Chapter Six: His Departure

"Colonel?"

I stood up beside Ed and watched quietly over the situation that was occurring before my eyes. I wondering if it was alright for a woman such as myself to talk while men were discussing their business.

"What are you doing here?" Ed said in a less than pleased tone. His loose bits of hair were gently blown by the wind, and a great gush of air swept past all of us bringing autumn leaves with it. I turned around to watch the leaves fly off into the sunset, as the two males continued to glare un-pleasantly at each other. When I returned my attention to the men Mustang had looked away.

"Its Lior city it's in a bad state…"

"So you want me to take care of it right?" Edward asked angrily taking a step back towards me. "And you just put me on this job."

"There is no-one else that is suited to the job Full-Metal, I would do it myself but I have my hands full with other important matters."

I stood in the background silently, unmoving. I didn't know if I could handle one more word of Edward leaving, and suffered silently.

"Sure." Ed laughed rolling his head back. "Like making sure girls are wearing mini skirts?" Edward said pointing to my skirt... which was what you could call mini I guess. I didn't appreciate being used as an example thoug... I was confused by this remark and wondered if Ed was just being his usual jerkish self, or if Mustang really did want all female personnel to change their dress style a bit.

"Full Metal there is no time to be arguing about this! I heard there is also something there you would like to get your hands on, something un-known has landed there. I would have you inspect it; because it seems almost ahead of our time something that seems able to fly." Edwards's eyes widened as the Colonel said that, he had seemed to realise something. Before I knew it he had turned his head to me sadly, as if asking for permission.

"Well you have your arm back now so why not?" I said with a very strained smile on my face. I knew how much it hurt me, that he came back then left again. But his stay had felt far too short for the amount of time I hadn't seen him. I used to think the good-byes would get easier, but they only got harder…

"I guess I'll go pack then." Edward sighed glaring at Mustang sourly.

"I'll be waiting for you at the train station you have an hour."

Edward ignored Mustang's comment, muttering something about he would take however long he liked under his breath.

When we reached the house Ed entered his room and shut the door loudly. Mr. Romance was reading opposite me. He dropped his newspaper curiously as tears started to emerge from my eyes without me even noticing. I guess I was used to crying over Ed now. I finally looked up to meet the man's curious gaze.

"He has to go on a mission." I told him, un-steadily, my voice quivering. "God knows how long till he will be back." The man looked up at me with understanding eyes, he thenopened his arms. Normally this would have freaked me out, but I felt in need of comfort comfort. I accepted his offer and crawled into his arms. "He is Full-Metal, I have to accept he is never going to be here." I said in between hiccups, trying to wipe my tears before they spilt out onto the man's chest.

"You should go with him, tell him that this is so painful for you." The man replied stroking my hair softly, gently hushing my painful sobs.

"No you don't know Ed he won't do it, he doesn't want me to be around, I'm just something that gets in the way for him." I said admitting the truth although it was painful for me to do so.

"I don't believe that's true, I believe you're the only one Ed is truly happy around, truly free. That's why I believe you two are meant to be together. You have a way Winry. You can heal his soul, mend it, but you must tap into your own desires and his. You must truly become aware; you must open your eyes." He told me. I screwed up my face with confusion, but a small smile crept over them. This man was truly crazy. When I still did not budge the man gave out a frustrated sigh. "This isn't like you Winry, go in there and fight him and win."

I laughed softly and raised myself from him. "But even if I do go… that means your auto-mail…" I trailed off looking at the man's battered leg. I had actually been meaning to work on it when I returned from the hill with Ed…now this.

"Never mind that, I'll wait, but Edward can't." I looked at him with confusion and tilted my head. Ed couldn't wait? That was absurd he was the best at waiting since he had waited for almost 4 years! He never wanted to touch or talk to me. What was he talking about? It's not like Ed was yearning to be with me or anything. "You may not be able to see it child, but Edward is slowly dying on the inside, he needs human touch now more than ever."

Yeah that was certainly easier said than done, he flinched away from human touch. I nodded in reply pretending to know what the hell he was on about and raised myself from the lounge.

"Okay Ed, you're going to take me with you whether you like it or not."

I headed towards his bedroom door and clutched the door knob in my hand, hesitating for a second when I heard him packing insanely on the other side. The Mr. grunted and knocked me out of my doubtful trance. I looked towards him and winked. "Wish me luck." I whispered. He nodded in reply and I gently opened the door, watching Ed for a little time before I shut it quietly behind me. So that man didn't peak and watch us.

