Chapter 6

Adventures in the Countryside!

|-Edward-|

Edward twitched his eyebrow.

"What… WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE?!"

Gracia laughed, unfazed by the younger alchemist's reaction. "Andrea left a few days ago to the Countryside so she'll be able to research Medical Alchemy. She borrowed some money from Hughes and promised that she'll come back and pay us before she left though."

Edward stood there, his mouth hanging open.

"Gone…" Edward moaned as he dropped his head. "Our clue… gone…"

"Why do you need to look for Andrea anyway?" Gracia asked curiously as she held Elicia in her arms.

"Actually, me and brother are interested in her research. We thought that maybe we'll be able to find some information on how to get our bodies back if we study the transmutation of human organisms." Alphonse said.

Gracia understood and nodded. "I see. Well, she never mentioned what town of the countryside she'll be going to, but she did mention someone named 'Mauro'. She said that she'll be her knew Alchemy teacher."

Ed's head snapped up once he heard this piece of information. A man named Mauro? Maybe he's an expert in the transmutation of human organisms!

Edward grinned. Alright! If by chance that they won't be able to locate Andrea, they might ask this Mauro guy for some tips! But… even if they do learn about this Alchemy, the only close lead the Elric brothers have to the Philosopher's Stone is the girl herself.

How is he going to ask her how to make the stone? Moreover, will she negotiate with them? If Andrea knew that they committed taboo, then what reason would she have to share this type of information to them? It wasn't sensible.

'But I have to get the information.' Edward thought to himself determinedly. 'I have to. This is the only way we can get our bodies back.'

Snapping back to reality, Edward turned around. "Thank you for the information, Mrs. Gracia!" Ed said as he walked downstairs with Alphonse following behind him.

"Take care you two!" Gracia called as the two brothers walked downstairs and out of the building.

As the two walked down the street, Alphonse decided to break the silence. "What are we going to now Brother?" the armor asked. "Are we going to follow Andrea?"

"Of course we're going to." Ed said without sparing his little brother a glance. "She's our only lead to the stone."

Alphonse's metal head clanked in agreement. "Yeah. All our leads so far were pretty fake. I hope this isn't another wild goose chase."

Edward shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I have a feeling that Andrea knows something we don't, and that's how to make a stone."

With a grin, Edward started running forward. "Come on Al!"

"Wait brother!"

|-Andrea-|

I watched silently as the scenery from the train's window slowly changed from fresh blue into warm orange. The sound of train tracks and the occasional train whistle blowing soothed my nerves as I thought about meeting Dr. Marcoh for the first time.

I rested my head on the window sill and exhaled deeply, cuddling myself as a I felt a chill brush past me.

When I left earlier this morning from the Hughes' residence, I was dressed in a dark and thick sleeveless shirt under a red hoodie. I wore some black shorts and my knee high boots accompanied by my regular pack.

As night arrived in the train, I've noticed that there were a few people staring at me strangely. I responded to that with a slight glare, which made them turn away from me.

I pouted slightly. How come they were staring at me like that? It's not like I was carrying an atomic bomb or something like that.

I sigh through my nose and was about to take a snooze for myself when I noticed a little girl staring at me from the seat in front of me. She had wide green eyes and brown hair and stared at me curiously.

I gave her a small smile. "Hello!" I said cheerfully.

The little girl looked at me with a tilted head. "Where's your mama and papa?"

Despite it being an innocent question, it stabbed me in the heart. My hands trembled slightly and I hid it by pulling the sleeves of my hoodie further inside.

"Serah, don't do that." A voice chided. "Come now, you have to sleep."

The little girl who I thought was named Serah pouted and reluctantly agreed. She was about to go down and sit but not before her head piped up.

"Good night sis!" she said with a smile before lowering her head down into her seat.

I stared at the place where Serah's head was earlier, recalling the question she asked me.

"Where's your mama and papa?"

I felt my eyes droop slightly and my lower lip quiver. But I refused to cry, not now. Ever since I arrived her in Amestris, all I did was sulk and cry. I shouldn't have cried like that. Crying won't change anything.

Quickly, I blinked my tears away. I then pulled my hoodie closer to my chest, trying my best to get as comfortable as I could.

With a yawn, I closed my eyes and fell into asleep.

|-Andrea-|

I awoke when the train came to an abrupt stop.

I yawned loudly, rubbing my eyes as I groggily sat up from my seat. When I opened my eyes and analyzed the scenery out the window, I quickly recognized the train station.

"I'm here!" I cried excitedly as I quickly grabbed my pack and headed out the train, hopping out the door and onto the marble floor. I grinned and stretched my arms up shamelessly, not being all that bothered by the stares I received.

"Alright!" I said as I darted through the exit, quickly giving the woman in charge my ticket and running out the station.

I walked down the stairs and breathed in the fresh air. I exhaled loudly before laughing slightly as I ran down the street, glancing from side to side and gaping at all the stores.

This is my first time to every travel into a place on my own! This is going to be great!

But first things first; find Tim Marcoh and get some information regarding Medical Alchemy.

Since I can't recall exactly what street or venue Marcoh lives, I decided to ask some of the friendly townspeople. They were really nice, telling me a lot of descriptions about Marcoh.

"He's an amazing person!"

"He healed my scar in a matter of seconds!"

"There's always a flash of bright light, and every wound is gone!"

Upon hearing those words, giddiness and enthusiasm brewed inside me. I ask politely a farm girl about Marcoh's home address, saying that I was an Alchemist as well and I wanted to train under his guidance.

The girl was happy to help and quickly scribbled the address on a slip of paper, which I held in my hand right now as I walked on the way to Marcoh's house.

It took a few minutes (and getting lost three times along the way) I finally arrived at a quaint two story building with a staircase along the side leading the second floor.

I smiled to myself as I stuck the paper into my shorts pocket. I slowly climbed up the stairs and reached the door.

I stared at the green wooden door for a few moments before exhaling to relax myself. It would be alright! I mean, as long as I don't reveal too much.

With a shaky hand, I knocked on the door three times and stepped a few paces back. I heard the sound of creaking wood as the door slowly pulled open, revealing a middle aged man with dark and gray hair. He had a slightly wrinkled face and a soft complexion.

"Oh, hello. Is there something I can do for you? Are you hurt?" he asked kindly.

I was slightly stunned but quickly snapped back to reality. "U-uh, no! Actually, I was wondering if you're that Alchemist in this town everyone's talking about. Er, Dr. Mauro was it?" I asked, feigning innocence.

The old man nodded. "Yes, I'm Mauro. But before you continue, how about you come in?" he offered.

I was slightly surprised but uneasily accepted the offer. Once I entered, the room wasn't really anything to marvel about. There was one bed, a table with two chairs, some book shelves along with medicine cabinets filled with bottles, and a few boxes of medical gauzed and equipment.

"It may not be much, but would you like something eat?" Marcoh offered.

I smiled and shook my head. "No thank you! Actually, I have something very important to discuss to you, Dr. Mauro."

Marcoh gave me a puzzled look before motioning me to sit down.

I complied and sat down on the chair, placing my pack on the floor. Marcoh did the same and sat on the chair beside me.

"Before we get started, what's your name?" Marcoh asked.

"Oh! My name is Andrea Jhones. Andrea would be fine, though." I said.

Marcoh hummed. "I see. So what are you doing here?" he inquired.

I swallowed nervously.

"I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll say it bluntly." I started. "I want you to make me your apprentice."

Marcoh seemed genuinely confused and shocked. "Huh? Don't you have permission from your parents?"

"Er, I ran away?"

Marcoh looked at me strangely. I just responded to this with a sigh.

"Listen Dr. Marcoh," I started, causing the said man's eyes to widen. Before I could so much as react, he pulled out a gun and shakily pointed it at me.

I made no reaction.

"W-who are you?! How did you know who I am?! Are you part of the military?!" he asked nervously, his head beaded with sweat.

I held the tip of the gun and slowly pried it away from Marcoh's grasp, throwing it inside the trash can. The man gaped slightly and I slowly stood up, holding my hands up.

I held a sad smile. "Trust me Dr. Marcoh, I'm not here to hurt you." I said softly. "I need your help."

Marcoh looked at me with a hesitant expression. Suddenly, without willing so, tears leaked out of my eyes.

"Please…" I begged. "I… need your help. I… just want to go home."

I sniffled and dropped my head. "All I want to do is go home. And… I need your help. I promise I won't reveal your secret to anyone. I promise I won't tell anyone about who you really are."

I then raised my head and despite my pathetic face, I managed a determined expression.

"Please. I need you to hear me out."

Marcoh looked at me with sadness and remorse. His eyes were shadowed and hazed, a sign that he was having some sort of flashback. Maybe he was recalling the souls of the many Ishvalian children he slaughtered to become Philosopher's Stone?

"I… very well." Marcoh said. "I'll listen. But it all depends on what you want me to know about."

I tried for a smile, but it only came up half-heartedly.

"Yes. Marcoh, have you ever heard of parallel dimensions?"

|-Andrea-|

"… and they lived happily ever after, the end."

Marcoh sat across me, staring at me with the most flabbergasted, shocked, and was-I-slapped-by-a-fish face. I was really a bit weirded out by how his eyes could widen as big as it could and I was worried they might bulge out of his sockets of something.

"E-everything you've said sounds totally and completely unbelievable. I might even consider taking you to the mental hospital in the city." Marcoh stuttered out.

I blanched.

"And yet, everything about an opposite world sounds so logical and makes so much sense that it's scary."

I blinked in confusion. "So… you believe me?" I asked hesitantly.

Marcoh placed his hand on his forehead and sigh wearily. "I… I can't say that I completely believe you. Honestly, this all sounds so sudden and confusing."

I nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it." I muttered.

Marcoh chuckled. "Actually, you remind me before of a fellow State Alchemist. He also researched on the possibility of an opposite world to this one, where technology could be more advanced and Alchemy is a dead Science."

I nodded. "It's true. We have no Alchemy, but in exchange we have the evolution of technology."

Marcoh looked fascinated. "I see."

"But what do you need my help for?" he asked. "From what you mentioned, my role in this world wasn't as important but still needed nonetheless."

"I need to learn Medical Alchemy." I stated seriously. "If I'm going to live in this crazy bloody world, I'll need some reassurance. I'm not a great Alchemist, but I am relatively fine with terms and acting as medical support."

Marcoh placed his finger on his chin. "True. If you were to encounter either the homunculus or Scar, you would need to learn how to adapt and heal yourself."

"No."

My sudden statement surprised the Crystal Alchemist. "What do you mean?" Marcoh asked.

I looked down and held the red gem that hung around my neck. "I… I know what the stone is made of. And I know that the humans used in creating this stone are still alive, only that they have no more bodies to return to and that they are used for evil, whether they like it or not."

My grip tightened on the stone. "I would only use the stone to heal others, Dr. Marcoh." I said determinedly. "Never would I use the stone for my own gain. Whether I lose an arm, a leg, or possibly my heart, I will never use it to heal myself."

Marcoh stared at me in surprise. "Then why would you need to learn Medical Alchemy?"

I looked up at him. "I would only heal others, Dr. Marcoh. After all, even if I do die, I don't think Truth would appreciate it." I kidded lightly, trying to ease the tension.

"You're a selfless person, Andrea." Marcoh remarked.

I shook my head. "No, I'm rather selfish when it comes to certain things." I corrected.

Marcoh raised his eyebrow. "Certain things? Like?"

"Like the sleeping arrangements and food. You better let me sleep in the bed and have all the chocolate you have in you."

"…"

"I'm not kidding. I'll ransack your place if I sense you lying."

"… I take it back. You are certainly selfish."

"Damn straight."

|-Marcoh-|

"You can't expect me to do something as cruel as this!"

"It's not cruel, Andrea. It's training."

"B-but… but!"

"It's only an animal."

"It's a cute little bunny!"

Marcoh sigh at his student's childishness. She can't possibly make that big of a deal over wounding a rabbit, right?

Wrong.

Damn girl wouldn't even hold a knife against the animal.

"Andrea," Marcoh scolded. ", if you are to learn how to reconnect the damaged tissues and stop your patient from dying of blood loss, you need to study the body anatomy and how the blood circulates throughout the body"

Andrea pursed her lips. "But this isn't a human body!"

"Would you rather wounding a human corpse or a rabbit? Andrea, choose." Maroch challenged.

Marcoh watched with slight amusement as the young brunette's face paled immensely. Andrea gulped and turned to the young rabbit, who lay in one of the medical tables in the back room with duck tape holding it still.

Andrea held the knife in her hand, her grip shaking. Marcoh watched patiently as Andrea lowered the scalpel down the rabbit's side, creating a huge gash over the body.

As the rabbit squealed in pain, Andrea looked about ready to faint. Marcoh ignored his student's silent pleads to some non-existent God and proceeded with the lesson.

"Using the energy," Marcoh instructed. "I want you to reconnect the tissues. It's a simple procedure. Normally, using the red cells in the blood to create new tissues would risk slight blood loss, but in the case of the rabbit, it all matters how you do it."

Andrea snapped her head to the Crystal Alchemist. "Wait, you expect me to figure out how to create new tissues and avoid blood loss by myself?!"

Marcoh nodded. "Yes. Nothing is better than first-hand experience."

Andrea gaped before dropping her head. "You are almost as cruel as Izumi!" she moaned sadly.

The brunette turned to the bleeding rabbit, analyzing in carefully. Marcoh watched as she placed her hands over the bloody gash, not minding how the red liquid below her painted her dainty hands red.

"Use the energy and split the red cells from the hemoglobin," Marcoh heard Andrea murmur. "Then combine them and make new tissues. Connect them with Alchemy and proceed to extract ingredients from the bone marrow to replace the blood."

Marcoh nodded approvingly at Andrea's procedure. It was a pretty much simple and amateur conclusion, but it was pretty much closer to the real answer.

The Alchemist watched as his student struggled to connect the tissues. With Marcoh's keen eye, he was stunned to find nearly half the damage Andrea did with the wound earlier fixed. All Andrea needed now was to replace the blood.

"Ah!"

The blood spurred out much to Andrea's surprise. The blood splattered about, hitting the young girl's cheek and face.

Marcoh sigh and shook his head as Andrea scrambled to the corner and waved the scalpel around in the air, threatening the air.

"Andrea, you're hypothesis wasn't exactly correct." Marcoh stated, catching Andrea's attention. "Medical Alchemy, all in all, is impossible to do without the right ingredients. If you're dying of blood loss, you must sacrifice the least vital organ or intestine in your body to survive. Medical Alchemy is a technique that cannot be perfected."

Andrea's eyes grew wide with dismay. "That can't be! You use Medical Alchemy yourself!"

Marcoh nodded. "I do. But the ingredients an alchemist needs to heal a patient isn't easy to carry. That is why we must use this,"

Marcoh reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial filled with red glowing liquid. Andrea's eyes narrowed slightly as she bit her lips.

"The Philosopher's Stone…" she murmured.

Marcoh nodded. "With the power of the stone, we would be able to create blood or calcium to strengthen the bones or even possibly mend fractured bones at will. But the process isn't easy, especially using the stone."

"What do you mean by the process isn't easy?" Andrea asked.

Marcoh placed the vial on the table. His eyes drooped down and his posture slumped as he recalled all the human lives he was forced to take in order to create this stone.

"Using the power of the stone; that itself is a difficult task." Marcoh noted. "The power of the stone could overcome the Law of Alchemy, which means that you could make a steel sword with only few minerals in the ground or perhaps create gold from iron. Or—"

"Open the gate of truth without having to pay the toll."

Marcoh was surprised. "Yes, that is possible." He said, after giving it some thought.

He noticed that Andrea's eyes softened. Her usually happy face twisted into a sad and heartbreaking one; an expression Marcoh wasn't used to seeing on his student's face.

"Pushing that matter aside," Marcoh interrupted, hoping to change the topic. "The stone is unpredictable at most times. It took me a few months to get used to the sudden changes and unbelievable results."

"What kind of results?" Andrea inquired with a tilt of her head.

Marcoh turned to the vial. "When using the stone, no equivalent exchange is needed. Given a few minerals or elements, the exact thing you wish to create from Alchemy would appear, granted that it isn't something impossible to create."

Andrea reached towards the gem she held around her neck. Marcoh stared at her necklace and inhaled.

'To think how much this girl has gone through.' He thought. 'And yet she still has the will to push forward. I don't know whether she's astoundingly brave, or plain stupid.'

