Greed sat in the basement with only Dolcetto by his side. The remainder of his men were currently up at the bar.

"So..." Dolcetto looked at Greed,"Boss, what are you going to do now?"

Greed sat in his chair with a frown,"Well, maybe living forever will have to be put on hold for a while." He smiled at him,"But taking over the world can be done in my lifetime!" He sat up,"First, I gotta get some more cash. I'm thinking casinos as far as the eye can see!" He waved his hand in the air,"And then, I'll do some blackmail of various government officials to have them in my pocket!"

Dolcetto laughed,"That sounds like it'll take forever."

"I've got time." Greed grinned,"Not sure how long, but I got time."

At that point, Roa's body flew into the basement at Greed's feet. A hole was in his chest.

"Roa!" Dolcetto stared at the body before both he and Greed looked up at a woman holding Martel up by her neck. The woman was wearing a long purple dress with a small red gem in the center of it.

Greed barely had time to register this before looking at Martel's body. Martel's body had shriveled up, her arms and legs showing bone through the greying skin. The woman threw Martel to the side, allowing Greed to see her lack of eyes,"What the..." He glared at the woman,"Who the hell are you!?"

"Greed, has it been that long since we last met?" The woman smiled.

Greed's eyes widened in horror.

Dolcetto screamed in rage as he ran at Dante with his blade,"Dolcetto, wait-" Greed shouted before Dante backhanded the chimera hard enough to make his head turn 180 degrees.

"It's always you, Greed." Dante walked forward.

Greed's body turned pitch black as he ran at her with his fist.

Dante caught it, her purple snake-like eyes piercing into Greed's own,"What happened to your 'No Woman' Rule?"

"I'm making an exception for you, bitch!" Greed threw his other fist into her.

Dante caught that one. Greed glared at her,"Those eyes... how do the rest of my siblings feel knowing you went all demon?" Greed asked.

"They're okay with it actually. They understand it's part of my plan for godhood. We'll talk later when I bring you home." Dante said. Greed's hand then charged with blue lightning.

What the- I didn't even see her clap her hands! Greed let out a scream as Dante moved her hands in an x position, ripping his arms off. Greed fell back, his arms regenerating,"What the hell..."

"Carbon is a fascinating element. It's a component for diamonds, but it is also the component for graphite, the kind you see in a child's pencil." Dante walked forward,"I don't have time to give you a whole song and dance. Dream?"

Greed turned his head to see a hand in his face. Inside the hand was an eyeball that flashed, causing him to lose consciousness.

Izumi's eyes woke up to a sound at night,"Sig, honey, there's something in the house..."

Sig turned to her.

Izumi put a hand on her palm and they both began to play rock, paper, scissors until Izumi hit rock and Sig got paper,"Okay."

Ed shot up in the bed, looking around, "What?" Turning his head, he saw Al already at the door, and quickly followed him. Tanjiro got up soon after, deciding to let Zenitsu sleep while not noticing the slightly open box. The group ran downstairs towards where Izumi squealed.

"What is it?" asked Ed.

Izumi was sitting in a corner,"You boys." She growled,"I can't believe that you would..." She turned around, holding Nezuko in her arms,"Keep this cutie away from me!"

Nezuko looked at Tanjiro, tears in her eyes,I haven't been held like this since I was human!

Tanjiro mumbled, "Well, the thing is...it's a long story."

Izumi patted Nezuko on the head with a frown,"Let me guess... she's a demon and you're trying to fix her?"

Tanjiro hesitated for a moment, before saying,"Yes."

Izumi smiled,"I see." She rubbed little Nezuko's head,"Poor thing." She muttered before she began to cough up some blood.

Nezuko frowned and placed her hand on Izumi's stomach. There was a slight burst of flame that went inside of her.

"What?" Ed asked.

Izumi blinked, holding her stomach,"I... feel better?" She looked at Nezuko,"Well, it looks like you got a little healer here!"

Ed blinked and looked at Tanjiro, "Did...you know...

Tanjiro blinked for a few moments,"I..." He winced,"I don't know anymore..."

Ed could only pause for this, wondering if this is more of the memories affecting Tanjiro.

Tanjiro whispered,"Ed... I'm losing my memories of the old world..."

"What?" Ed whispered, his eyes widening a little more.

"And Zenitsu has completely lost his!" Tanjiro said,"I know he went through with me, but he just told me he only remembers this one!"

"How much do you remember right now?" Ed asked, trying to gather his thoughts.

Tanjiro closed his eyes with a deep breath, "Well, my first mission seems the same. Then I... the mountain, but I see your face."

Ed looked at Tanjiro weirdly, "Me?"

"It's weird, I can remember you, Colonel Mustang, but I know for a fact you weren't there!"

"Yeah, because I only met you a few days ago," Ed said, "But I've been getting glimpses."

Izumi frowned,"I was afraid of this. The more time you spend here, the more this world's memories will replace your old ones."

Ed shook his head, "But all that's happened to me and Al so far is that we are seeing glimpses of the other world and things are slowly filling in the blanks. Why is it slow for us?"

"It may be due to the increased, for lack of a better word, 'mass' of your world compared to his." Izumi frowned,"Dante merged her world and yours, and then merged that one with his."

"So mine's taking longer because of that?" Ed said.

Izumi nodded.

Nezuko walked over to Tanjiro and grabbed his arm.

Looking back at Tanjiro and Nezuko, Ed then turned back to Al and began to think, "And the worst part is...I don't know if I want to fix this or not. Or if there is anything to fix."

Al looked down, I don't know if we should fix this... we're not having many issues but they are, yet, in time it won't matter if they forget or not. He looked at Ed, But we'll figure something out, right Brother?

Roy entered Hughes' room with a bouquet of flowers. At that point, he heard his friend speaking constantly,"And then she rolled around in her blankie saying,'I'm a little burrito!'"

Roy noticed the Sound Hashira with his face in his palm. Tengen mouthed out,Help me.

Roy couldn't help but give a smile,"At it again, huh, Maes?"

Maes turned to Roy," Hey Roy! I was starting to run out of stories!" He was handed the bouquet.

"From Gracia." Roy crossed his arms,"I heard about what happened."

Hughes nodded,"I don't know what I did, but something is after me!"

