Disclaimer: I do not own either Naruto or Full Metal Alchemist

Summary: I only wanted to see my mothers smile, and my brother's proud face once again. But when they died, Al and I wanted them back so much that we committed the ultimate taboo. After the failed attempt which cost my arm and leg, and Al's entire body we found out more than we ever knew about our older brother. We never thought for a second that he had a life besides with us, because he was always there. Now as a state Alchemist I want to leave my brother's shadow because it's what is blocking me from finding out the truth and all the secrets he left behind. As well as the one truth about the philosopher's stone that seems to be connected with our older brother Naruto Elric, 'The Golden Alchemist' and Führer's right hand man.

A/N: SORRY

I can only say how sorry I am for the extremely long wait, I actually had this chapter written down a couple years ago. But then I lost the damn file for it, and I just kinda was in a stump for a very long time trying to remember everything I had written down the first time. But I was threatened to write this down by my roommate/ best-friend who honestly would have gone through with her threat considering how long she has been waiting for me to continue with all my stories. (;^w^)

But this is it, and now she making me write down the entire storyline on good old fashion pen and paper so I would have a couple of different copies for the plans I had for all of my stories, even the unpublished ones I had for GoT, FFXIV, Digimon, etc. So now I just need to type it all and start publishing once again.

I really hope you enjoy!

Once again sorry for the wait!

A/N:

"Hello." - Elemental nation

"Hi." - Amestrias

'Herro.' - Thinking

The Elemental Nation is North to Xing, so Gaara had to cross the Desert to make it to Amestris on foot.

Naruto Age: 10

Gaara Age: 10

Edward Age: 3

Alphonse Age: 2

Chapter 3:

Memories

Year: 1902

The Ishvalen War

The chill night air nipped Naruto's uncovered face, while Gaara covered his face with a scarf given to him by Naruto as well as the new clothing to help him blend with the general populace. The boys oversaw the transfer of a small hidden group of Ishvalen's inside a train car filled with empty crates, and since the car they were riding in was registered under his own name for the transfer of his 'personal' belongings they didn't ask any questions.

Naruto knew that he was risking the rescue operation by using his actual name, but it was the only assurance they had for the refugee's safety without exposing the others who joined his cause. The car quickly filled with the remaining twenty-six people he had saved in the last few days. Naruto did a quick scan for any oncoming military officials with their scheduled inspections, since he was on scene it would be overlooked depending on who exactly was working.

With no sign of life other than themselves in the vicinity Naruto stole a glance at his new companion Gaara who wore his Amestris civilian clothing while Gaara discreetly surveyed the area. They supervised until the door closed and the tears of all those grateful for the opportunity for life engraved themselves to the boys memory. The train roared to life while the gears rotated, the conductors whistle blew in the air as the train moved along the track.

"What will we do now?" Gaara asked as soon as they were left alone, his gaze never leaving the car in front of them as the train started to depart to their destination other side of the country.

"Gaara, please try to stick to my language please." Naruto groaned as he slouched over as Gaara gave him a blank expression, as if to say he didn't really care until he shrugged and attempted to speak in Naruto's native tongue.

"Sawy, w-w-What awre weh twao doa n-n-n-now?" Gaara's monotone reply made Naruto facepalm as the boy was clearly foreign to anyone if they heard him speak.

"That's slightly better, but I have to get you away from the battle field. So I have no choice but to bring you to my place of birth."

"I still can't understand your language completly, so what did you say?" Naruto hung his head in defeat at Gaara's reply.

Year: 1914

Liore

Gaara and Bee

(Edwards Alphonse age: 15 14)

The two foreigners sat at the bar of a local vendor in Liore, drinking tea as they discussed their most recent encounter with the Elric brothers as the boys themselves left to investigate the church where the Father Cornello just finished his public display of his 'miracles'.

"Gaara, what do you think about this place?" Bee eventually asked after the conversation steered to their current location.

"Appearances are always deceiving, so I think there is more going on in then we can see on the surface." Gaara replied as he took another elegant sip of his tea, while the man serving them was happy to have outsiders bless his stand since the last stranger was the one and only 'Golden Alchemist.'

"Should we interfere?" Bee asked as the cheers from the church courtyard could still be heard in the distance long after the priest retreated deep within the depths of the church. Gaara took this moment to place his teacup on the counter as he turned to the direction of the noise, contemplating the countless outcomes for their involvement.

"No, but if we have too don't use your full abilities. This country still isn't aware about our use of chakra nor the manipulation of it to create jutsu. Xing may have revealed their knowledge of alkahestry but we don't have that luxury since we don't have the same inhibitors as these people do." Gaara returned to drinking his tea calmly while Bee grinned at the permission to fight, although there was restrictions it wouldn't hinder his abilities in the slightest.

"So how should we do this?" Finished with his tea Bee started stretching his arms, preparing for a fight given his history with the eldest Elric brother he knew that a fight was headed his way either way.

"Stick to weapons, and Taijutsu. We can't risk exposing ourselves or this entire operation."

