Chapter 11

First of all, I just wanna say, SORRY! lol I'm not trying to make lil Eddy-kins seem like a jackass…But it's the only way my story can pan out in the end. So again, sorry! I'm just kinda playin' around with the characters, ya know, experimenting so to speak. Lol So again, forgive me! (

Oh! And I'm so, so, so, SO sorry!! I know I've been lying.. lol Ya know? Saying "Oh if I get 'so many' reviews, I'll update!! I really did intend on keeping that promise!! But my computer has been freakin' messing up cuz my lil brother is.. er.. Let's just say a DEMON CHILD!! UGH!! Lol So again.. Forgive me.

This Chapter is dedicated to all of my loyal fans ;) that R&R! So, thanks again! I love you all! D

Chapter 11
"Till Death…"

Edward's POV:
In an instant, the two small girls began to giggle wickedly before they vanished into thin air. I gasped in shock, my eyes widening, "What the…?" Then, a devious cackle rang out, filling my ears. I glanced around nervously, my golden eyes darting around in search of the voices' owner, "Who's there? Come out now, you co-" I was cut off as a fist met the side of my face, flinging me backwards into a tree.

I rubbed my bruising cheek with a groan, "Oh…Damn it…" Another laugh rang out. I scowled, "Envy, what the hell are you doing here?!" He shrugged, sauntering towards me, "Hmm….well, I dunno actually. I was just ordered to distract you." A sinister smirk plagued his lifeless features. I staggered to my feet, "You won't touch Winry, not ever again! Got it?" I snarled, clenching my fists. Envy's devious laugh broke the sound barrier yet again. He took another step towards me, his eyes boring into mine with excitement and rage, "Is that a threat?" The mere thought repulsed him. He threw his head back as he heaved out a sinister cackle, "nice try Edward. But it's too late for the others. Truth and Vanity have probably already taken care of them." He rolled his eyes as if it meant nothing to him.

I felt the color flood from my cheeks as my jaw dropped, "W-what?! But how?!" I shook my head in disbelief. "You liar. They're fine, all of them." I felt my fists begin to clench once more at the false tone in my words. Letting out a deep sigh, I pinched the bridge of my nose in a desperate attempt to calm myself. My topaz eyes flew up to stare into the sky, hoping a savior would come to the rescue, to save the others, and if necessary, take me instead. All I can hope for is that Shenjii can handle his opponents, and protect Winry. 'Winry…' The thought of her sent a strange, indescribable shiver down my spine.

I returned my gaze to the darkening sky above where the clouds slowly sauntered across the sky. Its ebony exterior caused the moon to glow an eerie pale against the darkness. Letting out a deep, haggard sigh, I growled under my breath, "If anything has happened to them, I swear, you'll pay." I muttered in a low, dark voice. Realization hit me all at once. There was honestly nothing I could do to save them now. I bowed my head, admitting defeat; my bangs fell over my eyes, shielding them from the world.

I heard his vicious cackle once more as he neared me, "Well, well. I never thought I'd see the day when the 'Great Full Metal Alchemist' admits defeat…smart boy." The grin lining his cheeks was evident in his voice. My fists clenched tighter. His cockiness was the one thing I hated most about the homunculi. Each one of them seemed to have so much more confidence than I did. And it always seemed to be my downfall. "I'll do…anything. Just don't harm the others." A smirk tugged at the edge of his lips at my plea. I felt like a complete failure. I couldn't even protect them. I wasn't there, and who knows what those psychotic twins were doing to the others… The thought caused me to wince.

The stinging sensation of fresh tears begging to be released, pierced the back of my eyes, but I choked them back easily. Tears were a sign of weakness. 'That's why Winry must cry so much.' I rolled my eyes before letting out a soft chuckle at the thought of the innocent, fragile beauty. I felt the fatigue return, realizing how weak she really was. She couldn't handle herself. And there was no one else to protect her. Unless… 'Shenjii…you stupid bastard. You better protect her until I get there…' I thought. Gritting my teeth together, I muttered, "Why can't you just leave her alone?" I hadn't realized I was thinking aloud until Envy's buoyant laughter surrounded me, engulfing me in its evil intentions, "Edward, stop being so naive! As if I'd tell you anything!"

I growled under my breath, "Sure, sure." I muttered. I quickly clapped my hands together, "I'll just have to make you tell me." I ran my left hand down my right arm, summoning the metal blade to emerge. "Let's go!" I shouted, rushing at Envy.

