Lan Fan opened her eyes to an expanse of white.

She didn't know where she was or how she'd come to be here but she felt no fear or alarm. Only a vague sense that there was somewhere she was supposed to be, or perhaps something she'd forgotten to do. Lan Fan looked down at herself and her matching hands.

"There you are. I've been waiting for you ," said a familiar voice.

Lan Fan lifted her head. Before her stood a man with dark chocolate eyes. Eyes like her own. He wore a black uniform much like the one Lan Fan herself wore. Neither of them wore armor. Lan Fan wondered where her armor had gone and for that matter her mask.

"I didn't think you'd be here so soon," he commented.

"Where is here?" Lan Fan inquired.

She looked around her for some telltale landmark but there was nothing but white.

"Don't be afraid," the man told her.

The man offered his hand to her along with a warm smile. She did not know him, though she felt as if she should.

"I'm not afraid."

And she wasn't, yet she hesitated to take his hand.

"Do we know each other?"

"I know you. I would know you anywhere. You look just like your mother," he said an affectionate manner.

Lan Fan tarried.

"Take your time. We can go when you're ready."

"Where are we going?" Lan Fan asked.

"Home."


Edward Elric believed in science not god. The theoretical alchemist believed in The Truth though he didn't trust it. He did not believe in prayer, but there were no atheists in foxholes. In silence Ed prayed that his own two hands were enough to keep this kid alive.

The pressure dressing and the boy's clotting factors had done their jobs and stopped the bleeding, if only for now. He prayed for someone to find them soon. Before his arms started to shake and the aching in his back turned to spasms.

Outside the pantry Edward heard the door to the kitchen swing accompanied by the sound of conversation. The theoretical alchemist wasted no time. Still keeping his hold on the blood drenched dressing he shouted for help. A young man in an apron opened the door and gaped at the crimson soaked sight of them.

"Don't just stand there with your mouth hanging open! Get a doctor!"

"R-Right!"


On the way back from the laundry Tingzhe passed Bolin who was on his way to the emperor's study. Bolin pushed his mask up and spread his hands out.

"There you are! Where have you been? Why do you have all those blankets?" Bolin asked.

Tinghze looked over the bundle of blankets at him.

"No time to talk! I have to get these to Ms. Fontaine," Tingzhe said.

"What are you moonlighting as a maid now? Did you find Commander Liu?"

Tingzhe did an about face and asked, "Hey, what's your blood type?"

"O negative." Bolin asked, "Why?"

"Commander Liu had an accident. Ms. Fontaine says she needs O negative blood. Here!" Tingzhe foisted the blankets off on the befuddled bodyguard. "Take these to Master Hsu's office and tell Ms. Fontaine your blood type."

"What sort of accident? Where are you going?" Bolin questioned.

"To tell the emperor!"

Master Hsu's orders be damned.

Tingzhe took orders from three people in this palace: Emperor Yao, Commander Liu, and Lieutenant Gao. Not necessarily in that order mind you. Commander Liu had long since made it clear any orders that put His Royal Majesty in peril were not to be obeyed. Fortunately, the emperor hadn't given any such orders during Tingzhe's service to the throne.

Standing before the doors to the emperor's study the bodyguard took a deep breath and pulled his mask into place. Tingzhe rapped twice and waited. The emperor bid him to enter. He prayed to the gods to keep his hands and voice steady. Inside the study the emperor held congress with General Mustang and Captain Hawkeye. Lieutenant Gao occupied one corner of the room.


"Your Majesty may I have a word?"

Ling Yao lifted his eyes from the letter in hand. He received report not five minutes ago that a fire had broken out in the marketplace just as Mustang warned it might. The emperor narrowed his eyes at the bodyguard who stood at attention before him. Not only could Tingzhe not seem to complete the only task he'd given him, he had the audacity to speak out of turn.

"What is it?" Ling demanded.

"This one wishes to speak private," The bodyguard beseeched.

"If you would give us the room, General."

"Of course," Mustang replied.

Together, General Mustang and Captain Hawkeye departed the room leaving the emperor alone with his bodyguards.

"I hope you have good reason for returning without Commander Liu. If you say she is indisposed so help me…" Ling said through clinched teeth.

"Commander Liu is–" Tingzhe started.

Ling Yao lost his patience.

"If she's so petulant that she cannot bother to-"

"–in Master Hsu's office!"

"What?"

"Commander Liu sustained a critical injury. She's currently in the care of Master Hsu and her automail doctor."

"What do you mean critical?" Ling breathed.

"Commander Liu's condition is dire."

"For Gods' sake speak plainly!"

"She slipped on a patch of ice and struck her head," Tingzhe stated.

The sheet of xuan paper slipped between his fingers. The report fluttered onto the desk top. Ling didn't even notice.

"You must come at once," the bodyguard implored.

Ling headed for the door. Lieutenant Gao instructed Tingzhe to have Lady Xue handle things here and followed. If the bodyguard acknowledged the order Ling didn't hear him. The emperor did not slow his pace.


"Home?"

Lan Fan frowned in thought.

I'm not sure I know where that is...

He chuckled, "Of course you do, mooncake."

Lan Fan blinked at him.

She didn't realize she'd spoke aloud.

"I do?"

"With grandfather and me. I'm afraid your mother isn't here but that's just as well. She'll be along when the time comes. We'll wait for her together."

Lan Fan perked up at the mention of Master Fu.

"Grandfather?"

"Of course. He's waiting for us."

Lan Fan wanted to see her grandfather, but she couldn't shake the feeling there was something she was supposed to do. Only she still couldn't recall what that might be. But if it was important it would come back to her, wouldn't it?

"Don't worry," he said.

The words seemed to cast a spell over her for she forgot the remainder of her worry. He held his hand out to her again. Lan Fan looked at his offered hand. She smiled and reached out to take it. Before Lan Fan could lay her hand in his someone snatched her by the wrist.

The hand that held her had a familiar symbol emblazoned on the back of it. Lan Fan looked up at the interloper. He looked like her prince but he wore his face all wrong. The homunculus Greed sneered at the man in front of them.

"Now wait a damn minute!"