People pick up habits during wartime to deal with their stress. They may bite their nails, click their fingers or constantly reassemble their weapons. Alphonse buys a dog.

Alphonse had brought a dog.

Most of his neighbours were shocked, as he was such a cat person. But something had told him he needed a dog.

Dog in question was the runt of the litter, had floppy ears and a long wheat coloured coat with dark golden eyes. Her nature was very placid, and whenever Alphonse moved about, she would follow behind him, tail thumping. Whenever Alphonse sat, she would flop her head down on his stomach, wanting attention, which would make him grin and attack her head with pats.

Her name was Honey.

And Honey knew that something was wrong with her master.

A few times a day, in the rare moments she left his side for water or fresh air, she would find her master staring wistfully out the window, or sitting on top of the spare bedroom bed glaring at the opposite wall. Honey didn't know whose bed it was. She could faintly pick up a scent very similar to her masters. The person who owned this scent had never entered their house for as long as Honey had lived there.

When he got like this, Honey would whine, and tug at his sleeve, like she was trying to drag him out of deep water. Or a nightmare he couldn't escape from.

This disturbing behaviour had stared a few days ago, when a stranger had visited them from out of the blue. He had worn a crisp blue military uniform; Honey recognised it, as they owned some of them in the wardrobe up stairs, had messy blond hair and smelt strongly of gunpowder and cigarettes.

He'd given her master a salute, but her master had smacked his hand away from his forehead, and thrown his arms around him. They'd then fallen backwards, down the front steps from his momentum.

"Honey, this is Second Lieutenant, Havoc," her master had informed her, grinning from ear to ear. Honey had wagged her tail a little nervously at the stranger. She had picked up some very intense emotions coming off from him, which were making her very nervous. She could feel his heart drum out of beat, and he seemed stressed for some reason.

Finally, Havoc relaxed just slightly when he'd handed over a thick bundle of yellowing, muddy papers. They were all bound together with thick string. Honey could smell a very sharp and tangy flavour wafting from them. She growled slightly. Then, Havoc had handed a fresher envelope to her master.

When he'd opened it, he'd gasped loudly, and started to shake violently, making Honey whined anxiously. She nosed at his hand and licked it to give him comfort. Alphonse's hand had found her scruff, and gripped it tightly. She had tried not to yelp in pain.

When Havoc had tried to get closer, she'd growled viciously, knowing that it was him who'd caused her master's great distress. "Alphonse, is there a reason why you got a Golden Retriever?"

"No, not really," he had whispered into her fur, pulling her up so she was half on his lap and half off.

"I think you do," and with that, he'd never come back.

Honey slowly wagged her long tail to and fro, watching her master cook. It smelt of rich meat, making her mouth water. He was working over the oven, pan handle dangerously far over the edge as he lent to turn up the heat.

Then it all turned wrong.

When he pulled back, his elbow nudged the handle, and knocked it to the ground. It hissed when it came into contact with the cold tiles. Honey leaped backwards with a startled bark. Her master was on the ground, watching the grease trickle across the ground with wide eyes. Cautiously, Honey padded over to her master, head low and afraid. She smelt hurt on him, and saw his hand was swollen. She gently took it in her jaws and licked it, to rub away the pain.

Suddenly, her master grabbed her tightly, and she wulfed in surprise. She was crushed against his chest, and she went limp. "Oh… Honey. What am I going to do?" he asked her, and felt dampness on her fur. She lifted her muzzle, brushing his cheek and flicked her tongue out, tasting salt dripping down his cheeks.

Honey whined loudly, growing worried. She pawed at the door, then scratched at the bottom leaving deep marks. Her master would scold her for that, but her master hadn't come out yet! She started to bark, furious.

"Wulf! Wulf!!"

Why didn't he answer her? She rammed her body into the door, hurting her shoulder. Pausing, she sniffed loudly at the bottom of the door. She smelt something sharp and tangy, reminding her of the yellowing letters Havoc had given him. She panicked. Snapping and snarling, she bit at the door, until her gums started to bleed.

