[are you aware that she DOESNT know she has a philoshers stone in her automail?]
I looked to him, my eyes widening.
"Philosophers stone? Me? Have one? What would I want with one? I never even seen one until Ed had it in his hand from Kiri..." My eyes widened and I pilled up my legs and my kimono and looked at my automail foot.
"I..was never able to do fusions before I got my automail foot.. maybe this is the reason..." I looked to Al.
"Do You think Edward knows how to take these apart? If I have one... I have you two to have it." I moved my foot around, but heard nothing. It was so worn and dented; I never really bothered to take care of it, like Ed did his arm and leg, and like Al his armor.
[thats alright, i was in lunch.. I have to get back to plastering my elvis pig army. I'll pop on again soon. If I dont see you, ill see you on tonight, ill be waiting.]

((Yes, but the way that Mustang talked, the only 'power' that they were looking for was the Philosopher's Stone.))

Alphonse cocked his head.
"Really? That's strange..." He shook his head.
"I don't think so....Edward dosen't even try to mess with his own, he leaves all the mechanical stuff to Winry...She might be able to take it apart if you really want her to, but then again.." He cringed.
"I can only imagine what hell she'd raise with the way it's been...she's really a Mechanical Nut you know."

((Gomen, must go...it's about time to head home, I'll see you tonight, X3 Good luck with the Elvis pigs X33))

[Oh okay XD he was talking more about her fusions and her ability to bring back animals, but you can take her 'power' that way too ^-^]
I ran my hand over my automail foot and closed my eyes.
"I dont want things to change... I lost my foot because of a car accident.. so I have no desire for the stone. But... Im not sure if I'll be able to use alchemy if I take it out..." I turned my palms upward and looked over my scars.
"Ill have it removed, if you two need it. If not... i'll leave it where it stays."
I grimaced at the thought of meeting Winry... I was so jealous of her.. I didnt really want to have anything to do with her... plus, I saw her parents shot in Mustangs memory... I didn't need to see that every time I looked at her.
"Besides, if shes a nut like you say, I dont need to have my foot taken apart for no reason. Plus, I dont have the kind of money to give to her if she were to work on my foot." I nodded and folded my arms, sitting indian-style.
"I hope Ed is enjoying himself out there, he needs a break like this." I yawned and stretched up my arms. I sighed and looked at my hands again.
"I feel like I shouldn't be here with the two of you, but I want to help the both of you, any way I can.. if you need me."
I clenched my hands again.
"Every time I think I'm getting over him..he pops back up in my life" I muttered, not sure of Al heard me. I let go of a sigh and leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.
"Al...have you ever been in love?"

Alphonse shook his head.
"We're not going to use it...I..I just suggested it off handedly...I'm sorry if I said something out of line." There was a definite change in Shiba since Al mentioned Winry...there had to be something behind that...but he was going to leave it alone..he figured it was best if he didn't go prying this late in the game. If Shiba had wanted him to know...she would have told him before now right?
"Mmm...me too...Ed doesn't get to relax that often...it's a wonder he isn't going grey." He chuckled and pointed to his forhead.
"Know what I mean?" He blanced at her words and sighed.
"Shiba...no, I can't blame you for that...we've caused you so much trouble already...if it wasn't for us...you would have never been taken by the Military...and..." He couldn't bring himself to mention the other things that still buried inside him, eating at his heart.
"But...I'm really glad you stayed..." He blinked at her question and then looked up.
"I'm...not sure..Ed and me...both loved Mom..but I don't think that's the same."

