And... I don't know what to say in this blank space... I guess this chapter was what most people were looking forward to, for the record while writing this my hands were flying, ideas galore. So after rewriting it a few times it came to this conclusion. There are a million ways this scene can play out, and I was pondering what kind of impression Jin would give off... well go on, read then.

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist does not, and will never belong to me. Otherwise I could promise you that it wouldn't be this famous of now and that I would already be dead thinking of the complicated plot.

Chapter 6: Familiar Faces

Jin stifled a yawn as the desert's sun showered down on him. According to the navigator there was supposed to be sighting of Amestris' within the day but there hasn't been a single sighting of a patch of grass or human civilization up until now.

The small caravan have been traveling for a fair few weeks now and Jin was losing patience, surely he knew that he couldn't go back, but he knew that something was dragging them down.

While in his day dream Meng was just as exhausted, his own horse trotting besides the boy the older had dark lines under his eyes and his skin unnaturally red.

While the emperor of Xing was having the time of his life, he had his own shelter where servants were supporting as transportation. The joy of being emperor, Ling thought satisfyingly. May was beside him sipping from her own china, tea that they have decided should be for her husband later on.

The Princess was casting worried glances at the two dark haired teens that were sweating like crazy, and she swore that there were times where Jin's hair was tinted gold at the tip. That showed off to be a problem, however the effect didn't last too long and after a few seconds it seems to wear off.

Stiffening a sign the Princess' eyes widen as they saw a small town come in sight.

"Finally!" Jin muttered exasperated. They have arrived at a town in the countryside; Jin decided that it was better than nothing. And according to the navigator after this they would be able to use the Amestris train system to enter the capitol without wasting too much strength.

Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose Jin examined his surroundings with interested. There was proof that Fullmetal day was coming up, seeing from the gold and red banners that were hanged up on the lamp pose and scattering around the train station.

"Hurry up Jin!" Meng shouted gesturing towards a train that was ready to move. Meng was already all too familiar with the setting, so was Dao. They were the official Amestris guides since Meng have already regained his memories as Maes Hughes and Dao was once known as Maria Ross.

"Coming," the boy said giving a last glance at the large banner that said, Happy Fullmetal Day. It was rather amusing that the Fuhrer would ever allow a day such as this, but then again it was also called Alchemist of the People day.

Climbing onto a seat, Jin was opposite to Meng, Dao and the Princess who insisted to have a talk with the boy.

"The train is leaving in 10 minutes, during that time enjoy the feeling of unsoreness," Meng said amusement laced into his voice.

"I'm sure their train system isn't that bad," Jin said gazing out of the window where people where walking up and down the platform. Ling have decided to avoid attention and boarded the train without causing a scene.

"How long will it take us to arrive at Central Meng?" May asked glancing at the older boy who was already dressed in Amestris clothing.

"It'll take a fair 12 hours I'll say," he answered a face of displeasure crossing his face, "We're only at the border of the country after all,"

Jin heaved a sign at this. He knew he could pull it off, wearing a mask for many years of his life but then again, 12 hours? That's slightly too much. Jin leaned his head against the window and slowly closed his eyes, better be asleep before his bottom didn't allow it.

The train travelled with speed and central have already acknowledged the coming of the emperor, and the supposed Fullmetal Alchemist. Brigadier General Roy Mustang tapped his foot gently against the stone floor; he was waiting at the train station with his team hopeful to meet the emperor. The man didn't know anything about a certain boy catching up with them, but of course he was there for the sakes of being a representative of the central headquarters.

Roy caught sight of the train stationed at its representative place, he took quick note of this a walked over to the first class cabinet.

Ling Yao stifled a yawn as he step foot onto the platform, the emperor of Xing have slept his whole way through and only got up for food and the stop. Immediately the emperor caught sight of a certain General and a smile enlighten his face.

"General Mustang!" he exclaimed seeing the man, slinging an arm around his old mate Ling immediately started on a conversation.

"Pleasure to see you again Emperor," Roy said through a stiff smile, he was interrupted by a loud yawn coming from behind them.

All heads snapped to the source of the sound, it was a normal reaction being in the military for so long. Roy's eyes landed on a boy slightly shorter than he was, but considering that, he was a rather tall man so the boy couldn't be considered short.

"Mind your manners Jin," Meng hissed, "This is a Brigadier General we're talking about," blinking twice Jin slowly nodded and looked at the man in front of him through his three inches glasses.

