The Warm Ice Alchemist

Chapter 4

Leaving Home - Ai Fukui (Part 1)

The police spoke to us at the station, after we were suspected to be the cause of our grandmother's death - which we were, but it wasn't intentional - and they were not happy. They told us that they'd give us one more chance to make a good impression for a, possible, future family, but only if we keep our last family intact; after that, if we end up scaring away or killing or being kicked out of their care, then they will have no choice but to close our case and let us take care of ourselves. Of course, there is always a problem.

However, Ai Fukui, our last guardian, was a lovely woman. She was also the best friend of our mother, but after she passed away, Ai didn't make anymore contact with our family, but she was happy to take us in. The police informed her of our practice of alchemy, and the effects of it, but she did not mind, "I like a challenge." She had stated. She also confessed that she had been interested in alchemy before, and even attempted to get into it, but future plans overtook her practices.

The only reason she was our last guardian was... because... well, see for yourself...

*****

April 13th, Saturday Night.

I lay on my bed, with Maiha sleeping opposite the room in her bed, and I thought about how well we do when we are not taken care of: we manage to get along with life better when we use our initiatives, and our alchemy. Yes, using alchemy does end up making us lose our families, but it makes us think; and it exposes the side of people others don't see behind closed doors.

For example, our father: he seemed like he had his life all in place after our mother died, but with our alchemy it revealed the madness that had been brewing up inside of him, and the harm he could have inflicted on those who mentioned just a single word related to our mother.

Aunt Kita: she did take us in, and yes, she was a great mother, but if she truly cared for us then she would have forgiven us for the accidents we caused. Anyway, it wasn't intentional, it was only an act of love for our young cousin, and if she had known that, and actually thought about us in a motherly way, then she would have had a change of heart.

Finally, grandmother: she didn't care for Maiha and I, at all. She only cared for herself, and her jailed son. She was never there for him when mother died, so why she begrudged us baffles me completely. We exposed the truths and lies of our family, and she did not like it, one bit. The only thing alchemy did to reveal her true self, was to show the police the amount of expensive jewelry she had, all to the same description as those that had been stolen by father from Miss Hayashi's shop. She was just as bad as him, and it makes me wonder if she taught him how to be so false.

Ai Fukui, on the other hand, is just like mother, in more ways than one: she has her same red hair, just like Maiha's; my mother's gold eyes, just like mine; and the same sweet personality, just like mother. The only thing that differs from her, is the fact that her hair is curly, not straight like my sister's and mine, and she is an only child. If Ai had any siblings, at all, I would have thought mother would be her sister - and I would love to have Ai as an aunt.

I looked to the other side of the room, and stared out of the window, grinning uncontrollably; then a tear fell onto my pillow. I didn't frown, or sob, it was happiness, and the beautiful and bright stars set my tranquility alight - I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

April 14, Sunday Morning.

"Girls! Girls! Wake up!" Ai exclaimed, charging through the door. My heart dropped as the door hit the wall, right near the bottom of the bed: I thought there was an earthquake.

"What?" Maiha asked, sitting up, wide eyed and completely awake, but still a little drowsy, "What is it?"

"You'll never guess what!" She screamed, jumping up and down in excitement, "You'll wet yourselves when I tell you!"

"What is it?!" I demanded, tired and frustrated; I rubbed my eyes with the fists of my hands, and yawned so long I thought my mouth would stay open forever.

Ai took in a deep breath, clenched her hands, and scrunched up her eyelids, "The Fullmetal Alchemist is coming to town!"

*****

After Ai announced the unbelievable news, my sister and I jumped out of bed and dressed as fast as we could. We ran out of the house and made way for the town center, where the Fullmetal Alchemist was supposed to be visiting, and Ai accompanied us.

*****

April 14th, Late Sunday Morning.

Maiha, Ai and I clawed through the sea of townspeople, who had gathered around a fountain to watch The Fullmetal Alchemist perform his alchemy, "Excuse me." I asked, as I squeezed through two, extremely, rude citizens, "Sorry, sir." I apologized, softly.

I suppose he didn't hear my apology and attempt at being polite, because of the sounds of transmutation and people expressing their amazement, and the man beside me sighed, angrily,"Stupid kids." He said under his breath.

I stopped and looked at him through my brown, sweaty hair, which covered my eyes, "Oi, Mister!" I shouted, tapping him on the shoulder, as the crowd suddenly silenced, circling the man and me, leaving a large gap for a fight they awaited to see, "I'm not a stupid kid," I paused as I thought of a way to prove to him that I wasn't an inconsiderate child, who climbs over crowds and kicks their shins. I took a quick breath, "I am an alchemist!" I pointed to my sister, "And so is my sister!"

Maiha's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment, and she lowered herself to hide, "Harumi, stop. You're going to get us into trouble." She asked me, whispering, cautiously.

"Oh, really?" The man questioned, ignoring Maiha, aggressively, "Then let me see some th-"

"Quiet!" A deep, but slightly high, voice ordered. The crowd dispersed into two sections, and left a walkway for the source of the voice to enter; I looked and, surprisingly, it was The Fullmetal Alchemist, himself.

When he approached me I bowed in respect, and peered through my dangling hair that covered my face, "Hello, Fullmetal Alchemist."

I peered back up to see his face, and he seemed pleased to be recognised as the real alchemist, and not the brother, who had stood behind him. Maiha and Ai ran to my sides, and Ai startled him after the long pause, "Wow! It's the Fullmetal Alchemist!" The Fullmetal Alchemist smiled, and his eyes sparkled in happiness, "I am so glad to finally meet you, sir!" She balled, approaching him, and shaking his hand, vigorously. She let go of his hand and looked over him, confused, "However, I did expect you to be taller."

The Fullmetal Alchemist's face changed from happy to angry, in a split second, "What?!" He screamed.

*****

To be continued...