Hi. Honestly I don't know where this story is going. Oh well. Here's the next chapter. Please review after reading so I know if you liked it or not.

Chapter 16

Winry

I don't see how this will work out but Sophie-san says it will work and after talking really fast Mustang-san agreed. Edward seemed a bit annoyed though, especially when Sophie-san told us our partners.

"Mustang, you're the eldest boy here so naturally people will see you as our leader. I better be your partner so you don't make mistakes."

"WHAT?" Mustang-san exclaimed.

"Stop complaining. It's not like I want to be paired with you." Sophie-san said, "Riza-chan will pair with Ed-chan."

"WHAT?" Riza-san and Ed said together.

Sophie-san grimaced, "Will you people please stop saying 'what'? You'll end up doing it anyway so stop complaining!"

"I guess this means I'm partnering with Al-kun right?" I asked.

Sophie-san nodded brightly, "Now I still need to fix the girls up so you boys will have to do your dressing up by yourselves."

"We know how to dress ourselves, Silvertongue." Ed said scathingly.

Apparently, Ed didn't like the way things were going.

"Behave." I said, frowning at him.

This caused some laughter in our group, Mustang-san actually laughed!

"Winry-chan, if you ever want a post in the military call me." He said.

"Thanks but no thanks." I said, trying to keep a straight face.

Sophie-san clapped her hands to get our attention. She handed out a pile of clothing to each of the boys. Al's was noticeably smaller…a lot smaller.

"Go dress up somewhere else." Sophie-san instructed, "And don't even think about peeping into the cave until I say you can."

As she said this, Sophie-san gave the male members of our group such ferocious glares that they all quailed. At least, I think they did. She wasn't even glaring at me and I quailed.

"I'll call you when it's dinner time. We'll spend the night here and leave early tomorrow."

Mustang-san stood and gave Sophie-san a joking salute. That's strange, Mustang-san never jokes…at least not while I'm around…

Sophie-san rolled her eyes but she was smiling.

"Get out of here!" she playfully commanded.

Then she turned to Riza-san and me. She had a gleam in her eyes that made me want to run…run as fast as I can and as far as I could.

"It's your turn…"

Run. Run! RUN. RUN!!!!!!

That's what my instincts were saying. I didn't listen…maybe I should have.

"Nadrak women specialize in one thing," Sophie-san was saying, "And that thing is…dancing."

I had already experienced many shocks today. I thought I could take whatever Sophie-san said in stride. I was confident, cocky even, that I would not show any sign of surprise. I would sit, nod at her and wait for her to explain…calmly…

…okay that's what Riza-san did.

As for me, I jumped to my feet, red-faced and fuming.

"WHAT??" I'm sure my voice rose an octave higher than normal.

Sophie-san winced, "Again with the 'what'!" she complained.

"Sorry," I said, not meaning it a bit, "but dancing??"

"Yes, dancing." Sophie-san rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "I'll teach you."

"What sort of dancing?" Riza-san asked, suspiciously I think.

"I'll show you."

And she did.

By the God of Automail Mechanics, she was good! The dance included moving her body in a way that was so sensuous it made me, a girl, forget to breathe!

-Breathe!- I told myself when I saw stars.

Sophie-san body had become fluid, so graceful. It was very clear what the message the dance was trying to convey.

I'm a girl and proud of it!

It was tempting and seductive, promising all sorts of naughty things.

I couldn't tear my eyes away. It was only when Sophie-san stopped that I took a deep breath I didn't know I needed. I slumped against the rock wall of the cave. Hopelessness filled me; I could never ever dance like that, not in a million years!

"The trick is to know your best aspects and…flaunt it." Sophie-san explained.

"But—" Riza-san tried to say something…whatever it was it wasn't coming out.

-She's in shock…- I thought numbly.

Then…

-I'm in shock!-

I felt something slap my face.

"Winry-chan! Winry! Get a grip!:

Something cold and wet splashed over my face. I spluttered, quickly coming to my senses.

"Winry, are you alright?"

I nodded weakly.

"Good, now stand up we have to learn this by nightfall."

I looked up, horrified, but the sight of Sophie-san's eyes told me she wasn't bluffing. Two hours later, Riza-san and I had mastered the basics. It was a long grueling two hours. Two hours that involved twirling, twisting and many, many blushes. I actually thought I was doing fine when…

"No! No! No!" Sophie-san said, "What's the matter with you, Winry-chan?"

"What do you mean, what's the matter with me?" I demanded, slightly belligerent.

"You're shy; afraid of something…what is it?"

I began to shake my head, deny everything she said…but a look from her deadly eyes froze me. I bowed my head in defeat.

"I'm scared of what will happen if I dance like this in front of people." I muttered.

"You're afraid they won't like it?"

"NO!" it just came out, louder than I meant, then I looked down and whispered, "I'm scared about what will happen if they like it too much."

I didn't look up. I knew my face was flaming and I couldn't do a thing about it.

Sophie-san was quiet for a long time. Then she said…

"Oh."

Then…

"Oh…"

"Sophie-san!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry," Sophie-san said, she put her hands on my shoulders and gazed seriously into my eyes, "Do you really think I'll put you in that sort of danger?"

Suddenly I felt so ashamed. How could I have even thought of that? I felt tears well up. I tried to blink them back but it was no use. They fell without stop and I tried to cover my face.

-Please leave me alone.- I thought, -Please, Sophie-san, please just leave me alone!-

But she didn't! Instead I felt her arms encircle me and rock me, letting me cry and allowing a feeling of comfort to wash over me.

"That's why Nadrak women have owners. If anyone dares touch them, their owners have full right to knock that pervert into next Tuesday!" Sophie-san said, "Since Al's your owner I don't think anyone will b brave enough to stand up to him."

I managed a shaky laugh. Riza-san sat down on my other side. She didn't touch me or say anything but I found her presence comforting.

"Also, you have these." Sophie-san handed me the daggers she had shown us earlier, she winked mischievously, "They remind the men folk that while it's okay to look, touching is a completely different matter. Though girls try to avoid it, deaths among the men with too familiar hands aren't too rare…if you catch my drift."

I laughed, I couldn't help it. Sophie-san made me feel so much better.

"Come on, let's dress up."

Sophie-san showed us our dresses. I swear I nearly died. Heart attack much? I mean, even Riza-san was shocked!

"Will—will we wear that…that thing all the time?" Riza-san asked.

"Of course not!" Sophie-san said, looking scandalized, "This is only for special occasions. We wear leather most of the time.

I sighed in relief…and I think Riza-san did too. That is until we saw the leather clothing.

"This is even worse than the dress!" Riza-san exclaimed.

"If you don't people might think you're an Outsider." Sophie-san said relentlessly.

"What will the boys say?" I asked, already imagining how that shrimp would torment me.

"We'll find out after dinner," Sophie-san said, "We're going to dance for them."

I don't remember what happened next…I think I fainted.