Brothers - A FMAB Fanfic

Chapter 9

A few days later, back in Central City, my brothers and I are lounging in Ed's hotel room. Boredly, I stand up, using the couch as support while I regain my balance. "I'm heading out, I'm bored."

"You shouldn't go out alone." Edward speaks, but doesn't bother to stand.

"Just try to stop me." I stick my tongue out at him, before clanking out of the room. My one mission right now was to find Ling and apologize to him.

Once I step outside, I have to concentrate on not falling. But let me tell you, walking on uneven grass with new automail is harder than it looks. I almost fall, but suddenly a pair of strong, familiar arms keeps me up. "Are you alright Akira?" His boyish voice caused me to snap my head up to him, a pang of guilt crushing my heart.

"Um, yeah . . ." I back a few feet away from him, just to put some distance between us. "Listen Ling, I'd like to apologize for-"

"No." He interrupts, crossing his arms. The prince's expression is nuetral as he stares me down, his dark eyes cold.

"But-"

"You knew almost exactly what would have happened, you knew the consequences, yet you still wouldn't tell me? That's unfair." Ling scowls, raising his head up high.

"But you were going to tell my brothers if I didn't let you help! What the hell was I suppose to do?" I plead, reaching out for him.

"Oh I don't know, maybe not do it?" He shakes his head in disbelief.

"I didn't have a choice at the time Ling! Why can't you understand!?" By now, both of our voices are raised, causing a few heads to turn our direction. But I don't pay attention to them. My attention is on the stubborn fugitive standing across from me.

"No, you don't understand!" Ling suddenly lunges towards me, gripping me tightly by my forearms. My stubborn, golden glare meets his gaze, but soon he has pressed me forcibly to his chest. His voice lowers slightly. "Do you have any idea of how worried I was Akira? How horrible I felt after what had happened?"

"But . . . but why?" I question lamely, not understanding why he cares so much about me.

"Because you're my friend you stupid girl." Ling pulls away to look at me better, and I'm surprised to find that a thin trail of tears are trickling down his pale cheeks.

Suddenly, a loud explosion sounds from just a few feet away, causing both of our heads to turn. Not long after a tall, tan skinned man with snow white hair and wearing dark sunglasses steps into our line of sight. My eyes widen and I instantly pull away from Ling's embrace, stepping towards the man. "Wait Akira, your legs!" The Xingese prince warns, trying to grasp my forearm.

"Let go of me Ling, I'm fine." I hiss, yanking myself away from him to walk towards the man, my focus now on him. "Who are you?" I question curiously, but before I can ask him anything else, my brothers come dashing in front of me.

"Akira! Get the hell away from that man!" Edward calls, roughly pushing me backwards and out of the way.

"What? Why? Who is this guy?" I ask desperately, but before I can get any answers, Ling has already grabbed me and thrown me over his shoulder. "Hey you bastard! Put me down!" I shout angrily, pounding my fists against his back.

"Sorry princess, but I can't do that . . . I can't let you get hurt." Ling suddenly jumps upwards onto a ladder, easily scaling it while I'm still on his back. I knew he was a fricking ninja!

"God dammit Ling! I said let go!" My instincts take over, causing me to clap my hands together. A bright flash of gold suddenly glows from my hands as I slam them against a nearby building. A large concrete wall slides out in front of Ling, causing him to halt in his tracks. Smirking, I take this opportunity to swing up my foot, harshly digging it into his stomach. With a grunt, the prince is force to release me, sprawling on a heap to the ground. "Akira one, Ling zero!" I taunt, before dashing off towards the direction that the strange man and Edward were.