AN: Woo, another chapter. Surprising? Indeed it is lol. I'm going to continue trying my best to get this story moving again. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate it ^^ Your support makes this story worth it~ Also, I was at a total loss of what to call this chapter x.x heh... it makes sense in a way. Anyways, enjoy~

IronClaw Alchemist -25- Mending a Path

My brother once told me that in order for a wound to heal, you'd have to first stop the bleeding. Well, it was actually on several occasions that he'd tell me, when I'd be reckless and go do something stupid, but that was beside the point. In a sense, I had found my tourniquet. It had taken a few weeks, but I finally snapped out of it. Maybe I was just over looking things, but as far as I was concerned, it was Ed who helped. It was unknowingly, of course, but I was still grateful.

I could finally start to fix things. Find Daisuke and heal. In comparison, I heal much faster than the average person, but then again, it would still take a while.

I woke suddenly, Ed's arms instantly tightening around me. It was quite often that I'd wake this way, yet I could never get used to it.

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and sat up, already craving the comfort that Ed's arms supplied me with. I knew I couldn't rely on him as much as I was starting to. It would be too much of a burden for him to carry. He already made a promise to Al and I didn't want to get in the way of that more than I already have.

The train ride to Risembool was supposed to take a few hours, but it was starting to feel like much longer. I felt Ed place a hand on my leg gently, I could tell he was worried but didn't want to ask directly. I didn't blame him though, I probably wouldn't have given him an answer anyways. Instead, I decided to take the attention off myself.

"So, how much longer?"

Ed shrugged and leaned back in his seat. "'Bout an hour."

Al nodded his agreement and moved his gaze to the window. "I wonder how Winry and Aunty Pinako will react. Brother, you called to let them know we were coming, right?"

Ed's body tensed at the question and he paled, earning a sigh from Al.

I glanced between the two brothers. "What's so bad about not calling first?"

Ed shuddered. "She's a monster..."

I blinked, turning to Al for his opinion.

"She can get a little... Out of hand, but that's not a nice thing to say brother. Especially when it's your fault."

Ed shot a glare at his younger brother. "It's as much your fault as it is mine."

"What? No it's not!"

"We're a team, remember Al?"

"But you're the one who makes all the reckless decisions!"

"And you're the one who let's me do them."

I couldn't help but laugh at the brother's banter. Ed was pretty much having fun at Al's expense and I knew, for the most part, he was only joking around. Al didn't seem to notice though and had started waving his arms around sporadically. His voice had also risen an octave. It was quite amusing and I could see why Ed was provoking him.

The remaining time on the train passed by relatively quickly. Obviously Ed and Al being there helped, but I couldn't help but be overjoyed when we arrived in Risembool.

"So this is your hometown?" I asked from Ed's back.

He started walking and nodded, his braid rubbing against my cheek. I took another glance around the open landscape, noting a house in the distance. "Is that Winry's house?"

"Mhm!" Unlike his brother, Al seemed genuinely excited to be going back to see their friend.

"And where's your house?"

Both brothers stayed quiet at my question. I wasn't sure if I should just let it drop or not. Thankfully Ed spoke up first.

"We don't have a home. Not anymore."

I blinked, confused and slightly concerned. How didn't they have a home anymore? I didn't voice my curiosity though. If they wanted me to know, they'd tell me.

"Look it's Aunty Pinako," Al announced excitedly, waving to the woman standing at the front porch.

She smiled in return, removing a pipe from her lips. "Winry, we have guests!"

I felt Ed tense up at the mention of her name. She couldn't be as bad as they said she was. I mean, there's only so much a teen girl can do. But then again, the wrath of an angry woman could be pretty destructive.

I didn't have to wait long to get my answer though. Within a minute of being called, a blond girl stepped out the front door and a wrench was instantly sent flying towards Ed... And myself.

Lucky or not, Ed took the metal projectile to the head and fell backwards in a daze, taking me down with him and of course, landing on me.

"Didn't I tell you to call before you visit? What did you do this time Ed?"

He was quick to shoot up with a retort, evidently angry. "What the hell was that for? I didn't even do anything!"

He turned his attention back to me, probably just remembering that I was now on the ground. "Shit, Riku."

I stayed quiet as he helped me up, momentarily distracted from Winry.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you were there!"

She sounded genuinely sorry, so I nodded my understanding. "I'm sure Ed deserved it anyways," I teased.

Ed shot me a glare. "Maybe I should just leave you here then."

"The hell you will!" Winry shot back.

Ed paused, surprised at her reaction. "Wh-what..?"

"She's a paying customer who is looking for the best automail in Amestris! You can't leave her outside!"