Andrea's eyes hardened with determination as she clenched her stone and turned to Marcoh. "Dr. Marcoh, I need to perfect this technique in four weeks." She said abruptly.

Surprised, the doctor would only stare. Four weeks?! Was she insane?!

"That's impossible Andrea!"

"I don't care!"

Marcoh was startled to see Andrea staring at him with hardened blue eyes that could so much pierce into her soul. The very same blue eyes that most Amestrian's hold whenever they want to protect someone or something dear to them.

"If I don't learn how to do Alchemy, then I won't be any use at all." Andrea reasoned. "Right now, Truth has the power to do anything to my family on the other side. I have the power to change the timeline and make things for the better."

Andrea clenched her fist. "What good would I be if I can't even protect something I hold dear?" she mumbled, mostly to herself.

Marcoh just stared at Andrea. The girl was not willing to drop her gaze against the doctor and soon, Marcoh sigh.

"It's a difficult process, Andrea." Marcoh reminded. "Are you sure you could do it?"

Andrea grinned. "Oh come on Dr. Marcoh! I survived killing a rabbit! Maybe I could kill a bit easier now?"

"You sound like a killer."

"Who's the one that made me kill a rabbit?"

"Who's the one who failed in fixing the tissues?"

"Who's the one that didn't instruct me properly?"

"Who's the one that didn't think of a proper formula?"

"Who's the one that expected a normal 14 year old rookie alchemist in training to learn how to fix tissues, extract blood cells, and possibly stop a dying rabbit from blood loss and yet still questions her failure despite her determination to save the cute rabbit from the impending doom you brought upon it?"

"Who's the— oh good grief, let's just move on to the next lesson."

|-Andrea-|

I will not freak out. I will not freak out. No. I won't. I definitely won't freak out. I am a strong willed person. I can do this!

"IT HURTS! DAMN IT, IT HURTS!"

Scratch that, I can't!

I ran around in circles, crying out gibberish questions from my native tongue as me, a husband, a son, and a currently in labor woman was waiting patiently for Marcoh.

Oh, what's happening you ask? Meh, nothing really. Just another ordinary day, waiting in the patient room with a pregnant woman, a worried husband, a panicking older brother, and a useless frantic and currently freaking out 14 year old teenage girl (Me).

"What should we do, what should we do, what should we do?!" I cried as I placed my hands on the side of my face. "Dr. Mauro isn't here yet!"

The husband, William, and the older brother, Walt, was also running in circles beside me.

"My wife is in labor and the doctor isn't here yet!"

"My mom is giving birth and the doctor isn't here yet!"

"My wits are in the end and the doctor isn't here yet!"

"I'M GIVING BIRTH TO THE BABY SO WHY ISN'T THE DOCTOR HERE YET?!"

The door leading to the room bolted open, revealing a slightly sweaty Dr. Marcoh. By how he panted, I figured that Marcoh pretty much ran as fast as could to get here. He held his suitcase and panted.

"I'm here!" Marcoh announced as he took off his coat and wiped the sweat off his forehead with a towel. He then took an apron (I tried my best not to laugh when he didn't notice the flower and glitters I decorated on it last night) and tied it around his waist.

Marcoh turned to me. "Have you readied everything?" he asked quickly.

I nodded. "Yes! Extra towels, warm water, disinfectant, and you're tools are on the table doctor!" I said, gesturing to the materials.

Marcoh nodded approvingly and looked at Walt, the other son of the married couple. "I apologize but you must stay outside. Mr. William, I suggest you stay here and provide your wife some mental support."

The couple nodded in agreement. Marcoh then turned to me.

"I got it! I'll wait outside and cover my ears with some pillows and forget this ever happened!" I finished as I bolted out, not before Marcoh held my shoulder and stopped me.

"No. You're going to stay here and help me with the delivery."

…

"WHAT?!"

Marcoh stared at me, not bothered by my sudden reaction. "This will be good experience for you. Aspiring to be a doctor, you must also be well versed in this type of emergency."

"B-but child birth… then blood… then mucus… and… oh gate I might faint!"

Marcoh stared at me with hardened eyes and gestured to the couple. "They need your support as well."

