Note: I really fed up with university right now, but I will survive this. I must. :)

Thank you for the reviews, they helped me not to sink into depression.

So thanks:

Alchemist of steel- and of course I don't have any problem with your name. You just confused me for a moment :);

major ed groupie- I'm glad to hear that, I'm really trying;

wishfulliving89 – I hope you like this as well;

TailsMoon- yes, revenge is coming ;) ;

orangevbnin – You are really lucky. But now I will have some more peaceful days as well. And sorry to make you wait, but I hope you still like this:).

A gift

„What- is- this?" stormed the very angry Fullmetal into the kitchen, where Roy was just reading a newspaper. At the question he just raised his eyebrows and never looked away from the page he was watching. However it was really difficult, because the temptation to see Fullmetal's face was very high. But he needed to remain cool.

"That Fullmetal is a T-shirt. I thought that you have seen one before."

"I have. But this… this… this is unspeakable, horrible, this… this…

'I think it is cute. Ideal for little children. That's why I bought it."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT HE CAN BE MISTAKEN WITH A TEDDY BEAR?"

"Come on Fullmetal, you are twelve years old. You should dress like one"

"If it's some kind of joke…" Roy just smirked he was really enjoying himself.

"No it's not. You always wear black and it's so depressing. Children shouldn't wear black"

"I'm not a child, I'm an alchemist. And I also wear red"

"Yes, the color of blood. It's quite disturbing." He added dramatically. Fullmetal was ready to blow up.

"It's none of your business!"

"Yeah, generally it isn't. But now it is, so you will wear that this night. It's an order"

"I won't"

"Are you deaf? I said it was an order. You don't have a choice"

"I won't wear something like this- his voice was so disgusted as if he had hold some shit. "By the way, I can't because it's not just childish, but also girlish"

"Why would it be?"

"Because it's pink and there is a disgusting bear on it"

"That's not pink, but purple, Fullmetal"

"I don't care. I won't wear it!"

"You will because you agreed to be the dog of the army. Now you have to obey me."

"And what would you do if I won't?"

"I thought you care about your brother, Fullmetal"

"You bastard" Roy raised his eyes to look at the brat. His face was full of pure hate. "You are blackmailing me, you son of a …"

"I wouldn't finish that sentence, if I were you, Fullmetal. No, I'm not blackmailing you. We are on a mission, and for the success you have to obey. If you don't, then there has to be some consequences."

"But it doesn't matter what kind of T-shirt I am wearing while I'm sauntering on the pitch black streets… It didn't matter the first time, nor did it matter yesterday, why now?"

"It did matter, that's why you couldn't go in your usual attire"

"But those clothes were normal, but this… this is something from hell"

"Don't be so dramatic, Fullmetal, you protested against those too. You are just so sensitive about your clothes like a woman"

"What did you say? You bastard, I will kill you" Fullmetal really looked ready to jump, when Hawkeye appeared in the kitchen and caught his arm.

"Calm down, Edward" She looked at the T-shirt and raised her eyebrows "When did you buy that, sir?"

"Of course today, while we were shopping, again" Today they went to an another district than the previous day. And it was terribly boring.

"After or before you started to flirt with that woman?" Fullmetal was still very irritated, but Roy's smile only grew bigger.

"It depends on which one you are referring"

"You bastard. Now who is endangering the mission? You should act like a husband"

"I do. Come on Fullmetal, you surely wouldn't think that every husband is loyal to his wife? Or at least they don't enjoy speaking with beautiful ladies" Fullmetal looked disgusted and muttered something that really sounded like "bitch". Surely he wouldn't…

"Sir, I agree with Edward on this one. You should be more careful. At least when we are around. It's too suspicious."

"Fine, fine. But Fullmetal will wear that" the brat shook his head exasperatedly.

"Than you will have to bear the consequences"

"Fine, I will wear it, you bastard" and than he stormed out from the kitchen, and even Hawkeye disapproving face wasn't able to spoil the sweet feeling of revenge.

Fullmetal came back with still sulking face, but he didn't say anything.

"Before you go, we should discuss our tomorrow…"

"Must I go tonight?"

"I thought, we have already agreed on that."

"But it's raining" Roy looked out at the window, to find out that Fullmetal was right.

"And? The dogs need their walk even if it's raining. And you are not Fullsugar, are you?"

"Of course not" he shouted angrily "But it's not too likely that our murderer would come out tonight. So I'll just bring him for a short walk."

"No. We couldn't know that. Maybe it's our chance because the culprit likes rainy days. So you go, it' not an option" The brat this time remained quiet, only looked at him murderous. "Tomorrow, it's Monday.

"You are such a genius" grumbled Fullmetal mockingly, but he didn't bother to answer.

"We must play a real family, in case the culprit is watching us. It's possible that he observed his victims. SO Hawkeye and I will go to work, and you will go to school."

