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Thicker than Rain

Chapter 10: Thicker Than Rain

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."

~ Jack Handey

~O~O~O~O~O~

Roy lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling with his hands behind his head.

"What was he doing in there? I mean, what right does that bastard have to just go to the Madame's bar and cause her unnecessary pain? It's inhuman!"

Roy gave a grunt and he glanced sideways at his clock.

He had work to do and the last thing he wanted to have was the Lieutenant's pistols coming after him.

~O~O~O~O~O~

When Roy entered the office, the first thing he heard (besides the usual gossiping of the female officers) was music coming from the office that he had given his cousin.

"What does Lieutenant General Dumbass think he's doing now…?" Roy couldn't help but wonder.

He opened the door without knocking.

Arturo was there, sitting at the desk comfortably. A guitar was laid across his lap while he cradled a violin in his arms. He didn't give Roy any attention, but rather was concentrated on whatever he was writing. However, in the center of the desk was an aged book filled with pages and pages of handwritten sheet music.

Roy walked in, saluted against his will and glanced over the Lieutenant General's work.

"What is this?" Roy asked, picking up the book and looking it over.

Arturo's eyes instantly blazed and he snapped his fingers.

Roy felt a stinging run through all the nerves of his right arm and he dropped it reflexively.

"Don't Touch, Little Roy…" he scolded, "The big-boy alchemists have work that needs to be done."

Roy crossed his arms,

"I thought your research was finished…" the Colonel pointed out, "You finished everything, didn't you?"

Arturo looked startled,

"No! I have just a bit more to do…" Arturo stated, "Besides, hasn't anyone told you that when an alchemist finishes their work, they die?"

Roy's mind flashed back to Master Hawkeye and he became solemn.

"Yeah… I have heard it." He mumbled.

Arturo took note of his cousin's sudden change of attitude, and he spoke again.

"Well, I'm glad you've heard it. It's a very important thing to remember. But getting back to the problem here…Now, just because you have no artistic talent doesn't mean that you can just waltz in here and give your criticisms. Not everyone cares about your opinion, Roy."

"Hey! I'M the one who's trying to become Fuhrer, okay? Just because you think you're some kind of fucking genius doesn't mean that you can go around pulling me around like some kind of play thing!" Roy snapped.

Arturo didn't answer instantly, but only studied his cousin with a blank expression for a few moments.

Roy looked back at him, seething with anger.

"Well, aren't you going to say something?"

Arturo coughed and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, maybe I have ambitions of my own…" The Lieutenant General pointed out, "Perhaps there's a very particular person who I want to see in charge of this country… someone who I can believe in…"

Roy gawked at his cousin,

"What do you mean?"

" Well, it's simple, Little Roy… the person who I'm imagining taking the place as Fuhrer is someone who has brilliant, respectable ideals and who is determined as anything… a person who's grown wiser through their experiences and thinks of others before himself… someone who knows more about those around him…"

His sentence trailed off as he turned to face the window… his back turned to Roy.

Roy stared at his cousin in utter shock and betrayal.

"Well, good luck with that!" Roy belittled, "It'll be hard to find someone like that around… but it seems like you already have someone in mind."

Arturo smirked to himself,

"Yes… indeed I do…"

The Colonel gave a huff and stormed out of the office, returning to his own where Hawkeye was probably waiting for him.

At least someone would respect him…

Arturo waited until Roy's footsteps disappeared from down the hall before turning around in his chair.

"Oh Roy… if only you had any idea…" he thought as he picked up his violin and began to play.

~O~O~O~O~O~

"C'mon Al! That bastard has to be around here somewhere!"

"B-but Brother… shouldn't we just leave him alone? I mean, after what he told us yesterday… we shouldn't be going to find him… we should just leave it as it is…"

"Shut up, Al! This is like Mom… He can't just leave people behind without warning, okay?"

Roy heard the familiar voices and, as he raised an eyebrow, he quickened his pace.

What were the Elrics still doing here? Usually they didn't stay for too long…especially on the military base.

Roy had to find out what was going on.

As he turned the corner, the blond alchemist nearly bumped into him, with a suit of nervous armor in tow.

"Hello, Fullmetal… where are your short legs taking you off to this time around?" Roy questioned sarcastically.

Ed instantly seethed with anger, and was about to clap his hands together, but Al stopped him.

"Stop Brother! We can't hurt the Colonel!" the younger boy pleaded.

Ed gave a grunt, but nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I guess you're right Al…" He muttered.

He then looked up at the Colonel,

"Have you seen the General anywhere? We kinda wanted to talk to him." Ed asked as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his black pants.

Roy gave a roll of his eyes at the very reference to his cousin.

"Yeah… the bastard is in his office down the hall… you can hear it from here." Roy said, pointing half-heartedly in its general direction.

Ed gave a nod, and then turning back to look at his brother, thanked him and went off down the hall.

Roy couldn't help but just look at them, feeling nothing but an obvious confusion. Today was going to be a weird day…. He could feel it.

~O~O~O~O~O~

Ed's ears picked up the beautiful violin music that was coming from down the hall and he quickened his pace to catch up with it.

But once they reached the outside of the door, Ed hesitated.

"Well Brother… aren't you going to go in?" Al asked.

Ed just paused, listening to the music.

"Yeah Al… just gimme a second…"

Ed realized that, even though he had an urge to speak with the Lieutenant General, he didn't know what he was going to say… Perhaps he'd rant about family or why he should tell Roy about what was going on… he couldn't be sure… but he just hoped that the words would come to him once he went in.

"Nii-san?"

"Yeah, Al… come on." He said, knocking firmly on the door with his right hand.

~O~O~O~O~O~

Arturo stopped playing once he heard the sound of knocking on his door.

"Come in." he said, gently placing his violin back down on the desk.

Ed and Al entered cautiously… their eyes wide at the sight of the musical instruments and the messy pages of music.

"What are you doing?" Al inquired.

"My alchemical research." Arturo answered, "I code mine in song… unlike Little Roy who has no artistic talent whatsoever... besides doodles on important military documents…"

Ed nodded, looking extremely impressed.

"That's pretty neat." He said, glancing down at the book.

Ed was about to get extremely distracted when Al gave him a nudge in the ribs.

"Brother! Didn't you have something you wanted to tell the Lieutenant General?"

Arturo's eyes moved towards the younger alchemists and he tilted his head like a confused, yet amused dog.

"Well Fullmetal? What is it?"

As Ed looked at the Lieutenant General, a smirk crawled over the older man's face… one that distinctly reminded Ed of the Bastard Colonel.

Ed felt his fists clench together and his hands shook violently.

"I… I…"

Arturo leaned in closer.

"I can't believe that you'd pull this kind of SHIT!" Ed roared, "It's like something the Colonel would do!"

Arturo leaned back; a smirk lining his face as Ed kept going.

"DAMMIT! Why are all adults crazy, Al? I don't understand it!" He shouted, turning to his younger brother, "Seriously! It's like when Hughes died! Adults always think they can hide things! It's not OKAY Al... It's like…like when Mom died…"

Al gave a choking gasp.

"Brother…"

"NO AL! He can't leave the Colonel to guess this kind of thing! Because that's just shit! The Colonel may be a bastard, but even he deserves to know about this!" Ed shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the Lieutenant General, "He HAS to tell the Colonel!"

Arturo looked at Ed, closed his eyes, then opened them again.

"Is that all you have to say to me, Fullmetal?" he asked.

Ed huffed,

"Didn't you hear anything I said to you?" the prodigy snapped, "You can't leave your cousin in the dark like that! You're gonna die without giving him any warning! That's not right!"

Arturo stood up,

"Roy will find out when the time is right." He said calmly, "Now… if you excuse me… I have to go find Lieutenant Hawkeye and speak with her."

He got up from the desk and walked past the younger alchemist.

Ed's hand clenched into a fist and he launched himself at the taller man.

Arturo turned his head to the side as his eyes gleamed. In one swift movement and shift of his feet, he dodged the attack.

"I wouldn't suggest assaulting your superior officers…" he said, "Someone could get hurt. But anyway… it was a pleasure talking to you, Fullmetal."

He then left the office without another word.

"Are we going to go after him, Nii-san?" Al questioned.

