Chapter 177 - Ouroborus Tattoo Gang?

Miyuki watched the captured image of three people. In the picture were a sultry woman, a fat guy, and an androgynous male. What caught her, or rather the drone's attention was the Ouroboros mark on the woman's chest.

"So, the group, who is behind all this, have this Ouroborus tattoo?"

Tatsuya thought of Greed the moment this thought entered his mind.

"Maybe, that guy would have some answer for us?" Miyuki also knew what Tatsuya was thinking.

Tatsuya's gaze turned to Nina, who was eating her food with Alexander, "we can't keep her..."

Miyuki tucked her hair back with a sad smile, "I know..." with them, Nina would only be more dangerous, and most of the time, their hands would be tied.

"Izumi wouldn't mind taking care of her..."

"Yeah..."

"We don't have to do now...let's take a week off."

Miyuki and Tatsuya decided to take a week and spend it with Nina. A few things happened the next day; Ed and Al went back to Resempool to get repaired.

Although Tatsuya could transmute his hand for him, he chose not to. Even if he said Scar was a war potential, he was running wild. Ed and Al would only be in danger; this was a valid reason to make them get out of the town.

For their safety, Major Armstrong went with them.

For the next four days, Tatsuya and Miyuki spent all their time with Nina. Mustang came to talk with them sometimes; he wanted as much information as he could. Tatsuya was happy to provide it. He had made a few preparations during their travels, but with his powers, sealed...no amount of preparation was enough. There was also the fact that he stood no chance against the guy in the white space, even if somehow released his powers.

Nina was also asking to see her father. They could tell that she was starting to miss him.

No one was sure what was the right thing to tell the little girl. Maybe it was best if Izumi decided that.

On the evening of the fourth day, Mustang and Riza came to visit.

Mustang had a solemn look on his face as he sat down, "The Elric brothers and Major Armstrong found Doctor Marcoh."

"Who?"

"Doctor Marcoh was one of the prominent if not the most prominent Doctor in Ishval Civil War. I got Major Armstrong's report that Dr. Marcoh was the chief researcher behind philosophers' stone. He even gave the location of his notes to the brothers. They are on their way now." He was a bit excited, just a few days ago Tatsuya's information raised many questions. Who could have thought that in a few days, a person with more answers would appear.

"That's good news? Why do you look so worried?" Miyuki asked quizically.

Mustang took a deep breath as his eyes became even sharper, "It's in Central Library."

Tatsuya and Miyuki were taken aback, "that's troublesome!" They both said at the same time.

Mustang nodded, "now you understand... I can't leave here. I want the two of you to go to Central if possible."

Miyuki crossed her legs; Mustang didn't even need to make the request, "But, what do we do with Nina? We can't take her to Central. Even if we do...we can't leave her alone in our house."

"Can't you just take Ed and Al to your house? According to you...whatever that thing's its range is only Central City?"

Tatsuya looked towards Riza, "Can't do that...we are not sure how those people would react if they didn't know exactly what Ed and Al know."

"Right, maybe they might act more unpredictably if left in suspense, even come to doubt if we know about its presence." Mustang agreed with that.

"We can use it in our favor? Providing wrong information?"

Tatsuya scoffed, "maybe if it was anyone else. Ed's acting sucks."

Mustang let out a smile, "that is another thing we agree on."

"We need to make sure, non-alchemist don't hear anything about the research...that means warn Hughes to stay out of it. Us and Major Armstrong are fine. If we are attacked, we would at least have the chance to fight back."

"I have already warned him, with his nosy attitude, he would normally be the first one to jump in."

"We will make sure those kids don't get others involved by mistake."

"And Nina?" Miyuki asked again. If it was any other time, she would stay back. But, Tatsuya's eyesight depended on the glasses; just the thought of something happening to his glasses in the middle of the fight made shivers go down her spine.

Tatsuya glanced at Mustang before looking at Riza. Soon he shook his head, rejecting the idea.

Riza seemed to have noticed that and asked with a frown, "Not that I am asking to take care of the girl but what is wrong with me?"

Tatsuya peeked a glance at Mustang, "just the thought of you treating her like you treat Hayato makes me reject it. What if she refuses to eat? I can already imagine her and Alexander dodging your bullets the next second."

He shuddered just thinking about Nina making funny posses to dodge all the bullets in Riza's gun magazine.

