Across The World I Will Follow:
Chapter 1: When will you be home again?
It was just a little before noon; Edward was still lying with his head against Alphonse's solid torso. The sun was high in the sky and its rays radiated upon the pleasant Earth. The birds chirped in the trees flying around doing their daily hunting, but today was not a cheerful day. Ed slowly gained consciousness. He stretched and his mouth opened wide. His hair a mess he quickly tied it back into his braid which was below his shoulders in length. He stood up then kicked Al in the butt. "Get up you lazy pile of bolts!"
Al moaned then his "eyes" opened and he slowly groped at the tree to stand up. After he stood he looked down at his brother. "So brother, we need to go tell,"
Ed cut him off in midstream and turned away."I know."
Ed stuck his hands in the pockets. He stared across the farmlands of his hometown watching the others work for the harvest. He looked towards a two story house that from where he stood had glinting of silver all across the yard. He sighed and turned back to al. "Al," he looked away. "Wait I'll tell you later." He then turned and walked towards the heavily beaten road and walked towards. Ms. Rockbell's home, Winry's home a place he may never be able to return to again.
Al sighed. He began to think, "Something else is bothering him other than Winry running away." He then decided to not worry about it and followed quickly in suit. The two walked down the road. The people of their village waved and yelled salutations to the Elric brothers who recently returned from their search for the ever elusive Philosophers stone. "Ed?"
Ed glanced over at him and continued to walk. "Yeah Al?"
Al turned towards him his large body towering over Edward; he looked at the side of his face trying to catch just a quick glance of his golden brown eyes. "Do you think we'll ever find the Stone?"
Ed winced at the word. He had totally forgotten about the stone after last night's dilemma. He sighed and looked at him and faked a smile. "I don't know Al. We've got bigger and more important things to worry about."
Al nodded and turned forward to continue on their walk to the Rockbell's residence. He thought over many things. His mind racing faster than the paces he took towards Granny Rockbell's home. "Why would Winry run away like this?" he accidently spoke out loud.
Ed stopped. His hands clenched tears falling from his eyes. His face began to turn red. It was almost as if someone had called him short, and yet it was worse. He was standing next to a fence and he punched it with his right hand shattering it into pieces. The splinters falling to the ground and landing in a wide range. He spoke through his sobs and raging."I don't know Al." he turned and his face was more sullen than the night before. His eyes had become beat red, and his normally powerful golden brown eyes were a dull hazelnut. "I Just Don't KNOW!"
Ed began to breathe heavily. Al was pushed back in shock at his reaction to the question. Al put his hand out and placed it upon his shoulder. "Ed its o.."
Ed quickly smacked his hand away, and he turned and looked him in the eye. Rage deep within his eyes. "AL YOU DON'T KNOW A DAMN THING! IT'S NOT OKAY! JUST SHUT THE HELL UP AND GO AWAY! I'M GOING TO DO THIS ON MY OWN!" Ed looked at Al who was in awe at his brother.
"But Ed," his voice sounded sad and confused.
"DON'T BUT ED ME! I MEAN IT! STAY HERE DAMNIT, AND DON'T FOLLOW ME!" Ed began to bawl and he ran off down the road crying more and more as he neared the Rockbell's.
Al stood stunned at his normally strong willed brother. "Brother." Al walked away into the prairie lands.
Ed continued to run towards the house, but before he reached it he fell to the ground. His veins pulsating in his head, his neatly knotted braid in shambles, he pounded on the ground punching it with more force each time that after a few moments a slight hole had appeared in it. He continued to bawl his rage and sorrow matched he couldn't control himself. He lifted his head and screamed. He collapsed completely on the ground sobbing into his arms.
Al walked away he turned back and went to another hill just a little ways away from the graveyard. On it was a pile of rubble. He sobbed, and he looked down into it. It was the rubble of their house. Then Al heard Ed scream. He looked back but then fell to the ground crying. "Brother, you know you can't do this on your own." He yelled too but not quite as loud. "WINRY COME BACK!"
Ed had finally composed himself; he quickly fixed his hair and wiped himself down fixing his coat. He then turned back to his destination. His eyes were glistening with the tears he had lost. He wiped his eyes, and then continued to his fate.
He reached the house and the dog Den barked a welcoming yelp towards him as Ed stepped inside. Granny Rockbell was a short old lady she had grey hair tied in a bun and around her waist an apron with wrenches and other mechanical parts needed for the Construction of automail, and in her hand was a pipe. She turned and looked at him, "Well the prodigal Son returns,"
"Well I can guess Winry was with you then?"
Ed looked away. He pulled out the letter, and he began to read.
Dear Edward, Al, and Granny
I know this may seem quick and rushed. My heart is no longer in this place. Since Ed and Al left, all that their was here for me to do was to be the backup girl, the mechanic you turned too when you needed a fix. I know I'm probably being a selfish girl but I don't care. I'm miserable where I was and so I'm probably miserable where I'm at right now. I could not stand not being able to do anything but help you when you were broken. I left without a word and I want it to stay that way. I've left and I've changed my name, I'm far away, and you will never find me. Don't even try…Ed)….I'm done I've had it with my life. For all you know I'm dead right now, or I could've been raped or sold into slavery in Ishbal or something. Ed just do me a favor and leave me alone. Granny I love you and I'm sorry for having to leave you like this. Al, keep Ed out of trouble maybe someday I can see you again, but things are just not right, right now, so I must go away, Far away.
I love you all,
Now and forever…
Winry Rockbell
Granny Rockbell was horror struck. You could see in her eyes the fear for the safety of her granddaughter. Her eyes were tearing and her mouth was twitching. She looked at Ed. "Why?"
Ed looked down "I don't know." The note clenched in his hands his face turning read again. He caught her eyes.", But I promise you, I will find her, and I will bring her home." He turned and looked out the window he spoke more confidently words flowing more freely from his dry lips. His eyes were glistening again in the sun their golden glow returning his hair tied back neatly once again; he was the Fullmetal Alchemist once more. "I'll start in Central. I'll see if anyone in the military has found anything if not from there I'll go to Ishbal, and from there wherever the wind takes me."
He turned around and handed her the letter. He gave her a slight hug then walked out.
"Ed when will you come back?"
Ed stopped and stood still he turned back a determined look was in his eyes." I won't come back until I've found her." He turned around and walked away from his only home he had. He was turning his back on it. He was moving forward in this game.
Who cares about the damn Philosophers Stone. I'll stay like this forever if I have too.
He walked off into the horizon the setting sun engulfing him and away behind him a tall figure could be seen standing on a hill. Alphonse watched as his brother went away."When will you be home again?"