AN: Apologies for the temporary delay of game! I worked seven days last week and I was away on holiday this week so I didn't have time to sit down and write. But, never fear! We are back :D

Havoc grunted as he pushed himself up onto one elbow. He rubbed his face with his hands, wiping away the sleep and sluggishness that had accompanied waking. He smiled as he spotted Rebecca's sleeping form next to him. Her expression was finally relaxed. It had been three days since that bastard had got his arms around him, breaking eight of his ribs. There was still a twinge of pain when moving, but at least it didn't hurt to breathe anymore. He hadn't spent much of that time conscious. Pinako had administered healing potions as well as casting spells to ease his pain. It worked, for a time.

The laminate flooring was cool under his feet as they made contact with the floor. The simple action felt nice after being bed bound for a few days. After a light stretch, and a few hisses of pain, he walked to his kitchen to make a cup of coffee. He grinned upon spotting the two werewolves outside on his porch, both with their own hot beverages. Five minutes later, he joined them to enjoy the spring morning.

"Morning," he offered, gingerly sitting himself down on a deck chair. The coffee cup was placed on the table as he leaned back and took a deep breath. It felt so good to smell fresh air again. There was a twinge in his torso during the action, but nothing major.

"Morning," Breda replied watching his friend's actions. Falman simply nodded in reply.

"What did I miss?"

"That Kimblee dude is still in the bunker. Grumman won't let anyone see him, much to the disappointment of your girlfriend," Breda chuckled. "It's a good thing the old man put that rule in place, because I don't think he would be alive right now, vampire or not."

Havoc didn't doubt that for a second. Rebecca was ferociously protective. He had no doubt she would rip that man's throat out without a second thought, the next time they crossed paths.

"Anything else?" Havoc asked.

Breda shook his head. "Not much else has happened, but everyone is on edge. Kimblee said "this was only the beginning". We still don't know what that means. He won't talk. But everyone is on standby."

Havoc nodded. It made sense. If Kimblee truly was a threat and had people following him, they would need to be ready. Havoc got the impression Kimblee wasn't going to bring the pleasant kind of company.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," Havoc answered. "Still hurts now and then but it's nothing I haven't handled before."

Breda's lips pressed into a line at Havoc's remark, clearly unhappy with his throwaway attitude towards the whole thing. The ginger man knew that if it had been him in Havoc's position, he would be trying to have a word with Kimblee right now. "Are you going to do anything about it?"

Havoc shook his head. "It doesn't look like I will be able to, even if I wanted to. You know the old man won't let me near him. Besides, I was just doing my job."

Havoc had noticed Kimblee's movements and had acted on instinct. He had tried to lunge for an innocent. Havoc put himself in the woman's way so Kimblee would attack him, rather than the young witch. Her back had been turned. There was no way she could have defended herself.

Besides, being a member of the Five, it was Havoc's duty to protect the people of this settlement. The Five were Grumman's top warriors. Havoc was First. A vampire called Olivier Armstrong was Second, a position she had never been particularly thrilled about. However, she had different ambitions than remaining in the settlement her whole life, so had ventured out to carry out missions for Grumman. A better deal overall, however she had always aimed for the top for as long as Havoc could remember. In all honesty, Havoc thought she should be First as well. He was still clueless to this day as to why Grumman gave him the position. Breda was Third and Falman was Fourth. Two young witches took up the position of Fifth.

The Five could combine to become an elite squad, but each had between five and ten werewolves under their command who were loyal to them.

"Speak of the devil," Havoc muttered to himself, raising his cup of coffee to his lips as he heard a commotion coming from the road into the main settlement. Breda chuckled beside him.

"They always know how to make an entrance at least," Falman replied, speaking for the first time Havoc had joined them.

Olivier Armstrong was storming up with dirt road, her face like thunder. Something had pissed her off a great deal. Judging by the squawking behind her, the reason of her ire would come into view any second. Grumman exited the main building just as Olivier arrived on its doorstep. Her hair swished forward with the force of her stop. She glowered at the old man. To his credit, Grumman remain unfazed.

"It's good to see you again Olivier."

"Next time you send me out," she hissed. "Make sure it is for something less embarrassing than babysitting." Her canines extended as she snarled, digging into her lower lip. Without another word she turned on her heel and left her two stragglers behind her.

"Pinako," Grumman called, re-entering the Main Hall. "Your grandkids are here."

"They're not my grandkids," she muttered, knowing Grumman could hear her. "You two!" she shouted over to them. "Get in here. Now!" The two kids paused in the squabble and obediently shuffled into the building. Pinako's tone left no room for argument.

"I guess they are back now that Pinako is," Havoc stated.

Falman hummed in agreement. "Yes, I heard Grumman discussing it with her two days ago. They are still searching for their Father. Olivier was their handler and retrieved them under Grumman's orders."