I shook my head and looked up at him.
"No Alphonse, you didn't say anything wrong... no need to apologize."
I laughed then squeed.
"Noo!! Edward has the most beautiful hair, he can't go gray!! NOT BEFORE IVE PAINTED HIM!!!" I pouted then sent Al a smile.
I took Al's hand and shifted infront of him.
"Al...don't worry so much about me. I knew Roy wasnt going to do me harm.. I didnt know if he was going to let me go.. but no need to worry... it.. was a matter of time until they caught on to my abilities... so it's not your fault."
I sat down, releasing his massive hand.
"Sometimes I wonder..if Ed really wants me around.. he.." I sighed, brushing it off. He was so different to talk to than Kiri was.
I shook my head at his response about his motherly love.
"No...not sibling love.. love for a woman... a feeling that you want them to be close all the time.. never leave your side, so you can always protect them, and keep them safe..so close, you can touch them at any moment, and they can touch you." I sighed, bringing my hand over my heart.

He shook his head violently.
"But it is our fault! Edward alerted the Military to come and arrest--" He stopped and fell silent a moment.
"That's what started all this...if it hadn't been for us...they wouldn't have found out." He looked back at her and shrugged.
"I don't think so....there's really never been anyone that either of us have gotten close to like that..." He was starting to realize why women were always complaining about men and men were always complaining about women, he picked up on a few things that Shiba was talking about...but there was still that odd sense about her that he couldn't figure out...there were times that he wished he's been born a female so that he could understand them better...but then he doubted that something like that would have helped...if he'd been a female, he doubted that he'd have been able to help Edward as many times as he'd had to.

I stood up and looked into his hollow eyes.
"Al.. I know Edward was only doing his job, please stop blaming yourself.. we all do the wrong thins sometimes..the past is the past and it cant be changed...so please, live for the present, and the future, alright? Now that you guys have the Philosophers Stone, you can get back to your normal lives!"
I about faced and looked to the floor.
"Al...don't fall in love.. unless you want to be hurt." I walked away and behind a curtain that separated my futon and Ed's futon. I went to the side where I couldnt be seen and I rolled out the futon and blew out the candle that lit the room. I sat in the dark and just wondered what my future would bring... I only had one year left of art college..then what? I sighed and sat on my futon, resting my head on my lap, in the dark.

Alphonse hung his head, and nodded solemnly, then merely sighed as the light on Shiba's side went out.
Live for the present and the future huh? He looked at the notes that lay ahead of him.
I suppose so....

Edward woke with a start.
"UH...oh..." For a moment he didn't realize that he'd fell asleep in the water, he shivered and stood to move where his change of clothes were.
"Chilly.." He noted with a twitch...well chilly for him, considering that he was pruny and well on his way to being overheated.
"Al?" He asked as he slid the door open.
"Where's Shiba?"
"Asleep..so be quiet."
"Geeze what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing...just....thinking......Brother?"
"Hmm?"
"Let's do it...."
"Do what?"
"Let's use Kiri's Philospher's Stone."
"What? NOW!?"
"Why not?" Alphonse stood and banged a fist gently against his chestplate.
"Honestly Ed, what do we have to lose?"Edward conceeded this with a nod...he reached over to scan the leftover notes that Al hadn't placed back into the case and turned with a nervous smirk.
"Alright....we'll do it.."

I looked over at the curtain, at the shadows displayed on there. Ed... had come inside.
So he was avoiding me.. he waited for me to got to sleep to come inside... I should have known...
I brought my knees up and rested my chin on my knees. I heard them talking and laid my head sideways on my knees, looking at Ed's shadow.
I nodded... i'd be here if anything went wrong. I closed my eyes; it fell silent.

((Okies last one, 'Night X3))

For the sake of sparing the other tenants the irritating noise of a transmutation, the Elrics moved outside to the hot spring and Alphonse drew a circle much like the one that they had used when they'd lost it all.
"Alright Al...are you sure you want to do this?"
"Uh huh......if not now...when?"
"Okay.." Edward clenched the Stone in his fist as Alphonse moved to the center of the circle.
I'm trusting you Kiri....bring Al through this...
"I'm ready."
"Alright....here we go." Edward steadied himself and sighed, taking the Stone in a hand and then clapping it between his palms, the circle lit up like a lamp and Alphonse began to glow....

