to BringsTheSnow: heh, glad you found this story again. and you like this story. I really appreciate the comments.

"Now you two be nice, alright?" Shade asks his girls, they both nod and he then tells Miles's wife, who has agreed to look after the kids while they, along with her husband and his brother's teacher, will accompany them to this meeting.

She nods and gives Miles a goodbye kiss, Shade has to look away from the painful reminder of what happened to his own wife. "See you there." she says. Miles replies, "Take care." and leaves along with his brother.

The group then head towards the meeting grounds for the first meeting among the families after years of silence. This will be the second time Scar goes to such a meeting. The first one had been right after he finished the first part of his training, but he barely remembers that meeting. Only there was a lot of talking about war and how many of those who were gathered wanted to fight against the Amestrians. He still vividly remembers the anxious face his father wore and wonders if father had that face because he knew they couldn't win the fight.

The meeting area does look like a huge town center with a lot of large stairs for an Amestrian but for the Ishvalens, this is the spot where most decisions of Ishval's future will be made. Like the last time he was here, Scar takes a seat and his master take a seat behind him.

He watches more and more people gather, all chatting quietly, some faces Scar recognizes, others he does not. One he does is a face of a man a bit younger than him; it's the face of his cousin twice removed. Scar's eyes narrow at seeing Lucien alive, and he's not sure if he should be relieved or roll his eyes knowing that this side of the family has survived the war. Lucien, his parents, and presumably that woman is his wife; none of them longer bear the Adel name. It was before his time but from what he has gathered, some major disagreement between his mother's cousin and his parents made Lucien's father turn his back on the Adel family and took his wife's last name: Althea. There have been several skirmishes, but the now two separate families have usually kept their distance from one another. Scar takes notice that Kaeden; his mother's cousin has noticed his brother, who is having small talk with someone else, and Scar does not like the look the man gives him. Then he notices that some elderly woman, a priestess, missing right eye, is staring intensely at him. He's not entirely sure why as he does not recognize this elderly woman.

She does turn away from him and back to the gathering of the families; she seems a bit distressed, of what he's not sure.

"How can the meeting start without the Logue Lowe?"

Scar hears a woman ask not far from him, he glances at her and then back to the meeting, realizing that their spiritual leader, the very one who makes sure every voice is heard during a meeting is missing. Did their Logue Lowe perish in the war? He turns back to his master, asking him quietly, "Has this happened before?" and his master shakes his head, then got up and walks to the center, much to Scar's confusion. He does quickly realizes what his master is doing when Azad speaks up, getting everyone's attention: "Son's and daughters of Ishval, unfortunately, we have yet found a worthy candidate of Logue Lowe, so until then I will hold the chair of the gathering." His master turns to the families. "I hope the families can help solve this problem for upcoming meetings."

"Yes, that should be one of our discussions." An elderly man speaks, his holy scarf folded around his shoulders and his clothing is simple but quite fancy. Scar notices that a lot of the people gathered all seem to perk up when this man spoke. Can it be that he is very well respected?

"Then let the meeting begin." Azad calls out to the people, and as the working chairman, he states out the reasons for this meeting. "There are two things needed to be discussed. One is finding a worthy candidate for a supreme cleric and the other: a change of tradition on who can become a warrior monk." The last one got several talking, not a surprise really. A fellow priestess turns to him, asking, "Who is suggesting such a change?"

He takes that as his queue. "I did." Shade speaks up and everyone's eyes stare at him, made him feel quite nervous, but he didn't let it show. "I am proposing that girls should be allowed to become a warrior monk, as well as boys be allowed to be the hands of care and creation so chooses." One of the elderly men snorts in a highly offended manner, Shade turns to this man mildly confused and the man speaks. "That's clearly not the only change of tradition you are planning. Didn't Rais teach you any manners?"

Well, he might have been a bit too straightforward for these elders. Shade does wonder who this Rais is the man speaks about. His face must've betrayed him, for the man demands appalled. "What kind of son are you?" Wait… Rais, is that the name of his… father?

"Forgive me, but I have very little memory about my past." He explains the elderly man and turns to another when he starts to laugh.

That explains his oblivious stare when they locked eyes. Oh, the irony to know the Adel family's future head has forgotten what it means to be an Adel. His sister is undoubtedly rolling in her grave. He laughs, which catches Shahill's attention and after have made a halfhearted apology, he speaks. "I; Kaeden, the head of the Althea family propose that this man:" he gestures to his grand-nephew, but it's not like Shahill knows that anymore. "Will no longer be part of the respected families." A few of the other members mumbled their shock and quickly spoke of why he made such a proposal. "What respect does a man without name or knowledge of his own family deserve?" He turns to Shahill, unable to keep the smug smile at bay, for this has given his family the golden opportunity to take the Adel political power. "One who has a mass murderer for a brother."

