DISCLAIMER: still dun own this.

"Yeah?" Rui answered, sounding sleepy.

"Hey, well if you want, I'll call when you're a bit more awake," I laughed, tired too.

"Hey! Baby sis! No, it's okay. What's up?"

"A lot of things, but that's not why I called."

"Is something wrong?" His voice went from fun to concerned and loving in a second.

"Not much. I've just been having bad dreams. I figured you could cheer me up. You always have," I smiled wearily, remembering our years on the streets.

"Yeah. Well, what have they been about?"

"The first one was about Mom you know… dying," I choked. "The second one was Dad dying, and my rescue. And the one I just had was the first time I did alchemy in front of you guys. Remember?" I smiled at the memory; that one wasn't so bad.

"I remember hating you! I was so mad that you were so cool at six years old," he laughed.

I laughed too, for a moment. "I don't get it, though. Why am I having these dreams inow?/i" I muttered into the receiver.

"I don't know. Anyone remind you of your past?" He laughed, and I knew he was kidding, but he was right.

"Actually, there are these two brothers. I was fighting the older one, and I had to blind the younger one, and the older one stopped fighting. I only beat him because he was willing to lose for his brother. He reminded me of what you would do for me, or what either of us would do for Yuuki back then," I thought about it sadly. I felt awful about fighting Edward that way. And did I have to blind Alphonse too? Had that really been necessary?

"I know what you're thinking. But you didn't kill him, right? You defeated him; there's a difference. Touhi, don't let him get into your mind. People you care about will be in trouble if you hesitate."

"Thanks. I'll talk to you later, okay? I have work," I wasn't smiling anymore.

"Yep, me too. But, Touhi? Don't eat away at yourself over this. Just let it go."

I sighed. "I wish I could hug you right now."

"I almost forgot! Yuuki's coming to visit you in East City! Don't go anywhere or she'll kill you."

I laughed. "I'll remember that. Hopefully she'll call. I hate it when she just randomly shows up."

"I'll let her know next time I see her," he said, laughing again. I could get through today, now. Rui always knew exactly how to help me.

"Love you, Rui. Be safe, okay?"

"Hey, almost forgot one other thing. I'm moving to Rush Valley soon. I want to find an apprenticeship as an automail mechanic there. Maybe I'll learn something."

"Maybe you will. Alright, I really have to go now. Love you," I smiled.

"Love you too. Bye!" he hung up.

I set the phone on its base, sad that I wouldn't see him for a while. I stood and got out my clothes and took a shower. Coming out, I brushed my hair and dressed, leaving myself with a good 15 minutes to spare.

"I suppose I'll go to the office early," I sighed, leaving my new apartment and setting off to work. It was getting colder around here. It was starting to smell crisper outside, and the days were getting shorter, too. I even started to wear purple gloves while outdoors.

I got to HQ early so I decided to lounge back in my chair until someone with power gave me something to do.

"You're here early, Major," Edward's voice mumbled angrily from the door.

I stayed where I was. "Yeah."

"What, hard time sleeping?"

"Go away."

"Nah."

I sighed. "So where's your brother?"

"Why so interested in my brother?" He sounded more suspicious than he should have.

"Well, I have a brother too. And a little sister. Keep an eye out for him, Edward."

He seemed taken aback. "Okay. So what are your siblings' names?"

"Rui and Yuuki. They're both about four years apart from me."

"Al's a year younger. Although sometimes, I have to wonder if he's not older." He had a small smile in his voice. I suddenly wished I could see his face. I almost iwanted/i to be reminded of Rui now.

"There's something you should know about me, Ed." I muttered, seizing the solemn moment.

"Yeah?" He seemed to understand.

"Yeah. I'm blind. I can't see you at all." I tried my best not to sound sad, but it failed.

"….That sucks."

"Yep. Pretty much. The last time I saw my baby sister, she was sleeping in her crib at 18 months old. And my big brother was tinkering with some metal bits at age 10. Haven't seen them since." More and more sadness filtered through my voice. iWhy am I telling him all this?/i

"What about your parents?"

"They died a long time ago."

"I see." There was a long silence. "Do you ever talk to your family?"

"Almost every day. Rui's in Liore right now and only God knows where Yuuki's off to, but I call them as much as I can."

"That's good. To answer your question, Al's making a stroller for a stray kitten right now. That tin can," he was grinning wider now. As if on queue, Alphonse cam running up the hall.

