(A/N: Here's chapter twenty one! Wow! Twenty one chapters already! Dang! And it's only been what… two, three months since I started this. I'm going to see if I can this story done in a year. Hehe! Just kidding! We all know that's not going to happen.

Ahem! Anyway, last time… The Elric brothers and Orihime along with Armstrong left the Resembool and the Rockbell house after repairs for Edward's automail were completed. However, deeming the journey too dangerous, Nina was left behind to stay with Winry and Pinako. Now, the gang move on to Central to uncover the secrets Dr. Marcoh left behind at Central Library. What's in store for them there? Let's read and find out! Enjoy!

Skywolf99: Thanks for the review... Look! Honestly, I don't know what you are referring to. My grammar, the fact the story keeps switching between the FMA and Bleach world, or what. All I can say is that I'm trying my best and you are just going to have to deal with whatever comes out. I could one day go back and re-edit, but for now, please just deal with it. Not everyone is a grammar Nazi. Or if it's pertaining to the switch between worlds... Sorry, that's just how story is, and it's MY story, so I'm not changing it for anyone! You can pitch ideas and suggestions, but the overall plot would remain the same.

92MOONBYUL: Thanks for the review! Bleach characters won't enter the FMA world until WAY later.

ShinyKyu: Thanks for reviewing! Hehe! You'll just have to see until the last climax of the story.)

Two Degrees of Separate Worlds

It took the four of them about a week to get to Central. To the three teen's unexpected surprise, they were meet by two people from the military. One was a man with short blond hair and bangs that reached his chin and another was a woman with very short, boyish hair and a mole under her left eye. It turns out their names were Denny Brosh and Maria Ross respectively, and they were here to replace Major Armstrong as Ed's and Al's new bodyguards.

Of course, Edward was annoyed by the idea of two more 'unnecessary' bodyguards tagging along, even though he was perfectly fine now. Automail fixed and everything. Alphonse shared his older brother's sentiment, though he didn't voice it. On the other hand, Orihime didn't mind as she was quickly getting acquainted with Sergeant Brosh and Second Lieutenant Ross.

There was just one problem... A really huge problem… When they arrived they discovered that the Central Library First Branch was completely burned to crisp. Barbecued and everything. There was nothing left but ashes.

Sigh. Back to the drawing board.

"There's still possible another way to get those research notes. There was a woman who used to work at the library," Ross informed them, picking the three's interests. So there was another way to obtain Dr. Marcoh's notes.

The car ride they were in was quiet and bumpy.

"Really?" Orihime inquired.

The woman nodded then her face faltered a bit. "Unfortunately, she's not working there anymore."

"Well, that was really helpful," Edward sarcastically scoffed, crossing his arms and turning his head out to the side.

As the two military personnel were questioning Al's 'choice' of attire, Orihime drifted back to what happened these past couple of weeks. She knew what the brothers… The Philosopher's Stone. However, she also knew what the stone was made of… Live humans.

The ginger haired girl felt conflicted. Should she simply Edward and Alphonse that the stone they tried so hard to find or create was made from people? Tell them that their years of research was just a waste of time?

Would they still attempt to use the stone though? Orihime won't judge them if they did, even after finding out the horrible truth. After all, they've been waiting years to find a way to restore their bodies back to their original human form, and this was the only possible known method they have. It was either use the stone, or remain a boy with two automail limbs and a soul bonded suit of armor forever.

Both options didn't sound so good. In fact, it sounded downright terrible, but it was the only choices the brothers have.

She let out a breathless sigh.

"Orihime?"

"Hmm?" Gray eyes glanced towards Alphonse.

"We're here."

She glanced out the window to see an apartment complex. They were here.

"Are you alright? You spaced out through the whole car ride."

Orihime gave him a sheepish smile. "Oh, Alphonse, I'm okay. Just thinking is all…" She got out of the car after Edward as the all headed towards Sheska.

The five of them were standing outside Sheska's door. Orihime could feel her anxiety building. She have to tell them!

The ginger haired girl tugged on Edward's sleeve as he was getting ready to knock on the door. The blond alchemist tilted his head towards her, looking her at through questionable golden eyes.

