Winry was looking out of the window. She was sitting on her bed, with a piece of paper on her lap. She sighed at the never-changing moon, and looked back on the piece of paper. Dear Winry. It was a letter from Edward, in the messy handwriting that was all too familiar to her. From the tone of the letter, he seemed to be doing fine. Fine enough to make the letter sound cheerful, anyway. But was he really doing ok? She had noticed from all the years they've spent together that the more he was having a difficult time, the more he tried to act fine.

"Ed…"

She whispered into the empty space as a teardrop ran down her cheek.

"Can't believe I actually miss you so much."

She said sarcastically, knowing that no one will hear her. It was just not right without the Elric brothers… especially Ed. It hasn't been even two weeks since they left, but it was already getting unbearable. She needed them to barge in the workshop while she was trying to do serious work. She needed them to be breaking stuff while playing with Den. She needed Ed to be gobbling down food during dinner, and Al to tell him to stop being so rude.

Yes, they've been gone for almost a year before that, but that was different. When they left the last time, she knew they were coming back. She knew they weren't going to get into so much trouble, since they were just learning alchemy, after all.

But this time, they were not coming back anymore. They took everything worth taking, and burned their house. They even told her at the station that they won't come back. They were going to be state alchemists, aka dogs of the military. They had a reason, an unavoidable reason at that, but still, to leave Resembool to become a part of the military? They might get hurt or worse, even die…And if they died in a war, she wouldn't even know that they died.

She was still mad at the brothers for being so self-centered. Did they even care how she felt? Did they even notice that they weren't the only ones who cared about each other? She just wanted to rip the letter and throw it away, so she wouldn't have to see it again, but she couldn't. Yes, she was mad. She was sad. She didn't even want to know if they were alright…!

They can become state alchemists and dogs of the military, and get killed in a war for all I care!

She thought bitterly as tears began to blur her vision. No, not though. She tried to convince herself that. But she knew, deep inside, that she cared. She wanted them to be alright. She didn't want them to get hurt.

After some hours, when she finally was able to stop crying, she took a pen and a sheet of paper and sat in front of her desk.

xoxox

Dear Ed,

Everything is more or less fine here, I guess. Den's auto-mail chipped yesterday while he got into a fight with another dog, but that's about it. Bachan is still mad at you guys for… well, what you did, but I think she understands. We all know how upset you both were when your mother died, cuz we were there. Don't worry, we'll take care of her grave.

Since I don't know anything about alchemy (yes I know I have no idea about anything related to alchemy, it's not like you have to rub it in!), I don't know how much you need to study to be a state alchemist. Remember that time when I tried to read one of your alchemy books? I couldn't understand a word… I just can't imagine how hard it will be to read hundreds more books like that (oh yes, I know that it won't be anything for you, since you are so SMART).

Good luck in you exams! I know you can do this…Even if you can't, you have to do this. Not only for Al, but for yourself…

Sincerely,
Winry