Ed glanced at the door, lost in his own thoughts…and shook his head.

There was something in the Lieutenant General's eyes that almost warned him.

"There's nothing we can do, Al… If that's the choice the Lieutenant General is going to make… I can understand…" he said, "Sometimes hiding things are necessary. Besides… you know how the Bastard Colonel is… He's an idiot."

Al just gave a silent nod.

"Okay, Nii-san…"

~O~O~O~O~O~

Roy was, for once, diligently working at his desk when the Lieutenant General walked in.

His raven hair instantly bristled and his eyes dilated as he watched the man like a feral wolf.

What does he want now?

Arturo didn't seem to notice it, but made his way directly to the blonde Lieutenant's desk.

She looked up as a concerned expression crossed her countenance.

"May I help you, Sir?" she asked, standing up and saluting him respectfully.

Arturo just looked at her,

"Lieutenant, could I speak with you for a moment?" he asked.

Hawkeye was taken aback for a second, but gave a nod.

"Of course, Sir." She said, standing up.

She then glanced back at the slack jawed Colonel.

"I'll be back soon." She said, saluting him and following the General out of the office.

Roy studied them as they left his office.

Something was going on… and he didn't like it.

The others in the office glanced between the pair that had just left and the Colonel.

Havoc stifled a snicker, but Roy instantly glared at him sharply.

"Don't say a word or I'll dock your paycheck…" The Colonel threatened.

Havoc's jaw dropped.

"H-hey! That's not fair!" He said, "I'm the one who should be complaining!"

Breda just patted the younger man's arm.

"It'll be okay…" He said, "It'll be okay…"

~O~O~O~O~O~

Hawkeye looked up at him curiously.

"What do you need me for, Sir?" she asked, looking at him worridly, "Is everything all right?"

Arturo hesitated and shook his head.

"No Lieutenant… not everything was all right…" he said, "But now isn't the time to discuss it…"

Hawkeye looked a bit flustered for a moment, but she nodded.

"Come to my apartment after work, and we'll discuss it there." She said casually.

Arturo gave a sad smile.

"Thank you, Lieutenant… I can always rely on you." He said contentedly.

The General gave her a thankful salute and she returned it.

"I'm happy to help, Sir." She said returning the smile.

"All right… you're dismissed, Lieutenant… I'll see you later then… after your shift." He said.

Hawkeye gave a nod as she went to reopen the door of the Colonel's office.

As she went to push the door open, she was hit by some resistance, and she gave a small sound of confusion.

Arturo tilted his head to the side and pushed along side of her.

With a great force, they forced the door open as yelps were heard from the other side.

"Wh-what the-?" The Lieutenant asked, seeing Furey, the Colonel and several pieces of radio equipment sprawled on the floor, "Sir… were you spying on me?"

Furey gave a frightened squeak and as quickly as he could, he retreated back to the sanctuary of his desk.

Roy instantly found his footing and stood up defiantly.

"NO!" he said, "I wasn't spying on you… I was spying on that bastard!"

He pointed an accusing finger at Arturo who just gave a sigh, looking at the damaged equipment.

"You're going to have to pay for that, Roy… besides, spying on a Superior Officer is a violation of one's privacy…" he said, "I could write you up for that…"

Roy gave a growl.

"Yeah, well… Why are you asking the Lieutenant out then?" he asked, "I heard that you guys had plans tonight at her apartment…"

Hawkeye instantly looked embarrassed, and Arturo became angry.

"That's none of your concern, Roy…" he barked, "Besides, there are more important things that your petty grudges. You really should grow up, Little Roy."

The Colonel snorted,

"Whatever… just get out of my office, Sir…" he said spitefully.

Arturo only gave a roll of his eyes and sighed.

"I'll see you later, Lieutenant." He said, smirking at her, then closing the door of the office behind him.

Hawkeye watched him go, and turned to the Colonel, her pistols cocked back and the safety off.

"L-Lieutenant, What's the meaning of-?"

Before he could say any more, several shots were fired at the sides of his head and he froze; sweat beginning to bead the top of his brow.

All of the men in the office stared.

What had the Colonel done now?

"Wh-what did I do?" he asked.

The Lieutenant glared at him with her burning, auburn eyes.

