Hey guys! Sorry for the late update, but I've been working on a whopping chapter for all ya'll! ALMOST A THOUSAND WORDS EVERYONE! XD MY NEW RECORD! WOOHOO! YEAH!
I'll just shut up now. You've got a lot of reading to do anyway!
I stood there alone looking up at the disaster in sight. It flashed brightly; the colors blazing in orange, yellow, and red. The heat from the house warmed my face, the flames licking the wooden walls. I watched as the house was slowly melting in the fire's blaze, completely mesmerized by the flashing of the flames and the warmth it brought my body. Although there was no breeze at all, the fire created its own wind. The heated wind pushed back my raven hair, making me close my eyes due to the heat it brought. After a few moments, I finally decided to look. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer alone. To my right there were four people. There was a young boy, perhaps twelve years old. Next to him a gaping suit of armor. An old woman with glasses. And a young girl the same age as the boy.
The old woman watched in horror as the house began to burn to a crisp, her mouth gaping open. Soon, she began to shake her head and looked to the floor. The young girl had tears stream down her cheeks, and she began to wipe at her face furiously to get rid of them. Her attempts were in vain as more tears began to replace the ones she wiped away and she started to sniffle. Later, she started to go into a full time sob.
The boy looked over his shoulder, seeing the girl crying profusely. His eyes were filled with pain, but he let on a smile anyways. "Why are you crying, Winry?" he asked.
The little girl I'm assuming to be named Winry looked down, her tears falling down her cheeks. "You guys won't cry….So I'm going to do it for you." Her voice cracked on the last word, and she began to cry more. I half smiled in sympathy. That was so kind of her, I felt like going up to her and consoling her. The boy turned back to the burning house, his face stone cold, eyes filled with sadness.
The suit of armor talked then, and I was surprised to find that it was the voice of a young boy. "Brother…we can never turn back now, right?" he asked, his voice quivering as he spoke.
The boy nodded. "Yeah, Al. No more turning back….This is it." They turned then, heading for the road. "This is goodbye Granny, Winry. And we're not coming back until me and Al get our bodies back."
After that, they walked. Leaving both the woman and the girl alone to watch the house burn up in flames. I clenched both my hands into fists as anger developed me. The woman turned, the girl by her side.
"Come on Winry; time to go back home," she said.
"No; please wait!" I called loudly, running toward them. "Don't go yet!" I reached out for them, trying to put my hand on their shoulders. When I reached, my hand simply went through them. I fell forwards, catching myself on my knees. I looked up, seeing them clear as day. I shook my head furiously. No….No, this isn't right. Looking down at my hands, they were blurry and unclear. I lifted it up into the light of the flames, seeing the blurriness the same. It was transparent. Shaking my head, I got back up on my feet. Turning toward the boys who were leaving, I ran after them.
"Wait; it's not too late!" I screamed. I caught up with them, and they stopped. Maybe I wasn't as transparent as I thought. "Look, my name is Seiren. Is that your home over there?" I gestured toward the fire. They didn't respond. I shook my head. "Listen to me! It's not too late. Just go back now; to that old lady and girl!" They still didn't respond. I growled. "Listen to me!" I reached out for them, my hands quivering as I did so. When I tried to touch them, I didn't feel anything. I fell to my knees again, onto the dirt road. My eyes widened in horror.
I went right through them.
I turned back quickly, seeing them dissolve into the air. "Wait!" I shouted, turning to them again. Before my eyes, they turned into smoke, gone before I can utter another word. I stopped in confusion, my head spinning. Then I heard an ear-piercing scream. I snapped my head back to where it came from, and my eyes widened in horror once again. Before me was another house burning. But this wasn't the same one; it was too familiar. "No…" I said under my breath. "No, no, no…."
The house burned; the familiar stone marks on the walls sticking out. The clothesline was enveloped in flames, and I looked that even the barn was up in flames. Every horse I had ever kept had begun to run away, afraid for their lives. My eyes were as wide as saucers, and my mouth gaped in horror. I felt tears prick my eyes, and they feel down immediately. I covered my mouth so it wouldn't be shone to anyone. "No…" I repeated, my voice quivering. "NO!" I screamed. "MOTHER! FATHER!" I ran forward at full speed, not caring what awaited me. "FATHER! MOTHER! WHERE ARE YOU! WHERE ARE YOU!" I screamed in terror. Something fell from above me, falling directly at my feet and blocking my way from saving my parents from the fire. I began to hyperventilate, my heart racing. I turned to the town behind me.
"THEY'RE IN THERE!" I screeched. "MY PARENTS; MY KIN! THEY'RE IN THERE! SOMEONE DO SOMETHING! PLEASE! I'M BEGGING YOU!"
No one even turned. They just continued what they were doing. It was as if they couldn't hear me. I was once again transparent; with no hope at all whatsoever to save them.
I fell to my knees, falling on my side. I laid on the floor, my body shaking violently in my sobs. I brought my knees to my chest, lying in a ball on the dirt floor. I cried continuously, my tears blinding me and soaking the dirt floor. I don't think I cried so much in my life. I shook, screaming. I screamed and screamed, no one giving a damn.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"MOTHER, FATHER!" I screamed, shooting up from my fetal position. I hugged myself, shaking as violently as I was. Tears streamed down my face, and I had no means of protecting myself. The terror was still evident in my heart, and it was just as clear as day. For some odd reason, the heat from the fire wasn't so warm. I was cold. Cold as ice.
