Thank you for all the lovely reviews! High school is not exactly proving to be a walk in the park for me, and my parents threatened me with no computer AT ALL for a whole quarter if my grades don't pick up, so I haven't had much time to update. Please be patient. For those of you who wanted to know how Envy and Serena met, as well as the other Sins, and anyone else I can fling in, go read Strands of Light!

Bwahahahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Fullmetal Alchemist cast: OO

Al: I think all that schoolwork has finally gone to her head.

White: (still laughing insanely)

Ed: (grabs Al's head and chucks it at White)

White: OW! What the hell's your problem, pal!

Ed: You wanna know what my PROBLEM is! (starts ranting about 'evil authors and their damn plot twists and cliffhangers', etc., etc.)

Al: (groping around for his head) Just start without them.

Disclaimer: Own nada.

Serena could not look Ed in the face anymore. And it seemed that he wouldn't meet her eyes anymore.

Serena couldn't look into Ed's face without feeling his lips on hers, the coldness of his automail that grew warm against her skin, and the scent and feel of his tears. How much it had hurt, knowing he was with her and yet he was not, that he was in a distant place that could never be reached, least of all by her... And she could remember how he had pulled back, eyes cast down to the ground and mumbling that he was sorry, breaking her heart more than anyone ever had or ever could-- and she had accepted his apology, saying it was okay.

But it wasn't okay, and now it never would be. Because every time they looked at one another, they would remember how much they had both hurt and healed the other that day, and would feel the shame and think about the what-might-have-beens... if they had stayed in each other's embrace.

She was almost grateful to Mustang when he gave her leave to visit her mother. Almost, but not quite.

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Blue eyes peered sharply through window into the brightly-lit room, and a pale hand rested lightly against the glass. Petal-soft pink lips lifted in a silent snarl as Serena stared at Ilene Tsukino, fingers clenching convulsively and nails straining to dig into the clear window. The woman's dark blue-violet hair was limp and unkempt, and her eyes were flat and lifeless. A slight bump on her midsection was the only sign she was pregnant-- but the bump was far too small for a woman who was seven months along.

"Miss Tsukino?" A doctor tapped her shoulder, but Serena didn't take her eyes off her mother.

"Yes?" she murmured.

"We have discovered your mother has been doing to herself," he said, then hesitated, clearly unhappy, then relentlessly plowed on. "She has been experimenting drugs and alchemy-- apparently, she was trying to see if she could her physique while she was pregnant-- and it has severely hindered the baby's growth. We're not sure if-- Miss Tsukino?"

The doctor stared apprehensively at the suddenly rigid girl. Serena blinked, then motioned for him to continue.

"I'm sorry, but it is highly probable the baby will be stillborn. We'll do everything we can. I'm afraid we have a problem, though--Mrs. Tsukino refuses all food and drink."

Serena stared unseeingly at the white walls-- and remembered.

A few years back, she would have been a sister. Her mother had beamed and looked radiant, and she had never seen her father act so proud. It had disconcerted Serena slightly, but she had ignored it for she was excited at the prospect of a sibling. But somewhere down the line, it had gone all wrong. The baby had been born too early-- those things happen sometimes, according to the kind doctor who had explained why she had no little brother to Serena, and there's nothing you can do about it.

She could remember the little body, the tiny coffin, and the marble gravestone with the name Samuel Kenneth Tsukino engraved upon it. Such a big name for such a tiny boy, the kind that only looks good on a gravestone, Serena had thought at the time, through her choking sobs. Her mother had screamed endlessly, as she had when she had discovered that there had been no breath in the body of little Sammy when he was born, until she had to be sedated and led away.

"Force-feed her, then." Serena hardly recognized her own voice, it sounded so harsh and angry. "Shove it down her throat, feed her through an IV, I don't give a damn. Just do it."

A few years back, she could have been a sister, and now she had that chance again.

Serena Tsukino would not bury any more siblings.

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"Are you sure you want to do this?" Serena glared out of the corner of her eye at Envy.

"No," she said flatly. Envy growled and crossed his arms, muttering under his breath about stubborn blondes-- in less polite wording.

"Leave Serena alone, Envy." Lust's voice drifted out of the shadows, causing both of them to turn toward her. The dim light that filtered through the window made it almost impossible to see the expression on the female sin's face. "She has to do this. For the baby's sake."

