(A/N: Here's chapter fifteen! Orihime confronts Scar for the first time. How would she handle the hateful alchemists' killer? Would she survive the encounter? Find out! Enjoy!

Thanks for everyone who reviewed since the last chapter! There's really isn't specific responses since it's just everyone giving suggesting what powers Nina should have. I already have a power in mind, but I might secondary powers. I would to thank treyalexander63917 for being the one hundredth person to follow this story, and a guest review [wish I knew your name] for being the fiftieth person to review this! Once again, thanks again everybody!)

Dealing with the Cycles of Destruction

Edward laid down down on his bed, scowling. This wasn't just his normal scowl. It was deeper and more serious as Ed's thoughts were filled the events of last night. It was the crack of dawn to be exact.

No matter how many times his mind drifted to the night Orihime saved Nina, which he was grateful for, he couldn't figure out how she was able to do it. And that's what bothered him!

Edward formulated different theories and hypotheses on how Orihime was able to deconstruct Nina and Alexander without causing damage to them or herself. But nothing made any goddamn sense! Where was the Equivalent Exchange?

Not mention, Orihime used her healing technique to save Nina. So, does that mean it's not merely healing?

"Urgh!" Edward clenched the side of his head in frustration. "How the hell was she able to do it?" This was the second time, he was questioning how Orihime was able to bypass the laws of Equivalent Exchange without suffering any consequences. She didn't even have a damn Philosopher's Stone for crying out loud!

Gloved hands flipped through a pink, floral patterned notebook. It was the same book he saw her writing in during their stay in Youswell. He knew that this was a complete invasion of her privacy and that even Alphonse would disapprove, but he didn't care. That girl has been keeping too many secrets from them, and just when he was beginning to trust her. He wondered what else she was hiding from them.

It was surprisingly easy for him to swipe it from her bag in her room and sneak off with it. Then again, she did mention she was really tired and went straight to bed as soon as they entered their hotel room. He just didn't think she'd be that tired.

Edward flipped through the pages of the small book. He couldn't read any of it because it was written in a different language. What was it? Xingese? Was Orihime from Xing?

No, that wouldn't make sense because she mentioned once before she came from Japan. Is this how her language is written? Why did it look so similar to Xingese?

This was becoming even more frustrating! How could he find and decipher Orihime's secrets, if he can't even read any of it the first place? Maybe he should've taken the time to learn different languages other than just Amestrian.

The blond alchemist finally came upon a page that was written in his language, and just when he seconds away from tossing the book away in anger and discontentment.

He couldn't read the date, but the rest of it was perfectly coherent for him. The words were neat and yet, at the same time, sloppy as if she was experimenting in writing something completely foreign to her.

"Well, this my first writing in a different language. My English teacher told my English was becoming exceptionally good, so I wanted this entry in it to commemorate the moment.

Anyway, I'm glad me and Tatsuki were able see the new sci-fi movie that came out it. It was really cool and funny. I especially enjoyed the part about where the alien managed to trick the main characters and almost gone access to their spaceship. I know, I'm supposed to be rooting for the good guys, but I still find that part very clever and funny.

There's really not much to else. I have schoolwork to get to before I go to bed.

P.S. I saw Ichigo today. He was...fighting some neighborhood thugs. It was kind of scared that he'd get hurt. But I know Ichigo's strong. He's always so brave and strong. And he was protecting a little boy's grave, who died in a car accident over a year. That's so sweet! Apparently, one of the thugs accidentally destroyed a toy train that was placed their in memory of the little boy.

Ichigo's always so kind and thoughtful. I don't understand why people are scared of him or why they call him a delinquent punk. He's always helping people, even though he never admits it. It's just one of things I admire about him.

If I could do that… Going around helping people who are in trouble… I think that'd be...truly wonderful!"

Edward reread the entry over and over to see if he could find any hidden messages in it. But nothing came up. It was pretty straightforward.

He growled lowly to himself. There's nothing in here that gave a single clue to Orihime's alchemy. Damn it all!

He flipped through the pink notebook one more time just to make sure there was another entry that written in Amerstrian for him to read. When he couldn't find any, he gave up.

Ed skillfully managed to put the notebook back in Orihime's bag where he found it without disturbing her or Nina. There was still a bit a time before the ginger haired girl wakes up, so he decided to take a shower to cool his head.