Next thing I know, a door flew open, hitting the opposite wall in the process. The bang was horrifyingly loud, and I let out a small scream as I heard it ricochet off the wall. "CAT EARS!" I heard someone shout loudly. "SEIREN!" I heard more people shout. Something pounced before me, making me flinch horribly. I couldn't react the way I do, so instead of punching the person in the stomach, I ended up flailing my arm in every other direction, punching air.
"Cat Ears, Cat Ears, it's just me!" I heard a familiar voice yell frantically as they reached to stop my usable arm from working.
"SOMEONE SAVE THEM! PLEASE! FORGET ME! JUST SAVE THEM!" I screamed again, not knowing what was happening. My eyes were still shut closed, and I refused to open them. Not now. Not here. Someone needed so save my mother and father. I no longer cared for myself. What came next was a pair of arms around me, enveloping me in warmth. The warmth was too abrupt, feeling as though the fire was coming closer, causing me to try to pry myself away. "I ALREADY TOLD YOU, DAMN IT! SAVE THEM! NOT ME! THEM! THEY NEED HELP!" I screamed again. Were they not listening? I said leave me be! Can't they hear! I was absolutely fine, could they not see as well?
"Who? Save who?" the voice asked gently, still holding me tightly against their chest. I was still trying to pry myself off.
"My Mother and Father!" I screamed. "T-They're dying! I-In the house! It's on fire! They're burning alive!"
"They'll be fine," the voice reassured me again. I shook my head, now banging my fist against the voice.
"NO, THEY'RE NOT!" I screeched. I knew that was a damn lie. I saw it with my own eyes. "THEY'RE BURNING ALIVE RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT! NOW LEAVE ME BE!" The person didn't let go. "I said release me!" I screamed again, banging my fist against them. The person refused to listen to me, and held me tighter.
"You can hit me all you want, I'm not letting go!" the voice yelled at me. Just then, he wrapped his arms around my body, restricting me of moving.
"Let go of me!" I yelled at the person, trying to free my arm so I can at least hit him to free me. This guy was stronger than I thought and no matter how much I squirmed he didn't budge. "DAMN IT!" I cursed as loud as I can. This was getting completely frustrating. Clenching my hand into a fist, I finally conceded defeat and went limp. I wasn't getting anywhere with this. As soon as I stopped moving, I heard an irritated sigh.
"Crap, Cat Ears. How many times do I need to tell you to calm down?" asked the irritated voice of a certain person I know.
Everything suddenly came back to me. It was like a bright flash of light. Dating back to what had just occurred, and back to what I was seeing, I wasn't there. I was somewhere else. In safety. I absorbed everything around me, seeing that I wasn't back there. There was no fire. There was no village. And no galloping horses. I was also in sweats and a t shirt, not in my usual attire. I was in the house in the room where I was supposed to stay. I was lying on my bed, in warmth. Where was I? And why can't I remember? Assuming that I'm in my bed….was I dreaming? But….what was the dream about?
I blinked my eyes, confused as fuck. What just happened? And why was nothing burning? Shuffling a bit in the person's arms, I felt one flesh arm and a blank spot where the right arm is….A missing right arm…Where some automail should be…A missing…He called me Cat Ears…HOLY SHIT!
I peered up sheepishly, praying that I wasn't right. Please, oh please be someone I don't know!
Wait. That'd be more weird than he holding me.
But still. I REALLY hope that it isn't him. Please don't! I don't need to be owing him anything! I looked up slowly underneath my eyelashes. I just saw a flash of golden hair and I was convinced. Crap. Okay, okay; breathe girl. Breathe.
I inhaled slowly, and my heart rate quickened. What reached me wasn't air, but…..something else. It was wonderful. I inhaled again, making my body shudder in delight. Chills went up my spine, my lips widening into a big smile. The scent made me mesmerized, excited. It was all going quickly through my head, so hard to explain or describe. My heart rate was going quicker by the second, my cheeks rosy with desire. Inhaling the intoxicating scent again, I nearly gasped in happiness.
How can I describe it…It was mixed with cinnamon and….and….vanilla. Mmmm….vanilla and cinnamon. There was something else, something sweet. Bitter and sharp. Intoxicating yet…appalling. Just thinking about it makes my head spin. My mouth began to water, and my head started to drift onto his chest, my nose touching his skin. With the new contact, the scent became bigger and more direct. The scent was so wonderful…Amazing, even. It made me feel weird….Somehow, it was making me….thirsty. Maybe just….one.
I opened my mouth, my fangs starting to lengthen at the point. Strangely, my head didn't hurt like it usually had when I was thinking of blood. It felt somehow right, though I knew it was appalling to even be doing this. I knew I had to stop, but my heart was beating rapidly and my mind was telling me to do so. I was almost latched onto the compelling scent when the arms disentangled themselves from me. I mentally groaned in disappointment as the scent drew farther away.
"Seiren, are you alright now?" another voice snapped me out of my trance.
I turned quickly to the side where four people stood in my room. I blinked my eyes, my mind going blank. I felt numb for just a moment in time, my eyes going out of focus. I felt my fangs shorten and whatever feeling I had felt previously had banished itself from me. For some odd reason….I couldn't remember what had just happened. It was just…gone. But I know it was something wonderful, but I just can't remember what. My emotions were whirling incoherently inside me, and I didn't know whether to be afraid, sad, angry, or happy. I cocked my head to the side, my eyebrow raised. "Um…pardon me if I ask, but….why are all you guys in my room?" I asked, my voice intending to be confused but coming out as innocent.
They all fell at my response, and then got quickly back on their feet. "What do you mean 'Why are we in your room'?" Winry basically yelled, fuming. "You were screaming and crying uncontrollably!"
