Okay, so I read through the first few chapters of this, and decided that I should really expand on this story; there was a lot that I didn't put in here, a lot that got cut from the plot, that now I decided should've got its chance to shine. So, with that in mind, I've revised the story. It's the same plot, same deal, and most of it's kept intact, but there's now more detail and action, a lot more in it, and touch-ups from where my skill was in writing. I've worked on all that, and hopefully, that would mean more reviews. Fingers crossed!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, or any of the characters therein. If I did, Alphonse would finally get to keep a kitty and Wrathy would still be alive. And Envy would take his shirt off! Yay!

I remember the first time someone had looked at me like a person. Not a monster, not an experimental mistake of nature, but another person. What was that word…empathy? Yeah, that's it. He looked at me with empathy. That's what made this human different from all the others. I can't count how many I've taken out before; how many humans fell prey to monsters like me. His eyes were full of fear and confusion, like all those countless others. But there was something else, almost a sort of betrayal in his eyes. And sadness, as though he understood my pain. He saw me as an equal, another person just like him. To him, it was as though I was ….human.

Chapter 1: Birth of a New Vice
(Envy's POV)

My orders were simple, clear, familiar; bring her here, back alive, the new homunculus. I didn't see the point in it, but didn't argue with her; she was my Master, and no one argued with the Master. She wanted me to bring in another.

"Master," I asked, cautiously. "why do you want me to bring in another sin? There's seven of us, right?"

"She'll serve the purpose of being an attache," she explained. "In case something should happen to any of you seven,"

I didn't think about it until I was almost inside the run-down building, but it hit me...those last words that she said, 'In case something should happen...'

But why would anything happen to us? I wondered. We're homunculi. Immortal. What could happen to an immortal that we'd need a replacement? But this wasn't the time for questions. It was following orders, nothing more.

I walked into the abandoned building, going over the routine in my head. I'd done this a few times before, and you'd think the old broad would be satisfied with seven sins. But no, apparently we needed a new recruit, and it just so happened that yet another idiot tried to bring back a human with alchemy.

Crossing the threshold of the doorway, I peered around at the gorey scene where moments ago, human transmutation was attempted. There was blood everywhere, splashed about the floor, trailing out the doorway, and spattered all over the walls; if this guy had actually lived through this, it was a miracle. Then, my eyes focused on the mangled heap of a thing lying in the center of the room. In hindsight, this one was worse than Lust had been, but still better than Sloth. I couldn't help but wonder if I actually looked that bad. Granted, I've definitely seen worse, but this one looked pretty messed up.

"Well, hello, gruesome," I said, making my presence known.

I crossed the room to meet beside the torn-up mess, crouched down next to it, red stones in hand, just as I had done so many times before.

"'You're lucky I got here in time; as screwed up as your lungs look, you'd have suffocated in minutes,"

It made a few strained, squeaking breaths in response. I sighed, dropped the incomplete Philosopher's Stones into its mouth, and watched as it choked them down. After a minute of coughing and gagging, the stones were at last swallowed, and the transformation began to take place. A brilliant flash of white light for a few seconds, causing me to squint. Faintly, I could make out its shape morph and contort into something more humanlike, until finally, the light disappeared, and the creature took on the shape of a young teenage girl. Long, spidery frame with stringy arms and legs curled against her body, as her straight dark hair covered her upper back down to her shoulder blades. She was gasping for breath.

I whistled. "Well, you sure clean up nice,"

She was too busy taking in air with her new lungs to hear me. She whipped her head around the room frantically, turning at last to face me. Her lime-green eyes were wild with fear and curiosity. Since the red stones didn't provide clothing, she was naked, and though I didn't care about seeing anything, I made it a point not to look while handing her some clothes.

"Where are we?" she inquired, still with her back towards me but not apparently concerned with dressing "What happened here?"

"Could you get dressed first and then we'll talk?" I said, covering my eyes with one hand. She pouted, but did as she was told.