That caught me off guard. True that childbirth might not be as easy as pie and that it may leave me scarred for the rest of my life, but…

I pushed my lips together in a thin line before sucking in a breathe. "Alright!" I finally said. "I'll do it!"

Marcoh smiled and nodded. I turned to the couple, who gave me a reassuring smile.

I nodded at them before taking an apron for myself and washing my hands thoroughly. I then took a clip and tied my hair up in a tight bun to prevent any of my hair strands from possibly interfering.

The wife grunted in pain, catching my attention. I quickly ran beside Marcoh, who was standing at the edge of the bed. Without sparing me a glance, he started his lesson.

"Good that you washed your hands. New born infants are highly sensitive to infections and germs since they have little immune system. Now here comes the difficult part Andrea," Marcoh said.

"Push!"

I cringed when the wife yelled as high as she can as she pushed. I was highly disgusted at the scene and image of childbirth, which is why I'll spare you your innocence and I will definitely NOT describe you everything in full detail.

Once I saw the baby's head, Marcoh continued.

"Support the head Andrea, but do not pull it out." Marcoh advised. "Guide the head out. Don't turn it, twist it, or pull it out too quickly. The baby is extremely fragile, so let things take course. But do not let it explode inside!"

I gulped and muttered a weak 'yes sir!'. As terrified and overwhelming the situation was, I couldn't help but feel oddly fascinated and interested in Marcoh's work.

Finally, after so many hours or crying, helping, lecturing, nearly giving Marcoh a heart attack when I asked him if he's going to slap the baby on the bum for no reason, and trying my best not to faint when Marcoh cut the umbilical cord off the baby, the baby was wrapped in a light colored towel and was wrapped in the arms of his mother.

Rachel smiled wearily as her sweat rolled down her face. She looked at her husband, who was crying tears of happiness and back at both me and Marcoh.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Mauro, Andrea." She said weakly.

I blushed at the gratitude. "You don't have to thank me!" I protested. "All I did was watch and listen to Dr. Mauro's lecture!"

Rachel shook her head. "No, your presence is very welcome. And you helped deliver the baby."

William nodded. "You deserve all of our thanks as well."

I kept still, looking down to hide my embarrassment. I then turned around and headed out the door, telling the two that I would be calling their son.

When I opened the door, I found Walt frozen in the corner of the house, shivering in fear with wide comical eyes. I sweat dropped at the sight but put on a smile nonetheless.

"Your little sister is waiting for you." I informed him.

Walt blinked confusingly. "Little sister…?" he repeated before the words dawned into him.

He bolted up and ran inside the room, finding both his parents holding up a small bundle in their arms. His eyes watered before he turned around and hugged me, raising me up high much to my protest.

"Thank you so much Andrea!" Walt cried as he held me high up in the air.

I smiled nervously. "Er, you're welcome! But can you place me down?"

Walt nodded and settled me down slowly, much to my relief. I sigh and untied the bloody apron around my waist and folded it, placing it on a nearby table. I tugged out my ponytail, letting my hair flow freely.

"I'm sorry about this, but I'm really exhausted." I said with a slight smile to the family. "I'll go now."

As I was about to twist the doorknob, I couldn't help my curiosity and glanced over my shoulder. I watched behind me as the family stared at their new member. Rachel caught my gaze and gave me a nod and a smile.

I couldn't help but turn away from Rachel's gaze. I twisted the doorknob open and exited the room, silently hoping that no one saw my tear stained face.

|-Andrea-|

I was sitting on the edge of the roof, watching the sky above. The stars twinkled brightly above me, delighting me as I hummed a nursery rhyme under my breath.

"The night isn't so bad after all." I murmured to myself as I enjoyed the peace and tranquility that surrounded me.

I guess you could say that stargazing during the late nights became a habit for me. I couldn't help myself; I don't particularly like sleeping early in the night and I usually can't sleep if I'm stuck in a closed room.

I swung my legs up and down, smiling as I gazed on the heavenly body. My hair was tied in a low side ponytail, which I hung on the right side of my shoulder, to keep it from flowing away from my face.

My thoughts wondered to the two Elric brothers. Are they okay? I hope they are. If I estimate, I would say that they already experienced Nina and Alexander becoming a chimera.