"There he is," I pointed to the door.

"Huh?" Ed sounded lost. I pointed at the door again, putting up three fingers and counting down.

"Three, two, one," I pointed and there he was, a kid in a suit of huge armor.

"Oh! Hello, Major."

"Both of you can call me Touhi. No need for ranks among equals." I smiled, leaning back in my chair again.

"Okay, Touhi."

"I'm alright, Major," to my surprise, it was Al who refused.

"What's wrong, Al?" Ed asked.

"She blinded us yesterday, brother. That was a horrible thing to do. No one should be blinded." A lump popped up in my throat, but I swallowed it instantly.

"Um, Al? We were only temporarily blinded. It wasn't that big a deal."

"Yes, it was! We couldn't see! That was a dirty trick."

"Actually, it was alchemy," I put in.

"Really? I was wondering how that happened," Ed was easily distracted.
"Sorry, can't tell you. That would ruin me!" I laughed.

"What would?" Hawkeye came in. She seemed in a good mood today; more relaxed and flexible.

"Nothing important. How are you today, Lieutenant?"

"I'm well. And you two?" she asked the Elrics.

"We're great! Right, Al?"

"Yeah!"

The day went on and all through the day I was thinking of Yuuki. Rui had said she was coming to visit. That in and of itself was exciting, but I never knew when to expect her. I was always out of food or my apartment was always a mess. But I loved having her there, so I managed. I didn't know how much she would enjoy the East though. I supposed I'd see.

"Hey, Colonel, going for a walk?" Breda asked as Mustang came out of his office, snapping my out of my thoughts.

"No, actually I just received a telephone call from Central Command. I was asked to go to Central for a week or two, and I plan to bring you all. So pack your bags, men."

"Crap." I muttered under my breath.

"Something wrong, Touhi?" Ed asked from next to me.

"My sister's coming for a visit. This blows."

"What if she comes today?" he asked.

"I doubt it. Besides, I'd never know if she did. She never calls."

"You're right. That blows. Good luck."

"Yeah. Go away now," I pushed him out of his chair.

"WHAT THE HELL, MAJOR?" I smiled.

I got off work and went back home. I desperately wanted Yuuki to be waiting outside my door when I got there, but I knew she wouldn't be. Nevertheless, I anxiously turned the corner that led to my apartment.

I turned the key in the lock and sighed as I entered the house. I took off my coat and put it in my closet. I figured I might as well make a sandwich or something while I waited for sleep to come.

I entered the kitchen and opened the fridge. I took out a jar of jelly and the peanut butter and grabbed a loaf of bread off the counter.

"You know, I did bring food with me," a voice laughed from the door to the kitchen.

"Yuuki! Oh my goodness!" I panted, glaring at her.

She laughed. "Sorry. Here, I brought you something I got in Risembool. They're a special kind of bun with stuff inside. They're yummy," she handed me a soft, squishy roll. I bit into it and savored the taste of sweet cream mixed with strawberries on the inside. I almost melted.

"Who made this?" I asked, taking another big bite.

"The grandmother of the engineer I went to see. She's very nice, and Winry's really cool, too."

"Really? I still think you guys should go there. Rui's moving to Rush Valley, but if he wanted to, I'd bet he could work for the engineers in Risembool."

"Well thank you kindly," I heard another voice coming from the living room. I stopped mid-bite, my eyes widening in surprise.

"R-Rui?" I put my half-eaten bun on the counter, walking out into the living room.

"Hey, little sis."

"Rui! It is you! What are you doing in East City? Hell, I wasn't expecting Yuuki for another week!" I hugged him tightly.

"Well, we aren't here for long. We're headed for Rush Valley and this was as close to on the way as it'll ever be," Yuuki was smiling as much as I was.

"I should probably tell you both. I'm going back to Central for a bit with Colonel Mustang. I don't know why, but they requested his platoon. We leave in two days."

"That's great! You'll see Maria!" Rui exclaimed.

"Come to think of it, she is still in Central, huh?" I thought about it. Maria Ross, a mere sergeant when we first met her, was now a Second Lieutenant in Central. We'd met her in an alley, but we owed her a lot. There was no way we could have protected ourselves that day….

I was running back to our alley as fast as I could. With the money that Rui had gotten from painting that lady's house, I had been able to buy some groceries. I'd bought some bread, some cheese, some beef jerky for protein, and I'd had enough spare change for a tiny bit of candy for Yuuki. I tried to spoil her as much as possible. At 5 and a half years old, you shouldn't be living on the streets. So I tried constantly to let her be a five-year-old without worries.