Honey raised her self onto her hind legs, and pushed at the door's brass handle but it clattered uselessly at her claws.

"WULF!"

The door finally opened. Her master stood in the door way, shivering slightly. Whining, Honey jabbed her nose at his stomach, smelling that strange scent all over his body. She licked his fingers, tasting blood on them. She glanced up at him. He looked back, eyes frightened. "Sorry, girl," he said gently, bending down to her level, and looking at her mouth. "Oh. You hurt yourself. Let's clean you up."

Before he shut the door behind himself, Honey got a good look at the room. She could see smears of blood all over the bath tub and sink. Then the door closed firmly on her nose.

"Hello, Alphon- oh, who's this?" Another stranger. But this time, they were the ones doing the visiting.

They had travelled by train, her first time, and had arrived sometime later in a whole new place. Honey had stuck her nose into everything. Even her master was slightly cheerful. Which made her happy too.

"This is Honey, Sensei," he smiled, giving her a pat on the head. This Sensei person smelt strongly of meat so she wagged her tail vigorously and licked her hand.

"Well well. And here I thought your were a cat person!"

"Sensei, did you receive a letter?" her master asked, voice jumping. The happy mood plummeted, making Honey anxious. Slowly, unsurely, the woman nodded her braided head, looked to her right and rubbed her upper arm.

"I've always hated the State," she snarled, looking murderous. She then quickly turned away from them, shoulder shaking ever so slightly. "I've set up your room," she said in an airy voice, but Honey picked up her salty tears with her nose. "Make yourself at home."

A few days later, Honey found herself standing in a well used court yard. There were many footprints in the soft dirt, and large scratched on the bricks scattered haphazardly around them. Her master was staring up at the old building, the same far away look he seemed to get more often nowadays back on his face.

He then took off, striding purposefully into the building.

Honey trotted after him, excitedly sniffing at the ground. She caught very, very old scents. Some human scents, but a lot of animal scents as well. Most she didn't recognise, but she picked up dog.

Soon, they entered an under ground basement, filled with crates and old bits and pieces. Eagerly, Honey sniffed at a corner, picking up a broken smoking pipe in her teeth. She noticed there was an old lighter in the shape of a rectangle with words scribble on it. She couldn't read though. She strutted over to her master to show off her find.

Her tail slowly stopped wagging. Her master was bent double on the ground, looking at something. Curiously, Honey looked over his shoulder. His pointing finger was slowly tracing a chalk smelling drawing on the ground. It looked like a double ringed circle, with a triangle stuck in the middle.

She gave his spine a sharp prod, and he turned around, smiling sadly. "What you got there, girl?"

Honey wulfed, showing off her catch, glad to see her master was animated once more.

"Well, dog, looks like it's just you and me," the woman whom his master called 'Sensei' said, hands on hips. Honey waggled her tail nervously. Sensei seemed nice, but was very stern.

"Yours owners been pretty down, huh?" she chatted away, as they sat together in the sun, Sensei doing some needle work on her lap. Honey put her nose on her knee to have a look. Sensei gave her a prod on the nose with the sharp side of the needle telling her to stop being so nosey. Honey grumbled.

"Has he done anything silly while he was in Central?"

Honey whined softly, cocking her head.

Yes. He had.

"What about hurting himself then? Alphonse seems to be sensible enough to not do that."

She growled lowly, flicking her ears back.

… then why is he continuing to hurt the same place on his hands with a knife each night? I can smell hurt on him and blood but he doesn't show signs of pain

"This is ridiculous, I'm talking to a dog," she sighed to herself, stretching her back with a pop. "What a horrible world we live in," Sensei said quietly, dropping her needle work and reached for Honey. "This is all that stupid bastard's fault," she growled, more to herself. Honey pricked her ears, eyes shining with intelligence. "What?" she asked.