Orihime went around the kitchen, fixing breakfast for herself and Edward. And not to mention Alexander, who was playing with Alphonse in the living room. Nina was still asleep, and she doubted the girl would wake up any time soon with her soul being merged with another foreign soul, and then suddenly extracted from that soul. The little girl should be extremely exhausted and be out for a couple of days, maybe a week or two at most.

Although, the auburn haired girl could pretend everything back to normal, she would be lying to herself. She knows exposed more of her powers to Ed and Al than she intended to. But she also knew that she didn't have a choice either. She wasn't going to allow the girl to suffer that horrible fate her selfish, depraved father placed upon her. She only hoped the incident wouldn't leave the poor girl traumatized, unable to trust any alchemist, like Edward and Alphonse.

However, Orihime had bigger issues to deal with at the moment. She was not oblivious of the occasional glares Edward was sending her behind her back. She smiled and hummed away as she cooked to hide how distraught she was feeling. She knew she lied to him and she was partly aware of the fact that if he knew the truth, that he'd start to feel distrustful towards her, maybe even hate her, but she didn't have a choice. That didn't make it any less hurtful though.

The auburn haired girl set the plate of pancakes and fried eggs for the two of them as well as a few raw sausages for Alexander to feast upon for now. They didn't have any dog food, so the raw meat would have to do.

Edward grunted when he heard Orihime announced breakfast. He slowly set down the book he was reading, and leisurely walked over to the kitchen. He took a seat at the table with his brother taking one next to him.

He watched as Orihime set a bowl dog for Alexander, and the large dog padded over, and began eating his meal. She sat down on the chair across from him, and began digging into her meal. She didn't bother to start up a conversation.

The silence that followed was deathly tensed. None of them knew what to say, not after the events of last night. Edward wanted to badly question her on how she was able to deconstruct the Nina chimera last night. But knew who couldn't, only because it'll go against the deal they made last night.

She'll save Nina lives, in exchange, for him and Al not to question how she did it and not to tell anyone what she did, not even Mustang, his superior. They even how to lied and told the Colonel that Tucker experimented on some random stranger instead of his daughter, and the chimera ran away. In response, the Colonel sent soldiers to look for the talking chimera that doesn't exist anymore. It's not that he felt bad about lying Mustang, he didn't care about that at all. It's just all these unsolvable concepts was killing him!

Equivalent Exchange... How he worships and loathes the laws of equality.

Orihime finally broke the silence that was hovering gloomily among the three. "So? What are we going to do now?" she asked, timidly. She could still feel that Ed was mad was her, and Al felt somewhat uncomfortable, dealing with his sulking brother and his nervous female friend.

The blond alchemist merely snorted in annoyance as he took a bite of his pancakes, not even giving the girl a second glance.

"Do you know when Nina would wake up, Orihime?" Alphonse asked her, trying to keep some form of conversation going since she already initiated one.

"I don't know exactly when Nina would wake up," she answered, honestly. "Should be a couple of days, maybe a week. The problem would be, what would happen once she wakes. No doubt being experimented by her dad would traumatize Nina," she concluded, sadly.

Al nodded his head, feeling a bit sad at the mention of Nina's potential breakdown. "It's still pretty amazing that you were able to save Nina's life, Orihime!"

The ginger haired girl blushed lightly at the compliment. "It was nothing, really. I'm really didn't do anything impressive."

Edward scoffed. "Nothing impressive? Yeah, right. You'd just bypass the laws of Equivalent Exchange without any repercussions. How can you call that unimpressive?"

"Brother!" the younger Elric sighed in exasperation. "Please don't start a fight!"

"No, Al!" the blond alchemist interjected, heatedly. "You can't deny the fact that she…" He pointed a ruthless finger in Orihime's direction. "...Totally disregarded the laws of Equivalent Exchange! And she wasn't even punished for it! She saved Nina's life by deconstructing her chimera form, and she didn't even suffer for it! Do you realize how much blood, sweat, and tears we've shed by that stupid law?! And not just us, so many other alchemists live by the equality of taking and giving. How can she ignore the laws of the universe? How?! Don't you know how messed up that is?! I hate this whole damn thing! It's damn unfair! That's why I can't stand her! There must be some damn secret that she's not telling us!"

"BROTHER!" Al exclaimed, promptly getting Edward to cease his spiteful rant.

"What, Al?" he questioned, his voice laced with bitterness.

Alphonse merely pointed across from him, and Edward turned to see a crying Orihime.