I was about a block away from our alley when i tripped and fell on my face. i felt warm blood run down my forehead, and i sat up, struggling not to cry. I stretched my t-shirt sleeve to wipe my forehead off, and started picking up my little paper bag of food. I stood back up and started running again. It was less than a minute later that I noticed someone following me.

"Hey, little girly," a man's gruff and slurred voice growled behind me. I quickened my pace, and so did he.

"HEY! I WAS TALKIN' TO YOU!" he sprinted up behind me in a surprisingly straight line and grabbed my collar. I dropped my bag again and whimpered, terrified.

"Do you got any money, little girly?" His face was inches from my own; I could feel his thick, alcohol-soaked breath on my face. I shook my head fiercely and I squirmed, trying to get away.

"That's the wrong answer, little girly." I flinched. Then he slapped me across the face I started crying as he kept slapping me over and over and over again. I was bawling, hoping someone would help.

"HEY! Drunk-face!" I heard a voice, angelic by my ears.

"Whadd'ya want, kid? I'm busy,"

"Let her go," I finally recognized the voice as Rui's. I turned my head toward his voice, mouthing 'help.' I was beginning to cry.

"No, I don't think I will." The man went back to slapping me again, twice as hard and twice as many times.

"I said," I heard Rui running, getting closer," let her go!" he must have done something to the guy, because I fell on the cold concrete and i swore something cracked, but I was too much in shock over what was going on to feel pain.

"You'll pay for that, kid!" Rui ran over to me and wrapped his arms around me.

"Y-Yuuki?" I asked him.

"She's okay. She hiding in her box right now," he reassured me.

"C'mon, kiddies. Just give me the money..."

"We don't have any! Leave us alone!" Rui yelled at him.

"Is something going on here?" a woman's voice asked threateningly. I followed her voice and realized it was coming from the opening of the alley we were in.

"Not a thing, ma'am. Now go away," the drunk ordered.

"Not happening. Get out of here." We must have done isomething/i, because I heard the man grumble and walk away.

"Are you both alright?" She came over to us.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you," Rui said obvious relief in his tone.

"Your welcome, but you two are so not okay. Come with me," she grabbed our wrists and started hauling us away. I wormed out of her grip and started running.

"Touhi! Where are you going?" Rui called, following me.

"You get the groceries, I'll get Yuuki."

"Right." He stopped, while I kept running.

I ran my hands along the walls, looking for the crevice we'd carved there. I found it; an eye that we always marked our places with. I ran down the alley until i heard a little voice.

"Touhi?"

"Yuuki. Come on, I have something for you. Let's go find Rui, okay?"

"Okay." I followed her voice and reached out, grabbing her under her arms and putting her on my hip.

"AAH!" I almost dropped my baby sister, reacting to a sharp pain in my hip.

"Sissy?"

"I okay. Come on," I put her on my other hip and started running back to where Rui and the woman were.

"Rui?"

"Here, Touhi. This is Maria Ross. She's a soldier," Rui told me. I smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Touhi." There was a silence. I smiled at where her voce was coming from, but nothing happened.

"I'm sorry, Sergeant, but my sister is blind," Rui told her.

"Really?" I heard it in her voice.

"Don't pity me! I don't need your pity." I looked away.

"It's okay. Here, let me hold your sister for you." Yuuki was lifted out of my arms and I sighed.

"Well, come to my house. We'll clean you all up." We followed.

She led us to an apartment in what was apparently a large military dorm. We filed into her home and Rui grabbed my hand, leading me to a room that smelled moist and kind of stuffy. /iA bathroom,i I thought. I paused in my thoughts, shocked by the jump I'd just made. All I'd done was walk into a room with certain characteristics and I'd understood.

"Rui, what room are we in?" I asked for confirmation.

"The bathroom. Why?" he sounded honestly curious. I guessed he didn't see anything suspicious in the room that could have thrown me off.

"Nothing. I'll explain later."

"Okay…"

Maria Ross help Yuuki and me bathe, and let Rui bathe while she found us some clothes. She put Yuuki in a large t-shirt and handed me a smaller one and a pair of shorts while she shuffled through some other things for Rui.

