Chapter Six: Job Shadowing

The first thing Himiko noticed when she woke up earlier the following day was that she was on a bed, in a very unfamiliar room and was sore all over. Squinting her eyes a bit, she slowly rose to a sitting position on the bed while blocking the brightly shining sun from her face. After a while, she slowly lowered her hand to take in her surroundings.

The room was rather small and plain. Nothing special; just two beds, one being occupied by her, a dresser and that's just about it. Slinging her legs off the bed, she glanced around for her zanpakuto. Once spotting the sword, she prepared to get up to retrieve it when she suddenly felt gravity upon her. Letting out a slight yelp, she braced herself to meet the floor beneath her. Himiko's fall was soon halted when something came in the way to steady her. Glancing up, Himiko was met with brilliant golden eyes clashing with her own reddish copper ones.

Finally realizing that she was too caught up in getting her missing katana, she didn't realize someone came into the room the moment she got up. Himiko blinked, confused but not before finally figuring out who caught her; Edward. She got out of his grasp around her waist and used the bed's headboard to keep herself up. A moment of silence passed through the two occupants in the room, Himiko refused to look at Ed who was standing in the same spot, waiting for her to say something. Getting tired of the awkward silence, Himiko decided she mind as well say something.

" What are you doing here...? "

" ...Just came to check up on you...You should still be resting after nearly falling out of bed. "

Himiko snorted a bit by the fact that someone she barely knows gives a care about her well-beings. She hobbled over a bit, wincing ever so slightly by the prickling pain caused from her wounds, before finally sitting herself back on the bed. She rested her gaze on Edward, who in turn, stared back at her calmly. Both pair of eyes were trying to figure the other out but the staring contest ended when the window had flung open.

The attention was then turned to a girl with shoulder length copper brown hair who had entered the room. She stood up straight from a crouching position after jumping into the room so abruptly. Her familiar reddish copper eyes settled on the female shinigami.

" I'm s-sorry for b-being late..." The girl spoke so softly and almost inaudible. It's obvious to anyone that she's shyest of the shy and maybe not to mention nervous.

" Its alright Rin...At least you found me..." was the reply from Himiko. Edward stared in disbelief, glancing back and forth between the two girls. Not only was it disturbing that one of them entered the room through the least convenient way, they both looked exactly identical with the exception of different clothing. Ed took a good look at each of them as they stared back at him on wonderment. The second of the two had half closed eyes, a slight quizical expression that made her look like an innocent child and was continuously fiddling with her fingers(A/N: Like hinata from naruto when she's shy lol) The Himiko sitting on the bed had a more stern facial expression, sharp eyes and looked just about ready for anything.

Ed was more than confused. Eyes widen in shock, he finally found his voice to speak what was on his mind.

" What the hell?! T-There's two of you?! " Emphasizing his message by pointing an accusing finger at Himiko. The girl only snorted and said simply.

" It's not another me, its just a me in a different form..."

" ...I don't get it.. "

" It's called a gigai, a sort of vessel for us shinigami when we're in the human world. It allows us to make human contact with others in this world and are also used in case of emergency when a shinigami's spirit power are low. "

" ...Oh...but if you're here...then who's that? " asked Ed, jabbing a thumb to the second Himiko.

" That's Rin..A mod soul which are like replacements when we're out of the gigai. It makes the gigai have a life of its own to keep the gigai occupied so its not suspicious if its out in public. "

Edward slowly nodded, letting the newly discovered information sink in. While he was thinking to himself about all of this, Himiko merged back with her gigai, took out the soul candy that was in her mouth and disposed of it. She fixed up the red headband in her hair while dusting off dirt from her jeans and white sweater(A/N: So basically she's still wearing the same clothes in the beginning of the story)

Himiko stared at Edward who was clearly too spaced out to notice anything new. Crossing her arms, she finally decided that she was going to snap him out of it, seeing as how he's not capable of doing it himself.

" Ahem... "

Edward snapped his head up from his downward gaze, clearly surprised that the gigai from before wasn't so shy looking, " Oh, uh you're Himiko now right? "

" Yes... " sighed Himiko.

" Ok, well...umm...wanna head to breakfast then? "

" Sure... " shrugged Himiko as she made her way out the door, limping here and there and cursing under her breath lowly. Edward, who looked amused by her efforts, couldn't help but smile a bit.

" You coming or not? " called back the copper haired girl. Edward dropped his smile, feeling a little emberassed but thankful that no one caught him.

" Yea, coming.. " called out Edward before also walking out of the room. As they both reached the kitchen where Al was making breakfast, unbeknowist to the both of them that somone had been spying on them.