Honey thumped her tail on the pavement.

"You don't know who I'm talking about, girl. Though I doubt you'd like him that much. Your other owner certainly didn't."

Sensei sighed wearily, stroking her head in long rhythmic pats. "What am I going to do, girl?" she asked Honey. Honey whined. Lots of humans liked to ask her this question. "I've already lost two children. I can't loose another."

Again they moved on.

On the train ride to the new place, Honey felt sick.

When they opened the carriage to let her off the train, she couldn't move. Her master came rushing in, looking tearful. She lifted her head, and thumped her tail, licking his hands as if to say I'm okay, silly.

Her master put her inside a crate, and hefted her up, lugging her to their destination.

Honey pricked her ears, when she heard loud barking. The thud of paws, and she was placed on the ground. She felt the energy to lift her head out of the box. A black and white dog was prancing around her master, and she felt a stab of jealousy. She growled at him.

"Easy girl!" her master laughed, a rare sound. "This is Den. Say hello."

Reassured, Honey carefully hopped out of the crate, feeling better. She guessed she must have been feeling train sick before. She sniffed Den, who looked curiously at her. Then she heard shouts from the house they were outside of.

"Granny! Granny! Ed's back. It's Ed," the door bagged open, and Honey scented the girls happiness before she came in view. She felt her master freeze beside her, and she pressed herself against his leg for comfort.

"Oh," the girl stopped short, seeing the three of them. Her face slowly dissolved and a fresh wave of sadness came off her, stunning Honey. "Oh… oh Al," she whimpered, coming up to him. "I thought… maybe."

She wobbled for a second, then fell to her knees, clutching the hem of his clothes, sobbing and pushing her face into his stomach. Slowly, her master stroked the top of the girl's head, looking like someone had taken a sword, and stabbed him through the heart.

"Here, Honey!"

With a slightly forced smile the girl, called Winry placed down a dish of sweet smelling liquid. Honey sniffed it, then stuck her nose up.

"Ah!" Winry blinked in shocked. "Den really likes this brand…"

Her master chuckled from the kitchen table; crook of his knee propped up on his thigh. "She doesn't like milk."

"Eh?" the girl turned, looking even more startled. "That's odd. Just like-"

CRASH!

All three jumped, and quickly turned to see who made the racket. Honey smelt the dusty smell of Granny Pinako. It seemed she had knocked over a few books and folders as she'd swept the room.

"Pardon me," she said in her raspy voice, swiftly picking them up.

"I'm going for a walk," her master said suddenly, standing up. "Honey, stay with Winry. I'll be back for dinner."

Once he was out the door, Honey padded to the window, and looked out. She could make out the slouched figure of her master, walking down the dirt path. She hoped he would be okay. "Granny," she heard Winry whisper behind her furry back. "I'm worried about Al. He seems so distant."

Pinako sat, her old body tired. "Give him time, my dear. He's had a great loss."

"Not just that. What about," Honey felt all eyes on her. She turned around; annoyed they were talking about her. She wulfed, warning them. Winry put her hands on her hips, having a sudden idea. "What are you looking so annoyed about, you little bean sprout?!"

"WULF WULF!" Honey growled dangerous, bearing her teeth at Winry. Honey hated to be acknowledged by her small size.

"You just raised your voice at her, that's all," Granny said, determined not to be persuaded. Winry just shook her head, and gave Honey a frightened glance.

At night, Honey was disturbed. She felt a dip in the bed, and she growled softly in warning. She made out the figure of Winry in the darkness. She was at the head of the bed, while Honey was at the bottom, warming her master's feet.

"Shuu! I'm not going to steal him away from you, you jealous little-"

Suddenly, her master stirred slightly, rolling over and parting his mouth, murmuring. "Hm- nii-san?"

Honey felt Winry sadden slightly, and gently shook her master's shoulder. "No, Al. It's me."