"I…I was?" I asked. I raised my hands to my face, feelings the wetness of my cheeks. Okay, that would explain the uncontrollable crying. I touched my throat, and swallowed. It was dry. And that explained the screaming. I shook my head. "What the hell are you talking about? I just had a nightmare. No big deal."
" 'Just had a nightmare'!" Someone exclaimed to my left. I turned, finding the blond boy sitting on my bed. I flinched, bringing my arm up.
I subconsciously punched him in the stomach. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY BED?" I screamed, standing up quickly.
Ed gasped in surprise as my fist connected with his stomach. I could tell that he wasn't used to it since I hadn't done it in a while. He rubbed his sore abdomen, glaring holes into me. Habitually, I glanced down to where he was rubbing the soreness of my punch. When I saw, I nearly chocked. It took me until now to realize he was shirtless. My eyes bugged out of my head, and my mouth wanted to do a suicidal drop to the floor. I stopped it from doing so by biting my tongue. So…t-that's how his physique looks like. A six pack with sculpted muscles and strong arms. A shudder went through my body as I stared at it in its glory. All anger I had until then had immediately dropped from the boiling point and was replaced by embarrassment. I was now ogling him.
Damn female hormones.
Ed looked up after rubbing his…highly muscular- a six pack - stomach. "Well, sorry to tell you but I was trying to calm you down after your freaking break down! Sorry that I was being thoughtful!" he snapped, standing up straight.
After the comment, I felt really bad. Apparently he was trying to help me and whatever I was doing beforehand. If I knew what happened to make me scream as they said, maybe I could offer an explanation. But I can't really considering my amnesia. All I remember is something wonderful, everyone suddenly appearing in my room, and an impeccable thirst coming and then leaving. But to be quite honest, my throat is kind of dry. Why can't I remember anyways? Am I blocking it out because of my dream, or is it because….of…Oh no…
25.) When a vampire meets their desired blood, any previous memories of attempting to consume the blood will be lost in the first encounters of the Blood Cycle.
26.) The Blood Cycle is the ritual in which a full vampire attempts to consume their desired blood. If the Cycle fails, and it is within the first encounters of the Blood of Desire, memories of it will diminish.
I was speechless. If this truly was because of the Blood Cycle, no. Since it was the Blood Cycle….What now? I don't know what I'm going to do. Staring in front of me, I found every member in the house crowding me. There was, what?, five other people in this small and dainty room? Taking up all my space and thinking power? I need to get them out before I throw a fit. (And no, not the blood lust reaction one.)
Conversation was blaring around in the room, all about me and apparently what just happened. Every now and then they'd look back at me and then continue their conversation. "Seiren this, Cat Ears that." …Shut up…. "Seiren this, Cat Ears that."…Shut up, shut up…. "Seiren this, Cat Ears that." Shut up! "Seiren this, Cat Ears that." Shut up, shut up! "Seiren this, Cat Ears that." My cheeks burning, I threw my head back.
"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!" I shouted, freezing everyone in place. They all stopped short, staring back at me in surprise. I growled, and raising my fist, I said in a very low voice. "All of you, get out of my room now. I had a nightmare, whoopdy-doo. I am not dying. And in the event I am screaming or even crying, feel free to check on me. But one thing that will not be okay is standing around talking on and on about me when I am perfectly fine. Now, if you would pardon my tone of voice, GET OUT OF MY FREAKING ROOM BEFORE I START GRABBING MY FREAKING BOW!"
At the mention of my weapon of choice, they all paled in response. One glance at my glare should have set them straight and they quickly ushered themselves out of my room. I wonder if they realize I'm not done with my bow yet? Or the fact that one of my arms is useless? After they left in their rush, I walked up to the door and closed it civilly and as daintily as possible to show them that I wasn't kidding about what I said. Sighing, I collapsed over my bed. I buried my face in my arm and whimpered. Why, oh why did it have to be him? Why him out of all people? Was I really this unlucky?
"What in the world am I going to do now?" I groaned, narrowing my eyes. I so desperately wanted to punch the wall as hard as I could, but 1.) Everyone would come back in here seeing what the noise was. And 2.) I only have one arm. It's not fun if I can't punch to my extent. I rolled over, sighing. I looked at my condition: One arm fully functional. Left arm unusable. I'm left handed.
I groaned. I'm really pissed off right now. First of all, I'm not done with my bow. I still need the string in able to arm my bow. I still need to make more arrows. Second of all, my left arm is useless. I'm forced to making Alphonse be my left arm until I get the surgery. Third of all, I hadn't even asked if I could get automail bone surgery. Ed still needs to get his automail put in. Ms. Pinako and Winry still need to work on Ed's limbs; they're in no state to fit me with automail bones. Fourth of all, the person in whom I'm assigned to protect now needs protecting from me. I'm a blood-sucking vampire who craves the blood of a fifteen year old boy who has no idea that I'm trying to kill him. If I snap, what'll happen?
If I snap…..
Damn it, damn it! That's right. If I happen to snap, there's nothing there to stop me. Auntie Amber even said it herself. My blood lust will grow stronger and stronger and then I'll snap. Then, maybe even she won't be able to stop me. I balled my right hand into a fist. This is impossible! This is absurd! Impervious! Harrowing! I can't let this happen…I just can't! If only Edward wasn't my Blood of Desire, then maybe I'd have one less of a problem. It's his damn scent! Everything about it invites me in. The sweetness, the mouth watering description. Even the bitterness of it makes me want to sink my teeth into it! I can't just go on up and leave; Mustang had already black mailed me into this. He already made me promise. Besides….
He said that this case might just kill them if I wasn't here.
Running away isn't an option. If I run away, they'll just as well be killed. If they die…I won't be able to live with myself. Knowing that two people died because of me running away is too much to be on my conscience. I can't let that happen. Never. It'll haunt me for the rest of my days just like….