Envy merely broke out into hysterics once more. "Oh Fullmetal, I thought you were admitting defeat? This is a foolish move on your part, pipsqueak, but alright, if you insist." Envy smirked, transforming into me with a laugh. The blade attached to his right arm shot out on command, "I've been itching to kick your little ass again for quite some time now." He dodged my attack easily, maneuvering his way behind me, holding his blade against my neck as he whispered against my ear, "Just like old times, eh Fullmetal? Now what will you do?" A smirk tugged against the edges of his lips before I grinned, quickly slicing my blade into Envy's abdomen. "That." I muttered, jumping away from the devious monster a few feet.

He winced in pain, but quickly recomposed himself. Suddenly, the sound of a young girl in agony's bloodcurdling scream filled our ears. Envy closed his eyes in pleasure; a sinister smirk traced his cheeks. I gasped, turning away from Envy in terror. "Winry..?" I couldn't help but mutter before Envy's fist met my cheek once more. "No, it couldn't be Winry." He saw the hope in my eyes as he threw himself on top of me with a wide-set grin. A gust of breath was released from my lungs at the sudden pressure of the homunculi's weight against my chest. Chuckling, Envy shrugged. "Winry's scream is much more…thrilling than that." He laughed deviously, glancing back down at me, "I would know…Remember? Hehe…I certainly do. How could I forget such a sexy captive? When my blade pierced her skin for the first time…" His smirk grew wider as he took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. His fingers ran in circles against his lips, "…Just like Christmas." The wind sent a chill through the air as my anger grew. "You bastard!" I shouted, shoving Envy away from me. With a heavy breath, I lifted myself off the ground, shooting my blade at him in rage. The mere thought of Envy even near Winry filled me with an uncontrollable rage, and the worst part, was that he knew it. Winry was my weakness, and if he wanted to take me down, he would have to use her to his advantage.

Envy laughed, dodging my attacks with ease, "You know, that might not have been her scream…but I certainly know how to make her wail…" He transformed into Winry, running his fingers down her chest seductively, "If you know what I mean…" He whispered in a sly voice. I growled, rushing at him once more, "Shut up!" I closed my eyes and struck out repeatedly with my blade. I hadn't realized my blinding mistake until his fist sent me spiraling backwards once more. I let out a moan in agony. He was stronger than before. Or was it that I was just weaker? It didn't matter. Either way, he was winning. These thoughts were the reason I was able to stand up once more, ready to fight.

Envy merely laughed, transforming back into himself. A plan formulated itself in his twisted mind before he nailed me in the face with a mighty blow, sending me spiraling backwards into an overly large boulder, overshadowing the hillside. I felt it crackle beneath my weight. "How do you hope to defeat me, pipsqueak if you can't even defend yourself?" He smirked at the sight of me slowly losing consciousness from the impact. "Alphonse…" I whispered in a soft mutter. An overwhelming feeling of guilt shot through me. How could I forget my own brother? Was he safe? I groaned. If they did so much as touch him, I'd kill them. At this moment, I knew that wasn't the case. Gripping at my gut where my opponent had first kicked me. "I'm not worried about defeating you…" I murmured. My side ached, causing me to groan once more. "I'm going to destroy you!" He let out a mighty cackle at my naïve words. I closed my eyes for a moment as I struggled to catch my breath. I could feel him drawing near, but I couldn't bring myself around to fighting back. My ponytail was suddenly intangled in his fingers as he pulled my head back. A fist met my chest, then a kick to my side. He laughed once more. I pushed his hand away, struggling to keep my balance against the boulder supporting me from behind, before Envy punched me in the temple, and I fell to the ground.

"This will be fun…" Envy cackled viciously. He slowly sauntered towards me with cruel intentions as he awaited my return to the world of consciousness.

Winry's POV:
Their deviously triumphant laughter rang out all around me. I felt an empty, darkness surrounding me as I stared into their identical crimson pools. I couldn't look away. No matter how hard I tried to fight off their strange and unknown abilities, they easily conquered my struggles. An overwhelming stinging sensation began to form in the pit of my stomach. Spreading through my body, it was then that the true agony began.

