I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Naruto.

Chapter Two

New Member of the Family

…

The Mustang couple were quite young when they had their first child. The mother, Layla, was at a young age of nineteen when she was pregnant, and her husband, Aaron, was twenty. But they didn't mind. They had always planned on having a child of their own for a bigger family so when the news came of Layla's pregnancy, they were both overjoyed. It was a new experience for both Layla and Aaron, but they managed to pull through in the end—together.

Nine months later, a healthy baby boy was born. They named him Roy.

Roy was a sweet boy who was outgoing and polite but had a way of smooth-talking and flattering people (especially females) into doing things he wanted. He was a clever young boy—onyx black hair and identically coloured eyes constantly shone with curiosity and an almost hunger for knowledge that couldn't quite seem to be quenched.

They loved their son, and as Roy grew older, their love for him grew even more. They were what one could call a perfect family.

They were happy.

But when Roy was twelve, he was tentatively told of the news that he was going to be a big brother. At first, both Layla and Aaron weren't quite sure on how to break the news to their son since he had been an only child for twelve years, and the pregnancy was unplanned. The couple were satisfied to have only one child, but it didn't mean it wasn't a pleasant surprise for them when they learned that they were going to have another. The only thing that caused worry was Roy's reaction.

Roy was unsure and had stood still in slight shock when he was told that he was going to be someone's big brother. He didn't know what to think. After all, he would be twelve years older, and he was used to receiving all the affection to himself from his parents. He supposed that he wouldn't have trouble sharing since he believed he was quite a mature individual, and he would try his best to guide and take care of his sibling. But what if his new sibling didn't like him? What if his parents stopped paying attention to him and started to care more for the baby? What if something went horribly wrong?

Roy knew that taking care of a child wasn't easy. Heck, he admitted that even he might not have been easy to take care of. All they did for the first year was eat, sleep and poop so you had to change their smelly diapers. Not something that sounded appealing at all. Oh, and they cried—loudly.

But even so… there was the chance that his sibling would come to love him, and Roy, of course, would give the baby his unconditional love. The baby would be a new member to his family after all, and family was important to him. And, at that thought, he became excited. He was becoming an older brother! He hoped—no, he would make sure that he would become the best big brother ever for the baby, and he'd set a good example for him or her. Hmm, now that he thought about it, was the baby going to be a boy or a girl? It was probably too early to tell. So did he want a younger brother or a younger sister?

Well, a younger brother would be easier to take care of when they grew older. He would be able to give better advice because Roy would be able to relate easier with them both being males.

However, if the baby was a girl… Roy had to pause for more thought. He had no problems with girls in general. He knew how to charm most of the girls in his class, and he could proudly say that he was one of the most good-looking out of all the boys in the whole of his school. But sometimes, they were hard to understand. Some females could be really calm at one moment, and at the next, they would be really emotional. He just didn't get their mood swings. You also had to be careful of what you said too since females were more of the 'sensitive' species. With boys, they were more laid-back, and he felt like he wouldn't have to worry as much if he had a younger brother.

On the other hand, if the baby was a female, his younger sister would surely look super cute! Because, above all, he had a very beautiful mother, and he had inherited his attractive face from both his handsome father and his stunning mother. He'd just have to somehow think of a way to keep the boys away from her.

So with those thoughts sorted and some left to think over at a later time, he turned to his parents and gave them a big smile whilst congratulating them. His parents gave him smiles of relief and delight in return.

Seven months passed and the first disaster struck. An accident including a horrible fall down the stairs had Layla immediately taken to the hospital. They weren't sure if the life of the unborn child could be saved. After hours of labour passed, the first cries of a newborn, albeit premature, dispelled their fears.

However, with one life brought into the world, another was lost. The newborn child took their first breath, and another took their last. It was the mother that laid silent and unbreathing…

…

Two months later, Aaron Mustang died whilst fulfilling his line of duty, leaving his son and newborn daughter to live as orphans.

…

Clouds filled the sky on the day of the funeral. The coffin was lowered beneath the soil, before the dirt was piled on top and the ground was levelled out once again. There laid two gravestones—the Mustang couple were able to be placed side by side each other in death. The military were there along with Aaron's closest comrades who had all met during the Military Academy days.

Roy stood numbly before his parents' graves and looked down at the small and warm bundle in his arms.

She was the only one left.

"Ne, aren't babies supposed to be loud and cry a lot? Is there something wrong with her, Madame Christmas?"

Roy watched his baby sister, almost in a disinterested, tired manner, as his expression still showed signs of mourning and suffering from his loss, but his voice carried a slight underlying tone of concern.

A week after the funeral ended, Roy and his baby sister were adopted by their paternal aunt who became their new adoptive mother.

"Nothing's wrong with her, kid. She's just one of those quiet ones. And thank god."

Roy lifted his finger and brushed a strand of his sister's coal-black hair away from her face. Lazily, her eyes peeled open, revealing a pair of brilliant, emerald-green orbs. Under a certain angle of the light, he thought he saw his sister's hair become a bright, blossom-pink, but in the next second, it went back to its original dark black. He blinked, and for a while, Roy couldn't help but question whether he had imagined it or not… How strange.

The room went back into silence.

Night came, and Roy wasn't able to get any sleep. His baby sister wasn't the one keeping him up though. She did cry, but it very rarely happened. He just had trouble sleeping—it had been like that ever since he had lost his parents.

Looking up at the night sky with his dark eyes that reflected the moonlight (eyes that had shed their fill of tears but stubbornness prevented them from shedding more for Roy thought of himself an adult), he watched the clouds drift aimlessly across the vast open space. The silence gave him a slight peace of mind, and yet the oppressive feeling of loneliness couldn't be ignored. He doubted he could ever get over the overwhelming feelings of grief, loss and solitude, but still, there was an idiom that said: 'time heals all wounds'.

Besides, he had a certain younger Mustang to take care of. He wouldn't let his sadness blind him from his responsibilities as an older brother. He'd make his parents proud—even if they were no longer by his side.

...

A/N:

Just one more chapter to re-upload and then I'm off to bed.