Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto or Full Metal Alchemist

Summary: I only wanted to see my mothers smiling face, and to see my brothers face full of pride once again. But when they died, Al and I wanted them home with us again. But after the accident during the process of losing my arm and leg, and Al with his entire body. We never thought that our brother had a life besides with us, because he had always been our brother he had always been there. Now as a state alchemist I want to be out of my brother's shadow, because it's what is blocking me from finding out about him, and this secret life he had, or was it even a secret at all, I will find out one day.

A/N: About Naruto's history

In case people didn't do the math I will tell you that Naruto was 15 when he died in the last chapter, and I will reveal more in later chapters, or when the information is relevant to the story

Naruto was born in 1892 - year of 'death' 1907

Edward was born in 1899

Alphonse birth - 1900

Title:

My Brother's Shadow

Chapter 2:

New Friends

Year: 1895

Four years before Edwards birth

(Naruto age: 3)

"Hohenheim! Did you find him!?" Trisha Elric hysterically cried as soon as she saw the father of her child returning home, his face void of expression as he thought about his answer in serious consideration as he observed his distressed wife's appearance. He stayed still for a few seconds, but he couldn't leave her without an answer, no matter how much the truth would hurt her, he spared one last look at his wife with pain in his heart as he gave her the answer she was afraid of, a distraught cry escaped her trembling lips as he shook his head.

"We should have been more careful, I have a suspicion although I'm not too sure about the probability...but I think that the military state got him." Hohenhiem put forth his deduction of his theory. The whereabouts of his only son was still an internal debate for himself, but in his honest opinion even he was at a loss when he thought about it, logically it was plausible explanation. His son went out that morning like he always did, but unlike other times he did not return

after Trisha placed the lantern by the door indicating that it was time to come home after the sun was down, and he always came home right on time.

"What?! But why would they want to take him now of all times?!" Trisha snivelled, as she tried her best to look at her husband straight in the eye, demanding an answer to somewhat tranquil her explosive maternal instincts, that yelled for her to find her only child and to hold him in the safety of her embrace so that she will never let go of her baby ever again.

"You know as well as I do, what they are truly after and they would stop at nothing to get that from me, but with our son he is an extraordinary child whose talents are immeasurable. He must have been playing around the train station possibly practicing his alchemy and from there someone may have noticed him, that train station is often used by the military for transportation of goods, in fact they'd take him without a parents consent since it's their right by law especially if he shows that talent of his to the wrong person. I should have been more forceful when telling him about the dangers of showing off his alchemy outside of the house."

"But that might not be the case right? There has to be a chance that he is lost, right? Right?!" Her voice cracking, she didn't want to believe she had lost her first-born. But Hohenheim's troubled expression didn't calm her fears as she burst out into tears again, crying into her husbands open chest as he tried to calm her, knowing her pain will never truly go away.

Trisha caught a quick glimpse of a small brown stuffed bear laying innocently on the floor next to her foot, reaching down to grab the small object felt like a burden she was not able to carry as she cried hysterically once again at the loss of her child, her little baby boy.

"Naruto!" She screamed into the night, muffling Hohenhiems own cries as their thoughts stayed with the small blond blue eyed boy, who was currently sleeping in the strong embrace of the Fuhrer King Bradley on the train to Amestris, where the child would be placed under King Bradleys tutelage for his years as a military state alchemist.

Present time:

Year: 1914

Edward (age: 14)

Alphonse (age: 13)

"So you boys got the chance to participate in the examination process for the military state alchemist exam?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you!" Ed shouted, he knew the entire situation with the train before was planned out. He hated being manipulated like a puppet, it was degrading.

"Now Ed, I merely gave you an opportunity to get a recommendation to take the exams many years early. After all you're only a fifteen year old boy who has yet to realize the world isn't an all rainbows and magic."

"I already know that!" Ed spat out seething at what he was insinuating, unpleasant memories resurfaced in his mind continuously replaying almost haunting him as they had one message 'he couldn't be a child anymore'.

"Do you? Because I think that attitude of yours was more than enough indication that you're still so much like a child, nowhere near ready for this world. Your brother Naruto on the other-hand was an exceptional young alchemist who participated in the exams and he was years younger than you are now, you may be his brothers by blood and have a likely chance of being able to pull this off, but unlike the other military officials I still need reassurance that you're ready to do this."