Shahill's eyes wide in shock, so he wasn't aware of that little fact. Kaeden titles slightly his head, it does surprises him that Shahill hasn't been aware of what his own brother did. Those two were so insufferable close before the war. "Oh, didn't your beloved brother tell you?" He asks with a drawl, quite enjoying this. "Did he lose faith when you dwelled yourself into the heresy of alchemy?"

The crowd begins to chatter, some confused, others angry.

"That's enough Kaeden." The elderly woman; Shan speaks to the Althea family's head in insulting this poor man, he doesn't know who he is, and that's hardly his fault. "I have heard many of the good deeds this man has done with his alchemy. It's nothing he should be ashamed of." She eyes a good family friend in the form of the Amir head when he speaks calmly: "True, and the Amir family will not disgrace him for have dwelled into this craft, however:" his eyes harden "The head of Althea does have a point. You cannot be the head of the family without knowing your own heritage deeds or bearing the name given by Ishvala. Someone else has to take your place until you can speak your name." But Shan much rather wants a nameless man to be the head of whatever family he belongs to than letting the brother take the spot. But just to be sure, "Do you have any other family members nameless one?"

He nods, still seems to be quite in shock and starting to get really upset about what Kaeden had said. "Y-Yes, my younger brother." Shan followed his gaze and feared as much, she might not have seen his face properly that day, but that large scar and the tattoo on the right arm, not to mention he is a monk; there's no doubt about it is the same one who took the lives of the Rockbells. "I will not allow this man to take your place. I disagree with Kaeden's behavior, but he is right in one thing: your brother is a murder. He killed the very doctors who saved his life." The nameless one's eyes wide in horror, so the younger one never told him, it seems. She feels pity for the man to have found out this way. "I am sorry for you to have heard it this way, nameless one… "

"Same, and I am deeply sorry to treat you this way…" a somewhat young man speaks somberly. He knows Shahill but now with his duty as the head of his own family. He is forced to think about what is best for his family and their people. "But the Surya family will not accept one without a name to be part of this meeting." He speaks, wishing he did not have to shove such a brilliant and kind person away. "If wishes to take up the topic of your offer: Someone else has to take it up for you…"

Shahill drops his head in crushing defeat but something tells him it's not because of this but of the horrible truth he has found out about his own brother.

"I understand…"

So he tries to save it, if just a little. "if you ever regain your name. I will not argue against you."

"Neither will the Parthenia."

"Or the Amir."

Kaeden does not speak; he much rather wants the Adel family gone as that will give his family the chance to move into that sector and thus spread their influence. But since he has no wish of being seen in a bad light by the others. "Join us again when you know who you are." He speaks to Shahill and does hope that is never going to happen.

He'd expected them to use his use of alchemy and lack of name against him, but never in his life had he expected to get such a horrible truth thrown at his face. He knew his brother has done something terrible but… to murder Winry's parents… the very people who saved his life and what this Kaeden said... the two doctors hasn't been his brother's only victims. Shade no longer knows what to think anymore, he can't think straight at the moment, which kept him from arguing with the others. So he has to leave them to discuss about whatever this Louge Lowe is. Shade turns his gaze up to his brother and his brother, who has heard everything like everyone else. His eyes are wide in horror and fear that the truth has come out, and now Shade can understand why, this is a hard pill to swallow. He… he can't face his brother… Shade leaves the meeting.

Scar watches his brother leave the area after locked eyes for a moment, the emotions he saw in his eyes… he does not think their relationship will survive this…

Scar leaves the meeting area, glad that Miles hasn't been trying to stop him. He needs to be alone, prepare himself when… his brother will cut all ties with him…

"I have never seen him leave your side that quickly before."

A familiar and incredibly unwelcome voice speaks. Scar sneers in annoyance, "I don't have time for you Lucien." he tells his grand cousin annoyed.

Not that the man cares, he has an infuriating boldness that makes him say things that really gets him in trouble. "Oh, I think you have, Scar." Lucien drawls out the name the military gave him, "What I hear, you're not worthy of much anymore after you went on that rampage. Can't say I blame you. Those state alchemists deserved it." he shrugs and takes a seat onto a wall not far from him. "But you stepped so much past the line, who knows if your known temper will turn against one of us."

Scar shoots him a glare for even suggesting such a thing. "I would never harm one of our people. The only people I killed were those of the military."

"Military you work for now." Lucien points out, and Scar must see the irony in this. "Haven't you realized the irony of this whole scenario?"

Scar narrows his eyes, clearly not seeing it. Lucien points to where he spotted the big brother of this man went. "Your brother has become the very thing you went out to kill." And Scar snaps angrily at him: "He's not a State Alchemist!" Must mean he hasn't heard the rumor going around. "I'm surprised you haven't heard, but a lot of the military folks are talking about your big brother being a State Alchemist. And knowing how they run this race, it's only a matter of time before they 'persuade' your brother to join those ranks; all in a sign that Ishval is part of this country."

He titles his head slightly down to the monk, "Will you be able to accept that?" Scar did not answer, but the look in his eyes is enough for Lucien to know. "Yeah, it's a weird thought. But not that terrible." In fact, it will do Ishval good in having more Ishvalen part of the military. It's a good sign that they are part of the country. No, what is truly horrible in Lucien eyes. "He always said we should learn from their ways. And if not for his lack of a name, then your brother would've been a worthy candidate."

As much as Scar hates to admit it, Lucien does have a point. A terrible one, but unfortunately a legit point. "My brother would never do that." He knows that not even with his memories, his brother won't join the military. It's against his very nature. "He's a teacher, not a fighter."

"He's an alchemist." His grand cousin corrects him. "The only thing worth about him now." Scar shoots the other male a glare, but it only made Lucian smile widen. "Surely you must see it; your family linage is dead. For who would listen to two nameless people? Who wants a mass-murder for a brother?" Scar narrows his eyes, but Lucian did make his darker thought resurface in full force. "Honestly, the Adel family might survive if you weren't part of it." Lucian turns around and with a wave, "Think about it, Scar." he leaves.

Scar hesitates but decides to find his brother. Even if he already knows the outcome, he has known it ever since he discovered his older brother was alive and dreaded this confrontation ever since.

He finds Shade at the city's outskirts, sitting on a rock and watching a small herd of camels. Approaching, the man turns and, that small moment their eyes meet. Scar realizes he has hurt his brother in more ways than he imaged. That hit him hard, and with the dread tight around his heart. "How you know." He voices to his brother.

Shade lets out a sigh, "I should've figured…" the thought that his brother murdered someone has crossed his mind, but… he never thought it would be the truth. A moment of silence and he does a mix between a small laugh and a sob. "Ever since we met, I'd been curious as to why you were acting so strange at times. Why you carry such a great pain— that kept a seamless endless rage in check." He hears Scar shifts on his feet; if he's surprised, he could see this deep anger, or if his brother is embarrassed he knows. That Shade does not know. Another sigh and he looks at his right hand. The very one he sacrificed to save the man behind him, and unfortunately, this harsh truth did line Scar's at times weird behavior together. "You used my right arm— my alchemy to..." he can't finish the sentence.

A long silence between them. Only the sounds are coming from the camels and the wind throwing up the desert sand. Scar drops his head with a simple; "Yes." but that simple yes revealed so much more. He deeply regrets having used his brother's alchemy that way. Tainted it with his hatred, murdered people, when his brother wanted to use his alchemy to help people.

"That's why you wanted me to take it back." Shade turns around, the sun's glare did cover most of his eyes thanks to the glasses, but Scar easily noticed the streams of tears down his brother's cheeks. Seeing that hurt him more than any wound ever have, "What have you done?" Scar breaks the eye-contact, unable to keep it. No words will leave his mouth, for what can he say to make it better? He let the beast of hatred take over him. He killed a lot of people; many most likely didn't deserve it. And worst of all, he used his brother's alchemy to snuff out those lives. No words can redeem those actions, and no matter what he will do, he's still a murderer. Scar gets down on his knees, head down and accepts whatever his brother— the head of the family will do to him.

That sudden action of submission took Shade off guard, so for a while, he just stares at his brother. Not sure if that's his brother's way of apologizing or it's some Ishvalen tradition. More than ever, Shade wishes he knew. But he doesn't and so, he can only say what he thinks. "I don't know you anymore. I thought I did, but…" He rolls the ring that holds his family crest, something that should have incredible value for him. But all it does is reminding Shade that he's not the man he used to be. "Clearly I was wrong. We might've known each other in the past, but now… without my memories and the years we have been apart. We're nothing but strangers." Shade takes off the ring, puts it into his pocket, and dries away his tears. "I can't look at you. Leave me be." He tells Scar hard, he needs time to figure out if he wishes someone who carried such a dreadful secret around. If he dares to have this man near his children.

The shuffle of the sand and the footsteps slowly fades away. With him gone, Shade allows himself to openly weep from have pushed one away he had come to care deeply about.

Dang, this part was difficult for me. Mostly the last part. It went through a lot of re-writes before I felt satisfied.

Things are getting heavy between Scar and his brother, now that the secret is out.