Orihime couldn't help the tears that was stremming down her face. She knew he'd probably hate her for keeping him in the dark. Edward never seemed like the type that likes being kept out of the loop, having an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. However, actually being told he hated her really hurts. She couldn't stop the tears that brimmed from her eyes from his accusations, and before long they burst through.

"I'm sorry if I've been inconvenience to you," Orihime whispered, her voice hoarse by her silent crying. "It's my fault for giving you a peek into the cat's box when you obviously weren't ready yet, but I can't… I can't show you what's inside. I'm sorry. I-I'll go now."

She stared dejectedly at her feet as she scooted out her seat and headed towards her room.

Now Edward felt like such an ass. He didn't mean to make her cry. He was just so frustrated.

"Brother…"

He turned his guilt ridden gaze towards his little brother.

"YOU ARE SUCH AN ASSHOLE!"

The force of Alphonse's fist hit him so hard, it knocked him of his chair, leaving him momentarily stunned and the chair collapsed on its side.

"How can you be so damn ungrateful?!" Al yelled, furiously, glaring at Ed with seething red eyes. "Orihime just saved Nina's life! She did something that we couldn't do! For god's sakes, if it wasn't for her, who knows what would've happened to Nina?! So, she bypassed the laws of Equivalent Exchange? We don't actually know that she actually did or did not! Have you thought that something may have affected her on the inside?! Not everything taken from Equivalent Exchange is something that you could see! Have you forgotten Orihime lost everything?!"

Golden eyes widened with guilt and remorse as they averted their gaze towards the ground. He knew Alphonse was extremely angry with him. The only times he curses is when he is practically seething with fury. And being told what an ungrateful asshole he was just made him more shameful about his attitude.

He was just so caught up in his own anger and self loathing with his inability to save Nina from the terrible fate her father put her in, and feeling envious towards Orihime for doing the impossible, something not even he could do.

"I know, Al…," he admitted, a hint of shame and guilt lingering in his tone. "I know… I just…"

"Well, if you know, Ed, then go apologize to Orihime!" Alphonse demanded, heatedly. "Right. Now!"

Edward didn't need to be told twice. He dejectedly stalked towards the room Orihime shared with Nina for the time being.

He stood nervously by the door, unable to form words of apology. Ed didn't know he'll face the hurt filled girl, knowing he was the one responsible for making the usual cheerful girl burst into tears.

He wondered if she'll lash out at him and spit spiteful words at him, trying to hurt him just as much as he hurt her. He wouldn't blame her. It's his fault for being an insensitive jerk.

Edward tentatively and anxiously knocked on the door lightly. "Ori-Orihime," he called the girl's name, quietly.

There was no response.

"I'm coming in now," he announced, slowly grabbing the doorknob. Discreetly, he opened the door slightly, enough to peek his head inside. "Orihime," he whispered, glancing around the room. There was a small bundle hidden under the blanket, which was rising and falling faintly, indicating Nina was sleeping.

But there was no sign of the auburn haired girl.

Fearing the worst, Edward stepped inside the room. He checked the corner where she usual kept her pink bag to find that it was gone. His heart clenched up in shame and guilt.

Orihime ran away, and it's all his fault.

Orihime sat at bench near the water fountain, being drenched under the pouring rain. It was bright and sunny up until a moment ago. She usually enjoys being in the rain, but now she feels nothing but sorrow and regret.

She wondered if she go back and explain herself. Tell them the truth about her powers, the existence of other worlds, Soul Reapers, and Hollows. But what would Edward and Alphonse say in response? Would they hate her more? Call her crazy? Send her to a mental institution on the pretense of 'helping' her?

No. She shook her head, solemnly. She couldn't do that. Besides, they wouldn't believe her until she provides actual proof of their existence. As Edward said, they are scientists, they don't believe in unprovable concepts.

The auburn haired girl sighed, dejectedly. Guess, her only choice was to run away. Run away, try to find some way back to Karakura, and never see their faces again.

But just the mere thought of leaving without a proper goodbye didn't sit well with the mild mannered girl. It wouldn't be fair to her and it wouldn't be fair to them. Although, how was she going to face them, if they despised her?

Just then a large explosion interrupted Orihime's melancholic thoughts.

"Huh?" She nearly jumped out of her seat in surprise.

Another explosion sounded out in the distance, and she could see a large dust cloud and rocks flying.

There was definitely a battle going on, and a brutal one at that. Probably the most abominable she's witnessed since coming to Amestris.