"What about the kids? They are Golden's younger brothers aren't they?"

"Yes, I remember them."

"Oh yeah, you stayed in this country many years ago didn't you?"

"Yes, those boys have really grown. Especially the youngest one, he grew like a tree within the Hidden Leaf's borders. The older one is surprisingly short for his age." Gaara mused as he swished the hot liquid in his cup, nearing the bottom as he took in the sweet aroma of foreign tea before gulping the rest of it.

"Wasn't Naruto short as well?" Bee asked as he reminisced about the blond boy he met years prior, physically small compared to the native children in the Elemental Nations, but had a bigger attitude which eventually earned their respect.

"Yes he was, but he grew quite quickly when we were 13." Gaara replied as he thought back on his own youth, he and Naruto were the same age. But their stations in life were very different, Naruto referred to himself as a General before he was forcibly retired. While Gaara himself was only a regular Chunin until he was given the title of Kazakage when he was 15, the same year he received his last letter from Naruto.

"I haven't seen him since he was last in our country over fifteen years ago." Bee mused as his thoughts strayed to past memories of home.

"Bee... Why haven't you been rapping during this entire conversation?" Gaara stared at the larger tanned man, his curious gaze burning a hole Bee's face as the man stilled at the topic.

Bee remained silent for a moment as he stared back, before grinning as he raised his hands to throw out another verse at a now annoyed Gaara who wished he stayed silent on that matter.

Saving Liore

Edward panted as he laughed with Al outside the rubble of their battle with Father Cornello who had attempted to run away but was caught by Bee. They had chased the man with the belief that he had what they were searching for the entire time, but it was nothing but a fake philosophers stone they had found on his person as the fake stone crumbled to dust, depleted of its own power.

Gaara was nowhere to be seen as Ed was confronted by Rose, a local girl who had lost the love of her life and devoted herself to religion in hopes to bring him back. Bee watched as the boy pushed himself to his feet, albeit shakily as he told the shaken Rose to stand up on her own two feet and keep moving forward. That very small speech was almost the same as the one Naruto told many others years ago, turning enemies into friends. It seems that the family's moral values was hereditary after all, it brought a smile to Bee's face when he finally deciphered most of what Ed said.

As the boys started walking away Bee followed while carrying the tied up priest over his shoulder, the man was unconscious after the hit on his head. After seeing people starting to form together in front of the church, Bee quickly decided to take another route so the people didn't have to see him take their now ruined holy leader through the crowd.

Upon reaching the brothers, Bee attempted to ask them how they would like the handle the man he was carrying. His attempt didn't work as they stared at him in confusion, asking if he would like to see Al's suit or if he was hungry.

"He is asking about the arrogant priest he is carrying, and what to do with him." Gaara's rough voice interrupted the next misunderstanding the brothers thought they interpreted before blushing and laughing awkwardly as they said they'll let the people take care of him.

Both boys weren't very observant as Bee when he took in his partner's appearance. The ruffled cloak with his hair a little out of place, to anyone else this wouldn't be that much of a difference. But Bee has been Gaara's partner for four years, and he knew the younger man was a perfectionist who wouldn't allow such an unsightly appearance to stay. Gaara caught his eye with a slight tilt of his head, Bee knew he would find out later what happened.

The Bell Tower in Liore

"That man is back, I thought we got rid of him when we lost our prime candidate." Lust growled out as her body regenerated, her hands clenched the sand surrounding her and her siblings.

"Is it me or has he gotten stronger with that damn sand attack of his?" Envy gurgled as blood flowed from his mouth, spitting out the excess blood as his body also regenerated. They pushed themselves off the ground as they overlooked the town with the Elric brothers interference, Envy growled out that he had to do damage control.

"He's gotten stronger, and that damn woman is ridiculously strong. What damn hole did they crawl out of!?" Lust snarled as the last limb of her body fully regenerated, her thoughts generating around their most recent encounter with the foreign individuals who had something the enabled them to locate them with ease.

"Lust I want to eat them." Gluttony's stomach grumbling at the

"You will soon Gluttony, but first we have to figure out why he's back." Lust glared out in the distance, cursing that she would have to inform Father of this new thorn at their side.

Train to Resembool

"So, you said before that you have been to this country before?" Alphonse asked the foreigners while Ed and he sat across from the two men.

"Yes, I have many years prior when I was just a boy. I was fostered with a nice family for a couple years until it was time for me to return to my home country."

"Where are you from anyways? Your language sounded a little familiar, is it near here?" Edward threw another excited question at the two men, while Gaara chuckled at the question before answering. While Bee stared wearily at the red-haired man at such a reaction.

"No, it is very far away. We are from the Elemental Nations."

""Elemental Nation?"" Ed and Al both questioned, tasting the name on their lips trying to recall where they heard of the country.

"Isn't that on the other side of Xing?" Ed threw out, wracking his brain for any geographical knowledge of this location.

"No, we are to the north of Xing."

