::I jumped up, and shook my head vigorously "W-what! No.. thats not what I meant.. grr..." I smacked myself in the head and turned away from him, still standing, i crossed my arms. "Im...not like this usually... im never open with people.."
His gloved hand took mine and i looked over at him. His long..blond hair draped over his shoulders and black tank. I smiled.
"I...was right.. Youre an angel.." I ran my fingers though his silky hair and looked into his eyes.::

Edward laughed and smiled.
"Well, then I'm glad you're comfortable enough to be open with me." Honestly he was, they'd come a long way from that first night when she'd wanted nothing to do with him.
He sighed as she tangled her fingers in his hair and sighed.
"I'm no angel...I've just been burned by the sun, and this is my reminder."

"Hey Brother!" Alphonse waved at them from a few yards away and motioned them to move that way.
"We've got the lean-to's set up, and they're all ready if you two want to get an early night"

::I blushed.
"yeah, me too. Im glad we can be open to one another like this. I never had a friend like you."
I pulled my hand from the knot in his hair, hearing Al's voice and grinned, whispering to him,
"Ill brush your hair if you brush mine? Do you have a brush? Maybe we'll go in our private len-to and talk some more... I want to know more about you..."
I grinned and ran towards Alphonse "Wow, this looks great! Thanks Al..im so exhausted!!!"::

He quirked an eyebrow and stared at Shiba as if she had three noses.
"Brush? What is this forigen object?" He smiled and nudged her to the creek.
"We can talk, that's fine with me. You don't want to let me anywhere near anything that looks remotely like hair..you wouldn't guess, but it took me forever to figure out how to take care of mine." Alphonse scratched the back of his metal head and bowed.
"I really didn't have a lot to do with it, I just made sure all the knots were secure. Kiri set them up--" He looked around and sighed.
"Where'd she get to now?"

::i smiled at him "You can borrow mine then. I have one in my back pack.. if you don't like your long hair, why not cut it? Id hate to see it chopped off...but if it would make you happier.."
I shrugged "If you dont wanna brush mine thats alright...but would it be okay if I brushed yours? It looks like it needs some work.."
Over with Al now I smiled "thanks Al...where is Kiri?" I looked around, no sign of her and I sighed. "Maybe... Scar found her..."
[youll havta fill me in on what a len-to is... like a tent? made of what?]

((You were in Girl-scouts and you don't know XDD Alright, a lean-to is like...sort of like a tent, but...Hmm...It's set up like a obtuse triangle..I think that's the one..anyway, it's a bunch of limbs laid over one another to create a shelter, held up with two other limbs tied to them.))

He shrugged.
"Whatever you say." He feigned a gasp and grasped his chest.
"Cut it Neva!! It's not that I don't like it, but I can barely take care of my own let alone someone else's."
He pretnded to ignore the 'work' comment and turned his attention to the nearby bushes.
"I doubt that he'd come back here..not for a while."
"She was just here a second ago.." A stick flew out of the tree next to them, clanging against Alphonse's helm.
"Idiots!" She called from the limbs.
"I'm up here!" Kiri leaned out of the foliage and waved with a smile.
"Found a few limbs that can keep me from falling out of here."

[oh so like a tee-pee? >.> we had tents and cabins...]
::I waved my hands in front of me and let out a laugh "Alright, alright, no brushing my hair then.."
I look around then smile up at the fuzzied figure who threw a stick at Al. "Oh, so you staying up there tonight then?" I yelled up. My eyes were so tired... i didnt look forward to class tomorrow.
I left my art bags and jars of paint near the fire.
I looked to the lean-to (im going to call it a hut from now on >.>) and laid my jacket out on the ground and let out a deep sigh.
"I cant wait to get to bed.."::

((XDD Yeah!))
He smiled and took to his own lean-to, one that had been placed just across from the one that Shiba would be taking.
"Yeah, someone's gotta keep lookout with Al, can't let him stay up all night alone can I?" He shook his head and tossed the stick back up.
"Fine way to show you care."
"Aw relax Tin-man, it didn't hurt." She smiled and ducked back into the leaves settling in for the night.
"Night everyone!" Came the final call before she fell silent.
"GoodNight Kiri, Shiba, Ed."
"'Night Al, Shiba...........Water Sprite." Edward laughed as another stick flew his way and bounced off the roof of his shelter.

::I pouted, as my hut wasnt big for Ed and me...but I guess it was too ealry for him to sleep by my side. He was just so warm. I crawled inside and curled myself into a small ball, pulling off my shoes and placing them outside. I set my watch for 7 am, for class and sit it in my shoe. I waved to Kiri.
"goodnight! Goodnight Al...Edward." I sent him a look and smiled at him. His hair was still down. He looked so adorable.
I flinched at the stick landed near me and i laughed "Alright you two, c'mon now.." I blushed as I saw ed lie down in his hut, he didnt look like the type to lay down in a small ball; his hut was even smaller than mine and I chuckled::

A rustle and a laugh answered Shiba's warning about the stick and then the night was once again silent.
Kiri sat in her limb cradle and stared out over the camp. It was going to be a long night...When she thought that she was alone at last, and the others were fast asleep, she removed her gloves and traced a finger over the dark mark that covered her palm..she'd seen it before..she knew what it was...but she couldn't risk the others seeing it. She curled into a ball and sighed.
"Aniki..stay safe...I've got to keep following these people for just a little while longer.." She slipped the gloves back on and waited out the dawn.

