ShadowFox777: Thanks! –grin- Well, yes, I've played and beaten The Broken Angel, but I've not gotten the second one yet. And I can relate. Many RPGs and Anime games are hard to put aside. Have you played "Star Ocean: Till the End of Time"? It's awesome! And yes, my chimera is somewhat a look-alike to Camilla's chimera, but it's not part gorilla. It's part bird, and it's not as bulky. Pretty much, it's a giant white tiger with feathers and a bird skull and two tails. It's not hunchbacked, and it doesn't have gorilla hands like the chimera from the game. But, yes, the idea originated from it. XP
Edward4: I'm sorry if you don't support this pairing. It's partly my fault. I just realized that my plot is cut off, and I forgot to add the full plot to the prologue. It said Ed/Win in it. Please accept my apologies! oo;;;
Shingo-sama: Sorry I'm taking so loooong. Eee!
Fantasy Freak: Whoo! Ed/Winry supporters!
LegacyRBluesummers: I wouldn't know. I've never had a cat. I've got a buddy who has four, but that doesn't really help, either. XP By the way, according to your username, are you, by any chance, a Trigun fan?
Unlucky
Chapter Five: "It's a Curse"
Edward hopped from his younger brother's large form, sniffing at the ground, finding his old scent leading from the vicinity. Following said scent trail, he walked right into the warehouse he had 'fallen' into and looked about, making sure it was the right one.
Yep, this is it, he purred, trotting to the back of the warehouse and dragging out his hidden belongings. Alphonse hurried over and picked up Ed's stuff, standing up straight and nodding to his brother.
"Well, Nii-san, we should probably head back. This is a restricted area, after all."
Right... What the HELL!
He and Alphonse both fell over as a rather strong gale of wind made them topple over, a giant creature perching on the many crates that littered the large storehouse. Red eyes glowed as flowing silver fur against glittering ivory scales shimmered in the light from outside windows leading in. There, a long serpent-like creature sat. Its face resembled that of a wolf, with a flowing tail of fur and four mammal's limbs, also wolfish. The rest of it took on the shape of a snake, or more appropriately, a dragon.
With a roar, the thing began to take to the air again, the slender body twisting gracefully about as it slowly uncoiled itself and flew down to attack the Elrics again.
RUN! Ed hissed as he dashed as fast as he could for the exit, Alphonse close behind. What have they gotten themselves into this time!
As the brothers fled to the exit of the warehouse, the draconic wolf flew ahead of them, slithering in position and blocking their escape. Ed and Al both skidded to a halt and immediately began to run in the opposite direction. Alphonse tripped over his own foot as he tried to avoid stepping on Ed's tail, and Ed kept running, for the large reptilian mammal passed over Al and flew straight for himself.
Ed hissed frantically, for it was quickly eating the distance between him and itself. He found himself beginning to stumble as he tried to gain speed, but he soon had to slow down, for he was heading straight for a large pile of crates. However, he would have to either risk it, or become Chimera-Chow. He kept running, leaping into the air and bouncing off of the side of the boxes, flinging himself the other way. The dragon kept on flying, not expecting the sudden action, and consequently, it rammed headfirst into the pile, the crates toppling over and consuming the chimera.
Ed slowed, looking back, coming to a full stop. His heart was pounding, claws gripping the ground below him. His silver-tipped ears were pinned back as the tip of his tail twitched, irritated.
"Is it...dead?" he asked, looking back at Al.
The suit of armor waved his arms up and down frantically, and Ed felt his heart plummet as a roar erupted from behind. As he pivoted about, the creature's muzzle was under his belly, and he found himself clinging to the creature's furry face. He was hissing and growling and gurgling, gripping on for dear life as it thrashed about, flinging its head this way and that, trying to rid it of the runty furball.
Ed hissed up a fury as his claws ripped from the flesh in a bloody mess and he was flying through the air. Ed's heart raced as he flew, and he felt searing pain rush through his little body as he crashed through another pile of crates and into a wall. He didn't move, for he felt as it someone took a whip or chain and whipped him senseless. A small mew escaped his throat.
The chimera's silvery ears perked as it heard Ed meow helplessly, and it slithered close to the ground, snake-like, searching for the red cat. As it caught his scent, and its keen scarlet eyes spotted him, it roared and lifted itself into the air, readying for another assault.