I felt guilt wash over me. I wonder, if I studied more, would I be able to help Nina and Alexander? I mean, I have been studying some bio-alchemy and transmutation of living organisms with Dr. Marcoh. Maybe if I had figured something out, the two wouldn't be in this state.

But unlike most people, I shrugged off my guilt. I know it seems pretty harsh to put the past behind me, but regretting it won't help me. I mean, take a look at my situation; if I had kept on musing over what I should've done in the past, would that really help me move forward?

Nina and Alexander were dead. That much was true and I can't bring them back to life.

But there a lot of other people who I could save from dying.

And one of them was a certain soldier who loves his family so much he would never let them go.

I grinned as a brilliant plan formed inside my brain.

Oh, the fun I'm going to have!

|-Andrea-|

I analyzed the contents of the medicines that were placed in the cabinet. I scribbled some notes on a paper. I stopped when I heard the door open behind me, revealing Dr. Marcoh.

"Good morning Doctor!" I said cheerily.

He turned to me and gave me a smile. "What are you doing so early in the morning? It isn't even 9 yet."

"Oh, I was analyzing some of the medicines. Since there were a lot of stuff I need to learn about the medical field, I at least want to know what medicines should be right for what sickness." I replied as I shook a bottle of cough medicine in my hand.

Marcoh nodded. "I see."

"I also want to remind you, Doctor." I said, not looking up from my work. "The Elric brothers and Armstrong is coming tomorrow."

Marcoh sigh and shook his head. "This is stressing. I hope he doesn't report about me to the military like you mentioned."

I shook my head with a smile. "Armstrong is way too kind. Plus, if they do, I'll pour some herbs in their tea and offer it to them. They'll instantly be knocked out and we'll move to another town!" I said cheekily.

Marcoh paled. "Remind me to re-arrange and hide the ginger herbs."

I giggled but turned serious after. "Remember doctor. As soon as you come home, Lust would be waiting. You have to hide somewhere in the East."

"I know your concern is great, but why East City of all places?" he inquired.

I glanced over my shoulder. "It's the city where they are patrolled. Also, Roy Mustang is stationed there, right? You can hide in the city."

Marcoh gave me a look full of disbelief and shock. "The more I shouldn't go to East City then!"

I shook my head. "No, if the Homuculi are in East City, then they wouldn't think twice about you hiding right beneath their noses." I said with a grin. "Plus, all we have to do is mask your scent with the city's so Gluttony won't be able to track you down."

Marcoh stared at me for a few seconds before smiling. "It seems pretty impossible for me to trust my life with you." He notes.

I frowned.

"… but you are doing this for the good of the people, so I don't see why I shouldn't cooperate."

I grinned at Marcoh.

|-Andrea-|

Later that day, I was roaming around the town, just wandering aimlessly. I was walking down a street when I heard a small sound echo nearby.

My curiosity piped up. What was that?

I turned to a small alley, following the sound. I soon found myself wandering in the corner of a small alley. I kept hearing the noise, and honestly, it was starting to irk me.

I was about to turn around and forget it when I spotted a small cage behind a dumpster. Curious, I walked towards the dumpster, trying my best to ignore the putrid stench it let off, and my eyes grew wide.

A small kitten with white and light brown fur was trapped in a pretty secured cage. I scrunched up my face in a weird way, showing my distaste when I found the kitten covered with cuts and patches of missing fur. Her wounds were wrapped in a poorly made gauze with a really loose knot. It was shaking considerably, and sneezed.

Oh my gawd.

This is adorable!

Not the part about it being hurt and caged, but… you know what I mean.

I was feeling sorry for the kitten so I slowly knelt down and raised my arms. The kitten opened its eyes, revealing a hue of bright green to which I ohhed and marveled at. It's eyes narrowed into slits and it hissed at me.

"Eep!" I shrieked, backing away for a moment.

I would've considered taking my ass out of there, but seeing the darn kitty hurt with all that wounds and shit? No. Bad Andrea. You are aspiring to be a doctor and you can't even heal a kitten?!

Shame.

For shame upon I.

I swallowed, trying my best to push away my fear. I slowly approached the cage, my hands nearing the lock. The kitten pushed itself to the opposite end of the cage and hissed and growled at me, glaring at me as if I'm the devil itself.