"Something Olivier didn't seem particularly thrilled about," Breda chuckled.

"Would you be pleased?" Falman replied, casting him a sidelong glance.

"Fair point."

"Apparently Pinako wants them close by in case anything goes down," Falman continued, his voice dropping in volume.

"When was the last time we saw them?" Havoc asked, wanting to steer the conversation away from that particular topic. Everyone was on edge. Havoc could feel it. It was a tangible thing hovering over the settlement, causing tensions to run high. The last thing Havoc wanted was to incite further alarm by discussing it so openly.

Cocking his head, Breda thought about his question. However, they both knew Falman would answer first.

"Two years and three months ago when we were sent to fix a mess they had made regarding the casting of a spell. They have been quiet ever since."

"Has Al grown taller?" Havoc asked.

"It looks like it," Breda replied.

Falman nodded. "He has. Ed hasn't grown much though."

"Oh, he won't like that."

The three men laughed.

Grumman took in the appearance of the two young witches who were receiving a scolding from Pinako. Their agreement was they had to report back at least once a month to basically assure her they were still alive. They hadn't been in contact with anyone in over four months. That was the reason for their scolding. The old witch had tried to track them herself, but they had improved in their abilities. Excelled was the more appropriate word, from what Pinako described. They were able to shield themselves and their powers and that didn't sit well with their adoptive grandmother at all.

She currently stood with her hands on her hips, staring them down. The youngest, Alphonse Elric looked ashamed at least. Edward Elric, however, had averted his gaze and was scowling at the floor.

"Well?" she demanded. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"We're sorry," Alphonse replied, his voice small. "We picked up a serious lead. We had to shroud ourselves so no one would know who we were, or that we were coming." The act of shrouding was what witches used to hide themselves in plain sight. They could hide all traces of their magic in order to blend in with the humans.

A witch could be easily distinguishable by their eyes. Every witch had a ring of gold around their pupils. No one quite knew why it was there, but the consensus was that it was a reflection of their magic. They had the ability to hide this trait and squash down their magic when the situation required it. They weren't left defenceless though. Although it could be hidden, magic could still be used.

This ring of gold could also reveal a witch's mood. In times of intense emotion it blazed brightly, like a beacon through their eyes. It could change colour as well, such as red for anger, blue for sadness, but that only affected a few.

"That is not good enough Al and you know it," Pinako admonished. "Our deal was you were allowed to go and look for your father but only if you report in. Did you even think about how leaving us in the dark would affect me? Affect Winry?"

Edward flinched at the girl's name. She was a current resident in the settlement. Winry had just been born when Pinako left the settlement. Both her parents retired from being Grumman's Captains after her birth. Her mother and father were originally Grumman's Third and Fourth, respectively. However, they too had been a victim of the Hunters when Winry was nine. After being sent as Healers on a routine mission they never returned home. So she had grown up with Ed and Al, under the watchful eye of Grumman.

"No, you didn't. Did you?" Pinako continued. "Did you?" she repeated when she received no answer.

"No," they both mumbled.

"You are to remain here until further notice." Both stiffened but didn't argue. Pinako left the room and disappeared into the marketplace.

Grumman sighed as they visibly sagged in defeat. "We were worried about you."

"We were so close –" Ed began but Grumman cut him off.

"I know you want to find him. I want you to as well. But you have to report in with Olivier. I have lost too many people to the Hunters and I won't lose you two to them either. Do you understand?"

They both nodded. Al's expression was pained while Ed's was guilty. They both knew all too well what Grumman meant. Tricia Elric, a witch who had worked as a full time Healer in their hospital, had also been a victim of the Hunters when Ed was only five. One day Trisha Elric disappeared. A few days later her body returned along with the stink of wolfs bane. Hohenheim, the boy's father, had left the settlement a year prior and she had never been the same since. To this day, Grumman still doesn't know why the gifted witch left.

"No more shrouding." Nodding. "Because if you do next time, it will be someone much worse than Olivier coming to collect you. Dismissed." More nodding. They shuffled out of the Main Hall and into the sunshine.

Grumman leant heavily against the desk behind him. He hated to be so harsh on the boys but they had to think of how their actions affected others. Edward was the more reckless of the two, running off without a second thought. However when it came to casting magic, Alphonse could be equally destructive. They were lucky Grumman had tasked Olivier with overseeing their travels. She was one who had no problem keeping them in line. She also had a unique ability to alter and erase memories. She used it on anyone who witnessed the boy's… destructive magic to keep them out of trouble.

Yes, they were only young. They were still kids. Edward was fifteen, Al fourteen. But the Hunters wouldn't take age into consideration. Grumman had seen it happen before. It made his stomach twist and bile rise in his throat at the thought of how many youngsters they had taken from here. They needed to learn.

"You okay?" Riza asked cautiously, entering the room.

