Thank you for all your wonderful Reviews they've been so helpful for me. I really want to thank Dawn's Twilight for the wonderfully wonderful suggestion, it was most interesting. . I want to thank Syl-chan for acting as my editor for this chapter, and in general tell everyone that I adore you all.

Now please Read, Review, and Enjoy.

Genz Bresslau had been napping not far away from the Lieutenant Colonel's tent; actually, near the last place he'd seen his deceptive little bird, Dalka. At the sound of a bird passing very close overhead he woke up. He'd always been a light sleeper, his ears being sensitive to every noise, save the sound of his charge when she fell asleep next to him.

He looked up in time to see a white set of wings on a large, dark blue bird pass over head. He stood smoothly and followed after the white wings that highlighted the early morning sky. It couldn't have been three in the morning yet. He saw the white descend over the practice field, and changed his direction. Lam and Ami had told him to wake them when Dalka returned.

He didn't bother calling out before he stuck his head in the tent, "Oi, she's back." The simple statement said it all, he heard both women stir before he hurried on to the practice field. Dalka had been acting odd before she'd left. Genz was worried about her mental state. He was close enough to see the light from the transmutation when it happened, and he picked up his pace, soon running as fast as his legs would take him.

He was the first to reach the practice grounds; another guy, probably a perimeter guard, came out of a line of the tents just to his left. The guard tried to step down into the practice area, but Genz covered the open space between them, and grabbed the other man. "It's not safe for anyone else. Stay outside the ridge," he ordered the man, who promptly left at the rough warning.

Genz watched as Dalka attacked her first sandstone figure and then another that seemed almost random in a crowd of other figures. Apparently she'd made the stone figures during that transmutation flash he'd seen.

Dalka moved with a current sense of grace that seemed odd compared to the movement style he'd seen her use when fighting. It was a numb grace, like she was dancing and fighting at the same time. She attacked each figure to a rhythm that was completely her own, but it was a rhythm. He could see her muscles tighten before she made the first flip, but he never expected the mid-air attack. Dalka had never shown that kind of invitation when she'd fought with him.

Lam and Ami arrived just after Dalka stabbed downwards with her sword and split it into two smooth halves. Ami was correcting her bra, and carrying her tank top slung on her shoulder. Lam was barefoot and trying to tie her belt. The two of them stopped next to Genz, neither of them taking their eyes off Dalka. Lam shifted her head towards Genz, so that he knew she was talking to him, before asking "How long has she . . . ."

"Not long," Genz replied, keeping his voice low, "Maybe two or three minutes."

"What is she doing?" Ami inquired curiously, making sure to keep her tone quiet as well.

"I don't know," Genz replied as he looked back at Dalka. She moved so Genz could make out some of her face, "She's going through the anger phase of grief."

Lam looked at him, "For who? And how can you be sure?"

Genz shrugged. "Got me . . . maybe she's finally grieving for her grandfather. I've seen other soldiers go through the phases of grief before, and I'm just guessing with her. She looks like she's angry, and just a few moments ago it was as though she were numb." He knelt down, watching her from a different angle, as she made another flying attack. It was like watching an angel fight; that fact coupled with the wings he'd seen her grow.

He finally understood her alchemic name. She was an angel; an angel with a lot of problems, but still an angel.

Dalka's movements paused for a moment. She stood, walking calmly to the last of the figures. She stood in front of it for a moment, almost completely still. Then she was a flurry of action, twirling so that the blade sliced through the figure several times. When she stilled again, the figure came tumbling down as a pile of rock. She seemed to stand there numbly for a moment, before staggering back, her eyes going to the heavens.

Genz stood quietly, knowing something was going to happen to her, and soon. Dalka's hair and coat, which was tied to her waist, caught the wind, and she swayed, almost falling until she buried her sword into the ground, leaning heavily on it. She went to her knees, in a manner that appeared painful.

Genz moved going down the ridge onto the practice field, slowly at first, then faster as Dalka's hands lost their grip on the hilt and slid down the blade. He reached her as her head rolled forward, and just before she started to lean forward onto the dull part of the blade. He pulled her away from it. She leaned onto his shoulder, her eyes a glassy, dead gaze, even worse than before she's left that morning.

Genz unclipped her sheath and passed it to Ami, who stood near by. Ami gripped the Eastern style sword and pulled it from the ground, stumbling from the sudden release as the blade gave way. Genz picked Dalka up, carrying her like a small child. Her small figure huddled under his chin and against his chest. Her now blind eyes stared straight ahead. Genz was aware of how thin the female alchemist was; it was truly like carrying a child up the hill and back into the camp. As he reached the top of the ridge, he noticed how many people had gathered when Dalka had fought the stone figures.

