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x-Hikari Akatsuki-x: You wanted it, you got it! Another chapter, but it's got a little more of humor and suspense. Funny combo, huh?

Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Calibur or Full Metal Alchemist, okay?

Chapter 3: Waiting in the Wings; Diamond in the Rough

The two of us departed quickly later that night. I had made it to the remains of my old home without any confrontations, but there was still some paranoia in the back of my mind. My only comfort was when sleep overtook me.

. . .

I immediately went to the bakery the next morning. It was right next to the weapons shop, which was the place I wanted to go to afterwards. The owner of the bakery, Roy, stood behind the counter rolling dough. He was in his mid twenties and he had fine, short black hair and rarely smiled. An eye-patch took away most of the looks on his face, but still looked more than half-way decent. Edward, his assistant, was the one working at the counter today. Ed was around my age but had long golden hair that he kept tied back in a braid. His sunny colored eyes always gave an edge to his reckless grin.

"Great to see you, Melanie. What can a do for you today?" If he was cheerier than that all the time, I'd punch his lights out in front of God and everybody and tell him to get a life. Usually, Ed would only keep a book and read whenever he didn't work in the back. Roy must have caught him, since not many people were coming in and no book was in sight. "Two baguettes, if you please."

Grinning, Ed brought them out and handed them to me. "That will be two shillings, Melanie." Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the two coins and gave them to him.

I heard another's voice, female, addressing Edward in a squeal. "Eddie! Do you have any more hard rolls?"

As I saw poor Ed's face turn red, the girl, Valeria, smiled sweetly and tugged at his braid. "We're out," he stiffly replied, looking for help from Roy who happened to be enjoying himself. "Liar," Valeria whispered, "now bring them out quick if you don't want to be three feet tall!" Poor Edward Elric, and at his place of work too. Well, at least...oh no...

"What did you say to me? What did you just say to me?!" Eyes now burning, he almost jumped across the counter to pounce on the Italian girl and try to pull her hair out. However, I held him by the shoulders and turned to Valeria saying, "You just had to provoke him, didn't you?"

Because of her haughty and charming personality, I was surprised that she wasn't already married. Her appearance didn't help contradict the idea of it either, since she was one of the most beautiful women in London! I didn't envy her one bit though, the reason being was that I enjoyed my freedom. Miser and I avoided the custom of marrying at our ages, especially to men old enough to be our own fathers! I could not stand being a working wench who had to clean and cook all day without going outdoors.

"Just let him go, Valeria," I sighed and then winked at Ed, "he's probably just tired this morning from wrestling with dough to get the other orders." Roy sighed as he headed towards the oven, "Those children..."

Ed looked at me, then back at Valeria. Immediately, he yawned, "Melanie's right, right before you two came in, I actually had to make six loaves: three were sourdough and three were pumpernickel." Knowing that she had lost this battle, Valeria turned around with a pouty face and walked out. By the way Edward had looked, he was actually telling the truth; flour was all over his face and clothes. Clutching the loaves, I asked, "So, who had bought the pumpernickel?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "Ask Roy about that, I was rolling dough at the time." Roy walked up to the front and said to him, "Because I didn't want a runt like you to handle someone that wasn't a regular. He was a German around my age. Ed wanted to take him, but like I had just said, I wanted to take the order. The man wasn't really tall at all, but he made me start to think about how few crimes have been occurring lately. But so far, it's just my opinion."

There wasn't an ounce in me to not blame Roy Mustang for believing that. The one he had described was more than likely the man I met last night. If Roy was right, Chester had better be more careful if he wants to stay alive.

After placing another shilling as a tip for Ed, I walked out the door. I went to Hualin's shop; she was in the middle of a conversation with Miser when I first walked through the door. It surprised me that Miser was being sociable, with a girl from a country that her own opposed for almost one hundred years. But I guess it didn't matter as long as she would get good service. "Mel, are you here to fix your sword already?" the ninja asked me.

