A Cost Too High

Chapter Two:

“So where will you go?” Caden, the elder brother, the one who could speak Ed’s tongue, asked of the young alchemist.

They were sitting together in the main room of the house and now at last, when darkness fell, did the entire traveling group allow themselves to be revealed. Six children, most of them orphans, the two brothers, and three other adults had formed a miniature village of sorts and all of them were thrilled with the prospects of the possible rebuilding. It had taken some time for the words to sink in, but Ed, too, was relieved to know that the Fuhrer was dead. It would feel wrong to be happy over something like that, but the Fuhrer wasn’t really human was he…

“Um… I guess I’ll go home.” He replied to the man as he was passed a canteen of water. They’d been very kind to him ever since he passed out earlier in the day. They’d even bandaged up his hand and given him new clothes. That must have been a great sacrifice for them as they were traveling with hardly any possessions to begin with. As he sat there, wearing a blue, sleeveless tunic, tan leather pants and thick soled sandals, he blushed in shame that he had nothing to offer them back. If he returned to Central he could withdraw money for them but how would he find them again, what point would be in that? He would do better to donate money to the Ishbalan cause, or maybe he could just journey onward with them and help them in the entire effort of rebuilding. The idea appealed to him actually…

“I don’t really know what to do; I don’t have any plans…”

He had no purpose anymore. Perhaps it was the dull sting of his hand, wrapped in fresh fabric that kept him from fully sinking into despair over the fact that everything he’d worked for in life was now gone and meant nothing. Home was where he wanted to be, but he didn’t necessarily want to face Winry or Granny, because then things would be real to him, and he was terrified of the realization of loneliness that had yet to come.

“Well, you’re welcome to travel with us if you choose.” Caden half shrugged but offered a sincere expression.

“Thank you. I…” he sighed and looked at the children, some of them were versed in his language and had asked him about his hair and about his eyes, also about the tattoo on his back, “I’ll think about it.” He saw one child in particular grinning at the prospects.

That night the small group was on the move again. It was easier to travel in the night time, less chance of running into bandits and also it was much cooler. Edward refrained from using his Alchemy though there were times it would have come in handy – fixing a busted up shoe lace, or repairing a leaky canteen – because so far they had accepted him and he didn’t necessarily want to find himself cast out so soon. Their companionship at the moment was proving to be a much needed distraction.

They moved by foot and it was proving to be a strange sensation for Edward as his left leg felt brand new and, as a result, rather weak. Frowning at his discomfort he kept shut and when the strange feelings and the guilt and horror all became too much he would bite the inside of his cheek so hard it pinched and bled.

Hours and hours passed and Ed spoke off and on with the children who could converse with him, but his responses were never very long. When the kids pried too much, Caden would remind them to leave the young man alone, but Ed told him it was okay.

By the time dawn arrived, his legs were tired, and the left leg was burning. They made camp on the border of the Central Region. There were some buildings around – something like the outpost compound of the previous day – only this place was even more desolate and deteriorated. There was another difference: there were others, Ishbalans and also some blue-clad Military men, some of which the young Alchemist vaguely recognized.

Ed’s palms began to sweat. Both palms. With a furrowed brow, Edward sulked to the back of the group and shook his head to toss some of his blond strands before his face. It was guilt that prompted him to do this. He couldn’t face them… couldn’t face him.


***

When Roy Mustang awoke again it was to something small, cold, and wet dotting his face. He felt four small paws drilling their, what should be minuscule, weight into his chest. He’d always wondered why it was the kitten, for as small as it was, could feel so heavy when standing on him and why four small paws felt like four pens boring into him.

“Mew,” it said as if it knew he’d come to. It licked his chin with its rough little tongue and Roy lifted his hands, patting the air until they found the kitten’s little frame. He’d named it Livi for no particular reason other than that he’d liked the name, couldn’t remember where he’d heard it, probably some old fling from his younger years, not that he was really that old.

The kitten, Livi, began to purr the moment he touched her soft, orange-tabby fur. Despite her not being a dog, she was a pretty damned good cat. She killed bugs if they ever got in the house, didn’t tear too much up, came when called, slept at the foot of his bed or on his chest at night, and even greeted him when he came home. Yes, she was a good kitten and she was here now, being just as good and in turn, he felt a little better, comforted by her presence. It was funny how that worked and he didn’t quite understand it. But it didn’t matter so long as he could hold her for just a little bit and pet her the rest.

The rustling of fabric to his left caught his attention and he turned his head. “Hawkeye?”

“Yes, are you hungry or thirsty?” she asked softly.

“Have you heard anything on the Elrics?” There was no use putting off any news with small ‘can I get you anything’ banter when what he wanted most, more than anything, was to see that the boys were alright.

Riza sighed, “If I tell you, will you eat a little something?”

“Hawkeye,” He warned quietly then thought better of it since she might get it in her head to shoot him or hold him at gun point. He could still feel things even if he couldn’t see at the moment. “Yes, I will eat something.”

“Lt. Colonel Armstrong sent some people he could trust out looking for them. So far there have only been a few confirmed reports of Edward wandering around the north and eastern part of Central naked and dazed. The latest report from a shop keeper is that Edward was picked up by a group of Ishbalan’s leaving central on an eastern road. The shop keeper said from what he could see, they wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him along with them. Armstrong has set out on his own to get Edward and will call in his progress.” She reported.

