::I came in and saw Kiri showering and smiled "Well, I know who I'm gonna paint next..." I removed my own clothing and stepped in the shower beside her, turning on the hot water, the stall steamed up fast.
"hey Kiri..do you still see that sparkle in Ed's eyes when he looks at me? I havn't..seen it yet... last night... he was just concerned for me... nothing more.. just a friend. Thanks for...trying though. But he's too dense."
I ran my hands though my knotty blue hair and closed my eyes, letting the pressure of the water take off the paint.
"I think..I'm not gonna flirt with him anymore. He's just.. too clueless.. and its a tad hard to close to him with Al around all the time...I just cant seem to get him alone and feel comfortable around him. I feel..so awkward when im near him anymore... and I just dont know why.."
I ran my hands over every curve, lathering up::

Kiri jerked around and blushed.
"Ane..don't tease." She turned back and thought a moment.
"Yes." She turned to the wall and nodded more firmly.
"It's still there..but I wonder if he's confused right now." She chuckled, more to fill the silence between them and then nodded.
"That's for certain..he's lacking in social skills and definitely observation skills, but can you really blame him for that." She jerked her hand through a rough tangle and hissed.
"Aniki..says that when you find Love...that it's always going to feel a little awkward...for some reason or another...so maybe it's not that you can't get comfortable around Edward...but because you love him."

::i laughed "i'm not teasing...your body is so beautiful, I don't know why you seem to hide it all the time.."
I watched as the water ran down my body and into the drain. "Confused? How?" I looked to her.
I rinsed off the soap and just stood under the running water, the smell of lavender relaxed me.
Jerking my head up I stared at her "ME?! LOVE EDWARD?! Youre crazy... i only met him a few days ago.." I huffed and turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around myself.
"Edward... maybe he..just isn't my type... hes so hard to read.. I can never tell what he's thinking..." I stood and waited for her, my back faced to her. My wet hair draped over my shoulders. I remembered him saying he could hear us, i made it a note to whisper in the spring, in case he changed his mind about going in::

She glanced away again.
"I hide....because.......I'm nothing but a monster." The last bit came out a whisper lost in the water spray right before she turned it off.
"Edward...seems to have alot on his mind...he's probably trying to get his priorites in line before he does anything else....he was really worried when you almost fainted...I..I could tell..his eyes were..were almost fearful."
She jerked a towel over her arms and rubbed it over her hair.
"It was only a suggestion Ane..nothing was meant by it." She smiled and headed for the spring.

::Strolling out into the open air spring I dropped my towel and walked in slowly; we had the whole place to ourselves and I smiled sitting down.
"So you hide, why? You're so beautiful... your body..is just amazing...pure perfection.." i made a camera-shape with my fingers, looking at her with one eyes closed.
"The perfect model, I'd have to say. And Ive seen alot of models.." I plopped my hands into the water and let out a sigh.
"Well, you were worried too, weren't you? He's just so darn hard to analyze...I wish he'd open up to me.. he always seems like he's hiding something from me... like I'm a stranger... but I guess, in a way I am..huh?" I sent her a half-hearted smile and looked at my reflection in the water.
"I..always told myself I'd never fall in love.. that my art would be first...but Ed...is a work of art...he's just so beautiful... again with the eyes, I know youre tired of hearing it but when I see them eyes... i melt."::

She shook her head.
"Nothing...it's nothing...." Her body was perfection? Maybe...after all...she was molded...formed by human hands. She nodded emphatically.
"Of course I was worried...but...I at least knew what was happening..Ed...Edward looked scared." She hissed as she slid into the water and splashed her face.
"Well...give him time...men aren't like women...they take time to warm up to people..Aniki..he didn't even like me at first...not really. I look Amestrian." She sighed and had to agree.
"They are interesting aren't they?"