"But you had to cross the desert, right?!" Ed's eyes sparkled at the mystery.

"Yes, for me it was of no consequence because I was born and raised in the desert, but my companion is used to much more mild climates so he had the brunt of the damage. We had to take many breaks to help him ease into the heat, and to tackle any heat exhaustion he exhibited." Both boys turned with attention to Bee who remained oblivious at the conversation, sneezing as the attention remained on him before the boys turned back to Gaara who enjoyed their reactions.

"Wow, you must have come here for a reason. Otherwise you wouldn't have crossed that desert for nothing."

"As I have said back in Liore, I am here to visit an old friend."

"Oh yeah, the alchemist in Resembool."

"Yes, he is quite famous in for his actions in Ishvala." This caught Edwards attention while Al continued on his barrage of questions which Gaara took in stride.

"He was part of the war?"

"Not by choice, but yes he was. His Father was an important man within the military so he was expected to be part of it."

"His father? So we may know him after all, hey Al?"

"I suppose so brother, do you know his father's name? Is the man you're meeting at any chance adept in Bio-alchemy?"

"He was versed in everything for alchemy, and was in the middle of understanding the basic principles for Alkahestry. For his studies now, I don't know its been over seven years since I last spoke to him."

"How do you know that guy is still there?"

"I have sent a letter to a dear friend who currently resides there, she has assured me he is there."

"So who was this guy's dad anyways?"

"I believe he was called Braley, they kept calling him excellent."

Edward laughed as a joke saying it might have been Führer King Bradley, his excellency. Meanwhile Gaara thought about the possibility since it had been many years since he last heard the name.

Year: 1902

Resembool

"So, where are we going?" Gaara asked as soon as they departed from the train inspecting the station as a few stragglers waited to board, he watched in amazement at the grand machine as it prepared to continue on it's journey to the other side of the country with the passengers they had met on the way. Naruto didn't acknowledge him as he surveyed the area for people before he bounded off to the other passengers who were departing from the train station. Naruto and the strangers spoke so quickly that Gaara couldn't catch what was being said. By the time it looked like the conversation was over Naruto beckoned him over while the man pointed at a direction in the distance.

"They told me how to get to an Automail shop, I remember that being near my parents house." Naruto whispered to Gaara as soon as they were out of earshot of others.

"Are you prepared for this? I remember you telling me that you haven't seen them since you were adopted by your father." Gaara whispered back while he stretched the stiffness from his back from sitting on the train for a few hours.

"I only have a couple days to spend here before I have to go back to the frontlines, my friends can only stall for so long in my absence. But I don't know if I will ever be ready, I sent them letters with my Hawk last year. But I haven't gotten any replies since, so this will be an unexpected surprise." Naruto hid his worries behind a smile, to those who may not know the young blond may believe that he carried no worries as he followed his heart to save those in need. But Gaara was one of the few back in his own home country who knew the Golden Alchemist personally, and he saw right past that mask he donned when he needed to hide his emotions from the world. Knowing the blond like he did he knew that no words would help him prepare for this reunion, so he placed a comforting hand on his friends shoulder as they walked in the direction they were pointed to.

The two boys stood outside of a house with a sign signifying it was the Automail shop, the large sign looked like it could be repainted while the two boys walked up the stairs towards the door. Prepared to knock Gaara watched as Naruto hesitated the moment he raised his fist hovering in front of the door. They stayed for a moment before Gaara lost patience calling for the sand residing in his pockets to knock on the door, while Naruto gave him an exasperated sigh while his fists rose.

"Hello?" answered an elderly short statured woman smoking a pipe as she sized up the two boys in front of her. She saw as the blond boy throw a failed punch at a red haired boy whose facial expression remain passive as he dodged every blow as they both spoke in a foreign language.

"You idiot! I was about to knock!" Naruto growled at Gaara who didn't give him the satisfaction of landing a blow, in the midst of their jumping around in front of the elderly lady the boys clothes became disheveled revealing the necklace hidden underneath layers of clothing.

"You two idiots better have knocked on my door for a good reas-" She cut off as the boys froze at her tone, as they both turned their faces to the elderly woman. Pinako grabbed Naruto by the chain inspecting the necklace around his neck as his face paled at their close proximity while a flash of memories of a kiss with a boy with midnight black hair flowed through his mind. Naruto covered his mouth with his hand while he turned to Gaara his eye's crying for help.

"She must be out for your young flesh." Gaara mused in his monotone voice while Naruto frantically tried to get out of her grip. The woman only hit him over the head with a wrench effectively knocking him out then proceeded to drag him inside the house. Before looking over her shoulder her face darkened causing a shiver to creep down Gaara's spine as the woman's presence daring him to disobey while her face told him to follow her inside, he all to eagerly followed her in as the wrench glinted in the light.

Gaara sat on the couch with Naruto sitting down next to him as the elderly woman attempted speaking to them, but Gaara couldn't understand what she was trying to say.