[im guessing he's in his smexy yukata XD AND YOU BETTER COME ONELINE TOMORROW, YOU BETTER NOT KEEP ME ON A CLIFF HANGER ALL WEEKEND! *gnaws on ears*]
I heard them go outside and I got up and walked to the side of the door silently, sliding it open just a crack to peek outside. My face lit up as did the outside. I watched in awe..
"Be careful.." I whispered. I prayed silently, still looking on.

((X3))

"B-Brother!" Alphonse was, by this time, no more than a white light, casting faint shadows over the hot spring area. Edward swallowed hard and blinked, as a bead of sweat rolled down his face and into his eyes. It stung and he jerked his head once bearing with the pain.
"Hang in there Al!" He called as the wind around them picked up. It was...it was just like that night...but this time...there was no sinking feeling...there was only a warm glow. Edward smiled and his heart began to race.
A final cry and the glow dimmed, leaving the Elrics in the dull light of the lanterns.
"Al?"

I stared, mouth ajar and looked on, my eyes fixated on the shadow of where Al had been.
"Alphonse...Edward..." i said under my breath. The heat of the massive wind that they produced warmed me to the soul... i don't think I could do that if I had tried.
I sat up on my knees, and looked for Al, Ed too. Lit by only the tiki lights, it was hard to find them amongst the darkness and steam of the spring.

....
.......
..........
For the longest time, there was nothing but silence. Edward took a tenative step forward and peered past the smoke that rose from the circle.
"Al? Alphonse?"
"Edward?" A pale arm stretched out of the smoke and flexed it's hand...it's Human hand.
"Alphonse!" Edward rushed into the smoke and without even studying the face that had aged only a few years behind him, grabbed Alphonse by the shoulders and jerked him into a hasty embrace.
"AL!! THANK GOD!!"
"Ed..ED!" Al felt like he was going to puke, Edward jerked him this way and that, not even caring that he no longer wore armor...or clothes...and all the motion was making him dizzy.
"AL!!! HAAHAHAHAHAH!!!" He let go to get a better look and was fairly surprised to see that his brother had barely changed at all. His hair was the same length it had been, his eyes the same blue, it was AL alright, probably about a year or two younger, but the same Al.
"Brother?" Came the same timid voice.
"What?"
"Before we..get to your arm....can we do something about..." He blushed and looked pointedly to one side.
"I mean...now that I don't have the armor..." Edward laughed and nodded, heading for the door to grab some of his other clothes. Al was sure to be cold by this point.
((X3 I figure after all that....they deserve a happy ending....well at least their bodies back X3))

I too saw the human hand...then a whole body, sitting in the center of the circle. My eyes teared up... the armor was gone.
I wanted to rush out and hug him myself...but I figured I'd let Ed have first grabs, and so he did. I smiled, wiping the tears of joy from my eyes... sibling love... all that they've wanted... is back...well. Al's full body anyway. Their happiness is all that really mattered to me right now.
I jumped to my feet as Edward approached and scrambled to my side of the curtain. None of this was my business anyway..right? I sighed and took a 'sleeping' position behind the curtain.

Edward rushed by, not caring about keeping quiet and slammed his luggage open, grabbing a pair of pants and a shirt for Al. He started to race back out, but stopped at the door, he looked over, and saw Shiba. With a smile he hunkered down next to her and shook her shoulder.
"Shiba? Hey." He smiled at her and motioned for her to join them outside.
"Come on, there's someone you gotta meet." He went out ahead and handed the clothes to Al who jerked them on as quickly as possible when Edward told him that Shiba would be out there soon. He ran a hand through his hair and ruffled it a bit, straightening out the tufts that stuck out everywhere...it must have been all those years of having a helmet as a head...he should have expected Helm-hair. He turned to Shiba and bowed.
"Shiba, this is my little brother, Alphonse."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."

