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Thicker than Rain

Chapter 9: Unforgettable

"I know what I have given you. I do not know what you have received"

~ Antonio Porchia

~O~O~O~O~O~

((Flashback))

"So… Colonel Mustang… Please stand, if you will."

The Colonel nodded, leaning his palms against the table as he slowly made his way to his feet.

"What is your imput on the Ishbal Rebellion?" the Furher asked, calmly looking over in the younger man's direction.

The newly appointed Colonel stood his ground.

"Well sir, I believe that, even though we have a lot of great men out there, it still causes me pain to see them massacred in such a fashion." He started.

Bradly sat up straighter in his chair, then leaned his elbows against the table.

"What do you suggest that we do then, Colonel?" he inquired.

The younger man swallowed loudly,

He had a feeling that his cousin would never forgive him for what he was about to do… but if Little Roy was ever going to become Furher, he would have to experience at least some war… and the popular notion was that the war was nearly over, so they'd be out in a few months.

"Well Colonel?" Bradly continued as he interupted Arturo's thoughts.

"I think that we should send out the State Alchemists to take care of things and protect the rest of our troops." Arturo stated, "I myself, included in these ranks."

Several gasps were heard amongst the board… all seemed surprised except Bradly.

The Furher just chuckled, leaning back in his chair, calm once again.

"You may take a seat, Colonel." He responded.

Arturo nodded obediently, doing as he was told.

"A very daring idea, Colonel Mustang…" Bradly said, "Risking not only yourself and your kin… but also the finest branch of the military we have."

"I know, Sir." Arturo answered confidently, "But I think that sometimes drastic measures are necessary to achieve the aquired results… The ends justify the means, if you will."

"But that's preposterous! Innocent civillians would have no chance against the Alchemists' abilities! The entire race would be completely wiped out!" one of the other officers argued.

A smirk lined Bradly's face.

"I agree with the Colonel… sometimes sacrifices must be made to protect our troops and maintain control over those people." He said, "Does anyone have any more complaints?"

The entire room was silent and the Furher stood up.

"Very good! Everyone, you know what to do." He said.

The officers nodded and headed to their appointed posts.

As Arturo walked out, Bradly put a hand on his shoulder.

"Good job, Colonel. I like the way you think. You have a lot of potential." He said.

Arturo only nodded stiffly,

"Thank you, sir."

~O~O~O~O~O~

It was only a few weeks later that Presidential Decree 3066 was sent out and along with it, went all the State Alchemists.

Colonel Arturo Mustang and Major Roy Mustang were seated near the back of the truck, which was clustered to the brim with their fellow alchemists.

"I can't believe that some bastard sent out State Alchemists… I swear… if I ever find the guy that put that idea in the Furhrer's head, I'll kill him!" Roy grumbled.

The Colonel shifted uncomfortably, glancing out the window, then at his younger cousin.

"I'm sure he had a good reason, Roy." Arturo mumbled, "Besides, you shouldn't question your orders unless you have to."

Roy crossed his arms over his chest with a huff.

"Yeah, well, when I become Furhrer, things'll change!" he argued defiantly.

Arturo instantly slapped his cousin in the back of the head.

"ROY! Don't say things like that!" Arturo chastised, "That's TREASON! You could be beheaded or hanged for that! Don't be an idiot!"

The Major rubbed the back of his head with a wince, and gave a defeated sigh.

"Whatever… I just can't wait until this whole damn thing is over…" he muttered, "I never asked to be thrown into war…"

Arturo looked out the window.

"I know Roy… I know…"

~O~O~O~O~O~

Arturo stepped off the truck, helped down by his subordinates.

He thanked them silently and as he turned around, three men in the usual blue uniforms greeted him.

"Colonel Arturo Mustang?"

Arturo acknowledged them with a nod.

"Yes, I'm the one." He said, "Can I help you?"

They returned his nod with ones of their own, and the man in the center handed him an envelope without another word.

"The Furhrer sent me to give this to you." He said, wiping blonde hair out of his eyes as he gave a mechanical salute, "And it's just as you requested, Sir."

The Colonel thanked him silently, dismissed him and went to open the letter.

