AN: Wooo, another update. Thank you everyone who reviewed and I apologize ahead of time if there's stupid errors in it, because its one in the morning and I really wanted to post it XD There's a small part in here that my friend suggested I add, so if something seems a little off, it's probably that part. He also came up with the chapter title, so kudos to him. Anywho, I'll stop wasting your time, enjoy ^^

IronClaw Alchemist -26- Unwelcome Memories

Time always seem to slow down when you're waiting for something and today was no exception. While Winry and her grandmother worked on my automail, the brothers and I headed outside for some fresh air with the Rockbell's dog, Den. It sounded like a good idea at first, until you take into consideration that I was part cat. The only good thing about the situation was that Den was a well trained and older dog. Though, if I got too close to her, she would growl lowly at me. With that being the case, I kept my distance. I was, however, intrigued that the black and white lab mix had an automail leg. I didn't even know it was possible for animals.

"Ed, put me in front of her."

Both brothers seemed surprised by my instruction.

"Seriously?" Ed asked.

I nodded. "Just do it."

He sighed and placed me on the grass, instantly receiving a warning growl from Den. I didn't move though, determined to get on good terms with the dog.

"Riku, maybe you shouldn't..."

I held up my hand to quiet him and turned to Den, looking her in the eyes. She tilted her head in confusion, but kept eye contact with me. I wasn't exactly sure why animals responded to this, but if it worked, I didn't care.

After a few minutes, I lifted my hand for her to smell. Unfortunately the invitation was premature and Den ended up clamping her teeth around my hand.

I flinched in surprise, but kept my eyes on hers.

"R-Riku are you okay?" Al asked in a panic.

Ed stepped forward quickly. "Of course not! Den let go of-"

"Just wait," I ordered.

Ed backed off hesitantly and eventually, Den released my hand and lowered her gaze.

A smile formed on my lips and I patted her head. "Attagirl."

Ed shook his head slowly and chuckled. "Now that that's settled, can we do something? I'm bored."

I sighed. "Sorry I'm short a leg."

Of course I wasn't actually sorry... Well, completely sorry, but the comment was to be more or less sarcastic.

It made Ed quiet though and he sat up beside me. "I wasn't blaming you..."

I shrugged, full well knowing he wasn't. "I know."

Al chuckled, looking up at the sky. "Why don't you go visit mom?"

Ed's gaze seemed distant at the suggestion, but Al didn't back down. "It's been a while since we paid our respects."

I stayed quiet and glanced between the two of them. It looked as if Ed was ready to snap at Al at any given moment so when he stood up suddenly I couldn't help but be on edge.

Thankfully I was just over thinking things and Ed simply stretched nonchalantly.

"I guess it's about time I go visit." He gave me a soft smile. "Want to come with me Riku?"

I hadn't expected him to ask and my reaction portrayed that perfectly. Al even seemed surprised by the invitation.

"Uh... Wouldn't you rather just go with Al...?"

He shook his head so I turned to Al for his opinion, but he just did the same as his brother.

"You two should definitely go together. I'll go later." For some odd reason, I could picture a huge grin on Al's lips- err, helmet.

"Alright then..."

Once I had given the 'okay', Ed picked me up in his arms and started walking away from the Rockbell house.

"I would have expected you to want to go on your own," I commented.

He chuckled softly. "I normally do."

I tilted my head in confusion. "What's so different this time?"

"You."

I blinked, not sure how to respond. "Me?"

"Yup. She'd love to meet you."

I smiled softly and nodded. It was a good enough reason for me.

Along the way, we stopped to pick some flowers to place by his mother's grave.

"I always bring these one's for her. They were her favourite." A soft smile made its way onto his lips.

"I can see why. They're beautiful and they smell really good."

He chuckled at my observation and lifted one of the flowers to his nose before slipping it behind my ear. I couldn't help the blush that spread across my cheeks.

"I think we have enough now," he declared, holding the bunch in front of me.

I nodded and took them to free his hands. Once he had me in his arms, he continued down a path and over a hill where the gravesite was. It was a fairly small area with gravestones lined up evenly in rows. When we got there, Ed walked almost methodically as he made his way through the tombstones before turning to one slowly. He stood by it for a short while before lowing himself to the ground, keeping me in front of him as we sat down.

I placed the flowers at the base of the gravestone and leaned back against his chest, his arms instantly snaking around my waist.

"What was she like...?"

I kept my voice low. I couldn't help but be cautious with the question. I wasn't quite sure if it would upset him or not. That's the last thing I wanted to do.

His hold on me tightened and he rested his chin on my shoulder.

"She had soft brown hair and emerald green eyes. Al and I always did alchemy for her praises, it would always make her happy and when she was happy, we were too."

He smiled at the memory. It was nice to see how he remembered her with such fondness and love.

I smiled and turned to kiss his cheek. "She sounds like a wonderful person. I'm sure she'd be proud."