"Indeed." Roy frowned,"And you fought two monsters that weren't demons."

Tengen let out a sigh of relief that he didn't have to hear more stories, or the other man trying to convince him to have kids,"Yeah, one of the things just laughed when I cut its head off."

"It's the strangest thing, though," Hughes thought for a moment,"Ed knew this was going to happen somehow, he mentioned a name: Envy."

"Fullmetal knew?" Roy thought for a moment,"He has been acting strange lately." He looked at Tengen,"You wouldn't know anything about precognition, would you?"

Tengen shrugged,"Nope. I'm good with hearing but that's about it."

"It was worth a shot." Roy thought for a moment,"If Ed knew something was going to happen, but then someone went after you without you doing anything..." He looked out the window,"Maes, Xing is nice this time of year, you should take your family there."

"..." Hughes frowned,"Roy, you can't be saying-"

"Hughes, You have more to lose than the rest of us. So I'm asking you this for your own safety... and to help Fullmetal." Roy said.

"..." Hughes sighed,"Well, I don't mind an extended vacation. What are you going to be doing though?"

Roy smirked,"I have good people on a mission."

Havoc moaned as he leaned back in the chair of the records room,"What are we even looking for?"

Fuery looked through some papers,"I'm not sure. Colonel said that Hughes was attacked here for a reason."

Falman frowned,"I'm more concerned that Roy thought it necessary to bring the Water Pillar with us."

Breda muttered,"Yeah, and he's not very social." He looked over at Giyu Tomioka looking over some books himself,"... You know, us being alone in this dark room, with no one around... kinda feels like a horror book, huh?" He grinned.

Fuery gulped,"It... it does..."

Breda leaned forward at the table,"You know... usually the minority dies first in those."

They all looked over at Tomioka,"We'll give your master and Tanjiro our condolences." Havoc said.

Giyu raised an eyebrow at this, before muttering, "Can't believe everything you read."

"He's also the strongest one of us, so that's another death flag," Havoc said.

Fuery gulped,"Wait, who's got the most chance of survival?"

"Usually the virgin." Breda said,"Who here's not a virgin? And no, Mr. Hashira, you've got two death flags, you're out of this!"

Most raised their hands. Havoc looked at Fuery,"Wait, you?"

"Cherry, my high school sweetheart!" Fuery sighed,"Good times..."

Breda looked at Havoc,"Havoc... you're a virgin?"

"..." Havoc slumped down while Breda broke out laughing.

"It's okay, plenty of soldiers are virgins." Fuery patted him on the shoulder.

Riza sighed as she sat in her perch,"They've devolved into this..."

Shinobu was crying next to her,"I'll miss Giyu when he's gone!"

Giyuu rolled his eyes, "Why not do what most young soldiers your age do and go to the entertainment district."

"Because that's like giving up!" Havoc said,"'Oh, you can't get a girlfriend, why not buy one!?'"

Falman put a hand on his shoulder,"Why not try it out just this once?"

"But I have a girlfriend now! She's right over there..." They all turned and noticed Lust in the corner waving to them.

"..." Breda looked at Havoc," When did she get here?"

"A minute ago." Havoc sighed,"Yes, I'm aware that now she's most likely suspicious. Your name isn't even Solaris is it!?"

Lust sighed,"No, I'm afraid."

"Damn it." Havoc cried,"You guys aren't going to let me live this one down!"

"Not in the least." They all said.

Lust got up,"I'm afraid you'll find nothing here." She tapped her chin,"That being said, I can't let you leave so easily." At that point several bullets entered from the military's guns. Lust fell back. Her body began to regenerate,"Now that was just rude..." She slowly got up.

"So, bullets are ineffective, should've realized." Havoc looked at the others,"Run?"

Furey gulped, "Was that even a question?

"Right." They sped off.

Lust smiled,"Oh please run, I love it when my victims run!" she ran after them.

Breda looked at Havok, "So, care to explain how and why?!"

"Well I found her on a blind date, we hit it off and- I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS A MONSTER, OKAY!?" Havoc shouted.

Falman frowned,"It's not surprising he would fall for her. He always had a thing for big boobs."

"I JUST LOVE THEM!"

They ran outside, Lust slowly walking towards them. Before a gunshot struck her in the head from above.

Giyu, using the distraction, slashed out at her arm.

The arm came flying off as Lust struck at him with her other hand.

Giyu grunted and rolled to the side, wincing at the wound in his side.

Riza looked on from her perch before she heard a noise.

Shinobu backed up a bit as a rotund man came towards them,"Found you..." the man said, maw opening wide.

"Hello... sir." Shinobu had a hand on her sword,"Would you like to be my friend?"

Gluttony paused for a moment and sat down. He put his thumb into his mouth with a curious look, and cocked his head side to side, before turning to look at Lust, "Lust, can I make friends with food?"

Lust's face regenerated,"Yes."

Shinobu shouted down,"You stay out of this!" She sighed,"Oh forget it!" She stabbed Gluttony in the face with her blade.

Gluttony stuck out his long oung, licking the blade before starting to chew, "Yum, a good source of iron for my blood!"

Shinobu quickly tried to pull her sword away,"My swordsmith is going to kill me!"

Gluttony paused for a moment as he gnawed, "Maybe I should stop, Lust says too much iron is bad for me."

Shinobu held up a finger,"Well, Iron is supposed to be good for you, it's what composes the-"

Riza coughed,"Maybe you shouldn't help him try to eat you." Before she fired on Gluttony,"Run."

Shinobu frowned,"Just trying to educate someone on the body, that's all!"

"Ow, bad woman shooting me!" Glutton moaned and then showed his teeth, "You're no longer my friend! I'll eat you first!"

Giyu blocked some of Lust's fingers with his blade as he looked up at the roof, "Is your friend not very bright."

Lust jumped back,"Well, he's... special." She muttered,"But most of us are fond of him."

"Well, that is very progressive for an evil group," Giyu said, making a slash, "Most would push him away for being...special."

Lust deflected it,"He is also technically family so..."

"And you are not embarrassed by this?"

"I'm not, can't say the same about my siblings." Lust said,"I mean, he's precious!"

"Stop trying to eat me!" Shinobu shouted. There was a clapping sound and alchemical energy appeared as stone spikes struck Gluttony.

