I was running as fast as I could trying to remember what I was looking for. Haw man, why has my brain suddenly stopped working I stopped running and took a break to catch my breath then it hit me. Ed! That's what or who I'm looking for Everything was dark with an eerie thick grey fog everywhere. I backed up a bit looking around when something hit me in the back causing me to fall forward. "Grrrrr! Take that!" Without clapping my hands together I made stone spikes fly up from the ground hoping that they would hit this thing. It didn't "Where did it go?" I heard footsteps behind me and before I could act I was pushed to the ground again. I made a hand blade on my left arm made of auto-mail yet again without clapping my hands together and I swung up at where I thought the thing was, considering I couldn't see. I missed then I heard a sound of gas releasing and that was exactly what it was. I began to cough from this thick cloud of smoke that I had no idea where it came from. "Ed.." I said in a choked up voice. I coughed again weakly and fell over to be caught by someone. "Ed, is that you...?" I was very weak from this gas, but I still managed to sit up to see the face of who had caught me. At first I saw nothing but a shadow, but then their face came into clear view so clear it was unreal. The person was dead, their eyes were open but blank, their mouth was open their skin was pale, and to my horror...He looked just like Edward. I gasped and tried to scream but before I did I woke up with a start, sweating and panting uncontrollably.

I looked around, it was daytime and I was in my bed in my room with the sun pouring in. Thank god it was a dream I thought to myself. I raise my head and sniffed around...Smelled like...Burnt bacon? That explained the smoke effect in my dream, but this bacon was really burnt, I was beginning to wonder if it was even bacon anymore. I got a bad knot in my stomach and decided to go downstairs. I cautiously proceeded down the stairs hoping to hear a voice and not see something horrific. I saw into only part of the kitchen, as more of it came into view and my heart pounded.

"ED!!!!" Sakura screamed. I jumped and ran in seeing Sakura standing there turning off the stove. She spun around and as soon as she did Ed came running in...Yeah, into me and really hard knocking us both on the ground. "Ed I told you to watch the bacon!" She yelled angrily shaking her finger at the pan sitting on the stove with a black cloud rising from it. "You let him watch the bacon?" I asked in disbelief that she would trust Ed with that "Have you gone out of your mind!? he coulda set the house on fire!" Ed who was on top of me said "WHA? WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, HUH?!?!?" I was about to yell back but I didn't as my mind came across the dream I had. "Nothing, don't worry about it.." I said quietly. I felt everyone's eyes staring at me in disbelief. "What?" Sakura said "Have you gone out of your mind?" I blushed realizing what I had said. I turned to go back upstairs since I was in my PJ's and wanted to change, but when I turned Ed was there in front of me looking truly concerned. He looked in my eyes then he examined my clothes, I looked down at myself and saw that I was in my clothes not PJs. I looked back up at Ed blushing now, but he now was looking at Sakura "Eh heh heh! Sorry about the bacon" I took this moment to get past Ed and upstairs without him noticing, which worked because Sakura kept him distracted long enough so by the time he noticed I was gone, it was too late.

I changed my clothes and looked out the window at the orange and red leaves falling down. It was autumn, one of my favorite seasons. I looked at the calendar and saw the date 23rd circled in marker that was sort of faded because I put it there when I was thirteen. I was very excited about being so close to turning 15. The calendar we bought a while back came with two extra for later years. I circled my birthdays in both of them. Today was the 23 of October, I'm finally only one year away from sweet 16. I smiled and was put in a better mood since the nightmare, I headed back downstairs cheerfully.

When I came down Ed was reading, Sakura was attempting to clean the charred pan and Al tried at getting the black gunk off a couple of times too. I walked past Ed and I didn't notice the fact that I brushed against him awakening him from his reading trance. I went over to Sakura and Al who were still trying to get the gunk off of the pan. "Guys, I think that's gonna have to soak. There's no way you're gonna get the stuff off right now." Sakura sighed and said "I suppose you're right, well I guess it's always good to have an extra pan around" I smiled at her, then I finally noticed someone's eyes on me. They had been there for a while so I turned around and met to Ed's eyes. He quickly looked away back to his book blushing a bit, I couldn't help but wonder why he was always so quiet, other than his loud outbursts whenever someone said something he didn't like. I stopped letting it bother me and took over making breakfast for everyone. Al and Ed were sort of shocked at me making breakfast, they began to wonder what exactly had gotten into me, especially Ed. I'm pretty good at cooking but it's not often that I do such so this was a rare thing. I was about to put in another egg when I realized what I was doing, I grinned, Opps, forgot Al can't eat breakfast I thought. I felt bad that he couldn't but regardless I put the egg away and put the cooked food on everyone's plates.

Sakura, Alphonse and I all chatted about random things but unlike usual I took much of a notice that Ed remained outside of the conversation. The only time he really talked anymore was if someone says something about him. There was a big burst of laughter from something funny that Sakura had said. I laughed as well and when I looked over at Ed I saw that he was facing his food not smiling or anything. I began to wish that he would include himself with us more, he isn't an outcast.