What if Edward and Alphonse were in it? What if they were in trouble? She heard jokes about them being focal points for fights and disasters.

Then she remembered Hughes words from yesterday.

"Tell him to watch out for a serial killer. He's targeting State Alchemists like Ed and Roy."

Ah, shoot!

With everything going on between the shock and horror of Nina's chimera transmutation and their unpleasant argument this morning, the ginger haired girl forgot to warn them about the serial killer on the loose, targeting people, like Edward.

As much as Orihime was scared of facing them so soon after their earlier fight, she couldn't just leave them to die. They were her friends. She's got to go save them!

Edward stared up in defeat at his would be killer.

It was just minutes after he and Alphonse started searching for Orihime that they were approached by a dark skinned man wearing sunglasses with an x shaped scar on his face.

He questioned whether Ed was the famed Fullmetal Alchemist, and once the blond alchemist confirmed it, a battle shortly escalated.

The fight was short, painful, and brutal. It resulted in the Elric brothers being cornered in a random alleyway with Alphonse's armor being shattered on his left side and Edward's automail arm destroyed, rendering them both defenseless from the man's wrath.

"If… If you kill me, would you let my brother go?" Edward asked, already accepting his inevitable death.

"Brother!" Alphonse yelled, horror struck, unable to move his armored body.

"The only one receiving God's wrath is you, Fullmetal Alchemist," the man replied, cryptically. "As long as your brother doesn't interfere, I'll let him go."

Ed sighed in an odd mixture of relief and defeat. Even if he dies, at least Al would be safe.

Alphonse was desperately screaming for his older brother to move, to run away. He was so scared! He couldn't bare to lose the only family member he had left!

Suddenly, a stream of bright orange light shot at the dark skinned man, causing him to jump back, preventing him from delivering a killing blow on Edward.

"Edward! Alphonse! Are you guys okay?!"

All three of them turned towards the sound of the feminine voice to see an auburn haired girl approaching the scene.

"Orihime?!" Alphonse exclaimed, shocked.

"What the hell are you doing?! Get out of here! It's dangerous!" Edward yelled, angrily, most likely born from worry over the girl's safety.

Orihime stood in front of him, protectively. "Then let me be selfish and protect you two of my own volition."

She glanced behind her and vaguely and her eyes widened for a fraction of a second at Edward's missing right arm and Alphonse's half destroyed body. They were more injured than she perceived they'll be.

"Girl, you should listen to the boy and run away," the man hissed. "If you interfere, I would not spare you from God's wrath."

She gave the assailant a half smile. "Sorry, but I can't do that. I can't leave my friends here to be killed by you!"

"Don't be stupid, Orihime!" Ed shouted. "He'll kill you!"

She took an involuntary step forward, staring the man down. "Then I'd just have to make sure he doesn't." A golden stream dug itself in the ground a couple of inches in front of Edward going about two meters in length. "Edward, please look after your brother. I'll make sure he doesn't took one step across this line."

"So…?" The man glared at the ginger haired girl through his sunglasses. "You are planning to protect the Fullmetal Alchemist?"

"I said before, I won't let you hurt my friends!" Orihime reiterated, determinedly.

Without a second to spare, the scarred man charged at the girl, right arm stretched, charging red with an unknown force. She barely reacted fast enough to dodge his attack, and watched in slight bewilderment as it exploded the ground. At least now she knew what was the cause of all those explosions.

He swiftly twisted his arm around, preparing to blow the stunned girl's brains out. On instinct, Orihime activated her Santen Kesshun, the triangular shield protecting her from the blast.

"What is this?" the man hissed, eyeing the shield critically. "Are you an alchemist?" He didn't even see her use a Transmutation Circle or clap her hands together, like the Fullmetal boy.

"No, I wouldn't call it alchemy, but if I told you what it was, you'd probably wouldn't get it," she answered, truthfully. Gray eyes stared intensely at the man. She didn't want to hurt him, but he knew he'd keep attacking her until he kill her. She's been through plenty of battles against Hollows and Arrancar before, so fighting a mere human shouldn't be that tough.

The man glowered at her. Was she mocking him?

The auburn haired girl shook her head to clear those naive thoughts. Just because she's fighting another human doesn't mean she should get cocky and careless. Not to mention that he's using some type of skill, meaning he's not an ordinary human. Perhaps, alchemy? Every humans' abilities in this world seemed to be alchemy of different types. Who's to say his isn't a certain of alchemy?

