They day they left the rhododendrons were still in bloom. He waved goodbye to a nearly crying Winry and a solemn Granny Pinako who had forced her old wrinkled face into a steady smile for their sake. He made no promises to visit, nor did his little brother, who was not so little anymore. He told them thank you for taking him in, and with hardly anything the brothers turned and set on the road that would lead them permanently away from the pile of ashes they once called a home, vowing silently to never look back. As he walked with uneven footing, one leg heavier than the other, a cool breeze swept around him. Goosebumps rose on one arm, feeling the wind through the crimson fabric surrounding it, and the other arm felt nothing. Flower petals blew into his path.
"Beware, there is danger ahead," The rhododendrons whispered to him as he passed, their branches brushing past his right arm. But he felt nothing and continued on his path, never slowing, never stopping, as he crushed the petals beneath his feet.
The Rhododendron means "Beware"