Disclaimer - I do not own FMA nor Bleach

Chapter Thirty-Two - Envious

"Is that you Envy?" Ed screamed out, turning in a circle in an attempt to lay eyes on the person who now appeared to be taunting him. He hadn't given thought to the Homunculi, aside from that first brain storming session when he had been trying to bring to mind EVERYONE who could possibly have a grudge against him. After all this was the Soul Society and the Homunculi weren't even supposed to have souls.

So how the hell was this guy even here?

"I take it from your angry tone that you know this person Elric?" Hitsugaya said, his gaze also surveying the surroundings in an attempt to pinpoint the location of the enemy.

"Oh he and I are well acquainted," the voice said as Envy suddenly appeared, as though he had used a flash-step. Narrowing his eyes he focused his full attention on Edward. "It's good to see you again Pipsqueak," he stated, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"What the hell are you doing here Envy?" Ed growled, his voice laced with hatred as he glared at the Homunculus through fierce golden eyes. This was honestly the last person that he had expected to see and, as a result, was still reeling form this discovery.

"I'm hurt that you would have to ask such a question," Envy said, his gaze briefly taking in the two extras in this little equation. His intention had been to get the Fullmetal pipsqueak alone but didn't really view the other two as a threat. "I'm here because I followed you of course."

"So I take it this is the person who has a grudge against you?" Hitsugaya said, his teal eyes focused on the rather odd looking guy who was standing a few feet away. At first glance it was difficult to tell whether the person was male or female, a fact that was rather disturbing to the young prodigy.

"This coming from the genius?" Tomori said, his voice somewhat taunting. He seemed to have grown somewhat braver now that his boss had arrived on the scene… brave enough even to taunt a captain. Of course this was a mistake on his part, as soon became evident when Hitsugaya drew his blade in one rapid movement and used the ice dragon to knock the rogue Shinigami on his ass.

Effectively rendering him both unconscious and useless.

"Idiot," Envy muttered as he watched the guy fall to a single attack. He didn't view the guy as a comrade, merely a pawn, and as a result couldn't care less what happened to him. "You should have killed the guy and put him out of our misery."

"Still the same as always I see," Ed said, holding up his staff and preparing for a fight against this foe who seemed to follow him no matter where he went. Determination shone bright in his eyes as he gazed at the Homunculus; if he had anything to say about it this would be the last time that he ever faced Envy in battle. "Absolutely no loyalty."

"What can I say Pipsqueak," Envy said with a shrug of his shoulders. "It's a learned trait…"

Growling low in his throat Ed launched himself forward, swinging the staff that he held in a circle in front of him. He was hoping that this would distract his opponent and give him an advantage.

For their part both Al and Hitsugaya watched intently as Ed attacked Envy, both resolving that they wouldn't join in the battle unless it became obvious that Ed needed their help. Because both were well aware of the fact that the temperamental blond youth wouldn't appreciate the interference. Not that Hitsugaya cared about this for the most part but he realized that this was a fight that Ed needed to take care of on his own if at all possible.

It was his fight.

"Be careful brother," Al said, his hand hovering over his zanpaktou. He made no move to draw it but seemed intent on being prepared should the need arise.

"Aw," Envy said, blocking the staff before sliding his feet forward in an attempt to trip up his opponent. "Looks like your friends are too scared to join in the fun."

"It's not fear," Ed said, catching his balance before he fell and swinging his staff forward. It caught Envy in the stomach, causing a smirk to spread across Ed's face. "It's just that they realize they aren't really needed. I don't need their help to kick your ass."

"Is that a fact?" Envy questioned, recovering from the blow fairly quickly. The Homunculus jumped back a couple of feet, positioning himself just out of range of Ed's weapon. "Because from what I remember these scenarios don't typically end so well for you Pipsqueak."

A muscle in Ed's jaw ticked at the repeated use of this nickname that he loathed but he refused to lose his temper, realizing that this was exactly what Envy was hoping for. Instead he leapt forward, attempting to stab the guy with the pointed end of the staff. Envy just barely managed to dodge this attack, not really having expected it, and the smirk on his face faltered somewhat.

"Come on big brother," Al said, his voice so low that only Hitsugaya could hear it. And even then only because the white haired prodigy was standing right beside him. "You can do it…"

To Hitsugaya it sounded almost as though he were trying to reassure himself as well as cheer on his older brother. His teal eyes shifted back and forth between the two brothers for a moment before settling back on the two combatants. He was interested to see how Edward was going to fair in this battle… and curious to know when alchemy was going to come into play.

Because he knew that at some point it was going to evolve into that. The blond youth had worked too hard to perfect the use of the skill inside the Soul Society to just ignore the fact that he had such a weapon at his disposal.

"It's only a matter of time," the young captain thought to himself as he watched Ed and Envy dance around one another, each dodging the attacks of the other with seeming ease. At some point, and most likely some point in the near future, they were going to have to step up the intensity of their attacks or else it would remain a stalemate forever. Something that Hitsugaya was fairly certain neither had the patience to deal with for long. "The only thing debatable in this equation is who will be the first to make a move."

A/N - End of another chapter and the mastermind is revealed as Envy. Not that I think anyone will be surprised by this fact since most people guessed as much in the last chapter. This being said hope that you enjoyed the chapter.