Edward had just woken up when morning came. He yawned and stretched his arm over his head. Armstrong only just glanced to the window when a familiar figure began walking by. The Major's eyes widened. He leaped towards the window, nearly crushing Ed in the process.

"AHH!" Ed shouted as Armstrong towered over him.

"Dr. Marcoh! Are you not Dr. Marcoh?" Armstrong called. The man whom Armstrong was calling to looked back slowly, unsure of what to do. "It is me, Alex Louis Armstrong! From Central!"

The man's once neutral expression melted off of his face. His eyes began to widen in fear, and sweat trickled down his temple as he turned on heel. He then dashed as far away from the train station as fast as his feet would carry him. Armstrong stared at the sight in confusion.

It was then when a small yawning was heard. Ed looked forward and stared at the previously asleep raven haired girl. She yawned loudly, stretching her arm high up over her head, still unable to move her left arm that remained dormant in her sling.

She looked at the two irritably as she struggled to keep her eyes open. "What is it with the racket?" she asked with a certain unfamiliarity in her voice, an accent suddenly pronounced. "Is it time to breed the sheep, or perhaps time to awaken?"

Ed rose an eyebrow as he stared at Seiren who was still two-thirds asleep. "Why are you talking like that?" Ed asked.

"And why are you talking like that?" she shot back as she turned her head towards Armstrong. "Why with all the yelling? Did you know of that man, or something?"

Armstrong nodded. "Yes. He is a very capable alchemist from an alchemic research agency in Central..." Armstrong said. "He took part in research to use alchemy for medical purposes, but disappeared after the Civil War."

Ed stared off to where the supposed doctor had ran off to. His expression changed to a certain determination as he jumped off his train seat, grabbing his suit case in the process and dashing towards the exit.

Seiren stared at his back in irritation and confusion. "Aren't we to get off at Risembool?" she called after the blond.

Edward looked back, motioning them towards him. "If he did that kind of research, then he might know something about biological transmutation too!"

Seiren groaned in reply as she stepped off her train seat. She turned towards the shelf that contained her bags, and then narrowed her eyes. She braced herself, and then leaped up four feet in the air. In the process she flipped two times, and extended her foot. Her foot collided with the wooden shelf, making it fall and her bag along with it. She landed a bit shakily and her bags fell from their holder, allowing them to fall right at Seiren's feet. She picked her backpack up, and slung it over her right shoulder.

Armstrong stared at her shock. "Seiren...?"

Seiren shook her head as she began to run towards the exit. "Forgive me, I'm still half asleep!" she called and ran through the train's doors.

XoXo... A Few Minutes Later ...XoXo

I yawned as I adjusted my sling. Letting Edward and Armstrong ask around for Dr. Marcoh, I leaned back on a fence. It was the morning time, so I'm no help. Besides, I'm not a people's person. I mentally face palmed myself. What the hell was that back there? I KNOW better than to go around using my 'heightened senses.' And how about my talking? I nearly was about to call for father or mother, or hell. Maybe even Leigh. I'm slipping up majorly. Next thing I know, I'll go around calling the stable master for some hay.

The sunlight peaked out from behind the clouds, showering the town in its warmth. I squinted my eyes as I tried to adjust to the lighter setting. Something poked into my lip, and I jumped at its sharpness. Looking at a window, I saw my reflection. My eyes widened as I saw what poked my lip.

I had fangs.

I opened up my mouth as I touched the two sharp canine teeth. I winced as it poked a hole in my finger. I sighed. This is just great. It makes sense; after all, I did drink my own blood.

21.) When a fledgling drinks their own blood, they are considered full blooded vampires.

22.) When one becomes a full blooded vampire, their fangs appear.

I groaned as I realized what this meant. Auntie Amber is going to smother me next time I see her. At a sudden realization, I raise an eyebrow. I lift my hand up towards the sky, examining it under the sun. The light warmed my milky white skin, and I drew back.

23.) A vampire is weakened when in the sunlight.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. By now I should be feeling light headed, or weaker at least. I'm in the sunlight, so why doesn't it affect me? I was brought out of my thoughts when Armstrong held up an exact replica of the man we saw earlier today.

"Have you seen an elderly man that looks like this?" Armstrong asked. Ed marveled at the picture. It was only natural; the Major was a phenominal drawer.

Some townspeople examined the drawing, their faces traced in concentration. Their serious expressions melted as smiles appeared on their lips. "Oh! That's Dr. Mauro! Sure, we know him."

I rose an eyebrow. " 'Mauro'?"

