Hi guys! Sorry for updating so late in the day, I've been busy trying out my new drawing tablet. I'm so excited! And happy! I finally have a drawing tablet so I don't have to use a mouse to draw digitally anymore. Yay! Anyways, this is a suggestion by Lady Jessica Mustang. Now, onto the story!

Summary: Edward and Alphonse run into trouble everyday on the way to headquarters

Idea Came From: Lady Jessica Mustang who suggested it

Timeline: Ed is 12 and Alphonse is 11, Roy is still at Eastern Headquarters

Rated: K+ for blood

Notes: review reply at end

Story 16: Middle School Trouble

Everyday. Everyday for the past few weeks this has happened. The boys would pass by a middle school on their way to the Eastern Command center in order to turn in a report to Mustang. And every day the children of the school would stare and whisper at one another, pointing to Edward's automail. The fact that he seemed to be shorter than half the school was just an added bonus.

"Just ignore them, brother," Al would constantly say when Edward would stop after hearing a comment about his height. "They're just kids, they don't mean any harm."

But eventually, students got braver and would wander up to the two brothers and pester them.

"Where'd you get your arm?" A boy looking to be a few years older than Edward would ask each day, snearing with disgust. "I bet you got it for attention. Kids shouldn't have automail."

"What's it to you, you snot nosed brat?" Edward snaps each time. They would start bickering while Alphonse would try to pull his brother away from the boy.

And that's how it goes. At least, up until today. As both Alphonse and Edward are walking down the familiar sidewalk past the school, they are instantly bombarded by a large group of stones flying towards them, seeming to come out of nowhere. Edward quickly claps and presses his hands down against the concrete, creating a wall that rises up and protects them from getting hurt by the rocks.

"What the hell was that for!?" Ed shouts as he walks from behind the wall, Al following behind. The boys watch as a gruop of school children come out of hiding, each of them having ugly snears on their faces, each of them holding a rock in one hand.

"Mistakes like you shouldn't be allowed to live!" A boy shouts, pointing at Edward's arm. "Kids shouldn't have automail, you freak!"

"Yeah!"

Edward stays silent for a long moment. Of course the words sting, but he doesn't let it show. Why would he? They're just little brats who don't know anything. And yet, their harsh words make all the guilt he's felt dig deeper and deeper into his beating heart.

"Shut the hell up!" Ed finally yells, hands curling into fists. He is about ready to take on the whole group of children. That is, until they start throwing rocks again.

"Get behind me, Al!" Ed quickly shouts, pushing Al behind him. The boys are about the same height, so it works perfectly for Edward to shield Al with his own body as the rocks are thrown at them.

"Brother!" Al protests. He winces as he hears the rocks hit his brother, strangled grunts escaping through Ed's clenched teeth. "Just make another wall!"

"Don't have time!"

The one they had stood behind had crumbled, transformed back into the sidewalk. Edward hadn't been expecting the children to have more rocks to throw.

"What the hell is going on!?" A loud voice bellows. The children stop throwing rocks as soon as Roy and Riza both run over to where Edward and Alphonse are standing.

"Are you boys okay?" Riza quickly asks, looking them over for injuries. Alphonse is pretty much unscathed, but Edward has a few scrapes and bruises from the rocks hitting him. There is an especially nasty cut across his left temple and a bruise on his right cheek. Blood is dripping slowly down the side of his head.

"Those damn brats!" Edward quickly shouts as he looks over at the children, who look scared out of their minds.

"Do you understand what could happen to you?" Roy suddenly shouts as he turns to face the kids, anger radiating off of him in waves as his hand hovers over Ed's left shoulder. "I could have all of you thrown in jail for attempted murder of a State Alchemist!"

"He-he's with the military?" A child squeaks, shrinking away.

"Lucky enough for you you're all too young. Now get the hell out of here before I burn you all alive instead!" Roy snarls. The children all scatter, hastilly retreating back towards the school yard, screaming bloody murder.

"Wow Colonel Bastard, didn't know that you could lose your temper." Ed says casually as he moves away from Roy's hand.

"You could have been stoned to death, Edward." Roy snaps as he looks over at his subordinate. Riza is hugging Al who is currently clinging to her, trembling. Edward looks down, guilty. "Then what would have happened?"

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," Ed mumbles quietly. "I just-I saw them start to throw the stones and I didn't have time to make a wall. I didn't want them to hurt Al so..."

Roy's gaze softens as he gently pulls Edward close for a hug. "I understand. But next time, don't use yourself as a human shield. Okay?"

"Okay."

That's it! Sorry for the short chapter, I couldn't really do anything else. Plus my mind has been elsewhere. Now, onto the review reply!

Patsy Koala: thank you! I'm glad I got Edward's personality right. A lot of the times I worry that it isn't like him whenever I write characters that aren't mine. Anyways, I love your suggestion idea! I'll get right on it!

That's all you guys! Don't forget to leave suggestions for what you want to see me write in future chapters. Thanks for reading, and have a good day/night!