Smirking, I replied, "Just to visit. And to check up on something." Surprisingly enough, the zweihänder was still there waiting for its owner. He could have gone to pick it up after buying that bread last night. I will say this at least, that man is an enigma. Most certainly. "You haven't seen him either?" Hualin asked me. Involuntarily, I shook my head this time.

Before I could say anything else, Miser grabbed my arm and hurried me out saying, "It was nice meeting and talkin' with you, but we have to really get going. Bye!" When we vanished from sight into the back, she looked around for anyone, probably brigands.

"Miser, what is your problem?" I asked impatiently. She clamped her hand over her mouth to shush me. Never letting go, she held up a black feather. "The Bird of Passage has returned." The Bird of Passage, that was... Tira!

Unlike the two of us, Tira was raised to kill people and loved doing it. What was worse about it was that her personality changed often, from an extreme rage-like behavior to...a form of twisted happiness. So far as I knew about her, all that ever accompanied her were a flock of ravens. Greed had this story (that he had more than likely made up,) and only told whenever Chester's ears weren't able hear: A wizard from Germany cast a spell on her parents and siblings and turned them into ravens. After Tira found out who the man was, she killed him on sight and hung his head and limbs in five different trees for them to feed on. She was traveling with ravens ever since. I thought that it was too far fetched, however, even for me. Chester's uncle, who was the original leader until about nine years ago had raised her and taught her an assassin's work.

"She was watching us pull off the heist last night, but I don't know why Tira didn't bother killing any of us, including Ivy," Miser whispered. That surprised even me; Tira hesitating to kill? She was the type who could slice a person to chunks with her ring-blade outright just because she was bored. And if Chester found out about her return, he'd have more than a field day. More assassins would get jealous and start killing to impress him and in hopes for more money. That was all that they ever wanted...and it was spent as fast as it was earned.

And what of the thieves like Miser, Greed and myself? It might not even make much of a difference anyway, but I was glad that the two of us were now on "break" from crimes until we were assigned another. This would give me enough time to read through Ivy's diary for any clues. "I know why you've been stealing books, Mel," she added just as quietly as before. I turned my head as she continued, "You I can't read much of my own language, let alone English. But before you go off to find the murderer of your parents, let me give you this warning: avoid the sword Soul Edge as much as possible. If it does, just watch your back."

She immediately left following those words. I was confused, but there had to be more Miser wasn't telling me.

...

Later that day, I read an entry in the diary:

_My research seems to be going nowhere. After Father's violent death I took it upon myself to study the cursed sword and possibly destroy it._

I asked myself, Cursed sword? Could this be...?

_Soul Edge has been causing immeasurable havoc all over Europe. Especially in Germany. For many a month, Mother's health has begun to slowly diminish. She had taken ill and has not shown any signs of recovering. The apothecary...and I fear the worst.¬_

I found the date on the upper right-hand corner. The year was 1585. This happened to be the year after my family and I had left Germany for England. At the time, Father only told me that he wanted to live where Mother grew up and where they met. Try as it may, Mother was worried about his job; he had helped train landsknects in Ostrheinsburg.

Turning the page, I had expected it to be as it was:

_Mother died last night. She had told me that I was left on the manor's doorstep as an infant and that there was no trace of my biological parents._

That was all that was written in that entry. A little helpful and sad at the same time. No wonder Ivy never left the mansion except for only a few occasions, her parents abandoned her and might not even be alive. I could only imagine growing up in a lie. I would never know that, not after the possibility of it being completely lost. But...

...

"Any luck?"

"Just about the sword. I didn't get much," I admitted. Miser nodded, she knew very well what I meant. "There's going to be a performance of Antigone in the town square at sunset, do you want to go see it?" she later asked me. This would have been the first play I have seen yet, so why not?

x-Hikari Akatsuki-x: Whaddaya think? Not too bad, I hope. Please tell me what you think! Chapter Four is gonna have more action, I promise! 3nodding