Hey guys! I just finished a new chapter 8D Yaaaaay!
I just finished with my first semester of school, and I finished my finaly provincial exam today, so now I have four free days before the first day of the new semester. I think I did alright on my exams, but I'm kinda nervous about my science one. I hate Chemistry and Physics with a burning passion -_-
Thanks to all the people that reviewed! I know I never reply to any of you, but I do read every single review, sometimes even twice. Kinda weird, I know, but they make me feel so stupidly happy xD Besides, they help to fuel my motivation as well.
Well, I think that's it... I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of its character. I only own my OCs, and the plot.
It's a quiet morning as I move through the kitchen toward the 'brother's' room entrance. I push the door open as silently as possible, trying not to wake the brothers if they're still asleep. It turns out that they are, both of them still lying peacefully and breathing deeply. Like usual, Al sleeps in a more neater manner, while Ed has taken up as much space as possible on the bed that has been provided to him while he stays here. I breathe an exasperated sigh, a wry smile tilting up the corners of my lips. Shaking my head, I move forward, cracking my fingers.
...
WHUMP!
"AGGH! WHAT THE HELL!"
Al shoots up in his bed next to his brothers, eyes wide with surprise at the loud outburst that broke from Ed's lips. All the while, I'm laughing my head off, still lying in the spot where I landed when I jumped onto Ed. This is how you hit two birds with one stone.
"Get offa me!" Ed exclaims, pushing at my shoulders to get me off.
Instead, I lean back, both of my knees on either side of Ed's legs. Flexing, I strike a pose, grinning childishly, "Behold the method of waking people up that has been passed down the Kalisneigh family for generations!"
Ed makes a face when he recognizes that certain speech, making me laugh harder. Al just sighs, running a hand through his messy hair to at least try to tame it. Ed's hair, on the other hand, takes first prize for the biggest mess. It looks like it half wants to be in a ponytail, half doesn't want to, and not only that, but it seems some chunks of hair decided they want to defy gravity throughout the night. Al only has little tufts here and there sticking up.
Ed finally manages to knock me off of him, sending me to the floor with a thump. I grab the place where I landed, laughing in between bursts of 'ow' as I desperately try to get the look Ed had out of my head. Eventually, my laughter ceases, and, while wiping a tear from my eye, I sit up. Ed and Al stare at me oddly, something that they usually do, and I shrug it off, something that I usually do. I'm odd, so what?
"Is there any special reason why you woke us up?" Ed asks testily, giving me a pointed glare.
"I'm going to be heading out soon to go hang out with Nicoule and Melina. I was going to leave around 12:00, and it's already 11:30. I know you guys stayed up late, but I figured you might want to get up now," I reply, standing up. I'm already dressed, though it's only a pair of black sweat pants and a white tank top, and everything else in my daily routine is finished.
Al just begins to get out of bed at those words, and I catch a glimpse of the semi-shocked expression on his face. The boy usually does get up before Ed and I, around 8:30 or 9:00, so I guess he's a little shocked that it's already 11:30. Or maybe he's just amazed that somehow I was able to get up before someone came into my room and dragged me off the bed themselves. Who knows, really?
Ed, however, flops back down on the bed, rolling onto his stomach with a groan. Covering his head with the pillow, he mutters something along the lines of 'fuck that', and probably attempts to go back to sleep. I don't take that as an answer. Grabbing the ankle the blonde had sticking out from beneath the hurricane of sheets on his bed, I tug as hard as can. I manage to slide him off halfway when gravity took over and did the rest of the work. With an echoing thump, Edward Elric lands on the floor hard, and I think I might have also knocked the air out him. Al and I lean over him, watching as he slowly begins to get up, his expression hidden by his hair and the fact that he had landed on his stomach. Next thing I know, he's swerving on me, and I'm dodging his hand in its attempt to grab me.
"Oh, shit!" I yelp, darting out of the room.
"Get back here, you annoying little-!"
"Brother!"
As you can see, what was once a nice peaceful morning has now turned into chaos. This isn't unexpected, though, since my house has seemed to be much more eventful now that those two have shown up. Honestly, I really wouldn't have it any other way.
Ed misses me after another attempt at grabbing me. Somehow I manage to dodge, even if I don't know where I was able to muster up the ninja-like move. I scurry to the other side of the kitchen table, the two of us staring each other down as he moves one way and I move the other, creating some sort of circling of the table. I watch his movements carefully, gulping. Hey, I may annoy the hell out of the midget, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to die. It is kind of my own fault I'm in this situation though.
