Cap'nHoozits: Your question about Winry's mother will be answered in a later chapter. I didn't even think about that. Your imagination is all you need for Miles' and Scar's dramatic entrance. It's funnier that way.
jpbrat10: I hope this story pleases you. *pets three cats in turn* Muahahahahahahah! And it will only get better. Trust me.
IamTHEhunter: I'm not saying. Keep reading and find out.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. If I did, Winry and Ed would kiss at least once during the story.
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Chapter Two: Housing Arrangements
Winry and Scar stared at each other for a few moments. They both had memories running through their heads. And none of them were very pleasant. They hadn't seen each other since they had separated in the northern mountains. Winry thought he had died in the final battle against Father and the homunculi. Neither of them thought that there was any chance they would ever see the other again. Winry wore her hair down instead of in its usual ponytail-and-two-strands, and she had a more mature look to her that only time and experience can bring. Scar now had a six-inch long ponytail, and he wore tradition Ishvalan attire. But no matter how much their appearances changed, they would remember each other until the days they died.
Miles looked from one to the other, then back. He knew their relationship, but he could not even begin to guess what these two were thinking. After a few awkward minutes he cleared his throat, and Winry and Scar ended their flashbacks and turned to him.
"Well," he began, trying to think of the right words, "Enough time has been wasted already. Let's get you settled in, shall we?"
Winry and Scar shared one last look, then proceeded to do as Miles suggested. Winry had only brought a suitcase and a duffel bag. This made it easier since cars were still not accepted by the Ishvalans and Winry's temporary home was on the other side of the village from the train station. Miles took the suitcase and Scar took the duffel bag.
As they drew nearer to their destination, Winry finally got up the courage to ask what she had been wondering for a while.
"So who will I be staying with?"
Both Miles and Scar stopped in their tracks at those words, looked at each other, looked at Winry, then back to each other. This made Winry nervous, and a bit suspicious.
"Well?"
After another minute, Miles sighed and finally spoke.
"Well," he sounded like he almost didn't want to say it, "I would let you stay at my house - my wife would be more than happy to have you - but, unfortunately, one of my daughters just became very ill. So my wife spends almost all of her time at her bedside and I'm away most of the day on military business. You would be alone most of the time."
"I don't mind," Winry replied. "I was mostly on my own at home, and I could help out with any household chores that your wife can't do."
"Thank you, Winry," Miles gave her a warm smile. "But my wife wouldn't want you to feel like we were turning you into a maid, and we would like you to socialize with other Ishvalans. They are half your people."
Winry felt like debating more, especially about the comment of being turned into a maid, but decided against it.
"Then who will I be staying with," she asked, "if not you?" Miles sighed again.
"While you won't be staying at my house, we would like to house you someplace close by in case we get any news concerning your family. Most of the people who live around me are Amestrian military, and none of them are at all prepared to take care of a young woman. That and I don't trust them not to keep their hands off of you. The only other person I would trust you to and lives nearby is. . ." long pause and another sigh, ". . . Scar."
This time, it was Winry who stopped walking. Scar also stopped. Miles kept going for a few yards before he realized that he was walking alone. He turned back to see Winry and Scar looking at each other again. They were both remembering when they had traveled together for a bit back in the north, and the events leading up to that uncomfortable experience. Only now they would have no one else with them. It would just be him and her, and they were both mentally shuddering at the thought.
"I'm not too pleased with that arrangement," Winry finally said.
"Believe me," replied Scar, "neither am I." Winry gave him her deadliest glare, one that she normally saved for Ed when he showed up unannounced with half-destroyed automail.
"Won't people think it's a bit strange for a teenage Amestrian girl living with an adult Ishvalan male?" she asked. "They won't start to talk?"
"It is a sin for a man to lay his hands on a woman he's not married to," Scar answered. "And I used to be a priest. Anyone who knows me will know that I'm a man of honor and won't try anything on you."
Winry thought about this for a moment, then held up her palms in a defeated gesture. "Fine. As long as no nosy busy-bodies start spreading any rumors."
Miles stood there with a pleased smile on his face, even though he was throwing a party inside his head. To say that he was afraid would have been an understatement. He was absolutely terrified that Winry would argue and start a fight with Scar that would result in more than just a few harmless bruises.
"Well, then," he said, not displaying any of his true emotions, "Let's get you settled then."
Winry and Scar nodded and continued walking, glancing at each other from time to time. Winry made a mental note to hide her wrench under her pillow in case the former serial murderer did try anything. Religious beliefs and honor or not, she was still wary of him.
After a few uncomfortable minutes of walking, they reached Scar's house. It was a plain, two-story building with a small yard and garden in the back, which consisted of neat rows of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They walked in and Winry looked around. A hallway split the house in two. To her left after just walking in was a kitchen with a stove, oven, cupboards, and sink, and a small table just big enough for two people. Beyond that was the pantry, holding food that was meant to stay fresh for a while. To her right was a living room, with a fireplace, a couch, two wooden chairs, and a bookshelf. Beyond that was the bathroom, where Winry would find a toilet and sink. Directly across from the front door was a back door that led to the yard and garden. There was at least one window in each room, letting the light of the sun shine in. In the living room, on the side wall, there was a set of stairs that led to the second story.
The three companions climbed the stairs in silence. The second story consisted of a hallway with two doors on one side that each led to a bedroom and another door on the other side that was storage space. The storage could also be converted into another bedroom if the need arose. Winry looked in the first bedroom and decided that it was Scar's. Its furnishings included a bed, closet, bookshelf, chest, and a desk under the window. She could tell it was Scar's because his personal belongings occupied the room.
Scar led her to the second bedroom and all three entered. Its furnishings matched those of the first bedroom, but this one was stripped of any signs that it was currently being used.
Miles set down Winry's suitcase. "I'm sorry to leave you so suddenly, Miss Rockbell, but I need to report to Mustang that you arrived safely and are getting settled in."
"Thank you Major Miles," she replied with a warm smile. "And please, call me Winry."
Miles smiled, then proceeded to walk back down the hall, down the stairs, and out the door. Winry and Scar looked at either their feet, the walls, or the hallway, but they refused to meet each other's eyes. Finally, Scar, too, set down Winry's duffel bag.
"I need to start dinner," Scar said, still not looking Winry in the eyes. "Would you like me to help you unpack, or do you prefer to do it yourself?"
"I'm fine."
"Alright, then. I'll be right downstairs. Call me if you need anything."
Scar walked down the hall and down the stairs. Winry walked over to the bed, sat down and closed her eyes. She didn't notice how soft the mattress was, or the lovely knitted designs of the blankets, or the sounds of Scar in the kitchen. She didn't even notice the single drop of moisture fall from her eye and down her cheek.
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Me: Wow. That was a long chapter. Please review or I shall send Scar after you.
Scar: I don't remember volunteering to do your dirty work.
Me: What if I told you they're State alchemists?
Scar: DIE blasphemous alchemists!
Me: Muahahahahaha!
End of Chapter Two.