a/n- FINALLY! Ed and Al! :D

Chapter 7- Two Lost Souls

A week passed in which restlessness rose quickly. While Rumiko-San taught me any sort of alchemy she could think of that would help bring down Psiren, Syaoran-Kun and Kurogane searched the streets for any sign of her. Needless to say they both continued to kick up nothing more than dirt; Psiren hadn't made an appearance since she stole the feather. I could see that waiting for her to resurface was destroying Syaoran-Kun, knowing that with each passing moment his princess's memory could be getting farther away from his grasp.

My will was slipping away from me as well; with each day that passed I grew less and less detached with this world. Rumiko-San was becoming more than a teacher; she was becoming a good friend. Even that was a light way of saying it; once I'd made my decision to stay indifferent, I began to see the world from a higher perspective. Couples that walked into the shop hand-in-hand no longer simply made me smile, but now it awakened a longing, an envy to be like them and not have any regrets.

These were the feelings I hid beneath my smile these days, along with all the ones I had before. And I must say, it was getting awfully crowded.

The front door of the café opened and rang the bells attached to it, taking me out of my reverie. I hustled behind the counter where Rumiko-San waited to take the customers' order. I was surprised to see a pair so different from the usual customers I'd seen that I couldn't help but gape.

One was a boy looking around eleven with golden hair pulled back into a braid. His eyes were of the same hue and alert, telling me instantly a great knowledge was veiled by them. He wore a red coat with a cross symbol on the back, a black shirt underneath, and blank pants. The one next to him was even more different, for he wore a full suit of armor that could not be described in any way other than huge, except perhaps gawky.

The blond one, who was quite short as I noticed when he approached the counter, ordered tea and sat next to the armored one at a table for three, impatiently looking out the window. The armored one leaned in to the other and began talking eagerly. His voice was high and echoed throughout the steel he was in so I was able to hear him, however I was puzzled at how young he sounded.

"Brother, where do you think Claire is?" he asked, "She said she'd be hear on time…"

"Probably stealing something on the way," the blond one scoffed.

"Nii-San…" the armor chided. His older brother, as I now knew, shrugged indifferently.

"You know I don't like her, Al, especially her help. We're in enough trouble as it is; we don't need hers as well."

The blond one sighed impatiently and glanced out the window again with a frown. He then fidgeted with a silver pocket watch as if wanting to check the time, but didn't open it. Instead he slipped it back into place.

This conversation was definitely one of the more interesting ones I'd heard since my employment; most had been about Psiren and when she would make another appearance. Therefore, I took the cup of tea Sakura-Chan handed me from the back kitchen and quickly delivered it.

"Anything else?" I asked cheerfully, making sure to keep my smile the same way.

"No," the blond replied.

I asked the armored brother next but he merely let off an awkward feeling and declined. "Are you sure? I don't mean to brag, but our lemon cake is the best I've tasted."

"Look, if we wanted something else, we would have ordered it in the first place," the blond snapped. I bowed out of respect and apologized before returning behind the counter, knowing I had offended them somehow. As I left I heard the armor sigh, "Nii-san…" in a more sad tone than scornful.

Ten minutes passed before the bells rang again and in stepped a tall, thin woman with short blond hair and a knee-length skirt, blue in color, that matched her light green top quite well in my opinion. She sat down with the brothers, failing to notice the blonde's glare at first. When finally she did, she smirked and tweaked the boy's cheek.

"So how are you, Edward? I see you haven't grown up yet." The blond slapped her hand away with a blush and his glare narrowed.

"I'm plenty grown up!" he snapped at her, "Now cut the crap and tell us about this, thing, you've found, or rather, stolen."

"Come now Ed, still bitter from the last time we met?"

"Keep talking and I swear I'll hand you over to the police—and make sure you stay there this time," Edward replied.

By now I had figured out just who these people were; at first I thought it might be coincidence, but the Space-Time witch's wise words returned and I dismissed this. The woman, without a doubt, was Psiren and these boys had to be the 'lost souls' she had mentioned to Syaoran-Kun and Kurogane. I hovered close to their table with a broom, making sure my back was turned and so I wasn't too close; I even hummed softly to give the impression I was completely absorbed in my work. However, I intended to capture this woman, just as soon as I laid eyes on the feather she had.