Ed suddenly smirks, making a shiver run down my spine. I watch his movements even more carefully, when I receive an interesting surprise as two hands grab my arms from behind. Jumping, I jerk my head around to look up at Al, then back over at the approaching Ed. Flailing, I try to get Al to release his grip on me, but just like his stubborn brother, he's much stronger than me.
"Al, you traitor!" I yell, kicking at Ed when he gets within kicking range.
Al chuckles, an evil sound tingeing along the usual childish melody, "I don't necessarily like being woken up either, Kat."
Ed grabs the leg I kick out at him, pulling it forward slightly so I lose a little balance. Flailing even more to try and keep me upright, even though I probably would have remained standing since Al is still holding my arms, Ed dodges a semi-restrained flailing limb and launches his hands forward. With a gleeful shriek, I wring myself around as much as I can, trying desperately to get away from Ed's hands. Al holds me reasonably still, allowing Ed to continue the tickling that's torturing my sides. Laughter erupts from my lips, tears welling up in my eyes as the laughing soon begins to hurt and I start to lose breath in my lungs.
"HAHAHA GOD DAMN HAHAHA YOU BOTH! HAHAHA FUUUCK I HAAATE HAHAHAA YOU BOTH! HAHAHAHA PLEASE STOP HAHAHA IT HURRRRTTTTSS!" I laugh.
"Okay, brother, I think that's enough," Al manages to say through the held back laughter. Ed pouts a bit at his brother's instructions, pulling his hands back from my sides, when Al lets my now dead weight slip to the floor.
"Haha...ow...it hurts...my guts..." I murmur, keeling over to hold my still cramped stomach. Ed and Al laugh at me, standing over my curled up form. "Damn you both..."
"I'm not one for letting things slide, Kat. You should know that well enough by now," Ed states, poking me in the side with his foot.
I swat the offending limb away, and pull myself to my feet. One arm continues to clutch my aching abdomen, while I use my other hand to help support my body by leaning against the kitchen table. As I'm trying to regain my breath, and stop the aching cramps still curled in my gut, Ed and Al send me another smile and start scouring the kitchen for food. Before long, I'm back to normal, and grabbing the last few things that I want to bring with me before I head out to Melina's house. Soon enough, I'm saying goodbye to Ed and Al and entering the cold winter air outside of my house.
"What do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what do-"
"If you two say that one more time, you know what I'm going to do," Nicoule snaps at us from her place on Melina's couch. All of us were sitting downstairs in Mel's family room, isolating ourselves from her family.
"Well, what do you wanna do?" I ask, smirking when I see Nicoule's eye twitch.
Nicoule stays silent for a few moments, thinking. After a little while, a slow, sly grin makes its way across her face, making her eyes light up dangerously. Mel and I both look at each other, worry and dread clear on both of our expressions.
"How about Truth or Dare?" Nicoule finally suggests evilly.
"Hell no. You'll ask shit I won't ever even consider answering truthfully," I frown.
"Oh yeah? Wanna make a bet?"
"No way. I've learned my lesson; no bets are ever to be made with Nicoule."
"Because I always win."
"...Shut up."
"Besides arguing," Mel adds, now a bit annoyed.
"Well, I have no idea. This isn't my house," I retort. Mel shoots me a look, and in response I stick my tongue out at her, only to have one of the chairs pillows hit me in the face. "Ow."
"How can a pillow hurt!" Nicoule exclaims.
"It just did, okay?"
"Pussy."
"Man-eater."
"Ass-hole."
"Bitch."
"Oh, go suck Ed's cock for all I care."
A bright blush lights up on my cheeks as my jaw drops at Nicoule's statement. Mel begins to laugh at both the remark and my face, though she tries to hide it behind her hand. Nicoule, on the other hand, smirks triumphantly, tapping her fingers against her leg. The comment, no matter how used to them I should be by now, still caught me off guard, and I'd be lying if I said that that wasn't a damn good retort.
"W-What? Like you did with Roy last night?" I shoot back at her, attempting to match her remark.
"Overused," She sings, her smirk widening, "Embarrassed, Kat?"
"Oh, I wonder why," I spit at her, crossing my arms. "You win, I give up."
"Victorious, once more," She grins.
"Unfortunately," I sigh, rubbing my forehead. I doubt my blush has gone down, at all. "You have no idea how relieved I am that we agreed to hang out over Mel's house instead of mine."
"I thought I said no arguing," Mel says, though her impression of seriousness is failing. She's still giggling like a little school girl.
"Nicoule's word is law, and her word is that she can make fun of Kat whenever she pleases!" Nicoule announces, grinning widely.