To say that the boy looked nerdy was an understatement, he was a downright dork. Mustang as the lady killer he was, was a master at examining from the appearance, and this boy didn't looked like he minded much of his appearance. First off the thick glasses proofed the fact that he didn't minded to get any contacts, the cloak decided that he didn't have any decent wearing, at least in Mustang's point of view.

"Oh have you met Jin yet?" Ling asked in a merry tone, "He's a friend of mine, having a proper vacation,"

Jin knowing his manners stuck out his hand for the elder man to shake. Roy also knowing it as proper mannerism shook the hand, only to get his hand flicked backwards.

Jin upon the man's touch felt an electrifying sensation and immediately on natural reflect flicked his wrist. "I apologize," he said his voice gaining control more than his body.

"Do you mind taking off the cloak Jin?" Ling asked, "Makes you look like criminal."

Without asking much the young boy slipped off his hood and stuck out his hand once again. "Apologies for earlier Brigadier General, pleasure to meet you," he said properly introducing him and making sure his hand wouldn't flinch backwards like it did before.

"Pleasure," Roy repeated shaking the boy's hand, not mistaking the sensation that was still bugging at him.

"Where's our first stop Brigadier General?" Ling asked amusement lacing into his voice.

"Today I'm not your guide unfortunately Emperor," Roy said smirking. Your guide should arrive in a few minutes; I'm just here to amuse you before that time."

"That's a shame," Ling signed a mock frown appearing on his face, "I wanted Jin here to have a guide around the military,"

"I am not interested in this country's affairs," Jin interrupted, knowing that it was rude but still did so.

"Really? I saw plenty of notes on Homunculus and the Full-"Ling started; he was silenced by a fake coughing fit that Jin was having.

"Apologies emperor, but I would rather for you to not talk about my private research," Jin said politely.

Just when Ling was about to counter with a smart remark, the sound of running footsteps didn't allow him to.

A young blonde man around his late 20s came running to the group, huffing and puffing like he just ran a marathon, maybe he did. Jin's first thought about the man was probably innocent. Although he knew that the man been through a lot through the look behind his eyes but that was really his first thought for some apparent weird reason. There was a stabbing pain in the back of his head but for that time Jin brushed it off.

"I'm so sorry General Mustang," the young man, later known as Alphonse, exclaimed. "There was this old lady who needed help crossing the road so…" Roy brushed off his excuse, it was natural of Alphonse to help every by passer he met.

"Don't bother about the explanation, Alphonse, it is proper of you to help the elderlies," Roy said with a blank face, but Al knew that it was better than having the man scowling.

"Ling, this is your guide for the day," Ling said gesturing towards the young man.

"There's no need for proper introductions really," Ling said making an I-really-don't-care movement. "Don't forget that I still have this very annoying sin in my head,"

Roy suppressed an urge to roll his eyes; he didn't need a reminder of the Greed that was occupying Ling's head. "Of course, Greed's still inside your head."

"Oh and Roy, I don't need a guide, but maybe Jin would appreciate one," Ling said wisely gesturing towards the young teen who was yet to be noticed by Alphonse.

"I would rather explore on my own Emperor," Jin interrupted; he really didn't need a guide it would only slow down his process and research.

"Trust me Jin you'll want help on this one." Ling said an evil spark ignited in his eyes, "Alphonse Elric will be your guide and you wouldn't regret it,"

Jin did a double take, "You mean this guy is Alphonse Elric?" Jin sputtered looking at the man who was a few inches taller than her was, only a few inches.

"Yes Jin, you thick brained. This is Alphonse Elric, The Fullmetal Alchemist's little brother," Ling said suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, why was this always their first reaction.

"Alphonse I want you to give Jin a little tour. Meng and Dao already know their way" Ling said dismissing the chance for Jin to scream a sentence of denial. "Mustang and I have some business to discuss," he added his eyes dead serious.

After the "adults" left for their conversation Jin and Alphonse was left in an awkward situation in the middle of the crowded train station.

"Well Jin right? I'm Alphonse Elric pleasure to meet you," Al said sticking out his hand for the younger boy to shake.

Hesitantly Jin did so and immediately regretted it, as soon as their hands made contact a fiery head ache shot through the back of his head and he needed to stop his vocal cords from screaming.

"Jin Lao, pleasure to meet you Alphonse Elric," Jin said through gritted teeth. Hell he knew that this guy was a doctor and he didn't need a person to fuss over him, especially now.