"Sir… I believe that you should treat your superior officers with more respect." She stated, "Because…because… you're being ignorant, Sir."

Roy looked at her with disbelief as she sat down at her desk and continued working without another word.

The Colonel looked between the men working and the Lieutenant.

They just glanced back at him, then like nervous mice, went back to their work.

Roy gave a glance about the room as he leaned his elbows against his desk. He wasn't down yet, and superior officer or not, Roy wasn't going to let him get away with spreading more pain to those he cared about.

After all… all higher-ups were corrupt.

~O~O~O~O~O~

Arturo walked up to the Lieutenant's door and swallowing nervously, he knocked firmly. In one of his hands, he held a bouquet of flowers and the other fell loosely at his side.

He waited and gave a startled jump when Hawkeye answered the door. She gave a gentle smile as she looked up at him. Her auburn eyes drifted to the flowers.

"For me?" she asked with an amused smirk.

Arturo gave a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah… old habit, I guess." He said, "It just wouldn't seem right to show up to your place empty handed…"

The Lieutenant gave a small laugh and opened the door so he could come in.

"Thank you, Sir." She said as he handed her the flowers.

Arturo looked at her and gave a sigh.

"Please cut out the formalities… it makes me feel bad." He pleaded.

Hawkeye nodded with understanding.

"If you say so." She answered.

Arturo gave a nod as he watched her. She went to the sink and filled up a vase with water so she put the flowers in it. Just watching her made him smile.

"You really grew up." He said, giving her a smirk.

Hawkeye looked back and gave him a puzzled glance.

"That was an odd thing to say." She said, "You really have been up North for way too long."

Arturo laughed, rubbing the back of his neck again.

"Yeah, it would seem that way, wouldn't it?" he asked, "All that snow seems to be going to my head."

Hawkeye gave a soft laugh,

"I wouldn't say that." She said, "But apparently you have something to say…"

Arturo grew nervous and he shifted from one foot to another.

Hawkeye easily spotted her Superior Officer's unease and she looked at him concerned.

"Arturo, you've told me many things." She said gently, "What is it?"

The Lieutenant General opened his mouth to respond, but instead of finding the right words, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the worn, leather book with sheet music in it.

Hawkeye eyed it, then looked back at Arturo.

"This isn't what I think it is, right?" she asked, swallowing a lump in her throat.

Arturo only gave a solemn nod.

"Yes Riza… it's exactly what you're thinking." He said, "I want you to give it to Little Roy when I'm gone…"

Hawkeye didn't take the book at first.

"Arturo, you're speaking very cryptically… which is unlike you." She said, "Where are you going, and what does Roy need a music book?"

Arturo laughed,

"It's not just any music book." Arturo stated, "It's much more valuable than that… My entire life is in that book."

Hawkeye's eyes widened and she looked absolutely horrified.

"Arturo, you can't be giving that away!" she said, "You need to continue you're research! My father always said-"

"An alchemist dies when they finish their research because they stop thinking… yes, I know." He said giving a tender smile towards her, "all great alchemists know it."

Hawkeye looked up at him, feeling surprisingly like a teenager again.

"Yes, but…"

The reality hit her and she closed her eyes, hoping that he wouldn't confirm what she was thinking.

The General only gave a sigh.

"Yes Riza… I have cancer and I'm dying." He said, turning away from her… afraid to see her reaction.

He heard the Lieutenant take a shaky breath and he could only clench his fists at his sides.

"How long have you known?" She asked, looking back at him.

Arturo still had his back turned to her as he answered.

"Since Ishbal." He answered, "But that's not important… I need you to take care of Roy… you need to keep him on track. After all… you're like my sister… and blood is thicker than the rain that makes him useless."

He smiled as Hawkeye's eyes filled with a definite understanding. The same understanding that she had when she was first assigned underneath him during that terrible war.

He gave a respectful salute and then added the one last thing that he felt was extremely appropriate.

"That's an order."

Hawkeye nodded as she gave a salute.

"Yes, sir."

Arturo felt tears well in his eyes and he pulled her into an embrace.

"Thanks, Riza." He said, "Thank you so much…"

The tender moment didn't last long. A loud crash was heard from outside and the pair jumped.

