We made our way through the Northern wilderness and into the edge of the east territory. I knew of a few locations we could hide in, and one was in a house I had in the forest, nobody really knew it was there. It was broken down the first time I found it many decades ago, but I slowly built it up and had a few things in there. On our arrival we had to fix a few things, but Edward helped with his alchemy.

We spend the new year there and we all agreed to wait until closer to spring to move on to Resembool. I was outside working on chopping some wood with alchemy, I got a bit done, but I'd not long started. Edward was in the house with the others, but I heard noise behind me, and I saw Edward.

Edward put his hands in his pockets and smirked at me,
"Feels like an age since I saw you do this last time." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"True…" I smirked and Edward noticed the axe on the side,
"You didn't rely on alchemy last time though." Edward smirked as he stepped forward and picked up a block of wood and put it on the other chopping block, he picked up the axe and I looked at his arms. Edward was wearing his sleeveless top so I could see his arm muscles, I watched him move the axe over his head and chop the wood as I tilted my head to the side, watching him. I smirked and then sat down on my chopping block, Edward noticed as he looked at me, "You're meant to do it with me…" Edward groaned,
"I like watching." I leaned on my fist with a smile as Edward suddenly smirked, he looked at the house quickly and then back at me.

Edward put the axe down and moved over to me, he put his hands either side of my body on the chopping block as I leaned back. Edward leaned over me as I put my hand on his chest gently,
"Are you going to help or not?" Edward spoke quietly,
"What are you going to do if I say no?" I smirked and Edward looked over my face,
"What could I do to persuade you?" Edward leaned his head down to my neck and I felt his lips touch my neck and collarbone, his other hand moved up my hips, waist and over my torso and onto my neck. I moaned gently as Edward smirked,
"Won't… the others… see?" I asked and Edward moved back,
"They're staying in." Edward smirked as he pulled me up from the block and wrapped his other arm around my waist. I smirked as Edward pulled me away from view of the house and behind the shed.

We spent some time away from the others as we sat behind the shed and just talked, snuggling into each other and enjoying each others company. It was nice to just forget about everything for a short while

I thought about Alphonse and Winry for a moment and frowned slightly,
"What's up?" Edward looked up at me,
"Just thinking about everyone else… I wonder where they are." I mumbled as Edward sighed and frowned,
"I'm sure they're fine." Edward spoke as I could tell he was worried, but he didn't want to think the worst, "we'll find them when the 'day of reckoning' is happening, I'm sure of it." Edward spoke as I smiled with a nod. I knew we'd find Alphonse again on that day.

I stepped back and stretched my arms to the air; I get my lower back click as I sighed and relaxed. Edward stood up and walked over to me and grabbed my arms above my head, he was taller than me now as I looked up at him. My eyes were in line with his nose as I looked up at him,
"I need to get some food for tonight." I spoke as Edward nodded, we tried to buy from the town just outside of the forest. Edward didn't leave the forest because of being a fugitive and I would buy what was needed. Edward releases my arms with a kiss on my forehead.

I grabbed a cloak from the shed and wrapped it around my neck and prepared to head out, Edward looked at me as I fixed it around my neck.
"Will you be okay?" Edward asked as I nodded,
"Just wait in the forest for me. Not too close to the edge though." I smirked and he nodded.

We walked out and Edward put his hands in his pockets as we started walking through the forest, it was a nice walk, the air was still cold as could feel the breeze on my face, but it was going to be spring soon and we'd have to get moving again.

I glanced at Edward for a moment and then looked ahead as we made our way through to the edge of the forest. It was nice to walk in peace with Edward. We had gone for small walks a lot recently through the forest and caught rabbits and food together. It was nice to have some time, just the two of us… even though Darius, Heinkel and Greed were around.

We could see the break in the treeline and Edward stopped,
"I'll wait here." Edward spoke as I nodded and I felt him kiss my cheek, I smiled to myself, and Edward moved to lean against a tree to wait as I continued forward.

Walking out I saw a few of the villagers and started making my way to the small farm store nearby. I bought what was needed and had a small chat with the shop keeper, I ended up helping them fix their broken door - without alchemy as that would draw attention - and left. I probably spent a bit too long in the town to be honest.

As I made my way back with the fruit, vegetables, and some canned food I saw Edward watching out for me. I smiled and walked in the forest as he folded his arms with a frown,
"You were taking a while…" Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Sorry… I was helping the shop keeper fix their broken door." I explained and looked away as Edward was surprised and looked away,
"Oh… nobody noticed you right?" Edward asked, he had started to be a bit protective over the last few weeks as we were trying to stay hidden,
"Nobody knew it was me." I waved my hand and walked by him, Edward followed behind as he sighed,
"Just don't want anything bad to happen." Edward spoke as I smiled and looked back at him,
"Bad things happen all the time, Edward. I can handle myself as well now." I nodded as he frowned slightly and looked down, I continued ahead but heard his footsteps stop behind me. Looking back, I could see he was worried about something.