"There's...something...I got to tell you, Eddie." Oh, god. Why was her mouth suddenly so dry?

"What is it?" Edward asked when the girl remained silent. He watched her facial expression toward from one of pained contemplativeness to bittersweet resignation. What could she be thinking?

No way! She couldn't tell them. They should… Edward and Alphonse should discover it on their own. And if she's lucky, maybe they won't found out at all.

She smiled. "Nevermind."

Ed raised an eyebrow, questioning Orihime's strange, more than average strange behavior. He knocked on the door, figuring that he'll deal with it later. After he uncovers the secrets of making a Philosopher's Stone.

After a minute or two of nobody answering, the blond alchemist decided to invite himself in. However, that was easier said than done because a mountain of books on the other side was blocking the door from opening all the way. So, they all just opted slide in through the crack of the opened door.

"Sheska! Miss Sheska!" They called for the name of the apartment's resident, but didn't receive any answer.

Orihime was in absolute awe at seeing the mountain of books lying around. There must've been enough books to fill a whole library! And she keeps all of them maintained and in perfect condition? How does she do it? Must've take a lot of dedication towards books.

They discovered that the woman, Sheska, was under a huge pile of books.

Oh, the irony.

It took them about half and hour to dig her out. When they did, Sheska was revealed to be an energetic yet mousy woman probably in her early twenties.

She immediately went into a tragic story about her love of books causing her to be fired at the library, which would prevent her from moving her mother to a hospital. Orihime felt a little sorry for the poor woman. It must be awful not having the means to support a loved one, no matter how much they try.

She even felt for the disheartened Elric brothers when they realized their one chance of finding the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone has literally gone up in flames. The auburn haired girl was about to step forward and tell them… That was until Sheska informed them of her photographic memory, renewing Ed's and Al's vigorous excitement.

She wanted to tell them that the stone was made from humans. She really did. But seeing how happy they were… She didn't want to crush their happiness. And this may be the only chance they have to recover what they lost years ago.

Let them be, her mind told her. Let them be.

"So? What did you want to tell me?" Edward asked the ginger haired girl as they walking down the streets of Central.

They had just left Sheska's apartment. The brown haired, glasses wearing woman said it'll take a few days for her to make a complete and flawless copy of Dr. Marcoh's notes, and that she'll call them once she's done. As much as Ed hated waiting he has no chance. The excitement and the anxiety was killing him though. He was just a few days away from finding the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone, and getting everything back to the way it was before he and Al committed that dreaded Human Transmutation that got them into this mess in the first place.

Their two bodyguards, Brosh and Ross, were walking a few feet behind the teens, keeping a close eye on them and any signs of danger, especially Scar, seeing as he's the reason they needed guards in the first place.

Orihime looked over at Ed with curious gray eyes.

"You had something you wanted to say before we went meet Sheska," the blond elaborated. "So what was it?" Even Alphonse was looking at her with curiosity shining through his eyes.

She bit her lip, feeling quite nervous. What she wanted to tell them earlier was that the stone was made from humans, but she couldn't. Not anymore.

"What are you guys planning to do after you get your bodies back?" she asked. That was, legitimately, the first response that blurted out of her. And she's glad it did. After all, she was genuinely interested in the brothers' plans after all this blood, sweat, and tears searching was over.

Edward and Alphonse froze for a bit, blinking in confusion. They had never thought about what to do after they restore their bodies. They were so focused at the task at hand, they never considered what would come afterwards.

"We…," Alphonse spoke up after some time. "We honestly don't know."

"We spent so much time searching for the stone, we never thought about what to do after we completed our personal mission," Edward admitted, blushing in embarrassment.

Orihime smiled widely, clapping her hands together. "Well, then… How about we have a fabulous feast?"

"A feast?" Both brothers questioned, eyebrows raised.

"Yep! A small party to celebrate you guys getting your bodies back!"

Orihime grabbed the two brothers' arms, happily dragging them away before they could protest, not that Al wanted to.

"Brosh! Ross! You are welcomed to join us!" she called out to the two utterly confused bodyguards.