::the beeping of my watch awoke me. I groaned and snoozed it, rolling over in my hut. I was freezing, I had another restless night. I peeked one eye open and looked out, lifting my head tiredly and looked around. Al was hunched over beside Ed;d hut and I looked up in the tree; Kiri's eyes were hidden and I smiled, hearing Ed snort in his sleep and I lay my head back down and rest my eyes. The dawn make everything a light pink shade.::

The light beeping jolted Edward out of a perfectly good sleep.
"S'it morning already?" He mumbled crawling out of his lean-to and rubbing his eyes.
"What time is it?" He stretched out and groaned.
"I'm guessing that it's almost time for your class right Shiba?" Ed turned to him and nodded.
"That's right." He smiled and moved back to the fire.
"you do what you have to do to get ready and me and Al will fix the colors that you needed."

::I sat up and stretched my arms up and yawned.
"thanks...you guys.." With a groan, I stood up and went to the pump that Ed had made yesterday and i pumped water into my hands, washing my hands, face then crouched down and put my whole head under the water. It was cold, but refreshing. I let out a moan and looked beside me and transmuted a group of flowers into shampoo and rubbed my hands in it and rubbed it vigorously in my hair. The scent of lavender filled the air again. My eyes remand closed for this small "shower"
the sun began to rise and the water in my hair and on my face glistened in the morning light. I let out a small yawn again::

With a small pile of dirt and a quick clap or two, Edward and Alphonse had the rest of Shiba's paints ready for transport, and her bag awaiting her by the dead fire. Edward waited on the log from last night and his chin rested in his hand.
"Big brother?"
"Hmm?"
"Is there anything that bothers you about Kiri?"
"You mean besides the point that she's violent and impossibly naive at the same time? Not really."
"No, I mean...like last night..Shiba looked about ready to freeze, I know she had almost passed out, but you were cold too right?"
"A little yeah. Why?"
"Kiri didn't even seem to feel the cold...she said it was because she was warm-blooded..but I'm beginning to wonder."
"Now that you mention it...she never removes those gloves of hers..does she?"
"Not that I've noticed..."
"I'll ask Shiba about it later." Alphonse nodded and turned back to the tree that Kiri had spent the night in.
I wonder if she's awake?

((XP Woo Hoo, long converstaions are fun! XDDD))

[LOL]
::Finished with washing my hair, I turn the water off and shake my head side to side to get the excess water off before walking over to the dead fire. I rummage through one of my bags and pull out a brush and start to brush the knots out. I was only in my tank, my coat was still laying in the hut; It was a warm morning none the less, and I let out another yawn. I looked to the boys and smiled, taking a seat next to Ed on the log beside the fire spot.
"What are your plans for the day? I'm not finished my class until 3..." I continue to brush, some water droplets flinging into Ed's face. My vision is still blurry as I look on the ground for any sign of my glasses.
"Hey have you guys seen my glasses?" I notice my bag beside me filled with the paint I needed and smile at what I could make out of them.
"Thanks guys...I really appreciate it. And it doesn't even look like either of you broke a sweat gathering my pigment"::

Edward shrugged, usign his shoulder to block the water that flicked his face.
"I dunno..we really didn't plan this far ahead...you got anything Al?"
"Nope." He shrugged again and smirked.
"Looks like we're open."
"I've got a suggestion." Kiri emerged from the bushes to their right looking quite irate.
"How about you two mind your own damn business?" She glared at the Elrics and kicked dirt over the smouldering embers.
"Damn...was she there that whole time?" He whispered to Alphonse.
"No clue, but by the way she's acting it seems likely." Kiri turned and jerked her cloak over her shoulders and straightened the hood out to pull it over her head.
"I'll be around." With that she walked off, back the way she'd come from the town.

::i looked to her and yelled "Hey, are we on for some money earning later?? That inn was awesome and I'd love to go back!"
I groaned and stood slipping my gloves on and gathering my bags. "Ill leave my jacket here. If you guys go anywhere, don't worry about it. Ill be back after class to pick it up. Its less for me to carry." I cracked my back and slung my 4 bags around me, my one canvas fell out and hit Al's silver foot, revealing the nude painting. I blushed and picked it up quickly and held it to my chest.
"Well, Uhm, ill see you in a few then...!" I turned to walk off towards the town::

Kiri's response was a simple two-fingered wave as she walked on. She'd find Shiba later and do what needed to be done. Right now there were things she needed to sort out.
"Alright.." He said absent-mindedly. He turned as the painting clanged over Al's foot, but wasn't paying that much attention.
"I guess we'll figure something out. Later." He waved as she left and then turned to Al.
"You take Shiba?"
"Only if you take Kiri."
"Right." They smirked and tapped knuckles and then took their respective postions to shadow each of the girls. Alphonse was really just following Shiba since he seemed interested in the painting aspect of her education, and Edward had wanted someone with her in case anything like the other night happened....he was still pissed at those guys that had tried to hit on her.