Genz topped the ridge, in front of Sou. He stopped, looking at the commanding officer. Sou's eyes went from Genz to the alchemist he carried. Gently the lieutenant colonel curled a hand under her chin and forced her to look towards him. He studied her face, especially her eyes. His face softened slightly when he noticed the tears that ran down either cheek. He sighed, tired from the hour. "Lam, make sure she's put in to some sleeping clothes. I want her resting for the next few days. Ami, I'm leaving you in charge of her 'armory'. I don't want a butter knife in her hands until I've stated otherwise." The other two women nodded, and took places on either side of Genz.

Sou continued, "Genz make sure she rests tomorrow. Don't leave her side. I don't want her pulling another dumb stunt. Take care of our alchemist. We can't afford to lose her." Genz lowered his voice and stepped closer to the one-armed soldier, "Dalka's had a tough time adjusting. If she wakes up early try doing something fun with her. You're her brother, she thinks of you as her brother now. However, most of the time, all I see is the soldier." Sou backed off. He turned to the gathered crowd, "You all have better things to be doing then watching this. Be gone."

He looked back at the three he'd given orders to, "You have you orders, fulfill them to the best of your ability, but don't forget your other tasks." He turned away from everyone and began the lonely walk of a commander to his tent.

Genz watches, he doesn't say anything, he can't salute, he just watches. He is the only one that's notice the gray that has increased in Sou's hair line. He is the only one that has noticed the new worry lines creasing his commander's face, and he's the only one who has noticed the new way the lieutenant colonel walked. He walked like someone who's regretting every move he's made and is about to make, and has no choice in the matter; like a trapped man, like someone with more power than they want, and in some ways like a parent.

Genz turned away after Sou disappeared into the night and made his own way to the tent he'd be spending the night in. The girls had already lit the enlarged tent by now. Lam had gone through Dalka's things and found a set of clothes for the youngest girl to sleep in. Genz laid her out on the bed and turned away going to the opposite corner of the shared room. He wasn't leaving her alone, not even with the two women who'd become like sisters to the younger.

When Lam gave him the 'all clear' he turned back. Sometime during the walk to the tent Dalka had fallen asleep; now she lay partially on her side. Her sleeping shirt, an old tank top, was raked up showing of a part of her stomach. Ami was brushing her hair. She had on the white tank top, and a pair of shorts, which showed off leg that Genz raised his eyebrow at.

Lam shrugged, "That's what she's been wearing. Are you going to get out so we can change?"

"I won't look."

Lam sighed, Dalka, can't you understand how much we worry about you? Especially Genz…She just thinks nobody understands her. She knew that for a fact. "Just keep your eyes to yourself . . . ."

"Lam," Ami put Dalka's brush down, "You're not going to let him stay here are you?"

"I let your boyfriends stay here," Lam replied, taking off her shirt. "And do you really think either of us could get him to leave?"

Ami looked at the back of the giant blond man, "Well . . . no . . . but . . . ."

"But what?" Lam's voice was harsh, "But he hasn't dated you yet? He's Dalka's brother, he's more worried about her than us. Whatever problem you've got, deal with it. He can stay here as long as he likes." Lam sat down, taking off her boots and belt. She loosened her pants and pulled on an old worn out shirt. "Go to sleep, morning will come faster than you think." Lam slid her now bare feet into her sheets, before blowing out the lamp next to her.

In the dark, Genz was aware of Ami shifting about the tent, but he paid little attention to it. He waited for his eyes to adjust and for Ami's noises to quiet, until he could make out the pale form of his ward. In the moonlight she was so pale, so frail looking. Why hadn't he noticed it before?

She rolled over, facing away from him. His eyes had adjusted well by now and he could see the discoloration of Dalka's back. With an amazing amount of gentility he reached out and let his fingers touch her warm skin. He felt the odd swelling under that discoloration. He sighed; why did someone so young agree to take on this responsibility?

Dalka shivered in her sleep. Genz slipped out of his coat laying it out next to the cot. He reached up and with a single flip of a switch on his automail, turned off the nerve endings in the arm. He pulled he now heavy scrap metal off and placed it at the head of the cot. The weak metal creaked as he climbed into the cot, pushing and moving Dalka so they both fit. He lied down so that he could wrap his flesh arm around the thin girl. He rested his head so the chin sat on the top of her head and breathed in the scent of wind that seemed to cling to her, and let himself relax into sleep.

I know, short chapter, but I have a major announcement!!!!

IMPORTANT!!!! READ THE FOLLOWING!!! WARNING!!! READ THE FOLLOWING!!! IMPORTANT!!!!

Due to personal matters I will not be posting until further notice… Don't hate me!!! I've made this decision because of personal matters, don't ask about it. I've been asked not to tell any one about it. So if you don't ask, I won't tell any lies. Thank you for those who understand, please I swear I will post again. I have up to chapter 33 already written so it's just a matter of time.