I shook my head rapidly. No, I told myself. Don't think about it. It won't be like before. It's different now. It took a few moments for me to compose myself. No matter how many times I put that behind me, it just comes back to haunt me all over again. Their names just pop up accordingly; their meanings coming back to me clear as day. Armenia. Benjamin. Leigh. Finnian…. I shook my head. It won't happen again; stop thinking about it, I thought.
Anyway, I had to come up with something to help me. Having Edward as my Blood of Desire needed some thinking over. If he ever happened to bleed, I need to get as far as I can from him. Make sure I don't look back or breathe. If I breathe, the scent of his blood will overpower me for sure. I can detect his scent up to a two mile radius. When he bleeds, I need to run three miles away from him and don't breathe until I reach the third mile. But on average, I need to somehow get used to his scent. I can't keep ignoring it. If I get used to it, it'll become easier to be around him. If I can do those two things, I can maintain my order as his body guard.
I gripped my left arm. Now, first things first. I need to ask for the surgery.
I got off my bed and went out the door. Inhaling the air, it seems as though everyone was downstairs. My feet padded across the wooden floor and I turned into the staircase. Walking down it slowly, I bit my lip. How will they react? I soon made it down to the first floor, and I turned to find everyone in the kitchen. My heart rate began to quicken. What if they say no? Will I be forced to have a useless arm forever? Stop being so paranoid, I thought. Just go on and ask, and if they say no, oh well. Live with it.
I peered into the kitchen where everyone was chatting happily. Smiles veered their faces and it seems as though they were making breakfast. Okay, okay. Now, just go and ask. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Damn it! Out of all times, I have to turn shy now? Swallowing my nervousness, I spoke up again.
"Excuse me," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. Unfortunately it was still quite quiet. They all stopped conversation and turned to look at me. I glanced at Edward and Alphonse particularly, hoping to send some unsaid message through my eyes that I was going to ask for the surgery. I saw that Al glanced down to look at my left arm. To confirm, I gripped my sling. Looking at the two mechanics, it seems as though I got their attention. "Um, if it's not too much trouble, can I talk to you two?" I gestured toward Winry and Ms. Pinako.
Winry raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is something wrong?" she asked delicately, the faint glint of concern from my nightmare still evident in her eyes.
I shook my head. "Well, no. But, I'd like to ask you two something." I lowered my voice. "In private?"
They seemed to get my hint as they glanced at each other from the corner of their eyes. Ms. Pinako simply chewed on the end of her pipe as she hopped down from her chair. "Sure, no problem," she said casually as she walked into the living room. Winry followed after her hesitantly. I walked behind them too as they reached the living room. I can tell that the tenseness of the room heightened immensely after that. I looked over my shoulder, a casual look in my eyes. 'Everything's fine,' I mouthed to the Elrics'. I pointed to my left arm to give more information as to what I was going to talk about. We walked in silence until they stopped and turned to look at me. Winry cocked her head to the side in confusion.
"What's up?" she asked, the hint of concern coming up again. At that point of time, I just wanted to shout that I was fine from this morning, but I couldn't fairly do that. She's too sweet to shout at.
"There's another reason that I came here," I started. It wasn't very good, but it was a start. They both stared at me strangely. "I mean, there's another reason as to why I came with Fullmetal other than being his guard for getting his automail."
Ms. Pinako stared at me. "Is that so?" she asked slowly.
I nodded. "Yes." They didn't respond, so I assumed they were waiting for me to explain. I sighed at the intention. How could I approach this? I only know one way to ask, but….
"Spit it out, girl," Ms. Pinako finally announced, exasperated. Oops. I thought about it too much.
I guess I have to approach this the same way… I cleared my throat. "My name is Seiren Smith," Seiren Coraline now I suppose. "I was assigned the guard to Edward Elric, your good friend and family. In a recent event, on duty, I had to make a risk in order to protect Edward. This risk hadn't worked, and it cost Edward his automail….and my left arm." I paused to catch my breath. Don't rush this. "I do acknowledge that you are currently working on Edward's automail, and that you are direly busy. I know I have no right in asking you this, because it was me who inevitably made Edward lose his arm, but I am in great need of your assistance." I heard my old speech slip into my words ever so slightly, but I managed to keep it underway. I bowed. "In order to make up for the debt and danger I had caused Edward, I do intend on repaying it by protecting him with my life. It is my will to do so." Yeah. Blackmail. "In order to repay my debt, I need to be at my greatest condition. At the moment you can see that my left arm is completely unusable, and I know that you are able to help me in this factor." I took in a deep breath. "Will you please assist me by inhabiting me with automail bones to replace my lost ones? I no longer contain the bones in my left arm, and it will do me a great help if you would allow me this request!"
After my speech, I stayed bowing. It was a habit of mine, and apparently the habit stayed with me after all these years. At the moment, no one spoke. Hopefully they are able to do it. I mean, I overheard them talking to each other that the automail should be done tomorrow morning. After that, they should be back on track. Before we leave, I need to have a usable left arm. No two times about it. I bit my bottom lip, still not standing up straight. My back was beginning to hurt, but until I have an answer, or at least a word, I'm not standing up. My patience begun to wear on me, but I heard something unexpected. I glanced up, looking at where the noise was emanating. A giggle and then a roar of laughter erupted from the two of them, throwing their heads back and holding their stomachs.
"S-Stand up, girl!" Ms. Pinako sputtered, still cackling. I stood up. She grinned at me, still laughing. "That's it? Just automail bones?"
I nodded. "Yeah…" This made them laugh harder.
