A/N: set before the manga/anime. No spoilers.
Rules
"Regulation 307, Subsection 9-C:
Fraternization between two fellow officers of the Amestris Military or any association identifying with the previously named group is restricted. A charge of fraternization between two officers may be indicted at court and is punishable by court marshal. By order of Fuhrer, King Bradley, August, 1889."
Her eyes skimmed the pamphlet yet again.
"Fraternization between two fellow officers of the Amestris Military…is restricted." She drilled over and over until the phrase was practically a part of her being.
Riza Hawkeye had recently applied for the army; she knew there was a war being waged in the East—not too far from her home. She wanted to protect her homeland. Her only family member was already a General in the military; she had no occupation to speak of. Why shouldn't she defend her country?
Her application was accepted almost immediately. Soon to follow would be her active drills, when new soldiers learned to fire weapons (she already knew that one), survival training, and various other necessary skills. She would learn all of these within a few weeks, so desperate was the need for troops to be sent to Ishbal.
She was determined to memorize the manual. It was a guideline for appropriate reactions in situations—a realistic answer for every possible situation she could find herself in was in this book somewhere. She needed every advantage she could get.
Riza Hawkeye graduated at the top of her unit. She was immediately appointed the rank of "Sergeant" and sent to snipe at the front lines. It was a difficult and gory task; she took many lives. Yet it was all in the textbook. She was doing nothing wrong. She was abiding by the regulations, and reacting appropriately to every situation thrown at her.
However, when Riza Hawkeye once again set eyes on Roy Mustang, the rulebook flew out the window, and Regulation 307, Subsection 9-C was forgotten.
A/N: reviews are important! remember: reviewers and authors are co-dependent!