Sorry I know this chapter is uber short and probably has tons of errors in it. My mom and brother went camping and my dad doesn't care what I do on the computer really, so I have loads of free time until tomorrow afternoon. I told myself/forced myself to write this chapter, since it's been in my head for the past 4 days. It's kinda sad and stuff but the next chapter will probably be happy, depending on the mood I'm in.

Oh and there will be 2 chapters after this, I know I said that there would only be 1 more but this chapter was supposed to be longer, but I like my chapters short and to the point. The next chapter will probably be better since I'll be thinking about it before I go to sleep (speaking of sleep it's almost 9, and I'm uber tired)

So night everyone, and know that me and Ed you! ^^

Enjoy :3

Hidden Pain

The morning sky stretched wide across central city, shades of gold, blue and light purple colliding to make an almost unnatural color. I sigh and look at Mustang and Al; they both are looking at me, asking me a silent question.

A month had gone by since the transmutation circle was pulled from my shoulder, and Mustang had warned me that he would take me to the office with him one day. I didn't think that day would come so damn soon. I wore my normal clothing, black shirt, black pants and my red coat. The hood was drawn up to hide my ears and the coat was long and big enough to hide my tail. I didn't wear my hair like I normally did though; it hung down my shoulders somewhat wavy.

"I'm ready." I whisper to them both. They nod and begin walking down the street, Mustang leading with Al walking close beside me. I look down at the ground, examining the shadows of buildings and the dark gray pavement of the sidewalk.

"Its okay brother, it's early and there aren't many people." Al whispers to me, trying to make me feel a little more comfortable. A cool breeze blows through the city, my coat begins to billow out a little and I feel my heart beat faster. Al grabs a corner of my jacket and keeps it from revealing my secret. I shiver from cold and fear, leaning a little on Al.

I can hear and smell people, there aren't too many, just people heading off to work and early risers. Some seem to notice the three of us and whisper some questions to their companion, but who wouldn't be curious if they saw a large suit of armor, a man in uniform and a frail boy clutching his brother's arm like it was a lifeline.

"Are they staring?" I ask Al, not looking up.

"No brother, they're just a little curious but that's normal." He gives me a gentle nudge and I smile slightly. Then I hear the sound of running, footsteps hitting the pavement from behind us.

The people don't seem to notice us as they run by, and I'm glad they don't ask questions. But the one in the back of the group bumps me and I slip slightly, arm slipping from Al's. Before I can even hit the ground my hood slips off, and the blood freezes in my veins. I hit the ground and lay there, eyes wide with panic and fear.

"I'm sorry." Somebody says from above me. I hear him gasp and I flinch, hearing other people muttering close by.

"Are those dog ears?"

"I bet there not real, people don't have dog ears."

"Maybe he's just one of those circus freaks."

I tremble at the sentences they say, this was what I had feared the most. People were crowding around now, trying to get a glimpse of me. I look up and see a small crowd of people, all of them looking down at me with missed emotions in their eyes.

"Back away people, nothing to see here." Mustang says, pushing people away as I just sit there, frozen to the ground. Then someone breaks from the crowd and kneels down beside me, his eyes wander over my face and I feel his hand grab one of my ears roughly.

"There real!" He cries as I let out a yelp of pain. The man then looks down by my legs, probably seeing the golden tail hidden beneath the red coat fabric.

"Leave my brother alone." Al stands over me, looking down on the man with menacing eyes. The man stands up and backs away, looking at me with a strange look in his eyes.

"The freak has a tail too; you guys taking him back to the lab where he came from?" The man snarls. The people that Mustang had herded away are nearly gone, but at least five of them are still looking from across the street, eyes narrowed.

Mustang kneels down and helps me stand on shaking legs. He ignores the man's question and begins to walk quickly down the sidewalk; his face is twisted in rage as he drags me along.

"Those bastards, I want to go back there and burn them to a crisp!" He hisses, looking straight ahead. I know it wouldn't help if I didn't put my hood up, with my free hand I place it back over my head. I look down at the ground and feel tears well up in my eyes.

"Freak, taking me back to the lab where I came from…" I mutter in sadness, tears falling from my eyes to land on the concrete, dotting it with small dark spots. I feel Al's hand on my back, trying to comfort me as we practically run to central city HQ.