Screams of terror and agony rang throughout the forest, filling my ears with ear-splitting horror. It was at that moment that I realized it was my own. I sunk to the ground, clutching at my head. Handfuls of golden locks poured over the palms of my hands as the band that once held back my long hair, had broken. The long locks flowed around my face, falling flat as if the pain clutching at my heart were killing it.

I hadn't noticed I was crying—once again, until the tears began drowning me. I choked, feeling the blood welling up in the back of my throat, just itching to be set free. My trembling lips widened as a deranged cough left my throat, along with the crimson tears. I winced at the new salty taste dissolving into my taste buds from the blood. Between the tears and the bodily fluids forcing themselves out passed my lips, I forced the words, "Please, stop." I knew it was no good, but I couldn't take this agony. It was as if pain had a voice, ringing in my ears, and drowning out all other sounds, turning them into an annoying buzz, or a strange mumble behind a vast wall. It was as if horror had a mask, shielding my eyes, and hiding all surroundings. It was as if torment smelled of a battlefield. All flourishing cherry buds in bloom, and sunflowers over a hillside, were beaten down into the earth by the race of war. Tears of blood and sweat filled my nostrils, blocking out any other scent. The salty smell of blood, the filthy smell of sweat, the strong, rotten scent of death, was all I could sense flowing through my nasal cavities and into my pulsating brain. It was as if these demons had daggers, digging deep within my subconscious and ripping through my soul—shredding it to bits.

My forehead hit the soggy earth beneath me as a new pain shot through my body. This time, I believe it was a dagger. Blood poured out from my stomach as it pierced my skin. It was at that moment that my body began to burn. It was as if I were lit ablaze, sent into the ashes of fire and the bowls of hell. These fires were unbearable. I once again heard my terrified screams. Where was Shenjii? Abby? Al? Edward? Why weren't they helping me? Where they alright? Or were they already… The thought failed me. I could not imagine them as being dispersed from this earth and sent forever beneath the rocky soil. The thought sent shivers down my spine.

Suddenly, the pain became so unbearable, I couldn't think. I began clawing at my skin, in a desperate attempt to escape this hell. It was at that moment, the words left my lips. I wish they hadn't. But I knew not what to else to do, other than utter them. "Kill me…" I thought someone had listened to me; someone had heard my demand and followed through. Because at that moment, I felt another stab, this time to my chest, and I fell rigid in someone's eager arms. Unable to move.. Unable to think.. There was only one thought I could work up… Please be safe…Edward.

Envy's POV:
I quickly sprinted through the dense woods, in search of my previously captured damsel in distress. Another scream broke through the forest, shifting the trees. A smirk plagued my sinister features as I followed the direction of the scream.

Reaching the open field he had left the twins to do his bidding in, only moments ago, I stopped directly beside Vanity, "Truth, Vanity, what did you do to them?" A devious chuckle left my lips at the site of Winry's tortured frame laying limp in Shenjii's arms. Her small body was covered in blood and drenched in tears. Vanity smirked up at me, her eyes glowed an eerie scarlet, "Nothing too horrible. Just a little torture," she giggled, "what have you been up to? We've had time to bring both these weaklings to their knees. What spectacular news do you bring?" Truth asked sarcastically. I ruffled her hair as if she were just a young, naïve child. Knowing I was irritating her, I decided to take a hesitant step away—before she decided to have some fun with me as well. "I took care of the Elric shrimp, but I'm not completely done with my fun yet. Hehe…Anyway, I'm suppose to get the girl and take her to our master."

Vanity shrugged, pointing one slender finger towards the limp girl in the trembling boy's arms. I laughed, shaking my head. She had misunderstood, this time, Winry was not my primary target. "No, I mean the other girl. The young one? What was her name again…" I murmured, trying to remember her primary calling. It was at that moment when the young boy on the ground snarled, "Abby? You better leave her alone. I won't threaten you, it's pointless. I'm not as stupid as Edward. But I will tell you this—stay the hell away from my sister!" I knelt beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. I couldn't help but linger my hungry gaze on Winry's delicate body, laying motionless and fragile. My smirk widened unconsciously, my sinister gaze met the boy's once more, "Don't worry, kid. You just tell me where she and the younger Elric boy went and I promise, they won't be harmed. Unless Edward decides to do something silly…" I chuckled, knowing the truth of every event that would happen only hours from now.