::I yawned and looked up at the darkening sky.
"He..is just a nice person. I'm sure he would have had the same look for anyone who was hurt.." I leaned back against the side of the spring and wondered what he was doing right now. I tapped my automail foot with my hand and it made a plunk sound from under the water, bubbles flew from it and rushed to the surface. I sighed.
"I guess...I can give him time... but I wonder if he'll notice if I stop flirting with him. Maybe Ill do that as a test.. to see if he really has an interest in me, or im just some other girl." I look over at her and blush.
"I...can get lost in his eyes..." I covered my face and giggled "Gawd, he's just adorable i cant help but stare at him when he's not looking!"::

Kiri shook her head, but decided not to argue...Edward had the same look she was sure she'd given Scar more than a few times when he'd come back injured....She might not have done it for the same reasons..but it was the same look.
"You might drive him to distraction." She giggled.
"Then why don't you paint him? Then you wouldn't have to wait till he's not looking." She looked to the surrounding rocks and felt her face grow red.
"Ane.......do you think I ever act....weird? I don't really understand a lot of things...but...I try to be normal."

::"Distraction? Feh. He's just so...dense... i can think of another word for him." I yawned and stretched up my arms.
"I do want to paint him.. But i feel weird asking him... besides. I'm sure Al will be watching right over my shoulder... I cant paint while someones breathing down my neck...plus I dont want to make Ed feel uncomfortable.." I scratched my head and looked at her smiling.
"It would be nice to see him without a shirt on though huh??" I let out a squee and brought my arms to my chest.
My smile faded as I looked to her and i cocked my head to the side "Kiri...yove been paling around with a psycho path... I dont blame you for being a little weired. I'm weired.... i look at nudes and think of the art perspective of it instead of getting flustered and aroused like normal people do. I see you as... a young child, and thats what i love most about you. I'm weired, I hug you all the time... even when were nude... and I'm sure you feel uncomfortable, but wont tell me.." i looked at the ripples in the water and let out a long sigh.
"'You act like a young child sometimes but I feel like a big sister to you.." i smiled at her. "Ive always wanted a little sister"::

Kiri laughed lightly and leaned forward, the water pooling up around her neck.
"If you want, I can ask him, get Al out of the way, and assure you that Ed isn't going to feel uncomfortable..." She paused and lay a finger beside her lip.
"I'm pretty sure of that at any rate." She laughed again, before her face fell to the water.
"Ane...who you call a Psychopath...I call the only family I have....please..don't judge him only by what he's done to state alchemists..." she paused and thought again.
"I don't think you're weird at all."
She tilted her head and looked at the exit with a sad smile.
"You're a kind person...and you try to do right by everyone...but..I fear that you're wrong...Ane..I..I.." She gripped her head in her hands, there was so much that she wanted to tell Shiba, to let it all out and know that it would be safe with another person..not to fear for her life, the person she called 'friend'.
"Ane...." Beneath the water, Kiri slowly tugged at the end of her glove.
"Can I tell you something...and....you won't scream?"

::I blushed "ohhh don't worry about asking Edward... I think he knows I want to paint him. If he's interested, I think he'll come to me.." I fold my arms and nod.
"When the time comes, you take care of Alphonse" I grinned.
I made a face and hid my eyes "im..sorry for saying that..but from what i've been hearing about him from you, and Ed and Al, he sounds like a pretty screwed up guy..."
I sit up as Kiri holds her head and I shift to her side, putting my arms over her shoulders.
"What is it? You can tell me anything Kiri...and I won't scream, I promise" I sent her a reassuring smile and ran my fingers though her hair, hopefully it would calm her down::

She shook her head.
"It's alright...from..anyone else's point of view I suppose he is." Those first few weeks were pretty screwed up, twice he'd tried to kill Kiri as her request..but..she always came back. She'd given up that hope and now wished that she hadn't as Shiba moved beside her. She leaned her head against Shiba's shoulder and sighed. It was now or never..if she didn't explain everything before they made it back to the room Kiri was sure to explode and even Edward would find out.
"Ane..." She removed her gloves and lay them aside, keeping her palms down.
"Have you heard of something called...a Homunculus? An alchemic being with no soul...marked with the Oroburos..?" She lifted her eyes to Shiba's and slowly rolled her palms over. The dark purple line running over her pale skin like a bruise.