"Okay," she said, now wearing the tube and shorts given to her. "Now could you tell me? Where am I and how did I get here,"

"You're in a condemned building, where somebody tried to bring you back," I said casually.

"'Bring me back?' From what? Did it work? And...and what do you mean condemned?"

I facepalmed. "Ho boy. Look kid, I'll explain later, but we're strapped for time. We need to head back,"

"Back where?" she continued to ask. "Why won't you tell me?"

"Kid, I promise I'll answer all your questions later, but right now, you'll just have to come with me," With that, I grabbed her wrist and proceeded out the door, but she slapped my hand away and defiantly protested.

"I want to know now!" she demanded. "I can't wait 'till later, I want answers!"

Normally, this would merely serve to piss me off, but I decided I would have some fun with this one. After all, she was a teenager; of course she'd be difficult. Then again, when you wake up in a bloody room in a run-down building, naked, you'd want answers too. Still, that wasn't a priority.

"Stubborn one, eh? Well, in that case, I'll give you a choice. You can either come with me nicely, or you can take off. But the next time I run into you, believe me, it won't be pleasant."

She glared at me for a second, but pondered her options. Finally, she made her decision.

"I prefer to take my chances, thanks." she said flatly.

Wow, this kid's got a death wish! "Alright then; it's your choice, don't say I didn't warn you!"

That last statement made her think. But nonetheless, she headed in the opposite direction, glancing over a couple of times to look back at me.

"You're leaving, right? Go on then, beat it,"

"If you won't tell me what I need to know..." she said, before taking off...out a window, no less.

The nerve in you, girl, I thought. You'll learn.

(Vengeance's POV)

I gingerly stepped outside, looking over my shoulder with every step. After finding my way onto a ledge, I walked the length of the building between the hard, grey wall and a chain-link fence, until I made my way into an alley. From there, I jumped down from the ledge to a dumpster, and then landing on the ground, managing to cut my foot on some broken glass.

"Rrgh! He could've gave me some shoes!" I grumbled, plucking the shard out of my sole. I rubbed the open wound, hopping over to a clear spot against a wall. I sat down, squeezing my foot. Oddly, it seemed to be closing up...too fast, actually.

"What?" I asked. There was no blood, broken skin, nothing. Just strange.

"I have to think this out," I said aloud to myself. "That guy, the one with the funky outfit and the stringy hair...why was he in such a hurry? And how did I get in that place? How come I don't remember?"

It was dumb to talk to myself like this, so I sighed. I don't have a clue what's up here, I thought, but whatever it is, it's just plain creepy. I crouched down in the dark corner of an alley, wondering what to do next. I can't hide here forever, I thought. Running a finger up and down the strange markings* that stretched from the tops of my feet to my kneecaps, I sighed. Knowing my luck, as soon as I come out of here, he'll find me again. I recalled his warning to me, that if I saw him again, it "wouldn't be pleasant," whatever that meant. I traced the markings running up my right arm when I found an unusual symbol. On my upper arm was a mark of some sort, in the shape of a dragon or snake thing forming a circle; in the center of it was a six-pointed star, like a Jewish Star of David. What am I? I sat curled up, propping my back against the wall, dazed as ever. Guess I won't get an answer just hiding here, I concluded. I can't live in fear of that palmtree-haired-guy. Heh, palmtree - yes, that's what that mop of a head reminded me of. He was pretty weird in his own right, the guy who came and fed me the stones. He had an unsettling feel to him, from the stare of those icy purple eyes.

"Fine then," I breathed, standing up for once, "Catch me if you can, palm-tree-hair guy. I won't let you scare me," And with that, I ventured out of my hiding place, out of the alley.

Well, there it is. Hope it came out okay; I wanted to expand on what happened after Venge took off. That, and I realized I never mentioned the part about clothing...homunculi don't magically have clothes on. I guess no one caught that, huh? Well, it bugged me. Anyway, hope the "revised/expanded edition" is alright. Review!