The boy growled in rage at my words, as if he didn't trust me. I didn't blame him, why trust a creature neither living nor of the dead? It only made sense to be disapproving towards me. "So what? Is this all just some kinda dumb ass test for the Elric's or something?!" He shouted. I hadn't really thought about it. All I truly knew was that I was ordered to capture the small girl, I suppose her name was Abby from what this kid was spouting about, the younger Elric brother, and of course, the girl laying limp in the arms of another. The mere realization of this made my muscles tighten. "No, not quite. But whatever," My smile vanished. This was taking too much of my valuable time.

With a deep sigh, I grabbed the boy by the throat, and threw him a good few feet. The impact of his back with whatever rough surface he was forced upon was heard seconds later, but I paid no mind. I caught Winry before she fell the very few feet to this soggy earth. She looked so weak, so fragile. I sighed, forcing any thoughts of remorse for the delicate girl to the back of my mind. Scooping her up in my arms, I held her close, turning to face the boy across the field with a devious smirk, "Looks like in the end, the nice guy really does finish last, eh?" I laughed. Nodding to Vanity and Truth, they both knew it as a silent instruction to finish off the kid while I made my escape, in search of my other victims. Then it would be off to the Elric once more. "Watch out Abby… Alphonse… Here I come."

Alphonse's POV:
I knew it was wrong to leave Winry and Shenjii all alone, but Abby seemed so fragile, especially compared to me, so I had to do what I could for her. She was so young, it seemed only right to listen to Shenjii, and run. I quickened my pace down the unmarked path through the dense trees. I wished we were anywhere besides the forest. It was so hard to tell where you were, everywhere you looked was trees and silence. No sign of life. No sign of safety.

I groaned unconsciously, not realizing I did it aloud. Abby pushed off my head to peer out, "What is it, Al? Are you okay?" Before it fell to the ground, I quickly caught my head and gasped. "Oh, yeah. Everything's fine. Sorry, I was just thinking." She smiled, resting her chin on her folded arms against the top of my chest, "Hm? Whatcha thinkin' about then?" Her curiousity was obvious with every word.

I laughed in embarrassment, "What about? Well, I guess…just everything that's happened lately. It seems kinda silly, but I can't help but keep worrying about those two little twins. They seemed about our age, didn't they? And yet they were so full of anger and evil…" I felt her breathe a heavy sigh. It was silence once more for quite some time. I imagine Abby was thinking about my strange thoughts. Then she frowned, "Yeah. You're right! Those poor girls…They don't deserve such horrible lives. They should be running around, and playing! Not killing people…" She bit her lower lip, sinking back down into my empty metal shell.

Only feet through the forest, she began to get tired, so I generously lifted off my metal head, and allowed her to rest inside me, "Just be careful not to touch my blood seal or my soul will be unable to stay attached to this body." Was my only warning, which she silently followed without questioning.

I couldn't help wonder what was now on her mind. She had grown so silent, so quickly. Was it something I said? I had probably upset her. Guilt flooded over me, "Abby? Are you okay? Did I upset you? If I did, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to." There was a shuffling sound within my empty shell that sounded as if she were pulling in her legs, hugging her knees to her chest at my words. "Nope, don't you ever worry about upsetting me, Al. I'm fine. Promise. It's just…" Her breath caught in her throat before she continued, "It's just the thought of those evil little girls…killing my brother, and the others…" She shook her head before resting it against my chest, "It's a troublesome thought. Sorry I brought it up." She giggled humorlessly.

We remained silent, but not for long. A strange figure stood casually leaning against a tree. "Who's that?" Abby asked, poking her head out from beneath my head once more. She lifted it slightly to get a better look of the dark figure, "Uh-oh, this could be bad, Al." I nodded nervously. No matter what, I would do what Shenjii had ordered and defend Abby no matter what. The figure uncrossed their arms and began sauntering towards us.

I came to a stop on instinct, "Are you ready, Abs?" I felt her slink her way out of my body until she was standing right beside me, "Yup! Let's do this!" She stated with a bright smile. I glanced behind the figure, back over to the tree. There, laying limp beneath the tree, was a small, motionless figure. I felt Abby trembling next to me, which was a sure fire sign that she had seen the body as well. I looked back at the creature coming towards us.