Orihime spent about an hour running through the streets of Central while dragging a tiring Edward and a silent Alphonse all the while a exhausting Ross and Brosh were trying pathetically to keep up.

Feeling his frustration reaching its limits, Ed forcibly yanked the ginger haired girl's arm, pulling her back. She let out a startled yelp as her arm was giving an unexpected strong and firm tug. Gray eyes looked at him with confusion.

"Where are we going?" Ed asked, exasperatedly.

"To do some grocery shopping!" Orihime responded cheerfully, ignoring the blond boy's growing aggravation.

"And do you know where the grocery store is?"

There was a small pause as gray eyes widened in realization. She slowly shook her head, looking sheepish and embarrassed.

Edward resisted the urge to face palm as he let out a frustrated breath. This girl was driving him crazy! But feeling strangely nostalgic and happy though, he missed this, even if he would never admit.

The blond boy silently crossed the street. "Follow me," he said almost inaudible, but the auburn haired girl heard him and smiled as she and the others followed after him.

"What are we buying here?" Alphonse asked, curiously. The trio were stepped inside a small store that sold fruits and vegetables.

"We are going to have a buffet, so we need all the fruits and vegetables we could get," Orihime explained, running off gleefully to the nearest produce.

"Hey! I'm the one paying for all this, so don't go crazy," Edward yelled, chasing after her.

Brosh and Ross just stared at the two as if they were looking at a ghost riding a unicycle. They starting to wonder if this bodyguard job was worth losing their sanity over.

Alphonse could only let out a sheepish laugh. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Orihime may be overly energetic at times, but she's a nice and sweet girl. Her antics always drives brother crazy, but I think it's nice actually. It oddly gives a chance for him to relax and enjoy himself instead of trying to focus all of his attention on obtaining a Philosopher's Stone, so we things back to they way it used to be."

"Edward, do you mind picking up some apples and bananas," Orihime asked, politely. "I'm going to get some tomatoes."

Ed grunted as he walked away to where the apples lay.

"Makes sure to pick the freshest ones," she called after him.

"Alphonse marched up to her. "Is there anything I should get, Orihime?" he asked.

The ginger haired girl smiled at him. "Yes, I need some meat. I think some pork and ribs would be nice."

Al nodded his armored head and heading out towards the meat section.

Brosh and Ross looked at each other as if contemplated if they should help, or stay on guard by the door while the teens did their grocery shopping. After a thoughtful decision, the darked woman walked towards the auburn haired girl as she was picking onions and mushrooms, leaving her partner on guard duty.

"Miss Inoue?"

"Hmm?" Gray eyes glanced at the approaching woman.

"What should I do to assist, miss?" Ross asked.

Orihime smiled gently at the woman. "It'll be nice if you can grab some chicken broth and some cheese. Lots of cheese. Swiss, cheddar, different types."

The woman soldier marched off to find the ingredients the young woman asked of her.

The auburn haired girl picked out a few lemon and garlics. "Okay, that should be it," she thought herself, as she was carry two bags filled with vegetables. She wished she had a shopping cart to put all this in, but, unfortunately, they don't have those yet. She pouted slightly. How inconvenient.

"Hey!"

Gray eyes glanced up to see Edward approaching her with a bag full of apples and bananas she asked for.

"What's wrong?" Ed asked, curiously, noticing the frown on her face.

"Oh… Uh… I just wish I had something to carry these bags in," Orihime explained, glancing down sadly at her two bags.

Edward stared at her pouting face for a few seconds before sighing. He reached his hand out to grab the two bags she was carrying.

Realizing his intentions, the ginger haired girl reeled her bags back, feeling embarrassed. "No, no! I can carry it!" she protested.

"Stop being stubborn, Orihime, and give me the bags," Ed insisted, reaching for the bags, and succeeding at pulling them away from her and onto his own arm.

The auburn haired girl's cheeks flushed a little, turning at light shade of pink at the blond alchemist's kind act. "Um, do we have any portable stoves?" Orihime questioned, still feeling a bit flustered.