'How old was big brother when he joined the military?' Al thought to himself as he continued to watch Ed argue with Lt. Colonel Mustang, the one man who gave them such a gratifying opportunity. Alphonse knew that a lot of people knew more than they let on when it came to their brother, it wasn't until his death that they found out that he was an alchemist, and was once enrolled in the military state, when at home he was nothing but their brother, their teacher, their parent.

'That doesn't matter now, all I want to do is to be with brother so that one day we can tell our big brother all about our adventures the next time we visit his grave.' Al vowed to himself as he thought about Naruto, their enigmatic brother who left behind an immense puzzle that changes every time they get an inkling on how to solve it, even then Al knew that Ed would not quit until they solved the one question they wanted solved more than anything else.

'Who was our brother?' Al snapped back to reality as he saw that the argument between Edward and Mustang was coming to slow halt.

"We are not children anymore, and we've seen a lot of things that forced us to grow up." Edward yelled, annoyed with the lecture that Mustang was giving him.

"Then what are you doing here bickering with me when you have a test to perform!"

Edward looked at the clock tower of the military, feeling the developing headache he'd have to deal with later while he ran back into the building hoping he wasn't late for his own individual examination test, they say it's always different for every applicant.

As Edward ran through the winding hallways, Roy stood still watching the young preteen's form disappear into the building. With the youngest Elric brother in his presence, he reminisced about a particular incident years before, with a small blue eyed child declaring that he will become the best alchemist in the history of the world. With that memory in his mind, he'd wondered, how did he respond to that annoying blond brat all those years ago.

"Heh, I must've had a lot of guts back then. After all I talked back to the Golden Alchemist and lived to tell the tale." Mustang chuckled softly, the faded memory playing in his mind, with a boy with ferocious blue eye's that possessed a talent beyond what was deemed possible by many more than twice his age.

"Golden Alchemist?" Alphonse whispered, that title sounded familiar. The more the youngest Elric brother thought about it, the more it evaded his memories and that worried him as he thought about the possibilities of that empty feeling.

"So you still don't know?" Roy chuckled overhearing Al's silent muttering, he wasn't going to be the one to tell the boys about one of the worlds most famous alchemist in history. After all they have to learn on their own just how important that name is to their journey.

The room he was assigned to was nearly pitch black, with the exception for a single spot of light at the centre of the room where a single chair stood, when Ed got closer he noticed that the chair shouldn't be able to stand considering the structure of it. It shouldn't be able to balance if he were to sit down, cautiously he walked towards it quietly contemplating whether or not he should actually sit.

In a flash he saw a golden haired boy, with intelligence burning through his bright blue eye's as he smiled at him, he raised his arm with a mischievous smile as he was pointing to the chair, when Ed took a closer look at him, he looked very young barely older than the little kids that he met on the train. The boy then ran to the strange chair, and sat comfortably as he swung his short legs back and forth barely able to reach the ground, the chair didn't topple over as the apparition of the boy soon evaporated. Edward followed the boys example as he walked towards the logic defying chair calming himself down as he sat. At that second a loud resounding voice pierced the darkness, revealing the presence of the others in the room.

"So you do have some talent after all, there has only been one other who was tested with this specific chair and passed. Personally I had absolutely no doubt that you would have passed as well, considering who that certain person was." Edward didn't give what he said too much thought, as he could barely see the men in the room, in his mind he thought of that apparition of that blond boy he saw earlier who was eerily familiar but Ed wrote it off as he assumed it was part of the test.

"Edward Elric, why do you want to become a state alchemist?" The mysterious person asked, Edwards mind traveled to his brother Al, his promise still ringing in his mind, he knew what he was going to say and whether these old geezers liked it or not he didn't care at that moment when he opened his mouth to reply.

"Heh, I passed Mustang." Edward smugly informed the older state Alchemist as he was in the middle of reading a report.

"Well that was surprising, I thought for sure you would give up." Mustang replied with a playful shocked expression as he returned his attention to his desk full of reports that he had yet to read, it took all of Al's strength to try to calm down and hold back a riled up Edward.

"WHAT!" Edward yelled as he bantered back and forth with Mustang.

'They are so similar, yet different at the same time.' The raven haired Mustang thought as he was reminded of another riled up blond from many years ago who would have put him in his place with a single word if they fought today.