So Edward was alive… Roy breathed a sigh of relief internally and thanked whatever higher power there was in the universe for it. However, relief being what it was was half diminished by news of Edward’s condition. He’d seen Edward in several states of banged up and beaten even close to death just the once, but never had he seen the strong willed alchemist naked and dazed… Something was terribly wrong and that Riza hadn’t mentioned Alphonse at all… No, they must have just been separated, that had to have been it. Edward would never leave his brother of his own volition unless things were alright.

Roy wet his lips, “And Al? Any news of him?”

Riza was quiet a moment before replying, “No, Sir, no one has seen or heard from him. Havoc, Falman, and Breda are out looking for him.”

He didn’t like that news; it sent a knife of panic straight to his heart, making it ache and clench. And he felt helpless, so very helpless, almost worse than when… when Hughes had been killed.

“Tell them not to come back until they can bring the boys to me.” He breathed through gritted teeth though his hands were so very gentle to Livi’s small body. In fact he cuddled the kitten just for an anchor, for comfort that everything would turn out okay. It had too; he wanted to show her to Edward and Alphonse. Al would be so surprised and excited. Ed would act like he didn’t really care but deep down, in those amber depths, Roy would see how relieved the blonde would be.

“Yes, Sir,” Riza replied and he heard her rise from her seat. “And now, you need to eat something. You’ll be no good to either of those boys if you are weak. They are going to be startled and upset just seeing you as you are. Don’t make it worse for them.”
***

“Why is your hair so long?” A little boy asked Edward. Presently Edward was sitting at the back of the makeshift tent, trying to keep as far away from the blue uniforms as possible. Honestly it was a relief to know that the military was present and, from what Edward could tell, helping them. So far he’d seen several soldiers assisting with wounded and even providing meal rations and fresh water.

Lifting his head he looked at the little boy. “I don’t know. It just… my dad wore his hair long and…” he paused and thought about how that should have been a reason for him to cut it in the beginning. “I liked it longer; it was easier to pull back out of my face.”

“So why are you keeping it in your face right now?” He prodded.

“Because…” Ed was trying to think of something that would satisfy the kid’s curiosity but he quieted down when he heard commotion outside; soldiers making a line, the clang of their boots on the dusty ground. What the hell? Was something wrong?

“Wait here,” he told the little boy and then crawled forward to peer through the flaps of the tent. He could see a line of soldiers all standing erect and saluting, but he couldn’t see who they were saluting. Suddenly another child’s face appeared at the opening of the tent.

“He’s right here!” She giggled. “Long blond hair and pretty eyes, just like I said,” she grinned in innocence. She thought this was some sort of game… she didn’t know how cold Ed’s blood turned when she announced his presence to the world.

“Wait-“ He called and backed up, but he couldn’t get out of reach. Suddenly a very large hand attached to a very large arm clad in blue, reached into the tent and clasped onto Edward’s tunic. With an urgent yank Ed was pulled forward and then suspended in mid air but the outrageous strength of the Major.

There was a moment of silence as Ed, blinking in surprise and in protection against the sunlight, and Armstrong, his brow furrowed deeply and his mustache twitching, merely regarded each other. Ishbalans and other military personnel held their breaths, no doubt expecting a true confrontation.

“Edward Elric.” Armstrong spoke in a deep voice. It wasn’t a question and Ed, reaching up to clutch at the large wrist, flashed the man a pathetic scowl. Immediately the hard face of the Major waned and was replaced with deep concern and large tear drops formed at the corners of his eyes. Pulling the boy to his chest he hugged him tightly until Ed had to growl,

“Can’t breathe, Major!”

“Forgive me, I’m just relieved to find you alive and in such good health, the first reports spoke of you wandering around naked!” he nodded and let the young man back down to the ground.

“So I’ve heard.” Edward grumbled, and then winced as he turned just a bit so that he could keep his right arm hidden from the Major’s sight. “Caden and his brother took me in and found me some clothes…” he said and nodded at the Ishbalan who stood nearby observing the situation. Deep down Edward apologized to the man – it probably wouldn’t sit well with Caden knowing that he’d not only saved an Amestrian, but a member of the military as well. Despite the reparations underway for the Ishbalans it was going to take a very, very long time before they completely trusted or even tolerated those blue uniforms that had so efficiently destroyed their homes.

Looking toward the red-eyed man, Armstrong nodded. “Your kindness will not go unrewarded; I’ll have my men arrange for compensation.”

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. If you truly want to reward me, just see to it that my people have food and water while they make camp here.” He replied; his expression still relaxed.

“Consider it done.” Armstrong nodded again and then dipped down for a moment, catching Edward by surprise and slinging him over his shoulder. “Come on, Edward, I have a vehicle waiting to take us back to Central.”

“Wha-“ Ed gasped. “Put me down, Major! I can walk, damn it!” In truth he wanted to escape and maybe that’s why Armstrong continued to hold onto him.

“I’m sorry, Edward, but I’ve been given firm instructions.” He spoke as they made their way to the car. A young officer stood beside the vehicle and when they were close enough to smell the oil off the contraption, the officer opened the back door and stepped aside. Presently the blond alchemist was tossed, gently, into the back seat. Before he could even get his bearings the Major slipped inside as well. He closed the door and unrolled the window, “Before we take off for Central I want you to get on the wire and send a message to the Brigadier General. Tell him, I’ve got his boy.”

“His … ‘boy’…” Edward whispered and wrinkled his nose.