"Oh, joy," I remark sarcastically, face-palming.
"Life is never a dull moment with Nicoule around, is it?" Mel giggles.
"No, it isn't," I sigh, a reluctant smile coming to my lips.
Life with Nicoule in it is definitely never boring. The girl always finds some way to turn something boring into something completely amusing, at least until it starts to get old again. Over the years that I've known her, I've seen her create many different ways to amuse someone while they're bored. There are some days when she just acts like a normal teenager, but usually we get to hang out with the girl that truly defines the statement of a wild imagination.
"Soooo Katrina," Nicoule says coolly, looking over at me. I raise an eyebrow at her, telling her to continue. At the same time though, I can't help but suspect that she's up to something, since she doesn't call me by full name unless it's something like a trap, or something serious. "How are things between you and Edward going?"
My eyes narrow in suspicion, "You're implying something."
"Nonsense!" She exclaims, grinning like a goof. Melina stays silent, and instead she just watches in interest.
"Lies!"
"Oh come on Kat, I'm just curious."
"Yeah right. Knowing you, you probably made a bet with Mel about Ed and I and now you just want me to tell you whatever so you can reassure yourself that you did or did not win the bet," I state, rolling my eyes.
Mel and Nicoule exchange glances slowly.
"I fucking knew it!"
"Okay, so you caught us," Mel shrugs, raising her hands in defence, "And Nicoule is telling the truth, we are just curious."
"What exactly was the bet?" I ask, huffing.
"If or if not you and your Edward dearest got together sometime over Christmas break," Nicoule replies, "I said yes, but Mel bet against it."
Why is it, that when she said that, she sounded so god damn sure about herself?
I sigh, shaking my head slowly at the two. I'm not too surprised that the two would bet something like this, I'm really not. Nicoule and I have done our fair share of bets, no matter how simple some of them may have been, but after a while, I slowly figured out that no matter how many times I make a bet with her, I'll never win. It's true, since Nicoule has this crazy way of being psychic, she always won the bet. I'm not surprised that she won this bet – though they won't know - between Mel and her as well, though I am surprised about the fact that Mel actually participated in one of Nicoule's bets. The blonde doesn't usually do so. Whenever Nicoule suggests one, the short girl usually just rolls her eyes, or stays silent. I wonder what compelled her to take on Nicoule.
"What would you do if I said that it was none of your guys' business?" I grin.
Nicoule raises an eyebrow, "Then I'd know for a fact that I won this bet."
I scoff, "Oh yeah? Prove it."
"Turn around."
I give Nicoule a curious look, before slowly looking over my shoulder at the TV. The girl had grabbed the remote at one point and clicked the electronic box on, setting the screen a bright blue with the words 'DVD' in the centre. As I silently ponder when she had tooken the time to throw a DVD into the DVD player, she clicks play on the remote, and the video sets into motion. At first, the moving pictures are confusing, and it takes a moment for it to actually sink in. When it does, however, Melina and I are left shocked, while Nicoule gains a noticeable triumphant grin where she sits. My jaw drops open while my eyes widen, the green orbs somehow refusing my brains instinct to look away. Instead, they continue to watch as two familiar people kiss in a very familiar place. At the same time that I find this shocking and a bit disturbing, I can't help but remember the whole situation from my point of view, while Melina watches it from Nicoules. Melina's jaw, like mine, has dropped, but a breathy laugh is also escaping her lungs as her eyes dart from the TV to me, as if I would reassure her that what's going on had actually happened.
How in the hell did she get a video of Ed and I!
Oh wait, this is Nicoule...
"You sneaky little bastard..." I mumble, finally tearing my eyes off of the screen to glare over at Nicoule. The girl merely shrugs, her smirk growing wider.
Melina continues to laugh silently, "Dang, Kat, how long have you two been seeing each other to be able to get that...uh...passionate..."
"I-It's not that bad," I insist quietly, my once pale face becoming redder by the second.
Nicoule scoffs, "You guys nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw that you were practically sucking each others faces off."
I slouch down, covering my face with my hands so I don't have to watch that torturous video anymore, as well as to cover the very bright blush spreading across my cheeks. It just couldn't be happening... I never thought that Nicoule would really sink to this level to prove what might be one of her hunches true. She may have been right all along, but that didn't quite give her the right to go video tape the damn thing!