"What's on your mind, Ed?" I asked, Edward looked at me, slightly surprised as I frowned, he gave me a small smile, but he still looked sad. I turned towards him, the bags in my hands as I watched him walk towards me, Edward took a bag and then put his hand on my head, I was shocked as he pulled me towards him in a small embrace as he held me. "Ed? What's wrong?" I asked, he wasn't normally this quiet with me.

"The day of reckoning is getting closer." Edward spoke, I nodded,
"Mmhmmm. Another month from now, isn't it? We should get to Resembool in the next week or so I think." I smiled and pulled back from Edward's hug, he frowned,
"We know that Father has a plan for Amestris. He's going to use the people of this country to do something. And he's got a plan for you, since he's getting the Homunculi to call you Mother." Edward spoke as I looked away for a moment, "I think it would be a good idea to get you into Xing—" Edward started,
"You're fucking joking." I bluntly spoke as he jumped at my words, I'd never snapped so violently before, I glared at him and gripped the handle of the bag tightly,
"Rea-?" Edward tried to start again,
"No!" I snapped and he flinched, "This all started because of me! You know I have a past with Father and even though I haven't fully told you it. You know that I need to finish this. If anything, YOU should leave for Xing, you should find Al, get Winry and Pinako and go!" I threw my free hand to the side as Edward just stared at me,
"Don't be stupid!" Edward yelled,
"Well, you're being stupid right now!" I snapped back,
"I'm just trying to protect you!" Edward yelled,
"And I appreciate the sentiment, but you also need protecting!" I yelled back at Edward as he pointed at me and then threw his arm back,
"I'm not letting you come to Central on the day." Edward snapped,
"Well, it's a good thing you don't control me." I glared at him, "I am going Edward." I spoke as Edward pouted and put his hands on his hips while I did the same.

We were at a stalemate, neither of us were going to back down from this.

Edward looked between my eyes as I took a deep breath and huffed. The wind blew and I noticed Edward fumble with something in his pocket as he put his hands in each one. Edward noticed that I saw his hand and he froze for a second, I just sighed and looked down for a moment.

"We're a team." I spoke after some time, Edward relaxed his stance as he looked at me, "Teams stick together and work together to accomplish their goals. They don't leave each other to fight the battles." I explained as Edward looked down, "don't try and push me away, Edward." I spoke, "I can't die at the moment. And I think whatever the outcome is of the day of reckoning. It will allow me to become normal again. I don't want to risk losing that opportunity." I added, "I want to return to normal so I…" I stopped and looked at Edward as I felt my cheeks heat up a little bit,
"So, you can what?" Edward asked,
"Be with you." I admitted as Edward gave me a small smile.

"Equivalent exchange…" Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Work together and take on the world together." I smiled as Edward looked away for a moment, he nodded and walked towards me. Edward grabbed my hand and then walked with me through the forest. I glanced at his pocket where he had fumbled and wondered what was in there. I frowned to myself but continued walking, not dwelling too much on the thought.

Getting back to the house I opened the door and walked in first, it was nice and warm as there was a fire burning in the fireplace,
"We're back!" I called and undone my cloak, Edward grabbed it from behind me and put it on the hook as I smiled.

Darius came out and grabbed the bag from me and smiled at me,
"You two have been gone a while." Darius spoke,
"We took a detour. Wanted to walk around the forest." I smiled,
"A detour to the shed. That's not a forest." Greed spoke as Edward turned slightly red, Darius glared at Edward and then hit him on the head.
"What was that for?!" Edward yelled,
"You're corrupting Reaka!" Darius snapped, Edward looked shocked as I giggled and shook my head,
"You'll find it's the other way around." I admitted with a laugh as Darius looked at me,
"I'm sure you're just saying that! I know how men think and I'm just protecting you." Darius continued to beat up Edward as I sighed, and Greed smirked at me.