::I smiled as she lay her head on my shoulder. "Now I feel like the big sister, definitely" I watched her pull off her gloves, still wondering why she would wear them in the bath and shower too.
"A Homunculus? No.." I struggled saying the word and brought my head down to look into her eyes.
She then turned her hands over. I looked to them, my eyes widened. "Kiri...when did this happen? Are you in pain?" I took her hands and looked at them closely, with nothing but worry in my eyes. I then snapped a glare at her.
"Who did this to you? Ill KILL them.." I growled, and made a fist::

Kiri's eyes widened and she clapped her hands over Shiba's fist.
"Ane! Ane please!" Her voice faded and she looked away.
"I'm not in pain..it's..it's like..what you Humans call a 'birthmark'." She nodded.
"Yes...I said 'you Humans'. Ane...I'm not the person I look like...I can't even die." Kiri began swirling water around in her palm, slowly it got sharper and sharper, forming a point that ended near her nose.
"Ane...." It's temperature fell and with a motion Kiri slammed the point into her sternum and past her lungs with a stifled cry.
She leapt out of the water blood staining the ground...and just stood there. She turned and her eyes filled with tears.
"You see? I'm nothing but a monster." The icicle melted and ran down her torso as Alchemic energy arched from one end of the wound to the other, closing the gaping hole in her chest. Her head fell as she silently walked back to the door that lead inside.
"I'm sorry...but..but I've got to go...."

::My anger faded as she created the sharp object.
"Kiri..." My eyes fixated on the water she turned to ice and My eyes teared up and I stood in the water.
"What... what are you doing?" I let out a scream as the icicle pierced her body, I jumped out of the water and stood in awe; she was still standing?? After that? Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Why... would you think this mattered to me? You..cant leave me... Youre no monster.. just an enhanced being..." I watched her walk past me, my body still dripping and nude I ran behind her and took her by the shoulder, turning her around and pressing her naked body to mine. I laid my head on hers, still crying.
"Kiri...do you think this changes the way I feel about you? Youre like a sibling to me... dont leave me..." I sobbed, holding her tighter to myself. My words echoed in the doorway of the bathroom and in the hot spring.
"Is..this why you're so afraid of Ed and Al? Do they know?" I muttered to her.::

"Y-Y-You pro-omised...y-you wouldn't s-scream.." She couldn't help it, Kiri broke into sobs and gripped Shiba's arms that were wrapped around her tightly.
"N-No one knows...other than you and Aniki...Shiba...they can't know!" She shook her head violently back and forth.
"The Military...can't know...I can't afford to let them find out..." Kiri suddenly whipped her head around as the door that lead back to the hotel slammed open and voices grew louder.
"Shiba!" Edward and Alphonse ran out into the shower room and skidded to a halt.
"We heard--" They both stopped, Edward's eyes doubled in size as he spotted the blood around the two of them, staining Kiri's face and hair.
"What the...Hell? Shiba!!" He moved quickly, jerking Kiri away and shoving her into the nearest wall.
"What the hell are you trying to do! I think Scar's Psychotic tendencies are rubbing off on you!" She curled into herself as Edward draped his coat over Shiba's shoulders.
"Are you alright? She didn't hurt you did she?"
"Edward..." He turned back as Alphonse pointed to where Kiri's arm had flopped to one side...palm up.
"The..Hell?"

