Edward had got comfortable back in bed after the little confrontation with Alphonse and Winry had gone out for lunch while Hughes stayed to talk with us about our encounter at the fifth laboratory. I sat on the chair next to Edward's bed again as I leaned on the side with my elbows rested on it. Edward pointed at a picture of the spiky haired man,
"Well… the last thing I remember was this guy kicking me," Edward spoke, I semi consciously touched my forehead and frowned,
"I don't remember that. I just remember getting hit in the head…" I spoke, Edward looked at me he had a small frown on his face, looking concerned as I scratched the centre of my forehead, "I'm fine now though so don't look so worried," I smirked,
"I wasn't," Edward snapped, he folded his arms and looked away as Hughes smiled gently for a moment before looking back at the documents laid across Edward's bed.
"It's odd that they let you both live. What about the sacrifice and these other armoured souls?" Alex asked,
"Not to mention the Uroboros tattoos, and the transmutation circle. And Doctor Marcoh claims they we're using the Philosopher's stones in Ishval," Hughes explained,
"Every clue we have to work with seems to lead to its own mystery," Alex spoke,
"Not much we can do about that though, any answers we might've found are under a ton of rubble back at the lab," Hughes spoke as a disappointing aura flew on the scene. "I'll run some searched on anybody with a Uroboros tattoo," Hughes spoke,
"Very good, and while you do that, I'll continue looking into the research team that was working with Doctor Marcoh in Ishval," Alex spoke, Edward and myself nodded, appreciating the help from our two friends.
The door was knocked, and it opened,
"Sorry to interrupt," we all looked up at Fuhrer Bradley in shock.
"Fuhrer Bradley, your Excellency!" Alex spoke in shock as everyone except Alphonse and me saluted him.
"Calm down gentlemen and beautiful young lady, this is just an informal visit," Bradley walked towards Edward,
"Yes, sir, but may I please ask the occasion sir?" Hughes asked,
"This young man, heard you're injured? I thought a nice melon could cheer you up," Bradley held up a basket,
"Er… I guess… Er, Thank you sir!" Edward quickly yelled in surprise, not wanting to sound ungrateful to his highest superior as I bit my bottom lip trying not to chuckle at how they were suddenly all on edge.
"I understand you've been checking up on some of the senior staff, is this true Major Armstrong?" Bradley asked,
"Um, yes sir, but how did you know I was er?" Alex asked,
"You should know that nothing gets past me major," Bradley spoke,
"And now you… my revered Fullmetal Alchemist, tell me what you know about the Philosophers stone. And I hope for your sake you don't know too much?" Bradley asked, it almost sounded like a threat as I frowned and looked at him. A minute later he laughed, "I'm only kidding, there's no reason for you to be so uptight. I know that there's been some suspicious activity within the military lately, and I believe it's necessary for something to be done about it," Bradley picked up some papers,
"Oh, that's er…" Alex spoke,
"A list of the research team assigned to study the Philosopher's stone. Every person in this document has been reported missing. They all vanished several days before the fifth laboratory collapsed; it seems the enemy is always one step ahead of us. Even with my vast network of informants, I have no way to determine how far our ranks have been infiltrated. The most we know about them, is that they know a lot about us," Bradley explained, I could see Bradley kept looking at me as I just watched his movements, he seemed like a nice man, there was just something strange about him,
"In that case, this is proving much more dangerous than we imagined," Hughes explained as he picked up one of the sketches.
"Major Armstrong, Lieutenant Cornel Hughes, Elric brothers and Reaka, you've all proven yourself to be men and women of a trustworthy character. From this point forward I'm giving you the direct order to forget this matter and all that it concerns. At this time, suspicion is our strongest line of offence, and the strongest form of defence is discretion. Do not trust anyone, keep this to yourself at all costs. However, when I feel the time is right to confront the enemy, I expect you be prepared in me to join the effort," Bradley explained, that set alarm bells off in my head, I just frowned at him, a superior telling people to butt out in the nicest way possible was suspicious on its own, but also telling them to not talk about anything to anyone. I could understand it to a degree, but I didn't trust it,
"Sir!" Hughes and Alex saluted.
"Where is he? Has Fuhrer Bradley been through here?" A man called,
"Gotta go! Damn bodyguard is my shadow," Bradley walked to the window and opened it, "You see I've snuck away to get a few minutes of privacy. Well, farewell for now," Bradley jumped out the window, we all moved to the window and watched him walk away in disbelief.
