Fullmetal Alchemist: Alchemy & Automail

Chapter 14 - Distance

A/N: Ok... I'm just going to say it... I'm sorry for some fans of a certain relationship that's about to end. If I'm right, there's only two and that's EdWin and AlMei...

I have to do this... It's for the next arc of the story... So please don't hate me...

So... R&R...

The train whistle blew and blew as it was finally time. They were making their way over to Central for the Alchemy Tournament Finals. After the horrific week had passed, everything seemed normal once more. Except for the fact Ed had automail and for some unknown reason Mei was really depressed and hardly talked like she used to. She seemed to stare off into the distance and stay quiet. When Ed had asked Al about it, he would respond by shrugging his shoulders. It was the finals and they should be all excited about it, but Mei was always depressed.

Al had told them that he came into a resturant and found Mei crying. He tried to comfort her, but she pushed him away and ran. She apologized afterwards, but it was still weird.

As they sat in their seats, they all stared at Mei who was staring outside the window. She clutched her hands and narrowed her eyes. She banged her head into the glass which shocked them.

"MEI!"

She snapped out from her little daydream. She turned to them and noticed their worried faces.

"Sorry..."

"Mei, you can tell us anything. You know that right?"

She laughed sarcastically, "Y-Yeah..."

She sounded nervous and uncomfortable. All she said was one word and they knew she wanted them to stop talking to her. Ed noticed Al wasn't taking this to lightly. He felt a stressed vibe from Al, but didn't want to say it. Actually, Al did it for himself.

He snapped on her, "Mei, what's really wrong!?"

She gave another sarcastic laugh, "N-Nothing..."

"Don't say nothing, Mei! Stop giving that fake laugh too. It's obvious that something's wrong, just admit it."

"R-Really, Al-"

"Just forget it..." He got up and left the train car. Winry and Ed were absolutely shocked. They never seen Al burst with anger like that before. Even Mei was shocked. Winry now was the one who asked her, hoping she would give an answer.

"What's wrong, Mei?"

She sighed, "It's hard to tell Al, but maybe it's not hard for you..."

"What is it?.."

"Y-Yesturday, my parents recieved a call from a place called Xing and it seems that it's where I come from. They said that we need to go back to Xing and forget everything about Amestris..."

Mei started tearing up and covered her face with her hands, "That means I have to break up with Al..."

Ed and Winry's eyes widened, "That's not fair!"

"It's something about country, but they didn't say any specific details to us."

"When do you leave?"

Mei sighed, "Tomorrow..."

"What about, Al?"

Mei stood up, "I'll tell him..." She went into the train car Al went into when he had his sudden burst of anger. When she arrived into the next train car she could see Al sitting alone on one of the seats, staring into the distance. She sat next to him and he turned to her.

"What are you-"

She immediately hugged him and cried into his soul. Al wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her hair. It was soft like a warm blanket. He could stay like this for hours and hours and still not let go, but that wasn't going to happen as she suddenly pulled away.

"Al, I need to tell you something..."

"What is it? You can tell me anything, Mei!"

He noticed how hard it was for her to form the words and got nervous himself. He felt a gloomy moment incoming as he closed his eyes and gulped. No matter what it was, he had to take it. He could take anything, just bring it on.

"We need to break up..."

Well... Anything except that. Al could see her tear up more when he didn't respond back.

Now he was the one who couldn't form words, but he tried to say one word, "W-Why..."

She noticed the hurt in his heart and stood up. As she was about to leave, he grabbed her arm and sat her back down, "Please, Mei! Tell my why! Did I do something wrong?"

She shook her arms sideways rapidly, "No! No!"

"Then why?"

"B-Because I have to go to my home country..."

He blinked his eyes in confusion, "Amestris?"

She shook her head, "No, Xing. I found out about it yesturday. My parents and myself, have to go back."

He put his head down and breathed a little, "Oh..."

"Please don't be so depressed, Al. It's going to make this break up even harder for us both."

"Okay..."

She had to find a way to make him happy, but how? An idea popped into her mind, "Look, Al, there are many fish in the sea!"

He blushed and coughed slightly, "W-What?"

She giggled, "Don't spend your life thinking about me and being depressed. I will come back one day, but that's a tiny percent chance of happening. Until that day, find yourself another one that can make you happy and share your life with them."

She wasn't making any sense anymore. He didn't want to have another, he wanted Mei, but she did make a good point. He shouldn't be kept depressed for his entire life. He should find another and see how that plays out. He just had to find out how. Winry was out because of her and Ed, but maybe he could find someone today. Or anyday would be fine. He felt like Ed, when Winry tries to flirt with him for fun. He feels clustered and confused.

He heard a voice, "Hello! Earth to Al!"

"H-Huh! S-Sorry, daydream..."

"Okay, but are you good with doing what I said?"

"Peachy... But can you answer some things?"

She looked at him cautiously, uncertain of his motives or questions, "S-Sure..."

He chuckled, "First question, When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow..." She stared at him with a confused look. One that said, "Why is he asking me questions for?"

"Next question, are you the jealous type?"

"WHAT?" She got up and went back to the other train car, "What? It was a simple question!" He got up and followed her back. When Mei entered she sat down where Ed and Winry was, who were also giving her a weird look. She retaliated by yelling, "Don't say anything!"

Ed laughed, "Don't worry, your voices said everything! Haha!"

She blushed, "So, you heard?"

They nodded and then Al came back and sat down with them. Her blush had gone away and she turned away from Al.

Al sighed, "Come on, Mei, it was a simple question!"

"No, that question was a slap to the face. It told me that you were going to be with another woman!"

Al laughed, "Or maybe more!"

"WHAT!" She slapped him, knocking him onto the floor. He laughed, "That answers my question!"

Ed and Winry looked at each other and then at them. They seem to be taking this very good. To Ed, this scene they were making was quite interesting. Before anyone could say more they heard someone yell and they looked out the window.

"We are now arriving at Central Station!"

When arriving, Ed and Winry quickly got off and so did Mei. Al was left on the floor and he stood up. He got his things and started to walk to the exit. He shut his eyes for one second and bumped into someone, knocking them both down.

Al opened his eyes, revealing a girl with beautiful orange hair with gentle blue eyes. She wore a yellow jacket with a white shirt underneath. She then opened her eyes and noticed the blond haired Al and blushed, "S-Sorry!"

"N-No, it's my fault! You close your eyes for a second and this happens!" Al stood up and offered a hand which she gadly took, "Your such a gentlemen, what's your name?"

"Alphonse Elric!"

She smiled and nodded, "I'll remember it." She ran outside and Al followed her, but she was already at a far distance. He placed his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Hey, you didn't tell me your name!"

She blushed, "I have a feeling that we will meet again!" She waved back as she took off. Al could had sworn she blew a kiss at him, but maybe that was his imagination.

He turned around and heard Ed shout, "Hey, Al! Let's go!"

He was thinking about that girl, but ran towards them, "O-Okay!"

"What were you staring at, Al? We turn away for a second and see you staring into nowhere."

He chuckled, "Nothing, but it seems alot can happen in one second! Let's go!"

Then they were off to the stadium where the finals would take place. They were thinking about victory, but Al was thinking about seeing that girl again...

A/N: Okay... It's not EdWin that's leaving us! :D

That doesn't mean Al isn't going to get any ladie love in this fanfic series if you know what I'm saying... (Or what Mei is saying since she pointed this out...)

Don't think Mei is gone for good either... Or she will destroy you will her ninja-like skills.. XD

Oh yeah, about that girl Al met... She's not OC! But if you saw a certain FMAB movie, you probably know who that was...

R&R