We Go Together

Dublith and its Beasts

I'm woken up by a hand shaking me gently. 

"Alice?" Alphonse says. 

I open my eyes and yawn, then I put myself together. We've probably already arrived at Dublith. Winry went back to Resembool already, so now it's just us three again.

"Morning, boys," I say. "We're here?"

"Yeah," Edward replies. I notice he's gently stroking my hand. I smile at him and then we get up.

We grab our things and head out through the town. It looks like a calm town, let's just hope it stays that way. Edward and Alphonse say things about their teacher and how tough she always was, but how she taught them really well, until we arrive at a butcher's shop with a big sign outside that says "MEAT". After knocking the door, a big man with a butcher knife with blood on it comes out at us. In fear, we jump back.

But then, a woman with dark hair and pitch black, small eyes comes out and literally kicks Edward's face and sends him off flying. I'd get angry, but this woman is just the way they described her. And if she's the one who taught them, then I do have some respect for her already.

"You idiot!" She yells, then she looks at Alphonse. "You've grown taller, Al!"

As Alphonse stretches his hand to her, she pulls him and throws him to the ground. "Never let your guard down." And finally, she looks at me. "And who are you?"

"Alice Blackburn," I stand straight and reply nicely. "Pleasure to meet you."

She examines me. "Pleasure is mine. I'm Izumi Curtis."

Edward comes back looking shocked, but unharmed. Then we go inside the shop to a more home-looking place and sit down at a table.

"What have you gotten into lately?" Izumi asks.

"We're looking for a Philosopher's Stone," Edward replies honestly.

"Oh," she replies. "I know of someone who had some information on that. His name is Hohenheim."

Edward gets an angry expression on his face and struggles to keep it in.

"Ed?" I ask. "What's wrong?"

"Do you know this man?" Izumi asks.

"That man is our father," Alphonse replies.

"And that means that bastard is still alive," Edward replies.

Then I understand. I understand it completely. I've felt that type of hate towards a person before. Well, towards two people.

"Huh," Izumi replies. "Well I'll understand if you don't want to hear word about him. Anyway, we should have dinner, alright?"

So we all help get food on the table, and while we eat, Alphonse starts to tell Izumi and Sig about the delivery in Rush Valley, and he tells the story very happily. Then comes night-time and Izumi prepares a separate room for me to sleep in. Before I go to sleep, Edward walks me to the room.

"She seems nice," I say.

"Yeah?" He asks. "You really should have seen her since we first started training with her..."

I chuckle. "Yeah, but look where you got with her teachings."

He smiles. "I guess you're right."

Edward takes me in his arms and hugs me tightly. I hug him back and we pull apart slightly, so that he can kiss my lips softly and tenderly. I kiss him back and hug him again.

"Sleep tight," he says.

"You too," I reply.

We let go and smile at each other, and then I get into the little room and crawl into bed.