Disclaimer: … Already stated in the first chapter…
A/N: I love to keep you guys informed of my current works in progresses and I just would like to say that I have a story that I've been itching to try. Unfortunately, it is not a Ed and Winry pairing. I know, I know, how could I? But before you all grow too eager to wring my neck, I just would like to say that it's still got the romance in there, but with another character. Also, some of the events that occur in the story have a more personal insight into my life and events and the character that I made up, is more or less me but she doesn't have my name and the names of her family have been changed… except for the little brother… I told you guys that I'd make a fic about sibling bonds and well, that one is the result. Anyway, check it out if you're interested!
Chapter Seven: Letters
Ed woke up, his wound giving a slight tingle as he sat up. He gave a yawn and stretched a bit before placing his feet over the side of the couch. His limbs felt great and smoother than what he remembered and he slowly got up, loving the feeling of loss of the limp and the gain of his arm again. He'd have to thank Winry and Pinako…
His senses finally came into full focus as he caught the smell of breakfast and made his way to the door into the kitchen with new interest. Winry was standing over the stove and filling two plates with food and filling up glasses of orange juice in fast procedure and, as she finished, she reached her arm over the stove to turn off the burner. Before she grabbed his plate to place on the table he hurried over to the steaming plate and took it in his hands and sat down. She turned to him and smiled,
"Well, good morning… You seem in a better mood." she pointed out as she placed her plate on the table in front of him.
"Yeah, I didn't get to say thanks." Ed said before he took to shoveling his food into his mouth.
"No problem, but you shouldn't thank me just yet. You haven't paid." Ed gave her a nonchalant grunt. He didn't mind paying Pinako and Winry for their trouble at all, it was the least he could do.
Surprisingly, Winry finished her breakfast before Ed and collected her plate to place it into the sink. She stared out of the window in the kitchen before something caught her eye and she turned to Ed as he finished.
"I'll be right back…" Winry muttered and left the kitchen and out of the front door. She hurried to the mail-box, expecting bills and other junk and maybe even a auto-mail magazine. She flipped open the top and dug her hand into the mail box's depths, finally pulling out a few closed envelopes; nothing special. As she flicked through the envelope's she noticed a few of them were "thank -you" letters and one of them a nice bill for Pinako to glance at. She made her way to the steps of the porch and reached to open the door until a white envelope that was slightly larger than the rest caught her eyes. Actually, it was the name and handwriting that caught her gaze and she smiled. She flung the door open and found Ed sitting on the couch, fingering over his brown leather coat that had been properly washed after he had returned.
"What are you doing?" she asked, not really interested. Ed sighed before putting a finger through one of the holes in the coat,
"Observing the damage…" he said.
"I think I have something that's more interesting than that." she said in a sing-song voice and let the envelope fall from her hands and into his lap. Ed eyed her a moment before staring down at the letter, immediately recognizing the handwriting. But… it had matured somewhat…
Al's handwriting…? Ed's breath caught in his throat as he gingerly held up the letter, as if expecting it to crumble into ash. He didn't know exactly why he was reacting this way, but he felt nervous. He hadn't seen nor heard from his brother in a unbearable three years, and he didn't know what to expect. Winry noticed and smiled reassuringly,
"Open it." she urged.
"It's not addressed to me, Winry." Al didn't even know he was here… he needed to tell him.
"So…? Besides, don't you wanna know what's going on with him?" Ed gave her a sideways glance before taking his auto-mail thumb and ripping the seal and taking the thick paper from the envelope. He opened the folded paper and smiled at the curves in his brother's handwriting. Curvy and neat, compared to Ed's twitchy chicken scratches. He read aloud:
Dear Winry and Granny,
How are you guys? I know it's been a while since I last wrote, but I just arrived in Central, after being in Testan for three days. Everything was cleared up just fine, I did tell you about that, didn't I? By the way, Hawkeye, Havoc, and everyone give their hello's! Anyway, on to other matters… I think I have a new lead to find brother, but it's just a hunch. I have to go to Central's library for inside information, and if that fails, I could always ask Shcieska. I may get some personal leave after this so I can come and visit, but I first need to find if my hunch is correct or not.
