A/N: Alright, first chapter up! Please read and review, I would like to hear what you think, although it's going to take a while before the story takes onto the plot. Just a side note, I starting writing this in Al's point of view, but as you can see in the next chapter, I will change to Ed's. Throughout the story anyone could be telling the story, i'll make sure to tell you in some part of it.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or the Full Metal Alchemist, or any characters, etc...

Chapter One: Living the Curse of the Gate

Only a month had passed since Ed and Al had passed through the gate for the final time, now living with Noah in a small, one bedroom apartment. Things were extremely hard on the boys; Although Noah and Ed had found a small job, it worked the two of them crazy and paid horribly. Noah worked at an animal shelter near the apartment, as Edward worked in a tiny lab always studying. But he just used to lab, hoping maybe with the material he was given, to track down the bomb brought from the other side, or would help find an answer to somehow reach the other side of the gate once again. The three of them couldn't afford school for Al to continue his studies, however Al would travel to the library to study as much as he could for three hours each day.

The mornings were always the same; Alphonse would wake up first. They had a full size bed in the one bedroom, with a couch in the main room. Al and Noah always wanted Ed to use the bed, because he was always so tired, and always had trouble falling asleep on couch. Al would sleep with him on the bed some days, but on the days when Edward was exhausted, and needed as much sleep he could get, Al would sleep in the living room on the floor with piled blankets. Noah slept on the couch, as Al thought she needed the sleep more then himself, as well. Last night, Al had fallen asleep besides his brother; Not only had Ed been tired the night before, but also because he was a bit more depressed then his normal 'sulk'.

September 1924

My eyes slowly slid open, looking at the celling with a small fan circling us. I turned on my side toward Ed; He was on his side facing me, he had told me he never liked facing the wall when he slept, always the middle of the bed. His hair still in a lose pony tail from the day before, with many strands escaping from the tie stuck to his warm face, that pulled his hair back. His eyes closed gently, with his head only half on the pillow, the rest on his folded hands. Huge dark bags still under his eyes, smaller then yesterday, yet still pretty bad. I watched him breathe in and out steadily. If I were to let him, he probably could of slept for the entire day, and the following next three. I would wake up around seven in the morning everyday, and was Noah and brother's alarm clock really, since we couldn't afford our own. I sat up, peering outside looking at the sun to make sure it was time for my friends to wake up. It hurt me to have to wake both of them up at such an early hour, especially brother. I starred at him for a few minutes longer, giving him as long as I could to sleep, before reaching my hand over his shoulder and shaking him as gently as I could.

"Brother, it's time." I whispered. He didn't move. I repated the motion, talking a bit louder the second time. He had always been a heavy sleeper, but would wake quick. Slowly his eyes slid open, looking at his hands underneath his head. He moaned slightly, before asking, "Now?" in a soft, tired voice.

"Yes." I answered.

"Just a few more minutes, Al..." He barley whispered. It took me a few moments to realize what he had said; He spoke so softly, it was hard to hear him.

"Nah, you've better get up before your late again." I sat up, as he rolled on his back, eyes still closed as he stretched, then moaned again.

"What's wrong?" After a moment, he answered in a voice almost inaudible.

"My auto mail. My arm hurts..." I didn't know how to help that one. I stood up, dragging the blanket down to his waist.

"Five minutes." I told him walking out of the room, leaving the door open as light poured inside. I heard him roll back over to his side, pulling up the covers as I left the dark, cold room. Most of the time, Noah, like always would wake up to the sound of the bed rustling. When I reached the couch, her eyes were open, lost in thought. I touched her arm, as she nodded telling me she would be up in a second. I wasn't the greatest at cooking but since Noah always made dinner, I attempted the breakfast. I made toast with burnt eggs most of the time, except when the three of us where rushing and all I could find was bread and orange juice. I grabbed three eggs from our small fridge, breaking them on the hot pan. I watched as Noah left for the bathroom to change into her white gown, and get ready. She would always get moving faster then her body wanted to in the mornings. I waited a few moments, starring at the three eggs after I finally heard brother get up from his bed to change. I dozed off into a day dream.