"That whole speech…Just for automail bones! Can you believe it, Winry?" Ms. Pinako cackled once more.
Winry smiled through her boisterous laughter. "Not really, Granny!" Winry giggled. She walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder, grinning still. "Don't be so uptight! You do realize you could of just gone up and asked us, right?"
I just managed to stare. I could of just…asked? Nothing to give in return, no order against my free will as compensation, nothing as much as a favor? Was there nothing that they desired? Even as I put them through work, they want nothing? I couldn't manage to speak up and I remained frozen still as they smiled at me. My eyes were wide with confusion as they thought nothing of the task I had just asked them. Winry shook my shoulder, causing me to turn to her in reply.
"Are you alright?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.
I managed a jerked nod. "Y-Yes, I'm fine." They smiled in relief. Under their kind smiles, I broke down. I couldn't help myself. "You mean you don't want anything in return? No favor, no compensation?" I blurted out. "I-I could clean this house top to bottom, I can offer protection, I can do all your chores for the time I stay here- Please, isn't there anything you want in return?" I rushed out, staring at them meaningfully.
Ms. Pinako raised an eyebrow. "As wonderful as that sounds, we don't need anything," she said in confusion. "We're mechanics. It's our job to do these things."
"Are you sure?" I exclaimed despite their reply. "I can do absolutely anything!"
Winry cracked a smile as she stared at me. "Well, there is something you can do for us." I turned to her immediately. "You can loosen up!" she exclaimed.
I blinked my eyes in confusion. "Huh?" I asked. This didn't make any sense. Loosen up? What in the hell does that mean?
Winry just smiled. "Hang around. Don't be so uptight. Live your life. You're a teenager, and it's about time you act like it," she said.
Hang around. Don't be so uptight. Live your life. You're a teenager, and it's about time you act like it.
"Why don't you live your life, Seiren?"
Memories began to swell up in my mind, the words familiar beyond compare as it rung in my ears. I shook my head rapidly as I tried to fight them back, the memory winning.
"You know exactly why I can't do that, Finnian."
I responded back in my head, despite knowing that it was just a distant memory. I looked up, finding both Winry and Ms. Pinako staring at me strangely. I smirked at their confused expressions. "Is that your order?" I asked in irony. This was just too similar, no matter how you look at it.
"My order…?"
"Never mind," I said quickly. I bowed curtly towards them. "Thank you so much for doing the surgery for me. It means a lot." Winry began to blush.
"I-It's nothing!" she said, her cheeks burning at my simply put thank you. "Well, let's get some breakfast. It's done now."
XoXo… One Hour Later ….XoXo
Breakfast had ended and, after offering my thanks, I retreated back outside where my bow was still standing uncompleted. I had asked Armstrong to drag Alphonse back outside as well to be my left arm again. He didn't complain as I thought he would. He was rather complying and came out without a word. We were seated at the wooden stump where my work station was and I started sanding my bow, Alphonse holding it out for me. We worked in silence for a few minutes; it was rather peaceful.
"Um…" Alphonse murmured.
I sighed. Well, so much for working in silence. "Yes?" I answered lazily, still focusing on sanding the bow.
"Are you…" the rest of his sentence was inaudible.
I swiped the sandpaper over the bow once more, completing my task. I took the bow from Alphonse's hand and set it down on the tree stump. "I didn't hear you. Speak up," I said, now focusing on Alphonse.
He seemed to flinch as I spoke. He looked down quickly, a vast pink running over his face. He rubbed the back of his head and didn't look at me as he spoke. "I was wondering if you were alright," he said rather sheepishly, just glancing once or twice toward me. I remained motionless.
At the question, I was thoroughly annoyed. "You aren't talking about the nightmare I had, are you?" I asked. He nodded. The irritation sparked up again, and I looked down at my bow. The question was becoming very familiar when around these people. I had to realize that I was going to hear that much more often now. When I was with Mustang and Aunt Riza, I had only heard that phrase very seldom, because they both knew how much it bothered me to hear it. Instead they would ask what was wrong and be straight to the point, rather than asking this question. Nevertheless, I was touched that he actually cared enough to ask about my well being. It was odd. When around Alphonse, I'm much more calm now. Was it because he was brave enough to call me out on how I act?
"Yes, I'm fine," I reassured him, my voice going soft. For some reason I couldn't help but speaking softly around him now. I turned and my backpack lied at the side of the tree stump as I had left it. I zipped it open, and in it was my quiver, still pretty adequate on the amount of arrows it had. I counted swiftly: I had twelve arrows left. It was a pretty good amount considering how many times I shot the things. So, now I have to make about eight more. But then it occurred to me that I was dealing with Edward here. "Say, Alphonse?" I asked.
He straightened up. "Y-Yes?" he stuttered.
"How many times on average does your brother get in trouble?" I asked taking out my quiver from my backpack.
"Huh?" He asked, shocked. "W-Well, I don't really know how to answer that…"
"Considering your response, I'm assuming a lot," I stated, grabbing planks of wood. "The average number of arrows in a quiver that I usually carry is twenty. But since I'm dealing with you two,"
"Huh? You're counting me in with the trouble!"
"I probably have to double that," I continued, ignoring his comment. "Is there an arrow shop around here?"
Alphonse flinched. "I don't think Risembool would have weapon shops!" He exclaimed, annoyed at my question.
I sighed. "Well, that's a shame. I guess I have to wait until we arrive in Central to buy my arrows. What a waste of hoping. If I'd known this beforehand, I'd have bought them ahead of time."
"You were in the hospital before we left," Alphonse said brusquely, in a somewhat angry tone.