"I'll just stall him until Mustang arrives," she inwardly concluded, knowing full well the military are after this guy.

"Orihime! Look out!"

The aforementioned girl barely had time to react as he grabbed her left arm and tossed her aside, her back crashing hard against the side of the building. She let out a painful gasp as the air in her lungs temporarily left her.

Urgh! He might not be a Hollow, but she also doesn't have much battle experience herself, at least, not compared to Ichigo or her Soul Reaper friends. Not even Chad and Uryu.

"You'd be better off staying where you are, girl," the man informed her, darkly. "Don't get in my way, and I'll let you live." He turned his attention back towards Edward. "Now, Fullmetal, time to face God's wrath."

This seemed to bring some memories to the ginger haired girl.

"If you want Orihime, then you'd have to get through me first!"

Shiten Koshun was activated in a split second stopping the scarred man's assault on Ed, leaving both men startled when the former's attack was reflected back him, slicing through his right shoulder.

"Didn't I say before, I won't let you take one step across that line?" Orihime stated, eyes burning with fearless determination as she lifted herself off the ground. "If you want Edward, you'd have to get through me first!"

She was breathing a little harder. Using Shiten Koshen always kept quite a bit of toll on her since she hasn't completely perfected the move yet.

Without a word, the scarred man slammed his hand on the ground, causing a spark to run through until it reached the building above the girl. The walls collapsed. Orihime quickly activated her triangular shield to preempting the rocks from crushing her.

She quickly made a sideways flip when the man's charged arm hit the ground she was previously occupied, blowing it up.

"Your movements are too slow," the man stated, darkly.

"Huh?"

Orihime was caught in her momentary state of confusion.

The only thing she could register next was pain. Excruciating pain shooting at her right side. A piercing scream erupted from her lips as she fell on the ground, holding her tore up torso. Not only was her shirt tattered and her skin ripped, a profuse amount of blood was flowing through and it felt like her insides were slowly being frayed.

Was this his alchemy? Ripping things apart from the inside out?

She winced when she struggled. Dear god, it hurts!

"NO! ORIHIME!"

The auburn haired girl could vaguely register Edward's panic filled voice. She was losing too much blood and her vision was fading fast.

Was this it? Was she going to die?

Memories of her life flash before her eyes. From her living with her older brother and his eventual death. Her blossoming friendship with Tatsuki through her junior high and high school days. The trauma of seeing her Hollowfied brother and Ichigo fighting to the death, and the awakening of her powers. After ten days of training, she followed Ichigo into the Soul Society to rescue Rukia from execution. Her horrific kidnapping by Aizen and his Arrancar, and the joy she felt when Ichigo and the others came to rescue her.

All her memories were flowing through her like a rushing torrent of overwhelming emotions. Was this all she had? God, she was so pathetic! So weak and pathetic! Didn't she promised herself she'd get stronger to be able to fight and stand by Ichigo's side? How can she hoped to support him, if she can't even stand up to this serial killer?

Remorse tears started to fill her gray eyes. "Haven't I gotten any stronger since the Winter War? I try and try, and yet, I'm always beaten and relying on others to rescue me. At this rate, I can't even protect Ichigo!"

Orihime clenched her hand into a fist. "No! I can't let it end like this! I have to protect Edward and Alphonse! I promised I would!" She struggled to get up, ignoring the pain at her side. At least, she managed to reject most of the scarred man's attack somehow, so it wasn't her injury wasn't as fatal as it could've been. She's getting better at her barrier powers.

"Don't worry, Ichigo," the ginger haired girl inwardly swore to herself. "I'd get stronger. I'll promise I'd get stronger. I'm always watching your back, aren't I? Trying to follow in your footsteps? That's because I'm weak, so I constantly stand in your shadow, hoping you'd make everything better. I realized a long time ago that it was wrong to be so dependent on you, Ichigo. But I can't help it! I'm weak! I'm scared! I'm pathetic and I hate it! That's why, I'll change! I'll get stronger! So that next time… I can protect you!"

"Koten Zanshun…," Orihime whispered, hoarsely. On command, Tsubaki zipped straight towards the dark skinned man, unexpectedly cutting him across his left arm, leaving a large gash in his wake.

The man turned towards her, his eyes glaring daggers. If looks could kill, she'd be dead ten times over. "You just don't know when to give up, girl," he sneered, angrily at her. "I'm surprised you're still standing. I was sure I killed you."