Al, Ed, and myself all sighed together. She was turning out to be a rather animated girl, I'll give her that much.

It didn't take long for Ed to pick me up, this time lifting me into his arms. I wouldn't admit it, but I liked it better this way.

As I had expected after seeing her, Winry didn't waste anytime to get started. Almost as soon as I entered the house, I was brought to the backroom and given a pair of shorts to change into. Unfortunately they were really short and of course I didn't have a say in the matter. Not only that, but the medical table I had to sit on was cold.

"Sorry, but it's all I have," Winry excused, most likely noticing my uneasiness and constant fidgeting with the clothing.

I nodded, earning a smile as she sat on a chair in front of me. An awkward silence instantly consumed us as she started working on whatever she had to do. Measurements, moulds, etcetera, etcetera. I chose to ignore whatever it was she was doing though. I hated being poked at and examined, plus the closeness was unsettling.

"So, you're also a State Alchemist?" she asked as she worked. "Is that why you're traveling with Ed and Al?"

I couldn't help but feel like there was something more to the question. She was definitely curious of me and I didn't blame her, but there was still something else. Envy? I decided I wouldn't pry further though. For now.

"Yeah, he trained me and we've been working together."

She nodded and jotted down a few notes before standing up.

"He's always getting himself into trouble..." She sighed. "I don't suppose your injury was military related? If you don't mind me asking."

I tensed slightly at the memory, but answered none the less. "I just picked a fight with the wrong person."

I received a curious look, but that was all. I was grateful she didn't question my any further.

"So... How does automail work anyways?"

A certain glitter made it's way to her eyes as the words slipped from my lips. She instantly started going on about how the mechanics are connected and all the different parts used for the limb to function properly. To be honest, from when I first learned about Ed having automail, I had always been curious about it, so the question wasn't simply to get out of explaining myself.

"And then when we attach the limb, the link to the nerves are connected, allowing the user full mobility."

She gave me a smile, signalling that she was done. I hadn't expected her to go on for that long, but I appreciated the explanation.

"Maybe I can teach you a few things later on," she added enthusiastically.

I returned the smile and nodded, already chewing on the new information. It didn't take me long after that to come up with my next question.

"It's painful then?"

Her enthusiasm dropped slightly at the question. "Unfortunately. I guess I should have warned you earlier. Sorry."

I waved a hand dismissively at her. "I've had worse. No harm done."

She looked a bit taken back from my response and opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind and sighed. "I've know you for less than a day and I can tell you're crazy."

I laughed at her response and nodded. "That about sums it up."

It was odd, but I had officially decided that we'd get along just fine.

After all the preparations were done, I was told that the base for the automail would be complete by tomorrow and they'd be able to do the surgery bit. That way I could at least have a temporary leg. Of course, Winry had also said that the recovery would take some time- lots of time actually- but I was sure it wouldn't take me long to be up and walking again.

Until then, we chose to occupy ourselves with a card game. I made sure to sit beside Ed though and would occasionally lean over and trail my hand along his arm to check for any cards. I don't think he realized why I was doing it though, because every time I did, he would blush. It was rather... Cute actually.

Surprisingly, it was Al who questioned me first. "Riku... Why do you keep doing that...?"

I raised a brow towards the younger Elric before giving Ed an indifferent look. "'Cause he cheats."

"What? I do not!"

I felt my lip twitch. "Yeah you do!"

"Prove it!"

"Just admit it!"

"No wa-"

"Would you two just shut up?"

We both froze and turned to where Winry was standing with a wrench held tightly in her hand, clearly irritated. "S-sorry..."

We waited for her to leave before letting out a held breath.

"Is she... Always that scary...?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

Ed shivered. "When she's lacking sleep... Yeah..."

"Wonderful..."

He chuckled softly at my unease. "A State Alchemist that's willing to take on anyone is frightened by a girl?"

I frowned at the comment. "Last time I checked, she scared you too, macho man."

"Are you questioning my manhood?"

"Sounded like it to me."

Al sighed. "Here we go again..."

As annoying as these pointless arguments should have been, I was actually starting to enjoy them. They meant that we didn't have to worry about our troubles all the time. We could take a breather before things pick up again. I was stuck here for however long, so we might as well make the best of things. Once I got my automail, we'd go back to Central and find Dai. That, I would bet my life on.

FN: And that's that. I'm thinking there's going to be a bunch of time dedicated to being in Risembool or at least automail related, so if there's anything someone wants to have happen, let me know and I'll see if I can add it in ^^

Also, I'm sure you've noticed that I'm using the spelling of 'Risembool' instead of 'Resembool'. I'm doing that because of Vic Mignogna's 'Risembool Rangers'. Vic's awesome so I shall follow his example XP