It seemed as though they disregarded my question and continued on their background info on this supposed Dr. Marcoh. "As you can see, this isn't the richest town in the world. Most people around here can't afford doctors, but Dr. Mauro treats people for free."

XoXoXoXo

An old man nodded. "He's a good man! He treats people that most doctors would say have no chance to survive."

XoXoXoXo

A man laughed heartily. "It's true! When I got my leg stuck in the weed puller and early died, he fixed it good as new!" he said grinning.

XoXoXoXo

A woman and her mother smiled cheerfully. The daughter explained to us. "When he treats you, there's this flash of light and then you're healed!" The mother nodded in agreement as she tended to the horses behind them.

"A flash of light, eh?" I asked, turning around. One glance at the three alchemists I was traveling with, and I had my answer. My eyes narrowed.

Alchemy.

XoXo... At a house ...XoXo

"So he's been using an alias and hiding out in the country side," Seiren simplified, walking up the stairs to the house the villagers said was Dr. Mauro's. Ed and Armstrong nodded.

"But why? What's he hiding from?" Ed asked, dumbfounded.

Seiren shrugged while Armstrong explained. "Apparently when the doctor disappeared, some of the top secret research material did too."

Seiren nodded as they reached the top of the steps. "I wasn't around when it disappeared, but it was rumored in HQ that he stole it and ran," Seiren said. "Maybe he thought we were sent here to take him back."

Ed nodded, turning to the door. He begna to open it slowly, peering his head in. "Hello?"

Seiren had her eyes closed, her arms crossed over her chest. Suddenly, she heard a small click. Seiren opened one eye, sniffing the air slightly. She came in contact with gun powder, and her eyes narrowed. She ran forward, towards Edward.

"Anybody hom-"

"Fullmetal, get down!" Seiren hissed, kicking Ed's feet from underneath him. He let out a small yell as he fell backwards, onto the floor. Ed growled.

"What the hell-"

*BLAM!

Ed was interrupted again as a bullet whizzed right above his head, nearly hitting Seiren's right arm in the proccess. Ed was about to ask if she was okay, but upon seeing her narrowed eyes he advised himself against it. The gunshot rung in the air, and Marcoh stood in the doorway, a gun in his shaking hands.

"What did you come here for?" Marcoh yelled, pointing the gun at Seiren's head.

"Please calm down, doctor," Armstrong tried to say.

"Did you come to take me back?" he demanded, keeping the gun aimed at Seiren's head. "Who's this? Your new defense soldier!"

"I'm not a defense soldier," Seiren said calmly.

Marcoh didn't relent his fear. "I'll never go back to that place! I beg you! Let me go!"

Seiren stood up straighter. "No, that's not it. If you would allow me to explain-"

"So you came here to kill me to shut me up for good!" Marcoh accused, much to Seiren's annoyance.

"Please calm down and lower your gun-"

"YOU CAN'T FOOL ME!"

Seiren grew an anger mark as she growled. She ran up to Marcoh in blinding speed, punching the gun out of his hand. She jumped up and kicked Marcoh down. "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO CALM THE FUCK DOWN!"

XoXo... A Few Minutes Later ...XoXo

"I apologize for her violence," Armstrong said, motioning towards Seiren who stood leaning on a wall, her arms crossed, a neutral expression on her face.

Marcoh shook his head. "No, it's quite alright," Marcoh said. "I just couldn't stand it anymore. Having to obey their orders...Dirtying my hands to do the things I did...and then seeing it used in the Civil War to slaughter tens of thousands of people." All four of the travellers were silenced at that remark. "it was an awful war. So many innocent people died."

Marcoh looked up at them, a solemn look in their eyes. "I couldn't make up for my actions if I paid for them for the rest of my life. But still I try to do what I can...That's why I work as a doctor in this town."

Armstrong lowered his voice, a serious look on his face. "What were you researching before you left? What did you take with you...?" he asked.

Guilt flashed through the eyes of the doctor. A pained expression overcame him as he looked down, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache just thinking about it. His response came in a hushed tone.

"I was making the Philosopher's Stone."

Shocked expressions bounced all around the room, their mouths open and their eyes widened. Seiren didn't look up at all. She just looked down, and balled one of her hands into a fist. Her eyes hardened, and pain seeped into them.

"I took the stone and the research data," Marcoh concluded solemnly.

"You have the stone?" Ed exclaimed, nearly rising to his feet.

Marcoh stood up, walking towards a cabinet behind him. "Yeah," he replied dryly. He turned back to them with a vile in his hands. "Here it is."

Edward looked at it with confused eyes. " 'Stone'? It looks like a liquid..."