After breakfast Al and Sakura went in the back room to play chess but Ed stuck around. He stood there for a moment as I gathered and began washing the dishes. I was sort of smiling as I did so which was a result of my good mood and Ed noticed that. "Um...Is everything alright?" Ed asked carefully. I attempted to wipe my forehead and when I turned to face Ed he began laughing. "Wha- Why are you laughing?" I asked. Ed began to get a hold of himself, he said pointing at me "Uh you're...You got soap on your head." I tried to wipe it off forgetting that I had more soap foam on my hand. "You just put more.." before Ed could finish his sentence he was bent over laughing but obviously trying not to. I began to laugh as well, I finally grabbed a towel and wiped the foam off properly. "So Ed you asked me something before you started laughing, what was your question?" Ed straitened up a bit and said "Oh uh I was just wondering if you're okay" His question was vague but I still managed to understand what he meant "I'm just in a good mood that's all!" I turned back around to the dishes and began washing again, I didn't bother to tell him why and he knew it would sound weird if he asked why. He stood there watching me in sort of fascination, he didn't quite understand me let alone the feeling he would get whenever he was near me.

Ed decided to go in the back room where Al and Sakura were and hoped that he would get some information that explained my behavior. As Ed approached the room Sakura jumped up and ran past him to go to the bathroom. Ed walked in and sat on the couch next to where Al was sitting. "What's up?" Al asked Ed, who looked very much like something was on his mind. "Well you know Raven better than I do, do you have any idea of why she's acting like this? Is there like something coming up that she's excited about, er what?" Al sighed "You never learn do you." Ed looked at Al not sure of what he meant. "Do you have any idea why you don't know Raven that well?" Ed remained silent "It's because you don't talk to her. Don't be so shy, just ask her." Ed shifted uneasily at the thought, yet again his little brother knows exactly what's going on, Ed really is shy. "I don't know, Al.."

"What are you so afraid of? She won't bite you" Sakura said, who obviously had been standing there for quite some time. "Wha? When did you get here?" Ed said sort of shocked. Sakura stood there pondering out loud "Hmm, lets see...Right about when Al said...why don't you just ask her" Ed looked down, then Sakura said "Oh I get it, you're all wierded out because you're realizing that you love her" Ed blushed tremendously "Wha? I do not!" Ed defended. Al and Sakura looked at each other then back at Ed and said "Yeah right" Sakura giggled and sat back down in the chair across from Al in front of the chessboard. "Just face it Ed! You've developed feelings for her! Theres nothing wrong with that." Al encouraged. Ed turned his back towards them and before he left the room he said "There is no way I L- have feelings for her.." He couldn't even say the word love, and he felt that he would never say it.

He quietly went back into the kitchen where I was still doing dishes, but I was no longer in a good mood. Ed didn't make a sound, he merely observed me catching a few glances of a sad face. He didn't want to admit it even to himself but he was sort of entranced by the sad girl. But wait, why was I sad? Ed didn't understand how quickly my mood had changed.

As I scrubbed a glass it slipped out of my hand and hit the ground with a crash making Ed and I jump "Oh crap.." I grabbed the towel and began using it to pick up the pieces of glass. "Let me help you!" Ed said coming out of nowhere, to me that is. He carefully used his right hand to sort of sweep and scoop up the glass shards. "Be careful.." I said almost in a whisper, Ed forgot what he was handling and used his left hand to sweep some glass into is right, cutting him right on the index finger. "Ow.." he quickly drew his hand back "Ed! I told you to be careful! Let me see.." Ed was about to refuse and say he was fine but the moment I touched his hand all resistance left his body.

He wasn't quite sure what had happened except that his body would do whatever I told it to do. He grimaced a little from the burning of me running cold water on his finger. I shut the water off and said "Alright that should do it, wait here I'll go get a bandage" I ran upstairs to the bathroom leaving Ed alone with his thoughts. How does she get me so calm, it's unreal! And that feeling I keep getting in my stomach got worse. Man what is that, I keep getting it whenever she's in the room. Oh crap, what if Al and Sakura are right. He couldn't help but continually ask himself 'What if I do have feelings for her?'

Ed's thoughts were interrupted by me coming back into the room and grabbing his left hand to wrap his finger. I finished bandaging his finger, "Alright, there you go all done!" I said cheerfully. Ed smiled "Thanks...Uh.." He tried to remember the reason for coming in. "What is it?" I asked "Oh uh, well I was just a wondering why you're in such a good mood. Like uh is because of the weather or-" I touched my finger to his lips and smiled at him sweetly. "I get your point Ed." Ed got that feeling in his stomach again but this time it was accompanied by chills. I turned back to cleaning up the glass and said "Well if you must know...It's my birthday today" It was all clear to Ed now, "Oh! Er sorry, I had no idea.." I looked up at him and said "Oh don't worry about it, I never told you until now! Thank you for asking me though..." Ed blushed a bit "Eh, don't mention it.." I finished up cleaning the glass with help from Ed then I went back to washing the dishes.