Orihime smiled weakly. "You can't destroy what you can't see," she wheezed out, a trickle of blood pouring from her lips.

The man observed her weakened form, calmly. "Why do you insist on getting in my way?"

"It's simple really," she bemused. "I gave my word, I won't let you step one foot across that line!"

"Such an audacious woman you are," the man hissed.

"Thank you," she smiled through the pain. "I learned that from a certain someone. But I should ask you the same thing, why are you so determined to kill Edward?" she questioned, seriously.

"Alchemists twist God's creation into something profound and grotesque," the scarred man sneered. She could hear the hate, bitterness, and anger in his voice. "As long as there are creators like them, then there must also be destroyers."

Gray eyes glared at the man long and hard, gauging his posture, the sound of his voice, and even his reaction. Then they softened into something akin to pity.

"Oh… I see… I understand. You're lonely." It wasn't a question. It was a fact. An undeniable, irrefutable fact.

The man's glare darkened at the notion. "Watch what you say, girl!"

She ignored his threat. "Yeah… It sucks to be alone, doesn't it? However, going around and killing people isn't going to stave off your loneliness! Even if you were to kill me or Edward or Alphonse, there would be other people after you, ready to take your life out of vengeance. But you… You have no one. No one who would miss you. No one who would mourn you. And no one to avenge you when you die. Yes… You are nothing but a puddle of water that strangers step on the street without sparing a second glance. So knowing this miserable, grief stricken truth, you want to die. That explains why you target State Alchemists. Not only are they the source of your pain, you're hoping they'd end it, too." Her eyes regarded the raging man before her, sympathetically. "What a sad, lonely, pitiful man you are."

The scarred man had enough of the girl's nonsense! He was practically twitching in fury and rage. He'll end her now to shut up that impudent mouth of hers.

Orihime collapsed on the ground, coughing out blood. She was too weak and damaged to move as the man came charging at her in a fit of blind rage.

Okay… So maybe arousing him in her weakened state wasn't the best idea, if she can't even get up to defend herself.

"Orihime!" Edward shouted, fearfully. "Run! Hurry!"

"Brother's right!" Alphonse yelled, worried that the man would seriously kill her this time. "Run away! He'll kill you for sure this time!"

If only she could. She was too weak to move. And even she could, she wouldn't leave the boys here to die. They were her friends!

Suddenly, out of the blue, a gun shoot sounded out, saving the ginger haired girl from the dark skinned man's wrath.

Hazy, gray eyes glanced around to see people in military uniforms surrounding the area. Looks like she was saved. The adrenaline that was keeping her awake was slowly fading away. Orihime only registered the sound of someone shouting her name before she completely blacked out.

The first thing that Orihime could register was pain. A numbing pain on her right torso. She groaned, groggily trying to open her eyes. However, lifting her eyelids was more difficult than she anticipated.

After what seems like hours of trying and failing, but was really only mere minutes, she finally managed to pry her eyes up. The only thing she could make out was white and the smell of disinfectant.

"Orihime!" a familiar voice shouted her name in relief. "Oh, thank goodness! Brother! She's awake!"

She was immediately ambushed by a blur of red and gold. The haziness began to fade away and she could clearly see Edward hovering beside the bed she was occupying, worry and relief shining through his golden orbs.

The auburn haired girl tried to sit up, but winced at the pain. A gentle hand forced her to lay back down.

"You shouldn't move, Orihime," Edward informed her, tenderly. "You're still wounded."

Out of curiosity, Orihime lifted the blanket and the hospital she was wearing to reveal her torso was wrapped in bandages. She let out a weak laugh. "So… It wasn't a dream, after all," she muttered to herself. She really did stand up to a vicious serial killer.

"What the hell were you thinking?!"

The auburn haired girl glanced over to see Ed glaring at her in both anger and worry. "Why didn't you run away? Did you think you stood a chance against Scar? Don't throw away your life over a stupid reason like that!" He was shaking in anguish, relief, anger, and guilt. "What you did out there was stupid! Just stupid!"

She knew that was being lectured, but she couldn't help the pleasant grin that spread across her lips as she let out a frivolous giggles, hiding her smiling face from Edward's displeased eyes.

The blond alchemist's scowl deepened. "That isn't something to laugh about!"

"I know, I know," Orihime said in between fits of giggles. She smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you, Edward, for worrying about me." She glanced over at the half destroyed suit of armor sitting at the corner. "And you, too, Alphonse."