"Pleasure," Jin replied politely in the same mannerism he did before with Mustang.

"So where would you like to go first?" Alphonse asked trying to start a conversation; Jin shrugged indicating that he really didn't care. Alphonse could feel a sweat trickling down his forehead, one of the not so social people. However for Alphonse as the conversation striker he was, this wasn't a problem, some people are an open book when it came to emotions.

"How about the library? I may not have access to the first branch but I have access to all the others," Al offered. Noting the thick glasses and the neat hair do, even though he knew some knowledge hungry people didn't have the same appearance it was easy to determine this one. His brother was a little bit more complex when it came to a bad boy personality or a nerd.

Jin immediately perked up at Alphonse Elric's offer, how lucky he was! "If that doesn't bother you it would be a pleasure," he replied the thirst of knowledge taking him over.

It was never Alphonse's intention to blow up the whole flower shop but somehow along the way it happened. He didn't know how to put it really. At first he just told Jin that he needed to buy some flowers for private business and…

"Jin, would you mind me buying some flowers along the way?" Alphonse asked, he was going to visit his brother later on so it was better not to waste time. Jin gave a shrug indicating he didn't mind. Alphonse beamed at this, the boy was quite polite and seemed like he didn't have a care in this world, but he knew the rigid position and the head that turns at every sound, it was one that have great self-conscious therefore able to be in danger at any time.

Alphonse sprinted over to the shop who frequently visits perfectly ready to hear the sound of the old lady that works there at a daily basis. Instead he found her no-so-friendly nephew who was… currently not so sober.

"Excuse me?" Alphonse said in a small voice, this was when he wanted his brother to charge in and demand for the lilies. "May I have a packet of lilies?"

"Get them yourself," the man grunted gesturing towards the backyard garden where multiple flowers were planted.

"But sir, I am in quite a hurry now…" Alphonse tried saying but of course the taller and more buffer man just glared at him.

"Get them yourself of just piss off," he said almost on the verge of shouting. How the kind old lady had such a wicked nephew? Who knew really?

"Sir..." Alphonse gave up and makes his way to the garden hopeful that his flowering skills were remembered from his childhood days.

"Hey, that isn't a way to treat a customer!" a voice shouted that seemed all too familiar. Alphonse veered around to see Jin looking eye to eye with the taller man… well eye to glasses as Jin's glasses were unable to see through.

"What do you want shorty?" growled the man, his face was still flushed red from the alcohol he literally inhaled.

Alphonse could literally see Jin's face brighten up a shade of red at the short comment. And Alphonse swore he felt an Ed short vibe coming from the new Xing newcomer.

"Are you looking for trouble shorty? I am trained in martial arts and could beat you to a pulp any day," the gorilla like man growled slamming his empty bottle on the counter. Alphonse stood frozen; for once he wanted to see where this was going, and why he mistook Jin's voice for his brothers.

As drunk as he was the man didn't have any control of him and immediately swung a punch at Jin, to Al's horror. Not thinking that the man would attack so recklessly Jin got hit full on the cheek and his glasses went shattering to the ground, completely broken.

"Dammit that was my last pair," Jin muttered silently cursing to himself, but then he looked up to glare at the man.

Alphonse made a double take as he saw Jin's eye flash a shade of gold, even if it was for a few mere seconds he saw it as Jin literally blew the flower shop apart.

The man now unconscious was sprawled on the floor in the middle of pollen and petals that were now quite useless.

"Jin that was too much!" Alphonse shouted at the younger boy who was still fuming and threatening the guy about calling him short (even though he wasn't) and about the trashy customer's care.

"It was his fault for his attitude," Jin said dusting his cloak that was still over his body, including the hood.

"Geez, you're as bad as brother," Alphonse muttered not intending for the younger boy to hear his words.

"Huh what's that?" Jin asked glancing at the older man.

"Nothing," Alphonse answered signing. Slapping his palms together he repaired the shop in a blur of alchemical blue lights and they exited the shop empty handed, obviously.

"I think we don't have any need to go to the library anymore," Alphonse said patting the wall which still has some alchemical marks left on the once smooth side.

"I would think it would be more useful for me to wait until I am able to attend to the first branch," Jin replied agreeing with the elder boy. "Seeing that it is already lunch time the emperor would want me returning soon," he added glancing at his pocket watch, a small golden one.

