Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Kuro walked into the ‘housing’ part of the shop. She looked over at Ed, Al, and Winry sitting at the table, deep in conversation. Turning away, she spotted Izumi bringing the medical kit. “I thought I told you to stay outside!”

“I got bored,” said Kuro. “Is there anything wrong with me wanting to come inside?” Her cold eyes studied Izumi for some time before turning away.

“No, but I expect you to obey me once in a while,” said Izumi. She led Kuro down the hall.

“She kind of reminds me of you two when you were younger,” commented Winry. “How old is she?”

“We don’t know,” answered Ed. “She hasn’t told anyone much of her childhood or anything.”

“And you trust her?” asked Winry, alarmed for she remembered what happened with Wrath.

“We don’t have much of a choice,” said Ed.

“Sensei took Kuro in yesterday,” said Al. “It’s true that we don’t know much, but I’m sure it’ll come in time once she learns that we can be trusted.”

“Can she do alchemy?” asked Winry curiously.

Edward nodded his head. “We think she can. I haven’t seen it yet, but I bet that Sensei is forbidding her to use it until we know more about her past.”

Winry stood. “I’m going to do some research then,” she announced.

“On what?” asked Al, “You don’t know alchemy, so what is there that you can research here?”

“Just stuff,” answered Winry. “I’ll be back later on. Stay out of trouble you two.”

“We will,” promised Ed.

With that, Winry left the shop and down the street.

“Wonder what it is that she’s looking up, Nii-san.”

“Don’t worry about it, Al,” said Ed. “I’m sure it has to do with a new auto mail design or something like that. C’mon, I want to get to know Kuro more.”

“What about the training Sensei wants us to do?” asked Al, alarm in his voice.

“We can do that later,” answered Ed. “Right now, we should get to know more about Kuro.” He stood from his seat and walked down the hall while Al stayed behind. He spotted Izumi just finishing bandaging Kuro from the training earlier.

“There are books in the back room,” informed Izumi. She looked back at Ed. “I’ll let Ed show them to you.”

“What are the books about?” asked Kuro, though she had a feint idea.

“Alchemy mostly,” answered Izumi. “There are also some other books that I think you’ll find interesting. I leave you with Edward.” She walked away quickly without another word or glance back.

“So—I take it that Sensei wants you to study,” said Ed. He looked away to hide his reddened cheeks.

“Yea—yea, I—I guess you’re right,” replied Kuro shakily. She too hid her blushing face. She followed Ed to the end of the hall and into Izumi’s private library. Everywhere she looked held books. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped half an inch. “Where did she get all these?” she wondered to herself.

“I dunno,” answered Ed. “But they’re great for studying alchemy and what substances to use when.” He led her down the first shelf and together they picked up several books. “This stuff is basic, but it’ll be a good refresher course.”

“That’s fine,” said Kuro. “I’m sure Sensei wants to know what I can do with alchemy anyway.”

“Try and use the transmutation circles when you can though,” advised Ed. “If you don’t have to use a transmutation circle, people will start getting suspicious. Not to mention, Colonel Roy Mustang knows the secret behind my alchemy.”

“I’ll try, unless I’m in a life or death situation,” said Kuro, excited by the books that she could study at will.

Together, they looked through the books and showed each other their alchemy. Kuro could no where near compete with Ed, though Ed told her that she was good too.

“Kuro, it’s getting late,” said Ed, shutting his book. “We’ve done enough for one day.”

“You go on ahead,” said Kuro. “I’ll only be a moment.”

“If you’re not in the dining room in fifteen minutes I’ll come in after you,” said Ed. He put his share of the books away and left Kuro alone.

Kuro checked that he had left and wondered to the back section. She fingered through the titles, only paying attention to key words. She stopped at Human Transmutation: A Forbidden Art. ‘Strange,’ she thought. ‘Hohenheim had that same book. Does Sensei know him? Even so, why would Hohenheim have that book and same with Sensei; it doesn’t make any sense.’ She sighed and left the room without letting it hold her back any further. Walking into the dining room, she spotted Izumi and Ed talking.

Izumi looked up first. “Kuro; why did you come back ten minutes later than Edward—I believe that Ed told you that no one is allowed in my library without someone else there.”

“I stayed behind to put books away,” answered Kuro. “Where’s Al?”

“He left to find Winry,” answered Ed. “They should be back shortly.”

“Kuro, do you want something to eat?” asked Izumi kindly. “You haven’t eaten anything all day.”

“Please,” replied Kuro, bowing her head. Izumi smiled and promptly left.

“Kuro—I don’t seem to know much about you,” said Ed, signaling for her to take a seat next to him. He smiled when she sat. “Is there anything you feel comfortable about me knowing?”

“Funny,” replied Kuro, smiling impishly. “I don’t recall you telling me anything other than you left the military.”

“Well—Al and I used to live in Resembool with our mother until she died.”

“I’m sorry,” whispered Kuro.

“It’s ok; she died when we were little. After that Winry’s grandmother looked after us. Al and I began studying alchemy when we were really little; before our mother died. After her death, we became obsessed with bringing her back. Eventually Sensei came into our town and saved everyone with her alchemy. Al and I then became her students and began studying alchemy under her. When we returned home from our training, we attempted to bring back our mother. First my leg and Al disappeared beyond the gate and then I sacrificed my arm to bring his soul back and I attached it to the suit of armor.”

“You transfixed his soul?” said Kuro, amazed.

“You saw it too didn’t you?” asked Ed. “The gate I mean. When you tried to bring back your own mother, you had information being put in your head that didn’t belong their.”

“I lost my brother,” muttered Kuro, tears coming from her eyes. “Yet there is a Homunculus that looks just like my mother.”

“Have you told Sensei this?” asked Ed sensitively. She nodded as more tears spilled out of the corner of her eyes. Ed looked at her sympathetically and put his arm over her shoulders. He pulled her close to his chest.