I moved back to the chair and sat down while folding my arms, hearing the door click open I smiled to see Winry,
"Hey Ed! What the… what's going on? Did I miss something?" Winry walked in,
"Not really, just a tornado passing by," Edward spoke, the others looked shocked as Alphonse and myself chuckled.
"Well, I don't think that there's anything I can do about that, but I did go and buy the train tickets you asked for." Winry closed the door and walked over with three tickets in hand for us,
"Thanks, just in time," Edward thanked Winry and offered his hand out to take them,
"You sure are a man on the move, aren't you? Your wounds haven't even healed completely," Alex spoke in concern,
"Yea, well, two days of sick people and hospital food is enough for me thanks. Plus, I know Rea will look after me here," Edward smirked and pointed at me,
"I'm not your personal nurse!" I snapped as Edward chuckled.
"And where are you heading off to this time. What's in Dublith?" Hughes asked, as he picked up one off the tickets.
"Well, with the way things have gone lately, Al and I decided we should go back and visit our old teacher," Edward put his hand on Alphonse's arm as they started to shake,
"I think I'm too scared brother, there's no way she's not gonna kill us," Alphonse and Edward held hands in fright as I looked at them confused,
"Look, don't you chicken out on me now! I'm scared too ok," Edward spoke, I tilted my head to the side in confusion as Winry moved next to me.
"What exactly does this person teach?" Winry asked, I shrugged,
"I don't know but I think I'll be finding out." I chuckled as Winry nodded.
"It appears you have a rather lengthy journey ahead of you," Armstrong looked at the map,
"How far is Dublith?" Winry asked,
"Well let's see, all the way down here," Alphonse pointed on the map, it was quite far south, just after Kadayr.
Winry noticed something then screamed in surprise and joy,
"What's up Winry?" I asked in confusion, she put her finger on a station which was 2 away from Dublith,
"That, right there, right before Dublith! It's the holy land of automail engineering. It's Rush Valley!" Winry cheered. "We have to go! We have to go! We have to go! You have to take me!" Winry smiled with stars in her eyes,
"Yeah, whatever, I don't have to take you anywhere." Edward glared and folded his arms as I sighed,
"Well, somebody has to pay for my travel fare!" Winry glared back,
"And why does it have to be me!" Edward snapped,
"Come on brother, what's the big deal it's on our way," Alphonse stood between Winry and Edward as he chuckled. I nodded,
"Would be cool to see all of that." I smirked as Edward glanced at me for a second, Edward looked away and glared at the wall,
"Only if you want to, Rea." Edward spoke,
"Yay!" Winry spun around and ran to the door, "I've got to call and tell Grandma!" Winry smiled and ran out.
I smiled and looked at Edward,
"That was nice of you." I spoke,
"Nice of me to do what?" Edward snapped, "To pay for Winry to go to Rush Valley, it will probably help her to learn more about automail and maybe make yours a lot better," I explained,
"Huh… never thought of it like that," Edward folded his arms, I rested my hand on his shoulder gently,
"I'm going to get a case ready, so I'll come back soon." I nodded as Edward looked at me and nodded, "is there anything you left at my place?" I asked, Edward and Alphonse thought for a moment,
"I don't think so." Alphonse looked at his brother,
"All good, see you later." Edward nodded as I smiled and nodded, kissing Edward's forehead I left the room, closing the door behind me.
As I walked down the corridor, I heard Edward yelling as I chuckled.
Edward smiled to himself,
"She'll make you a fine wife someday," Hughes put his hand on Edward's shoulder,
"Don't start that again! I get enough of it from Maria and Denny," Edward snapped,
"I would only like to talk about my wife anyway. Rea does dote on you a lot," Hughes laughed,
"Shut up about that stuff!" Edward snapped again with a red face,
"Ooooh, it seems Edward has a crush on a special girl!" Hughes teased,
"I don't!" Edward snapped,
"Why does your face say different then?" Hughes smirked; Edward stopped and folded his arms.
"I've told him to talk to Rea, but he just won't" Alphonse spoke,
"Hey!" Edward snapped,
"Well, he can be a little stubborn sometimes," Hughes spoke to Alphonse,
"A little?" Alphonse replied,
"Hey! Don't call your older brother little!" Edward was yelling in the background, but no one was listening to him.