"I don't know what you are saying." Gaara spoke slowly in his own language which stopped the woman from speaking as another person showed up. It was a tall blond man with blue eyes whose shocked expression and loud exclamation to the elderly woman. Gaara decided to tune them out until things settled down while Naruto nursed the goose-egg bump on his head. Gaara knew that Naruto was able to understand what they were saying as his own attention was absorbed by the necklace hanging around his neck.

"-Naruto-" That broke the boys out of their own personal musing, they turned to the elderly woman who was clearly in the middle of an argument with the blond man who looked to be exasperated by the conversation they were in the middle of.

"How do you know my name?" Naruto's voice broke out as the two adults were about to argue once again. Gaara watched their every movement, analyzing everything despite the language barrier body language would help him understand the adults intention.

"How!?" Naruto nearly shouted, while the old lady who hit him over the head with a wrench turned towards them while the blond man stumbled back clearly shocked.

"I'm Pinako Rockbell, I run this Automail shop and this is my son Yuriy Rockbell. Your name is Naruto, correct?" At her question Naruto nodded while glancing at Gaara who was not following the conversation at all, but he had schooled his face which made it difficult for him to figure out what he was thinking.

"That necklace of yours, did you always have it. Or did you pick it up one day?" Pinako grilled the boy while Gaara's eye hardened at her sudden approach and change in demeanour, his previous display of compliance evaporated with the safety of his friend at his side.

"I've had this necklace with me for as long as I can remember." Naruto answered as he gazed at the blue gem in his hand.

"Well my boy, that necklace of your's is a family heirloom of a family friend of ours, only two in existence in the entire world since the gem was so rare they only had enough of it to make two. Quite a few years back his boy went missing, and the only clue we have of finding him is that necklace right there." Pinako pointed her pipe directly at the jewel hanging off Naruto's neck as Naruto followed the pipe till his eye's rested on his necklace once again.

"So who are you boys?" Pinako asked

"My name is Naruto Elric, this is my friend Gaara Subaku. He needs a place to stay, and I thought this would be the best time to meet with my birht parents for the first time."

"Naruto Elric!? So it is you after all." Pinako whispered to herself while her son had to seat himself overcome with emotions, even Pinako herself felt weakened at this reunion.

"I know I have family around here, I can only remember that sign outside and a light in the dark. I can somewhat remember my parents faces, and playing with alchemy by the train station before my adopted father brought me to central."

"If you are who you say you are, why haven't you tried to contact us?!" Pinako cried out as her son held her back from her sudden outburst, Naruto bristled at the question.

"I did, several times! I sent letters for the past year since my father told me where I was found, but I never got a reply. I offered a ton from my earnings, presents, anything to get a reply." Naruto's voice broke near the end breaking down internally as an emotional dam was breaking, Gaara placed a hand on his shoulder. Naruto bit back his tears as the child was beginning to show inside the solider. Pinako's expression softened while her son turned to the boys his mouth moving before his mind could catch up.

"Are you boys hungry?" This caught Naruto by surprise as a reply both boys stomachs growled in unison.

"Well lets get you both fed, today is perfect for a reunion. Yuriy set the table, the Elric's should be here soon they'll be shocked to their core so get the kettle going as well."

Year: 1914

Resembool

Rockbell Residence

"Let me lead okay! You never know when a wrench might come flying out of nowhere when you come here." Edward whispered to Alphonse and Bee, completely immersed in their planning for a safe welcome they didn't notice Gaara walk right to the door until they heard him knock. Edward ran to the clearly oblivious man in an attempt to save him, until he fell to the floor in shock when Pinako opened the door with a glower on her aged face with a wrench glinting in the sunlight transforming into a shining smile enveloping Gaara in a hug while the wrench disappeared.

"YOU KNOW EACH-OTHER!?" Ed screamed once he finally recovered, pointing accusingly at Gaara while Bee was in the middle of his customary rapping introduction.

"Of course Ed, Gaara has been a friend of the family for years." Pinako glistened in the presence of Gaara as she led the man in like royalty, while she waved of the brothers to follow them inside.

"I can't believe your friend was the old hag." Ed grumbled while Gaara enjoyed his cup of tea sitting outside on the porch, while Bee was inside the house getting acquainted with Al, Pinako and Winry, who was also overjoyed at Gaara's surprise visit while she reminisced about the time when Gaara first lived with them.

"They fostered me when I first entered this country, I learned quite a lot from them especially the local languages. My friend who introduced us was not the greatest teacher, but don't get me wrong he was the best at what he did and could absorb knowledge with barely any difficulty. So, I guess it would be understandable that his only flaw was that he could not teach even if his life depended on it." Gaara seemed to lose himself to his memories while Ed continued to ponder on who he was thinking of. There had been a handful of name-worthy alchemists who had come from Resembool, and none currently resided there. Wracking his brain hadn't helped him at all figure out who it might've been.

"Wait so you lived here with Winry when she was a kid, so why haven't we met before?" Gaara paused at this question, before he could form a reply Pinako interrupted them.