"Back up?" asked Fuery.

At that moment, a finger snap, and an explosion struck Gluttony.

Roy appeared on the street, aiming his fingers at Lust,"Can't leave you alone, can I?"

Lust frowned before a crow came over to land on her shoulder. It began whispering into her ear,"It seems I can't play with you. Gluttony, come, we have a little family reunion to get to."

"Ok Lust," Gluttony said, "Sorry new friend, I've got to go. Play later ok?"

Shinobu panted as she and Riza collapsed on the ground.

When the two homunculi left, the soldiers regrouped,"So... that was a bust." Havoc muttered.

Shinobu stared at what was left of her sword,"I don't think I've ever had my sword eaten before..."

"I feel sorry for the swordsmith," Gyuu said, sheathing his blade, "How did they know what we were doing? And why did they leave?"

Roy frowned as he leaned against the wall,"That's a good question." He thought for a moment,"Maybe Hughes is right, there's a conspiracy. I believe you two have mentioned that demons are being more coordinated than usual lately?"

Shinobu gave a nod while Fuery asked,"Is that really weird?"

Shinobu frowned,"Muzan is more hands-off when it comes to his spawn. He never directly leads them unless they're an Upper Moon. These were lower demons."

"This may be related." Roy frowned,"Maybe someone else is pulling the strings." He looked at them,"Let's regroup back at East City... and then we'll take Havoc to the Entertainment District."

"Wait-"

Rush Valley is a town filled to the brim with burgeoning engineers and people willing to pay for high-end automail. It's an expansive town that provides much of Amestris' economy.

It's because of these that a certain blonde girl was squealing in delight as she looked at a window holding an automail arm.

Ed, who was pulling a little red wagon full of presents, grumbled, "Done shopping metal head?"

Winry's eyes twinkled,"I don't know, I haven't even checked the other half of town yet!"

"Winry, I don't think the wagon can carry the other half!"

Winry looked at Ed,"You're an alchemist."

"You only seem to compliment my skill when you need something," Ed grumbled.

Winry frowned,"Gee, I wonder how that feels."

Al sat next to a house,"Should've figured that this would happen."

Tanjiro sat down, and looked, "I don't know what Ed's problem is. When I went shopping with mom and my siblings I usually was the one carrying the supplies."

Al laughed,"Well, Ed's a bit more..."

"Um, testy?" asked Tanjiro

"Yeah..." Al said.

A guy looked at Kanao,"Hey, I know that hairclip, you wouldn't happen to be related to a demon slayer that came by here a couple of years back, would you?"

"Um, that would be my sister," Kanao said.

"Ah, she was a great help around here" He smiled,"Saved me from a random demon attack."

"There were demons even this far," Tanjiro said.

Ed couldn't help but continue to grumble about his luck and becoming a pack mule

"Brother, would you like me to take care of that?" Al asked.

Ed grunted a little, before moaning, "No, I got this Al. You know your strong big brother."

Al nodded,"Ah, I see." He turned away.

Ed grunted a little more, "Yep, I got this!"

"I didn't take you for the guy who'd try and impress a girl by being all macho." Al shrugged.

Ed pulled the cart, "No, I am doing this because I want to make sure my arm is still working well!"

"Yeah, sure, okay." Al looked around.

Zenitsu walked down the streets, looking around before a tanned-skinned girl in a tank top walked next to him,"Excuse me!" She lightly nudged him.

"No problem," Zenitsu said, smiling, "Wow, so polite...and cute."

The girl smirked,"Too easy..." She walked forward, only for her arm to be grabbed by Kanao.

"Excuse me, it's not right to steal," Kanao said.

The girl gulped as she attempted to wrench her hand away,"Oh..."

Tanjiro walked to stand with Kanao, "How can you be so sure she stole it?"

Kanao looked at Tanjiro,"I saw her hand go for Zenitsu's hip."

Zenitsu blinked and reached for his side where his sword should be,"My sword's gone... You know I always wanted to be robbed by a sexy burglar!"

The girl blinked,"You saw that!?" She chuckled,"Well, this is unfortunate..." She pulled out of Kanao's grip,"See ya!" She spun around and ran off.

Zentistu yelled, "Hey get back here! I have other swords for you to grab and hold onto!"

"I thought you only had the one," Tanjiro said, chasing after her.

The girl winked back at them,"Sorry, I only have room here for one sword!"

Kanao followed after them,"Maybe he means something else..."

Al turned his head to see them running,"Oh, there's Paninya."

Ed looked at Paninya as she ran by, took out his stopwatch, looked at it, and then back to her, "She's early."

"And she went after someone else." Al said,"Do you think we should just let them handle this? I mean, if anyone can tell her to stop stealing, it's probably Tanjiro."

"Yeah," Ed said, sitting down, "Besides I need a break!"

"I asked if you needed help and you said no," Al said. He shook his head,"Must you be so stubborn." There was an explosion behind him.

"Why does she have a cannon leg!? That's so hot!" Zenitsu's voice shouted.

Ed smirked as he put away his pocket watch, ignoring Al's question, "Rocket leg, right on time."

Tajiro moved to stand in front of the pickpocket, "Please stop running, you shouldn't have to do this.

Paninya frowned as she looked at him,"I shouldn't but I will!" She ran to the left.

Tanjiro ran after her, jumping over some boxes and running past some alleys, "But why?"

Paninya ran up a wall,"Why should I tell you!?"

"Because I asked nicely?" asked Tanjiro.

Paninya stopped and turned to him,"... Really?"

"Yes," Tanjiro said.

Paninya looked him over,"My god, you are a cinnamon roll." She winked at him,"Well since you are so cute and cuddly, I suppose I can indulge a little." She looked away,"I need to pay off these legs of mine. The automail engineer who made these did them for free but I can't just not pay him!"

Tanjiro paused and looked at her, "Why not? He did it for a selfless reason, it was a gift.

"Well, this is my gift to him!" Paninya said,"I have to repay him."

"Why don't you do something simpler and less...criminal?"

Paninya thought about it for a minute,"Hmm, well I'm not sure where to go..."

Winry appeared next to her,"You can start by telling me where you got that sweet automail!"

