DISCLAIMER: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST DOES NOT BELONG TO ME! AND IT'S A LUCKY THING IT DOESN'T! NOT WITH MY TWISTED SENSE OF HUMOR!

BROTHERS BOND

CHAPTER THREE

Edward watched from the train window as the scenery passed him by. His mind contemplated between his mission and his younger brother. What he was about to do was wrong. Every fiber in his body screamed at him that this was wrong. That he should of just run. Run away from the military and from the only possible grasp he had on returning Alphonse to normal. Anger gripped the young boy as he looked down at his feet. The metal from his automail leg shone brightly at him. He slammed his fist on the armrest, causing a few passangers to jump.

(I hope you can forgive me Al. I'm doing this for you.)

Letting out a sigh, Edward Elric sat back in his seat and continued to watch the scenery, yet, not really seeing it.

Forty minutes later, the train began to slow down. The conductor's voice came over the intercom, announcing their arrival.

"NEXT STOP! CITY OF DUBBLITH! CITY OF DUBBLITH!"

Edward's head shot up quickly, his head still swimming from his dream. Had he heard the conductor correctly? Shaking his head, he looked around as a few passangers began to gather their belongings. Putting his hand out, he grabbed a hold of a middle aged man's sleeve coat, stopping him.

"Excuse me sir, can you tell me what town the conductor announced?"

The man glared at Edward, irritated.

"Perhaps if you had payed attention you would of heard him!"

Jerking himself free, the man quickly gathered up the rest of his belongings and trudged towards the side exit of the train.

For a moment, Edward just blinked unsure of what to do. There was no reason for this man to be rude for him. He only asked a simple question. Getting up, Edward made his way towards the rude, middle aged man.

"Excuse me sir?"

The man turned to him, his nose wrinkled at the sight of him

"What the hell do you want?"

"You never answered my question. What town did the conductor announced?"

"You didn't pay attention, that's you're damn fault!"

Turning his back to Edward, the man mumbled lowly under his breath.

"Damn stupid brat! Who the hell does he think I am? A god-damn parrot? Learn to pay attention every once in awhile!"

Irritation began to set in Ed as he tapped the man again on the shoulder.

"WHAT!"

"Sir. There is no reason for you to be rude. Just answer my question. Please."

Edward replied, gritting his teeth.

As the train slowed down to a stop, the man answered him by giving him the finger before stepping off of the train. Edward watched, dumbfounded as the man weaved his way though the crowd, cursing. How some people could be so rude was beyond him. Today, though, he was NOT in the mood to just let it slide. Exiting the train, Edward weaved his way through the crowd, keeping his sights on his target. In the distance, he faintly heard the warning whistle of the train, announcing that it would depart soon. But it didn't matter to Ed at this point. He would recieve his answer and his apology. Sure he could of asked anyone standing there what city he was in, but that was not the principle of the matter. Finally catching up with the man, Edward once again tapped the man on the shoulder, this time, though it was more of a jab then a tap. The man turned to face him, his expression going from irritation, to shock, to being slightly pissed off. Which was exactly the mood Edward was in at that moment.

"God damn it you stupid brat! Leave me the hell alone! It's not my problem you don't know how to pay attention or read a sign! What kid? Your parents too damn lazy to teach you anything? I bet that's it ain't it. Mommy and daddy didn't want to deal with a third class reject as yourself. Bet their life was hell the second YOU came into the picture!"

Edward's face completely fell at those words. For once he was at a loss on what to say. No quirky comeback came to mind. He just stood there, starring at the man, his face plastered with mix emotions.

As the man turned to walk away, Edward found his voice again.

"You know...it's sad to think that your only existance in life is to make people feel miserable about themselves so you can feel good about yourself. Normally I don't pity people like you. In fact people like you make me sick! But it really is sad when you pass on judgement calling people third class rejects when you're just one yourself!"

Looking pass the middle aged man, pass his look of shock, Edward glanced up at a large sign that read:

WELCOME TO DUBBLITH

"You've been a big help."