"You don't even know the woman will listen to you," snapped Envy. Serena walked toward the door, then stopped and turned halfway when she reached the doorframe.

"I don't, but it's worth the risk," she replied evenly, then ghosted away silently. Envy sighed irritably, slumping down onto the floor.

"I swear I never should have taught her how to do that," he muttered. Lust's smooth chuckle was his only answer.

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"Mother."

Ilene's empty eyes flickered to Serena, who stood by her bed. The blonde's bangs shadowed her face so that the bedridden woman could not get a good look at her expression.

"Mother, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" The older woman inquired raspily, her voice almost gone from disuse.

"Killing the baby." Flat violet orbs regarded shadowed blues stonily.

"You speak as if you don't care about me."

"I never said I did. It's the baby I care for." Ilene's traitorous hand crept up to the barely visible swell, and for a brief moment the old joy of motherhood sparked inside her before she squashed it. Her children all died one way or another-- her little girl was like a walking corpse, and her baby boy had never seen the light of day. And it was her fault, all her fault.

"Yet you are here," she whispered. Serena looked away, blue eyes brighter than they should be for a moment.

"Please, Mother. Just eat something, cooperate with the doctors. For it's sake, if not my own."

A part of Ilene stirred, reminding her that once, she had loved her Ken, loved her little girl, and her life hadn't always revolved around parties and gossip. Where had it gone wrong? Was it her fault that Serena stood there with a broken body and eyes that were far too old?

Yes. Yes, it was. Even if she had not caused it directly, she had still played a part.

"Please, Mother," Serena said, her voice hoarse, cracking with effort to keep her tears in. "Just this once-- do something for the baby. For me. Not yourself, not him. For us."

Ilene knew she would not live after the birth, if there even was one. The weight of her sins and Ken's rested squarely on her shoulders, and now it was time to pay up. She knew she had done wrong, and that she would undoubtedly burn in Hell for it for all of eternity.

But she would do this one thing for her baby girl, her fallen star. Slowly, she nodded. The relief burned in Serena's eyes, and for a brief second, she was forgiven. As the blonde walked out the door, her mother's voice stopped her halfway out.

"It will be a girl."

Serena smiled, a tear falling from her eye and sparkling brightly before it hit the ground, and in a whirl of gold, she was gone.

That was the last time Ilene ever saw her firstborn.

When she gave birth for the third time, and for the first and last time, held the fragile little bundle in her arms, Ilene smiled exhaustedly down into bright violet eyes as her hand stroked a tuft of black-violet hair. She was tiny, not even remotely the average baby size, but she would live. This she knew.

"Hotaru," she whispered. "Your name is Hotaru." With a stupendous effort, both physical and emotional, Ilene placed her baby into the arms of nurse next to her bed. The nurse blinked at her, startled.

"Take her to my daughter," Ilene said softly. Whatever the nurse saw in the dying woman's eyes, it was enough to convince her not to argue.

Ilene shut her eyes, smiling even as tears ran down her cheeks, and leaned back against the pillows.

It was time to go.

One month later...

Serena stared straight ahead, regardless that it was impossible to see anything in this kind of weather. A soft cooing sound drew her attention down to the bundle lying across her chest, and she couldn't help but smile. Little Hotaru waved a tiny, chubby hand up at Serena, trying to catch the bright strands of hair that fell over her face. Her sister chuckled and tucked her hair back out of reach, inwardly praising the doctors that had given her the sling. It left her hands free to carry the umbrella and it kept Hotaru warm, even though she still used her free arm to wrap around the bundle of energy.

While it was true that Serena had to feed her little sister an alchemically enhanced potion several times a day, she had never seen a happier, livelier baby. As if to prove her point, Hotaru reached up and snagged a bit of hair, giggling as she pulled on it. Serena winced; did she mention the happiness was at her hair's expense?

As she tried to free her hair without upsetting her baby sister (who seemed to think this was a new game), shouts from up ahead drew her attention away from the violet-eyed menace. Frowning, Serena took a few steps forward, then sprang back as she was almost bowled over by two scrawny boys racing past her into the alleyway, one with a basket of apples underneath his arm.

