So sorry for the long wait! I blame it on writer's block. I just couldn't seem to write this chapter which really sucks because it's such an important chapter. I think I really messed it up. It's also way too short for my liking, but I guess beggars can't be choosers. At least I managed to get it done. I think the problem is that the last chapter ended up really different than what it was supposed to so then the idea for this chapter was harder to work with. Oh well. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

Note: Everything in italics is a flashback.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

8888888888

"I'm glad you're okay, Brother. That could have ended a lot worse."

Edward was sitting alone next to the river a short distance out of town. It had taken a lot to convince Alphonse to let him leave by himself, but he'd already recounted the events to the military, and he needed time alone to think.

"I couldn't save her, Al. She was right next to me, and I couldn't save her!"

"There was nothing you could do."

In truth, Al hadn't let Ed leave. He had tried to stop him, but Ed was too quick. Now, though, he was starting to wish that Al was with him. He had needed time to think, but now his mind was working overtime, bringing up all of the horrible memories.

"You've taken human life before, haven't you? I can see it in your eyes!"

Yes, it was true. He had killed. There was Majihal and Mugear just to name a couple, but the death toll wasn't high, and the reason was always self-defense. It was the one that wasn't that haunted Ed. Little Amanda, only four years old. Yes, it had been an accident, but Ed was the one who had transmuted the rock. It wouldn't have rolled if he hadn't. It was completely his fault.

"It's so good to see you, Kate."

Right, the girl's name was Kate…Kate…Kayt. Ed had been pushing the memories away ever since Kael had said the girl's name. Why did that have to be the girl's name? It could have been anything, but no, it was Kate. And now, there was no holding back the memories.

"Hi! My name is Kayt!"

"Come on! It'll be fun!"

"And you call yourself an alchemist."

"You can't use your imaginary friend as an excuse so you won't get in trouble!"

"Right," Ed mumbled, "Kayt's not real."

"Are you so easily swayed?"

Ed jumped up and spun around. Breathing heavily, he frantically looked around, but there was no one. He knew he had heard someone though.

"Just my imagination," Ed said quietly. "It was nothing."

"There you go again with that nonsense."

Ed looked in every direction. No one.

"Kayt?" Ed asked, a slight tremble to his voice. The voice was older, but it was unmistakably Kayt's.

"Yes?"

Ed spun around, and this time, there she was. She was exactly the same as the day he had left, right down to the clothes. The only difference was her age and height. She was a teenager now, but she still held her childlike innocence. There was no mistake about it, it was definitely Kayt.

"Kayt?" Ed asked again. "No, but you're not…"

"Supposed to be real?" Kayt offered. "Do you honestly believe everything you're told?"

"But I…"

"Went to Wentworth, I know. Cruel little trick Al played, huh?"

"Trick?"

"Al and Winry…they're the only ones who ever met me, right? I never went to your house. Your mom never saw me, did she? How could she honestly know whether I'm real or not?"

"Makes sense…but then why?"

"It's just a guess, but you said it yourself."

"I did?"

"Yeah, it was a long time ago, but you did say it."

"You're going to have to explain that one to me."

"Honestly, Ed! Don't you remember? It was that night you spent the night. You were telling me about how your father left, and you thought it was your fault because you heard your name mentioned. Well, my theory is, Al heard it too. He blamed you and wanted revenge."

"Al's not the type."

"Can you be so sure? I mean, look at what happened when you cut Winry's hair. He didn't exactly stand up for you, and then, he told everyone at school that lie about you. You do remember that, don't you?"

"I..."

"Exactly! Wonder what else he's got up his sleeve."

"Look…I know Al…I'm closer to him than anyone else, especially you! He would never do anything like that!"

"Ah, but what happens when you hold a book too close? You can't see the words anymore."

"This isn't the same thing!"

Unlike their last argument where both kids had gotten angry and ready to fight, this time, Ed was the only one who lost his cool. He curled his fists and only barely resisted punching her while Kayt, on the other hand, wore a smug smile comparable to Roy Mustang himself.

"Oh? How so?"

"People and books are two very different things!"

"Not really. Where do you think the phrase 'I can read you like a book' comes from?"

"…Why are you even here?"

"I wouldn't expect you to notice that I left Resembool. You were too busy trying to bring your mommy back."

"H-how-"

"I know a lot more than you think I do, Ed."

Kayt walked over to the river and just stared into it. They didn't speak, and Ed couldn't be sure of just how long they stood there. It was Ed who finally broke the silence.

"I should go," he said. "Al's probably worried."

"Wouldn't surprise me. That's all you ever do to him, isn't it? Make him worry?"

"Why did you go off on your own like that, Brother?"

"Like I knew what was going to happen."

"But you always do that!"

"It's not a big deal."

"Why do you always have to do everything on your own? You could have been killed!"

"I wasn't though, was I?"

"Only because I showed up! You always try and do everything all by yourself, then you get in trouble, and I have to get you out of it! You don't have to do everything yourself!"

"Wonder if he's still mad…" Ed murmured.

"You're better off without him."

Ed sent her an angry glare.

"Really," she said, "you are. Think of how much more you could do without him holding you back. I bet he blames you for everything. You don't need someone like that pulling you down."

"Shut up!"

"Brother!"

Ed turned around to see Al running toward him. Al, of course, didn't show any emotion, but he was obviously worried.

"That's all you ever do to him, isn't it? Make him worry?"

"Were you fighting?" Al asked.

Ed was confused for a moment. Kayt had bolted as soon as Al had shown up so how did he know? It took a minute for Ed to realize that he had transmuted his automail arm into a blade.

"N-no," Ed stammered. He searched his mind for something to say. He knew it wouldn't end well if he brought up Kayt now. "I just thought I heard someone."

"Well, we should go now before anyone gets worried."

"You're better off without him."

Ed's mind filled with Kayt's words. It was true. All he ever did was make Al worry. Truth was, maybe Al was better off without him. It was his fault that Al was trapped in that suit of armor. Everything that had ever happened to them was his fault. Everything that he should have been punished for, every idea he had, Al was the one who always took the blame whether he wanted to or not. All it took was a quick thought. 'Maybe Al would be happier dead. Maybe he should have died that night.'

And before Ed even realized what he was doing, the seal was broken, and Al was dead.

888888888

Weird, all of that happening, and my favorite line was Kayt's line about holding a book too close. So deep. Very strange for me to write. Yeah, well, that's it. Probably not as dramatic as it should have been, but I was having a really hard time with it. Once the writer's block goes away, I'll try and go back to fix it. But for now, I hope you liked it. I just remembered that the entire idea for this fanfic was based off of the time that Al said, "It doesn't matter what we do, we'll never be the ones in control." Just felt like mentioning that. The parentalness starts next time! See you then!

Oh yeah, I just remembered that I didn't do the review thanks in the last chapter. I'm too lazy to do them this time so I guess I'll just thank everybody at the end.

Equivalent Exchange: I write, you review.