"Very well, if you want to act like a man, then let's talk money. This item was not easy to recover."

"First tell us what it is. We'll decide if it's worth anything."

"The last time you came here you asked me about the Philosopher's Stone. This item has a power equivalent to it."

"Y-you're serious!?" the younger brother blurted.

"Nonsense, if such an item existed, there would at least be some rumors of it floating around Central Headquarters," the older argued; he didn't seem to be the trusting type and sort of reminded me of Kurogane.

"No, they wouldn't, Fullmetal," Psiren countered, "Because this item was found by the museum owner just two days before he put it on display. The way rumors sounded during those two days, it seemed as if it just appeared out of thin air."

"That's impossible," Edward said skeptically, "It had to have come from somewhere. Things don't just pop up randomly; it goes against—"

"Equivalent exchange, yes," Psiren finished in a somewhat exasperated manner, "I know the law Ed, I'm just relaying what I heard. But I don't think it comes from Amestris."

"How do I know it'll work? You could be in short need for change; it's not like you haven't swindled us before!"

"That was your own damn fault, kid."

"I am not a kid!" Edward exploded in her face. She merely chuckled and shrugged.

"Like you said, it's up to you. I trust you'll pay me if you find it satisfactory."

I snuck a peek as I heard some shuffling to see Psiren slide a box and a piece of paper to the older brother. He left the box untouched and glanced at the message instead.

"If that's so, I'll be sure to send a reasonable amount to this address."

"I want one million," Psiren said bluntly.

"If it does what it's supposed to, done," Ed replied; the boy did not even flinch at this request.

I whistled mentally at the money this kid must have and decided now to be a good time to intervene, for I had a good idea what was in that box. Pretending to wash the table, my back still to the three, I slipped a piece of chalk out of my pocket and quickly drew an appropriate array. Pressing my hands to it, I felt again the magic flow out of my fingertips, comfortably now that I knew I could control it, and turned to watch as the floorboards simultaneously wrapped around the threesome so that their arms were pinned.

"What the—!" the older brother cried out in alarm, "Psiren, if this is a setup, I swear I'll—!"

"As you can see, I am bound as well," the thief replied.

"Then what is the meaning of this!?" Ed directed this question toward me, "I'm a high-ranking State Alchemist for your information!"

"My apologies," I replied, not wanting to worsen the situation, "But your friend has something that is rightfully ours."

"We're not friends," the blond retorted.

At this point Sakura-Chan came running out of the kitchen with Rumiko-San not far behind.

"Fai-San! What are you—?" Sakura-Chan exclaimed, before being cut off by a very angry Rumiko.

"What do you think you're doing to my customers!?"

"Pardon me, Rumiko-San, but these people have Sakura-Chan's memory," I explained; Sakura-Chan's eyes widened when I opened the box on the table and held up the feather.

"Sakura-Chan, why don't you hurry and go find Syaoran-Kun and Kuro-Bya."

Still surprised by the scenario in front of her, she merely nodded and then rushed out the door, causing the bells to ring frantically. I turned back to my temporary prisoners, who also seemed surprised and not knowing exactly how to react.

"Well, Psiren, I guess the deals off," Edward mumbled, his eyes downcast. They shot up the next moment to glare at the woman next to him. "You never said anything about it being someone's memory! No wonder it has so much power…the equivalent exchange for a memory must be immensely steep!"

"Quite true," I answered, "You see, a person's memories make up their essence, their heart. Without them, they die."

"Then…it would have worked…" Edward's eyes dropped again and his head lowered with them.

Rumiko-San, who had been watching our conversation, marched over to me now and stood with her hands on her hips.

"I know this is important, Fai-San," she said, harsher than she meant to, I believe, because her voice softened, "but I can't have this event scaring away my customers."

I nodded in agreement and drew a wary eye to the three I'd captured; I wasn't completely sure if I could handle them freed. I had a feeling they weren't hostile, but the fact the brothers were willing to pay so much for Sakura-Chan's feather put me on the edge. Also, the look in the blonde's eyes had me concerned; they seemed to say he'd been let down too many times to just stay quiet.