I grabbed a bag with some clothes, I put on some white combat trousers, a black tank top and some black trainers. I packed my sketchbook again with a few pencils and I left to meet the brothers and Winry.
I went back to the hospital to find Edward just leaving with Alphonse,
"Hey boys, all ready to go?" I asked as the sun shone on my back, the skies were blue as I looked around the street,
"Hey Rea, we are ready!" Alphonse smiled as I pulled on the strap over my shoulder,
"No big case thing time?" Edward peaked over my shoulder,
"Nah, I know we will be coming back to Central so I'm good with a smaller backpack." I nodded as Edward looked over my outfit, "I've got a jumper in the bag if I need it anyway." I smiled and turned to leave. Edward moved next to me with Alphonse on his other side as we got to a car to take us to the train station.
Edward mumbled something as he sat next to Alphonse and I moved opposite them,
"Huh, what was that, Ed?" Alphonse asked,
"Nothing." Edward looked away as I frowned,
"I don't think Rea heard you." Alphonse chuckled as I looked at the younger brother,
"What? What did Edward say?" I asked,
"I said you look nice." Edward snapped as I sat back on the chair and smiled gently,
"Thanks." I nodded and Edward's face went red as I looked away, "I was thinking… I've never had to fight a lot. Like I can throw a punch and a kick, but I have no form. Would the two of you teach me?" I asked, Edward just looked at me in surprise,
"You don't know how to fight?" Alphonse asked,
"I do, but not as well as you two. I mean, as I said I can throw a mean punch and a kick. But never really had any fighting manoeuvres taught to me, over the time I've been alive I've been able to avoid fighting, I've just worked to make my body stronger so I can throw a mean punch and kick when needed. But I feel with everything that's happened lately… I'm gonna need more than just basic attacks to help." I frowned, Edward sighed,
"Sure," Edward nodded as I smiled,
"Thanks!" I grinned at Edward as he looked away,
"We'd be happy to spar with you." Alphonse nodded,
"I know you are the better fighter, Al. So, I'm determined to beat you." I laughed as Alphonse chuckled.
Winry was already at the station with Gracia and Elicia as the car pulled up, getting out we could see Alex, Denny and Maria get out of another car.
"Rea!" Elicia smiled and walked over to me as I ran to the child and picked her up in my arms,
"Hello, my cute princess! How are you?" I grinned and kissed her cheek as she laughed,
"Great… someone else who gushes over Hughes' daughter." Edward mumbled as I shot him a look,
"I'm great!" Elicia grinned as I just hugged her gently, I walked over to Gracia with Elicia in my arms as she smiled,
"I'm sure you'll make an amazing mother someday." Gracia smiled as I suddenly lost mine,
"Thanks…" I nodded and put Elicia down, "I'll be inside boys." I looked at Edward and Alphonse quickly as I walked away,
"Did I say something wrong?" I heard Gracia ask as I walked into the station.
She didn't say anything wrong; I've just waited long enough for a family… I waited next to the platform for the boys and when I saw the group walking towards me, I moved to the train to get on. I found the four of us a seat and put my bag overhead as I sat down and waited for the three of them.
I smiled seeing Edward, Alphonse and Winry walk down the aisle to me, the others were outside the window as we waved them off. We sat back as the train started to move and I smiled at Edward as he was sat opposite me. I looked out the window and wrapped my arms around my stomach as I slumped in my chair.
"So, why is it suddenly so important that you guys see your teacher?" Winry asked,
"There are a couple of reasons. For starters I'm a little tired of getting ass kicked," Edward spoke,
"Wait, is this some kind of combat teacher? Why don't you just quit fighting?" Winry was concerned,
"It's not that simple Winry, what we're looking for isn't really the easiest thing in the world and it's getting us in all sorts of danger," I explained with a smile, I hadn't looked away from the window as I spoke, if this teacher taught Edward and Alphonse how to fight, I'd definitely be asking them for some pointers!
"It's not only our fighting but our core needs work too, right Al?" Edward spoke,
"Exactly, we feel like seeing our teacher will help us grow and make up stronger on the inside." Alphonse explained,
"Yea, and we're going to need as much strength as we can get." Edward looked out the window.
