A/N: hn...not too many reviews on the last chapter. I guess some of you didn't like the EdWin or SheskaHavoc in it, ne? Well, this chappy's for you people who don't like pairings, I hope you enjoy it!

Sorry once again that it's taking me so long to update. School sucks up my time like nothing else. Hopefully I'll get some stuff accomplished over the extended weekend.

Companionship

The enlistment of Black Hayate into the tightly-knit military group sparked many changes. The least of these differences was the water bowl in the corner of the small office. The least concerning of these was the friendship formed between Riza and Fuery. The strangest was the jealously that Havoc now felt every time he saw the puppy and his mistress.

Truth, he himself had turned down ownership of the canine. Truth, he had teased about foreign delicacies and such. Truth, he hadn't thought his bachelor lifestyle would befit a pet.

But that was the most remarkable change that Hayate had brought to the military division.

He wasn't lonely then. He didn't want a companion then. He was content with a bachelor's life then. He was satisfied with the occasional date and rejection then. Seeing a coworker's attitude change because of a pet, however, reversed that.

So during the next rainstorm when Fuery brought in a stray kitten he had found in the gutter, Havoc took his chances.

"Does anyone want this kitten? It needs a good home and I can't—"

"ME!! I WANT IT!!" The cigarette flew from his mouth as he shouted; it lay forgotten on the floor as he struggled to reach the cat, half-afraid that at any moment, Alphonse Elric would fly through the door and snatch the kitty out of Havoc's hand (sort of like Roy stole his girlfriends).

"L-Lieutenant Havoc, sir?!" Fuery literally blinked and missed his superior's rapid movement. Holding the cat protectively, Fuery asked in bold, nervous voice, "This isn't another delicacy, is it, sir?"

Havoc shot Fuery a it-was-a-joke,-stupid,-you-were-supposed-to-laugh-not-take-it-seriously glare. Nimbly, Jean swiped the kitty from Kain's arms.

And that started their fight—err…struggle. It was quite a pathetic battle for military folk, but was bitter nonetheless, involving hair-pulling, cursing, clothes-tearing, and overall mayhem. It would have lasted a long time were it not for the timely sounding of the fire alarm.

The cause was easy to spot; Havoc's discarded cigarette had lit up a section of carpet. Smoke could be seen rising from his cubicle. The sprinklers soon eliminated the potential threat, though, in the process, dousing the workers, the cat, and, most fearfully, the Flame Alchemist.

"FUERY!!! HAVOC!!! GET IN HERE NOW!!!"

Neither of the men were listening to their leader, however. Both were too transfixed on the cat, who had been soaked with water. Now, it is common knowledge that cats hate water; yet this cat, still in Havoc's arms, was purring happily though the deluge.

"Ha! See? He likes me!"

"No! He just likes the water!" protested a blinded Fuery (his glasses were currently lost on the floor).

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!!"

Roy Mustang was on the scene and livid. His dripping hair and wet spark gloves were a tribute to his anger. With or without alchemy, he was an intimidating sight when furious.

"Sir!" Fuery jumped to a salute, sparing Havoc a glare himself.

"Boss, this newbie says the cat likes the water, not me. But he said earlier that it was crying in the street because of the rainy weather."

"The cat might have just been hungry!"

"Really? Well then, here!" Without further ado, Jean Havoc thrust the kitten into Fuery's hands, whereupon the feline promptly ceased purring. This action was repeated several times before Havoc made his point.

Of course, the two officers completely forgot about their seething lt. colonel. That is, until, he signaled his most loyal subordinate and gunfire ripped open near their feet. Needless to say, the two surrendered quickly and were assigned to cleaning the restrooms for the rest of the month. A much-dreaded chore.

The small cat kept purring for Havoc throughout the day. The messy-haired man carried his new partner home after work. When they reached his house, and he placed the cat on the ground, the feline followed him everywhere.

Suddenly, Havoc began laughing as he tossed the kitty a parcel that had been in his pocket. "Poor fool! He didn't see me slip this piece of fish into my uniform!" Thus, Havoc revealed his method for the cat's attention.

That night, Havoc went to bed, fully intending to sleep well; which he did. When he awoke, he found not the apartment he had entered seven hours ago. No, no. What he found instead, looked to be something out of a horror-crime flick.

His furniture was ripped to shreds. His lamps were lying on their sides. Stuffing was all over the floor, once part of the throw pillows. Cans of preserves rolled on the ground, some leaking contents onto his tile.

In the midst of the chaos, sat a purring kitten.

Havoc skipped that day of work, and many following. That day marked the beginning of a mini-war between feline and lieutenant.

He had wanted a peaceable roommate, a loyal teammate. Not only did this cat destroy things more effectively than his guns, but because of Hayate, he wasn't allowed to work. Roy used the cat for ridicule, often teasing Jean about his new friend. Havoc felt robbed.

Like some kind of slave to his pet, Havoc used spare cash not on Friday night dates, but on litter boxes, scratching posts, treats, Cat How-to books, toys, and other items. Still the cat reeked havoc.

One evening while buying groceries, Havoc stopped to purchase cat food. He couldn't help but flirt with the pretty cashier girl. She curtly responded to all his flattery, finally her hands finding his last item. Cat food. Her eyebrows arched and Havoc steeled himself for criticism.

The squeal shocked him. The girl's eyes were alight with enthusiasm and adoration as she surveyed the Lieutenant again. "You have a cat?? I love cats!"

After making a date, Havoc headed home, delighted with the turn of events. He entered his house and flipped on the lights, meandering to the kitchen in a daze as his mind replayed the evening's events. He placed a bowl of food on the ground for the kitten who was rubbing his pants legs. Instantly, the cat began devouring the food. Jean knelt next to the creature thinking. Slowly, he reached out a hand and stroked the feline's back.

"Tell you what, Kitty: you keep getting me dates, and I'll buy you as much fish as you like."

The cat began purring.

A/N: I like cats, but they can be devious little critters.

my 'inner writer' (coined from 'inner sakura' from Naruto), is currently celebrating that I wrote a Havoc-centric.

As for inspiration...meh, nothing to ride home about. I was drinking a soda and suddenly the thought, 'Hn...what if Havoc was jealous of Riza and wanted a pet of his own?' came to my mind. Hence, this chapter.

I hope that you review; your opinions are of great value to me.

BTW: Happy Easter! (or "Happy Spring Vacation!" to those who aren't religiously inclined).