Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or it's characters and i can only wish i did. But if any of you know the writers of the mangga or anything, please do tell them that it's almost my birthday

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Chaptesr 4

The people of Saramin had plans which could be considered absurd by a few, but they are ones that should not be underestimated.

The people of this city greatly contributed to the technological advancement of their society with their knowledge of science and alchemy which were of great help to the government and the people.

Their different strategies and strong will enabled them to defeat a good number of military soldiers, slowly inching their way to victory and freedom.

The number of losses encountered was only considered as another reason why that particular side should defeat the opponent. "To avenge their lives" as they say.

In Colonel Mustang's case, it was to "End this inanity". He only thought of Saramin's plans as foolish. A secluded life, one that is completely free of the government? Give me a break.

"All the lives that were lost, all the injuries, all the pain, this war is a nuisance" he sighed before once again rubbing his fingers together to create a great flame which engulfed the entire battlefield.

His soul burned with the intent of killing; these people were no other than disgruntled miscreants with hearts controlled by Greed and Hate. Lives should not have to wither because of their foolishness.

He didn't listen to their pleas. He took no pity on the Saramin soldiers who looked him in the eye as if begging for mercy, when they were only an inch away from falling off the cliff, down to the dark abyss of death.

"What pathetic pride" he would say to these such soldiers, and ruthlessly push them off--- away from sweet life.

All it took was a snap of his fingers for him to burn their courage and resolve to ashes, followed by a glare and his cold voice with clear traces of hate, "Burn in hell you worthless life form".

Equivalent Trade. 'Yeah right' he snickered. No lives in the world could be of equivalent value to the lives stripped away from him. But it was compensation enough.

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"Hold on..."

She opened her eyes to see a quiet and tidy room. The atmosphere was so peaceful. Much different from the last scene her eyes had seen.

She slowly sat up and blinked, her blonde locks a mess around her shoulders.

By her side was a table full of flowers, get - well cards and fruit baskets. She picked up a get well card and opened it.

'That's right'. She sighed as the dreadful memories flooded back. The calmness around her seemed to fade away.

"L-Lieutenant Hawkeye?" A nurse, about thirty, came in.

Hawkeye looked up to see her carrying a tray full of medical thingies.

She made her way to the table beside hawkeye's bed and placed the tray there, picking up a stethoscope and checking her heartbeat.

"It's about time you woke up as well" The nurse smiled sweetly. "It's been two weeks"

"Two weeks?" Hawkeye asked unbelievingly, holding a glass of water in her hand.

"Since your surgery"

"Surgery?"

"Yes, It's amazing how you and your child got through. Somebody out there must love you a lot, feeding you all the hope you need to strengthen your will to live" she said in a soft voice while taking her temperature.

"Me...and my child...got through?" She stared at her, practically frozen.

"It was a miracle, really. How that bullet didn't even affect its health"

Hawkeye was speechless.

"Well" the nurse said after checking the thermometer, "It seems that you're doing fine"

Hawkeye kept a straight face and took a sip of water.

"If you need anything, you can always call us ---- the nurse's station is only a couple of rooms away"

Riza didn't care much about responding. She stared at the remaining water left in her glass, listening to the nurse's footsteps as she left the room.

A while later, Kain Fuery, her colleague, opened the door, seeming shocked to find Hawkeye awake already.

"H-hawkeye - dono, you're awake already?"

"It seems so..."

Fuery took a seat beside her hospital bed.

"Are you okay, Lieutenant?"

"I guess" Riza shrugged. "But you wouldn't be calling me with that title for a while. Conceiving is against the laws of the military"

"I don't think so, your loyalty and skills should be enough to get the Colonel --- or anyone else for that matter, to debate against that law"

"I doubt that a debate against that law would even get the Fuhrer to budge"

"Colonel Mustang is a highly respected official"

"It's how he gets his dates, alright..."

"He served the military loyally for several years, and i'm sure a lot of high officials will go against this rule.Your grandfather himself is a general, And besides, you yourself is a much respected Lieutenant"

"Being a military officer is a demanding career. A woman with a child will not be able to fulfill her duties"

"I'm sure they can give you a temporary leave"

Hawkeye sighed and leaned back. She did not feel like talking about this right now.

No matter how many points Fuery could come up with, there was no way that the law would be abolished.

With the Fuhrer, Kain's reasoning was only absurd.

"How is the rebellion in Saramin?" Hawkeye kept a straight face, not showing a single trace of any emotion.

"The people are angrier, as it seems, and they refuse to believe that their leader committed a suicide. They, rather, say that it is another one of the military's 'cover up stories' ".

"Yes, and i'm certain that later on i'll be brought in for interrogation about what happened in that passageway. All i found out was their leader's name and sob story, nothing more. My words, of course, will be doubted by the higher ups"

"An interrogation? and you just woke up" Fuery pointed out.

"It's as i had stated earlier, Being a military officer is a demanding career. Despite your reasoning, there is no possible way that i will be permitted to remain in the military. It doesn't matter anyway, i've had thoughts of leaving for several years"

"Thoughts of leaving?"

"I found no other reason to remain"

"So...why did you stay?"

"Because..." she sighed, gazing out the window. "It was for someone..."

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The sun was setting and a lot of the soldiers in the northern part of Saramin have retreated to their camps. It seems that a good number of back up was sent for the people of Saramin, and so far their strategies had countered that of the military's.

Colonel Mustang was sitting on the floor, leaning on the wall.
The soldiers were preparing for their next attack.

"Havoc" he called, seeing his subordinate command his troops.

"Hai, Colonel Mustang" he answered with that cigarrette in his mouth.

"You were commanding the same troops with Lieutenant Hawkeye, correct?"

"Yeah" he answered, holding the cigarette between his fingers.

"You knew that you were obligated to report her then state"

"S-sir?"

For the oddest reasons, Colonel Mustang had a little smirk on his face as if saying 'Haha, i read through you'

"You knew that she was pregnant"

"W-Well" Havoc stuttered, "I merely guessed, Colonel. I wasn't sure". He was hoping that this would save him from being reduced to ashes.

"You do realize that this moment, her health as well as her child's health is on the line?"

"I couldn't do anything at that moment in particular, sir"

He could imagine Hawkeye pointing her gun to his face for even raising such a question.

Colonel Mustang sighed. "Just hope that we could actually live to see her point that pistol to a one month old child, This rebellion is certainly getting interesting"

Havoc had been a close friend of Riza's for several years, and even with that calm and reserved mask she never forgets to wear each day, he could feel her tingling pain of loving a person who didn't love her back.

To offer your heart to a person who looks at you as no more than a subordinate hurt more than the bullets she flawlessly pushed through her opponent's flesh.

He looked at Colonel Mustang who was practically covered in bandages -- practically half of his body burnt. If he hadn't yelled at him to return to the camp, he would have been lying dead on the ground of Saramin.

The rebellion certainly was getting interesting.

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Okay, that was Cshapter 4.

It's 4 in the freaking morning and i only had 2 dinners. sigh

I'm too tired to re read what i wrote so please bear with me.

oh yeah, review please!! come on, it doesn't take long, does it?