Marcoh disregarded his comment as he opened the cap and began to pour it on the table. Ed looked mortified as Marcoh poured it out, and he let out a yell of surprise. When the liquid touched the table, it solidified, turning it into a gel like substance. Ed began to poke at it in curiosity.

Seiren shook her head as she walked forward, her military boots tapping on the floorboards. "The Sage's Stone...The Stone of Heaven...The Great Elixir...The Red Tincture...The Fifth Element," Seiren listed off, staring at the stone. "As there are many names for the Philosopher's Stone, it turns out it might not even be a stone at all."

Marcoh nodded, puzzled as to why this raven haired girl knew that at just a glance of the object. "But this just was something created for experimental purposes. It's an imperfect compound, and it's impossible to know when it will reach its limit and cease to work," Marcoh said and then grimaced at the reality. "But even so, compounds like these were secretly used throughout the Civil War, and they were tremendously successful."

Edward looked down, a smirk gracing his lips. "It may be imperfect...but the fact that you made it means it's still possible to make the real stone someday, right?" Ed said, moreso to himself than anyone else. He looked up, a big smile on his face. "Dr. Marcoh! can you please show me your data?"

Marcoh was taken back at the blond's enthusiasm, and it almost made him sick to his stomach that he took interest in this topic. "What do you mean to do with such a thing?" he asked, and then turned to Armstrong. "Major Armstrong, who is this child?"

"He's a State Alchemist," Armstrong replied reluctantly.

Marcoh shook his head as he hid his eyes behind his hand. "This boy?" he said. "He has a a State License at his age...? He must have been lured by the promises of privilege and research money...How foolish!"

Seiren stepped forward at that remark. "Don't you think that is a little harsh?" Seiren snapped. Maroch turned to her. "If there's something I hate the most besides abusers and corrupt authority, it would be people who assume things when they don't know the whole story!"

Marcoh stared at her stunned. He turned to Armstrong for answers. "And who is this girl...?" he asked.

"Seiren Smith. She's not part of the military, but she does indeed lead a role of a Warrant Officer. She may not look it, but she's also one of the best combat soldier we have," Armstrong replied.

"This girl too...?" Marcoh said quietly. He shook his head and then directed his words at Ed. "Do you know how many Alchemists threw away their licenses after the war? I'm not the only one who hated himself for being used as a human weapon...But you still..."

Ed looked down as he gripped his coat. "I know it was foolish! But I had too!" Ed pressed on. He looked up with determined eyes, and gripped the part where his right arm used to be. "I have to achieve my goal...Even if it means sleeping on this bed of nails."

Marcoh glanced at Alphonse who lied in the crate silent.

XoXoXoXo

Marcoh nodded. "So you committed the Ultimate Sin..." Marcoh said solemnly. "I'm surprised that you were able to transmute a soul...With that kind of talent you might be able to make a complete Philosopher's Stone."

Ed's smile returned. "So then - !"

"But I can't allow you to see my research!" Marcoh repeated.

Ed furrowed his brows in frustration. "But why not!" he snapped.

"I've said everything I'm going to say," Marcoh said quickly, standing up. "Getting your original bodies back...the stone shouldn't be used for something so trite."

"TRITE!" Ed shouted, standing up from his seat.

Seiren stepped forward again, her hands in fists. "Doctor, weren't you even listening! How, and in what way, is this trite!" she yelled.

Marcoh turned, showing them his back. "No one will ever see my research. It's the work of the devil," Marcoh said. "And it can only lead straight to hell."

Ed's eyes had anger envelope them as he slammed his hands on the table. "I'VE ALREADY SEEN HELL!"

Marcoh's eyes turned wide with shock as Edward's words rang throughout the room. Upon seeing his fiery stare, Marcoh turned quickly away. His voice a bit forced. "No. Please Leave."

XoXo... At The Train Station ...XoXo

"Are you satisfied the way that turned out?" Armstrong asked as soon as they settled on a bench. Seiren remained standing, and refused to look at either one of them.

"Huh?" Ed asked shifting his attention to the Major.

"You couldn't see the data, but you could have taken the stone by force if you wanted to," Armstrong clarified.

Ed looked off to the sky, an annoyed expression over his face. "Yeah...I wanted it so bad I could taste it," Ed replied. "But when I thought about the people we met on the way to Dr. Marcoh's house, I decided that if I stole the thing he used to heal them, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth..."

Seiren lifted her head at that statement. She turned to the blond, a dumbfounded expression on her face. As she stared further, a small half smile started to appear on her lips. Al caught notice, and turned his head to her. At Al's look, Seiren jumped and looked off to the side.

