Author Notes: Last chapter of 'State of Mind'. The story is continued on in 'Our Environment'.

State of Mind
A Fullmetal Alchemist Zoofic by Elric 'Hunter' Ward

Copyright:
The Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) and all its respective work and ideas are copyrighted by Hiromu Arakawa and her distributors.

Comments and critique welcome.

Chapter Fifteen

Ward nodded firmly, determination written all over his face as Sting raised an eyebrow.

'You want my help?' The Mustang repeated again, just to be sure. He had been lazing in the cold season's sun, idly keeping watch for any enemies – fellow animals and humans both. It was nice to be able to relax with the pack once in awhile, easily done now that their food stocks were up, den repaired and the pack-mates in his head dulled down to a quite murmur. He had nearly rolled off the top of the den when the young Edward had managed to sneak up quietly behind him, his lessons and hunting practice from the past few weeks aiding him greatly.

All because of his great teaching, of course.

Sting smirked at the Elric. 'Well, it's about time. A little thing like you is hopeless at the art of mating.' He hid an amused smile at Ward's hissing and spitting over his choice words. Having an Edward on the team sure had made things lively. Especially now that he didn't get the urge to eat him. Much.

'I just need some help figuring bits out,' Ward muttered, his eyes darting away from Sting's intent gaze. 'Something needs to happen, I need to do something back to him, court him back or move the courting forward…' The Edward flopped down next to the Mustang, tail lashing side to side in frustration. 'Fons wants something, but I don't know what it is.'

Drawing out the silence just because he could, Sting contemplated the pup beside him as Ward audibly ground his teeth. He was dressed in proper gunbu pelts of blue that he had made himself with stern direction from Flash. The Elric had certainly filled out in the past few weeks and the pack leader had enjoyed watching his bumbling attempts at courting with the Heiderich. It really was interesting how neither newcomer had grasped that they could mate freely with any of them now that they were in his pack. Then again, fellow animals were not nearly as advanced in quick and efficient courtship like gunbu.

Claim into pack. Provide security. Give gifts.

Mate.

It was all very straightforward.

Yet Elrics and Heiderichs were not gunbu, even if claimed into the pack.

Which explained all the courting complications, Edward-mating ban from Hughes and one very cold mating rebuttal from Fons.

He eyed his complicated subordinate, who was twitching from the extended silence.

'You need to do more,' Sting gave in out of pity, 'All you do is play-fight, give small gifts and have groomings. All that is bonding and pack-mate actions. If he is still denying you a mating after all that, you need to do something more for him.'

Ward eyed him expectantly, tail revealing his impatience.

'Sing.'

Silence as the Edward stared at blankly, confusion filling his face. 'Sing?' He mimicked back, 'You want me – I should – how?' Ward spluttered.

Sting tapped his chest, 'The song is in here. It is different for everyone.' He was caught between amusement and pity. Who didn't know how to sing? 'You just go up to the mate and let it out. It always works. No mate can resist a good song.'

'Huh.' With a thoughtful frown, Ward rolled over onto his back.

Sting returned to idly surveying the immediate territory. He was right and eventually his subordinate will realise this and go sing to his courting interest. He had to wonder what a singing Edward would sound like, it would probably be interesting like the Envy's night howls were; although probably not nearly as good as a Mustang. Most certainly not as good as a Mustang. No one was as good as he was.

He smiled confidently to himself. Maybe he would serenade his two gunbu later on at night, just to see the pleased expressions on their face. Mating was always better after singing than gifts –

'Fine.' Ward interrupted his thoughts. 'I will try it your way. It's your fault if it doesn't work.' The Edward jumped down from their perch, landing with a soft whumph and trotting off to find the Heiderich; Sting watching with a curious gaze.

Shaking himself, he rolled off the top of the den as well. No doubt Ward will tell him all about his success later on. He had better things to do than wait while the Elric finally got his mating, like checking up on Flash and seeing what he was up to. Then he could laze around Havo for the rest of the day…

Grabbing some more berries, Fons quickly added them to the growing pile on his strip of carry-leaf. Collecting berries was the best way to think, like to think about how joining the pack with their threatening Mustang had not been too bad so far – except for the one incident where the leader had try to initiate a mating…Fons snorted to himself in contempt, Mustangs had no sense. He was obviously courting the Edward an uninterested in other, pathetic attempts. Not that his Edward was getting anywhere, which was a shame, he had hoped Ward would hurry up and take the initiative beyond a few gifts.

One of his ears twitched as he heard an awful sound coming from the trees. It sounded like the death screech of a rabbit, only much more hoarse and much, much louder. The Heiderich winced deeply as the squawking hit a particularly harsh note and tapered off into a hiss.

What was that horrible racket?

Giving a frustrated sigh, Fons strode towards the forest. The noise was giving him a headache. He didn't need another headache on top of the Edward shaped one. He would put the animal out of its misery and present the pack with more food to be stored.

Fons blinked. Standing before him was Ward, decked out in his new blue pelts; face scrunched up and red as the dreadful noises crawled their way out of his throat.