"--steals from me!" roared a shopkeeper, racing around the corner with surprising speed for a tub of lard.

"Where did they go?" he demanded rudely of Serena, who pointed in the opposite direction of where the boys had gone. She waited until she was certain he was gone, then stepped into the alleyway. The younger boy was currently arguing with the older.

"You just picked that up and stole it! If Mom knew--"

"She would doubtless be disappointed, but she'd probably understand," Serena interjected dryly. The boys jumped and practically fell over each other in shock, but she didn't care. "Next time, would you please look where you're going? As you can see, I'm carrying a baby and I would have been very cross with you if you'd knocked me over."

"S-sorry," the younger one muttered as the older one glared at her defiantly. Serena sighed gustily.

"I'm not going to turn you over to that fat old hippo, if that's what you're worried about. He probably needs the food a lot less than you two look like you do," she informed them. They relaxed, and the younger one even smiled at her, revealing a missing tooth. It was only then that Serena noticed they both wore sunglasses, and with good reason-- they had red eyes.

They were Ishbalans.

"Good God," she hissed, checking behind her in a panic. What if the shopkeeper came back? "Put your sunglasses back on! What if someone else had seen? Hurry, let's go, now!"

Serena strode forward, caught them both by the arms and dragged them away, just barely managing to hold onto her umbrella.

"Where are you taking us?" demanded the older one as she poked her head nervously around the corner, searching for any sign of the shopkeeper.

"Hell if I know," she replied, still looking around the street. "Where is it that you two live? And can you tell me your names so I don't have to keep saying 'hey you' all time?"

"I'm Rick, and that's Leo!" piped up the younger one, pointing to his brother. Serena didn't know how she knew that they were brothers-- it was probably just a wild guess, but it seemed right.

"Rick!" hissed Leo, eyes flashing in alarm. "She could be with the State for all we know!"

Serena propped her right hand on her hip and glared mildly at him. "This 'she' has a name. Serena. And no, I'm not with the State. Will you just tell where you live so I can get you home?"

Rick and Leo avoided her eyes for a moment, obviously embarassed before Leo muttered, "It's in the sewer. On the outskirts of town."

Serena had to struggle not to let her pity show on her face. These boys would obviously not welcome it, and in their places, neither would she. Sighing a little, she made sure her sling was secure, and motioned for the young Ishbalans to follow her.

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Serena gazed around in startled admiration at the tents pitched as far as the eye could see. The Ishbalans were definitely clever, to think of the sewers for a hiding place. The old man in front of her chuckled at her obvious shock, drawing her attention back to him.

"You seem surprised, young one. You did not expect to find so many of our people down here?"

"No sir," Serena said automatically, cradling Hotaru in her arms, now freed from the sling. The old man's gaze dropped to the laughing babe, who was trying to catch her sister's sun-bright locks once more. Serena followed his eyes and smiled down at the violet-eyed girl.

"Again, Hotaru? No, I don't think so," she added, sweeping the golden cascade of hair out of her sister's reach. Unexpectedly, Hotaru's eyes became teary, and she began to wail unhappily, deprived of her favorite game.

"Sorry, baby, but it hurts when you pull it," Serena crooned apologetically. When Hotaru didn't cease crying, her sister sighed and resettled her in her arms, then began to sing softly.

Hush little 'Taru, don't say a word

Sister's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird don't sing

Sister's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass

Sister's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke

Sister's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull

Sister's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull rolls over

Sister's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover just won't bark

Sister's gonna buy you a silver harp

And if that silver harp won't play

Sister's gonna sing the night away... (1)

Hotaru didn't go to sleep, but she did quiet down, staring up at her sister with wide eyes and her thumb in her mouth. The old man smiled approvingly at her.

"You do that very well. Tell me, is it difficult to care for her?"

"To be honest, sir?" she said, in weary good humor. "It's exhausting, but I wouldn't trade her for anything."

"And...err, the father, does he help?" Forgetting all the etiquette rules that had ever been drilled into her head, Serena's mouth dropped open. He honestly thought...?

"The baby is not hers," said a deep voice to their right. Serena turned, and her mouth curved up in a slight smile when she saw Scar.

"Nice to see you too," she greeted him. He smirked slightly.