"Edward while you're here, pay your respects to your family. Which reminds me, before that you should look over your old house."

"Why would I do that granny? I promised myself that I would never return to that place." Edward spat out, while Gaara placed his tea cup down gracefully as he pushed himself up from his seat.

"You'll know when you see, it's like nothing I've ever seen before." Pinako's faced darkened as her hands clenched and shook at the memory

"Edward Elric, I believe I shall accompany you in this endeavour. After that I would very much like to reunite with my old friend."

Gaara was the first to notice the familiar chakra emanating from the family home of Naruto Elric, a small smile graced his calm features as he reminisced the days long gone. Gaara was so immersed in his memories that he didn't noticed Edward and Alphonse's reaction at the sight of their family home, as they gazed at the impossibility that stood before them. Their house completely rebuilt from the ground up, the burnt grass and charred wooden beams were replaced with fresh greenery and wild flowers. The two brothers walked closer to the home to inspect the area, the small plot dedicated to their mothers garden grew anew, while the garden to the side was newly tilled with the first signs of life growing out of fertile soil. In awe Edward bolted for the door when the house was identical to the one in the memories of his childhood.

"How can this happen?! I have never heard of any type of alchemy that can pull this off, it's an exact replica!" Edward yelled from inside the house. Gaara continued slowly as he tried to recall whose chakra he was sensing from deep within the wooden walls with his hands running alongside the walls, with the scenery there was only one irregularity in the form of a small tree sapling growing off to the side of the house.

"Gaara?" Bee's questioning tone was enough to pull him from his reverie, his teal eyes tore away from the tree sapling to his companion whose attention was also captured by the tree sapling.

"Do you feel that?" Gaara asked as his own senses bathed in the living chakra resonating all around them.

"Yes, familiar like a caterpillar-" Gaara cut him off before he could continue his verse, but that didn't annoy Bee as his face lit up at Gaara's own annoyance emanating like a dark aura.

"Do you recognize the chakra?" Gaara growled out, taking slow deep breaths to calm his oncoming wrath which would snap his chakra control.

"The wood-maker borne from fire-" Bee continued knowing full well that Gaara's resolve was stronger than his well-known ultimate defence. The two men walked towards the small tree sapling quickly noticing the small parchment tied to the base of the sapling. Gaara used the sand in his pockets to grab the aged parchment carefully unravelling the loosened knot. Reading the note he recognized the characters from his own country, and the symbol of the Hidden Leaf stamped at the bottom.

'A gift from the Leaf, - Hatake.K,

P.S. Tenzo had access to the hidden memory files of the ultimate defence.'

"That explains the chakra, but why is it connected to the house as well. Did something happen here?" Gaara murmured to himself, slightly perturbed at the prospect of another accessing the deep recesses of his recorded memory deep within the village hidden vaults with the rest of his families memory orbs. The two men walked into the house as the brothers inspected every feature frantically trying to understand the enigma.

"Brother! The basement, you don't think-?" Alphonse left the question hanging in the air as the remaining Elric brothers ran downstairs, Gaara pursued them leaving Bee to explore the home of Naruto: Hero of the Elemental Nations. He wandered all around until he walked into a study with a wall of family photos. Bee examined all the photos on the wall until he came across a familiar face, removing his sunglasses he rested his ruby red eyes on the aged photograph of his old friend Naruto who held his younger brothers in his arms as they faced the camera, smiling softly at photo Bee put his sunglasses back on continuing his exploration of the house.

"It's not here!?" Edward breathed out falling to his knee's, Al at his side unaware of Gaara's hard expression as he inspected the area.

"What have you boys done here, and don't think about lying to me Edward Elric. I have many ways to get the answers out of you two." Gaara's tone chilled them to the core, slowly craning their necks to the Red-haired man they quickly regretted looking him in the face. His glower made them quiver in holy terror as it resembled one they were well acquainted with when they were children and angered their older brother which rarely happened making it all the more terrifying. The brothers kneeled before Gaara as he rested against the wall, waiting for their explanation his glower worsening each second they remained silent.

"It's about alchemy and its laws, I don't know if you know anything about that-" Gaara growled as Edward quickly continued.

"We performed a taboo in the alchemic world, and because of that I lost my arm and leg, while Al lost-" Gaara groaned at this point silencing the brothers as they looked at him again. He was rubbing his eyes in aggravation, before he turned to the brothers he looked tired as he walked up to them. Kneeling down in front of the brothers he ruffled Edwards hair, and patted Al's armoured head.

"You both are idiots, thats for sure. I know all about the laws of Alchemy, and what the taboo is. My friend's father explained all this to me when I was a child. I never had the aptitude to perform alchemy, but I know of the consequences and the results it can produce." Gaara stood up before walking back upstairs to meet with Bee to explain the change in their mission. Before Gaara reached the last step Edward called out to him.

"How the hell do you know so much about Amestris and Alchemy, just who are you Gaara Subaku?!" Gaara just sent his sand to slap Edward in response, leaving Edward in astonishment and confusion. Alphonse having been on the sidelines saw the thread of sand trailing behind Gaara before it disappeared in his pocket.