"That seems like everything." Ed muttered stroking his chin in thought.

"Excuse me." I breathed so silently that it was a surprise Ed turned around to face me. I blushed insanely and found what I was doing quite embarrassing, but I was going to do it!

"Winry… I don't know how long this is going to take… so this may be the last time we meet." Edward said looking away. I hated it with a passion when he was like this, when he acted tough, like I didn't even matter.

"And how do you feel about that?" I asked raising my head and revealing the red puffy eyes that had cried so many tears for the young man in front of me. He instantly flinched and softened his look a little. "How would you feel if you came back and I was dead? Or gone?" I asked him lowering my head again. "Wasn't I all you had left!"

"Yeah I guess…" Edward replied with a small smile.

"That's why I'm going to come with you!" I said cheerfully, grabbing my portable maintenance box. If I took it with me it would be handy for Ed and I could check his auto-mail every night. More chances to be close to him. Did I just think that? That also meant we would have to sleep in the same rooms. This sounded good in a screwed up kind of way.

"What?" Ed protested lifting his head from the ground with shock. "Winry you'll be an obstacle!"

I threw my wrench at his head and sighed leaning over him on the floor. "Who's the obstacle now?" I asked, stepping over him dramatically to pick up his luggage. "Don't underestimate me. I'm coming!" I said firmly, slipping on my shoes at the front of the room.

"Winry! That's cheating!" Ed complained standing up slowly, while rubbing the forming lump on his head.

"Why don't you cheat back then?" I asked, giving him my cutest smile before I opened the door. He seemed a little stunned at this reply but smiled lazily after a while and nodded.

"I can't promise you won't see things you don't like." Edward stated calmly, taking his luggage back off me. "But if you want to, I won't stop you." Oh so I was a human now who could make my own decisions? "Let's head to the train." Edward said with a weak smile. I nodded with happiness, secretly beaming that he had allowed me to come.

When we left the room the house was dark as the sun had just set. There was no presence of the man I was currently caring for, and his luggage seemed to have disappeared. "You sure it's okay to leave the business, don't your clients need you?" Ed said matter-of-factly. I hung my head low as Ed gathered some more of his belongings scattered randomly around the lounge room.

"No I don't really have clients anymore and I haven't left this house in a long time… I feel like burning it down myself and never returning." I told Ed clutching my tool box.

"You don't want to do that." I looked up at him curiously and pondered what he meant. I didn't find it appropriate to ask though, since that matter was personal and dropped it.

We walked silently to the train station as we usually did, girls staring in awe at Edward as he had matured over the years into a very handsome man, although he was still lacking height. As usual Ed was oblivious to the obvious and stared out over the hillside, completely lacking knowledge of all the women panting after him. I wondered how many woman had taken interest in him, but had been scared off due to the fact the only thing Ed would ever be in love with was his alchemy. I waved at a couple of my old friends after they stared mouth wide opened over Ed, and grinned. It kinda felt nice to know they were jealous because I was so close to him. But what they don't know is that we aren't close, I don't even know who Edward Elric really is these days..

"Eh what's this?" I said softly, feeling a piece of paper in the pocket of my skirt. Ed turned around to see what I was so interested in, but diverted his attention to the hillside again when he discovered it was nothing but a crumpled up piece of paper. I looked beyond its appearance however, and opened the small piece of paper up in my tiny hands.

Winry

On the night of the full moon you shall confess your feelings to Ed. This may be the only chance for you to find out how he truly feels; the power of the moon has its effects on people. I know you thought I was just a crazy old man but I understand Ed better than he does, I have been through his pain and have seen many go through it. Let me tell you now that he needs human touch so bad he can barley stand it. But he can't realise that, he thinks he is longing and waiting for something else. You will be with me when I tell you that there isn't much human left to Ed and you have to keep the fire burning strongly within his body. You can no longer help him with his limbs, his auto-mail will be a constant reminder of the sins he has committed. But keep him alive where you can. You are the only one who can do this. I only hope you understand what I truly mean before it's too late. Remember the full moon.

Love from who you call Mr. Romance, my true name is Mr. Kanou, we shall meet again.

I tried not to stare at the paper in confusion. I didn't want to prove to Mr. Romance that I really didn't understand. But the truth was... that I didn't understand one word on that piece of paper. I understood the obvious about Ed and his guilt, but the part about me somehow coming into the picture… that part I was totally lost on.