I rolled over in a fake sleepy daze and looked up at him and nodded. He left and I got up and slipped on my sandals and walked to the door, heart racing.
Sliding the door open slowly, I walked outside and looked over the boy..who stood about 5 inches higher than Edward, who stood beside him proudly.
My eyes widened...those blue eyes and blond hair.. a true reflection of his brother. His hair was a tad lighter than his brothers and I walked up to him, looking up into his eyes. Being 17 and a guy, he was a sliver taller than me; we saw eye to eye.
"Al..phonse?" I looked into his eyes, and made a note not to hug him until he said it was okay. I seemed to hug..alot. When Al was armor, it seemed easier because he didn't feel me..but now... this was totally different...
I tucked my hair behind my ear and blushed, looking him over. He was so handsome. I then looked to the ground and stuck my hand out to him, to shake his.
"N-nice to meet you.." I looked away.. this was too awkward.

Alphonse chuckled and then flung his arms around her.
"Isn't it great!?" He cried.
"Now we can be normal!!" He bounced around hopping from one foot to the other, leaving Shiba by Edward and spinning recklessly around.
"MORON!" Edward cried as he watched him.
"You got your body back, but that means you can get hurt! Don't go around doing stupid stuff or you're gonna fall!" Alphonse stopped and looked back, sticking out his tounge.
"Meh, Big Brother's always gotta be so negative." He came back and smiled.
"Hey Ed, it's your turn now, you ready?" Alphonse smiled and Edward paled.
"Um...y-yeah." He turned to Shiba and glanced her way before handing off the Stone.
"Here." Alphonse looked at Shiba as Edward made his way into the circle.
"He's so nervous...but then...so was I.." He looked back once before moving to the edge of the cirlce and with a nod between them, Alphonse, after placing the stone into the chalk drawing with Ed, knelt and placed his hands on the circle.
A flash of bright light later, and the smoke fizzled out from around Edward, leaving him pale, relieved, and whole. He stared at his leg and arm amazed and flex them, it felt..odd....like they were new, he rolled his shoulder around, staring at the scar that was all that remained.
"It takes some getting used to...doesn't it?" Alphonse nodded with a laugh.

I laughed and hugged him back.
"I'm so happy for the both of you!" he was warm.. and all flesh. I could only smile at his happiness.
I laughed as the protective Big Brother role took over and folded my arms.
I met gazes with Ed's eyes as he took his position, I could tell he was scared. I backed off and watched. With a gust and a glow he was...all normal.
My eyes...I couldn't take them off him and I walked up to him slowly.
"Edward.." I looked at his arm, shoulder and down, then his foot that peeked out from the yukata he wore. Human toes...
My eyes swelled and I flung myself into him, gripping the back of his head tightly.
"Oh Edward! I'm so happy..for the both of you!!" I stroked his hair[which im guessing is still down from the bath] and I pulled away, tears evident on my cheeks.
"Now..you can live a normal life.. like youv'e always wanted!" I stepped back and looked them both over. I smiled...and just stared back and fourth at them.
"Now you'll have to make a trip to Risembool to show Winry" I smiled warmly at them.

Edward barely registered the laughter that echoed from Alphonse as Shiba latched onto him, he blushed furiously, feeling was coming in short spurts along his arm and leg, he guessed that it would be a while before all his nerves were in working order.
"Ah! That's right, Granny Pinako will want to see!"
"Slow down Al, geeze." He turned with a smile to Shiba.
"I believe that we still have, what is it...another day here?" He looked up into the lightening sky.
"Resembool can wait." He smiled then blushed as both his and Alphonse's stomach echoed with growls.
"At least till after breakfast right Ed?"
"Right." He chuckled and offered Shiba his arm.
"Room service sound good to you?"
"That sounds great!" Alphonse ran ahead, with an odd look on his face, and threw open the door, racing inside...he wasn't so much in a hurry to get food....but being without a body left one....with a serious stockpile of Nature Calls.
"Edward!" He called poking his head back out the door one last time.
"Don't be such a glutton and leave some for me this time! You don't have to eat for two anymore!"
"Alright, Alright! Geeze." Edward laughed and scratched the back of his head...things...were starting to look up.

