Weaponless

The best thing about a gun is that you don't have to feel death. You don't even have to be near it. Guns are clean. And fast. And for those reasons, they're Riza Hawkeye's favourite weapon.

The worst thing about a gun is that it has limited shots. Once those shots are used up, the gun is no longer a weapon, it becomes a useless piece of metal. Something Riza Hawkeye is all too familiar with.

Ishval was horrendous, for both civilians and the military. Only the higher ups had the luxury of being spared the trauma as they never saw the battle front. State alchemists and snipers were responsible for a majority of the deaths. Both were valuable to the military. After Major Armstrongs breakdown State alchemists were ordered into more reckless situations, forced kill for survival or self defence rather than just because of orders. Snipers were ordered protect them, without letting them know, in order to keep them alive but to ensure they attacked and didn't hold back. As long as the alchemists believed they were in danger, they'd protect themselves.

"Riza Hawkeye, you're assigned to Kimblee"

"Yes sir" She saluted.

"At 0600 hours he's been ordered to attack the northern temple where it's believed that Ishvalans are stocking weapons. Cover him. Don't let him know you're there. Dismissed"

She nodded, departing and returning to her tent. Kimblee wouldn't need too much protection, he made it clear he was enjoying the war. He was known for taking pleasure in killing. In the morning blood would be shed, and she was expected to protect the man responsible. She shuddered at the thought.

At approximately 0400 she departed. The sun had not yet risen. A small group of soldiers moved with her through the ruins, keeping an eye out for Ishbalans and slowly splitting off the their designated locations. As a general rule soldiers didn't travel alone but this early in the morning it was usually quiet. She spotted a tall building, the top had been burnt it looked like. She knew who was responsible for that. Despite that though it looked like the perfect location for a sniper.

She flitted through the darkness to the base of the building. The windows were boarded up. Using her knife she quietly pried the boards loose and pulled them away, leaving herself a gap big enough to get through. The interior was dark and musty, she felt her way to a set of stairs and began to climb. The top floor had three windows meaning one side of the building was a blind spot. Despite that though, the temple which Kimberlee would be attacking was in clear view. She unslung her gun from her shoulder and positioned it, checking the scope. Through the darkness she caught a glimpse of movement, small figures running between buildings seemingly heading towards the temple.

She was tempted to fire a warning shot. Let them know they weren't safe and that the military knew where they were. But to do that would be treason for which she'd be killed. Instead she pulled herself away from the gun and waited.

As the sun began to appear on the horizon she caught a glimpse of movement. Looking through her scope she recognised the military colours. She took position grimly, watching as one figure, walking ahead of the rest, clapped. And the world erupted into chaos.

By the time the dust settled the temple was rubble and Ishvalans shouts echoed through the desert air. Kimblees group had advanced. Shots run out and men on both sides fell to the ground. Kimblee stood alone, unmoving. Frowning she focused her scope on him. He was smiling. She realised with disgust he was enjoying the chaos. There was movement behind him and she pulled the trigger.

Blood hit the sand, the same colour as the eyes of the man she'd just shot. Kimblee glanced down, his expression seemed amused as he looked at the lifeless body on the ground. Then he looked up, directly at her. She held her breath. Alchemists weren't meant to know they were so well protected. They were led to believe they were in danger. She watched as he narrowed his eyes. Surely she was too far away for him to see her she reasoned. He raised his hands and clapped, another explosion ripped across the ruins. She gulped before refocusing on the rest of the battlefield, she had a job to do.

By the time the sun set the sand was stained red with Ishval and Amestrian blood alike. Kimblee at some given point stopped caring about sides and instead killed whoever was unlucky enough to cross his field of vision. A few lucky soldiers survived but despite that blue uniformed bodies littered the ground. She grit her teeth as she stood up and stretched, stiff from having to remain in one place all day. She'd used up all her ammo. Her gun was empty for which she was almost grateful. If someone were to make an attempt on her life she'd be powerless to stop them and whilst she wasn't suicidal, the things she'd witnessed almost made her want to die.

She scanned her surroundings looking for any potential threats before pulling her hood up and leaving the building. Travelling after sunset was risky but she needed to get back to the campsite. Following the route Kimblee had taken she hurried quietly towards safety.

Her tent was a welcomed sight. Nothing was better than the privacy it offered. Pulling the hood of her cloak back she slipped inside, went to toss her gun aside, then stopped. Solf J Kimblee was sat on her bed, face blank.

"The Hawks Eye" He greeted her, nodding his head politely.

"Major" She saluted.

He smiled, eyes narrowing into slits,"I heard a rumour and I figured as a sniper you'd be able to answer my questions"

So he'd seen her, she paused "What would you like to know?"

"Apparently State Alchemists are more protected than they tell us, can you confirm?" He smirked.

She hesitated,"State Alchemists are an important asset to the military therefore it would make sense that they try to ensure your safety" she spoke carefully, not wanting to give anything away.

"You're right, we are an important asset aren't we. You know, sometimes on the battlefield I get carried away. I get away with it though. If a State Alchemist can get away with murder they can get away with anything" He was grinning, his voice steady.

"I suppose so Major" She tilted her head slightly in a small nod.

As soon as the words left her mouth he launched himself at her, pinning her to the ground, knee on her chest immobilising her. She was a lot smaller than him and a lot less experienced in close combat. Her eyes widened as he head one wrist above her head and yanked at her cloak.

Rape wasn't uncommon on the battlefront but most soldiers she came into contact with were respectful of fellow soldiers. This situation was new to her. Instinct took over.

She raised her free hand, the one holding her gun, till it was pointed at him and pulled the trigger. Click. It was empty. Kimblee stopped and looked from the gun to her then back again.

He threw his head back in laughter,"You can't kill a State Alchemist, we're too great an asset remember. Let it happen and it'll be easier on you"

She grit her teeth and with as much force as she could, hit the butt of the gun against his temple. His face contorted in rage. He yanked the gun from her grip and threw it across the sand, it rolled through the tent flaps out of sight and his free hand closed around her throat.

"You bitch" He hissed, his hand on her throat tightening.

Then he was yanked off her. She rolled onto her front and onto her knees, gasping and looked up. Roy Mustang hand grabbed the front of Kimblee's clothes, thrown him off her and was beating the shit out of him. Punch after punch, the Flame Alchemist showed no signs of stopping.

She stood,"Thats enough sir" her voice shook slightly.

One of Kimblee's eyes was swollen shut, a trial of blood ran from his mouth and his wrist was twisted at an awkward angle.

"Touch any woman like that agin you bastard and I'll make you burn" Mustang growled, before letting Kimblee go.

The Crimson Alchemist stumbled to the flaps of the tent, looked as if he was going to say something, then left.

"Are you okay?" Roy's face was that of genuine concern.

"Yes, thank you sir" She smiled gratefully.

He frowned slightly and reached out, placing his hand under her chin and looking her in the eyes, their faces dangerously close "Did he do anything?"

"No, you stopped him. Why did you come in?"

"I was coming past to see Hughes but then your gun was on the floor. I worried" He looked as if he was about to say more but stopped, he let his hand drop.

"Thank you sir, I appreciate it"

He smiled, although it didn't quite reach his eyes,"I- Do you want to come with me to see Hughes? Company is nice especially times like this"

She nodded smiling,"Yes please, let me just reload my gun"

He blinked questioningly. She swallowed, shaken slightly by what had happened.

"Its too dangerous to be weaponless, even if you are here to protect me sir I'd rather not risk it"

He nodded, he'd rather her armed and able to protect herself. She'd been in his life too long to leave now.