"Well, what's reason two?" Winry asked,
"To see what she can tell us about the philosophers stone," Edward continued to look out the window,
"And to ask her about the truth within the truth, we haven't gotten any closer to figuring it out. There's a chance our teacher knows something about it," Alphonse explained,
"Let's hope she at least gives us a chance to ask her, you should be more worried explaining your appearance to her Al… considering… considering… she's going to kill us when she finds out what happened," Edward started to get worried,
"It would have been nice to at least gave had a girlfriend before I died," Alphonse spoke,
"Maybe you guys should get a new teacher?" Winry suggested as I chuckled and looked at the boys as they seemed terrified.
"How are you feeling, Rea?" Winry looked at me, I sat up and nodded,
"I'm okay." I smiled and Winry looked sad,
"You haven't been able to have a family, have you? With what's wrong with you?" Winry asked, I nodded as I looked down,
"I've been alive long enough to go through all the emotional understanding of what it's like to have a family and a child. And I wish I was able to have one without looking like this and have my child grow up and die before me." I explained, "I'd rather not talk about it anymore to be honest. I think I've talked about family enough recently." I chuckled as I looked at Winry with a smile. Her and Edward both looked sad as I looked at Winry's lap and saw a blanket covering something.
"What have you got there?" I asked Winry and poked the blanket as she pulled it away,
"Oh, Gracia sent us some Apple pie to eat." Winry smiled as I grinned,
"Oh, she makes the best! She taught me a few cooking tricks and she's worked with those bakers I introduced you to Edward. Every now and again she'll drop off a few apple pies to them for payment and they'd sell it to customers on special." I smiled as Edward grinned,
"I've got to try some, come on Winry." Edward spoke as Winry started to unwrap the delicious treat.
We all started to eat the food that Gracia had made for us,
"Oh man, this is hand down the best apple pie ever!" Edward smiled,
"I know it's gorgeous!" I took a big bite out of my slice,
"Very lady like Rea…" Edward glared,
"Well… Excuse… me for… being hungry…" I munched, Edward had a small smile on his face as he saw me swallow and smile, "What?" I asked,
"You've got crumbs around your mouth," Edward spoke
"Oh! Erm…" I blushed and wiped my face with the tissue,
"All gone?" I asked,
"No," Edward spoke, I wiped again,
"Now?" I asked,
"No…" Edward looked blankly at me as Alphonse chuckled and Winry laughed,
"Where then?" I snapped, Edward sighed and grabbed my tissue from me and wiped my cheek, my face went red with embarrassment as I watched Edward's face. I felt my body heat up as I sat back afterwards, and Edward put the tissue down on the side.
"Mrs. Hughes is really an excellent cook," Winry smiled,
"To put it mildly, not to mention that quiche she made for us is also pretty delicious," Edward spoke, my face was still red as I sunk in the chair to hide it from the others.
"Yea, I actually wrote the quiche down on my list of things I'm going to eat when I get a mouth again," Alphonse smiled,
"Well, she gave me the recipe so when your back to normal Al, I'll make it for you," Winry smiled,
"Awesome, thanks!" Alphonse cheered.
"I had such a good time staying with them, they are both really great people," Winry smiled,
"Yea, but Hughes is obnoxious he doesn't know when to shut up and he spoils his daughter rotten," Edward eaten his piece of pie,
"He did come by your room at the hospital a lot," I spoke up and smiled,
"Every damn day, he always made it a point to come and keep me company, it didn't matter when. He'd even blow off work," Edward smiled looking out the window as I crossed my legs with a smile and nodded.
Hughes was an amazing man, and he's definitely someone that I looked up to, even though he was younger than me, I could respect him. He was dedicated, kind, passionate and cared for those around him. Hughes helped me back to full health after my situation during the civil war. He really did make a massive impact on my life.
"He really is a good man." I smiled and looked at Winry as she nodded, "during the civil war it was Hughes that took me in after what happened." I explained, Edward looked at me,
"Really?" Edward was the only one that knew about the assault, Alphonse and Winry weren't there when I told Edward before,
"Yeah, Roy and Hughes found me, and he took me in and helped me recover. My healing factor was very slow for a long time, I think my emotions and focus affect it sometimes." I explained, Edward nodded,
"What happened to you? During the war?" Winry asked sadly, I knew her parents died during it, and I didn't know much else,
"I was assaulted." I answered simply, "I'll never forget the man that attacked me." I frowned,
"I'm sorry that happened to you." Winry spoke gently as I smiled,
"Thank you, it's all in the past now. I'd like to think I've grown from it." I smiled and Winry nodded.
We had a long way to go until Rush Valley and even further for Dublith, but I was looking forward to something a bit different.