"How does he treat you, Mother?" Greed asked as I flinched, "I forgot that bugs you." Greed quickly spoke as I frowned slightly,
"From you it's acceptable, I guess." I sighed as Darius and Edward looked at me for a split second before Darius continued to wail on Edward. I finally accepted the name that Greed mistakenly calls me sometimes. I smiled though, "but Edward's great. So please, stop beating him up." I spoke and looked at Darius as he looked away, "Edward does care about me." I smiled as he nodded, and pouted on the floor as Darius glared at him,
"Believe her!" Edward glared,
"I do, but I don't trust you." Darius pointed at him as Heinkel walked out, I sighed and looked at him,
"Need help with dinner?" I asked as Heinkel shook his head,
"We're okay." Heinkel nodded as Greed moved beside me.

Green put his arm around my shoulder and grinned,
"Looks like you've got all the men fawning over you." Greed smirked as I sighed,
"Edward's enough for me." I chuckled as he gave me a small smile, Greed rolled his eyes,
"I can't deal with mushy crap." Greed groaned and walked off as Darius went to help Heinkel with food. I looked at Edward as he was still on the floor after Darius gave him a beating.

I walked in front of him and offered Edward my hand, Edward took it, and I pulled him off the floor as he brushed himself down.

"Let's go relax for a bit." I spoke as Edward nodded, we moved upstairs and into our room and I jumped on the bed and grabbed my pillow, "I can't wait for this to all be over." I spoke as Edward nodded and put his hand in his pocket again, I glared at him, and Edward noticed and froze, Edward looked away,
"I…" Edward quickly removed his hand as I sat up, he sighed as I wasn't going to force him to show me or tell me whatever was on his mind. I was going to just wait for him to feel comfortable to talk to me.

Edward sighed and then looked at me with a relatively serious face, it looked cute. I went to my dresser and pulled my sketchbook out I started to draw in the book as Edward just stood there,
"Are you gonna stand there all day?" I chuckled to myself as Edward shuffled around. I had started to draw a lot more since we got to the house in the woods, I'd draw Darius, Heinkel, Greed/Ling and Edward. It kept my mind at ease as we waited for the day of reckoning.

I felt Edward move behind me and as I heard him shuffle, I then saw something shiny move and as I lifted my head, I saw a necklace… I stared at it as Edward held it open in front of my face,
"Edward… what's this for?" I asked as I looked in the dresser mirror and he looked a bit red in the face,
"It's the necklace you looked at that time in Central." Edward spoke as I looked over the silver necklace, the sapphire gem inside was shining brightly as I smiled and looked up at Edward,
"Thank you." I spoke as his face turned redder still,
"You're welcome…" Edward looked away as I pulled his hands down to place the necklace on my chest and I lifted my hair away so Edward could connect the back. I smiled and then glanced at my charm bracelet and saw the R and small gemstone heart that Edward had made for me. I felt the stone rest on my chest, and I gently rolled my finger over the gem, Edward was watching me in the mirror as I smiled to myself.

A little flutter filled my chest as I looked at the gem, Edward was special. He must have had this on him for months before giving it to me. I looked up at him,
"When did you get this? It's almost been a year since we went to that shop." I smiled and Edward put his hand behind his head and scratched,
"Well… it was the day you got taken by that gang. I'd gone out while you were shopping and bought it." Edward explained as I looked down, that was so long ago… I felt Edward put his hand on my shoulder as I took his hand, smiling I pulled his hand to my face and kissed it gently. Edward smiled and then leaned in and kissed my head gently. "I'm going to help with dinner. I'll call you when it's ready." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Thanks. If you need any help—" I started,
"We've got it." Edward nodded as I smiled gently, the guys were all trying to look after me. I appreciated them for it, but I felt guilty that they did the majority around the house - apart from Greed - and I only did the shopping and went outside to grab things.

As time went on, we left the house in the woods and managed to make our way through to Resembool. Pinako was home and the five of us hunkered down in her house. Edward and I stayed in a room together, Darius and Heinkel had a twin room and Greed had a room also.

Darius and Heinkel had noticed my new necklace in time. They thought I made it but when I explained Edward got it for me, it surprised them a little bit but started to be act slightly nicer to Edward. I didn't understand why they were so protective of me in the first place, but I did massively appreciate their kindness.

The day of reckoning was going to be upon us soon. We needed to be ready, and Edward was getting worried for me again, we would sometimes talk about what would happen on the day, but we had no real idea or plan because it was just too hard to predict.

We didn't know where Al and Winry were, which worried us both… we just knew they were somewhere in Amestris. A few nights Edward would wake up from a nightmare and I'd calm him down, the stress and weight of the coming day was getting to us both.

We were sticking together though, I told Edward that no matter what I was going to be by his side on that day.

It was a mess I needed to fix… something that started over 400 years ago.

The fight between Father and Amestris was coming.

I wasn't going to let him get away with destroying another place I called home.

Not on my watch.