Edward sarcastically remarked, turning away from the man, heading back to the train station. He'd wasted enough of his time already. There was still unfinnished business to attend. And he wanted to finnish it and leave town before his Sensei got any wind that he was even there.

Heading back to the station, Edward took his time to look around the city he spent a few good years of his childhood at. You never think on how much time has passed until you reminense on the matter. It was amazing to Edward how little had changed since then.

"I wonder how Sensei is doing?"

Edward asked himself outloud as he glanced down the road that would lead him to her house. He ached to go down that road. To visit her. To let her know what he had done, what he was doing, and what he was about to do. To ask for her guidance. But the last thing he wanted to do was drag his Sensei down with his problems. To make her worry even more about him and his brother. It was something he could not do.

"I'm doing just fine Edward."

A voice spoke from behind him causing him to stop dead in his tracks, slightly frozen. Hoping it was only his imagination, Edward swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly turned around to face a woman of 5' 8" with deep brown eyes and black hair with locks that was pulled back from her face. Her face was stern, yet a sense of a deep hidden kindness surrounded her.

"Uh...Sensei! What a pleasant surprise!"

"I bet it is Edward. Tell me, you weren't planning on leaving town with out saying hello, where you?"

Edward replied with a shrug and a nervous laugh, darting his eyes around. His Sensei's eyes narrowed as she quickly took a hold of his arm and flipped him over her head, sending him crashing to the ground.

"I would of hoped you would of learned by now Edward."

Letting out an exhausted sigh, Izumi looked around, suddenly realizing that a certain someone wasn't next to Edward.

"Where is Alphonse?"

She asked sternly, looking down at her apprentice. Edward looked up at her slightly dazed.

"He's not here."

"What do you mean by that?"

Sitting up, Edward looked up at his Sensei.

"He's in Central. I left him there."

Izumi's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"Meaning you were given an assignment by the military is that correct?"

Edward looked down at the ground not willing to look Izumi in the eyes, nodded his head.

"Yeah, that's right Sensei. No matter what, I'm still a dog of the military and they have me on a leash."

Slowly standing up, Edward somehow found the courage to look his Sensei in the eyes, his eyes set and determined.

"And I'm sorry if you don't approve but this is the only path I can take."

Rubbing her temples, Izumi sighed as she looked down at Edward.

"Follow me."

She finally replied, turning from him heading down the road to her house. Reluctantly Edward followed her, not knowing what was about to happen next. More then likely he assumed, his Sensei would teach him a new lesson in her manner. He winced just thinking of the new bruises he was about to accounter. But he knew running away wasn't an option with a Sensei like Izumi so he mentally began to prepare himself for his little lesson.

You can imagine his surprise as Izumi stopped in front of her house and held the front gate open for him.

"Come on. You must be hungry."

Edward quickly walked past her, wondering what was going to happen next. He stopped on the other side of the front gate and waited until she passed through and closed it behind her. He then proceeded to follow her into the house.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Izumi sat back and watched as one of her apprentices eagerly devoured the food in front of him. As he began to slow down, Izumi leaned foward, looking Edward sternly in the eyes.

"Now. Tell me everything."

Edward swallowed the last of his roll. He knew this was coming. Yet a part of him was hoping he could avoid this conversation. That though was unlikely. Letting out a sigh, Edward pushed his plate away from him and began to tell his Sensei about his mission and what he had to do.

"I was given orders by the military to help with the investigation on Hoenheim Elric, my father. Apparently he is wanted for questioning for the murder of four military officers. I am to research the given data on him and proclaim my view on the manner. Also I am, I believe, suppose to track down and find my father and bring him to the authorities to stand trial. If he is indeed guilty, then I will more then likely have to pass judgement on him. Sensei, I am not given a choice in the manner. Somehow, the military knows about our secret. They know about Al. And if I do not cooperate and do as they say, they'll ship him off to some lab. And I can't, no, I won't let that happen. He is my brother, my responsibility. And I'll do what is necessary to protect him and return him to normal."

Edward looked up at his Sensei, his eyes full of determination, guilt and sorrow. He noticed she had the same look as he did. After a few moments of silence, Izumi finally spoke up.

