishes for his brother, "The three of us came in terms not to tell each other what has happened in our pasts. Cat doesn't force us into telling her unless we chose to do so, and she respects the fact we don't pry into hers as well." His eyes wouldn't take no for an answer. This was a very irritating situation for the girl, and she the worse part on her end is that her alchemy was starting to act up just like her inner emotions. A small bit of frost was crawling up the chair legs below Tucker, unaware of the danger he's in until Mustang intervenes in Tucker's curiousity, enough to make Cat stop and melt the frost before it was noticed by anyone in the room.

Thankfully it wasn't cold enough inside the room for anyone to notice at all. I'll be the one to explain to you about what happened to Mercury. She's told me and my subordinates a thing or two about her history," Mustang told Tucker to ease the man on his questions about the girl. "She... told you?" asks Ed, a displeased look crossing his face as he turns his attention to his superior. Mustang smirks at the boy's reaction, "What's wrong Fullmetal? Upset that your girlfriend told me first instead of you?" Ed blushes and quickly turns away, earning a Cheshire cat-like smile from Al when he see's this reaction from his older brother. On the other side, Cat was also blushing at the term 'girlfriend' that came out in the open.

'Th-That again!? How many times to I have to correct these people!? Even if I want to date Ed-' I blush even more at the thought and shake my head frantically, 'No! That came out wrong! I meant that even if I have feeling for Ed- That's wrong too!'

"We'll I guess since you three came for my help I should take you to my personal study. Hearing this, Cat immediately backs away from the door and places herself against the wall across before anyone could get out, unless something else would enter her mind that would cause her to blush again. When they came out, each of them were surprised to find Cat waiting for them infront of the door, casually standing there as if nothing happened at all the whole time. "So? Is everything cleared up now?" Cat asks the group, her face as blank as ever like when she left the room.

-Mustang-

While heading towards our destination I told everything I knew about Catherine, the same details she told me and the others a while back when she was still recovering from the hospital. "For such a young girl to see such things... Have you ever found out where it had happened?" Tuckers questions me ,a little shocked at the information he just heard. I shock my head, "No... Even she doesn't know where it exactly had happened. The reason why we can't find out where the transmutation was placed at was because she hadn't told us where she came from." "Her profile is incomplete," he concludes.

"Mercury is keeping every single detail about herself closed off so the military wouldn't find out," I told Tucker in a low voice, "all we need to understand is she's gone through a lot more than the Elric brothers. That's why she was able to endure so much at every mission Mercury was forced into, even on missions that leave soldiers emotionally unstable this girl is able to handle all that blood shed." The last question that Tucker asked me was this, "Who was in command of her?" I hesitated at first, then I answered, "...Brigadier General Raven." Personally, I never got to meet the man in person, only my superior officer, Lt. General Grumman, has told me a few things about some friends he had back in Central. 'It's no wonder Catherine changed so much during her separation from those two... If I had decided to keep them together up until now, what would things be like for the two?' my thoughts wonder for a few moments when the two began to bicker once again.

Mercury yells in annoyance, "What's with you all of a sudden!? You act like as if I betrayed you or something!" "You told Mustang and not us! How can I not be mad after you promised you'd tell us if we decided to tell you!" Fullmetal yells back at the girl, purely showing his jealousy at what he heard. I chuckled at the two as they continue arguing the entire time Tucker escorts us to his study, both completely oblivious about where they're going until- "OW!" both yelp in pain when they collided against a wall when we were suppose to turn a corner. "You both did it you yourselves..." Al mutters out loud as he sweat drops at the two who collapsed onto the ground.

"Ouch... See what you did Ed!?"
"Me!? You were the one that wasn't paying attention to where you were going!"
"If only a certain ant wasn't constantly pestering me, I wouldn't be in this situation!"
"Don't call me a pipsqueak! I'm about 2 inches taller than you little girl!"
"I didn't call you pipsqueak, moron! I called you an ant cause of that antenna you always stick up on that tiny head of yours! And that's the opposite! I'm 2 and a half inches taller than you!"
"Prove it!"

They both shot up on their feet and turn their attention to us, determined to see who exactly is taller than who by letting us be the judge of their small competition. Mercury rips her hat off to allow her bandanna to be revealed and own antenna to stick up, similar to how Fullmetal adds to his own height excluding his boot. "WHO IS TALLER THAN WHO!?" I watch them as they stood besides on another till the gap between them completely disappears, which I think they both haven't noticed yet, and waits for any of us to answer their desperate question. I paid close attention to their heights, Cat seems to have the upper hand if it wasn't for that antenna she also has on her head.

(A/N: While editing each chapter after transferring each one from my old profile I forgot whether or not I put up Cat's look when she arrived in FMA. I'll try to figure out how to make you guys know what she looks like now that I realized I can't put links up! God I'm such a newb at this...)

Baffled, none of us said a word about their heights. I just wanted to point out the similarities of their entire being like their; jackets, gloves, hair antennas sticking out of their heads, and similar heights. "Let's just say you both have many things in common," was the only thing Al could muster up in order to satisfy their needs. "WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON! Stop copying me! No you stop it!" they both shove fingers at each other non-stop, glaring daggers at each other once again like usual. I sigh at their stubborn attitudes, as for Tucker he seemed amused that the argument displayed before us, even though it was side tracking what we were suppose to be doing.

Cat: Like your one to talk Mustang... -_-'
Me: We have three stubborn characters here XD
Cat: I'm not stubborn!
Me: Says the person with height problems...
Cat: It's normal for a girl to be short! What's your height?
Me: 5 and a half
Cat: ... Shit

"Ah young love..." That out burst made us all stare at Tucker, who just stood there smiling for no good reason. A few seconds of silence later- "WE"RE NOT A COUPLE!"

To Be Continued

Ok who expected I'd end this with Mustang's pov? I didn't! I just felt that he was a little left out since I always use Cat, Ed, and Al almost all the time. I thought of using Tucker's... but I hate him and I won't give him the privilege of letting him have a view on things. All of us hate him right? Of course! Even Hiromu-sensei hated the man! So here we finally are, chapter 16 of the Mercury Alchemist!

Me: *cough* *cough*
Cat: You okay there?
Me: Just feeling sick a little is all...
Cat: Really... .
Me: It's summer fever alright!
Cat: Aren't you preparing a little something for everyone?
Me: Oh right! I'll be soon publishing a Kuroshitsuji one-shot! It's the first one-shot I'll ever put up so please bare with me if it's too long or if it's crappy!
Cat: Alright! I can't wait to see who's the girl you hired!
Me: Clearly not you... You're not british.
Cat: Pfft! Your seriously gonna make it!
Me: I only want to put it as a sorry gift for those waiting for thing chapter after so long okay!
Cat: Right... So AveryScarlet doesn't own FMA, all rights goes to Hiromu Arakawa! She only own me, Alice, Camilla (forgot the name XD) and many new characters non-familiar to all! Please R&R!
Me: Now here's something I don't usually do... trivia question! *hands paper to Cat*
Cat: Who were the two mysterious characters in the previous chapter?
Me: Yes it there were two strangers in that chapter...! I forgot to clear that up... So make any wild guys!
Cat: How can they answer that you idiot?