Hi. Yeah. I'm still alive...barely. Really really sorry. I had so much stuff to do. That's what I get for working to keep my ranking in the honors board, being part of the varsity and president of another organization, not to mention running the house while my mom's not there or not feeling well.

Okay, reasons why I was not able to update:

Trim exams...I had to study. Competitions. Home issues. Being banned from using the internet while exams are on going...the list goes on.

Anyway, sorry again. And here's the next chapter in Sophie's weird story.

Chapter 14

Sophie

After I sent Alphonse back to the river I turned my back to Mustang and watched. I watched Ed-kun, Al-kun, Win-chan and Ri-chan play in the river.

It's weird using these honorifics. Where I come from the honorific comes before the name, not after it. And we use titles like sir, ma'am, duke, count, king, emperor…stuff like that. Oh well, it's their culture…and I'm in a minority right now.

Back to the kids in the water…

Okay so Riza-chan isn't a kid. To me, I think she grew up too fast so I'm glad to have given her the chance to try to reclaim some of that lost childhood. Edward and Alphonse too, so much happened to them at such a young age…not that worse things haven't happened to me…and they have. Jeez, I feel old when I'm with them.

I finally got bored of watching them have fun and turned with some trepidation to Mustang. He was giving me a look that made me thankful that looks couldn't kill, cause if they could, his certainly would have sent me to an early grave.

Of course I ignored it, what did you expect me to do?

"Make a fire so that your clothes can dry and I can see to our lunch." I said in a commanding tone.

He glared at me, "One, my glove is soaked so I can't unless you have matches somewhere. Two, WHY should I do anything for you?" he demanded.

"Because if you don't you don't get to eat!"

"What in the world are you going to cook and with what?" he asked in an angry voice.

"Wait and all shall be revealed onto thee." I said mysteriously, winking just to annoy him.

"Tell me!"

"Patience is a virtue!" I sang to him.

"You are very annoying, Silvertongue." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"One tried one's best." I said, somewhat smugly.

Lord! It was fun to tease him!! Sorry Mustang but I can't help myself and frankly you look cute when you're mad!!!

"Go behind those bushes and change into something dry." I said pointing, "Then bring your wet things to that cave over there."

"How do I know you won't peek?" he asked, glaring at me suspiciously.

I scoffed at him, "Who'd want to look at you?"

He glared at me again then stomped off into the bushes.

I smiled at his retreating back then headed for the cave. The cave was cut into the huge gray rock that provided some protection for this part of the river. Trees surrounded the clearing in front of the entrance.

I had used this place many times before so I had made it more habitable over the years.

The entrance was covered with a curtain I had fashioned from wooden beads and plant fibers. Now, as I entered, the strands of beads rattled as I brushed them aside.

I stepped into a fairly large chamber. It was too homey to be called a cave. I had chiseled some shelves into the walls and each contained some sort of foodstuff, travel gear…that sort of thing. I walked along, pulling pots and preserved food as I went.

The curtain rattled loudly, signaling the entrance of someone. Mustang.

"Do you like it?" I asked him without turning, "I call this my retreat. I often go here to get away from it all."

"What do you mean by 'it'?" he asked, taking some of the gear out of my hands…my how odd of him.

I smiled and shrugged, "Life."

I slipped out of the cave, the beads rattling again.

"Come on!" I called over my shoulder, "Let's cook lunch."

"I can't make fire without matches and my glove is still wet." Mustang glanced at me, his gaze accusatory.

I was unfazed.

"I'll show you how to use a flint and steel."

"Great." He grumbled, "We're stuck in medieval times."

I wanted to laugh but I didn't. Instead I patiently showed him how to make sparks and how to light the wood shavings, then how to slowly build the fire up till we had a cheery blaze going.

"There." I said, "Now I can make stew." I frowned, "We'll need water."

I stared at Mustang. His eyes widened and he began to shake his head.

"Yes, you're right. It'll be too embarrassing for you to go fetch water.

I waved my hand negligently at an empty pot. Between one breath and the next, it filled with water. Mustang stared at the pot then at me then at the pot again. His eyes wide and unblinking, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car.

"What?" I demanded, "Did you expect me to go all the way to the river?"

"…" he shook his head like he was trying to clear it, "No…sorry… you surprised me…"

I shook my head. Honestly! This guy can create huge flaming bonfires and he gets weirded out when I simply fill a pot with water!

I said nothing, I simply continued making stew. Mustang watched me silently. I was beginning to get prickles when he finally spoke:

"That smells good."

Aurgh!! Was he really trying to make small talk with me? This guy just has to be crazy. I rolled my eyes and stood up.

"When it boils take it from the fire. I will call the others."

I walked back towards the river. Men! They're absolutely mad!!

"Sophie-san!" Al called out excitedly.

"Hi, big guy, time to get out, lunch is almost ready."

"Coming, Sophie-san!"

Sorry about the ending. This chapter has been in my laptop for ages and I just couldn't finish it. I just wanted to finally update on all my stories so I rushed. One more story to update then I'm taking a short nap.

Please review...just so I know that you're not dead too.

Thanks,

Sparkalie