A/N In this chapter, there is an appearance of a new character you never expected. Or maybe you did, I don't know. Anyhow, just read it.

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, gimme' a break…

When Ed got up the next morning, the sun had already risen, bathing the land in light. Ed had gotten up and binged only twice last night, he figured he was doing pretty good for all the memories flowing back to him. His home, his beloved, and at the same time hated, home. He pulled on his pants and shirt and left his room for breakfast. Roy wasn't there when he woke up, he was probably already awake.

Winry came running up, heading Ed off as he went to the kitchen. "Ed, I've been looking for you," she started, "there's a… surprise for you in the kitchen, so be prepared. Granny set it all up last night it seems, so I didn't know until just now." Ed had no idea what to think, a surprise?

"Wow Winry, think you could be any more vague?" He asked sarcastically, as she led him into the kitchen.

"Hello Ed."

"T… Teacher?" Ed said, stunned, as he saw Izumi sitting at the table, sipping a cup of tea. "What, why… when did you get here?" He asked, sitting down across the table from her.

"This morning, I only just heard about Alphonse," She replied, stirring the tea leaves around in her cup, "you should have told me sooner."

"Yeah well, I've been pretty… busy lately." Ed served himself a couple sunny side up eggs with toast. He started to wolf it down, instinct taking over. Looking up, he saw Izumi staring at him, and realized how fast he was eating. Swallowing, he took as much control over himself as he could, taking smaller bites and chewing them thoroughly. "I haven't eaten anything since yesterday's breakfast, I," Ed explained, thinking quickly, "I, got motion sickness on the train."

"Take more then. I've already eaten, what have I told you about taking care of your body?" Izumi said, her demeanor was quite calm, but also quite grave.

"To train the mind you must train the body," Ed replied, dishing up more food, "I do my best. So, you're here for the funeral?"

"Yes, I was told it's today," she stated. Ed simply nodded.

"Do you know where Roy is?"

"The man who came with you? I think he left to go to town for something earlier this morning."

Ed got up. The funeral would be in a couple of hours, nothing was really set in stone. It was just the quiet gathering of family and friends, no one else had been invited. He piled more food onto his plate, before taking it and walking back to his room. If anyone were able to catch on to his habit, it would be her. Ed sat down on his bed, stuffing his face with food. It felt so good now, he couldn't believe he used to hate the burning of his throat, his watering eyes, it was all just another part of his routine now. Ed stopped eating for a moment, he was almost done. But his stomach was already churning, he could feel nausea swooping over him. Jumping up, he ran to the bathroom, the door was closed. "Hello?" he asked frantically, knocking on the door.

"I'm in here, just wait another minute or so," came Izumi's voice. Ed swallowed back the sick rising in his throat, if he could only keep it back a little longer he would be fine. Izumi opened up the door a little while later, but a moment too late. Ed was on his knees, his partially digested breakfast spilling across the laminate wood floor. "Ed?"

Ed felt relief washing over him, he was so soothed to be empty from the weight. But it was marred with panic, as Izumi came out. "I, I think I ate too much too quickly," Ed said nervously. "I'll lay down for a while, I want to feel well as I can during the… the funeral."

Izumi frowned, grabbing Ed's arm and pulling him up off of his knees. "That man, Colonel Mustang was it?" she asked. Ed nodded weakly, Izumi's grip was uncomfortably tight. "He said that you had been sick after the train ride. Are you sure you're alright?" Something in her voice was wrong. They both knew she was asking more than what she had said.

"I will be, I'm just tired, and haven't been well lately. It's nothing to worry about," Ed replied, as he tried to loosen her iron grip. His attempts all ended in vain.

"Ed, I'll help you back to bed," Izumi said, walking Ed back into his room. Ed was nervous; Izumi gently helped him into bed. "Winry!" Izumi yelled down the hall. A reply in the distance could be heard, before several moments later, Winry arrived at the door.

"Winry, Ed isn't feeling well. Do you think you could clean up the hallway?" Izumi asked calmly. "I'm going to see if I can figure out if he's eaten anything rotten lately that could have caused this, so please leave us alone for a while." Her voice was hard and determined, and Winry nodded in slight confusion. She closed the door and left to clean up. "Now Ed, down to business. Eaten anything bad?"

She pulled down the blankets in Ed's bed and pulled up his shirt. Ed didn't have time to stop her; all he could do is see what happened. His chest was muscular, but thin. Izumi could have counted his ribs with ease if she had wanted to, the thought and realization of her fears sickened her.

"I thought so, you've lost weight. There's no doubt about the fact that you've lost a lot of weight. Edward, I know what you're going through. You feel like your chest has been ripped open, and your heart has been torn out. Loss, and emptiness take over. And the worst feeling you can possibly have at this time, is also inevitable, and must be accepted. The fact that there is nothing you could have done then, and there is nothing you can do now. Go to the funeral, and take care of yourself, some day soon, someone will come into your life and once again give it meaning." Izumi got up and walked out the door, closing it gently behind her. The handle clicked and Ed simply sat to think about this. He could hear her outside the door, talking to Winry.

"He's got a bit of the flu, but he'll be fine after some rest," came Izumi's muffled voice. "Don't worry about it, I think he'll be fine in an hour or so, so we can still have the funeral."

Ed lay on his back staring at the ceiling. Thanks Izumi, he thought dully. Eaten anything bad lately? Not really, the only thing that had been bad was the incident. Al's death, it was too big of a pill for Ed to swallow, he couldn't take it. And he knew Izumi was right, the greatest factor that was eating away at him was that he could do nothing. No matter how smart he was, no matter how skilled, the universe had its own plans, and he could do nothing. Utter helplessness overcame him, unlike any before, and he pushed his face into his pillow. And he cried.

A/N I'm really tired, I'll update in a week or two. Also, my favorite hat is missing; if any of you have seen it, please tell me! As always, review and I will love you!