"I would have asked Aunt Riza if she would go buy them for me," I replied, looking at him with bored eyes. "She's the best customer the shop has."
Alphonse just scowled at my reply. "I don't see why you need to carry around weapons anyway," he snapped, turning his head away from me.
I raised an eyebrow in confusion at his sudden anger. "Why are you being so persistently against my weaponry?" I asked, staring at him. He didn't even glance at me. I frowned, reaching over and turning his head toward me myself. I put my face directly in front of his, making sure I had eye contact. "Why are you acting so weird now? If it's something I said or did, I need to know what it is. I can't fairly protect you two if you go around being cross with me."
Alphonse's eyes widened at the close proximity of my face, and I felt him shudder. The flustered state he was in slowly melted into one of concern and anger mixed together at once, and he stared at me. "Just that. That's what's bothering me."
I sat back as he said that. "What are you talking about?"
"You keep bringing up that you need to protect me and Brother," Al answered. "It's like you don't even care about anything else."
"But it's my-"
"Yeah, I know, it's your job." I stared at him. "But there are other things that are more important. When I saw you this morning…"
I narrowed my eyes. "I already told you that I was fine."
"But I saw you," he persisted. "You were screaming. I hadn't seen someone cry that hard in my life. Every scream, every tear, every time you were inconsolable. It looked as if someone would have touched you, you would break into a million little pieces." I looked away. "When you were screaming, you kept saying something about a fire. That someone was burning alive. You screamed to leave you alone, to save them. You weren't thinking about yourself, but just them. Who were they?"
"Didn't you hear?" I said softly.
"You were terrified, Seiren, I saw you," he said. "Back when we were at Tucker's house, you were shaking. You couldn't even stand straight, your knees were buckling. When you saw Nina…" he trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. I was shocked that he brought up this.
"Alphonse, listen…"
"When we were fighting Scar, you were shaking again," he continued. "And when he broke me," he gestured at his current state. "I saw the terror in your eyes. It showed again when Ed was about to be killed. You jumped right in front of him, intending to die in his place. You were scared. I saw you."
"I'm sure anyone else would have…"
"When you tried to take Brother's place when Scar was about to kill us, I didn't know what to think. You looked defeated and tortured. After the Nina accident, you wouldn't speak. Your eyes were blank and filled with pain and sadness. You were afraid again," he said. "You never thought about yourself. No matter how scared you would be, you put yourself in harms way. That's what bothers me. You never care about yourself."
I bit my lip. "You're wrong, you know," I said softly. "I'm the most selfish person in the world. Trust me Alphonse, I am. My actions seem noble, but…" I sighed. "Let's take Tucker for example. When I saw Nina, I was scared, yes, yes I was. But…When Tucker started talking, all I wanted to do was strangle him. Kill him in cold blood. I didn't even care that I would do it in front of you, Edward, and Nina. I was thinking of doing that for my own benefit."
Alphonse shook his head. "Brother wanted to do that too," he reminded me.
"Yeah, but Alphonse, I only stopped him because I wanted to finish himself off myself," I interrupted. "I wanted him to suffer. Suffer like how he made Nina suffer." it was still hard to say her name. "Suffer like there wasn't anything else more sweeter than his death. I was waiting until they stripped him of his license, so he would be miserable, poor, and alone. I wanted him to know that he was being put on trial for his death. Then I was going to go to his cell, torturing him until he's within an inch of his life. Then I'd leave him to suffer. The next day, he'd be cowering in fear knowing I'd be coming. I'd leave him there in hysteria for a couple of days, then come again when his wounds were closed. I'd reopen them, and repeat the process. If he tried to kill himself, I'd put him in a place where that was impossible. I wanted him to live in suffering for the rest of his life until I was satisfied enough with the taste of his filthy blood to finally kill him…" Alphonse stared at me with wide eyes. "Only then will I have been satisfied. But then, Scar killed him.
"I was furious. I kept thinking that I was supposed to do that. I was the one who should have killed him," I said quietly. "I went out looking for you two. I knew you guys would stop me. You two were the people I couldn't kill in front of…I realized that after we had left Tucker's house. I was going to put you in safety, because I knew that he was going to try and kill you guys too. I couldn't let that happen. So, I came to get you indoors so I could go in search of Scar and kill him to my full extent without you guys seeing," I admitted. "But when Scar came while you two were still out in the open…I was disgusted with myself. I wanted to die. I tried to kill Scar anyways, but, as you saw, I wasn't able to be at my fullest potential with you two there. I was caught off guard. When Scar was about to kill Edward, I jumped in front of him. I only saved him because…I knew that I would die and Scar would leave, satisfied with killing a vermin like me off.
"I knew that you two would be scarred for life after seeing me getting my brains blown out, but I didn't care at that moment," I said. "Like I said, at that moment….all I wanted was to die."
"But, Seiren…"
"Don't you see Alphonse!" I snapped, looking back at him with eyes burning with tears despite my disgust with myself after admitting this. "I was never thinking about the well being of others! I was only thinking about my own self gain…Nothing more."
"I don't think that was the case."
I looked up, shocked at the words that was just said. "What?"
"Look, what you said scared me," Alphonse admitted. "But, I was thinking about how you jumped in front of Brother. How you decided not to kill Tucker in front of Nina. How you went in search of us so we wouldn't see you kill anyone."
"What are you getting at?"
"I'm saying that, no matter how you look at it, what you were doing was for others."
My jaw dropped, my eyes wide with shock. I growled in pure anger and frustration. "I was trying to kill people, Alphonse! I was relishing in the fact that they're blood will be spilt!"
"But you didn't kill them," Al pointed out. "The fact that you didn't kill them was what mattered."