"We meet yet again, young Serena," he returned.

"Yeah, and don't give me any of that crap about fate, either," she told him sternly. "You know I don't condone stuff like that." For a moment, she thought he might smile, but she was wrong.

"Where are your parents?" he asked quietly, scarlet eyes searching her face.

"Dead, both of them," Serena said numbly, her own eyes shuttered against what her mind showed her. "Hotaru is all I have left."

In that uncomfortable moment, Rick unconciously lifted his hands to around his neck, and panicked.

"Mom's locket! Oh, no, I've lost it!" he cried out, looking around desperately. Serena blinked.

"Oh, you mean this locket?" she held out a slightly beat-up old locket. Rick seized it happily, then hugged her, being mindful not to crush Hotaru.

"I picked it up before I walked into you two. That chain needs fixing," Serena remarked, cuddling her sister closer. Leo scowled at the locket in his little brother's hands.

"I told you to throw that dumb thing away, Rick!" Rick glared obstinately at his brother.

"No way!"

Serena let out a breath, then climbed regretfully to her feet. Everyone stared at her in puzzlement.

"I have to get back to the East," she explained. "The train leaves early tomorrow morning, so I'd better get some sleep."

Rick, Leo and Scar trailed after her as she walked up the steps. Serena had turned to thank them for putting up with her when she heard a clinking sound behind her. Feeling cold grip her heart, she turned and looked at the object lying next to her feet.

Gas bomb.

With a speed she didn't know she possessed, Serena whipped back around, grabbed Rick by the sleeve and yanked him into a niche as Scar dragged Leo away from the stairs. Gasping a little, she thrust Hotaru into the Ishbalan boy's arms and shot out from her hiding place, determined to meet her attackers head-on. Serena didn't expect a bullet to barely graze the marking on her chest that her father had carved. It was only a graze, but it fell like something vital had exploded inside her. Whimpering in pain and shock, she sank to her knees, colored lights flashing in her eyes as she blacked out.

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"Feh, these women are all alike. One little cut and they're gone."

That comment didn't help Serena's temper as she struggled to open her eyes, focusing blearily on the group in front of her. She was pissed, confused, tired and ready to start beating the crap out of those bastards as soon as the feeling came back to her legs. Oh, that jerk who said women were weak was SO going to get it. Now, which one was it?

"Are you sure they'll come after her, boss? She's not one of them."

"Idiot, they'll come. Didn't you see the way that little Ishbalan brat was crying when we dragged her off? She must be on good terms with them, which is good enough for me. Besides," His tone took on a more creepy edge. "she's quite the pretty thing."

Serena fought the urge to throw up as she pretended to be unconcious, hearing Creepy's footsteps come closer. He squatted next to her and stroked her face, and she tried not to shudder. She turned over, still faking sleep, if only to get away from his touch.

"She's got spunk. I've heard that girls with spunk are good in the sack."

Serena's eye twitched. Screw acting; she was getting out of here. The blonde whipped around and nailed Creepy in the face with a right hook and kicked him in the face as she flipped to her feet. His crew was on their feet in an instant, guns pointing her way, but Serena paid them no mind. She clapped, and placed her hands on the wall. With a burst of silver, the wall had a nice doorway-sized hole in it.

The blue-eyed girl swallowed, thinking, Holy Hell, how did I do that? Chancing a look behind her, Serena decided to find out later. Those guns didn't look at all friendly, and the people manning them even less so. She clapped her hands again and pressed them on the ground, enclosing them in a cage, then bolted.

And fell on her face.

Spitting out sand as she struggled to her feet, Serena instantly decided that she hated the desert.

"Well, well, what have we here?" A voice inquired from a ways behind her. Resigning herself to the fact that this was not good, the blonde turned and almost screamed. She knew, somehow that this man was a bonded soul, just like Al. Except this suit was the stuff that nightmares are made of, with a skull for a face and a cleaver with dark stains on it. And she had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what those stains were.

"I'll slice you to pieces!" screamed the armor maniacally, lunging at her and swinging his cleaver happily. Serena couldn't help but sweatdrop as she dodged out of the way.

"Not very sociable, are you?" she mumbled, keeping an eye on his weapon, then clapped her hands and placed them on the sand. "Good, 'cuz neither am I!"

