Flower Kid is a Leprechaun - Yeah, I figured it wasn't uncommon; just for the timeline and purpose of story I made it rare. Anyway, that's okay if you didn't review. So long as I know your there.

Mustard Gal - Don't worry. This is not an Elricest story. There's just those cute brotherly moments we love to see. Don't worry. I wouldn't write anything like that. Glad you enjoy it so much though! -love-

zidetprincess1 - Glad you like it so much! I think I make Alphonse too little sounding. Like a kid maybe. I try not to, but he's so cute! It's hard not to. Glad you like him that way though XD He does get more in character later, but for now he's just down right adorable X3

Mustard Gal - Update for you! Because your awesome and I'm hyper! XD Glad you like it and as for loyalty...well, you'll just have to read this chapter and find out.

HughesHanajimaHilariaHypocrite - No Elricest...but there are some nice camp scenes to come. So you are right about that. X3 I can't wait to begin writting those scenes out. They'll be quite sad and (as Harle would say) tug on your heart strings with sad Elric Fluffy cuteness!

Chapter 4 - Raid

'Damn clock,' Edward cursed to himself as he stared up at the ceiling. It had to have been around midnight if not close to the hour. Almost four hours since they'd gone off to bed. Of course, Edward had never truly fallen asleep. He wasn't sure if Alphonse had or not, but-

Ding. Ding. Ding.

Twelve times. Edward groaned as he grabbed his pillow and covered his face with it. 'Damn thing...' He said to himself once more. Every hour. It made a loud chime to let them know; and twelve o' clock was the worse. Twelve obnoxious bongs.

After they stopped, Edward tipped the pillow back and stared some more. What was he to do? He knew that the Nazis would figure it out eventually. How long can you hide something like that? Especially when there were so many people out there who knew Edward's loyalty. He didn't hide it, there was no need to.

He sighed as he sat up rubbing his head. He had a small migraine from thinking about it too much. He figured he should get to sleep, but he wasn't feeling up to it. So instead he got out of the bed, letting his feet drag on the cold floor as he headed down the hall and to Alphonse's room.

The whole house was quiet a side from the annoying clock in the hallway and Edward's footsteps. He just wanted to check on Alphonse. They had gone to bed so sudden that Edward never got the chance to see if Alphonse was alright. After Alphonse had stopped crying, they decided to sleep. So they did; more or less.

"Al?" Edward whispered as he opened the bedroom door peeking in. Alphonse Elric was fast asleep in his bed; and if he wasn't, he was a good actor. He was wrapped up in the blankets so he almost looked like he was in a cocoon. Alphonse had always been that way ever since he was little. He had to be concealed while sleeping or he wouldn't feel safe; unlike Edward who could be completely exposed and sleep just fine.

"Al you awake?" Dumb question really. Edward walked in quietly, keeping silent as to not wake his brother, just in case he was sleeping. Which he was. He crept closer then just stared at his little brother. He was older now, no longer a baby; and yet Edward couldn't help but think of him as such. "Sorry about today," he whispered softly as he pet Alphonse's head.

Alphonse groaned quietly and stirred a bit, but remained asleep. Edward just continued to watch him then pulled his hand back and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Things are just so crazy. I mean...with Alphons and Noah gone. Not to mention Fritz Lang. I mean, it's difficult. I don't know how you can even get to sleep at night. I hardly do." He said as he stared at the wall. It was so white and plain; not at all like Edward's newspaper collage.

"Then there are those damn Nazis." Edward said softly, trailing off. He didn't feel the need to continue that train of thought. "I promise though," he said looking back at his brother, "I'll keep you safe from whatever hell they want to put us through." He said as he got up, "sorry for bothering you. I just had to say that." He said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Alphonse sat up once the door was closed. His eyes were brimmed with tears that refused to fall. "Don't worry brother," he said softly, "I can't sleep either."

"Hey Al, can you pass me the butter?" Edward asked as he took a slice of bread from the center of the table. Alphonse nodded and pushed the butter tray towards his brother, who took it and began to butter the slice. "Thanks," Edward said with a smile as he took a bite.
Breakfast time was always a better time for the two. It was a new day in Germany. A new day to start over and move on from their past. That morning was nice, with bacon and eggs for breakfast along with the usual pieces of buttered bread. Alphonse nodded as he too took a bite of his breakfast. Scrambled eggs were some of his favorite meals.

"No problem," he said as he looked over at his brother. "So, how did you sleep last night?"

"Like a log," Edward grinned. "I hit the bed and was out" he snapped his fingers "Like that." It was a lie, but he couldn't let Alphonse know. "How about you? How did you sleep?"

"Oh me too, I was out right away." Alphonse lied as well, not wanting to worry his brother. "So what are we going to do today?" He asked after a short pause.