'Hope you are in a better place brat. After all we've been through hell and back together, so I guess thats all we can hope for, hmm?'

He was nearly lost to his thoughts when Ed suddenly asked him about a random boy who was in one of his pictures behind his desk. It was a barely noticeable picture that was often overshadowed by the more prominent pictures pictures past comrades,, but he guessed he was wrong. He looked at the aged picture Edward was pointing at, the boy in that picture was none other than 'The Golden Alchemist', one of the greatest Alchemist to ever grace the military with his immeasurable talents, the picture was faded, and little torn on the edges. Roy had considered telling the Elric brothers about Naruto, he knew that they had the right to know, but he couldn't fathom the thought of bringing the boy up in conversation, so he decided to do something else.

"I don't have time to deal with your childish curiosities. Can't you see the adults are working here, but since you just started you don't have anything to do, so take this job and Ed?" Roy scoffed as he threw a random file in their direction, looking at both brothers with feigned disinterest.

"Yeah?" Ed asked warily, as he reached for the report that Mustang threw at them.

"Don't get killed, it is a lot of paperwork that I don't want to deal with." Mustang beckoned them to leave, he glanced at their receding backs, a familiar image of the boy he knew from long ago beckoned farewell to him as it also departed to who knows where, after all he didn't know where that boy went half the time when they were younger since that kid liked to wander.

"I only wish that you were still here, then all of this would be so much more easier, you behind left a huge mess that may or may not have your destructive streak." Roy sighed, turning to gaze out of the window behind him, a hawk stayed perched on the window railing before it left to soar through the sky. The sight itself, was pretty unusual, hawks didn't live anywhere near the city.

'There was only one person I know who owned a hawk, and he isn't alive any more.' His eyes narrowed in suspicion as he motioned for Hawkeye, he had a mission for her.

Couple Months Later

Year: 1914

Edward (age: 15)

Alphonse (age: 14)

The endless terrain of sand, radiating heat from the sun as the young Elric brothers walked to the only city in miles. It had been a few months since Edward passed his alchemy test, this was one of his many missions he had taken on since then, after all, Mustang piled on the work like crazy. Edward cursed that ebony haired man so many times over the year, but he only continued on his search through these missions, and with the fact that that man just knew how to push his buttons.

"Brother, just how far is the town?" Al groaned as they trekked the endless sea of sand, with no clear indication of life being anywhere near their location.

"Well according to this map, we should have been there yesterday!" Edward replied slightly confused as he tirelessly read and re-read the map he was given by Roy who claimed that it was the most guaranteed path to their location, but so far they had gotten lost at nearly every check point.

"What?!" Al screamed, while Ed continued walking, grumbling at the map he was desperately trying to read, and decipher.

"Brother, your sense of direction is just horrible, it wouldn't have been so bad if we asked that man from earlier where we had to go, he was going the same direction."

"No Al, I am perfectly capable of finding a town in this godforsaken desert!"

"That's what you said when we left the capital, but that was two weeks ago and it's supposed to be a three day trip Ed!"

"That's it!" Ed screamed as he shredded the map, angrily slapping his hands together before slamming them into the ground, he quickly rose from the ground on a sand pillar, going higher and higher into the sky, and that is where he saw the man that they had passed a few days ago, miles ahead of them towards the only town flourishing in the endless desert merely a couple hours ahead of them.

Grinning at the distance to the city Ed jumped off of the sand pillar as it crumbled back into smooth soft heated sand, landing on Al's back pointing at the direction of the city, screaming at Alphonse to run. Almost by instinct Al ran in the direction Ed pointed to with ease, for the first part of the run, before Al was quickly sunken down into the sand, with Ed desperately digging him out. This happened a few times until they finally reached the city, with sand pouring out of Al's suit of armour.

They city brimmed with life, as the townspeople went about their day. Al pointed out that the town was flourishing despite the fact of being in the centre of a desert, far from any other known civilization or plant life. Walking down the cobbled street Edward noticed the happy mood everyone seemed to be in, there didn't seem to be any trace of struggle. It almost seemed like a paradise while the brothers continued walking around a bit more listening for anything that needed his attention. The report he was given was to keep a look out for anything strange going on in this desert oasis, but so far everything seemed to be perfect, which in it self was very suspicious.