The figure sauntered a few more steps at a time, "Alphonse, I'm not here to fight. I'm here to…compromise. What do you say?" Abby gasped, tugging in fear at my shoulder strap, "A-Al…I think that's…" I didn't wait until she finished her murmuring babbles. I already knew who it was by the sound of his cocky, arrogant voice, "Envy." His gleaming smirk shone from across the forest until he was only mere inches from us, "Correct. Now how about that compromise?"

Edward's POV:

--OoXoO--
…Dark, devious demons haunted the young man that night. He tossed and turned in his unconscious state, fighting away the nightmares that struggled to prevail. An onyx veil of darkness overwhelmed him, dragging him into the grip of the night. Where the dead hung from raptures and the demons laughed viciously. Their gleaming pearls sparkling like daggers in the night…

Suddenly, in the world of dreams, Edward looked around, wide-eyed in terror. Everything around him was mystifying and horrid. Darkness shrouded him as he rushed along a paved path that suddenly came to an end. Sprawling in the darkness, there was a sudden light, calling out to the small child. He journeyed towards it; the darkness suddenly began to vanish--but only for a moment. For when he passed through the light, it was like a passage way to his deepest secrets, which were now his darkest nightmares. All around him, bodies fell to the soggy earth. Crimson tears fell from the sky and washed over the lands with blood. Ed's topaz eyes suddenly broadened more, his face faded to a horrified pale.
"What the hell?"

He muttered to himself. It was as if he were reliving his nightmares all over again. Edward ran forward, dodging the falling victims as they fell into the crimson puddles across the fields, drenched in their own blood and tears. Ed shook his head wildly, holding his I steadily between two shaking palms. "No! Stop it! It's not my fault…" Though, deep down, Edward knew the death and pain he caused to happen to the people closest to him, was not all his fault. Still, he felt guiltier than ever now that everyone was getting hurt, and his friends, and brother were being pursued by a dangerous band of deranged murderers. "I'm so sorry…" He murmured into the darkness.

He shouted to the crying heavens above. He sobbed as the bodies continued to fall around him. Then, at that instant, he spun around to face a deep dark forest. Trees shadowed his short frame, towering high overhead. He staggered down the path, desperate to escape the torment of the innocent, and not so innocent, victims dying around him.
"Envy? If you're here then get your ass out here now!"
He murmured with every few steps down the path. Edward was desperate to find some form of life, something living and breathing instead of dying and crying. Suddenly, two small voices were heard farther down the path. With a soft gasp, Edward rushed towards the disoriented voices. "Hello? Is someone there? Where are you?!"

Once he reached the end of the path, the owners of the voices were standing right before him. The color faded from his face once more as his eyes widened once again. With a fall of his jaw, the small boy suddenly realized who they were. "Mother… Father..."
He took a hesitant step towards them. They were smiling that dream-like smile he had always imagined when thinking of them—just like they use to. He had always dreamed they'd be waiting for him and his brother in heaven--for the day they finally left this earth. But sadly, even Edward knew the truth. They may very well be in heaven.
But him? No. He would never experience the first step through those big, golden gates. Never feel the light fluffy clouds beneath his bloodstained feet. Never see his parents smiling cheerful faces as they came rushing towards him with open arms and tears of joy streaming down their faces. On the other hand, he knew Alphonse would be allowed to soar the flying skies overhead after life on this earth. That was one reason Ed was not so eager to die. After this life, he would be forced to leave his little brother…forever. That was a fact. A fact Edward was not ready to face. Though at this moment, his brother was not his main concern. He could finally see his parents, standing there—right before his very eyes.

He felt a smile trace his features, "Is it really you?" He murmured, taking another step towards them. Then, suddenly a smaller figure began to form beside them. The frame of a small, innocent young girl began to form in his adjusting eyes.

The figure began to grow clearer as a flutter set off in Ed's stomach at the site. "Winry." He stated with a brighter smile than before. "You're alright! Oh, I owe Shenjii big time now." With a light chuckle, Edward began towards them again until a smaller boy appeared behind Winry. His sad, doe eyes glanced nervously up at Ed's. Clutching at the hem of Winry's mini-skirt was his little brother. "Alphonse!" Al's lips curved up into a playful grin at the sound of his brother's cheerful reply directed towards him. With a nod the small boy hugged at Winry's hem tighter.

