Walking in Shadows, Seeing the Light

Author's Note: Hello and welcome to the insane crazy world of my brain. I hope you all are enjoying your flight. Sorry it's taken me so dang long. It's been FOR-EVER! I miss y'all's reviews my loves. I'll try an update later… LOVE!

Disclaimer: Don't own it… shut up and stop bothering me damn it!

Summary: Past meets present the clash of a haunting past lingers overhead as the Elric brothers attempt to find peace. Can an angel who guards the gate help them discover the secrets of her past as well as theirs? EdxOC and AlxOC

…what do you see when you look at me… I see beauty, intelligence and courage beyond any I have ever seen… and talent…"

Mulan

Chapter: Inner Beauty

Ed walked out the doors to the side of the lake and saw Asuna resting underneath a tree. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. The soft succulent grasses waved in the gentle breeze. He smelt the fragrant smell of roses. He walked over and sat down next to her sleeping form. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him then rested her head in his lap. He stroked her hair softly, just simply relishing the fact that she was there, and alive.

"Ed." He heard her voice. The winds rushed across the grounds, the long, tall grasses waving, their majestic green so close to blue it was almost undistinguishable.

"Yeah." He answered. Knowing that she wouldn't answer. She was just making sure he was there.

"Good." He smiled. She had become so absent lately. He stroked her bangs back from her face, letting his hand brush over her forehead. She felt a little warm. The doctors said that was supposed to happen, her body was healing so it would purge itself by raising its own temperature. Something that reassured him slightly, but something still pricked at the back of his mind. Something that had nothing to do with her medical conditions. It was something that had been bothering him since the day that she had told him she was pregnant.

"Asuna?" He muttered and she opened her eyes, looking up at him with her pure blue gaze.

"Yep… is there something wrong?" She questioned and he laughed.

"Yes and no. You always seem to know what's going through my head."

"You wear your emotions on your face." She smiled. He chuckled again. She really was still a little innocent.

"Will you marry me?" He paused to take a breath, "When all this is over. I still want you by my side. I hope you still feel the same way. Even though I can't protect you as well as I'd like and I'm so dim most of the time and-" She put her hand on the side of his neck as he continued to babble. She kissed him and he tried to continue speaking then he stopped all together and kissed her back, flicking his tongue across her lips.

"Yes. I still love you. You can protect me and you're very good at it. You're not dim and I want to be with you forever. Not even just for our lifetimes. I want to be with you until the end of time. Will you love me that long?"

"I love you as much today as I did yesterday but not as much as tomorrow." He whispered as he rested her head on his shoulder. Hs arm wrapped around her waist as he allowed his head to rest on top of hers. He slipped the diamond solitaire onto her finger and she grinned.

"Thank you." She whispered in his ear and he smiled, keeping his eyes closed. This feeling was beyond anything he had ever felt before.

"Why are you thanking me?"

"Ed, what do you see when you look at me?" She whispered. He blinked. What? What did he see when he looked at her? What kind of a question was that?

"I see fire. A passion looking for a place to manifest itself. I see the most beautiful person I have ever known. True, courageous, unceasingly forgiving. You're outgoing and giving. You love with your entire heart. You never give up on anyone, especially when they think they don't need it. You're pure but scarred, wise and powerful but yet simple and elegant. You mean so much but say so little. You're a little like a rose. You're delicate and flawless yet flawed and stubborn. I see the love of my life. The woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with." He answered.

"Good. I see all that and then some." She smiled and he laughed. She was just as strange as ever.

"Now why did I have to answer that question?"

"Because I said so." She jumped up and took off running. Ed looked after her then took off after her.

"HEY! COME BACK!" He shouted, laughing as she stumbled a little. She faltered again and fell to the ground screaming with laughter. He dove forward and caught her just before she fell.

"It's so good to see that you're in good health." They both heard a voice from behind them.

"Mischief." Asuna's eyes opened with shock.

AND THAT'S WHERE I LEAVE YOU!

LUV,

Ringo Izzybelle