Miyuki put a hand on her mouth to hide the gaping mouth; her eyes scrutinized Riza as if realizing what Tatsuya was saying was right.

Riza had a small blush on her face, "there is no way I would treat the little girl like that." She explained frantically.

Tatsuya and Miyuki watched her with eyes that told her they didn't believe her for a moment.

Mustang felt sweat go down his cheek just thinking about it. he coughed, "well...we could arrange something."

Tatsuya looked at Mustang with expecting eyes.

Mustang looked down, rubbing his chin. No one capable enough came to his mind, "Maybe Jean? His brother and sisters around Nina's age. He might be able to take care of her for a few days."

"It would be lucky if he didn't take Nina to dates with him." Miyuki rejected it right away.

Mustang let out a hollow laugh.

"Should we drop her at Hughe's... Elicia would also get some company?" Miyuki wondered, but the moment she said it, she rejected the idea, "or forget it."

Tatsuya looked at Mustang, "take care of her..."

"?? Me?" Mustang almost didn't shout out in surprise.

Miyuki's eyes darted between Mustang and Riza, "the two of you together? The Colonel could make sure Riza doesn't pull out a gun on Nina, and Riza can make sure Colonel is properly taking care of her?"

Mustang and Riza watched each other awkwardly. Mustang and Riza wanted to argue...but before that...

Tatsuya clapped his hand before they could reject, "we need to leave now...so take care of Nina."

Mustang finally sighed, "alright..." He needed them to go to Central. This was the least he could do.

"Are you going to adopt her?"

Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged glances, "No... We plan to ask a friend to take care of her."

Mustang knit his brow, "If you don't mind asking...who? You know she is my responsibility as well."

"Her name is Izumi, she is not only a state alchemist but also Ed and Al's teacher. She had always wanted a child...I don't think anyone would take care of Nina better than her and her husband. She is also strong enough to protect Nina from nearly any threat." Although he doubted Nina would be in any real threat, but who knows how the brain of those things worked.

Mustang let out a sigh of relief, "well... if you think so." He had to say he was impressed hearing about Izumi. If possible, he wanted to meet them.

Just the fact that she was Ed and Al's teacher was impressive. Moreover, Tatsuya seemed to acknowledge her strength. They could use any manpower that they could find.

That night, they left a crying Nina in Mustang and Riza's care. They took the train to Central. When they reached their home, Ed and Al were already asleep. Normally, Al wasn't able to sleep at first, but, Miyuki specially created an array for him that allowed him to feel he was dreaming and give a sense of sleep.

They had given the two of them keys, so they had a place to stay in Central if needed.

"Onii-sama, look at this," Miyuki called for Tatsuya as he was removing his shoes.

Tatsuya glanced over as Miyuki ran and sat beside him. On the remote monitor was the picture of a building burning down.

"Don't tell me..."

"Yes, that's Central Library," Miyuki told him.

Tatsuya narrowed his eyes, "send a few drones to Dr. Marcoh's village. Try and find him."

"You don't think?" Miyuki wondered the same thing as him.

"Maybe, those people are keeping a closer eye on Ed and Al than we thought." They couldn't keep the drones on those things for long. With their sharper senses, they might notice something gazing at them. That was why they couldn't keep a drone around Fuhrer. Even so, Tatsuya planted a few listening devices around Fuhrer and the places he liked to go to. They were much safer.

Since he was back home, he planned to create a program that allowed him to scan the audio for keywords in conversations.

Miyuki sent a few drones towards Marcoh's village.

The Next Morning,

After they woke up... the first thing Miyuki did was turn over and see what was at Marcoh's house. They only found bloodstains and sighs of little struggle but didn't find Marcoh's body.

"Send the drones to search across the whole village. If you find no dead body, it just means they took Marcoh with them."

This incident did give Tatsuya a few answers. Philosophers stones seemed to be more important than he thought to these people. Also, they were keeping close tabs on Ed and Al's journey. But, for some reason, they weren't killing them.

After few minutes, Miyuki shook her head, "I made the drones do a cursory search, but there is no dead body. I doubt it would turn up in a more thorough search."

Tatsuya raised his body and stood up, "Do a more thorough one; I'll make the breakfast and wake the boys up. Would you like something special?"

Miyuki looked up at him with a smile, "No...just the usual."