Guys, I'm so sorry for the lack of update for the past two days. Life was holding me back from the computer, in multiple ways, school and such. Now I know you guys may not want to hear my long apology and get along with the chapter so here you go!

Disclaimer: I do not and would never own Fullmetal Alchemist… except for the 7 books that I have.

Chapter 8: Trouble in Central

First thought when Winry reached the roof top was that she was jealous. What could she say? There was this boy, a male, who had hair that was first of all, longer than hers, and silkier than hers how did that make sense?

"Hi, you're Jin right?" she asked the boy who was currently facing her, blue eyes scanning her as if looking for any markings that she was going to harm him.

Winry hesitantly make her way next to where the boy was lying down and sat down next to him. Jin made no act to move out of the way and no act of avoiding her or running away.

An awkward silence passed between them before Winry felt like it was the time to break the silence. "So why are you up here?" she asked not sure where to start from.

"I needed time to clear my head," Jin answered without even looking at her.

"I see…" Winry responded glancing at the younger boy. He was small for his age, yes that she will admit, but his height was an average. "Would you like to see the preparations for the Fullmetal festival?" she asked trying to get friendly.

Jin glanced at the older woman next to him whom currently had a bright smile turned on, full of hope. Signing slightly knowing that he could say no to a face like that he agreed on going with a small nod.

"Great, we can take my car, the place is not too far from here," Winry said getting up and dusting her pants. She started making her way towards where she left her ladder but then froze… it was on the ground, completely knocked over. "Uh…"

"I'll carry you," Jin offered, "I could jump down from the height quite easily," he added.

"Oh no, that wouldn't be needed," Winry said waving her arms wildly, "I'll just um…" she didn't know what to do, she didn't want to be carried by this boy she barely knew. 'One of the times I wish i have alchemy' she thought sarcastically.

A bright blue light caught the corner of her vision and she turned to face in the direction that Jin was standing. A stair was transmuted leading to the ground, and there was Jin, standing with a piece of chalk in his hand. "Would this work?" the boy asked gesturing to the staircase he just created.

"You know alchemy?" Winry asked looking at the staircase. She knew that it wasn't basic alchemy, especially the swirling details that were covering the railing, and the demon head that was at the bottom. She sweat dropped at the sight of the demon's head, this boy surely had bad taste 'Like Edward' her mind added.

"I've been studying for some time," Jin answered casually tucking his chalk into his pocket, "But this isn't my limit," he added smirking lightly.

"I see," she replied rushing down the newly made staircase and rushing towards her car with Jin close behind.

"Ready to go?" Winry asked offering a small smile, Jin shyly nod and followed the young woman into the driver's seat as Winry positioned herself in the driver's seat.

And after a few mere seconds, the car was off driving along the road, after 10 minutes of silence; Jin finally broke it with a deadpan question.

"Why do you act so familiar with me?" Jin asked, this question was itching up his throat and finally let it go.

"Uh… because you're Ling's friend… we're quite close you know?" Winry stammered. To say the truth she didn't know the real reason either. Maybe it was her attitude that was dramatically improved since she left the cafeteria, but she knew there was more than that.

She knew that it was because the boy was so very similar with her late childhood crush and unfortunately left her alone so many years ago. Although there was always that gap that separated her from the men that came to attract her, she found herself always longing for her childhood friend.

Of course when Mason came over with the same interest in auto mail and the caring smile she immediately went for the opportunity, she didn't want to be single all her life, and Edward would want her happiness too, not for her to be dragged down by him, who was already dead.

"You're lying," Jin stated casually, "I know, you're stammering and that isn't something a person that's telling the truth will do," he continued much to Winry's dismay.

"I'm sorry, it's just that you remind me of a late friend," she said quietly. Jin kept quiet after that, he knew that effect of death, and truthfully it was terrible.

"I see," He simply said before looking out the window blocking any existence of Winry out of his mind, he wasn't in the position to be bothered by things such as this, he has things he needs to get covered.

After a while the car was still driving along the road when a stream of red and gold comes into sight. There were streamers that were decorated with red gold and black, Fullmetal's signature colors. It was really a wonder what a mere 15 years old boy could do to impact such a festival, it seems that this day was entertaining for those around Amestris, even the countryside, especially Resembool.

"Here we are!" Winry announced opened the door and stepping into the scorching sun. "This is where the main event will be held, come on I'll give you a tour," she said brightly before skipping off.