Taking a seat at a nearby stand, he asked the man who owned the small place for a glass of water, and some info about the oasis. The man laughed in joy, as he explained how their small town changed in such a short time, in a couple of years. Then the man changed the topic, praising a boy who passed by his establishment many years before during the Ishvalan war. He recalled that time perfectly as he explained to the two brothers how this boy said that good fortune was going to hit him one day and his small village one day, as the man was about to continue in his story when a soft harmony rang throughout the town from the town's church. The man paused in his speech as he moved to the back of his store and turned on the radio.

Throughout the town, the brothers realized how everyone was listening to the sermon on the radio, as the man promised more miracles would be happening. The tone of the man's voice and the rapt attention that the residents of the desert city were giving to the radio station that the man seemed to occupy in every radio Ed could see in the surrounding area didn't give Edward a good feeling as he was about to leave to scour the area for anything fishy, but as Al went to stand his helmet-head hit the top of the store ceiling and the action caused the store owners radio to fall to it's doom, smashing on impact. As Al was trying to placate the situation, Ed went behind the store's counter grabbed all the broken piece's, and placed it on the other side of the counter. Everyone in the surrounding area paused what they were doing and watched him, images of another taking Ed's place for a brief moment. Then as he slapped his hands together gathering his alchemic power then touching the chaotic mess of the radio, there was a small blue light emanating from the alchemists hand that had everyone nearby cry out saying what he did was another miracle. But the older citizens of the town, knew what the boy had done after having witnessed it years before.

The man who witnessed such a feat before tread his way to the boys, with a message for the one wearing the famed blue necklace of the famous Golden alchemist of the state.

"You sure are a lucky boy, to have such blood running through your veins. But if I remember correctly, he asked us to make sure to tell you that you don't have to look further than you need too. Only go as far as what you think you can handle." An elderly man said as he walked away, his face hidden from the shadow of his hood disappearing in the growing crowd.

"What was that about?" Ed was confused about the old man's message, saying it was someone else's message for him, it was too vague to discern what was the true reason for the warning.

"I don't know, but could he have... you know, talking about big brother?" Al asked, almost all knowledge of Naruto was hidden away in small tidbits, nothing made sense most of the time, while other times made them question whether or not they knew their parental brother.

"I don't know Al, if he did come to this place then there has to be more clues about him and that mythical philosopher stone after all he had dad's journal."

"We don't know anything about him, do we?"

"I wish I can answer that Al, but in the end he's our brother and I will do everything that I can to get as much information about him as I can. Everything we do is always insignificant compared to what he has done, nearly everywhere we go they know who he is and yet we never knew a thing while we were living in Resembool, not even that old hag knew anything and she's known our brother his entire life."

"He left us with so many questions, along with his proof of the philosopher stones existence that he learned through dad's notes."

"Dad, he doesn't even know that Naruto is dead, and he didn't even bother to show up mom's funeral!" Edward was livid as he thought about the man who was known as his father, any love he may have had for the man had quickly dissipated the day Naruto died, no matter how busy he was he should have bothered to read the letter they sent to man at all the destinations they assumed he was currently residing in.

"Big brother wouldn't want us to be mad at him forever Ed, you know that."

"Al, what he would've wanted is lost in the past. We can't keep looking back when we still have something to strive for, we already tried staying in the past and look where that got us. No, what we have to do is to keep our minds set on that goal, every single time we don't stick with it we always get one step closer and we're always pushed backwards by 5 steps."

"We will get there one day, we still haven't deciphered all of big brother's notes but with every place Mustang sends us there is always something or someone that helps us."

"We can't keep this pace forever though Al, we'll be old geezer's by the time we get an inch to reaching the philosophers stone."

"We will succeed, there is nothing that can get past you brother."

'I only wish that was true, I don't have a clue as to where to look. That damn brother of ours made things so difficult and dangerous, it almost seems like he was afraid of someone other than us was also trying to decipher this journal of his." Edward shook his head, slapping his face in the process hoping that it would help rid him of his thoughts.

"ARRGH, we gotta focus on this mission and then we can worry about other things!" Edward roared his cheeks reddening and pulsing with pain after his attempt at changing his focus causing him to walk in another direction bumping into a large dark-skinned man with hair as white as snow, wearing plain brown cloaks, and sunglasses on his eyes. The initial contact was enough for Ed to get a sense that this guy was no ordinary resident of this oasis when he felt the stiff muscles hidden away under the man's cloak. The brothers tensed when another man with the same plain cloak walked up to them, it put them on edge when they spoke in another language that was strangely familiar in the Elric brothers ears.