My indecision was resolved by the younger brother breaking out of his bonds. "We'll cooperate, sir," he said.

"Alphonse!" Edward hissed.

"Right, brother?" he pushed further.

The older brother sighed with a faint, "whatever," so I released him and Psiren so that the floor returned to normal.

"Now then," I said, "Why don't we continue this upstairs without making any more of a scene?"

I motioned them ahead of me and then followed them up the stairs, but not before noticing that Rumiko had switched the 'open' sign to 'closed'.

"What happened to the concern about your customers?" I asked in a slight teasing voice, putting forth a wayward smile.

"Business is pretty slow anyway and you could use some help looking after those three. Especially Edward-San," she replied indifferently, "Besides, it's my café; I have the right to take a day off once in a while."

She huffed in annoyance and brushed passed me, ushering our three guests into her study. That is, not before I caught the essence of a blush on her face. My smile faded at the sight; she was worried about me.

Looking back at what she said, there was something that had me puzzled. Therefore, after closing the door behind me, I pulled her to the side to question her about it.

"What is it about the older brother that has you and I on guard? There is something about him…an attribute I've only seen in adults up until now…" I pondered aloud.

"That's right, you wouldn't know," she replied, "He's a State Alchemist; one of the best."

"He mentioned that before, but I don't know what it means," I said, chuckling in embarrassment and scratching the back of my head.

"State Alchemists work for the government and are given a second name for the title. His is Fullmetal; they say he can transmute without a circle."

"H-how is that possible?" I asked in surprise, "I thought you said all alchemists need circles."

"I don't know, but…he's the youngest alchemist to be in the military. Rumor says he's a genius, so maybe that's why."

"Really…" I replied with interest, "He reminds me of myself when I was younger."

"How so?" Rumiko-San asked.

"I was the youngest wizard to serve the king," I replied, more wistfully than I intended. Realizing this, I quickly put forth a more jovial attitude.

"But I was such a troublemaker back then! I don't see how I avoided being dismissed!"

Instead of reassuring her, my ruse merely made Rumiko-San's face glaze over with worry.

"Fai-San…" she began, a particular sadness in her voice that reflected the look in her eyes, "What happened?"

Thankfully, that was when a knock sounded at the door. Rumiko left her question at a standstill and went to open it, letting in Sakura-Chan, Syaoran-Kun, and Kurogane. I was too much relieved to be able to read the look Rumiko-San sent me; disappointment, I wonder, or anger? I couldn't figure it out.

"Where is she!? Where's that—!?" Kurogane stopped in mid-rant as he caught sight of Psiren and proceeded to point an accusing finger at her. "You! You're that bitch who—who—!"

Again he stopped, only this time it was in humiliation. I couldn't help but burst out into laughter at his rare sight; Kurogane was blushing!

"What happened, Kuro-Byuu, did she seduce you with her womanly wiles?" I teased.

"Will you—she did not!" he protested in anger, yet the blush grew deeper red and gave it away.

"Tsk, tsk, Kuro-Byo," I mock scolded, shaking my head, "Going after the ladies while on the job."

"I WAS NOT GOING AFTER HER! I was trying to get that stupid feather so we could leave here as soon as possible!" Kurogane exploded in rage, flailing his arms to make his point.

"Of course," I said, disbelief thick in my voice as I grinned like the Cheshire cat.

Sakura-Chan giggled at this display and Syaoran-Kun chuckled nervously, obviously keeping whatever really happened for his own enjoyment.

"Was it too much for you to handle, sweetheart?" Psiren asked, blowing Kurogane a kiss.

The ninja glared at us all and crossed his arms, grumbling curses under his breath.

"So," Edward cut in suddenly, "Are we going to discuss this?"

He was clearly annoyed and didn't try to hide his impatience. Syaoran-Kun and I nodded simultaneously, his face stoic and mine adorned with a warm smile. I began by explaining what had happened before Syaoran-Kun and Kurogane arrived.

"Wooow! Fai-San is amazing!" chimed Mokona, who had been in stuffed-animal mode in Sakura-Chan's arms as of now.

"Thanks, Mokona, but it was nothing!" I told the little creature.