"WHAT?"

"Don't hyperventilate Fullmetal, it's just an act. You will go inside the school, and you can use their library. We notified the school, so the headmaster and the librarian won't ask any question. If it's possible don't draw too much attention on yourself." Fullmetal just groaned, but didn't say anything. "If you understood, then you can go. Your job today is the same." He sat up, looked at him really angry and stormed out of the flat, Black Hayate was in his heels.

Edward really wanted to kill that bastard. He was a cruel, sadistic and a really stupid man. How could he force something like that on him? That T-shirt was horrible, and girlish, he looked like a moron. And if it wasn't enough that son of a bitch sent him out into the rain. It was cold, and he stormed out so angrily that he forgot to bring a jacket with himself, nor an umbrella. So he shivered hardly, but not that was his biggest problem. On cold and rainy days his automails were really hard on him. Usually they were only itching a bit or more, but if he had to stay out in the cold or in the rain it always became worse. Much more worse. That stupid colonel, how badly he wanted to punch him! And all for nothing! There was no way that any sane person would go out in that weather. Okay, their culprit couldn't be sane, but he had to have more self-preservation than try to find his new victim now. Ed watched numbly as Black Hayate was jumping into the puddles happily.

"At least one of us is enjoying himself" he murmured irritated. He wanted to go home, get a bath and go to bed. And he wanted Al. His stomach grumbled as he thought about his little brother. He had to be strong, for him. They must succeed. Black Hayate suddenly stopped jumping and started to walk. "Hey, where are we going?" Of course he didn't answer, but went into a narrow alley. Ed didn't like that, because there he couldn't be seen by Hughes and Havoc, unless they revealed themselves to anybody, who might be following him. No Black Hayate, we won't go that way, come" But he just dragged Ed further. "I said, stop" Then a boy jumped before him suddenly, and Ed and Black Hayate halted immediately.

"Hello kiddo. Be a good boy, and give me everything you have" Ed turned really fast and just about to start running, when another boy stopped him. And at the same time others came out from nowhere. They looked some years older than him and much taller. Of course they wouldn't be a problem if he could use alchemy. But he knew he couldn't. So the only thing he could do was to fight. But was it a wise decision? He had a mission, and if someone might be watching him than it would be suspicious if he thought too well. And they were really too many attackers. Could he win? "Come on midget. You don't have a choice" Edward spinned around and kicked him really hard with his automail leg. He was really fed up with everybody bossing him around. He picked up some broken thing from the street and threw it at another boy and kicked again and again, shouted loudly and hit everything he could. But it was really a short fight. He didn't have a plan and without alchemy they overwhelmed him. One of them pulled out a knife and he had to surrender when it came too close to his neck. And then they pushed him down and found himself in the mud, they were kicking him where he could and called him names. Then there was a scream and he rose his head to watch as Black Hayate jumped on one of the boys and bit him. He stood up, but couldn't stop them to hit him with a broken bottle. The dog squeaked painfully and felt over when they kicked him. "Let him alone" Ed jumped at the attacker, but they pulled him back, and forced him back into the mud. "Shut up midget!" "WHO ARE YOU..." but the boy slapped him hard "I said shut up! Now take away everything he has, quickly" They scanned his pockets but of course they hadn't find anything but some change. "That's all you got you scum?" the leader looked furious. "This wasn't worth the bother" "Chief, I like his T-shirt" laughed one of them and the others followed him. "Then take it and go" their leader wasn't even smiling. He only looked irritated. Ed of course tried to protest, but than he got some kicks and hits so just let them take that awful piece of cloth. "It's too small for you" giggled one of them. "But it will ideal to my little sister. She is five you know" they laughed hysterically and Ed blushed under the dirt. If only he could use alchemy... They wouldn't have a chance. "Let's go" one of them kicked him last time and then the gang left him there to try and struggle himself up. "Black Hayate?" he muttered weakly "Are you alright?" Of course he didn't get an answer so he dragged himself next to him. The dog was bloody, he was squeaking really heartbreaking, but at least he was alive. "Come on, we must take you to hospital." He carefully lifted him into his arms, at least he was warm and he was very grateful because of it. Ed was really cold, wet and dirty. He ached allover and he really was fed up with the night. "Just hang on and stay with me. I saw a hospital not far away. Geez, I lost my mind, I am talking to a dog" He walked really slowly not to drop poor Hayate and of course because he couldn't go faster. Once this mission was over he will definitely come back for those guy and pay back to them. And get back that stupid T-shirt. There is no way that he would let a little girl wear his clothes regardless of the fact that he will burn that disastrous thing. He just really hoped the soldiers hadn't seen the scene. But if they hadn't, than they will see him with bare torso anyway, with bruises and cuts so he can't say he just threw it out. Shit, it was so embarrassing!