Serena picked up her newly transmuted guns and wasted no time in firing, hoping on the off chance that she would hit his blood seal, she would be able to run. No such luck.

"Well now, you're a pretty good shot, missy," the armor remarked, inspecting the bullet dents in his metal. "But you'll never beat me!"

"Yeah, and you need to see a psychiatrist about your superiority complex," Serena retorted, backing up carefully.

"Oh no, missy," the armor said, his eyes gleaming viciously. "You're the one who's going to need help. With your funeral!"

With a cry, he launched himself at her. She barely managed to duck out of the way, and paid the price with a shallow slice down her arm. Serena opened fire again, then seeing that wasn't going to work, clapped her hands and created a giant wave of sand that enveloped the armor. Only then did she realize what a stupid mistake she'd made. Psycho could just sneak up on her at any minute from underneath the sand. With that thought in her mind, she turned to run. As if responding to her thoughts, Psycho popped up a few feet in front of her.

"Miss me?" he commented wickedly. Serena didn't care how childish it was; she stamped her foot.

"Damn it, you whack job! Get outta my way or you're gonna be in a world of hurt!" she snarled angrily. The stupid armor laughed. Just plain laughed, like it was the funniest thing in the word. Disregarding the cleaver (which she would later regret), Serena shot at him, landing a kick squarely on bone face and crushing his forehead. She flipped off his head and began to run again, but somehow the sneaky bastard had managed to get a deep cut in her leg without her noticing, which caused her to stumble and fall. With a triumphant shriek, the armor pelted toward her, and she was frozen, she couldn't do anything, this was really the end--

"You leave her alone!"

Blue alchemy flashed brilliantly and Psycho went flying backward. Concerned golden eyes looked into her own blue orbs as Ed picked her up, scolding her angrily about something-- Serena didn't know what. But he was here. He cared. And really, that was all the incentive she needed.

Later she might blame it on blood loss, or some other thing, but she didn't care now. She kissed him. And to her complete surprise, he kissed back. Then Ed pulled back and gave her a stern look.

"I love you," he told her matter-of-factly. "And if you ever go somewhere and leave me with that bastard colonel and all of Eastern command laughing at me again, I'm going to be very angry." Serena snickered. So much for sappy love confessions, but then again, Ed really wasn't the type for that. Well, two could play at that game.

"I love you as well, and," She punctuated the 'and' with a vicious punch to his face. "if you ever pull away from me like that first time again, I will hurt you."

"Oh, I believe you," he muttered, probing his now black eye.

The sound of someone calling her name made her slip out of Ed's arms and turn toward the sound. Rick, Scar, Leo and the old man piled out of the car, calling to her. Rick shot out of the car and launched himself at her. She grabbed Ed's arm to stay steady while hugging the distraught young Ishbalan with then other.

"Rick, where's Hotaru?" she asked suddenly, realizing the abscence of her baby sister.

"Here," Leo handed the violet-eyed baby over with a prominent amount of relief on his face. "She's hasn't done anything but cry since they took you."

"Aww, my little sis missed me, did she?" Serena cooed, a smile breaking across her face.

"Um, Serena?"

"Yeah, Ed?" The blonde said impatiently, pulling out Hotaru's special formula.

"When did you get a sister?"

Serena groaned. Couldn't Colonel Bastard have explained any of this stuff? Nooo, let's just leave it all to Serena, she won't mind. Ha. Mustang and Ed were going to have matching black eyes before the week was done.

So much for getting any sleep

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(1) Yeah, I know, I made up the last four lines. So kill me, I can never remember that darn song.

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, IT'S FINISHED! (does a victory dance) Alright, for those of you who want to know how Serena and Scar met, it will be posted on Strands of Light shortly. Right now I've got to get to bed as it's almost 12 and I've been on here for 6 hours.

Serena: Hold it right there. I have a bone to pick with you!

Heh heh...It can't wait til morning? (edges away nervously)

Serena: No, it can't.

Okay...what is it?

Serena: WHY DID IT TAKE YOU SO &$# LONG TO UPDATE?

Heh...um... GOODBYE!

Serena: Oh no you don't (claps hands)

Damnit, I knew I never should have give you that ability! HEEEEEEEELLLLPPPPP!

R&R, please