Ed looked up from the letter and looked at Winry who was leaning over his shoulder and reading along with him. Al was coming to visit…
"Go on." Winry coaxed and Ed turned back to the letter.
That in itself may take a day, so I don't know what my future plans should be, what with my involvement with the military, I may have to pack up tonight. (Ed smiled) But, I'm grateful for this opportunity, it's given me the chance to find brother… You won't give up will you? I know this letter was a lot shorter than the rest, but I have to get to Central's library and finish if I want to visit you guys…
Until then,
Al
P.S. Keep the light on…
" 'Keep the light on'? What's that m- Oh, never mind." Ed folded the letter and felt he couldn't let the smile on his face fade, even if it was possible. He'd get to see Al again…
"I suppose he should be on his way by now. You know the mail usually arrives here about a day late…" Winry commented as she got up from the couch. "I can go and put that letter with the others if you don't mind?" Ed looked at her,
" 'Others'?"
"Yeah, I saved all of them… If you want, you can read them." she offered as Ed handed her the letter.
"Maybe later," Ed stood up and looked out the window as if in thought before he spoke monotonously, "I think for now, I'm gonna visit mom." Winry nodded and for the first time, she wanted to go with him.
"Do you mind if I come along?" Ed looked at her and shrugged.
"I don't mind." he rolled his shoulder as it popped and grabbed his leather coat.
"Where'd you get that coat, anyway?" Winry asked, pulling at the material on his sleeve, "It looks expensive."
"It wasn't really." he said as he pulled on his black pants and boots before opening the door. Winry noticed he didn't answer her question, but ignored it and followed after putting on her own shoes and closed the door behind her. She felt sort of odd; she hadn't been to the graveyard really, and was almost scared in a emotional sense to do so. How Ed was able to visit it from time to time, was beyond her.
She folded her hands behind her back and walked next to Ed, who walked on silently. Maybe she'd finally find the courage to visit her own parents this time, with Ed by her side.
A/N: I know this chapter was WAY too short, but this chapter was meant to be short, for it's sort of like a transitional chapter. The next chapter, I PROMISE, will be longer and I'll shoot for it's uploading in about five days. Thanks for your patience and the reviews!
HealerAriel: The romance will defiantly happen! In fact… no, I'll let you guys keep reading to find the romance.
BlueRaindrop: It's good that you can plot and find out just by previous chapters what's happened and what's soon to come. It tells me that I'm doing my job right. Hmmm, the homunculus won't be in this story for I've decided that they couldn't fit into the plot. But I won't say that none of my other stories won't. n.n
Black-Angel-001: Yes I do! I love the rain! I find tranquility AND destruction in the atmosphere when rain is present. Sets the mood nicely as well. Emotion… well, I tend to read emotion quite well and I'm very observant and I try my best not to put myself in the position of these characters because they are all of their own selves.
EdwardElric55: You think so? I thought about it, and I think I may just take that encouragement to heart. Being an author, I really hadn't seen myself as, but the more people suggest it, the more I look into it with more gusto! Anyway, thanks for the review! ;3
Kagura's Last Hope: Thanks for the review! n.n
inu-lover-alwayz-n-4evaGlad that my story makes you enthusiastic! Unfortunately, sorry for such a short chapter, but next time, it will be longer! ;3
Zirra Nova: It's okay if you don't review, really, I know that it's not possibly because you didn't want to or anything… I've never moved, but I heard it's such a pain in the ass!
Snwbnny: Thanks for the review! ;3
Hiei44: When I wrote that sequence, I knew I wanted Winry to do that on her own, but have emotional difficulty with it. Like I said, Winery's a determined and strong person, but emotionally, she's very open.
Meo: I know this chapter may not spark as much of your interest as the last chapter had, but bare with me!
Inu-KagomeFan: Now, if I told you what she promised, that will give it ALL away, now wouldn't it?
Anon: Like I said, telling you what she promised would give it away...
Moonglitter2: Thanks for the review ;3
Kwala: Good questions: This chapter clears up two of yor questions, but as far as the military... no. They won't get involved in the sense that they drag Ed off again. But they will be in there!