A yellow eyebrow rose in confusion. "A portable stove? No, I don't think so."

Filled with a excitement for what she had planned, the ginger haired girl grabbed his hand. "Then we better go get some! We can't have the buffet I'm about to prepare without a portable stove."

Edward's own face turned a light shade of pink. He couldn't believe how small and warm Orihime's hand felt under his flesh hand, despite the fact he was wearing gloves.

He let out a slight smile as at the giddiness and excitement oozing out of the auburn haired girl. This what he missed. This bubbly, happy Orihime. Her distant and despondency the past few days didn't fit her at all. He felt pleased that she was returning back to her normal, cheerful self. And besides, she was always much prettier when she smiles.

Ed's face practically burned with embarrassment. What was wrong with him? Orihime is still the same hyperactive whack job, no matter how much her bright smile seem to shatter even the faintest of darkness, the way her kind gray eyes sparkle with an never ending excitement and an uncrushable sense of hope and compassion that simply can't be explained by mere words, or how her overall personality is so vibrant and radiant that it just draws people to her, almost like the sun.

Okay, the blond alchemist really needed to shut up or else his face would explode out of pure embrassment. It's a good thing he was being dragged behind Orihime. That way she couldn't see how red he was at the moment.

I-it's not like he's starting to fall for her.

He shook his head vigorously, almost belching at the mere thought. Nope! Not in a million years!

They spent the next hour getting one ingredient after the next. In the end, Edward spent over five thousand cenz, and they were carrying a total of twelve bags of groceries, from fruits and vegetables to meats and seafoods and everything in between, and also some chicken broth and different seasonings. They also bought two portable stoves and various utensils. Ed was still curious about what they needed the stoves for since they already had some in the apartment. Orihime didn't tell him though, telling him it's a secret, causing him to frown in displeasure. Why couldn't she just tell them?

"Hey! If it isn't Edward and Alphonse!"

The two boys perked up when they heard their names being called to see Maes Hughes walking towards them with a small wave.

Lieutenant Colonel Hughes!" Al happily greeted the bespectacled, friendly man. "What are you doing here?"

"I just finished up with work for the day and decided to head home, but I spotted you guys and wanted to say 'hi'," Hughes explained. "What's with bags? Gone grocery shopping?"

"Yeah!" Orihime chirped, cheerfully. "We're going to have a huge buffet to celebrate Edward and Alphonse finally reaching their goal. Want to join us?"

"Orihime!" Edward protested. It's not like he didn't like Hughes, but the guy could be incredibly annoying at times babbling on and on about his lovely wife and precious daughter.

"A buffet, huh?" The bespectacled man looked intrigued as he offered a small smile. "Why don't you guys have your little buffet over at my house?" he suggested.

"Really?" the ginger haired girl exclaimed, gray eyes twinkling with glee.

Meanwhile, as the four were conversing Ross and Brosh were freaking out once again. "I can't believe they are talking to the Lieutenant Colonel as if they are old friends!" Ross whispered in disbelief.

"I can't believe he invited us into his house!" Brosh whispered back, equally shocked.

"Ms. Ross! Mr. Brosh! C'mon or you'll be left behind!" Orihime called the two bodyguards.

Seeing the group of four already heading towards Hughes's house, they momentarily shook themselves out of their shock and followed after them before they were left behind.

Hughes opened the door to his home and was immediately greeted by his two year old daughter.

"Daddy! You're back!" Elicia chirped, excitedly holding her hands up so her father could pick her up.

"Did you miss me, sweetheart?" Hughes cooed, softly rubbing his cheeks against the little girl.

"Stop it, daddy! Your beard is tickling me!" the small brown haired girl giggled.

"She's so cute!" the auburn haired girl cooed.

"I know, right? She's my own little ball of cuteness!" Hughes bragged, lovingly.

"Welcome home, dear!" Gracia made her appearance. "Oh? I see you brought guests. Edward, Alphonse, how are you boys doing?" She asked with a gentle smile.

"We're doing just fine, Mrs. Hughes," Alphonse greeted her.