::"Shhh.. Im sorry I screamed...I didnt mean to...i just saw you...and blood and didnt know what else to do... dont worry... i wont tell the boys.."
I looked over my shoulder at Ed and Al who had come bursting in and I shrieked.
"EDWARD! G-T-F-O MAN!!!" I smacked him in the face, pulling away from his grip on my shoulders, cupping my breasts and hiding my crotch from him. I sent Al a stare-if looks would kill they'd both be long gone by now.
"GET OUT NOW!!!" My voice echoed the room and I put my arms in Eds coat, and buttoned it up. I then ran to Kiris side, blocking her nude body from the boys view. I looked over my shoulder "Get out now... dont make me repeat myself. We'll be out when we're ready..." I growled. I looked to Kiri and brought her head to my chest. "Are you alright?? Please talk to me.." I put her hand in mine and closed my eyes::

Edward stood there in stunned silence, not even phazed by Shiba's threats.
"Shiba....how...how long have you known?" He blinked, shaking visibly from anger and fear.
"How long have you known that she was...that...that there was a MONSTER among us!?" He moved in between them and jerked Kiri to her feet, growling as her eyes fell to the floor.
"AND YOU! HOW DARE YOU PARADE AROUND LIKE A HUMAN! I SHOULD KILL YOU!" Alphonse jerked Edward back as he screamed out his threats and warnings, dragging him back out the way that they'd come sending one final glance back to Shiba and Kiri...how had things fell apart this quick?
"Ane..." Kiri whispered after a pause once the din had died down.
"I'm sorry....this is all my fault...I..I should have left to find Aniki a long time ago."

::I was shoved aside by Edward and he gripped her up. I growled and punched him in the face.
"LET HER GO NOW! DONT TOUCH HER!" I Clapped and touched the ground, sending the tiles up and around him, to hold him in a temporary prison. Al then came up and I released him and sent a cold stare to Ed and nodded to Al as he left. I clenched my teeth in rage and I looked back to her.
"Kiri... no apologies. Ill keep you safe... C'mon. get dressed... we're leaving." I handed her a towel that lay nearby and I looked to her.
"I..don't think I can forgive Edward for what he's just done to you..." I clenched my fists and roughly broke open his coat and threw it in the hot springs water. It sank slowly and I looked to the bench for my clothes and went and put them on.
"We have no time. We need to leave. Ed knows now, and Im not risking your safety.." I jerked on my pants and groaned.
"I need to get to the room for my things... when youre dressed, I want you to wait out front of that pet store for me. Ill be there in about 10 minutes." I headed for the door, still enraged. If I saw him again...Id have to hold back a good slap on his beautiful face::

"Ane..." Kiri's eyes flew to Shiba's face as she shook her head.
"No...you've done more than enough..I'll..I'll leave and try to find Aniki..you should head out of the city though...no doubt the Military is going to get involved soon." Kiri moved silently beside Shiba and was soon dressed and throwing her cloak on over her shoulders.
"Ane..no matter what happens....Thank you....not many people have been as kind to me as you have." Kiri moved to open the door and let out a knowing gasp...as four hulking blue figures filed into the room. Kiri's eyes widened and then lowered as she spotted Edward and Alphonse, just outside the door...he must have alerted the guards as soon as he found out.

"Brother...don't you think this is a little harsh!?" Al hissed out in the hall. Edward remained silent.
"She's not hurt anyone!"
"Yet, Al...yet. She's still a Homunculus..."
"But Shiba--!"
"Can get over it...who knows...we might have saved a life.." Alphonse looked over the soldier's shoulders at the small figure that they held at gunpoint and turned away muttering.
"Or damned another."