Grumman smiled tiredly at her. "Yes, I am fine." He studied her, taking in her tight stance. She was on alert and had been since that vampire showed up. Everyone had. The way her eyes flicked past him, looking around the room. She was looking for a threat. It made sense. She knew Kimblee was tied with the same group who had kidnapped her. If they were on their way it was understandable that Riza would be wound tight. "Are you?" A curt nod was her reply.

"Who were the kids?"

"Two young witches. They are based here but are – sorry, were – searching for their father." Riza looked surprised at the idea of two boys that age venturing out into the world by themselves. "They are in the same boat as you," he added quietly. Riza paused, realising what he meant. Her expression tightened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She nodded in understanding. "Why don't you ask what you came here to?" Grumman stated, not unkindly. He knew why she was here and it was not to enquire about the Elric brothers.

"What are you going to do with Kimblee?"

"Nothing until he talks."

"But the Hunters could be on their way to us right now," she stressed. "We need to do something."

"He almost killed one of my pack. That is not something I take lightly. This will not turn into revenge, Riza. I won't stoop to their level."

"But we can't just let him sit there day in and day out. We need information." Her tone was becoming frustrated. Irritable, even.

"Until he reveals it to us then we will wait. I will not stoop as low as the Hunters, killing someone just because of what they are, or what the represent."

"But what if that reveal comes too late?!" she cried in frustration. Grumman was taken aback for a moment, surprised by her outburst. "This man threatened Chris Mustang. Basically kidnaped her and forced her to show him the way here. What is to say he doesn't have people out there waiting to ambush us?"

"I have sent out scouts. They have found nothing so far."

"Because they don't know where to look. If you got the information from him then they could do a better job." Her voice lowered. "While that man tried to kill Jean, he also threatened my pack. He has known Roy for years. He knew he was here. He wants to kill my mate. And I will not let him, or the Hunters, succeed."

A shout went up from outside before their conversation could continue. Grumman recognised it, knew what it meant. He strode outside, the conversation with his granddaughter forgotten. In the distance a horn sounded. There would be only one reason why that horn would sound from that direction.

"Hunters."

Riza had expected panic, but there was none. All conversation ceased and an eerie silence coated the forest. The tone of the horn slowly dissipated, leaving only the sound of breathing echoing throughout the settlement.

As if they were a unit, the varying members of the different species all gathered in the main square, like they had done when Kimblee had arrived. She realised this was their way of defence. From the road, a line of four wolves marched forward, three human behind them. Another four wolves followed close behind, growling as a threat.

Anger surged through her as she recognised the three faces of the Hunters. The bitch who had shot her was in the middle, being flanked closely. Riza stepped forward, her lips curling into a snarl but Grumman's hand clamped onto her arm.

"Get the humans to safety," he urged quietly, his eyes never leaving their "guests". Riza looked at him as if he had gone crazy.

"This is my fight," she snarled. "Don't you dare –"

"Do it," he hissed. "That is an order, Riza." She was shocked. He had never used that tone with her before. Surely he knew who these people were. Riza had told him all about her encounter. And he was ordering her away? "The alarm has been sounded. They know where to go. You are responsible for their safety. If anything happens to them, it's on you." Without another word he descended the steps.

Riza's anger only grew. But then the thought of Elicia and Gracia popped into her head. She had to help them get to safety. The quicker she completed her task, the quicker she could return.

"Have you seen Riza?" Roy asked Havoc. He tried to hide the panic in his voice, but it wasn't working. He had heard the horn while returning from training with Breda. Havoc had explained to him what that horn meant. Trouble with a capital T. After trying and failing to reach out to her Riza's, he was at a loss. Something was shielding her from him and he didn't like it.

"She is taking the humans to safety in the mountain," he replied quietly, his voice barely above a murmur. It pierced the silence throughout the marketplace. Hughes arrived at his right, his face set and ready to defend if necessary. The four wolves halted and waited for Grumman to step forward.

Roy looked behind and spotted their charge. Red hot anger surged through him upon recognition. Before anyone could stop him, he was pushing his way forward. Before he could break the line, six bodies circled his, blocking his path. Hughes slipped in the circle behind him, after nodding to one of the werewolves.

"Get out of my way," he growled but they remained steadfast.

"Roy, easy," Hughes urged. "Let's see how this plays out." The vampire's eyes flicked over the scene in front of them. His stance remained defensive and ready to spring into action.

"Are you crazy?"

Hughes shook his head. "The last thing we need is an unprovoked attack."

"Unprovoked?" he asked incredulously, rounding on his friend. "Did you not see what those three did the last time we crossed their paths?"

"Yes I did," he replied harshly, eyes boring into the werewolves'. "I remember everything. But shut your mouth and don't draw attention to yourself. They are obviously here for a reason."

Before their conversation could continue, the Hunter in the middle stepped forward, as did Grumman.