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Ed ran down the streets. Kuro knew things about alchemy that she shouldn’t and Izumi would have to look into it. That much, Ed was sure about at that present moment. He stopped dead and thought about the punishment he had received when Izumi found out that he had auto mail and Al was transfixed to a suit of armor because they had tried to transmute their mother shortly after training. What would happen to Kuro? How did the Law of Equivalent Exchange affect the young teen that so little was known? As these questions and much more raced through Ed’s mind, he decided to walk back. He had after all, been in charge of Kuro and making sure that she remained safe. He was sure that Al would protect her, but if it were true that she attempted a human transmutation, it would be sure that the Humunculi would come after her. He walked in the front door.

“Weren’t you told to stay with Kuro?” asked Sig in a deep voice.

“Yea, I went to try and find Sensei when I realized how angry she’d be with me if I went against her orders,” answered Ed. He slouched up the stairs and opened the door to Kuro’s room. He found the small girl cowering behind his little brother.

“Did you find Sensei?” Al asked. Edward shook his head. “What are we going to do if there’s another—”?

Ed put his hand out to stop Al from speaking. “I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said in an irritable voice. “I just don’t know, Al. All we can really do now is to wait for Sensei to get back.”

“Did I say something wrong?” asked Kuro innocently.

“No, we’ll talk about it when Sensei returns,” answered Ed. He smiled down at her. “So, where’d you come from?”

“I used to live in Central until the Fuhrer, King Bradley ordered that I left,” Kuro answered sadly. She lowered her head and looked away from the two brothers.

“Why?” asked Al.

“I don’t use my alchemy for the military,” Kuro answered coolly. “Aren’t you two ‘dogs of the military’?”

Ed and Al looked at each other. “Kuro, I quit being part of the military a while back.”

The door opened wide. In the doorway stood Izumi with a solemn expression. She looked up at the trio before her. “Ed, Al, I want you to stand guard outside this door. Don’t let anyone in no matter what they might say.”

“Yes, Sensei!” They left the room and Izumi shut the door behind them.

“Izumi-san, why do Ed and Al call you ‘Sensei’?” asked Kuro curiously.

“Because I’m the one that taught them alchemy,” answered Izumi. She took her seat at the chair and Kuro followed suit. “You know about it, don’t you? Those men that were attacking you had a simple transmutation circle on their back.” Her voice kept even and calm.

“Yes, I do know about alchemy and what some people might say as the Law of Equivalent Exchange,” said Kuro coldly. “Childs talk is what I call it. There is no such thing as equal trade in alchemy. I know because I went against the laws of the world and for that, I’ll be paying with my life.”

“What are you saying by this, Kuro-chan?”

“I—I—I attempted a human transmutation—on my mother,” cried Kuro.

“I want you to calmly tell me everything that happened,” said Izumi calmly.

“It was going as planned at first and then everything went haywire,” began Kuro. She took a sudden interest in her feet.

Flashback:

“Kuro, are you sure you want to go through with this?” a little boy asked her. His blonde hair reflected the moonlight. Bright green eyes stared into Kuro’s innocent yellow pools. Both wore farmer clothes and a transmutation circle surrounded them.

“You’re not going to chicken out on me now, are you Kio?” asked Kuro. “We already made a pact with each other that we’re going to recreate our mother’s life. I’m not backing out now and neither should you. Besides what do you think father would say if he found out that you were unwilling to do this? This is why he agreed to letting us learn alchemy.”

“Just—what if something goes wrong?” asked Kio. “Human alchemy is forbidden. That’s what Hohenheim-sensei said!”

“Who cares what that?” cried Kuro. “Are you in this or not?” Kio nodded. “Good, now stand by me, little brother.” He did as he was told.

“What are we going to offer as an equal trade?”

“I’ll offer anything to get mother back . . ..” she muttered before pressing both hands on the circle that in the middle had the remains of their mother. Kio followed suit seconds after.

A bright, yellow light glowed from the transmutation. Kuro smiled at the perfection of something that had never been done correctly. She promised to herself that she would write down everything when this was over for future references. She returned to reality with a smack of Kio screaming. She turned her head to her little brother and saw him being eaten away.

“Kio!” she cried. Black hands from the gate grabbed at her. “Damn it let my brother go!” She yanked them off and ran to Kio’s side. “Kio, stay with me! You can’t die like this!”

“Kuro, tell mother—that I said hi,” muttered Kio before he disappeared and went beyond the gate.

“Kio!” Kuro screamed in pain.

She opened her eyes. “Was it all a dream?” she asked herself. Automatically, she looked over where Kio should’ve been. All that remained of her brother was his clothes. “Kio . . .. No! It wasn’t supposed to be this way! We meant to bring mother back without a sacrifice and we have lost without any kind of gain. Kio, it’s my fault and I should’ve been the one to die, but instead I have lost my only little brother.”

End of flashback
“When I returned home, I found my father drunk and he beat me. This went on for years until I finally got enough nerve to leave. I went to Central and became a State Alchemist until it had been discovered what sins I’ve committed.” Kuro looked up at Izumi with tear filled eyes. “Izumi-san, might there be a possibility that somewhere Kio and my mother are alive and safe?” A spark of hope ignited in her eyes.

“I’m sure that even you must realize that there is no way, even through alchemy to revive the dead,” answered Izumi with sadness as her memories of her own sins crossed her mind. “Your mother is dead and your brother, you lost through equal trade. I am sure that something that represents your mother is out there, but you must destroy that image. When you die, your body is returned to the soil and your memories live on in those you hold close to you in life. You must never try and disturb this flow again.” She put a hand on Kuro’s shoulders and tightened her grip. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes,” Kuro answered with a strained voice.

“Good, I will begin teaching you the true art of alchemy instead of what you learned from Hohenheim,” said Izumi. “You will learn along side Ed and Al Elric since I need to re-teach them the basics.”

Kuro smiled widely. “Thank you, Sensei!” she cried, hugging Izumi. Izumi became shocked, but patted the young teen on the back. “By the way, how do you know Hohenheim?”

“He’s Ed and Al’s father. Well—you need to rest. Ed and Al will be in here shortly to keep you company.” Izumi smiled and left the room. Ed opened his eyes and propped himself away from the wall he was using to lean against. Al stood erect and held his arms to his side.

“I want you two to come downstairs with me.” Izumi led them down the stairs and into the dining room. “Have you two given up chase of the Philosopher’s Stone yet?”

“We can’t give it up, Sensei!” cried Ed in protest. “We’ve come so close and the military won’t let us give it up!”

“I thought you quit being a military dog,” replied Izumi coolly. “You two went against my teachings and now you’re paying for it. It’s a hefty price, but do you think I can help what has happened to me because of my ignorance to the world? No! All I can do is to live life from day to day and remain strong and try to prevent others from making the same mistake as me, which it seems that I have failed in that.”

“Sensei—she was our mother!” cried Alphonse. “We couldn’t live on our own . . ..”

“You weren’t on your own!” Izumi yelled. “You had people who cared for you right in front of your face. Ed, Al, I was a mother who lost her child; you were orphans in search of a way to resurrect your mother. Don’t you think that our meeting had any fate tied to it? You two are to return to your training along side Kuro. We’ll be starting in the morning.” She walked out of the room and left the two brothers.