Roy peered curiously over his shoulder.

"What does it say?" he inquired.

Arturo pushed him out of the way.

"Roy, get serious… this is military business… You can't be reading my mail!" Arturo scolded.

The Major gave a pout, showing his distaste.

"Jerk…"

Arturo gave a snort, but he kept reading.

"Shut up, Little Roy…" he muttered.

His eyes scanned the paper. It was a listing of all his subordinates, both alchemists and non. Glancing briefly at Roy, he looked down the lists of the State Alchemists he had under his jurisdiction.

Roy wasn't one of them.

He checked again, but came up with the same results.

"WHAT IS THIS BULL SHIT?" he snapped angrily, causing Roy to jump with sudden shock.

"Wait… what's wrong?" Roy asked completely wide-eyed.

"You're not on the list! You're not on the GODDAMN list!" Arturo said, shoving it into his cousin's hands.

Roy took it and looked it over.

"This is a listing of your subordinates, right?" Roy asked, looking it over quickly.

Arturo nodded,

"I especially requested that you be under me so I can keep an eye on you!" he snarled frustrated.

Roy eyed his cousin than burst into laughter.

"That's what you're cursing about?" he asked, looking unconsolably amused, "I requested to be under Colonel Gran."

Arturo's jaw dropped instantly.

"B-but why?" the Colonel asked, puzzled.

Roy smirked,

"Well… didn't I tell you that I didn't want to be stuck in your shadow all the time?" he asked, "Besides, I think you'd be a wreck if you had to keep an eye on me all the time! Besides, we can't have you giving me special treatment, right?"

Arturo nodded half-heartidly. Roy was speaking the truth, but he had promised Madame Christmas that he'd look after Roy before they left, and he couldn't help but feel a sudden pang of guilt for letting her down.

Roy must've seen Arturo's expression droop a bit, because he put his hand on his cousin's shoulder and gave a slight, comforting squeeze.

"Don't worry about Mom… if you don't tell her, I won't." he said with a smirk.

Arturo couldn't help but break into a grin.

"Fine… But you better take care of yourself, okay?" he said, grabbing his cousin's hand roughly and shaking it.

Roy returned the handshake,

"That goes for you too, Artie." He said.

Arturo bristled, but he gave a good-humored smirk.

"Just go to meet your superior officer." Arturo said, pushing his cousin forward, "But Roy…Major… Don't forget about the promise we made, okay? I'll support you every step of the way…"

Roy's jaw set and he looked at his cousin sternly.

"Yeah, well… don't forget that I'll be there for you too…Artie… I mean, Colonel…" Roy said, as he then turned to join the rest of his platoon.

Arturo watched until his cousin was out of his sight, and he glanced around for those who fell under his command.

He heard footsteps, and a familiar, yet unexpected voice greeted him.

"Cadet Hawkeye reporting for duty, Sir!"

Arturo's eyes widened as he turned around. A young, blonde cadet stood; one of her hands holding a rifle while the other was flat against her forehead at a perfect angle.

"R-Riza…?"

The Cadet lowered her hand and snapped it back to her side.

"It's good to see you again, Colonel Mustang." She said with a friendly smile, "Though I wish we had met under different conditions."

Arturo gave a nod, and fought back every urge to pull her into an embrace.

"Yeah… I know." He agreed, "But what are you doing here? I thought you and your father hated the military…"

"Well Sir… sometimes love can overcome hate…" She said, "After all… I'm here to protect someone who's very important to me."

Arturo's expression softened,

"It's not me, is it?" he asked with a teasing grin.

Hawkeye cocked her gun and pointed it directly between the Colonel's eyes.

"Sir… I have no desire to start my first day of field work with a courtmartial." She pointed out sternly.

Arturo laughed,

"Lower your gun, Cadet." He said, "I know why you're here."

Riza did as she was told, and gave an appreciative nod.

"I'm glad you understand, Sir." She said, "But how do you know?"

Arturo smirked with a dark chuckle as he turned fully to face her.

"I understand, because I'm here for the same reason… and to protect the same person."

((So... what do you guys think? Reviews would really be appreciated! :) ))