Auther's Note: Sorry for any mistakes, I was watching the Olympics while editing this :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, or the Full Metal Alchemist...

Life's Mysteries

I sat alone on the bed studying my finger nails as Ed slept soundly on the floor, blankets surrounding him he had kicked off himself. The alchemy book lie open on his stomach, slowly moving up and down to the rhythmic sounds of his breathing. Al had stepped out into the hall way; He was on the phone with his boss, trying to get the day off for today. I think the guy was giving him a pretty hard time; Thank god Ed wasn't awake, he would have walked over to the building himself and beat the man for not letting his brother have the day off considering our home was now gone. It was a clear morning, very bright and warm. But September was near, the nights were getting cooler faster, as well as the mornings. The sun was taking longer to come out, and was disappearing faster each evening. There were less birds in the sky and less and less people with tee shirts out on the street. It still hadn't soaked in that our home had burned down, and now our only house was a small motel only a few miles away. Ed was right, it did all seem like a dream, everything was happening so fast. I shook the thought out of my mind, suddenly remembering last night.

After I had found Ed, I eventually convinced him into coming to the motel Al and I booked to get some rest. At first he told me he was in a horrible mood, to leave him alone and that he was spending the night there. But the cold grass had soaked his shirt and pants, along with his moist, golden hair. He was in need of a shower along with a change of clothes. We walked silently back down the dark sidewalk, under the trees to the motel. We had taken the long way so we wouldn't have to past our apartment building. It would just be too much to bear for the both of us. By the time we had gotten home, it was way to late to take a shower and we were both exhausted. Ed told me to sleep on the bed, and he would get the floor. I was close to starting an argument that he should sleep on the bed, but I was afraid he might punch me... And I had no wrenches in handy to fight back. Dark bags had grown under his eyes, along with now visible bruises from the fire. After taking his shirt off, and throwing it to the floor, he grabbed a pillow from my bed, and nearly fell to the floor next to Al, raped in the sheet I had brought him. He had pushed everything that had happened aside, and was instantly asleep. I grabbed another blanket from the closet in our room, and dropped it on him. He looked cold.

Still, as bad as things had been the last week, I wasn't at all in a bad mood. I was quite content, and still hadn't considered to think about everything that happened. Edward was actually a great example; After watching him put our troubles aside so he could sleep peacefully, I was able to get a good night's sleep, as well. It must of been something he learned from experience.

It's been almost three months now since we have started our new lives no this side of the gate, and I'm not sure if I like it. But back when Ed had returned to our side, after two long years since he had been gone, he gave Al and I no choice but to follow him back. I remember everything, such a hard choice. I had to leave Grandma Pinako, and Den. I had to leave everyone I knew, and become good friends with during the last six years, since Ed and Al starting searching for the stone. I had to leave my house in Risembool; My parent's graves. There wasn't even time to take a quick trip back hope to collect the few things I had. I couldn't take any pictures, clothes, money anything. I couldn't even say good-bye.

I remember Al, and I as we watched Ed cut the huge ship in half, expecting us to drift slowly to the bottom of the ground safely and never see him again as he would return to the other side of the gate to destroy the portal on that side. Al spoke quickly, he asked me if I was willing to give up my home, my family, Risembool, my friends and possessions to be with Ed. I acted quickly only thinking about it for a quick second. I slowly nodded to him. He looked deep into my eyes and I could see just as much as I didn't want to leave, he didn't either. We were both terrified of that other world. It seemed to dark and different. No alchemy, a world so far back in time compared to ours. But we wanted to be with Ed more. Our best friend, his brother, my neighbor. But really, what was there to lose? He needed us, and we needed him. So with out a further of noticed Al explained what he was about to do to Roy Mustang, and surprisingly he agreed we should do what we thought was right. He would destroy the portal on this side.

And with in seconds, Al and I had secretly jumped to the ship Edward stood on, hiding inside a huge suit of armor. Just waiting until we reached the unknown. We knew Ed couldn't know we were there until there was no turning back. He wouldn't want us to come, even though if deep in his heart he did.

And that's how we did it, that's how we crossed the gate. It wasn't too long before Ed had discovered our existence, and he wasn't mad. At fist surprised, and a bit worried, but overall he was glad.

It was a risk we had to take, and even though I had come to hate this world, I never have and never will regret from coming here. It was what had to be done.

xxx