In the corner of my eye, I saw brother dressed, standing in his door way, still half asleep. I remember, he had always used to be so happy in the mornings, and really was a bit of a morning person. But since we started living on the other side of the gate, and as time went by, my brother turned into a zombie. Every time I was around him he was out of it, either lost in thought, half asleep or both. I knew he was happy since I had crossed the gate, but his joy turned to depression. I was worried about him. Not only did he look horrible these days, but he had started to complain about his auto mail. I noticed he became off balance, along with him complaining about pain in his right arm. I tried to act as normal and optimistic as possible whenever I was with him. I tried not to bring out his temper, because it seemed to only cause him more pain. Though it was hard since the only three feelings he ever shared since we started living here was exhaustion, his temper and depression.

"Hey, are you going to fix your hair?" I teased him, breaking the silence. Still in that lose pony tail, but I guess I shouldn't have asked that; He was already in a bad mood.

"Shut up, Al. Yeah I'm gonna fix it." He snapped walking to the couch, to sit down. I guess he didn't get the joke. I secretly watched him pull out the hair tie, and tie another thick pony tail. I had felt like I almost lost part of my relationship with Ed, especially as time moved on. I told my self my brother was just going through a hard time in his life, and things would pass. Noah then walked into the room, stealing a peek at Ed sitting on her bed, or the couch as I would call it. I guess she noticed his tense face, by asking, "Ed, are you alright this morning?" He looked over at her, simply answering with a slow, dazed nod. I Scoped up the eggs I burnt, placing them each on a plate, and walked over to Noah with her breakfast, then Ed, handing him a plate. He grabbed it with his right hand with out looking at me. As I let go once I felt he had grasped it, but heard it crash the floor with a load groan following.

"Brother?" I asked turning around to see his egg laying on the floor in the puddle of broken glass. He had grabbed his metal arm, in pain.

"Edward, what's wrong?" Noah asked, placing her egg next to him on the couch, as she knelt down to pick up the broken plate. It looked pretty clear. Something was wrong with his auto mail, and there was no one in this world who could help him.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just drop it." He spoke after a minute. He let go of his arm, taking a deep breath and helped Noah pick up the plate. I ran to grab the garbage, along with my egg for Ed. After we had cleaned the mess, the three of us with out speaking another word, I handed Ed my egg to his left hand. Usually he would argue for me to eat it, but today he grabbed my egg with out hesitation. Noah had only finished half of her egg when she had decided she was full. She dragged the can back into the kitchen, then coming back into the living room starring at Ed and I.

"I guess I better go, see you guys tonight." She told us, forcing a smile. Brother nodded with me following him in the process. She grabbed her bag, opened the big wooden door and slammed it close. We wouldn't see her again until tonight. Ed stood up, after finishing his egg on the couch, and walked it to the kitchen sink. I waited in the living room, starring at Noah's half eaten egg. Ed returned to the room, not looking at me once, grabbing his coat even though it was the middle of Summer. As he walked toward the door leaving for work, I waited for a good-bye or something. When I realized I wasn't getting anything, I found the words, "Good luck, brother..." leave my mouth. As he opened the door, I watched him nod his head from behind. He slammed the door closed disappearing into the hallway. When would he stop sulking? He was obviously homesick, but there was something else. His current mood had turned into his personality. I missed the Edward Elric, who had used to be my brother back in Risembool; Back when we were searching for the stone.

Who was he now? This new world had turned him into a monster. I sighed as I picked up Noah's plate, walking into the kitchen. I had three hours before my trip to the library. Three hours alone, so I could sulk myself with out anyone watching.

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A/N: Sorry it was a short chapter. I hope to make the rest much, (not too much) but much longer. I tried to look over everything best I could, sorry for any mistakes! Please understand, Alphonse is quite homesick too, not as much as his brother, yet he tried to hide it when he's around him. Although it might not look like it, Al believes if he acts strong for Ed, it may help. And please no flames, Ed and Al are brothers, and don't have much money; Noah and Ed only make enough money for one bed as well as a one bedroom apartment. Yes, sometimes the brothers sleep in the same bed. Anyway, reviews are gladly appreciated.


Be ready for the next chapter!
-deathberrry