Disclaimer - I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or Bleach. just having a little fun with the characters

Chapter Ten - Graduation and Assignments

Ed and Al had managed to complete the course requirements of the Shinigami in less than three years and today was the day that both had been waiting for since they entered training to become Shinigami. It was graduation day and the boys couldn't help but feel excited. After today they would be full fledged Shinigami and would find out which squad they would be assigned to.

"So Al," Ed said as the two of them made their way toward the Academy for the last time as students. "Which squad do you think we'll be assigned to?"

"Well," Al said as he gazed over at his older brother. "With my powers being what they are I think it's a pretty safe bet that they're going to put me in Squad Four. As for you, I think you'll probably end up in Squad Ten." Mentally Al counted to five before. . .

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! THERE IS NO WAY IN ALL THE SEVEN HELLS THAT I'M GOING TO END UP UNDER THE COMMAND OF THAT LITTLE. . ."

"You should probably quit while you're ahead Edward," a calm voice called out.

"Hey Hughes," Al said as the older man came to a stop in front of them.

Ed was still glaring over what his brother had said however he did managed to wave to Hughes. He didn't trust himself to speak at the present moment so the gesture of greeting was all that he felt comfortable in doing.

"It won't be so bad if you end up in Squad Ten," Hughes said, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

"The hell you say," Ed exclaimed, shattering the silence. "There is no way that I am going to end up under the command of that arrogant little. . ."

"Alright," Hughes said, holding up his hand to cut off Ed's words before he said something bad.

"So Hughes," Al said, seeking to change the topic of conversation before things got out of hand. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on my way to watch the ceremony," Hughes replied, offering the two boys a broad smile. "You didn't think I'd miss the graduation of my two surrogate sons now did you?"

Al smiled.

"And Ed," Hughes said. "Just so you know, the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are all going to be there, including Captain Hitsugaya, so you should probably be on your best behavior." And yet even as he said this Hughes instinctively knew that Ed wouldn't listen.

"Yea, yea," Ed said as the trio made their way toward the Academy.

Graduation was over and now all of the students held envelopes in their hands. They had been informed that the envelopes contained their squad assignments and it appeared as though most of the students were afraid to open them. Instead they all stood around and stared blankly at the small envelopes.

"Well Ed," Al said as he held his envelope up. "Should we look at them and see which squads we now belong to?"

Ed nodded.

"Together?" Al suggested.

Ed nodded once more and together the two brothers opened the envelopes that they held in their hands and pulled out the small pieces of white paper that were contained within. In unison they unfolded the papers and gazed down at the writing.

"Squad Four," Al said, holding up his slip of paper.

Seeming not to have heard the words of his brother Ed merely continued to stare down at the piece of paper that was gripped tightly in his hand.

"Nii-san?" Al said, gazing at his brother. "Is it. . ."

"Squad Five!" Ed suddenly burst out, jumping up into the air with the fist that contained the slip of paper held high.

"Isn't that. . ."

"Captain Kurosaki's squad," a familiar voice called out. "Why you lucky little. . ."

"Hey Hughes," Ed said, all of his concerns for his future now put at ease. He turned to face his former mentor, a wide smile on his face. "So can you believe my luck?"

"No I can't," Hughes said, thinking about the orange haired Captain of Squad Five. Leave it to Ed to get assigned to the squad of the most lenient captain in all of Soul Society. The boy definitely had a lucky streak.

"Well," Al said as he placed the piece of paper bearing his squad assignment in the fold of his shirt. "We're supposed to report to our assigned squad and meet with our captain."

"Right," Ed said.

"Well good luck boys." Hughes said as he turned to leave. "I have some work to do but I'll see you guys later. I owe you a celebration dinner."

"Alright," the Elric brothers said in unison.

The two brothers walked together until they reached the Squad Four barracks and then Ed waved to his younger brother. "Good luck Al. Don't worry, I hear Captain Unohana is really easy to get along with. And with your skills you'll do fine."

Al nodded and slowly made his way toward the front entrance of the Squad Four barracks. His brother had told him that everything would be alright and yet he was still nervous. He had proven adept at healing kidou which was more than likely why he'd been placed in Squad Four however that wasn't all that he was capable of. His zanpaktou had some very unique abilities however he refused to reveal what those were before he had gained more control over them.

"I'll just have to fit in for now," he thought to himself as he made his way down the hall toward the office of Captain Unohana. Then, when he reached the office, he knocked lightly on the door before stepping back a couple of steps.

"Come in," a quiet voice called out.

Al slid the door open and stepped inside the office, closing the door behind himself. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves the young man walked toward the desk where his new commanding officer was seated. "Alphonse Elric reporting ma'am. I'm a new member of your squad."

Captain Unohana smiled kindly at the young boy. "Welcome Alphonse. Everything has been prepared for your arrival here." Glancing toward a second woman, who was seated at a desk on the other side of the room the Squad Four Captain said, "My vice-captain Isane Kotetsu will show you to your new quarters. Your uniforms have been provided and in a couple of days we'll test you to see which rank you'll hold within the squad."

"Yes ma'am," Alphonse said.

After leaving his brother at Squad Four Ed continued on to the next barracks in the row. He was happy about his appointment to Squad Five and relieved that he hadn't ended up in Squad Ten, which had been his fear. The young man wouldn't put it past the higher ups sticking him in Hitsugaya's squad just because they knew that they didn't get along.

"I guess they didn't need something to laugh at," Ed muttered to himself as he entered the Squad Five barracks.

"Welcome to Squad Five!"

Ed looked up and saw Ichigo Kurosaki walking toward him, followed by Rukia. "Hello Captain. . ."

Ichigo held up his hand. "You really don't have to be so formal around here. I'm not big on formalities so I don't expect my subordinates to be. It's just the way I work."

Ed smiled. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

"Come with me and I'll show you to your new quarters," Ichigo said. "You can have the rest of the day off and then you'll take the test to see where you rank."

Ed nodded and fell into step behind his new captain and vice-captain. Ichigo led the way down a series of corridors and then came to a stop in front of a closed door. "Welcome to your humble abode. Rest up and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks Captain. . ."

"Oi!"

Shocked by the shout Ed ran a hand over the back of his golden blonde hair. "Sorry. Thanks Ichigo-san."

Ichigo sighed. "I guess that'll do."

Rukia laughed as she followed Ichigo down the corridor, leaving Ed alone in front of his new quarters. The young Shinigami opened the door and stepped into the sparsely furnished room. Closing the door behind himself he walked across the room and sat down on the bed.

"We're now official Shinigami," Ed thought to himself as he lay down on the bed and placed his clasped hands behind his head. "Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into now."

A/N - sorry to all those who wanted it but I just couldn't bring myself to put Ed in Squad Ten because then I'd be writing nothing but arguments between him and Hitsugaya. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review and tell me what you thought. Til next time this is Hitsu-taichou signing out.