"How did—did that chimera just speak!?" Edward blurted, standing up and slamming his hands down on the table.

"Mokona is Mokona!" the creature insisted, seeming offended.

"Y-you mean it's not a chimera?" Alphonse asked uncertainly.

"Nope, Mokona is completely original," I supplied, patting the little creature on the head.

The two brothers settled down and conversation returned to the initial topic once again.

"I must know," I began, pulling the feather from my pocket and holding it up, "Why would a couple children be willing to pay a million dollars for this?"

Edward's gaze dropped and his brother fidgeted. I couldn't see the younger's face, but I could tell he wanted to answer me. However, it was Edward who spoke up first.

"I suppose…since we would have taken that feather without knowing its importance…that we owe an explanation. You mentioned the feather's value is equivalent to one's life. We were going to…fix something of that equivalence."

"Now I understand," Rumiko-San said, her voice thoughtful, "there was a rumor I heard, that the Fullmetal Alchemist has fake limbs and the younger brother is merely an empty suit of armor. I thought it was far-fetched when I first heard it, but now…it certainly explains a lot."

"Look here!" Edward shot back, simmering in anger, "My brother is human!" The elder brother's voice dropped and his head lowered to face the ground. When he looked up again, hurt covered his visage and it surprised me how protective he was of his brother. "Just because…just because the armor is empty doesn't mean he's not human…"

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that—of course he's human," Rumiko-San said, clearly regretting her previous words.

"So you think the princess's feather will fix you two?" Syaoran-Kun asked, serious as usual.

"I'm sure it would have, but…we'll just have to keep looking. We couldn't use it at the expense of your memory," he told Sakura-Chan.

"Well, I'm not exactly an expert, but…didn't others use the power of my memory without draining it?" Sakura-Chan asked quietly, "If we knew for sure, I wouldn't mind letting you borrow it."

Edward's jaw sagged open and next to him, Alphonse sat up ram-rod straight. I turned to face the princess, warmed by her graciousness while Syaoran-Kun seemed concerned by it.

"Sakura-Hime, are you sure?" he asked her uneasily.

"Well, as long as it didn't harm my memory…" the princess replied indecisively.

"I don't think it would," I thought aloud, "That evil dictator used it to trap souls and control a village. If it was harmed, I'm sure you would have noticed it."

"Mokona will ask Yûko!" Mokona declared, eyes widening as he did so.

The time stream opened to show us Yûko, a glass of sake in her hand. Mokona explained our situation and we all waited restlessly for an answer as the Time-Space Witch pondered the scenario.

"I don't see why not," she decided at last, "It's true the feather has limitless power, at least with our measurements. If it could trap multiple souls it should be capable of anything. Though I'm curious, exactly what do you intend to use it for?"

"My brother's body is still behind the Gate, along with my arm and leg. We only want to call them back."

"I see…" Yûko replied, "This means you have dabbled in human transmutation."

Edward nodded, his face grave. Finally understanding, a look of alarm crossed my face; I had heard about this type of alchemy from Rumiko-San. It was the most taboo of all and most always resulted in bodily harm. How Yûko knew what it was, I wasn't sure, but it didn't surprise me with all the wisdom she held; obviously she understood what Edward meant by the 'Gate', even though in my studies I hadn't come across a definition.

"Well, I guess that settles it!" I exclaimed. Yûko nodded and slowly faded into the air as Mokona severed the connection between the two worlds.

The expression on Edward's face warmed considerably. He crossed the room to Sakura-Chan and stood in front of her with his mouth opening and closing but with no sound emitting from it. At last he seemed to gather his words and spoke.

"I…I don't know how to thank you," he confessed, "You have no idea how long…how much this means to us. As for the matter of equivalence, we will be in your debt for life, I'm sure."

"Thank you, but I'm glad just to help you and your brother." Sakura-Chan smiled, laid a hand on Edward's chest and looked up at him as she continued. "Don't waste it, this second chance. Take care of each other." She bowed her head and when she spoke next her words were softer. "Because you never know…when worlds will separate you…"

"Sakura-Chan…"

"Sakura-Hime…"

Both Syaoran-Kun and I were moved by this heartfelt speech. Syaoran-Kun because he knew of whom she was thinking, and me because…it put something very precious into perspective. Of a sudden I felt very anxious to address that something. I swallowed audibly, as if the action would keep down my rising desire.

