Havoc and the others, having heard Ranma's plight, stepped forward to aid him in his crisis. After all, he just did most of the heavy lifting. "We'll buy you breakfast Ranma. You helped us out today after all."

Winry began to laugh, "I was just teasing him. Besides, I do't think your salary could handle feeding Ranma a whole meal. Kasumi said to hurry up or we'll leave without you."

Ranma grabbed his jacket when the worst thing happened. The cloudy sky gave an echoing rumble and began to rain. Ranma to his credit, remaned calm, and then put his fist through the truck door. "I swear, I will kill the god who controls the weather,"

Riza, Roy, and Armstrong stood wide eyed and slack jawed at what had happened in less than a second. everyone except Riza and Winry were standing behind him so all the rest saw was Ranma shrunk and gained red hair. Riza saw that his chest swelled and became a woman. Winry stood in shock, He had lasted this long without it triggering and now infront of everyone. Ranma was hunched over slighty, hiding his more gender changed traits. He grumbled about the unfairness of it all. Winry pulled Ranma towards the town, "Come on Ranma, We'll change you back and then we'll eat!"

Riza watched intranced by what she had seen, "That makes me question my sanity."

In all her life, Riza Hawkeye what a firmly rooted person. She knew that Alchemy could do amazing things, but change a person's height and gender? That pushed passed the realm of her comfort zone. She intended to find out how the hell Ranma pulled it off, and why.

"Winry, Thakns for the save and all, but you can let go now."

Winry stopped and released Ranma's hand. Ranma shook his head, "Why did it have to happen infront of everyone? I swear, It never ends!" he said as he brushed his coat.

Winry couldn't help but laugh at the female Ranma's antics. Ranma glared at the blonde wrench head. "Laugh it up, you're no diffrent than anybody else!" he said as he stomped off.

Winry felt low for that one. "Ranma, Wait! I'm sorrry, It's just the way you were acting. I feel bad about upseting you,"

Ranma looked at her for a moment, "Let's just get inside. It's raining and cold automail is uncomfortable,"

The mechanic smiles, "Sure, Kasumi mght get worried if we take any longer,"

Kasumi wasn't worried at all. She was calmly sipping some coffee in the lounge of the hotel. Ed sat and conversed with Al about his time with Winry in another world. Al was enthralled by the tale of a simple life. The door opened to display a soaked pair. Ranma trudged in first, grumbling and generally irratible followed by Winry. Ranma removed his coat, showing that his curse had indeed activated. Al looked over and was instantly confused, "I thought you said you were getting Ranma?"

Ranma growled, "It is me, Winry used alchemy on me!" he snarled out sarcastically.

Al leveled a glare, somehow, "Change him back Winry!"

Kasumi began to laugh, "He's joking Al. He just is grouchy about his curse,"

She handed him a glass of warmwater. He upturned it over his head and regained his proper self. Al watched Ranma change and looked to his brother. "I'm confused brother, what is wrong with Ranma? why did his body change?"

Ed let out a defeated sigh, "Long story Al. Ask about it some other time."

That afternoon The Military was all packed and ready to go. Ranma was antsy, he had been ready to go since the rain stopped. The whole expedition headed north back to Central. Ranma and Kasumi rode in an almost empty personel truck. Kasumi was leaning against him as they ried to figure what they were going to do. He still flinched when she held his hand or even touched him. He still cursed Akane for the conditioned responce, but Ranma had finally got what he wanted. He still was trying to sort out his place, planning beyond what seemed like an impossible dream seemed foolish to him. What could he do? Join the military? Teach his art? "Do you think this Fuer guy is really going to help us? I know I'm paranoid when it comes to offers but still..."

Kasumi squeezed his hand, "We will be fine. Just try not to put our kneecap in your mouth."

Ranma smiled, "How about the ankle?"

She swatted at him, "No, I want both feet kept on the ground."

"As you wish."

The Ride was fine until the truck came to a very sudden stop.There were shouts and gunshots. Ranma stuck his head out to see a woman with some wicked fingernails. She had just cut up a truck containing the red stones. Ranma jumped out of the truck and drew her attention. He recoognised her from earlier at the park yesterday. He was about to ask what was going on when Kasumi cried out for him. He turned to see another person holding Kasumi with a knife to her throat. "Stay put and the pretty girl won't be hurt."

Ranma growled as the blade was pressed closer to the skin. "If you hurt her, they will need tweesers to pick up the pieces."

The person holding her was almost as tall as him. His long hair hung down in all directions. His aura screamed that he wasn't human. Ranma's aura flared an angry red.The Aura faded as the blade pressed into Kasumi's skin. He desperatly was trying to find alternitives but was finding none. Soldiers came out of theother trucks and took aim. Ed caught sight of what was going on. "Leave here alone Envy!"

"Well if it isn't the Fullmetal Pipsqueak. You stay out our business. This is between us, this girl, and her glowing knight."

Ranma flinched as Kasumi let out a wimper, "What do you want then?"

Envy smiled, "You and the pretty lady hereare coming with us. Come along nicely andshe may make it out of this in one piece."

Ranma looked into Kasumi's eyes in silent apology, "Alright, just don't hurt Kasumi."