Ed shut his eyes, dreading the creature's fangs wrapping about his body, but the pain never came. He opened his golden eyes to see the dragon above him, looking behind it. There, in the doorway to the warehouse, stood six tall figures, all of which Ed recognized. Relief immediately flushed over him. However, the dragon did not forget its job, and turned its massive head about to once more turn its attention to Ed. Better to finish the job now while you have the chance, right?
Ed shut his eyes again with a sound ripping from his throat, a cross between a hiss, growl and meow. There was an ear-shattering roar, but no feared fangs throttling the life out of him. He opened his eyes again, and blinked as a wound dripped blood from its long neck. Hawkeye, one of the six, had shot her gun. Four of the others ran forwards. Alphonse got ready to try some hand-to-hand combat, as well as Armstrong, and Maria Ross and her partner, Ed's current 'body guards', rushed forth with their guns out and ready to shoot. Each had their chance to fight, and as the thoroughly wounded creature dived for Ed again, the creature had burst in flames by the sound of a snap. Mustang walked forth, hand outstretched, watching as the flaming dragon fell to the earth near Ed.
"Brother!" Al yelled as he hurried anxiously to go and retrieve the cat, gathering him up into his arms. "Maria," he yelled back as he picked his brother up. "Can you please get Ed's stuff?" He pointed towards the pile of clothing and valuables gathered up in the corner of the room.
"On it," she said, running off with her partner in tow.
"Hurry, now," Armstrong announced, "or we shall be caught in the flames!"
With that, the seven rushed from the burning building, keeping a good distance away. They stared as the warehouse burned down to ashes. Armstrong, Maria and the other man had all rushed to get help to put out the fire already as Ed was clung to by Al, Mustang and Hawkeye observing it all.
"Fullmetal," he said, glaring at the cat. "Look what you have done. You rushed on your own, knowing that your life is sought after by an unknown person, and got yourself attacked by a chimera. And because of this, you had brought other people into the mess, and now one of our warehouses is on fire and burning to the ground." He watched the heavily breathing feline, feeling his fury ebb away a little. But it was still there. "Take him to HQ," he growled, walking in the direction of the car the group had used to get here. With three of the original group gone, the Elrics should be able to fit in quite easily.
"Let's get going, Brother."
Ed blinked, his head quite clear now, but he was still sore all over. He was asleep, apparently, and he had awoken unwillingly, finding himself in Hawkeye's office. Then it dawn on him what had woken him up. He sat up with a cat-like yawn, whiskers rising and falling as he revealed long milky fangs and bowed his body towards the ground, stretching. It was then that he noticed his pocket watch hanging about his neck by its chain, like a collar, along with a thing rope that tied him to the wall.
Hiya!
Ed jumped and grimaced as he turned around to face Black Hayate. The black puppy's tail wagged like a whirlwind, his tongue hanging out and panting as he stared at the cat.
I remember you! he bubbled, sitting on his haunches. You're that cat, from before!
Yeah, yeah. I remember you, too, he growled, tail curled about him as he laid his body down. A little too well, he added as he recalled the window incident involving that one alchemist he has sworn to get revenge upon. He sighed, staring at the black-white puppy with molten amber orbs. So, what do you want?
I'm bored, he whined flatly, tail still wagging. You're the only other one who talks to me besides the Mistress, and a few men. I haven't seen you in awhile. Did stuff happen? I thought you had only two legs! Why do you have four now? What's your name? Do you wanna play with me?
Ed glared at the dog through slitted eyes, narrowed lids showing his distaste. One, don't ask so many questions. Two, no, I don't want to play anything with anybody. I'm too sore anyway.
Really? What happened? His tail had ceased to move now, and he paid closer attention.
Well...um...You see, I wasn't always a cat...
Hayate blinked, confused. Wasn't always a cat? What could that mean?
I was recently turned into a cat by a couple of alchemists, and now I'm trying to find a way to get back to normal. I'm being followed by serial killers and chimeras, and being a cat with an alchemy-performing handicap does not help things any. I'm telling you, it's a curse. It's always bad luck for me and my brother. Ed finished his short summary bitterly, almost in cat-like temperament.
Alright then, he replied, tilting his head, not understanding nor soaking in a single word the cat had said. Then he changed the subject. You're voice, you're smell. You seem familiar.
Yeah, only a week ago—
No. Before that. You remind me of a human that works here...
Haven't you been listening to me, you stupid dog? I wasn't always human! I worked here when I was human, and I work here as a cat. Do you get that?