Jin heaved a sign then followed the girl into the rainbow of colors, it wasn't his fault that he was dragged into this, wasn't this what he wanted?

"We'll go hang around Paninya's place, she' probably in one of the alley ways…" Winry said looking around. True enough there were multiple alley ways and dark alleys as Amestris always has, but most of them seem dangerous and it would be better that they stayed where people could see them.

"Winry, I think we shouldn't I'm sure you wouldn't be able to find her," Jin said looking around. Even when it's the preparation of the festival, there were no people on the streets, as if they were driven away by something.

"Oh, come on, she isn't that hard to find," Winry said huffing slightly entering one of the alleyways, a really bad idea.

Jin kept quiet, he wasn't used to the darkness that was the disgusting smell in it, and it seemed dangerous. While caught up in his thoughts a piercing scream was sent into the night.

"What was that?" Winry asked backing away from the alleyway, the place where the scream came from. "Jin, this isn't safe you should…" before Winry could finished her sentence, Jin have already bolted towards the direction of where the voice came from.

It was just that urge to help people that Jin has when there's something he could help and there's nobody except him willing to.

Winry followed him without hesitation, it wasn't her ideal either to leave unattended and she knew that she herself wasn't able to defend herself.

They rushed along the dark alleyway hope to find the source of the screaming. Finally they did reach where they were the screaming came from, instead non female was in danger, only a fellow man being slashed to death, no energy to produce any sound.

Jin felt a strong sense of danger emitting from the woman, she wasn't normal. It may have been the case that the man was going to harm the woman but his man back lashed, the tides seem to have turned. That was when Jin noticed what the woman was using as her weapon; finger nails, long sharp and bendable finger nails.

After his shock moment, Jin came to his senses and quickly grabbed Winry's arm, "Run…" he said in a hushed tone. She didn't budge, so stiff with horror, even her years with Edward she has never seen anything so brutal.

"No… don't go anywhere yet," a low purring voice emitted from the woman's chest. "I wouldn't like any news to get leaked, wouldn't I?" she said turning to face them leaving the man, covered in blood but not yet dead, fall to the ground, almost motionless but the soft whimpering in both fear and pain.

"Why did you do that?" Jin asked cautiously, he didn't want to rush into anything, especially if he was lacking most of his bombs and sharp objects.

"Oh, he was lusting over me, and it is pure entertainment," the woman said finally turning towards the couple, "So who's next?" she asked tapping her small chin with deadly nails.

It took Jin a few moments to process what was happening, but he knew that they were in deep danger the moment the woman came into full light.

She was a curvy woman, with a rather risky dress on, long gloves covering her fair skin. Her eyes were of purple color, and a mole under her right eye, lips full of blood red lip sticks and long straight hair that was held in a bun, pinned by two black sticks. But what really caught his sight was the tattoo imprinted on her chest, he would know it anywhere, for it was the tattoo of the ouroboros…

Jin clenched his grip on Winry's arm, he never expected this, and he was endangering both his life and her.

"You're a homunculus," he stated carefully. The woman still unknown raised an eyebrow, she looked rather amused.

"I see, you do know a few things about us," she said licking her lips carefully, "No wonder Mother has her aim on you," she added thoughtfully. "And do you know who I am?" she asked.

Jin stared at her, he didn't trust her. "Whoever you are, you're bad news," he stated.

"You amuse me boy," she said with a small chuckle, "That was what the last Lust used to call you," she said.

"Lust?" Jin asked, "You're one of the seven sins, weren't they all destroyed on the promised day?" he asked.

"Now, now, I'm not giving away free information," Lust said with a evil gleam in her eyes, "Actually your life would be fair payment… unfortunately Mother wouldn't allow that, so I'll just injure a tiny bit instead." With that thought Lust rushed forward all five finger nails already extended.

"Dammit…" Jin cursed as he scooped Winry up bridal style and jumped onto the roof, he didn't have a chance to fight if he needed to protect someone.

He jumped from roof to roof until he stopped at one quit a far from where the incident began. "Stay here and don't go anywhere, she wouldn't stop chasing us if she doesn't get what she wants," he instructed and jumped back ready to fight against whatever the woman was capable of.

Winry slid to her knees as she progressed what just happened. First a strange woman who had a ouroboros tattoo the one that the homunculus that Edward got rid of used to have. And she could've sworn that back then, she has seen Edward in Jin's image. But that was impossible, Lust's last generation… that was when Edward fought her right?