"Just tell me, Edward. How far do you actually plan on going? Will you go to the lengths of sentencing your father to death if it comes to that?"

Edward thought for a moment, contemplating on his decesion.

"If it comes to that...then yes."

Slowly getting up from the table, Izumi sighed clearly showing her disaproval.

"I thought I trained you better then that."

Edward looked down, avoiding her look, ashamed. He knew he was going against her teachings. Against everything she had taught him on alchemy. On life. But sometimes, he knew, some rules, teachings were meant to be bent a few to be broken in order to obtain what is needed. After all, that was the first law of alchemy. Equivalant Exchange: to obtain something, something of equal value must be lost. It was a fair trade, wasn't? Hearing that sigh, though, he wasn't so sure anymore.

"Sensei, I'm sorry. But I don't see any other options. I have to do this."

Getting up from the table, Edward, grabbed his coat.

"I've wasted enough time. I need to get back to my mission before the militay gets wind that I went off course. Again I'm sorry Sensei, and thank you."

Edward replied, quickly walking out of the house.

Heading back to the train station, something, or someone caught Edward's eye that once again caused him to vender of course. He frowned as he followed the individual through the crowded streets into a dark, desolate alley

"You have a LOT of explaining to do!"

Edward stated, his eyes narrowing watching the man in front of him. He could feel the years of neglect and anger begin to boil up inside of him. He felt his entire body shake.

The man slowly turned around, his arms raised in a sort of surrender. Edward frowned slightly, puzzled by this but didn't think twice about it. He smiled a sad, tired smile.

"So you've finally caught up have you?"

"What the hell? You have a lot of nerve old man! Damn you! After all of these years! You act like it was some sort of game! Do you realize the hell you put mom and Alphonse through? What you put ME through? Mom died waiting for you! You bastard!"

Edward gritted his teeth tightly, years of holding his thoughts and feelings on his father came pouring out. He watched as his father, slowly put his arms down. Then reached back to his back pocket and pulled out a small pistol. Edward's eyes widened as his father pointed the pistol at him.

"Do you actually think I would allow you to get away with it?"

His father replied before pulling the trigger.

To Edward, it felt as if time had slowed down. He could perfectly see the bullet exit the pistol, spinning it's way towards him. There was no way he had enough time to dodge it or transmute something for protection. He felt it enter his body, the burning sensation as the bullet penetrated his skin. Slowly digging itself into him. For a brief moment he felt numb. Then the pain hit. Edward fell backwards, off balance from the shot. He laid there on the ground, feeling the blood slowly pour out of his wound. He looked up at his father in disbelief. His father had already turned his back to him and was walking out of the alley as if nothing had happened.

Edward closed his eyes for a brief moment, swallowing hard, feeling nauceous. It would of been so easy to just give up and die right there in that alley. But Edward knew he had unfinnished business to attend to. A promise he still had to keep. Although now, it seemed hard to do. Forcing himself to his feet, Edward staggered out of the alley and slowly made his way through the crowd. He looked at them with pleading eyes, his front soaked in blood. But the people just ignored him. A few even quickly went to the other side of the street. No one wanted to get involve. Edward felt angry. This motivated him slightly. But only for a brief moment as he felt his legs give out from under him. Sinking to the ground, Edward felt his head begin to swim and vision begin to blur. Slowly falling to the ground, he faintly thought he heard his name.

"EDWARD!"

It was Izumi, even though she disaproved of her student, she had come to the station to see him off. She had almost began to think she had missed him and was just about to head on back home when she heard a moan from behind her. Spinning around, she watch, horrified as Edward sank to the ground, blood dripping from his front, soaking his shirt. Acting quickly, Izumi darted foward and caught Edward before he fell completely to the ground.

"Edward! What happened?"

She asked, slightly shaking him trying to force him to stay awake.

Edward looked up at her, he swallowed hard.

"It was...my...father..."

He some how manage to reply before his world went dark.

TO BE CONTINUED!

KANATASHA: (Evil laughter) A cliff hanger! And a major one at that! Will Edward die? Why did his father shot him? And was that actually his father? Only reviews will tell. I love being evil!