Ed's gaze moved back up to Winry's as her smile grew, "Hey Edward." Her small voice rang out, sending the fluttering in his stomach to soar. With a few more steps towards his family, it happened. There, right before his fragile eyes, a deep gash began to form in their chests as their smiles dispersed. Their screams filled the sound barrier, breaking Edward's heart in two with every passing moment. Blood flooded down their forms, drenching the earth beneath them before they fell, only inches from him. He was forced to watch the life fade from each and every one of their terrified eyes.

Ed couldn't move. He knew the stinging in his eyes very well; he was familiar with this feeling. It happened every time he forced away his tears. Only this time, he was going to let them come. But oddly, the tears never came. It was as if they completely stopped. He couldn't find them to sob out. His jaw merely opened, his eyes widened in terror, and he fell rigid to his knees in front of them.
"Alphonse…Winry…Mother…Father… Please, don't leave me..."

He murmured.
Then, the tears came, streaming down his cheeks. He screamed in agony as the pain ripped at his already torn heart. Who killed them? Why? What was going on? Questions circled in his mind. That was when he heard a strange shuffling behind him, deep within the forest. The site of them sent shivers down his spine, and another scream to emerge from his throat…
--OoXoO--

A gasp emerged from my lips. I groaned, rubbing my head in agony. All signs of the nightmares vanished as consciousness returned to me. I knew if Envy had wanted to, I would've been dead already. With a frustrated growl, I slowly opened my eyes to an extraordinary site. "Winry? What are you doing here? Are you alright..?" I asked in worry. Sitting up quickly, a sharp pain shot through my body causing me to wince. She gasped, grabbing my arm to help hold me upright. "Edward! I should be the one asking you if you're okay…What happened to you?"

I looked away, not sure what was going on. Envy was gone, Winry was here, I'm alive…But where are the others? I met her gaze hesitantly, gripping my side. "Envy. I fought him. And obviously he won…Do you know where he went?" Winry's fragile, turquoise eyes stared down at me in confusion, "Envy? What do you mean? I haven't seen him. But I just got here. Shenjii was fighting the twins and he told me to run and to find you as soon as I could!"

I stared at her in shock for a moment. I couldn't believe that Shenjii had kept his word and looked after Winry, just as he had promised. I smiled, running my index finger down her cheek. "Well I'm just glad you're alright, Winry. But where's Al and Abby? Did they get away as well?" She giggled, resting her hand against mine, holding it to her cheek as she spoke, "So many questions. Calm down, Ed. Everyone's fine." She bit her lower lip nervously. "Um, Edward?" I raised an eyebrow, having never seen her acting so strange. There was something sinister about her. But at the moment, I was too exhausted to worry about it. "Yeah? What is it now, Winry?"

Two baby blue eyes met mine and I melted away as always. She smiled, resting her forehead against mine. "I love you." My eyes widened in shock. Winry was usually never so forward about things. I felt a blush tracing my cheeks as I struggled for the right words to reply with. "W-what?! Oh…Well, I…Um…"

She smiled at my awkwardness and leaned into me, running her index finger down my cheek and along my lower lip seductively. I could feel myself giving into her, but something was urging me to run as far away as possible from the woman I loved. Then again, something else was urging me to stay, and never leave her side. She lowered her lips until they were even with mine as she spoke softly, "Edward, I'm sorry for everything. I wish we could erase it all! I just want us to be…alone."

Uncomfortably, I slowly tried to pull away but failed miserably at the sound of her words. Opening my mouth to speak, I felt the words slipping away before I softly murmured, "What do you mean, alone?" I felt the blush tracing my cheeks deepen as I looked away, "Er, sorry Winry…But I, um..." She giggled at my embarrassment. I knew I must have looked like a confused, love struck puppy.

Suddenly, before I could even have time to react, Winry's arms tightened around my neck as she leaned down, crushing her lips against mine aggressively. I gasped, feeling a strange harshness in the kiss. It wasn't how I had imagined at all. I always pictured our lips meeting in gentle harmony. A harmony and understanding, where my sorrows would wash away in the melting moments our lips were forced together. This was nothing like that. Her lips crushed against mine with exaggerated force. But at that moment, it hadn't mattered. At this moment, she was mine, and that was all that mattered.

My fists unclenched as I slowly closed my eyes, leaning into the kiss, forgetting about everything else around us, until a familiar voice rang out from behind me. "Ed what the hell are you doing? And who's that?!" I quickly pulled away, breaking the kiss to face the owner of the voice. "Shenjii? What are you doing here?" I asked in confusion. "Where are the twins?"