"Now, Alphonse, you don't have to keep calling me 'Mrs. Hughes', alright?" the matriarch of the house playfully scolded the suit of armor. "'Gracia' would do just fine. And who is your friend?" she questioned, turning her attention towards the auburn haired girl.

"My name is Orihime Inoue! Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hu- I mean, Gracia!" Orihime replied, quickly correcting herself.

Gracia smiled at her. "Nice to meet you too, dear."

"What's in the bags?" Elicia asked, curiously pointed at the bags Al, Ross, and Brosh were carrying.

"We're going to have a small dinner party, sweetie," Hughes explained to his two year old daughter. His smile widened when he saw her green eyes twinkle in childlike happiness.

"Yay! A party!" she cheered, a few giggles escaping her lips.

"Oh! Then a better get dinner ready then."

"Don't worry about it, Gracia! I'll cook dinner," Orihime insisted.

"Oh, no, I can't have you do that, sweetie," Gracia disagreed.

The ginger haired girl pondered for a bit. "Then can help me prepare? I could really use some help cutting up the fruits and meats. I want to make this really special for Eddie and Al."

Gracia smiled. "Of course!"

"Al, Ross, Brosh, do you mind setting the bags down in the kitchen?" Orihime asked, politely.

The two women left for the kitchen with Al, Ross, and Brosh following after them, leaving Ed behind.

Edward felt a small tug on his pant leg. His golden eyes glanced down to see Elicia's wide, green eyes staring up at him.

"Big brother, do you want to play?" Elicia asked, sweetly.

Ed couldn't help but to smile down at the girl. He had time to goof off while Orihime and Gracia prepare dinner, so he might as well entertain himself. He let Elicia drag him into her room on the pretense of playing house. Al quickly headed after them.

Ross and Brosh stood back near the doorway, both feeling extremely nervous being in their superior's home.

"We should probably make our leave, sir," the dark haired woman suggested, breaking the ice and saluting her superior.

"Nonsense! We don't you guys stay here and relax a little," Hughes encouraged.

"Sir! We couldn't!" Brosh quickly denied, feeling a bit uneasy. "We are guard duty!"

"Oh, yeah… Scar still on the loose, isn't he?" the family man frowned, crossing his arms.

"Yes, sir! We've received intel that he was reported here in Central!" Ross informed.

"This case is beginning to get pretty nasty. He's already killed over a dozen State Alchemist." He smiled at them. "Well, since Ed is here, why don't you guys stay as well? After all, you are here to guard him, aren't you?"

The both of them nodded, numbly. They didn't know Lieutenant Colonel Hughes could be so easygoing and friendly.

"Why not stay and have some dinner?" the Lieutenant Colonel asked them once again.

"Thank you, sir! We'll take you up in that offer!" Brosh and Ross replied graciously, saluting their superior.

It was about an hour later and dinner was ready.

Everyone gathered around the table to see two semi medium pots on the portable stoves the teens brought. And there were an assortment of sliced apples, bananas, bread on one large plate, on another were plated with shrimp, fish, and seasoned and cooked crab meatballs, and third was filled with pork chops and cubed beef, and the last was full of vegetables from mushrooms to pieces of lettuce and slices of carrots, potatoes, and broccoli.

The pots, however, is what grabbed the group's attention the most. One was filled with melted cheese and another was loaded with some sort of soup.

Edward watched hungrily as Orihime dumped a few meats and veggies into the soup like substance.

"We're going to have a hot pot dinner!" the ginger haired girl exclaimed, excitedly.

Ed gave her a quizzically look. "What's a hot pot?"

"Well, a hot pot is an authentic family meal where we boil different types of food in specially cooked sauce. It's easy to make and great for family gatherings or special occasions," she happily explained. "Although, most people would eat during the winter…," she trailed off.

"Whatever this is, it looks delicious!" Brosh drooled, eyeing the food greedily.

"Thanks! I couldn't have prepared it fast enough without Gracia's help!"

"No, I should be thanking you," Gracia smiled at the auburn haired girl. "I've never cooked a meal like this. It's really fascinating! Another thing to add in my list of meals to cook."