I shook my head. "I'm not comprehending…"
Al sighed. "No matter what you were thinking of doing, you didn't do them. And since you didn't, the actions you have done beforehand had outshone your intentions. You intended to kill them both, but what did you do? You didn't and tried to save someone's life."
I sighed. "You're not giving up the fact that I jumped in front of your brother, are you?"
He shook his head. "Nope. Not even close." He smiled at me. "Even if you did so, so you would die, you ended up saving his life. No two ways about it. Your intentions were horrible, yes, but your actions were good. And no matter how many times you argue with me about that, I'm not budging."
I glared at him. "You know, you're incredibly stubborn," I remarked. He shrugged. I glared at him again. "And you have a dirty way of making me spill my guts out to you by just simple questions and comments."
He seemed offended by my words. "I do not have a dirty way of making you tell me things!"
"Yeah, you do," I said. "It seems as though every time I'm with you, I have at least one emotional breakdown. Why in the hell are you so bent on doing that to me?"
Alphonse looked down. "Because…"
"Because why?" I persisted, eyes narrowed. When he remained silent, I got frustrated. "Damn it, Al, tell me!" As he heard his name, he looked at me. My eyes widened the slightest bit as he looked at me. Is that what makes him respond to me? Saying his name? That's all? Well, that's very simple. "Al, please. Tell me why."
He sighed. "It's because…" Hey. It worked. "It's because I like you." I jumped as he said that. His face turned red as he shook his head. "No! Not like that!" He yelled shaking his hands vigorously.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked, eyes still narrowed. How can someone like someone like me?
"I mean…." he sighed. "From the time I've known you, you've always been so distant."
"I could have told you that…" I muttered.
He ignored me. "But as I was hanging out with you more, you seemed to open up, even if by the littlest of means," he explained. I raised my eyebrows. "You were distant and didn't show any emotion besides irritation. I've never seen anyone so distant in my life." I stared at him. "What I'm saying is that I want to help you. Open up, that is."
I stared at him a little while longer. It was impossible to read his eyes since he was a suit of armor, but I might as well try. The longer I stared, I didn't see any trace of deception coming from him. He held my stare, not saying a single word. I began to bubble up in irritation, just as he said I do. I groaned and face palmed myself. "What an idiot," I muttered.
"What?"
I turned to him, a definite glare in my eyes. "You're an idiot," I repeated, standing up. "You choose to like someone like me who is nothing but bitter and defensive, and you want to help me open up." It was hard to get the words out, but it made their way out of my mouth. "I've never 'opened up.' What you're trying to do is a lost cause."
Alphonse glared at me. "Nothing's a lost cause!" he persisted.
I growled. "Let's put it this way," I started. How can I get him to give up on this? "Let's say I'm a serial killer."
"But you're not," he pointed out quickly.
"Let's say I'm a serial killer," I repeated, "I did nothing but deceive people, torture them, and kill them. I did the murders out of malice and wanted nothing but to kill. I took joy out of it," I said. "Am I lost cause now?"
"Well…."
"Every single person or living thing on my sight will be killed and I made sure to kill everything that that person loved. I killed birds, dogs, flowers, even cats."
"Not the cats!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. I nodded.
"Even the cats," I repeated. "Their family too. No matter how good of heart or slim in numbers." His eyes got big with sadness. "What would I be then, Al?"
He looked down. "A lost cause…" he said quietly. He lifted his head and looked at me. "But you're not a lost cause, though."
"Damn," I groaned, looking up at the sky. "What in the hell can I do to get you to give up on this!"
"You can open up so I would have no reason to pursue it," he said, a mischievous glint in his armored face.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Nice try," I said. I bent down to grab my backpack and I pulled up the string used for my bow. Picking up the bow, I strung the string in the two holes I carved in the ends and tied it. Grabbing my quiver, I slung the quiver over my shoulder and grabbed an arrow, positioning it in my bow. Grabbing the end of the arrow and the string with my teeth, I held the bow in my right hand. Alphonse flinched.
"W-what are you doing?" he exclaimed, seeing my stance.
"I'm going to try out my new bow, what do you think?" I said through my teeth. "Hm…This is much more difficult than I thought it would be with my right hand aiming…."
"You're saying that it's difficult to aim with your right hand, than holding the arrow with your teeth!" He exclaimed, flailing his arm around.
I furrowed my brows in concentration. "Oh, come on Al. Stay still. My aim is poor with my right hand. Wouldn't you like my shot to be clean?" I asked sarcastically.
He gulped as he turned frigid. "You're angry, aren't you, Seiren?" he asked timidly.
"Oh, I wouldn't say angry…" I said sadistically. "I'm pissed."
He screamed. "AHHHHHHHHHH!" he shouted in terror as he put his arm up in defense.
Just as I was about to release, something rustled behind me. I narrowed my eyes, turning swiftly around and releasing the arrow then. I heard a yell of surprise, and the arrow hit the wall.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR, CAT EARS?" the person shouted.
"Cat Ears?" I said slowly. Growling, I lowered my bow. "Damn it, Fullmetal! Don't sneak around like that!"
Yes, it was Edward. And I shot at him. I sniffed the air briefly, and I detected no blood in the air. Thank GOD, I thought. If I had hit him, I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
A brief image of myself holding a gun to my head appeared in my mind, but I pushed it away. Can't give up that easily; I'm too stubborn for that.