I felt his cheeks heat up. "Thanks Riku."

I smiled. "Anytime."

We fell silent for a short while, my next question lingering on my tongue. I wanted to ask about their home, the one they grew up in, but judging by the way he reacted earlier, it was another touchy subject. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me. Though, curiosity did kill the cat- as far as the saying goes.

"What about you're house...? You said you don't have one anymore..."

He stayed quiet for a moment, but it felt like forever. It wasn't something that he wanted to talk about openly, so maybe I was just pushing my curiosity where it shouldn't be.

"Sorry... I shouldn't have brought it up."

He shook his head slowly and placed his left hand over my own.

"We haven't told very many people about it. It's just not that important really..."

I kept quiet and nodded, letting him continue if he wished to.

"Human transmutation is a forbidden science and we didn't know what the future had in store for us. All we knew was that there was no turning back." He paused and I felt him watch me to judge my reaction, but I kept a straight face. "On the day we left, we burnt down the family home, and all the familiar things inside... Because some memories aren't meant to leave traces."

I lingered on the thought, my mouth not giving my mind time to hold back my response.

"Memories of the transmutation, or your mother...?"

I know I was out of line for asking, but I couldn't help it.

His whole body went rigid and his hand clenched around mine. I knew he wouldn't answer my question, so I continued.

"She wouldn't want you to forget her, no one would. Wouldn't it have been better to keep those memories and cherish them? Sure, there were memories anyone would want to forget, but the good out ways the bad. You had those reminders, yet you threw them away."

Maybe I only felt this way because I don't have a home or memories to return to, but I couldn't imagine what it'd be like to have them, then erase them. I wasn't going to sugar coat my thoughts, nor hold them back.

Silence lapped over us once more, only broken by Ed's soft, yet cynical chuckling. I was confused and now slightly concerned.

"You can see right through me, huh?"

I blinked, unsure how to respond.

"Usually no one looks past my reasoning and I just get sympathetic looks, but you didn't fall for it." He chuckled again, a small smile tugging on his lips. "You're an interesting girl alright."

My eyes narrowed on him. "What's that supposed to mean...?"

"It's a good thing." He grinned teasingly before becoming serious once more. "Thanks for telling me that, I appreciate the honesty."

I smiled softly and leaned towards him, placing my lips against his.

.

Back at the house, we were immediately greeted by Winry. It almost looked as if she was about to burst with excitement.

"We're all set to go."

I nodded. "Let's get started then, shall we?"

I looked up at Ed, who was giving me an odd look. Something along the lines of pity... Or was it worry? I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

"Ed, can you bring her to the backroom?"

He nodded and did what he was told, placing me back on the cool medical table. He didn't back up afterwards though, just kept in front of me, his hand around mine.

"I'll be fine Ed." I put my hand over his reassuringly. "If you can do it, I can too."

He didn't respond right away, instead, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. As soon as he parted and left the room, I instantly missed his presence.

"Whenever you're ready, we can start," Winry informed.

I nodded, eager to get it over with. "Then let's get started."

The blond left the room quietly and closed the door behind him. As much as he wanted Riku to be able to be independent, he didn't want her to go through all the pain involved. Sure, she had always sugar coated everything that happens to her by saying she's had worse, but he wasn't convinced it was good enough. Just because someone's 'had worse' doesn't mean she still had to feel pain. Physical pain or emotional. He knew she was still hurting inside. She just didn't know he did.

"I can tell you're worried about her, brother, but she'll be fine."

Edward looked up at his younger brother, but chose to stay quiet.

"It's a nice side of you to see though."

A slight twitch of his eyebrow alerted Al of Ed's displeasure.

"You say it as if you don't see it often." His eyes narrowed and the younger brother rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"You can't really deny it brother..."

"Of course I can! I care about lots of people!"

Al sighed. "Well, you don't make friends very easily..." He lifted a finger as he continued the list. "You have been called antisocial before... And there was that time-"

"Okay, okay. I get it," Ed admitted reluctantly. He ran his fingers through his bangs, his gaze towards Al, but not seeing him. "But this time is different. She's different."

Al nodded his head happily and sat against the wall, but Ed stayed standing beside the door. He had decided that if he couldn't be right there with her, he'd stay as close as he could.

Just as Ed opened his mouth to say something, Riku whimpered from the other room, making his whole body tense. In all the time he's known her, she's done everything in her power to keep from showing pain. It made him believe that she couldn't be hurt, that he didn't have to worry about her. But hearing her whimper in pain shattered that belief- and it scared him.

"Don't worry brother, she'll be okay," Al reassured.

Ed let his body relax. "Yeah..." He pensively looked down at his automail hand and tightened it into a fist. "You'll be okay. I promise..."

FN: I have no idea where all that touchiness came from when they were talking, but I'm pretty happy with it, lol. Make sure to review and let me know how I'm doing, or if you want to see anything specific happen in later chapters. ^^