All right chapter eight, I'm trying to pick up more of a plot so it's not going to be symbolism like the first couple of chapters where (well there still going to be some symbolism). I think this is actually going to be a longer story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist

Spoilers: Chapter 102

"Troops" somehow he thought he'd have students along the lines of the Briggs soldiers, maybe young adults at least, instead he stood in front of wide eyed children wearing school uniforms.

"Where's ?" asked a high pitched voice

"Yeah, Ms. Sandra said our classes where starting again, where's ?" said another.

Ling swallowed the lump in his throat, he hadn't wanted to accept it, how could he tell children.

"Fuu's gone," Said a voice from the doorway behind him "He went back to Xing."

"RanFan" Cried the children as they ran to her, all wanting to be the first to hug her. "Where did you go, where's grandpa Fuu, why'd he haffta go back to Xing?"

"I'm sorry, he had to go back for a family emergency." She said ruffling the Childs hair "Look at how big you've gotten."

Ling had never heard RanFan tell anything but the truth, now she refused to tell what had happened to her own Grandfather.

"Anyway, he left you a new teacher." She pointed at Ling "He's one of Fuu's students just like you guys."

One boy, a small one, came up to Ling and studied him for a minute before declaring "I don't like him, he has shifty eyes."

Long ago RanFan might have threatened the child, instead she ruffled his hair again and said "Give him a chance; he was one of Fuu's best students."

She walked out of the practice room that joined the Academy and the rehabilitation clinic and joined Sandra.

"I didn't think you had a soft spot for kids, Ranny." She said handing RanFan a chart with her therapy schedule.

"Those kid don't need to know the truth, there's enough sorrow here in the north."

"Yeah, a lot of those kids lost parents in that battle with Drachema a while ago, anyway let's get started on your arm."

The children left to change out of their school uniforms, leaving Ling alone with his thoughts, and Greed.

"She's tough" he offered.

"Yeah, she handled it way better than I did, and he was her grandfather."

"He was yours too wasn't he? You know your souls family."

"Yeah."

"Hey mister, why are you talking to yourself?"

Ling almost jumped as he turned to face the small boy who had commented on his squinty eyes. He stuttered for a moment trying to think of a believable answer.

"Hey Mister?" the boy said again.

"Yes."

"Are you RanFans boyfriend?"

"What? No, I mean what gives you that idea?" he flustered, his face a bright red.

"She talked about you a lot when she watched us train."

"She's a friend I've known since birth, and she's very important to me." But I've only been a burden for her.

The rest of the class walked in single file, wearing uniforms similar to the one RanFan had worn her first year of training.

"So what had Fuu taught you so far?" he asked the class at large.

Nostalgia rushed over him as the students named and demonstrated the basic martial arts he and RanFan learned so long ago, back when life was so much simpler.

"That was a good session." He called after an hour of watching the students practice with amazing dedication and discipline. "We can pick up there tomorrow."

The students left for their homes, Ling wondered where he would go. He had slept in the clinics lobby last night, but the receptionist had made it clear he couldn't do that again. In his own country he could stay anywhere simply because he was royalty; however he was in a foreign country without money and no political power.

"Prince Yao" called Riza from the door his students had just left through. "I've been searching everywhere for you, are you ready to go?"

"Go? Go where?"

"Didn't the colonel inform you, we've managed to rent a small apartment across the street-"

"What does this have to do with-"

"And as you are a diplomat, we can't really let you spend your nights on the street." She smiled "The colonel could use some help until he regains his senses."

"What about RanFan?"

"I've talked to her; she says she'll come, but only to guard you."

"I thought she'd say something like that."

"You're lucky to have her."

"Yes I am, but I don't think that luck works both ways."

"If you ask her I'm sure she'll disagree."

Chapter nine should be up soon as long as I finish all the projects the school board forces us to do.

This FanFic will remain K+, so don't ask if Roy and Riza or Ling and RanFan will be sharing a room because they won't.