Wobbling slightly on her knees she attempted to stand but was unable to. She needed to be of some help, or else something like last time would happen. But what can she do? There was nothing she can do.

As soon as Jin left the building he immediately felt Lust's presence nearby.

"You're a brave one aren't you, boy?" Lust shouted her body perched on a roof top wind picking up on some strands of her hair. "You know your skills are poor, especially with no equipment,"

"I know that," Jin replied, "But you would harm Winry too if I was with her, I don't have a chance to escape either way," he replied casually.

"So you know I have the ability to kill her, in front of your eyes even," Lust said fingering her finger nails. "Now I have blood lust, would you satisfy my need boy?" Lust asked aiming her nails.

"Try me," Jin replied slinging off his cloak revealing his normal Xingese attire, braid flying, and two daggers in hands, already in position. "I'm not one to give up either," he said smirking.

Lust smirked, this was amusing, and maybe Mother wouldn't scold her if she would cut off a few limbs beforehand. "Where shall I go to first… the right arm or the left leg?" she asked, "How about both?"

Jin rushed in, the person who starts first get the advantage, and he knows he has the advantage in strength too. "Too slow," he said once he appears behind her back dagger already at her throat.

"Not bad, not bad at all," Lust chuckled, "But you are the one too slow boy," she said flickering her nails behind her back striking Jin on his stomach and his right hand.

Jin was able to avoid getting hit on his right hand but he was hit on the stomach full on. He was still standing but Lust really did hit a virtual point, he couldn't continue for long.

"Come at me!" Lust shouted rushing in towards Jin all ten finger nails at her own use.

Jin avoided the attack with some struggling; he was under her level, many levels, if he could only use alchemy that would be to his advantage. Noting the two daggers in his hand he aimed it towards Lust's throat while moving, he could aim if not for the nails moving at all time.

Jin threw a dagger at her, only for it to be flicked away by the move of her pinky. He still had one, but now he knew of her capabilities.

While lost in thought Lust got him, on the right arm around the shoulder. Jin winced in pain as the finger nail pierced into his flesh.

"Such a pity," Lust said digging her nails deeper into his shoulder blade, nailing him onto the ground. "I was hoping for more of a challenge too," she frowned, "Well never mind that, this is enough no?"

Lust extended her middle and forth finger and pierced two more holes in Jin's shoulder as he shouted in pain. "And do you know, these fingers have deadly poison in them, you'll die in less than a day," she chuckled, "But I'm sure you would survive that, you're too stubborn aren't you?" she teased.

"Damn you…" Jin mustered through gritted teeth, blood threatening to spill at the corner of his lips.

"I'll leave you to be then, boy" Lust said plucking all three fingers out of his flesh, it was coated with red and green poison, she licked the blood. "As I said, blood lust, we'll meet again, for now don't die," she said jumping away from roof to roof.

Jin's vision begins to blur and before he knew it he was covered in darkness. Feeling helpless he recounted why he ever came here in the first place. Right for information of the homunculus, but he really got more than he could manage currently.

Winry wobbled onto her knees as she heard the fighting stop, which always wasn't a good sign, especially without Jin rushing back to check up on her. She have already called Roy and Hawkeye and they said they will come here as fast as possible.

Standing up on her two feet Winry rushed into the sunlight and was unable to spot neither the boy clothed in black nor the violet eyed homunculus. But what she did notice, were the stains of blood littering the floor, including a dagger that was as clean as can be. "That's never a good sign."

Winry ran along the streets in hope of catching Jin fine and unharmed or him already half dead, she betted in the second one but hoped more for the first. Finally she spotted a black and red figure on none of the higher roofs, rushing she grabbed a ladder from a near by resident and rushed to the roof.

Maybe it was how the boy desperately acted to save her, or maybe it was just because the boy was merely a boy who didn't get a chance to live his life to the fullest, whatever it was she felt like she had a connection to the boy. Finally reaching the roof, Winry stared at the figure in horror, this wasn't a normal case, and this really isn't.

Jin laid there, looking half dead, his left arm clutching his right desperately, he couldn't move, the poison is already making its way down his right arm.

"Jin! Jin, what happened?!" Winry shouted rushing to the boy's side, tearing a piece of her blouse along the way, he was losing blood and this was the best way to do it.

There was no response but Winry immediately started examine the wound, only to pause, there's really no curing it. Winry scrunched up her eyebrow looking at the green drops littering here and there, it was poison all right, and a deadly one, one that have already conquered Jin's whole arm. But she wasn't familiar with this type of poison; she wasn't an expert all she knew were auto-mail stuffs.