"Honestly!" I muttered, throwing the paper onto the train tracks as we entered the station. "Full moon… my bloody wrench!" I cursed quietly, tensing my face up. You think he could have given me some easier information to understand. As for my feelings towards Ed, what feelings? I was completely feeling free when it came to Ed.

He suddenly turned his head to look at me, an amused smile adorning his features, from which I presumed was over my cursing. His luggage was thrown over his shoulder as if it was no trouble to carry at all. I smiled back and felt my heart skip a few beats. Once his head turned back to the front, I instantly missed his smile and sighed. Okay so something was happening, but I'd deal with it in my own way, as I always did.

It wasn't long before we met up with Mustang who claimed he was also going to take the train back to central. "You're not sitting with me you shitty old man!" Edward yelled, leaning right up to Mustang to let him hear it.

"Don't flatter yourself, why would I want to sit with a foul mouthed midget? I have my own acquaintances." Mustang said calmly, while straightening his ignition glove.

"YOU BASTARD!" Edward yelled putting down his luggage. He got his arm ready to throw a punch, but I instantly put my arms under his and constricted him from doing so. He forgot who he was talking to sometimes, and that could place him in serious trouble. He was lucky that Mustang was more to us than just a higher up. He was like a dear old friend, even though Ed would never admit to that.

Ed thanked me silently and Mustang just stood there with an amused look on his face. "Give me information on my current task." Edward said looking away. I was still holding his arm defensively and he jerked it away.

"Well some kind of transportation device crashed in Lior. Although Lior is peaceful, it's still having some problems without the high priest. As you know, all use of the philosopher's stone and anything associated with it has been banned, and since all reasearch is now destroyed the people are lost. The people are lost without there high priest, they are hanging onto this item that crashed from the sky with their life. You might find it hard to take a look at it." Roy told Edward who was once again tensing.

"It's only because they're used to a good life. There are people out there who are much less well-off than their city, and they still complain…" Edward stopped his speech as the train came racing along the tracks coming to a halt right in front of us.

"Well this is where we part Full-Metal." Roy said calmly. He turned to me and smiled bowing a little. "Winry you are looking more beautiful everyday."

I blushed and smiled slightly. "Good-bye Roy." I said politely, also bowing a little which seemed to piss Edward off greatly.

Once we got onto the train Edward instantly took a normal seat. But before the train took off I realised that I wanted more privacy, for strictly platonic reasons of course.

"Edward… can't we take a cabin?" I asked, watching him as he sprawled himself out over one seat. Despite the fact it was really embarrassing when he fell asleep with his stomach exposed, the train ride was going to be a day or two, and I didn't want to be stuck out here. He looked up at me with surprise and asked 'why' without words. "I would like more privacy." I said softly.

"Well they might be taken, but if they aren't I have to pay extra… if you really want one." Edward said with a sigh, sitting up lazily.

We searched the train for a while only to find they were all full. I sighed with despair; I really didn't want to sit out with the public. I was so caught up within my sad thoughts, I hadn't realised that Ed had knocked on one of the cabins. The door opened softly revealing a young couple. I watched as Ed talked to the woman and man inside, laughing nervously while scratching the back of his head. The man and woman lit up and instantly left the room. I was too far away to hear what had just happened, but I stared at Edward with confusion as he winked at me. I followed him into the cabin and dropped my toolbox on the floor as I collapsed into the cushiony chair. Edward also did the same. I looked at him peacefully as he turned into the chair in his sleeping position.

"Thanks." I said quickly. I didn't want to talk to him while he was trying to sleep, it would annoy him.

"Don't mention it." He replied drowsily.

"What did you do?" I asked referring to the couple who had given this beautiful cabin up so freely.

"Offered them money."

I smiled and leant back into my chair staring at both Edward and the stars as the train zoomed past all the beautiful scenery. Ed had done something extremely kind for me tonight, and I wasn't going to forget it. If I told him that I was grateful for his gesture, he would probably reply with something like, "I wanted a cabin anyway." That's why I wasn't going to say that, I was going to keep it in my head and not be hurt by his words.

In his sleep he rolled over to face me, it was funny that this "Human weapon" was sleeping like a baby. His features relaxed in his calm state, I suddenly wondered what he dreamed about. I felt like asking him when he woke but he probably wouldn't tell me the truth anyway.

Before I could stop myself, I was kneeling before him on the ground, watching him sleep painstakingly close. I closed my eyes and listened to his peaceful breathing receiving so much joy, and I just couldn't help myself. I place a hand on his cheek and a kiss on his forehead.

"Sleep well Full Metal."

Saturn Stars