"Hold on, I'll go check it out." Arturo said as he donned his gloves and headed outside.

His eyes widened as he spotted, not a burglar, but his cousin laying sprawled out on the ground underneath a tree that peered into Hawkeye's window.

"What are you doing?" Arturo asked, giving a laugh as he lowered his hands and crossing them over his chest.

"I should be asking you the same question, you Bastard!" Roy snapped, jumping to his feet, "I saw you hugging her!"

Arturo rolled his eyes,

"You really don't get it, do you, Little Roy…" he said shaking his head.

Hawkeye soon joined him and she was as startled as he was.

"Sir, what are you doing here?" she asked, looking disappointed.

"I was just here to protect you from him!" Roy said as he pointed an accusing finger at the Lieutenant General.

Hawkeye glanced at Arturo who only gave a shrug.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Roy-boy… but I think that fall from the tree really killed a few much-needed brain-cells." He snickered.

Roy blushed with embarrassment.

"Sh-shut up!" He growled.

Arturo laughed,

"Really, Roy?" he questioned, "Well, I won't ask any more questions. C'mon, let's get you back home… You must be drunk."

Roy looked at his cousin, completely offended.

"I'm not drunk!" he shot back.

Arturo only led Roy back to his car, putting his arm around his shoulder.

"C'mon Roy… perhaps we should head back to Mom's bar." He said, "You really need a drink."

Roy pulled away sharply.

"Don't touch me! I don't need to spend any more time with you." He argued.

Arturo only nodded,

"All right…" he said, seemingly unfazed, "But you shouldn't be spying on the Lieutenant like that. You're gonna look like some kind of pervert."

Roy only rolled his eyes,

"Why am I even listening to you?" he asked, "Besides, I don't need to be berated by you! I'm all grown up, geez."

Arturo only gave a nod.

"All right, whatever." He answered, "Just take me home…"

Arturo gave yet another nod.

"All right, Roy." He said nonchalantly, "Just show me where you live."

Roy sat in the passenger's seat and crossed his arms over his chest with a grunt.

"Fine."

Arturo didn't respond at all, but just started up the car and began driving.

It was silent most of the way and Roy would only speak when giving the necessary directions. Arturo didn't say a word, but only did as his cousin told him.

When they reached Roy's home, the Colonel got out of the car.

"I'll see you later, Roy." Arturo said giving a smile.

Roy snorted,

"Whatever." He said, heading back to his front door.

Arturo gave a sigh, but called after his cousin.

"Hey, Roy…"

The Colonel turned back and glanced at the Lieutenant General.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking irritated.

"I just have a bet for you." He said.

Roy rolled his eyes, but walked back to the car.

"What? Are you thinking of other ways to humiliate me?" He muttered, "I mean, you've done it a thousand times already…"

Arturo shook his head,

"Nah, nothing like that." He said, "Actually, if you win… I'll leave early to go to the North."

Roy's attention was fully captured at this point.

"R-really?" he asked, "Well, what is it?"

The Colonel lit up as he leaned into the car through the side window.

"Well, I was thinking that we could play a game of chess…" he said.

Roy nodded,

"Yeah…and…"

Arturo continued,

"If you win, I'll leave tomorrow to go back up North… but if I win, you have to spend one day with me." The General said.

Roy nodded without thinking.

"Yeah, definitely! When are we playing… tonight?" The Colonel asked eagerly.

Arturo shook his head,

"No." He said, "Tomorrow, okay?"

Roy nodded fervently.

"Yeah! The sooner the better!" He said.

Anything to get him to go home and out of my sight! The Colonel hoped.

Arturo nodded,

"All right… well, good night, Roy." He said, as he drove away.

Once his cousin was out of sight, Roy jumped up and down.

This would be too easy. He loved chess! There was no way he could lose!

Oh, could life get any better?

With that thought in mind, the Colonel headed back into his home with a wide grin on his face.

Perhaps things were starting to look up after all. After all, how bad could things get if his obnoxious cousin was gone?

((A/N: Thanks for the alerts and review that I got! It really encourages me to keep going! I treasure what you guys think of this fic! Keep them coming! :) ))