Intimidated, the puppy retreated to his own corner and bed, curling up and staring warily at Ed. Ed fumed, still lying in the same spot, glaring at Black Hayate.
Serves him right...he thought quietly to himself, shutting his eyes and going back to sleep once more.
"W-Winry! What're you doing here!"
Ed was standing up and staring at the girl, ears pinned back, fur bristling wildly. He stared at the wrench she clung haphazardly in her hand, her eyes glinting with what promised to be his pain in only a few moments.
"I was summoned her upon the request of a Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye," she hissed, tossing the wrench into the air and catching it again. "She said that you and Al got into trouble, again. Sure, keep secrets from me, will you? Worry me sick, will you? Well, I've got something for you Ed. Here you go!" She flung the silver piece of metal at the cat's head, who flew backwards, eyes swirling as a lump grew on his forehead.
"Eheh..."
Winry sighed, walking into the room and closing the door behind her. She sat next to the cat and pulled him into her lap, stroking his soft feline fur. He blinked up at her, who fell asleep, but her hands still stroked his back. He was purring inevitably, but he wanted to get away. Squirming might've worked, but he didn't want to wake her. He had no choice but to sit and wait. By the time midnight had come, he was asleep, boredom taking over his mind until he was in the World of Dreams.
Ed blinked, golden eyes peering around. He had slept quite comfortably last night, not remembering in whose lap he was lying. Soon, his eyes, nose and ears told him to remember that Winry was here, and that she had yet to release him. Sun was shining brightly through the office window, and Black Hayate remained fast asleep. Ed grinned evilly as he looked into Winry's sleeping face.
"GRAAAR!" he growled, leaping from the girl's loose grip onto her head, meowing and hissing, his tail playing on her nose. Winry woke with a sneeze, jerking to her senses.
"Ed!" she whined, brushing the cat from her head and shoulders. "Go away..." she mumbled, curling up on the floor and going back to sleep, which couldn't have been very comfortable. Ed growled.
You're not going to go back to sleep, he thought to himself, laughing maliciously. He walked to the front of her face, and he began to bat at her nose with his soft, calloused paw. She wrinkled her nose and turned the other way. Growling, he looked for other ways to wake her up.
He tried pouncing on her face with all four paws, he tried scratching her hand with his claws, and he even tried head butting the vile sleeping female and only ended up with a headache. Finally, he lifted his head up and began to yowl loudly. It was his last resort, so what could he do?
"Mmm?" The girl sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Eh? What time is it..." she inquired, taking Ed's pocket watch from her pocket. "Six thirty in the morning!" She turned annoyed blue eyes to the cat at her side. "You. You evil, evil little monster," she hissed, the red cat grinning in the most mischievous cat-like grin she's ever seen. "I. Hate. You," she growled as she got up and stretched.
"I love you, too," he teased, tail swishing in triumph. He didn't expect the girl to turn around and bring a wrench down on his head. He lied on his side, eyes swirling once more as another lump grew next to the one he already had. "Ehehehe..."
Winry Rockbell kneeled down and took the watch from her hand, which was attached to a semi-heavy chain, and she put it around Ed's neck. "The Colonel said that you had to wear it," she explained as the cat gave her an inquisitive look. She then pulled out a ball of yarn from her pocket. "I brought this with me from home," she said, tossing up and down the large ball of yellow string.
Ed's eyes followed the ball intently, tail swishing, lowering his body involuntarily into a pouncing position. At the moment, his mind was blank. Only the yarn ball mattered. With a meow, he leaped into the air, forepaws' claws caught in the string, him dangling from the yarn as Winry held it up best he could, for, though Ed was small, he was a heavy cat.
Winry laughed as Ed hopped up and down, trying to catch the ball, her arm following after, easily holding it from his grasp. She would toss it, and he'd run after it, batting at it, chewing on it, and then she'd have to wrestle it from him to get it back. This seemed to continue well into the morning, until Alphonse, Hawkeye and Maria came in to check on them. Winry smiled as she lifted the exhausted cat into cradling arms as she followed after the three.
A/N: Here's chapter five, finally! I'm sorry I'm always taking so loooong... You could call it procrastinating, I guess. I'm just so busy with pet sites and roleplays that I always forget to write up the next chapter. But, because they're already outlined, I just need to add the details; it only takes a night or two to write a chapter, thank Kami. Well, I hope you enjoyed this little chapter right here. –grin- R&R!