Kanao looked to where Winry came from,"Where did she come from?"

"Oh, she was following us after the rocket," Tanjiro said, "It's weird, you both have a similar nice smell. I think it's because of your perfume choice.

Kanao blinked,"You think I have a nice smell?"

Winry was too busy squeeing,"Come on, I want to see your automail engineer!"

"Okay, okay." Paninya laughed,"Come on, I'll lead ya."

"Well, yes. It's very pretty and nice," Tanjiro said, "A nice mix of lilac and sword cleaning material. It, kind of fits you in a way."

"Oh, thank you..." Kanao whispered.

Al loomed behind Tanjiro, a hand to his chin,"Heheheh.

"Hmmm, so you know her scent," Ed said with an evil grin.

Tanjiro blushed and yelped, "Uh, what is that supposed to mean?"

Zenitsu sighed,"God you're dense..." he facepalmed.

After Paninya gave Zenitsu his sword back, she took them up a large mountain and towards a rope bridge.

Al stopped at the beginning,"Brother... this bridge's been reinforced."

"What?" Ed took at step back and looked at the bridge.

"I was thinking of finding some metal or something to reinforce this bridge, but look, it's already got steel wiring." Al said,"Somebody's already done it."

"But, who did that?" Ed asked.

Paninya spoke from behind them,"That Hashira lady who came by here a couple of years ago,"

"Wich one?" asked Tanjiro

Paninya pointed to Kanao,"Her sister."

Kanao nodded,"My sister came by here... to get some work done."

Tanjiro sighed when he looked at Kanao talking a little bit of her sister, "IT sounds like she was really busy here."

Kanao nodded,"I think she told me she was the only demon slayer stationed here at the time."

"Hey!" A young man shouted on the other side of the bridge,"You Shinobu's sister!?"

"Yes, she is!" Tanjiro yelled back.

"And she's bringing friends!"

"And I see Paninya there! Come on, I think Dad just got home!"

Tanjiro, ever the gentleman, took Kanao's hand to help her across the bridge. He forgot for a moment how capable she was and began to follow what his mother always told him about acting around a lady. Ed, on the other hand, walked with Winry, noticing she was busy admiring the work on the bridge.

"This is amazing..." Winry said,"Alchemy sure can do a lot." She sighed as she ran her finger along the metal ropes.

"Yeah, I know," Ed said with a smirk

They soon came upon a small house. The young man, who introduced himself as Ridel, opened the door,"I'm home and I've brought guests!"

A woman holding a small baby smiled,"Oh hello!"

The group all gave their respective hellos while Tanjiro couldn't help but be filled with memories of his little siblings.

Ridel smiled at Kanao,"My dad's in the back. He's the one who did most of the work on your sister's hand." Then he noticed Winry was gone,"Uh..."

"Ridel, why is there a blonde girl here asking to be my apprentice!?" An old man's voice came from the back.

Ed raised his hand, "She's with me."

An older man stepped out of the back, and Winry followed him with sparkling eyes. He looked him over,"Ridel, what's with the kids?" He noticed Kanao,"Hmm."

Kanao looked at him, "Yes?"

"Huh, I was wondering if we were ever going to see ya." He muttered,"Your sister talked about you."

"What did she say?" Kanao asked, a little shy about being talked.

"She said that she needed to become a little more whole if she wanted to keep you safe." Dominic said,"Of course, that was in between the screams of pain."

"She didn't need to go that far," Kanao said.

"She lost her hand helping you?" asked Tanjiro.

Ed winced a little remembering his own struggle

Ridel shook his head,"No, she seemed to have lost it before she came here. She never told us how she lost it, only that she 'made a terrible mistake.'" He laughed a little,"We actually gave her that automail for free because she saved me and my wife, Satella, from a demon."

Satella cradled her baby,"Yes, if she hadn't shown up, we wouldn't be here.

Ed sat in silence, hearing the words 'horrible mistake' pass through his ears. His mind began to remember the last time a terrible mistake led to his now cold and metal appendage. He started to wonder if she had made a similar mistake and why. He was stopped from thinking and asking when he heard Tanjiro ask, "What kind of demon was it, what happened?"

Kanao frowned, her mind was briefly thinking back to why Shinobu had come here.

Satella smiled,"Oh it was one of those minor demons. You know the type, the ones that go 'Rar' and attack. I think he was newly formed. Poor thing."

Ridel leaned back,"Yeah, she and I were walking outside the bridge when he attacked us."

"I can only imagine how much damage he did to the bridge," Ed said.

Tanjiro frowned, "He didn't need to attack you when you are so vulnerable."

"Yeah, well, you know how demons are." Satella smiled.

Nezuko sweated a little in her box.

"Not all," Tanjiro whispered, rubbing the box.

Satella looked at him strangely.

"It's funny," Ridel said,"Demons are highly dangerous... yet they're practically the reason we automail engineers make our money."

"No duh," Zenitsu said looking at Ed for a moment, "Considering all of the hell and horror we go through. I'm surprised I haven't lost a limb yet.

Dominic frowned at Paninya,"Girl, for the last time, I'm not taking your money!"

"Oh, she doesn't want to give you money," Tanjiro said,"She was thinking of stuff she could do around the house. A baby is a big responsibility after all and there is a lot you need to do." he then began to go through several things that can help around the house.

As Tanjiro began to talk, Zenitsu joked, "And remember. He's had a lot of practice to get through this."

"I know, at least four times over. I thought Al was tough," Ed snarked, not noticing Tanjiro's pause when Zenitisu mentioned the other siblings.

Paninya blinked a few times,"Wait-"

Dominic stopped and put a thumb to his chin,"Do what you want." He turned away.

Ridel snickered,"Translation: Yes."

Al whispered,"Six kids... how did his parents manage that!?"

"Mountain folk," Zenitsu said.

Al sighed,"I can't really dispute that..."

Ed saw the baby with the family and smiled to himself. Getting up, he said, "I'm going for a walk for a bit."

"Ed, I want to go with you," Tanjiro said, walking and following Ed out.

Al watched as they left,"I wonder what that's about..."

Ed stepped outside for a moment, looking out at the sandy area around him, and he smiled. A faint memory came to him about the last time he had come here. How they were there for a birth and how he wasn't truly able to save the day but was only there to offer help.