"These are just temporary. We'll find you some better things at a store, okay?" I heard her voice lift a little. She's smiling, I assumed again.

"…Why are you being so nice, Miss?" I murmured, not entirely meaning to say it.

"Children are a soft spot of mine. Besides, you all deserve better," she ruffled my damp hair.

"What do you mean?"

"You and your brother are taking care of your little sister like her parents. Anyone that loving and family-oriented should be rewarded." I felt her warm hand on my face, brushing away some hairs that had stuck there.

"Thank you," I smiled after a moment.

"She's a nice lady," Yuuki smiled. She was only five at the time, but some things are easy to remember if they're important enough. I'd been six during the fire. There was no way I could forget that. Ever.

"Yeah, she is. She really took care of us, huh?" Rui, I could tell, was wearing the stupid grin I remembered from so long ago.

"Until we learned to take care of ourselves." I smiled as well. Maria brought about nothing but good memories for us. She had been like our mother during our days on the streets. She'd even weaseled me into the State Alchemy exam, helping me train and bringing my name to her commanding officer Major… Armstrong….

"Oh my God," I started laughing, doubling over as guffaws ran through me.

"Oh, jeez," Rui chuckled a little as well.

"What happened this time, Touhi? Did you have any coffee at work?" Yuuki wondered. Sometime, I was curious whether I had raised her, or the other way around.

"I met the guy who brought me into the military today," I felt tears welling up as I laughed even more.

"What's so hilarious about that?" Rui was still chuckling lightly.

"Well, he's pretty much a muscle-head. Or maybe more of a meat-head," I fell into another bout of hysterics.

They obviously didn't understand how that was funny, but they hadn't met the Major. I calmed down and righted my stature, a few remaining laughs slipping their way through my lips.

"So, how long do you guys plan on staying?"

"Well, as long as you do, I guess," Yuuki smiled.

"Okay. Want something to eat?"

"We ate on the way here. I definitely need a shower, though," Rui stood up.

"Sure. Through there," I pointed. "There are towels and stuff in there."

"'Kay," he muttered on his way out of the room."

I waved Yuuki over to the couch and we sat, grinning in anticipation of girl talk.

"So? Meet any good guys?" I smiled. Yuuki had always been beautiful. Even on the streets, there were a great number of creepers that would have loved to get their hands on her 10-year-old body.

"Actually, I did. And he isn't a jerk like the others I've met." I believed her. When she spoke about this boy, her voice got all shaky and she sounded flustered.

"What happened?"

"Well, we met in Risembool, and he automatically told me that he thought I had pretty hair. I told him he was creepy, and to go away, but he kept following me, so I turned on him and asked him what the Hell he wanted, but he just said he wanted to take me to dinner in town…." She jumped into an epic love story, complete with magic first kiss, depressing good-bye and all.

"He sounds really nice," I muttered kindly. As she told her story, a painful lurch appeared in my heart. It was an empty sort of feeling, and I found myself wishing I could find someone like this Iroka guy.

"He is. He's one reason I want to live in the country. I kind of miss him," she sounded sad.

"Oh, baby girl," I cooed, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

"I'm okay. I'll go back just as soon as I'm done here with you. Although he won't be there."

"How come?"

"He does business in the South every once in a while. Closer to the old Ishval."

"Really? What does he do?"

"Just some apprenticeship for medicinal studies. He's only sixteen."

"I got it. Well, I wish you the best with him. He sounds like he's worthy of you. Bring him over here sometime, will you?"

"Of course! And I'll bring Rui, too!" she said excitedly. She'd always had that kind of personality. She was a child at heart. I hoped she would stay that way.

"But call first, okay? In fact, call whenever you can. As long as I'm home, I'll answer."

"Okay, I'll try." She definitely had a smile on her face.

"What are we talking about?" Rui came in loudly. I had a hunch he already knew.

"Oh, our little sister is going to marry a man in Risembool and raise a large family, completely abandoning us," I winked at Yuuki, who was suppressing laughter.

A pause.

"Okay," he replied easily. I almost fell off my couch.

"What?" I almost screamed.

"She's old enough for that now. She can make her own choices."

"Well, yeah, but I wasn't expecting you to be okay with it," I grumbled, my moment gone with the wind. "Besides, she's only fifteen."

"True. So we'd better be invited to the wedding," Rui told Yuuki accusingly.

"U-um…." Yuuki mumbled.

A/N: i like this story. tell me if u do! R&R!