::"Kiri I-" i was cut off by the door bursting open, the guards pushed me aside as they surrounded Kiri. Falling to the floor, my heart raced seeing so many blue dressed men file in. I then flashed a stare at Ed and Al and stood, still barefoot.
"How.. dare you Ed...ILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" I clapped loud and touched the ground, sending a small earthquake in the room. A few of the guards fell and I whipped around to one approaching me. He sent me a lustful smile and I clapped and before I could touch the ground, I was squirming in his arms.
"Now now missy... stop your struggling. You and this beast will be in a comfy holding cell in no time" His breath smelled of cigarettes as he spoke. I kicked my feet but it was no use. His muscular arms slinged me over his shoulders and he took a good grip on my legs and hands and my head dangled sideways; I could see Ed's cold stare though my hair.
"I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU WOULD BETRAY ME LIKE THIS YOU BASTARD! YOU WERE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THEM! I HATE YOU! ILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" I spit his way but missed as the guard hit my bottom.
"Now now, calm down. No need to yell"
I let out a loud growl and squirmed more, looking to Kiri who seemed not to put up a fight as they cuffed her.
"Kiri...ESCAPE! SAVE YOURSELF!!! Please, don't let them cage you!!" I yelled.::

Edward moved out of the way of the quake and strode to where the guard was.
"Hey, wait a minute, she wasn't in on this...she--" He was cut short by Shiba, he glared and then turned away..not wanting to argue with her..he was in the right after all...he was saving her life.
Kiri didn't struggle. She even put her own hands out to be cuffed. She merely turned to Edward and smiled.
"I hope you can forgive me..." She looked back.
"You too Ane...there's only so much that I can do...and I hope..that this has a happy ending." It was over in a moment, Kiri had clapped her hands, the guards having cuffed them closely, and had used the water in the hot spring to wash over the guard that held onto Shiba and lift her out of his grasp.
"Take care in the world out there Ane!" The wave washed out over the spring and lifted Shiba over a wall and deposited her in the back alleys.
"Take care!!" There were a few more cries from behind the wall..then all was silent.

::The guard that held me screamed as the hot water drenched him, getting soaked, I slipped out of his grasp but was held by the force of the water. Sending Ed a cold stare and Kiri a sad one, My wet hair waved in the wind as I was moved about by the force of the water.
"NO!! KIRI!" I was hoisted over the wall and dropped off in the alley. I stood and hit the fence fiercely with my bare hands "KIRI NO PLEASE!" i sobbed. I continued to hit the fence harder and harder, but i gave up after it fell silent. I cried and hit my back against the fence and slid down it, bringing my knees to my chest and burying my face in my arms. Barefoot, cold and now alone, betrayal, rage and sadness flowed through me. I had to plan my next move... Ed would be a worthy opponent..but I had to do something...::

"Shit!" A guard cried.
"Go after--"
"No." Edward said, his gaze cold.
"Leave that one be...she's not the problem."
"He's right." Kiri said with a gentle smile.
"I am." Her quips only earned her a hard slap across the face.
"Quiet you!" A gruff voice came as rough hands shoved her out of the hotel, much to the amazement of the wide-eyed patrons that poked their heads out of their rooms to see what all the fuss was about.
Ane...thank you...for everything... She'd wanted to tell her that if she ever saw Scar again...to tell him what had happened...but she didn't think that was going to be possible..if she was lucky..Shiba was already out of the city.

"Shiba?" Came a soft voice from the right. Alphonse moved out of the shadows and cocked his head.
"What are you doing out here?"

::I whipped my head sideways and glared at the figure beside me, tears still streaming down my face. "Alphonse... go away before you regret it..." I put my hands over my head and took a tight grip on my hair.
"I...should have known to stay away from the military.. they always take away the ones most important to me..." i muffled into my knees.
"Im such a naiieve girl. You think id learn from my mistake the first time around to stay away... I like you, but I...hate Ed... but since you're his brother, I have no choice but to hate you too. Im sorry, but you two leave me no choice."
I huffed and stood up, and glared over at him.
"It..was nice to have met the both of you.. even though it was all an act to get Kiri away from me... It was only a matter of time before the blood lust got to him.." I turned away from him.
"I suggest you two leave me alone from now on. I dont want to hurt you... but I do have an urge to hurt Edward." My voice was low, and cold. I had never been so angry, from what I could recall.::