"Ed, Al, thank you for being there for Gracia. I can't thank you enough," Hughes said, holding his wife.

Ed chuckled as he looked at the couple, "Well, we didn't do much..."

"So, other me," Ed said, "You went through the same crap?"

"Wanted to just remember them when they were babies?" asked Tanjiro as he walked to Ed. Ed turned to him and this made Tanjiro give a little chuckle. "I, thought that was why you left."

Ed took a moment to look down and nodded, "Didn't want to get nostalgic around Al. Bt yeah, I was getting a lot of memories about this place and a little about Al." he began to walk with Tanjiro following.

"I understand," Tanjiro said, smiling as he remembered.

"There is someone in there, Tanjiro," Tanjiro's father said, looking at the young baby when he looked at the pregnant mother.

Tanjiro sighed and looked down, watching his feet as he followed Ed, "I was only a year old when Nezuko was born, so I didn't remember much about when she was born, but I remember when Takeo was and how small he was compared to me and Nezuko."

"Watching Al hold my finger," Ed said, hearing Tanjiro's faint sigh, "Is one of my earliest memories. Well, that and...mom." Shaking his head, he looked back at the home and smiled warmly, "Humans can be so amazing, huh?"

"What do you mean?" Tanjiro asked.

"Alchemists spend years trying to find the secrets of life, how to change it, and how to control it, but humans have it all in them the entire time," Ed said, taking a moment to close and open his automail hand. "Alchemists have rules about creating life, but humans can do it in just a few minutes. We can't even change metal to flesh, no matter what we do. It's why we got doctors and automail techs, to do things we can't."

"Do you get worried," Tanjiro asked Ed, putting his hand on his sword, "that you'll fail?"

"Never," Ed said, a smirk on his lips, "Because, I think we humans are also capable of doing the impossible. These demons seem to be focused only on what they are being told, ignoring the impossible and just sticking to their own world. But us, we can do anything. I'll fix Al, and turn him back. And you, you'll save her."

"Are you sure?" Tanjiro asked.

"Yeah, I promise," Ed said, turning to walk away.

Tanjiro paused and asked, "Um Ed, could you spare with me for a moment? I need to free my mind."

"Sure," Ed said, taking off his shirt to bare his automail arm and then got into a fighting stance. Tanjiro pulled out his katana and put it's reverse blade side out before charging with a thrust. Their metal clashed with a loud cling, a metallic ring ringing out with each strike.

"A good spar helps to alleviate stress and frees the mind," Tanjiro said, blocking some of Ed's strikes before coming out with a slash.

"Been listening to Teacher?" asked Ed.

"She's got good advice," Tanjiro said, ducking under Ed's back fist. As he went for an upper slash and then a slash at Ed's side, he began to think of how Nezuko wouldn't be able to enjoy this in the day or even with Al. He tried not to think of how much of the world Nezuko was missing because she had been turned against her will by a demonic monster. A monster that wouldn't have gotten to her if-

Ed's ax kick whiffed by Tanjiro's forehead, being blocked by the blade, "Be careful."

"Yeah," Tanjiro said, pushing Ed away and going for three slashes, only stopping when the two engaged in a grapple, "Ed, is it wrong that I am a little jealous of you and Al?"

"Jealous?" Ed asked.

"You and Al, you have such great chemistry together. It's like you two are one person," Tanjiro said, "You two act like you know what each's other thinking and...wish me and Nezuko could that." for a moment, he thought about how Nezuko could never leave her box, and if it wasn't for their love for each other, she might become just another animal to be put down.

Ed sighed as he went for an elbow block and then struck out with a left hook to the gut, "What me and Al have? We got that through years of practice, study, and arguing. Give it time, you and Nezuko can have that."

"But nothing," Ed said, tripping Tanjiro with a sweep, "If you want to have something more, then be the change you want to be. And when you get her back to normal, you, me, and Al and NEzuko can all have a sibling day together." he finished before sitting down.

"Then maybe we can talk about you and Winry?" asked Tanjiro.

Ed clapped his hands and grabbed some dirt, "There is nothing between me and Winry." he then threw some mud.

"Did...did you throw some mud at me?" asked Tanjiro.

Ed nodded, moving away as Tanjiro knocked some dust back.

At that point, rain began to quickly fall around them.

Ed and Tanjiro quickly ran back inside, trying to keep dry.

Zenitsu met them at the front door,"Okay, we need help!"

"What kind of help?" asked Ed

"It's the old man, he collapsed Winry's trying to help him, but he needs a doctor! Add on to that-" He winced,"I'm hearing someone crying for help!"

"Where is the voice coming from," Tanjiro asked as Ed ran inside.

Zenitsu pointed to the left,"From there!"

Tanjiro began to sniff and ran off in that direction.

Zenitsu looked back into the building, then back to the direction he sent Tanjiro,"..." He sighed,"Might as well help Tanjiro..." He ran after him.

Dominic was currently passed out on the floor, Winry was above him.

Ed ran over to Winry, "What happened?"

Winry panted as she pumped his chest,"He collapsed! I think it might be his heart! Ridel just left to get the doctor!"

Ed looked back at he box with Nezuko and thought about her power...

Winry whispered,"If you want to bring her out, I can come up with a decent lie."

"You were always a better liar." Ed said with a wink.

Winry chuckled,"Had to be."

The sound of a little girl crying for help near a small cliff entered Tanjiro's ears. He and Zenitsu would find a little raven-haired girl crying.

"Hold on!" Tanjiro said, running to the edge of the cliff and looking down.

The little girl cried,"My... my big brother fell down there somewhere!"

"What?" Tanjiro asked, "Why were you play-" he paused, not caring about the whats and whys, he instead got down on his knees to try and sniff out the brother's scent.

The rain kept falling down around them.

Zenitsu looked up, grumbling,"I'm going to have to do this, aren't I?" He listened.

A boy's voice moaned a few feet down.

Tanjiro breathed slowly, the rain making it hard for him to sniff the boy's scent. Instead of the scent of a human, he could only smell the falling rain and the mud that the ground ever so slowly became. Letting himself focus for a minute, he finally found a scent similar to the young girl and looked down at the location of the moan. Nodding, he leaped off the cliff and rammed his blade into the side of the cliff, letting him slide down he side, "Thank goodness for te mud, or this would start chipping my blade." Looking down, he shouted, "Are you all right?"