"W-winry?" he slurred, sounding confused, staring up at her with hazy eyes. Honey sat up quickly when Winry told him to shuffle over. Rather reluctantly, he did. With three in the bed, things definitely got cosy fast.

Honey slithered up, and settled beside her master, squashed between him and the wall. She thumped her tail good-naturedly when he got told to move back down and she refused. Her master gave her a tug, and Winry let over and attacked her side. She both snapped at them playfully, still refusing.

Finally, they gave up.

"Al, you should start growing out your hair again," Winry said, rather suddenly. Honey sensed her master stiffen and whimpered slightly.

"Winry, don't-" he began, sounding bitter.

"Alphonse, you do it too, I can see it," she cut across, pushing up with her arms, and looked down at him. She then looked right at Honey, and she quivered for a second. "It's not healthy."

"Your wro-"

"No! I'm right. Look at her!" She raised her voice, and Honey sat up, looking dangerous. "Her fur and eye colour. I've never seen a dog before with such golden eyes. And Honey's nature and her little habits, it's just not ri-"

"Shut up!" Just as suddenly, her master sat up, and swung at her. The blow sent Winry to the floor, and she gasped, holding the side of her head. "Get out."

Shakily, she got to her feet and left, a few wavering hics escaping her.

Honey whined softly, frightened at her master's sudden attitude change. His own eyes were wide, like he wasn't quite sure what had just happened. Slowly, he brought his hands up, and around to the back of his neck, drawing himself into like a hedgehog, shivers running across his body. Honey whimpered, nudging him uncertainly.

He grabbed for her, and clutched her madly, making her whimper again. "Honey… Honey. You won't leave me, will you?" he asked, voice wavering out of control. "You're a good girl," he said softly, planting a soft kiss on her head, stroking her chest. She sniffed at his hair, tasting his familiar scent. "You'll never leave my side."

In a trance like state, her master stood up, and fell to the ground, searching for his suite case. He pulled it up, and opened it. He disentangled two thick ropes. He stood, then motioned for her to follow.

Climbing onto the bed, he hoisted himself up, then Honey out the window. They crept across the deck, Honey pausing to smell the night air. It was crisp and clean, tainted by the fear and silent resolution coming off her master.

Quite soon, they reached a place that reminded her of Havoc. It smelt of something burning. The ground was dead, like it wasn't able to grow things here. Beside that, was a blackened tree. Her master glanced at the remains of whatever it used to be. He smirked.

"Very fitting. It started here, now it will end here."

He climbed the tree. Honey followed, worried now. The fear was replaced by something else now. In fact, she couldn't sense her master at all. It was like his mind was slowly slipping, and she couldn't reach him. He tied the rope firmly to the tree, then made a loop near the end. In the darkness, it looked like a giant collar.

He jumped down, and come up to Honey, holding the second rope. He tied one end to the trunk. The rest went around her neck. There was hardly any left, and her chest was pinned flush to the tree, the rope digging uncomfortably into her neck. She squirmed, not liking it. As soon as she wriggled, the rope tightened.

"Shhuu," she master breathed, his breath blowing into her ear, but it didn't calm her down. He then left her. His heat vanished, and she never saw him again. She heard him though. His nails scrapping on the bark as his climbed. The weight shifting from the main truck to the slim branch. More shuffling. Then he jumped, and a huge weight pulled on the branch.

Then there was silence.

Frantically, Honey tugged on the tight rope, as it burned into her skin. The more she struggled, the more it tightened. She couldn't breath!! Wailing silently, she thrashed to and fro, desperate to see her master. To make sure he was alright. Her muzzle was damp from a foam like substance that she was bringing up from her churning stomach. Her whole body was on fire. She couldn't breath. Her vision was getting worse. She couldn't feel her paws, her lower body, her chest, her-

Then everything went cold.

Everything went dark.

Nothing.