[My Kane is back! *glomp*]
::Upon entering the school's courtyard, a girl ran up to me and waved "heyy! I saw you the other night with a total hottie! Who was he??"
I was unaware Al was following and I shifted the weight of the bags. This girl, nor any other, really talked to me unless they wanted something.
"Why do you ask?"
She grinned and took my hand "Do you think you could introduce me?? He was so adorable!" Her eyes twinkled and I groaned and walked past her.
"Sure. I'm sure he'll be here to pick me up after class. Ill introduce you then. As for right now, I have a class to get to." The girl, Chesa, squealed with excitement, gripping my arm as we went inside.
"SHIBA! youre so awesome!"
I rolled my eyes "Eh..sure.."::
[if you have a plan let me know or we'll do a time warp to 3 o'clock >.> it sounds like you need Kiri to do something...]

((No, time warp's fine XDD...but when was Kane gone? 0.o))
Al stopped behind a tree when he saw the girl approach Shiba, she'd been a special case, most people didn't take his...'situation' too well, so he stayed hidden until she'd left and he stepped out following Shiba till she went inside, then he just took a seat out under a tree and waited...he doubted that the school overseers would appreciate a hulking pile of armor clunking down their hallways.

[You changed your hair back. My Kane is with me again..]
::I yawned, gripping a huge blank canvas under my arm as I walked out, Chesa following right behind me. I glanced around the yard, seeing Al I smiled and walked up to him.
"Hey stranger, how long have you been there?" I put the canvas under my other arm and smiled at him, I was covered with dabs of paint on my face, in my hair and even on my clothes. Chesa stayed behind me, was a nit weirded out by me talking to a pile of armor.::

((Yah, XDD It took me a minute to figure that out, YARR!!! I'm a pirate...^^; I'm so bored. Don't know why either, I swear I'm Bi-polar or something XD))

Alphonse turned when Shiba approached, he waved and smiled by his tone.
"A while, what time is it?"
--------------
It was three...three o'clock and Edward dragged himself into the courtyard of the school. Not a bloody sign of that girl, he'd done his best to catch up with Kiri when she'd left, to see what her problem was...but nothing, not a single trace of her could he find.
" 'Llo Al." He grumbled as he flopped down beside his brother.
"Shiba..." He tilted his head tiredly to one side as he noticed the other girl.
"Chick who I don't know."
"I thought you were going to find Kiri."
"Nothing, not since she left camp this morning...about two I got directions to this place and here we are..square one."
"Oh."

::My eyes widened at Ed, as he mentioned the camp.
I smiled, Looking at my watch "3:06 pm" I saw Ed, from what i could make out, come in and plop down and I smiled at him tiredly. I missed my glasses, it was a long, eye-straining day as I couldn't see. I had to figure out something to get new ones.

My eyes widened at Ed, as he mentioned the camp. No one knew of my life, or that I was homeless and I gave him a stare to keep quiet about it.
"Uhm Edward, this is Chesa. She saw us together the other night and wanted to meet you.." I stepped aside and she stepped forward and bowed, blushing. Her long blond hair fell over her shoulders; she looked almost identical to Winry except her red eyes and darker skin. She was shambalan.
"N-nice to meet you...Edward."::
[im guessing he's wearing his jacket and such now..]

"Damn...." He was going to have to figure out how Kiri did it...she'd eluded him all day. He notiched Shiba's squint and jerked as though remembering something.
"Yeah, here." He pulled out a pair of glasses and passed them to Shiba.
"Found a store that made these while I was running around chasing my tail today and had them fix your old ones. Even out here, it's amazing what I can get away with."

He inclined his head absently and gave a small wave.
"Nice to meet you." He then curled a hand around his chin and turned to Al.
"Did you see her?"
"No, I've been here all day."
"See who?" Kiri popped her head over Shiba's shoulder and smiled.
"I've been looking for you Ane. How was school?"

::I let out a squeal and slid them on my face. "Oh Edward! I can see better than before!! Thank you!" I ran over to him and hugged his head, pressing it firmly into my bosom.
Chesa cleared her throat and stepped forward. I laughed and released him and stepped backwards, sending Kiri a warm smile "Well hello stranger, I was worried about you all day..." I put my arm around her shoulder and pressed my cheek to hers. "Dont run off like that again little sister..okay?"
Chesa took Ed's cold right hand,
"Would you mind... joining me for supper this evening?" She blushed and looked into his gold eyes.
My jaw dropped and I hid my eyes.
"C'mon Kiri...I wanna show you something.." I had to get away from them. I didn't want to hear his response.::