I pushed my lips into a thin line before exhaling. Now that I've calmed myself down, I looked below determinedly. The cat was still hissing and glaring, but seeing it limp made me twitch.

"That's it kitty," I said in a stern but gentle voice. "Either you stay here and rot to death or I'm going to patch you up so you'll live again. Which will it be?"

Consider me crazy to say this, but the kitten seemed to understand what I said. It relaxed a bit but still kept its eyes on me. I was fine with. As long as I could heal it, at least.

"Okay." I murmured. I slowly neared my hands on the lock, pulling back a bit when the kitten growled. I unlocked the cage and slowly opened the tiny door.

I sort of expected the kitten to attack me like crazy bat shit, but surprisingly it limped forward and fell outside the cage.

I frowned. Who the hell would do this to a cute kitty?! Let me at them!

Pushing that thought aside, I slowly pulled out my necklace from the inside of my shirt. The stone shone brightly, which caught the kitten's curiosity. I took out a piece of chalk and drew a simple circle, placing my hands on it and using both the ingredients from the ground and the power of the stone to create some new gauze.

The first thing I did was wipe the dirt away from the kitten's wounds and let me tell you, it wasn't easy. You know the pain you experience when your mom places alcohol on your wound and it stings like crazy shit?

Well, since the Kitten was covered with dirt and scruffy wounds, I had to apply a lot of alcohol and some anti-bacterial remedies I made myself. I only brought a few ingredients with me today for a simple stroll, so I didn't consider to bring a painkiller.

"Sorry!" I said as I applied a last drop of alcohol and my remedy. The kitten hissed but stayed still as it could. I smiled at its effort and took the old gauze that was wrapped around the kitten and slowly ripped it out, casting it away to the side.

I then wrapped the new gauze around the kitten. It took some skills, since it hated me having any physical contact with it, but I managed. I was slightly weirded out to find some feathers glued to its back, because… cats shouldn't have feathers, right?

I pushed that matter aside too and tied a knot on the gauze and smiled.

I nodded in satisfaction. "There we go!" I said as I stood up. "Well, see you around!"

I turned around and started walking away from the alley. When I was about to turn right, I found the kitten following me, limping its way just to keep up.

I gushed at the sight. I kneeled down the kitty and gently scooped it up. I was also surprised when it didn't attack me like it should be and instead nuzzled in my arms and purred.

Hmm… now I understand why Alphonse likes cats so much.

"Aren't you a cutie?" I cooed. The kitty nuzzled its nose against my arm. I giggled and started walking home.

"Meh, I don't think Doctor won't mind if keep a cat." I said as I walked down the street. I turned to the cat that lay low in my arms.

I hummed. "Maybe I should think of a name." I said out loud. The kitty peeped at me as I fixated to hold it upwards by its two forepaws.

I blinked. "So you're a girl!"

The kitty gave me a look. Can they even do that?

"Hmm… how about Rachel?"

The cat hissed.

"Evangeline?"

The cat showed me its sharp, sharp claws.

"Okay… how about Sara?"

The cat lowered its paws and purred.

I grinned.

"Sara it is!" I exclaimed happily before marching towards the Marcoh residence with a new friend in tow.

Little did I know that the little kitty I held in my arms was the one who saved me from inevitable doom.

[A/N:] What's up people of the universe?! xD

Have you seen the status of my story? I mean, have you seen it? I got 30+ followers and 20+ favorites and 18 reviews? :) Aw, you guys make me feel loved!

And oh my gawsh, have you noticed that FMAB has taken over my very soul? I have almost all merchandise; a red t-shirt with a flamel logo, a red sweater with a flamel logo, a silver pocket watch, an Edward and Alphonse figurine, Lan Fan's mask, and Winry's famous wrench! xD

… and I only spend have of my father's savings account to get all of them!

Anyways, thanks for the support! This really makes me feel the need to write a new chapter for this. I also hope you check out my other stories in case you're a Naru-tard.

Also… I'm thinking of publishing another FMA fanfic. Stupid of me right? :P

Well, I'm about done! :D See you guys next week for the update! ^^

Review my lovely ducklings~ :)