"Brother I think he used some type of Alchemy." Al's eyes shone in wonderment at the display, while his mind worked to understand how Gaara was about to perform that slap without any circles or even a clap of his hands.

"He just said he didn't have the aptitude for it Al!" Edward screamed, rubbing his reddening cheek. The brothers made their way back upstairs, their hearts heavy as memories poured from the walls surrounding them. Feeling the walls closing in on him Edward left out the front door as the night they performed human alchemy replayed clearly. Alphonse ready to follow his brother was stopped by Gaara who receded the sand back into his pockets.

"He needs to face what he's done alone, as do you. Can you tell me where I can find Naruto so I can beat him over the head for letting you two out of his sights."

"You used to know big brother?" Alphonse lowered his head wistfully recollecting his older brothers smile pronouncing his whisker cheeks, his clear blue eyes shining and short golden blond hair held up by a bandana with a weird symbol on the front while he laughed away while playing with both him and Edward.

"Used to know? What's happened while I was away?" Gaara's voice broke through his reminiscing, Alphonse sighed as he began the tale that started it all at the disappearance of Van Hohenheim, their mothers death, and the final straw the passing of Naruto who they later learned was the legendary 'Golden Alchemist'.

Meanwhile

Edward laid grief stricken eyes upon the graves of his Mother and Brother, fresh flowers were placed on his mothers grave while his brother had the same items as that days years prior; a fresh black rose, a lavender, and an almond. Echoes of crunching grass sounded behind him, Edward turned to the noise. His voice escaped him as he locked eyes with the man who held unto his hate for all these years.

"Edward, it's been a long time." Van Hohenheim remarked as his eyes moved from his son's golden eye's to the names of the graves. His heart clenched at the name of his loving wife carved into the stone gravestone, then moved to the name of his oldest carved into marble gravestone his military name was carved in italics underneath his name. The awards, honours, and stars embedded into the stone as to show his achievements in life. This only signified the time he lost with his oldest, clutching tightly on the bouquet he moved to place the flowers on his wife's grave, and his sons.

"Pinako told me about everything, you should be glad Naruto had some connections to rebuild my house from your childish actions." Van spoke, Edward bristling with rage at his nonchalant tone looking down on him.

"It was to make sure we never turned back, it was our home anyways-"

"You're wrong it was my home, and you burned it down. You were just running away, but it didn't last very long, Naruto made some amusing friends-."

"You don't have a right to even speak his name! You weren't even there, we sent you letters for weeks trying to tell you about mom, and then about Naruto when he got sick."

"I got your letters,-"

"You got them?! Then why didn't you come home!"

"What could I have done? Your brother Naruto also sent me a letter." Edward stopped his ranting at that declaration, waiting for his father to continue.

"From your reaction I can safely assume you didn't know, well it arrived around the same time as your letters did. In his letter he told me that I didn't have to return home since he said he was completely fine and that he would be waiting for my return with you two boys."

"Yeah he's been waiting alright. Right there in his damn grave! We didn't even get a chance to say bye, he was gone so quickly we only went out to eat only for a couple hours and then he!-"

"Then you were ignorant enough to commit human alchemy to try to bring them back, that was inept conclusion on your part." Van's tone never changing in their entire exchange while Edward fumed he moved closer to his father in his rage. Van then noticed the items on his sons grave, their significance ringing throughout his mind as he placed the pieces together.

"We were kids and everyone was gone, what else were we supposed to think about?" Edward at this point grabbed hold of his fathers shirt pulling him close, his rage boiling over as Hohenheim removed Edwards hands from his person.

"Flower language." Van declared, his son unable to comprehend how their interaction waylaid into unknown territory. Edward had no other response as his irritation skyrocketed as he screamed out into the sky.

"Huh?!"

"I see, now I know why he hasn't returned any of my letters the past few years." Gaara mused as he returned his attention to Alphonse who appeared to be burdened with his memories. Wistfully glancing at the home all around him, he remembered everything in his childhood that involved Naruto who always held a smile for them when they walked into the house.

"So you both burned down the family home? Why did you do that?" Gaara asked, pulling Alphonse away from his memories. He had to think for a little bit, recalling what was said when they torched the house back then. Bee joined them in the living room, sitting beside Alphonse on the couch, he questioningly glanced at Gaara who shook his head in response.

"Brother said it was to solidify our resolve,-"

"It didn't look that way from my perspective. Alphonse do you know about the things that your brother had to do when he was younger, or the things he knew?"

"No, we didn't even know he was part of the military until he died. We just knew he was our older brother who took care of us."

"That moron." Gaara growled quietly, as he turned back to Alphonse.