Winry bit her lips, tear threatening to fall, but she wouldn't let them. Again a friend, one that she barely even started to know, was hurt and it was because of her. If she haven't suggested coming here and checking out this wouldn't happen none of this. A picture of a blood stained red coat flashed in her mind, Winry shook her head, wanting to forget.

"Winry! Winry!" A female voice sounded from below, Winry snapped out of her trance and immediately noticed the voice as Hawkeye's soon to be Mustang.

Winry blinked back a few tears that were threatening to fall and called out for Riza. "Ms. Hawkeye! Here!" she shouted running over to be rim and waving frantically.

Riza and Roy immediately spotted her and rushed up there as fast as possible. They know something was wrong, the looks in the girl's eyes were similar to the ones she had when she found out about the death of Edward Elric.

Seeing the form of the half-dead boy, Mustang immediately rushed to check up on him. Although not a doctor, the middle-aged man knew enough, or else he would never be able to survive in the military.

"He's poisoned…" Mustang stated examine the eyes that were blank white with no signs of twitching.

"I don't know what to do. The poison have already speeded into his whole right arm, we could cut it off, but if there's a cure…" Winry stammered, she didn't want to cut it off; it was too horrible, too frightening.

"I know this type of poison, it was used in the recent war against Drachma," Roy said his mouth forming a frown, "And sadly there's no cure…" he said carefully.

"Then what should we do General?" Riza asked not even trying to hide her concern for the boy, the boy that's way too young to die.

"Cut it off," Roy ordered.

Winry's eyes widen in horror, "General Mustang, you couldn't do that! There must be a cure-"

"There's none," Roy snapped her off, "If we hesitate anymore, the poison will spread even further, he could die if it reaches his heart," he explained carefully, "And we need to do this now,"

Riza knowing the seriousness of the situation handed Roy the dagger that laid stiff in Jin's hand just a few moments ago.

"Winry, you're a doctor, make it clean," Roy said handing the dagger over to Winry. He needed to admit, he himself found trouble in doing it, but here he was handing it to this blonde.

Winry accepted the dagger; this wasn't the first time she had done this. But why does she find it so difficult? She looked at where the poison had spreaded; around the shoulder blade… she willed her hands to stop shivering and pierced the dagger in a perfect slice.

Roy could feel a sense of regret as the right arm, infected with poison drops lifeless onto the cold concrete. Edward would kill him if he ever remembered his past life, but this is really for the best. Besides he wouldn't let the alchemist of the people die again, not this time.

"I'm going to install auto-mail for him," Winry decided, "The moment he wakes up and decides, we're heading to Rush Valley," she said her eyes determined, "And I'll make up for what I've taken from him the best that I can, with my best product,"

And they all knew, that it wasn't as simple as it sounded.

Ah, I feel like killing myself right now. I hate, hate, hate, writing action scenes, that's really the last thing I wasn't to do when writing. And yes I know that it sucked so there's really no need to pound it into me, okay? I realize the Jin should have won the fight but… ya know? Sometimes people learn from our mistakes, Edward learnt that the hard way, as for Jin… you'll see for the next chapter. Believe me you'll want to stick around until the next chapter; it reveals a lot of stuffs.

About the update thing I sincerely apologize. I don't have much time in the evening (where I live) these days so I'll be posting at this time for about a week or so, hope you guys don't mind. Oh, and the chapters that I've written beforehand are almost out, so just to let you guys prepare for the longer waiting session.

Response:

Shadow-Shinobi666: Thank you very much, I love your pen name by the way. Could actually tell that you watch Naruto (right?)

Secret Companion: Oh believe me he is going to talk to Maes very soon… very soon.

Justaislinn: Well… this is indeed in brotherhood and I also think that the alchemy deal Ed made with Truth will stick to the soul… but I really, really, really think that Ed is more badass with his alchemy. But honestly, that's the way I like him.

Cutiepie120048: To be honest that came out without planning, my hands were going on its own.

Anonymous (Guest): Believe me his memories are going to come back, but I'm not telling you when. ;)

Ice Maiden Olivier: Yeah that's diffidently going to happen as mentioned above. And yeah I also think that after the Promised Day Roy would admit the supernatural more easier.

Brightstar4266: Smart, very smart. You really took that more than 5 words into consideration didn't you? :D