Chapter 1; Recognition

Bane; "The reviewers for Burnt Rose have decided! If the one you wanted wasn't majority, it's okay. Breathe. As soon as this one's over, the next majority-picked fanfiction

Will take place. Sometimes I may even do 2 at once."

A; "Yay! I'm back!"

-silence-

A; -.-' "Anyway. We've got a new character to introduce to the commentary! Her name is Laura. And while I'm at it, I will clarify a few things to those who didn't catch quite on. 'A' is short for Alice, and Bane? Bane's a girl. Okay! Sheesh. Later we may shorten Laura's name or nickname her…but we'll tell you if we do."

Laura; "Is it always like this?"

Bane; "sometimes it gets worse."

A; "Like the time you hit me with a wrench?"

Bane; "I never hit you with a wrench. You're sadly mistaken. Something must be wrong with your head. You probably just have amnesia from the time I hit you with a wrench—I mean…uh, that is to say…"

A; "AHA!"

Laura; stares lost and paralyzed at the blank wall in utter shock.

Bane; "By the way, Laura?"

Laura comes back into reality "Yeah?"

Bane; "No more mentioning…my other name anymore, okay?"

Laura; "You mean your real name?"

Bane; winces at last two words "Well…it sort of…Bane is so much cooler than my name."

Laura & A; wink at eachother then say in unison "Whatever. HER REAL NAME IS NIKITA!"

Bane; screams in agony before realizing nothing hurts. "I'm…ALIVE!"

Laura; "Whatever."

A; rolls eyes

Bane; -.-'

A; "…Back to the story?"

Bane; "oh…yeah!"

The knock came as a complete surprise to Winry, who jumped to her feet. The straight-backed chair fell to the ground with a clatter.

The knob felt cold, and oddly slippery under her sweaty palms. Who could be calling on such a day as this? The wind took obvious pleasure in thieving the hats from old men, and nipping at the hands of those of all ages. The skies were a dull and despairing grey, the clouds fortelling of snow.

Once the door was ajar, a boy was revealed. He stood shivering, in only a t-shirt, at the doorstep. Something about him stuck familiority, but Winry couldn't quite place a finger on it.

"W-Winry?"

"I'm…sorry, do I know you?"

He bit his lip. Something in his face told of unknown melancholy. His arms were of strong build, his golden hair matching the color of his eyes. He had to be sixteen, seventeen at the most.

"I…never stopped to think that you might not recognize me. I guess…I guess I couldn't blame you…It's been too many years, too many…"

"Al? Al, is that…really you?"

She jumped at him, embracing him with such force that they both almost toppled backwards. Flushing heartily, Winry added, "I guess armor had its uses." He was close to smiling, but before the grin could broaden, the dispirited look had returned. It took another moment to realize.

"Wait…Where- where's Ed?"

His expression darkened.

"Oh my god. How- But- It was just a peace mission, it wasn't…WHAT THEHELL COULD HAVE GONE WRONG!"

He knew the rage wasn't aimed at him in particular, but he couldn't help but cringe at the sudden outburst. Her anguish was exactly as he had felt when he first heard the words. He was now on the verge of tears.

"It ...Well-"

"How the hell could Ed be de—"

He stopped her from completing the last word, "-No, he's not dead, not…" She could tell he had fought back the words 'not yet'. "Then, what's wrong, why are you so…" She trailed off, watching him, watching his expression. And abruptly, silence reined.

I can't just sit here, he's waiting…

He swung around, and despite his haste, he said just above a whisper, "We need automail. He needs the usual, but…there's a number of other things we need now…"

"Like what?"

He looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Are you up to a challenge?"

"Al, just tell me."

"Like, the surgeons said it might be possible to construct a life-like spinal cord out of tissue, but we need a vertebrae, a shoulder blade, and part of the neck…and…well…"

"What? What else?"

Bane; "I know what everyone is thinking. No. I'm not that sick. Jesus CHRIST!"

A; "Heh. I know I was thinking it."

Laura; "Thinking what!"

"Six of his ribs."

"Al…I …"

Tears were running down her face, her sobs shaking her body violently. Holding her close, he felt every jolt of sorrow that passed through her, after all, he had created them himself, earlier, after he been informed. Edward had always been coming to aid those who knew pain. But until now, his own pain had always been well hidden. Now there was no smokescreen between his wounds and his loved ones. Now it was clear that with no assistance, the agony would kill him.

Bane; "SO it's not a cliffy. It's a half cliffy."

A; "It doesn't matter, since you're realeasing this entire story 3-4 chapter in."

Laura; "They still have growing excitement as they turn to the next chapter…"

Bane; "Fine. Be that way, but the next intrerruption of the story, I'm not letting you say anything."

A; "Fine."

Laura; "Whatever."

Bane; "You know I was kidding, right?"

-silence-

Bane; "right? RIGHT?"

Bane thanks you for reading the first chapter. If you're utterly disgusted with the way she wrote this, she's truly apologetic, but don't flame; you could have…just…umm…STOPPED READING IT! Flamers, beware. Her flamethrower follows her everywhere. Please don't force her to use it; as she wouldn't mind. IN THE LEAST.

Bane; "Yes, I know I'm evil. I have the 2nd chapter finished, and am about to start off the third. To receive the second, I need 3-4 reviews. They don't have to be positive, but they have to be from 3-4 different people, and not spam. 3. Thanks."