Ed's could feel his cheeks heat up a little while Alphonse let out a sheepish laugh. If he had his arms, he'd rub the back of his head in embarrassment.

Edward turned away, scoffing. "Well… Just don't do something obnoxiously stupid like that again, you idiot."

He turned away from her, a fluid of emotions running through him. When he saw her facing down Scar and nearly getting herself killed trying to protect him and his brother, he was so scared. Panic and endless fear and worry gripped at his core. He was helpless as he watched that murderous psychopath beat her within an inch of her life. He hated that he was powerless to prevent her from being this injured.

When the military arrived to stop Scar's assault, he was driven by relief and guilt. Orihime was saved. But even though she was spared death, Ed couldn't help the overwhelming guilt that coursed through him. It was his fault that she got into this mess. That man was targeting State Alchemist like him, and she got wrapped up in his problems and nearly died!

"Hey, listen!"

Orihime perked up at the sound of Edward's dramatic voice, his golden eyes lighting up with assertive determination and presumptuous confidence, pointing a demanding finger at her. Although, she could see his cheeks were tainted red. In embarrassment or anger, she couldn't tell.

"I'm not the one who's going to protected by you, okay? From now on, you'd be protected by me! No excuses! Got it?"

It took a moment for her to register his words, and when she did, she could help the joyous fits of giggles that burst from her lips.

Ed frowned, the blush not leaving his face. "I wasn't trying to be funny! I was being serious!"

"I know. Sorry, Edward."

Even though Orihime apologized that didn't stop her laughter. And hearing the sound of her carefree voice, Edward let out a small smile of his own.

At least everything was back to normal. For now.

(A/N: This is the end of chapter fifteen! Hoped you enjoyed it! Wow, this chapter...was a lot easier to write than I thought. I thought it'll take me weeks, but really only took a couple of days. The first half was longer than I anticipated. There are a few things I'd like to address though…

One, I hoped Edward's anger and distrust towards Orihime wasn't totally OOC of him. To me, I always believed Edward is a man of science [and, technically, he is], and finding something unfathomable seems to be a scientist's, in this case, Edward's pet peeve. After all, this was the second time he witnessed Orihime doing something without following the laws of Equivalent Exchange. And giving his past and his cynicism, his life was practically ruined by Equivalent Exchange. I can understand his jealousy and frustration towards Orihime disobeying the same laws that he tried to many years ago. And yet, unlike him, she wasn't punished for it [from his perspective]. And remember, this is still the point where he still thinks Orihime's abilities are some type of alchemy. But I still don't agree with him yelling at her and making her cry. At least they made up at the end. Sort of.

Two, Orihime vs. Scar… Yeah, I wasn't planning on a big fight scene. Like I said, Orihime isn't going to be much of a fighter in this fanfic. She's there for healing and support. She is a pacifist, after all. And this is probably the closest Orihime is ever going to get in a fight with another character. But damn, I was feeling a lot of different emotions while writing it. Warmth and joy that she was trying to protect Edward and Alphonse and stall Scar long enough for the military arrive, and fear that the military might not make it in time. So relieved when they did.

And three, I feel like there might be some of you they'd say, 'but Orihime has fought tons of people, there's no way she'd lose to Scar'. Um, as much as I like to agree with you, there are two things I'd like to say. First off, Orihime has only ever fought a few Hollows, so she lacks the battle experience that Ichigo and the others have. That's why she left quite a few openings, which Scar used to demolish her. Just because her powers are, as some would say, nigh invincible, if she doesn't have the experience nor the mindsight, it practically can't be used to their full effect. But she's getting there. Don't worry, she's getting there.

Alright! In the next couple of chapters Winry would make her appearance. How would Orihime and Winry interact? *rolls eyes* Like you guys don't already know. Orihime gets along with everyone [except villains]. Anyway, I'm really excited for Winry to make her debut in this fanfic. I know I said I'm not that big of fan of Edward/Winry, but I still love the girl! She's so cool and loveable, especially when she goes into geeky mode over automail. I… I just adore her!

But for now, the next chapter would be Edward, Alphonse, and Orihime running into Dr. Marcoh on the way to Resembool. And something unexpected happens. Something Orihime believed wasn't possible in this world. Find out what that is in the next chapter!

Anyway, please leave any comments, suggestions, and questions you have in a review, and thanks for reading!)