Disclaimer: I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist characters. I own my original characters.

Special Thanks: SierraMisha, Fabi Washu, Corruption Glare, and Shadow Dreamer 27

Authors Note: Chapter may be slightly AU depending on how you want to look at when and how Roy and his comrades met and how and when they honed their alchemy skills. This chapter is 12 yrs ago and Roy is 18 at the time and is just starting out his examinations and training. His rank is Private Mustang.

Laiba is pronounced as Lie-ba.

Chapter 2 - The Beginning

Twelve Years Ago

They all stood in a line; their postures straight and unflinching they yelled, "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" to every question thrown their way. This was their training. This was their profession. There were some that wanted out once they were done with school and their examinations. However, Private Mustang knew that this would be his profession for life and so, he tried his best at training. His determined eyes set across the obstacle course. However, this was no normal obstacle course. Objects were thrown your way and you had to use your intelligence to make your way through.

You had to use alchemy.

Private Mustang gritted his teeth and saw that a metal disc was heading his way. With a mere snap of his gloved fingers, he watched as it melted in a puddle upon the grass. Alchemy was the ingredient and sheer determination was Roy Mustang's drive. His determination was the ambition that made him strive towards his goal. "I have to acheive this," Roy thought as he ran through the obstacle, "I have to get out on the other side. I have to win."

Soon, he came to the clearing and all was done. The examination was over. In spite of that, this was not the final examination. He trudged his way through the field and made his way back towards the building. He did not mind the attention, in fact, he found that he quite liked it. However, he did not want to be known as popular. He wanted to be taken a bit more seriously than just a boy that had flame at his fingertips. As he trudged up the stairs towards the training room, he found that there were whispers and murmurs. He stopped when he heard the word flame, however, he did not turn around. When the whispering stopped; he continued his walk and opened the door to the training room. Much to his chagrin, he found that it was occupied already by a rather studious young girl. He sat further down and threw his books upon the table in a large clutter. He did not notice that the girl had looked up at him in annoyance.

"If I don't try my best," Roy thought as he placed his feet upon the chair opposite him, "I won't become the best. No." He shook his head, "I am the best." He leaned his arm upon the desk as he read up on alchemy books. He looked up again at the rather shy girl. She was reading her book from far across the room. He squinted as he tried to see what title book she was reading. However, she was too far away from him. He looked back down at the passage and read softly to himself, "Alchemy and flame..." He turned the book over and read the title to himself, "The Flame Connection." He sighed and rested his arms upon the table again. Restlessly, he looked back at the book and flipped back to the passage, "Alchemy and flame are..." He yawned and closed the book, for, he disliked having to train on what he already knew. He paused and looked back at the girl. Her blonde hair was in place perfectly with the help of one clip placed at the nape of her neck. She did not have any make-up on her face.

Roy turned around to see if his mentor had left the room. He opened the book again, however, to a different passage. In the spine, he had placed a letter from his father. He had not opened it yet; fearing the consequences. However, slowly, he lifted the envelope with his gloved fingers and observed the envelope. He scoffed, "What am I afraid of? I'm a Mustang. We fear nothing."

A small smile appeared upon his features as he looked down upon his left hand where his ring finger was. Though concealed by his glove, he wore the ring proudly. Quietly, he opened the letter, however, the girl looked up at him with her sharp eyes. Roy held his finger up to his lips, "Sssh." The girl rolled her eyes and looked back down at her book. Roy looked back down at his letter and his smile vanished.

Dear Roy,

How are your studies going? By the looks of it, everything is going well as I presume. We are very glad to have you carry the torch for the Mustang family name.

However, we have asked your mentor, Melina, to let you off for a day. You have been working too hard and you have proved it as she has told us time and time again. However, urgency, calls you back home.

Sincerely,

Mr. Mustang

Roy shoved the letter back into the envelope with a small smile and thought about his father and his mother. For, he missed them very much. But, his brow furrowed, for, his father did not acknowledge why he was taking him out during his final examinations. "What urgency," Roy mouthed to himself.

The girl looked up at him again, "What is that smell?" She hesitated and then nodded towards the letter; which was now in flames. She calmly returned to her studies as though such a case happened daily in her life.

Roy looked down and saw that the letter was in flames. He threw the letter upon the ground and stamped out the flames with his heavy black boots. He picked up the remnants of the letter and sighed for only one word remained; "Urgency."

"Look at this," an enthusiastic voice rang out, "This is my parents and I just before I left for training. This is me boarding the train and this is me in front of the building."

Roy looked up and saw that there were three pictures less than an inch away from his nose. His eyes widened and he replied, "Good. Great. Nice."

"I'm Private Maes Hughes," the enthusiastic man spoke as he extended his hand.

"Private Roy Mustang," Roy shook Hughes' hand.

Private Hughes turned towards the girl with hawk-like eyes, who was now looking up at them. "I'm sorry," Private Hughes shook his head, "Did you want to see the pictures too?"

The girl smiled, "Sure."