"Mommy! Is this cheese?" Elicia questioned curiously about to stick her hand in the cheesy substance.

"No, no, Elicia!" Orihime shouted, hurriedly, taking the little girl's hand away. "This is cheese fondue. You have to be more careful because it's hot."

The small child pouted at the notion of being scolded.

The older girl simply smiled at and picked up a slice of apple with her fork. She dipped the apple into the fondue until it was half sunken in. She held it to her lips and blew on it until she deemed it cool enough. She held it out towards Elicia, who stared at cheese covered slice of apple strangely before hesitantly open her mouth, allowing the ginger haired girl to pop the fruit in her mouth.

In an instant green eyes twinkled in glee. "This is good, big sister!" she shouted, happily. "More cheese!" She was practically bouncing in her chair in excitement.

Orihime smiled softly at the little girl's cheerfulness. "It's nice to eat a hot pot again. I haven't enjoyed one since my brother died," she mumbled under her breath. She clapped her hands together, happily. "Dig in!"

Edward readily and gleefully did just that. Taking the big spoon, he immediately poured some of the meat from the hot pot soup onto his bowl and greedily dug in.

Damn, this was good! Orihime's cooking, despite how strange it is, is the best ever! He couldn't get enough of it!

The whole room was filled with people enjoying a nice family meal and everyone cheerfully chatting away, even his younger brother. He felt guilty that Al couldn't enjoy this nice meal, but he was also happy when he was happily talking to Hughes while playing with Elicia. He smiled. Just a little while longer and Al would be able to get his body back, then he'll be able to enjoy simple, human pleasures like this again.

He shifted his golden gaze towards Orihime, who was animatedly chatting with Gracia. The kind woman seemed to have taken a liken to the ginger haired girl. Who wouldn't? Orihime gets along with everyone.

Although, the blond alchemist was quite glad the auburn haired girl was happily enjoying herself. She seemed to be jubilantly eating and talking with the Hughes family, her radiant smile brighten up the room. He watched as her hand wrapped around the fork that held a slice of banana as gingerly dipped in the cheese fondue. His cheeks was stained a light shade of pink. He still remembered how delicate, small and soft, and warm her hand felt in his.

"You know, Ed, if he keep staring at Orihime like that, a fly would get in your mouth."

Edward stared dumbfounded and mouth agaped at a slyly smirking Maes Hughes.

"I-I wasn't staring at Orihime!" he yelled out, spazzily, causing his chair to tip over. He let out a loud yelp as he crash onto the ground with the chair with noisy 'thud' sound.

Elicia giggled, innocently. "Big brother fell!"

"Brother!"

"Eddie!"

Alphonse and Orihime both yelled out worriedly.

The auburn haired girl immediately rushed to his side. "Are you alright, Eddie?" she asked, concern filling her gray eyes. She tried helping him up. "What happened? Why did you fall like that?"

Ed felt her soft hands on his face as she was checking him for injuries. That didn't stop the blood from rushing as he felt extremely embarrassed. No, it only made it worse. And the fact that her face was so close to his didn't help matters either. And she innocently doesn't realize she's the cause of his predicament.

Orihime's face scrunched up, questionably. "Eddie, you're face is red. Are you getting a fever?"

"I… Uh…" He was completely loss for words.

"Ah! A boy's first crush," Brosh said, cheekily.

Edward glared at him. "Shut up!" he hissed. "I don't have a crush on her!"

Sounds of laughter filled the room.

"Stop laughing!" he yelled, furiously, cheeks flushing. Oh, god! He never felt so embarrassed.

Orihime tilted her head, feeling a little confused, trying to find out what was so funny and why Ed was so angry.

Dinner was over and Hughes was kind enough to let the teens stay. Ross and Brosh decided to head back to headquarters. Edward and Alphonse were in the guestroom while Orihime crashed in Elicia's room.

As Elicia laid in her crib, cutely snoring away, Orihime was busy staring at the moonlit sky. Her thoughts were racing. The Hughes were such a loving family. Sometimes she wished she had a family as nice and caring as them.

The entire event went off better than she expected. It almost felt like, not just a celebration Ed and Al regaining their bodies, but an actual family celebration.