"Well, I don't know about you," Edward started, "but I feel like going to the park and maybe somewhere to get a bite to eat?"

"What? Like go out for the day?" Alphonse beamed.

"Yeah, if you want to call it that." Edward shrugged as he smiled. He loved watching his brother get excited about those kinds of things. "I figure we could use the day off to hang out. Just relax and enjoy each others company."

"That sounds fun!" Alphonse said as he took another bite of breakfast then got up, carrying his plate to tlinethe sink. "I'm done," he announced proudly. "I'll go get ready right now." He said as he headed to his bedroom.

Edward laughed as he finished his own breakfast, then got up and set the plate in the sink. The least he could do for Alphonse was take him out. Go to the park. Maybe get some ice cream if they had any around. All he knew was he had to give his brother a great day with no Nazi interruptions. They deserved it.

"Brother, you should go get ready." Alphonse said as he walked back to the kitchen. Fully dressed and hair combed out nicely, all ready to get going. Edward turned around to look over at Alphonse, turning off the water in the process.
"Hm, already to go. That was quick. If we were going anywhere else, you'd be sluggish wouldn't you?" Alphonse just gave his brother a big smile in reply.

Yes, it would be a good day.

"Going out for a walk then?" Gracia asked the boys as they went by the flower shop. It was a daily routine to stop in for a chat whenever they went anywhere. She really was like a mother to them; or something similar the way she watched over the boys. "Well, I'll keep track of the house and make sure it doesn't go anywhere while your gone."

"Thank you Gracia," Alphonse said with a small bow. "We shouldn't be gone very long. We're just going to the park and back."

"Eh, we might do more than that," Edward said with a shrug as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Thanks though, ahead of time." He looked around a moment, "hey where's Elisia?"

"Oh she's running around here somewhere. She's getting very excited about her birthday." She laughed, "you know how kids are."
Alphonse nodded, remembering the feeling, "how has Hughes been lately?"

"Maes? Oh, he's been acting a little strange but he says it's nothing to worry about." She said waving a hand in the air. Edward narrowed his eyes a bit. He knew Maes Hughes. Whenever he acted strange in any way, it generally meant trouble.

"Has he been keeping any contact with the Nazis?" He asked bluntly.

"Brother!" Alphonse hissed under his breath, "you don't just ask something like that!"

"It's okay Alphonse," Gracia said with a little nod, "he has been. A lot lately they've been calling him in to speak with Himmler."

"Himmler, joy," Edward said sarcastically.

"I assume you know him?" Gracia asked tilting her head suspiciously.

"It's nothing," Edward said shaking his head. "Has he told you anything about their meetings?"

"A little. Mostly new priorities on the list for the 'final solution'. Nothing else. Though he did say they were working on spreading out."

"Spreading out?" Alphonse asked.

"Yes. I don't know much about it though. We don't like to get into details."
"Good, keep it that way." Edward said as he turned and started walking out. "Good bye Gracia, we'll be back later."

"Okay, have fun." She said with a little wave. Alphonse bowed again politely then ran off to catch up with his brother. Gracia sighed and shook her head, "strange boys, those two." She said to herself as he went back to work.

Edward and Alphonse had to go a fair distance to actually reach a good enough park. Most of the ones around their area were dying or just barren. Edward was determined to find one that was green, or at least yellow. Eventually they found one a mile, give or take, from their home. It was small, but nice.

It was somewhere between Munich and Augsburg. It seemed safe enough, and there were even a few people that were considered in the safe zone were there; like the brothers were. It was fair sized with trees, a field, and a small playground consisting of a swing set and slide. Benches that rested on the border of the walkway, where the two were currently sitting.

"This place is nice brother," Alphonse said as he looked around from where he sat. Edward nodded kind of lost in his thoughts. "How did you find it?"

"Alphons took me here once when I was feeling depressed. It helped cheer me up," Edward explained as he thought back on the memory. It had been a long day and out of the blue, Alphons kidnaped Edward and brought him here for a few hours. It really did help.

"Depressed? Over what?" Alphonse asked as he glanced at his brother from the corner of his eye. He didn't know Edward could get so depressed someone had to cheer him up. Then again, there were times...
"Hm?" Edward blinked, "oh nothing. It was just...the anniversary of me coming to this world. Leaving my friends and family behind. Thinking about it, it made me all depressed." He chuckled, "but it's fine now."

Alphonse tilted his head then nodded and looked away, "that's funny. I got all depressed on the anniversary also." He announced as he leaned back against the bench.

"I thought you didn't remember anything from that." Edward said raising an eyebrow, "I thought your memory had all been erased."