"That is fine with me," Alphonse shrugged making his way towards head quarters. "So is this your first time here at Central Jin?" Alphonse asked, still trying to hit off with a conversation that will at least last a few lines.

"It is my first time," Jin replied, careful with his words making sure not to slip too much of his research, "But I have heard a fair deal of this country's government and such."

"Have you heard of my brother? The Fullmetal Alchemist?" Alphonse asked his voice hopeful.

"Yes I have. For a man who saved the Emperor's life he is suppose to be quite famous," Jin answered eyes searching wildly for any material to make glasses out of; he felt uncomfortable without them.

"I see," Alphonse, answered smiling, the boy was finally saying a complete sentence, to him anyways. "Are you searching for something?" he asked noticing the boy's head sweeping left and right continually.

"Ah, just searching for any materials to make my glasses out of," Jin answered stammering slightly on his word, which was something that was very a very unlikely thing for him to do.

"Oh, you couldn't see without them?" Alphonse asked, realizing how thick the boy's glasses really were, inches to be exact.

"No, I just feel slightly uncomfortable without them," Jin answered his eyes still sweeping the shops for wires and shards of glass; they should work well as glasses.

"Do you want mine first? They aren't as thick but they are glasses," Alphonse offered fetching out his reading glasses, hey age could catch up to him too and considering the amount of books he read as a child people were surprised why he wasn't wearing them at the age of 9 or something.

"Thanks," Jin simply said, looking up to offer the man a smile.

Alphonse felt a pang of… was it sadness? No it was regret: as the boy looked up at him and offered a smile. It wasn't a smile that he usually offered to the elders, it was more of a thin line that wasn't in a frown or a scowl, something Alphonse knew the boy did a lot. But it was still a sign of appreciation and well… Al appreciated it.

"Never bother, it never use them anyways," Al said smiling at the boy who slipped off his hood to reveal messy black hair that fell back to his hips, very long in other words. Alphonse watched the boy as he slipped a brown string out of his pocket and in swift movements tied his hair in a ponytail, slipping off his cloak on the way.

"Ready to go?" Jin asked slapping Alphonse out of his daze. He slowly slipped on Alphonse's glasses; they were the oval kinds that could only see half the scene through the glass.

"Yeah, let's go then. The General's probably waiting for me too," Al said looking quite confused. He didn't notice it at first but this boy, Jin, acted very much like his deceased brother. Maybe not in the attitude he normally shows around him, but when he was beating the man up in the shop, there was a slight moment where he could mistake Jin as his brother.

Maybe it was the boy the boy's bangs frames his face, or maybe it was the eye that ended in a shard turn, or it was the way the boy's right hand barely swung when he walks, what ever it was, Jin did indeed remind Alphonse of his brother.

The two arrived at head quarters, Alphonse saying that the General probably is having lunch in his room along with the emperor. Head quarters really didn't change in the past 15 years, the same hallway and all. The only thing that changes is probably the red and gold that decorates the hallways; in celebration of Fullmetal day.

After a while the two boys arrived in front of the General's room where Alphonse stopped to knocked a few times.

Jin really felt the urge to bust the door open, like it was a natural thing to do, as freaky as it was. His bad mood have obviously still haven't disappeared, his eyes were still lined with gold, which was more noticeable, due to the glasses that Alphonse provided.

Alphonse didn't question the boy's eye color, it was natural for Xing people to have a little bit of Xerxes blood, and his father did visit the country after all. But what he wanted to question was the sky blue since Xingese people normally have black eyes that end in slits like Mustang or Ling's. Deciding that he will ask the emperor of Mustang later he brushed the subject off.

Another comment, I think I might've made Alphonse slightly OOC, I'm not sure, same goes with Mustang. Did I made him too formal? But then again the only time he's on his crazy run is when he is in his office doing his stuff which does not include military work. Ah... I couldn't wait to post the next chapter... that reminds me.

Announcement

I know this is slightly selfish of me, but I really want to know what you guys think about this story so far. I don't know where to go next if you guys don't tell me so. With that said, for this chapter only as a trial I'll wait for 5 reviews before posting the next chapter. I know selfish of me, but I'm really craving those thoughts on the story.

Also the reviews on the last chapter, I think I got 3 as a total, Thank you so much! They made me smile the whole day. And the questions will be left unanswered of course. I make a point not to answer the questions that will reveal too much of the plot, with that said I'll be taking my leave!

Don't forget to Favorite, Follow, and Review! I'll be looking forward to the alerts!