"Why don't we let you boys get to work?" Rumiko-San suggested with a gracious smile. I saw her eyes flicker to me briefly. "I'm sure you have a lot to do."

This cued everyone down the stairs and into the café. I exited the study behind the others, Rumiko-San trailing me. Before I could catch up to them she grabbed my wrist and pulled me into her room. She closed the door once we were inside and leaned against it, as if worried I would try and run away.

"Fai, what is it?"

She beat me to the exact question I was about to ask her. I chuckled softly; so then, she could tell something was on my mind. I smiled wearily, scolding myself for letting my troubles become so apparent. I had no wish to burden her with them, no matter how suffocating the weight on my chest. When I didn't answer, she changed her question.

"Fai…just what do I mean to you?"

I didn't want to answer her, but I could tell she wasn't going to just let it go. I would have to be careful though—this was bad; very, very bad. Me I could control. My feelings I could contain. But if she felt the same way—how was I supposed to protect her then? When it was me who was the object putting her in danger?

"I keep trying to…force myself to keep my distance from others, not to burden them with my presence…"

"Fai…" Her quiet plea affected me more than I thought it ever could. She had no need to continue, to tell me I was anything but a burden; I could see it in her eyes.

"Rumiko-San, you can't…"

"I'm a grown woman so don't tell me what I can and can't do."

"Rumiko-San…" Before I could reiterate, she cut me off again.

"Why must you always honor my name? We're friends. Why don't you address me as one?"

I sighed, lowered my head. I could not bear to look. Explaining myself would not make her understand. I was on the edge here, just about ready to fall. When she realized I wasn't going to answer, she frowned, her brows coming together, hurt and worry deep within her eyes.

"I don't understand…why are you so afraid to tell me? What is this invisible line you refuse to cross?"

"We'll be leaving this world soon." Since I had been unable to answer her truthfully, I opted to change the subject, but what came out sounded more like the answer she sought. Despite the disgust I felt at the involuntary lie, I hoped she wouldn't see through it.

"You could stay." I shook my head.

"I would not endanger you like that."

"What do you mean?"

I met her inquiry with silence and her eyes blazed with anger and frustration and resentment all at once. Any further hesitation was only to collect my reply. These words did not come easily, I assure you, but they needed to be said. She had to understand why I couldn't love her.

"If the man who is after me knew…just how much you mean to me, he would kill you in a heartbeat. And I would be almost powerless to protect you."

She sucked in her breath suddenly, realization dawning. This was yet another thing I had been afraid of.

"The man who is after you…he was your king and your mentor, wasn't he?" Reluctant to give her any more information, I sighed deeply. But if this was the only way for her to see…

"He was."

"Then why would he—"

"Because I betrayed him. I imprisoned him in a deep sleep and when he awakes, he will come for me. And you, unless I leave." She frowned.

"I can take care of myself. I am the one who taught you everything you know about alchemy."

"It's not just that."

"Then what?"

Again I hesitated. This was painful for me, allowing myself to become so vulnerable. I was so afraid…as if she understood, she gave a weak smile and reached up to touch me, her fingertips like a ghost's breath upon my cheek, reassuring me and making the words flow easier.

"I don't think I could bare it if something happened to you." It was her turn to sigh.

"It's too late to hide it, you know," she said, "If he finds out, so be it. I would rather enjoy the time we have together."

I closed my eyes and held her hand to my face, letting out a long, uneven breath. She had no idea what her soft murmurs and gentle caresses were doing to me—how they were tearing me apart on the inside as I tried desperately to hold myself in one piece.

"It's okay," she whispered, raising herself to her toes, "Lose control. You don't always have to be so stone-like. Be a little human, just this once."

It was hard to ignore her pleas just as it always had been, only this time my resolve broke. I took her advice and allowed my emotions to overtake me just as her lips overtook mine. And they danced, our lips—oh, how they danced. Music was hardly necessary, for the crescendo of emotion was a symphony in and of itself.