Maes was a kind and funny. He really did remind her of Ichigo's father. She loved Gracia. The brown haired woman radiance of femininity, gentleness and affectionate care, something only a mother can exhibit. And Elicia was just a small ball of sunshine and cuteness.

The ginger haired girl thoughts drifted back to the Philosopher's Stone. She wanted to tell Edward and Alphonse what she discovered about the stone. She could take the fact it was made from humans since she was used to horrific revelations like this. She never liked them, but over the past year she built up the mentality to get used to nightmarish stuff like this.

Nevertheless, Orihime wondered how Ed and An would react. Not good, she supposed. Definitely not good. Angry, horrified that something they spent years searching held such a dark, terrifying secret. Honestly, she didn't mind telling them. She wasn't afraid to. She just doesn't have the heart to break their spirits, to destroy them and to see their disheartened faces.

Maybe that's also why the ginger haired girl has been keeping the two boys away from all the Hollow business that's been going on this past week.

Sigh, she needed to fresh air.

Using her Shun Shun Rikka to make sure the coast was clear, Orihime silently sneak outside. Her ginger colored hair and blue sleeping gown gently swayed in the night breeze. The air was cool and crispy, it felt really nice. It honestly almost made her forget her troubles.

Almost.

There was thing she could never forget. The feeling of homesickness that's been swelling inside her since the days gone by. The ginger haired girl has been able to ease it by going on adventures with Edward and Alphonse, which she doesn't regret one bit. She had a lot fun and great time with the boys. They are both nice and charming in their own unique way.

But the fact remained that she isn't from this world. One day, Orihime would have to return to her world and possible say goodbye to Ed and Al forever. This is where her lingering crisis lays… Her feelings of homesickness because she desperately wants to return home to Ichigo, Tatsuki, and all her friends, and the anguish of saying goodbye to the Elric brothers, maybe she's grown really attached to them. How could she not? She's spent the past three months helping them look for the Philosopher's Stone, and forming a friendship and bond with them as a result.

"What's going to happen once all this is done?" Orihime wondered out loud to herself.

"When all's what's done?"

The auburn haired girl screeched and nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard an unexpected voice. She sharply turned around to be met with the aforementioned brothers she was thinking about.

"Don't sneak up on me like that! You guys scared me half to death!" she yelled, placing a hand over her steadily racing heart, trying to willed it to settle down.

"Sorry, Orihime," Alphonse giggled, apologetically.

Edward walked until he stood right next to her. "So? What were you thinking about?"

Orihime let out a small smile to hide her inner troubles, hoping the boys won't pick up on this. "Nothing really… Just thinking about what we are going to done with all this is said and done? What I'm going to do after you guys finally get your hands on a… Philosopher's...Stone," she answered, however, her words were drifting a little near the end as her lips were set in a grim line for split second before quickly fading back to her usual smile.

"Are you guys planning to go back to Resembool and live with Winry, Pinako, and Nina once you restore your bodies?" she immediately asked to swiftly cover up her previous blunder.

Ed and Al both blinked, well in the former's case, and stared at each other confusingly.

"Like we said earlier, we never thought that far ahead," Al admitted. "We still need to time to think it over."

"Spending our entire life trying to find a way to restore our bodies, we never thought about what we'll do afterwards," Ed added. "It almost still feels like dream. Right, Al?"

"Right, brother?"

"A dream, huh?" Orihime mumbled to herself. "Then the first thing you guys should do is head back home and give Winry and the others the good news!" she declared, cheerfully.

"That'll probably be best," Alphonse agreed. "You should can come with us, Orihime. Back to Resembool, I mean. I'm sure Winry, granny Pinako, and especially Nina would love to see you."

As much as the auburn haired girl would happily and readily agree to Al's invitation, she knew she couldn't. And it hurts even more on how, unintentionally on Al's part, that this pains her. The thought of saying goodbye forever utterly pains her deeply in words she can't explain.

"I'll have to...head home myself, you know?" Orihime said, lowly, sounding a bit saddened by the fact. Just a bit would be an obvious understatement.