"Yo, yo, yo, lookie what we 'ave 'ere, couple a young-ins with no place to go." The dark-skinned man spoke with his own native tongue, while his hooded companion shook his head in what would have been considered annoyance.

"Bee, that didn't even make sense." His companion replied as he removed his hood, revealing bright red hair and sea foam green eyes. His gaze moved to the confused boys who looked like they were trying to decipher what they were trying to say. The two in front of them were entertaining characters as he curiously stared at the one with the suit of armor in the blazing heat of the desert, and a much smaller boy who wore a scowl on his familiar features that could only be linked to one other person.

"Huh?" Ed's intelligent response while the red head groaned.

"Damn Amestrians, they don't understand our language."

"Hey, hey, hey little guiii, who looked so fry, with a wed gown dat looks like a crowns-" Bee sparked the conversation in the broken native language of the land of Amestris, while the visible veins popped from Ed's face as he exploded.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT HE LOOKS SO LITTLE HE COULD BE CRUSHED BY A PASSING CLOWN WITH BIG FEET!" Al had to use all of his strength to hold back Ed as he tried to claw out the dark-skinned man's eyes.

"Just ignore him, how can we help you?" Al grunted as Ed was becoming more than a handful for Al alone to handle, it took quite a bit to calm down his brother, and when he finally did they started a proper discussion with the two cloaked individuals.

"Thank you, we are traveler's from a country far from here, and it seems that we have lost our way." The red head replied almost fluently when things finally calmed down, he glanced at his companion but it was too quick for the boys to decipher the hidden meaning behind it.

"Oh yeah? Where are you going?"

"Resembool."

"No kidding? We are heading there after we are done with our job here."

"You are? That sounds wonderful, would you mind if my boon of a companion and myself accompany you?"

"Sure, that sounds wonderful!-"

"But first we have to finish our mission here."

"No worries, we shall tour this oasis until you are ready to leave."

"Yo, yo ,yo Ma namie iswa Bee, and I av'ta pee."

"Bee, go over there."

"Pardon me for asking, but why are you going to Resembool?"

"To visit an old friend."

"You seemed to have mastered our language with ease." Al's curiosity was large enough for everyone at the table to notice as he looked eagerly at the red haired man, who chuckled at his response with the stiff armor clinking in childlike curiosity.

"I had come here once before, a young man like yourself was a strange little fellow with talent in what you people call alchemic power, he was so talented that even my people can acknowledge his prowess our own country, our friendship started many years ago in our childhood. I can still recall that day as if it were yesterday, his entrance was quite a memorable event."

"He was from Resembool?"

"Yes he was, I have visited his home before for a brief time."

"Why haven't we heard of him before?" Al whispered to Ed, their curiosity peaked at the thought of a talented alchemist from the same village as them.

"Mind if we come with you to visit your friend?"

"It would be our honor young alchemists, after all he may appreciate the more company to see him."

"I wonder what this guy is like, if his name is known to other countries then there might even be a chance that he's heard of the philosopher stone."

"I hope so Al, I hope so."

"Do you require any assistance with your mission?"

"Are you in that much of a hurry?"

"On the contrary we are, our visa's are nearing their expiration date."

"Well we only need to see if there are any strange activity going on in this town."

"Stranga?"

"Bee, it means unusual."

"Oh-oh-oh wine shooting to the stars-"

"Enough, we are going to assist these children."

"HEY! You don't look that much older than we are."

"Truly? How old do I look to you?"

"16?"/"16" Both Elric brothers replied in sync, their answer caused the two men to chuckle.

"That is amusing, actually I am 22, my companion is-"

"The priest is making a speech, lets go!"

"I hope he preforms another miracle!"

"You know he will, he is most likely the messenger of angels with his power."

"Its almost romantic to think about."

"Just like the legendary golden child?"

"Yes! That is my favorite legend."

"Hush children! It is rude to interrupt everyone else's attention from this joyous occasion."

"That sounds like..."

"Hush Bee, we mustn't make assumptions."