"I knew everything there was to know about Naruto, and let me say this, even if he was pushed to a corner like you two. He would have pushed forward regardless of what anyone else would say or do. He was a stubborn idiot at times, he followed his heart way too much and ignored his brain on multiple occasions that I can name at the top of my head at this moment. But even then he never let it drag him down, he holds onto his promises and dedicates himself to fulfilling them. Even now he would roll over in his grave and scare himself back to death because he was terrified of ghosts, but if it meant that he left a promise hanging he would even defy death just to get it done." Bee was shocked at the amount of words spilling out of Gaara's mouth that he didn't hide his surprise with his mouth hanging wide open. Alphonse flustered trying to think of a response while slightly confused at what Gaara was trying to make a point of.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that burning the house down was a cowards choice, you chose to run rather than to face what you had done in this place. It was not a significance where you both created your resolve to return to normal. But I also forget that you are merely kids, you aren't raised with the same thought process as those in my home country." Gaara mused near the end, his gaze never leaving the youngest Elric. Bee having caught most of the conversation patted the young boys head, Alphonse was about to form a reply before he was cut off.

"I'm truly sorry, I should have been there." Alphonse gasped, his shock clear to the men in the room. Gaara sighed as he tried to form the words he needed to explain.

"The time when your brother stopped returning my letters I should have returned here to this country." His discomfort was visible to Bee by the fidgeting of his thumbs as he clasped his hands together. Gaara was about to continue before Bee decided to contribute, knowing of the reasons why Gaara waited this long to finally travel across the Desert to visit Naruto, or like he was known in their country, 'The Knucklehead.'

"But you were in the middle of a power struggle with the fools causing trouble-" Bee attempted to curb the conversation away from the self-blame that he was able to pick up from the conversation.

"Bee!" The beginnings of Bee's verse once again disrupted, as he continued in his head humming along to the beat in his head.

"Just who are you Mr. Subaku?" Gaara chuckled at the name as Bee froze at the sound, he shivered in fear as he silenced himself from his humming wary of Gaara who ignored his presence.

"I haven't been called that in years, thank you Alphonse. You certainly have not changed in all these years."

"We've met before?"

"It's of no concern to me if you can't remember, it is probably best if you don't remember. Less things on my plate to deal with, you know with the risk of an international incident." Gaara smirked, Alphonse just chuckled his discomfort away as a thought penetrated his mind.

"Wait!? You knew big brother!" Alphonse's eye's glowed at the prospect.

"Yes, I thought we clarified that." Gaara deadpanned as he recalled the years prior where he helped Naruto babysit his younger brothers when he first met them.

"Yeah, I want to know how you know big brother, but what I really want to know how you slapped Ed with the sand in your pocket!"

Year: 1902

Rockbell Residence

Naruto played with his shirt collar in an attempt to fix his unkempt appearance while frowning at his wrinkled pale blue button up shirt, his faded burnt orange jacket rested on his chair as both boys sat at the dinner table. Gaara inspected the cutlery in confusion, picking up a fork attempting to decipher the object and its purpose. Naruto watching his reactions smiled wickedly, before giving Gaara a concerned look explaining to Gaara the fork was meant for combing his hair before a meal, and proceeded to trick Gaara about the uses of all the utensils.

"Thank you Naruto, I never would have known the eating ritual in this country would be so complex." Gaara bowed his thanks, while Naruto guffawed internally. His anxiousness momentarily forgotten as he waited for his trickery to unravel, as Gaara began engraving everything Naruto explained into his memory. Their attention was soon pulled away in the form of a young Blond and blue eyed girl staring at them in amazement.

"Hello, are you related to the Rockbell's?" Naruto asked while Gaara remained silent, completely given up on understanding the Amestrian language. While the girl in question just blushed as she nodded, she looked to be entranced by Gaara's bright red hair.

"Well my name is Naruto Elric, and my friend here is Gaara Subaku." Naruto greeted her, smiling at her shyness as she sounded out their names before introducing herself.

"I'm Winry." Her face reddened at Gaara's and his attention. Gaara sounded out her name, not completely butchering it, but he was getting better at sounding out things in their language. Naruto smiled at her ready to ruffle her hair before he stopped himself just before he touched her golden locks.

'Monster!' He retreated his hand while Winry looked at him questioningly, quickly averting the situation Naruto smiled while making faces causing her to laugh. They continued this for awhile until they were interrupted by Pinako who cleared her throat gaining the attention of the three children.

"Naruto, I would like you to come with me please." Pinako maintained a neutral expression as she waited for Naruto to walk with her to the front door. Leaving Gaara to entertain the young girl who seemed fascinated by him as soon as they were left alone. Pulling out the sand in his pocket he created figurines with his chakra as they danced a deadly dance of ninjustu arts on his palm. Winry completely absorbed by the 'magic' being performed as she smiled and laughed as it looked to her like a magical dance between lovers.

Pinako walked to the front door with Naruto behind her, feeling exposed without Gaara as a constant friend, Naruto began worrying again. Fretting over his shirt before freezing as soon as he spotted a few individuals in the distance. He tried to make out their facial features, his heart pounding while his palms sweated. He tried to recall the blurry image of his birth parents, as the people approaching seem to be holding back tears.

