Author's note: The usual rules apply. I don't own any characters (maybe one of the anonymous doctors vaguely mentioned perhaps).

Reviews would be greatly appreciated. And I don't mind flames either. Go right ahead.

Prologue:

No more summer showers. The sky cleared up leaving a blue heaven and a cleansed earth. The sweet, fresh smell of the wet soil, sand and grass hung the air as a firm reminder of the rain's purpose: nourishment of what is and rebirth of what was. Before this day, Trisha Elric and her sons have always looked forward to summer rains, or rather, what the world was like right after it had rained. They always walked outside together, bare feet on the wet grass and took in the beauty of the reborn world around them.

Although her sons were already advanced in knowledge of the world and its elements for their age, Trisha tried her best not just to encourage her sons to learn more, but also to appreciate all the little things and values in life. To see her sons looking forward to the summer just because of the rain gave her the feeling that she succeeded.

But that all changed today.

His temperature was steadily rising. His face glowed from perspiration. He couldn't eat. He could barely drink without bringing it back out. Her youngest son was progressively starting to get weaker. Trisha couldn't understand it. He was fine just yesterday and now he was slipping away in front of her very eyes. No doctor seemed to know what was wrong with or could offer any advice. She sat at Alfonse's bedside, holding his hand tightly, at aloss of what to do.

She heard Edward banging his fist loudly on the bedroom door, begging to enter. Trisha glanced over at Pinako, who was always there to help her out in a bad situation. The old lady nodded and headed towards the door, opening it only slightly.

"I want to see him!" Edward demanded, trying to push the door open more. Pinako's strength was deceiving, being used to carrying heavy metal pieces, and refused entrance.

"Your brother's very ill and needs some rest," Pinako said in a gentle but hushed tone.

"I won't wake him, I just want to see him," the young boy said defiantly and rather loudly, clenching his fists in an attempt to hold back his tears. "He needs me in there too!"

Pinako shook her head and closed the door before Edward could object. And soon as she did so she heard Edward slamming his fists against the door, screaming blue murder at the ladies in the bedroom and kicking as hard as his small figure could allow him.

"Well I'm pretty sure Alfonse isn't going to get any rest at all with that racket," Pinako sighed sadly.

"Poor child," Trisha whispered, as she brushed a clammy lock of hair out of Alfonse's face.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three weeks later, the summer rain came and went again. A pile of freshly dug up earth was watered down into sludge and the hole next to it had a small pool in its depths.

Pinako put her hand on young Edward's shoulder as they trudged through the muddy grass of the cemetery. "Your mother entrusted you with me," she said kindly.

Edward nodded in response, not really listening. He stopped and stared at the two new graves. One was already filled whilst his mother's coffin was slowly lowered into the other one. In three weeks his entire life came crashing down.

As the guests left the site one by one, paying their respects and condolences to the only Elric standing, Edward didn't once take his eyes off of the two graves. When at last the last two (Pinako and Winry) got up to leave, they left behind a flashlight for Ed to find his way back alone.

The mud on his shoes had hardened and wet grass of cemetery was starting to attract insects. Once the sun had set, the world left behind by the summer rain didn't seem as welcoming anymore. Staring at the two graves he realised that the sun that shone light on his life and the rain that cleansed his soul were gone.

"I'm gonna bring the both of you back…"