High above the sky a single hawk circled the lone oasis in the desert, it would have been unusual sight if anyone saw it before it flew away to a cloaked individuals arm high on the roof of the church as she unclipped a small container from its leg, as she opened it to see a small scroll quickly unrolling it it contained a message that rendered her to tears of happiness.

'He's back. - Uchiha'

Year: 1902

Naruto Age: 10

Edward Age: 3

Alphonse Age: 2

The stale tough bread was the only eligible meal that these people had in weeks, he could only steal one crate out of twenty others without the soldiers noticing its disappearance.

'This war is stupid beyond belief.' Naruto watched as another boy that looked as if he were around his own age come up to him, the look of recognition on his face didn't go unnoticed. The boys features were not one would expect when looking at a group of hidden Ishvalens, he didn't even look remotely similar to anyone from Amestris as Naruto examined his deep red hair, greenish blue eye's, the darkened shadow around his eyes, Naruto could almost place where he saw the mysterious boy and then he spoke.

"Naruto-san, I haven't seen you since you came to my country as an Ambassadors assistant two years ago." The red head's voice scratched with every word he spoke, his dry cracked lips were brought to Naruto's attention since he learned about the dangers of dehydration in one of his many lessons for surviving the war. It took a few seconds later for Naruto to realize what language that the other child had spoken in, it was a language he learned years ago in a faraway land beyond the borders of Amestris, they called it the 'Elemental countries'.

"You are from the element country?" Naruto asked as he pulled his bag off his back searching for his canteen of water, after retrieving it from the confinement of his bag he handed it to the young foreigner who may have gone a day without anything to drink. Naruto waited as the boy drunk the cool liquid with an eagerness that left him uncomfortable. Naruto was worried about the red headed kid, the desert was dangerous so the foreigner should have known how perilous the sizzling sun can be during the day, and how tortuously cold the night could be as he quickly scanned the boys attire, it was a light ragged cloak without a bag in sight, so he either traveled light, or he ran out of supplies on the way here.

"Ah yes 'Elemental', I am glad you can still speak in our tongue." The young red headed boy replied after having his fill of Naruto's canteen, licking his lips stung but his throat felt better after having finally drunk the water.

"Why are you here?!" The blond nearly hissed at the other boy who remained impassive to him as he continued.

"I have come to this country at an unfortunate time, however I had no choice in the matter in regards to your unusual request we have completed your order-"

"Why have you brought it here?" The red headed boy could see the apprehension in the blonds face when he nearly took out a small package, he placed it back in the hidden pocket of his ragged cloak, it had been a long journey from his country and he was growing weary each passing moment.

"Because of the urgency of your request, I am simply here under orders Naruto-san."

"San?"

"Naruto-san?"

"I forgot about your peoples honorifics, can you please just say Naruto?"

"Yes, of course sir."

"Have we met? You look far too familiar."

"Ah, yes of course Naruto, my name is Gaara if you forgot."

"Golden Alchemist, thank you for everything you have done for us." An elderly man gasped as tears flowed down his aged features, his fierce red gaze was returned by the blond child who had given them a second chance in life as he and so many others owed this child their lives, and in the honor of their religion their debt was one that would last an eternity as they all burned his face into their memories, his name etched unto their hearts as they all silently vowed they would do anything this child should ask of them with no way of completely repaying this child with the risks he was willing to face in order to save them.

"It's no problem, I am still trying to secure safe passage for you guys so stay hidden in this area for the next few days, okay?" Their savior smiled at them, in the Ishvalens point of view the child was an otherworldly being sent for the good of mankind.

"Gaara you have to come with me, you can't stay with these people, your presence alone may endanger them."

"Understood."

"Have you learned this lands language yet?"

"No, I have not learned the language completely."

"Then I shall have to teach you, it'll be dangerous for you if are caught without knowing what the person is saying, during war they will have the right to kill you upon first contact."

"I shall do my best to learn the language as swiftly as I can."

"Good. Also I do remember you now, so of course I will fulfill my promise to you."

"Thank you Naruto-san."

"First things first it's just Naruto, and that is an order."

Sorry It took so long to update, it just took forever to somehow fix it so that they were connected within the story, and not something I pulled out of nowhere with no explanation.

But other than that, I hope you liked this chapter, and I was serious when I say that I work on my stories, it just takes me awhile before I deem them worthy of being read by others.