"I didn't," Alphonse said with a little smile as he looked up at the sky. "I got my memory back just recently. I remember being sad one day though. I cried and cried and didn't know why. Winry was just there to watch over me, but I couldn't figure it out. Now I realize it was on that day. Right? The seventh of July?"

Edward nodded with a big grin, "yeah that's right. Smack dab in the middle of summer time." He paused. "Okay, so not smack dab in the middle, but pretty close!"

Alphonse laughed about that and nodded, "right. Well, I'm just glad this summer we'll be together."

"What? Last summer didn't count?"

"Well I'm saying, this summer will be better. I mean...Noah and Alphons are..." He trailed off, unable to say it, "but I'm sure they'd want us to enjoy the time together. So we have to enjoy it! For their sake."

Edward's smile melted away as he thought about it. What was it Alphons had said one time? Loved ones would rather see you smile than cry? Eh, something like that. He still felt bad though. How could someone just enjoy something while their loved ones were gone. He figured he'd have to make due. Besides, Alphons would forgive him eventually.

"Hey, come on Al," Edward said as he got up, brushing himself off. Alphonse just stared at him confused, getting up after so long. "We're getting some ice cream." Edward explained with a little smile; one Alphonse returned.

"That's okay Brother," Alphonse said as he walked beside a grumpy looking Edward. "I wasn't expecting any ice cream anyway. Besides, I'm not a big fan of the stuff. It's too cold and hurts my gums." Alphonse said trying to cheer his brother up.

After walking through the park and heading back, they looked high and low for any sign of an ice cream parlor or even a stand. Not a sign. Apparently the war had taken its tole in more ways than he'd realized.

"Yeah, I just really wanted to treat you to something like that. It's been forever since we had something sweet, and I don't know about you, but I miss it." He said thinking back about the good old days when they would eat cake, ice cream, and sometimes even pie. Now they were lucky enough to even see a lick of the stuff.

"I miss it too, but I can wait a while." Alphonse said with a little smile. Edward was confused by it. It wasn't Alphonse's normal smile, it was more wicked. Plotting maybe?

"Okay, what's up?" He asked with a smirk of his own.

"Oh nothing," Alphonse said stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'll tell you later."

"Oh fine," Edward whined playfully, nudging his brother as he walked. They were only a few block from home now. "So, when we get back, we'll eat dinner than head off to bed. It's been a busy day. I'm sure your tired."

"Oh trust me, I am." Alphonse said nodding his head rapidly.

Edward laughed and nodded also as he looked on ahead. His walking pace slowly came to a stop as he let his eyes focus on the sky. Black? Black and red clouds were gathered in a circular pattern above them. A fire possibly but Edward couldn't tell. He frowned, "what the...?" He trailed off.

Alphonse's eyes widened as he stared at it too, "b-brother? Isn't that by our house-?" He glanced at Edward, but he had already taken off down the road. He had a gut feeling something was wrong. Very wrong. Alphonse took off after him, panicked by the sight. If his brother was worried enough to run at that speed, something had to have been wrong.

Edward panted hard as he neared their street. He slid to a stop a few houses away from the apartment building complex. His eyes were wide and almost teary. Almost.

There was the building the two had been living in. The place that held all their earthly belonging. All their memories; both Edward and Alphons's. The same home the brothers were in just hours before.

Engulfed in flames.

Windows blown out where the flames had eaten away at them. Bricked becoming brittle, even on the outside. A huge crowd was standing in front of it, showing no signs to help put it out. Even the firemen who were there just stared. Edward made a tight fist as he narrowed his eyes.

Alphonse ran to Edward's side, panting, as he too stared at their burning home. "Ed...that's-"

"What the hell is going on here!" Edward shouted angrily at the people gathered around the apartment. A few looked back at him, and a few ignored him. Then there was the small swarm which immediately ran over and circled the two.

Nazis. Damn.

Edward glared at all of them as Alphonse coward behind his brother as he watched them closely. None of them looked happy, and judging from the looks on their faces; they'd started the fire.

"Edward Elric! Alphonse Elric!" One of them shouted somewhere from the side. Edward cursed him for hiding behind the others for protection. Not that it would save him. "You are here by under arrest!"

"For what?" Alphonse piped up before Edward could lash out.

"For being against the Nazis and all they stand for, and for lying about your loyalty to said Nazis." That pissed Edward off, but he didn't attack. Not yet.

"Under whose command?" Edward asked loudly, and as calmly as he could.

"Under Heinrich Himmler you are to come with us."

Hello everyone! Hahahaha! You get a cliffie! MUHAHAHAHAHahahaha... I had a new editor this time so I'm not sure how well she did. Eh, it should be okay. I might have missed something. I don't know. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go die now... XP

Edit: Thank you SOOOOO much Aevium for pointing the error out! -huggles to death- Something must have gone wrong while posting. I dunno. Thank you again!

- Kori