Afterwards I went in the office area to read for a little while. Ed went into the back room again telling Al and Sakura about what he found out. "Oh yeah I know.." Sakura said. Ed got pissed off "You..You already knew...?" Sakura looked at him through the corner of her eye and said "Yep.." Ed was obviously fuming "Wha-why didn't you tell me!?" Sakura grinned "Because it was much funnier watching you blush about Raven. It's so cute don't you think so Al?" Ed glared at Al, and without looking at his brother Al said "Please don't bring me into this.." Sakura was sort of confused and gave him a "Hmm?" that meant 'Wha? You're scared of him?' and Al knew it. "You knew too, didn't you!?" Ed said in his 'getting angry' voice. Al didn't want to fight but he was already involved now "Who cares if I did? It was best for you to actually talk to her for once anyway, so what are you complaining about? We're just trying to help you!" Ed looked away, he could feel Al's apprehending stare on him. Ed would usually resist but Al was right, Ed found out a lot more by talking to me than just 'If it was my birthday' it got him thinking about his feelings. He would always avoid them, but he's gotten too far and there's no turning back now. "Hey Ed.." Sakura said before Ed left the room. "What.." He said coldly. "Me and Al are setting up a surprise birthday party for Raven, y' wanna help?" Ed turned his head to look over his shoulder at Sakura, "Well why didn't ya say so earlier.." Sakura grinned "I just wanted to drive you nuts" Ed smiled "Ah, a lot of people like to do that.." The three planned and worked while I just hung out reading, totally oblivious to what they were up to.

Ed came in the room to check on me of free will, and he came in right when I was thinking about my mom. Ed stood there for a bit, I didn't notice him though "Hey today's your birthday, aren't you supposed to be happy?" Ed said. I looked over at him and he smiled at me, I looked back at the desk and said "I'm just thinking about my mom that's all..." Ed slowly began to move closer to me, "I just wish she could be here." I said. Ed put his hand on my right shoulder "Even though she's been dead for almost six months now, it's still hard for me to let go..." Ed squeezed my shoulder a little then gently released "I must seem so weak to you.." I said quietly. Ed began "You're not weak...You're human...You're not gonna heal overnight from something like that, you shouldn't expect so much from yourself. If you push yourself too hard you may end up getting hurt even more." He took his hand off of my shoulder and said "Just like this cut I got on my finger it needs time to heal and it will take time to heal, no matter what there's nothing I can do about that accept make sure it doesn't get infected. Your hearts is wounded, you need to take care of it rather than try to heal faster." Ed said.

There was a silence, I had nothing really to say, "Sorry" he said again, "Don't worry about it Ed." I grabbed his hand and held it "You're right, I should just take care of it, but I just can't help but feel weak, or helpless." Ed began holding my hand back "You can feel like that but that doesn't make it true. You're already recovering faster than any other 14- wait, 15 year old I know." I smiled "Thanks.." I didn't actually notice are hands joined together until just then, Ed noticed as well and we both pulled away quickly.

I got a phone call and it was a friend who was in America. She and my other friends were celebrating my birthday wishing I was there, then my friend put me on speaker phone, put the phone in a chair and tried to put a party hat on the phone. This resulted in the phone falling off the chair, but it was put back up. I talked to them for a good while and little did I know that gave Ed, Al and Sakura time to set up for the surprise party. I talked for about an hour and I stopped when all of the lights went out. I figured it was a black out but later I found out Ed actually just turned all the lights out. I went into the back room saying "Al! Ed! Sakura! Where are you guys?" I heard a loud bang like someone got hit with a frying pan, it was probably Ed running into Al. I came to the kitchen to hear whispering "Ow.." followed by "Shhh!" and another whisper "Sorry.."

I grinned at all of this, "Hello?" Out of habit I flipped the light switch and to my shock it came on. Out from under the table Sakura jumped out, and behind the table Al stood up. They both yelled "surprise!" along with a very loud bang that shook the entire kitchen table. Sakura bent over and looked under the table and said "Ed are you alright?" She was answered by a very loud moan that blended into words "..Whose idea was it to jump out from underneath the table" I began to giggle and so did Sakura. Ed sat up rubbing his head, he looked at me and said "Happy birthday.."

I was very happy that they all did this for me, I had no idea they'd even do something like this at all so it was a pleasant surprise. Ed did most of the decorating while Al and Sakura worked on the cake, because we all knew what would happen if they let Ed do any cooking. We picked on him a little about that, but he didn't seem to truly mind. Ed and I play fought a little and I let him win which he doesn't believe me when I say so, I just wasn't in the mood for hard core sparring and I think Ed noticed that. We played and talked for hours until Sakura began to fall asleep. Ed took her upstairs and Al went to bed as well, I stayed downstairs and read for a while and after 20 minutes I figured that Ed went to sleep too. Eventually I read myself to sleep, but as I slept for some reason I felt like there was still one person still awake.

To be continued...

End Chapter Nine