I twiddled my fingers.
"It was a week, but I guess you two can skip out and I can enjoy this small vacation..somewhat."
I laughed hysterically as the growling surrounded me.
"I'll havta get used to that." I laughed, sticking my tongue out at Al.
I looked to Ed, blushing. Did he forget how mean I was that night??I smiled nervously and locked my arm with his right...now flesh arm. I followed his lead inside, yawning a bit as dawn approached slowly.
I sighed as we entered, Al in the bathroom I looked to Ed, as I sat down at the low table, on a pillow. (japanese style table)
My eyes wandered as I spoke; I was never good at apologies, or admitting I was wrong..
"I'm..sorry about the other night...in the woods when we last saw one another.." I folded my hands on the table and looked for something..anything, to keep my eyes away from his. My heart raced.
"I bet Winry will be happy to see the both of you.." I said, in almost a whisper.

((Gomen last one, Daylight savings time is getting to me @[email protected]))

"Oh right, a week then."
Edward, who had taken a seat opposite of Shiba looked over at her confused.
"Shiba, what went on...went on, that's it, there's nothing you should apologize for now, I'm just.....I'm just glad to see Al...it seems like forever since I've seen him like this...you know?" He turned a light pink and looked away.
"I guess so...she's going to probably want to kill me...I was one of her regulars." He grinned off-handedly and turned back.
"Why don't you go with us Shiba? Your school isn't in session for a while anyway is it? Come back with us, Granny would love to meet you, Winry too, I'm sure! They'll be like family!" He blinked and then thought about what he'd said a moment then hung his head.
"Listen....I'm sorry about that...I know..that was a little out of line, they...they can't replace anything that you've lost...but is it right for you to be pushing yourself so hard? All on your own?"

[ok, nighty]

I gave him a look.
"You dont have to stay here a week on my behalf. Go, and see Winry. I'm sure its been ages since you've seen her, and I bet she misses you dearly. And I'm sure she'll be glad to see youre okay than to be upset over losing money..at least I hope so." I groaned and looked around the room..still.
I shook my head at his offer for me to join them to go to Risembool.
"I'm not welcome there. I belong here. And don't worry about me being alone.. I'm used to it. It's been..what.. lets see...I'm 19 now... 11 years. I've been alone that long, I think I can handle it. Besides, you and Al have lives to get back to, serving the Military." I leaned back on my hands and looked blankly at the ceiling.
"It's not like I have anything better to do... but I don't wanna meet Winry.. I'm jealous of her..I wish you'd understand that..." I sighed and finally laid back, my hands under my head, my legs straight under the table. My kimono's belt came a bit looser- thank god, I was about to die from tieing it so tight before.
I bit my lip and closed my exhausted eyes.
"You two have lives to get back to, don't let little nobody me get in you way of moving on. Besides, Mustang would miss you if you didn't pop back up soon."

Edward blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Wait...you're what?" He cocked his head and quirked an eyebrow as his gold eyes widened in surprise.
"What in the world do you have to be jealous about?"
"You're a bit stupid on this subject aren't you brother?" Alphonse came out from the side door adjusting his belt, the pants Edward had given him were still a little big, he would have to fix that later though.
"You two are going to have to fix things between yourselves, Kiri and I did all we could." He moved to the door and with a final glance backward, went off to find someplace where he could get food.
((Gomen for taking so long, I'm putting the final touches on my cards.))

I rolled over on the side, bringing my arm under my head. I muttered in response.
"Im jealous of her. She is the closest to your heart, besides Alphonse.. you grew up with her, its only natural that the both of you spend your lives together in the end. isn't that how all fairy tales go?"
I picked my head up and looked to him as he came out of the bathroom. I sent him a warm smile. He...understood more of this 'love' thing than ed did and he's the younger one. I sighed, and he left. I curled in a ball on the cushion, my back facing him; the room started to dimly light from the morning sun rising.
A long sigh and I closed my eyes. The sound of his breathing is all I could hear; it was soothing.
[thats okay, im doing work as well]