"Eh, I'll just find a different way to get our bodies back...right?" Ed asked, gesturing to Alphonse.

Al nodded. "Uh-huh."

Ed sat in silence for a moment, staring at the sky. "Hey, Cat Ears?"

Seiren turned to him, a scowl on her face. "For the last time, my name is Seiren," Seiren muttered to him. Ed shrugged. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Lately you've been unusually helpful to me. You're snagging me some books from the school, you're helping with research, and over at Marcoh's, you deliberately put yourself in harms way when he shot the gun," Ed listed off. "What's the deal?"

"Hm? Oh, that?" Seiren said, looking up at the sky. "Mustang put an order on me. Remember that letter I gave to Maes? It was his requesting my assistance in guarding you. He basically black-mailed me that if I don't become your body guard, I'm going to be court marshaled."

"A body guard?" Ed said, exasperated. "I don't need one!"

Seiren glared at him. "Apparently you do! After the whole Scar incident, Mustang had finally come to a decision to assign me as your guard. The only reason I was assigned to do a mission with you was so just in case you happened to get in trouble, me and my 'heightened senses' would be there to help you out. It was part of his whole scam," Seiren added bitterly. "And thanks to my whole 'hero performance' on the Scar thing, I was permanently made your guard."

Ed smirked. "If you were supposed to be my so called 'body guard,' why is the Major here to guard me?" Ed asked mockingly.

Seiren growled. "Don't start with me!" she snapped. "Remember that I had gone and ruined my entire left arm because of you and your run in with Scar. The only reason he's here is so he could carry Al 'cause we can't due to our missing arms."

Ed was silenced on that remark. Then he rose his eyebrows as if just remembering something. "Oh yeah. How about you Major?" Ed asked, referring to Armstrong. Armstrong turned to him. "Don't you have to report Dr. Marcoh to Central?"

Armstrong shook his head, and turned forward. "The person I met was an ordinary town doctor named Mauro."

Seiren, Ed, and Al looked at him with raised eyebrows. Then they smiled. Ed looked down the train tracks, seeing the train arriving. "Oh man. Now we're back to where we started..." Ed said, disappointed. "This road sure is long."

Seiren shook her head. "But aren't you pissed at the road being so long you just want to prove it wrong by seeing what's on the other side?" Seiren asked bluntly. Ed laughed.

"Hey, you!" someone called.

The travelers all turned their heads towards the caller. Their eyes widened upon seeing a familiar doctor's face. Seiren rose an eyebrow and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Dr. Marcoh? What are you doing here?" she asked.

Dr. Marcoh arrived breathlessly in front of them, sweat trickling down his temple. He struggled to maintain his breath as he greeted them with a folded piece of paper.

"This is the place where I hid my data. I wrote down the location." He turned and put the folded piece of paper in Ed's hand. If you can look the truth on the face, then do it. Then you might be able to see the truth hidden within the truth." Marcoh just shook his head when he saw the blank look on Ed's face. "Never mind. I've already said too much." he turned around and started walking back to town. "I pray for the day you two regain your bodies!"

Ed didn't know what to do and just stared at the paper in his hands. Seiren shook her head, and bowed before the man who had just left. Ed did the same when he realized she was bowing out of thanks. Armstrong conveyed his thanks in a salute.

XoXo... On The Train ...XoXo

"National Central Library, First Branch," Edward read off. "Tim Marcoh."

"Oh, I see," Seiren said. " 'To hide a tree, place it in a forest.' "

"Their book collection is beyond compare. There must be millions of volumes," Armstrong said.

Ed smiled. "There's where I'll find clues about the stone."

"Good job, brother! Now we'll finally find a way to get our original bodies back!" Al said happily.

Ed nodded. "Yeah!"

Seiren chuckled. "You think you can stay out of trouble just until I get some automail bones?"

Ed scoffed jokingly. "Please. Once we get our bodies back, we won't need your guarding anymore."

"Wanna bet?" Seiren said. "Then you won't have automail or a suit of armor to protect yourselves. You really think that it'd get easier once you have flesh and blood to stab, rip, break, shoot, and cut? People can mutilate the human body in just seconds."

Ed and Al's faces paled at the thought.

BN: Hello readers! I'm sorry for the delay, but I was determined to finish one thing before i even would ATTEMPT at writing anything else. So, as a Happy New Year's present, here is the chapter!

As you can see, I strayed from Seiren's POV in this chapter a lot. And there is a big reason. Her musings in her head would stray to things I don't want you knowing about yet. Besides, it shows how she is in the POV of others.

Until Next Chap! =:D