'What are you doing?' The Alfons interrupted hastily, he didn't think he could handle much more of the noises. 'What is that noise? Are you hurt! Let me see.' He rushed over to his Edward, concern trickling down his spine. It must be bad for him to be making such a noise. Fons quickly grabbed limbs and looked over for wounds, sniffing for any blood. He couldn't see any injury, was it internal?

'Ah.' Yellow eyes blinked up at him, the owner slowly going red. 'I was…singing.'

Fons stared back in disbelief. That was not singing.

'I was singing,' Ward said in a rush, the words nearly merging together, 'That bastard told me it was how to court you back so I thought I would give it a try.' He paused, face darkening. 'That bastard. He was leading me on, making it all a joke on me! I'm going to shove his face so far into the snow –'

Fons' giggles burst out into full-blown chuckles. Ward wasn't in pain; he was trying to court him! Courting him badly in a horrible way at the advice of that Mustang, but trying nonetheless. Oh his clueless Edward.

He chanced a glance at Ward and tried to stifle his laughs a little at the humiliated expression on his Edward's face. 'Silly Ward. Mustangs sing, but Edwards most certainly do not.' He tugged the sulking Elric towards him. 'We've been courting just fine. I appreciate your gifts a lot.'

Ward glanced at him; then back at the ground quickly, lips pouting. 'Aren't I meant to do something else now? It feels like there's something else but Sting just keeps confusing me with his talks of matings…'

Fons squished a thrill at his Edward's words, feeling his heart do a funny flip as warmth rushed through him. Ward wanted the next courting ritual?

The Heiderich quickly pulled Ward closer and began to vigorously groom his hair, giving licks on both ears to show how happy he was. 'Elric's go travelling for the next ritual. So do Heiderichs, but we don't travel nearly as much. When a pair is ready to test their courtship, they leave their territory and go out into the world.' He turned hopeful grey eyes to Ward's yellow.

Ward flicked one of his ears as he eyed Fons back from the corner of his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. 'Travelling comes next?'

Fons nodded firmly, 'Yes…but only when you're ready. You're still learning after all.' He squished the unhappy complaint he felt at waiting more.

His Elric was nodding thoughtfully, that was all he could hope for.

'Come on Ward, help me get all these berries back to the den.' Brushing thoughts aside, he collected his carry-bark of food.

It was the middle of the night when Ward uncurled himself from the edge of the gunbu pile. Reluctantly, he tore himself away, being careful not to jostle or wake any of the others – especially Fons. Putting his stalking into practice, he sneaked over to the snoring Mustang and pinched his nose shut.

He waited.

His patience was rewarded when Sting gave a hoarking-cough, hacked some more and shot open befuddled eyes as Ward watched in satisfaction. Quickly the Elric placed his fingers in the 'be-quiet' position and gestured for the disgruntled gunbu to follow him outside.

Sitting himself in the doorway of the den, Ward regarded the tired and putout face of his leader as Sting muttered his way into seating near him, throwing him dark glares.

'There are easier ways to wake me up.' Sting growled at him. 'Couldn't it wait until morning?'

Ward shook his head, 'I wanted to talk about it as quickly as possible.'

Sting stared at him expectantly, hands rubbing sleep from his eyes. 'Well, get on with it.' He muttered.

'You're an idiot,' Ward started. 'Edwards don't sing and singing doesn't get anything but a confused Alfons. Singing is also stupid' The Mustang frowned at him, mouth opening. Probably to object about stinging, so the Edward pushed on. 'Fons says that the next ritual is to go travelling.' He paused, gauging the gunbu's suddenly blank features. 'Travelling outside of our territory.'

Sting's good ear twitched as he frowned faintly back. 'If that is how Elrics court – a silly way to court, how would you protect your pack if you're travelling – then that his how you court. You should do this travelling so that you can mate and make [pups].'

'What about the pack?' Ward asked quietly, concerned.

Sting shrugged, head turned stiffly away. 'Sometimes packs split up. Sometimes a pack-mate needs to do [recon] or go on a long hunt, but they always comeback. If you travel, you will be just a bit longer.' Dark eyes looked down at him, 'We'll still accept you when you return. You are not gunbu, so some allowances may be made.' Sting's mouth twisted with distaste, as if he'd eaten something bad.

Ward figured Mustangs don't like going against their nature.

'We will return.' He grinned up at him, 'When we come back I'll be the best Edward ever!'

'You better be,' Sting muttered back roughly, 'I taught you to be strong.'

Ward hopped back up. 'I'll talk it over with Fons in the morning. 'Night!' He slipped back into the sleeping pile and nudged up against Fons to Havo's sleepy complaints.

Sting watched his pack for the rest of the night, contemplative. His pack was being split up, but it was only temporary. His unusual subordinates would return.

A thin smile in the dark as he imagined the pack's possibilities when the pair returned.

He could wait.

Until they returned, he would work on improving the pack and make it a suitable place to raise pups and care for pack-mates.

Fin.

To be continued in Our Environment