Disclaimer: I don't own FMA

Notes: Still happy birthday, Nil :P

At Ten Years

As she grew older, her grandfather taught her more and more of the martial arts he knew so well. Ran-Fan didn't have to go through the usual military testing period, instead being rushed through a smaller but more intimate time of testing, because of the different role she would play. While the backgrounds of aspiring Xingian soldiers were checked over and over for discrepancies or undesirable characteristics, Ran-Fan was brought up knowing what her role as a guard would be. Instead of being passed through trial after trial, when she finally knew enough to be considered worthy of her position, she was sat down and questioned about her beliefs and understandings of the imperial family. She was asked to outline what she believed her purpose to be, and how she would best perform that.

Ran-Fan had been brought up with a strong understanding of just what she was meant to do. Every time she answered "I will do as the Emperor commands me," she spoke as she believed. Whether the Emperor commanded her to kill or to die, she would obey, because it was her duty to accept his orders as what was best for Xing.

A gruelling few hours passed, and the ten-year-old was given a succinct nod, and was informed that she would be paid little, but all of her personal needs would be met, so long as she remained in the Emperor's service. She was not to let anyone harm Prince Ling.

Ran-Fan accepted her duty without hesitation, and as such, she had to remain in good shape. Her wiry frame was covered in coiled muscle, and every day she practiced the techniques her grandfather had taught her. She had heard that so much of this hard work when she was young would stunt her growth, and never let her grow to her full height, but what use did a guard have for height, if it did not serve her master's wishes?

Her hands sliced through the air in sharp but graceful arcs, following a practiced curve.

"Good work," said a now familiar voice behind her.

Ran-Fan spun about to face her master and bowed in his direction, now more adept at the movement than the first time he had addressed her. "Thank you, Young Master."