She took the pictures in her hands and observed them in great detail much like a bird observing its prey. Hughes watched in confusion, for, she actually took time to look at the pictures. She smiled at one picture, "I like this picture. The one with your family." She handed the pictures back to Private Hughes, "By the way, my name is Private Riza Hawkeye."

"I'll keep that in mind," Roy found himself saying though he knew not why he said that. "What did I say that for," Roy thought to himself, "Was I trying to start a conversation?"

Riza picked up her books and walked out of the room without looking back; leaving Hughes and Roy in the room. "What happened to that letter," Hughes asked as he sniffed, for, the scent of the burning letter still lingered in the air. "I saw it flame up from the other side of the room."

"Yeah," Roy looked down at the word urgency and sighed.

---

According to Melina's instructions, Roy was to wait outside the train station with her. Roy thought that Melina was an excellent teacher. However, she kept on training him on what he already knew. He thought of training with her as a vacation, for, the work she gave him and the examinations were finished with ease.

Melina looked down at her watch, "Your father is rather late."

Roy did not respond.

Melina sighed, "I shall have a word with him upon the matter. However, do continue your studies. Next week is the final examination."

"It doesn't matter. You don't need to speak to him." Roy nodded solemnly, "I know that he's late. He's got a good reason."

Roy noticed his father walking towards him and soon waved good-bye to Melina. "I will see you next week," Melina smiled at him, "And don't worry, you will do well."

Roy nodded to assure Melina of her comment. However, he was not worried about the examination. He was worried about the urgency of his father's letter. As he walked towards his father, he noticed that his father was not alone. A rather large party of his parents friends were there to meet him.

Roy whispered to his father, "What's wrong? I haven't finished my final examination yet."

"Laiba is ill." His father whispered, "I think that your leave has taken a toll on her. Perhaps, you should visit more."

Roy did not respond. However, the idea of coming home to their warm cottage and the warmth of his own bed was enough to make him agree with his father. "I wish I could visit more," Roy found himself oddly replying to his father. "I need to pass my exams. I want to make sure that I am the best at what I need to do."

"Roy," his father stopped and looked at him, "you have always been."

---

Laiba reminded Roy much of a baby bird that was still learning to fly and though she was eighteen years of age; she was rather naive. Roy smiled as soon as he saw her, however, she did not look herself. "Hi," she smiled brightly.

They both sat across from each other in the sitting room and as Laiba picked her tea cup up from the table. Roy noticed that there was a change in Laiba. She seemed more pallid than usual and her face seemed smaller for some reason. He noticed that it seemed as though her hands were shaking. It seemedas though she were cold, however, the cottage was warm.

Roy looked at her in confusion, "My father said you were ill."

Laiba looked down, "Yes, I was. It came and went. What's wrong?"

"Then," Roy asked, "why did he make a big deal about it?"

"I don't know." Laiba repeated, "What's wrong?"

Roy looked down and shrugged, "My father does not make a big deal out of everything, Laiba. He's a good man."

Laiba nodded as she secretly warmed her hands upon her teacup, "Yes, he is a good man."

"Yes," Roy looked down.

She found that Roy had put his gloves back on. She shook her head, "Not those silly things again."

Roy groaned, "They're not silly."

"I know." Laiba sighed, "But, they're dangerous. Do you have to wear them in front of me? I'm afraid you'll light something on fire and then the fire will spread and then --"

"You're paranoid."

"Yes, I am." Laiba took a sip from her teacup and blinked as though she had just become dizzy. Roy looked at her, "Something wrong?"

"No." Laiba shook her head, "What did your father say about you coming home for today?"

"He's proud of me." Roy looked back at her, "What is wrong?"

Laiba looked away, "How are your studies going?"

Roy took in a deep sigh, "Everything is going well."

"Good," Laiba smiled.

Roy snapped at the fireplace and watched as the logs crackled into a warm fire. Laiba dropped her teacup as it shattered upon the hardwood floor. Roy placed his gloves back into his coat pocket and smirked at Laiba. However, Laiba was too horrified to even think such a rash act was comical. Roy heard his father running down the stairs.

"What was that noise," Mr. Mustang asked in alarm.

Laiba stepped in, "Nothing. I just dropped my teacup. I --"

"I got startled," Mr. Mustang laughed. "I thought that something had happened to one of you."

"No, Mr. Mustang," Laiba weakly smiled, "we're fine."

Laiba watched as Mr. Mustang walked back into his study. "What possessed you to do such a thing," Laiba whispered once they were out of earshot.

"I don't know," Roy guiltily replied; though he knew what the real reason was. He was looking for some sort of change.

There was a long silence in which both of them looked as though they did not know what to say. However, Laiba turned when she heard a large thunder roll. Laiba looked out the window and smiled, "It's raining."

Roy's face contorted towards a look of sheer confusion. He disliked rain. It was cold and misty. There was always something about the mist in rain that Roy did not care for. He disliked the dark clouds. He disliked anything to do with rain.

"So," Roy said.

"I love the rain," she smiled up at him.

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