"Two months ago, she finally got so bad that she couldn't move. She told Al to go. That there was nothing left to teach him. She just didn't want him to see." -Sig, "Fullmetal Alchemist; The Conqueror of Shamballa"

"But, Teacher..." Alfonse began to protest. Though try as he might a decent argument would not come to him. But she wouldn't allow him one, anyway.

"Your lessons are finished, Alfonse," Izumi snapped. "You have learned all from me that you can. Twice. It's time for you make use of that." Even from her bed she was threatening.

After an awkward silence and a tense stare-off, Al looked away from his teacher's pale face and to the floor. He had to be honest. "Teacher, it's not that I don't appreciate what you've taught me. I do. I don't know what I would have done without you, Mr. Curtis, and Mason. But it's because I appreciate you that I want to stay. You're my family."

Izumi tried to keep her stubborn face on, but that heart-broken round face and those tear-lined eyes defeated her.

Al flinched when he sense his teacher reaching for him, then relaxed when he felt her feebly pulling him into a hug, one of her hands pressing his head to her shoulder. "I know," she answered. "You're a part of this family, Alfonse." She then held him at arm's length. "But as an alchemist you must use what you know to help the rest of our world. There isn't anything you can do here. I'm already proud of you, but I want you to make the rest of Dublith proud, too. You can make a difference in this world, Alfonse. That is my assignment for you."

A tearful smile graced his childish face, followed by a determined nod. "I will, Teacher. I'll do it for you."

Another cough, followed with more blood on her hand and chin. She instinctively reached for the rag near her bed, but her clumsy, tired hand succeeded only in knocking it and her water on the floor. She whispered a curse and painfully began to sit up to fetch them.

"I'll take care of it," a deep but now gentle voice assured her. Sig was already there, setting the glass on the table. Izumi sighed and reached out to take the rag from him. He didn't even allow her to do that. With an amazing amount of tenderness for his bulk, Sig cleaned his wife's face and hand.

"Thank you, Honey," she breathed, her once strong voice barely audible. A faint smile came to her pale face when she felt her husband's large hand on her forehead.

"You know it's coming, don't you," Izumi managed after long minutes of silence. It wasn't meant to be a question. She saw him nod his reply.

"So does Mason," he told her.

It was her turn to nod. Talking was becoming too painful. But there was one thing she had to say that any amount of pain was worth. She'd said it many times before, but felt the need to say it again.

"I love you."

There was neither hesitation nor any hint of dishonesty in the returning voice. "I love you, Izumi."

The coughing came back, more painful and stubborn than ever before. She could taste so much blood - feel so much warmth running over her lips and chin. Not even the strength to catch the blood in her hand would come to her. She could hear Sig moving about, shouting at Mason to bring the doctor. But she knew it wouldn't matter. Not this time.

Her head was pounding, her vision blurred. The coughing stopped, likely because her body lacked the strength to even do that. She felt the friendly warmth of that huge hand gripping hers, could see the faint image of his stony face.

"Come to me, sweetie. Mommy is waiting..." were the words in her final breath.

END

Fullmetal Alchemist and all characters are property of Himoru Arakawa

Fanfiction is property of ECH AKA Kat Warrior. DO NOT USE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION