Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto or anything related. This is fan made entertainment and no profit will be made.

KuroKapibara: Hey thanks for reminding me. I couldn't remember when Al remembered and stopped using circles. I've already started this so I'll just have to work it into the story somehow. I don't want to have him doing circles the whole time.

Chapter 3

Ed and the rest of the group finally arrived at the Sand Village. The first thing they noticed was the destruction all around. They saw people fill the streets talking with one another. Temari was the one that was most affected by this.

"What? What is this? What happened here? We have to go find Baki or Kankuro and get some answers." They eventually found Baki outside the Kazekage's office.

"BAKI-SENSEI!" He looked as Temari and the others were running up. "What happened here?"

"Temari," Baki began. "We were attacked. Gaara was taken."

Baki took a deep breath. "A member of the Akatsuki hit us with a surprise attack. Gaara fought him off as long as he could. But they captured him."

"WHAT? GAARA WAS," Naruto was feeling both shocked and enraged. "AND YOU SAY IT WAS THE AKATSUKI? WE HAVE TO GET HIM BACK!"

"Naruto calm down," Kakashi added. "I know you're worried about Gaara but we can't run off carelessly. Baki, do you have some sort of rescue operation planned."

"I'm afraid we have more bad news. Kankuro chased after Gaara, but he was poisoned. He is in the infirmary now. Our doctors are treating him now."

"Kakashi-sensei, I'll go see if I can lend a hand."

"Good idea Sakura. Go on." The pink haired ninja ran off after that.

"Are you sure she can help," Baki asked.

"Sakura is Lady Tsunade's apprentice. If anyone can help it would be Sakura."

The group was soon joined by someone else. "Mr. Baki!" They looked to see Al running up. "I want to help get Gaara back."

"Al!" Ed exclaimed.

"Brother!" Al cried happily. "I'm so glad you're here. I was trying to get you back after Gluttony swallowed you. I only saw you for a second at the gate before we were both pulled here."

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

"We can talk more later. Mr, Baki, please let me help? Gaara has been so nice to me ever since I've been here. If I can do something please let me."

Ed stared at Al for a moment. His brother was determined to rescue this Gaara person. He knew they were about to get involved in some trouble. "Well if you insist on going then I guess we both are."

"Brother," Al said happy that Ed was willing to go.

"With all of you here we may have a chance to rescue our Kazekage." Everyone turned their attention Baki, hoping for a plan. "We can't leave the village undefended, but you could go rescue Gaara for us."

"There is still the matter of how we are going to find them first," Kakashi added."We can use my hounds to track Gaara's scent."

"Okay then that leaves what we are going to do when we find them. We don't know how many will be there waiting for us. We also don't know what sort of skills they posess."

"We do know what one them can do. That guy who took Gaara used clay that acts as bombs," Baki informed them. "We also received reports of a second Akatsuki member that was spotted outside the village."

"I believe I know who it was." The group turned to see an old woman approach them. "I believe is was Sasori, my grandson."

"Lady Chiyo," stated Baki.

"I am going as well. I need to see for myself. Know if it really is Sasori. "

"Waiting around for Sakura wouldn't be to our advantage. Time is of the essence here so we'll have to go without her," said Kakashi.

"Baki-sensei, I want to go as well."

Baki closed his eyes and thought for a minute. "Very well Temari. Do everything you can to bring the Kazekage back safe."

Temari nodded as they were finally prepared to leave. Along the way as they were following one of Kakashi's hounds Al told them how Deidara seemed to know about him. He mentioned someone had told them. Ed questioned who could have done that and neither of the brothers knew. Lady Chiyo had revealed she was the one who sealed the One Tails in Gaara.

The word Jinchuriki, that is what Deidara called Gaara. Alphonse questioned what that meant. Both brother were shocked to learn about these tailed beasts. How they were sealed inside vessels in an attempt to gain control of their power and use them as weapons. The worst part was learning how Jinchuriki are treated by their village.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? THESE ARE PEOPLE, YOUR PEOPLE!" Al was outraged. "WHAT GIVES YOU THAT RIGHT?"

Ed was similarly not pleased with these revelations. "Just more humans trying to play God huh? Trying to reach for power that's not yours to take?"

Lady Chiyo looked back at them. "You don't understand."

"Oh we understand more than you think. The only difference between us is that you don't have to suffer the consequences of what you did. You get to live a nice normal life while Gaara suffers for your arrogance." With that Ed was done talking.

The others were surprised at Ed and Al's reaction, especially Naruto. Being a Jinchuriki himself he knew all too well what it's like to carry that burden. Apparently these two had some burdens of their own.

Eventually they came to a stop in a field. They were being intercepted by someone they weren't expecting. As this new enemy surveyed the group he set eyes on Ed and Al before grinning.

"Well if it isn't the Fullmetal Pipsqueak and the Tin Man."

"Envy," Ed looked with wide eyes. "You're here too?"

"Oh yeah, surprise. Brilliant idea you had. Transmute yourself to open the real portal of truth and then we jump in to make it back to Amestris.." Envy started laughing maniacally. "Except this isn't Amestris is it?"

"If you're here what about Ling? What happened to him?"

"Hell if I know not do I care."

"It was you," Al stated. "You told that Akatsuki guy about me. That's how they knew about me."

"So what if I told them. I don't see us getting back any time soon do you? I see no reason why I can't kill you now."

"Ed, Al what's going on? Who is this guy," Kakashi asked.

"This is Envy, a Homunculus. He may look human but he has incredible powers. He can change his appearance. He heals fast and he's bigger than he looks too," Ed replied.

"You guys go on ahead and rescue Gaara. We'll deal with envy." Ed clapped his hands and transmuted a blade on his right arm. This was the first time the ninja got to see Ed's automail.

"Go everyone," Al repeated. "We'll hold him here."

The group decided to put all questions aside and continue on their way to Gaara. "Kakashi-sensei, are you sure we should just leave them?"

Kakashi looked over at Naruto. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on here. Clearly there are still some things they haven't told us. But they're fighting so we can rescue Gaara. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be okay." He ended with a smile at Naruto through his mask.

"Yeah, okay." Naruto decided he needed to try and focus on the mission.

They made it to where Gaara was being held to be met by Guy's team. Tsunade had received word that Gaara had been taken. She decided to send another team as backup for Kakashi's team. The way in had been blocked, but Team Guy managed to deal with it. To Naruto's horror they had already extracted the tailed beast from Gaara as now he lay motionless.

Temari covered her mouth for a moment. She wanted to scream. Gaara seemed to be dead. Her shock was quickly replaced with anger.

"YOU BASTARDS!" Naruto growled. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"

"Hey look Sasori, it's the Nine Tails. Nice of him to come to us don't you think?" Deidara was looking at his partner with a smirk.

"It saves us some trouble. So what say we take him now."

Kakashi was worried that Naruto was going to do something rash at first. Then the blonde surprised him when he suggested they split up and split them up. It was at this moment Kakashi was starting to see that maybe Naruto had grown more than he thought. He agreed with Naruto's plan, splitting them up seemed like the best option.

Naruto created some three shadow clones though Kakashi noticed one was in back sitting as if he was meditating. One clone began by throwing a kunai at Deidara which he dodged. He was then surprised as that same clone punched him in the face followed by a kick to the gut. Deidara moved back towards the entrance, he noted that Naruto was faster than he expected. The original Naruto had created a rasengan with the second clone and leapt at Deidara. He planned to attack from above Deidara moved out of the way. The second clone leapt off the original's back and hit Deidara once again.

Temari couldn't help but be impressed. This was certainly not the same scrawny kid she saw during the Chunin Exams. The fight quicly moved outside with Naruto and Kakashi giving chase. Leaving Temari and Lady Chiyo to deal with Sasori. There was also one clone Naruto left behind, still sitting. What Naruto planned to do with this clone she had no idea.

Naruto and Kakashi had managed to bring Deidara to a stop. Deidara unleashed some clay bombs at them, but Kakashi fired off a fireball jutsu incinerate them. Naruto jumped up in the air. The clone he left behind vanished in a puff of smoke. Deidara moved as Naruto landed where he once was. He was then seemingly hit by nothing and sent flying into a tree. Both Kakashi and Deidara noticed something was different about Naruto. He had an orange pigment around his eyes and they were now toad like.

Sakura had finished treating Kankuro. She had extracted the poison and the puppet user was going to be fine now. She was on her way to join the other when she ran across Ed and Al battling a giant green creature. She stopped and looked stunned, it looked hideous. Ed's clothes were torn and she could now fully see his automail arm.

Ed clapped his hands together and slammed them on the ground. A giant pillar began to carry him skyward as Al had drawn a circle and distracted Envy with spiked that were headed right for him. Envy destroyed the spikes with his tail before Ed got him in the neck with his bladed right arm. Envy didn't look happy and knocked Ed back.

"That hurt you pipsqueak!"

Sakura leapt in to action and hit the creature in the face. It hurt like hell as he was sent tumbling back.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"

Both Ed and Al looked stunned. This pink haird girl had some monsterous strength. Sakura asked if they were alright. Ed and Al just nodded, speechless.

"That was pretty good girl. That really hurt."

"Alright Envy, "Ed said after recovering. "Hand over your Philosopher's Stone. It might be our only way of getting back."

"You want me to trust you again pipsqueak. I did that already and look at where it got us. No thanks, I'm just gonna kill you."

Sakura leapt at Envy again but this time he moved out of the way. As Sakura's fist impacted the ground it left a huge crater. Envy was starting to think this might be a problem. He heard Ed clap his hands as a pillar came up from the ground and hit him in the jay. Al had drawn another circle and the ground came up from behind knocking him off balance. Sakura hit him again and it hurt no less than the last time.

The two alchemists he could deal with but that girl's strength wasn't something to take lightly. Deciding to fall back for now Envy changed back into his human form. Sakura was caught off guard because she hadn't known he could do that.

"We'll finish this later pipsqueak." Envy then retreated into the woods. Ed gave chase but couldn't see him anywhere. Envy must have changed form again so he wouldn't be spotted.

"Are you two okay?" Sakura looked them over as Ed came back. He insisted he was fine but Sakura was having none of it. She insisted she tend to their wounds. Well Ed's anway, Al just needed a little alchemy repair.

"WIND STYLE: RASENSHURIKEN!"

Deidara had taken to the air on his bird. He saw the attack coming in fast. He had no choice but to abandon his bird as it was hit. He was starting to think he might have underestimated the nine-tailed brat.

Kakashi charged at Deidara and began trading blows. Naruto summoned two shadow clones and formed a rasengan in each hand. "SAGE ART: RASENGAN BARRAGE!"

Kakashi moved out of the way as Deidara was hit by the attack. Deidara was getting back on his feet as Kakashi joined Naruto.

"How are you doing Naruto?"

"I only have one more Rasenshuriken in me before Sage Mode runs out. We have to settle this soon."

"That attack of yours seems quite powerful," Kakashi noted. "I'll keep him distracted while you prepare to hit him with it. "

"What? I don't want to hit you Kakashi-sensei."

'"Trust me Naruto. I know what I'm doing. I'll be fine." Naruto nodded as Kakashi then engaged Deidara. Naruto summoned two more shadow clones and prepared his attack. Kakashi had charged up his lightning blade and hit Deidara in the shoulder. The Akatsuki member grabbed his shoulder covered in blood.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! NOW!" Kakashi had used a substitution as Naruto threw his attack once more. This time it hit Deidara as he finally ran out of sage jutsu chakra. Deidara screamed in agony until at last it was over. Naruto panted he looked over Deidara lying still on the ground.

Later everyone, including people from the Sand Village had gathered round Gaara who lay lifeless. Naruto was shedding tears at his own failure to save his friend. Temari and Konkuro were both mourning the loss of a brother. Al was also upset, he had really wanted to get Gaara back safe.

Then the unexpected happened as Lady Chiyo decided to bring Gaara back to life. Moved by Naruto's passion and caring for someone not even of his own village, she decided this was something she had to do. Ed and Al were both having a hard time trying to process this. They had tried this themselves.

"Brother," Al whispered.

"I know Al," Ed said in a soft voice. "It's not possible. They can't, can they? You can't bring the dead back to life. "

"Naruto," Lady Chiyo said. "You and Gaara share the same pain. You may be the only one who can truly understand what he has gone through. You, blond kid," she said addressing Ed.

"You weren't wrong. I'm not the one who had to suffer the consequences of my actions. Whatever it is you two have done, you've paid a heavy price haven't you?"

Ed and Al both looked down as they were reminded of when they tried to bring their mom back to life. They then watched on in shock as she with Naruto's assistance brought Gaara back to life at the cost of her own. They were speechless, not only had it worked, but the cost was a life for a life. Lady Chiyo was willing to trade her life for Gaara's.

Ed had to excuse himself from the group. He couldn't stay there, Al watched as his brother walked off into the woods by himself. "DAMMIT!" He yelled as he punched a tree with his automail arm.

"DAMMIT! WHAT KIND OF WORLD IS THIS? IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE POSSIBLE! THE DEAD DON'T COME BACK TO LIFE!" He was frantically running his hands threw his hair.

"THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A NATURAL ORDER TO THINGS! IS THIS SOME CRUEL JOKE?" He was yelling into the sky now. "DID YOU SEND US HERE JUST TO RUB IT IN OUR FACES? YOU BASTARD!"

Uknown to Ed he had an audience. Naruto was hidden behind a tree as he observed Ed's breakdown. Ed had finally tired himself out and was on his knees panting.

Note: If Naruto is starting to seem OOC, I'm trying to make it seem like Jiraiya actually did his damn job and trained him properly while still trying to keep Naruto as much in character as possible.

Note: So the reason I went ahead and gave Naruto Sage Mode is because personally, where he was during the fight with Pain is where I think he should have been at the start of Shippuden. Maybe Kishimoto didn't come up with Sage Mode until later, fair enough. This also means he has the Rasenshuriken too.