Those with Sparks in Their Eyes: A FMA(B) FanFic

Chapter Three: Alchemist or Liar?

I watched as they both sauntered back into the room. I know they were talking about me, and not in a good way. But still...I wonder what Ed meant about me 'finding out' about Al. It seems like we both have secrets to hide. Ed is the first to speak.

"So, Leah is it? Where are you from?"

"A small town in the West. I'm not used to being so far East. Everything is so different." I reply.

"Different how?"

"I guess the people are a lot different. They're a bit more....open, then in the East than in the West."

"So what's your last name?"

"Sparks."

"So why come this far East? Do you have family out here or something?" Al asks.

This question makes me flinch. I grit my teeth. Now they're both being nosy. Do I lie? Or will they see through it, and raise there suspicions?

"No. I'm just here as a student." I say. It's not really a lie.

"You don't look like you packed too much for a long stay." Says Al.

"I'll be okay." I walked around the bed to my small bag I've packed. Both of them are looking at me. Do they notice my limp?

"I don't believe you." says Ed.

Crap! My fists clench.

"Excuse me!?"

"It doesn't add up. You say your an alchemy student, but won't show us, you don't pack much, and you've come this far East just to study? I think there are more alchemy teachers in the West."

"I heard about Izumi! I came because she's a great teacher!"

"True. But if you were her student, she wouldn't let you call her by her first name."

"And who the hell are you to say so! Damn. I just get here and now I'm being interrogated."

"Well you could come clean with us. Then the questions would stop."

"Who do you think you are! I came here to study, nothing more! Just ask Izumi!"

Fed up, and with my cover almost blown, I storm out of the room, Izumi looks like she'll say something but doesn't. I march through the house and out the door.

* *

"Wait! We didn't mean to!" I start but Leah slammed to door. Brother sure has a way of making people upset.

"LISTEN UP!" The voice of Teacher chills me and I turn towards her.

"Teacher! What is she doing here, I mean really!" Brother says.

"Studying alchemy, like she said."
She replied

"I know that's not true!" Leave it to Brother to argue with Teacher. "If she really is studying alchemy, can you get her to show us?"

"No! She's just grasping the basics."

"So out of the blue she just decides to become an alchemist and travel half way across the country to do so?!"

Brother really is hard headed.

"You idiots! It's far fetched but it's true! Edward Elric, you will leave that girl alone! That goes for you too, Alphonse! She's already been through hell, and you don't need to make it worse."

Brother still isn't convinced, there still isn't any solid evidence to prove Leah's story.

* *

I can't believe those two. What right do they have to poke around in my business. Well, Izumi's on my side. I was hoping they wouldn't be so sharp, they came close to figuring it out.

I'm glad I took this walk. It's good for me to cool down. I've been out for a while so maybe they've forgotten all about it.

Alchemy is only half the reason I came to Dublith, so I wasn't lying to them. I made a promise, one I intended to keep. Part of me wonders what I'll do afterwards though. I've spent a few years chasing this, so what happens after? Maybe I'll get a job and repay Izumi and Mr. Sig for taking me in. I learned a bit of mechanics, but nothing major. It might be enough to get an apprenticeship.

Huh? Something caught my eye. I saw something, someone, scaling the wall of the building behind me. Must be my imagination. I haven't been sleeping too well lately.

I turn around and keep walking.
What! I think I just saw it again. Ug. I better get back to Izumi's before I really start hallucinating.

I open the front door to see Ed and Al waiting in the living room of the house. They both looked defeated. Did Izumi give them a lecture? Izumi stand behind them both.

"Well boys, anything to say?" She says, bear-like.

"Sorry." Ed says, without even looking at me.

"We shouldn't have been so rude." Says Al.

Izumi really did save me. I need to thank her afterwards.
"Um...no. I mean....thanks. I'm sorry too. I over reacted."

I can see they still don't buy my story. Why would they? I'm not a believable liar. How long will they be here. I know they're smart, so it won't take long for them to see right through me. I don't like lying, it's how I was raised. Yet I somehow manage to spit out lie after lie, more and more often. Once I get this problem resolved I won't have to.

"Alright. Now that you've all made amends, lets have dinner. Leah, can you help me out with this?" Izumi says, and for once, with a smile.

"Yeah." I reply, also with a smile no one has seen for a while.