Substitute Alchemist - Bleach X FMA Crossover [HAITUS]

Chapter 15 - Briefly Sidetracked

Jean pov:

I hummed to myself as I walked through the corridor to my office, having picked up some documents that the colonel had asked me to bring to him. I was in high spirits today since Kiana had agreed to go out with me. The gears in my brain were already whirring as I thought of the perfect first date to set up with her. Since I felt very serious about this relationship, even more than the few I had been on with prospective girlfriends, I wanted to take things slowly and at a pace comfortable for Kiana. I didn't want to mess this up like my previous commitments – well, I suppose I couldn't really call them commitments because they were just meetings to test compatibility. Even though I came to like the girl because she was nice enough, things never worked out after the first few dates....and I didn't want something like that to happen with Kiana.

I was yet to mention it to the colonel and the others. I was waiting for Kiana to come to the office so we could tell everyone together. Speaking of which, she had probably reported in with the colonel by now. An excited grin made its way onto my face at the thought of seeing her and I couldn't help but pick up my pace of walking to the office.

When I reached the office though, my smile faltered because neither Kiana nor Kyran san were there. I suppressed the mild disappointment, since I knew she would come soon enough, and handed the documents to the colonel before taking my seat. I opened one of the leather folders to go through the papers inside but lifted my head up when a soldier came to stand at the door.

"Col. Mustang, Sir!" He said with a salute and walked in upon receiving permission to enter. "I'm here with a letter from the Glacier Alchemist."

I frowned just a bit in confusion. Kiana had sent a letter? Why had she sent in a letter instead of reporting in with the colonel?

"It seems she won't be coming to work today." The colonel said, having opened the letter and read through it after dismissing the soldier.

"She won't be coming to work today? Why?" I asked, feeling suddenly nervous. Was she avoiding me? Or worse, had something happened to her?

"The letter says that she got some leads on the Homunculi and she's gone after them. She's said she will contact us by phone when time permits." He responded casually and set the letter aside.

"Homunculi? When did she get a lead on them?" I pressed.

"She hasn't included that detail. Well, she'll be back soon, I suppose. She's strong and I trust that she will return with some progress in the matters of the Homunculi." The colonel said and went back to looking through some documents on his table.

I glanced out of the windows, frowning a bit and nervousness bubbling in my stomach. For a moment, I couldn't help but wonder if she was making up a reason to avoid me because she was uncomfortable with what happened yesterday. I knew that couldn't be true but I was still uneasy. Besides, she and Kyran san were still healing and I was worried for their well being.

"Lt. Havoc." Col. Mustang called out after a moment and I looked at him.

I got up from my seat and walked to his table to stand in front of him and waited for instructions. He pushed a sheet of paper to me for me to look over and I did so without hesitance. I read through the contents and blinked dumbly for a moment before looking back at the colonel.

"Colonel, this is....?"

"A mission I want you and Lt. Fuery to go on tonight." He completed. "That pub seems to be a safe house of ruffians who have been stirring trouble in Central lately. They've taken over the outskirts of the city and are robbing and embezzling money from the civilians. It would seem to not be something difficult to take care of but they're good at hiding their identity. This is the first tip off we've received about them since they started causing trouble and you two are to go with a few of Gen. Haruko's men undercover, find the ruffians and apprehend them. You are free to shoot them down if they resist."