The video stops abruptly when Mel turns off the TV. Nicoule goes to object, when she's cut off by a shake of Mel's head. I remain silent from the shock still emanating through me. My mind is a jumble of thoughts that I can't seem to sort out, and in the end I just try and concentrate on trying to keep my emotions in check, as well as to will away the blush on my face. Nicoule and Melina stay quiet, leaving the three us in a tense silence that's slowly driving me mad. My already jumbled thoughts jump around even more at this silence, my mind on high alert from paranoia now. What are they thinking? More importantly, what's Ed going to think after he finds out about Mel and Nicoule knowing about us now?
"How long?" Mel asks. The question is simple, but for some reason, in this situation, it feels like a really important one.
"Since Christmas," I reply quietly, finally lifting my face from my hands. She nods slowly, ignoring Nicoule's beckoning to her for the money.
A situation that really shouldn't have been made out to be this shocking, or even dramatic, actually is. What's going on between Ed and I wasn't supposed to come out this soon, since, truthfully, we aren't ready for it. We were comfortable just the way things were, in secrecy, and besides, now that Nicoule and Melina have found out, things will get more difficult. I love the two of them, but Nicoule will find a way to make this seem more important than it actually is (like she had proved just a bit earlier), and Melina will find a way to tease us about it. Now if they let the information leak to Zach and Teal then, well, I'll be doomed. The peaceful order I once had around my home will now be disrupted, and I don't even know what to do. The even thought of not even telling Ed about this is not an option, because if he finds out that they know and that I didn't tell him, then he'll be sure to have a fit. I don't need him getting stressed out over this. Both the brothers need to focus on their research, and not about some little teenage drama caused by their hostess' friends.
"That was kind of uncalled for," Mel states after a while, slowly looking over at Nicoule. She shrugs again.
"The truth needed to come out."
"It could've when we were ready. We could have told you ourselves, but noooo," I scoff, hitting my forehead.
"Oh yeah? And when would that have been?" She retorts. I stay silent. "Exactly. You two probably would have cooped up that secret until the end of time, or at least until they leave you."
The words sting, even if she didn't mean for them to. I already know that the brothers may end up leaving me behind, to go back to their world, back to the people they love and miss, but it doesn't mean that knowing that isn't like a punch to the stomach. Thoughts whirl around in my head, and I bow my head, clenching my eyes shut and trying to ignore the sudden dull ache in my temple. This whole event is messing with my mind, and I can tell that the consequences are going to leave me a mess. Maybe now, with Mel and Nicoule knowing about Ed and I, I can speak freely about some things. Even though I'm still not pleased about Nicoule bringing Ed and I out into the open already, the new advice might be helpful.
"Kat?" Mel murmurs uncertainly, staring at me as my hands suddenly clench into fists.
"Who says they're going to leave me?" I respond before I even know that the words are leaving my mouth. Nicoule and Mel give me a curious look.
"I thought we went over this already," Mel begins, "If they find their way back, then-"
"Well, what if I can't watch them leave peacefully? It's been bugging me, ever since I had that talk with Izumi," I say thoughtfully.
"What talk, ya teachers pet?" Nicoule asks, waving her hand in an urgent 'get on with it' motion.
Ignoring the nickname, I cross my arms and stare hard at the floor. "If I can't watch them peacefully, then I'll just go with them," I repeat slowly, lifting my head to look up at them. The two look at each other uncertainly, questioning my proclamation in their heads, before looking back at me. "Don't look at me like that. Yeah, okay, it's kind of a crazy idea, and I even thought that I was going crazy when I said it. But, no matter how many times that I think that there's no way that I could do something like that, I still can't get the idea out of my head, and I want to do it more each time I think about them leaving me. I-I can't help it..."
Silence falls over us, when Nicoule scoffs, bringing my attention to her, "You always were such a diehard romantic. And now this, with all that, 'I'll follow my love where ever he goes' bullshit. It's like another one of your Shakespeare novels." I open my mouth to respond, but she cuts me off when she continues, "It makes me question my sanity when I say I'm with you, 100%."
"Nicoule!" Mel exclaims in surprise, and I just stare in shock.
The brunette smiles wryly, shrugging her shoulders, "I can't help it. Her idiocy is rubbing off on me. Besides, I can't just see her go, and know that she's going to experience a whole new world without me. Not only that, but if I'm not there, she'll probably end up killing herself by accident."
"Hey..." I pout.
"What do you think, Mel? Care to join us?" Nicoule wonders, grinning. Mel stays silent, contemplating it, when a grin finds her lips as well, and she nods toward Nicoule.
"Hey, I don't remember inviting you guys!"
"Aw shut up, you know you want us to come."
"Ah, well, true...but still!"
"Just quit yer whinin', you pussy."
"I'm home!"
