--- Flashback, anyone? ---
20. Protector
Rustle, rustle.
"Ed, did you hear that?" A little girl with golden blonde hair asked nervously.
The boy next to her brushed his honey blonde bangs away from his face. "I don't hear anything."
Rustle, rustle.
The girl froze; her blue eyes wide. "There it is again!"
Ed rolled his eyes. "Winry, you're such a fraidy-cat!" he said walking on down the path.
Winry scowled, catching up. "I am not! You're so mean to me."
Rustle, rustle.
This time, both children heard it. And this time, Winry wasn't the only one to freeze. "E-Edward," She stuttered, grabbing his arm. "What was that?"
Ed's eyes scanned the bushes as he shushed her.
Rustle, rustle.
There, to the right! Ed turned in that direction, and Winry began backing up.
"Ed, I'm scared…" Winry said in a small voice. Her eyes started to tear up, and when Ed glanced and saw her terror, his eight-year-old brain registered an odd feeling.
Rustle, rustle.
It was closer. Winry's back was to a tree, and she slid down the trunk to sit on the roots, unable to back up any further. As the thing burst from the bushes, Ed threw himself in front of her, arms spread and eyes closed tightly. When he felt no attack, he opened one eye to see why.
There, sitting in the middle of the path and looking at them with big eyes, was a bright orange kitten.
Winry peeked around Ed's still outstretched arms. Her face broke into a grin. "Aw, what a cute kitty!" she cooed, ducking under them to go and pet it.
Ed had been fully prepared to protect Winry, even as a child.