The kid moaned,"My leg hurts..."

"Ok, stay where you are," Tanjiro said, sliding down as slow as he could using his blade as a support.

The boy looked up at him as he came closer. HE seemed to be a young teenager at first glance, wearing small suspenders. One noticeable thing was that he had a prosthetic leg. He frowned at Tanjiro,"You... don't need to save me."

"What do you mean?" Tanjiro asked, looking down at the prosthetic leg.

It seemed cheaply made and barely attached to his stump,"I... I screwed up, this is my fault, to begin with, so leave me alone!""

Tanjiro sighed and shook his head, "I'm sorry, but that is something I can't do. Besides, you only made a mistake, and you fell. Do you know why we fall?"

"Why?"

"So we can pick ourselves up again," Tanjiro said, looking down and holding out his hand.

The boy frowned, before taking his hand.

"When we make mistakes," Tanjiro said, using his sword to helm himself up, "We use that to help build ourselves up. We learn from them and better ourselves so we won't make them again.

Ed led Nezuko to the fallen man, letting her begin the healing process.

"I guess that's how we humans are alike, and the basic principle of alchemy," Tanjiro said, "We break ourselves down with mistakes, only to build ourselves back up through reinvention and struggle."

"Here you go," Tanjiro said, setting the boy down.

The boy looked away,"Mistakes huh..." He muttered,"Building ourselves better..."

The girl cried,"Big Brother."

"Here you go," Tanjiro said, setting the boy down.

The girl ran to the boy and gave him a hug,"I'm sorry!"

"... You shouldn't have run off like that... and I should be apologizing..." The boy muttered.

"None of that," Tanjiro said, sitting down with both of them. "You are both fine and are alive. That's what is important.

The boy muttered something.

"Mister, are you what some people call, a cinnamon roll?" the little girl asked.

Zenitsu interrupted Tanjiro, "Yes he is."

"No, I'm better," Tanjiro said with a smile. "I'm a big brother."

"Oh!" The girl said.

The boy looked away,"Better than me..."

"I also had practice, five times."

"Wow!" The girl said.

The doctor looked over at Dominic,"Amazing, he's making a full recovery." He looked at the old man,"Don't do anything strenuous for a while."

The man looked at the doctor, "Define strenuous?"

"Anything mechanic based." The doctor said with a frown.

Ridel crossed his arms," Then that means you're retiring and letting me take over, Dad."

Dominic frowned,"Great..."

Winry sighed,"So, I won't get an apprenticeship?"

Dominic turned to her,"What's your name again?"

"Winry Rockbell."

The air grew cold as Dominic's eyes widened in horror,"Then I will retire."

"Granny Pinako is pretty famous," Ed said.

"And scary, apparentally. I don't know why Dad is so scared of her." Ridel said,"He keeps giving me that look and backing away. By the way," He indicated Nezuko,"Why does she have a piece of bamboo in her mouth?"

"It's a-" Ed looked to Winry.

"Dental problems." Winry said immediately,"She has to wear that to take better care of her teeth."

Nezuko nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," Ed said, "She needs it to help keep her teeth set."

They are both good liars. Tanjiro-Niisan could learn from them,Nezuko thought.

Tanjiro came into the house later, soaked to the bone alongside Zenitsu.

Nezuko walked over to Tanjiro as he walked in and wagged her finger dissapprovingly.

Tanjiro held up his hands,"Nezuko, you're-" He looked at the open box,"Here.."

"Had to, she saved a life," Ed said, before looking to the kids. "You seemed to be helping a lot too." he then clapped his hands and put them both onto Tanjiro and Zenitsu to help dry them off.

Zenitsu watched this,"You could get a job at the dry cleaners with this!"

Ed nodded, "I thought of being a designer if I didn't wanna be an alchemist."

Al, who was helping the kids in, paused to think about the insane designs Ed could make.

Winry muttered,"I don't wanna think about him as a designer either..."

"So what's with the two kids you helped?" Ed asked.

"They were in trouble, the little boy was feeling down about falling down," Tanjiro said.

Ed smirked, "Told ya you are doing good as a big brother."

"You know Ed, I've been thinking. There is something more important than what we fight against," Tanjiro said, looking at Nezuko, still wondering why she was out and hoping that the rain would keep so she wouldn't be hit by the sun. "What we fight for."

Ridel walked over to Winry,"I'm not ready for an apprentice but I heard Garfiel down in town is looking for one. He's probably better than me in some respects, you should go talk to him."

"I will!" Winry said, smiling as she thought about getting an apprenticeship.

And soon they left the house and back toward town. However, there was a tense air around them as they came back.

Zenitsu paused and looked around, "Ever have that threatening feeling? Like someone pointed out something horrible? "

An effeminate man popped his head out of the shop and beckoned towards them.

They walked towards him.

The man took them in,"Oh thank goodness a couple of demon slayers are here!" He said, putting a hand to his face,"Things are getting strange around here!"

"Define strange," Ed said.

"Everyone here is working, going through the motions but no one seems to be talking normally to one another!" The man said.

Kanao winced as she held her neck.

Tanjiro looked at Kanao, "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I think a bug bit me..." Kanao whispered.

Tanjiro took a little closer look.

On the back of her neck was a small bump.

Garfiel looked at them,"I'll look after the girl for you while you check."

The group left the house to begin the investigation by splitting up.

Tanjiro would come across a guy smashing a hammer to an anvil.

Zenitsu held on to Al,"I'm sticking with the tank..."

Zentisu looked up, "It is ok if I go inside you, right?"

Al looked at him,"Not sure how I should respond to that question."

Ed would walk down the streets, seeing several people staring blankly at various objects, muttering something.

Ed stepped behind one person, "What are you talking about?"

"Keep working, don't stop. Keep working, don't stop."The man said, seemingly ignoring him.

At the blacksmith, Tanjiro asked, "Sir, are you ok?"

"Keep working, must feed the family. Keep working, must feed the family." The blacksmith said. He was just hitting the anvil.

Tanjiro took a closer look a the man's hands.