Silence is what I get in return to my greeting. Raising an eyebrow, I shut the door the rest of the way, and take off my winter gear, before making my way toward the living room. The lights are on, so the two must be home, especially since the main area of light is coming from the living room. The rest of the house is left in dim lighting, or completely dark, matching the amount of light outside. Once I reach the living room, I sigh slightly in relief when I find the two sitting in their usual spots, staring intently down on a few papers. At the sound of movement, they lift their heads to look at me, and I offer the two of them a smile.
Nicoule, Melina and I, after all of our proclamations, finally agreed, together, that we would follow after Ed and Al. I kept asking, though, making sure that this is really what the two of them want to do, but they kept giving me the same answer. What we're going to do is crazy, and the consequences will be great, but for some reason, we're going to go through with it anyways. For some crazy reason, we're going to leave behind our families and friends, technology, and everything as we know it to follow after these two brothers. My reasons, I suppose, make more sense than theirs, but at the same time, I understand their reasons completely. It's been the three of us for as long as I can remember. We've always been the three musketeers, and now that one of us wants to leave, the other two feel the need to follow so that they can make sure their comrade won't be harmed. I'm touched by their propositions. However, I still can't help but feel guilty, because now that I've told them my plan, I've made them feel the need to leave behind their families instead of only just one person doing so now.
Well, after our agreement, we made another one. I'd keep them posted on how the research was going, and when the time was right, I'd bring them over here, and we'll confront Ed and Al about our idea. They'll be angry with us, I know that, but I'm sure we can convince them somehow. If we keep insisting, Al might see what we're trying to get at, and then he'll help convince Edward as well. The chances are still very high, though, but we can hope.
"How was your guys' day?" I question, taking a seat in my usual chair. The two merely stare at me, before glancing at each other from the corner of their eyes, worried frowns on both their faces. My heart thumps when I see that look, trying desperately to ignore the dread building in my gut. "What? What is it?" I ask urgently, leaning forward.
"Katrina." I look to Edward, eyes pleading him for an answer to what's going on. The blonde averts his eyes, and my stomach drops, hands clenching at both of the arms of the chair. Finally, he speaks up, his voice quiet enough so that I have to lean in to hear him more clearly, "We're leaving soon."
"W-What?"
"We found our way back, Kat. We're going back."
My eyes widen, and I look to Alphonse for a confirmation. The younger Elric nods in my direction, but his eyes refuse to lock with me as well. My heart just continues to beat erratically, my hands clenching even tighter to the chairs arms, turning my knuckles white and making my fingers ache. It feels as if my stomach has dropped to the point of feeling as if it isn't even in my body anymore, and all that's left is this hole where the sudden shock and raging emotions begin to swell. I feared this day would come, and no matter how many times a person can wish that it won't, the chances of those wishes coming true are very slim. Even if my first priority was to help them return, and wanted it for them as well, I couldn't help but feel selfish and want them to stay. The brothers have somehow gotten themselves under my skin, and I just can't get them out, especially Ed... With the way I feel for Ed now, how can I just let him walk out?
But... We agreed. Nicoule, Melina, and I agreed, and now that this has happened, I shouldn't be saddened, I shouldn't feel this pain. The three of us will convince them, no matter what.
With those thoughts in my mind, I try to rid myself of my heart wrenching state that I'm in, and force a wide smile onto my face. My determination conflicts with my dread, but still I smile. This is for them. They haven't been home in ages, and now that this is happening, I shouldn't allow them to feel disheartened by their discovery. The two of them should be happy, and not worried about my reaction.
"I'm so happy for you..."
The chair creaks, and my white knuckles seem to glow from the light hitting the white skin.
I'm kinda iffy about how this chapter came out =/ I started it a while ago, but ended up re-writing it because I didn't like how it was coming out. The final product still didn't come out exactly how I wanted, but I guess it's up to you guys to decide if it's good or not. Now that the end of the story is coming, it's going to start picking up a little bit =D
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll try getting the next one out quickly, I promise!
e-mail: cherry_blossom_ - for anyone who has anyone extra questions, or anything. I check it 24/7, so I'll reply quickly, unless I'm seriously busy. If my whole e-mail didn't show up, then god damn it Fanfiction -_- If you want it, just check my profile, or message me.
Oh! I'm also going to be posting up a new poll soon, and I'll tell you guys when I do, alright? Since the end of the story is coming soon, I was gonna do something at the end as a sort of celebration. Depending on your guys' opinions, I'll either do a Q&A in the written form, a short side fic for this story, or maybe a Q&A on livestream, if I'm up to it. If you guys have any other ideas, tell me!
-CelestraMoon~3