Authors Notes: Seeing as this is my first story, I'm not sure how well it is turning out. Reviews are welcomed! Someone asked me why the attacker would take the article if people could use that to find out where Mustang went, but it was Mustang who took the article with him when he went to investigate a hunch.
Hayate slunk into the office, where the team had reconvened on Hughes' orders to analyze another file Hughes had hastily assembled. He huddled next to Fuery, who bent down absently to pet his head. Unexpectedly, Hayate grabbed Fuery's sleeve with his teeth and tugged him towards the door, threatening to tear the uniform sleeve. Fuery squeaked in surprise, drawing the attention of the others who, seeing Hayate, searched automatically for Hawkeye. When she didn't show up, they all shrugged, returning to work, except for Fuery, who was trying to shake off the insistent puppy still attached to his arm. He stood, finally freeing himself from the puppy who ran to the door and yipped at it, looking back to see if Fuery was following. "Alright, I'll let you out." He opened the door and let Hayate scamper out. "There you go. Now stop bothering us." The door had barely latched behind Fuery before there was scratching heard from the other side. Hoe reopened it and looked down as Hayate dashed back into the office, circling Fuery, and butted the back of the humans leg with his head, trying to herd the thickheaded person out of the room. Breda mumbled hasty excuses and disappeared from the room. Falman continued to work, ignoring the dog's antics, but Havoc and Hughes sauntered over to Fuery.
"Having some trouble, Sergeant?" Havoc smirked, eliciting a chuckle from Hughes. "You certainly have an persistent friend there." Fuery grabbed the edges of the doorway as the dog butted into his legs again. "I don't know what's going on, sir. He seems pretty worried and we won't give up. Can I go see what he wants?"
"Sure" said Hughes loudly, drowning out Havoc's grumbles. "It'd better be worth it." With a grateful smile, Fuery disappeared down the hallway, running after Black Hayate.
Maes smiled, and closed to door, mulling over the dog's behavior. Walking back to the desk, he asked over his shoulder. "You called Hawkeye, telling her to meet us at the office, didn't you? Havoc nodded, his cigarette trembling on his lip. "And you left a message?" Havoc nodded his head again, rolling his eyes, and popped his feet on the table. "If she's not home at this time of night," Hughes concluded, after consulting the clock which read 12:30, "and she's not with Hayate, then were is she?" Havoc's cigarette fell off his lip. Sharing a moment of realization, the two bolted after Fuery and Hayate. With the Elrics, Mustang, and now Hawkeye gone, Fuery may just be the next, accidental, casualty. He might need help.
Havoc and Hughes caught up with Fuery a few streets away from Central Headquarters. Havoc stood, bent over with hands on knees, breathing deeply, as Hughes gasped out an explanation to Fuery. "Hawkeye is missing. Hayate must know where she is." With that, Hughes and Fuery ran on after Black Hayate, while Havoc tried to catch up.
Hayate slowed to a walk as they entered an alleyway deep in the warehouse district of the city. The men noticed this, and Fuery shrunk behind the other two as they readied their respective weapons. The flick of the safety seemed to echo in silent alleyway, but Havoc knew they weren't alone. Maybe it came from surviving Ishbal, or maybe it was natural, but he seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to detecting enemies. He wasn't as good a marksman as Hawkeye, but he seemed as quick because he was always aware of threats before others. Havoc was certain that there lurked something down that tunnel that was not going to be friendly. He and Hayate were in complete agreement.