There appeared to be a spider bite on one of them.

"A spider bite?" Tanjitro asked, before looking at the man's eyes.

The man's eyes were glazed over.

Tanjro tried to pull his hand away from the hammer.

The man let out a scream as he threw his hand at Tanjiro.

Tanjiro stepped back from it.

The man went back to work.

Zenitsu heard a lot of people begin to chant the same thing about work and work, and then cuddle up to Al, "This is getting creepy."

Al nodded,"Very creepy." He looked around,"It's almost as if they're being controlled to work."

"But by what?" asked Zenistu, "What kind of demon?"

"Good question..." Al looked at Zenitsu,"Can you sense one?"

Zentisu began to try and listen for anything odd.

The sound of several souls screaming came from the left.

Zentisu stood behind Al and pointed in the direction of the voices, "They came from that away!"

Al walked forward, noticing a woman in a white kimono with long white hair standing in the middle of town.

Zenitsu's eyes opened wide and he stood forward, "Hello."

The woman stared at him,"Tell me, what do you think of what I've done with this place? Everyone's working really hard, aren't they?"

"They don't seem to be too happy though," Zenistu said looking around, shaking a little, "They look possessed and scared. Like if they stop working, they'll die.

"Exactly. If they don't stop doing their jobs, they'll die." The woman said, looking at him. She bowed,"I am Delirium."

"Are you insane?" asked Zenistu.

"I suppose you could say that." Delirium said.

"Why would you torture these people like this?" asked Al/

"Why not? They are human scum. Human scum deserves to be tortured." Delirium said.

"No one deserves to be tortured," Tanjiro said, stepping out.

"I disagree, boy." Delirium said.

Tanjiro put his hand onto his sword hilt, "People deserve to live, free of being hurt and tortured. You don't have to do this, let them go."

Delirium smirked,"Are you going to fight?"

"Are you going to stand down," Tanjiro asked, putting his hand on his hilt.

"No..." She pointed to her neck,"Come on, I'll give you a free hit at my neck."

"Why?" Tanjiro asked.

Delirium smiled as she cocked her head,"I wanna prove something my Queen told me."

"Oh great, whenever they ask that, they got something up their sleeve!" Zenitsu said with a whimper.

Tanjiro frowned, knowing that he had to try it. Letting out a small breath, he launched forward with a basic slash, water erupting behind him.

Her head came clean off. It disintegrated.

Then Delirium began to laugh as red energy came over her body, regenerating her neck.

Al gasped,"That's Philosopher's Stone energy!"

"I fear no sun or nichirin blade." Delirium laughed,"The Queen has given me strength! I'm no mere demon anymore... I'm an Archdemon."

"That...that's cheating," Whimpered Zenitsu.

Ed stepped out from the alley, "So, how many souls is she sacrificing for those stones?"

"The Queen knew you'd ask that." Delirium said,"She said, 'Not that many.'"

Ed narrowed his eyes, giving her a look that would've killed anyone else. Tanjiro held his blade and began to look at her, trying to think of a way to stop her. Deciding to talk, he asked, "Those people are going to work themselves to death, aren't they?"

"Yes." Delirium said.

"You are a monster, and I'm sorry," Tanjiro said.

"Sorry?" Delirium asked.

"You have no real reason to do any of this," Tanjiro said.

"I do it in the service of my Queen." Delirium said.

"So um, what's the plan?" squeaked Zenitsu.

Ed clapped his hands, "We just need to find a way to break her."

Delirium snapped her fingers,"Oh, I have a weapon ready for this."

A whirl of cherry blossoms arrived as Kanao struck at Tanjiro.

Tanjiro gasped as he blocked the blade, "Kanao? But-" he blocked the next three hits.

Kanao stared at him with the same dead-eye stare as the other humans.

"I managed to get one of my spiders to one of the more useful members of your team. I can't do anything with the coward and you're too kind." Delirium said.

Tanjiro backed up, "Did... did she just insult me?"

Al nodded. He turned to Zenitsu,"We might need you. Sorry."

"For wha-" Zenitsu was then punched by Al.

Ed blinked, "Al?"

"He has a weird split personality." Al explained,"He only gets cool when he sleeps."

A burst of lightning came from next to Al,"See?"

"..." Ed paused, and watched, then he shook his head, "I hope he gets that looked at."

Delirium watched as a yellow blur began to strike the ground around her,"What are you doing? You're not hitting me."

"I don't have to." Zenitsu created divots around her.

Lt. Col. Aston Martins held up a hand,"Now, you don't have to do too much, we can start with a basic circle. This one vibrates the atoms in the air around you, creating static electricity"

Zenitsu stopped at the front of the circle and held his sword up, before slamming it into the alchemy circle, shocking the demon in front of him.

Tanjiro gasped as he watched Zenitsu create an alchemy circle while unleashing hsi move, "How did he-"

"I know lighting alchemy. It's one of those things I had to learn before mastering thunder breathing," Zenitsu said.

His eyes blinked while shaking his head before he quickly blocked the next few strikes from Kanao. He began to make a few quick steps back, trying his best to keep up with the female swordsman.

Ed clapped his hands to grab a metal bar, create a pair of handcuffs, and throw it at Delirium to hold her down and direct more f the lighting. He looked at her, trying to see how to take her down.

Delirium panted a little, before one of the cuffs grabbed her hand,"Shit." She screamed some more from the lightning.

Al whispered to Ed,"Brother... you think we may be able to... deconstruct that Philosopher's Stone?"

"Only one way to find out," Ed said, "Think you can get her from behind?"

"Of course! I'm not normally stealthy, but I think she's too occupied to worry about me." Al said.

Delirium screamed,"Stand still you little lightning bug!"

"Why should I. Is it because you can only harm those unexpecting," asked Zenitsu.

Delirium reached out for him.

"Thunder breathing, first form," Zenistu said, moving to the left and right, making a lighting bolt cut. As the blade struck her, Al grabbed her from behind.

She began to struggle against Al's grip,"Damn it!"

"Now, now," Al said, "Not nice to swear!" before suplexing her into te ground. Ed ran behind and slapped his hands onto her.

There was a small lull before a blast of red energy came from her.

Several souls cried out in relief, before being eventually silenced as the demon's eyes turned wide. She fell limp to the ground, a few sobs escaping from her.