I maintained a straight face as I walked back to where I shot my arrow. I almost laughed out loud despite myself. I saw Edward lying on the ground, planted in a bush tangled in the vines and branches. His hair was sticking up in all places, caught in the branches as well. I held back the laughter as I bent over him, pulling the arrow out of the wall of the house. I cringed as I heard a big crack coming from the wall. Silently I hoped that it was my arrow that had cracked, but as I looked I found that there was a deep hole where my arrow targeted. Praying in my head that Winry didn't notice, I slowly slid the arrow back into my quiver. Squatting down to by eye level with Edward, a laugh in my eyes, I patted him on the head.
"Great dodging, squirt," I said curtly, hoping my laugh wouldn't come out right in his face.
He grew an anger mark as he began to squirm in the bush, getting himself even more tangled in the greenery. "SHUT UP!" He yelled, trying to wriggle himself free. Probably to hit me, of course.
"Quit squirming, you're making it worse," I said, eyeing how he shuffled and flipped in his current state. He scowled, glaring at me.
"Well, maybe if someone didn't SHOOT AN ARROW at me, I wouldn't be in this situation!" he shouted, glaring at me as he did so.
I giggled despite my maintained straight face. I looked down and closed my eyes, putting my finger to my lips to somehow conceal the smile the was slowly spreading over my face. I began to laugh quietly, yet it was still pretty audible. I looked back up to Edward, the smile still planted on my face. I grabbed the arrow from my quiver and swiped it at the branches and vines tangling around Edward's limbs. It freed him as I planned, and I held out my hand, still smiling.
"Need a hand?" I asked cheerfully. Ed stared at me for what seemed like a minute and then grabbed my hand hesitantly. I stood up, bringing him along with me. As we stood up, he still stared at me strangely, like he was mesmerized or something. I turned to Alphonse, who also was staring at me strangely. I shook my head. I was in too good of a mood now. I bent down and grabbed my bow, and started toward the house. I looked over my shoulder, throwing up a small wave.
"I'll be upstairs if ya need me. 'Kay?" I said. "Think it'll be good if I call Aunt Riza and them and tell 'em that I'll be getting the surgery after all. See ya!"
I turned around when they didn't respond to me except with a stare. My cheeks also burned bright pink. What's wrong with me? I was shortening my words like back on the farm…My farm girl was coming out. I sighed. I guess it was better than my old speech. I put a hand to my face as I scampered upstairs. Why can't I get this smile off my face?
XoXo… Out of Seiren's POV …XoXo
"Well, maybe if someone didn't SHOOT AN ARROW at me, I wouldn't be in this situation!" Edward snapped, glaring at Seiren as he did so.
Seiren stared at him for a few seconds with an unreadable expression. Despite her straight face, she giggled girlish. She looked down, closing her eyes and a small smile spreading over her face. IN an effort to stop giggling, she put a finger to her lips. That didn't quite work and she began to laugh shyly, unable to stop for a few moments. Ed and Al stared at her with wide eyes. Seiren was actually laughing. She wasn't scowling. She finally looked up at Ed, still smiling. A pink blush flashed across his cheeks. She grabbed an arrow from her quiver and swiped it at the branches and vines that constricted the blond, and he was freed. He could have gotten up if he wanted, but he was too surprised by the smiling raven-haired girl in front of him. She held out a hand, still smiling.
"Need a hand?" she asked cheerfully. Hearing her talk placed the blush on his cheeks grow brighter. He hesitantly took her hand and she helped him up. He couldn't help but keep staring at the smiling girl before him. When she's not scowling she's actually…. Ed thought.
She turned and grabbed the bow that lay on the floor, flashing her smile at Alphonse. Al gasped silently, hoping she hadn't heard him. He was amazed. She wasn't scowling. And without the scowl, Al had to admit, she was pretty cute. Her smile was bright and charming; her small fangs pointing out. Al still hadn't said anything about seeing them. In fact, they were pretty cute too. She walked toward the house after picking up her things and she looked over her shoulder, still flashing the rare smile she had.
"I'll be upstairs if ya need me. 'Kay?" she said. "Think it'll be good if I call Aunt Riza and them and tell 'em that I'll be getting the surgery after all. See ya!" And with that, she glided into the kitchen.
Edward and Alphonse stood there still. None of them said a word until they were absolutely certain that the girl left for sure. Alphonse was the first to speak, though he was still staring at where Seiren had left.
"Was Seiren…smiling?" he asked slowly, a daze still in his voice.
Ed nodded slowly. "I'm as shocked as you, Al…"
Al glanced at his brother, seeing the blush evident on his cheeks. Instantly, Al smirked. He elbowed Ed in the shin since he was still stuck in his matted state. "Brother, why are you blushing?" he asked snidely.
Ed immediately turned defensively, a fist raised. "I am not!" he said quickly, covering his face with his bangs.
Al just snickered. "Whatever you say…" he said. "Anyway, you have to admit, Seiren can be a pretty cute girl if she weren't so stone faced."
Ed stayed silent.
Al nudged him again. "You think she's cute," he teased. Ed's blush flared, turning his entire face red.
"SHUT UP, AL, I DO NOT! SHE'S STILL THE ANNOYING AND STUBBORN BODY-GUARD!"
BN: Hiya! Whaddya think? Come on! Please tell me! Normally I'm not all that excited for a chapter but...I'm still happy at how long this is! ^-^
A turn for the relationships between characters! XD I hope I hadn't moved Al's and Seiren's relationship too fast. :( Is it a bit sudden? How about the new thing with Ed at the end? And how eh was blushing and everything? Was that a bit too fast for their relationship? :( I'd appreciate input on the relationships between Seiren and other characters! It'll help a lot!
Okay, soon Ima put up a poll about this story. I'm not quite sure which I'm gonna choose, because I need a bit of YOUR input on my questions. But I'll save one particular question to myself until later ;D
Until Next Chap! =:D