"Oh, right," Edward commented, sounding unusually unhappy of being reminded of the fact that Orihime comes from a foreign land, and probably has friends waiting for her over there. "You can still write to us, and we'll write letters to you," he suggested.

"I… I…" Orihime was at lost for words. She honestly couldn't, didn't want to respond to that because she knew that once she returned to her world, keeping in touch would be impossible.

"We are friends? Right, Eddie? Al?" she asked, looking away from the two boys.

"Of course we are!" the soul bonded suit of armor chirped.

The ginger haired girl nodded, appreciatively. "That's good. I'm glad to have been friends with you guys. Even if I were to go...somewhere far away where we'd lose touch and possibly never see each other, even if you somehow find my actions unforgivable, I… I promise I'll never forget you guys and all the good times we had. You guys are my precious friends and that's not a lie!" she finished her a small heartwarming and bittersweet speech.

"Never forget us? What do you mean?" Edward asked, furrowing his eyebrows confusingly.

Orihime let out a silent melancholic laughter. It was just like him to pick up on intrusive details like that. She shook her head.

"Nothing, Eddie. Nothing at all. I was just thinking about how warm the Philosopher's Stone in Dr. Marcoh's possession felt," she lied. "It's so warm in fact, it almost felt like it's...alive."

There she goes again, starting with a happy tone and drifting off to a somewhat depressingly sad one.

One glance at Edward told her he was beginning to pick up on it too as he eyes held both concern and tiny, hidden feelings of hurt.

"Orihime?" the blond alchemist started, slowly. "Do you...know something about the stone?"

When the question was asked, Alphonse looked back and forth between the two, quizzically.

Ed was met with guilty gray eyes.

Orihime's lips bit her lip, obviously feeling nervous. "I-it's not that I was hiding it from you. I just...didn't...want to hurt your feelings." She quickly swallowed the small lump in her throat. It was now or never. "I think-"

She was unfortunate interrupted the front door loudly creaking open.

"What are you guys still doing up? Shouldn't you be in bed?" Hughes asked, staring at the three sternly, like a father giving his children a silent scolding.

Orihime bowed apologetically at the man, foregining forgetfulness of her and the Elric brothers earlier conversation. With a quick apology to the man, she waved goodnight to the boys and headed off to her room without a word.

She solemnly thought that this was probably universe's way of saying to keep her mouth shut and let Edward and Alphonse figure out the dark secrets of the Philosopher's Stone.

She sighed, dejectedly. It's probably better that way.

(A/N: That's the end of chapter twenty one! I hoped you enjoyed it! Nothing much really to say, but this chapter took longer than I thought to write. Maybe because of two factors, it's not from an episode of Brotherhood, well the rest after the beginning isn't, and it's something literally off the top of my head. Like it wasn't preplanned a few chapters in advance. More character interactions and such. Giving a story a nice pace. I figured it takes Sheska five days to make copies of Dr. Marcoh's notes, so why not do a little character interactions and development, which this chapter entails. However, I'm not going to spend the next four or five chapters for every day that Sheska is working on her little project. No, if I did that every time there was a short time skip in the story, it would be really slow paced. Next chapter would skip straight Ed and Al trying to decipher the notes. So basically a five day timeskip the next chapter. While Edward and Alphonse are busy deciphering the doctor's code, however, what would Orihime be doing as she's waiting for them to decode the notes? Find out next chapter!

This is just a little tidbit. Amestris currency is cenz which is equivalent to Japanese yen, meaning one cenz equals one yen and a hundred cenz is the same as one hundred yen and so on and so forth. So, Ed spent five thousand cenz shopping, which is about five hundred dollars, if you are calculating it in American currency. Which is really not a lot, if you know the average person spends about three hundred to six hundred dollars every time they are buying groceries. And not simply eggs, bread, and milk, but a full on cart load. And that's also without the coupons and gift cards included in it. Just a fun fact for you guys to know. Now, you know how much an Amestris cenz is worth. Just think of it as the same as a Japanese yen.

Leave any comments, questions, or suggestions in a review and goodbye! Until next time… See ya!)