Soon they were at the front steps of the residence with the mother who had a tear-stricken face while holding onto a small golden haired babe and another at her feet staring at them curiously. The father holding letters in his hand however held an indescribable expression as he took in Naruto's appearance. Unable to form any words his mouth open and moving without any sounds, until he opted to pull out his necklace hoping they would decipher what he was incapable of portraying with words.

"Naruto?" The Mother and Father cried out, the boys questioningly watched everyones reactions. The name however caught their attention as the older of the two babes happily cried out.

"Big brother!" Naruto froze at the name, thoughts of being replaced crossed his mind but was quickly shattered as the father grabbed hold of him, hugging him tightly slightly trembling as tears fell down his bearded face. Followed by the mother holding the youngest child, and soon the little boy standing on his own laughing out the name 'brother' reached out to hug Naruto who was crying out loud.

Pinako held back her tears as she gazed-upon the family reunion, as the boy who was so worried held unto his long-lost family for dear life as he cried into his mother and fathers embrace.

"Finally you're back! We just got your letters, they were in the next town over, we had no idea for the longest time, we had no idea until a friend of ours came back this morning with them." Trisha cried as her youngest reached out for Naruto grabbing on his shirt until Naruto reached out for him. Worriedly waiting for her reaction, his own internal turmoil mistaken for discomfort she gave him Alphonse.

'Monster.' The memory of a battlefield years ago reverberated in his mind as his heart accelerated, he was almost ready to give him back to their parents, but Alphonse's grip was intense. His mother rearranged his hands so he could support the toddler easily, Alphonse was in heaven as he laughed and smiled in his arms. Naruto could feel his pulse receding in its erratic pace, while his breathing slowed. The baby continued in his own happiness luring Naruto in, until a tug at his leg garnered his attention. He glanced down at the other boy who sadly watched the exchange.

"Big brother is mine." He silently declared holding back tears, his lower lip quivering. Naruto's confusion fuelled the fire as Alphonse giggled even more. Naruto kneeled down with the toddler, till he was eye-level with Ed.

"So you're my brothers? What're your names?" Naruto asked as he noted the slight differences between him and his new found brothers. The main difference would be the marks on his cheeks, and the fact that his brothers had their father's eye colour while Naruto noticed he had his mother's eyes.

"I'm Edward, the baby is Alphonse." Edward proudly declared, while in response to the baby comment Alphonse kicked him in the head throwing Ed down on the floor. With a slight startle Ed was in shock, almost ready to retaliate until Naruto burst out laughing.

Trisha couldn't hold back her tears of joy and heartache at the sight of all her children together. Internally glad she never gave up on her oldest as she constantly told stories about him to her younger boys, so they'd know that somewhere out in the world was their oldest brother. Using all of her willpower to glance at her husband, she saw him erecting his defences. His gaze hardened at the lack of understanding, and his inability to form a relationship with his younger sons, that now with the return of his oldest son, he had no idea how to move forward.

Reaching out to her husband Trisha successfully pulled him out of his reverie. They both turned to their sons once again with softened gazes, with Pinako at their side witnessing the joyous scene alongside them.

The reunited family made their way into the house and proceeded to the dining room. Naruto immediately noticed the use of chakra as he quickly rushed to Gaara's side holding Alphonse tightly as to not drop him and his brother as a result to the sudden movement squealed in excitement. Naruto hissed at Gaara reminding him of his country's laws on showing outsiders the use of their chakra.

Naruto sighed in irritation at Gaara's blank stare before the other finally put away the sand. Before Winry could protest Edward was at her side calling out her name, announcing that he found his hiding brother. Before Naruto knew it he had the attention of all the children once again. Before he could ask for assistance from anyone Gaara lifted up Winry on his hip, the girls blush returned with force which caused Ed to retaliate with a kick that never landed because Gaara continuously dodged. Naruto introduced his brothers to Gaara in the Elemental language, which raised the eyebrow of his father.

"This one is definitely related to you, he's just as short as you were when I first met you." Gaara replied, while Edwards attempts at kicking him changed into him just trying to catch Gaara who jumped all around the table.

"I wasn't that bad... was I?"

"Kankourou still curses your name to this day for that stunt you pulled on him when he called you 'short stuff'."

"Okay, I'll admit this one time I went kinda overboard on that prank.-"

"Naruto, what language is that?" Hohenheim questioned as he approached the boys, Edward finally giving up on his pursuit as his fathers interest was piqued.

"Eh?!"

A/N: Okay, that's a wrap!

After the devastation of losing all my notes, I have started making a copy of all my idea's and plot-lines on my phone, my computer, and as my saving grace, on a paper notebook. Because I will be honest, I almost didn't want to continue this story, but luckily for those who stuck by me. I am way too stubborn, so I picked up everything from scratch, and am currently just trying to figure out how I want to end this story for my plot-line.

Now with three different copies for my plot-lines I shouldn't have any more devastation. (Knock on wood)

Now, I really hoped you enjoyed this chappy!

Until next time!