Shenjii face fell. I could tell that he suddenly grew uncomfortable at my questions, "I'm not sure. Last I saw them, they were chasing after Abby and Al in the forest. I came in search of Envy…"

I staggered to my feet, helping Winry up as well. The confusion inside me was growing with every passing moment. "Wait, why were you going after Envy?" Shenjii tightened his hands into fists at my question. "…He appeared out of nowhere…And captured Winry. That's why I'm not beating the shit out of you right now for kissing her, because that can't be Winry."

I felt the blush on my cheeks turn into a crimson of rage, "Then who is it?!" Quickly, I spun around to face the fragile girl. Her worried and heartbroken eyes locked with mine. "Edward, I'm scared. What's going on?" She backed away a few feet slowly. I didn't know what was going on, or who to believe. So quickly, I turned back to face Shenjii, "How long ago did you see Winry being captured?" I asked eager to find the truth.

Shenjii shrugged, "A few minutes maybe. And I know that can't be Winry because she was unconscious when Envy had taken her…The twins did something to her. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but they did it to me too. It was…unpleasant." A frown of disappointment traced his ever-guilty features. I could sense there was a hidden meaning in his words, but decided not to further press it.

I felt my fists clenching tighter before I turned to face Envy's sly grin. "Hey there, Pipsqueak." He chuckled. "Shenjii's pretty clever. I got your girlfriend, yet again! My, my you certainly are a terrible hero aren't you? Everyone keeps getting captured!" He cackled before taking a step away and grinning at me. "I hate to just 'kiss and go' Ed, it truly was fun. But I best be getting back to my job. I'm supposed to kill one captive, frame another, and just have a hell of a blast torturing the other!" With another laugh, Envy folded his arms across his chest. "Hmm…let's see. I can't quite remember exactly who each special friend I get to have some fun with…Aw hell! Let's just have an all out blast with this! I'll make it a surprise! So, Edward, I guess you'll just have to find out who the victims are later, right Shrimp? Hehe…" I growled, "Where the hell is she?! And where are Al and Abby? I swear if you hurt any of them, then I'll-"

Envy shrugged, "I honestly don't care what you'll do. Doesn't matter. Never works. Well, hasn't yet now has it?" He smirked before a cackle left his sinister lips. I always hated Envy. Ever since the moment I met him. There was just something about him that always seemed to irk me, and now I knew what it was. His irreversible ability to piss me off. I growled under my breath, "Shut the hell up." I stated in a low snarl.

I turned to Shenjii who appeared to be just as enraged as I was. "Envy! Leave my little sister alone!" I don't know why it shocked me. It should have been an obvious reaction for an older brother with his young sister in peril. But for some odd reason, I didn't expect him to say that. I still believed him to be my opponent in the marathon against me as we raced to the finish line, to claim our prize—Winry Rockbell. Now, I knew for sure. Shenjii appeared to be more deserving of her love than me. Now, I detest him even more. His actions suddenly reminded me, "Where the hell is Al?"

Envy rolled his eyes as if we were boring him, "Ugh! What is it with you people and all your damn questions?" He shrugged before turning to leave, "If you want your lil' friends back, you'll have to seek out Scar. He has been trying to create a new Philosopher's Stone, and we need it, since someone took ours." His evil gaze met Shenjii, "You'll pay for that, by the way." A smirk played Envy's bold features before he vanished, sprinting at an unbelievable rate through the tree tops. I gasped, "He wants us to find the Philosopher's Stone?" I glanced over at Shenjii. He was trembling with rage and sorrow, "Oh Abby…please be okay…" I felt a sudden pang of guilt. "Shenjii, don't worry. She will be fine. I promise, they all will." I forced a small smile, though my thoughts were elsewhere. In a far off land filled with worry for my innocent brother…And the poor, terrorized girl caught in the middle of this war for nothing more than a simple rock.

Duh, Duh Duh...lol Well there ya go. I worked especially hard on this!! Its 2:17am right now...your freakin welcome...lol my computer still keeps screwin up!! But I managed to complete this chapter, so PLEASE review.. I'm so tired...All for my loyal fans. bows haha lol jkjk Well, I hope you all enjoy it! And thanks again to those who have been patient, and sending me tips on how to make my stories more enjoyable for you guys!! Thank you all soo much for the support!
I luv you all
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