~~Chapter Seven~~

A few weeks had passed since Al's injury. The doctor's had let us use the alchemy, but they still wanted to monitor him in case something went wrong. Al seemed a bit ticked at this, but had managed for the past few weeks fine enough. Meanwhile, Mustang and I were chasing a ghost.

Envy would poke his head out to torment us, then just to vanish into thin air. Mustang had every inch of Central covered with people, watching every hour of the day for him. Even then, Envy would escape just as we would get a reported sighting from someone. Al would help by trying to put together puzzle pieces Mustang or I couldn't figure out. Al seemed to be really good at that sort of thing, and he almost never let us down. One day, I asked him if he ever thought of being a detective. He scoffed but didn't answer.

Today, we were going back to Resembol. We had called Winry, earning some severe scolding. She said that Al was more than welcome to stay with her, just so long as I promised to check up on them. I laughed, saying that I would. Today was the day when I would be able to see her again.

"Brother, you look happy. Am I really that much of a bother?" Al looked to me from his seat, sadness in his eyes. I shook my head fiercely.

"Al! I'm not happy that you're leaving, I'm happy that Winry will be safe and you too. I never wanted you to leave Al. Why would you think that?" He chuckled a little bit, looking out the window.

"I don't know. I guess I feel like I've been holding you back, like I don't belong." His eyes went distant, like he was reliving something. I looked to him curiously, scolding in my eyes.

"Al, you never will be and never were holding me back. In fact, it was quite the opposite. You're the one who pushed me forward." He looked to me, seeing the sincerity in my eyes and smiling back to me. I leaned over, ruffling his hair slightly. "Al, just be happy that you can walk. In no time, you'll be back kicking Envy's ass with me, okay?"

Al laughed, smacking my hand away. I laughed too, happy I could convince him that he was thinking the wrong way. Maybe someday he would see that I really meant all that I had just said.

A few hours later, the train pulled to a stop, the green hills of Resombol filling our eyes. I grabbed Al's wheelchair, helping get him into it with the least amount of pain possible. He still winced, grabbing the armrest in pain. I patted his arm reassuringly, giving him a small smile. We walked down the aisle, getting off the train in no time. Pretty soon we were walking the familiar path we knew so well.

The blue sky was peaceful and tranquil, the white clouds rolling over its surface smoothly. The sun gleamed down on us, as if its warm smile would welcome us back as well. The green grass ruffled in the wind, forming the different shades of green on the hills. It made it look as if the hills were awakening, smiling to the world and bringing more peace to the countryside. The trees stood tall and proud, sending all the memories of my childhood flying back into my head.

"Al, you remember when we would climb that tree to see who could go the highest?" I stopped pushing him, gesturing to the tall oak I knew so well. Its branches intertwined around themselves, the leaves giving off an eerie glow of green. Al smiled, looking to its gnarled form as well.

"Yeah. Hey, go see how high you can go now." I laughed, pushing him carefully up the hill to the base of the tree. He gave me an encouraging push towards the tree, smiling a goofy and happy grin.

I grabbed a hold of its base, hoisting myself with ease onto the first branch. After that I stepped onto branch after branch, the trees memory seeping into me. I felt as if I was a part of this tree, that he remembered all of my childhood with me. The tree spo0ke, letting me climb higher into its branches as if I was five once again.

"Hey, Al! Look! I got higher than you this time!"

"No you didn't brother! I'm right here!"

"How-"

"Brother! Be careful!" Al's weak voice called from the ground, wrenching me from my childhood. I looked to where I was at, looking down to see all of Resombol.

I looked off to my right, seeing the house clearly now. I smiled, childishly letting my arm fly out of my sides and be carried with the wind.

"WHOOO!" I let out a childish, triumphant yell. I could hear Al laughing from the bottom.

"Brother, stop goofing around! You're going to fall!" Al scolded me from the bottom, but I could still hear the smile in his voice. I laughed, slapping my hands together and placing them on one of the branches.

Into the branch my alchemy carved the words:

Brotherhood overpowers all. Let your bond show.

Ed and Al Elric.

Forever and eternity.

The tallest branch on the tree now belonged to us. Our tale would not go unnoticed and Al would always feel like he had a place. Or at least I hoped that was what this trip would do.