Disclaimer: I Don't own Fullmetal Alchemist. Arakawa Hiromu does.

Theme 2: Family

The two brothers and one other military officer were on their way back to Central. The little brother, Alphonse, was sitting opposite of Major Armstrong and Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Fullmetal was 'a little' squished to the side. As the train started going, a pair of newly weds came and sat in the row of seats behind Al.

"Honey? Maybe we should settle in the country instead of in Central. It's more beautiful there, and the air is certainly fresher," A mahogany haired woman asked the man beside her.

"Linda, but we don't have any money yet. I'd love to settle in the country, and raise our children there. A town like Risembool or Dublith would be nice. But, we have to find some money first, at least, Michael has to accept my resignation papers," the man replied.

"Risembool? Of course, Risembool is a nice town," Alphonse thought, "Family...hmm..." An image of his brother and Winry popped into his mind. "I wonder...but I'd have to ask him when the major isn't here. Brother wouldn't be able to answer if he was. Brother's too shy, well, about things like these, I bet he is."

The train had been running for a few hours or so when Major Armstrong spoke up, "Ahh, excuse me Elric Brothers, but I have personal business to attend to."

"The bathroom?" Ed said.

"Shhh… mustn't be too loud Edward-kun. Mustn't be." Major Armstrong warned him and walked towards another compartment, where the bathroom was.

"Now's the chance!" Al thought.

"Brother?" Al began.

"Yeah?" Ed said wearily. He had been squished into a tiny space by the Major. Tiny? TINY? Oh well.

"What do you think about your family?" Al asked.

"Huh? Why are asking all of a sudden?" Ed replied, confused.

"I just want to know, that's all," Al replied, trying his best to remain unsuspicious.

"Well, we're brothers, that's family." Ed said.

"No, Brother. That's not my point," Al said again.

"Well, mom's a part of our family. And that… that…person… could be counted as one, although I'd hate it," Ed responded.

"Brother, not our family. Yours, in the future" Al replied.

"What do you mean, Al?" Ed asked, but before Al could answer, Ed said, "Why do you want to know." He was slightly blushing.

"I…I just want to know," Al said, trying to look as innocent as ever.

"I don't know yet! All I can think about right now is the philosopher's stone!" Ed replied. That was quite true, actually. Now that they had the location of the stone from Dr. Marcoh, he and Al might get their body back. But, why was Al asking him this? He knew that Al didn't just want to know. His brother wasn't a very good liar, so he saw knew right away that Al wasn't telling the truth. A recognizable voice interrupted Ed's thoughts.

"Edward-kun. Do you mind moving aside?" A sparkly major said.

"I-" before Ed could finish the question, the major sat down. Forcing Ed back to his 'squished' position.

"Family?" thought Ed, "My family…" He pondered on the word for a while. Family. His family in the future. The train from Risembool traveled past a pale golden meadow. That color was familiar. Winry? His family according to Al's question? He shook his head, no. Not that mechanic. Not the future. His personal automail mechanic was already a part of his life. A part of his family, and will remain so always.