Roy started to become really annoyed. Where was Fullmetal? He didn't get back for three hours and as Hawkeye pointed out, that stupid kid went without a jacket or umbrella. Not that he cared about the midget's health, but it would put off the mission if he became sick. So he would burn him alive if he did. And he absolutely didn't feel guilty, so Hawkeye vainly looked at him with disapproving eyes. It was the brat's fault because he just couldn't think. The phone suddenly started to ring and he lifted the receiver.

"Hallo, it's Roy Piper talking" it was their alias. It sounded really stupid, but they just couldn't choose a so obvious name as Smith or Small. Not to mention that Fullmetal would have thrown a tantrum if they had chosen the latter.

"Hello sir. You are the father of Edward Piper than?"

"Yes" Surely Fullmetal didn't do something that they both will regret, did he? "I'm doctor Dan Rowan. I'm from the East Angelice Hospital." Roy's brain became numb. At least he didn't get arrested. He wasn't sure it was a good new.

"Is Edward, ok?"

"Yes, don't worry; he didn't have any serious injuries, but some bruises and cuts. But he refused to let us treat him until we heal his dog. I'm not a vet, you know" the doctor sounded amused and Roy relieved. "The dog is also ok, by the way, we bandaged him. But you should come for them. Maybe with some warm clothes."

"Yes, I'm on the way, thank you" then he hung up the phone.

"Sir?"

"He is injured, but nothing serious. And he got Black Hayate into some mess" the lieutenant eyes was flashing really dangerously, but he didn't want to waste time with worrying about that. So he hurried into the brat's room to get some dry clothes. He was a bit surprised by how tidy was the small room. Fullmetal hadn't got anything out aside from a book. He also had put away all the clothes; they were folded neatly in the cupboard, so he found some easily. When he was ready he joined to Hawkeye who got the brat's new, green jacket and his as well and waited for him with an umbrella. He nodded to her and they set out for the hospital.

"Hello I'm Mrs. Piper. I was informed that my son is here" the receptionist looked at them and then at the papers before her.

"Piper… pipe… you mean the little boy with the dog?"

"Yes!" the woman's face became much friendlier.

"That poor kid, he nearly froze to death. But he only cared about his pet. He was so sweet" Roy nearly started to laugh. Fullmetal and sweet in the same sentence sounded really bizarre. And of course he was worried about Black Hayate. Hawkeye would kill him if the dog got injured because of him. "And he is really stubborn" she giggled and Roy found her cute. And he agreed with her wholeheartedly. "He is on the second floor. Room 11."

"Thank you" the lieutenant shot him a glare, so he swept his forming smile away really quickly. They hurried up the stairs and found the room easily. And there was the brat, in a hospital pajama, Black Hayate was sleeping soundly in the room's another bed. The midget looked a bit battered, but he seemed to be fine.

"What did you do, again? You really can't stay out of trouble, are you?" the brat looked up at his voice and became more cranky than he was.

"It wasn't my fault. It was a gang, they wanted money." he spat curtly.

"Than why didn't give them what you had and you wouldn't have got injured?"
"Because there weren't any money with me, you bastard"

"Than you should have told them and showed that to them"

"I would have done that, if I had got the chance."

"Of course. You always…"

"We should go, sir…" Hawkeye tried to intervene.

"You shouldn't call me…"

"Don't worry, nobody is around here, Havoc, Fuery and Falman are watching" came another voice.

"Hughes what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how is Ed,and say sorry."

"Yes where the hell were you?" looked Roy angrily at him. "Your job is to watch him"

"Yes we did that. But we lost sight of him when he went in that alley. We waited in case someone following him. When we went after the battle has already started and we didn't know what to do. We could have helped him, but it would have been dangerous to the mission. But those boys didn't want to kill Edward, so it wasn't an emergency. So we waited and fortunately nothing too bad happened."

"You called that not too bad? He could have died. Black Hayate also could have died" he looked at Hawkeye warily. "Do I have to do everything myself? If I've been there than nothing like this had happened"

"I really don't want to say it, but it's raining."

"And, I couldn't have used alchemy anyway."
"But you are useless when..." he really wanted to punch him hard.

"Shut up Hughes. Those kids lifted the gift I had given to Fullmetal. It's a great offence."

"You lost your mind" murmured the brat perplexed. "I will get that stuff back, as soon as I can use alchemy. And I will burn that in your office." Roy didn't really play attention. He was too busy with Hughes.

"They could have killed the brat and sabotage our mission. You have to be more careful."

"He wasn't really in danger. But I really understand your feeling, Papa Roy" he laughed hysterically and fled before Roy could have burned him alive. That damn man, one day he will kill him. He looked at Hawkeye and nearly started to scream when he saw that the woman was smiling.

See you next week, when Ed will go to school and I think he is the type who really couldn't merge into the crowd.:)