Al's POV

I narrowly made it back just in time before Ed and Himiko came through the door. I was trying really hard not to seem out of place while making breakfast since I couldn't help but resist the urge to giggle at what I just saw earlier. Right when Ed had left to check up on Himiko, I couldn't help but follow him to see if he'll do anything. I was surprise myself to find Himiko already awake but what surprised me the most was when Ed had caught her from falling.

Just that tiny scene reminded me of something from a romance movie. I didn't think they'd realized how close their faces was and how transfixed their eyes were on each other either. It took everything I had in me to not burst out laughing. After they broke apart, I witnessed the whole two Himiko thing and had already caught the explaination she gave to Ed. When I heard the cue to leave, I immediately rushed out as fast as I could back into the kitchen and continued to make breakfast.

As I turned to make the pancakes, I couldn't help but grin inwardly, knowing that I had something against Ed when the time calls for it.

Back To Normal POV

After the two had finished breakfast, Ed got up from the table and started to head out of the door while Al followed.

" Himiko you stay here, we'll be back later. "

" No, I'm coming with you. " Himiko replied back, her eyes slightly narrowing.

" But it's something important that doesn't involve you, it'll be quick so just stay here. "

" No. " Ed had an anime vein on his head by this time, he was just about his last straw before he would explode. Al sweatdropped, sensing his brother's temper rising very quickly.

" Can't you just wait here?! It'll be quick! "

" And like I said, I'm coming with you because I have no purpose staying here anyways. " Himiko retorted, crossing her arms.

" And you have no purpose coming with me either! " Ed's features had showed nothing but annoyance. Himiko on the otherhand, was clearly not effected by his growing temper.

" Well at least I would have something to do other than stay here and be a nanny. "

" As a matter of fact, there you go! You've got something to do! Watch our dorm then while we're out. " Grinned Ed.

" What?! I am not tolerating something like this! Do I look like a house maid to you?! " Now it was Himiko's turn to fume with anger and annoyance. Ed only shrugged and proceeded to walk out the door, all in a while, pushing Al out too.

" Just don't have too much fun without us! Bye! " Called Ed before slamming the door shut, dragging Al to run with him. Himiko gritted her teeth and glared at the wooden door. She turned on her heels and headed straight for the window. Opening it, she jumped out with ease and landed on the street in a crouch. Luckily, everyone was too busy to notice her freefall from the dorm room. She stood up straight and began to look around for the short blonde boy and his tin can brother.

At Mustang's Office

Ed didn't even take the time to knock on the door or inform anyone that he's seeing Col. Mustang right now. He just slammed opened the door and walked right in.

" Ok Mustang, I checked out the warehouses. "

" And..? " Mustang said, looking amused.

" It was the most pointless thing I've ever done in my life! " shouted Ed finally. Mustang only chuckled.

" Well at least you know how I felt like when Fuery thought there's a warehouse 13 and that it was cursed and what not. " Ed only grew more angrier at the man in front of him who looked like who couldn't have a care in the world. It took Ed all his strength to calm himself so he can ask Mustang the next thing on his mind.

" Dr. Marco, do you know who he is? "

" Hm? Who? "

" Dr. Marco. "

" ...Never heard of him. " Ed gritted his teeth, he knew Mustang was lieing. The name only crossed to him because he looked it up on one of the documents he found in the library the other day. It was the only lead he had and he knew Mustang would know.

" Look, I know you're keeping something from me. But I'm going to find out because no matter what, you're not stopping me from getting the Philospher stone. " Edward gave Mustang one last glare before leaving his office, Mustang remained unfazed and turned his chair so it faced the window. From there, he pondered in his thoughts as he stared out onto the busy military grounds.

With Ed.

As soon as Ed left the door with Al following, the only thing on his mind was how to beat the information he needed out of Mustang. Dr. Marco was his only solid lead on what he wanted and the only thing stopping him was none other than Mustang. Edward had tried his hardest to avoid confronting Mustang about it but Dr. Marco's documents when he was in the military are all prohibited to anyone.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when a voice spoke up.

" What are you doing? " Ed jumped back, surprised at how sudden it happened. When he looked at who the voice belonged to, it was none other than the girl he tried to ditch in his dorm.

" Wait wha?! How'd you find me?! " He asked, pointing an accusing finger at her.

" I have my ways. "

" But how'd you get in without everyone noticing...It's sorta clear that you don't belong in the military. " pointed out Al, also surprised at her sudden appearance.

" The window... "

Ed sweatdropped, how can this girl climb a story high window?! After a long silence, Himiko spoke up.

" I've been rather curious to ask, what's a Philospher stone? " Ed was takenaback as did Al. A moment of hesitation swept through Ed's mind but he finally replied.

" Where'd you hear that? "

Sorry for the most lamest cliffie but i cudnt think of anything else. And im having a bit of writers block AND just recently reformatted my comp... AND i got some requests for a diff story so i apologize that this story will take longer to be updated...i'll TRY to get bak to it as soon as possible