Author: Merula

Pairing: 2+1

Warnings: AU, gw/fma fusion

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own GW.

Quest

"Brother," Trowa said as they trudged into town. "Don't forget to call the Colonel."

His brother flipped his braid over the shoulder of his red coat and growled. "I'll call the bastard," he snapped. "After we've eaten."

"After you've eaten," Trowa muttered to himself. It's not that he wasn't grateful to have some kind of body, but he did miss some things a lot. Like eating. When they got his body back, Duo was going to have to buy him a ten course meal- and that was just to start.

His brother was looking around, a frown on his face. "I don't see anyplace to eat."

"The Colonel did say this was a small town." Trowa reminded him.

Duo sniffed. "I remember- but supposedly someone here has a lot of information about the Stone."

"If you called the Colonel," Trowa said again, "he'd remind you. Maybe the person also would be able to tell us where to eat."

"Fine, fine," Duo waved his hand in the air. "I think I saw a phone a little ways back."

He turned and his braid nearly caught a passerby in the face.

"Watch what you're doing girl!" The man snapped and Trowa groaned. Not again!

His brother exploded. "Who are you calling a GIRL?!"

~*~

Trowa watched as his brother dialed the number, his braid twitching like a cat's tail. For some reason, despite all of his brother's protests to the contrary, he knew that Duo liked Colonel Yuy.

He just had a really bizarre way of dealing with it.

"Lieutenant," Duo said into the phone in a respectful tone. "May I talk to the Colonel?" Trowa was amused. Even Duo didn't dare cross the Lieutenant. Quatre looked sweet and innocent- until he pulled out his gun. "Thank you."

A moment later his tone changed. "Of course we made it, bastard. What do you think I am an idiot? Don't say it! Where the hell are we supposed to go? Of course I was listening! You didn't tell me!" Duo fumed and Trowa was more amused. "Yeah, yeah, I got it now." Another pause. Trowa knew the Colonel was telling Duo to report in again after they talked to the contact. "Maybe. If I feel like it."

Another pause and Duo turned a shade of red Trowa didn't think was possible.

He hung up the phone hastily and nearly ran out of the booth. "What did the Colonel say?"

"Nothing," Duo muttered. "Let's go find this guy and get this over with."

~*~

The house was in good shape- old, but very well taken care of- and Trowa admired the kittens on the porch as his brother rang the bell.

The man who opened the door was a lot like his house. He looked at his visitors with a faint smile. "How may I help you gentlemen?"

"I'm Duo and this is my brother Trowa," Duo said. "Are you Howard?"

The man nodded. "Yes. What does a state alchemist want with me?"

Duo blinked. "We were told that you might have some information on the philosopher's stone?"

The man smiled. "Ah, so you are on the quest for the stone? I'm not sure I will be able to help you."

"Why not?"

"I never found it. All I had was a book- in a language I never managed to translate- but that was stolen from me a few days ago."

Duo slumped against the railing. "Do you know by who?"

The man shrugged, pulled up his sleeve and displayed a large bruise. "I was lucky enough to escape with my life- I didn't ask a name. He was dark haired and very angry."

"Damn," Duo shook his head.

"Won't you two gentlemen come in? You must've traveled a long way and I'm sure you're hungry."

~*~

"That's all I know." Howard lifted a shoulder. "The book supposedly gave directions on how to create the stone, but no one I ever showed it to was able to read it."

Duo put his fork down on his empty plate. "Another dead end. It figures." Trowa knew Duo was already planning on how to take it out on the Colonel.

Howard smiled. "Well, you know, it wouldn't be a good thing if the quest for the philosopher's stone was easy."

Duo opened his mouth and Trowa inwardly cringed, expecting his brother to violently disagree. Then he closed his mouth and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I guess you're right."

"And I'm sure you've learned things on your quest?"

Duo looked even more thoughtful. "Some I wish I hadn't- but yeah." Trowa had to agree with him on that. Duo glanced at the clock. "Thanks for the meal. We'd better get going if we want to catch the train."

Howard walked them to the door and shook their hands. "Good luck. I hope you find it."

Duo smiled. "Don't worry! We will!"

OWARI

 

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