Tanjiro walked to her, "Tears?"

"I... just wanted the pain to stop... she told me if I said yes, the pain would stop..." Delirium began to slowly disintegrate.

Kanao held her head,"What..."

"The pain," asked Tanjiro before looking back up, "I...I am sorry sh lied to you."

"The pain..." The demon sobbed before her body disappeared.

Standing up, Tanjiro went to Kanao, "Are you ok?"

Kanao got up and looked at Tanjiro,"I... I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No," Tanjiro said, hiding the cut on his arm, "Not at all."

"Good." Kanao sighed,"I'm sorry."

Al watched as the civilians went back to normal,"At least no one died."

"At the moment, no one's dead!" Shinobu Kocho said as she strode towards them. She had a strained smile on her face.

Kanao took a step back,"Uh oh."

Tanjiro looked up, "Uh, hi?"

Shinobu smiled,"So..." She clicked her tongue,"Little Sister, didn't I tell you to come right back home?"

Kanao slowly nodded.

"And what did you do?"

"... Went somewhere else without telling you?" Kanao whispered.

Shinobu nodded,"Yes. I was in for quite a shock when Aoi told me you weren't back. I wouldn't have found you if it weren't for that nice housewife in Dublith, you know!" She said,"And you know what's worse!? Me and Giyu just had a crow tell us an Upper Moon-level demon was attacking Rush Valley! And I was worried that you were going to die!" She said leaning in,"So... who do I kill? You, or the boy who took you away!?"

Giyu Tomokia appeared next to a waking-up Zenitsu,"She dragged me up here."

Zentisu woke up, and shook his head, "Kill, boy, take..." he gulped "I never even kissed a girl yet!"

"Actually I think she might mean me," Tanjiro said.

Shinobu slowly nodded as her eyes were directed at Tanjiro. She walked away and then grabbed a milk crate to stand on so she could look him straight in the eye.

"You didn't need to do that, I could've lowered my head," Tanjiro said politely.

"This is easier," Shinobu said.

Giyu muttered,"She thinks her looking tall makes her look more intimidating."

"And she's right," Ed said. "People respect you more if you are taller."

Al thought for a second. He wanted to say something, but decided today was not a good day to have your head kicked off of your body.

Ed turned to Al, almost as if he knew what his little brother was thinking.

Shinobu crossed her arms.

Kanao sighed,"I'm sorry." She looked down,"I just wanted to see the place where you got your automail, that's all..." she whispered.

Shinobu winced,"W-wait, don't-"

"It's not Tanjiro's fault, I did this on my own..." Kanao said.

"Oh, it's the counterattack: Guilt tripping!" Al said.

Ed looked to Al, "She'll bring out the little sister's tears next."

Kanao sniffled a little.

"Yep, there they are," Al said.

"No big sibling can handle that," Ed said.

In her box, Nezuko nodded sagely.

Shinobu sighed as she reached for a hug,"I'm not that mad... you worried me to death that's all..."

"If it helps," Tanjiro said, bowing before Shinobu, "I try to help protect her as much as I can. And she is very strong on her own."

Shinobu pulled away and looked at him,"Really?" She closed her eyes and smiled,"I'm so glad." Then the sky grew dark as she said,"Just remember... hands to yourself."

Tanjiro blinked, "What do you mean?".

Shinobu blinked a few times as the dark clouds disappeared,"Uh, never mind." She smiled at Kanao,"I'm going to let you travel with them."

"What?" Kanao blinked.

"Yes, but do at least check in with me every now and then, please? So I don't get worried?" Shinobu said with a frown.

"Don't worry," Tanjiro said, "I'll remind her from time to time. And also remind Ed."

"What's that meant to mean?" asked Ed.

Tanjiro blushed, "Well, Winry told me to remind you to write and call once in a while."

Ed could only mumble and fumble some words at this as he tried to defend himself.

Al snickered.

Ed looked at Al with a small glare.

Al looked away.

"That's what I thought," Ed said.

Shinobu got off of her milk crate,"So, back to the demon you killed..."

"She called herself Delirium" Tanjiro said, putting a hand on his chin. As he continued to talk, Ed walked to the milkcrate and clapped his hands. Ignoring the crackle of alchemical energy, he continued, "And she wasn't an ordinary demon. I cut her head off and she was able to regenerate."

"She called herself an archdemon," Ed said, now standing a little taller than the rest, "And she had a stone in her. She was like a combination of homunculus and demon strengths.

Shinobu blinked,"Homunculous. That wouldn't be anything like a woman with long nails and a roly-poly guy who eats a lot right?"

"Lust and Gluttony," Al said.

"That sounds bad." Giyu said,"If there are demons being made that are immune to our blades or even sunlight. How did you beat her?"

"A little Alchemical skill," Ed said, smirking. "I deconstructed the stone.

"So an alchemist would be needed. Well at least me and Giyu here are alchemists as well as Demon Slayers!" Shinobu smiled.

Zentisu asked, "So is it a couple thing or..."

Giyu sighed,"It's not a couple thing..."

"Oh, so it's not couple alchemy, because I thought you two were..."

Giyu looked at him with a frown,"No."

Shinobu sighed,"No... unless he wants it." She winked at him.

Zentisu smiled and nodded, "Ah, I see." he wanted to add she was a little more gutsy than her sister, but he wanted to live.

"Well, we're heading back to East HQ. Colonel Mustang needs to hear of this." Shinobu said.

Al looked at Ed,"Think we should do the same?"

Ed sighed, "Don't want to talk to the idiot, but we should."

Tanjiro blinked,"You don't like the Colonel?"

"He's a bit of a jerk, tool, and a pervy moron," Ed said.

Al whispered, "He also respects him, but Ed wouldn't admit it."

Tanjiro nodded,"Ah."

"Not to mention he'll most likely open with a short comment..." Ed grumbled.

Omake Theater:

Power-up!:

Zenitsu looked at Rick,"So, in this universe, I get an extra attack, right?"

Rick smiled," Yeah. One."

"...Just one?" Zenitsu said quietly.

"Yep! Hey, that's one more than you got in canon!"

"Whoopee..." Zenitsu walked away with a grumpy expression.